La la la la…Yeah I know I haven't updated in awhile…geez…over a month x.x But I have school and baseball and a bunch of other stuff and I've had little to no time at all lately x.x So bah…Beat me if you must!
And I now have a Serge Plushie! Yeah! Kidd is no longer alone!
Yup..chapter nineteen those of you who are still following this o.O
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Chapter 19 – Enter the Moon Child~~~
Talon looked out over the chaos of the Viper Manor while perked steely upon a pillar. So much innocence, both creature and human lay dead inside the stone confines of the wall. He found himself wondering if the sacrifices of his flying cavalry were worth the simplistic ideal of this battle.
The Chrono Trigger and Dragonite were indeed adversaries that needed be rid of if his master's plans had any chance of succeeding, but why waste lives on a pointless assault? Why not just allow the Moon Child to go in a do the job herself? It made no sense to the feral feline and it coursed through his mind as he unfolded his wings and jumped to the ground amidst the retreating
bodies of the warrior creatures.
"TILON!"
"What is it Zeek?!" The creature's feline growl rang clearly through the chaotic air as flying, running and other such beasts scrambled out of the disarrayed Manor. He plowed through the fleeing beasts to meet the little rat, only stopping once he was face to face with him. "Did you do what you were supposed to!"
The rat/weasel nodded and clicked his tongue pointlessly "Yes. The Chrono Trigger his been plice somewhere where he kinnot interfere."
"And the Dragonite?!"
"I couldn't find him! He wis no where t'be found!"
A growl knotted Talon's throat. This could prove to be a problem. Yet with the Chrono Trigger out of the way maybe it could be done… "Fine! We don't have time to discuss it!" Spinning around he motioned briefly for Zeek to get on his back then barely gave time for the smaller creature to grab hold before breaking out in a dead run towards the Termina Plains.
"Now!" He roared. "Let the Moon Child go now!"
* ~ * ~ *
Gone…Kidd never thought such a small word could strike her so hard. How could he be gone…just disappear into the thinness of air? She was having a difficult time believe it, quite literally.
"Gone? How tha hell can a man just…just disappear!" Within the sentence her frustration was quite evident as was her worry.
"I don't know Kidd," Leena replied, wary of her friend's now very unsteady emotional state. "But that's what happened…"
"It doesn't make sense!" Hissed the Radical Dreamer, her voice near cracking as mixed emotions coursed through her. She didn't know what to think, what to feel! She was so worried, her mind screamed out in hopes of being answered, her heart thumped so hard in her chest it made her sick Yet, even amidst her turmoil she felt the steady thud of armored boots in the now nearly deserted ball room, approaching them with almost a panicked flurry.
Suddenly, Glenn bounded into view and released a cry of joy as he saw them standing there. Leena and Norris turned to see his hurried image and immediately ran over to him, both joyed to see him as well, though one more than the other.
Kidd watched as the village girl and Deva shared a worried embrace and felt a pang of hurt strike her already aching heart. Grimacing slightly she pushed her angst aside and walked almost dazedly over to the others as reality settled into the depths of her mind…
"Are you alright?" Glenn asked hurriedly, looking down at Leena with concern flickering profoundly through his eyes. She nodded in response and he sighed gently in relief before putting one a light smile. "Good…Where's Serge?" At his question Leena merely looked at the ground while Kidd crossed her arms and turned completely away from him, was she…crying? Glenn looked to Norris for an explanation.
"Glenn. Something happened and Serge vanished."
The Deva raised his eyebrow slightly "Excuse me?"
Norris merely repeated what he said before adding "I'm not sure how but he isn't here. He's quite literally gone." As the sentence finished a light shower of dust drifted over them accompanied by several falling rocks. All but the young thief exchanged looks then peered up above them.
There was little light in the ballroom. Only the haunting light of the twin moons filtered through selected openings, unveiling only certain parts of the darkness. Yet even with this faint light they could make out the dull outline of a figure high above their heads.
Slowly, Glenn removed his Einlanzer from its scabbard while Norris drew his gun. Leena shuffled over to Kidd before drawing the Radical Dreamer's attention to the ceiling above. Kidd sneered slightly and grabbed her dagger before handing Leena another.
One would normally wonder why Kidd had brought along two daggers let alone speculate where she had been keeping them the entire time. Yet no one said a word.
The light of the moons flickered slightly and the figure darted to the side, setting off the alertness in every one of the companions below it.
"Who are you!" Norris called out calmly.
Glenn however was not so calm. "No, What are you!" He was obviously getting tired of this entire ordeal not to mention the sum of the last week.
"No, no no! Monsieur Glenn, iz zat anyway to treat an old friend?"
Instantly the dragoon soldier's eyes shot open. Watching the figure his assumptions were proved correct as it jumped off an out hang in a brilliant show of well timed acrobatics before proceeding to do several flips, rolls and other such gymnastics while in the hands of the air. Then, as nimbly as it had started the figure landed on the ground a few simple feet in front of them. Bells jingled lightly as it was instantly illuminated by the moonlight.
One simple word shot into Glenn's head…
"Harle?!" they all blurted out in synchronized disbelief.
"Oui! I see you have not forgotten moi." She began to walk towards them. "That iz good no?"
"Good?!?! Last time I remember seeing you, you tried to kill us!" Leena and Glenn exclaimed simultaneously while glaring at the Harlequin. The outburst caused Harle to giggle malevolently.
"It iz true. I did try to kill you. Unfortunately for you, Mes amies Zat iz what I plan to do zis time as well!" She gave them no time to react after the sentence for she immediately launched herself into the air, doing a swift aerial flip then landed nimbly behind them.
Norris was the first to turn around and he noticed something a different. It was a strange marking near Harle's left eye yet not much anything to pay attention to. Even if had wanted to attend to it he couldn't for since he was the first to turn around, he was Harle's first target. As the captain turned to face the psychotic harlequin he was met with a black beam, which slammed harshly into him and threw him against the wall. There was a sickening crack as his head connected with the extravagant stone and with a dull moan he slide swiftly down to the floor, hot, red blood trickling meekly from the back of his skull.
"Norris!"
"Oh la la! Zat must have stung!"
"Harle!" Glenn shouted angrily while grasping his Einlanzer firmly. "I don't know what the hell your problem is and frankly I don't care! I'm sick of this!" He had more to say, most bordering the lines of extremely inappropriate yet the small bit of self control that was holding his temper was also making him hold his tongue. So, instead of verbally lashing out at the insane clown he decided to do it physically. The Deva darted forward swiftly and raised his sword before swiping at Harle. She simply jumped back with abnormal agility and wavered her finger at him.
"Now, now, hold your temper Monsieur Glenn."
The Deva stood there a moment, his grip on the Einlanzer tightening angrily. On sudden impulse he moved towards Harle once again, his sword slashing furiously through the air in quick, powerful swipes. Soon the air around both Glenn and the Harlequin was surrounded by hot air, and lagging images of his blade as the two of them danced around, one to avoid and one to kill.
Pain shot through Glenn's arm suddenly making him lose control of the swing of his blade, ultimately forcing him to stop. Grimacing in pain he looked at his arm to find a razor sharp playing card sticking only an inch or so out of the flesh just above his elbow, forcing the wound to seep dark, adrenaline driven blood.
"Zee? Your temper didn't help you zere did it?" She stepped towards him. "It only zeems to have made you want to end up like your dear ami, Norris." She giggled causing Glenn to growl and offer another powerful strike yet it was dodged like all the others. "More then I would have guessed, no?" Then she began to saunter forward, a hand of the sharp poker cards unfolding in her gloved hand.
There was a soft patter of feet on the floor less than seconds before Harle let out a cry of pain. Drops of life fluid dripped to the floor, emanating from a large slash across the Harlequin's back. Not far away from the wound was a dagger held by none other than Leena.
"Back off you crazy clown bitch!"
Glenn really couldn't help but let his eyes grow wide, if even for a short moment.
"Excusè moi!? Who are you calling ze Bitch!?"
"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't be able to process that!" And with that, Leena jumped forward and slashed at Harle again.
Leena's spirit is one of fire and passion in what she believes in. Her will is something no one person can break with simple expressions and nearly any word. However, you never piss of someone such as Harle especially when they are considered mentally unstable and expect to walk away unscathed if only physically.
Thus at the village girl's attack, Harle disappeared only to reappear to the side and deliver a harsh methodic kick to Leena's chest. Amazingly the girl's body jerked several feet into the air and backwards before she connected with the hard, polished floor, winded and dazed. With a groan, Leena felt herself being lifted into the air, which wasn't so horrible until she notice no one was lifting her and that she had risen much higher than 7 feet.
"Put me down!" She yelled while throwing he dagger angrily at Harle who only sneered at the inaccurate throw.
"No, I don't think zat is necessary."
Glenn gripped his sword firmly and started towards Harle once again. He had hardly moved more than a step before 5 of the deadly cards shot in his direction, most being dodged yet two hit their targets, one deep into the muscle of his one leg and the other grazing off his Mythril Pads only to slash the underside of his jaw.
"Stop interfering!" Harle turned her attention once again to the floating Leena. "First it waz ze dog, now it is you and zat target doll, worthless rat children. What company mon Serge keeps."
"Your Serge…"
All attention was turned to Kidd who had just now become animated, moving quietly forward towards the group of them. Her head was slightly down and her eyes were shaded out by the shadows cast upon her by the light of the moon. She looked so defeated; yet so serious. It all was more than slightly eerie especially for someone as normally vivacious as Kidd.
"Your Serge…ya seem so sure of yerself…" As she spoke she moved ever closer to Harle. "So…very sure of yerself even though, ya know, how it really is. And ya know what? I don't even really care…I just have one question." By nor she had reach a distance of only several feet from the Harlequin and raised her head. Her eyes shimmered with her intentions as a red energy began to emit from off her while she placed her hands swiftly behind her back. Then, giving no time for even the most moderate of retorts she thrust her arms out in front of her and thousands of tiny, red hot daggers shot forth from the innate energy surrounding the emotional Radical Dreamer.
Harle screamed as she was engulfed in the salvo of burning blades, which ripped and tore mercilessly at her flesh and clothing. Blood burst out of the wounds as though it had been confined in a high-pressure area before being half cauterized and smudged with 1st and 2nd degree burns. It her agony, Harle dropped her concentration from Leena and threw her cards wildly at Kidd, attempting to make it stop. The young thief didn't even flinch as they flew by her, missing by only imperative inches.
Glenn struggled back to his feet as he watched this entire ordeal. Yet as Harle released her hold of Leena she began to fall. Losing complete interest in the battle he ran towards her, his leg giving unhealthy spurts of the vital red liquid ever so essential to life. Only seconds before she would have hit the floor did he manage to get under the village girl and catch her with a painful yet relieve grunt. At that instant his leg literally collapsed underneath him and he dropped to his knees as every wound on his body gave a discontent shot of pain and began to bleed heavier from the exertion.
Suddenly the onslaught of daggers stopped and Kidd walked over to the burned and slashed Harlequin. She kneeled heavily on Harle's chest and glared down at her "Where is he…" She received only a whimper in pain causing her to snap into anger. "Where tha hell is he Harle?! Where's me mate, Serge!"
"Why should I tell a dog, like you!"
"Answer the question!!!"
"Non!"
Kidd grabbed Harle harshly and gave her a violent shake. "Don't fuck with me, ya lousy Bloke! Tell me where he is!!!"
Harle glowered at Kidd before dispersing a thick wave of dark energy, knocking the thief back onto her rear and allowing the harlequin to stand. "Je ne suis pas!"
Kidd jumped back to her feet. "In English?!"
"It mean's she doesn't know Kidd"
The Radical Dreamer didn't even look. "Screw off Locke!"
"Kidd you've got to calm down," The green haired warrior stated with a cool yet concerned tone as he moved towards the two somewhat angry females. "I know your pissed off that Serge is gone and I know you're worried…but…she doesn't know Kidd…"
Kidd sneered. She knew that Locke was probably right, he'd never been one to lie in such situations, but if Harle didn't know…who did? Who else could she find that would even know what the hell she was talking about? So…did that mean that Serge was… She shook her head. "No, She has to know…"
Locke placed his hand comfortingly on Kidd's shoulder. "She doesn't Kidd. I'm sorry." She jerked away from his grasp causing him to sigh, (oh how difficult this must be for her…). Slowly she turned away, again ignoring all while lost in her emotions. To Locke it seemed she had even lost the will to cave in the clown's head and that didn't seem normal to him. Speaking of the clown…
The Dragon Rider turned to look at Harle only to find her arms raised and ready to strike Kidd. Instincts over coming commonsense, he tackled the harlequin and pinned her to the destruction littered floor despite the fact the hand of cards all became painfully lodged in his shoulder.
"Hey, hey simmer Jingles."
"Jingles!?!" She glared at him before trying to wriggle free.
"Yeah, Jingles." He replied before shifting his weight so she couldn't move. "Now stop moving or people might get the wrong idea."
Her face took on a flustered look. "How rude!" She then attempted to blast him with the same spherical discharge that she had used against Kidd, however it seemed to hit a barrier before it could blow him off.
"I may be an idiot…but I'm not stupid. So don't even try it, you're stuck here until I say otherwise."
Harle still continued to try and get free, but at the moment it was of little use, so Locke diverted his attention. He looked around to see that Kidd had found a wall to lean against while looking up at the stars and sky. He also saw Norris smack against the wall unmoving and his sister trying to help somewhat dizzy Glenn.
"Hey Leena, is he alright?"
"I don't think he is."
"I'm fine." Glenn muttered, causing Leena to look at him skeptically.
"What is with you Men? You always have to be big and tough and act fine, even when you're hurt and bleeding and can't stand on your own."
"No Leena seriously, I'm fine." He replied as he stood to prove his point. The Deva soon realized how bad of an idea that was when the flow of blood from his leg wound doubled on speed and a devastating shot of pain ran through his body causing him to drop back to the ground. His breathing broke into short ragged chokes before he looked up at Leena with a defeated look on his face. "…or maybe I'm not…"
Locke shook his head "Alright. Let's deal with this." He looked down at Harle and grinned slightly, "Nigh, Night Jingles."
"Excuse moi!?" Harle looked as though she were going to say more but her face contorted into one of total confusion before he head kind of lulled and her eyes snapped shut. Locke the removed his fingers from the pressure point on her neck.
"Oh do I love doing that."
The Dragon Rider grinned idiotically to himself before standing up then picking up the bloody Harlequin and throwing her over his shoulder. His screwed up leg gave him little trouble as he walked over to where Glenn and Leena were.
"So he can't stand?"
"No."
"Maybe Kidd could give you a hand and you two can help him get around?"
Leena nodded. It wasn't that should couldn't help Glenn herself, it wasn't a long distance but she could think of no other way to get the distraught Kidd to come along with them at the moment. Thus, she left Glenn's side to go get the distant Radical Dreamer.
After watching his sister for a moment, Leo looked at Glenn and the steady pool of blood around him. "Hey Glenn, are you going to live long enough for us to get you anywhere?"
The Dragoon gave the Dragon Rider a narrow look. "I'll live. Just go help Norris." Locke shrugged and went over to the Black Wind Captain then proceeded to lift him and placed him over his other shoulder. Now his leg was giving him troubles but the sure stubbornness burning in the Shore bloodline absolutely forbad him from toppling over. Which was all right with him, he didn't want to crack his head open anyway.
Turning back to Glenn he noticed that both the girls had already helped him to his feet and all were waiting patiently for Locke. The Dragon Rider made his way over to them before Leena declared.
"O.k. Let's go."