Chapter Thirty Six: New Body Part Six: Serena's Nightmare

The Shadow human cringed in her sleep, her eyes clenched tightly shut. She had curled herself up into a ball, shuddering as she wrapped her arms around her legs, pulling them tightly to her chest. Her sheets were soaked through with sweat.

"N-no." she said quietly, tears flowing from her eyes. "N-no more."

"Serena.' Lucinda said, panic in her voice. In all the time she'd known Serena, she'd known her to be fearless, brimming with confidence and power, even though she was evil. She'd never known her to show weakness or cry. By that, Serena knew something was wrong with her.

"Serena." Lucinda said, shaking Serena. The Shadow human shot up, her face completely soaked with sweat. She looked around, panicked. When she seemed to realize she was in Serena's room, next to Lucinda in her bed, she started to calm down, her breathing in heavy pants.

"Are you okay?" Lucinda asked, worried.

"Y-yeah." Serena said, shivering. She looked at Lucinda, some tears still coming down her face.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Lucinda asked. "That nightmare I mean."

"It" Serena said, bringing her knees up to her chest, shuddering at the thought. "It was horrible. I relived my transformation into a demon."

"You mean" Lucinda asked. "When…it happened to you?"

"How'd you know about that?" Serena asked.

"I could see some of your memories." Lucinda said, putting her arms around Serena in a hug. "It's part of why I wanted to help you. Because you really didn't have too many good things in your life. I wanted to at least let you have one."

"Thanks, kid." Serena said, putting an arm around Serena. "That means a lot."

"I know." Lucinda said, nodding. "So, do you wanna talk about the nightmare or do you not?"

"I guess." Serena said, sighing. "It's about time I talked about it anyway."

"You don't have to." Lucinda said.

"Yeah, I do." Serena said. "It's time."

"Okay." Lucinda said. "You can stop anytime."

"Well" Serena said, sighing. "When I was nineteen, I was taken captive by an entity they refer to as the Dark Jester."

"Oh, my parents told me about him once.' Lucinda said. "I think Blumiere said that the Dark Jester was the one who turned him into Count Bleck in the first place."

"Yeah." Serena said. "But, back in my time, he went by another name: Dimentio."

"Dimentio?" Lucinda asked.

"The evil dark lord of the dimensions." Serena explained. "He is the single most powerful magic user in this dimension, capable of defying even the Light Star's power."

"Really?" Lucinda asked, her voice beginning to show signs of fear.

"Yes.' Serena said, her voice quiet. "Well, when I was nineteen, he kidnapped me and my sister and he did things to us; things I'll not repeat. After that, he corrupted our soul, turning me into a demon and her into a spirit. I became the most powerful demon in the land, destroying the land and ravaging it. I was soon killed by the Crystal Stars, their power being enough, along with the Light Star. Afterwards, I was revived into several hosts eventually reaching you. Once I possessed you, I felt your Chosen nature. I couldn't understand it, but I felt like you were different than the other hosts. My suspicions were confirmed when you made a deal with me simply to save your sister. None of the others had ever made with me to save another. Only to save themselves or benefit themselves. You were different, someone who legitimately cared for others. You weren't the typical host of a demon. But, when I began to train you, I had the idea to use you to fight Dimentio. But, you grew on me, causing me to decide to aid you. And, you know the rest."

"Oh, Serena." Lucinda said, holding Serena tighter. "That's so sad."

"Yeah." Serena said, sighing. "It was. But, I have a new life, living with you guys."

"Yeah." Lucinda said, nodding. "WE're always here for you, no matter what."

"Thanks, kid." Serena said, smiling.

"So" Lucinda asked. "Do you think you can get back to sleep or do you want to stay up?"

"I'm gonna get some sleep." Serena said, laying back down. "I could definitely use it."

"Okay." Lucinda said, doing the same. Soon the two were fast asleep, dreaming peacefully.

The next morning

Lucinda and Serena left Lucinda's room, dressed in their usual clothes (Serena's typical garb is a pair of jeans and a dark purple shirt). They went to the breakfast table, sitting down.

Serena poured herself a bowl of chocolate cereal and Lucinda poured herself a bowl of fruity cereal.

"So" Lucinda asked. "What should we do today?"

"Not sure." Serena said, shrugging.

At that moment Vivian entered the room, noticing the two of them.

"Morning, Lucinda." The Shadow Siren said, waving.

"Morning, Vivian." Both Serena and Lucinda said, Serena waving slightly back.

"Sirena?!" Vivian exclaimed, surprised as she recognized the Shadow human. "What are you doing here?!"

"I've been here." Serena said. "For seventeen years. And, I go by Serena now."

"But" Vivian asked, surprised. "how'd you gain a human form?"

"E. Gadd." Lucinda said. "He helped."

"So" Vivian said. "You're not going to destroy this kingdom?"

"Nope." Serena said, shaking her head, causing her hair to move slightly.

"So" Vivian asked. "The influence is gone?"

"Yes." Serena said, nodding. "I don't follow his orders anymore."

"That's great!" Vivian said, hugging Serena. "I'm so glad."

"Yeah." Serena said, reluctantly hugging Vivian back. "I'm back, sis."

"Sister?" Lucinda asked.

"Yeah." Serena said. "Me and Vivian are sisters. Twins actually. We belonged to the Tribe of Darkness before then."

"Cool." Lucinda said. "Wait, isn't Blumiere a member of the Tribe of Darkness?"

"Yeah." Serena said, nodding.

"You met our father?" Vivian asked. "Where?"

"Wait" Coco said, entering the room, holding Luvbi. The little girl got down from Coco's arms, moving over to Serena, the Shadow human picking her up and placing her on her lap, Luvbi wrapping her arms around Serena in a hug, Serena putting her arms around her. "You two are sisters?"

"Yeah." Serena said, her and Vivian nodding.

"That explains why you had such a personal stake in the fight." Coco said, thinking back.

"Yeah." Vivian said. "I've been trying to either stop or return Serena to her normal state. Though, it seems someone did my job for me."

"The kid's definitely special." Serena said, nodding.

"So is this one." Vivian said, looking at Luvbi. "She really likes you."

"I noticed." Serena said, laughing.

"So did the rest of us." Coco said, also laughing. "It's funny that the big bad Shadow Queen is befriended by a seven year old."

"Yeah." Lucinda said, smiling mischievously. "If I didn't know you, I'd make fun of you."

"Well" Serena said, sticking her tongue out at Lucinda. "At least I didn't sleep with footed pajamas until I was fourteen."

"Well" Lucinda said, blushing. "They were soft."

"Whatever." Serena said.

"This child." Vivian said to Coco. "Where'd you find her?"

"I found her in the castle." Coco said. "I took her in and she seems to like Serena."

"I love you Aunty Serena.' Luvbi said, snuggling into Serena's grip.

Serena blushed slightly, looking at the little girl in surprise.

"I" she said, pulling Luvbi closer. "I love you too, kid."

Aaww. Such feels. So, we see some of Serena's past (as well as a link to several other characters). Though, i wonder that will happen in the future. WEll, we'll find out soon.