-
Don't know how worthwhile posting this is, especially after my last action
in this part of the forum was pulling apart someone else's fanfic in
excruciating detail, but my ineptitude might at least provide meager amusement
for someone. Anyway...
This started out as the potential script for a Chrono Cross mod that will
likely never now be attempted. It was intended to include:
-an actual speaking part for Serge, although he still (thinks) more than he talks
-Magus and Dario as playable characters (Guile is considered as a separate
character and is not replaced by Magus)
-up to six PCs present in each cutscene (although the combat party would be limited to
the normal three)
-elimination of some PCs who were not useful storywise (Funguy, frex) and demotion
of some others to NPCs
-additional backstory for the characters who survive the cull
Blocks of text in italics are the same as they were in the original CC script.
How much there is of that sort of stuff varies from chapter to chapter. In some places,
I cut what was mostly game-tutorial material wholesale rather than bother to recopy it.
Markup in later chapters with decision trees is...hopefully self-explanatory. I'm going
to try my best to smoothe the messy bits out as I post.
I got as far as midway through the Termina/Guide to Viper Manor chapter before shelving
this (although some later material dealing with the Guile/Magus story branch also
exists). How much of it I post depends on how loudly people scream at me to stop. ;P
Chrono Cross as it should have been, or the nightmare of an insane purple cat? I leave
that for you to decide.
1. An Ancient Fort - Chasing phantoms in one's dreams...
==========================================================
Fort Dragonia (Dream)
==========================================================
[FMV:In the middle of a large mountain range lies
a huge fortress. Surrounding the fortress are six dragon statues.]
[An elevator comes up to a hallway with two exits. Three people step out
of the elevator.]
{Member}
What is it,
Serge?
You look troubled.
this is it.
There's no turning
back, now!
Kid:
Oi!
C'mon Serge,
{Member}!
[Kid turns and faces Serge.]
Kid:
Just you wait, Lynx!
Today's gonna be the
day of reckonin'!!!
Say yer prayers!
...Not that it'll
do ya any good!!!
Kid:
Heh-heh-heh......
HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA!
{Member}
Serge!
Serge:
(Huh? What? How did I get here?
Who are these people? And why
does it feel like I should know
know them? Well, I guess I
should just go along with things
for now. At least they seem to
have some idea of what's going
on.)
[Serge comes out of the elevator and joins them.
They make their way through the first bit of the fort
and arrive on the balcony in the room with the
switch / crystal]
{Member}:
What's that
crystal like thing?
Kid:
Some kinda switch?
Bugger!
So close and yet so far...
Serge:
I guess that means we have
to get over to that other
door...unless one of you has
some rope.
Kid:
Rope! Bugger! I KNEW I'd
forgotten something! Some
thief I am.
Serge:
(She's a thief?! But she's
...kinda cute.)
[Eventually, they find their way to the ground
level in the same room and adjust the crystal /
switch, then take the teleporter up to the entrance
to the top level, which leaves them on a balcony,
facing a set of big double doors.]
Kid:
Oi!
What the bloody hell
just happened?
Kid:
What are we
doin' out here?
Kid:
Wooooow! Bugger...!!!
We're so high up!
Is this thing floatin'!?
{Member}
Did it feel like your
body passed through
the floor just now?
Kid:
This sure is
some fort...
Eh, Serge?
Serge:
It's...kinda freaky...
(What the heck am I doing
here?!)
Kid:
You alright, mate?
You've been actin'
all weird.
Who knows what's up
ahead, so just stay
on yer toes, eh!?
Serge:
Um...yeah. (Actually,
I feel kinda weird. No,
scratch that--really weird.
All this sweat pouring off
me. It's like that big door
is the scariest thing in the
world, but it's just a DOOR...)
[FMV:Kid's stabbing]
[Serge wakes up in Arni]
-
Serge:
Um...yeah. (Actually,
I feel kinda weird. No,
scratch that--really weird.
All this sweat pouring off
me. It's like that big door
is the scariest thing in the
world, but it's just a DOOR...)
Dunno why, but that line is hilarious. I like that line.
-
My version of Serge would probably flip out completely playing through
the Sealed Cave in Final Fantasy IV. All those vicious doors... (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
2. Arni Village - Where the tides start to turn...
Max recruits: Serge only.
Recruitable: None. (Poshul has been removed.)
There's a lot of strictly optional dialog with people like Marge,
Leena, and Radius in this section. For the time being, I'm ignoring
it all and dealing only with the main-line plot.
==========================================================
Serge's House, Arni (Home)
==========================================================
[Marge]
Serge......
[Marge]
Good morning, Serge!
[Marge]
Come on, sleepy head!
Get up!
Serge:
Ugh. (I feel like I didn't
sleep at all. Still, I suppose
I should get up--I did promise
Leena...)
[There are a bunch of system messages here that I'm not
going to interfere with.]
========================================================
[Downstairs...]
Marge:
Good morning,
Serge.
You're finally up.
The sun's already
reached high noon.
Serge:
NOON!? (Ulp! Leena's going
to kill me!)
Marge:
By the way, didn't you
have plans to meet with
Leena this morning?
Serge:
Um, yeah. (Wait, don't
tell me...)
Marge:
Leena came by to see if
you were up, but you,
young man, were still
off in never-never land.
Serge:
(I knew it--I'm toast.)
Marge:
You shouldn't break
promises like that.
Girls can be pretty scary
if you make them angry!
Serge:
(And Leena's scarier than
most...)
[Serge leaves the hut.]
==========================================================
Pier, Arni (Home)
==========================================================
[Kid]
Yippieee!!!
[The boy goes bouncing into the water while Serge and
Leena watch.]
Leena:
You're late, Serge.
Sleeping in as usual,
I suppose?
You promised you'd go
get some Komodo dragon
scales for my necklace,
remember?
Since you were late,
my mom asked me to
baby-sit the kids!
Serge:
I'm sorry, Leena. It's
just that I had this
nightmare, and, well...
(Damn, it looks like the
truth isn't going to work.)
...Never mind.
[Kid]
Whoo-hoo!
Sergey, Leena,
look at me!
C'mon, you guys
should join us!
It feels really good!
Leena:
Unlike the rest of
you, we're not here
to play!
Don't swim out
too far, now!
[Kid]
Ooookay!
Gotcha!
Leena:
Kids sure have
it easy...
Remember when we
were like that?
Not a single care
or worry on our minds...
How each day lasted
an eternity, filled
with newness, fun
and excitement...
Serge:
That was...a long time ago.
(Like back before our dads
both disappeared...)
Leena:
But the important thing now
is not our childhood but
my Komodo-scale necklace!!!
YES!
We have to face up
to reality and live
each day anew!!!
Serge:
(Here we go again...)
Leena:
So, I want you to go
to Lizard Rock and
get some scales for me!
I would join you, but
I still have to watch
the kids...
It's your fault you were late!
Once you collect some
Komodo dragon scales,
I'll catch up with you
at Opassa Beach.
Serge:
(To be fair, if she could
come, she WOULD do some of
the work--she's no slacker.
But I really don't understand
while all the girls are so
crazy over those silly scales.)
Leena:
Is that OK with you, Serge?
-->Sure, no problem! | -->Nah, forget it...
|
Leena: | Leena:
Good! | EXCUSE ME!?
That's what I | What did you just say?
wanted to hear! | Hm? Serge!?
OK, then! | Think about it!
Don't just stand around! | It's your fault for
Go collect some scales | sleeping in, you know!
at Lizard Rock. | Seeing as how you let
Let's see... | me down, I'd say you
I think 3 should be enough. | owe me a couple hundred
Good luck, Serge! | of those scales!
I'm counting on you! | Now go! Go to Lizard
| Rock and get some
Serge: | scales for me!
(I am such a sucker...but | I'll let you off easy this
I like to see her smile.) | time with only 3 scales.
| I'm counting on you, Serge.
| Good luck, OK?
|
| Serge:
| (Urgh. Leena the Dragon strikes
| again! Well, I suppose I don't
| have a choice.)
Leena:
Once you get the
scales, wait for me
at Opassa Beach.
It's just a bit south
of Lizard Rock.
I'll come by as soon as
I'm done baby-sitting!
Serge:
I'll look forward to it.
(As if I'd forget where to
find Opassa...)
-
Serge:
(To be fair, if she could
come, she WOULD do some of
the work--she's no slacker.
But I really don't understand
while all the girls are so
crazy over those silly scales.)
The wording there seems awkward...Is it "while all the girls..." or "why all the girls"?
Anyhow, this seems pretty solid. Heh, even with this small addition of lines Serge seems radically different--in a good way. So far everything seems okay, it looks like you're making Serge out to be a regular Joe, in terms of dialog. Keep at it; once there's more to read I'll offer [more] criticism.
-
Oops... Yep, it's supposed to be "why". Don't know how that managed to sneak through to this stage.
I've always thought that Serge should start out as just an ordinary guy, with his character changing and maturing over the course of the game--which isn't the sort of thing that's easy to put across with a "silent protagonist" dumb-show.
-
It sounds really good! I like Serge's lines--mental and verbal.
-
Thanks. If people keep encouraging me, I may even get around to tackling the remainder of the script.
3. Opassa Beach - A calling from beyond time...
Max recruits: Serge only.
Recruitable: None.
==========================================================
Opassa Beach (Home)
==========================================================
[Leena]
There you are!
[She comes in from offscreen to stand
beside Serge.]
Leena:
Sorry I'm late.
I hope you didn't
wait too long, Serge.
Serge:
Just a few minutes--really,
it isn't a big deal.
Leena:
It sure has been a long time
since we last came here...
We used to come all the time.
Serge:
(Before I almost drowned that
time... She's right: that WAS
a while ago. I don't think I've
been back here since.)
Leena:
Well? How'd it go?
Did you get the
Komodo dragon scales?
Serge:
Well, there were a few monsters,
but it wasn't really a big deal.
[He hands her the scales.]
Leena:
Oh, they're beautiful!
I'll be able to make a
great necklace with these.
Leena:
Thank you,
Serge!
Serge:
You're welcome. (Mostly. I
still think she should have
gotten them herself. I mean,
I'm not really her boyfriend,
despite what everyone thinks--
it's just that we've known each
other forever...)
Leena:
The sea never changes,
does it...?
It's been rolling in and out,
like this, since long before
we were born.
It's been here for eternity,
it seems...
It's probably seen many things...
Heard many things...
It'll probably keep rolling
in and out, in and out,
long after our lifetime...
Without a single change...
Leena:
Hey, Serge...
Remember we used to
sit and talk like this
when we were kids?
With the gentle sea
breeze and the tranquil
sound of the waves?
Just the two of us...
Talking...
Leena:
Do you still remember that day?
~~~I don't remember | ~~~I remember
|
Leena: | Leena:
Oh... | Really!?
Then I guess you forgot | You do...?
about the promise we made... |
| Serge:
Serge: | Of course I do. (Actually, I
Sorry. (Yeah, I remember that | have no idea what she's talking
day--but the water's really the | about, but whatever. I don't
only thing I remember about it.) | want to disappoint her.)
|
Leena: | Leena:
Well, I guess it | So, Serge, you
can't be helped. | haven't forgotten
We were so young... | about the promise
On top of that, you almost | we made that day!?
drowned back then. | Hehee......
It was a traumatic time for you. | That makes me...
| happy.
Serge: |
(Just a little bit, maybe, | Serge:
do you think?! | (Ulp! I hope it wasn't)
...No, that's unfair. It was a | anything important!)
while ago, and I guess I should |
have gotten over it by now.) |
Leena:
But aren't
memories strange?
Just when you think that
you've forgotten about
something, it comes floating
back into your heart.
I guess it's just lying
there in wait.
Waiting for that right
moment...
Leena:
Why, we might even
remember this very
moment someday!
In 10, 20 years...when we're
all grown up and married,
and have kids of our own...
Serge:
(Whoa! Married? KIDS?! Aren't
you in a bit of a hurry here,
Leena?)
Leena:
Then one day...
When that time comes,
I wonder what kind of
adults we'll be?
What kind of life
will I be leading...?
[Leena]
I wonder what to make of this day...?
~~~We'll forget it eventually | ~~~We'll never forget this day!
|
Leena: | Leena:
Yeah...... | Yeah...
I guess so...... | I hope you're right.
But...... |
That would be |
really sad... |
wouldn't it? |
|
Serge: |
(I don't get it. "Sad"? It's |
just another ordinary day.) |
Leena:
Um, Serge...
There's been something
I've been wanting to...
[Kid, across the dimensions]
Serge......
[Serge looks around, puzzled by the mysterious voice.]
Serge:
What the heck was that?!
Leena:
What?
What's wrong, Serge?
Leena:
Serge?
Serge:
What the...? This is....?!
[FMV: Serge's panther vision.]
[The world warps around Serge, and he faints.]
----------------------------------------------------------
[Opassa Beach (Another)
----------------------------------------------------------
[Old Man]
What are you doing there,
boy? It's dangerous
to sleep out here.
[Serge wakes up on the beach to see an old man and a baby Komodo dragon near
him.]
Serge:
Wha...? What just happened?
[Old Man]
You alright, boy?
What on earth are you
doing lying down, anyway?
For a second there,
I thought you might
have been a dead body,
washed ashore.
Serge:
Urgh... No, but I think I'd feel
better if I WERE dead. My head
hurts.
[Serge gets up, and looks around for Leena.]
Serge:
Leena? Are you there? Leena?
Damnit, this isn't funny!
[Old Man]
Huh? Leena...?
You were the only one
I saw when I got here.
Are you a friend of
Leena's?
I believe she's in the
village, babysitting.
Serge:
(I don't believe it--she just
abandoned me here?! Okay, so I
got up a bit late, but I got her
her stupid scales anyway, didn't
I?! Why this, all of a sudden?)
[Old Man]
Well, I'd best be on my way.
Anyway, if you're looking for Leena,
you should stop by the village.
You know, you shouldn't
be playing out here, boy.
Wouldn't want anything to
happen to you, now.
-
Ooh, very nice! This Serge is so enjoyable, and funny too. Even in these few lines, you did quite well in capturing the essence of a seventeen year-old seafaring kid. I already feel like he'll get hardened by all the upcoming tribulations he's going to face.
Keep at it!
-
Now you're starting to make me worry that I may not be able to make further sections of this thing live up to its early promise. :lol: But I actually sat down last night and completed the Guile-as-Viper-Manor-Guide chapter (and started on Nikki's). I may even get as far as Guldove one of these days.
-
4. Arni Village - Nothing has changed but everything!
Max recruits: Serge only.
Recruitable: None.
=====================================================
Serge's House, Arni (Another)
=====================================================
[Young Man]
Huh...?
Who the...?
What are you doing
in my house?
My house isn't a playground
for you kids, alright?
Go play outside.
Serge:
YOUR house? Since when?
Doesn't Marge live here?
[Young Man]
Huh...?
Who?
Marge...?
Who the heck's that?
I've lived in this
house for 5 years now.
Sorry, that name
doesn't ring a bell.
Serge:
(What the hell is going on here?
My mother just VANISHES in the
time it takes me to get to
Opassa and back? I wasn't
unconscious THAT long, was I?)
====================================================
Pier, Arni (Another)
====================================================
Serge:
Leena! Finally! Maybe
you can help me make sense
out of all this! Dumping me
on the beach was a mean trick,
by the way. Don't do it again,
okay?
Leena:
Who are you?
Have we met somewhere
before...?
Are you from Termina?
Serge:
(What the...? She doesn't
recognize me either?)
Leena, it's ME, Serge!
Leena:
I'm sorry, but I don't
know you--or anyone else
named Serge, for that
matter. Unless...
[Boy]
HEEEY!
Yeah, YOU!
Don't be tryin' to
pull any moves on
our Leena, you jerk!
Leena:
Don't be silly!
Don't go swimming out
too far now, you hear!?
[Boy]
Ooookay!
Gotcha!
Leena:
Kids...
I guess kids
will be kids...
Leena:
Don't worry
about them.
Serge:
Damnit, Leena... How can you not
know who I am? If this is a
joke, it isn't funny!
Leena:
I think that's my line, Serge...
or whatever your name really is.
Leena:
Hmmm...
You know...
You look a lot like
the boy who used to
live next door to me...
Leena:
That boy...
died......
He drowned...
when he was very young...
This all happened 10 years ago.
Leena:
Soon after, his
mother passed
away, too...
I was still very young
back then, so I don't
remember too well, but
my mom says his name was...
Leena:
...Serge...
Serge:
I keep telling you, I'M
Serge!
Leena:
......!?
You're Serge!?
Do you think sick jokes like
this are funny?
The boy is dead, don't you
understand!?
Serge:
...I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to hurt your feelings, but
I'm...really confused. I mean,
I fainted on Opassa Beach a
couple of hours ago, and now
everyone in Arni says they don't
know me, when I've lived here
all my life! Even worse, now
you're telling me that I'm
d...d...DEAD! And that my Mom's
dead too!
Maybe I'm crazy, I don't know,
but something is VERY wrong!
[Serge is waving his hands around in the air and
generally acting like a raving lunatic.]
Leena:
Okay, okay, calm down. Sheesh,
you're as bad as the little
kids.
...Look, if you still don't
believe me about Serge, why
don't you go have a look at
his grave? It's on Cape Howl.
Then, when you've convinced
yourself that you can't be
Serge, come back here, and I'll
help you ask around and see if
we can find someone who knows
who you really are, okay?
Serge:
Um... Well, I guess it's
somewhere to start. Thanks,
Leena.
(If I find that grave, I'll
know for SURE that I'm crazy.
And I don't even know which
answer I'm hoping for!)
Leena:
Don't mention it.
[Serge leaves, headed for Cape Howl. As he exits, the camera
pans momentarily back to Leena.]
Leena:
That boy--the real Serge...
I guess I kinda liked him...
If that boy were still
alive today, I wonder
what would've become of us?
-
What're you worrying for? Things are already on a nice track. Just look at Serge's growth when dealing with Leena: he goes from being a pissy kid, to someone almost actualized enough to consider himself insane. And that line "and I don't even know which answer I'm hoping for" is perfect for his situation--humorously cocky, yet fundamentally childish.
I think this is coming quite naturally for ya.
-
I agree with mav.Nothing to be said here again.
The script afterward are self-considered as the hardest part because you need to write a good and plausible motive regarding
why he join Kid and gone through all those adventure afterward. If you manage to attain those requirement and keep the consistency along the script, you are officially my favorite writer.
Good luck !
-
Hey, good job giving Serge's character some depth. That was a really big problem for me when I played CC--being unable to get a look into the protagonist's head. I mean, hey, he's fallen through dimensions, met a bunch of dragons, and remains dumb as a log throughout it all. I couldn't get any sense of character growth, which was bad. Your Serge is really shaping up to be somebody likable and realistic, in contrast. Lookin' forward to more!
-
Thanks for the encouragement, guys.
5. Cape Howl - A reminder of one's former self...
Max recruits: Serge only.
Recruitable: Kid.
=================================================
Cape Howl (Another)
=================================================
[Serge examines the tombstone at the summit of Cape Howl]
[Tombstone]
There's some writing
on the tombstone.
~~~ R.I.P. ~~~
Our beloved Serge
~~ Died age 7 ~~
~ Nobody can take ~
anything away from him.
~Nor can anyone give~
~~anything to him.~~
What came from the sea,
has returned to the sea.
Serge:
What the...?! It's...real?
I'm...DEAD?!
[Karsh]
So you must be Serge...
The ghost of the boy
who died 10 years ago.
[Karsh walks up with the Idiot Brigade in tow]
Serge:
I'm Serge, but I don't think
I'm a ghost.
(These people know who I am
and were expecting to find me
here? The more that happens,
the less sense this all makes!)
Karsh:
Whatever. If you're Serge, then
you're the one General Viper's
guest wants.
[Solt/Peppor]
But, Sir Karsh...
Do you think it is truly true
that this chap is a ghost?
He seems like a perfectly
perfect young boy to me...
Karsh:
That doesn't matter!
We found the boy here,
just as '"he"' said we
would, didn't we?
Karsh:
Now seize him!
Serge:
(Damnit, this keeps getting
worse and worse! Now some
GENERAL wants me?!)
[They approach Serge.]
[Kid]
Hold yer sea horses!!!
[FMV: Kid's intro]
Serge:
(Waitaminute! She's the one
from my dream! The one I...
Damnit, this doesn't make any
sense EITHER.)
Karsh:
Who the...?
Karsh:
Outta the way, missy!
You don't wanna get
hurt, now, do you?
[Kid]
Shut yer trap!
You're the ones who'd
betta get outta the way.
Dragoon:
...You have a problem!?
Do you have a shakin' idea
who you're dealing with, missy?
Karsh:
That's enough!!!
Karsh:
Listen up, junior!
Our orders are to
take you in.
Serge:
I'm not going anywhere with you.
If you meant me any good,
you'd tell me what's going on!
Karsh:
Really? Fine, then. I guess
this axe o' mine will have
to do the talkin'.
Girl:
For cryin' out loud...
Would ya just shut up
and get on with it...!
I'm gonna kick yer
sorry arses so hard
you'll kiss the moons!
Karsh:
Fair enough...
You leave us no choice.
You'll regret this, missy!
[Combat is engaged. I'm not going to bother changing the
Idiot Brigade's element tutorial, so I'm snipping it.]
[When Karsh et al. lose]
Peppor:
S-Sir Karsh!
I say we shake it on outta
here, so that we can live
to fight another day!
Th-These aren't no
ordinary brats we're
dealing with...!
Karsh:
Damn cowards!
Karsh:
As for you, missy...!
We won't forget this!
Girl:
Oooh, I'm sooo scaaared!
I'll be happy to take
you on, anytime!
Think I'll lose to scum
like you!? Hah!
Girl:
You alright, mate?
Serge:
Yeah, I think so--I mean,
I'm confused, but I'm not
hurt.
Girl:
Serge...
Your name's Serge,
ain't it?
Serge:
How did you know that?
Girl:
Those idiots were just
telling it to the whole
island, mate!
Serge:
Oh yeah, right. Um, what's
your name?
Girl:
Oh, me?
My name's...
[Name screen]
Kid:
Call me '"Kid."'
Nice to meet ya.
Serge:
Same here, but... Why did you
save me? I mean, you don't
know me from King Guardia!
Kid:
I just couldn't stand by
and watch those blokes
gang up on you like that.
They just pissed the
bloody hell outta me.
I wish I could've beat
'em up some more!
Serge:
(Great. She's the violent type,
like Leena...but I thought she
was a thief?)
(No, stupid, that's from the
dream. Try to focus.)
Kid:
But why was that
mob after ya?
Serge:
I have no idea. I've never
seen any of them before...
but it fits right in with
all the other freaky stuff
that's been happening to
me today.
Kid:
Whaddaya mean you've never
even met 'em before? Eh?
Ahhh, forget it.
Kid:
Hey, Serge....!
How about you and me
team up for a while?
That Karsh fella ain't
gonna just leave you alone,
that's for sure!
Kid:
And to tell ya the truth,
I'm new to these islands...
It's pretty lonely travelin'
around here on me own.
Hehehe...
Kid:
So, how 'bout it,
Serge?
Perhaps it was fate
that we would meet
up like this!
~~~Travel together | ~~~Refuse...
|
Serge: | Kid:
(Well, I DO owe her for | Hang on!
giving me a hand with |
those guys. And if I | Kid:
decide to go after them, | Are you tellin' me, you're gonna
it would be nice to have | refuse the company of a lonely,
some help. | vulnerable, sweet little girl?
|
...I just hope she doesn't | Serge:
get mad as easily as | (I can't tell her that I don't
Leena.) | want to get too close to her
| 'cause I dreamed of killing her.)
Kid: | Hey, I don't know you, and
Beauty, mate! | judging from what you did to
That decides it then! | these guys, it seems like you
We're real good mates now! | can be pretty dangerous.
|
Kid: | Kid:
Anyways, it'll be | Sheesh, talk about yer back-
gettin' dark soon. | handed compliments.
I suggest we head to |
Arni and shack up | Kid:
for the night! | I'll be headin' up north
| to a town called Termina.
Kid: |
Oh, and Serge. | Kid:
Don't go tryin' any | It'll be gettin'
funny stuff just | dark pretty soon.
coz I'm cute 'n all! | I suggest ya go find
| a place to shack up
Serge: | for the night.
(And if I tell her she isn't | Don't want ya to become
THAT cute, she'll probably | Heckran bait, now.
try to fillet me with that | Hehehe...
knife of hers. Just like |
Leena. Why me?) | Kid:
| Well...
| See ya!
[muttermumble flippin' decision tree--I don't think there's any
need to give the player two chances to take/refuse Kid, since this
is for people who've already played through the original game...]
-
[muttermumble flippin' decision tree--I don't think there's any
need to give the player two chances to take/refuse Kid, since this
is for people who've already played through the original game...]
I agree--turning Kid down once is enough.
I do have a couple suggestions/criticisms though...First off, Serge should be even more shocked that the tombstone was real--he needs to have that "I'm not in Kansas anymore" realization. Likewise maybe you should exploit the sexual tension between Serge and Kid a little more. I like that he's already comparing her to Leena, maybe his mind should take it a step further? Or maybe not...
-
The sexual tension is supposed to build slowly, so nothing more on that front for a little while--possibly not until Guldove.
As for the other, I think I wrote it the way I did with the idea that Karsh would interrupt Serge before he managed to really freak out, but perhaps you're right. Attempted re-write:
Serge:
What the...?! It's...real?
I'm...DEAD?!
[He falls to his knees]
This...this is...I don't...
What HAPPENED? I...I
couldn't...be someone else
...could I? But...I know
Arni, I RECOGNIZED the
people there. I KNOW I
lived there. Why didn't
they...? And now this...
[Karsh]
So you must be Serge...
The ghost of the boy
who died 10 years ago.
[Karsh walks up with the Idiot Brigade in tow]
Serge:
I... (Gotta stop freaking
out--this guy doesn't look
too friendly. Deep breaths,
right. I'm NOT buried under
that stone, I'm alive, and
I'm going to stay that way
if I have anything to say
about it!)
[He gets to his feet.]
I'm Serge, but I don't think
I'm a ghost.
(These people know who I am
and were expecting to find me
here? The more that happens,
the less sense this all makes!)
-
Very nice. I understand what you were doing before, but in my opinion it wouldn't take too long to freak out about being dead--Serge's rewritten reaction seems mighty appropriate. And I guess it's fine that you're not taking advantage of that sexual tension. I guess that's where Serge and I differ: if saw a girl that looked like Kid when I was seventeen, and she mentioned "shacking up" I'd be going ballistic with completely inappropriate thoughts.
Hah, I guess this says more about me than it does about Serge.
-
Serge is still pretty much mute, seeing as how a lot of his dialogue is internal, hahaha...
-
Heh. Well, I didn't think making him a chatterbox was appropriate.
Re: shacking up--It's the slang meaning of that phrase in North America
(which may not exist in El Nido) that's giving you those dirty thoughts,
I'd bet. ;P
The Serge/Leena dialog here is a bit rocky in spots, but I haven't yet
figured out how to fix it.
6. Heading North - In search of some answers...
Max recruits: Serge, Kid.
Recruitable: Leena (if Kid didn't join).
===========================================================
Cape Howl (Another)
===========================================================
[If they revisit the gravestone together (I think)]
Kid:
Is this yer grave, mate!?
Serge:
That's what it says.
Kind of freaks me out.
Am I really the ghost
of someone who died
10 years ago?
Kid:
What!? You died
10 years ago?
Serge:
That's what people keep
telling me, and I'm still
not sure I'm not the one
who's crazy.
Kid:
Whatever, mate.
Look at you. You're
as fit as a fiddle!
Kid:
So what exactly happened
to ya 10 years ago?
You don't remember?
~~~No, I don't | ~~~Yes, I do
|
Kid: | Kid:
Yeah, I didn't think so. | You remember!?
You were just a li'l squirt | You do!?
10 years ago. | But you were just a li'l
Of course you don't remember. | squirt 10 years ago.
Oh, well... | How can ya remember
No worries, mate. | that far back?
It's perfectly normal. |
| Serge:
Kid: | Well, it was kind of a
Cheer up, eh? | memorable day.
We'll find out what's | I almost drowned, and
goin' on soon enough. | a couple of days later,
| my father disappeared.
Kid: |
No worries, mate. | Kid:
| ...Yeah, that musta been
| some day, from the sound
| of it.
Serge:
Um, Kid?
Kid:
Yeah?
Serge:
I wasn't going to tell you this,
but if we're going to be
travelling together, you
probably should know. You see,
for the past few weeks, I've
been having this recurring dream
about this fortress. You and I
and some other person are trying
to get through it to somewhere.
And the dream always, always
ends with me stabbing you.
Kid:
What...?
That's kind of freaky, but...
A fortress, you say?
Serge:
It doesn't make much sense to
me, either, but it kind of
worries me.
Kid:
Git off it!
Don't make me laugh!
She'll be right, mate.
I don't go down that
easy, ya know?
================================================
Serge's House, Arni (Another)
================================================
[If Kid wasn't recruited]
[Leena opens the window blinds in Serge's room]
Leena:
Rise and shine!
A new day awaits!
Serge:
Ugh...
Leena:
I'm glad I found
you here, though.
Serge, right...?
Kinda feels odd
calling you that...
Leena:
You know...
I've been thinking...
Maybe you had some kind of
accident and hit your head.
That's why your memory's
all messed up.
You're really someone else,
but you think you're the
Serge who died 10 years ago.
Serge:
(That would explain everything
except why I remember Arni, but
no one here recognizes me. And
then there's Karsh and his
friends...but maybe whoever
told them where to find me knew
that I'd think I was Serge?
Aack, I think my brain's going
to explode!)
Leena:
I want to help you.
I can't just leave
you alone like this.
And...
You don't seem like
such a bad person, either...
You're planning to go
to Termina, right?
Serge:
Well, yeah--I'm kind of
hoping that someone there
can tell me what's going on.
(And I'm hoping that, if I
understand what happened, I
can fix it and bring Mom
back.)
Leena:
Then let me join you.
I have some errands
to run over there, anyway.
Leena:
And to tell you
the truth...
It feels like I've
always known you...
Sounds strange,
doesn't it?
Serge:
...No, it doesn't sound
strange at all.
[System]
Leena joined your party!
Leena:
Well, that's that!
Shall we get going?
Leena:
OK!
Let's head to
Termina!
----------------------------------
[If Kid was recruited]
Kid:
Oi!
Let's get our arses
down to Termina!
Serge:
(Termina...I really
hope someone there knows
what's going on. It's pretty
obvious no one in Arni does!
I just hope that, once I
figure everything out, I can
put it back the way it was.
I don't want Mom to be
dead!)
Kid:
Oh yeah, mate...
I nearly forgot...
Let me give ya this.
It's a Tele-Porter.
You'll be able to switch
yer party members from afar.
A real handy gadget.
All you have to do is...
Ahh, it's a pain in the
arse to explain...
Look it up in the Menu.
Serge:
Thanks.
[System]
Serge received
Tele-Porter!
===============================================
Leena's House, Arni (Another)
===============================================
[If Leena was recruited, and not Kid.}
[Leena's Grandma]
Why, Leena.
Do you know this boy?
I haven't seen him
around before...
You already have him
under your thumb?
Serge:
Er... (She's still the
same busybody as ever.)
Leena:
No, grandma!
It's not like
that at all!
======================================================
Fossil Valley (Another)
======================================================
[I've left Skelly's intro in because I may want to
do something with him later on. Or not. We'll see.]
[Skelly]
~!!!~
[Skelly]
Nyak-nyak-nyak!
Looks like I'm causin'
quite a stir.
I've been waitin'
forever for someone
like you!
Serge:
Like me? (Oh, man, what now?
I've had enough of this crazy
stuff.)
[Skelly]
Yeah, I know.
You and I are
both dead, eh?
I don't know how I
ended up like this...
I don't have a body and
I don't remember a thing!
You understand what I'm
goin' thru, don't ya?
Serge:
Well, some of it, anyway.
(I guess I could have ended
up worse off after all...)
[Skelly]
But I have a feelin'
everything will come
back to me once I
find my body parts.
So, how 'bout it?
Will ya help me find my body?
~~~Sure | ~~~Not my thing...
|
Nyak-nyak-nyak!!! | Fine...
Yeah!? | I guess you don't
I'm heavier than I look, | wanna carry around
but I hope ya don't mind! | a talkin' skull, eh?
And don't swing me | Well, have it your way.
around too much. | Sorry, I frightened ya.
I start feelin' nauseous. | It's about time I left
| these parts, anyway.
[Member] received | See ya...
Heavy Skull! |
[Back down near the exit from the valley...]
Peppor:
Shake it!
W-We can't just shake it on
back to the manor like this...
We failed in our mission!
Solt:
That was awfully awful,
back there, Peppor.
I want a rematch!
Peppor:
B-By the way...
Do you remember
what kinda outfit
he was shakin'?
Solt:
Hmmm...
Solt:
Just something justly
like that, Peppor!
Peppor:
O-Oh, you remember.
So he looked like that, huh?
Solt:
Actually, it is him, Peppor!
Peppor:
S-So you're sure about that?
Serge:
Oh, it's you two. (These guys
are hopeless.)
Solt:
Wonderfully
wonderful timing, Peppor!
Peppor:
L-Let's shake it!
W-We're really gonna
shake it to you
this time!!!
Solt:
Come at us with all
your mightily might!
Peppor:
W-We're really gonna
shake it to you
this time!!!
Serge:
(They couldn't do it WITH that
guy Karsh's help, so how do they
think they're going to manage
alone?)
[Combat. Again, I'm skipping the idiots' tutorial.]
Solt:
Retreat!!!
Peppor:
L-Let's shake it on
outta here!
-
Overall, that was pretty good. Only one part seemed a bit off (I bolded the parts in question):
Kid:
What...?
That's kind of freaky, but...
A fortress, you say?
The wording doesn't sound like Kid...to me at least...Maybe you should alter what was in the original script?
Kid:
Git off it!
Don't make me laugh!
She'll be right, mate.
I don't go down that
easy, ya know?
This seems like a non sequitur. Who's "she"? It's in the original script too, I just have no idea what Kid means by this statement--if you could shed some light, that'd help.
-
Overall, that was pretty good. Only one part seemed a bit off (I bolded the parts in question):
Kid:
What...?
That's kind of freaky, but...
A fortress, you say?
The wording doesn't sound like Kid...to me at least...Maybe you should alter what was in the original script?
I never was happy with that line... Hmmm.
Kid:
What...?
You dreamed of stabbin' me?
You sure your head's stuck on
straight, mate?
Kid:
Git off it!
Don't make me laugh!
She'll be right, mate.
I don't go down that
easy, ya know?
This seems like a non sequitur. Who's "she"? It's in the original script too, I just have no idea what Kid means by this statement--if you could shed some light, that'd help.
I stumbled across the answer to that one just this morning--it's Aussie slang. We would say, "Everything's gonna be all right," or something along those lines.
-
alfadorredux, I really liked your dialogue and giving each character a voice and the conflicts you put them through. I liked Serge's realization of finding his own grave site from year back. I especially liked your idea for those pun names, Solt and Peppor.
It felt kind of hard to separate the voices of Serge and Leena, though. Try making their voices sound more unique. In fact, do to Leena'd and Serge's voices what you did with Dragoon's and Karsh's. That would be a vast improvement.
Also, you have the tendency of putting subtext into your dialogue (subtext is unspoken text; it's what they mean, but don't say).
Your most prominent examples (in bold) include :
2. Arni Village - Where the tides start to turn...
Leena:
You're late, Serge.
Sleeping in as usual,
I suppose?
Leena:
EXCUSE ME!?
What did you just say?
Hm? Serge!?
Think about it!
It's your fault for
sleeping in, you know!
Seeing as how you let
me down, I'd say you
owe me a couple hundred
of those scales!
Now go! Go to Lizard
Rock and get some
scales for me!
I'll let you off easy this
time with only 3 scales.
I'm counting on you, Serge.
Good luck, OK?
Leena:
Oh, they're beautiful!
I'll be able to make a
great necklace with these.
See what I'm getting at? Cut the fat where it really counts, but don't overdo it.
Finally, there are instances of "on-the-nose" dialogue. I.E. it's implying that the characters don't know what they're talking about until they're told from the character.
Examples (in bold):
2. Arni Village - Where the tides start to turn...
Marge:
Good morning,
Serge.
You're finally up.
The sun's already
reached high noon.
Marge:
Leena came by to see if
you were up, but you,
young man, were still
off in never-never land.
You are a great writer, and I'm not trying to shoot you down or anything like that. Taking this criticism and making it work for you will greatly improve your writing. I guarantee it.
-
More exactly the dialogue was left unchanged, actually. It is that way in the game.
-
Yeah, all italicized dialogue is from the original game.
Anyway, I've always found it a little weird that Serge would tell some strange girl right off the bat that he dreamed of stabbing her...wouldn't this scene be more appropriate if left to the final level of Fort Dragonia? It's even odder that Serge shows no reaction in the game when he starts to relive his dream...
-
I admit to not having been too careful about correcting the smaller infelicities in dialog from the original game--doing so wasn't my major purpose in writing this, so if a given line makes sense and doesn't get in the way of what I'm trying to do, I've mostly been leaving it alone. I can't take credit for Solt and Peppor, either.
About Serge telling Kid about the dream: I'm going to leave that there for now. I may reassess when I get as far as Fort Dragonia. Certainly, Serge is going to freak out when he realizes that his dream is coming to life. (One of the thing that irks me about CC is that Serge often doesn't even react non-verbally in places where it would be appropriate--there are times when just having him move his head as though he's looking around a room, or take a step back from something, or fall to his knees, would do vast amounts for making him look less like some kind of wooden doll, but they just didn't bother.)
-
Kid:
What...?
You dreamed of stabbin' me?
You sure your head's stuck on
straight, mate?
Fantastic. Though I do agree with anonymouse, about it being awkward to mention already, I can see why you did that. Alternatively he could hint about the dream, without mentioning the stabbing and then he can finally mention it at Fort Dragonia. Although it's worth note that in the original script Kid mentions the dream here ("What...? Ya had a strange dream? You say ya might end up hurtin' me!?"), so obviously Serge did bring it up...
Oh and good find with the Aussie slang.
-
The slang thing was a bit of a lucky find, actually--I tripped over it while trying to help a friend with her Chrono fanfic.
Anyway, this is the last chapter of the script that I have finished, but because of its length and construction, I'm splitting it into three parts. This is the section common to all the paths into Viper Manor (and even though I've ruthlessly cut chunks of interaction with people who are now NPCs, it's more than twice the length of any of the previous chapters). I'll be posting Guile's path to Viper Manor tomorrow and Nikki's the day after...and after that, you may have to bear with me for a bit.
7. The Port Town of Termina - The pride of the Acacia Dragoons...
Max recruits:[/B] Serge, Kid or Leena.
Recruitable:[/B] Kid (if she didn't join earlier), Guile or Nikki. (I'm ditching
Pierre's branch for the present, although I may attempt to tackle it sometime in
the future. In any case, he has the least story-potential of the three guides,
since Guile is linked with Magus.)
I've toned Korcha's dialect down, in an attempt to make him sound
uneducated but not idiotic.
====================================================
Termina (Another)
====================================================
[This happens right as Serge arrives in Termina, at the
flower stall to the left of the gate.]
[Woman]
Sorry, I'm totally
out of bellflowers.
There's a big ruckus
down in Fossil Valley.
Men from the dragoons
were setting road
blocks in the valley.
I'll get some in a
few days, so come
back again then.
Young man:
......
You have my sincerest apologies.
I understand we are here
to protect you as Acacia
Dragoons...
Those knights should be done
with their work shortly.
[Woman]
Oh, that's alright.
I can get my flowers
from other places, too.
Never mind that,
I haven't seen Karsh
around here lately.
How is he doing?
Young man:
Well...
He said he was going ghost-has
hunting down south.
I'm just a private, so I do
not know for certain, but I
heard a rumor that Lord
Viper ordered him to go.
[Woman]
A ghost!?
Now that is something...
I just hope it's not a
sign of a coming disaster.
If you ever see him,
give him my regards.
Young man:
I will do that.
And I will be back, too.
[Glenn--the "Young Man"--walks away.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is in the party]
Kid:
Oi, did ya hear that?
Karsh is that bastard
we saw at the cape!?
And that ghost he's
huntin'...
Ain't that you, mate?
Serge:
I guess it must be.
Kid:
That means the Dragoons
must know something. Let's
poke around and see if we can
find out what it is!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid has not been recruited, this scene happens a
little later on (with an additional variation if Serge
and Leena have already been to the inn?)
Kid:
Gawd, you're slow!?
Ya made me wait forever.
Makin' a lovely lady like......!?
Serge:
Um...sorry.
Kid:
Ahaa......
So that's it.
Kid:
I get it!
This sheila over here
is yer sweetie, eh?
I'm right, ain't I?
Serge:
No, no, it isn't like that
at all! (Is she...actually
jealous?)
Leena:
I'm just helping him out.
Kid:
No need to be shy!
I'm not so bold as to break
up lovers' tender moments.
Serge:
I told you, we're not... Ah,
forget it. (Why don't girls
ever listen to what you're
telling them?!)
Kid:
I'm understandin'...
I'll wait until yer little
date's over.
Kid:
Boy, you amaze me.
Oh well, I guess it ain't
such a bad idea to walk
around and clear up ya
mind a bit.
Kid:
But geez,
to go straight to the
inn with a young girl...
You're pretty slick
for such an innocent
lookin' boy!
Leena:
You know, comments like
that say more about the
person who's making them
than the one she's making
them to...
Kid:
Well then,
have a bloody good time...!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[I'm not sure to whom this next line belongs. It sounds
like something the old statue-polisher would say,
but isn't tagged for him in the script I'm using
as a base.]
Alright,
all squeaky clean.
It's got to be
extra clean for the
coming festivities.
[Old Man]
Master Viper...
I'm here to polish your
statue again!!!
Have you folks come to
see the Viper Festival?
Serge:
Yeah, that's right. (It isn't
like I can tell him I'm trying
to figure out why the Dragoons
think I'm a ghost...)
[Old Man]
Termina is peaceful thanks
to the watchful eye of our
Master Viper.
At times warm,
at times strict,
Master Viper watches over
us always.
With that said, of course
the real Master Viper
resides in his manor, along
with his Acacia Dragoons.
Serge:
(The manor, huh? Sounds like
my answers might be there...)
[Old Man]
If you'll allow me to brag
a little bit, I was invited
to the manor a while back.
It is a magnificent place...
If there is a heaven on earth
that would be it...
Serge:
(This guy's a loon...)
[Old Man]
The manor is beautiful and its
design incorporates the surrounding
terrain to its advantage, making
it an impenetrable fortress.
On top of that, there are powerful
soldiers standing guard in front of
the main gates that can destroy
any monster with just one blow!
Well, an upright citizen
like myself might be invited
to the manor's garden party,
but not so for you folks.
The most you will get is a
cold reception from the gate
guards. Ho ho ho!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is in the party, this will happen. For some reason,
there are a couple of variations of her speech, differing
only by a word or two. ::shrug::]
Kid:
Alright, that's settled!
We've gotta sneak into
Viper Manor.
You gotta find out what
the Acacia Dragoons are
up to, right?
And why that Karsh
bloke was tryin' to
capture ya?
I've got some business
there as well, so I'll
go along with ya.
Serge:
("Business"? If she really is
a thief, I'm not sure I want to
get mixed up in her "business",
but if I'm going to be breaking
into the place anyway...and the
Dragoons HAVE been trying to
kill or capture me... Damnit,
this is complicated!)
Kid:
How 'bout it, Serge?
~~~OK, let's go! | ~~~No, I won't go
|
Kid: | Kid:
It's the obvious | What're ya afraid of?
choice, right? |
| Serge:
Serge: | Not wanting to get
I guess so. | filleted by the Acacia
(Not really, but I don't see | Dragoons isn't good
what else I can do. And if | enough for you?
I don't go with her, I might |
never see Kid again... | Kid:
Why does it feel like that | Don't give me that rubbish.
matters? I barely know her.) | You're a man, aren't ya?
| Don't ya wanna know what
| happened ten years ago,
| and what the hell's goin'
| on right now?
|
| Serge:
| Yeah, but... Breaking and
| entering isn't right. (Man,
| that sounds lame.)
|
| Kid:
| Yer only clues are that
| Acacia Dragoon mob and their
| leader, that Viper bloke.
| Any investigation into the
| Dragoons has gotta start with
| checkin' out Viper's manor.
Kid:
Accordin' to grandpa here,
this Viper Manor's a mighty
large place. Which also means
it'll be easy to break into!
There's gotta be more than
one way in.
Serge:
Um...right. (I like this even
less now...but I still need to
understand what's going on, and
I don't think they'll let me
talk to General Viper if I just
walk up to the gate and ask...)
Kid:
If we don't plan this right,
it'll cost us our lives.
Serge:
(I really wish she hadn't
said that...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid hasn't been recruited yet...]
[I think this variation is used if you haven't
recruited Kid yet, and then refuse to enter Viper Manor
with her. I've never tried that, so I'm just guessing at
the decision tree setup.]
Kid:
What're you afraid of?
...[this is identical to her part of the refusal speech above]...
checkin' out Viper's manor.
Come on Serge,
let's go.
~~~OK, let's do it | ~~~No, I refuse
|
Kid: | Kid:
Gawd, don't trouble me too | Ha, so that's how you're
much, Serge. | gonna be, eh?
According to grandpa here, | You're gonna live the rest
...[etc, etc, as above, Kid joins] | of yer life in the shadows
| as a dead man's ghost.
| Is that right?
|
| Serge:
| I just don't think there's
| any need to--
|
| Kid:
| You'll regret it!!!
| I'm partin' ways with ya
| here.
| But, 'cause I pity ya,
| I'll give ya this just in case.
| It's a Tele-Porter.
| This is a really handy gadget
| that allows ya to exchange
| party members from afar.
| The way ya use it is...
| Ah, forget it.
| Check it out for yerself.
| I hate explainin' the details.
|
| [System]
| Serge received
| Tele-Porter!
|
| Kid:
| Don't ya ever show that
| face of yers again, ya mug!
| See ya!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If you recruit Kid here]
Kid:
Oh yeah, Serge.
I'll leave this in yer
hands, just in case.
It's a Tele-Porter.
This is a really handy gadget
that allows ya to exchange
party members from afar.
The way ya use it is...
Ah, forget it.
Check it out for yerself.
I hate explainin' the details.
Serge:
Thanks. (I don't get it, but
okay.)
Serge received
Tele-Porter!
[System]
Kid joined yer party!
Kid:
Alright then,
call me anytime!
Bob's yer uncle, eh!
==============================================================
Street Right of Entrance, Termina (Another)
==============================================================
[this occurs on first entrance--no changes until the end
except small tweaks to Korcha's accent, which I haven't
marked]
[Kids]
Yahoo!!!
[Strange Woman]
Hello there! Come and
see for yourself!
This is the prize of all prizes,
a rare catch, a live mermaid!
This is what you call a
real treasure.
Remember that, kids.
Unfortunately,
this one isn't for sale.
She's my most valuable item.
[She uncovers the tank]
So, what do you think?
This isn't some stuffed
animal or anything.
She's really alive.
Her pure, clear skin, like it's
made from crystal. Her gem-like
eyes. She is the ultimate
collector's item!
Phew...
Nature's creations are
indeed great.
Such a beautiful thing...
[Boy]
Is this thing really alive?
Hey, come on!
Look over this way!!!
[Girl]
Oh, how beautiful she is...
[Korcha pops up and throws a rock at the kids]
[Kids]
Yeow!!!
Ouch!!!
Korcha:
Hey, you!
You think this is really
fun?
How would YOU feel if you
were trapped in a tank
like that, being stared
at every day, huh?
[Kids]
Yikes, it's Korcha!!!
Run!!!
[They run. The woman covers up the tank]
[Strange Woman]
Korcha, not you again!?
Don't you go bothering
my customers.
This is no place for the
likes of you!
Just leave now!!!
Korcha:
Shut up!
What customers!?
You're sellin' a
bunch of bull!
Why didn't ya
keep the tank
uncovered when
I showed up?
Korcha:
Heeey everybody!!!
This shop is a bunch of
boloney!!!
[Strange Woman]
Sh-Shut your mouth!
Don't you say such
ridiculous things!!!
Get back to your demi-human
friends!
Korcha:
Heh, I won't take that from
a sleaze-bag like you!
Korcha:
Hey, you guys.
You're not from around
here, eh?
Don't ya wander around
too much, or you're gonna
get burned.
Just watch your back.
[Korcha jumps down off the walkway onto his boat, and
leaves.]
Serge:
What's with that guy?
[Strange Woman]
That's Korcha!
He's from Guldove.
I wonder why he hangs
around here in Termina
all the time?
You shouldn't mess
with the likes of him!
I tell you...he's
nothing but trouble!
[If they talk to the fortune teller]
[Fortune Teller]
Well this is interesting.
You're not dead or
anything are you?
Serge:
(Oh, great, not her too!)
[Fortune Teller]
Has anybody called you back
from the great beyond?
You just might be the key
to the destruction of this
entire planet.
I can't say for sure, but
fate seems to have a great
task for you.
Be careful now, boy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is in the party]
Kid:
Hey, Serge,
that's nothin' but rubbish.
Let's hurry up and get movin'.
Serge:
It had BETTER be garbage--I'm
not sure I could handle more
weirdness.
[Fortune Teller]
Hmm... You there!
In your eyes, I perceive...
both the look of a beauty
and the look of a beast.
Be mindful not to bring
about your own end, my
dear.
A dream lies in wait,
reaching out to
engulf you.
Kid:
Sorry, mum.
I don't believe in
fortune-tellin' at all.
I make way for me own
future by meself.
Serge:
(Somehow, I knew she'd say
something like that.
...I wonder what she'd say
if I told her she's cute
when she's angry?)
[Fortune Teller]
Lassie, you should listen
to your elder's advice.
Kid:
Ha, I don't give a damn.
Let's go Serge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=========================================================
Shrine Area, Termina (Another)
=========================================================
Young lady:
So, she was out of
flowers...
That is unfortunate.
Then let us pray
without any flowers
for today.
------------------------------------------------
[If you happen to have collected the Bellflower
from Fossil Valley]
Young man:
Hmm...?
[He walks over to Serge]
Young man:
Is that a bellflower
you have there?
Would you be so kind as to
give up that flower to us?
We need a bellflower for
our prayer.
[System]
~~~Give it for free | ~~~Ask for money | ~~~Sorry
| |
Young man: | Young man: | Young man:
For free? | How much would you like for it? | Is there no way you will
Are you sure? | ~~~[Amount] | part with it? We would
| | really like to have it...
Serge: | Young man: |
Well, we don't need it for | That is quite high. | Serge:
anything. Actually, I'm not even | But...I agree. | Uh... (Don't think I
sure why I picked it. | Here, please check the amount. | want anything to do
| | with this guy...)
Young man: | Young man: |
I thank you deeply. | You must be a very kind person | Young lady:
| to part with this flower for | Stop.
[Takes the flower] | so little. | These people are also
| I will always remember your | in need of the flower.
| kindness. | Dear sirs, please pardon
| | us for the interruption.
| [Member] received | We are very sorry.
| [Amount] G from the young man! | Now, let us pray.
| | Without the flowers,
| | all we need is our hearts.
------------------------------------------------
[if you gave them the flower]
Young lady:
Dario, here is a bellflower
that you used to love so much.
Soon, the flower's seeds shall
sprout, grow leaves, and
bloom flowers everywhere.
And we shall age another year,
while you will remain the same,
in memory...
[She puts the flower on the grave]
------------------------------------------------
[This section occurs with or without(?) the
bellflower]
Young man:
Father...
Brother......
Young lady:
It is such a mystery:
this sword never rusts,
even when left in the rain...
It seems as if the souls of
its masters live within it.
Young lady:
Do you not think so,
Glenn?
Glenn:
Yes...
I have engraved in my memory
the lives of my father and
brother, who had wielded the
sacred sword Einlanzer.
Young lady:
Let us hope that is true...
Glenn:
What do you mean by that?
Miss Riddel, I cannot
allow even you to...
Riddel:
Do you not think there is
something odd about the
dragoons of late...?
Daddy's face shows such
anguish, and even Karsh
was saying he was sent
on a '"ghost-hunt"'...
[Glenn]
Miss Riddel...
Riddel:
Everyone has been acting oddly,
ever since that beastly
guest arrived at the manor.
[Glenn]
......
Riddel:
Glenn, promise me
to always keep the
unclouded truth in sight.
Do not be swayed by the
masses.
The splendor of the Einlanzer
must not be tarnished...
[Glenn]
...As you wish.
[Riddel]
Chuckle...
[Glenn]
...?
Riddel:
Oh, forgive me.
I just found it a little
awkward to hear you
say such words...
Chuckle...
Glenn:
......
Miss Riddel,
a chill wind has risen.
Shall we return
to the manor?
Riddel:
Yes...
Of course.
---------------------------------------
[If you gave them the Bellflower?? I've never remembered
to pick the darned thing, so I'm just guessing.]
Young lady:
Please, let me offer you my
gratitude as well.
The souls that rest beneath this
sword loved this flower in life.
That is why we always bring
some here when we pray here...
[Riddel and Glenn leave]
Serge:
You're welcome. (I wish I could
do that for my Dad's spirit...
take something he loved to his
grave...but no one knows what
happened to him. Heck, I don't
even know why Mom insists he's
dead. All anyone else will say
is that he disappeared after
that day...)
----------------------------------------
Korcha:
...and that guy
rushed and hid it as
soon as I got there.
It was a hilarious sight!
[Demi-human]
Hya hya hya,
that's great!
Korcha:
Oops, I've got customers.
Sorry,
I'll get ya some BIG
fish next time you come by.
[Demi-human]
Alright, Korcha.
But is it really gonna
be big this time?
You only ever catch small fry.
Your boating skills are
first class, but your fishing
skills suck...
Korcha:
Aw, shawdup!
[Demi-human]
See ya.
[The demi-human leaves]
Korcha:
Oh it's you guys.
You're tourists, right?
The festival's a waste of time.
My name's Korcha.
I'm here from Guldove,
workin' as a ferryman.
I can take you anywhere
you like with this boat.
I take money, but don't
worry, it's not that much.
My boatin' skills are quite
famous around here, I
guarantee a comfortable ride.
[Depending on who's in the party, with the leftmost person being preferred if s/he's there...
(if Guile is present, the reaction will be completely different--see his sub-script)]
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
We've got business to take | We're kind of busy right | Sorry, but we've still got stuff
care of, so there's no time | now, but we'll keep you | to do in Termina. Maybe later?
for a pleasure cruise. | in mind. |
See ya! | |
Korcha:
Alright.
If you ever want to get
somewhere by boat, swing by.
[Snip Van and Zippa/Zappa, since they aren't plot-
relevant (or, in this version of events, recruitable)]
=================================================
Lisa's Shop, Termina (Another)
=================================================
[If Leena's in the party]
Lisa:
Well, Leena!!!
Long time no see!
How are you?
Since when did YOU have
a boyfriend...
It's not fair to keep
me out of the loop!
Leena:
It's...it's nothing like that.
He's...he's my cousin!!!
Isn't that right, Serge?
~~~Yes | ~~~No
|
Lisa: | Lisa:
Hmmm, a cousin, eh? | Oh, so she's your
Then, Serge, | girlfriend?
how about we leave | Hmmm...
Leena here and you and | Well, if you still
I go on a date? | wanna go on a date,
| that's cool with me!
Serge: |
Well, I'm kind of busy right | Serge:
now. Maybe some other time. | Um... (Damnit, Leena,
(Damn, Leena STILL looks mad.) | say something!)
-----------------------
[If Kid is present]
Kid:
Sorry, sheila, but Serge has
better things to do than
squire you around town!
Lisa:
Oh, sorry--YOU'RE his
girlfriend, then. I thought
you were a boy.
Kid:
A BOY?! You--
[Serge puts his arm between her and the
counter. Just in case.]
------------------------
Leena:
Oh Lisa, stop that nonsense!
Oops, before I forget,
this is for you.
Mom told me to say hi.
Lisa:
Wow, thank you!
Thank your mom for me.
So Miss,
how can I help you today?
Don't expect any special deals
just because we're friends!
[Lisa's Dad]
Why, if it isn't Leena.
What a pleasant surprise!
The little girl I knew is all
grown up now. And what's this?
Have you come to show
your boyfriend off?
Leena:
Oh, you're so silly!
-
Wow...that was extensive. Honestly, I have no criticisms--Serge seemed in character, there were no grammatical hitches (to my knowledge), and everything made sense. I love the fact that Serge doesn't say much in this version, but prefers to keep things internal; it makes him very easy to relate to.
-
Ugh...severe thunderstorms predicted here, and my head feels like someone's pounding
on it with a mallet, which means I'm not likely to get much work done on the Viper Manor
chapter tonight. I might even end up deliberately turning off my computer for the first
time in several years.
7a. Termina to Viper Manor: Guile's Path
Max recruits: Serge, Kid, Leena.
Recruitable: Guile.
====================================================
The Dragon's Tail, Termina (Another)
====================================================
Guile:
My name is Guile.
I am having a certain bet
with the fortune-teller by
the bridge.
If I can bring the item of
proof from the manor
within a week, I shall win.
If I cannot, I shall lose,
but...
Guile:
As there is a trick behind
any mysterious magic...
there is no such thing as an
impregnable fortress in this
world. A toast to my
coming victory...!
Serge:
Are you saying you know a
way into Viper Manor?
Guile:
That is correct...but if I
may ask, what is your interest
in the matter?
Serge:
Well, I need to talk to
General Viper, and I don't
think they're exactly going
to let me through the front
gates...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid's in the party]
Kid:
And the general's got
something I want.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guile:
Hmm, so you have business
at the manor as well...
Interesting!
Gambling is a lot more
interesting with higher
stakes...
What we need now is a
seasoned sailor and
a sturdy boat to cross
the rough waters.
If you can find one,
leave the rest to me.
I will guide you to
Viper Manor.
What will it be?
~~~Ask for his help | ~~~Wait a minute
|
[System] | Guile:
Guile enigmatically joined | I am but a free
your party! | wanderer...
| Call me if you
Guile: | change your mind.
Once you find a boat, |
leave the rest to me. |
I shall guide you. |
I believe the fortune-teller |
said the target for the bet |
is located in the manor's |
mess hall... |
[From this point on, I'm going to assume that Guile was chosen to
join.]
Serge:
(Why does it seem like every
new person I meet lately who
isn't trying to chop me in
two is a thief?)
Guile:
There is no such thing as an
impregnable fortress in this
world.
It is destined to be so...
Guile:
What we need now is a
seasoned sailor and
a sturdy boat.
If you can find one,
leave the rest to me.
I will guide you to
Viper Manor.
[If the Korcha scene has already happened]
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Say, didn't that guy Korcha | Didn't that guy we saw | (I think the guy who complained
have a boat? | earlier have a boat? | about the mermaid had a boat.)
====================================================
Termina (Another)
====================================================
[If the Korcha scene takes place with Guile present, at the
end of it, he will say (if you can call it that):]
Guile:
Hmmm...
[If the fortune teller is approached with Guile in the party]
[Fortune Teller]
Grin...
Sir Guile, how was it?
Did you find the item?
Guile:
Ma'am, do not rush me so.
The deadline is not yet upon us.
I will be going now.
[Fortune Teller]
Ho ho ho, words!
My victory is only a
matter of time!
The item in question is in
the dining room of the manor.
Although, you'll never reach it!
====================================================
Tombs, Termina (Another)
====================================================
Kid: | Serge:
Hey, you. | Can you take us to
We want to get to Viper Manor. | Viper Manor?
Can ya take us there? |
Korcha:
Viper Manor?
What're ya gonna do up in
that place?
Ya gonna go steal treasure
from the vaults or somethin'?
Kid: | Serge:
Don't go snooping into | Uh...
yer customers' privacy. | (Why's he so nosy?)
Are ya gonna take us there |
or what? |
Korcha:
As long as you can pay me,
I'll take you anywhere you
want.
It's just that I don't know
how to get to the manor.
If you want to get there,
bring someone who does.
Guile:
I shall guide you there.
Korcha:
Are ya sure you can get
into a place like that?
Guile:
Yes, trust me.
All you need to do
is prepare the boat.
Korcha:
You got it.
But, it'll cost ya!
It's gonna be 100G.
~~~Pay it | ~~~Don't pay
|
[System] | Korcha:
[Member] paid | !?
Korcha 100G! | What, don't ya
| wanna go?
Korcha: |
Come on, get on board. | Serge:
It's a little tight | Later. We need to do a
with four of us, but it'll | bit more shopping.
be a short trip. |
Don't ya worry about a thing. |
|
[They board the boat] |
====================================================
[Viper Manor Bluffs (Another)]
====================================================
[As they disembark]
Korcha:
Don't ya think it's
pretty dangerous!?
Guile:
Indeed...
Serge:
(You could have mentioned
that before...)
Guile:
We'll make it...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
You sound confident... | Shouldn't we get this | (Guess he likes rock
| over with? | climbing...)
Kid: | |
Alright, let's get | Leena: | Guile:
our arses in gear. | You'd better not look | Shall we go? It would be
| up my skirt, Serge! | best if we were to reach
| | the top before dark.
[They begin the climb. At the top of the cliff...]
[Acacia Dragoon]
HUH!?
INTRUDERS!!!
Begin stone toss!!!
Rrrarghhh!!!
Arghhhhhh!!!
[It starts raining rocks. When everyone makes it to the
top despite the rocks...]
[Acacia Dragoon]
AHHH!
They made it up!?
HA-HA-HAHA-HA...
Let this be the end of you!
Hiiiiya!
[Combat is engaged. When the party wins...]
Hah!
Persistent, aren't ya!
HA-HA-HAHA-HA...
It's no use!
Hiiiiya!
Say good-bye!
Darn...
Have some of this!
Ooops!
Darn it!
Huh?
[He's thrown off the cliff by an avian monster.]
AHHHHHH...!
[They fight the birdy. After they win...]
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Oi, Serge. | Looks like we made | Looks like we're at the
We're inside | it... | top. (Which makes me officially
the premises. | | a criminal now, I guess. Damn!)
| Leena: |
Kid: | There sure are a lot | Guile:
Let's wait here | of guards around... | Indeed. We should wait until
'til nightfall. | Maybe we should wait | dark--it will be easier to slip
| until it gets dark? | past the guards then.
-
Very nice, the only line I had a problem with was this:
Kid:
And the general's got
something I want.
Should Kid be mentioning this to someone she's just met? Even though Guile asked, but I think Kid should be even more ambiguous...
-
Then again, Guile basically has the same objective as Kid's, just with a different item and purpose, so it may not sound that suspicious if Kid tells him that, especially that simplified.
-
4
[Serge is waving his hands around in the air and
generally acting like a raving lunatic.]
This is why your version is awesome: Serge actually does stuff! Actually has a personality!
Don't doubt yourself for a minute!
-
Looks like we're at the top. (Which makes me officially a criminal now, I guess. Damn!)
Yeah, I can see that that would other him! One minute he's being asked awkward "in the future" questions by Leena, the next he's apparently DEAD, and now he's a criminal, to boot.
-
Then again, Guile basically has the same objective as Kid's, just with a different item and purpose, so it may not sound that suspicious if Kid tells him that, especially that simplified.
Aye, it makes sense, but I could see it being more simplified. She essentially admits that she's going to steal from the general--that seems pretty bold. I dunno, I guess it's just preference. It's not like we don't know what she's after...
-
Actually, there's nothing in Kid's remark that makes it definite that she's going to steal her target--for all Guile knows at this point, she could intend to walk right up to General Viper and ask to borrow it. (Yeah, I know, that's a weak excuse, but Guile's already admitted he's going there to steal something, so I doubt Kid would expect him to turn her in. In her place, I'd be more worried about the bartender.)
Anyway, I don't think I ever really did pin Nikki's voice down (his dialogue in the original script is mostly as formal as Guile's, but with obvious deviations...and to be honest, the formality doesn't fit him very well, IMHO). However, I stand by my claim that he has no clothes sense. Then again, neither do half of the other Chrono Cross PCs.
8b. Termina to Viper Manor: Nikki's Path
Max recruits: Serge, Kid, Leena.
Recruitable: Nikki.
There are no stage directions in this section because I have no idea what they would be--sorry if the result is confusing. I haven't done Nikki's path in at least four years, and of the two Cross scripts I've been able to get my hands on, ZeaLitY's has no stage directions at all, and Sheamon's doesn't cover Nikki's path, just Guile's and Pierre's.
====================================================
Magical Dreamers Ship, Termina (Another)
====================================================
[Roadie]
This is my first time
visiting Termina, so I
was wandering around town
promoting the band.
Lively town, food's great,
all in all, a pretty nice
place.
The concert's success seems
almost guaranteed, but...
Just between us,
the main star, Nikki,
is missing...
Have you seen him around?
We've found him in a daze
quite a few times lately...
It's like he was here in
body, but not in spirit.
But, man, without him, we're
pretty stuck. We can't even
start rehearsing for the show.
Miki's supposed to be back
soon from searching, but...
Miki!
How was it,
did you find him?
Miki:
No, it's no use!!!
I was able to track him
up 'til he went into
Shadow Forest, but...
There were knights guarding
the entrance of the forest,
and I couldn't get in.
Besides, I really didn't
want to be in that creepy
forest on my own.
There's supposedly a way
into Viper Manor at the end
of the forest, but what is
that idiot tryin' to do!?
[Roadie]
I see...
So he definitely went
into Shadow Forest...
Serge:
(Wait a sec...did he say
'a way into Viper Manor?')
Miki:
Hey, I know!
You guys can help me out!
I'll lure the knights away
from the entrance, then
you can go into the forest
and find Nikki!
Pretty please? Won't you help
out a pretty girl in distress?
~~~OK, rock on! | ~~~Wait just a minute...
|
Serge: | Serge:
(Rock...on? Well I guess it's | Sorry, we're kind of busy...
appropriate here...) |
| Miki:
Miki: | Oh, that's too bad...
Really? | But if you change your mind,
Oh, you're a lifesaver! | please let me know!
OK, let's start moving! | Now, what should we do...
====================================================
Shadow Forest (Another)
====================================================
Man:
Listen to my song!
Man:
'"Ohhh oooh oooh...Ì
Sweet sister of mine...Ì"'
Man:
Dammit!
It's hopeless...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
What's with him...? | Nice singing voice, but | Um...excuse me?
| I'm not sure his head's |
| screwed all the way on... |
Man:
......
Man:
Dammit!
You demons!
Man:
......
I can't fend them
off alone!
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
What the hell's | Some kind of...vegetable | (I don't know what
this thing...? | monster? No, I guess it's | that is, but it sure
| an animal... | isn't going to win
Kid: | | any beauty contests.
The thing's fast asleep. | Leena: | And it's in the way,
What do we do now...? | It's asleep... How can we | too. Would yelling at
| get past it? | it work? I don't see
| | any ears...)
Man:
......!
Man:
It's you...
Man:
What's this...?
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Nice attitude, FREAK! | A gentleman would at | (Whatever it is that
We saved yer life! | least say 'Thank you', | everyone likes about this
You could at least | you know. | guy, it isn't his manners!)
thank us!? | |
Man:
You're off to
Viper Manor, right?
Man:
Take me with you.
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Who the bloody hell | Just who are you, | (I have a hunch this
are you? | anyway? | guy is Nikki--he does
| | look like all the
Kid: | Leena: | posters, anyway.)
Hmm? | ...Come to think of it, |
I think I recognize | aren't you the singer | Serge:
you from a poster | who's on all those | Why do you want to go
in Termina... | posters in Termina? | to Viper Manor?
| |
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
And what business do you | What could you possibly | (I really hope I'm not
have in Viper Manor? | want at Viper Manor? | about to hear another
| | weird story...)
Nikki:
I believe...
my sister is
in there...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Your sister...? | Your sister? | (His sister?)
Nikki:
Anyway...
I'll let you in on a secret
if you let me join your party.
How about it?
~~~Sure | ~~~Nah
|
Nikki: | Nikki:
Rockin'! | Noooooo...!
|
[System] | Nikki:
Nikki joined your band. | I'm tagging along whether
| you like it or not!
|
| [System]
| Nikki forced his
| way into your band.
Nikki:
I'm the rockin' bard,
Nikki!
How about a song?
~~~No, thanks
~~~Nah...
~~~Maybe later
Nikki:
Oh...
Fine...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Alright, so what's this | You said something | So what's the secret
secret you wanna tell us? | about a secret...? | you said you'd tell me?
Nikki:
In order to get inside Viper
Manor, you have to go through
the water vein further up...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
In case you didn't notice, | But how are we supposed | I hope that means you
mate, there's a muckin' ugly | to get past that | know how to get past
green monster in the way. | monster? | that monster.
Nikki:
In order to move it, you
have to feed it one of the
monsters in the forest.
I wasn't quite sure how
to lure one to it, but
then I found this
notebook.
It says to lure the
monsters with their
favorite food.
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Favourite food? What does | Somehow, I don't think | So what do we feed it?
it eat, eyeballs? | it would go for my fish | (And I really hope the
| casserole... | answer isn't 'you'!)
Nikki:
It's probably talking
about the plant life
growing in this forest.
The plants are attracted
to a certain aroma and
then emit their pollen.
There are a total of
three monsters in all,
each of which has its
preference in food.
Nikki:
Well, that's that.
And now, for a song...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
Alright, let's get goin'. | I'm sorry, but I don't | (Does he think we're
| think we have time for | having a picnic?!)
| that. |
Nikki:
H-Hey!
Wait for me!
[Monster]
Shiwible... Shiwible...
Kid: | Leena: | Serge:
What the heck's your | Is it trying to say | (Okay, so I guess
problem? | something? | it's awake...)
[Monster]
I cAN't oFFer yOu anYtHiNg.
PLeaSe foRgiVe mE...
I'LL giVe yOu tHiS...
PLeaSe foRgiVe mE...
[System]
[Member] received the
'"Skullduggery"' frame!
[Monster]
ByE-ByE... ByE-ByE...
[Party]
~!!!~
====================================================
Shadow Forest--3rd(?) Screen (Another)
====================================================
Dragoon:
THIS PATH LEADS
TO VIPER MANOR.
Dragoon:
WHATEVER YOUR BUSINESS
MAY BE, I CANNOT LET
YOU THROUGH.
Serge:
(Great, another weirdo.
A HALF-NAKED weirdo. Why
couldn't he at least be
a girl if he's going to
wander around with almost
no clothes on?)
Nikki:
Rock on! That's a great
outfit.
[Serge, lost for words, just shakes his head.]
Dragoon:
I AM Zoah, ONE OF
THE 4 DEVAS OF THE
ACACIA DRAGOONS.
Serge:
(I think that guy Karsh
and his friends were
dragoons, although I
don't remember them
actually saying so. And
I'll bet a nice fresh
marlin to a bent
fishhook that this
guy knows who I am, too.)
Zoah:
SO...
YOU ARE Serge.
Serge:
(Bingo!)
Zoah:
THIS SHOULD BE INTERESTING.
I SHALL LET YOU PASS IF
YOU ARE ABLE TO DEFEAT ME.
Zoah:
COME!
[Combat--snip another element lesson]
Zoah:
VERY WELL...
I SHALL LET YOU PASS...
Zoah:
HAH...
WE SHALL MEET AGAIN...
====================================================
Shadow Forest--Tunnel (Another)
====================================================
Kid: | Nikki:
We're at the | Looks like a well up
bottom of a | there--I guess that
well... | means this really is the
| way into the Manor, just
Kid: | like I heard.
That means |
Viper Manor's | Nikki:
right above us! | This place is supposed
| to be full of guards,
Kid: | though, so we'd better
Hey, mate, I say | wait for nightfall. I'd
we wait here | like to play something
'til nightfall. | to pass the time, but
| those guards might notice
| if they heard music coming
| from the well...
|
| Serge:
| (Maybe there's some hope
| for him after all.)
I will now be on hiatus for a day or two while I finish the script for the first half of the Viper Manor chapter--the sheer size of the thing requires that I break it into parts again, so I've arbitrarily chosen to divide it at the snake-statue-door.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
-
Hmmm...not bad. Nikki didn't seem out of character (I tend not to recruit him, so I can't remember his voice too well). And all the reactions seemed appropriate; nothing stuck out, though I do think Serge should be a little more vocal here and a little less internal.
-
Nice! I like your additions to the script (particularly Nikki's approval of Zoah's non-outfit =P)
As for the stage directions, perhaps you could check with a walkthrough to match the actions with the words?
-
though I do think Serge should be a little more vocal here and a little less internal.
Ditto. Especially the part where Kid/Leena are all "Your sister?" but Serge only thinks it. "(His sister?)"
It seems that he would also say it out loud.
-
Huh...
A talking Serge. Interesting.
(At the Time Devourer fight.)
Serge: (Why do I feel this girl should be older and have blue hair?)
*gets shot*
-
Walkthroughs are 75% useless for stage directions, alas, because they tend to skip over what I need to know with a note like, "After some cutscenes..."
I'll try to keep a more careful eye on Serge's internalization tendencies from now on. Nikki's sub-chapter (well, okay, and part of Guile's) was the first thing I wrote after starting this project up again, so it hadn't been picked over as may times as the rest. And the more characters I'm juggling, the more difficult it is to keep them distinct (one of my goals for this mess is to remove as many as possible of the generic lines marked [Member] and replace them with something a bit more tailored, although I let those in the very first section slide on the grounds that I would have had to do something-teen possible lines, many of them for characters I don't really have a grip on yet).
Actually, Magus is the one who's most likely to ask about Schala's...dye job. He'll be turning up in the Guldove chapter.
-
Magus in Guldove, eh? That'll be exciting. It's gonna be such a challenge to deal with all these characters...my hat's off to ya.
-
I'm a little scared, to be honest--even given the number of characters getting cut, I'm going to have a lot of people to handle. And if I screw up in writing Magus' lines, I'm likely to get lynched. :lol:
I'm getting close, or at least closer, to the end of the first half of Viper Manor. Just have to figure out how to deal with the Karsh and ZOAH infodumps, mostly...
-
Well, it took until half-past forever, but here is the first half of the Viper Manor chapter--AKA the easy half, since all the really important plot revelation stuff by Belthasar and Lynx ended up in the second part. I apologize if Serge is maybe a little less verbal than he ought to be again this time--I'm trying to work on it, honestly.
I'm sure I botched at least one decision tree in here, probably somewhere around the treasure room. Arrgh!
8. Viper Manor - Where lies the key to the past...
[P]Max recruits: Serge, Kid, Leena, and Guile or Nikki.
[P]Recruitable: None.
====================================================
Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[FMV: Nightfall at Viper Manor]
[If they manage to reach the front door before going to the
stable(?)]
[System]
It's locked.
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki:
Bloody hell! | Locked... If we wish | It's locked... That's
I knew it was locked! | to enter, we must | just great.
| obtain a key. |
Serge: | | Serge:
You can't pick it? | Serge: | One of the guards might
| So who would have | have a key.
Kid: | one? (We'll worry about |
Not quick enough to keep | how to get them to give | Nikki:
from being spotted--it's | it to us after we find | I think we should sneak
a bloody good lock. | one... Damn, I AM | around a bit more first.
| starting to think like | Why take on the guards
Kid: | a thief.) | if we don't have to?
Serge, let's | |
check out back. | Guile: | Serge:
Maybe there'll be | Any servant should have | (Because I want to get
a window we can use, | one... I believe there | this over with?)
or somethin'. | is a stable behind the |
| main building. We |
| should check there. |
====================================================
Viper Manor Stable (Another)
====================================================
[Stablekeeper]
Who are you?
Oh yeah...
You must be the
new helpers I
was told about.
~~~That's right
Oh great. You're just in time.
My back gave out recently...
and I can't feed the dragons.
I want you to take over for me.
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki:
You got a key to | If you happen to have | Do you have a key
the Manor? | a key to the Manor... | to the manor?
[Stablekeeper]
Sure do. Wouldn't mind givin' it
to ya if you take on this job.
Kid: | Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
Ace! Go for it, | Give it a shot, | Then we will | Rockin'! Do it,
Serge. | Serge--you're | make the | Serge!
| good at this | attempt. |
| kind of thing. | |
Will you feed 'em?
[snip a bunch of dragon-feeding-game stuff.
Once Serge feeds the dragons successfully...]
You'll find the key
in the cupboard.
Take it.
And here's the gift
that I promised.
[snip game rewards]
[Member] found
Manor Key!
====================================================
Viper Manor Entryway (Another)
====================================================
--------------------------------------------
[If Kid was not recruited (?)]
Kid:
I'm glad I followed 'em.
Not bad, fellas...
Not bad...
Kid:
I'll just wait and
see how things go.
-----------------------------------------
[if they examine the door leading to the stairs]
[System]
It won't open.
[It would be nice if a line could be selected at random from
the set of people in the party each time they check the door...]
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki: | Leena: | Serge:
No keyhole...I don't | How bizarre...the | Another locked | This general | Locked? Oh, great.
have a hope in hell | door has neither | door? This is | sure has a | (I can't see a
of picking this one | lock nor handle, yet | SO not cool. | thing for locked | keyhole, either.
either, mate. Let's | it is obviously a | Guess we have to | doors. I wonder | I guess we'll just
look around--maybe | functional portal. | find someone who | what he's trying | have to poke around.
there's another way | There must be some | knows how to | to hide...? | Viper must visit
through here. | trick to opening it. | open it. | | the rest of the
| | | | house sometimes...)
====================================================
Viper Manor Basement Cage Room (Another)
====================================================
[After turning the snake-statue beside the keyholeless
door the wrong number of times and getting dropped
through the trapdoor.]
[If Kid is in the party]
[Acacia Dragoon]
Intruders!?
Serge:
(Oh, great, looks like we
blew it this time...)
[Acacia Dragoon]
How'd you get past
our security?
[Acacia Dragoon]
Heh heh... I can't believe you
would fall for a trap like this...
Serge:
(Yeah, why don't you rub in
the fact that I'm a bonehead?
Damn--we were so close!)
[Acacia Dragoon]
What should we do
with these fools?
Kid:
Heheheh...
[Acacia Dragoon]
What's so funny!?
[Kid]
You dragoons are a
bunch of dag-nuts!
Serge:
(!
Is she trying to make them mad?)
[Acacia Dragoon]
You're askin' for it!
[Acacia Dragoon]
Take it easy.
Kid:
So you're afraid of us, eh?
CHICK---EN!
[Acacia Dragoon]
This should be interesting.
Let's teach 'em a lesson!
[Acacia Dragoon]
Open it up.
Serge:
(Oh, I get it now. Guess this
isn't the first time Kid's
been in a situation like
this.)
[Acacia Dragoon]
Man, don't be taken in
by her fast talk.
Kid:
Bring it on, chums!
[Acacia Dragoons]
Now, get out!
We'll teach you
a lesson!
[Dust-up. The party wins]
Serge:
(Heh. And THEY were calling
US dumb.) Thanks, Kid.
Kid:
Heheh, no problem, mate.
-------------------------------------------------
[If Kid is not in the party (I assume--I've never not
recruited her.) And yes, I'm being a bit over
the top with Serge's reaction here.]
[Acacia Dragoon]
I'll go ask the commander.
Watch 'em.
Enough of your ruckus!
Quiet up in there!
[exit one dragoon]
[Kid]
!!!
[Acacia Dragoon]
I said, enough...
Ughhh!
[Kid jumps the remaining dragoon, and
unlocks the cage]
Kid:
What are you guys doin'?
You're pathetic.
Serge:
Unlike SOME people, we're
not professional housebreakers.
Guile: | Leena: | Nikki:
Serge, that was not | SERGE! How could you be so | Serge, you've really
called for. Young lady, | rude? ...Sorry about that. | got to learn how to
I apologize on behalf | He got dropped on his head | treat the ladies.
of my companion. | as a child. | Sorry 'bout that, miss.
Kid:
Eh, no biggie.
Serge:
(She calls us pathetic,
and I'M the one who gets
told off?!)
[Kid unlocks the cage]
Kid:
There...it's open.
Gotta learn to take care
of yerselves, eh?
See ya.
Kid:
Oh, and don't go
interferin' with me work.
And, Serge, you can't
do bugger all without me,
so just take it easy, eh?
[Exit Kid]
Serge:
(Geez, I may not spend all
my time breaking into other
people's houses, but I'm not
an idiot, either!)
[Acacia Dragoon]
HEY!
How'd you get out!?
Shut up and
stay put!
Bastards!
Come on!
Who's the dag-nut?
Argh!
You want some!?
QUIET!!!
[I assume that either combat is joined, or Kid
leads the additional dragoon away--don't know which.]
------------------------------------------
Guile: | Nikki:
We will be able to | Maybe if we dress
move more freely | up in these guys'
around the manor if | clothes, the other
we disguise ourselves | dragoons will think
with these uniforms. | we belong here.
Serge:
(Ugh, I have to wear a
skirt?!)
[If Kid and/or Leena are present]
Kid:
Guess we've got no choice,
but purple ain't really
me colour...
Leena:
You know, we haven't
seen any girl dragoons...
I think I'm going to have
to bind my breasts to get
into this stupid armour.
====================================================
Viper Manor Basement Hallway (Another)
====================================================
[I'm pretty sure you get this bit only if
Kid isn't in the party]
[Acacia Dragoon]
Ugh...
A red demon...
got me...
[Acacia Dragoon]
It was horrible...
It was a 9 ft tall monster,
with huge protruding fangs...
(It's too embarrassing to
say it was a girl...)
Serge:
(Oh, man... I hope we don't
run into anything like that!)
====================================================
Treasure Vault, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[skip the Boxer Bros]
Kid: | Guile: | Leena: | Nikki:
Heheh! | What I seek is not | I wonder if that | General Viper sure
This is great! | here...but it can | armour at the back | keeps a lot of old
| do no harm to abscond | of the room would | stuff down here.
Kid: | with a few more of | fit me better than |
But it looks like | the General's | this stupid | !? That vase...from
the Frozen Flame | possessions. | breastplate...What | Marbule?
ain't here... | | do you think, Serge? |
| Serge: | | [He looks inside one
Serge: | So what you're saying | Serge: | of the vases in the
(The Frozen Flame? | is that we might as | You could always try | jumble to the side]
Is that what she's | well steal him blind | it on... (It's usually|
looking for?) | while we're here? | easier to agree with | Nikki:
| | her than to argue. I | No, guess not. But
Kid:[/I] | Guile: | still remember that | is that...?
Ah well. | Precisely. | time she threw me |
Let's just take | | off the dock when we | Serge:
what's here. | Serge: | were six...) | We still have to
| (I don't remember | | find Viper, you
| signing up for this.) | Leena: | know.
| | Fine, maybe I will. |
[snip sword/shield/armor]
[System]
There's treasure
on the wall.
~~~Grab it | ~~~Take it cautiously | ~~~Too scared to take it
| ~~~Take it nervously |
[And the | | Kid: | Guile:
wall spins] | Guile: | Nikki: | Why waste treasure | That might be
| It occurs to me | I don't like | by leaving it for | of value. We
| that this might | the looks of | that Viper bloke? | should take it.
| be a trap. | that. |-----------------------------------------
| | Nikki: | [muttermumble
| Kid: (if she's there) | So you're just | too narrow]
| Whatever! | going to leave it? |
| Just grab it. | Isn't that a waste?|
| |
| [And the wall turns anyway...] |
[Another messy decision-tree I probably didn't get right...]
====================================================
Luccia's Lab, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[After taking the item from the wall, the wall opens up and dumps
everyone into a cage in the next room]
Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
Serge, you need to | Perhaps that was | A trick wall... I
be more careful! | not the wisest | wonder if we could
| course of action... | use something like
Serge: | I now regret not | this in our next
(She WOULD have to | having studied that | performance...?
rub it in. Sometimes | spell for detecting |
I think she thinks | traps. | Serge:
she's my mother.) | | Maybe we should
You didn't exactly | Serge: | worry about getting
try to stop me from | It DOES sound like | out of here first.
taking it, you know. | it might have been |
| useful! | Nikki:
Leena: | | If you've got any
Hmph! | | ideas about how to
| | do that, I'll be
[She turns her back to | | happy to help...
Serge.] | |
Kid:
Just a minor slip-up!
But look, we got the treasure.
Woman:
Oh...
Woman:
Quiet!
Woman:
Hmmm...
Woman:
I see dat you are not
really dragoons.
Serge:
How can you tell?
Woman:
No matter.
Kom out.
Guile: | Nikki:
Unexpected, to find | Thanks for your
help here... Who | help, Miss...
are you? | uh....
Woman:
Ooh-hoho-hoho...!
Vho said anything
about helping?
Serge:
(Uh-oh. Suddenly
I have a bad feeling
about this.)
Woman:
I am the scientific
genius of Viper Manor.
Please, call me Luccia.
Luccia:
You vill all be
my guinea pigs.
Serge:
Can we PLEASE take a moment
and talk about this?
(I really, really don't
want to be her guinea pig--
she might turn me into
something like that critter
in the cage in the corner!)
Luccia:
Have no fear--this vill
not hurt a bit.
Serge:
(Ulp!)
Luccia:
Finish dem...
[Battle of the Bulbs. When the party wins,
Luccia lets them out of the cage.]
Luccia:
Vonderful...
You have exceeded my
expectations by
defeating my Bulbs.
Serge:
(Phew! Looks like we're
not going to end up
purple and tentacle-y
after all.)
Luccia:
Now, please leave.
Luccia:
I must input dis battle
data for future study...
Luccia:
I'm busy.
I vill let you go.
Now leave.
[snip Pip--like Van, he is not recruitable]
Luccia:
Vait...!
Serge:
(Now what?!)
Luccia:
I am extremely interested
in all of you.
I cannot leave right now, but
kom by vhen you need my help.
I am villing to help you.
Serge:
(I'm not sure I want to know
what her idea of "help" is.)
Luccia:
Ooh-hoho-hoho...
I'll be vaiting...
====================================================
Mess Hall, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[Glenn]
What!?
It fell down again?
How many times do
I have to tell you?
It's......to the right and
......to the left.
Got that?
Glenn:
Better write this down
before I forget.
Serge:
(Is he talking about...?!)
====================================================
Barracks, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
Glenn:
I'd better write that down.
[Glenn writes the passcode on the wall]
Glenn:
There...
[Serge et al. walk over and take a look
as soon as Glenn is out of the way]
Serge:
(YES! Now we can get through
that door with the stupid
snake statue!)
--------------------------------------
[If they talk to Glenn]
Glenn:
Ever since that guest from
Porre came, the general has
been acting strange.
If only I could consult my
brother about this...
Serge:
(Wait a second..."guest
from Porre"? Didn't that
Karsh guy say it was "the
general's guest" that
wanted me...?)
--------------------------------------
====================================================
Room, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[Harle is lying down in one of the ground-floor
rooms]
Harlequin:
Se taire...
Pleaze, shut up...
Serge:
(What's with her?)
====================================================
Karsh's Room, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
Serge:
(Ulp! That's the guy who
attacked me before--"Karsh",
I think. We might be in
trouble again if he
recognizes me...)
Karsh:
Hey, you there!
Serge:
(!!)
Karsh:
Don't just stand in the
doorway, you dumbasses! If
you need to talk to me,
say something!
Serge:
(Phew, looks like the
Dragoon suits are working.
Maybe we can even get some
information out of him.)
Um...
[Another massive mess, courtesy of Infodumps-R-Us]
~~~Who...are you? | ~~~Who is this Serge? | ~~~Who's General Viper?
| |
Karsh: | Karsh: | Serge:
WHAT!? You dunno who I am!? | Oh, you mean, junior. | (It's probably a bit risky
What are you, rookies!? | I had orders to bring in | asking that, but I don't
| the ghost of that boy who | remember ever hearing
Serge: | died 10 years ago. | about him until all this
Uh...pretty much. (It's | But we had unexpected | weirdness started happening...)
better than letting on | company and he got away. |
that we're burglars.) | | Karsh:
| Karsh: | The general is the head of
Karsh: | He seemed way too human | the Viper clan and has governed
Well, listen up and | to be a ghost, though... | these islands for generations.
don't forget! | |
I'm one of the 4 Devas of | Serge: | Serge:
the Acacia Dragoons, headed | ... | (Guess he doesn't suspect...
by General Viper. | | and now that he's brought it
The name's Karsh! | Karsh: | up, I do remember people in
Gah-haha-ha-ha! | Aaah, I don't know what | Arni talking about the Viper
| that guest from Porre | Clan. Mostly stuff about how
Serge: | wants with him. | they were glad they'd been
(It's a good thing this | | quiet lately...since "the
guy doesn't wear hats--he'd | Serge: | General" disappeared. Two
have a hard time getting | (So this guy doesn't know | generals in one family? They
anything big enough for | anything either. I guess | must have a real thing for
that swelled head!) | I really am going to have | the military!)
| to talk to the General... |
| or the "guest from | Karsh:
| Porre". Why would some | But that's not all.
| Porrean be interested in | When he was ordered to
| me?) | take up a new post
| | on the main continent,
| | he made quite an impact
| | as the leader of the
| | Acacia Dragoons and
| | was promoted to general.
| |
| | Serge:
| | (The continent...guess that
| | that explains why he'd get
| | visitors from Porre.)
| |
| | Karsh:
| | He has retired from the
| | army since then and currently
| | serves as the lord of El Nido.
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~Tell me about Viper Manor | ~~~What's this Frozen Flame? | ~~~Never mind...
| |
Karsh: | Serge: | Serge:
This manor was built | (The Frozen Flame... Lots | (If we talk for too
by the general's ancestors | of people in Termina said | long, he might start
100 years ago, | it was here. I don't | to suspect us...)
when people first began | believe all that stuff |
colonizing the El Nido | they were spouting about |
Archipelago. | miracles, but...) |
| |
Karsh: | Karsh: |
Treat the place | Aaaah... That's a top-priority, |
with respect! | classified secret. |
| |
Serge: | Serge: |
(I guess that's all I'm | (A secret... That means that |
going to get--it would be | someone here thinks it really |
too suspicious if I tried | exists!) |
to ask directly about the | |
traps and whatnot...) | Karsh: |
| Its existence has been rumored |
| in the northern countries |
| for generations... |
| Legend claims it contains |
| mysterious powers which can |
| guide anima and change |
| history... |
| But no details are known. |
| |
| Serge: |
| (That means that the Frozen |
| Flame could explain all the |
| freaky stuff that's been |
| happening... Damn! I wish |
| this guy knew more.) |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Outside in the hallway, if Kid is in the group, and if Serge asked about
the Flame...]
Kid:
Y'know, mate, the Frozen
Flame's pretty dangerous. Ya
shouldn't just ask people
about it.
Guile: | Serge:
That implies that you have | I didn't think just ASKING
some form of interest in it. | could hurt anything.
Kid:
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
====================================================
ZOAH'S ROOM, VIPER MANOR (ANOTHER)
====================================================
Zoah:
WHAT?
WHAT IS IT?
Serge:
Ow... (Does he always shout
like that?)
~~~Who are you? | ~~~Who are the 4 Devas? | ~~~Tell me about Dario | ~~~Never mind...
| | |
Zoah: | Zoah: | Zoah: | Serge:
HAH! I AM ZOAH. | I SAY 4, BUT ACTUALLY, | HE WIELDED THE HOLY SWORD, | (If I try to listen
ONE OF THE 4 VALIANT | THERE ARE ONLY 3 OF US. | EINLANZER, AND WAS A TRUSTED | to this guy any
DEVAS OF THE ACACIA | KARSH NEXT DOOR, | CONFIDANT OF GENERAL VIPER. | longer, I'm gonna
DRAGOONS. | MARCY IN THE LIBRARY, | HE WAS ENGAGED TO THE GENERAL'S | go deaf!)
| AND I. | DAUGHTER, MISS RIDDEL, AND |
Serge: | | WAS NEXT IN LINE TO BECOME |
(And I can't really | Zoah: | THE HEAD OF THE VIPER CLAN. |
ask, "So what's a | OUR LEADER, DARIO, | HOWEVER, HE DIED AN HONORABLE |
Deva?" without | DIED IN AN ACCIDENT | DEATH DURING HIS MISSION TO |
making him | 3 YEARS AGO... | THE ISLE OF THE DAMNED, |
suspicious.) | | 3 YEARS AGO. |
| Serge: | |
| He must have been | Zoah: |
| really impressive for | KARSH WAS ON THAT |
| you guys not to have | SAME MISSION, BUT REFUSES |
| chosen a replacement. | TO SAY MUCH ABOUT IT. |
| | DARIO AND KARSH WERE |
| Zoah: | CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, ALWAYS |
| INDEED. HE WAS THE | COMPETING WITH ONE ANOTHER. |
| FINEST SWORDSMAN IN | DARIO'S DEATH HAPPENED |
| EL NIDO. | SOON AFTER HE WAS ENGAGED |
| | TO MISS RIDDEL. |
| | MANY RUMORS HAVE SURFACED |
| | REGARDING HIS DEATH. |
| | |
| | Serge: |
| | (It does sound kind of |
| | suspicious...but it doesn't |
| | have anything to do with us.) |
| | |
To be continued in Chapter 8b...
-
Beautiful! This may just be the best portion I've read. Only one line sounded out of character:
Leena:
You know, we haven't
seen any girl dragoons...
I think I'm going to have
to bind my breasts to get
into this stupid armour.
I dunno, it just seems to un-ladylike for Leena. I dunno, I just can't see her saying breasts. Meh, whatever. The line made me chuckle, so it's all good.
-
So, Pip is not recruitable, but Serge can still release him from the cage?
Because if it wasn't Pip during...
[/I]
Serge:
Can we PLEASE take a moment
and talk about this?
(I really, really don't
want to be her guinea pig--
she might turn me into
something like that critter
in the cage in the corner!)
I can see why you didn't added dialogue for that.
-
@mav: Well, she's got them, so I expect she calls them something... "bind my chest" would
be possible, I suppose, but I was afraid it would be too ambiguous.
@Acacia Sgt: Eh, I wrote that line without actually checking what was where in the lab.
Shame on me. Youtube, Youtube... Ah, here we are. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEWVBv_VMJI) Looks like Serge could be referring
either to Pip or the reddish Bulb in the cage next to the party.
I could have left the "release Pip" stuff in, I suppose, and just not had him appear on
the Invincible (or had him pop up at random in various places around El Nido as a
bouncy white Easter Egg, for that matter), but given the sheer amount of text in this
chapter, I was cutting everything I felt I could get away with.
-
If you wanna work around the Pip issue, just have Serge say "those critters in the cages" as opposed to "that critter in the cage in the corner". And the breast thing really isn't an issue. Chest, breast, whatever; she's joking around anyway. I mean, she mentions the breastplate again in the treasure vault--so that could clarify things anyway...
-
"Those critters in the cages" it is, then.
-
::sigh:: This ended up being nearly twice as long as the first part,
mostly because I added a lot of stuff and wasn't able to do much cutting.
I'm afraid Leena got a little short-changed here--I'll try to give her
some more dialogue in Guldove.
Viper Manor - Where lies the key to the past... (Part 2)
Max recruits: Serge, Kid, Leena, and Guile or Nikki.
Recruitable: None.
====================================================
Library, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[Having gotten the passcode, Our Heroes head
up the stairs and along the lefthand passageway
to the library, where Marcy and Belthasar are
waiting--the latter is up on the balcony]
Girl:
So, like...
What are you
doin' here!?
Girl:
Dragoons aren't
allowed up here,
you know?
Serge:
Actually, we're not
dragoons.
Girl:
What are you talkin' about?
[They take off the dragoon suits]
Girl:
So, like...
What's your point?
Serge:
(Okay, she's got me there--
that was kind of dumb. It's
just that she doesn't look
dangerous, I guess. I mean,
she's just a kid!)
Old Man:
What is it, Marcy?
Is someone there?
Marcy:
Some weirdos.
Leena: | Serge:
Hey, didn't your | (She's sure got a nasty
mother ever teach | tongue on her--kinda
you any manners? | reminds me of Leena...)
Old Man:
Hmmm... Marcy,
lower the ladder, please.
Marcy:
Alright.
[Marcy pushes the switch to extend the ladder, and
Belthasar climbs down]
Old Man:
If you did not know you
were not allowed in here...
Old Man:
Then you must not be
one of our dragoons.
Serge:
That's what I just
SAID...
Old Man:
Oh my... You must be...
Yes, yes...
You must be Serge.
My, how you have grown.
Serge:
(!)
Marcy:
Like, can I kill 'em, yet?
Old Man:
Patience child, patience!
I need to have a word
with these people...
Serge:
Who are you, and how the
hell do you know my name?!
Are you this "guest from
Porre" everyone's been
talking about?
Old Man:
No, no, I'm not the visitor
from Porre. You will meet
him in due time.
Old Man:
Hmmm... How do I explain...?
I guess you could say I am
the prophet of time.
Serge:
The WHAT? Look, if you
understand what's been
happening to me, explain
it. NOW.
Prophet:
Young man, I can understand
that you have been having a
tiring and confusing time of
things lately, but if you
want me to provide you with
answers, you are going to
have to allow me time in
which to speak.
Serge:
...
Prophet:
That's better. Now,
listen carefully.
Prophet:
The world is not just
a single entity.
Another world similar
to our own 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.
Serge:
(Okay, but what does that
have to do with me being
dead?! So far, it all
sounds like a bunch of
useless mumbo-jumbo.)
[Fancy outer-space-type background with maps of Home and Another worlds]
Prophet:
Serge... This world is not
the world you grew up in.
Serge:
(Is that supposed to be some
kind of joke?! Everything is
the same here, except, well,
me. And maybe the Dragoons.
And... Um. I guess that
maybe there are a lot of
differences. Just little
things... Maybe I AM in
another world after all.)
Prophet:
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.
Prophet:
In your home world, you
survived 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!
Serge:
Wait a just a minute! You're
making it sound like I'M the
reason that there are two
different worlds! That doesn't
make sense! I mean, I'm just
a fisherman...don't even have
my own boat yet... I'm not
anyone important.
Prophet:
I understand the mechanics
of the time split no more
than you, young man.
Prophet:
I do not know what
happened 10 years ago...
Nor can I guess what
triggered your entrance
into this world.
Serge:
(This guy's a lot of help--
I've got more questions now
than I did when he started,
and all he seems to be able
to say is, "I don't know"!)
Prophet:
The locations where such
divisions in the time-space
continua occur are called,
'"ANGELUS ERRARE"' -
'"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.
Serge:
So you're saying that there's
a way back.
Prophet:
It is possible. I lack
sufficient understanding
of the process that
brought you here to be
certain.
[Background reverts to normal]
Prophet:
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.
Prophet:
I am quite certain there is a
wormhole that connects the
2 parallel worlds...
Serge:
(So there IS a way back--why
is this guy trying to hide
that?)
Prophet:
For your information, if
you press the START button
while on the world map,
a menu window will appear
that allows you to display
which world you are in:
Your Home World or
Another World.
Select ON to display this.
Kid: | Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
If what you say's true, and | Another world... I guess | Multiple realities... | Other worlds...
this world is an alternate | that means that there's | how fascinatingly | I wonder if there's
reality... | another Leena there who | mysterious! | a way for me to
| is your friend, right, | | build a world where
Kid: | Serge? | Guile: | Mom is still alive,
Then why the bloody hell | | And the greatest | and Marcy and I...?
did Serge die...? | Leena: | mystery of all is, |
| The question is, what | what happened ten | Nikki:
Kid: | happened ten years ago | years ago to cause | I have to find
The reason has to be somethin' | to make this world turn | this peculiar set of | out what happened
that happened 10 years ago! | out differently...? | circumstances? | ten years ago, so
| | | I can see if
| | Guile: | there's a way...
| | Excellent! I was |
| | right to come here | Marcy:
| | with you, Serge. | Like, what're you
| | | talking about, you
| | | weirdo?
Serge:
I...don't know if I care.
Kid: | Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
What are you talkin' about, | Serge... | I cannot understand | But why not?!
mate? | | why you would not |
| | wish to investigate |
| | such a mystery! |
Serge:
I didn't ask to get mixed
up in all this, you know.
So what if there are two
worlds? If I go back to my
own world, maybe people
will stop chasing me
halfway to Guardia and
everything will go back
to normal!
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki:
Are ya wimpin' out | I cannot believe that | I guess I can't blame
on me before we even | you are not at least | you, but it seems like
get to the general?! | a little curious as | a lot of wasted effort,
| to how General Viper's | if you know what I mean.
| guest knew of you. |
Serge:
ARGH! Yes, I'm curious
about why they're looking
for me, but I don't know if
I'm curious ENOUGH to fight
my way through the rest
of this stupid building to
talk to General Viper.
It's...oh, how can I make
you understand...
Guile: | Nikki:
Serge...you might wish to | I think that they're
consider this: Viper's | probably looking for
guest has to be aware of | you because you're
the other world. | from the other world.
Serge:
W-what?
Guile: | Nikki:
You have said yourself | Can you think of another
that there is nothing | reason?
else exceptional about |
you--"just a fisherman" | Serge:
was your phrase, I | Well...no.
believe. Your origin is |
the only thing I can | Nikki:
think of that would make | And if you try to go back
it worthwhile to send | to Opassa now, they'll
one of the dragoon Devas | probably just send someone
after you. And to be | else after you anyway.
aware of your origin, | They might even follow you
this Porrean must also | through into YOUR world.
be aware of the other |
world. Perhaps he can |
even travel there. |
Serge:
(And if whoever-it-is
wants me bad enough to
follow me back to the
other Arni, then Mom...
I can't let that
happen!)
Serge:
I...guess I should talk
to Viper anyway. If I
really do want to go
back to my normal life,
I need to get things
straightened out. Before
anyone gets hurt.
Kid: | Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
That's more like it. | If you're sure. | Excellent. Shall we? | That's the way.
Prophet:
So, you will be moving
on, then?
Marcy:
No way I'm gonna let you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is not in the group]
Kid: | Leena: | Guile:
Shut up, you little brat! | Kids like you should | Do you truly believe
| respect your elders! | you can stop us?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the group]
Nikki:
......
Is Marcy your real name?
Marcy:
Like... Whatever...!
Nikki:
You...
You look just
like...mother...
Nikki:
There's no doubt about it.
You're my little sister!
Marcy:
W-What's with you...?
What-EVER!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marcy:
Can I!? Can I!?
Prophet:
I guess it cannot be helped...
This may be fate in itself.
Nikki: | Kid: | Leena: | Guile:
You're going to | We ain't here | That's it! I'm going | This is foolish.
fight us? Why, | to play jacks! | to give you the spanking | We have no time
Marcy? | | you've been asking for | for children's
| | ever since you opened | games.
| | your mouth! |
Prophet:
I advise you not to
take Marcy lightly.
Prophet:
This child is one of the
4 Devas, the highest rank
of the Acacia Dragoons.
Kid: | Serge:
WHAT!? | I thought there were
This little brat? | no girl dragoons...
Serge:
(This is ridiculous! There's
no way a kid like this can
be as good a fighter as that
Karsh guy! Or do all her
opponents wimp out because
they don't want to hurt a
little girl?)
Marcy:
Hee-Hee...!
Too late now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the group]
Nikki:
You must be kidding.
Marcy, think it over.
I really don't want to
hurt you!
Marcy:
Shut up, shut UP,
SHUT UP!!!
I don't know you and
I don't have a family!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marcy:
Say bye-bye!
[Combat is joined. During the battle...]
[Marcy]
You think you're so smart!
Then how about this...?
Why you...!?!
That does it!
Oooohhhwww!
I can't take thiiis!
Take this!
And this!
And take that!
And that!
[When the party wins:]
Marcy:
Hmph!
It's not over yet!
I'll get you next time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the group]
Nikki:
Wait!
Marcy, come back!
[Exit Marcy]
Nikki:
I can't believe...
I haven't seen her since
she was a baby, but back
then, she was always
laughing... What HAPPENED
to her?!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is not in the group, Marcy just leaves]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prophet:
Hoh-hoh-hoh...
I did not think you would
be able to defeat Marcy.
Serge:
I'm just glad we didn't
have to hurt her too much.
...So what do we do now?
Prophet:
Very well.
I shall advise you
of your next step.
Prophet:
There are 8 pillars standing
in the main hall.
Behind the 2nd to last pillar
on the left is a button
to release the platform.
Prophet:
Dragoons are not allowed
up there, so it is best
that you go up as you are.
Serge:
(It is? A wandering dragoon
might get in a bit of trouble,
but you'd think a burglar
would be in a lot more... I
guess he's trying to tell us
that we're going to need to
avoid being seen from this
point on no matter what we're
wearing. Oh, well, at least
I'll get to ditch this stupid
skirt-thing. If it gets
tangled in my legs again, I
think I'm going to scream.
I don't know how girls
manage.)
Prophet:
Beware, however...
There is a much stronger
being you will encounter.
Serge:
(Stronger? Uh-oh... or am I
jumping to conclusions? He
said "being", not "enemy".)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the party]
Nikki:
Before we go, can you
tell me anything about
Marcy?
Prophet:
Unfortunately, I know
little about the child,
other than that she is
under the guardianship
of Luccia, the Porrean
scientist who serves
General Viper.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
[If they didn't meet Luccia]
Nikki:
So where can I find
Luccia? I need to talk
to her!
Prophet:
Her laboratory is in
the basement of the
manor.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
[Nikki takes a step toward the door,
but Serge blocks him.
Serge:
Whoa, Nikki, we can't
go back down there
right now.
Nikki:
...
I guess you're right.
Damn!
[Nikki scuffs the floor the way Kid does when
she fails to steal something]
Nikki:
One way or the other,
though, I'm going to
find out what happened
to make Marcy turn out
this way. Even if I
need to come back here
again to do it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Guile is in the party, he stops in the doorway and
turns back while the rest of the party leaves the room.]
Guile:
Pardon me, but if I
might ask...?
Prophet:
Yes, what is it?
Guile:
Where did you say you
were from?
Prophet:
I don't believe I ever
did. Why do you ask?
Guile:
It is only...you remind
me of someone, in several
subtle ways.
Prophet:
And you wish to know if I
share your friend's origins?
Guile:
I was hoping to... No, pay
it no mind. It was as
presumptuous to ask the
question is it would be for
me to call the man on whose
behalf I asked it a friend.
Even if I found some
information for him, chances
are that he would not thank
me. My apologies for wasting
your time, sir Prophet.
[Guile follows the rest of the party out, but the
camera remains inside the room for a moment more.]
Prophet:
Could someone else from
Zeal be in this time? FATE
did not project... No, that
young man must simply have
been mistaken. Or perhaps
he ran into Melchior...
Yes, that must be it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
====================================================
Viper Manor Pillared Hall (Another)
====================================================
[When they re-enter this area, Harle is waiting for them.]
Kid:
Huh!?
Who the...?
Harlequin:
Hmmm...
You are Serge?
Serge:
Er... Yeah, I'm Serge.
(She the first person
we've run into who's
needed to ask!)
Harlequin:
You are even more
sexzy zan I t'ought!
Ooh la lah!
[It would be nice if Serge could blush here.]
Kid:
And who the bloody
hell are you!?
Harlequin:
And zis vulgaire one
must be Kid...
You disgust me!
Kid:
Whadja say!?
If you're gonna insult
someone, you should at
least speak propa English!
Serge:
(I hope that was a joke,
but I'm not about to ask.
It wouldn't be safe.)
Harlequin:
Je m'appelle Harle.
I am ze right-hand
harlequin to Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
Who's "Monsieur Lynx"? (Is
it just me, or does Kid know
that name? I'd swear she
flinched when I said it.)
Harle:
Serge, mon puce...
If you lie down with a dog
like zis femme, you will
surely catch fleaz, non?
Serge:
(Wha...? Fleas? I can't
understand half of what
she's saying. I don't even
dare nod, because Kid
might get mad, and then
I'd be in trouble. And
she didn't answer my
question, either.)
Harle:
I t'ink you can do much
better if you gave her up!
Serge:
(Okay, that bit I got,
but...piss off Kid on the
advice of some weirdo who's
done nothing to help me?
I don't think so!)
Harle:
Actually, I suggest
you all turn back.
You should not defy him.
Kid:
Oi!!!
What's yer problem...!?
Harle:
Pleaze, mon Serge.
Serge:
You haven't given me any
reason to listen to you,
you know. And I still don't
know who this Lynx person
is.
Harle:
I would hate to see
anyt'ing sad happen to you.
Kid:
I've had it up ta
here with you!!!
Harle:
Tais-toi!
You shut up!
Harle:
I am having a serious
converzation wit' Serge!
Why don't you mind your
own buziness!
Kid:
THAT'S IT!
Put up yer dukes!
Kid:
I'm gonna kick yer arse
so hard, you'll kiss
the moons!
Serge:
Kid, this really isn't
a very good time--
Harle: [interrupting]
You are ze one who iz
going to have her
derrière kicked! Non?
Serge:
Harle, or whatever your
name is, could you please
just--
Harle: [interrupts again]
But alas... I cannot be
caught fighting you here...
Harle:
Imagine ze trouble
I would get into...!
Harle:
Au revoir, mon Serge!
See you again!
And Serge,
pleaze dream of me!
Oui?
[Harle leaves]
Serge:
(Dream...of her? Why would
I want to? I mean, I suppose
it's possible that she might
be good-looking under all
that paint, but between
the makeup and that weird
outfit, she might have
also have been a Beach Bum
for all I could tell.)
Kid:
Sheeze!
What's her problem?
Serge:
Kid.
Kid:
Yeah, mate?
Serge:
You seemed to know about
this Lynx person. Isn't
it about time you told
the rest of us what it is
that you're doing here?
Kid:
There's something here
that I want. As for Lynx...
I don't know if he's the
same one--not fer sure.
Not yet. If he is, and
we meet 'im...I'll show
ya then.
Serge:
(Is it just me, or is she
trying really hard to dodge
around my questions?)
====================================================
Viper's Quarters, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[They enter Viper's office and see the Dragon Tear
sitting in the middle of the desk]
Kid:
What?
Did ya find somethin'?
Serge:
Sort of. Looks like a
big, flashy crystal.
Kid:
Oi!
Could this be...!?
[she examines it]
Kid:
Naah...
It ain't the
Frozen Flame.
Serge:
(So she really is looking
for the Flame. I wonder
why she wants it--Kid
doesn't strike me as the
kind of person to believe
in miracles.)
Kid:
Don't see any other
booty here, either.
I guess I betta ask
the general directly.
[General Viper enters the room from the secret door
behind the bookshelf]
General:
What is it you
wish to ask me?
Kid:
......!!!
Serge:
(A secret door? Guess
it goes along with all
the silly traps and
weird locks in the rest
of the house...)
General:
My compliments on getting
past my security.
Now, may I ask you, who in
heaven's name are you?
Kid:
So you're General Viper?
Don't feign ignorance
on me now!
Why did ya send yer dragoons
to get me mate Serge here!?
Serge:
(Why is she asking about
me, and not the Flame? I'd
have thought her business
would be more important to
her than mine...)
Viper:
Serge...?
My dragoons...?
I'm afraid, my dear,
I haven't the foggiest
idea what you are
talking about.
Serge:
She's talking about you
sending Karsh to Cape
Howl to capture me. Or
maybe kill me--he came
on pretty strong. We
want to know how YOU
knew that I was going
to be there, and why
you cared.
Viper:
Young man, I'm afraid
that I'm still entirely
mystified. I haven't
sent Karsh anywhere in
months.
Mystery Man:
General, I believe
these vermin are here
to see me.
[Enter Lynx, through the same door as
Viper]
Mystery Man:
Well, it seems you have
saved me the trouble
of finding you!
Kid:
LYNX!?
Serge:
(So this is Lynx? He was
the one looking for me?)
Lynx:
Hmm...?
Young girl... Are you...?
Kid:
What's the matter!?
Cat got yer tongue!?
I've finally caught you
by the tail now, Lynx!
I've come for two things...
The Frozen Flame and
yer life, ya murderer!!!
Serge:
(Uh-oh, this doesn't sound
good... I guess he and Kid
have some kind of history.)
Lynx:
Aha...
So you must be Kid, then...
A member of the fearsome
band of thieves known as
Radical Dreamers, correct?
Viper:
Radical Dreamers...?
This young lady...?
Serge:
(Radical Dreamers? I think
I've heard of them, but I
can't remember where...)
Lynx:
Precisely!
Don't let her innocence
fool you, General.
She's quite ferocious...
Serge:
(Nice to know SOMEONE
agrees with me about
Kid...)
Kid:
Hah!
Ferocious!?
My arse...!
After what you've done!
Lynx:
I hate to disappoint you,
but the Frozen Flame
is not here.
That fire lies hidden
in the Sea of Eden,
the place where past
and future collide...
Serge:
("Past and future..."?
Oh, man, not more of this
weird stuff again...
Anyway, Kid looks really
mad. The Frozen Flame
must be really important
to her.)
Kid:
Alright then...
It looks like I'll have to
put that part off 'til later.
In the meantime, I'll settle
my score with you, Lynx!
Prepare to meet yer maker!
Serge:
Kid, I've still got questions
for him, so please leave him
alive!
[Combat. The party defeats Lynx...who turns into a
catlike shadow beast. The real Lynx appears on the
other side of the room]
Kid:
Bugger...!
It was just
a shadow!
Lynx:
Did you think I would be
stupid enough to pick a
fight with a rabid dog?
Why, just a shadow of
mine is enough to deal
with the likes of you!
Serge:
Seems to me that WE dealt
with IT--and Kid isn't a
"rabid dog". (I just hope
he doesn't take that as
an invitation to a rematch,
though, because I don't
know if I could handle
another fight like that
right now.)
Kid:
Hey--
Lynx:
Perhaps not rabid, but only
a dog would be so
ridiculously loyal to the
memory of the dead.
Serge:
There's nothing ridiculous
about being loyal to the
memory of someone who was
important to you. (Right,
Dad?)
Serge:
Now, will you tell me what
the hell is going on? It's
your fault that I'm in this
world, isn't it?
Lynx:
We predicted your arrival,
but I'm afraid that we were
not responsible for it. Nor
is the causative agent known
to us.
Serge:
(Back to square one--and
who's "we", anyway?)
So why did you send Karsh
after me? That WAS you,
wasn't it?
Lynx:
I merely wanted to speak
to you, Serge.
Serge:
Okay, but WHY?
Lynx:
Because you are the key.
Lynx:
Now, Serge...
What do you desire
from this world?
Do you wish to live again?
Do you want to erase your
demise from the pages of
history?
Serge:
(I admit that it would be
nice if the me from this
world wasn't dead, but I
have a feeling that nothing
Lynx offers comes without
a whale-sized catch... Ugh,
what's with that freaky
crystal? It's making my
eyes hurt!)
Kid:
What's wrong, Serge!?
[FMV: The Dragon's Tear gazes back into Serge.]
Serge:
(Ugh... What was that?! It
felt like something was
pulling at me, and then that
weird building blowing up,
and the wind and that...
thing...)
Lynx:
Listen to me...
The end of the human
world is nigh!
When this time comes, Serge,
there shall be a deep enmity
between you and the world!
This is not speculation
or prediction...
This is history!
Serge:
(What kind of nonsense is
he spouting now? History?
Something that hasn't
happened yet can't be
history... The end of the
world? And I'M important
in all this somehow? Why?
It isn't like I'm some
kind of hero or anything!)
[Two more shadow cats show up]
Kid:
Bugger...!
This doesn't look good...
Lynx:
You cannot escape.
There is something
I want to ask you...
Serge:
Then hurry up and ask it!
(Maybe if he does, this
will start to make sense!)
[Enter Riddel]
Riddel:
Daddy!
About that voyage
I have been planning...
[Kid grabs her and holds a knife to her throat]
Riddel:
Ooh!?
Kid:
Don't move a whisker
if you want this girl
to live!
Serge:
(Trust Kid to seize the
moment--if we're lucky,
we might actually get out
of here in one piece...
but I still don't know why
any of this is happening,
damn it all!)
Riddel:
Goodness gracious!
Who are you!?
Viper:
My darling Riddel!!!
Why, you dirty...!
Kid:
Shuddup, old-timer!
Our lives are at stake here!
There ain't nothin' dirty
about savin' yer own life...!
Kid:
Just stay calm and quiet,
and I won't hurt ya, OK...?
I just need ya to come
with us 'til we reach
a safer place.
Kid:
You alright, Serge!?
Serge:
Pretty much.
Kid:
C'mon, let's bust
outta here!
[They leave the room, Kid dragging Riddel with her]
====================================================
Viper Manor Stairway (Another)
====================================================
Viper:
Don't be foolish!
Do you really think
you can escape!?
[Karsh and a couple of other dragoons appear from
below.]
Guile: | Nikki:
Cut off... | Damn, they're everywhere!
Serge:
(Oh, damn--looks like Karsh
isn't going to listen to
reason and let us go
downstairs, no matter whose
throat Kid's pointing her
knife at. So we have to
go up, but is there a way
out from there?)
[Kid heads for the stairs going up]
Karsh:
You fiend...!
Take your dirty hands
off Lady Riddel!
Kid:
Oh...OK...
Whaddaya take me for!?
An idiot!?
Karsh:
GRRRRRR...!!!
Serge:
(You know, I don't think
I've ever seen anyone
turn purple before...)
Kid:
Serge,
this way.
[They climb the stairs, trailing dragoons]
====================================================
Roof Terrace, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[Serge et al. retreat across the balcony, with
Viper, Lynx, and their allies following. Lots of
little tiny bits of FMV are interspersed throughout
this part.]
Lynx:
We have you now, you vermin.
There is no way out of here.
Serge:
(Damn, I think he's right--
we're cut off!)
Kid:
Bloody hell!
Viper:
Let's work out a deal.
Viper:
Release my daughter, and
I shall let you walk away.
How about it?
Kid:
Yeah, right!
Can't trust ya!
Lynx:
Are you willing to
jump to your death?
Serge:
(If those are our choices...
I just don't know, because
it all depends on the "why"
questions that I can't get
anyone to answer! What is
Lynx really trying to do?!)
[Kid looks over the edge of the balcony. Meanwhile,
Lynx is drawing his knife, then throws it at Kid and Riddel.]
Kid:
Look out!!!
[Kid pushes Riddel away, taking the thrown knife for her, and falls
over the edge of the balcony. Riddel escapes.
Kid:
Ugh!
Serge:
KID!!!
[Lynx slowly advances on Serge, who is staring down after Kid, as he begins to speak.]
Lynx:
What do you live for...?
Lynx:
What are you willing
to die for...?
Lynx:
I've been waiting for you,
Serge...
Lynx:
Waiting a long, long time
for you...
Now come to me, Serge!
The Assassin of Time...
THE CHRONO TRIGGER!!!
Lynx:
Come to me, Serge.
Serge: [shaking his head]
I still don't really know
what this is about, but I
do know this much: I'd
rather die than help
someone who'd attack Kid
from behind, and put an
innocent bystander like
Riddel in danger by
doing it!
[Serge jumps over the edge of the balcony, with the third party member following.]
Lynx:
N-NO!
[Serge et al. splash-land in the ocean below the bluffs.]
The Guldove chapter is going to be divided into four parts--the introductory material common to
all three routes, then the Guile/Magus route, the standard Save Kid route, and the standard Leave
Kid route, probably in that order. Hopefully, the first part of that won't take as long as this
did.
-
Wow that was lengthy, but good overall. You tackled quite a bit of material and quite a few characters, and I think you did more than adequately. I do have a couple issues though. First off, I think a lot of the Prophet's new lines seemed unnecessary. Here are a couple of 'em:
Old Man:
No, no, I'm not the visitor
from Porre. You will meet
him in due time.
--------------------------------
Prophet:
I understand the mechanics
of the time split no more
than you, young man.
--------------------------------
Prophet:
It is possible. I lack
sufficient understanding
of the process that
brought you here to be
certain.
In my opinion, removing these lines will still allow the script to flow while simultaneously keeping the Prophet's revelations on the same course as they were originally in CC. Oh and he does seem like the kinda character who would continue rambling, even after being interrupted by Serge's questions. So try taking that into consideration.
One of Guile's lines bothered me too:Guile:
Multiple realities...
how fascinatingly
mysterious!
The word choice here is really awkward. He should either say "how fascinating" or "how mysterious". Fascinatingly is just too strange sounding, and it comes off as unnatural.
Also, Serge's line before the fight may need revision: Serge:
Kid, I've still got questions
for him, so please leave him
alive!
This line isn't bad, I just think Serge should sound a little tougher...Maybe you could take out the "please". Hell he could try and show his pugnacious side at the same time by saying "let's leave him alive" or something...
As always, take my suggestions lightly, if at all. You did wonderfully with this bulk of text: Nikki and Marcy's interactions seemed spot on and most of the characters' voices seemed appropriate, aside from the suggestions I mentioned earlier. Oh and that little snippet between Guile and Belthasar really caught me off guard! I can't wait to see where that goes.
-
...sounds like you're turning him into Magus after all! 8D Awesome!
This is really great stuff...I can imagine it'll get harder and more tedious the more characters get added, but I hope you'll finish the entire script someday! It'd be pretty epic to have Serge speak...
-
@Katie Skyye: Guile, in my version of history, knows Magus and is responsible for him getting dragged
into what's happening, but they're not actually the same person, because I've always felt that their
personalities were too dissimilar for that to make sense. You'll see in a week or two, when I let Magus
have his grand entrance. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
::sigh:: By the time I hit the end, I'm going to be dealing with 20-25 PCs despite my attempts to cut
the cast down. Even with six people nominally in the party, that's going to mean producing 15-20
potential replacements for every "Member" line before I can guarantee that at least one of the
speakers is present. That's going to lead to some massive grid-alternative messes. Not to mention
that I want to give every PC at least one significant optional character-development scene. Granted, some
of them can share, but some of them might conceivably develop into full-blown sidequests... ::shudder::
@mav: I never ignore someone who manages to put his finger on some of the things that bother me about
my own writing.
Of the three Belthasar lines you quoted, the "I'm not the Porrean" one was put in very deliberately, and is
going to stay. The other two I was never really happy with, and I'll go back over that section tonight,
when the guys replacing our furnace have left and everything's quieted down a bit.
The Guile line... I put the "mysterious" in there because of his next line, I think, but you're right--it
sounds a bit...off. "Fascinating" it is--I just hope no one thinks that it's a Star Trek allusion! (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
Serge's line, however, was again written that way deliberately. Until the very end of this chapter, Serge
is letting himself get pushed around by outside events and other people--he's been letting his course
of action be suggested by (mostly) Leena and Kid. He isn't a leader or a hero yet, and on that basis
the "please" is hopefully in character. His refusal to go along with Lynx at the very end of the chapter
is supposed to be the first break in that pattern, and Guldove should involve him starting to take up
his responsibilities as best he can.
On a lighter note, I had a lot of fun writing the Guile-and-Belthasar scenelet. I always enjoy working in
foreshadowing stuff, probably because it's a bit evil. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
-
Of the three Belthasar lines you quoted, the "I'm not the Porrean" one was put in very deliberately, and is
going to stay. The other two I was never really happy with, and I'll go back over that section tonight,
when the guys replacing our furnace have left and everything's quieted down a bit.
Alrighty then--and to be honest, the Porre line was the one I liked the most out of those three anyway. 8)
The Guile line... I put the "mysterious" in there because of his next line, I think, but you're right--it
sounds a bit...off. "Fascinating" it is--I just hope no one thinks that it's a Star Trek allusion!
Hah. Personally, Star Trek wouldn't be my first impression--I would immediately think Guile is just a little more theatrical than the average bloke, as long as he manages to stay out of flashy and flamboyant territory.
What you mentioned about Serge makes a lot of sense--he's still a young guy who's having all this thrown at him. It'll take some time for him to toughen up.
-
Changes to the other two Belthasar lines (plus a little context):
Serge:
[...]I'm not
anyone important.
Prophet:
One's importance in the scheme
of things is seldom obvious
from the inside.
Prophet:
I do not know what
happened 10 years ago...
-----------------------------------------------
Serge:
So you're saying that there's
a way back.
Prophet:
A way back? Well...
[Background reverts to normal]
Prophet:
It appears as though
these 2 worlds are connected
by some unknown force.
(The odd italicization of the last paragraph was caused by my cutting a leading "However".)
Hopefully, the above represents an improvement. At least Belthasar is no longer outright lying.
-
Sounds good to me. And the way this Belthasar speaks, as opposed to how he spoke originally in CC, seems to be more fluent and less on the rambling side. It certainly makes him seem more human--so good job with that. It's pretty amazing how the simple addition of a few lines here or there makes such a difference.
-
Since I intend to stick my nose in a book as soon as I leave the computer, which effectively
means that I'm going to be off-line for the rest of the day, I figured I'd post this a little
early, so that people would have time to admire my deathless prose (Ha!) before the Compendium
goes down for updating.
The Guldove chapter turned out to be so massive (>4000 lines, which is more than double
the length of the Viper Manor chapter) and so complex that I ended up splitting it in
six. This first part is the portion of the core story that's the same for all the possible
paths through this chapter. Parts two and three will be the Magus/Guile and Nikki/standard
methods of saving Kid, respectively; part four will be more material common to both the
Save Kid paths (there's just enough in there that isn't Mel's idiocy to make it worth
keeping as a separate section); and part five will be the normal "leave Kid to die" path.
Part six will contain stuff that isn't part of the core storyline (recruiting Luccia,
what happens if you return to Guldove-Home with Leena from Another in the party, etc.)
9. Guldove - Where ripples become waves... (Part I)
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, and Nikki or Guile. (Kid is not in the party)
Recruitable: None in this section.
=================================================
Macha's House, Guldove (Another)]
=================================================
[Serge awakens in a bed in Macha's house in Guldove.]
Lady:
You're finally awake?
If you're looking for your
friends, they're outside.
Serge:
Ugh...thanks. (Where am I?
Guess I must've passed out
after hitting the water...)
[Serge follows Macha's suggestion and goes outside]
=================================================
Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Kid:
Oi, Serge!
Ya finally woke up, eh?
Serge:
Guess so.
-----------------------------------------------
[If they'd already met Korcha (or just if they'd
chosen Guile as a guide?)]
Kid:
Give yer thanks to Korcha.
He's the one that saved us
after we fell off the cliff.
Korcha:
No sweat.
It's just part of my job
as a ferryman.
Korcha:
But I have to admit, you
caught me by surprise when you
came fallin' from the sky.
You're lucky that it was the
sea that ya fell into and
not the rocks!
Serge:
Actually, I figured I was
going to break my neck on
the way down. It was still
better than the alternative,
though. (I still can't
believe what Lynx tried to
do!)
----------------------------------------------
[If they didn't know Korcha]
Young villager:
Looks like you're
in good shape.
My name's Korcha.
I work as a ferryman
around the Termina area.
You're in a small village
called Guldove, a little
west of Termina.
I was on my way here when I
saw you guys in trouble, so
I just picked you up and
brought you back with me.
Serge:
Pleased to meet you, and
thanks. (Guldove...I think
I was here once before, as
a little kid, with Dad and
Uncle Miguel...I was so
small that I don't remember
much, though.)
-----------------------------------------------
Kid:
But geez, you're
such a wuss!
How could you get
knocked out from
such a short fall!?
Serge:
Hey, I've never fallen
off anything higher than
the mast of a fishing boat
before, you know! I'm lucky
I survived jumping off that
cliff! (And I think I'm
glad it was the middle of
the night, too--if I'd been
able to see how far it was
to the water, I probably
would have lost my nerve.)
Guile: | Nikki: | Leena:
It was not an experience | I'll say. I can swim better | So next time we go on
that I would volunteer | than anyone I know, since | a date, let's try for
to repeat. | I'm half--er, anyway, | a romantic moonlit
| Serge, where are we going | evening on the beach...
Tell me, Serge, where do | from here? I figure I'll |
you intend to go from here? | hang out with you a little | Seriously, though, I'd
| longer. | like to know what we're
| | doing next.
Serge:
(Why is everyone looking at
me all of a sudden?)
Um... Well, going back to
Viper Manor is out of the
question...
Kid:
I'll say! You sure you're
okay, mate?
Serge:
(I need to come up with
something fast, or I'm
going to look like an
idiot... Wait! Didn't Lynx
say something about...?)
Kid, you're looking for
the Frozen Flame, aren't
you? Didn't Lynx say it
was in the Sea of Eden?
Kid:
...Guess you're too sharp
to miss something like
that. Yeah, I'm after the
Flame--and Lynx's neck!
But are ya tryin' to tell
me that ya think that's
where we should go next?
That won't get ya any
closer to finding out
what's going on, will it?
Serge:
I don't think Lynx would
have bothered finding out
where the Frozen Flame was
if it wasn't important to
him somehow. That means
that if we have it--
Kid:
--HE'll start following US
around, and we won't have
to play catch-up anymore!
Mate, I like how you think.
Guile: | Nikki: | Leena:
It is certainly a better | Sounds good to me, | First Viper Manor, and
plan than anything I have | man. Let's rock! | now the Sea of Eden--I
come up with--to the Sea | | have to admit, you sure
of Eden, then! | | know how to show a girl
| | a good time!
Serge:
Anyway, Kid...are you
okay? I know Lynx hit
you with that knife...
Kid:
A little graze like this...
ain't gonna...knock...me...down...
[Kid collapses]
Serge:
KID!!
Korcha:
Ugh, oh man!
She's burnin' up!
There's a clinic in this village.
We should take her there.
C'mon, I need your help, too!
=================================================
Inner Room, Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Doctor:
It seems the patient has been
poisoned with Hydra venom.
I would say the most she has
to live is about two days...
If we had some Hydra Humour
we would be able to
neutralize the poison...
Korcha:
Doc, if we find this
Hydra Humour, we
can save this girl?
[Doc]
Yes, but that's impossible now.
Hydras are now extinct on
El Nido...
Serge:
You're saying we need a hydra,
but there are no more? What
happened to them all?
Doc:
Hydras are very rare
and valuable creatures.
Doc:
The blood, bones, meat...
Every part is valuable.
It's considered to be a
panacea for various illnesses.
That is the reason Hydras
were hunted to extinction
in El Nido.
As a result, a whole species
has been made extinct.
Just to make a quick fortune.
Serge:
You're saying...that there's
no way? That we just have to
abandon Kid?
Guile: | Leena: | Nikki:
Hydras were not yet extinct | Could there be some | Seems to me that some
on the mainland when I was | left on the mainland? | guy from the mainland
last there, although they | I know they've got | was trying to sell one
were not common, either. | lots of stuff there | of my roadies hydra bits
Surely there must be a way | that you can't get | last year... Couldn't we
to obtain this Humour from | here... Korcha, you | get some of this Humour
Guardia or Porre. | could get us there, | stuff from there?
| right? |
Doc:
...That is not possible.
The currents of El Nido are
extremely dangerous, this
time of year.
It is highly improbable
to cross the sea unless you
are on a large vessel...
Serge:
(And anyway, getting there
would take us weeks--it
would be a miracle if Kid
survived that long.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[NOTE: This is the point at which the Magus/Guile
branch diverges from the other two. The remainder
of this section therefore takes place only in the
other two branches.]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Doc:
Even if you manage to get
there, your chances of finding
Hydra Humour are bleak...
We do not have much time.
Serge:
(Two days... What can we
do in two days?! Damn it,
I didn't even get a chance
to thank her yet! She saved
our bacon TWICE back at the
manor...)
[Korcha]
...Doctor?
[Doc starts to walk away]
Korcha:
H-Hey, Doc!
Where are you going!?
Nothing's been resolved yet!
Serge:
Are you walking out on us?!
Doc:
...Excuse me.
I need to be alone
for a while.
[He leaves]
Serge:
I don't believe it--that
bastard just ran away!
[Serge takes a step toward the door, but either Leena (if she's
there) or Nikki (if she isn't) gets in his way.]
Leena: | Nikki:
Serge, we need to talk | Whoa there, man, we
about what we're going to | need to figure out
do. I mean, Kid gets on | what to do before you
my nerves a bit, but we | go running off. I
can't just leave her to | mean, we can't let Kid
die... | die, right?
Serge:
I don't see that there's
anything we CAN do. None
of us is a doctor...
there aren't any hydras...
That guy is our only hope,
and from the look of it,
he doesn't WANT to try
to help.
[He walks over to the stool by Kid's bedside and flops down with his elbows
on his knees and his chin in his hands. The blocking party member moves
away from the door.]
Korcha:
I-Is this some kinda joke?
Wait right here.
I'll go get the doctor back!
[Korcha starts to leave, but runs into Harle in the doorway.]
[Korcha]
Whoa!
Korcha:
Who the hell are you!?
[Harle]
What'z this? No apologiez
for bumping into moi?
Ooh la lah, don't you
know any mannerz?
[Harle enters]
Serge:
(Oh, great, this bimbo again?
I'd better get up before she
corners me here.)
[He gets up off the stool and sidles back over to his original position.]
Harle:
Ha haa, she is down
for the count, just
as I t'ought.
[She walks up to Serge]
Harle:
Serge, mon ami,
why don't we just
leave her be?
Serge:
Because I don't abandon
my friends when they need
help.
Leena: | Nikki:
Serge... | Rock on, man!
| That's the way!
Harle:
But, mon Serge... what could
you possibly see in a woman
like her? She has no poize,
no elegance, and her
figure iz--
Serge:
I said she was my friend,
not my GIRLFRIEND!
[Serge blushes. Meanwhile, Korcha has been peering intently
at Harle.]
Korcha:
Who are you, and what's
with that strange costume!?
Harle:
Tais-toi!
I have no buziness with
no chicken-hawk.
I am having a conversation
wit' Serge.
You're bothering moi, so
keep your mout' shut.
[Korcha]
Why you...
Korcha:
I ain't gonna let ya barge
into this room and get away
with all the stuff you've said!
You've made me mad.
I'll show ya some manners!
I'm not gonna cut ya any slack
just because you're a girl!
Serge:
Korcha, I don't know if that's
a good idea... (I don't know
for sure that she's any good
in a fight, but I don't think
Lynx would keep someone
useless around...)
Harle:
Try if you dare.
I am not so weak as to
be caught by a chicken-hawk!
Korcha:
Heh, you've got some nerve.
You're gonna regret it!
Charge!!!
[Korcha charges at Harle, who promptly vanishes.]
[Korcha]
Oops
[Serge facepalms]
Serge:
(I was right--she's strong
enough to treat someone
like Korcha as a joke. I
just wish I understood why
she's so fascinated with me.)
Korcha:
Dammit,
where'd she go?
[Harle]
Ahahaha! You're amuzing.
[She reappears at Kid's bedside]
Harle:
Ahaha, such a simpleton.
It's so much fun playing
jokes on you.
I was only here to see how
she was doing, but I had
fun while I was at it.
Serge:
(Why does it seem like
everyone has it in for
me right now?)
Harle:
So long, Serge,
au revoir, mon ami!
Please dream of moi
every night!
Oui!
[Harle vanishes]
Korcha:
...Tsk, she's a loon.
What's her deal?
I just don't get it.
Serge:
(Neither do I.)
Korcha:
Yo, Serge, are all of
your friends like that?
Serge:
She isn't a friend, just
someone we met at Viper
Manor--
Kid:
Oooo......
Serge......
Korcha:
...C'mon, go talk to her.
[Serge walks over to the bed]
Serge:
Kid, um, are you okay?
(Damn, talk about the
stupidest question to
ask...)
Kid:
Serge,
I'll leave this...with you.
It's my favorite amulet.
Serge:
Kid, you shouldn't-- (Oops.
Never mind what SHE shouldn't
do--I shouldn't argue with
her when she's this sick. I
can give it back to her when
she's better.) Okay, and,
um, thanks.
[System]
Serge received
Astral Amulet.
Kid:
Remember what the...
prophet said...
Serge...
Where did...it all start?
Where...do angels...lose
their way...?
...Try to...remember...Serge.
Serge:
(Angelus Errare... The place
that connects the two
worlds... I guess it would
have to be somewhere near
Arni, but...)
Kid:
I'm feelin' a bit tired...
I'm gonna rest up...
for a while...
[She falls unconscious again]
Serge:
KID! Oh, hell, she's out
cold again... I didn't
even...
Leena: | Nikki:
Serge, it's okay. We'll | Calm down, man. There has
find a way, somehow. | to be something we can do...
Korcha:
You heard what the doc said.
There are no more Hydras
in this world.
On top of that, there's no way
to get to the mainland, and El
Nido isn't that small a place.
Are you gonna take a one-in-
a-million chance to search for
this thing, just to save a girl
you barely even know?
Korcha:
Hey, what're ya gonna do?
~~~...I don't know | ~~~Find a way to save her
|
[Go to the Dump Kid branch] | [Go to the Save Kid branch]
More to come (with a little luck, I should be finished with the
Magus/Guile branch early next week--I'm about halfway through now.)
-
Very nice; easy to follow, nothing seemed out of place or out of character. Things are gonna start getting real tough for you now: two branches to write, more characters to include...Heh, this'll be exciting.
-
If you don't mind, how are you organizing these? Do you have some sort of table or flow-chart or something, or is it all in MS Word?
Anyway, great segment! I'm really enjoying these! I'm hoping to beat the game before you finish re-writing it...so wish me luck! I've just rid Marbule of nightmares and am going after the dragons' blessings.
Gah...being Lynx is fun. I don't wanna turn back into Serge.
-
@Katie Skyye: The master copy, such as it is, is a batch of HTML files being written in
a programmer's text editor (it's a lot easier to go from minimal HTML to BBCode than
it is to do the same with a word processor file). The only flowchart is in my head.
Well, okay, there is a textfile containing some ideas for fleshing out the
characters who got little or no development in CC and some notes on what I'm intending
to do with Magus, but they're...not binding, I guess you'd say.
Oh, and good luck with the dragons. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
In other news, I keep getting distracted from working on the script, but I should
finally be having Magus meet Kid tonight.
-
Ah, thanks. Just wondered, because I know this is going to get really complicated later on...
-
In other news, I keep getting distracted from working on the script, but I should
finally be having Magus meet Kid tonight.
As in you'll have it posted or completely written? Or both?
-
As in, I left off just before that the last time I was working on it. :lol: However, it's possible that I might finish the segment tonight--I'm really just re-writing an early draft, with ~150 more lines to go over--and if that's the case, I'll be posting tomorrow. (Basically, I have at least something for all of the Magus-branch scenes up to the meeting with Harle in the Temporal Vortex tower. It's after that that things are going to get scary.)
-
Well, here it is--Magus' long-awaited first appearance in Chrono Helix, and
the first portion of the script written nearly entirely from scratch. Hopefully I
didn't mess anything up too badly. Stage directions are of necessity rather more
complete here than in previous chapters.
Sorry I'm late, since Thursday isn't early in the week by even the most optimistic of definitions.
9a. Guldove - Magus/Guile Branch
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, Guile. (Kid is temporarily out of the party until the
end of this segment, and this branch is not available unless Guile was the
Viper Manor guide.)
Recruitable: Kid, Magus.
=================================================
Inner Room, Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Guile:
If transportation is the only
problem, there may be a way.
[Everyone turns and looks at him.]
Guile:
I may be able to get something
brought here from the
continent within a few hours.
Serge:
You can?!
Guile:
So long as the item is no
larger than a man can easily
carry, it is possible.
However, my success will
depend on how effectively I
can grovel. Now, if you will
excuse me, some preparations
are required...
[Guile leaves the doctor's hut]
Leena: | Korcha:
I hope he's telling the | Ya think he can
truth... Not that I LIKE | really do it?
Kid all that much, but |
seeing her die like this |
would just be...wrong. |
Serge:
So far, Guile's always
delivered on his promises.
I think we can trust him.
(Although I do wonder what
grovelling has to do with
anything... Who--or WHAT--
is he going to ask for help,
and why did he dodge out
without talking about it?)
[Picture fades out.]
=================================================
Outer Room, Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Picture fades back in. Doc is sitting on the stool in
the corner, and Korcha is tapping his foot impatiently.
Serge is standing in the foreground with his arms folded,
staring at the floor.]
Doc:
Your friend's been gone for a
long time, hasn't he.
Serge:
Maybe we should go look for
him. (I just hope he hasn't
been eaten by whatever he
was going to grovel to...)
[But before anyone can leave, Guile enters the room.]
Korcha:
Didja get it? What took ya so
long?
Guile:
...
???:
Even on the continent, it
takes a few hours to find a
hydra and extract its Humour.
[Magus enters behind Guile. He still looks very much like he did in his
CT days, right down to the cape and the pointed ears.]
[Magus]
If he'd asked anyone else for
help, you'd still be waiting.
[Magus tosses the bottle of Hydra Humour to Doc with apparent negligence.]
Korcha:
Whoa! Can't ya be more
careful with that? Who the
hell are ya, anyway?
Magus:
Call me Magus.
[Doc examines the bottle]
Doc:
Yes... YES!
This is the real thing.
Looks like I've got
work to do.
[He leaves with the bottle.]
Magus:
Hmph.
Guile:
Will you be going back right
away?
Magus:
If you're afraid that I'm
going to take you up on that
ill-thought-out offer of
perpetual slavery...don't
worry. I don't enjoy your
company that much. No, I'm
not going back right away.
After spending most of the
afternoon tracking that
damned hydra for you and
then teleporting all the
way here from that
misbegotten swamp in
southern Porre, I think I
deserve a decent meal and
a little rest.
[He takes a step back toward the door, then pauses and glances back
over his shoulder.]
Magus:
And don't forget, Guile: you
OWE me for this.
[He leaves.]
Leena: | Korcha:
His manners are even worse | What a prick! Why'd'ya let him
than a certain other | talk to you that way?!
person's... |
Serge:
(Never mind his manners--I
couldn't even open my mouth
while he was here! It was
like the entire room suddenly
got really cold... Wait a
minute--MAGUS?! Wasn't that
the name of some legendary evil
sorcerer up on the continent?
I'd swear those stories are
really old, though--maybe
he just decided he liked the
name...? I could believe he
was evil, though. Whew.)
Um, Guile, who was that man,
exactly?
Guile:
...He is the greatest mystery
I have ever encountered.
Serge:
(Just what we need--more
mysteries... Can't say that,
though, or Guile will sulk.)
What do you mean?
Guile:
Ten years ago, when I was new
to the wandering life, I met
him under the eaves of a
forest not far from Porre: a
highly-trained mage who could
remember nothing of his past,
not even his own name. All
he knew was that he was
looking for something. And so
it remains, even to this day.
Serge:
(Poor bastard... Somehow, I
don't think pitying him would
be safe, though.)
And you've been hanging out
with him since then? He doesn't
seem like the easiest guy to
make friends with.
Guile:
He can be difficult, yes.
Nor would I claim that he
is exactly a friend. But
I have found, from time to
time, that he is a useful
person to know.
[Doc re-enters]
Serge:
You used the Humour? Is Kid
okay?
Doc:
Yes, she has passed the critical
period. There are no signs of
complications from the poison.
The girl has held up well,
but only thanks to that man...
Doc:
You, with the red bandana,
you are Serge, correct?
Serge:
Yeah, that's me.
Doc:
She would like to speak with you.
It will be a little while longer
before she falls asleep from the
anesthetic.
Will you speak with her, dude?
Serge:
Yeah, sure. (After all this,
I'd feel a bit silly saying
no!)
=================================================
Inner Room, Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Serge goes into the back room]
Kid:
Hehe, you've become
bloody handsome while
I was out of it.
[Unfortunately, the graphics aren't good enough for us
to actually see Serge rolling his eyes!]
Serge:
Give me a break. Are you
feeling better?
Kid:
Eh, it's kind of like I've
been on a three-day bender--
got a headache the size of
one of yer bloody coconuts,
and I feel limp as a noodle.
Serge:
I think you're kind of lucky
if your worst problem is a
headache--and how would you
know what spending three
days drunk to the eyeballs
feels like? (Okay, so I've
had a hangover myself. Once.
And got so thoroughly scolded
for it I wished I was dead.)
Kid:
That's none of yer bizzo--
you ain't me mother!
Serge:
Okay, okay, I was just
wondering.
...So what did you want to
talk to me about?
Kid:
Well, the doc told me some
of what's been going on
while I was asleep, and...
y'know, that guy who got the
antidote...I'd like to thank
him.
Serge:
I don't know if that's a good
idea--he's a little hard to
deal with. (Understatement of
the century--I don't think I
want to be in the room if she
and that Magus guy decide to
have a fight...)
Kid:
What, you think it's okay for
me just to take 'im for granted?
Serge:
Of course not, but--
Kid:
Then I guess I'll just have to
break the doc's orders and go
find him meself!
[Kid starts to get up, but Serge puts his hands on her
chest and pushes her back.]
Serge:
Do you want to have a relapse?
I'll go. (Proving once again
that I am a total sucker. Oh,
well, I still owe her one.)
[Note that there's no way that Serge can leave Guldove at
this point, even though he's about to be allowed out to
wander around--he has no boat yet.]
=================================================
Left Tower, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Magus is standing on the balcony-thing around the shaman's
tower, on the opposite side from the walkway granting access,
staring out to sea. He turns around when Serge walks up to
him.]
Magus:
What do you want?
Serge:
Kid wants to talk to you.
Magus:
Kid...? Oh, of course, the
girl. And I suppose you won't
leave me alone unless I
indulge her whim.
Serge:
Um, I wouldn't have put it
quite that way... (There is
one good thing about having
this guy around--he makes
anyone else look polite and
friendly by comparison! I'll
just show him where Kid is
and quietly leave the room...)
[Magus now tags along after Serge, although he doesn't--yet--
appear as part of the party on the menu screen.]
=================================================
Inner Room, Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Serge enters first. Magus begins to follow a moment later,
but freezes in the doorway, staring at Kid.]
Serge:
Magus, this is--
Magus: [interrupting]
You! I know you, but...
[He shakes his head in frustration]
Kid:
Well, I ain't never seen you
before in me life. Just wanted
to say "thank you", that's all.
Magus:
...
Doc: [From offscreen]
If you two dudes are done in
there, let her get some rest--
she isn't completely recovered
yet. She needs to rest until
tomorrow morning.
[The scene fades out.]
=================================================
Left Tower, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Fade back in. It's sunset. Magus is at the railing again,
and Guile is standing beside him.]
Guile:
So, is Kid really...?
Magus:
I don't KNOW, damn it all.
It's like that time in Guardia.
I think I knew someone LIKE her
once, just as I once visited
somewhere LIKE that place.
[Magus shakes his head]
Magus:
Whoever that other person was,
I...valued her. My heart leapt
when I saw that girl...and
sank again the moment she
spoke. It felt almost as though
Time or Destiny were playing
some kind of sick joke on me.
I could have blasted her from
existence in that moment.
Guile:
Magus...
Magus:
Don't worry, my grip on my
sanity hasn't yet slipped that
far...although my capacity for
rage sometimes disturbs even
me. Will you continue
travelling with them once they
leave here?
Guile:
That is my intention, yes.
Magus:
Hmph. Leave me alone, will
you? I need to think.
[Again, the scene fades out.]
=================================================
Outer Room, Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[As the scene fades back in, Serge is talking to Korcha, Doc, and Guile,
making elaborate hand gestures in the process.]
Serge:
...so that's the story.
(Whew. My throat's dry.
I didn't realize things
were getting so
complicated.)
Doc:
"Where Angels Lose Their Way"
--That sounds far out, dude.
Got any idea what it really
means?
Serge:
Not a clue...unless it's...
Kid: [from offscreen]
Should be the place where it
all started, don't ya think?
[She enters from the ward area, all dressed and
ready to go.]
Serge:
Where it all started...you
mean Opassa Beach? (I guess
that kind of makes sense. I
mean, it was after I woke up
there that everything
started to go freaky...)
Kid:
Got any better ideas? Anyway,
I'm tired of sticking around
here. Why don't we head out?
We're supposed to be headed
for the Sea of Eden, ain't we?
Korcha:
I'll ferry ya back to Termina
--just come by my boat and ask.
[Korcha leaves the room. Kid is automatically recruited again--there's no
point in letting the player refuse her here.]
=================================================
Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[When the player approaches Korcha and speaks to him,
intending to leave]
Magus: [From offscreen]
Wait.
[He enters the area from the direction of the shop-tower
and walks up to Serge et al.]
Magus:
I'll come with you.
Serge:
~~~We'd be glad to have you. | ~~~Um, I don't think so.
|
| Magus:
| I wasn't offering you a choice.
[Either way, he joins the party, producing the typical rename screen,
etc. At this point, one of the major reasons I insisted on having six
people nominally in the party even if only three are allowed in combat
comes up: Magus is downright obsessed with Kid, and if the player tries
to put her in the party without him, he will automatically grab the last
non-combat slot (and also vice-versa--put him in a party without her, and
he'll drag her into that last slot). Hey, it makes my life as a scriptwriter
just that little bit easier, okay?]
The matter of why Magus is still called Magus when he can't remember his name
will be dealt with in a later optional scene in Termina, which will also cover
some stuff about Guile's past and how the two of them met.
And no, Serge doesn't have the Astral Amulet...yet.
Anyway, the next bit I'll be covering will be the conventional "Save Kid" route
through the Hydra Marshes. I'm not quite sure how long it's going to be yet,
because I haven't decided whether I'm cutting Razzly entirely or leaving her
rescue in even though she won't be recruitable.
-
So, according to all this, if you had Guile as the Viper Manor guide, this means it's theoretically the same as choosing not to save Kid if the guide was Nikki, am I right?
As in, now you go to Termina, Glenn advises you to visit Radius, and the like?
-
It's closer to what happens if you choose to save Kid in the original version of events (Korcha, not Macha, ferries you to Termina, and you can't recruit Glenn) but yeah, we more or less rejoin the normal script for a while after this and go visit Radius. The next significant variation happens on board the Invincible, which is where Serge gets the Astral Amulet.
-
Actually, I'm not sure if it would be in that case.
After saving Kid through the HW Hydra Marshes option, and reaching Termina, she reveals she learned back at Guldove that Lynx is at Fort Dragonia. By saving her early, which would be in this Guile path, she won't.
I'm sure this causes things to go different as the save Kid events.
-
Now that I look at it, that's going to require some changes, yes, but I think it can be handled with a few carefully chosen lines. I'll figure it out one way or another when I get there. Worst case, that section will again be different from either of the other branches.
-
Oh man--that was brilliant. You really captured Magus's character well--he kinda comes off as an asshole, not some flowery magician. Brilliant. I have no idea where this is going, but this is getting mighty exciting.
-
OH WHAT?! No Razzly...? So how do you do that tearful scene on Water Dragon Isle without her in your party?
I understand why you're cutting her out, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea in the medium-run.
-
@mav: Thanks. Magus--as opposed to Guile or even Magil--has always struck me as both damnably
proud and intent on pushing away anyone who might infringe on his emotional isolation. Despite
being one of his many groupies, I would have no interest in meeting the Blue-Haired One in
real life, because I'm pretty sure he'd come off as a prick. :lol:
@Katie Skyye: Actually, I think I can slip most of Razzly's character arc in without making
her a PC. If I leave the rescue scene in, the logical thing for her to do if she's unable
to join the party is head back to Water Dragon Island. Assuming that it takes her a while
to get there, it wouldn't be impossible for her to arrive at about the same time as the
party. Nothing wrong with having a touching NPC moment, right?
(Guess it's decided, then--I'll be leaving Razzly's rescue in.)
-
Now that I look at it, that's going to require some changes, yes, but I think it can be handled with a few carefully chosen lines. I'll figure it out one way or another when I get there. Worst case, that section will again be different from either of the other branches.
If you want a suggestion, do it the same way it's done in the don't save Kid path: They learn thanks to Glenn's conversation with the Flower Seller.
-
It is going to end up having something to do with Glenn, but I'm not quite sure how yet. And it may end up happening that way in the normal Save Kid path as well, because I hate how the original has her drop one brief mention of it in the middle of screens of other text--I missed the mention of Fort Dragonia the first time I played CC and ended up having to resort to a walkthrough after flailing around a lot trying to figure out what came next.
But right now, I have something like 400 lines of Steena and Direa infodump to crawl through. ::sigh::
-
By the Entity, what a pain! Discovering that this sub-chapter was on the order of 1500
lines long, I ended up splitting it yet again, so this is only the first half, covering
everything up to and including the return to Home World. If the Steena/Direa part looks
odd, it's probably because I took a machete to it and slashed out all the stuff about
Fort Dragonia and the Dragon's Tear that Serge (and the player) would have absolutely
no interest in at this point--it'll be re-inserted later, in some form, after it's
become clear that they need to go to the Fort.
9b. Guldove - Save Kid route
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, Nikki. (Kid is not in the party, and this branch is not
available if Guile was chosen as the Viper Manor guide.)
Recruitable: Luccia, Skelly (as of the moment Korcha's boat becomes available--see
"early side-stuff")
=================================================
Doctor's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
Alrighty then!
I'll come along with ya.
Serge:
Thanks. (Especially since
we would be stuck here
without his help--I'm
pretty sure there's no
way to get anywhere from
Guldove without a boat.)
Korcha:
...By the way, do you even
have a clue where to start
lookin'?
Serge:
Um...
Korcha:
Hey, do ya?
Serge:
Give me a minute--I'm
trying to think!
Korcha:
Tsk, that's what I thought.
Where in the world should
we start...
Serge:
Well, I think there's still
a hydra in the Hydra Swamp
in my world, or at least,
everyone says there is...
but I still don't know how
to get back. (Dammit, I
just wish everyone would
stop LOOKING at me like
this! I'm not a genius--I
don't know what to do
either!)
Korcha:
All we have left is that
girl's amulet...
Damn, what are we gonna do!?
If only we had some kinda clue!
[Demi-human Female]
...Um.
Maybe you should go see
the shaman?
The shaman might be able to give
you some clues from that amulet.
Korcha:
......
That's right.
The shaman...
Leena: | Serge:
Shaman? Excuse me, but I | What's a 'shaman'?
don't think I've ever |
heard the word before. |
Korcha:
The shaman inherits the power
of the Dragon God and governs
the village.
They're like a mayor or chief.
The shaman might know
something, although I can't say
for sure. It's worth a try.
Serge:
(Yeah, it does sound like this
shaman person might be able to
help--worth a try, anyway.)
Korcha:
We'll continue this outside.
Let's decide what to do
at the boat.
=================================================
Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[A shadow cat appears as they leave the building]
[Korcha]
Huh?
[It becomes an ordinary cat]
Korcha:
Oh, you're...
Luna, from Mel's place.
What...
[Mel grabs the cat]
[Korcha]
Oh, hey...
Korcha:
......
That Mel...
What is she up to?
Korcha:
What's up?
It's just a cat.
Strange guy.
Come on, let's get
goin'.
Serge:
(Am I being paranoid? After
seeing those creatures Lynx
had with him at Viper Manor,
I have a hard time believing
that anything is 'just a cat')
Korcha:
We need to get goin' as soon
as possible, but you probably
need to equip yourselves, right?
I'll be waitin' here.
Call me when you're ready to go.
We haven't got much time,
so hurry.
Serge:
Yeah, I know.
Korcha:
If you need to see the
shaman, go down this way.
Take the ladder to the second
floor of the merchant tower
and go left. There's a tower
called the Dragon Shrine.
Compared to Termina, this is a
small village, so you shouldn't
have any problems of getting
lost.
Serge:
Thanks for the directions.
(No thanks for the advice,
though. Who does he think
he is, my mother?)
[If they talk to the girl near the top-center
of the docks]
[Girl]
Dear sirs, you're
travelers, right?
Although I hesitate to do so,
I have a favor to ask of you.
I received this bone from
a trader, but I would like
you to set it adrift in the seas...
I'm sure its real owner
would like to have it
returned to nature...
So, can you fulfill my request?
~~~OK, I'll do it | ~~~Sorry, I can't help you
|
Serge: | Serge:
(It's a weird request, but not | Why don't you ask someone
difficult.) | to take you on a boat trip?
| I have other things to do.
[Girl] |
Why thank you! | [Girl]
Here it is. Please | That's what I thought...
take good care of it. | I'm stumped. There's no point
| releasing it from the village,
[Member] received | because it always drifts back.
Pelvic Bone. |
| Serge:
Skelly: [if he's present] | Then maybe this is where
Yeah, you need guts | it wants to be. (I'm glad
to get through life! | I didn't say yes. I don't
Hey...!? | need any more weird in my
That's right! | life, and a boomerang bone
My favorite dish is | is definitely weird.)
Termina's famous |
squid gut pasta! |
|
Serge: [if Skelly is present] |
(I should have known it |
would be something to do |
with him.) |
=================================================
Orlha's Pub, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Serge walks into the pub, where Doc is slumped over
the bar, talking to Orlha. I was going to make some
changes to this section, but after I finally tracked
down a Youtube video of it to get the stage directions,
I decided it would be inappropriate.]
Doc:
...Another life is about
to slip through my hands...
just like before.
Nothing has changed at all
by studying medicine...
Man, I am so powerless...!
Orlha:
...So are you going to just
give up on this life?
That's not the case, is it...?
If you don't, who else
will help her back from the
edge of life and death?
[Doc]
......
Orlha:
I don't know your past.
Living bound by the past
is a very painful thing.
You need to face reality
head on...
Running away isn't a sin, but
it accomplishes nothing.
Doc:
But I...
Orlha:
One thing is different
from the past, you have
the ability...to heal.
Everyone in the village
recognizes that.
Don't suffer by yourself...
If you give up now, you will never
be freed from your past.
Orlha:
Now go...
Don't let it end without
doing something first.
Doc:
I have done them a discourtesy...
I am a failure as a doctor, but I
must do what I can.
Thanks, Orlha...
=================================================
Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[If they return to the clinic]
Doc:
This is the best I can do
without the antidote.
Now, it is a matter of how
long the patient can hold
on...
[Assistant]
......
Please don't give up hope.
We will do best that we can...
Serge:
And we'll do our best too.
(I just hope we come up
with something that works.)
=================================================
Dragon Shrine, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Shrine Maiden:
Welcome to the Dragon Shrine.
I am Steena, a shaman
serving Village Chief and
High Priestess Direa.
Serge:
I'm Serge, from Arni, and
this is Nikki.
------------------------------------------------
[If Leena is in the party]
Leena:
Excuse me, Serge, but aren't
you forgetting someone here?
Serge:
Oh, and this is Leena. (Oops.
I have a feeling I'm going to
be in trouble over that one
later.)
------------------------------------------------
Steena:
I presume that you have come to
this shrine seeking assistance?
Please don't hesitate to ask
Chief Direa for guidance...
Serge:
Yeah, we've been having a little
trouble...
Direa:
...You possess a young but
gentle air about you...
Hmm? There is an odd
wind that is whirling about.
I have heard that such wind-
bearers appear at times, but...
Serge:
Well, maybe it's got something
to do with my being from
another world--well, sort of.
There was a 'me' in this
world, but apparently he's
dead...
Direa:
...Do you speak the truth?
That you are already dead
in this world...?
Serge:
As I understand it, yeah.
I was told that, ten years
ago, there was a time where
I could have lived or died,
but for some weird reason,
the world split in half. In
this world, I died, but in
the other one, I survived...
(Which is kind of obvious,
really, or I wouldn't be
here.)
Anyway, the real reason
we're here is, we need
some Hydra Humour to save
our friend's life. I think
I know where to find a
hydra in my world, but
first we need to get
there... Please, help us!
[Serge drops to one knee in front of Direa]
Serge:
(I can't believe I'm doing
this... But it's for Kid.)
Direa:
Hmm, I see...
So that's why you have an
odd air about you.
As for a way to return to your
original world, I do not know.
But there are always reasons
why such phenomena occur...
Serge:
(Here we go again. I just
hope she gets to the point
faster than that weird Prophet
guy at the manor.)
Direa:
The Land of Genesis.
Your only key may lie there...
The key that connects
your world, to this one.
...Shall we say, it is a
'"Dimensional Distortion"'
of sorts?
Serge:
Yes, but where is it?
Steena:
If events in your
world are different
from events here...
It may be possible to
save the girl, stricken
with the Hydra poison.
That is if the extinct Hydra
still exists in your world...
Serge:
(ARGH! Isn't that what I just
said?! I'm starting to wonder
if these two are listening to
me at all!)
Steena:
The Land of Genesis...
I have no idea where it
may lie...
Serge:
(Thank you for finally getting
to the POINT, even if you don't
have anything helpful to say.)
Steena:
But...all phenomena
have their reasons...
I feel that there is some
other will acting behind this...
something other than the fact
that you are dead in this world.
Serge:
I've been thinking ever since
I heard about that that there
had to be more to it. I mean,
I can't be the only person
who's alive in only one of the
worlds.
Serge:
What I need to know is,
assuming I can find the "Land
of Genesis", how do I get back
to my own world? I don't think
just finding the place is
going to be enough, somehow.
Steena:
I believe that there is a '"key
item"' that you need to make
the jump between worlds.
Something that matches the
missing piece of the puzzle.
Something powerful enough to
send Serge back, who is
a missing piece of this world...
Serge:
A..."key item"...
Nikki:
Something powerful... Or maybe
just something important?
Something that would remind
you of all the reasons why
you need to get back there?
Serge:
...!
Serge:
Kid's amulet...
[Serge stands up and bows to Direa.]
Serge:
Thank you.
[He turns to face Nikki]
[Serge]
You, too, Nikki. Let's go.
=================================================
Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
Are you ready to go?
~~~Not yet | ~~~Ready any time
|
Korcha: | Korcha:
Hey, someone's life | Are you really sure?
depends on this. | Don't ya dare tell me you
Hurry up will you! | want to come back later!
| Think about it really carefully.
Serge: | Are you positively sure?
(And it's going to help |
Kid if we get killed | ~~~I'm ready | ~~~Sorry, just a little longer
'cause we left here | |
unprepared?) | Serge: | Korcha:
| (I'm starting to wonder | Then get yourself ready.
| what I'd have to say to | Someone's life depends on
| convince this guy!) | you, so hurry up!
| |
| Korcha: | Serge:
| Alright, we're off. | Do you think I don't
| All of you get in the boat. | know that?!
=================================================
Termina (Another)
=================================================
[When they dock in Termina, the docks' overseer is not
pleased to see them.]
[Overseer]
HEY!!!
Who said you could dock
that thing there!?
Get that thing out of
here, right now!
Korcha:
Hey, don't be such a hardhead.
It's not like we're robbin'
from anyone.
Besides, nobody else is
dockin' here, right?
[Overseer]
That's not the point!
What I'm trying to
say is...
Korcha:
Here, keep it.
[Korcha gives the overseer something]
[Overseer]
You can't bribe me
with some...
!!!
Th-The delicious scent and
this subtle texture...!
This must be the famous,
rare drink of Dragonians,
the '"Dragon's Glory!"'
Korcha:
(I thought this might
happen, so I snagged some
from my ma's kitchen.)
[Overseer]
A-Alright.
I'll give you special
permission this time.
But next time I might
not be so easy.
When that happens...
Korcha:
Don't worry.
I'll get some more for you.
[Overseer]
Very well.
Heh heh heh...
You're pretty quick
for a kid.
[The overseer leaves]
Serge:
(Heh--that was almost worthy
of Kid. I didn't know Korcha
was that sharp.)
Korcha:
If you don't hurry, that
girl's gonna be dead.
What do you need?
~~~Return to Guldove | ~~~It's nothing
|
Korcha: |
Whoa, whoa! |
Aren't you in a hurry!? |
Are ya sure you want to return? |
|
Serge: |
Look, Kid's life depends on |
this--we need to be absolutely |
sure we're prepared! |
|
Korcha: |
Okay, okay, I'll take ya back. |
This once. |
[If they speak to the boy in the upper bridge-type area near the
smithy]
[Boy]
Hey, weren't you
on Korcha's boat the
other day? I'm jealous...
How was the ride?
~~~It was great! | ~~~It was terrible!
|
Just as I thought! | Huh!?
Umm, one day, | Really?
I want to build a | That's weird...
ship just like it. | I wonder if the saying
| '"Ships are not what [/I]
Serge: | they seem,"' is true...
I'm sure you will. (He's | I gotta do some
so enthusiastic about | research on that...
that glorified canoe... |
I can't bring myself to | Serge:
tell him the truth, | Try actually RIDING a few
though.) | boats before you make up
| your mind about them. Korcha's
| boat is tiny--it can't handle
| heavy seas very well.
|
| [Boy]
| You think so?
|
| Serge:
| I've fished off a lot of
| different boats, so I know
| a bit about them.
|
| [Boy]
| Hmmm...
=================================================
Opassa Beach (Another)
=================================================
Nikki:
Rockin'...
So this is Opassa Beach.
Where angels lose their way...
I wonder if it's true
that the flow of time
has split in two?
Serge:
I'm pretty sure this has to
be it--the Shaman's "Land of
Genesis". It's here that
everything started going weird.
Nikki:
Serge, let's
just get on with it.
I don't have time for a
leisurely walk on the beach.
Serge:
Give me a moment--I need to
find the exact spot... (Where
was it that I woke up after
I fainted? I think... Here.)
[Serge walks over to the exact point of the dimensional
distortion and the greenish circle-y thing appears under
his feet.]
Serge:
This has got to be it. (Or
at least, I don't see what
else it could be--it sure
LOOKS freaky enough to be
a path between two worlds.)
Leena: | Nikki:
Hey... | Hey, Serge, are you
What is this? | sure this thing is
It's kinda scary going | safe?
in this thing... |
Serge:
It might be dangerous--I
don't know. But we have
to take the risk. Come on.
[Nikki--and Leena, if she's present--walk over to stand near Serge.]
Serge:
(So I guess this is the
moment of truth. Now, what
did I do with Kid's amulet?)
[Serge holds the amulet up, and we see the transition FMV for the
first time.]
=================================================
Opassa Beach (Home)
=================================================
Serge:
(Ugh. I don't think I'm ever
going to enjoy going from one
world to the other. Still, at
least I didn't pass out this
time.)
Nikki:
It felt like my
body spit in two.
Man, that was weird.
Leena: | Nikki:
So we made it to the | So I guess this is the
other world, right? | other world. Funny, it
Are you sure, Serge? | doesn't look all that
I still find it hard to believe. | different.
[Serge moves away from the transition point and looks at one of
the cliffs.]
Serge:
This is my world, all right.
See? I made this mark here
when I was twelve. (And I
really, really hope the
world wouldn't just go crazy
around us like that for no
reason.)
Anyway, let's get going. We
have a hydra to find.
In Part the Next, we will have Razzly, Beebas, Dwarves, Hydras, and havoc. Unfortunately,
it's going to take longer than this bit did, because there are a lot of lines marked as
being for "Member", which I'm going to have to re-write for Nikki and/or Leena.
-
Direa:
The Land of Genesis.
Your only key may lie there...
The key that connects[P][A HREF="helix09-save-b.htm"]Guldove--Saving Kid, Part II[/A]
[A HREF="helixscriptindex.htm"]Index[/A]
[/BODY]
[/HTML]
your world, to this one.
...Shall we say, it is a
'"Dimensional Distortion"'
of sorts?
[/I]
What just happened there...? I'm sure that was a mistake.
Anyway, good work, again! I pretty much have NOTHING useful to say, I'm just here for encouragement! This is epic stuff!
-
Great stuff! Serge has some good backbone here; I like it. Though one thing did really trip me up:
Korcha:
......
That Mel...
What is she up to?
Korcha:
What's up?
It's just a cat.
Strange guy.
Come on, let's get
goin'.
Apparently I don't remember this scene...what's going on? Is it just some cat? And when he says "strange guy" who's he referring to? I dunno if you can clarify since this was from the game, but I'm just curious...
-
@Katie Skyye: It looks like somehow the footer chunk from the HTML version got pasted into the middle of the text. Oops.
@mav: I think "strange guy" is referring to Serge, who must have reacted somehow to seeing what looked like one of Lynx's cat-shadow-critters. I don't remember the scene either, but it's definitely in the script.
-
I guess I'll have to try and find a video of that scene, cause it sure sounds wacky.
Anyways, this was a great read; you've done a great job developing Serge's character, through his words, his thoughts, his actions. I'm very impressed. Keep it coming.
-
So here we have dwarves and hydras and Razzly (oh, my!) Enjoy.
9b-2. Guldove - Save Kid route (Part 2)
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, Nikki. (Kid is not in the party, and this branch is not
available if Guile was chosen as the Viper Manor guide.)
Recruitable: Luccia, Skelly (as of the moment Korcha's boat becomes available--see
"early side-stuff")
[Note: If there is a problem here, it's that if Leena wasn't recruited (and the player
hasn't detoured to pick up one of the other optional characters--even without the use
of the boat, Luccia at least should be accessible by going overland from Termina and
through the forest), the party will at this point consist only of Serge and Nikki,
and getting through the Hydra Marshes with only two people might be a tall order for
some players.]
=================================================
Entrance, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
[They speak to the guy at the entrance to the marshes]
------------------------------------------------
[If Leena is present]
[Man]
Oh, you're with Leena.
Well, I'm sure you'll be OK
if she comes along, hehheh...
Leena:
Hey!
What do you mean by that!?
[Man]
Uhhh...well...ahh...nothing!
Serge:
(Does this guy have a death
wish? But I agree--Leena will
probably scare all the poor
monsters in here to death.)
------------------------------------------------
[Note: Some references below to "the 3 of you" have
been removed without my bothering to mark them]
[Man]
You want to go further
into the forest, right?
Well, if it's you guys,
I'm sure you'll be OK.
Do you have some kind
of business here?
Serge:
That's right.
[Man]
...Hmm, I won't ask you
what it is. I can tell by
the look on your face that
it's something important.
Here, go on through.
I'm sure you can handle
yourselves.
[He steps out of the way.]
[Man]
Before you enter here,
I'll give you a word
of advice...
The marshes are like a
maze full of poisonous
monsters. Be prepared!
Serge:
We've already prepared the
best we could.
[A dwarf (or a beeba? script not clear) shows itself briefly,
deeper inside the swamp]
Serge:
(Huh? What was that?)
Leena: | Nikki:
Serge, why are you standing | You know, I don't think
there staring into space? | the hydra's going to
We've got a hydra to find, | pop out and fall on you
remember? | if you just look for it
| long enough.
Serge:
Um, yeah. Sorry. (Must
be seeing things.)
=================================================
Tree Branch Area, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
Nikki:
Guys, get down!
Something's coming!
[They get buzzed by the Wingapede]
Nikki:
Man, what was that thing?
It's huge!
Serge:
(Ugh, I didn't count on
there being giant bugs in
here...)
=================================================
Beeba Stomping Grounds, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
[The Beeba sticks its head out, then returns to hiding]
Leena: | Serge:
Am I seeing things, or | (Huh? What the...?
was some weird yellow | That thing's uglier
creature with a parasol | than the giant bugs!)
standing there for a |
moment? |
[A little further on, the Beeba returns and blocks their path]
BubbaBeeba:
This beeba no place
for humans, beeba!
Go away! Beeba off!
Serge:
Sorry, but that isn't
an option.
BubbaBeeba:
If you beeba good and walk
away, I will let you go.
Beeba gone!
Nikki:
Serge, I don't think it's
listening...
BubbaBeeba:
You beeba too persistent...
I will beebavenged!
Serge:
(Oh, fer cryin' out loud--
as though the other monsters
weren't enough of a nuisance!)
[They fight it. When the party wins--]
BubbaBeeba:
I beeba sorry! Here! I give
you this! Please forgive beeba!
This beebas flute that is
handed down in the beeba
family. It beeba magical! It
calls Wingapede! It makes
Wingapede beeba good Wingapede!
It is best beeba used in a
"wide open space!" Well, I'll
beeba seeying ya!
[Serge receives the Beeba flute, and the Beeba ducks out. Serge
looks down thoughtfully at the flute in his hand]
Leena: [if she's present]
Well, that was...nice of it.
Serge:
Magical, huh? (Why do I have
the feeling there has to be
a catch?)
Nikki:
We won't know until we test it
out. Why don't you try blowing
it, Serge?
[Serge does that, and nothing happens. The Beeba reappears]
BubbaBeeba:
This beeba the wrong place!
This isn't the '"wide open space"'
I was talking about!
[It leaves again]
Nikki:
I was hoping that it would
at least make a cool sound--
something I could use in my
next composition--but no
such luck, I guess.
Serge:
You know, that beeba critter
was being just a little too
helpful for my taste.
Leena: | Nikki:
Kind of paranoid, aren't | You're overthinking
you? | things.
Serge:
(I hope that's all it is.
Really, I do.)
=================================================
Wingapede Platform, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
Nikki:
A wide open space...maybe
we should try the flute
here?
[Serge blows the flute and a pissed off Wingapede shows up]
Leena: | Nikki:
Uh-oh, it doesn't look very | Oh, hell, it's coming right
happy... Sorry, Serge, guess | for us! Serge, I guess you
you were right for once when | were right about that beeba
you said there was something | guy after all. Sorry.
fishy about that flute. |
| Serge:
Serge: | That's okay--so long as you
("For once"? Ouch! She's no | remember this the next time
different from the Leena | I get paranoid.
from my world, even though |
she HASN'T known me all my | Nikki:
life!) | ...
[They fight the Wingapede, and defeat it, but the platform has been
weakened by the battle...]
Nikki:
Maybe it's my turn to be
paranoid, but the middle of
this thing doesn't look
like it's in good shape. I
think we'd better not try
to walk on it, okay?
[Of course, if they do step on the weakened center of the
platform, it gives way and lands them in the cave-like area
underneath.]
=================================================
Cave, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
[They drop from above and bounce off the Pentapus]
Nikki:
Man, sure didn't expect to
find a space this size down
here--or a monster this big!
Serge:
It makes a nice cushion,
though, if you don't mind
that it's a bit rubbery.
Leena: [if she's present]
And slimy. Ick!
Serge:
I'm surprised it didn't
wake up when we hit it.
Nikki:
Guess we got lucky, for
once. Hey, is that a
cage over there?
Serge:
Looks like it.
[A flutter of motion from the cage.]
Serge:
...There's something inside.
(Damnit, I don't know what to
do! Every moment we spend here
brings Kid that much closer to
dying, but the critter in the
cage is probably in trouble
too...)
-------------------------------------------------------------
[If they speak to the fairy in the cage on the other side of the room]
Encaged Fairy:
............
Leena: | Nikki:
This is...a fairy? I've | Hey, is this a fairy?
heard of them, but I've |
never seen one before. |
Serge:
Whatever she is, she isn't
going to survive much longer
in there. Let's get her out.
[Pentapus]
Wait right there...
My darlings
Do you think you can walk out
of here alive?
...And with my dinner too?
Come to think of it...
It's been years since I wrapped
my sweet tentacles around
succulent humon flesh...!
You'll make a fine main course
to go with that delicious fairiii
appetizer!
You should consider it an
honor to be the dinner
guests of Madam Pentapus!
Serge:
(Ugh--you have GOT to be kidding
me! We've got to waste time
fighting a stupid monster with
a speech impediment at the
bottom of this hole?!)
Let's just get this over with.
[They defeat the Pentapus and release Razzly from the cage]
Fairy:
Thank you for rescuing me!
You are kind of strong for
human-folk! I was surprised!
Let me introduce myself...
My name is Razzly!
I come from Water Dragon Isle.
I think you can tell by just
looking at me, but I'm a fairy!
I guess you could say it's
fairy obvious! Tee-hee-hee!
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
(If she's going to make puns
that bad, I vote we stuff her
back in the cage.)
Leena: | Nikki:
I've heard of that island. | You know, I overheard
The old fisherman in my village | these two guys talking
sometimes spoke about it. | while I was in Termina--
But he says that because of the | the other Termina, that
strange dry spell we've been | is. Seems that the water
having lately the island's | on the other world's Water
water source has dried up! | Dragon Isle has dried up.
I wonder if it's the same | Think the same thing might
thing in this world? | have happened here?
Razzly:
Huh? Our water source
has dried up...?
This world...?
I don't understand what
in Fairy Godmother's name
you are talking about!
Serge:
It's kind of complicated.
Look, try not to worry about
it too much. I'm sure your
island's fine. Anyway, if
you're going to be okay now,
we need to find that hydra.
If there's even one here.
(We've wasted way too much
time here.)
Razzly:
There sure is a Hydra
in this forest. I saw it
with my fairy own eyes!
But that's when those
big-noses caught me and
threw me in here to
become Pentapus bait!
Anyway, I'll be fine.
Now that I'm out of
the cage, I can fly
back to my island. It'll
take a while, but that's
okay. Thanks fairy much
for helping me, and be
fairy careful!
[Razzly exits, flying straight up through the hole in the cavern's ceiling.]
----------------------------------------------------------------
[If they do all this too late to save Razzly]
Razzly:
............And......
...thank......you...for...coming...
[Razzly dies]
------------------------------------------------------------------
=================================================
Near Hydra Pool, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
[The party is surrounded by dwarves]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Halt, humans! We cannot
permit you to advance
any further!
DaffyDwarf:
The Hydra is the tutelary
deity of this forest,
hi-ho! Without it, this
forest will die...
Serge:
I hate to say it, but that
isn't our problem. (I wish
there were some other way
to save Kid's life, but...)
DaggyDwarf:
Should you still wish to
advance, you will have to
get by us! Prepare for
battle, wicked humans!
Serge:
(Here we go again...)
[Battle. When the party wins]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Too...strong... Are we
unable... to stop them...?
Serge:
(I'd like to tell them that
we're sorry, but, well, I'm
not really sure I am. I mean,
we're disrupting their way of
life, but we're not doing it
because we're selfish!)
Nikki:
Hey, Serge, the hydra must
be just up ahead, so let's
go.
Serge:
Right.
[When he reaches the edge of the screen, however, he pauses and takes a look over his
shoulder to where he last saw the dwarves, and shakes his head before continuing on.]
=================================================
Hydra Pool, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
[The hydra is behind the chieftain, submerged in the pool]
Dwarf Chieftain:
You befouler of
the forests...!
Human vermin!!!
Prepare to receive
the anger of nature
that you so deserve! Hi-ho!
O great Hydra!
Hear my voice!
Turn on these
wretched humans...
Teach them how the
forest, no...our
planet... is pained
by their existence!
Hi-ho, Hydra, away!
[They fight and defeat the hydra]
Dwarf Chieftain:
What do you humans
intend to do with
our mother planet?
Not thinking of the
future...cutting
down trees like
there's no tomorrow!
Burning the forests
to make your towns
even bigger!
And all for what?
Dwarf Chieftain:
Do you think that you
are the only ones who
live on this planet!?
Do you even know the
works of life-forms
other than yourselves?
Hi-ho!? Hi-ho!?
Leena: | Nikki:
What are you trying to say? | I know that everyone--
That letting our friend die | everyTHING--has a right to
would have been better than | live. But there are times
letting the hydra die? That's | when only one of two creatures
stupid! | can survive.
Serge: [making a sharp waving gesture in front of his face]
Saying that Kid's life is
worth less than your hydra's
is just selfish. (I can't...
I don't... We did do the right
thing, didn't we? Or at least
not the wrong thing.)
Dwarf Chieftain:
Don't kid yourselves!
You are just hairless
apes! Or worse, hi-ho!
You are nothing more
than freaks of-of-of
evolution!!!!
Hiiii-hooooowwww-ugh!
[The chieftain flees. Serge checks the hydra and gets the Humour]
[System]
[Member] received
Hydra Humour!
=================================================
Entrance, Hydra Marshes (Home)
=================================================
Nikki:
Funny, there doesn't seem
to be a single dwarf
anywhere. I wonder where
they went...?
Serge:
Who knows? Let's get going.
=================================================
Termina (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
That's the stuff we needed to
save that girl, huh!?
Serge:
I think so. (If it turns out
we got the wrong hydra bit
after all that, I'm gonna
tie a rock to my ankles and
jump off the dock!)
Korcha
Then there's no time to lose!
Full speed ahead!
~~~Return to Guldove
~~~Wait just a minute
=================================================
Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
Let's rush that over to the
doctor right away.
C'mon! You guys hurry too!
Serge:
We're hurrying, we're
hurrying! (He COULD take
into consideration that
we've been wandering all
over the place fighting
dwarves and hydras while
he sat in Termina
twiddling his thumbs...)
=================================================
Doc's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Minor unmarked amendations were made to Doc's dialogue where he originally
should have used a contraction but didn't.]
Doc:
...Oh, it's you dudes.
The patient's strength is at
its limit. Without the antidote...
[Serge holds up the flask of Humour]
Serge:
I think this is what you're
looking for.
Doc:
Can this be!?
Hydra Humour...but how?
Serge:
Well...
Doc:
We'll discuss that later.
As long as we have this, making
an antidote will be easier than
catching a wave!
We can save the girl with this!!!
Serge:
(Oof. We got it right, then.)
Doc:
We'll prepare an antidote
right away. Nurse, help me with
the preparations! Stat!
[Demi-human Woman]
Y-Yes!
Doc:
I have no idea where in the
world you found this...nor do
I know who you really are...
But now isn't the time to
ask such questions.
You've done your part; now
you can leave the rest to me.
[He leaves]
Korcha:
You heard the doc;
we've done all we can.
Just trust him and wait.
[They wait in the outer room. Time passes.]
Leena: | Nikki:
It's getting pretty | Hmmm, normally I'd be
late... | getting out my guitar
| to warm up for the
| evening concert about now...
[The doctor enters]
Korcha:
Doc, how is she?
Will she be alright?
Serge:
(He took the words right
out of my mouth. Again.)
Doc:
Yes, she's passed the critical
period. There are no signs of
complications from the poison.
The girl's held up well,
but only thanks to you dudes.
You've done the impossible by
finding the antidote...
I still can't believe it...
Doc:
You, with the red bandana,
you're Serge, correct?
Serge:
That's me.
Doc:
She'd like to speak with you.
It would be a little while longer
before she falls asleep from the
anesthetic.
Will you speak with her, dude?
[Serge nods]
Serge:
Of course I will.
Doc:
I'll be in the room next door,
so call me when you need me.
And don't forget that even
though the poison is gone, she
hasn't completely recovered.
...Well then,
catch you later, dude.
Serge:
Thanks.
=================================================
Inner Room, Doc's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[Serge approaches Kid's bed]
Kid:
Hehe, you've become
bloody handsome while
I was out of it.
[Serge blushes]
Serge:
Give me a break.
Kid:
I don't know all the details,
but I heard what happened
from the doc.
Looks like there's been a lot
goin' on while I was asleep...
I guess it proves that you can
take care of yerself now, eh?
Serge:
You're saying that I couldn't,
before?
Kid:
So next time some bloke like
that Karsh jumps ya, I should
just stay away, eh?
Serge:
...
Kid:
Heh. Thought that might be
yer answer.
Kid:
...Oi, Serge.
Ya did good, mate. Why don't ya
look cheerful for a change?
Serge:
Well, excuse me for being
worried about you! (I can't
tell her about the dwarves
and the hydra... She isn't
the sort of person who
would let something like
that bother her, so she'd
just think I was being silly.
And anyway, I really WAS
worried. I mean... I kind
of... I'd hate to lose a
friend.)
[He blushes again.]
Kid:
Ha, I would've been alright
without any antidote at all!
Struth...
Now I owe ya one...
Kid:
Serge...
Thanks.
Serge:
...You're welcome.
[She falls asleep]
=================================================
Doc's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[much later]
Korcha:
...is how it is, Doc.
Doc:
...A world different from
our own?
That's far out, man...!
That there really is
such a thing...
And you dudes are from this
other world, I presume?
Serge:
No, actually I'm the only
one who's from that world.
People just keep tagging
along with me, for some
reason.
Doc:
Another world...
So I suppose some things are
slightly different.
The Hydra Marshes are a
good example of this.
Otherwise we would have never
found a Hydra in this world.
Serge:
(Not to mention my being
dead here and alive there...
Or should that be vice-versa
right now?)
Doc:
Parallel worlds, never to cross
each other, yet existing
alongside one another...
Nikki:
I wouldn't think too hard about
it. I've already given myself a
couple of headaches.
[Demi-human Woman]
Well, we've got some good
headache medicine if you
need any.
But he's got a point, doctor.
Kid's life has been saved.
I don't think we need to think
about anything further for the
time being.
Doc:
Well, I guess you're right...
I can't find an answer to this
by thinking about it on my own.
Serge:
(Nice to know I'm not the only
one who's confused.)
Doc:
It's pretty late.
We've been talking for
quite some time...
Let's call it a night.
One good day's rest should be
enough to let her get up and
hang ten.
[Normally, Mel would sneak in and steal Kid's Elements here, but
as I'm cutting her as a PC, I don't see any use in including the
Element Hunt in the plot. The next morning, Serge, Nikki, Korcha,
and (if she's been recruited) Leena are waiting in the outer room
of Doc's place when Kid walks in from the ward area and stretches.]
Kid:
So, we were talkin' 'bout
goin' to the Dead Sea to
look for the Frozen Flame
right before Lynx's little
surprise caught up with me,
or have we changed plans?
Serge:
So it's "we", now?
Kid:
Bet yer arse, mate. I
figure, if I stick with ya,
I'll catch up with Lynx
again sooner or later--and
use his own hydra venom on
him. Stuff hurts like a
stone bitch when it's in
yer system.
Serge:
(She really wants to make
Lynx hurt. I hate to think
what he must have done to
her.)
Korcha:
The Dead Sea, eh? I can
take ya there, but there
ain't no way inside.
Nikki:
Lynx got in, so there has to
be a way. Maybe there's an
underwater passage through
the barrier, or something like
that--a place where people
wouldn't normally look.
Kid:
Or we could just go after
Lynx and Viper and their mob,
if we can figure out where
they got to.
Serge:
I think...maybe we should
start in Termina. It's the
most likely place to find
news. If no one knows anything
about where Viper and Lynx
went, then we can try the
Dead Sea.
Kid:
Sounds like a plan to me,
mate. So when do we leave?
[Kid (re)joins the party--no, I'm not giving the player the option of refusing her
in this branch, either. There isn't any point, because from this point on, there are
no special scenes that I know of written specifically for a party that never recruited
Kid, as there were in Viper Manor.]
Kid:
Anyway, I said thanks to
Serge, but not to the rest
of you blokes.
Leena: [if she's there]
That's okay. Don't mention
it.
Nikki:
Leaving a pretty girl in
distress would ruin my image.
Kid:
Heh, you're a sly dog, you
are. Korcha,
I heard that ya helped
in the search, too.
Korcha:
Hmph.
It was nothing.
Kid:
Yeah?
Well, thanks for
nothin' then...
Anyway, the next posting should be the continuation of both this and the Magus/Guile branch,
from the departure from Guldove to the end of the chapter, but I have to sort out which bits
of it are still important.
-
Good job though--thankfully this portion of the game is fairly straightforward. You even managed to keep things in check with more than a handful of characters. I can't wait for what's around the corner.
-
Thanks, mav. It's nice to know that someone is still reading this.
-
I am, too! I'm surprised there aren't more people (vocally) supporting this, it's really well done. As before, Serge is developing into a likable character. Take that, silent protagonist!
-
Well, I too read this, it's just that never even once have I taken the Save Kid route before, so I don't know what to think of this redone version.
Maybe once you post the other, or even Guile's, then I may have something.
-
I should probably apologize--like most fanfic writers, I am an attention whore. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
-
And rightfully so: this fanfic has really given CC a whole new feel. I wouldn't mind seeing this as a game or an audio drama...or even a wicked flash series. Hell, I'm willing to read it, so that really says something about its quality!
-
You're gonna make me blush, mav! ;)
Anyway, I've had this finished for a couple of days, but was thrown for a loop yesterday
by a family emergency and ended up not posting. Enjoy.
9a+b. Guldove - The Aftermath of Saving Kid, One Way or the Other
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, Kid, and either Guile and Magus or Nikki and Luccia.
Recruitable: Luccia, Skelly (see "early side-stuff")
=================================================
Guldove (Another)
=================================================
[The group has just spoken to Korcha at the docks.]
Korcha:
At one point I thought we were
doomed for sure, but it looks
like it's all settled now.
Korcha:
All that's left is to take you
guys back to Termina, right?
My job ends there.
Ya get a special discount price
of 300G for the round trip.
Sorry, but I need to make
a livin' too.
Kid:
Haha, you're pretty
damn shrewd, eh?
I shouldn't have
thanked ya earlier.
Serge:
I think we can manage 300.
Korcha:
You want to go back to Termina?
~~~Not yet | ~~~Yep, back to Termina
|
Korcha: | Korcha:
Take your time there's no rush. | OK, let's go.
You probably won't be coming | Heh, it was nice knowing ya,
back here anytime soon anyway. | but this is good-bye.
I'll wait here for you until |
you're satisfied. |
Gimme a holler when you think |
you're ready to go. |
=================================================
Termina (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
Here we are in Termina.
You're on your own from
here.
Serge:
Thanks for all your help.
Korcha:
Heh, it was no problem.
Kind of fun, actually.
Serge:
(Guess the memories of
worrying about Kid have
already faded from his
mind.) See you around,
then.
[They've taken maybe two steps away from the boat, when Serge stops dead in his tracks,
listening to the sound of two people arguing floating down the dock.]
???:
...And I cannot explain their
completely complete absence,
Peppor. Where could the
General have gone in the
short time we were away?
[Enter the Shaker Brothers from the direction of Termina proper. Both of them are waving
their arms animately and paying little attention to their surroundings.]
Peppor:
Well, it's pretty clear
it wasn't Termina. So
where do we try next?
Solt:
Give me some time to
think. Not at the manor...
not in Termina... I haven't
the faintest of faint ideas!
Peppor:
So should we--
[He walks right into Serge.]
Peppor:
Hey, watch where you're
going!
Kid:
It was YOU as ran into HIM.
Ya never change, do ya?
Pair o' morons!
Nikki: | Guile:
So, Kid, you know these | Are these acquaintances
guys? | of yours?
Solt:
I was about to ask the
exactly exact same thing!
Peppor:
Uh, Solt...
Solt:
Yes, Peppor?
Peppor:
That guy I just walked
into... Does he look like
Serge to you?
[Solt leans forward to examine Serge more closely]
Solt:
I do believe he does! How
unusually unusual!
Serge:
(Oh, hell, are we going to
have to fight these two
idiots again? Maybe I can
distract them.) So, um,
why aren't you guys with
Karsh?
Solt:
Sir Karsh...has disappeared.
Peppor:
We've been shaking our tails
all over El Nido, but we
haven't found a single sign
of Sir Karsh, or of General
Viper for that matter.
Solt:
A thought occurs to me,
Peppor.
Serge:
(That's unusual.)
Peppor:
Yeah? Let's hear it.
Solt:
Do you think that the General
and Sir Karsh might be happier
with us if we brought him
Serge and his party as our
prisoners?
Peppor:
Sounds good to me!
Magus: | Kid:
It seems that El Nido does | The first two times we
not lag behind the rest of | kicked yer arses weren't
the world in terms of the | enough for ya?
quantity and quality of its |
fools! |
[Everyone pulls weapons, but the fight is interrupted before it can start.]
???:
Solt? Peppor? What are you
two doing there?
[Glenn enters from the same direction that Solt and Peppor did, earlier.]
Peppor:
Sir Glenn?
Glenn:
Where have you two been?
I have been looking all over
for you since I found Karsh's
note.
Serge:
Apparently, they were looking
for Karsh, or, failing him,
for the General.
Peppor:
When we couldn't find anyone
at the manor, we came here
to Termina...
Solt:
Then we went south to Arni...
Peppor: [if the standard Save Kid route was taken]
After that, we swung out to
Marbule, but they just threw
rocks at us...
Solt:
We were thinking of trying
Guldove next.
Peppor:
We were?
Glenn:
Did you not think of asking
the Lady Riddel?
Solt:
I'm afraid, sir, that the
General has forbidden us
to speak to her.
Serge:
(I'll give them this: they
may be dumb and incompetent,
but they're honest and loyal.
Maybe that's why Karsh keeps
them around.)
Glenn:
You could have asked her
maid to pass a message.
Nikki: | Guile:
That makes me wonder if | There speaks the voice
there's something you and | of experience.
Riddel aren't telling |
people... |
Glenn:
No such thing, I assure you!
But regardless of how you
had chosen to contact her,
Riddel could have told
you that Sir Karsh has
gone with Sir Lynx and the
General to Fort Dragonia.
Serge:
(!)
Kid:
Fort Dragonia... Ain't that
near the lava field on the
other side of this island?
Glenn:
~!?~
Glenn:
Blonde braids...
A blood red blouse...
That sounds like the
description of that
thief from the Radical
Dreamers...
Glenn:
And that red bandana...
He is just like the ghost
Karsh was describing.
Kid:
So what?
Ya wanna take us on
or somethin'?
Sorry dorry, but we're
in a bit of a rush....
to that Fort Dragonia
of yers...
Glenn:
What business do you
have at the fort...?
That makes me even
more suspicious...
I will draw my
sword if needs be...
Serge:
Whoa, there, calm down!
Can't we settle this
without fighting?
Glenn:
If you are enemies of the
Viper Clan, honour demands
that I take you into custody.
Kid:
If yer Viper Clan's in bed
with that Lynx, we're yer
enemies.
[Serge facepalms]
Serge:
(She's so devious about some
things, but Lynx makes her
lose her cool completely!)
???:
Glenn!
[And now Riddel enters]
Guile: | Nikki:
I begin to wonder if there | Last time I saw this many
is something particularly | people crowded into this
attractive about this dock | little space was when Miki
at this time of day... | and I were arguing about
| that dance number...
Riddel:
I am so glad that I caught
you before you left!
[Riddel notices Serge, Kid, et al. and does a double-take.]
Riddel:
But you are...?!
Glenn:
Stay away from them, please,
Miss Riddel--they may be
dangerous.
Riddel:
Were you intending to fight
them? They have not so much
as raised a hand against you.
Dario would not have--
Glenn:
Leave my brother
out of this!
[Then Glenn shakes his head.]
Glenn:
I am sorry, Miss Riddel.
That was not appropriate.
It is only that I am
compared to him so often...
Kid:
I don't care if ya draw
yer sword or what, but I
ain't stoppin' for ya.
See ya!
Glenn:
All right.
Forgive me for my
rash behavior...
Come to think of it,
I really have no interest
in who you are.
Really, I only want to
know the truth of what
is happening here.
I shall follow my own way
to find the truth.
Serge:
(You and me both. I'd invite
him to join us, but that
sword-waving thing makes me
a bit nervous...)
Glenn:
If you intend to
go to the fort, I would
offer you a word of advice.
When you get on your boat,
first head north, and then east.
You should find a small
island there.
A retired dragoon now
lives there.
Find him and ask for
his advice.
There are many frightful
rumors about that fort,
you know. You never know
what to expect there.
Serge:
Thanks. (I could sure use
some good advice right
about now!)
Glenn:
Lady Riddel, let me escort
you back to the manor. Shaker
Brothers, you're coming too.
Solt & Peppor:
Yes, sir!
[Exeunt dragoons and Riddel, leaving Serge's party alone with Korcha.]
Kid:
All we need to do now
is to find a boat!
Let's git a move on it!
Korcha:
You guys need to
cross the sea?
Then I might, just
might, think about
lending you my boat.
With two conditions...
Kid:
Ha, with that clunky boat
of yers, I don't think we're
gonna survive a round trip.
But I guess this ain't the
time to be picky.
So, Korcha, what are yer
conditions?
Korcha:
First, if you ever find the
Dragon Tear, give it to me.
Serge:
Um, if you don't mind my
asking, why?
Korcha:
You'll have to talk to the
shaman about that. I'm not
supposed to tell outsiders
about it.
Serge:
(Well, at least he gave me
a straight answer...)
Korcha:
The other condition is...
O-Once all this ruckus
is over...
Um...
I want ya to...
Mumble, mumble...
Kid:
What was that?
Stop mumblin' and
speak up.
I can't hear ya.
Korcha:
I a...
Arrgh...
I want ya to be my wife!
Serge:
(Please tell me I heard that
wrong. Or that he was kidding.)
Kid:
Huh...?
What...did you
just say?
Korcha:
I said,
'"I WANT YA TO BE MY WIFE!"'
Serge:
(And explosion in
3...2...1...)
Kid:
...!!!
Oi, Korcha!!!
Don't mess with me!
I'm gonna kick yer arse
so hard you'll kiss
the moons!
Korcha:
I'm not joking!
To tell you the truth,
I, um...
That it...
It was...
love at first sight...
Serge:
(If Kid believes in love at
first sight, then I'm a
mermaid.)
Kid:
Mmmnn...!
Oi, ya know who I
am, don't ya!?
Serge:
(Poor Korcha. Even I couldn't
answer that one with more than
"sorta". I mean, she still
hasn't said much about where
she's from or why she's after
Lynx...)
Korcha:
Yeah, you're some kind of
thief, ain't ya?
Don't ya worry.
I don't care about your past,
and I don't want ya to feel
forced.
We can wait until all
this fuss is over.
So, please...
Kid:
Mmmghh...!
Serge:
(This should be hilarious,
but somehow I just don't
feel like laughing. In fact,
it kind of ticks me off.
It's almost as though I'm...
jealous?! Of KORCHA?! No
way! It's... Kid isn't...
I'm not... ARGH!)
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
(Okay, gotta calm down.
Deep breaths, right.)
Kid:
Serge,
this is none of yer business.
It's me own problem!
Serge:
I wasn't going to say
anything. Honest! But now
that I AM talking, we DO
need the boat. I won't
force you to do anything,
though. (For one thing,
I'd never pull it off!)
Kid:
OK, understood!
But this ain't somethin'
I can agree to on a whim.
Kid:
I'll consider it.
Until I settle the score
with Lynx, that is.
That's about the best I
can promise.
I can't guarantee you
anythin' more.
Korcha:
Alright, that's all
I need for now.
OK, I'll lend you the boat.
Serge:
We'll take good care of it,
I promise. Now, what was
that guy Glenn saying about
an island...?
Guile: | Nikki:
I believe he said we should | Something about some old
consult an ex-dragoon living | guy living on an island to
on an island to the north- | the north-east that we
east. | should talk to.
Korcha:
Hey, you be careful with
yourself from now on.
Just remember that your life
is not just your own anymore.
You're carrying my
wife-to-be.
Kid:
Brrrhh! (Goose bumps!!!)
Serge:
Okay, okay, I get it. (I
wonder if he realizes what
Kid would probably do to
him on their wedding night?
She isn't the sort of
person who goes along with
being forced into anything.)
Korcha:
OK, then I'll be heading
home now. Remember that
I'm just LENDING you my boat!
Don'tCHA dare sink it!
Take care!
Leena: | Kid:
So now that we have a boat, | So, mate, we goin' straight
should we go straight to | there, or stayin' in Termina
that island, or stay here | for a bit? Or maybe we should
for a little while? I'd like | go back to Guldove to ask the
to do some shopping. | Shaman about the Dragon Tear?
Serge:
(Why am I always the one who
has to decide?)
Next will be the Leave Kid to Die route, then some early-game side-stuff (writing the
conversation between the two Leenas should be interesting, anyway, and then there's the
bit about how Guile and Magus met...), and then on to Hermit's Hideaway.
-
I've been too busy to be around as often as I'd like, but I just had to stop by to say that chapter was fantastic. A good touch of humor when we needed it. I have a feeling the next chapter is gonna blow us all away...
Keep it up.
-
I really need to get serious and start reading this, and I really hope you get to finish it all the way to the end. But I've put it off cause I want to start a new Cross playthrough and read this as a companion piece.
...And cause Beyonce had one of the greatest Cross playthroughs ever!
(couldn't resist)
I'm curious if you're interested in putting your version into the (or maybe just a) game itself, or videos, or perhaps just leave it as is.
-
I'm still reeling with shock from having appeared on the front page. :)
@mav: Thanks, but as you may have noticed, the higher people's expectations, the more nervous
I get that I'm not going to be able to live up to them. :lol:
@Mr Bekkler: When I first conceived of Chrono Helix, it was intended as a script for a mod.
This was back, er, before Squeenix decided to sic Rabid Attack Lawyers on the community,
however. I doubt I could get enough help now to pull it off, and it really isn't suited to
a one-man mod project--too long, and I'm not good enough at 3D modelling to produce a Magus
that would satisfy me and fit within the constraints of Chrono Cross' programming framework.
(I'd also want Dario as a PC, later on, but that would be easier--someone had it almost
done at the time of the C&D, as I recall. And there were some other things I wanted to do
that fall outside the scope of the script.)
Animating it is an interesting idea which I hadn't considered. It's probably not practical,
alas, at least not for me. I can see how it might be done, by importing the existing Cross
models into Blender and then making use of its facilities, but given my skill level with
Blender, it would take forever.
That being said, if anyone wants to attempt either project, I have no objection; you may
consider Chrono Helix to fall under the Creative Commons Attribution + Non-Commercial license,
with the caveat that I don't own the portions of the script that are taken directly from
Chrono Cross and so can't give you permission to use those.
Finishing it...eheheh... In terms of chapters, I'm not quite a third of the way through
the Cross script. In terms of lines of text, I suspect the worst is yet to come. But I
do hope to finish it eventually, and I intend to keep plugging away.
Current status: The weather here for the past few days has had me bedridden (nothing serious,
just painful: I sometimes get nasty migraines from fluctuations in the barometric pressure,
and being a NEET and all, I can afford to sleep them off), but I'm on the last hundred lines
or so of the let-Kid-die route, and should be able to post within the next couple of days.
-
And so, here we have the next part--the "Who needs Kid when you can have Glenn?" route
through chapter 9. I hope I made Serge seem emotional enough without dragging him out
of character.
9c. Guldove - Dump Kid Route
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, Nikki. (Kid is not in the party, and this branch is not
available if Guile was chosen as the Viper Manor guide.)
Recruitable: Glenn, also Luccia, Skelly (as of the moment Korcha's boat becomes available--see
"early side-stuff")
=================================================
Doc's House, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
Hey, wait a minute!
She's your partner, ain't she?
Aren't ya gonna do anything?
~~~...There's nothing we can do | ~~~I'll find a way to save her
|
Serge: | [This choice feeds back into the
It isn't like I WANT to | standard Save Kid route--another
abandon her, but I don't see | double-refusal thing.]
how we can help. You heard the |
doctor: she needs Hydra |
Humour, and there are no |
hydras. (Please, Korcha, |
Nikki, ANYONE, please come up |
with an idea that will let us |
save her...) |
Korcha:
...Hold it right there.
Serge:
What now?
Korcha:
You've got no right to keep
that girl's amulet.
Leave that thing here.
[Serge looks down at the amulet]
Serge:
(I could argue. I mean, it
really isn't his decision to
make--Kid gave the amulet to
ME, not him. But I... It's...
Okay, guess I'd better admit
it. I feel guilty.)
Korcha:
What's wrong?
Hurry it up.
[Serge hands the amulet to Korcha.]
[System]
Serge handed over the
Astral Amulet.
[Korcha walks over and puts the amulet on the dresser-thing at the back of the room.]
Korcha:
Tsk, this is disgustin'.
...It's turnin' out to be a
baaad day.
[Korcha leaves the room]
Serge:
(That's the understatement
of the century.)
[Serge kicks the wall]
=================================================
Residential Tower, Guldove (Another)
=================================================
Korcha:
What do you want?
Ya need something from me?
I don't want nothing to
do with you.
Get outta here.
Serge:
(I want to scream in his
face that HE couldn't figure
out what to do either, but
that wouldn't get him to
help us, damn it all!)
Korcha:
You've got something to say?
~~~I need to borrow your boat | ~~~......
|
Korcha: | Korcha:
Lend you my boat? | Ha, it's got nothing to
Ha, no way! | do with me.
Why should I lend you my boat? | You're distracting me by
Sorry, pal, go find someone else. | standing there.
| Will ya hurry up and get
[Korcha turns his back to Serge] | out of the room?
|
[Macha] | [Conversation ends--everything else to the end
Hold it right there!!! | of the section goes with the other choice.]
[Macha enters. Everyone--including Korcha--turns to face her.]
Korcha:
M-M-Ma!!!
Why are you here? You said
you were goin' shoppin'!?
Serge:
(Whoa, that's his MOTHER?
They don't look at all alike.)
Korcha's ma:
Don't ya start arguin' with me!
Aren't ya gonna help your
friends when they need you?
I thought you were actin'
strange when you came home,
but I don't remember raisin'
my son to be so inconsiderate!
Serge:
(Ouch, she's ten times scarier
than Leena ever was!)
Korcha:
O-Oh leave me alone!
These guys ain't no
friends of mine!
In the first place, this has got
nothing to do with you, ma.
Why should I lend my boat to
guys who abandon their own
partners!?
Korcha's ma:
Hey, wait a second.
After overhearing that,
I can't let ya give up
on your partners.
Hmm, I don't see that
blonde girl in red.
What happened to her?
Korcha's ma:
So what's goin' on?
I'd like you to tell this
ol' lady your story.
Serge: [staring at the floor]
Kid--the girl in red--she's
at the doctor's. She's...
she's been poisoned, and
there's...no way we can...
get the antidote... (I am
NOT going to break down and
start crying like a baby!
Come on, Serge, be a man!)
We could MAYBE get it from
the continent, but there's
no time--she's only got a
couple of days. I want to
help her, but I don't know
how.
Korcha's ma:
...I see.
That's why she isn't here.
That explains why you were
upset when you came back...
You're a helpless boy
aren't ya?
Serge:
I'm--
Leena: | Nikki:
"Helpless" about covers it. | Aw, give him a break--
| it isn't like anyone else
Serge: | had any ideas.
Hey...! |
|
Leena: |
You've needed my help since |
the moment you landed here. |
Sounds pretty helpless to |
me. |
|
Serge: |
(No matter which world I'm |
in, she doesn't change.) |
Korcha's ma:
This boy only said he doesn't
know what to do. Don't ya think
that's a natural response?
You were just sayin' that out
of spite. What would you have
done if you were in his shoes?
Come on, speak up, Korcha.
Korcha:
Ugh...um, well...
Serge:
(I almost feel sorry for
Korcha. Almost.)
Korcha's ma:
You see?
You're just the same.
Now apologize to this boy.
Korcha:
S-Sorry about that...
I just lost my temper.
Serge:
It's okay, I guess. None
of us are really at our
best right now. (And if Kid
were here, she'd make some
smartass remark about how
we're acting... Damn it!)
Korcha's ma:
Good, that's settled.
Now that ya understand,
go help these kids out.
Korcha:
H-Hey, that's a completely
different story, ma.
I can't lend them my boat...
Korcha's ma:
Don't be such a miser.
Just lend them a boat or two.
If you're so worried about the
boat, just tag along with them.
It's that simple, Korcha.
Korcha:
You say a boat or two, but...
That's the only one I have.
Besides, I've got nothin'
to do with...
Korcha's ma:
You're such a blockhead.
Then I will borrow that boat.
You never stay put, so it's a
good time to do your chores.
Go take care of Mel while
you're at it.
Do you understand?
[Korcha]
Oh gawd! You gotta be kiddin'...
Korcha's ma:
Now, what is your name,
young man?
Serge:
Serge. I'm from Arni...sort of.
Korcha's ma:
OK then, Serge, nice
to meet ya!
My name is Macha.
You can call me ma or
Macha, or whatever you like.
Serge:
(If I called HER "ma", my real
mother would probably disown
me... Well, maybe not--Mom's
pretty laid back--but still...)
Macha:
I'll be waitin' at the docks.
Call me when you're ready to
leave the village.
By the way, Serge.
You should go see the
village shaman.
You look like you are lost,
and she might be able to help
you get back on your path...
[Note: Again, the recommendation to see the shaman and collect information that the
player isn't yet interested in, about Fort Dragonia and the Dragon Tear. Splitting that
infodump up and adding part of it to the early side stuff (and the rest probably to
some chapter after the Lynx-Serge bodyswitch) is one of those things that I still
have to look at.]
Serge:
I don't think there's anything
she can do for me unless she
has some Hydra Humour.
The only way I can think of
to help Kid at this point
is to finish the job she came
to El Nido to do in her place.
To do that, I need to find a
man named Lynx, and the best
place to start looking for him
would probably be Termina, not
at your shaman's.
Leena: [if she's present]
Serge...
Nikki:
ROCKIN'! Yeah, that's the way
to go, all right.
[snipping a bit of stage business about the Tropical Paradise frame here, and
some departure prompt stuff/Macha giving directions to the Dragon Shrine]
=================================================
Dock, Termina (Another)
=================================================
[Overseer]
HEY!!!
By whose permission
are you docking that
boat there!
Get that thing out of
here, right now!
Macha:
Hmm?
You got a problem with that?
Ya don't see any other boats
needin' to dock, do you?
[Overseer]
That's not the point!
What I'm trying to
say is...
Macha:
Ah, cut the jive-talk!!!
[The screen shakes]
[Overseer]
Y-Yes ma'am...
[The overseer walks away]
Serge:
(I was right--she IS scary.)
Macha:
OK, we're in Termina.
Do what ya need to do!
Nikki:
Thanks for the ride, ma'am.
We appreciate it.
=================================================
Gate, Termina (Another)
=================================================
[Glenn is perched on a crate at the lower left of the screen, talking to the
flower merchant.]
Glenn:
The general and his men are
headed for Fort Dragonia.
There has been word that
the major power of the East,
Porre, is up to something
suspicious.
They seem to have heard
the rumors of the
Frozen Flame in El Nido and
are coming to investigate.
Serge:
(So the General went to Fort
Dragonia...isn't that some
kind of ruin on the other
side of the island? And I bet
Lynx is with him. But...Porre?
Never occurred to me before,
but why aren't they running
Termina in this world the
way they are in mind? Did
they come to my El Nido
because of the Frozen Flame?)
[Woman]
My, then that means the
Porre army might invade
this town any time now.
I wonder if we will
be alright...
Glenn:
Yes, that is why we
are moving to the fort
for a while.
That fort is far from town
so it is not used normally,
but it has good defenses.
I was ordered to remain at
the manor and protect Miss
Riddel, but...
She felt very uneasy about
the way General Viper
was acting before he left,
so...
Serge:
("Uneasy"--yeah, I'll bet!
As far as I could tell, Lynx
was completely running the
show that night, and he
tried to kill her!)
[Woman]
What are you going
to do? Aren't you going
to get in trouble if
you leave the manor?
Glenn:
Yes...
Still, I cannot stop thinking
about it, so I am planning to
infiltrate the fort by boat.
Serge:
(So he thinks something isn't
right, too...)
[Woman]
Are you sure about that?
If worse comes to worst,
you might be discharged
from the Acacia Dragoons.
[Glenn jumps down from the crates]
Glenn:
Yes. I will act in accordance
with my faith, even if I have
to break military regulations.
I must go.
Ma'am, I will come back to
buy flowers from you when
I return!
[Woman]
Take care!
[Glenn climbs the crates to the upper level and vaults over the barrier to the
left, leaving the screen.]
Nikki:
You know, Serge, you really
have some luck. So are we
going straight to Fort
Dragonia?
Serge:
I guess so, if we can find
someone to take us there--
I'm pretty sure it can't
be reached overland, so we'll
need a boat. Hopefully
Macha will be willing to
help us.
(I'm coming for you, Lynx,
you bastard!)
=================================================
Dock, Termina (Another)
=================================================
Serge:
Sorry to bother you again,
Macha.
Macha:
I wouldn't've stayed around
if you were a bother, boy. So
have you figured out where
that Lynx fella went?
Serge:
He's probably at Fort
Dragonia with General
Viper.
Macha:
Viper? You know, there's
a rumour going around that
he has the Dragon Tear.
Serge:
The what?
Macha:
You'd have to ask the shaman--
about all I know is it's
sacred. And I heard that
taking it to Fort Dragonia
might be a bad idea.
Nikki:
Why is that?
Macha:
Don't know much about that
either. Like I said, talk
to the shaman. But they say
Fort Dragonia is a ruin
of the extinct Dragonians...
People say they conducted
strange ceremonies, and
most folks from Guldove
won't go near the place...
You gotta wonder what
they're up to with the
Dragon Tear there.
It gives me the chills.
Also, you've got to go through
Mount Pyre to get to that fort.
You're gonna need to get there
by boat...
~!!!~
Macha:
I know!
You can borrow this boat.
Just a little farewell gift
from me.
Don't worry!
That brat son o' mine's not
gonna use it for anythin'
good anyway!
Serge:
Thank you--we'll take good
care of it. (Okay, so maybe
I AM sorry for Korcha. Just
a little bit.)
[System]
Serge borrowed the boat
from Macha!
[Glenn enters from the lower right]
Glenn:
I need to borrow a boat...
Macha:
Oops, you're just
a tad too late.
I just lent this boat
to someone else.
Ask this boy here.
Glenn:
I need to borrow a boat...
I am trying to get to
Fort Dragonia.
Macha:
Fort Dragonia!?
Wow, what a coincidence!
These boys have some
business there, too!
-------------------------------------------------
[If they gave Glenn and Riddel the bellflower at the cemetary]
Glenn:
You are...
You are the young man
that gave us the bellflower...
Thank you again.
Miss Riddel greatly
appreciated your kindness.
[Serge rubs the back of his head]
Serge:
It was nothing, really. (I'd
almost forgotten about that--
so much has happened since
that it got pushed right out
of my mind.)
Macha:
You two already know
each other?
What great timing!
On the road you need a
companion, in life you
need kindness.
Join in with them on their
trip to the fort.
----------------------------------------------------
Glenn:
But what business brings you
to Fort Dragonia...?
And that red bandana...
It all seems similar
to some ghost Karsh was
telling me about.
Serge:
(Damn it all, did Karsh tell
every single dragoon about
that ghost thing?)
I don't know about you, but
I don't believe in ghosts.
Glenn:
Nevertheless--
Macha:
Ahh, you city-folk try to make
things too complicated!
That's got nothin' to do
with you, right?
This poor boy's got his own
problems, too!!!
Why don't ya ask him his
story to pass time while
you're travelling?
Glenn:
Uh, y-yes...
I guess you are right.
Glenn:
So what will it be?
~~~Don't let him join | ~~~Let him join
|
Macha: | Serge:
Serge!!! | We'd be glad to have you.
Why are you tryin' to leave | (After all, we can use all the
this poor boy out? | help we can get!)
Don't ya need all the |
help you can get right |
now? |
I mean, he even looks |
like a knight! |
Be a good boy, and take |
him with you! |
|
Serge: |
("Looks like a knight" isn't |
much of a recommendation, |
after what the Acacia |
Dragoons have put us |
through. On the other hand, |
if I argue with Macha, I |
know she'll make me feel |
sorry...) |
|
Okay, okay, we'll take him |
with us as far as the fort, |
but after that, he's on his |
own. (He's admitted he works |
for Viper--how can we trust |
him?) |
Glenn:
Thank you...
I have a suggestion before
heading to the fort.
When we get on the boat,
first head north and then east.
You should find a small
island there.
A retired Master Knight
of the Dragoons named
Radius lives there now.
When me and my big brother
were young, he used to look
after us quite often.
We should go ask for
his advice before going
any further.
There are many frightful
rumors about that fort.
Who knows what to expect
there.
[System]
Glenn joined your party!
Macha:
Then I'll be headin' home.
That mischievous son of mine's
probably starving back home.
Be careful out there.
If you ever need something,
stop by Guldove again!
[Macha jumps off the dock and begins to swim away. Nikki waves.]
Nikki:
Thanks for everything!
Serge:
(So, all that's left to figure
out is whether we go back to
Guldove to talk to the Shaman
about the Dragon Tear, to that
island to talk to this ex-
Dragoon of Glenn's, or skip
them both and go straight to
Mount Pyre. Hmmm...)
And that finally marks the end of chapter 9 proper. The next posting will be early
sidequest/character development/miscellaneous scene material that could take place at any
point between acquiring Korcha's boat and the confrontation at Fort Dragonia (well, okay,
some of it also requires the Astral Amulet, and some bits would continue to be available
later, but you get the idea). Damnit, I have got to figure out how Skelly ended up
the way he is...
-
Heheh, I think you have a knack for fitting these characters together within your current framework; Skelly will be no exception.
Anyhow, this was a pretty good read. It didn't seem strange, all the characters sounded natural, and the plot definitely seems to be headed in the right direction. Great job.
-
When it comes to critique and compliments, I have not an original bone in my body. I'd end up repeating what mav already said.
But just to let you know, I'm still reading this, and it's awesome. ;D
-
Thanks for your feedback, guys.
Since this pseudo-chapter is once more turning out to be a lot longer than I had expected,
I will be splitting it into two (possibly three) posts.
Early Sidequests
Recruits: At this point, the player will have one of three core groups of
PCs, depending on the path that was taken through chapter 9--
- Serge, Kid, Guile, and Magus
- Serge, Kid, and Nikki
- or Serge, Nikki, and Glenn
plus any or all of the three available optional characters (Leena,
Luccia, Skelly).
++++++++++++++++++++++++PART I: Magus and Guile++++++++++++++++++++++++++
===================================================
The Dragon's Tail, Termina (Another)
===================================================
[The following sequence occurs should they spend the night at the Inn in Termina
with Magus and Guile in the party at any point before the conversation with the
child-ghosts in the Dead Sea. Naturally, it can only happen once.
After "lights out" at the inn, instead of going straight to the next morning,
we're taken to the bar. Magus is sitting alone at one of the tables, with a
glass of wine in his hand and an empty bottle in front of him, when Guile walks
in and does a double-take.]
Guile:
I did not expect to find you
here.
Magus:
And why not? Am I not as
much entitled as the next
man to drink myself
senseless?
Guile:
I remember the last time
you did that. It took us
nearly three months to pay
for the damage you caused
to the tavern before you
achieved unconsciousness.
Magus:
...
Guile:
Is it Kid?
Magus:
Among other things. Her
presence keeps reminding me
that I am...hollow.
Guile:
That is not the word I would
choose.
[Magus slams his glass down on the table.]
Magus:
You understand nothing. And how
could you? You chose to throw
your past away, whereas I--
Guile:
We do not know what you chose.
Not even now. Tell me, do you
remember...?
[The scene fades out, then back in again. We are now in a clearing in the forest
somewhere--the presence of evergreen trees suggests, however, that this is not
El Nido. The clearing is occupied by Guile (ideally, his model should be somewhat
different from the normal in-game one, with shorter hair and different clothing,
although he should still have his mask, but creating a second model for just this
one scene might be considered Too Much Work) and two rather scruffy-looking men
armed with daggers--a couple of pirate models from the Invincible would probably
suffice.]
Guile: [backing away]
I keep telling you that I have
nothing of value!
[Bandit]
Why should we believe ya?
That mask looks like it'd
be worth a pretty penny all
by itself! Solid gold, innit?
[Guile looks to one side, then the other. Seeing no way out, he brings up his
fists.]
[Bandit]
Not smart, pretty boy.
If ya'd just done what
we told ya to, we might've
let ya live.
[The bandits are closing in on Guile, daggers raised, when Magus walks out of the woods.]
[Bandit]
Damn, another one!
[Bandit 2]
Hey, check out those ears!
[Both bandits laugh]
???: [actually, Magus, but he hasn't been tagged with that name again yet]
...You're annoying me.
[The bandits laugh again]
[Bandit]
So what're ya gonna do
'bout it?
[Magus raises his hand and points at them. As purple lightning leaps from his extended
fingers and strikes them, the bandits stop laughing and fall over unconscious...or dead?
It's hard to tell.]
???: [that is, Magus]
Hmph.
[He prods a bandit with the toe of his boot.]
Guile:
That was m-magic, was it not?
[Magus freezes in place]
???:
I suppose it was. Is that
so unusual?
Guile:
Yes, it is. I have never
seen true magic before,
only sleight-of-hand. But
perhaps it is more common
where you are from--you
look like a Mystic, and
there are few such in
these parts. May I ask
your name?
???:
I can't remember.
Guile:
You...have lost your memory?!
???:
So it appears. I awoke a short
time ago under a tree not far
from here. I have no idea who
I am, how I got there, or even
where this place is. All I know
is that I am searching for
something.
Guile:
Well, I can help you on one
point, at least. We are in
Fiona's Forest, somewhat
north of the city of Porre.
???:
Porre...
Guile:
Do you know it?
[Magus shakes his head.]
???:
I don't know. The name is
vaguely familiar, but that
might only mean that I've
heard it before...or that
I'm so desperate that I'm
inventing memories. Heh.
Guile:
I will guide you to the
city, if you like--I was
going there myself, so it
will be no hardship. I have
heard that there is a new
Magic Guild starting up
there. Perhaps one of its
members will know you.
???:
Better than wandering among
the trees until I starve, I
suppose. Lead on.
[They begin to head for the far side of the clearing together, but after a few steps,
Guile pauses.]
Guile:
Even if you cannot remember
your name, I will need
something to call you.
???:
Have you any suggestions?
[Guile walks a circle around Magus, examining him from every angle.]
Guile:
...Magus. That is what I shall
call you.
Magus:
...
Guile:
I hope I did not offend--
[Magus makes a waving-away gesture.]
Magus:
No, quite the contrary. It
feels...right. Does it mean
anything?
Guile:
It was the name--or possibly
the title--of one of the great
mages who fought in the Mystic
War, four hundred years ago.
Little is known of him, but I
have always somewhat admired
that little.
Magus:
You're interested in magic,
then.
Guile:
I wish to study it, but I
have been having some trouble
finding a teacher. It was my
hope that the Magic Guild
would be able to help me,
but...
[He looks at Magus, who shrugs.]
Magus:
Hmph. I'll consider it, but
first, let's find this "Porre"
of yours.
[The scene fades out as they leave the clearing, and we return to the bar. Guile is now
sitting at the table with Magus.]
Guile:
It will be ten years ago
as of next spring...
Magus:
And in nearly a decade, I
have found absolutely
nothing. I don't even know
what I was searching for,
on that day.
Guile:
Actually...
[Magus turns quickly to face him.]
Magus:
What? You've found something?!
Tell me!
Guile:
We met a most extraordinary
old man while we were burgling
Viper Manor. I suspect he may
be relevant, but I cannot say
for certain.
Magus:
Even a hint would help. Go on.
Guile:
If you return with me to the
inn, I will tell you as much
as you want to know. You have
had enough to drink for one
night.
Magus:
Very well.
[Fade out, and we're returned to next morning at the inn.]
---------------------------------------------------------------
====================================================
Termina (Another)
====================================================
[Variations on Guile and the fortune teller...]
[Fortune Teller]
Grin...
Sir Guile, how did it go?
Did you find the item?
Magus:
Guile, what have you been
up to this time?
Guile:
I merely made a small wager
with this person--nothing
that you need concern
yourself with.
[Guile makes a waving-away gesture]
Magus:
Did you bet anything you don't
have?
Serge:
(There's got to be a story
there, but I'm not about to
interrupt them to ask what
it is.)
Guile:
I assure you, I have learned
my lesson about that. Now, if
I may proceed to settle matters
with this lady...?
[Fortune Teller]
Believe me, I'm quite content
to wait if I may do so in the
company of such fine young
men...but you no doubt have
better things to do with your
time. So how went your
adventure at the Manor?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party picked up the required Element at
the manor]
Guile:
See for yourself, ma'am.
Here is proof of my intrusion
into Viper Manor.
I ask that you give me
my reward, as promised
at the conclusion of our bet.
[Fortune Teller]
Ummm...
It is my loss this time.
Here is the reward I promised.
Take it away!
[System]
Guile received
Bronze Rod!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they didn't get the Element]
Guile:
...Ma'am, I have
lost this time.
I was able to penetrate
into the manor, but...
[Fortune Teller]
Don't start whining!
A promise is a promise.
Now, take off your mask
and let me see your face.
Guile:
...Nod
I guess I have no choice...
[Fortune Teller]
M-My word!!!
I see, so that's what
it was...
These old bones have
just shaved an hour
off their life-span...
Serge:
(Now I'm curious as to what
he's hiding under there. Too
bad he was standing with his
back to the rest of us.)
Guile:
Ma'am, I have learned that
the world is full of
'"enigma."'
I will be joining their journey
for a while. Take care, and we
might engage in another high-
stake gamble again.
[Fortune Teller]
You bet!
[The fortune teller leaves]
Magus:
Did I correctly understand
that you made a bet...about
your ability to carry off a
burglary?
Guile:
What of it?
Magus:
...You are impossible.
[Guile bows]
Guile:
Were I not, I would not keep
such company.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they retrieved the Element by going back to the
Manor after Guldove, the conversation starts from
here.]
[Fortune Teller]
Hahah...!
Sir Guile,
the deadline has
already passed!
Guile:
...Ma'am, this time
I have lost.
I have found the item
in question, though it
was too late...
[then pick up the previous version of the scene
from "Don't start whining!"]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they ask the fortune teller for Magus' fortune]
[Fortune Teller]
W-what is this? Who ARE
you?
Magus:
...If I knew that, I doubt
I would be here asking you
stupid questions. Well?
[Fortune Teller]
You...are searching for
something, are you not? You
will find it, I think, but
when you do you may wish that
you had not. There is more,
but it is shrouded in darkness,
and I can make no sense of it.
I have never seen anything
quite like this before.
[The fortune teller steps back, shaking her head]
Magus:
...But what will I find?
Myself, or the thing I was
searching for on that day...?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++PART II: Recruiting Skelly++++++++++++++++++++++++
=================================================
Isle of the Damned (Another)
=================================================
Skelly:
Oh man...!
I don't know which
bone is which...
Ahh, I'll just connect
whatever!
Serge:
(Okay, but don't blame me
if you come out looking even
weirder than you already do...
Ah, well, at least he has a
positive attitude.)
=================================================
Hydra Marshes (Another)
=================================================
[System]
......!?
There's something on the ground.
[System]
[Member] found
Good Backbone.
Skelly:
Now I remembah!
I had really good
posture.
It must've been from my
grandma's upbringin'...
Grandma...!?
That's right!
I was raised by
my grandma!
I wonder how she's
doin'...?
I bet she's worried sick...
Serge:
(Come to think of it, I
wonder how Mom's doing? I've
been gone for a while now...
I hope she's okay.)
=================================================
Water Dragon Isle (Another)
=================================================
[Explorer]
I found this thing at the dried up
waterfall. It's kinda creepy, so I'll
give it to you for free!
Oh, no thanks needed.
Serge:
(Aagh, more bones...but from
the looks of it, I'd have to
stuff them down his throat to
get him to take them back.)
[Explorer]
Ahh, don't mention it.
I have nothing to do with it now,
so seeee yaaaa!!!
[System]
[Member] was given
Sturdy Ribs.
Skelly:
Yeah, I had a pretty
good physique.
Did I ever tell ya
I did acrobatics...?
Hey...!?
That's right!
I used to be a clown
in the circus!
Serge:
I could believe that.
(Although I've never actually
seen a circus, just heard
about them... Is there even
one in El Nido?)
=================================================
[Variable location]
=================================================
Skelly:
There...
The foot bone's connected
to the leg bone...
The leg bone's connected
to the knee bone...
Serge:
No offense, but I think you
should keep your day job.
Skelly:
Alright, alright, I'll
shut up...
But seriously,
thanks a lot guys.
I'm finally in one piece now.
I'm sure we'll meet again,
somewhere, someday...
One of these days, I'll
return the favor.
Serge:
Um, okay. (I can't imagine
what kind of help we could
get from a skeleton clown,
but okay--you never know.)
=================================================
Skelly's House, Termina (Another)
=================================================
[Grandma]
Strange?
That clock hasn't moved
for ages..?
[Skelly enters the house and pretty much runs across the floor
to where his grandma is sitting]
Skelly:
I-I'm home!!!
[Grandma]
That voice...?
Could that
be you...?
Skelly:
It's me,
Skelly!!!
I've come back home!
[Grandma]
Skelly!?
Ohh, Skelly...!
Come over here and
let me hug you!
[Skelly crouches down in front of her chair for a hug]
Skelly:
Grandma!!!
[Grandma]
Skelly!!!
Hmm? Skelly,
why are you so thin?
Haven't you been
eating well?
Serge:
(You're kidding me--she can't
tell?! Talk about being in
denial... I mean, even if
she's completely blind, she
should be able to tell there's
no skin between her fingers
and his ribs...)
Skelly:
Sniff...
Grandma, I don't know how
to break this to you, but...
[Grandma]
It's alright, it's
alright, Skelly.
I'm just so happy
that you are back.
It must have been
very hard on you.
Don't leave again,
Skelly.
Skelly:
Whimper...
[Grandma]
Ohh, don't cry so much.
My clothes are going
to get all wet.
Serge:
(Um, he doesn't have eyes,
so what's he crying with?
...On second thought, I'd
rather not know.)
Skelly:
I'm not crying because
I'm sad. I'm crying
because I'm so happy.
You always told me,
'"Don't hold back tears
of joy."'
[Grandma]
Skelly...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge tries to talk to them without
leaving the house first]
[Grandma]
Ahh, to have Skelly come
back home to me...
The gods must have
answered my prayers...
Ohh, I thank the heavens
with all my soul...
Skelly:
Could you leave me with
grandma for a while...
Serge:
Sure--you guys must have a
lot of catching up to do.
(And it'll mean I have one
less bit of Weird following
me around. Skelly may be a
great guy, but on top of
Lynx and alternate dimensions
and the Frozen Flame, he's
a bit more than I can deal
with right now.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[After Serge leaves then returns]
Skelly:
Nyak-nyak-nyak! Thanks man!
Thanks to you guys, I can
hang with grandma again.
Ask me if there's anythin'
I can help ya with!
~~~Please | ~~~Not now
|
Serge: | Serge:
Well, we could use another | We appreciate the offer--
person to help with monsters | maybe later, okay? (Sorry,
and such. (And Skelly is | Skelly, but I need every bit
strange enough that just | of normality I can get right
having him there may confuse | now.)
some monsters into running |
away!) | Skelly:
| Alright.
[System] | Come back when ya need me!
Skelly became the life of your |
party! |
|
[Skelly joins, etc.] |
That's all for today, folks. The next post will probably consist of the Viper Manor /
Luccia's Recruitment sidequest material (~350 lines to date, and I haven't even gotten
as far as Luccia yet!), and possibly the Leena and Leena Scope Out Guys scene. I don't know
when it will be ready, though--this damned cold has me all messed up...
-
Very interesting--I dunno how all this Guile/Magus stuff will play out, but I'm intrigued. One minor error though:
???:
So it appears. I awoke a short
time ago under a tree not far
from here. I have no idea who
I am, how I got there, or even
where this place is. All I know
is that I am searching for
something.
Should be "nor", right? It's an arbitrary error, so whatever. Good stuff, keep it coming!
-
Yes, looking at it, it probably should be "nor". I'll correct the master copy.
I'm not entirely sure where the Magus/Guile thing is going to end up going either, but one of the things that frustrates me about Chrono Cross is that there are often these great gaping holes where there should be character interaction and backstory. I'd like to plug some of those holes, and am trying not to create new ones. (Right now, I'm trying to deal with a scene that started as Nikki asking Luccia about Marcy, and has since expanded into dealing with how Zelbess died and why Viper and Fargo had that falling-out. Damned thing keeps taking on a life of its own. I just hope I can keep it to a reasonable size--this is supposed to be a script for a game, not a movie!)
-
I just hope I can keep it to a reasonable size--this is supposed to be a script for a game, not a movie!)
Maybe both, if we're lucky--but you didn't hear that from me!
Anyhow, I agree that there were many missed opportunities in Chrono Cross, especially for character development. And at times we were often left with minimal development and very limited interactions. With so many characters and so many different agendas, you'd expect more interaction and bickering, but instead you get virtually nothing. I like the fact that you're not just using this as an excuse to inject Magus into the CC environment; instead you're using Guile to reveal aspects of Magus to us (and Magus) and you're shedding more light on Guile through Magus. I think you're doing a great job filling in what CC created. I can't wait for the next bit.
-
Maybe both, if we're lucky--but you didn't hear that from me!
Did you say something, mav? (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
Seriously, though, I gave my permission for people to use this thing, and I meant it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oy vey... I did not expect to end up doing 850 lines' worth of Viper Manor, but
between Magus and Luccia and Nikki, things kind of got a bit out of hand...
Anyway, before I begin, a few notes on accents: I've assigned Zelbess the same accent as
Irenes has, which is sort of based on a German accent, but I've toned it down somewhat by
cutting the number of meaningless umlauts. Specifically, Zelbess uses T for unvoiced TH,
D for voiced TH, but a-umlaut only where an English word has an A representing the sound
corresponding to the German a-umlaut (essentially, short e, like the vowel in bet), and
o- and u-umlaut not at all.
I also kept Luccia's accent, which seems to be loosely based on Russian. She uses V for
W and D for voiced TH, but leaves unvoiced TH untouched, and makes a few specific word
substitutions ("wot" for "what", "vone" for "one). It's possible that there are other
substitutions that would be appropriate, but I have only the vaguest idea of what a
real Russian accent sounds like. I just hope she isn't too hard to understand, because
she does a lot of talking here.
(Yeah, I took a couple of years of German back when I was a student, and have done
some reading on linguistics. What's your point? (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif))
++++++++++++++++++PART III: Back at Viper Manor, and Recruiting Luccia++++++++++++++
=================================================
Mess Hall, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
Orcha:
Now where did that
slacker go? Can't let
him outta my sight...
Serge:
Slacker? You mean the
dishwasher? (Come to
think of it, wasn't he
acting suspicious when we
were here before? Or am I
getting him confused with
someone else?)
=================================================
Luccia's Lab, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
[Assuming that they come here before going up to the roof.
The "dishwasher" is in the cage trap that connects to the
treasure room.]
Dishwasher:
Luccia isn't here.
She might be on the
roof terrace.
Dishwasher:
More importantly...
Could you let me
out of here?
Serge:
Um, okay, I guess. (Mind you,
I don't know why he's in here,
but I wouldn't even leave Lynx
in Luccia's trap. I mean, who
knows what she might do to him?)
[Serge opens the door to the cage, and the dishwasher steps out and
starts heading for the door, but he stops and turns before getting all
the way there.]
Dishwasher:
Ahahaha...
Dishwasher:
Hah haha ha...
I'm still new around here.
So, I got lost and ended up
in here by mistake.
Don't worry. I wasn't snooping
around or anything...
Really!
Nikki: | Guile:
Sure, man--it isn't our | What you were doing is
problem even if you were. | none of our concern.
Serge:
(I'm glad I let him out.
I hope he robs Viper blind.)
Dishwasher:
Well, take care.
=================================================
Riddel's Room, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
Riddel:
Oh my goodness...
That night...
You are the ones who...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is in the group]
Kid:
Yeah, that would be us.
Riddel:
You...shielded me with your
own body...
Kid:
Eheheh... Pretty stupid thing
for me to do, really, but all's
well that ends well, right? Ya
doin' okay?
Riddel:
I am...still a bit shaken,
but otherwise well.
[Kid nods]
Kid:
Stay away from that Lynx from
now on, ya hear me? He's bad
news.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is not in the group, Glenn must be, so...]
Riddel:
Glenn, I had thought you
would be on your way to Fort
Dragonia by now.
Glenn:
The only boat I could find
belongs to these people, and
they wished to make a detour.
However, I am confident that
we will soon be on our way
to the fort.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riddel:
I had not expected to see
any of you here again.
Serge:
We were hoping to find some
clues about Lynx. He...did
go with the general, right?
(Urgh, this would be such a
great time to find out that
he came back here and we
have to deal with him before
we've had a chance to
prepare...)
Riddel:
Despite what happened that
night, my father refused to
part from him. They did
indeed leave together.
Serge:
For Fort Dragonia.
Riddel:
Yes. I scarcely dare hope...
Do you think you will be
able to talk some sense into
my father? Ever since Lynx
appeared, he has been...
[Riddel bows her head]
Glenn: | Nikki: | Guile: | Kid:
Miss Riddell... | I hate to disappoint | That is not our intended | Like I said,
| a pretty girl, but... | task, although the nature | Lynx is bad
| | of Lynx's hold over Viper | news.
| | is certainly mysterious... |
Serge:
We'll try if we get a chance,
but I doubt your father is
going to be all that interested
in talking. (I can't believe
I'm being this nice to the
daughter of a guy who wanted me
dead...but none of that was
Riddel's fault.)
Riddel:
I understand, and am glad you
are even willing to make the
attempt.
Riddel:
There is not a single
thing I can do...
except pray for
their safety.
=================================================
Library, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
[Belthasar will not be here if Magus is in the party. If Guile isn't also with
them, nothing in particular will happen--the room will just be empty.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus and Guile are both there, however...]
Guile:
Prophet! Are you here? There
is someone to whom I would
like to introduce you.
[Guile's head moves as he looks around the room.]
Guile:
How odd. I wonder if he has
quarters somewhere else in the
manor...
[Guile turns to face the rest of the party]
Guile:
My apologies, Magus. The old
man has a quality about him
that somehow reminds me of you,
and I had thought he might be
a countryman.
Magus:
...There is the scent of magic
about this place. I caught a
hint of it on the lower floors
of the building, but it is very
strong here.
Serge:
The old man did show us a kind
of illusion when we were here
before.
[Magus walks around the room, stopping a couple of times to
look at stuff. He ends up in front of the desk. The others
watch him.]
Magus:
There are a number of residues
here, but the strongest seems
to belong to some sort of
detection spell. Whoever cast
it wished to be warned of the
approach of a specific person.
[He turns to face the others again.]
Magus:
I think this "Prophet" of
yours may be missing because
he doesn't want to meet me.
Kid:
Wha'? But he doesn't even know
ya!
Magus:
We don't know that. He might
have reason to fear me, or
he might not wish me to
regain my memory...or this
might all be a simple mistake.
Serge:
(He's pretty relaxed about all
this--more than I would be--but
I suppose he's had practice.)
Guile:
My apologies. This time, I
truly thought that--
Magus:
You may indeed have found
something of use. I will have
to return here when time
permits, and take precautions
not to alert this "Prophet"
before I can question him.
If he truly holds a clue to
what I have lost, I will
NOT let it slip through my
fingers.
Serge:
(I take it back--the expression
on his face right now is scary.
I sure wouldn't want to be that
Prophet guy when Magus does
catch up with him.)
Magus:
We've wasted enough time here.
Let's go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't in the party, the Prophet will be in the room, and
we get the normal set of interactions.]
Prophet:
General Viper has headed
for Fort Dragonia
to the southeast.
The 4 Devas and most
of the dragoons have
accompanied him.
Serge:
I guess that explains why
it's so quiet here...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[I think this is what you get if you speak to him a
second time.]
Prophet:
It will be quite
difficult facing the
Porre military here.
Serge:
So Porre will be coming here?
(That's weird--I thought the
General worked for them.)
Prophet:
I believe so. The Porreans
are among the many people
interested in the Frozen
Flame. If they knew more
about it, they might not
be so eager...
=================================================
Neo Epoch Room, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
[If Magus is present, he does a double-take upon first entering the room.]
Magus:
!
[He walks up to the Neo Epoch and touches its side]
Magus:
This is...
[For a moment, nothing more happens. Then--]
Serge:
...is what?
Magus:
I'm...not certain, but I think
I may once have been familiar
with a similar machine. A
larger one. But where and when,
what it was called, what it
was used for, and who built
it...all of that seems to be
lost along with the rest.
Serge:
I'm sorry.
Magus:
I don't want your pity, boy.
[He looks at the Neo Epoch again]
Magus:
Whoever placed this here may
have some of the answers I
seek. One way or the other,
I WILL learn who I am.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is not there, Nikki automatically is, so...]
Nikki:
What is this? Some kind
of transport? I wish I
could show this to Miki--
there has to be a way we
could use one of these in
a show.
=================================================
Roof Terrace, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
[When they arrive on the roof, Luccia is bent over, staring into the pondlet]
Luccia:
Dat Lynx! His little fight
vith those children damaged
my experimental subject! I
vill have to start over.
Perhaps I vill program de
next one vith an aversion
to cats!
Serge:
Um... If we damaged anything
important when we were up
here before, we're sorry.
(I just hope she doesn't want
one of us to fix her whatever-
it-is...)
[Luccia looks up and notices them for the first time]
Luccia:
No, no, I do not blame you.
It is Lynx's fault entirely.
If only HomoSap flowers
vere not so delicate, I
could have kept it safe in
a cage... But you did not
come here to speak of dis.
If you vish to converse, I
vill be in my lab.
[She walks away. Serge looks down at the pond and scratches the back of his head.]
Serge:
(...It just looks like an
ordinary flower to me.)
=================================================
Luccia's Lab, Viper Manor (Another)
=================================================
[If they didn't visit the lab before finding Luccia on the rooftop, the "dishwasher"
won't have been let out of his cage. I'm too lazy to go and dredge for video reference,
but I assume Luccia lets him out near the beginning of this scenelet.]
Luccia:
Vot are you doing?
Dishwasher:
Ahahaha...
Dishwasher:
Hah haha ha...
I'm still new around here.
So, I got lost and ended up
in here by mistake.
Don't worry. I wasn't snooping
around or anything...
Really!
Dishwasher:
Well, take care.
Serge:
(I hope he realizes he wasn't
being very convincing. I
wonder why he's really
here...?)
------------------------------------------------
[If they did let the dishwasher out before, the scene begins at this point.]
Luccia:
Vot is it you vant?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the party...]
Nikki:
I'd like to talk to you
about Marcy.
Luccia:
Marcy? Vot is your interest
in the child?
Nikki:
I think she's my sister.
Luccia:
Sister? Ah, then you vould
be Nikki.
Nikki:
!
How did you know? Marcy
doesn't even remember me.
Luccia:
I have not spoken vith Marcy
of her family. Indeed, I have
barely spoken to her at all.
Your mother felt it best dat
she not know I had an interest,
after vot happened. It might
have...attracted attention.
Serge:
(That's weird--if no one's
supposed to know Luccia has
anything to do with Marcy,
why did the Prophet send Nikki
to her? How did he know?)
Nikki:
You knew my parents, then.
Luccia:
I knew Zelbess, your modder,
and dat all too briefly. Your
fadder, I have never met.
Nikki:
I don't remember him very
well myself--just impressions.
He was a big man, with a
booming laugh, and the bluest
eyes I've ever seen.
Luccia:
Dat matches de descriptions
I have heard, yes.
Nikki:
I'm getting sidetracked here.
Tell me about Marcy.
Luccia:
Do you know...vot happened
to your modder?
[Nikki shakes his head.]
Nikki:
No one would tell me much.
She was kidnapped, I think,
she and the baby, and my
father left to look for
them...and never came back.
Luccia:
She vas taken by Porre. Dey
considered the opportunity
to study a half-demi-human
child invaluable. Viper tried
to protect your family, but
he failed.
Leena: | Kid: | Glenn:
"Half-demi-human"? Are you | Whaddaya mean, "half- | "Half-demi-human"? You cannot
saying that Nikki is...? | demi-human"? | possibly mean...?!
Nikki:
Yeah, my mother was a mermaid.
It never made much difference
to me--I swim really well,
that's all. But I usually don't
tell people about it. It makes
them look at me funny, and
that's Not Cool, you know?
Serge:
So what happened? Zelbess got
captured by Porre, and then...?
Luccia:
She vas taken to a lab on the
mainland. Dat is vhere I met
her. I vas barely out of
school den, and Zelbess...
she befriended me. She vas
a varm soul. I sent a message
to General Viper for her, but
after dat, everything vent
wrong...
[The scene fades out, then back in again. We are now in that mainland laboratory
Luccia mentioned, a grey room full of cages. Zelbess (really Irenes' model with
a different surface texture) is slumped in the centermost one; the others are empty.
After a moment, Viper and Luccia enter the screen, heading for Zelbess' cage.]
Viper:
I am surprised that they let
you get a message to me.
Luccia:
The demi-human herself is
of little interest to de
scientific community. It is
her daughter my superiors
vish to study.
Viper:
Little Marcy...
[They arrive at Zelbess's cage.]
Viper:
Zelbess... Zelbess, can you
hear me? It's Viper--I'm here
to get you out.
[Zelbess raises her head slowly]
Zelbess:
V-viper? Luccia? Oh...
[Luccia opens the cage]
Luccia:
Come. Ve have little time.
Zelbess:
I will not leave wit'out
Marcy.
Luccia:
She is under guard--if ve go
after her, ve vill be caught!
Zelbess:
Den go. I'll do dis alone.
Viper:
WE'LL do this. I mean, I know
if it were Riddel, I would...
[Viper flushes and looks away.]
Zelbess:
T'ank you for helping me,
Luccia. You have done more
dan I had däred hope.
[Luccia shakes her head]
Luccia:
Very vell. I vill show you
vhere Marcy is, since you
seem villing to stand here
arguing until the guards come
if I do not. You are a fool,
Zelbess.
Zelbess:
All pärents are foolish, I
t'ink.
[The scene fades out again.]
Luccia: [while the screen is black]
Viper vas able to decoy
the guards avay from Marcy
for a short time, and
so ve vere able to take her,
but de alarm vas raised
soon aftervard.
[Fade in--this time, we're in a nearly featureless grey corridor where the lighting
is flashing ominously red. Zelbess, with a bundle in her arms, is fleeing along it
toward an intersection at the far end, with Luccia bringing up the rear.]
Luccia:
...Nearly dere... Ve
need to turn right...
Zelbess:
(pant)...Ja...
[Zelbess reaches the intersection and turns to the right, but before she can proceed
along the intersecting corridor, we hear the sound of a gunshot, and her body jerks.
She collapses to the ground, still holding Marcy. Luccia skids to a stop practically right
on top of her as Grobyc enters from the left-hand corridor.]
???: [Grobyc, but we don't know that yet]
Mission-accomplished.
Target-is-destroyed.
Luccia:
You are my brodder's...
Vho gave the order to
deploy you? You are not
complete yet!
???: [Grobyc]
...
Marcy:
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
[Luccia bends down and picks up the baby. Grobyc aims a weapon at her.]
Luccia:
Put dat down, you stupid
meat-robot! You did not even
shoot de right person! Dis
child is a decoy--de merwoman's
true offspring is probably
miles from here by now!
???: [Grobyc]
The-wrong--
[Grobyc shakes his head spastically, staggers from one side of the hallway to the
other, and then sits down in the middle of the floor with his head sagging against
his chest.]
Luccia:
Dey vill need a more robust
logic routine for dat one,
I see...
Marcy:
WAAAAH!
Luccia:
Hush, little vone. You vill
be back vith your fadder soon.
[Norris enters from the far end of the left corridor and stops dead. (If Marcy is around
a year old, Norris would be about eighteen, so the timing is just barely possible.)]
Norris:
What happened here?
Luccia:
My brodder's fool machine
shot de mermaid vithout first
checking to see if she vas
carrying de right baby!
[Norris shakes his head.]
Norris:
I thought that maybe it wasn't
a very good idea to use that...
creature...but I'm too junior
to argue with my orders. You
say this is the wrong infant?
Luccia:
Does she look part mermaid to
you?
[The scene fades out once more, and we are returned to Luccia's lab at Viper Manor.]
Luccia:
Vith Viper's support, I vas
able to make de lie stick, but
I vas no longer velcome in
Porre. Viper invited me to
El Nido, and Marcy has grown up
here at the mansion.
Nikki:
But my father--
Luccia:
He vent a bit mad after he heard
Zelbess vas dead. He turned my
lie back on me, said Marcy vas
not his child, argued vith Viper
about it, and left the manor. I
do not know vot happened to
him after dat.
Kid: | Glenn:
And let me guess--ya haven't | If Marcy knows any of this,
told Marcy any of this, | she must hate her real father.
have ya? | She all but worships General
| Viper.
Luccia:
I thought it best dat she
not know. Porre may still
be interested in her, and
dis makes it less likely
dat dey will find her.
Serge:
(But I bet no one's thought
much about how Marcy feels
about not knowing. Poor kid.
She probably makes up stories
about what happened to her
family, the way I did about
Dad after he disappeared...)
Nikki:
So you let her think she was
abandoned?! I... I...
[Nikki is shaking as he speaks.]
Nikki:
I don't know what to say to
you. I just don't. You saved
Marcy's life, but then you
pulled something like this...
I...
Leena: | Kid: | Glenn:
Nikki... You can't undo what's | Let it go, mate. Keep | Luccia's actions have
already happened, but so long | tryin' to talk to yer | not been entirely
as you and Marcy are both | sister--that's all | honourable, but harming
alive, there's a chance you'll | ya can do. | her will not help Marcy.
be able to patch something | |
together, right? | |
Nikki:
I suppose you're right...
but it's going to be a
while before I stop being
pissed off about this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Urgh, that took forever! Anyway, moving right along, if Nikki is not in the
party or the above lengthy expository scene has already taken place, the
following occurs...]
Serge:
~~~We could use your help. | ~~~Um, nothing. Sorry
Would you like to join us? | to bother you.
|
Luccia: | Luccia:
Sigh... | Dä... I guess I should
Vith my HomoSap experiment | get out more often and
so badly damaged, I really | gather research material.
do not have any research |
I can do here. I guess | Luccia:
the time is right. | Vith my poor HomoSap too
| traumatized to bloom, dere
Luccia: | is little for me to do here.
I am sure I can find some |
interesting research material |
if I tag along vith you. |
|
Luccia: |
I vill join you. |
Ooh hoho hoho! |
|
[System] |
Luccia assimilated into your |
party. |
And that's all for this time, folks. Still to come: Leena and Leena discussing the merits of
the male PCs, Glenn's trophy-related flashback, infodumping shamans, and some miscellaneous
odds and ends.
-
And that's all for this time, folks. Still to come: Leena and Leena discussing the merits of
the male PCs, Glenn's trophy-related flashback, infodumping shamans, and some miscellaneous
odds and ends.
It's great how the Leenas can meet each other and not completely explode. Instead, they insult Serge.
-
Heh. They're not going to spare the feelings of any of the other male PCs either (and Another World Leena is going to chew up a few males who haven't yet joined the party, too). Fortunately, they're going to go off alone to do it--otherwise, I'd have to write the scenelet where Magus blows up the dock to shut them up. :lol:
-
Well, there's a bit less stuff this time, but Leena still got awfully talkative...
+++++++++++++++PART IV: A Tale of Two Leenas+++++++++++++++++++++
=================================================
Cape Howl (Home)
=================================================
[I assume this is what happens if you go to look at the gravestone
with Leena in your party and she sees that, in this world, it isn't
Serge's--I've never actually recruited Leena, so I don't know for sure.]
Leena:
......
You really are
Serge, aren't you...?
Serge:
So you believe me now?
Leena:
I guess I have to. The
evidence is right in front
of me.
Serge:
(About time.)
Leena:
You're alive in this world,
living a normal life with me.
Serge:
(With the other her, anyway...
although there really isn't
much difference between them
that I can see.)
Leena:
But in the other world,
...you're dead...
And I'm living a different
life without you...
Serge:
It can't be that different.
Leena:
How do you know?
Serge:
Because you're too much like...
the other you. (Aack, it's
impossible to talk about this
in a way that makes sense!
My head feels like it's about
to explode!)
Leena:
That's strange. I mean, you
and the other me are friends,
right? I would have thought
that that would be important
enough to affect me somehow.
Then again, you wouldn't know
that there was any difference
between the two worlds just
from looking at the sea or
the sky... They look the
same...
Serge:
Yeah, I guess they do. One
fisherman more or less
wouldn't be enough to
affect something that big.
Leena:
So tell me, Serge.
How's it going with
the me in this world?
Serge:
Um...
Leena:
Have we kissed yet?
Serge:
Kissed?! (Why is that the
kind of thing girls always
want to know about?)
Leena:
Well? Well?
Leena:
Come on!
Tell me!
Serge:
We're just good friends.
Really!
Leena:
Hmmm...
=================================================
Arni (Home)
=================================================
[In the interest of keeping track of who's who, I'm going to label
the Leena from Home World LeenaH, and the one from Another World
who's been travelling around with Serge, LeenaA. It might be a little
harder to follow the dialog in the actual game, although I never remember
getting confused when Norris was talking to Norris... Anyway, Serge and
Co. speak to LeenaH, who is still at the end of the dock, with LeenaA
in the party.]
LeenaH:
Serge, where have you been?!
Your mother's been worried
about you--
[She turns her head and sees LeenaA.]
LeenaH:
You're...me? Is this some
kind of joke?!
LeenaA:
I wondered that too, at
first, but everything that's
been happening is just too
weird to be funny.
LeenaH:
Weird? You mean like Serge
disappearing RIGHT IN FRONT
OF ME and staying gone for
days on end, and then walking
up to me and saying "Hi" like
nothing much happened?
Serge:
Whoa, there, it isn't like I
MEANT to disappear, okay? And
there's been a lot going on--
LeenaH:
A lot of WHAT?! Nothing's
changed here except for you
being missing, so where were
you that had "a lot going on"?
Serge:
It's...kinda complicated...
(Man, I know she just does it
because she worries about me,
but I get awfully tired of the
yelling sometimes...)
LeenaA:
If it makes you feel any
better, I was with Serge just
about the whole time he was
away, and he wasn't goofing
off or hiding just to annoy
you. Not even close.
LeenaH:
He was with YOU? Oh, that's
just great. Serge is mine, you
hear me?!
Serge:
(Damn, they're going to fight
over me, aren't they? I can
just see them each grabbing one
arm and pulling until I come
apart in the center like those
straw dolls Leena had when we
were kids...)
LeenaA:
Serge, I thought you said the
two of you were just good
friends!
Serge:
Um... As far as I'm concerned,
we are. Leena might have other
ideas, though.
LeenaH:
So you're dumping me now, is
that it?!
Kid: | Glenn:
Ya know, ya might just get | Please permit us to
some answers if ya'd SHUT | explain...
UP for a sec. |
[LeenaH looks at Serge, then at LeenaA, then back at whoever spoke.]
LeenaH:
Okay, but this had better
be good!
Serge:
Well, it happened kind of
like this...
[Scene fades out, then back in again (to represent time passing) while Serge
waves his arms expressively.]
Serge:
...So that's about where
we're at now.
[LeenaH looks at LeenaA again.]
LeenaH:
So you really ARE me.
LeenaA:
More or less, anyway. Say,
would you mind showing me
around? This Arni's GOT to
be different from mine, and
I'm curious to see exactly
how.
LeenaH:
You haven't asked Serge
about it?
LeenaA:
I have, but Serge is a
GUY--he doesn't pay attention
to the right kinds of things.
And besides, he doesn't seem
to like to talk much.
Serge:
(Is it really my fault if I
think it's safer to keep my
mouth shut than open it and
get my ears blistered?)
LeenaH:
Well, okay, then--let's go.
Although I don't know how
interesting you're really
going to find this.
[The two of them depart together, leaving the rest of the party staring after
them.]
Guile: [if present]
...The ways of women are
perhaps more mysterious than
anything else in this world.
Nikki: | Kid:
So what do we do now? | So they think we're just
| gonna stay here while they
| wander around?
Serge:
Why don't we go to my place and
have a rest? I'm sure they'll
find us there eventually.
[The scene fades as they walk away, and we're taken to the inside of the hut
where LeenaH lives, just as the two Leenas enter.]
LeenaA:
That was...kind of weird. So
many little things that aren't
quite right, like the Records
of Fate...
LeenaH:
Do you mean that they still
work in your world?
LeenaA:
Exactly... Come to think of it,
a lot of the things that are
different here...
LeenaH:
...in your world, the Records
of Fate told people to do stuff
differently?
LeenaA:
Pretty much.
LeenaH:
So anyway, about Serge...
LeenaA:
Yes?
LeenaH:
He hasn't...come on to you,
has he?
[LeenaA shakes a bit, as though she's laughing.]
LeenaA:
Oh, no, no, and even if he had,
I wouldn't have encouraged him.
I mean, he's a sweet guy, but
at first I thought he was a bit
crazy, you know? This total
stranger, babbling about knowing
me?
LeenaH:
I guess I can understand that.
He's a bit of a wuss, too--he
barely argues with me even
when I ask him for something
completely unreasonable.
Um, do you...have anyone?
LeenaA:
A boyfriend, you mean? No,
there's no one in my Arni that
I'm interested in. One of the
reasons I went to Termina with
Serge was that I was hoping to
have a chance to meet some
people, but so far all the
boys we've come across have
been losers.
LeenaH:
Seems to me that there was an
okay-looking guy or two with
you when you got here.
LeenaA:
Okay-LOOKING, maybe, but once
you get to know them, their
personalities are kinda...
LeenaH:
Really?
LeenaA:
Well, which one would YOU go
out with? If Serge wasn't
around, I mean.
[The following short segments are used only if the PC being discussed has been recruited]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LeenaH:
Well, there's...Guile,
wasn't it?
LeenaA:
I'm not even sure Guile is
all that good-looking. I mean,
who knows what he's hiding
under that mask? He might
have scars, or--
LeenaH:
(Giggle) Or no eyebrows, or
something?
LeenaA:
Or something. And he's a
drunk, and a mystery fanatic,
and... I just had a horrible
thought.
LeenaH:
What? Tell me, tell me!
[BTW, don't take the next couple of lines too seriously--they do not reflect
my real beliefs about the characters, or my future plans for them, but they did
strike me as the sort of silly idea that Leena x 2 might come up with.]
LeenaA:
Well, with the way Guile
dresses... I wonder if he's
interested in women at all.
LeenaH:
I see what you mean--it's
kind of flamboyant, isn't it?
And it shows off his chest.
Do you think he's in love with
Magus?
LeenaA:
It would sure explain a lot,
but I can't see ANYONE being
in love with Magus. I mean,
okay, there's something about
him that draws your attention,
but, well, brrr.
[She shudders theatrically]
LeenaH:
Yeah, I'll say. Most of the time
that Serge was talking, he was
staring at the horizon, but he
did turn around for a few
seconds, and it felt like he was
staring right through me. He IS
good-looking in a weird kind of
way, but I can't imagine having
him for a boyfriend. It feels
like that kind of attention
would just slide off him.
LeenaA:
We don't have a place in
whatever world he lives in--
and I think that's probably a
good thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LeenaH:
I thought Nikki was kind of
cute.
LeenaA:
He's got a good singing voice,
too...although it didn't
impress that monster he was
serenading when we met.
LeenaH:
He was singing to a monster?!
LeenaA:
Yup, he seemed to think he
could convince it to get out
of his way.
LeenaH:
I guess that means he isn't
all that bright.
LeenaA:
Yeah, but that isn't the real
problem. He's also got this
total sister complex...
LeenaH:
Oh--cross him off the list,
then. Guys like that are
never quite... Well, you
know.
LeenaA:
Yeah, I do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LeenaH:
How about Glenn?
LeenaA:
Glenn...
[LeenaA shakes her head]
LeenaA:
Glenn is supposed to be three
years older than Serge, but he
doesn't FEEL any older, if you
know what I mean. It's like he
doesn't want to grow up. And
besides, he's an Acacia
Dragoon.
LeenaH:
I thought they were the bad
guys!
LeenaA:
Exactly--so dating Glenn isn't
going to happen, and it wouldn't
even if he didn't hang his sword
straight down between his legs
like he's trying to compensate
for something.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LeenaH:
I guess that leaves Skelly...
LeenaA:
You're kidding me, right?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[End of optional-sectiony things]
LeenaH:
Didn't you meet even one decent
guy anywhere? One that didn't
join up with you?
LeenaA:
Hmmm, let me see... Korcha's
too young, a loser, and fixated
on Kid, Lynx is a demi-human
and Really Evil...
LeenaH:
What about the dragoons?
LeenaA:
Most of them are sort of
interchangeable, except maybe
the Devas. I don't want a guy
that doesn't stand out.
LeenaH:
Well, what about the Devas,
then? Karsh and...Zoah, I
think it was.
LeenaA:
Karsh has a thing for Riddel,
General Viper's daughter--I
could tell that just by
looking at him when she was
around. I don't think I
could pry him away with a
crowbar.
LeenaH:
You really have been having
rotten luck, haven't you?
And Zoah?
LeenaA:
Zoah...not a chance. I mean,
he has a nice body--you can
tell, since he barely wears
any clothes--but he hides
his face under a helmet.
And he SHOUTS ALL THE TIME.
LeenaH:
Hides his face...I wonder
why.
LeenaA:
Probably he's got hideous
scars or something.
LeenaH:
You know, you almost sound
like you WANT him to be that
way. On the inside, he might
be quite a sensitive guy.
LeenaA:
Bet you wouldn't say that if
you ever met him. Say, why
don't you come with us? It
would be great to have
someone around to talk to.
[LeenaH shakes her head]
LeenaH:
I'd take you up on that if I
could, but Grandma needs me
here. She isn't well, you know.
LeenaA:
She's worse here than she is
in my world, then. Drat.
...You know, Serge is probably
missing me by now.
LeenaH:
Yeah, knowing him, he probably
is. Sometimes he's too much of
a nice guy for his own good.
LeenaA:
Hey! What do you mean by that?
LeenaH:
Oops, sorry, I didn't mean it
that way. Honestly. I mean,
it's natural that Serge would
be interested in you, since
you're me.
LeenaA:
...Serge always looked to me
like he was more interested
in Kid.
LeenaH:
Kid? You mean the girl in
red?
LeenaA:
That's her.
LeenaH:
My true rival has appeared.
[LeenaA turns to stare at her.]
LeenaA:
You...really do like Serge,
don't you?
LeenaH:
Given the alternatives, can
you blame me?
[Both of them shake with laughter as the scene fades out and we're taken to
Serge's room the next morning.]
----------------------------------------------------------------
[If Leena was never recruited and the party speaks to Home World's
Leena, the conversation is much shorter...]
Leena:
Serge!
Where have you been!?
You had me worried sick!
Serge:
Um...
Leena:
That disappearing trick wasn't
very funny, you know! What did
you think you were doing?!
Serge:
Sorr--
Leena:
Don't you DARE ever put me
through anything like that
again!
Kid: | Nikki:
Say, mate, does this sheila | Serge, I keep telling you,
ever let ya get a word in | you need to learn how to
edgewise? | treat girls.
|
Serge: | Serge:
She winds down eventually. | Give me a break, Nikki.
(Sometimes she even does it | (It isn't like Leena's a
before I go completely | normal girl. She's...well,
deaf.) | I'm not really sure WHAT
| she is, but not normal.)
Leena:
Hmph. If that's how you're
going to be, I'm not speaking
to you for the rest of today.
Serge:
(I wonder if she'd extend that
a bit if I told her I'm actually
going to enjoy the peace and
quiet...?)
And that's all for this time, folks! One more side-stuff segment before we finally get to the
next chapter...
-
Hahahaha, oh man, the conversation between the Leenas was hilarious; I could definitely see that happening. Those were two pretty solid stories. I gotta say that the humorous segments are working out perfectly. The only typo I noticed was by Glenn in the Recruiting Luccia segment.
Glenn:
Miss Riddell...
And maybe another one:Luccia:
You are my brodder's...
Vho gave the order to
deploy you? You are not
complete yet!
I don't know how that'd be pronounced. I know what you meant, but since wh makes an h sound, the v shouldn't replace the w, right?
Fantastic work. I'll try to stop by more often to give you more feedback.
-
@mav: With the Leena conversation, I was trying to recapture a bit of the mood from the
slideshow ending from CT. I think I got that at least mostly right.
Thanks for pointing out the typos. I think Luccia's line is going to become "Vhat fool gave de
order..." Because of the very problem you mentioned, I was bending over backwards not to use the
word "who" in her dialogue, but I guess I missed that one.
(Edit: Upon looking back over the text, I discovered that Luccia's speech is riddled with little
errors where I failed to apply her accent consistently. Arrgh...)
-
So here we have the last section of the early-game-optional-stuff. I have no idea where the
Zippa/Zappa chunk came from, except that it struck me as a bit odd that Serge wouldn't react
to finding out that the two of them are Karsh's parents...so I figured I would take the
opportunity to toss in some foreshadowing.
[I was going to put the flashback involving Glenn, Dario,
Karsh, and the trophies here, but after re-reading it, I
decided there really wasn't much I could do to improve on
the original, and there's no point in copying the entire
thing verbatim from the CC script.]
-------------------------------------------------------
+++++++++PART VI: Chasing Rainbows...++++++++++
=================================================
Zappa's Smithy, Termina (Another)
=================================================
Zippa:
Do ye know about this?
There is an amazin' material
called the '"rainbow,"'
that can be forged into
very fine items.
When we were young, we went
out to search for ourselves,
but never found it...
We've stopped searchin'
when Karsh was born.
Children are far more valuable
than any treasure, ye know.
But that man hasn't been shut
down yet. Who knows when he
might yell out that he's goin'
back on his search.
Serge:
Whoa, wait a second here!
KARSH?! You're HIS parents?!
[Zappa looks up from his forge]
Zappa:
Aye, that we are. Why're ye
so surprised?
Serge:
Um, it's just that he doesn't
look anything like either of
you. (I can't tell them that
it's because they seem way
too nice to have that crazy
axe-waving bastard for a
son...)
Zappa:
Heh, ye've met him, ah take
it. Truth is, he looks like
Zippa did when she was a
lass--her hair was that same
shade of purple when ah
began a-courtin' her.
Zippa:
Aye, and flattered ah was to
have the attention of one
of the Four Devas, e'en if
he was a big lunk built like
an anvil.
[Both of them laugh.]
Serge:
You were a Deva? (This is
getting weirder and weirder.)
Zappa:
Aye, back in the day, 'twas
Viper, Garai, Radius, and me
that made up the group. That
was afore ah lost my eye in
the wars on the continent.
Zippa:
We were right proud when Karsh
managed to follow in his old
man's footsteps.
Serge:
(This guy...and Radius, too...
I wonder how my world's Radius
ended up in Arni, and why I
haven't heard about any of this
before now. So, them, and Viper,
but...) Garai? I don't think
I've heard of him...
Zappa:
He was the best of us, but he's
been dead now for many a year.
Zippa:
And his son Dario vanished some
few years ago, just afore he was
to marry Lady Riddel. So
tragic...
Serge:
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
bring back bad memories.
Zippa:
'Tis nothin', lad. We're well
over it now, although Karsh...
well, the lad took Dario's death
hard. They were friends, after
all.
Serge:
Hmmm... (Karsh doesn't seem like
the kind of guy to take ANYONE's
death so hard he'd still be
moping about it years later. I
wonder what happened...?)
-------------------------------------------------------
+++++++++++PART VII: Oh, Nikki, you're So Fine!+++++++++++
=================================================
Magical Dreamers Ship, Termina (Another)
=================================================
[This only happens if Nikki is in the party, of course]
Miki:
Sigh...
The concert's been postponed,
Nikki's acting strange...
I just want to pack up and
hurry out of Termina, for
crying out loud.
Nikki:
Sorry 'bout that--something
came up.
Miki:
Argh! Nikki, you idiot, where
have you been?!
Nikki:
Whoa, there! I can explain!
Miki:
Not until I'm done yelling
at you!
[While Miki shakes her finger at Nikki and stomps her feet expressively, and Nikki
sort of hangs his head...]
Serge:
(I guess she's his version
of Leena...)
[Miki finally winds down]
Miki:
Pant, pant... Don't you
EVER do anything like that
again! Do you have any
idea how worried I've been?
Serge:
(Yup, definitely his Leena.)
Nikki:
I'm sorry, okay? Sheesh.
Anyway, I found her.
Miki:
You mean...?
Nikki:
Yeah, Dragoon Deva Marcy
really is my little sister.
She doesn't want to believe
it, though. Seems no one
bothered to tell her that
her family might still be
alive.
Miki:
Oh, Nikki...
Nikki:
Hey, it's no big deal. I'll
just have to keep trying.
Sooner or later, she'll
harmonize with me--she won't
be able to resist.
Miki:
Well, you always were the
optimist of this outfit. In
your place, I'd probably--
Nikki:
--have Marcy eating out of
your hand already. It took
you less than two days to
pry me out of my shell,
remember?
Miki:
That was a long time ago.
Nikki:
Yeah, when the Marbule
chieftain handed me over to
your father, we were about
the same age Marcy is now...
[Miki shakes her head a bit.]
Miki:
Anyway, Nikki, are we FINALLY
going to do this stupid gig?
I'm getting really tired of
Termina.
Nikki:
Um, can you just...bear with
me for a while longer? Things
have gotten complicated, and
I'm kind of hip-deep in
centaurpedes right now...
Miki:
Why am I not surprised? Okay,
we'll do things your way,
since you're useless on stage
when your heart's somewhere
else.
Nikki:
I'm sorry--I'll make it up
to you.
Miki:
You still owe me three silk
scarves and a pound of
chocolates from the last time
something like this happened...
Oh, never mind. But Marcy had
better get it through her head
that she's got the best, most
loving big brother in El Nido.
Nikki:
And I have the best big sister
in the world.
Miki:
...
Serge:
(Whoa, didn't see that coming
at all...)
--------------------------------------------------------
PART VIII: Of Dragon's Tears and Bored Shamans
[Serge and the others enter the Dragon Shrine in Guldove. If they haven't been
here before (that is, if they followed anything other than the standard Save
Kid route through Chapter 9), some introductions will take place...]
Shrine Maiden:
Welcome to the Dragon Shrine.
I am Steena, a shaman
serving Village Chief and
High Priestess Direa.
Serge:
I'm Serge, from Arni.
My friends and I have some
questions for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they were here previously, Serge says...]
Serge:
I'm sorry to bother you both
again, but I have some more
questions. Oh, but first I
should thank you. Because
of what you told me, I was
able to find some Hydra Humour
and save my friend.
Steena:
It is our purpose to provide
guidance to those in need of
a path. We are happy that our
advice brought about a positive
outcome to your difficulty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steena:
What knowledge do you seek
of us?
Serge:
I'd like to know about the
Dragon Tear.
Steena:
The Dragon Tear... That is
quite a long story.
Steena:
El Nido has long been called
"'The Land Where the Dragons
Sleep."'
There are islands named
after Dragons...and numerous
Dragonian ruins and artifacts.
You may have encountered
some of these already.
The most famous are the islands
of the Sky Dragon, the Earth
Dragon, and the Water Dragon.
And the ancient ruin,
'"Fort Dragonia,"'
that lies to the east.
Of the many Dragonian ruins,
Fort Dragonia is one of the few
that is still fully functional.
Serge:
(Fort Dragonia, where Lynx is...)
What does that have to do with
the Tear, though?
Direa:
The key to activate
this ruin is the
'"Dragon Tear"'...
It was given to our ancestors
by the extinct Dragonians as a
symbol of our friendship.
Serge:
(Then if Lynx has the Dragon
Tear... Oh, man, just what we
need: more complications!)
Um, I hate to ask this, but...
why don't you still have it?
Direa:
It has been passed down
through successive shamans,
but...
Steena:
It was stolen and taken away
from Guldove by an unknown
assailant.
Their intent is unknown, but
if they plan to activate the
ancient ruin, a great
disaster shall come about.
Direa:
Our people have been
searching for it, but...
we have found no trace of it.
Kid: [if present]
Lynx must've taken it!
Serge:
(It couldn't have been anyone
other than Lynx, or Viper, or
someone working for them. No
one else would have any use for
the thing that I can see,
unless...) So the ONLY thing
the Dragon Tear does is activate
Fort Dragonia?
Steena:
If it has another use, it has
not been passed down to us.
Direa:
In legends, the Tear is often
confused with another artifact
called the "Frozen Flame", but
of that I know even less.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is present...]
Kid:
The Frozen--! But Lynx said
it was in the Sea of Eden!
That bloody liar!
Serge:
Whoa, calm down! She just said
that people get the two mixed
up, not that this Tear thing
IS the Frozen Flame!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is also present...]
Magus:
What does this "Dragon Tear"
look like?
Steena:
It has the form of a blue
sphere with a complex inner
structure. The sphere is
half-covered by a thin shell,
also blue, which rises to
three points of differing
heights.
Magus:
Then it is not the Frozen
Flame.
Kid:
Wha-- Wait just a sec, mate!
Are ya sayin' you've SEEN the
thing?!
Magus:
The Frozen Flame? I must admit
to being somewhat uncertain of
that. The image in my mind is
blurred... I may merely be
remembering a picture.
Guile:
Then it's from...before?
Magus:
More likely I read about it
late some night and then
forgot about it afterwards.
Serge:
So what does it look like?
Magus:
It is a flat object the size
of a man's head, orange or
red in colour, with a circular
base from which several
irregular wavy spines point
up and out. Also, it is all
of a piece, with no separate
shell.
Serge:
(Which makes the Dragon Tear
the wrong color and the wrong
shape. I'm not sure if that's
good or not. Hey, wait a
minute...!) Doesn't the Dragon
Tear sound an awful lot like
the thing Viper had on his
desk when we snuck into the
manor?
Kid:
Now that ya mention it, mate,
it sounds exactly like.
Serge:
Well, I guess that means there's
no chance Lynx ISN'T headed for
Fort Dragonia. (But why did I
feel like the Tear was pulling
at me?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kid: | Glenn:
So what happens if Lynx | If I may ask--what are the
uses this Tear and activates | potential consequences if Lynx
Fort Dragonia? | were to activate the fort?
Steena:
It would certainly bring
disaster to this world...
Serge:
(!)
Direa:
Nod... That is correct.
This Dragonian ruin is a product
of their '"crystal of wisdom."'
Its power is unknown, yet much
too powerful for any human.
If the ruin were to be
activated by chance, it would
emit uncontrollable power...
All would surely end in disaster.
Serge:
(Somehow, I don't think they're
kidding. Oh, hell, how did I
get mixed up in all this? But
if...if it could be that bad,
then someone has to stop Lynx
and Viper. I just wish I could
be sure we can pull it off.
The fate of the world... That's
a pretty big responsibility!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is present]
Kid:
Relax, mate. She'll be right,
I tell ya! The world ain't
gonna come apart just 'cause
of that bastard Lynx, 'cause
I ain't gonna let it!
Serge:
(I wish I were that confident.
Hey, wait a sec...) How did
you know that I was worried?
Kid:
We've been travellin'
together...nearly a week now?
And yer face is an easy one
to read.
Serge:
...Oh. (I still can't figure
HER out at all.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steena:
You are right to be concerned.
Since the Dragon Tear was
stolen, we cannot deny that this
threat may become a reality.
Serge:
Not if I can help it.
Kid: | Nikki:
So we're still goin'? Beauty, | Are you sure you really want
mate. Not that I ever doubted | to do this?
ya. |
| Serge:
Serge: | Actually, I'm scared out of
(I don't get it--why am I so | my mind, but I can't just
pleased that she thinks I'm | wait around, either.
doing the right thing?) |
[Serge bows to Direa.]
Serge:
Thank you for taking the time
to see us, ma'am.
Steena:
May your journey be blessed
with the guidance of the 6 great
Dragon Gods...
And that's all the sidestuff for now, folks! I'll be posting the Hermit's Hideaway chapter next.
(And I'm going to have to start working in alternative lines for Luccia and Skelly from now on.
And try to keep Magus from stealing the show again (at least until we hit the whole body-switch/
stabbing scene). Urgh.)
-
And that's all the sidestuff for now, folks! I'll be posting the Hermit's Hideaway chapter next.
(And I'm going to have to start working in alternative lines for Luccia and Skelly from now on.
And try to keep Magus from stealing the show again (at least until we hit the whole body-switch/
stabbing scene). Urgh.)
If only Magus still had his memories, he'd completely own Lynx in Fort Dragonia. (also I hated that level, but it had good music)
-
A Magus with his abilities intact would be able to take out Lynx with a single Dark Matter, yes. (Even in his amnesiac state, he's probably going to try something like that, although all I have for that scene is a very early draft that's going to have to be changed to make it work with the script as it now stands.) He'd also completely unbalance the early game, though, so he isn't getting his entire memory back until quite late.
-
This was a relatively short chapter in which Glenn, rather than Magus, came close
to stealing the limelight. Damn characters, can't control them, can't have a
story without them... ;P
Hermit's Hideaway - Meeting with the 'other' swordsman...
Recruits: At this point, the player will have one of three core groups of
PCs, depending on the path that was taken through chapter 9--
- Serge, Kid, Guile, and Magus
- Serge, Kid, and Nikki
- or Serge, Nikki, and Glenn
plus any or all of the three available optional characters (Leena,
Luccia, Skelly).
[Reconstructing this was a pain--several lines used in the versions of these
scenes where Glenn is not present are missing from this part of the
Compendium's version of the script (they're in the raw text dumps at the end,
but don't show up in the section marked out for the chapter or in the
Lost Lines section--they're just kind of in limbo). I think I've found
all the missing bits, though, thanks to YouTube and the people who've posted
Cross playthroughs there.]
===========================================================
Hermit's Hideaway (Another)
===========================================================
[The party arrives on the island, only to find it...somewhat
charred around the edges.]
Glenn: | Luccia: | Kid:
What on earth happened!? | Dere is evidence of combustion... | Arrgh, that Lynx! Looks
Could Lynx have done | Vhat happened here? Did Lynx | like the bastard really
this!? | arrive before us? | didn't want us to talk
| | to this ex-dragoon guy.
[Harle]
Zat'z correct.
Hmm... Maybe not?
[Harle appears. Serge shakes his head.]
Serge:
(Not HER again.)
Harle:
Ze correct answer iz,
I did zis under
Monsieur Lynx's order.
Kid: [If present]
I knew that bastard had to
have something to do with it!
Harle:
Salut, Serge.
Did you miss moi?
Serge:
Um... (If I tell her the
truth, she'll probably light
into me... Hopefully, someone
will interrupt before I have
to say anything.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is present]
Glenn:
Harle!!!
What have you done
with Radius!?
Serge:
(Huh? Oh, of course he would
know her--he lives at Viper
Manor.)
Harle:
Ooh lah lah...
Glenn...
You're all fired up.
Harle:
Oooooooh...!
Glenn:
Tell me!!!
Harle:
Tsk, tsk, tsk!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harle:
Excusez-moi, Serge,
but do you want to know why
I burned zis place to ze ground?
~~~Tell me | ~~~Not really...
|
Harle: | Harle:
Well, first of all to | Ahh, oui?
teach you all a lesson... | You are no fun.
And second of all to get rid |
of zat geezer who livez here. | Serge:
He iz an ally of ze Acacia | Sorry, but I didn't come
Dragoonz, and I hear he'z | here to show you a good
quite skilled. | time. (Ulp! Maybe I should
I waz disappointed to see | have phrased that a little
zat ze geezer izn't here. | differently...)
I wonder where he went? |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| [If Kid is present...]
[If Kid is present...] |
| Kid:
Kid: | Ya lost your mind, mate?
Lynx ain't gonna be impressed |
that ya can't even kill one | Harle:
old man. | Clearly, Serge seez zat I
| have more charm zan you
[Harle gives her a Look, but | will ever possess--non,
doesn't say anything.] | mon Serge?
|
| Serge:
| (I wonder if they'll leave
| me out of this if I whine
| pathetically enough? Of
| course, I'm not really much
| good at whining, either...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harle:
And one more t'ing, Serge.
Monsieur Lynx gave moi
one more order.
Zat iz to slow down
your pursuit.
Serge:
(Lynx actually cares that
we're following him... Does
that mean he thinks we're a
danger, or just a nuisance?)
Harle:
Here I go!
[Begin combat. During the fight...]
Harle:
Enfin... Take all
ze time you wish.
[As the fight ends--line altered because of pseudo-French so bad
I thought it was going to give me hives.]
Harle:
Mon Dieu!
You've vanquished moi!
[After the fight]
Harle:
Ooh lah lah...
You really are strong,
trés fort, Serge.
Serge:
Um... I try. (Why does the
first girl to ever give me
a compliment about my strength
have to be HER?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is present]
Harle:
Pleaze, Serge.
Turn back now.
Harle:
She iz not'ing
but bad luck!
She will bring
not'ing but misfortune
to your life.
Serge:
"She"... You mean Kid? I'd
say she's brought me pretty
GOOD luck. (What is it about
them, anyway? Why do she and
Kid seem to hate each other
so much?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is not present]
Harle:
Well, zat'z all ze
fun for today...!
Serge:
(That was supposed
to be FUN?!)
Harle:
Au revoir, Serge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Harle disappears, and Radius arrives]
Old Man:
Are you one of
Lynx's minions?
Serge:
Um, no, we're--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is present]
Glenn:
Radius, you are safe!
Radius:
Hoh-hoh!
Is that you, Glenn?
It's been a while.
You seem well.
Glenn:
I am glad
you are
alright.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is not present]
Old Man:
Actually, I see that you are not.
It must have been that munchkin
that just flew away.
Serge:
I'm not sure I'd call her a
munchkin, but yes, she's the
one working for Lynx, not us.
(What's a "munchkin", anyway?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Radius:
Yes...
Miss Riddel had informed me
that Lynx and the general
were heading to Fort Dragonia.
I played it safe and went
into hiding for a while...
And it looks like Lynx did
pay me a visit.
I'm sure the general has
no idea what happened here.
Lynx is the one behind all this.
Serge:
I'm not so sure I'd give Viper
the benefit of the doubt. He's
still working with Lynx even
after...
Radius:
After...?
Serge:
Never mind. (If I told him
that Lynx came close to
poisoning Riddel with hydra
venom, he probably wouldn't
believe me, anyway.)
Radius:
I had a feeling
something like this
might happen...
That is why I made
sure to build a sturdy
stronghold underground.
I believe it should
still be intact.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Again, if Glenn is present]
Glenn:
Lynx must be
plotting something.
Serge:
(Thank you,
Dragoon Obvious.)
Radius:
By the way, Glenn...
Who are these people?
Glenn:
Oh... They are...
Serge:
We're after Lynx. I'm Serge,
from Arni, and these are my
friends.
Radius:
Well, no sense
standing out here.
Please, come in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[And if he isn't]
Old Man:
Are you here to
ask me questions?
Serge:
Um, yeah, I guess we are.
Old Man:
Come, there's no
need to be shy.
===========================================================
Haven, Hermit's Hideaway (Another)
===========================================================
[If Glenn is not present]
Radius:
I see...
So you have met
Miss Riddel and Glenn.
Serge:
Yes, that's right.
Radius:
I haven't seen either of those
children in ages. It's good to
know that they're both well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is present...]
Radius:
Hmmm...
I see.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
You were a dragoon,
weren't you?
Radius:
Yes, I once wielded a sword
as a proud member of the
Acacia Dragoons.
Glenn's father, Garai, the
blacksmith, Zappa, and I used
to tear up the battlefield.
Radius:
But that was a good
fifteen years ago...
When Garai lost his life on
the central continent, I vowed
to become his sons' guardian.
I officially retired four years
ago, after Dario received his
father's sword, the Einlanzer.
I have been here ever since,
living a carefree life away
from the rest of the world.
Serge:
(I wonder why my world's
Radius went to Arni instead
of ending up here...? Maybe,
when this is all over, I'll
ask him.)
Radius:
However, Dario is
no longer with us...
Life is so unpredictable...
Radius:
It was then that Lynx
approached General Viper.
He spoke of the legendary
treasure, the Frozen Flame,
which is able to heal all
illnesses and fulfill any dreams.
Magus: [if present]
For a price. Why do I suspect
he forgot to mention that part?
Radius:
I do not know what this
man Lynx is plotting...
But I believe General Viper
intends to overthrow the
nation of Porre with the power
of this legendary flame.
Porre is a nation governed by
militarism and has brought on
suffering to many people on
the central continent of Zenan.
Perhaps the general envisions
a bright and peaceful world,
much like Guardia was at one
time...
Radius:
Or...
Is he planning to find
the answer as to why we have
continued to hurt and kill
each other since antiquity...?
Magus: | Leena: | Nikki:
Heh. How naive. People | Why we hurt and | People are afraid of
kill each other because | kill each other... | other people who aren't
one person desires a | I wish I knew. | like them...but it can't
thing and another stands | Maybe then we | be that simple, right?
in his way. The wants | could make it stop. | Still, it doesn't seem
involved may be complex, | | to me like that's something
but the outcome is easy | | we need to ask this "Frozen
to understand. | | Flame" about.
Radius:
In any case, I no longer
wish to involve myself
in any conflicts.
Besides, there is no way
I would want to face
General Viper in battle.
Young one, should you
plan to engage in battle
with Lynx, beware...
He is a fearsome man.
Serge:
Yeah, I know--we've already
tangled with him once, and
came pretty close to getting
ourselves killed. But even
if we don't follow him to
Fort Dragonia, he's going to
come after us eventually.
He's...interested in me, for
some reason. ("Assassin of
Time", "Chrono Trigger"...
I still don't understand
what any of that means!)
Serge:
Anyway, thank you for your
information and advice. (I
don't know how much use we're
actually going to get out of
that history lesson, but I'd
rather learn something useless
than not know something
important.)
Radius:
I suggest you rest here
for the night and leave
in the morning.
There are many cursed
spirits wandering the
seas around here.
Rumor has it, they attack
ships and suck the souls
out of humans...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid isn't present]
Serge:
(Ghosts again... I wonder
if they're real ones this
time...? I'm not sure I
believe in them anymore,
since my own stint as a
"ghost".)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is present]
Guile: | Skelly: | Nikki:
Ghosts...interesting. | I'd heard there was | We passed through the seas
I had heard that there | a ghost ship near | near Mount Pyre on our way
was a ghost ship wandering | Mount Pyre--heck, a | to Termina, and the fog was
these waters--indeed, I | couple of people in | really spooky. They say
was even considering | Termina asked me if | there's a ghost ship that
investigating it after | I was from there. | hangs out there, and I can
Viper Manor, until events | | believe it, even if we
got away from me. | | didn't meet it.
Kid:
What?
A ghost ship?
Hah! You tryin' to scare me!?
Don't make me laugh.
Radius:
Do not take the sea
lightly, young lady.
Mankind knows only
but the land and the
surface of the sea.
No man can truly know
what hides beneath
the waves.
Next we will have the ghost ship chapter, which I expect to be rather longer (especially
since Magus gets another scene near the end of it, and so do Nikki and Fargo).
-
Both chapters were damn good. I think your version of Zippa and Zappa are much better than the originals: we finally get to see some more depth and history to these characters.
Magus:
It is a flat object the size
of a man's head, orange or
red in colour, with a circular
base from which several
irregular wavy spines point
up and out. Also, it is all
of a piece, with no separate
shell.
The wording here seems awkward, but I think I get the gist of it.
I liked the Radius stuff too--everything was written well. The "Dragoon Obvious" bit gave me a good laugh. Keep up the good work--I'll keep stopping by to read these.
-
I all but tore my hair out over some sections of Magus' remarks during the conversation with the shamans--it was surprisingly difficult to get what I wanted him to say into the correct speech register, so I'm not surprised that some of it came out sounding awkward. (Damned show-stealing son-of-a-boss-villain...)
-
Regardless of what I nitpick, this has easily been one of the greatest Chrono fanfic I have ever read. Keep up the great work.
-
@mav: Actually, I appreciate the nit-picking--I'm trying to do this right, and since I have no beta reader for it, you guys are the first people other than me to see it.
Anyway, I'm currently, mmph, roughly halfway through the first part of Chapter 11. Damned ghosts...
-
Woot, I'm looking forward to it!
Now, how would this ever be executed? Would you ever put this in a heck-a-cool-kind of Chrono Cross?
-
Right now, I'm concentrating on getting the script finished--I'm still only around a third of the way
through. I'd love to see it someday as the hack it was originally intended to be (or as the animation
that someone else here proposed), but the only way that's going to happen now is if someone else
decides to take the ball and run with it, so to speak--it's too big a project for me working alone,
and I'm not really proactive enough to be a good team leader, sad to say.
-
And here is most of Chapter 11. I'm not entirely pleased with how I ended up
ending Nikki's sub-scene, but oh, well. Complex structure ahoy. Why was this
the only chapter they tried to do right...?
11a. From Pirate Ship to Ghost Ship - A mariner's worst nightmare...
Recruits: At this point, the player will have one of three core groups of
PCs, depending on the path that was taken through chapter 9--
- Serge, Kid, Guile, and Magus
- Serge, Kid, and Nikki
- or Serge, Nikki, and Glenn
plus any or all of the three available optional characters (Leena,
Luccia, Skelly).
===========================================================
SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[While sailing through the fog around Mount Pyre, the party
encounters a large and seemingly deserted ship.]
Guile: | Nikki: | Glenn: | Kid:
Is this...? | Think this is the | Could this be...? | Guess this is
| ghost ship? | | the "ghost ship".
Magus: | | Nikki: | Heh. What a
The "ghost ship", | Kid: | I guess it's that ghost | joke.
apparently, although | Maybe. What would | ship, although I thought |
it seems rather solid. | anyone else be doing | it would...feel weirder. |
| out here in this fog? | |
[The first person who spoke vaults out of Korcha's boat
and onto the ship.]
Guile: | Kid: | Glenn: | Kid:
Aren't you coming? | Gonna go lookin' fer | We must investigate | Hey, Serge,
| ghosts, are ya, mate? | this. If it truly is | are ya just
Magus: | | a ghost ship, then | gonna sit
Hmph. I suppose there's | Nikki: | it is my duty to the | there until
no point in sailing | It's safer than sailing | people of El Nido to | the fog lifts?
around blindly in the | blindly into those rocks. | see it dealt with. |
fog. We're probably | | | Serge:
lucky we haven't taken | Kid: | Nikki: | Okay, okay, I'm
the bottom out of the | Rocks? | Well, it's probably | coming. (But
boat already. | | safer than sailing | I'm getting
| Nikki: | around in this fog | kind of tired
Guile: | Can't you hear them? | any longer. But if we | of these side
You always were... | There's something more | run into any ghosts, | trips... Why
pragmatic. | than this ship sticking | you can go first. | can't we just
| out of the water, not | | leave this
Magus: | too far from here. | | thing alone?)
Only in contrast to a | | |
certain mystery-loving | | |
madman. | | |
[They climb up on deck]
Serge:
This...doesn't look very
ghostly somehow. (Why would a
ghost ship bother with furling
the sails, or running out the
anchor? No, this is a real
ship whose crew are worried
about running aground in the
fog. The question is, who
does it belong to?)
[I think it's whoever is in second position in the party that speaks the next line.]
Kid: | Leena: | Skelly: | Nikki:
Oi! Is this thing | Doesn't seem like a | I've never met | Could this really be
really a ghost ship...!? | ghost ship to me... | a ghost before... | a ghost ship...?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guile: | Glenn: | Luccia: | Magus:
What is this...? | So this is | Is dis a ghost ship? | A true ghost ship would not
| the infamous | ...Highly illogical. | be nearly so well-maintained.
| ghost ship...? | |
[The pirates appear, surrounding them]
Serge:
(Oh, man, I don't think I'm
going to like this... I wish
we'd just stayed with our
boat instead of trying to
explore.)
[Pirate]
Make way for Cap'n Fargo...!
[Fargo arrives]
Fargo:
Arg! Ya seem ta be a bit young
for one of Lynx's subordinates.
Well, who cares!?
Leena: | Kid: | Glenn:
I don't understand. | So what're ya | I think you may have
What do you want? | gonna do? | made a mistake...but
| | first, please explain
| | your intentions toward
| | us.
Fargo:
That's up ta you...
Serge:
Up to us? (Damn, I feel
like a parrot.)
Fargo:
But first thing's first...
Fargo:
What is yer intention?
Serge:
OUR intention? What do
you mean? (Oh, great,
ANOTHER nutbar.)
[Pirate]
Don't play stupid!
We know you're tryin' ta
get ta Mount Pyre!
We saw General Viper's and
Lynx's ships anchored nearby.
Are ya tryin' ta deliver them
a message? Is that it!?
[Again, I assume that this next line is spoken by the second party member.]
Kid: | Leena: | Skelly:
That's a load of bull! | No, no, no, you're mistaken. | Whaddaya sayin', man!?
We don't work for them! | We're actually after them. | Don't associate us with Lynx!
We're out to get 'em! | They're our enemy! | He's our enemy and we need
Get in our way and I'll | E-N-E-M-Y! | to find 'em!
kick yer arse so hard, | |
you'll kiss the moons!!! | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Guile: | Luccia:
You surely don't believe | Sigh... | Sigh...
that we are their allies? | That is untrue... | Dis is vhy it is so difficult
| | dealing vith imbeciles like you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Magus:
You do not have | After we kill Lynx,
the facts straight. | I may just come back
We, too, are in hot pursuit | and do the same to
of Lynx. Do not hinder our | you fools.
mission to Fort Dragonia. |
Fargo:
Huh? Are ya serious?
Explain yerselves.
Serge:
That...may take a while. (How
many times have I told this
story so far? Must be at least
half a dozen. Feels more like
a hundred, though.)
[Fadeout for explanation, then back in.]
Fargo:
I see...
So that explains why
you're after Lynx.
Fargo:
But...
Don't ya know you're
riskin' yer lives?
Don't ya recognize
the danger associated
with Lynx?
He's a monster...
A cold-blooded monster...
An incarnation of death...
Serge:
Um, I think that's a BIT
of an exaggeration--
Fargo:
To be frank with ya,
we've had our share of
encounters with Lynx, too.
But that was a long time ago...
Ever since then, we've
had ta disguise ourselves
as this ghost ship.
Serge:
(Is this guy even listening
to us?)
Fargo:
So you're gonna face Lynx, eh...?
That's easy to say, but...
Kid: | Leena: | Luccia: | Skelly:
Cut the crap and get | But what...!? | Speak your mind. | I'm not scared of looking
to the point!!! | Huh!? | | death in the face. Been
| | | there, done that, got the
| | | T-shirt, you know?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Glenn: | Guile: | Magus:
What are you | Who are you to | Why the potential | If you have a point,
doing? | question our | death of a few total | make it before I sink
| resolve? | strangers bothers | this miserable tub.
| | you so is as mysterious |
| | as how you came to |
| | tangle with Lynx. |
Fargo:
Arg!
Bring out our
you-know-what!
[Pirate]
Aye-aye, Cap'n Fargo!
Serge:
(Why do I have the feeling
I'm not going to like this,
either?)
[One pirate descends the stairs in the foreground]
Fargo:
I just wanna see if you
youngsters can match up
to the likes of Lynx.
Just makin' sure
you're not all talk.
Serge:
In other words, you're going
to test us. (Probably with
something sharp. Ugh. Here we
go again.)
Fargo:
Looks like they're ready.
Let's see what you can do!
[The pirate who went below returns, bringing a few monsters,
which the party fight and defeat]
Kid: | Glenn:
That was a test? Heh. A | It may be rude of me to
baby could've handled that. | say so, but that was a
| waste of our time.
Serge:
(I guess I must be getting
stronger--before this all
started, I would have had
serious problems handling
those critters, but that
was a breeze.)
Fargo:
Just loosenin' ya up!
Time ta get serious!!!
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
(I should have known.)
Fargo:
Polly!!!
[A giant parrot-creature appears, and they engage it in combat as
well. Once it is defeated...]
Polly:
Gya-Gya-Gya
Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya
Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya-Gya
[Pirate]
'"Not bad, mateys...
We'll meet again."'
...Is what he said.
Luccia: | Nikki: | Guile: | Kid:
Interesting... Dere vas no | You speak Parrot? | What an intriguingly | Guess this
variation dat I could detect | You know, I think | bizarre conversation... | ship really
in de bird's cries, so how | you've been out | How can you tell what | IS crewed
did dat man turn dem into | here too long. | the bird is saying? | by birdbrains.
language? | | |
Serge:
(Somehow, I don't think I
WANT to know how or why
that guy talks to that
bird.)
Fargo:
Arg...
Stronger than I expected.
You got me blood boilin'.
Fargo:
I'm next!!!
Serge:
So the truth is that all
that stuff about Lynx was
just an excuse--you wanted
to fight us yourself all
along, and the tests were
just to see if we were good
enough!
[They fight Fargo. As the combat begins...]
Fargo:
Jolly ho!
Up and at 'em!
[Later, when they've whittled him down to critical status...]
Fargo:
Now that smarts...!
[When the party wins]
Fargo:
Not bad...
But keep in mind,
we be pirates!
Serge:
(What the--? I feel faint.
What's going on?
So...sleepy...)
[Serge collapses]
Leena: | Kid: | Glenn:
Serge, what's wrong? | Serge! You okay, mate? | What is going on?!
[Pirate]
It's a tranquilizer made
from jellyfish stingers.
You lubbers will sleep
for a while.
Magus: [if present]
I'll...kill you...
for this...
[The rest of the party collapses as well, and the screen
fades out. Against the black screen...]
Fargo:
Well, that's that!
Arg! Stick these land-
lubbers in the hold!
===========================================================
Hold, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[FMV: Serge dreams of the panther attack that almost killed
him when he was a boy.]
[They wake up in the hold]
Leena: | Kid: | Nikki:
Are you okay, Serge? | Bloody double-crossin' | Oh, man... I've written
You look kind of sick. | pirates... I guess this | songs about being in
| is the brig. | prison, but I never wanted
| | first-hand experience!
Serge:
Ugh, my head feels like it's
going to explode. That
jellyfish stuff is vicious.
(I hope everyone gives me a
few minutes before asking me
what comes next, 'cause it's
difficult to think when I
hurt this much.)
Skelly: | Kid: | Glenn:
Hey, I think there's | You hear anything | There are some odd
something going on | funny, mates? | sounds coming from
outside. | | the hallway...
===========================================================
SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[Meanwhile, on the deck...]
[Pirate] [walking aimlessly around the deck as he speaks]
Huaaah...
Standing watch ain't easy...
What's up with
the fog today...?
You can't even see
the water out there...
......
............
I-I-I ain't scared...
[The ghost ship appears out of the fog behind him, and ghosts
begin to materialize above the Invincible's rail. The unfortunate
pirate turns. As the screen fades out--]
[Pirate]
Aghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
===========================================================
Hold, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[Back in the hold]
Magus: | Kid: | Nikki:
Odd. This entire area now | I tell ya, something's | Guys, I think we're
smells of...necromancy? | goin' on! | about to have visitors!
Why do I...? | |
[A skeleton enters, conveniently leaving the door open behind
it. After the party fights and defeats it--]
Serge:
I guess that proves that
there's something really
wrong here. (Like that
isn't obvious.)
Leena: | Kid: | Glenn:
No kidding! | You can say that again, | I agree.
| mate! |
Serge:
We should probably have a
look at what's going on
outside.
===========================================================
SS Invincible--Lower Level Hallway
===========================================================
[Pirate (the one just outside the closet they were
being held in)]
Arg...
Looks like you're alright.
I thought you were goners
when that monster went in.
[Again, this is a second-person-in-the-party line.]
Kid: | Leena: | Skelly:
Ya think the almighty | Oh, they were nothing | Nyak-nyak-nyak...!
Kid would go down | against the likes of us! | I'm the bone!
that easy!? | |
| Leena: | Skelly:
Kid: | So, what was that thing? | Anyway, tell us
Anyways, what the bloody | What's going on? | what's goin' on here!
hell is goin' on here!? | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Guile: | Glenn:
Heh... | ...Did not even | My dragoon training is
Easier than playing | break a sweat. | a lot harder than that.
the bass. | |
| Guile: | Glenn:
Nikki: | Tell me... | Do tell me...
By the way, what's | What is going on | What is happening
going on? | here? | here?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Magus:
My being here vill | Hmph. We're not as weak
be pointless if | as your pathetic confederates.
ve are defeated. |
| Magus:
Luccia: | Now, explain what's going on.
By the vay... |
Vot is going on here? |
[Pirate]
Arg... Sorry, but
I don't know, either.
Before I knew what was
goin' on, I was attacked...
Go ahead...
I won't stop ya...
===========================================================
SS Invincible--Lower Level Hallway
===========================================================
[System]
There's a note...
'"Key duty is a
big responsibility!"'
Serge:
(Let me get this straight--
they lock each other out of
parts of their own ship?
These guys are crazy! I just
hope that one of them knows
where this key is...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is present]
Serge:
(Or maybe...)
Serge:
Kid, do you think you can
pick this?
[Kid looks down and shuffles her feet]
Kid:
I doubt it. I, um,
(mumble...)
Serge:
Sorry, I couldn't hear you--
what was that?
Kid:
I SAID, I've never been any
good at that lock-pickin'
stuff. It's always been
easier to steal a key, or
climb up to a window. Sorry,
mate.
Serge:
(Now she tells me.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Pirate]
You wanna know who's
in charge of the key?
I dunno.
[Not sure which pirate this is--presumably the one at the far
end of the lower floor hallway. After the party deals with whatever
ghost or skeleton is bothering him...]
[Pirate]
Phew... Thanks for the help.
Huh? Who are you?
Serge:
Um... (Oh, boy, gotta think of
something fa--)
[Pirate]
Oh yeah... You're the land-lubbers
we threw in the hold, but how did...
I guess it doesn't matter now.
So, where do ya plan to go?
Serge:
(Oof. Maybe they're really not
such bad guys... What am I
thinking?!)
We're trying to get up on deck,
but there's a locked door in
the way. Do you know who has
the key?
[Pirate]
A key?
I have no idea
who has it...
Serge:
Thanks anyway. (Oh, great.
guess we're gonna have to
keep on looking.)
===========================================================
Crew Quarters[?], SS Invincible
===========================================================
[Pirate]
H-How'd you guys get out!?
Get back in the hold!
This sucker's mine!
Serge:
(I don't mind letting him
fight it himself if he wants
to so badly, but I can't ask
him about the key like this...)
[The skeleton that was sort of hovering near the far end of
the room attacks the pirate, who fences with it. If/when
Serge et al. defeat it--]
[Pirate]
Tch...I could've taken
that thing myself, you know...
Kid: | Nikki:
Yeah, sure you could. | Well, bursting your bubble
| isn't my job.
Serge:
Do you know where the key is?
[Pirate]
Huh? A key?
Sorry...I don't have it.
Serge:
(Oh, hell, how many more
people are we going to
have to ask?)
===========================================================
Galley and Saloon, SS Invincible
===========================================================
[The party enters and sees a pirate sprawled on the floor]
Leena: [if present, otherwise Serge says the line]
Hey, are you okay?
[Pirate]
Arghhh!!!
It got me!!!
It's right there, waiting!!!
Dammit all!
Serge:
Huh? Over where?
[if they approach the stove, we have 'nother boring undead battle.
Then, if they speak to the pirate again afterwards--]
Serge:
Do you know who has the key?
[Pirate]
A key?
Sorry, I'm not in charge.
Dammit all!
Serge:
Then can you at least tell
us how to get around the
mess in the hallway? (I'd
like to get off this tub
before it burns to the
waterline, but we're not
exactly making great
progress...and it would mean
leaving these guys for the
ghosts. Damn it to hell!)
[Pirate]
Go through that
vent, dammit all!
[Bizarrely, there is text here in the CC script that
suggests that the galley pirate (or the fat guy in the
saloon) could have the key. I'll believe it when I see
(at the very least) recorded video showing it.]
[Upon trying to exit the saloon after crawling through
the vent from the galley--]
[Pirate]
Arg! Don't just stand
around, ya land-lubbers!
Help out!!!
Serge:
(These guys aren't very good
fighters... Funny, I would have
thought pirates HAD to be able
to fight.)
[After Yet ANOTHER boring undead fight--]
Serge:
It's probably too much to ask
for, but do YOU know where the
key is?
[Pirate]
I'm sorry, but I don't
have it, and I don't know
who does.
===========================================================
SS Invincible--Upper Level Hallway
===========================================================
[Pirate]
By the powers...!?
How did you guys get out!?
Ah...forget it, we have more
serious matters to worry about...
Serge:
(This is really starting to
get repetitious.) We're trying
to get up on deck. There's a
locked door in the way down
below. Can we get through here,
or do you know where the key
to the other door is?
[Pirate]
You can't get through here--
the skeletons stuffed one of
the ship's boats into the
entryway, and we're having a
devil of a time getting it
out. The key, though--
Aye, mateys!
Who's on key duty?
[Pirate]
Oh, I am.
Serge:
Finally. (I could kiss this
guy, but he'd probably take
it the wrong way.)
[Serge goes over and takes the key from the pirate.]
[Pirate]
There you go. With that, you
should be able to get up on
deck by going through the
arsenal downstairs and making
yer way up from the outside.
Please, go help the captain.
Serge:
(I doubt that Fargo guy needs
our help that much, but we'll
go have a look, I guess.)
[Serge returns downstairs, uses the key, etc.]
[Skipping the bit with the "vitamin drink"]
===========================================================
Deck, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[They reach the deck]
[Pirate]
A-Aye...!
Just in time, mateys!
Look out!!!
[Another battle with ghosts ensues]
Magus: | Nikki:
We need to find the source of | Man, it doesn't seem like
the necromantic magic and | killing these little guys
attack it, or it will just | is helping us much. We
continue to spawn additional | should try to find the
ghosts. | leader.
Serge:
You're probably right, but
where do we look?
[Pirate]
There're too many of 'em!
Fargo:
Arg! You call
yerselves sea-dogs!?
Show some spirit!!!
Huh!?
[Pirates]
Cap'n, look out!!!
Cap'n!!!
[More ghosts appear. Two of them engage Fargo.]
[Pirate]
Damn!
Mateys, go help the cap'n!
Fargo:
Get yer...
stinkin'...
ghostly hands...
Fargo:
OFF ME...!!!
[He finishes those ghosts off]
Serge:
(I had a feeling he could
take care of himself.)
Fargo:
ARG!!!
Looks like we got
a big one comin'!
Serge:
A big one? You mean...!
(I guess the boss monster
is coming to us!)
[Fargo heads for the wheel, but collapses before
reaching it.]
Fargo:
(Damn, me arm...)
Serge:
Are you okay? (Funny, I
thought this guy was
indestructible.)
Fargo:
Yer name's Serge, eh!?
Go take the wheel!
[System]
~~~Aye-aye, Cap'n! | ~~~But I've never done it before
|
Serge: | Serge:
You're the boss. (I just hope | (I don't like to argue with a
I don't screw up--I've never | captain on his own ship, but
tried to handle a boat of | I've never handled anything big
this size before, especially | enougn to have an actual wheel
in unfamiliar waters!) | before, I've never seen a chart
| of this area, and there's the
Fargo: | fog--)
I'm countin' on ya! |
| Fargo:
| No time ta fuss!
| When I tell ya to do it,
| YOU DO IT!!!
|
| Serge:
| (Ulp!) Aye-aye, sir!
Fargo:
Keep yer heads high, mateys!
Don't forget we be pirates
aboard the S.S. Invincible!!!
Serge:
(Except that I'm not a
pirate! Hell, I think I'd
rather be a ghost--at least
then I wouldn't have to
worry about getting hanged!
Of course, if we get killed
here, I won't have to worry
about anything ever again...)
[Serge goes to the wheel]
Fargo:
Man yer stations!
It's time ta show these
monsters what we're made of!!!
All:
Aye-aye, Cap'n!!!
Magus: [if present]
Hmph.
Nikki: [if present]
The name of this ship is
the S.S. Invincible...!?
Then...
That means...!
Fargo:
Serge!!!
Keep yer head high!
They're comin'!!!
[Attack of the Discount Dead Head: five for the price
of one! Once the party defeats it--]
Fargo:
Looks like the sea's
back to normal...
Fargo:
You said you were headin'
to Fort Dragonia to go after
Viper and his men.
Serge:
That's right.
[Note: Fargo moves and gestures a lot while he gives this
speech, but it's difficult to make out some of what he's
doing from the videos available, so I've decided not to
mark his actions.]
Fargo:
Let me give ya
some advice.
Serge:
We're listening.
Fargo:
Mount Pyre is a fiery hell.
Without any protection against
fire, you'll lose strength fast.
I suggest ya go see the
Water Dragon for his
divine protection.
Fargo:
Although I haven't heard
much about him recently.
I wonder if that dragon's
still alive...
Fargo:
Actually...
I haven't heard much about
the other dragons, either.
Serge:
Um... (Okay, so you don't know
where this dragon is or even
if it's still alive, and you
expect US to find it? We might
be better off seeing if we can
get some asbestos underwear...)
Fargo:
And those monsters
we just beat...
What's goin' on nowadays...?
Fargo:
......
I tell ya, even the sea seems
ta have changed its nature...
Fargo:
It's probably because
we human folks have
come around...
[Another second-group-member line, I think...]
Kid: | Leena: | Skelly:
Yeah...yeah... | Hee... Didn't think pirates | Why do I have ta hear
I don't need this mushy | had a sentimental side. | this from a pirate...?
talk from a pirate. | |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Guile: | Luccia:
...... | You are a pirate, | Vhy must I hear dis
Please...not from a pirate. | are you not? | from a pirate?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Magus:
I never thought I | I'm surprised that someone
would hear something | so foolishly sentimental
like this from a pirate. | would become a pirate.
Fargo:
In the name of Davy Jones...
What have we done...?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present in the party--meaning that the player
took the Guile/Magus route through Viper Manor and Guldove,
and also that Kid is likewise in the party, and Glenn
and Nikki are not...]
Kid:
Y'know, if the Water Dragon
no longer exists in this
world...
Guile: | Serge:
You are thinking that it might | Do you think that in my
be in the other one. | world...?
Kid:
Exactly. You're pretty sharp,
mate.
Serge:
But when I woke up at Opassa...
there didn't seem to be any way
back. Well, okay, I wasn't
looking for one, but still...
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Leena is present...]
Leena:
Serge, I wonder about
you sometimes.
Serge:
It wasn't exactly obvious what
was going on, you know. Give me
a break. (Ugh, for a moment
there, I had a flashback to
when we were four, and--no, I'm
not even going to think about
that.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Guile: | Luccia:
That suggests there may be | Perhaps dere is something
another piece to the puzzle. | else ve need to have.
Kid:
Well, I was thinkin'...
[She pulls out the Astral Amulet. Magus instantly
seizes her wrist.]
Magus:
This was created in Zeal! Where
did you get it?!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Guile is present]
Guile:
Zeal...you mean the magical
kingdom that vanished more than
ten thousand years ago? How can
you tell?
Magus:
This crest...it's the royal
arms of Zeal. I... I was...
Damn. DAMN. For a moment, I
could almost remember, but now
it's gone again.
[He shakes his head in frustration.]
Serge:
(I'd almost feel sorry for
the guy, if he were a little
less of a vicious bastard.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Kid:
I don't know about any place
called Zeal. Sis--the woman who
looked after me when I was
small--gave me this. And the
Shaman in Guldove said that it's
got part of what we need to
cross the dimensions.
Magus:
It has a power, certainly,
although it isn't of a type
that I recognize.
[He lets go of her wrist. Kid rubs her maligned appendage.]
Kid:
You could at least say you're
sorry for givin' me these
red marks, ya know.
Magus:
...
Serge:
(That guy? Not a chance.
Apologizing would mean
admitting he did something
wrong. Huh? Did she say...?)
Hey, wait a minute--when did
you have a chance to talk to
the Shaman in Guldove?
Kid:
When we first got there and you
were snorin' yer head off, ya
bloody fool!
Serge:
Okay, okay. (Man, between her
and Leena...)
Kid:
Anyway, take it.
[Serge receives the Astral Amulet.]
Guile: | Luccia:
But if this Amulet has only | If dis Amulet has PART of vhat
PART of what we need... | we need, vhere is de odder part?
Kid:
That would be...Serge.
[Everyone turns to look at poor Serge.]
Kid:
Well, he's FROM the other world,
ain't he? That makes him a link
between here and there, and
that's what she said we need.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the player took any other route through Viper Manor and
Guldove, this happens instead.]
Nikki:
Do you...
have any children?
Fargo:
Huh?
What kind of question
is that...?
Serge:
(That's what I'd like to
know.)
Fargo:
Children, eh...?
Yeah, I do.
But it may be
more appropriate
to say I did...
Fargo:
I had two children,
but they both died...
That was long, long ago...
Fargo:
If my son were still
alive today...
why, he'd be 'bout
yer age...
Nikki:
I'm sorry...
Fargo:
Hah!
Don't worry 'bout it, matey.
That was a long time ago.
But...why do ya ask?
Nikki:
I-It's nothing...
I just felt like
asking, that's all...
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Luccia is in the party]
Luccia:
Your children vere Nikki and
Marcy, vere they not?
Fargo:
!
How did ya know those names?
Who are you?
Luccia:
My name is Luccia.
Fargo:
Luccia...!
Then yer the one who--
[Luccia bows her head]
Luccia:
Yes, I am the vone that
failed to save Zelbess.
Serge:
(Wait a minute, is she
saying that...!)
Luccia:
And dis young man is--
Fargo:
I don't want ta hear it!
Luccia:
Viper told me you vere a
stubborn fool--
Nikki:
Please, stop it, both of you!
[Fargo and Luccia both turn to look at him.]
Nikki:
It's okay, honestly. It doesn't
matter. I've done without a
father all these years, so why
should I need one now? I just...
wanted to know, and now I do.
Serge:
(Nikki...)
Fargo:
...
Luccia:
I am beginning to vonder if
dere is some scope for a genetic
study here... Very vell, I vill
say nothing further.
Nikki:
Thanks.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Luccia is not in the party]
Serge:
(Huh? I just realized--the
two of them don't really look
alike, but they both have
those really, really blue
eyes... It's kind of weird.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Fargo:
......
Well, alright.
Take care of yerself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And that's all for this time, folks. The remaining part of this chapter
is mostly stuff taking place in Guldove if the player chose not to save
Kid and then went back later. Fortunately, while I've got a batch of
"Member" lines to deal with, it's a lot shorter than this was.
-
Serge:
But when I woke up at Opassa...
there didn't seem to be any way
back. Well, okay, I wasn't
looking for one, but still...
If Kid is in the party, then they'd have saved her, correct? Which means that they'd have gone back to Home World, so Serge would already have the amulet and know how to get back...
...I think. I just got through this part the other day, so it's fresh in my mind.
...I started over in CC again. I'm doing it by the book this time! Getting every item!
-
That is if Guile was chosen as the Viper Manor Guide, meaning she was saved without having to go to Home World, courtesy of Magus.
-
-_- Forgot. Sorry.
-
Uh ......wow at this , I never really gave it a look before but ...its actually really well written , I only read this page however , I will read the rest , I wanna see what you did with Leena and Harle :)
-
@Katie Skyye: Don't worry about it. I should probably draw a diagram to help everyone keep track. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
@Yourgingerestfan: Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the rest.
-
Oh jeez, this is starting to get heavy--that diagram would definitely help me out, if I was observant enough to know if/when something is wrong...
Anyway, another great chapter. This is one of my favorite parts in-game and in your script; well done. Once again, I didn't find anything wrong--nothing seemed too out of place (except for the word necromantic, but it's a word, so who cares) or rushed. Great job. You're getting more fans. :D
-
@mav: I'll try for the diagram when RL has calmed down a bit.
And here is the second part of chapter 11 (which should have been done several days ago, but I've
been having a really rotten time of things in Real Life lately). The first chunk can happen only if
the player chose not to save Kid; the second is a prelude to Water Dragon Isle. Enjoy.
===========================================================
Doc's House, Guldove (Another)
===========================================================
[Because this scene can occur only if the player chose
not to save Kid, Glenn and Nikki logically must be present
here.]
Glenn:
Kid should be here,
shouldn't she?
Luccia: | Nikki:
It has been too long. | Oh, no, you don't
De hydra venom vould | think she's...?!
have killed her. |
[Serge crumples slowly to his knees.]
Serge:
I... It... She can't...
(Damn! Damn, damn, DAMN!
I... I should have... but
what could I have done?
Only a miracle could have
saved her, and the world
doesn't work that way...
ARRGH!)
[Serge slams both fists against the floor, and bows his head.]
Leena: | Nikki:
Whoa, Serge, stop that! | Man, I am so sorry.
It isn't your fault, and | There's nothing we could
hurting yourself won't | have done, but that doesn't
bring her back... | make it any better, does it?
[Kid enters from the outside, wearing a white dress rather
than her usual outfit]
Kid:
...What're you guys
all doin' there?
Serge: [looking up]
Kid?!
Kid:
Oi, it's been a while, eh?
But what's with the astonished
look on yer faces?
Serge:
Um, well, when we came in here
and didn't find you, I kind
of...jumped to a conclusion. (I
feel like such an idiot now...
but at least I'm a relieved
idiot!)
[Serge stands up]
Serge:
So where were you, anyway?
And why are you dressed
like that?
Kid:
Oh, I complained about this
sissy gown, but then they hid
me own clothes somewhere to
stop me from tryin' to escape...
Serge:
(She must still have been
awfully weak to let them get
away with that...)
Kid:
So I had no choice but to
take a walk around the
village lookin' like this.
Anyway, what's up with you
guys?
Didja come back because you
were worried about me?
Serge:
Uh, something like that.
Kid:
Heh, I ain't gonna drop
dead from such a weako
poison like that...!
But, I guess it was a
pretty close call this
time, eh...
Hehe.
Luccia: | Nikki:
But vhere did you get de Hydra | We thought Lynx's poison
Humour to neutralize de poison? | would kill you. Where did
It has been proven dat dere are | you find a cure?
no such creatures left in El |
Nido. |
Kid:
Sorry, I haven't the
foggiest idea, either.
The doc will be back
this afternoon, so
let's ask him then.
[I think we probably get a fade-out-and-in at this point, but I never found a
video I could use to check]
Doc:
You are here to ask
me how I was able to
neutralize the poison?
Kid:
...Yeah.
There's nothing to lose by
knowing how, right Doc?
Doc:
It was a coincidence...
No, it was probably an
act of fate.
After you left the village,
a young man came to visit me
upon hearing of the patient's
condition from a villager.
He had brought a certain
item with him.
Leena: | Nikki:
"A certain item"? Then | You don't mean he
somehow, this man had...! | actually had...?
Doc:
Yes, it was Hydra Humour.
He happened to have a vial
of it with him at the time...
Serge:
(That's some coincidence...
unless that "young man" got
the Humour from Lynx...but if
he was working with Lynx, why
would he save Kid? Maybe it
really WAS a miracle.)
Kid:
Hey doc, who was that guy?
Do you at least know his name?
Doc:
I am sorry.
I do not know...
He only told me that he
'"came from the mainland."'
Kid:
...Came from the mainland?
Tsk! At least give me a chance
to thank him! Sheeze!
I hate being in debt to others!
Serge:
Calm down, okay? We'll find
him. Mainlanders aren't all
that common in El Nido.
Kid:
I don't have time to run all
over the islands looking for a
bloke who didn't have the brains
to give the doc his name!
Ah, hell!
When I find him I'll...!?
Wait, that's not what I wanna do.
Doc:
That is all that I know.
In the end, I proved useless
as a doctor.
It is not something that
could be forgiven, but I
offer my apologies...
Kid:
Hey, wait doc.
What's with the formality?
No matter what else
happened, you're the one
that made the antidote,
right?
It would've been useless
without you, even if we did
have the right stuff.
Doc:
...Thank you, Kid.
Kid:
Oi, stop that.
I'm the one that should be
thankin' you.
No worries, doc!
Well, the only thing that bugs
me is the guy that brought
that...humour, was it?
Kid:
Hehe... I guess I caused
you blokes a heap of
trouble, too!
Leena: | Nikki:
Well, now that you | Hey, it isn't that unusual
mention it... | for me to worry about a
| lady...but Serge might have
| had it tough.
Kid:
I'm no good at this...
But thanks.
Serge:
Well...it isn't like we
really did much except
worry. And we're glad to
have you back in one piece.
(Well, until she does
something else risky,
anyway.)
Doc:
So, what are you dudes
planning to do next?
Do you intend to continue
on your journey?
Kid:
That's right, we've still got
things to take care of.
We'll be leaving by tomorrow.
Serge has got a lot of
problems that need to be
solved...
Serge:
Well, we were supposed to be
heading for Mount Pyre, but
someone suggested we go look
for the Water Dragon first...
[The screen fades out, then back in again, while Serge waves his arms expressively.]
Kid:
...I see.
So that's what's been goin' on
while I was snoozin' away here.
You say Viper and his mob are
headed for Fort Dragonia, heh?
Serge:
As far as we know, yes.
Kid:
Didja hear?
Fort Dragonia's the oldest
ruin that the Dragonians
left on this planet.
From what I hear, we
need the '"Dragon Tear"'
to activate the fort.
Serge:
Why would we want to
activate it?
Kid:
Oi, did yer brains fall out
while I was snoozin'? WE
wouldn't, but Lynx would, and
he already has the Tear, if
the Shaman was tellin' me
the truth.
Kid:
Don't ya remember, Serge?
It's that blue orb that was on
[there's a line missing from the script here--probably "General Viper's desk."]
A blue orb...
~~~Was there such a thing? | ~~~Yes, I remember
|
Kid: | Kid:
What, you don't remember? | Great, so I don't have
Gawd you're hopeless... | to waste me breath
| explaining it then...
Serge: |
I had other things on my mind, | Serge:
okay? | (I KNEW there was something
| weird about that blue thing!)
Glenn:
...I cannot believe it!
The general has the
Dragon Tear... But why?
Luccia: | Nikki:
So Lynx has been planning | I guess that means they were
to activate de ruin all | always planning to mess around
along. | with Fort Dragonia.
Kid:
There's no doubt about that.
In any case, we can't just
sit back and let this happen.
Glenn:
An impenetrable fortress
surrounded by rough terrain...
And I hear it is also sealed by
the powers of the Dragonians.
Is the general trying to stop
the Porre military with it...?
Skelly: | Nikki:
Porre isn't easy to stop. | I don't know much about
Sounds like he's trying | Porre, but that sounds
to start a war, and I'm not | more like he's trying to
joking! | make them angry. Why
| would he do something so
| stupid? It could start a
| war!
Serge:
(A WAR?! Oh, man... As though
things aren't already bad
enough!)
Kid:
Even I don't know that,
but I wouldn't say that
it's not a possibility...
Glenn:
The General can't truly be
intending to do such a thing--
he takes his position as a
guardian of El Nido seriously!
Lynx must have tricked him.
Serge:
(He really believes in the
General, I guess.)
Glenn:
We have to go to Fort Dragonia
NOW and put a stop to all this!
Nikki:
The fort's in the middle of a
lava field, though. Getting to
it's going to be tough going.
Serge:
That Fargo guy did suggest
we ask the Water Dragon for
help. I guess that means we
go to Water Dragon Island.
Leena: | Nikki:
But the spring on that island | Funny, I heard there was
has dried up. Would it be that | no more water on that island.
way if the dragon were still | And no one's seen the dragon
there? | in years.
Glenn:
If we cannot obtain the
dragon's help, we will have to
conquer Mount Pyre without it.
Serge:
Wait a moment! Since when has
the spring on Water Dragon
Island gone dry? I was there
just a couple of weeks before
all of this started, and
everything seemed fine...
although we didn't go past the
beach, of course. The fairies
don't like humans intruding in
their territ--
Leena: | Nikki:
So in your world, the spring | But that was in the other
is still there? | world, right?
[Serge facepalms]
Serge:
I'm sorry, I forgot. (Damn,
I'm stupid sometimes.)
Serge:
But still, if we could find
a way to get back there, we'd
have a chance of getting the
Dragon's help, right?
Kid:
Dragons, eh...?
This is gettin' bigger
by the minute.
But I think this
problem can be easily
taken care of!
Serge:
Do you mean you've found a
way for me to get back?!
(She's joking--she has to
be. I mean, I've been running
all over the islands without
finding out anything new, and
she has the answer just drop
into her lap here in Guldove?
Not likely.)
Kid:
My amulet...
Serge:
Amulet?
Kid:
Yeah, my Astral Amulet.
It's the other key to
solving our problem...
along with you, Serge.
Kid:
I don't know if you've heard from
the shaman, but you need lots of
power to cross the dimensions.
She said it was something
about the powers of hope
and will.
Kid:
According to the shaman,
this amulet has that sort
of power.
Normally, I would've just
thought she was crazy,
but this time, maybe I
oughta listen to her.
Kid:
This amulet alone ain't
enough to cross dimensions,
though.
We need the other key to make
the connection between this
world and the other world.
Serge:
I'm not sure I got all that,
but I think you're saying that
you want to use me as some kind
of dimensional homing pigeon?
Kid:
Not sure I'd have worded it
exactly that way, mate, but
yeah, that's the idea. We need
someone that's not supposed
to be in this world that's
the link to a world that was
severed 10 years ago...
The missing piece of the puzzle.
Serge:
In other words, me.
Kid:
That's the lowdown.
The rest is up to you,
Serge.
We need to first get that
'"divine protection"' or
whatever from the
Water Dragon.
Nikki:
It might not be absolutely
necessary, but it would be
safer...which is fine by me.
There're songs I haven't
written yet, so I can't die
chasing Lynx around.
Kid:
Well, I don't know
about you, but...
I probably don't need
no Dragon's protection
to get me through hot
water! But that's me...
Serge:
(Heh--yeah, that's Kid. I'm
glad the hydra venom didn't
do her any permanent damage.)
Kid:
We gotta head to the
'"Land of Genesis."'
The place where this all began!
Only you know where that is.
Before we go, I'll leave this
in yer keeping for a while.
But, don't ya dare lose it
on me!
Serge:
Don't worry, I won't. (I
wouldn't dare.)
[System]
Serge received the
Astral Amulet.
Kid:
Alright, let's go
to the place where
this all began!
Serge:
(Where this all began?
...Opassa Beach, I guess.)
[System]
Kid has [re]joined your party!
===========================================================
Opassa Beach (Another)
===========================================================
[Urgh. This bit happens if the player took the don't-save-Kid route
(and then went back to pick her up and get the Amulet) OR the
Guile/Magus route through Guldove, and so the party has never
been to Opassa with the Astral Amulet before. If they took the
standard save-Kid route, they've already had a variant on this
conversation, so nothing happens when they reach the beach.
And of course, if they didn't go back to Guldove for Kid, they
don't have the Amulet and can't access the portal.]
Glenn: | Magus:
So the way to the other | One wonders why a dimensional
world is here. | portal would be hidden in a
| place like this.
Serge:
If it's anywhere, it's here.
This is where things
started going weird.
Glenn: | Magus:
Shall we go, then? | We're wasting time.
Kid:
What do you expect
us to do now, mate?
Serge:
Give me a moment--I need to
find the exact spot... (Where
was it that I woke up after
I fainted? I think... Here.)
[Serge walks over to the exact point of the dimensional
distortion and the greenish circle-y thing appears under
his feet.]
Serge:
This has got to be it. (Or
at least, I don't see what
else it could be--it sure
LOOKS freaky enough to be
a path between two worlds.)
Kid:
An open seam to the world...
A wormhole that
traverses dimensions...
The world's callin' you,
Serge...
Callin' the lost piece
of the puzzle...
Serge:
(That sounds really disturbing
somehow.)
[He holds up the Amulet]
Serge:
All right, here we go.
[FMV: world-swapping]
===========================================================
Opassa Beach (Home)
===========================================================
Kid:
Hah!
That was it!?
Serge:
I guess so. We'll know
for sure when we get
to Arni.
Kid:
We're in that other
world now, right?
That wasn't such
a big deal.
===========================================================
Arni, Dock (Home)
===========================================================
[If they approach the old man at the end of the dock and speak
to him--]
[Old Man]
Uhhh...
Ughhh......?
Oh, it's you, Serge.
Great day, huh?
How's your day been?
Serge:
Things have been kind of
strange for me lately, but
that's okay. Um, anyway,
sorry to wake you up, but we
need a favour.
[Old Man]
What kind?
Kid:
We need ya to take us to
Water Dragon Isle.
[Old Man]
Water Dragon Isle?
Well, it's not too far,
so I'm willin' to take
you there for 100G.
~~~Forget it | ~~~Yes, take me!
|
Serge: | Serge:
(I'm strating to think | (It isn't really that much
it would be better to | money, and I don't want to
go straight to Mount | head for Mount Pyre without
Pyre.) | the Water Dragon's blessing...)
|
[Old Man] |
OK. Call on me | Serge paid 100G.
anytime you want |
to get off the island. | [Old Man]
As you can see, | Great!
I don't have much to do. | Shall we get going?
Huaaaaaaaah... |
|
And that's it for this time, folks. Next time, we'll be seeing the dwarves (and Razzly) again.
-
Nice. That was a good chapter: not too long, not too complex; just right. Keep up the good work!
-
Geh. I think this is the longest single section that I've posted so far, but it would have
been a real mess to break this in the middle. Keeping Razzly's story more-or-less intact
without allowing her to be recruited was surprisingly hard, and I'm really not
sure that I pulled it off successfully (doubly so since I don't think I've ever even
recruited her, making my grasp of her character kind of limited).
Oh, and did I mention that there appear to be no YouTube videos that cover Water
Dragon Isle without Razzly in the party? (The campfire scene is there, but that's
it.) So take the stage directions in those bits with a little salt.
There are a lot of double-optional sections here. And I don't think the optional characters
got nearly enough lines. Grrr. On the bright side, Magus only got one line and so wasn't
able to steal the show the way he usually does.
On to Water Dragon Isle - In search of the dragon blue...
Recruits: The same as the last couple of chapters, except that players
following the don't-save-Kid path may now have her back--and if they
haven't, I don't think they can get to Home World anyway.
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle (Home)
===========================================================
Leena: [if present]
This is completely different
from what I remember this
island being like! I guess
this really is another world.
The water is so clear...
[Old Man]
Hoho, it's been a while since I
visited this isle, but its beauty
never fades.
But there's something strange...
I don't see any of the fairies that
usually dance around the pond.
Kid:
Fairies?
[Old Man]
Oh, pardon me.
There's a small village of
fairies on this isle.
It should be just beyond this pond.
I don't know what brings you to
this isle, but it's best to ask the
fairies to learn about the place.
Leena: | Kid:
I always thought the fairies | D'ya think they'll tell
were just a legend... I | us where we can find the
wonder if they can tell us | dragon?
about the dragon. |
Serge:
Well, they didn't mention it
the one time I talked to them,
but I didn't ask, either.
[Old Man]
In the meantime, I'll be 'round
here fishing.
This pond is great for fishing.
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle, Fairy Village (Home)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party rescued Razzly from the Pentapus, she enters the
screen a bit behind everyone else.]
Razzly:
......!?
The village...
Fairy-ville is...
W-Why did this...
Rosetta...
everyone... No.
No, it can't, it can't be...
Serge:
Are you okay? Um, sorry--I
guess that's a stupid
question... (I mean, if I
went back to Arni and found
it like this, I'd be freaking
out too...)
Razzly:
You are...the humans I met
in the Hydra Marshes... Did
you do this?!
Nikki:
We only just got here ourselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kid: | Glenn:
Say, those guys with the | Those creatures in the helmets
thimbles on their heads... | don't appear to be fairies.
they aren't fairies, are they? | What are they?
Serge:
I think they're dwarves from
the Hydra Marshes, but I don't
understand what they're doing
here. I've never heard of anyone
except the fairies living on
this island.
Dwarf Chieftain:
Hmph, just when I thought it was
a rarity to see humans on this
remote isle, you all hi-ho along.
Look at this isle...
It's beautiful, a perfect
fit for our new home!
Too good for these damn fairies.
You humans taught us that the
world is built on the dead bodies
of other species...
Now, hi-ho away with you...
along with the fairies...
to the deeps of the sea!
[The dwarf chieftain walks away into the caves]
Serge:
(So they're trying to steal
this island from the fairies,
because they can't live in the
marshes anymore.)
Serge: [only if he killed the Hydra]
(Is this...
my fault?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they speak to the blue fairy near the center]
[Blue Fairy]
Weep...
They killed everyone...
Serge:
(Damn it, I don't know what
to say! It's... I can't bring
the dead back to life!)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Razzly is present, she flutters over]
[Blue Fairy]
...Razzly?
It's Razzly...!
You are alright?
Razzly:
Uh-huh, I'm alright.
These humans save me.
...Where is Rosetta?
[Blue Fairy]
The dwarves took her
into the cavern...
Quick, Razzly...
Rosetta needs your help!
Serge:
"Rosetta"?
Razzly:
My older sister. She told
me not to leave the island,
and I'm fairy sorry now
that I did.
[Kid looks away]
Kid:
...
Serge:
(What's Kid thinking about?)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Gold Fairy]
Hey, wake up...
Please...answer me.
Why...? Why, oh, why...?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[if Razzly]
Razzly...
You are alive. But, but,
everyone...everyone else is...
Razzly:
Why did everything have to
turn out this way?
Serge:
(I wish I knew. I thought I
was doing the right thing,
with the Hydra, but now...
I saved Kid, but so many of
the fairies have died...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle Sanctum, Upper (Home)
===========================================================
[This first bit takes place when they first confront the
dwarf chieftain after entering the caves. If Razzly was
saved from the Pentapus, she always enters the screen
from behind, as though she's following the party, just as
each story-conversation begins.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if they didn't save Kid, making this the first time
they've met the dwarves]
Dwarf Chieftain:
I will not tolerate any humans
trespassing beyond this point!
Defy me and you will face the
consequences!
Serge:
This is the fairies' land,
not yours!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if they did save Kid and kill the Hydra]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Hmph, I knew you'd come.
Now we must confront you fools
once again...
I suppose this is fate...
This ends now...
With your death!
Die, human scum!!!
Serge:
(What does he think killing
us is going to solve? It
won't bring the hydra back
to life...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[either way, combat. afterwards...]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they didn't kill the Hydra]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Grr... Such strength.
It seems I've underestimated
you humans...
This will not happen a
second time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they did...]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Krr... What strength.
I can not allow our clan
to be defeated here...
Next, the next will be your last!
Come after us, humans.
If you want to save the fairies!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dwarf Chieftain:
Retreat! Tallruf, Bearduf!
[The dwarves jump off the ledge and into the pool
at the base of the waterfall]
Serge:
(I'm surprised they're tall
enough not to drown...)
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle Sanctum, Lower (Home)
===========================================================
[upon reaching the bottom and speaking to the dwarf chieftain]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they didn't save Razzly]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Humans helping fairies?
You surprise me!
However, there is no way I can
allow you to leave here alive.
You will pay for not heeding our
warnings...with your death!
Serge:
(Somehow, after Lynx and the
dragoons and the ghost ship and
all the other ridiculous stuff
that's been going on, this guy
doesn't frighten me very much.)
[I'm skipping the attempt-to-escape lines]
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Grrh, such strength...
Are we to be driven off
our land once again?
Is there no land on this planet
where we can live in peace?
Oh, Goddess of Fate, why are we
dealt such a hand...
Are humans really the greatest
species on this planet?
These heretics of evolution,
these destroyers of
the planet...? Ugh...
Magus: [if present]
"Greatest species on the
planet?" Heh. We're more like
the planet's bastard step-
children.
Guile: [if present]
Being able to destroy a forest
does not make a fire greater
than a tree.
Nikki: [if present]
Not all humans are alike,
you know.
Luccia: | Kid: | Glenn:
Ve should go and speak to | Hey, mate, we've got a | Perhaps we should
de dragon--I cannot vait | dragon to talk to. Let's | find the dragon...
to examine it. | get on with it. |
Leena: | Nikki:
Hey, wait a minute, isn't | I think that's a fairy,
that a fairy over there? | over in the corner. Before
Is she...okay? | we go, we should see if
| she's all right.
Rosetta:
Agh...who are...you?
I will be fine. The other
fairies, are they alright?
Serge:
Well, the dwarves do seem
to be gone. I think they've
done as much damage here as
they're going to. (I can't
bring myself to tell her
that most of the other
fairies are dead...)
Kid: | Nikki:
We'll be back to help ya | We came here to talk to
after we've talked to the | the dragon, but we'll be
dragon, okay? Won't be a | back for you when we're
minute. | done. Just try to hold
| yourself together until
| then, okay?
Rosetta:
What is happening...
to this island?
...agh!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they did save Razzly]
Dwarf Chieftain:
So, you've made it this far,
but you will not find us so easy
to defeat!
We will settle our scores here
by avenging the extinct Hydra
and our dying homeland
with your death!
Serge:
(I don't see why he thinks he's
going to do any better this time
than he did the last one, but...
I hate that this really is all
our fault...)
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Dwarf Chieftain:
Grrh, such strength...
Are we to be driven off
our land once again?
Is there no land on this planet
where we can live in peace?
Oh, Goddess of Fate, why are we
dealt such a hand...
Razzly:
You're being fairy silly. Why
don't you go home? The baby
hydra in the marshes needs
someone to look after it.
Serge:
Um, wait a minute. Baby
hydra? There was a little
one there too?
Razzly:
You left too soon, but I saw
it: the baby hydra crawling out
of its mother's body. It was
alive then, but I don't know
how long it will last--it's
fairy young and fairy alone.
Dwarf Chieftain:
A Hydra whelp!?
There is still hope
left in that forest...
Dwarf Chieftain:
Still, you killed the Hydra.
Nothing you do can change that.
But passed time will not return.
We, too, cannot advance
forward, trapped by our past.
Serge:
(No, we can't undo the killing.
I thought I was doing it for the
right reasons...)
[Serge turns his head and looks at Kid]
Serge:
(I guess I still do. I don't
want to lose her. Not for
anything. We've been through
so much together...)
Dwarf Chieftain:
We will return to the
forest once again.
Farewell, humans.
We, too, have sinned.
For this sin, we must make
ammends for the rest of our
lives...
Dwarf Chieftain:
Some day...let us hope that we
children of the planet can live
together in peace...
Serge:
(Right now, the idea of things
going back to being peaceful
again seems like such a far-off
dream...)
[In the meanwhile, Razzly has fluttered over to where Rosetta
is lying on the floor...]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they got here quickly enough]
Razzly:
...!?
S-Sis!
Rosetta!
Nikki:
That's her sister?
Poor thing...
Rosetta:
...Ooo, is that you,
Razzly...?
You were alright...
Razzly:
Yes, yes...
It's me, sis.
...It's Razzly.
I've finally made it home.
But...but...
the village, everyone's...
Rosetta:
Why are there...humans
on this island?
Razzly, did these people
bring you back here?
Razzly:
Yes, they found me
in the forest. If it wasn't
for them, I would've been...
Rosetta:
So, these people saved you...
Ow, agh...
Razzly:
!? Sis, it's alright!
Please, hold on to yourself.
I'll be here with you...
Serge:
Do you...need any help?
Razzly:
That's fairy nice of you,
but I think we'll be all
right. Go talk to the
dragon--that's what you
came here for, isn't it?
And thank you. I couldn't
have fought the dwarves by
myself, so if it wasn't for
you, I wouldn't have made
it down here.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they were too slow and Rosetta is dead]
Razzly:
No, no...
This can't be! Rosetta!
Answer me, please!!!
Nikki:
Dead...?
Damn, if only we'd gotten
here a little bit quicker!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle Sanctum, Dragon's Room (Home)
===========================================================
[I've made minor corrections here and there to the Water Dragon's
speech without marking them. Isn't there a single game translator
who understands how to use the second person singular?]
[As the party moves a few steps forward into the room--]
[Water Dragon]
Welcome, son of man
Now, come to me
Serge:
(Oh, great, now I'm hearing
voices... I hope there really
is a dragon here somewhere, or
I'm going to have to go back
to Guldove and have Doc examine
my head...)
[when they reach the water's edge]
Water Dragon:
...Thou need'st not explain.
I know already what thou
seekest here.
Serge:
(It reads minds?!)
Water Dragon:
There is naught to be
surprised about.
Water Dragon:
It is but a trifle for we
'"Sleeping Dragons,"' who have
dwelt upon this land for ages...
Serge:
(I don't think I like this.
I hope we won't need to be
here long.)
Water Dragon:
Mount Pyre, the land thou
seekest, is home to the
'"Fire Dragon."'
Unless thou dost quench his red
blazes, it will prove a
difficult journey.
Water Dragon:
Take this, son of man.
My breath can freeze even
boiling lava...
[System]
Member has been bestowed the
Ice Breath.
Serge:
Thank you.
Water Dragon:
Take my subordinate as well...
It shall be useful in holding back
the Fire Dragon of Mount Pyre...
[System]
Member has been bestowed the
FrogPrince
Serge:
(An element? Well, whatever.
It looks a bit odd, though.
Do we even have anyone who
can use it?)
[As the party turns to leave, the screen fades to
black, and on it, the following text appears]
Wilt thou change this world...
Or wilt thou change thyself?
Wilt thou live on with
thy mother planet...
Or wilt thou turn thy back on the
planet and tread another path?
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle, Fairy Village (Home)
===========================================================
[When the picture fades back in, we are outside again]
[Fairy]
They said that they
'"were chased out of the
forest by the humans."'
And they drifted
down to our island...
so the humans are to blame!!!
Serge:
I'm sorry that all this
happened, but--
[Fairy]
Because of you humans, our village,
our friends have been made victims!!!
Why can't humans live in harmony
with nature? Why do you continue
to act the way you do?
Don't you see what the outcome of
your choices will be in the future!?
Serge:
(Sigh. I could talk myself
hoarse, but I don't think they
would listen--they can't hear
anything except their own
feelings right now. I remember
being kind of the same way
after Dad disappeared.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Razzly is present, she's hovering near Serge and co.]
[Fairy]
Razzly, you're a fairy--
what are you doing with
those humans?
Razzly:
These humans helped me.
They saved my life! Not
all humans are bad.
[Fairy]
They're murderers! If it
weren't for the humans,
everyone would still be
alive!!!
Razzly:
That's silly! The humans
didn't tell the dwarves to
come here, and the dwarves
didn't have to kill anyone!
There's a lot of space here
on this island--they could
have just asked for some of
it!
[Fairy]
How can you side with THEM?!
Serge:
(This is getting ugly... We
should get out of here before
we stir things up any more...
but would looking like we're
running away make things
worse? Argh!)
[A mob of fairies is forming on the crescent island.]
[Fairy]
We need to get rid of them
before they do any more damage!
Serge:
(If they actually did try
to fight us, it would be
a joke--they're not strong
enough to beat up a five-
year-old...but I don't want
to hurt them!)
[Razzly positions herself between the other fairies and the humans,
with her arms spread.]
Razzly:
Don't do this!
Nikki:
Razzly...
[Fairy]
Move, Razzly!
Razzly:
I won't!
[Fairy]
Then we'll go through you!
Kid:
C'mon, mates! We have to
do somethin'!
[The party pulls out their weapons.]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Rosetta is still alive--]
Rosetta:
Stop, all of you, please!
[Fairy]
You, too Rosetta?
Rosetta:
The humans did drive the dwarves
away. The least we can do is let
them leave here in peace.
[Razzly lowers her arms.]
Razzly:
Them...and me.
Rosetta:
Razzly...
Razzly:
All the time I was trapped in
that swamp, I wanted so badly
to see all of you, but I can't
stay here with things the way
they are now. It would just
mean more fighting.
[Fairy]
You're crazy! After what
happened to you, you're going
to leave again?!
Rosetta:
I'll be sad to see you leave
again, but I understand why
you feel you can't stay. Still,
remember that this is your
home. If you come back, I'll
welcome you even if no one
else does.
Razzly:
Sis... (Sniff)
But everyone still has to
agree to let Serge and the
others go.
[Fairy]
Oh, fairy well, we'll let
your precious humans leave,
but they'd better never come
back. We never want to see
any of them again, or the
dwarves either! If more of
us die, then... Then...
Kid:
...
Serge:
Kid, are you okay?
[Kid staggers and faints. The screen fades out as the rest of the party
converges on her.]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Rosetta didn't make it--]
Razzly:
Please, no!
[The fairy mob charges forward, and it looks for a moment like something
nasty is going to happen, but Serge drops his swallow, grabs Razzly,
and pulls her out of the way.]
[Fairy]
Get off our island!
[Fairy]
And take that traitor
with you!
Serge:
Let's go. There's nothing
we can do here except
make things worse.
Razzly:
...
Serge:
I'm not saying you need to
come with us! (This is her
home, after all.)
Razzly:
No, I think I should leave.
Things are fairy bad here
already, and I don't want
to make them worse. So many
hurt... So many dead...
Kid:
Augh...
[Kid collapses]
Serge:
Kid!
[The screen fades out as he moves toward her.]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Razzly is not present]
Rosetta: [if present]
A very sad tragedy, triggered
by the acts of humans.
We have lost so many of our
people and loved ones.
Although our village has been
saved, no one here thinks
kindly of man...
I am extremely sorry,
but please leave the island
as soon as you can...
[Fairy]
Yes, get out of here before
we have to make you!
[At this point, Kid faints]
===========================================================
Campfire, unspecified location
===========================================================
[This scene takes place if Kid is in the group, and regardless
of whether or not Razzly is alive (unlike in CC, where this
scene didn't trigger if Razzly had been rescued)]
[FMV: the burning of the orphanage]
[Kid wakes up and looks around]
Kid:
...Where am I?
I fainted, eh?
[She pulls out the Astral Amulet and looks at it. On the
other side of the fire, Serge stirs.]
Serge:
Oh, good--you're okay. I was
kind of worried. Fainting just
isn't like you. I didn't expect
you to snap out of it in the
middle of the night, though.
Kid:
Sorry...
Did I wake you up?
I had a bad dream.
Serge:
It happens to everyone. (I've
been having a few of my own
since this mess started.)
Kid:
Seein' that fairy's eyes
filled with tears over
losin' her friends...
That must've triggered
memories of me own past.
[Serge walks over to sit with her by the fire]
Serge:
Was it...that bad? (Argh, that
sounds stupid, but I don't want
her to clam up! This is the
first time she's offered to talk
about her past.)
Kid:
I was an orphan...
I was abandoned
when I was a baby...
Kid:
There was someone who took
me in and raised me as if I
were her own little sister...
I'm alive here today
thanks to her.
Kid:
There were a lot of others
like me at Sis's place,
and...
she was always makin'
strange stuff...
We didn't have money,
but we were all happy.
Kid:
Up until that Lynx bastard...
came and shattered our
happiness to pieces!
Lynx raided our house,
burned it down, and
kidnapped Sis!
Kid:
Sister...
never came back...
Kid:
Since then, I've wandered
the world and experienced so
much pain, just to get by...
No one was there to help me.
I was always alone.
If you ask me, the idea of
guardian angels watchin'
over us all the time...
that's a load of rubbish.
Serge:
(So THAT'S why Kid's hunting
Lynx. That part makes sense
now...but it gives me more
questions, too. Why did Lynx
attack an orphanage? Was Kid's
"Sis" important to him somehow?
It can't have been just because
she was looking after a bunch
of random kids...
Hmm... "Always makin' strange
stuff"... Could "Sis" have been
a researcher or something? But
that almost makes it more
mysterious... What did she
create that Lynx wanted?)
[Kid stands up]
Kid:
In this world, the underhanded
always gets the last laugh.
Only the ones who don't think
anything of hurtin' others
are the ones who get blood-
stained fortunes.
The ones who kill,
the ones who devour,
they're the ones who survive.
That's the only rule
of this world.
Kid:
The great species of mankind...
our wonderful world,
filled with love and happiness...
HA!
Don't make me laugh!
Serge:
(Well, people are people...
Some are good and some are
bad... but I don't think she
wants to hear that right now.
Just like the fairies COULDN'T
listen to us, because they
were hurting too much.
...I don't think I should try
to hug her, either, even if I
kind of want to.)
Kid:
But if that's how it is,
that's fine with me.
As long as I'm alive,
there ain't no goin' back.
I'll abide by this world's
rules, and do what I gotta
do, despite the rotten hand
of cards I've been dealt!
Serge:
(Yeah, that's more like the
Kid I thought I knew.)
Kid:
I'll make sure that bloody
bastard pays for what he's
done!!!
I will get even...!
No matter what it takes!!!
Serge:
And we'll help. (Even if I
didn't want to strangle some
answers out of the bastard,
seeing her in that kind of
pain... It hurts me, too.)
[Pan up and away from the campfire to the moons, then the
screen fades out.]
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle (Home)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Razzly is still alive, she's waiting for them near
where the boatman should be.]
Kid:
Razzly, right? Figured you'd
be gone already.
Razzly:
I didn't want to leave without
saying good-bye to all of you--
that would have been fairy rude!
Serge:
So, um, where are you going to
go?
Razzly
I think...back to the Hydra
Marshes.
Serge:
(!)
(I can't come right out and ask
her if she's crazy--that WOULD
be "fairy rude"--but I want to.)
Razzly:
I want to help look after the
baby hydra. And the dwarves...
maybe I can make things a little
better between us and them. I
think it's worth a try, anyway.
Kid:
Heh. Guess you've got more
patience than me. If I were
you, those guys would be on
their way to the moons already.
Nikki:
Anyway, good-bye and good luck.
Razzly:
Thank you, and if any of you
are ever near there again, it
would be fairy nice if you
said hello!
[Razzly flies away, and the party looks around.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guile: | Nikki: | Kid:
It appears that our | Isn't the boatman | Where's the old guy
transportation has | supposed to be | got to? Does he expect
vanished. | waiting for us here? | us to swim back?
Leena: | Serge:
We are kind of late... | He may have given up on us
Maybe he went back to | because we're so late. (If I
Arni. | really have to, I guess I can
| swim as far as Opassa--I've
| heard of people doing it before,
| on dares.)
[Old Man]
I figured you'd be coming
back, so I set the boat out.
Are you all safe?
Serge:
We're fine--we were just a
little surprised that you
weren't here when we arrived.
[Old Man]
Oh, many pardons.
It didn't look like you'd be coming
back before sunset, and I had to
return before it got dark.
Well, since you made it back here,
I guess you did what you needed to do?
...But you guys look a little gloomy
for it to have gone well...
Serge:
Maybe someday I'll tell you
the story. Right now I've...
got stuff to think about.
(And it'll be easier to
explain all this when it's
over with and there aren't
any more surprises left.)
[Old Man]
No second thoughts?
Then let's head back to the village.
The remainder of this chapter is about half as long as this and mostly involves confronting the
Dragoons on Mount Pyre. Then we get to the really interesting bit: re-writing the body-switch
scene, which is going to differ quite a bit if Magus is present. No, I still haven't gotten
around to that diagram. (Sigh)
-
Oh, and did I mention that there appear to be no YouTube videos that cover Water
Dragon Isle without Razzly in the party? (The campfire scene is there, but that's
it.) So take the stage directions in those bits with a little salt.
Do you mean as in 'save Kid path' but not in current party? Or just simple 'don't save Kid path'? Since I'm sure there are at least of the latter.
Then we get to the really interesting bit: re-writing the body-switch
scene, which is going to differ quite a bit if Magus is present.
Great, now this is getting closer to... that. Actually, I've been wondering about it for quite some time. Considering how the changes you have been doing are, it may finally solve a few doubts I currently have.
-
Oh, and did I mention that there appear to be no YouTube videos that cover Water
Dragon Isle without Razzly in the party? (The campfire scene is there, but that's
it.) So take the stage directions in those bits with a little salt.
Do you mean as in 'save Kid path' but not in current party? Or just simple 'don't save Kid path'? Since I'm sure there are at least of the latter.
I wasn't able to find any of either. Admittedly, it's quite possible that I didn't look as hard as I should have--it was two weeks ago now and I don't remember how much effort I put into searching beyond the playthroughs I normally draw on for recorded sequences. So if they are out there, you can put my not finding them down to my being lazy.
Then we get to the really interesting bit: re-writing the body-switch
scene, which is going to differ quite a bit if Magus is present.
Great, now this is getting closer to... that. Actually, I've been wondering about it for quite some time. Considering how the changes you have been doing are, it may finally solve a few doubts I currently have.
We'll see how things work out. I do have a very early draft of the scene with Magus present, but it's going to need a re-write, since it has him being much too concerned for Kid.
-
Ugh. Lots of Glenn and Luccia optional sections in this one (and a bit
for Marcy and Nikki, as well). And Kid gets a bit snippy in spots, but
I hope not too much so. This chapter has been hell. :(
===========================================================
Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Another) - If you didn't pick her up
===========================================================
[If they took the don't-rescue-Kid path, then didn't go back for her]
Doc:
...Hola, dudes.
Did you come back to
see the patient again?
Serge:
Well, yes, if she's able
to have visitors. (This
might be the last time...)
Doc:
I'm sorry, but you're too late.
She's no longer in the village.
She has gone on alone.
Nikki:
Gone on...alone?! Are you
saying that she DIED?
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
(I knew it was going to happen,
but I didn't want to believe
it...)
[He does Kid's rats-I-failed-to-steal scuffing kick]
Doc:
Whoa, whoa, don't
jump to conclusions.
She's alive and well!
The poison has been
completely neutralized.
Serge:
Then she's okay? HOW?!
I thought you said you
couldn't get the antidote!
Doc:
Shortly after you left, a young
traveler who happened to have
Hydra Humour visited the village.
Thanks to him, we were
able to save her life...
After the poisoning
was neutralized,
she waited a few
days for you.
Doc:
But it appears it wasn't
in her nature to wait.
She left a few days ago
on a merchant ship that
stopped by the village.
Serge:
(I'm surprised she even stuck
around for those few days.
She was in such a hurry to go
after Lynx...)
But she IS okay, right? She
won't get sick again from
leftover poison?
Doc:
Yes, she is indeed healthy.
Nikki:
I wonder where she went.
After Lynx, or...?
Serge:
Probably. She's kind of
obsessed with him. (I guess
that means we'll be running
into her again sometime
soon, because I'm not going
to stop now--not before I
find out what a "Chrono
Trigger" is, and why Lynx
says I am one.)
Nikki:
She didn't tell you where
she was going, did she,
Doc?
Doc:
I'm afraid not, although
she did appear to be searching
for someone--perhaps this
"Lynx" you mentioned?
Doc:
That's all I know.
Good luck and try not to
take too many risks.
===========================================================
Mount Pyre, Second Area (Another)
===========================================================
[The party discovers that the Idiot Brigade has been waiting
for them...]
Solt:
AHHHHHH!
They're really here!
Peppor:
Th-This time, let's shake
it to them for sure!
Solt:
Y-Yes.
I'll do my best, Peppor!
Serge:
Not you two again. (It's
almost as though they're
following us around.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is in the party]
Serge:
Glenn, I don't suppose you
can order them to just get
out of the way...?
Glenn:
I can try, I suppose, but--
Peppor:
Our orders from Sir Karsh
are absolute!
Solt:
We're sorry, Sir Glenn, but
we were specifically ordered
to stop anyone from coming
through here--even fellow
Dragoons.
Serge:
(Sigh. So much for that bright
idea.)
I guess that means we're doing
this the hard way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peppor:
Let's shake it.
Peppor:
Get ready...!
Solt:
To shake it...!
As Peppor would say.
[Battle. During the combat, we get the last (? I think)
installment of Elements 101, which I'm snipping on the
grounds that it isn't worth messing with it just to add
yet another comment to the effect that S+P are idiots.]
[After the Idiot Brigade has been flattened yet again--]
Peppor:
S-Shake it outta here!!!
Solt:
P-Peppoooooor!
===========================================================
Mount Pyre, Final Area (Another)
===========================================================
[After a quick look at the faux Fire Dragon that's poking up out
of the floor of the cave--]
Skelly: | Guile: | Nikki: | Kid:
Huh? That's weird. | It appears to be | I think I'm glad | What is that
Why is that thing | stuck. A failed | that that thing's | thing? Looks
stuck in the floor? | teleport, perhaps? | stuck. | like it's stuck.
[As they attempt to cross the bridge, a small, spear-toting dragon
appears.]
Mini Dragon:
Hey! Hey, lad!
Wanna challenge me to a fight!?
C'mon, whaddaya say!?
Serge:
Will you let us through if
we don't fight?
Mini Dragon:
Well, lad, you see, I'm
all alone in here, and
the last batch of people
to come through weren't
much fun...
Kid: | Nikki:
Look, mate, we're kinda in | "I'm not letting you
a hurry. If ya mean "no", | through if you don't
just say it so that we can | fight" would have
get on with things. | been enough.
Mini Dragon:
Since you understand that,
what are you waiting for?
[They fight and beat the Mini Dragon]
Mini Dragon:
Hey! Not bad, lad!
I'm sure I'll see you again.
Serge:
(Why do I have this weird
feeling he was going easy
on us?)
[As they reach the other side of the bridge]
Man's Voice:
That's far enough!!!
[Enter the Acacia Dragoon Devas]
Karsh:
So you made it this
far, huh, junior?
Kid: | Serge:
His name's Serge, not | ("Junior"?! Give me a
"Junior", ya dipstick! | break.)
Karsh:
HAH! In the name of the
Acacia Dragoons, you
ain't gettin' past here!!!
Magus: | Kid: | Nikki:
Was that supposed to | We kicked yer ass before, | Get out of our way--
impress us somehow? | and we'll do it again! | it's Lynx we want.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn and/or Luccia is present]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Glenn...]
Glenn:
Karsh!?
Karsh:
Huh?
Is that you, Glenn!?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Luccia only]
Karsh:
Huh?
Is that you, Luccia!?
What are doin' here
with these guys?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Both...]
Karsh:
And...
You're with Luccia!
Hey, hey, hey!
What the hell is
goin' on here!!!?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Glenn...]
Karsh:
Why are you with
these bozos!?
HUH!?
Serge:
(WE'RE bozos? Why do I have
to take that from a guy who
dresses like him?)
Glenn:
Please, Karsh, we
need to get through.
I need to see...
I need to see for myself
what is happening!
Even if that means
leaving the dragoons...
Karsh:
HAH!
You call yourself
a dragoon!?
Kid: [if present]
At least he's usin' his
brains instead of lettin'
Lynx lead him around by
the nose!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Luccia...]
Karsh:
Luccia, what
the hell are
you doin' here?
Luccia: [if Glenn is present]
Being a dragoon is no
concern of mine.
Luccia:
I only act according to
my own personal motives.
You understand?
Karsh:
HAH!? Sure, yeah,
I get it.
You are a selfish one.
Serge:
(I would have said "crazy",
but maybe he's never actually
been in her lab...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Karsh:
But...!!!
In the name of the
Acacia Dragoons, you
ain't gettin' past here!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoah:
THIS WILL BE THE
END OF YOU ALL.
Kid: [if present]
Not unless you're hiding an
army in yer back pocket!
'Cept I suppose ya don't
have pockets... What a
bummer! Don't worry, we'll
kick yer asses anyway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn and/or Luccia is present--one line for each situation]
Marcy:
I don't care about
you, Glenn!
Marcy:
I don't care about
Glenn or Luccia!
Marcy:
I don't care about
you, Luccia!
Serge: [if Luccia is present]
(And here I thought Luccia
practically raised her...
What a brat!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marcy:
And Serge!!!!!!
I HATE YOU!!!!!!
I hate your friends, your
mom, your dad, your
grandma, your grandpa,
your great-grandma, your...
I HATE THEM ALL!!!!!!
I hate you! I despise you!
I REALLY, REALLY ABHOR YOU!!!!!!
Serge:
(Man, what did I do?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is present]
Nikki:
Marcy...
Marcy:
And I ESPECIALLY hate YOU!!!!!
I don't have a family, and I
don't have a BROTHER!!!! I want
you to die at the bottom of a
HOLE somewhere so I don't have
to look at your stupid FACE
anymore!!!!!!
Nikki:
...
Leena: | Kid: | Serge:
Nikki... | Hey, mate, you okay? | Nikki...?
Nikki:
It's alright.
But Marcy...you really shouldn't
say things like that.
[Marcy starts to get red in the face]
Marcy:
WHAT I SAY ISN'T ANY OF YOUR
BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Serge:
(That almost made her sound
like the guy with the helmet,
except a lot squeakier. I
think my ears are ringing.)
Nikki:
It is too my business! You ARE
my sister, even if you don't
want to be, and I don't want
my sister screeching at people
like a drunken groupie!
Marcy:
Like a WHAT?! Oh, never mind--
I'm going to shut you up
ANYWAY!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karsh:
Gah hah hah!
Looks like she
can't stand you.
Serge:
(It took him this
long to figure that
out?)
Karsh:
Well, then...
It's time for you to die!!!
Magus: | Nikki:
You think the likes of | I'm not going to let
YOU can kill us? Don't | Marcy kill me. It might
make me laugh. | matter to her someday.
[Battle. I'm snipping the various lines that the dragoons have during
the fight--mostly just insults from Marcy and variations on "Take this!"
from the other two.]
Karsh:
I-Impossible...
There's no way I'd lose!?
Serge:
(You'd think he would have
learned his lesson after Kid
and I wiped the floor with
him at Cape Howl...)
Zoah:
Karsh, IT IS
ALMOST TIME.
[Zoah leaves]
Serge:
W-wait a moment! Almost time
for what? (I don't like the
sound of this--are they really
going to activate the fort?)
Karsh:
Dammit!
I'll get even for this!
[Karsh leaves]
Marcy:
Nah, nah, na-na-nah...!!!
[Marcy leaves.]
Serge:
(Damn it all... I guess
we'd better get moving.)
[Harle]
Serge...
[Harle appears]
Serge:
(Oh, no, not her AGAIN. Still,
I guess this does prove that
Lynx is here somewhere.)
Harle:
If you proceed any further,
zere will be no
turning back, non?
Even so... You still
wish to go, Serge?
~~~Keep going | ~~~Give up now
|
Serge: | Serge:
Stop NOW? After everything | (Maybe they'll let down
we've done to get here? | their guard a bit if they
You have to be kidding me. | think we aren't really
And besides, I still have | coming. If we're going to
questions that only your | tangle with Lynx again,
boss can answer. (Not to | we may need all the help
mention that we have to | we can get!)
get the Dragon Tear away |
from them and stop them | Harle:
from activating the fort!) | I know you
| are lying...
Harle: | But, merci...
I see... | Just don't die...
I won't stop you. |
But... |
Don't die... |
[She leaves again.]
Serge:
(I don't get it. Why does
she care what happens to
me?)
So from here we head onwards to the body-switch scene. Surprisingly, Chapter 13 is quite
short...but of course all that means is that it's going to end more than twice as long
before I'm done with it.
-
This chapter was both easier and more difficult than the previous one.
Easier, because it's shorter and I wasn't dealing with a character that
I know little about. Harder, because it's such a damned vital
chapter, one of the things on which the whole script is likely to be
judged. I hope I did okay.
Surprisingly, while Magus got his moment in the sun, this turned out
to be Serge's chapter more than anything. Which I suppose is as it
should be.
13. Fort Dragonia - Ancient dragons' dream in ruins...
Recruits: The same as the last couple of chapters, except that players
following the don't-save-Kid path may now have her back.
===========================================================
Entrance, Fort Dragonia (Another)
===========================================================
[FMVs: Aerial view of Fort Dragonia, followed by a flashback to Serge's dream
from the very first chapter.]
Leena: | Kid: | Nikki:
Serge, are you all | You okay, mate? | Are you okay?
right? You look pale. | |
Serge:
I'm...fine.
(This is weird. From the
outside, it looks so much
like the place I dreamed
about, but I know I've
never been here before.
It must be just a coincidence.
Or at least, I hope that's
all it is. I don't want to
see the end of that dream
in real life!)
Nikki: | Kid:
Well, so long as you're | You'd better not slow
sure. | us down!
===========================================================
Upper Floor, Fort Dragonia (Another)
===========================================================
[They emerge from the elevator. Serge looks around and puts a
hand to his forehead.]
Serge:
This... This is...
Guile: | Kid: | Glenn:
Something truly IS wrong, | "Fine", my arse. "Fine" | I admit that this place
it appears. Do not try to | isn't s'posed to look like | is disturbing, but your
convince us otherwise. | ya saw a ghost, mate. Now, | reaction to it seems
| spill it: what's goin' on? | extreme. What is bothering
| | you so?
[Serge lowers his hand, shaking his head.]
Serge:
It's just that it's so weird.
I dreamed of this place, back
before everything began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Kid is present]
Kid:
Wait a sec! Didn't you tell
me once that you dreamed...
Serge:
(Oh, hell, I guess there's
no way not to say it now.)
...About you and me trying to
find our way through some
fortress, and me stabbing you.
Yeah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If she isn't]
Nikki:
That must have been some
dream... Or more like a
nightmare? About this place?
Serge:
Yeah, this place, and me,
and Kid... In the dream, I
end up stabbing her.
(At least Kid isn't here.
That's enough to make me
hope that that nightmare was
just weird, not prophetic.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luccia: | Magus: | Nikki:
And you have not been to dis | None of the magic arts | And you're sure that
place before? I do not believe | to which I have access | this dream of yours
in prophecy. It is... | allow a man to foretell | was happening here?
unscientific. | the future. I don't think |
| it's possible, as such. |
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
I know it doesn't make sense,
but I'm sure that this is the
place in my dream. I remember
the elevator, and what must be
the last crystal we have to
mess around with, and that
platform over there, the round
one with the design in it--it's
some kind of magic transporter.
When we use it, we'll be taken
up to another platform, with
these big double doors, and
on the other side is...
Guile/Nikki:
...Is?
Serge:
...is whatever makes me
stab Kid. That part's kind
of blurry, though.
Kid: | Glenn:
So all I have to do is | But since Kid is not
make sure ya don't get | here, none of us
near me with a knife, | should be in any danger.
right? 'Cause I'll be | Or would you prefer to
mad as a cut snake if | turn back?
ya say we're turnin' |
back over this! |
[Serge shakes his head again]
Serge:
No. No, we're not turning back
because of something that
MIGHT happen. Especially not
when something even worse
MIGHT happen if Lynx activates
the fort, and...well...I don't
see anyone else trying to
stop him.
Kid: | Nikki:
That's the spirit! I tell | Yes. Like you said to
ya, she'll be right, even | Macha, this is what Kid
if yer dreams say different. | would want us to do.
Serge:
(I really hope that they're
right. It's just...I have this
ugly cold feeling in my gut...
No, get a grip. It's just
because of that dream...and
a dream is all it was. Not a
prophecy. I have to believe
that.)
===========================================================
Upper Doors, Fort Dragonia (Another)
===========================================================
[FMV: At the doors, Serge has another flashback to his dream.]
Guile: | Glenn:
So... We have seen it all. | It appears that everything
The crystal, the transporter, | is exactly as your dream
and now the double doors. | suggested it would be, Serge.
Serge:
Not quite. In my dreams, the
fort was full of monsters, not
human dragoons. (I just wish
I knew if that's enough of a
difference to matter!)
Kid: | Nikki:
We're goin' on, right, Serge? | So we're going in?
[Serge nods]
Serge:
Yeah. Let's deal with Lynx
once and for all. (In fact,
I wouldn't put it past Lynx
to have sent me that dream.
...Except how did HE know,
then? I mean, he might have
predicted I'd follow him here,
but...Kid...)
Kid: | Glenn:
C'mon, mate!!! | Let us go.
===========================================================
Top Level, Fort Dragonia (Another)
===========================================================
Lynx:
Finally...
We've been expecting you.
Serge:
You have? (Don't tell me he
IS saying he sent me those
dreams.)
Lynx:
It was inevitable that you
would try to stop us.
Serge:
(Which tells me pretty much
nothing, but I'm not going to
come out and ask, either.)
Viper:
I have nothing personal against
you, but anyone who hinders our
plan must be eliminated.
I am rather sorry about that...
Serge:
Not as sorry as I am.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is present]
Glenn:
General...!
What is going on here?
Viper:
Glenn...
This need not
concern you now.
One day, you will
understand...
Glenn:
......!
Serge:
("One day you'll understand..."
Does he think we're just kids?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Battle with Viper]
General Viper:
Care for some warming up
first, eh? Then come now
lads, I will take you on!
General Viper:
Hah-hah-hah!!!
[When Viper is defeated...]
Viper:
Hah hah hah...
You are a worthy opponent...
But let us see how you do now.
I shall give it my all...
Serge:
(You mean we're going to have
to do all this AGAI--wait a
minute, what's Lynx doing
with that knife?!)
Glenn: [if present]
General, behind you!
[Lynx stabs Viper in the back]
Serge:
(!)
Viper:
L-Lynx.........
You......traitor......!
Serge:
(Okay, I knew Lynx is crazy, but
I did NOT expect that! Why get
rid of Viper before us? The old
man wasn't even trying to stop
him...)
Lynx:
You were extremely useful
in helping me make my way
around these islands.
I appreciate your help,
General.
However, I no longer
have any need for you.
This fort shall serve as
a fine grave marker for
you and your dragoons.
May you rest in peace.
Viper:
D-Damn...!
Forgive...me.........
Riddel......
[Viper collapses]
Kid: | Glenn:
You're just SCUM, Lynx, | General Viper... A great
turning on your friends | man, and you killed him
like that! | for nothing! You deserve
| death, Lynx!
Lynx:
Now, let this be your
final resting place
as well.
[Combat with Lynx. When the party wins...]
Lynx:
You're more trouble
than I thought...
But do you really
think your skills are
superior to mine?
Serge:
Seems to me (pant) we
just proved it.
Kid: [if present]
Sore loser!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If, on the other hand, Kid was not present, she enters the room
at this point.]
[Kid]
Hold yer sea horses!!!
Serge:
Kid?!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[This bit is only used if they didn't save Kid and didn't
go back for her, presumably.]
Serge:
You're alive!!!
Kid:
I told ya I have more
lives than a cat!
No time for chit-chat!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they did know she was alive...]
Serge:
(I should have known she would
come after him--after Lynx.
Even without us.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kid:
You ain't gettin' away
with what you did, Lynx!!!
Lynx:
Heh...
Lynx:
Serge, have you ever
questioned who you really are?
Serge:
What do you mean? (Is this
more of that "Assassin of
Time" stuff?)
Kid:
Serge...!?
Lynx:
What has been the significance
of your existence up until now?
On that ominous day 10 years
ago, the boundary of space and
time was torn, and part of me,
in fact, died...
[FMV: the prowl of the panther]
Serge:
And what does that have to
do with me? Ten years ago,
I'd never even met you. Why
are you interfering in my
life?
[Serge moves forward a bit. Kid comes up beside him and shakes her head.]
Lynx:
You cannot defeat me,
Serge...
This is because denying me
is the same as erasing
your very existence.
Kid:
Don't be taken in by
his rubbish, Serge!!!
This guy's full of it!
Serge:
I agree: I existed just fine
before I ever met you.
Lynx:
Huh...
We'll see about that.
There are two sides
to every coin.
Life and death......
Love and hate......
They are all the same.
Kid:
What'd you say!?
Talk some sense, will ya!
[FMV: The Dragon Tear flares, and Serge and Lynx swap bodies.]
Serge:
(Ugh... Wh-what was that?
What's happened to me? I...
dizzy... Like I'm trapped
in a dream... Is that why
I'm seeing myself from
outside myself?)
["Serge" is kneeling on the floor. Kid drops down beside him.]
Kid:
Serge!
What's wrong!?
Serge:
Ah... Uh... (Why can't
I talk?! It's like my
mouth won't work...)
Kid:
LYNX!!!
What have you
done to Serge!?
Serge:
(Why is she looking
at me? And where did
Lynx go?)
[Serge looks down]
Serge:
(Hey, wait a minute--these
clothes! If I'm wearing
these, it means that I'm...
That I'm...
NO!!! How could this happen?!
Is this what all that crap
Lynx was spouting was about?
I can't let him get away
with this! But... if I'm
in his body... that must
mean he's in mine, and...
Oh SHIT! He's going to hurt
Kid! My dream... that's what
that stupid dream meant all
along! But how do I stop him?
They all think he's me, so if
I attack him, the others
will... KID will... Argh!)
[He claps both hands to his head and shakes his entire
upper torso from side to side, as though trying to get
rid of something that's clinging to him.]
Kid:
Serge!
You alright!?
["Serge" stands up and nods. Kid gets up too.]
"Serge":
Yes...
I'm fine...
I'm just fine,
Kid.
Serge:
W-wuht--! (Damn, damn, DAMN!
I know there's not much chance
I can stop him, but there's no
chance at all if I can't talk!)
"Serge":
What are you doing,
Lynx?
Now's your chance,
Kid!
Kill him!!!
Kid:
Yeah...
I know.
Serge:
Kuhd... (That almost worked!
Have to keep trying...and keep
her away from the real Lynx!)
[Kid walks toward "Lynx", who backs away.]
Kid:
This is the end of
you, Lynx!!!
Say yer prayers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present...]
Magus:
Wait, you fool! Something
is wrong here.
Kid:
If ya think I'm gonna hold
off on killin' him just 'cause
YOU think something's a bit
off--
Magus:
That may not be Lynx.
Serge:
(! Did that cold-blooded
bastard actually figure this
out?! I don't believe it!)
"Serge":
What are you babbling about?!
That proves it--the reason you
don't remember who you are is
that you're crazy! Kid, are you
going to listen to this two-bit
amnesiac magician when Lynx is
right in front of you?
Serge:
Nuh-uh! Ah-eh-eee-- (Damn! I
still can't...!)
Kid:
I ain't listenin' to any more
of this! Not now!
[She lunges at "Lynx"]
Magus:
You impulsive little idiot!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Battle: "Lynx" versus "Serge", but I'm pretty sure the next bit happens
even if "Lynx" wins (possible in a New Game+)]
"Serge":
You did it,
Kid.
Kid:
Y-Yeah...
"Serge":
Now finish him.
What's wrong?
Settle it once
and for all.
Kid:
......
"Serge":
Here, hand me your dagger.
I'll finish him off, if you
can't do it yourself.
Serge:
N-nuh! (No, Kid, don't give
him your knife! Don't...)
["Serge" walks over and takes the dagger from Kid]
"Serge":
Watch this, Kid...
I'll avenge Lucca for you!
Die, LYNX!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, he raises a hand]
Magus:
I somehow suspected you
wouldn't be amenable to
reason--
[Purple lightning begins to crackle around his
extended fingers.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kid:
WAIT!!!
"Serge":
What, Kid?
He's your foe,
isn't he?
[Kid turns to face "Serge". Magus, if present, ditches the purple
lightning and lowers his hand.]
Kid:
......
How do you know
Lucca's name?
Magus: [if present]
...Lucca...?
"Serge":
......?
What are you talking
about, Kid...?
Kid:
Not once did I ever
mention Lucca's name
to you, Serge...
"Serge":
......!!!
Magus: [if present]
Fool. Not only could you not
hide your aura, but you were
given away by a slip of the
tongue.
[Kid takes a step back]
Kid:
No...
Don't tell me you're...!?
[FMV: "Serge" stabs Kid]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
That girl was the only link
I have found with my past.
How DARE you interfere?!
[A bolt of lightning flashes from Magus' hand. It misses striking "Serge" only because the
latter teleports out of the way. A glowing sphere is sent in the opposite direction, and
Magus goes down on his knees.]
Magus:
...!
"Serge":
Huh. Stronger and more stubborn
than I would have expected...
Not all that bright, though,
seeing as you left the girl to
bleed her life out on the floor
so that you could attack me--or
is your wounded pride more
important to you than her life?
Hmmm. I wonder who you really
are...? Not that it matters,
since you're going to be written
out of the story now anyway.
Magus:
I'll rip...that tongue...from
your head...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Skelly: | Guile: | Nikki:
What the...?! This isn't funny! | I cannot believe this! | Serge, have you gone crazy?!
"Serge":
QUIET!!!
["Serge" flings a ball of dark energy at the second (or third, if Magus was the other)
party member, knocking him/her over]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus wasn't present]
"Serge":
You, too!!!
Member: [yeah, this one time, I'm using it]
......!?
N-Noooooo...!
[And now the remaining party member gets the same treatment]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Serge":
This is the end of the
road for you, Kid.
[He grabs Kid by the hair(?) and hauls her up]
Kid:
U-Ugh...!
Y-You're Lynx...
ain't ya!?
Lynx:
Heh heh heh...!
I'll send you
to see Lucca.
Serge:
Nguh... (Damn it, why? WHY?
I can barely move...helpless...
can't stop him... Damn you,
Lynx! If you hurt her, I'm
going to track you down and
kill you even if it takes the
rest of my life!)
[Lynx draws his knife hand back, then changes his mind and drops her]
Lynx:
I'll finish
you off later.
Serge:
(Was that bastard trying
to lead me on?!)
[He walks over to Serge, who is still lying on the ground]
Lynx:
Look at yourself,
Serge...
I mean, Lynx!
Heh heh heh...
Excellent!
The enmity is growing!
The only thing pure in
this world is enmity!
Serge:
(Is he saying that making
me feel this way was the
only thing he wanted all
along?! BASTARD!!!!!!!!)
[Magus is still on his knees, off to one side]
Magus:
So you...think you know...
about hatred...do you, Lynx?
It seems...I'll have to...
teach you...a lesson.
[Lynx ignores him.]
Lynx:
Well then, the time has
come for the curtain to fall.
Your services are no
longer needed.
Even your very existence
is worthless...
Farewell, Serge.
[Lynx walks over to the pedastel and picks up the Dragon Tear]
Lynx:
Finally, I have the key.
The key to the gate of Fate!
The time has finally come for
the Frozen Flame to awaken!!!
Serge:
GrrRRRR! (He means it! He's
just going to walk away!
And... "Gate of Fate"...
awakening the Frozen Flame...
I don't know what he's talking
about, but I don't think it's
good. Well, I'm not going to
let him do it! It's the last
thing I can do...for Kid...)
[Lynx vanishes and reappears floating above Serge.]
Lynx:
Come to the Sea of Eden,
Serge...
Should you wish to end
your dream of 10 years ago...
Serge:
RRRRARGH! (Oh, yeah, I'll be
there! You can bet your life
on it, Lynx!)
[Lynx holds up the Dragon Tear. There's a flash, the room shakes, and the dragon statues
around the edges disintegrate. As the room continues to waver, Lynx delivers one last
line:]
[Lynx]
Now, let love bleed!
Darker and deeper
than the seas of hell!
Heh heh heh...!
HAH HAH HAH HAAAH...!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't here, we cut directly to the FMV, but if he is...]
[Lynx vanishes. Once he's gone, we see Magus struggle to his feet.
Kid is lying on the floor in the middle of a pool of blood. Serge is
unconscious, hanging in midair and wreathed about with purple
lightning. It--and he--are gradually fading into transparency. Magus
looks up at the dangling Serge, and shakes his head.]
Magus:
Too late to pull that apart
now--disrupting the spell
would probably just lead to
him being split in two. But
the girl...
[He limps through the wavering room toward Kid.]
Magus:
Healing isn't my specialty,
but I should at least be able
to keep her from bleeding out.
How ironic for me to be saving
her life AGAIN...
[He has just about reached her when there is a bright flash that obscures the
entire screen for a moment. When it fades, Kid is gone, leaving behind only
the puddle of blood.]
Magus:
Gone...?!
[He turns around and staggers back over to Serge]
Magus:
There's no time... If I leave
to search for her, and find
nothing, you'll be gone by
the time I get back. And if
I let you BOTH get away, I'll
never get the answers I need.
[Magus grabs onto Serge's legs. There's a crackling noise, then they both
become silhouettes that slowly fade into nothing, taking the rest of the
screen with them.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[FMV: Kid at the beach]
And there it ends. Next time, we get to see Serge talk Magus out of killing
Harle in a fit of pique...
-
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAH.
Awesome. I can't wait to start reading all the Lynx chapters--providing, of course, that Lynx gains control of his voice. It was my favorite part of the game, after all! :D
Haha, there needs to be a TVTrope for this. Instead of "Instant Awesome Just Add Ninja," it's "Instant Awesome Just Add Magus." Even though I would never have pictured him working as a character in this game, he fits really well.
-
This is beyond awesome. You've got a better knack for these kinds of things than I do.
Makes me wonder if Kato is reading this... >_> :P
-
Ah, so instead of Pip, it's Magus!
Well, it was interesting, though I guess my doubts will remain unanswered...
-
Aw, shucks. ::blushing::
@Katie Skyye: Don't worry, poor Serge gets control of his voice back in the next chapter. It may be...interesting...to see him trying to impersonate the real Lynx for the Porreans, especially given that they've only met twice. Of course, I haven't gotten that far yet.
Adding Magus to anything makes it awesome because Magus is awesome. (::cough:: Um, sorry, got carried away there for a bit. :oops:)
@skylark: I suppose it's remotely possible that Kato could be lurking here, assuming that the Infamous Kato CE Post was real. Man, now I'm getting nervous again. :lol:
@Acacia Sgt: I ended up deciding to write Pip out. There is no way I could possibly give all 44 of the original PCs a satisfactory level of treatment, and Pip didn't have much of a role in the main story. Sorry if that disappoints you.
-
No, I'm not disappointed, just noted how in the original it's Pip who is also present while Lynx, and in here, it's Magus.
-
::blink:: It is? I didn't think you kept any of the already-recruited characters during the transition from Serge to Lynx in the normal game, but I've never actually had Pip at Fort Dragonia with me, even when I've bothered to recruit him...
-
No, it doesn't. Just the fact he will be present in both parts... like Pip, except without having to re-recruit.
-
@Acacia Sgt: I didn't think you could re-recruit anyone you already had as Serge after becoming Lynx
either (although I would assume that Pip, like Skelly, falls into the class of characters you can
recruit during either segment).
Yup, this was another short chapter. Magus once again got quite a bit of screen time, but that's
easier to justify with only four characters to worry about...
14. Temporal Vortex - Where lost souls wander...
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus.
Recruitable: Sprigg, Harle.
===========================================================
Temporal Vortex
===========================================================
[The screen flickers back into view, and Lynx-Serge appears, lying unconscious
on the right side fo the first area of the Temporal Vortex, near Sprigg's
house. If Magus was present in the previous chapter, he's there as well, lying
near Serge; otherwise, Serge is alone.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is there, he wakes up first, and gets to his
feet. He turns around slowly, examining their surroundings.]
Magus:
...This place is ridiculous.
[He prods Lynx-Serge with the toe of his boot. Serge stirs a bit, but then
subsides again, so Magus repeats the treatment.]
Magus:
Wake up. I'm not
carrying you.
[He prods Serge one more time. This time, the latter sits up.]
Magus:
Hmph. Just so that I can
confirm what I sensed back
there--you ARE Serge,
aren't you?
[Serge nods.]
Serge:
(So when he said all that
stuff to Lynx...it was just
a guess?)
Magus:
Good. I'd never seen two
people's auras get exchanged
that way before--or at least,
not that I can remember--so I
wasn't sure. Do you have any
idea where we are?
[Serge looks around, then shakes his head.]
Serge:
(In trouble, maybe? This place
looks like a little kid got
hold of some paints, and
decided to paint the world.)
Magus:
Cat got your tongue?
[Serge shakes his head again.]
Serge:
(Oh, hell... I guess I can't
spend the rest of my life as
a mute. Lynx didn't seem to
have any trouble running MY
mouth, so maybe if I take it
slowly...)
Nuh. Buh s'har' t'tawk. S'like
muh mout's t'wron' shape.
(Huh--that actually wasn't too
bad. I mean, it wasn't perfect,
but I could mostly make out
what I was saying. I guess I
just need to practice. And
concentrate.)
Magus:
It probably is--but work on it.
Right now, you sound like
you're drunk.
Serge:
You din--DIDN'T have to come
with me to whar--WHEREVER this
is, you know.
(Ugh, this guy is such a PAIN.
You'd think he thought he was
going to die horribly if he
said one thing that was nice,
or even just polite.)
Magus:
You're right--I didn't.
Serge:
...
(How do you even ANSWER him
when he says something like
that? I mean, I could tell
him to blow it out his ear,
but no one else made it here
with me, and if there are
monsters around, I might
need him to help fight them.)
Magus:
This isn't getting us out of
here any faster. Get up.
Serge:
(Sigh. I guess that's one
thing we can agree on.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't there, Lynx-Serge wakes up alone.]
Serge:
(Ugh, that was some nightmare.
That fort, and...Kid... Wait a
minute, my hands are... But if
I'm in Lynx's body, then it was
all real, and Kid... Oh, man,
what am I doing just sitting
here?! I have to help her!)
[He gets to his feet, then stops and looks around.]
Serge:
(But where do I even start
looking for her? This isn't
Fort Dragonia--even I can
tell that much. Hell, I'm
not even sure it's part of
the real world--it looks
like a little kid's scribble-
drawing! Still, that does
look like some kind of building
over there. Maybe there's
someone there who can tell me
where this is.)
[He takes a step or two toward Sprigg's place, then stops again.]
Serge:
(If I can talk to them. Hell,
I forgot about that part. Okay,
deep breaths. Maybe if I try
to speak really slowly and
carefully...)
Heh...huh...suh...see. She.
She sells. Sea shells. By
the. Sea shore. Okay. Just
have to remuh--REMEMBER to
go slow, and move my tom--
TONGUE a bit differently.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[At this point we have the sequence of play with branch -> fruit falls ->
Sprigg unlocks her door so that she can run outside and get it -> the party
sneaks into her house while the door is open.]
===========================================================
Sprigg's House, Temporal Vortex
===========================================================
[Lynx-Serge (and Magus, if present) has just entered and is standing in the middle
of the floor when Sprigg returns.]
Sprigg:
'EY YOU!!!
Wot are you doin'
in me 'ouse!?
Serge:
(Oh, great going, Serge--make
the first person you meet here
so angry at you that...she?...
won't explain anything.)
Sorry to intrude, but I was
hoping that you could answer
some questions, like, um,
where are we exactly?
Sprigg:
Hmmm...
I figured you for another
wanderin' spirit...
'ow many yearz has it been
since a physical bein'
wandered into this world...?
Very strange indeed...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
I'm not sure that I would
dignify this place by calling it
a "world". It doesn't appear to
be anything more than a pocket
dimension at best.
Serge:
(A pocket...what? On second
thought, I don't think I want
to know badly enough to ask.)
Sprigg:
An' wot would you be knowin'
about pocket dimensionz...?
Ah, I know that face! You're
the one young Guile brought
to the Guild not long before
I ended up 'ere! "Magus",
wozen't it?
Magus:
And you would be...Sprigg, I
believe.
Serge:
You two...know each other?
Magus:
We met once, briefly.
Sprigg:
So wot bringz you to me strange
little world?
Magus:
A man named Lynx thought this
would be a good place for Serge
here to visit. I just tagged
along because I wanted some
answers. Unfortunately, all I
seem to have found are more
questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge is alone...]
Serge:
This world? So this
really isn't part of
the real world?
Sprigg:
Sorry--I've been stuck 'ere
for a long time with no one
to talk to but meself, so I
ramble a bit. No, this izn't
part of the real world. I
don't really know what it iz,
other than 'ard to get out
of. I've been lookin' for a
way back to the real world
for a long time.
[Serge scuffs his foot.]
Serge:
(Damn it, this is just so
messed up! I have to get
back to Kid! I can't just
stay here looking for a
way out! Argh!)
Sprigg:
Are you all right,
youngster?
Serge:
I'm just frustrated. It's...
everything's going wrong all
of a sudden, and I can't do
anything about it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sprigg:
Rightly so, the world
is controlled by chance
and chaos.
Anythin' can 'appen
as quick as a wink.
Nobody knowz.
Somethin' you 'ave today
may be gone tomorrow.
Just like this berry
I'm 'oldin'.
Sprigg:
Important stuff, irreplaceable
stuff: all theze may come to
'arm with superlative eaze.
Sprigg:
And wot'z frightenin' is...
There be absolutely no meanin'
to wot 'appens in our
daily livez...
Magus: | Serge:
Hmph. | (No meaning? Does she really
| believe that?)
[Sprigg climbs the ladder to the upper platform.]
Sprigg:
Meanin' is non-existent.
No matter wot'z born,
lost or changed...
It'z beyond calculation.
There be no one or nothin'
watchin' over you...
Such is life.
Magus: | Serge:
So much the better. I don't | (That's like what Kid...)
need some...cosmic Entity... | But isn't meaning something
to help me up whenever I fall | we can MAKE, if we try hard
down. I prefer to make my own | enough?
meaning--and my own luck. |
Sprigg:
You young'unz are such
optimists.
Magus: [if present]
It's better to act and get
no result than to do
nothing and arrive at the
same conclusion.
[Sprigg climbs into the hammock and lies down.]
Sprigg:
I'm goin' to bed.
I suggest ya rest up, too.
[Fadeout. The next morning, when the party tries to leave...]
Sprigg:
Just a second there.
I give ya a place to
sleep, and you're leavin'
without a word of thanks?
Serge:
Um, sorry. Didn't
mean to be rude.
Serge: [if Magus is present]
(Or I didn't, anyway. What
Magus meant is anybody's
guess.)
[Sprigg jumps down from the hammock.]
Sprigg:
I'm comin' with ya.
I have a feelin' I can
get outta 'ere if I
tag along.
Besides, ya won't be
able to make it inside
that tower alone.
I'll open it for ya.
Serge:
You mean...that tower up
above? If the way out is
through there, why haven't
you used it before?
Sprigg:
Tried that a few timez, but
it'z a maze in there. I'm
hopin' you'll have an eazier
time figurin' it out.
[System]
Sprigg joined ya party!
===========================================================
Tower, Temporal Vortex
===========================================================
[When they enter the tower, Harle is there, on the upper level, waiting
for them.]
Harle:
You are très late, non?
Come on, Monsieur Lynx,
let'z go.
We don't have ze time
to be dawdling here.
We may truly get
lost in time.
I can't afford to
lose you just yet.
~~~I'm not Lynx...! | ~~~Am I Lynx...?
|
Harle: | Harle:
You are no longuer | Exactement.
Serge. | You are now Monsieur Lynx.
You are Monsieur Lynx. | You are no longuer Serge.
Serge:
I don't believe that! I may
LOOK like Lynx, but I know
who I am. I could never do
the things Lynx has done.
[Harle jumps down to the lower level]
Harle:
Allons, regarde-toi!
Just look at yourself...
Who in zeir right mind
iz going to believe you
are Serge?
C'est simple.
If everybody, except for
yourself, sayz zat you
are Monsieur Lynx...zen...
[Harle jumps back up to the higher level again]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present.]
Magus:
What nonsense are you spouting
now? Altering someone's body...
even erasing his memory...
those things do not change his
spirit, his SELF, one iota.
Identity isn't something that's
manufactured by the people
around you--if it were, I would
be a far different person.
This man has made it clear
through his actions that he
is Serge, not Lynx. Stop
wasting our time with this
garbage; my patience is
wearing thin.
Harle:
Ah, oui, ze other Monsieur
Lynx warned me about you--ze
stubborn mage. But zair are
many who would say you are not
in your right mind, non? And
so you do not count.
[Magus shoots straight up off the floor and pulls his scythe. Floating level with
Harle, he draws it back as though preparing to swing.]
Magus:
Spare me your insults and your
pointless prattling! If you
intend to fight us, then do so.
If not, get out...or you may
find yourself shorter by a head.
Serge:
Uh, Magus? That's enough.
(Not that I like the crazy
clown girl, but...)
[Magus looks down.]
Magus:
You DARE to command me?!
Serge:
(Oh, boy--this is going to be
like trying to haul in a shark
with a rotted fishing line.)
I just think that maybe we
ought to get out of here first,
that's all. You can always kill
her once we're back in the real
world.
(I can't believe I just said
that!)
Magus:
Hmph. Well, perhaps you're
right. She got here somehow,
so she might also know where
the exit is.
[He puts the scythe away and drops back to the floor.]
Magus:
Say your piece, clown, but don't
expect me to laugh.
Harle:
Ooh la lah, you are a rude one,
non? In any case, my business
iz not with you, it iz with
Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
I keep telling you--I'm Serge!
(Why won't she LISTEN?!)
Harle:
So you still insist on this
...identité, do you?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't there, this section continues along its normal course...
Harle:
Voilà!
You are Monsieur Lynx!
It'z az simple az zat.
Zat iz who you are!
C'est la réalité!
If you try and go against
réalité...
Réalité will surely
crush you.
Réalité will kill you.
And réalité will continue
to go on az if not'ing
ever happened...
From yesterday to today,
and from today to tomorrow.
Réalité marchez on...
Leaving your crushed
body behind...
[Lynx-Serge moves forward into the middle of the lower level]
~~~But I'm Serge! | ~~~I'm...Lynx...?
|
Harle: | Harle:
Ooh la lah... | Bravo, c'est exact.
So, you still insist zat | You are Monsieur Lynx...
you are Serge, oui? |
Serge:
This is a load of bullshit!
LOOKING like Lynx doesn't make
me Lynx. (Why is she making
such a big deal out of this?
She shouldn't care if I call
myself Serge, Lynx, or... or
Scholtenheim Reinbach VII!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Harle teleports down to near floor level, then begins to walk up the wall as
though gravity for her is at a 90-degree angle to what everyone else is getting.]
Harle:
Regarding your mémoire
az zis Serge...
You may be able to rewrite it
if you use ze Dragon Tear.
Serge:
Why would I want to? (Argh...
I suppose asking her to make
sense is pointless.)
[Another teleport. Harle walks back down the wall again.]
Harle:
In réalité, you died
10 yearz ago in ze
other world.
How can you say for sure
zis iz ze real you?
Serge:
For the fifth time, WHY DOES
IT MATTER?! If I'm dead, and
this is some kind of dream,
then it doesn't hurt anyone
for me to treat it like it's
real. And if it is real, and
I have every reason to believe
it is, I could do a heck of
a lot of damage by treating
it like a dream!
[Another teleport, and up the wall.]
Harle:
Maybe for you it
is évident, but...
I wonder if you ever
really were Serge...?
Serge:
(I guess I'm going to have
to just grit my teeth and
wait her out. Sooner or later,
she's going to either attack
or leave, and if she leaves,
we can try to follow her.)
[Down the wall... Excuse me, I have the theme from the old, old Spiderman
cartoon running through my head now. Argh. "Spiderman, Spiderman/Does whatever
a spider can/Spins a web, any size/Captures thieves just like flies..."]
Harle:
Furthermore...
what waz zis Serge?
A figure, a shape?
A spirit?
A soul?
Where waz zis Serge?
Serge: [if Magus is present]
(I'm starting to think I
should have let Magus take
her head off.)
[Harle vanishes, and an illusion of Serge appears on the upper level instead]
Illusion-Serge:
Who am...
I?
Who are...
you?
You're not me.
I'm not you.
I am reality...
You are...
Serge:
(HE'S reality? I don't think so.
But I'll give him this: he isn't
me. Just like I'm not Lynx.)
(...Have I really been walking
around all this time with that
dorky expression on my face?)
[Illusion-Serge wanders out through one of the upper-level doors.]
Sprigg:
Now, open the door
to reality only.
One mistake, and you'll
never make it back
to the real world.
Serge:
So which is the door to reality?
Magus: | Sprigg:
Try following that illusion. | That'z the part I
That girl must have created | could never figure
it for a reason. | out.
Serge:
(Sigh. Okay, I guess we follow
that thing and hope it wasn't
Harle's idea of a joke.)
===========================================================
Escheresque Area, Temporal Vortex
===========================================================
[They emerge from the tower into another nonsensical area, where
Harle is waiting for them.]
Harle:
How boring...
Fine, I understand
how you feel.
Let'z head back to
reality.
[System]
Harle joined your partie!
Serge:
So you do know the way out.
Harle:
But of course! I would never
be so foolish az to let myself
be stranded here.
Serge:
(Was that supposed to be
insulting, or...? Damn it,
normal girls like Kid are
complicated enough--this
one makes no sense at all.
The only thing I can figure
out is that she has a big-
time crush on Lynx, but then
why is she following ME
around...?)
===========================================================
Hydra Marshes (Home)
===========================================================
[After they jump into the hole at the end of the designed-by-Escher area,
the Hydra Marshes waver into view, and the party appears on the end of a
hummock-thing.]
Harle:
We are back to réalité.
Doez zis place look familiar
to you, Monsieur Lynx?
Do you need moi to tell
you where we are?
~~~No, I already know | ~~~Yes, tell me
|
Harle: | Harle:
Ahhh, you remember. | Tsk, tsk, tsk...
Then let'z leave zis | You don't remember?
forest marshez at once. | We are very close to your home.
| We are in ze Hydra Marshes.
| You remember now, non?
| Although I do not know if
| ze Hydra still existz.
|
| Serge:
| Let's not talk about the
| hydra. (Near MY home, she
| said...but she also called
| me "Monsieur Lynx" again.
| Does that mean Lynx is
| from Arni? I've never heard
| of demi-humans living in
| our village...)
Sprigg:
...Ahhh...yes...
I'm finally back in
the real world!
[Sprigg bounces around a bit over the course of her next couple
of lines.]
Sprigg:
Ahhh...
A world with substance...
Even the water and
air is different!
This is great!
Serge:
(I guess I don't blame her for
enjoying herself--if I'd been
stuck inside a scribble-drawing
for who knows how long, I'd
probably go a bit nuts after
getting out too.)
Sprigg:
It's time to pahr-tay!
Let's have a toast to our
return into the real world!
Harle:
Listen, old lady... You are
not getting any younger.
Try to control your emotionz.
And zere iz absolument no
time to be partying!
We must hurry along.
Magus: [if present]
I agree. We are wasting time.
Sprigg:
Wot's your problem, lass?
It's been yearz since I've
been back to the real world.
You sure are a buzz-kill.
...So anyway, where to now?
[Lynx-Serge ponders.]
Serge:
(Damn, where DO we go? I need
to find Kid and...Lynx..., but
I don't even know for sure if
we're in the right world or
not.)
Harle:
Ooh, Monsieur Lynx...
You seem worried about
zat Serge character.
Do you still remember?
Ze place where it all started...
'"Where Angelz Lose Zeir Way"'...
Serge:
(I guess maybe that IS the
place to start. If the portal
still works, it doesn't matter
which side of it we're on
right now...)
Sprigg:
Where Angels......... WHATEVER!
It has a bad ring to it.
So wot exactly is it?
Harle:
A gate to anodder world......
Somet'ing like zat.
Sprigg:
Wot!? Are you sayin'
there's another dimensional
distortion in this world!?
Hya-hya-hyah!
Very interestin', indeed!
So, where is this place?
Serge:
Opassa Beach. It isn't very far
from here, once we get out of
the swamp.
Harle:
Let'z just get going! But first,
we must leave zis forest.
[Sprigg jumps back down to rejoin the rest of the party, and for a moment,
the dimensional distortion leading to the Temporal Vortex appears. Then it
fades away.]
Sprigg:
Wot the...?
It disappeared...
Wot's goin' on?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
The dimensional discontinuity
shrank in on itself and became
inaccessible. It almost reminds
me of...
Serge:
Of what?
[Magus shakes his head]
Magus:
Something else that's fallen
through the gaping hole in
my memory, apparently.
However, I have an unpleasant
suspicion that this may turn
out to be...prophetic.
Serge:
What do you mean?
Magus:
I mean that we may not
find anything at Opassa
when we get there.
Serge:
You're saying that you think
we're trapped in this world.
Whichever one it is. (But he's
just guessing, right? Except...
he's a good guesser. He's proven
that. Oh, man...)
Magus:
Let us say that I will be
pleasantly surprised if I turn
out to be wrong.
And that's all for this time, folks. In our next episode: closed gates, maternal recognition, and
geezers with vicious walking sticks...
-
And another short chapter. Magus stole even more screen time, but not
as much as I was afraid he would. Sprigg may have gotten a bit short-
changed, though.
15. The Lost Portal - Isolation of people from the world...
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle.
Recruitable: Radius.
===========================================================
Serge's House, Arni (Home)
===========================================================
[If they go to Arni before going to Opassa]
Marge:
I wonder where
my son wandered
off to?
Well, I guess
boys will be
boys...
Serge:
(I should tell her, but...why
would she believe me? And
besides, she doesn't seem all
that worried. Which is good,
because it may take me a while
to track Lynx down and sort
this out.)
Marge:
Oh my.
A demi-human
in our village?
I strongly advise you
to be on your guard.
The village folks
don't take too kindly
to demi-humans.
Serge:
I...um...thank you for your
advice, ma'am. (That's right,
isn't it? People in Arni
started getting funny about
demi-humans around the time
Dad disappeared...)
===========================================================
Opassa Beach (Home)
===========================================================
[Player attempts to use the Astral Amulet. Serge "assumes the position",
then shakes his head as nothing happens.]
Sprigg:
Wot's wrong, Lynx?
Don't tell me the dimensional
gate won't open...!?
HEH!
Serge:
It isn't funny--and I keep
telling you, my name is
SERGE. Not Lynx.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, he crouches down to examine the spot in the sand where the
portal should be, then shakes his head and straightens up again.]
Magus:
There IS something here, but
it's closed down so tight that
I don't think a sand flea could
get through, much less a human
being.
Sprigg:
An' how would ya
be knowin' that?
Magus:
At some time, I must have
studied...not these dimensional
portals, but something LIKE
them--similar enough that I
can detect this one's energies.
Serge:
(Why would he have studied
something like that? I mean,
what could possibly be out
there that's LIKE a dimensional
portal without BEING one? He...
was he working for Lynx, during
the time that he doesn't
remember? No, that makes no
sense--they'd never get along,
and anyway, Magus was on the
continent until Guile called
him to Guldove...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harle:
Of course it won't open.
Ze missing piece to zis
world haz been found.
Zere iz not'ing we can do.
You are now just an
unwanted piece.
Serge:
You mean... I was able to
cross over before because I
was dead in the other world
and alive here, but now that
Lynx has my body, the portal
doesn't recognize me as "Serge"
anymore? (Is that why she's
been spouting all that garbage
about me being Lynx?)
Magus: [if present]
No, I'm fairly certain that's
a red herring. The distortion
should have responded to my
prodding, even if we couldn't
pass through it. Something
external seems to be holding
it shut, but the source of the
energies involved isn't here.
We need to find that source.
Sprigg:
Very interestin'...
What are ya gonna do now,
Lynx?
'ow about we go explain
your situation to your movver?
We may be able to find
somethin' out.
Serge:
(My MOTHER? Why would she know
anything about any of this? But
I don't know what else to do...)
I guess we'll go to Arni, then.
===========================================================
Arni (Home)
===========================================================
[As soon as they enter the line of sight of the old man at the edge of
the village...]
[Old Man]
......!?
Huh!? Demi-humans...!?
What do you monsters
want from us!?
Harle:
Excusez-moi, geezer!
What kind of attitude
iz zat!?
I will kick your derrière
to ze moon, if you talk
to mon Lynx comme ça!
Serge:
Harle, calm down. It doesn't
matter what he thinks of me.
Let's just finish our business,
and leave.
[Old Man]
Arghhh...!!!
FREAK...!
Serge:
(This feels so wrong...and so
ugly. I've known Grandpa Timon
all my life, and he's a nice
guy. I didn't think there was
anyone he hated enough to call
a monster to his face.]
[If they speak to Leena (out on the dock?)]
Leena:
AHHH!!!
W-Who are you...?
Serge:
Leena, it's me, Serge.
(I know it's a long shot, but
we've known each other since
we were little kids...)
Leena:
WHAT!? Serge!?
No...
That's a lie!!!
W-What the heck
is going on!?
Serge:
Well, it's kind of a long story,
but the short version is that a
demi-human stole my real body,
and stuffed me into his. (Oh,
man, that sounds lame...)
Leena:
I'm sorry, but
I don't believe you.
How am I supposed to
believe you're Serge
when you look like that...?
I'm sorry.
Serge:
I told you, this is--
Oh, what's the use. I give up.
[If they speak to Una]
Una:
W-W-Who or what
are you...?
What do you want?
Serge:
Una, you're probably not going
to believe me, but...I'm Serge.
Una:
WHAT!!!? No way...!
You're Sergey!?
YOU...!?
Give me a break...
Our Sergey is human!
Read my lips!
H-U-M-A-N!
He's not a demi-
human like you!
You're full of it!
Harle:
Well...?
What shall you do,
Monsieur Lynx?
Nobody in your village
believez zat
you are Serge.
Una:
Of course we
don't believe you!
Everyone in this village
knows Sergey! We're not
gonna be fooled by a bunch
of demi-humans like you!
I don't know what you
jokers are up to, but just
get the hell outta our village!
Serge:
(I could probably convince most
of them if I had a while to work
on it, but everyone's so dead-
set against talking to a demi-
human that I'm going to have a
hard time getting the chance.
Damn it all... Hell, I'll bet
this is probably Lynx's fault.
Somehow.)
[If they talk to the random kid who wanted the komodo scale(?)]
[Boy]
WOW! You sure are
strange lookin'!
Are you a cat-man?
Y-Y-You're not gonna...
bite my head off or scratch
me to death, are you?
But I'm not
afraid of you!
I'm big and strong!
Besides, my Sergey
will protect me!
Harle:
Hmmm... I see...
Serge would do
zat for you...?
If zat iz ze case,
zen you are safe.
No one will be able
to hurt you.
[Boy]
I know!
Hah! So there!
Serge:
Don't worry, I wouldn't want
to hurt you anyway. (Man, even
the kids... But I suppose most
of them have never even seen a
demi-human before. They've
never been to Termina, or even
Guldove.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present...]
Magus:
I've never before travelled
with someone who inspires
greater fear than I do.
Harle:
And you are missing ze
attention, are you? Wanting
zem to cower before you, ze
great mage, and not before
mon Lynx?
Magus:
If I needed them to fear me,
I could have them out of their
minds with terror quickly
enough. But this is much more
interesting.
Serge:
(I wonder if Guile's ever been
brave enough to tell this guy
that he's weird?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Serge's House, Arni (Home)
===========================================================
Marge:
Who might you be?
May I help you?
Serge:
Um... Hi, Mom.
I'm home.
Marge:
What...?
What did you just say...!?
You're Serge...?
Serge:
On the inside, anyway.
(I guess it really IS true
that a mother always knows
her children. She's the first
one who didn't see it all
happen who's even let that
thought cross her mind.)
Marge:
......
Please explain to me exactly
what is going on here...
Serge:
I'll try, but it's a really
long story. (And it gets longer
every time I tell it--how many
times has it been now?)
[fadeout/fade-in]
Marge:
......
I see... So that man told
you to go to the Sea of Eden.
Serge:
Yeah, well, he also told me
my existence was worthless.
I'm not sure I want to believe
anything he said...but it's
our only lead right now,
unless we can get back to the
other world.
Marge:
I really don't know about
dimensional distortions or
about the other world.
But if, like you say,
something big is really
on the verge of happening...
It may have all started
14 years ago...
On the night of the storm...
[Flashback. The screen fades to an image of the Sea of Eden overworld map,
with some terrible weather going on in the foreground.]
[Marge]
That night, your father, Wazuki,
and his friend Miguel set out
to sea, despite a storm...
It was an emergency...
They were swallowed by the high
waves and lost consciousness.
When they came to, they found
themselves inside the Dead Sea...
A place where no living creature
dares enter. I don't know what
he saw or what happened, but
that incident changed your father.
And your father's friend, Miguel...
That was Leena's father.
He never returned...
Back then, that place
wasn't called
the Dead Sea...
Yes, I believe they called it
the '"Sea of Eden"'...
That was 14 years ago.
[We return to present-day Arni.]
Serge:
...14 years ago... I was the
emergency, wasn't I? They were
trying to get me to the witch
doctor in Marbule.
Marge:
Yes, that's right. I'm surprised
you remember. You were still so
young back then...
Serge:
Leena asked me about it over and
over again. For years. Because
Dad wouldn't tell her about it.
(...Not that I could help her
much. I remember a bit about the
storm, but not where we were
when we came out of it. I sure
as heck don't know what happened
to Leena's dad. Did he die
there, inside the Dead Sea? Dad
always said he got washed
overboard in the storm, but Dad
was starting to act weird by
then...)
[Radius]
Are you the ones everybody
is talking about?
[Everyone turns to face Radius as he enters]
Radius:
No...this can't be...
Are you Lynx!?
You're still alive...!?
Serge:
You...know me? (I'll probably
get the answer faster that way
than if I try to explain that
I'm really Serge...)
Radius:
Step outside,
Lynx!
For I, too, was once a
valiant member of the
Acacia Dragoons!
I must put a stop to you!
Serge:
(Wait a minute, Lynx was
involved with the Dragoons in
this world, too? And was it
the Lynx who did this to me,
or is there a this-world Lynx
too...?)
Harle:
Lah-la-la...
Geezer, I wouldn't
show off like zat.
Zat iz if you want
to live...
Do not underestimate
ze power of Monsieur Lynx.
One blow and it'z off to
ze other world wit' you!
Serge:
Harle, I wish you would stop
threatening people every time
they say something about me
that you don't like--
[Radius crouches down and puts his hand on his cane and such a way that you'd
think it was a sword and that he was about to do a Himura Kenshin impression.]
Radius:
Silence!
Now step outside!
Serge:
(Sigh. I get the feeling he
isn't going to talk until
we get this over with...)
[Battle with Radius. Afterwards...]
Radius:
Hmmm...!?
I do not sense any
malice in your attacks...
Serge:
That's because I'm not really
Lynx. I'm Serge. This body...
is something the real Lynx
did to me.
[Radius shakes his head]
Serge:
Look, why don't we tell you
the story and let you judge
for yourself? (Not that I
WANT to tell it again, but...)
Radius:
That might be best.
Serge:
So it all started when...
[The screen fades out, then in, as Serge gestures
animatedly.]
Radius:
Another world...and
the General is still
active there?
Serge:
General Viper? Well, he was
"active" up to the point where
Lynx stabbed him in the back.
I suppose it's possible he
might have survived...
Magus: [if present]
He was still breathing when
I followed you into the vortex.
[Radius turns away and begins rubbing his chin as he speaks]
Radius:
Here, the general
has been missing for
the past 3 years...
Serge:
Because of something
Lynx did?
Radius:
Lynx was the one who organized
the trip that Viper and the
bulk of the Dragoons' officers
were on when they vanished. Lynx
never returned either, and there
is nothing in particular that
suggests he was responsible for
whatever happened, but it is
suspicious.
Serge:
(I'll bet it WAS Lynx.)
So where were they going?
Radius:
To the Dead Sea.
Serge:
(!)
[Radius turns back to face the party again.]
Radius:
I shall accompany you!
We may still have a chance
to save the general and
Riddel in the other world.
Serge:
Um, sure. Glad to have you.
(He probably has a better idea
of where to look for information
on the Dead Sea than we do.)
Harle:
Zut! This geezer
iz only going to
get in ze way...
[System]
Radius joined your party!
Radius:
First, we must
head to Termina...
and gather news about
General Viper's
disappearance from
this world.
Don't worry, we will
find a clue to return
to the other world.
Serge:
I'm not worried. (One way or
the other, I WILL get back
there. No way am I letting
Lynx run around with my body
for one second more than I
have to.)
[If they speak to Marge again]
Marge:
There are people out there
who won't judge you
by your appearance.
Just keep your head up
and do your best.
Understand, Serge?
Serge:
Yeah, Mom, I'll try.
(At least she didn't tell me
to make sure to brush my
teeth every night while I'm
away...)
And that's it, folks. I'm hoping that the next chapter will be another short one,
since half of the original is devoted to optional characters that I've decided to cut...
-
Hehehehe...
"I wonder if Guile's ever been
brave enough to tell this guy
that he's weird?"
Love that line!
-
::snicker:: Well, would you dare tell Magus to his face that he's weird?
<attention_whore_fanfic_writer>And it's nice to know people are still reading this. I'm always a little worried when I end up posting two chapters without anyone saying anything in between.</attention_whore_fanfic_writer>
-
Of course people are still reading this. We're just now getting into the interesting parts. :P
-
Are you accusing what I've produced so far of being uninteresting? :lol:
Seriously, though, I'll try not to disappoint you. ;)
-
I meant gamewise. Gamewise! :shock:
Mouth - 0
Foot - 3 :P
In all seriousness, though, one question. Will this offer at least a bit more closure than what we were given in the game?
-
Closure? At least a bit more--there certainly won't be any doubt of who it is that Schala's trying to get back together with, but I haven't decided if showing Schala and Serge meeting up after the credits roll would be a good idea or not. Hopefully I'll have made a decision one way or the other by the time I get there.
-
And here we have Norris' introduction to the party. I'm not entirely happy about how the
bits inside Viper Manor turned out, though... Oh, well.
I'm also making some assumptions about the timeline, and the relationship that Porre has
with both El Nido in general and the Viper Clan in particular. I don't think it
materially contradicts anything in the game to assume that El Nido was originally an ally
of Porre rather than a subject nation (a mutual assistance treaty would have been more
than enough to drag the Viper Clan, and thus the Acacia Dragoons, into any wars that Porre
might have been fighting on the continent), and the Porreans moved in to fill the power vacuum
created in Home World when Viper disappeared, but...
16. Termina - Knight or day...?
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius.
Recruitable: Norris (giving us a full roster again).
Note: This chapter experienced a wholesale slaughter of scenes and lines
involving Funguy, Van, and Mojo.
===========================================================
Fossil Valley (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, two Porrean soldiers spot them from a little
deeper into the valley.]
[Porre Soldier]
Y-Yo...
Check out that guy's face!
Way...scary...!
[Porre Soldier]
Our investigation is done.
Let's get the hell outta here!
[Porre Soldier]
I wanna go back
to Porre!!!
Magus: [if present]
Impressive.
Serge:
(What the...? I know Lynx looks
scary, but I didn't think it was
THAT bad. What's going on?)
===========================================================
Termina (Home)
===========================================================
[As they enter...]
[Porre Soldier]
!!!
Lynx!!!
H-How dare you have the nerve
to return to this town!
Get out of here!
Radius:
Looks like the young 'un's
an unwanted guest here, too.
Serge:
I guess so. (Whatever the real
Lynx did to these guys must have
been really something...and even
so, I think they're a bit crazy.
I mean, the first batch was
scared, this guy was mad, so how
is the next one we run into
going to act?)
Harle:
Humanz are very
selfish, non?
To t'ink that they used to
bow their headz down to curry
favor wit' Monsieur Lynx!
they're alwayz searching
for someone or somet'ing
to lay zeir blame on.
Magus: [if present]
Convincing oneself that one
was not responsible for events
means that one doesn't have to
feel guilty about whatever
happened. That makes placing
blame a profitable passtime
for the weak of mind.
[If they speak to the soldier blocking off the dock area...]
[Porre Soldier]
......!!!
Can it be you,
Sir Lynx!?
You are safe, sir?
Where have you been
all this time...!?
Serge:
Um... It's kind of a long
story. (That didn't sound very
Lynx-like, but this guy's so
happy to see me that I don't
think he's going to care. I
don't get it. Do the Porreans
like Lynx, or not?)
[Porre Soldier]
We have set up a temporary
military dock beyond this
point.
Nobody may pass without
permission from Commander
Norris...not even you,
Sir Lynx.
Commander Norris is at
the ruins of Viper Manor.
Please report your current
status to him immediately!
Serge:
Very well. (Yeah, that's more
the kind of thing Lynx would
say. Anyway, I guess our next
step is to go to Viper Manor
to talk to this Norris guy, and
hope that he's a Lynx fan too.
...Or maybe not. I might be
a bit of a disappointment if
he is. Damn, this is all so
complicated. Is it better for
me to pretend to be Lynx,
or...?)
===========================================================
Zappa's Smithy, Termina (Home)
===========================================================
[They enter the smithy to find Zippa and Zappa standing by the
forge. If they attempt to speak to them...]
Zappa:
Aye,
that should do it.
This here forge has always
had a fire since aulden times.
'Tis sad to see it without
its blaze.
[Zappa half-turns to face the party]
Zappa:
Mah apologies...
Closing this shop for
mah own selfish desires.
Serge:
No, no, it's okay, really!
We're the ones who're butting
in... But I have to ask: is
something wrong?
Zappa:
Nay, 'tis just mah
own foolishness...
Zappa's wife, Zippa:
Ah've had to listen to ye for the
longest time, and ah dinnae want
to hear ye say it's foolish now!
Never mind that, dear,
so ye're really goin'?
Zappa:
Aye.
Now that ah dinnae have
the shop no more, likesay,
it's time to finish what
we started long ago.
Radius:
What you started...? Do you
mean that you intend to go
off and look for "that"?
Zappa:
Radius, ye old reprobate!
Mah apologies, ah didna see
ye there.
Zippa:
'Tis good to see ye agin!
Ye havena passed through
Termina in years! Not since...
[She bows her head]
Radius:
Since...they went missing.
Yes, I know. I'm hoping that
these young people and I may
finally uncover what happened
to them.
Zippa:
Then...ye're headed for the
Dead Sea. Radius, if ye find
out aught aboot our Karsh--
Zappa:
Quiet! Ah'll not give up on our
son walkin' in through that door
'til his body's in our hands.
Radius:
If I find out anything, I'll
let you know.
...I don't want to give up on
them either. Young Glenn had
such a future in front of him...
Serge:
(I'd forgotten--Glenn was
Radius' foster son, wasn't he?
If he's one of the missing...
no wonder Radius wanted to
come with us!)
Zippa:
Ah wish ah could be of more help
to ye...
Zappa:
Ye stay here and wait
for Karsh's return.
Zippa:
It's already been 3 years...
These years haven't
been too good to us.
Our best patrons,
the Dragoons, disappear,
the Porre military gets
on our arses...
Well, since we've had such
bad luck 'til now, ah'm sure
things'll be good here on out...
Our son's probably fine as well...
Zappa:
Aye...
Serge:
I...hope so too. (Okay, so he
dressed weird and wanted to
haul me in to see General Viper.
And he didn't have much in the
way of manners that I ever
saw...but for all that, he
wasn't that bad a guy, and he
sure as heck didn't deserve
whatever Lynx did to him in
this world...)
[Speaking to them again will cause them to turn away from the forge]
Zappa:
Ah'm guessin' ye're no
from around here.
Do ye ken a thing called
the '"rainbow"'?
It's a superb material that
can be forged into anythin'.
Ah'm thinkin' of searchin'
for this rainbow.
Serge:
I'm sorry--I haven't heard
anything about a material like
that, but if I find something
out, I'll be sure to let you
know. (Why not?)
Zappa:
Ye'd be doin' me a great favor
by bringin' me news of such,
lad. Perhaps I can be of use
to ye in turn. Here, let me
give ye a wee token.
Use this anytime, and ah'll
find ye and do mah job,
anywhere ye are.
...Ah give mah word!
[Member] received
Smith's Spirit!
[If they speak to Zappa again afterwards]
Zappa:
Call me anytime ye like.
[If they speak to Zippa...]
Zippa:
Ye're all travelers,
aren't ye?
Have ye seen our
son anywhere?
His name is Karsh.
He's a pretty rough
character, but he's a
good boy.
It's tough havin' a son
who's a knight.
Ye never know when he
might just come back as
a ghost in armor...
Ah wonder what could've
happened at the Dead Sea...
If ah could see mah son again,
ah dinnae ask fer anything else.
Oh, ah'm sorry to make ye
feel blue. Well, if ye ever
find him, just tell him to
come back for a little while.
Serge:
If we meet him, we'll be sure to
tell him to drop by, ma'am. (A
ghost in armor...brrrr. I...
hope Mom doesn't end up having
to think that way about me.)
[if they speak to Zappa afterwards with Radius in the party]
Zappa:
Radius...!?
It's been a while...
How fares the village?
Radius:
You need not worry
about the village...
There are bigger things
to concern us.
===========================================================
Viper Manor (Home)
===========================================================
[When they reach the main yard, the party pauses outside what used to
be the big double doors leading to the foyer.]
Radius:
I believe it has been
4 years since I retired
from the Dragoons...
Sigh...
Time sure does fly...
I was shocked to hear of
Dario's death 3 years ago...
And now, the general
and the others are
missing...
Serge:
What I don't get is how this
manor could have fallen apart
so completely in only three
years. When we came here, I
expected to see the grounds
overgrown, and maybe a few
holes in the roof and the
gates off their hinges, but
not...this.
Sprigg:
It'z been this way for a
while, from the lookz of it.
Radius:
When Porre took Termina two
years ago, they shelled the
manor, even though there was
nothing here by then.
The manor is in
a shambles...
I took the liberty
of conducting my own
investigation, but
I have discovered
nothing...
All I know is that
a man named Lynx
approached the general
and has involved him
in some kind of incident.
The only difference
between this world and
the other one you talk
about is that here,
something happened to
the general 3 years ago...
[...The last few lines of the speech above were re-written on the grounds
that the original looked like something Babelfish spat out--what were
they thinking?]
Radius:
I just hope that this
Norris fellow knows
something...
Serge:
Me too. (Right now, it would
almost be handy if I really
WERE Lynx, because then I
might know what happened. Of
course, if I were Lynx, I
probably wouldn't care...)
Harle:
I know not'ing.
I waz not involved
wit' ze plan.
Serge:
(Radius looks like he's
trying to stare holes in
her.)
Harle:
I do not find
it amuzing!
===========================================================
Interrogation Room, Basement, Viper Manor (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, Norris turs to face them.]
Norris:
Sir Lynx!
It has been a while, sir.
Serge:
(I guess that means he's a Lynx
fan. I think I'll keep quiet
and see if he spills something
useful.)
(...Wait a minute, wasn't this
guy working as a dishwasher at
the other world's Viper Manor?
Does that mean he was a spy?)
[Norris glances quickly from one side to the other (looking at Serge's
companions?)]
Norris:
As you can see, the
manor is in shambles.
There is still no sign of
the general or the others.
Norris:
We are still investigating
the area, but it appears that
the Frozen Flame is not here.
Serge:
(Oh, damn, better say
something...)
I would be very surprised
if you had found it here,
Commander Norris.
[Norris scratches his head(?)]
Norris:
Sir... Are you really
Sir Lynx?
You seem different
than I last remember...
Serge:
Um, well... (Damn! Guess I
blew it somehow. If he pulls
his gun, we're going to have
to make a run for it... There
are a lot more of them than
there are of us.)
[Radius moves to the front of the group.]
Radius:
You are correct.
This man is not Lynx.
Serge:
(Is it really a good idea to
tell him that? But I guess we
can't undo it now...)
[Norris leaves off scratching his head]
Norris:
Excuse me, sir, but
who might you be?
Radius:
I am Radius,
a dragoon.
Although I have been
retired for 4 years.
Norris:
So you are Radius, one
of the former 4 Devas!?
It is an honor to
meet you, sir!
Serge:
(Okay, so he likes Radius,
too. Maybe he's just an
EVERYBODY-fan.)
[Norris shakes his head]
Norris:
I believe you, sir, but...
It is still hard to accept
that this man is not Sir Lynx.
Radius:
He may look like Lynx, but
his spirit is of another.
Norris:
That is...
quite strange
if I may say so.
Serge:
You're telling me. (Is it just
me, or does Radius seem to be
taking over here?)
(...Why do I care? It isn't like
I wanted to be in charge in the
first place. Keeping everyone
headed in the same direction is
like herding cats. If Radius
is willing to do the job, he
can have it for all of me.)
Radius:
It is up to you what
you want to believe.
Radius:
So, what business did
you have with Lynx?
Have you uncovered anything
about the disappearance of
the general?
You will be doing us
a great favor by telling
us what you know.
[Norris nods.]
Norris:
Very well...
[Fadeout to a black-and-white version of the El Nido map, over which the
following text appears:]
[Norris]
It was actually Sir Lynx
who approached us about
the existence of the
Frozen Flame in El Nido.
Being from the main continent,
we had doubted its very existence,
so I was sent to El Nido
Archipelago as a spy.
I had narrowed down the
location to Viper Manor,
but it appeared as though
General Viper and his men
were in search of it as well.
Eventually, I was called back to
Porre, but it was then that
I heard General Viper and his
men had disappeared and that the
manor had been destroyed as such.
I heard only recently that there
is good evidence the general and
his men headed to the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is an ocean
located to the east,
surrounded by coral.
It used to be called the
Sea of Eden, but even then,
not many dared enter.
We investigated the area,
but to no avail.
We could find no entrance.
[Fade back to the former interrogation room]
Serge:
I knew Lynx had to be
mixed up in this
somehow.
Norris:
It is you, Sir Lynx,
who wished to change
this distorted world
using the Frozen Flame.
Serge:
I'm not Lynx, remember? Anyway,
did Lynx ever tell you WHAT he
wanted to change using the
Frozen Flame? Did he say how
this world was "distorted"?
[Norris shakes his head]
Norris:
I am, in the end, only a mid-
ranking officer. I have no
idea what the true Lynx told
my superiors...but it must
have been highly persuasive
for them to have been willing
to break their longstanding
treaty with the Viper Clan
and interfere in El Nidan
affairs directly. However,
all I know of his plans derives
from rumour.
Serge:
Changing the world... (Man,
Lynx is just full of it. Change
the world by using magic? What
right does he have to do such
a thing?)
[Harle bounces over to stand nearer to Serge]
Harle:
Ooh la lah!
Such grand dreamz,
Monsieur Lynx!
Radius:
Hold your tongue.
Harle:
Zut!
Serge:
(I'll give Radius this:
he can handle Harle better
than I can.)
Radius:
So...
The Dead Sea...
[Radius leans forward]
Radius:
That ocean was called
the Sea of Eden until
3 years ago...
This may just be the
clue we were looking for.
Once we uncover Lynx's plans,
it should be easy enough to
counter them.
Serge:
I hope you're right. (Even if
there aren't any clues there
about Lynx, we can probably use
the Frozen Flame to reopen the
gate to the other world...
assuming that the Frozen Flame
really exists. Kid seemed pretty
sure, though. For now, I'll
trust in her.)
[Radius straightens up again.]
Norris:
Are you planning to
go to the Dead Sea?
Serge:
That's the idea.
Norris:
There is no way to
get in there.
We searched all over
for an entrance, but
to no avail.
No one knows anything
about it, either...
Radius:
Yes, I doubt you will
be able to get in.
I'm sure the demi-humans of
Marbule know something about
this, but they detest humans.
Especially those from the
main continent.
Sprigg:
And ya think they might be
willin' to talk to another
demi-human like our Lynx, or
maybe to a Mystic like me?
Well, I suppoze it'z a theory.
Magus: [if present]
If we can't find an entrance,
we'll simply have to make one.
I'm not about to let a mere
growth of coral stand in my
way.
Norris:
Then...
May I join you?
Norris:
I want to know.
I want to know if the
Frozen Flame really exists,
and about everything that
has happened here.
Serge:
Um... Okay, sure. We can always
use more help. (I just hope we
can trust him...after all, he
is Porrean.)
Radius:
What about you?
[For some reason, Harle's next two lines were repeated (with slight variations in her accent)
in the original script.]
[Harle nods]
Harle:
Hm? Moi?
Harle:
But of course!
I will follow this
Monsieur Lynx!!!
Ze odder one iz no
longuer Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
(Every time I think I've made
sense of this girl, she goes
and confuses me again... Does
she REALLY think the body is
more important than the person
running it...?)
[Norris nods again.]
Norris:
There is a military boat
docked in Termina.
Let us use that.
[System]
Norris enlisted in your party.
[Pan upwards, and then we're suddenly on the docks in Termina.]
===========================================================
The Dragon's Tail, Termina (Home)
===========================================================
[If they drop by the bar with Norris in the group...]
[Porre Soldier]
That guy Norris
sure is cocky.
Serge:
(I think I feel a disaster
coming on...)
[Porre Soldier]
He's still young,
but he doesn't hesitate
to voice his opinion
without any flattery.
He never loosens up and
doesn't seem interested
in having any kind of fun.
Now, he's the best of
the Termina Division.
Gosh, he's so elite.
Hmm...?
Ugh,
Commander Norris!
Norris:
Thank you for your
appraisal...
Please eat and drink
to your heart's content.
Let us continue to fight
together, from tomorrow on.
[Porre Soldier]
Yes sir! Affirmative sir!
Serge:
(Now I get why Norris' men
like him. He's quite a guy.
But if he doesn't flatter
people, he must have thought
Lynx was...worthy of respect...
Or was that just another act,
like the dishwasher thing?)
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle (Home) - If you never visited, don't have Razzly)
===========================================================
Serge:
Something's not right. I've
never heard of there being
any monsters on this island.
Radius:
The fairies always kept them
under control... but in that
case... The fairies of this
isle have been...by them...?
Heaven forbid!
===========================================================
Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
Doc:
Medical science has its limits.
I don't have the power
to save her...dammit!
Serge:
(So even in this world, the
poor guy has just about the
same problems.)
Is there any way we could help?
(We owe him for Kid--well, it's
sorta him that we owe.)
Doc:
Thanks for the offer, dudes,
but there's no one in the world
who could help my current
patient. Her condition isn't
curable, not even by magic.
[If they try to get into the ward--]
[Nurse]
We're sorry...
We can only allow family members
of the patient into the backroom.
Please understand...
I'm afraid her family has
already passed away...
Oh, I'm sorry for
troubling you, you're not
even related...
Serge:
It's okay. I was just hoping
that we could cheer her up a
bit, but if she's too sick
for visitors... (Poor girl,
whoever she is.)
Next time, on to Marbule, the S.S. Zelbess, and a cat's eye view of life. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
-
Yeah, you got it right about the relations between Porre and El Nido.
The Dragoons fought in the Fall of Guardia, and since that was what got Viper promoted to General, it's safe to say they were working under Porre's side, since they had to win after all.
-
I was mostly afraid that I'd forgotten some random NPC line about Porre having ruled El Nido since time immemorial.
-
Another Really Long One here, and I can't make many significant cuts, so I'm splitting it
up. I'm expecting to end up with three sections of roughly equal length.
17. Marbule - The village of the demi-humans... (Part I of III)
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris.
Recruitable: None
Notes: Some material that appeared as part of this chapter in the original script
has been moved to the midgame-sidequests section, which will be released some time
around the time the characters regain access to Another World. And although it
technically doesn't belong there, I've moved the Radius/Garai flashback stuff into
the next chapter, since this one's already too long and the incident more logically
fits there. Oh, and I've stripped the umlauts from Irenes' speech in much the same
way as I did with Zelbess'.
===========================================================
Marbule (Home)
===========================================================
[Ash is wandering around near the bridge. If they speak to him...]
Ash:
Hey?
I didn't expect any visitors
in this deserted village.
Serge:
(Huh? Deserted? but if the
demi-humans aren't here,
then...)
Ash:
Hello, my name is Ash.
I'm an assistant to Sir Toma.
We're here to investigate
Marbule. If there's anything
you'd like to know, feel
free to ask Sir Toma.
Serge:
So where do we find this Toma
person? (If he's in charge,
maybe he knows something.)
Ash:
Sir Toma should be around
here, somewhere.
Oh, and don't pay attention
to those nasty looking
monsters walking around.
There's nothing we
can do about them.
Norris:
It is rather difficult to see
something transparent as
threatening.
Serge:
(I guess Norris hasn't run
into any of those giant
jellyfish you sometimes get
south of Water Dragon Island
yet. Must be nice, living on
the continent and not having
to put up with creatures
like that...)
[Toma is the other guy wandering around the otherwise-deserted village,
and if they speak to him...]
The Great Explorer Toma:
Hmm? Hey, what's up, guys!?
Did you come here just
to see the great explorer?
Just kidding! Hah-hah!
Hah haha ha ha...!
Serge:
Um, actually, we've got some
questions we'd like to ask you.
(This guy is gonna be a pain--I
can tell that already.)
The Great Explorer Toma:
Yeah? What's up?
~~~Ask about this village | ~~~Ask about the Dead Sea
|
The Great Explorer Toma: | The Great Explorer Toma:
Marbule used to belong to the | The Dead Sea!?
demi-humans at one point. | Nobody would dare
Demi-humans were originally | approach that place!
located up in the northern | I don't know the details,
region, but after Porre's | but I've heard that the
colonization, | place is cursed by the most
they were forced out of the | hideous dragon!
mainland and ended up here. |
| Serge:
Serge: | A...dragon?
(...Is this guy going to get to |
the point sometime soon? I don't | Radius:
need a history lesson, I need to | There are legends about dragons
know where the demi-humans are | all over El Nido. I see no reason
NOW.) | why this one should be truer than
| any of the others.
The Great Explorer Toma: |
But their bad luck continued. | Serge: [if he has the Ice Breath]
Marbule, with its rich Element | (But at least one of those
resources, became the target | rumours was true... What if this
of Element hunters. | one is too? Can we handle a
With nowhere else to go, most | dragon?
of the demi-humans left the |
village to work on the | ...Better not to think about it.
Cruise Ship - S.S. Zelbess -. | We have to try, so I won't let
| myself worry until the dragon's
Serge: | frying my nose.)
(Finally.) |
| The Great Explorer Toma:
The Great Explorer Toma: | You're the first people I've met
They work as laborers and | who think that way. You'd make
are treated like dirt. | good explorers. I intend to mount
I feel really bad for them. | an expedition to the Dead Sea
Anyway, that's why you have | myself one day.
this ghost town here. |
The rooms are still furnished, | Norris:
so feel free to spend the | Do you have any idea where we
night if you're tired. Use | can find an entrance?
the hut right by the entrance. |
| The Great Explorer Toma:
Serge: | Oh? So you wanna know how
We appreciate the offer. | to get inside the Dead Sea?
(Although I'm not sure he has | Rumor has it, there's only
the right to offer us the use | one way...
of someone else's house!) | '"Death's Door"'...
Anyway, do you know where we |
can find this Zelbess? | Serge:
| (Sounds ominous, but it isn't
The Great Explorer Toma: | like we have a choice.)
Not exactly, but a ship that |
size is difficult to miss. | The Great Explorer Toma:
It mostly plies the waters | The entrance is out there,
in this area: east and south | somewhere...
of the main island. | Unfortunately, even I don't
| know where this door is.
The Great Explorer Toma: | Hmmm... Let's see...
That's about all I know. | Who might know...?
If you have any other questions, | Oh yeah!
ask the sage aboard the Zelbess. | Why not ask the sage aboard
| the Cruise Ship - S.S. Zelbess -?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
~~~Ask about these monsters | ~~~What's new?
|
The Great Explorer Toma: | The Great Explorer Toma:
Oh, these creepy monsters? | Hmmm... What's new...
I'm not too sure, but I believe | Oh yeah, I heard a rumor that
they've been here a long time. | you can hear a woman crying at
You can see them, but they | night. People think it's a ghost.
have no substance. | I've been here several days now,
You can't touch them, nor can | but I've yet to encounter
they touch you. So there's no | this ghost.
way to communicate. |
| Serge:
Sprigg: | (Ghosts AGAIN?! Oh, man... And
Heheheh. Monster ghosts. Just | after what happened on the
wot this place needz to make | Invincible, I can't even say that
it more homelike. | they don't really exist...)
|
Magus: [if present] |
Hmph. I don't think they're |
ghosts, but they don't quite |
seem to be part of this |
reality, either. |
|
The Great Explorer Toma: |
I think people call them |
'"The Black Nightmare."' |
I guess they're like a |
bad dream. Maybe a song |
would wake them up? |
Hah-ha... Just kidding... |
Anyway, there's nothing |
we can do about 'em. |
Don't worry about it. |
|
Serge: |
(...Why does everyone else |
think this is funny? If there |
really is a creature out there |
that has nightmares powerful |
enough to make pictures that |
other people can see, I have |
this feeling that we're going |
to end up fighting it sooner |
or later. It just goes too |
well with everything else |
that's been happening.) |
===========================================================
Witch Doctor's Hut, Marbule (Home)
===========================================================
[I think this only happens if you try to sleep here without first
asking Toma "what's new?"--I've never succeeded in triggering the scene myself.]
You hear voices outside...
~~~Check it out
~~~Go back to sleep
[Assuming that they check it out, Serge exits the hut and sees a mermaid on the bridge.
She jumps off into the water as he approaches, and swims over toward the mini-waterfalls
coming from the cliff.]
The Great Explorer Toma:
What are you doing
up at this hour?
[Toma enters the screen from the right.]
Serge:
Well, you see, there was this
mermaid--
The Great Explorer Toma:
A mermaid?
A homecoming, maybe?
Serge:
(This guy really does love to
hear himself talk.) If it was,
I...don't think it was working
out quite how she expected. She
was crying.
The Great Explorer Toma:
Hmmm... A mermaid returns
in the middle of the
night, crying...
Actually, it could possibly
be that mermaid who lost her
singing voice...
Serge:
Lost her singing voice?
(How can you lose just your
singing voice? Seems to me
that the whole thing would
have to go at once...)
The Great Explorer Toma:
Mermaids are known to have
a beautiful voice and sing
about love and happiness.
But mermaids are forbidden
to sing songs about holding
grudges against humans.
If a mermaid breaks the
taboo, she will lose her
singing voice.
I don't blame her though,
for all that's been happening
in this day and age...
Serge:
(That's...really pretty awful,
when you think about it. Losing
something that important, just
because you said--or sang--the
wrong thing... Poor mermaid.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they haven't yet been to the Zelbess(?)]
The Great Explorer Toma:
You're heading to the
Zelbess tomorrow, right?
You should get some sleep.
Oh, and don't forget to
give your regards to Captain
Fargo when you get there.
He can be devious, so
keep an eye on him.
Serge:
Wait a minute--did you say
FARGO?! (No way can I imagine
that crazy pirate running a
cruise ship! I mean, what
would he do with that ugly
giant parrot of his?)
The Great Explorer Toma:
Yeah. Do you know him?
Serge:
I've...heard of him, that's all.
But I didn't think his ship was
called the Zelbess...
The Great Explorer Toma:
Fargo named it after his wife,
or so I hear. They say he lost
his spirit along with her, but
if that's true, I'm glad I
didn't meet him while she was
still alive...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they've already been to the Zelbess(?)]
The Great Explorer Toma:
So, did you see Captain
Fargo on the Zelbess?
Was he up to his old tricks
again?
Serge:
I...guess you could say that.
The Great Explorer Toma:
He never quits.
Well, it's gettin' late and
I don't want to keep you.
So let's hit the sack, shall we?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Either way, Serge turns and heads back toward the hut, and Toma wanders off in
the opposite direction.]
???: [that is, Irenes, still over by the waterfalls]
The Cruise Ship
- S.S. Zelbess -?
Fargo...
[Fadeout. When everyone emerges from the hut the next morning, Irenes is waiting
nearby.]
???: [Irenes]
Excuse me,
son of man.
Serge:
Um... (Is she talking
to me?)
Irenes:
Will you be boarding
the Zelbess?
Take me with you.
Serge:
I don't see why you would
need our help getting
there, but okay.
Irenes:
Let us go.
[She ducks under the water and swims away.]
Harle:
Who does zat fish t'ink she
is? She had best stay away
from Monsier Lynx, or I will--
Serge:
Calm down, please. (Man, you'd
think the mermaid asked to marry
me or something...)
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, the camera pans over to Fargo and Irenes,
who's standing on the balcony.]
Fargo:
It's been quite some
time, Irenes...
You've grown up...
Irenes:
Fargo...
You have not
changed at all...
You are still here
drowning in memories
of the past...
Serge:
(Guess that means
they know each
other...)
[Fargo turns away from Irenes.]
Fargo:
What do you know...!?
I lost everything
when I lost Zelbess...
Irenes:
Dat ist untrue...
My sister left hope...
A treäsure dat may one
day bring humans and
demi-humans together...
Fargo:
You mean Nikki...?
Irenes:
Ja...
And his sister...
Marcy.
Serge: [if Nikki was recruited]
(So Fargo abandoned them
in this world too...?)
Serge: [if Nikki was not recruited]
(Nikki? That singer who had his
face plastered all over Termina
in the other world? Is she
saying he's half mermaid...and
that blonde brat from the
library at Viper Manor is
Fargo's daughter?! I shouldn't
be surprised about that last
bit, I guess--they have pretty
similar personalities.)
[Fargo turns back around.]
Fargo:
......!?
That child died
with Zelbess when
Luccia...
Irenes:
You do not know
anyt'ing, do you...?
Or you refuse to know.
You only remember the past
which ist favorable for you.
Luccia tried to save my
sister Zelbess...
But she was only able to
save the baby... Marcy...
Luccia felt responsible and
has supported Marcy from a
distance throughout her life.
Look at you now...
Where ist the old you, who had
the passion and desire to build
a new world with my sister?
Serge:
(Well, the version of him in the
other world seemed to have
enough passion for two, until he
starting getting depressed
talking about the dragons... Of
course, Marcy is alive in the
other world instead of having
been caught in whatever happened
to the Dragoons here...)
Fargo:
I told you...
The old me is dead...!
Now what do you want!?
I don't need to be
lectured by you!
Serge:
(I'm surprised it took him that
long to fly off the handle. I
was almost starting to wonder
if this was the same guy!)
Irenes:
......
Ünderstood.
Let me get to the point.
You have taken away the
'"song"' of the demi-humans.
In otter words, we would like
you to free the sage...
Fargo:
I see...
But why?
You know that song, too,
don't you?
Irenes:
Do not feign ignorance,
Fargo.
You should know better...
Only when the song is sung
by one with special power
can the effects be brought
into full pläy.
My sister, Zelbess, ist deäd, and
you have täken away the sage.
Marbule no longer hast its true
power without dat song...
Marbule is now a nesting ground
for evil dream spirits...
Fargo:
Interesting...
But so what?
I don't want outsiders
in Marbule...
That suits me just fine.
Serge:
(Why is it any of his
business? I mean, I thought
Marbule belonged to the
demi-humans...)
Irenes:
How much longer are you
going to be stubborn?
The Marbule you once knew
ist no longer there...!
You will only find a
nightmäre.
Open your eyes to reality...
Fargo:
I'm not releasing the sage,
no matter what you say.
Irenes:
......
Fine...
I will not beseech you.
I will not give up on the
restoration of Marbule.
I will continue to strive
to make my sister's dream
come true...
Serge:
(I don't get it. What is going
on inside Fargo's head? Because
from where I'm standing, it
looks like he's being a real
jerk...)
[Irenes departs. Fargo walks over to the rail to stare after her for a moment,
then turns to stare out to sea.]
Fargo:
......
[If the party now speaks to Fargo, and hasn't yet found the Sage...]
Fargo:
Hey, you're a new face!
Relax and stay awhile.
This ship belongs to
me,
myself,
and I.
Serge:
(You have GOT to be kidding
me. I think I preferred the
other-world Fargo. At least
he only attacked me with a
cutlass, instead of trying
to ego me to death.)
Fargo:
I want everyone to
enjoy themselves,
courtesy of me!
Stay as long as
you like.
Serge:
Uh...thanks. (I guess we'll
just go poke around a bit and
see if we can find the Sage.
Judging from what he said to
that mermaid, I doubt Fargo
would help us even if we told
him who we were looking for.)
===========================================================
Hold, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As they enter, an elderly beastman carrying a mop and bucket is heading for the door.]
Old Man:
Excuse me, but I need
to get to work...
Please let me through.
~~~Ask about the Marbule sage | ~~~Let him through
|
Serge: | Serge:
Um... We're trying to find | (No point in getting in
the sage of Marbule. Do you | his way--there are plenty
have any idea where he is? | of other people around
(This guy's so old that if | that we can ask.)
it wasn't for the mop, I'd |
think he WAS the sage.) | [The old beastman leaves, and this branch ends--
| the remainder of the scene belongs to the other branch.]
Old Man:
Hmmm...
I don't believe
he's here...
Try elsewhere.
Now please, I have
to get to work.
Norris:
And you have no idea
where the Sage is?
Old Man:
I'm afraid not. Now
could you please let
me go do my job?
Serge:
Okay, okay.
[The old beastman leaves.]
Norris:
It is rather odd that no one
appears to know where the Sage
can be found. I would have
expected him to be well-known
and respected by the other
demi-humans--after all, he was
their leader.
Serge:
I guess we'll just have to
keep looking.
===========================================================
SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[When they leave the beastmen's...storage closet...again, the old man is talking
to the crewman by the divider between the rest of the ship and the Grand Slam.]
Old Man:
I have to mop the floors.
Let me through.
[Crewman]
Alright, go.
Don't slack off!
[The crewman lets the old beastman through. As the door is closing behind him, he
turns and speaks to the party.]
[Crewman]
That old man used to be
the leader of Marbule.
But now he's down in the dumps,
moppin' the floors of the Zelbess.
Serge:
Wait, you mean
HE'S the Sage?
Norris:
It makes a sort of sense. If he
is no longer willing to take
responsibility for the other
beastmen--or anything else--he
would not want to admit his
identity to outsiders.
Magus: | Sprigg:
Meaning that we'll have to | Soundz like it might be
pin him to a wall and strangle | 'ard to get 'im to tell
the location of Death's Door | us about the Dead Sea.
out of him--it's unlikely that |
he'll give it willingly. |
Serge:
We have to catch up with
him again first.
Excuse me, but what's on the
other side of this door? Why
is it guarded?
[Crewman]
Through this door is the
'"Grand Slam,"' a world where
the weak are victims of the strong!
Power is justice!
Just what the captain preaches!
Anyway, I'll let you through if
you get the captain's permission!
Serge:
(Oh, great. Well, that means
there's only one choice, unless
we want to fight our way past
him...and I don't want to do
that if there's any other way.
I mean, he's just doing his job,
right?)
I guess this means we go and
see Fargo.
===========================================================
Bar, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As Our Heroes position themselves in front of the stage, Sneff steps out.]
Sneff:
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Sneff's
ffantastic magic show!!!
Serge:
(A magic show? Guess it's all
part of the entertainment for
the people on the cruise.)
Sneff:
Is there anyone in the audience
who would like to volunteer
ffor this next trick?
Sneff:
How about you,
young lady?
[Jill]
Who, me?
Well...it does seem
like fun...but...
You're not going to
slice me in two, or stick
knives into me, are you?
Serge:
(KNIVES?! Oh, man, it shouldn't
bother me so much, given all the
fights I've gotten into since
this started, but the thought of
seeing her getting holes poked
into her by another human being
is just...)
(And I am NOT going to let
myself think about how much I
would like to see him just cut
her shirt off!)
Sneff:
Noffing to worry about,
young lady...
You're in good hands
wiff Sneff.
Now, please step up
to the stage.
[Jill]
Here goes nothing...!
[Jill mounts the stage and positions herself facing Sneff]
Sneff:
Now, what is your name?
[Jill]
Jill...
Serge:
(Jill, huh? Well, I guess it's
as good a name as, say, "Kid",
or "Leena", or even "Harle"...
all of whom are going to kill
me if they catch me looking at
Jill. Urgh.)
Sneff:
Well, let's start offf
wiff someffing simple.
Jill, you are going
to walk on air!
Serge:
(That's SIMPLE? Wish I'd known
that when we were poking around
Mount Pyre...heh...)
Sneff:
You're ffeeling lighter,
Jill... Very...light...
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[As Sneff finishes doing the finger-snapping thing, a small pinkish explosion/cloudy thing
erupts at Jill's feet, and she floats a little way up off the stage.]
[Jill]
Eeeeeek!
Sneff:
And now, ffor
the main event!
Jill...
You will now
become a chair.
Serge:
(A chair? Ooookay.)
Sneff:
You will be able to
wiffstand any weight!
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[As Sneff finishes doing the finger-snapping thing, we get another small pinkish
explosion/cloudy thing, and Jill is floating on her back. A random guy in pirate
costume enters the stage from the wings. He waves his cutlass above and below Jill.]
Sneff:
See...
No strings!
[The guy in the pirate costume sits on Jill.]
Sneff:
She's even able to support
a ffatso like him!
Serge:
(And she's doing it while
floating in midair, too! Maybe
this guy's the real thing...)
[The pirate guy gets down again and walks back off the stage.]
Sneff:
OK then, it's about time
we brought Jill back!
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[Another finger snap/pink cloud, and Jill rotates back upright and is placed on her feet.]
Sneff:
So...
How was it, Jill?
[Jill]
Ummm... It felt like I had
no control over my body...
But it didn't hurt one bit!
It was very strange...!
Sneff:
Fank you very much
ffor your assistance.
[Jill leaves the stage]
[Jack]
You're a phony!!!
You and her probably
had this all planned out!
Sneff:
......!?
You don't believe
in magic...?
Looks like I have
someffing to prove to you.
Step up to the stage!
[Jack steps up onto the stage.]
[Jack]
Yeah... Go ahead and
do what you want.
I know there's a trick!!!
Sneff:
You're a real live wire!
What's your name?
[Jack]
It's Jack!
[Sneff]
Well then, Jack...
Seeing as how restless and
irritated you are, here's
one of my ffavorite tricks!
I will turn you
into a cat...!
I call it...
'"Cat on a Hot Tin Rooff!"'
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[Fingersnap/pink puff, and Jack is now a cat.]
Serge:
(Why are people staring at me
all of a sudden? Do they think
he tried this on me and I got
stuck halfway?)
Sneff:
So, what do you fink?
[Jack backs away]
Sneff:
Don't be affraid.
I'll change you
back to normal.
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[Fingersnap/pink puff, and Jack is human again.]
Sneff:
Do you believe me now,
Jack?
[Jack]
......
Serge:
(Bet HE never messes with
a magician again.)
[Jack leaves the stage]
Sneff:
Fank you very much
ffor your assistance.
I hope everyone
enjoyed the show.
That's about it ffor
today...
Until next time!
[Sneff leaves as well.]
Magus: [if present]
Interesting. If he has the
level of magic required to
perform such a transformation,
why did he not use it in the
first part of the act...?
Sprigg:
Heh. So that boy figured out
how to uze it after all.
Norris:
What do you mean?
Sprigg:
Oh, nothing, just an old
woman'z ramblings.
Serge:
Okay, whatever. Let's go
talk to Fargo.
And that's all for this time, folks. In our next episode, Our Heroes get a cat's eye look at life...
-
Hmm... Serge seemed a bit of a perv back there...
*Looks back into a few moments of his parody.*
:shock:
As if I'm one to talk.. *cough*
Nice. :P
-
Serge is, one hopes, a healthy teenaged boy. It's only to be expected that he'd have at least a little interest in, er, perverted stuff, at least when there isn't anything more important around to command his attention. :lol:
-
"(Why are people staring at me
all of a sudden? Do they think
he tried this on me and I got
stuck halfway?)"
Lol! Awesome. Before I played this game I did go and check out all the characters on the encyclopedia, and Snefff... O_o He creeped me out a bit, but after meeting him in-game, it was like, "Oh, ok, he's not such a creeper." Not that I put him in my party, but he's not so bad. ^^'
I'm rambling. Nice segment!
-
Heh. I figured that since half the chapter is really just a fetch quest in disguise, I might as well have a little fun with it. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
Sneff really isn't the most charismatic of the Cross PCs, is he? Oh, well, at least he has an Actual Plot-Related Reason for being in the game, unlike some of the others. (Just don't imagine him singing "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth", or you may be traumatized for life...)
(And I really must get around to reading your 'fic as well...)
-
True! Sneff actually has a reason for being there! Which reminds me: are you going to include Draggy, or is he out?
Aww, thanks. :D
-
@Katie Skyye: Draggy is definitely out. So are Janice and Turnip, for that matter. 20-22 PCs
(I'm still not entirely decided about Leah and Orlha) is more than enough for me to deal with.
(Still haven't gotten to your Marcy story--sorry. I don't seem to read much fanfic these days--
guess I'm too busy writing it.)
Anyway, in this installment, Serge discovers that a cat's life isn't all mice and fresh tuna...
17. Marbule - The village of the demi-humans... (Part II of III)
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[If the party speaks to Fargo after having found out where the Sage is...]
Radius:
Excuse me, young man,
but we need to get
to the Grand Slam.
Fargo:
Oh?
The Grand Slam, eh...?
So you're out for blood...
Tell me, where did you
folks come from?
Serge:
Most recently, Marbule.
(That should get his
attention.)
Fargo:
What...? Marbule...?
What are you doing here,
anyway?
Norris:
We're looking for the Sage of
Marbule. He has some information
that we need.
Fargo:
Well, well, well...
I'm sorry, but there's no one of
that sort aboard the Zelbess.
Plus, I don't want strangers
ruining my fun on my ship.
Sorry... I can't grant
you access.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present...]
Magus:
We had hoped not to attract
too much attention, but if
the only way that we can have
a few moments' conversation
with the Sage is to kill you
first--
Serge:
(Ulp!) Magus--
Harle:
Should zere not be some more
subtle way to persuade le
bon capitaine?
Magus:
Subtlety is wasted on vapid
fools like this one.
Fargo:
Don't have much of a sense
of humour, do you, son?
[Fargo wanders off down and leftward as Magus speaks his next
line, and lights himself a cigar.]
Magus:
I don't find obstructions
amusing, and I doubt very much
that I am any relation to you
whatsoever. Do you have any
last words before I kill you?
Serge:
MAGUS! (Oh, hell, if he goes
into attack mode, there's no
way I'm gonna be able to stop
him...)
Fargo:
Heheheheh. You know, the two
of you are the funniest thing
I've run into all week. You'd
make a much better comedy team
than those two idiots old Sneff
picked up. Okay, here's what
I'm going to do...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't present, Fargo just ambles casually across
to light that cigar.]
Fargo:
But that wouldn't be
fun now, would it?
The foundation of the
Zelbess is entertainment.
What do you say you
try your luck?
Serge:
Try our luck? What do
you mean?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fargo:
There's a casino
down below.
If you win, I'll give
you access to the Grand Slam.
But if you lose, how about you
give me your boat docked by
the entrance?
Well, what do you say?
~~~Let's do it! | ~~~No, thanks
|
Serge: | Fargo:
...Norris? It's your boat, | Had enough?
so I guess you have the | I'll take you on anytime!
final say. |
|
Norris: |
It's my government's boat, |
and it wouldn't be the |
first time I've lost one |
in the line of duty. We |
won't get any further if |
we don't talk to the Sage, |
and this seems to be our |
best chance. Do it. |
|
Serge: |
Thanks. Okay, we'll take |
you on, Captain! |
|
Fargo: |
Good. |
That's the spirit! |
I'll meet you down |
at the casino! |
Don't chicken out now... |
Hah hahahaha! |
|
[Fargo leaves the room.] |
===========================================================
Casino, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[They have to have challenged Fargo for these scenes to occur. When the
party first enters, Sneff is spinning the compass-thing...unsuccessfully.]
Sneff:
Noooooo...!
Not again...!!!
Fargo:
Give it up, old man Sneff.
You don't have what it takes.
Just keep doing your shows,
that's all.
Sneff:
Nuff...!!!
One of these days, I'm gonna
slap your dirty fface wiff
a wad of cash and get the
hell offa this ship!
[Sneff leaves.]
Serge:
Um, if you don't mind my
asking, how long has he
been aboard the Zelbess?
Fargo:
Two years, seven months and
eleven days... or is it two
years, eleven months, and
seven days? Either way,
that old man has built up
quite a debt from this casino.
So now, I own him.
I suggest you don't let
the same happen to you!
Serge:
(Give me a break--we're close
enough to Marbule that I could
swim back there if I wanted to.
Well, probably. I could do it
if I still had my own body, but
I don't know how well Lynx
swims.)
Fargo:
Excuse me, everyone... May I
have your attention please...
I need to have a private
game with these folks.
Would you mind leaving
us alone for a while?
I'll clear any debts
you may have.
[Man]
Are you serious, Captain?
[Fargo nods.]
Fargo:
Did I stutter?
Serge:
(I just realized--not only does
he not stutter, he doesn't talk
like the other-world Fargo
either. Is the other Fargo's
pirate accent a put-on? And if
it is, why?)
[Man]
Alright!
[Man]
The captain is G-O-O-D!
Better watch it!
[Man]
Take it easy on 'em,
Captain.
Fargo:
Hah hahahahah!
[The other three gamblers leave.]
Fargo:
Thanks everyone.
I'll be done soon.
Fargo:
OK then, let's begin.
[Operator]
The usual, Captain?
Fargo:
Yes, '"Sudden Death."'
The rules are simple.
Press the x Button after
the dealer spins the compass.
We'll alternate turns.
The pointer will stop on
north, east, south or west.
Should the pointer stop on
south, where it stands now,
you lose.
Simple game, isn't it?
Just don't make the pointer
stop on south. It's a game of
luck rather than skill.
Norris:
It sounds to me as though skill,
in the form of timing, might
actually be rather important.
Fargo:
Nah, the pointer spins too fast
for that. Look, if you don't
trust me, how about, after the
pointer starts spinning, I don't
put my hands on the button until
you tell me to?
Norris:
The fact that you make the offer
suggests that, if you're
cheating, you're doing it some
other way.
Fargo:
Cheating? Not a chance. There's
no fun in winning at a rigged
game, my boy. Hahaha!
Serge:
(He sure laughs a lot. I'm
starting to think that Norris
is right and he does cheat.
The question is, how?)
Fargo:
Heh heh...
You're up.
Fargo: [if the spinner lands on anything but south]
...Luck of the devil...
Here we go.
[Eventually, Serge et al. will blow it, because at this
point, Fargo can't lose. When the game inevitably goes
south...]
Fargo:
Hah hahahah!
You've got a ways to go
before you can beat me!!!
[Fargo walks around the table until he's face-to-face
with Serge.]
Fargo:
Well then, it looks like
you owe me your boat.
Don't hold a grudge.
I won that game fair
and square.
I guess that means you'll
have to swim back!
Hah hahahaha!
[Fargo leaves the casino and returns to his cabin.]
Serge:
Something's not right. He's
too confident about winning.
No one's that lucky.
Radius:
I agree, my boy, but if he
really is cheating, the
mechanism isn't an obvious one.
[Norris walks over to where Fargo was standing while
they played and bends down to examine the equipment
there.]
Norris:
Nothing odd here. And he wasn't
communicating with the operator.
[Operator]
Gee, thanks. The captain just
really is that lucky, that's
all.
Serge:
Let's look around some more.
===========================================================
Inn, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, the demi-human desk clerk climbs
down the ladder behind the counter.]
[Demi-human]
Ohhh... Sorry about that!
...Didn't realize I had
a customer.
Please do excuse me, hehe...
So, what can I do for you?
[The inn's resident cat tries to climb up.]
[Demi-human]
HEY!
Don't go up there!!!
[The party huddles together off to one side]
Serge:
Wait a minute--aren't we right
below the casino?
Norris:
Two floors down. Whatever's
up the ladder would be right
below it.
Serge:
And that demi-human was up
there in the middle of the day
instead of manning his
desk... If Fargo came along
and noticed him slacking, he'd
be in trouble, unless...
Radius:
Unless Fargo was the one who
ordered him to be up there in
the first place. I agree, my
boy--this is definitely
suspicious.
Sprigg:
Suspicion izn't proof. The
deskman could just be lazy,
and willin' to risk gettin'
caught.
Serge:
We need to get up there, but
how? (The ladder's right out in
the open--there's no way we can
do this inconspicuously. We'd
have to be cats or something.)
===========================================================
Bar, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[The party has to have seen the first version of the show
and been to the inn for this scene to occur. When they
take up their position behind the table, Sneff enters.]
Sneff:
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Sneff's
ffantastic magic show!!!
How about we start offf
wiff my "Cat on a Hot Tin
Rooff," today?!
Serge:
(! If he turns us into cats,
we can wander all over the
ship without anyone paying
any attention to us.)
Sneff:
Do I have a volunteer
ffrom the audience?
You ffolks must be
new around here...
Would you like to volunteer?
~~~Sure | ~~~No, thanks
|
Sneff: | Sneff:
Excellent! | That's too bad.
Please step up | Then, ffor my card trick...
to the stage. |
| [Nothing more happens on this branch--the
Serge: | rest of the scene takes place only if the
(Here goes nothing.) | other one is chosen.]
[The party climbs up onto the stage.]
Sneff:
Are you ready!?
Serge:
Yes. (He'd better not
screw this up!)
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[Fingersnap/pink puff, and the party are all cats, who
run down off the stage. If Magus is in the party, he
becomes a purple cat, a la Alfador.]
Serge:
Mreow! Come on, everyone, now's
our chance!
Sneff:
Nuff!
Where do you think
you're going!?
[Sneff attempts pursuit, but...
Sneff:
Gotcha!!!
Sneff:
Ooooh nooooo!!!
I strained my back!!!
===========================================================
Dressing Room, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[I think this is what we get if we enter the dressing
room through the low gap in the right-hand wall of the
bar after being becatted, but before getting the handle...]
[Crewman]
Hey, Sneff,
you alright?
[Crewman]
Maybe you should take
it easy, Pops?
You're not getting
any younger!
Sneff:
SHUT UP!!!
I still got it!!!
[Crewman]
Yeah, yeah...
But, Pops, you can't
perform your magic now
that your back's out!
Plus, what are you going
to do about those people
you transformed into cats!?
Serge:
(Ulp! When I stepped up onto
that stage, I never thought
about getting stuck like this!
Being a cat for long enough to
poke around is one thing, but
being a cat for the rest of my
life, or at least until I get
my real body back from Lynx...
Mind you, having Lynx get stuck
as a cat might not be a bad
thing. And besides, Sneff's
back should heal eventually.
So I guess it's really just
one more annoying delay.)
Sneff:
I'm sorry, ffolks.
Actually, there's absolutely
no trick behind that magic.
An old troll gave me a
mysterious berry during
my travels, long ago.
She was saying someffing
about the Bend of Time...
Anyway, affter I ate the berry,
I was able to transfform people
into cats.
Sprigg:
And just who doez he think
he'z calling a troll, meow?
Serge:
Meow? I mean, Sprigg, that
was you?
Sprigg:
Heh. Picked that berry up at
the Bend of Time and didn't
know wot it did, so I waz
lookin' for someone to try
it on, and he waz the first
human I found, meow.
Norris:
Why not try it yourself, meow?
Sprigg:
Becauze I could tell it waz
magic, and ya don't try strange
magic out on yerself. If it
had turned out to be somethin'
nasty, I might have been able
to fix it for someone else,
but probably not for meo--ME.
Magus: [if present]
The Bend of Time... I know I've
heard that name before...
Sneff:
I wish I could change you
back to your human fform,
but my achin' back...
I'll need to lie down a bit,
so you'll have to stay that
way ffor a while.
I hope you understand...
Serge:
Meow! (Best I can do right
now--sorry, Sneff.)
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Also while becatted, I presume]
Fargo:
Now why is that threesome
looking for the sage...?
I don't like the fact that
they arrived here on a
Porre boat, either...
Who are they...?
Serge:
Meow! (So did he want our boat
so that he could trap us here,
or just so that he could get a
better look?)
Fargo:
Hello there, kitty...
Fargo:
She sure loved cats...
Serge:
("She"? He couldn't be talking
about...?)
Fargo:
Zelbess...
Fargo:
You would look into
the mirror and say...
'"How I pity you, mirror,
for man does not see you
as the mirror that you are."'
Did I see you as who you
were back then?
And is that my true
self I see now?
What would you think of
me if you saw me today...?
...Aboard this ship,
cheating people out
of money...
Fargo:
Zelbess...
Without you here,
everything is meaningless...
Serge:
(Hoo boy, I thought this guy was
more cheerful than the other-
world Fargo, but this is a lot
more depressing than just
blubbering about missing
dragons...)
===========================================================
Magical Dreamers Ship (Home)
===========================================================
[Crossing over to the other ship while becatted, the
party sneaks into Nikki's dressing room and sees...]
Nikki:
The song of the demi-humans...?
I've heard rumors about it,
but does it really exist...?
That song can save
Marbule, right?
Serge:
(Save Marbule? From those
freaky ghost-monster-things?)
Irenes:
Ja...
The only one who may know
about the true powers of
dis song may be the sage.
However, Fargo...
knowing so, will not return
the song...or rather
the sage...
Serge:
(So they're in the same
boat as we are, I guess.)
Nikki:
Wouldn't it make sense if
the sage just sang the song?
Irenes:
The sage ist no longer
physically able to sing...
He ist much too old for dis, and
all the labor he hast endured...
Only you can sing dis song.
Nikki:
Will I be able to perform
such an important song...?
Irenes:
Ja, of course.
For you are...
Oh, it ist not'ing.
In any case, there ist
not'ing to worry about.
Will you do it?
Serge:
(Bet she was going to say
"half-mermaid" there. Or
should that be "merman"?)
Nikki:
Fine.
You seem to feel really
strongly about this.
Plus, I want to know
more about the song...
Irenes:
T'ank you...
I am glad you accept.
I believe the sage can
be found outside a place
called the '"Grand Slam."'
Nikki:
You know...
For some reason, the more
I look at you, the more
nostalgic I feel...
Have we met somewhere before?
Irenes:
J-Ja...
Perhaps we have...
Serge:
(I guess I'll take pity
on her and distract him.)
Meow!
Irenes:
Oh...?
What are you doing here...?
Nikki:
Are you without a family?
Oh, then you're just like me.
Serge:
(Well, my father did run away,
just like his, so I guess I do
kind of understand...but at
least I've still got Mom. I
can't imagine what it would be
like if she was dead.)
[He rubs himself against Nikki's ankles.]
Serge:
Come on, Nikki, cheer up.
Purrrr...
Nikki:
So you like me, do you? ...I'd
rather have a cat than a
groupie any old day.
===========================================================
Above the Inn, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Demi-human]
Hehehe...
Pop's at it again...
[We see the demi-human spin the magnet contraption, affecting
the compass in the casino above. In the casino...]
Sneff:
Noooooo!
Why me!?
This happens to me
every time I start
winning big!!!
Fargo:
Hah hahaha!!!
Too bad, old man!
You have to learn
when to quit!
Sneff:
Nuff...!
I wanted to buy some
cat ffood ffor those ffolks...
Fargo:
Cat food...?
For whom?
Sneff:
Nuff...!
None of your beeswax!
Sneff:
O-O-Ouch...!!!
M-My back...
[Back in the hidden room...]
Serge:
(There's fresh fish all over
the place in El Nido, and he
wants to buy us cat food?! I
guess his heart's in the right
place, but he could at least
spring for some nice tuna, or...
This is weird--why do I have
this sudden craving for a patty
made from ground beef, covered
with cheese and served on a
bun?)
Um... I guess this means we've
found out how Fargo's cheating.
The question is, what do we do
about it, meow?
Norris:
That handle doesn't look all
that firmly attached. Once the
demi-human leaves, we can
probably just walk right up to
the machine and pull it off.
[The demi-human suddenly notices that he's under feline
observation...]
[Demi-human]
~!!!~
Phew...
Don't scare me like that...
Sprigg:
Guess he haz a guilty
conscience, meow.
[The demi-human leaves, allowing the party to steal the handle
from the magnet-contraption]
[System]
Lynx received
Handle!
===========================================================
Dressing Room, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[When they talk to Sneff after having gotten the crank...]
Sneff:
You had me worried sick!!!
I had to lie down a bit
because I strained
my back running...
Serge:
(I'd apologize if he
could understand me...)
Sneff:
Ffinally...
I'm able to stand up.
Sneff:
I'm not 100% better
yet, but...
I fink I can
change you back...
Serge:
(Oh, good. This whole four-
legged thing was starting
to get a bit old.)
[He steps up onto the table/stage at the back of the room]
Sneff:
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Sneff's
ffantastic magic show!!!
Sneff:
Uhhh...
I have to start offf like
that to concentrate.
Serge:
(Okay, whatever--I'm not
going to argue with his
methods.)
Sneff:
Anyway, here we go...
Sneff:
Are you ready!?
[Sneff]
One!
Two!
Free!
[Fingersnap/pink puff, and Serge et al. are back to normal.]
Norris:
How odd--it feels like I
still have a tail.
Harle:
You merely imagine
it. Humanz are so
bizarre.
Sneff:
Ffew...
That's a load offf
my shoulders...
I better stop using
that magic.
Listen, I'm very sorry
you had to put up
wiff being a cat.
Serge:
It's okay, really. It was a
very...educational experience.
(Come to think of it, where's
the handle from that machine?
I had it in my mouth... Oh,
there it is, in my pocket.
Whew.)
Sneff:
Still...
Iff there's anyffing
I can do to make it up
to you... I would like
to help, but...
Due to unfforeseen
circumstances, I'm
fforced to stay on
this ship...
Please do come by again
iff you're ever around.
The least I can do is
offfer you a cup of tea...
Serge:
Thanks, we'll keep that in mind.
(Wonder how long it's going to
take him to earn his way off
now that Fargo can't cheat
anymore...?
Yes, Serge, you can has cheezburger nao. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
One more installment to finish off the chapter, and then it's off to deal with the Masamune...
-
Replying to myself again... I'm getting lonely here. ;(
Anyway, after this, we shouldn't need to return to the Zelbess again for
a while...
17. Marbule - The village of the demi-humans... (Part III of III)
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, they find Fargo, who's standing out on the
balcony, talking to Nikki.]
Fargo:
I can't allow you to
go to the Grand Slam.
Nikki:
But why?
I really need to talk to
the sage about teaching
me the song...!
Or else...that
beautiful island, Marbule,
will be gone forever!
I can't just stand here
and do nothing...!
[Fargo turns to face Nikki.]
Fargo:
You don't understand...
True beauty is found
within a dying entity.
Therefore, I will watch over
Marbule when its time comes...
Furthermore, you and I
have a contract.
For the time being, you
are in my possession.
What am I supposed to do
should anything happen to you?
That would be a great
financial loss for me...
Nikki:
So you're saying
I'm nothing but a
mere object...
[Fargo turns back around]
Fargo:
......
If that is what you
think, so be it.
Serge:
(I don't get it. Why does he
want to hurt Nikki--his OWN
SON--so badly? What HAPPENED
to this guy when his wife died?)
[Nikki turns to leave, but in doing so, he notices something.]
[Nikki]
~!!!~
Nikki:
Th-That dressing table...
It looks exactly like
my mother's...!
Serge:
(And Fargo kept it? Right in
plain sight? You'd almost think
he WANTS Nikki to find him out.)
[Nikki walks over to look at the item of furniture in the lower right corner
of the room.]
Nikki:
There's even that scratch
I made when I was a child...!
Wait a minute...!?
[He turns to face Fargo]
Nikki:
Could it be that
you are my...
Father...!?
Serge:
(Bingo! Let's see you eel your
way out of this one, Captain
Fargo!)
Fargo:
......
Serge:
(Huh? He isn't even trying
to argue...)
Nikki:
The gentle and caring
father I used to know!?
You're my father,
aren't you!?
But why are you participating
in such dubious acts!?
[Fargo turns to face him again]
Fargo:
I am no longer the
father you once knew...
I lost everything when your
mother, Zelbess passed away...
Including myself...
Laugh at me all you want.
Pity me if you wish...
But remember this,
Nikki, man is not as
strong as you think.
Nikki:
......Father...
...I......
[Fargo turns away again, and Nikki leaves.]
Serge:
I don't get it.
Radius:
You would not: you are
far too young.
Harle:
Such nonsenze!
[If they speak to Fargo...]
Fargo:
Do you folks want to
challenge me again?
You know you can't
beat me.
~~~Let's do it! | ~~~Forget it, then
|
Serge: | Fargo:
This time, we'll kick | Hehehe... That's smart.
your ass! (Damn, I almost |
sound like...Kid...) | Serge:
| I just need to get ready,
Fargo: | that's all. We'll be back.
Oh really!? |
You folks never learn... |
I'll meet you down there. |
===========================================================
Casino, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
Fargo:
I thought you might
have chickened out.
Serge:
Not a chance. (Not this time,
when I know we can win.)
Harle:
Monsieur Lynx will kick your
derriere until you kiss the
moons!
Fargo:
Ha ha ha! You're confident,
even after being defeated--
I like that.
Fargo:
OK then, I'll go first...
[If the handle's gone, the pointer stops on South the very first time.]
Fargo:
WHAT...!?
Impossible!
Norris:
"Impossible"? If this truly is
a game of chance, then either
side should be equally likely
to lose.
Fargo:
......!!!
Interesting little
item you got there...
So I guess you found me out.
I lose...heh heh...
As promised, I'll give you
access to the Grand Slam.
Of course, you'll get your
boat back as well.
[On his way out of the room, Fargo stops beside Serge]
Fargo:
But how did you get
a hold of that handle?
Sprigg:
Heheh, that'd be tellin'. D'ya
really think we'd give up our
secrets to the likez of you?
===========================================================
SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Crewman]
The captain gave me the
OK to let you through.
But I'm warnin' ya!
You might not make it
out alive!
Magus: [if present]
Hmph. I doubt you have anything
back there that would present
us with a serious challenge--
this boat isn't big enough to
hold a dragon. Or even just a
hydra.
Serge:
Thanks--we'll be careful.
(What exactly IS this Grand
Slam thing anyway?)
===========================================================
Grand Slam Entrance, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[After following the elderly demi-human around for a while...]
Old Man:
Yes, what is it?
Why are you following me?
As you can see,
I am quite busy.
I do not have time
for a game of tag.
~~~Where's the Dead Sea? | ~~~It's nothing
|
Sage: | Sage:
The Dead Sea...? | If there is nothing in
Why do you wish to | particular, please leave.
enter the Dead Sea? | There is no point in you
Do you realize humans | hanging around here.
have stolen our land |
along with our legendary | [Branch ends. If the party speaks to him again and selects
treasure? | "yes", the conversation resumes from the next question.]
Humans will do anything
for profit, no matter
what the cost.
The demi-humans aboard
this ship are living
proof.
We have lost all sense
of pride, with no dreams
for tomorrow.
We just cling to the
mercy of humans every
day.
Harle:
Pleure moi donc une riviere
de larmes! Zey kick you and
you lie down and take it, is
zat it? If you are too weak
to fight back, zen you
deserve zis.
Radius:
Be quiet.
Harle:
I am so tired of travelling with
all these geezerz... Monsieur
Lynx, why must we stay with zem?
Sprigg:
It'z punishment for your
sinz, belike.
Serge:
(I can't think of a polite way
of saying "you're the one who
insisted on coming along," and
we might still need her, so I
guess I'll just keep my mouth
shut.)
Radius:
This isn't about you, girl.
Sage of Marbule, I am sorry
that humans have done you such
injury, but we are not all
alike--
Sage:
You are...Radius, the headman
of Arni.
Radius:
Yes.
Sage:
And tell me, where was Arni
when we were driven from our
village?
Radius:
...
Sage:
You claim that you are not
all alike, and yet you humans
all seem to have one trait in
common: you consider members
of other races to be little
more than cattle. You are only
interested in us for as long
as you find us useful, and if
we get in your way, you crush
us without mercy.
Sage:
Why must we demi-humans
lend a hand to humans?
What will you do if
I refuse...?
Will you go as far as
using brute force?
~~~Of course! | ~~~Let's talk it over...
|
Sage: | Sage:
I see... | Heh heh heh...
Then prepare yourselves... | So you wish to
| avoid conflict?
[Combat begins] | You also need the
| courage to defeat others
| to get through life.
| Do not forget.
|
| [End of branch. The rest of the scene takes place
| only if the fight does.]
[Combat ends]
Sage:
Hmmm...
I sense that you are quite
serious about entering the
Dead Sea...
Serge:
(Is he saying that he wasn't
fighting us seriously? Oh,
man...)
Sage:
Could it be that you are
carrying the burden of fate
for the human race, no,
for all life-forms...?
Serge:
Um, I wouldn't go quite that
far... (I have a hard enough
time being responsible for
just me, never mind the entire
world!)
Sage:
Let me give you this...
I am sure you will be able
to put it to good use.
But just remember...opening
a new gate also brings
forth a new misfortune.
Do not forget.
[System]
[Member] received
Fiddler Crab!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present...]
Magus:
Hmph. Philosophical twaddle.
There is no such thing as fate.
I refuse to believe in a
construct that would render all
of my actions meaningless.
Sage:
I gather that free will is
extremely important to you.
A very human form of
stubbornness. Are you
truly a Mystic, or...?
Magus:
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sage:
There is an area near
the Dead Sea where the
tides are different.
Use that item there.
Nature will take
over from there.
Serge:
("Where the tides are
different..." I think that's in
the southern part of the reefs,
not quite facing Marbule. I've
never been there though...or
at least, not when I wasn't
out of my mind with fever.)
[Nikki enters--not through the door to the rest of the ship, but from the outside, as though
he climbed down the side of the hull.]
Nikki:
Finally...
Nikki:
I knew I'd find you here...
You know the legendary
song of Marbule, right?
I want you to teach me
the song...
Please...!
Sage:
Why do humans have
to be so selfish?
Serge:
(Here we go again.)
Sage:
That song only has a place
in the hearts of demi-humans.
Why should I teach you the song?
Serge:
(I guess he doesn't know that
Zelbess was Nikki's mother...
or is this just another one
of his tests?)
Nikki:
Irenes asked me...
Sage:
Heh... I see that
she has not given up.
Nikki:
But it's not only
because she asked me to.
I personally have a great
interest in that song.
A beautiful song, originating
from a beautiful island...
I'm not 100% sure I'll be
able to pull it off...
But if it means I can save
someone through my song...
Serge:
(Wow... Humility isn't something
I would have expected from him,
but I guess he takes his music
seriously after all.)
Sage:
There was once a man
just like you...
Nikki:
......!
Who?
Sage:
Fargo...
Serge:
(...I could believe that,
I guess.)
Nikki:
...My father!?
Sage:
Ahhh, so you are his son...
I guess history does
repeat itself.
I had high hopes
for that man.
High hopes that he would one
day tear down the wall between
demi-humans and humans.
But look at us now.
The walls seem even higher.
Serge:
(I doubt there were any walls
between Zelbess and Fargo when
they...come to think of it, HOW
did they? How are mermaids put
together down there?)
Nikki:
Please...
Don't speak badly
of my father...
No one understands
the pain and suffering
he's going through!
Even though he has built up
this lively place, he screams
in sorrow alone, within his
dark, deep self...
But I can hear him!
His screams of despair,
which no one else can hear...
or wants to hear...
Sage:
......
So you can
hear him, too...
Serge:
...
Nikki:
I beg of you, please...
I bet if my father
hears that song...
Serge:
(I think it's going to take a
lot more than just a song to
sort out this world's Fargo.)
Sage:
I am sorry, but I have
other areas of the ship
I must mop...
Nikki:
But...!
Sage:
...While I hum
myself a song...
[The Sage leaves. Nikki stares after him.]
Nikki:
Then you'll...!?
[Nikki turns back to speak to the party for a moment.]
Nikki:
I saw the way you
fought back there.
I've been looking for
tough guys like you.
It would be an honor
if we could talk inside
my ship.
Serge:
Um...yeah, sure. (An honor?
That's a bit much, isn't it?
And anyway, do we have time
for whatever it is he wants?)
[Nikki leaves.]
===========================================================
Casino, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, the compass is spinning to a stop.]
[Man]
What's goin' on!?
What's up with old man
Sneff today!?
[Man]
Ever since the captain
lost, Sneff's been on
a winning streak!
Serge:
(That's because Fargo can't
cheat anymore, or at least not
until he fixes that magnet-
thing or I give him the handle
back.)
[Serge pats his pocket.]
Sneff:
Hyah-hyah-hyah!!!
Jackpots galore, baby!!!
This is why I can't
stop gambling!
Lady luck is wiff me
today, baby!
Now I can pay offf my debt
to the dirty captain!!!
[He turns to face the party.]
Sneff:
Oh, it's you!
Luck has ffinally
come my way!
I'm gonna pay offf
my debt and get the
hell offa this ship!
Serge:
That's great. (Although he might
do a bit better if he stopped
relying on luck so much!)
===========================================================
Dressing Room, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, Sneff is talking to the two random performers in the
pirate outfits.]
[Crewman]
Hey, Pops, I heard
you paid off your
debt to Fargo...
You're not pullin'
my leg, are you?
Sneff:
Why would I lie about
someffing like that!?
There's no reason ffor
me to stay here now.
I'm gettin' offa here.
[Peppor]
Th-This is kinda sad...
It was 3 years ago when...
you shook us in after you
found us wandering around
with amnesia...
Serge:
(! I'd wondered what those
two were doing here... I wonder
what happened? They might have
been part of the expedition to
the Dead Sea! Should I try to
snap them out of it...? Hmmm.
Maybe not. They're such
knuckleheads that it would be
difficult making any sense out
of whatever they might have to
say...and with my luck, they'd
just turn out to have fallen off
the boat on the way there!)
[Solt]
We are greatly grateful
to you...!!!
We still have a ways to go
with our stand up comedy
act, but one day, we will
really, truly make you laugh!
Sneff:
Lank and Stout...
Iff I run into any
of your comrades,
I'll be sure to tell
them you're doin' well.
Serge:
(We're the ones more likely to
run into their comrades...if
any of them are still alive...)
Sneff:
Good luck to you
guys, too...
And go on that diet, already.
[Crewman]
Yeah, I know...
Sniff...
Sneff:
Come on, guys,
Nuff mopin' around.
This won't be the last
time I see you.
Take care, everyone.
[Sneff turns and almost leaves, but the party is in his way. He turns back.]
Sneff:
......
Nah...
Fforget it...
[Crewman]
Huh? But why...!?
You were always talkin'
about gettin' outta here...
Sneff:
...Not until you're able
to handle 4 swords...
And not until someone
laughs at Lank and Stout's
jokes...
I can't just leave my
ffamily behind...
[Crewman]
P-Pops!!!
Serge:
Family?
Sneff:
Yeah. Ffirst time I ever
bothered to ffink about it,
but I've been here ffor so
long that they really do ffeel
that way to me.
Well then, who's up next?
[Peppor]
W-We are!
[Solt]
Rightly right!!!
[The two head out to take their turn on stage]
Sneff:
And you two should
be practicin'
instead of crying!
[Crewman]
Yes, sir!
[Crewman]
It feels good
bein' yelled at
by Pops again...
[The two pirate-clad men start juggling cutlery]
Sneff:
And you ffolks... I can't help
thinkin' that you were
responsible ffor all this
somehow. Iff I can help you,
call on me any time.
Serge:
Yeah, sure, we'll do that.
(Although I really hope we
don't need to be turned into
cats again!)
===========================================================
Main dressing room, Magical Dreamers Ship (Home)
===========================================================
[The beginning of the Save Marbule quest. When the party
arrives...]
Nikki:
Rockin'!
I knew you'd come!
Nikki:
Well, now that we're
all here, here's my idea.
How would you all like to
save an island with a song?
Serge:
(He wants us to help him
save Marbule?)
Miki:
Hah! Think before
you speak, Nikki!
You've gotta be
out of your mind!
Nikki:
No, I'm serious.
According to Irenes,
the island of Marbule is
infested with monsters.
Their only weakness is a
demi-human song that the
sage knows...
While we perform our gig
near the island, these
people will exterminate
all the monsters.
That's the plan.
Of course you'll help
out, right?
~~~Of course! | ~~~No, we can't
|
Nikki: | Nikki:
Rockin'! | ......!?
I knew you'd help. | But you're my only hope!
| I have no one else to turn to!
Radius: | Besides, you owe the sage
We could not possibly | a favor, don't you? Please...!
leave Marbule in such |
a terrible condition. | Serge:
| (Man, isn't he a bit old to be
| acting this way? He's got to be
| at least my age... But I guess
| we really don't have a choice
| after all. Sorry, Kid, but
| you might have to wait a little
| longer.) Okay, okay, we'll help.
Irenes:
I shall gat'er all the
demi-humans on dis ship
to play backup instruments.
It will be difficult for
humans to play the proper
notes for our song...
Serge:
(How difficult could it be?
It's just music...and I would
have expected Nikki's band to
be really angry that Irenes
thinks they're not up to it,
but they're just sitting there
and taking it. Weird.)
Miki:
But don't we have to
bring this ship over
to Marbule?
Our ship's chained to
the Zelbess, you know?
And plus we have a contract
with that Fargo guy!
We can't just leave...!
Serge:
(Fargo might not fight too hard
if Nikki really wanted out of
the contract, but...)
Nikki:
Yes, I know.
I don't intend to go
with our ship alone.
Wouldn't want to disappoint
our fans aboard the Zelbess...
Serge:
(I'm surprised that matters
to him...although when you
get right down to it, without
fans, he'd just be a two-bit
performer like Sneff.)
Nikki:
The only hurdle left to clear
now is how to convince my fath...
I mean, Fargo.
Norris:
How do you expect to do that?
I don't claim to know him well,
but Fargo is clearly a stubborn
man.
Nikki:
Well, actually... I was hoping
that someone else would have an
idea, because I sure don't!
Irenes:
Nor do I... I have been trying
for years, but he ist, as you
say, a stubborn man. It seems
dat the only one who can
persuade Fargo...ist Fargo.
Serge:
(!)
Sprigg:
Ya have that look on yer face
again, boyo. Do ya have an idea?
Serge:
Maybe. It all depends on whether
we can reopen the gate. (If the
only one who can persuade Fargo
is Fargo, then just maybe, if
we bring the OTHER Fargo here,
then...)
Nikki:
I have no clue what you're
talking about, but whatever. If
you think you can pull it off,
I'll leave you to it.
Miki:
Hey, you know... This is
starting to sound interesting...
It's almost like a test to see
how far we can take our show.
Nikki:
So you're with me on
this, Miki!?
Great! Let's get ready
for rehearsal, everyone!
Nikki:
Thank you for your
support, Sage.
Sage:
Heh heh heh...
I trust you will
put on a good '"gig!"'
Serge:
(That sounds kind of weird,
coming from him.)
Irenes:
Excuse me...
Irenes:
We seem to have involved
you in quite a task...
If there ist anyt'ing at
all I can do, I will be
glad to offer my help...
Serge:
I...don't think so. Not right
now, anyway. (First Sneff, and
now her. When did we get to be
so popular?)
===========================================================
Nikki's Room(?), Magical Dreamers Ship (Home)
===========================================================
[If they speak to Miki(?)]
Miki:
I know he's really into it,
but Nikki has yet to come
up with a script...
When can we expect to
get some rehearsals done...?
Serge:
Relax, I'm sure he'll
think of something.
[Roadie]
Nikki, you do realize that
this concert has a lot more
riding on it than just
pleasing the fans...
Good luck!
Oh, and I have a message
from the sage.
It says...
'"Use the Fiddler Crab
where the tide around
the Dead Sea differs."'
I have no idea what it means.
I hope you do!
Good job, everyone!
Serge:
I think I've got some idea.
(To the south, I think.)
[If they talk to Irenes]
Irenes:
Ist there änyone out there
who can convince Fargo...?
Serge:
I think there is. (Convincing
the other Fargo to come here
may be a bit of a tall order,
though.)
In case anyone is wondering, Harle's French-language remark to the Sage would be best
translated as "Cry me a river!" (It's a 90% literal translation of the English idiom, actually.)
In the next chapter, things start to get more serious again as Our Heroes have to deal
with the Masamune and Garai's ghost. It's a short chapter, even with the material I transplanted
from this one, so there should be only one installment. After that, it's on to the Dead Sea
and the second pivotal scene of the game...
-
One good reply deserves another. Keep it up! :kamina
-
Thanks, skylark.
I wanted to post this last night, but the proxy I use was having one of its
usual hissy fits... Anyway, this one turned out to be Radius' chapter, which
is really not all that surprising. The amount of new material I ended up
inserting, even though I decided it would be best not to change the flashbacks,
was...a bit more so. And I'm not sure I'm entirely happy about Serge's last line,
even though I re-wrote it half a dozen times, since I'm not 100% sure whether
the Radius line immediately previous to it refers to the Masamune...or to the
Einlanzer. That part was Not Fun. And I never did get to stick Magus with a
frog-related (or should that be Frog-related?) line. Oh, well...
19. The Masamune - The blood-stained sword of evil...
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris.
Recruitable: None
===========================================================
Death's Door (Home)
===========================================================
[They arrive and get off the boat.]
Magus: | Radius:
...I know this sensation, | Hmmm...
this distortion in the air | I sense something
that whispers of darkness | strange in the air...
and broken dreams. Let's go. | Stay alert, Serge.
I want to know where these | Let us proceed.
dark energies are coming |
from. |
Serge:
Let's get this over with.
(Urgh, I never realized just
how much HAIR Lynx has until
it all started standing on
end. Maybe he just stole my
body so that he wouldn't
spend all his time puffed up
like a fuzzball while he poked
around the Sea of Eden...)
[They come to a stop in front of a mound with a sword sticking out of it.]
Radius:
W-What is the evil sword,
Masamune, doing here!?
Norris:
The Masamune? I thought it was
nothing more than a myth of
northern Zenan!
Sprigg:
It'z more than a myth, boyo.
We Mysticz remember the sword
that killed Lord Magus and
ended our dreamz. The question
iz, 'ow did it get 'ere from
Guardia?
Norris:
It was rumoured to have gone
missing in the fighting at
Guardia Castle when we invaded
the north. To my knowledge,
this is the first time anyone
has seen it since.
Radius:
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is in the party, he staggers and lifts a hand to
his forehead.]
Serge:
Hey, are you okay? (We don't
need anyone collapsing on us,
not when we're so close!)
Harle:
Do not waste your time, Monsieur
Lynx--ze stubborn mage would not
accept our help even if he were
about to fall over dead!
[Magus straightens up.]
Magus:
...I know that sword. I've seen
it before, and felt its aura.
Norris:
Then you know how it got
here from the continent?
Magus:
No.
Serge:
Wait a minute--by before, do
you mean BEFORE before? Like,
before you lost your memory?
(Oh, man, Guile's going to have
a fit when he hears about
this...)
Magus:
I believe that may be the case.
All I remember is a fleeting
image of a rather odd-looking
silhouette charging at me with
that sword raised above its
head, in a dark stone room with
a magic circle emblazoned on the
floor... Some previous owner of
the Masamune must have wanted
me dead. I wonder why...?
Sprigg:
Perhapz 'e didn't appreciate
yer natural charm.
Magus:
If that was meant to be a joke,
I fail to see the humour in it.
Harle:
Must we discuss
zis maintenant?
Norris:
Perhaps a later time would
be more appropriate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Radius steps forward, and there's an explosion of black and purple radiance.
The screen wavers.]
Radius:
Ugh... It's no use...
We will not be able to
proceed without going mad.
Radius:
Serge...
We have no choice but
to withdraw for now.
[Fadeout. When the party reappears, they're standing on the shore beside the boat.]
Radius:
The path appears to be
blocked off by that sword.
He must already be in there...
The negative sentiment
associated with that
sword has intensified.
It will be impossible to
proceed without going mad...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present...]
Norris:
Magus, you said you've
encountered this sword before.
If you survived having it used
against you, you must have
defeated it somehow.
Magus:
Not necessarily. The sword I
remember didn't have nearly so
intense an aura. It was no more
dangerous than you would expect
a sharp-edged weapon capable of
penetrating magical defenses to
be. Even if my memory were
intact, I might not know how to
deal with it in its present
form.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Sprigg, you said the Mystics
were familiar with the
Masamune... (If we keep talking,
someone should have an idea.
I hope.)
Sprigg:
We 'ave some legendz that we
uze as bedtime storiez for the
kiddiez. I wouldn't want to bet
my life on there being any truth
in something like that.
Serge:
(Damn it all, someone's got to
have an idea! Who hasn't spoken
up yet? Harle, I guess. And
Radius. Wait a moment, didn't
Radius say--)
Norris:
Sir Radius, you said that the
negative sentiment associated
with the Masamune has
"intensified." What was it like
when you first encountered it,
then?
Radius:
...
Serge:
Radius, we need to know. If
there's a way forward, and
you know it but won't TELL
us about it...
Norris:
You cannot expect us to
give up now, on the very
shores of the Dead Sea!
Radius:
...Only the dragon sword,
Einlanzer, can break the
seal of the Masamune.
Norris:
The Einlanzer?
The sword forged by
ancient Dragonians?
[Radius nods.]
Radius:
Yes...
The legendary holy sword,
forged by the Dragonites...
I have placed that sword to rest
beside its rightful owner, Garai.
Serge:
(Garai? The dead Dragoon Deva?
That Garai? I suppose that makes
sense, but why does Radius look
so guilty? That isn't the
expression of someone missing a
dead friend, that's--)
Radius:
May he rest in peace
within that cavern...
Although it pains me
to disturb his eternal sleep,
we have no other choice...
Norris:
This cavern... Is it near
here?
Radius:
We know it today as the
'"Isle of the Damned."'
It used to be an ordinary cavern
until it mutated into a nesting
ground for demons...
Sprigg:
Soundz like a great place
for a vacation.
Radius:
I believe this may be the
result of Garai's sentiments
which lingered.
A negative sentiment, which
the holy sword could not
even restrain.
Magus: | Sprigg:
What are you not telling us? | Soundz fishy to me.
That sort of evil isn't created | There's somethin' yer
out of nothing. What happened to | still not tellin' us.
make this Garai so attached to |
the world that he felt he must |
linger even in death? |
Radius:
...
Serge:
Is there anything we need to do
before we go there to get the
Einlanzer? (I agree that there's
something Radius isn't telling
us, but unless it gets in our
way, we shouldn't waste time on
it.)
Radius:
In order to make our way
in there, we need a certain
item that Garai used while
he was still alive.
I have stored it away in a hut
where Garai and I used to train.
We must go and get this item...
===========================================================
Hermit's Hideaway
===========================================================
[When the party arrives, Radius pauses beside the garden]
Serge:
(...I guess he has a lot of
important memories of this
place... That would explain
why he settled here in the
other world.)
Radius:
......
Dario's father, Garai,
and I used to frequent
this island for our
training...
===========================================================
Flashback, Hermit's Hideaway
===========================================================
[As the screen fades back in, we see Garai and Radius sparring. They go at it for
a moment or two before Garai knocks Radius down.]
Radius:
Sigh...
I lose again...
[Garai lowers his sword and backs off]
Garai:
Hmph!
You're always a
half-step too slow.
And you have a habit
of turning your wrist
when you swing down.
I can read your every move.
Radius:
Hah! You're about the only one
who knows that, since we
practice together so often.
Garai:
And I thought
I was a genius.
Radius:
Yeah, right...
[Fadeout as the two begin to laugh. With the screen still black,
Radius speaks again:]
Radius:
The Einlanzer is a legendary
holy sword passed onto
the most skilled swordsman
of the Acacia Dragoons.
It belonged to Garai before
Dario took over the title.
He was a magnificent dragoon...
Serge:
He was a Deva, right? Along
with you and General Viper
and Zappa, the smith from
Termina.
Norris:
That must have been quite
an impressive team.
Radius:
...
Serge:
Something happened to him,
didn't it?
Radius:
...
===========================================================
Flashback, Divine Dragon Falls (?)
===========================================================
[Garai is standing near the entrance. Radius is several steps
ahead of him, staring at the Masamune, which is sunk point-down
into the ground.]
Radius:
Could this really be it?
The sword of legend...
the Masamune!!!
[Radius walks forward to examine the sword more closely]
Radius:
My word...
Garai:
Leave it alone!
There's something...
wrong about this.
Radius:
What could be wrong?
This is a legendary
sword!!!
[Radius grabs the sword and pulls it from the ground.]
Garai:
No!
Don't touch it!
[Radius turns back to face Garai]
Radius:
See, Garai...
Radius:
There's nothing
to fear!
Garai:
......
Hmm, perhaps not.
Let's go, Radius!
No use hanging round
this eerie place.
[Garai turns and leaves. Radius lowers the Masamune, but makes
no attempt to follow.]
Radius:
Aahhh...
===========================================================
Hermit's Hideaway
===========================================================
Radius:
The Masamune...
That sword is cursed
with hate and sorrow...
Anyone who lays his hands
on it will be overcome
with negative sentiments
and will be driven mad...
I......
Radius:
......
Enough talk from
an old man...
Just wait here a moment.
[Radius leaves the rest of the party and goes inside the hut
for a moment.]
Norris:
He still has not told us what
happened to Garai.
Sprigg:
I think it'z pretty clear.
Serge:
(It is?)
Sprigg:
Radius picked up that sword,
didn't 'e? It drove 'im 'round
the bend, from the sound of it--
Harle:
The geezer returns...
[Radius climbs back down from the hut to join them.]
Radius:
Sorry to keep you waiting.
With this mirror, we should be
able to make it to the inner
parts of the Isle of the Damned.
[System]
Radius put away
Garai's Keepsake.
Serge:
(I guess that means we're off
to fight ghosts and demons now.
They'd better get out of my way,
because if killing them all over
again is the only way to get to
Lynx and the Sea of Eden, I'll
do it.)
===========================================================
Shore, Isle of the Damned (Home)
===========================================================
[Upon first entering the area, everyone stops to look around.]
Norris:
So this is the Isle
of the Damned.
Sprigg:
Doezn't 'ave much of an
atmosphere, doez it?
Magus: [if present]
And I thought that damned
boat stank of death.
Harle:
A good place to hide a body,
among all zeez other bones,
non? Were you hoping zat ze
evidence of your sin would
disappear, geezer?
Radius:
...
Serge:
(Uh-oh, this isn't good--he
isn't slapping Harle down the
way he's been doing ever since
he joined up with us. I'd better
get this show on the road before
Radius cracks completely.)
We're wasting time. Let's go.
Harle:
Anything for you,
Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
(Arrgh...)
===========================================================
Grave, Isle of the Damned (Home)
===========================================================
[Serge bends down to examine the gravestone]
~~~~[Member1]
~~~~[Member2]
~~~~[Member3]
May you all rest in peace
Magus: | Serge:
It appears that someone here | (If this is a joke,
enjoys frightening the credulous | it isn't funny.)
with children's tricks. |
Radius:
No... Garai...!
Nary a day passes
when I haven't looked
back on that day...
[Serge stands up and Radius walks up to kneel by the grave
in his stead]
Radius:
I was overcome by the
power of that sword!
===========================================================
Flashback (Unknown Setting--outside DD Falls?)
===========================================================
[Garai and Radius are walking down a path together.]
Garai:
Who'd have thought we'd
find the Masamune in a
place like this...!?
Radius:
I know...
[As they begin to pass over a bridge in front of a waterfall]
Radius:
Hey, Garai...
Garai:
What?
[Radius attacks Garai from behind, with the Masamune.]
Garai:
Aaarrrggghhh...!?
What the...?
[Garai collapses, and Radius begins to laugh.]
Radius:
HAHAHAHAHAA!
Now I'm the top
swordsman of the
Acacia Dragoons!
Radius:
Hah, I did it!
I'm the greatest!
HAHAHAHAAH...
[He drops the Masamune]
Radius:
Huh?
What happened?
Radius:
Oh Lord...?
What have I done?
[Radius staggers back from Garai's body and falls to his knees]
Radius:
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
[Pan up and fade out as Radius screams at the sky.]
===========================================================
Grave, Isle of the Damned (Home)
===========================================================
[Now Radius is standing in front of the grave, with the others around him.]
Radius:
I know I lost my sanity
because of that sword...
But I must admit, the sword
is not entirely to blame.
I was jealous of Garai...
I wanted to be the better
swordsman.
The once renowned Masamune...
'"The Holy Sword That
Conquered Darkness."'
Could it be merely a
tool for murder...?
Magus: [if present]
All swords are tools for
murder. Only a fool could
believe otherwise.
[Light flowers at the top of the gravestone, and the headland begins to
shake]
[Garai]
Should you feel remorse
for what you have done,
then may you fall by my
sword, you traitor!
[Garai's ghost shoots up from below the edge of the cliff and brandishes its
swords above its head.]
Radius:
Garai!?
No...!
Serge:
(Is that what a real ghost
looks like? Those things on
the Invincible weren't
anything like this!)
[Radius runs forward to confront the ghost]
Radius:
Listen to me, Garai!
We need the Einlanzer to
seal the cursed evil sword!
Serge:
Uh...Radius? I don't
think he--
Garai:
Then express your
intent to the Einlanzer...
...As a true swordsman would do.
You must defeat me to proceed!
Serge:
Sir Garai, we need to--
Radius:
In order to believe
in what is right...
must one suffer
pain and sorrow?
Serge:
(It's like we're not even
here... and maybe, to them,
we aren't. I think they're
off in their own little world,
finishing what happened three
years ago...)
Garai:
Do not hesitate.
Show me the pride and honor
of the Acacia Dragoons.
Come, Radius!
Serge:
(After this is over, I never
want to see another ghost
again!)
[Combat. When the party wins...]
[System]
[Member] received
[Einlanzer]!
[Radius walks back down to address himself to the gravestone again]
Radius:
I have always been prepared
to fall to a sword held by
one of your sons...
Perhaps Glenn will take
on that role, now that
Dario is gone.
Serge:
(I want so badly to tell him
not to be an idiot. The Glenn
in the other world...well, it
was kind of obvious that Radius
was important to him, so how
does this Radius think that
this world's Glenn could get mad
enough at him to kill him? Of
course, this world's Glenn may
not still be alive...)
Radius: [Speaking as he walks down toward the exit]
However, I must attend to
some unfinished business.
Please wait a little longer.
Garai... Forgive me, my friend...
===========================================================
Death's Door (Home)
===========================================================
[As they approach the Masamune, the screen begins to vibrate. The sword is still
giving off waves of pinkish light.]
Magus: [if present]
Hmph. It looks like its
temper hasn't improved.
Norris:
Sir Radius, if you
would...?
Radius:
Oh, Garai...
We shall use the holy
powers of the Einlanzer...
[Radius pulls out the Einlanzer and stabs it into the ground.]
Radius:
The sword is a reflection of
one's soul. How I pity you...
You've done no wrong, either.
[The shaking and waves of light fade away as the Masamune floats upward
from its resting place and shatters.]
Serge:
(Huh? Did it dissolve, or was
that some kind of fancy
disappearing act?)
Radius:
I just hope that, one day,
that sword will be
freed of enmity...
Serge:
(Um, let me get this straight.
The Masamune...reflects the
wielder's soul, and...well...
it's a sword. It's meant for
killing things. So how could
it ever be "freed of enmity"?
To do that, the next person
to pick it up would have to
go around killing his FRIENDS...
I think I might be happier if
I didn't think about that too
hard.)
And there we have it. I expect that the next chapter will end up being Magus', at least
until the combat with Miguel starts. I also expect that I'll have to post it in two
parts, and it may take a while, since it's the second of the pivotal chapters.
-
"Serge:
Let's get this over with.
(Urgh, I never realized just
how much HAIR Lynx has until
it all started standing on
end. Maybe he just stole my
body so that he wouldn't
spend all his time puffed up
like a fuzzball while he poked
around the Sea of Eden...)"
Someone needs to draw this now. :3 Fluffy Lynx...
"Radius:
Yes...
The legendary holy sword,
forged by the Dragonites...
I have placed that sword to rest
beside its rightful owner, Garai."
I know they say that in-game but it still bothers me. Everyone calls them Dragonians, and all of a sudden he calls them Dragonites. Reminds me of (http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/d/de/Spr_3e_149.gif)
"Norris:
He still has not told us what
happened to Garai.
Sprigg:
I think it'z pretty clear.
Serge:
(It is?)"
Haha Serge. Haha. I really like this Serge you've created. I have to wonder--you're saying all these chapters are like "Magus's" or "Radius's" but is there a Sprigg chapter? XD I'm really not expecting one, but I had to ask, since even she has become more likable in your script.
-
@Katie Skyye: I'm full of painkillers again, so please forgive me if some bits of this don't quite seem to make sense.
Fluffy Lynx... Sounds really pettable until you consider the personality that would go with the fluff, doesn't it? ;)
Dragonites... Yeah, I should have changed it; I've corrected stupid goofs from the original in other places. What the heck was their copyeditor thinking--or did they even bother to hire one?
Heh. Serge can be a little slow on the uptake at times, can't he? I've been trying to depict him as a fairly ordinary, basically good-hearted young guy who's suddenly gotten tossed into the middle of this huge mess and really just wants to get himself and his friends back out of it again, without letting the world get destroyed in the process...
Sprigg doesn't really get a chapter of her own (I haven't even decided whether she's going to get a scene in the side stuff, or what form it's going to take if she does), but in the original she gets no screen time to speak of after the party escapes from the pocket dimension where they find her, and I've been trying to fix that--after all, part of the reason I got rid of so many PCs was to keep the ones that were left from being short-changed!
(When you get right down to it, there are only a limited number of chapters in this script that I would describe as belonging to a specific PC, but 18 really does seem to revolve completely around Radius and his backstory.)
-
Serge probably wouldn't mind, but if I tried to pet Lynx I'd probably lose my arm. -sigh-
Ah, well the Radius/Garai/Dario stuff is really important to the plot, so it makes sense. I just happen to have a fondness for Sprigg--not only is she a Mystic, who are pretty much nonexistent in this game (despite their pivotal role in CT...), but she's also amusing. :D
I dunno. I like the continuity nods you're making. I mean, the actual game just sort of throws the events of CT at you in certain spots, but when you bring up stuff like Magus' fall it's like, "Oh yeah, this IS the CT universe!" so we're more prepared when the original gang shows up in ghost form.
-
I can just see the comic now... The entire party converges on fluffy Serge-Lynx, who protests a bit, but then zones out as soon as they start petting him and rolls around on his back, purring and waving his arms and legs in the air. And Harle remembers the real Lynx reacting exactly the same way, although she had to spike his drink with catnip to get to loosen up enough to let himself be petted. :lol:
Maybe I should have Sprigg sit down for a drink with Radius and compare notes on what it's like travelling with all these young whippersnappers.
Yeah, the lack of continuity is one of the other things that I'm trying to fix. Poor Magus, though--he is not going to be happy when they run into the Lithosphere Investigation Report, let alone all the rest of it.
-
I can just see the comic now... The entire party converges on fluffy Serge-Lynx, who protests a bit, but then zones out as soon as they start petting him and rolls around on his back, purring and waving his arms and legs in the air. And Harle remembers the real Lynx reacting exactly the same way, although she had to spike his drink with catnip to get to loosen up enough to let himself be petted. :lol:
Maybe I should have Sprigg sit down for a drink with Radius and compare notes on what it's like travelling with all these young whippersnappers.
Yeah, the lack of continuity is one of the other things that I'm trying to fix. Poor Magus, though--he is not going to be happy when they run into the Lithosphere Investigation Report, let alone all the rest of it.
I'll just sum up my reaction to all three statements: Made of win! :D
-
Here's the first half. And yeah, Magus did as I pretty much expected and ran away with it. I think I also wrote more new text for this chapter than for all three of the previous ones put together, although it's possible that that's just me...
19. The Dead Sea - A place forsaken by the gods... Part I
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris.
Recruitable: None
===========================================================
Dead Sea (Home)
===========================================================
[The party emerges onto a sort of ledge, or beach, above the frozen
waves of the Dead Sea. Overhead, dark clouds seethe.]
Serge:
I guess this is it. The Dead
Sea. (Man, this is freaky.
Waves aren't supposed to...
just stop...like that.)
Norris:
The ocean is frozen in place,
although it is not nearly cold
enough for ice to form... It
is like a scene out of a
nightmare.
Harle:
...
Magus: [if present]
A time freeze, and over such
a wide area... The power that
went into creating this must
have been immense.
Sprigg:
More practically, there'z some
kind of big shadow over that
way. Could be a buildin'.
Radius:
Or just a place where two frozen
waves collided, but it seems as
good a goal as any. There isn't
much else here.
Serge:
(Oh, it's a building, all right.
I can feel it, somehow. There's
this lump in my stomach that
won't go away...but I'm not
turning back. Not now.)
Let's go.
===========================================================
Lithosphere Investigation Report Room
===========================================================
[They walk in and examine the console.]
Serge:
I don't pretend to know what
this thing is, but there's a
light blinking in the middle
of it all, so maybe it still
works...?
Norris:
So many strange things
happening here...
The power source is still active.
I do have knowledge of
electrical engineering.
Can you give me a minute, sir?
Serge:
Sure, go ahead. (Maybe we'll
learn something from it, if it
doesn't blow up or something
ugly like that.)
Norris:
Let's see...
[He messes around with the equipment a bit]
Norris:
......There...
The monitor should be able
to display some information, sir.
[The monitor lights up with a diagram of what looks like a
demented sea urchin--that is, Lavos. The screen changes to
a (mostly monochromatic red) image of the Day of Lavos, and
the following text appears over it...]
[Monitor]
2300 A.D.
Lithosphere Investigation Report
~
~
- Report no. 27 -
~
[Unknown Life Force,
Parasitic to the Planet]
Geologic Stratum Result - 65,000,000 B.C.
Code - '"Lavos"'
[Back to the room with the monitor]
Radius:
What a disturbing creature.
We are fortunate that it is
long dead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, he staggers and puts a hand to
his head]
Magus:
Turn it off!
Serge:
Wha--
[Purple lightning begins to crackle around Magus as
he straightens up]
Magus:
I said, TURN IT OFF!
Or I will blast it
AND you to ash!
[Norris immediately does something to the console,
causing the monitor to go dark. The purple lightning
around Magus flickers out.]
Sprigg:
Do ya mind tellin' us
what that woz all about?
D'ya know somethin' about
this "Lavos" critter?
Magus:
...Yes, I know it. Or I once
knew it. The details are gone,
but I am certain of this: that
CREATURE has stolen from me
everything I ever held dear.
Serge:
(Sort of like Kid and Lynx...
I can see why he's unhappy, but
isn't blowing up the room and
all of us along with it just
a bit of an overreaction?)
Magus:
Ages ago, it destroyed the
ancient magical civilization of
Zeal. I... I have fought it.
More than once, I think, but
although it is now dead, never
was I able to prevent...to
prevent...
[Purple lightning starts gathering around him again.]
Magus:
If this is the last memory
of Lavos left in the world,
then I shall destroy it, too.
Serge:
Whoa, Magus--!
[As Serge reaches for Magus, the lightning flares up, turning
the entire screen white for an instant. When the picture returns,
the monitor of the computer-within-the-game is blank. A last bit
of lightning crackles along the top of the console and fades out.
Norris fiddles with the equipment a bit, but nothing happens.
Norris shakes his head.]
Norris:
The lightning overloaded it.
If you will pardon the technical
terminology, it's fried.
Radius:
Then we will learn nothing
more here.
Serge:
(I don't know if this is safe,
but I've gotta ask.)
Magus, I thought you wanted to
get your memory back. Why blow
up a machine that might have
been able to help you?
Magus:
...Because that image that
Norris showed us has caused me
to remember one more thing.
Sprigg:
Must 'ave been somethin'
important to make ya fly off
the handle like that. You sayin'
that Lavos-thing was yer fault
somehow?
Magus:
Heh. Nothing so impressive. No,
I remembered that I did this
to myself--erased my own memory.
I still have no idea why, but
it's somehow linked to Lavos.
Norris:
It is difficult to imagine what
would drive a man to do such a
thing... Perhaps you knew
something that you felt should
remain forgotten?
Harle:
The reason is zat he is FOU.
Completely mad.
Sprigg:
Nah, he'z odd, but not crazy.
I can tell--I've known a fair
number of crazy people in my
day. Well, lad, will ya be
comin' with us, or goin' back
so that ya don't find anythin'
else that jogz your memory?
Magus:
Retreat would be pointless. Now
that I am regaining these
fragments of my past, I expect
that the remainder will be
filled in eventually even if I
do nothing to hurry it along.
Serge:
(I give up. This guy is never
going to make any sense to me.)
[As they leave the room, Magus trails behind the rest of the party.
When everyone else is gone, he stops and turns around, taking one
last look at that dark monitor. The background music changes here, to
"Girl who Stole the Stars", I think...]
Magus:
...And what was Zeal to me?
My home? Am I nothing more than
the shadow of an ancient past?
Did I destroy myself in order
to be free of the pain of
unspeakable memory? It would
make a sort of sense...but if
so, should I not be feeling
agony renewed, rather than this
fragile nostalgia for a city of
white towers?
No. Whatever I was searching for
on that day when I found Guile,
it wasn't oblivion, or the
return of the dead past. I was
looking for something that I
knew still existed. Something
alive.
Heh. Or perhaps Lynx's pet clown
is right, and I am mad. I
suspect there are those who
would say it serves me right.
[He turns and leaves.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is not present...]
Norris:
2300 A.D.!?
You mean...
A ruin from the future!?
Radius:
Tell me, young man, would it
be possible for you to obtain
more information from that
...device?
Norris:
Ahhh... Yes!
One moment, please.
[Norris messes with the console some more, generating
the following text...]
[Monitor]
Slumbering deep beneath the crust...
When Lavos awakes, this planet will...
[The image on the monitor suddenly fades out]
Sprigg:
So wot 'appened? I'll never
understand theze gadgetz.
Norris:
The power supply has gone out.
At this rate, we will not be able
to gather further information.
Damn... We were so close
to learning more about
'"Lavos"'...
Serge:
I don't think it really matters
all that much. That Lavos-thing
died a long time ago, right?
It's more urgent right now that
we learn about Lynx and what
HE'S doing here. (And whether
Kid is okay...)
Norris:
All knowledge is of potential
value, but I do understand your
point, sir. Shall we go? As
you say, we will learn nothing
further by remaining here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Exterior, Tower of Geddon, Dead Sea (Home)
===========================================================
Norris:
This must be the center
of the Dead Sea...
All this chaos must have
spread out from here.
[They look up at the building]
Radius:
The buildings seem to
have melted into one
giant conglomeration.
What happened
to this place?
Magus: [if present]
Perhaps whatever froze time
here also warped space. Such
forces tend to be unstable.
We should proceed with caution.
The geometry of the building's
interior will likely make no
more sense than that of the
outside.
===========================================================
Theatre, Tower of Geddon, Dead Sea (Home)
===========================================================
[A short distance into the room, the group stops in its tracks.]
Radius:
Serge, you have an odd
expression on your face. Have
you noticed something we've
missed?
[The camera pans up a bit, and we see a little blonde girl in a white
dress appear on top of the crashed chandelier. She hops down and runs
toward the far exit, but fades away before reaching it.]
Harle:
Monsieur Lynx, are you well?
Serge:
There was...a little girl.
Over there.
[He points at the chandelier]
Norris:
There is nothing there now,
and I observed no movement
before. What did you see?
Serge:
She...sort of appeared right on
top of that iron hoop-thing. I
guess she might have been seven
years old. Golden-blonde hair,
white dress. She jumped down,
ran across the floor, and
disappeared again.
(Am I finally going crazy? I
can tell from the way that the
others are looking at me that
they didn't see anything.)
Radius:
We have seen other ghosts
wandering this place...
Serge:
But those all look like Gloops
pretending to be human! This
was a normal little girl.
Norris:
Wandering around a monster-
infested, time-warped ruin all
by herself?
Serge:
Yeah, when you put it that way,
it does seem awfully weird.
(Maybe I HAVE finally gone
nuts.)
Sprigg:
Nothin' else here makez
sense, so why should this?
Radius:
A good point. Perhaps we'll
find something deeper inside
that can help us understand
what is going on here.
===========================================================
Room After Theatre, Tower of Geddon, Dead Sea (Home)
===========================================================
[When the party reaches the roundish thing at the center of
the room, we see a little boy with spiky red hair run along
the upper catwalk toward the exit, and, again, vanish.]
Sprigg:
And wot's all this?
Norris:
I must admit to being
uncertain--a fan? Some sort
of turbine? Whatever it is,
it belongs outside.
Harle:
I do not know why you think it
so strange--zere are no doubt
bits of interieur on the outside
of zis place as well.
Sprigg:
I suppoze you might 'ave a
point there...
===========================================================
Portal Room, Tower of Geddon, Dead Sea (Home)
===========================================================
[Upon entering the room and seeing the semitransparent figures
of the missing Dragoons, everyone pulls up short.]
[All]
~!!!~
Radius:
What in heaven's name
is going on here...!?
General...! Miss Riddel!!!
And Glenn and the
other dragoons...!
What could have
happened here...!?
Norris:
Th-These are the Acacia Dragoons
who disappeared 3 years ago...
W-What went on here...?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, he walks over to the nearest Dragoon-image
(Glenn and Riddel?), examines it for a moment, and shakes his head.]
Magus:
These are only images. We
are seeing a moment frozen
in time, like a three-
dimensional photograph.
Radius:
Then--
Magus:
Wherever they are now, living
or dead, it is not here. We
must assume that they went on.
[He gestures, and the camera pans up to the portal at the far
end of the room for a moment.]
Sprigg:
That'z a cheerful thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is not present, we just get Harle's original reaction line.]
Harle:
It iz unfortunate, but it
appearz zey were held captive
here before zey died...
It'z too late...
Zey are so close, yet so far.
No one can help zem...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Another child-figure appears briefly near the center of the room,
then vanishes. When the party moves a little further in, it appears
again and this time vanishes through the portal.]
Serge:
(I guess that proves it--I AM
crazy. There's no hope for me
now. Question is, why do I keep
hallucinating kids? And is it
going to keep on happening
after we leave here? Kids in
the bedroom after I finally
convince Kid to--)
(What the hell am I thinking?!
Me and Kid? I didn't mean...
did I? Leena's gonna kill me!)
Radius:
Are you well? Serge?
Serge:
Sorry. I, uh, saw another kid
running around, and it threw
me a bit. (At least no one can
tell I'm blushing under all
this fur!)
Sprigg:
If we were anywhere else, I'd
be wantin' to check ya for a
fever, but it'z probably just
this place that haz ya seein'
things.
Serge:
(I really hope that's all it
is.)
It isn't as though we can turn
back now, so let's get this
over with.
===========================================================
Leene's Square, Ruined Future (Home)
===========================================================
[After the wavering from the portal subsides...]
Serge:
Well, I guess we're not inside
anymore, but I wouldn't have
expected the sky to clear up
enough that we'd be able to
see the sunset. (I don't like
the feel of this place. There's
something about it that's colder
than the ocean at midwinter.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
This is not the Dead Sea. Or
perhaps it would be more
accurate to say that we are
being shown a vision of
somewhere else. Leene Square
was not in nearly so poor a
state when last I saw it.
Norris:
Leene Square! But that is in
Guardia, a thousand miles from
El Nido. Are you sure, sir?
Magus:
Yes.
Radius:
But why show us this?
Magus:
It's possible that it may be
for my benefit. Guile and I
visited Guardia three years ago,
and at Leene Square, I almost
remembered...something. And
seeing it thus, in ruins, is
tugging at my mind again.
Serge:
(For HIS benefit? He wouldn't
even be here if he wasn't
tagging along with--)
(Oh, man, what am I thinking?
Why should everything happening
here be about me and Kid and
Lynx? Magus obviously has a
story of his own, and I have a
feeling that when we find out
what it is, it...isn't going
to be anything small.)
(So am I part of his story, or
is he part of mine? We probably
won't know either way until
everything's over.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sprigg:
I'm gettin' the impression
that this place is even less
stable than the rest of the
Dead Sea. Better keep an eye
on the exit.
Serge:
(Great, just what we need:
something more to worry about.)
And that was the easy part. Miguel is a real pain: half his infodump is important, half of it isn't (do we really need to recap Lavos' entire career?), and figuring out which bits are which, breaking them up to get natural reactions from the other characters, and keeping the death scene from getting broken up to the point where it looks silly is...not easy. And then there's Magus...argh. 200 more lines of existing text to look at, and I expect I'm going to be fighting with every one of them. Of course, when I'm done with this bit, I get to write Guile's re-recruitment scene, and maybe the Sprigg-and-Radius thing, both of which should be a lot more fun than this.
-
Wait, so everybody gets re-recruited in the second act before Serge gets his body back? Nice!
-
I hadn't planned on it being everyone, but in Guile's case there is a plausible excuse for him to rejoin: specifically, Magus would be...highly unimpressed...if he tried to sit things out. I also have some tentative plans involving Luccia (Grobyc will have to be recruited first).
As for the others...hmmm. Kid can't rejoin, and Leena wouldn't. The only person who might be able to persuade Nikki to take up with Lynx would be Marcy (edit: or Fargo or Miki, I suppose), and I don't think we get access to her soon enough. Glenn might be convinced by Radius (or by Dario, who should become recruitable toward the end of the Lynx segment). Skelly's a total enigma--I need to work on him.
-
Haha..."Kids in
the bedroom after I finally
convince Kid to--"
HAHAH! Serge is so great. I can just imagine if Kid knew he said that...
Also, I thought you were just kidding about the Radius/Sprigg thing! You're not! Yaaaay! :D Also, even though I thought initially that I wouldn't like there being Magus AND Guile...it works. He takes over in parts, but it makes sense.
-
@Katie Skyye: Well, if Kid found out while he was still in Lynx's body, poor Serge would
probably end up as additional surface texturing on a lunar crater. :lol: And yeah, once
you prodded me into coming up with the scenario, I decided that Sprigg should get her
side-scene just like everyone else. It's almost a shame that I cut General Viper from
the list of PCs--they could have an old bats' convention. ;)
Anyway, here is the second part (I can't say "half", because it's more like two-thirds)
of the Dead Sea chapter. Some things about how it worked out I like, others...not so
much. I've moved my specific notes to the end to avoid spoiling anything for anyone,
although I will mention here that "Nadia Marlene Guardia" is not in any way canon, as
far as I know--I was looking for a way to reconcile the variations of Marle's name,
and that's what fell out.
19. The Dead Sea - A place forsaken by the gods... Part II
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris.
Recruitable: Non
===========================================================
Nadia's Bell, Ruined Future (Home)
===========================================================
[The ghost children are seated on various bits of rubble, old
railings, etc., just past the center of the square. As the party
approaches, they leap down and run upward, towards the fallen
bell, where ghost-Crono perches on the its supportive frame right
above the plaque, and the two girls chase each other across the
pavement in front. When the party examines the plaque, however,
they stop playing around.]
[Engraving]
~~~~ A.D. 1000 ~~~~
~~~~Nadia's Bell~~~~
May our prayers for peace
~ ring on for eternity...
[Lucca]
But Nadia's Bell will
never be heard again...
Never...
[Lucca teleports a few feet, from the pavement in front of the
bell to a position near the plaqueless pillar support.]
[Lucca]
We...
No... Everyone worked to
save the planet's future
for nothing...
It's all because of you!
You killed it!
You...!!!
So many lives were
supposed to be saved...
This planet was to be healed
with love, hope, and dreams...!
[Marle teleports a few feet sideways, and begins...not so much
shaking her head as rotating her entire upper body.]
[Marle]
How could you?
How could you do
such a thing...!?
It's all your fault that
the world is going to
end up like this!
It's all your fault, Serge!!!
[Crono]
Murderer!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is not present, the child ghosts just vanish at this point]
Norris:
Who are those
children...?
Radius:
How can Serge be responsible
for all of this destruction?
Serge:
(I'd like to know
that myself...)
[Miguel]
Don't let it bother you.
It's just a distant echo
from ones far gone...
It's just an illusion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, the three still vanish, but they reappear in a
triangular grouping with him at the center.]
[Lucca]
Janus, how could you
betray us like this?
Magus:
...!
I...I am...
[Crono]
You are Janus Zeal.
Don't you remember?
Your parents were the
King and Queen of the
ancient Kingdom of Magic.
When Lavos destroyed
it, you were thrown
forward in time.
Serge:
(!)
[Marle]
You hated Lavos so much
that you were willing to
do anything to destroy it,
even if it meant turning
yourself into a monster.
[Lucca]
But when the time came,
you weren't strong enough.
No one could have fought
that thing alone.
[Crono]
And so you came with us.
[Marle]
Do you remember us yet,
Janus? Say our names.
Magus: [turning to face each ghost-child as he identifies them]
You are...Nadia Marlene Guardia,
last Queen of that kingdom
before it fell to Porre.
Crono, her husband and prince
consort.
And Lucca Ashtear, the inventor
who was their friend.
Serge:
(LUCCA?!!! As in, Kid's "Big
Sis"?! She...the Queen of
Guardia...and Magus... What
in HELL is going on here?!)
Magus:
I know you now, but I still
have only faded scraps of the
past we share, and so I must
ask: Why do you claim that the
destruction we see here has
anything to do with Serge?
[Miguel]
They can't really answer
questions, you know.
[The children instantly disappear. Also, although the player cannot check
it at this point, Magus' origin as listed on the menu status screen has
changed from "???" to "Kingdom of Zeal, 12000 B.C." (or something similar
but tailored to fit in the space available).]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Miguel walks out from behind the plaqueless bell-support pillar-thing]
Man:
Welcome to the
Tower of Geddon...
Time Crash Ground Zero!
Man:
It's been a while, Serge.
...But...I guess you don't
remember who I am.
Serge:
I... You seem familiar,
but no, I don't. Sorry.
Man:
I don't blame you.
You were only a little
child back then.
Man:
I'm Miguel.
A friend of your father.
Serge:
You're...Leena's dad... The one
who sailed out into the storm
with my dad and never came
back...
(I should have recognized him
right away, but Leena doesn't
have any picures, and the hat
and the glasses hide a lot of
his face... Hey, wait a minute!)
Except that you're way too young
to be him. Miguel should be
almost fifty by now!
Miguel:
I know.
According to the time outside,
it's been about 14 years since
the night of the storm...
[Pan up and fade out for flashback]
===========================================================
Flashback, Chronopolis
===========================================================
[Miguel and Wazuki are standing together near the entrance
to the Chronopolis lobby. Wazuki is carrying a very young
Serge on his back.]
Wazuki:
What is this place?
Miguel:
I don't know...
but I don't think we're
supposed to know about it...
[Frozen Flame]
That child...
That wounded child...
Bring him to me...
Miguel:
W-What was that...?
Who's there!?
[Wazuki begins to walk forward]
Miguel:
Wait, Wazuki!!!
Where are you going!?
Wazuki:
There's no way we can set
sail again in this storm.
We don't have a second to
waste...
Or else...Serge will...
Miguel:
BUT...!!!
Wazuki:
I don't care what lies
ahead of us...
I'm going.
There's no way I'll allow
my son to die without
a fight!
I'd appreciate it if
you waited for me here.
Thank you for coming tonight,
Miguel... Thank you.
[Miguel starts running after his friend]
Miguel:
No! Wait!
WAZUKI!!!
[Fade out]
===========================================================
Nadia's Bell, Ruined Future (Home)
===========================================================
Miguel:
Yes... I've been here
in this very place...
For 14 years...
It wasn't like this
when I got here, though...
An incident that occurred
10 years ago, transformed
it into the Dead Sea.
Serge:
Ten years ago... You're saying
that this place got trashed by
the dimensional split, aren't
you? But that still doesn't
explain why you never came home.
Leena missed you, you know. She
still does...
Miguel:
Leena...
Serge: [making a violent sweeping gesture with one hand as he speaks]
Yeah, you know: your DAUGHTER,
Leena. The one I grew up with.
Who used to cry at night because
her mother was gone and her
daddy wasn't there! (Calm down,
Serge--yelling at him won't
help, even if he does deserve
it.)
Miguel:
I haven't forgotten her. How
could I? She's my only child!
But I can't leave this place.
Norris:
Why not? I cannot see anything
here that would stop you from
just walking away.
Miguel:
The chains that bind me here
are invisible, but that doesn't
make them any less real.
Miguel:
Don't you know...?
There's nothing in the world as
ruthless or impartial as death.
All living matter ages over time
and eventually dies...
No matter how mighty or tiny
its life force...
So being alive means
you're creeping closer to
death with every second...
Serge:
(Oh, hell, not more philosophy.
Why can't people ever give a
simple answer to a simple
question?)
[Miguel turns away to look at the sunset]
Miguel:
But there's none
of that here.
No one and nothing ages.
Nothing wastes away.
Radius:
Nor does anything change, or
heal, or grow. The ebb and flow
of time exists for a reason.
Sprigg:
You weren't lured away from your
little girl by some promise of
livin' forever, were ya? Could
have told ya that that never
workz.
Miguel:
Do you know how a fly gets
trapped in amber? It's in the
wrong place at the wrong time,
and a blob of tree resin hardens
around it... The heart of the
Dead Sea wanted to protect the
things that it held, and so
when a suitable guardian
appeared, it refused to let him
leave. And then, when the worlds
split, it warped space to close
the entrance and called what
you see here into existence as
a warning...
Norris:
Warning? Of what?
Miguel:
This is a fragment of a future
that was destroyed. What you
see around you is time that
might have been.
Miguel:
History is composed of
choices and divergences.
Each choice you make
creates a new world and
brings forth a new future.
But at the same time,
you're eliminating a
different future with the
choices you didn't make.
Miguel:
A future denied of all
existence because of a
change in the past...
A future that was destroyed
even before it was born
rests here...condensed
into the Dead Sea.
Magus: | Sprigg:
The future...that we killed... | And what woz it that made
Its remnants should be isolated | that possible? You can't just
in the Darkness Beyond Time. | go to the local Element store
What dragged them back into the | and ask them to show you their
light of day, and why? | dead futurez.
Harle:
......
[Miguel turns back to face the party]
Miguel:
'"Fate."'
Our lives are governed
by fate.
Fate knows all
and controls all.
No one can run
from fate...
Miguel:
Even your presence here
was predestined...
long, long ago.
Serge:
No.
Miguel:
What?
Serge:
No. If this is part of a future
that's been erased, that proves
there's no such thing as fate.
We can make choices. We can
change things. Otherwise, this
would still BE the one and only
future.
(I still don't like this
philosophical...stuff, but
anyone with half a brain would
be able to tell he was just
saying all of that to discourage
us. If fate controls everything,
the future is already set in
stone, so there's no point in
fighting, no point in doing
anything but what we're told to
do...and I just won't accept
that. I'm a person, not a
puppet!)
Miguel:
Every choice you could make
will eventually lead to
destruction.
Serge:
Doesn't that include choosing
to do what you want us to?
(I don't believe this--it's
like one of those silly word-
games Leena used to get me
tangled up in all the time
when we were kids!)
We've wasted too much time
here already. If you don't
have anything useful to say,
just get out of the way.
[Miguel shakes his head]
Miguel:
I see...
I guess there's only
one thing left to do then...
I take it you're trying to
restore the dimensional
distortion?
If you defeat me and liberate
this place, the distortion
will return to the way it was.
Norris:
So you were the one who
blocked it?
Miguel:
No, not me. Fate. Fate wants
to keep Serge here in this
universe, for its own purposes.
Miguel:
I guess this is it...
Just as there are times of
peace, there are times of war...
You don't have to hold back.
Attack me with all your
soul if you wish to live.
Let fate take
its course...!!!
[Combat. When the party wins, we see Miguel lying at the base of the
raised area where the bell is located, with the party standing over him.]
Miguel:
Well done!
That's the way, Serge!
My, you have grown strong.
Maybe...just maybe...you and
your friends have the power
to defeat FATE and build a
new future for humanity.
Serge:
(I thought he meant destiny,
not...whatever controls the
Records of FATE...which work
in the other world, but not
this one--why? Everyone says
they stopped...about ten years
ago...)
(!!! The split, the Dead Sea,
the Records of FATE, Dad
bringing me here when I was
a kid--it must all be connected
somehow! But there are still
too many pieces missing. For one
thing, how does Lynx fit in?)
Norris:
You still haven't explained what
the dead future we see here has
to do with Serge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present...]
Magus:
This is the original future--
the one where Lavos, a being
that descended from the heavens,
destroyed the world in the year
1999. The future that I and the
others fought to change, all
those years ago. With Lavos dead
at our hands, this future should
have been completely eliminated.
[The ghost-children reappear.]
[Lucca]
Except that nothing is ever
completely gone. You said it
yourself, Janus: the Darkness
Beyond Time still holds an
echo of the future that we
shattered. An echo...of Lavos...
Magus:
Then...Lavos still exists in
some form, and truly can
return...
I will not allow it.
[Magus spins around to glare at Serge]
Magus:
If you are the key, then killing
you will prevent it...unless it
is your death by violence which
is the catalyst... I am still
missing too much information.
Serge:
(Him too, huh? It's probably a
good thing, too, since I don't
want to die yet!)
[Magus prods Miguel in the ribs with his foot.]
Magus:
You claim that the ghosts of
my former...acquaintances...
cannot answer questions, but
clearly you can. Why is Serge
the key? What do I need to do
to stop this from happening all
over again?
Miguel:
I...don't know.
Magus:
Useless fool!
[Marle]
You've forgotten again, haven't
you, Janus? You can't do it
alone. Not even you are that
strong.
[Crono]
We can no longer change the
future. We can't turn aside the
vengeance of what we destroyed.
And Serge will be the trigger
that causes the end to begin
all over again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is not present]
Miguel:
The Dead Sea is the true
form of this planet's future.
Norris:
I think that you mean the
ORIGINAL form, rather than
the TRUE one. Was our world
slated to be destroyed, then?
Miguel:
Yes. In 1999, when the
parasitical alien life-form known
as Lavos awoke after centuries
of feeding off this planet.
Serge:
(Sort of like a worm inside
an apple... Ick.)
Miguel:
That's when our world faced a
death from which there seemed
no possibility of escape...
Serge:
But obviously someone did
SOMEthing, or this would still
be the One True Future, right?
Miguel:
A group of young heroes caught a
glimpse of this planet's future
destruction as it appeared in
the year 2300.
They realized they could not
turn their backs on our planet,
even if its death would not be
anywhere near their lifetime.
Time traveling from epoch to
epoch, they battled Lavos for
the future of our planet, and
eventually won.
But in saving our planet from
the death Lavos was going to
bring about, they also changed
the course of history...
[Ghost-Lucca appears off to the right]
[Lucca]
At that very moment,
this whole future time
axis ceased to exist.
Call it cause and effect...
It is just a problem of
possibilities, after all...
In this world, there are
no such things as
absolutes or certainties.
Serge:
(I only got about half of that,
but I think she means that we
really do have...free will, or
whatever it's called. Just like
I said before.)
(These ghost-kids are weird.
They're agreeing with Miguel,
but at the same time...they're
not. I wonder who they are and
what they're doing here...?)
[Ghost-Marle appears in front of the path leading back to the rest
of the ruined Leene Square...]
[Marle]
But the future that
was supposed to have
disappeared is about
to be restored here...
The future destruction
of our planet is going
to become a reality in
this world once again...
[Ghost-Crono appears standing in front of the bell itself]
[Crono]
The vengeance of the
future we killed is
about to begin...
With Serge serving
as the trigger...
Serge:
(Wait a minute--"the future WE
killed"? Then these are the
ghosts of the heroes who saved
the world? And they're angry at
me because they're afraid I
might...un-save it? This keeps
getting weirder and weirder...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miguel:
Perhaps, or perhaps not...
Either way, it is all part of
the grand game of the gods...
and '"goddesses!"'
People are dragged into playing
this game...forced to put their
own lives on the line...without
even knowing the rules.
Serge:
(Oh, great, he's babbling
again.)
Miguel:
Three years ago, members
of the Acacia Dragoons
from Termina visited here...
Those knights were after
the Frozen Flame, of course.
But instead they became
salt for the Dead Sea...
You see, only the chosen
one can approach the
Flame...
Magus: [if present]
The chosen one? Do you
mean the Arbiter?
[The screen starts to shake]
Miguel:
It looks like Fate has made
its decision and has started
to carry it out now...
FATE doesn't want the Frozen
Flame to awaken in this place
at this time...
It would choose to destroy the
Flame along with the whole Dead
Sea, than to allow its enemies
to take hold of the Flame...
Magus: | Sprigg:
Then it knows very little. The | And we get squished like
Frozen Flame was ancient when | bugz if we get in the
the islands of Zeal rose into | way, eh? I don't think
the sky. I doubt it CAN be | I like this FATE of yourz.
destroyed, save from within. |
Miguel:
This lost future is about to
disappear into the darkness
beyond the dimensions again...
You have no time to spare.
You must leave here
immediately!
Quick...go!
[Lucca and Marle disappear, then reappear to either side of Crono]
[FATE]
I love you so much...
That is why I
sometimes desire to
smash you to bits!!!
Serge:
(I'm hearing voices again?! Oh,
hell...even if I'm not crazy
YET, I will be by the time
this is over!)
Norris:
Serge, we need to get
out of here!
Serge:
But Miguel--! (I can't just
leave Leena's father here!)
Miguel:
Don't worry about me!
You must go now!
Radius:
I don't like it either, but he
can't walk, and there is no
time! You will at least be able
to tell Leena what happened to
him...if we escape this place
alive!
Serge:
(Damn, damn, damn! I know he's
right, but Leena...)
[The party begins to run, but then stops and turns back for a moment.]
Miguel:
Farewell, Serge!
The future is yours
for the taking...
You...the one that the
Frozen Flame has chosen!
Magus: [if present]
...!
[The party runs away, but we're left with Miguel for a moment longer]
Miguel:
My dear Leena...
May you live in a
happier tomorrow!
[Miguel fades into nothing, and, one-by-one, so do the ghost children. The camera pans
up until we're looking straight at the sun, and then we're transferred back to the party,
which has just entered the main part of Leene Square. The screen is still shaking.]
Norris:
It's too far!
We aren't going
to make it!
[The Sky Dragon suddenly glides onto the screen from the right.]
[Sky Dragon]
Grab hold...
sons of man!
[It picks everyone up and flies off, the screen whites out, and we are treated to
FMV: destruction of the Dead Sea.]
===========================================================
Marbule Beach (Home)
===========================================================
Radius:
The dragons have not interfered
in human affairs since long
before I was born. Why did you
suddenly choose to help us?
Sky Dragon:
Because of the one called
"Serge".
Serge:
Me?
Sky Dragon:
I, too, would like
to witness this.
How thou shalt live
and how thou shalt die...
Serge:
Wha--wait, DIE? (I don't really
understand, but I don't like the
sound of that.)
Sky Dragon:
If thou art planning to bring
forth a new entity, prepare
thyself for anguish and sorrow.
[It launches itself into the air, and the party walks over to the edge of the beach,
presumably to watch the dragon fly away, and for a moment, the screen darkens.]
[Sky Dragon]
To the Sea of Eden...
If thou dost intend to
defy the Goddess of Fate,
speak with the ancient
Dragon Gods, who sit in
repose in El Nido...
Let the path to the Sea of Eden
be known when all the powers of
the '"Sleeping Dragons"' are
brought together...
[Everything returns to normal, screenwise.]
Serge:
WAIT! Damnit, I still had
more questions!
Sprigg:
I doubt it would 'ave been
interested in givin' ya
answerz.
Norris:
So where do we go now?
Harle:
Zat is obvious, non? If this
Monsieur Lynx wishes to follow
ze other Monsieur Lynx, we must
find ze dragons...
Serge:
Before we do that, I want to
see what's happening in the
other world. If Miguel was
telling us the truth, the
dimensional distortion at Opassa
should be working again now.
(I know it's crazy, but I keep
hoping that Kid'll be there
waiting for us, sitting on the
sand, and when we pop in, she'll
give me that look of hers and
say, "So what took ya so long,
mate?")
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is in the party, he hesitates, looking out to sea,
as the others begin to leave. Serge notices and stops just before
he leaves the screen.]
Serge:
Magus... Janus? Are you okay?
Magus:
The Frozen Flame's part in
this...concerns me. There are
still many gaps in my memory,
but I remember enough to know
that the Flame is more dangerous
than you could possibly dream.
Why would it have chosen you, of
all people? You're no mage,
whatever else you may be. Why
would it want a crippled
Arbiter?
Serge:
A...what? (I'll try to ignore
the "crippled" part, if it gets
him to talk.)
Magus:
Were you listening at all to
what that man Miguel said?
Serge:
Yeah, but there were parts of it
I didn't follow very well.
Magus:
Do you remember what he said
about the lost Dragoons? That
they died because "only the
chosen one" can safely approach
the Flame?
Serge:
And I am that person? (That bit
I did get.)
Magus:
Yes. "Arbiter" is the title you
would have been given in Zeal--
mediating between the Frozen
Flame and humanity was an
important task in those days.
Serge:
And so...what exactly does my
being the "Arbiter" mean? (I
keep on picking up these weird
nicknames... At least I think
I understand what Lynx meant,
now, when he called me the
"Assassin of Time", but "Chrono
Trigger" still has me stumped.)
Magus:
I don't know...but I am quite
certain that it didn't happen
by accident. There hasn't been
an Arbiter in thirteen millenia.
Why would the Flame suddenly
decide it wanted one now? The
most likely explanation is that
someone set you up in order to
gain control of the Flame.
Serge:
Lynx?
Magus:
I don't know. I wouldn't have
thought him that subtle, but--
Norris: [from offscreen]
Serge, are you coming?
Serge:
In a minute!
...You will tell me if you
figure something out, right?
Magus:
Most likely. However...some of
the remaining gaps in my memory
occur in patterns, and one of
them seems to center around the
last Arbiter from the era of
Zeal. I know I knew that person,
but everything about them--name,
appearance, even gender--is
gone, as though I deliberately
erased that information more
thoroughly than anything else.
Under the circumstances, I can't
help wondering if that's
significant.
Serge:
(Oh, great. Just when it seems
like we've found an answer,
another question comes up...)
Serge's vehement defense of Leena took me a bit by surprise, although I think
it fits with his character. I had a very narrow line to walk with regard to Magus'
memories--it was pretty much inevitable that he would recover something in
this chapter, but at the same time, I didn't want him derailing the game, so I
had to arrange to keep some key bits back until Terra Tower. Cutting Miguel's
speeches was something else that had to be done with extreme care; I think I managed
to retain all the important bits despite gutting a few of the lengthier sections.
With that kind of love of lecturing, Miguel should have been a university professor...
Anyway, for the next little while, I will probably be working on the next chapter
(relatively short) and some of the mid-game side scenes more or less concurrently.
Planned mid-game side stuff: the re-recruitments; another longish conversation between
Magus and Guile; Radius and Sprigg discuss "the young'uns"; a flashback covering Norris'
history with Luccia, Grobyc, and possibly Luccia's brother (I may even manage to rope
in Lucca); first encounter with Starky (which will be slightly different given that he
isn't a PC here); recruiting Dario; Home World Riddel resurfaces, creating a sort of
love quadrangle involving the two Riddels, Dario, and Karsh; the Home World Shaker
Brothers recover their memories and disgorge part of the story of What Happened at the
Dead Sea; Skelly's origin story (if I can figure out what it is); the Save Marbule
sidequest; and, if I decide to keep her, some Orlha stuff. I suspect I'll be posting
this in chunks in between the next few chapters.
-
That's... a hell of a lot of stuff. :shock:
Looking forward to it.
Man, I've been slacking... >_<
-
Home World Riddel resurfaces, creating a sort of love quadrangle involving the two Riddels, Dario, and Karsh;
That would be interesting to see... wait...
How are you gonna pull that one? Considering the previous script, you didn't change the fact she still died with the other dragoons. :?
-
@skylark: I wouldn't say that you've been slacking--I just look as though I'm crazy-productive because I plan what passes for my life around my creative projects, rather than doing things the other way around like a normal person. ;P
@Acacia Sgt: Actually, we don't know for sure that she's dead. Miguel's "salt for the Dead Sea" speech only specifies "members of the Acacia Dragoons". The only proof we have that Riddel was even present on the expedition is her presence among the frozen ghost-images in the room before the portal, and there are a couple of interesting details that show up if you examine the image closely. Glenn and Riddel, Viper, Zoah, Karsh, and Marcy are all recognizably present, along with a couple of generic dragoons, but the Shaker Bros. (or at least, two dragoons in gold-toned armour rather than the normal silver) appear to be there too. If Solt and Peppor were there and survived, the same might easily be true for Riddel (especially since Viper, Karsh, and probably Glenn would all have sacrificed themselves to save her without a second thought). So I don't think it's too far-fetched to have her turn up again.
-
The Shaker Brothers are not among the images, those gold-colored dragoons are generic dragoons as well. But yeah, if those two did survive it shouldn't be hard to have someone else as well (although the fact they are not present as an image in the room... though it wouldn't be hard to change it to exclude Riddel from being among them).
-
I plan what passes for my life around my creative projects, rather than doing things the other way around like a normal person.
Man, how inspirational! This isn't crazy at all, or at least I don't think so. The key is finding employment that lets one eat without unduly sapping time from one's art.
-
@Acacia Sgt: We never see any other generic dragoons wearing gold armour that I can recall, though, and the one nearest the bottom of the image appears to be helmetless and rather stout, like Peppor. Do you have some information source that I don't?
@FW: It's a lot less impressive when you consider that I'm (still) unemployed, sponging off my parents, and have pretty much No Life outside the Internet (I think I've left the house twice in the past week). No sense of proportion, that's me.
-
@Acacia Sgt: We never see any other generic dragoons wearing gold armour that I can recall, though, and the one nearest the bottom of the image appears to be helmetless and rather stout, like Peppor. Do you have some information source that I don't?
I've checked in a video. Only that dragoon that you are mentioning has gold armor. And is not stout, and neither thin to be either Shaker Brother.
-
I've checked in a video. Only that dragoon that you are mentioning has gold armor. And is not stout, and neither thin to be either Shaker Brother.
You see the dragoon who's standing by that lump of rock on what's almost a direct line between Zoah and Marcy as having silver armour? Because that one looks gold to me too.
...I'm starting to think we may need a third opinion.
-
(http://www.chronocompendium.com/images/wiki/9/9e/Tower_of_geddon_dragoons.png)
Acacia Sergeants (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Acacia_SGT.html) also wear gold armor.
-
...and no helmets, from the look of it. Very well, I concede: the two gold-armoured figures may easily be a pair of random sergeants, rather than the Shaker Bros. (It might be interesting to insert them into the scene instead of the sergeants, rather than removing Riddel, but it would also doubtless be more difficult.)
-
Okay, and this is what I'm really supposed to be working on, rather than messing around
doing half-assed translations of the cards. :lol: This chapter was just a little too
long for me to post in one piece, so I've split it in what I thought was the most
appropriate place, meaning that the second part will be longer than this one.
For a change, Magus didn't take over this chapter--Norris did it instead. ;P
20. A Portal Reopened - And the planet began to shake... Part I
[P]Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris.
[P]Recruitable: Karsh or ZOAH. Also, Guile, Glenn, and Skelly become
re-recruitable in this chapter if they were recruited during
the first part of the game--see the midgame side-stuff for details.
===========================================================
Opassa Beach (Home)
===========================================================
[As they reach the green circle-bit that marks the gate...]
Norris:
So this is
the dimensional
gate...
Sprigg:
You look disappointed.
Expectin' somethin' more
impressive, were ya?
Norris:
No, not really, but--
Serge:
Can we talk about this later?
I'm really worried about what's
going on in the other world.
Sprigg:
Heh! Gettin' assertive, aren't
ya! That'z good, so long az ya
don't take it too far.
Serge:
(Whatever. Right now I just want
to find out about Kid.)
===========================================================
Opassa Beach (Another)
===========================================================
[when they attempt to exit Opassa...]
[Boy]
A-Ahhh...
AHHHHHH...!
[A boy is backing away from the entrance to the beach, where a group of cat-
creatures stand half-on and half-off the screen.]
[Boy]
G-Go away!
Shoo!!!
Leave me alone!
Serge:
(Those are...like that creature
Lynx used at Viper Manor?)
[The shadow cats move forward, chasing the boy. Then they catch sight of Serge,
and stop dead in their tracks.]
[Shadow]
......!?
Serge:
(It looks confused--does it
think that I'm Lynx?)
[The cats back away a bit, although they don't leave the screen]
[Boy]
......?
W-W-What's...
going on...?
Serge:
I think they don't like me.
(Isn't that Milon? I wonder
what he's doing here.)
[The boy turns around and sees Serge.]
[Boy]
Y-Y-Yikes!
O-O-Over here is a scary
lookin' cat man!!!
Serge:
Um, I know I LOOK scary, but
I won't hurt you. (Damn, I
wish I could get Lynx's face
to look trustworthy and nice,
but I have a feeling it's a
lost cause.)
[The boy looks back and forth from the party to the shadow cats, then
bounces up in the air.]
[Boy]
Boy, am I in a major FIX!
Radius:
We truly mean you no harm, boy.
Now get behind us, so that we
can deal with these...creatures.
[The party moves forward to challenge the cats]
Harle:
You are a nuisance!
Are you planning to
stand in Monsieur Lynx's way?
Sprigg:
Git outta 'ere!
Just leave!
Norris:
Begone, demons,
if you value your lives.
[The shadow cats vanish]
Serge:
(That was...almost too
convenient.)
[Boy]
Pheeew...!
You saved me!
I thought you were bad guys,
too, from the way you look.
[Serge looks from side to side, taking in the other members of the party]
Serge:
...I guess maybe we do look
like bad guys. Where did you
run into those things? (If
they really are Lynx's, then
maybe he's somewhere nearby...)
[Boy]
I was lookin' for
rainbow shells when those
things started harassing me.
Serge:
(Damn, that's not much help.)
[Boy]
But look!
I got the shells alright!
I better head back
and give 'em to Kiki!
Thanks a lot
for saving me!
Bye!
Serge:
You're welcome, and good
luck with Kiki. (Knowing her,
she'll probably kick his ass
for being late getting home.
Kiki can be a bit like Leena
Junior when she wants to be.)
[The kid walks away, then stops and turns back for a moment]
[Boy]
Hey, mister, you should
be careful, too.
Lots of monsters are
running loose nowadays.
All the grown-ups say
it's a rebellion led
by Serge.
And I heard this Serge is
trying to kill everyone
on the island!!!
Serge:
(Lynx is using my name as well
as my body?! Damn that miserable
son-of-a-Beach-Bum! Hasn't he
done enough to me already?!)
[Boy]
I can't believe someone
would want to do that!
I wonder what's gonna
happen to us...?
[the kid runs away]
Harle:
An uprizing led by Serge!?
So, Serge has become ze
enemy of ze people...
Serge:
I'M Serge. The guy running
around and causing trouble
is Lynx. HE'S the "enemy of
the people." (I don't know
why I still bother to try--
Harle clearly has a blind
spot about this, or at least
that's the best POLITE word
for it that I can come up with.)
Sprigg:
So where d'ya want to
go from 'ere?
Serge:
Termina, I guess. We need
information, and that's probably
the best place to get it. (I
can't tell them that I don't
know what to do. I guess I
really was hoping that Kid would
be waiting for me here. I...
I guess what I need to do is
track down anyone else who
made it out of Fort Dragonia--
even Viper, if he's still alive.
Someone HAS to know what
happened to Kid, and what Lynx
is up to. Rebellion? Against
what? And why would he bother?
It doesn't make sense. There
has to be something else going
on.)
===========================================================
Zappa's Smithy, Termina (Another)
===========================================================
[A Porrean is threatening Zippa at gunpoint as the party enters]
Serge:
(Ulp! Maybe we'd better try
not to attract attention...)
[Porre Officer]
We have information that
this blacksmith makes
weapons for the dragoons!
There's no use hiding it!
We hereby order you to halt
all operations here and stand
down the fire of that forge.
Hey!
Did you understand that!?
[The Porrean walks over to Zappa, who is tending the fire in the forge, then
backs away again as Zappa turns to face him.]
[Porre Officer]
Ahh, stop it!
That's dangerous!!!
Serge:
(Waitaminute, Zappa used to be
a Dragoon Deva, didn't he?
Heheheh, I wonder if that
Porrean realizes just how close
he is to getting free flying
lessons.)
Zappa:
A craftsman's workshop
is a dangerous place for
a layman.
It's yir own damn fault
for coming near it.
Besides, by what need do ah
have to listen yir order?
Ah'll take no orders from ye.
Begone with ye, for ah've work
to finish.
[Porre Soldier]
So you are not going to
stop work no matter what?
Zappa:
Don't make me tell ye
the same thing twice.
Ah've got a short temper.
If ye ken what ah said,
then get yirself out.
[Porre Officer]
......
Very well.
If that is your answer,
I take it.
I will let you go this time,
but do not think that we will
overlook this a second time!
Serge:
(And if you don't, you'll what?
Flounder around the place until
you fall into the forge and
burn up? If Zappa lets you, that
is. He might not like bits of
charred Porrean in his furnace.)
[If Norris isn't present, the Porrean just leaves the smithy.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Norris is present]
[Porre Officer]
Commander Norris!
This shop should be on
our blacklist!
[The Porrean leaves the smithy, and Norris goes over to Zippa,
who is still behind the counter.]
Norris:
Are you all right? Ma'am?
Zippa:
Ah'm fine, laddie, thank
ye for askin'.
Norris:
I must beg your pardon, and
your husband's. That man was
very junior, and should not have
been sent on a mission requiring
discretion or good manners. He
overstepped the bounds of his
authority by attempting to
threaten you.
Zappa:
Heh. Don't get yir knickers in
a knot, lad--that one couldn't
threaten his way across an
empty room. Still, ye make a
pretty apology.
[Norris nods and returns to the party.]
Serge:
It's funny--I wouldn't have
expected you to apologize for
something like that.
[Norris shrugs]
Norris:
Minimizing the friction between
the troops and the townsfolk
makes life in an occupied town
safer for everyone. And it isn't
as though it cost me anything
but a little pride.
Serge:
So it was just...practical?
Norris:
Mostly.
Serge:
Mostly?
Norris:
It was also the right thing
to do--in general, and for the
sake of Porre's honour.
Serge:
(Weird. I never thought about
Porre having honour before, but
it looks like Norris really
believes in it.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they speak to the 'prentice]
[Apprentice]
Will we be alright,
after master said something
like that to a Porre soldier?
Geez, he is such a blockhead...
Norris: [if present]
Don't worry. We don't hurt
people for just talking.
[If they speak to Zippa]
Zippa:
That's why ah love this man!
What a manly man he is,
ah tell you.
Alright, ah've got to do
mah part too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Radius is present]
Radius:
You always were a strong
one, Zippa.
Zippa:
Radius! Ah havena seen ye in a
donkey's years! Ye'll stop by
for dinner some night so that
we can talk, ah hope.
Radius:
Perhaps I will, if time allows.
Serge:
(I hope he remembers that this
isn't our world...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they speak to Zappa]
Zappa:
Ah dinnae care who tells
me, ah'm no gonna stop
workin'...
Norris: | Serge:
I admire your dedication. | (I hope the Porreans don't
| get too riled up about this.
Serge: | Zappa may have been a Deva,
(I just hope the other Norris | but he's old--there's going
feels the same way, or things | to be a limit to how many
could get...messy.) | Porreans he can handle.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party has acquired an @Rainbow...]
Serge:
(I wonder if he knows anything
about that weird forging
material we found, the stuff
that looks sort of like shell.)
Say, Zappa, do you have any
idea what this stuff is?
Zappa:
Whoa, is no that the
Rainbow!?
Serge:
Rainbow?
Zappa:
'Tis a legendary material, lad.
If ye don't mind my askin',
where did ye get it?
Serge:
Um... I think someone gave it to
me. I don't remember exactly--
there's been too much going on.
Zappa:
When ah was a lad, ah traveled
with me wife searchin' for it
but...
So, it really exists. Ah would
love to get mah hands on it...
but from what ah can tell, this
thing can't be forged by meself.
Now, if we had another skilled
blacksmith like yours truly,
that would be a different story.
Rather unlikely story, though.
Hahaha!!!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Serge also has the Smith's Spirit...]
Serge:
(Well, there are two Zappas,
but... Say, where's that thing
the other one gave me? He said
I could use it to call him...)
[The player needs to use the Smith's Spirit at this point.
Using it causes the screen to flash brightly, and suddenly
there's another Zappa in the room...]
Zappa[Home]:
Ye called, lad?
[He looks at the other Zappa]
Zappa[Home]:
Ye be me...!?
Zappa[Another]:
Ah need yir help.
Ah want to hammer this thing
to make that ye-know-what...
Zappa[Home]:
That thing ye have...
It's the Rainbow!
Zappa[Another]:
Aye, this lad says someone
gave it to him--as though it
were a Heal element or summat!
Serge:
I don't think they knew how
rare it was. I certainly didn't!
Zappa[Home]:
So this ye-know-what ye
be talkin' about is the
Rainbow Axe, then?
Zappa[Another]:
Ah knew ah could
count on meself...
So, shall we start
hammerin'?
It be a wee bit hard
by meself, but two of
us working together
should be a breeze.
Zappa[Home]:
Hmm...
Ah would love to help ye...
But this here hammer's
too weak for the job.
If ah had a sturdier hammer...
Looks like ah'm no use
to ye for the time being.
My apologies.
Zappa[Another]:
Ay...
Ye might be right.
Serge:
(I wonder if there's
somewhere we could get
a better hammer...?)
[Note: Zappa[Home] will stick around until the party leaves the
forge, but will be gone when they re-enter.]
I'll be posting the second part of this tomorrow, and after that the first part of
the mid-game side-stuff (I have Guile's and Glenn's re-recruitment scenes written
already, but I still need to do Skelly's). After that, I'll probably alternate
chapters and side-stuff chunks until Serge gets himself de-Lynxed.
-
Son-of-a-Beach-Bum, eh? I see what you did there.......... I think. :?
Anyway, nice chapter. Are Karsh and Zoah now exclusive to each other or still you get the other one later on?
-
@Acacia Sgt: It was meant to be a local colour variant of "son of a bitch", but maybe
it didn't quite work out...
I see I messed up the header on my last posting. ::sigh:: Anyway, here's the second half.
20. A Portal Reopened - And the planet began to shake... Part II
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris.
Recruitable: Karsh or ZOAH. Also, Guile, Glenn, and Skelly become
re-recruitable in this chapter if they were recruited during
the first part of the game--see the midgame side-stuff for details.
===========================================================
The Dragon's Tail, Termina (Another)]
===========================================================
[As they enter the bar]
[Barkeep]
W-Who is it?
[Barkeep--if Norris is in the party]
Y-You?
A Porre soldier is with
you, too...!?
W-Well, in th-that case
it can't be helped.
[Barkeep--if Norris isn't there]
Y-You are...
Serge:
(This probably isn't the time
to tell him I'm not Lynx...)
[Barkeep]
J-Just wait right there!
I'll unlock it for you.
Serge:
(Huh? What the...? Does he
think I'm inspecting the place
or something? ...I guess I'll
just play along, and see if he
tells us anything useful.)
======================================================
Back Room, The Dragon's Tail (Another)
======================================================
[Note that Guile is back here, and if they speak to him with
Magus in the party, the Guile Re-Recruitment sequence from the
sidestuff will kick in, temporarily interrupting the main plot.]
[If they speak to the barkeep]
[Barkeep]
Here, go in from
the left side!
Serge:
Um, okay. (Whatever. I just
hope he doesn't have a bunch of
friends who are going to ambush
us in the storeroom... Would
anyone be stupid enough to try
that on someone they think is
Lynx?)
===========================================================
Hideout, Termina (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party enters, Karsh and Zoah approach them]
Norris: | Serge:
You are...the | (Wait a sec, what are THEY
Dragoon Devas... | doing here?!)
Zoah:
WE MEET AGAIN...
Karsh:
It's been a while, Lynx...
Or is it Serge?
Serge:
It's Serge... How did you
know? (Please let them have
found Kid...)
Karsh: [if Norris is present?]
...?
That Porre scumbag's with you!?
Humph, well as long as you're
here, you're one of us.
You! Stay put and listen to
what we gotta say!
Norris: [if present]
I would not dream
of interrupting.
Karsh:
After we fought you guys,
we also entered Fort Dragonia...
[Fade out for flashback]
===========================================================
Flashback: Top Level, Fort Dragonia (Another)
===========================================================
[The three Devas come running into the room, with Karsh in the lead.]
Karsh:
General!!!
Dark Serge:
What a disgusting spectacle.
A shame I had to come back for
the girl when she reappeared;
otherwise, I might have spared
myself this.
[The camera pans up, and we see Dark Serge and Kid at the back of the room.
Both of them are bobbing in the air.]
Karsh:
!!!
You're...!?
Dark Serge:
I have no time to waste
on the likes of you.
[DS and Kid vanish]
Karsh:
He disappeared!?
......!
Damn!
[Karsh kneels down beside Viper, who is lying, injured, on the floor.]
Karsh:
This is bad...
General!
Are you alright!?
Viper:
U-Ughhh...
Riddel...
Karsh:
......
Karsh:
Don't just stand around!
Help the general!!!
[The other two dragoons converge on Viper and Karsh]
Zoah:
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS
WOULD HAPPEN TO THE GENERAL...
Marcy:
Like...I can't believe it...
Zoah:
WHAT IN DRAGOON'S NAME
HAPPENED HERE...?
Marcy:
So, like, what are all
these shiny shards...?
Karsh:
Not now!
We have to stop
the bleeding!
Marcy, you pick up
those broken pieces!
[Fadeout as the flashback ends]
===========================================================
Hideout, Termina (Another)
===========================================================
[Karsh is now standing at the back of the room, facing the wall,
with Zoah beside him and the party behind him, on the right side
of the room near the stacked boxes]
Karsh:
We brought the general to
Hermit's Hideaway and prayed
for his recovery.
He was able to escape death,
but he still needs rest.
Serge:
(So Viper is alive. I really
shouldn't feel relieved at
that, but somehow I am.)
Karsh:
However, we can't leave the
manor for too long...
So we came back here, leaving
Marcy behind to take care
of him, only to find...
Zoah:
THE PORRE MILITARY HAD TAKEN
CONTROL OF TERMINA...
Karsh:
DAMMIT!
What a shame!!!
[Karsh makes an angry gesture, then turns around to face the party.]
Karsh:
Because of them Porres!!!
Whaddaya got to say to that!?
Norris: | Serge:
That I think my government's | I don't like the Porreans
actions here may have been... | being here any more than
ill-considered. That is why I | you do, you know.
have joined forces with Sir |
Lynx--I mean, with Serge--to |
get to the bottom of what is |
going on here. |
Karsh:
Hmph!!!
Then don't ya dare
get in my way!
Zoah:
WE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON:
THE GENERAL TALKS IN HIS
SLEEP.
LYNX IS BEHIND THIS,
CORRECT?
Serge:
Lynx is involved,
anyway.
Zoah:
YOU DO NOT THINK HE
IS RESPONSIBLE?
Serge:
I think that whatever's going
on is awfully big for just one
person to be behind it. But
Lynx seems to know a lot
about it that we don't.
Karsh:
Well, that's good enough
for me. That bastard.
He's not gonna get away
with this!
We've got some fault in all
of this, so we gotta do
something about it.
Serge:
Um, look, I admit we can use all
the help we can get, but are you
really asking me to trust you?
You're the one who attacked me,
back on Cape Howl, remember?
Karsh:
Oh, man, you're not still sore
about THAT, are you? That
happened DAYS ago.
Serge:
It doesn't feel all that long
ago to me. (Not even if I've
been all over two El Nidos in
the time in between!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Radius is present]
Radius:
Karsh has always been one to
live for the moment. It can be
a strength under circumstances
like these, although he has been
known to take it to extremes.
Karsh:
...Shut up.
Radius:
Why, I remember... Once when
he and Dario were boys of ten
or so, there was this chicken--
Karsh:
I said SHUT UP, old man! I
promised Pops that the next
person who told that chicken
story in front o' me was gonna
called "Shorty" for the rest
of his life, 'cause I was
gonna chop off his legs!
Zoah:
CHICKEN?
Karsh:
Arrgh, not you too!
Sprigg: [if present] | Zoah:
Heheh, soundz like this must | BUT WHY A CHICKEN?
be quite a story. You'll 'ave |
to tell it to me sometime, |
Radius. |
[Karsh facepalms]
Karsh:
Anyway, can we get back to
business? Joinin' forces, all
that stuff?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoah:
ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON CAPE
HOWL... WE HAD ORDERS TO BRING
"SERGE" BACK TO THE MANOR AT
ANY COST. IT WASN'T ANYTHING
PERSONAL, AND WE HAVE NO QUARREL
WITH YOU NOW.
Magus: | Norris: | Glenn:
If they prove to have been | I believe we should take | If it helps,
lying, we can always kill | them, sir. Having to follow | I believe they
them later. | orders that go against one's | can be trusted.
| better judgement is something |
| that can happen in any army. |
Serge:
Okay, okay, we'll work with you,
for now at least. Um, do you
know anything about the Sea of
Eden? (It can't hurt to ask.)
Karsh:
The Sea of Eden?
Is that where
Lynx is?
Serge:
It's where he told me to look
for him, after he switched
bodies with me at Fort Dragonia.
I need to find him. And Kid.
And if what you said is true,
the last time anyone saw Kid,
they were together. (I just
hope she's okay. That stab
wound... I can't see what use
Lynx would have for her dead
body, so she must have been
alive then, but...)
Karsh:
But first, we've gotta rescue
Lady Riddel.
Serge:
Riddel? Did something happen
to her, too?
Karsh:
Yeah.
She's being held captive at the
manor, which the Porre military
has converted into their
headquarters...
Hey, with your uniform, you can
enter undetected, right?
Norris: | Serge:
It should be easy enough, | (This thing I'm wearing is a
as long as we don't | uniform? You could have fooled
encounter the other "me". | me.)
| Well, the Porreans do seem
Karsh: | to think I'm the real Lynx, so
Other you? What the...? | it might work.
|
Serge: |
Can we explain later? |
it's kind of complicated. |
(And I don't want to tell |
that story AGAIN.) |
Zoah:
ONE OF US WILL REMAIN
HERE TO COLLECT INFO.
THE OTHER WILL ENTER
THE MANOR.
LET US MEET AFTERWARDS.
Harle: [if present]
Ze shouting, it makes my head
begin to ache again...
Karsh:
Oh yeah. The shards on
the ground must've been
the Dragon Tear...
We've gathered as many as
possible, but we don't
have any use for it.
You can have them.
[System]
[Member] received
Tear of Hate!
Serge:
(I don't know what I'm going
to do with them either, but
maybe there's a way to use
them to take my body back...)
(Yeah, right. I can just see it
now: asking Lynx to wait while
I go find some glue to stick
this thing back together with...
He'd laugh himself sick.)
[System]
Whom do you want to join?
~~~Karsh | ~~~Zoah
|
Karsh joined your party! | ZOAH JOINED YOUR PARTY!
Harle:
Well, if Monsieur Lynx says we
must, zhen we must.
Serge:
(Huh? She was living at the
manor, so I would have thought
she'd be used to those two
by now. Guess not. Or maybe
she wanted to leave all along,
but Lynx wouldn't let her.
...You'd think she'd have been
able to stand up to him, if
that was what it was.)
===========================================================
Zappa's Smithy, Termina (Another)
===========================================================
[If they enter and speak to Zippa with Karsh in the party]
Zippa:
Karsh, come back to yir home
a little more often!
Oh, and before ah forget,
we've rented yir room
out for a while.
Serge:
(I really shouldn't find that
funny--I mean, I know how I'd
feel if I went home and found
that Mom had rented my room
out--but the look on Karsh's
face is just priceless!)
Karsh:
Whaaat?
Why the hell didja
do that for!
Zippa:
Don't worry.
Yir '"illustration books"'
are safely stored away.
Karsh:
Ugh!!!
Serge:
Heheh... Ahahaha! (Oh, man--
"illustration books"? Yeah,
sure, I bet. And his mom saw
them? I guess Karsh really
isn't all that bright--he
could have saved himself this
just by making sure he took
all his "illustration books"
up to the manor with him!)
Karsh:
What're ya laughing at, ya
cat-faced freak?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Harle is present, she goes into battle stance]
Harle:
Do not insult mon Lynx so,
or you will be getting most
personal wit' ze moon!
[Serge gets between the two of them before Karsh can pull out his axe]
Serge:
Whoa, no fighting, okay? Harle,
we're guests here, so please
don't make trouble. (If she
starts a fight, the Porreans
might come to see what's going
on, and I don't know how long
I can pass for Lynx up close
and personal with people who
know him.)
[Harle folds her arms across her chest--she would be pouting if the graphics
were of good enough quality to show it.]
Harle:
Zut alors! Will zhere never
come a time that I can swat
ces insectes?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Karsh, I didn't mean to laugh
at you. It's just that...that...
Gheh... (Oh, no, I'm going to
start laughing again just
remembering his expression.
Come on, Serge, think about
something Really Not Funny.
Radius in his underwear...
Lynx naked in bed with Kid...
Oops, now I think I'm going
to be sick.)
Karsh:
Aargh! Whatever! I don't
care anymore!
[Karsh stomps over to the door of the smithy.]
Zippa:
Oh dear, where are ye goin'?
Ah thought ye still had work
to do?
Karsh:
...
[He steps outside and slams the door so hard that the entire screen
shakes for a moment. Zippa shakes her head.]
Zippa:
That lad... He ne'er has
learned to rein in his
temper.
Zappa:
Ah was much like that, at
his age. He'll learn.
===========================================================
Termina (Another)
===========================================================
[When the party attempts to exit the town, they find this world's
version of Norris waiting at the entrance, with a couple of Porreans]
Norris[Another]:
Then bring this boy
Serge to me, as soon
as you find him.
[Porre Soldier]
Yes, sir!
Serge:
(I think maybe we'd better back
off until they leave...)
Norris[Another]:
Why, Sir Lynx!!!
Serge:
(Damn! Too late! I guess I'd
better do my best to sound
Lynx-like...)
Captain Norris, isn't it?
What do you want of me?
(There, that should be enough.)
Norris[Another]:
Sir Lynx,
where have you been
all this time?
We heard that you
headed to Fort Dragonia
with the general.
Exactly what happened
back there? There have
been many strange
occurrences since then.
Perhaps you know of a
boy named Serge?
Serge:
(Oh, hell, I need to come up
with something fast! What can I
say to stall for time? Maybe...)
Serge? The name rings a vague
bell--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Karsh, ZOAH, or Glenn is in the group]
Norris[Another]:
......!!!
One of the men behind
you is an Acacia Dragoon!
Sir Lynx,
you were in the middle
of taking him into
custody, sir?
Serge:
I wasn't aware that you had
an interest in the dragoons.
(I wish there was a way to
get out of this without lying
so much. I'm not good at this!
Sooner or later, I'm going to
screw up.)
Norris[Another]:
They are all wanted for
questioning, and the Devas
have been doing some rabble-
raising here in Termina--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Norris is in the party]
Norris[Another]:
...!!!!!!
You are...
me!?
Wh-What is going on...?
Serge:
(Oh, hell, we're in trouble
now! I don't think Norris is
dumb enough to believe he has
a long-lost twin brother, and
I can't figure out any other
way to explain this--)
Norris[Home]:
Let's just say I
am another you and
leave it at that.
Pardon me for saying this,
but it appears that both
of us need to look at
the big picture.
We will only have a
limited understanding by
staying in the same place.
Serge:
(Huh? What's that supposed to
mean? ...I guess one advantage
of talking to "yourself" is
that what you say only needs
to make sense to you!)
Norris[Another]:
S-Silence!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Another Porrean soldier comes running into town]
[Porre Soldier]
Commander Norris,
there is an urgent message
from command!
Serge:
(I never thought I'd be grateful
to the Porrean High Command, but
I am now! I just hope that
Norris stays distracted long
enough for us to get away...)
Norris[Another]:
What is it?
[Porre Soldier]
Umm, sir, it is a level 2
security message...
Serge:
(Oh, hell, he's looking at
us...)
Norris[Another]:
Go ahead, take no heed.
This man is one of us.
Serge:
(Phew. I guess he
still thinks I'm Lynx.)
[Porre Soldier]
Yes, sir!
Grobyc has just arrived
at the manor, sir.
Norris[Another]:
Hmm...
He is quite ahead of schedule.
Understood, I will return ASAP.
Serge:
(Grobyc? Well, I guess we can
ask the other Norris.)
[Porre Soldier]
Yes, sir!
Norris[Another]:
Sir Lynx,
forgive me, but I must return
to the manor at once.
Please come to the manor a
little later.
We will discuss this in more
detail there.
Serge:
Very well. (Or at least I
think that's what Lynx
would say.
[Norris (Another) and the Porrean messenger leave. If Norris is in the group,
the following conversation occurs. If he isn't, pretty much the same thing
happens if they go back to the ruins of Viper Manor (Home) and talk to him
before proceeding to rescue Riddel.]
Sprigg: | Karsh: | Zoah: | Guile:
Well, don't keep | So who's this "Grobyc" | WILL WE HAVE TO | I do not believe I have
us in suspense, | guy, and why does he | FIGHT "GROBYC" | ever seen a Porrean
boyo--tell us who | have the other you | TO RESCUE LADY | officer so nervous.
this "Grobyc" iz. | running scared? | RIDDEL? | Who is this "Grobyc"?
Norris:
Grobyc is--or, in Serge's and my
universe, WAS, an assassin
created by the Porrean Science
Corps.
Serge:
Porrean Science
Corps... You
mean like Luccia?
Norris:
You have met her? I didn't
realize...but of course, she
must exist in this universe
too. Grobyc was Luccia's
brother's creation. He is
powerful, but unstable and
difficult to handle. In our
universe, this qualities led
to him having to be destroyed.
Karsh: | Serge:
"Difficult to handle"? | "Difficult to handle"?
What's that supposed to | (I don't like the sound
mean? | of that.)
Norris:
To put it bluntly, Grobyc
respects only force, and has
a tendency to turn on his
allies if they do not measure
up to his standards. In the
incident which led to his death
in my home universe, one of
the people he killed happened
to be the eldest son of High
General Kadis. It took fifty
soldiers armed with guns and
Elements to take him down, and
there were...substantial
casualties.
Karsh: | Zoah: | Serge:
Damn! We're gonna | IN THAT CASE, HIS PRESENCE | (And we're gonna
have to fight our | MAY MAKE RESCUING LADY RIDDEL... | have to fight that?
way through that? | CONSIDERABLY MORE DIFFICULT. | Oh, man...)
Norris:
It may not be so difficult as
you suppose--the Grobyc I knew
had some respect for me.
Serge:
What about Lynx?
Norris:
To my knowledge,
they have not met.
Serge:
(So much for that idea. Maybe
we'll get lucky and manage not
to run into him.)
And that's all for this one, folks. Side stuff (re-recruitment of Guile, Glenn, and Skelly, and
possibly one or two other tidbits) coming within the next couple of weeks.
And no, I do not presently know what Dario and Karsh were doing with that chicken, and I'm not sure I want to find out. O_O
-
And no, I do not presently know what Dario and Karsh were doing with that chicken, and I'm not sure I want to find out. O_O
Looks like we'll never find out... :lol:
Though I think it's for the best... I so not want to loose my legs. XD
-
.... Poor chicken... :(
-
So goshdarn awesome. WHY ALFADOR WHY? Why do you cause me to wait with such anticipation for each new chapter?
Also Norris! One of my favorite characters, though I guess he's rather bland. I ascribe more panache to him than the scriptwriters originally gave him, probably because my grandfather's name was Norris.
Plus, he uses a gun. One of the few! I have a thing for people who dare to use guns in a sword-wielding world. (if they're protagonists)
I'm rambling. What I was meaning to say is: I am still looking forward to the old-people talk! That comment...
Sprigg: [if present]
Heheh, soundz like this must
be quite a story. You'll 'ave |
to tell it to me sometime, |
Radius.
Makes me laugh. That whole section made me laugh! Like a maniac! Ahahahaha!
Also, does Pierre not exist in your script? If he does, I guess I've just forgotten him. I didn't recruit him, and don't really care, other than he seems like he'd be a good target for ridicule.
-
@skylark: If it makes you feel any better, I think the reason Karsh is so embarassed about the incident is that the chicken managed to put one over on him in the end, so we can probably assume that it survived.
@Katie Skyye: Well, in the real universe, guns and swords did exist alongside each other for a very long time--guns first came into practical use in the late fifteenth century or something like that, and I don't think it was until WWI that the cavalry saber ceased to be considered a practical weapon. (WWI did mark the end of horse cavalry in general.) The Chronoverse at the time of Cross seems to be at an early stage of transition from the use of purely muscle-powered weapons to chemical-powered ones. I wonder if Norris' gun is muzzle-loaded or cartridge-based...?
I'll get to the old-people talk, if not in this first chunk of side-stuff coming up, then in the next one after that.
Pierre was one of the characters I considered keeping but ended up writing out. He's potentially interesting, but not enough so for me to justify adding in yet another character to keep track of and write lines for. (I'm still wavering about Orlha, who is potentially even more interesting.)
-
Okay, first of all, I ran out of space before getting to Sprigg and Radius,
so I'll be posting their conversation after the next chapter.
Secondly, I may have botched Glenn's characterization a bit, but I'm not
sure what I should have done instead. Or maybe I just think I screwed up because
I'm to tired right now to think straight, period.
Midgame Sidequests, Part I
Recruits: The player will definitely have Lynx-Serge, Sprigg, Radius, Norris.
Depending on where they are in the main storyline, what recruitments/re-recruitments
have been performed, etc., they may also have Magus, Guile, Nikki, Glenn, Skelly,
Luccia, Grobyc, ZOAH, Karsh, Dario, Orlha, and/or Harle. (15 chars--argh!) If
Magus was recruited at any point, he will stick with the party and be impossible
to boot out, although he can be relegated to a non-combat position.
PART I: Magus and Guile Again
======================================================
Back Room, The Dragon's Tail (Another)
======================================================
[This bit can take place any time after Lynx-Serge regains access to Another World.
It requires speaking to Guile at the Dragon's Tail with Magus in the party.]
Guile:
Magus! I was not expecting to
see you again so soon.
Perhaps you would like to
solve for me the mystery of
why you are travelling with
Lynx...?
Magus:
That isn't Lynx, just Lynx's
body.
Guile:
Then...the real Lynx is...
Magus:
Occupying Serge's body at the
moment, as far as we know.
Guile:
This is...rather a lot to
absorb...
Serge:
Um, if you don't mind my
changing the subject, have you
seen Kid anywhere since you
left Fort Dragonia?
Guile:
I fear not--and I have been
looking, for her and for
you.
Serge:
Damn!
Guile:
If I may ask, where have you
been since you disappeared
from the fort?
Magus:
We landed in the other world,
and had to make a bit of a
detour before returning to
this dimension.
Sprigg: | Serge:
Heh. If you aren't gonna | Um, Magus... Aren't you
say it, I will, just to | going to tell him about
see the look on 'is face. | the Dead Sea?
Guile:
Pardon?
Sprigg: | Serge:
Your friend 'as 'iz | We...found out a bit about
memory back. | Magus' history.
[Guile reels theatrically back against the wall.]
Guile:
I think I...need
to sit down.
Magus:
That might be wise. We have
a great deal to discuss.
[Fade out.]
======================================================
The Dragon's Tail (Another)
======================================================
[When the scene fades back in, Magus and Guile are seated at one
of the tables in the Dragon's Tail, alone.]
Guile:
A prince of Zeal. I can scarcely
believe it. I was expecting
something mysterious and
strange, but...not this.
Magus:
I suppose the story does sound
like a fairytale to someone who
doesn't remember the hell it
actually was. I am...very tired
of having worlds crumble out
from under me.
Guile:
And so you intend to stay with
Serge and attempt to save this
one?
Magus:
And so I intend to stay with
Serge and see if the events that
center around him will allow me
to fill in the remaining holes
in my past. I am beginning to
get the impression that he and
I are tangled in opposite sides
of the same net.
Guile:
I admit, it does seem very
curious that you cannot remember
the previous Arbiter. Is he the
only thing still missing from
your memory?
Magus:
There are three patterns of
holes. One has to do with the
Arbiter, one with what I was
doing between the death of
Lavos and meeting you, and
one...with my sister.
Guile:
Your sister?
Magus:
My older sister, yes. Schala.
She all but raised me while our
parents were busy with affairs
of state, and yet, while I can
remember the sound of her voice
and the feel of the silk of her
robes under my hands, I cannot
see her face in my mind.
Guile:
Could she have been the Arbiter
that you can't remember?
Magus:
!
It's possible, certainly. She
would have been old enough.
Guile:
Could she also have been what
you were looking for that day?
Magus:
I see what you're getting at.
Not three patterns of holes,
but one, centering around her.
The obvious, simple solution,
and I couldn't see it.
[Magus hits the table with a clenched fist.]
Guile:
Does this mean I am still living
up to my half of our bargain?
Magus:
Bargain? ...Oh. That. I hadn't
considered it to still be in
force.
Guile:
Why not? I am not nearly as
powerful as you are, which
suggests that you still have
more to teach me, and you have
not yet fully deciphered the
mystery of your past, which
suggests I may yet be of aid
to you in answering the
questions you have left.
Magus:
I have taught you all that I
consider safe to pass on. The
remainder of my knowledge will
die with me.
Guile:
But why?
Magus:
Because it is horrific. In my
quest to defeat Lavos, I was
willing to do anything to
gain power. Torture, human
sacrifice, necromancy... I
flinched from none of it. If I
burdened you with even half of
what I know, you would hate me
for it afterwards.
It's ironic, I suppose: Crono's
ghost spoke of the empty future
we destroyed coming to take its
revenge, but the future doesn't
disturb me. The past, however...
I'm not surprised that I was
willing to wipe those dark years
from my memory.
Guile:
And yet I would have said that
running away from anything,
including your past, was not
in your character.
Magus:
No, there was more to it than
that. I just wish I could
remember what. It may be
important.
[Magus shakes his head.]
[Magus]
Will you come with us when we
leave?
Guile:
Of course--my curiosity is far
from being satisfied!
[System]
Guile joins your party!
[The player gets control back with the party standing outside the
Dragon's Tail.]
----------------------------------------------------------------
PART II: Re-recruiting Glenn
======================================================
Glenn and Dario's House, Termina (Another)
======================================================
[Approach Glenn as Lynx without either Radius or Dario in the party,
and something like this happens...]
Serge:
Glenn--
Glenn:
I am not well-disposed toward
demi-humans right now, and you
bear a suspicious resemblance
to the one known as Lynx. Go
away.
Serge:
But I'm--
Glenn:
I do not want to hear it.
Leave this place, or I will
draw my sword, and it will
not go well for you if you
force me to do that.
[Glenn turns his back to Serge]
Zoah: [if present]
HE IS TOO ANGRY TO LISTEN
TO US RIGHT NOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Karsh is present]
Karsh:
Heh. You were always a stubborn
one, weren't you, Glenn? The
only people you would ever
listen to were Radius and...
[Karsh shakes his head and doesn't finish the sentence]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---------------------------------------------------------------
======================================================
Glenn and Dario's House, Termina (Another)
======================================================
[This bit can take place any time after Lynx-Serge regains access to Another World.
It requires approaching Glenn with Radius in the party (which he normally will be
when the party first returns to Termina (Another)]
Serge:
Glenn! I'm glad to see that you
got back from Fort Dragonia in
one piece! Have you seen any
sign of Kid?
Glenn:
Lynx! How dare you show your
face in Termina again, you
honourless fiend!
[Serge steps back as Glenn pulls out his sword]
Serge:
(Oh, damn, for a moment I forgot
what face I'm wearing these
days! If I want to salvage this,
I'm going to have to talk fast!)
Look, I'm not really Lynx, and
we're not here to fight--
Glenn:
Must you compound your foul
deeds by lying as well?
[He swings his sword at Serge, but Radius steps forward and blocks the
blow with his staff.]
Radius:
I thought I had trained that
impulsiveness out of you, Glenn.
Glenn:
Radius...?! But I thought that
you had resolved to never leave
your island again!
[Glenn puts his sword away, and Radius goes back to using his staff
as a walking stick]
Radius:
I came out of
retirement to
help Serge.
Glenn:
Then why are you
with Lynx?
Radius:
This is not Lynx. Nor is the
rebel of whom we have been
hearing rumours truly Serge.
Glenn:
I do not understand. What
is going on here?
Serge:
Well, it's like this...
[The screen fades out, then in again, as Serge waves his arms expressively]
Glenn:
I see. So you are the true
Serge, and the one who has been
stirring up trouble using your
name is Lynx.
Serge:
Yeah, that's right. (Phew, he
finally got it.)
Glenn:
Then I suppose I should tell
you that I know nothing of what
has happened to Kid since you
and I last parted ways. I am
sorry.
Serge:
Don't worry about it. (Damn! I
know it isn't his fault, but
I'm getting tired of no one
knowing anything! If Kid's dead,
I...I'll...I don't know what,
but Lynx isn't going to be
happy when I do it!)
Radius:
You will be coming with us,
I trust, Glenn. You owe Serge
something in return for
attacking him without warning.
Glenn:
...You may not be the Radius of
this world, but you speak with
his voice. Very well, I will
come.
[System]
Glenn joins your party!
-------------------------------------------------------------
======================================================
Glenn and Dario's House, Termina (Another)
======================================================
[This is the alternate version which takes place if Dario is in the party
when they approach Glenn. The dialogue is the same even if Glenn
was not recruited in the first part of the game. If both Dario and Radius are
in the party, Dario's presence trumps Radius'. The scene begins as soon as the
party enters the house--no need to actually try to speak to Glenn.]
[Dario looks around]
Dario:
This brings back memories...
the old place hasn't changed
very much.
[Glenn jumps a bit, and turns to face Dario]
Dario:
Is that you, Glenn? You've grown
so much in the years that I've
been away that I almost didn't
recognize you.
Glenn:
B-brother?! But this is
impossible! Am I seeing
ghosts?!
[Dario shakes his head]
Dario:
I was badly hurt while we were
investigating the Isle of the
Dead, and I lost my memory as
a result, so I didn't know that
I'd left anyone behind who might
be worried about me. I'm sorry.
Glenn:
You don't need to apologize.
I'm just happy...to see you
again... (Sniff...)
[Glenn turns away, as though to hide the fact that he's crying, but
Dario walks around to stand in front of him and puts his hands on
Glenn's shoulders.]
Dario:
No need to hide, Glenn. I feel
like crying too. Even though I
didn't remember you, I knew that
there was something missing in
my life--I just didn't know that
it had names like "Glenn",
"Karsh", and "Riddel"--my little
brother, my best friend, and the
woman that I love. Even if you
and I aren't from the same
world--
Glenn:
"The same..." Wait a minute! Am
I to understand that you're from
Serge's world? But the Glenn
there...
Serge:
Most of the Dragoons from my
world followed Lynx on an
expedition to the Dead Sea...
and never came back.
Dario:
And the "me" of this world
doesn't seem to have survived
either, so I suppose we're
the only ones left. Does it
truly matter so very much?
Glenn:
N-no, I suppose it doesn't.
Even if you don't stay in
this world, knowing that
you are alive and well...
helps a little.
Dario:
I haven't decided what I'm
going to do yet. I have some
plans for the other world's
Viper Manor, but Riddel may
not want to be separated from
her father, and I doubt he will
leave this world. In the
meanwhile, I am helping Serge
here with his quest to find
Lynx and get his body back.
[Glenn turns to face Serge.]
Glenn:
Then...you are Serge? That
is...bizarre, if you will
pardon my saying so.
Serge:
Yeah, tell me about it.
Dario:
Why don't you come with us?
Karsh: [if present]
Yeah, why don't you? It'll
be just like old times!
Glenn:
If you want me to come, then of
course I will. I only hope that
I can be of use to you, brother.
Dario:
I'm sure you will, but the real
reason I want you to come with
us is simply that I would like
to have your company again,
after so long apart.
Glenn:
Brother...
[System]
Glenn joins your party!
---------------------------------------------------------------
PART III: Re-recruiting Skelly
======================================================
Skelly's House, Termina (Another)
======================================================
[Obviously, things only work this way if they reassembled Skelly completely and recruited
him before the body-switch. This scene unfolds if the party then goes to Skelly's
place in Termina, and speaks to him...]
Skelly:
Nyak-nyak-nyak!
As I always said,
grandma makes the best
spearhead shark soup in
the world!
Serge:
(I wonder if he realizes it's
just running back out between
his ribs...?)
[Skelly's grandma]
Skelly, dear, are these people
your guests?
Serge:
Um, not exactly, Ma'am, but
we would like a word with
your grandson, if that's okay
with both of you.
[Skelly's grandma]
Oh, of course that's perfectly
fine. Not many of Skelly's
friends come to visit him
anymore, and I'm sure he's
getting bored, with no one to
talk to but this old woman...
Skelly:
Don't be silly, Grandma--
I'd nevah get bored of talkin'
with you! But I do have a thing
or two I need ta say to these
folks. We'll just be a minute,
'kay?
[Skelly's grandma]
Of course, Skelly.
Enjoy your talk.
[Skelly hustles the party out of the house, not stopping until everyone is outside
on the main Termina screen and the door is firmly shut behind them.]
Skelly:
Okay, Lynx, start talkin',
but I'll warn ya now that
I won't do anythin' that
would hurt Grandma.
Serge:
Look, I know it's hard to
believe, but I'm NOT Lynx.
Skelly:
You know, if you're gonna tell
jokes like that, you've gotta
work on the delivery. Sayin' it
all deadpan just takes the life
right out of it.
Sprigg: | Glenn: | Serge:
Do you 'onestly believe | I did not believe it | It wasn't a joke! (I can
that the real Lynx 'az | myself at first, but | understand why people never
a sense of 'umour? | he is telling the truth. | believe me, but I'm getting
| | tired of it.)
Skelly:
So if you're not Lynx, who
are you--and it had bettah
be some punchline!
Serge:
I'm Serge.
Skelly:
YOU'RE Serge?!
...You weren't supposed to say
somethin' that makes sense.
Serge:
Then...you believe me?
Skelly:
I haven't been hidin' undah
a rock, ya know. You hear a
lot of stuff in Termina. Like
stuff about a Serge who sure
as heck doesn't act like the
Serge I remembah...and doesn't
recognize me, eithah, even
when I'm sittin' at the next
table ovah in the Dragon's Tail.
I figured then that there was
somethin' wrong--I mean, it
ain't like this face is an
easy one to forget! Nyak-nyak-
nyak!
Serge:
Heh, that's for sure. Look,
Skelly, I'm trying to get
my body back from Lynx. Could
you...lend me a hand?
[Skelly uses his right hand to tug on the left one]
Skelly:
Well, looks like it ain't gonna
come off, so I'll just have to
go with ya, hands and all!
[Serge facepalms]
Serge:
(I should have known better
than to phrase that the way
I did.)
Before we get going, one
more thing--have you heard
anything, anything at all,
about Kid?
Skelly:
So she's missing, is she? I
haven't heard a word, but
chin up, okay? We'll find her.
I mean, you found all my bones,
and a gal like Kid's a lot
harder to hide than those were!
Nyak-nyak-nyak!
[System]
Skelly became the life of
your party once more!
---------------------------------------------------
PART IV: Grounded UFOs
[This could happen basically at any time after Serge gets his
hands on the boat in Home World.]
======================================================
Sky Dragon Isle (Home)
======================================================
[The party climbs up to the top of the island and opens the chest
sitting in the center of the last area. As they discover that it's
empty, Giant Starky enters from the right side of the screen.]
[Giant Starky]
Give me.
Star Fragment!
[Expedition Guy]
Nooooo, it's here!
Serge:
(Oh, great. Just when I start
thinking I've seen all the Weird
there is in the universe,
something even weirder
shows up.)
[Combat with Starky. Afterwards, Giant Starky turns into Normal Starky...]
Luccia: | Norris: | Guile: | Karsh:
So dis is the true form | So its true self | Fascinating. | Give me a
of dat creature? Interesting. | is this small? | How could such | break--we
Vhat ve fought vas no simple | How strange. | a tiny being | were really
projection. How did it achieve | | appear to be | fighting
such a metamorphosis? | | so large? | that midget?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Grobyc: | Serge:
AND I THOUGHT I HAD | Small-creature- | So it was really the
FINALLY FOUND AN | is-strong. Grobyc- | size of an eight-year-old
OPPONENT LARGER THAN | is-impressed. | kid?! (Oh, man, even
I AM. | | MORE weird.)
[Starky runs over to the side and bounces up and down]
[Starky]
Naha-naha... Naha-naha...
Mysterious Creature:
Whoopipeee!
Star Fragment miine.
Serge:
Son of a--! It
picked my pocket!
[System]
Catch him with the x button!!!
[Starky runs for it. The party runs after him. If/when they catch him...]
Mysterious Creature:
Starky shocked!
Mysterious Creature:
Starky got caught.
you win.
Serge:
What can I say? I've had a lot
of practice running after stuff
lately. (Pant, pant.) What are
you, anyway?
Mysterious Creature:
Starky come from
farawaay stars.
Starky:
But Starky's ship
fall from sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present and the party has been to the Dead Sea]
Magus:
The last creature I encountered
that fell from the sky was no
friend to anything of this
world.
Serge:
So what do you
suggest we do?
Kill him?
Magus:
Indeed. It would
be safest.
Starky:
Eep! Starky noo
liike you.
Serge:
Don't worry, I won't let him
hurt you. And anyway, he isn't
half as nasty as he likes to
pretend he is. (Trust Magus to
take what I said seriously when
I was trying to be sarcastic!)
Magus:
Very well, but I warn you: do
not trust this creature. It
isn't half as helpless as it
seems. That gun it's carrying
represents a far more advanced
technology than anything that
will be developed in this world
for hundreds of years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Luccia is present]
Luccia:
Life from anodder vorld...so
such a thing exists! Ah, if
only I could dissect it...
[Starky dodges around to hide behind Serge.]
Starky:
You aare scary peeople.
Starky friightened.
Serge:
Luccia--
Luccia:
I am not saying I vill attack
him! I merely mean...if he dies
here on dis planet...I do not
vish the body to go to vaste!
Serge:
...(I honestly don't know
what to say. Is her research
really that important to her?)
Starky:
Starky cannot stop yoou if
Starky is dead.
Luccia:
Den in principle, ve are agreed.
I vill of course give vhat is
left aftervards a decent burial.
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
(I think they're BOTH aliens.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Why did you want the Star
Fragment, anyway?
Starky:
Star Fragment is Starky's
ship fragment.
The ship turned to
fragments after crash.
Norris: [if present]
Then...the Star Fragment
is a material capable of
protecting a ship travelling
through space...
Luccia: [if present]
Physics is not my area, but
I know of people dat vould
be greatly interested in
dis Star Fragment...
Serge:
I wonder... Things work out
differently in the other world,
sometimes. Your ship might still
be in one piece there. (Or he
might well never have come to
this world at all...but I'm
not going to tell him that.
The poor little guy looks so
dejected already.)
Starky:
Reeally! Whoopeee!
Starky will come with you.
[System]
Starky jooined youur party!
Starky:
But...what is this
"other world"?
Serge:
(Sigh) I'll explain as we
go along, okay?
Next posting will be the first part of chapter 21, in which Viper Manor is reinvaded,
and Magus finally runs into Belthasar. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
-
Ah, re-recruitments. And that would solve one of my only few complaints about Cross. Anyway...
And Magus finally runs into Belthasar. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
This should be interesting...
-
Unfortunately, Magus and Belthasar will only have time for a bit of shocked mutual recognition before being interrupted. Grobyc-does-not-like-to-be-ignored, and if I let Magus find out about the Schala-resurrection plan before Terra Tower I risk breaking the plot. So not as interesting as it might be without those constraints.
-
I had to split this into two sections again, and this part does not get as far
as Magus meeting Belthasar--sorry. On the gripping hand, we do get to see Zoah display
something that might be a rudimentary sense of humour. Or not. I don't think poooor
Staaarky got even one line. I'm starting to have trouble keeping track of people. :(
I have no idea why I inflicted a name on the Porrean officer, beyond the fact that
it seemed like a good idea at the time.
21. Back to Viper Manor - A captive audience awaits... Part I
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile OR Glenn, Karsh OR ZOAH, Starky.
Recruitable: Grobyc. Luccia becomes re-recruitable after the end of the chapter.
===========================================================
Viper Manor Gates (Another)
===========================================================
[Serge speaks to the Porrean soldiers guarding the gate.]
[Porre Soldier]
Sir Lynx,
please go on through.
[The soldiers move aside and open the gate to let the party past.]
Serge:
(I'll be damned, they really do
believe that I'm Lynx. Does he
get this treatment everywhere
he goes?)
===========================================================
Viper Manor Courtyard (Another)
===========================================================
[The soldiers outside the mansion's main door also stand aside.]
[Porre Soldier]
Please go on through.
Serge:
(They're even holding the door
for me. I could get used to
this...if it didn't mean keeping
Lynx's body.)
===========================================================
Riddel's Room, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party enters the mansion, we are shown Riddel, seated at a table,
guarded by two Porrean soldiers. A Porrean officer is questioning her.
Norris(Another) is standing on the officer's side of the table, but not really
close to the officer himself. Grobyc-is-leaning-against-the-wall-to-Norris'-right.]
Porre Officer:
Being stubborn, eh?
Porre Officer:
I'm going to ask you one more time.
What happened at Fort Dragonia!?
Where is General Viper!?
And where is the Frozen Flame!?
Riddel:
I do not know.
And even if I did,
I would never tell you!
Porre Officer:
Damn this goody-two-shoes...
Listen up, missy, do you know
what kind of predicament you're in!?
[Norris turns to face the officer]
Norris:
Please, sir, this woman
has done nothing wrong.
Porre Officer:
She is a prisoner of the Porre military.
This is a legitimate interrogation!
Norris:
I do not believe that, sir.
There has to be a better way
to go about this! Just give it
a little more time and...
Porre Officer:
We don't have the time, Norris!
I have no time to be listening
to your idealistic theories.
Porre Officer:
Now, missy...
Let's have you go
down to the basement.
Norris:
No, please!
Wait!
Porre Officer:
Norris!!!
I've had enough of you for today.
I want you to stay out of this!
Norris[Another]:
......
Porre Officer:
Take her away!
[Porre Soldier]
Yes, sir!
[The two soldiers who were guarding Riddel hustle her out of the room. Norris
watches them go.]
Porre Officer:
You disappoint me...
Remain on standby
in the parlor!
Porre Officer:
I can't hear you!
[Grobyc leaves his position by the wall and moves toward the two of them.
Norris turns to watch him.]
Norris[Another]:
Please, wait.
Think of what you are doing.
Can you live with that?
Porre Officer:
He won't talk to you.
He has no interest
other than fighting.
Norris[Another]:
This cannot be...
Is he the one from the lab...?
Porre Officer:
That's right.
This is the Killing
Machine Grobyc.
Grobyc:
......
Grobyc-only-takes-orders
from-those-who-are-stronger.
[Grobyc leaves the room.]
Porre Officer:
Hah...!
Another soldier
who won't listen...
Porre Officer:
Dismissed!
[Norris leaves, and a generic Porrean soldier walks in]
Porre Officer:
Call in the cook!
The '"hell"' one, of course...
[Porre Soldier]
Yes, sir!
[sequence ends, and we return to the party, who are standing in the foyer.]
===========================================================
Library, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[If Magus is in the party, the library will be empty when they enter it.]
Serge:
...Is that a note on the desk?
[Magus strides over and grabs it.]
Magus:
It says, "I must have just
missed you. Riddel is being held
in one of the cells in the
basement. I suggest you speak to
Norris before charging in to
save her. He should be in the
front parlour." Hmph.
[Magus crumples the note. When he opens his hand again, flames burst out
around his fingers.]
Magus:
This old man is starting
to annoy me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't in the party, Belthasar is there when they arrive.]
Serge:
Excuse me? Prophet? I--
Prophet:
Hmmm...
It appears that my worst
fear has come true.
You are Serge inside
Lynx's body...
Serge:
You can tell?
Prophet:
It would be obvious to any--
A-HEM. Regardless of that...
You have come to rescue
Riddel, have you not?
Serge:
(Obvious to any...what? Why
did he just cut himself off
like that?) That's right.
Do you have any idea where
she is?
Prophet:
I believe Riddel has been
imprisoned in the basement.
First, go and find Norris.
He should be able to help you.
Serge:
Wait just a minute. The Norris
from this world still thinks
that I'm Lynx, and I don't think
he entirely trusts me. Why would
he want to help us?
Prophet:
Norris...is not the sort of man
who would approve of what his
superiors are doing to Riddel.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Norris is in the party]
Norris:
Do you happen to know who
is in charge of this...
travesty of an investigation?
Prophet:
I believe his name is
Davik.
Norris:
Colonel Davik... I see.
Serge:
(From the look on his face,
I'd guess that Norris really
doesn't like this Davik guy.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Serge:
So where can we find this
world's Norris?
Prophet:
I believe he went to the front
parlour after walking out on the
last questioning session in
disgust.
Serge:
Okay, thanks. (How does this guy
know anything about this
"questioning session"? If the
Porreans are trying to get
information about the Dead Sea
out of Riddel, I can't see them
letting the mansion's librarian
sit in...and I wouldn't have
thought he'd waste his...gift,
or whatever, on predicting
something like that. Or is it
because he knew I was going to
show up again? But he didn't
know I was going to be Lynx...
Aargh, I give up!)
===========================================================
Parlor, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party speaks to him, Norris(Another) snaps to attention and
salutes]
Norris(Another):
Sir Lynx!
Please excuse these
squalid conditions.
Serge:
I...don't think this is
especially squalid. (In fact,
I think describing it that way
is just short of crazy. I mean,
sure, there are fancier places
in Termina and even better rooms
in this mansion, but even this
is pretty impressive compared to
what I grew up with in Arni.
It makes me wonder what Porre
is like.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Norris(Home) is in the party and was not in the
party when they departed Termina, the Norris-meets-Norris
scene from the previous chapter happens here instead.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Norris[Another]:
Sir...
This has been bothering me
since we met up in Termina.
You seem different from
what I last remember...
You just seem...
different...
Serge:
It HAS been some time since
we last met, Captain Norris.
People can change. (I get the
feeling that even lying like
a rug isn't going to keep him
from figuring this out for much
longer, but I don't know if
he'll help me if he finds out
who I am...)
Norris[Another]:
...I see.
So if I may ask, what happened
at Fort Dragonia? Did you find
the Frozen Flame? And where is
General Viper?
Serge:
(Oh, hell, what do I say?) The
Frozen Flame was never anywhere
near Fort Dragonia. It's been
in the Dead Sea all along.
Norris[Another]:
The...Dead Sea?
Serge:
(Oops, wrong world.) I mean the
Sea of Eden. There was a...bit
of a problem at Fort Dragonia.
A thief from the Radical
Dreamers showed up, and there
was a fight. She thought Lynx--
[Serge claps a hand to his mouth.]
Serge:
(I was so proud of remembering
the name of the gang Kid used to
belong to that I just let it
slip out!)
[Norris pulls his gun]
Norris[Another]:
Just who are you really, and
what are you doing here? Your
life depends on your answer.
Serge:
(Ulp!)
Norris[Home]: | Karsh: | Zoah:
Calm yourself. We | Argh, what an idiot! | THIS IS THAT "SERGE"
truly mean you no | Look, if we were gonna | YOU MENTIONED. THE REAL
harm. | hurt you, we'd've done | LYNX STOLE HIS BODY.
| it already! Serge here | NOW PUT THE GUN DOWN.
This is Serge, a | offered to help us | WE ARE NOT HERE TO HURT
victim of the real | rescue Riddel, and that's | YOU, BUT WE WILL DEFEND
Lynx's machinations. | ALL we're here for. | OURSELVES IF WE MUST.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skelly: | Sprigg: | Radius: | Magus:
Can't put one ovah | I woz startin' to | Please, young | His name is
on you for a minute, | wonder if you'd | man, it isn't | Serge, and
can we? This is that | ever figure it out. | necessary to | for some reason
Serge guy you asked | This is Serge. 'E's | shoot. This | he seems to
about. The real Lynx | kind of stuck in | person, as you | be central to
stole his body. Now | Lynx's body right | have observed, | all of this.
are you gonna put | now. Now, put that | is not Lynx, | Now put that
that gun away, or do | gun down before ya | but that Serge | gun away before
you wanna shoot me? | do somethin' that | you mentioned | I feed it to
I don't mind if you | ya didn't mean to, | earlier. | you.
do. The bullet would | boyo. | |
just go right through. | | |
[Norris[Another] lowers his gun.]
Norris[Another]:
Is it true?
Sir Lynx...
What has happened?
Serge:
Serge, not Lynx. (I am SO
tired of people calling me
by that bastard's name even
when they know better.)
Anyway, it's a bit of a
long story, but it happened
kind of like this...
[Fade out, then back in. When the room reappears, Norris is sitting on the
edge of the bed.]
Norris[Another]:
I see...
Serge:
(I'm glad ONE of us does. This
stupid story is so tangled now
that it reminds me of what
happened when Poshul got into
Leena's grandmother's yarn
basket...)
Norris[Another]:
So the Serge commanding
the insurgent troops is
the real Lynx...
Everything is starting
to make sense.
Norris[Another]:
We were wrong all along.
We never should have
joined forces with Lynx...
Norris(Home): [if present]
That is the conclusion I came
to as well. The High Command
does not appear to be behaving
rationally in this matter. They
seem to want the Frozen Flame
very badly, and Lynx has used
that to manipulate them.
Norris[Another]:
You didn't come to the Manor
just to discuss this with me.
What brings you here?
Karsh: | Zoah: | Glenn: | Serge:
Riddel!!! | WE ARE HERE TO | You Porreans | We're here
Where is Lady Riddel!!!? | RESCUE LADY | are holding the | for General
Bring her out, NOW!!! | RIDDEL. THE | General's daughter | Viper's
You lay one filthy finger | DRAGOONS HAVE | hostage--did you | daughter.
on her and you die! | A DUTY TO SEE | truly expect us to |
ARGHHHHHH! | THE GENERAL'S | just leave her here? |
| DAUGHTER TO | |
| SAFETY. | |
Norris[Another]:
I see. I will do
what I can to help
you free her.
Riddel should be in
the basement prison.
Please, take this.
[Norris gets up and walks over to hand Serge the key]
[System]
Member received
the Prison Key!
Serge:
I'm still not sure it's a good
idea for us to go walking right
in past the guards.
Norris[Another]:
There is a sewage system
below the prison.
You should be able to break
into the prison by making
your way through the sewers.
Use the hatch downstairs.
Serge:
(Viper would have to be awfully
stupid to leave a back door like
that into his prison, so...)
What's the catch?
Norris[Another]:
The sewers are
full of monsters.
Please be alert, I have
heard of one particularly
frightful monster.
Serge:
Thanks for the warning.
(I'd be more impressed if I
hadn't already fought Garai
and that giant parrot of
Fargo's and all those things
in the Dead Sea. It's getting
to the point where I EXPECT
monsters.)
Norris[Another]:
I will be in the 1F main hall.
Please meet me there once
you rescue Riddel.
Serge:
Right. Thanks again
for your help.
===========================================================
Kitchen, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party leaves the room where Norris was waiting, we are taken
briefly to the kitchen down in the basement, which has just been entered
by a Porrean soldier.]
[Porre Soldier]
Hi, Orcha.
It's that time again!
Orcha:
Whatcha talkin' about?
[Porre Soldier]
You know... This...
[The soldier appears to ring a bell. Orcha claps both hands to his head and
sort of squirms across the room.]
Orcha:
CHAAAAAAAAA!
[Reaching a corner, Orcha stops and crouches slightly. His skin turns blue.]
Hell Orcha: [making chopping motions with a cleaver]
Acha-cha-cha-cha!
[Porre Soldier]
Your guest is waiting
in the basement.
Hell Orcha:
Acha!
[Hell Orcha leaves the kitchen, with the soldier following, and
we are returned to the party.]
===========================================================
Cells, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[The party has just waded through the sewers and climbed up the ladder leading to
the rightmost jail cell, where Fargo is lying on the bed.]
Fargo:
Arg...!
What the hell am
I doin' here...?
Fargo:
I miss the smell
o' the sea...
[The bed begins to bounce.]
Fargo:
ARG!!!
[Fargo jumps up.]
Fargo:
Somethin' down below!?
[He gets off the bed.]
Serge:
Is anyone up there?
Fargo:
Aye!
Hold on a bit.
Serge:
(Oh, hell, I think I
know that voice...)
Fargo:
Heave...
Fargo:
HOOOOOO!!!
[Fargo pushes the bed out of the way, revealing a hole in the
floor, which the party then climbs up through.]
Fargo:
Shiver me timbers!
LYNX!?
Serge:
(Oh, man, not again.)
Radius: [if present]
Does he truly seem
like Lynx to you?
Norris: [if present]
The real Lynx would
have entered through
the door.
Serge:
Look, just calm down, okay?
(This is going to be tough.
Fargo has this thing about
jumping to conclusions...)
Why would the real Lynx
want to have a private talk
with you so badly that he'd
enter your cell through the
sewers?
Fargo:
I'd say that was
for you to tell me.
Serge:
(Oh, hell... I guess I'll
just have to try something
else. It's that or fight him.)
What are you doing here, anyway?
Did the Porreans capture your
ship? (And if they did, what
did they do with the parrot?)
[Fargo shakes his head]
Fargo:
They caught me away from her
when we put in to pick up
supplies near the foot of Mount
Pyre. Though I got the feelin'
we weren't the ones they were
lookin' for, if ya get what I
mean. They'd never have taken
me if I'd had me own decks under
me feet.
Serge:
Then I guess I don't have to
worry about there being a huge
parrot waiting out in the hall.
(That's a relief.)
Fargo:
Well, well, well. Maybe ya
really aren't Lynx after all.
He's never met Polly.
Serge:
Actually, I'm Serge.
Fargo:
You're SERGE?!
...Aye, that makes sense. I'd
thought those rumours didn't
sound much like the boy I'd met.
This'd be somethin' the real
Lynx did to you, then.
Fargo:
But I'm honored that
you would come save me.
I owe ya one.
Serge:
Actually, we didn't even know
you were here. We broke in to
rescue someone else.
Karsh: | Zoah: | Glenn: | Serge:
Are you two done yakkin' | WE ARE LOOKING | We are here | We promised we
yet? If something happens | FOR GENERAL | for Lady | would rescue
to Riddel because we were | VIPER'S DAUGHTER. | Riddel. | Viper's daughter,
wastin' time with this | | | in return for the
guy, you're gonna wish | | | dragoons' help
you'd never been born! | | | with the real Lynx.
Fargo:
Oh, is that so.
Well, you ended up
savin' me anyway.
Let me help.
Serge:
Do you know
where she is?
Fargo:
Aye...!
A young lass was taken
to the cell next door.
Serge:
(Well, there aren't that many
young women around here, and he
knows Luccia, so he wouldn't be
likely to mistake her for
Riddel even if he decided she
was "young".) Thanks, that
sounds like it's probably her.
Fargo:
Well, how do we
get outta here?
Zoah: | Harle: | Guile: | Serge:
ONE OF THE PORREAN | By unlocking ze | We will use the | We've got a key
OFFICERS WAS KIND | door wit' ze key. | key Norris gave | right here.
ENOUGH TO GIVE US | Surely you did not | us, of course. |
A KEY. | t'ink Monsieur | There is no |
| Lynx would come | mystery in that! |
| here wit'out | |
| preparations! | |
Fargo:
Oh, great.
[Fargo takes the key, then walks over and opens the cell door.]
Fargo:
I'm gonna go free the
others and make me escape.
Good luck to ya.
Serge:
Thanks. (Although I'm hoping
that, for once, we won't
NEED to be lucky.)
===========================================================
Dungeon, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[Riddel is chained at the far side of the room, with Hell Orcha standing near
her, and a bunch of Porreans scattered about.]
Porre Officer:
This man is our secret
weapon, Hell's Cook.
Riddel:
You are the cook,
Orcha!
Riddel:
What have you
done to him!?
Porre Officer:
We had him eat some
Quadffid seeds, found
in Hydra Marshes.
It has the power to
release one's dark side.
After that, we just ring
a special bell and next
thing you know, we have
Hell's Cook, Orcha!
Riddel:
How horrible...
But why, Orcha...?
Porre Officer:
We needed him to steal the
Dragon's Tear from Guldove.
Of course, his true self has
no idea what he has done.
Porre Officer:
Now prepare yourself!
Who knows what this
crazy man will do!
Riddel:
NO!
[The party enters the room]
Karsh: [if present]
Lady Riddel!!!
I have come to
save you!
Porre Officer:
You are...Sir Lynx.
But why are you here?
Serge:
(Lynx would say... Ah, damn it,
I don't know! Guess I'll just
have to wing it.)
We're here for the girl. She is
urgently required elsewhere.
Porre Officer:
I'm sorry, sir, but Colonel
Davik gave me very specific
orders--
Serge:
(How the heck can I get him to
leave the room? Wait, maybe...)
This is important, you fool!
If you can't release her, then
go get Colonel Davik down here.
Now! We're wasting time. (I hope
he doesn't know Lynx all that
well, 'cause that sounded more
like a cross between Karsh and
Norris, but if it works...)
Porre Officer:
Hmph. I thought there was
something odd about you.
Norris: | Serge:
Serge...this IS | What do you mean?
Colonel Davik. |
| Porre Officer:
| I am Davik. The real Lynx
| would have known that.
Serge:
(Oh, hell, the bastard set me
up! What now? Say I've lost my
memory? Yeah, right, like he'd
believe that--)
Davik:
Under the circumstances, I'm
not about to let you anywhere
near the girl. I'm sure you
understand.
Karsh: | Zoah: | Glenn: | Serge:
Who said anythin' | THEN WE WILL BE TAKING | We will not | Sorry, but we
about LETTIN' us? | HER WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. | leave her in | can't leave her
| I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND. | your hands. | here like this.
[The party pulls weapons.]
Serge:
Get out of our way.
Davik:
Orcha! Don't let them
take the girl!
Orcha:
Mwa-cha-cha-cha-cha!
Don'tcha go interferin'
with my cookin'!
Serge:
(What the--)
Hey, stop waving that
cleaver around!
Orcha:
Actually, you'll make a
fine ingredient for my soup!
Serge:
(Oh, hell, another one who just
won't listen. Guess we'll have
to do this the hard way.)
Orcha:
Let's get cookin'!!!
[Combat. When it's over, Riddel is free of her chains and Orcha is back to normal,
but kind of sprawled on the floor.]
Davik:
You people are...are...gah!
Get out of my way!
[He heads for the door, then pauses and looks back just as he gets there.]
Davik:
You haven't seen the last of
me...and don't expect me to let
you leave Viper Manor alive!
[He leaves.]
Serge:
(I'd be a lot more impressed
with the threats if he had
done his own fighting.)
Norris: [if present]
Davik always was rear-echelon
material. I don't understand
why the High Command placed
him in charge of such a
volatile situation.
[Orcha stirs.]
Orcha:
Ughhh...
I have a feelin' I've
done somethin' terrible...
Riddel:
Please. It was not
your fault.
Orcha:
Lady Riddel...I'm sorry,
but it was, don'tcha see?
They saw my gloatin' as a
weakness and used me.
I need more discipline...
Riddel:
Was I any stronger than you?
When the Porreans came, I could
have used my magic to fight
them, but I did not. And so I
must also accept some of the
blame for what happened here.
[Orcha stands up. So does Riddel.]
Serge:
If you two are okay, we need
to get out of here. (I want to
be back in Termina before that
Davik guy gets his act back
together. That way, no one
else will get hurt.)
[Orcha glances from Serge to Riddel]
Karsh: | Zoah: | Serge:
Oh, fer... Just go back to the | RETURN TO THE KITCHEN. | Just go back to the
kitchen, okay? Act like someone | THEY HAVE NO REASON TO | kitchen. If anyone
knocked ya on the head and ya | BELIEVE YOU WILL | asks, we left before
don't remember anythin' 'bout | REMEMBER ANYTHING. WE | you woke up. Riddel is
this. We'll make sure Riddel | WILL PROTECT LADY | safe with us--we came
gets out of the Manor okay. | RIDDEL. | here to rescue her.
Orcha:
Guess I don't have much of a
choice. You all be careful on
the way out, and if there's
ever anythin' I can do for ya...
Serge:
We'll let you know. (How many
people is that now who've
offered to help...?)
[Orcha leaves]
Riddel:
Shall we go? Even though this
is my home, I would prefer to
be free of it before that
horrible Porrean comes back.
Next time, we get to see Magus meet Belthasar, Davik get run over by his own mecha, and
the chocobo--oops, I mean dragon--stampede.
-
Niiiice. I didn't have Karsh in my party for this scene, so this made me laugh. XD
Riddel!!!
Where is Lady Riddel!!!?
Bring her out, NOW!!!
You lay one filthy finger
on her and you die!
ARGHHHHHH!
He's so volatile...
Anyway, I loved it, yet again! Can't wait for the next!
-
He's in love, poor bastard. Does he have any idea what kind of opportunity that gives me to mess with his head? (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
And thanks.
-
Embarassingly, it's been so long since I posted the first part of the chapter that I couldn't
remember exactly where I left off without checking first.
Anyway, Magus and Belthasar finally meet, and several hints are dropped, along with oblique
references to Magus' stint as the Prophet in CT.
21. Back to Viper Manor - A captive audience awaits... Part II
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile OR Glenn, Karsh OR ZOAH, Starky.
Recruitable: Grobyc. Luccia becomes re-recruitable after the end of the chapter.
===========================================================
Entrance Hall, Viper Manor
===========================================================
[The party is instantaneously transported here after the end
of the previous scene.]
Norris[Another]:
I will take it upon myself
to make sure Riddel
leaves the premises safely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Karsh is present, he looks at Riddel, then at Norris.]
Karsh:
...
Riddel:
Oh, Karsh, please.
I will be fine.
Karsh:
You'd better be. Dario
ain't here to look after
you anymore, so I... I...
[Riddel gives Karsh a peck on the cheek.]
Riddel:
You are so sweet...
[Karsh just covers the spot where she kissed him with his hand.]
Serge:
(Heh. Yeah, I guess he is, at
least to her. I wouldn't believe
it if I hadn't seen it.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Norris[Another]:
Please distract the soldiers
while we make our escape.
Serge:
(I suppose that having us split
off and act as a decoy does make
it more likely that Riddel will
escape safely, but...) We can
do that, but it might have been
nice if you'd let us in on the
plan before now.
Norris[Another]:
...
My apologies. I am beginning
to think I have been in the
military far too long.
Norris[Home]: [if present]
I admit, independent travel
has been...something of an
eye-opener for me.
Riddel:
I would like to thank
everyone from the bottom
of my heart.
I shall be heading to
Hermit's Hideaway to
take care of my father.
Please be sure to stop by
when you get the chance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Karsh is present]
Karsh:
Don't worry 'bout us.
I'll make sure to wipe out
all these Porre buffoons!
Riddel:
Thank you...
Karsh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
So Norris, what are you going
to do once you've gotten Riddel
to Hermit's Hideaway?
Norris[Another]:
I will be returning here.
Serge:
Are you sure that's safe?
I mean--
Norris[Another]:
I have been very careful to
avoid letting myself be seen
in your company, you will note.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Norris[Home] is in the party]
Serge:
Yeah, but there's been A
Norris with us, even if
it wasn't you.
Norris[Another]:
Then I will just have to spin
the colonel a tale of impostors.
He will buy into it--you may
have noticed that he is not
very bright, although it is
disrespectful for me to say such
things about a superior officer.
Norris[Home]:
I doubt anyone here will be
interested in tattling to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Norris[Home]: | Radius: | Sprigg: | Glenn:
But you could | Why don't you | Why don't ya come | I never thought I
come with us. | come with us? | with uz? It'z obvious | would find myself
We could use | If you have | yer skillz are | liking a Porrean,
you. | your counterpart's | bein' wasted 'ere. | but...why don't
| skills, you could | | you come with us?
| be a great help. | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skelly: | Guile: | Starky:
Why don't ya come with | Do you feel yourself | Starky thinks it would
us? If you got yourself | so strongly bound by | be better if yooooou
killed by that Davik | your orders as that? | caaaame with Starky.
guy, it would be a | It would be safer to |
pretty bad joke. | come with us. |
Norris[Another]:
Thank you, I am honored.
However, as a soldier of
the Porre military, I cannot
abandon my country or my men.
Serge:
Well, if you're sure, I guess
we can't stop you. (Even if I
think you're crazy.)
Norris[Another]:
I will be fine.
Thank you.
Norris[Another]:
I wish you the best of luck.
[Norris salutes]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Norris[Home] is in the party...]
Norris[Another]:
When you get a chance,
please come by and see
me again, Norris...
There is something
I wish to give you.
Good luck.
Norris[Home]:
I will look forward
to our next meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Norris[Another]:
We must hurry.
We cannot be caught
here together.
Riddel:
Good-bye...
Serge: [if Karsh is present]
(Karsh looks like he wants to go
with them so badly...but Davik
knows he's with me, and if we
separate now, there's no point
in us acting as decoys in the
first place.)
[Norris and Riddel leave.
===========================================================
Upper Hall, Viper Manor
===========================================================
[There are several Porrean soldiers disposed around the room, aiming
guns at the party as they enter.]
Karsh: | Guile: | Harle: | Serge:
AARGH! How did we manage | It appears we | Zut! Zey have | (Surrounded?! Damn.
to get surrounded by | are surrounded. | blocked all | Guess we're going
these idiots? | | ze exits! | to have to fight
| | | our way out.)
[Colonel Davik and two soldiers walk in from the entrance the party used, cutting
them off.]
Davik:
Where might you be
off to, Sir Lynx?
Serge:
I... Oh, screw it. At this
point, I doubt there's anything
I could say that you would
believe. (There isn't even any
point in thinking about what the
real Lynx would say, because
he'd never let himself end up
in this situation.)
Davik:
Heheheh, you're
probably right.
Seize them!!!
[Combat with the Porreans. They don't take long to kill, but Davik and his
guards aren't part of the fight and are still blocking the way back downstairs
when it ends.]
Davik:
Argh... Hmmm...
Hey! You're up!
Serge:
(There's more of them?)
[Grobyc, who was leaning against a wall near the back of the room,
walks over to confront the party.]
Norris: [if present]
Grobyc...
Grobyc:
You-are-strong.
Serge:
Uh, thanks. (What's with this
guy? His voice is so completely
flat... It's weird.)
Grobyc:
But-Grobyc-is-stronger.
Serge:
I guess that means you want to
fight. (Not that we have a
choice--I doubt we'll be going
anywhere until we get rid of
every single Porrean on this
floor. I just hope we can handle
this, or at least stall things
for long enough for Riddel to
get away.)
Grobyc:
You-are-observant.
You-fight-Grobyc.
[Combat with Grobyc. When the party wins, the two guards who
entered with Davik run away.]
Davik:
Hey!
Where are you...?
Damn! Cowards! How could
the High Command have sent
me so many fools?!
Serge:
(Maybe they thought you'd be
offended if they sent you anyone
smarter than you are?)
[Davik runs over to the suit of powered armour that is blocking the way
into the right-hand tower.]
Davik:
Heheheh...
It's time for this baby...
NOW GO!
Go and destroy them!
MOVE IT!
[Davik kicks the armour several times, and it begins to move,
pushing him along in front of it.]
[Guillot]
GA-GA-HYO...
GA-PI-PI...
Serge:
(Did we fight something like
this the first time we broke
in here, or am I getting it
confused with something we ran
into in the Dead Sea? There's
been so MUCH Weird going on
around me lately that it's
getting all scrambled together
in my head...)
Davik:
AHHH!
Hey, wait...
[The Guillot runs Davik over, and then walks up to the party and initiates
combat. When the combat is over, the party walks around the hulk
of the Guillot, headed for the entrance, but then the mechanical limbs
suddenly begin to twitch again...]
Zoah: | Karsh: | Norris: | Starky:
TYPICAL PORREAN | Whaaa?! It's | They were talking about | Simple things are
ARMAMENT. IT | still alive?! | a prototype with self- | tough. Staarky will
DOESN'T KNOW | | repair systems when I | reeeemember.
WHEN TO STAY DEAD. | | was last home. This |
| | must be it. |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Sprigg: | Glenn:
If this sort of | And 'umanz say | Is there no way to
opponent is becoming | magic is monstrous. | kill this...thing?
more common now, I | Maybe it'z time for |
am glad I retired | us to get out of |
when I did. | 'ere. |
Davik:
Over here!
Serge:
Let's run!
[The party heads for the door leading to the library tower, with the
Guillot in pursuit.]
===========================================================
Library, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[The party runs into the room with the Guillot in hot pursuit.]
Serge:
Oh, hell, I forgot! There's
no other way out of here,and
that thing is right behind us!
Prophet:
Go up!
Keep going!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, he stops dead in his tracks and turns to face Belthasar]
Magus:
You!
Serge:
(I guess that means they do
know each other--and from the
looks of it, Magus doesn't
remember the Prophet fondly.)
Prophet:
Do I...know you, sir?
Magus:
Don't stall, Belthasar, you old
buzzard! What are you doing
here?! Lavos should have flung
you to the distant future!
Prophet:
!
That voice...
So you were a time traveller.
That explains how you knew what
you did of what was then Zeal's
future.
Magus:
And you've been using the same
trick to play prophet here,
haven't you. What are you
plotting? This entire business
has your fingerprints all--
Damn!
[The Guillot pounds forward and initiates an additional combat, since I'm
not nice enough to give the PCs a break here. When it's over, the Guillot
is on the floor again, but it's also already twitching...]
Serge:
We need to find another way out
before that thing gets up again.
Prophet:
As I said, go up...
[Most of the party starts up the stairs again, but Magus doesn't move]
Magus:
You had best be here when I
get back, old man, or when I
find you, I will make you wish
you had never been born.
Serge:
Janus, please!
We don't have
time!
Belthasar:
!!!
[Magus starts floating up the stairs, fast enough to catch up with the other characters.
When he passes Serge, the latter stumbles.]
Serge:
(Ulp! Did he really just mutter
something about turning me into
a frog?!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[The party hits the top of the ramp/staircase that encircles the walls of
the library.]
Karsh: | Sprigg: | Harle: | Norris:
I know there's a | Doezn't look like | It seems zhere | It appears we are
way to lower that | there'z any way | is no escape... | trapped. Sir, if
stupid ladder, | out from 'ere... | What do we do, | you have some plan
but what the heck | Should 'ave taken | Monsieur Lynx? | of action, please
is it?! | thoze flying | | tell us now.
| lessonz when I | |
| 'ad the chance. | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guile: | Zoah: | Serge:
If there is an | I CANNOT REMEMBER | There's no way
exit here, its | HOW TO LOWER THE | out here, either!
location is a | LADDER...WE WILL | (And no time to
mystery, and | HAVE TO FIGHT IT | look for one--damn,
we have no time | AGAIN. | I'm going to KILL
to search for it. | | that old guy!)
[The Guillot initiates another combat. When it's over, it's in a heap
on the floor. Belthasar walks up to it and speaks to the party across
the twitching hulk.]
Prophet:
There is a button that lowers
the ladder inside the bookshelf.
Prophet:
Hurry!
You have little time!
Serge:
(So nice of him
to finally figure
that out!)
[The button is pushed, and the ladder comes down. As the party climbs to the level
above, the Guillot rises to its feet again.]
Serge:
(Whew--safe! There's no way
it can get up here: it's
too heavy for the ladder.)
[The Guillot jumps onto the chandelier.]
Serge:
You've got to
be kidding me!
Skelly: [if present]
I don't think so. Nope,
nothing funny about
this. At all!
[Grobyc climbs up the ladder to join the party.
Grobyc:
Step-aside.
Norris: | Serge:
Don't be foolish! | Are you crazy?! (He expects
What do you think | to fight that thing while he's
you can do? | hanging one-handed from the
| chandelier?! Okay, so he's
| tough, but no one is THAT tough.)
[Grobyc jumps into the chandelier and cuts through the rope holding it up, causing
both himself and the Guillot to plummet to the floor below.
Serge:
(I don't believe this! He just--
Why would he do something like
that?! This just keeps getting
crazier and crazier!)
[Porre Soldiers]
Over here!
They're up there!
We got 'em now!
Serge:
(Groan) I'm starting to think
they've moved the entire Porrean
military here. This is endless!
Prophet:
Break through the window!
Do it, now!
[The party runs at the stained glass window and jumps through it, breaking it
in the process. If Magus was not in the party, the scene moves to the stable at
this point. If he was, the camera pans back down to Belthasar, who is sort of staring
into space.]
Prophet:
I couldn't believe it at first,
but...once you get past the
strangeness, he looks very much
like his father. I had always
assumed that he was dead. She...
Was she keeping this from me?
Or is he an impostor?
Prophet:
But...if he truly is Prince
Janus...
If he is, he puts my plans at
risk. FATE cannot predict the
actions of a time traveller.
Which certainly explains the
anomalies that kept calling me
away from here!
[Belthasar begins to pace, as the Porreans mill around on the staircase and the top
level, by the window.]
Prophet:
I doubt I can detach him from
Serge now, but Serge knows
nothing except what I have
permitted him to know. Left
to himself, Janus will hopefully
follow the same path as his
companions until he and I meet
again. I must not permit that
to happen too soon. She would
hate it if I were to fight him.
No, I must go into hiding until
the time is right...and prepare
myself for the consequences, for
I doubt he will take my absence
well.
But unless my plan reaches
fruition, there will be no
saving her...or anything else.
[And now we cut to the stable.]
===========================================================
Stable, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[After dropping through the stained glass window, the party lands in a pile
of hay at the back of the stables, a hole in the roof having been provided
as a Convenient Plot Device (TM). The dragons are understandably a bit startled
by this, and are milling around in their stalls as the stablekeeper approaches
from the front of the building.]
[Stablekeeper]
What the...!?
Where did you come from?
Serge:
Um, sorry for dropping in like
this... (Oh, man, that sounds
dumb...) We were trying to
get away from some Porreans.
[Stablekeeper]
Sir Lynx!
Sounds like you ran into
some trouble up there.
Serge:
You could say that. (I never
thought I would be happy to meet
another Lynx fan.)
[Stablekeeper]
What are you gonna do?
The Porre soldiers are
all over the place.
Serge:
Well, um...
~~~Take 'em all on! | ~~~Hehehehe...
|
Serge: | Serge:
(I don't like it, but | (Oops, I kind of let that slip
what else can we do?) | out...hope I'm not losing it.
| It's just that it feels like
[Stablekeeper] | this should be the punchline
Don't be reckless, now. | of a bad joke.)
I have an idea. |
Leave it to me. | [Stablekeeper]
| Ohhh... That...!
Serge: | Hahahaha...
(If he has an idea, he's | This should be interesting...
doing better than I am.) | OK, leave it to me.
|
| Serge:
| (I wish I had some idea what
| he thought I meant...)
[The stablekeeper leaves the party and heads for the front of the building. If Magus
is not in the party, the scene immediately changes. But if he is...]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Magus?
Magus:
What do you want?
Serge:
I couldn't follow a lot of what
you were saying back there, but
the Prophet...you called him
Belthasar?
Magus:
Prophet? Is that what he's
claiming to be? Heh. What irony.
I called him Belthasar because
that is his name. Like me, he
is of Zeal. He held the title of
Guru of Reason there, although
he had...something of a falling-
out with the throne in the last
chaotic days of the kingdom.
Serge:
And you think that he's
responsible for everything
that's been happening--my
falling into this world, Lynx,
Kid, the Dragon Tear, the
Dead Sea...
Magus:
It may seem far-fetched, but
he was considered a genius, and
if he landed as far into the
future in this history as he did
in the old one, he would have
been able to find those capable
of helping him create such a
plan. His involvement makes
sense of all the little details
that had been bothering me, like
the pocket dimension and the
presence of an installation from
the future in the Dead Sea.
The one thing I still don't
understand is the PURPOSE of all
of this. He can't be doing it
for no reason.
Serge:
I'm starting to be...kind of
sorry that I couldn't let you
strangle some answers out of
him back there.
Magus:
Had I truly wanted to do so,
you wouldn't have been able to
stop me...although I suppose
I would have had to slaughter
all those Porreans. In the days
when I was leading the Mystics
against Guardia, I probably
wouldn't have hesitated, young
fool that I was.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Guile is present, he chimes in at this point]
Guile:
Do you mean you were
also...THAT Magus?
Magus:
I suppose I never did mention
that part. Yes, you managed to
name me...after myself. A fine
bit of irony. No wonder the
name felt right!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[And if Sprigg is there...]
Sprigg:
So Lord Magus waz a 'uman all
along. Joke'z on us, I suppoze.
Magus:
Well, Ozzie never was very
bright. In his world, only the
Mystics had magic...so the fact
that I had magic meant to him
that I could not possibly be
human, no matter what I looked
like.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Magus:
If you really must know, the
main thing that kept me from
wringing Belthasar's neck was
the thought that he might have
planned that, too. He's twisty
enough. And I dislike being
manipulated. No, I'll wait until
I know what's going on. THEN
I'll kill him, if it still seems
like a good idea.
Serge:
(Not going to TOUCH that one.)
So you're going to--
Magus:
--continue keeping an eye on
you. Why not? I've come this
far. And besides, the old
buzzard seems to be quite
interested in you. I expect
there's a reason for that, too.
It must be something to do with
the Frozen Flame. All the paths
lead back to it one way or the
other. No doubt we will find out
more when we finally reach the
Sea of Eden.
[Fadeout.]
===========================================================
Courtyard, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[When the picture fades back in, we are watching several Porreans close in on the stable.]
[Porre Soldier]
Over here!
[Porre Soldier]
Huh? What was that noise?
[The stable doors are flung violently from their hinges, and the dragons that
were inside stampede out, running over the Porreans in the process. A few moments
later the party emerges]
Serge:
Heheheh... (Oh, man, this is
great. We can just walk straight
out the front.)
[Grobyc approaches.]
Norris: | Serge:
Grobyc... I do not understand | (Oh, hell, it's the crazy guy
why you saved us. I...was not | who likes fighting and
aware that you were capable of | chandeliers.) What do you want?
making an independent choice |
of that nature. |
Grobyc:
You-oppose-the
Porre-military.
Grobyc-finds
that-interesting.
Serge:
(I wonder if anyone's ever told
him that he has a weird
definition of "interesting"?)
Grobyc:
Grobyc-only-takes
orders-from-one-who
is-stronger.
Grobyc:
Thus-Grobyc-will-join
you-in-your-battle.
[System]
Grobyc-joined-your-party.
Serge:
(Oh, great. Just what we need:
a crazy Porrean cyborg assassin
following us around.)
Grobyc:
Call-upon-Grobyc
whenever-you-need-help.
Serge:
Uh... Yeah, right. (I know I've
said more than once that we can
use all the help we can get, but
I don't want to think about just
how bad things would have to be
before I would rely on this guy.
Zoah: | Skelly: | Norris: | Karsh:
WE SHOULD LEAVE NOW. | Now that we've | I believe this would | Time to leave,
THERE IS LITTLE MORE | got a path to | be a good time to | before we run into
WE CAN DO HERE, AND | the gates, we | retreat, before Davik | any more of those
LADY RIDDEL MUST BE | should get out | realizes he should | idiots. I hope
MILES AWAY. | of heah! | lock the gates. | Riddel's okay.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Sprigg: | Glenn:
We would be well-advised | We should leave before | We should leave. Lady
to leave before they can | anyone noticez we're still | Riddel must be clear
regroup. | around. | of this place by now.
Serge:
I guess you're right.
(Hermit's Hideaway, here
we come!)
I'm sure there's at least one error in this somewhere, given that I've been kind of preoccupied
with other stuff lately.
Next we will have another installment of side stuff. The Radius/Sprigg dialogue is definitely
going to make it in this time, along with Nikki's re-recruitment sequence and the
Grobyc/Norris/Luccia history thing.
-
XD "Named me after myself."
-
Prophet:
!
That voice...
So you were a time traveller.
That explains how you knew what
you did of what was then Zeal's
future.
Is Belthasar supposed to recognize him as the Prophet? At least not in person I think (due to Chronopolis time/dimensional-watching), as that version of Belthasar is a TB.
-
XD "Named me after myself."
It may be just me, but that line almost seemed like vintage Woosley. :P
-
@skylark: Heh. Well, it is Woolsey's translation of the games that I'm most familiar with.
@Acacia Sgt: I did say that there was probably a mistake in there somewhere. >_<;;;
Yes, Belthasar is recognizing him as the Prophet. I could claim that Belthasar slipped back in time to the Fall of Zeal in an abortive attempt to fix things (and wasn't noticed because everyone assumed he was the contemporary Belthasar) and that he met Magus-as-Prophet there, but the real truth is that I didn't even think about applying Time Bastard to the matter (and, well, in the end, TB is a fan theory--albeit a good one--rather than an absolute confirmed truth of the Chronoverse, so I consider it to be arguable whether ignoring it constitutes a genuine mistake. Just call me a heretic, if you like.)
-
It's okay, besides, either way, Belthasar visiting Zeal can make sense since that's why he was building the Epoch in the future for, to return there.
-
Next we will have another installment of side stuff. The Radius/Sprigg dialogue is definitely
going to make it in this time...
Oh! I thought you had put it in ages ago and I'd missed it somehow! You'd said a couple updates ago that 'it's in the next one' and then never really mentioned it again, so I was just like "Hmm, I'll have to re-read sometime..."
...but ok yeah! Sprigg/Radius!
-
@Katie Skyye: What happened was that it was supposed to be in the next update, but I essentially ran out of space. For logistical reasons, I try not to post more than 1000 or so lines of script at a time.
It will definitely be in the next update this time, because I've already written it and it's at the top of the pile--it's Nikki's re-recruitment sequence that's getting bumped instead, because it can't actually happen until either Marcy or Fargo has been recruited.
So, next posting will be Radius and Sprigg, Luccia's re-recruitment/the Luccia, Norris, and Grobyc flashback scene, and probably either or both of the hunt for Karsh's final tech and the script for the Grand Slam, depending on space.
-
Oy vey. This took much longer than it should have, mostly because I had to tear out and
re-write the Luccia scene several times in order to get it anything even approaching
right. I mean, I knew what I wanted to do with it, but it kept getting too long-winded
and bogged down in unnecessary details. I just hope the current version isn't too much of a
cliche.
Anyway, Radius and Sprigg did make it in this time, although their conversation did
not end up going quite as I had envisioned (damned characters always have minds of their
own).
5. Tea for Two, AKA the Old Bats' Convention
[This could happen at any time after recruiting Karsh/ZOAH (whichever the player decides
to get first). The only other requirement is spending the night at the inn in Termina[Home]
with both Radius and Sprigg in the party. If those conditions are fulfilled, and this
scene hasn't happened yet, after everyone dozes off, the player is taken to...]
======================================================
The Dragon's Tail (Home)
======================================================
[Radius is sitting at a table when Sprigg walks in.]
Sprigg:
Heh, I see ya couldn't
sleep either.
Radius:
My old bones don't find the beds
at the inn as soft as they used
to, so I thought I would slip
out so as not to disturb the
youngsters.
Sprigg:
Young 'umanz really do
need a ridiculous amount
of rest.
Radius:
Pardon me, I seem to be
forgetting my manners. Would
you care to join me?
Sprigg:
Thought you'd never ask.
[She sits down across from him.]
Sprigg:
Ya did promise you'd tell
me what Karsh did to those
chickenz.
Radius:
Just one chicken, actually.
It happened sort of like this...
[Fadeout, because I still don't know what Karsh did
to that chicken, except, well, er... Anyway, when the scene
fades back in, Sprigg and Radius are both shaking with laughter.]
Radius:
And so...when we finally managed
to get Karsh out of the boat...
the hen was nesting in his hair.
The look on his face when the
egg rolled off his nose...
Never seen anything like...
Ho, ho, ho!
Sprigg:
Heheheh, soundz like somethin'
me youngest might 'ave done when
'e woz that age.
Radius:
You have children?
Sprigg:
Four by me first 'usband and
two by the second. By the time
I married the third, I woz too
old for any of that nonsense,
thankfully, and by the time 'e
passed away, I figured I didn't
need the 'usband, either.
[Radius shakes his head.]
Radius:
I can't pretend to understand,
since I never married. Glenn
and Dario are my only children.
I...have often wondered what
I missed by deciding to
concentrate on my swordsmanship
rather than starting a family.
Sprigg:
Less than ya think, maybe.
Do ya know why I left Medina?
Radius:
You haven't spoken of it, as
far as I know.
Sprigg:
I didn't figure it woz
important, but now, maybe...
I left becauze they were tryin'
to grandmother me to death.
Radius:
I...don't understand.
Sprigg:
Think about it. Grandmotherz...
are supposed to sit in the sun
an' babysit their grandkidz...
an' not embarass their children.
I don't mind babysittin' a bit,
but sittin' in the sun doin'
nothin' izn't me thing.
Radius:
It can be difficult to move from
an active life to one of
advising others. I never
expected I would find my quiet
life in Arni fulfilling, but
...I have.
Sprigg:
Then wot are ya doin' 'ere?
Seemz to me that ya gave up
the "quiet life" the first
chance ya got.
[Radius shakes his head]
Radius:
Perhaps you are right, but...
I didn't leave entirely for my
own sake.
Sprigg:
Ya wanted to 'elp your family.
Knowin' that young Glenn woz
alive in the other world, ya
couldn't 'ave done anythin'
other than try to 'elp.
Radius:
That, and I wanted to help
Serge. He never deserved to
get involved in this mess.
Sprigg:
'E seems to be holdin' up well
enough, for all of that. Though
'e is a bit impulsive now and
then.
Radius:
I don't know. He behaves more
sensibly than I did at that age,
although that isn't saying much.
Sprigg:
Heh. Bit of a 'ellraiser,
were ya?
Radius:
Well...
Sprigg:
Heheheh, bet ya were.
Shame there's no one left
that can tell me about it.
Radius:
I would wager that you
STILL raise hell, now
and again.
Sprigg:
Ya might be right, at that.
Traveling with all these young
folk makes me feel young meself.
Better than a life inside some
brat'z scribble-drawin', that's
for sure. Never should've gone
down that alley...
Radius:
Alley?
Sprigg:
I ended up where Serge found me
after gettin' 'it over the 'ead
in an alley in Porre. Still
don't know why, unless someone
didn't like me charmin'
personality. It'z funny, though,
that that Lynx and 'iz pet knew
where that weird place I got
stashed woz. Very funny indeed.
[Sprigg picks a glass up off the table, looks into it, and flips it upside down.]
Sprigg:
All dry from talkin' and nothin'
to fix it with--that'll never
do. Bartender! 'Ey! Bring me
the best in the 'ouse!
Radius:
Are you sure you can afford it?
Wine imported from the continent
can be quite expensive here.
Sprigg:
It izn't like I can take the
money when the time comez, and
my kidz don't need it, so why
not live it up a little? The
problem with you, Radius, iz
that you're too responsible.
Ya need to learn to relax, or
you'll be dead before you're
a 'undred, and you 'umanz don't
live nearly long enough to
begin with. Come on now, 'ave
a drink.
[The bartender brings a bottle, and the scene fades out as Sprigg starts trying to
get Radius to take his hand off his glass so that she can fill it.]
----------------------------------------------------------------
6. The Making of a Cyborg
[To get this scene, Riddel must have been rescued, Luccia must have been recruited
during the early part of the game, Serge must still be Lynx and must have
spoken to Luccia while Lynx, and the two Norrises must have met at some point.
If these conditions are met, then the next time the party rests, we are whisked to a
scene in the nighttime version of Viper Manor's rooftop sitting area/garden/pond thing.
Luccia is standing by the edge of the pond, staring into it as though she expects the
secrets of the universe to rise out of it, when Norris walks in.]
Norris:
When I failed to find you in
your lab, I wondered where you
were hiding. I suppose I should
have checked the most unlikely
spot first.
Luccia: [without turning]
Go avay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the scenelet with Luccia finding the "dishwasher" caught
in her cage trap occurred...]
Norris:
I wanted to thank you for not
turning me in to the Dragoons
when I got caught in that cage
trap. I should have known that
you would be able to tell I
wasn't just another dishwasher.
Luccia:
Dat vas you?
Norris:
You mean you didn't recognize
me? Well, it has been years.
I suppose it isn't surprising.
[Luccia shakes her head]
Luccia:
I did not know you at all. I
merely t'ought de new dishwasher
vas an idiot.
Norris:
Well, I WAS trying to make him
look like one--idiots can get
away with poking into all kinds
of interesting places.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Norris:
Are you trying to hide
from Grobyc? I met him in
your lab.
Luccia:
Nyet! I am not hiding.
Norris:
I suppose that proves that you
are a stronger person than I am,
because I AM hiding from him.
Luccia:
You...? Vhy? He did not seem
to disturb you in de old days.
I remember vhen Aleiki first
showed him to you--you never
even blinked.
Norris:
I suppose that meeting the
Norris from the other world has
affected my thinking a bit.
After all, I could have been
him if history had played out
slightly differently. I had
begun to allow myself to forget
about some things.
Luccia:
I vish I could forget. If only
Aleiki had not... Dere vere
odder bodies available. He could
have chosen someone else.
Norris:
There were far too many
bodies available that
night, as I recall.
[Luccia finally turns around.]
Luccia:
I did not need to be reminded
of dat. Go AVAY, Norris.
Norris:
Very well. Perhaps I will see
you in the morning.
[Norris leaves. Luccia waits until he's gone, then walks past the pond to the railing at
the edge of the roof, and leans her elbows on it.]
Luccia:
De day I failed to save Zelbess,
de night dat Aleiki died, and...
dat night. I am beginning to
vish dere vas such a t'ing as a
drug dat vould erase my
memory...but den I vould forget
him too, and Norris and I are
de only ones left now dat
remember.
[The camera pans up toward the night sky and the scene fades out. When it fades back in again,
we are in the laboratory from Luccia's Zelbess-related flashback, but there are bodies all
over the floor--some in Porrean uniforms, some probably recycled pirates from the S.S. Zelbess
again. A pool of some flammable liquid is burning in the background, and there is
blood spattered all over the place. The only two living people in the room are Luccia, and
a man in a Porrean uniform. The man has a distinctive hairstyle, like a cone sticking out from
behind his head. He has his hand on Luccia's arm, and appears to be trying to drag her
somewhere.]
???:
Luccia, be reasonable. The
entire complex has been overrun
by the Guardian Resistance.
We can't afford to wait any
longer--every second reduces
our chances of getting out
alive.
Luccia:
But Aleiki... I
cannot leave my
brodder, Milo!
Milo:
I'm sure Aleiki's fine. If he
was cut off from the labs, he
probably had the sense to leave
the building, and trust me to
get you out.
Luccia:
But...
Milo:
No more buts, Luccia!
[Milo suddenly lunges forward, grabs Luccia by the shoulders, and kisses her.]
Milo:
You know, the ring in my back
pocket cost me almost a month's
salary, and if you die here,
it's going to be wasted.
[Luccia blushes.]
Luccia:
All right, all right, ve
vill go. But if Aleiki is
not safe...
Milo:
Then I'll come back in and look
for him, but YOUR safety is what
I'm most interested in right
now. Come on!
[This time, Luccia lets him pull her toward the door. They're almost there when another
pirate/Guardian Resistance member suddenly appears in the doorway. Milo shoves Luccia behind
him as the other guy's gun comes up. The Porrean is shot twice in the chest, and we see
something small and sparkly fly from his back pocket, bounce, and then roll into a corner.
Luccia narrowly escapes being pinned under Milo as he falls, and ends up crouching beside him.]
Luccia:
Milo!
[No response. Luccia rises to her feet and turns to face the doorway.]
Luccia:
How dare you hurt him,
you...!
[It would actually be nice to insert a Russian obscenity in there, but I don't know any, and
anyway, I don't think the CC dialogue font has Cyrillic characters in it... In any case,
Luccia fires off some Bronze Shot at the doorway.]
[Resistance member]
Argh!
[He collapses onto the floor. Meanwhile, Luccia has gone back to Milo. She starts patting at her
pockets.]
Luccia:
I must have somet'ing!
A capsule, even a tablet...!
???:
Luccia, are you alright?
[A man enters the room, stepping over the corpse. He looks very much like Luccia--same hair
colour (but in a shortish, shaggy, kind of retro cut), glasses (although his are square),
and wearing a lab coat. Norris enters behind him.]
Luccia:
Aleiki... I am fine, but
Milo is...
[Aleiki kneels down beside her, takes Milo's arm, and checks the pulse.]
Aleiki:
I am sorry, Luccia.
He is dead.
Luccia:
Dat cannot be! I vill not
allow it! Brodder, your
research suggests dat--
Aleiki:
Ve have not even begun animal
testing on dat--and now is not
de time to discuss it.
Norris:
I agree. We must get out of
here before the fire spreads.
Luccia:
I vill not leave Milo!
Aleiki:
Den I vill carry him--he vas
my friend too, and he deserves
better dan to share a pyre wit'
his killers. Norris, help me get
him up.
[As the two men bend over Milo's body, Luccia goes to the corner and picks up the sparkly
thing that fell from Milo's pocket, earlier. She clasps it to her chest and bows her head.]
Luccia:
Milo...
[The scene fades out, and then we're in a different lab--one with a lot of glassware, counters,
etc. In the middle of the room is something roughly the size and shape of a coffin. Aleiki is
bending over it.]
Aleiki:
Vital signs are...steady. De
last infusion seems to have
vorked. If dere are no changes
overnight, perhaps I vill take
him off life support tomorrow.
[Luccia enters the room.]
Luccia:
Brodder? You had somet'ing
you vanted me to see?
Aleiki:
Da--the first successful
result of my research.
Luccia:
Den you have...?
Aleiki:
Vell, I am not certain yet dat
it vas a complete success--dat
vill have to vait until ve can
test de cognitive functions.
But this one is definitely
alive, or at least de organic
parts are.
Luccia:
And so you have
brought life
to de dead.
Aleiki:
Da. I hope de High Command
do not begin to mistake me
for a god as de result!
Luccia:
Ohohoho! If dey vant a god,
dey could do vorse dan to
choose you. Now, let me look.
[Luccia steps up beside Aleiki and looks down into the coffin...then raises her hand to her
mouth and backs away a couple of steps.]
Luccia:
B-but dat is...!
...
I vas at the funeral, and his
coffin vas not empty. Did you
dig up de body? His family vill
not be pleased.
Aleiki:
Dey do not need to know. Chances
are dat he vill not remember dem
anyvay. Tests show dat some
neurons have not survived dese
past t'ree years, despite the
cryonics.
Luccia:
Den...he is not likely to
remember me eidder, is he?
Aleiki:
I do not know. But you vere
togedder vhen he died, so I
vould say he is more likely to
remember you dan anyvone alse.
[Suddenly, a blue hand appears over the edge of the coffin-like device, and both scientists
back away in apparent surprise.]
Aleiki:
He may have more natural brain
function dan I expected. He vas
not suppose to vake on his own.
[A blue-skinned figure sits up from within the coffin. Obviously, it's Grobyc, but naked. In
particular, the bottom part of his face is not covered...so it's pretty obvious that he looks
exactly like Milo, except for the minor matter of being blue. He looks around the lab.]
[Grobyc]
What-is-this-place?
Aleiki:
Dis is a military research
installation of the nation of
Porre.
Luccia:
Do you remember your name?
[Grobyc]
This-unit's-codename-is-Grobyc.
Aleiki:
Apparently some of our
programming vorked--that is
indeed the codename ve gave
de project.
Luccia:
But it appears dat dat is
all he retains.
[She turns away from Grobyc and the coffin, facing in the general direction of the camera, and
Grobyc turns his head to stare at her back.]
Grobyc:
Grobyc-is-confused.
Something-is-not-right.
Aleiki:
Do not concern yourself, Grobyc.
Luccia...
Luccia:
I am fine. I understand dat you
vanted to help, but...dis vill
not, CANNOT vork. Dis...is only
de shell of de man I remember.
...I t'ink I vill ask for a
transfer to de robotics
division, if dat vill not
distress you.
Aleiki:
I understand, and I am
sorry dat dis vas not
more successful.
Luccia:
...
[Luccia clasps her hands to her chest, and something sparkles from between her fingers as the
scene fades out.]
Luccia:
No matter vhat Lucca said in
her letters, I do not t'ink dere
is any vay to reclaim de past.
I am being a fool for even
t'inking about it. But I still
miss him. More dan I miss
Aleiki, even.
...A distraction vould do me
good, I t'ink. Perhaps in de
morning, I vill find Serge and
rejoin his party. It vill keep
me from having to share space
vith...Grobyc, at least.
[She looks down at her hands, and something sparkles briefly on the right one as the scene
fades out and we get the normal party-change screen that pops up on recruitment.]
----------------------------------------------------------------
7. Of Bunny-girls and Carrots
===========================================================
Grand Slam
===========================================================
[In order to participate in the Grand Slam, the party must go over and talk to the guy
guarding the entrance to the caged-in area.]
[Gate guard]
The ultimate event of events,
the "Grand Slam!!!"
Monsters from all over the world
are here to battle it out.
You guys wanna participate?
Serge:
Um... We don't have any
monsters.
[Gate guard]
Not to worry! The arena is
equipped with the latest imaging
system from Melchior-Ashtear
Technologies! Just think of a
monster you know, and the system
will create it for you.
Serge:
Hmmm, in that case...
~Sure, let's do it! | ~Not just yet...
|
Serge: | Serge:
(I mean, why not? Seems like | We're kind of busy right now.
an interesting way to kill |
some time.) | [Gate guard]
| Not a problem! Come back when
| you can.
|
| [Scene ends for this branch]
[The gate guard moves aside, and the party walks over to the
gap in the bars on the right side of the arena.]
[Announcer]
Our slogan...
Fight with might and believe the hype!!!
It's time to GET IT ON!
Alright, we have a new
challenger!
Let's see what our new
contestant can do!
Serge:
(I'm starting to wonder what
I've gotten myself into...)
Janice:
Whoo-hoo...!
Don't take me too lightly!
Serge:
(She's their champion monster-
handler? I didn't expect a
demi-human, but whatever.)
[First battle.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the player loses]
Janice:
CHIC-KEN!!!
Serge:
(If Leena had said that to me
in that tone, I'd be doing
something that would get me in
trouble afterwards for hitting
a girl. But in this case, I
don't think I care enough to
fight my way across a monster-
infested pit just to deck her.)
[At this point, the player has the option of either restarting the
first battle or leaving the area.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the player wins]
[System]
[Member] received
Stamina Belt!
Serge:
(Nice! They didn't say
anything about prizes.)
Janice:
Hey, not bad!
But how about
some of this!!!
[Second battle.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the player loses]
Janice:
Whoo-hoo!
Good guys always win!
Serge:
Um...Excuse me? Who's the "good
guy" here?
(...I don't think she's
listening.)
[The player can now either start the second battle over, or leave.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the player wins]
[System]
[Member] received
Resistance Belt!
Janice:
Eeeeyaow!!!
Don't make me mad!
This is it!
And I'm gonna win!!!
Serge:
(She's taking this way too
seriously. I mean, it's only
a game!)
[Third battle.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party loses]
Janice:
I have to say, you put
up a good fight! But you're
still not ready for me!
Serge:
(I'm starting to get a bit
tired of her.)
[Again, the player can either fight again, or leave.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party wins]
[Member] received
Dream's Scarf!
Janice:
I can't believe I lost...
NO WAY...!!!
Serge:
(She really is way too
into this.)
[As the party attempts to depart, Janice jumps the pit railing and darts around in
front of them.]
Janice:
Hey, hey!!!
Don't go!
I wanna ask you
guys somethin'!
Where did you find such
super-duper monsters!?
[Serge shrugs.]
Serge:
Around. I think we've covered
most of El Nido, what with
everything that's been going on.
Janice:
Oh. I thought maybe you might
have been...THERE!
Serge:
There?
Janice:
They say there's this hidden
island where you can fight any
kind of monster in the entire
archipelago, plus some special
ones that you can't find
anywhere else! I wanna go there
so baaaad...but I've been
sailin' around on this stupid
boat forever without findin'
it! I'm startin' to think that
maybe it isn't real, y'know?
Sprigg: | Serge:
Heheheh... Maybe you're lookin' | Well, if it's hidden, it
in the wrong placez, kiddo. | stands to reason that it
That island ain't that eazy | would be difficult to find,
to find. | right?
Janice:
Hmmm, maybe this boat is too
big, then... I know! I'll steal
the lifeboat! Thanks, people,
you made my day!
[Serge facepalms as Janice scurries off]
Serge:
(Why do I think that talking
to her maybe wasn't such a
good idea?)
In case it wasn't sufficiently clear, yes, Janice is talking about the Bend of Time. (And as for
"Melchior-Ashtear Technologies"... It can be warped around to conform to reality if you assume that
Melchior and Lucca developed some kind of (possibly magic-augmented) holographic technology, tried
to market it, and then lost control of the company before they made any money off it, but it was
primarily meant to be a joke.)
The expected order of the next few posts is:
1. Chapter 22 (may have to be split into two parts)
2. Side-stuff: various Karsh/Dario/Riddel-related material
3. Chapter 23 (don't know if I'll need to split this)
4. Side-stuff: the Save Marbule quest
5. Side-stuff: Nikki's re-recruitment, Orlha's recruitment (still waffling on this), misc. fragments
That's subject to change without notice, of course. We're getting surprisingly close to the end...
-
So we still don't get to know about the incident with the chicken? Well, at least that last part is something. :lol:
Anyway, this was all interesting. Quite surprising the Luccia scene, about Grobyc and all that...
-
OwO Wow! That was intense! Also, I want to know who clobbered Sprigg, but that's for another day...I didn't think the Luccia scene was too cliche, but I also don't know enough about CC canon to know if you just made all of that up or not. :S I'll look it up in the Encyclopedia later, I guess...too lazy tonight.
-
@Acacia Sgt: I will never reveal the story of the chicken! Never! Bwahaha!
(Seriously, I still have no idea what happened. Karsh is not being communicative on the subject--
probably because he's embarassed. Being beaten by a chicken is not good for that tough guy image
he tries to project. :lol: )
@Katie Skyye: Most of the Grobyc stuff is made up based on a bit of CC dialogue that was never used
in the game because the preconditions for it cannot be met:
Luccia:
No...
It cannot be...!
Grobyc!?
Member:
You know him?
Luccia:
yes... He is a Super Mensch
on vhom my brother vas vorking
on vhile I vas in Porre.
I t'ought it vas destroyed
when the lab blew up,
3 years ago...
Grobyc:
So-you-are-his-sister.
Grobyc-is-grateful
to-your-brother.
He-made-Grobyc-into-this
superb-fighting-machine.
Luccia:
Dat vas not my brother's
true intention!
Grobyc:
That-does-not-matter-now.
You-will-see-your
brother-soon.
Once-Grobyc-is
through-with-you.
Luccia:
You are responsible
for dat explosion,
are you not!?
Grobyc:
Silence.
Die!
Luccia:
Grobyc...
You saved us...?
Luccia:
But vhy...?
Vhy did you kill my
brotter, yet save us?
Grobyc:
You-are-mistaken.
Grobyc-did-not-cause
that-explosion.
Grobyc-is-only-alive
today because-your-brother
sacrificed-himself-to
save-Grobyc.
Luccia:
I... see...
Dat sounds like something
my brotter vould do...
That's pretty much all we know about Grobyc (well, except for the fact that Norris was aware of
the project and likely responsible for the explosion in the lab, which we find out if he's in the party
when they discover the StrongArm in Chronopolis). Everything else is All My Fault. ;)
(And looking at that suggests that even the official translators could not manage to be 100%
consistent with respect to Luccia's accent, which makes me feel a bit better.)
-
Ahh, I see! Well, your expansion makes perfect sense to me!
-
Augh... I am tired. Between family medical appointments and
everything else, this has been a hectic week, and it's going to
get worse before it gets better... but I had this almost finished,
so it would have been a shame not to post it.
Harle didn't quite manage to take over this chapter, although
she tried hard enough. I had to do some fancy footwork to keep Viper
from joining the party without also eliminating Fargo. Also, hidden
reference to another video game series which I wonder if anyone will
catch.
22. Surprise Attack!!! - Pursuers with heavy-hearts... Part I
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Harle, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile OR Glenn, Karsh OR ZOAH, Starky, Grobyc, Luccia.
Recruitable: Fargo, Marcy, Karsh OR ZOAH (whichever had not been recruited
previously). Harle leaves the party at the end of the chapter.
===========================================================
Haven, Hermit's Hideaway (Another)
===========================================================
[When they enter the cave below the giant tree, Radius(Another)
is there, blocking the entrance. Note that it appears that Karsh
and ZOAH are both present even if one of them was recruited and
is not in the party.]
Radius(Another):
Halt.
Karsh:
Hey, gramps...
Marcy:
No, Radius.
He's not Sir...
I mean he's not Lynx.
Serge:
I just look like him. Really.
(Um, didn't anyone think to tell
this Radius what's going on?)
Radius(Another):
So you mean to tell me
that you are really
Serge...?
Serge:
That's right. I don't blame you
for not believing me--I barely
believe me.
[Radius steps back and begins to move away from the entrance.]
Radius(Another):
Hmmm...
This is hard to take in so
suddenly, but I do not sense
Lynx's evil within you...
Serge:
That's a relief, but if you
already knew, why be so
hostile?
Radius(Another):
I knew what I had been told,
young man, but I had to be
sure. If I let you in without
being certain that you really
were Serge, I would be putting
Viper's life at risk, and that
I will not do.
Serge:
...Oh. But my not being Lynx
doesn't exactly make me
harmless, you know. I have my
own reasons to not be too
happy with General Viper.
Radius(Another):
However, you are not the sort of
person who would attack a
helpless, wounded man.
Serge:
...You're right. I can't even
imagine doing that. (It would be
too much like what Lynx did to
...Kid.) Can I at least shout
at him a bit, though?
Radius(Another):
Well, I suppose that if you
promise not to tire him, that
could be arranged. I have
already done as much myself:
when we were younger, he would
have had better sense than to
be taken in by someone like
Lynx.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Radius is in the party]
Radius:
Hmmm...
So this is the me
from the other world.
Radius:
I expected nothing but
the best. You have brilliant
skills, just like me...
Radius(Another):
Hmph, that's my line.
You have brilliant skills
like mine to have been
able to block like that.
Radius:
Hoh-hoh-hoh-hoh!!!
Radius(Another):
Hoh-hoh-hoh-hoh!!!
Serge:
(Of course your skills are on
the same level--ten years ago,
you were the same person!)
(...I guess I'm not the only one
who thinks that part is just too
weird to think about.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if they speak to ZOAH]
Zoah:
I AM NOT USED TO
BEING PURSUED...
Serge:
You and me both.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if they speak to Karsh]
Karsh:
Rrrrargh!!!
Those Porre jokers
piss me off!!!
At least we were able
to save Lady Riddel.
But still, one of these days,
I'll kick every one of them
out of our manor!
Norris: | Serge:
I doubt they will occupy it | They might leave on their
much longer. Given the number of | own. I doubt they're all
back ways into the compound, it | that happy we managed to
is hardly defensible. If the | break in, and they won't
Porrean army decides to remain | want it to happen again.
in this world's El Nido for more |
than a couple of months, they |
will likely fortify Termina |
instead. |
Glenn: [if present]
In any case, we should take our
time and plan the attack
carefully, should we not, Sir
Karsh?
Karsh:
...
Serge:
(Heh. I don't think Karsh
likes that idea. Not at all.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if they speak to Radius]
Radius(Another):
I heard what happened.
I just couldn't believe it
until I saw it with my own eyes.
Oh, and thank you for
saving Miss Riddel.
I am very grateful.
Serge:
You're welcome, I guess. How is
General Viper doing, really? You
seemed a bit worried about him
earlier.
Radius(Another):
Well, I may have been
exaggerating a bit.
General Viper's wound
is healing nicely,
thanks to Marcy nursing
him back to health.
The general should be up
and about by tomorrow.
Serge:
(Marcy nursing Viper, eh? Well,
he must be kind of like a father
to her, too. The Dragoons are
probably the closest thing she
has to a family.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if they speak to Marcy]
Marcy:
Serge...
right?
Ummm...
Like...
I'm sorry...
for everything...
Serge:
Don't worry about it.
(I mean, let's put things in
perspective here. She fought
us a couple of times and flung
a few insults. That's...pretty
minor compared to some of the
other stuff I've had to put
up with lately.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[if Harle is in the party]
Harle:
Hah hah!
You're too cute to be
ze killer doll, Marcy.
Marcy:
W-WHAT!?
Are you tryin' to pick
a fight with me, Harle!?
Harle:
I'm sure defeating zis
Marcy will be a cinch.
Marcy:
Y-Y-YOU...!!!
Serge:
Whoa, you two, calm down!
Harle:
Let'z fight, non?
[Serge facepalms]
Serge:
(Does she ever listen?)
Hey, have you two forgotten
that there's a sick man here?
Fight some other time!
Harle:
D'accord...
OK...
Anyt'ing for Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
(And if anyone believes that,
there's a mansion on the north-
east end of the main island
that I'd like to sell them.)
Marcy:
Nah, nah, na-na-nah!
Harle:
Bluuuugh!
Serge:
(Of course, if Marcy would act
a bit more mature, it might
help. Why me?)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[when they speak to Riddel]
Riddel:
Thank you kindly for
everything, Serge.
I have heard much of
what has happened.
We cannot allow Lynx
to carry on like this.
Serge:
...I know. He keeps doing
more and more damage, yet I
don't seem able to stop him.
Sprigg: | Karsh: | Zoah: | Magus:
We need to find out | We just have to | HE WILL COME OUT | Hmph. Lynx is a mere
where he'z gettin' | catch up to him. | OF HIDING SOONER | pawn. It's the power
thoze powers of hiz | When we do, I'll | OR LATER. WHEN | behind him that we
from. 'Til we do, | chop him into | HE DOES, WE WILL | must hunt down and
he'z just gonna keep | mincemeat! | STRIKE. | destroy.
gettin' the drop on | | |
us. | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Guile: | Riddel:
You need more | We need to | Have courage, Serge.
patience, Serge. We | puzzle out | I was only repeating
will have our chance | Lynx's goal. | what we both know,
to confront Lynx | When we do, we | not blaming you for
when we reach the | will find him. | not having beaten him
Sea of Eden. | | yet.
Riddel:
You seem very tired.
I do recommend that
you rest.
Riddel:
Would you like to rest?
~~~Yes
~~~No
[If they choose to rest, said rest is interrupted by...]
Karsh: [against black screen]
What the...!?
Serge:
Is someone outside?
[fade-in]
Viper:
They have come.
Serge:
("They" who? Or does he
know either?)
[Viper gets out of bed and moves forward to join everyone.]
Riddel:
You look much
better, daddy.
Viper:
Sorry to worry you.
Viper:
All thanks to Marcy.
Sorry to trouble you
like this, Marcy...
Viper:
Looks like I worried
everyone as well...
[The screen shakes]
Karsh:
Aaah, DAMN!!!
[Kid]
Show your face, Lynx!
Yer 9 lives are up!!!
Karsh:
......!?
I recognize that voice.
[ZOAH NODS.]
Zoah:
INDEED.
Marcy:
Kid...
Harle:
Kid...
Serge:
She's...alive. (She sounds like
she's doing pretty well, too--
it's difficult to yell that way
if you're hurt. But does she
think Lynx is here? Ah, why am
I worrying about that now! I
have to see her--have to tell
her--)
[Serge begins to run toward the door]
Magus: | Skelly: | Sprigg:
Fool boy--is he | Serge, wait! | Don't go off
trying to get | ...There he goes. | on your own,
himself killed? | Guess I'm gonna | Serge-us! She'z
I can sense the | have to shake my | under some kind
geas on the | bones and catch | of spell, I can
girl from here! | up! | feel it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Zoah: | Guile:
Dammit, Serge, | WAIT, SERGE. DO | Wait, Serge! Something is
wait up! | NOT RUSH OUT. | not quite right. How would
| | Kid know to come here?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grobyc: | Radius: | Norris:
It-is-dangerous- | Serge, wait! We | Sir, wait!
to-go-alone. | do not know who | Something is
| else may be there! | not quite right.
[The rest of the party runs after Serge as the screen fades out]
===========================================================
Hermit's Hideaway (Another)
===========================================================
[Back above ground, Kid is waiting...]
Kid:
Oi, Lynx!!!
Today's the day
I finish you off!
Serge:
What are you talking about?!
Kid, it's me, Serge!
[Serge begins to move forward and Kid attacks him, then jumps back]
Serge:
(What the...? It's almost like
she's forgotten what happened
at Fort Dragonia! But I don't
see how that could be possible--
I mean, getting stabbed by Lynx
would be pretty damned memorable
to me!)
Magus: | Karsh: | Zoah:
She's bespelled, | What the...?! Does | SHE IS NOT HERSELF.
fool. Get away | she normally treat | SERGE, BE CAUTIOUS.
from her. | her friends this |
| way?! |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Guile: | Luccia:
Guess that Lynx | There is some | Her pupils are
knows some pretty | sort of magic | dilated...is she
good brainwashing | in use here. | drugged? In any
spellz! Stay back, | Serge, you | case, her behaviour
Serge-us! Until | should stay | is not normal. Be
she snapz out of | away from her | cautious, Serge.
it, she'z dangerous. | for now. |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Harle: | Grobyc:
Serge, are you well? She was | It appearz dat de | Something-is-
making a serious attempt to | odder Monsieur Lynx | not-right. Her-
hurt you! Something is very | 'as been working | movements-are-
wrong here. | hard, non? | awkward.
Dark Serge: [as he enters from the bottom of the screen]
Heh heh heh...
Yes...she is indeed Kid.
However, right now, you
are the one who is Lynx.
And I am Serge.
Once our roles were reversed,
so were our problems.
To her, killing you
will avenge Lucca.
Serge:
You BRAINWASHED her?! You son of
a--of a-- (I give up--I can't
think of anything I could call
him that would be enough for
this! How could he do this to
her?! Kid... My Kid...)
(Whoa! What am I thinking?!
She's her OWN Kid, and she'd
be the first one to tell me so
if she were in her right mind.)
Dark Serge:
Heh. I would prefer to describe
it as pointing out the truth
to her. Right, Kid?
Kid:
Yeah, I'll put an
end to Lynx today...
and avenge Lucca!!!
Magus: | Guile: | Sprigg:
It's a very strong | We cannot help Kid | Spell breaking'z
spell. I'm not certain | and fight Lynx's | difficult at the best
I could break it even | minions at the same | of timez. In the middle
if I were touching | time. For now, it | of a battle, we won't
her, and I doubt she's | would be wisest to | 'ave a chance. We
disposed to allow | retreat and regroup. | should retreat for now.
that. For the moment, | |
it would be best to | |
retreat. | |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Zoah: | Starky:
There is nothing we | IF WE STAY HERE, WE | Staarky thinks it
can do here now. We | WILL BE OVERWHELMED. | would be daangerous
had best retreat for | WE SHOULD RETREAT | to staay.
the moment, sir. | FOR NOW. |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Skelly: | Radius:
It vill take some | We'd bettah get out | We should retreat for
study to develop an | of here, or I may | the time being. There
antidote for her | find myself crackin' | is nothing we can do
condition. Ve should | my last joke evah! | here.
retreat for now. | |
Serge:
Dammit to hell!
Dark Serge:
Heh heh... Precisely.
You only have one choice to
make, and that's whether to
die...or kill. So, Lynx,
which will it be?
Serge:
(I don't want to leave Kid with
him. I don't! But I don't see
what else we can do right now.
The only way to get Kid away
from him would be to fight them
both, and...we might end up
hurting... Lynx, I'm going to
kill you! Not here and now, but
as soon as I catch you alone...
I don't even care anymore if it
means I won't get my body back!
When you decided to USE Kid like
this, you crossed the line.)
Everybody, get ready to run.
Dark Serge:
Give it up.
We have this shack
completely surrounded.
There's no way
you can escape.
Serge:
We'll see about that.
(Damn it, there's gotta be
something... some way...)
[Party]
......!!!
Fargo:
Looks like I made it just
in time!
[Fargo appears, flying down from the top of the screen on the
back of Polly-the-ugly-giant-parrot.]
Fargo:
Serge!!!
Hop on!
[The party hops and is carried off by Polly as the scene fades out.]
Dark Serge: [against black screen]
Damn!
They got away.
Heh... Anyway...
this is only the beginning...
of everything...
===========================================================
Deck, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[After everyone has been landed on the ship]
Fargo:
Good work, Polly.
Polly:
AGYAAA!
[Polly flies away as a pirate comes running up the stairs
that climb the outside od the ship]
Serge:
Thanks, Fargo.
You really saved
our necks. But...
Fargo:
I know. I saw. Heard some of
it, too. And if there was
anything I could've done...
Serge:
Yeah, I know. I...know.
...Would you guys excuse me?
I want to be alone for a
while.
[Pirate]
Cap'n, the others are
safely onboard!
Fargo:
Good, good...
[Serge wanders off on his own as the scene fades out.]
===========================================================
Aft Deck, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[Serge is leaning on the rail edging the deck]
Serge:
(Kid... I suppose I should
just be happy that she's
still alive, but...)
[As Serge stares out over the ocean, he has several Kid-related
flashbacks...]
Kid:
Hey, Serge...!
How about you and me
team up for a while?
For cryin' out loud...
Would ya just shut up
and get on with it...!
I'm gonna kick yer
sorry arses so hard
you'll kiss the moons!
Serge:
(Somehow, I don't think the
Kid we met on Hermit's Hideaway
could have said those things.)
Kid:
Just you wait, Lynx!
Today's gonna be the
day of reckonin'!!!
Say yer prayers!
...Not that it'll
do ya any good!!!
Serge:
(The real Kid wouldn't have
attacked a defenseless man.
Even when she was angry, it
didn't stop her from being a
basically good person. I don't
understand how she ever could
have made a living as a thief,
unless she only stole from
people she thought deserved it.)
Kid:
I've had it up ta
here with you!!!
Serge:
(It isn't just the ability to
tell friend from foe that Lynx
took from her, it's everything
that makes her Kid, instead of
Leena or Harle or...or a
DaffyDwarf!)
Kid:
Yeah...
I know.
This is the end of
you, Lynx!!!
Say yer prayers!
[Mixed in with all those lines are parts of the video clips
of Kid's intro on Cape Howl, her getting stabbed in Fort
Dragonia, and the mysterious Kid-on-a-beach scene.]
Serge:
(It hurt so MUCH to see her...
empty...like that... Damn it
all, I really HAVE fallen in
love with her, haven't I?
Otherwise, I wouldn't feel
like someone's just... ripped
my heart out.)
[Serge hides his face in his hands. After a moment, Harle
approaches from the forward part of the Invincible.]
Serge:
(I need to do something, but
I can't... I don't see how...)
Harle:
Serge...
[Serge turns to face her]
Serge:
What NOW?
Harle:
Tell me...
What iz ze most important
t'ing in your life...?
Ask yourself what you can
do, and what you need to do,
in order to attain it.
Serge:
(The most...important thing
in my life...or...the most
important person...)
Harle: [gesturing violently]
If not you, zen whom!?
If not now, zen when!?
Right? ...Serge?
Serge:
...We have to go on, don't we?
To the Sea of Eden. Because the
only way I can see to help the
person who's most important to
me is to get rid of Lynx. If I
don't, there's no way I can
undo what he's done to her.
...Thanks, Harle. I'm okay now.
Harle:
...
[Serge turns his back to her and the scene fades out.]
===========================================================
Corridor, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[When the party arrives, Viper and Fargo are facing off.]
Fargo:
Viper!!!
Let's settle this old
score once and for all!!!
Prepare yerself!!!
Serge:
Don't you two
have anything
better to do?
Viper:
......
Is that you, Serge.?
Fargo, our duel will
have to wait.
I need to have a
talk with Serge..
Fargo:
Tch...
Have it yer way...
[Fargo moves aside to let Viper walk past him.]
Viper:
Serge, Lynx has headed
to the Sea of Eden.
Serge:
That's pretty much what I
expected. (After all, Lynx was
talking about it as far back
as Fort Dragonia.)
Viper:
We must do everything in our
power to prevent him from
obtaining the Frozen Flame.
I would like to come with you,
if I may.
Serge:
Whoa, there, wait a minute.
Viper:
You think this old
man is going to slow
you down.
Radius: | Zoah: | Karsh:
I expect you are as | YOUR SKILL AND | Are you crazy?!
skilled in combat as | SPEED ARE NOT | You're still
you ever were...but | IN DOUBT, BUT | wincing whenever
old men like us don't | IT IS CLEAR | you stretch the
recover from wounds | THAT YOUR WOUND | muscles on that
like yours as quickly | IS STILL | side. We can't
as we did when we | HAMPERING YOU. | lose you now,
were Serge's age. I | YOU NEED TO | General. If we
can tell from the way | REST LONGER. | did, what would
you move that your | | happen to Riddel?
side is still tender. | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Serge:
Sir, I am sorry to have to | No, I know better. After
say this, but while you may | all, I fought you. But
be out of danger, it is | even if you're well
clear from the way you move | enough to get out of bed,
that the wound Lynx gave you | I'm pretty sure you're
is not entirely healed. Please, | still hurting. I was kind
sir, permit me and the other | of relieved when Karsh told
Dragoons in our party to go | us you were still alive,
in your place. | and I'd like you to stay
| that way.
Viper:
...
It galls me to admit it, but
you are right. My wound still
does pain me. And besides, I
suppose I'm a little too old
for the hot-blooded pursuit
of revenge.
Fargo:
Arr! If I didn't know better,
I'd swear ya were tryin' to
embarass me.
[Viper shakes his head]
Viper:
No, of course not. I understand
perfectly well how you feel. If
it were possible for me to walk
up to the disease that killed my
wife and chop its head off with
my sword, I would do it no
matter what stood in my way. I
just wouldn't go haring off
after it without thinking first.
Zelbess was a beautiful woman,
and I know you loved her dearly.
I'm only sorry that I didn't
succeed in saving her. I owe
you a debt for that, and if my
life is the only coin that you
will accept in payment, then
I will offer it freely--when
this is over and Porre is gone
from our shores again. But right
now, El Nido needs what
leadership I can offer.
[Fargo punches the wall, and the entire ship shakes]
Serge:
(Whoa!)
Fargo:
Have ya got any idea how mad
it makes me to hear ya bein'
all noble about it?!
...If I really thought killin'
ya would help, I'd've done it
years ago. Get out of me sight,
old man, before I do somethin'
stupid.
Viper:
Very well. Good luck, Serge.
[Viper walks away from the party, along the corridor. Fargo turns to
watch him go.]
Fargo:
Arrgh... It's gonna be
difficult, havin' him on the
Invincible.
...Say, Serge, d'ya mind if I
come with ya, instead of old man
Viper? I figure it'll be easier
on us both if I ain't here.
Not to mention, ya saved me life
twice already.
And, I guess I already
know too much.
I can't just sit around
and ignore the situation.
[System]
Fargo joined yer party!
Fargo:
Let's go.
[Marcy]
Waaaaaait!
[Marcy and whichever of ZOAH or Karsh had not joined
previously appear]
Marcy:
We're comin', too.
I hope that's okay
with you, Serge?
Serge:
Um... Okay, sure. Why not? (I
mean, I might be able to fight
her off, but I don't want to
try.)
[System]
Marcy, like, joined your party!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Zoah hadn't been previously recruited]
Zoah:
I, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO HELP.
THERE IS NO POINT IN MY
NOT FIGHTING.
PLUS, YOU SAVED MISS RIDDEL.
ACCEPT THIS GESTURE AS A
TOKEN OF MY APPRECIATION.
Serge:
(Don't tell me he has the
hots for Riddel too! I mean,
she's pretty enough and all,
but having every single male
Dragoon after her would be
too much.)
[System]
ZOAH JOINED YOUR PARTY!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Karsh hadn't been previously recruited]
Karsh:
Hah! There ain't no way
I'm backin' outta this.
And since you saved
Lady Riddel,
I've decided to
help you out.
Please, just a thank you
will be enough!
Serge:
Thank...you? (This guy is
unbelievable! He invites himself
along, then expects me to thank
him?!)
[System]
Karsh joined your party!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marcy:
I guess we can, like,
get going now!
More tomorrow.
-
Viper doesn't joins? Ah, that's too bad. Well, at least we still got the Devas. :D
Neither Riddel? Then how does the Dario sequence gets activated now?
The reference is of Legend of Zelda right? 'It's dangerous to go alone'... yeah, 'Here, take this!' XD
...
Is it? Can't really say I spotted something else.
-
Viper doesn't joins? Ah, that's too bad. Well, at least we still got the Devas. :D
Neither Riddel? Then how does the Dario sequence gets activated now?
The reference is of Legend of Zelda right? 'It's dangerous to go alone'... yeah, 'Here, take this!' XD
...
Is it? Can't really say I spotted something else.
Didn't Riddel join in the manor? Or was I mistaking that?
-
Didn't Riddel join in the manor? Or was I mistaking that?
No, she joined in the Hideout, before they had to escape to the Invincible.
-
Didn't Riddel join in the manor? Or was I mistaking that?
No, she joined in the Hideout, before they had to escape to the Invincible.
Uhh, I meant in this fic. Should've made that clear. :oops:
-
No, Riddel doesn't join. The Dario sequence will probably be activated by Serge et al. going to the Invincible to tell her that he's still alive. Then she'll meet them at the island (or possibly the scene will just be shifted to the island directly; I haven't decided yet).
And yes, Acacia Sgt, you nailed the reference. A shame I couldn't find an excuse to have Grobyc hand Serge either a sword or (as per one well-circulated parody) a LOLcat.
-
Harle:
D'accord...
OK...
Anyt'ing for Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
(And if anyone believes that,
there's a mansion on the north-
east end of the main island
that I'd like to sell them.)
I feel like this is a reference to what Miles Vorkosigan says in the Warrior's Apprentice when selling off his farmland...
-
@Katie Skyye: Heh. Well, to my knowledge, Viper Manor is not sufficiently
radioactive to make it glow in the dark, nor is Serge suggesting trading it
for a superannuated means of transportation. That was just a reference to the
common joke about offering to sell famous landmarks to someone who appears
more-than-usually gullible. (I wonder if I'm going to have time to re-read
the earlier Vorkosigan novels before Cryoburn comes out in November,
what with everything else on my plate...)
Anyway, here's the remaining third of the chapter.
22. Surprise Attack!!! - Pursuers with heavy-hearts... Part II
===========================================================
Pearly Gates (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party approaches the far end of the area, they
find Harle already waiting if she isn't part of the party.]
Magus: | Glenn: | Radius:
Sealed...and not by | A dead end... But how | Hmmm. It appears that
magic, either. That's | can that be? There must | there is no passage through
solid rock. | be a way through! | this world's Death's Door.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Karsh: | Marcy:
A dead end... I hope | What the... Is this a | It's all blocked off! Did
there is some trick | joke?! There had better | Lynx, like, do this to try
to it. Drilling | be a way through this! | to stop us?
through this would | |
take weeks. | |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Guile: | Zoah:
Lookz like a dead end | If there is a way | IF THIS IS TRULY AS IT
to me, so I 'ope one | through here, its | APPEARS, WE WILL NEED TO
of you otherz 'az a | nature is a mystery. | ARRANGE FOR WORKMEN AND
good idea. | | BLASTING EQUIPMENT.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Grobyc:
Shiver me timbers-- | Even-Grobyc-is-not-strong-
'tis a dead end! And | enough-to-force-a-path-through-
yet we must find a | solid-rock. There-must-be-
way through... | another-way.
Serge:
Harle, you must know how to get
through here--I mean, you've
been to the Sea of Eden with
Lynx, right?
Harle:
You wish to know?
Serge:
Yeah, I wish to know. (If I
didn't, would I be asking
about it?! I still don't get
this girl.)
Harle:
Zis place iz called
ze Pearly Gates.
Zis used to be ze only
entrance to ze Sea of Eden.
However, legend sayz, no one
haz been able to see it or
approach it, ever since ze
Dragonz sealed ze evil flame.
Magus: [if present]
The "evil flame"... So there
is a Frozen Flame here as
well... Its influence seems
to be all-pervasive.
Serge:
Okay, so the dragons sealed
the path. Then how do we
UNseal it?
Harle:
You need ze powerz of ze
Dragonz zat sealed ze flame.
You must break ze seal of
ze Pearly Gates with relics
from each of ze 6 Dragonz.
Serge:
(I guess that makes sense--the
people who would know how to
open it would be the ones who
sealed it. Assuming we can
trust Harle... No, wait--didn't
the Sky Dragon say something
a little like that too? There's
no reason for them BOTH to lie.
Or at least, I don't think
there is.)
So we track down all the
dragons, get these relic things,
and...what? Bring them here?
[Harle shakes her head]
Harle:
Non. Ze true gate to ze
Sea of Eden iz not here.
It iz in ze other world,
Where ze Dead Sea liez.
Serge:
(I knew it sounded too easy.
Why is this place called the
Pearly Gates if there's no
gate here? My head is starting
to hurt again.)
Radius: | Karsh: | Zoah:
It is not an easy task | So we've gotta figure | HARLE, DO YOU KNOW
that you set for us. | out where a bunch of | WHERE WE CAN FIND
Except for our meeting | critters that no one's | THESE "SIX DRAGONS"?
with the Sky Dragon, no | seen in years are |
one has seen the | hiding out? At least |
guardians of El Nido | give us a hint on where |
in centuries. Where do | to look, Harle. I'm not |
we even begin to search? | good at crap like this. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Marcy: | Starky:
Dragons... Pfft, vhat | So are you going to, | Staarky does not knooow
foolishness! And so | like, tell us where to | where to look for
vhere do you advise ve | find the dragons, or | dragons...
look for dese creatures, | just stand there with |
Harle? | that smug look on your |
| face? You know I hate |
| it when you do that! |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Norris: | Guile:
If I 'adn't seen the | I am not from these | The dragons' locations
Sky Dragon with me own | islands, and I have no | are something of a
eyez, I wouldn't believe | idea where to even | mystery. Do you have
dragonz existed. So do | begin to look for the | any suggestions as to
ya 'ave any idea where | dragons. Can you give | where we should begin
to look for 'em, girl? | us some clue as to | the search?
| their locations? |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grobyc: | Glenn:
Grobyc-does-not-know- | Where are we to begin
where-to-find-dragons... | searching for the dragons?
Harle:
You will find zem
scattered around both worldz.
Zey will be eazy to find,
with all ze legendz about
dragonz throughout ze islandz.
Serge:
We've already seen one. I mean,
remember that giant lizard-
headed thing sticking out of
the ground near the top of
Mount Pyre? Looking like that,
it couldn't be anything BUT a
dragon. And there's one on
Water Dragon Isle in my world,
and I'd bet that the Sky Dragon
lives on Sky Dragon Isle, or
why else would they call it
that? There's Earth Dragon
Isle, too. So that's four out
of six already. (Those last two
worry me, though.)
Fargo: [if present]
The Black Dragon used to live
in Marbule. Maybe, in the other
world, he still does.
Harle:
Oh, and Monsieur Lynx...
Serge:
What? (Can't she see we're
trying to think here?)
Harle:
Ze other Monsieur Lynx,
disguized az Serge,
iz already in here.
Zat iz because hiz appearance
iz zat of Serge.
Serge:
I don't understand. (Although
I'm starting to have a REALLY
bad feeling about this.)
Harle:
Even if you are able to
get all 6 Dragon Relics,
you will not be able to make
it inside az Monsieur Lynx.
Serge:
You mean I have to get my body
back first? Is this why Lynx
stole it in the first place?
How in hell am I supposed to
get it back from him when I
can't even get at him?!
Harle:
Ze Dragon Tear...
Zat iz all I can
tell you.
Radius: | Sprigg: | Magus: | Serge:
Perhaps we've been | Perhapz the Dragon | Then the Dragon | (Is she saying
looking at this the | Tear can break the | Tear can re- | that I don't
wrong way. Could | spell even without | transform Serge | need Lynx to be
there be some way | Lynx bein' there. | even without | there, that the
of regaining your | Worth a try, | Lynx's presence? | Dragon Tear
own body WITHOUT | anyway. | ...Interesting. | alone is enough
taking it back | | | to fix this?)
from Lynx? | | |
Serge:
But the Dragon Tear is broken.
...No, wait. The Dragon Tear
from THIS world is broken.
We have to find the one from
MY world. Which would mean...
Guldove?
Harle:
Bravo! I knew you were smart.
Now, it'z my turn to
ask un question.
Serge:
Okay, go ahead. (It can't hurt
just to let her ASK...I hope.)
Harle:
Monsieur Lynx...
Serge:
I keep TELLING you, my name
isn't... Oh, never mind.
Go on.
Harle:
If you had to chooze
between ze world or moi...
which would you chooze?
~~~Harle | ~~~The world | ~~~I don't know
| |
Serge: | Serge: | Serge:
(No harm in being | (Lying...wouldn't | (A week ago, I would have said
nice to her, right?) | be right.) | "the world", but...well, she's
| | a comrade-in-arms now. And I
Harle: | Harle: | don't like it when people I
Oooh... | Tsk, tsk, tsk! | know get hurt.)
Merci... | |
Even if it iz a lie. | | Harle:
| | That iz exactly what
| | I t'ought Monsieur Lynx
| | would say.
[Fadeout, and we are transported straight to...]
===========================================================
Docking Area, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
Fargo:
You go, sea-dog!
Go and find yerself!
Serge:
I will, thanks. ("Sea-dog"?
Does this guy ever talk
like a normal person?)
Riddel:
I wish you well.
Karsh: [if present]
Don't worry--we'll be back soon,
and when we are, that Lynx is
gonna get it!
[As the party's boat floats away from the ship, the scene fades
again, and we are taken to...]
===========================================================
Aft Deck, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[Harle is now the one leaning on the railing and staring
out to sea...]
Harle:
Why must I have to tell
him such t'ings...?
You are such an idiote,
Harle...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Starky has been recruited (and presumably wasn't
part of the main party), he enters the scene at this
point.]
Starky:
What's wrong, Harle?
There is fluid coming
out of youur eyes.
[Starky jumps up to perch on the railing]
Harle:
......!?
Oh, it'z you, Starky.
It'z not'ing.
Don't worry about it.
Starky:
Something is different.
Starky can tell.
Harle's maake-up
doesn't look the
saame todaay.
Starky:
Starky don't think it's
nothing liike youu saay.
Why do youu liie to
mee, Harle?
Harle:
D'accord...
OK, OK...
I guess I cannot
fool you.
Harle:
Listen, Starky...
Zis iz called a tear.
It'z somet'ing zat
flowz from your eyez
naturellement when you
are sad, when you hurt...
Starky:
Teear...?
Starky's speecies does
not have thooose.
Soo water comes out from
eyes when youu are sad?
Are youu sad soo youu can
wash youur faace with teear?
Harle:
Sigh...
Go to sleep, Starky.
And don't tell anyone
I waz crying.
You promise you will
not tell?
Starky:
Starky liike promises.
Starky will promise not
to tell aanyone that
Harle was cryiing.
Starky:
Waait a minute...
Cryiing meeans that
Harle is sad.
But why?
Harle:
Even though we are close,
I cannot tell you zat.
Harle:
You will find out
eventually, Starky.
If zat time comez...
Harle:
Every probleme haz
a solution...
I hope...
[Fadeout. At this point, Harle ceases to be a recruited
party member.]
No, I didn't really change much in the Harle/Starky conversation--if it weren't
for the fact that Starky coming with the verb "cry" before Harle uses it
had always bothered me, I might just have made a note about it instead of
quoting it in full.
I'm shuffling the side-stuff bits around again, so the next posting will
contain Nikki's re-recruitment (now that we have Marcy and Fargo, there's
no point in putting it off anymore), the quest for Karsh's final tech
(although I'll probably be making only minimal changes there), and if
there's space, either Dario's recruitment or Karsh banging the heads of
the Home World versions of the Shaker Brothers together until they remember
what happened in the Dead Sea.
-
@Katie Skyye: Heh. Well, to my knowledge, Viper Manor is not sufficiently
radioactive to make it glow in the dark, nor is Serge suggesting trading it
for a superannuated means of transportation. That was just a reference to the
common joke about offering to sell famous landmarks to someone who appears
more-than-usually gullible. (I wonder if I'm going to have time to re-read
the earlier Vorkosigan novels before Cryoburn comes out in November,
what with everything else on my plate...)
Anyway, here's the remaining third of the chapter.
Oh wow. You actually knew what I was referencing...(and I kinda figured that's what you meant, but I had just re-read The Warrior's Apprentice, so it really stood out to me XP ) *flails around in glee and then reads the new chapter*
-
Add the fact that I was re-reading Paladin of Souls as I was finishing up that chapter to the list of coincidences. Under my current financial circumstances, I really shouldn't be buying hardcover books, but I make an exception for Bujold--her work is just that good.
-
This ran about 150 lines longer than I was hoping, but I'm posting all of it
anyway because there's so much midgame sidequest stuff (Dario's
recruitment alone may end up being as long as this entire post!) Anyway,
we have here Nikki, Karsh, and part of the setup for a later scenario
involving Riddel.
8. Re-recruiting Nikki
[The following requires that Serge be Lynx and that either Marcy
or Fargo be in the party.]
===========================================================
Magical Dreamers Ship (Another)
===========================================================
[Nikki will deliver this first line even if the party includes
neither Marcy nor Fargo.]
Nikki:
Serge....!!!
You made it out alive..?
I almost had to sing
a requiem for myself,
before I realized I
somehow made it out alive...
I still see and hear images
from that place in my dreams
all the time... Sorry man, I don't
want to go out for a while.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Marcy is in the party...]
Marcy:
'Fraidy-cat! I don't believe
this! You're just a big fat
coward!
Nikki:
M-Marcy?! What are
you doing here?
[Marcy does a sort of pirhouette]
Marcy:
I joined up with Serge, because
I, like, owed him for saving the
General--and because I'm not
scared of Lynx or anyone else!
Not like you. I'm surprised you
even had the nerve to pretend
to be my brother!
Nikki:
I...wasn't pretending, Marcy.
Marcy:
Oooh, I don't know why I even
bother talking to you! You can't
be my brother, 'cause I don't
have a family! I never have!
Serge:
(I don't think this would be a
good time to point out that she
has to have come from
SOMEWHERE.)
Nikki:
...I'll prove it to you.
Marcy:
Whaaaaa'?
Nikki:
No, really--it'll just take
a few seconds...
[Nikki reaches for the collar he has buckled around his neck.]
Serge:
Um, Nikki... You aren't going
to strip, are you?
Nikki:
Nope, I just need to take off
this one thing...if I can ever
get the buckle to let go...
Damnit...
Marcy:
Are you saying that you want me
to, like, look at your neck?!
Why?
Nikki:
You mean you don't have...?
[Nikki grabs for Marcy, who makes an unsuccessful attempt to dodge.
Nikki touches her neck, and makes a gesture as though tracing a diagonal
line along the side of it.]
Nikki:
Yeah, here they are.
Marcy:
Those old scars? Are you saying
they, like, run in the family
somehow? That's silly!
Nikki:
They're not just scars, Marcy.
Marcy:
Then what are they?
Nikki:
The marks where your gills
got sewn shut, I think.
Marcy:
GILLS?! What kind of crap
are you talking about now?!
Nikki:
Our mother was a mermaid. We
were both born with gills.
Marcy:
What are you...?
No, no, no, no, no!
I'm NOT some kind of half-demi-
human freak! I'm not!
Nikki:
Marcy--
Marcy:
You're NOT my brother, and if
you don't stop trying to
pretend, I'm gonna punch your
face in!
[Serge shakes his head.]
Serge:
(They're both nuts.)
[Nikki steps back, and sort of...sags.]
Nikki:
Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't
mean to say...whatever it was
I said that got you so mad. We
got off on the wrong foot, I
guess. Can I try to make it up
to you?
Marcy:
What NOW?
Nikki:
Serge, if it's okay with you,
I'm coming with you.
Serge:
Um, okay. (If I say "no", he'll
just force his way in, because
that's the kind of guy he is.
I just hope I can keep Marcy
from strangling him in his
sleep.)
Nikki:
Rockin'!
[System]
Nikki rejoins your band!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Alternatively, if Marcy is not present but
Fargo is...]
Fargo:
Aye, hidin' is always easier.
Nikki:
...Captain Fargo? You're the
last person I expected to see
here.
Fargo:
I joined forces with young
Serge after he told me what
happened to him. Be that as
it may, though, I'm happy
that yer stayin' out of this.
Nikki:
Is that your way of telling me
that you want me safe? Because
it sounds more like you're
saying I'm a coward.
Fargo:
...
Nikki:
This is stupid. Why are you even
talking to me? I thought... Ah,
damnit, I don't KNOW what I
thought! I guess it's just been
too long. We're strangers now.
No, less than strangers, 'cause
strangers at least have a chance
to BECOME friends.
Fargo:
Matey, I think yer a fine young
man who has no business thinkin'
of himself as the son of an old
fool.
Nikki:
Oh yeah?
Serge, I've changed my mind.
I'm gonna come with you. I mean,
if you just stop a song instead
of ending it, it sounds all
wrong, right? I shouldn't quit
in the middle. And maybe while
I'm out there, I'll find out
what happened to my real dad,
since this pirate dude won't
admit a damned thing.
Serge:
Glad to have you back. Um, by
the way...Marcy joined up with
us too. (She may want to kill
me, but I am NOT springing that
on Nikki as a surprise, because
if I did, chances are he'd do
something that would make her
launch a surprise attack and off
us both!)
[System]
Nikki rejoined your band!
Nikki:
Let's get jammin'!
Fargo:
...
----------------------------------------------------------------
9. Axioms of Life and Death
===========================================================
Right Tower, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[if they look at the message on the back wall]
[System]
It says,
'"Respect my behind."'
Serge:
(Oooookay, whatever.)
[upon opening the chest (after all the statue rearranging, etc., is done)]
There's a letter inside.
[Letter]
There's a good reason why
we borrowed the contents.
If you want it back, come
to the Isle of the Damned,
and bring Sir Karsh!
Signed,
Solt
Peppor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Karsh is present]
Karsh:
Damn!
What are those
idiots up to!?
Serge:
(I don't think we're going to
have to BRING Karsh anywhere. In
fact, the most difficult part may
turn out to be keeping him from
charging ahead on his own! What
are those two numbskulls
thinking?)
===========================================================
Isle of the Damned, Final Area (Another)
===========================================================
[Solt and Peppor are waiting in the upper area of the screen,
where Garai's grave is in Home World. The dialogue begins
immediately when the party enters.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Karsh is not present]
Peppor:
I-If you want to
shake it on past us...
Solt:
You most definitely must
bring Karsh here!
Serge:
Why?
Peppor:
Uh...
Solt:
Because we have something
important to discuss with
him!
Serge:
Okay, I get the picture. (If
it's enough to make Solt talk
like a normal person, it must
really be important.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Karsh is present]
Peppor:
S-Sir Karsh...!
Y-You actually shook it here!
Solt:
Do you knowingly know
why we are here...?
Karsh:
Hell NO!
WHAT!?
Am I supposed to...!?
Peppor:
Don't shake ignorance!
Solt:
We came to investigate
what happened here!!!
Karsh:
......!!!
Serge:
Investigate? (What could they
be investigating here? Something
about Garai? Say, why haven't we
gotten hit by his ghost yet? In
the other world, it showed up
right away and flew off its
handle... Did he even die here
in this world?)
Peppor:
Sir Karsh!
W-We have stood by your
side, unable to shake loose
this one suspicion we had...
Karsh:
Suspicion...!?
Solt:
We believe you may
have killed Sir Dario!
Serge:
(Karsh looks like someone just
hit him upside the head with a
tree trunk! But he looks like
he's feeling kind of guilty,
too...)
Peppor:
And by shaking it here,
our suspicion has
turned to conviction!
S-Sir Karsh...
We are executing you for
the murder of Sir Dario!
Karsh:
Dario...
===========================================================
[Karsh's flashback about his relationship with Dario and Riddel
goes in here, but I decided that there was no way to improve on
what was already there...which means that, since I'm not changing it,
I'm going to save space and not quote it, either. For those who need
a refresher, searching for "How is your training going," (without the
quotes) in the Cross script will land you right at the beginning of
the flashback.]
===========================================================
Isle of the Damned, Final Area (Another)
===========================================================
[Fade back in to the present]
Peppor:
S-So you do know
something about it!
Serge:
(He probably does, but...from
the look on Karsh's face, I
don't think he really wanted
to hurt Dario. He's hiding it
under a layer of pissed-off, but
I think he's actually...hurt. If
he was responsible for whatever
happened, it must have been some
kind of horrible accident.)
Karsh:
Take it easy...!
Why the hell do I have
to fight you guys!?
Serge:
Especially when you know you'll
lose? We don't want to hurt you,
you know. (I mean, let's face
it--those two are about as much
use as a paper oar. Leena's
grandma fights better than
them!)
Solt:
No time for questions!
Karsh:
Tch!
What the hell!?
[Combat--thankfully, this is the LAST one with the
Condiment Brothers, and they don't insist on talking
during it. Afterwards, both Shaker Bros. are on their
knees, panting.]
[System]
Karsh learned
Axiomatic!
Karsh:
Listen to me...
I did not kill Dario...
I know the time will come
when I can speak the truth.
But I can't just yet...
I hope you understand.
Serge:
(Wow, he's actually being
serious with them instead of
yelling and calling them
losers. Never thought I'd see
THAT happen!)
Peppor:
Sir Karsh...!
I have come to an understanding
after that battle we just had...
You are not an evil person.
You would never kill your
best friend!
Please forgive us...
Looking back now, you were
the one who took us under
your wing, even though we
were dragoon outcasts.
You are very special to us,
Sir Karsh!
Serge:
(Dragoon outcasts? Yeah, I
could believe that. The first
time I met Karsh, I would never
have believed he could be such
a softie!)
Solt:
Sob...!
We believe you,
Sir Karsh...!
We must be on our way,
but we hope to see you again,
sometime, somewhere...
When that time comes, we hope
you will be readily ready to
tell us what really happened!
[The two get to their feet]
Peppor:
A-And...
We're sorry we
took this from you.
We're shaking it
back to you.
[System]
Karsh received
MementoPendant!
Karsh:
...Thanks.
I'll take good care of it.
One day, I promise to
tell you guys the truth...
Take care.
[The Shaker Bros. leave]
Serge:
I hope we don't have to fight
those two again. I'm afraid
we might kill them the next
time.
Karsh:
You kiddin' me? Those idiots are
the toughest guys I've ever met.
You could drop 'em into an
active volcano, and the worst
they'd get is a little sunburn.
'Course, they can't fight their
way out of a paper bag, but
they're not as useless as they
look.
Serge:
So that's why you took them on?
Karsh:
Pretty much. I ain't had much
luck gettin' them to believe I
wasn't just bein' soft, though.
Serge:
(Seems pretty soft to me!)
----------------------------------------------------------------
10. Shakin' it Back to the Dead Sea
[The only requirement here is that Karsh be brought to see the
amnesiac Home World Shaker Brothers.]
===========================================================
Dressing Room, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Peppor]
I-I've seen him before!
[Solt]
That flashingly flashy uniform...
He must be a fellow stage performer
from before we lost our memory!
Karsh:
What are you bozos
talkin' about!?
[Peppor]
H-He's an angry one!
[Solt]
I do not think he'll be
one of our apprentices!
Karsh:
You knuckleheads!
[The screen fades to black as Karsh draws back one arm,
and the next few lines appear in front of it, interspersed
with crashing noises.]
Karsh:
YOUR apprentices?! You idiots
used to work for me!
Sneff:
Be carefful! Iff you break
one off them, I won't haff
an opening act!
Karsh:
Listen to me, both of ya! Your
names are Solt and Peppor
Shaker, and you're members of
the Acacia Dragoons, not some
kind of useless circus
performers!
Skelly: [if present]
Hey! You'd bettah have meant
that these guys are useless, and
not that circus performers are!
[The screen fades back in to show the Shaker Bros, er,
shaking their heads as they back away from Karsh...]
[Solt]
Acacia...Dragoons? I was
certainly certain that they
vanished years ago.
Karsh:
Ya could at least try to
remember! You bozos went to
the Dead Sea with Lynx and
General Viper, and no one else
ever came back from that trip
'cept you!
[Peppor]
We went to the where with who?
[Solt]
A...snake and a cat?
[Peppor]
Lank, my head's startin'
to hurt.
Karsh:
AAARGH! I give up! Don't you two
morons ever come near me again,
or I'll knock both your blocks
off!
[Karsh turns toward the door, but Solt takes a tentative step forward.]
[Solt]
Forgive us, sir. We may not be
able to remember any of what you
are talking about, but we can
see that it is important to you.
[Peppor]
Y-yeah. Who are you, anyway?
You were in the Dragoons, right?
[Karsh turns back]
Karsh:
The name's Karsh. Second of the
Four Devas of the Acacia
Dragoons. They used ta call me
"The Silver Axe".
[Solt]
Karsh...? I... I almost...
Karsh:
Riddel used to say that there
was more to you two than met
the eye. Looks like she was
wrong.
[Peppor]
L-Lady Riddel? Agh...
[The Shaker Bros. both bend over, with their hands clamped to their heads.]
Solt:
Lynx! You dastardly dastard!
How dare you betray the General!
Peppor:
Lady Riddel! NO! We swore to
Sir Karsh that we'd protect
her!
[Sneff and Serge move over to stand beside the Shaker Bros.]
Sneff:
Lank and Stout...
Serge:
Hey, are you two okay?
Solt:
...
We most beggingly beg your
pardon. Having our memories
return like that was...most
disconcerting.
Peppor:
Yeah, exactly. Sorry for
worrying you, Pops.
Sneff:
Iff you truly haff remembered,
then I am glad ffor you.
[The bros. straighten up and turn to face Karsh.]
Solt:
We apologize for our rudeness,
Sir Karsh. We are pleased to
see that you escaped the Dead
Sea.
Peppor:
We thought you were all
goners--and us, too!
Karsh:
I don't know what the
hell you're talking about.
Dario: | Zoah:
I think you may all be getting | WE ARE MISSING SOME
a bit ahead of yourselves. We | BACKGROUND. WHAT HAPPENED
should start with what happened | AT THE DEAD SEA?
at the Dead Sea. Can you explain |
it for those of us who weren't |------------------------------------
present? |
| Glenn:
Peppor: | You two know how to report
S-SIR DARIO?! You're alive too? | better than that. Begin with
Or maybe we're all D-DEAD, and | your departure for the Dead Sea.
this is the a-afterlife! |
|-------------------------------------
[Peppor reels theatrically] |
| Serge:
Solt: | Um, not everyone here went
Peppor, please don't faint! | to the Dead Sea, you know.
I am certain there must be | Can you explain what happened
a simply simple explanation. | so that we can all understand?
| (Maybe they can explain the
Dario: | freaky image-statue-ghost things
Indeed. I survived the Isle of | we saw in the room right before
the Dead, but like you, I was | the bell...)
stricken with amnesia. For the |
past few years, I've been |
living on an isolated island |
to the west. |
Solt:
I will do my best, but it
was a strangely strange
chain of events.
===========================================================
Flashback, Portal Room, Tower of Geddon, Dead Sea (Home)
===========================================================
[Viper, the three Devas, Riddel, Solt and Peppor, and Lynx
(bringing up the rear) all enter the room together. They
move a short distance into the room, then stop.]
Viper:
This appears to be yet another
empty room. Are you certain
that the Frozen Flame is here?
Lynx:
General, I would stake my life
on it. We are nearly at the
vault where it is kept. If you
would merely allow me one
moment...?
Karsh:
Heh. Since when are YOU such
a brown-noser? Somethin' here
ain't right.
Zoah:
YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT
SINCE WE GOT OFF THE BOAT.
Karsh:
Doesn't make it any less true,
does it?
Riddel:
Please don't argue. Karsh, I
know you don't trust Sir Lynx,
but picking a fight here is
not going to help.
Karsh:
...
[Meanwhile, Lynx has walked up to the portal. He spreads his arms,
and for a moment, there's a lot of lightning-stuff crackling around
the screen. The it quiets down again.]
Lynx: [turning to face the others]
I believe that should do it.
The portal now leads to the
place where the Frozen Flame
has been hidden for the past
several centuries. General, if
you would care to...?
[Lynx waves a hand suggestively in the direction of the portal.]
Karsh:
Whoa, wait a minute! Generals
ain't supposed to do their own
scoutin'! Someone else should
go first.
Glenn:
I will go. If I do not return
immediately, there is something
wrong.
Lynx:
By all means, then.
Viper:
Yes, go...although I should be
offended by your implication
that I am no longer able to
deal with danger, Karsh.
Karsh:
Sorry, sir.
[Glenn steps into the portal and vanishes. A moment later, he steps
back out again.]
Glenn:
There's a room on the other
side with a large, glowing
crystal on a pedastel at the
center. I didn't touch it, since
I felt someone else should do
the honours. Anyway, it's safe,
guys.
Viper:
Very well. Marcy, if you would--
Karsh:
Wait a minute!
Glenn:
Karsh, why are you trying so
hard to hold us up? You'd almost
think you didn't want to find
the Frozen Flame.
[Karsh and Zoah both pull out weapons.]
Karsh:
General, Riddel,
please get back
behind us.
Riddel:
What is going on? What do you
intend to do? Karsh...
Zoah:
THAT IS NOT GLENN.
Viper:
What?
Zoah:
HIS SPEECH PATTERNS ARE WRONG.
GLENN WOULD NEVER ADDRESS HIS
SUPERIORS SO INFORMALLY.
Viper:
!
[Viper takes a step back from Glenn and pulls his sword out as well.
Glenn goes transparent and then disappears, probably with accompanying
sound effects.]
Lynx:
Whoever would have thought those
two walls of muscle would be
able to spot something so
subtle? Well, no matter. I am
very sorry, but none of you will
be leaving this place.
[Lynx fires off some lightning at the nearest person, who happens
to be General Viper, and the latter collapses.]
Riddel:
Father!
[She tries to take a step forward, but Karsh grabs her arm and
hauls her back.]
Karsh:
Solt! Peppor!
Solt:
Yessir!
Karsh:
Take Riddel and run like hell!
Solt:
Sir Karsh...
Karsh:
I don't have time to argue! You
two are good at escapin', so
you're her best chance!
Solt:
Understood, sir! We will
protect her with our lives!
[Karsh shoves Riddel behind him, and as she and the Shaker Bros.
turn and run, and the three Devas begin to move forward for the
inevitable clash with Lynx, the screen begins to fade out. Against
the black screen, we see the following lines, accompanied by the
sounds of battle...]
[?]
Argh!
[Zoah]
BACK, FOOL!
[Marcy]
Diediediediedie!
[Karsh]
My axe is gonna make you
shorter by a head, you
damned cat!
===========================================================
Flashback, Death's Door (Home)
===========================================================
[Riddel and Solt come pelting out of the opening leading to
the Dead Sea, with Peppor following a moment later.]
Peppor:
Shake it! It's gaining on us!
Riddel:
And the others? My father?
Peppor:
No sign, m'lady. Sorry.
[The three begin to run down to the rock/coral shelfy thing
where the party normally moors its boat, but Riddel only
manages a few steps before tripping.]
Solt:
Lady Riddel!
[The two try to help her up, but she only makes it halfway.]
Riddel:
I think I have twisted my ankle.
[As though on cue, the screen starts to shake. Peppor crouches.]
Peppor:
Get on my back! I'll
carry you!
Riddel:
You would never make it. Go,
both of you. Save yourselves.
I...may be able to protect
myself using my magic.
Solt:
No! We promised Sir Karsh
that we would keep you safe!
Riddel:
I don't have time to argue!
[She raises her hand and points at the Shaker Bros. A ball of
white light appears at the tip of her pointing finger, and
then the whole screen flashes, ending the flashback.]
===========================================================
Dressing Room, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
Solt:
I don't remember anything after
that. The most logically logical
explanation is that Lady Riddel
teleported us out, but it didn't
work quite right and we somehow
lost our memories as a result.
Peppor:
Or maybe it was that distortion-
wave-thing coming up behind us
that did it. The edges of it
were already shaking through.
Karsh:
And you blockheads ain't got
any idea what happened to
Riddel?
Solt:
No, sir... but seeing you here
has given me greatly greater
hope for her survival.
Karsh:
Except that I ain't... Oh, hell,
I guess I should start at the
beginning.
[The scene fades out, then back in again, as Karsh
gestures...somewhat less than Serge normally does
under the same circumstances.]
Serge:
(Hearing someone else tell that
story makes it sound even
weirder, which I didn't think
was possible. Heh.)
Peppor:
I don't get it.
Solt:
I believe he is trying to say
that this Sir Karsh is not the
same person as the man we left
behind at the Dead Sea.
Karsh:
Pretty much. What I'd like to
know was what that Lynx was
tryin' to do by trickin' the
General into that portal.
Serge:
(We'd ALL like to know what
Lynx thinks he's doing. One
thing's for sure, though:
Lynx knows the Dead Sea--and
the Sea of Eden, probably--
a lot better than anyone else.
Damnit, I wish we'd been able
to get some real information
out of Harle.)
Sneff:
So what are you ffellows going
to do now?
Solt:
We will go back to the Dragoons.
We owe that much to Sir Karsh.
Peppor:
And...we kinda owe Lynx
some revenge.
Karsh:
Except there ain't no Dragoons
in this world, and we don't
need you two walkin' jokes in
the way while we're chasin'
Lynx around. Stay here. We'll
take care of that revenge.
'Sides, you wouldn't want Pops
here to lose his openin' act,
would ya?
Solt:
It is true that we owe Sir Sneff
a tremendously tremendous debt
for taking us in, but...
Karsh:
"But," nothin'! It ain't like
I'm gonna be doin' this alone
if you don't come along.
Serge:
And anyway, if Riddel or any
of the others did make it out
of there, isn't it better to
have more people looking for
them in more places, just in
case they need help? (Karsh
is being too hard on these
guys. I mean, they mean well.)
Dario: [if present]
Also, if we do re-form the
Dragoons when all of this
is over, it would be useful
to have two veterans like
yourselves to help out.
Peppor:
Solt...
Solt:
I see. Very well. We will remain
here until we are needed. Call
upon us at any time, Sir Karsh.
And next will be Chapter 23, in which Serge collects the Plot Coupon--er, Dragon Relics. ;)
-
Now I wonder what would happen if both Marcy and Fargo are in the party...
How does having both gills and lungs could work...? :? I suppose at least you won't have to fear drowning in that case. :lol:
Oh noes, the side-plot thickens! XD
-
I suppose I could have written a third version of the scene, but the truth is that I had a hard enough time getting these two out. So I think we'll just assume that Marcy takes precedence if she's present. She seems to be more...proactive. :lol: (More seriously, Nikki seems to have been putting more effort into looking for Marcy than for his parents, so I would expect her to be the one who would arrest his attention.)
The mermaids clearly have both gills and lungs too, or Irenes wouldn't be able to leave the water, so presumably there's some kind of built-in biological switch mechanism.
-
Too bad. Nikki's suspicions of Marcy being his sister should definetly get Fargo's attention, since I don't think he is aware she is still alive... isn't he?
-
Oh, they'll have the whole thing out later, I promise--just not in this particular scene. (Packed in somewhere around the Zelbess'-death-flashback I wrote a while ago is a remark by Luccia to the effect that she did tell Fargo about Marcy, and he didn't believe her. If Fargo still believes that Marcy is an impostor set up by Luccia (complete with fake sewn-together gills), he might choose not to make any remark on the subject.)
-
Ahh, the suspense is killin' me! This script is practically the highlight of my week when it updates!
-
Don't die on me, please! ;)
Things have been a little crazy around here lately, and it took longer than usual to sort the main story from the optional bits and put in basic stage directions for chapter 23, so I'm a bit behind--maybe 25% of the way done.
-
Whoo, boy. This was one of the longest chapters yet, and the fact that the
first five dragons can be visited in any order just adds to the complexity.
The other thing that took forever was due to having nearly maxed out the
number of recruits present: for every "Member" line I came across, I had
to either provide a dozen alternatives or substitute/backstop with Serge.
23. To the Sea of Eden - Through the hidden holes in time... Part I
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile OR (Glenn and Nikki), Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc,
Luccia, Dario.
Recruitable: Leena will become available again at the
end of the chapter, when Serge returns to his proper form.
I've decided that Orlha will not be recruitable; however, I
am going to treat her like Razzly and tell her story without
making her a PC, rather than writing her out completely.
[Note: This chapter could be said to come in seven parallel
chunks. I've ordered it as blue-yellow-red-green-black-white-other,
and only included the version of the Black Relic's retrieval which
occurs if the player chooses NOT to complete the Save Marbule quest.
The sidequest itself will be posted separately, 'cause it's quite long.
Also, I've made corrections to the dragons' pseudo-Elizabeathan
grammar without marking them again.]
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle, Cave (Home)
===========================================================
[After defeating the Sidesteppa just outside the Water Dragon's
lair]
Serge:
...
Guile: | Marcy: | Zoah:
What is it, | You got, like, | WHY ARE WE
Serge? | some kind of | STOPPING
| problem? | HERE?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Starky: | Glenn:
Is something | Serge stopped. | Serge, are
wrong, sir? | What is insiide? | you well?
| Staarky wants to | Are we in
| knooow. | danger?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Luccia: | Skelly:
What're we | Dis opening is | Chin up, Serge!
standin' here | unnatural. Is | That dragon can't
for?! Get on | de dragon beyond? | be hungry enough
with it! | | to eat us!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Sprigg: | Magus:
The music | You gettin' | The pressure of magic from
coming from | cold feet all of | the other side of that
that room's | a sudden? That'z | doorway is immense. Is this
kinda funky. | not like you. | the Water Dragon?
What's up? | |
Serge:
Just pulling myself together.
The dragon should be on the
other side of that door, and
I want to make sure I'm ready.
(Except that I don't see how I
can be! But I guess I've got
to go forward anyway.)
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle, Shrine (Home)
===========================================================
[When Serge reaches the end of the raised platform, the
dragon is already there]
Water Dragon:
The time has come...
My powers I shall grant
to the ones who seek to break
the eternal chains of fate.
Serge:
(I don't quite know how to tell
it that the "chains of fate"
have nothing to do with this!
I just want my body back, Kid
safe, and Lynx not able to do
...whatever it is he's trying
to do!)
Water Dragon:
What is it thou seekest?
~~~The Dragon God's blessing | ~~~I seek nothing
|
Water Dragon: | [Scene ends]
Dost thou need the powers of
the Sleeping Dragons to cross
the Dead Sea?
Dost thou seek to break the
chains of fate?
A son of man to challenge
the Goddess of Fate?
Fascinating...
Then confront my trials.
Serge:
(Sigh. I don't suppose screaming
"WHAT GODDESS OF FATE?!?!" at it
would be very useful, but it
might make me feel better.)
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Water Dragon:
...Well done, son of man.
Thy strength is worthy of
my powers.
Take with thee my prayers...
[A blue glow appears and drifts into Serge's hands.]
[System]
[Member] has been bestowed the
BlueRelic.
Serge:
(So this is what we came here
for? Doesn't look like much.)
Water Dragon:
I too shall watch over thy Fate,
how thou dost struggle to live,
and how thou facest death...
Serge:
(Why are these dragons all so
interested in how I go about
facing death? Do they just not
understand death, because
they're immortal? I'd ask, but
I don't want to have to fight
it again...)
===========================================================
Earth Dragon Isle (Home)
===========================================================
[Upon first arriving at the island and speaking to the guy
standing up on the ledge/hill/bluff thing with the best
view of the sandpit/entrance.]
Captain:
We've searched every square inch
of this surface but found nothing...
There has to be something...!
The only possible entrance I can
think of is this sand boil hole,
but once you go in, you get shot
right back out.
The only place left is the quicksand...
Serge:
Okay, I know that quicksand is
dangerous, but should that
really stop you from doing
what you came here for?
Captain:
I've lost quite a number of
men to quicksand in my past
explorations...
I still can't get over the fear...
You're pretty much a goner
once you set foot in that stuff...
Serge:
(Ulp! I'm sorry I
said anything!)
[As they approach the quicksand]
[Captain]
Hey, guys!
That's quicksand over there!
Step in there and you'll never
see the light of day again!
Serge:
(I wish we didn't have to, but
the dragon has to be around here
somewhere, and, well, there's
nowhere else to look!)
[after they're sucked in]
[Captain]
What are they, crazy!?
I warned them, too!
Dammit... Damn amateurs...!
[Upon landing inside the cave]
Serge:
(So the dragon's got to be
around here somewhere, but
it looks like the way forward
is blocked by that boulder
over by the far wall...)
[When they emerge via the sand boil, the captain
walks over to them and addresses them]
Captain:
Are you guys alright!?
I thought you were
goners for sure!
Serge:
(I don't want to embarass him
by telling him that the worst
that happened was me getting
sand down the back of my
shirt...) There's a cave complex
down there. I don't know just
how big it is, because the
exit from the first room was
blocked off.
Captain:
So the quicksand is the entrance,
and the sand boil is the exit...
Now why couldn't I figure that out?
So there was something blocking
a pathway, you say?
OK, let us take care of it.
It may take some time, though.
Captain:
Let's see, now... I need to
assign some men to investigate and
prepare explosives to move that rock...
Would you mind coming back in
a little while? We have some
preparations to do.
But thanks a lot for your help.
Serge:
And thank you for yours. (I hope
he hurries up. I want to get at
that dragon and get this over
with!)
[At this point, the party must leave the area, then
return, in order for the Explosive to be ready. If they
speak to the captain when they return, we get...]
Captain:
Our investigation is
finally under way.
Thanks to you, of course.
Serge:
You're welcome.
Captain:
And we were also able to move
that thing you were worried about.
All it took was some explosives
to clear the path.
Serge:
Oh, good. (One less thing
between us and the dragon.)
Captain:
...This is totally off the subject,
but have you heard of a raw
material called '"rainbow?"'
Serge:
?
Captain:
It's a fossil of a rainbow shell,
which used to exist long, long ago.
It's a very rare item these days.
I can't thank you enough for getting
our investigation started.
Here, take this rainbow as a
token of my appreciation.
Serge:
(Hmmm... It doesn't look like a
shell at all--more like metal.
And it's heavy. Weird.)
Captain:
I've heard that by combining rainbows
with certain materials, you can forge
high quality weapons and armor...
But it takes a skilled hand and
special tools to accomplish.
That just goes to show how difficult
it is to handle rainbows.
[System]
[Member] received
Rainbow.
Serge:
(A really good smith who has
special tools... Maybe I should
try talking to Zappa--he's
probably the best smith in
El Nido.)
===========================================================
Earth Dragon Isle, Cavern (Home)
===========================================================
[If they try to move the rock without the explosive]
[System]
It won't budge...
No use staying here.
Karsh: | Zoah: | Luccia: | Serge:
WHAAAT?! It | A ROCK AS LARGE | Ve vill need | It's big...
can't be | AS LYNX'S EGO. | explosives or | I don't think
THAT heavy! | WE CAN'T MOVE THIS. | equipment to | we can move it.
| | move dis. |
Serge:
We need help. Maybe we should
go back up and talk to those
guys who were poking around
looking for the way in...?
[If they speak to the guy who appears in front of the
entrance to the second cavern area after they alert
the captain to the existence of the cavern...]
[Explorer]
You see that monster over there,
sitting as still as a rock?
It's called a '"Rockroach."'
It won't attack you as long
as you don't approach it.
It's pretty much harmless.
Serge:
(Okay, it does look like a
rock...and I guess I get the
"roach" part too, although I
think I'd be happier if I
didn't. But I've never seen one
anywhere else, so how does he
know what it's called?)
[Explorer]
But I tell ya, that thing
must weigh a ton.
Our explosives have just barely
enough power to blow it away.
By the way, I was the one who
blasted that one, and it was
actually my special explosives
that did the trick!
Serge:
(I guess he really
enjoys his work.)
[Explorer]
Hey, why don't I give you
some of my explosives?
They really pack a punch!
I'm sure they'll come in handy.
~~~Sure, I'll take some | ~~~No, too dangerous to handle
|
Oh, there's one thing | Serge:
I have to warn you about. | (I mean, I'm a fisherman--what
You can only blast the ones | do I know about explosives?!)
that are just sitting there. |
Not any that are moving about or | [Explorer]
coming towards you to attack. | Oh... Oh well...
| But come back anytime if
Serge: | you really need them.
I guess that makes sense. (I | I have plenty, you know!
mean, I'd feel kind of silly |
going, "Here, roachie, roachie, | [scene ends]
roachie! Now stand still for a |
moment so that I can tie this
to your leg..." Not even a
roach could possibly be that
dumb!)
[Explorer]
But hey, I guarantee you'll
have a blast with these, heh heh!
Serge:
(Groan...)
[Explorer]
Oh, and stay clear of the
shockwaves from the blast.
Here you go.
Put them to good use.
Member received
Explosive!
Serge:
Shockwaves. Right. (Ulp!)
===========================================================
Earth Dragon Isle, Earth Shrine (Home)
===========================================================
[The characters approach the little balcony-thing above the
dragon's sandpit.]
Magus: | Marcy: | Glenn:
A dead end...? Hmph. | So, like, where's | I see no dragon here...
There's magic here, | the dragon? This | and no exit, unless we
but the traces, though | just looks like | are to attempt to climb
strong, are not at all | a dead end. | the far wall.
recent. | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Radius: | Norris:
Dis chamber is a | A dead end...? | A dead end? That feels...
geological oddity, but | And yet, all the | rather anticlimactic.
I see no reason to | stories I have | Where could this dragon
t'ink it is a dragon's | heard suggest the | be hiding, if not in
nest, and not a simple | Earth Dragon | these caves?
dead end. | lives here... |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Grobyc: | Starky:
Arr... 'Tis a dead | Grobyc-does-not- | Staarky seeees only a
end, maties! But why? | see-a-dragon... | dead end.
| or-an-exit. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Zoah: | Skelly:
Just a dead end?! | THIS SEEMS TO BE | This is just a dead
Where's that damned | A SIMPLE DEAD | end...and no bones
dragon hiding?! | END. | about it!
[Member2 moves forward, kneels to look into the sandpit, then
stands up and surveys the room.]
Sprigg: | Guile: | Nikki:
Despite all the magic | I see no evidence | Looks like just another
rezidue that's cloggin' | of dragonian ruins | cave to me... You'd think
this place, it lookz | here... Is this | that if the dragon had
like it'z just a | merely a cave? | been here, there would
natural cave. | | be some neat vibes!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dario: | Skelly: | Zoah:
If the dragon was ever | I've nevah seen a | THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT
here, it has left no | dragon, but I bet | THE DRAGON WAS EVER HERE,
sign. | it doesn't look | NOR ANY DRAGONIAN RUINS.
| like a sandpile! |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starky: | Grobyc: | Fargo:
Staarky doesn't think | Grobyc-thinks-this- | Well, mateys, I see no
the dragon was ever | is-just-a-cave. | sign that anyone's ever
heeere. | | been here before us!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Radius: | Luccia:
If either the dragon or | Legends say the | Dis cave is in no vay
the dragonians were | dragons occupy | different from de odders
ever here, they left no | dragonian ruins... | ve have passed t'rough.
indication of their | I see none of those | I t'ink dere is no dragon.
presence. | here. |
Serge:
(Sigh) I guess that means we're
just wasting time. Let's go look
somewhere else.
[Suddenly, the screen darkens and the dragon speaks]
[Earth Dragon]
Thou who art bound by fate.
What powers dost thou seek?
Serge:
(Whoa... What the...?!)
[The party looks around, searching for the source of the voice.]
Serge:
(At least I'm not hearing voices
again--it's pretty obvious that
this time, everyone else heard
it too!)
[When they finally look up, the dragon does a belly-flop into
the sand. They must speak to it to continue the scene.]
Earth Dragon:
The time hath come.
My powers I shall grant
to the ones who seek to break
the eternal chains of fate.
[Incidentally, if it looks like the Earth Dragon's lines are an awful
lot like the Water Dragon's...that's 'cause they're word-for-word
identical. Apparently someone ran out of ideas.]
Earth Dragon:
What is it thou seekest?
~~~The Dragon God's blessing | ~~~I seek nothing
|
Earth Dragon: | [scene ends]
Dost thou need the powers of
the sleeping dragons to cross
the Dead Sea?
Dost thou seek to break the
chains of fate?
A son of man to challenge
the Goddess of Fate?
Fascinating.
Then confront my trials.
Serge:
Trials? Wha--?
[The Earth Dragon throws back its head and roars. Combat.
When the party wins...]
Serge:
(Why does it seem like everytime
I turn around these days, I have
to fight something the size of
my house?! I mean, just for
once, can't something challenge
me to a game of checkers
instead?)
Earth Dragon:
Well done, son of man.
Thy strength is worthy of my
powers.
Take with thee my prayers.
[A ball of yellow light forms in midair and drifts slowly
down toward Serge.]
[System]
[Member] has been bestowed
the Yellow Relic.
Earth Dragon:
I too shall watch over thy fate,
how thou dost struggle to live
and how thou facest death...
Serge:
(There it is again--that thing
about how I'm going to die...)
Let's get out of here.
===========================================================
Mount Pyre (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party nears the place where Salamander is stuck in
the ground, the chibi version of the Fire Dragon approaches
them from the right.]
Fire Dragon:
Hey, hey, lad!
So we meet again!
You look a bit different,
but I know it's you!
C'mon, challenge me again!
Whaddaya say!?
If you beat me, I'll give
you the Dragon Relic and
my pet Salamander.
Serge:
Um... Wait a second, here. Are
you saying that you're the Fire
Dragon?
Fire Dragon:
That's right, lad--don't I
look the part?
Serge:
I was kind of expecting
someone...bigger.
[Serge looks at where Salamander's head is sticking
out of the ground.]
Fire Dragon:
Were you, now?
Well, I CAN do bigger.
Here, let me show you.
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Fire Dragon:
Hmmm...
We'll meet again.
Or to put it another way,
I hope you return for a
rematch before-- No, I
shouldn't really talk
about that.
[System]
[Member] received the
Red Relic.
Serge:
(Huh? Shouldn't really
talk about what?)
===========================================================
Hydra Marshes, Western Ledge (Home)
===========================================================
[The Beeba is sitting out in the open, waiting. The conversation
begins automatically as the party approaches.]
BubbaBeeba: [if they got the flute in Another]
How did you get that flute...?
It beeba handed down in Beeba family...
That beeba mine, too.........!!!
BubbaBeeba: [If they got it during the Rescue Kid sequence]
BEEBA-BAH-BAH-BAH!!!
Why you beeba-live?
What happened to Wingapede!?
Serge:
What's your problem?
BubbaBeeba:
It brings shame to Beeba family
if we always beeba defeated.
Time for bee-venge!
Serge:
(I had to ask...)
[Beeba]
Beeba-Beeba!
[Combat. When the party wins, the beeba collapses into a
sitting position.]
BubbaBeeba:
I beeba-ry sorry!
Here! I give you this!
Please forgive beeba!
This beeba Ancient Fruit
found in Ancient Ground.
You will beeba-ble to tame
Wingapede with this.
Serge:
Ancient Ground?
BubbaBeeba:
The legendary '"Ancient Ground"'
of us Beebas. You know it as
'"Gaea's Navel."'
It beeba a remote island surrounded
by cliffs, in the sea of El Nido.
It beeba a mystical place where
a '"Primeval Forest"' may still exist.
Serge:
(Gaea's Navel... The one place
in El Nido where no human has
ever been. Could there be a
dragon there...?)
Thanks. So how do we use this
"Ancient Fruit"?
BubbaBeeba:
All you have to do now is
blow the Beeba Flute.
That beeba the truth.
If you blow the flute further
down the branch where my friend
beeba standing, you will beeba-ble
to ride Wingapede to Ancient Ground.
Serge:
(I just hope we can trust him.)
[The beeba approaches Serge and hands over an
Ancient Fruit.]
BubbaBeeba:
I wish you the beebesta luck.
Serge:
Uh, right. You...beeba well,
okay? (I can't believe I
just said that.)
[If they speak to it again...]
BubbaBeeba:
You and me beeba comrades.
If there's anything you want to
know, don't beeba-fraid to ask.
~~~What's Ancient Ground? | ~~~What's the Ancient Fruit?
|
BubbaBeeba: | BubbaBeeba:
The legendary '"Ancient Ground"' | With the flute alone, even
of us Beebas. You know it as | we Beebas will get attacked.
'"Gaea's Navel."' | You need '"Ancient Fruit."'
It beeba a remote island surrounded | We Beebas grow this fruit.
by cliffs, in the sea of El Nido. | It beeba big, but so is Wingapede.
It beeba a mystical place where |
a '"Primeval Forest"' may still exist. | Serge:
| (So giving us the flute without
BubbaBeeba: | the fruit was...some kind of
That beeba what elder said long ago. | Beeba prank? Urgh...)
I've never beenba to Ancient Ground. |
I like it here. | BubbaBeeba:
| You can tame Wingapede with
Serge: | just one bite of the fruit.
(He likes living in the middle of a | So you just need 1 for round trip.
toxic swamp? Well, I guess there's |
no accounting for taste!) | Serge:
| (Wait a sec... If the Wingapede
| eats one of those in two bites...
| that's a pretty big bite!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~What's a Wingapede? | ~~~No, that's OK
|
BubbaBeeba: | [conversation ends]
It beeba a big bug. |
I think you fought it before. |
It likes to fly in this forest. |
Wingapede fly from Ancient |
Ground to this forest. |
Ride Wingapede and you will beeba |
able to go to Ancient Ground. |
Serge:
(Flying around on a giant bug...
Whatever. If I have to do it,
then I'll do it.)
BubbaBeeba:
You need both Beeba Flute
and Ancient Fruit to call
Wingapede safely.
My friend beeba on branch
further down. Blow flute there
and Wingapede will come flying.
Then, you can ride Wingapede.
BubbaBeeba:
Let me know when you run out.
I have lots of fruit.
Don't beeba-fraid to ask.
Tomorrow, we'll finish up the Green Dragon, visit the Black and
White ones, and then drop in on Guldove...
-
Part the Next, In Which our Heroes Deal With Three More Dragons and One Porrean. Or something like that.
23. To the Sea of Eden - Through the hidden holes in time... Part II
===========================================================
Gaea's Navel (Home)
===========================================================
[The characters drop off the Wingapede's back and onto
the ground.]
Serge:
(I guess we come here and blow
the flute again when we want
to get back.)
???:
You come-um from sky?
[The screen pans over to show Leah standing at the top
of a cliff.]
???:
Ooga-Booga!
[Leah does a showy jump-and-flip down to ground level.]
Leah:
You friend of father?
Serge:
Father?
Leah:
You know-um father?
Father is-um brave warrior.
Leah:
Leah lose-um father
when Leah very little.
Leah:
Grandma say-um
father went-um to sky.
You come-um from sky,
so Leah think-um
you know-um father.
Serge:
Sorry, Leah, but as far as I
know, none of us has ever met
your father. And how did you
end up here? I didn't think
there was any way anyone could
get to this island. (Except by
flying around on giant bugs,
that is.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
She's a long way from home.
Serge:
She is? How can you tell?
Magus:
The tail. And the way she talks.
This girl is a proto-human from
the distant past, when Reptites,
not humanity, were the dominant
race on this planet.
Leah:
Reptites! Reptites are-um bad!
Grandma tell-um Leah so.
Serge:
So how did she get here?
Magus:
Presumably she fell
through a natural
temporal discontinuity.
Serge:
(A what?)
Magus:
A hole in time, fool.
Serge:
(How did he know I was
wondering what he meant?)
Magus:
Your expressions are
easy to read.
Serge:
(Argh...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leah:
Leah don't know-um.
Leah face-um land
anger and end-um up here.
Villagers not-um here.
Leah:
Only Leah and he
come-um here.
Serge:
He?
[The ground shakes]
Magus: | Sprigg: | Radius: | Marcy:
The dragon...? | Seemz the dragon'z | So that is the | That dragon must
No. Something is | eager for a fight. | tread of the | weigh, like, a
not quite right. | | Green Dragon. | ton!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Dario: | Grobyc: | Luccia:
Was that...the | It seems that the | Was-that-the- | If dat vas a dragon, it
Green Dragon? | dragon is | dragon? Grobyc- | vill take me veeks to
| dauntingly large. | is-impressed. | dissect it! Ohohoho!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Norris: | Zoah: | Starky:
That was some | That must have | WAS THAT THE | The dragon is large
drum track! Did | been the dragon. | DRAGON? IT WAS | eenough to make
the dragon do | | LOUD. | earthquakes? Staarky
that? | | | is surprised.
Leah:
He pretty tough-um.
Leah help-um if
you fight-um him.
Leah winning-um
so far.
Serge:
Thanks for the offer, Leah, but
I think we can take care of this
ourselves. (I can't get a kid
involved in this mess, no matter
how tough she is.)
Leah:
You sure-um?
[Serge crouches down to put his head on a level with hers.]
Serge:
Yeah, I'm sure.
Leah:
Oh. You be-um careful.
Serge:
We will. (Oh, believe me, we
will. I'm NOT going to end up
in a dragon's gullet and let
Lynx get away with everything!)
[after they've slaughtered enough monsters to get the
dragon's attention, this happens when they re-enter the
first screen]
Serge:
(Is it just me, or has
it gotten awfully quiet
around here?)
[When they get to where Leah is wandering around near the
landing pad]
Leah:
He come-um!
[A butt-ugly critter that doesn't actually look at all like
a Tyrannosaurus (tyrannosauridae were bipedal with little
tiny forearms, and this thing is quadrupedal--although I don't
expect anyone reading this cares much about dinosaur trivia!)
comes trotting out from behind the greenery and forces the party
into combat. When the party wins...]
Leah:
What that!?
[Leah goes running off in the direction the not-Tyrannosaur
came from.]
Serge:
Leah--Hey! Wait up!
[The party sets off in pursuit.]
===========================================================
Gaea's Navel, Green Dragon's...Perch? (Home)
===========================================================
[When the party hits the end of the sandspit, Leah says...]
Leah:
Oooga-Booga!!!
Leah not know-um
he here!!!?
[...and the camera pans up to show the Green Dragon squatting,
toadlike, on its...tuffet, or whatever that green thing is.]
Serge:
(I thought that other thing
didn't seem much like a
dragon!)
Green Dragon:
Silence...
What is all this ruckus...?
Hmm? I see...
Thou seekest relics?
Come hither...
Serge:
(Oh, great, another
mind-reader.)
[The party, with Leah in the lead, crosses the shallow water
to the foot of the tuffet.]
Green Dragon:
And now for lunch.
Serge:
We're not very tasty.
Green Dragon:
Nevertheless...
[Combat--big surprise, eh? When the party wins, we discover that
the dragon has vanished from his tuffet]
Green Dragon:
Impressive...
Serge:
(Pant, pant) Gee, thanks.
[System]
[Member] received
Green Relic.
Leah:
Serge, you always
fight-um monsters
like that?
Serge:
Well, we do seem to be running
into a lot of them lately.
Leah:
Looks-um fun.
Serge:
Heh. From the outside, maybe...
but since all this started, I've
spent a lot of time being
worried and scared.
Leah:
Oh. Not so fun?
Can Leah help-um?
Serge:
Thanks, Leah, but I don't see
how. (She may be tough for a
kid, but I don't think she has
any idea what life in the rest
of El Nido is like, and I don't
want her first introduction to
that to be Lynx. Maybe later,
when this is all over, we can
come back for her.)
Leah:
...
If you see-um father,
tell-um him Leah here.
Leah will-um wait.
Serge:
Sure. Of course we will. (I
don't have the heart to tell
her he's probably dead. Let
her go on dreaming for just a
little while longer...'cause
I remember way too well just
how it feels when you realize
he really isn't coming back.)
===========================================================
Storage, SS Zelbess (Home) - If you didn't Save Marbule
===========================================================
[Remember, this assumes that the player did not accept
the "Save Marbule" quest!]
Sage:
Everything...
was merely a dream...
The humans refused to
cooperate with that singer,
whom I thought to be our
last hope.
I was wrong for trusting
humans once again...
Now, I do not care
what happens...
Serge:
I'm...sorry. (I feel pretty
guilty, actually, but what
could I have done?)
==================================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home) - If you didn't Save Marbule
==================================================================
[Presumably, the party has to speak to Fargo in order to initiate
this conversation.]
Fargo:
Hey, you.
The concert's over.
Now my Marbule will fall
into decay and become just
an eternal dream...
Hahhahah!!!
Serge:
You think this is FUNNY?!
Nikki: | Marcy: | Fargo:
Serge, chill. He's | Serge, he's just, | Don't do it, Serge--
just running his | like, pulling your | it won't change anything.
mouth...like another | strings. Don't waste | But shiver me timbers!
guy I could mention. | time on him. He isn't | It'll be weeks 'fore I
| worth it. | can look in a mirror and
Fargo(Another):[if present]| | not see the likes of that
... | | staring back at me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guile: | Radius: | Sprigg:
Do not waste your time, | Serge, he is only | Only a small man would think
Serge--that response is | trying to pull you | that wuz some kind of great
exactly what he wants. | down to his level. | achievment. Leave 'im alone,
| Ignore him. | Serge-us--'e'z just tryin'
| | to waste yer time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dario: | Skelly: | Luccia:
Serge, he is seeking | Serge, someone with a | Serge, vhile I vould be
to provoke you. Do not | sense of humour like | interested in dissecting him
waste time on fighting | that isn't even worth | to determine de cause of dis
him. | fightin'. | insensitivity, ve have more
| | urgent t'ings to do, do ve not?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Zoah: | Magus:
Serge, this is merely | SERGE, DON'T LISTEN. | Hmph. And we are supposed to
a clumsy implementation | HE WANTS TO MAKE YOU | see such petty destruction as
of a tactic to distract | ANGRY. | a significant achievment? I
one's enemy. Do not | | have no time to waste on
waste your time on him. | | confrontations with fools.
Serge:
I guess that's true, but...
(Damn it all! I...I can't...
It isn't RIGHT, what Fargo did
to those demi-humans, and I want
to do something to fix it...even
if the best I can manage is
punching his nose in!)
Fargo:
You land-lubber...!
You're pitiful!!!
Serge:
(And maybe I am--I mean, I still
haven't managed to save Kid or
stop Lynx or do much of anything
else important, but...hearing
HIM say it...) That's really
something, coming from a loser
like you.
Fargo:
Call me what you want,
but it's too late now...
We can't turn back time.
Now let go of me!
[Serge backs away]
Serge:
We've wasted enough time here.
Let's go.
===========================================================
Marbule (Another) - If you didn't Save Marbule
===========================================================
[When the party approaches and speaks to the Black Dragon...]
Black Dragon:
......
[System]
The Black Dragon remains asleep...
Serge:
(I guess it's pretty tired...
Look at the way those eyes
are moving under its lids,
though. Is it having a
nightmare?)
[Member] received the
Black Relic.
Serge:
(I guess it somehow knows we're
here. Eerie.)
===========================================================
Sky Dragon Isle (Another)
===========================================================
[When they approach and speak to the dragon]
Sky Dragon:
Welcome, humans.
I am the Sky Dragon of the
White Element.
Serge:
(As though we wouldn't have
guessed that!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they don't yet have the relics from all of the other dragons...]
Sky Dragon:
First, gain the protection
of the Five Dragons of the
world:
Water Dragon, Earth Dragon,
Fire Dragon, Black Dragon,
and Green Dragon.
Return to me, only once thou
hast gained all of them!
Serge:
(I guess that means we have to
hunt down all the other relics
before he'll give us his...
Why does everyone have to make
things so complicated?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they've got all the other Plot Coup--er, Relics...]
Sky Dragon:
Well done. Thou hast gained the
protection of the Five Dragons.
Let me test thy skills to see
if thou art truly worthy to
enter the Sea of Eden!
Serge:
(Sigh) You know, I really am
getting tired of this.
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Sky Dragon:
Thy skills, I acknowledge.
Serge:
(Yeah, yeah, whatever. Wasn't
fighting all the other dragons
enough to prove we knew how to
take on something his size
without us having to fight him,
too?)
Sky Dragon:
I will grant thee the protection
of the Sky Dragon.
[A ball of white light drops into Serge's hands.]
[System]
Member received the
White Relic!
Serge:
So this is the last one...
(Kinda looks like a candle...
Where did they get these from,
anyway? They're too small for
the dragons to have made
them themselves...)
Sky Dragon:
The Dead Sea has disintegrated,
and the gates of time have
been opened.
With the divine protection of
the 6 Dragons...
Venture deep beyond the Pearly
Gates, across the dimensions.
Serge:
I thought I had to turn
back into...me...first.
Sky Dragon:
With that, I cannot help you.
See the aid of knowledgeable
humans.
Serge:
(Right. Guldove. Sigh.)
===========================================================
Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[If the party attempts to enter the shrine in Home World
without the Dragon Emblem, the guard outside will stop
them.]
[Man]
You, halt.
Judging by your appearance...
you are foreign-born?
For reasons we will not explain,
foreigners are not allowed to
enter the tower.
Please leave the premises at once.
[The party moves a short distance away, and forms a huddle]
Serge:
(Snotty bastard--"For reasons we
will not explain" my tuchis!
If you mean, "We're scared of
everyone not from Guldove
because some guy calling himself
"Serge" is stirring up a fuss
right now and might want to
steal our precious relic," then
say it!)
Well, that was a bust. Does
anyone have any suggestions?
I mean, we could probably
hammer that guy flat, but I
don't think that would make
our chances of getting the
Dragon Tear afterwards very
good.
Radius: | Guile: | Norris:
The people of Guldove | Coming here with the | We have no allies in
have always been | fragments of the other | this Guldove. Perhaps
stubborn. Perhaps the | Dragon Tear in your | we would do better to
shaman from the other | pocket was perhaps not | ask for help in the
world can give us | the best of ideas. We | other world. The shaman
something we can use | should return them to | there should know how
to persuade them. | the shaman in the | to persuade her people.
| other world. |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Zoah: | Sprigg:
Seems to me that we | WE NEED TO RE-THINK | Maybe the shaman in the
had less trouble with | OUR STRATEGY. PERHAPS | other Guldove would 'ave
the shaman in the | THE SHAMAN FROM THE | some idea. Besides, we
other Guldove--maybe | OTHER GULDOVE CAN | still need to tell 'er
we should ask her | HELP. IN ANY CASE, WE | that 'er Dragon Tear
what to do. | NEED TO TELL HER WHAT | broke.
| HAPPENED TO THE |
| DRAGON TEAR. |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy: | Glenn: | Karsh:
This is, like, SO | Perhaps the shaman | If we didn't need his
lame, y'know?. Back | from our Guldove can | boss's help, I'd think
in OUR Guldove, | offer some suggestion. | seriously about bashin'
people respect the | Besides, it would be | him anyway...
Acacia Dragoons. We | only honourable to |
should go talk to the | tell her what has | Okay, okay! Stop lookin' at
shaman there--she'll | happened to her Dragon | me like that! Maybe the
know what to do about | Tear. | shaman in the other Guldove'll
this bonehead. | | know what to do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skelly: | Fargo: | Dario:
Sounds like he thinks | Arr! If I had the | That man is very nervous.
he has a bone to pick | Invincible here, we'd | He will need more than
with us! Maybe we | make short work of | our word alone that we
should go ask the | this tower, but I don't | mean his shaman no harm.
shaman in the othah | think she'll fit through | Perhaps we should go to
world if she's got | the portal! But still, | the other Guldove and ask
any idea how we could | maybe going to the other | the shaman there how to
get inside. | Guldove isn't such a bad | set his mind at ease.
| idea--if tharr be a |
| secret handshake or the |
| like that'll make him |
| let us through, they'll |
| know what it be. |
===========================================================
Guldove (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party disembarks from the boat, everyone stops dead.]
Dario: | Fargo: | Grobyc:
Something seems odd | It's too quiet, and | Grobyc-hears-sounds-of-
here. There is tension | the only people in | conflict, and-hopes-it-
in the air...and | sight are all over | is-not-a-private-fight.
everyone seems to be | there. Serge, lad, | Let-us-go-see-what-is-
gathered over there, | this smells like a | happening.
with no one working | brawl. Perhaps we |
the docks. Is it a | should pitch in? |
fight? | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Norris: | Starky:
Somethin' fishy's | The last time I was | Staarky thinks this
goin' on around here. | in a place with an | plaace feeels wrong.
Let's go over there | atmosphere like this, | What is happening
and see what everyone's | a riot started not | oover there?
up to. | ten minutes later, sir. |
| We should check to |
| see what's going |
| on...but be ready to |
| run. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Radius: | Sprigg:
Psychology is not my | Something is wrong. I | It'z so quiet 'ere ya
field, but I suspect | have never seen Guldove's | could almost 'ear a pin
some disaster must be | docks completely unmanned | drop--just the sound of
happening over dere-- | before, even during the | the wavez. Somethin' odd'z
not'ing else could | worst of storms. For | goin' on--we should
draw de attention of | these people, the sea is | probably ask thoze people
so many people like | life, even more than it | about it.
dis. | is in Arni. We should go |
| over there and ask what's |
| going on. |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Marcy: | Skelly:
Something is not quite | I think I see some of | Something's funny heah...
right, although I | those Porrean guys over | Well, not really. More
cannot put my finger on | there! Ew, GROSS! We | like something's WEIRD.
it. Perhaps we should | should go try to beat | Maybe those guys ovah
go ask those people | them up! | there can tell us what's
over there what is | | up.
going on. | |
[Further along the dock, near the trading post, the party discovers
Orlha and a bunch of Porrean soldiers. Two of the soldiers are
apparently out cold.]
Norris: | Karsh: | Zoah:
A lieutenant and a | WHAAT? Porreans, here?! | WHO IS THAT WOMAN? THE
handful of enlisted | And trying to beat up a | PORREAN SOLDIERS SEEM
men...but why here? | girl?! Sounds like they | TO BE VERY INTERESTED
This village should | might need a little | IN HER.
not be large enough | intro to my axe! |
for the High Command | |
to have any interest | |
in it. | |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Radius: | Serge:
A bunch of Porreans, | Porrean soldiers? What | (What are Porreans doing
and...doesn't she | are they doing here? | here? And isn't she the
run the bar? | In our world, they left | bartender? Why would they
| Guldove alone...and | want to beat up on her?)
| who is that woman? |
[Porre Officer]
Y-You dare to resist
the Porre military!?
Orlha:
So what if I resist?
Why don't you stop hiding
behind your men and try to
stop me yourself?
[Porre Officer]
I-I'll make you regret that!
A-Alright, you, GO!
Seize th-this girl.
Serge:
(Is it just me, or is this
guy a real piece of work?
I swear I've run into
jellyfish with more spine!)
[Porre Soldier]
Wh-Why me, sir?
[Porre Officer]
Arrgh, don't talk back!
This is a direct order!
Get with it, on the double!!!
[The junior soldier walks over to Orlha and points his gun at her.]
[Porre Soldier]
Y-You heard us.
C-Cease your r-resistance.
A woman should...be more gentle
a-and lady-like...
Serge:
(Oh, man, if Leena were here,
she'd belt him one!)
[Orlha puts the poor bastard out of his misery with a single punch.]
Orlha:
There, that'll teach you
a lesson, o great soldier-man!
Or do you need another round?
Serge:
(Heheheh... I get the feeling
this is what Leena's going to
be like in a few more years.
...
Oh, hell.)
[Orlha turns to face the officer and takes up a fighting stance. The
officer looks around frantically...then notices the presence of
the party and runs toward them.]
[Porre Officer]
~!!!~
Why, isn't this Sir Lynx?
We cannot arrest
this girl on our own.
Please help us, sir!
Serge:
Well, actually--
Orlha:
There are more of you?
But you're still no match for me.
Leave this village now!
Serge:
(Why is it that people around
here never let me get a word
in edgewise?)
[The officer scampers out of the way as Orlha initiates combat.
When the party wins and Orlha is lying there out cold, the
Porrean officer dares to approach.]
[Porre Officer]
Masterful work, Sir Lynx!
I knew we could count
on you, sir.
Thank you for your troubles.
Please leave the rest to us.
We will take her into custody and
sentence her at headquarters...
Serge:
(Here goes nothing...)
On the contrary, you will
return to headquarters alone.
I wouldn't trust you to walk
a dog, much less escort a
dangerous prisoner. She will
remain in my custody until I
decide what to do with her.
I am also placing this village
under my direct command.
You will report both these
things back to your superiors.
(I don't think this guy has
ever had much to do with Lynx--
the real Lynx wouldn't put up
with him--so hopefully it
shouldn't matter if I don't
quite sound right.)
[Porre Officer]
But that will be too much
trouble for...
Serge:
If you continue being
insubordinate, there may not
be enough of you left to make
it back to headquarters for
your court-martial! You
have your orders. Now go and
carry them out!
[Porre Officer]
Y-Yes, sir!
We will gather the troops
and head back to headquarters
at once, sir!
Serge:
(Ugh. I feel...filthy, just
saying stuff like that.)
[Fadeout as the Porrean runs away.]
I mentioned that this was a long chapter, right? There's one more part, in which Serge breaks the other Dragon Tear. That'll go up tomorrow. After that, I need to finish up the rest of the mid-game side-stuff, which will take at least three more postings (and quite possibly four or five). After that, I'll go on to the Sea of Eden.
-
And here's the final part of the chapter.
To the Sea of Eden - Through the hidden holes in time... Part III
================================================
Doc's House, Guldove (Another)
================================================
[We fade back in to see Orlha sitting on the edge of
a bed, with the party, Doc, and the nurse clustered
around her.]
Orlha:
...You say that you
are really Serge?
Even though you are
in a different body?
I don't know what happened...
but you need to get back
your true self.
Serge:
You're telling me.
Doc:
I cannot believe it...
Is it possible that such a
thing can occur...?
Serge:
Ask the real Lynx.
[Orlha gets to her feet, then sort of sags.]
Doc:
Hey, even you should not
get up so soon.
...Are you alright?
Even though you are a trained
fighter, you should refrain from
pushing yourself too hard.
Serge:
(A trained fighter? Her? So
what is she doing tending bar
in a dinky little village like
Guldove? ...I bet she doesn't
need a bouncer, though.)
[Orlha straightens up]
Orlha:
I'll be fine...
But I almost bit the
big one this time.
Ha ha...
Looks like I'm in need of
more training...
Ooo, that hurts...
[She walks over to Serge.]
Orlha:
As proof that you are really
Serge when you regain your
self, I will lend you this brooch.
[System]
Serge received the
SapphireBrooch.
Doc:
Orlha!?
Is that your sister's...?
[Orlha shakes her head]
Orlha:
It's alright...for now.
Listen, Serge.
Promise me this.
When you successfully regain
your true self, come visit me.
[Serge nods.]
Serge:
Okay, if that's what you want.
(Why not?)
[Fadeout.]
===========================================================
Chief's Tent, Guldove (Another)
===========================================================
[In this world, the guard just warns the party to be "courteous"
to his boss, and lets them into her tent. When Serge uses the
Tear of Hate in front of Direa...]
Direa:
How can this be?
This is without doubt, a
piece of the Dragon Tear...
Serge:
One of the Dragoons picked
it up after Lynx broke the
Tear. He gave it to me while
I was in Termina. ...I'm
sorry. I know that the Tear
was precious to you and the
people of Guldove.
Direa:
I cannot see the future as such,
but I think that perhaps the
Tear was given into our hands
so that it would be at Fort
Dragonia to be broken.
Serge:
(Is she saying that I was
fated to get my body stolen
by Lynx?! Oh, great.)
Direa:
Serge, I shall bestow upon
you the Dragon Emblem.
It is the symbol of a
Dragon shaman.
[System]
[Member] has been bestowed the
DragonEmblem.
Serge:
Thanks. Er...
Direa:
The emblem and the Dragon Tear
have been handed down by
Dragon shamans for generations.
Although the worlds are
different, you should be able
to receive aid from the other
shaman with this emblem.
Make haste to the
alternate world.
Serge:
(It should be enough to impress
that big lug of a doorguard,
anyway. I just hope he doesn't
think that we stole it.)
===========================================================
Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[If they approach the door guard, he gives them the "Halt,
evil furriners!" speech again, and the party moves away for
a brief conference.]
Serge:
I guess we're going to have
to show him the Dragon Emblem
after all.
[Once Serge uses the Dragon Emblem in front of the guard...]
[Man]
Th-That is a Dragon Emblem!?
How did a foreigner like you
get a hold of it...
Serge:
(Sigh) I doubt you'd believe me
even if I told you.
[Steena]
Welcome...
Travellers across the dimensions...
~
Bring them before me.
[Man]
Yes, if it is your wish,
Miss Steena...
You have permission from the chief.
You may pass, foreign travelers.
Serge:
(Well, if she already knew we
were coming, why didn't she
just...? Hey, wait a minute,
did he say "Miss STEENA"? What
happened to this world's Direa?)
[And the guard finally gets out of the way...]
===========================================================
Chief's Hut, Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[Upon speaking to Steena, if Serge doesn't yet have all the
Relics...]
Steena:
Let me make this
clear, Serge..
Seek the eldest beings on
El Nido: the Dragon Gods.
During your travels,
you have seen the Dragon
Gods with your own eyes.
I can sense that...
I shall lend the Dragonian
artifact '"Dragon Tear"'
to the one chosen by the
Dragon Gods...
Serge:
So you won't help me until
I visit all of the dragons?
Where am I even supposed to
find them? I may have seen
a couple of them, but not
all six.
Steena:
Only three of them remain in
this world: the Water and
Earth dragons, who yet reside
on the islands named for them,
and the Green Dragon, who
stalks the primeval forest
beyond the reach of man. The
remaining dragons you will
have to seek in the other
world--I know nothing of them,
save that they no longer exist
here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge does have all the Relics...]
Steena:
As promised, I will lend you the
Dragon Tear.
[System]
[Member] receives
the Dragon Tear.
Serge:
(Any minute now, I should...)
(...)
(Nothing's happening.)
Steena:
Now, take the Dragon Tear
with you...to the '"Room of
Rituals"' in Fort Dragonia.
Serge:
You mean...it only
works there?
Steena:
That is so.
Serge:
(I should have known it
wouldn't be that easy.)
Steena:
I will meet you
at the fortress.
Serge:
You will?
Steena:
If you are to accomplish this,
you will require instruction.
Serge:
(And just telling me now
wouldn't be good enough?)
Okay, whatever. I guess
we'll see you there.
===========================================================
Entryway, Fort Dragonia (Home)
===========================================================
[Steena is waiting there for the party.]
Steena:
Place the Dragon Tear here...
The fort shall open
itself up for you...
Serge:
(This must be how Lynx
got in the first time...)
[Serge places the Dragon Tear on the podium-thing in the
middle of the room, and the screen shakes for a moment.]
Serge:
Now what?
Steena:
Proceed to the Room of Rituals
at the highest point of the
fort. I will meet you there
once you have cleared the way.
===========================================================
Lift Shaft, Fort Dragonia (Home)
===========================================================
[Dark Serge is waiting for the party, just casually floating
in midair.]
Serge:
Lynx! (What's he doing here?
I thought he was hiding in the
Sea of Eden!)
Dark Serge:
Heh...
So you finally made it.
But this is as far as
you will get...
It's a little too soon
for you to get your
original form back.
Serge:
And who's going to stop me--YOU?
If I have anything to say about
it, you're not leaving this room
alive.
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Dark Serge:
Impressive...
I may have underestimated you.
Anyway, I must get on
with my affairs.
Besides, it's too late...!
Good-bye, Serge...
[Dark Serge vanishes.]
Serge:
(Son of a...! Why did he stop
off here, then? Just to say
hello?! And what did he mean,
"too late"?)
===========================================================
Doors, Fort Dragonia (Home)
===========================================================
[Steena is waiting for the party outside the double doors.
As they open...]
Steena:
Serge...
You must proceed
alone from here.
You must see and confirm for
yourself who you really are...
Truth shall manifest itself,
once you believe in your heart.
Serge:
Just a second--what if Lynx is
waiting for me in there? (Okay,
so we just cleaned the bastard's
clock, but I'm not sure I could
do it again alone!)
Steena:
He is not. There is nothing
within save for the shadows
of the past.
Serge:
...
I suppose I have to trust you.
[Serge passes through the doors alone, and they close behind him.]
===========================================================
Tower, Fort Dragonia (Home)
===========================================================
[Inside, Serge places the intact Dragon Tear on the plinth in
the center of the room, and a ball of light appears in front of
the mural on the far left side of the room. It moves along the
wall as the record is interpreted.]
[Dragonian Record]
All life on this planet
was born in the sea.
The life-forms softly
slumbered within the
womb of our mother sea...
Until eventually they
developed free will and
were able to swim about
the ocean freely.
Serge:
(Some kind of...history?)
[Dragonian Record]
Then there came those that,
not satisfied with life in the
water, looked up from the ocean
floor towards the blue skies and
dreamt of the feel of the land.
Aeons passed before their
preposterous dream became
a reality, and they rose up
from the seas onto the earth.
The land became full of
all kinds of creatures.
Among these, the dragon lizards
and the more evolved Reptites
thought they would reign over
the earth forever.
And for a long while it
seemed that they would...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus has been recruited]
Serge:
(Magus said something about
Reptites when we ran into
Leah...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Dragonian Record]
However, the unforeseen
coming of the mighty one from
the heavens suddenly smashed
their kingdom to pieces.
That one was known as '"Lavos!"'
The great crimson flame......
Wielding absolute power,
Lavos buried the dinosaurs -
the kings of the land -
in the space of a night.
However, the timid '"apes"'
who had lived hidden in
the forests...
...came into contact with
the crimsom flame
that fell from the sky,
and evolved into '"humans."'
Or perhaps it was
not '"evolution,"'
but '"transformation."'
In this way, humans
increased in number
and filled the earth...
The fearsome '"progeny of Lavos"'
who, like their progenitor,
began to devour our mother planet.
Serge:
(So we're...Lavos' children? We
were created by that thing that
destroyed the world? The
Dragonians...really must have
hated us. Oh, man, I hope the
Dragon Tear doesn't explode in
my face!)
[The light moves toward the center of the room and
enters the Dragon Tear, and we are presented with
VIDEO: turning back into Serge.]
===========================================================
Doors, Fort Dragonia (Home)
===========================================================
[Outside, the double doors open again, and Serge steps out.]
Serge:
Hey, guys, I'm back.
Norris: [if present]
So that is what you
really look like.
Sprigg: [if present]
Good job, boyo!
Dario: [if present]
Congradulations.
Karsh: [if present]
Ha! Now you look like
a kid again.
Marcy: [if present]
So the real you is, like,
half a foot shorter? That's
got to suck.
Luccia: [if present]
Dese impossible phenomena...
I am getting a headache.
Starky: [if present]
Staarky thinks Serge is
much happiier now.
Fargo: [if present]
Arr! Good show, lad!
Zoah: [if present]
IT APPEARS YOU WERE
SUCCESSFUL.
Nikki: [if present]
Rockin'!
Guile: [if present]
Another mystery...solved.
Glenn: [if present]
Congradulations, Serge.
Radius: [if present]
Your mother will be proud.
Skelly: [if present]
I guess the cat's out of
the bag--or boy--now!
Nyak-nyak!
Grobyc: [if present]
So-this-is-Serge. Grobyc-thinks
-the-other-body-was-stronger.
Magus: [if present]
Hmph.
Steena:
Serge....
You have regained your identity
without being led astray.
Your eyes, which foresaw
the truth, shall help you
to regain your trust among
your comrades...
Serge:
(Does that mean Leena will talk
to me again? ...I'm not sure
that's a good thing.)
Um, Steena? I'm afraid I kind of
broke this Dragon Tear too.
Steena:
There is nothing we can do
about the Dragon Tear...
Its shattering result does
not come as a surprise.
However, you also carry
the fate of the Dragon Tear
from another world.
The broken pieces of
love and hate: although
contradictory, they are two
sides of the same coin...
A mysterious force may
come to light when the
two pieces are united...
Perhaps this force will be
the legendary Chrono Cross...
The only problem is, the shrine,
which is said to give life to the
Chrono Cross, is nothing but a
cavern inside Divine Dragon Falls.
Serge....
You may hold the key to
bringing forth its powers.
Serge:
(The legendary...what? Chrono
Cross? What's that? Or, as
Poshul would say, "Ith it good
to eat?")
(I hate this mystical...stuff.)
[System]
The Dragon Tear shattered
but transformed into the Tear of Love!
[At this point, Leena becomes recruited and can be
used as a party member again.]
Serge:
(And now, the Sea of Eden.
It's time that Lynx and I
ended this.)
The next few postings will be side-stuff: recruiting Dario, the Marbule sidequest,
Orlha, the thing I'm doing with Riddel, Skelly's history (because I haven't done
that yet and it has to go somewhere), and miscellaneous bits and pieces like Starky
freaking out over the Epoch II. A lot of these are going to be long chunks, so I
may just post each item individually as I finish it.
-
Eh? Leena gets auto-rerecruited just like that? And when everyone else could just rejoin earlier, seems a little unfair for her.
-
Leena couldn't have rejoined any earlier--she doesn't believe or trust Serge-as-Lynx--but I suppose I could write a brief re-recruitment scenelet for her ("You know, Serge, this crazy demi-human showed up claiming that he was you!") if it really does look like she's being short-changed.
I do have plans for her later on, though, so it isn't like she isn't going to get more screen time.
-
I love Marcy's comment. :lol:
Marcy: [if present]
So the real you is, like,
half a foot shorter? That's
got to suck.
Speaking of comments, I finally commented! :D I really love how Serge gets to talk, and have lots of inner monologue. It really helps in lots of places.
-
There were a couple of fragments of this chapter that I really had fun writing, and Marcy's comment was one of them. :)
The more commenters, the merrier! We fanfic writers love having our egos stroked (although constructive criticism is good too).
-
And here we have the promised first installment of the additional side-stuff: Dario's recruitment.
11. Recruiting Dario
===========================================================
Forbidden Island, Hut (Home)
===========================================================
[Dario is sitting at the back of the room, beside the table.
The following scene requires Luccia, Radius, or one of the
Dragoons to be in the party.]
Man:
Yes?
Radius: | Zoah: | Glenn:
Impossible! | D-DARIO! | B-brother?! But h-how?!
Dario!? | YOU ARE ALIVE | I never expected to see
You are alive! | IN THIS WORLD! | you alive again!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Karsh: | Marcy:
You... | DARIO! | No way!
Are you Dario? | Is it really you!? | Are you Dario!?
So you are alive | What the...!? | You're alive...
in dis vorld. | So you're actually alive | Of course you are!
yes, it all makes | in this world! | You're Dario!
perfect sense. | |
Serge:
(So this is Glenn's brother
Dario? ...I could believe that.
Question is, if he's alive in
this world, why doesn't anyone
seem to know about it?)
Man:
Are you saying you
know who I am?
Serge:
(!)
Radius: | Karsh: | Zoah:
What? | Cut the crap, | HUH?
You do not | Dario! | DO YOU NOT KNOW
recognize me? | Of course we know! | WHO YOU ARE?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Glenn: | Marcy:
Dario... | Brother, could you | So, like, what are you sayin'!?
Have you... | have...forgotten me? | No time for games!
[The owner of the hut enters from the bottom of the screen]
[Woman]
Do you know this man?
[She walks over to stand beside the table.]
It has been 4 years
since this man washed
ashore, clinging on
for dear life.
Every day was a battle
between life and death, but
miraculously, he made it.
However, this man has
no recollection of his
past whatsoever...
Serge:
(Amnesia...?)
Radius: | Karsh: | Luccia:
Hmmm... | Dario! | A case of amnesia
Well, it was a miracle | I'm your buddy Karsh! | resulting from his injuries.
that he survived... | Don't you remember!? | Dis could be bad.
I guess this cannot be helped. | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy: | Glenn: | Zoah:
C'mon! | Brother! | THIS IS TERRIBLE...
You don't remember me? | Don't you remember me!? |
| I am your brother, Glenn! |
Dario:
Forgive me...
I just cannot remember.
Serge:
There has to be some way we
can help. I mean, we can't
just leave the poor guy here.
(Well, okay, we COULD, but I
have...how many people, again?
...following me around who
knew him, and they'd all be
pretty unhappy about it.)
Radius: | Marcy: | Glenn:
What can we do? | So, like, what can we do? | Perhaps Miss Riddel would have
Yes! | Oh yeah! | some idea. She is the only
Perhaps he will remember if | Maybe he'll remember if | person who may have been
we bring Riddel here. | we bring Riddel here! | closer to my brother than I.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Luccia: | Zoah:
Damn...! | Somet'ing to stimulate | WHAT CAN WE DO?
What can we do? | his memory... | AHA! YES!
Hey! | yes, perhaps if ve | HE MAY REMEMBER IF WE
What if we bring | bring Riddel here... | BRING MISS Riddel HERE.
Lady Riddel here? | |
He might remember then! | |
Serge:
(If it doesn't work, Riddel will
be hurt...but if we don't tell
her, and she finds out later,
she'll probably be hurt worse.
Damn.) I guess we'll try it.
She's on board the Invincible,
right? Let's go.
Dario:
My name is Dario...?
[At this point, they have to go to the Invincible and find Riddel
to get anything further to happen.]
===========================================================
S.S. Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[When the party speaks to her, Riddel sways a bit and raises
her hand to her mouth, as though shocked.]
Riddel:
Dario is...alive?
[She sways again, almost falling over, and Karsh (if he's there)
or Serge (if Karsh isn't around) takes her by the shoulders and
steadies her.]
Karsh: | Serge:
You okay? | Whoa, there! Yes,
Yeah, he's alive, | he's alive, but...
but he kinda, uh... |
[Riddel straightens.]
Riddel:
Something is wrong. If Dario
were well, he would have
returned to Termina and the
Dragoons, instead of vanishing
so thoroughly that not even
Sir Radius knew his whereabouts.
Tell me, please.
Karsh: | Serge:
He lost his memory. | He has amnesia--
Doesn't remember his | I guess he must have
own name, much less | hit his head, or
me...or you. | something.
Riddel:
Then...he does not remember
that we were to be wed.
...
Well, then, I will make him
remember. It is as simple as
that.
Serge:
Um, is it okay with you that
he isn't YOUR Dario, if you
know what I mean?
Riddel:
The Riddel from his own world
is no longer there, just as the
Dario from mine is gone.
Therefore, I must stand in her
place. I do not think that she
would mind.
...Oh! There is one other thing.
The pendant.
Serge:
Pendant? (I feel like
a parrot again.)
Riddel:
Dario gave it to me when we
became engaged. It belonged to
his mother, and was very dear
to him. If my presence is not
enough to stir his memories,
then perhaps that will be.
Serge:
(She isn't pulling it out...
Oh, please tell me that she
didn't...) Do you have it
with you?
[Riddel shakes her head]
Riddel:
I have not been able to wear
it since my Dario vanished.
I think Daddy may have locked
it up in the treasure tower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge hasn't opened the chest in Viper Manor]
Serge:
(Sigh) I suppose that means
we're going to have to go
and get it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the chest has been opened, but the party hasn't
gotten the pendant back from the Shaker Brothers]
Karsh: | Serge:
Those idiots must have | (It was probably in THAT
taken it! Serge, we need | chest...which means we
to go to the Isle of the | have to take Karsh to
Dead. | the Isle of the Dead.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they've already finished the Shaker Bros., or if
they went off, completed the quest, and then spoke
to Riddel again]
Karsh: | Serge:
Here. | Is this the pendant?
Riddel:
Oh, thank you!
I am ready now. Will
you take me to Dario?
Serge:
Of course.
Karsh: [if present]
...
===========================================================
Forbidden Island, Hut (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party disembarks from the boat, Riddel walks past them
and into the hut. When the party follows her inside, this is
what they see.]
Riddel:
Dario! Oh, it truly IS you!
Thank the dragon gods that you
are safe!
Dario:
You seem to know
me quite well.
Riddel:
Yes, Dario.
You do not remember me?
I may be the Riddel
from another world, but
every day, I have always...
And yet you do not
remember who I am?
Dario:
Riddel...?
That name moves my heart...
I have a feeling I have lost
someone very dear to me...
Serge:
(Bingo.)
Riddel:
Take a look at this.
[Dario leaves the table and walks over to face her]
Riddel: [holding out pendant]
This pendant is a memento
from your mother...
and a gift you gave me
when we got engaged.
Dario:
This is...
[If Karsh and Radius are not in the party, they enter the
room at this point.]
Riddel:
Try to remember!
We have been together
since we were little.
And we will continue to be...
I will always be there
for you, Dario...
Dario:
Riddel...
R-Run...
[Dario backs away and falls to one knee. He claps his hands to
his head as a dark miasma begins to rise from him.]
Serge:
(What the hell?!)
Riddel, back away!
Something's really wrong!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[if Magus is in the party]
Magus:
That aura--it's the
Masamune again!
Serge:
What?!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dario:
Aaaaaaargh!
[Garai]
Riddel...
Riddel...
That's right... Riddel...
Glenn: [if present]
That sounds almost like...
Father...
Serge:
(That's...Garai? Uh-oh.)
Radius:
Th-This is bad!
[The owner of the hut goes to stand beside Dario]
[Woman]
W-What...?
What's wrong?
Radius:
No!
Don't touch him!
[The Masamune drops from above in a ball of pink light
and knocks her aside with a flare of energy.]
Serge:
(Dario must have had it
all along--and because of
that, Garai had him! He didn't
lose his memory--he THREW it
away to keep Garai away from
Riddel!)
[Woman]
AHHHHHH!
Karsh:
What the...!?
[The floating sword flips itself over and offers its
hilt to Dario.]
Karsh:
The Masamune!
Riddel:
Dario!
[Dario stands up and reaches for the Masamune]
Riddel:
No, Dario!
Do not touch that sword!
Serge:
I don't think we can stop him.
He's possessed. (Or at least,
I can't think of a better word.)
[Dario takes the Masamune and brandishes it at the party]
[Garai]
Riddel...
Mine sword thirsts for your blood...
Glenn: [if present]
This is...all wrong...
Why is this happening?!
Radius:
I knew it!
The Masamune never actually
disappeared from Death Gate.
It just returned to its
rightful owner.
Karsh:
Wait a minute!
Then that means Dario's still...
Radius:
What really happened!?
I thought Dario died
fighting demons on the
Isle of the Damned!?
Karsh:
Actually...
[Here we have the flashback to Karsh and Dario fighting on the
Isle of the Damned, Dario falling off the headland, and Lynx
showing up and taking the Masamune while suggesting that Karsh
not tell anyone what really happened. It's another of those
scenes that I'm omitting because I can't improve on it.]
===========================================================
Forbidden Island (Home)
===========================================================
[The party is now outside, and Possessed!Dario is approaching
from the direction of the hut]
Radius:
Now I understand...
Radius:
Dario was possessed by the
enmity of the Masamune, too.
Serge:
(And Karsh covered it up because
he didn't want Riddel to be
hurt. He loves her so much that
it's scary, but she can't or
won't see it. Poor guy.)
[Dario comes to a halt in front of the party.]
Radius:
Prepare yourselves!
Karsh:
I guess there's no
way outta this!
Riddel:
I cannot face Dario
in battle!
Glenn: [if present]
Me, neither!
I just found my brother!
No, I cannot do this...
Radius:
To abolish the darkness,
we must defeat the Masamune!
It is the only way
to save Dario!
Magus: [if present]
I am NOT going to let myself
be cut down by that damnable
sword again!
Serge:
Besides, I don't think he's
going to let us NOT fight!
We have to get that sword
away from him!
[Garai]
Face the enmity of my sword...
Radius:
Do not give in to its enmity!
Cast off the darkness!
[Combat. When it's over, Dario is kneeling on the ground with the
Masamune floating above him.]
Serge:
(What's going on? The sword...
I can almost feel it looking
at me.)
Magus: [if present]
The aura of the Masamune has
changed... It is now as I
remember it from our encounters
in the sixth century.
Radius:
Hmph!
It appears the Masamune
found a new master.
Karsh:
What!?
Lynx!!!?
Radius:
Do not panic.
Look around you.
Riddel:
Birds...!
The birds that fled
are coming back!
Radius:
I no longer sense the slightest
bit of malice from the Masamune.
There is no more fear of
succumbing to its enmity.
[The screen darkens slightly]
Mune:
Huaaah...
You awake, Masa?
Masa:
Yeah...
But looking back...
I think we've done
something terrible.
Serge:
(Voices AGAIN?)
Magus: [if present]
The dream creatures... I
thought they had been swallowed
up by whatever contaminated
the sword.
Mune:
Heh heh...
No one will know if
we don't tell.
Doreen:
HEY!
What were you
two up to!?
Masa:
Yikes!
It's Doreen!
Mune:
N-Nothing!
We don't remember a thing!
Doreen:
Hmmm, I see...
Well, just to make sure
you're not up to any mischief...
I'm coming along.
Masa:
Alright!
How many centuries has it been
since the 3 of us got together!?
Doreen:
OK then, let's go!
[The screen returns to normal, and the Masamune floats down
toward Serge and is absorbed. Serge brandishes his weapon.]
Serge:
(Damn, that felt weird... Sort
of like the time I got stung by
that purple jellyfish, but
running up and down my arm...
Hey--what happened to my
swallow?!)
[System]
Serge's Sea Swallow
transformed
into the Mastermune.
Serge:
(Well, I guess it didn't hurt
it... Actually, the heft feels
better than before...)
[Serge puts his weapon away.]
Dario:
Where...am I...?
Karsh:
Some little flyspeck of an
island--don't think we ever
did get the name. You okay?
Dario:
Karsh...
Yes, I am fine--merely a
bit bruised.
Serge:
(Guess that armour of his can
take a lot of punishment,
although I wonder why he kept
it when there's no way he would
need it here.)
[Dario stands up]
Dario:
Riddel...
Is that you, Riddel?
What happened to me?
Riddel:
Dario...
Thank goodness...
Your memory has returned.
Dario:
Memory? Oh, yes...
I had taken a hold of
the Masamune when...
Forgive me, Karsh...
for what I have put you through.
Karsh:
Ahh, forget about it!
Radius:
Although your memory has
returned, let us not forget
the harsh reality
which lies in wait.
Come.
Dario:
Harsh...reality?
Karsh:
Things in this world have
...kind of changed while you
were away.
Radius:
I think it's best that you
see for yourself, rather than
having us try to explain.
Dario:
Very well. I will restrain my
curiosity for the present.
[Woman]
So...
You will be leaving...
I have been prepared
for this day...
Dario:
Thank you for everything
you've done for me, ma'am.
I will never forget your
kindness.
[Woman]
Farewell...
I wish you all the best...
Riddel:
Everyone is hurt
and separated...
Inexperienced and incomplete...
Riddel:
However, by living as such,
we may change for the better
into something bigger...
Something more...gentle...
===========================================================
Viper Manor (Home)
===========================================================
[We are taken here directly from the previous scene. Dario,
Riddel, Karsh, Radius, and the party all arrive together, with
Dario in the lead.]
Dario: [climbing the front steps]
My goodness...
What has happened
during my absence!?
Dario:
Where have the general
and the others gone?
Serge:
Well, first Lynx took the
General on an errand to the Dead
Sea... And then there was a bit
of a war with Porre... (It's
difficult to sum it all up in a
way that makes sense without
taking hours to tell him the
whole thing...)
[Dario turns to face the party]
Dario:
Riddel, you said that you
all came from another world.
Then where are Karsh, you,
and the others in this world?
Radius:
Unfortunately, no one from
Viper Manor who went to the
Dead Sea will return.
Serge:
(Except that Solt and Peppor
DID make it out...)
Dario:
...Why did the general
and the others go to
such a dangerous place?
Radius:
In search of the Frozen Flame...
They were swallowed up by
a terminated time line...
and have perished along
with the Dead Sea...
Serge:
Lynx set them up. What we still
don't know is why.
Dario:
Sigh...
How ironic that it is I
who have survived...
Riddel:
But Dario...
You still have me.
Dario:
Riddel...
Riddel:
We may be from different
worlds, but you are you,
and I am I.
Karsh:
Yo! That's right!
I'm alive and kickin', too!
There ain't no one
who can take my life!
Gah-haha-ha!
Karsh:
Zoah and Marcy are
here, too... We can also call
the old dragon stable keeper!
Dario:
Thank you, everyone...
Dario:
I guess you are right.
I am alive.
And I will do whatever
I must do.
Dario:
I do not know how many
years it will take, but
I will rebuild Viper Manor.
It is my duty.
Dario:
But first I will avenge the
General, if that is possible.
That, too, is my duty. Tell
me, where can I find this...
Lynx?
Serge:
That's...kind of complicated,
actually. We're going after the
one from the other world
ourselves, but I'm not sure
whether he's the one who tricked
your general or not. (I mean,
Lynx obviously knew that I
existed in this world even
though I first met him in the
other one, but I don't know if
that means there's only one of
him for both worlds, or... Aagh,
everything's getting too
complicated again!)
Dario:
Then, if you permit, I will
join you for the present.
[System]
Dario joins your party!
Radius:
My, my, my...
Perhaps it's about time
I came out of retirement...
Time for one last hurrah!
Hoh-hoh-hoh!
Karsh:
OH YEAH!
Bring it on!
Even though we may be from
different worlds, the 4
Devas are back in business!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is present]
Glenn:
Brother!
I've matured into
quite a swordsman
in the past 4 years!
Dario:
I'm sure you have! You always
had potential, Glenn. Father
would have been proud of you.
Glenn:
Father... Dario, was that truly
his voice I heard, when the
Masamune possessed you?
[Dario turns to face away from the party, and bows his head.]
Dario:
I...don't know. When I found the
sword, I too heard his voice,
like some dark ghost writhing
inside my head... Father died
searching for that sword. I...
I think the Masamune may have
used the memory of him to create
a phantom to ensnare me. So even
if it was his voice, it was not
his mind behind it.
Radius:
...
[Dario turns back to face everyone again.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dario:
I will return here to work on
the manor as time permits.
Unless... Riddel, does it bother
you to leave it in such a state?
[Riddel shakes her head]
Riddel:
Of course not. The manor where
I grew up is back in the other
world. This manor is the one
that you and I will build with
our own hands.
Riddel:
Plus, I have
an idea...
Ha-hah-ha!
Serge:
(I'm not sure I like the
sound of that...)
That's it for now, folks. The next installment will involve the little problem of what to do with an extra Riddel... <evil laugh>
-
That's it for now, folks. The next installment will involve the little problem of what to do with an extra Riddel... <evil laugh>
How nice of you of ruining the atmosphere of the whole sub-plot... Eh... I mean... okay, looking forward to it.... :/
Pay no mind, I just don't like that change unlike the others.
-
<Sigh> I'm almost starting to think that you're right. The first bit came out pretty well, but I'm not really sure about the rest of it... :?
-
Pfwaaaaahhhh...just read through every update since my last post!
As of right now, I don't have time to sufficiently reply, but nevertheless--I enjoyed them all! I didn't really see anything wrong with what was said, though the "Auto-Recruit Leena" was sudden to me, as well.
Still! I love Serge's voice, and the modified interactions between everyone.
-
Okay, okay, by popular demand, I'll try to write a re-recruitment segment for Leena. :lol:
Also, Acacia Sgt may be happy to know that I'm dropping the two-Riddel subplot for the time being, as it really isn't working out and I don't want to stall out over it and fail to finish the rest of the main story. I may or may not come back to it if I manage to figure out what the scene that won't work is actually supposed to look like.
-
Okay, okay, by popular demand, I'll try to write a re-recruitment segment for Leena. :lol:
Also, Acacia Sgt may be happy to know that I'm dropping the two-Riddel subplot for the time being, as it really isn't working out and I don't want to stall out over it and fail to finish the rest of the main story. I may or may not come back to it if I manage to figure out what the scene that won't work is actually supposed to look like.
MWAHAHAHAHA! My plan worked! :kamina
Eh... yeah... lol
It may not work since you want to continue an already wrapped-up plot? It has an already bittersweet conclusion as it is and adding the drama of 'Home!Riddel is actually alive' into the picture is why I think the whole thing would be unnecesary, which is why I don't like that idea.
-
My intention was to give poor Karsh a chance to get the girl (or at least one of her) for a change. The problem was that I couldn't figure out which Riddel was going to end up with whom, or why. I suspect this may be due to an inadequate grasp of Dario's and/or Riddel's character. (Or maybe the problem is just that I'm sick and feel like crap and have too many projects ongoing, I dunno.)
There is one scrap of what I've already written that I'm going to regret letting go, though:
Riddel(Home):
When the wave of darkness rolled
over me on the edge of the Dead
Sea, it pushed me out of this
world and into...somewhere else.
Serge:
Another world? (So how did she
get back here?)
[Riddel(Home) shakes her head]
Riddel(Home):
I would not call it a world.
It seemed to be little more
than a dark and desolate
emptiness into which my conjured
light could not penetrate for
more than an arm's length,
although...
Dario:
Yes?
Riddel(Home):
Sometimes, in the distance, it
seemed as though I could hear a
woman's voice, but she spoke no
language that I knew. As often
as not, she laughed, or cried.
I think she may have been mad,
but I searched for her
regardless, since anything would
have been better than being
alone in that emptiness. I never
seemed to get any nearer to her,
though.
What can I say? The opportunity to link back to Schala was just too good to resist.
-
My intention was to give poor Karsh a chance to get the girl (or at least one of her) for a change. The problem was that I couldn't figure out which Riddel was going to end up with whom, or why. I suspect this may be due to an inadequate grasp of Dario's and/or Riddel's character. (Or maybe the problem is just that I'm sick and feel like crap and have too many projects ongoing, I dunno.)
Ah, so that was your plan. Well, yeah, that would have been a little hard to settle. Oh well...
-
I'm...not entirely happy with this one, truth be told. Sometimes it
felt like I was adding lines just for the sake of adding lines, which
is Not Good. But it did occasionally come alive, usually when Marcy or
Nikki(Another) was involved... I suppose I'll leave it to everyone else
to judge. Maybe the problem was just Insufficient Magus or something
(for once, he gets no lines whatsoever, not even an alternate).
12. Black Dragon's Nightmare
===========================================================
Nikki's Dressing Room, Magical Dreamers Ship (Home)
===========================================================
[I'm assuming that Irenes has parked herself in Nikki's dressing
room, since she isn't recruitable]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they address Nikki without Fargo in the party]
Nikki:
Oh, it's you!
We're all set to go!
All we have to do now is
convince my father to take
this ship to Marbule...
But that's the hardest part.
I wonder if there's anyone
out there who can convince him?
If so...
it would have to be someone
with a genuine heart, like
the father I used to know.
Serge:
(I don't know if that crazy
pirate counts as having "a
genuine heart", but I don't know
what else to try.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Fargo is in the party]
Nikki:
......!!!
Father!
What are you doing here?
Have you changed your mind?
Fargo:
Arg! I'll take care of this.
I have ta manage me
own affairs.
Nikki:
......?
Serge:
Trust me, you don't want us to
try to explain. It's really
complicated. (And I don't want
to tell the whole story again!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the party]
Nikki(Home):
You're...me?
Nikki(Another):
Yeah, that's right.
Nikki(Home):
That is WICKED cool! Listen,
you've got to come back after
the concert, so we can talk.
Nikki(Another):
Sure!
Serge:
(Weird how some sets of doubles
really hit it off, and other
sets just freak out...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they speak to Irenes with Luccia in the
party, but not Marcy]
Irenes:
Luccia...
Please look after Marcy.
Luccia:
Of course...
But vot dat child really
needs is a loving family.
I cannot provide dat...
Fargo: [if present]
...
Serge:
Hey, I'm sure you did
the best you could.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they speak to Irenes with Marcy in the party]
Irenes:
Could you be, Marcy...?
You look very much like
your mutter...Zelbess...
Marcy:
You knew my mom...?
Serge:
(Uh-oh...)
Irenes:
Ja, I knew her very well.
She was a fine person...
I know, for I am her sister.
Marcy, you should be very
proud of your mutter...
Marcy:
......
You're kidding me, right?
I'm not... I don't WANNA be...
Why does everybody keep telling
me these weird things about my
family?!
Serge:
(Maybe because they're true?
But that was a lot less of an
explosion than I was expecting.
Maybe she's calming down, or
something.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Fargo(Home) is standing at the rail gazing out to sea when
the party arrives. The following occurs only if Fargo(Another)
is in the party]
Serge:
Hey, captain...
Fargo(Home):
Aye, land-lubber...!
[Fargo(Home) turns and does a double-take.]
Fargo(Home):
Are you me...?
[Fargo(Another) grabs Fargo(Home) by the collar and
hoists him off his feet]
Serge:
(Ulp!) Don't kill him!
Fargo(Another):
Don't even associate
yerself with me...!
You're bein' a sissy, Fargo!
You're pathetic!!!
I, too, had the possibility
of becomin' a jelly-belly
like yerself!
[Fargo(Another) lets him down]
Serge:
(Phew!)
Fargo(Home):
......
Fargo(Another):
I know about the plan...
We're movin' this ship along
with Nikki's to Marbule and
showerin' the island with his
song at full volume...
Once the dream spirits awaken,
we'll defeat 'em one by one...
Fargo(Home):
My ship, the Zelbess...
This ship can no longer set sail...
I can't steer it...
Fargo(Another):
Hah!
Who's askin' ya anyway?
[Fargo(Another) goes over to the speaking tubes on the wall]
Fargo(Another):
Listen up, mateys!
This ship is no longer
the Zelbess but the
S.S. Invincible!
Set the course for
Marbule, and man
yer stations...!
Fargo(Home):
It's useless...
[Fargo(Another) turns to face him]
Fargo(Another):
We'll see about that!
[The scene immediately fades to...]
===========================================================
Exterior, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Demi-humans]
C'mon everyone!
We're going to take back our
beautiful island of Marbule!!!
YEAHHH!!!
Let's do it!
[The oars dip into the water, then start to move]
Heave!!!
Hooo!!!
Heave! Hooo!
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[We're immediately sent back here. The two Fargos are face
to face again, and the screen is shaking slightly with the
motion of the ship]
Fargo(Home):
H-How the...!?
Fargo(Another):
Ya don't even know that!?
The desire to return to
one's home is steerin'
this ship forward...
Fargo(Home):
You mean the demi-humans...?
Serge:
Besides, they did hear the order
being given in your voice. I
guess no one figured out it...
wasn't really you.
Fargo(Another):
Once this ship reaches Marbule,
Nikki will begin his concert.
We gotta do what we can to
wake those monsters from
their nightmare...
So long, Fargo...
I've come to me senses.
It's time you did the same.
[We are now taken directly to...]
===========================================================
Exterior, Magical Dreamers Ship (Home)
===========================================================
[Assorted demi-humans with musical instruments are standing
in front of Nikki's dressing room door. The sage is over by
the railing.]
Sage:
Heh heh...
Looks like they
finally did it!
Behold, my people...
Marbule is straight ahead!
[He turns to face the musicians]
Sage:
Well then...
It's about time we get
down to business!
[The musicians start playing, and then the Magical Dreamers
concert takes place. It's another one of those things
I'm leaving alone because I can't usefully change it. Man,
there are a lot of cutscenes in this sidequest!]
===========================================================
Captain's Quarters, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[Fargo is still at the railing, staring out to sea]
Fargo(Home):
......
[He walks over to the desk/cabinet thingy that Nikki recognized some time
ago as belonging to his mother, and opens it]
Fargo(Home):
Oh, Zelbess...
Does this song call
out to your heart?
You taught me
this song...
For a long time, I've been
trying to regain what
I've lost, but to no avail...
But now...
I feel as if the one important
thing has finally returned...
Thanks to the irreplaceable
treasure you left behind.
[He turns to face the ocean]
Fargo(Home):
So you're happy for me, too...
[Pan up, and we're taken straight to...]
===========================================================
Boat Dock, SS Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[As the party is on its way to the boat, Fargo stops dead
in his tracks, and the rest of the party turns to face him]
Serge:
Is something wrong?
Fargo(Another):
Even though she
said that...
I, too, was unable to
fulfill the promise
I made Zelbess...
Her dream is
also my dream...
Zelbess...
I promised never to use
this attack again, but
there is no avoiding it...
Please forgive me...
This time, I will protect you!
[System]
Fargo broke the seal of
Invincible!
Fargo(Another):
Alright then...!!!
I'll show you how
serious I can get!
It's time for me to
let loose in Marbule!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Nikki is in the party]
Nikki:
That's more like I
remember you being.
Fargo:
...
Arr, I suppose I deserved that.
I'll never be young again, but
that doesn't mean I have to
turn into a useless ball of
blubber like that scallywag!
The way I chose to deal with
my pain when I lost your mother
was better than the one he
picked, but that doesn't mean
it was smart.
Nikki:
...Father...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[The rest of the party nods]
===========================================================
Marbule (Home)
===========================================================
[The party is brought here directly after boarding the boat.
Toma and Ash are right near the entrance, and
there are Lagoonates running around all over the place.
Toma addresses the party immediately as they arrive.]
Serge:
You guys are still here?
The Great Explorer Toma:
Y-Yo, guys...!!!
I'm sure you've noticed,
but something a-ain't right...
I-I-I know they're harmless,
but they've grown in numbers!
If these monsters are
somebody's bad dream...
then...whose...?
O-Or what's...?
Dream...? Then does that
mean that if these monsters
die, someone or something
will wake up?
Ash:
I bet the dreamer is
10 times as nasty as
this nightmare.
It's probably some big,
huge, gnarly dragon!
Serge:
(I don't believe it--how did he
know? Does this guy have some
kind of weird magic power?)
Ash:
S-Sir Toma!
I think we're about
done here!
The Great Explorer Toma:
Uhh... Err... Yeah...
Well, I think I'm through
with my investigation here...
Don't get the wrong idea...
It's not that I'm scared
or anything!
Well, take care.
Serge:
(Smart, but not very brave,
I guess. Heck, a month ago I
might have run away myself.
I suppose that proves you can
get used to anything.)
[Toma and Ash leave Marbule]
[When all the Lagoonates have been defeated...]
[System]
A dragon's cry was heard
in the far-off distance...
Serge:
(It's in the other dimension,
but we can still hear it here?
Well, whatever.)
(...But I don't think
I like it.)
===========================================================
Nikki's Dressing Room, Magical Dreamers Ship (Home)
===========================================================
[If they speak to Nikki...]
Nikki:
Thank you...
Words cannot express
how I feel inside...
This event has allowed me
to see myself differently.
I hope to share this feeling
with not only humans, but
with all living creatures...
Serge:
Um, whatever. (Somehow, there's
so much sweetness and light in
that that it almost sounds...
creepy.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Marcy is in the party]
Nikki:
Marcy...
Marcy:
WHAT-EVER!
Nikki:
......
Serge:
(Well, at least she didn't
attack him...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Fargo is in the party]
Nikki:
Thank you for opening my
father's eyes to reality...
I'm sure Marbule will
thrive with beauty again.
When that day comes, I would
like to perform there again...
Fargo:
No, Nikki... I'm the one
who needs to give thanks.
She's also a manifestation
of myself. That's why I'm able
to understand her feelings...
But I can't keep that feeling
bottled up forever. That's
what she helped me realize.
All thanks to you...
Nikki:
......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Marbule (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party approaches the snoozing dragon, it stirs and
wakes up. Upon addressing it...]
Black Dragon:
It hath been a long sleep,
I am still groggy...
You shall provide some
much-needed exercise.
Serge:
(Exercise?! Can't he just take
up running or something?)
[Combat. When the party wins, the black dragon vanishes and
the following line appears...]
Black Dragon:
Aaaah...
I thank you
for the excitement...
Serge:
Don't mention it. (I just wish
he hadn't almost "excited" me
to death!)
[System]
Member received the
Black Relic.
Serge:
(Looks a bit like the kind of
float you use on tuna nets...
except that those aren't made of
metal, of course. Oh, well--I
guess the Relics aren't really
supposed to be useful.)
So that's the Save Marbule sidequest. Orlha is next, then random bits and pieces
of sidestuff that don't fit anywhere else, then (finally!) chapter 24.
-
Talking to myself again... Anyway. Orlha and Tia. I think this is coherent, at least.
14. Mirrors Reverse Right and Left
===========================================================
Orlha's Bar, Guldove (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge drops in and talks to Orlha without showing her
the brooch (or while he's still Lynx)...]
Orlha:
I have a twin sister.
Her name is Tia...
Orlha:
According to old legends,
'"Twins are signs of tragedy..."'
When I was a child, I was
separated from my mother and
sister, who left El Nido...
I only had my father.
I felt as if half of my
body had been lost.
There was a huge
void in my heart...
Serge:
I've heard that legend before,
but I've never known anyone who
really took it seriously. Your
parents must have been...very
traditional. (Well, it sounds
better than saying, "I think
they were squid-tupping nuts!",
anyway. I hope.)
Orlha:
Chuckle... I never told this
story to anyone before...
Strange.
Sometimes I really feel that
there are countless worlds...
And I am not the only me...
Does this sound odd?
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
Not in the least.
Norris: [if present]
Indeed, should you ever have the
opportunity, I think you would
find meeting yourself...
interesting.
Serge:
You said the brooch you gave
me belonged to your sister?
Orlha:
Yes.
It is a token that's been passed
down through generations in
my family.
It is cracked in half now; one half
belongs to me, and the other to
my sister Tia...
Whenever I started to feel weak
or lonely as a child, I would
hold it and remember that there
was another person in this world
who had to be feeling exactly
the way I did...
Serge:
(And she gave it to me?!)
Magus: [if present]
...
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Guile is also present]
Guile:
Magus? What is it?
[Magus' hand touches his side, where Schala's amulet is slung.]
Magus:
...Nothing of importance.
Guile:
Are you certain?
Magus:
Merely old memories resurfacing.
None of them have anything to
do with our current situation.
Guile:
Hmm.
Serge:
(Weird--he's the last person
I'd expect would find Orlha's
story...touching. But back to
that brooch...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Nikki and Marcy are both present instead]
Nikki:
...
Marcy:
Oh, shut up!
[Marcy steps on Nikki's foot]
Nikki:
Ow! What was that for?!
Marcy:
I don't want you even THINKING
the word "sister". Every time
you say it, you start to act
all weird at me!
Serge:
(Oh, man... It's a good thing
THEY don't have a brooch, or
Marcy would probably make poor
Nikki eat his half. Speaking of
which...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Serge:
I can't keep something that's
so important to you, Orlha.
Orlha:
You don't have to return it...
just yet.
This blue gem... This is the only
one that exists in this world.
That means it is proof
you are the real '"Serge."'
Orlha:
So, please keep it with you
until you have regained
your true identity.
Serge:
(I don't get it--why does she
think I need "proof"? If she's
worried about Lynx faking her
out, well, Lynx probably doesn't
even know her name. It isn't
like stealing my body gave him
my memories or anything.)
Orlha:
This blue gem is a token of the
promise between you and me...
Don't forget, Serge..
Serge:
(I get the feeling there's going
to be no arguing with her about
this.) I won't.
Orlha:
Someday, I will find
my sister, Tia...
Somewhere, somehow...
Serge:
I hope you do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge-as-Serge shows Orlha the Sapphire Brooch]
Orlha:
This blue gem... Looks like you've
regained your true self.
Serge:
Yeah, I guess so. Here, you can
have this back now. (Not that I
understand why she wanted me to
have it in the first place!)
[System]
Serge returns Sapphire Brooch.
Orlha:
Oh...
Serge:
What is it?
Orlha:
This is strange. I think that
this half of the brooch has
somehow come very close to the
other half...but I don't
understand how Tia could be in
El Nido.
Serge:
Well, maybe she isn't in THIS
El Nido.
Orlha:
What do you mean?
Serge:
(Ugh, I had to go and say it...
I'm an idiot. Sigh. Now I have
to...)
Well, it's kind of like this.
[Fade out, then in, as Serge waves his arms expressively]
Serge:
(I hope that this is the last
time I EVER have to explain all
of that, but I'm not betting
on it.)
Orlha:
Then...my sister might be
in this other world?
Serge:
It's the only thing I can think
of that makes sense. (Well,
unless she's crazy, and I really
don't think she is. Even if she
does talk to her jewelry.)
Orlha:
I hate to ask you for another
favour, but could you take me
there? If Tia is there, I...
I want to see her.
Serge:
I don't see why not. (I mean,
it isn't like we've been trying
to keep bits of the worlds from
mixing together or anything.)
Is there anywhere in particular
that you'd like to go there?
Orlha:
Guldove, I guess. Even if no one
there recognizes me, I think I
can convince some of them to
help me look for her.
Serge:
That should be easy enough.
(I was afraid she would want
to check out everywhere we've
been on that side. Including
the Dead Sea. Yeouch.)
[And we fade directly to the docks of Guldove(Home).
Serge's boat is moored at the pier, and we see Orlha
get out of it and walk over to Doc's clinic.]
===========================================================
Front Room, Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[When the party enters, they see Orlha standing in front of
Doc, who is sitting on his stool in the upper-left corner,
staring down at his hands.]
Orlha:
Doc,
please...look up.
Doc:
This voice...?
It is so familiar.
But something is different...
who is this?
Serge:
(That's weird--I'm pretty sure
Orlha isn't here in this world.
I mean, Orcha's the one running
the pub, isn't he? So why would
Doc recognize Orlha's voice?)
[Doc looks up, and lunges to his feet]
Doc:
......!?
Tia, is that you Tia?
What the...?
Serge:
(I don't believe it! She found
what she was looking for in the
first place she checked?!)
[I would dearly love to add an O_O smiley to that line,
but it wouldn't fit with the rest of the script. Anyway,
Orlha shakes her head]
Orlha:
No, I'm not Tia...
Please calm down.
I am Tia's twin sister, Orlha...
[Doc shakes his head]
Doc:
Tia's twin sister...?
H-Hold on a sec!
What exactly is going on?
I thought Tia's twin sister
died four years ago!
Serge:
(Oh, no, not AGAIN...)
Orlha:
Sorry, we don't have much time
to explain right now...
Serge:
(Saved!)
Orlha:
Please...let me see Tia.
I can feel her, even though
we live in different worlds...
Tia...Tia is here.
Doc, I beg you...
Doc:
...Your eyes tell me you
speak the truth.
I understand, I will permit you
to visit, but realize one thing...
It will be a painful reunion...
Orlha.
Serge:
(I guess that means she's really
sick... Dying, even? I wonder if
the Tia in our world is okay.)
Orlha:
Yes, I know...
But still...I must
meet my sister.
Doc:
...Alright.
Then let me take you
to her.
===========================================================
Ward, Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[We're sent here directly from the last scene. Orlha is
crouched by the head of the bed, in which an unconscious
girl is lying. The other members of the party have their
backs to the bed, and Doc and the nurse are standing near
the foot.]
Doc:
As you can ascertain, dude...
Our voices can't reach her,
no matter how hard we try...
We don't even have a firm
diagnosis of what caused her
to become unconscious and
collapse...
Time has mercilessly passed by,
while she continues to slumber.
Luccia: | Sprigg: | Serge:
Dis is not my area of study, | Somethin' strange is goin' | Please tell me she hasn't
but how long has she been | on 'ere... 'az this got | been like this for ten
afflicted like dis? It vould | somethin' to do with the | years! (Of course, everything
not have started ten years | dimensionz splittin'? But | ELSE freaky that's been
ago, vould it? | she can't 'ave been like | happening around me lately
| this for ten yearz. | is due to the dimensions
| | splitting, so why should this
| | be any different?
Doc:
How did you know? She hasn't
been like this the whole time,
but it was ten years ago that
she started having fainting
spells. Then, just a little
while ago, she collapsed
completely.
Serge:
(Probably when I first went from
one world to the other. So this
is my fault somehow. What in
hell am I supposed to do?)
Orlha:
Tia, can you hear
my voice...
Your big sister is here
by your side...
[Tia]
Sis...
Orlha...
[Orlha]
~!?~
Orlha:
Ti...Tia?
Serge:
(!)
[Tia turns her head]
Tia:
I was having a long dream...
Orlha...
I finally meet you...
Your hair, your eyes,
we are both really alike...
For we are twin sisters,
born on the same planet...
Orlha:
Oh, Tia,
how could this be...
But I...
Tia:
No, it's alright, sis...
I know. I've been watching
everything from my dreams...
Yes, the world is not one.
...Just like our dreams,
the possibilities are infinite.
Serge:
(So she dreamed of the other
world... I wonder if the other
world's Tia dreams of this one?)
Tia:
My long dream has ended...
I am so glad...
that I was able to meet you...
Orlha:
No Tia, it's not the end!
No Tia......
I...I won't...
I won't let it end like this!
We're going to start over
from the very beginning...
So please...Tia. Don't go!
Tia:
My spirit will
always be with you, sis...
I will always be with...you.
[Tia turns her head away again]
~!!!~
Orlha:
...Wait, Tia.
Please...
just once more...
...your eyes.
Open your eyes and...and show
me your smile once more...
I beg...of you...
[And we fade to...]
===========================================================
Front Room, Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[Orlha is sitting on the bed, with everyone else clustered
around her]
Orlha:
Tia...
Just when I finally found you...
Serge:
I'm sorry. I wish we could
have gotten you here sooner.
Orlha:
You...couldn't have known.
I should have...even from a
different world, I should have
been able to tell she was here.
Doc:
Another world?
You mean to say such a thing
exists? Truly bodacious...
Serge:
I'm...not sure that that's the
word I'd use to describe it.
("Truly a pain" would fit a
lot better!)
Doc:
A miracle, brought together by
a bond spanning two worlds...
[Nurse]
It is truly unbelievable,
for such a thing to really
occur...
Serge:
(I don't know that I'd call it
a miracle. If we'd been able to
save Tia, THAT would have been
a miracle...but we didn't.)
Doc:
Orlha...
As Tia said in her final
words...
She will always be with you.
Even though your worlds are
different, you two are truly
sisters. That will never change...
Doc:
This was Tia's.
...Take it with you.
Orlha:
That blue gem...
Doc:
I heard Tia talk about
this gem before...
I can only give it to you.
Tia's spirit will always be with
you, along with this blue gem...
Now, Orlha, open your hands.
[System]
The split gem has become
one and regained its blue sparkle.
Orlha received the
Blue Brooch.
Orlha:
Tia's spirit...
Orlha:
...Oh, Tia...
Why did you have to......
[Orlha turns to face the window and kind of slumps, and then
we fade directly back to...
===========================================================
Ward, Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Home)
===========================================================
[Orlha is sitting alone on Tia's bed.]
Orlha:
Tia...
Just when I finally found you...
[Tia]
...Sis.
[Orlha looks up]
Orlha:
...Tia?
Orlha:
Oh...
it can't be.
[Tia's...ghost?...fades in on the left side of the room]
[Tia]
...Orlha.
Orlha:
Tia!!!
[Orlha gets up and turns to face Tia]
Tia:
The blue gem binds us as sisters,
and also contains the prayers of
mother and father...
The split gem has crossed the
worlds and become one.
And now, it has been passed
into your hands...
Orlha:
Mother and father's prayers
are...within this gem...
Tia:
And my spirit,
will be with you, sis...
Please don't forget...
And live strong for the both of us...
Orlha:
I will...
[Fade directly to...]
===========================================================
Orlha's Bar, Guldove (Another)
===========================================================
[Orlha is back behind the bar, and Serge is leaning against it,
with the rest of the party behind him.]
Orlha:
Thank you, Serge. If you hadn't
taken me there...
Serge:
Hey, don't mention it. (It was
easier than a lot of other stuff
I've done lately.)
Orlha:
There isn't much I can do to
repay you, but from now on, your
drinks are on the house!
Serge:
Um... In that case, how about an
orange juice?
Orlha:
I'd almost forgotten how young
you are. Okay, one orange juice
coming right up!
[Orlha hands Serge a glass, and he drinks.]
Serge:
Thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Guile was recruited]
Serge:
(Mind you, there are a few
people I'm going to have to
avoid bringing here now!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Front Room, Doc's Clinic, Guldove (Another)
===========================================================
[This scenelet takes place if they go into the clinic in (Another)
and speak to Doc after Orlha and Tia meet]
Doc:
Hey, dude! Orlha's been looking
a lot happier lately. I don't
know what you did, but it seems
to have helped her. Thanks.
Serge:
We took her to see Tia. I guess
it meant a lot to her.
Doc:
!
...Oh, I see. The other world's
Tia must still be alive.
Serge:
Actually, she passed away while
Orlha was there, but... (Hey,
wait a minute!) How did you know
I was talking about the Tia from
the other world? If you know
something about what happened to
her in this world, why didn't
you tell Orlha?
Doc:
...Do you know where Orlha got
the money to set up the bar?
Serge:
Um, no, but what's that got to
do with anything?
Doc:
About four years ago, a merchant
ship tried to sail through the
Throat and into El Nido just a
little too late in the year...
A few of the life rafts made it,
and the cargo was mostly timber,
so it floated and was eventually
recovered. The captain of the
ship was Orlha's mother. She
went down with the ship, trying
to save her bedridden daughter.
Part of the proceeds from the
sale of the cargo, along with
the story, came to Orlha, their
next-of-kin.
Serge:
You're saying that Orlha knew
that Tia was dead?
[Doc nods]
Doc:
She's known for more than three
years, but she's always said it
wasn't possible, that she could
feel Tia somewhere nearby... I
hope that meeting the other
Tia has given her some kind of
closure.
Serge:
(So Orlha was...sensing...Tia
there all along, just on the
other side of the wall between
the worlds... I guess there
really is something strange
about twins after all.)
Possibly not the flashiest explanation for Orlha and Tia, but it was the most plausible one I could come up with.
The next segment will be Skelly's backstory, assuming that I can figure out what happened to him. Then leftover bits and pieces, then the next chapter.
-
Nice, it was well done. Good to see this was kept.
And lol at Serge having to explain everything once more... XD
-
If I hadn't kept Orlha, I expect I would have had a lot of complaints--sort of like when I threatened to completely drop Razzly.
Poor Serge--he must have had to explain what's been happening to him twenty times by now, even with the diminished number of recruitments. After he offs the Time Devourer, he's never going to want to tell anyone about his adventure again for as long as he lives. :lol:
-
Poor Serge--he must have had to explain what's been happening to him twenty times by now, even with the diminished number of recruitments. After he offs the Time Devourer, he's never going to want to tell anyone about his adventure again for as long as he lives. :lol:
I think the Tele-porter (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Tele-Porter.html) is already pointless in your script.
If Lucca invented a sound recorder it would save Serge's day.
Kid:
Oh yeah, mate...
I nearly forgot...
Let me give ya this.
It's a Sound Recorder.
You'll be able to record
yer voice and play it back later.
A real handy gadget.
Sometime it's a pain in the
arse to tell yer story over
and over again...
Serge:
Thanks. (Why the hell have I
tell my story again and again?
But never mind.)
[System]
Serge received
Sound Recorder!
-
I now have this mental image of Serge trying to record an update, discovering that he's run out of storage space on the Sound Recorder, and having a nervous breakdown. :lol:
And the Tele-porter isn't quite completely useless for the purposes of my script. Granted, I've been working with the assumption that the player has three combat and three non-combat slots in the party, but there are still twenty PCs available. Not to mention that if Magus is recruited, there are times when he will force both himself and Kid into the party, reducing the usefulness of the reserve slots.
-
I now have this mental image of Serge trying to record an update, discovering that he's run out of storage space on the Sound Recorder, and having a nervous breakdown. :lol:
Then it explains why Serge is mute in game.
-
Not really--if Kid gave him the Sound Recorder, and he didn't become a mute until it failed, he'd suddenly lose his voice in mid-game. :)
-
Skelly. Short, silly, and kind of stops short of really explaining anything, but I figured a little levity couldn't hurt. I do wonder if Serge maybe isn't just a little too snarky here, though. Oh, well.
15. Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones
===========================================================
Isle of the Dead (Either)
===========================================================
[This scenelet occurs if Skelly is in the party during any visit
to either version of the Isle of the Dead. As they enter the first
screen, Skelly stops in his tracks and looks around.]
Skelly:
Hey! I've been heah before!
Serge:
(Why am I not surprised?)
Um... Okay, whatever.
Skelly:
No, you don't understand!
I'd forgotten all about this
place, probably because what
happened heah was so freaky!
Serge:
I find I've kind of got new
standards for "freaky" these
days...
Skelly:
Nyak-nyak-nyak! Ain't that the
truth? But I mean it was REALLY
freaky. It happened like this...
[At this point, Skelly borrows the stormy Sea-of-Eden-overworld-map
that Marge used waaaaay back during Chapter 15, and the next words
appear overlaid on top of it]
Skelly:
Shucks, it must be ten years
ago now. The circus I was with
was headed for Marbule when
this big ugly storm blew up and
we got blown to the east.
Serge:
(That sounds...awfully familiar.)
Skelly:
I don't know exactly what
happened--back then I used to
get seasick if the weather was
really bad--but I figure we
must've hit the edge of
somethin' goin' on inside the
Sea of Eden. One moment I was
lyin' in my hammock feelin'
green, and then there was this
big flash, and the next thing
I knew, I was in the watah,
all tangled up with part of
one of the masts and gettin'
dragged down. Didn't evah
expect to wake up again, but
I did. Sort of.
[The stormy-Sea-of-Eden overlay goes away, and we are taken back to
the first area of the Isle of the Dead, except instead of the party,
we see Skelly lying face down at the edge of the screen (ideally, we
also hear the sound of waves breaking, rather than the standard
background music). Slowly, Skelly raises his head.]
Skelly:
Whoa, figured I was a goner
for a bit theah!
[He gets to his feet]
Skelly:
Let's see--all bits attached?
[He looks down at himself]
Skelly:
Waitaminute... What the heck
IS this?! I thought I was eatin'
pretty well, but I'm not even
SKIN and bone anymore!
[He looks around]
Skelly:
Looks like I fit right in heah,
though!
[He walks around a bit, poking into nooks and crannies]
Skelly:
It's got atmospheah, I'll give
it that, but I don't think I
wanna live--or whatever--heah.
I mean, no squid gut pasta?!
Who'd wanna spend more than a
day or two in a place like
that?! But no one's goin' to
pick me up, not when I look
like this... Hey, what's that?
[We hear the sound of very large wings flapping. Suddenly,
Polly swoops onto the screen, grabs onto Skelly, and pulls
up again with him dangling down as though caught in the
bird's claws. As the scene begins to fade out, we see Skelly
pounding impotently at the bird.]
Skelly:
Hey, let me go, birdbrain!
Skelly: [against a black screen]
Look at what you just did!
That was my LEG that fell off
theah!
[When the screen fades back in, the party is there again]
Fargo: [if present]
Arr, I keep tellin' that bird
not to eat things it just picks
up... That would've been before
I laid eyes on it, mind you.
Serge:
So you fell apart in midair?
(And it's probably a good thing,
too--Polly would have been kind
of disappointed when he finally
stopped for lunch.)
Skelly:
Pretty much, I guess. I don't
remembah a lot aftah I lost
my ribs.
Serge:
(I guess that confirms it:
his brain is in his stomach.)
Skelly:
I think...I was wishin' hard,
through the whole thing, that I
would get home to Grandma. I'm
glad you picked me up, Serge,
even if you had to do it piece
by piece. Othahwise, I'd nevah
have made it back to Termina.
Serge:
It wasn't such a big deal,
really. I mean, I would have
ended up visiting the places
where I found you anyway. And
it's been good having you along.
(It's true. He may be weird,
but Skelly's a pretty good
fighter. And cheerful.)
Skelly:
Glad to hear it! So, now, let's
flatten Lynx, and then we can
go and par-tay! Nyak-nyak-nyak!
Serge:
I'll settle for just
getting it over with.
And there we have it. There are some other little random bits of side stuff to cover--Guile and Magus meeting Sneff, trying to get the Chrono Cross before the Sea of Eden, a bunch of third tech acquisitions, and (by popular demand) Leena's re-recruitment scenelet. Then I'll tackle the next chapter.
-
Serge:
(I guess that confirms it:
his brain is in his stomach.)
That was hilarious. :lol:
-
Thanks. (I've got to admit, though--I really do wonder where Skelly puts what he eats. Especially given that he gets his third tech from a plate of pasta...)
-
Bits and pieces: Skelly's and Luccia's third techs, Serge
talks to Belthasar, commentary on the Epoch II, Magus meets
Sneff, Starky retrieves his gun from a fish, the party rescues
a Beeba, brief commentary on the (dead) hydra, Riddel and
Dario agree to open an orphanage, and Leena gets re-recruited.
I ended up cutting the premature-attempt-at-the-Chrono-Cross
sequence because I couldn't think of any reason Serge would
tell Steena about the altar.
16. Fragments of a Dream
===========================================================
The Dragon's Tail, Termina (Home)
===========================================================
[Speak to the barkeep with Skelly in the party, and...]
[Barkeep]
I tell you, this town's really
become a cheerless place.
I just wanna pack up shop and
fly over to another town and
say goodbye to this place...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the Save Marbule quest has been completed]
Serge:
Maybe you could try Marbule.
[Barkeep]
The demi-human town? I didn't
think they liked humans very
much...
Serge:
They're a lot friendlier now
than they used to be. And I
don't think they have a
restaurant. (Although now that
I think about it, the Zelbess
probably has some cooks
aboard...)
[Barkeep]
Hmm...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Skelly:
Hot Mama, I wanna have
one of your squid gut
pasta...
[Barkeep]
Hmm...
I wish I could, but I'm out
of supplies because of the
fuss around here recently...
Serge:
(Well, okay, but...squid guts?
There are lots of squid around
here. Am I the only person in
Termina who knows how to toss a
net out the back of a boat?)
Skelly:
O-Oh man, that's uncool...
[Barkeep]
......
Hey, don't look so sad!
OK, I know!
Let me try to cook something
up for you somehow!
Skelly:
R-Really!?
[A little later, the barkeep brings out Skelly's
pasta and sets it down in front of him.]
Serge:
(...I don't think I want to
watch this--I mean, he could at
least put a bag or a bowl or
something inside his ribcage
to keep us from having to see--
Ugh, I don't even want to think
about it.)
[Barkeep]
How's it taste?
[Skelly digs in]
Skelly:
...This texture,
the balance of sweetness
and bitterness, this is it!!!
Serge:
(How can he tell? He doesn't
even have a tongue!)
Skelly:
Man, I never thought
that I'd ever eat pasta
like this again!
I'm a happy soul!!!
[Barkeep]
You're exaggerating too much...
Come to think of it,
I remember a boy long ago
who loved that same dish.
He'd keep on eating
more and more, until I
was afraid that he'd drop
from eating too much!
Actually, he got pretty
fat because of it...
I wonder what that
boy is doing now...
Oh? Hey!
What's the matter?
If you cry too hard, you're
going to turn that into
tear-water pasta!
Serge:
(And he doesn't have
any eyes, either!
...I give up. Nothing else I
run into these days makes sense,
so why should this?)
Skelly:
Sniff, thanks, hot mama.
I'll always remember this
place and your cooking!
[Barkeep]
Haha, you can come
back anytime!
I'll whip up something
special for you again!
[System]
Skelly now remembers
OnARoll!
And pledges not to
waste his life ever
again!
===========================================================
Basements, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[Upon examining a certain slime...]
Luccia:
Vonderful!
Dis must be a new
type of amoeba.
Vot life force...
I must incubate it
right away...
Ooh hoho hoho...
[System]
Received Luccia's
TestAmeba!
Serge:
(Why am I having this vision
of a homicidal blob of goo the
size of El Nido...?)
===========================================================
Library, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[If Magus is not in the party, and they go to the library,
Belthasar will be marking time there. Talking to him
produces...]
Prophet:
The Porre soldiers
have withdrawn from
Viper Manor.
Serge:
That's a relief. (Maybe
Viper and the others can
come back now.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge is still Lynx]
Prophet:
You cannot continue
in that form forever,
Serge.
Serge:
Um, why not? (I mean, I don't
LIKE being stuck in Lynx's body,
but it isn't going to kill me...
is it?)
Prophet:
It is not good for you,
or for the world.
Serge;
(Oh, for crying out loud...)
Look, could you either tell me
something USEFUL or change the
subject?
Prophet:
Perhaps if you return to
Fort Dragonia, where
all of this happened,
you may be able to
regain your true form.
Serge:
(Sigh. I guess it's time to
visit another one of El Nido's
great vacation spots, then.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Neo Epoch Room, Viper Manor (Another)
===========================================================
[This requires examining the Neo-Epoch with Luccia, Starky,
and Magus in the party...]
Luccia:
Vot is dis?
The technology is amazing...
It is definitely not
of dis world.
Starky:
It is not from Staarky's world
either, althoough the technology
is almoost advanced eenough.
How did it get heere?
Magus:
Hmph. It's from this world--
but not from this time. I'm
surprised that Belthasar
left it here without a more
powerful guard than that
thing in the corner.
Luccia:
De old man made it? You
are certain?
Magus:
This isn't the first of his
time travel devices that
I've seen.
Starky:
Tiime travel?
Is this an
antiprooton driive?
It can't bee...
EEven our technology
hasn't advanced this far...
Magus:
I told you that Belthasar was
considered a genius. And he
would have had been able to
use all the resources of the
future to help him build this.
Starky:
Staarky...neeeds to think.
Luccia:
T'ink? I vould like to
dissassemble it, but now
is not de time.
===========================================================
Backstage, S.S. Zelbess (Home)
===========================================================
[This scenelet occurs if Sneff is addressed while Guile is
in the party. Note that, because Magus sticks to Serge like
glue, this means that he's also in the party.]
Sneff:
This can't be...!
Are you the rising star off
the Magic Guild, Guile...!?
What are you doing in
a place like this!?
Iff you're looking ffor work,
I've got some great connections!
Guile:
Hmph...
I have no interest in
simple hand tricks...
I seek only enigma
beyond human perception...
Sneff:
Nuff!
Every magic has a trick! That's
what makes it interesting!
Magus:
You're an ignorant fool.
Magic is neither a trick nor an
amusement for the credulous.
Sneff:
Didn't your mothers ever teach
either off you any manners?
Serge:
Uh, Sneff? Don't provoke him.
Sneff:
Why not? He's just some pufffed-
up Mystic.
Serge:
Because this guy can take out
a hydra all by himself. If you
get on his nerves, he might blow
a hole in the ship and leave us
all to swim home. (And that's
if we're lucky!)
Magus:
Hmph. Don't worry--I have no
intention of wasting my energies
on this sorry specimen. It's
merely that it pains me to see
the depths to which the human
race has fallen since Zeal
plummeted from the sky.
Sneff:
Nuff! You talk as though you
think you're the great Magus!
Guile:
He is.
Sneff:
He's certainly pulled the wool
over your eyes! But I'll be
surprised iff he's able to
keep it up ffor long. No human
is capable off the stufff Magus
is supposed to have done.
Serge:
(I wonder if he realizes that
contradicts what he said about
Magus being a Mystic. You can't
have it both ways...)
===========================================================
Arni (Home)
===========================================================
Starky:
Where did youu
catch this fish?
[Man]
Oh, this here sawfish?
I caught it near the
El Nido Triangle.
Why do you want to know?
By the way, shorty,
you alright with that
fish bowl over your head?
Your face is all blue.
Starky:
Noo problem foor Starky.
Blue is fiine with mee.
[Man]
But...
Serge:
There's nothing wrong with
him, Kyl--trust me. That's
just his normal skin colour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge is in his own body]
[Kyl]
Um... Okay, Serge, if you
say so.
Serge:
(I guess it isn't his fault--
he just hasn't been exposed to
enough Weird to take it in
stride.)
Starky:
Doon't try this at
hoome, thoough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge is still Lynx]
[Kyl]
Hey, how did you know my
name?!
Serge:
(Oh, hell, I keep forgetting...)
Sorry, but it would be too hard
to explain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Starky:
If youu caught it neear
the El Nido Triiangle,
then that thing insiide
must bee miine.
Starky:
Can Starky taake
back what's miine?
[Kyl]
There's something inside
that thing?
Serge:
(How else did he think
it grew to be this size?!)
[Kyl]
Well, if it's yours,
be my guest.
[System]
Starky received
Plasma Pistol!
Starky:
Starky am suppoosed to
saay something graateful,
coorrect?
Youu are welcome.
[Man]
Hey, you have great
manners, shorty.
But that's my line.
Just a thanks will do.
There aren't too many
like you these days.
I wish kids would be
more courteous like you.
[System]
Starky also learned
Thanks!
But who cares?
Right...?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge is still Lynx]
[Kyl]
That Serge, now...he never says
"thank you". I don't know what
Marge is thinking, letting him
get away with that.
Serge:
(It isn't because I don't want
to, it's because Leena keeps
hauling me away before I can!
Of course, she can get away with
it...everyone cuts her more
slack because she's a girl.
Sometimes it drives me nuts.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Starky, they don't say "thank
you" where you come from?
(Wherever THAT is.)
Starky:
Staarky's peeople use the saame
word for giving and receeiving.
Having two different things to
saay is confusing.
Serge:
Um, okay, whatever.
===========================================================
Hydra Marshes (Another)
===========================================================
[Note: I didn't bother hunting down video for this section,
so branches and stage directions may be a bit off.]
[The party enters the area where the Beeba attacks them in
Hydra Marsh (Home) and sees a Beeba being picked on by a
couple of goblins.]
Glenn: | Nikki: | Luccia:
So dishonourable, to | That's weird--are | Interesting...
send several fighters | they fighting? And | Dere has been little
to attack someone who | two against one? | study done on de
is alone...but I | That is really not | behaviour patterns of
suppose honour has | cool. | de monsters here...
little meaning for | | I did not know dey
monsters. | | fought amongst demselves.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Grobyc: | Skelly:
Arr, what be happenin'? | They-attack-two-on- | Hey, what do those two
Looks like those two | one. The-yellow- | think they're doin'?
have it in for the | creature-must-be | Two against one isn't
other one... | strong. | funny!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Serge:
I DIDN'T KNOW THE | What's going on there?
MONSTERS HERE FOUGHT | (It almost looks like those
AMONGST THEMSELVES. | monsters are fighting each
HOW BIZARRE. | other...I don't get it.)
Serge:
The question is, should we
step in to help the one
who's getting beaten up?
~~~Help it | ~~~It's just a monster...
|
Serge: | Serge:
(It might be a bit silly, | (Let's face it--if we save
but I'm not happy seeing | it now, we'll probably just
even a monster get beaten | end up having to kill it
up like that...) | later.)
|
| [Scene ends]
[Presumably, the party performs some action at this point which causes
the goblins to become aware of them]
[SnobGoblin]
What be a human doin' here?
[SnibGoblin]
It don't matter!
They be our enemy, just
like that other one!
Let's get 'em!
This be our forest!
Serge:
Sorry, but we couldn't just
stand around and watch you
beat up on someone, even if
he is another monster. It's
funny, though--I would have
thought you guys were all
friends.
[SnobGoblin]
What you be lookin' at?
[SnibGoblin]
He be not one of us.
And neither be you!
We be finishin' him off later!
[Combat. When the player wins...]
BubbaBeeba:
Thank you for helping me.
You beeba brave.
This beeba a token of
my appreciation.
It beeba '"Ancient Fruit,"' which
grows in Ancient Ground.
[System]
[Member] received
Ancient Fruit.
BubbaBeeba:
I don't know if that beeba
to your liking, but that
fruit beeba tasting good.
If you run out, don't
beeba-fraid to ask for more.
I have plenty and I owe
you one for helping me.
Serge:
Um... Okay, thanks. (But I
think I'd have to be pretty
hungry to eat this! Fruits
with spiky bits always kind
of make me wonder when they're
going to attack me...)
===========================================================
Empty Tree, Hydra Marshes (Another)
===========================================================
[I would assume this scenelet occurs only if the standard
Save Kid path was taken after Viper Manor, and the Hydra
killed. Again, I'm too damned lazy to see if I can find any
video.]
[Dwarf]
Humans...mankind...
~ ...This forest...is dead... ~
~
~ Our Hydra...perished... ~
~ Our hatred...of mankind ~
~
Listen to the planet's woes...
~
~~~~ Humans... ~~~~
Serge:
(I still don't know if killing
the Hydra was really the right
thing to do. Letting the forest
die or letting...Kid die...
maybe neither was really right.
But there's no way to change the
past.)
Let's get going. There's nothing
we can do here.
===========================================================
Viper Manor (Home)
===========================================================
[Requires the Dario sidequest to have been completed.
Remodelling of the ruined manor has begun. If the party drops
by without Dario, but with one of the other Dragoons (that is,
Glenn, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, or Radius)...]
Dario:
Hmmm...
Well, I did say I would
open the doors to all the
children who lost their parents
during this past struggle...
However, this remodeling job
is a little too...
Riddel:
We have to bear
in mind that children
will be living here.
Why not officially make
this place into an orphanage?
Karsh: | Glenn: | Marcy:
Whaat?! An ORPHANAGE? | An orphanage... | So you, like, think
That's crazy...which | Brother, tell me | you can look after a
means that you should | what I can do to | couple of hundred
just jump in and do it | help. | brats all by yourselves?
without thinkin' too | | ...Why not? Give it a
hard! If it's you two, | | shot. Just don't come
it'll work out. | | crying to me for help
| | if it looks like you've
| | bitten off more than you
| | can chew!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Zoah:
Oh-hoh! An excellent | AN ORPHANAGE... WELL,
idea! The mansion is | WITH THIS WORLD'S
certainly of no further | GENERAL VIPER AND LADY
value as a fortress... | RIDDEL GONE, DARIO HAS
If you need help, come | THE GREATEST RIGHT TO
to Arni and I'll give | DECIDE WHAT SHOULD BE
you some pointers! | DONE WITH THE PROPERTY,
| AS THE SENIOR SURVIVING
| DRAGOON.
Riddel:
Good, then--it's
settled!
Serge:
(Heh. Poor Dario. The look
on his face...I guess Riddel
is his Leena.)
===========================================================
Arni (Another)
===========================================================
[This can only take place after Serge has gotten his own body
back. If the party approaches the gateway leading to the chief's
hut and its environs, Serge stops, cups his hands around his
mouth, and tips his head back.]
Serge:
HEY, LEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNAAAAA!
[villager blocking the gate]
What the--?!
[Leena]
Out of my way, if you know
what's good for you!
[The villager quickly moves aside, and Leena steps through into
the main part of the village. She stops opposite Serge and plants
her hands on her hips.]
Leena:
Well, you certainly took your
own sweet time getting back
here!
[Serge rubs the back of his head.]
Serge:
Um...sorry. (Argh, I should have
stayed away.) Would it help if I
I've been worrying about you?
[Leena looks away for a moment]
Leena:
Hmm... Well, maybe a little.
[She turns back to face him again.]
Leena:
Well, what are we waiting for?
Let's go! I've been cooped up
here ever since I got back, and
now I want to get out and give
Lynx some payback!
[System]
Leena rejoins your party!
Serge:
(It doesn't matter whether it's
my world or this one--Leena is
always the same.)
And that's it, folks. Next time we will (finally) go on to chapter 24.
-
<3 Good stuff!
'owever:
Serge:
Um...sorry. (Argh, I should have
stayed away.) Would it help if I
I've been worrying about you?
"I I've" is maybe too many I's.
-
Argh, how did that happen? It should be "Would it help if I said I've..."
-
Toughest. Chapter. Yet. It was one of the longer ones to begin with, and riddled with infodump
monologues that I needed to break up at least a little, which meant that I ended up expanding
it to half again its original length. Posting will take place in four parts.
So. Ghosts that talk in short lectures. Magus doing some infodumping of his own, but not quite
managing to take over the chapter because of the way Serge goes ballistic at the end. Did I
mention the infodumps? Sigh. Anyway, this first part is mostly infodumps and people getting
ticked off at FATE, Belthasar, and the ghosts, not necessarily in that order.
24. The Arbiter of Time - On whom the three Fates smile... Part I
Max recruits: Lynx-Serge, (Magus and Guile) OR (Glenn and Nikki), Sprigg,
Radius, Norris, Skelly, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc,
Luccia, Dario, Leena.
Recruitable: None.
===========================================================
Fate Distortion
===========================================================
[When the boat enters one of the hot spots inside the Sea of Eden,
the following text appears]
[Dragon God]
I deem you worthy
of entering the
Sea of Eden...
Let the path be known
for the ones facing fate...
Serge:
(Why are the dragons always
so fascinated with fate? Or...
should that be FATE?)
[The Relics fly out of Serge's hands and splash down in the bright
spot in the water. A column of light shoots up and...]
[System]
PLEASE INSERT DISC 2.
[After the system's ZOAH IMITATION has been dealt with, the light
spreads until the entire screen is white. When it fades, the party
is in the Sea of Eden proper.]
===========================================================
Fate Islands
===========================================================
[The three fate islands (Past, Present, and Future) are pretty
similar to one another. Each takes the form of a plaza with a
statue looming over it and something that looks like a Record
of Fate floating at the center of the plaza. When the party
examines the floating thing, text appears, slightly different
depending on the island.]
Atropos - Cutting the thread of life | Lachesis - Measuring the thread of life
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clotho - Spinning the thread of life
Serge: [upon seeing his first inscription]
(Well, whatever. I guess it
must have meant something to
the people who wrote it here.)
[On the first two islands, the floating thing then flies away into
the distance. If the party has reached the third island, the two
floaters from the other islands fly in instead, and the three do
a kind of, er, Triforce dance as a voice speaks out of nowhere.]
[?]
Art thou worthy of accepting fate...?
Serge:
ACCEPTING it? I don't care
whether it's fate or FATE that
you're talking about--either
way, I'm going to make it wish
it had stayed out of my life!
I'm getting tired of being
pushed around.
[The three floaters merge into a monster.]
Magus: | Luccia: | Grobyc:
Hmph. Another puny | Anodder monster? | Grobyc-does-not-care-why-it-
obstacle. What a | Vas dis intended | is-attacking. If-this-is-a-
waste of time. | as a test? | test, we-will-pass-it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Starky: | Marcy:
Another monster? | Staarky thinks | Did they, like, have a problem
Guess I'd better | this is not a very | with door-to-door salespeople
get my axe ready! | civiliized guardian. | around here or something?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Sprigg: | Guile:
Arr, Lynx must have | Lynx must 'ave taken | It is something of a mystery how
set this guardian | special painz to leave | Lynx could have passed through
on us as a test! | this in one piece so it | here without destroying this
| could get in our way! | creature.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Zoah: | Leena:
Is this a test set | IS THIS A TEST FROM THE | Well, Serge, you still know how
by those who built | FUTURE, OR DID LYNX SET | to show a girl a good time!
this place? | IT UP? |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | [Yes, I now need 11-13 alternates for every [Member]
Is this some sort | line. Argh.]
of test? |
[Combat. When the party wins, the island shakes for a moment.
Chronopolis is now accessible.]
===========================================================
Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[Plaque on statue in entryway]
Chronopolis Military Research Center
'"May there be everlasting peace
~for the children of the world."'
~~~~~2400 A.D.
Magus: [if present]
How very naive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party approaches the two benches to the
right of the statue, they overhear the two ghosts
there having the following conversation...]
[Ghost]
I heard group 3B's experiment
today is going to be a biggie.
They're releasing the Flame's
lock-level to D in order to trace
the counter-time effect...
[Ghost]
Yeah, but based on previous
experiments, I'm sure it'll
work out just fine.
During their simulation,
FATE guaranteed that they
would be able to use the
Flame as an up-link to
extract the anti-annihilation
energy associated with it.
Don't worry, it'll be a success.
[Ghost]
I hope so...
Serge:
("Counter-time effect"? "Anti-
annihilation energy"? What the
heck are they talking about?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[And speaking to one of the ghosts on the
entryway benches after having elicited the
first dialogue produces this...]
[Ghost]
Once we're done with today's
experiment, we have that long
awaited 3 week vacation.
I'm heading back to Zenan
to spend time with my family.
My daughter's birthday is
coming up, you know.
[Ghost]
You're from Medina, right?
I've been on this island
for a year and a half now.
Man, I've had enough.
Aside from the man-made island
with this research center,
there isn't a single island
in the sea of El Nido.
[Ghost]
Once we're able to counter
time successfully at will, we'll
have full control over time.
We'll find out soon enough.
[Ghost]
You said it.
I can't believe we've
come this far...
Serge:
Wait a minute--"not a single
island"? But there are lots
of islands here!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
There are now, but in the
original timeline where the
world fell to Lavos, only Gaia's
Navel existed in this part of
the ocean. I flew over the area
more than once, and saw no other
land. The remaining islands must
be artificial, just like the one
on which we're now standing.
Serge:
(I'm not about to say it to him,
but the whole idea gives me a
funny feeling, like the islands
are going to collapse out from
under us...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is not present, someone else has to chime in
with less definitive information...]
Sprigg: | Norris: | Starky:
One of them just said | If they were able | Maaking iislands isn't
something about a | to manufacture one | difficult. Staarky thinks
"man-made island". | island, I see no | they just built a few
Maybe there'z more | reason why more would | more big piiles of rock.
than one...? | not have been possible. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Fargo: | Leena:
Ve can construct | Arr, how many boatloads | They must have dumped a
islands even now. | of rock would ye need | whole bunch of big rocks
Dey are simply big | to build just one | in the water, like we did
lumps of dirt and | island? Must have taken | in Arni when they were
rock, after all. | them years to move it all! | lengthening the dock.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Karsh: | Dario:
An artificial | Ah, who cares where the | I know that the footings of
archipelago... It | islands came from--they're | some of the towers in Guldove
would have needed an | here now, and that's all | were constructed by dumping
incredible amount of | we need to worry about! | rock into the ocean, but the
work. | | sheer scale of this...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy: | Zoah:
So these guys, like, | SO EL NIDO IS MAN-MADE TOO...
BUILT El Nido?! No | THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT REQUIRED
WAY! | MUST HAVE BORDERED ON THE INSANE.
Serge:
(Argh, I don't even want
to think about it!)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[I expect this is the final bit of dialogue from
the same ghosts]
[Ghost]
Just leave it in FATE's hands.
Don't worry, it'll succeed.
[Ghost]
It's almost time for work.
Gotta get back into work mode.
Serge:
(FATE again... Do they all
believe in that thing?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Docks, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[Chief--if they speak to him before going upstairs?]
Perhaps what we are
doing is wrong?
If this experiment succeeds,
we will be able to control time.
We will have complete control over
history and, in a sense, become
a presence, much like god...
If so, what meaning is there
to the history of mankind?
But it's too late, now...
We can't afford to fail
in this experiment.
If, for some reason, anything
goes wrong, the anti-annihilation
energy will probably overwhelm us.
Who knows what the
consequences may be?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
I wonder--did Belthasar feed
them this garbage, or did they
come up with it on their own?
Controlling time--what nonsense!
Guile: | Sprigg: | Serge:
You sound very certain, and | 'ow can you be | (Oh, no, here we go again.)
yet I had thought that the | so sure? | I thought you said that
action of time was an | | Belthasar was a genius. Maybe
unfathomable mystery. | | he really did know a way to
| | control time.
[Magus shakes his head]
Magus:
First of all, Belthasar may be
brilliant, but time was not his
primary area of study, and I
have yet to see any evidence
that Gaspar, the Guru of Time,
was working with him.
And secondly, I have some idea
of how much energy the Frozen
Flame has at its disposal, and
how much is needed to move
something through time, so I
can say definitively that trying
to control time with the Flame
would be like attempting to
restrain you by binding you
hand and foot with a spiderweb.
The power just isn't there.
Sending this island back through
time to the era of the Fall of
Zeal would have been close to
the limit of what the Flame
would be able to accomplish.
Serge:
So you're saying that...
Magus:
That either Belthasar was
mistaken--which I doubt--or
everyone at this facility was
duped by him. It's all part of
his PLAN, whatever that may be.
[Purple lightning crackles around Magus' hands for a moment.]
Serge:
(Whoa!) Uh, Magus...
Magus:
After I get that old buzzard to
tell me WHY he's doing this, I'm
going to wring his scrawny neck.
Serge:
Um...okay, but...careful with
the lightning, okay? There's no
telling what it could do in a
place like this.
Norris: [if present]
We have already seen what it
does to electrical equipment.
Magus:
It won't hit anything I don't
want it to.
Serge:
(I wish I dared tell him that
that's exactly what I'm worried
about...)
===========================================================
Level 2 Lab, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[The ghost at the back of the room says this.]
[Ghost-1st speech]
Where was the lock release
for the elevator again?
My mind's been blanking
out lately...
Serge:
(Well, at least now we know
there IS a release...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they talk to it again, it says this...]
[Ghost-2nd speech]
By the way...
I saw a boy and a flashy-
looking chick touching
that panel...
Serge:
!
Lynx and...Kid?
Norris/Dario/Glenn/Radius: | Zoah: | Luccia:
It could also be Harle. | "FLASHY" SOUNDS | Ve do not have enough
| MORE LIKE HARLE. | data to say for certain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
I wouldn't say that Kid | You are reading | I hope you're right and she's
is "flashy". Not with a | too much into this | okay, but this isn't really
chest like that! | ghost's words. | enough to tell us for sure.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skelly: | Sprigg: | Marcy:
Kid, flashy? Well, | For all 'er red | I dunno. Kid's a loudmouth,
maybe, but it's kind of | clothez, Kid izn't | but "flashy"? It sounds more
a funny way to describe | that "flashy". I'd | like that stupid harlequin.
a professional thief! | say it wuz 'Arle. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grobyc: |
Grobyc-thinks-"flashy"-is- |
a-weak-identifier. |
Serge:
Hey, you!
[Serge tries to touch the ghost's arm, but his hand passes
right through it and it ignores him.]
Serge:
Does anyone have any idea how
to get this thing's attention?
I want to ask it about what it
saw.
Magus: | Norris: | Sprigg:
I doubt it's possible. | I do not think they | Sorry, Serge-us, but
They seem to be half-in | are entirely aware | they don't seem to
and half-out of Time, | of us, sir. This was | think that we're quite
possibly due to the | clearly meant to be | real. Gettin' them to
accident that threw them | a secure facility-- | pay attention to us
back into the past. In | they should be more | iz probably impossible.
fact, I'm surprised they | concerned about a |
react to our presence | group of strangers |
at all. | wandering around. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Fargo: | Leena: [waving her hand in
Dey seem to be aware of | I'd offer to keelhaul | ghost's face]
us, and yet...not. | the thing, but I get | Hello? HeLLO?!...
I suspect dis is an | the feeling it | I'm not sure it can even
intractable problem. | wouldn't notice. | tell we're here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Skelly: | Starky:
Normally, I'd just hit | That was supposed to | Staarky thinks it would
it over the head, but | be a joke, right? I | bee liike getting the
my fist would probably | mean, look at that | attentiion of a holoogram.
go right through. | thing! It's deader | It cannot bee done.
| than I am! |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grobyc: | Dario: | Nikki:
Grobyc-thinks-it-will- | I understand how you | HEY! Hey, YOU, the glowy-
not-notice-even-the- | feel, Serge, but I | ghost thing!
strongest-attack. | do not think you can | ...I don't think it can
| do anything here that | hear us, and we can't touch
| will bring you closer | it, so I don't see what's
| to saving her. | left. Sorry, Serge.
Serge:
DAMN! I... I need... If Kid
was here... (I really want
to know if she's all right.
Is Lynx still controlling her?
I need to KNOW.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Speaking to the ghost standing on the
corner of the map of El Nido on the floor
activates this. Initially, the map shows
a Sea of El Nido containing only Chronopolis
and Gaea's Navel.]
[Ghost]
Originally, El Nido was
nothing but ocean.
The El Nido Archipelago
is purely artificial,
created by FATE.
Serge:
(They really are fake islands?!
It seems like a lot of trouble
to go to...)
[Ghost]
It was a remodeling plan that
took place 10,000 years ago.
A plan to include islands, blessed
with nature, in the sea of El Nido.
The main island of El Nido,
Earth Dragon Isle, Water Dragon Isle,
Black Dragon Isle...
The development of Elements,
using the energy of the
natural world...
The distribution of memory
terminal devices called the
Records of Fate that could
survey and guide
people's lives...
The research center staff, who
had their memories of the future
erased, left the center, and began
a life outside amidst nature.
This is how FATE's paradise
came into existence.
[The ghost pushes a button on the console on the
left side of the room, and the rest of the islands
appear on the map.]
[Ghost]
And for over 10,000 years,
FATE has been watching over and
guiding the descendants of the
staff who left this research center.
Everything was in pefect harmony.
That is, until 14 years ago,
when a boy came into contact with
the Flame on the night of the storm.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Magus:
Heh. It's odd--I thought I was
the only person who would have
the gall to create a hell and
then claim it was Paradise.
Serge:
Calling El Nido "paradise" IS
a bit much...but I don't think
it's hell, either.
Magus:
Then you weren't listening.
El Nido was created as a cage
for human laboratory rats.
Serge:
(I kind of see where he's
coming from--getting pushed
around by the Records of Fate
isn't my idea of fun either--
but I still think he's
exaggerating.)
Maybe FATE was just trying to
keep us safe--guiding us so
that we avoided doing anything
too stupid.
Sprigg: | Radius: | Norris:
Funny--I'd 'ave sworn | A child is guided by | Sir, my experience with
you were too old to | its parents...but you | giving orders suggests
want to be treated like | would not try to apply | that men must be given
a little kid. | that guidance to an | more freedom than FATE
| adult! No, I think Janus | offers the people of
| may have the right idea | these islands. Otherwise,
| about this, however | they rebel.
| little we may like it. |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Fargo: | Leena:
That's why I never pay | If I'd have listened to | I don't know, Serge.
any attention to the | FATE, I'd have made up | When I visited the Arni
Records. I don't want | with that old goat Viper | in your world, everyone
someone to bail me out | and ended up like that | seemed...happier, somehow.
of trouble--I wanna | useless lump of blubber | If FATE's trying to look
fight my way out on | from yer world, Serge. | after us, I don't think
my own! | | it's doing a very good job.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Zoah: | Dario:
Or FATE may have odder | OR IT MIGHT JUST WANT US | If FATE could keep everyone in
priorities which have | TO BE QUIET AND STAY OUT | El Nido safe and happy, the
not'ing to do wit' our | OF ITS WAY WHILE IT DOES | Acacia Dragoons would never
best interests. | SOMETHING ELSE. | have been formed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guile: | Skelly:
While I can only speak | Seems to me that if FATE
for myself, I know that | just wants something that
I would not trade my | does as it's told, it wants
freedom for safety. | robots, not people.
Serge:
Okay, okay, I give in!
But still... I don't think El
Nido's turned out quite the
way FATE planned.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is not present...]
Serge:
(That again... I wish people
would stop telling me that
everything is more-or-less my
fault! It's almost enough to
make me wish I'd died in the
storm that night...)
(Well, no. That isn't really
true. It's just that I keep
thinking I've unravelled it all,
found the end, and figured out
how to fix everything, and then
someone else comes along and
tells me that there's more...
I don't want there to be more!
Beating up on Lynx was supposed
to be The End, but I have a
feeling that it's really just
another step on the way to...
wherever. Damn it all.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Lockers, Level 2, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Upon examining the case at the right end of
the room, if Grobyc is in the party...]
Grobyc:
This-cannot-be...
This-is-the-ancient-super
weapon-that-was-in
development-in-Porre.
But-what-is-it-doing-here?
It-looks-complete.
Serge:
(Huh? if it's ancient, why was
Porre trying to develop it...?
No, wait, I get it: they must
have found it, or part of it,
and tried to fix it. Which
means...) Could it have come
from here originally?
Grobyc:
Grobyc-is-not-certain. Perhaps.
The-important-thing-is-that-
Grobyc-can-use-this.
[System]
Received Grobyc's
StrongArm!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Grobyc is not present, but Norris is...]
Norris:
This is...!
StrongArm!
Norris:
I thought I destroyed
it when I caused the
explosion in the lab...
In any case, the only
one who can operate
this is Grobyc.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Luccia is also present...]
Luccia:
Vait. YOU caused de explosion
dat destroyed my brodder's lab?
Norris:
It is past time that I came
clean about the matter, I
suppose. Yes, I caused that
explosion, although I certainly
never intended for Aleiki to
be inside at the time.
Luccia:
And yet... You killed him.
Killed my brodder.
[Norris bows his head.]
Norris:
I was trying to save him, and
Porre.
Luccia:
Save him by killing him?!
Dat is nonsense!
Norris:
I only meant to destroy the
lab. It had to be done before
Aleiki finished reconstructing
the StrongArm. You...never saw
the orders, Luccia--and I wasn't
supposed to either. No one
outside the High Command was
supposed to know what they meant
to do until it was too late.
Luccia:
...
Norris:
One way or another, you and
Aleiki would have been
separated. They meant to fake
his death so that they could
send him to another facility
without anyone finding out.
They wanted an army of Grobycs,
each with his own individual
superweapon.
Luccia:
Aleiki vould not have--
Norris:
They didn't mean to offer him
a choice. The other half of the
orders...called for you to be
held hostage against his good
behaviour. I think he would
have chosen death rather than
let them do that. He cared for
you deeply, Luccia.
[Luccia looks away.]
Luccia:
...Da.
Vell, ve cannot change de past.
I do not know if I vill ever be
able to forgive you, Norris, but
ve vill discuss it some odder
time.
Norris:
Very well.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Norris is not present, but Luccia is...]
Luccia:
I cannot believe dis...!
It is an ancient super veapon.
I do recall my brotter
talking about dis.
...About a super veapon that vas
excavated near an ancient ruin.
According to him, dere vere not
enough parts to complete it,
but dis shows othervise.
Serge:
Maybe there really weren't
enough parts with the one he
saw--I mean, if it came from
here originally, it might have
been 10000 years old! (Or
maybe... No, Serge, focus: you
don't need to get your brain all
tangled up with time travel
stuff along with everything
else.)
Can we use it?
Luccia:
Dis vould have been
Grobyc's exclusive veapon.
I must bring Grobyc here.
Serge:
(Grobyc... Okay. Still, it would
have been nice to be able to
just blow Lynx away with that...
whatzit.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If none of the three people mentioned above
is in the party, we get the following...]
[System]
There's a mysterious being inside.
Serge:
(What is that...?!)
Serge: [If Luccia has been recruited]
(It looks like the sort of thing
Luccia would like. Maybe I'll
bring her here to have a look.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And tomorrow...more fascinating infodumps! (Excuse me while I go hide my head.)
-
Serge:
(Grobyc... Okay. Still, it would
have been nice to be able to
just blow Lynx away with that...
whatzit.)
They need to make sure that 10000 years old thing won't blow up in their hands.
-
They need to make sure that 10000 years old thing won't blow up in their hands.
If we go by... I think it's one of those from that list of RPG cliches...?
Anyway: The more ancient = greater chances of it working. :lol:
-
Alternatively, Serge may have believed that Luccia would be able to understand it
well enough to know if it was going to go bang or not.
Anyway, more infodumps. And Magus talks a bit about Chrono Trigger.
24. The Arbiter of Time - On whom the three Fates smile... Part II
===========================================================
Level 3 East Lab, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[Each segment occurs if the party speaks to the
correct ghost...]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost in left-rear corner]
Memory scanning and
rewriting is not that
difficult a thing.
As a matter of fact, it
is possible to simulate
the thoughts and feelings
of each individual.
These are all just electric
signals that flow around
the circuitry of the brain,
after all.
The vessels of flesh can
be reproduced through
cloning...
And the '"soul"'
stored within these
fleshly vessels can
be simulated as well...
Serge:
(Except that I always thought
that the point of a soul is that
it can't be faked or copied...
Maybe that's why the people in
the world where the Records of
Fate still work seem to not be
quite as happy as the ones in
my world--they could make people
do what they wanted them to do,
but they couldn't make those
forced actions be satisfying.)
(...My brain is starting to
hurt again.)
[Ghost in left-rear corner]
Thus, one could even go so
far as to say that death
itself no longer exists.
Of course the expiration
of an individual being,
as a variation within the
species, still occurs.
Overall, we can reverse the
old maxim and say that where
there is no death there will
be life...
Serge:
(So do people die in their
world, or don't they? It all
sounds like garbage to me.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost at rear-centre console]
We control human emotions
by using neurotransmitters.
That means, by manipulating
the nerve transmitters inside
their brains, it's possible to
control the feelings and even
the personalities of humans.
FATE uses the Records of Fate
to connect directly to the
brains of the humans with
whom they come into contact.
FATE not only imprints what
actions the humans should
take into their brains, but
also rewrites their
personalities and feelings.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is not in the party]
Serge:
Am I the only one who thinks
that sounds creepy?
Fargo: | Sprigg: | Luccia:
Arr... If we're only | Always did 'ate | It sounds as though it
what FATE makes us, we | people who liked | vould be most efficient...
might as well be dead! | runnin' otherz | but unpleasant for the subject.
| livez. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris/Radius/Glenn/Dario: | Leena/Skelly/Marcy: | Karsh:
You are not. | It does sound... | Hell, no, you ain't the only
| icky. | one who thinks that!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is in the party]
Magus:
I cannot believe that Belthasar
would work with these people.
Even he could not have forgotten
that it was human will that
saved the world from Lavos.
Does he truly think these...
mechanical toys...are an
acceptable substitute?
Guile: | Serge:
It is difficult to fathom that | Maybe he just didn't
man's motives. However, he may | talk to them about it?
just not have mentioned that he | (And doesn't THAT sound
thought the people of the future | lame!)
were fools. |
Magus:
Hmph. Perhaps. But it feels as
though he is taking a
tremendous risk, and I still
don't understand what prize
would be worth it.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost in right-rear corner]
The life-forms on this planet
developed from single-celled
microorganisms to protozoans...
Then from fish to amphibians...
from reptiles to mammals...
and eventually to humans.
Beginning with a cerebral
neocortex, which only
exists in higher mammals...
The anthropod brain enlarged
at an accelerating pace until it
became the human brain we know.
Could the reason for the
abnormal development of the
human brain be the biological
contamination caused by Lavos?
That would mean that humans are
really a heterogeneous life-form,
or '"foreign matter,"' as far as
the planet is concerned.
Humans are a sudden mutation
caused by the contact with
Lavos -- an alien life-form that
fell to this planet from space.
That is why humans are,
biologically speaking,
unbalanced and half-finished.
Serge:
So if this Lavos thing had never
come along, we would be...like
Leah? Or just monkeys?
Magus: [if present]
Leah's people already existed
when Lavos fell, although they
were being hunted to extinction
by the Reptites. So if Lavos
hadn't fallen, chances are that
you wouldn't be here asking that
question. Or perhaps you would
be a Reptite--altering the past
can have unpredictable, and
sometimes bizarre, results.
[Ghost in right-rear corner]
Internally inconsistent and
disconnected, the human
existence is plagued by
contradictions.
An incomplete species,
torn between love and hatred,
whose very being is self-
contradictory.
From the planet's viewpoint,
humans are just destroyers
and a cursed, yet perhaps
pathetic, blight on the world.
Serge:
(...Are we really that bad?)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
Hmph. Ignorant fool.
Serge:
(Weird--I would have expected
him to be the last person to say
that. I mean, usually HE's the
one being a downer.)
What do you mean?
Magus:
Bastard stepchildren we may be,
but when we went after Lavos,
the planet, or perhaps its
spirit, actually went out of
its way to HELP us...or so one
of my comrades speculated.
Although I grant that it might
just have been that it needed
a dangerous tool to accomplish
a dangerous task.
Serge:
Like you can't gut a fish with
a spoon, so you have to use a
knife, even if it's sharp and
you could cut yourself?
Magus:
Not the analogy I would have
chosen, but yes.
Serge:
(So what happens if the planet
doesn't need us anymore?)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Level 3 West Lab, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Computer panel to left of door]
The DNA records are
poems and music...
Adenine and Thymine...
Guanine and Cytosine...
Rythym and Melody...
Perhaps the DNA of the ones
who make contact with the
Flame is recomposed by the
sound they generate within?
I wonder if life-forms are
just dreaming in an endless
flow of music?
Marcy: | Nikki: | Luccia:
And I, like, wonder | So all life is | An interesting vay of
if the people who | made of music? | regarding de matter.
built this place | Sounds right to me! | A shame I cannot talk
were crazy! | | vith dese people.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Serge:
I think the guy who | (Was that supposed to make
wrote that just | sense? Well, okay, it was
liked confusing | talking about the Flame
people. | doing...something, but...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Computer at rear of room]
~
~
~~~~ -- LAVOS -- ~~~~
~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An extraterrestrial life-form
that is thought to have
fallen from the heavens
65 million years ago.
On the time line that existed
before history was changed,
Lavos was assumed to have
slept deep below the planet's
surface...
Sleeping and consuming the
planet's energy up until the
day of destruction known as
the '"Apocalypse."'
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Serge:
Janus... So this is
the thing you fought?
Magus:
Yes.
Serge:
(Just "yes"? No sarcasm or
nastiness?)
(I think I'm glad that thing's
dead, because if it can scare
HIM...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus isn't there]
Serge:
So this is...the thing those
children we met in the Dead
Sea fought...the thing that
destroyed the world. (And if
I screw up, it's going to
happen again. No pressure,
right?)
[Serge shakes his head as though trying to dislodge something.]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Computer at rear of room]
There are those who believe
that, 12 thousand years ago,
the legendary ancient magical
civilization known as Zeal
came into contact with Lavos.
That fateful encounter is
said to have resulted in
Zeal disappearing from the
surface of the planet within
the space of a single night.
However, the very existence
of the ancient civilization
of Zeal has never been proven,
so up till this day this
theory cannot be confirmed.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Serge:
Did Zeal really disappear
that quickly?
Magus:
More so, if anything. My idiot
ancestors decided it would be
a good idea to build their
civilization on islands that
floated in the sky, supported
by magic. Much later, it was
decided to siphon energy from
Lavos to power most of Zeal's
major spells. When that power
supply was interrupted, the
islands tumbled down into the
ocean and caused tidal waves,
swamping most of the land on
the surface. Hardly anyone
survived.
Serge:
...I'm sorry. (If he's got any
feelings at all, remembering
that has to hurt.)
Magus:
...It was all very long ago.
I was a different person when
I still called Zeal my home.
However, this idiot machine has
inadvertantly told us something
far more interesting.
Guile: [if present]
Indeed.
Serge:
It did? What?
Magus:
Belthasar never told them--ANY
of them--where he came from. If
he had, there would have been
no doubt in their minds that
Zeal once existed. That confirms
that these people were his
dupes, not his allies.
Serge:
So is that good or bad?
Magus:
I can't be certain, but I
would suspect that the
answer is...bad.
Serge:
(Uh-oh.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Computer at rear of room]
On some time lines, Lavos
appeared on the surface of
the planet in the year 1999
and brought the world to
ruins.
However, a group of young
time travelers saw where
their planet's history was
heading and, through their
actions, rewrote time.
This very research facility
exists on that new time line...
In a world where, thanks to
the defeat of Lavos by the
young adventurers, the
Apocalypse never happened...
On a temporal vector where
human civilization continued
to evolve unhampered.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
I wonder what the others would
think of this future... Lucca,
Crono, Marle, Ayla, Robo...
even that damned frog. Is this
truly what we fought for? A
world where humans use machines
to destroy each others' free
will? They must be spinning in
their graves.
Sprigg: | Guile:
Wot kind of future were you | We already distort the free
expectin'? Never would 'ave | will of others by deceiving
thought YOU were naive enough | them... Were you hoping that
to believe in paradise! | humanity would change?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Serge:
If there is one thing I have | (When he puts it that way, it
learned in all my years, it | really is...ugly.)
is that we should not |
underestimate the human |
capacity for evil...or good. |
Serge:
What kind of future were you
all hoping to build, when you
went after Lavos?
Magus:
I was only looking for revenge,
not trying to build a future at
all. The others... I suspect
they may have thought that if
the future went too far off
course, they could change
it again. Or perhaps they simply
believed that anything would be
better than the original future.
They were all young enough to
still be optimistic about their
abilities, and about humanity.
Rather like you, in fact.
Sprigg: | Serge:
Heh, and you were so | So they were around
much older and wizer, | my age, and you
of course. | were...?
Magus:
I was about thirty-five, I
think. Time travel makes it
difficult to calculate with any
exactitude. I could, with equal
validity, say that I am now
thirteen thousand and twenty-
six, that being the number of
years that have elapsed since
my birth.
Serge:
(Never mind my brain hurting--
right now it feels like it's
trying to crawl out of my ears!)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus isn't present]
Serge:
(So if I do screw up and this
Lavos thing comes back, this
place won't exist, which means
that Dad couldn't have brought
me here, which means that I
couldn't have screwed up, and...
Ugh, time travel is complicated!)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Computer at rear of room]
All the data on Lavos that was
obtained from tracing different
parallel world possibilities
has proven to be volatile, with
fluctuating discrepencies.
Perhaps, at this point in time,
it is nearly impossible to
obtain any true information
about Lavos.
Serge:
(I'd be just as happy not to
know anything about it at all!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Computer in right rear corner]
~
~
~~ -- HUMANS & REPTITES -- ~~
~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
65 million years ago, the
Reptites who evolved from
reptiles had developed their
own unique civilization...
This was long before the
ancestors of humans, who
evolved from primates, had
developed their civilization.
Excavations carried out on the
central continent of Zenan have
revealed that the Reptites
already had advanced architectural
skills in the prehistoric era.
But the fall of Lavos to the
planet, and the resulting
Ice Age this brought about,
rang the death knell for the
Reptites and their civilization.
After that the Reptites
slowly disappeared from
the stage of history.
However, in the distant past
humans could have been defeated
in the contest of evolution,
and the Reptites could have
continued to develop...
It is not unthinkable that
such a time line could exist
in other dimensions.
Everything is purely a
problem of possibilities,
and the world is only
stabilized by the viewpoint
of the one who observes it.
Serge:
Reptites... I wonder what they
were like.
Magus: [if present]
Capable of both honour and
viciousness, of creation and
destruction...of good and evil.
In that regard, they were rather
like humans, although they were
more in tune with the planet
than we will ever be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Computer on right side of room]
~~~~~ -- DNA -- ~~~~~
~~ - The Seeds of Life - ~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The human body is made up of
50 to 60 billion cells.
Each of these cells contains
genes in the form of DNA.
These are the fundamental
building blocks that exist
inside the cell's chromosomes.
They store genetic information
that can be passed on from
parent to child.
The structure of DNA is
common throughout all life,
throughout all universes.
Through DNA recombination,
life-forms take on differing
forms with variable abilities.
Luccia: [if present]
And by manipulating de DNA, ve
can do many interesting things--
ohohoho!
Serge:
(I barely understood a word of
any of that. Being a scientist
must be complicated. Once all
of this is over, I think I'll
stick with fish.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Level 4 Lounge, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Presumably, this is what they get if they speak to it
before the foreman-ghost is called up from the basement]
[Ghost]
Only personnel registered
as '"Arbiter"' may enter.
Serge:
("Arbiter"? What the...?)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus has been recruited]
Serge:
(Hey, isn't that...me? But I
guess the ghosts can't tell...)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[And if they talk to it after the foreman-ghost]
[Ghost]
The experiment will begin soon.
Please evacuate to your
designated positions.
We will do the same in
the case of an emergency.
Serge:
(I guess that proves that they
really aren't seeing us. Still,
you have to wonder exactly who
it is that they ARE seeing.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Level 4 East Lab, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[This room has a display...thing...at the centre, and the
ghostly dialogue begins as soon as the party approaches it.]
[Ghost]
Everyone gather around.
Let's see...
In the 11th Century, a scientist
by the name of Lucca indicated the
possibility of time travel through
the use of a '"Time Egg,"' which
utilizes miniature black holes.
Whether this could actually be
possible or not is still the
subject of intense debate and
no conclusions have been made.
Serge:
Kid's Lucca?
Magus: [if present]
Lucca Ashtear, yes, although the
original theory and prototype
Time Egg were developed in Zeal
by Gaspar, the Guru of Time.
And they seem to be conflating
her work on the Gate Key with
her analysis of the Time Egg,
which is not a time travel
device as such.
[Ghost]
According to her theory, by
rotating a single point of
supergravity, space-time
continua can be drawn in...
thus making it possible to
transform that singular point
which pulls in everything else,
into a ring formation.
Using this ring as a Gate
between dimensions, it should
be possible to travel back and
forth between various space-time.
[Ghost]
I've heard that the Time Egg
already existed during the
legendary, ancient dynasty.
[Ghost]
We shouldn't have to rely
on theories from an ancient
civilization that may not
have even existed.
We can do this.
Serge:
(Is it just me, or do a lot of
the ghosts here sound pretty
arrogant?)
[Ghost]
But it's been said that time was
altered using the Time Egg...
[Ghost]
That's just a legend.
There isn't even any
evidence to prove that this
ancient dynasty ever existed.
Serge:
Time...altered?
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
You don't really need a Time Egg
to make most kinds of changes...
time travel alone is sufficient
for that. The Time Egg merely
makes an additional level of
manipulation possible. We used
the prototype to...resurrect
someone, I think.
Serge:
You THINK? (Seems to me that's
something he should remember!)
Guile: [if present]
Another gap?
Magus:
The Arbiter must have been
there. Or my sister. I remember
climbing that damned icy
mountain in the distant future
to reach...what you might call
a weak spot in time... Lucca
activated the Egg, time warped,
and then my mind goes blank.
In any case, it appears that the
people here were trying to
create a Gate--a portal for time
travel--when something went
catastrophically wrong, dumped
this facility into the past, and
created a series of ghost images
of the events immediately before
the disaster.
Serge:
Do you still think this is all
Belthasar's fault?
Magus:
Of course it is. Even if he
didn't encourage them, he also
doesn't seem to have attempted
to stop them, and he certainly
would have had that power.
Serge:
(...Yeah, I guess he would.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Ghost]
The experiment should
be starting soon.
After we discovered an unusual
gravitational field in this
barren sea of El Nido we built
several artificial islands and
established Chronopolis.
Serge:
(So that's why they
set up here!)
[Ghost]
This was all done to facilitate
our top secret research.
But now, our research is
about to come to its end.
Once the final adjustments
are made, the experiment will
commence.
It's just a matter of time...
so everyone should keep up
their good work!
[Ghost]
The chief hasn't returned yet.
[Ghost]
He hasn't...?
Then, we'll have to hold
off until he gets back.
Norris: | Luccia: | Serge:
Interesting. We must be | Vhat I vould not | (So they started a meeting
seeing this in real-time, | give to be able | without having everyone they
as it occurred. I wonder | to question dese | needed there? I guess even
why. | ghosts! | scientists can be dumb sometimes!)
[Ghost]
To think that time is not
absolute, but elastic...
Relative and subjective...
That there can be individual
differences caused by changes
in time...
Perhaps the same people and
life-forms can even exist in
several different space-times.
An independent time that flows
with a will of its own...?
Hah... What nonsense...
Magus: | Luccia: | Serge:
And yet either time, or | Nonsense indeed! | (Time with a mind of
something out there | Dey must be mad | its own... Yeah, I
controlling it, is indeed | to have even | could believe that.)
capable of acting of its | considered such |
own accord. | a t'ing! |
| |
It's odd how scientists | |
always seem to be so | |
uncomfortable with such | |
ideas. The more I see of | |
such, the more I realize | |
how exceptional Lucca was. | |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party goes 'round afterwards and
speaks to the ghosts...]
[Ghost on left side]
We're conducting a simulation
of phase metastasis.
Luccia: [if present]
Hmmm... Very interesting.
Serge:
(A simulation of...what?
I don't get it.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost on right side]
The lost, ancient magic
civilization of Zeal...
If it really did exist,
someone may have even
traveled through time
to this period.
Magus: | Serge:
And two of us did. | (I can't seem to figure out
A shame you were | whether they're fascinated with
too blind to notice. | this "Zeal" place, or they hate
| it. Maybe both?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost at rear]
This research center was
established under the utmost
secrecy by the central regime.
Norris: [if present]
Their "central regime" sounds
rather like our High Command.
Serge:
(I really don't like the idea
of a...government?...that could
completely hide something this
big.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost in right-rear corner]
We may appear to be a
military research center,
but we're actually conducting
research on '"time."'
Serge:
(Um, I think we got that part.)
Tomorrow: More infodumps! Also, the party finally makes it as far as Project KID, and
Magus tells Serge what a "Chrono Trigger" is...sort of.
-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost in right-rear corner]
We may appear to be a
military research center,
but we're actually conducting
research on '"time."'
Serge:
(Um, I think we got that part.)
[/pre]
XD I said the same thing when I read that. They just spent the last thousand NPCs' lines going on about time travel and manipulation... >_<
-
Yeah, that line always struck me as being due to Square Intern #3744 having
run out of ideas for NPC lines. >_<;;
Anyway, Radical Dreamers, FATE hate, and Magus on Time Bastard (sort of)...
24. The Arbiter of Time - On whom the three Fates smile... Part III
===========================================================
Docks, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[If they return to the basement docks after seeing the dialogue
up on the top floor, and speak to the Chief's ghost, this
transpires...]
[Chief]
The Time Research Lab, which
served as the foundation of
this research center,
appeared out of nowhere in the
year 2300 and was headed up
by the scientific genius,
Belthasar.
However, at the peak of his
career, he simply vanished.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
And apparently dropped back into
the eleventh century in order to
tinker with the destiny of a
fisherman, abandoning his
creation here in the process.
The more I hear about this, the
less sense it makes. What could
possibly be, in this time and
place, that's of such value that
he'd be willing to give up his
entire power base in exchange?
There's still a piece missing
from this, and it's really
starting to annoy me.
Serge:
(Does that mean that, up until
now, he hasn't been annoyed?!
...If that's true, I don't EVER
want to see him get mad.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Chief]
We've continued his work
and have come this far.
Our work is almost complete.
Well, it's about time
I headed back...
The experiment's about
to begin...
[The ghost leaves the docks, presumably headed up to the lab.]
Serge:
(If he knew, then why was he
hanging around down here...?)
===========================================================
Level 4 West Lab, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost at left-rear console]
The main computer
of Chronopolis
is called '"FATE."'
Leena: | Zoah: | Luccia:
Hey, wait a minute! | SO FATE IS REALLY | De sophistication required
Is this guy really | JUST A BUCKET OF | of such a computer... Ah, but
saying that our lives | BOLTS... | I did not bring a screwdriver,
are being run by a | | and in any case, I am better
MACHINE?! | | vith biologicals dan mechanics.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Marcy: | Norris:
It's a computer?! | So El Nido is, | I can scarcely imagine what
Makes me glad I never | like, being run | kind of computer would be
listen to the damned | by a machine?... | needed to accomplish such
thing! | That sucks. | a task...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starky: | Guile: | Dario:
Staarky is a little | So FATE is a mere | A simple, pragmatic machanism...
bit impressed... | machine that | I have often thought that FATE
Technologyy heere will | cannot even truly | appeared to know nothing of
beecome quiite advanced. | determine the | good or evil...and now it
| future... | seems that I was right.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Radius: | Skelly:
There is no honour in | A machine... | So where can we find
being led by a machine! | Then...what have | its plug--'cause I want
| I been doing by | to pull it!
| using the Records? |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: |
I thought it sounded |
kind of like synth |
music in here... |
Serge:
(So the Records are just
computer terminals...? Right
now, I feel like such an
idiot... Why didn't we ever
realize?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost at right-front console]
FATE is a large-scale
prototype, completed
in the year 2300.
It integrated the old
Mother Brain computer
circuitry into a more
powerful super-computer.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
The Mother Brain... That would
explain a great deal.
Serge:
Um... It would? What was this
"Mother Brain" thing?
Magus:
A computer from the future
which--when we ran into it--
wanted to destroy all life.
Serge:
(Uh-oh.)
Magus:
I see from your expression that
even you can understand what its
use as the core of FATE implies.
Serge:
(That we're lucky to still be
standing here? Yeah, I get
the picture.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost in right-rear corner]
This FATE contains a massive
amount of historical data
dating up to the year 2400.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Ghost at left-front console]
This is the observation room.
This is where we observe
the 2 parallel worlds.
Serge:
(Both of them at once? That has
to get confusing.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they examine the stuff directly in front
of the door]
Serge:
(This Record of Fate is active,
even though no one's using it?!
What the...?)
[Computer]
Two worlds that are so close,
and yet so far in nature, exist
in different dimensions.
Under the surveillance of the
main computer of Chronopolis...
'"FATE."'
In other words, FATE, has
always been observing the 2
parallel worlds, and guiding them.
FATE has been manipulating the
world of El Nido, in order to
avoid any major change to the
history it knows.
If an event on El Nido
influences the main continent,
the year 2400, in which FATE
exists, would change.
This paradox could potentially
lead to great disaster...
Norris/Dario: | Luccia: | Sprigg:
So FATE's real motive... | So it is trying to | Heheheh, so it'z
is nothing more than | save itself? Dat is | out for itself,
self-preservation. | sophisticated, for | just like the
| a computer. | rest of us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guile: | Serge:
One must wonder whether | I didn't think computers
this "great disaster" | could have egos, but
would harm anyone other | this...
than FATE itself. |
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Magus is present, he shakes his head.]
Magus:
And once again, we see the
extent of their ignorance. When
time travel returned me to Zeal
as an adult, I made certain
changes that should have altered
the future of my younger self,
which was also my past...but
even though some of the events
which I remember didn't take
place in the new version of
history, my existence was not
negated.
In other words, time appears
to be self-correcting when it
comes to certain classes of
paradox. FATE cannot be edited
back out of history, because it
is already here, now. Even if
the future that created it is
negated, it will continue to
exist as a sort of temporal
orphan.
Serge:
(I'm not sure, but I think he's
saying that FATE's been messing
with our lives for NOTHING.
Which pisses me off, but I don't
see what we can do about it.)
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Computer]
The Records of Fate - FATE's Terminals -
collect data from around the world,
and input guidance directly into the
minds of its users.
In this discreet way, FATE is able
to control the lives of people
without them knowing.
Guided by fate, the people of
El Nido lead a harmonious life.
In a sense, they are nothing
more than puppets of FATE.
Karsh: [if present]
Puppets?! Like HELL! If I ever
find FATE's heart, or brain, or
anything like that, I'm gonna
introduce it to my axe!
Guile: [if present]
I am no man's puppet...
and no machine's.
Sprigg: [if present]
So it treatz everyone like
a brat...
[Computer]
An instruction to the young girl
in Arni 01 to give up going to
the main continent as a poet.
An instruction to the man in
Arni 02 to give up becoming
a fisherman.
A plan to avoid any point of
contact with the main continent,
so as not to affect history.
Zoah: [if present]
I HAD WONDERED WHY I NEVER
SEEMED TO GET AROUND TO
LEAVING EL NIDO AGAIN...
NOW I KNOW.
Norris: [if present]
So that is why the High Command
only succeeded in invading the
other El Nido so recently--FATE
must have prevented any
information about the Frozen
Flame from reaching the
continent!
Luccia: [if present]
And yet, some people are able
to leave and den return... Is
dere a bug in de program, or
are some people trusted not to
cause problems? And if so, vhy?
Merely to avert suspicion?
[Computer]
However...
Ever since the formation of
the Dead Sea 10 years ago...
FATE has been unable to intervene
directly with World 01.
The best FATE could do was cross
the dimension and receive data
through the Records of Fate.
And with much difficulty, FATE
succeeded in binding Miguel
to the Dead Sea as a watchman...
Leena: [if present]
So FATE stole my Dad? ...I'm
going to kill it so dead that
what's left over will fit
inside a teacup.
Radius: [if present]
So at least our world is free...
but what of the other?
Fargo: [If present]
Does that mean that it was only
FATE that kept me from... No,
I'll not even consider it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they examine the console in the left-
rear corner...]
[Computer]
~~~Read the report | ~~~Quit
| [scene ends]
It all began with a
notebook my mother
handed me...
She told me she found
it while cleaning out
the closet.
This old notebook, covered
with mold, was a diary that
belonged to my grandfather,
who passed away years ago.
It contained my grandfather's
distant memories...
Serge:
(What is this? Looks almost like
someone's memoirs, but what
would something like that be
doing here?)
[Computer]
......
I wonder if you still
remember...
How we first met...
and our many adventures...
It all seemed like a dream...
We ran like the wind during those
warm, summer days...long ago...
You were a piece of a star,
that fell from the sky...
I can still relive the memories
of those days long past...
Just by closing my eyes like
such, and whispering your name
into the desolate night...
Kid...
~~~~~Kid...
Radical Dreamers
- Le Trésor Interdit -
Serge:
(Wait a sec--Kid? And "Radical
Dreamers"--isn't that the group
of thieves she's supposed to
belong to? Now I want to see the
rest of this. The next bit looks
like part of a conversation...)
[Computer]
Are you ready, Kid?
I know you're anxious,
but stay on your toes.
Yeah, likewise, mate!
You mess up, and I'm
leavin' you behind!
Got that, Serge?
C'mon, Magil, let's go.
That bastard Lynx is gonna
get what he deserves!
Say your prayers!
...Not that it'll
do ya any good!!!
Heh-heh-heh......
HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA!
Serge:
...This is weird. Kid actually
said part of that, in a dream I
had of her before all of this
started, but there are parts of
it that I'm sure I don't
remember. (And who the heck is
"Magil"?)
Magus: | Norris: | Luccia:
The nature of Time makes | It could be a record | Dere is no record of
it inevitable that there | of another dimension | who input the text, or
are more dimensions than | to which we have no | vhedder it is from de
just the two we've seen. | access...or a confused | present or de future...
Perhaps this is a record | recording of your | Perhaps it is a recording
of events in yet another | dream, or even a work | of somet'ing from yet a
world. | of fiction. | t'ird world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Dario: | Karsh:
Maybe Kid writes stories | It might be a record | Who cares why it's here--
in her spare time. I can | of a third world, or | we should be finding the
just see her creating a | merely a story--there | real Kid and Lynx, not
fantasy Serge... | isn't enough here for | reading some story!
| us to be able to tell. |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Nikki: | Marcy:
Hmmm, an odd coincidence. | So your dream and this | So you, like, run into
Perhaps, while you were | story-thing might have | Kid even in your dreams?
dreaming, you contacted a | come from the same | ...Leena is so screwed.
third world, where this | place? That's kind of |
record was made? | weird, but cool. |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Starky: | Glenn:
It could be a record from | Staarky thinks this is | I wish I knew more of the
another world that we | verryy straange. | Radical Dreamers, and whether
don't know about. Or it | | they have additional members
could be something Lynx |---------------------------| named "Serge" or "Magil"...
left 'ere to mess with | Grobyc: | Perhaps then this document
our 'eadz--there'z no way | Grobyc does not | would make more sense.
of tellin'. | dream... |
Serge:
(I guess I should just file
it away under "more Weird".)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================================
Basement, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[If they examine the door to Project Kid...]
[Computer]
Only personnel registered
as '"Arbiter"' may enter.
Please conduct security
check for verification.
Unauthorized entry or
tampering with security
system will result in death.
Operate at your own risk.
Fingerprint and retina
scan required.
Please step inside the
circle and hold up your
left hand.
Serge:
(I don't like the sound of
that...but we haven't found Lynx
anywhere else, so he has to be
in here. Sigh. Well, here goes
nothing...)
[Serge does as he's been told]
[Computer]
Analyzing...
Please stand by.
Serge:
(I really hope it doesn't try
to fry me.)
[Computer]
............
Analysis complete.
Fingerprints, retina, and
C class DNA all clear.
Data discrepancy due to
aging within permissible
range.
96% confirmation that this
individual is the last
registered arbiter.
Access granted.
Welcome back,
Chrono Trigger.
Serge:
(Phew.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present, he turns to look at Serge.]
Magus:
Chrono...Trigger.
Serge:
Yeah. Lynx called me that when
I met him at Viper Manor, too.
Do you have any idea what it
means?
Magus:
Gaspar used the term to refer to
the original Time Egg.
Serge:
Except that I'm not a Time Egg.
Magus:
Clearly. If you were, you would
be much smaller, much quieter,
more useful, and generally
easier to deal with.
Serge:
(Ouch...)
Magus:
Belthasar most likely told this
idiotic machine that anyone or
anything pivotal to a situation
involving time displacement was
a "Chrono Trigger".
Serge:
So it's calling me that because
I'm sort of responsible for the
dimensions being split.
Magus:
Most likely, yes.
Serge:
(So that's one mystery solved,
I guess...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
I think I understand now
why Lynx wanted my body.
(Ugh, that sounds...)
Fargo: | Luccia: | Zoah:
Aye, it would have | Indeed, dere is | IT DOES SEEM A LITTLE
been his only way | no odder access | PARTICULAR ABOUT WHO
in. | to this area. | IT LETS INSIDE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Marcy: | Norris/Guile/Glenn/Radius/Dario:
That seems like a | You mean all | Indeed. Only you--or someone
lot of trouble to | this was about | appearing to be you--could
go to just for a | a DOOR?! | get past this door, Serge.
door, though. | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Sprigg: | Starky:
Hmph. Seems like a | You'd think 'e'd | Staarky thinks this door
lot of trouble for | just 'ave picked | was not well-maade. It should
something he could've | the lock. | not bee soo eeasyy to trick.
just bashed down. | |
Serge:
Which means that he's already
inside. Him...and the Frozen
Flame, I guess, since we haven't
found it anywhere else either.
Let's go.
And we have finally reached the end of the infodumps...well, until Lynx and Kid start
spouting off about the Frozen Flame, anyway. One more part to go!
-
Wow, so much text. O_O But well worth the read. :D Magus' bits are a nice extra touch.
-
Magus:
Clearly. If you were, you would
be much smaller, much quieter,
more useful, and generally
easier to deal with.
:lol:
[Porre Soldier]
!!!
Lynx!!!
H-How dare you have the nerve
to return to this town!
Get out of here!
IIRC these are/were not spoken by any Porre soldier.
-
In general, Magus is a lot of fun to write. I'm having a difficult time
resisting trying to draw Serge as a Time Egg, with blue hair, a bandana,
and a confused expression! :lol:
@utunnels: No, those lines have to belong to a townsperson, don't they?
It isn't my misattribution--the line is mislabeled in the original script--
but I still should have caught it. Mea culpa.
And now, Part the Fourth, featuring Robo and Lynx's final curtain call...
24. The Arbiter of Time - On whom the three Fates smile... Part IV
===========================================================
Project Kid, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[As the party enters the room and the next few lines are spoken,
the camera pans over to the center of the room, which contains an
odd sphere-shaped construction.]
Serge:
(What the HECK is that?!)
Magus: | Sprigg: | Luccia:
The Frozen Flame. The apparatus | I've never felt a | Dis is de most advanced
constructed around it must have | power like this | energy extraction system
something to do with the failed | before. Iz that... | I have ever seen. Is dat de
experiment. | the Frozen Flame? | Frozen Flame in de center?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Zoah: | Dario:
I do not pretend to understand | IS THAT ODD ITEM | The aura of that thing...it
this apparatus, but what lies | AT THE CENTER OF | chills my blood worse than the
in the center cannot be | THE APPARATUS THE | Masamune ever did. That must
anything other than the Flame. | FROZEN FLAME? | be the Frozen Flame.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Glenn: | Starky:
So that's the Frozen Flame. | Is that the Frozen | Staarky is shocked! The
Weird-lookin' thing. Question | Flame? It makes my | energiies in this room
is, where's Lynx?! | blood run cold. | are soo strong...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius: | Nikki: | Fargo:
Is that the Frozen Flame? It | Is that the Frozen | Arr... That must be the
gives me the same kind of chill | Flame? It's WICKED | Flame. So it really was
that the Masamune did. | cool! | here all along.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy: |
So that's the Frozen Flame? |
I heard it was, like, supposed |
to grant wishes and stuff, but |
it just looks like a rock! |
Serge:
The Frozen Flame... (I still
don't get how it fits in...)
[Lynx]
Exactly.
Serge:
......!?
[The scene fades out, and when it comes back again, the camera
is at a greater distance from the sphere, and panning downward.
Kid is collapsed on the floor in front of the sphere, with the
party standing a short distance away.]
[Lynx]
The hearer of
people's prayers...
The provider of
riches, fame, and power...
The bestower of
eternal life...
The promiser of
peace and happiness...
Magus: [if present]
Yet another ignorant fool.
The Flame does nothing
without exacting a price.
[Serge makes a violent waving gesture with one hand]
Serge:
Lynx! Cut the crap and
show yourself!
[Lynx as Dark Serge appears roughly Serge's height above the
ground, and floats down to stand on the other side of Kid.]
Lynx:
This is the essence of what
descended from the heavens
in the prehistoric age.
The living crimson stone...
the Frozen Flame!
Serge:
Who cares about the stupid
rock?!
Lynx:
What took you so long?
You had me worried.
Worried that you might
have perished on the
way here.
Serge:
Even if I had, I would have
found some way of getting
here.
Lynx:
Oh? Such...enthusiasm. I would
never have expected you to be so
eager for our final conrontation.
Serge:
Don't flatter yourself! I didn't
come here for you, I came here
for-- (Damnit, what in hell am
I doing?! Kid's lying there on
the floor and all I can think
about is yelling at Lynx?!
Serge, you're an idiot.)
[Serge goes over to kneel beside Kid, apparently checking on
her condition.]
Serge:
Kid! Hey, Kid! Wake up!
Lynx:
It's no use.
I put her soul to sleep.
I had to remove any
potential obstacle from
us having this talk.
[Serge stands up again and turns to face Lynx.]
Serge:
You're telling me that you made
me go through all of this just
so that you could talk to me
about the Flame? Just how dumb
do you think I am? Either tell
me who you are and the REAL
reason why you're doing this,
or I'll beat you up and MAKE
you tell me!
Lynx:
You still don't know?
I am the human
incarnation of FATE...
The living interface
of the FATE computer
system...
Or put simply...
I, too, am FATE!
Serge:
And what does that have
to do with me?
Lynx:
14 years ago, on the night
of a terrible storm,
the cogs began to turn.
That night, Wazuki and Miguel
set out to sea carrying a
sick, young child in their
boat.
That child was you, Serge,
after you had been attacked
by that panther demon.
Serge:
(Is there a point to this?)
Lynx:
Your poisoned wounds were
beyond the healing abilities
of the doctors in Termina or
even Guldove.
So they set sail to Marbule
in order to see the sage
there...not knowing how bad
the storm would become.
Being skilled sailors,
the two men were able to
survive the storm.
But they were blown off
course and came ashore on
this island, where they
decided to seek shelter.
At the time, this research
center was off-line due to
the severity of the storm.
It only took 10 minutes for
the system to power back up,
but by then, the Flame had
found you...
Serge:
(Well, I guess that explains how
Dad and Miguel got inside, but--)
Lynx:
Contact with the Flame
healed your young body.
But that was not all...
Once the security card
system was rebooted, it
would only grant access
to you...the '"arbiter."'
You can't imagine the
trouble this caused the
FATE computer system in
achieving its objective.
Serge:
Cry me a river. (Is he FINALLY
going to tell me what the damned
thing is trying to do, or am I
going to be left to twist in the
wind again?)
Lynx:
Inside of FATE, there was a
stand-alone circuit that had
been kept hidden since the
old Mother Brain generation.
That circuit was designed to
start a malfunction, or more
precisely, a '"rebellion."'
Lynx:
Who would have thought that
such a small bug, a '"traitor,"'
could exist inside of FATE?
Serge:
(Urgh, when's he going to get
tired of hearing himself talk?!)
Lynx:
That hidden circuit was based
on the initial Ashtear model
circuit board, with extra logic
added by another scientist.
FATE itself did not realize
that this circuit was present
within the core of its system.
Or, more correctly...
...the circuit was programmed
so that the moment FATE did
detect it, it would erase all
record of its detection.
Magus: [if present]
That does sound like something
Lucca might have done.
Lynx:
Dr. Lucca Ashtear...
Unbelievably intelligent,
and incredibly enthusiastic.
You might even go so far as
to call her a mad scientist.
Of course I don't believe
it was Lucca alone that
devised this plan.
I'm sure the first curator
of this research center,
a man named Belthasar,
had a hand in it, too.
Magus: [if present]
Lucca...and Belthasar?
Does this mean that she approved
of his plan, whatever it may be?
Lynx:
FATE!
Bring out the traitor,
Prometheus...
[FATE]
Affirmative.
Serge:
(Okay, now things are starting
to get weird again. I'd like to
step in right now and chop Lynx's
head off, but there's still the
tiniest little chance that he
might say something useful, so...)
[Robo]
Aaaah...
You have finally released me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
Robo, is that you?
[Robo]
Magus... Lucca always thought
you had to be alive--somewhere,
somewhen--but I never expected
to see you again.
Magus:
I don't think I ever intended
to return to the future.
Lynx: [turning slightly to look at Magus]
If you are acquainted with that
pile of circuitry, and with
Lucca Ashtear, you must be
another of the travelers who
challenged Lavos...
Magus:
And what if I am?
Lynx:
I merely find it...deliciously
ironic that someone so weak
could have succeeded in that.
Serge:
Magus, don't! (If we fight in
here, Kid might--)
[Robo, simultaneous with Serge]
Magus, please do not--
Magus:
I must attempt to learn, one
of these days, what it is that
causes so many people to take
me for a hot-headed fool.
[Robo]
You operate according to your
own logic, which makes you
difficult to predict. But there
isn't much time. Now that the
security system is off-line, the
dragons will come to attack
FATE--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't there...]
[Robo]
Welcome back.
So you're the real Serge.
Serge:
Um, yeah. Sorry for any
confusion. (Why am I
apologizing? It isn't like I
GAVE Lynx my body!)
[Robo]
I've waited a long time for you...
I'm glad you made it in time.
Serge, I beg you!
Please bring an end to
the enmity between FATE
and the Dragons...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lynx:
FATE!
Eliminate him.
[FATE]
Affirmative.
Now eliminating Prometheus.
Serge:
Wait! You can't do that!
Lynx:
Too late.
[Robo]
Serge...
P-Please...
For the future of mankind...
F-For...
th-the...
f-fu...ture...
o...
Lynx:
Idiot.
Destruction to those who
oppose the Goddess of Fate!
Magus: | Norris: | Sprigg:
... | Killing a computer is | Then I guess you need
I cannot claim that Prometheus | perhaps not murder... | to destroy us az well,
and I were ever truly friends, | but that was still an | becauze we aren't goin'
but he deserved better than to | evil thing to do. | to roll over for you and
be extinguished by a casual | Prepare yourself, Lynx. | your pet!
command from you. |--------------------------------------------------------------
| Karsh: | Fargo:
You will not leave this place | Now my blood's boilin'! | We'll have no more of
alive. | Say yer prayers, Lynx! | that, you murderer! Arr!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dario: | Zoah: | Starky:
FATE is no goddess, and we are | FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD, | Staarky does not think it
not your servants. This is the | WE MUST DESTROY YOU BEFORE | was riight to destroy that
end, Lynx! | YOU CAN DO ANY MORE DAMAGE.| non-organic sentience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Luccia: | Glenn:
You're disgusting, you know | How could you be so | Murdering a helpless
that? First you pick on Serge, | vasteful?! De t'ings ve | being... You have no
then Kid, and now that poor | could have learned from a | honour, Lynx. And you
robot or whatever he was... | computer designed by Lucca | are too dangerous to be
The world's going to be a | Ashtear... For de sake of | permitted to live.
better place without you! | science, I must not let |
| you leave here alive. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grobyc: |
Grobyc-thinks-that-Lynx-is |
-strong, but-it-is-time-to- |
prove-that-Grobyc-is-stronger. |
[Lynx slides backward, then sinks into the floor.
There are some deep purple sparklies, and then FATE
emerges from the point at which he disappeared.]
Lynx:
Hah...
Come, Serge!
Show me what the purpose of
your life on this planet is...
Teach me what it means to be
'"alive!!!"'
Serge:
Are you saying you put me
through all this crap just for
THAT?! Messing with my life,
killing Lucca Ashtear, TORTURING
Kid...just so that you could
fight me?! I'm gonna FLATTEN
you, you son of a bitch!
(Going to have to be careful
here--Kid might get hit...
but I think she'd want me to
do this.)
[Combat. When the party wins, Kid is awake and crouching
on the floor where she used to be lying. By contrast, Dark
Serge is face-down on the floor.]
Serge:
(Pant, pant... So it's finally
over. Funny, I always thought
it would feel more...I dunno...)
Lynx:
S-serge.
Serge:
(Argh! I want to just walk over
there and kick him, but...doing
that to someone who's already
dying would be...)
What do you want NOW?
Lynx:
I know it's...a lot to ask,
but please tell her...
I'm sorry.
Serge:
Tell WHO? Hey, wait--
[As Dark Serge fades away, something small and sparkling bounces
across the floor to land beside Serge's foot. Serge bends down and
picks it up.]
Serge:
(Looks like a piece of ordinary
beach glass. Hey, wait, there's
something scratched into this
side... "M (heart) W"... I don't
get it, unless the woman he
wanted to apologize to has one
of those initials. But I have
other things to worry about
right now.)
Kid? Hey, Kid, are you okay?
[Kid gets to her feet.]
Kid:
Ah...!
Huh...?
Where in blazes am I?
Serge:
Right in the middle of
the Sea of Eden.
[Kid turns to face the party]
Kid:
Serge...
What happened to me?
Serge:
Lynx brainwashed you...or at
least, that's the short version.
We still don't know what he was
really after, though. He went on
and on about the Frozen Flame,
but...
Kid:
The Flame? Where?
[She turns and looks up at the big spherical construction]
Kid:
Aha!?
That...?
That's it!!!
[Kid runs over, jumps onto the base of the sphere-thing, and
begins climbing.]
Serge:
Kid?! Hey, wait! What are you
doing?! (Damn! I'm not good
enough at climbing to follow her
up there, but I have a really
bad feeling about this...)
Kid! The Flame isn't going to
run away! Come back down so
that we can talk!
(Why isn't she listening?!
It's almost as though she's...
still under Lynx's control...)
[When Kid reaches the top, Harle appears,
floating a bit lower-down.]
Harle:
NON!!!
Arrête!
Serge:
(Where did SHE come from?!)
Harle:
Ne touchez pas!
Do not touch it!
Harle:
Kid!
I know ze feelingz
you have inside of you...
Ze urge to bring
everyt'ing to not'ing iz
now stronger zan your
dezire to save everyone.
You may want to t'row
yourself down ze cliff
of destruction...
Zat iz your impératif.
Serge:
(What did Lynx DO to her?!)
Kid, please...
Harle:
But s'il vous plaît,
Kid...
Do not drag Serge and
ze odderz down into
destruction wit' you!
Serge:
(I... I can't believe...
It's all been heading
toward THIS?!)
Kid:
Shut up, ya looney!
I know what I'm doin'!
It's too late!
There's no turnin'
back now!
Serge:
Kid...
Magus: [if present]
Damn you, Belthasar! Was this
all part of your "plan"? Without
knowing what you meant to do, I
can't tell whether I should try
to intervene, or--
[Light flares in the center of the sphere, and the
screen whites out. When the picture returns, Harle is
lying on the floor where Kid was. As Serge walks over
and kneels beside her, we are taken back to where Kid
is standing on top of the sphere. The light inside it
is fading. Then the screen fades out completely, and we
are taken to a series of one-line scenelets with the
dragons, each fading directly into the next:]
===========================================================
Water Dragon Isle (Home)
===========================================================
Water Dragon:
FATE has fallen...
Fate has died...
===========================================================
Mount Pyre (Another)
===========================================================
Fire Dragon:
Finally, the time has come...
===========================================================
Gaea's Navel (Home)
===========================================================
Green Dragon:
Indeed... The long, endless night
shall finally come to an end.
===========================================================
Earth Dragon Isle (Home)
===========================================================
Earth Dragon:
Now...
For mankind...
===========================================================
Marbule (Another)
===========================================================
Black Dragon:
I shall make
you bleed!!!
===========================================================
Sky Dragon Isle (Another)
===========================================================
[Sky Dragon]
Feel a million years of this planet's
agony, pain, and suffering...!!!
[At this point, VIDEO: the rise of Terra Tower plays.]
===========================================================
Project Kid, Chronopolis (Another)
===========================================================
[After the video, we return to the top of the sphere.]
Kid:
Terra Tower...
It's come back
to life again...!
Kid:
In the year 2400, during a
counter-time experiment, the
Flame goes out of control...
This causes the dimensions
to rip apart, resultin' in
the Time Crash.
Engulfed in an enormous
dimensional vortex,
Chronopolis was hurled ten
thousand years back in time.
Perhaps it was the awakenin'
Lavos who pulled the Frozen
Flame back through time to it.
Maybe so that Lavos, who saw
the possibility that some young
adventurers might destroy it,
could create a backup plan.
Serge:
(Damnit, how could FINALLY
beating Lynx have made things so
much worse?! Harle shows up and
collapses, Kid's gone nuts and
is babbling about stuff she
shouldn't know about, and I...
I don't know what to do! I can't
really have been brought here
just to open a door...can I?)
Kid:
But that ain't all...
At the same time, another
city from a different
dimension's future, was
also thrown back in time.
Dinopolis... The future city
of the Reptites -- Azala's
descendants, who had evolved
more closely with the planet.
Just as Lavos, in an attempt
to save itself, summoned
Chronopolis from the distant
future...
Perhaps our planet beckoned
Dinopolis into the past...
maybe as a measure against
Chronopolis and humanity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
"Perhaps" nothing. It's obvious
now that this is all your doing,
you wretched old buzzard. Who
in the modern era, other than a
time traveller, would know the
name of the last Reptite leader,
who died 65,000,000 years ago?
Serge:
Are you saying...?
Magus:
This has to be another one of
Belthasar's unintelligible
little messages...or perhaps it
would be more accurate to call
them riddles. What use could he
possibly have had for a cityful
of hyperevolved lizards?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is not in the party]
Serge:
(So did all of this happen
because the planet was trying to
fight off this Lavos, or...?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kid:
It wasn't the Dragon Gods
who sealed up the Frozen
Flame!
It was FATE, which used the
Flame's power to divide and
seal the Dragons in slumber!
And now that FATE has been
defeated, the Dragons will
join together again to
start their revenge!
Serge:
(Revenge on WHAT, though? Lavos
isn't there anymore. It's been
killed. By humans. And now the
dragons want to get rid of us?
What did we do to make them hate
us so much?!)
[And we get another VIDEO: dragons fusing into the
Dragon-God over Chronopolis]
Harle:
I feared it would
come to zis...
I didn't want to
have to fight wit'
you if it could
have been avoided!
Magus: [if present]
That aura...
How did I ever mistake
her for a human?
Harle:
Adieu, Serge!
Adieu!
[Harle flies into the center of the sphere and vanishes, and
as something flies out the top of that sphere, Kid collapses.]
Serge:
Harle, wait! What do you mean?!
Kid... (Damnit, everything's
happening at once again!)
...I suppose we should take her
somewhere safe. There's nothing
more we can do here. (And the
Frozen Flame and the Dragons
and all the rest can damned well
wait until I'm sure Kid's okay.)
[Then we fade directly to...]
===========================================================
Mess Hall, SS Invincible (Another)
===========================================================
[Serge, Fargo, Riddel, Viper, and the Dragoon Devas (along
with Glenn, if he was recruited, or Magus, if he was) are
scattered around the room, sitting or standing.]
Karsh:
Give me a frickin' break!
You mean to tell me we were
bein' used all this time!?
Magus: | Fargo:
We knew that already. | Yeah...
Karsh:
Damn!!!
Serge:
Yelling about it won't change
things. (Although I have to
admit that, if it could, I'd
be screaming right along with
him!)
Viper:
......
What is done is done.
Although we may not like it...
In any case, we need to
make our way into that
floating tower.
Serge:
I guess so. It's better than
just sitting around, anyway.
(Really, I'm more worried about
Kid than the damned tower, but
it isn't like I can do anything
for her.)
Viper:
The only problem is...
Fargo:
So, we have ta find
a way up there, right?
It's not like the great
S.S. Invincible can make
it up there, either...
Riddel:
There has to be a way.
Magus: | Glenn:
I could fly myself up there | Yes, the world has
easily enough, but I can't carry | infinite possibilities.
passengers...and as the universe | There has to be something
is fond of reminding me, I'm | that will help us reach
unlikely to accomplish much up | that tower.
there alone. We need to find a |
technological solution. |
Viper:
Hmmm... At least our
objective is clear.
I do not know how,
but we must find a way.
Marcy:
So, like...whatever happened
to Kid after that?
Serge:
We took her to Guldove first,
but Doc couldn't do anything for
her. He said she has to wake up
on her own...if she ever can.
[Serge kicks the wall]
Serge:
I feel so powerless! (It's
almost unbearable--I went
through so much to save her,
but now...)
Karsh:
Yeah...
Riddel:
Do not despair. Kid...is one
of the strongest people I have
ever met. She will wake. Have
no doubt of it.
Zoah:
INDEED.
SHE IS RESTING AT
RADIUS'S PLACE.
Glenn[if present]:
Well, at least she can
rest quietly there.
Plus, Radius will
watch over her.
Dario: | Fargo:
Trapped inside her own mind... | Arr... 'Tis true that she's
It isn't a fate I would wish | a strong wench, but there
on anyone. There must be some | must be some way we can help
way we can help her struggle | her along--by magic, if not
free. | by science.
Serge:
...!
The Masamune can influence
people's minds, right? And so
can the Dragon Tear. Maybe...
Magus: [if present]
You might cure her by such
means. Of course, you might
also kill her...
Radius:
If you wish to make the attempt,
Serge, I think I speak for
everyone when I say that we will
do everything we can to help,
despite the risk.
Serge:
...Thank you.
Karsh:
No use just mopin'
around here.
Viper:
Indeed, we have much to do.
However, time will not wait.
Fargo:
Then we have to take action.
Let's shove off, mateys!
[Fadeout. The last line appears against a black screen.]
Everyone:
Yeah!!!
I think I'm going to do a piece or three of side-stuff next, as there are a number of
bits and pieces of various lengths that need to be done (forging Rainbow weapons,
Magus and the Mystic Knights, the Nikki-Marcy-Fargo family argument, ZOAH'S CHARACTER
SCENE, and, of course, the real meaning of Lynx's bit of beach glass) and only
three chapters left to go in the main story.
-
Damn man...
Just... damn...
Dude, keep this up! Almost there! :kamina
-
Love the bit with the glass, actually makes me feel bad for him. :(
-
Magus:
I could fly myself up there
easily enough, but I can't carry .
passengers...and as the universe
is fond of reminding me, I'm
unlikely to accomplish much up
there alone. We need to find a
technological solution.
Heh, he can always teleport others up there first, if he once managed to bring the Hydra humour from the Zenan...
Perhaps, you could create another branch here, like, if Magus is present, you don't have to do the Starky UFO side quest.
-
Heh, he can always teleport others up there first, if he once managed to bring the Hydra humour from the Zenan...
Perhaps, you could create another branch here, like, if Magus is present, you don't have to do the Starky UFO side quest.
I don't think that could be likely...
Can he really teleport anywhere whenever he wants to? Or does he needs to have visited the area first in order to teleport there whenever he pleases?
In case of the latter, which I think that's what is, then yeah, not possible then.
-
@skylark: Three more chapters, a dozen endings, and an unknown number of side-stuff bits... I might actually finish by next Christmas. (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
@Sailor Phantom: It worked as intended, then. Seriously, I've always felt that revealing Lynx = Wazuki in the infodump at the end was a cop-out--this way I can stick Marge with it instead.
@utunnels/Acacia Sgt: Hmm, yes, slight hole there, even if he has to have been to the place before (he could fly up alone to scope out the Tower, then return to the ground to do the teleports)... Do we ever see anyone in the Chrono series teleport another person without the aid of something like a Skyway? I can only recall people like Flea, Dalton, Magus, and Lynx teleporting themselves...
Magus:
I could fly myself up there
easily enough, but I can't carry
passengers in the air...and as the
universe is fond of reminding me,
I'm unlikely to accomplish much
up there alone. We need to find a
technological solution.
Serge:
What about...whatever you used
to get from the continent to El
Nido?
Magus:
Teleportation? I wouldn't try it
unless we're absolutely desparate.
That kind of spell is safe enough
for the caster, but if I'm trying to
carry someone else along with me,
it's possible that only parts of them
would make it.
-
Hmm, but but you said Riddel teleported the shaker brothers?
...but if I'm trying to
carry someone else along with me,
it's possible that only parts of them
would make it.
Hmm, or maybe to a random place like one of the moons. :lol:
-
...Damn, I'd forgotten about that. "Other people arrive at a random destination" will cover everything including that, though--thanks for the idea, and I'll amend the script to suit.
-
Okay, here we go.
Magus:
I could fly myself up there
easily enough, but I can't carry
passengers...and as the universe
is fond of reminding me, I'm
unlikely to accomplish much up
there alone. We need to find a
technological solution.
Serge:
What about, um, whatever it was
you did to get to El Nido from
the continent?
Magus:
Teleportation? It won't work.
Zoah:
WHY NOT? IF IT COULD CARRY YOU
OVER SUCH A DISTANCE--
Magus:
It won't work because the spell
comes in two parts. The first
frees the subject to travel, and
can be cast by anyone, but the
second, which determines the
point of arrival, must be cast
by the subject while he is being
transported.
Karsh:
So if you don't do the second
part, or you screw up, you get
stuck somewhere?
[Riddel shakes her head]
Riddel:
No, if the second part of the
spell is not cast, or fails,
the subject reappears at random,
generally a few miles from his
starting point. I only tried
it once, and...well, do you
remember that time two years
ago when Father had to send
Glenn to fetch me back from
Guldove?
Magus:
You're fortunate that you went
no farther than that. Guile
originally landed in El Nido
because he tried to cast a
teleportation spell while drunk.
He was in Choras at the time,
and was trying to get back to
his inn room. Since that
happened, he's refused to
attempt any such spell at all.
Serge:
Okay, so scratch that idea.
(Going on an accidental tour
of Choras or Guardia--or one
of the moons--is NOT my idea
of a good time!)
-
PFFFAHAHAHA GUILE. I'm still waiting to see what's up with them, but...man, you are so close to done! This is exciting!
-
They should never have had Guile make his first appearance with that wineglass in his hand--it offers too much opportunity for character assassination! (Not that I don't torture all the other characters too...) (http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/369/iconalfador.gif)
-
Drunk Mage? That is awesome.
(Guile grabs a wine bottle and joins the battle with TimeDevourer.)
-
And now I'm seeing Guile breaking the bottle over the TD's head and then looking at it with a puzzled expression. :lol:
-
So... the Bend of Time, Karsh in Termina(Home), Leena's
third tech, and, of course, Serge's reaction to "Luke,
I am your father..."
1. A Light Already Lost
===================================================
Serge's House, Arni (Home)
===================================================
[This scene occurs if Serge shows his mother the fragment of sea glass with
"M (heart) W" etched into it.]
Marge:
...
So it's over. I'm glad that you
were with him when it happened,
Serge.
Serge:
Then you ARE the one Lynx wanted
me to apologize to...but why? I
didn't even know you knew each
other.
Marge:
He wasn't always Lynx, Serge.
Before he changed, you knew
him too.
Serge:
Huh? I don't think I'd ever even
met a demi-human before all this
weird stuff started to happen.
Marge:
I've kept this from you because
it was a painful thing to know,
but maybe that was wrong of me.
Serge, Lynx was not a true demi-
human. Before his body was
twisted and his mind was torn
apart, he had a different name.
Serge:
"W"?
Marge:
Yes. "W"--Wazuki.
Serge:
Are you trying to say that Lynx
was...that Dad...that I... I...
Why didn't you ever TELL me?!
I...I killed...but I didn't
KNOW...!
[Serge falls to his knees and wraps his arms around himself]
Serge:
I just wanted...to see him
again... (I killed my own
father... I think I'm going to
throw up. How could this have
happened?! Why didn't anyone
just SAY something? If I had
known, maybe I could have saved
him...)
[Marge kneels down beside Serge and hugs him.]
Marge:
It wasn't your fault, Serge.
One of the last things your
father was able to say to me
was that he expected this to
happen, and he was prepared.
Serge:
Even so, I didn't want...
this...
Marge:
Nor did any of us. Your father
fought against his fate--against
FATE--for four years, but in the
end, he just wasn't strong
enough. I don't think anyone
human would have been.
...You know, this is the first
time I've seen you cry since
you were eight years old.
Serge:
Yeah, I...guess it is. (That was
the day I realized he wasn't
coming back.)
[Marge lets him go and sits back on her heels,
and Serge swipes the back of one hand across
his face. Both of them stand up.]
Serge:
When did he tell you? That he
thought I was going to...have
to... (I can't say it. It
would make it too real.) He
can't have been thinking about
that from the moment he got back
from the Dead Sea--that would
have been like giving up, and
Dad...wasn't a quitter.
[Marge turns to look out of the hut's rear window.]
Serge:
Mom, TELL ME.
Marge:
We thought at first that it
was a tumour.
Serge:
I don't understand.
Marge:
After Wazuki brought you back
from the Dead Sea, he started
getting headaches. He'd make
light of it, but we knew there
was something that wasn't quite
right, and when he started
having blackouts too, we were
sure that...well, there didn't
seem to be any other reasonable
explanation. But the Records of
Fate forbade us to seek medical
help for him.
Your father became convinced
that the Records were part of
some kind of conspiracy against
him, but I...didn't believe it.
Serge:
There was nothing you could
have done even if you had
believed him.
Marge:
It wasn't until the day he took
you with him to Opassa that
either of us really understood
what was going on, and by then
it was too late.
When the two of you were late
coming home that day, I went
there to look for you.
I still don't know who pulled
you out of the water, Serge.
They'd dragged you up past the
high tide line, but your clothes
were still damp and crusted with
salt, and your father... He was
kneeling, submerged up to the
waist, on what must have been
dry sand before the tide had
started to come in, staring out
to sea and mumbling to himself.
I had to wade out to get close
enough to him to realize that
he was saying he had killed you.
Serge:
I...don't actually remember what
happened. (Weird--I never noticed
that before, but now it's like
I've got a hole in my head.) Did
FATE really make him...push me,
or whatever?
Marge:
I don't know. All I know is that
he was beside himself. I had to
slap him across the face just to
get him to look at me, and even
then he was in a daze. I managed
to get him to help me carry you
back to Arni, but as soon as we
got you back to our hut, he
disappeared again. I couldn't
leave you alone, so it wasn't
until quite late that night that
I was able to go looking for him.
It took me almost until dawn,
and I almost gave up more than
once. Then I finally thought to
try the end of Cape Howl...
Serge:
(Cape Howl... I wonder if, in
the other world, Dad was up
there carving my gravestone
at the same time...)
Marge:
He was there, staring out to
sea, talking to himself in two
different voices, and...
twitching. I thought he had
gone mad, but then I saw him
tense and gather himself
together, and for a moment he
was the Wazuki I knew again.
He told me that ever since the
Dead Sea there had been someone
else inside his head, someone
who was fighting him for control
of his body...someone who called
himself "Lynx", who hated the
world and especially you and I,
Serge. And he said that if Lynx
were to hunt us down, we should
protect ourselves without
worrying about him, that he had
rather die than be responsible
for killing either of us, and
that he...
Serge:
(She doesn't have to say it.
I know he loved us.)
Marge:
The bits of glass...when we were
about your age, I found them
while I was walking on the
beach. Wazuki etched the letters
into the two largest, one for
him and one for me. He must have
had his in his pocket the whole
time he was...
[Marge buries her face in her hands. After a moment, Serge puts his
arms around her from behind.]
Marge:
You've grown to be...
so much like him...
Serge:
Mom...
[Marge lowers her hands and straightens up a bit]
Marge:
Three years after Wazuki
disappeared, a demi-human
calling himself "Lynx" came
to Arni, asking about you.
From that moment on, I've known
this day would eventually come.
[Serge lets her go, and she turns to face him.]
Marge:
You didn't do anything wrong,
Serge. In fact, if your father
were here, I think he would
be proud.
Serge:
...Thank you.
[Marge shakes her head]
Marge:
I didn't--couldn't--do anything.
If Wazuki is at peace now, it's
because of you.
Now, you're in the middle of
something, aren't you? Go out
and finish it before your
friends get tired of waiting.
I'll still be here when you're
done.
[Serge nods]
Serge:
Right.
[As Serge leaves, the camera pans back to Marge, who is
again facing the window, with her hands clasped up against
her chest as though she's holding a pendant or something.]
Marge:
He's become a fine young man.
Oh, how I wish you could see
him...
[Fadeout. The player regains control of Serge, who is standing on the
stairs outside the hut.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Doing the Timewarp
[For this segment, I'm going to go with the assumption
that the player doesn't come here until after the
Dead Sea, and so Magus has recovered most of his memory.
If this were ever to be made into a game, I would have
to do a different version for TotallyAmnesiac!Magus,
just in case.]
====================================================
Bend of Time, Main Room
====================================================
[Timekeeper]
This is the Bend of Time...
A special battlefield, where
monsters travel across
dimension to gather.
You can battle monsters that
you may have missed...
Serge:
(Why would we want to do
something like that?!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
...Odd.
Serge:
What do you mean?
Magus:
This place reminds me of
somewhere...but it makes even
less sense than the original.
It almost looks like Gaspar's
idea of a joke.
Serge:
(Gaspar? Okay, whatever.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
====================================================
God of War's Room
====================================================
[God of War]
Welcome!
Wanna go for it?
3 laps should be enough.
One lap means,
starting from the entrance,
then circling the room
clockwise along the railing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
This idiocy again? And I suppose
you call yourself the "God of
War," too.
[God of War]
...
Magus:
Do we get some kind of reward
for playing along with your
little charade, Spekkio?
[God of War]
Eheheh...there's no one named
Spekkio here--nope, not at all!
Really. I'm not lying!
Serge:
(This is starting
to get freaky.)
Magus:
If you aren't Spekkio, then
what IS your name?
[God of War]
...You asked about a reward,
right? Well, if you circle that
railing, I'll show you something
you never expected to see again,
how's that?
Magus:
...We'll discuss this later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they actually run around the railing three times]
[God of War]
Heeey, nice circling job!
Well, battle away!
Serge:
Hey, wait a sec--
[Ozzie]
It's been a long time since
we've made an appearance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
It certainly has. What are you
three doing here? You should be
four centuries dead.
Serge:
(I guess this means
he knows them.)
[Flea]
We don't have to give that
information to a traitor
like you.
Magus:
Hmph. Four hundred years, and
you're still that angry?
[Slash]
Lord Magus, you destroyed our
dreams. Because of you, the
three of us are now exiles, and
our people are scattered. Do
you expect us to be pleased
with that?
Magus:
I EXPECT you to have a little
more spine.
[Magus and Slash both glance at Ozzie]
Magus:
...Well, perhaps not HIM, but I
had expected better of you,
Slash. If there's something you
want, stretch out your hand and
take it, rather than cowering
here.
[Flea]
I want what you told us we
would have--a future in which
Mystics will reign supreme!
And I'm going to take my first
step toward it by killing YOU!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is *not* present]
[Flea]
They look pretty
incompetent to me.
[Slash]
Yeah, but you gotta give 'em
credit for making it inside this room.
[Ozzie]
We're the 3 mystical knights!
Show us your skills!
Serge:
(Again?! Is there something in
the water around here that makes
people want to fight random
strangers?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Either way, combat is joined. Afterwards...]
Magus: [if present]
Unfortunately for you, I still
have something I need to do.
Perhaps when it's completed,
I'll return here and give you
another chance.
Serge:
(This place is crazy.)
[If they talk to not-Spekkio again...]
[God of War]
Whoo-hoo!
Then...
If the number of times you circle
matches the number inside my head,
I'll give you somethin' real nice.
I'll only give you 3 hints.
Serge:
So you're saying we're supposed
to read your mind.
[God of War]
We-ell...
Serge:
Never mind. (Maybe we'll get
lucky.)
[God of War]
Well, let's make it
less than 20 laps.
Hummm-baaa!
OK, I thought of a number.
Go for it.
[skip lap hints]
[System]
Lap number [Value]
[God of War]
Yes!
Exactly.
Take it.
Use it.
[System]
[Member] received
Dreamer's Sarong!
[God of War]
Maybe I'll see you in
another different dimension.
Bu-buba-bye!
Serge:
What was that all about?
Serge: [if Magus is present]
(I could ask him who "Spekkio"
is, but I'm not sure that I
really want the answer.
------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Home is where the Heart is
==========================================
Zappa's Smithy, Termina (Home)
==========================================
[This bit happens if Karsh is in the party when
they enter the location]
Zappa:
Karsh!!!
Ohh, Karsh!!!
Zippa:
Where have ye...!
Karsh:
......
Unfortunately,
I ain't your son.
How should I say this...
Anyway, YOUR son, Karsh,
is no longer in this world.
Only that's for sure...
Serge:
(Well, actually, we're NOT a
hundred percent sure--we only
found those freaky ghosts, not
their bodies...of course, the
bodies may not exist anymore,
either.)
[Zappa]
~!!!~
Zappa:
Karsh,
what are ye sayin', lad!?
Ye're in front of mah own eyes!
Ah dinnae ken how ye could no
be mah own son!!!
Serge:
He is, but he also isn't.
(How do I explain this without
having to tell the whole story
all over again?)
Karsh:
......
Arrgh, no use explaining!
That's right, I'm Karsh!
A lot of things happened,
but I'm back!!!
Serge:
Um, Karsh... (Does he really
know what he's setting himself
up for? ...Actually, now that
I think about it, this is KARSH.
Not only does he not know, he
probably doesn't care!)
Zippa:
Are the dragoons
all well?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Dario was recruited, and is in the party]
Dario:
We're all fine, Aunt Zippa.
You worry too much.
Zippa:
D-Dario, lad! Ye're--
Karsh:
Yeah--he didn't drown, in spite
of all that tin he carries
around on his back. Pretty
damned close to a miracle, if
ya ask me.
Dario:
I think so as well.
Karsh:
As for Zoah and Marcy, they're
the same as ever, and the
General...well, he got a bit
beat up, but he's on the mend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Dario was recruited, but isn't in the party]
Karsh:
Everyone made it. Hell, we even
found Dario hidin' out on a
little island east of here.
Zappa:
Then the Four Devas are back in
business--ah, that's a fine
thing, lad!
Karsh:
Yeah. Only one who's not in
great shape is the General--
Lynx beat him up. But he's
healin'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Dario wasn't recruited]
Karsh:
Don't know if they're
well or not...
But they're alive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zippa:
Good...
That's a big relief.
Are ye gonna have time
to stay for a while?
Karsh:
Sorry, mom.
We've got no time
to rest right now.
But I'll be back sometime.
So, alright?
Zappa:
Ye must be workin' for the
better good.
Serge:
(I'm not sure what we're working
for, exactly. At first it was
all about getting untangled from
Lynx's net, and then things kind
of got away from us...)
Zappa:
But just remember, ye're
no good to anyone dead.
Karsh:
Yeah, I got it...
You be careful, pops.
Zippa:
Karsh, dear, take
good care of yirself.
I can't tell ye how
worried we were while
ye were missin'...
Ye probably wouldnae
understand how much.
Karsh:
......
Serge:
(Heh, I think he's blushing.
Just a little bit.)
-----------------------------------------------------
4. Grandma Knows Best
===========================================
Leena's House, Arni (Home)
===========================================
[Leena's Grandma]
Oh, Leena...
Wait...? You're not Leena?
But you look so much like her.
I wouldn't be surprised
if you were her twin.
So many oddities
in the world...
Leena:
Errr...
Yes, I'm Leena, too,
but it's hard to explain.
Don't fret over it,
grandma.
I'm sure Serge will
explain it to you one day.
Serge:
(Sigh. Oh yeah, sure, dump it
all on me, the way you always
do. I don't want to have to
explain the whole thing again!)
[Leena's Grandma]
This is beyond me, but
please take good care
of Leena, Serge.
Serge:
I always do. (Or I would if she
needed it--in my experience,
Leena can take care of herself
better than I ever will!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge answered Leena's question way back at
the beginning of the game with, "We'll never forget
this day!"--]
[Leena's Grandma]
By the way, Serge.
Leena tells me that
you still remember the
promise you two made.
Something about
'"We'll never forget
this day!"'
Serge:
Um... (I think I might have
said that, right before
everything started to go crazy.)
[Leena's Grandma]
I really don't know
what's going on, but...
Here! I want you
to take this.
[System]
Leena received
MaidenFaith!
Serge:
That's... (I can't just come out
and ask, "What is it?" Leena
would kill me!)
[Leena's Grandma]
When I was young, I used to
be quite the animal with that.
Put it to good use, Leena.
Leena:
OK!
Thanks, grandma!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If instead, he answered her question with,
"We'll forget it eventually..."--]
[Leena's Grandma]
By the way, Serge.
Leena tells me you
forgot about your
childhood.
Something about
'"We'll forget it
eventually..."'
Leena:
And the first time
you met me, you
called me a liar!
Serge:
(Give me a break! Everyone
forgets things sooner or later.
Especially when they're not
really all that important.
...Of course, Leena's idea of
"important" is...weird.)
[Leena's Grandma]
You sure don't have it easy.
Be careful of insensitive
men like him.
Serge:
(Sputter!)
Leena:
OK!
I'll be careful,
grandma!
The next installment will be chapter 25, in which Serge rescues Kid
from inside her own head, and Starky builds a flying boat...
-
I nearly felt like tearing up at the first bit with Serge and Marge. :( It was a wonderful addition.
-
Thanks. I had to re-write sections of that one several times to get it just right.
-
Bawhhh! :( That was great...really well-done!
-
What, Marge just knew Lynx? Quite unlikely in original CC I guess, if so, she would have another reaction when she saw Serge as Lynx.
-
She said that Lynx came to Arni, not that she actually met him on that occasion--if she had any sense at all, she would have taken Serge on a trip to Guldove the moment she heard the name mentioned.
-
Hmm, I must have missed a great amount of plots.
But still I think I'd prefer to leave the scene shortly before the final battle. :P
-
This ended up being longer than I expected (par for the course, right?)
As a result, I'll be posting in three parts.
25. Terra Tower - Caught in an echo of time... Part I
Max recruits: Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile OR (Glenn and Nikki), Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc,
Luccia, Dario, Leena.
Recruitable: Kid. Thankfully, this is the very last recruitment
in the game, meaning a maximum of 17 PCs at a time in a normal game and
19 in a New Game+ (18 or 20 PCs total). It's still probably too many.
When you think about it, the titles of this chapter and the next one should
be reversed, because this one is about getting to Terra Tower... Oh,
well. Anyway, the creation of the Chrono Cross was too important a part of
the plot to be relegated to the side stuff, even though it doesn't really
have a fixed position in the game's timeline, so I left it at the beginning of
this chapter because I expected it to be shorter than the next one. Of course,
that was before Magus got the bit in his teeth again midway through and forced
me to write two scenes of him speculating about Kid and bitching about
Belthasar...
==============================================
Cave Interior, Divine Dragon Falls (Another)
==============================================
[Two of Toma's assistants are standing near the cave entrance.
If the party speaks to them...]
[Toma assistant #1]
It appears that the altar
at the back of this cave
was made to house the
Dragon Tear.
But the strange thing is
that there was only meant
to be one Dragon Tear in
this land...
And yet the altar has two
holding stands! I wonder
what that could indicate?
Serge:
Please tell me that you're
joking. (There is no way
someone centuries ago could
have known I would come here
with pieces of two separate
Dragon Tears in my pockets!)
[Toma assistant #1]
A joke... Interesting. That's an
interpretation I hadn't
considered. The sense of humour
possessed by members of the
ancient cult...
Serge:
That isn't... Augh, never mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is in the party]
Magus:
Apparently Belthasar is still
one step ahead of us.
Serge:
So you think this is something
he did? But why?
Magus:
I have no idea--I'm still
missing some critical piece
that would allow me to put
together what he's trying to do.
But clearly, only someone who
knew about the dimensional
split would have any reason to
create this altar, and he's the
only such person we know of who
also has the ability to travel
in time.
Serge:
(I hope this doesn't mean that,
instead of being needed to open
a door, I was dragged into this
to haul bits of crystal around!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't there]
Serge:
(Things have to be set up
this way for a reason.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
...Steena.
Magus: | Sprigg: | Luccia: | Radius:
That woman in | That'z an | Vhat are you | Yes, perhaps...
Guldove? | idea. | talking about? |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karsh: | Fargo: | Grobyc: | Norris/Guile/Dario:
What're you | Aye, she | Grobyc-does- | I believe I see where
talkin' about? | might... | not-understand. | you are going.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Starky: | Zoah:
If you have an | Does shee | YES, SHE MIGHT
idea, why don't | knoow | HAVE INFORMATION.
you just say so? | something? |
Serge:
I mean, they still practice the
old religion in Guldove, don't
they? And Steena is a shaman.
If anyone knows about this
place, it would be her. (Or
Direa, I guess, but she's not
going to want to come help us
check it out.)
===========================================
Shaman's Tower, Guldove (Either)
===========================================
[Speaking to the Steena from either world
will cue off this sequence.]
Steena:
An altar? In a cave
behind a waterfall?
Serge:
Yeah. It's more than a little
weird--that it has places for
two Dragon Tears, I mean.
Steena:
There are legends...but that
place has been lost for years
beyond counting. However, if it
still exists...
Will you take me to the cave?
I must examine the altar and
determine whether it is truly
what I suspect.
Serge: [nodding]
Sure.
[Fade back to...]
==============================================
Cave Interior, Divine Dragon Falls (Another)
==============================================
[The party is standing by the altar with Steena,
who is just straightening up from examining it.]
Steena:
By the Great
Dragon Gods!!!
The sacrarium of the
Divine Dragon Falls
still exists...and
it seems functional!
It's just as the
legends of old said
it would be!
What a blessing!
Steena:
Utilizing its power, we
just may be able to create
the '"Chrono Cross"' here!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party hasn't spoken to Belthasar at Terra Tower yet]
Serge:
What's a Chrono Cross? (And more
importantly, why would we want
to make one?)
Steena:
It is a legendary Element. It is
said that it can create harmony
and understanding between all
living creatures.
Serge:
...Like humans and the Dragon
God?
Steena:
Perhaps.
[Serge takes up a thinking-type posture, with his
hand on his chin.]
Serge:
(It seems almost too good to
be true...but the alternative
is fighting the Dragon God...)
[Serge returns to his normal standing posture.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they have talked to Belthasar at Terra Tower...]
Serge:
(Didn't one of the ghosts the
old man had with him at Terra
Tower say something about that?
Maybe we can use it against
this "Time Devourer" thing...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
What do I have to do?
Steena:
Try placing the two
pieces of the Dragon
Tear...
The Tear of Hate and
the Tear of Love...
on these stands.
Serge:
Okay.
[If the player does this, the stands light up and a ball
of radiance shoots out of each and, er, wibbles around for
a while. Eventually, the two balls of light merge and the
big ball descends on Serge.]
[System]
[Member] received
the CHRONO CROSS!
Serge:
(Awfully weird-looking Element...
I wonder exactly how it works.)
[The light coming from the stands winks out, and control
returns to the player.]
==============================================
Refuge, Hermit's Hideaway (Home)
==============================================
[Kid is lying, unconscious, on a bed off to the
left when the party arrives. Radius is standing in
the middle of the room. If they speak to him...]
Serge:
Radius, please tell me
you have some good news.
Radius:
Kid is resting
in bed.
She hasn't come
out of her coma yet...
Serge:
(Damn it all!)
[When Serge arrives at Kid's bedside...]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If he doesn't have the Mastermune, I assume that
the Time Egg activates on its own and pulls him
into Kid's dream (but isn't able to bring the party
along as well.) Unfortunately, I wasn't able to
find playthrough video footage for this branch.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge does have the Mastermune...]
Masa:
Huh?
Hey, it's the princess.
Mune:
Lemme see...
Whoa! I think you're right.
Serge:
(...Princess? What are they
talking about?)
(And why am I hearing
voices again?)
Masa:
I wonder what happened?
Do you think we should help her?
Serge:
(Help...Kid? Is there really
something they can do?)
Mune:
Nah, it's not
our job.
Masa:
Yeah, I guess so.
It's probably out of
our league, anyway.
Mune:
Yup.
Serge:
(...One of the problems with
disembodied voices is that you
can't punch their faces in!)
Doreen:
HEY!
Aren't we heartless!
Serge:
(Sounds like...Leena?
Well, not really, I guess.)
Masa:
AHHH!
Sis...
Mune:
B-But, the princess is
bound by the past, and even
we can't bring her back here.
Serge:
(They ARE talking about Kid!
But why do they think she's a
princess? I mean, Riddel I
could understand, but KID?!
I don't think I've ever met
a LESS princess-like girl in
my entire life!)
Doreen:
Look closely...
See that?
Masa:
Hey!?
It's the...
Mune:
...the Time Egg?
Serge:
(Time Egg? Where?!)
Doreen:
Yes.
Although it's not in
its complete form.
Masa:
Did that girl with
the glasses make it?
Doreen:
Probably.
Even though it's in its
incomplete form, if we can
focus our powers into it...
Mune:
Then maybe it'll work.
Serge:
Maybe WHAT will work?
(Oops, did I say that
out loud?)
Doreen:
We're going to lend you our
powers for a little bit.
Mune:
We're sending you back
to the past where the
princess is bound.
Masa:
We only have 1 chance.
Doreen:
Take care of the princess!
'"Mastermune!!!"'
Serge:
Wait! Why do you keep saying
that Kid is a princess?!
[Purple light surrounds Serge, and the screen whites out.
Fade to...]
==============================================
Front Room, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
==============================================
[Some lines here are a bit different depending on whether
Serge is alone or with a party, but the differences are
not significant, so I'm giving only one version.]
Serge:
Huh? What the-- Where is this?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
It appears to be the Ashtear
residence in Guardia, although
I admit I haven't seen it in
more than a decade.
Serge:
Ashtear? You mean, as in Lucca?
Magus:
Precisely.
Serge:
(So Kid's dreaming about
how she lost her home...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus isn't present]
Serge:
(I guess it doesn't matter.
It's more important to find
Kid than to wonder about it.)
[And the first time that anyone mentions
Lucca, or he sees her name written down,
he'll add--]
Serge:
(Lucca? So this is the orphanage
where Kid grew up?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge speaks to Gato]
Gato:
Miss Kid and Mistress Lucca
are stuck in the back room.
Serge:
(Whoa, a talking robot?
I guess this Lucca really
was a genius.)
Gato:
I am sorry that I lacka
the power to help yoummm...
Fizz...
Serge:
It's okay. Really.
(So I need to get to the back
room--through that door?)
[There's a kid hiding in the corner(?). If Serge
finds him, he says--]
[Boy]
Th-Thanks a lot, m-mister!
I didn't make it out in time
so ha-hadda h-hide h-h-here!
Th-There's still m-more of
us h-hiding in them r-rooms!
Ya gotta h-help 'em, m-mister!
~~~Yes, it's going to be okay | ~~~Sorry, I don't have time
|
Serge: | Serge:
(These are Kid's friends. | (If I don't find Kid as soon
She'd kill me if I didn't | as possible, something awful
try to help them, and anyway, | might happen. And anyway, these
it's the only decent thing | kids aren't real--this is Kid's
to do.) | dream.)
|
[Boy] | [Boy]
Gee! Thanks, mister! | Uwaaaah...
Here, take this! | Sniff, sniff...
|
[Member] received | Serge:
Rainbow Shell! | (Remember, Serge, he isn't real...)
[There's another kid under the table, and if Serge finds him--]
[Orphan under table(?)]
Wo-Wo-Wohoa!
Ah! Are you here
to save us, mister?
~~~Yes, leave it to me! | ~~~Sorry, too bad, kid...
|
Reeeeally? Wow! | I didn't think so...
But I don't | We don't know each other.
even know you! |
| Serge:
Serge: | I came here because I'm
My mother told me I | looking for someone...
should be nice to people | but I'm not about to leave
I don't know, too. | you and your friends to die.
[Orphan]
But anyway...here, take
this...
To put out the flames, you
oughta try using
Lucca's '"Ice Gun"' invention!
Sis said she keeps it on
the wall in her room,
up on the second floor!
Serge:
That would make it a lot
easier to get around.
Thanks, kid.
==============================================
Stairwell, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
==============================================
[Boy]
Pheeeew!
I huff huff held
my huff huff breath
so long, I nearly
huff'n huffed it...
Anyway...here, huff
huff take this as my
way of saying huff
huff thanks...
[Member] received
Nostrum!
Serge:
Thanks. Um...can you tell
me what's upstairs?
[Boy]
The kitchen is straight
through that door.
On the right's Granny
Lara's old bedroom.
Up on the left is
Lucca's room!
But Sis'll get angry
if you go in there!
Serge:
(That's pretty much the last
thing I'm worried about.)
Have you seen Kid?
[Boy]
She and Lucca went to Granny
Lara's room.
Serge:
(So that's upstairs on the
right...)
===================================================
Lucca's Bedroom, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
===================================================
[There are several memos with different text on them
scattered around the room for Serge to read.]
[Memo--on floor on lower left]
There is a memo lying on
the floor here.
It reads...
I have created a new
code for a new generation.
It now replaces the old
one my father once used...
Circle stands for '"O"'
Square stands for '"D"'
Triangle stands for '"A"'
Cross stands for '"X"'
Using this, for example,
the children will never
guess '"ROAD"' is spelt...
R-Circle-Triangle-Square
My father, Taban, would
be proud. Not to mention
my mother, of course...
~~~~~~~~~~ LUCCA
Serge:
(That makes about as much
sense as what the ghosts in
Chronopolis had to say...)
[Receipt--left rear of room]
Receipt for
Goods Received
1 - KJ830
- Porre Navy
Serge:
(I wonder what a KJ830 is. KJ...
Knitted Jug? Kangaroo Junkie?
Killer Jerky? ...I give up.)
(...This does show that Lucca
was on good terms with Porre,
though. That...surprises me a
bit. I mean, Lynx was working
with Porre at least some of
the time...)
[Memo--near center of room]
There is a memo lying
on the floor here.
It reads...
Don't you children
ever touch my
'"Space Capsule!"'
Serge:
(So what's a "Space Capsule",
and what would touching it do?)
[???--dunno what this line belongs to]
A beautiful view of the
expanses of...space!?
Serge:
(This is freaky...it's so real
that it almost looks like you
could touch it. I don't think I
want to try, though.)
[Memo--presumably somewhere in the mess on the left]
There is a memo lying
on the floor here.
It reads...
One month... One day...
I failed! I was so close
to stabilizing the time
axis too...
Magus: | Serge:
Looks like a leftover | ("Time axis"...? I don't
from her experiments | think I want to know.)
with the Time Egg. |
[Memo on wall in right rear corner]
IN CASE OF FIRE
USE THIS ICE GUN!!!
Not for children under
12 or the mechanically
challenged!
~~~~~~~~ Lucca
Serge:
(This looks useful, but the
question is, why didn't she take
it herself?)
[System]
~~~Take the Ice Gun
~~~Leave it alone
Serge took
the Ice Gun.
[When Serge takes the Ice Gun, if he has the Mastermune, we see...]
Mune:
Sorry, master!
This is all the
power I have...
[...and the second party member, plus the three party non-combatants, disappear.]
Serge:
(Damn! I wonder if there's a
way to get them a bigger
battery, or something...?)
So tomorrow, Serge finishes rescuing Kid, Kid gets a letter, and Magus
grumbles a lot.
-
:D
Yeah, the problem is the player or Serge has plenty of time to read random stuff found in Lucca's place, while the building is still burning and they are beening toasted. :twisted:
I wonder whether you can add some dialogues for Magus when he sees Robo's head in Lucca's room.
Serge:
(I wonder what a KJ830 is. KJ...
Knitted Jug? Kangaroo Junkie?
Killer Jerky? ...I give up.)
LOL
Hmm, just some canned food for Porre Navy I guess, Komodo Jerk.
-
@utunnels: I think it must really have been Killer Jerky--I mean, jerky changed the
entire history of Porre, so it must be kind of important to them, right? ;) And Lucca
really does leave too much stuff lying around. Presumably, the reason Serge gets away
with stopping to read it is that he isn't really inside a burning building--he's
inside Kid's dream of a burning building, which is probably frozen in the
burning-but-still-standing state until Kid gets snapped out of it.
As for the head...
Magus:
Hmm... Is that the original,
or merely a duplicate that
Lucca created?
Anyway, herein we have Serge rescuing Kid, and Magus going off on a couple of tangents
that hopefully aren't too repetitious...
25. Terra Tower - Caught in an echo of time... Part II
===================================================
Balcony, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
===================================================
[I didn't notice where this kid was hiding]
[Boy]
Wow, mister!
You sure are strong.
When I grow up, I wanna
be strong like you!
Serge:
I'm sure you will be.
[Boy]
Oh, yeah...
Here, mister!
Take this...
[Member] received
Nostrum!
===================================================
Lara's Bedroom, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
===================================================
[Girl hiding under bed]
.........
Th-Th-Thank y-y-you!
Umm... Err...
H-H-Here take this...
[System]
[Member] received
Rainbow Shell!
Serge:
Thanks! ...Hey, have you seen
Kid anywhere?
[Girl]
Ummm...
Th-Th-That floor panel
th-th-there can be
re-re-removed.
L-L-Lucca and my
f-f-friend Kid went
i-i-in th-th-there but
d-d-didn't c-c-come out!
[Serge puts his hand on her shoulder]
Serge:
Don't worry--I'll find them.
(I have to.)
=====================================================
Rec Room and Hall, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
=====================================================
[Upon emerging from the storage area accessed via the
ladder from Lara's room...]
Masa:
Sorry master!
That's all the
strength I have...
[and the third party member disappears.]
Serge:
(Damn, damn, damn! All alone,
with all these damned monsters
around...I need to find Kid
fast!)
[The drawings are hanging on the wall in the hallway.]
[System]
A child's drawing
hangs here...
'"robo made the desert green"'
'"Kid and auntie lucca...
oops, I mean Sis, hehe"'
'"ayla strong, grrr!"'
'"crono is coool"'
'"call me Sis!"'
'"princess marle to the rescue!"'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus was recruited, Serge stops after the
first couple of drawings and says--]
Serge:
(Those names... Are these the
people that Magus traveled with,
the ones who became the ghosts
in the Dead Sea? And "Robo"...
that's Prometheus from
Chronopolis, isn't it?)
(...Suddenly I feel like I've
landed in the middle of someone
else's story. I wonder if Magus
ever feels the same way...?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus wasn't recruited, Serge says--]
Serge:
(Some of these are really weird.
What kind of stories has this
Lucca person been telling these
poor kids?!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Serge has to use the Ice Gun to get past the flames
and to the door of the back room--Lucca's former lab.]
=====================================================
Back Room, Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
=====================================================
[Serge runs into the room and kneels briefly beside Kid,
who is out cold on the floor.]
Serge:
Kid? Hey, Kid, are you okay?
[He stands up and turns to face Lynx and Harle, who are
looking out the rear window, and we are treated to FMV:
orphanage in flames.]
Serge:
Son of a bitch...!
[Lynx and Harle disappear in a burst of magic. At that
moment, Kid wakes up and tries to lunge after them,
but Serge grabs her by the wrist.
Serge:
Kid, I'm sorry, but there's no
way you can go after them now.
We have to get out of here while
we still can!
[He drags her out of the burning building. Fade to...]
=====================================================
Outside Lucca's House, 1015 A.D. (Another)
=====================================================
[Serge and Kid are standing under a tree. In the background,
the fire continues to rage.]
[Kid]
It's burning...!
Our '"home"' is burning!
Lucca...
All my friends...
They're, they're...!!
Why...?
Why did this happen!?
Serge:
I don't know. Sometimes there
really isn't a reason for things,
or the reason only exists inside
some crazy person's head. I'm
sorry.
[Kid]
You...
Are you going to go away?
Are you going to leave me?
I'm going to be left all
on my own again, aren't I?
Everybody I have ever
loved has gone far, far
away...
~~~I'm sorry...! | ~~~I won't leave you!
|
No! | Really!?
Don't leave me! | Do you mean that?
What'll happen to me? |
Serge:
Even if I have to go away for a
little while, I promise it won't
be forever, okay? One day, you
and I will meet again.
(I know how much it hurts to
lose someone you love--I can't
imagine how much more it must
hurt to lose everything you've
ever known. I wish there was
some way I could really go back
there and fix this for real.
But all of this really happened
years ago. Can't go back...so
we have to go forward instead.)
[Kid moves forward and Serge crouches down. They hug.]
[Kid]
Your cheek...
It's wet...?
Thank you...
Thank you for
saving me...
You really did
mean it, right?
Your promise?
[Serge, still crouched, vanishes in a shower of sparkles.]
[Kid]
What?
Where did
you go...?
No!
Come back!!!
[Kid sort of collapses on the ground]
[Kid]
Don't leave me...
Please, no...!
Don't leave me all alone!
......!!!
[The screen pans up to show the crescent moon,
then fades out.]
==============================================
Refuge, Hermit's Hideaway (Home)
==============================================
[As the picture fades back in, Serge is kneeling at
the head of Kid's bed. He quickly gets to his feet
as she wakes, then stands up.]
Kid:
Serge...
How've you been...?
I'm...right here...
[Serge nods]
Serge:
Yeah. It's good to
have you back.
[System]
Kid joined your party again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Leena is present]
Leena:
Now, don't give Serge a
hard time!
Kid:
Eh? What's that supposed
to mean?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Radius enters the area near the bed, and everyone
turns to face him.]
Radius:
Thank goodness...
This must be the power
of Serge's love.
Hoh-hoh-hoh!!!
Serge:
That isn't funny!
(Damn, I think I'm blushing!
...And so is Kid. Just a bit.)
(Hey, does that mean--)
Radius:
Ahh yes, Kid.
Luccia is waiting for you
in her lab in Viper Manor.
She wanted to give you
something.
Kid:
Luccia? That crazy sheila
with the test tubes?
Luccia: | Serge:
Vell, it is more | That's the one.
interesting to be |
a mad scientist! |
Radius:
Anyway, there's
no rush.
I suggest you rest
here for the day.
[Fade out, then in. We're in the same place, but Kid and Serge
are alone now.]
Kid:
What...?
My wound...?
[Serge nods]
Serge:
Yeah, when Lynx stabbed you,
I was afraid it was all over.
Kid:
Lynx stabbed me...?
What are you talking about?
Serge:
(Huh? How can she not remember?
Or maybe it's just that so much
has happened since then...)
I mean at Terra Tower, after
Lynx stole my body.
[Kid spreads her hands and shakes her head.]
Kid:
Ohhh...wait a minute...
Not again...
I lose my memory sometimes.
Whenever I'm in a dangerous
situation where I might get
hurt, I just seem to
disappear and vanish.
Serge:
That's...weird.
[Kid folds her arms across her chest.]
[Kid]
And when I come to,
I wake up somewhere safe
without a single scratch.
But the thing is, I can't
remember what happened.
I don't get it...
Serge:
Sounds kind of freaky.
(Maybe even dangerous.)
[Kid laughs.]
Kid:
Anyway, it's happened to me
plenty o' times in the past,
so it's nothin' to worry about!
Serge:
(She sounds so certain...in her
place, I'd be plenty worried.)
Kid:
C'mon, mate!
Let's go!
[Serge nods. Fade again, and we go to...]
==============================================
Exterior, Hermit's Hideaway (Home)
==============================================
[The following scenelet occurs only if Magus has been
recruited--if he hasn't been, the player immediately
resumes control of the party at the top of the stairs.]
[Magus is standing in a corner of the garden, staring
at nothing in particular, when Guile enters the area.]
Guile:
Something...appears to be
troubling you.
Magus:
Those dream creatures referred
to Kid as a princess.
Guile:
...And so?
Magus:
To my knowledge, there is only
one princess mixed up in this.
Guile:
You are referring
to your sister.
Magus:
The thought of there being any
relationship between the two of
them is utterly preposterous...
and yet I cannot get it out of
my mind.
Guile:
I see. On the one hand, she
seemed familiar to you from the
moment you met, and she bears
an artifact that came from Zeal,
your home. On the other hand,
she has never shown any sign of
recognizing you or being aware
of a shared past.
Magus:
It's more than that. My memories
of my sister are extremely
vague, but I am almost certain
that she was gentle, even shy--
Kid's precise opposite in
personality. And her hair colour
is wrong--that I do remember.
Guile:
Could the dream-creatures have
made a mistake, or perhaps meant
something else?
Magus:
It's even more improbable, but
I suppose she could be Marle
and Crono's daughter, which
would make her a princess of
Guardia. She's just barely
old enough...and yet, if an
heir to the Guardian throne
were still alive, I would have
expected to hear about it
before now.
Guile:
Indeed. Or she might simply
be your sister's daughter.
Magus:
...
I hope you are right. If Kid
is her daughter, then that means
my sister survived the disaster
that felled Zeal. If only I
could remember...!
Guile:
And now you are feeling
Belthasar's neck between your
fingers again.
Magus:
You know me too well. I'm still
certain that the old buzzard has
all the missing pieces to this
puzzle. Why else would he have
gone into hiding?
Guile:
I have no idea. That man's
thought processes are a
mystery to me.
Magus:
Hmph. You must be finding all
of this most amusing, then.
Guile:
It is true, recent events have
presented me with an entire
series of fascinating enigmas.
Magus:
And you so enjoy chasing after
the invisible... Recently, I
have often thought that you
would have been quite at home
in Zeal.
Guile:
Thank you.
Magus:
That was not a compliment.
Guile:
Nevertheless, I will take
it as such.
[The two climb up and into the burned tree. A moment
later, Serge emerges, and the player regains control.]
==============================================
Luccia's Lab, Viper Manor (Another)
==============================================
[Upon speaking to Luccia with Kid in the party--]
Luccia:
I have been vaiting,
Kid.
Kid:
Yeah? What for?
Luccia:
Dere is somet'ing
I vant to give you.
Kid:
Huh? Me...? Why?
Luccia:
I vas told to give it to
you vhen the time vas right.
Luccia:
It's for you...
from Lucca...
Kid:
!!!
You knew Lucca!?
Serge:
(You're kidding me!)
[Luccia nods.]
Luccia:
Here...
[She hands the letter to Kid. Kid turns around to face
away from Luccia, opens the envelope, and starts to read.]]
[Lucca's Letter]
My dear Kid,
How are you doing?
I wonder how old you are
as you read this letter?
Perhaps you've matured into
a beautiful woman, raising a
happy family, by now?
I was hoping to talk to you in
person when you were old enough,
but just in case something happens,
I'm writing my feelings down on
paper and leaving it with Luccia.
Perhaps you already know...
or perhaps you yourself are
also now caught up in some
historic crisis as a result
of all this.
But, anyway...
A long time ago, we -- my friends
and I, that is -- changed the future
in order to save our planet from
being devoured by Lavos, a monster
from some unknown planet.
We still feel proud of the role
we played in saving our world,
and in how we were so freely
able to change the flow of time.
But sometimes I think of the darker
side of what we did...
What has become of the future that
was '"once"' supposed to have existed?
Where did the '"time"' that now is no
longer allowed to exist '"go?"'
It is true that, thanks to our
altering the flow of history,
we were able to save so many
lives and prevent so much sadness
and suffering...
But when you think of it, we also
caused the deaths of so many that
were meant to have come into
existence in the time line we
destroyed, and also caused new
sadness and suffering further along
in the new future we created...
That is why I worry that someone
might seek revenge on us for
what we did.
I have had a constant dread in my
heart that someone in our new
future will travel back in time,
just like we did, and try and kill
or capture my friends and me.
So, even if something dreadful
does befall me, Kid, know
that what was meant to happen
will happen, and that I was
always prepared for the worst.
Oh, but don't you dare think the
Great Lucca is going to go down
without a fight!
(I've got a reputation to uphold!)
Whatever lies waiting for us
around the next corner better
watch out, 'cause it's gonna
find a pretty mean counter-
attack coming its way!
Kid...
When I think of you,
I remember someone I once
met a long, long time ago
in the distant past...
Heh! But she was the complete
opposite of the you in this
time line...
So quiet and gentle...
Someday I'll also tell you
about her...
When you are ready to know
of your real name and heritage.
I'm not the slightest bit
worried about you, Kid!
I know that, no matter what
happens, '"he"' will always be
there looking out for you!
Or perhaps he has already
found you and is there by
your side as you read this?
If so, hello, Janus!
Please take good care of
my '"little sister"' for me!
There is so much more I want to
to tell you, but I must leave it
for another time.
Don't worry! Everything is okay!
We will overcome whatever woes
may occur! That's for certain!
Later, when you're all grown
up, I'll come visit you and we'll
talk over tea.
I look forward to that day!
Well, anyway Kid,
until we meet again...
Forever and ever your friend,
(No matter which time line it is!)
~~~~~~~~yours sincerely,
~~~~~~~~Lucca Ashtear
P.S.
Cut out the tomboy act!
Believe me! You'll become a
beautiful young lady one day, or
my name isn't '"Lucca the Great!"'
[When she's finished reading, Kid continues to stand there
with her back to the party.]
Kid:
Sorry, but...
I'd like to be
alone for a while...
[The other party members--and Luccia--leave the room.]
Kid:
I can't believe you,
Sis...
You're the one who always
laughed about how there's
nothin' '"definite"' or
'"certain"' in this world...
Sis...
[System]
Received Rainbow Shell.
[Apparently, the shell was enclosed in the letter. The scene
then fades to the hall outside.]
==============================================
Basement Hallway, Viper Manor (Another)
==============================================
[Serge and the party are standing outside the
door to Luccia's lab.]
Serge:
(So that was what Lucca Ashtear
was like... I wish I could have
met her. She seemed like a nice
person--well, a little crazy,
but you can't have everything.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is in the party]
Serge:
Huh...I guess that letter really
proves that you did know Lucca,
right, Janus?
Magus:
Did you think I was
lying about it?
Serge:
No, it's just that, um, your
memory...is kinda... (Oops, I
think I just put my foot in it.)
Magus:
Idiot. Yes, I truly did know
Lucca Ashtear...which makes me
wonder why some parts of that
letter were so out-of-character
for her.
Serge:
What do you mean?
Magus:
She wasn't the sort of person
prone to dropping hints and
then leaving them unexplained,
but in that letter she implied
that she feared reprisals from
the future we wiped from
existence...and then made a
cryptic remark about Kid's
origins. She knew something,
and I think she expected me to
understand it as well, but these
damnable holes in my head... Did
she know about Belthasar?
Serge:
!
Isn't that...a bit of a jump?
Magus:
Is it? To my mind, the pieces
are starting to fit together far
too neatly for her to have meant
anything else! Belthasar,
Chronopolis, FATE, Lynx, the
Frozen Flame, you, Kid, and
Lucca...and me. All connected.
Guile: [if present]
Interesting. The connections are
so complex that one almost needs
to draw a diagram to make sense
of it all.
Magus:
There are still vital pieces
missing, however: Kid's origin,
Belthasar's motives, and the
reason that I wiped my memory...
Lucca clearly had at least one
of them, but it would require
time travel to recover whatever
she knew...which leads us back
to exactly one source of
information yet again.
Serge:
Let me guess: you're talking
about Belthasar. (He always gets
this sour look on his face when
he talks about the old guy...
Well, okay, he USUALLY looks
kind of sour, but this is a
DIFFERENT sour look.)
Magus:
Precisely. If I knew where
to look for HIM, this would
all be over.
Serge:
(Yeah, and I bet it would be
all over for Belthasar, too!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Kid emerges from the lab]
Kid:
Well, let's get to it!
We've got a tower to
climb, mates!
Serge:
(Oh, Kid... Don't force yourself
to be cheerful. It hurts to
watch.)
[Kid rejoins the party.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they go back and speak to Luccia again afterwards...]
Luccia:
Lucca and I go vay back.
Ve vere great friends,
both aspiring scientists.
Had not the tragic incident
occured, I am sure Lucca
vould have surpassed me...
Magus: [if present]
She already had. Lucca published
very little of her research--she
was more of a tinkerer than a
writer.
Serge:
(...I really do think I would
have liked to meet her.)
And no, I don't think the junk found in Lucca's room in Kid's nightmare invalidates Magus'
last comment, since I can't see that any of it was in a format that a scientific journal
would accept.
Anyway, the third and final part of the chapter will contain flying saucers, flying boats,
and flying existential discussions. ;P
-
He's inside Kid's dream of a burning building, which is probably frozen in the burning-but-still-standing state until Kid gets snapped out of it.
OK then. I think I misunderstood that part as a real time travel.
I think it must really have been Killer Jerky--I mean, jerky changed the entire history of Porre, so it must be kind of important to them, right?
Hmm, again, I failed to see the difference between jerk and jerky. :shock:
[Member] received
Nostrum!
Well, if it is a dream, then why they can get items?
And if it is not a dream, Lucca's orphans must be rich enough to eat Nostrums for food and make yo-yo out of rainbow shells.
:D
Serge:
(Huh? How can she not remember?
Or maybe it's just that so much
has happened since then...)
I mean at Terra Tower, after
Lynx stole my body.
Hum? Terra Tower?
-
@utunnels: Terra Tower? I meant Fort Dragonia. I must have had Terra Tower
on the brain when I wrote that.
I will admit that there is some evidence supporting the idea that Serge's
visit to the orphanage is real time travel (Mune's "We're sending you back to
the past" line, the use of the Time Egg, and the fact that, as you say, items
can be physically removed from the orphanage), but there are also some things
that don't add up. The biggest one is the way Serge and the party "fade" back
to the present. We don't see this in any other instance of Chronoverse time
travel--regardless of whether the mechanism is a Gate or an Egg, it's
clear that people are physically and permanently removed to their new time
in every instance, or Magus wouldn't have been able to spend twenty-plus
years in 600AD. In the orphanage incident, by contrast, it's pretty clear
that the Mastermune/the Time Egg is exerting continual force to hold Serge
and the party inside the burning building.
The other big anomaly is...well, Kid's mind can't literally have been
transported back to the past, right? So the reason she wasn't waking from
her coma was despair arising from a nightmare about the past. If Serge had
actually changed that past, what was Kid doing in that bed in Hermit's
Hideaway? Without the despair and the nightmare, she should have woken
up before they had the chance to get her there. (Even if you subscribe to
the theory of Time Traveller's Immunity, she can't have it at this point,
and changes to the timeline were always retroactive in CT.)
I can see two theories that might reconcile these facts. One is that
the location Serge entered is Kid's nightmare, made physical by the
power of the Mastermune/Time Egg. In effect, it's created a pocket dimension
linked with Kid's mind. The dimension itself, and everything in it, is
physical, but because the nightmare is a recreation of the past, Kid "knows"
how the events in it are supposed to unfold, and Serge's attempts to interfere
make her subconsciously attempt to throw him out. That's what the continuing
power outlay is fighting. Mune's line becomes true in the sense that Serge is
transported back into what Kid perceives as her past.
The other is that the time travel was somehow seriously botched and Serge
was effectively transported to the past as a sort of tangible ghost that
could only be sustained there with a continuous energy outlay. This
also requires that Kid would still have taken until half past forever to
wake up even if she didn't need help from Serge.
Either way, the whole thing is a mess.
Augh. Anyway, Starky, flying boats, and Serge talks about "why" a lot.
25. Terra Tower - Caught in an echo of time... Part III
==============================================
Surface, El Nido Triangle (Another)
==============================================
[The moment the party sails up to him, this guy
starts talking.]
[Explorer]
I've discovered a mysterious
object down below, but there's
a nasty monster guarding it.
Serge:
What kind of "mysterious
object"?
[Explorer]
I don't know. It looks kind of
like a saucer-shaped boat made
of metal.
Serge:
(It does sound weird. And just
about every bit of Weird I've
run across since this world
sucked me in has ended up being
important some way or other.)
Have you got any diving
equipment you can lend us?
[Explorer]
You don't need any--that's the
weirdest part! Somehow, it's
possible to breathe the water
here.
But if you're going down there,
I need to warn you about that
monster. No matter how many
times I hack away at it, it
doesn't seem to have any effect.
I've tried some Elements, too.
There are some that
work and some that don't.
Serge:
I don't suppose you remember
WHICH Elements worked.
[The explorer rubs the back of his head.]
[Explorer]
Well, I was kind of...um...
panicky, I guess. But I've only
got three kinds of attack
Elements: Fireball, Aqua Beam,
and Bushwacker.
Serge:
(So that's...red, blue, and
green?) Okay, thanks for the
advice.
[System]
Go in?
~~~Yes
~~~No
=================================================
Outside Starky's Ship, El Nido Triangle (Another)
=================================================
[The party can't approach the UFO until they defeat
the nuisance jellyfish loitering outside. When they
do get to the door, this happens.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Presumably, this is what happens if Starky hasn't
been recruited yet]
Serge:
(...It's locked up tighter than
Viper Manor in the middle of a
Porrean invasion.) Anybody got
any idea what this thing is?
Luccia: | Magus: | Norris:
Dis alloy, and dis | Judging from the | This technology is far
construction... It is | construction, it | more advanced than anything
beyond our ability to | must come either | else I have ever seen, even
create somet'ing like | from the future... | in Chronopolis. Sir, I
dis. It must have come | or from another | suspect it may not be
from anodder vorld. | world. | from this world.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Radius: | Dario:
Not from around 'ere, | I have never seen | A container, or perhaps even
it isn't--that's for | anything like this | some sort of boat? I have never
sure! | before, not even | seen anything like it before.
| on the continent. | It is not from El Nido.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Zoah: | Karsh:
Arr... I have this | IT LOOKS ALMOST | It's too damned big for a
feelin' that 'tis a | LIKE A SHIELD MADE | plate, and too small for a
ship, but not like any | FOR A GIANT, BUT | boat... Can't see it being
other I've ever seen. | THERE IS NO HANDLE. | much good to us, anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Nikki: | Marcy:
I do not know what it | A UFO, maybe? | Maybe, like, a toy for a
is, but the presence | Whatever it is, it | giant kid with no taste?
of a door suggests it | sure looks cool! |
is hollow... | |
Serge:
(Now that I think about it,
there's a weird story about
the Triangle...that a star
fell into the ocean here...
and that there was someone
riding on it. Maybe if we
can find this thing's owner,
he can tell us more about it.
Assuming he's still alive.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Starky has been recruited, but isn't
in the party]
Serge:
This has to belong
to...Starky?
Norris: [if present]
If you are asking whether this
is a secret weapon from Porre,
the answer is no--we could not
create something like this. That
it belongs to the star child is
as good an explanation as any.
Lucca: [if present]
De technology is certainly
too advanced for it to be
from dis vorld and time.
Serge:
We need to bring Starky here,
I guess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Starky is in the party]
Starky:
Woooooow!
Starky's ship in this
world not brooken!
Starky am happy!
Serge:
Is your ship the reason we can
breathe down here? (It's nice to
have some Weird actually come
with an obvious explanation for
once!)
Starky:
Affirmative.
Starky's ship creeates a
special foorce fieeld.
Starky think in the other
world Starky's ship is in
pieeces and the parts are buried
underground, but still working.
[Starky opens the door]
Starky:
Yeah!
It oopened!
[The party enters the UFO]
==============================================
Starky's UFO, El Nido Triangle (Another)
==============================================
[Inside, Starky stops near a round blue...thing sticking
up out of the floor]
Starky:
Yeah!
Everything is in oorder!
[While he speaks the next few lines, Starky runs around
and looks at various bits of ship before finally settling
himself at the console in front]
Starky:
The navigaation system
is operaational.
Starky:
Starky's bed is
niice and coozy, too.
Serge:
(So if this ship is in such good
shape, what happened to this
world's Starky? Or maybe I'd
better not ask.)
(Hmmm. You know, if this ship
fell here from the sky, that
means it can fly, so maybe...)
Can you use this to get us to
Terra Tower?
Starky:
This ship is oonly big
enough to fly Starky.
Serge:
(Damn it all!)
So there's no way?
Starky:
Hmmm... Staarky has an iidea.
Leeave it to mee!
Starky:
The engine maay
bee a bit rusty, but
otherwiise, perfect.
Starky:
Oh yeah!
That...!
Hmmmmmm...
Maaybee wee can
uuse this?
[A white thing that looks sort of like a cross between
a rubber ball and a fried egg hops out of the round blue
thing and onto the deck.]
Starky:
Starky maay bee aable to
scrounge up moore stuff.
Starky will
come back laater.
Starky:
Eeasy does it.
Serge:
Um... So what is it?
Starky:
It's an anti-gravity deeviice.
If youu attach this to youur
booat, it will fly to
Terra Tower eeasily.
Serge:
A...flying boat. (I guess that's
the best we can do under the
circumstances, but it's going to
look really silly!)
Starky:
All wee neeed now is aa
facility to install it.
Luccia: | Norris: | Serge:
My lab does not have | Chronopolis is very likely | (Arni or Termina or Guldove won't
a dock... Perhaps ve | the only facility in El | be any good... Hey, wait...)
should try the docks | Nido with equipment advanced | What about Chronopolis? There was
at Chronopolis. | enough to be useful to you. | a dock in the basement...
Starky:
Alriight! Let's bee
on our waay to
Chroonopoolis.
[We fade straight to the next location]
==============================================
Docks, Chronopolis (Another)
==============================================
[Again, Starky pokes around as he speaks.]
Starky:
Let's seee.
Starky:
Starky neeed
this and that.
Serge:
(I guess it's a good thing the
ghosts can't really tell we're
here--they might not be very
happy about us borrowing their
stuff without asking.)
Starky:
Oh yeah!
Starky:
This should do
the trick.
Kid: | Guile/Dario:
Oi... | I do not understand why
All you have to do is load | you cannot just load the
that thing on the boat, right? | device on the boat.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Magus: | Karsh:
Stop playing with tools you | Can't you just load it
don't need and get to work, | on the boat? Aargh, we're
you bubble-headed idiot. | wasting time here!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Norris:
I had t'ought it vould be | I had thought your own tools
sufficient to just tie it | would be sufficient to secure
down--is it less automated | it in place.
dan I believed? |
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy: | Grobyc:
I thought that you just had | Grobyc-does-not-understand-
to, like, stick it somewhere | why-the-tools-are-necessary.
on the deck. |
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Radius:
I guess just leavin' it on | The device needs some form of
the deck isn't an option if | adjustment to do its job...?
we want this to work. |
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Zoah:
Is it broken already? I guess | IF IT CANNOT ATTACH AND CONFIGURE
they just don't build things | ITSELF WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, PERHAPS
very well wherever you come | THIS "ADVANCED DEVICE" IS NOT
from! | TRULY ALL THAT ADVANCED.
Starky:
What are youu
talking about!?
Wee neeed to attach aa
staabiliizer to keeep
the Autoo-gyroo from
spinning out of controol.
Luccia: | Kid: | Serge:
It does not have | I don't get it... | Okay, whatever--if you
vone built in? | but just hurry it | really need to do it,
| up, okay!? | then do it.
Starky:
Tiime to get
to work.
[Fade out, then back in. The anti-gravity device
is now resting in the back of the boat, rather than
on the deck.]
Starky:
Pheeew.
Starky am done.
Kid: | Serge:
See! | Um, you were talking about
All ya did was | a stabilizer and an auto-
load it on the boat! | whatzit... This just looks
| like you dumped it in the
| back of the boat.
Starky:
Negative!
[Fade again, and we're at the far end of the docks. Serge is
standing on the top level, and Kid is climbing up to join him.
The other members of the party are nearby, but on the lower level.]
Kid:
So this is it.
Serge:
I guess so.
Kid:
Never expected our encounter
to turn out like this,
didja, Serge...?
Serge:
No, I didn't. (This has all
been so crazy from the
beginning that I don't dare
expect much of anything!)
I still don't get it. Why me?
It isn't like I asked to be
put at the center of all this.
(What am I saying? I should be
asking her on a date or
something, not whining about
my life!)
Kid:
Well, ya know, if ya hadn't
gone up to Cape Howl after
poppin' through to this world,
nothin' much would've happened,
mate.
Serge:
So you're saying that I'M
responsible for everything.
Kid:
Not everythin', maybe, but
some of it.
Serge:
Okay, "some of it" I'll give
you, but I didn't choose to
end up in the Sea of Eden that
night and meet the Frozen
Flame. It could just as easily
have been, say, Leena who was
poisoned.
Kid:
Maybe it had to be someone.
If so, why NOT you?
Serge:
Aah, forget it. Thinking about
that kind of stuff gives me
headaches.
You know, I hope those stupid
dragons are having a good time
watching this. They were always
babbling about wanting to see
how I would live and die...
It was like everything I was
going through was some kind of
joke to them. If there's no
reason for me to be here...
if it's all just fate--or FATE--
flipping a coin... I think I'm
going to scream.
Kid:
Whether or not there's a reason...
That's what we're gonna
find out with our own eyes!
[Fade again, back to the boat dock. Kid is standing beside
the boat as Serge and the party descend the stairs to
board.]
[Kid]
Let's go!
[Serge, Kid, and the rest of the party board the boat.
Serge places himself at the very front.]
Kid:
So this is it...
Serge:
Looks that way.
Kid:
Let's do it!
[The boat moves out of the Chronopolis docks, and we see
FMV: Flying to Terra Tower...]
Next, we'll have some assorted side stuff before hitting
Chapter 26. Man, I am tired. It's been a long day.
-
So... ZOAH SPEAKS, Glenn gets his second Einlanzer, Magus
makes acidic remarks about the quality of the Criosphynx's
Latin, and Zappa hammers out a rainbow...
5. Behind the Mask
[This scenelet requires staying at the inn in Termina
with Leena and Zoah in the party. Then, when everyone
gets up in the morning...]
=====================================================
Inn room, Termina (Either)
=====================================================
Leena:
Hey, aren't we short someone?
[Serge looks around]
Serge:
Zoah isn't here.
Leena:
So do we go look for him?
[Serge nods]
Serge:
It's that or leave him behind.
Besides, what if something's
happened to him? Porre isn't
exactly happy with the Dragoon
Devas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If any of the other Devas are in the party]
Karsh: | Marcy: | Dario:
Nah, he goes off alone | Porre? Are you, like, | I am not at liberty to
this way sometimes. | kidding me? I bet he's | divulge what I know of
Dunno why--I guess he's | just off sulking again. | Zoah's past, but I am
just moody. | | certain that recent events
| | have been hard on him.
| | He probably went off alone
| | to think.
Serge:
(I hope that's all it is.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
...I'll go up to the smith's,
I guess. And we need to check
the gates, the shrines, the
docks, and, um, the shops and
stuff. (I hope he's not in the
bar.)
Leena:
I'll go to the shrines.
Serge:
Okay.
[Leena leaves, and the screen fades out as
Serge starts to say--]
Serge:
If no one else has a preference,
I guess we can draw straws...
================================================
Shrine Area, Termina (Either)
================================================
[ZOAH IS STANDING IN THE SHADOWS NEAR THE BASE OF
GRECO'S HOUSE when Leena enters the screen
and approaches him.]
Leena:
THERE you are. What are you
doing? Serge had to send
everyone out to look for you.
Zoah:
MY APOLOGIES. I WAS NOT AWARE
IT HAD GOTTEN SO LATE. I HAD
INTENDED TO BE BACK AT THE INN
BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WOKE UP.
Leena:
Why come all the way out here,
anyway?
Zoah:
I NEEDED TO THINK.
Leena:
About what?
Zoah:
THE PAST.
Leena:
Well, that's...informative.
Zoah:
...
Leena:
Say, I've been meaning to ask
you--why do you wear that helmet
all the time?
Zoah:
ORIGINALLY, I WAS TRYING TO
AVOID BEING RECOGNIZED. THESE
DAYS, I SUPPOSE IT'S JUST HABIT.
OR IT WAS UNTIL PORRE CAME TO
THE ISLANDS.
Leena:
So it's Porre you're
hiding from?
Zoah:
...
Leena:
Oh, come ON! You don't really
think I'm going to walk up to
some Porrean and say, "Hey! You
know that guy you've been trying
to find? He's right over there,
wearing the helmet and the
loincloth!"
Zoah:
PERHAPS NOT, BUT I AM STILL
NOT COMFORTABLE WITH BREAKING
A SILENCE THAT HAS LASTED FOR
TEN YEARS. I HAVEN'T SPOKEN OF
MY PAST EVEN TO MY COMRADES
AMONG THE DEVAS, ALTHOUGH THE
GENERAL KNOWS A LITTLE.
Leena:
I guess that means you aren't
going to take that thing off,
either.
Zoah:
WHAT, MY LOINCLOTH?
Leena:
NO! I meant--
...That was a joke, wasn't it?
I didn't think you had a sense
of humour.
Oh, I'm sorry, that--
Zoah:
KARSH AND MARCY WOULD AGREE
WITH YOU. BUT...WELL, WE'RE
PRIVATE HERE, I SUPPOSE.
WAIT A MOMENT.
[The screen fades out as Zoah reaches for his helmet.
When it fades back in, he has his back to the camera
and the helmet under his arm. His hair is red, and he
wears it very short--brush cut or similar. During the
next few exchanges, he uses a different portrait--looks
a bit like Crono, but with grey eyes, the short hair,
and probably a scar of some sort.]
Zoah:
Satisfied? Not that you would
have known what to do with
what's under my loincloth anyway.
Not at your age.
Leena:
Oh, quit it! But you do look
better than I expected. Um,
I mean--
Zoah:
You mean you thought I would
have only half a nose, or
something like that. Don't
worry--I'm used to it.
Leena:
Umm... So why is Porre
after you?
Zoah:
Trying to change the subject?
They aren't exactly. After me,
I mean.
[Leena walks away a few paces, to the edge of the water, and looks
down into it.]
Leena:
...You know, my grandma used to
say that if something was too
hard to explain straight out,
you should try to make a story
out of it.
Zoah:
A story?
Leena:
Yes, you know--"Once upon
a time..."
Zoah:
You're a very stubborn girl. Are
you really that curious about
me? ...And you're blushing.
Leena:
I am NOT blushing!
...But I guess I AM curious.
Is that really so bad?
Zoah:
I suppose I'm not used to having
pretty girls interested in me
anymore.
Leena:
Now YOU'RE trying to change the
subject--and you're no better at
it than Serge is! Come on, now.
"Once upon a time..."
Zoah:
All right, I'll try, if it will
get you off my back.
Once upon a time...there was a
boy whose father wanted him to
be a soldier.
Leena:
And he wanted to be a...a shop
clerk or something?
Zoah:
Heh. No, or this would be a very
different type of story. No, the
boy would have been quite happy
to become a soldier--he'd always
been good at fighting. What he
didn't want to be was Porrean...
or at least not the son of the
High Commander of Porre. The
idea was that he would go to
officer's school and then be
promoted through a series of
safe postings until he could be
appointed to the High Command
himself. However, the boy wanted
to fight, not become a
politician in uniform. And so,
the day before he would have
been sent to the Porrean
Military Academy to begin his
officer's training, he took his
armour and his sword and ran
away from home. After that, he
wandered around for a few years,
trying to find a place as far as
possible from Porre. El Nido
seemed like a good bet.
Leena:
That must have been a few
years ago now--do you really
think they're still looking
for...that boy?
Zoah:
Maybe not, but the High
Commander is a very stubborn
man. He doesn't like to let
things slip through his fingers.
Leena:
...
Zoah:
And now you look depressed.
Don't be. I love El Nido--the
scenery, the people, and
especially the food--and I'm
glad this is where I ended up.
I'd probably better put my
helmet back on and get up to
the inn now--I've been holding
things up long enough already.
See you there.
[The scene fades out, but in front of the black screen we see--]
Leena:
So I guess I finally found a
guy who isn't crazy, ugly, too
old, or in love with someone
else...but why does he have to
dress like that?
I'm starting to think I'm going
to end up being an old maid.
[The player gets control of the party back in the inn room.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Knight Life
===================================================
Dario and Glenn's House, Termina (Another)
===================================================
[Porre Soldier]
This knight Glenn
I hear is an extremely
hot-tempered and
hard-headed guy.
My, my, that's why
prehistoric soldiers
like knights are
such a nuisance.
Glenn:
What was that!?
Try squeaking that
line out again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Dario is present]
Dario:
Do not waste your time on men
like him, Glenn. Getting angry
at him only results in your
descending to his level.
Glenn:
You're saying...it isn't
something a knight should do...
but he's insulting all the
Dragoons, not just me! I have
to defend our honour, brother!
[Dario shakes his head]
Dario:
You are still more impulsive
than is good for you. My honour
wasn't harmed by his words...
but you might have damaged it
through your behaviour.
Glenn:
...I'm sorry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Porre Soldier]
Huh, are you a knight also?
That's why I say knights
are so foolish.
Glenn:
Tsk!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Radius is present]
Radius:
It's at times like this that
you remind me most of your
father. Garai could be exactly
the same way: stubborn and
impulsive.
Glenn:
I don't...really remember, but
I always thought that he was
more like my brother.
Radius:
No, not at all. Dario always
took after your mother--a
remarkably gentle woman. I never
was able to understand why she
married Garai, because I cannot
imagine two more different
people.
Dario: [if present]
They loved each other dearly.
I think that perhaps he needed
her gentleness to temper him,
and she needed his fierceness to
keep her moving forward. But I
am not nearly as much like her
as you seem to think I am. The
Masamune would have made that
clear to me even if nothing
else had.
I wish you had had the chance
to know them better, Glenn, but
you were still so small when
they died...
Glenn:
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================================
Shrine Area, Termina (Another)
===========================================
[I believe this is caused by examining the grave
late in the game, and with Glenn in the party...]
Glenn:
......?
The Einlanzer is
resonating...?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party never found Dario on the Forbidden
Island...]
Glenn:
Brother...!?
Yes, I understand.
This sword I will
take into my hands...
And together, we will
fulfill our unfinished
dream!
[System]
Glenn has succeeded the
Einlanzer!
Serge:
(Nice to know I'm not the only
one who talks to people who
aren't there...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Dario has been recruited, or has been
discovered by the party but not recruited--]
Glenn:
I cannot take it. It still
belongs to my brother.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Dario is in the party]
Dario:
Go on. Take it.
Glenn:
I cannot--the Einlanzer
is yours, brother.
[Dario shakes his head]
Dario:
No, Glenn. I am no longer worthy
to wield the holy sword. I would
even go so far as to say that I
perhaps never was in the first
place.
Glenn:
Of course you are worthy!
[Dario turns away.]
Dario:
...No. If I had ever truly
possessed the strength of spirit
necessary to wield Einlanzer's
full powers, the Masamune would
not have dragged me down so
easily. I...didn't even have to
touch it for the darkness to
fill my head. There is so much
evil in me, Glenn. So many
thoughts that I hide even from
myself, repressed desires that
I dare not even articulate,
because speaking of them makes
them too real...
Glenn:
I think...that perhaps...you
are too hard on yourself.
Dario:
What do you mean?
Glenn:
For as long as I can remember,
you have been trying to be the
perfect knight. And for as long
as I can remember, I have wanted
to be like you...but I never
quite succeed. I make mistakes,
I stumble and fall...and then
I get up again, and usually
I am the only one who feels that
I deserve any blame for whatever
happened. I cannot be perfect,
but I CAN try with all my might
to become the sort of man I want
to be. And so can you.
Dario:
Glenn...
Take the Einlanzer.
Glenn:
But--
[Dario turns back toward him, and shakes
his head.]
Dario:
You misunderstand. I want you
to have it...because you are the
best knight here. All other
qualities aside, you have just
proven that you possess a
clarity of vision that exceeds
mine. Take up our father's
sword, and use it well.
Glenn:
Brother...
[System]
Glenn has succeeded the
Einlanzer!
Dario:
...And please, do not tell Riddel
any of what I said. It will only
worry her unnecessarily.
Glenn:
I won't.
Serge:
(I wonder if he's ever going to
remember that the two of them
aren't alone here...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Riddle of the Sphinx
===========================================================
Cavern, Earth Dragon Isle (Another)
===========================================================
Serge:
I guess the dragon isn't here...
(Which means that this time we
shouldn't have to fight. Good.)
Kid: | Guile: | Magus:
Um, I think ya'd better | Indeed, it must have | Look up, fool.
look up at the ledge, mate. | died...or been killed | The dragon may
There's something up there. | by that peculiar | not be here, but
Don't think it's a dragon, | creature up on the | that doesn't mean
though. | ledge. | we're alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dario/Radius: | Sprigg: | Grobyc:
The dragon may be gone, but | Might want to check | Grobyc-thinks-
there is a strange-looking | the ledge before ya | the-creature-on-
creature up on the ledge... | get too relaxed. | the-ledge-ate-it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Karsh: | Glenn/Norris:
De dragon may be gone, but | Guess it ran away... | Nevertheless, we
dere is a creature of an | Well, maybe that thing | should remain on our
unfamiliar species on de | up on the ledge can | guard--there is a
ledge above us, and it may | give us a fight! | large creature up
be hostile. | | on the ledge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Marcy: | Fargo:
PERHAPS IT LOST A FIGHT | Maybe that weird | Look sharp, ye
WITH THAT PECULIAR CREATURE | thing on the ledge, | lubbers! We're not
UP ON THE LEDGE. | like, chased it away. | alone.
[The camera pans up to the ledge, where the Criosphynx is...wiggling.]
[Criosphinx]
Let those who disturb the
peace of the land be punished...
Serge:
Um, we'll just be leaving now...
(Damn, I think it's going to
jump!)
[The Criosphynx jumps down, and combat begins instantly.]
Mysterious Monster:
Quid me vis?
I am the Criosphinx.
And thou hast trespassed on my domain!
Why must thou bring turmoil to this land?
Now turmoil unto thee, I give...
Depending on how thou meet'st this trial
Thou mayst be allowed to leave here alive!
However, this is an island
which no man hath visited for aeons
and the Criosphinx is
grown quite bored...
If thou possessest the courage
to match thy wits to mine,
thy sins may be forgiven when thou
answerest correctly my questions six!
Serge:
(I know I've been saying for a while
now that I wished something would just
challenge me to a game of tiddlywinks
or something, but this isn't quite what
I had in mind!)
Criosphinx:
Now riddle me this...
Usus est magister optimus.
Here is an easy one
to start off with!
Auburn nay the burn,
Iron pyrite nay the fool,
All that glitters is nay...
But silence is...
Answer my question!
What am I?
Serge:
(That's supposed to be EASY?!
I mean, the answer's obviously
not "a Criosphinx"...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they try to answer the riddles, and the next thing the
party does is fire off a Yellow Element, the Criosphinx says--]
Criosphinx:
Verus...
Thou art correct.
[It will say that after every other correctly-answered
riddle as well.]
Criosphinx:
Dimidium facti qui bene coepit habet.
Well begun is half done.
Now, here my second riddle be...
In my anger, I see...
Both the rag to charge at,
And the flag to stop at.
Blushing, I walk the royal carpet.
Answer my question!
What am I?
Serge:
(Rag to charge at? Does it think
it's a bull?)
[If the party uses a Red Element, we proceed to
the next riddle:]
Criosphinx:
Now riddle number three!
Bene rem gere!
It isn't easy being...
A friend of the planet,
With the jealous monster's eyes
Giving me a sign to proceed!
Answer my question!
What am I?
Serge:
("It isn't easy being a friend
of the planet"? What the...?)
[The answer, of course, is "green...]
Criosphinx:
Thou catchest on quickly!
Question four...
Accipe!
Mare et caelum et viola,
Give me a melancholy gloom,
But a first prize ribbon,
Makes me feel I've royal blood!
Answer my question!
What am I?
Serge:
(First prize... Is that a blue or
a white ribbon? I can never
remember...)
[Blue...]
Criosphinx:
Velim tibi ita persuadeas...
Just two more to go!
Like pontoon nay the knave,
Or Jolly Roger nay the bones,
Even the top rank of self-defense,
Is no protection from the Plague.
Answer my question!
What am I?
Serge:
(Or a cloudy night... Damn, I'm
even starting to THINK like it.)
[Black...]
Criosphinx:
Nigra in candida vertere.
By deduction alone thou shouldst
my answer already know ...
What the extorted one is bled,
With knuckles of fear.
The plumage of a coward when
Faced with the hottest of heat.
Answer my question!
What is it I be?
Serge:
(Like it said, there's only one
colour left...)
Criosphinx:
Sat prata biberunt!
Gratulor felicitati tuae!
Well done!
Thou hast solved all of
my riddles!
Thy brains are as strong
as thy brawn!
Bene vale! Bene valeto!
Always be diligent
in thy practice!
Me tibi commendo!
Vale!
I take my leave of you!
Farewell!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If the party either screws up or starts attacking the
Criosphinx without paying any attention to the riddles...]
Criosphinx:
Quid est?
Quidnam tu hominis es?
What?
Thou sayest thou canst
not answer my question?
Male factum!
Then what have I to do
with thee?
Be gone from my sight!
Abi in malem rem!
Serge:
What can I say? I'm just a dumb
fisherman. (And anyway, I can't
even understand half of what
this thing is saying! How am I
supposed to answer riddles that
are fifty percent gibberish?)
[If they succeed in killing it...]
Criosphinx:
Quid ais?
Mira narras!
Impressive!
Ne'er thought I there'd be
humans who could defeat the
Criosphinx by force alone!
Thy way of life intrigues me!
To conquer all obstacles with
brawn rather than by brain!?
.........
But I warn ye, woes shall
surely befall ones such
as thee!
Vale!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[When the combat ends, the Criosphinx disappears.]
Serge:
In some ways, that has to have
been the weirdest thing that's
happened to us so far. And what
was all that "quid" and "vale"
stuff?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
It was using a dead language
in a hopeless attempt to appear
intelligent--and getting half
of it wrong.
[Note: I have little Latin and less Greek, but if Squeenix
couldn't even get archaic English right, I expect the Latin
isn't any good either.]
Serge:
So that's what they
spoke in Zeal?
Magus:
No--a far younger tongue than
that. The sixth-century Mystics
had some old books written in it.
Sprigg: [if present]
Thought it sounded familiar.
I never learned to read it,
though--not me cup of tea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Well, I suppose it really
doesn't matter. Let's go.
---------------------------------------------------------
8. Over the Rainbow
[The version in which they don't yet have the Smith's Hammer is
in Chapter 20. I'm recapping a bit here to make certain everyone
knows what I'm talking about, because Ch. 20 was a while ago...]
===========================================================
Zappa's Smithy, Termina (Another)
===========================================================
[If the party has acquired an @Rainbow...]
Serge:
(I wonder if he knows anything
about that weird forging
material we found, the stuff
that looks sort of like shell.)
Say, Zappa, do you have any
idea what this stuff is?
Zappa:
Whoa, is no that the
Rainbow!?
Serge:
Rainbow?
Zappa:
'Tis a legendary material, lad.
If ye don't mind my askin',
where did ye get it?
Serge:
Um... I think someone gave it to
me. I don't remember exactly--
there's been too much going on.
Zappa:
When ah was a lad, ah traveled
with me wife searchin' for it
but...
So, it really exists. Ah would
love to get mah hands on it...
but from what ah can tell, this
thing can't be forged by meself.
Now, if we had another skilled
blacksmith like yours truly,
that would be a different story.
Rather unlikely story, though.
Hahaha!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge also has the Smith's Spirit and the Hammer...]
Serge:
(Well, there are two Zappas,
but... Say, where's that thing
the other one gave me? He said
I could use it to call him...)
[The player needs to use the Smith's Spirit at this point.
Using it causes the screen to flash brightly, and suddenly
there's another Zappa in the room...]
Zappa[Home]:
Ye called, lad?
[He looks at the other Zappa]
Zappa[Home]:
Ye be me...!?
Zappa[Another]:
Ah need yir help.
Ah want to hammer this thing
to make that ye-know-what...
Zappa[Home]:
That thing ye have...
It's the Rainbow!
Zappa[Another]:
Aye, this lad says someone
gave it to him--as though it
were a Heal element or summat!
Serge:
I don't think they knew how
rare it was. I certainly didn't!
Zappa[Home]:
So this ye-know-what ye
be talkin' about is the
Rainbow Axe, then?
Zappa[Another]:
Ah knew ah could
count on meself...
So, shall we start
hammerin'?
It be a wee bit hard
by meself, but two of
us working together
should be a breeze.
Zappa[Home]:
Sounds interesting...
Good timing too. Ah've just
finished an order.
We'll see what ah can do...
[Hammer-hammer-hammer-fadeout-fadein...]
Zappa[Home]:
So this is the...
Rainbow Axe!!!
Serge:
It almost looks like it's been
dipped in oil. (Looks kind of
neat, really.)
Zappa[Another]:
Hmm, it's probably radiating
such beautiful colors because
of its prismatic nature...
The response from the hammer
is as satisfying as its finish.
It be truly an amazing material...
Serge:
I still don't get what that
Rainbow stuff really is, though.
(It looks a bit like the inside
of a rainbow shell, but you'd
need a thousand of those to get
enough to make one axe...)
Zappa[Home]:
No one knows, lad, and that's
the truth. Some say it be the
Dragonians that brought it to
this world. Others that it be
made in the belly of some
creature that lives so deep in
the ocean that it ne'er sees
light and so canna know the
beauty of what it bears...
Zappa[Another]:
That be almost as silly as the
rumour that it be dragon dung!
But it be a joy tae work with,
whate'er it be.
Zappa[Home]:
We should be able to do this
on our own next time...
That sure was a brilliant job.
Ah hope ah can work with ye
again!
[System]
Zappa learned how to
forge the rainbow material!
Serge:
(It's kind of weird how people
always seem to get along so well
with their other selves... Well,
except for Fargo, who hates his
own guts.)
(...I wonder what it would be
like to meet...me?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, next we have Chapter 26, In Which Magus Gets Really Angry At Belthasar, then one last
round of side stuff (mostly about Nikki, Marcy, and Fargo), then Chapter 27, In Which I
Will Gut the Conversation with the Ghosts (Which Will Make the Chapter Very Short), and
after that, I get to do endings, including at least one new one.
-
Amazing... the added parts, was all interesting... :shock:
-
:shock: WOW. Love the bit between Leena and Zoah. I've heard(or read) debates on whether Zoah is actually Crono and the fact that you did something like that! :D But is it Crono's and Marle's kid? Will we find out? So many questions! :o
-
Canonically, Zoah can't be Crono or Crono's son unless there's some time travel involved, because his age is wrong (Zoah is 28 years old, which would have made him 8 at the time of CT). It is, however, possible that he might be Crono's younger brother. In any case, the description of what he really looks like was indeed intended as a nod in the direction of those theories. ;)
-
Well, from what I remember, early ideas about Zoah was that he was going to be the prince of a far-off country and used the helmet to hide a battle scar. That heavily implies Guardia, but who knows what would've his exact relation if true...
-
Well, if he was Crono's son, he'd be coming from a family that tends to time-travel. So who's to say he wasn't kidnapped and brought back in an instant, but for him it was about ten years? :lol:
-
He's Crono's nephew.
8)
But we see glowing eyes behind the mask. Does that mean something?
http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Zoah.html
Oh, wait, I think I know. He's the Terminator!
:picardno
-
I have been catching some of the updates of this story from time to time, and skiming over some of them, and I grew curious. At last I decided to get off my lazy ass and start reading it, though I'm still reading 9c. Guldove - Dump Kid Route (so back, I need to catch up!).
This is very interesting, I like reading your interpretation of Serge’s character(kinda different from how I imagined him, but I’m liking it!), and the interactions between the PCs. There are many of the dialogues you added which just makes me say "oh! I wish that was in the game, so cool!". I like too that Wazuki’s fate is foreshadowed from very early in the story, in the actual game it was more of a last minute revelation without the proper build up.
Ah! Magus in the story, that’s going to prove interesting. So far what I have read is very good.
My only complain is that there are parts in which Serge's mental dialogue slows down the action too much, in moments of urgency or danger you are really not given that much time to think. But then again, I’m very back in the story, maybe in newer chapters this was already adressed?
Well, I’ll keep reading to catch up with everyone else. Enjoying it so far! :D
-
Serge does (I hope) evolve somewhat over the course of the story, and becomes a little more vocal, but a fair amount of internal monologue does keep coming up. Mea culpa. Maybe when I'm done, I'll go back over the early chapters.
-
Whoo, boy. This turned out to be almost two chapters in one, in that
Magus' presence affects the dialogue so profoundly that that version
of the chapter has almost nothing in common with the version where he
isn't there. What I'm posting today is the initial short section where
the dialogue does mostly match.
26. Chrono Cross - The point where destinies meet... Part I
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) OR (Glenn and Nikki), Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc, Luccia, Dario, Leena, Kid.
==============================================
Landing Area, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[The flying boat comes to rest, and the party hops off.
Serge looks around.]
Serge:
So this is it.
Kid: [if present]
Looks that way, mate.
Sprigg: [if present]
Thoze Dragonianz 'ad louzy taste
in buildingz.
Leena: [if present]
Oh, drat, it looks like we've
still got a long way to go.
Luccia: [if present]
I vould so like to find out vhat
is keeping dis place in de air,
since it cannot be magic...but
ve have no time for such an
investigation.
Karsh: [if present]
So what are we waitin' for?
We're here to bust the dragons'
heads, right? So start climbin'!
Serge:
I guess we aren't going to
accomplish anything by standing
around. Let's go!
==============================================
Passageway Just Inside Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When they examine the yellow light]
[Terrator]
THE-OCHRE-LANDS-HAVE
DRIED-UP-AND-WITHERED...
IS-IT-YOUR-WILL-TO
CHOOSE-DESTRUCTION...?
Serge:
We...we're just trying to
survive too. I'm sorry if you
think we're going about it the
wrong way, but we can't just
roll over and die...
[Combat. When the party wins...]
Serge:
(I get the feeling that I'm
going to have nightmares about
climbing to the top of this
thing, once this is all over.
Well, it'll fit right in with
the ones about Viper Manor and
the Dead Sea and Cape Howl and
all the rest.)
==============================================
Lower Giant Coral Room, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[As they get up towards the top of the room, a
human face moulded into the ceiling begins to speak
to them...]
Serge...
Serge...
You finally made it this far...
Serge...
Serge:
(What the--Okay, just when I
start to think I can't run into
anything weirder than I have
already, something like this
happens...)
Who are you? For that matter,
WHAT are you? And how do you
know my name?
[Prisoner]
When I was still human,
I was locked up here, and
I have been here ever since...
Serge:
(I'm not sure that "locked up"
is quite how I'd say it, though
I guess he would have a hard
time leaving...)
[Prisoner]
This tower is a fortress belonging
to the ancient Reptites...
A symbol of revenge, brought
against mankind by the Dragons...
With the defeat of FATE,
the seal has been broken
and this tower has surfaced...
Serge:
(Does that mean...FATE was on
OUR side? Well, sort of, anyway.
...I think my brain just fried.)
[Prisoner]
In the eyes of the Dragons,
we humans are the foes...
Serge:
(So the Dragons just used us to
get at FATE, and now they're
throwing us away... Like hell
am I going to let them do that!)
[Prisoner]
A brain that has developed abnormally
to 3 times the original size in the
span of 3 million years...
We humans have evolved at an
enormous rate because of our
contact with Lavos's flame...
In a sense, mankind is Lavos's offspring...
We humans are extraneous to this planet...
Magus: | Serge:
I doubt the dragons know | (And how is that our fault?!
the planet's will half as | It's almost enough to make me
well as they think they do. | WANT to bring that Lavos-thing
| back, so that it could take the
| Dragons down a peg or two.)
[Prisoner]
Now...
How will you fight,
Serge...
Serge:
What do you mean, how will I
fight? The same way I always do.
We can't just stop here, not
when the future of the entire
world and everyone in it may
be depending on us.
(Man, that sounds like I've got
a swelled head...but somebody
has to do this, and why NOT us,
since we're already here?)
==============================================
Twisty Stone Ledges, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When they examine the red light]
[Pyrotor]
MANY-HAVE-BLED
SUFFERED-AND
PERISHED...
IT-IS-YOUR-TURN
TO-DIE.
Serge:
(So OUR suffering
doesn't count?)
[Combat. Nothing further is said after the party wins.]
==============================================
Nighttime Bridge, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[As they enter the area, everyone stops and looks
around.]
Serge:
What the hell?! We can't be
back at Viper Manor...can we?
Magus: | Sprigg: | Leena:
No, this is an illusion. | No, this iz magic, | That wouldn't make
Most likely, Belthasar is | although it'z beyond | sense, but...I don't
somewhere nearby. | anything I've ever seen... | get it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kid: | Luccia: | Norris/Dario:
What the bleedin' hell is | Dere is no vay dis is | This cannot be real...
goin' on here? This ain't | scientifically possible... | but someone must have
funny! | | set it up for a reason.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Fargo: | Skelly:
THIS MAKES NO SENSE. | Arr... I don't know what's | Well, it can't be a joke--
THERE MUST BE MAGIC | afoot, but I know I don't | nobody builds something like
INVOLVED. | much like it! | this just to get a laugh!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Karsh: | Marcy:
Looks almost like the | I'm gettin' really tired | This is, like, freaky!
night we snuck in...but | of people tryin' to mess | It's exactly like Viper
it sounds wrong. What | with my head... | Manor, but why would
happened to the crickets? | | anyone bother?
Just enough to whet your appetites, right? ;) Anyway, I'll continue on and post Magus'
version of the remainder of the chapter tomorrow, then the non-Magus one (which ended up
being slightly longer) on the two days following.
-
Hmm, I have been always wondering, how could the Viper Manor illusion be in Terra Tower.
Hope you can give me a clue soon.
:wink:
-
At last, I catched up with the story! :o
Still loving this script, you've actually managed to make me apreciate characters I never care too much about before and there are far too many scenes and lines I loved to point them all out.
I'll be waiting for new instalments along with everyone else now :)
-
Serge:
(Does that mean...FATE was on
OUR side? Well, sort of, anyway.
...I think my brain just fried.)
Then brace yourslef Serge, this is ONLY the tip of the iceberg... :lol:
-
@utunnels: I don't think I said anything about why Terra Tower specifically, but if I had to guess, it would be that Belthasar recreated the circumstances under which Serge and the others had previously seen him to make it more likely that they (and the player) would recognize him. After all, at that point a fair amount has happened since the last time everyone had a reason to visit Viper Manor--would they really remember one old man in a funny hat?
@Licawolf: I'm glad you're enjoying it.
@Acacia Sgt: I promise, Serge will get his say in all this (in the non-Magus version, anyway). ;)
-
Unsurprisingly, Magus stole the scene here (and chewed up a bit of the
scenery in the bargain, but that's okay--most of it was just an illusion
anyway...) Oh, and I raided that Aussie slang page several times in the
course of writing Kid's dialogue, so any odd expressions she uses probably
come from there...
26. Chrono Cross - The point where destinies meet... Part II,a. (with Magus)
[P]Max recruits: Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc,
Luccia, Dario, Leena, Kid.
==============================================
False Library, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When the party enters the library, the ghost
children are scattered around the upper level,
while Belthasar waits at the base of the stairs.
Upon entering, Magus knocks Belthasar down
with some sort of spell (ball of light? lightning?),
and then charges over to hold the Guru down. Pulling
out his scythe, he puts one foot on Belthasar's chest
and the scythe blade at his throat.]
Magus:
I have some questions for you,
old man. Depending on the
answers you give me, I might
even let you live afterwards.
Serge:
Magus...
Kid:
You're wastin' yer breath, mate.
He ain't got time for any of us
right now. We'd have to grab him
and haul him off the geezer...
and I don't know about you, but
I ain't gonna try!
Magus:
Well?
Belthasar:
Prince Janus...
Yes, I will answer your
questions. We are long past
the point at which you could
have derailed my plan.
Magus:
And that is exactly what I
want to know: What plan? Lavos
flung you to the far future,
so why return to this time and
meddle? What are you trying to
accomplish?
Belthasar:
I only wished to rescue someone.
Magus:
WHO? Who could be so important
that you would destroy your
power base in the future and
risk tearing the world apart?
Belthasar:
...Schala.
[Magus drops his scythe--which somehow miraculously falls
to one side without giving his victim more than a shallow
cut--and staggers away from Belthasar, clutching his head
with both hands. The music changes to Prisoners of Fate.]
Magus:
...No. No! Even if my strength
is not enough, I won't... There
must be a way... Schala... I
won't abandon...
Guile: | Serge:
Magus... Are you well? | Hey, are you okay?
[Magus shakes his head and visibly returns to himself.]
Magus:
Heh. What bitter irony: that we
had the same goal all along, you
and I, old man.
[He turns to face the rest of the party. As Magus speaks his next line,
Belthasar, now behind him, touches his throat, then shakes his head and
gets to his feet.]
Magus:
I remember everything now. My
sister, Schala... During the
events surrounding the Fall of
Zeal, Lavos tore her out of the
world and sent her to the
Darkness Beyond Time, the final
home of discarded timelines.
Serge:
Like what we saw inside the
Dead Sea? Then...she's dead,
isn't she?
[Magus shakes his head]
Magus:
No. Death would have been a
mercy by comparison to what
actually happened to her.
Lavos... I still don't understand
how we could have been so wrong,
but that THING, that monstrosity,
didn't die when we killed it.
It, too, was banished to the
Darkness, and somehow, Schala
became...entangled with it.
Serge:
I don't understand.
Magus:
It took me years to find a way
to enter the Darkness, and when
I finally located Schala, I
discovered that she had been...
partially absorbed by Lavos.
[The other members of the party kind of flinch back.]
Magus:
Naturally, I tried to free her,
but nothing I could do seemed to
have any effect, and I could feel
Lavos trying to reach out to me
as well... In the end, Schala
told me that my strength could
never be enough to free her, and
used Lavos' power to force me
from that place.
Despairing, believing that I
truly was helpless, I attempted
to destroy myself, but I only
succeeded in erasing my memory--
and burying most deeply those
portions that caused me the most
pain.
And that is another bitter irony:
I spent more than thirty years in
the hell that was the magicless
future to which Lavos condemned
me. During that time, I believed
Schala dead and truly lost to
me...and yet I never sought to
fling myself after her. It seems
almost bizarre that I responded
the way I did to circumstances
which offered...more hope.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If Guile is present, he shakes his head]
Guile:
I begin to see.
Magus:
See what?
Guile:
Self-reliance is generally
considered a positive quality...
but when taken to extremes, it
is also a flaw.
Magus:
What are you babbling about?
Guile:
When your sister told you that
your strength could not save her,
you interpreted that to mean that
she could not be saved. Even
though you had slain Lavos in the
company of others, it never
crossed your mind to ask for
help. And so, in pride and
despair, you fled from the pain
in the only way you could find.
Serge:
(...Whoa. Where did he get all
that...?)
Guile:
I have spent years now studying
the mystery that is you, Magus--
Janus Zeal. I know your heart
better than I know my own.
Magus:
I'm beginning to regret that I
didn't step back when we first
met and let those bandits finish
you off.
Guile:
I also know that you hate it
when others tell you truths
about yourself. Very well, I
will put my mirror away...for
the present.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Belthasar:
Schala hoped that you would never
remember her, I think. I could
have told her otherwise. Even
as a child, you were far too
stubborn to ever admit defeat.
Magus:
And so the pieces fall into
place at last...all but a
handful of them.
Belthasar:
You still have more questions?
Magus:
I don't believe in your altruism.
There is something in all of this
that still doesn't quite fit.
Belthasar:
...
Magus:
What did you need the
Dragonians for?
Belthasar:
Oh, that. I didn't. When I sent
Chronopolis back in time, Terra
Tower appeared out of nowhere
to oppose it. I can only assume
that the Entity, as Prometheus
called it, didn't approve of my
actions, and so decided to bring
in a counterbalance.
Magus:
And the dragons were somehow
related to or created by the
Dragonians, I presume--they have
that kind of feel to them.
Belthasar:
Indeed: the seven of them seem
to be a sort of...personification
of nature, or the Dragonians'
view of nature...
Magus:
...Seven? Then the harlequin was
a dragon too. Interesting.
It must have been a bit of a
shock when such a large random
factor dropped into the middle
of your neatly ordered plan.
Belthasar:
...
Magus:
And you have answered my other
question as well: If the Entity
disapproved of your plan, then
your actions are the ultimate
cause of the ruined future we
saw at the heart of the Dead Sea.
Without you, Lavos would have
stayed safely bottled up in the
Darkness Beyond Time, where it
could harm no one. Somehow, the
dimensional split is going to
provide a loophole that could
let it loose.
Serge:
(Then...it's his fault, and
not mine after all...?)
Magus:
It's a shame that I can't return
to the past and kill you before
you ever arrived in the future.
Belthasar:
...You do know that my plan is
your sister's only hope.
Magus:
I know that...but I also know
Schala. If my sister had known
of this plan of yours, if you
had told her that the only way
for her to be free was to risk
the lives of every creature in
this world, she would have
sabotaged your plot herself.
How many people have already
died because of your actions,
Belthasar?
Belthasar:
Given your history, I'm somewhat
surprised that you care.
Magus:
Heh. You're right: my heart
doesn't exactly bleed for that
nameless mass of pathetic fools.
But Schala's would--and will, if
we succeed in freeing her. How
dare you burden her this way? Did
you think I wouldn't care about
that, either?
For that alone, your life would
be forfeit.
[Purple lightning flashes, and the screen whites out
for a moment...but when the picture returns, Belthasar
is still standing. His hands are cupped in front of
him, palms outward, and in front of them, a fading
ball of light hangs.]
Magus:
How...?!
Belthasar:
While your magic is stronger
than mine, Prince Janus, you
left Zeal at such a young age
that you never received the
training that was your
birthright. Your spells are
ill-focused...fortunately for
me.
Magus:
I can still strangle you with
my bare hands--
[Belthasar begins to fade away]
Belthasar:
Precisely why I am not going
to remain here. Good luck with
the dragon-god...and with your
sister.
Magus:
Do you think I can't track you,
you old snake?
[As Belthasar vanishes completely, and before Magus
can actually do anything, Crono's ghost fades from
the upper level and reappears beside him.]
[Crono]
Janus, there is no time.
[Marle's ghost fades, then reappears beside Crono]
[Marle]
The events he has set in motion
can no longer be stopped.
[And Lucca's ghost completes the trio]
[Lucca]
You have to go on and challenge
the Dragon God at the top of the
tower, or humanity is doomed.
After that, you will have to
decide for yourself whether or
not you will push on into the
Darkness...and risk everything
to save her.
[The ghosts slowly fade away. When they're completely gone, Magus
shakes his head and heads for the door as the normal music resumes.
He pushes past the rest of the party, but stops in the doorway.]
Magus:
We're wasting time here.
Let's go.
Kid:
Hold yer horses!
Magus:
What do YOU want?
Kid:
I was just thinkin'... If ya
remember everything now, you
must know who I reminded ya
of, back when we first met in
Guldove...
Magus:
You...are my sister's very
image, except for your hair.
If you were to put on a wig and
one of her gowns, none could
tell you apart...except by the
fact that you have not the
slightest grasp of how a
princess should behave.
[Magus exits]
Kid:
Yeah? And you're as useful as
tits on a bull, ya bloody figjam!
[(figjam = Fuck I'm Good, Just Ask Me--in other words,
Kid is saying Magus has an obnoxiously high opinion of
himself.) She follows Magus out, with the rest of the party
following after, until Serge is alone in the pseudo-library]
Serge:
(...It feels like I'm trapped
inside Magus' story again. Or
just maybe...Schala's?)
[Serge exits back onto the bridge as well.]
==============================================
Small Room, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When they address the green light]
[Anemotor]
RETURN-OUR-TREES...
GIVE-BACK-OUR
GREEN-FORESTS...
Serge:
...We can't. I'm sorry.
Combat. The teleporter to the upper part of the
tower becomes available when the Anemotor is
defeated.]
==============================================
Beyond the Teleporter, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[The party steps off the teleporter, then stops]
Serge:
(Damn, this thing is tall...
I wonder how much farther we
have to go.)
[The camera pans up to give us a brief view of the towertop]
Serge:
I guess that's the top, but
what's with those lights?
Guile/Norris: | Magus: | Luccia:
It is difficult to be | They appear to be the | Could it be dat dey
certain, but perhaps... | visual manifestation of | are holding the door
some sort of seal? | a seal created by the | shut?
---------------------------| Reptites' ridiculous |-------------------------
Kid: | imitation magic. I could | Starky:
Looks to me like it | likely break it, but it | Staarky thinks it
might be a lock for | would be more efficient | miight bee a
that door... | to open it using whatever | forcefiield...
| method they had set up. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Marcy:
Well, I doubt they're | Maybe they're, like,
just a decoration... | Dragonian flashlights?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radius/Dario: | Zoah:
They must serve a | PERHAPS THEY HAVE
purpose... Something to | SOMETHING TO DO WITH
do with the door...? | THE DOOR?
[The beams are deactivated by the crystals guarded by
Luxator and Gravitor, who apparently have nothing to
say for themselves.]
==============================================
Inside Upper Tower, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When they address the blue light]
[Aquator]
DISRESPECTING-THE
ORIGINS-OF-LIFE...
MOTHER-SEA-SUFFERS...
YOU-MUST-PAY-THE-PRICE.
Serge:
Even if we've caused you pain,
killing off the human race won't
undo what we've done.
[When Aquator is dead, the teleport pad leading to
the summit becomes available]
==============================================
Stairs, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[As the party climbs one last flight of stairs, they
hear the Dragon God shouting at nothing in particular]
[Voices of the Dragon God]
A-ARRGH...
HELP...
S-STOP IT...
KILL ME...
WELL COME...
Welcome...
Humans...
Those who know the torment and
joy of creation know also the
pleasure and pain of destruction.
Therefore, all that pass through
here must be prepared to share the
burden that I carry.
Serge:
H-Harle? Is that you?
Kid: | Karsh: | Dario/Glenn/Guile:
Didn't sound like | Didn't have Harle's | Why would Harle speak
it to me. | accent... | of such things?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy/Leena: | Norris: | Sprigg:
I don't think so. | It didn't sound like | That girl always talked
| her to me. | funny, though...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Starky: | Luccia:
IT SEEMS UNLIKELY. | Harle...is gone. | I do not t'ink it vas her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magus: |
... |
Serge:
(I know it didn't SOUND like
her...and yet, somehow, I
think...)
==============================================
Summit, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[The Flame is hovering above some sort of cup-like
formation in the middle of the open summit area.
As the party approaches it, we see a brief VIDEO: the
Flame opens up]
Magus: | Fargo: | Kid:
The Frozen Flame... Miserable | The Frozen Flame... | So this is the
child of Lavos. I've been | I've never seen | true Frozen Flame...
wondering when you would show | another jewel that | Struth!
yourself again. | would compare. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starky: | Dario: | Radius:
What is this energyy? | It could indeed be | The Frozen Flame... In all
Staarky thinks the Froozen | frozen fire...or | my born years, I've never
Flaame is daangerous. | blood. | seen the like.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Norris:
So dat is de Frozen | If that is the Frozen Flame,
Flame... It appears | it is just as well that the
to defy all science. | High Command never obtained it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Skelly:
The Frozen Flame... I don't | So that's the Frozen
know how we ever mistook the | Flame... You know,
Dragon Tear for that thing. | for once I don't
| feel like laughing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Zoah:
The magic comin' from that | SO THIS IS THE "FROZEN
thing iz enough to make me | FLAME" THAT EVERYONE HAS
'air stand on end. I guess | BEEN SEARCHING FOR.
everythin' they say about |
the Frozen Flame iz true. |
Serge:
(It feels almost like...it's
dragging me in...)
Kid:
Hold on!
Don't touch it!
Magus:
You utter fool!
[Serge, demonstrating that he sometimes has the brains of
a robomule, steps forward and lays his hand right on it,
producing a bright flash. When the screen clears, Serge
has backed off.]
Kid/Leena: | Dario/Norris: | Karsh:
Is everyone okay? | Is anyone hurt? | Everybody okay?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Radius/Guile: | Marcy:
Vas anyvone hurt? | Is everyone alright? | Like, is everyone okay?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Fargo: | Zoah:
I'm getting too | Arr... No broken | WAS ANYONE HURT?
old for this. Iz | bones, I hope. |
everyone alright? | |
Serge:
I'm sorry, guys. I don't
know what got into me.
Guile: [if present]
Perhaps, as the Arbiter, you
are more vulnerable to the
Flame's influence than the
rest of us.
[Kid glares at the Frozen Flame.]
Kid:
Bugger you!
Us humans ain't
gonna let you have
yer way any longer!
Magus:
Something's coming.
Guile: [if present]
I feel it too.
Sprigg: [if present]
Wot's this? Not quite magic,
but it'z similar...
Kid:
C'mon!
Show yer
bloody self!
[The Dragon God shoots up over the edge of the tower,
then lands on the far side of the Flame from the party,
who have all taken up defensive stances.]
[Dragon God]
In order to survive,
all living things in this world
fight desperately and
devour those they defeat...
Must one kill other living
things in order to survive?
Must one destroy another world
in order to allow one's own
world to continue?
The wounded in turn wound
and torment those weaker
than they themselves are...
There are only the killers and
the killed...
The sinners, who are judged, and
the victims that do the judging...
What meaning is there
to such a world?
Kid:
Whether there's
meanin' to our
lives or not...
we still go on
livin', you know!
Kid:
You've got no right
to deny that!
Serge:
You want to know what meaning
there is in the world... Well,
what meaning is there in
destroying it? Once it's gone,
there'll just be...nothing. An
empty space. There CAN'T be
any meaning in that.
(Did that even make sense?
...I am SO tired of philosophy.)
[Dragon God]
I shall cleanse this blue planet of
you filthy humans once and for all!!
Serge:
Let's get this over with so I
can go home.
[Combat. When the party wins...]
[Dragon God]
Now I shall truly awaken again...
This too is destiny...
Magus:
I do not like the sound
of that one bit.
Serge:
Neither do I, really, but...
Anyway, what are you going to
do now? Are you going after
your sister, or--
Magus:
The Flame needs to be
dealt with first.
[Belthasar]
No need to worry--I'll
take it.
[Belthasar fades into existence near the Flame. Magus
pulls out his scythe.]
Magus:
Touch it and I'll kill you.
Belthasar:
Prince Janus--
Magus:
I don't trust you with that
thing.
Belthasar:
I only intend to keep it safe,
beyond the reach of men.
Magus:
Beyond the reach of men OTHER
THAN YOU, you mean.
Belthasar:
Well, I--
Magus:
If I hadn't thought your
judgement questionable before,
the fact that you want to spirit
the Flame away rather than
destroying it would prove it.
Belthasar:
I do intend to destroy it...
in time. But before that, it
must be studied.
Magus:
As I recall, you said that
about Lavos, too.
Belthasar:
This is different.
Magus:
Heh. You can't even
come up with a better
excuse than THAT?
[Suddenly, the tower shakes. Magus is thrown off-balance, and
Belthasar lunges for the Flame. The screen flashes white, and
when it clears, both Belthasar and the Flame are gone.]
Magus:
Damn him!
Zeral molom kathreshar--
[The tower shakes again.]
Serge:
Magus, I don't know what you're
trying to do, but there's no
time! If we don't get out of
here before this thing comes
apart under us--
Magus:
If you're worried, go on ahead.
If I leave now, I won't be able
to trace the old man's teleport.
Kid:
Are ya bloody crazy?! If you
try to stay up here, you're
gonna end up dead--and who
knows what'll happen to your
sister then?
Magus:
In the unlikely event that I
didn't make it, I had hoped Serge
would experience another mad
impulse toward heroism and go to
rescue Schala in my place, but I
suppose that isn't possible if
he fails to exit the tower in
time. Very well--I'll come.
Kid:
Bet ya made Sis as cross as a
frog in a sock. What does it
take for you to get it through
that thick head of yours that
there are people out there that
care if ya live or die...Uncle?
[The tower starts shaking again, and this time, it doesn't stop]
Serge:
We're out of time--we need to
go NOW!
[As the party flees, we are shown VIDEO: the end
of Terra Tower]
==============================================
Sea (Another)
==============================================
[When the screen fades in again, we see the party
in a boat at the foot of the tower. I'm going to
assume Kid joins them in the boat even if she didn't
climb the Tower, although the original has alternative
lines available...]
Kid:
So that's Terra Tower's
final, true form...
In the end, we're all the
same...
Everyone dreams of bein'
greater, more powerful...
Magus:
And why not? It takes power
to get anything done in this
world.
Serge:
You know, Magus, there are times
when you have all the charm of
one of those three-foot-long
purple sea slugs that wash up on
the beaches after a bad storm.
Magus:
One more word, and I'll turn
you INTO a sea slug.
Kid:
Oy, you two, don't have a blue
now! Ain't we been through
enough yet?
Magus:
...
Serge:
...I guess you're right. That
tower was tough, and I think
maybe we're all a bit on edge.
[There's a brief pause--a second or two--during which no one says anything]
Kid:
So, Uncle Janus... Are ya gonna
go after your sister?
Magus:
...Stop calling me that.
Kid:
Then stop tryin' to change the
subject! Are ya goin' or not?
[Lucca's ghost]
He doesn't know what to do.
[She fades in sitting on the edge of the boat.]
Magus:
Damn you.
Serge:
(Guess he can't make threats
about sea slugs to her!)
[Lucca]
His first attempt to free Schala
failed, and he has no better
plan this time.
Magus:
I'm fairly certain that spell
to banish wandering ghosts
began with--
[Lucca]
There is a way, Janus.
Belthasar found it.
Magus:
WHAT way, damn you?! I've been
wracking my brains, and if
neither force nor persuasion
will work, then I see no hope.
[Lucca]
The Chrono Cross.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they've already made the Chrono Cross]
Serge:
You mean this weird Element
that we made out of the
broken Dragon Tears?
[Lucca]
Indeed.
Magus:
Give me that!
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they haven't created it yet]
Magus:
What are you talking about?
[Lucca]
It is an Element that can only
be created by fusing the power
of two separate dimensions. You
must take the shards of the two
Dragon Tears to Divine Dragon
Falls, near Arni.
Magus:
Then--
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[Lucca]
You cannot wield it, Janus.
Magus:
WHAT?!
[Lucca]
The dark paths you have walked
have left you too bitter. The
Chrono Cross loses its power if
the one who wields it has no
harmony within himself. That's
why Belthasar chose...a
fisherman.
Serge:
You mean...me?
[The ghost nods]
[Lucca]
Exactly. Janus will just have to
swallow his pride for once and
ask for help in creating the
Cross's proper melody.
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
He doesn't need to. He may be
as prickly as hell, but he's
still one of us. Of course we'll
help him.
Magus:
...
[Lucca]
Well, now that that's settled...
Here, take this!
[System]
Serge received Time Egg!
[Lucca]
That will let you access the
Darkness Beyond Time, where
Princess Schala is trapped.
Use it back at the beginning.
I'll be waiting for you there.
[The ghost stands up, but before she can actually fade...]
Kid:
Sis, wait!
...Oh, bloody hell, I know it
isn't really you, but...
[Lucca]
Who fed you that line of--Oh, of
course. Miguel. He was wrong,
Kid. Because he had been reduced
to an impotent image of what he
had once been, he assumed we had
suffered the same fate. Well, he
was wrong. I'm still Lucca the
Great! ...Well, mostly, anyway.
Not being able to touch anything
kind of limits what I can do.
Kid:
Sis... (Sniff) Ah, damnit, I'm
too old to cry!
[Lucca turns to face out to sea]
[Lucca]
I guess I broke my promise to
look after you, didn't I? I'm
sorry, Kid.
Kid:
N-no biggie. I'm doin' okay
on my own.
[Lucca]
Except that I guess you're not
exactly on your own anymore...
which is a load off my mind,
really. Now, what did you want
to ask me about?
Kid:
About Princess Schala... Is she
s'posed to be anything to me?
[Lucca]
I thought you'd figured it out
when you started calling Janus
"Uncle"--
[For a moment, the ghost gets even more transparent]
[Lucca]
Oh, damn--I think I'm out of
time. Kid, I promise I'll tell
you about Schala the next time
we meet. Right now, I need to
take a rest.
Kid:
...S'okay. I can wait a little
longer. Go take a nap, or
whatever ghosts do when they
feel stuffed.
[Lucca]
One of these days, you're going
to have to tell me where you
picked up that accent, because
I certainly didn't teach you to
talk that way!
[Lucca fades away]
And tomorrow, the first half of the alternate version where Serge gets to be the one
who goes postal at Belthasar...
-
I see you use too many damns.
:P
-
@utunnels: There are six "damn"s, no more, in the text--the problem is probably that
three of them are clustered together near the end. Changing Lucca's "Oh, damn" to
"Oh, hell" and Magus' first "Damn you" to some more colourful threat ("Be silent, or
I'll exorcise you!"--although that would mean finding a different follow-up line for
Serge) would probably fix it.
So, in Magus' absence, somebody had to take up the slack. Poor Serge.
26. Chrono Cross - The point where destinies meet... Part IIb (no Magus)
==============================================
False Library, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When the party enters the library, the ghost
children are scattered around the upper level,
while Belthasar waits at the base of the stairs.
Nothing happens until the party actually speaks
to Belthasar, and when they do...]
Prophet:
Welcome.
It's good to see you
finally made it here!
I have been expecting
you...
Serge!
Serge:
Well, I wasn't expecting YOU.
What IS all this--we can't
be back at Viper Manor, but...?
Prophet:
This is a space that
does not exist.
But don't mind that...
More importantly,
I have something I
must explain to you!
Serge:
I'll say you do. Who are you?
It's pretty obvious that you're
not just Viper's librarian.
(Well, okay, I had that figured
out a while ago, when he put on
that show for us about the
dimensional split, but I didn't
know he could do anything like
THIS!)
Prophet:
Oh, my name is
Belthasar...
Serge:
I think I remember the ghosts
in Chronopolis talking about
you...
Belthasar:
They may well have been, since
I did set the place up...or will
set it up. Time travel makes such
a terrible mess of verb tenses...
Serge:
So you're from the future?
Belthasar:
Oh, no, not at all. I merely
passed through it, so to speak.
I was born a bit more than
13,000 years ago, in the Magical
Kingdom of Zeal. Indeed, I had
something of a reputation
there--they called me the Guru
of Reason.
Serge:
(Well, his ego sure
isn't small...)
Belthasar:
Well, that was up until the
Queen of Zeal attempted to
harness the power of Lavos...
Let's just say, things got out
of control and Lavos created a
dimensional vortex that threw
me far into the future!
Belthasar:
There, I seized the opportunity
to study the science of the
future...
I was then able to apply to that
the knowledge I brought from my
own era, including magic, which
was long lost in the future.
Anyway, this led me to make
huge progress in the research
of time.
Belthasar:
Well, that research led to
the creation of Chronopolis
and to the Time Crash...
You might think I really
blew it, but perhaps it
was really my finest hour!
Ho-ho-hoh...
Luccia: | Kid: | Serge:
I t'ought dere vas somet'ing | So what you're saying | You did that
odd about de information de | is, you set those | on PURPOSE?!
ghosts vere discussing. You | poor blokes up?! | (Is this guy
lied to dem in order to cause | | crazy?!)
de time crash, da? | |
Belthasar:
Well...
Serge:
Never mind--just keep on
explaining. (If we start an
argument now, we may never
find out the rest.)
Belthasar:
Anyway... I created a compact
time machine that I dubbed
the '"Neo Epoch."'
I used it to time warp to this
age to learn of Chronopolis and
FATE's plans, and to see how
things were turning out.
[The next several lines are delivered against a static
image of the Reptite dimension, with the camera slowly
panning upward]
Belthasar:
Terra Tower is really a
city of the Reptites, from
another dimension's future...
Serge:
(I guess that means there
really are more worlds than
just these two...?)
Belthasar:
It was originally
'"Dinopolis"'...
The castle of Azala's
descendants, who achieved
an evolution much more
intimate with our planet.
Serge:
(Just who was this "Azala"
person, anyway?)
Belthasar:
Dinopolis was drawn into
this dimension's past about
ten thousand years ago...
Belthasar:
This was done so that it
would serve as a counter-
balance against Chronopolis,
which Lavos pulled here.
Serge:
(Wait a sec. If Lavos is that
spiky-looking thing that Miguel
and the ghosts said was supposed
to destroy the world, and it
pulled Chronopolis here, then
Chronopolis is...)
[The backdrop switches to one of the Chronopolis-Dinopolis
war during the post-Zeal ice age. Again, the camera slowly
pans...]
Belthasar:
Needless to say,
a fierce battle ensued...
Belthasar:
In the end, Chronopolis emerged
as the victor, and the Reptites'
fortress was sealed away by FATE...
[Back to the library]
Serge:
Let me get this straight: you
sent Chronopolis back to the
past, and Lavos WANTED it back
there, which means...you're
working for Lavos.
Belthasar:
Oh, no, no. Although I do see
how it could appear that way to
someone familiar with only part
of my plan. Lavos was a useful
tool, no more. It's really quite
a predictable creature.
Kid: | Dario: | Sprigg:
If it's so predictable, | If there is one thing | You've got a 'igh
then why ain't this Zeal | I have discovered, it | opinion of yerself.
place of yours still around? | is that overconfidence | 'ow do ya know IT
| is a weakness. | wazn't uzing YOU?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Norris: | Radius:
All creatures are predictable, | Sir, if I may say... | It's the likes of
in dat dey strive for survival. | you took an immense | you that give the
Dis Lavos may have tricked you. | risk by trusting it. | elderly a bad name.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Skelly: | Fargo:
THAT SOUNDS...VERY RISKY. | That's a joke, right? | Are ye mad?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Glenn:
Serge is pretty predictable | Employing a creature of that
too, but that doesn't mean he | viciousness could easily have
isn't dangerous. | ended in disaster.
Belthasar:
I am not saying that there was
no need for caution! Naturally,
I handled Lavos with great care.
Serge:
(The more I listen to this guy,
the more he starts to worry me.)
Belthasar:
But more important now
is the role the Dragons
play in all of this...
Originally the whole
Archipelago of El Nido
was known as the
Sea of Eden.
This was because it was
where the Dragon Gods
resided.
Belthasar:
But then FATE sealed away
the Dragon Gods' powers, in
effect becoming a god itself.
Thus the islands where the
new godhead, FATE, existed
came to be called the
Sea of Eden instead.
Belthasar:
Perhaps you didn't realize it,
but you were used by the
Dragon Gods to eliminate FATE!
Serge:
I'm not that stupid. (But I'm
beginning to wonder who was
really using me. If you could
manipulate Lavos, does that
mean you were pulling the Dragon
Gods' strings too?)
Belthasar:
It was not true that the
Dragon Gods sealed away
the Frozen Flame...
Rather, it's quite the opposite...
It was FATE that used the power
of the Flame to seal up the
Dragon Gods.
In reality, the Dragon Gods are
in opposition to man, while
FATE itself was actually the
protector of humanity!
Kid: | Karsh: | Sprigg:
Heh. D'ya really expect | Why would we need protection | Jailz can be pretty
us to believe that? | against pushovers like them?! | safe places.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norris: | Grobyc: | Luccia:
Please do not treat us | Grobyc-thinks-humans-are- | It seems to me dat you are
like fools, sir. | stronger-than-the-Dragon-Gods. | not unbiased in dis, da?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skelly: | Dario: | Marcy:
If you want to do | Even if the Dragon Gods are | We're not little kids--
comedy, you need a | evil, that does not of itself | stop treating us like
bettah routine! | make their enemy good. | we're stupid, y'know?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Nikki:
I cannot believe that | So why do we deserve to be
FATE was benign... | protected?
Serge:
So...you sent FATE back in time.
Do you realize what else that
means you did?
Belthasar:
Dear boy, I--
Serge:
Shut up. It took me a while,
because I'm maybe not the
brightest person in the world,
but if FATE exists in this time
because of you and your plan,
that means that everything Lynx
did is YOUR FAULT. YOU
killed Lucca Ashtear, and
Miguel...and my father. And
probably Garai and Zelbess and
a lot of other people too,
because nothing would have
happened the same way without
you messing around.
So tell me, why the HELL should
we listen to anything you have
to say?!
Belthasar:
...
Those people would have died
even had I done nothing. Indeed,
without the Time Crash, most of
them would never have been born.
Serge:
And that's supposed
to make it okay?!
Belthasar:
I did not WANT any of their
deaths, young man--in particular,
I both liked Lucca Ashtear and
respected her as a colleague.
Discovering that her death was
necessary was...a great blow.
Kid: [if present]
Cut the crap, ya whacker!
I'm THIS close to beatin' ya
to a bloody pulp!
Serge:
Give me one good reason why we
shouldn't just walk out of here
right now.
Belthasar:
Because if you do not act to
counter the Dragon Gods, human
life in El Nido--and possibly
all over the world--will come
to an end.
Serge:
(Damnit, I WANT to just walk
away, but when he says something
like THAT...)
I guess that's a good reason...
IF you're telling the truth and
not leaving stuff out again. So
finish explaining what's going
on.
Belthasar:
The Dragon Gods were originally
a singular plasma life-form...
...A living accumulation of the
planet's energy!
Originally it was a biological
machine used to control the
powers of nature in the future
society of the Reptites.
In order to control the natural
energy itself, FATE divided the
one Dragon God entity up into
6 weaker plasma life-forms...
Then scattered them across
the land and sealed them away.
Their dragon-like appearances
are just pseudo-guises...
...Temporary forms they take
so that they can appear in
this dimension.
Serge:
(I think I got about one word of
that in ten...but I also don't
think it's important. Can't this
guy just get to the point
instead of giving us weird
lectures?)
(...I'm starting to hate this
"kindly professor" act of his
even more than I did Lynx.)
Belthasar:
But all that changed when
FATE was vanquished and its
powerhold was eliminated!
At that moment, the seven
Dragons who had been
rendered almost powerless
and forgotten...
traveled across the
dimensions to reunite
into a single entity!
Leena: | Radius: | Serge:
You sure you're feeling | Seven Dragons? The | (Wait a minute...)
all right? Everyone knows | legends only speak | SEVEN dragons? I thought
there are only six Dragons. | of six... | there were only six.
Belthasar:
There were six Dragons
you knew of and one more
hidden Dragon you didn't...
Like the second moon
that once was lost,
but later was found...
Although the same planet,
my world didn't have two
moons!
Look up at the night sky
now and you will see seven
celestial bodies...
Five stars and two moons...
Five brother stars that
correspond to the five
colored Dragons, ruling like
gods over the night skies...
One moon that corresponds
to the white Sky Dragon...
And another darker, daughter
moon to counterbalance them.
Serge:
Okay, so...why exactly does
that matter?
Belthasar:
I'm getting there, dear boy.
Serge:
If you call me "dear" anything
one more time, I'm gonna let
Grobyc loose on you. Or, worse,
Luccia. Or Kid.
Luccia: [if present]
Hmmm... It is true dat a
mage vould be an interesting
subject...
Belthasar:
Interruptions will not speed
up my explanation.
Serge:
And sending me on a wild goose
chase out to the Dead Sea and
back didn't let me get back to
my normal life any faster,
either.
Belthasar:
...
In any case...
Belthasar:
The Fire Dragon,
the Water Dragon,
the Green Dragon,
the Earth Dragon,
the Black Dragon,
the Sky Dragon,
and one more...
The final Dragon...
The dark moon Dragon...
The one who was to work to
free the other Dragons from
their bondage by the FATE
computer...
The child the others created on
the night of the electric storm
that temporarily caused FATE
to loosen its hold on them...
Belthasar:
I believe you
knew her as...
Harle.
Serge:
Harle was...a Dragon...
If what you said about the
Dragons uniting into one is
true, then you've effectively
killed her, too.
Belthasar:
...
Belthasar:
The Dragon Gods were
the essence of nature
on this planet...
Perhaps we can consider
what's happening as our
planet's vengeance on
us...
To finally sweep away
the unwanted humans
from the face of this
blue planet...
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
I don't believe that. It might
be the Dragonians' vengeance,
but I don't think the planet
really hates us that much.
Still, if the Dragon Gods want
to destroy humanity, and we're
the only humans in a position
to stop them...I guess we're
stuck. This merged-Dragon-
entity thing is at the top of
the tower, right?
Belthasar:
Indeed.
Serge:
Is there anything you can do to
help us fight it? (I'm not sure
I would trust any "help" he
offered us to actually work, but
it can't hurt to ask...)
Belthasar:
I fear the magic of violence
was never my area of study.
Serge:
(Hypocrite.)
Fine--we'll go up there and do
your dirty work for you this one
last time. Now go away. I don't
ever want to see your face again.
Belthasar:
Very well--I will withdraw for
the present.
[Belthasar vanishes...but the ghost children remain where they are.]
Kid: | Luccia:
Hey, mate, ya do realize that | And after all dat, ve
the old man never did tell us | still do not know de reason
what he's tryin' to do... | he caused de Time Crash.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Norris:
Wonder why 'e wanted so badly | Sir... Never once did the
for us not to know what 'e'z | old man truly explain
up to... | his intentions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dario: | Leena:
Interesting... He gave us a | Well, that was a lot of hot
great deal of information, | air. He never did tell us
but none of it about why | what Chronopolis is supposed
he is doing all this. | to be for.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Starky:
That lubber fed us a lot of | Staarky thinks there is
bilge about the Dragons, but | still something that man
he never did say why he set | is not telling us. Whyy
up that Time Crash thing... | did he cause the Tiime Crash?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn: | Zoah:
That man has no honour. How | AND I THOUGHT THE GENERAL
dare he treat us like toys-- | WAS A SLIPPERY OLD BASTARD.
and why did he not tell us | THIS BELTHASAR...HE TOLD US
why he did all of this in | WHAT HE WANTED US TO DO, BUT
the first place? | NOT WHY HE'S MEDDLING.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy: |
Is it just me, or was that |
geezer, like, really careful |
not to tell us why he set up |
that Time Crash thing in the |
first place? |
Serge:
(Damn... He really never did say
anything about why, did he?)
[Crono's ghost vanishes from the top level and reappears beside Serge.]
[Crono]
Belthasar thinks he's doing the
right thing. But he doesn't
quite understand what his actions
look like from the outside.
[Marle's ghost appears beside Crono's.]
[Marle]
He feels kind of responsible for
what happened to Zeal, because
he helped develop the machine
that the Queen used to tap Lavos'
power.
[Lucca's ghost joins the other two.]
[Lucca]
Most of the people who died in
that disaster have long since
gone to dust...but there is
still one of them that Belthasar
thinks he can save.
[Crono]
Maybe he believes that will
erase what he thinks of as his
"sin".
[Marle]
Even though she wouldn't want
to be saved at such a price.
[Lucca]
Of course, if he would just
forgive himself, it would solve
everything...
[The ghosts fade.]
Serge:
(Well, that was...I don't know.
Enlightening, maybe? I wonder
who the person is that he wants
to save...)
Kid: | Glenn/Norris/Dario: | Sprigg:
So, are we | We must go to the | We still 'ave to tackle
goin' on? | top of the tower. | that Dragon God of 'is.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grobyc: | Karsh: | Zoah:
Grobyc-wants- | Who CARES why he | WE SHOULD DEAL WITH THE DRAGON GOD
to-fight. | did it? Let's go. | BEFORE WORRYING ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Marcy: | Radius:
Shouldn't we | Shouldn't we, like, | In all my born days, I never expected
get going? | go after the dragon? | the Dragons would become my enemy...
Serge:
I guess we have to finish this.
(Even if I'm not really all
that happy about it.)
==============================================
Small Room, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When they address the green light]
[Anemotor]
RETURN-OUR-TREES...
GIVE-BACK-OUR
GREEN-FORESTS...
Serge:
...We can't. I'm sorry.
Combat. The teleporter to the upper part of the
tower becomes available when the Anemotor is
defeated.]
==============================================
Beyond the Teleporter, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[The party steps off the teleporter, then stops]
Serge:
(Damn, this thing is tall...
I wonder how much farther we
have to go.)
[The camera pans up to give us a brief view of the towertop]
Serge:
I guess that's the top, but
what's with those lights?
Norris/Glenn: | Luccia: | Radius/Dario:
It is difficult to be | Could it be dat dey | They must serve a
certain, but perhaps... | are holding the door | purpose... Something to
some sort of seal? | shut? | do with the door...?
---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------
Kid: | Starky: | Zoah:
Looks to me like it | Staarky thinks it | PERHAPS THEY HAVE
might be a lock for | miight bee a | SOMETHING TO DO WITH
that door... | forcefiield... | THE DOOR?
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Nikki: | Marcy:
Well, I doubt they're | Not much of a | Maybe they're, like,
just a decoration... | lightshow... | Dragonian flashlights?
[The beams are deactivated by the crystals guarded by
Luxator and Gravitor, who apparently have nothing to
say for themselves.]
==============================================
Inside Upper Tower, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[When they address the blue light]
[Aquator]
DISRESPECTING-THE
ORIGINS-OF-LIFE...
MOTHER-SEA-SUFFERS...
YOU-MUST-PAY-THE-PRICE.
Serge:
Even if we've caused you pain,
killing off the human race won't
undo what we've done.
[When Aquator is dead, the teleport pad leading to
the summit becomes available]
==============================================
Stairs, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[As the party climbs one last flight of stairs, they
hear the Dragon God shouting at nothing in particular]
[Voices of the Dragon God]
A-ARRGH...
HELP...
S-STOP IT...
KILL ME...
WELL COME...
Welcome...
Humans...
Those who know the torment and
joy of creation know also the
pleasure and pain of destruction.
Therefore, all that pass through
here must be prepared to share the
burden that I carry.
Serge:
H-Harle? Is that you?
Kid: | Karsh: | Dario/Glenn:
Didn't sound like | Didn't have Harle's | Why would Harle speak
it to me. | accent... | of such things?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcy/Leena: | Norris: | Sprigg:
I don't think so. | It didn't sound like | That girl always talked
| her to me. | funny, though...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Starky: | Luccia:
IT SEEMS UNLIKELY. | Harle...is gone. | I do not t'ink it vas her.
Serge:
(I know it didn't SOUND like
her...and yet, somehow, I
think...)
Yes, that last little bit (and the first part of the next bit, up until the
Dragon God kicks the bucket) are the same in both versions of the chapter.
So sue me. More tomorrow.
-
Only two "damn"s this time, I promise. ;P
26. Chrono Cross - The point where destinies meet... Part IIIb (no Magus)
==============================================
Summit, Terra Tower (Another)
==============================================
[The Flame is hovering above some sort of cup-like
formation in the middle of the open summit area.
As the party approaches it, we see a brief VIDEO: the
Flame opens up]
Fargo: | Kid:
The Frozen Flame... | So this is the
I've never seen | true Frozen Flame...
another jewel that | Struth!
would compare. |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starky: | Dario: | Radius:
What is this energyy? | It could indeed be | The Frozen Flame... In all
Staarky thinks the Froozen | frozen fire...or | my born years, I've never
Flaame is daangerous. | blood. | seen the like.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki: | Luccia: | Norris:
This has got to be the real | So dat is de Frozen | If that is the Frozen Flame,
Flame--it's giving me the | Flame... It appears | it is just as well that the
chills just looking at it. | to defy all science. | High Command never obtained it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leena: | Skelly: | Glenn:
The Frozen Flame... I don't | So that's the Frozen | So that is the Frozen Flame
know how we ever mistook the | Flame... You know, | that the "me" of Serge's
Dragon Tear for that thing. | for once I don't | universe died for...
| feel like laughing. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Zoah:
The magic comin' from that | SO THIS IS THE "FROZEN
thing iz enough to make me | FLAME" THAT EVERYONE HAS
'air stand on end. I guess | BEEN SEARCHING FOR.
everythin' they say about |
the Frozen Flame iz true. |
Serge:
(It feels almost like...it's
dragging me in...)
Kid: [if present]
Hold on!
Don't touch it!
[Serge, demonstrating that he sometimes has the brains of
a robomule, steps forward and lays his hand right on it,
producing a bright flash. When the screen clears, Serge
has backed off.]
Kid/Leena/Nikki: | Dario/Norris/Glenn: | Karsh:
Is everyone okay? | Is anyone hurt? | Everybody okay?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Luccia: | Radius: | Marcy:
Vas anyvone hurt? | Is everyone alright? | Like, is everyone okay?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sprigg: | Fargo: | Zoah:
I'm getting too | Arr... No broken | WAS ANYONE HURT?
old for this. Iz | bones, I hope. |
everyone alright? | |
Serge:
I'm sorry, guys. I don't
know what got into me.
[Kid glares at the Frozen Flame.]
Kid: [if present]
Bugger you!
Us humans ain't
gonna let you have
yer way any longer!
Sprigg: [if present]
Wot's this? Not quite magic,
but it'z similar...
Kid: [if present]
C'mon!
Show yer
bloody self!
[The Dragon God shoots up over the edge of the tower,
then lands on the far side of the Flame from the party,
who have all taken up defensive stances.]
[Dragon God]
In order to survive,
all living things in this world
fight desperately and
devour those they defeat...
Must one kill other living
things in order to survive?
Must one destroy another world
in order to allow one's own
world to continue?
The wounded in turn wound
and torment those weaker
than they themselves are...
There are only the killers and
the killed...
The sinners, who are judged, and
the victims that do the judging...
What meaning is there
to such a world?
Kid: [if present]
Whether there's
meanin' to our
lives or not...
we still go on
livin', you know!
Kid: [if present]
You've got no right
to deny that!
Serge:
You want to know what meaning
there is in the world... Well,
what meaning is there in
destroying it? Once it's gone,
there'll just be...nothing. An
empty space. There CAN'T be
any meaning in that.
(Did that even make sense?
...I am SO tired of philosophy.)
[Dragon God]
I shall cleanse this blue planet of
you filthy humans once and for all!!
Serge:
Let's get this over with so I
can go home.
[Combat. When the party wins...]
[Dragon God]
Now I shall truly awaken again...
This too is destiny...
[Serge shakes his head and says...]
Serge:
(I'm not quite sure what that
meant, but I have the feeling
there's still more left to do.)
[As the Dragon God vanishes, Belthasar appears off to
the party's left]
Belthasar:
That thing...
the '"Dragon God"'...
is only a quasi-existence...
...A temporary form that
the real Dragon God uses
in order to appear within
this dimension.
Serge:
I couldn't care less. What the
hell are you doing here? In case
you're wondering, I still want
to punch your face in.
Belthasar:
I'm sorry, young man, but what
I have to tell you is very
important.
Serge:
Does this have anything to do
with what that thing just said?
About "truly awakening"?
[Belthasar nods]
Belthasar:
Indeed it does. I see that I
was not wrong in choosing you.
Serge:
Say whatever it is you have to
say, then, but TRY to keep it
short.
Belthasar:
I'll do my best, but do try not
to rush me. An incomplete
explanation can be worse than
none at all.
Serge:
(Is it just me, or does he get
more hypocritical with every word
that comes out of his mouth?!)
Belthasar:
The actual Dragon God
was consumed long ago,
in the distant past...
Integrated by the entity
known as Lavos in a time
on the other side of the
dimensional darkness.
Serge:
(Lavos... Funny how it
keeps coming up.)
Belthasar:
The Frozen Flame is a
splinter from the extra-
terrestrial being Lavos.
Belthasar:
The one who connects with
the Frozen Flame, in effect,
links with Lavos itself.
Belthasar:
As the mediator between Lavos
and living things, that one will
gain extraordinary powers!
By binding with the new
seed of destruction...
the '"Devourer of Time!"'
Serge:
Let me guess: someone you knew
made this "connection" to the
Flame, and now they're stuck
getting turned into this
"Devourer of Time" thing. That's
what the ghosts meant when they
said that there was someone you
felt you had to save...and you
want us to do your dirty work
again. (I don't know what a
"Devourer of Time" actually is,
but with a name like that, it
can't be good.)
Belthasar:
Summing it up that way rather
ruins the drama of events...but
I suppose that, in essence, you
are correct. Due to my
foolishness, Schala, Princess of
Zeal, is being absorbed into
that creature. She was one of
the most powerful mages that my
homeland ever produced, and
allowing Lavos to combine her
power with its own could mean
the end of all life on this
planet. All of the dimensions,
both the two that you've visited
and those that you have never
seen, would be destroyed...and
then the Devourer would turn
outward to find other worlds to
feed on.
Serge:
So why don't you go and fix
things yourself for a change?
Are you really that much of a
coward? Or are you hoping that
there'll be enough left of this
Lavos-thing once we finish with
it that you can merge with it
yourself and gain these
"extraordinary powers" you were
babbling about?
Belthasar:
Of course not, dear boy!
Serge:
(Liar. Even I can see the
expression on your face. That
may not have been EXACTLY what
you had in mind, but you're
hoping to use this Lavos for
SOMEthing.)
Belthasar:
...Schala saved your life, you
know. It was she, through her
connection with the Flame, that
took down the defenses of
Chronopolis during that storm
fourteen years ago, and she was
the one who persuaded the Flame
to heal you. It isn't exactly
known for doing that sort of
thing.
Kid: [if present]
Oy, Serge, you don't really
believe this clap-trap, do ya?
Serge:
I...don't know. (If I owe this
Schala person like he says I do,
I should rescue her, but I don't
have any proof that she really
exists, except for the geezer's
rambling and the word of a
ghost...)
If this was what you wanted,
Belthasar or whatever your name
is, why didn't you just TELL us
that? Why mess around with
the dimensions and FATE and the
dragons and...my father... ?
Belthasar:
The dimensional split was
necessary to make it possible
for the rescue to succeed. The
Time Devourer cannot be forced
to release its human half
through mere violence... I have
reason to believe that Schala's
brother tried that and failed,
although he was a most powerful
mage and one of those who
originally defeated Lavos. No,
you must--
Serge:
Forget it.
Belthasar:
Serge, you--
Serge:
Are you deaf?! I said FORGET IT.
You've lied and lied and lied to
us, over and over again, and now
you're spinning another story
with nothing to back it up. How
do I know this isn't just another
lie?!
[Terra Tower begins to shake]
Kid: [if present]
Oy, Serge--
Serge:
Oh, hell, I think we'd better
get out of here. There's nothing
more to say, anyway.
[Member]: [Yeah, just this once]
What about the Frozen Flame?
Serge:
It can go to the bottom of the
ocean for all I care! Come on!
We have to get out before this
place falls apart!
Belthasar:
Don't worry. The Flame will be...
taken care of.
[Belthasar and the Frozen Flame both disappear]
Serge:
Damn!
[As the party flees, we are shown VIDEO: the end
of Terra Tower]
==============================================
Sea (Another)
==============================================
[When the screen fades in again, we see the party
in a boat at the foot of the tower. Again, I'm going to
assume Kid joins them in the boat even if she didn't
climb the Tower, although the original has alternative
lines available...]
Kid:
So that's Terra Tower's
final, true form...
In the end, we're all the
same...
Everyone dreams of bein'
greater, more powerful...
Serge:
...
Kid:
You okay, mate?
Serge:
It's just...I wish I felt I
was doing the right thing.
Kid:
You mean by telling that
Belthasar to take a long walk
off a short dock?
Serge:
Pretty much. I mean, if this
Schala person really exists,
I'm kind of letting her down,
aren't I?
Kid:
You got any reason to think
that she's real?
Serge:
Beside Belthasar and the ghosts,
you mean? ...I don't know. If I
think back to what happened when
Dad took me to Chronopolis, it's
pretty hazy, but I can almost
remember someone touching me.
Someone warm. And a woman's
voice...
Kid:
If she really did save yer life,
though, she might not want ya to
risk it again for her sake.
Serge:
That's part of the problem.
I just...don't know...
[Lucca]
It's true that Princess Schala
is a gentle soul, but even if
she saved your life, Serge, it's
up to you to decide what to do
with that life, not her.
[Lucca fades into existence sitting on the edge of the boat.]
Serge:
So she is real, then.
[Lucca]
Yes--that part of what
Belthasar told you was
true.
Serge:
Including the bit about
her brother trying to
save her?
[Lucca]
I don't know. It could be.
Janus was always so stubborn...
If he went up against the Time
Devourer and failed, it would
explain why it's been so many
years since I last heard from
him. Although I always thought...
but never mind that.
Serge:
(Janus... She mentioned that
name in her letter, didn't she?)
Why did you expect him to be
with Kid?
[Lucca]
That's...kind of a long story,
and this isn't the time for it.
You need to decide what you're
going to do.
Serge:
...
[Lucca]
The Time Devourer won't become a
danger to anything for hundreds
of years, you know. If you want
to just leave it, that's okay.
Someone else will probably come
along who can do the job instead
of you.
Serge:
...No. It would be different if I
really thought that saving her,
saving Schala, was the wrong
thing to do, but just chickening
out because I'm tired of being
pushed around... If I really go
through with that, I don't think
I'm ever going to be able to
forgive myself.
What do I need to do?
[Lucca]
Well, first of all, take this.
[System]
Serge received Time Egg!
[Lucca]
If you use that in a place where
the dimensional walls are already
weak, it will let you access the
Darkness Beyond Time, where the
Time Devourer is waiting.
Secondly, you need the Chrono
Cross.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they've already made the Chrono Cross]
Serge:
You mean this weird Element
that we made out of the
broken Dragon Tears?
[Lucca]
Indeed.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
[If they haven't]
Serge:
The...what?
[Lucca]
It is an Element that can only
be created by fusing the power
of two separate dimensions. You
must take the shards of the two
Dragon Tears to Divine Dragon
Falls, near Arni.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Serge:
An Element that could only be
made because of the dimensional
split... Did Belthasar got to
all that trouble just so it
could be created?
[Lucca]
Pretty much.
Serge:
So what am I supposed to do
with it?
[Lucca]
It's our hope that, by playing
the proper melody with the
Chrono Cross, you can bring
Schala back into harmony with
the world. Once that happens,
the Time Devourer will no longer
be able to hold her: she will
free herself.
Nikki: [if present]
An Element that plays music?
That is COOL. The true song
of the world...
Serge:
Um, you do know that I can
barely carry a tune in a
bucket, right...?
[Note: Yes, I know Serge plays with Nikki's band in one of
the endings, but IIRC he plays the drums, which are mainly
about rhythm rather than pitch]
[Lucca]
Don't worry, it keeps itself
in tune--it's an Element, not
a banjo!
Serge:
So what do I have to play?
[Lucca]
I don't know yet, but the others
are working on it. By the time
you're ready to use that Egg,
we should know.
Serge:
...Okay. (I hope she's right.)
[Lucca]
Good. We'll be waiting for you
when you're ready--you and Kid.
Kid:
Me?
[Lucca]
Well, of course you, silly.
I know you too well to expect
that you'd want to sit this out.
Kid:
Sis...
[Lucca]
I'm sorry, Kid. I should have
tried harder to be there, for
you and for the others. So
much for Lucca the Great, eh?
[Kid shakes her head]
Kid:
I know you tried as hard as
you could. I know.
(Sniff...)
Argh, I'm too old to be
cryin' over this...
[Lucca]
You're never too old to cry.
Think of that as one last
lesson from your big sister,
if you like!
[Kid scrubs at her eyes, and nods.]
[Lucca]
So, I--
[She becomes more transparent for a moment, then fades back in.]
[Lucca]
Damn, I guess I'm out of time.
This ghost business can be
such a pain! Serge, I'll be
seeing you as soon as we find
out exactly what you need to
do with the Chrono Cross.
Serge:
Right. And, um...thanks. For
everything. If not for you, I
might never have had the chance
to meet Kid.
Kid:
Eh? What's that
supposed to mean?
[Lucca]
Heheheh... You'll figure it
out eventually...
[Lucca fades away]
Kid:
Serge, why did ya say that?
Serge:
Um... (She's blushing. Heck,
my face is so hot I'm probably
blushing too.) Well, I kinda...
I mean...
Kid:
Ah, forget it! At this rate,
it's gonna be next week before
ya get around to answerin'.
Serge:
Sorry.
Kid:
Eh, no biggie. I mean, I
kinda...
Anyway, why are we still sittin'
around here? Let's get movin'!
Serge:
We need to figure out WHERE
we're going first.
Kid:
Ain't it obvious? "A place where
the dimensional walls are already
weak"--she has to have meant that
bloody beach!
Serge:
Opassa? Well, I guess it's a
place to start. Sure, let's go
to Opassa.
Well, that's it for this time. Some more side stuff, then one more chapter, then
the endings. ...Wow. I honestly didn't think I'd ever get so close to finishing this.
-
... I can't believe I read the whole thing. From start to end. Just... wow.
Keep up the awesome work! I want to see how it all comes together at the end.
-
I'm glad you're enjoying it, and hope I can keep it up to standard. Currently, Fargo and Nikki are being...difficult. ;P
-
Argh. Writing the scene with Fargo and Nikki was painfully difficult--it
took several attempts and a re-watch of Noein episode 12 (or is it 13?
The one where Haruka asks her father for advice on defusing the situation
between Fukuro and Karasu before they kill each other, anyway) before it
would gel.
Writing Marcy was worse, especially since I didn't even know who she was
having that conversation with at first--I think Kid was the third or fourth
person I tried.
And there was supposed to be another scene that I had to scrap altogether
because the one-line note I left myself when I first conceived it wasn't
enough to tell me what it was that I wanted to do with it. :(
8. In the Living Years
[This is triggered by bringing Nikki aboard the Zelbess after
Serge has turned back into himself again, while Fargo is not
in the party.]
========================================================
Mooring Area At Waterline, S.S. Invincible (Another)
========================================================
[As the party disembarks from the boat, Nikki moves away from
everyone else.]
Nikki:
Serge, I think I'd like to be
alone for a while. Do you mind?
Serge:
Of course not. (He's making me
feel like a slave driver!)
Nikki:
Thanks, man. I'll join back up
again when it's time to leave.
[Nikki climbs alone up the stairs that lead to the deck.
Fade to...]
========================================================
Captain's Quarters, S.S. Invincible (Another)
========================================================
[Fargo is standing at the far end of the room, smoking and
looking out over the ocean, when the door opens and Nikki
walks in.]
Nikki:
I thought I might find you here.
Fargo:
Aye, and I would have expected
ya ta show up sooner.
Nikki:
I was afraid you'd try to run
away again if I tried to ask
you questions.
Fargo:
Runnin' away would be easier,
but if I did it I'd be no better
than that bucket of bilge wash
from Serge's world. No, I'll
stay and answer this time.
Nikki:
Okay, then--tell me why you
abandoned us! I thought you
were DEAD! And Marcy... I don't
know if I'll ever forgive you
for Marcy. I shouldn't have had
to find out that I had a sister
from MIKI's parents. Did you
really hate the sight of us that
much?!
Fargo:
I never hated either of ya.
Pretty much the opposite,
in fact.
Nikki:
Then WHY?!
Fargo:
Maybe I did the wrong thing.
I still don't know. And there
isn't just one simple reason.
At first, it was just that yer
mother's death hit me harder
than I would've thought possible.
I had the Invincible standin'
off Porre when Viper went ta
try ta get her and Marcy from
the lab they'd sent them to
after the kidnappin'. When he
came back and told me that
she... that she had... Well,
the truth is that I lost it and
near swiped the old buzzard's
head off! Heh--'tis a good
thing he isn't one to hold
grudges.
[Fargo laughs, then sobers up again]
Fargo:
I was in no fit state ta be a
father fer a couple of years,
'specially not after I moved
from bein' a merchant and
privateer ta bein' the sort of
pirate I used ta hunt down.
It would've been too risky ta
have two children on this ship
after that.
Nikki:
Hey, I understand that, okay?
But not being able to have us
live with you doesn't mean you
couldn't have visited. You never
even wrote me a damned letter!
Fargo:
Aye, I suppose I could've.
Should've. But I was afraid.
Nikki:
Afraid? YOU?
Fargo:
Indeed I was. I'd grown used ta
havin' no one ta worry about me,
ya see. I was afraid that if I
ever heard from ya, I wouldn't
be able ta do what I thought I
had ta do.
You're a lot like yer mother,
ya know. Marcy looks like her,
but you have her personality.
Nikki:
...
Fargo:
There's another reason, too.
Nikki:
Like what?
Fargo:
Yer mother and I...we had a
dream. A dream about humans and
demi-humans livin' together.
Nikki:
So?
Fargo:
You and Marcy...you're the
livin' embodiment of that dream.
I didn't want ta mess that up by
turnin' the two of ya inta
pirates.
Nikki:
That's the worst excuse for
ANYTHING I've ever heard!
Fargo:
I never claimed it was a good
reason. I can be as much of a
fool as the next man, ya know.
Nikki:
This isn't fair.
Fargo:
Eh?
Nikki:
You were supposed to get mad,
and we were supposed to have a
fight, and then maybe
afterwards...it would've been
okay again. I never expected
you'd chicken out this way.
Fargo:
Ya WANTED ta fight? Heh...
Maybe ya inherited a bit more
from me than I thought.
Well, we can make up now for
me bein' so thickheaded, if
ya like.
Nikki:
It's no good if you're doing
it on PURPOSE.
Fargo:
Isn't it?
Nah, I figure you're just afraid
this old man'll beat ya.
Nikki:
YOU beat ME?
Fargo:
Why not? I'll grant you're not
bad in a straight-up fight, but
you're not nearly underhanded
enough ta fight a pirate.
[Something glitters in Fargo's hand]
Nikki:
!
That's my guitar pick! Where did
you get that?!
Fargo:
Told ya, you're
not underhanded
enough!
Nikki:
Give it back!
Fargo:
Make me.
[Nikki snatches at it, but Fargo pulls his hand back so that he misses.]
Fargo:
Didya really think it was
gonna be that easy? Come on,
lad, take it back! Or can't ya
manage without that guitar of
yers?
[The screen fades out as Nikki lunges at Fargo, and we hear some crashing noises.
The next few lines show up against the black screen.]
Nikki:
Too slow, old man!
Fargo:
Not bad, but can ya deal
with this?
Nikki:
Was that supposed to be a punch?
Miki's granny can hit harder!
Fargo:
That's it, I'm not goin' easy on
ya any more!
[When the screen fades back in, they're both lying on their backs on the floor]
Fargo:
(Pant, pant)
Well, lad, now that you've had
yer fight, do ya feel better?
Nikki:
(Pant, pant)
...You set me up, didn't you,
you son of a bitch?
Fargo:
'Course I did--and if ya
couldn't see something that
obvious straight away, it's a
good thing you're not trying ta
be a pirate.
Nikki:
...
Miki would probably kill me if
she'd seen us slugging it out.
Fargo:
So would yer mother have done.
I've met few women who understand
what a fight is good for.
Nikki:
Well, at least I got my guitar
pick back.
Fargo:
!
[Fargo feels his pockets]
Fargo:
Now how did ya get that without
me noticin'?
Nikki:
Heh--you're the devious pirate,
so figure it out for yourself!
Fargo:
Heheheh....
Nikki:
Ahahaha!
[Fade out with the two of them laughing like idiots.]
========================================================
Rear Deck, S.S. Invincible (Another)
========================================================
[Marcy is standing at the rear rail of the Invincible, where Harle
was hanging out just before she left the party. (I'm pretty sure that
Marcy hangs out on the Invincible in the late game when she isn't in
the party, so no need to worry about Serge getting her there.)]
Marcy:
I don't get it. Why can't that
idiot just, like, leave me
alone? The way he keeps on
pestering me about my being his
sister is grody to the MAX.
Why does he care?
Kid:
'Cause that's what family DOES.
[Kid enters the scene and goes over to stand beside Marcy.]
Marcy:
But I don't WANT a family! I'm
doing okay on my own.
[Kid slaps Marcy]
Marcy:
What do you think you're doing?!
I'm gonna get you for that!
Kid:
Do ya have any idea how lucky
ya are, ya stupid little brat?!
Marcy:
Having that nutjob following me
around is LUCKY?!
Kid:
Yeah, it is, 'cause it means
he's still there! Do you have
any idea what I'd do to have
Sis back? Well, do ya?!
Marcy:
That's different!
Kid:
No, it ain't! It ain't different
at all! Sis and me didn't always
get along either, but that didn't
mean we didn't care about each
other!
Marcy:
Are you telling me I'm supposed
to, like, CARE about that idiot
with the guitar?! I HATE him!
I hate him more than anything
or anyone else in the world!
Where the hell has he been all
these years?! Where was he when
I...when I was...
Kid:
When ya were what? When ya
were little? Nobody even wanted
to tell him you existed! He
spent years lookin' for ya--
Marcy:
So what? I never asked him to!
Kid:
Aagh, have ya got any idea how
mad you're makin' me, brat?!
Marcy:
Stop calling me a brat, you hag!
I hate you too, you know!
Kid:
I'm startin' to wonder if
there's anyone ya don't hate!
Marcy:
...Serge.
Kid:
Serge is-- Hey, stop tryin'
to change the subject!
Marcy:
Nyah-nyah! You're so stupid you,
like, almost fell for it!
Kid:
Grrr... I'm surprised Luccia
didn't throw ya out on yer
rump.
Marcy:
That's 'cause General Viper
wouldn't, like, let her.
Kid:
...
'Bout Nikki--
Marcy:
What's it gonna take to make
you give up?!
Kid:
Hey, I'm gettin' tired of
arguin' with ya too. Just let
me finish sayin' my piece.
After that, I'll leave.
Marcy:
Why don't you just leave, like,
right now?
Kid:
'Cause I think it's important
to pound this into yer thick
little head!
Marcy:
Okay, then, say whatever it is
you think is so important...but
you might want to remember that
you can't, like, make me listen.
Kid:
...
Y'know, I fought with Sis that
morning. Right before Lynx
showed up at the orphanage.
I was still sulkin' when the
fire started, and Sis...gave
everythin' she could to protect
me and the other kids.
I was old enough to know that
it wasn't my fault, but it took
me years to get over not havin'
said, "I'm sorry" to her that
mornin'. It always hurt...just
a bit...to know that the last
thing I said to her was stupid
angry brat stuff, even though
I knew she had to've understood.
So, well, I know ya don't like
Nikki all that much, but just
the same, sometime, years from
now, when ya don't have the
chance to make things right
anymore, ya might wish you'd
talked to him while ya could.
Marcy:
...Are you done yet?
Kid:
Yeah, that's all I had to say.
Marcy:
Then get out of here and leave
me alone!
Kid:
...I guess it's either that or
introduce ya to the moons.
See ya.
[Kid leaves. Marcy stays where she is, staring down at the water.]
Marcy:
So I'm gonna regret it if I
don't make nice with him? That's
stupid!
Isn't it?
Mom, what would you have done?
...I wonder, sometimes, why I
try to talk to you. It isn't
like I knew you or anything.
I mean, I always thought you
were, like, human. All Luccia
would ever say was that you and
Dad were both dead. I wasn't
even smart enough to figure out
that she was, like, LYING to me.
...
You would have wanted me to like
Nikki, wouldn't you? But I don't
know...how not to be alone, I
guess. I'm not like Kid. She had
friends once, and lost them, but
I've never had anybody. And I
don't really want to have.
...
I don't know. Maybe...I'll try
being a little nicer to him, and
just, like, see what happens.
========================================================
Hallway, S.S. Invincible (Another)
========================================================
[Marcy, descending into the ship, meets Nikki at the
bottom of the staircase leading up to the deck.]
Nikki:
Marcy...
Marcy:
Um, hi. Have you got
a moment?
Nikki:
For you, anything.
Marcy:
Y'know, I wish you wouldn't
flirt with me. It's kind of
gross--even if I wasn't your
sister, you're, like, OLD.
Nikki:
You know, I think you're the
first person who's ever said
that to me.
Marcy:
It's the rock star thing. It
makes people act, like, STUPID.
Nikki:
And it doesn't impress you?
Marcy:
I don't, like, have TIME for
music and all that stuff. I have
to train every day, or they'll
kick me out of the Four Devas.
Nikki:
Must be tough.
Marcy:
Kinda...but I enjoy it. I like
being strong.
Nikki:
Was there something you wanted
to talk to me about?
Marcy:
Yeah. I was...kinda hoping you
could, like...tell me about Mom.
I mean, I was still a baby when
she died, so I don't remember
her at all.
Nikki:
Sure--but I'm surprised you'd
ask the guy who couldn't
recognize his own father.
Marcy:
There aren't that many people
I can ask. You, Fargo, and
Irenes--if I had any idea where
she was in this world. Luccia
didn't, like, know her all that
well.
Nikki:
I guess that's true. Let's go
back up on deck and sit down.
I always feel happier when I
can see the ocean.
Marcy:
...Me too.
[The scene fades out as they head up the gangway.
If the player visits the Invincible's deck when
neither character is in the party from now on,
the two of them can be spotted conversing over by
the rail.]
----------------------------------------------------------------
9. Lost Fragments
[Magus's Frozen Flame line]
Magus:
...Heh. Do you honestly think
you can tell me anything about
myself that I don't already know?
I've already tried and failed
to erase my past, and you would
do no better even if I were
willing to permit you to make
the attempt. The tale of my sins
is burned into my soul. I accept
that. It won't make me turn
aside from my chosen course.
[Dario's Frozen Flame line]
Dario:
What are you saying?
Karsh? Why would I want to
do him harm?
...Jealous? Yes, I was. Even
though Riddel had chosen me, I
didn't entirely trust in her
steadfastness--and because of
that, I hurt them both, and
myself as well. I was a fool.
But undoing it would only make
things worse...or at least, I
hope I have learned a little
from my mistakes.
[One more fragment centering around Radius,
Glenn, and/or Dario...]
==============================================
Shrine Area, Termina (Home)
==============================================
[If one of the aforementioned current or former Dragoons
is in the party, examining the gravestone produces...]
[System]
~Beneath the Sacred Sword,
~~~the warriors lie...
~~13th Acacia Dragoon
~~ Grandmaster Garai
~~14th Acacia Dragoon
~~ Grandmaster Dario
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If only Dario is present]
Dario:
This was inscribed in error, and
yet...what a very odd feeling.
To be dead, and yet alive...
Serge:
You get used to it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Glenn is present]
Glenn:
Father...
Brother...
Dario: [if present]
He would be proud of you,
little brother. I know I am.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Radius is present]
Radius:
Garai...
Forgive me...
Glenn: [if present]
It was not your fault.
Dario: [if present]
I...believe that Father would
understand, where he is now.
We have all seen what that
sword can do, and we all have
darkness inside us. If you are
to be held responsible for
yours, I must equally be
condemned for mine...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And that marks the end of the side stuff! Next I get to thin out the
infodump in Chapter 27 (fun, fun. Fortunately, it's a short chapter...
which will be even shorter when I'm done gutting it.)
-
With the infodumps gutted of everything that I managed to slip in earlier in the story, this
ended up being one of the shortest chapters.
And in case anyone is wondering, the first time I played through Cross, the whole thing with
the Chrono Cross drove me nuts. I couldn't find any indication whatsoever of what the proper
sequence of notes/Elements was inside the game--I had to get it from an online walkthrough, and
even then I couldn't figure out where the guy who wrote that had gotten it, because none of the
game dialogue makes the link clear that I ever noticed. Therefore, I slipped that information
in here explicitly.
27. For all the Dreamers - Our planet's dream is not over yet...
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) OR (Glenn and Nikki), Sprigg, Radius,
Norris, Skelly, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc, Luccia,
Dario, Leena, Kid.
==============================================
Opassa Beach (Home)
==============================================
[Note: I am going to assume that if Kid is not in the party, she
enters the screen a moment after they arrive. The three ghosts are
loitering around the beach. Dialogue begins once everyone is in place.]
[Lucca]
So you finally made it,
Serge...
Serge:
(That makes it sound like
I'm late...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
[Lucca]
And you too, Janus.
Magus:
Get on with it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
I need you to tell me exactly
what I'm supposed to do with
the Chrono Cross.
Kid:
Not so fast, mate! First, I
want to know exactly what
that old coot was trying to
do. Why're we the ones that
have to save the world?
[Lucca]
That story begins with Schala.
When Zeal's Ocean Palace was
destroyed and the remnants of
of Lavos drew Schala with them
into the Darkness Beyond Time,
where she was forced to merge
with them... Half-absorbed by
that evil, with her mind divided
between its desire for
destruction and her own desire
to save the universe
and herself...
As Schala fell through the
time gate in this condition,
she heard your crying
echoing through time...
That is when her story and
yours began to intertwine...
It is also when the past and
the future began to intersect,
and when the world became
divided into two...
Led by the pitiful crying
the young Serge made as
the panther demon's poison
took hold of him...
Princess Schala traveled ten
thousand years in time to try
and make contact with this
dimension!
This caused a raging magnetic
storm that resulted in FATE's
system malfunction, which led
Serge to the Frozen Flame.
Magus: [if present]
How very like her to attempt
to help another even when she
was in much greater danger...
Serge:
So it was just luck?
[Lucca]
Well, you could put it that way.
Personally, I think it was the
Entity--the spirit of our
planet--at work. It never liked
Lavos any more than we did.
Serge:
(Makes me wish I could go back
in time and tell myself not to
be such a cry-baby...but then I
would never have met Kid...)
Magus: | Kid:
All of that explains Serge, but | So that explains Serge, but I
not my sister's near-double. | have a feelin' I didn't just end
Why is Kid involved? | up here for no reason either.
[Lucca]
Kid... Even I needed a while to
work that out. When I found her
under a tree as a baby, all I
knew was that she had some sort
of relationship to Zeal. When
she started to look more and
more like Schala as she got
older, I became convinced that
there had to be a link between
her and the lost princess...but
until Lynx let a few things slip
while he was burning down my
orphanage, I didn't know exactly
what it was. It seems that,
before Lavos could completely
take over Princess Schala's
mind, she cloned herself and sent
her copy into this dimension.
Schala left her baby
daughter-clone with her
ancient pendant, possessing
magical powers.
This was to safeguard her
daughter-clone in life-and-
death situations.
The pendant would rewind
time a little, sending her
daughter-clone into a safer
point in the immediate past.
That's right...
Kid is Schala's
daughter-clone!
Kid:
You're wrong! I'm me!
I ain't no Schala's
daughter or clone!
Serge:
(This probably isn't the time
to point out that we don't get
to choose our parents...)
Magus: [if present]
The idea doesn't thrill me,
either...but had you rather
be the child of no one at all?
[Lucca]
Of course you're you, Kid!
I don't think Schala would have
wanted it any other way!
Kid:
......
Serge:
So we were chosen by Schala,
then railroaded by Belthasar...
all so we would end up here?
[Lucca]
Pretty much. Well, so that you
would end up here, anyway. Kid
wasn't exactly...
Kid:
I wasn't exactly what?
[Lucca]
I'm not sure that Belthasar
expected you to be here. Later
on, he's going to need you to
go back in time and save Serge
from drowning...and then call
him into the other timeline...
but I'm not sure having you
fight the Time Devourer was
ever part of the equation.
Kid:
Ya can't be serious! How could
I be involved and not want to
fight?
[Lucca]
Well, Belthasar doesn't know you
as well as I do...
Magus: [if present]
Hmph. It's a wonder that even
this much of the old snake's
plan ever came to fruition.
Serge:
Okay, so what about the Chrono
Cross? How do I use it?
[Lucca]
Well, you may already have found
out that it resonates with other
Elements to play a melody.
[Marle]
What you need to do to help
Schala is play something
specific.
Serge:
Like what?
[Lucca]
We don't know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
You weren't always this
useless.
[Lucca]
Give me a break, Janus--we were
all killed and expunged from
this timeline, okay? You might
have a hard time getting anything
done this way yourself!
Magus:
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Crono]
We don't know, but we were able
to find out who does: a creature
called the Criosphynx, which
invaded Earth Dragon Isle when
the dragon was killed in the
world which is not yours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they've already confronted the Criosphynx]
Serge: [if they killed it] | [if they out-riddled it]
Um, it might be a little | (So the order of the
difficult to ask that | riddles was... If I
thing any questions now... | can just remember...)
Serge:
Is there any other way?
[Crono]
Well... I got the impression
that it also had something to
do with the natural ordering of
Elements...but what that is, I
don't know, and neither did
anyone I talked to.
Serge:
Natural...ordering?
[Lucca]
The Dragonians had some kind
of...structure that they
imposed on the Elements when
using them ceremonially.
Serge:
(A Dragonian ordering?)
(...)
(Wait! We ran into guardian
creatures with Elemental powers
at Fort Dragonia, and again at
Terra Tower--did they use the
ordering? I think it was...
yellow, red, green, blue...
white, black? Or black, white?
I can't remember, but if I have
the first four right, it
shouldn't take more than a
couple of tries...)
I think I've got it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they havn't met the Criosphynx]
Serge:
I guess we'll have to go pay it
a visit, then. (Or we could just
wing it...but that probably
isn't a good idea.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serge:
Any other advice?
[Lucca]
If a feline demi-human carrying
a torch knocks on your door in
the middle of the night, don't
let him in.
Serge:
Um...
[Lucca]
I must be losing my touch--that
was SUPPOSED to be a joke! No,
no advice--by now, you should
know what you're capable of
better than I do! Just...good
luck. And be careful.
Kid:
Sis...
[That concludes the conversation with Lucca. If they
speak to Marle...]
[Marle]
That pendant... How nostalgic.
Kid:
This thing I've had since I was
a brat, ya mean?
[Marle]
Yes. Although it once belonged
to Princess Schala, by my time,
it had fallen into the hands of
Guardia's royal family. It
was given to me when I was
still a little girl. It seems
so long ago...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
It's also a temporal paradox,
although the Entity seems not
to have noticed that yet.
[Marle]
Or perhaps it doesn't care.
Kid:
Funny...I thought it was the
Astral Amulet that had the
Zeal crest on it.
Magus:
That was Schala's as well...
or the amulet inside it was.
The pouch must be Lucca's idea
of a joke.
Kid:
Y'know, Uncle, you've got a
weird look on yer face, all of
a sudden...almost like you're
embarassed about something.
[Marle]
Heh... I'll bet he was the one
who gave it to his sister. It's
just the sort of thing he would
do, then not want anyone to find
out about.
Magus:
Shut up.
[Marle]
You never change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If they speak to Crono]
[Crono]
It really is unbelievable just
how complex a plan Belthasar put
in motion. Using the Prometheus
Circuit to break the link between
FATE and the Frozen Flame... For
anyone else, it would have been
an insane gamble.
Magus: | Serge:
The old buzzard was | If he's that good at predicting the
lucky, that's all. | future, he should have known just
| how angry he was going to make me.
[Crono]
Well, he isn't infallible. I
don't think he expected the
Dragons to send a representative
to interfere with Lynx's actions.
Harle must have been quite a
surprise. If Belthasar could
predict every element of the
future perfectly, even with the
help of a computer like FATE,
he would be a god, not a human.
[Lucca]
Perhaps part of his purpose in
doing all this was to become...
something more than what he is.
[Crono]
Indeed. Humans are such fragile,
disjointed, imperfect things.
Love and hate...
Life and death...
Perhaps even FATE itself
dreamed of using the Flame
to some day reincarnate
itself into a new species.
It is quite sad, really...
It's like when you gaze
into the Flame, the Flame
gazes back into you.
Serge:
(Maybe after I get rid of this
Time Devourer thing, people will
stop trying to get me interested
in all this philosophy stuff...)
[When the party examines the entrance to the DBT, the first
person-who-is-not-Serge in the party says...]
Kid: | Skelly: | Grobyc:
The final gate, which | The final gate to the | This-is-the-final-gate
leads to the darkness | darkness of time, eh? | to-the-darkness-of-time.
of time... Looks like | The time's finally come. | The-time-has-come.
this is finally it... | We may fall to darkness, | What-else-can-Grobyc
C'MON! | but I ain't afraid. | do-but-destroy?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magus: | Guile: | Sprigg:
So here it is...the | So this is the final gate, | Wot do we 'ave 'ere!?
doorway back to the | which leads to the | The final gate, which leads
site of my greatest | darkness of time... | to the darkness of time, eh?
failure. Schala... | Heh... | Well, it's time to end it
I was a fool to let | Never did I expect | then!
this take so long. | this to happen... | Someone's gotta do it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dario: | Norris: | Nikki:
So this is the gate | Could this be the final | So this is the final
that leads to the | gate, which leads to | gate, which leads to
darkness of time... | the darkness of time? | the darkness of time...
This time, I will | I guess this is finally it. | It's time to settle
not allow myself to | I have no regrets... | everything...
be dragged down by | I am responsible for | May the song of truth by the
the demons within. | my own actions. | Magical Dreamers be known!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starky: | Radius: | Luccia:
This must bee the | Yes... This must be the | I see...
fiinal gaate to the | final gate, which leads to | So dis is the final gate, which
darkness of tiime. | the darkness of time. | leads to the darkness of time.
Wee've fiinally come | The time has come to bring | The time to settle everyt'ing
this far. Starky | everything to an end. | has kom, no...?
will fiight to the | We must find a means | It vould be most interesting
end alongsiide | without anger or hate. | to see vot kind of data I can
youu, Serge. | | gat'er here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo: | Marcy: | Glenn:
Arg! This looks to be | So, like, I guess this is | So this is the final
the final gate, leadin' | the final gate, which leads | gate, which leads to the
to the darkness of time. | to the darkness of time! | darkness of time...
Let's finish this off. | It's time to settle this. | It is time to bring this
We've wasted enough | I'm not gonna lose! | chapter to an end and
bloomin' time as it is! | I'm not alone anymore! | create a brighter future!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoah: | Leena: | Karsh:
THE FINAL GATE, LEADING | So this must be the final | Hah! So this is the final
TO THE DARKNESS OF | gate, which leads to the | gate, which leads to the
TIME... THE TIME HAS | darkness of time... We can | darkness of time.
COME TO END IT ALL. | end everything here. Even | Looks like the time has
THE QUESTION IS, HOW? | my lost memories of what | come to end this sucker.
| happened 10 years ago... |
[The remaining party members then add their two cents' worth...]
Guile: [if present]
Heh...
Never did I expect
this to happen...
But very interesting,
nonetheless!
I would like to witness
the outcome of this battle.
Norris: [if present]
I have no regrets...
I am responsible for
my own actions.
Nikki: [if present]
May the song of truth by the
Magical Dreamers be known!
Zoah: [if present]
THE QUESTION IS,
HOW DO WE END IT?
Marcy: [if present]
I'm not gonna lose!
I'm not alone anymore!
Luccia: [if present]
I vill give it my all.
It vould be interesting to see
vot kind of data I can gath4er.
Radius: [if present]
Hmmm...
We must find a means
without anger or hate.
Fargo: [if present]
Let's finish this off.
We've wasted enough
bloomin' time as it is!
Glenn: [if present]
It is time to bring this
chapter to an end and
create a brighter future!
Leena: [if present]
For the sake of my lost
memories of what happened
10 years ago...
Sprigg: [if present]
Someone's gotta do it.
You bet...
Starky: [if present]
Starky will fiight to the
end alongsiide youu, Serge.
Skelly: [if present]
We may fall to darkness,
but I ain't afraid.
Grobyc: [if present]
What-else-can-Grobyc
do-but-destroy?
Karsh: [if present]
This has my blood pumpin'!
BRING IT ON!
Dario: [if present]
If I can save even one person
from a darkness like the one
that absorbed me...then it will
all be worth it.
Magus: [if present]
Schala...I'm finally here,
and this time, I will not
fail you.
[...and then Kid takes over]
Kid:
C'mon Serge, me mate!
You don't wanna keep the
girl waiting any longer...
She's been waitin' for you,
and only you!
And for over ten thousand
years, I might add!
Serge:
Um... I guess that's true.
Kid:
Heheh, you're gonna have to
start comin' up with smoother
lines than that if ya want me
to go out with ya!
[Kid covers her mouth with her hand, as though
realizing what she just said.]
Kid:
I meant-- That is--
Serge:
(YES!!! She really... Oh, man,
what do I say? If I come on too
strong, she might change her
mind again...)
We'll talk about it later...
if there is a later.
Kid:
Yeah, no tellin' what we're
gonna find in there, or what
it's gonna do to us, or to the
world. Maybe rescuin' Schala'll
change things so much we won't
even have met--but we can't
back down now.
Kid:
If the world's gonna
be destroyed, then let
it be destroyed!
If history is gonna be
changed, then let it
bloody well be changed!
I'll show you what
Radical Dreamers
really dream about!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus is present]
Magus:
I hope those words aren't
an omen.
Kid:
Whaddaya mean?
Magus:
I said the same thing--very
nearly word-for-word--just
before I confronted Lavos in
the time of the Fall of Zeal.
And I failed.
Serge:
Somehow I don't think you're
going to tell us to stop,
though.
Magus:
Heh. No, not likely. Even if
I thought there were no hope
at all, I would laugh in the
face of Fate and go down
fighting. Just see to it that
you use the Chrono Cross
correctly, because if we fail
to rescue Schala, I will make
you wish you had never been
born.
Serge:
(It would be nice if he said
something encouraging for a
change...but I suppose I should
know better.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[System]
No beginning and no end...
~~~To the darkness of time!
~~~No way! Not yet!
I now have somewhere between two and nine endings to do--the Magical Dreamers ending isn't
possible because I made Razzly unrecruitable, and I'm not touching the Programmers' Ending.
Almost there. ;)
-
Wow, Karshe is channeling Joe Swanson.
BRING IT ON!!!!
:P
-
I now have somewhere between two and nine endings to do--the Magical Dreamers ending isn't
possible because I made Razzly unrecruitable, and I'm not touching the Programmers' Ending.
You'll write your own ending(s), wont you?
Serge:
(YES!!! She really... Oh, man,
what do I say? If I come on too
strong, she might change her
mind again...)
Heh, I must be too dumb to feel the same way like Serge did, so I had to re-read what Kid said.
-
@skylark: Well, Karsh's original line couldn't be used under circumstances where Dario might be standing right beside him, so I had to come up with something else that fit that character. ;P
@utunnels: Yes, I will be writing at least one additional ending (or it could possibly be described as two endings--the outcome changes depending on whether Serge wins or loses a solo fight against Magus). It now looks like I'm going to be retouching five or six of the others: the main ending, General Kid, The True Hero, New Beginnings, Onward, Dragoons!, and maybe The Darkened Fate. While A Career Change and Return of the Downtrodden would still be possible endings, I don't think there's much I can do to improve them, so, like the Programmers' Ending, I'll be leaving them alone.
-
(Too much exertion these past few days--purple cat is feeling sore
and slow-witted. And probably committing typos. Bah.)
And here we have ending one of seven and a half.
Chrono Cross Ending
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) or (Glenn and Nikki), Sprigg,
Radius, Norris, Skelly, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc,
Luccia, Dario, Leena, Kid.
==============================================
Darkness Beyond Time
==============================================
[As Serge plays the proper sequence with the Chrono Cross, the
crystal holding Schala to the Time Devourer's forehead shatters,
and the TD itself disappears into Twinkly Lights™ as Schala
floats down to stand in front of the party. The next few lines
are displayed against a wavery background image of the planet.]
[Schala]
I have been waiting an eternity...
just for this very moment...~
Meaninglessly hurting one another...
The disappearing life-forms...
The words
that become deleted...
The thoughts
that become buried...
The pool of cells
that slowly evaporate...
The echoes of consciousness
that slowly fade...
Love to hate...
Hate to love...
Why are we born?
Why do we die?
Evolution?
The '"survival of the fittest?"'
What is there to be achieved from
harming one another...
killing one another...
The '"eggs"' that we call planets...
And the innumerable '"spermatozoa"'
which gather around these
that we call life-forms...
When one of those countless seeds
inseminates a planet,
a new universe is born.
But until that occurs,
hundreds of millions of years will pass,
and innumerable life-forms will be born,
then die...
That is the be-all and end-all.
Everything exists for that one moment.
All so that the universe can evolve
into the next dimension...
Does that make us all just pawns?
Are each of our short lives
nothing but a cheap sacrifice
just so the one chosen life-form
can be born?
No. That is not the case!
Each and every one of us
has a chance of becoming
that one chosen life-form
which inseminates a planet.
Yes, it could be '"you"'...
Genes and environment...
Each of us tries to do his best
under the limited conditions
we are each dealt.
Each life-form that attempts to
eke out a decent life for itself
forms a link in the golden chain
that leads to the creation of
a new universe.
If one link is missing,
there will be no future.
There is no such thing as
a useless life-form...
No such thing as
a pawn!
Every single thing
in the whole of nature
is perhaps just dreaming
a dream of '"life"'...
All of them are also
perhaps nothing more than
a dream dreamt by the planet
before it is born.
Oh, but yes...
Eventually all dreams
will return to Zurvan...
to the sea of dreams...
Serge...!
Don't go yet, Serge...!!!
It's alright.
Everything is alright now.
Time, which has been divided,
will be unified again now.
The time for farewells has come...
You will lose all memory of
this whole adventure
and return to your own time.
But this time, you will be able
to live your own life!
[The party members' lines appear in normal text
boxes, but still against the planet background.]
Guile: [if present]
It was an interesting
journey, Serge...
I will set out in
search of a new enigma.
Let us toast, in hopes that
our paths may cross again...!
Norris: [if present]
You have broadened my
horizons, Serge!
I sincerely hope to
see you again!
Nikki: [if present]
Serge...
I must say that
was a rockin' gig.
I hope to jam with
you again, sometime.
You're always welcome with us,
the Magical Dreamers!
Zoah: [if present]
BE WELL.
I HOPE I CAN FIGHT
ALONGSIDE YOU AGAIN!
Marcy: [if present]
Bye-bye,
Serge!
Next time we meet,
I'll be a lot bigger!
Luccia: [if present]
T'ank you.
I vas able to gat'er
valuable data.
And... uhhh...
Serge...
Grow up to be a
fine young man!
Karsh: [if present]
We sure went through
a lot together, didn't we...
It was fun.
I may never see you again,
but...
take care, junior...
I mean, Serge.
Radius: [if present]
Our business is done.
Shall we head back home?
Kiki, Lolo, Una, Gonji, and
all the others are waiting.
Fargo: [if present]
Aye, Matey!
It sure was a swash-
bucklin' voyage!
If ya ever wanna
become a pirate, be
sure to come see me...
Aboard the S.S. Invincible!
Glenn: [if present]
Yes! I will continue to follow
in my brother's footsteps
as a great dragoon!
Good luck to you,
Serge!
I look forward to
the next time we meet.
Leena: [if present]
Well... I guess this is it.
You're going back to your
home world, right...?
Thank you...
You've given me a special
place in my heart for the
Serge. who passed away
ten years ago...
Good-bye...
Serge from another world...
And have fun with the other me!
Good-bye...
Starky: [if present]
Youu are gooing hoome,
Serge?
Starky am gooing hoome, too.
My comrades are
heere to pick mee up.
Starky learned a lot
from huumans.
Youu are welcome,
Serge.
Sprigg: [if present]
Wot an adventure!
'Twas just wot I expected.
I think it's about time
I retired in peace.
So long, Serge.!
Skelly: [if present]
Hey, Serge...
I really owe you one.
Thanks a lot, man...
Be sure ta give me
a holler if you see me
somewhere...sometime...
Nyak-nyak-nyak...!
Grobyc: [if present]
Something-new
Grobyc-can-do...
That-will-be-interesting.
Dario: [if present]
Thank you, Serge.
Thank you for bringing me
out of the darkness.
You would make a good
dragoon...although I doubt
it's a job you would ever
agree to take!
Farewell, and good luck!
Magus: [if present]
Since you succeeded, I suppose
I'll let you live...and save
myself a bit of sisterly
censure. Go and live your life.
Hopefully, our paths will never
cross again.
Serge:
Everyone...
I don't care what she says--I
won't forget. Not something as
important as this trip. And
especially not... Not about...
(Kid, where are you? Why won't
you say something?)
[Schala]
We alone do not have the power
to heal the world's woes,
or to solve all its mysteries.
And yet, even then...
It was bloody good
knowing ya, mate!
Thanks for being born
'"you,"' Serge!
I guess now's the time to say,
'"see ya later, mate!"'
But...
I'll find ya...
Sometime, somewhere...
I'm bloody sure of it!
No matter the time period,
no matter the world ya live in,
I'll find ya!
I'm sure...
I am sure I will find you...
Serge:
Of course! Of course you will!
Because... I'll be looking for
you, too!
[The background stops wavering and brightens up so that we can
see the planet clearly, then fades out. If Magus was not in
the party, we skip to Opassa at this point.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus was in the party, we return to the Darkness Beyond Time,
where he and Schala are standing facing each other. It would be nice
for the music to switch to some version of "Schala's Theme", too.]
Magus:
And I thought I was cruel.
Schala:
I only wanted...to stop
interfering in his life. Haven't
I caused Serge enough pain?
Magus:
I suspect that he
might dispute that.
Heh. Ironic that I would
be having a conversation like
this with you, of all people...
but perhaps there are some
things that can only be seen
clearly by an outside observer.
Schala:
Janus...
Magus:
You have to decide what you will
do, Schala. I can't choose for
you. I've been fighting for
years to free you from Lavos--
taking control of your life
myself would be the ultimate in
hypocrisy.
You're free of obligations.
This one time, try to choose
something that will make you
happy.
Schala:
I am glad to see that your heart
has healed, at least a little.
Magus:
?
Schala:
I don't think it would have
occurred to the man I knew as
the Prophet to wish for anyone's
happiness.
Magus:
He...was still very bitter. It
isn't an easy thing to return
to the one time and place where
you can remember ever being
happy and discover that it's
just another version of hell.
It took me a while to get over
that...and you are changing the
subject.
Schala:
I suppose that WAS a little
transparent, wasn't it?
...I will...go back to Arni.
And if he...does not want Schala,
but only Kid, I will...become
her again.
Will you come with me?
Magus:
I can join you there later if
you like, but I still have one
last loose end to tie up. And
Serge might react better if I
am not present.
Schala:
And now you are the one trying
to change the subject. It's
Belthasar, isn't it?
Magus:
I don't dare leave the Frozen
Flame in his hands. If I do,
I wouldn't put it past him to
resurrect Lavos a second time.
Schala:
And you are going to go alone?
Magus:
I have little choice: he may be
the future, and even my magic
isn't strong enough to transport
more than one person through
time.
Schala:
Teach me the spell.
Magus:
No.
Schala:
I know my magic isn't quite as
strong as yours, but surely I
could--
Magus:
You misunderstand me. You are
the one person I would never
bring along, even if I could.
Schala:
Ya really do thing highly of
yerself, don't ya, mate?
[She covers her mouth with her hand after saying this, as
though surprised at what just escaped her.]
Schala:
I didn't mean...
Please, Janus...
When we were children, I failed
to protect you from Lavos. You
have suffered so much because I
was weak... Please, let me try
to redeem myself.
Magus:
Schala...
[He takes a couple of steps forward and hugs her...although she
should have known better than to let him. A glow gathers around
one of his hands, and he touches the back of her neck with it.]
Schala:
This is...
N-no, don't...
Janus...
[She slumps against him. Magus speaks his next line as he's lifting
her into his arms, with the background music fading out.]
Magus:
Dear sister, you could never
have kept me safe even if you
had been able to battle Lavos
toe to toe and win. When I was
first thrown into the future, I
could have chosen to forget
everything and live out a
normal, peaceful life, but
instead I flung myself headlong
into darkness. Any suffering I
may have experienced as a result
could be considered...at least
partly self-inflicted, and even
you could not have saved me from
myself. The dark side of my
nature is overwhelmingly
powerful, and even though I am
now able to control it, I do
not always desire to do so.
[The scene starts to fade, so that Magus' final line is delivered
against a black background.]
I will take you back to El Nido,
and hopefully you will have a
long and peaceful life there
with your Serge...but that sort
of life is not for me. If
nothing else, I would find it...
dreadfully boring.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
==============================================
Opassa Beach, Ideal Timeline
==============================================
[Leena]
Serge...
Serge...!
Hey, Serge!
[As the scene fades in, we see Serge lying on the beach,
apparently unconscious, with Leena bending over him and
shaking him. Serge wakes, and rises to his knees, then
his feet.]
Leena:
Are you alright?
What's the matter?
Serge:
Um...nothing. Is there supposed
to be something wrong?
Leena:
Don't scare me like that!
You just passed out
all of a sudden!
Serge:
I...passed out? (What's going
on?) The last thing I remember
is...fighting FATE. No, Terra
Tower came after that, and then--
Leena:
Hm? What...?
Terra Tower...?
FATE?
Leena:
What are you talking about?
We just got here.
You got some Komodo
dragon scales for me...
Don't you remember?
Serge:
Komodo...dragon scales? (I do
remember, but that was months
ago, right before everything
started happening!)
(It can't...all have been
another dream?!)
(No, I can't believe that--I
WON'T believe that. I just don't
have dreams that vivid. It had to
be real. She...had to be real.)
(Kid...)
(I guess Schala screwed up. She
said I would forget, but...I
can't. And she said something
about unifying time...does that
mean there's only one world now?
How is that supposed to work? It
isn't like the two worlds were
the same...)
(I'll just have to look around,
and see which bits ended up
where. If I want to find Kid, I
can't stay in Arni anyway.)
(She has to be out there
somewhere, right? And all the
others...)
Leena:
You sound confused...
Come on, Serge...
Get with the program.
Leena:
Our summer's just
started...
[The camera pans up and left, and then the scene fades out,
and we get, in order, VIDEO: the desk and Schala "Kid" Zeal's
diary, VIDEO: Credits with Modern!Schala, and VIDEO: Schala
on the beach.]
[Diary text]
Thus the curtain closes on another tale.
An eternity has passed...
Fleeting dreams fade into the distance...
All that is left now
Is me and my memories...
But I'm sure we'll meet again,
Someday, you and I...
Another place, another time.
It's just that we might not realize
That you are you and I am me...
Let us open the door to the great unknown,
Come across another reality,
And live another today...
Even when the story has been told,
Life goes on...
Until we meet again,
Take care of yourself, my friend...
Forever yours,
Schala "Kid" Zeal
[Schala--post-credits text]
I will find you...
Even if I have to search the world over...
Sometime, somewhere...
I'm sure...
[We see a brief scene with Serge standing at the tip of Cape Howl
at sunset and Schala/Kid-in-a-white-dress just entering the right
edge of the picture.]
[If Magus was recruited, we also see a very brief scene with him
standing outside the door to Project Kid in Chronopolis, looking
up at the sign, and then stepping forward and entering the room.]
~Fin
Yes, that's a more definite ending than was present in the original,
but still not too definite, if y'know what I mean.
Next is the alternative bad ending with Magus.
-
Ah, so Magus has a score to settle with Belthasar?
:(
XD Your solution to Serge's memory isn't out of my imagination, actually I like your idea, just plain and neat. It would be boring if he became Magus the second (WTH, I can't remember a thing...but I know I have something that I must find).
I'm really curious about Leena's fate, could the fortune teller be right after all?
-
Wait, you merged them? At least tell me Schala has her blue hair again...
Dammit... :picardno
Good thing there are more endings, but...
..........
..................
Aww crap... :(
Good stuff otherwise.
-
Fanboy^.
It's awesome seeing this come to a close. Now I can print the whole thing out and read it while playing through Cross!
-
@utunnels: Well, if Serge had completely lost his memory, even in the original, he wouldn't have been asking Leena about Terra Tower, so I've always figured he had to retain something--the question was just how much, and whether he believed it was a dream or not. And since having him forget always felt to me like it would be trivializing everything he had done up until then, well...
I'm damned if I know where Leena ends up--despite the scene I wrote, I don't really think she would have gone after Zoah in earnest. Maybe she found herself a girlfriend? That would satisfy the prophecy while still letting her live happily ever after (and providing some fanboys with endless fantasy material, no doubt).
Magus...doesn't strike me as the sort of person who would be able to let Belthasar go--not only is the latter carrying the Frozen Flame around, thanks to how I tweaked Terra Tower, but he tried to manipulate Magus, and Magus is too proud to let him get away with that.
@skylark: I had to pick one or the other, and the merger always seemed more plausible to me than the two of them remaining separate, given the evidence available. Sorry, 'cause I do realize that it probably makes you feel a bit like I did when I heard how the added-for-DS ending treated Magus, but either way I would have ended up disappointing someone. ;P
(I though about having Magus slip in a question about the hair thing, but when I tried it, it felt out-of-character for him...)
@Mr Bekkler: I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D
-
Then that leaves some questions.
Serge's memory again. In your ending, it sounds like Schala just tried to wipe Serge's memory like she did to Magus. The unification of the timelines didn't cause that effect. So the question is what happened to other characters. For example, Leena, Zappa, Radius, etc. Unfortunately, Leena is the only one who in the canon ending.
You sound confused...
Come on, Serge...
Get with the program.
Our summer's just
started...
It sounds clearly like Serge just passed out for a short while. Or else they would have at least carried him back to Arni. I always thought that was the real reason why they shouldn't have their memory -- because the adventure hasn't started yet.
But this theory also has obvious problem: What happened to those who came to DBT with Serge? I guess they got their memories wiped like Serge. Or they were discarded totally! You know the Leena you recruited was from Another World, but in the ending, she acts like the Home World one.
Good-bye...
Serge from another world...
And have fun with the other me!
Good-bye...
So the ending lines sound almost like this version got discarded becasue the unified timeline doesn't need an extra copy. But...
-
@utunnels: ::shrug:: I have no idea how the bits for the Ideal Timeline were selected, and I
wrote that ending the way I did in part so that I wouldn't have to try too hard to figure it
out. We cats are lazy, you know. :lol:
Ugh, I spent what seemed like forever on this, and still ended up with
a couple of lines that I didn't like...
Ending 2: But the Future Did Not Change...
Max recruits: Serge, Magus, Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly,
Guile, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky, Grobyc, Luccia, Dario,
Leena, Kid. (As this scenario requires Magus, Glenn and Nikki
should not be present.)
[This scenario takes the place of the "bad" ending if Magus is in the
party and the party had the Chrono Cross, but didn't use it (or used
it incorrectly).]
==============================================
Opassa Beach, Night (Home)
==============================================
[The party pops back out of the gate to the Darkness Beyond Time,
and spreads across the beach.]
Kid:
Well, that was sure a bust,
mate. So what do we--
Magus:
You failed.
[The music comes up at this point: Prisoners of Fate]
Serge:
Um...
Magus:
Give me the Chrono Cross.
Serge:
But I thought you couldn't
use it...
Magus:
I will find a way. And it's
better than leaving it in the
hands of a useless fool like you.
Kid:
Whoa, there!
Magus:
Shut your mouth, you
disgusting parody.
Serge:
...Take that back.
Magus:
Stop wasting time.
[Serge shakes his head.]
Serge:
I don't care what you say about
me--because I really did fail--
but Kid didn't deserve that.
If you don't take it back, I'm
not giving you anything.
Magus:
Very well.
[A ball of magic lightning crackles to life between Magus' hands.]
Magus:
I warned you about the
consequences of failure,
as I recall.
Serge:
You can't be serious! (Then
again, he doesn't have much of
a sense of humour...)
I thought...we were friends.
Magus:
Friends? We were proceeding
toward what was more or less
the same goal, that's all.
Now, you are nothing but an
obstacle...and I've killed far
better men than you in order to
achieve my purposes.
Thrice I have been defeated and
forced to leave Schala in
darkness. Next time, I will
succeed in freeing her, even
if it means breaking the
world...and myself as well.
I will not permit you--or anyone
else--to stand in my way.
Serge:
I...still can't give you the
Chrono Cross. I'm sorry. (I'm
too scared of what he'd do with
it. I mean, I know it's supposed
to create harmony and all that,
but I can't help thinking that
a really powerful magician might
find...some other way to use it.)
Magus:
So...you will fight me?
Serge:
Well, you're not leaving me much
of a choice, are you? Let's get
this over with.
[The other party members attempt to move forward, but Magus
waves a hand and knocks them away. As a result, Serge enters
combat with Magus alone. (Battle with Magus would be the most
appropriate background music here, if it were possible to pull
it off.)]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus wins, when the combat ends, we are shown Serge lying face down
on the beach, with his swallow lying a short distance from his hand.
Magus is still holding his scythe, and the other party members are all
staring in disbelief.]
Leena: [if present]
How... How COULD you?!
Guile: [if present]
Prince Janus...
[Kid's hands are clenched into fists, and she is shaking.]
Kid:
I'm gonna kill ya for that!
Dunno when or how, but someday--
Magus:
Feel free to try. In the
meanwhile, I'll be taking
this...
[He bends over Serge's body.]
[System]
Magus took the Chrono Cross.
Magus:
If you truly seek to bring
about my death, be assured
I won't be hard to find.
[Everything except Magus fades out as he teleports.]
Magus:
Forgive me, Schala, for doing
such a thing to the would-be
saviour whose life you went to
such lengths to protect. If you
feel you must hate me for it...
then do. I would do anything for
your sake, save permitting Lavos
to be freed.
[Magus also fades, and we see the remaining text
against a black background.]
At this point, Janus Zeal
vanishes from all historical
records for a period of
nearly a millennium.
The only further information we
have regarding him comes from a
fragmentary video found in a
shattered dome on the ocean bed.
Judging from what remains, in the
local year 1999, a male human with
blue hair suddenly appeared in
midair above the planet's largest
continent and began systematically
destroying everything around him.
The film includes some footage
that seems to have been filmed
with a powerful telephoto lens,
which shows lip movements
suggesting that the man was
speaking even as he rained
destruction down upon his fellows.
Based on a scientific analysis
of this species' language and
patterns of articulation, we
have reconstructed his words
as follows:
"...hate me for this, I know,
but the only remaining chance is
to recreate the history of the
original timeline. Schala..."
We believe this person to have
been Janus Zeal, but as the
disaster which occured here in
local year 1999 destroyed the
inhabitants' civilization and
killed 95% of the population,
not enough information remains
to provide a positive
identification...
(Abridged from the Preliminary
Report of the Third Survey of
Planet "Earth", by Starky XVI.)
[The credits are then displayed over the Dead Sea/Nadia's Bell
background, and I still think that the first ~2.5 minutes of
Grace: Omega from the anime Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade fit better
here than any of the music from CC or CT, but getting it into a
hack would likely mean resorting to CD audio... My second choice
would be to display the credits without any sound at all.]
~Fin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge wins, things go quite differently. After the combat
ends, we see Magus down on his knees, with his scythe lying some
distance away, and Serge standing over him.]
Magus:
Heh, so I wasn't strong
enough...after all.
Serge:
Magus...
Magus:
Please don't say anything trite
about...friendship making you...
more powerful, or some...such
nonsense. I don't think I...
could take it right now.
Serge:
I...I'll rescue her for you.
I promise. This time, I'll get
it right. (And if he'd just let
me say that in the first place,
he...wouldn't be... Oh, hell, I
am NOT going to start crying.
Not over this bastard. It isn't
like he ever gave a rat's ass
for any of the rest of us.)
(But still...this is another
thing I'm going to have
nightmares about. For a really,
really long time.)
Magus:
Fail a second time, and I'll...
haunt you until your dying day.
Serge:
(You're already
going to do that.)
[Magus falls forward onto the sand.]
Magus:
(Schala, it looks like I won't
be able to see you again after
all. I'm sorry...)
[The camera pans up as the scene fades out.]
[Credits play over what looks like a painted portrait of
Schala and a very young Janus (and possibly Alfador).]
~Fin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think Breath of Fire IV made too much of an impression on me. ;P
Anyway, Magus won't be appearing in the next couple of endings, since
they occur before he could possibly be recruited. He may cameo in one
or two of the others (most likely The Darkened Fate) but the above will
probably end up being his last major appearance...which is a shame,
because I like writing him.
Next up: General Kid.
-
Hmm, how could he recreate the history by slaughtering 95% of the population?
-_________-
Anyway this ending is the most astonishing one I've ever seen.
-
@utunnels: I was being ironic in a nasty way there. Magus means he's trying to recreate
the original original, pre-Chrono-Trigger future. However, since the one thing
he isn't willing to do is let Lavos loose, he has to play Lavos' part himself
in order to do it. Magus' personal philosophy has always been one of the end justifying
the means (otherwise, he wouldn't have been capable of most of what he did in the year
600), and this is that philosophy pursued all the way to the end, so to speak.
But anyway...
What can I say? Most of the endings are relatively short...and, in the case of this
one, I only had to add a bit of dialogue to the first scene (although I'm posting
the entire thing, just for context).
Ending 3: General Kid
Max recruits: Serge, Leena, Kid.
[This is the ending available from the point Serge enters Another World
up until the assault on Viper Manor.]
==============================================
Arni, Docks
==============================================
[Leena and a couple of kids are standing near the
end of the dock.]
Leena:
Oh, he's back!
[A fishing boat appears. Serge and another fisherman are in it.]
Leena:
Hi, honey!
How'd it go?
Serge:
Well...
[Man]
He almost had one!
He hit a 10 foot lion shark,
but it got away, just as
he was about to hoist it up.
Leena:
Ooooh...
That's too bad.
But I still can't
believe you used to be
a housekeeper, Serge.
You really are something!
Serge:
(A HOUSEKEEPER? Just because Mom
didn't let me go out with the
boats all that often... Oh,
man... Still, I kind of wonder
why she suddenly changed her
mind.)
[Man]
You said it.
I've been fishing all my life,
and I've yet to come across
someone so talented.
I sure got myself a
great apprentice.
I give him a perfect 10!
Leena:
Me, too!
A perfect 10!
[Kid appears at the village end of the dock.]
[Man]
There's no doubt, this guy's
going to make it big!
Leena:
Oh yeah!
A superstar!
Serge:
(My face has got to be
SO red right now...)
[Man]
He'll be all set to
marry you, Leena,
and settle down to a
sweet, loving family!
You go girl!
Leena:
Oh yeah!
Go, go!!!
Leena:
...I mean... Hey!
Serge:
Yeah, aren't you getting a
little ahead of yourself, boss?
Leena and I aren't... I mean,
I haven't even asked her yet!
[Man]
Hah ha ha!
There's nothing to be
embarrassed of!
[Kid, who has been watching all this ever since she
appeared, turns and leaves again.]
Kiki:
Leena, you're blushing!
Leena:
Oh!
Pu-lease!
[Kid]
~~~~~See ya, Serge...
Serge:
(What the...?)
[Man]
Hm? What is it,
Serge?
Serge:
I thought I heard...someone
telling me good-bye. A girl,
I think. (It's really weird.
I can't put a name to that
voice, but... I feel like
I've forgotten something
important.)
[Man]
Huh?
No, I didn't hear nothin'.
You're probably just tired.
We had it tough out there.
Leena:
That's right.
OK, then! Come on, Serge,
I'll make you a nice lunch.
You have to eat a lot
of protein and build
up those muscles!
Serge:
Leena...!
[Man]
Oh man...
You lovebirds...!
Leena:
Come on!
Stop teasing me!
[Man]
Hah ha ha!
There's nothing to be
embarrassed of!
Kiki:
Leena, you're
blushing again!
==============================================
Viper Manor, Top Floor
==============================================
[We see Kid enter Viper's office. The following lines
are spoken through the closed door, so we can't see
exactly what's happening.]
Kid:
I got you now,
LYNX!!!
Kid:
Oi!
That's the Frozen
Flame, ain't it!?
Lynx:
Are you one of the
Radical Dreamers!?
Kid:
Shut up!
In the name of Lucca...!!!
Lynx:
Hah...!
What are you talking abou...
Lynx:
Ughhhhhh!!!
[Kid walks back out of the office, carrying the Dragon
Tear (not the Frozen Flame)]
[Kid]
Heh-heh-heh......
Kid:
HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA!
Kid:
Kill two birds with one stone!
Heh-heh!
==============================================
Viper Manor, Second Floor Great Hall
==============================================
[As Kid descends from the upper floor in the chairelevator,
the dragoons are waiting.]
Karsh:
Teeeen-huuut!
Karsh:
I introduce to you,
the new lord of El Nido...
General Kid!
Karsh:
General...
General Kid:
Oi...!
[Kid gets to her feet]
General Kid:
As of today, I stand
before you as the new
lord of El Nido!
General Kid:
Ahahahahaha...!
[A generic dragoon runs up the carpeted aisle at the
middle of the room]
[Acacia Dragoon]
General!
I have important news!
The Porre army is
heading this way!!!
[Acacia Dragoon]
HUH!?
[Acacia Dragoon]
What!?
Zoah:
ARGH!!!
[The rank-and-file dragoons start running around like beheaded chickens]
General Kid:
Would ya all
just calm down!!!
[Everyone stops in their tracks]
General Kid:
Remember, we have
the Frozen Flame!
Plus, there's nothin'
to worry about, with
Kid in charge!
Karsh:
Fall in line!!!
[The generic dragoons get back into neat ranks]
General Kid:
After we defeat the
Kingdom of Guardia,
it's time to put these
Porre blokes in their
place!
[Acacia Dragoons]
Rrrargh!
Yes, General Kid!!!
ZOAH:
COME!
FOLLOW ME!!!
[The dragoons all head for the doors of the mansion with
Kid in the lead, and the scene fades out. We then get some
text against a black background.]
[System]
Later...
The Acacia Dragoons,
led by General Kid...
went on to conquer the
neighboring countries with ease...
It was the birth of
a new sovereign nation...
The Acacia Empire...
And standing next to
General Kid's throne...
was the Frozen Flame...
~Fin
Next up: The True Hero (I'll be amalgamating both versions into one post; they only differ in one scene out of four anyway.)
-
However, since the one thing
he isn't willing to do is let Lavos loose, he has to play Lavos' part himself
in order to do it.
Oh, I think you mean he want to erase the presence of the Chronopolis?
Serge:
(A HOUSEKEEPER? Just because Mom
didn't let me go out with the
boats all that often... Oh,
man... Still, I kind of wonder
why she suddenly changed her
mind.)
[Man]
You said it.
I've been fishing all my life,
and I've yet to come across
someone so talented.
I sure got myself a
great apprentice.
I give him a perfect 10!
Ha, at first I thought you made a joke here.
-
@utunnels: Pretty much, I think.
Somehow, Magus managed to slip himself a scene again. I'm starting to
wonder if I shouldn't be checking for mind control spells. ;P
Ending 4: The True Hero
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) or (Glenn and Nikki),
Skelly, Luccia, Leena, Kid.
This ending is available between the Viper Manor break-in and the body-swap
at Fort Dragonia (the Magical Dreamers ending isn't available because, with
Razzly unrecruited, it is impossible to fulfill the preconditions).
==============================================
Lisa's Element Shop, Termina
==============================================
[Serge and Lisa are behind the counter when Lisa's father
emerges from the back room.]
[Lisa's Dad]
Hi, Serge.
Looks like you're getting
used to working here.
Serge:
Well, yeah, kind of. Termina's...
a lot different from Arni, but I
kind of like it. I enjoy meeting
new people.
Where are you off to?
Lisa:
Daddy, don't tell me
you're going out to
gather mushrooms again?
[Lisa's Dad]
Well, now that Serge is
helping out, I have a lot
of free time on my hands.
Serge:
(Whoo, boy. I don't mind--
even if I don't understand how
anyone can like mushrooms so
much--but this is the third
time this week. Lisa's going
to explode.)
Lisa:
But what about doing
the inventory!?
You're the one who
said there's always
work to be done at
Element shops!
Serge:
(Bingo.)
[Lisa's Dad]
Don't worry about it.
At my age, you have
to live a little.
Anyway, you two sure
make a great couple.
That's one worry off my mind!
Hahahahah!!!
Lisa:
D-Daddy...!
Don't jump to
conclusions so fast!
Serge:
Yeah, we aren't even dating!
(I mean, if I went out with
Lisa, Leena would kill me and
Kid would kick my corpse into
orbit, even if she had to come
back from the dead to do it.)
[Lisa's Dad]
Heh, heh.
Well, I'm off to
Shadow Forest.
Lisa:
Be careful...
And come back before dinner!
Daddy still can't get
enough of those mushrooms.
[Lisa's father leaves.]
Serge:
I know, and I just don't get it.
Are they really that good?
Lisa:
The batch he brought home a
couple of years ago made the
whole house--and the store!--
stink like old socks when he
boiled them up. That's when I
told him that if he wanted to
eat them, he was going to have
to do it in the woods.
Serge:
I get the picture. (Ick.)
Lisa:
Well, I guess it's
time to get down
to business!
[Serge nods just as Leena walks in.]
Leena:
Ummm... Excuse me...
You have a customer...
Lisa:
Ohh! Leena!
I'm sorry!
I didn't realize
you were here.
Serge:
(Oh, hell, now they're going
to start trying to kill each
other with pointed remarks.)
Leena:
Hmph...!
What's so good about
Termina anyway...?
(I can't believe he
decided to work here,
even though I found him
a job in Arni!!!)
Lisa:
Hm?
Did you say
something, Leena?
I can't hear you.
What happened to your
loud, annoying voice?
Serge:
(I should have gone to Shadow
Forest too, even if it is full
of stinky-sock mushrooms.)
[Leena steps in closer and examines the merchandise on display.]
Leena:
OHHH MY!!!
I think this Element
may be rotten...!?
Is this the kind of
merchandise you sell
to your customers!?
Serge:
Leena, it's an ELEMENT SHOP,
not a grocery store. Elements
don't rot. (Argh--why does she
DO this?! It isn't like she was
really going to buy anything
in the first place!)
Lisa:
Speaking of rotten...
There was an awful stink
just as you walked in...
Leena:
No, I'm pretty sure the smell
is coming from this shop...
Coming from your ROTTEN
personality!
Serge:
(Maybe I should move to the
continent...or they say Choras
is pretty nice...)
Lisa:
Leena...
Isn't it time you went home?
Alone...all by yourself,
with no one to walk you home!!!
[Leena]
......!!!
[Leena turns her back to the counter and waves a fist in the air.]
Leena:
AHHHHHH...!!!
Why does it have to
turn out like this!?
Serge:
(I wonder if she realizes that
I'd like to do the exact same
thing...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If either Serge or Magus supplied the Hydra Humour needed to
cure Kid of the poisoning she suffered during the Viper Manor
burglary, Kid enters the shop as Leena leaves.]
Kid:
What's eatin' her?
That girl needs to
take it easy...
Kid:
Oi, mate!
How's work goin'?
I hope you're not
cheatin' the shop
of all this booty!
Serge:
Um, no, actually, I--
Lisa:
Please... Serge would never
do something like that!
Kid:
Hah...
I was just kiddin'!
Serge:
You'd better be!
Kid:
Let's see here...
You got any good
Elements?
Kid:
You recommend
anything, mate!?
Serge:
Er...
Kid:
You really don't
talk much, do you?
How do you expect
to do good business?
Serge:
(It isn't like I'm supposed to
be a carnival barker...)
Lisa:
It's better than
someone I know who's
always loud and vulgar!
[Serge facepalms]
Serge:
(Why, why, WHY does Lisa
pick fights with every girl
who walks in here?!)
Kid:
Listen you...!!!
Get off yer high horse!
Just because you won
the Viper Festival
beauty pageant...
You only won because
this town is filled with
a bunch of hags!
Just remember that!
Lisa:
Well, I heard somewhere that a
certain blond girl couldn't even
make it to the preliminary round.
[Kid]
......!!!
(Bugger!
How'd she know 'bout that!?)
Serge:
(This probably isn't the best
time to admit that I voted for
Lisa too--I mean, Kid's cute,
and she's more fun to be with
than Lisa, but "beautiful" is
a bit of a stretch, what with
the way she dresses...)
[Kid turns away from the counter just as Korcha walks in]
Kid:
AHHH! KORCHA!
Korcha:
Don't ya worry, Kid.
I voted for ya!
Serge:
(He's probably the only one
that did...)
Kid:
Sheesh...!
I'm honored!
[Korcha walks further into the store and positions himself with
his back to Kid]
Korcha:
Well...ummm...
You know...
About that agreement
we had...
Why don't ya tell
me your answer?
Serge:
(Uh-oh...)
[Kid quietly leaves the store, leaving Korcha getting
increasingly red as he speaks his next few lines...to
Macha, who arrives a moment after Kid leaves]
Korcha:
...Y-You don't have to
answer immediately, but...
How about just gettin'
engaged for now,
you know...!?
Korcha:
We'll have a blast together!
I'll treat ya right!
We can go fishin' everyday,
and I'll take you anywhere
that ya wanna go in my boat!
We'll settle down in Guldove
and raise a happy family!
Well?
Serge:
(Somehow, I just can't see Kid
going for it...even if she were
still here and listening to him.
It's going to be interesting to
see what colour he turns when he
opens his eyes...)
Macha:
'"Well,"' what?
Aren't ya happy with
the way things are, now?
Korcha:
Ma!?
What're ya
doin' here?
Macha:
Aren't I allowed to
go shoppin'!?
From the sounds of it,
you just hit puberty!
Korcha:
W-Whatever, ma!
Serge:
(No matter how embarassing it is,
if I ever find a girl, I'm going
to propose with my eyes open.)
[And the camera pans up and away...]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
==============================================
Viper Manor, General Viper's Study
==============================================
[If Magus was the one who provided the Hydra Humour
for Kid, after Korcha's flub, we see him and Guile
standing in front of Viper's desk, examining the
Dragon Tear.]
Magus:
This is no more the Frozen Flame
than it's a SandSquirt--I may not
know HOW I know that, but I am
absolutely certain of it. The
question is, what do they intend
to do with the fake?
Guile:
That...is definitely a mystery.
[The door opens. Both men step quickly away from the
desk. Their bodies fade into transparency as they
invoke some sort of concealment spell. General Viper
and Lynx enter and go to the desk.]
Viper:
You're certain that everything
is in readiness.
Lynx:
I have done my part, General.
So long as your men have loaded
provisions for the trip to Fort
Dragonia, we may now proceed
with the unlocking.
Viper:
We must get this done before the
Porreans arrive...
[Lynx picks up the Dragon Tear, and he and Viper
leave the room. A moment later, Guile and Magus
fade back into visibility.]
Magus:
Fort Dragonia...?
Guile:
A ruin on the far side of the
island, accessible only from
the ocean. Does the name hold
any meaning for you?
Magus:
No. However, something is not
right here. While that blue
crystal of theirs isn't the
Frozen Flame, it does hold
considerable power. I want to
know what they mean to do with
it.
Guile:
Then...
Magus:
I'll follow them. You keep an
eye on the girl.
Guile:
(Sigh) As you wish.
Magus:
Again, I can't say why, but I
feel as though we may be getting
close to an answer...
[Pan up and fade out.]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Serge chose Nikki as his guide to Viper Manor, and
then chose not to get the Hydra Humour for Kid, the camera
pans up and away as Leena leaves, and we get the following
scene...]
==============================================
Mess Hall Kitchen, Viper Manor
==============================================
[Kid and Norris are washing dishes...or more accurately, Norris,
wearing his goofy scullion disguise, is washing dishes while Kid
stands around tapping her foot impatiently. In the background,
Orcha is chopping something up.]
Kid:
Why the bloody hell do
I have to do this!?
Norris:
Stop complaining,
'"Bloody Rose."'
A spy must conduct
field investigations.
Kid:
Since when did I
become a spy!?
Kid:
And quit it with
that code name stuff!
Norris:
You do not like it?
Then how about
'"Red Scorpion?"'
Kid:
That's not the
bloody point!
Orcha:
Don't ya slack
off, newbies!
Norris:
Yes, sir!
Kid:
Alright, fine...
I'll do it.
Ya did save me life
by getting me the
Hydra Humour, I'spose...
Kid:
But none of that
code name rubbish!
Kid:
Damn!
Now where in hell did
Serge and them go...?
[Fade out.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
==============================================
Fort Dragonia, Elevator Room
==============================================
[This scene takes place after Korcha's flub, after
Magus and Guile, or after the Viper Manor kitchen,
whichever.]
[Pierre and the Condiment Brothers are in the
elevator, which has just reached the top. Solt
and Peppor get out first.]
Solt:
Is something wrongly
wrong, Monsieur Pierre?
This is it!
There is no
turning back now!
Peppor:
Shake it!
Pierre!
Solt!
Peppor:
J-Just you wait,
Lynx!
We'll teach you a lesson
about General Viper's
spice, I mean, spite!
Shake it and say your
prayers!
...Not that it'll
do you any good!
Solt:
Monsieur Pierre!
Let us be on our way!
Pierre:
Actually...
Moi seem to have an upset
stomach from last night's
party at Monsieur Zappa's.
It is not a good idea
for moi to run...
Solt:
...Are you seriously serious
about being a hero?
Peppor:
Th-That's pathetic!!!
[Pierre finally gets out of the elevator, but the
Shaker Bros. are already going on ahead.]
Pierre:
P-Please!
Do not run!!!
[Fade to...]
==============================================
Fort Dragonia, Double Doors
==============================================
[The would-be heroes have just ridden the transporter-thing
up to the topmost level of the fort.]
Peppor:
H-Huh!?
What just happened!?
Peppor:
W-What are we
doin' out here!?
[Peppor takes a quick look over the edge of the platform]
Peppor:
W-We're so high up!
I-Is this thing floatin'!?
Solt:
Our bodies seem to
have passed through
the floor just now...
Peppor:
Th-This sure is some fort...
Huh, Pierre?
......!?
Peppor:
W-What's shakin', Pierre?
You alright?
You don't look so well.
W-Who knows if there'll be
a toilet up ahead!
Shake it and hold it in!
Pierre:
Moi should be fine...
Moi am a hero...
I-I'll do mon best...
Peppor:
W-We shook out a lot
of cash to hire you!
You better!!!
[They approach the doors]
Peppor:
S-Someone shake it
and open that door!
Solt:
We shall leave this
up to you, Peppor!
Peppor:
W-Why me!?
Pierre:
Tah ta-tah!
Moi say we decide this with a
game of rock, paper, scissors.
That would be appropriate, non?
Peppor:
G-Good idea!
You're a true hero, alright!
OK, ready...?
Rock, paper, scissor...
SHAKE!
[Solt]
......
Solt:
It is you,
Monsieur Pierre!
Pierre:
Ohhhhhh...
Moi feel the squirts
coming on...!
Oh, the pain...
the pain...
[Pierre collapses theatrically on the ground]
Peppor:
...Ohhh man...
Alright, let's shake
another game...
Pierre:
Oui, oui, oui!!!
Indeed!
[Shaker Brothers]
......
[The screen fades out, leaving the final line displayed against a
black background...]
[System]
The three of them were
never heard from again...
And there we are. Next on the list is New Beginnings...if I can rein in my temptation to do a set of illustrations based on Magus' pithier remarks (Time Egg Serge, purple sea slug Serge, Magus glaring at a SandSquirt he's holding up by the neck...)
-
Hehe, I expected Lynx would turn his head back before he went with Viper.
-
@utunnels: As in...
-------------------------------------
Guile:
(Sniff)
Lynx: [looking around]
?
Viper:
What is it?
Lynx:
I thought I heard something.
It must just have been my
imagination.
[Viper and Lynx leave]
Guile: [as he reappears]
ACHOO!
...Viper does not have this
corner dusted often enough.
-------------------------------------
(I'm always picking on poor Guile...)
Anyway, this one just needed some lines for Serge, so it didn't take all that long.
Ending 5: New Beginnings
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) or (Glenn and Nikki),
Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly, Starky, Luccia, Leena, Harle.
This ending is available between the body-switch and rescuing Riddel
from Viper Manor.
==============================================
Marbule, Outdoors
==============================================
[Harle is waiting outside one of the huts as
Serge-Lynx emerges.]
Harle:
Salut, Monsieur Lynx!
Did you dream of moi?
Ooh lah lah!
Serge:
Um... Yeah, of course I did.
(I seem to end up lying to her
about that every morning...but
if I don't lie, she spends HOURS
babbling about me no longer
being Serge...)
Harle:
We have another grand
day ahead of us!
[The two of them walk through town together,
exchanging greetings with the villagers.]
[Demi-human Man]
Good morning,
Mister Lynx, Harle!
Harle:
Good morning to
you, too!
Keep up ze good work
wit' zat well!
[Demi-human Man]
Hah-hah-hah!
No problem!
Harle:
Salut!
[Demi-human]
Good morning,
Mister Lynx.
A beautiful day, isn't it?
I'm going to work my heart
out for a new Marbule!
Harle:
Bravo!
Excellente!
Keep up ze
good work!
[Demi-human]
Thank you!
Serge:
(Sigh. I'm starting to feel like
Harle is trying to get me
nominated as the next mayor of
Marbule...even if that isn't what
I want. But...what else am I
supposed to do? I haven't been
able to find out what happened
to Kid, or the real Lynx, or
any of that...)
[Demi-human]
Hey!
It's Lynxy!
C'mon, let's play!
Harle:
Non, non...!
Monsieur Lynx iz
very buzy today!
[Demi-human]
I wasn't asking you,
Harle!
Nah-nah!
Harle:
Arghhh...
Nah-nah!
[Demi-human]
Hah hah hah haha!
Serge:
(I wonder sometimes how old
Harle really is...)
[Demi-human Woman]
Hi, Lynx!
Hi, Harle!
Harle:
Good morning!
[Demi-human Woman]
Listen, I was wondering
if you could go do some
shopping for me?
I'll give you a discount!
Harle:
Sure, but maybe
later, non?
Harle:
Phew...
Serge:
(Heh. Harle does hate to work.)
Irenes:
You sure are popülar,
Herr Lynx!
Serge:
I...guess I am. (It's kind of
scary, really.)
Harle:
Oh, good morning,
sirène of ze sea!
About zat person you
were looking for...
Leave it to us!
Irenes:
So you will take
on my request?
T'ank you!
Harle:
Zat iz no problème
for Monsieur Lynx.
Irenes:
I knew I could
count on you.
Well, gut-bye.
Harle:
Salut!
Harle:
So, what iz ze
agenda for today?
Serge:
I don't know. I guess we should
start looking for this guy
Irenes is interested in--
(Oh, hell, is that the Sage?)
Harle:
Hm?
Harle:
Good morning, Sage!
Sage:
Oh, good morning,
Lynx, Harle.
Serge:
Morning.
(If he gets a mop out,
I'm running.)
Sage:
You two seem to fit in
quite nicely after
several months here.
The restoration program
is coming along fine.
Thanks to you two, of course.
Harle:
Zere iz not'ing Monsieur
Lynx cannot do, non?
Serge:
Hey, wait a second--
Sage:
Hahahahah.
I was hoping you
would say that.
There is something
I would like to discuss.
Harle:
Oui?
What iz it?
Serge:
(I'm not sure I want to know,
after an intro like that, but
if I walk away, Harle will just
come after me later, so...)
Go on.
Sage:
Hmmm...
Well, as you probably know,
life in Marbule is beginning
to center around you.
Unlike before, everybody
is generating a positive
attitude.
This may be a golden opportunity
to bring about a change to
our dated way of thinking.
I am sure we will have to
associate with the humanfolks
on equal terms now.
I believe it is time
for a new leader.
I am too old for this.
Serge:
Please tell me you're not saying
what I think you're saying. You
can't possibly want me to take
over your job...can you?
Sage:
Yes, exactly.
Once you become the leader
of Marbule, the way we
demi-humans view the world
will change for the better...
I believe you will be able
to bring forth a new age in
the history of demi-humans.
Harle:
Looks like you've kept
an eye on him!
Well, Monsieur Lynx?
How about it?
Of course, I will help, too.
Serge:
But I...I'm not...
Sage:
You do not have to
answer right away.
Stay here as long as you
want to consider my offer.
But keep in mind, everybody
looks up to you and needs you.
Sage:
Good day.
Serge:
Damnit! He makes me feel like
such a fraud--a human in a cat
suit. And now he wants ME to
run Marbule? (This is so
ridiculous it's almost funny.
Almost.)
Harle:
Monsieur Lynx...
You will find un way to
get your old self back.
Harle:
But until zen, let'z do
what we can for ze
demi-humans here, non?
Serge:
Who are you, and what did you
do with the real Harle? YOU'RE
the one who keeps insisting that
my memories of my life as Serge
are just a figment of my
imagination...
Harle:
Oui...but it iz clear to me now
zat you are not happy az Monsieur
Lynx.
Serge:
And you want me to be happy?
(Funny, it never seemed to
matter much to her before...)
Harle:
But of course!
[Serge shakes his head]
Serge:
(I am never, ever going to
understand her.)
Harle:
You are needed here.
No matter how you look on
ze outside, you are you!
And zat iz what iz important.
Everybody iz looking
to you for guidance.
You can do it, Monsieur Lynx...
I know you can!
[The scene fades out, so that Harle's last lines are
displayed on a blank screen]
[Harle]
Don't worry,
I will be by your side...
Serge...
==============================================
Pearly Gates
==============================================
[Radius, Zappa, and Fargo enter the area together.
Dark Serge is waiting for them by the end wall.]
Dark Serge:
Well, well, well...
If it isn't the
3 old farts...
I'll hear what you
have to say...
Radius:
Listen well!
The countless evil deeds
you have commited
cannot go unpunished!
We can no longer allow
you to do as you please!
Prepare yourself!
Zappa:
Ah hear ye be the bastard
that killed all the
dragoons dead.
That's why ah'm here,
to avenge me son!
Fargo:
Arg! I, too, am a villain,
but me reasons are just!
You're nothin' but a disgrace!
Dark Serge:
Hah.
I really don't have time to
deal with the likes of you...
[Kid enters from the left and positions herself between the
older men and Dark Serge]
Kid:
Oi! I ain't gonna let
you get in the way of
Serge's plan!
Dark Serge:
That's the way it goes...
But I do need to get
used to my new body...
I'll make a special exception
today, and take you on as well.
Radius:
Prepare, scoundrel!
Kid:
Hah!
Any time you're ready!
[Dark Serge advances to stand closer to Kid, and the scene fades out.]
~Fin
Just two more to go: Onward, Dragoons! and The Darkened Fate.
-
This was mostly another "just needed some dialogue for Serge" thing,
although Magus did manage to insert himself briefly.
Ending 6: Onward, Dragoons!
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) or (Glenn and Nikki),
Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly, Starky, Grobyc, Luccia, Leena, Harle.
[This ending is available between rescuing Riddel and Harle leaving the party.]
==============================================
Great Hall, Viper Manor
==============================================
[The Dragoons are drawn up in ranks with Viper and the
Devas at the front. Norris, dressed as the dishwasher,
has slipped into an empty space in the rear rank.]
Karsh:
Teeeen-huuut!
Karsh:
General, the time has finally
come for the Acacia Dragoons
to sally forth!
Marcy:
Can I kill 'em all yet?
Viper:
Hmmm...
Viper:
Everyone, prepare yourselves
to face Serge's army!
Long live the pride and honour
of the Acacia Dragoons!!!
Zoah:
ARGH!!!
[Acacia Dragoons]
Rrrargh!
Yes, General Viper!!!
[Norris breaks ranks and slips out of the room,
talking as he goes.]
Norris:
It appears this
battle is unavoidable...
Norris:
I am sure the Porre
army will strike
back in full force...
Perhaps this, too, is fate.
[Once he's out of the room...]
Viper:
Move out!!!
ZOAH:
COME!
FOLLOW ME!!!
[Exeunt dragoons, with Zoah and Marcy in the lead.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus has been recruited, when everyone else is gone,
he fades into visibility in the corner of the room.]
Magus:
So Lynx is leading an army now,
is he? Well, then, let the fools
kill each other--only Belthasar
matters now.
[He exits in the direction of the library.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Fade to...]
==============================================
SS Invincible
==============================================
[Dark Serge is standing near the base of the mast
when Fargo, Viper, and the Devas arrive.]
Dark Serge:
Shall we get started...?
[Fade to...]
==============================================
Marbule
==============================================
[Serge-as-Lynx and Harle are inside one of the houses.]
Harle:
Monsieur Lynx...
Serge:
Yeah? (Sigh. Why does she have
to call me that? She KNOWS I
hate Lynx.)
Harle:
Zis iz a nice change, non?
Just taking it eazy.
Before, I would travel
all over ze place with ze
other Monsieur Lynx.
I've never stayed in one
place for so long.
Harle:
I wish...
it could be like zis
a bit longuer...
Serge:
You're expecting something
to change? I hadn't intended
to go anywhere until we figure
out how to get my body back,
and I'm not really having
much luck with that.
Harle:
............Well zen.
Harle:
Time for dinner, non?
Serge:
(She's changing the subject
again, just like she does every
time I try to talk about this.)
I guess it is getting
kind of late.
Harle:
What would you like ce soir?
~~~Your specialty... | ~~~Whatever...
|
Serge: | Serge:
You know, that thing with the | Just make it, and
mangoes and the shrimp? | I'll eat it.
|
Harle: | Harle:
Oui? | Ooh lah lah...
Zen I will do mon best! | Are you still being shy?
I have to go steal... | You are Monsieur Lynx.
I mean get some ingredients, | Show some confiance.
so wait here... | Zis human named Serge
Mon chéri... | no longuer existz in
| zis world.
Kid: | Just accept it.
Mon chéri, | C'est la vie!
Mon SHMERI! |
| Kid:
| I see...
| Serge, too...
[Kid enters the house.]
Serge:
K-Kid?
Is it really you?
I thought you were dead!
Kid:
I finally found you...
Harle:
Ooh lah lah...
You are still alive.
Kid:
Of course I am!
I have more lives than a cat!
Kid:
What are you doin' here
anyway, Lynx!?
This is pathetic!
This whole situation
is pissin' me off!
Serge:
Kid, I'm not--
Harle:
Zut! Zat crazy blonde
iz disturbing us again.
Kid:
Shut up!
I ain't here to see you!
Kid:
Listen up, Lynx!
First you take Lucca,
and now Serge!
It's time for you to pay!
Serge:
Don't you--
Kid:
Prepare yerself, Lynx!
You ain't gettin' away
this time!
You're goin' down!
Serge:
(So either I end up killing her,
or she kills me, and either way
the real Lynx goes unpunished...
How am I supposed to make her
listen?)
[Fade out as Kid brandishes her knife...]
Just "The Darkened Fate" left now--after that, I have to decide on
my next project...
-
I guess this translates into going out with a whimper rather than a bang, alas...
The only bit I actually changed was near the end, and it's far from my best piece of
Magus dialogue ever.
Ending 7: The Darkened Fate
Max recruits: Serge, (Magus and Guile) or (Glenn and Nikki),
Sprigg, Radius, Norris, Skelly, Karsh, ZOAH, Marcy, Fargo, Starky,
Grobyc, Luccia, Dario, Leena.
[This ending is available after Harle has left, but before the party battles
Dario (and before Terra Tower rises, if the player chooses to skip the
Dario subquest.)]
==============================================
Lobby, Chronopolis
==============================================
[Dark Serge and Kid are walking up the middle aisle-thing
that leads to the main part of the building. They're almost
at the far door when Kid stops.]
Dark Serge:
Hm?
Is something wrong,
Kid?
Kid:
Yeah...
Looks like we've got company.
I'll hold 'em off here.
You go on ahead, Serge.
Dark Serge:
Fine...
I'm counting on
you, Kid.
[Dark Serge continues on through the far door just as Harle enters
and walks past the statue.]
Harle:
Kid...
Kid:
Not you again...!
I thought you
were with Lynx!?
Harle:
You're......I see...
I am in a hurry.
Would you mind letting
me through, pleaze?
Kid:
Hah!
It'll take a little more than
a '"pleaze"' to let you through.
Over my dead body, I say!
Harle:
Kid!
It iz senseless
for us to fight!
We must stop Serge...
I mean, Monsieur Lynx!
Kid:
Quit tryin' to talk
yer way out of it!
I don't like you.
It's as simple as that!
I don't care if it is
senseless for us to fight!
Harle:
D'accord...
Zen I guess it
cannot be helped...
Kid:
So you're finally ready
to face the music, eh!?
Put up yer dukes!
[Fade to...]
==============================================
Chieftain's Hut, Arni
==============================================
[A woman is doing something in the kitchen when an
old man enters.]
[Old Man]
Morning!
I hope you don't mind.
[woman]
Oh? Are you here to consult
the Record of Fate again?
You sure are devoted.
[Old Man]
Heh heh...
There's not much else
to do at my age...
[woman]
Oh, please...
You're still young!
Take your time.
[The old guy crosses the room to look at the Record of Fate...
and notices something isn't quite right.]
[Old Man]
Let's see now...
.....................!
H-Holy cow...!
A-A-Ahhh
This can't be...!
H-Help!!!
[The woman leaves the kitchen and approaches the Record as well.]
[woman]
What's wrong?
[Old Man]
Th-The Record of Fate...
[Woman]
Oh my!
[Old Man]
I-It's turned black!
[Woman]
B-But, why!?
[Old Man]
How the heck should
I know!
I-I'll go call the
chief.
I hope this isn't
a bad omen...
[The old guy goes running out the door]
[Old Man]
C-C-CHIEF...!
==============================================
Project Kid, Chronopolis
==============================================
[Dark Serge enters the room, then floats up so
that he is level with the center of the giant sphere.]
Dark Serge:
Heh heh heh heh...
I've finally made
it this far...
Dark Serge:
And now!
The Frozen Flame is
finally in my hands!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[If Magus was recruited, he drops down from above at this
point. Dark Serge dodges just barely in time to avoid being
scythed down.]
Dark Serge:
How did you get in here?!
Magus:
I made a blind teleport through
the door. Fortunately, my arrival
point turned out to be empty.
Dark Serge:
Heh. So you risked your life...
for what, exactly?
Magus:
To destroy the Frozen Flame. Had
you arrived an hour later, you
would have found only dust.
Dark Serge:
Oh? It's a good thing I
hurried, then.
I take it you aren't going to
let me have the Flame.
Magus:
Indeed. Letting a roach like you
nibble at it might have some
unpleasant results.
Dark Serge:
Then let's get on with it,
shall we?
[Dark Serge pulls his scythe, and the scene fades out
to the sound of clashing weapons.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Magus wasn't recruited, the camera pans up until we
can no longer see Dark Serge]
Dark Serge:
I shall become
FATE...!
Heh heh heh heh...
Hah hah hah hah...!
[And we finish with a brief VIDEO: Serge looks up, and his eyes
suddenly go slit-pupilled, like Lynx's.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Fin
And that's it, folks--I'm not touching the other endings.
I'm going to be offline for a couple of days starting Friday, and then I have a
minor non-Chrono project to finish up. After that, I'll have to decide whether
to attempt to move forward on that "Chrono Break" fragment I did or not.
-
Woooooo~! This was so good! 8D Really, really--I loved everything you did with it! I wish the actual game was like this...though it's a great game anyway~butyouknowwhatImean.
-
Aw, shucks.
I'm sure, though, that if the original game's creators had been free of time and budget constraints, they would have created something even better.
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This was great. :D I am going to miss waiting for updates. ^_^
-
This was great. :D I am going to miss waiting for updates. ^_^
Seconded!
-
I'm glad you (both) enjoyed it.
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Ah, it's finally over...? Well, it was a good read from start to finish. :D