Chapter 11

The Fated Hour

Serge reached the bottom of the stairs and found himself standing in a small, canyon like hallway. The walls were formed of rock, with a narrow, winding passage leading ahead. Serge moved onward, his mind ready for what lay beyond.

As he walked, he heard an echo pass through the air around him. A heartbeat. It pounded in Serge's ears as he progressed forward. He was sure it wasn't his own, it was too loud and still growing in intensity. Serge walked a few more steps and saw an opening appear around the corner in front of him.

With the heartbeat pounding in his head, he passed through, walking into the core of Apocalypse Tower.

A room opened up to him. Its walls were lined with what seemed to be living tissue that pulsed with a regulated beat. The ceiling stretched upwards, tentacle-like appendages dangling from the top. No other door or opening was to be seen in the room, it was the terminus of the structure.

Serge's eyes stared. Ahead of him, an object hovered, floating in the middle of the room.

The Frozen Flame stared back at Serge. It was larger now, with legs starting to grow from its body. In a crystal near the top of the Flame, Serge saw Kid. Her body had changed as well. Red crystal was growing on her arms and legs, coiling its way up her body. Her head was the only part of her that was unaltered, but even then the crystal was working its way up her neck. Both of her eyes were closed and she had a look of pain on her face.

Serge, unwavering, took a step forward. Kid, I'm here. Although determined, Serge found that he wasn't quite sure of what to do.

The Frozen Flame acted first. In front of it, a single point of red light formed. It grew in intensity for a second, then careened forward, heading at Serge. Acting instinctively, he dove to one side as the beam of energy sizzled overhead. In an instant, he was back on his feet, ready for another attack if one should come.

Red

It didn't. Instead, a new sound was heard throughout the room. An explosion of noise erupted in Serge's head and he sensed a new entity emerge. Debris tumbled around him as he covered his eyes and stumbled backward. A roar went up, echoing throughout the room endlessly.

Dost thou seek to end the suffering of the planet?

Or dost thou seek to prolong the suffering of the planet?

Serge raised his head and saw a massive form hovering in the room. With its long, spiked tail, two large wings, and massive head, the Dragon God brought a new sense of power to the room. In its mouth, the ball of shimmering light protruded forward.

The Frozen Flame still hovered in the middle, staring coldly at the newcomer.

Thine time of dwelling upon the earth is up. The planet's suffering shall end.

With a new roar, the Dragon God turned to the Frozen Flame and attacked. Another flash of red light appeared in front of the Frozen Flame and Serge saw nothing more than a blinding flash of light.

Red

After the light cleared, he could see the Dragon God, hovering in the room once more, with the Frozen Flame still intact. In another instant, the Dragon's God's attention turned to Serge.

It looked at him for a second, then let out another roar. Barreling forward, it strove to ram him up against the wall. Serge dove to one side, recovering instantly to raise his hand. A jagged blue crystal of ice formed and shot at the entity in front of Serge. It lanced into the Dragon's side, only to shatter at impact.

Blue

The Dragon had recovered as well and countered with its own element. Serge leapt backwards to avoid the rock outcropping that had suddenly burst from the floor from where he had just been standing.

Yellow

The Frozen Flame didn't remain idle. It formed another red light, gathering another burst of energy, then hurled it at the Dragon God. The light crashed into the massive creature's side, causing it to waver slightly.

Red

It roared again and beam of white light appeared from its mouth. The beam shot outward, driving into the Frozen Flame, which had only just created a blur of red in front of itself.

White

Serge's head spun with what was going on as he heard each chime of the planet's elements ring inside his ears. He felt the Chrono Cross at his side, it's cool blue exterior starting to glow with a gentle light. Seeing an opening, he ran forward. Holding the Mastermune with both hands, he attacked the exposed side of the Dragon God.

The legendary weapon penetrated the hard skin of the entity and a blue liquid poured out. In rage, the Dragon God whirled in a half circle, too fast for Serge to get out of the way. The tail of the Dragon slammed his into body and he was thrown backwards. Serge's head spun as he crashed into the wall.

Through his blurry eyes, he could make out the Frozen Flame, gathering energy for the same attack. Only this time, the red light was focussing on Serge. The light shot forward, aiming directly at him. Still too dizzy to move, Serge brought up his weapon as a last, hopeless means of defense. The energy beam crashed into the Mastermune and Serge felt a tremendous force press up against his arms.

To his surprise, the Mastermune was actually shielding the blow. Serge strained with all his might, fighting the force of the beam that was trying to bear down on him. Even though it felt like an eternity, the beam sizzled out after a few seconds and Serge struggled to his feet.

Red

Looking at his weapon, Serge noticed that it was now shimmering with a red and white light at the same time. He figured that it must have absorbed some of the beam that the Frozen Flame had attacked him with, allowing him to ward off the blow.

The Dragon God now moved again, and a lightning bolt appeared near the ceiling of the room. Electricity sizzled in the air as the bolt zapped downwards. Serge strove to get out of the way of the bolt, diving to one side. It crashed into the ground near him, sending waves of electricity pulsing through the floor. Serge tensed as he felt his body stiffen under the force of spell. His arms and legs went limp and he had no control over them.

Yellow

Through bleary eyes he gazed at the form of Kid perched atop of the Frozen Flame. Her eyes were closed and he thought she almost looked peaceful now. Kid, I'm going to save you…

He struggled to move, only to find that he was completely immobile. Near him, the Dragon God hovered menacingly, looking to finish him off.

Serge would've died were it not for another flash of light from the Frozen Flame, which again attacked the Dragon God. The red light lanced across its body once more.

Red

The Planet's Rage let out a roar and the spell it had been aiming at Serge flew wide. The ball of green energy seared into the wall above Serge's head, leaving a gaping hole.

Green

In the confusion of the two attacks, Serge heard another voice inside of his head.

Serge, don't go yet…

He thought of Schala. Her voice seemed to sooth him but there was still little he could do. Then, as if appearing from a dream, she was in front of him, her purple flowing robes flowing as she raised her hand.

Blue energy enveloped Serge and he felt his pains leave him. His arms and legs came under his control again and he jumped to his feet.

Blue

Holding the now pulsing Mastermune, he looked around. The Dragon God was puzzled and surprised by the arrival of another human being. The Frozen Flame hovered for a moment, then sent out a flash of light, as if yelling in happiness.

Schala took a position near Serge, looking at the two entities taking up her vision.

Enacting a strange maneuver, the Frozen Flame started backwards, heading towards a wall. There is let out another little flash of light and went still.

The Dragon God noticed this too and turned its full attention to Serge and Schala. In an instant, he flew forward, jaws opening wide.

Serge's body acted faster than his mind did. With his free hand, he pushed Schala away from him. Using the momentum of the force of his own push, he dove to the other side as the Dragon God crashed into the wall separating them.

There was a rumbling sound and Dragon turned from where it had hit the wall.

Serge was on his feet, ready for another attack, but Schala was not. Even though it had saved her life, Serge's push had knocked Schala out of control for a second. The Dragon God attacked her with its tail, seeking to break her body under the force of the blow.

Schala saw it coming and raised her arm. A purple mist appeared and the Dragon's tail slammed into it. The force of the attack threw Schala backwards, near the center of the room. She was on her feet in an instant, but wavered as if dizzy.

Still using its momentum from the half turn, the creature swung its tail around even more, looking to catch Serge off guard with the attack. Serge was ready however and held his weapon out in front of him. With a blinding slash, he attacked the tail as it neared him.

Mastermune met skin and cleaved through. Part of the Dragon's tail was sliced off and toppled to the floor.

In pain and fury, the Dragon God continued its spin even further, bringing its wing around with unmatched speed. Serge was still in the throws of his own attack and could not move fast enough to counter this new one. A wing slammed into his body, a spike driving into his side.

Serge felt dizziness as his body was flung sideways. In a distant place, he heard Schala scream. His eyes trailed downward. From what he could see, his side had been wedged open. Blood poured from the wound, staining his clothes. Feeling a strange sense of calmness, he looked up. Near the center of the room, the Dragon God was bearing down on Schala. Through blurry vision, he could also make out the form of the Frozen Flame against the far wall, hovering silently. On top of it, he could make out a crystal figure…

Kid…

Serge closed his eyes. Kid, I'm so sorry…

Serge was just about ready to pass out when he heard something in the back of his mind.

"Hey Masa, do you see this?"

"Yeah Mune, I do."

"There is a lot of extra energy channeling through here right now, Masa."

"Yes, there is. Do you think we could harness some of it?"

"I think so, but we'll need some help. Where's Doreen?"

"I'm right here."

"Do you know what we're going to do?"

"Yeah, I heard. That's very noble of the two of you. It's only taken a few thousand years, but you are finally showing some maturity."

"Are you two ready yet?"

"Yep."

"Okay, here we go…"

Through closed eyes, Serge felt a burning sensation in the hand that still gripped the Mastermune gently. It seeped its way up his arm, slowly at first, but then starting to spread quicker. It traveled throughout his whole body and Serge felt his dizziness pass him. The hidden energy burned hotter around his wound as it began to seal itself back up.

Feeling a hidden energy that had suddenly awakened in him, Serge was on his feet in an instant. He looked forward and saw Schala whisper something and raise her arms.

A black vortex appeared above her head, a swirling mass of energy. It grew bigger as it traveled toward the Dragon God. The creature hovered backwards for a moment, not sure of what to make of this dark spell.

Even as the element continued ahead, Schala crumpled to the floor, exhausted from the energy she had expended. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Serge realized that Schala was furious and she had used her anger to the last in order to conjure such a dark spell.

Serge watched as the black vortex stopped moving and radiated for a moment. From deep within its chasm of darkness, beams shot outward. They were so black that they seemed to absorb even the light of the room. They crashed into the Planet's Rage, smashing into the shield it had prepared for itself. Slowly, the Dragon's shield shrank as more and more energy rays careened into it. The shield disappeared entirely when the last beam hit it. The whirling vortex withered away as well and Serge saw that the Dragon God was stunned.

Black

Knowing this was his last chance, Serge dashed forward. With a speed that surprised him, his legs swiftly carried him the distance to the god-like entity. It had shaken off its dizziness, but it was too late. Mastermune held ready, Serge jumped. In a blinding flash, his weapon struck, aiming for the most vital spot of the Dragon God. The Mastermune pierced into the bubble of light protruding from the Dragon's throat.

A scream of pain echoed through the room as Serge jumped aside, leaving his weapon lodged in his enemy. The Dragon God started spinning madly, trying to overcome the pain that had been inflicted to it.

Serge, not done with his attack, lifted his arms. Not entirely sure in his mind of what he was doing, a light formed at the end of them. Serge felt more energy flow through him as he gathered more power into the single point in front of him. The ball of light pulsed, growing rapidly. Then, like a floodgate being opened, it exploded outward. White light enveloped the room and all but Serge were blinded.

He could still see clearly. The explosion of energy whirled about the room then started to form into rays of light. They circled one another, flying around until they were all absorbed into one again. Then all it once, the single ray of light veered off towards its target. The Dragon God had stopped its spinning, trying now to see. The light beam flew into its open mouth, absorbing right into the Mastermune itself.

White

Another roar pierced the air, and the Planet's Rage hovered for a moment, then crumpled to the ground. Serge watched as it slowly began to fade, its body melting into nothing. In another moment, it was gone, the only item left to mark its burial being the Mastermune.

Serge headed forward and quickly took hold of his weapon again, then turned to help Schala. The scream that followed was too painful for him to hear.

The Frozen Flame, idle during the later part of the fight, had moved again. It now hovered over where Schala had crumpled on the ground. Serge's heart sank as he saw the crystal that was slowly enveloping Schala in its casing.

Atop the Frozen Flame, Kid's eyes had opened. Serge could see them clearly now. One was fully open and burned with a red flame it in. The other, only half open, was the calm, proud eye that Serge had been used to. He knew she was fighting, fighting with all the strength she had left to remain herself.

Schala's screamed resounded through the room again. Even as she was being absorbed, the Frozen Flame's legs started to grow once more and Serge noticed that it was beginning to resemble more and more something like the Time Devourer he had fought in the Tesseract. Only now it had two beings under its influence.

Even as he watched the event unfold, Serge heard a voice in the back of his mind…

Will you save the planet? Or will you save humans?

Please Serge, for the future of everything…

Making his final decision, Serge dashed forward. Holding the Mastermune with one hand, he reached to his side with the other. His hand grasped an object and he lifted out of his pocket. Closing the final distance to the Flame, Serge raised the Mastermune high above his head, then swung it downward. The blade sliced into the casing of the Frozen Flame and became stuck. The Flame gave off a bright flash of light, but Serge ignored it. Instead, he brought the object in his other hand to bear.

Hoisting it above his head, Serge concentrated with his entire mind and body, then activated the Chrono Cross.