1 Chrono Cross: Angelus Errare.



*Disclaimer: I do not; I repeat, DO NOT own the characters, places, etc. of Chrono Cross. Squaresoft rightfully owns that and I am in no way I am associated with the company.

Thank you to all who gave reviews. It really keeps me up and going! Sorry for the bad format. I thought DOC files would highlight everything, but I guess not. I apologize once again. Anyways, on with the story!

*- This little star indicates some kind of flashback or something if the italics does not show. (Just a little note to tell you about.)

1.1 Chapter 5: Between life and death.



Kidd stood at the piers of Guldove, watching the swaying waves of the sea with no interest in her eyes. Deep in her feelings, she felt as if some part of her died. The wind suddenly came, gently swiping her golden yellow hair.

"Kidd."

Kidd turned around, looking around with desperate eyes for that recognizable voice. Seeing that it was nothing more than a mere sound in her head, Kidd sighed sadly. "Serge."

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* "DOC!" yelled Kidd suddenly, making the door slam hard on the wall.

Doc and his Demi-Human nurse looked at her direction, surprised. "Kidd.! It's great to see you again! How long has it-"

"Cut with the reunion! Its Serge.!"

"What about Serge? Is he well" asked Doc, smiling. Kidd, on the other hand, just stared at him with teary eyes. That was when Doc realized what is the problem. "Whatever it is, bring him here! What has happened to him?"

Kidd called upon Glenn and Korcha, who were holding Serge's limp body. Doc and the attendant looked in shock, surprised that the young and invincible Chrono Trigger actually fell. "I-I don't know what happened to him, Doc. But I know he needs to be tended right away. I.just got this bad feelin' that."

"Damn, this is not good!" said Doc as his face turned pale. "Serge has a very high fever that goes beyond the temperatures than normal fevers and his face is turning very pale. Nurse, go see to it that this boy is put into a most comfortable bed in here! Hurry!"

"Yes, doctor," said the female Demi-Human as she went to the other side of the room.

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Kidd didn't really understand why Serge, her best friend, collapsed so suddenly from an unknown symptom. She kept wondering how he got it and how he suffered so much pain from it. "I just can't put my foot on it. Doc has been there for twelve hours now and he still didn't get any results. Why did this happen?"

Glenn sat in the bar of Guldove, run by Orlha. He sat there, looking down at his drink. " Hey Glenn, what's the matter? Why you look so down?" asked Orlha as she kneeled on the counter beside him. Glenn did not answer for a moment, ignoring her question.

Finally, about a minute or so, Glenn finally spoke, "Did you not hear Orlha?"

"Hear what?" asked Orlha as she started mixing a drink for a customer.

"It is about Serge. He fell unconscious right in front of our faces twelve hours ago," said Glenn, quite annoyed that the bartender did not know.

"No way! Is that why you guys are here? I just got back probably about three hours after you guys. I'm sorry to hear that," apologized Orlha, expressing the same grief as Glenn. "I thought Serge, the Chrono Trigger who saved our world, is strong. But, what happened to him during the course of the passing months?"

Glenn slowly shrugged his shoulders; finally sipping in his not touched glass of water. "It is so surprising that Serge, my best bud, is so sick after hours has passed since his lost of consciousness. From the information that Doc gave us so far, his temperature was so high that it is out of the reach of the temperature charts. And his face is beginning to turn pale by every hour. I cannot believe that is this happening to the poor boy," said Glenn in dismay. "Now, we wait until the Doc give us the results of his fever that bestowed upon Serge."

"What about Kidd? How is she taking this?" ask Orlha.

Glenn pointed at the pier, the figure of Kidd standing alone in the silent docks of the night. "Kidd is taking this too hard. She has been standing there right after Doc told us to wait outside. We tried to cheer her up, but her feelings for Serge's health were far more important in her mind. Now, her gloominess spread upon Leena and me. I am quite shocked that Korcha wasn't so flabbergasted about it."

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Kidd couldn't stand it any longer for the results. She wanted to know if Serge will be fine. Her mind kept on urging her to go and find out right away. But she relentlessly stood her ground, trying the best she can to be patient. "Agh, I can't take any more!" Kidd started for the door when Korcha held her back. "Let go, Korcha! I want to see if he's all right!"

"We'll ya stop with ya whining! Can't you see that Doc is busy! You don't want to get it too! Let him be!"

Kidd finally whipped her hand out of his grasp, staring at Korcha straight in the eyes with rage. "Stop bein' so stubborn! Can't you see how Serge feels? I don't wanna hear Doc saying that it was too late to save him! Why can't you understand that?"

As if on que, Doc came out to the docks, looking at Kidd and Korcha. "Kidd is right, Korcha. Why are acting as if you are not worried about Serge?"

Korcha cast his eyes down, mumbling. "It's just that.I."

"Doc, do you know what's wrong with Serge? Why did it take you so long to figure it out?" asked Kidd, her angry voice was replaced with a sad tone. Doc looked deep into Kidd's eyes, seeing how much energy she is using trying to hold the tears. Sighing, he began walking back inside.

"Come in, I will show you. Korcha, call upon Glenn, Leena, and Orlha. Tell Orlha to close her bar for the night since this will probably take a long time," said Doc, Kidd following his tail.

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Doc opened the curtain of the other room with only one bed inside. Doc led Kidd to where Serge is lying. Once there, Doc offered a seat next to Serge's side. She accepted it and sat down, looking at the half naked Serge under the covers.

His injuries were bonded around with bandages, his blood absorbing into the white strands. Kidd slowly caressed his forehead, feeling the unknown fever still high at its peak. His skin was so pale and cold that he almost looks like a ghost. Yet, his cute and childish sleeping expression still remained except not so warm. Kidd grasped his motionless hand, seeing how cold and sweaty it was. "Doc, what is wrong with him? Why he has this "fever" out of the blue?"

Doc sat on another chair silently, trying to figure out the right words to say. "C'mon Doc, ya have to tell me! By that time he collapsed, I know for sure that there wasn't any heat stroke or seasickness since he has been unconscious for.twelve hours and fifty-five minutes. Please, tell me what's wrong!"

By that time, Glenn, Leena, Orlha, and Korcha came in, taking their own seats in the room. "Doc, explain to us. We are all here," said Glenn, his eyes were full of concern.

Doc sighed finally, finding the right words for what he is going to say. "All right, as you all know the consequences of him getting this unknown fever; the high temperature, face turning pale, painful headaches, sweating, and losing consciousness. This not a normal scene that we see."

Everyone looked at Doc intently, his or her thoughts fully concerned about the situation Serge is in. "It may be a surprise to you all since he should have been healed from it a long time ago. However, it's still here. Never before have I seen this symptom from every patient I get for the past year and-"

"Doc, yer point?" interrupted Kidd.

"Apparently, Serge is suffering from Pantheritous Venom or to put it more simpler terms, Serge is suffering from Panther poison, the very illness that cannot be healed."

Everyone looked in shock, especially Kidd who almost fell from her chair out of shock. "B-but, how?" asked Glenn, suddenly standing up from his chair.

"That's what I am going to ask you dudes about. This panther demon disease should have been healed when Serge touched the "Frozen Flame" while he was only three years old. Why at this time of age?"

Kidd turned around and looked at Serge's pale face, his expression reading pain. "The scares of breath, the sweaty brow." Kidd began out loud. Everyone looked at her. "The pain in his right arm, the power of his attack, everything leads to this, his past.scar, the one where he actually is in between the tittering the ranks of life to death like a seesaw. Mother.you were right."

"Your mother.? What do you mean by that Kidd?" asked Glenn as everyone mentioned her "mother." Kidd looked at Serge, her eyes full of worry without answering Glenn's question.

"Is there any cure?" asked Leena to Doc. Doc shook his head unwillingly, knowing that this will hurt everyone including himself.

"I'm sorry everyone. I try everything I can. Even though this is fourteen years after Serge's first encounter with the poison, there is still no cure for it. All we can do is heal his wounds and.wait."

"Wait! Is that all we can do?" retorted Glenn. "Serge is the very person who brought us together as friends in the past. The very person who risked his life for our future! We can't possibly let him be in the terrible state he is in! We must find the cure!"

"Don't take this too lightly, Glenn," said Doc. " I too don't want to let Serge be, but it's not like the Hydra poison that Kidd encountered in the past. The cure, like I said, does not have an existing remedy. How can we possibly find the cure or better yet where could we start to find the cure? Somewhere beyond El Nido?" Glenn sat back down, realizing the fact from Doc.

"So.what will happen now?" asked Orlha sadly.

"I guess.we have to wait. There's nothing we can do except wait until he finally chose the path between the tittering paths of life and death," said Doc as he got up and grabbed a bottle from the cabinet. "I have here in my hand is a little antidote to keep Serge from suffering more pain from the poison. Hopefully, this will help. From there, it is up to Serge's will to live or die."

Everyone fell silent for a moment, thinking through this tragic fate that brought upon their young Chrono Trigger friend. Kidd kept silent from the whole conversation, not bothering in to interrupt like she usually does. Her eyes remain on Serge's limp body. She wondered how long would Serge be unconscious. Three two to three weeks or months or even years? She shook the thought right out of her mind.

"Kidd, are you feeling all right?" asked Orlha as she stood beside were Kidd is sitting. Kidd just gave her a nod, still staring deeply into Serge with many thoughts running through her mind.

"C-can you guys.leave me alone for a bit with Serge?" said Kidd, after being silent for a whole thirty minutes.

Korcha looked at her with shock. He was about to say something when Glenn stood up. "Yes, of course. My guess is you will be staying by his side until the very end."

"Yeah, if he dies, then this will be my last time seeing him. If not, then."

"We understand Kidd. If you need any help from us, we'll be around," said Leena with a sad smile. "Let's go you guys. Let's think this through in Orlha's place. It's a good thing that Orlha closed it since we can think privately." Everyone followed Leena, except Kidd, to Orlha's bar.

"Doc, wait a sec," said Kidd quickly. Doc stopped in his tracks and raised both of his eyebrows. "Can ya leave the antidote with me. I'll try to stop the swell from making him suffer more."

Doc nodded and handed her the antidote. "Doc, thanks for tryin'. I know ya tried yer best and I want to thank you for that." Doc nodded once again with a small grin and started walking towards Orlha's bar.

Kidd watched Doc until he disappeared, her gaze turning back to the sleeping Serge. Opening the bottle, she started pouring in small amounts of antidote into Serge's open mouth and closed it again, putting it back to inside the cabinet. "If only you knew how I feel about you," she said silently as she led Serge's hand to her own. Kidd wondered what is he thinking at this moment at his state, thinking if he is seeing flashbacks of his past or a dream. Kidd soon noticed his peaceful sleep she would always see when he slumbers, a face that almost resembles a child. She looked out the window to the sea, remembering how much Serge loved the sea.

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*

Serge stood in Cape Howl, looking into the sunset horizon. He sensed Kidd's whereabouts, turning around to her with a smile. "You always catch me, mate. How can ya tell?" asked Kidd, pretending to pout. He just smiled and turned to the sea again, tinted in with the color orange from the setting sun.

"It's something that I picked up from my father," he said reluctantly, choking the words when he mentioned his father.

"Yer father? You never mentioned him. Why is that?" asked Kidd, standing by Serge.

".Whenever I say something about him, its.too.painful to talk about him."

"Serge."

*Flash*

"Kidd.I'll find that antidote for you, even if it means I have to risk my life for it." said Serge softly, that night when everyone was gone and he was the only one there, sitting by her side. "I promise."

*Flash*

"Serge.?" asked Kidd, approaching him as he sat at the shores of Hermit's Hideaway in Another World, the very night after she had awakened from her coma.

"Is there anything wrong Kidd?" said Serge, smiling his cute grin. She started to feel her blood going to her cheeks, bowing her head down.

"I.umm.I."

"Do you want to sit down?" asked Serge suddenly without any hesitation in his voice. She nodded and sat down right beside him, looking at the sea. As she looked into the sea, Kidd could feel Serge's eyes staring at her in a strange way, not the strange way that people think she is a weirdo. "You're thinking about how you got here all of a sudden and the images you seen while you slept."

"You always know what is in me mind, mate.On the other hand, now that you mention it, everything before I woke up seems like a dream. I mean I saw that Lynx bastard switching into yer body and he, in yer body, stabbing me. And that time when I suddenly saw you back to yer own self, trying to save me and the "Frozen Flame." Everything seems as if it was real."

He suddenly smiled out of the blue as a thought ran through his mind. Kidd looked at him, raising one eyebrow. "What are ya smilin' about mate? There's nothin' to be happy 'bout."

He turned to look at Kidd, his grin beginning to widen. "No, its not that. Its just that I'm so relieved that you're okay," said Serge, suddenly drawing her into his arms. "I thought I might lose you again."

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Tears started to swell up in her eyes as Kidd thought about the first hug he ever gave her, sharing his hidden feelings with her. She knew, at that point of time, he ever said that he might lose her. " And now, it's my turn to worry if I lose him. I.I.feel so helpless. Oh.Serge." said Kidd as she put her head gently onto Serge's chest, hearing the faint heartbeat, becoming weaker from the Panther Venom. "Don't die Serge.!" Her tears finally broke in, crying helplessly as she lay onto Serge's chest, hugging him desperately for his warmth. ".I need you."



*

Deep in the tunnel of darkness, a ghostly figure of Serge walked along the darkened pathway, walking aimlessly through with no way to go. "Where am I? What happened to me?" he asked as he looked at the tunnel ahead. A binding flash of incandescent light suddenly surrounded Serge, making him close his eyes. The light soon faded and Serge suddenly was taken by awe from the scene before him.

Chibi Serge stood in his fighting stance with his Kendo Stick right in front of his face. Wazuki stood by his side, watching the little boy ready in his position. "Now Serge, always keep your eyes focus on the enemy. Don't get your attention to something else other than the battlefield. Concentrate."

Serge nodded his head as he eyed the dummy in front of him. "Sense the right time to go, my son. Do not wait for my signal. Follow your instincts and then you would lead everyone to victory. Picture the enemy in your mind and close your eyes."

"Dada, I can't do it. It's too hwad," said Serge as sat down frustratingly onto the grassy plains of Arni Village.

"Oh, c'mon on my son, you shouldn't give up that easily," said Wazuki as he kneeled down beside his son. He looked at how his son used his Kendo stick, seeing that it was hard for him to handle and attack due to its big handle and the few scratches on his hand. "Does your hand hurt?"

Serge looked at his wounded hand and said with his childish voice, "Yeah, just a wittle bit. It hurts when I hold it."

Wazuki smiled as went off and grabbed a stick, long enough for Serge to handle and easy enough to swing. "Here, this is your new weapon, my son." He handed the little boy the stick.

"But, its only a stick," said Chibi Serge, looking at the stick puzzled. "What I would do with a stick? Make fire with it?"

"It's not just an ordinary stick. It is a stick that can actually teach you to use a weapon that is much better than a sword. It even may even be stronger than a sword too," said Wazuki with a smile.

"Weally? I never thought a stick can actually beat a sword," said Serge as he swung it with a twirl.

"My first time using something that represents the weapon itself," said Serge, looking at his young- self twirling the stick around.

"Yes, Serge, this is the first time I ever taught you how to use a weapon," said a voice from behind. Serge suddenly turned around. He stood there agape by a blue ghostly and distance figure, like himself, of a man, wearing a blue bandana over his head, smiling at Serge.

"Father.?"

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Kidd still sat there, looking at Serge with worry in her eyes. Doc came in, holding a tray of food and putting it on a table by Kidd. "Thanks Doc," she said, grabbing the tray and stuffing some food up.

"Kidd, you haven't been sleeping for three days now. Are you sure you are okay?" asked Doc, watching Kidd stuff food in her mouth.

"Yeah, I'm all right. I can't sleep at night with Serge looking weaker than the day after. I'll stay by his side no matter what, even if it means going through one month without sleep. He stayed by my side once and now, it's my turn to stay by his side.!"



*

"It has been a long time since I seen you my son," said Wazuki. "You don't know how much it means to me to see you again."

Serge stood there speechless, seeing his own father right before him after all these fourteen years. "My how have you grown? You look so much like me when I was in my teens. I can sense that you became strong like I was when I was still alive."

"Father.I missed you too. Fourteen years without you were hard to cope, even for such a young age, without you around to guide me. I did everything I can to remember those things that you taught me when I was young. And now, my wish came true."

"Yes, but you grown so much stronger than me, becoming the Chrono Trigger was the next step I never knew would come upon you," said Wazuki as he stood beside his son.

"You knew?" asked Serge as he looked at his father.

"Of course, ever since I died, I have been watching you grow in the heavens. I was not quite diminished after Fate manipulated me, you know. Only my spirit remained intact and I soared up to the heavens for freedom."

"I see," said Serge gently, relieved that one part of his father remained, the main source of all his emotions and actions.

They were silent for a moment, looking at the scene before them as Chibi Serge and Wazuki walked along the shores of Opassa Beach. ".Father, do you know why I am seeing my past before me? I never once dreamed of my past whenever I sleep."

Wazuki looked at his son sympathetically, seeing how his son didn't know what befall upon him. "Serge.listen to my words, my son. For you do not know what just happened to you three days ago."

Serge suddenly turned around, his eyes full of surprise. "Three days ago? What do you mean father?"

Wazuki cleared his throat and spoke without choking, "You see, the reason why you are seeing the past is because.you are dying."



"Kidd, are ya sure you don't wanna play with me?" asked Mel, disturbing Kidd's thoughts in Serge's temporary room. "I don't want you to stay sad forever."

"I'm sorry, Mel. But, I'm more concerned with Serge now. He has been unconscious for seven days now and I don't know what to do any more," said Kidd.

"Serge, don't give-up. Please come back."



*

"I-I'm.dying?" asked Serge, surprised.

"Yes, you are dying as we speak from the illness that never can be healed and the very illness I tried to save you from fourteen years ago that killed me."

Serge looked on and the thought of his illness ran through his head. "Wait.you don't mean."

"Yes, you, for the second time, have that Panther Venom disease inside you again. I never thought this illness would ever come to haunt you again after the "Frozen Flame" healed you. Even though you were healed, something happened seven days ago that triggered your disease to come forth. It couldn't be the act of FATE purposely giving you the disease again."

Serge bowed his head down, for he knew what the answer is. "Lynx, right?"

"Yes and the new evil that is allied with him. Right now, you are in between the path of life and death. Right at this very moment, we are in the middle of that path, the light." Wazuki pointed to the right, a faint luminous white glow showed in that distance. ".is that way, the path of life, and the dark path." Wazuki pointed to the other side, showing a tunnel full of pitch black. ".is the other way, the tunnel of death."

Serge looked on, swinging his head right to left from the light tunnel to the dark tunnel. He didn't know what to think of it, one thought more confusing than the other.

".Serge.my son.it is almost time for me to go back to the heavens. At this point on, you are on your own to decide whether to live or die. When you finally have chosen your path, I will depart for the heavens and continue to watch you."

Serge looked down sadly, the thought of his father leaving again. "But.I want to stay with you, father. I want to see you again. I want to be free from everything that troubles my thoughts."

"Don't think such things, my son!" retorted Wazuki suddenly, surprising Serge. "What about the people in your life that you made friends with?"

He looked at his father puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"You know very well what I mean, Serge.!"



Kidd sat there silently when suddenly, out of the blue, Serge jerked violently in his bed, screaming out so loud that it almost made Kidd fall off her seat. She finally regained her composure, coming to Serge's aid. "Serge! Fight it! Fight it! Don't give up!" encouraged Kidd as she tried holding down his sudden violent jerks.

Inside the other room, Doc heard loud noises coming from the other room, one of them with Kidd's loud noise and the other was a masculine scream, a scream that scares people out of their pants. Without any time to spare, Doc ran to the other side of the room.

"Serge! Stop, please!" said Kidd as her tears of worry fell upon his pale face. Doc came rushing in, stopping at the door to see Serge shaking violently.

"Oh no, this is probably that time!" said Doc. He came in, holding Serge from moving. "Damn it! It's too soon! The Venom is taking over him now!"

"What!" said Kidd surprised. "What are we gonna do?"

"Don't make him move! Try to make him stay down so he won't get hurt!" yelled Doc. "C'mon Serge dude. Don't let it take over you! Don't let Kidd down!"

Serge continued to move and scream violently, his eyes remained shut during the whole process. Each time he screamed, Kidd can feel her emotions weakening her by every sudden shriek.

"Serge.please.don't." said Kidd shakily, feeling her knees becoming slush. Soon, Serge screamed out loud, the pain started to torture him as if a sword is piercing through his flesh deeper and deeper. Kidd couldn't take any longer of the scream and finally sank to her knees, holding both of her knees as newly fresh tears streaked her cheek, shuddering fearfully as Serge's screams continued to haunt her.

"Damn!" cursed Doc as tried to reach for the antidote. "Serge calm down!"

His screams were heard from the villagers, everyone looked in the direction of Doc's house with confusion in their eyes. Glenn, Leena, and Orlha heard this. Glenn just bowed his head down, closing his eyes as tried to fight back his tears while Leena and Orlha looked on wide-eyed, their eyes filled with tears.

"Please.Serge.stop." pleaded Kidd. "I don't want you to suffer any more. Please stop." Serge continued to scream, Doc trying to make him drink the antidote.

"C'mon Serge, drink this!" yelled Doc, trying his best to hold him down with the bottle in his free hand.

"You've got to pull this through Serge. Please.pull through. Serge. Serge.COME BACK!!!!" yelled Kidd as she flew her head from her yell, her tears splattering all over.



*

"You're friends Serge. Your friends back in the other world Serge. And your mom. Do you want to leave them behind just to be with me?" asked Wazuki contently. "Are you?"

Serge looked down, his own opinions jumbling around to make a choice. "But.still.I'm."

Wazuki sighed doubtfully as he fully turned his back on Serge to think. Never he heard such words from Serge. Is he going to give up and let his friends and Marge go through the stage of grief? A sudden thought ran through the man's head as he finally turned around to see Serge, still thinking of the choice. "What about the future of El Nido, Serge?"

Serge turned his head quickly to stare directly at his father, the point that his father made about the future of El Nido becoming a wasteland had come through his mind. "Are you going to run away from your duties as the Chrono Trigger? I know you're stronger than that. Do you want our homeland to become the future of Guardia of the future when three adventurous young people at that time found out?"

A sudden violent wind came through the tunnel, swaying through Serge's blue hair. "!!!!"

"What about Kidd? Your best friend that cares for you right now trying to get you back. Look, listen to her."

"SERGE DON'T LEAVE ME ALL ALONE! DON'T GIVE IN! YOU HAVE TO PULL THROUGH. Please.Serge."

Serge could hear her sorrowful voice echoing in through his mind, quite shock from the sudden emotion that he never seen in Kidd.

".Please.Serge.everyone wants you back.I need you.! I don't want to be left alone again even if I do have friends already like you said to me. Serge.COME BACK!!!!"

Her scream echoed through his mind, making his eyes widen in shook as he fell to his knees. "S-she's crying.she's crying in pain."

"Yes, Serge. She is crying for you to come back. Do you want to abandon her like that after what you told her? She has great acknowledgement on you son and she cares for you deeply. If you die, Kidd will lose everything. Can't you see that you are the one to take her away from her grief of her past and dry her tears?"

Serge remembered the orphanage burning down, seeing those kids look in fear with screams in need of aid. He could picture the whole scene; the childish pictures burning down to oblivion, all the high tech things that Lucca made, the happiness that Kidd used to have for her young life. Now it was demolished due to Lynx and Harle's attempt to capture Lucca to unlock the "Prometheus Lock." If he died at this point, there is no telling what Kidd will do. Will she attempt for suicide? Or will she be wandering alone again? Serge couldn't stand the thought of it.

"I'm not really sure what I should choose father." said Serge slowly.

"Stay, Serge.stay. with your father. Isn't that what you really want.?" a sudden voice came to Serge. A sinister like voice protruding his mind of pros and cons. "You haven't seen your father for a long time. Stay with him, Serge."

"I.I."

"If you stay, nothing will worry you any more. You would be free."

"Free?" wondered Serge.

"Yes.free from all problems."

"Serge, don't listen to that voice!" yelled Wazuki. "Don't listen Serge! That voice is the path to death! If you choose that voice, your whole body will be conquered by poison and would never see Kidd again!"

"Don't listen to your father, Serge. For he is nothing more than a mere spirit. Yet even if you are. Die.Chrono Trigger. I want you dead so the world will be mine!" said the voice, mimicking Lynx's voice.

".LYNX!!" said Serge angrily as the laughter echoed through the tunnel. "I can't let him take over the world with his evil." Serge stood up, quite determined through his thoughts now. "But there is still the matter of you, father. I can't go through life without your aid."

Wazuki smiled at his boy. "Serge, it is your choice from here. It is up to you. Just look through your thoughts and close your eyes. That way, you could choose the path. Don't rush yourself in battle. Do you want to continue your life or die at this instance? But, if you chose die, everything will disappear."

Serge looked at his father, nodding his head as he soon closed his eyes and concentrated.



Serge's aggressive movement started to slow down, giving Doc the chance to make him drink the antidote. His screams of horror suddenly turned to mourns. Kidd raised her head after the sudden scream subsided to a groan.

"Serge.?"



* "Life or death.I must choose from these two opposing paths. The two sided coins of both humans and demi-humans," said Serge gently as he thought.

*Flash*

"Hey Serge!" yelled Glenn as he came running up to him in Termina. "Let us go to the bar and get something to drink let's say Sake."

"But aren't we a little bit under-aged for that?"

"Come on, do not be such a party pooper. Let us enjoy ourselves before the final battle comes," said Glenn as he led him to the bar.

*Flash*

"Glenn, my best friend. You always cheer me up whenever I'm down. You there for me all the way even through tough times. Like brothers we were."

*Flash*

"Hey c'mon Serge, one on one. Just you and me," said Orlha as she put up her fists.

"No thanks, can't you see I'm tired from all this running around and searching?" said Serge, quite tired after two days of non-stop searching for the Hydra Humor. "I'm just worried about Kidd right now."

"Don't worry, she'll pull through. I'm sure of it," said Orlha with a smile.

*Flash*

"Orlha, even though she may be a person who fights too much, she encourages people's emotions like me for Kidd's health."

Every single friend he made Serge would think about, everyone seemed like they want him to live and help every way they can. He will hold everyone special in his heart.

*Flash*

"Maybe I am just a copy of my mother. I can't even kill a simple kind of monster. I'm nothing more than a useless life form that was only born for one purpose in life without dreamin' about their future! Maybe I shouldn't gone with Lucca, to be with her in the skies above instead of seeing how everything turned out bloody bad in me life," said Kidd sadly, tears forming in her eyes.



"Don't say that Kidd! It's not like you to be like this! I think your misunderstanding things. I never married Leena, Kidd. Never did, never will. At that time of the adventures we both gone through, I've been distancing from her and we never gone back to the way we were before I was gone to Another World where I met you."

Kidd looked into Serge's determined eyes; her own eyes are filling in with more tears of sadness. "And that battle with that Giant Gloop, you'd usually beat it 'til it dies, but somehow you declined. I guess the penalty looking for me really did put away your fighting spirit. Probably something is holding back your spirit from fighting. And. I thought.I lost you again, when we.finally found each other."



Utter silence once again went in the room, making the two feel uneasy. Changing the subject, Kidd finally spoke out.



"Serge.when you left me.after defeating the Devourer of Time and releasing my mom from its bloody grasp, I felt.lonely again at that very moment. Remindin' me of my past with Sis leaving me, my friends leaving me, and now, you leaving me. Everyone who I hold dear is leaving me." Kidd could no longer hold the tears that she held so long. Without a doubt, she let them streak down her cheek.



"Huh?"



"I've been.searching for you all this time. You're the only one that have ever been

me best mate. The only.one who understands me. I just couldn't.couldn't," stumbled Kidd, her heart beginning to feel the pain she felt when she was lonely, her very weak spot taking over her strong mentally feelings. She couldn't bear any longer with the pain, so she started crying. Serge never saw her like this. Crying like a fragile baby, helpless in her part.



"Kidd.it's okay, don't cry," said Serge, wrapping his warm, strong arms around Kidd, hugging her. "Don't say everyone is leaving you. Probably its just your own feelings giving false thoughts about you, but I'm gonna say this. There are friends all around here in this world like Glenn, Orlha, Steena, Greco, Guile, Marcy, Karsh, Nikki, Miki, Korcha, Macha, Mel, and so on and so forth; they're all here. If I still have my memories of the past, they should remember also. They will be there for you Kidd. I will be there for you," said Serge, gently rocking Kidd back and forth, comforting her with his hug.



*Flash*

"Kidd.the one person who is my best friend from the start. She was the person who changed my life completely around. At that moment, I finally seen Kidd cry for the first time. I never thought she would open up to me like that." The sudden thoughts of her crying every single day if he chose die suddenly made him realize it.

"If I die, I would be leaving her alone unprotected. Lynx would be the first one to get her and I don't want her to face so much grief. I can't leave her."

His eyes shot open as he made a choice. "I made a vow to her that I will protect her no matter what. No matter how the future holds, no matter how situations are bleak, I swear with my life that I will protect her! I will not leave her side!"

"Don't choose that choice! IF you chose to live again you will not be free!" pleaded the voice. "You deserve to be free!"

"You're telling me to run away? Tch, not this time. I will keep my promise to Kidd!" Serge suddenly yelled out a determined scream, releasing the sinister voice from dissuading his thoughts.

"NO! Don't! I won't let you!" said the voice as sudden purple bolts of magic fell upon Serge and the path of light.

"There is no meaning in life without your father!" repeated the voice as it continued to block the light. "Be free from all insanity!"

"There is no meaning in life without Kidd! I won't let her be alone! Not any more! Nothing's going to hold me back!"

With willpower on his side, Serge started running to the light path, dodging every spark of bolts.

"NO!! I CAN'T LET YOU LIVE!"

"Try me! I finally made a choice between life and death is to hold life! Bring it on!" yelled Serge, continuing to run and dodge. The pace of the flow of lighting started to increase, as Serge started running left to right, swinging and turning as he evaded the attack. He was a few centimeters away from the entrance of light when a sudden wave of fire surrounded him, making Serge stop in his tracks.

"Now let's see if you can get out of this!" yelled the voice with an evil laugh.

Serge looked around him, completely angry at the voice for blocking him.

".Serge.use your wits to get through. Use your skills to break that spell surrounding you like I taught you fourteen years ago," said Wazuki suddenly in Serge's mind.

"Father."



"I know you have the power within you to terminate this. Just believe in yourself, my son. I will continue to watch you and be in your dreams for you still need some aid. Until that day your life ends, I will be there for you. Until then, sayonara sai aisoku," said Wazuki in their native language as he disappeared into the heavens.

"Sayonara, Otousan," said Serge also in their native language.

Looking at the path in front of him, he concentrated on his skills. A white aura suddenly surrounded Serge, causing a white Chi energy coming forth. He lifted himself up with his arms extending to the white aura. The white Chi energy started to spread, making a barrier surrounding the whole fiery circle. With one sudden yell from the Chrono Trigger, he let out the Chi Energy, making it spread through the barrier with a huge blast. *Luminaire*.

"NOO!!!" yelled the voice as it echoed.

Serge slowly landed on both feet, lifting his head and opening his eyes to see the clear path. He smiled as he started to run. "Kidd, I'm coming. Don't worry, I'll be there soon!" Finally he reached the light entrance, feeling the warmth and calmness inside the light as he felt his whole body sinking back to his world, the world of the living.



Serge's body soon calmed down, his mourns turn to silence, slowly his pained face turning at peace. Doc looked at Serge, wondering the sudden change of reaction that came too early. "I.guess.I.better get.Glenn, Leena, Orlha, and the rest," said Doc sadly as went out of the docks.

Kidd slowly stood up, seeing Doc going outside to get their friends. Her tears still streaked her face as she sat back down on her chair, completely devastated. She couldn't believe that Serge chose to give up. From that point she doesn't know what to do now. "Where am I going to go now without Serge here with me? I feel so alone now. I just.can't believe.he's-"

Suddenly a groan came from Serge's mouth. Kidd turned her head by surprise as she glanced at Serge's face. "No, it can't be.!"

Kidd sat up, staring contently in Serge's face, wide-eyed. "Serge.!"

The groan became a sigh as Serge slowly opened his ocean-colored eyes, his pale face turning back to his normal tan skin. He turned his head to see Kidd right by his side, looking worriedly. He slowly gave a weak smile to her. "Kidd." he said weakly, his slightly squinted eyes showing the lightened handsome smile he always had.

"Serge.I.I.can't believe this.I.I," she stammered as her tears of joy started to replace her sadness. She finally broke into tears as she leaned her head onto Serge's half naked, yet warm chest, hugging him tightly as if she never wanted to let go. "I thought I lost you, Serge!"

He slowly hugged her back, wrapping his strong arms around Kidd's waist. "I must've.worried you.so much about me. I'm sorry Kidd to worry you like that. Cry as much as you want. Let it all out," he said gently.

They stayed like that for a few moments. Kidd's crying was so hard that it pained Serge to hear her cry. "Serge, don't.ever do that again." said Kidd as her cries started to subside, still snuggling into Serge's chest.

Serge sighed a bit and looked down at Kidd. "I won't.I promise. I won't.worry.you.like."

"Serge?" she asked questionably from the sudden weak tone of his voice. Kidd looked up to see Serge gently closing his eyes with a smile.

".that.again.Kidd." said Serge as he finally closed his eyes, exhausted from the battle in his mind. He soon slept soundly within minutes, still clutching onto Kidd. She smiled as she brushed a strand of blue hair from his eyes, seeing the innocent child in his sleep.

Right then, Glenn, Doc, Orlha, Leena, Korcha, and Mel came in, with sad expressions on their faces. When they reached the room, they saw Kidd leaning against the sleeping Serge's chest with his arms around her. Sudden surprise struck their faces as they soon asked questions.

"Kidd, what is the meaning of this?" asked Glenn as he went to Serge's bedside. Doc came over and his eyes widen in surprise after he saw Serge's pale skin turn completely back to normal.

"What in the world is going on? I thought he was."

"Yeah, he was, but now, I think everythin' is going to be okay. Serge is well and alive. I knew he didn't give up," said Kidd. "Now I can finally.get some sleep."

Kidd slowly closed her eyes as she nestled into Serge's chest comfortably with a sigh. The group looked at the two, Leena and Orlha showing tears of joy, Glenn smiling with relief, and Korcha steaming angrily. Mel looked at her brother with a smirk on her face, making fun of him for turning to a balloon with hot air.

But all of them knew, that Serge, their friend and the young Chrono Trigger who saved the world, is finally back.

*End of Chapter 5

Hey I'm in a roll here! I finally finished this in two days and I guess you can say that I'm pretty proud of this chapter. See? It turned out good after all and Serge is back alive! Of course he should stay alive! Because if I let him die, I wouldn't be able to continue the story, now would I? Oh Yeah! I like to thank everybody for the nice reviews! I really appreciate for you guys to encourage me to continue my story, even though there are some mistakes (I think) and some plot-holes. Well I'm off to bed now, its four 'o' clock in the morning right and if don't sleep soon, my parents will found out that I slept late. Ciao! ;)