And here I am once more. Sorry for the delay in this chapter but classes began again this week and I had a lot to do. Anyways I still don't own anything except for Ariadne and some OCs that will come around (even if I wanted to : ( well I can dream, can't I?) Reviews will be much appreciated and in case anyone's wondering this fic is supposedly updated every Thursday.
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So welcome to another chapter of Second life. Have fun
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"Chose Squall" – The warrior walked to the middle of the clearing, surrounded by his companions, while thinking of the fate he would give to them. His job wasn't an easy one but he had to do it as he had somehow been appointed as the leader.
– "Well aren't you a bunch of supportive people?" – The sarcasm laced voice came from the truck and everyone turned to see Ariadne sitting on the backseat, a smirk on her lips.
– "I don't know but maybe a little help would be appreciated yes?" – She seemed better, more relaxed, sea green eyes laughing as they had been used too in the little time they had known her.
– "Aria? Are you alright?" – Quistis seemed to be taking the place of an older sister – "How is your head?" – The Galbadian jumped to the floor and only a small flinch showed what she had been through. Squall saw that and frowned. She was a damn good actress.
– "It's gone" – She said smoothly – "Mostly at least. I'll be alright in no time."
– "Enough useless talk" – Interrupted Squall coldly. Quistis glared momentarily while Ariadne shrugged.
– "The guy can't stop being himself can he?" – She whispered to the girl by her side. Both smirked at the same time.
– "That is scary" – Mumbled Zell – "So how is it going to be?" – The brown haired man's eyes looked at them calmly as if analysing each of them and then nodded slowly
– "Rinoa, Quistis and Ariadne you will go to Balamb Garden with me. Zell and Irvine, you two go with Selphie to the Missile base" – Ariadne's eyes narrowed dangerously.
– "Excuse me? Did you hit your head or something Leonhart?" – She chose to ignore the pointed comment from Irvine about how she always reverted to last names when she was angry. – "Do I need to remind you what I am here for?" – He looked at her as she was simply saying good morning.
– "No" – One of her eyebrows twitched and Irvine got out of the way. He had seen that before and he wasn't that keen on a rerun.
– "Goody. Then your memory isn't as half as bad as I thought it was" – Mockery flowed from each word that left her lips – "That idiot I have the displeasure of calling headmaster sent me as a stealth specialist. That was why if you didn't grasp the correct information. Now in a covert operation you are going to send me to clean house duty. You have to be shitting me."
For the first time since …forever…Quistis saw emotion in his eyes. A mix of exasperation and infuriation. He was not happy.
– "The choice is mine in case of you haven't grasped the correct information" – He hissed – "I was named leader on the beginning of this mission and I will remain so until it is finished. You will go to Balamb as I ordered." – They seemed to be caught in a battle of their own, cold blue clashing with fast appearing dark emerald, while the others watched gob smacked.
– "Yes, why not?" – Ariadne continued sarcastically – "Do you wish for me to jump of a cliff as well? Think Leonhart. As much as Zell and Selphie are great fighters they have no discretion whatsoever. And I will not go into Kinneas. They will put the blasted place in alarm in no time."
– "Hey!" – She gave them an apologetic look that clearly said you-know-I'm-right.
– "And you will not make a better job when you cannot even stand right" – He shot back – "You will go to Balamb and at least allow yourself to recover you thoughtless girl" – Her eyebrow twitched again and Irvine took one step backwards before being followed by everyone except for the two battling Seeds. He had after all known her longer.
– "I am alright now leader." – Ariadne continued not bothering to change her tone – "I do not need to recover anything. And this is not a mission where we are expected to go in there and kill everyone. I have done a lot of these before and I can do it again. Stop being unreasonable."
Silence fell again before he returned to his normal cold persona – "I have said my orders. Let's go." – And he turned around approaching the car leaving an extremely pissed off girl behind him. If glares could kill he would dead and seven feet under before he could even blink. Her hand closed as well as her eyes and a deep breath was heard. When she opened them they were apparently calmer but underneath a storm could be perceived. The urge to get her katana was great but she remained frozen. A hand was placed on her shoulder soothingly. It was Quistis.
– "Forget it Aria. It isn't worth it. Let's get this over with." – She nodded accepting the understanding the older woman was giving her and turned to the party that was going to the missile base. With a few comments about what they could not do (including the one that said quite directly for them not to run and not to make the wrong salute) they left them into yet another suicide mission. With a final glare Ariadne entered the car and placed her head on the window shield. She was tired of sleeping but anything would be better that the silence. That and Rinoa's too many attempts of conversation. Quistis quite wisely did the same as her. – "Leave leader boy to stand it alone."
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My POV
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I need a target. Or a training centre. How about merely something to blow up? And a fucking brain would be most welcome. It had been quite a while since the last time I had lost control like that. It wasn't like the you're-an-idiot fights I have with Kinneas ever since that major incident but a real fight. I was ready to continue for as long as I could and my blood nearly burned.
The will to kick his ass is still present as I watch the fields from my window. Quistis is sleeping again and thank God Rinoa is following her example. It appears that Squall is doing the same but with him no one can know. He seems almost normal and that is the only thing that is stopping me from continuing the discussion. That and the fact that I know that he is under a lot of stress and will probably not need someone doing that. But right now I don't understand the why to the decision he took.
It wasn't a mission that hard. I made a lot of them harder than that and made it back okay. And they will need my help. Maybe I could get them out before the missile base exploded and they were left to be stuck on a machine that we will have to battle in the future. Well I am sure they will love that experience. Note the sarcasm. But he was right in one thing though.
I am tired. However that doesn't change the fact that he didn't trust me to get the job done and that hurts like bitch. Correction…It's annoying as hell. And it is not as if going to the Garden will not help my condition. I am pretty sure that between stopping the civil war, evading missiles and battling Norg and the Galbadians I will be able to breath. That will be good enough right?…Yeah right.
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3rd Person POV
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- "We are here" – Squall entered the gate followed immediately by the three women but if he and the black haired and blond relaxed, the last unsheathed a blade quietly, looking around with caution.
– "Why are you…" - Rinoa's question remained unfinished when a grat came out of nowhere and attacked. Ariadne took the other katana and slashed quickly being replaced by Quistis when she finished her attack
– "Well this is nice" – The galbadian commented while supporting her left katana on her shoulder – "Good welcome" – The two Seeds didn't answer and only sped towards the main building leaving them to follow as fast as they could. The Garden was literally overflowing with monsters and the students running around fighting with each other weren't making the situation any better.
– "Quistis" – Called Squall after entering the front doors – "Take Ariadne. Discover what's going on." – The two girls didn't stop to think. Simply nodded once and turned to the right while Squall and Rinoa took the opposite
– "Let's see the library first" – Ariadne followed her guide after killing yet another monster that crossed her way.
– "If you don't kill the one that did this I will Quis" – She grumbled entering the hallway – "We have bigger problems to take care of than this." – The blond instructor smiled sadly and Ariadne's eyes narrowed seeing the pain in her companion's face.
– "You are with the headmaster aren't you?" – In front of them were two Garden students preparing to attack the ones barricaded in the library.
– "Aren't you brave?" – The sarcastic voice of the galbadian brought the attention to the newly arrived warriors whose face showed nothing but contempt. Said girls exchanged a look and a smile crossed the brown haired one's lips
– "The one who wins gets a lunch" – A smirk was sent back and in the next second they both attacked as one.
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Strange looks were fixed on the two Seeds when they entered the headmaster's office. They were a little worse for wear as their clothes were scratched in several places and they were covered in dust and a thick red liquid.
– "Blood?" – Squall came closer watching them both while they regained their breath – "Are you hurt?" – He received a wry look from both females, so similar in appearance that even he was surprised. At least for the raised eyebrow he sported for a few seconds.
– "No, of course not" – Quistis actually rolled her eyes looking at her one time student.
– "We just wanted to know what the hell a T-Rex was doing in the hallways, that's all" – Continued Ariadne as if she was simply stating something about the weather – "It is a bit annoying to defeat one of those while attempting to stop the idiots that are siding with the so called Garden Master"
– "And who is he by the way?" – Finished the former instructor looking at him inquiringly.
The headmaster approached the two and simply sighed. – "That will be later explained" – He said looking at them – "We have more pressing matters now." – Squall gave a sharp nod and Quistis bowed in respect to her headmaster and left the room. Ariadne barely acknowledged the veiled order and followed the blonde ignoring the look Squall was giving her. She didn't seem to care the least.
– "What do you think that will happen now Quis?" – She asked to her friend when she joined her. Rinoa was sitting nearby, her blue eyes fixed on the two as if assessing the easy camaraderie they shared.
– "Xu is evacuating as much students as she can" – Quistis answered resting against a wall – "We do not have a lot of time to leave as well. If we don't get away we will probably be in a bad situation." – Ariadne rolled her eyes.
– "I wouldn't call it a bad situation. That's quite the understatement. How about a pretty fuc…"
– "Language Aria" – Interrupted the instructor sensing the will to lighten the mood. And it worked if judging for the giggles that were heard somewhere from Rinoa's vicinity.
– "Yes ma'am." – It was only missing the salute. Ariadne had just supported herself against the elevator to get some rest when Squall left the office and nearly cursed as the ache that had spread on her chest hadn't subsided. Something that she wouldn't say to anyone…except for the two brothers in her head that were controlling the urge to lecture her. Her face slipped to a mask she had perfected a long time ago and showed what she just wanted the others to see hiding the pain that had been growing from all the fighting and running she had been doing in the last hour.
– "What are we going to do?" – Asked Rinoa approaching the Seed that was fiddling with a card key.
– "We have to investigate the sub-levels. The headmaster believes there is a way to save the Garden there."
– "Then let's go then" – Said Quistis with a renewed vigour. Ariadne almost glared again.
– "I so need coffee" – She thought with a sigh ignoring again the unreadable look Squall bestowed upon her even if she knew what it was about – "No Garden to send me this time asshole" – A smirk crossed her lips – "What are we waiting for?"
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Ariadne followed the others silently feigning her attention and soft, cautious steps as a cover for her weariness. The ache had vanished to a dull pulse and that had to be enough for the moment. She was sure the mission on the missile base would have been easier if not less tiring but there was no use to thing about it. Even if she had been controlling the urge to stick out her tongue as an immature brat and say "I told you so" followed by a "nah nah nah nah nah nah".
– "Aria" – Quistis slowed down a bit so she could walk beside her – "You okay?" – She sent a look in front of her and after confirming that the others were too concentrated with a valve she waved tiredly.
– "Just fine" – Her voice translated nothing of what she looked like and a moment after even that expression faded into nothing. Quistis seemed worried and confused with the façade but Ariadne just shrugged and mouthed "later".
– "We have to go up" – Squall's voice broke their silent conversation bringing their attention to the ladder he was pointing to. A piece of metal covered in rust and oil. The galbadian returned to her normal sarcastic self and raised an eyebrow.
– "Without wanting to point the obvious or anything but do you want us" – She made a gesture towards the group – "To climb that?" – Her finger indicated the rusty steps. She didn't wait for an answer and sighed – "Squall…that is one of the oldest things I have ever seen in my life. I doubt it will hold our weight." – He looked at it and nodded
– "Very well. You stay here. I will go."
Without a thought Squall did just that ignoring her comment that clearly stated that she was doubtful it would hold his weight. When he felt the ladder starting to fall under him however a strange thought that said that he should probably listen to her more often made its way into his mind. He frowned as he stood from the ground where he had fallen and approached the computer while thinking of the galbadian that had somehow joined their group. He had a nagging suspicion that she was still injured and that bothered him. Maybe because he had been the cause of it. He could remember it clearly…the fight…her will to help even at her own cost…the push he felt when she crashed against him and the small gasp he heard when the ice spike entered her chest.
Everything had gone downhill from there. She had fallen practically on him and he had tried to force her to sit so that the spike didn't hurt her more. Blood was marking her white shirt and her normal sea green eyes were clouded with pain before they closed altogether and she lost conscience. Then the galbadian soldiers had come, surrounding them and he couldn't leave the girl's side knowing that that would only hurt her. Before being separated from the rest he had seen the frantic attempts of Quistis and Selphie to close the wound and stop the blood draining but it was a very hard fight and Ariadne had become paler and paler with each passing moment. Fever followed and soon she was struggling against them. And she had been suffering that because of him.
He shook his head to clear it from the unimportant thoughts. They had things to do now. He pressed the buttons on the console and let himself fall with the help of a pipe half expecting to hear a comment from the ever sarcastic girl or to see her eyes take that mocking glint she presented often to the sharpshooter. Instead he found three worried girls and none of the reaction he had expected. She simply smiled with a small nod and turned to the next flight of stairs.
– "Hey Quis" – Ariadne whispered while climbing down the God-forsaken stairs – "Do you think that if we grovel a bit we can get permission to place an elevator around here?"
Quistis smiled despite the knowledge that she was only trying to ease her worry. – "I am quite sure it will not be needed…unless you like it here." – Her friend jumped to the floor and visible swayed on her legs for a moment.
– "Hell no." – She said turning to follow Squall – "The sooner I can get out of here the better" – Two slug-like monsters crossed their way before they were able to reach the main console. Squall looked at it as if it was some kind of monster that he hadn't yet fought and sent them a somewhat pleading look. Rinoa shrugged, Quistis waved her head and Ariadne answered in her normal way
– "My only electronic knowledge is my failing attempt at fixing my TV. Note the term failing." – She gave a look to the console and did the same gesture as Rinoa – "Hit everything and pray." – He gave her the from-what-asylum-did-you-came-from look before doing what she said. Quickly they braced themselves as the platform rose unexpectedly ending in the headmaster's office.
In the next moments Ariadne just watched in silent incredulity as the leader pressed even more buttons and then the Garden moved avoiding the missiles by meters before sinking in the sea. It was over.
– "I will be at the infirmary if anyone needs me" – She muttered to Quistis leaving the office. Her whole mind was focussing on her destination and only intention. Upon arrival she threw herself to a bed and simply let go. Unconsciousness sounded heavenly at the time.
And this is all for today's show folks. Pressing the little button with the Review sign would make me a very happy fanfic writer so give me a small message. Basically REVIEW!
Next chapter: Ariadne meets a guardian angel, receives a tour and memories are brought into question…
See ya next week
Reyavie