FINAL FANTASY XIII STORY

Cocoon is an air city which was created by the Crystals and the related fal'Cie, protected by machines. Having lived peacefully for many years, the inhabitants of Cocoon are very fearful and are afraid of everything, from outside of Cocoon, and above all what comes from the dark region.

Also the operational "strange organization" are feared by the denizens of Cocoon. Recent contact with those from the world below, called 'Pulse', have caused people to question one another and their ways of life. Due to this disturbance, the government of Cocoon have decided to exile those who show signs of coming in contact with the world of Pulse.

One Crystal looked for itself a woman, who should destroy this world and its inhabitants. One believes that this woman will lead the world to its downfall. Her name is Lightning.

WorldJump Festa 2007 revealed that the world that Final Fantasy XIII is based in is some type of government-controlled floating fortress called Cocoon defended by advanced technology. Those cast out of Cocoon are placed onto the world below, called Pulse. It is heavily implied that the world of Pulse is the earth and where the Crystal that "chose" Lightning is found. The crystals are said to give people the power to change their destinies and shape the world to fit their will. The crystals were in fact used to control the citizens to do work against their own will. The citizens of Pulse rebel against the government for fair treatment of the law.

FINAL FANTASY XIII VERSUS STORY:

A mysterious male with bluish blackish hair and crimson eyes is shown. He "is a member of the royal family in a kingdom that has protected family crystals for generations." While the main character sports normal, modern day clothing and is chauffeured in a luxury car, he works to protect the family crystals from creatures from another world. He weilds many different weapons, such as swords, spears, and lances, and can control them with telekinesis. He can also teleport, which his hair is shown to flash white. His eyes seem to change colour when he weilds different weapons, as his eyes glow red when carrying one sword, and also glow yellow while holding another sword.

Three characters have been revealed in video game magazine, Famitsu. The first character is a man with light brown hair and glasses who is seen wearing a suit and driving the protagonist's car. The second character is a man with dark brown hair and a scar on the left side of his face. The third character is a blonde haired man carrying a shotgun, despite a ban on firearms in his country. These three characters are often seen with the protagonist and appear to be his friends

A blonde girl was revealed to be antagonist of the Prince. Although they have no desire to fight, they are forced to. Magazine scans draw simalarities between her situation and that of Celes Chere Of Final Fantasy VI, hinting that she may possibly become an ally during the story.

Mysterious soldiers wearing medieval-styled armor appear in the trailers as well, but also carrying assault rifles resembling modern automatic weapons.

A new character robed all in white (a possibly symbolic contrast from the protagonist's clothing) introduced in the new trailer. The character is seen in the protagonist's building near the castle as they both cast spells at each other, implying that they are enemies.

Another man, older than the protagonist and dressed in a business suit, appears sitting at the head of a long table as a chairman during a meeting with several other men. Because he has the same eyes as the protagonist, it is speculated that the two are related.