Chapter Fourteen: The Final Battle
The journey was not very long at all. The Town of Boon and Furtive Mountain where very close to each other. The party of four marched forward along with Otto and an army of humans and FurFoots, ready to fight. Most joined up with them to avenge their town. Others just wanted to fight. But Han… he just wanted his girl back in his arms again.
The snow blew harshly and the night sky did not help. The FurFoots didn't seem to have a problem with the snow, as they are naturally used to it. Everyone stuck together, and from a distance, the army seemed to be one long train of people in the snow.
"We are close." said Otto, pulling out a rifle and telling his army to halt. "We must plan carefully. Vern's soldiers are guarding the bass of the mountain, I am sure of it."
"In that case, we need a strategy." Sullivan said, going into thought.
"No need to think. You four are our top priority, and you are the only ones able to fight Vern. The army of Boon and I shall fight a path for you while you make it inside."
"Then what? What about you guys?" Han asked.
"Do not worry, we will hold the bass of the mountain for you. We must hurry, for Vern's power grows strong by the minute!" Otto said.
Otto and his crew marched forward. One could see it in their eyes; they wanted blood, all of them. And they weren't leaving for anything.
They marched on in the harsh wind, dealing with pain and anger. They all made it to the base of the mountain. The disgusting sight of Vern's soldiers was in view. Reptile soldiers stood all over with weapons in their hands and a look to kill.
"ATTAAAAAAAACK!" Otto screamed, as his arm pointed at the soldiers. All of them ran forward. Otto ran over to Han.
"Han! Get going now! Head for the top of the mountain while we fight them off!" Otto said, loading his rifle.
"What about you?!" Han asked on the top of his lungs.
"Forget about me! Just go!" Otto said, running with his men.
"You heard the man! Let's get to the top!" Jade said. One thing about Jade that made people wonder was her quick recovery. Just one day ago she fell in a freezing cold ocean, the next she is fighting.
All four of them ran for the mountain, dogging bullets and blades. Bloodshed flew in the air and people where dieing. A whole war taking place at the base of the Holy Land. Still, Han, Rad, Sullivan, and Jade ran with all their might.
"Stay on coarse! We need to get up there!" Sullivan said.
They reached the steps with rather ease and shot up it like flying bullets.
Otto and his men fought hard. Much causality took place down there, but they still fought on. Otto slit a guard's throat, and shot another's head off. He was quite the fighter. Swinging his arms swiftly in the air and taking people's lives one by one he appeared to be a god himself.
They finally reached the top and ran into the mountain. Slowly, the doors began to close, and they where locked inside.
Rad walked over to the closed doors and examined it carefully. He then punched it, and grasped his fist in pain.
"Great… where stuck in here now." He said, shaking his hand, trying to ease the pain.
The inside was dark and slightly lit by torches. It was a huge cave with a long walkway. So long, it appeared to be miles.
"Well, let's get going. Carle is in here somewhere, and she needs us." Han said, running forward.
They all walked for minutes. Those minutes seemed like days as they walked farther into the cave. Suddenly, a staircase came into view. It seemed to have a red carpet and outlined by yellow borders. The sound of a piano reached Han's ears as he walked closer.
"This is it guys. Carle's up there with Vern." Han said to the others.
"Right, so let's not do anything stupid. We don't know what to expect, so use your heads." Sullivan said with passion.
"Remember guys. We are not fighting for ourselves. We are fighting for everyone." Jade said, walking next to Han.
"Let's just get this over with. I never want to remember the pain we suffered through this journey." Rad said.
They walked up the steps with speed. The steps grew longer as they seemed to go around in a spiral. They reached a door which seemed rather scary looking.
They all stopped and stared at it. Without saying a word, Han walked forward to the door. He grasped the pendent and knelt on the ground.
"Schala… we are here. Please, lend us your strength and courage." Han said, with his eyes closed.
Rad looked at Sullivan. Sullivan nodded to Rad and Jade, and they too knelt on the ground and prayed with Han.
Without warning, blue fairy-like dust fell from above. Han prayed hard for Schala. Rad looked up and looked around, wondering what was happening.
"Please Schala, help us in our mission." Han said with his voice cracking.
Then, everything went black. None of them opened their eyes, just stayed in praying position with their eyes closed. Schala was there, right in front of them. She walked over, and placed her hand on Han's head. Han looked at her.
"Do not worry, my dears. You shall defeat Vern if you find the will within yourselves. Do not fear anything. You have gotten this far, and still you fight. I am so proud…" Schala said.
Han got up on his feet, slowly. He looked into Schala's eyes.
"Schala… why did Carle let herself be taken away?"
"I feared you would ask that. She is the only one who can save us."
"How so?! Why didn't she run away when I told her to?!" Han asked with anger.
"She is the one and only Chrono Trigger. Therefore, she possesses the power to kill Vern."
"Then if she is the Chrono Trigger… than that means Vern is able to be fate now…"
"No. He needs one last thing to become it." Schala said. She held the pendent and held it up to Han.
"Don't worry; it's not going to fall into his hands." Han said.
"I trust you." Schala said.
There was a short pause. Han didn't know what else to ask.
"The time to fight is now. Go forth and fight. I am always with you, do not worry. As long as the pendent is around your neck, I shall fight for you." Schala said.
Everything turned back to normal, and Han got back up onto his feet. He looked at the others, as they where shocked.
"It's time." Han said, walking up to the stone door. He looked back at the others. Rad nodded his head and smiled. Han nodded back and threw him a quick thumbs up. The pendent began to glow, and the door opened up. They all walked in, and the door slammed behind them.
The room was lit by two blue flames on the floor. Han walked up to them, and another two flames lit up. As he walked father, more lit up, making a path. When the four of them walked farther, a circle of blue flames surrounded them, and Carle was right there.
"Carle!" Han screamed.
Carle was lying on a stone alter with candles above. A statue of someone was above the alter, holding a black sword and a white sword. Carle's eyes were closed, and she wasn't moving. Her hands where folded together and her hair was no longer in a braid.
"Carle!" Han screamed, running forward. Right before he reached her, he was thrown back by a force. He landed on the ground, by jumped back up, showing little or no pain.
"What the hell…?" Han thought out loud.
"HAHAHA! Fool!" said a voice.
Vern appeared in the air with his arms crossed.
"You bastard!" Sullivan screamed.
"So… you want your precious 'Carle' back, eh? Well, you'll have to go through me!!! There is no way I'm going to let you save her when she's letting me open up the portal to time!" Vern said with evilness.
"What the hell is that good for?" Jade asked with rage.
"Once, I open up the portal to time; I can go to any time I wish! I COULD ALTER ALL EXISTANCE AND AVENGE MY ANSESTERS!" Vern screamed.
"I don't think so!" Rad said pathetically.
"Why is that?" Vern asked.
"Cause we aren't letting you!" Han screamed back.
"Oh… really… wow. Then come on, STRIKE ME DOWN WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH!" Vern screamed, pulling out his sickle out of nowhere.
A battle broke out and the heat was on. All the things that Han and his crew accomplished would be in vain if they did not succeed now.
Han put his fist together and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a ray shot out from his body and struck Vern. Vern didn't move, and it seemed to tickle him.
"HA!" he screamed.
Jade sprang into the air, only to be shot down by a fire attack by Vern. Vern laughed hysterically as he found the battle very amusing. Sullivan wasn't laughing, and that was for sure. He shot multiple arrows at Vern, but Vern blocked them all with his cape. Sullivan cursed, and fired frozen beams at him. The blue beams pierced through the air, looking like rockets. They struck Vern, but were shot back at Sullivan. Sullivan tried to elude the attack, but was struck to the ground and wounded badly.
"HA! Your fools are simply PATHETIC! Only a few more moments, and the process will be complete! I will be traveling in time!" Vern laughed out loud.
"Wait… wouldn't that mean he's heading for the Bend of Time?!?!?!" Han asked Rad.
"Oh my God…." Rad said with horror filling his face.
"Your heading for the Bend of Time?!" Han asked harshly.
"Yes, that's the name of it! I'll also be able to kill Schala while I'm at it! HAHAHAHAAA!" Vern laughed more.
Han's famous eyes turned red, and this was a sign of pure anger. He ran after Vern, and lanced him multiple times. Vern continued laughing, but stopped when he felt sharp edges piercing into his flesh many times in a row.
"GAAAAAAAAAAH! DDDDDIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Han screamed, actually hurting Vern.
Vern fell on his behind and disappeared into thin air. A loud bang filled the room that startled them. A large circle was in the air, which was very obviously a portal. Vern appeared next to it and laughed harder than ever.
"Whoops! Time to go!" Vern said, looking at his wrist as if gazing at a wristwatch. "Thank you, thank you!" he said, bowing in laughter. "It is time for me to go and end your existence! Good bye!" Vern jumped into the portal, and his laughter echoed in the room.
"Quick, let's go after him!" Rad screamed, running for the portal.
"No! Don't!" Schala's voice said. "Only a few can go in there at once!"
"Then who's going in?!" Sullivan screamed at Schala's voice.
"Only Carle can kill Vern. She must go, fallowed by another."
"I'll go." Han said without thinking it through.
Han was kneeling next to Carle. Carle began to move and her eyes opened.
"Han…?"
"Yeah, it's me. We have to go after Vern; he's heading for the Bend of Time!" Han said, helping her to her feet.
"Can you walk?" Han said to her in a hurry.
"Yes… I'm fine… I think. Let's go!" Carle said, running with Han to the portal.
Jade grabbed Han's arm and looked at him strait in the eye.
"You guys better come back!" Jade screamed at them.
Han nodded, and both Carle and Han jumped into the portal without hesitating.
The path was long and weird as they fell farther and farther. Carle held onto Han tightly. They finally landed on a brick gold walkway which Han remembered all too well.
"We are here." He said.
The setting was dark and scary. No wind, no snow, nothing but silence. Han looked around to find Vern looking at warps to other times and places. He turned around and saw Carle and Han standing there pumped and ready to kick ass. Vern showed no expression, just gazed at them with dry anger.
"You people won't give up, will you?" Vern said, throwing his cape back and sticking the bass of his sickle in the ground. His cape flapped in the air, which was scary because… there was no wind.
"Coming into here and fallowing me is like wishing for death. Your friends are not here, it is only you two. How can you possibly imagine that you could bring me down? Even if Carle is the Chrono Trigger, what is that going to do?" Vern said. He obviously didn't know about the power that Carle possessed and that it could kill Vern.
"Vern. Why do you wish to kill?" Han asked.
"Kill? You're asking me why I wish to kill?! Maybe I should ask your ancestors that question, sense I'm going back into time. You always thought that you where better than me this whole time. Well, it's obvious that you are wrong, Mr. Han."
They all stared at each other with anger and hate mixed into one emotion.
"Let me finish you now. Then, I would no longer have to deal with you ever again!" Vern said, without a smile.
"We WILL kill you Vern. Can't you just put down your sickle and give up? What's so wrong with walking away?" Han asked honestly.
"Only fools walk away. I cannot do that, for I am too far in my journey to give up. I must kill you; it is my job, my duty."
"Killing innocent people! Was that your so called 'duty' too?!" Carle asked with anger.
Vern nodded his head.
"Yes. It was. Now, enough with the small talk. Time for you two to die." Vern said.
"Hold it!" a voice screamed.
Han turned around, and there was Schala, standing there with a staff and looking more beautiful than ever.
"Schala?!" Han said, looked like he won a million dollars.
"You're not going anywhere Vern! Not while I'm here!" Schala said with a tough attitude.
"HA! This gets better by the minute! Not one, not two, but THREE people to kill! You people are making me work to hard!" Vern said, scratching the back of his head.
"Carle, how long will it take to do 'The Attack'?" Schala asked Carle.
"What attack?" Carle asked.
"You know, 'THE Attack'?" Schala asked, trying to not let Han know what was going on.
"Oh yeah…" Carle said, looking at the ground with a long sad face. "We need to weaken him first. I can do it instantly."
"Ok, so we have to battle him until he can't attack anymore!" Schala said.
Han was more confused than anyone there. He had no clue what was going on.
"What?!" Han finally said with that same confused look he always had when he had no idea what was going on.
Schala and Carle said nothing to Han. Suddenly, Carle slipped a piece of folded paper in his pocket.
"What's this?!" Han asked her.
"Just read it when the battle's over!" Carle said, pulling out her dagger.
Schala showed a sad face, but said nothing.
"Han, we need to fight Vern! He must be weakened before Carle can perform her attack!" Schala finally said.
"What attack?!" Han asked.
"I have the power to kill Vern. I am the Chrono Trigger you know…" Carle said.
"Fine, let's just get this over with!" Han said, looking ready to kill.
"HA! I will enjoy killing all of you!" Vern said with a laugh.
The battle began, and all the stuff that didn't matter anymore was left behind. Killing Vern was the top priority.
Han was the first to go at it. He sprang forward and rolled into the air, kicking Vern in the face. Vern cursed, and shot his leg out, kicking Han back in the face. Han fall on the ground, and was interrupted when red lava fell from the sky. It just missed Han, but hit Vern.
"Sorry Han!" Carle screamed, for the lava was her attack.
Schala put her hands together and prayed. Suddenly, Han was cured by Schala. Schala then attacked Vern with a psychic attack. Vern countered by punching Schala, but the punch missed her completely, and Han shot rays of light at Vern.
"DAMN YOU ALL!" Vern screamed. He was loosing horribly, and it was getting out of hand on his behalf.
"Carle!" Han screamed over to Carle. "Dark Bomb!"
Carle nodded, and charged for power. Han pole vaulted himself high in the air, seeming to fly. Carle was done charging, and she sent a fireball up to Han. Han shut his eyes and waited. He then shot a black beam at the fireball, causing it to stop. Han then knocked it to Vern. Vern saw it coming, but did nothing. It landed right on top of him, causing a huge blue explosion. The fire cleared and Vern was on his knees. He then felt himself go flying back. He slammed into the wall and fell on his stomach. It was another mind attack by Schala, and she was good at it.
"That's it!" Vern screamed. "I'm ending this now!"
Vern stood up high and mighty. He arched his arms and dark rays of light surrounded him.
"GAAAAAAAHH!" Vern screamed.
Suddenly, and explosion engulfed him. Clouds of smoke filled the air, and left Schala, Han, and Carle gasping for air.
"What the hell was that about?!" Han asked.
"I don't think this is going to be good…" Schala said.
The smoke began to clear, and a huge shadow lay in front of them.
"YOUR LIVES WILL SEE THE DAWN OF THE DEAD, AND THE DOMINATION OF THE WORLD!" a dark, dragon like, incredibly deep voice screamed, making the ground shake.
The smoke cleared completely, and there was Vern… or was it? A huge dragon/dinosaur stood there with its arms crossed. It had a big tale with long wings, along with black scaly skin.
"What the hell?!" Han asked.
"Oh my…" Carle said, with her jaw wide open.
"GAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! Yes, it is me! The one and only Vern!" Vern said in his new form.
"So, Vern, you show your true form." Schala said, almost laughing it off. She wasn't scared at all, she had confidence.
"Han, it's now or never! He's getting to strong!" Carle said to Han.
"Carle, get your attack ready! Meanwhile, Han and I shall weaken Vern to the best of our ability!" Schala said.
"Ok… I'll do it!" Carle said, putting her hands together in praying position.
Without saying a word, Vern, in his new dragon form, walked over to the warp.
"Hhhhmmmm…. The day humans beat the reptiles. I shall go back and alter time!!!!!!!!" Vern said. He put his arms up, and disappeared into the warp.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Han screamed.
"Quick, we still have time! We must fallow him into the portal!" Schala said.
Schala, Carle, and Han ran into the portal. They went through it with no problem, and landed on grassy ground.
"We are here." Schala said, pulling her staff back out.
Visions of humans and Reptiles fighting filled their view. And the sound of Vern also filled the air.
"GAAAAAAH! You fallowed me again! FINE! I SHALL KILL YOU RIGHT HERE!!!!!" Vern said, incredibly pissed off.
Vern ran over to the three of them, shaking the ground. There was a large river that separated them from the battle, and trees all over. It was a jungle all right, and they were back in time.
"This is it guys…" Schala said. "We must hurry, for Lavos's landing shall take place soon!"
"GAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!" Vern kept laughing.
Vern attacked first by shooting rays of destruction. Beams of light fell from the heavens and struck all three of them. They all took damage, but still fought on with might.
Han charged himself, and signaled for cover. Carle and Schala stood in front of Han to distract Vern. A few moments later, Han leaped into the air and performed the famous Luminaire. Vern took massive damage, and fell to the ground. He got back up, and smacked Han with his tale. The battle went on
After a few minutes of the battle taking place, Han noticed something.
"Hey guys, what is that flying ship up there in the sky? Isn't this before planes?" Han asked.
"Nothing, just keep fighting!" Schala said. She recognized the aircraft, and she smiled.
After more repetitive battling, Vern finally fell to his knees, gasping for air.
"You may have weakened me, but I still have the advantage!!! NOW, SHUT UP AND DIE!" Vern said, charging all the power he had left into one attack, 'Total Annihilation'.
"Quick Carle, use the attack now!!!" Schala screamed, trying to hold Vern down with all her power. She sweated and painted.
Carle ran over to Han and kissed him.
"Don't you forget about that letter!" she said, leaping into the air.
As Carle sprang higher into the air, she began having more flashbacks. Tears were streaming down her face. One sacrifice to save them all. I need to pull through. she thought to herself.
She was high in the sky and right over the river. Vern laid there helpless, but still charging. Suddenly, she began to float in the air. She closed her eyes and put her hands together. Her body began to radiate and white and blue spirals surrounded her, fallowed by green, orange, and all the colors of the rainbow. A huge force filed the air. A massive wind picked up, blowing the grass and the trees. Han stood there in confusion, as his bandana danced in the wind. Schala came over to Han, trying to keep her self standing from the wind, and put a hand on Han's shoulder.
The wind picked up more, blowing some trees down and making the river splash. Carle was tearing more and more, but she kept a strait face. The wind blew harder and harder. Then, she began to glow. Carle felt pains within herself. They weren't physical pains, but rather pains in her soul. She kept on performing the attack.
"CARLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Han screamed.
Carle looked at Han and said nothing. She looked back sharply at Vern. Her eyes filled with hate and her pulse grew stronger.
"ONE SACRIFICE TO SAVE THEM ALL!" Carle screamed. "MAY YOU FOREVER BURN IN HELL, VERN!"
Carle was then engulfed in a white ball of light. Then, something flew out of that ball, striking Vern in the chest. Vern was shocked, as he couldn't move. A black mist came out of his body, which appeared to be his soul. The blackish, purple matter flew higher. Then, a white projectile from Carle struck it hard, causing a massive explosion. Vern screamed and hollered, as he held himself. Another explosion took place, and Vern simply evaporated, never to be seen again.
The wind calmed down and Carle appeared again in the sky, still in the same praying position. The sun came out and the grass was greener than ever. The whole setting was beautiful. Carle looked at it all in amazement and satisfaction. She gazed at the animals that inhabited the forest and saw the humans dance in victory of defeating the Reptiles. The sky was bluer than ever and piece had held the planet once again.
Carle looked at Han from above. Han looked at her with his mouth hanging open. Carle smiled at him.
"I did it." Carle said. She continued staring at Han, and then she began to fall from the sky.
"CAAAAAAAARRLE!" Han screamed, running after her.
Carle fell from the sky like a rag doll. Her hair dangled in the air and she fell helplessly. Han ran after her, fighting the tears back and being in a state of denial. Schala stared at the heartbreaking scene and feel to her knees, putting her head down.
Carle kept falling, slowly, slowly, slowly. Her whole body dangled in the air. Han had visions of when they first met, how innocent Carle really was. Every running step he took seemed like forever. He could hear his pulse and his heart felt broken.
Carle continued to fall helplessly, as her body was controlled by the wind and gravity. Her eyes where still open, and everything around her seemed still. She then saw Han's face one last time, and then landed in the river.
"CAAAARLE!" Han screamed.
Carle's body floated lifelessly in the water. Her red hair moved with the water. Han dived into the water, reaching for his fallen angel. He swam to Carle's body, and put his arm out and grabbed her. Her eyes where still open, and she was showing no sign of life at all. Han pulled her up, and dragged her out of the water. He remembered when he saved her from the ship accident, and how she did live. But he knew this time that there were no second chances.
Han placed Carle's body on the ground, and felt her neck for a pulse. He held his hand there for a while, and then put it back at his side. Carle's eyes remained open, staring at nothing. Han began to sob, and Schala came over. Schala bend down next to Han, and shut Carle's eyes. Schala and Han looked at each other. Han felt like he was going to faint, but fell into Schala's arms and cried.
"She's… gone…" Han said, totally shocked. Carle's body still showed no sign of life, as she lay there not moving at all.
"I am sorry." Schala said "She didn't want to tell you that it would come to this." Schala rubbed Han's back and rested her chin above his head. He still cried on and on.
"Why didn't she tell me?!" Han said. "WHY! WHY! WHY!"
"Read the note, I'm sure she told you in there." Schala said, still holding Han.
Han reached in his pocket, and found the note. Surprisingly, the ink was not smudged from the river. He examined Carle's beautiful handwriting, but didn't actually read the note.
"We must go before Lavos crashes into this planet. Read the note when we get back." Schala said, helping Han up quickly.
Han looked at Carle's lifeless body once again, hoping for a miracle. He then knelt beside her body, and picked her up. He held his fallen angel close to him, and walked with Schala to the warp.
"That was weird." Sullivan said to Otto in the battle field. "They all just disappeared like that. Maybe Han and Carle had something to do with it."
Jade, Sullivan, Rad, Otto, and some others helped clean up what was left on the field.
"Hey, is that them?" Otto asked, looking up at the mountain.
Schala walked with Han, who was holding Carle's body, down the steps. Han walked with no expression, but one could see his pain with the scares he bared and the way he walked. He walked slowly down the steps, and paused. He looked up at the clear blue sky and the beautiful pine forest and snow that could be seen from above. Schala stopped and looked at him.
"What is it?" Schala asked him.
Han continued looking around and saw his friends staring at him.
"It's… so… beautiful out…" he said, shedding a tear or two.
Schala put an arm on his shoulder.
"She was a brave girl." She said with pure honesty.
Han looked back at Schala with sadness.
"Oh… wait… your pendent!" Han said, trying to take the pendant off.
"Han…" Schala said "Do not worry. Keep it. It is safe with you. Plus, Vern is dead."
Han looked back at her with a look.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. You can be 'Holder of the Pendent'. I can trust you to guard it." She said.
Han nodded his head. They both continued marching down the steps. When they reached the bottom, everyone ran over to Han and Schala, asking a million questions at once.
* * *
Han sat at the dock of his new home. He sat there fishing, picking up where he left off before his adventure. He then remembered Carle's note, and pulled it out of his pocket and began to read.
Dear Han,
If you are reading this note, chances are, Vern is dead… as well as I. You may be asking yourself a million questions like why I didn't let you know about what was to happen to me. Let me just say I didn't want you to stop me. I had to kill Vern, it was the only way. You may think I don't love you because of it, and if you do think that, you are dead wrong! I love you, and that's why I did it. I couldn't last seeing you when you where hurt. Seeing you and the others being tortured by evil was too much for me, so I had to do something. I love you some much Han, which is why I gave my life for you… and the others.
Do me a favor. Tell Sullivan to continue using his head. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have seen things the way they were. Thank him for showing me the light and what to do in bad times.
Tell Rad to continue being himself. All those laughs we shared, all those troubles we went through. It was all priceless. If it where not for him, I would have forgotten what it was like to laugh!
Tell Jackie to keep looking at the moon and never to give up on Wolfus. Nothing can take away the sisterhood we had for each other, and nothing can take away the moment we shared under the moon.
Tell my father that I did what he would have done. That I love this world to much too actually watch it slowly die. And yes, tell him I get my bravery from his side of the family.
Well, I guess this leaves me with you. Thank you so much for sharing your love with me. Without you, I would have died before killing Vern. Remember to always stay who you are and believe in yourself. Please, do not waste any more tears on me. The sacrifice had to be made. You see Han, we are nothing. We are just life forms that live on this planet for little cause. We are only one in millions. Are universe is too big, and we life forms mean nothing to it. But that doesn't mean we should stop living our lives! We matter to someone or something on this planet. And Han, you meant something to me. Thank you for everything. I could not have imagined what life would have been like without meeting you. I love you.
Love,
Carle
The journey was not very long at all. The Town of Boon and Furtive Mountain where very close to each other. The party of four marched forward along with Otto and an army of humans and FurFoots, ready to fight. Most joined up with them to avenge their town. Others just wanted to fight. But Han… he just wanted his girl back in his arms again.
The snow blew harshly and the night sky did not help. The FurFoots didn't seem to have a problem with the snow, as they are naturally used to it. Everyone stuck together, and from a distance, the army seemed to be one long train of people in the snow.
"We are close." said Otto, pulling out a rifle and telling his army to halt. "We must plan carefully. Vern's soldiers are guarding the bass of the mountain, I am sure of it."
"In that case, we need a strategy." Sullivan said, going into thought.
"No need to think. You four are our top priority, and you are the only ones able to fight Vern. The army of Boon and I shall fight a path for you while you make it inside."
"Then what? What about you guys?" Han asked.
"Do not worry, we will hold the bass of the mountain for you. We must hurry, for Vern's power grows strong by the minute!" Otto said.
Otto and his crew marched forward. One could see it in their eyes; they wanted blood, all of them. And they weren't leaving for anything.
They marched on in the harsh wind, dealing with pain and anger. They all made it to the base of the mountain. The disgusting sight of Vern's soldiers was in view. Reptile soldiers stood all over with weapons in their hands and a look to kill.
"ATTAAAAAAAACK!" Otto screamed, as his arm pointed at the soldiers. All of them ran forward. Otto ran over to Han.
"Han! Get going now! Head for the top of the mountain while we fight them off!" Otto said, loading his rifle.
"What about you?!" Han asked on the top of his lungs.
"Forget about me! Just go!" Otto said, running with his men.
"You heard the man! Let's get to the top!" Jade said. One thing about Jade that made people wonder was her quick recovery. Just one day ago she fell in a freezing cold ocean, the next she is fighting.
All four of them ran for the mountain, dogging bullets and blades. Bloodshed flew in the air and people where dieing. A whole war taking place at the base of the Holy Land. Still, Han, Rad, Sullivan, and Jade ran with all their might.
"Stay on coarse! We need to get up there!" Sullivan said.
They reached the steps with rather ease and shot up it like flying bullets.
Otto and his men fought hard. Much causality took place down there, but they still fought on. Otto slit a guard's throat, and shot another's head off. He was quite the fighter. Swinging his arms swiftly in the air and taking people's lives one by one he appeared to be a god himself.
They finally reached the top and ran into the mountain. Slowly, the doors began to close, and they where locked inside.
Rad walked over to the closed doors and examined it carefully. He then punched it, and grasped his fist in pain.
"Great… where stuck in here now." He said, shaking his hand, trying to ease the pain.
The inside was dark and slightly lit by torches. It was a huge cave with a long walkway. So long, it appeared to be miles.
"Well, let's get going. Carle is in here somewhere, and she needs us." Han said, running forward.
They all walked for minutes. Those minutes seemed like days as they walked farther into the cave. Suddenly, a staircase came into view. It seemed to have a red carpet and outlined by yellow borders. The sound of a piano reached Han's ears as he walked closer.
"This is it guys. Carle's up there with Vern." Han said to the others.
"Right, so let's not do anything stupid. We don't know what to expect, so use your heads." Sullivan said with passion.
"Remember guys. We are not fighting for ourselves. We are fighting for everyone." Jade said, walking next to Han.
"Let's just get this over with. I never want to remember the pain we suffered through this journey." Rad said.
They walked up the steps with speed. The steps grew longer as they seemed to go around in a spiral. They reached a door which seemed rather scary looking.
They all stopped and stared at it. Without saying a word, Han walked forward to the door. He grasped the pendent and knelt on the ground.
"Schala… we are here. Please, lend us your strength and courage." Han said, with his eyes closed.
Rad looked at Sullivan. Sullivan nodded to Rad and Jade, and they too knelt on the ground and prayed with Han.
Without warning, blue fairy-like dust fell from above. Han prayed hard for Schala. Rad looked up and looked around, wondering what was happening.
"Please Schala, help us in our mission." Han said with his voice cracking.
Then, everything went black. None of them opened their eyes, just stayed in praying position with their eyes closed. Schala was there, right in front of them. She walked over, and placed her hand on Han's head. Han looked at her.
"Do not worry, my dears. You shall defeat Vern if you find the will within yourselves. Do not fear anything. You have gotten this far, and still you fight. I am so proud…" Schala said.
Han got up on his feet, slowly. He looked into Schala's eyes.
"Schala… why did Carle let herself be taken away?"
"I feared you would ask that. She is the only one who can save us."
"How so?! Why didn't she run away when I told her to?!" Han asked with anger.
"She is the one and only Chrono Trigger. Therefore, she possesses the power to kill Vern."
"Then if she is the Chrono Trigger… than that means Vern is able to be fate now…"
"No. He needs one last thing to become it." Schala said. She held the pendent and held it up to Han.
"Don't worry; it's not going to fall into his hands." Han said.
"I trust you." Schala said.
There was a short pause. Han didn't know what else to ask.
"The time to fight is now. Go forth and fight. I am always with you, do not worry. As long as the pendent is around your neck, I shall fight for you." Schala said.
Everything turned back to normal, and Han got back up onto his feet. He looked at the others, as they where shocked.
"It's time." Han said, walking up to the stone door. He looked back at the others. Rad nodded his head and smiled. Han nodded back and threw him a quick thumbs up. The pendent began to glow, and the door opened up. They all walked in, and the door slammed behind them.
The room was lit by two blue flames on the floor. Han walked up to them, and another two flames lit up. As he walked father, more lit up, making a path. When the four of them walked farther, a circle of blue flames surrounded them, and Carle was right there.
"Carle!" Han screamed.
Carle was lying on a stone alter with candles above. A statue of someone was above the alter, holding a black sword and a white sword. Carle's eyes were closed, and she wasn't moving. Her hands where folded together and her hair was no longer in a braid.
"Carle!" Han screamed, running forward. Right before he reached her, he was thrown back by a force. He landed on the ground, by jumped back up, showing little or no pain.
"What the hell…?" Han thought out loud.
"HAHAHA! Fool!" said a voice.
Vern appeared in the air with his arms crossed.
"You bastard!" Sullivan screamed.
"So… you want your precious 'Carle' back, eh? Well, you'll have to go through me!!! There is no way I'm going to let you save her when she's letting me open up the portal to time!" Vern said with evilness.
"What the hell is that good for?" Jade asked with rage.
"Once, I open up the portal to time; I can go to any time I wish! I COULD ALTER ALL EXISTANCE AND AVENGE MY ANSESTERS!" Vern screamed.
"I don't think so!" Rad said pathetically.
"Why is that?" Vern asked.
"Cause we aren't letting you!" Han screamed back.
"Oh… really… wow. Then come on, STRIKE ME DOWN WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH!" Vern screamed, pulling out his sickle out of nowhere.
A battle broke out and the heat was on. All the things that Han and his crew accomplished would be in vain if they did not succeed now.
Han put his fist together and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a ray shot out from his body and struck Vern. Vern didn't move, and it seemed to tickle him.
"HA!" he screamed.
Jade sprang into the air, only to be shot down by a fire attack by Vern. Vern laughed hysterically as he found the battle very amusing. Sullivan wasn't laughing, and that was for sure. He shot multiple arrows at Vern, but Vern blocked them all with his cape. Sullivan cursed, and fired frozen beams at him. The blue beams pierced through the air, looking like rockets. They struck Vern, but were shot back at Sullivan. Sullivan tried to elude the attack, but was struck to the ground and wounded badly.
"HA! Your fools are simply PATHETIC! Only a few more moments, and the process will be complete! I will be traveling in time!" Vern laughed out loud.
"Wait… wouldn't that mean he's heading for the Bend of Time?!?!?!" Han asked Rad.
"Oh my God…." Rad said with horror filling his face.
"Your heading for the Bend of Time?!" Han asked harshly.
"Yes, that's the name of it! I'll also be able to kill Schala while I'm at it! HAHAHAHAAA!" Vern laughed more.
Han's famous eyes turned red, and this was a sign of pure anger. He ran after Vern, and lanced him multiple times. Vern continued laughing, but stopped when he felt sharp edges piercing into his flesh many times in a row.
"GAAAAAAAAAAH! DDDDDIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Han screamed, actually hurting Vern.
Vern fell on his behind and disappeared into thin air. A loud bang filled the room that startled them. A large circle was in the air, which was very obviously a portal. Vern appeared next to it and laughed harder than ever.
"Whoops! Time to go!" Vern said, looking at his wrist as if gazing at a wristwatch. "Thank you, thank you!" he said, bowing in laughter. "It is time for me to go and end your existence! Good bye!" Vern jumped into the portal, and his laughter echoed in the room.
"Quick, let's go after him!" Rad screamed, running for the portal.
"No! Don't!" Schala's voice said. "Only a few can go in there at once!"
"Then who's going in?!" Sullivan screamed at Schala's voice.
"Only Carle can kill Vern. She must go, fallowed by another."
"I'll go." Han said without thinking it through.
Han was kneeling next to Carle. Carle began to move and her eyes opened.
"Han…?"
"Yeah, it's me. We have to go after Vern; he's heading for the Bend of Time!" Han said, helping her to her feet.
"Can you walk?" Han said to her in a hurry.
"Yes… I'm fine… I think. Let's go!" Carle said, running with Han to the portal.
Jade grabbed Han's arm and looked at him strait in the eye.
"You guys better come back!" Jade screamed at them.
Han nodded, and both Carle and Han jumped into the portal without hesitating.
The path was long and weird as they fell farther and farther. Carle held onto Han tightly. They finally landed on a brick gold walkway which Han remembered all too well.
"We are here." He said.
The setting was dark and scary. No wind, no snow, nothing but silence. Han looked around to find Vern looking at warps to other times and places. He turned around and saw Carle and Han standing there pumped and ready to kick ass. Vern showed no expression, just gazed at them with dry anger.
"You people won't give up, will you?" Vern said, throwing his cape back and sticking the bass of his sickle in the ground. His cape flapped in the air, which was scary because… there was no wind.
"Coming into here and fallowing me is like wishing for death. Your friends are not here, it is only you two. How can you possibly imagine that you could bring me down? Even if Carle is the Chrono Trigger, what is that going to do?" Vern said. He obviously didn't know about the power that Carle possessed and that it could kill Vern.
"Vern. Why do you wish to kill?" Han asked.
"Kill? You're asking me why I wish to kill?! Maybe I should ask your ancestors that question, sense I'm going back into time. You always thought that you where better than me this whole time. Well, it's obvious that you are wrong, Mr. Han."
They all stared at each other with anger and hate mixed into one emotion.
"Let me finish you now. Then, I would no longer have to deal with you ever again!" Vern said, without a smile.
"We WILL kill you Vern. Can't you just put down your sickle and give up? What's so wrong with walking away?" Han asked honestly.
"Only fools walk away. I cannot do that, for I am too far in my journey to give up. I must kill you; it is my job, my duty."
"Killing innocent people! Was that your so called 'duty' too?!" Carle asked with anger.
Vern nodded his head.
"Yes. It was. Now, enough with the small talk. Time for you two to die." Vern said.
"Hold it!" a voice screamed.
Han turned around, and there was Schala, standing there with a staff and looking more beautiful than ever.
"Schala?!" Han said, looked like he won a million dollars.
"You're not going anywhere Vern! Not while I'm here!" Schala said with a tough attitude.
"HA! This gets better by the minute! Not one, not two, but THREE people to kill! You people are making me work to hard!" Vern said, scratching the back of his head.
"Carle, how long will it take to do 'The Attack'?" Schala asked Carle.
"What attack?" Carle asked.
"You know, 'THE Attack'?" Schala asked, trying to not let Han know what was going on.
"Oh yeah…" Carle said, looking at the ground with a long sad face. "We need to weaken him first. I can do it instantly."
"Ok, so we have to battle him until he can't attack anymore!" Schala said.
Han was more confused than anyone there. He had no clue what was going on.
"What?!" Han finally said with that same confused look he always had when he had no idea what was going on.
Schala and Carle said nothing to Han. Suddenly, Carle slipped a piece of folded paper in his pocket.
"What's this?!" Han asked her.
"Just read it when the battle's over!" Carle said, pulling out her dagger.
Schala showed a sad face, but said nothing.
"Han, we need to fight Vern! He must be weakened before Carle can perform her attack!" Schala finally said.
"What attack?!" Han asked.
"I have the power to kill Vern. I am the Chrono Trigger you know…" Carle said.
"Fine, let's just get this over with!" Han said, looking ready to kill.
"HA! I will enjoy killing all of you!" Vern said with a laugh.
The battle began, and all the stuff that didn't matter anymore was left behind. Killing Vern was the top priority.
Han was the first to go at it. He sprang forward and rolled into the air, kicking Vern in the face. Vern cursed, and shot his leg out, kicking Han back in the face. Han fall on the ground, and was interrupted when red lava fell from the sky. It just missed Han, but hit Vern.
"Sorry Han!" Carle screamed, for the lava was her attack.
Schala put her hands together and prayed. Suddenly, Han was cured by Schala. Schala then attacked Vern with a psychic attack. Vern countered by punching Schala, but the punch missed her completely, and Han shot rays of light at Vern.
"DAMN YOU ALL!" Vern screamed. He was loosing horribly, and it was getting out of hand on his behalf.
"Carle!" Han screamed over to Carle. "Dark Bomb!"
Carle nodded, and charged for power. Han pole vaulted himself high in the air, seeming to fly. Carle was done charging, and she sent a fireball up to Han. Han shut his eyes and waited. He then shot a black beam at the fireball, causing it to stop. Han then knocked it to Vern. Vern saw it coming, but did nothing. It landed right on top of him, causing a huge blue explosion. The fire cleared and Vern was on his knees. He then felt himself go flying back. He slammed into the wall and fell on his stomach. It was another mind attack by Schala, and she was good at it.
"That's it!" Vern screamed. "I'm ending this now!"
Vern stood up high and mighty. He arched his arms and dark rays of light surrounded him.
"GAAAAAAAHH!" Vern screamed.
Suddenly, and explosion engulfed him. Clouds of smoke filled the air, and left Schala, Han, and Carle gasping for air.
"What the hell was that about?!" Han asked.
"I don't think this is going to be good…" Schala said.
The smoke began to clear, and a huge shadow lay in front of them.
"YOUR LIVES WILL SEE THE DAWN OF THE DEAD, AND THE DOMINATION OF THE WORLD!" a dark, dragon like, incredibly deep voice screamed, making the ground shake.
The smoke cleared completely, and there was Vern… or was it? A huge dragon/dinosaur stood there with its arms crossed. It had a big tale with long wings, along with black scaly skin.
"What the hell?!" Han asked.
"Oh my…" Carle said, with her jaw wide open.
"GAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! Yes, it is me! The one and only Vern!" Vern said in his new form.
"So, Vern, you show your true form." Schala said, almost laughing it off. She wasn't scared at all, she had confidence.
"Han, it's now or never! He's getting to strong!" Carle said to Han.
"Carle, get your attack ready! Meanwhile, Han and I shall weaken Vern to the best of our ability!" Schala said.
"Ok… I'll do it!" Carle said, putting her hands together in praying position.
Without saying a word, Vern, in his new dragon form, walked over to the warp.
"Hhhhmmmm…. The day humans beat the reptiles. I shall go back and alter time!!!!!!!!" Vern said. He put his arms up, and disappeared into the warp.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Han screamed.
"Quick, we still have time! We must fallow him into the portal!" Schala said.
Schala, Carle, and Han ran into the portal. They went through it with no problem, and landed on grassy ground.
"We are here." Schala said, pulling her staff back out.
Visions of humans and Reptiles fighting filled their view. And the sound of Vern also filled the air.
"GAAAAAAH! You fallowed me again! FINE! I SHALL KILL YOU RIGHT HERE!!!!!" Vern said, incredibly pissed off.
Vern ran over to the three of them, shaking the ground. There was a large river that separated them from the battle, and trees all over. It was a jungle all right, and they were back in time.
"This is it guys…" Schala said. "We must hurry, for Lavos's landing shall take place soon!"
"GAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!" Vern kept laughing.
Vern attacked first by shooting rays of destruction. Beams of light fell from the heavens and struck all three of them. They all took damage, but still fought on with might.
Han charged himself, and signaled for cover. Carle and Schala stood in front of Han to distract Vern. A few moments later, Han leaped into the air and performed the famous Luminaire. Vern took massive damage, and fell to the ground. He got back up, and smacked Han with his tale. The battle went on
After a few minutes of the battle taking place, Han noticed something.
"Hey guys, what is that flying ship up there in the sky? Isn't this before planes?" Han asked.
"Nothing, just keep fighting!" Schala said. She recognized the aircraft, and she smiled.
After more repetitive battling, Vern finally fell to his knees, gasping for air.
"You may have weakened me, but I still have the advantage!!! NOW, SHUT UP AND DIE!" Vern said, charging all the power he had left into one attack, 'Total Annihilation'.
"Quick Carle, use the attack now!!!" Schala screamed, trying to hold Vern down with all her power. She sweated and painted.
Carle ran over to Han and kissed him.
"Don't you forget about that letter!" she said, leaping into the air.
As Carle sprang higher into the air, she began having more flashbacks. Tears were streaming down her face. One sacrifice to save them all. I need to pull through. she thought to herself.
She was high in the sky and right over the river. Vern laid there helpless, but still charging. Suddenly, she began to float in the air. She closed her eyes and put her hands together. Her body began to radiate and white and blue spirals surrounded her, fallowed by green, orange, and all the colors of the rainbow. A huge force filed the air. A massive wind picked up, blowing the grass and the trees. Han stood there in confusion, as his bandana danced in the wind. Schala came over to Han, trying to keep her self standing from the wind, and put a hand on Han's shoulder.
The wind picked up more, blowing some trees down and making the river splash. Carle was tearing more and more, but she kept a strait face. The wind blew harder and harder. Then, she began to glow. Carle felt pains within herself. They weren't physical pains, but rather pains in her soul. She kept on performing the attack.
"CARLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Han screamed.
Carle looked at Han and said nothing. She looked back sharply at Vern. Her eyes filled with hate and her pulse grew stronger.
"ONE SACRIFICE TO SAVE THEM ALL!" Carle screamed. "MAY YOU FOREVER BURN IN HELL, VERN!"
Carle was then engulfed in a white ball of light. Then, something flew out of that ball, striking Vern in the chest. Vern was shocked, as he couldn't move. A black mist came out of his body, which appeared to be his soul. The blackish, purple matter flew higher. Then, a white projectile from Carle struck it hard, causing a massive explosion. Vern screamed and hollered, as he held himself. Another explosion took place, and Vern simply evaporated, never to be seen again.
The wind calmed down and Carle appeared again in the sky, still in the same praying position. The sun came out and the grass was greener than ever. The whole setting was beautiful. Carle looked at it all in amazement and satisfaction. She gazed at the animals that inhabited the forest and saw the humans dance in victory of defeating the Reptiles. The sky was bluer than ever and piece had held the planet once again.
Carle looked at Han from above. Han looked at her with his mouth hanging open. Carle smiled at him.
"I did it." Carle said. She continued staring at Han, and then she began to fall from the sky.
"CAAAAAAAARRLE!" Han screamed, running after her.
Carle fell from the sky like a rag doll. Her hair dangled in the air and she fell helplessly. Han ran after her, fighting the tears back and being in a state of denial. Schala stared at the heartbreaking scene and feel to her knees, putting her head down.
Carle kept falling, slowly, slowly, slowly. Her whole body dangled in the air. Han had visions of when they first met, how innocent Carle really was. Every running step he took seemed like forever. He could hear his pulse and his heart felt broken.
Carle continued to fall helplessly, as her body was controlled by the wind and gravity. Her eyes where still open, and everything around her seemed still. She then saw Han's face one last time, and then landed in the river.
"CAAAARLE!" Han screamed.
Carle's body floated lifelessly in the water. Her red hair moved with the water. Han dived into the water, reaching for his fallen angel. He swam to Carle's body, and put his arm out and grabbed her. Her eyes where still open, and she was showing no sign of life at all. Han pulled her up, and dragged her out of the water. He remembered when he saved her from the ship accident, and how she did live. But he knew this time that there were no second chances.
Han placed Carle's body on the ground, and felt her neck for a pulse. He held his hand there for a while, and then put it back at his side. Carle's eyes remained open, staring at nothing. Han began to sob, and Schala came over. Schala bend down next to Han, and shut Carle's eyes. Schala and Han looked at each other. Han felt like he was going to faint, but fell into Schala's arms and cried.
"She's… gone…" Han said, totally shocked. Carle's body still showed no sign of life, as she lay there not moving at all.
"I am sorry." Schala said "She didn't want to tell you that it would come to this." Schala rubbed Han's back and rested her chin above his head. He still cried on and on.
"Why didn't she tell me?!" Han said. "WHY! WHY! WHY!"
"Read the note, I'm sure she told you in there." Schala said, still holding Han.
Han reached in his pocket, and found the note. Surprisingly, the ink was not smudged from the river. He examined Carle's beautiful handwriting, but didn't actually read the note.
"We must go before Lavos crashes into this planet. Read the note when we get back." Schala said, helping Han up quickly.
Han looked at Carle's lifeless body once again, hoping for a miracle. He then knelt beside her body, and picked her up. He held his fallen angel close to him, and walked with Schala to the warp.
"That was weird." Sullivan said to Otto in the battle field. "They all just disappeared like that. Maybe Han and Carle had something to do with it."
Jade, Sullivan, Rad, Otto, and some others helped clean up what was left on the field.
"Hey, is that them?" Otto asked, looking up at the mountain.
Schala walked with Han, who was holding Carle's body, down the steps. Han walked with no expression, but one could see his pain with the scares he bared and the way he walked. He walked slowly down the steps, and paused. He looked up at the clear blue sky and the beautiful pine forest and snow that could be seen from above. Schala stopped and looked at him.
"What is it?" Schala asked him.
Han continued looking around and saw his friends staring at him.
"It's… so… beautiful out…" he said, shedding a tear or two.
Schala put an arm on his shoulder.
"She was a brave girl." She said with pure honesty.
Han looked back at Schala with sadness.
"Oh… wait… your pendent!" Han said, trying to take the pendant off.
"Han…" Schala said "Do not worry. Keep it. It is safe with you. Plus, Vern is dead."
Han looked back at her with a look.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure. You can be 'Holder of the Pendent'. I can trust you to guard it." She said.
Han nodded his head. They both continued marching down the steps. When they reached the bottom, everyone ran over to Han and Schala, asking a million questions at once.
* * *
Han sat at the dock of his new home. He sat there fishing, picking up where he left off before his adventure. He then remembered Carle's note, and pulled it out of his pocket and began to read.
Dear Han,
If you are reading this note, chances are, Vern is dead… as well as I. You may be asking yourself a million questions like why I didn't let you know about what was to happen to me. Let me just say I didn't want you to stop me. I had to kill Vern, it was the only way. You may think I don't love you because of it, and if you do think that, you are dead wrong! I love you, and that's why I did it. I couldn't last seeing you when you where hurt. Seeing you and the others being tortured by evil was too much for me, so I had to do something. I love you some much Han, which is why I gave my life for you… and the others.
Do me a favor. Tell Sullivan to continue using his head. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have seen things the way they were. Thank him for showing me the light and what to do in bad times.
Tell Rad to continue being himself. All those laughs we shared, all those troubles we went through. It was all priceless. If it where not for him, I would have forgotten what it was like to laugh!
Tell Jackie to keep looking at the moon and never to give up on Wolfus. Nothing can take away the sisterhood we had for each other, and nothing can take away the moment we shared under the moon.
Tell my father that I did what he would have done. That I love this world to much too actually watch it slowly die. And yes, tell him I get my bravery from his side of the family.
Well, I guess this leaves me with you. Thank you so much for sharing your love with me. Without you, I would have died before killing Vern. Remember to always stay who you are and believe in yourself. Please, do not waste any more tears on me. The sacrifice had to be made. You see Han, we are nothing. We are just life forms that live on this planet for little cause. We are only one in millions. Are universe is too big, and we life forms mean nothing to it. But that doesn't mean we should stop living our lives! We matter to someone or something on this planet. And Han, you meant something to me. Thank you for everything. I could not have imagined what life would have been like without meeting you. I love you.
Love,
Carle