(This chapter was not edited.)
Chapter 2, Old Friends and Enemies
What to do? Glenn's first instinct was to land and ask questions. No, as much as he wanted to, he should not do that alone. Besides, he had two other friends to consider. Ayla would be as clueless as he was this evening. Did she worry as he did? Robo might have figured it out, since he was from the future, but without time travel, he was helpless.
"64,999,997 BC." Glenn had a habit of saying when he was headed as he dialed it in. He'd have to explain who he was in this new form, but he was sure Ayla would listen.
The scenery changed, and he soon found himself in a new time. It was windy and cold. As he flew over to Ioka, he thought of the last visit, of the baby girl Ayla recently had given birth to. Kino had been proud, saying the girl would grow to be as strong as her mother. Ayla said she would be as strong as her father as well. Kino's self doubt often reminded Glenn of his younger self. Hopefully, the man had figured out his strength by now.
Glenn set the Epoch down, deciding to walk the rest of the way to the village. He didn't want to scare those who were not used to it. He found himself wishing for a cloak as the cold weather began seeping through his skin. Snow crunched under his boots. Oh, how happy he was to be human again. Frog skin did not do well in the cold.
It was night of course, just as it had been in the other times.
He passed by people in furs, all who ignored him. They were near fire pits outside of their huts. Suddenly he heard the sound of something coming at him. A weight hit him as he crashed on to the snow.
"Frog!" Ayla cheered, as she practically danced on him. She pulled him up as she stood, then shook her hand in his face. "Where been?! Ayla worry!"
Glenn grinned as he saw her. After not seeing her for so long, she seemed breathtaking. "Ayla!" He almost forgot he was human as he took her into a hug. He felt himself lifted up as she wrapped her arms around him. As he stepped away, he wondered... "How did you know it was me?"
"New form. Same smell."
Glenn's eyes widened a bit at learning he smelled the same.
"Where been?!"
"Something happened in Guardia, 1000 AD." He called it by that time by habit. "I have not seen anyone in two years." He watched her expression turn to worry. "The Epoch suddenly showed up in my time."
"Epoch find you?"
Glenn nodded. "I went to future Guardia, and Truce has been destroyed."
Aylra bounced. "We go. Help Crono." She began heading towards the Epoch. "Ayla say bye to family." She headed back into her village with a trailing Glenn. She bounced into the chief's hut.
"Kino!"
Kino stood up from where he was. He had a baby in one arm and was picking up a toddler in another. "Ayla?" He did not expect her back so soon.
Oh, the hut felt so warm. Glenn dreaded going back into the cold.
"Frog come. Need help. Ayla go."
Kino saddened. "Ayla go." He'd miss her, but he knew she'd be back.
"Your children, Ayla?" Glenn asked as he looked to the toddler and infant.
"Ayla children." Ayla gestured. "Frog know Soka." She turned to the toddler. "Mommy go. Soka be good girl." She kissed her daughter.
"Good girl," Soka repeated, too young to fully understand what her mother was saying.
"And Rex," Ayla said as she picked up the infant. "Someone feed Rex while Ayla gone."
"You do not have to leave your family if-"
Ayla turned to him. "Crono family. Marle and Lucca family too. Family need help. Ayla help. Get Robo?"
"Yes, we have to-"
Ayla stripped in front of him to put on her old armor.
"-get him..." Glenn trailed off, looking elsewhere. He had to get used to that again. Marle and Lucca had always been more modest.
"Kino like see Frog again." He was packing for Ayla as she dressed.
"It is good to see you as well, Kino."
"Ayla keep Frog safe. Save Crono."
Glenn grinned.
Ayla added to the pack, then kissed her son before giving him to Kino. "Kino be chief while Ayla gone. Take care clan."
"Kino is chief," he said with a grin.
Glenn's eyes widened. A joke? From Kino? Glenn remembered the rules. Ayla wasn't officially the chief after giving birth, but everyone still accepted her as such. Kino was more than happy with that arrangement.
"Kino keep clan safe. Keep children safe," Kino continued before giving her a hug and kiss. "Ayla be safe." He gave her the pack before kissing her again.
Ayla gave a last goodbye to her children. Then she headed back to the Epoch. Glenn had to run to keep up with her. At least that kept him warm. She found it easily, following his tracks towards it. Then she jumped in the front seat while Glenn was catching up. He had forgotten how fast Ayla was.
"Ayla miss Epoch," she purred as she hugged the machine. "Epoch, take us. Find Robo." Having driven the machine herself, she knew what to do. Soon they were in 2303 AD. Glenn relaxed as Ayla drove.
Soon they were landing. "Epoch find Robo," Ayla said as she jumped out.
Glenn wasn't sure if the Epoch had done anything, but sure enough, they walked into a building and Robo was standing there.
"Robo!" Ayla cheered as she ran towards him.
Facing away from them, Robo barely had time to turn around before Ayla pounced him. Built sturdier than a human, he didn't fall over. "Ayla?" He had given up hope on seeing them again. "Ayla, is it good to see you." Then his sensors picked up a human with long green hair. He ran further scans before recognizing who it was. "Glenn, it is good to see you as well. How do you like your new form?"
"I am still getting used to it." Glenn approached, and when Ayla got off Robo, the two men shook hands before embracing each other.
"How did you two get the Epoch?" Robo asked.
"Epoch find Frog," Ayla answered. "Frog find Ayla. Truce need help."
If he were human, his expression would have fell. "I read about it," Robo admitted. He had felt so helpless.
"What happened?" Glenn asked.
"Porre attacked Guardia's castle, and from there, they took over Truce."
"They destroyed Truce," Glenn added in anger. "Not one original building still stands." Then the full realization of what Robo said hit him. "Porre?" He questioned. "Porre is the enemy?!" He couldn't believe it. His hometown.
"Porre did not fair much better after the attack, aside from the wealthy or elite soldiers. Much of Guardia lived in fear."
"Stop attack," Ayla declared. "Save Guardia."
"We have our limits on when we can travel too," Robo said. "We're too late to stop the attack. It's already been done."
"Save Crono. Take back Guardia."
Robo's eyes dimmed. That was never good. "According to the historical records, the entire royal family was killed..."
"Crono and Marle," Glenn whispered.
Ayla frowned, visibly upset.
"We may be able to save Lucca. The records on her are inconsistent. One report says she was killed early on, but another says they were searching for her."
"Why Porre attack? Mayor peaceful." Ayla folded her arms, still frowning.
Glenn nodded, wondering this himself. "Yes, after we gave his ancestor jerky, he became generous and kind."
"He died before the castle raid in what appeared to be an accident."
Glenn's eyes narrowed. "I doubt it was an accident."
"I do not think so either," Robo replied. "This is my fault. If I had read this history sooner, I could have warned them. Now..." His pupils shifted downward.
Glenn shook his head. "We must fight for any hope that they survived. The records are inconsistent with Lucca. Maybe they are wrong about Crono and Marle too."
"Fight and live!" Ayla replied with new hope. "Fight for Guardia. Fight for our family!" She put a hand on Robo's arm. "Not Robo fault. Bad guys fault. No let bad guys win!"
Glenn smiled slightly, knowing Ayla was quoting Marle in her own way. "We will leave when you are ready, Robo."
"I have already communicated that I am leaving," Robo replied, "however, it would be best if we gathered some items." He left the room. He was as quick as he could be, and when he came back out, he was wearing armor and a helmet that fitted perfectly to him. It almost made him look like a very tall, large man.
They headed to the Epoch, and this time Glenn found himself in the front seat again. He drove it up and headed for 1003 AD. They looked down to Truce.
"I would suggest we start with the the parts of the city that are not yet built up," Robo said. "I detect people down there, and they may be more willing to talk than those in the rebuilt areas."
"We should also wait until morning. People are more suspicious of those who approach them in the dark." Glenn landed the Epoch in a well hidden place. They climbed out and waited.
Morning seemed to take an eternity, but it finally arrived.
The people were scared and somber. Many bowed their heads upon seeing the group. Many edged back into a place of hiding. Some gave looks of disgust that Glenn had not got since his previous form. It was one of those that Glenn decided to approach. They seemed most likely to speak the truth.
"Filthy knight," a man hissed.
Glenn worried. Knights had honor and respect. They gave their lives for others. Had Porre given knights a bad name? "I have not been in this area in two years," Glenn informed. He gestured to his group. "None of us had. We were hoping-"
The man spat at him. "Liar!"
Glenn wiped it away. "I speak the truth."
"We ask what has happened," Robo said as he stepped closer. "What happened with the royal family?"
The man tilted his head slightly. "What brings you here now?"
"It is the first time we have been able to return," Glenn answered. "The royal family, please... I know them."
"They are dead." His tone was cold, and the man narrowed his eyes. "If you were truly a knight to them, then you have failed them."
Glenn glanced down. "Yes, I have."
"Ayla?" was a new voice.
Ayla turned to the new person. It took her a second to remember the man. "Fritz."
Fritz gave a hint of a smile. "You remember me? I didn't think..." He shook his head. "It's been so long."
"Fritz, tell what happen," Ayla demanded.
"Porre..." Fritz sighed before telling his story.
--Fritz's story--
"Crono!" Fritz exclaimed as he saw the man enter his shop. "How are you?" He frowned in some worry. "I've heard bad news about the king."
Crono gave a nod. "He has been ill."
"So the kingdom will soon have a new king and queen?"
"It's more work than I ever believed, and now I'm being sent away. The king said I've done enough studying within the castle, and to be a better king, I need to study outside the castle. I don't even have time to be there for Marle while he is dying."
"I'm sure she understands."
Crono sighed and shook his head. "I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I thought it was best to buy some supplies before I go."
"Whatever you need," Fritz offered with a grin.
Crono gave him a list. "I heard congratulations are in order. You and Elaine finally married. I'm sorry I could not be there."
"One month today. We understand. We didn't expect you to show with the king being sick. Lucca came though."
He helped Crono with what was needed, and then the hero was on his way.
Fritz continued on with his life, and he wondered if he'd ever see Crono again. Surely after this, the man would be too busy to visit his simple shop. Fritz didn't worry though, not until he began hearing whispers about the castle. People were saying the castle was attacked. Well, surely, if it had been, they won. Nothing would become of this. Guardia hadn't seen anything but peace for the past four hundred years.
Then one early morning, Fritz heard a commotion outside. Running. Yelling. It was distant at first, and truth be told, he didn't think much of it. There were enough parties around to explain such noise, but it moved closer to his store with great speed. His heart pounded as he realized it wasn't any party. The yells were commanding. There was screams of pain and sounds of weapons. He went into the storage room. "Elaine! Father!"
They both came to him, and his wife responded. "What is it?"
"Do you hear that? I think we are being attacked. We-"
He stopped as he heard someone entering the front room. He gestured for his family to keep quiet as he pulled them further away from the doorway. The air thinned as he heard the voices of two unknown males.
"The cowards ran."
"Let's get what we need and burn the place down!"
Thankful that there was a back door, Fritz began leading the way. He stopped when their father disappeared. "Father?" he whispered. Frantic, he looked around.
"They're coming," Elaine whispered in panic, hearing someone enter the storage room.
Their father suddenly came out from under the shadows and shoved a large bag in each of their hands. "Go. Go."
They continued and escaped while their items were plundered. Thankfully, the forest was near, and all three knew how to make the least amount of tracks. They stopped to rest when his father slowed.
Elaine knelt down and cried quietly. She shook her head. "It sickens me that our supplies will be used to help them."
Fritz's father stood up as he looked back towards their place. "Someone is following us." Still holding two bags of his own, he handed them to Fritz and Elaine. "Go."
Fritz took the bag. "Father, we can't-"
"You're faster than me. Just go. I'll try to find you later."
Fritz nodded as tears filled his eyes. He knew he'd never see his father again. He and Elaine began running. "We'll try to find Lucca. She's a fighter."
"She may already be fighting," Elaine replied.
For an hour they traveled, and while they never made it close to Lucca's home, they found Crono instead. Many people were with him, putting on layers for armor and grabbing whatever they could for weapons.
Crono spotted Fritz right away and approached him. "We have to fight now. Are you with us?"
"I..."
"We have to be," Elaine replied. "There is no where else to go."
Fritz nodded. "We have items that may help."
Crono grabbed the bags from Fritz. "From your shop?"
"Yes, but... It's the pre-bagged items...the cheap stuff."
"Anything can help," Crono replied. "Remember, I started out fighting with a wooden sword. Take what you need, and the rest will be given over to the others." He gestured towards his group. His face softened. "Have you heard anything about Marle?"
Fritz shook his head as he got what was needed out of the bags. "No, I... I couldn't believe anything happened until now."
Elaine grabbed what she needed as well. Then she watched as all four bags were distributed among the others.
"Lucca?" Crono asked.
Again, Fritz shook his head. "Haven't seen her since the rumors started."
"When did you first hear them?"
"Three days ago."
Crono frowned. "Then she probably never heard the rumors."
Fritz knew, that as far as Lucca lived and with the way her family tended to isolate themselves, it could take weeks for them to hear the latest news.
Another villager approached Crono. "The new supplies have been distributed. If we have a hope of saving Truce, we have to go now."
Crono nodded before heading off. Fritz, Elaine, and everyone else followed him. Sword out, Crono jumped as the enemies approached them. He killed those close to him, before throwing his hands up in the air. Fritz felt a static charge before the world turned green. Crono floated in the air as enemy soldiers dropped dead.
For a brief second, Fritz thought they might actually win, but the enemies were replaced. Fritz fought with all he had. Hope fueled him every time he the saw Crono's green light and every time he got a glimpse of Elaine. Crono wasn't the only one with magic though. Fritz saw many of his friends and allies drowning or burning. Shadows moved over them, making them drop. Fritz was lucky not to be caught in any of this, lucky that neither blade nor arrow hit him.
The next time Fritz saw Crono, the man was bruised and burned. He walked with a heavy limp. It didn't seem to phase him, and the hero fought like a wounded animal. Any enemy who neared him was as good as dead.
Suddenly, a wave of water came through the air. Fritz found himself floating in it, unable to breathe. He kicked his legs, trying to swim out of it. Several minutes passed, and his lungs were burning. He couldn't hold his breath any longer. He gasped, and began choking. Then suddenly the water was gone, and he was falling. He crashed into the ground, coughing and throwing up water.
Seeing someone come at him, he grabbed his sword to defend himself. He barely managed to win the fight before turning towards Crono. He saw the man in a darkened shadow. Then he dropped.
"Crono!" Grabbing a tonic, Fritz ran to him. Maybe...maybe...he was still conscious, still alive. If he was, the tonic would work...but now he and the rest were fodder. Many had been revived by Crono, but they were dropping again, and this time they wouldn't be waking up.
The number of enemy soilders was no longer growing, but the number in Fritz's group were was rabidly dropping. After seeing Crono's form disappear within the approaching enemy, Fritz turned and ran.
"Elaine!" He frantically looked, but he saw no signs of her. He heard people running at him and many screams around him. He felt heat as he heard fire form where he was. He continued running, expecting to be striked down at any second.
Fritz was looking at the ground. "I just...I kept running, and I have no idea how I survived." He looked up to them. "I never saw Elaine again...or my father."
Glenn knew that any fight was too much for Fritz. "Sometimes, running is the only thing left." He knew Ayla wouldn't agree, and it probably wasn't what he would have done. They knew how to fight though. In any battle, they were much more than fodder.
"Lucca?" Ayla asked.
"Her place was burned down, and she's not been heard of since."
"What have you heard about Marle?" Robo asked.
"Marle? Oh, you mean Princess Nadia." Fritz frowned. "The new king announced her death. Said he killed her himself."
"Is it possible he lied?" Robo asked.
"I don't know. Maybe."
Glenn closed his eyes in sorrow and disgust. Crono was gone, and this time, there was no bringing him back. Chances were, Marle and Lucca were gone too. After the sadness, he felt anger seeping through him.
Robo looked ready to shut down. He almost couldn't comprehend the idea that he'd never see Lucca again. He had been so sure that she survived, but if she had, where was she?
"Ayla fight!" She was channeling her emotions, ready to use them in her next fight. Her next target was already doomed.
"Who is the new king?" Glenn asked.
"King Dalton."
Dalton. He had known it. Slimy as he was, he was true to his word. Dalton would do anything to be powerful.
"An old enemy."
"You know of him?" Fritz was surprised.
"Yes, an enemy that always got away. It's time to end him."
to be continued...
