There's Something in the Air

By Lilly Blitz

Disclaimer: I do not own Chrono Trigger or any of its characters. Though if I did, I'd take the Mystics. All of the original characters are of my creation.


Prologue

The difference that the darkness can do is astounding. A bright blue sky changes into a black void with not even the light of the stars to fill it. The green landscape turns into quiet, deadly territory. And a beautiful castle can be made to look like a haunted palace that no visitor is welcome to.

The lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the castle. The forest surrounding the ancient building looked unfriendly and forbidden to enter. Though the forest was indeed safe to venture through, there was something about that night that would give a person chills if they thought about it. Something was wrong this night, and it was not just the thunderstorm either.

A cloaked figure was running through the forest, as though their life depended on it. Their breathing was haggard and sharp, as they looked around, clutching the small bundle in their arms. The bundle squirmed and a small cry arose from it.

"Shh. Don't cry my dear," the figure murmured fearfully. The voice belonged to that of a woman, fearful and hurt. She clutched the bundle close to her, trying the forget the pain she was feeling. She knew she had to hurry; she didn't have time to waste.

She glanced up and saw the castle close at hand. She allowed a small smile to appear on her lips. They were almost there. Her blue eyes gleamed in triumph, knowing that, even though she would perish, she would win.

You may have given me my death, but my hope still survives.

With a cry of joy, she found herself at the front gates of Guardia Castle. She threw back her hood, letting her sapphire hair cascade down her back. She pounded on the gate with such force; it was sure to wake up all the inhabitants of the castle. She would have screamed for entry, but her strength was fading quickly now. All she could was pray that someone would hear...

The castle doors flew open and a man stood there, carrying a light. She could barely make him out, but the spiky hair gave him away immediately.

"Crono?" she whispered.

The man hesitated, than nodded slowly. He approached, his eyes alert. He took one look at her and gasped.

"Schala?" He could hardly believe it, but there was no one else that had that blue hair, or those gentle eyes.

The woman laughed quietly and shook her head. She was not surprised he said that. A little sad maybe, but not surprised.

"Aurora," she murmured. "I... I need you to..." She struggled to continue; she was almost finished.

Crono waited for her. Whatever this woman wanted was important. He could tell that this woman was a gentle spirit, like Schala had been.

Aurora took a breath. "To look after... My daughter Brianne." She held the bundle to Crono, who took it, looking apprehensive.

"Your daughter? But what about her father? And how do you know me?" he asked, looking at the bundle. He looked at her and gave a cry of alarm.

She had fallen to the ground. A small smile was on her face, as though she knew she would be at peace. Her eyes were closing. The time was now.

"Thank... You..." she breathed. She took a final breath and was gone.

Crono stood there, looking at her. He didn't know what to do, or say. He didn't even notice the rain falling heavily. How did this woman know him? He didn't know anyone named Aurora; certainly not an Enlighten One if the hair was any indication. After all, they didn't exist anymore.

The bundle in his arms moved. Crono snapped out of his trance. He stared at the child that was now his responsibility. The baby looked up at him and started to giggle.

"Well, at least you like me," he grinned. "Let's go inside and take a look at you, hmm?"

He headed back to the warmth of the castle, than stopped and looked at Aurora. He would send some servants out and take the body to be buried. After all, he wasn't cruel and the woman deserved to be laid to rest.

"After all, you have right to know who your mother was," he smiled sadly. "And because I don't think I could take it if you called me Daddy." Holding the child, he continued into the warmth and light that was the castle.

He looked at the baby, Brianne, if he heard correctly. He pulled the bundle away from her head and examined her. She had the same blue eyes that her mother had, wide and glittering with a strange light. She had a thin layer of dark hair on her head. At this point it was hard to tell if it would be brown or black. Her skin was oddly pale for such a small child, and she had...

Crono stared at her more intently. He slowly moved his hand toward her ears.

Her long, pointed ears.

A Mystic? It doesn't seem possible, but only those ears belong to a Mystic. That woman, Aurora, wasn't a Mystic, so the father must be.

Crono pondered the identity of the father, but he didn't know any Mystic men besides Magus. And there was no chance that Magus would have a wife or child.

Shaking the thought from his head, he took Brianne back to his chambers. Marle was in for a huge surprise.