I'm here again. Sorry for the delay but unfortunately I began my classes again and that took me a lot of time to write. But here's the new chappie as promised.

...xXx...

Unexpected character that will come into play in this chapter: Why am I here?

Rea: You're going to be needed

Unexpected character that will come into play in this chapter: That means I'm going to be hurt doesn't it?

Rea: (smirks) Now do the disclaimer.

Unexpected character that will come into play in this chapter: Reyavie, also known as Rea, Rey and whatever nicknames the crazy people she hangs out with call her, doesn't own absolutely nothing in this story. Not even me.

Rea: (taps foot)

Ghost: (raises eyebrow)

Bellona: (eats something whose origin remains unknown)

Unexpected character that will come into play in this chapter: She owes some of the characters that are going to make my life hell

Rea: (smiles evilly) Now…was that so hard?

Unexpected character that will come into play in this chapter: (gives dry look)

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AN – I'm a bit late with the answers to the reviews but I'll do those as soon as I post this. Expect them soon enough. Sorry for the wait everyone. Thank you for those of you that reviewed )

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Welcome to the fiftieth-second chapter of Second Life. I'll be right back (drags Unexpected character that will come into play in this chapter away)

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The chain binding her wrists broke sharply, the sword that had helped her slowly being place inside the sheath it had left barely moments before. The general avoided her eyes through the entire thing, his hands shaking slightly as if he had just signed his own death sentence.

– "Your weapons are outside" – Kenward informed with a small waver in his tone – "So are your friend's. She should be on the…"

- "She is here" – Interrupted Sasha appearing at the door. An unconscious guard slipped silently to the floor near her feet. – "Hey Aria. You were late." – Sasha offered as an explanation as she entered the small cell.

An amused smile was tugging her lips, even as her silver eyes flashed each time she turned to the general's form. Her long Staff was being held by her left hand while the other carried the sheaths of Aria's katanas.

– "The others are already here" – She said throwing them to her friend.

– "I've noticed" – Was Ariadne's dry reply – "As has half of this place. Join themNO!" – One of her katanas stopped the staff from hitting the general that had stayed silent for the past seconds, watching the exchange. Sasha's glare turned to Aria, a questioning, almost demanding glint on its depths.

– "We don't have time for this" – Ariadne declared not unkindly, a silent request for forgiveness – "Ours is running out." – Sasha looked at her, then at the general.

– "I don't understand" – She shook her head, black spiky hair tossed in a jumble as clear as the one in her eyes.

– "Let's just say that I'm giving him a chance to do something right" – The blood red katana slowly went down as the pressure of the staff disappeared. Aria cocked her head to the general and smirked coldly.

– "You've begun well Kenward" – Her voice sounded like a veiled threat more than a compliment – "But now the ball is on your field. You decide if you'll bow to this or not but for now…" - She shrugged before punching him squarely in the face. A sickening crunch was heard beneath her hand.

– "Aria!" – Sacred

– "Go Aria!" – Minotaur

– "I wanted to do that" – Muttered Sasha

– "Tough luck" – Answered Ariadne pulling back from the fallen general while rubbing her fist lightly – "You weren't the one to listen to his self pity trip. Besides he may have helped me but he backed away from any type of confrontation to save his ass. That means that I, sure as hell, wouldn't let him go without doing something. Not to forget that we need him out of the way and I don't trust him…at all."

In a moment's time Aria had grabbed his sword with a barely distinguishable grimace on her, now pained, hand and threw her out of the cell. Emerald eyes rolled as the siren kept ringing in her ears.

– "Remind me to kill them later for this. I fucking told them to wait." – Sasha didn't even have time to reply as Ariadne ran out the door, pausing only to lock her cell behind the second girl, before running as fast as she could down the hallway.

– "Now can you tell me just why we had to get arrested?" – Asked Sasha struggling to keep up with the sea-green eyed girl. Aria frowned before ripping a control panel apart with one of her blades, making the door in front of her open with barely a sound.

– "They changed their policy so to speak" – She muttered. The greatest understatement she had ever said. The one information she had learned earlier and that had forced her to intervene sooner than she had ever thought to. The one that had made her smile even knowing that all had been worsened because of it.

The people of Galbadia hadn't dropped their arms and let themselves be trampled. But that meant bad news for one particular character. One she would have to help and then almost beg for help.

The hallways were eerily empty as they ran and Ariadne could guess why. The Garden group should be trying to force their way in and that meant that the prison was probably a battleground in some points.

That didn't make her anymore relaxed. Quite the opposite.

Every time the two entered another empty room a feeling of dread continued to fill her stomach until she could only breathe more sharply and tighten her fists around her weapons as a silent protection against her own fears. Nevertheless the large signs in her way saying "Restricted access" showed her that they were in the right path.

– "Guys" – Aria whispered mentally – "Feel anything unusual?"

– "Nope" – Answered Minotaur – "This place is as magicless as a rock."

– "And you are still as dumb as one" – Added Sacred calmly – "Nothing out of the ordinary Aria." – She nodded sharply stopping in front of a metal door whose huge panel had "Maximum security level ward". Ariadne smirked in amusement.

– "So they didn't consider us a threat still" – She mused – "Time to change that."

– "So, are you going to just stare at it?" – Inquired Sasha whose silver eyes continued darting from side to side, no amusement allowing her to rest, even for a second.

– "Yes, I got us in prison under the risk of death sentence to stare at a door" – Aria stated dryly barely thinking about her answer while she looked at the electronic lock – "New model. I don't know it." – Sasha just passed in front of her without a comment.

Yes, she couldn't be as good as Ariadne in informatics terms but when in these kinds of situations her approach was a bit more subtle than break, smash or crush the obstacle.

– "I would never think of her as being anything near subtle" – Commented Sacred.

Ariadne just shrugged without answering.

The sirens were still ringing loud and clear and a headache was already drilling its way to her head. Her musings were brought to an abrupt stop when the door in front of her slid to the side with barely a sound. Sasha smiled as she let go of the small chip and placed her tools safe in her belt once more.

– "You don't need to look to so smug Sasha" – The thief shrugged before shaking her head as a sign for Aria to wait.

– "Now I have good and really bad news" – She informed bluntly. The lieutenant's eyes narrowed, that single action enough to convey to her friend how she thought that that was not the right moment for games.

– "Bad ones?"

– "There are lasers filling that place from top to bottom" – Sasha explained pointing to dents in the otherwise smooth metal wall – "We touch any of them and we get locked inside gaining a one way ticket to hell with the package."

– "Good ones?" – Asked Aria absently as she watched the path.

– "Well, we know they are there" – A disbelieving glance was sent her way before Ariadne smacked her forehead loudly.

– "Next time remind me to knock her out and tie her somewhere" – She begged mentally.

– "Next time!" – Choked Sacred.

Ariadne ignored him as she knelt in front of the passage, placing her katana by her side before resting an uncovered hand against the cold metal.

– "Blizzaga" – Slowly tendrils of ice shot beneath her fingers, a crystal net involving the entire path.

– "Did that have a purpose?" – Her companion asked incredulously.

– "Of course. I'm going to figure-skate my way across" – Aria stated matter-of-factly – "Wasn't that obvious?" – Silence.

– "I'm giving up in trying to understand you."

– "Good. Maybe I can finish this then. Aura" – The energy spell filled her veins with the familiar boost of strength before… - "Burning Touch" – Ariadne murmured gently.

A pleased smile crossed her lips as the fire magic of her first limit break left her hand, forcing the ice to melt and evaporate after, the quick transformation marking the red lines of the obstacle with a fog-like quality.

– "Nice" – Ariadne rolled her eyes with the comment.

– "Indeed" – She conceded – "Now let's go. This won't last long."

– "No figure-skating?" – She couldn't believe Minotaur actually sounded disappointed.

– "Brother" – Called Sacred with an annoyed tinge in his tone – "Can't you for once think?"

– "Nah, you do that enough for me" – Ariadne chose to ignore the following conversation even as it occurred loudly in her own mind and crossed carefully the path knowing that Sasha was more than able to follow.

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- "Oh give us a break" – Sasha's yell crossed the hallways barely heard over the sirens and the noises of battle. – "Just who did we piss of this badly?"

Ariadne didn't answer as she jumped to the side to avoid the robot's attack. The giant grey device moved entirely too quickly for something as tall as a chocobo and twice as large.

– "The Universe, Destiny, Fate" – She grunted, pushing her katana against what she deemed to be the most obvious place for a week point. The vision sensors in the face-like head. – "Anyone that just plain hates us."

– "Loss of vision by 99" - Came a robotic voice from the inside the machine – "Turning to secondary system" – Aria cursed loudly with a sudden urge to bang her head as hard as she could against a wall.

– "There goes that idea" – Ok, apparently going by themselves into the one place where the prison actually had good surveillance hadn't been the smartest thing they have done in the entire day, including breaking into houses and being arrested.

– "Just apparently?"

– "Save the wisecracks for later Red" – She snapped at her guardian while attempting not to be crushed by another attack. Her katanas twisted, following her hands' movements, as she forced herself to attack again, the crystal-covered metal apparently not doing much against the giant device.

– "Just when did we get this technology?" – Screamed Sasha, backing away again after achieving the same results.

– "Last months I bet" – Aria hissed as an attack finally hit home. Any magic she attempted to use seemed to be useless, the shields too strong for it too achieve any visible damage that would, at least, allow them to run.

Summoning sounded the stupidest thing to do if she wanted to do anything else than destroy the whole hall and kill all inside. Not to mention that her stronger magic, the one in tune with her own soul and the origin of each of her limit breaks, wouldn't be too significant at the moment. She was a fire elemental and the metal of the robot didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest.

– "Aren't you a thunder elemental?" – Aria yelled to her companion that was already sporting a lot of bruises in her tanned skin.

– "Yes!" – Came the prompt answer – "And I would love if it actually made serious…" - Sasha jumped to the side to avoid yet another lunge of the robot – "Damage and not dents!"

– "We're so screwed" – Her mind could take a hike sometimes with the stupid thoughts it could have when she was in really deep shit.

– "Call us" – Ariadne frowned slightly with Minotaur's tone. Even he should know that destroying the prison was not what they were trying to do there.

– "I don't want to get us all killed Taur" – She sent back.

– "Then trust us" – Continued Sacred, the brother she would never expect to go with crazy plans. – "Call us like you did before. In Ultimecia's castle."

– "And you do remember what happened last time I did that right?" – Sarcasm filled her tone as Aria thought about the marks she still held on her hands.

– "That was magical backlash." – Stated the older brother in a soft tone even as his charge pushed Sasha out of the way of a well placed thundaga – "Trust us Aria" – The Seed smiled sadly, a gentle flow of feeling crossing over their connection.

– "Always guys. You know that" – She whispered.

– "Then this game is ours" – Minotaur cheered loudly – "Our time to play." – Ariadne laughed out loud making her friend stop dead in her tracks and even the robot itself.

– "Please tell me you haven't finally flipped" – Sasha begged – "Because this really isn't the time or place for you to do that."

– "I have done that long ago" – Aria retorted with a wolfish grin – "Now stand back" – Her hands moved in an unfamiliar, yet easy, pattern and a small burst of energy crossed the connection while it took over her mind.

Before she had been too numb, too tired, to feel all she was at the moment, the experience only stronger not due to despair but to trust and companionship that were filling her. It was amazing. Joy fought inside her once more as she realized those weren't her feelings only.

Slowly the two guardians appeared by her side just like they had not too long before in Ultimecia's castle. Minotaur didn't wait even a second before he pushed the robot against a wall, Sacred shielding Ariadne with his larger form.

– "What the fuck…?" – Sasha's voice toned down as if she was chocking, confused and surprised silver eyes locked on the two towering guardians that had been summoned and her friend that had just joined them in battle.

Aria seemed faster, even more agile than normal and the obvious proof of that was the way her katanas were actually leaving marks in the attacking robot. The spell had barely faded and Sacred had already taken her place as if had known all along she would leave in that particular moment.

His fist crushed the metal with an ease almost frightening and, just then, Minotaur took the lead, his thundering tone roaring something almost unintelligible that, Sasha noticed, had been said also by his brother and Ariadne. The explosion that followed rocked the whole floor, pieces of machinery flying around them, as both Aria and Sasha were pulled to the ground.

– "What the hell just happened?" – Ariadne winced and, strangely enough, both guardians did so too as a deafening silence fell on the hall. Even the sirens had stopped for some unknown reason.

– "Higher there Sasha. I think people on Earth haven't heard you yet" – Aria said calmly – "You guys…"

- "Just call and we will be here" – Murmured Sacred with a gentle pat of her back.

– "She looks mighty confused" – Minotaur grinned with a distinct amused tinge – "I'm going to love to see you explaining this." – The Seed rolled her eyes as her guardians finally vanished leaving only the sudden weakness that filled her limbs as a solid proof of what had happened. Sasha just stared at her like she was seeing Aria for the first time in her life.

– "Later" – Ariadne requested – "I'll explain later. Now we have work to do." – She didn't give her friend time to say otherwise before taking off down the hallway. Any discretion had been left behind, as she doubted anyone less than completely and totally deaf would have failed to listen to the ruckus they had made.

– "Damnit Aria" – Called Sasha – "Why is Gil saying some nonsense over bonded and what not?"

– "I don't know" – And the answer was true. But the feelings over the other side of the connection told her she was the only that didn't.

– "It seems I'm not the only one that will have to explain things."

– "Later?" – And Minotaur had the nerve to send her answers back at her. A scowl that was bordering on pout showed on her face.

– "You owe me for this" – She whispered mentally.

Emerald eyes stopped in one single holding cell before the katana held by her right hand was forced into the lock breaking it beyond any possible repair. The metal door slid to the side silently and someone moved in the half darkness of the room inside.

Surprised dark brown eyes met hers, tired pale features framed by slightly ruffled brown hair, an uniform that had obviously seen better days and a men she had never liked and that was now her only hope for a semblance of peace in her country without bloodshed.

– "Hello Caraway" – Ariadne greeted coldly – "Missed me?"

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- "Any news?" – Selphie turned slightly on the pilot's seat she was occupying to meet her visitor.

Squall seemed the same as always. Calm, collected, serious…never mind the way she had seen him the one moment he thought himself alone. When he had cursed under his breath and punched a wall as if that was the way to release all his frustration. Squall hadn't seen her.

She had made sure of it, leaving before he could even turn, and gently steering a concerned Rinoa, a confused Zell and a demanding Xu away so no other would see that moment.

He had right to be alone. To fear for someone by himself. And what little time she had given him would have never been enough for that. But Selphie had tried and Squall had left the room barely five minutes after.

– "Nothing new." – The Trabian informed, knowing she really didn't have to say a thing. She would have warned him the second she had received any information at all. But the Trabian played her part just like he did.

With a barely heard sigh, Selphie turned to the commands in front of her and frowned. They were completely in the dark about everything. What had happened, what was happening, what was so wrong for Edea to be so sure that Ariadne was in danger. She sighed again knowing she wouldn't be heard at all. At that moment the panel began beeping incessantly, an annoying sound that grated her ears to the point of headache.

– "What is wrong?" – Asked the Commander that hadn't left like Selphie had thought earlier.

– "I don't know!" – The beeping continued non-stop and it didn't seem near to stop anytime soon.

– "Damnit!" – Squall's eyes were crossing the panel with anxiety until…

- "There" – Selphie pointed to a flashing red button on another panel and, soon enough, Squall had punched it hard. The noise ceased leaving only the engine's in its place.

– "Well, you certainly took your sweet time" – Commented a very familiar voice from somewhere near. Blue and green eyes shifted to meet the concerned golden brown of Stephanie McAllister on a newly appeared communications screen. – "You only needed to press a bloody butto…Oh, nevermind" – The Galbadian frowned heavily, tense features showing that she was not anywhere near a happy person at the moment.

– "I don't have any time to lose now" – She continued, tone showing just how she didn't want to do whatever she was about to do – "Well, in case you're interested we just began the taking back of Deling City."

Shock overtook their expressions and then amazement over the way that had been said. Squall gave her a piercing glare, threatening in its depths. Apparently the sentence hadn't been well chosen. Stef seemed to notice that.

– "I'm merely fulfilling Aria's orders Commander." – She stated – "Don't chew me for it. She asked me to inform you that we are already on the move. Also do not intervene unless in case of civilian peril. We don't want a slaughter to occur."

– "So you wish for us to remain watching?" – Squall inquired almost dangerously. Stephanie looked at him sternly, fingers tightening around her weapon in an almost unconscious movement.

– "Basically yeah" – Stef smiled a bit – "And yet no. Just keep your eyes open for when the shit hits the fan. Knowing what we are capable of and knowing the bastards that are in power right now…" - She trailed off with a small sigh. The main idea had passed. The certainty that something was not going to go as expected was there.

– "Where?" – Selphie looked from the girl's image to the Commander by her side.

She seemed slightly unsure, as if saying answering that question was the last thing she wanted to do. Squall, however, seemed as cool as ever, the only difference being in the dark blue eyes that showed no leniency or will to back away from that subject.

– "What the fuck is happening here?" – Snapped Seifer's voice from somewhere – "We're behind schedule."

– "I know that alright?" – Stephanie shot back clearly annoyed – "Now go keep Mark quiet or else I will break my promise and end up killing him."

– "What are you doing anyways?" – The form of the former sorceress's knight appeared on the screen, the already expected smirk on his lips. – "Commander" – Stef sighed loudly in exasperation ignoring just how the Trabian on the ship was doing exactly the same. Only quietly and too discreetly like for her.

– "Yes, it is him." – The Galbadian said sharply – "And weren't we in a hurry? Lara! Get in here damnit!"

– "You can stop the screaming fit McAllister" – Green eyes equally chilled blue ones. There was no way to mistake the hate in each pair. The blond was the first to look away.

– "Be useful for once Leonhart and get to the Council hall." – He said coldly before turning away – "Oh, and leave chicken wuss out of the picture. The idiot would only screw things up."

– "I don't think you have any authority to evaluate him" – Squall stated tonelessly.

– "Thanks for helping Seif" – Selphie interrupted cheerfully, standing between the returning form of the other man and her Commander. Her yellow clad body barely reached his shoulder but the bright grin of her features could draw attention easily.

– "We are kinda worried about Aria as she tends to always do some crazy thing or another and get herself in the infirmary" – She continued still grinning – "Don't forget to leave some Galbadian butt for us to kick. Paperwork gets boring after a while." – Stephanie mumbled something unintelligible to her hand, choosing to turn her attention to Lara that had just entered the room they were occupying.

– "I am sorry Stef" – She began in her gentle voice – "But Mark was being difficult again. Are you finished?"

– "N…"

- "Yes" – Answered the instructor, ignoring Squall's attempt of questioning – "Yes, we are. Call the others so we can actually get there before all of this is over."

Lara nodded calmly as if she wasn't about to enter a battle to take over a city before giving Seifer a warning look that made her look years older, with an authority that few could achieve. Seifer just smirked at her before throwing a final glare to the Commander.

– "Oh and messenger girl?" – He called over his shoulder as he prepared to follow the girl.

– "Yup?" – A vague threatening glance was sent Selphie's way.

– "Don't call me that" – Seifer said slowly – "Ever. Again."

– "Sure Seif" – A growl was heard before Lara pushed him away without a single word. Stephanie just looked at the two Seeds on the other side with something that was a mix of despair and determination.

– "You guys take care" – Her voice didn't waver. – "And…" - Here she hesitated slightly – "Just trust us alright? We can handle it" – Stef smiled a bit and was about to turn off the link when Squall's voice stopped.

– "Good luck" – She nodded now with a wider grin – "Thanks Commander" – Her hand grasped her glaive tightly – "See you all soon." – And without anything else the line went dead. Silence fell in the cabin for several moments making Selphie shift somewhat uncomfortably in her seat.

– "Selphie?" – She looked at Squall that was still looking at the screen, hands gripping the chair in front of him with such strength that the material seemed to be ready to give under the pressure.

– "Yeah?" – She muttered as a sign that she was listening. Even more silence. One the Trabian girl just felt she needed to break somehow but didn't know how to. The only sounds that were heard were the almost inaudible breathing from him and her heart that seemed to pound on her ears.

– "Set course for the outskirts of the city" – Squall ordered in an eerily calm tone – "The door closest to the Council hall. Get a way for us not to be spotted. I don't want anyone to know of our arrival."

Selphie gave him a look that clearly said "Just how am I supposed to hide a 75-metters-long ship?" but Squall didn't even look at her. He just turned around with barely a sound besides the one caused by his Gunblade and walked to elevator. Moments later he had left. The Trabian stuck her tongue out at the direction he had left with a scowl before glaring at the controls.

– "Now to do what that block of ice wants" – Selphie pouted faintly before cracking her fingers – "Alright Galbadia! Ready yourselves because we are so coming! Booyaka !" – Every Seed on the Ground-Level had the extremely unpleasant experience of feeling the floor beneath their feet trying to leave while the ship gained speed.

To find the culprit one only needed to follow the "WHO-OOOOOOOOOOOOH!" that could be heard from the cabin upstairs. Zell gave Irvine a look as they approached the cabin to try and dislodge the sugar-high girl.

– "Just why do you like her?" – He asked. The Galbadian smiled while shouldering his shotgun.

– "Exactly because of that" – The wrestler stayed behind as his friend walked to the cockpit. Zell's face held no emotion. Anyone that passed near five minutes later would have had the somewhat surreal of seeing a senior Seed hitting his head against the metal wall.

Quistis choose wisely that passing and not commenting would be an extremely wise policy.

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There (grins) All done everyone. See? None of evil cliffhangers and I even got the Balamb crew to show up again. So now to try and keep my horrible writer's block away do review to tell me what you think of it alright? Comments are always welcome. So REVIEW.

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Next chapter: They got in…now they have to get out.

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See ya all soon

Reyavie