Disclaimer: All the Chrono Cross Characters, town names,
and other junk (including this title) are not mine. So don't sue me!
Serge And Leena
Forever…
"But, I'm
glad yer okay," she said, turning to him instinctively.
Serge
looked at her as she flashed her radiant smile at him and turned around again,
looking into the starry sky. He smiled at her happily, walked until he was by
her side. For a few moments, they were silent, gazing up into the night sky.
Serge broke the silence once a thought that ran through his head.
"You know, sometimes, at these
kinds of nights, I usually look up the stars to think about the people who left
me. Mostly, I thought about my dad. I remember one time he showed me how to
fish at the pier when I was really young, before that incident came with the
Panther Demon. After we escaped Chronopolis, Fate finally took away my dad from
my mom and me. I can still remember the face that my father gave me when he was
totally diminished by Fate; the look of sorrow, despair in his eyes. There
wasn't a smile or pleasantness in his eyes after being torn apart one by
one. Days and months have passed by
after my dad was gone and I can still remember how hard I cried. I
just…couldn't believe my dad is gone and he'll never come back. That's one
event I'll never forget in my life."
"I'm sorry
'bout yer Dad Serge. Losing a love one is really painful. But, as time passes
by, you learn to accept the fact that they are gone and they are only in
memory. And you must go on with yer life. Don't worry, yer not the only one who
been through this in the past," said Kidd, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah,
that's what I think too. When I reached the age of four, that's when I finally
decided to cope with it and go on to the next stage of my life. That's probably
when I decided to grow up a little, to become stronger like my father was.
Thanks Kidd… for understanding how I feel."
"No prob.
Mate. I'm glad that you talked 'bout this situation to me."
"Yeah, I just want to share my
feelings to someone right now."
"Well, we better head over to
Arni. Yer mom probably sent the whole dragoon fleet to search for us."
"Yeah," replied Serge. So, they
started off to Arni Village, without a moment to spare.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Meanwhile, back at Arni Village,
every resident started heading over to the comforts of his/her homes, mothers
calling upon their children to come in for sleep. Marge looked out her window,
waiting for the arrival of Serge and Kidd. "My, it's so late. Could it be that
monsters lurking through the night had ambushed them? Oh dear."
She started opening the door,
looking at the entrance of Arni with deep infinite worry in her eyes. Shadowy
figures suddenly appeared in the entrance, lifting Marge's spirit. There is no doubt
that Serge and Kidd entered, their voices echoed in the quiet village. "Serge,
Kidd!" called Marge, running up to them.
"Mom, we're home." Marge
squeezed Serge with one of her all mighty bear hugs, almost knocking the wind
out of the Chrono Trigger.
"Thank goodness you're home!
Don't you ever worry me like that again!" said Marge, still squeezing her
beloved son like a lemon.
"Ummm…Marge I wouldn't do that…"
pointed Kidd, observing the blue color running through his face.
"To think that you might get
hurt without your weapon. Sometimes, Serge, you are so inconsiderate."
"That's…nice… mom.
But…can…you…please…let…go…of…me!!!" stumbled Serge, turning blue to purple.
Marge finally let go, leaving
Serge gasping for air helplessly on the ground. "Thanks…mom. One…huff…of…these…puff…days…you're…hugs…will kill
me." He took one gasp of air and was back to normal. "Mom…there's something I
want to talk to you about."
"Is there something wrong,
Serge? What are hiding? It better not be another girlfriend of yours that I
don't know about," said Marge, giving him an angry face.
"Mom," said Serge, looking
sternly at his mother.
"…I see…let us talk
inside." They started to go to Serge's
home, closing the door tightly.
"I see, so you want to go to
Termina with Kidd and start exploring places," said Marge thoughtfully. Serge
just explained about planning to go to Termina and other adventures with Kidd
to boarder his horizons besides being coped up in Arni Village for too long.
Most of the time, Kidd didn't really say anything since it wasn't really her
idea to travel in the first. After all, she's been traveling for almost a year
and a half.
"Yeah, I can't just simply sit
here and live my life as a normal being. People needs some sense of adventure
too, you know." Kidd began sipping a glass of ice-cold water after Serge
finished his sentence.
"He's right about that,
Marge-san. He needs to see more of the
world than just Arni. Like my Sis always say, "You need to see what's outside
the castle walls," or somethin' like that. But, castle walls? That doesn't
sound right…"
Marge was silent for a moment,
thinking through this carefully since Serge was the only thing she has in her
life. "You know, Serge… I never told you this once since you might feel a
little disappointed but you are so much like your father, Wazuki. He always
goes off on expeditions and long fishing trips. You have the same sense of
adventure as he does. Once he stays in a place too long, he eventually gets
irritated and starts traveling around."
"……….Father………"
"But, in this case, Serge. I've been thinking through this carefully. I
knew someday you will be leaving and I finally made my decision. This is all I
got to say: Follow your senses Serge and remember everything your father taught
you," said Marge, smiling at her boy.
"Mom…" With enough thank yous to
his mom, the two started planning out what to do. Serge and Kidd's voices were
so loud that few of the neighbors asked them politely to keep it down. "But if
we meet up with Korcha again and he mentions about that marriage deal to borrow
his boat, just do me one favor."
"Sure, anythin' mate."
"Don't kick me on the stomach. I
started feeling nauseated after you kicked me. I almost threw up."
Kidd blinked a bit, and then she
started to laugh. "Sure, mate. But, I won't guarantee that I'll keep that favor
of yer's," said Kidd, raising one eyebrow and sticking out her finger. Serge
looked under his bed, grabbing his Masamune Swallow from its large pouch.
"I finally get to use this after
all these months. Even though I used it this morning, it still felt like I
never used it." Grabbing the handle, he started to swing his Masamune
dexterously, with no trace of maladroitly.
Kidd looked at the two awkward
shaped blades, shining through the light with its beautiful way of swiping. She
can feel that very same striking wind of the Masamune when they fought battles
together. She soon took out her dagger from her sheath, reflecting the moon's
light.
"And your Prism Dagger is still
sharp and colorful as ever," said Serge, beginning to sit down beside Kidd.
"Yeah, but the blade is a little
shabby. I better ask Zappa if he can fix it for me. Hopefully I don't have to
pay for the repair. Right now, I'm outta cash."
When she turned to face Serge
again, he was under his bed once more, looking through his stuff. "Mate, what
are ya doin'? Found a boogey man or somethin'?"
"Hehehe, found it," said Serge,
slowly getting up.
"Hooray, you found the boogey
man. Now we saved the world from the evil monster's reign," cheered Kidd.
Serge blinked a few times,
narrowing his eyes and sweat dropping. "…Are you being sarcastic?"
"…Yes…"
"Good. I thought you really
meant it. Well, anyways, I just a found my box full of gil that I saved a long
time ago," said Serge. "Hehehe, it's a good thing mom didn't find this or
she'll spend it by buying all her junk."
Kidd scooted over to Serge,
looking inside the little box. "Bugger, mate! That's a load of money!"
"About one million gil at
least."
"One Million?! Bugger!"
"So, you can ask me for money
anytime. Just don't steal from me," said Serge, putting his loot back under his
bed.
"No problem, mate. I only steal
from the snobby rich, not from the weak."
A knock was heard from Serge's
door, surprising the two. Serge got up and slowly opened the door, his mom
surprising him with loads of extras pillows, blankets, and comforters. "Here
you go, honey. You guys should start heading to bed early for your journey.
Remember, the early bird catches the worm. Well, see you two in the morning."
"Thanks, mom. Good night." Serge
gently closed the door and dropped the pile onto the floor. "Phew, we better
follow what my mom said," sighed Serge, stripping off his shirt, vest, and
shorts off, leaving his boxers on.
"Serge, what in blazes are ya
doin'?" asked a very surprised Kidd, trying to cover her eyes from Serge's
body, blushing.
"What?" He finally realized what
he just did. "Whoops, sorry. I kinda forgot that you were here, hehe. I just
wear this as my nightwear or something."
"Thanks for sharing that with me
Serge. Hah, hah, hah," said Kidd
sarcastically.
"Anyways, who's gonna sleep
where?"
Kidd looked up at Serge
quizzically, wondering what she would choose. Unlike Serge, Kidd likes sleeping
in comfortable places. Since her voyage to look for him took a lot of grueling
months, she practically got use to sleeping on the ground. She murmured
solicitously, gazing up and down, left to right, as she fought through her two
different sides of decision. "Umm…I feel much better if you choose, Serge.
Actually, I don't care were I sleep. But either way, I got a feelin' that I'll
have a good nights sleep."
Serge shrugged and took out the
comforter and spread it down on the ground, putting it exactly near his bed.
"I'll just sleep on the floor. Anyways, you're the guest so it's best that way.
I know how girls feel whenever they don't have their way. Don't worry about
asking, I've been there and I'll never make that mistake." He started laying
two pillows on the comforter and dropped his head on the soft thing, closing
his eyes gently.
Kidd started hopping onto
Serge's bed, leaning down in front of his face. "Bugger, mate. Yer tired,
aren't ya?" asked Kidd, playing along his blue spiky bangs with her fingers.
"Sorry if I worn you out today. You must've been tired with chores and
everythin' else, eh?"
"…"
"Serge? You all right?" Kidd
popped down just right beside Serge on the comforter, glancing at him. By then,
Serge was fast asleep, snoring away to Dreamland. She sighed, looking at the
sleeping boy by her sweetly. "Not much
of a good night, but I know how he feels. It reminds me of the time when he was
very tired like this, the time when he saved me from my Hydra Poison death and
somehow from my coma."
Kidd watched his body moving up
and down from his breathing, sleeping peacefully like an enfant. She smiled
pleasingly, looking to the dark blue starry skies, recalling those memories.
She closed her eyes to see those summoning memories better. And so, as she
thought about the reminiscences, she began to hum a soothing and enchanting
song.
Far back in her memories, Kidd
remembered the time at that very night when she finally recuperate from the
poison, she can see the image of Serge, sleeping the same as he is right at
this moment. Seeing his face makes her heart somersault in her rib cage.
"I only wish that pain in his
heart goes away. After seventeen years, his deep down feelings still grieves
for his father. Don't take that feeling take you in." She sighed one last time
and started heading for Serge's bed. After a few moments of thinking, Kidd
slowly fell asleep.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Chrono Trigger…" said a voice
from afar. Serge snapped his eyes open. At that very moment, he knew where he
was with the familiar warps in front of him. There is no doubt that he is at
the "End of Time" again. Belthasar emerged from one of the portholes, stopping
at the light post were Serge stood.
"I can see you are thinking
through this thoroughly. The portholes that you see in front of you, Serge."
Belthasar stuck one of his fingers at the pillars. "Those portholes lead to
different time periods."
"Portholes to different times?
But what does the "End of Time" have to do with anything with my fated death?"
asked Serge changing the subjects suddenly, following behind Belthasar. "And
why…why is this person after my life? Why is there such an importance in taking
my life away?"
The Guru stopped in his tracks
and turned around to Serge, looking at him in the eye intently. "For your life,
you shall come to terms when those two questions shall be answered." Belthasar
turned his back, looking at the magnificent colors of each porthole. "I can
feel the appearance of your evil nemesis. He will soon meet with you in front
of your nose. Be weary and heed my words, Chrono Trigger. Whatever he tries to
do to stop you, be strong and don't let the evil nemesis take advantage of you
or taunt a certain friend of yours." Belthasar vanished in the blink of an eye,
leaving Serge thinking through his omen.
"The evil nemesis…my death…how
is it possible? A certain friend of mine… being taunted by this guy?"
After what seems twenty-four
hours, the End of Time finally disappeared, taking Serge to a falling state
through images of past, present, and future. He finally landed to a spot in a
certain time. Everything around him seems, dead and awfully familiar. Curious
like he was, Serge started looking around the gloomy area. The beautiful blue
sky is no longer the blue it once was. Now, it is scarlet red, the color of blood.
The acrid smell in the air smelt like blood as well. Serge walked along the
dirty stoned structures of the town, humans and demi-humans no longer walking
through the streets.
"What is this place?" said
Serge, completely surprised about the look and smell of this place.
He continued to walk east of the
town, coming to a place with broken down and burnt merchant booths. Around the
area, there was nothing more than dead flowers that used to hang beautifully
around the village. Serge finally stopped in his tracks when he heard a sound
from one of the stands.
"Who…are…you…? Are you one of
"his" minions?" Serge turned around suddenly to find a little kid lifting his
head from his hiding place. He suddenly gasped at the appearance of the young
man. This little boy was covered with dirt and sot all over like he never took
a bath for months. He wore ragged garments, the color brown that matches with
his dirty skin. "You…you're…the…!"
Everyone that was hiding inside
the stands, stood up. The people there looked exactly like the boy. From boy to
men, girl to women, young to old, these helpless people are the only remaining
survivors of this land.
"…Serge. Why did you die? I
thought you can withstand the illness that was in you all along," said a young
man, about sixteen years old. Serge looked at the young man. Without a doubt,
Serge instantly knew who he was.
"…Van…? Is that you?" said Serge
quietly. The young man nodded his head in response. "Then if you're here,
looking older, then this must be…"
"Yes, Serge. This is Termina…in
the future," said Belthasar, phasing beside Serge.
"What?!" cried Serge, his eyes
widening. "B-but…how?"
"I put you in this place to let
you see how the future of El Nido will look like. You see everything in this
place looks terrible. The once called El Nido Archipelago that was beautiful
and prosperous is now called "Dead Archipelago". The reason for that is El
Nido, as it stands, looks similar to the Dead Sea. This future right now takes
place after two years since your death."
"Two years after my death?"
asked Serge. "How did I? What does Van, who happens to look older here, mean
about an illness?"
"It is an illness that you will
receive. In this case, Serge, I am not really sure of the illness, but the
future shows me your death will be a sad and mournful one, " said Belthasar. Serge couldn't believe of
what he heard. He looked down to the ground, completely diminished about his
only fate that will end his life. The only thing confusing is his illness that
Van explained.
"Is this what will happen to the
world if I chose to die?"
"Most likely, Serge. But, it
depends on you whether you chose to die or live. You are the Chrono Trigger and
with this title, you determine the fate of others and yourself. I'm sorry if I
brought up that fated hour of yours. However, I must warn you. Pretty soon, you
will die."
"!!!"
"Please take care of Schala's
daughter. You must protect her at all costs. Until we meet again." Those were
the Guru's last words as he phased out, leaving Serge looking at the blank
space were Belthasar disappeared.
"I…just hope…that I live to see
Kidd one last time," said Serge, looking up in the bloody sky. He thought about
it for a moment, reluctant not to think about Kidd's emotion when he dies. It
will cause more worry about what is going to happen to her in the future.
"Hehehehe, so Serge is going to
fight again," said a mysterious voice out of the sky. Serge suddenly turned
around, looking around to see where the voice came from. "As usual… Serge, the
Chrono Trigger, likewise, is looking around with awareness for his next enemy,
hehehe. The same as always one year ago after you defeated me and rescued
Kidd."
"Who the hell are you!! Show
your self!" bellowed Serge with rage of anger in the tone of his voice.
"Don't you recognize my voice?
Heh, it has been one year and you probably by then you don't recognize my
voice." The young hero was suddenly put into a dark room, no sound or light
protruding in the place. Serge wiped out his Masamune, ready for battle.
"Prepared for battle, are you
not? But, who is going to help you? After all, you are DEAD in this world."
Serge lowered his Masamune down,
realizing that fact. "…"
"Useless vermin. Pretty soon,
you're going to die and I will soon rule this world! While Kidd, that ferocious
thief, even though she's the child of Princess Schala, she can't do a thing to
help the world without you around. There is no one who can stop my sovereignty
of terror."
Serge, thinking about something,
widened his eyes. "LYNX!!!" he yelled.
"Hahaha, I'll be waiting for
you, IF you survive your long past illness that is still lurking in you. It will be triggered by my minion in a
matter of time, Hahaha!" The voice disappeared, laughing sinisterly.
"ERR, COME BACK!" Serge began to
run in the darken room. Frantically searching for a way out and look for Lynx,
the bastard that almost put Kidd's life in jeopardy.
Out of nowhere, something behind
him began to growl. He stopped in his tracks, looking around cautiously for
that little growl. Little padded footsteps were heard with sounds of claws
clashing into the cold cement floor.
It kept on walking slowly, Serge
feeling the creature circling him like he was prey. Soon, the footsteps started
to quicken, while the young Chrono Trigger's heart began to beat fast, not
sensing the whereabouts of it.
The figure started running at
Serge from behind, its mouth drooling with uncanny wet substance that cannot be
determined. At that the last moment, Serge turned around, facing the beast eye
to eye. The creature roared with all its might with its eyes glowing bright
yellow.
Serge gasped and tried blocking
his face with his arm. Finally, the beast grabbed hold of his arm, piercing its
devilish sharp teeth into Serge's flesh with another of its haunting roars. The
last thing Serge can see and hear was the sound of the creatures voice and the
fell of its teeth piercing deeper into Serge's skin.
To Be Continued… /\ /\
/ * \
/ \
*Sorry if it's short. Hopefully Chapter
4 will be up. Well, hope you guys like it!