Lightning Farron

Lightning, born Claire Farron, is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy XIII and the central character of the Lightning Saga. She is the narrator and a temporary playable character in Final Fantasy XIII-2 and returns as the protagonist and only directly playable character in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

Lightning is a young woman with wavy rose pink hair and pale aqua eyes. Lightning's eye color is officially noted as blue, though in the FMVs and promotional art, they often appear green due to green aspects around the pupils.

Lightning has the most extensive set of outfits out of any character in the series: she has over ninety different ensembles, including crossover and downloadable costumes. In Final Fantasy XIII, she wears a variation of the standard Guardian Corps uniform consisting of a white sleeveless coat with an ankle-length red cape attached to the left side of her back and a light brown miniskirt with a burgundy red leather detachable pocket on her left leg. Lightning wears blue fingerless gloves with a black arm cover on her left arm and buckled brown boots with metal soles. The green metallic pauldron over her left shoulder bears yellow glow-in-the-dark stripes denoting her previous rank as a sergeant. She carries her gunblade in a black case that hangs off her belt and wears a silver necklace with a lightning bolt pendant. Her l'Cie brand is located slightly above her left breast. She has a navel piercing, although it can be hard to spot.

Lightning is determined, concentrated, and independent. She's initially cold and detached, distancing herself from her companions, only looking out for herself, and not caring if others get left behind. Lightning's perception of failing to protect Serah drives her, leading her to lash out at those she believes are responsible for her fate: the Sanctum, its fal'Cie, and to a point, Snow Villiers, for his relationship with Serah and his failure to protect her as he promised. While journeying with Hope Estheim, she acts as his mentor and motherly figure. Taking him under her wing, Lightning becomes more emotionally open; Hope serves as a surrogate sibling and helps her realize the errors in her approach and her mistakes with Serah. Lightning begins to show compassion and trust others and becomes the leader and, to a degree, protector of the other Gran Pulse l'Cie as they journey to challenge their fate.

In Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning is almost a new woman due to the experiences and emotions she has endured. She has learned to trust others and ask them for help and express her feelings rather than keeping them bottled up. Her recognition of her past "sins" has made her more melancholy.

In Lightning Returns, Lightning is initially cold and distant. Most of her emotions have been sapped from her, although her memories remain intact. Her wish to save Serah remains, and she still shows concern for her former allies. Lightning and Hope demonstrate trust and care for one another, Hope promising to be by her side, helping Lightning better maintain her humanity despite her situation. She resents Bhunivelze for robbing her of her emotions and exploiting her circumstances to his advantage.

Lightning has a prankish side, as she considered bonding with Serah through the sport of Moogle Throw.

Lightning is a capable combatant, defeating many trained PSICOM soldiers on her own. Besides being adept in swordplay and marksmanship with her gunblade, she is skilled in hand-to-hand combat. After becoming Etro's champion, Lightning's prowess as a warrior allows her to stalemate and later defeat Caius Ballad, an immortal with centuries of experience. As the savior, Lightning can even fight Bhunivelze.

Lightning gains the ability to cast magic as a l'Cie and displays utilitarian aptitude; thunder magic is her specialty. Her Eidolon is Odin, whom she can ride as her steed while dual-wielding the Zantetsuken. Although no longer a l'Cie, she regains her magical abilities after becoming Etro's Champion and displays more advanced magical prowess than Serah and Noel. Her ability to use magic remains as she becomes the savior. While in Valhalla, Eidolons answer her call, and she can send messages via dreams to those residing in the mortal realm.

As the savior, Lightning can collect Eradia from those who find peace and yield it to the magical tree Yggdrasil. Her status as the savior allows her access to the Temple Ruins.