Note: The Dark Serge you see here is NOTHING like the one in the game. Here are several differences:
1. This one is NOT Lynx.
2. This one is very, very INSANE.
3. This one has no desire to control two worlds.
4. This one has...well...issues...
Dark Serge tends to get...nasty. Please remember that he IS evil and crazy, and that is almost never a good mix.
Savior of the Seas, Part 3: A Tale of Two Triggers
A stinging slap against her cheek awakened Kid. She gasped when she remembered where she was, and who had caused her to pass out. Then she resisted the urge to scream when she realized that his face was centimeters from hers...again.
"Mother," he whispered, his evil smile growing wider. "I see you're awake now."
Kid glared at him. "What do you want?"
"Guess," he replied, chuckling softly.
Kid's hand flew out with lightning speed, and the dagger flashed once in the dim light of the chamber, but it was more than enough.
Dark Serge's hand wrapped around her wrist before it got anywhere near his face. He frowned. "Now, now, Mother. You wouldn't be trying to hurt me, would you?"
Kid let out a pained groan as his grip became tighter.
Instantly, he stopped squeezing and pulled her hand to his lips, gently kissing the red bruises on her wrist. "I didn't hurt you too much, did I?"
Kid pulled her hand away and avoided his eyes. It was difficult for her to hate this creature. After all, he looked like Serge, and no matter how much he'd hurt her already, her love for Serge was so strong that it was almost painful. She'd missed him terribly since they parted ways, and now that Dark Serge was here... Well, she could never really love him, but it was good to at least see Serge's face. It comforted her, and worst of all, she suspected that Dark Serge knew that.
Suddenly, his cold hands came to rest on either side of her face. "I was hoping," he said quietly, "that Father would be here to meet me when I finally emerged. But finding you here is an unexpected and welcome surprise, Mother."
Kid's eyes narrowed. "Don't call me that."
"Oh, but I must," he whispered, pulling her face toward his. "That's what you are." His thumb gently stroked her cheek. "So dangerous...so angry...and yet, so very lovely..."
Kid's cheeks turned bright red, and she roughly pulled away from, scrambling to her feet.
He was on her in a second, pressing her body firmly to the wall with his own. "What is it, Mother? Do I frighten you?" he asked, brushing his lips against her ear.
Kid shuddered in rage and disgust all at once. "Get away from me!" she screamed, struggling against him.
"Never," he replied, licking his lips. "Now, be a good parent and feed your child." His gaze landed on her neck, and twin fangs slowly emerged from his mouth, protruding over his bottom lip. "Time to feed, Mother."
Kid couldn't do anything but scream as she felt the two pricks in her neck. But she refused to do even that, as it might encourage him to do more. Instead, she willed herself to remain silent, but nothing could stop the tears that slowly rolled down her face.
* * * * *
"Look, Serge! I found a pretty one!"
Serge raised his head as Marie came flying up the beach, dragging an obviously exhausted Harle behind her. He could only smile at the thought. Harle was the most agile, energetic person he'd ever met. If Marie could tire her out, she was definitely not human.
Marie launched herself into his arms and shoved a small seashell in his face. "Look! Isn't it pretty?" she demanded.
"Yes, it is," he said, studying the white and red shell. "Where did you find it?"
Marie's face lit up. "It was in a wave! Harle said it was too dangerous, but I went out there anyway! She tried to follow me and nearly drowned, but I was fine!"
Serge looked at Harle, who looked as if she might pass out any moment. "I see."
"Well, we gotta go look for more." Marie hopped out of Serge's arms and grabbed Harle's hand. "C'mon!"
Harle's eyes widened in something close to fear, and she turned to Serge, a helpless and pleading look on her face.
"Uh...maybe you should let Harle rest for a while, Marie," Serge suggested. "She's not as young as she used to be."
Marie frowned, but nodded and took off down the beach, continuing her search.
Harle was far too tired to be insulted by Serge's excuse. Instead, she moaned and began to fall to the sand.
Serge caught her just in time. "You okay?"
Harle's eyes focused on his face. "Mon ami?" she asked weakly.
"Yes, Harle?"
"When zis...is over...I will...kill you!"
Serge smiled. "She wanted to go seashell-hunting with you. How could I argue?"
"And you...dare to...call yourself...my friend..."
"Actually, you do, but yes." Serge carefully helped her stand. "If I let go, will you fall?"
Harle looked down at her legs. "Oui."
"Okay, then I'll carry you."
Harle's face brightened hopefully. "Like ze bride?"
Serge turned red. "Um...not exactly."
"Serge!" a voice called. "SEEEEEEERGE!"
They both turned to see Marie running towards them, a frightened look on her face.
"What is it, Marie?" Serge asked. "What's wrong?"
"The village!" she shrieked. "It's burning!"
Serge looked behind them. Sure enough, he could just make out a dark spiral of smoke floating up from the village. "Harle, think you can manage to teleport us?"
"I do not t'ink so, Serge."
"That's what I thought. Marie, climb on my back and hold on as tight as you can. Harle...well...it looks like you get your wish, for today."
Marie did as she was told, and Serge carefully picked up Harle.
"Mon ami, what exactly are we waiting for?" Harle asked after a few moments.
"That," Serge replied, glancing behind them.
Harle looked up to see a giant wall of water rising out of the sea. "Mon dieu," she whispered.
Serge's blue eyes seemed to glow, and a stream of water suddenly snaked out and stopped beside them, hardening to ice. Serge stepped on and took a deep breath. "Everybody hold on. I've never tried to control this much water at once, and it could be a bumpy ride."
* * * * *
Kid woke up to feel the wind whipping at her face. She tried to shift her weight, and found that she was being held tightly. It only took her a moment to realize just who was doing the holding.
Dark Serge's chin was resting on her shoulder, but he was gazing straight ahead, as if he couldn't see that she was awake. Even so, his grip on her hadn't relaxed at all. It was almost as if she was surrounded by steel.
Kid glanced around and saw the ground rushing past them. She didn't know where they were going, but then, considering her traveling companion, she didn't want to know, either.
Dark Serge suddenly blinked and affectionately kissed her cheek. "Guess what, Mother?"
Kid shuddered at his touch. "What?" she spat.
"We're going to see Father!" Then he paused, as if confused. "Should I dress casual or fancy? What would you suggest, Mother?"
Kid glanced at the outfit. Dark Serge merely wore a black bodysuit and a dark violet cape with golden trim. "Oh, no. This is definitely you. It says, 'I'm a psychopathic, sadistic, evil monster with little or no taste.' It suits you just perfectly."
"You and your endless compliments, Mother," he said, flashing a smile that showed his fangs. "I could kiss you," he whispered, licking his lips.
Kid glared at him. "Do it and I'll kick your arse to the moons!"
"It would be more than worth the experience. But perhaps later. Right now, we must get to Father. He's in trouble."
Though Kid had no reason to believe anything Dark Serge told her, she had a feeling he wouldn't lie about something like that. "Serge is in trouble?"
"Oh, yes. Burning, smoke, general bad stuff. Good thing he's got all that water stuff going for him!"
Kid didn't bother to ask how he knew any of it. She just silently hoped that Serge would be okay when they got to him...and after she explained how Dark Serge was "related" to them.
* * * * *
Serge's plan was working fairly well. He remained at the center of the village, putting out the largest fires when he spotted them. Harle was guiding the villagers to safety, and Marie's job was to find the fires that Serge couldn't see.
Despite that, Serge wasn't used to controlling so much water at once, and soon he grew tired. Unless they got more help, some parts of the village would still burn down.
Once Harle was done, she ran to Serge. "Mon ami, you should rest," she suggested. "You are in no shape to continue zis."
Serge shook his head and wiped some sweat from his brow. "We can't stop, Harle. The fires aren't all out yet." Then he paused. "Wait. Where's Marie?"
Harle looked puzzled, then worried. "I thought she was with you?"
* * * * *
Marie had been so busy putting out the smaller fires that she'd momentarily forgotten about her mother. Then she'd spotted her house in flames, and all else had been forgotten.
"Mama! Where are you?!" she shouted. Of course, Marie soon found that shouting wasn't a good idea when there's smoke everywhere, as she went into a coughing fit. Eventually, she made it to the hallway, where she found her mother lying on the floor, obviously unconscious.
When shaking her didn't work, Marie thought about calling for Serge. Of course, she'd have to run back to the center of the village, and that would take too long. And, as if Fate had made the decision for her, a burning beam suddenly crashed down in front of her, blocking the front door. Even if she had put the fire out, the beam was too heavy to lift.
Just then, Marie heard a loud crash upstairs. The smoke was becoming thicker now, and she didn't dare look up. Something cold and wet splashed over her, and a pair of strong arms wrapped around her.
"Keep your face covered," a familiar voice instructed.
Marie coughed and rubbed her eyes. She could barely make out someone lifting her mother from the floor. She glanced up, only to stare into a pair of blue eyes. "Serge?" she whispered.
Her rescuer smiled mysteriously. "Close enough."
"Stop talking and move your arse, you idiot!" someone shouted.
"Coming, Mother!" He glanced down at Marie as he ran. "You'll have to forgive her language. She's having a bad day..."
* * * * *
Serge had never felt guiltier in his life. Marie was dead. She had to be. Her powers were still very new to her, and if the fire were large enough, she wouldn't be able to put it out.
And then someone screamed.
Serge's head snapped up, and he scrambled to his feet, pushing his way through the villagers. As he emerged from the crowd, he saw why the woman had screamed.
The entire village was covered in blood.
Serge blinked to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He wasn't.
"Well, at least the fire's out," someone observed.
"Yes," Serge said slowly. "The blood must have done it, but...where did it come from?"
Harle was suddenly at his side. "Mon ami," she whispered, "there is something you should know." There was a strange look on her face.
Serge stared at her. "Lynx?"
"Not exactly, but-"
"Good heavens!" a man shouted. "LOOK!"
Serge looked. He had had to blink several times.
Standing a few feet away, absolutely soaked in blood, were four people. One of them was Kid, and she was carrying Marie's mother. The other was...well...Serge, and he was carrying Marie.
Serge blinked again. "Harle...that's me."
Harle sighed. "I was trying to tell you."
There was an uneasy silence for a long moment, but Kid soon broke it.
"Well, don't just stand there! Somebody get me a bloody towel!"
* * * * *
Several minutes and towels later, Kid was almost clean. She was aware of Serge's eyes on her, but she didn't say anything until she was done. "So. I see you've managed to find yourself another adventure."
"And you've managed to find another me," Serge replied bluntly.
Kid frowned. "Look, I'm not happy about it, either. You'll be even less happy when you hear where he came from, but I think Harle can tell you better than I can." She shrugged. "Anyway, he saved the kid and the whole village."
"Kid, it's covered in blood. No one wants to live there anymore. They think it's an omen that they'll be cursed."
"Yeah, but nobody died," she said defensively.
Serge sighed. "So are you vouching for him?"
Kid glanced over at Dark Serge, who was doing his best to make sand castles with Marie. Only they kept falling down whenever he helped. "Well, not exactly. I thought he was evil until we got here, and I know for a fact that he's crazy."
"So you're not vouching for him."
"Well...he did kinda rough me up a little, but I don't think he'd ever seriously hurt me. And he hasn't done anything to make me shudder once since we got here. That's got to be some kind of record."
Serge closed his eyes, then opened them again. "Okay. He's crazy and possibly evil, but he has a good heart?"
"I guess," she replied, shrugging again.
"In other words, we have to keep an eye on him."
"Yeah."
Serge sighed again. "I was afraid of that."
Kid grinned and patted his shoulder. "No worries, mate. Still got each other, right?"
Serge looked at her for a long moment. "Yeah, you're right."
"And once again, you've missed your cue to kiss me," she pointed out with a smirk.
He blinked, then smiled. "Sorry." He leaned towards her...and nearly got his throat ripped out.
Dark Serge had somehow appeared between them, and was now staring deep into Serge's eyes. "I would not be doing that," he said quietly, "if I were you. Because then I, or whoever was me at the moment, would have to kill you."
Serge backed up and looked questioningly at Kid.
She smiled uneasily. "Well, I did say we'd have to watch him."
"Hey, Serge guy!" Marie called, waving her hands. "I found another shell!"
"Be right there!" Dark Serge threw another glare at Serge. "I'll be watching you, Father." Then he went to help Marie.
Serge blinked. "Kid, have I mentioned how nice it is having you back?"
"No, mate. You didn't."
"Good. And I'm not going to, either."
Kid grinned. "Somehow, mate, that doesn't bother me at all."
Concluded in Part 4: Little Boy Lost
1. This one is NOT Lynx.
2. This one is very, very INSANE.
3. This one has no desire to control two worlds.
4. This one has...well...issues...
Dark Serge tends to get...nasty. Please remember that he IS evil and crazy, and that is almost never a good mix.
Savior of the Seas, Part 3: A Tale of Two Triggers
A stinging slap against her cheek awakened Kid. She gasped when she remembered where she was, and who had caused her to pass out. Then she resisted the urge to scream when she realized that his face was centimeters from hers...again.
"Mother," he whispered, his evil smile growing wider. "I see you're awake now."
Kid glared at him. "What do you want?"
"Guess," he replied, chuckling softly.
Kid's hand flew out with lightning speed, and the dagger flashed once in the dim light of the chamber, but it was more than enough.
Dark Serge's hand wrapped around her wrist before it got anywhere near his face. He frowned. "Now, now, Mother. You wouldn't be trying to hurt me, would you?"
Kid let out a pained groan as his grip became tighter.
Instantly, he stopped squeezing and pulled her hand to his lips, gently kissing the red bruises on her wrist. "I didn't hurt you too much, did I?"
Kid pulled her hand away and avoided his eyes. It was difficult for her to hate this creature. After all, he looked like Serge, and no matter how much he'd hurt her already, her love for Serge was so strong that it was almost painful. She'd missed him terribly since they parted ways, and now that Dark Serge was here... Well, she could never really love him, but it was good to at least see Serge's face. It comforted her, and worst of all, she suspected that Dark Serge knew that.
Suddenly, his cold hands came to rest on either side of her face. "I was hoping," he said quietly, "that Father would be here to meet me when I finally emerged. But finding you here is an unexpected and welcome surprise, Mother."
Kid's eyes narrowed. "Don't call me that."
"Oh, but I must," he whispered, pulling her face toward his. "That's what you are." His thumb gently stroked her cheek. "So dangerous...so angry...and yet, so very lovely..."
Kid's cheeks turned bright red, and she roughly pulled away from, scrambling to her feet.
He was on her in a second, pressing her body firmly to the wall with his own. "What is it, Mother? Do I frighten you?" he asked, brushing his lips against her ear.
Kid shuddered in rage and disgust all at once. "Get away from me!" she screamed, struggling against him.
"Never," he replied, licking his lips. "Now, be a good parent and feed your child." His gaze landed on her neck, and twin fangs slowly emerged from his mouth, protruding over his bottom lip. "Time to feed, Mother."
Kid couldn't do anything but scream as she felt the two pricks in her neck. But she refused to do even that, as it might encourage him to do more. Instead, she willed herself to remain silent, but nothing could stop the tears that slowly rolled down her face.
* * * * *
"Look, Serge! I found a pretty one!"
Serge raised his head as Marie came flying up the beach, dragging an obviously exhausted Harle behind her. He could only smile at the thought. Harle was the most agile, energetic person he'd ever met. If Marie could tire her out, she was definitely not human.
Marie launched herself into his arms and shoved a small seashell in his face. "Look! Isn't it pretty?" she demanded.
"Yes, it is," he said, studying the white and red shell. "Where did you find it?"
Marie's face lit up. "It was in a wave! Harle said it was too dangerous, but I went out there anyway! She tried to follow me and nearly drowned, but I was fine!"
Serge looked at Harle, who looked as if she might pass out any moment. "I see."
"Well, we gotta go look for more." Marie hopped out of Serge's arms and grabbed Harle's hand. "C'mon!"
Harle's eyes widened in something close to fear, and she turned to Serge, a helpless and pleading look on her face.
"Uh...maybe you should let Harle rest for a while, Marie," Serge suggested. "She's not as young as she used to be."
Marie frowned, but nodded and took off down the beach, continuing her search.
Harle was far too tired to be insulted by Serge's excuse. Instead, she moaned and began to fall to the sand.
Serge caught her just in time. "You okay?"
Harle's eyes focused on his face. "Mon ami?" she asked weakly.
"Yes, Harle?"
"When zis...is over...I will...kill you!"
Serge smiled. "She wanted to go seashell-hunting with you. How could I argue?"
"And you...dare to...call yourself...my friend..."
"Actually, you do, but yes." Serge carefully helped her stand. "If I let go, will you fall?"
Harle looked down at her legs. "Oui."
"Okay, then I'll carry you."
Harle's face brightened hopefully. "Like ze bride?"
Serge turned red. "Um...not exactly."
"Serge!" a voice called. "SEEEEEEERGE!"
They both turned to see Marie running towards them, a frightened look on her face.
"What is it, Marie?" Serge asked. "What's wrong?"
"The village!" she shrieked. "It's burning!"
Serge looked behind them. Sure enough, he could just make out a dark spiral of smoke floating up from the village. "Harle, think you can manage to teleport us?"
"I do not t'ink so, Serge."
"That's what I thought. Marie, climb on my back and hold on as tight as you can. Harle...well...it looks like you get your wish, for today."
Marie did as she was told, and Serge carefully picked up Harle.
"Mon ami, what exactly are we waiting for?" Harle asked after a few moments.
"That," Serge replied, glancing behind them.
Harle looked up to see a giant wall of water rising out of the sea. "Mon dieu," she whispered.
Serge's blue eyes seemed to glow, and a stream of water suddenly snaked out and stopped beside them, hardening to ice. Serge stepped on and took a deep breath. "Everybody hold on. I've never tried to control this much water at once, and it could be a bumpy ride."
* * * * *
Kid woke up to feel the wind whipping at her face. She tried to shift her weight, and found that she was being held tightly. It only took her a moment to realize just who was doing the holding.
Dark Serge's chin was resting on her shoulder, but he was gazing straight ahead, as if he couldn't see that she was awake. Even so, his grip on her hadn't relaxed at all. It was almost as if she was surrounded by steel.
Kid glanced around and saw the ground rushing past them. She didn't know where they were going, but then, considering her traveling companion, she didn't want to know, either.
Dark Serge suddenly blinked and affectionately kissed her cheek. "Guess what, Mother?"
Kid shuddered at his touch. "What?" she spat.
"We're going to see Father!" Then he paused, as if confused. "Should I dress casual or fancy? What would you suggest, Mother?"
Kid glanced at the outfit. Dark Serge merely wore a black bodysuit and a dark violet cape with golden trim. "Oh, no. This is definitely you. It says, 'I'm a psychopathic, sadistic, evil monster with little or no taste.' It suits you just perfectly."
"You and your endless compliments, Mother," he said, flashing a smile that showed his fangs. "I could kiss you," he whispered, licking his lips.
Kid glared at him. "Do it and I'll kick your arse to the moons!"
"It would be more than worth the experience. But perhaps later. Right now, we must get to Father. He's in trouble."
Though Kid had no reason to believe anything Dark Serge told her, she had a feeling he wouldn't lie about something like that. "Serge is in trouble?"
"Oh, yes. Burning, smoke, general bad stuff. Good thing he's got all that water stuff going for him!"
Kid didn't bother to ask how he knew any of it. She just silently hoped that Serge would be okay when they got to him...and after she explained how Dark Serge was "related" to them.
* * * * *
Serge's plan was working fairly well. He remained at the center of the village, putting out the largest fires when he spotted them. Harle was guiding the villagers to safety, and Marie's job was to find the fires that Serge couldn't see.
Despite that, Serge wasn't used to controlling so much water at once, and soon he grew tired. Unless they got more help, some parts of the village would still burn down.
Once Harle was done, she ran to Serge. "Mon ami, you should rest," she suggested. "You are in no shape to continue zis."
Serge shook his head and wiped some sweat from his brow. "We can't stop, Harle. The fires aren't all out yet." Then he paused. "Wait. Where's Marie?"
Harle looked puzzled, then worried. "I thought she was with you?"
* * * * *
Marie had been so busy putting out the smaller fires that she'd momentarily forgotten about her mother. Then she'd spotted her house in flames, and all else had been forgotten.
"Mama! Where are you?!" she shouted. Of course, Marie soon found that shouting wasn't a good idea when there's smoke everywhere, as she went into a coughing fit. Eventually, she made it to the hallway, where she found her mother lying on the floor, obviously unconscious.
When shaking her didn't work, Marie thought about calling for Serge. Of course, she'd have to run back to the center of the village, and that would take too long. And, as if Fate had made the decision for her, a burning beam suddenly crashed down in front of her, blocking the front door. Even if she had put the fire out, the beam was too heavy to lift.
Just then, Marie heard a loud crash upstairs. The smoke was becoming thicker now, and she didn't dare look up. Something cold and wet splashed over her, and a pair of strong arms wrapped around her.
"Keep your face covered," a familiar voice instructed.
Marie coughed and rubbed her eyes. She could barely make out someone lifting her mother from the floor. She glanced up, only to stare into a pair of blue eyes. "Serge?" she whispered.
Her rescuer smiled mysteriously. "Close enough."
"Stop talking and move your arse, you idiot!" someone shouted.
"Coming, Mother!" He glanced down at Marie as he ran. "You'll have to forgive her language. She's having a bad day..."
* * * * *
Serge had never felt guiltier in his life. Marie was dead. She had to be. Her powers were still very new to her, and if the fire were large enough, she wouldn't be able to put it out.
And then someone screamed.
Serge's head snapped up, and he scrambled to his feet, pushing his way through the villagers. As he emerged from the crowd, he saw why the woman had screamed.
The entire village was covered in blood.
Serge blinked to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He wasn't.
"Well, at least the fire's out," someone observed.
"Yes," Serge said slowly. "The blood must have done it, but...where did it come from?"
Harle was suddenly at his side. "Mon ami," she whispered, "there is something you should know." There was a strange look on her face.
Serge stared at her. "Lynx?"
"Not exactly, but-"
"Good heavens!" a man shouted. "LOOK!"
Serge looked. He had had to blink several times.
Standing a few feet away, absolutely soaked in blood, were four people. One of them was Kid, and she was carrying Marie's mother. The other was...well...Serge, and he was carrying Marie.
Serge blinked again. "Harle...that's me."
Harle sighed. "I was trying to tell you."
There was an uneasy silence for a long moment, but Kid soon broke it.
"Well, don't just stand there! Somebody get me a bloody towel!"
* * * * *
Several minutes and towels later, Kid was almost clean. She was aware of Serge's eyes on her, but she didn't say anything until she was done. "So. I see you've managed to find yourself another adventure."
"And you've managed to find another me," Serge replied bluntly.
Kid frowned. "Look, I'm not happy about it, either. You'll be even less happy when you hear where he came from, but I think Harle can tell you better than I can." She shrugged. "Anyway, he saved the kid and the whole village."
"Kid, it's covered in blood. No one wants to live there anymore. They think it's an omen that they'll be cursed."
"Yeah, but nobody died," she said defensively.
Serge sighed. "So are you vouching for him?"
Kid glanced over at Dark Serge, who was doing his best to make sand castles with Marie. Only they kept falling down whenever he helped. "Well, not exactly. I thought he was evil until we got here, and I know for a fact that he's crazy."
"So you're not vouching for him."
"Well...he did kinda rough me up a little, but I don't think he'd ever seriously hurt me. And he hasn't done anything to make me shudder once since we got here. That's got to be some kind of record."
Serge closed his eyes, then opened them again. "Okay. He's crazy and possibly evil, but he has a good heart?"
"I guess," she replied, shrugging again.
"In other words, we have to keep an eye on him."
"Yeah."
Serge sighed again. "I was afraid of that."
Kid grinned and patted his shoulder. "No worries, mate. Still got each other, right?"
Serge looked at her for a long moment. "Yeah, you're right."
"And once again, you've missed your cue to kiss me," she pointed out with a smirk.
He blinked, then smiled. "Sorry." He leaned towards her...and nearly got his throat ripped out.
Dark Serge had somehow appeared between them, and was now staring deep into Serge's eyes. "I would not be doing that," he said quietly, "if I were you. Because then I, or whoever was me at the moment, would have to kill you."
Serge backed up and looked questioningly at Kid.
She smiled uneasily. "Well, I did say we'd have to watch him."
"Hey, Serge guy!" Marie called, waving her hands. "I found another shell!"
"Be right there!" Dark Serge threw another glare at Serge. "I'll be watching you, Father." Then he went to help Marie.
Serge blinked. "Kid, have I mentioned how nice it is having you back?"
"No, mate. You didn't."
"Good. And I'm not going to, either."
Kid grinned. "Somehow, mate, that doesn't bother me at all."
Concluded in Part 4: Little Boy Lost
