I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! EVERYONE, IT'S THE FIFTIETH CHAPTER OF SECOND LIFE!
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Squall: Put the font larger. I'm sure there are some blind persons that haven't seen that yet.
Reyavie: For someone that doesn't talk you are doing it far too much. Indeed this is the 50th chapter
Aria: I'm sure they got that for the first time
Reyavie: Would you all stop stealing my happy moment?
Eris: You have your biochemistry exam on Monday
Reyavie: Even you?
Eris: If not family who else? (shrugs)
Reyavie: (Smacks forehead) Anyways…
Aria/Alex/Stef/Sasha/Eliza/Lara...: It's the fiftieth chapter of this story
Reyavie: Stop stealing my lines. First of all I want to thank all people that actually bothered to review all this time. Expecially since…
Aria/Alex/Stef/Sasha/Eliza/Lara...: It's the one year anniversary of this story.
Reyavie: I said STOP!
Thanatos: Actually you said and I quote "Stop stealiahhh(Gets dragged away by Bellona)
Reyavie: So thank you all, readers and reviewers for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it. Hope I can continue to write things that people continue to enjoy reading.
Aria/Alex/Stef/Sasha/Eliza/Lara...: She still doesn't own anything all in this story besides us.
Reyavie: (glares) And I'm this close to sell you guys to some random stalking fan
Aria/Alex/Stef/Sasha/Eliza/Lara...: (Silence)
Reyavie: Good. So now, without further idiotic things...
Everyone: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR STORY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! (major off key sound)
Reyavie: Read on now (smiles)
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Welcome to the fiftieth (Reyavie: Don't even dare…; All: (silence)…) chapter of Second Life. Enjoy )
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Ariadne's steps were careful as she walked to the small door, her movements silent and precise. A small look was given to her watch that shone softly in the darkness of the truck when she heard the doors being opened without any discretion at all. Two men were talking loudly, or better, one was yelling about something while a calmer voice was trying to stop the rant. It only made him yell louder.
– "And they wonder why people always rebel against tyranny" – Aria muttered mentally, the dryness in her tone showing clearly her annoyance – "What are we to them? Dirt?"
– "Close enough" – Minotaur growled. Actually growled. Aria had found soon enough that everything related to tyranny had her guardians' outmost hate.
The doors closed with just as much strength before the engine started running. Noise filled the compartment where she had hid, the provisions around her moving with the trepidation that was beginning to be felt.
The truck was in motion.
She began tracing mentally the way she had done so many times. If she wasn't wrong it would take fifteen minutes to reach the place they needed. Calmly Ariadne sat next to the door, an unsheathed katana on her lap, while she listened to the conversation going on.
Or better, the monologue.
The soldier had an ego that was filling the whole car and the driver didn't seem with patience enough to answer. Aria had already discarded the annoying voice when it said something she didn't want to hear.
– "Why the secondary road sir?" – That was the driver. The sour way he had almost spat the word "sir" was enough for anyone to get that.
– "Oh shit" – Came the unwelcome thought in Aria's mind.
– "I want to pass by Zamra before" – The Galbadian said easily – "It's not like I will be punished for it."
– "You won't" – The hand around the katana gripped with such strength that one could only guess the way the skin would be palling with the lack of blood.
– "They will." – Ariadne hissed – Or they would if I allowed you to have it your way."
Silently she stood once more, her form searching for the balance the harsh road seemed to want to take from her, before she walked to the small door. Her katana was shining gently, reacting to her aura, and emerald eyes were narrowed and focussed.
It happened in barely a moment.
She opened the door as fast as she could and entered the small compartment making sure her katana pointed at the man's neck. He just stared at her, brown eyes confused and scared.
– "I think you will remain in the path you have been instructed" – Aria said coldly – "Otherwise my blade will do the talking and I swear by Hyne you won't like this conversation."
– "Can I help?" – Hyne, she hated when Minotaur sounded like a kid with a sugar rush
– "Hey!"
– "Keep on the main road" – She ordered the driver that was smirking slightly – And you keep very, very silent."
Ariadne took her comm. out and pressed the urgency button. Basically it was the all-listen-'cause-there's-problems-ahead. A succession of ma'ams, Arias and Yes came from the small device.
– "We have a small inconvenience" – She informed, narrowing her eyes at the soldier which pretty much yelled he was the inconvenience there – "We will stop at selected location. Everyone on stand by. Team A, wait until the trucks are stabilized. That's it."
– "You've all listened to the bad news now move it" – Sasha seemed to have been a bad influence on Stef. She was getting blunter and blunter everyday.
– "At your command, beloved leader" – And Seifer more annoying if that was even possible.
– "Shut it and move your ass" – Ariadne closed the link choosing to forget that they were her operatives for the mission and turned once more to the soldier.
– "Your comm. Now. And any extra weapon that you might carry around. I prefer not to be stabbed in the back." – Slowly the device was placed on her hand as well as small dagger.
Ariadne smirked before she took also the two others he had at his waist. The katana flashed for a second, a plain warning she was not joking.
– "What do you want me to do ma'am?" – The driver asked calmly as if what was happening was normal occurrence in every journey he did.
– "Stop at Rendry's edge" – She ordered – "We'll take it from there" – Her comm. gave sign once more making her heart lurch worriedly. Aria didn't even bother to hide the worry in her eyes as she brought it to her lips – "Yes?"
– "Aria?" – It was Stef.
– "What's wrong? What happened?" – The katana at the soldier's throat flashed for a second
– "Nothing really" – Ariadne frowned.
– "Then what is it?" – She asked confusedly
– "Nothing much" – Was the cheerful reply – "Would you mind terribly if I killed Mark right now?" – The driver chuckled while the sea green eyed girl wished to be able to dig a hole and hide.
– "Stef, please just do what I told you" – Aria almost begged before turning the comm. out. Then she closed her eyes for a second organizing her thoughts. She was attempting to overthrown a dictatorship with a team composed by lunatics that we're more interested in killing themselves.
– "I bet the old man didn't know how right he was when he spoke about suicide mission" – Ariadne thought sarcastically while keeping an eye on her enemy – "Because if this continues I'm throwing myself off a fucking building"
– "Can't you throw them off said building?" – Inquired Minotaur. At that moment Aria was sure Hyne was having the time of her life watching her.
– "Why can't she throw you off?" – Rebuked Sacred in his calm-but-extremely-annoying-tone
– "I'm in her brain" – Answered the younger brother simply. – "She can't exactly throw her head off a building"
– "Please shut up" – Begged Ariadne.
– "She could throw Hyne though" – A loud hit echoed in her mind and silence fell.
– "I love you Red" – Sacred gave her a mental smirk, a feeling of self-satisfaction filling each inch of the bond
– "Can I throw you both?" – Inserted Taur. Aria sighed inaudibly
– "You are incorrigible"
– "Thanks" – Another smack.
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My POV
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The first part of the plan was easy and simple. Basically we entered Zaed before daybreak when the Galbadian soldiers were being surrounded by others. Not something very hard when you are accompanied by someone that knows that place as the back of his hand.
I mean Alex of course.
I know Zaed pretty well but he was born and raised there. There's no corner he hasn't seen or explored during his life. Getting the drivers to help us wasn't too hard as well. It's almost painful too see how much they hate the government, these people that were supposed to help them.
Now convincing Stef to stop trying to kill Matt and wear the bloody uniform of the Galbadian Army was hard work. Hyne, she can be so stubborn sometimes. But she stopped as soon as she saw I had no patience to deal with any of that. Maybe I'm being too harsh…maybe.
But I have been trained this way and there's just too much that can fail, too much blood that can stain my hands. Not of enemies but of friends. And damnit I won't let that happen.
So time for phase two.
Can anyone say bait?
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3rd Person POV
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Ariadne pulled the Galbadian uniform to its place with an inaudible sigh. Selphie was right. The damned thing was itchy as hell and she was trying not to think of who had worn it before her.
Not the most pleasant thought.
Emerald eyes watched carefully as Deling City came closer in their line of vision, the harsh lights breaking the darkness as if trying to guide them. Her comm. had been silenced, her companions hidden or disguised…and the Galbadian soldiers sent back to Zaed so they couldn't interfere.
The drivers that had come from the small village had been all too happy to tie them and throw them into the extra truck with little care. Aria certainly didn't blame them. She concealed the frown overtaking her features when she noticed the state of the capital. Deling had always been an active city, one that never slept.
So seeing only a random soldier here and there was something that was seriously grating on her nerves.
– It got worse" – She raised an inquiring eyebrow to the driver beside her, one she knew to be a neighbour of Alex. – "Last month there were still people in these streets at this hour." – Aria cursed mentally. Bryant hadn't warned her about changes of that style.
– "Stef?" – She called to the comm. – "Take extra cautions. It seems something has happened that we don't know about. I'll try to get to Fenwick's store. You guys proceed with the plan. Tell Sasha that she's with me in this. The others wait with you until" – She looked at the clock quickly – "19.00 hours. We'll join you then."
– "Why is there always something to destroy our plans?" – Stef asked rhetorically before sighing – "Who do I send to take your place for now?"
– "Alex." – She answered simply – "Tell Almasy that he's a living "look at me sign" and he'll shut up." – With that a small knock was heard in the door behind her before it opened and Sasha appeared with a small grin.
– "Ready to put this place on alert?" – She asked fingering the leather covered handle of her quarterstaff. Aria gave her a weird glance.
– "I thought you were in the third truck" – She commented dryly
– "I supposed you would disappear somewhere and there's no way in hell I would allow you to go alone" – Sasha declared with a smirk that rivalled hers – "Wouldn't leave you to have fun by yourself."
– "You two are menaces" – Commented Alex from behind the silver eyed girl – "Try not to get everyone on alert or yourselves killed." – A small exchange of looks between the two friends told him they were completely ignoring his words.
It was with a sigh that we watched as them jumped of the moving truck and disappeared into the shadows.
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- "I'm really not liking this, Aria. The silence seems way too unnatural" – Sasha's voice was very quiet, a habit she had acquired during her own training.
While Ariadne had been chosen as a spy Sasha was the perfect thief. Hence why the two of them were always found together training and often sent in missions as partners.
– "It a phantom town" – And she shivered making an amused smile cross Aria's lips.
– "You have been seeing too many movies" – Was her calm comment – "Besides did you forget who's in charge right now?"
– "Aarstad? The guy…"– Aria smirked
– "Whose ego can beat this city in size. If someone would want to show where the power is would be him" – She completed – "Now come on. Fenwick will help us understand what the hell is going on".
– "It's simple" – The brown haired girl sent a small enquiring feeling in reaction to Sacred's comment even as she led her friend only to allow her to take her position moments later. – "Power's image is harder by showing strength" – He said calmly
– "And he calls that simple" – Mumbled Minotaur
– "He means that something happened they don't want repeated Taur" – Aria whispered – "They are trying to scare everyone into submission" – Silence in her mind
– "Just how did you manage to figure all of that with what he said?" – The younger guardian whined
– "She listens" – Ariadne smiled very lightly as Sasha and herself entered the shopping alley. It was even emptier, the lights on the hotel turned on only on a random room here and there, the stores closed, protections pulled over the broken windows and destroyed doors. The smile disappeared as fast as it had appeared.
– "Dear Hyne" – Muttered Sasha – "What the hell have they done?" – Ariadne bit her lip as she struggled not to think, not to repeat those two words that kept ringing in her mind. "Too late". The weapons' store was not an exception. Wood covered the shattered glass, large panels blocking the entrance. There was no light inside.
– "We're so screwed" – Continued Sasha looking around at the empty streets – "What now?" – Emerald eyes turned to the balcony above them, anger pushed behind for the moment.
– "Aria?" – Said girl didn't say a thing as she grabbed one of the ventilations pipes and pulled herself upwards. Her gloved hands grasped the floor of the balcony and, inch by inch, she managed to get on the small platform.
Ariadne looked down, a brown eyebrow faintly raised as she waited. Sasha just shrugged before following the other girl. Aria barely acknowledged it. She was already unsheathing a katana and slipping it between the wooden planks covering the windows
– "What are you doing Aria?" – Asked Sasha with a worried frown.
– "Entering" – Was the obvious answer – "Fenwick had a computer connected to Deling's mainframe. I need to see it."
– "But what about…"
- "Silence" – The spell took form around them, an invisible wall that Sasha was already beginning to hate.
– "The noise" – She finished lamely – "Want some help with that? And stop smirking"
Aria toned down the smirk to a barely discernable twitch of her lips before using her katana as a lever to pull the plank away. The sound of wood breaking was only heard to the two Seeds, safe in the protection of the spell, something which both were thanking for. The noise had been so loud that anyone else in the neighbourhood, asleep or not, would have been able to listen.
– "Don't take all of them" – Instructed Ariadne whose emerald eyes were carefully watching the street. They were soundproof, not invisible. Sasha raised a hand to the hole they had just opened and a soft light spell engulfed her hand, the small star-like glow showing a darkened room on the other side.
– "Seems clear" – Aria nodded and without waiting any longer Sasha entered, not allowing her friend to protest.
– "What is this place?" – She asked seeing only a couple of desks and some chairs here and there.
– "His workplace" – Ariadne squeezed herself through the hole with a scowl before placing the wood loosely on its place. – "Don't even dare saying anything Taur" – She warned mentally. Minotaur sent her a small cough that strangely sounded like "chocolate". She rolled her eyes choosing to ignore it for the time. Calmly she conjured the same spell Sasha had frowning slightly
– "Anything odd?" – Asked her friend when she saw the reaction.
– "Most of his tools are missing" – Aria informed not losing the frown – "But the rest is intact" – Her head wiped to the side as a noise seemed to reach her ears, the katana on her hand held in a tight grip showing the tension she was feeling.
– "We better move Aria" – Interrupted Sasha, whose silver eyes were also on the same spot. – "The sooner we get what we need, sooner we can the hell out of here and join the others."
Another nod as Ariadne walked out of the room slowly, her destination the small private office Mrs. Fenwick had allowed her to use time and time again when she had been studying for the written exam.
Her free hand made a small signal behind her, one normally used during classes and that they changed for use in missions. "Someone near".
A "yes" was made discreetly as Sasha adjusted her quarterstaff and then "left"…Aria moved quickly, her free hand grasping something in the darkness while pulling her katana ready to defend herself if needed only to…
- "Aria!" – Something pounced on her, a something whose wrist had broken her grip only to throw arms around her waist, a something that was barely taller than that area and that was crying, soaking her shirt in the process.
– "Charlie?" – She called softly. The head in her stomach nodded apparently refusing to let go.
– "Charlie" – Ariadne whispered again before hugging the little boy back. – "Hey there kid."
Sasha gave them both a confused look. Aria had been the one more in contact with the Fenwick family as she had had her weapon made from scratch and customized to fit her needs. That had made her spend more time with the weapon smith forming a small friendship that had grown with the years.
Besides Fenwick's older son was a student in Galbadia Garden, two years from a graduating class. Silver eyes turned from the scene to the watch while Sasha's brow furrowed in concern.
– "Aria" – Faintly paling green eyes turned to hers before turning to the dark emerald that showed that the lieutenant was not happy.
– "Charlie" – Aria called again – "I need to use your grandmother's computer and I need you to tell me what has happened. Can you do that for me?" – The small arms around her relaxed slowly before releasing her waist, a hand firmly grasping Aria's free one.
The boy seemed barely eight, bright blue eyes that shone with the tears he could barely held back, dark blonde hair almost a dull brown in the light of the spell Sasha was still casting. He was dressed in something very similar to the Galbadian student uniform, one the two girls recognized as an older version of the one introduced two years before.
– "They came" – Charlie said finally as he raised his eyes to meet the two concerned ones in front of him – "They took grandpa" – Ariadne didn't need much more. Calmly she grabbed the small boy in her arms and ran down the hallway, Sasha hot on her heels.
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My POV
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I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I bloody knew that ever since I said no to Josh's proposal. I knew I was going to find this place a wreck, a small piece of what had been in the past.
Hyne, I bloody knew. And she knew it too. But knowledge never prepares us for the real thing. The fact that we have friends in a ghost city, people that are locked in their homes or have been taken into unknown locations.
For all that is sacred Fenwick is an old man, Charlie is a child.
What was their crime? Breathe too loudly?
Josh can say all he wants about how I should be resting right now but the last moments only proved to me once more where I belong. Where I am needed. And that is here, fighting for my people.
Screw everything else.
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3rd Person POV
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Ariadne's hands practically flew over the keyboard with her hurry, narrowed emerald eyes as she struggled to do something Sasha didn't understand. She was a thief. Passing through security systems, playing cat and mouse with guards, snatching whatever she wanted under their noses was her thing.
Aria was a calm shadow no one saw, someone who got what she wanted and left without a trace. Similar and yet different. Charlie's trusting eyes kept following the two girls movements as if drawing strength from their forced control. Just then Aria's communicator began beeping followed moments after by Sasha's. The first one ignored it as if she hadn't listened to it at all.
– "Yeah?" – Muttered Sasha rolling her eyes as she picked up hers.
– "Just where the fuck are you two?" – Asked the oh-so-nice voice of Seifer
– "Watch the tone honey" – The Galbadian shot back with a tone that carried a veiled warning – "We have a kid with us"
– "Yes, Aria has" – He said easily – "That doesn't answer my question though." - Ariadne's hand moved quickly to stop what she could already know that would happen. It was not like she hadn't seen their rounds enough times
– "Seifer, do me a favour and throw yourself off a bridge if that's the only thing that will stop this pointless callings" – She stated clearly as her hands kept moving, emerald eyes following the patterns of the commands on the screen – "Now why don't yo…fucking hell" – Her hands had finally stopped, eyes widening with whatever she was reading
– "Dear Hyne" – She whispered.
– "Ariadne?" – Seifer's voice seemed deeply annoyed – "Damnit Beckerman what's wrong?"
– "Aria?" – Sasha's hand touched her shoulder, a movement that seemed to be enough to snap the girl from whatever trance she had fallen in. In a moment she had stood from the chair, pulling out of the programs with haste and grabbed the comm. once more.
– "Change of plans." – She informed crisply – "You guys keep the original stuff. I have work to do before. Don't call again. I won't answer until I'm done" – Sasha gave her a look before taking the device from her hand
– "I'll go with her." – She informed matter-of-factly ignoring Aria's glare that seemed to be trying to burn a hole through her skull. It didn't seem to be working. Her eyes widened when Ariadne smirked in that particular way she had to say that she was up to something. And that was not good.
– "I'm in deep shit" – Sasha whispered to the comm. – "She has the look." – Aria didn't even acknowledge the curses from the other side as she grabbed the device back and turned it off. A bright smile appeared on her face, shining sea green eyes meeting Charlie's
– "Come on kid" – Ariadne called extending her arms to pick him up – "We're going to leave you in somewhere safe and then we're going to get your grandpa back" – Sasha just looked at her friend and comrade as she walked away, a certainty in her actions that had been missing in the long hours they had spent devising plans and strategies in Galbadia Garden.
– "Aria? What are you planning?" – Ariadne stopped, the familiar smirk on her lips, head cocked slightly to the side.
– "Sasha my friend" – She said while caressing the little boy's hair – "What is the easiest way to get inside a prison?" – It took barely five seconds for what Aria had meant to sink into Sasha's worried mind but when it did.
– "I'm fucking screwed" – She whined despairingly. The other girl just smiled
– "Yes, you are" – She confirmed not missing a beat – "Next time ask what the hell am I up to. Now…you coming?"
– "To die in this or to be killed by letting her go alone?" – Sasha wondered thoughtfully – "Death or death…what a nice choice" – She grinned – "I'm in" – Aria raised an eyebrow with the sudden cheeriness
– "Let's just say that if we die I can always kill you again wherever we'll be sent too.– Sasha declared in the same tone. - "Let's get this party going" - Ariadne raised an eyebrow
– "Whatever floats your boat" – Emerald flashed for a moment before fading behind her normal colour – "Just please stop with the Eliza act and be as obnoxious as always when I tell you to." – Seconds passed
– "What's that supposed to mean?" – Growled Sasha
– "Absolutely nothing" – Another growl left the silver eyed girl. In moments like those she could happily kick her friend's ass to Esthar and back. Only problem? Location, mission and the fact that Ariadne would probably do that to her.
– "I hate my life" – Sasha thought miserably
– "Tough luck" – Muttered Gilgamesh – "And I would move now. She's about to leave."
– "I hate you too." – Continued the girl as she followed the brown haired Seed – "I hate her and right now I pretty much hate everything."
– "That's nice" – Placated the guardian.
– "Sasha!" – Called Ariadne interrupting the conversation if it could be called that – "Are you fucking coming or not?" – Ariadne just smiled slightly as her friend joined her, muttering something about killing someone, but didn't give it any thought. Sasha was there, even saying that she could just have left her to do everything alone. But she hadn't.
– "Let's go then" – And it wasn't an order either. But Sasha just stopped murmuring threats before following without a comment, the tension previous to any battle filling her silver eyes. Aria looked at her for a moment then to Charlie that was falling asleep on her arms, the small smile showing the confidence he was feeling, the faith that everything would turn out alright.
– "We take all" – She whispered to herself once again, the mantra that those words had become bringing her strength – "No doubts, no regrets" – And her arms tightened around her precious burden before both girls began running.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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- First of all I'll have to say that I have a new project. A group of ffnet writers (with yours truly included) have come together to write a FFX fic. And quite frankly, I think it's really good (this is not the biasness talking. It's good I tell you. Believe me (hypnotic tone)) and if you like that kind of fics feel free to read it. The penname is CrazedUnit (which pretty much describes us) and the story will probably be online sometime late Sunday. So do drop a comment about it ok?
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- Second I'll have to say that this will be the last chapter of Second Life for a while. As much as I hate to not be able to update weekly next week will completely impossible. As soon as I can I will post more and when my exam season ends SL will return to its normal updating system. Thank you
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Now that that ended I'll have to ask as always for REVIEWS! Comments about the fic, way of writing, random things that you think might be improved, random things that you actually like and please let me know. REVIEW EVERYONE! (Hopefully this will catch some readers attention (gives look) well, I can hope right?)
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Next chapter: Just what is the best way to get inside a prison?
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Aria: There we go again
Sasha: I hate her imagination
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See ya all soon
Reyavie