Chapter XXV
------------------
It was almost dawn at the village, and most of the people were asleep. Marle smiled. The Earthbound and Enlightened ones were finally getting along, forgetting their differences. She felt something fuzzy brush across her feet. She looked down to see a cat rubbing against her leg.
"Aww..how cute," she petted the cat. "Hey, your Janus' cat." Marle looked around the camp. She couldn't find Janus. She was saddened to realize that he was in the Ocean Palace when Lavos struck.
"Poor little guy."
Marle bent down to pick up Alfador. The cat struggled to brake free. He hissed, and jumped to the ground. The cat ran off, away from the commons.
"Hey!"
Marle ran after Alfador. The cat sprinted to a cliff face far from the campground. He mowed, and walked to the edge of the cliff. The sun was about to rise, making the horizon a beautiful red. Why was he doing this? The Marle noticed a silhouette of a man near the cliff edge, long cape and hair flowing in the wind. The man bent down and petted the cat.
"Magus?"
The man didn't respond, he just gazed out into the sea. He pointed to a rock formation jutting from the water. But it wasn't a rock, it was the top of the sinking Zeal Palace.
"Behold. Everything's at the bottom of the sea. Gone is the magical kingdom of Zeal, and all the dreams and ambitions of its people."
"That's horrible."
"I once lived there. But I was a different person back then."
"Nonsense, thine heart has always been vile and black," said a voice from behind. "Princess Marle! Thou should not have run off."
Marle turned to see Frog. She sighed. Frog still thought he had to protect her all the time because of Queen Leene.
"I remember it so vividly," said Magus. "Zeal laughing with delight as Lavos' black winds sucked the Gurus into the time vortexes...."
"Of course you remember it so well," said Marle. "It just happened a few hours ago."
"....My sister crying as I met the same fate."
"Thou art...Prince Janus?"
Magus turned around. Alfador purred at his feet.
"Ever since Lavos' time portal stranded me in the Middle Ages...I have waited to even this score... You interrupted me just when I had summoned Lavos to my castle...How ironic that, having been drawn into yet another portal, I would end up in this age. Being from the future, my knowledge of the past enabled me to convince the Queen that I was a mighty oracle. But no history book could have ever prepared me for what happened here. Unimaginable is the power of Lavos. Anyone who dares to oppose it... meets certain doom. At this rate, you too, will meet a hideous fate. Just like that poor fool, Crono!"
"You dare insult him, dark lord!" Frog unsheathed the Masamune. "Ne'er in mine dreams, I thought we would settle thy score in the dusty era."
Magus laughed. "You play with fire, your gonna get burned, froggy." His scythe appeared in his hand. "Let's do this."
Marle raised her crossbow.
"No, Princess. This be mine battle."
Frog leapt into the air and stuck Magus' weapon. They exchanged blows, but like the battle before, Magus proved he was strong, continuously knocking Frog to the ground. But Frog always got right back up and fought even harder. Marle watched in silence.
"Your're weak Glenn," said Magus, amidst in battle. "You always have been."
"Hold...uh...thy tongue vile one."
"You couldn't save Cyrus, or Crono."
"SILENCE!"
Frog doubled his speed. Matching each of Magus blows with two of his own. The Masamune became a blur. Magus began to breathe harder and harder, until he was knocked to the ground with a blow to the stomach. Frog instantly placed a foot on his chest, and his blade to his neck.
"Any last words." He pressed the blade slightly harder to the pale skin.
"I know how to save him."
"Who?"
"Ack....Crono."
"LIAR!"
"Frog! Trust him!" cried Marle.
Frog hesitated for a moment. "If thine claims prove false, then I will not be as forgiving." Frog raised the Masamune and removed his foot. Magus got up, and his scythe disappeared.
"Explain thy claim," stated Frog.
"My old teacher, the Guru Gasper," said Magus. "He has something that will help."
Suddenly, pillars of water sprung from the ocean far in the distance. A large object came forth, as big as a castle. The triangular superstructure traveled higher in the sky, then it just stopped.
"The Ocean Palace..." whispered Marle. "Impossible."
"The Ocean Palace was destroyed by Lavos," said Magus. "Unless.... Zeal is still alive. Then that's..."
"What is it?"
"The Black Omen."
***
The ride in the Epoch to the End of Time was not pleasant. Nobody wanted Magus with them. Frog kept a constant, glassy eye on him as Lucca piloted the time machine. The young scientist steered clear of the Black Omen, but even Magus wasn't sure on what it was.
"The old Guru was right!" said Magus as they arrived. "There is an End of Time."
Marle noticed the Old Man by the lone lamppost. Her gut told her that he was the other Guru. "You mean you weren't even sure this place existed?"
"Coward," Frog said bluntly. "Anything to save your own life. Pray the rest is true as well."
The dome to the Epoch opened, and Magus was the first to climb out. At once Frog hopped out and drew his blade. "Do not try anything drastic." He pointed to the Old Man. "I believe he is your old instructor."
"That seems to be the pattern," said Lucca. "Meet a elderly man an and find out he's a Guru at Zeal."
Magus approached Gasper, who was snoring loudly. The Zealian prince shook the man's shoulder. "Wake up!"
"H, Huh...Who's there....why," said Gasper, eye's widening. "It can't be....Janus?"
"Not anymore."
"Oh yes, I remember. Shame on you Janus! Practicing the dark arts like that."
"Whatever." Magus stepped aside.
"Hello again, travelers. Say, where's that spikey haired fellow?"
Marle lowered her head.
"I see. Your adventure was filled with peril and danger. It was expected. I grieve for your friend, young one."
"Magus tells me that thou can bring Sir Crono back from death," said Frog. "Is there any truth to this?"
Gasper turned around and stared into the infinite around him. "Well, that's what everybody wants...to bring back a loved one."
"But can it be done."
"Yes...if your will is strong and just. The outcome will reflect upon the amount of energy you put into achieving it. Yes, it can be done."
"We'll do our best," said Lucca. "Anything to get him back."
The Old Man turned back around, and reached into his coat pocket. "I have been keeping this safe. Have you ever heard of a Time Egg?" He pulled out what appeared to be a large, grey egg.
"Nay."
"If something is born or created into this world with the power to change time, it becomes a trigger, a Chrono Trigger."
"Chrono....Trigger. What are the odds," said Lucca.
"When Crono pulled Marle out of the Tesserrat, the Place of Lost Time, he became one himself. That one evert changed history, and triggered your adventure though time. This Time Egg which I designed, is a Chrono Trigger. It can change time, much like Crono." He handed it to Marle. "Careful with it."
Marle examined the Time Egg. It was grey in color, with black specks around it. It was rather ugly to look at.
"Now bring Crono back!" yelled Ayla.
"There are limitations, however. First, the soul must be important to the time line, which Crono is of course. Second, beings of greater power must be dead. That means Lavos, and Zeal aboard the Black Omen."
"What is the Black Omen?" asked Marle.
"The Black Omen is a floating fortress which aboard, Zeal waits for end of the world. Time has no meaning there. You will discover that man has come to fear and worship the Black Omen. It leads to Lavos on doomsday."
"So we must disable the Black Omen, correct?" said Robo.
"And?"
"Be in a time were Lavos is deceased."
"Bingo."
"Great," said Magus, in the distance. "You got what you wanted, I'm goin' back. I have a score to settle." He began to walk toward the Gates.
"Halt dark one. Ye are staying right here under watchful eye."
"No. You misunderstood me. I'm going back."
"You may leave when Crono lives, and if I see fit. Then we finish our duel of fates."
"You're in no place to give orders, froggy!" He raised a hand, which glowed black.
"Stop it!" cried Marle. "Stop! Fighting won't solve anything."
"It works for me," said Magus, turning to Marle, smirking.
"Harm her and ye die where ye stand," yelled Frog.
"Calm down. I think we can trust him,"
"Two against one, froggy! You loose!"
"To join us," she concluded.
"Ha! Join you!?"
Marle crossed her arms. "Lavos is in the Omen. It's your chance to get revenge. Then you can do what you please."
"You have a point Princess." He placed his hand on his chin. "Fine. I'll guide you though the Omen, kill that rancid Lavos, and you can get you sweet, little Crono back."
Frog turned to Marle and whispered, "Ye are far too trusting, Princess. I cannot...."
"Did you ever stop to think that Magus is just misunderstood?"
"Never! He has committed deed most foul!"
"He can help us through the Omen...He can even destroy Lavos for us...C'mon. For Crono."
"Aye. For Crono," he sighed. "But I will not like it." He turned to Magus. "I am bound by honor to let ye live."
"Wonderful,." muttered Magus. "But there's a problem. Lavos lives and I'm not doing anything about it!"
"Accompany me Princess Marle, in case my will brakes. To the Epoch."
***
Magus smiled and looked at Frog as Marle flew the Epoch. They were in the year 1000, home for the Princess. The Black Omen shimmered in the sunlight off in the distance.
"What?" snapped Frog.
"It's killing you," said Magus. "You wanted to end my life at the cape."
"The feeling remains."
"How will killing me bring him back?"
"Silence. We must concentrate on the task at hand."
Magus chuckled. "Right. To each his own Black Winds."
They remained silent as the Omen approached. Marle carefully landed the Epoch on what seems to be a landing area. The wind was strong as they exited the vehicle. On the far side of the landing field a black door stood, beckoning them.
"Through there," stated Frog. They began to walk toward the door. But Magus stopped suddenly a few meters from the door.
"Stop," he said. "Wait." His scythe appeared in his hand. Frog flinched, but Magus didn't turn around to attack like he was predicting.
The dark wizard slowly waved the blade in front of him, getting closer and closer with each pass. As he got near, a red blast came from the wall by the door. With lightning quick reflexes, he blocked the blast with his blade and sent it hurling to another device on the other side. While the other exploded, the first fired again. Magus blocked it as well, and it ricocheted back to the device. The entire ordeal only lasted seconds.
"Defense system. Watch out for these all around the Omen. I won't warn you next time." The door in front of him opened, and he entered.
"See?" said Marle. "Aren't you glad he's with us?"
Frog grunted, and they both followed.
Marle knew Magus wasn't the nicest person in the world, but she guessed the events in the Ocean Palace changed him a little. He spent most of his life raised by the Mystics, taught to hate humans, all the time being one all along. His hatred must have come from losing his home and family. It changed him, but Marle could tell the old Janus was breaking through, even if it was just a little part of him. But his "don't care about anything" attitude he had adopted wasn't helping.
The Omen looked nothing like the Ocean Palace from the inside. The walls were not orange and black, but covered with metallic metal and machine parts. Marle wondered how they could even be the same buildings.
They were on a long bridge that was crossing a seamlessly bottomless pit. A lone figure stood on the other side. No doubt it was Queen Zeal.
"Zeal?"
The figure didn't move. Marle touched her shoulder. Zeal suddenly turned around. Marle let out a short scream.
The once fair Queen Zeal was now but a monster. Green molds covered a good half of her face, her eyes were a pale white. Her clothes were ripped and torn, her hair messy and dirty. Zeal disappeared after staring into space for a moment.
"What happened to her??" said Marle, horrified.
"She is but a slave to Lavos now," muttered Magus.
A doorway led to another room, which led to a hallway, which led to a room, which led to a bridge... Over and over. Every room seemed like the one before.
"We are going in circles," said Frog, frustrated.
"Then let's split up," suggested Magus.
"Thou art never leaving mine sight."
"Trust me, wart face. See those three hall ways?" He pointed to a three way fork up ahead.
"Aye."
"I know Zeal's puzzles, if we each enter a hall," he snapped his fingers, "the mice get the cheese."
Marle looked at Frog. "We have been searching for a hour...."
"I can not risk us getting separated... but it seems to be the only plan... very well. Princess, you the left, Magus the right, and I the center. If we do not find ourselves together at the exit, turn around."
They each went their separate ways, and sure enough, they met in a new room with a large golden circle in the middle.
"You have to take chances to get ahead. Your to bound by honor and loyalty, Glenn. Fearful of change."
Frog ignored him, and walked closer to the golden circle. "What is the purpose of this..."
A gold pillar of light burst from the disk, throwing Frog back. When the light dimmed, a creature stood in the center of the circle. It was at least three times as tall as a man, with pale green skin, four arms, and a mouthless face.
Two pink tentacles sprung from the creature's chest and grabbed Marle and Frog. Neither could reach their weapons. Magus summoned his scythe and cut Marle's tentacle free. The creature howled with pain as black blood poured from the wound.
"Well well well!" laughed Magus. "What a situation!" He avoided a swing of the creature's arms. "It seems the tables have turned."
Frog struggled to break free. A crossbow bolt hit the monster's chest. He simply pulled it out.
"What is it worth to you if I set you free?"
Frog's tentacle slammed the amphibian into the ground. "I would rather perish than to be saved by thee!"
"Is that so?"
Magus raised his arms. A small black sphere appeared in the center of the room by the beast. The room began to spin, colors began to change. The monster slowly began to get sucked into the black hole. Slowly it fell into the tiny void. Magus lowered his arms and cut the tentacle that was holding Frog imprisoned. He broke free just as the beast vanished into the hole. Frog kneeled gasping on the round.
"Rather parish, huh?" said Magus, looking at him from above. He began to laugh. "This is rich."
Frog got to his feet. "Lavos...must be beyond these doors. We must press on." He walked right past Magus, not giving him a second look.
Chapter XXVI
------------------
The door ahead lead back outside, yet it lead outside in a very different manner. The blue and green earth floated in a sea of stars miles below them. How this was possible, Marle didn't know.
"LAVOS!" Magus yelled. "Show yourself!" It was dead quiet.
A white orb appeared in the heavenly sky, and descended to the platform which they stood upon. The sphere transformed into Zeal.
The Queen stood unmoving, her eye staring into nothingness. She showed no emotion whatsoever...it was like she was the walking dead. A moan came from Zeal's person as she stared at Marle. The Princess was lifted from the ground and hurled into the hard, metal wall behind them. She seemed okay, but it was a nasty collision.
Frog, enraged, drew the Masamune and swung at Zeal. But she did the same to him and was thrown back several meters. Suddenly, Marle had trouble breathing. She gasped for breath...it was like a invisible hand was choking her. Frog's eyes where wide as she staggered for air. He could not breathe as well.
Magus stood unaffected by the Queen. Zeal reached her hand out.
"Come," a voice echoed, "help me consume this planet." Zeal's mouth was not moving.
Magus stood there, while Marle and Frog laid half conscious on the floor. He grabbed Zeal's cold hand.
"Yes," said the voice. "This planet shall bleed internally."
Magus stood unchanging.
"What you have done..."
"Yes."
"All the death and destruction..."
"Death is a part of life."
"I survived it all."
"You are strong."
"Survived the darkness." his voice was growing slightly louder.
"We can be one."
"Survived my pain."
"Do not resist."
"Survived it all... just for this moment."
"It is your fate to be with me."
"I have a request."
"Yes, dark one."
"Die painfully!"
Magus embedded his scythe into Zeal's torso. Red and black flames erupted from her chest as Magus sent waves of magic though his weapon.
An inhuman scream filled the air, and Zeal fell to the ground. With great relief, Marle was able to breathe again. Frog hurried over to her. Against Frog's wishes, she got up and walked over to the dying Zeal. Blood covered the ground as the Queen painfully moaned. The Queen's mouth opened.
"T, Thank.......you........" The Queen said in her own voice. Her eyes closed, and her breathing stopped. Magus cradled his mothers head and closed his eyes, his long hair covering his face. If he was weeping or not she could know, and she'll probably never would. The Omen began to shake violently.
Very slowly, Marle's vision began to blur, and she passed out.
***
When she woke up, the first thing she saw was Guardia Castle, her home, far in the distance. She looked around, a dense forest surrounded her, and a church among the trees.
"What a minute," she thought. "There's no forest this big on Zenan!"
"You are awake Princess!" cried Frog. "What a grand Kingdom Guarida has become in 400 years! And the dead forest in full of life! Excellent. And the Black Omen has vanished."
She looked around again. The Epoch was nearby, and she saw Magus resting against a large tree, a tree that shouldn't even be there.
"Frog, you stay here...I'm going to check out this church. Come to think of it, there was never a church here...."
Marle entered the church. She did notice anything unusual until the she noticed a shrine near the altar. A familiar, rusted robot sat in the middle.
"Robo?" She walked to the shine. His body was covered with rust and moss. He wasn't moving. He must have been deactivated for a very long time.
With the help of Frog, but not Magus, they dragged Robo to the Epoch. "Lucca will know what to do."
***
"What happened to him!" cried Lucca. "Robo! What did you do!"
"Ummm...the Black Omen is gone," said Marle.
"Huh... that's good. I need to repair him right away.
Magus was furious. "Lavos is still alive!"
"Yes," said Gasper. "You just freed your mother from his grasp."
"That, was not my mother. She died a long time ago. I don't believe this! Where's that bucket?"
Magus stormed to the gate bucket that led to 1999.
"Stop him!" cried Gasper.
Ayla sprung onto Magus, putting him into a hold.
"Arg, unhand me, primitive!"
"If you go the Day of Lavos, you will be killed, and all hope of saving this planet will vanish!" said Gasper.
"Screw the planet, you crazy old coot!"
"Destroying the Omen weakened Lavos in 1999. The perfect time for you to strike. Time will continue the second you enter that Gate, and one man alone can't confront Lavos."
Frog approached the contained Magus, but turned to the Guru. "Crono awaits our revival, Guru Gasper."
"Of course. I believe the ones closet to him should go."
Marle instantly spoke up. "I'll go!"
"Me too," said Lucca. "Robo can wait."
"I shall go as well," said Frog. "I owe him my thanks."
"Ayla bring Crono back!" she said, still holding onto Magus who really wasn't putting much of a fight.
"Sorry lass, yes stay here and contain Magus. We will be back in an instant, for ye at least."
She grunted in disapproval.
"We should go to 2300," said Lucca. "That's the place where Lavos would be the weakest. To Death Peak."
"Hang on Crono," whispered Marle. "We're coming."
***
Marle held the Time Egg closely as Lucca flew the Epoch over the barren wastelands of the future. Nothing had changed since their last visit. They landed near the base of Dearth Peak. A little Nu was waiting for them.
"What is a Nu doing here?" said Lucca.
"It's me! Belthasar!"
"Belthasar?"
"No time to explain! I see you have the Time Egg that Gasper was working on. That's great! Now, listen carefully. Atop this mountain is the last remaining tree in this desolate world. That one source of life with gives birth to anew. Oh..." The Nu slugged over. "This body is a bit disagreeable...it's losing its usefulness. Do me a favor...there is a switch on this creatures back...please be kind and turn it off."
"We won't kill you..." said Marle.
"Kill? Oh I've been dead for quite awhile. Please."
The Nu turned around and Marle located the small switch and lowered it. Belthasar began to kneel.
"Now....full....fill your... destiny..." The Nu stopped moving.
"Let us continue...." said Frog.
Death Peak was covered with snow, and Frog took off his cape and put it on Marle to keep her warm. They began to trek to the summit. The hike soon stretched into hours. Marle wanted to know why they couldn't take the Epoch up, but Lucca said there was too much fog and bad weather. They were very surprised to find many bodies of water on the mountain. There were hot springs as well, and they drank from them. Lucca didn't understand it. "It was almost like this mountain was home to something." She had said.
During one of their many rest brakes, they noticed a small cave. They entered it, hoping to warm up
"How much further do you think it is..." said Marle.
"Almost there..." Lucca stated. "We....!"
A sharp squeal echoed though the cave walls. A large mass appeared from the shadows. The creature was like a shell, about twice as tall has a man, with spikes coming from the back, and a small beak near the front.
"A baby....Lavos?!" Marle cried.
The Lavos Spawn cried as its spikes glowed red. A single burst of energy sprung forth. Frog was quick to block the blast with the Masamune. The Spawn inched forward, like an oversized snail. Lucca took out her gun and fired at the infant. She managed to make a few dents, but that's all.
The Spawn squealed again as another attack cave from his back, but they easily avoided the youngster's attacks.
"Enough of this play time," shouted Frog. He hopped toward the Spawn and jammed his sword inside the creature's beak. It began to shake and curl up. Frog withdrew the Masamune as it became nothing but a spiny ball. They quickly left the cave in case more of its brothers or sisters were waiting for them.
With much determination, they arrived near the top of the mountain. They sat down to rest by a cliff face that overlooked a large valley that had formed. Marle was shocked at what she saw.
It was Lavos that she saw. But a very different Lavos. Many of its huge spines were broken off, and holes could be seen in it's shell. It was dead.
Lucca gazed at the sight. "Just like so many life forms... Lavos' only purpose is to reproduce."
"The tree!" cried Marle, pointing in the distance. "There it is!"
The three sprinted to the lone tree. The dimmed sun shone bright in the distance. The tree had no leaves on it, but it was very much alive.
"Hurry! The Time Egg!" cried Lucca.
Marle took the Egg from a pouch she was carrying and held it in her hands. She held it to the tree. A few seconds passed, and the egg lifted from her hands. It hovered in midair for a moment, then shattered. Nothing happened after that.
"No..." sighed Marle. "Nothing happened...."
"Just wait," said Frog.
They stood for another few moments. Nothing.
"We tried so hard," Marle said. Her voice got a bit louder, "We tired so hard and this is what we get!"
"Calm down," said Lucca.
Marle fell to her feet and she hit the ground with her fist. "I'm sorry....Crono." A tear fell from her face.
Just as her tear hit the ground, a dark shadow began to move across the sun, until it fully eclipsed it.
Marle felt like her body was moving, but she wasn't going anywhere. She closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was back to that moment.
Suspended in time, a hovering Crono, glowing yellow, raised his arms to Lavos. She saw herself laying on the ground, as well as the others.
Frog and Lucca wandered around as well.
"Now what?" said Lucca.
Marle raised her pendant to Crono. "Come back to us."
Chapter XXVII
------------------
"Wake up Crono!" His mothers voice shouted from downstairs.. "Get up! You're late for the fair."
Crono tossed in his bed.
"You've been looking forward to the fair all year. Get out of bed, lazy bones!"
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. What time was it...had he over slept. He slowly got out of bed. He was going to get it from Lucca, he promised her to check out her new invention. He quickly got changed.
Down stairs, his mother was cleaning dishes.
"There you are! Go on, go to the Millennial Fair."
"But I'm hungry," he murmured. His cat purred by his feet.
"So is poor little Cloud there? I had to feed him myself!"
"Not even some pancakes?"
"That's what you get from sleeping in. Make sure to come back and feed the cat sometime. I'll be there for the Midnight Parade."
"Okay mom." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Bye."
At Leene Square the fair was in full boom. He picked up a tour guide handed out by a little kid. He was walking over to Leene's bell to sit down and review the map when somebody knocked him over.
"Hey!" he yelled.
Crono slowly got up, and looked around. He didn't see anybody. He bent down to pick up his map and saw his attacker. A young girl with a blonde ponytail lay sprawled on the ground with a look of surprise on her face. "She must have bumped into me," thought Crono. He bent down and helped the girl up.
"Crono!" cried the girl.
"How do you know my name? Do I know you?"
"Crono, snap out of it! Wake up!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"My Pendant! That'll work! Where is it?"
"Amazing!" said Melchior "Beautiful!"
"Here it is! Give me that!" She snatched the pendant from the Blacksmith's hands. She held it up to Crono's face. He got lost in the blue shine of the shimmering pendant. He grabbed his head, as if in pain.
"Marle...." he moaned. Marle looked over him as the pendant move away. He was leaning
against a tree....
"Crono!" she cried. Her arms wrapped around him. "Your back."
Marle moved aside.
"Lucca?"
"Don't you even do that again, you hear me? Never!" She gave him a long hug.
Frog appeared into view. He had a big smile on his face.
"Ah, Crono. The ladies hanging on you left and right."
"Don't I get a hug?'
Frog placed his hand on his shoulder. "Welcome back, friend." And he helped Crono up.
"What happened?" he said, looking around him.
"It's a long story," said Lucca. "We can tell it on the way down." She smiled.
***
Ayla, Spekkio, and Gasper were very happy to see Crono alive and well. Crono didn't seem that concerned about Robo at the moment, because he was sure Lucca could fix him. But he saw a figure in the shadows near the corner.
"Who's that?"
The figure stepped out from the darkness. "You were wacked 'cause you're weak."
"Magus!"
Marle hurried over to Crono. "Don't worry. It's okay. He's Janus Zeal."
"Janus?"
"Tis true." said Frog. "But Magus was just about to take leave. Correct?"
"I've been thinking," said the warlock, "my chances of success to confront Lavos face to face without some help are slim to zilch. I will join you for the final battle."
"Can we trust him?" Crono whispered to Frog.
"Can Ozzie count his own fingers?"
Crono walked over to Robo. Lucca was hard at work fixing him up. He suddenly felt very tired. "I need some rest."
"Crono sleep," said Ayla. "Big battle coming."
Crono sat down near the lamppost, and drifted off.
***
Crono felt a hand shaking his shoulder. "Crono?"
Crono slowly opened his eyes. "Marle?"
Marle sat down next to him. "This is it."
"Yeah...." He looked into Marle's blue eyes. "You...came back for me."
Marle smiled. "You did the same for me."
Crono leaned a little closer. "Thank you...."
"No...problem." A little closer. She closed her eyes.
"Master Crono!" A familiar robotic voice cried. "Lucca has repaired me!"
Crono jerked back. "What...that's great Robo." He looked at Marle. She was looking up at Robo.
"Am, I disturbing something."
"No Robo," said Marle. "Nothing."
Crono got up. "Yeah....nothing..."
"Wonderful! Then do I have a story to tell!"
"What Robo?"
"Well, when the other where confronting the Black Omen, Chief Ayla was getting restless. She wanted to build a fire, so I suggested to her that I would get some wood from back in real time. I chose the year 600 because I have heard that...."
"The point Robo," said Crono.
"The, point? Oh yes. Of course. Well, there was no forest like I had thought. A young woman named Feonia said the forest died out. I agreed to help her by planting seeds and watering the land. After about 300 years, by powers cells ran out, but the forest grew! Marle brought me back from a shrine apparently built in my honor...but I never got the wood for Chief Ayla."
"That's wonderful Robo," said Marle. "Good for you!"
Lucca appeared behind Robo. "Robo had a lot of time to think, and he came up with a theory, and I agree with him."
"The Gates. They were not created by Lavos. I think a greater entity wanted us to live the events we were sent to."
"Why's that?" asked Marle.
Crono drifted off while they had their discussion.
***
The planet's only hope stood near the Gate Bucket.
"This is it," said Crono. He stepped into the bucket.
Nothing happened.
"Huh?"
"Interesting." said Gasper. "It seems you are not ready to confront Lavos."
"We're more than ready. You yourself said that the destruction of the Omen disrupted the space time......whatever, and Lavos is weak...we can do it."
"I think otherwise." said the Guru. "I think each off you are holding on to something that you don't want to let go of. A unfinished deed, a forgotten love... something you must set free from yourself."
"You just made that up!" said Crono. "This bucket doesn't even work!"
"You mean we each have unfinished business, and the Entity won't let us continue unless you complete it?' said Lucca.
"I believe so, yes. Step into the bucket with you memories in your heart."
"Always an excuse..." said Magus. "Fine."
Each one of them stepped into the bucket, one after the other. Each were transported away to fulfill their forgotten deeds.
------------------
It was almost dawn at the village, and most of the people were asleep. Marle smiled. The Earthbound and Enlightened ones were finally getting along, forgetting their differences. She felt something fuzzy brush across her feet. She looked down to see a cat rubbing against her leg.
"Aww..how cute," she petted the cat. "Hey, your Janus' cat." Marle looked around the camp. She couldn't find Janus. She was saddened to realize that he was in the Ocean Palace when Lavos struck.
"Poor little guy."
Marle bent down to pick up Alfador. The cat struggled to brake free. He hissed, and jumped to the ground. The cat ran off, away from the commons.
"Hey!"
Marle ran after Alfador. The cat sprinted to a cliff face far from the campground. He mowed, and walked to the edge of the cliff. The sun was about to rise, making the horizon a beautiful red. Why was he doing this? The Marle noticed a silhouette of a man near the cliff edge, long cape and hair flowing in the wind. The man bent down and petted the cat.
"Magus?"
The man didn't respond, he just gazed out into the sea. He pointed to a rock formation jutting from the water. But it wasn't a rock, it was the top of the sinking Zeal Palace.
"Behold. Everything's at the bottom of the sea. Gone is the magical kingdom of Zeal, and all the dreams and ambitions of its people."
"That's horrible."
"I once lived there. But I was a different person back then."
"Nonsense, thine heart has always been vile and black," said a voice from behind. "Princess Marle! Thou should not have run off."
Marle turned to see Frog. She sighed. Frog still thought he had to protect her all the time because of Queen Leene.
"I remember it so vividly," said Magus. "Zeal laughing with delight as Lavos' black winds sucked the Gurus into the time vortexes...."
"Of course you remember it so well," said Marle. "It just happened a few hours ago."
"....My sister crying as I met the same fate."
"Thou art...Prince Janus?"
Magus turned around. Alfador purred at his feet.
"Ever since Lavos' time portal stranded me in the Middle Ages...I have waited to even this score... You interrupted me just when I had summoned Lavos to my castle...How ironic that, having been drawn into yet another portal, I would end up in this age. Being from the future, my knowledge of the past enabled me to convince the Queen that I was a mighty oracle. But no history book could have ever prepared me for what happened here. Unimaginable is the power of Lavos. Anyone who dares to oppose it... meets certain doom. At this rate, you too, will meet a hideous fate. Just like that poor fool, Crono!"
"You dare insult him, dark lord!" Frog unsheathed the Masamune. "Ne'er in mine dreams, I thought we would settle thy score in the dusty era."
Magus laughed. "You play with fire, your gonna get burned, froggy." His scythe appeared in his hand. "Let's do this."
Marle raised her crossbow.
"No, Princess. This be mine battle."
Frog leapt into the air and stuck Magus' weapon. They exchanged blows, but like the battle before, Magus proved he was strong, continuously knocking Frog to the ground. But Frog always got right back up and fought even harder. Marle watched in silence.
"Your're weak Glenn," said Magus, amidst in battle. "You always have been."
"Hold...uh...thy tongue vile one."
"You couldn't save Cyrus, or Crono."
"SILENCE!"
Frog doubled his speed. Matching each of Magus blows with two of his own. The Masamune became a blur. Magus began to breathe harder and harder, until he was knocked to the ground with a blow to the stomach. Frog instantly placed a foot on his chest, and his blade to his neck.
"Any last words." He pressed the blade slightly harder to the pale skin.
"I know how to save him."
"Who?"
"Ack....Crono."
"LIAR!"
"Frog! Trust him!" cried Marle.
Frog hesitated for a moment. "If thine claims prove false, then I will not be as forgiving." Frog raised the Masamune and removed his foot. Magus got up, and his scythe disappeared.
"Explain thy claim," stated Frog.
"My old teacher, the Guru Gasper," said Magus. "He has something that will help."
Suddenly, pillars of water sprung from the ocean far in the distance. A large object came forth, as big as a castle. The triangular superstructure traveled higher in the sky, then it just stopped.
"The Ocean Palace..." whispered Marle. "Impossible."
"The Ocean Palace was destroyed by Lavos," said Magus. "Unless.... Zeal is still alive. Then that's..."
"What is it?"
"The Black Omen."
***
The ride in the Epoch to the End of Time was not pleasant. Nobody wanted Magus with them. Frog kept a constant, glassy eye on him as Lucca piloted the time machine. The young scientist steered clear of the Black Omen, but even Magus wasn't sure on what it was.
"The old Guru was right!" said Magus as they arrived. "There is an End of Time."
Marle noticed the Old Man by the lone lamppost. Her gut told her that he was the other Guru. "You mean you weren't even sure this place existed?"
"Coward," Frog said bluntly. "Anything to save your own life. Pray the rest is true as well."
The dome to the Epoch opened, and Magus was the first to climb out. At once Frog hopped out and drew his blade. "Do not try anything drastic." He pointed to the Old Man. "I believe he is your old instructor."
"That seems to be the pattern," said Lucca. "Meet a elderly man an and find out he's a Guru at Zeal."
Magus approached Gasper, who was snoring loudly. The Zealian prince shook the man's shoulder. "Wake up!"
"H, Huh...Who's there....why," said Gasper, eye's widening. "It can't be....Janus?"
"Not anymore."
"Oh yes, I remember. Shame on you Janus! Practicing the dark arts like that."
"Whatever." Magus stepped aside.
"Hello again, travelers. Say, where's that spikey haired fellow?"
Marle lowered her head.
"I see. Your adventure was filled with peril and danger. It was expected. I grieve for your friend, young one."
"Magus tells me that thou can bring Sir Crono back from death," said Frog. "Is there any truth to this?"
Gasper turned around and stared into the infinite around him. "Well, that's what everybody wants...to bring back a loved one."
"But can it be done."
"Yes...if your will is strong and just. The outcome will reflect upon the amount of energy you put into achieving it. Yes, it can be done."
"We'll do our best," said Lucca. "Anything to get him back."
The Old Man turned back around, and reached into his coat pocket. "I have been keeping this safe. Have you ever heard of a Time Egg?" He pulled out what appeared to be a large, grey egg.
"Nay."
"If something is born or created into this world with the power to change time, it becomes a trigger, a Chrono Trigger."
"Chrono....Trigger. What are the odds," said Lucca.
"When Crono pulled Marle out of the Tesserrat, the Place of Lost Time, he became one himself. That one evert changed history, and triggered your adventure though time. This Time Egg which I designed, is a Chrono Trigger. It can change time, much like Crono." He handed it to Marle. "Careful with it."
Marle examined the Time Egg. It was grey in color, with black specks around it. It was rather ugly to look at.
"Now bring Crono back!" yelled Ayla.
"There are limitations, however. First, the soul must be important to the time line, which Crono is of course. Second, beings of greater power must be dead. That means Lavos, and Zeal aboard the Black Omen."
"What is the Black Omen?" asked Marle.
"The Black Omen is a floating fortress which aboard, Zeal waits for end of the world. Time has no meaning there. You will discover that man has come to fear and worship the Black Omen. It leads to Lavos on doomsday."
"So we must disable the Black Omen, correct?" said Robo.
"And?"
"Be in a time were Lavos is deceased."
"Bingo."
"Great," said Magus, in the distance. "You got what you wanted, I'm goin' back. I have a score to settle." He began to walk toward the Gates.
"Halt dark one. Ye are staying right here under watchful eye."
"No. You misunderstood me. I'm going back."
"You may leave when Crono lives, and if I see fit. Then we finish our duel of fates."
"You're in no place to give orders, froggy!" He raised a hand, which glowed black.
"Stop it!" cried Marle. "Stop! Fighting won't solve anything."
"It works for me," said Magus, turning to Marle, smirking.
"Harm her and ye die where ye stand," yelled Frog.
"Calm down. I think we can trust him,"
"Two against one, froggy! You loose!"
"To join us," she concluded.
"Ha! Join you!?"
Marle crossed her arms. "Lavos is in the Omen. It's your chance to get revenge. Then you can do what you please."
"You have a point Princess." He placed his hand on his chin. "Fine. I'll guide you though the Omen, kill that rancid Lavos, and you can get you sweet, little Crono back."
Frog turned to Marle and whispered, "Ye are far too trusting, Princess. I cannot...."
"Did you ever stop to think that Magus is just misunderstood?"
"Never! He has committed deed most foul!"
"He can help us through the Omen...He can even destroy Lavos for us...C'mon. For Crono."
"Aye. For Crono," he sighed. "But I will not like it." He turned to Magus. "I am bound by honor to let ye live."
"Wonderful,." muttered Magus. "But there's a problem. Lavos lives and I'm not doing anything about it!"
"Accompany me Princess Marle, in case my will brakes. To the Epoch."
***
Magus smiled and looked at Frog as Marle flew the Epoch. They were in the year 1000, home for the Princess. The Black Omen shimmered in the sunlight off in the distance.
"What?" snapped Frog.
"It's killing you," said Magus. "You wanted to end my life at the cape."
"The feeling remains."
"How will killing me bring him back?"
"Silence. We must concentrate on the task at hand."
Magus chuckled. "Right. To each his own Black Winds."
They remained silent as the Omen approached. Marle carefully landed the Epoch on what seems to be a landing area. The wind was strong as they exited the vehicle. On the far side of the landing field a black door stood, beckoning them.
"Through there," stated Frog. They began to walk toward the door. But Magus stopped suddenly a few meters from the door.
"Stop," he said. "Wait." His scythe appeared in his hand. Frog flinched, but Magus didn't turn around to attack like he was predicting.
The dark wizard slowly waved the blade in front of him, getting closer and closer with each pass. As he got near, a red blast came from the wall by the door. With lightning quick reflexes, he blocked the blast with his blade and sent it hurling to another device on the other side. While the other exploded, the first fired again. Magus blocked it as well, and it ricocheted back to the device. The entire ordeal only lasted seconds.
"Defense system. Watch out for these all around the Omen. I won't warn you next time." The door in front of him opened, and he entered.
"See?" said Marle. "Aren't you glad he's with us?"
Frog grunted, and they both followed.
Marle knew Magus wasn't the nicest person in the world, but she guessed the events in the Ocean Palace changed him a little. He spent most of his life raised by the Mystics, taught to hate humans, all the time being one all along. His hatred must have come from losing his home and family. It changed him, but Marle could tell the old Janus was breaking through, even if it was just a little part of him. But his "don't care about anything" attitude he had adopted wasn't helping.
The Omen looked nothing like the Ocean Palace from the inside. The walls were not orange and black, but covered with metallic metal and machine parts. Marle wondered how they could even be the same buildings.
They were on a long bridge that was crossing a seamlessly bottomless pit. A lone figure stood on the other side. No doubt it was Queen Zeal.
"Zeal?"
The figure didn't move. Marle touched her shoulder. Zeal suddenly turned around. Marle let out a short scream.
The once fair Queen Zeal was now but a monster. Green molds covered a good half of her face, her eyes were a pale white. Her clothes were ripped and torn, her hair messy and dirty. Zeal disappeared after staring into space for a moment.
"What happened to her??" said Marle, horrified.
"She is but a slave to Lavos now," muttered Magus.
A doorway led to another room, which led to a hallway, which led to a room, which led to a bridge... Over and over. Every room seemed like the one before.
"We are going in circles," said Frog, frustrated.
"Then let's split up," suggested Magus.
"Thou art never leaving mine sight."
"Trust me, wart face. See those three hall ways?" He pointed to a three way fork up ahead.
"Aye."
"I know Zeal's puzzles, if we each enter a hall," he snapped his fingers, "the mice get the cheese."
Marle looked at Frog. "We have been searching for a hour...."
"I can not risk us getting separated... but it seems to be the only plan... very well. Princess, you the left, Magus the right, and I the center. If we do not find ourselves together at the exit, turn around."
They each went their separate ways, and sure enough, they met in a new room with a large golden circle in the middle.
"You have to take chances to get ahead. Your to bound by honor and loyalty, Glenn. Fearful of change."
Frog ignored him, and walked closer to the golden circle. "What is the purpose of this..."
A gold pillar of light burst from the disk, throwing Frog back. When the light dimmed, a creature stood in the center of the circle. It was at least three times as tall as a man, with pale green skin, four arms, and a mouthless face.
Two pink tentacles sprung from the creature's chest and grabbed Marle and Frog. Neither could reach their weapons. Magus summoned his scythe and cut Marle's tentacle free. The creature howled with pain as black blood poured from the wound.
"Well well well!" laughed Magus. "What a situation!" He avoided a swing of the creature's arms. "It seems the tables have turned."
Frog struggled to break free. A crossbow bolt hit the monster's chest. He simply pulled it out.
"What is it worth to you if I set you free?"
Frog's tentacle slammed the amphibian into the ground. "I would rather perish than to be saved by thee!"
"Is that so?"
Magus raised his arms. A small black sphere appeared in the center of the room by the beast. The room began to spin, colors began to change. The monster slowly began to get sucked into the black hole. Slowly it fell into the tiny void. Magus lowered his arms and cut the tentacle that was holding Frog imprisoned. He broke free just as the beast vanished into the hole. Frog kneeled gasping on the round.
"Rather parish, huh?" said Magus, looking at him from above. He began to laugh. "This is rich."
Frog got to his feet. "Lavos...must be beyond these doors. We must press on." He walked right past Magus, not giving him a second look.
Chapter XXVI
------------------
The door ahead lead back outside, yet it lead outside in a very different manner. The blue and green earth floated in a sea of stars miles below them. How this was possible, Marle didn't know.
"LAVOS!" Magus yelled. "Show yourself!" It was dead quiet.
A white orb appeared in the heavenly sky, and descended to the platform which they stood upon. The sphere transformed into Zeal.
The Queen stood unmoving, her eye staring into nothingness. She showed no emotion whatsoever...it was like she was the walking dead. A moan came from Zeal's person as she stared at Marle. The Princess was lifted from the ground and hurled into the hard, metal wall behind them. She seemed okay, but it was a nasty collision.
Frog, enraged, drew the Masamune and swung at Zeal. But she did the same to him and was thrown back several meters. Suddenly, Marle had trouble breathing. She gasped for breath...it was like a invisible hand was choking her. Frog's eyes where wide as she staggered for air. He could not breathe as well.
Magus stood unaffected by the Queen. Zeal reached her hand out.
"Come," a voice echoed, "help me consume this planet." Zeal's mouth was not moving.
Magus stood there, while Marle and Frog laid half conscious on the floor. He grabbed Zeal's cold hand.
"Yes," said the voice. "This planet shall bleed internally."
Magus stood unchanging.
"What you have done..."
"Yes."
"All the death and destruction..."
"Death is a part of life."
"I survived it all."
"You are strong."
"Survived the darkness." his voice was growing slightly louder.
"We can be one."
"Survived my pain."
"Do not resist."
"Survived it all... just for this moment."
"It is your fate to be with me."
"I have a request."
"Yes, dark one."
"Die painfully!"
Magus embedded his scythe into Zeal's torso. Red and black flames erupted from her chest as Magus sent waves of magic though his weapon.
An inhuman scream filled the air, and Zeal fell to the ground. With great relief, Marle was able to breathe again. Frog hurried over to her. Against Frog's wishes, she got up and walked over to the dying Zeal. Blood covered the ground as the Queen painfully moaned. The Queen's mouth opened.
"T, Thank.......you........" The Queen said in her own voice. Her eyes closed, and her breathing stopped. Magus cradled his mothers head and closed his eyes, his long hair covering his face. If he was weeping or not she could know, and she'll probably never would. The Omen began to shake violently.
Very slowly, Marle's vision began to blur, and she passed out.
***
When she woke up, the first thing she saw was Guardia Castle, her home, far in the distance. She looked around, a dense forest surrounded her, and a church among the trees.
"What a minute," she thought. "There's no forest this big on Zenan!"
"You are awake Princess!" cried Frog. "What a grand Kingdom Guarida has become in 400 years! And the dead forest in full of life! Excellent. And the Black Omen has vanished."
She looked around again. The Epoch was nearby, and she saw Magus resting against a large tree, a tree that shouldn't even be there.
"Frog, you stay here...I'm going to check out this church. Come to think of it, there was never a church here...."
Marle entered the church. She did notice anything unusual until the she noticed a shrine near the altar. A familiar, rusted robot sat in the middle.
"Robo?" She walked to the shine. His body was covered with rust and moss. He wasn't moving. He must have been deactivated for a very long time.
With the help of Frog, but not Magus, they dragged Robo to the Epoch. "Lucca will know what to do."
***
"What happened to him!" cried Lucca. "Robo! What did you do!"
"Ummm...the Black Omen is gone," said Marle.
"Huh... that's good. I need to repair him right away.
Magus was furious. "Lavos is still alive!"
"Yes," said Gasper. "You just freed your mother from his grasp."
"That, was not my mother. She died a long time ago. I don't believe this! Where's that bucket?"
Magus stormed to the gate bucket that led to 1999.
"Stop him!" cried Gasper.
Ayla sprung onto Magus, putting him into a hold.
"Arg, unhand me, primitive!"
"If you go the Day of Lavos, you will be killed, and all hope of saving this planet will vanish!" said Gasper.
"Screw the planet, you crazy old coot!"
"Destroying the Omen weakened Lavos in 1999. The perfect time for you to strike. Time will continue the second you enter that Gate, and one man alone can't confront Lavos."
Frog approached the contained Magus, but turned to the Guru. "Crono awaits our revival, Guru Gasper."
"Of course. I believe the ones closet to him should go."
Marle instantly spoke up. "I'll go!"
"Me too," said Lucca. "Robo can wait."
"I shall go as well," said Frog. "I owe him my thanks."
"Ayla bring Crono back!" she said, still holding onto Magus who really wasn't putting much of a fight.
"Sorry lass, yes stay here and contain Magus. We will be back in an instant, for ye at least."
She grunted in disapproval.
"We should go to 2300," said Lucca. "That's the place where Lavos would be the weakest. To Death Peak."
"Hang on Crono," whispered Marle. "We're coming."
***
Marle held the Time Egg closely as Lucca flew the Epoch over the barren wastelands of the future. Nothing had changed since their last visit. They landed near the base of Dearth Peak. A little Nu was waiting for them.
"What is a Nu doing here?" said Lucca.
"It's me! Belthasar!"
"Belthasar?"
"No time to explain! I see you have the Time Egg that Gasper was working on. That's great! Now, listen carefully. Atop this mountain is the last remaining tree in this desolate world. That one source of life with gives birth to anew. Oh..." The Nu slugged over. "This body is a bit disagreeable...it's losing its usefulness. Do me a favor...there is a switch on this creatures back...please be kind and turn it off."
"We won't kill you..." said Marle.
"Kill? Oh I've been dead for quite awhile. Please."
The Nu turned around and Marle located the small switch and lowered it. Belthasar began to kneel.
"Now....full....fill your... destiny..." The Nu stopped moving.
"Let us continue...." said Frog.
Death Peak was covered with snow, and Frog took off his cape and put it on Marle to keep her warm. They began to trek to the summit. The hike soon stretched into hours. Marle wanted to know why they couldn't take the Epoch up, but Lucca said there was too much fog and bad weather. They were very surprised to find many bodies of water on the mountain. There were hot springs as well, and they drank from them. Lucca didn't understand it. "It was almost like this mountain was home to something." She had said.
During one of their many rest brakes, they noticed a small cave. They entered it, hoping to warm up
"How much further do you think it is..." said Marle.
"Almost there..." Lucca stated. "We....!"
A sharp squeal echoed though the cave walls. A large mass appeared from the shadows. The creature was like a shell, about twice as tall has a man, with spikes coming from the back, and a small beak near the front.
"A baby....Lavos?!" Marle cried.
The Lavos Spawn cried as its spikes glowed red. A single burst of energy sprung forth. Frog was quick to block the blast with the Masamune. The Spawn inched forward, like an oversized snail. Lucca took out her gun and fired at the infant. She managed to make a few dents, but that's all.
The Spawn squealed again as another attack cave from his back, but they easily avoided the youngster's attacks.
"Enough of this play time," shouted Frog. He hopped toward the Spawn and jammed his sword inside the creature's beak. It began to shake and curl up. Frog withdrew the Masamune as it became nothing but a spiny ball. They quickly left the cave in case more of its brothers or sisters were waiting for them.
With much determination, they arrived near the top of the mountain. They sat down to rest by a cliff face that overlooked a large valley that had formed. Marle was shocked at what she saw.
It was Lavos that she saw. But a very different Lavos. Many of its huge spines were broken off, and holes could be seen in it's shell. It was dead.
Lucca gazed at the sight. "Just like so many life forms... Lavos' only purpose is to reproduce."
"The tree!" cried Marle, pointing in the distance. "There it is!"
The three sprinted to the lone tree. The dimmed sun shone bright in the distance. The tree had no leaves on it, but it was very much alive.
"Hurry! The Time Egg!" cried Lucca.
Marle took the Egg from a pouch she was carrying and held it in her hands. She held it to the tree. A few seconds passed, and the egg lifted from her hands. It hovered in midair for a moment, then shattered. Nothing happened after that.
"No..." sighed Marle. "Nothing happened...."
"Just wait," said Frog.
They stood for another few moments. Nothing.
"We tried so hard," Marle said. Her voice got a bit louder, "We tired so hard and this is what we get!"
"Calm down," said Lucca.
Marle fell to her feet and she hit the ground with her fist. "I'm sorry....Crono." A tear fell from her face.
Just as her tear hit the ground, a dark shadow began to move across the sun, until it fully eclipsed it.
Marle felt like her body was moving, but she wasn't going anywhere. She closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was back to that moment.
Suspended in time, a hovering Crono, glowing yellow, raised his arms to Lavos. She saw herself laying on the ground, as well as the others.
Frog and Lucca wandered around as well.
"Now what?" said Lucca.
Marle raised her pendant to Crono. "Come back to us."
Chapter XXVII
------------------
"Wake up Crono!" His mothers voice shouted from downstairs.. "Get up! You're late for the fair."
Crono tossed in his bed.
"You've been looking forward to the fair all year. Get out of bed, lazy bones!"
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. What time was it...had he over slept. He slowly got out of bed. He was going to get it from Lucca, he promised her to check out her new invention. He quickly got changed.
Down stairs, his mother was cleaning dishes.
"There you are! Go on, go to the Millennial Fair."
"But I'm hungry," he murmured. His cat purred by his feet.
"So is poor little Cloud there? I had to feed him myself!"
"Not even some pancakes?"
"That's what you get from sleeping in. Make sure to come back and feed the cat sometime. I'll be there for the Midnight Parade."
"Okay mom." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Bye."
At Leene Square the fair was in full boom. He picked up a tour guide handed out by a little kid. He was walking over to Leene's bell to sit down and review the map when somebody knocked him over.
"Hey!" he yelled.
Crono slowly got up, and looked around. He didn't see anybody. He bent down to pick up his map and saw his attacker. A young girl with a blonde ponytail lay sprawled on the ground with a look of surprise on her face. "She must have bumped into me," thought Crono. He bent down and helped the girl up.
"Crono!" cried the girl.
"How do you know my name? Do I know you?"
"Crono, snap out of it! Wake up!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"My Pendant! That'll work! Where is it?"
"Amazing!" said Melchior "Beautiful!"
"Here it is! Give me that!" She snatched the pendant from the Blacksmith's hands. She held it up to Crono's face. He got lost in the blue shine of the shimmering pendant. He grabbed his head, as if in pain.
"Marle...." he moaned. Marle looked over him as the pendant move away. He was leaning
against a tree....
"Crono!" she cried. Her arms wrapped around him. "Your back."
Marle moved aside.
"Lucca?"
"Don't you even do that again, you hear me? Never!" She gave him a long hug.
Frog appeared into view. He had a big smile on his face.
"Ah, Crono. The ladies hanging on you left and right."
"Don't I get a hug?'
Frog placed his hand on his shoulder. "Welcome back, friend." And he helped Crono up.
"What happened?" he said, looking around him.
"It's a long story," said Lucca. "We can tell it on the way down." She smiled.
***
Ayla, Spekkio, and Gasper were very happy to see Crono alive and well. Crono didn't seem that concerned about Robo at the moment, because he was sure Lucca could fix him. But he saw a figure in the shadows near the corner.
"Who's that?"
The figure stepped out from the darkness. "You were wacked 'cause you're weak."
"Magus!"
Marle hurried over to Crono. "Don't worry. It's okay. He's Janus Zeal."
"Janus?"
"Tis true." said Frog. "But Magus was just about to take leave. Correct?"
"I've been thinking," said the warlock, "my chances of success to confront Lavos face to face without some help are slim to zilch. I will join you for the final battle."
"Can we trust him?" Crono whispered to Frog.
"Can Ozzie count his own fingers?"
Crono walked over to Robo. Lucca was hard at work fixing him up. He suddenly felt very tired. "I need some rest."
"Crono sleep," said Ayla. "Big battle coming."
Crono sat down near the lamppost, and drifted off.
***
Crono felt a hand shaking his shoulder. "Crono?"
Crono slowly opened his eyes. "Marle?"
Marle sat down next to him. "This is it."
"Yeah...." He looked into Marle's blue eyes. "You...came back for me."
Marle smiled. "You did the same for me."
Crono leaned a little closer. "Thank you...."
"No...problem." A little closer. She closed her eyes.
"Master Crono!" A familiar robotic voice cried. "Lucca has repaired me!"
Crono jerked back. "What...that's great Robo." He looked at Marle. She was looking up at Robo.
"Am, I disturbing something."
"No Robo," said Marle. "Nothing."
Crono got up. "Yeah....nothing..."
"Wonderful! Then do I have a story to tell!"
"What Robo?"
"Well, when the other where confronting the Black Omen, Chief Ayla was getting restless. She wanted to build a fire, so I suggested to her that I would get some wood from back in real time. I chose the year 600 because I have heard that...."
"The point Robo," said Crono.
"The, point? Oh yes. Of course. Well, there was no forest like I had thought. A young woman named Feonia said the forest died out. I agreed to help her by planting seeds and watering the land. After about 300 years, by powers cells ran out, but the forest grew! Marle brought me back from a shrine apparently built in my honor...but I never got the wood for Chief Ayla."
"That's wonderful Robo," said Marle. "Good for you!"
Lucca appeared behind Robo. "Robo had a lot of time to think, and he came up with a theory, and I agree with him."
"The Gates. They were not created by Lavos. I think a greater entity wanted us to live the events we were sent to."
"Why's that?" asked Marle.
Crono drifted off while they had their discussion.
***
The planet's only hope stood near the Gate Bucket.
"This is it," said Crono. He stepped into the bucket.
Nothing happened.
"Huh?"
"Interesting." said Gasper. "It seems you are not ready to confront Lavos."
"We're more than ready. You yourself said that the destruction of the Omen disrupted the space time......whatever, and Lavos is weak...we can do it."
"I think otherwise." said the Guru. "I think each off you are holding on to something that you don't want to let go of. A unfinished deed, a forgotten love... something you must set free from yourself."
"You just made that up!" said Crono. "This bucket doesn't even work!"
"You mean we each have unfinished business, and the Entity won't let us continue unless you complete it?' said Lucca.
"I believe so, yes. Step into the bucket with you memories in your heart."
"Always an excuse..." said Magus. "Fine."
Each one of them stepped into the bucket, one after the other. Each were transported away to fulfill their forgotten deeds.