Sérgio's 1st Adventure
Chapter 10 - The Hero's Resolve!
Written by: CS-Masyet
Uploaded on: August 23, 2015
"Listen! I don't know where you came from, but we don't have to hate each other, or be enemies! In fact..." I let go of his arm, instead offering him my hand, giving him the warmest smile I could. "... Let's be friends, Darkés!"

He looked at me in shock, with eyes wider than I'd ever seen from him before.

"... F-friends?"

He slowly moved his arm, closer and closer to mine...

Did my feelings reach him? Does he want to be my friend, too?

... but instead of accepting it, he lightly swatted it away.

"Whuh?"

"You say that you can be friends with me despite not knowing of the reason for my existence, but it's because you don't know that you can say that so easily." His voice and blank expression made it hard to tell if he was sad or angry.

"Huh? What do y-..."

"If you truly knew about the relation between us... You definitely wouldn't want to be friends with me."

He turned around, walking toward the edge of the cliff again.

"It's best if you forgot all about me, for both of our sakes." He added, turning his head towards mine one last time. "Farewell, hopefully for good this time..."

"Darkés, wai-..."

Before I could do anything, he flew off, until I could no longer see him off into the distance. I did nothing but fall to the ground helplessly.

Why... Why can't we be friends, Darkés? If you're not a bad guy, then...

The true relationship between us? Just what is that exactly...?

"Things didn't go so well with him, did it?" Serge uttered, coming up from behind me.

I hugged myself into a ball, hiding my face in my legs. "... No, it didn't..."

"Just like I thought, trying to get along with him is a waste of time."

"I don't think it is."

"And why's that?"

"Because..." I looked back at him. "... I want to help people. People that I feel really need it. Even if that person is my dark side..."

"I think that's very valiant of you, Sérgio." Sprit said to me reassuringly, coming up to me as well.

"Thanks, Sprit..." I said to him, taking to heart what he said, although not really feeling any better.

"That lad sure can fly fast, can't he?" Captain Mustache said to us, once had made it to us himself. "Indeeed, it amazes me every time I see it!"

"Yeah, always too fast for me to catch him..." I uttered, sighing.

"Were you not able to pour your heart out to him successfully?"

"Actually, it's more a problem with him not wanting to pour his heart out to me..."

"There's no need to worry, lad!" He reassured me, twirling his mustache. "If he ever needs someone to confide in, it would definitely be you. You're both family after all, brothers at that! In everyone's heart, there is nothing more important to them than their family!"

"Thank you, Captain."

I'm not really sure if Darkés counts as my family, but I hope I'll be able to get along with him someday.

"Well, the lad at least has good taste in views! Just look at the castle from here... breathtaking!"

I went up to the edge of the cliff, standing at the spot Darkés was sitting before, to get a better view of the castle.

Wow... I was too distracted to notice before, but it's so much larger and fancier than I ever thought it would be...

"I've decided! I'm definitely going to the castle on my adventures someday!" I exclaimed confidently.

"Why? What would you need to do there?" Serge asked me in confusion.

"Well, y'know... A dragon could come and attack the castle! Then, I would swoop in and defeat it, and then they'd recognize me as a grand hero!" I explained to him, making a truimphant pose.

"Wow, what an amazing story!" Sprit said happily.

"Don't you mean cliché...?" Serge uttered.

"Plus, Captain Mustache said one of the princesses is around my age, so maybe we could be friends! Of course, I'd invite you two to be friends with her too."

"No thanks, one cootie girl is enough..."

"Oh that's right, I'd invite Jemily too! Me, Jemily, the princess, and you guys; all five of us will be friends!"

I hope I'm friends with Darkés by then, so I could invite him, too...

"If you truly knew about the relation between us... You definitely wouldn't want to be friends with me."

... but what he said... What does it mean exactly...?

--

"Well, it's time for us to get going." I stated, once we all headed back.

"Oh, leaving so soon?" Mr. Zakemaeya asked.

"Yep. Y'know, more heroics to do elsewhere!"

"And his mom would probably get mad if he stayed out too late..." Serge added.

"I see. Actually, I'm planning on leaving as well, as I want some more inspiration for my art."

"Good luck with that! Show me what you've drawn the next time we meet, okay?"

"Will do, my boy. When I'm not traveling, I'll be at home with my wife, which isn't too far from here. I'd like it if you'd come visit if you're ever around again."

"Sure thing!"

"I have a granddaughter around your age that comes by to visit sometimes. She's rather bashful, but I'm sure you two would be good friends."

"Augh! Not another cootie girl!" Serge shouted in horror, curling himself in a ball.

The old artist said nothing, just looking at him questioningly.

"... Yeah, he can be weird sometimes..."

"Young lad!" Captain Mustache said to me. "If you ever stop by Sky Road again, I'd like another race with you! However, I'd like it to be man to man next time!"

"Alright! I'll practice my flying 'til then!" I said back to him.

"Of course, I'll be riding my trusty partner, Mustache Griffin!"

"Caw!" Mustache Griffin cawed from behind me.

That wouldn't really be "man to man" then...

"Well, as long as you don't cause any trouble, I guess I wouldn't mind seeing you again either." Mr. Swallow told me. "Our audience today seems to have really enjoyed the last race."

"I think they might've enjoyed it a bit too much..." Sprit said flatly.

"Y'know, boy, you kind of remind me of my s-..." He paused for a second. "... Never mind. Farewell, young man."

"Okay, bye everyone!" I waved bye to the three of them, beginning to head home...

"Wait a second!" Serge cut in suddenly. "We can't just leave!"

"Why not?!"

"The portal's not here, moron! Without that, we ca-..."

The portal appeared near us.

"... Never mind..."

--

"It seems you were unsuccessful once again." Crystana said to me, once we had arrived in her blue, shiny room. "It is unfortunate, bu-..."

"Oh, welcome back, young hero! How was your trip? I hope it was swell!" Serge interrupted mockingly. "Y'know, couldn't you at least greet him more nicely when we come back?!"

"... It is unfortunate, but not surprising, as you still lack enough strength to defeat your dark side." Crystana continued ignoring Serge's remark.

"Um, about that..." I started. "... is defeating him really necessary?"

"... What do you mean?" She asked, in an unfamiliarly confused tone.

"I mean, he doesn't really seem like all that of a bad guy. I'm not saying you're wrong about him having dark powers or anything, but... Isn't there another way?"

"..." She became silent.

"Uh, Crystana?"

"... Don't be fooled. If you let your guard down around him, he will destroy you with his chaotic powers."

"Really...?"

"Yes. He is your dark half; you need to annihilate him in order to become a true hero."

"I do? Does that mean other power have dark sides too?"

"... Yes. Probably."

"Probably...?"

"I apologize. I wasn't told much in regards to this."

"Told?" Serge questioned. "Are you working for someone or something?"

"... Something like that."

For real? That's news to me...

"I'll prepare more tests for you, to make sure you're truly ready for what lies ahead. In the meantime, for the next couple of days, please prepare yourself and get stronger, young hero..."

She began to wave her hand, to send us back home.

"... Don't make the wrong decision." Crystana said before she finished waving her hand. "If you do... the result could be terrible."

The wrong decision...?!

And with that, all three of us were sent back home.

--

I began walking home, sighing. "What should I do...?"

"You still confused about what to do about Darkés?"

"Yeah... Crystana really wants me to destroy him, because he could do bad things with his powers, but..." I sighed again. "The more I think about it, the more I think I shouldn't do that... I don't want to do that."

"So, what are you going to do? You tried to make friends with him, but it didn't work." Serge stated bluntly.

"I don't know... What do you guys think?"

"Well, personally, I agree with Crystana that Darkés is trying to trick you." He explained. "I think becoming friends with him is a complete waste of time."

"You really think so...?" I asked bitterly, expecting that response but feeling bad about it anyway.

"... But." He added. "I've thought that a lot of your ideas have been stupid in the past. And you've actually proven me wrong most of the time."

"Serge..."

"So you should forget what that stupid shiny spirit thing or anyone else says! Just follow your butt feeling, alright!?"

"I think you mean 'gut feeling', but thanks, Serge."

"I was really lonely before, so when you asked me to come with you guys when we first met, I was really happy." Sprit joined in. "If Darkés is feeling just as lonely, then I think you should keep trying to be his friend."

"Thank you, Sprit." I thought about things again. "So, is this really the right decision, then?"

"I'm sure things will be fine! They always end up that way, right?" Serge said.

"Yeah! Heroes always get the happy ending! ... Well, it's not like my adventures will end after becoming Darkés's friend, but you know what I mean..."

It seems like everyone is all for me to try and be his friend instead of fighting him. So I should just keep trying! I'm sure Crystana is just worried, but I'll prove her wrong!

--

"Welcome back, sweetie." My mom greeted me once I entered the house with Serge and Sprit. "Did you have fun performing your 'duties' today?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess..." I never fulfilled my main duty for today, though...

"While you were gone, Jemily called. She wants to know if you want to go with her family to the beach this weekend."

"This weekend? That's tomorrow and the day after!"

"I know it's last minute, but Rodger told me he apparently finally found the location of something he's wanted to research, and it happens to be near a beach." She explained. "He thought it was a good opportunity to take his family on a small vacation, since his wife's been asking him for one for a while now. Although I'm sure if Marie finds out the real reason behind it, she'll get pretty upset..."

"But why was I invited, if it's supposed to be a family vacation?"

"She said Kylade was going to be too busy to go, and she'd be lonely with no one around her age, so she was wondering if you wanted to go."

Kylade, busy? When does that ever happen?!

"Sure, it's fine. My next 'quests' are still being prepared, so I should have time to go."

"Oh, but you can't bring Serge and Sprit with you. They'll be staying behind with me."

"Huh?! Why the heck can't we go?" Serge exclaimed furiously.

"There are certain parts of the world, and even in parts of this region that openly accept the powers some people have and CSmon like you. But there are also parts of the world that prefers to live in a normal society, with as little people knowing about the true nature of the world as possible, and would prefer it stay that way."

"I see... I've learned about that in some of the books I've read." Sprit stated.

"That's so dumb! I'm sick of hiding from everyone!" Serge responded, still angry.

"Sorry Serge, but you have to. It's for the sake of keeping the peace or whatever." I told him. "If powers were able to be used freely, then it would give bad people an excuse to use them openly, too."

"Wow, I'm impressed! What an adult-like thing to say, Sérgio!" My mom chimed happily.

Actually, I'm just copying what Jemily told me before...

"Jemily and her father know, but the others don't, so make sure they don't find out, okay?"

"Yeah, I kno-... W-wait, whuh!? Her dad knows, too?!"

"That's right; he knew about your wings developing, remember?"

He... did? "But how does he know? Does he... have special powers, too?!"

"No way, of course not! Actually..." She started scratching the back of her head nervously. "A couple of years ago, before you or Jemily were even born, he found out by accident. And it was kinda sorta my fault..."

Seriously?! And she got so mad at me when Jemily found out because of me...

"Heh heh... By the way, you need to hide your wings, too. I'll prepare some special shirts for you by tomorrow."

"Wait, does that mean I have to swim with one on too...?"

"Yep, that's right."

"Jeez, that's so dumb..."

"Jemily told me she wanted to talk about it with you when you got back. It's not too late now, so why don't you go stop by right now?"

"Sure okay." I wanted to talk to her about what happened today, anyways. "Be right back, you guys!"

--

Still having some leftover energy, I dashed to Jemily's house, expecting her to be waiting for me.

"What took ya, shrimp? Jemily's been waiting for you all this time, you know?"

Kylade walked up to me from behind their house, bouncing a basketball in his hand.

"Right now, she's helping out mom with her work, so you're going to have to wait a bit for her now. Too bad for you."

"Oh, I see..." I stated, kind of disappointed that I couldn't talk to Jemily right away, also wondering about what Kylade was holding. "What's with the basketball?"

"Knew you'd ask about that. Follow me."

He brought me to their backyard, where I had immediately noticed something new placed there. There was a brand new basketball hoop set up, towering over us.

"You know what that is?" He asked me, pointing to the hoop.

"A basketball hoop...? Duh..." I uttered. "But what's it doing here?"

"Watch this..." He sprinted towards the hoop, ball in hand, and jumped up and performed a slam dunk rather easily.

"Whoa!"

"Pretty impressive, huh? I've been practicing."

"How come?"

"You remember when my sis told me I should try out for the middle school's basketball team? I wasn't very serious about it at first, but I figured since I had nothing better to do, I should try it out." He explained. "I bought a cheap basketball, and practiced a bit at the park with some other people there. It was a lot of fun, and they said I was really good at it, so I decided to go at basketball more seriously."

Kylade turned to face the hoop again.

"I told my parents about it, and they decided that, if I was really that serious about it, they would help me by buying a basketball hoop for me to practice more. And... they did."

"Wow..."

"Some guys from the middle school said that they'd practice with me this weekend, so that's why I can't go to the beach with my family tomorrow. It's a bummer, but I'm just that resolved to do this, I guess."

"Resolved...?"

"Hey hey!" He suddenly put his arm over my shoulder, annoyingly giving me noogies. "You're going to be in middle school soon too, ya know. Don't you already have some 'resolve' of your own, Sérgio?"

"Well, uh...?"

Just then, I thought about Darkés again.

"Yeah, kind of. It's a bit different from yours, but..."

"Then you have to go at it, no matter what." He let go of me, patting me on the back reassuringly. "If not, you can't call it a resolve."

My resolve...

"But enough of that. Wanna go a round with me?" He asked, handing me the ball. "I haven't had someone to play with for a while."

"Sure, okay."

"Wait. Do you even know how to play basketball?"

"Yeah, kinda..."

"That's good enough for me." He positioned himself under the hoop. "I've gotten a lot of practice shooting the ball in the hoop, but I haven't gotten a chance to practice interception much."

"Interception...?" I questioned.

He sighed. "I need you to try and get the ball in, and I need to try and stop you."

"Ah, I get it now." In that case, I'll go easy on him...

"Heh, this should be a cakewalk, since you're such a shrimp!"

Grr, never mind!

"Don't worry about dribbling. Just try getting it in!"

"'kay! Here goes!"

I ran as fast as I could toward the hoop, while Kylade prepared himself to stop me.

"Hah!" I jumped up, to try and slam dunk it.

"You kidding? I can block this easy!" He yelled, also jumping up to block my ball.

Oh, really?!

My jump didn't send me high enough to get to the hoop, which he expected. However, without him noticing, I began to flap my wings (which were hidden under my shirt) to send me over him and toward the hoop.

"Twah!" I shouted, dunking the ball into the hoop, Kylade failing to stop me.

"W-what was that?!" Kylade exclaimed, after we'd both landed on the ground. "Hacks! When were you so good at jumping?"

"Heh, I'm just awesome, I guess!"

"Er-hem." I heard someone clear their throat behind us.

"O-oh, hey Jemily..."

Jemily pulled me away, enough that Kylade couldn't hear us.

"I saw what you did, y'know." She went up close to me and whispered, also glaring at me. "What were you thinking?!"

"W-what do you mean?" I stammered, also whispering.

"Don't play dumb! I saw 'those' flapping under your shirt!"

"Heheh... Well..."

"It's not funny! What if he saw what you were doing?! Aren't you trying to keep your powers a secret?"

"S-sorry... It's just I really wanted to beat hi-..."

"Heeey... Whatcha both talkin' about?" Kylade shouted, interrupting us suddenly.

"W-wha! Don't sneak up on us like that!" Jemily shouted back angrily. "You scared me!"

"Oh, my bad. I'll make sure not to get in the way of you two's lovey-dovey talk again."

"L-lovey-dovey...?" Jemily became quiet for a second, her face turning red.

"Well, I've gotten really sweaty from practicing all day, so I'm gonna go back and take a shower." He went to grab the ball, then headed for the house's back door. "You two lovebirds can continue your flirting if you want. Later!"

He went inside, leaving me and Jemily alone.

"S-stupid brother! We're not lovey-dovey! Or flirting! Or LOVEBIRDS!!!" Jemily started pointlessly chucking rocks at the door, which Kylade never noticed, as he had been inside for a while already.

"S-so Jemily... You done helping out your mom?" I asked her, trying to change the subject.

"Oh? Yeah, that's right." Jemily answered, calming down. "Ah, right! Did your mom tell you? About the beach trip?"

"Yeah. Crystana said she'll be busy preparing more tests for me, so I should free for a little while."

"That's great!" She said happily. "It'll be sooo much fun!"

"I don't know; my mom said Serge and Sprit can't come, because I can't let Kylade or your mom find out about them."

"Huh...?" Jemily started to look grumpy again. "Are you saying you can't have any fun with just me?!"

"N-no! I'm sure we'll have lots of fun, even if it's just the two of us!"

"Yeah... Just the two of us..." She cupped her hands onto her cheeks happily, a huge grin appeared on her face. "Heehee...!"

"Uh, Jemily? I want to talk to you about something..."

"Heeheehee!"

It doesn't seem like she's listening...

"Sérgio, dear!" Her mom came out through the door suddenly. "Your mother called to tell you that she prepared dinner for you."

"Oh, really? I should go home then."

"You're already leaving?" Jemily said sadly.

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Bye, Sérgio!" She waved to me, as I ran back home.

I didn't get to tell her about Darkés, but I guess I can just tell her tomorrow. It's been a while since I did something with just Jemily; it'll be a lot of fun!

End of Chapter 10

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Writer's Comments:

The last chapter got put up 2 days after the last one. This chapter got put up... almost an entire month after the last one! Jeez... sorry for this one taking so long. I meant to work on this right after I finished two MUGEN characters I was working on (Indigo and Fuchsia). But that ended up taking longer than I thought, then I ended up being busy with other stuff afterward, so it ended up taking much longer than I hoped it would. I even had to work on this one in small increments instead of all at once, which is something I haven't done in a while and is something I'm no longer fond of doing.

Also, sorry that this chapter is a bit lackluster. Other than the beginning part, this chapter is pretty much just set-up for the next one. This chapter actually had the temporary title: "The Hero's Basketball Match!" because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do between the last chapter and the next one (although I was sure I wanted something). Sérgio does end up playing basketball for a bit, as a "relic" from the old title. When I was almost done, I finally thought up a better title... the one that you see now.

Unlike this chapter, the next chapters will (probably) be longer, even more than any of the others I've done so far. Because of that, I don't know if I'll get the next one up this month, but I'll definitely have them done before October. I assure you of that!

- CS-Masyet