Different Pathways
by
Moonraker One
A/N: I'm terribly sorry about this story being discontinued for so long. I was in the middle of it, had a nice momentum going, then had a major life altering event (which I'd like NOT to get into) hit me like a bombshell. I apologize to all my fans.
CHAPTER THREE
Crona scratched the back of her head, then cleared her throat, looking at the old man. "So, let me digest this a little bit at a time," she made clear. "One, the time portal we went through FIRST, took us to the year nineteen ninety-nine. Two, a being known as 'Lavos' is directly responsible for the end of the world, that's the creature we saw. Three, no more than three can travel through time. I can possibly—through a severe stretch of my suspension of disbelief—come to grasp the first two. Please explain the third point."
The old man looked at her, gathering his thoughts, looking a lot similar to a professor donating his knowledge. "You see, when you are physically moving through the timestream—that multi-colored plane of existence that seems to stretch infinitely in all directions—your energy puts a physical strain on the reality you're in. When you are in a party greater than three, the strain becomes too great and the stream deposits you into a location that has the fewest energy resistances possible; here at the end of time."
Crona twirled her pinky back and forth in one of her ears; the old man picked up the hint.
"Oh," he corrected himself. "Basically you can't travel through time if there's more than three of you; the timestream can't handle the stress." Crona smiled, she never was much for science speak. "But that's not important, young time travelers; what is important is this. The monster you saw, Lavos, was an alien parasite from space that fed off the energy contained within your planet since very long ago. Manipulating evolution to his own ends, he gained power, then finally annihilated the world you came from in the year 1999 A.D.. Unfortunately, the problem doesn't end there. Lavos creates spawns of himself which will migrate to other worlds and propagate this cycle of death and worldly destruction. I've met not a single group of time travelers that could potentially save the world."
"WOAH woah woah woah," Crona interrupted. "I don't believe you're actually hinting what you're hinting at."
Nadius interjected. "Yes, sir, I must agree with her. Although we saved Queen Leene back in the year 600, we aren't possibly a threat for that horrific terror we saw! Besides, the only possible way we might even have a hope of surviving such an occurrence is if we had magic of some degree of power equal to his."
Lucca however, took it upon herself to be the voice of honor. "Now waitaminute, you guys, I'm sure in the grand scheme of things there's somewhere we can get magic, and get strong enough to defeat this Lavos monster! I refuse to accept that the world is coming to an end and we know all about it and can't do a damn thing!"
The old man smiled. "Well, my young time travelers, this is where I come in." He turned his head somewhat. "Spekkio! SPEKKIO! I got some for ya!" He focused his attention back on his new friends. "Go into the room behind you."
"I can't believe I'm doing this," Crona fired back as she and her friends went into the back room. The door creaked open and the group walked in. They saw a room similar to the one they just came from, except that it had only one thing in it. A white-furred monkey-like creature, who seemed to regard the group with hopeful curiosity. She walked in a circle around the creature. He noticed her analyzing him.
"Hey! What're you lookin' at?" he spoke, startling the group. "Don't judge a book by it's cover. I'm Spekkio, and I'm the master of war! I've seen all kinds of battles from here. Tell me, how do I look to you?"
Nadius scratched his head. "You look like a fine primate specimen..."
Crona interrupted him. "You look really weak!"
The ape-like creature grinned. "I see. I change depending on what you look like. If you're strong, I look strong; if you're weak, I look weak." Nadius could practically see Crona fuming.
"Calm down, Crona," he whispered in her ear.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" she shouted in a whisper.
"You are strong of will!" interjected the creature. "That's why the old one let you through. The most important thing there is is magic. In fact, there once existed a kingdom of magic. Everyone there could use it! But in time, people began to abuse their powers. In fact, it got so bad that only wizards could use it. Eventually, magic was lost to history. However, I know what you guys are here for, and if you are wanting to ever have a hope of beating Lavos, you're going to need the magic I'm gonna give you." He regarded Crona. "Wow! Is that hair real! Cool. You, girl, your spirit reminds me of a storm. So what would be more fitting for you than lightning?" He regarded Nadius. "You are somewhat confused about a number of things. I think the best thing for you would be water." He regarded Lucca. "You are quite the spunky one. I say you should definitely be fire." And finally, he regarded John. "You...you're from the apocalyptic period. I can tell your personality is a bit unusual. I'd say the best magic for you would be shadow." He did somewhat a dance. "Ipso facto meeny moe, MAGICO!"
Each member of the team felt an aura surrounding them. Invisible waves in the air suddenly became visible to them. Caressing their bodies like gentle feathers, they were enveloped in their own particular magic. A great series of lightning bolts shot for a short distance off of Crona's body. Her hair waved wildly like grain as streaks of electricity fired through them. Sheets of water flowed around Nadius. He moved the sheets with his hands, disturbing them gently. The cool temperature he felt as they circled. Lucca's skin and body were surrounded by flame, dancing brightly in the air. They did not burn her, but rather, they danced between her fingers and her locks of hair. The glow of her frame lit up the dark nothingness that was the end of time. John, the mysterious young man from 1999, found the darkness creeping up on him like a formless ghost. He saw the black as it wiggled like a worm over his body and around him. Each of them felt a distinct empowerment.
Crona looked at her hands as the bolts of lightning danced on her palms according to her will. "Wow!" She made designs in the air using her magic. "This would have come in handy quite a bit ago. Especially in school." Nadius watched as the cold air within his palm looked like dancing mist, which occasionally solidified and crystal-like snow descended to his skin. Each member analyzed their various powers with amazement.
"Now! Fortified with magic, want to try it out?" Spekkio inquired.
"Uh, how about...no," Crona replied. "Thanks anyway!" They left Spekkio's chamber.
"Hey," the old man called out. The group huddled around him. "Well, long ago, all enjoyed such powers. I know you're eager to go ripping back and forth through time, let me give you some advice: you might want to go back to 1000 A.D. First."
"Thank you," Crona stated. "So, who of us is going to stay here?"
"Well, you guys, I think I'll stay here," John suggested.
Crona looked at him. "You sure?"
He nodded. "I'm sure. You guys are from that era. Just come back here when you need me."
The crew readied their weapons. "Are we ready to save the world?"
Crona's question brought their mission to their minds. None of them knew for sure, but they solidified their wills as much as possible.
