Ha! I beat my proposed time for this chapter to be written! You got to love long boring days with nothing else to do… Anyway… And there, folks, is the chapter you've all been waiting for! No, it's not the final one… Okay, maybe all I have left to do is the Epilogue, but still… Sigh… This was a hard one for me to write. I wanted it to be totally perfect. The chapter didn't go at all like I planned… It's better! Read on!
Disclaimer: Nope. Not doing it. You can't ruin my attitude! NO! …Fine! I don't own CC or any of its characters! I only own Ana… and Bob… and the story…
Chapter 25: Fight for Freedom
FLASH! Lightning rained down on Serge seconds into the battle. Serge crashed to the ground. "How do you like it, Serge?" FWOOSH! Water exploded from Lynx's hands and pushed Serge closer and closer to the edge.
Janus joined the battle and shot a burst of fire at Lynx. Lynx just dispelled the attack with a thought. "Why, the great Magus. It's an honor to meet the creator of my species." Before Janus could reply, he was encased in ice. When Lynx turned back to Serge, he was no longer there . . .
"How about you?" Serge asked, almost casually. Lynx spun around. "You! How did you-?" WHOOSH! Lynx was suddenly blown backward by a great blast of wind. He crashed into the ground near the edge of the platform.
Lynx got up and brushed himself off. "That was a nice trick, Chrono Trigger, but it won't happen again." Immediately, Serge disappeared and reappeared behind Lynx. "You're right. Using Wind is just too nice. How about this?" FWOOSH! Fire erupted from his hands. Lynx didn't have a chance to dispel it in time.
When Lynx landed, Serge was already standing beside him. In his hands was the Mastermune. "I said it earlier and I'll say it again. This ends now!" Serge drove the Mastermune into Lynx's chest. Blood surged from the wound and Lynx stopped breathing.
Serge smiled. Easy. It was just easy. His thoughts were interrupted by a scream behind him. Kidd! Serge whirled around just in time to see Kidd be hit by another bolt of lightning. Lynx stood on the other side of the room, his hands outstretched. From them, lightning flew.
Serge looked back at the person he had killed and noticed that the body had disappeared. A shadow! Yet another scream caused Serge to run toward his friends and, ultimately, Lynx.
Serge appeared behind Lynx, and, once again, drove the Mastermune forward. The weapon connected with a sickening sound and Lynx went limp. Before Serge could even form a thought, a jet of water sent Kidd flying across the platform. Then a burst of fire, engulfed Glenn, and he was left unconscious.
"Did you forget that I can make as many shadows as I want, Serge?" Asked a voice behind Serge. Serge spun around and faced nothing. "I can make myself invisible too, remember?" Serge spun around again, but there was still nothing. "Where are you, Lynx?" He yelled at the emptiness. "I'm everywhere, Serge. I'm FATE! The omnipotent, omniscient FATE!"
Lynx appeared next to Kidd, who was nearly unconscious. "You know, we never did settle things, did we? I think I'll just kill you now." He brought his scythe down toward Kidd, but white flames engulfed him just in time. "Can't figure out where I am, can you, Chrono Trigger?" The voice mocked.
Serge was growing frustrated. "Show yourself, Lynx!" The voice laughed, "No. I'm having fun just as I am."
Serge's frustration grew and the Mastermune flared brightly. "Can't take the heat, Serge?" A pillar of fire slammed into Serge and he was sent sprawling across the ground. But that didn't matter to him. Her had caught sight of where Lynx was . . .
A huge piece of ice connected with Lynx's body and he was sent to the floor. He was no longer invisible. Lynx groaned slightly and stood. Anger shone in his eyes. "Stupid boy. Do you think you can defeat me?" Lightning burst from his hands, but it was absorbed by the glowing Mastermune.
Lynx watched as the Mastermune glowed brighter and brighter, indicating that it was almost time . . .
Serge ran at Lynx, Mastermune in front of him. Lynx was barely able to bring his scythe up in time to block the attack. FWOOSH! Before Serge could attack again, he was hit by a blast of water. He landed about thirty feet away from Lynx. Now for the piece de resistence. Lynx thought evilly.
FWOOSH! Fire slammed into Kidd and she was sent flying off the edge of Chronopolis. Serge's eyes widened and his eyes turned green as he ran toward the edge. He jumped off and caught Kidd in mid-fall. Wind whipped around them and slowed their descent. He brought them down to the sandy beach gently and laid Kidd on it. "I'll be back soon, Kidd."
Lynx watched in surprise when Serge floated up and landed on the destroyed floor. Serge's eyes no longer glowed green, but she shined red. The Mastermune, which was glowing red also, confirmed Lynx suspicions. It's time.
Serge felt Lynx clawing at his mind and he realized his mistake. No, stop! He screamed at himself as the feeling of hatred that he felt toward Lynx was slowly being directed toward his friends. NO! The mind-control continued and Serge fell more into its power.
Glenn groaned slightly and opened his eyes. He gasped when he saw Serge clawing at his head. Glenn shot up from his position of lying on the ground and grabbed out his Einlanzers.
Glenn looked for Janus and his heart when he saw that Janus was encased in a large block of ice.
Glenn ran over to Lucca, whom, he had learned, used fire magic. "Lucca, can you defrost Janus? We're going to need him." Lucca, who was looking at Serge in horror, nodded slowly. FWOOSH! Fire melted away the ice that surrounded Janus.
Janus groaned slightly as the ice melted and he fell to the ground, barely conscious. He felt hands on his back and felt healing magic course through his body. He immediately felt energized and stood up. He was about to turn around and thank whoever had healed him, but he caught sight of Serge. Oh no. Was his only thought.
Serge smiled evilly. One thing was on his mind. Death.
Janus sighed sadly as Serge walked slowly towards the group. This can't be happening. Kidd . . . I'm sorry. He thought before a large spike of ice formed and was shot at Serge.
Serge watched as the ice flew toward him. He disappeared right before the weapon of death hit him, and reappeared behind Janus. "That was a bad idea."
Janus spun around in surprise. He was only able to watch as the Mastermune flew toward him with blinding speed. Or not.
Lightning slammed into Serge and he flew to the side, his attack on Janus ruined. He stood up seconds later and looked for the nuisance. He spotted a red-haired man whose eyes glowed yellow. The man's name flashed in Serge's mind. Crono.
Crono charged at Serge. His katana flew at Serge with blinding speed and Serge was barely able to bring the Mastermune up in time to block the attack. From there, Serge blocked another attack and then dodged the next. He kicked Crono hard in the stomach, and Crono doubled over in pain only to be kneed sharply in the face.
Serge watched as Crono's head snapped back exposing his neck. The Mastermune flew through the air ready to slice through anything in its path. Serge wasn't expected holy sword, Einlanzer, to stop him though . . .
Glenn winced at the sharp pain that ran up his arms when the Einlanzer slammed into the Mastermune, just barely keeping Serge from cutting open Crono's neck. Glenn looked up into Serge's blood-red eyes and grimaced. He couldn't even see a sliver of the old Serge in there anywhere.
Serge slammed the Mastermune into the Einlanzer in fury. CLANG! "Serge! Snap out of it!" Ana screamed as Glenn nearly lost one of his Einlanzers because of the fury that Serge fought with.
As he fought, Glenn began to notice something different about the Einlanzers. They were glowing just as the Mastermune had whenever Serge would get emotional. The glowing would flare every time they struck the glowing, red, blades of the Mastermune. Glenn figured that the glowing blades were giving him strength and power to contend with Serge and the Mastermune. Glenn also figured that was the only reason he still lived . . .
Serge gritted his teeth. Every time those weapons flared like that, he felt himself getting weaker. The weapons seemed to suck the very power from the Mastermune and in turn sucked the power from Serge. CLANG!
Serge nearly yelled out in pain because of the last clash, and Lynx knew it. He watched the entire fight from afar, and watched as the boy called Glenn was slowly gaining ground on the weakening Serge. The Einlanzer is more powerful than the Masamune when it is being tainted with my power . . . I've got to find a way to get rid of Glenn before he ruins my plans! Lynx smiled evilly as he looked at another of Serge's group. Perfect . . .
Ana watched in terror as the two clashed. She saw her father's katana just a few feet away from her. Glenn couldn't handle both of us, right? Ana's eyes widened when she realized what she had just thought. Serge couldn't handle both of us . . . That's what I meant. All of a sudden, Ana wasn't too sure of herself.
Ana eyes went from the katana, to the fight, and back to the katana again. I could end it so fast . . . He'd never see me coming . . . Ana paused, wondering why she was even thinking about these things. No, Glenn can handle himself . . . right? Her attention was, once again, turned back to the katana. Her eyes hardened and she picked it up.
Marle watched her daughter closely. When Ana grabbed Crono's katana, she decided to voice her concerns. "Ana, what are you doing?" Ana turned back to her mother, "I'm going to help Glenn." Marle stood up, "No! Glenn can handle himself. I'm not risking you–." Ana had already started walking toward the fight.
Stupid Mom. Even in the middle of a big battle, you still act like . . . well . . . a mom. Ana thought to herself. When I'm done with Glenn, I'll . . . Where did that come from? Ana was becoming concerned. She was beginning to think thoughts that weren't her own and it was scaring her. She could feel herself giving into feelings that weren't her own. Feelings like hatred and anger¼ By the time she realized what was happening, it was too late¼
Glenn slammed the first Einlanzer down onto the Mastermune. A quick horizontal slice followed it. Serge was able to block both attacks, but just barely. Glenn did a quick pincer-like move with his swords. Serge spun the Mastermune around and knocked both of the swords away, but it was at a price. He felt his strength lessen even more. He tried to catch Glenn off guard with a jab with the Mastermune, but by this time, his movements were becoming sluggish, and Glenn easily sidestepped the attack.
What's going on? Why do I feel so weak? Serge wondered. Glenn once again brought the Einlanzers down onto the Mastermune and Serge felt himself get even weaker. Serge's movements got clumsy and he nearly ended up losing his life because of it.
CLASH! The Einlanzers crashed against the Mastermune and Serge lost his grip. Before he could reach down to grab the fallen weapon, he was hit by a burst of water that sent him sliding across the floor.
Unconsciously, Glenn raised one of his Einlanzers up in a vertical position in front of his face. It was the Dragonian sign of victory. But instead of feeling good about his victory, all color drained from his face as he saw a reflection off of the polished surface of the glowing sword¼
Glenn jumped to the side just in time to avoid the attack from behind. The katana crashed down on where Glenn had just been standing. Glenn watched in horror as Ana looked up at him, her eyes an eerie red¼
Janus jumped up, along with the rest of the group, and watched in horror as Ana charged at Glenn in fury. Janus wasted no time in running toward the two.
Glenn couldn't move as he watched Ana run at him, the katana raised above her head, ready to be brought down on Glenn's skull. "No¼ Ana! No!" He screamed. His yells were gone unnoticed as Ana began bringing the katana down with deadly speed.
Glenn couldn't bring himself to raise his swords to save his own life. He was just too stunned at the fact that Ana, his Ana, was attacking him. Even though he knew why, he just couldn't do it. Come to find out, he wouldn't need to as a beam of darkness slammed into Ana's side, causing her to fly sideways and crash into the floor heavily.
Ana jumped up and ran at Glenn again, not deterred form her goal. Destroying the nuisance. But, once again, she was stopped as large arms wrapped around her and flung her away from Glenn. When Ana tried to stand, she found that she couldn't¼
Kidd groaned slightly. "Where am I?" She asked when she opened her eyes. She figured it out seconds later as the sound of waves crashing onto a beach and the cries of hungry seagulls filled her head. The form of Chronopolis filled her eyes and she shot up from her laying position.
Kidd stood up and looked around. She was right outside the door that led inside Chronopolis. A burst of lightning from above told her that the battle above still raged on. I don't really want to try to work my way through Chronopolis again. At least, not alone. She turned around and was surprised to find Leena running at her, weaponless.
Kidd smiled and easily grabbed Leena's hand, as she swung it toward Kidd. Kidd through Leena into the outer metal wall of Chronopolis and immediately knocked her unconscious. "I've always wanted to do that." She said with a laugh. "Now. How else can I get up there?" She spotted a ladder that led all the way up near her. She grinned. "That was easy."
Glenn smiled slightly at Janus. "Thanks." He said quietly. Janus grunted, "Don't let your emotions get in the way of your fighting. The first lesson in fighting." Glenn smiled and nodded.
The entire time, Serge had been watching while trying to gain back his strength. Don't let my¼ emotion get in the way of fighting? The Mastermune's red glow began to diminish. Why was I even fighting them anyway? What was the point? He wondered.
Serge's red eyes began to dim and the eyes began turning back to the deep blue that they were known for. That is, until Kidd decided climb over the edge of the platform¼
Lynx was getting nervous now. He could feel his control over Serge lessening every second, and he was getting desperate. When he saw Kidd climb over the edge, he knew exactly what to do¼
Kidd climbed up slowly. "Kidd!" She saw Serge approaching her. "Serge?" Her eyes shifted from the Serge who was coming towards her and the Serge who was just beginning to stand up from his spot on the ground.
She turned back to the first Serge, "How do I know you're not Lynx?" Her hands began to glow an eerie red just to prove her point. Serge smiled, "I figured you'd be able to recognize your own fiancée. You know, the guy who has saved you from dragons, werewolves, and FATE itself? The guy who used his newly-found wind magic and saved us both at the End of Time?"
Kidd smirked, "Strike one, Lynx. That's the Bend of Time." FWOOSH! Flames exploded from her hands and rushed over Lynx. Little did she know that Lynx was no longer there¼
Serge watched as flames burst from the mystery girl's hands and collided with his look-alike. The girl's name rushed into Serge's head. Kidd¼ Memories trickled into his head. When he first met her... Traveling with her¼ The memories came faster now. When they broke into Viper Manor... Saving her from the Hydra Poison... Fighting Lynx at Fort Dragonia... Then, the horrible memory at Hermit's Hideaway... The memories flowed even faster. Saving her at Chronopolis¼ Their first kiss after battling the Time Devourer¼ Being separated from her for two years¼ I love you¼ Serge's eyes widened as he remembered everything. His eyes went from red to blue and the Mastermune went back to its white splendor. "Kidd!"
Lynx appeared behind Kidd, quickly grabbing the dagger from her belt. Kidd spun around at the feeling of her belt getting lighter. She found herself staring into the red eyes that belonged to Lynx's form of Serge.
Lynx smirked, "I told you we'd finish this¼" Before Kidd could react, he drove the dagger forward into her exposed stomach¼
Kidd felt nothing. At least, nothing compared to the last time she had been stabbed by Lynx. Then, she had felt disbelief, betrayal, and anger. Now¼ she just felt empty. There was no disbelief; She knew it was coming as soon as she had seen Lynx's red eyes. There was no betrayal; She knew that person was undoubtedly Lynx. Last time, although she had figured it out, she still had doubts. She felt no anger; Anger had been hard to come by ever since she fused with Schala.
So, not being taken over by emotions, she only saw one thing left to do. Using the last of her strength, she slammed into Lynx, driving them both over the edge of Chronopolis¼
The entire group watched frozen as Lynx and Kidd fell off the edge of Chronopolis. The entire group, but one¼ The one person, who they didn't expect to react, did¼
Serge disappeared from his spot and reappeared at the edge of Chronopolis. He made a grab for Lynx's clothes in an effort to stop their fall. His hand didn't reach and the two fell over a hundred feet to the sandy beach below¼
Serge kneeled and looked down at the two faraway figures. He could almost see the blood soaking into the sand. He could almost see the waves washing over them, cleaning the wounds in the cruelest way. He heard a boot click on, the barely intact, floor of Chronopolis behind him. A hand rested on his shoulder. She gave her life to take him out. She died like she would have wanted." Serge stiffened and turned to face Janus. "She died like she would've wanted?!"
Serge turned around. No . . . you can't be dead, Kidd. I need you! If only I could've been there... If only I could've stopped that dagger... Serge soon became aware of his surroundings changing. They were slowing, just as if he was stopping time. What's going on? Serge wondered. Time came to a complete stop.
Serge took a tentative step as he looked at the others who had been caught up in time. That's when a single sound startled him. It was a tiny, almost indiscernible, whooshing sound. Serge's eyes widened at a single movement...
Serge watched as Janus began walking, backwards, ever so slowly. The whooshing sound grew louder and louder until it filled Serge's ears.
It didn't take long for Serge to realize exactly what was happening. He ran back to the edge of Chronopolis and watched in wonder as the barely discernable figures of Kidd and Lynx slowly lifted off the ground below and floated back towards Serge.
He watched in a mix of horror and joy as Kidd and Lynx stood, once again, on Chronopolis. He watched as Lynx retracted the dagger from Kidd's stomach and the wound closed as if it had never been there before.
FLASH! Serge no longer stood by the edge of Chronopolis. He was standing in the same spot that he had been when he was wrestling with himself. Time was no longer moving backward, but it was moving in its painfully normal speed.
FWOOSH! Serge watched as flames exploded from Kidd's hands and engulfed Lynx. To the normal bystander, it would have looked like Lynx had been incinerated. Only Serge knew the truth...
Lynx appeared behind Kidd and grabbed the dagger from her belt. Kidd, feeling the sudden weight change, spun around and looked into the deep red eyes of Lynx. "I told you we'd finish this..." Lynx drove the dagger forward, but it never met skin. No, the only skin that was met with a sharp object was Lynx's wrist as the Mastermune sliced the hand, holding the dagger, cleanly off.
Lynx roared in pain, but before he realized what exactly had happened, he felt a foot slam into his side, not only knocking his breath out of him, but also sending him sprawling.
Serge looked into Kidd's cerulean eyes, "Are you okay?" He asked. Kidd was dumbfounded. "I thought I was..." Serge hushed her. "Don't worry about it." He turned back to the fallen Lynx, who was still whining about his hand.
"Your reign of terror ends now, Lynx." Lynx stopped worrying about his hand and looked up at Serge who had suddenly appeared beside him. Serge was so calm, so sure of himself, that Lynx knew that he had no chance of controlling him again. Unless... Before Lynx could finish that thought, Serge's foot slammed into his side, once again, and Lynx was sent rolling dangerously close to the edge.
Lynx looked up at Serge and his entire body changed. Lynx grew taller and his blue hair grew longer and even more unruly. Scars, that weren't there before, appeared. His face changed all together, but one could still see the resemblance between Serge and him. In fact, he looked a lot like an older version of Serge. Lynx's entire body changed from the body of Serge to the body of his father, Wazuki...
Serge couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He couldn't even form a full sentence in his mind. His mind could only think one thing at that time... Dad.
"Son. You've freed me from that monster's grasp. Thank you." Wazuki said quietly. Serge began shaking. "D–Dad?" Wazuki tried to stand, but found that Serge had broken a few ribs when kicking him. "Help me up, Serge." Serge didn't move. "Dad, is that really you?" Wazuki frowned, "Of course it's me. Can't you see?"
Kidd watched in horror as Serge and... well... Serge embraced. She didn't understand. Why would Serge hug Lynx? That's when she heard Serge's cries. "I never thought I'd see you again, Dad!" Kidd's eyes widened. "Serge, no! It's a trick! It's still Lynx!"
Serge turned to look at Kidd. Still… Lynx? Serge didn't even see the fist flying at his face…
Serge stumbled back, partly in shock and partly in pain, after Wazuki's fist collided with his jaw. He watched as Wazuki, whom he knew now to be Lynx, ran at him. It was a suicide really.
Bright, white flames engulfed Wazuki. When the fire cleared, FATE was no more…
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…That's it. That's… that's all, folks… *Breaks down in tears* Why?! Why does it have to end now?! Why?!?!… Oh well, now to write the Epilogue… maybe later. Right now, I got an emergency, before school starts, three-day vacation! YES! Good thing I'm hyper about the vacation or I might actually be sad! But… No time for sad today! I can be sad when I get back! Anyway, how'd you like it? Good? Bad? Ugly? Tell me! I want to get up to 100 reviews and it's your job to make it happen! So, I'm asking you, the reader, to repay me for writing this story… REVIEW! PLEASE! REVIEW AND BRING THE REVIEW COUNT TO 100!
--Ben