Chrono Trigger
The Trial; our ill-fated protagonist is brought before a court that forces him to remember a traumatic past.
How is one supposed to feel before he is put on trial? Should he feel horrified or hopeful? Should he be frightened or brave? I can only hope that some of us will never be in the situation in which Crono found himself. Could you imagine having your life put into the hands of twelve people? There were a few things that could happen and that was the scariest thing for Crono. Usually, there always seemed to be different options so that the future was obscured. However, the future was incredibly clear at that point because there were only three roads in which he could travel: one would be his freedom after a brief stay in the prison, the other was a life term of imprisonment, and the last was a bloody execution.
At that moment he was in a carriage, hands chained behind his back. He could hear the steady sounds of the clacking wheels and the nickering horses, but he could not see them. The carriage was enclosed and locked so that there was no possible escape. However, he was able to tell that he was near the courthouse because there was noise that sounded very much like waves that constantly crashed into the ocean. It was only until he was closer that he realized what it was…
It was the booing and jeering of a large crowd…
It almost seemed as if he were in ancient Guardia again, because that same feeling of confusion and shame had came over him just as it had when he was arrested the first time. Even though he was in such a horrible predicament, he couldn't help but smile humorously at the irony. The carriage came to a stop. He could hear gloved hands fiddling around with the lock and the clinking of the keys. Suddenly, Crono's eyes were flooded with bright light as the door was flung back to reveal a large courthouse. And true to his intuition, a large crowd had assembled and was in the act of jeering. He knew nobody in the crowd.
He was pulled out roughly by a thug in guardsman clothing and was led down an impromptu path that led to the front of the courthouse. He tried his best not to glance to his right or left as the crowd continued to denounce him ignorantly. It seemed more like a circus than a court proceeding. Suddenly, the shame and worrying increased when he heard his name called from the crowd…
"Crono! Crono! Let me through! Let me through!"
Crono looked up and saw Lucca forcing her way through the crowd. He had a smile on his face, but it quickly diminished as he realized that Lucca had brought someone with her. Lucca began to apologize profusely when she saw the hurt expression on his face, "I'm so sorry! I had to tell her! She needed to know!" Crono nodded in understanding and then turned to face his poor mother.
That was one thing that Crono hoped would never happen. His mother was a delicate soul, much like a flower, and he figured that such a thing would crush her. He was right to a degree, because she crying as if he were already dead. He expected a storm of questions, but he realized that Lucca had explained everything, because she only looked at him through the tears and said, "It's going to be okay! We will get you out!"
"What did you tell her?" Crono asked Lucca.
He did not receive an answer, for the escort had grown weary of his hesitancy and he pushed him forward forcefully. He could hear the wailing of his mother, but it grew faint as he moved through the entrance, which gaped open to receive him. He said a quick prayer within himself as he entered through the large gateway and braced himself for anything that would come his way.
-
The auditorium was packed from wall to wall. It almost seemed unbelievable that so many people would attend a hearing for a young man like Crono, but he remembered that it had been decades since there was someone who was publicly accused of treason. Also, the man who had kidnapped a princess would be expected to work for a country who would want a ransom. This trial held far more significance than Crono realized at that point. Hypothetically, a war could be sparked from what would happen in the courtroom.
"His honor shall now enter the courtroom. All arise."
The entire room did so as that same old man from yesterday entered the room. He had a grim countenance as if he had already detached himself from whatever may come from the proceedings. He moved to a chair that was elevated above any other in the room, save for those in the balcony. He cleared his throat, shuffling papers in his hands, and looked at the group of people that were seated at the bar.
"We are here today under the trial known as 'Crono vs. Guardia Kingdom', how does the defendant plead?"
The lawyer spoke first, "Insanity, your honor."
The courtroom murmured excitedly while the chancellor appeared dumbfounded. Apparently, the king himself was not so pleased with this unforeseen turn of events. It was definitely a wrench thrown into their plans. Meanwhile, Crono looked angrily at his lawyer, giving him a sharp jab with his elbow. The lawyer pretended not to notice, but replied only with a smug smile. Crono could not stand for it and leaned in closely, "I told you not to plead insanity! I told you the truth!"
"You are insane if you think you traveled back in time. Do you really think the courtroom would believe that? You would hang for sure."
"Not if I have Marle's testimony!" Crono hissed.
"You don't have her testimony. The king refused to have her testify."
His jaw involuntarily went agape and his insides became as cold as ice. Suddenly, a large amount of hope vanished out of him, leaving him comfortless. Crono seemed as if he tried to reach a certain decision of great importance in his head in a short time. His trump card had disappeared and he was left only with his own testimony. He folded his arms and threw himself back into his chair as if he were defeated. He made no move to renounce the plea and the court carried on. The lawyer shook his head mournfully, for he began to feel sorry for this poor soul, but there was no other way to save him from the death penalty.
"Chancellor," the judge began, "do you wish to have him rehabilitated or do you which to persecute…"
Something must be made clear at this point: if Crono were to plead insanity, he would not be put into prison, but taken to a mental institution where he would be evaluated. Unfortunately, taking this ruling implies that he had abducted the princess. Whether or not he remained there for life would depend on the sentencing of the jury. The king seemed to agree with this, knowing that eventually his daughter would have to confess and it would save him the guilty conscious of having an execution. However, the chancellor pressed forward, even though it could end so easily…
"I wish to persecute! I can prove that this boy was in the right frame of mind when he had kidnapped the princess and that the abduction was not a random act of insanity, but an act of vengeance against the country."
This was all new to Crono. Why would he want vengeance on his country? His country had never done anything wrong to him save for this current situation. It made him nervous, having him wonder what the chancellor would do. He was not alone, for the lawyer looked about as if he were trying to pick such a witness out of the crowd. The judge's interest had suddenly peaked and he nodded his head in approval.
"Then who shall you call?"
"I will call a man of sound education in medicine. His name is Dr. Kerr."
A man that Crono had never seen before approached the stand and had sworn to tell the truth. A general murmuring went among the people and it seemed as if they all had a slight idea who he was and how extensive his knowledge was in medicine. He was a man of wide renown in his circle, having taught in several schools and known as a miracle healer.
"Objection your honor!" the lawyer began. "What connection does his opinion have to the trial at hand?"
"Your honor, this man is well versed in psychology and sociology; I intend to prove that Crono was not mentally ill during the abduction through the good doctor's synopsis."
"I will allow it; you may examine him."
The chancellor seemed to relish his small victory and began his questioning, "Dr. Kerr, at my request you have investigated into Crono's personal files."
"Yes, I have."
"Objection! Illegal evidence your honor! This breaches the act of file confidentiality!"
"Your honor," the chancellor replied, "when one is accused of treason all such acts are expunged."
"I'll allow it. Continue chancellor."
The lawyer cursed silently as he fell back into his chair. He was angry now, his face scrounged up in a scowl. The chancellor began to ask questions that seemed to have no relation to the trail; what Crono had done in school, certain problems he had, and then something that seemed to link all those questions together, "So, wait a moment Dr. Kerr. Are you telling me that Crono had no past signs of mental illness or traumatic stress?"
"No."
"So, would it be safe to say that since he had no signs of illness or stress in the past, it would be entirely possible that this insanity plea is nothing but a ploy?"
"Objection your honor! The question is leading!"
"I agree; Chancellor, restate your question. And Mr. Pierre, I am growing weary of your constant objections." The lawyer slunk into his chair at those words.
"Would you say that it was possible that Crono was in sound mind while he abducted the princess?"
"Very possible."
"No further questions." The chancellor had a seat, but first he smirked at Crono and his lawyer.
Pierre the lawyer rose and looked around his person. It almost seemed as if he were pondering what the next course of action should be, and his face lit up as he realized a certain fact that seemed to elude the chancellor. "Dr. Kerr, what is the date of the most recent file?"
The doctor shuffled through the various papers and fixated his glasses on his nose, reading, "His last appointment was two years ago."
"So, is it possible that Crono could have suffered some recent agony and stress in those two years, affecting his mental health?"
"It is possible."
"So, is it possible as well that his mind was not sound during the abduction?"
"If he had suffered any trauma, then, I suppose I can say that it is possible."
"No further questions." Now it was the lawyer who gave a very smug smile to the chancellor. The chancellor bit his lip in frustration.
"Chancellor," the judge began, "would you care to cross examine?"
"Yes sir." The chancellor said while rising to his feet, "I would like to question him on the differences between insane anger and thought out revenge."
"You may proceed."
Something strange was happening at this point. What could the chancellor possibly have that could show an interest of revenge on Crono's part? Suddenly, a dark feeling grew in the pit of his chest and he hoped beyond hope that his premonition was only mistaken. The chancellor began his questionings, "In all your years of research, have you ever found anyone with mental illness plan out atrocities such as, oh say, kidnapping a princess?"
"No. Insanity brings people to make their crimes random and ill-conceived."
"Would a mad man make a ransom for a kidnapped person?"
"No. It would be beyond him." The doctor said assertively.
The chancellor began to unfold his battle plan with all the giddiness of a child playing a board game. He made a strong spokesman as he turned to the crowd, gesturing wildly to each person or thing listed in his tirade. "I would like the court to note what has been said. An insane man does not make ransoms! A man of full conscious plans kidnappings! I now turn the attention of the court to evidence A; ransom notes demanding that money should be delivered to a certain spot in exchange for the princess' safety! Dr. Kerr, is this an act of a madman?"
"No. It is planned and thought out beforehand. The perpetrator had prepared a place for payment in order to prevent his capture. All crimes committed by insanity are immediate in nature."
"No further questions."
The court was in silence, mostly because they had become very puzzled. Although they could understand his ideas of ransom, they were not so sure why revenge was a constant returning factor in this case. However, it would shortly be brought to the court's enlightenment. The judge seemed to make some marks and then looked up to see Pierre ready to make an attempt to solidify his claim of insanity. "Your honor, I would like to call Crono to the stand."
Poor Crono could feel his heart race as he went to the stand. He looked out into the crowd and saw Lucca and his mother sitting together. Crono was not the only one who felt anxious; he could see anxiety all over their faces. However, he tried his best to look calm, having been told by the lawyer that it would help his image in the court. He remembered the lawyer telling him it was all a show and all he had to do was act the part. He didn't even feel his hand rise as he swore an oath to tell the truth, which made his calm countenance falter.
"Crono, where were you on the first of January in the morning?"
"I was going to the Millennial Fair." Crono answered.
"Why were you going to the fair?" the lawyer questioned.
"I was supposed to meet my friend Lucca at the fair. She had an invention to show me."
"Did she leave a note?"
"Yes."
"Let the court notice the evidence on behalf of Crono, under evidence A; a note showing that he had a day planned."
He paced around the room before asking Crono another question, "How did you come across the princess?"
"I ran into her in front of the bell."
"Did you know she was the princess?"
"No, she never told me her real name."
"Your honor, if I may, I would like to bring in a brief witness who can attest to this event."
"Granted."
Suddenly, Pierre motioned for someone that sat in the crowd. A tall, lanky man came down from the stand and stood in the center of the floor where he seemed very apprehensive. Pierre patted him on the shoulder and said, "Do you know this boy?" Pierre pointed towards Crono with his whole arm, being bent over as if he were looking down a sight.
The lanky man nodded, "Yes, I saw him at the fair."
"What happened?"
"Well, he and the poor lady bumped into each other."
"Was the princess wearing any jewelry?"
"Objection your honor! What is the relevance?" The chancellor stormed.
"The testimony relates to Crono and his supposed ransom notes."
"You may proceed." The judge responded.
"Sir, answer the question. Was she wearing jewelry?"
"Yessir, she was."
"How did you notice?" Pierre asked, stroking his chin with his thumb and forefinger.
"Well, when they collided, her pendant came flying off her and landed in the distance and this young feller returned it to her. I wanted to commend him on his integrity, but the girl asked to accompany him and they went off before I could say anything."
Pierre feinted surprise as he turned to the jury, "He returned the pendant? Why would a vicious man, aiming to get ransom from his majesty, return such an expensive piece of jewelry? Fellow citizens, he did it only because he had no intention of making any ransom! That was never his plan in the first place! And did you hear that last part? The princess asked if she could accompany him! Would such an example of civil obedience do such a heinous act in his right mind? The answer is: of course not! Sir, thank you for your testimony. Please take a seat."
The man thankfully obeyed and returned to the congregation of spectators who began to look at Crono with a bit of new light. The plan had begun to work and the people began to perceive Crono as a man who acted in insanity. However, this was the most difficult part of the plan, and it involved Crono describing an altered event at the fair. He could remember the lawyer testing him on facts and locations while he altered the truth into a fabricated lie. Crono was a very idealistic youth who believed that justice prevailed in the land...what did he think of that justice now?
"Crono, it is true that there was an accident of some kind at the fair?" The lawyer asked very slowly.
"Yes. It's true." He said quietly.
"Could you please give your account of the accident to the jury?" The lawyer asked with a gesturing hand.
He paused. It was accidental, and he didn't mean for it to happen, but something happened to him at that moment. He thought on the ideals that he grew up with; thinking that if anything went wrong that brave knights such as those in history books would right the wrongs. He longed to return from whence he came where knights were noble and the king was sincere and unselfish in his efforts. In that world he was a man who had saved the life of royalty and a knight to be honored in Guardia. Here, he was an insane traitor who would be sentenced to an unknown amount of time in an asylum. Suddenly, at that realization he felt his heart beat strongly within him with great indignation. Who were these people to treat him like this? Who were these people to make a scapegoat of him?
The heart of a knight filled that youth with so much passion that it could accomplish anything. Suddenly, Crono felt no more fear, but a certain sense of bravery and patriotism that he could not bear the thought of being considered a traitor to his country which he dreamed of protecting one day. He turned and faced the jury, and thus began his account of the accident at the fair and how they had traveled through time. Among the bewildered murmurings of the spectators, he continued to explain how he had not kidnapped the princess, but went to rescue her.
The lawyer almost seemed as if a gentle breeze could blow him over at any moment. His mother watched him with amazement and Lucca smiled in admiration. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Marle was watching from the balcony, having snuck out of the castle to witness the trial. Tears had begun to stream down her eyes as she realized why he did not play along.
His honor would not have it.
Marle and Lucca would have given anything to show the court that his story was true. They wished more than anything that the jury would be convinced on the strength of Crono's words and his proclamation of love towards his country. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and the murmurings became loud and even slightly mingled with laughter. It broke their poor hearts, but Crono stood unflinching as the crowd derided him.
"There you have it; you can see that he honestly believes that he had traveled through time!" The lawyer could say no more and had a seat.
The lawyer slapped his head and shook it slowly as the judge yelled for order in the court. Meanwhile, the chancellor had a bizarre look on his face. It almost seemed as if he thought on something from long ago and then it turned into a face that was awestruck. He looked at Crono and something in him burned and there was an overwhelming desire to bury Crono at any cost. He bid his time while the judge continued to call out for order. After a moments time, the judge called for the chancellor. The chancellor was no longer happy or giddy, but he seemed oddly determined as if he wanted this victory more than anything.
"Your honor, I wish for permission to treat the defendant as hostile."
"On what grounds?" The judge asked.
"He is causing an intentional ruckus in this court! This is yet another fabricated lie, your honor!"
"Objection!" shouted Pierre.
"Object yourself!" The chancellor shouted back.
"Silence!" the judge shouted, "If you both carry on like this, I will call a mistrial!"
The two had become deafly silent as did the rest of the court. The only thing that could be heard was the judge's rapid breathing.
"Chancellor," the judge began, "I will only grant this because of the extremities that are evident in this case. You may proceed, but keep it relevant!"
"Of course, your honor." The chancellor replied, staring only at Crono.
There was a monstrously dark look in his eyes as he approached Crono, but Crono did not shrink or falter as the chancellor gave him the iciest stare he had ever received. He leaned on the stand until he was only a few feet away from Crono's face. "So, you say that you have killed this beast in order to save the princess? You say that you have traveled through time to save this very kingdom that you hate so much?"
"I do not hate my country." Crono said defensively.
"You do and you know it! Why shouldn't you? Just look at what it has done to your family!" The chancellor said, his voice raising.
"I would die for my country!"
Then, the thing that Crono had feared began to surface in the guise of unpleasant questions. The most sensitive part of his past was going to be exposed and he could do nothing about it. The chancellor had done his preparation in case anything went wrong, and this was the trump card in his opinion. The chancellor turned to him, and with a twisted smile said, "You are a bastard, are you not?"
"W-what?" Crono said, slightly stunned.
"Your father is dead, is he not?" The chancellor asked, almost in a disgustingly sweet voice.
"That is none of your business." Crono retorted.
"It is when he is dead because of the very kingdom you so love!" He shouted in a fit of rage. His hands slammed on the witness stand as the entire congregation became intrigued by such a twisted change in questioning. "You know very well what your father did, didn't you? He was a sick man! An evil man, but you loved him anyway, didn't you?"
"He was my father! I abhor what he did, but he's still my father!" Crono shouted, tears beginning to well up in his eyes.
"Do you know how many people he slaughtered? Do you know how many families are destroyed because of him?" The chancellor ranted.
"Ask questions with facts, chancellor!" The judge ordered.
"Did you know why your father was executed?" The chancellor said, with a raspy voice.
"He was a serial killer."
"Did he live with you at the time?"
"No, he left me and my mother a long time ago."
"Do you know why? Did you know there was a specific reason?" The chancellor asked. He threw a file in front of Crono and his eyes went wide as he saw what was written on the tab. The king who had been watching the chancellor began to frown and he felt a deep disapproval of this method. Yet, his other purposes kept him from interfering in this witch hunt.
"Can you read what it says on that file?" The chancellor inquired.
"It is a file of people who had committed treason."
"Your father's name is in there. Care to have a look?"
Crono gave him a disgusted look, "What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?"
"You were angry when your father was executed! You knew it was the kingdom that killed your father! It made you angry!"
"He deserved it! He was a murderer!"
"So you wanted to kill your father, did you?" The chancellor began.
"No! I didn't want him to die…" Crono said, his voice beginning to break.
"You were angry, Crono! You knew that you had to do the same! You had to get your revenge, and what better way than to hurt someone the king loves?"
"I would never kill anyone!" Crono shouted, tears streaming down his face. "I was angry! I was! But it was the right thing to do!"
"That's right! You were angry! And you felt that kidnapping the princess was the right thing to do!"
"You're twisting my words!" Crono said between clenched teeth. "You know I meant my father's execution!"
"Did you now? Oh you're scared, aren't you boy?"
"STOP THAT AT ONCE CHANCELLOR!"
The entire congregation stared in disbelief as the doors leading to the auditorium burst open. A young woman came striding in, her cheeks flushing in anger, and tears streaming down her face. She pointed a finger at the bewildered chancellor as she began to shout at the top of her voice, "What is the matter with you? Why have you changed so much? Why can you not listen to reason?" She turned to the court and shouted so those in the balcony could hear her words, "His words are true! He did not kidnap me! He saved my life!"
"Marle! Stop that at once!"
There was a clamor as the king stood up in his spot. He was beyond angry now as he strode over to his daughter. He grasped her arm and jerked her towards him, earning a collective gasp from the spectators. Marle shot him a fierce look and pulled her arm away, "No, father! This is wrong and you know it! I'm telling the truth!"
"ORDER IN THE COURT!" The judge shouted.
"Why can't you believe me? He is innocent! Everything he said is true!"
"YOU CANNOT TESTIFY! THE COURT WILL FORGET WHAT HAS BEEN SAID!" The judge yelled out desperately.
"What she has to say proves my client's innocence!" shouted Pierre.
"I SWEAR THAT IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE NOW, THAT BOY WILL DIE!"
Silence engulfed the entire courtroom as those words left the king's mouth. Many hung agape at hearing such a proclamation. Even the judge himself was at a loss of words, but the chancellor seemed to have an odd glitter in his eye as some insidious plan formed in his head. Meanwhile, the king seemed stunned that he allowed something so incriminating to leave him mouth. He stood speechless as he looked towards the judge who beheld him with disdain.
"In all my years as a keeper of the peace, I have never seen such discord!"
"Your honor! Please, we can still continue on!" Pierre began to beg.
"I declare a mistrial! Bailiff, take the defendant away!"
The loud murmurings of the spectators did not cease as Crono's mother began to sob uncontrollably while Lucca tried her best to console her. Marle could only look on in disbelief while two large men came to take Crono away. The commotion in that courtroom carried on in the conversation of the townspeople the next day, in the newsletters, and in the hearts of the populace. That trial will forever be remembered as the most biased trial in the history of Guardia, and when Crono had become a revolutionary in the minds of Guardia's citizens…
-
"You sure gave them a good show, didn't you Crono?"
They were walking across the bridge that led into the prison tower. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and it began to rain violently. Winds whipped about the tower and beat upon the face of a majestic mountain that lay in the distance. Meanwhile, Crono was arranged in chains and was prepared to spend who-knew-how-long in prison. His heart, although hurt by the chancellor's abhorrent questionings, was as proud as ever for retaining its integrity. However, he was dismayed that the horrible man was escorting him to the prison.
They entered the cold, dark, interior of the prison and began to descend. The guards that escorted them from the courthouse were replaced by guards that kept watch over the jail. They kept quiet, but still smiled sardonically as they walked to a desk where a man sat. He looked up and said with a pleasant voice, "Ah, chancellor, I see that you brought our new resident."
"Yes, but he won't be staying long, if you know what I mean. Execution in three days." The chancellor said coldly.
Did Crono hear correctly? He wished that he had not, because fear began to creep into his heart and bravery began to abandon him ever so slightly, "What do you mean 'execution'? You heard the judge! I am to have another trial!" Crono seethed in between his teeth.
"You don't need a trial." Said one of the guards that held him, "We know that you're innocent."
"What are you talking about?" Crono shouted, while he struggled against their tight grip, "What do you mean you know I'm innocent."
"Silly boy," the chancellor said with a wicked grin, "who do you think made those ransoms?"
Suddenly, an icy chill went down Crono's spine as the chancellor and guards cackled like demons while he struggled vainly. Crono glared at the chancellor, "You claimed to kidnap the princess? You have been collecting the ransom all along?"
"I like to think of it as enterprising." The chancellor said innocently. "We realized that we could gain from the princess' disappearance and began to send letters to the king asking for ransoms. We were lucky that you are going to take the fall for us."
"And just think how lucky we are now that we have a shot at the throne!" The guard said in a gruff voice.
"What are you planning, chancellor?" Crono demanded to know, more than asked.
The chancellor began to stroke his beard as all his devious plans began to be explained, "Why do you think we are telling you such things now? Do you think that we can let you go now? Did you hear what the king said? He swore that if his daughter did not cease her actions, he would kill you himself." The chancellor mockingly waved a finger as if he were chiding the king, "Just because someone is royalty doesn't mean that he can kill whoever he wants. The people have their revolutionary, but soon they will have their martyr, and you, Crono, will play the martyr! Once you have been killed by the king's command, he will be tried and executed himself for abusing his authority and thus will end the Guardian heritage! Then, will come the age of the mystics and I will be at the helm!"
"You traitorous rat!" Crono roared.
He began to kick and squirm, but lost all consciousness as something heavy and blunt hit his head.
Author's note: I was very happy with this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed the drama and some of the twists I have thrown in. I took some liberties, but I hope you all enjoy them. Things may seem dark now, but remember, happiness always comes after adversity. Also, thanks to Kit Thespian, I forgot that the lawyer's name was Pierre, and I'm still waiting for the next chapter of "Up a Treehouse!"
-PJ