Chapter Four is here o.o hopefully I'll be able to make this better than chapter three and we can put that dread behind us.
Disclaimer – I don't own Chrono Cross. I do own Drakius and Locke though.
*Insert Text here* - Memories
Insert Text here - Voices
(Insert text here) –Thought
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Chapter 4 – In Termina and 'Refreshin' some friends.
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Upon entering Termina, the trio headed towards the Blacksmith's shop with Leena slightly ahead of the other two. As they walked Locke seemed to take in the sights the port town had to offer with slight awe.
"Geez…This place grew…"
Serge looked at him "You've been her before?"
"Yeah," Came his quiet reply "My father took me here a few times before I became a Dragon Rider…"
Serge blinked in surprise "You used to live in El Nido?"
Locke chuckled while half drawn into memories "Yeah…Yeah I did."
"Where?"
The Dragon Rider never answered the question for they had reached the Smithy shop. The three entered only to be greeted by the bitter smell of raw metals being heated and pounded by Zappa's expert hand.
"Welcome to the official Blacksmith of the Acacia Dragoons! How may I help you?" Zippa welcomed them cheerfully. Serge and Leena were about to give greetings to their old friend but stopped immediately remembering that only they had knowledge of the past events and their old friends did not.
Locke didn't seem bother by this, of course then again why would he? He casually walked up to the counter and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket before handing it to Zippa. "Could you fill this order?"
They watched as she unfolded the paper and blinked widely at what ever was written. "This is a mighty large order sir, we won't be able to fill it for at least 3 days."
"But you can fill it?"
"Yes indeed sir but it will cost a lot."
"No problem." He said as he placed a fair sized bag of gold on the table "I can pay you the rest when the orders full."
Zippa's eyes were wide "I think this will be enough for your order sir."
"Alright then. Be back in 3 days." Waving a good-bye Locke turned and walked out the door, Serge couldn't help but feel like a puppy as he and Leena followed the Dragon Rider.
Locke stopped just outside of the Smithy and turned to face the other two "You don't have to follow me around all day you know."
"Didn't plan on it." Serge replied
"Good." The greenish-haired man stopped a moment to think, tracing his finger over his scarred eye quietly "If you find the time maybe you could go up to Viper manor and recruit some helpers?"
"Yes well how will we make them remember if you're not there to give them back their memories?"
Locke had already begun to walk away "Your Mastermune should help you with that. Later."
Sighing to himself Serge rubbed his eyes lightly. Earlier his wounds inflicted by the monsters in the Arni battle had begun to flare with pain and now only seemed worse. Having no healing elements or even consumables he condemned himself to live with it.
"Serge?"
Looking over, the blue-haired youth realized Leena was looking at him "Yeah?"
"You're going to Viper Manor, right?"
He again replied "Yeah."
"I know this may not be the best time but while we're here I'd like to visit my friend Lisa. So I'll see you later O.K.?" He nodded and she gave him a friendly hug before they parted ways.
* * *
Serge grumbled to himself as he approached the gates of Viper Manor. (How am I going to get past the guards without pulling a Kidd…) He blinked then chuckled at his thought. Swiftly, memories of all those times Kidd would barge into situations without thinking of the consequences filled his mind. Sighing sadly, Serge shook his head before approaching the Guards.
"You Halt." One said,
"Yes Halt!" Echoed the other causing the first to roll his eyes. Complying to their command Serge stopped.
"What business do you hold at Viper Manor?"
An idea suddenly came to Serge "I want to join the Dragoons."
s
The two gate guards looked at each other then back at Serge before letting out a series of long rumbled laughs. After what seemed like eternity they stopped and looked at the calm young man. "How old are you junior?"
"Eighteen." Came the cool reply.
"Well he's old enough." Mused the first allowing the second to grin.
"Old enough or not if the kid wants in he'll have to get past me first!" He stomped up to Serge and gave his chest a dramatic pound before lifting his sword causing the first guard to roll his eyes.
Serge sighed and spoke in a bland voice "Please don't do this."
"What's wrong junior?" He mocked "Afraid."
The young warrior darted in upon the cocky sentry, swinging the Mastermune from its position as he did so. This seemed to surprise the guard who barely had anytime block the half-hearted blow. Serge simply spun his weapon, sending the Dragoon's sword out of his hand and into the dirt. He ceased attack and looked at the knight who was standing there wide-eyed while the other laughed uncontrollably at him.
"Will you let me in now?"
The first nodded between fits of half controlled laughter and quickly opened the gate for Serge.
Nodding quickly to the guards Serge returned the Mastermune to his back and continued up the path to Viper Manor. He wasn't surprised to see that, on that sunny day, hundreds of Dragoons were out front of the Manor training. Groups were fencing, jogging, doing push-ups or other such things, all in there armor. He continued on, looking for the particular 'help' he was hoping to recruit.
After several minutes he spotted it. Just in front of the main entrance, Karsh, Zoah, Marcy and Glenn were all sparring with full weapons and armor. From the steps General Viper, Riddel and Dario watched with interest as the fight drew along. Serge walked over to them and watched until the long fight was over before saying anything.
* * *
Locke dropped several coins in to the awaiting hands of an old man before bidding him thanks and walking away. Slinging his newly purchased leather knapsack over one shoulder he started off idly down the walkway looking at his surrounds.
"Been so long Termina." He spoke out loud as small memories flooded his mind "How ya been you old bitch you?" A sudden and shrill cry from a child struck Locke's ears causing him to jump then look around. Almost directly beside him were a child and a disapproving mother. She looked like she was about to…
SMACK!!!
Locke reeled backwards, slamming into a wall not really expecting the heavy-set woman to slap him let alone that hard. Getting his balance again the Dragon Rider looked at the woman with a surprised gaze, as she got right up in his face shouting something or another about 'ruining her child's virgin ears'. Actually he wasn't looking at the woman. Nor was he looking at the child mouthing to him 'Sorry, I screamed 'cuz she stepped on my foot'. He was looking behind her at the swiftly growing dots in the sky. Never the less she was growing annoying and was shattering his concentration. Shifting his gaze to hers he stated bluntly with a neutral look in his unusual green eyes.
"Look lady I don't know what I did to you but screw off"
This caused him to receive a glare and nearly another slap but before she completed the later the woman pointed over his shoulder and let out a blood-curdling scream. Locke immediately spun around and there, in the sky were at least three-dozen flying beasts. One had the head of an eagle, the body of a lion, the legs of a dragon, the wings of a Pegasus and its tail was the head of a snake. The others seemed the same though in many the parts were made of different ones than the first.
With a growl Locke spun back around to find all through out the sky lest than a minute away were swarms off all sorts of creatures. Dragons, Griffons, Flying Hell hounds and numerous others were headed directly for Termina.
Realizing the Woman was gone, he gave thanks to that 1 praise brought by the monsters and took off at a dead run towards the element shop.
Upon entering the shop hurried seconds later Locke say Leena conversing with the young lady behind the counter. Without a moment's thought or even greetings he flung a bag of gold onto the counter and grabbed enough elements to fill his grid and then some.
"Locke what are you doing?" He turned his head to look at the two ladies who were giving him befuddled looks.
"The same thing you should be doing! Flocks of monsters are headed this way!"
Leena blinked "Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure! Now equip some damned elements you're going to need them!" He turned to look at the girl behind the counter "And You. I suggest you run, or hide under ground or something because in about 30 seconds Termina is going to become all hell!"
* * *
Serge watched as Viper, Riddel, Dario, Glenn and the Devas thrash about on the ground before him. He had hoped the Mastermune would have been subtler than the method of memory recovery he had been submitted to for a number of reasons. One of those reasons was to avoid an army of Dragoons going after him for doing something to the ones they looked up to the most. Unfortunately for him not only had the Mastermune not be subtle but there was indeed an army of Dragoons approaching for the rights to disconnect his head from his body.
Removing his weapon from its place on his back, Serge readied in a defensive position taking a swift glance at the now still group of former thrashers. (Anytime now guys…) He thought to himself as the first of the Dragoons converged upon him.
"Stop!"
The entire scene did just as the voice had ordered and not a single living thing moved a muscle for quite sometime. When someone did move however Serge was surprised to see it was a grinning Glenn walking towards him.
"Hey Serge. Long time no see."
Serge once again returned his weapons to it's place and turned to face Glenn "You too. I heard you're a Deva now."
"Sure am." He replied while beaming proudly "And Karsh got promoted to head of the Devas when Dario announced his retirement."
Giving a small smile, Serge held out his to he newly found Deva for a 'long-time-no-see' type handshake. "Good to hear." Glenn took his hand and gave it a subtle shake before jerking Serge into a hug and with a snicker gave the surprised seaman a few smacks on the back. Serge laughed lightly along with his friend before returned the fond embrace before noticing the others approaching them. The blue-haired youth received a greeting similar to Glenn's from all of them except Dario and General Viper who gave him a smile and a firm handshake.
After the welcoming they broke into conversation. Serge mostly stayed quiet and learned through listening what his long-lost friends had done during the time they'd been separated from him. Dario and Riddel had been married for over a year already and what shocked Serge the most was that they even had a child already. Viper had added several rooms to his manor and chased off the Porre army on one occasion. Zoah, Marcy, and Karsh were still all Devas with Karsh now leading them after Dario's formal retirement and Glenn, as he had already found out, was now a Deva himself. During Karsh's ceremony to the leader of the Devas, he'd been given the Einlanzer. He immediately gave it to Glenn saying something about 'A swords for a sissy I prefer a man's weapon.' Nonetheless Glenn thanked him vigorously. Serge listened for a while longer on the little details before a loud explosion rocked the ground.
"What the Hell?!" Karsh shouted as he looked around for the source of the blast. As Termina came into his sights he noticed the entire town was a-blaze as a congregation of monsters doves at it through the billowing clouds a smoke. "Holy Shit!"
"Devas!" Viper barked "Get down there now! I will assemble the army and join you shortly! Serge!…Serge?!" Looking around he noticed the young man already tearing through the fields towards Termina with Glenn right beside him and the rest of the Devas not far behind. He let out a laugh and went about gathering up his arms and men.
* * *
"Serge what is going on this time?!" Glenn spoke through deep breaths of air as he ran swiftly beside his friend.
"Not sure. Deal with monsters now. Ask Locke later."
"Locke?" Glenn was confused. "Someone you were traveling with? Anyone else?"
Serge continued his pace mercilessly nearly losing Glenn in his overly hurried pace. "Leena's in there."
"WHAT?!" Glenn seemed slightly shocked at his own reaction but Leena was a friend and if he hadn't reacted as such he would have felt horrible about himself.
Now closer to the blazing city they could here the frightened cries of child and the pained shrieks of ones dying. Never looking back, neither Serge nor Glenn noticed Marcy, Zoah and Karsh directly behind them and even if they did they wouldn't have cared.
With weapons out and ready and with anger in their hearts, Serge and the Devas leapt into the fray…
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There you go guys, chapter 4. Heheh things just heated up considerably. Just to warn next chapter may have some cussin' in it. I don't think many of you mind that stuff but I you do tell me and I'll try to cut it to a minimum.
Right, so…Listen to what Locke has to say here a moment
Locke - READ/REVIEW…Can I go now?
…Yes…yes you may…
Until chapter Five…….C'ya!!!