1.1 Chrono Cross: Angelus Errare



Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat, I do not own Chrono Cross or anything that is related to the company Squaresoft. So don't even think about suing me or you'll see your head on the platter (just kidding).

*Here's chapter four for ya. Sorry if it too long, but what can I say? School? Well, anyways on with the story.





2 Chapter 4: The Fated Hour.

"Ahh!" Serge suddenly shoot right up from where he is sleeping, his sweat pouring down his half naked body. It was still dark outside when he woke up from his erotic dream. He began to pant uncontrollably, clasping his perspiring forehead with his arm. "That.was.just a dream."



Kidd began to stir in Serge's bed and mourned a bit in aggravation. Serge looked at Kidd and smiled, relieved that he was in the present and not in the future. "."



He stood up and headed over to his balcony. He leaned against the rails as the night sea breeze blew, drying his sweaty body. "Will I be able to withstand whatever happens to me?"



He jerked his head a little, seeing Kidd sleeping peacefully in his bed. ".But one thing for sure. I must protect Kidd at all costs. Either if my illness will kill me, I.I.just have to do something for Kidd. I promise you that I'll protect you from any danger. Including from Lynx who actually is alive. There must be a way to change my fate. In that way, I can protect her."

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"Well, I guess this is good bye then, Serge," said Marge, hugging her only beloved son. The morning of their journey has finally come. The villagers crowded around the entrance, seeing off Serge and Kidd. "I want you two to know that you are always welcome here whenever you need something. Be careful out there you two."

"Yeah mom. We will."

"And you two will look after each other, you got that?"

"Yes, Marge. You have our word," stated Kidd, smiling.

"Okay, then off you go."

"Bye, mom. I love you," said Serge as they began to walk.

"I love you too. Please come visit us soon!" The villagers started to wave, saying their final good-byes to Serge and Kidd. Soon enough, they reached to the world of El Nido, the nature of things remain the same except the plants and trees have grown.

"I'll miss everyone in yer village," said Kidd. "They take so kindly to outsider including myself not like other villages in other continents. It's a surprise that Leena wasn't there to say good bye."

Serge didn't hear a word of what Kidd is saying. His mind was stuck to his memories of his forbidden dream.

"Serge? You all right mate?" asked Kidd, poking him on the shoulder.

"Hmm? What? . Sorry, Kidd."

"What's up with ya today Serge? Ever since you woke up, you went to yer own world several times. You're not your cheery self today. I mean, you'd barely eaten breakfast and from my memories of knowing you, you'd usually eat everyone's food with one gulp."

Serge grinned a bit, seeing how Kidd still remembers every action he makes. Yet, his very thoughts crossed the dream again. 'Kidd, if only you know about my-"

" 'Ey Serge. Whatever yer thinkin', just forget about it, mate. It's kinda borin' to see ya like this. Come on, think 'bout the adventures will encounter. Think 'bout the experiences and sceneries we'll share. I tell ya, this little travellin' business will cheer ya up," said Kidd, slapping him on the back playfully.

"WAAH!" screamed Serge, falling down flat on his face.

"Opps.Hehehe, sorry mate. I forgot about yer easily sacredness when your in deep thought, hehehe," said Kidd, laughing nervously.

"Auuggh, one these days Kidd." murmured Serge.

They crossed Fossil Valley, encountering limited monsters in the way with ease. To top it all, the valley is beginning to bloom beautifully with plants and flowers growing around the rocky plain. Kidd hummed happily as Serge enjoyed her company.

"It's great that I finally have some company. You're always cheerful, you know."

"I know I am. Can ya believe this valley is startin' to look like the rest of the land?"

"Yeah, Riddel would be the first person to go to this place. Since this is the only place that has Bellflowers around, with Dario by her side of course."

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Thirty or so minutes later, they finally reached the crowded city of Termina. Everything didn't really change much, but the whole Porre ordeal is finally over. Now people live happily in the colorful city.



"To think that this place use to be so pale and dull. Now Termina's all colorful and everyone is happy," said Kidd, looking at the city in awe.

".Do you have any more of those bellflowers, miss?" said a man near the flower booth.

"That.voice?" wondered Serge.

"Ahh, its you Glenn. How long has it been since I last seen you," said the flower woman.

"Umm.since last week. I have been awfully busy these past days. Doing a lot of training, traveling to different nations, Dragoon work of course."

"Hehehe, I'm glad that you finally returned after those three grueling years to find the "Frozen Flame." Termina wasn't the same with the Porre soldiers around. Those blokes, I want to punch them in the eye or two."

"They are not conveying as you think, madam. They were just following the orders of Lynx, as you may know."

"Yes, yes, I know. But, what they did before, I can't just forgive them. Now for those bellflowers."

As the flower lady turned around to look for the bouquet of bellflowers, Glenn waited patiently, twiddling with his fingers. Even though Glenn has been training to be one of the Acacia Dragoon Divas, he still felt something was empty. Something that can spark things in his boring lifestyle. Soon, that's going to change.

Glenn was still twiddling his thumbs and humming happily when a recognizable voice was heard from behind.

"So what do you want to do, Kidd? Since we're here, we can at least eat something. I'm starving."

"That's what ya get for not eatin' a lot early. See, yer back to yer cheery self again."

Glenn turn around to see Serge and Kidd talking to each other. His spirits were going up high noon when he finally seen his old friends for a long time. Without any warning, he ran up to them with a huge wide grin on his face.

"SERGE! KIDD!" he called, waving to them enthusiastically. Serge and Kidd spun around and caught sight of Glenn, running up to them.

"Hey Glenn!" said Serge as the two men gave each other a manly hug as a sign of friendship. "Man, it's great to see you."

"And I as well. I see Kidd finally found you," said Glenn.

"It's nice to see ya too mate. I take it that you still have yer memories from one year ago, eh?"

"Of course! How can I forget about that adventure we just had and the friends that we made along the way? And how can I forget my best bud?" said Glenn, patting Serge's shoulder.

Suddenly, after a few moments of cheeriness, Glenn leaned near Serge's ear and whispered. 'Say, I heard from Poshul that you tried avoiding Leena about Kidd, isn't that right?'

'Yeah, of course.' '.' 'Why do you have mention it.' (Crummy look on his face).

'You do like Kidd, don't you?' whispered Glenn, changing the subject.

Serge turned to see Glenn giving him a sly grin on his face, poking him with his elbow. 'Hehehehe, come on. Do you?"

"What the bloody hell are you guys talkin' 'bout?" said Kidd, getting impatient after seeing the two whispering.

'Ummm.well.'

'Hehehehe.' Serge turned his gaze to Kidd as she looked up in the sky. Kidd noticed him looking at her and turned her gaze to Serge. He began blush slightly on the cheek, as Kidd looked straight in his eyes.

"Err.ummm.I.uh."

"You are blushing! You do like her, don't you?" taunted Glenn slyly, giggling like a Hyena.

"What!? Shut up!" said Serge, trying to regain his composure. Kidd notices his little humiliating moment and started giggle silently.

"He looks so cute when he blushes like that. He looks like a three-year-old that way," said Kidd to herself.

"Anyways, my guess that you two are hungry. Today, I shall treat you guys for brunch."

"I'm not that interested in eatin' right now. But Serge is." Serge began to drool as he thought about his favorite food. "Now look what ya done, Glenn. Do you have a pail of water near you?"

"NO! DON'T!" yelled Serge, suddenly snapping out of his little food ordeal.

'Gee hee hee hee,' giggled Kidd with a sly grin crossing her face.

So, Serge, Glenn, and Kidd started walking to Termina's bar. As they got into their seats and ordered their food, they started to catch up on to things.

"Say, since yer brother is alive, is he goin' to marry Riddel right?" asked Kidd, sipping in a glass of water.

"Most likely. I am not really sure when. I have been training so much that I did not spend quantity time with him, Riddel, Karsh, and the rest. I still have a dream to fulfill you know." Glenn started drinking his glass of water. "So, Serge, when did you meet up with Kidd? Was it a few months ago?"

"Actually, I met her again yesterday morning by accident," said Serge, scarfing down his food.

"Yesterday? Where and how?"

"At Opassa Beach. Leena dragged me down there just so we can spend together. Even though I have a lot of chores to do and too tired to walk. And that's when I saw Kidd, sitting at the water's edge, her head down. I didn't notice her with the white gown and her hair down."

"Kidd? Wearing a dress? Hehehehe, I cannot imagine her in a dress. HAhAHAHA!" *WHACK*! Glenn started massaging his head as Kidd looked at him with an angry glare in her face, her fists ready for another KO. "Okay, okay, I am sorry. I completely forgot you were here."

"Why do people forget that I'm here? Men these days," sighed Kidd, sitting back down to her seat next to Serge.

Serge continued to talk, "... Anyways, I thought she was sick or something. But after I inspected her for a moment and talked with her, I was beginning to remember. Then, a large ass "GIANT" Gloop appeared out of nowhere, about to attack us. Kidd tore her dress apart and went to her old look again with her hair in a ponytail." Glenn looked at him slyly. "No, no, I didn't see her under garments! Her clothes were under it! So, DON'T EVEN think about it! Anyways, that's when I realized that it was Kidd for sure. So Kidd started attacking it while I was.well, in my own world. By then, she went to me and apologized and the Giant Gloop grabbed her and tried to kill her. So I ended up defeating it and took care of Kidd until she was better. And I guess that's the whole story."

Glenn blinked a few times, confused with the scene. "I thought Kidd would beat that thing with just one strike. Heh, I guess now she is weak as a rat."

"WHAT DID YA SAY!!!" yelled Kidd, taking out her ragged dagger from her sheath.

"Euh.SORRY, SORRY AGAIN!" cried Glenn, pleading not to be hit again.

"The only reason why is 'cause somethin' was holding me back or either that my dagger is all ragged in the blades! Which I found out last night."

"Okay, that does explain things. Please stop with the physical act!" Kidd slowly sat down, sheathing her dagger back to its little scabbard. "Phew. anyways, why are you guys here?" asked Glenn, munching down his Squid Gut Pasta.

"We're just traveling around, looking for some excitement and for our friends. I guess you can say we need some time to explore after one year missing it." Something struck Serge's mind. "Glenn I got a question for you."

"Yes, what is it do you wish me to answer."

"Umm.did you.know about the "mainland?" asked Serge slowly.

"The "mainland"?" asked Glenn in wonder. "You don't mean Guardia?"

"Serge?" said Kidd, looking at him questionably.

"Yes, Radius told me about this land. He told me that went through a major downfall. But the incident that befallen upon the land is completely a mystery as Sir Radius would say."

"Serge, please.don't."

"Kidd, what's wrong with asking?" ask Serge.

"It's.just that.it triggers too many memories of that place. About Lucca, Crono, Marle.and."

"I'm sorry, Kidd. I forgot about that detail." '.' 'Whose Crono and Marle?'

"It's okay, mate. You didn't know."

Glenn observed the two as they went silent. Serge turned to his food again, Kidd looking at Serge with great anticipation. "Hmm.I wonder why Kidd is staring at Serge like that? Not once did I ever see look at him like that," wondered Glenn.

"What didja say, Glenn? I missed what yer sayin'," said Kidd sharply with her dukes ready for combat.

"Urm.I-I was just.murmuring to myself. That is all," gulped Glenn.

"Tch, whatever. Yer a bit strange when you talk to yerself like that."

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After thirty minutes of eating and countless of angry arguments between Kidd and Glenn, because of his little murmurs, the reunited friends started walking in Termina.

"That really hit the spot. I feel much better," said Serge happily.

"You know, Korcha is still hanging around here. He is annoying everyone again. It seems he is looking for you, Kidd," said Glenn, making Kidd gasp in surprise.

"Didn't I tell ya not to mention him? Don't make me shudder at the thought of Korcha's marriage deal? Besides, we're headin' over to Zappa's to fix me dagger. I have no time to put up with him."

"What about Serge? You have time for him."

Kidd began to blush, "Well.urm.that's a different story. Ahh, shove it. We're headin' straight to Zappa's." Soon, the trio went in Zappa's shop, surprisingly enough Zappa is not working.

"Aww, it's you mateys. Long time no see. How can a help you?" asked Zappa, a huge smile crossing his face.

"Hey, mate, can ya fix me Prism Dagger. It got all ragged after a while," said Kidd, taking out her dagger from her sheathe. She handed Zappa her dagger, inspecting the ragged blade.

"Hmm.this dagger no longa has it's shine. Ah thought the "Rainbow Shell" can last forever. Something is strange 'bout that. But, anyways, I'll fix it up in a jiff with no charge at all. As y'all know, I'm a very busy man."

"Not anymore," murmured Glenn to Serge.

"Thanks, Zappa. Yer a lifesaver. C'mon, let's see what we can do at the time being."

"Why don't we see Karsh? He should be over next door," said Glenn, opening the door to Karsh's room.

Karsh was sitting on the table, sketching out some kind of figure, when they came in. He quickly hid them and made a straight face. "What are ya guys doin' here? I told ya I'm not interested in your.Hey, it's junior!"

Serge narrowed his eyes in disgust. "Please don't call me that." Karsh went over and slapped Serge on the shoulder.

"It's been a while! Were where you for all these months?"



".Didn't I tell you that he was at Arni?" said Glenn.



"Ah yeah, I forgot. Say Kidd, are ya still up to a little brawl with me like old times?" asked Karsh, putting up his dukes.

"Of course not, mate. Besides, me and Serge don't have time to brawl around. We're gonna find the others. Either way, I still can kick yer sorry arse without me dagger."

"Tch, yeah, right!" grunted Karsh.

"Wanna bet?"

"Yeah, 10,000 gil!" said Karsh, the two putting their fists up.

"Didn't you say we don't have time for this Kidd?" asked Serge, trying to break their little brawl.

".Ah yeah, sorry mate, I guess I forgot. Probably next time Karsh, right mate?"

Karsh put down his two fists, a little disappointed for not playfully fighting with Kidd.

"Anyways, do ya want to come with us, Karsh?"

Karsh thought through this carefully and finally decided on an answer. "Sorry, I can't. After I'm done here, I'll be headin' back to Viper Manor." Karsh was unaware that Glenn was looking at his sketches.

"Okay, then. Later," said Serge, going out the back door.

Glenn smiled slyly as he past by Karsh. He looked in wonder and shrugged. "Well, back to my drawing." He opened his sketch book and found a little writing in it saying:

"Nice drawing Karsh. I love how you did Riddel's figure.

MY brother would probably be mad at you if he looks at this. Whatever you trying to do, you shall never surpass me. :P

-Glenn.

P.S. Hehehehe (



Karsh slammed his head on the table, completely frustrated.

**************************************************************************** ********

After visiting Karsh's place, the trio headed over to the mansion where Van lived. Apparently, his father finally mustered up some courage to showcase one of his paintings and actually sold billions of gil for it. Unbelievably, Van wasn't the selfish brat who wanted the money so badly.

"It's great to see you guys again. I can't believe you missed out a lot. See, we finally paid our debt and built this house with the rest of the money. I finally realized that money isn't everything as long as you have your family and friends. When I grow up, I'll probably live my life as a painter like my dad."

Serge and Kidd smiled, really pleased with the thought of Van changing so suddenly from the flow of time. After they visit Van, Glenn headed over to the flower stand, leaving Serge and Kidd alone to go to Lisa's shop to look for new elements. Within an hour or so, the three completely wandered around the Termina.



"Why do I feel so weird all of a sudden?" mumbled Serge, thirty minutes later after leaving Lisa's place, waiting for Kidd and Glenn at the shrine.

"Hey Glenn, why isn't Serge comin' with us to the shrines?" asked Kidd, looking back at Serge who was leaning against a wall.

"I am not quite sure. Could it be that seeing the shrines would bring back memories of his father?"

"Nah, I'm sure he's over that." Kidd looked back again, seeing the Blue haired teenager sank to his knees. "Oh no. Serge!" She turned around and started running to his aid.

Serge started fall, his arms supporting him after sinking to his knees, his breathing becoming ragged, beginning to sweat. "Why am I breathing so hard?" Kidd and Glenn reached him in minutes, Kidd the first to help him stand.

"Serge! You alright, mate?!" asked Kidd, her face full of worry. Glenn noticed the drop of sweat on the ground, beginning to notice Serge's little dilemma.

"Are you sick, Serge? We'll bring to Greco and-"

"No, I-I'm fine," interrupted Serge, his breathing back to normal. "P- probably it's just that I'm a little tired and all. But, I'll make it." He could feel his strength coming back to him as he straightened up. Kidd still helped him, worried that he might collapse.

"Or, probably he's too heated up with you around," said a voice from behind. Serge, Kidd, and Glenn turned around to see Leena standing on the stairs with both of her hands behind her. Kidd gave her a face. "Don't worry, I'm kidding." Leena started walking over there, standing next to Glenn.

"Well, it is nice to see you again, Leena-donno. How long has it been since I last talked to you?" greeted Glenn with a smile. Leena started to blush as he greeted her.

"Umm.what are guys doing here in Termina? Are you off to some adventure or something?"

Kidd didn't answer her question. Neither did Serge. "Look, about yesterday afternoon. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to humiliate you, Serge. And insult so harshly to you Kidd. I guess I accidentally mistaken the bottles of Sake as water. And I drank too much and got out of control. Can you ever forgive me?"

Silent was there again, Serge and Kidd changing glances. "."

"Nah, don't worry about it, Leena," said Kidd, rather quickly. "I figured that you drank Sake. But I never knew that you could mistake those bottles as water. I mean, you can tell by the difference by the looks of the containers. I'm stating a fact so don't take it personal since at least yer not the only who made that mistake." Kidd looked at Serge and Glenn, putting their heads down with guilt.

"Thank you, Kidd, for understanding. I think now I know how Serge sees in you." Leena started to look around the shrine in wonder. "What are you guys doing here in the first place?"

"We're looking for Korcha, Kidd's so called husband-to-be," said Serge. Kidd was about to kick him in the rear when she realized the tantrum Serge just gone through. Serge looked in wonder as Kidd relaxed her attitude. "He should be around here or something."

"Oh yeah, you mean the guy that looks like a chicken hawk. I saw him over at the dock area. It seems he was waiting for someone." Serge and Glenn looked at Kidd with a smirk forming in their faces.

"We'll ya guys quit with yer smirks before I change my mind for kickin' yer scrony arses!" yelled Kidd. The two backed off with sarcastic shocks in their faces. Continuing from there, Serge, Kidd, Glenn, and Leena headed up the stairs, seeing the streets growing with more people.

"Serge, Kidd. Leena and I shall go over to the pier to deal with Korcha. We shall try and convince the "Chicken Hawk". Your dagger should be done by now," said Glenn.

"Yeah, that's right. C'mon Serge, let's get our arses down to Zappa's place. And.one more thing Glenn."

"Yes."

"DON'T EVEN THINK 'BOUT TELLIN' KORCHA THAT DAMN DEAL!! YA GOT THAT!!!" yelled Kidd at the top of her lungs.

"Okay, okay. I promise I won't. And if I do, I give you permission to beat the living hell out of me," said Glenn shakily.

"Persistent, are we?" sighed Leena.

"Well, see you guys." Glenn and Leena took off, leaving Serge and Kidd there, watching the two off.

".Somehow, I feel as though I recognize this scene from somewhere. But I can't put my finger on it," thought Serge, deep in his own thoughts again.



"Serge, you all right? Didn't I tell ya to stop thinking about whatever's in yer mind? OR is it hard to get rid of?" asked Kidd, reigning over Serge's thoughts.

"Huh? Sorry Kidd, I guess I spaced out again. C-come on," stammered Serge, smiling in an awkward way.

"Serge, I hope yer okay, mate," said Kidd softly, catching up to Serge.

They were silent for a while, walking along the booths of Termina.

"Get your Heckran Soup! Hot off the pot!" yelled a chef, beckoning famished people to his soup in the background. Serge passed by, his long blue bangs covering his eyes, deep into his own thoughts.

"Need to trade for good and rare items. Then come on over here to trade your unused elements with these items I got from Marbule!" Kidd began to worry as Serge silently kept on walking without turning and saying no thank you to the merchants.

'What is runnin' through his mind? Maybe I should keep watch on him,' thought Kidd.

"Excuse me," said an old man under a shaded area. The thoughts that protruded through his mind are finally broken, making Serge to give the old man his full attention. "Would you two like your fortune told?"

"Umm.well." Serge went through his train of thought again, deciding whether he should get his fortune or not.

"Go ahead, mate. Even though I don't believe in this bullshit, I don't want ya to miss all the fun. And besides, it might tell ya 'bout that ordeal you just gone through," said Kidd, shrugging.

".Okay. I'll go for it," said Serge. The tone in his voice seemed reluctant.

"It is settled then. Just stay still," said the old man, extending both of his hands in front of Serge. For a few moments, the old man stood there, reading through Serge's mind, heart, and soul. Kidd looked at them, tapping one foot onto the white cement, waiting patiently for this to finish.

Suddenly, the man's eyes shoot right open, his eyes widening after something passed right through his head. "Y-you! You are a strange one, you know!"

"What?!" said Serge, his eyes widening as well.

"People should only have one fortune running through their veins. Unlike you, Serge, I can see that you consists many fates and actions through your veins," said the old man, a drop of sweat rolled down his pale face.

"How can that be? Serge didn't do anythin' wrong in the past. I know that for sure. Are ya lying to me, old man?" retorted Kidd, sticking both hands on her hips.

"No, young lady, I am not lying. I am sure that your friend knows about it already. But not completely."

".You haven't told me my fortune, old man. C-can you please tell me?" asked Serge desperately. The old man looked into Serge's blue eyes, showing the courage and determination within.

"I can see that you are a brave, young lad who happen to go through emotional events in your younger days. And somehow, you manage to grow up to be that very man with a lot of potential. Yet, there is something that will block your way to success." Serge somehow knew what it would be. "One of your fortunes I can see shows that you must be wary around your surroundings, or you'll end up dead. Which means, Serge, that someone is after you."

"!!!"

"Bullshit! Yer lying! Serge doesn't have any enemies, even from the past! I knew this a load of bolony!" bellowed Kidd.

".The same message that Belthasar gave me," whispered Serge, sounding shock. "Does that explain my short of breath ordeal from the shrines? Could it be a warning sign that it is coming near?"

".And there are others too. But somehow, I cannot see them clearly like the first fortune. It seems FATE sealed that part for a purpose whether you live or not. I is kind of a "what if" statement in which there are two paths to follow. Like what Belthasar said in your dreams. YOU should heed his warning and protect Schala's daughter."

"What! What did you just say?! How do you know about my dream?" asked Serge, completely dumbfounded by his words.

"What dream?" asked Kidd, sounding shock.

"Uh oh!" "Urm.umm.euh.bye!" said the old man, retreating quickly to the crowd. Serge and Kidd looked at each other; sweat dropping after the old man's grand exit.

"That old geezer, I knew he's a fake. Serge, don't believe him. Whatever lies ahead, you'll pull through. No worries, right?" said Kidd, cheerfully.

Serge looked at her, giving her a look that actually agreed with her. "Yeah, you're right. But, still. I feel uneasy whenever I think about it. Maybe I'm worried over nothing," said Serge. "Come on Kidd, let's get your dagger and head over to the others." With the fortune far back in his mind, Serge and Kidd started walking to Zappa's place.

"It is almost time, hehehehe."

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"Thanks, Zappa! I owe ya one big time!" said Kidd, sheathing her dagger back to her scabbard.

"Any time Kidd. If ya need any help, use the "SMITH'S SPIRIT!" yelled Zappa at the top of his lungs. "Good luck to y'all! And have a safe journey!"

Kidd happily walked along, feeling content that she had her dagger back. Serge grinned at her, happy to see that the version of her jolly self. "I can't wait to try out me dagger."

"I can tell by the way your reaction is, Kidd. Anyways, we should be heading over to the pier where the others are waiting. I, on the other hand, can't wait to go sail through the ocean."

"C'mon mate. Let's fight each other, one on one," said Kidd, putting her dukes up.

"Hey, hey. Not so fast. I can't fight you Kidd. Not at this crowd, that is."

"Aww, are ya chicken or somethin'?" taunted Kidd.

"Err.well.I want to save up energy for the long travel. You don't want me to-" As Serge turned around, he accidentally bumped into a man with a brown cloak wrapped around himself, both making a huge grunt.

"OOF!"

"Err.I'm awfully sorry sir," said the mystery man, turning to Serge as he bowed down with deep regrets.

"Nah, that's okay," said Serge, turning around to a smiling Kidd.

"C'mon, mate. Let's meet with the others," said Kidd.

"Okay, just don't.AGH!" Serge felt a sharp pain on his right arm, grasping it suddenly with his left hand.

"Serge, you okay?" asked Kidd, running up to him.

Serge nodded his head and smiled, indicating that he is all right. The pain soon subsided, making Serge relieved.

".!!! Wait a second.why does this scene look so familiar?" thought Serge, looking back at the direction where the mystery man went. "Nah.it's probably my imagination." He shrugged and ran up with Kidd, uninformed that a certain person laughed sinisterly.



".Why are you so stubborn, Korcha?" said Glenn. Glenn and Leena were there for twenty minutes now, completely annoyed with Korcha's little arrogant and snobbish attitude.

"WhatCha complainin' about, mop head? You are not goin' to borrow my boat without a reason!" said Korcha, crossing both of arms around his chest.

"I do not think calling a Dragoon Knight a 'mop head' would be such a good idea," said Glenn, trying to hold his rage from coming out.

"Please Korcha? Even though I don't know you, can we borrow your boat, for Serge's sake?" pleaded Leena.

"Stop being such a whiner, old lady," snorted Korcha.

"What!!!"

Arriving in time, Serge and Kidd reached them, completely tired from their little race. At the first sight of Kidd after those grueling months passed by, Korcha began to blush, glimmering with joy in the background.

"Hah! I win. It seems I didn't lose my touch after all," said Serge, cheering in triumph.

"Tch, beginner's luck. You won't be so lucky next time, mate," said Kidd, raising one eyebrow. They both took a sigh and looked at the threesome, only Leena and Glenn are not in the boat. "Somethin' tells me that Korcha didn't lend ya his boat."

Leena and Glenn both nodded, trying to hold their rage. Serge sighed, knowing that a certain deal will be brought up once again. Not to mention a huge argument at hand. "H-hey Kidd, long time no see!" said Korcha nervously as Kidd approached him.

"Yeah, yeah, stop with the cheesy greetin'. I want to ask ya a favor, Korcha," said Kidd. "Oh God, please don't make him remember, please don't make him remember."

"So, you want to marry me now?" asked Korcha. Kidd fell down to the ground with a huge gag coming out of her mouth.

"Shimatta! He remembered!" " No, ya idiot! I want to borrow yer boat!" said Kidd, getting up quickly to her feet.

"Which also means are deal is still there," said Korcha happily. Kidd frustratingly bowed her head down.

"No, which means that deal is expired! Torn up, copout! I ain't marrying ya!"

"Which will lead to that again," said Serge shrugging with a sigh.

"Yes you are! Our deal is still there no matter what. Or I won't letCHa borrow my boat," said Korcha.

"N-O, NO!" said Kidd, spelling out No for him.

"Yes, you will!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes."

"NO!" And this little argument kept on for thirty minutes long. Serge, Glenn, and Leena sat down on the cement floor; sweat dropping as they watched the two argued.

"Yes in a trillion!"

"NO for infinity!"

"Aww.you have to say that!" complained Korcha. "But I'm not letting you borrow my boat until you decided to marry me."

Serge, after waiting for this long and tiring argument to end, he couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and went over to them. Korcha and Kidd saw Serge coming, his hand clenched in a fist. "Look, Korcha. We just want to borrow your boat. It's not a big deal."

"It is a BIG deal! There is only one way I can letCHa borrow it is if Kidd agrees with our deal!"

Serge thought through this silently and sighed, "I think I should agree with Korcha."

"What?!" said Kidd skeptically. She was about to kick him right then, but Serge sank down to his knees, feeling the very same sharp pain in his right arm again. "Serge!" Everyone started to run over to him as Serge clutched his arm.

"You all right, mate?" asked Kidd worriedly. He couldn't talk since his voice was replaced with his agonizing scream.

"Hey, what's wrong with him?" asked Korcha, clueless.

"I don't know, but I gotta do somethin' to relieve his pain," said Kidd, clenching her hands. A green aura suddenly formed in her hand, creating it into a small green ball. She gently touched Serge with the glow, surrounding his body with the green aura.

"Phew, there. That should do it for a while," sighed Kidd. His scream finally stopped as the heal spell subsided the pain. He got up slowly, his face showing his relief from the ordeal. "Don't scare me like that mate."

"Sorry if I worried you. I just don't know how this pain came to me. It never happened before," said Serge, flexing his arm up and down.

"Hehehe, let's see if it already started," said a mysterious voice from above. The figure signaled his hand to someone above, indicating it is time.

As the group turned to Korcha, something shot right through Serge's mind. "What!! Watch out behind you!!!" Kidd, Glenn, and Leena heard Serge's warning, seeing several unusual creatures landing behind them.

"The bloody hell is this?!" cursed Kidd, quite surprised of the creatures.

"What are these creatures?" said Glenn, unsheathing his sword.

"Who cares! If they want a fight, then a fight there is," said Serge, taking out swallow and lunged at the creatures with great speed.

"He" said that there should be symptoms that will occur."

Serge swiped down his Masamune at one creature, defeating it with one thrust with ease. One creature started attacking Serge, but he easily dodged his attack, killing it with two swipes for some reason.

"Yes, there it is. I can feel the power seeping away," said the mystery man as he looked on. Serge attacked the creature, but somehow his swipes are decreasing every three, making it feel harder and harder to defeat.

"What's wrong with Serge?" asked Leena, noticing the attacks Serge is doing.

"How can that be? Could it be that the Masamune is loosing its power endurance?" wondered Kidd as she watched the young Chrono Trigger from afar.

Serge managed to kill all enemies with Glenn's help within minutes. Thrusting his swallow into the last creature, Serge sank to his right knee, clasping his chest with his left arm while the right still held the Masamune. His heartbeat began to beat awkwardly, making his breath ragged and his body sweating all over.

"Serge, are you all right?" asked Glenn, patting Serge's shoulder. He couldn't speak as he tried to catch up with his breath.

"What's wrong with him? I-I never seen him like this," said Leena, hearing the heavy gasps that Serge is doing. Kidd leaned in front of his sweaty face, cupping her hand around his cheek, making him look into her worried eyes.

"Serge, tell me the truth. Is there something like an illness or a emotional disorder that made you look like this?" asked Kidd gently, looking into Serge's agonizing eyes. As he looked into her eyes, he felt his strength coming back inch-by-inch, his ragged breathing becoming normal. The sea breeze started blow, wiping away his sweaty body.

"No, Kidd. I think I was thinking too much today that I grew tired. So, don't Kidd worry, I'm fine," sighed Serge, smiling. The two started to stand, still looking into each other's eyes. In the back, Korcha began to growl fiercely, seeing the two drowning into each other's eyes.

"All right, I'll letCHa borrow my boat. Which means I'll come along with you guys wherever you go."

"Ah, great. I have to mess with him all through this," said Kidd, sighing.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Before the sun reached noon, the group are finally heading out with Korcha's boat. Serge stood in the front of the boat, sticking one hand on the wooden pegs of the sail and one leg on top of the front bow, bending slightly. He stood there alone while the others are sitting behind him, Korcha taking control of the sail.

In the back, Korcha hummed happily as a sudden thought ran through his head.

"Why are ya so happy about?" asked Kidd, annoyed with his high- pitched humming.

"Nothing. I'm just humming that's all," said Korcha, his goofy grin showing.

Serge smiled at the little murmurs of his friends in the background. Leena and Glenn talking in the background and Kidd and Korcha arguing with each other. "Just like old times. How much I missed it," thought Serge as he imaged the passing memories.

The pain from Serge's right arm started to throb again as Serge clutched it with his other arm, his eyes clenching a bit from the throb. Looking behind, he heavily sighed since his friends did not notice his

Korcha once again started to hum happily as Leena and Glenn looked at him with annoyed faces as Kidd began to growl. "Err.I can't take it anymore!" yelled Kidd as she stood up and walked to the middle of the boat. By that time, Serge's pain started to subside as his tensed shoulders began to relax. Thinking thoughtfully, he crossed on another thought. "Somehow.I felt this pain before; A pain that actually almost killed me, giving me a high fever. But I can't put my finger to it."

Kidd stopped her pace in the middle of the boat, relieved that she finally received some piece and quiet. Her train of staring started to go on Serge's figure, standing alone in front of the boat, his beautiful spiky blue hair swaying through the wind. "Serge.whenever I look at him, he seems so lonely. Even though he has friends, he always seems to be by himself. I wonder what's gong through his mind." Kidd started to walk over to Serge, feeling her heart beat in every second of the way.

Serge was in the midst of his thoughts when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around slowly, seeing Kidd smiling at him.

"Hey," she said cheerfully.

"Hey," he replied, feeling content. At that moment, his pain that was throbbing on his right arm started to spread through his stomach, feeling that agonizing soreness once again. He clutched his arm once again, making sure Kidd does not notice.

"Serge, you all right mate? Don't tell me yer seasick? And I thought you love the ocean."

Serge smiled at her and shook his head, his gaze turning to the sea. "Serge.is there somethin' that yer not telling us? I mean, you seem so distant whenever you're in your own old," said Kidd.

The young Chrono Trigger was surprised with the sudden question. He relaxed down and said simply, "No, I'm not Kidd. There is nothing I'm hiding from you guys."

"Good. 'Cause if you ever have any problem, Serge, you can always tell me. I don't want you to feel so depressed and alone," said Kidd, grabbing his arm with both of her hands gently.

"Thanks, Kidd," said Serge gently, accepting her gesture. The two stayed like that for a few minutes, starring at the sea before them. Glenn and Leena looked at the two, there conversation stopping suddenly. They looked at each other and smiled, knowing that Serge and Kidd are beginning to get closer.

Korcha, on the other hand, didn't like it one bit and finally stopped with his annoying humming.

".Kidd." he said slowly, looking at her. Kidd looked up to see his eyes troubled. "Can you.leave me alone for a bit? It's not what you think. I.just.want to think. for. a while. You know," said Serge, quite reluctantly. Kidd nodded and slowly let go of Serge's arm, feeling the cold breeze through his skin once again.

"Just remember, talk to me if it really is your thoughts are startin' to bother ya," said Kidd, heading to the other three. Serge looked at her and smiled, knowing how Kidd is so understanding.

The sound of chattering once again struck the silence thirty minutes later. Glenn and Leena talking once again and Kidd and Korcha.well.like always they'd argued for the hundredth time.

Standing amid, Serge smiles again, seeing how the old times lingered through his thoughts.

"We'll ya shut up for once, Korcha!" retorted Kidd, standing up quickly. "We've been arguing since the start of this! And I'm getting' sick and tired of this. I'm endin' this right now!" Kidd walked to other side quickly and started to stop in the middle of the boat, completely isolating her from Korcha. Satisfied, she sighed a relief. Crossing her arms, her gaze turned to the figure of Serge, still standing in the same position as before. "Serge." she whispered sadly, wondering what is going through his mind.

Serge still looked on through the sea, his thoughts remain in his mind. ".Father."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*Flashback*

"Dada!" said three-year-old Serge, running up to his father, Wazuki. Scooping up his little boy in his arms, Wazuki gave him a loving hug.

"And how is my boy doing? Missed your dada, eh?" he said heartily, gazing into his son's ocean colored eyes.

"Mama, dada home!" Serge called, Marge coming up to them.

"Welcome home, dear," she said, giving him a kiss. "You came earlier than I expect it."

Wazuki let Serge down, letting him go to play with his friends. "Well I wanted to leave early, to see you guys. I was worried that something happened to you or Serge."

On that very night, the family ate dinner, Marge and Wazuki talking and Serge fatting himself up with more scoops of rice and chicken. Wazuki looked at his little boy, awed on how much he eats. He looks at his wife and points at Serge, wide eyed.

She nodded and smiled, "He is beginning to eat like you, Wazuki. I told him if he eats a lot, he would grow strong like you. Every once in a while I see him he almost resembles you."

Hours later, Wazuki and Marge looked at their sleeping son adoringly. "He looks so innocent when he sleeps. I kind of wonder how his future holds before him," said Marge, grabbing her husband's hands.

"Don't worry, Serge will become a good boy. I can tell by the way his personality becomes. I can feel that once he grows up, he will have so much potential that he will become a great fisherman," said Wazuki with a smile. "My only son. If I want him to live on, I must protect him at all cost until the day he is ready to defend himself."

"Yes, and teach him everything we know in this world. Wazuki, promise me that you will protect him at all cost, no matter what."

"No, you mean "WE" must protect him. If anything happens to him, our life will surely be worth nothing," vowed Wazuki.

*Flashback*

Wazuki and Serge walked along the shores of Opassa Beach, Serge enjoying the sight of the blue salty ocean. "Dada, what's that little green thingy over there?" he asked, pointing to the land near the horizon.

He kneeled down to the little boy and began to talk, "That is Water Dragon Isle. It is a land filled with water where fairies live. Along there, there is a "Dragon God" known as the "Water Dragon."

With his huge baby blue eyes, Serge looked at his father puzzled. "What is a Dragon? What is Water?"

Wazuki chuckled, hearing his own son asking childish question. "I'll tell you when you get older, my son. You still have a lot of months and years to live. Maybe one day, I can take you fishing with me."

Serge was excited after hearing this as he smiled and yelled happily. Carrying Serge behind his back, they began to walk back to Arni Village. "When I grow older, I will catch huge fishys like you dada."

"But wouldn't it be too heavy?"

"I don't weally care. 'Cuz I'll be as strong as you when I grow up." He looked at his father full of light and hope. "Dada, we'll be together, right?"

Wazuki looked at his son, smiling. "Of course. I'll never leave you. We'll be together."

"Forever, wight?"

"Of course, forever." said Wazuki, his voice echoing through his mind as the vision disappeared.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Father and Mother really did have high hopes for my expectations in life. And the little promise that him and me made "Together forever". Yet, because of me, he died trying to save me, breaking our vow. Father.if you were only here, I would seek for your advice."

".Serge."

A voice suddenly interrupted Serge's train of thought. He looked around frantically, looking right to left.

".Serge."

The voice was heard clearly in Serge's mind, making him stand in defense.

".Die."

Right then, Serge felt the throbbing pain in his right arm once again. However, in this time around, the throb kept beating harder and harder, feeling more pain in his flesh. Serge clutched it, trying to subside the throb. Soon, the pain started to swarm through his stomach and other parts of his body, making him feel queasy in the stomach. The sweat in his body started to perspire rapidly, letting droplets of the wet residue spill into the wooden plank. He tried his best to try to keep his screams of pain in him, trying to hold all his grudges before Kidd finds out. The agonizing pain started to throb harder than before, making Serge feel the blood coming to his mouth. Before he knew it, the pain took over his mind, giving gigantic headaches.

Suddenly, in that time of pain and suffering, a vision came in to place, supplanting his sight of the ocean.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chibi Serge walked along the fields of Arni, no one watching him as he walked. He hummed happily, pretending to be a Dragoon warrior.

Out of nowhere, a sound of rustling plants like the wind was heard, along with the sounds of padded four feet on the dirt floor. Serge stood still, curious of the sound. A slow and quiet growl was heard, the rustling suddenly stopped.

Young Serge took a step back, trying to be quiet as he possibly can. A black furry figure manifests itself from the plants, looking around his surroundings.

Its head swung in front, seeing Serge within its view. It growled sinisterly, his hungry yellow and green eyes narrows, as it knew it was time for his lunch. It started to walk to Serge's direction, his pace quickening.



Serge started walking a few steps back, his blue eyes widening every second. Every step Serge makes, its pace started to go faster. Before long, Serge started running as fast as he can, screaming at the top of his lungs.

The creature growled loudly, now running to catch up to his prey.

In the other side of the village, everyone in the village, giving their full attention, heard Serge's scream.

Wazuki and Marge knew that scream. "SERGE!!!" they both said in unison as they ran to the scream's direction with every single villager following them.

*Flash*

The creature leaped onto Serge, biting hold of his right arm. Luckily, Serge escaped, running out of the area to find both of his parents coming to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serge began to feel that his thoughts are making his head pain more. His eyes started to shut tightly.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Serge!" said Wazuki and Marge at unison, coming beside Serge who stopped and stared, complete fear and shock in his eyes.

"Serge, honey, what's wrong?" asked Marge. Serge didn't say anything as he still looked at the path where he ran, shock reading over his face.

Wazuki looked into Serge's direction, suddenly knowing what he feared. "Its that.!"

Serge fell to his knees as his agonized from the pain in his right arm. Both of their parents went over to his side, seeing that he was sweating everywhere.

**************************************************************************** ********

".A past scar." said the same voice, coming between the vision and Serge's mind.



Little Serge started to pant uncontrollably, feeling the life sipping out of him."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kidd was sitting there, minding her own business when a swift movement caught her eye. She looked in that direction and saw Serge about to go down to his knees. "Serge?" she said as she stood up.

The sweat in Serge's body started to come out rapidly, feeling his strength sipping away. It looks as though his vision and his body are merging into each other, both doing the same movements as the other.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Serge! Are you all right, my son?!" asked Wazuki worriedly as knelt beside the poor boy. Chibi Serge held his head with both hands, trying to stop the throbbing headache within. When the pain did not stop, he finally let a loud scream of suffering from the ache.

From there, the creature revealed itself, glaring at the weakened boy.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^~*

".that is forgotten." continued the voice.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^~*

Serge finally fell to his knees, grabbing his hand with both of his hands in the process. He started to shake uncontrollably, feeling his own soul soaring to the sky above. Serge couldn't take much more of this, tasting blood as he gagged it out, finally released from the pain inside. With one scream, he finally let it all out.

"SERGE!!!" yelled Serge's friends in unison as Kidd, Leena, and Glenn started running to his aid. Korcha stood there, completely surprised from the sudden scream of pain from the invulnerable Chrono Trigger.

Kidd was the first to reach him, kneeling before him as she wrapped her arms around his perspiring body, trying to get him up to his feet. "Serge, are you okay? Mate! Tell me what's wrong!"

"Th... is.scene? It.is.from.my." thought Serge as tries to fight the pain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No! It can't be!" yelped Wazuki in surprise, feeling Serge's forehead. "It's the.! Miguel"

Out of the crowd, a man with a huge brown hat on top on his head with spectacles came, rushing to his friend's aid. "Yes, my friend, what is it you need?"

Wazuki looked at his boy, checking his pulse. "Wazuki what is it?" asked Marge concerned about Serge. The little boy's pulse started to faint.

"No! Don't give up! You can't die yet!" ordered Wazuki, trying to keep Serge awake.

The poor thing looked at his parents, his eyes about to close. "Ma.ma.Da.da." These were his last words as he fell unconscious.

*Flash*

From that point on, floods of images came rushing through Serge's mind, reoccurring the time of his younger age, when his father and Miguel journeyed far to look for a cure. Mixing in, short glimpses of them through the storm of the "fated day" were shown.

*Flash*

Wazuki carrying Serge and Miguel stumbled upon a strange, yet futuristic environment. "What the hell is this place?" said Wazuki, looking around. "Miguel, do you know where are we?"

"Apparently, I am not really sure. But this area seems so.different."

Suddenly a haunting voice echoed through the deserted area. "The child." Wazuki and Miguel looked around frantically. "The wounded child.bring him to me."

Wazuki at first was reluctant to go. But, with his sick son on him, dying, he most go to that voice of mystery. With no time to spare, Wazuki followed the voice.

"Wazuki, stop! Don't go any further. This place that we see is so strange. If we continue onward, there's no telling what might happen ahead."

"I can't turn back!" said Wazuki with determination in his voice. "I can't let my innocent son die like this at an early age. I just can't lose him! There is no meaning to my life if Serge dies in my arms! I made promise to my wife that both of us we'll protect him. I can't simply break that promise. I'm going and there is nothing that can stop me!" Wazuki turned around and started to walk to the voice.

Reluctant, Miguel followed. "Wazuki wait!"

*Flash*

Flowing images kept on coming through Serge's mind again, explaining each and every moment of his past. It soon ended with one last vision of Wazuki being manipulated by Fate. The terror on Serge's father's face made him want to scream. Soon, like a black hole vacuuming everything around it, the whole scene turned black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Serge!" cried Kidd, trying to get her friend out of his predicament.

Serge was still on his knees, crying out pains of suffering and lost. Pretty soon, his life energy is soon to drain.

"Serge!!"

".shall surely haunt you.!" finished the voice as it echoed through Serge's mind.

Serge suddenly stood up; screaming at the top of his lungs as he saw his father disappear, sweat dropping down to the wooden floor. Finally, with no energy in left in his body, Serge fell to the floor unconscious, face first.

"Mate!" yelled Kidd as she knelt beside his limp form. She let his head fall to her lap as she turned him around, seeing his face full of pain and anguish. She inspected the damages that was done on Serge and found that his right started to bleed. "Serge." She put her hand on Serge's forehead when a stinging feel of heat made her jerk backwards.

"What is it Kidd? Will Serge be all right?" asked Leena hopefully.

"Serge.what's happening to you?" thought Kidd sadly. She turned head to the wide-eyed Korcha, her eyes narrowing. "KORCHA! SNAP OUT OF IT AND START SAILIN'!" yelled Kidd, still holding onto Serge.

"Sail where?" asked Korcha, having no clue of what Kidd is talking about.

"You heard me! Head to Guldove now! Serge needs help and fast!" retorted Kidd. "Leena, Glenn, watch out for Guldove for me while I see to Serge."

Leena and Glenn obeyed her order and kept watched.

"Serge, don't die on me! Just hang on, mate! Don't leave me all alone," said Kidd gently as she gently stroke his hair. "I won't give up on you. I promise that you'll be okay. I'm here for you like you there for me. Please don't give up."

*To be continued.

*What will become of Serge? Will he live or die? Sorry if I have to do that to Serge. But, don't worry. Just keep on reading and I swear that it will get better. Hopefully the next chapter wouldn't take long, depending on homework. (High School these days). And Thanks to all of you who reviewed me. It really brightens up my day. Ciao! (