Chrono Cross: A Time of Reminiscence
Chrono Cross: Angelus Errare

Disclaimer: All the Chrono Cross Characters, town names, and other junk (including this title) are not mine. So don't sue me!

          *Well, here's Chapter 3 for ya. Took me a while, but I just ran out of ideas and I am working on two fanfics at the same time. I get bored easily so I do other stuff if I ran out of thoughts. Anywayz, on with the story!! One more thing, can someone answer this for me? How did Guardia go through its major downfall? That part, in particular is the only thing that I can't just put my finger on.

Chapter 3- The Vision…

         

The wind still kept up as Serge stood there in Cape Howl, thinking of his dream last night. The thought of it never left his mind for a second. Kidd, on the other hand, stood afar from him in the shadows, clutching her heart. Her worries finally disappeared when she gathered enough courage to call him.

          "Serge…?" said Kidd gently, walking up to him. Surprised, he jerked his head.

"Kidd, what are you doing here?" he asked as he fully turned to her. Kidd kept on walking to him, her eyes not living his face. She stopped in her tracks when she was a few centimeters away from him.

          "Yer mom was worried 'bout you, mate. You've been gone for two hours straight since you left after dinner. And… well…" she turned her head to the side, looking at a near by rock with worry in eyes again. "I also thought you might be hurt."

"Huh?" Serge started to step closer to Kidd, hearing for the first time ever she was concerned about his safety.

"I thought you were hurt, Serge. Without yer Masamune and stuff. And so, I'm here to help ya out. But, I guess me own thoughts betrayed me and yer fit as a fiddle." Kidd started walking off to the monument where Serge's grave, from the other world, use to be. She slowly fingered the etches of the rock saying:

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.

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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.

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"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…   /\ /\

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                                                            *Sorry if it's short. Hopefully Chapter 4 will be up. Well, hope you guys like it!