Disclaimer: I own nothing but the actual game disks. Go sue someone else.
Chapter 3
"What!?" exclaimed a dragoon, "It fell down again? How many times do I have to tell you? It's six to the right and four to the left. Got that?"
Serge and the others stood in the mess hall eavesdropping on the two dragoons.
"Okay," said Glenn, "I'd better write this down before I forget,"
"Six to the right, and four to the left," whispered Guile, "Perfect. Let's go,"
"Ha!" exclaimed Kid, "Doors are open! Let's go!"
The three made their way across a walkway outside.
"Wow," said Serge, "Look at that…"
The three stopped for a moment and gazed at the two moons.
"Beautiful," said Guile.
"Yeah," said Kid, "Hey, mate- we haven't got time to go stargazing. Let's go,"
"Wow, look at this place…" said Guile in wonder.
The three had arrived in a large library.
"Hey!"
Serge, Kid, and Guile looked up to see a young girl looking at them.
"What are you doing here?" she asked impatiently, "Dragoons aren't allowed up here- you should know that!"
"Well," Kid said, "We're not really Dragoons, if that makes you feel any better,"
"What is it, Marcy?" asked a voice, "Is someone there?"
An old man stepped onto the balcony.
"Just some weirdos," said Marcy.
"Lower the ladder, please," said the old man.
Marcy pushed a switch on the wall, causing a ladder to fall from the balcony. The old man slowly climbed down. He walked over to the three false dragoons.
"If you did not know you were not allowed in here," said the man, "then you must not be one of our dragoons. Oh my...you must be... Yes, yes...you must be Serge. My, how you have grown!"
"How do you know who I am?" asked Serge, "Everyone here thinks I'm dead!"
"Can I kill them yet?" asked Marcy impatiently.
"Excuse me??" Kid exclaimed.
"Now, now, Marcy," the old man chided, "I need to have a word with these people,"
"Who are ya?" asked Kid, "And yeah- how do you know Serge?"
"Hmmm..." said the old man, "How do I explain...? I guess you could say I am the prophet of time,"
He cleared his throat. "Listen carefully. The world is not just a single entity. Another world similar to ours exists in another dimension. There you will find what you might have become, a world of possibilities that might have existed, a whole history that has not been written yet. It is out there somewhere. We are simply unable to see, feel, or experience it…until now,"
"Come again?" Kid asked.
"Serge," said the prophet, "This world is not the world you grew up in. 10 years ago, something happened that put your very soul teetering on the balancing scales of fate, with a fifty-fifty chance of life or death! This is when your future was split in twain. In your home world, you survive to live a happy and prosperous life. That is how you made it to the present point in time. However, here in this "alternate" world, you are, in fact, very dead and buried. You died 10 years ago, but this world's time line has flowed on regardless. You have no place in this world. Here, you are but a ghost brought back from the past!
"I do not know what happened 10 years ago, nor can I guess what triggered your entrance into this world. The locations where such divisions in the time-space continua occur are called, 'Angelus Errare' or 'Where Angels Lose Their Way'. It is said that, there, the borders of two dimensions fluctuate in such a way as to make the passage between the parallel realities a possibility. Perhaps in this world, you are the missing piece from a giant puzzle. And maybe, just maybe, the vacuum created by your non-existence here has drawn you across the border between the dimensions to fill the void in that puzzle. Of course, no one can say for sure.
"However, it appears as though these 2 worlds are connected by some unknown force. Depending on the location, the 2 worlds influence each other in strange ways. I am quite certain there is a wormhole that connects the 2 parallel worlds,"
Serge, Kid, and Guile all looked thoughtful.
"If what you say is true," said Kid slowly, "and this world is an alternate reality, then why the bloody hell did Serge die? The reason has to be somethin' that happened 10 years ago!"
"You can only find out by moving on," said the prophet.
"No way I'm gonna let you!" snapped Marcy.
"Shut up, you little brat!" Kid snapped back.
"I advise you not to take Marcy lightly," said the prophet, "This child is one of the 4 Devas, the highest rank of the Acacia Dragoons,"
"This little ankle-biter?!" exclaimed Kid.
"We don't have time for this, Marcy," said the prophet as he grabbed the child's arm and led her away, "The others will be cross if you're late for the meeting,"
"It's not over yet!" growled Marcy, "I'll get you next time!"
She stormed out of the library.
"There are 8 pillars standing in the main hall," said the prophet, "Behind the 2nd to last pillar on the left is a button to release the platform. Dragoons are not allowed up there, so it is best that you go up as yourselves. Beware, however...there is a very strong being you will encounter should you go there,"
He left.
"Bugger…" whispered Kid in amazement, "Serge- you all right? That must've been a lot to handle,"
"I'm fine," said Serge, "That old man pretty much told us that I can get back to my world. I just need to know how to get back specifically. I think once we're done here, I'll be able to go home."
"Right!" said Kid, "So let's follow that old man's advice then. Let's go!"
The three ran back across the walkway and came back to the main hall. Standing in front of them, however, was what looked to be a girl about Serge's age dressed as a Harlequin.
"Who the…?" muttered Kid.
"Hmmm…" said the harlequin in a heavy French accent, "You are Serge? You are even more sexy than I thought! Ooh la lah!"
"And who the bloody hell are you?" asked Kid.
"Ah," said the harlequin, "Zis vulgar one must be Kid. You disgust moi!"
"Whadja say??" demanded Kid, "If yer gonna insult someone, at least talk propa English!"
Serge tried not to snicker at the irony in what Kid just said.
"Je m'appelle Harle," said the harlequin, "I am zee right-hand harlequin to Monsieur Lynx," She turned to Serge. "Serge, mon puze... If you lie down wit' a dog like zis femme, you will surely catch fleas, non? I think you can do much better if you gave her up! Actually, I suggest you all turn back. You should not defy him,"
"Why not?" asked Guile.
"Oi!!" yelled Kid angrily, "What's yer problem?!"
"You shut up!" snapped Harle, "I am having a serious conversation with Serge! Why don't you mind your own business?"
"THAT'S IT!" shouted Kid, "Put up yer dukes! I'm gonna kick yer arse so hard, you'll kiss the moon!"
"You are zee one who is going to have her derriere kicked!! Non? But alas...I cannot be caught fighting you here. Imagine zee trouble I would get into. Au revoir, mon Serge! See you again! And Serge, please dream of moi! Oui?"
She left. Serge turned red and looked at the ground.
"What's her bloody problem anyway?" muttered Kid angrily.
"Nevermind," said Guile, "We've met enough weird characters. I'm surprised it takes this one to get you worked up like that,"
"Call me a dog, will she?" growled Kid.
"Let's just find that switch," said Serge.
Following the prophet's instructions, Serge located the switch and pressed it. At the end of the hallway, an elevator descended to the ground.
"Guess that's where we'll be going," said Kid.
"I don't think so!"
Two guards who had been standing near where the elevator was began to advance towards the group.
"I'm just a little tired of fighting," said Guile, "So…"
He broke into a ferocious run and Serge and Kid followed, dodging the guards along the way. They got in the elevator where Serge frantically pushed the button. The elevator rose out of the guards' reach.
"Hah!" laughed Kid as she heard the guards cursing from below, "Nothing's gonna stop me from doing what I need to do!"
The elevator stopped after a few seconds, and the three got off.
"Which way?" asked Serge.
"Probably the room with the biggest door," said Guile.
"Then I guess we're going for the one in the middle," Kid said as she pointed at a large set of doors in the center of the room.
The doors were unlocked, and the three walked into the room.
"Oi!" said Kid as she approached a desk and examined a blue crystal, "Is this…no this ain't the Frozen Flame. Nothing else of value here either. Even General Viper himself ain't here! How are we supposed to ask him what the hell's going on if he ain't here??"
The bookcase behind the desk suddenly moved, and an aging man stepped out.
"What is it you want to ask me?" he asked.
Serge, Kid, and Guile stared in shock.
"General Viper…" whispered Kid.
"My compliments to you on getting past my security," chuckled the general, "Now, if I may ask- who in heaven's name are you?"
"Don't play dumb with me!" snapped Kid, "You're the one who sent your men after Serge! Why?"
"My dear," said General Viper, "I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about,"
"General," said a voice, "I believe these vermin came here to find me,"
A tall feline demi-human man stepped out from behind the bookcase. He was probably handsome by demi-human standards, and was well-dressed.
"Well, it seems you've saved me the trouble of finding you, Serge," said the demi-human.
"Lynx?!" exclaimed Kid.
"Do I know you?" Lynx asked her coldly.
Kid began to laugh. "So I've finally caught ya by the tail, eh, Lynx? I've come here for two things: the Frozen Flame, and yer life…murderer!"
Lynx chuckled. "So you must be Kid then. Former member of the fearsome band of thieves known as the Radical Dreamers, am I right?"
"The Radical Dreamers?" scoffed Viper, "This young lady?"
"Don't let her innocence fool you," said Lynx, "She is quite ferocious,"
"Compared to what you've done, I'm practically a saint!" sneered Kid.
"I hate to disappoint you," said Lynx, "But the Frozen Flame isn't here. That treasure lies hidden in the Sea of Eden. And the odds of a ragtag group like you finding it…" he chuckled to himself.
"Then I'll just have to settle my score with you now!" snapped Kid, "And then we'll see about who gets their hands on the Frozen Flame!"
She charged at Lynx with her dagger, stabbing him right in the chest.
Lynx staggered back, and then began to transform into a strange, shadow-like creature.
"Bugger!!" Kid slammed her fist against the desk, "It was just a shadow!"
The real Lynx came out from the bookcase smirking contemptuously.
"Did you think I would be so stupid as to pick a fight with a rabid dog?" he asked.
First that clown calls me a dog, and now this bastard…Kid seethed as she readied her dagger. No…I can't go charging at him. He's expecting it. I have to wait…
"Serge…" Lynx walked over to the boy, "What do you desire from this world? Do you wish to live again?"
"What would you know about that?" Serge asked warily.
Lynx smirked again. "Look at that crystal on the desk, Serge," he said, "Tell me what you see,"
Serge looked at the blue crystal on Viper's desk. Suddenly, he saw a large city on an island. Just then, an explosion began to spread across the land. Serge found himself in front of an orange crystal, the wind blowing him back…
"Serge!" Kid's voice brought him back to reality.
"Listen to me, Serge," said Lynx, "The end of the human world is near. When this time comes, there shall be a deep enmity between you and the world. This is not speculation- this is fact. It's embedded in history,"
"What the…?" Kid whispered.
"You cannot escape," said Lynx, "There is something I want to ask you, Serge…"
Just then, Riddel entered the room.
"Daddy, about that voyage I've been planning…" Riddel was saying as she looked over some papers.
Kid saw her chance and grabbed Riddel, holding her dagger to the woman's throat.
"If you want this girl to live…" hissed Kid, "Don't move a bloody whisker!"
"Kid- no!" Serge pleaded.
"What is wrong with you?" Guile demanded, "We still had a lot to find out! Why are you going to ruin it now?!"
"Lynx doesn't play fair," said Kid, "We know enough anyway. We need to find that Frozen Flame now that we know where to look! And we need to get out of here alive!"
"Who are you?!" exclaimed Riddel.
"You dirty little savage!" snarled Viper.
"Shut up, old-timer!" snapped Kid, "There ain't nothing dirty or savage about wanting to stay alive!"
She then whispered to Riddel, "Just stay calm and quiet. I don't wanna hurt ya. I just need ya to come with us 'til we reach a safer place,"
Serge heard Kid's words and instantly felt relieved. Kid wasn't planning to kill the woman after all.
"Come on, you two," Kid said to Serge and Guile, "Let's bust outta here!"
They slowly backed out of the room.
"Don't be fools!" said Viper, "Do you really think you can escape?"
They came to the door and stepped outside.
Just then, Karsh and two other dragoons came up the stairs.
"Great!" exclaimed Guile, "Now we're trapped!"
"You fiend!" growled Karsh, "Take your hands off of Lady Riddel!"
"Oh, okay!" Kid rolled her eyes, "Whaddaya take me for? An idiot?!"
Karsh glared at Kid.
"This way, you two!" Kid went up the stairs to the balcony.
Lynx laughed, "Fools! Now we have you trapped for real! There's no way out!"
"Bloody hell!" Kid stamped her foot.
"Let's work out a deal," Viper held up his hands in a gesture of peace, "Release my daughter, and I shall let you walk away. How about it?"
"Yeah, right!" Kid scoffed, "As if we can trust you?!"
Kid looked over the edge. It was a long drop to the ground.
Seeing Kid distracted, Lynx pulled out a knife and threw it at Kid. It struck her in the arm. Riddel took the chance to escape as Kid staggered back and fell over the edge into the sea.
"KID!!!!" screamed Serge. He got on his knees and peered over the edge of the cliff.
"What do you live for?" Serge could hear Lynx's voice behind him, "What are you willing to die for? I've been waiting for you, Serge. Waiting a long, long time for you…"
Serge could hear Lynx walking closer to him.
"Now come to me, Serge," Lynx was practically whispering in Serge's ear, "The Assassin of time…the Chrono Trigger! Come to me, Serge!"
"You bastard…" hissed Serge, "She's only sixteen years old! Whatever bad blood exists between you, I'm positive you started! I don't know what issue you have with me…I don't even know you!"
"Don't you, Serge?" Lynx whispered.
"Let's go, Guile!" Serge stood up and leaped off the cliff. Guile followed him.
"NO!!!!!!" shouted Lynx.
The last thing Serge saw was the sea rushing up to him.