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.
