A/n: Alright! After a slight issue w/ the previous chapter, we're back on track and its time for you guys to have this chapter right here! Now, after a bunch of seriousness in the past couple chapters you guys will be happy to know that this chapter has a bunch of humor in it ^_^. I also wanna thank Phoenix for reading it, as well as offering a suggestion to add to the humor (I wonder if anyone can guess what was here idea? ;) Anywayz...let's get on w/ this chapter! ^_^

Chapter 10: Arrival

"So, what's on the agenda for today baby?" Snow inquired as he placed his plate in the sink. After that was done he went back over and stood in front of her, wrapping his massive arms around her.

Seriously, if it wasn't for the fact that people could see an extra pair of legs in front of Snow, a person wouldn't be able to see Serah at all.

The much smaller of the two leaned into the hug. "Well, we do have our book convention to go to," she informed her fiancé, as she snuggled into his chest.

"Oh yeah…I completely forgot about that," the bandana wearing male admitted, with a sheepish grin on his face as he looked down at the younger Farron sister.

Sazh shook his head in amusement. "The fearless NORA leader forgetting things? …What is the world coming to," he commented with a chuckle.

The blonde male rolled his eyes. "So, what time do we have to be there?" he asked his future wife.

Removing her head from his chest, she looked up at Snow. "It's in a few hours," she said as she looked at the clock on the wall. "But…I think we all should head down to the hotel now." She added in.

The ginormous sized male nodded in agreement with her suggestion. "Yeah, you're right. There's bound to be a sea of fans waiting for our arrival at all the entrances," he pointed out.

"Which means that we'll more than likely be signing more than a few autographs," the afro wearing gunner stated.

"Oi, I say bring 'em on!" Fang responded with a grin on her face, as she had one arm draped over Vanille who leaned into the embrace.

The black male turned his attention to the tanned Pulsian. "You won't be saying that when pretty much every male there surrounds and tries to grope your girlfriend," he said with a teasing smirk on his face.

Though, based upon the large male fan base that Vanille had earned, the former pilot wasn't just talking empty words.

The brunette's eyes flashed something akin to fire and her hold on the redhead tightened considerably; honestly, the lancer could be so possessive of Vanille at times. "I'd like to see 'em try it, aye?" she practically growled out in a low tone.

She didn't have to go any further with her sentence; the others knew that Fang would beat anyone who so much touched Vanille in a way that was inappropriate or without the shorter Pulsian's consent.

Vanille looked up at her long time friend/girlfriend; she wore a smile on her lips as she chuckled a bit. "You're such a jealous one you are," she stated as she leaned up and kissed the base of Fang's throat—it was meant as a soothing jester.

The kiss earned the desired effect and the Sari wearing lancer's body relaxed immediately; still, her arm remained wrapped securely around her girl.

A few moments of silence passed over the group before Serah spoke again. "Ok…I think it'd be safer on the fans if we use an entrance not on ground level," she said, successfully breaking the silence.

"Agreed," both Snow and Sazh answered together.

"Well, what if we enter into the hotel through the roof?" Hope suggested, from his spot at the table. "This way, we won't have to worry about being held up signing autographs…it can be done later." The silver haired teen pointed out.

Snow smirked. "Plus, it's a great way to keep Fang from going to jail for assault, homicide, and murder," he joked with a chuckle…though deep down, he was completely serious.

"Cheeky bastard," the lancer muttered. She would have said more, but her lips had better things to do at the moment…they were being entertained by Vanille's.

Sazh leaned back in his seat. "Great idea, but how are we going to get to the top of the roof?" he questioned curiously.

Hope had no response for that, so he kept quiet. Luckily, Serah spoke up.

"The hotel owners!" the pink haired teenager exclaimed suddenly, as if she just recalled the fact. "They offered to give us a ride there since we chose to hold our convention at their hotel."

"Uh…I don't think ground transportation is gonna cut it," Sazh began to protest but was cut off my Serah shaking her head vigorously.

"We could arrive by chopper," she stated with a smile. "They did just get a few from someone's airline company." She added with a light laugh.

The gunner of the group was speechless.

"Well then, it's settled," Vanille stated as she stood up from her seat, which happened to be Fang's lap. "We're all making our entrance rooftop style!"

The NORA leader nodded. "Yeah, it seems that way…especially if Sazh's silence has anything to do with it," he said with a hearty laugh.

The young Farron turned and smiled brightly at him. "I'll phone the hotel and have them come pick us up here in an hour," she remarked before walking into another part of the house to make the call.

"Okay! Everyone get ready so we can head out!" the blonde hero yelled.

The train slowed down as it entered into the continually growing town, before pulling into the station and coming to a complete stop.

Claire stepped off the train, with nothing more than a backpack slung onto part of her shoulder and a duffle bag in her hand; all with a smile on her face. "Man, it feels good to be off that thing," she spoke aloud, as she stretched, popping joints and tendons back into place.

The pink haired ex l'Cie then surveyed the area. People were busy zooming past her going Fal'Cie knows where. "This place is so much more alive than when I was last here," she murmured to herself as she bit the corner of her lower lip.

"Can't say that I didn't expect it," she remarked, as she then began walking in the direction of her home. It didn't ever once occur to the former soldier that her sister and Snow were no longer in the place that she had picked out when she was last there.

She chose to walk home because it gave her a chance to think about just how she would greet her sister after a year's absence.

"Let's see, how about 'Hey Serah, long time no see, no?' Nah, that won't do. Okay, okay, what about 'Whoa, I wasn't expecting to see you here' How lame is that? We live together for Fal'Cie's sake! Maybe I should stick with the usual 'I see you're still with this loser' line?"

She shook her head not only at that thought but all the others as well. This was another reason she chose to walk home—it gave her a chance to calm her nerves.

Claire sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a brief moment. "Really, what would people think if they saw me, formerly tough as nails Lightning, nervous about seeing her little sister?" she asked no one in particular.

Suddenly, she smirked at the mental image her brain came up with, despite the fact that she was no longer that person anymore. "Their jaws would probably drop to the ground if not fall off all together."

As Claire walked through the train station, opting to walk through the town instead of on the outskirts, she was so caught up in her silent musings that she didn't notice people around her were dressed oddly similar to each member of her family; some were even dressed like herself.

A few people did stop to look at her, but it was only briefly, before they resumed walking murmuring under their breath…"Lightning would never dress like that. What a pathetic imitation."

The deadly warrior, at least on the outside and to strangers, was oblivious to it all. Still, the biggest thing that she failed to notice were all of the posters that she passed within the station had pictures of each member of her family; and of course, posters of herself as well. She was also clueless to the television ad that was playing, talking about the bestselling book series of the year, based off the lives of seven individuals.

Yup, Claire was totally clueless to everything happening outside the retches of her own mind; but, her inattentiveness would soon catch up to her and catch her completely off guard.

We are all here today, because of a very amazing book series. …Based upon the lives of former Pulse l'Cie their individual stories have touched and moved us all…

"Whoa…" Snow breathed out as he peaked from behind the curtain to get a look at the crowd. The stubble bearded man's face held complete shock.

Sazh followed his example and a matching look etched itself onto his face as well; Sweets poked his head out from his owner's head, saw the sigh, and promptly fainted back into the mountain of hair that was his home.

"Talk about your Fal'Cie smoke and mirrors," Sazh whispered in an awed tone.

The trenchcoat wearing male nodded. "Can't say that I was expecting this," he said, as he did a double take to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.

Fang approached the two and decided to see what all the "fuss" was about. "Hmm…well whadda ya know," she quipped as she pulled away from the curtain with a smirk on her lips.

Both Serah and Vanille approached the curtain and decided to get in on what the elder three of the group knew that they didn't; the shorter two females peered out from where the others previously looked. Their eyes widened considerably at the sight that greeted them.

…Their individual lives woven together by a power beyond their control, we have read how their paths crossed. The back-story of how it all began…

"We did say that we'd be holding a book convention? …Right?" Serah inquired, leaving the question open for anyone to answer.

The redhead turned her attention to her "new" family. "Well, at least we know that they've read the books," she joked with her trademark laugh following. "And, have gotten really into it by the looks of things."

"Aye, I'll say," Fang agreed. "So much so, that they're trying to be us. Pff…good luck with that." She scoffed.

…Combined, selling over 75 billion units over the past year and counting, please help me welcome the authors of the 'Episode Zero' series…

The room then erupted into a thunderous roar of cheers, as people practically screamed for the authors.

Suddenly, Hope approached the group. "I'm back from the bathroom," he informed them. He then noticed the looks on their faces.

"What's up? …Did I miss anything?" the silver haired teen asked, eyebrows coming together in confusion.

The lancer shrugged; her trademark smirk plastered onto her face. "Eh…you'll find out soon enough 'joey'" he answered. The boomerang wielding didn't have a chance to respond before the elder Pulsian was dragging him out onto the stage.

As the group stood out on stage waving, before taking their seats at a table on stage set up for them, Hope noticed what the others had found out moments ago. But, unlike them, his reaction was far from subtle.

"Oh my Gaming Gods! They're dressed up like us!" he hollered; Fang erupted into a fit of laughter.

And it was true. Every fan out there was dressed like someone on stage; there were even quite a few people dressed like the elder Farron as well. Talk about a devoted fan base.

"Man, it's like a freaking ghost town," Claire commented to herself as she walked along the sidewalk.

Apparently, after she exited the train station, people had just up and vanished.

As the elder Farron strolled down the sidewalk, she passed by a hotel. She could hear the sound of muffled shouts, even though she was across the street from the place.

She raised her empty hand to her mouth, and proceeded to nibble on her thumb nail in thought; a habit that had developed since childhood. "I wonder where everyone is," she asked no one in particular.

The shouts coming from the hotel got louder, if that were possible, which caused her to turn her attention towards the sound; it was a good thing too.

The sight that greeted the crystal eyed female was enough to instantly halt her walk towards her home. Not only that, but, it was also enough to have her dash across the street—thank Pulse there weren't any vehicles coming from either direction—and snatch down a poster that was on the outside of the building.

The former soldier stared at it long and hard, even though she recognized the image. She was just in shock.

"This…this is a poster…of me," Claire said in complete shock. Well, technically, it's a poster of her old self, but the point is there all the same.

Taking her eyes off her poster and looking around, she saw several other posters too; each had a member of her family on it. The ones she saw had Vanille, Sazh, and Snow.

What the fuck is going on? She questioned mentally, turning her attention back to the poster in her hand.

Her attention was taken from staring when a young man exited the hotel. Maybe he could tell her what was going on?

"Excuse me, sir," she called as she approached him, holding up the poster of herself. "Can you tell me what's going on?"

He looked at her as if she had just asked the stupidest question in the world; and, to him, she had. "Geez, have you been living in a cave?" he countered. Before she could respond—with the answer or sarcasm—he spoke again.

"The Episode Zero book convention is going on today. The authors of each book in the series are speaking about the books and answering questions," he informed her. "Look I've love to stay and chat but I have to pretend I love my kids more than this convention and go get them because their mother can't."

"Hey wait! Who are the authors?" Claire called out to the man's back.

"Can't go pick up the kids because you're in the hospital because of a slipped disk. Ha! What a crock! …This is just payback for me cheating on you isn't it?" the man grumbled to himself.

Hearing the question aimed at him he paused and turned around. "You're dressed like Serah's sister so you tell me?" he countered, as he resumed walking. "Horrible costume imitation by the way!" he yelled.

Ignoring the man's irritability, as well as his insult to her looks, she made a mad dash to the door of the hotel.

"Serah…" she breathed out as she entered the hotel, and followed the signs to where the convention was being held.

The convention was taking a brief intermission. The first half of the convention was spent with the group thanking their fans for all their support and answering a few questions about the books.

Now the family was signing autographs—be it of their books or personal items from fans—taking pictures, chatting ideally, and etc.

This was the sight that Claire was greeted to upon entering the room; the sound of voices all meshed together in an undecipherable language and people brushing and pushing against one another.

Her eyes almost fell out of her skull at seeing a sea of Serahs, Snows, Hopes, Vanilles, Sazhs, and Fangs.

"The world is barely safe with one Fang and Snow…but hundreds?" Claire muttered to herself as she began to search through the crowd for the real Serah Farron.

"Everyone!" the hotel manager said into the mic while on stage; instantly, the room became silent and all eyes were focused on him. "The intermission period is over. So, let us return to our seats and pick up where were left off."

The group's imitators eagerly took their seats; all ready to ask the now popular group whatever question came to mind.

"Number 123," Serah pointed out.

The imitation Hope stood up. "I have a question directed at Fang," the imitator said, and it was clear from their voice that they were a female.

Why are pretty much all the "Hope's" here girls? The real Hope thought to himself sadly.

"Aye?" Fang responded happily.

"How's your sex life with Lightning going?" he/she asked quite seriously.

The brunette on stage blanched as if she had been physically slapped. "WHAT?" she demanded to know. "Where the bloody hell would you get that idea!"

The question was unexpected by a number of parties; both the real Snow and Sazh began laughing madly at Fang's expression. Vanille and Serah both held the same level on shock on their face as Fang…though obviously, both for separate reasons. Hope was the only one with confusion written all over his face.

"Whoa, Fang, you're like…dating Light too?" the solver haired teen on stage inquired. "I thought you and Vanille were…"

"No, I'm not!" came the lancer's response. "And, yes! Vanille and I are dating and have a damn good sex life!"

The imitation Hope spoke once again. "I honestly, don't see how you can be with someone who looks like they haven't even hit puberty yet," the girl continued on. "Maybe you're into little kids…"she trailed off as she seriously pondered the thought.

"And," "Hope" continued on. "If you're dating someone who looks like they should still be in school, then that reflects badly on you."

"Oi, now wait just a—" the tattoo wearing Pulse born began but was cut off; her anger quickly rising from so many factors at the moment.

"If anything, Lightning is the better choice because she looks her age and I'm sure she can do things that little Miss Innocent up there can't. The evidence is there in both fan fictions and Wikipedia! Lightning is the one meant for you!"

That was the last straw as Fang slammed her fists down onto the table and quickly stood up from her seat. "Listen hear you fuckin' diehard 'Flight' or 'Flaire' fan," she growled out. "How dare you even think to insult Vanille!"

"How dare you pick that little kid over Lightning," the female Hope countered, not backing down from this argument.

As the two females' argument escalated, the real Claire stood stunned in the back of the room; she had heard the question posed by the fake Hope and it simply blew her mind. Her and Fang dating? …Only in a fan fiction.

First off, Fang was just her friend—albeit a good one and an even better battle partner. Secondly, anyone with half a brain could see that Fang and Vanille were meant for each other; even if she did develop some weirdo feelings for the lancer, how was she ever going to compete with what was between the two Pulse natives anyway?

It took someone brushing past her to videotape the scene that she was knocked out of her surprised state.

"Right, gotta get to Serah," the elder Farron whispered to herself. Looking straight ahead, she knew that she'd never be able to push through such a tightly packed crowd; people had gathered as close to the stage as they could to witness the heated argument between Fang and the female Hope.

From what she was over hearing it represented a battle between "Fanille/Vang" and "Flight/Flaire" fans.

Looking off to the side, she saw a couple of unattended microphones—which is where she got her idea from. Expertly maneuvering around people she made her way to one of the mics; hitting her hand to it she heard the echo which meant that it had yet to be turned off.

"Serah!" she yelled into the device.

The echoing of her voice did not halt the argument at all. It did however gain her sister's attention, but only briefly; the heated argument was consuming her sister's focus.

"No questions right now please," came the quick reply.

The strawberry blonde sighed in frustration. "Serah! It's me!"

"Not now!"

"But Serah…" Why are things never easy for me? The former l'Cie wondered to herself. When she felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned her head slightly. Hotel security…great.

"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to respect her wishes and stop bothering her right now. If you continue, I'm going to have to escort you out for harassment," the slightly taller male warned her. "Oh, and by the way, your Lightning outfit is pitiful"

That was the last straw. Guess I'll just have to get your attention the usual way, she thought to herself.

With all the quickness of her former name, the former Sergeant struck out at the guard. Her fist collided painfully with his jaw; a cracking noise came from the hit, signaling that his jaw was either broken or dislocated. He was on his back and seeing stars before he ever saw the hit coming.

Glancing to her left, she saw that three more guards were fast approaching her; obviously for taking down their buddy. Not wasting any time, she tore into them.

Once within a close enough distance, she lunged towards the closest guard; sending her toned knee into his chubby stomach. He landed on the floor in a heap. Not allowing her momentum to go to waste, she continued on into a tuck n' roll, ending up behind the other two guards.

Instantly, she pushed up onto her hands before spreading her legs out and catching them both in the head; successfully knocking them out cold. When she heard their unconscious forms hit the ground as well, she pushed herself into a flip, somersaulting—spinning three times—before her feet touched the ground again.

Claire landed gracefully on the ground, with her BlazeFire—returned to her by Pulse before she left for home—in sword mode. That little scuffle definitely had gained her the attention of her sister; as well as everyone around them.

…With the exception of Fang and the fake Hope who were still going at it, verbally.

"C-Claire," Serah gasped/whispered simultaneously as she brought up her hands to cover her mouth, from seeing the older woman standing there in the flesh after a year of her absence.

"Sis," Snow breathed out, just as shocked as his future wife.

"Light," Hope uttered the name.

"Soldier girl," said Sazh.

"Lightning," Vanille commented eyes wide in slight disbelief.

"I'm with VANILLE!" Fang snarled.

"You should be with LIGHTNING!" the fake Hope replied.

Ignoring the arguing, the entire room was silent. The former soldier put her BlazeFire away into it holster where it belonged, and picked up the duffle bag and backpack that she had set down prior to. She was going to speak but someone beat her to it.

"Oh my God! It's Lightning!"

Before Claire could even open her mouth to say anything, every hair on the back of her neck stood up. Suddenly, a sea of people had encircled her, leaving her pinned up against the wall.

She was hit by a sea of joyous filled screams. Hundreds of hands assaulted her person, touching everything from the hair on her head to the boots on her feet. Her vision had become impaired because things were just being shoved into her face. Still, she was able to handle this, though she was a bit confused with such a reception.

"Uh, if everyone could just back up…" she tried to shout over the crowd of people that surrounded her that was growing by the second.

Since they weren't listening to her, Claire began pushing her way through the crowd, which was easy enough. She made sure to hold on tight to her belongings. However, before she could even move a foot away from the wall, she felt someone try to remove her BlazeFire from it holster; that was the last straw.

"Alright, that's it!" the strawberry blonde practically yelled. She didn't have time for this; she wanted to see her sister damn it!

She snapped her finger and in an instant her entire being was glowing with a blue light; the sight was enough to cause the crowd to immediately silence and stare in awe. Suddenly, the elder Farron launched herself into the air and then used the wall behind her to propel herself forward and over the crowd. Those that were staring at her had eyes the size of dinner plates.

She landed a good 30 feet away, very close to the exit, from her stunned audience, snapping her fingers once more to deactivate her device.

"Cocoon and Pulse Fal'Cie…you…are…AMAZING!" someone in the crowd hollered about before they all started rushing towards her.

Then, Claire did something that she never would have done if she was still completely Lightning…she ran. And ran extremely fast.

"Just what the hell is going on here? Who the hell are you people?" the blue eyed fighter wondered aloud as she ran out of the hotel from her pursuing crowd.