Chapter XVII
----------------
"Magus has three top generals," said Frog while trekking though the Magic Cave. "The
only one I know personally is Ozzie, he was there that day ten years ago. But he is simple and
stupid."
"You mean sir blubber?"
Frog chirped. "Aye. The others are far more formidable. Flea is a expert mage, and
Slash is a master swordsmen. Be on ye.....oh my"
"What is it?" said Crono. Then he looked ahead of him. Dozens and Dozens of dead
soldiers laid before them. Crono recognized Guardia's banner of the Dragon and Porre's banner
of the Griffin among the bodies. Dead Mystics also were laid about.
Crono drew his saber and prepared to be ambushed. But the only creature around them
was a lone bat. Nothing happened.
"They are teasing us," said Frog. "They wish to face us personally. Let us not disappoint
them."
Frog led them to the exit of the cave. Crono gasped. A huge tower sat before them,
rising into the sky. And even though it was morning, the sky was dark and cloudy. Atop the
tower was a menacing statue of a dragon with the head of a wolf. It was a very eerie sight.
"Steel thy courage, Crono and Sir Knight. Tis be Magus' palace of sin. We enter from
the front entrance."
Robo forced open the huge front doors. It was very quiet inside, with only scattered
torches and candles light the interiors. Nothing moved but the flickering shadows on the walls.
Frog drew the Masamune, and Crono did the same. He could see Robo scanning the area.
They ascended a stairway. Right when they got to the top, a fat figure appeared from the
shadows. It was Ozzie.
"If it isn't sir froggy!" he said. "Eat any good bugs lately?"
"Bite thou tongue Ozzie. We seek your master."
Ozzie disappeared once more. "Good luck finding him then!"
Crono stood there confused for a moment, but Frog urged him on. They started to
explore the corridors, and soon they came to a large, empty room with a fireplace in the back.
"A dead end," said Crono. "Let's turn around." A bat flew overhead and landed on a
rafter on the ceiling.
"Not so fast," said a voice. They all turned around to see a figure of a man. The blue
skinned Mystic was wearing a loose fitting sort of armor, and floating about a foot of the ground.
"Sir Slush, I presume," said Frog, smiling.
"That's Slash, you animal. Always the comedian, eh Glenn?" His voice was very human
like, despite his appearance.
"As ye wish. Move aside."
"Nonsense, I have orders from Ozzie to slow you down."
"Because that is all you are capable of."
"Flea! Some assistance please?"
The bat near on the ceiling descended and, in a puff of smoke, turned into a woman.
"Let me guess," said Crono. "Flea the Mage?"
"You guessed it," said Flea.
Flea didn't look very threatening. Her fair face and her red hair braided into a ponytail
made her seem almost innocent. In fact, she would have looked human if it wasn't for her pointed
ears.
"Don't let her appearance fool you, Crono. She is a skilled mage."
"She!" cried Flea. "Hey, I'm a guy!"
"Impossible," corrected Robo. "The exterior of that body is clearly female."
"Male, female? What's the difference?! Beauty is power, and I've got the power," Flea
laughed.
The two floated in the air near the ceiling and started circling them from above.
"You know, Flea? I really despise these humans."
"Me too. It's best that Lord Magus is going to dispose of them soon."
Crono pointed out her faults. "If you despise humans, and you can change forms, then
why to you disguise yourself like one?"
"Lord Magus seems to like it, but now is not the time. Slash, take care of him."
Slash dropped to the ground. "With pleasure!" Robo and Frog were thrown into the wall
and pinned there when Flea raised her, or his, arms. They struggled to get free with no avail.
Slash drew a dueling sword.
"Engaurd," he said. Crono leapt forward and knocked the sword out of his hands. Crono
was thrown back. The sword returned to Slash's hand.
"No! Not like that! A proper duel."
Crono imitated Slash with one arm outstretched and the other raised behind him.
"Very good. Now, begin!"
Slash trusted his sword toward Crono, but he easily blocked it. He knew Slash was above
a joust, but Crono was sure he was just testing him. Slash's parries became more intense, and
Crono soon had to use both hands to keep up. The swordsmen flipped Crono's saber from his
hands and he fell to the ground. Slash placed the tip of his blade on Crono's neck.
"Stupid human."
Crono instantly sent a surge of lightning though the blade, and Slash was knocked back.
"Ahhh!" he said with delight. "How extremely rare! The force is strong with this one!
This human knows magic!"
"Splendid!" cried Flea. "My turn."
Frog and Robo dropped from their invisible chains.
"You, the one in the armor. I choose you!"
Frog again was pinned to the wall, and Crono followed. Flea examined Robo.
"Hey, your not alive, are you?"
"Correct."
"Very well. I feel nothing in you, but I'll test you anyway! I have another plan for you"
Crono felt his head tingle as Flea stared in his direction.
Flea disappeared in another puff of smoke. When he reappeared, Lucca was in her place.
"Lucca?" Robo said. "But you are not Lucca."
Flea, as Lucca, plead with Robo. "We have to leave here Robo! Come on!"
"You are not Lucca. You are Flea."
"Then, hit me."
Robo raised his arms, but then slowly lowered them.
Crono cried out. "It's not Lucca, Robo!"
Lucca looked at Robo. A tear appeared beneath her eye. "Please don't kill me, Robo."
"She's not really Lucca!"
Crono was a bit surprised. Robo was a machine. He though machines were incapable of
emotion. The he remembered what Robo told Lucca when he was repairing him. Was Robo
really having trouble releasing that wasn't really Lucca? Was he emotional about attacking
something that looked like her?
Frog helped out. "Golden Knight! Tis not Lady Lucca!"
Robo raised his fist again and hit Lucca hard enough too break a normal persons skull.
When she landed on the ground, she was Flea once more.
"This is fun," laughed Flea, seemingly unhurt.
"Indeed! For our next trick, we'll make a warty frog turn into a dish rag!"
Crono and Frog dropped to the floor. Frog quickly hopped toward the pair and attacked.
Both of them disappeared before the Masamune hit. Slash and Flea didn't reappear.
"Cowards," said Frog. "Let us find Magus, Sir Crono."
***
Frog blocked the mighty Mystic's axe blow. The Masamune was a blur as it impaled the
creature's chest. Crono was doing good as well, he was getting the hang of this magic. With a single
burst of energy, he was able to take out several of monsters at a time. Another in a long line of
battles was over within a minute. The remaining Mystic scurried into the darkness.
"I do not know were thou learnt magic, Sir Crono, but it is help us greatly," said Frog.
Crono knelt down. "Yeah, but it takes a lot out of you."
"I can imagine. I suggest you not use it until needed. You too, Golden Knight."
Robo blinked. "But I do not require....oh yes, of course."
They found themselves near the center of Magus' Lair, and a long stairway was beckoning
them.
"I trust these stairs lead to Magus," stated Frog. "Our greatest trial is neigh."
The three climbed the stairway, but the door at the top was locked. Robo forced the door
open.
"Boo!" screamed a voice. The face of Slash began laughing uncontrollably. He stopped when
he realized Robo wasn't effected at all by the scare. "Drats." He, along with Flea behind him, began
to advance. The three were forced down the stairway. Slash drew is sword.
"We may have been fooling around before, but we cannot let you disturb Magus while Lavos
arrives," he said.
"Ozzie had made it very clear," said Flea, cracking his knuckles.
"Why do ye take thine orders from such a simpleton."
"He has his moments, when he's not busy eating." Both of them laughed.
"What be this Lavos?"
"Never you mind, froggy. Now, let's do this!"
Flea raised his arms and suddenly, the stairway turned into a large, black void. "Our battle
field," he said.
Slash charged Frog, while Flea used his magic to create energy burst toward Crono and Robo.
Crono felt confused when the burst hit him. Everything got blurry within seconds. He felt a pain in
his chest as more bursts connected with him. Within a moment, he was back to normal, and sent a
lightning bolt toward Flea. Frog was also having trouble, with Slash. He told Robo to take care of
Flea while he aided Frog.
The duel became two to one when Crono joined in, but Slash was skilled enough to handle
them both. The swordsmen jumped into the air and his sword glowed red with Flea's magical fire.
When it hit the "ground", both Frog and Crono were knocked back. Frog charged, but was brought
down by a swift kick by Slash. The blue swordsman began to laugh.
"Frog, both of us strike...NOW!"
Crono with his lighting and Frog with the Masamune charged at Slash, and both stuck him
at exactly the same instant. He was thrown back, and for the moment, knocked out. Crono turned
to Flea. Robo had the confused mage in a head lock. He managed to break free, and with a sudden
thrust of his arms, Robo was tossed in the air, and landed with a large bang. Flea then realized that
Slash was injured. He flew over to him and grabbed his head. He slapped Slash's face. "Wake up
you weak fool!" Nothing happened.
"I hope Lord Magus noticed the cookies I baked for him..." said Slash, confused.
"I'll let Lord Magus deal with you cretins!" They both disappeared, and the black battlefield
turned back into the stairway.
The doorway to Magus was open, and only a single room separated them from the dark
wizard.
"Here I come Magus," said Frog in a low voice. "Prepare thyself." And he marched into the
doorway.
Chapter XVIII
------------------
The blubbering Ozzie was standing in the middle of the room.
"Not so fast," he commanded.
"Out of the way, ye walking pile of whale blubber," said Frog. "You cannot overpower us."
"Oh yeah! Slash, Flea! Attack!" Nothing happned.
"They ran away in fright," said Frog. "I suggest you do the same."
Frog drew the Masamune, Crono his saber, and Robo raised his fist. Frog took his free hand
and motioned Ozzie toward him. "Bringth."
Ozzie began to tremble. "Ozzie's...in a pickle! See ya!" The fat Mystic vanished.
"Crono, we have wasted enough time with these rejects. To Magus!"
Frog quickly began to hop to the next room. Crono and Robo followed. After a seemingly
endless series of stairs, they came to another room. It was pitch black, aside for two single torches
near the back of the room. A strange chanting was heard near the back of the room. The three
slowly began to walk into the darkness. When they did, touches lit around them, as if by magic and
force of will. The fire circled around them, and the entire room lit up.
A large statue of a unholy figure could be seen with a altar at its base. Near the altar was a
caped man with flowing, silver blue hair with his arms raised. His back was turned, and didn't seem
to notice. The chanting continued.
Frog drew the Masamune. "Magus!"
"The dark winds howl...." The man turned around, showing his face. His skin was nearly pale
white, his ears pointed, and his eyes red and black. "Ahhh...So, you made it this far," Magus said.
"It's been a long time, Glenn. Ah, kiss any princesses lately? How's Cyrus....oh yes...I forgot," he
smiled.
"Hold thy tongue Magus. I have come to settle this."
"Ahhh...the Masamune. I bet your dying to use it. Who are your friends?"
"Enough Magus! Desist, and face us. Mine vengeance, I impart onto thee."
Magus sighed. "If I must, then I must. Lavos can wait." Magus coved his face with his cape.
"If it is your wish to perish, then prepare yourself for the void!"
A deadly scythe appeared in Magus' hands. Frog was the first to strike, and the two
exchanged blows. Magus raised a hand and lightning covered Frogs body. Crono and Robo joined
knowing he was overpowered by himself.
Magus fought with the speed and power of three men. Each blow was blocked followed by
another delivered by him. Magic filled the room as ice and fire appeared from nowhere, and everyone
was forced to the back of the room. Magus laughed, and continued his chanting. Crono tried to
attack then, but a magic barrier was blocking him. He charged his saber with magic and slammed it
against the wall, which shattered like glass. Frog promptly ran past Crono to continue his personal
fight.
"I cannot be beaten little toad. My powers are too great."
"Frog, not a toad. I rather like this new form. And I oweth it all to you! RUBBA!"
His hand raised and Frog was hit with a ball of black energy. But the noble swordsmen got
right back up, and leapt into the air. In a split second reaction, Crono sent a stream of lighting into
the Masamune. Magus darted out of the way, the Masamune stuck the demon statue, causing it to
crumble.
"No!" shouted Magus. "You fools!"
The room began to shake. Magus hurried back over to the altar. "C`mon Lavos, don't wake
up on me now."
"What do you mean! You didn't create Lavos!" yelled Crono. Frog remained still.
"Of course not, you little brat! I didn't create him, I just awoke him! Lavos sleeps near the
Earth's core growing ever stronger, and your attacks brought him to me prematurely!"
Crono felt like something really bad was about to happen.
"Stop this at once Magus! It is but a distraction to the true battle!"
Right then, the entire room began to loose shape. Everything warped in shape and turned
sickly blue color. A gaping black hole appeared in the center of the room and the whole room began
to swirl around the vortex.
"Master Crono. I believe it is a Gate."
"A very large Gate. Let's get out of here!"
Magus was chanting up a storm near the altar, but to now avail. All four of them were lifted
off the ground. They were thrown around the room like they were in a twister, getting closer to the
center of the Gate. Within seconds they, the room, everything was sucked into the gate, and all went
black.
***
"Crono!" cried a female voice. "Wake up Crono!"
Crono tossed and turned in his bed. He opened his eyes to see Marle hovering above him.
He closed his eyes again.
"Get up Crono. You can't mooch of my father forever! You need to get a job! Get up! Get
up! Crono! Crono! Crono! Crono!!" He felt his head slam against the bed. And again, hard.
"Crono! Crono! Crono!"
He opened his eyes again to see Ayla.
"Ahhhh!" she shouted, startled.
Ayla stopped shaking him. "Crono wake. Good."
Crono got up...a dream... He stood up. Robo was lying on the ground, deactivated. Frog
was also knocked out, laying in a large pot. Crono rushed over to Frog.
"Dinner," said Ayla.
"No! Not dinner! That's my friend!" Crono lifted Frog from the pot, and he awoke when
his feet touched the ground.
"Sir Crono. What has happened?"
Ayla's eyes widened. "Food speak!"
Frog turned to the cave woman. "P-parish the thought lass!" He looked around. "Where
be the blue haired one? We must find him, Sir Crono!"
Frog hopped out of the hut, but stopped when he got outside. "Crono...where be we?"
Ayla followed. "Ayla found Crono by Mystic Mountain. Bring here."
"Was there anybody else?" asked Crono. "Anyone with blue hair?" Ayla grunted and shook
her head.
Frog was wandering around, dazed. The tribesmen were looking oddly at him. Crono then
remembered about Marle and Lucca. They were at the End of Time with the Gate Key! He hoped
the Old Man told them they we're here. As if by magic, the two girls came rushing into the village,
Gate Key in hand.
"Marle! Lucca!"
Marle hugged Crono, and Lucca hurried to the hut where Robo was.
"I saw what happened, Crono! Lavos created that Gate!"
"I know... Magus didn't create him, Lavos isn't from that time."
Marle turned to Frog, who was fending off a youngster with stick.
"Back! Back I say!"
"Frog!" cried Marle.
Frog turned to Marle. "Queen Leene?! No, tis you Lady Marle." A child poked Frog in the
rear. He let out a humorous ribbit in exclamation. Frog took the child's stick and snapped it in two.
The little cave kid ran away.
Marle walked to Frog and handed him a small, round, blue object. "A present from Spekkio,
the Master of War!"
"Spekkio? What is this? Where are we?"
The blue object glowed and a blue light, which sprang from the object, circled him three times.
Then, without warning, gallons of water dropped onto Frog. Marle giggled. Crono noticed Lucca
and Robo emerging from the hut while he reassured the drenched frog.
"We have a lot to talk about, my amphibian friend," Crono said.
"Aye..." said Frog as he sighed. "Aye...."
***
"Ye gods!" said Frog with disbelief. "This being Lavos will destroy mankind in the far future?
It too much to bare, Crono. But I understand you not telling be before."
"So, are you in?" said Crono, hopefully.
Frog paused. "Tis not my fight, Crono. I must head back and protect the Queen."
Crono sighed. "You know Frog, I'm disappointed in you. A noble man like yourself refuses
to save the world."
"It is a impossible task, and one I am not willing partake. I am sorry, Crono. I must return
and protect the Queen."
"Then protect her legacy!" Crono pointed to Marle, who was eating with Ayla and the others.
Frog stared at Marle. "It is, overwhelming, Crono." Frog then took out the Masamune.
"And, you are right. Tis mine duty as a noblemen to protect and serve. I will fight along side ye."
"I'm glad."
"Crono, I mean not to obsess about this, but Magus might be in hiding in this time. I suggest
we search for...."
A tribesman rushed into the meeting circle. "Luruba Village on fire! Ayla! Hurry!"
Ayla bolted up, and darted out of the area. Lucca ran to Crono.
"Luruba is a hidden village in the jungle. Ayla said they're weak because they hide from the
Reptites."
"Let's go see!"
Crono and Lucca followed Ayla. A moment later they came to a large, scorched field.
Dozens of tribesmen were scattered about staring at their destroyed homes. Two toed footprints
covered the ground.
"Reptite's raided the village..." Crono said softly.
Ayla was seen near one of the larger burnt huts, talking to a old man with a feathered head
dress. Crono eyes widened a little, he looked like the Chancellor!
"Why not fight!" yelled Ayla.
"Reptites strong."
Crono sighed. Another conversation without first person....
"Ayla strong. Ayla fight! Ayla fight until dead. Old man alive, but dead inside."
"Reptites took Lubura people! Lubura do not fight!"
"Ayla go fight. Ayla strong. Lubura weak."
For once, Ayla walked away, most likely to let the Village Chief remember what she just said.
Ayla walked by Crono and Lucca.
"Azala took Kino. Kino tried to fight," said the Chief, raising his voice.
"Took Kino!" Her eyes widened and she looked worried. "No! Kino weak...Ayla find
Kino." she said, almost forcefully. "Get Azala for taking Kino...." she said under her breath. She
turned to Crono.
"Crono come, you strong. Lucca come too, strong head!" And she darted off.
The others were waiting nearby when they ran past. Crono yelled to them to follow. Ayla
lead them to a large cliff face over looking the ocean.
"Ayla, where are we going?" Asked Crono.
"Tyrano Castle. Fly on Dactyl."
Ayla put her hands to her mouth and made a bizarre screech. A moment later, three large,
winged lizards appeared in the sky and landed.
"Crono and Lucca come," said Ayla.
"What about us?" said Marle.
Crono turned to them. "Come with us, in case something happens."
Marle nodded. "Okay."
Ayla was already mounted on one of the reptiles, and Crono climbed on behind her. Lucca
and Robo took the other, and Marle and Frog the last.
"Crono!" said Frog, mounting the flying reptile. "I shall take Lady Marle and Robo to the
outskirts of the castle. It would be foolish for six of us to enter there. If I sense danger, we shall aid
you. I believe Magus is near!"
Crono hoped he was wrong.
The three Dactyls flew into the air. With lightning speed, they were off. They flew for a short
while over the large ocean. Crono looked up in the sky. Despite the daylight, a single star could be
seen. Wait a minute...that star is bright red....
"Ayla! When did that star first appear?" Crono yelled.
"Last moon!"
Crono felt a chill run down his spine. There was something about that star... Moments later,
a large structure could be seen in the distance. Tyrano Castle put Guardia Castle to shame. It was
enormous, much taller than Guardia's. They landed by the outskirts. As Frog promised, he took
Marle and Robo away to a cliff over looking the castle. Ayla told them they would meet them near
the highest tower. Robo said he would look out for them with his scanners.
Ayla, Crono and Lucca jumped from the Dactyl through a window of the castle. Not a
Reptite was seen.
"Lubura people near top," said Ayla.
Tyrano Castle was eerily calm and quiet. Crono had expected Reptites to be all over the
place, but all the halls were vacant. Ayla was looking around, nervously. They continued up
countless stairways and corridors until they arrived at a large dinosaur skull. Ayla forced the skull
open, revealing a door. Screams and yells were heard behind the passageway.
"Lubura people!" cried Ayla.
"Let go!" said Lucca. "The sooner we can leave this place the better."
Behind the door was a wide open space. A circular wall surrounded the field. Crono noticed
about two dozen tribesmen near the center of the circle. Kino was with them. Ayla ran toward
them, but Crono yelled to her.
"No Ayla! It's a trap!"
Primal screams were heard all around them, and dozens of Reptites popped their head from
behind the wall. Ayla froze. A Reptite wearing a cape climbed onto a small tower near the circle.
"AZALA!" yelled Ayla over the cheering crowd.
"Silence!" screamed Azala. The crowd grew silent. "Welcome, my dear apes."
"Azala let Lubura go!"
"It has been a long time since we had some entertainment. And you humans will provide it!"
The crowd roared.
Lucca squeezed Crono's hand.
"Let the games begin!" cried Azala. She lowered herself from the tower and walked toward
a door near the castle walls.
A gate opened, and a raging Nezbel came charging out. The Lubura people scattered. Ayla
instantly charged herself and leapt on the dinosaur's back. Crono and Lucca did the same. Lucca
drew her gun and fired at the beast, trying hard not to hit Ayla.
Crono knew what to do, but before he had a chance to use his lightning magic, Nezbel's side
rammed into to him. He landed near the edge of the wall, and a Reptite bent down and grabbed his
shirt, but he was able to brake free. Ayla and Lucca's attacks didn't seem to be working. The
scattered Lubura people once again huddled together, but Kino strayed from them.
"Ayla!" yelled Kino. "Get Reptite!"
Crono hurried to Lucca's side.
"This isn't working!" she yelled. "His hide is thicker than your head, Crono!"
Crono didn't reply to that remark. "I'll use my magic."
"No, wait!" Lucca raised her arms, and flames appeared around her body. That caught
Nezbel's attention. The horned dinosaur charged Lucca, knocking Ayla off. Crono ran out of the
way, but Lucca stood her ground.
"Lucca move!"
"Hold on..." Nezbel was coming up fast. "And...NOW!"
Lucca rolled out of the way just when Nezbel was about to ram her. Nezbel tried to turn, but
he tripped over his footing. A landed on the ground and broke the outlaying wall. Reptites quickly
ran out off the way. Nezbel slammed into the Castle wall. The Lubura people took the opportunity
and escaped into the Castle, racing toward the exit before the confused Reptites knew they were
gone.
Crono looked at Lucca. "Wow. That was awesome!"
Lucca shifted her glasses and smiled. "Didn't think I had it in me, eh Crono?"
Ayla was already running to the door where Azala exited through. Crono and Lucca
followed, but he didn't like what he saw.
Chapter XIX
----------------
Azala held Marle high in the air, pinning her arms to her side. Robo stood with fist raised, and
Frog was hung on the wall on a spike by his cape, Masamune on the ground.
"Master Crono! Azala has Marle hostage!"
Azala dropped Marle, who after a little effort to get to her feet, ran to Crono side.
"Foolish humans," said Azala in a surprisingly mellow tone. She sat in a large throne in the
center. "Why must you taint this planet with your kind."
Azala stood once again and paced around the small room, her tail waving back and forth.
"You will just destroy it, then be destroyed yourselves in the prime of your civilization. I have seen
it. Life is not worth living, it seems, when your future is set and cannot be changed."
"Our future is ours to make," said Crono. "No one can change that, not even you."
"Really? I believe I have a solution, and it is on its way."
A roar echoed outside.
"You hear that? You and he are about to become the best of friends. Follow me, if you are
more than mere apes."
Azala jumped over the throne and ran outside onto a bridge with lightning speed. Crono and
Robo followed. Marle and Lucca tried desperately to get Frog down from the wall.
At the end of the bridge, which lead to another hallway, Azala perched on a ledge
overlooking the endless ocean. Crono noticed she was staring at the red star, which was much bigger
then the last time he saw it.
"Red Star...Stain the earth...RED!" She turned to four. "It might be our time to parish, but
at least I will take you apes with me. Since I hatched long ago, I have been tortured by that red star.
Tortured by the visions of this planet's end." She looked back at the star.
"It was you..." said Lucca. "You summoned it here...."
Azala leapt down from the ledge. "With unforeseen circumstances. This being will land at
this very spot. A small price to pay to see this planet's future secure from the dirty ways of the ape."
Another roar was heard, and the ground began to shake.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." said Crono.
The ground shook harder and harder. The doorway crumbled as an enormous dinosaur
crashed though it. It's skin was charcoal black, and it's jaws were massive.
"Black Tyrano," ordered Azala, and pointed to the humans. "Devour them."
The Tyrano roared, which shook the air, and took a mighty step ahead. Ayla, as strange as
it seemed, backed away. Crono wasn't stupid, and did the same. The area became a playground for
the beast as it tried to feast. Luckily, the Tyrano wasn't that fast, and had a hard time keeping up.
But Crono and the others never had the chance to do anything. The beast snapped its jaws, grabbing
Robo. Its head began to shake violently. But the combat drone set loose a boat of electricity, and
the Tyrano dropped him, nearly unharmed. The roaring beast continued to make a meal out of the
attackers, but could not focus on them all.
The Tyrano was aggravated... the beast was hungry. Crono knew he had to slow this thing
down. But he thing was to fast to concentrate on gathering up lightning magic.
"Blast," said Azala, who was again on the ledge. She raised her arms and wind began to blow
around her, her cape flowing in the air. Jagged rocks jetted from the stone floor, knocking all of them
to the floor. The Tyrano knocked down Crono with it head as he got back up. Its wide laws opened,
and it bent down for the kill.
Just when it was about to strike, a jet of water slammed into its side. Crono looked back to
see Frog, minus his cape, sending wave and wave of water toward the beast. Marle then raised her
hand, and cold winds blew from her direction. The drenched Tyrano began to freeze over. Its
motions were slowed drastically. Crono scampered out of the way.
"Frog! Implae the Masamune into the Tyrano!"
Frog nodded and leapt into the air and landed on the momentarily frozen back of the Tyrano
Both hands on the hilt, Frog broke the ice with his bade and implanted it into the beast's back.
"Out of the way!" cried Crono as he gathered magic in him limbs. Frog hopped off right as
Crono sent a serge of lightning strait at the Masamune. The Tyrano shook violently as it was being
electrocuted combined with the Masamunes power, but after the attack, was still breathing.... barely.
It was only a mater of time before it came to.
Azala roared. "I shall handle you apes myself!" She licked her scaly lips.
Suddenly, the bridge exploded behind them. Meteorites began to fall all around. One landed
right next to the ledge Azala was set on, and it crumbled to the ground in a fiery explosion. The
Tyrano was knocked off the platform in the process. Crono looked up. The Red Star was now the
size of the moon.
"Lavos..." whispered Ayla.
"What? How'd you know that?"
"Ayla's word. 'La' means big, 'Vos' means fire. Lavos."
More and more meteors showered from he sky, several Dactyls appeared. They landed, and
Kino was on the lead reptile. "Come!" Lavos was getting bigger.
Crono and the others all got on a Dactyl, and flew off. Crono saddled up by Kino. Ayla
stalled. Azala pulled herself from the ruins.
"Ayla...." the Reptite said, "tell, your...people...the Reptites went out fighting...."
"Azala strong...." She got on the Dactyl and reached out her hand. "Azala come with Ayla!"
"No.... It is our time to perish."
"No! Come!"
Kino looked panicked. "Ayla hurry! Big noise come!"
"Come Azala!"
"Remember this, human...."
"What?"
"The future, both of our futures..."
"What in future?!"
Azala looked up, her large, yellow eyes glowing, reflecting the chaos around her. "We have
no future." Azala stood up and raised her arms and welcomed the falling red star.
Ayla's arm slowly lowered as they lifted off. "AZALA!"
Crono didn't look back as he heard a tremendous explosion behind him. He felt the heat
overwhelming him, but somehow, the flying reptiles escaped it. When he did look back, all he saw
was a deep, vast crater. Lavos had already plunged deep underground.
***
"Lavos has buried several fathoms under the earth, Sir Crono!" cried Frog. Crono stared
down the crater the space born being had made.
"He might be weak from the fall," said Lucca. "We need to go down."
"It seems Azala's plan failed..." said Crono.
They all started down, but Ayla began the other direction.
"Ayla!" yelled Marle. "Come with us!"
Ayla and Kino stood by the Dactyl, talking. Kino looked very happy she was okay.
"Let her go," said Crono, grabbing her shoulder. "She can catch up if she wants to come."
The bottom of the crater was empty, except for a single Gate hovering in the air.
"We're too late," said Lucca, disappointed. "Lavos is gone."
"He left a present..." said Crono. He stood by the Gate. No vision of the End of Time
appeared. "It leads somewhere other than the End of Time. I can feel it."
"Perhaps it was created when Lavos struck the earth," said Robo. "It could be linked to
something very, very important."
Ayla appeared from behind. "Crono find Lavos?"
Frog looked at Ayla, then at Crono. "Sir Crono? Is it wise to bring such a primitives human
with us?" He whispered.
"She'll be fine Frog. Don't worry."
Marle held her pendant up to the Gate, and it opened. Ayla stared at it with confusion.
"Lavos made this. We need to kill Lavos," he explained to her, slowly.
"Lavos in there!?" Ayla ran into the Gate alone.
Crono slapped his face. "Great."
"Follow her!" cried Marle.
They all entered the Gate, and it closed around them. A moment later they arrived at their
destination: a cave.
"Ayla!" Crono called. No answer. "We need to find her."
Crono ran to the exit of the cave and was greeted by a blast of cold air. All around him and
as far as he could see was snow and ice. The others caught up. Crono wrapped his arms around
himself.
"Judging from the climate, I can conclude this is the ice age," stated Robo.
"Ya think!" cried Lucca. "It's freezing!"
Crono looked around. "Over there!" He pointed to a structure off in the distance. They
began their walk across the frigid land. They walked around Robo, who was generating heat, but it
was still very cold. They all protected their face from the howling winds.
The trek seemed to have taken hours, but they made it to the small structure, and it wasn't
what Crono had expected.
"Robo...What year is this."
"I cannot be exact on the date, but it is the Ice Age, around 12000 BC."
"Then explain this building."
"I'm afraid I cannot."
As they walked into the structure, a blast of warm air swirled around them. The inside of the
building was beautiful, and the architecture was amazing. Not even Guardia Castle looked like this.
Stain glass windows covered the walls, and a round platform sat in the middle. Crono saw wet
footprints leading to the platform.
"Ayla was here, let's go," said Crono.
He stood on the platform, and it began to glow. Blue light appeared around him, and he rose
from the ground, and disappeared into the light. He arrived in a similar building. He waited for the
others to arrive, and they exited out to the open.
Crono was amazed by countless things during his adventure: the first trip though the Gate,
seeing AD 600, the bleak future, Tyrano Castle; but this beat them all my a mile. In front of him was
a floating island among the clouds. A palace was built into the peak of the mountain, and a large city
sprawled along the base below it. Lush waterfalls sprang out of the mountain and formed rivers on
the floating island, which when reaching the edge of the land, fell into the clouds below. It was an
awe-inspiring sight.
"Fascinating," remarked Frog. "A city among the clouds. I have ne'er seen such a sight."
They started down a lonely, dirt road to the city. When they arrived, they were greeted
warmly by a woman in a red robe.
"Welcome to Kajar."
"Hello..." said Crono.
"Are you from Enhasa? I've never seen you before."
"That's right. Could you tell me..."
A loud noise began to emanate from within the city. Crono saw a large blue creature run by
in the distance being chased by woman running on all fours, followed by a group of people.
"It's Ayla!" cried Lucca.
"You guys find out all you can about this place. Me and Robo will catch Ayla."
Crono and Robo ran into the city and onto the street where he saw Ayla go. The cave woman
was cornered by a group of men; the blue thing was gone.
"What's going on here?" Crono asked.
"This woman is harassing the sacred Nu! We must contain her," said one of the men. A
round creature, who was mostly face, showed itself from the group of men
"Nu?" it said.
"No no, I know her. She's harmless."
Ayla kicked a guard in the gut when he advanced. Crono showed himself to her.
"Crono!" she cried. Ayla calmed down a little. "Where is here?"
"Move aside, move aside," said another voice. A man with long brown hair and an eye-patch
pushed the guards out of the way.
"Captain Dalton!" said a guard, and he stood up strait. "Sir!"
Dalton walked right past Robo to Ayla. "Well well well!" he said in a giddy tone, "what have
we here? May have to arrest you for indecent exposure!"
Ayla raised her fist, but Crono stopped her.
"Who are you, boy?"
"Crono."
"And you?" He said, turning to Robo.
"I am Robo, human cyborg re...."
Dalton gave a goofy smirk. "And who are you, pretty lady?"
Ayla grunted.
Crono spoke up. "We're sorry about this. She's just...nervous. She's not from around here"
"Of course. She doesn't belong here. Take her back below where she belongs then, back to
the village. I'll be watching you," he turned around and began to walk away. "A walking
machine...just like the prophet said...oh well," said Dalton, under his breath. The guards followed.
The round Nu wobbled away with him.
"Master Crono. I shall take Ayla to the End of Time until she calms down."
"Yeah. Okay Robo, that's a good idea."
Robo took Ayla's arm, who instantly tried to break away. Robo forced her back to the warp
structure, squirming and kicking the entire time.
----------------
"Magus has three top generals," said Frog while trekking though the Magic Cave. "The
only one I know personally is Ozzie, he was there that day ten years ago. But he is simple and
stupid."
"You mean sir blubber?"
Frog chirped. "Aye. The others are far more formidable. Flea is a expert mage, and
Slash is a master swordsmen. Be on ye.....oh my"
"What is it?" said Crono. Then he looked ahead of him. Dozens and Dozens of dead
soldiers laid before them. Crono recognized Guardia's banner of the Dragon and Porre's banner
of the Griffin among the bodies. Dead Mystics also were laid about.
Crono drew his saber and prepared to be ambushed. But the only creature around them
was a lone bat. Nothing happened.
"They are teasing us," said Frog. "They wish to face us personally. Let us not disappoint
them."
Frog led them to the exit of the cave. Crono gasped. A huge tower sat before them,
rising into the sky. And even though it was morning, the sky was dark and cloudy. Atop the
tower was a menacing statue of a dragon with the head of a wolf. It was a very eerie sight.
"Steel thy courage, Crono and Sir Knight. Tis be Magus' palace of sin. We enter from
the front entrance."
Robo forced open the huge front doors. It was very quiet inside, with only scattered
torches and candles light the interiors. Nothing moved but the flickering shadows on the walls.
Frog drew the Masamune, and Crono did the same. He could see Robo scanning the area.
They ascended a stairway. Right when they got to the top, a fat figure appeared from the
shadows. It was Ozzie.
"If it isn't sir froggy!" he said. "Eat any good bugs lately?"
"Bite thou tongue Ozzie. We seek your master."
Ozzie disappeared once more. "Good luck finding him then!"
Crono stood there confused for a moment, but Frog urged him on. They started to
explore the corridors, and soon they came to a large, empty room with a fireplace in the back.
"A dead end," said Crono. "Let's turn around." A bat flew overhead and landed on a
rafter on the ceiling.
"Not so fast," said a voice. They all turned around to see a figure of a man. The blue
skinned Mystic was wearing a loose fitting sort of armor, and floating about a foot of the ground.
"Sir Slush, I presume," said Frog, smiling.
"That's Slash, you animal. Always the comedian, eh Glenn?" His voice was very human
like, despite his appearance.
"As ye wish. Move aside."
"Nonsense, I have orders from Ozzie to slow you down."
"Because that is all you are capable of."
"Flea! Some assistance please?"
The bat near on the ceiling descended and, in a puff of smoke, turned into a woman.
"Let me guess," said Crono. "Flea the Mage?"
"You guessed it," said Flea.
Flea didn't look very threatening. Her fair face and her red hair braided into a ponytail
made her seem almost innocent. In fact, she would have looked human if it wasn't for her pointed
ears.
"Don't let her appearance fool you, Crono. She is a skilled mage."
"She!" cried Flea. "Hey, I'm a guy!"
"Impossible," corrected Robo. "The exterior of that body is clearly female."
"Male, female? What's the difference?! Beauty is power, and I've got the power," Flea
laughed.
The two floated in the air near the ceiling and started circling them from above.
"You know, Flea? I really despise these humans."
"Me too. It's best that Lord Magus is going to dispose of them soon."
Crono pointed out her faults. "If you despise humans, and you can change forms, then
why to you disguise yourself like one?"
"Lord Magus seems to like it, but now is not the time. Slash, take care of him."
Slash dropped to the ground. "With pleasure!" Robo and Frog were thrown into the wall
and pinned there when Flea raised her, or his, arms. They struggled to get free with no avail.
Slash drew a dueling sword.
"Engaurd," he said. Crono leapt forward and knocked the sword out of his hands. Crono
was thrown back. The sword returned to Slash's hand.
"No! Not like that! A proper duel."
Crono imitated Slash with one arm outstretched and the other raised behind him.
"Very good. Now, begin!"
Slash trusted his sword toward Crono, but he easily blocked it. He knew Slash was above
a joust, but Crono was sure he was just testing him. Slash's parries became more intense, and
Crono soon had to use both hands to keep up. The swordsmen flipped Crono's saber from his
hands and he fell to the ground. Slash placed the tip of his blade on Crono's neck.
"Stupid human."
Crono instantly sent a surge of lightning though the blade, and Slash was knocked back.
"Ahhh!" he said with delight. "How extremely rare! The force is strong with this one!
This human knows magic!"
"Splendid!" cried Flea. "My turn."
Frog and Robo dropped from their invisible chains.
"You, the one in the armor. I choose you!"
Frog again was pinned to the wall, and Crono followed. Flea examined Robo.
"Hey, your not alive, are you?"
"Correct."
"Very well. I feel nothing in you, but I'll test you anyway! I have another plan for you"
Crono felt his head tingle as Flea stared in his direction.
Flea disappeared in another puff of smoke. When he reappeared, Lucca was in her place.
"Lucca?" Robo said. "But you are not Lucca."
Flea, as Lucca, plead with Robo. "We have to leave here Robo! Come on!"
"You are not Lucca. You are Flea."
"Then, hit me."
Robo raised his arms, but then slowly lowered them.
Crono cried out. "It's not Lucca, Robo!"
Lucca looked at Robo. A tear appeared beneath her eye. "Please don't kill me, Robo."
"She's not really Lucca!"
Crono was a bit surprised. Robo was a machine. He though machines were incapable of
emotion. The he remembered what Robo told Lucca when he was repairing him. Was Robo
really having trouble releasing that wasn't really Lucca? Was he emotional about attacking
something that looked like her?
Frog helped out. "Golden Knight! Tis not Lady Lucca!"
Robo raised his fist again and hit Lucca hard enough too break a normal persons skull.
When she landed on the ground, she was Flea once more.
"This is fun," laughed Flea, seemingly unhurt.
"Indeed! For our next trick, we'll make a warty frog turn into a dish rag!"
Crono and Frog dropped to the floor. Frog quickly hopped toward the pair and attacked.
Both of them disappeared before the Masamune hit. Slash and Flea didn't reappear.
"Cowards," said Frog. "Let us find Magus, Sir Crono."
***
Frog blocked the mighty Mystic's axe blow. The Masamune was a blur as it impaled the
creature's chest. Crono was doing good as well, he was getting the hang of this magic. With a single
burst of energy, he was able to take out several of monsters at a time. Another in a long line of
battles was over within a minute. The remaining Mystic scurried into the darkness.
"I do not know were thou learnt magic, Sir Crono, but it is help us greatly," said Frog.
Crono knelt down. "Yeah, but it takes a lot out of you."
"I can imagine. I suggest you not use it until needed. You too, Golden Knight."
Robo blinked. "But I do not require....oh yes, of course."
They found themselves near the center of Magus' Lair, and a long stairway was beckoning
them.
"I trust these stairs lead to Magus," stated Frog. "Our greatest trial is neigh."
The three climbed the stairway, but the door at the top was locked. Robo forced the door
open.
"Boo!" screamed a voice. The face of Slash began laughing uncontrollably. He stopped when
he realized Robo wasn't effected at all by the scare. "Drats." He, along with Flea behind him, began
to advance. The three were forced down the stairway. Slash drew is sword.
"We may have been fooling around before, but we cannot let you disturb Magus while Lavos
arrives," he said.
"Ozzie had made it very clear," said Flea, cracking his knuckles.
"Why do ye take thine orders from such a simpleton."
"He has his moments, when he's not busy eating." Both of them laughed.
"What be this Lavos?"
"Never you mind, froggy. Now, let's do this!"
Flea raised his arms and suddenly, the stairway turned into a large, black void. "Our battle
field," he said.
Slash charged Frog, while Flea used his magic to create energy burst toward Crono and Robo.
Crono felt confused when the burst hit him. Everything got blurry within seconds. He felt a pain in
his chest as more bursts connected with him. Within a moment, he was back to normal, and sent a
lightning bolt toward Flea. Frog was also having trouble, with Slash. He told Robo to take care of
Flea while he aided Frog.
The duel became two to one when Crono joined in, but Slash was skilled enough to handle
them both. The swordsmen jumped into the air and his sword glowed red with Flea's magical fire.
When it hit the "ground", both Frog and Crono were knocked back. Frog charged, but was brought
down by a swift kick by Slash. The blue swordsman began to laugh.
"Frog, both of us strike...NOW!"
Crono with his lighting and Frog with the Masamune charged at Slash, and both stuck him
at exactly the same instant. He was thrown back, and for the moment, knocked out. Crono turned
to Flea. Robo had the confused mage in a head lock. He managed to break free, and with a sudden
thrust of his arms, Robo was tossed in the air, and landed with a large bang. Flea then realized that
Slash was injured. He flew over to him and grabbed his head. He slapped Slash's face. "Wake up
you weak fool!" Nothing happened.
"I hope Lord Magus noticed the cookies I baked for him..." said Slash, confused.
"I'll let Lord Magus deal with you cretins!" They both disappeared, and the black battlefield
turned back into the stairway.
The doorway to Magus was open, and only a single room separated them from the dark
wizard.
"Here I come Magus," said Frog in a low voice. "Prepare thyself." And he marched into the
doorway.
Chapter XVIII
------------------
The blubbering Ozzie was standing in the middle of the room.
"Not so fast," he commanded.
"Out of the way, ye walking pile of whale blubber," said Frog. "You cannot overpower us."
"Oh yeah! Slash, Flea! Attack!" Nothing happned.
"They ran away in fright," said Frog. "I suggest you do the same."
Frog drew the Masamune, Crono his saber, and Robo raised his fist. Frog took his free hand
and motioned Ozzie toward him. "Bringth."
Ozzie began to tremble. "Ozzie's...in a pickle! See ya!" The fat Mystic vanished.
"Crono, we have wasted enough time with these rejects. To Magus!"
Frog quickly began to hop to the next room. Crono and Robo followed. After a seemingly
endless series of stairs, they came to another room. It was pitch black, aside for two single torches
near the back of the room. A strange chanting was heard near the back of the room. The three
slowly began to walk into the darkness. When they did, touches lit around them, as if by magic and
force of will. The fire circled around them, and the entire room lit up.
A large statue of a unholy figure could be seen with a altar at its base. Near the altar was a
caped man with flowing, silver blue hair with his arms raised. His back was turned, and didn't seem
to notice. The chanting continued.
Frog drew the Masamune. "Magus!"
"The dark winds howl...." The man turned around, showing his face. His skin was nearly pale
white, his ears pointed, and his eyes red and black. "Ahhh...So, you made it this far," Magus said.
"It's been a long time, Glenn. Ah, kiss any princesses lately? How's Cyrus....oh yes...I forgot," he
smiled.
"Hold thy tongue Magus. I have come to settle this."
"Ahhh...the Masamune. I bet your dying to use it. Who are your friends?"
"Enough Magus! Desist, and face us. Mine vengeance, I impart onto thee."
Magus sighed. "If I must, then I must. Lavos can wait." Magus coved his face with his cape.
"If it is your wish to perish, then prepare yourself for the void!"
A deadly scythe appeared in Magus' hands. Frog was the first to strike, and the two
exchanged blows. Magus raised a hand and lightning covered Frogs body. Crono and Robo joined
knowing he was overpowered by himself.
Magus fought with the speed and power of three men. Each blow was blocked followed by
another delivered by him. Magic filled the room as ice and fire appeared from nowhere, and everyone
was forced to the back of the room. Magus laughed, and continued his chanting. Crono tried to
attack then, but a magic barrier was blocking him. He charged his saber with magic and slammed it
against the wall, which shattered like glass. Frog promptly ran past Crono to continue his personal
fight.
"I cannot be beaten little toad. My powers are too great."
"Frog, not a toad. I rather like this new form. And I oweth it all to you! RUBBA!"
His hand raised and Frog was hit with a ball of black energy. But the noble swordsmen got
right back up, and leapt into the air. In a split second reaction, Crono sent a stream of lighting into
the Masamune. Magus darted out of the way, the Masamune stuck the demon statue, causing it to
crumble.
"No!" shouted Magus. "You fools!"
The room began to shake. Magus hurried back over to the altar. "C`mon Lavos, don't wake
up on me now."
"What do you mean! You didn't create Lavos!" yelled Crono. Frog remained still.
"Of course not, you little brat! I didn't create him, I just awoke him! Lavos sleeps near the
Earth's core growing ever stronger, and your attacks brought him to me prematurely!"
Crono felt like something really bad was about to happen.
"Stop this at once Magus! It is but a distraction to the true battle!"
Right then, the entire room began to loose shape. Everything warped in shape and turned
sickly blue color. A gaping black hole appeared in the center of the room and the whole room began
to swirl around the vortex.
"Master Crono. I believe it is a Gate."
"A very large Gate. Let's get out of here!"
Magus was chanting up a storm near the altar, but to now avail. All four of them were lifted
off the ground. They were thrown around the room like they were in a twister, getting closer to the
center of the Gate. Within seconds they, the room, everything was sucked into the gate, and all went
black.
***
"Crono!" cried a female voice. "Wake up Crono!"
Crono tossed and turned in his bed. He opened his eyes to see Marle hovering above him.
He closed his eyes again.
"Get up Crono. You can't mooch of my father forever! You need to get a job! Get up! Get
up! Crono! Crono! Crono! Crono!!" He felt his head slam against the bed. And again, hard.
"Crono! Crono! Crono!"
He opened his eyes again to see Ayla.
"Ahhhh!" she shouted, startled.
Ayla stopped shaking him. "Crono wake. Good."
Crono got up...a dream... He stood up. Robo was lying on the ground, deactivated. Frog
was also knocked out, laying in a large pot. Crono rushed over to Frog.
"Dinner," said Ayla.
"No! Not dinner! That's my friend!" Crono lifted Frog from the pot, and he awoke when
his feet touched the ground.
"Sir Crono. What has happened?"
Ayla's eyes widened. "Food speak!"
Frog turned to the cave woman. "P-parish the thought lass!" He looked around. "Where
be the blue haired one? We must find him, Sir Crono!"
Frog hopped out of the hut, but stopped when he got outside. "Crono...where be we?"
Ayla followed. "Ayla found Crono by Mystic Mountain. Bring here."
"Was there anybody else?" asked Crono. "Anyone with blue hair?" Ayla grunted and shook
her head.
Frog was wandering around, dazed. The tribesmen were looking oddly at him. Crono then
remembered about Marle and Lucca. They were at the End of Time with the Gate Key! He hoped
the Old Man told them they we're here. As if by magic, the two girls came rushing into the village,
Gate Key in hand.
"Marle! Lucca!"
Marle hugged Crono, and Lucca hurried to the hut where Robo was.
"I saw what happened, Crono! Lavos created that Gate!"
"I know... Magus didn't create him, Lavos isn't from that time."
Marle turned to Frog, who was fending off a youngster with stick.
"Back! Back I say!"
"Frog!" cried Marle.
Frog turned to Marle. "Queen Leene?! No, tis you Lady Marle." A child poked Frog in the
rear. He let out a humorous ribbit in exclamation. Frog took the child's stick and snapped it in two.
The little cave kid ran away.
Marle walked to Frog and handed him a small, round, blue object. "A present from Spekkio,
the Master of War!"
"Spekkio? What is this? Where are we?"
The blue object glowed and a blue light, which sprang from the object, circled him three times.
Then, without warning, gallons of water dropped onto Frog. Marle giggled. Crono noticed Lucca
and Robo emerging from the hut while he reassured the drenched frog.
"We have a lot to talk about, my amphibian friend," Crono said.
"Aye..." said Frog as he sighed. "Aye...."
***
"Ye gods!" said Frog with disbelief. "This being Lavos will destroy mankind in the far future?
It too much to bare, Crono. But I understand you not telling be before."
"So, are you in?" said Crono, hopefully.
Frog paused. "Tis not my fight, Crono. I must head back and protect the Queen."
Crono sighed. "You know Frog, I'm disappointed in you. A noble man like yourself refuses
to save the world."
"It is a impossible task, and one I am not willing partake. I am sorry, Crono. I must return
and protect the Queen."
"Then protect her legacy!" Crono pointed to Marle, who was eating with Ayla and the others.
Frog stared at Marle. "It is, overwhelming, Crono." Frog then took out the Masamune.
"And, you are right. Tis mine duty as a noblemen to protect and serve. I will fight along side ye."
"I'm glad."
"Crono, I mean not to obsess about this, but Magus might be in hiding in this time. I suggest
we search for...."
A tribesman rushed into the meeting circle. "Luruba Village on fire! Ayla! Hurry!"
Ayla bolted up, and darted out of the area. Lucca ran to Crono.
"Luruba is a hidden village in the jungle. Ayla said they're weak because they hide from the
Reptites."
"Let's go see!"
Crono and Lucca followed Ayla. A moment later they came to a large, scorched field.
Dozens of tribesmen were scattered about staring at their destroyed homes. Two toed footprints
covered the ground.
"Reptite's raided the village..." Crono said softly.
Ayla was seen near one of the larger burnt huts, talking to a old man with a feathered head
dress. Crono eyes widened a little, he looked like the Chancellor!
"Why not fight!" yelled Ayla.
"Reptites strong."
Crono sighed. Another conversation without first person....
"Ayla strong. Ayla fight! Ayla fight until dead. Old man alive, but dead inside."
"Reptites took Lubura people! Lubura do not fight!"
"Ayla go fight. Ayla strong. Lubura weak."
For once, Ayla walked away, most likely to let the Village Chief remember what she just said.
Ayla walked by Crono and Lucca.
"Azala took Kino. Kino tried to fight," said the Chief, raising his voice.
"Took Kino!" Her eyes widened and she looked worried. "No! Kino weak...Ayla find
Kino." she said, almost forcefully. "Get Azala for taking Kino...." she said under her breath. She
turned to Crono.
"Crono come, you strong. Lucca come too, strong head!" And she darted off.
The others were waiting nearby when they ran past. Crono yelled to them to follow. Ayla
lead them to a large cliff face over looking the ocean.
"Ayla, where are we going?" Asked Crono.
"Tyrano Castle. Fly on Dactyl."
Ayla put her hands to her mouth and made a bizarre screech. A moment later, three large,
winged lizards appeared in the sky and landed.
"Crono and Lucca come," said Ayla.
"What about us?" said Marle.
Crono turned to them. "Come with us, in case something happens."
Marle nodded. "Okay."
Ayla was already mounted on one of the reptiles, and Crono climbed on behind her. Lucca
and Robo took the other, and Marle and Frog the last.
"Crono!" said Frog, mounting the flying reptile. "I shall take Lady Marle and Robo to the
outskirts of the castle. It would be foolish for six of us to enter there. If I sense danger, we shall aid
you. I believe Magus is near!"
Crono hoped he was wrong.
The three Dactyls flew into the air. With lightning speed, they were off. They flew for a short
while over the large ocean. Crono looked up in the sky. Despite the daylight, a single star could be
seen. Wait a minute...that star is bright red....
"Ayla! When did that star first appear?" Crono yelled.
"Last moon!"
Crono felt a chill run down his spine. There was something about that star... Moments later,
a large structure could be seen in the distance. Tyrano Castle put Guardia Castle to shame. It was
enormous, much taller than Guardia's. They landed by the outskirts. As Frog promised, he took
Marle and Robo away to a cliff over looking the castle. Ayla told them they would meet them near
the highest tower. Robo said he would look out for them with his scanners.
Ayla, Crono and Lucca jumped from the Dactyl through a window of the castle. Not a
Reptite was seen.
"Lubura people near top," said Ayla.
Tyrano Castle was eerily calm and quiet. Crono had expected Reptites to be all over the
place, but all the halls were vacant. Ayla was looking around, nervously. They continued up
countless stairways and corridors until they arrived at a large dinosaur skull. Ayla forced the skull
open, revealing a door. Screams and yells were heard behind the passageway.
"Lubura people!" cried Ayla.
"Let go!" said Lucca. "The sooner we can leave this place the better."
Behind the door was a wide open space. A circular wall surrounded the field. Crono noticed
about two dozen tribesmen near the center of the circle. Kino was with them. Ayla ran toward
them, but Crono yelled to her.
"No Ayla! It's a trap!"
Primal screams were heard all around them, and dozens of Reptites popped their head from
behind the wall. Ayla froze. A Reptite wearing a cape climbed onto a small tower near the circle.
"AZALA!" yelled Ayla over the cheering crowd.
"Silence!" screamed Azala. The crowd grew silent. "Welcome, my dear apes."
"Azala let Lubura go!"
"It has been a long time since we had some entertainment. And you humans will provide it!"
The crowd roared.
Lucca squeezed Crono's hand.
"Let the games begin!" cried Azala. She lowered herself from the tower and walked toward
a door near the castle walls.
A gate opened, and a raging Nezbel came charging out. The Lubura people scattered. Ayla
instantly charged herself and leapt on the dinosaur's back. Crono and Lucca did the same. Lucca
drew her gun and fired at the beast, trying hard not to hit Ayla.
Crono knew what to do, but before he had a chance to use his lightning magic, Nezbel's side
rammed into to him. He landed near the edge of the wall, and a Reptite bent down and grabbed his
shirt, but he was able to brake free. Ayla and Lucca's attacks didn't seem to be working. The
scattered Lubura people once again huddled together, but Kino strayed from them.
"Ayla!" yelled Kino. "Get Reptite!"
Crono hurried to Lucca's side.
"This isn't working!" she yelled. "His hide is thicker than your head, Crono!"
Crono didn't reply to that remark. "I'll use my magic."
"No, wait!" Lucca raised her arms, and flames appeared around her body. That caught
Nezbel's attention. The horned dinosaur charged Lucca, knocking Ayla off. Crono ran out of the
way, but Lucca stood her ground.
"Lucca move!"
"Hold on..." Nezbel was coming up fast. "And...NOW!"
Lucca rolled out of the way just when Nezbel was about to ram her. Nezbel tried to turn, but
he tripped over his footing. A landed on the ground and broke the outlaying wall. Reptites quickly
ran out off the way. Nezbel slammed into the Castle wall. The Lubura people took the opportunity
and escaped into the Castle, racing toward the exit before the confused Reptites knew they were
gone.
Crono looked at Lucca. "Wow. That was awesome!"
Lucca shifted her glasses and smiled. "Didn't think I had it in me, eh Crono?"
Ayla was already running to the door where Azala exited through. Crono and Lucca
followed, but he didn't like what he saw.
Chapter XIX
----------------
Azala held Marle high in the air, pinning her arms to her side. Robo stood with fist raised, and
Frog was hung on the wall on a spike by his cape, Masamune on the ground.
"Master Crono! Azala has Marle hostage!"
Azala dropped Marle, who after a little effort to get to her feet, ran to Crono side.
"Foolish humans," said Azala in a surprisingly mellow tone. She sat in a large throne in the
center. "Why must you taint this planet with your kind."
Azala stood once again and paced around the small room, her tail waving back and forth.
"You will just destroy it, then be destroyed yourselves in the prime of your civilization. I have seen
it. Life is not worth living, it seems, when your future is set and cannot be changed."
"Our future is ours to make," said Crono. "No one can change that, not even you."
"Really? I believe I have a solution, and it is on its way."
A roar echoed outside.
"You hear that? You and he are about to become the best of friends. Follow me, if you are
more than mere apes."
Azala jumped over the throne and ran outside onto a bridge with lightning speed. Crono and
Robo followed. Marle and Lucca tried desperately to get Frog down from the wall.
At the end of the bridge, which lead to another hallway, Azala perched on a ledge
overlooking the endless ocean. Crono noticed she was staring at the red star, which was much bigger
then the last time he saw it.
"Red Star...Stain the earth...RED!" She turned to four. "It might be our time to parish, but
at least I will take you apes with me. Since I hatched long ago, I have been tortured by that red star.
Tortured by the visions of this planet's end." She looked back at the star.
"It was you..." said Lucca. "You summoned it here...."
Azala leapt down from the ledge. "With unforeseen circumstances. This being will land at
this very spot. A small price to pay to see this planet's future secure from the dirty ways of the ape."
Another roar was heard, and the ground began to shake.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." said Crono.
The ground shook harder and harder. The doorway crumbled as an enormous dinosaur
crashed though it. It's skin was charcoal black, and it's jaws were massive.
"Black Tyrano," ordered Azala, and pointed to the humans. "Devour them."
The Tyrano roared, which shook the air, and took a mighty step ahead. Ayla, as strange as
it seemed, backed away. Crono wasn't stupid, and did the same. The area became a playground for
the beast as it tried to feast. Luckily, the Tyrano wasn't that fast, and had a hard time keeping up.
But Crono and the others never had the chance to do anything. The beast snapped its jaws, grabbing
Robo. Its head began to shake violently. But the combat drone set loose a boat of electricity, and
the Tyrano dropped him, nearly unharmed. The roaring beast continued to make a meal out of the
attackers, but could not focus on them all.
The Tyrano was aggravated... the beast was hungry. Crono knew he had to slow this thing
down. But he thing was to fast to concentrate on gathering up lightning magic.
"Blast," said Azala, who was again on the ledge. She raised her arms and wind began to blow
around her, her cape flowing in the air. Jagged rocks jetted from the stone floor, knocking all of them
to the floor. The Tyrano knocked down Crono with it head as he got back up. Its wide laws opened,
and it bent down for the kill.
Just when it was about to strike, a jet of water slammed into its side. Crono looked back to
see Frog, minus his cape, sending wave and wave of water toward the beast. Marle then raised her
hand, and cold winds blew from her direction. The drenched Tyrano began to freeze over. Its
motions were slowed drastically. Crono scampered out of the way.
"Frog! Implae the Masamune into the Tyrano!"
Frog nodded and leapt into the air and landed on the momentarily frozen back of the Tyrano
Both hands on the hilt, Frog broke the ice with his bade and implanted it into the beast's back.
"Out of the way!" cried Crono as he gathered magic in him limbs. Frog hopped off right as
Crono sent a serge of lightning strait at the Masamune. The Tyrano shook violently as it was being
electrocuted combined with the Masamunes power, but after the attack, was still breathing.... barely.
It was only a mater of time before it came to.
Azala roared. "I shall handle you apes myself!" She licked her scaly lips.
Suddenly, the bridge exploded behind them. Meteorites began to fall all around. One landed
right next to the ledge Azala was set on, and it crumbled to the ground in a fiery explosion. The
Tyrano was knocked off the platform in the process. Crono looked up. The Red Star was now the
size of the moon.
"Lavos..." whispered Ayla.
"What? How'd you know that?"
"Ayla's word. 'La' means big, 'Vos' means fire. Lavos."
More and more meteors showered from he sky, several Dactyls appeared. They landed, and
Kino was on the lead reptile. "Come!" Lavos was getting bigger.
Crono and the others all got on a Dactyl, and flew off. Crono saddled up by Kino. Ayla
stalled. Azala pulled herself from the ruins.
"Ayla...." the Reptite said, "tell, your...people...the Reptites went out fighting...."
"Azala strong...." She got on the Dactyl and reached out her hand. "Azala come with Ayla!"
"No.... It is our time to perish."
"No! Come!"
Kino looked panicked. "Ayla hurry! Big noise come!"
"Come Azala!"
"Remember this, human...."
"What?"
"The future, both of our futures..."
"What in future?!"
Azala looked up, her large, yellow eyes glowing, reflecting the chaos around her. "We have
no future." Azala stood up and raised her arms and welcomed the falling red star.
Ayla's arm slowly lowered as they lifted off. "AZALA!"
Crono didn't look back as he heard a tremendous explosion behind him. He felt the heat
overwhelming him, but somehow, the flying reptiles escaped it. When he did look back, all he saw
was a deep, vast crater. Lavos had already plunged deep underground.
***
"Lavos has buried several fathoms under the earth, Sir Crono!" cried Frog. Crono stared
down the crater the space born being had made.
"He might be weak from the fall," said Lucca. "We need to go down."
"It seems Azala's plan failed..." said Crono.
They all started down, but Ayla began the other direction.
"Ayla!" yelled Marle. "Come with us!"
Ayla and Kino stood by the Dactyl, talking. Kino looked very happy she was okay.
"Let her go," said Crono, grabbing her shoulder. "She can catch up if she wants to come."
The bottom of the crater was empty, except for a single Gate hovering in the air.
"We're too late," said Lucca, disappointed. "Lavos is gone."
"He left a present..." said Crono. He stood by the Gate. No vision of the End of Time
appeared. "It leads somewhere other than the End of Time. I can feel it."
"Perhaps it was created when Lavos struck the earth," said Robo. "It could be linked to
something very, very important."
Ayla appeared from behind. "Crono find Lavos?"
Frog looked at Ayla, then at Crono. "Sir Crono? Is it wise to bring such a primitives human
with us?" He whispered.
"She'll be fine Frog. Don't worry."
Marle held her pendant up to the Gate, and it opened. Ayla stared at it with confusion.
"Lavos made this. We need to kill Lavos," he explained to her, slowly.
"Lavos in there!?" Ayla ran into the Gate alone.
Crono slapped his face. "Great."
"Follow her!" cried Marle.
They all entered the Gate, and it closed around them. A moment later they arrived at their
destination: a cave.
"Ayla!" Crono called. No answer. "We need to find her."
Crono ran to the exit of the cave and was greeted by a blast of cold air. All around him and
as far as he could see was snow and ice. The others caught up. Crono wrapped his arms around
himself.
"Judging from the climate, I can conclude this is the ice age," stated Robo.
"Ya think!" cried Lucca. "It's freezing!"
Crono looked around. "Over there!" He pointed to a structure off in the distance. They
began their walk across the frigid land. They walked around Robo, who was generating heat, but it
was still very cold. They all protected their face from the howling winds.
The trek seemed to have taken hours, but they made it to the small structure, and it wasn't
what Crono had expected.
"Robo...What year is this."
"I cannot be exact on the date, but it is the Ice Age, around 12000 BC."
"Then explain this building."
"I'm afraid I cannot."
As they walked into the structure, a blast of warm air swirled around them. The inside of the
building was beautiful, and the architecture was amazing. Not even Guardia Castle looked like this.
Stain glass windows covered the walls, and a round platform sat in the middle. Crono saw wet
footprints leading to the platform.
"Ayla was here, let's go," said Crono.
He stood on the platform, and it began to glow. Blue light appeared around him, and he rose
from the ground, and disappeared into the light. He arrived in a similar building. He waited for the
others to arrive, and they exited out to the open.
Crono was amazed by countless things during his adventure: the first trip though the Gate,
seeing AD 600, the bleak future, Tyrano Castle; but this beat them all my a mile. In front of him was
a floating island among the clouds. A palace was built into the peak of the mountain, and a large city
sprawled along the base below it. Lush waterfalls sprang out of the mountain and formed rivers on
the floating island, which when reaching the edge of the land, fell into the clouds below. It was an
awe-inspiring sight.
"Fascinating," remarked Frog. "A city among the clouds. I have ne'er seen such a sight."
They started down a lonely, dirt road to the city. When they arrived, they were greeted
warmly by a woman in a red robe.
"Welcome to Kajar."
"Hello..." said Crono.
"Are you from Enhasa? I've never seen you before."
"That's right. Could you tell me..."
A loud noise began to emanate from within the city. Crono saw a large blue creature run by
in the distance being chased by woman running on all fours, followed by a group of people.
"It's Ayla!" cried Lucca.
"You guys find out all you can about this place. Me and Robo will catch Ayla."
Crono and Robo ran into the city and onto the street where he saw Ayla go. The cave woman
was cornered by a group of men; the blue thing was gone.
"What's going on here?" Crono asked.
"This woman is harassing the sacred Nu! We must contain her," said one of the men. A
round creature, who was mostly face, showed itself from the group of men
"Nu?" it said.
"No no, I know her. She's harmless."
Ayla kicked a guard in the gut when he advanced. Crono showed himself to her.
"Crono!" she cried. Ayla calmed down a little. "Where is here?"
"Move aside, move aside," said another voice. A man with long brown hair and an eye-patch
pushed the guards out of the way.
"Captain Dalton!" said a guard, and he stood up strait. "Sir!"
Dalton walked right past Robo to Ayla. "Well well well!" he said in a giddy tone, "what have
we here? May have to arrest you for indecent exposure!"
Ayla raised her fist, but Crono stopped her.
"Who are you, boy?"
"Crono."
"And you?" He said, turning to Robo.
"I am Robo, human cyborg re...."
Dalton gave a goofy smirk. "And who are you, pretty lady?"
Ayla grunted.
Crono spoke up. "We're sorry about this. She's just...nervous. She's not from around here"
"Of course. She doesn't belong here. Take her back below where she belongs then, back to
the village. I'll be watching you," he turned around and began to walk away. "A walking
machine...just like the prophet said...oh well," said Dalton, under his breath. The guards followed.
The round Nu wobbled away with him.
"Master Crono. I shall take Ayla to the End of Time until she calms down."
"Yeah. Okay Robo, that's a good idea."
Robo took Ayla's arm, who instantly tried to break away. Robo forced her back to the warp
structure, squirming and kicking the entire time.