The ending might seems a little bit stretched out to you, but that's because it was originally separated into three much longer parts. I have further divided it up for ease of reading, so I hope you appreciate that. As far as this entry goes, you will see Serge in a light you never saw him in before as he wages war on the battlefield of his own mind. Atikon would have proven difficult enough to handle on his own, but when an unexpected visitor joins the fray, all bets are off. It seems that Serge and Atikon can only persevere if they work together, but that's easier said than done. Continue on for the penultimate chapter in the shocking conclusion!

Ending Part 6

Nothing moved in this area. All was still as death. The only thing that stood out was a giant black ball of some extremely viscous substance. Yet even that sphere showed no signs of life. That was, until now.

A shudder ran through the dark globe, as subtle as an eye blinking, but noticeable to the trained observer. Again the ball quivered as if suffering from some internal shock. Suddenly the sphere began gyrating around, in the throes of some massive seizure.

Small nubs of something lightly peach-colored began to push their way to the surface of the black ball. As more of this form broke the exterior it was clear that it was a hand, which was quickly followed by an arm. Not to be outdone, a leg kicked out with all its force and broke through. The other two symmetrical appendages were not far behind. Pelvic area, abdomen, and chest made their escape from the goo that housed them as well. Finally, a head and neck completed the shape as the ball dissolved into nothingness all around.

Gasping, Serge breathed his first untainted breath of fresh air in a long while. He lifted his arms to stretch out his sore muscles. He had not particularly enjoyed being cramped up in that prison for so long. Looking around his person, he was happy to find all of his clothes and equipment once again on him. With a smile he drew his swallow, the weapon that had served him well throughout all his adventures, and hurried off toward a light in the distance.

A gentle but firm hand on his shoulder stopped him from going any further. The boy from Arni village turned around to see one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She wore a purple robe that was cinched around her waist with a prismatic, shimmering sash. He was about to brush her off but he found her smile intriguing.

"You know who I am, don't you, Serge?" the lady asked.

Serge's eyes then lit up with the realization of who this woman was. He had heard that voice before, in less favorable conditions. Now he could finally put two and two together. Emphatically, he nodded his head.

"Good," the woman smiled. "But your enemy is not who you think it is."

Confused, Serge beckoned her to continue.

"The one you want to subdue is as much a prisoner here as you are. He was tricked through his own greed by one who would fashion himself a seat in our pantheon. You can stop him, though. But before you choose your path, I must ask you one thing. As you seek to restore everything to the life you remember, were you really a part of that life? Or did you just exist as a facade?"

Serge pondered these words for some time. Still not grasping what this lady was trying to tell him, the boy just shrugged his shoulders. This action caused a glint of sadness to appear in her eyes.

"Complete yourself, Serge. That is the only hope any of us have in emerging from this titanic struggle. Only the Arbiter of Time can put an end to this danger. I sense the desire to help others from you but it is not enough. You cannot accept the true power until you are true to yourself."

Serge cast his eyes down. Everything she said was right. He just did not want to believe it.

"Find him. He needs you just as much as you need him. Show him this and heal your wounds. I will not appear to you again unless you are in the form you were meant to be."

The mute reached out his hand as if to stop her, but he was too late. The woman vanished into the blackness from which she came. The only thing that was left of her was a chilling echo. It simply said, "find him".

Grinding his teeth together, Serge mulled over everything that he had been told. He looked back toward the area where he had been imprisoned and then at the flashing doorway that lay in front of him. Sighing, he knew what had to be done. With a start, the boy ran off to meet his destiny.

"What's taking him so long?" wondered Miki. "Didn't we cast the melody correctly?"

"Yes, I know we did," replied Leena weakly. The maiden still had not recovered all her energy she had put into her singing of the final note. "It just takes time."

"I know you're right, Leena," Schala remarked. "But I find myself worrying nonetheless."

"Have faith, Schala," the village girl added. "He needs our support. He's about to do something he should have done a long time ago. I just hope he's strong enough to see it through."

This portion of his surroundings was not familiar to Serge at all. There were wires and metallic glints everywhere he turned. It almost seemed as if they were alive too, the way they slithered and slid on the ground.

He followed the cables to an area of where a chill wind blew. The bits and pieces of machinery grew denser with each step he took. It was beginning to become stifling but Serge still trudged on. Just when he thought he could go no further, he looked up. He had found what he was looking for.

A giant translucent ball was connected to circuits and wires of all types. The cables also ran inside the ball and latched onto the form that was inside. Its eyes were open but it didn't see or react to anything around it. Although Serge said not a word, he could feel the pain this one felt almost as if it was his own. As much as he despised this one, what had become of it was not right. With a single punch, Serge shattered the sphere that had become its prison.

The other's eyes blinked for the first time since Serge had entered this place. It looked around itself very quick before viewing the tubes and cords that had wrapped themselves around its body. Disgust filled its face as it tore them out with one forceful tug. Wincing, the person fell to the floor, coughed once, and looked Serge directly in the eyes.

"You came, but it won't do us any good," Atikon spat. "We're trapped and there's no way out."

Serge shook his head.

"It's going to come back for me," Atikon warned. "And when it finds you here as well...let's just say it won't be pretty."

Just then a whir of all too familiar machinery began to sound from not too far into the distance. A shudder ran across Atikon's body as the noise brought back painful memories. A sneer played itself across his face as he readied himself for what would come next.

"They might shackle me up again," Atikon said coldly, as he drew his swallow, "but I'm not going down without a fight."

As if on cue, drones entered into Atikon's and Serge's line of sight. Atikon screamed a mix of pain and hatred as he sliced into the nearest invader. Its two halves fell to the floor as the double's weapon glowed with a black energy. Smiling, he welcomed the fight the rest of them would bring.

The boy was a whirlwind of action as he ripped into each and every robot he saw. With each attack his body shone with a black, red, or yellow light. He knew this struggle would not end but so long as he was fighting he knew he was alive.

Despite Atikon's best efforts a single tendril snaked its way through his onslaught and latched onto his skin. He tried to slice off this unwelcome addition but his reflexes were not fast enough. A massive jolt shook him to his very core as he cried out. Smoking slightly, his legs lost their strength and his body followed them to the cold, hard ground. Other drones were soon on top of him as each latched on a tendril and delivered a punishing attack. A huge drone then floated over to the scene and unfurled its laser cannon at the rebellious mortal. There was no escape.

"Finish me you fucker," Atikon growled. "And tell your bitch, FATE, that it can kiss my ass while you're at it!"

The drone charged up its blast. It was aimed right at Atikon's head. Not blinking, Atikon prepared himself for what was to come next.

Energy arced right for the troubled youth but something else whizzed by his face. It slammed into the oncoming assault and met it head-on. A bolt of white light had knocked the attack aside. The machine turned to deal with this new threat but was only rewarded by a second white bolt tearing a gaping hole into its side. With a crackle of severed circuits, the large drone slammed into the remnants of Atikon's former prison.

Serge was standing with both hands out in front of him. His index fingers and thumbs were pressed against each other as well, forming the shape of a triangle. There was a stern look on his face.

The other machines that had ganged up on Serge's double now sped off to rid themselves of the real thing. It was an exercise in futility, however. Brilliant flashes of white, blue, and green filled the air as each of the drones was knocked back. Atikon blinked at the bright lights. When it was all over he saw no more drones anywhere in the vicinity. Instead, a hand and the smiling face it belonged to presented themselves.

"No!" shouted Atikon, making a move to knock the hand away. "I don't need you!"

Serge pulled his hand back, a hurt expression on his face.

"And where were you before?" his double questioned. "I could have been killed! You can't always let your enemy make the first move. Sometimes you have to be the one to take the initiative."

Serge let his gaze wander down to the floor.

"I'm not going back to the cage you locked me in for so long," Atikon snarled as he got to his feet. "I challenge you. Right here, right now. Fight to the finish. Winner takes control of this body."

Serge stared Atikon right in the eyes, matching his double's gaze in intensity. His resolve was just as strong as his polar opposite. Atikon then laughed as he saw Serge's jaw drop, figuring his opponent had lost his resolve. Serge merely pointed to something behind him. Not wanting to fall prey to a trick, Atikon slowly turned to where Serge was pointing, but also remained on guard for any attack the little goody-goody might pull.

Atikon caught a glimpse at what Serge had spied and immediately wished his opposite had been attempting to trick him. A giant metal humanoid walked toward the two, sparks in its eyes. In its left hand it held an enormous metal blade and it is right hand it wielded a shimmering shield.

"That sounds like an interesting proposal," the metal figure said, its voice the sound of gears grating upon one another. "And I accept. I no longer need you anyways. FATE is supreme!" It then ran right at the duo as electricity crackled in its raised blade.

A loud boom suddenly snapped the eight companions out of their reverie. The cocoon had not changed since it first formed but each and every one of them knew what they had heard. Something colossal was about to take place.

"Be careful, Serge..." whispered Schala.

The metallic figure slashed at both Atikon and Serge. Its strikes met nothing but air as the two nimbly dodged out of the way. A clicking and whirring sounded as the machine tracked the mortals' every movement.

"You are going down!" screamed Atikon, as he swung his swallow at the robot. Laughing, it merely parried the boy's attack with its own blade. It then sent a course of electricity through its sword and into its opponent's weapon. With a shout, Atikon dropped his weapon, his fingertips singed.

"I have you both right where I want you," said the mental image of FATE. It readied its sword to strike Atikon but a green blast rocketed into its hilt. The supercomputer angled its blade away but did not drop it.

"So the meek one finally fights," pointed out FATE. "Only when another is in danger, though."

"I can do that too!" voiced Atikon. He held his hands up to create an energy blast but met a metallic foot to his face before he could summon enough power. He brushed the helping hands off his shoulders, as he fought to clear the stars from his eyes.

Serge merely frowned and brought his hands up again to blast FATE. He let loose a barrage of white, green, and blue blasts. This time FATE was ready. It brought up its shield and analyzed the attacks. Flashing its barrier the same shades as the bolts that hit it, the effect was neutralized.

Atikon, not to be outdone, laughed at Serge. "Let me show you how a real pro gets it done." He raised his hands and threw black, red, and yellow bolts at the supercomputer. It again reacted in turn, the colors of its shield matching and dispersing the strength of the blasts.

"You cannot do anything against me," said FATE. "But I can do so much to you." The metal figure pointed its blade right between Serge and Atikon and let loose a current. Electricity soon took the form of a net, as it grew big enough to encircle the two of them. Both made to roll out of the way but the net could not be stopped. It sliced into and shocked them, bringing the two down to the ground in a heap.

FATE slowly walked over to the pair and surveyed its work. These mortals would no longer interfere with its plans. It was time to eliminate them once and for all. Dropping its sword and shield, the mechanized figure increased the size of its hands and brought them down on each of the two interlopers. Then it began to squeeze.

"What was that-hee?" asked Razzly.

"Vous felt that too?" responded Harle.

"That was totally not cool," said Doc. "Almost like a weight just fastened itself around my heart. Dude, I don't like the feel of this."

"Like Leena said, we need to have faith," Orlha reprimanded them. "Keep our heads held high. Serge will pull through." Despite her exterior smile the barmaid was quite terrified on the inside. And the others knew it.

Atikon could feel his bones being crushed underneath the strength of FATE's mechanized arms. The pain was almost unbearable. Wincing, he turned his head to see his counterpart suffering just the same.

"I told 't do anything..." Atikon huffed, air coming to his lungs in small gulps.

Serge just stared right at his double, eyes begging out for something.

"No..." Atikon wheezed. "I will...never...be a part...of you...again."

Serge merely kept his gaze fixed upon his other half.

"I'm...all I need...to be. I..." He winced as a rib snapped. "You can...offer me...nothing."

Serge's fingers twitched as he felt the life leaving them but he never looked away from Atikon.

"What?! What...do you...want from me...?"

Serge blinked once.

"I have...I have...nothing..." Atikon trailed off. He was not as strong as he led others to believe. He had everything he thought he wanted but that wasn't true. There was a big something in his life missing. Something true. Something meaningful. Something fulfilling. There was a hole in his being that was begging to be closed. He had just chose to ignore it up until now.

Despite the pressure and pain, an inviting smile found its way onto Serge's face.

"Y-you...really think...so?" Atikon questioned but he already knew the answer. "The power...is here. But the role...is not...yet filled."

Serge nodded.

"I...understand now," the double breathed. "This is...all wrong. The Arbiter...must be sought...together."

A single tear rolled down Serge's cheek.

"Let's do...it..." Atikon whispered. He then brushed the fingers of his right hand across the arm that had almost pulverized him. The arm shone yellow and loosened its grip somewhat. Atikon followed this up with a touch from his left hand and the metal burned red. "Together..." he conceded.

Serge followed Atikon's lead and grabbed the arm with his twitching left hand, spraying a jet of green across it. He felt the pressure decreasing and held on with his throbbing right hand. Blue flooded his vision.

"What are you...?" began FATE but it could only stare in shock at its now multicolored arms.

With a slight nod to Serge, Atikon latched on with both his hands. He then let out a scream. Within it was all the hatred, sorrow, and any negative feeling he had been the vessel for all these years. In one fell swoop Atikon let it all out as black flames coursed up FATE's form.

Serge mimicked his double's movements. He grabbed the arm and let out a silent scream of his own but it was no less fierce. It embodied his happiness, compassion, and all positive emotions he had previously kept to himself. White flew across the arm that had been previously squeezing the life from him a few seconds earlier.

"No...bzzt..." said FATE, as the surges met in the center and formed one giant conglomerate. The two halves of the whole had needed to communicate with one another. FATE had been used as that very circuit!

The shimmering prism spun around the supercomputer's form for a short while and then stopped. Spying its targets it took off toward Serge and Atikon. With a flash of light, the joining force hit both of them in the chest, freeing each from FATE's grasp.

Each boy vanished within the crystal flares but neither one was afraid. The two halves then danced around one another in some macabre ballet. Faster and faster they twirled until it was no longer possible to tell where one ended and the other began. In a clap of thunder the two parts formed into one.

The metallic cube violently shook, sending the adventurers sprawling. The floor they had been standing on a few seconds earlier no longer seemed stable. All looked around in confusion.

"Quick, we need to get out of here," Leena stated.

"My thoughts exactly," agreed Norris, as he pointed toward the crystalline cocoon. It had now begun to pulse with some sort of inner light. "I don't like the looks of that thing."

In unison the eight companions took to the air, aiming for the hole in the dome. For good or for bad, this structure had grown unsafe. And they had to get out as soon as possible.

A hand was the first body part to touch the floor, followed by a knee, and then a foot. The new person wore the same black shirt, brown and silver vest, and blue shorts as its predecessors had donned, but the clothes now seemed different. It was almost as if they...shimmered.

"FATE," Serge boomed. "Your time is up."

"I do not think so," the machine responded. "It is you who is at the end of your line." The machine picked up its blade and swung it toward Serge with all its might. Smiling, Serge let the assault come. Just before his body was cleaved in half, the villager moved his arms together in a blur of motion. With a clap, he caught the sword mere inches from his face, firmly trapping it between his two hands.

FATE began to charge up its energy through the sword in an attempt to shock Serge into submission. He beat the machine to the punch though, as he filled the air with his own power. Yellow, red, green, blue, black, and white currents zagged across the blade. Before FATE could let go of the sword, all the elements slammed into the robot with a giant bang, sending it flying.

"This cannot be my fate," the machine remarked, still not processing what was happening. "I judge you humans incapable of controlling your own destinies."

"Judge?" asked Serge as he deliberately made his way over to the mechanized form. "You don't have the power to judge anything. You're just a weak, scared, and manipulative little virus."

"I am innocent of all charges you bring against me," FATE countered. "Order must be preserved at the cost of everything else."

"That is not your call to make," Serge said, drawing his swallow. "That is humanity's call."

Its survival protocol beginning to kick in, FATE slowly backed away from this new and improved lifeform. Before it could get very far, it found its feet firmly rooted into the floor. Tugging on them accomplished nothing, though. FATE could not move.

"FATE, the supercomputer and once protector of humanity and Chronopolis," Serge began, "I am the Arbiter of Time. I have been charged with keeping the balance by the gods themselves. Judgment is mine alone to give. Cast in the name of Trutin, I find you..."

"Nooooo!!!" FATE hollered.

"...Guilty," finished Serge as a huge aura erupted out of his swallow. It struck FATE with the weight of the gods themselves behind it. Crying out, the supercomputer dissolved into the air itself. The struggle between man and machine ceased just as soon as it began. FATE was no more.

Looking around, Serge knew that he was not quite done, however. There was still more he had to do. He took off into the darkness to wake up the body that was now his again.

By: Daredevil3181