Ahh… It took me a while, but I got it up! Ahem… Um… Nope, the final fight doesn't start yet! That's right, I found a way to postpone the end by another chapter! Ahem… well… I hope you enjoy this one!
I don't own CC or any of its characters. I own whoever else who wasn't in CC or CT though! I own the story too, so… ha!
Chapter 24: When You Have Friends Like These…
Serge looked at the strange, discolored water in front of the boat. He sighed, "This is it." He signaled for Karsh to turn the engine back on. It roared to sputtering life and the boat was propelled forward in the lighter colored water.
Immediately, Serge felt lightheaded. The first indication that they were going through a portal. The second was the falling feeling that everybody felt. And the last was the fact the entire scenery changed from an ocean to an ocean with a large island in the middle of it.
The boat spluttered forward and the nine came closer and closer to their goal. Finally, as they came within a hundred meters of the island, Serge held up a hand to tell Karsh to stop the engine.
"Okay. This is it. I don't know what's going to happen in here. I don't know if we'll all make it out alive… I do know this though; we will win. Lynx will not walk away from this. He will pay." Serge said emotionally. "And I want to remind you… I want to remind you of what I asked earlier. I know that this is going to be hard to listen to, but you all know the prophecy. If I lose it in there, if somehow Lynx gains control over me, I want you to not see me as Serge. I want you to see me as something that's standing in the way of your vengeance. Of your goal. If you have to, it's my will that you not hold back. I couldn't live with myself if I knew that I was the cause of our loss. I don't want to be the reason why some of us don't make it. Please… don't hesitate to strike me down." The attitude of the group changed then. Nobody dared cry, but all of them wanted to. They were no longer the happy group that they had been minutes before.
Serge nodded at Karsh and he restarted the engine. The boat was, once again, propelled toward island where the large dome of Chronopolis lay…
Lynx smiled evilly at the boat that grew closer. "Yes. Come, Chrono Trigger. Come…"
Serge finished wrapping the rope around the large peg that rose up from the dock. He stood back up and looked at the docked boat. He sighed knowing that this may be the last time he'd see it. He turned to his friends, "Let's go."
CRASH! The robot's arms came down with a crash. "Lucca! I thought we already destroyed this thing!" Marle called out to Lucca. The robot, which they had destroyed earlier, was harassing the entire group this time. It had some new additions this time too. It no longer had automatic guns on it. No, now it had missile launchers. Ka-boom!
Serge growled slightly at the fact that his life had nearly ended seconds before. "Everybody stand back!" His friends complied and he smiled. The robot shot another missile at Serge. The missile never even had a chance to leave its launcher before it exploded because of a large lightning bolt…
Lynx looked at the screen in confusion. "That looked almost like a magic attack… Serge doesn't know magic… right?" Lynx snarled and began walking to a nearby elevator. "I'd better get ready… They'll be here soon."
It didn't take long for the group to make it past any distractions that Lynx had in store for them. They were in no way ready for what was going to happen next…
The elevator moved up slowly, taking them past the fourth floor and into the hidden floors. This is it… Serge thought as the elevator slowed to a stop. From here on out, I have to be extremely careful with my emotions. I can't let Lynx take control of me again…
The elevator gave a buzzing sound and the doors slid open. Serge peered in the metal-walled room. Other than a large computer screen against the far wall, it was empty. Serge stepped into the room slowly. And then, the peacefulness was destroyed…
Crono leapt down on the blue-haired teenager with only one thing on his mind. Kill!
Serge reacted immediately and just barely dodged the sharp katana. He whirled around to face Lynx… and he was met with a dream. Or, at least, a man from a dream.
"Crono?! What are you doing?!" Marle screamed at her deranged husband. Crono didn't even take the time to turn and look at her. He just kicked backward and his foot connected squarely with her gut with a thud.
Ana screamed and knelt by her mom. She looked at Marle and sighed a sigh of relief. Marle had only been knocked unconscious. Not… worse.
"Hello, Chrono Trigger." Crono said. He's talking like Lynx. He's being… controlled! Serge realized.
Serge backed up some to get away from the elevator and give himself and Crono more room to fight. "Crono, right?" Serge said calmly. Crono didn't reply. He just kept walking toward the teenager. Serge noticed blankly that Crono not only had one katana, but he had two.
"Crono. You gotta snap out of it." Serge said. Crono still didn't answer. "Think about your family. You know. You have your wife and daughter in that elevator." Crono stopped for a moment and Serge thought that he had broken the mind-control. That's when Crono leapt forward at Serge.
Serge cried out in surprise as the katana flew towards him. But when the katana reached him, he was no longer there…
Serge stood at the other side of the room. "Snap out of it!" He called to the confused man. Crono stared at Serge for a second. What did he mean by 'snap out of it'? He wondered. Finally, after a few seconds, Crono discarded the thoughts and began walking toward Serge.
"That was a nice trick you played, boy. I won't fall for it again though." Crono said darkly as he continued his approach. Serge sighed. This wasn't working.
Crono dashed forward with speed that rivaled Serge's and the fight began…
Meanwhile, back on the elevator, Ana was trying to revive her mother while the others watched in amazement at the battle. That is until a woman stepped into the room through a door that hadn't been seen before…
The woman had never felt such power before. Images of battles and death filled her mind as Lynx gained more and more control of her. Hatred flowed through her until all other emotions were forgotten. Lynx gave her a sword, "Go. Make Serge pay for what he did to you." She nodded and walked through the lone door in the room.
Serge back flipped and then rushed at Crono. He slammed into him with amazing speed and Crono went sprawling across the polished steel. Serge was about to continue his assault, but he was stopped as he saw a red-haired woman step into the room. "L—Leena?"
Leena walked toward the group, minus Serge, whilst images and memories filled her head. Images of Serge being late for countless dates. The times that Serge just didn't show up at all. The time Serge just disappeared and didn't dare come back for nearly a week saying that he was looking for a creature called a hydra.
Many emotions ran through Leena as she neared them. All the others were replaced with hatred when the final memory came along. This was the worst memory of them all. Leena and Serge sat on Arni's dock. "I love Kidd." Is what Serge said. "I love Kidd and I hate you, Leena." Leena blinked. That's not how it was… He said that he loved Kidd, but he never said he hated me! The memory was replayed in Leena's mind. "I hate you, Leena." Anger flooded Leena. How dare he tell me that he hates me?! But… he didn't say that… Leena wrestled with her thoughts for a few seconds before she was completely lost to the memories… Kidd will pay for what she did… She will pay!
"Leena? What are you doing here?" Karsh asked when he saw Leena. Leena paid him no attention. Karsh moved toward her. "Leena?"
Janus looked at Leena in bewilderment. What's going on? It's as if she doesn't even hear him… Realization hit him seconds later. "Karsh! Stay back!"
Karsh didn't even notice Janus' warning. He just kept walking toward Leena. "Leena? Leena, what are you—" Leena swiped at him with her sword and Karsh barely dodged it. "Leena! What are you…?" Karsh figured it out. "No… No! Leena! Snap out of it!"
Leena ignored the annoying voice. Her entire being was focused on but one thing. Revenge.
Janus stepped in front of Kidd ready to protect his sister with his own life, if he had to. "Stay back." He commanded. Leena laughed, not having a clue what she was getting into…
Crap, was all Janus could think about now. Janus could kill Leena with a thought, and she didn't know it. I can't possibly kill her! Against me, it's as if she's defenseless!
Leena didn't stop her approach. Nothing, and this included some weird looking man, would get in her way of revenge. After this, I can kill Serge for betraying me!
Serge sighed in relief as he saw that the situation with Leena would be handled. He turned his attention back to Crono, who, surprisingly, wasn't lying on the ground anymore.
Crono seethed. He has much skill in close combat. I must try a different approach…
FLASH! An impossibly large lightning bolt shot toward Serge with speeds only lightning could reach. Serge didn't even have a chance to think about dodging it.
Serge flew backward and crashed, painfully, into the wall behind him. After a few seconds, he stood up, his clothes charred and smoking. What he saw made him wish that he had never begun this fight in the first place.
Crono's eyes were pure white as he floated higher and higher, until he could've touched the top of the ceiling if he had just raised his hand.
Crap… CRAP! It's Luminaire! Serge looked for a place he could hide to escape the fury of the magic attack. But he, being one who had used it countless times before, knew that its fury was impossible to escape.
Janus cursed. Crono. Why did it have to be you who we had to fight?
Ka-Boom! The first explosion was powerful enough to make Serge to slam into the wall again. Serge watched fearfully as the ring of white fire tore up and disfigured the metal floor. So this is what it is like for the people I fight. Serge thought wildly as the explosions rocketed toward him.
Janus watched as the explosions neared them. "Everybody! Get over here! I'm going to get us out of here!" A purple mist immediately seeped upward from the floor. When the others saw this, they huddled around Janus. In the last second, Karsh was able to catch Leena off guard and grab her, forcing the sword from her hand. Together, nine people were teleported away from the destruction, while Serge was hit with the bulk of it.
The group appeared just a few feet outside of Chronopolis. They watched in horror as the top floor of Chronopolis exploded, sending shrapnel flying in all directions.
Kidd sunk to her knees. "Serge… no…" Leena broke from Karsh's grasp and ran toward Kidd, weaponless. "I'll kill you!" She was tackled and held to the ground by Glenn.
Janus looked up at the large building sadly. He was so young. So powerful. He was one of the most powerful men alive… Something shot through Janus' mind. Up at the top of the building, he sensed Crono, but that wasn't all he sensed…
Serge groaned slightly and rubbed his head. "That hurt worse than when I got hit by the earth dragon's tail…" He began remembering the experience, but shook it off. Now's not the time to get caught up in thoughts.
Serge sat up and was surprised to find that he had just barely been on the wreckage that was once Chronopolis' top floor. He stood and watched as Crono lowered to the ground, his eyes just now regaining their green color.
Tears rolled down Kidd's cheeks. Nobody could have lived through that… Not even Serge… Janus looked down at Kidd. He put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her when she looked up at him. "What are you smiling about?!" Kidd yelled at him. Janus just smiled wider and pointed upward at Chronopolis. A pillar of flame shot out into the sky and Kidd's eyes widened. "He… he's alive?"
Serge blasted more fire at Crono, but he kept dodging it. Serge was about ready to unleash Holy Fire on him, but he stopped himself, remembering that this was Crono. The Crono. Ana's father and Marle's husband. Serge couldn't possibly take him away from them now that they just found each other again.
Crono was exhausted by now. He didn't even have enough strength to summon up anything but a weak lightning attack. He just barely had enough strength to dodge the attacks that Serge was unleashing on him. And even that strength was dying fast. I've got to attack him now while I still can. He thought to himself.
"Let me go!" Leena cried, still trying to get to Kidd. Janus sighed and cast a paralyzing spell on her. Karsh looked up at Janus in confusion. Janus smiled, "She's only paralyzed. By the time she can move again, Lynx will be dead and the mind-control will be over with."
Crono charged toward Serge with amazing speed. Serge, who was beginning to tire himself, just barely blocked the first katana. He nearly had the Mastermune knocked out of his hands when the second katana hit.
CLANG! Katana met Mastermune in an angry clash. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Serge thrust his Mastermune forward and caught Crono in the chest with the wooden pole. This maneuver caused Crono to become off balance and Serge seized the moment by going on the offensive…
Janus and the others appeared at the top of Chronopolis minutes later. They were just in time to see Serge start attacking Crono furiously. Marle, who had finally been revived, gasped as Crono's life was nearly ended by a near miss.
Serge's mind screamed at him. You're going to hard! One lucky hit and Crono's dead! Serge didn't stop though. CLASH! The katana in Crono's left hand flew off Chronopolis to the crashing waves below.
Crono's eyes flashed with anger. He jumped back and then rushed forward again, swinging expertly with his katana… CLANG! And Serge blocked it easily. CLANG! Another block. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Crono was getting slower as exhaustion set in. CLANG!
Kidd watched as Serge blocked every single swing that Crono sent at him. It was as if it wasn't even a challenge for him anymore. WHAM! Serge slammed the Mastermune forward and caught Crono in the chest with the wooden pole sending him sprawling onto the twisted floor.
Crono watched as Serge came closer and closer to him. He strangely felt nothing. No fear. No excitement. No anything. He was strangely… empty. The hatred was gone. But his old feelings hadn't returned. He was just… confused. Why was he fighting? Why wouldn't he fight? Why shouldn't he fight? Why should he? Then, Crono went into overdrive…
Crap! Serge screamed in his mind as Crono attacked him with renewed vigor. Crono yelled a loud war cry as he attacked Serge. Serge was just barely able to bring the Mastermune up in time to block the maneuver.
Crono swung his katana expertly with one hand. He kept attacking Serge with upward X-like movements. The result was that Serge couldn't get a move in. He could only block.
Serge's energy drained faster than before as Crono's attacks became faster and faster. He felt his grip on the Mastermune begin to slip as his arms tired. Finally, with a clash, the Mastermune went flying across the open room and landed on the other side.
Crono looked at Serge. The hunger for blood shone in his eyes. Crono stopped the X-like maneuvers and brought the katana up above his head. "Now you die, Chrono Trigger."
Serge watched as the katana flew down at his head with amazing speed. Serge's eyes were wide as the katana dropped, and he did the best thing he could think of at the time… he blasted away with magic…
FWOOSH! Holy, white flames rushed over Crono. Because of his powerful nature and his worked-for resistance to magic, he wasn't disintegrated immediately by the powerful magic. He was, however, knocked unconscious and was barely alive when he stopped sliding across the floor. There was a dark trail of blood that traced his slide.
Ana put a hand over her mouth and Marle gasped at the sight of Crono lying on the ground, barely alive. "Crono!" Marle ran to her husband's side. Her hands were already glowing blue by the time she got there.
Marle placed her hands on Crono's chest and the blue light spread from her hands to him as the healing magic did its work. Soon, blood stopped flowing from the wounds that Crono had received and they closed, leaving dark scars.
Crono coughed slightly and opened his eyes. To his surprise, he found himself staring into Marle's blue eyes. "Marle? Wha—what happened?" Marle smiled, "I told you I'd come back, and I did! And… I brought someone who I think you'd like to meet along with me…" Another girl stepped into view and Crono sat up. He recognized her immediately. "Ana?" He asked hesitantly.
Ana smiled and hugged her father. "I've missed you so much." She said as tears began to flow from her eyes. Crono smiled and tears began to form in his eyes. "I've missed you too."
Serge grinned at the sight of Ana and Crono hugging each other. Kidd ran to him and embraced him. The healing powers that she received from Schala flowed through her and Serge was energized as injuries disappeared as if they had never been there. That's when he heard the steady clicking of boots not unlike his own.
All joy in the group was obliterated when Lynx stepped into view. "Aw… isn't that so cute? Well, sorry to interrupt your little 'family time', but I believe we all have unfinished business to attend to." He said mockingly.
Serge looked at Lynx, hatred was visible in his features. "This ends now, Lynx."
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…I'm so mean and cruel… HAHAHAHAHA!!! Anyway, this'll probably be the last cliffhanger of the story, so… Ha! Anyway, I wanted to tell you that at the rate I have been writing lately, I probably won't finish the next chapter until, at least, Sunday. I'm going out of town. ;-) Sorry! Oh well, adds more… pizzazz to the cliffhanger. Makes the people more desperate for the next chapter and everything. Anyway, how'd you like it? Review and let me know!
--Ben