Me: Thank you reviewers! Geez! I actually said, 'holy shit!' when I came back two hours later from tennis and saw that my reviews had jumped from seventeen to twenty-three. This story is far from over… let's just say this is the icing of the cake… hehehe… And now… you shall get the surprise of your life! … ready? … drumroll… CHAPTER FIVE! WHAT A GREAT SURPRISE!

(Audience throws things at Zetsumei)

Me: You know what? I just realized that I've been writing Final Fantasy – Exile instead of Final Fantasy VII – Exile… well it stuck so… yeah… on another note, just like the important note said, SCHOOL STARTS, UPDATES SLOW DOWN! Boo!

To Emri: Yay! A new reviewer! (even though you're anonymous… you do know that membership to fanfiction is free right? Sometimes I wonder…) anyway. Umm… sorry for not explaining too clearly… umm… crap… how to say this without pissing off other readers… Basically, Sera is living a half-mortal life… I know the judge said mortal, but anyway. She cannot kill herself, she can be killed, she can feel pain (that's the whole point of the banishment), but she will continue living. Yeah… I think I covered everything… sorry to all readers… but it's kinda late to change it now… soo… yeah… you guys do whatever you wish… created little voodoo dolls of me and throw me in a shredder… yell at me… send me hate mail… whatever.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters originally in the game. But I do own everything else so nyah!

Final Fantasy – Exile

Chapter 5 – Arrivals

Three weeks had passed since they arrived at Midgar. Reeve had immediately place orders for manufacturing nine machines for the group. He himself would stay and keep watch over their bodies as they conducted their business in the Holy city.

"The machine will basically stop your heart." Reeve explained. "Then it will proceed to do the same exact thing Vincent's coffin did and keep your bodies in stasis."

"Alright." Everyone muttered.

"In case of an emergency, like lets say for some freak reason that this building were to explode, we can pull you out of the machine and your souls will return to your bodies."

"Alright."

They stepped into the containers.

"Ready?" Reeve called through the glass.

They nodded. Reeve walked behind a control panel and started pushed several buttons and typing on the keyboard. He gave them the thumbs up sign as white gas started to pour into the chamber. Sera looked at it, alarmed, but upon seeing that everyone, especially Vincent, trusted this man, relaxed. She felt a sharp pain in her chest and coughed. Her vision became blurry as the white gas continued to pump into the chamber. She felt like she fainted but was still completely conscious. Her mind was fuzzy and clear at the same time. Then, with a tearing sensation, she saw herself leave her body. There was a bright light. She had experienced this before, but was still completely unused to it. It felt as it she was being ripped apart and reassembled at the same time. The world spun and she shut her eyes. The next thing she knew, a hand was on her shoulder.

"Sera?"

"Vin…cent?"

"We're here."

She opened her eyes and saw a familiar scene. A bright landscape with walls leading into the city. Of course, as she had done a century ago, they arrived outside of the Holy city. The walls seemed to stretch into space as the city expanded to the horizon. A tall man approached them.

"Welcome to the Holy city. I am Saint Peter, guardian of the gates." He said. "My, my, my… such an unlucky party…"

"Whatever do you mean?" Cloud asked.

"To die in a group of thirteen… what else?"

"Huh?"

"You died together… right?"

"There was only… nine…people…" Cloud faltered as he gazed upon the four newcomers.

He stared at the four. The first was a young boy. Around the same age as Yuffie and Sera. He didn't glance at the others but seemed content attempting to eat several matches at once. His hair was dark brown with red-orange at the ends. He wore a purple head band around his head, holding the hair back from his eyes. He was dressed in a shirt that had flames on the bottom and black pants. The second man poked him in the side, causing the boy to yelp in pain as he burned himself. The man was average in height, quite muscular, and sparks seemed to dance around his fists and up his arms. His dirty blonde hair was short and cropped and he wore a tight-fitting, white T-shirt that showed his muscles. He muttered something to the boy, causing him to jump and stare at the group. The third person was Wutain and had a katana and a wakizashi at left side. He stretched and looked at the group in mild interest. His long black hair was tied in a loose ponytail and he wore the traditional gi and hakama. The last person also had black hair that was spiked. A long saber leaned against him as he folded his arms in Vincent fashion. He was dressed in a long black cloak over official looking clothes. (A/N: Have you guessed who they are yet?)

"Who…?" Cloud sputtered.

Upon seeing the last figure, Sera ran from Vincent to the man.

"Chaos!" She shouted and hugged him.

"Sera. How are you?" He asked patting her on the head.

"If… that's Chaos…" Cloud started, staring at the others. "Then that would mean…" he pointed at the others.

"Galian Smith, at your service!" The boy said in an old fashion tone.

He bowed and winked at Yuffie.

"Eww! What a perv!" She screeched and hid behind Tifa.

"That's enough, Galian." The muscular man said whacking him.

"Ow! Damn you, Gigas! You always spoil my fun."

"Shut up, you. All your good for is setting things on fire."

"Oh, yeah? What do you do? Electrocute people? Oh, look! I'm Gigas! I'm so powerful and strong! I can beat anyone! Except I'm sissy enough to like flowers!" He danced around.

Gigas smacked him again, this time sending him to the ground and electrocuting him at the same time.

"Ow…" Galian whined again.

'Something I didn't need to know…' Vincent thought.

"Gomen nassai." The Wutain man said. "I apologize for my friend's behavior." He bowed in tradition.

"A-arigatou." Yuffie said nervously.

"Watashi wa Takari Shou. (If you're American, it's Shou Takari.) Also known as the Hellmasker… though somebody," at this, he glared at Chaos. "Stole my chainsaw…"

"Correction. Won. Win it back…" Chaos said calmly.

"Yusa kenta!" (spelling?)

"Great…" Vincent muttered. "Now I've got to deal with them in real life."

"Ahem…"

They turned to stare at Saint Peter, who had been standing patiently waiting for them to finish.

"The great General Chaos. I've heard a lot about you. I heard you died though…"

"It was…"

"And…" he took a double take. "Fate Sera! What are you doing here!" He growled, voice full of malice. "You were banished! You're not allowed in this city!"

"I'd like to see you try and stop her." Chaos said stepping in front of her.

"Yes… the great General Chaos. Well, things have changed, Chaos. We have stronger generals now…" he took out a small whistle and blew on it. "Prepare to meet our newest and strongest General!" Saint Peter, who was not acting very saintly at the moment, cackled and stepped away from the gate to allow a tall figure to walk through.

"What is it now, Peter?"

"Attack them! They're intruders!"

"How can non-demon's intrude here?"

He glanced at them, stepping into the light. Everyone gasped. The General's long silver hair cascaded past his shoulders and he carried the masamune with practiced ease.

"Sephiroth!" Cloud shouted.

"You…er… know these people?" Peter said meekly, cowering under his glare.

"Yes."

'Damn! Now we'll never get into the city!' Vincent thought, still feeling empty without the stupid demons in his head to argue with.

"Let them in." He said.

"What!" Saint Peter shouted. "Do you know that they have a banished person with them!"

"I'm sure they have a good explanation."

"Thanks, Seph!" Cloud said.

"No, it is I who should be thankful. You broke me from that evil woman's power. And there's someone who would like to see you. Quite a couple people actually."

"Who?"

"You'll see."

"But… but…" Saint Peter spluttered.

"Are you questioning my authority?"

"No! No! Of course not!"

"Then let them in. They'll be held under my responsibility."

"O-okay…"

Saint Peter reluctantly let the thirteen people into the city. They left down several streets.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Saint Peter walked back into the guardhouse. He opened the small closet door and dragged out Saint Peter. He swept his hand casually and the clothes disappeared off his body onto the other man's body. Blood red robes replaced the clothing as his facial appearance changed.

"Enjoy your stay in the Holy city… I'm sure you'll find it most… memorable…" Lord Envy strode out of the guardhouse and back to the House of Legends.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

They stood speechless in front of the crowd of people. In the fairly large house stood everyone they had known. Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, Aeris, Ifalna, Professor Gast, Cloud's parents, Tifa's parents, Lucrecia, Zack and even Tseng and several others they did not know.

"Oh gods, I missed you guys so much!" Tifa hugged her parents tightly.

"Lucrecia…" Vincent stared at his past love.

"Hey. How have you been living your life?"

"Fine."

"Good…"

"Hey, you guys…" Barret said, voice thick with emotion.

"Aeris…" Cloud stared at her.

"Hiya Cloud."

"MOM!" Yuffie cried as she flung herself into her mother's embrace.

"This my father, Seto, and my mother, Saina." (Gods… I can't remember if they said Nanaki's mother's name in the game or not… please tell me if you know…)

"Nice to meet you." Moonlight bowed.

"-bleep-! You guys done?"

"Aeris, 'Myra told me to give this to you." Barret handed over the necklace.

"Wow… thanks." She put it on.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Sephiroth asked.

"Corruption within the House of Legends." Chaos said. "So… you became a general pretty fast, eh?"

Sephiroth ignored him.

"So what's this about corruption?"

Chaos sighed at being unsuccessful at striking up friendly conversation.

"You know who Lord Envy is right?" He asked.

"Yes. The King's aid. What about him?"

"He's the one who summoned Meteor and put us through that whole crisis. We think he may be trying to overthrow the government."

"Ah." Sephiroth said. "So… any plans?"

"Heh… no." Chaos admitted.

"Um…" Sera said, catching everyone's attention. "I think we should tell the Creator… She's the only one who can overpower Envy…" (We'll just say the Creator's female… just to make it more interesting… betcha never saw that one coming…)

"Yes, but how will we get into the House of Legends? We're not even sure She lives there."

"It's worth a try. Chaos and Sephiroth should be allowed into the House quite easily."

"Okay. So, Sephiroth and Chaos try to get in. We'll wait here for the results."

Sephiroth and Chaos left the building and headed towards the House of Legends.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

They walked up the steps and entered through the huge wooden doors. Chaos led the way since he knew the place better. They entered the Hall of Officials. Rooms lined the wall, brass nameplates on each door marking certain rooms. Chaos remembered coming here often to visit Sera.

"That's far enough." A voice called out.

A figure walked out of the shadows. He had a gray goatee and long gray hair. In his right hand was a saber. Its pure steel blade and gold hilt flashed in the candlelight. He approached them, blade held ready.

"S-Samuel?" Chaos asked.

"How do you know me?"

"It's your old buddy, Chaos! Geez, I thought you died!"

"I know no one by the name of Chaos."

"General Samuel, you will please get out of the way. We have important business to attend to." Sephiroth said.

"Lord Envy has placed me on guard here saying that no one shall pass without his consent."

"Who's he to…" Sephiroth began.

"Seph… just go… I'll deal with this." Chaos said, face grim.

"What about you?"

"I'll deal with this." He repeated. "Go."

Sephiroth ran down the hall. Samuel instantly rushed to block Sephiroth's path, blade raised to strike. A loud clang filled the hall. Chaos's black saber was in hand and pushing Samuel's back with some difficulty.

"Chaos… let me h…"

"GO!" He roared.

Sephiroth turned and continued running.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

There was a knock on the door.

"Man…" Cloud got up to answer the door.

They had been swapping stories since Chaos and Sephiroth left. Cloud had been halfway through telling what it was like being under Jenova's control. He opened the door. An armed guard stood there.

"Is Vincent Valentine, Fate Sera, Tifa Lockheart, and Cloud Strife?"

"Yes… why?" Cloud said cautiously.

"You have been charged with conspiracy and bringing a banished person into the city. You four are the leaders as noted by our Lord Envy. You will now come with us to stand trial."

"Wait!" Sera cried, getting frightened. "Hear us out! It's a mistake! Envy's the one…"

The guard backhanded her.

"Show your respect! It's Lord Envy!"

Vincent growled slightly.

"Will you come peacefully?"

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sephiroth tore down the hall. He had to trust that Chaos would keep Samuel at bay. He entered a giant room. At the far end was a door. He guess it would lead to the Creator. He ran towards it. He suddenly found himself surrounded by guards, all armed with electro-rods. One of them stepped forward.

"General Sephiroth. You have been charged with treason against the Creator Herself. Your accomplices have already been detained. You will now come peacefully or we will use force."

Sephiroth started to laugh.

"All you weaklings against me! What a terrible joke! That Envy bastard must be high if he thinks I'll come quietly!"

With that, he drew his masamune and charged into the ranks.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Me: And that's the end of that chapter! Gods… I have so many freakin' ideas for this story! I just want to keep typing! … but it's midnight and I'm tired… so nighty night!

Some Japanese translations… for those who don't know…

Arigatou/Arigato: Thank you

Watashi wa…: My name is/I am

Gomen (nassai): Sorry(really sorry)

Yusa Kenta: Don't fuck with me. (I honestly have not seen this used in any fic… I'm just writing it as it's pronounced… I think)

Next chapter(it's gonna be long…just to let you know…):

Sera screamed in terror. It was all becoming real. The whole dream! The judge glared at her.

"Fate Sera. So we meet again. We'll I'll give you the pleasure of being last."

"Wait! Please! You have to listen! It's all Envy's doing! These guys are innocent! PLEASE!"

"A likely tale. First execution, Cloud Strife."

The guards approached him…

Me: Wait for the next chappy! Once again. five to ten reviews gets another chappy! You guys did really well on that last chappy! THANKS A BUNCH!