I don't own Chrono Cross or its people. I own Ana though.

Chapter 5: Return to Arni

They finished the boat later that day. It was more of a raft really, but it would work. Hopefully. "Okay. We'll leave tomorrow at daybreak." Serge said. Ana and Glenn nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah. Ana." Ana looked at Serge, "I found these in the boat wreckage earlier. I figured you might want them." Ana looked at the bow and arrows in his hand. Her eyes widened, "You found them! Thank you!" She jumped up and grabbed them from Serge. The three were sitting around the fire, full from the fish Ana had caught, talking about what they were going to do next. "Anyway, in Arni, we'll restock, and then we'll head for Mt. Pyre. Hopefully, we'll be able to borrow a better boat." Ana and Glenn nodded, but said nothing. Serge wasn't their leader for nothing. They weren't about to disagree with his plans. Serge looked at them, waiting for a request or complaint or something. There was silence. He smiled and got up. "Okay then. It's settled. Get some rest, it's gonna be a rough next couple of days." Serge walked off, to be by himself. Probably to think about Kidd. Glenn and Ana were alone by the fire. "So... What do you think about all of this?" Glenn asked Ana. She sighed, "I don't know. The plans good and all, but don't you think we're kinda rushing into this? I mean, this evil or whatever it is has got to be expecting us. Don't you think that running to it might be a mistake? We should at least try to get to it from another direction." Glenn thought about it for a moment, "Yeah. We are rushing into it, but that's never stopped us before. We've run into traps before, and we never lost anyone. We've come close, but everybody always made it out. You can give him the credit for that one. He's a better leader than anyone can imagine. It was his destiny to save this planet, and he plans on doing just that." Ana smiled. "Plus. Maybe we might surprise this evil by going the most direct way. It might be expecting us to try to find another way." Ana nodded, "Yeah. You're right." Glenn looked at her, "So. Tell me about your life. I have the feeling that you weren't always a thief." Ana sighed, she had hoped that he wouldn't ask that question. "You're right. I wasn't always a thief, in fact I was the daughter of two nobles.An important two nobles. As I said earlier, they knew King Crono and Queen Nadia of Guardia very well." She paused, "They–They were murdered." Glenn's eyes widened, "I'm sorry..." Ana waved it off, "Don't worry about it. It happened many years ago. Anyway... All I remember from the night of their murder is a s–sound. A cat-like roar." Glenn's eyes widened. "Lynx." He whispered. Ana spun to look at him, "What?" Glenn's eyes were still wide, "How long ago were they murdered?" Ana looked at him strangely, "About thirteen years ago, why?" Glenn looked into her eyes, "Lynx. They were killed by Lynx." Ana's eyes widened and her shoulders sagged. "Lynx. He was a cat demi-human, wasn't he? That explains the roar..." Glenn nodded. "He's dead, right?" Ana asked, Glenn nodded once again. There was a long silence, "Good. Now I don't have to worry about avenging my parents. It's already been done..." Not another word was spoken for the night.

They all got on the early the next morning. Serge had a very determined look on his face as they set out. "This is it. We're going to save Kidd." He said quietly. Glenn put a hand on Serge's shoulder, "That's right. We're going to save her. Soon, Serge. Soon you'll be reunited with her." Serge smiled and looked up at the makeshift sail made of the blankets that Glenn had gotten before. The wind had already gotten caught in it and they were cutting through the water at a good speed. "Glenn." Glenn turned to face Ana. "I–I wanted to thank you for the other night. I heard that you ran all the way to the fairy village and back just to get those blankets. That was... very sweet of you." Glenn blushed. He scratched the back of his head, "It was nothing, really. I'm sure that Serge would've done the same thing if I hadn't beat him to it." Ana didn't seem so sure, "For Kidd, maybe, but that's just because he loves her... I–It's nice to know you care... At least a little bit..." Glenn's face turned an even deeper red. "I–Uh... I mean–" He was cut off as Ana placed a small kiss on his lips. After they parted, Ana went back to her corner on the boat. Glenn looked at her for a long time, she was facing away from him, until he heard Serge laughing. He spun around and glared at Serge, his face even redder than before. This caused Serge to laugh even more. Glenn gave him one last glare and went to sit by Ana. She looked at him and smiled. He smiled back and squeezed her hand. No words were exchanged. None needed to be said, they both knew how each other felt.


Serge smiled at the two. They were just staring out at the ocean now, holding hands. He sighed, he missed Kidd so much it at times hurt! He remembered the time on Fargo's boat, it was right after Kidd and Dark Serge had attacked Hermit's Hideaway. That was when he realized that he really loved Kidd. He remembered everything about her. Her blonde hair, cerulean eyes, and perfect figure. But those weren't what he loved most about her, although he hadn't quite figured out exactly what he loved most about her, but that wasn't it. He smiled. He could just make out the main continent. It should only take a few more hours now. He looked back, "Hey guys–" He stopped, both of them were sleeping soundly in each other's arms. He smiled again, and looked back to the continent. His eyelids began to droop. No! I have to stay awake! He slapped himself across the face. It didn't help much. His eyelids started to fall. Well. As long as I don't go to sleep. And with that the great Chrono Trigger fell asleep.

"Serge! You're back!" Serge's eyes fluttered open. "Ugh. Where am I?" He looked up to see a beach. A very familiar beach. It's Opassa Beach! We made it! The boat had beached itself! He looked up to see one of the villagers from Arni. He turned back to the sleeping forms of Glenn and Ana. "Hey, guys! Wake up! We made it!" Ana woke up fast, but Glenn didn't even stir. Serge rolled his eyes. Good ol' Glenn. He walked over to him, and promptly pushed him into the receding salt water. He hit with a splash. "Hey! What happened?" Ana giggled at him and Serge laughed. "You've had enough sleep, that's what. We're here!" Glenn looked up to the beach where everything started. "Hey! Opassa!" Serge nodded. "Let's go! I bet my Mom is worried sick. I guess it's time to explain!" the villager stepped in front of Serge. "Serge..." He said quietly. "What?" Serge snapped. He wasn't in a mood to be hindered. "Arni. It was hit by a tropical storm. Your mother..." Serge's eyes widened. "No... You're lying!" He pushed the man out of the way and began running through Lizard Rock. Any monster that got in his way was slaughtered. Glenn and Ana looked at each other and ran after him.

Serge blew past any villagers, he had to get home. He had to see his mother. She's alive. She has to be. When he got to the village, his heart stopped. It had been destroyed. There wasn't one house standing. By now, there was quite a commotion, Serge was home! "Serge!" Serge vaguely heard Leena call him. He slowly walked to his house. "No..." His house was worse than all the others. All that was left were just a few pieces of bamboo and glass. "No..." He knelt by the house. Leena came up beside him. He spun around and looked at her accusingly. "Where is she?! Where's my Mom?!" A tear rolled down Leena's cheek, "Serge... The house. It–It collapsed. She–she was still inside..." "No! You're lying! You're all lying! Where is she?!" He grabbed Leena by the arm. "Ow! Serge! You're hurting me!" Glenn walked up and put a hand on Serge. Serge instantly let go of Leena and backhanded Glenn. He flew through the air and landed a few feet away. Ana knelt by his side. Glenn got up and walked back to him. Serge backed up. "No... Stay away! Stay away from me!" Glenn didn't stop. Serge saw his window, and ran to the left, escaping Glenn and running out of the village. Ana started after him, but Glenn stopped her, "No. He needs to be alone. Give him some time."


The 'time' turned into days. While they were waiting for him to 'come around' they helped clean up and start rebuilding Arni. Glenn sighed while helping lift up a support for a house, "This is the second place it's destroyed. First Termina and now Arni. What's next? Guldove? The city of the Demi-humans?" Ana sighed along with him, "I don't know, Glenn. I do know that we need to find Serge and put a stop to this soon though." A twig snapped behind them, and they turned around to see Serge. He looked absolutely horrible. His eyes were red and his hair was messed up. His clothes were ripped in many places, and he looked like he hadn't eaten in days. Which he probably hadn't. "Serge..." Glenn said quietly. Serge had a look of fierce determination on his face. "Gather whatever you need, we leave for Mt. Pyre in two hours." Ana's eyes widened, "Serge! You're weak! You need sleep and food. Plus, the villagers need help! These are your friends and family! We need to help them!" Serge shook his head, "I have no family now. In fact, all I have left is Kidd. I will save her. I don't care what it takes, I will do it." Ana was about to object but Glenn raised a hand to silence her, "You got it, Serge. Two hours. Meanwhile, you get some rest, man. No offence, but you need it." Serge grunted in agreement and walked off. "Come on, let's gather some supplies." Ana's eyes widened, "You can't be serious! We can't leave yet!" Glenn sighed, "He's going to leave in two hours, whether we're there or not. I don't know about you, but I'm going with him." Ana nodded slowly, "Yeah. I'll be there."

They met at the docks two hours later. Serge was already there untying a boat. "Serge? Where's our boat?" Glenn asked. "At the beach, where we left it." Glenn sighed, "Serge? You're not planning on taking that boat, are you?" Serge didn't look up. "Come on, Serge! Let's just get our boat. It'll take only a few minutes!" Serge ignored him. Glenn sighed, "Fine. Let me at least help." Glenn walked over to Serge and started untying another rope. Ana watched in awe. "You guys are stealing a boat? Are you insane? That's illegal!" Glenn looked at her with an amused look on his face, "This coming from the thief. The person who does this for a living." Serge chuckled slightly. "A thief complaining about stealing something. You never cease to surprise me, Ana." She was about to reply, but another person did that for her. "SERGE! What are you doing?!" Ana looked up to see the red-haired girl, Leena, walking toward them. Serge cursed. He got up to face Leena. "Leena. Not now." Leena wasn't deterred. "Serge! Are you insane?! You can't leave again! We need you! I–I need you..." Serge sighed and walked over to her. He enveloped her in a hug, "I'll be back, Leena. I promise. There's just something I have to do." Leena pulled away from him. "No! You can't, Serge!" Glenn got the boat untied and was waiting for Serge. "Good-bye, Leena." He turned around and climbed into the boat. He didn't look back as the boat floated away.

Serge didn't move from his spot on the front of the boat for hours. He never looked back, and he didn't say a word. He looked like a statue. "Glenn." Ana whispered, "We have to do something!" Glenn nodded in agreement, "I've never seen him like this. If we don't do something soon, he could do something really stupid! He could not only endanger himself, but us and Kidd and possibly the entire world. We have to find out a way to pull him out." Ana nodded. After a few minutes, Glenn got an mischievous smile on his face. "I have an idea."

Glenn walked up to Serge, "Hey, Serge." Serge didn't move. "How're you doing, buddy." Silence. "Um... I have to go to the bathroom." Glenn said jokingly. The slightest hint of a smile appeared on Serge's face. Glenn had a look of desperation on his face, "I really have to go, Serge!" Serge's face lifted a little bit more. "SERGE!" Glenn whined in a pitiful voice. Serge was almost smiling now, "There's water all around, Glenn. A little more wouldn't hurt it." Serge said gruffly. Glenn smiled, he was making progress. "Serge! Ana's here too, you know! I can't do that!" Serge smiled more. "Then go for a swim." Glenn smiled, "How about you go for a swim?" Serge finally moved, and looked at him. Glenn had an evil smile on his face. Serge figured everything out a second too late, because at that second Glenn charged him knocking both of them into the water. Serge and Glenn broke the surface seconds later. "Glenn! What are you doing?!" Serge growled. Ana was standing on the boat laughing. Serge glared at her. She didn't stop. For a moment, Serge forgot everything, and had one thing on his mind. He looked at Glenn and smiled. Glenn and Serge looked at Ana, a mischievous look in their eyes. Ana's eyes widened, "No! Not again! No!" Serge and Glenn each grabbed one leg and pulled. Ana flew off the boat and into the water. "You jerks! I'm going to get you both!" All three of them got into a large water fight.

A dark figure watched the three from afar. He growled, "Hmm... They seem to have pulled him out of his depression. This could hurt my plan a little bit, I need him to be extremely angry for my plan to work... And the anger needs to be fresh." The figure thought about it for a moment, "Heh heh heh... There's an idea." The figure ran off toward the volcano, Mt. Pyre.

Serge, Glenn, and Ana got into the boat minutes later. Serge gave Glenn a big bear hug. "Thanks, Glenn. I needed that." Glenn groaned, "Serge? Can you let go? I can't breathe." Serge smiled and squeezed tighter. Glenn squeaked. Serge laughed and released Glenn. "So... What's the plan?" Glenn asked. Another look of determination, not as serious as last time, appeared on his face. "We're going in full power. We'll show no mercy. I'm not going to let it get away." Glenn nodded, "You got it, Serge." Serge smiled and patted Glenn on the back. He made sure not to make Glenn go flying this time. He looked back at Ana. "Ana." She looked at him. "Are you sure you still want to go? It's probably going to have a lot of close combat." Ana smiled, "I can use a sword if I have to." Serge looked at her in question, "Do you have a sword?" Glenn answered for her, "She can use one of mine." Serge looked at Glenn surprised. Glenn had never given up one of his Einlanzers. Never. He'd barely ever let anyone else touch them. They were one his most favored things. Well. Maybe not now. Serge thought with a smile. Glenn looked at Ana and smiled. Definitely not now. Serge's smile got bigger. "Okay then. This is it. We have about fifteen minutes before we arrive. Start getting ready."

"It's so hot..." Glenn complained. Serge rolled his eyes. They hadn't even been in Mt. Pyre for 3 minutes. "Oh, it's not so bad, you big baby." Ana said with a laugh. "Well, you aren't wearing ten extra pounds of armor!" He said, indicating his ultra-lightweight prism mail. "Come on. We're almost there." They were now passing the place where Serge, Glenn, and Kidd fought the Shaker brothers. "Hey! I remember this place! We fought Solt and Peppor here!" Glenn said with a smile. Serge smiled at the thought also. "They were always so stupid." He said with a laugh. "What? What are you two talking about?" Ana asked. Glenn began to explain as they walked. He stopped when they stepped into sunlight.

The sight was breathtaking. Fort Dragonia was as magnificent. At least to Glenn and Ana. To Serge it was a hated place. A place where he never wished to return. He realized something. It knows me. It knows what will cause me pain. All of this time, it has been targeting me! It must know everything! Serge didn't say anything. He had an idea who this 'evil' was, but he didn't want to say anything. Not until he was sure. A shadow passed overhead. The three, all deep in thought, didn't even notice it.

A half-dragon half-humanoid creature flew into the room. "They have arrived, master." It said. A dark figure smiled, "Wonderful. Don't stop them. Oh! And raise the elevator. No need to hinder them with meaningless puzzles. I want to see them as soon as possible." The figure, a man, chuckled. "Soon, Serge. Soon, I will have my revenge." The man brushed a strand of hair away from his face. It was a blue strand of hair.

The three entered the large fort. "Ooh. Creepy." Ana said with a weak laugh. "Just stay close to me." Glenn said seriously. Ana laughed, "Why, Glenn. I never knew you cared!" Glenn turned a deep red. Glenn stuttered for a few seconds and then gave up. Out of the corner of his eye, Serge saw Ana move closer to Glenn. Serge, out of habit, double-checked all of his armor. The only problem was, he didn't have any armor. He sighed. It was going to be rough. "Come on. Let's keep moving." The three walked into the main room. The elevator was already raised and ready for use. "He's been expecting us." Glenn said quietly. Serge nodded and walked to the elevator.

The cage doors opened. Serge, Glenn, and Ana walked out of the elevator. Glenn started toward the right, but Serge had other ideas. He walked to the left, toward the balcony that overlooked the black switch room. "Serge? Where are you going? That just leads to the balcony." Serge ignored Glenn and walked onto the balcony. "Serge? What are you doing?" Glenn was beside him now. Serge looked at him and flashed him a smile. A Kidd smile. "Oh no. I don't like that look. Serge, tell you aren't thinking what I think you're thinking." Serge's smile grew bigger as he climbed onto the railing. "Serge! The drop is huge! You'll hurt yourself!" Ana said. "I'm going this way. If you want, you can take the long way, though. I'll understand." And with that, he jumped off the edge. He landed with a loud THUMP! He got up, uninjured. He looked up and smiled. "Serge! You're insane!" Glenn yelled down at him. "Oh, you big baby. Let's just go." Ana said as she climbed onto the railing. "Oh no, Ana. Not you too." She smiled at Glenn and jumped off. She landed next to Serge. "Aw... Why me?" Glenn said as he jumped off the balcony.

Okay! That's it for now! I just finished it, so it'll be a day or two before I get the next one up. If you R&R it might come sooner though. *Hint hint*

Thanks.