Chrono Trigger: Protecting Our Future

The fall of Guardia from the view of a Porre soldier. One who went from admiring the heroes to conquering their home. Are they friend or foe? Will they need to come together to fight something bigger than themselves?

I don't own Chrono Trigger or Chrono Cross, or the characters and settings that appeared in them. Some new characters and settings will be within though.

I.

4-5 years after the marriage of Crono and Marle

Time: 1005 AD

Fresh Complaints

The Porre inn had expanded quite a bit over the past few years. The owner had decided to add a tavern onto it as well as the sleeping area. This decision made the Inn one of the most popular places to go in all of Porre. Most of the people in the town stop by at least once during the day, usually multiple times.

"Can I get you anything? You look like you could use a drink." A young bartender says, he wears a round green hat, and a plain brown and white shirt. He reaches down, swiping a few bread crumbs off the wooden counter.

"Oh? I look like I need one? That can't be good." The helmeted soldier says, sitting lazily on a stool. He shakes his head. "I shouldn't. Could get called on duty at any time these days."

"Yeah, I hear ya. If you need anything just--" The bartender says, stopping mid sentence, looking over at the door at the sound of loud feet stomping in. His eyes follow a large bearded man who plumps down on a stool a little ways down the counter.

"Damnit!" The man slams his fist down on the table. He looks over at an empty tankard nearby and knocks it off the counter.

"Hey, watch it." The bartender goes over and picks it up from the floor, placing it back on the counter. "You need something or ?"

"Anything decent you got."

"Yes sir." The bartender says. He reaches back, taking out a glass bottle and shakes it a little, pouring most of its contents into a large cup. He turns back, sliding it across the counter to the man, who stops it with his hand.

"Soon I won't be able to buy a decent drink anymore." The man spits out. He turns his head slightly to the side, seeing Owen a few seats down. He looks a bit annoyed at the sight of a soldier and turns away again. The rest of the people inside begin going back to their own conversations after the small distraction.

"What's that all about?" Owen asks quietly, his hidden gaze probably falling on the man a few stools down.

The bartender shakes his head"You know that blockade Warmarshal Korlad spoke of?"

"Finally being enforced?"

"This morning." He responds with similar volume. "Dropped two of Porre's biggest ships right off the shore of Guardia."

"I didn't think he would actually do it. A bit odd I think." Owen rubs the back of his helmet.

"He's been preaching that Guardia is backward for a long time now, with a King and all. You'd think restricting the Zenan bridge would be good enough to get his point across..." The bartender sighs. "Oh well. I think the merchants here are more upset about it than anyone in Guardia is, not much will be going on at the docks."

"Looks like anyone with a uniform on won't be too popular this week.."

"Appears not. Think you need a drink now?" The bartender smirks.

"It hurts to say, but I can't. They've had me all over lately, if an officer came in here and saw me.." Owen says, with apparent remorse.

"I understand." He gives a comprehending nod, still smiling.

"Speaking of...I should probably go and see what's going on anyways." Owen pulls the stool out from below him, standing up firmly, and pushing it back to where it was.

"Owen.." The bartender says quickly as Owen is about to leave, he stops and turns. "Take care of yourself."

"I will."

II.

"Warmarshal, sir." Owen says, peeking his head past a wooden door. Bright rays of afternoon sun follow inside as he leaves the door open and steps in a little more. Korlad sits writing frantically on a piece of paper, with his back turned to the door, his curly long gray hair trails down along his back. His helmet lays to the right side of the desk, near a small lit candle. The helmet has spots of rust, and even dried blood. Apparently he holds onto it for sentiment purpose rather than visual.

"Oh." He drops his writing utensil temporarily, turning the chair slightly to better face the visitor. "Didn't see you there.."

"Just wondering what the plans for this week are.." Owen says, trying not to sound intrusive.

"Oh, yes...let's see..." Korlad turns the chair back to facing the desk. He stands up and goes over to a poorly lit shelf in the corner of the room. He picks up a pile of papers, looking through them quickly. "I think..." One of the papers flies off from the pile and lands slowly onto the ground, he looks down at it quickly before going through the rest. "I think...you're going north to the bridge. Actually, yes, I'm certain you are."

"Very well." Owen responds, trying to cover any hint of disappointment. Patrolling the northern bridge was not exactly the most sought after post in the Porre military. "Let me get that for you.." Owen reaches down for the fallen piece of paper, and picks it up gently. He doesn't take a good look at it, but he scans the words before handing it over, and notices that quite a number were being sent north.

"Thank you." Korlad takes it, sticking it inside the current stack, and puts them back on the shelf. He exhales loudly. "Lot of work lately."

"And that blockade of Guardia won't help your popularity" Owen adds in.

The warmarshal smirks at his comment, perhaps expecting something to be said about it, as he goes back towards the desk. "What is popular, and what is right, are rarely the same thing." He plops back down on the chair tiredly, looking down at his helmet and sword, both still laying out on the desk. "Guardia..." He leans back, shaking his head, as if thinking of what more to say. "They have quietly pillaged our land of many important things over a long time. Then they sit back with their monarchy, hording powerful artifacts, and not giving a damn. Has Porre not sacrificed for the good of the world as well?"

"Very true, sir."

"And though some decisions might not be popular, the people both here and the commoners in Guardia realize this. And hopefully their leaders will see how things should be." He picks up the pen again and begins to write. Owen nods, a bit absently. "So if you can get to the bridge as soon as possible, that would be excellent." Korlad drops the pen again suddenly, standing up with some speed, holding out his hand towards Owen with a large smile. Though, the smile begins to fade as Owen looks down at his hand for a couple of seconds, but finally shakes it. "Thank you."

"Be well, sir."

III.

What an uneventful day, Owen thinks to himself. But at the same time, what a bad one. He had spent so much time away from home in the past year, he began to think that one day he would enter his home and his wife would not even recognize him.

The sun is still high in the sky. He would be able to make it to the bridge before midnight if he didn't linger too long. He stands, looking through the black visor at a small house, with a tiled blue roof, and a large wooden door at the top of a couple small stone steps. Time to break the unfortunate news to her, yet again.

He makes a slow ascension up to the door, pausing for a slight moment before opening it. The door creaks with quite a bit of noise, and he takes a long step inside, closing the door behind him. He looks to a young woman inside the kitchen, she looks out a window before turning at the noise. "Owen!" They move quickly to each other, embracing immediately. "I didn't know if you were coming back today." She says quietly to him as they continue their hug.

He sighs with a bit of guilt, before changing the subject. "How are you?" He rubs her shoulder gently, standing back.

"As good as I can be, I guess." She smiles warmly at him. "Why don't you have a seat, Owen?" She motions to a chair resting up against a small square table. He nods at her before going over to sit, meanwhile she goes back to where she was before he came in.

"How's our boy? Where is he anyways?" He asks, looking from side to side.

"Norris? Sleeping. He had a long day." She takes a quick peek at the stairs. "He looks just like his father, takes after him too." She smiles, looking over her shoulder.

"Not sure if that's a good thing or bad.." Owen responds, jokingly.

She frowns a little, turning her whole body around this time. "Speaking of...you're in your own house, Owen, can you please take that damn thing off?"

"Uhm.." He stumbles with the words. "No, I can't. Officers are strict about uniform."

"I don't see any officers here." She folds her arms.

Owen lets out a sigh, finally letting it out. "Alright...alright. I...I can't stay. I need to head north as soon as possible."

"Owen..." She says disappointedly.

"I know. But I have no say in the matter. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone either...A shame I can't see Norris, but I'll let him sleep. You will tell him I miss him, yes?"

"Of course." She states with little enthusiasm, her eyes wander downward sadly. Owen stands up from the kitchen table, moving over to her.

"Next time I come back, it'll be for a long time. And if they say I need to go do something, I'll tell them they can go and--" He smirks, leaving the sentence unfinished, prompting even his wife to smile a little.

"You better."

"I promise."