Disclaimer: All characters belong to Square.

Author's Note: Feel free to point out any mistakes, but please do remember that is a fanfic, and it's bound to have something you didn't expect. Try to stay open-minded, as the story won't follow the game exactly. Pip's...er..."accent" might need some work, but I tried. (I've only seen him talk once, and even that was pretty brief at best)

2nd Note: I stayed up until nearly three in the morning last night working on this, and the only thing keeping me awake was that excellent Chrono Cross intro movie that I watched at least ten times. Sure, it sounds weird, but for once, I've got a song stuck in my head that I enjoy. (Though if I have to watch Kid getting stabbed by Lynx in Serge's body one more time, I think I'll scream) In other words, if things get weird, it's because I was half-asleep. But I think it worked out pretty well, and hopefully, you will, too.

Summary: Serge & Harle go on their date.

... are thoughts.

The Contest, Part 3


"I can see you, Serge. You can't hide from me any longer."

The voice echoed loudly through the clearing, but Serge couldn't see anyone around. Who are you? What do you want from me?

"Come to me, boy. The time is at hand. We were destined to meet here."

What are you talking about? What is this place?

There was a rustling in the bushes not too far away, but Serge couldn't pinpoint where the sound was coming from.

"Can you see me yet, boy? I'm right here. Turn around."

Serge swallowed noisily and turned around. At first, he saw nothing but the green foliage. After a few minutes, he noticed a different shade of green peeking out from the bushes. It took him a few seconds to realize that they were eyes. He's watching me...but why?

"Ah, yes. Now you see me. But can you stop me?" The eyes faded back into the foliage, then disappeared altogether. "Find me, boy, before I find you."

Without thinking, Serge began to run. He broke through the bushes and kept going, faster and faster until his aching lungs forced him to collapse in the grass. He stayed still for a few moments, listening for any sounds. Strangely enough, he didn't hear the wind, or any birds, as he had before. There was complete silence all around. That is, until...

"I found you first, Serge."

Serge slowly sat up, but by the time he turned, the claws were already buried deep into his right shoulder, and he could feel the flesh over his abdomen being torn and permanently scarred. As he was pinned to the ground by the creature's significant weight, the last thing Serge saw were the fearsome eyes as they glowed and locked on his own. Somehow, from that very moment, he knew his life would never be the same again.

* * * * *

"Time to wake up, mon cheri. You cannot sleep ze day away, can you?"

Serge slowly opened his eyes. Harle was leaning over him, a smile on her face. She backed up a bit, and he could just make out Razzly and Kid around the bed as well. Everything beyond them was a blur.

"Are you okay, Sergey?" Razzly asked, her voice filled with concern. "We heard you screaming!"

"I was...screaming?" he said slowly, as if he hadn't heard right.

"Yeah, you were, mate," Kid agreed. "Like a bloody banshee. You have a bad dream or something?"

"The eyes," Serge whispered. "So green and full of hatred. I can't stop seeing them." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Do me a favor, Razz?"

Razzly gently took his hand in her own. "Just name it, Sergey."

"I want you to go and find Pip. Tell him I need a flower of the forest. He'll know which one."

Razzly nodded and quickly flew out of the room.

"Harle, could you bring me my steel swallow? I think it's in the cellar."

"Right away, mon ami." Harle glanced at Kid before leaving the room.

Serge finally opened his eyes. "Kid, I need to ask you something. Do you remember the way I was before Lynx switched bodies with me?"

"What do you mean, mate?" she asked, sounding puzzled.

"Do I seem different to you now?"

"You've definitely gotten a lot more mysterious, especially right now. What's with you, Serge?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I need to ask you a big favor." He paused, trying to find the right words. "I might start...reverting to the way I was back then...and I want to know that someone I can trust would be willing to stop me, no matter what."

Kid frowned. "You mean you want me to kill you?"

"If that's what it takes." Serge coughed and slowly sat up. "Kid, we've been through a lot together, more than I have with the others. I've placed my life in your hands before, and you've never let me down. I have faith in you."

She shook her head. "Serge, you can't ask me to..." Kid stopped when his eyes locked on her own.

"Please, Kid," he whispered, grasping her hand. "I need you to do this for me. I have to know my friends will be safe if I start changing, and you're the only one I could ever ask. Promise me."

Kid started to say something, but she found that her voice was gone.

Suddenly, Harle returned. "Iz zis ze swallow you wanted, Serge?" she asked, holding out the steel weapon.

"Yes. Thank you, Harle." Serge took the swallow and placed it beside his bed. "If you two don't mind, I think I should get some rest before tonight. I'm not feeling too well." He looked at both women, but his eyes seemed to linger on Kid.

"As you wish, mon cheri," Harle responded. She blew him a kiss and faded from sight.

Kid hesitated before hurrying out of the room and closing the door. She could feel Serge's eyes on her even then, and for the second time since they'd met so long ago, that fact truly bothered her.

* * * * *

If anyone had asked, Pip would've said that he was just resting his eyes. Serge had told him to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, but nothing had even moved in the past three hours. Pip thought himself lucky to stay awake that long.

So he hadn't been expecting anyone to come by. That was why he was asleep in the middle of the road when Razzly found him.

"Pip, get up!" she cried, shaking him as hard as she could. When that didn't work, she bonked him over the head with her trusty rod.

"OW!" Pip shouted, opening his eyes. ""Why'd you do dat?! I was just westing my eyes! Nothing wong with dat!"

"Sergey wants you to get a flower of the forest for him. He said you'd know what that meant."

Pip stared at her for a moment. "Flowa of da fowest? Oh, DAT! I know whea dat is!"

"Well, go get it!" Razzly nearly shouted. "My Sergey needs that flower!"

Pip backed away. "Hey! You used to be nice to me! Why you so mean now?"

She sighed. "I'm sorry, Pip, but Sergey looks sick, and I think something might be very wrong with him. Could you just please hurry and get the flower?"

"What? Suge is sick? Why didn't you say so?! I gotta go get da flowa fast! You stay hea and keep an eye on Suge!" Pip turned and quickly ran deeper into the woods.

Razzly watched him go. She had just turned back to the inn when she happened to glance at one of the upper windows. There was a white cat sleeping on the windowsill. As she stared at it, the cat opened one eye and yowled before going back to sleep. It didn't register in Razzly's mind just then, but that particular room belonged to Serge.

* * * * *

Serge was pulled out of his second nightmare of the day by a loud knocking at his window. He groaned and dragged himself over to it, throwing it open with a grunt.

"Suge! You look tewwible!" Pip gasped as he hopped in.

"Did you get the flower?" Serge asked weakly.

"Yes, but what happened to you?" he asked, holding up a pink flower.

Serge took the flower and sat on his bed. "I really don't know, Pip. I wish I did."

"So why'd you need dat flowa, Suge?"

"It's medicine." Serge deeply inhaled the flower's scent. "If I'm right, I should be feeling well enough to go out with Harle tonight."

"I hope so," Pip said. "She'll be in a vewy bad mood if you can't make it."

"Don't worry, Pip. I don't plan to prolong this contest of theirs in any way. I'll crawl if I have to, but I'm getting this over with as quickly as possible."

Pip nodded and scurried out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Serge waited until he heard the lock slide into place before picking up his swallow. He stared at it for a moment, then carefully ran his finger along one of the blades. As he'd expected, it came away with a thin line of red.

Taking a deep breath, Serge removed his shirt. He gazed at the long scars across his chest, gently fingering the old wounds. They had closed, but they never had healed completely. Sometimes he even got pains from them, if he worked too hard, which he was known to do often these days.

Serge pressed the blade of his swallow to one wound and paused. Then, gritting his teeth in pain, he slowly drew it downward, being careful not to make the cut too deep. He repeated the process with the other old wounds, until he was sure that he'd marked them all.

I know you're not dead. I can feel you out there, sometimes. So what are you waiting for, Lynx? I'm still here. This time, though, I'll be ready for whatever you've got planned.

Serge pulled out a bottle of alcohol and splashed it over his chest, nearly crying out as the fresh wounds screamed in protest. When the pain faded, he returned to the window and gazed out of it. Though his eyes reported that nothing had changed, his mind held a different perspective. He could picture hundreds of yellow eyes staring back at him from the forest, and among them, a green pair with sinister intentions.

* * * * *

"What iz troubling you, mon ami? You look az if you've zeen a ghost."

For the first time since they'd arrived at the restaurant, Serge looked her in the eye. "I can't stop seeing him, Harle. The worst part is, I can't tell if I should really be looking for signs, or if my mind is just making them up."

Harle reached across the table and patted his hand. "Serge, zat iz only your imagination. If Lynx were still after you, he would have come long ago. He would not wait so many years."

"But how can I be sure?"

"Apparently, you cannot be, since your mind refuses to accept the truth. Perhaps what you require iz a distraction?" She arched her eyebrows suggestively.

He gave her a blank look. "Harle, I'm scared out of my mind right now. Do you really think I could focus enough to-"

"You wouldn't have to do anything, mon cheri," Harle replied with a seductive smile. "I would do all ze work."

Serge turned bright red for a moment. "Um...as much as I appreciate the offer, I don't think-"

Harle pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't refuse what you've never tried, Serge. You could be missing out on zomething most...pleasurable."

Serge gulped and turned dark red. "Um...Harle? I don't think you're listening."

"Ah, but it iz you zat iz not listening, mon ami." She leaned closer and smiled. "You know, even zough we are not allowed to have ze sex, zere are many other...talents I could share with you."

Serge actually turned purple for a few seconds. "I really don't think that would be a good idea."

"Oh? And why not?"

"Well, think about it!" Serge racked his brain for a few seconds. "If we did something like that, what would happen when the contest ended?"

Harle's smile widened. "We would be very happy, and after zat night, you would be much happier."

He blushed, but only for a moment. "But...what if I didn't pick you?"

Harle's smile faded.

"Exactly. You'd be hurt, and I'd be losing a great friend." Serge gently squeezed her hand. "Harle, I know how you feel about me, but I can't promise you anything more than friendship right now. Maybe it'll be something more one day, but right now, I'd rather not do anything to endanger our relationship." He paused. "Are you upset?"

"Oui, of course," she replied quietly. "But I guess you are right, mon ami."

"So you'll stop flirting with me?" he asked hopefully.

"Now you are really imaging zings," Harle answered with a smile.

Serge sighed. "It was worth a try."

There was an awkward moment of silence before Harle asked, "You love her, don't you?"

"Huh? Who?"

"You tell me."

"Um...I wish I could, but I honestly don't know right now. You girls just can't expect immediate results when it comes to how someone feels." Serge scratched his head. "Could I ask you...a personal question?"

"Oui."

"Please don't take this the wrong way, and it's probably a stupid thing to ask, anyway, but I just-"

Harle rolled her eyes. "Ask me, Serge."

He hesitated for a second. Finally, he blurted, "Is that face paint or your real face?"

Harle stared at him in disbelief. "Zat iz it? Zat'z what you wanted to know?"

"Well, yeah," he admitted. "You're always wearing that costume, and I wasn't sure if you just liked dressing like that, or if you didn't have a choice."

Harle looked thoughtful for a few moments. Finally, she said, "I will make a deal with you, mon ami. I will tell you one of my secrets if you will tell me one of yours."

Serge didn't like the sound of that, but he was curious. "Fine. What do you want to know?"

"What iz it zat you and Kid were talking about while I was gone?"

"I was asking her to do whatever she had to in order to stop me, in case I suddenly started changing again."

There was immediate concern in Harle's eyes, mixed with a hint of jealousy. "What did she say?"

"Well, she didn't really agree. You came back before she could answer, but I could tell she was having serious doubts."

"And...why did you ask her?"

Serge paused and looked at her, automatically sensing the unasked question. "Harle, I couldn't ask you to do something like that, especially when I knew how you felt about me. I've known Kid longer, and since she hates Lynx, I thought she would be willing to do it, eventually."

"You don't trust me?" Harle asked.

"Of course I do. I just don't trust you around me," Serge replied with a smile.

She returned the smile. "Touché, mon ami. I see your point."

"Even if I had asked you, could you have done it?"

Harle looked at him. "Perhaps. I would not want to, of course, but my feelings for you would convince me to do az you asked. I could not refuse your final wishes. But do you really t'ink she will agree to zis?"

"I sure hope so," Serge replied. "I'll ask again tonight. Now, back to my question."

"Ah, oui. Well, let us just say zat when ze time iz right, I will reveal myself to you."

"Uh...you do mean just your face, right?"

The mischievous smile on Harle's face said otherwise, but she would say no more about it.

* * * * *

How could he ask me to do something like that? And why, for that matter?

The questions had been floating through Kid's mind all day, and she still didn't have any real answers for them. Serge's request had been unexpected to say the least, and would be very difficult to honor besides. But he'd looked at her with such hope, as if he'd known she'd agree right away.

Well, he did keep apologizing for stabbing me, even though it was Lynx's mind in his body. Maybe he thinks this is a way of paying me back.

Still, Kid knew Serge wasn't always a very obvious person. The things he did could seem clear at times, but if you looked closer, there was often some underlying cause or reason that was far more noble than anyone might suspect at first. Maybe by asking her to do this, he was trying to tell her something, but without so many words.

He said he trusted me...and that he had faith in me. But what does he really mean?

Kid's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden weight in her lap. She looked down to see the one creature that probably knew more about Serge than the rest of them combined. For some reason, Pip was always following the young man around, and Serge nearly always let him tag along. No one really knew why, but it was obvious that Pip knew more than he would tell, and that Serge had entrusted him with some pretty big secrets about himself.

"Why you look so sad?" Pip asked. "Pwetty peoples should always smile."

Kid smiled faintly and rubbed his head. "Where you been, furball?"

"To da fowest. Had to get moa flowas fo Suge."

"What's he do with those things, anyway?"

Pip paused, as if wondering if he should tell her the truth. Finally, he said, "Suge sniffs dem. Says dey make him feel betta." He tilted his head slightly and stared at her face. "You got vewy blue eyes."

"So?"

"Suge has vewy blue eyes," Pip replied, as if that explained everything.

"That means what?" Kid asked.

Pip shrugged. "You both got vewy blue eyes. Suge likes blue things."

"If you're trying to soften me up so I'll grant his request, you can stop now."

Pip looked confused. "What reqwest?" he asked. "And you alweady soft." To demonstrate, he curled up against her stomach and promptly went to sleep.

So Serge didn't even tell Pip about asking me...which means it had to be really important in order for him to hide it so well. But that still doesn't tell me why!

Kid sighed and gently ran a hand over Pip's back, listening as he began to snore lightly. It was becoming clear to her that there was only one way she'd find the answers she was looking for. Unfortunately, that meant asking Serge directly, and Kid wasn't sure if she could do that yet. If he turned those sad eyes on her again, there was a good chance she'd do just about anything he asked. It was then that she remembered the date tomorrow.

Oh, bloody hell! How am I gonna get through the whole night without looking at him?!

* * * * *

Razzly didn't really mean to spy on Serge and Harle as they returned to the inn later that night. She was only watching out for her dear friend, protecting him in her own way. Whether he approved or not was not up for consideration, since Serge himself had been acting quite strange lately, even for him. Against her own concerns for his health, he had insisted on going out with Harle, saying he wanted to end the contest as quickly as possible.

She had positioned herself on the roof of the inn just before midnight, waiting for their return. Razzly's tenacity was finally rewarded when the pair appeared, walking somewhat slowly, and, much to her frustration, hand-in-hand. Naturally, a part of Razzly still wanted Serge all to herself, but she had agreed to the contest, and was determined not to embarrass herself.

Of course, she nearly forgot that when Harle suddenly turned and slipped her arms around Serge's neck. Razzly was too high up to hear what they were saying, but she could tell that Harle was whispering, most likely in that tempting voice she always used when speaking to Serge alone.

Suddenly, Serge jumped away from Harle and stumbled to the ground, nearly twisting his ankle in the process. He got up slowly, as if he was injured. Harle carefully approached him, looking very confused, and very apologetic. Serge kept backing away, but finally allowed Harle to slip an arm around his waist and lead him to the inn.

Razzly remained on the roof a while after that, trying to make sense of what she'd just seen. She came up with nothing, and decided she would either ask Pip or Serge himself in the morning. That is, if he wasn't sick again. Questions about the date might only upset him and worsen his condition.

* * * * *

Serge stared at the door, trying to decide if he should call out first or knock. He settled on knocking, but got no answer. "Kid?" he called, loudly enough to get her attention if she was present, but softly enough so as not to wake the others. "Are you awake?" He listened for her voice, or even her footsteps moving to the door, but there was only silence.

Momentarily pushing aside his mother's age-old rule of never entering a lady's quarters without invitation, Serge slipped into the room, leaving the door slightly open. He'd feared that she had already gone to bed, but that was not the case at all: Kid was simply nowhere to be found. Disappointment clouded his features, but when he turned to leave, it was quickly replaced by surprise as he nearly bumped into her.

"Were you looking for me, mate?" she asked. She didn't need to, though; he was in *her* room.

"Yeah," he said slowly, trying desperately to remember why he'd come in the first place.

Without warning, Kid came forward, turning sideways so she could squeeze past him in the narrow doorway. As she brushed his chest on the way in, Serge winced slightly. Fortunately, Kid had continued on without looking back, and didn't notice.

"Is this about what you asked me earlier?"

Serge blinked and looked at her. She'd taken a seat on the bed, and though there was more than enough room for a person twice his size, he remained standing. "Yes. I was wondering if you'd made up your mind."

"Tell me why first, Serge. Why me?"

"Kid, you've always told me how much you wanted to destroy Lynx. We both know he wants me, and if he does get me, you'd be the best one to stop him. You know how he thinks, and what drives him."

"You make it sound like hurting you would be a good thing," Kid said quietly.

"When I think of what Lynx did first in my body, it would be." Serge hesitantly reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't want anyone else I care about to get hurt because of me."

Kid raised her head and gazed at his face, but she didn't say anything.

"Uh...Kid?"

"Pip was right. You do have very blue eyes."

Serge stared at her. "Um...what does that have to do with-"

"Never mind." Kid stood up and moved away from him. "If you do change for the worse, mate...I'll stop you."

"You will?" he asked, sounding a little surprised. He'd expected her to at least make him wait another day. "Thanks, Kid. Just think of it. You're finally gonna get your hands on L-"

"I'm not agreeing to this to get him," she replied sharply. "I'm doing this for you, Serge, and don't you forget it."

"Okay. Thanks...again." Serge started for the door, but he suddenly felt a hand on his arm.

"How do you feel about dancing?"

He looked back at her. "Huh? What, you mean right now?"

Kid smiled. "No, dummy. In general."

"It's okay, I guess. I haven't done it in a while."

"That's all I needed to know." She let go of him and nodded slightly. "Get some rest tonight, mate. You're gonna need it."

Serge's eyes widened, but before he could ask what she meant, Kid closed the door in his face.

Continued in Part 4: The Cat's Dance

I know you probably don't understand why Serge re-opened his scars, but it'll be explained, I promise! :)