And another week has passed…another year has passed. Has anyone noticed, besides me that is, that this story will be one year old in little more than two weeks? I never thought it would take this long to write it. Wow…

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Ghost: Is she going to start making really philosophical comments now?

Aria: She can do those?

Squall: ………as if

Reyavie: I can so!

Selphie: (goes to open mouth but gets gagged by Bellona)

Bellona: Agree with her. It's the best thing to do

Reyavie: See? She's smart…or smarter than you. Whatever.

Squall: That's MY word

Reyavie: (shrugs) It's about time you found a new one

…

(Both begin arguing loudly)

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Aria: (sighs) She doesn't own a thing in this story except for us

Josh: Damn. Why did she have to be the one to invent us?

Eris: What's so wrong about her?

…

(All look towards arguing pair)

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Reyavie: I AM NOT PAYING YOU AUTHOR'S RIGHTS!

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(All turn to Eris)

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Eris: She is right

Ghost: It's the genes. Has to be.

…

Happy New Year to you all!

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Welcome to the fortieth-eight chapter of Second Life. (Crew puts earmuffs and ignore argument)

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- "This is it?" – Selphie grabbed the small disk with a frown – "She only sent this?" – Edea took it gently from the girl's hand making sighs in relief erupt in the room. For some strange reason Selphie and small breakable objects didn't mix.

– "This is probably the safest way to communicate nowadays Selphie" – The older woman chided softly. – "In their condition they cannot afford to be careless."

– "Yeah" – Confirmed Rinoa – "It uses a special password. Getting through the security without it is just too hard. My…my father uses this all the time."

– "But how do we know that it's from her?" – Asked Zell looking at the disk as if it was a grenade ready to explode. Quistis chuckled before showing the envelope, a small smile tugging the corner of her lips.

– "Scylla Trepe" – Read Irvine. He stopped then did the same – "Hyne, it must have hurt to write that name."

– "I kinda like it" – Muttered Selphie.

– "Can we delay this pointless conversation for later?" – Interrupted Squall's cool voice.

Everyone turned to the Commander as if they had forgotten he was there. Easy to do as Squall had kept himself silent ever since he had arrived if one ignored the short greeting at the entrance.

– "Ok, then…"

- "Don't you even think about it Zell" – Quistis stopped her friend before he could take the disk and grabbed it herself, unmoved by his dismayed expression.

– "Remember the last time you used a computer?" – Inquired Irvine giving him an impatient look.

– "I do" – Answered the headmaster sitting besides his wife and watching the conversation, smiling amusedly. He was the only one able to find some humour left in face of the incoming information. Probably because for him Ariadne was little more than any of the students in the Garden. – "I still have some of the staff cleaning up the mess"

– "Just how did you manage to blow up a computer without opening it?" – Zell glared at Rinoa and crossed his arms without answering.

It seemed they would continue lacking that information. Quistis shook her head as she placed the disk in the computer she had brought and turned the projector on. The second she opened the program it contained the room fell into silence and the computer screen into a deep black.

– "What's wrong?" – Rinoa's question seemed all too appropriate.

– "Is it a virus?" – Continued Cid – "If so we should…" - The Headmaster shut up as words began appearing in the black background. "Confess what you are up to or else this will be the last thing your computer opens. No Second Chance" Quistis frowned as if she was somewhat lost but just then…

- "Mayhem" – She turned to Squall with an enquiring expression – "That's the Raider's oath. The program she uses to hack into mainframes" – He stated steadily – "You used it to enter into Lunatic Pandora's Database." – The instructor nodded before typing the word and after that black faded into white and then static…

- "I'm going to kill Aria if she sent us a disk with static – Muttered Zell. Selphie smacked his head with a glare hard enough to make anyone think twice about going against her.

– "Are you sure you know how to work that?" – The voice wasn't coming from any of them but from the projector's audio system. It seemed…

- "If you stopped pressing those damn buttons at the same time 'Liza I would probably be able to shoot something" – Replied Stephanie's voice.

– "Touchy, touchy" – Mumbled the one they now knew to belong to Eliza.

– "There" – The static disappeared to show the black haired Galbadian.

– "You can be such a smug bitch Stef" – She said, eyes fixed behind the camera.

– "Thank you. I have always thought so" – Stef declared absently – "Now can we begin this or are we going to continue to play insults?" – Eliza grinned.

– "We could." – She pointed behind her before shrugging – But they would kill us. I think everyone is tired of that game after the shows the two kept giving. We better move on."

The entire party from Balamb just looked at the screen that was now showing the entrance hall of Galbadia Garden. Irvine was shaking his head and saying "I don't know them" under his breath when the camera was turned to show Stef's smiling face

– "Hey everyone" – She greeted cheerfully – "Eliza and I thought you would like to know what we are all doing and this was the best idea. What do you think?"

– "Aria wanted to send just a message" – Informed her friend with a slightly disgusted look – "For someone with great ideas for revenge she sure can be boring sometimes."

– "And say that around her and she will probably get another great idea" – Was the advise. Stephanie's smile turned into a smirk as she looked back at the camera – "Aria didn't like much when Eliza disappeared with her CDs"

– "I was just borrowing them" – And whining. Stef rolled her eyes.

- "Without warning" – Eliza pouted.

– "It wasn't that bad for her to place that blasted record playing all night in my room."

– "What is she talking about?" – Asked Edea with a small frown.

– "99 bottles of beer on the wall" – Selphie and Zell began to sing before laughing out loud while the projection continued. Nobody saw Squall's barely discernable smile.

– "If I hear that cursed song again" – Continued Eliza – "I swear I'm going to…argh, do something bad. Probably break the entire audio in my room" – A pause in which the camera hardly moved.

– "She put it again" – Stated Stef wryly. Her friend could only nod despairingly.

– "I'm not even going to ask what you did this time. Let's get a move on." – The camera shifted to show the central hall, students coming and going from and to Hyne-knew where. – "So this is going to be the tour of a normal day in Galbadia Garden"

– "Or as normal as we can get" – Added Eliza – "We are bored easily after all."

- "That's you 'Liza" – Commented Stephanie vaguely. – "Not the rest of the Garden.

- "Hyne help us" – Muttered Irvine, the only sound in the room except for the one coming from the recording.

– "Hey Stef" – Greeted an unknown voice from behind – "Lara said she needs your help when you're finished. The younger kids took their training a little too seriously."

– "Cleaning up duty again McAllister" - Laughed Eliza – "Be thankful they aren't as bad as us. Remember Alex breaking the banister? Sasha with the underwater explosion? Or Aria levelling a quarter of the TG?"

– "You're right" – Mused Stef thoughtfully – "It could be much worse. Thanks Brioc. I'll take care of that later."

– "They did all that?" – Asked Zell as both girls progressed down the hallways. The cowboy sighed.

– "That wasn't even the beginning" – Irvine confessed with a slight wince.

– "I sense a story" – Declared Selphie joyfully. He winced again but didn't say a thing. The rest just dreaded Selphie's return to her normal, or completely abnormal, self.

– "Good morning Alex!" – The camera had stopped at the door of an office and inside was Alexander. He was using, as the two girls, the Galbadian uniform and, at the moment, looking at them both as if wondering the reason for their presence.

– "What is that?" – Eliza smiled again

– "Just a message to the guys from Balamb so they know that we didn't kill ourselves somewhere."

– "Dear Hyne" – Uttered the other girl – "Can she be any blunter?" – Alex massaged his temples slowly.

– "One day I will understand just why I have to deal with you. And most importantly why I do so on my own free will" – He said in his oddly calm tone of voice – "Now go bother someone else. I have a report to end."

– "Spoilsport" – A hand smacked the back of her head and the camera shifted to show Sasha and Seifer.

– "You're sounding like a kid Johansson" – Commented the tall blond. – "Try to retain a small degree of dignity."

Eliza looked at them both…stared…and burst out laughing. The audience watching the video frowned simultaneously with the sudden hilarity of the girl. Yes, she was normally like that but it seemed too instantaneous even for her. Stephanie turned the camera around so she appeared in their vision.

– "Now I'm quite sure everyone's wondering just why 'Liza is killing herself laughing so…"

- "NO!" – The image twisted as someone threw Stephanie to the floor. Shouts and threats began being heard but the only thing they could see was the bottom of Alexander's desk.

– "Bloody hell Sasha" – Yelled Stef – "That's my stomach you're sitting on."

– "You're tearing my arm apart" – Complained the mentioned girl – "And 'Liza would you let go of my neck!"

– "And stop stepping on my freaking shoulder now that you're at it" – Came Stef's voice once more.

The camera was picked up calmly to record a massive pile of limbs and bodies that were composed of the three girls. Seifer was by a side, a smirk firmly showing on his features and a look that showed he was probably enjoying himself.

– "These are Seeds" – Informed Alexander's voice – "I have no idea of how they managed it. Nevertheless what Stef was trying to say…"

- "Don't you even dare to try Alex!" – Said Sasha somewhere in the middle of the pile.

– "Is that Aria got tired of having to deal with their immaturity over and over again" – The Galbadian continued without missing a beat. One could hear a pin drop in the room as the name was spoken.

– "I am almost afraid now" – Irvine's comment received approving nods from several of the present.

– "I'm not" – Selphie's exclamation was everything but unexpected. Her grin too.

– "And the last remain of her patience went down the drain a week ago" – Muffled curses were now being heard from somewhere underneath Stephanie that was happily pinning her friend to the floor.

– "She was close to kill someone at the time and then they began their show yet again. So Aria locked them both in a broom closet" – She told merrily – "Then threatened everyone that opening that door would be a bad thing."

– "They stayed in there for 25 hours, forty-seven minutes and about 23 seconds" – Alex finished – "Now they aren't only arguing but making out all over the place."

– "I can't believe you have actually said that" – Eliza freed herself and came to the camera with a serious look on her face – "You have finally joined our ranks Alexander. Congratulations"

– "Oh yes, my life's objective is complete" – The camera exchanged hands – "Now go bother Aria or something. I have to end this." – He waved at the floor dismissively as he sat once more – "And could you please take those two with you? Far away if you please."

– "Irvine?" – Called Rinoa. The cowboy raised an eyebrow questioningly

– "They are really like this? All the time?" – He nodded – "How is the Garden still standing?" – No answer besides Selphie's giggles.

– "On it" – The shooting turned abruptly as Eliza ran to the door and stopped.

– "Hey Stef, come on. Seifer, would get Sasha out of there?" – She inquired – "Alex looks ready to kill all of us" – And she took off running once more, steps echoing behind her showing that Stephanie was following, greetings being made as they passed.

– "Aria!" – A door was opened with absolutely no discretion at all to show Ariadne's office.

– "Thank Hyne" – Whispered Quistis.

Because showing in the picture was Aria, a somewhat confused one, wearing also the Seed uniform, her hair pilled up in a messy bun and held by a pencil. Her desk was literally overflowing with papers, the computer turned on and apparently being used as her hands were, at the moment, frozen above the keyboard. Aria cocked her head to a side, an eyebrow already rising.

– "Just what did you do this time?" – She asked dryly.

– "It wasn't me" – Answered Eliza immediately. Stef mumbled a "coward" that was all too audible for everyone.

– "I find that hard to believe when you're holding that in your hands 'Liza" – She frowned slightly – "Who have you been terrifying?"

– "Not that many" – Started Stef – "Just Alex, Sasha and Seifer. Alex sent us to bother you" – Ariadne stilled for a moment, then grabbed her phone and dialled something before waiting.

– "Thank you so very much Alex" – She rolled her eyes with whatever was said from the other side – "And you couldn't do that yourself?" – A frown followed by a glare to completely innocent table – "You so owe me for this Alex." – Ariadne placed the phone down, her head on her hand and turned sea green eyes to her friends.

– "Fire away then" – She finally said with a smirk at the corner of her lips. Apparently the conversation had been fruitful.

– "Message for Balamb" – Informed Stef hesitantly, probably due to the look that was being given to her. Somewhat plotting and filled with amusement. From that anyone was able to see that the present future would not be good for the two girls – "Thought you would want to participate. So say something before the idiot you call instructor comes back"

– "I wouldn't say that next to the old man Stef" – Advised Ariadne still smirking – "He can get very annoyed when he listens to something like that. Nevertheless…" - Aria turned to the camera and smiled. A true smile. Not a smirk or a forced grin.

– "Hey everyone…" – She greeted with a small wave – "Now I'm sure all of you must be asking yourselves just what we're doing or just where we are but unfortunately… that can't be said here."

– "That's really helpful" – Drawled Zell.

– "In case anyone gets hold of this. I'm not too keen in placing giant targets on our backs" – Continued the Galbadian – "That and show that we exist. Period. As far as we are from the brunt of the action for now the better. But we are all alright. Rest assured of that."

– "Relatively speaking of course" – A paper ball found its way to somewhere behind the camera.

– "Shush 'Liza" – Ordered Ariadne – "Next time don't mess with my notes and I won't have to take measures to make you miserable."

– "You did what?" – Stef almost exploded – "We spent three full hours working on those things."

– "And she spent another night awake for that one" – Informed the brown haired girl – "And serving detention with the kids. She's quite handy with some crayons." – An "oh really" was muttered followed by a loud groan – "Anyways, we're ok. Gathering information, trying to know just how to intervene. Trying not to get ourselves killed. The usual." – Aria shrugged and, at the same time, anyone that looked at Quistis or Edea would have been able to see vague frowns.

Signs of weariness marred the girl's features, slight enough to be bypassed with her act but not by everyone, concern shone deeply hidden in sea green eyes that were mixing with a very pale green. Squall's hands tightened into fists.

– "Overprotective people" – Ariadne called loudly, those small touches of weariness fading into nothing – "Take those thoughts out of your head" – She rolled her eyes again.

– "Come on" – She continued – "Everyone here is fine, everything is going on exactly how it's supposed to, the Garden is intact and I managed to make Sasha and Seifer stop arguing twenty-four-seven. An improvement don't you think?" – Aria smiled again, sea green eyes shining softly as if she was right there in front of them.

– "Don't be too worried about us alright?" – The Seed said gently – "Quis, that's for you. And stop with that look" – Quistis had been giving an exasperated look at the image

– "Matron, no worrying too. And Headmaster you remember about the whole officer thing? You're the one that hasn't suffered for it. So sorry but…" - She smirked destroying the picture of perfect innocence she had created.

Cid blinked as Edea chuckled softly under some random laughter. It wasn't everyday that the Headmaster of Balamb Garden was threatened by an eighteen year old girl.

– "Selphie and Rinoa, I'm almost afraid to say this but…" - Ariadne winced very slightly – "Sorry everyone else…I have found a couple of students that want to help to prepare the Garden Festival" – Loud cheering erupted coming from the Trabian

– "Alright Aria! You're the best!" – Selphie screamed probably forgetting that she was speaking to a recording. – "Thanks so much!"

– "Yeah" – Stated Irvine with dripping sarcasm – "Thank you so much"

– "What's that supposed to mean Irvy?" – Selphie asked sweetly in the tone any male knows to imply that one should be really careful when answering.

– "I was just thanking her" – Eyebrow rose showing that she was not buying the act.

– "Has Irvine placed foot in mouth yet? If not he's damn late" – Asked Ariadne – "And you're welcome Selph."

– "That was…weird" – Rinoa commented watching as Aria rolled her eyes once more for whatever reason.

– "It's not telepathy" – The Galbadian answered to one of her two friends – "I just know that Irvine has no tact whatsoever and that Selph is looking for help. Simple."

– "Too simple" – The paper ball was sent back and caught in a quick movement.

– "Would you please stop with the smugness Aria?" – Requested Stephanie pleadingly – "We're getting out of battery here."

– "And is it my fault?" – Ariadne's laughter echoed with Eliza's over the projection.

– "Hyne, Stef's pouting" – Aria informed with a grin – "It's almost sad." – She dodged a paper weight that went to crash behind her.

– "Damn! I missed" – Cursed Stef's voice.

– "Would you stop destroying my things? – Sea green eyes turned to the camera once more – "I have to live with this. You guys be happy you don't." – A book was evaded this time.

– "Anyway what more to say?" – Aria moved on – "Zell, I hope you have stopped being dense and asked Sara out. Don't forget your manners. Irvine someone broke your idiocy record and Sasha sent him to the med lab."

– "What does she mean?" – Interrupted Selphie. All eyes had turned to the cowboy that was doing what he could to ignore them all. It wasn't working much.

– "And finally Commander" – Another smile as the attention turned to her – "I remember my promise" – A simple sentence. A simple statement. One enough to make his hands unclench and his posture relax almost imperceptibly.

– "Take care everyone" – Ariadne finished – "We'll let you know more as soon as we can. Until then. Now you two…" - Whatever she was about to say was stopped by a door opening.

– "Lieutenant?" – Called a male voice – "We require your assistance down at the classroom R4."

– "And here we go again" – Aria grabbed her weapons quickly, stopped in front of the camera and glared slightly, emerald eyes showing that she was not playing around.

– "You dare laughing, this is for you Zell, and you'll get me a little more than extremely pissed off. Regards to the Doc and Xu." – And she walked away – "Just what did they do this time?" – Inquired her slowly fading voice. Silence filled the office and the conference room when she left.

– "So here you see what a normal day looks like in our lives" – Announced Eliza cheerfully – "Now Stef is going to clean up whatever was destroyed and I'm going to…"

- "Come with me" – Completed Stephanie matter-of-factly – "Or else I'm going to remember just what you did to our work"

– "But…"

- "See you all soon" - The recording was shut down without another word. Quistis looked down at the computer and sighed.

– "It has four days" – Her hands were steady as she closed the device.

– "It is comprehensible" – Squall finally intervened – "The roads aren't safe and whatever communication must be transmitted carefully to avoid detection"

– "Then how did they managed it?" – Asked Irvine – "And just where are they?" – For those questions there were few who knew the answer, sworn to secrecy and hidden from common view.

At the door of Balamb Garden a young man smiled. His mission was accomplished. Calmly he turned around, long blond hair shining in the sun and entered the car by his side.

– "Let's go" – The girl behind the wheel nodded and soon enough no one could be seen in that place.

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The room was involved in darkness, the light that could barely pass through the curtains making the entire environment seem abandoned. But it wasn't. The working computer and the silent figure in front of it ensured that that conclusion was wrong. A sigh was heard in the quiet of room, weariness…concern…it seemed a mix of several feelings and none of them could be discerned as dominant. The black letters on the white screen in front of him seemed to mock it with their coolness and impersonality. But the words they formed were much important.

"Squall, I suppose I should be writing something more elaborated but unfortunately I won't have enough time for it.

I have everyone waiting for the second I end codifying this so I'll have to be quick. For you to be reading this I suppose you managed to introduce the second password. I knew you would see through it. Besides you had already messed with my computer.

Yes, we are alright. I wasn't lying. In the moment we are in hiding someplace safe and I have to beg for you not to try to find us. As much as this place seems secure I don't think two Gardens can pass unnoticed, especially two that can move by themselves.

And yes, we have decided what to do. I won't say it isn't risky or hard…because then I would be really lying and you wouldn't believe a word that I would write next. We're going in and try to get to the major targets. If we can do so…then maybe we can avoid hurting our people.

But we have to try it. We just have to.

You'll know exactly when it will begin seriously that I promise. And stop that look. It's not that bad. Squall? I will be keeping my promise. I am coming back. Trust my words, trust my choices, trust me…

I will see you soon. Count on it. Take care…

With love, still the thorn of your life

Ariadne Scylla Beckerman

P.S – Damn that bloody name. What was my mother thinking? Now I really have to go. They are yelling something about the Second level Magic classes. Wonder what did they blow up now?"

Squall raised his eyes once more to those words but didn't see the fluent handwriting of the Galbadian. There was no hope to see her soon like the times before. There was no way for him to know whether she was going to survive…no way for him to help her.

– "Trust" – His whispered voice echoed in the small compartment before he fell silent one more… - "So be it. But this is a promise I will remember" – Squall touched lightly the signature and his eyes narrowed slightly.

– "You owe me that" – Then calmly he turned everything off and placed the disk safely on a drawer.

It was time to wait.

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Eris: (walks over to cousin still with earmuffs and tugs on shirt) You have to finish the chapter!

Reyavie: (stops arguing) Why are you screaming?

Eris: What!

Reyavie: (smacks forehead)

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Alright everyone. Here's the newest and cliffhanger-free chapter of this week. It wasn't much but the next one's better. This was more of a interlude thing. I would like to read what you think of it nevertheless. So REVIEW EVERYONE!

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AN – I would just like to inform that probably my updates in the next two months or so may be slightly delayed as my exam season will begin next week. So no update soon messages if that happens because as much as I like writing it is kinda hard when you have a huge amount of things to study.

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Next chapter: The plan goes into action…and we meet the darker side of a conquered city.

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See ya all next week

Reyavie