Disclaimer: I do not own Chrono Trigger, it is the property of Square-Enix. Though they could at least lay a partial claim to some of the characters in this tale, for all intents and purposes, they are my own to peruse… well, you will understand what I mean at the conclusion of the first chapter…
- Novalon
"It is history that defines our future."
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An early morning mist covered the hallowed area that was known as Truce Canyon. The mists gave a sort of chilling aspect to the area, as if the long dead spirits, lost to various wars, had come to gather to those who paid their respects.
Yes, it was on this day that a ceremony was held to honor the fallen. Those who had long passed, whether they had lost or lived out their lives in service of their country, there was no difference.
It was on this day, January 29, 981 AD, a young man stood at the center of the congregation, bowing his head in reverence. His fiery red hair glistening in the morning light, providing a sharp contrast to the plain colors worn by others.
This was merely a time of sad remembrance, for it would be later that everyone would be joyously proclaiming to all in reverie, at the very spot where a war had been declared over nearly 400 years prior.
The man at the center of the crowd was key to this ceremony; after all, it was his own ancestor, a great captain of knights, who first held the morning ritual. He raised his head to the sky, drawing a great broadsword from a back-sheath. He raised the ancient blade, as a burst of energy suddenly shot upward from it. The energy dispelled the mists, as if it was bringing closure to wandering spirits, and the crowd burst forth in jubilation.
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Stories of Chrono Trigger Before the Tale--
Alexander Truce was a wealthy man, but one of who all would be proud to have known. Unlike many of the nobles of the time, his lack of arrogance and superiority were legendary among the land, and he had been known to befriend many without any trouble at all. Even on this day of days, he stood clothed in the garb of a traveler, having just returned from a trip to Medina on business. As the mayor of Truce's son, he was expected of such things, but never with the calm and easygoing demeanor of what most would expect from common servants.
"That was a fantastic service, Jon."
Jonathan, with his fiery red hair defying the norm, nodded in approval.
To say that Jonathan Triggare was a normal man, though, is far from the truth. While not a noble, Jonathan was the descendant of a long line of great warriors, one of the most well known being Captain Glenn Triggare, who defeated the wizard Magus long ago. Being the heir to the ancient sword, Masamune, Jonathan was expected to follow in his ancestor's footsteps, no matter how lofty they may have seemed. Of course, to say that this was impossible for a man like Jonathan was also far from the truth. It is said by the great swordsman historians, that Jonathan may be the greatest the Triggare line has produced since Sir Glenn, and perhaps may be his ancestor's equal. It comes as no surprise then that Jonathan himself was a Knight of Guardia, and had recently been given the title of Captain.
Alexander's dark brown hair stood in sharp contrast to Jonathan's wild red hair, yet for passersby, it was nothing new.
Jonathan's green eyes twinkled, using the Masamune to expel energy like that always made him a little worn out. He still held his gaze evenly as he responded.
"I aim to please, Alex."
The two chuckled, around them there was bustling of activity for the festival of the heroes. Jonathan motioned to the old man nearby, telling a tale to a group of children, of the mysterious fiery haired warrior, Crono, wielding the power of storm clouds, who teamed with the great Glenn of Guardia to take down the evil Wizard Magus once and for all.
"Don't you wish you could go on an adventure like that, Alex? To use something only the mystics have claimed? To take down evil alongside a great warrior, and save the kingdom from certain doom?"
"You are quite the hopeless romantic. Though I admit, had I my choice of power, the chilly winds would not escape my adversaries."
The old man stood up, causing the children to all move back to give him room.
"And the great Glenn of Guardia hefted the Masamune nigh, and in a voice filled with anguish over years of torment wailed: 'Thou hast devasted me for the last time, demon! Mine divine blade shall fetter thine blood across the ground, and this war will at last meet it's end!' But before the great hero could do so… some say the world shuddered…"
Alex shook his head, "Now this is the part I do not understand. How could an earthquake happen at that precise moment?"
He looked to Jonathan for an answer, but found him lost in thought. The sword in his hands was also glowing a faint blue.
The old man pointed to the sword, "And there! The Masamune glows as it did that day! For the ground swallowed up the combatants, and they were taken with great speed to a far away land… the once cursed hero speaks of a city where time had not passed, with great lizards and primitive people! And later, a great civilization above the clouds! Some say it was the forgotten Kingdom of Zeal, from where the first Queen of Guardia was said to hail…"
A faint wind seemed to pick up, Jonathan turned to Alexander, his thoughts collected.
"To answer your question of the earthquake… it was… Lavos. The beast that Sir Glenn helped the hero Crono defeat."
Alex chuckled, "You believe that old wives tale?"
Jonathan shook his head, "You would not understand. But you know the Masamune is a magical blade, correct?"
Alexander nodded.
"Do not be surprised when I say that the blade speaks to the wielder. If you know anything about it, know that to be true."
Alexander nodded again.
"So is it so preposterous that the Masamune would know what happened on that day?"
The noble man shrugged, "I guess you have me there, friend."
Jonathan stood for a moment, as if awaiting something more to be said, then finally chuckled.
"The spirits of the blade thank you for at least considering it, so few people do anymore, despite various texts written by the Triggare line."
"No offense, Jon, but for one to hear voices from a sword? It sounds quite crazy, if you ask me."
Jonathan sighed, before striding to the center of the square, calling people over to him.
"Here, I will dispel the rumors of previous members of my family line being crazy, for here, I summon the twin spirits of the blade!"
He forcefully shoved the sword into the ground, as a torrent of wind picked up throughout the square, blowing off a nearby man's hat.
"Masa! Mune! Bring the truth to the nonbelievers!"
The wind slowed, but the sword, once glowing, had disappeared. In its place were two small creatures, possibly 3 quarters the average adult male size. Some described them as mystic-like… though most mystics would disagree, stating the two were of some unknown race.
One of the creatures pointed at Alex.
"And you doubt your friend! For shame!"
"Don't be so hard on him Masa. After all, Glenn rarely summoned us at all."
"No one thought he was crazy!"
"They figured that what the Prince had done was enough! Don't you understand? He lived with a curse upon his body for ten years! Of course people would give him the benefit of the doubt if they thought he was a little off his rocker!"
"As always, Mune, you come up with an answer. Sometimes I wish I had your knowledge."
"And sometimes I wish I had your bravery…"
The two turned to Jonathan.
"Was that sufficient, Sir Jonathan?" asked Mune.
The Knight Captain nodded, "Thank you, very much."
"It was our pleasure." The thinker of the two replied.
"Let's return to the sword, brother!"
The two glowed, and suddenly the sword was sticking in the ground again. The old man who was telling the story gaped before waving his arms in the air.
"Imagine, the great story of the spirits of the blade! Masa and Mune! Creatures that knew Sir Glenn personally! Even more so, they had met the mysterious hero, Crono! Or the Lady Marle, of the icy winds, who was said to look like Queen Leene herself! Or of Lucca, the inventor, lady of the searing flames! Or Sir Robo, of he whose strength was so great, that he wore armor the likes of which none other could wear!"
Jonathan chuckled as the old man started gathering the children around again to tell them the tales of the other heroes.
Alexander was about to comment, but froze as he saw a figure moving up the stairs near the venerable bell that hung in the square. The figure was a woman, which he was very much sure of as he noticed her shapely features, with an odd orange hue of hair atop her head. He motioned to Jonathan to match his glance, but as he tried to pinpoint the area she was last at, the woman had disappeared.
Jonathan shook his head, "I trust you when you said you saw a pretty girl, but don't forget what you will eventually have to do…"
Alexander groaned. Of course he did not want to be reminded. As the son of a noble family, he was one of the chosen suitors to meet with Princess Aliza Guardia, a thought he did not relish much. He had not heard much about the Princess, save for she was difficult to deal with as far as matters with the state were concerned.
The Knight Captain smiled, "Don't be so glum, Alex. I've met the Princess myself, I think you two would get along fine…"
Alexander smiled back at his friend, "What about you? Don't you have your eye on her?"
Jonathan shook his head, motioning to a fair, green haired woman, who was walking around the square clutching a cat.
"I'm afraid Miss Jina Harvey has caught my eye. We have been somewhat acquainted due to our families having been good friends, but… I don't know if she feels the same…"
Alexander sighed, "At least you know where your heart is leading you, Jon. I may have to sign myself away to some Princess I barely know…"
"Tell you what, Alex… go look for that girl you noticed earlier… I will speak with Jina… perhaps we may both find something that brightens our day?"
He complied, motioning Jonathan to go on ahead. Alexander made his way around the crowd listening to the old man speak, to see if he could find the girl he was looking for.
"Oh!"
Alex would have chuckled at the irony of the situation, for the girl he was looking for had run straight into him. She looked around uneasily at the crowd before looking up at the tall man she had run into.
"Excuse me, sir, I am afraid that I was lost in the splendor of the day. The festival seems to be too much, I find myself in awe…"
Alexander smirked, looking to her beautiful face, "And what do they call you, miss?"
She looked around uneasily again, causing concern for Alexander, "M-Marle, sir."
"Marle? As in the warrior woman of the past? Aye, you were named well, I am sure. Since I have not seen you around here before, I see you may not know exactly who I am, I am Alexander, of the house of Truce."
She raised an eyebrow at this statement, "A noble? Forgive my impudence, but you look more like a traveler than the norm."
He smiled, "I am a man of many talents, Miss Marle, for I have journeyed far and long, both in service to my house, and for the thrill of the journey itself."
"Such thrills are lost among the nobility I've met…" she muttered. "But about you, Sir Alexander…"
He chuckled, "Just Alex, please, I simply abhor titles… they detract from familiarity, wouldn't you say?"
Marle nodded, before uneasily watching behind her, "Yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Say, is there not somewhere more private that we can speak? I must say, I am not used to crowds, as much as you seem to carry yourself, and I would appreciate more quiet company…"
Alex smirked, "Of course, Miss Marle. Perhaps a walk around Truce? I should probably be checking in with my household anyhow… business, of course, you understand."
"Oh yes, quite… it can get boring…" She then froze, looking behind Alexander without speaking further.
He turned around to see what she was so shaken about, only to come to view with the surprised face of Jonathan.
"Ah, Jon, my friend. Miss Marle and I were just having a wonderful discussion. Could you have been a little less discreet?"
Jonathan looked over to Marle, and unbeknownst to Alexander, she had mouthed the words: "Please do not tell him…"
"I was just surprised to see you speaking with her, that is all. I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Marle before… though that is a story that I would rather not go into great detail about…" He paused, catching her "Thank you" as he forced himself to keep his surprise down. "I am afraid I cannot stay to chat, I have secured a date with Jina, though it must be of the utmost haste. The next day she is to leave for Porre, to visit relatives who will be leaving on a journey to the islands of El Nido to the South… an interesting place, that."
Alexander nodded, "I have had the pleasure of seeing El Nido once… truly a marvel, and a stark contrast to what I am used to."
"Well, I must be off. I will speak with you tomorrow, Alex, before your…" He paused, glancing at Marle, "… your meeting with the Princess."
Alexander heard the sharp intake of air and chuckled, "My Lady, pay it no heed, as a noble I am required to at least try and court the Princess, though I do not completely relish it… I would rather pick the person I wed, wouldn't you agree, Jon?"
But his friend had already left. Alexander nodded, knowing his friend was loath to miss an appointment, especially one as important as one with a beautiful woman.
"Oh well, I suppose the conversation would be interesting, I hear she is a bit of a free spirit, and being a free spirit myself, well… oh, I apologize Miss Marle, it is really a boring matter, and I would rather keep this conversation more about ourselves than of the more trivial matters of what is required of us…"
Taking a deep breath, Marle brought her face to Alexander, lines of worry smoothing to a warm smile.
"Such a wonderful statement, would that I have met men of half the charm and wit that you so effortlessly carry… well, shall we be off?"
He matched her smile, "Follow my lead, my lady, and let us not waste the day."
As they left, the tolling of Leene's bell brought an ominous tone, as if telling of the impending future.