Disclaimer - I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
Summary - The warriors battle the Super-Deluxe Robot Scorpio, and then return to the Water Palace. Read and Review, please.
Revival of the Legend
Part 8
"Move now," Crono yelled as the gigantic scorpion robot stabbed at the group with its' tail. Crono did a rolling-dive towards the ground and sprung up to his feet, sword in hand. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Glenn with his own sword raised.
"Hath thee a plan, Crono," Glenn asked. The other warrior shook his head and Serin drew out the Mana sword.
"The Scorpion army's robots are usually easy to defeat, but they always have a nasty surprise," Serin stated. That said, he leapt towards the robot and brought his sword down. The sword bounced off uselessly, and he charged again, only to stop short as the robot snapped its' gigantic claws towards him.
"Serin," Charis yelled, running to his side.
"I'm fine," he replied. The two leapt apart as the scorpion stabbed at the area with its' tail.
"'Tis impossible to destroy this creature," Glenn stated. He and Crono had been attacking the scorpion from behind, however their swords, too, bounced off uselessly.
"It's not impossible," Serin stated, a frown of determination on his face. "Charis, what's its' weak point?"
"I'm on it," she exclaimed. "Sylpid, come forth! Grant me the power of wind." A blue, round creature appeared momentarily before it disappeared. Charis closed her eyes, and a wind blew past her, causing her hair to defy gravity. As she was visualizing the robot, she opened her eyes again. "It has two weak points. One is the tail, and the other is its' stomach."
"Let us dispatch this creature," Glenn exclaimed. He hopped quickly towards the robot, however it knocked him away with a claw.
"Glenn," Marle exclaimed, running towards him. She reached his side as he struggled to get up. "Just hold still, and I'll heal you." As she used her magic, the scorpion turned its attention towards her, and Serin saw their opportunity.
"Quickly, Crono, while it's distracted," he yelled. The two warriors ran and in quick succession, leapt and slashed at the robot's tail. It swung its' tail around, knocking the two warriors off their feet. The tip of its' tail seemed to open, and it spit acid out, which landed on Crono.
"Crono," Marle screamed as the warrior cried out in pain. She and Charis ran to Crono's aid as Serin began to move. The scorpion turned towards the other fallen warrior and stabbed at him, however Serin rolled out of the way.
"Marle, I'll take care of him," Charis told the crying girl. "Help the others." She nodded her head, and pulled the auto-crossbow off her back.
"Thank you, Charis," Marle stated before running towards Serin and Glenn.
"I need to help," Crono groaned. He began to sit up, however Charis pushed him back down gently.
"Not until I heal you," Charis stated. "Now relax."
"Thanks," he replied, closing his eyes against his pain.
"Undine, come forth," Charis chanted. "Grant me the power of water." As the tiny mermaid appeared, Crono was surrounded by a blue aura, and as it faded away, the pained look disappeared from his face as well. "Is that better," she asked, offering a hand down to help him stand.
"Thanks to you," he replied, grabbing her hand and pulling himself up. They turned as they heard an explosion. The other three warriors had managed to destroy the scorpion's tail.
"Great job, you guys," Charis exclaimed as she and Crono ran towards them. The robot lay motionless on the ground, smoke rising from its' missing tail. "Just get the stomach, and it should be destroyed."
"Nay, lass, thou'rt wrong," Glenn stated. "Look." Charis looked towards the scorpion and gasped. Pods began to shoot from the scorpion's back, and as they landed on the ground, they formed into miniature versions of the larger robot.
"That's the nasty surprise I was talking about," Serin stated grimly. As the mini-scorpions surrounded them in a semi-circle, Crono sheathed his sword and stepped forward, arms raised to the side.
"You all had better give him some room," Marle commented. As she and the others backed away, the wind around Crono began to pick up. He lifted up into the air, and a dome of light surrounded him. The dome expanded outward, destroying the mini-scorpions upon contact.
"That was amazing, Crono," Charis exclaimed as the warrior lowered to the ground.
"Let us finish our foe," Glenn suggested. The larger scorpion began to raise back up on its' six legs. Slowly it walked towards the warriors, sparks flying from its' missing tail. The warriors advanced towards the robot, however it held their attacks at bay with its' claws while sending the pods containing clones of itself from its' back.
"We've got to get to its' underbelly," Serin stated in frustration.
"I've got an idea, but I need protection," Charis said while destroying one of the robots with the spear she held.
"I'll protect you, Charis," Serin stated, kicking one of the robots away.
"Lumina, come forth," Charis exclaimed. "Grant me the power of light!" A round, puffy white being appeared as she summoned its' magical power. The sky darkened, and two beams of pure light struck the scorpion's side, destroying its' three legs. She smiled as the robot fell over onto its' side, exposing the stomach.
"That's my girl," Serin exclaimed. He ran to the scorpion as it struggled. He stabbed his sword into the stomach, and ran along the length, leaving a clean cut. He jumped back, and electricity ran along the length of the cut.
"Glenn," Crono exclaimed.
"Aye lad," Glenn replied. "Let us smite him." Glenn leapt towards the robot, depositing his sword deep within its' circuits. Crono quickly cast a lightning spell on the sword, and the current of electricity ran down the sword, scrambling the circuits. A large explosion sounded as the scorpion blew up.
"We did it Serin," Marle exclaimed. She hugged her brother, and then went to congratulate Crono and Glenn.
"Thine skills art commendable," Glenn told Serin, replacing his sword to its' sheath.
"As are yours," Serin replied. He looked towards Charis and she smiled shyly. "Are you okay," he asked her.
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied. "I'm sorry for making you rush out here like that, without a plan of action. I guess I'm picking up some of my bad habits again."
"No, you were just worried about your family," Serin replied. He brought a hand up and gently caressed the side of her face. She smiled, and tilted her face into his hand. "I would have done the same thing," he continued, dropping his hand back down to his side.
"What now, Serin," Marle asked.
"We should get back to the castle, and then return to see Schala," he stated.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"I have news, Janus," Schala stated. "The young warriors have defeated the threat in Pandora. They should return soon." She took his hand into hers and squeezed it gently. "They could have used your help."
"I have helped them enough," Magus replied. "I have no debt to them."
"You have the duty of protecting Princess Charis, don't you," Schala pressed.
"She is in capable hands," Magus stated impassively. "Was it not Crono who dealt me my defeat?"
"I suppose you're right," she replied with a smile.
"Schala, why is it that our entire conversation has been about me," he asked.
"What would you like to talk about, Janus," she retorted.
"Return to Zeal with me, dear sister," he said. "Together, we can restore our fallen kingdom to greatness once again."
"Janus, I have duties here, now," she commented sadly. "How I would love to go back with you."
"I can not bear your loss again," Magus spoke, raw emotion expressed on his face. "I have searched for you for so long. I would die, to lose you again."
"Janus," Schala murmured, pain laced in her voice. She turned her head slightly, and looked back towards Magus. "We must continue this later."
"And that we will," Magus replied, his passive facade returning to his features. Schala turned towards the stairs as the five warriors appeared at the top.
"Welcome back," Schala greeted. "You were successful, I see."
"Yes, Schala," Serin said. "The Pandoran soldiers are working to restore calamity to the kingdom. It was the work of the Scorpion army."
"As I thought it would be," Schala commented. "They're growing more boastful with their newfound powers. You must quickly go and seal the seeds before another confrontation with them."
"Yes, of course," Serin replied. "We'll go right away."
"Will you be accompanying us, Magus," Charis asked him.
"Princess, you will be fine without me," he replied. "I'm staying here, with Schala."
"But why," she exclaimed. "With your flying technique, it would only take half the time to reach the palaces! Please, you must go."
"Hold thy tongue, Princess," Glenn stated. "Magus' deeds hath been unscrupulous, but he has earned his stay. He shall remain'eth here."
"Glenn's right, Charis," Marle said. "Magus has been searching for Schala for so long. He needs to spend time with her. We'll be able to manage without him."
"But ..."
"Charis," Serin interrupted her. "It will be just like old times."
"All right, then," she conceded. "I don't have the right to force him to go."
"All is not lost, Charis," Schala stated. "Your task will still be a swift one to accomplish. Follow me." The blue-haired woman led the group down the stairs, and out the front of the Water Palace. When they all were standing outside, she turned to Charis. "Please, hand me your drum."
Charis had a surprised look on her face, however reached into her pocket and pulled out the item. Schala took the hand-held drum from Charis, unwrapping the twin streamers and drum-knockers from around the handle. She raised it into the air, turning it back and forth swiftly.
"I didn't know you had kept Flammie's drum, Charis," Serin stated. He turned towards Schala. "But Flammie is dead, isn't he?"
"Flammie is one of the truest forms of Mana power, Sir Serin," she replied with a smile. A large shadow flew overhead. "Your ride is here, now." A wind passed over the Water Palace as a large, white dragon landed. Glenn, Crono, and Marle took a tentative step back, while Serin and Charis rushed forward.
"Flammie," Charis exclaimed, jumping up and flinging herself to the dragon's furry chest. He lowered his head and licked the side of her face. Serin rapidly rubbed the dragon's side.
"I can't believe this," Serin stated. "Now everything will be so much quicker."
"Your happiness will be short-lived if you don't put a stop to the Scorpion army," Schala said. She tossed Flammie's drum towards Serin, and he easily caught it. "Put a stop to their evil plans."
"We will, Schala," Charis stated. She and Serin climbed up onto Flammie's back, and then looked towards the others expectantly.
"Well, are you coming," Serin asked. Crono, Glenn, and Marle looked at each other, and then towards the dragon again.
"This method of travel, 'tis safe," Glenn asked nervously.
"Of course," Charis exclaimed. "Flammie is so gentle. Besides, he's just a baby." The trio's eyes widened at her statement. Charis laughed and then rubbed the dragon's neck. "You won't hurt them, will you?"
"I guess if it trusts Serin and Charis, we'll be alright," Marle stated. She slowly stepped towards Flammie, and the dragon looked at her. He lowered his body closer to the ground, allowing her to climb on. Crono and Glenn followed, grabbing fistfuls of Flammie's fur once they were on. With a flap of his wings, Flammie lifted up into the air.
"Don't worry, Schala," Serin called down. "You and Magus just protect this palace. We'll seal the other seeds, and put a stop to the Scorpion army!"
"Let's go, Flammie," Charis ushered. The dragon rose higher into the air, and then flew off. Schala and Magus watched as they flew away and disappeared.
"You worry too much, Schala," Magus stated. "They'll do what they need to." Schala remained silent, and nodded her head.
"I knew you had faith in them," she thought, smiling inwardly. "And I share that faith."
To Be Continued . . .