Everything in the OP is forgiveable / not that much of a spoiler except saying Lightning dies. It shouldn't be there whether true or false. It's just mean and wrong to say this no matter how much you are hating the game because of its supposed limitations.
“The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” - Bertrand Russell
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix