The Second Trigger

The sound of Nadias bell ringing in the morning was one of the most beautiful sounds Crono could wake up to. His eyes opened slowly as he came out of his deep sleep. It had been a year since the Millenial Fair, although it felt like it had been much longer to Crono. Time ceased to pass normally while Crono and his friends traveled through time. What was a day in 1000 AD, was in reality much shorter it had seemed. Nobody had known why this was, perhaps it was the work of the Entity. Or maybe it was because Crono and his friends were altering the very fabric of time itself. It felt like so long ago that Marle had been warped back in time by a few hundred years.

Crono had trouble pulling himself out of bed. Though he was fully awake, he wanted to sleep a while longer. He was however prevented from doing this when his mother called out to him.

"Crono, time to get up"

Crono finally managed to get himself out of bed. He slowly walked to the window, and opened the curtains. Outside he could see the sun rising over Nadias bell. A sun that may have only had ninehundred and some more years to rise if he and his friends had not done what they had done. Though doing this did not go without having it's consequences. There were people would would cease to exist because of what they did. But in the end, they figured that the lives that they would save would be well worth it.

Crono started to head downstairs. His mother was at the bottom waiting for him.

"You know Crono, you need to start getting up earlier. It's not good to keep the Princess Waiting"

The Princess... she meant Marle of course. Or rather Nadia. Crono had never refered to her as that. To him, she was always Marle. She always would be. The girl that he had met at the Millenial Fair. He knew nothing of her identity, cared nothing about her riches or her power. He liked her for who she was.

Just then, Marle burst through the door. She had done it many times before, and was a regular guest in Cronos home. Cronos mom had welcomed her into their home anytime.

"Our guards need more training! They can't keep up with me! How are they supposed to defend our kingdom if they can't even keep up with me" Marle said.

Crono laughed at her comment. Marle had a puzzled look on her face.

"Well I guess it IS for the best. otherwise I'd be kept up in my room all day!" Marle said with enthusiasm.

Crono had promised to go to Leene Square with Marle today. There was no special occasion, but Marle so loved Leenes Square. It was perhaps her favorite place in the whole world. She had to avoid the mobs of people who wanted to treat her like a princess instead of a person. But she still liked it there.

"We should get going Crono."

Crono nodded in agreement.

"Bye Mrs C!" Marle called out.

The two of them left Cronos house, and headed straight for Leene Square. It was a beautiful day for a walk. The sun was shining brightly. It wasn't too hot, the temperature was just right in fact. A cool breeze was blowing.

BOOM

There was an explosion coming from Leene Square. Marle and Crono ran to see what was the matter. As they had both expected they found Lucca working on her latest project. Nobody knew what it was... or what it did. The only thing most people were certain of was the children at Luccas orphanage probably shouldn't get anywhere near the device.

"Oi! I can't believe it blew up again!" a blonde haired girl at the orphanage said.

"It's your fault you know!" a boy told her.

Lucca didn't notice the two children bickering her. She was much more focused on the failure of the experiment.

"What did I do wrong?"

Marle laughed. "Don't tell me the GREAT scientist Lucca is already giving up!"

Lucca didn't even hear Marles comment. She was far too focused on the machine in front of her. It was obviously very important.

"Come on Crono, let's go"

Male tugged on Cronos arm, and reluctantly Crono left his friend alone. It wasn't likely he would get through to her either.

The two of them finally reached Nadias bell. Everytime the two of them came to the bell, it would ring, as if signifying that the two of them truly belonged together. There was nothing that could seperate the two of them. Not even the King of Guardia himself.

"It's so beautiful" Marle said.

Crono nodded in agreement.

Marle smiled, and they stared into each others eyes. The two then came closer together, and kissed.

"I love you Crono..." marle said.

"I love you too" Crono managed to get out.

Marle was always happy to hear him say this. Crono was the man she wanted to marry. While she didn't like her duties as princess too much, she did like the duty of marrying the future King. She knew that Crono would make a great King too. He was smart, he was strong, and most of all, he cared for her and he cared for Guardia.

"Princess Nadia" a womans voice spoke

"Crono" a mans voice said.

Oh great...more loyal subjects... Marle thought

"What are you doing here?" Sir asked Lady.

"I could ask you the same thing" Lady said.

"I'm here for" they said in unison

"Crono"

"Nadia"

"I don't have time for this" Marle said.

"We have an invitation.." Lady and Sir said, trying to work together.

"Not interested. How about you Crono? You don't want to go to some droll party do you?"

"It's not a party" Lady explained.

"It's a tournament" Sir expanded

"Oh in that case... it's still a no."

"I thought you might say that. Do you realize the actions you took in 1000 AD have caused many people to not exist." Sir said.

Marle and Crono were shocked. How did they know..?

"Those people... they probably hate you. But we... can erase that. We can ease their pain" Sir said.

"If one of you win the tournament.." Lady said

Easing the pain of those who were erased... to do that would take a load off of the guilt both of them felt.

"We'll do it" Crono said.

Marle was slightly shocked, but had no objections herself.

"Very well then. Right through this door Princess, Crono." Lady and Sir said together.

And so a gate opened up beneath Nadias bell. And both Crono and Marle had an eerie sense of Deja Vu.

By Cloud and Squall