I finally got a review on chappie four, so I'm putting this one up. This
one also has the REAL reason why Serge (in this case, Kid) was the one to
feed the dragons.
Chapter Five: Raid the Manor - Hey, How Smart is That?
Mel pressed against the paddle, chattering with Serge as she did so. Guile knew the way, so she had asked for 100 gil in payment. Kid found this somewhere in her allowance of 200 gil, and they were on their way.
What she didn't like that much was that Mel didn't seem to be interested in finding the manor at all. All her time was spent with Serge. It wasn't that Kid was jealous, but it gave her a strange sense of insecurity. After all, she was, and would always be, a simple village girl.
Wouldn't she. . .?
She was barely aware of the footsteps against the wood of the ship as Mel's conversation switched to a different vein. "Been bloody quiet." Serge remarked, taking a seat beside her.
"I've just been thinking." Kid explained. "I just can't imagine what Viper would want with ME, just a village girl. Or why he would go so far as to have me kidnapped."
"Ya know," Serge began, but paused, "it might not be him alone. There might be someone else involved."
"Someone you know?"
He was silent a moment. "Nah, can't be. I was just thinkin' maybe Viper had ta sign an agreement with Porre or somethin' that called for you.
"How they would get the idea I was dead right after everything changed is strange. . ." Kid looked toward the sky, which was swiftly becoming night. "As if someone already knew it would be at that moment. . ."
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Serge leapt out of the boat to land beside Kid. He scanned the steep side of the bluffs. "We can make this work. If we go one after the other, we could manage ta climb up those vines."
Kid nodded in agreement.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Mel asked. Kid didn't respond, for the question was directed toward Serge.
"I'm sure we'll be fine." Serge replied. "And we don't wanna risk ya when ya barely have anythin' ta do with this."
Mel looked disappointed, but nodded. "Good luck, then."
They began scaling the cliff, Kid first, so Serge could catch her if she fell, and Guile behind Serge, so HE could catch HIM if he fell, and, as he was flying, Guile couldn't fall.
"Watch it!" Serge cried out when they reached the ledge. Kid dodged to the side as Serge's swallow was flung upward to kill a strange bat like creature that had been about to attack her.
Kid glanced upward to see a boulder tumbling down. As a cry from the top of the bluffs met her ears, she turned to the others. "They've seen us!"
In this action, however, she failed to see that the boulder hadn't changed course. It hit her forehead in its descent, causing her to fall backward over the ledge. "KID!" she thought she heard Serge call.
Despair alive in his heart, Serge grabbed frantically for her ankle. With a gravity-defying thrust, he caught her. Pulling her safely into his arms, his eyes scanned the ledge for some escape from the now numerous boulders. Guile beckoned to him from a natural archway created by the water streaming down the cliff face. Ducking to avoid any more boulders, Serge ran toward him.
"How is she?" Guile asked.
"Still alive, I think." Serge told him as he set Kid down, examining the blood on her forehead. "I'm gonna kill the bastard who's doin' this!"
"Here." Guile's Element Grid emitted a soft click as he selected a Heal. The green magic rose around Kid as the minor wound healed. Her eyelids fluttered.
"W. . .what happened?" she murmured.
"Boulder?" Serge refreshed her memory.
"Oh. Ow!" Kid cried out as she tried to sit up.
Serge gave her a concerned look. "Yer're okay, ain't ya, mate?"
"Yeah." Kid grimaced. "I just have this splitting headache. . ."
Serge laughed, helping her to her feet. "Try some Tablets or a Brace or somethin'. You'll be okay."
Kid staggered a moment before regaining her balance. "Let's go get the guy who threw that." she muttered, drawing her dagger.
"There's a problem." Serge stopped her. "He's still throwing them."
There was an ominous booming from outside to enhance his words.
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Fortunately, there were many other arches like the first about the fluffs. It was through hiding in these that Kid, Serge, and Guile managed to get to the final ledge. Sending Guile and Kid to safety, Serge told them to wait on him. He would approach the dragoon on his own.
"So you made it up anyway!" the dragoon exclaimed.
"Yeah." Serge whispered. "Yeah I made it. And Kid almost didn't!" He attacked the dragoon with almost insane ferocity.
"No! Serge! No!" came a cry from further off. Kid's feet tore dirt out of the ground as she ran towards him. "Don't kill him!"
But that wasn't what Serge had planned to do, as much as he wanted to. He brought his elbow crashing down onto the unfortunate dragoon's head, knocking him senseless. "Looks like we made it inta the premi-whoa!" Serge jumped back, surprised, as a strange winged creature came close to knocking him to the ground in its approach. It stood in their way, looming over them.
Serge glared up at it. "That wasn't very nice!" he shouted up. The creature snorted, almost in amusement, without showing any other sign of being miffed by his words at all. This only got Serge madder. "Let's get him! He's wastin' our time!"
"Perhaps it would be wiser to form an understanding." Guile suggested.
Kid, torn between the two alternatives, said nothing.
"Are you kiddin'?! This guy looks like he'd discuss somethin' with people like us right after he stuck Kid's dagger up his arse!" Serge argued.
"All intelligent creatures can communicate in a logical and influential manner." Guile replied.
"All INTELLIGENT creatures."
Meanwhile, Kid had done the sensible thing of a girl of her age, and tried to communicate with this creature. "Um, Mr., uh. . .?" she began uncertainly. The creature shot her an intimidating glance. Kid held her ground. "Are you gonna let us past or what, here?"
There was another snort as the creature tossed its head. Two others joined it, only flying together, for they only had one wing each. Holding onto each other for support, the two landed by the other's side.
"Uh. . .Serge? Guile? I think they want to fight. . ." Kid warned them.
"Told you." Serge muttered under his breath before turning to the problem at hand.
"I know I can take that blue one over there," Kid indicated it as well as her red innate, "but we'll need to take the big guy out. You're our strongest fighter, Serge, and your innate is white. His is black."
"Dash&Slash should do the job." Serge told her.
With that said, each of them flew at the designated creatures. Serge used Dash&Slash almost immediately while he and Guile attacked the major of the three. Kid was having a little trouble with the blue innated fighter, but so long as she kept on the offensive, her fiery innate checked in. Her eyes shifted as the black innate fighter clouted Serge brutally in the head. He flew back a ways, but ran back, despite the throbbing pain. It was evident that he couldn't hold on like this much longer. He had used Dash&Slash, but he hadn't used the only Meteorite they had, which was equipped on him.
"Serge! Here!" she called, casting a Cure. Serge stood still, for otherwise it might miss. The healing magic spread throughout him, nursing the injuries he had endured. Refreshed, though not wholly, he ran back, reaching for his Element Grid.
In her momentary lack of concentration, Kid failed to see that the blue innate creature had recruited the help of the red one. They ran toward her together, both fists hitting her directly in the stomach. "Dammit. . .it's at these times I wish. . .we had Leena. . .with us. . ." Kid muttered. She stumbled, hunched over with both arms around her stomach in a futile attempt to stop the pain. A white-hot pain shot through her shoulder as the red innate creature used FireSword, grazing her. She reached frantically for her Element Grid, silently cheering the other two on as she heard the sound of Meteorite being used. Healing magic rose up around her as Guile used another Cure. After taking two quick Tablets, Kid rushed back into battle.
But the black Elements were taking their toll on Serge. He set on hand on his knee, struggling to stay upright, as his arm was pulled down by the swallow. But he attacked just as fiercely. He saw that Kid had taken a thrashing, but now had eliminated the blue innate creature. Why was this black one so hard?
He selected ElectroJolt from his Element Grid in one last hope to eliminate the creature. His healing Elements had run out, and Guile only had one left. Kid was busy, using just as many whenever she had to. A Tablet wouldn't help him now, and that was basically what she had. So this was his last chance.
The creature fell, torn apart by the attacks. His weapon, a lot like Serge's swallow, lay dormant on the grass. The red innate creature, finding himself the only one left, decided to see how he could inflict major damage to them. He cuffed Serge under the chin, sending him flying back and striking his head on the ground before the rest of his body flipped over, causing him to land harshly on his stomach. The grass was blurred as everything darkened. . .then. . .black. . .
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"He took a beating, didn't he?" Kid murmured, sitting with her hands on her knees in the corner of the guardhouse above the bluffs.
"Indeed. He should be fine after we get him a few more Tablets." Guile told her. "That creature was too much for him, but he wouldn't admit it. He wouldn't show any pain at all. . ."
". . ." Kid looked over at Serge. What was it? What had happened to him?
"Ugh. . ." Serge muttered, pushing himself up. "What the hell. . .? What happened?" he asked.
"We just beat those creatures." Kid told him.
Serge grimaced. "Doesn't feel like it."
"After you were unconscious, the last of the three didn't prove very difficult." Guile explained.
Kid looked out at the stars now above them. "Guile and I decided nightfall was the best time to get in."
Serge grinned. "That's right. I think I'm rubbin' off on ya a bit."
"It was Guile's idea."
"Oh."
Serge stood. "What about Mel?"
"Guile flew down to tell her we'd be awhile." Kid explained. "She left for Guldove a while ago. She should be back in a few hours."
"That's all we'll need if we pull this right." Serge agreed.
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Guile beckoned swiftly from the hedge. Kid stepped out from one near, glancing uneasily about. Guards were swarming over the area like bees, as they had been doing since night fell. Becoming impatient with her, Serge dodged along the wall, nabbing her around the waist as he went. Kid opened her mouth to cry out in surprise, but Serge quickly slipped a gloved hand over it.
Another guard looked around suspiciously. "Did you hear that?" he asked of his fellow dragoon.
The other listened a moment, but then shook his head. "It's nothin'. Just keep your guard up."
Guile slipped in a side door, Kid and Serge behind him. The rank odor of week-old animal droppings met Serge's nose as he stopped. He clamped his hand over it, eyes wide and tearing from the smell. Kid had noticed as well, and now had a clothespin over hers, despite the pain.
As he got used to the smell, Serge released his nose, for the odor penetrated his defenses anyway. He began in a slow voice with less of an accent that jumped with sarcasm and irritation: "Guile, what are we doing in the stables?"
"I think there might be a way into the manor through here." Guile searched the stables with his masked eyes.
"Unless you'd care to check under that hay and MANURE." Kid offered, gesturing to a corner.
Guile didn't care to check.
"Hey."
An old man, hobbling alongside a cane while favoring his right foot, had spoken the greeting. "Are you the new helpers I was told about?"
"Uh, actually we-"
"Good! My back's been acting up lately, and I can't work as well as I used to. I need one of you to feed the dragons for me."
"Do ya have a key ta the manor?" Serge asked.
"Yessir." The man nodded. "I'll give it to you if you take on this chore."
Serge turned to Guile crossing his arms. "Who wanted ta come in here in the first place?"
"I thought there was a way into the manor!" Guile replied quickly. Neither one of them wanted to get close to the odor, which was still sticking out like a sore thumb.
"Yeah, yeah, now get yer arse over ta those dragons."
"You agreed to the chore!"
Kid had gone to sharpening her dagger as they argued, but looked up abruptly as they stopped speaking. Her eyes darted from one to the other. "Uh, g-guys? W-why are you l-looking at me like that?"
A/N: Guess what happened. Plz review, I'm working on the next chap. Oh, and I'll be putting up an interesting (I hope) chapter to Chrono Truths.
BTW, when I had to fight those really weird bird-guys at the bluffs, Serge ALWAYS died. ALWAYS. Since I didn't do anything to this one's innate, guess what, HE *died* too. It was very annoying. . .
Chapter Five: Raid the Manor - Hey, How Smart is That?
Mel pressed against the paddle, chattering with Serge as she did so. Guile knew the way, so she had asked for 100 gil in payment. Kid found this somewhere in her allowance of 200 gil, and they were on their way.
What she didn't like that much was that Mel didn't seem to be interested in finding the manor at all. All her time was spent with Serge. It wasn't that Kid was jealous, but it gave her a strange sense of insecurity. After all, she was, and would always be, a simple village girl.
Wouldn't she. . .?
She was barely aware of the footsteps against the wood of the ship as Mel's conversation switched to a different vein. "Been bloody quiet." Serge remarked, taking a seat beside her.
"I've just been thinking." Kid explained. "I just can't imagine what Viper would want with ME, just a village girl. Or why he would go so far as to have me kidnapped."
"Ya know," Serge began, but paused, "it might not be him alone. There might be someone else involved."
"Someone you know?"
He was silent a moment. "Nah, can't be. I was just thinkin' maybe Viper had ta sign an agreement with Porre or somethin' that called for you.
"How they would get the idea I was dead right after everything changed is strange. . ." Kid looked toward the sky, which was swiftly becoming night. "As if someone already knew it would be at that moment. . ."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Serge leapt out of the boat to land beside Kid. He scanned the steep side of the bluffs. "We can make this work. If we go one after the other, we could manage ta climb up those vines."
Kid nodded in agreement.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Mel asked. Kid didn't respond, for the question was directed toward Serge.
"I'm sure we'll be fine." Serge replied. "And we don't wanna risk ya when ya barely have anythin' ta do with this."
Mel looked disappointed, but nodded. "Good luck, then."
They began scaling the cliff, Kid first, so Serge could catch her if she fell, and Guile behind Serge, so HE could catch HIM if he fell, and, as he was flying, Guile couldn't fall.
"Watch it!" Serge cried out when they reached the ledge. Kid dodged to the side as Serge's swallow was flung upward to kill a strange bat like creature that had been about to attack her.
Kid glanced upward to see a boulder tumbling down. As a cry from the top of the bluffs met her ears, she turned to the others. "They've seen us!"
In this action, however, she failed to see that the boulder hadn't changed course. It hit her forehead in its descent, causing her to fall backward over the ledge. "KID!" she thought she heard Serge call.
Despair alive in his heart, Serge grabbed frantically for her ankle. With a gravity-defying thrust, he caught her. Pulling her safely into his arms, his eyes scanned the ledge for some escape from the now numerous boulders. Guile beckoned to him from a natural archway created by the water streaming down the cliff face. Ducking to avoid any more boulders, Serge ran toward him.
"How is she?" Guile asked.
"Still alive, I think." Serge told him as he set Kid down, examining the blood on her forehead. "I'm gonna kill the bastard who's doin' this!"
"Here." Guile's Element Grid emitted a soft click as he selected a Heal. The green magic rose around Kid as the minor wound healed. Her eyelids fluttered.
"W. . .what happened?" she murmured.
"Boulder?" Serge refreshed her memory.
"Oh. Ow!" Kid cried out as she tried to sit up.
Serge gave her a concerned look. "Yer're okay, ain't ya, mate?"
"Yeah." Kid grimaced. "I just have this splitting headache. . ."
Serge laughed, helping her to her feet. "Try some Tablets or a Brace or somethin'. You'll be okay."
Kid staggered a moment before regaining her balance. "Let's go get the guy who threw that." she muttered, drawing her dagger.
"There's a problem." Serge stopped her. "He's still throwing them."
There was an ominous booming from outside to enhance his words.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fortunately, there were many other arches like the first about the fluffs. It was through hiding in these that Kid, Serge, and Guile managed to get to the final ledge. Sending Guile and Kid to safety, Serge told them to wait on him. He would approach the dragoon on his own.
"So you made it up anyway!" the dragoon exclaimed.
"Yeah." Serge whispered. "Yeah I made it. And Kid almost didn't!" He attacked the dragoon with almost insane ferocity.
"No! Serge! No!" came a cry from further off. Kid's feet tore dirt out of the ground as she ran towards him. "Don't kill him!"
But that wasn't what Serge had planned to do, as much as he wanted to. He brought his elbow crashing down onto the unfortunate dragoon's head, knocking him senseless. "Looks like we made it inta the premi-whoa!" Serge jumped back, surprised, as a strange winged creature came close to knocking him to the ground in its approach. It stood in their way, looming over them.
Serge glared up at it. "That wasn't very nice!" he shouted up. The creature snorted, almost in amusement, without showing any other sign of being miffed by his words at all. This only got Serge madder. "Let's get him! He's wastin' our time!"
"Perhaps it would be wiser to form an understanding." Guile suggested.
Kid, torn between the two alternatives, said nothing.
"Are you kiddin'?! This guy looks like he'd discuss somethin' with people like us right after he stuck Kid's dagger up his arse!" Serge argued.
"All intelligent creatures can communicate in a logical and influential manner." Guile replied.
"All INTELLIGENT creatures."
Meanwhile, Kid had done the sensible thing of a girl of her age, and tried to communicate with this creature. "Um, Mr., uh. . .?" she began uncertainly. The creature shot her an intimidating glance. Kid held her ground. "Are you gonna let us past or what, here?"
There was another snort as the creature tossed its head. Two others joined it, only flying together, for they only had one wing each. Holding onto each other for support, the two landed by the other's side.
"Uh. . .Serge? Guile? I think they want to fight. . ." Kid warned them.
"Told you." Serge muttered under his breath before turning to the problem at hand.
"I know I can take that blue one over there," Kid indicated it as well as her red innate, "but we'll need to take the big guy out. You're our strongest fighter, Serge, and your innate is white. His is black."
"Dash&Slash should do the job." Serge told her.
With that said, each of them flew at the designated creatures. Serge used Dash&Slash almost immediately while he and Guile attacked the major of the three. Kid was having a little trouble with the blue innated fighter, but so long as she kept on the offensive, her fiery innate checked in. Her eyes shifted as the black innate fighter clouted Serge brutally in the head. He flew back a ways, but ran back, despite the throbbing pain. It was evident that he couldn't hold on like this much longer. He had used Dash&Slash, but he hadn't used the only Meteorite they had, which was equipped on him.
"Serge! Here!" she called, casting a Cure. Serge stood still, for otherwise it might miss. The healing magic spread throughout him, nursing the injuries he had endured. Refreshed, though not wholly, he ran back, reaching for his Element Grid.
In her momentary lack of concentration, Kid failed to see that the blue innate creature had recruited the help of the red one. They ran toward her together, both fists hitting her directly in the stomach. "Dammit. . .it's at these times I wish. . .we had Leena. . .with us. . ." Kid muttered. She stumbled, hunched over with both arms around her stomach in a futile attempt to stop the pain. A white-hot pain shot through her shoulder as the red innate creature used FireSword, grazing her. She reached frantically for her Element Grid, silently cheering the other two on as she heard the sound of Meteorite being used. Healing magic rose up around her as Guile used another Cure. After taking two quick Tablets, Kid rushed back into battle.
But the black Elements were taking their toll on Serge. He set on hand on his knee, struggling to stay upright, as his arm was pulled down by the swallow. But he attacked just as fiercely. He saw that Kid had taken a thrashing, but now had eliminated the blue innate creature. Why was this black one so hard?
He selected ElectroJolt from his Element Grid in one last hope to eliminate the creature. His healing Elements had run out, and Guile only had one left. Kid was busy, using just as many whenever she had to. A Tablet wouldn't help him now, and that was basically what she had. So this was his last chance.
The creature fell, torn apart by the attacks. His weapon, a lot like Serge's swallow, lay dormant on the grass. The red innate creature, finding himself the only one left, decided to see how he could inflict major damage to them. He cuffed Serge under the chin, sending him flying back and striking his head on the ground before the rest of his body flipped over, causing him to land harshly on his stomach. The grass was blurred as everything darkened. . .then. . .black. . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"He took a beating, didn't he?" Kid murmured, sitting with her hands on her knees in the corner of the guardhouse above the bluffs.
"Indeed. He should be fine after we get him a few more Tablets." Guile told her. "That creature was too much for him, but he wouldn't admit it. He wouldn't show any pain at all. . ."
". . ." Kid looked over at Serge. What was it? What had happened to him?
"Ugh. . ." Serge muttered, pushing himself up. "What the hell. . .? What happened?" he asked.
"We just beat those creatures." Kid told him.
Serge grimaced. "Doesn't feel like it."
"After you were unconscious, the last of the three didn't prove very difficult." Guile explained.
Kid looked out at the stars now above them. "Guile and I decided nightfall was the best time to get in."
Serge grinned. "That's right. I think I'm rubbin' off on ya a bit."
"It was Guile's idea."
"Oh."
Serge stood. "What about Mel?"
"Guile flew down to tell her we'd be awhile." Kid explained. "She left for Guldove a while ago. She should be back in a few hours."
"That's all we'll need if we pull this right." Serge agreed.
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Guile beckoned swiftly from the hedge. Kid stepped out from one near, glancing uneasily about. Guards were swarming over the area like bees, as they had been doing since night fell. Becoming impatient with her, Serge dodged along the wall, nabbing her around the waist as he went. Kid opened her mouth to cry out in surprise, but Serge quickly slipped a gloved hand over it.
Another guard looked around suspiciously. "Did you hear that?" he asked of his fellow dragoon.
The other listened a moment, but then shook his head. "It's nothin'. Just keep your guard up."
Guile slipped in a side door, Kid and Serge behind him. The rank odor of week-old animal droppings met Serge's nose as he stopped. He clamped his hand over it, eyes wide and tearing from the smell. Kid had noticed as well, and now had a clothespin over hers, despite the pain.
As he got used to the smell, Serge released his nose, for the odor penetrated his defenses anyway. He began in a slow voice with less of an accent that jumped with sarcasm and irritation: "Guile, what are we doing in the stables?"
"I think there might be a way into the manor through here." Guile searched the stables with his masked eyes.
"Unless you'd care to check under that hay and MANURE." Kid offered, gesturing to a corner.
Guile didn't care to check.
"Hey."
An old man, hobbling alongside a cane while favoring his right foot, had spoken the greeting. "Are you the new helpers I was told about?"
"Uh, actually we-"
"Good! My back's been acting up lately, and I can't work as well as I used to. I need one of you to feed the dragons for me."
"Do ya have a key ta the manor?" Serge asked.
"Yessir." The man nodded. "I'll give it to you if you take on this chore."
Serge turned to Guile crossing his arms. "Who wanted ta come in here in the first place?"
"I thought there was a way into the manor!" Guile replied quickly. Neither one of them wanted to get close to the odor, which was still sticking out like a sore thumb.
"Yeah, yeah, now get yer arse over ta those dragons."
"You agreed to the chore!"
Kid had gone to sharpening her dagger as they argued, but looked up abruptly as they stopped speaking. Her eyes darted from one to the other. "Uh, g-guys? W-why are you l-looking at me like that?"
A/N: Guess what happened. Plz review, I'm working on the next chap. Oh, and I'll be putting up an interesting (I hope) chapter to Chrono Truths.
BTW, when I had to fight those really weird bird-guys at the bluffs, Serge ALWAYS died. ALWAYS. Since I didn't do anything to this one's innate, guess what, HE *died* too. It was very annoying. . .