Chapter 5: The Trial

The sun shone through it casting the courtroom in many colors. The window showed an old man holding a scale, the symbol of Justice in Guardia. Before the window a judge sat in an high backed chair. To the judges right stood the Chancellor. On the judges left was a man dressed in formal clothes.

The Chancellor stepped forward. I am the Chancellor, the prosecutor.

The man on the right stepped forward, I'm the lawyer for the defence, Pierre.

We now bring forth the defendant, Crono. He is accused of abducting Princess Nadia, the Chancellor said in his whinny voice.

The Seargent at Arms stepped to the door and opened it so Crono could enter. Crono took his place behind a podium. What shall we do with him, the Chancellor said almost to himself, Fire, perhaps? Hang him upside down for a few years? Or shall we employ the guillotine.

You the jury must decide his fate, the Chancellor said in a louder voice.

The Judge looked at Crono, You are ordered to tell the truth, Crono.

Pierre stepped forward. His voice was much stronger then the Chancellors and seemed to carry a conviction with it that what he was saying was absolutely true. The charge against my client is Premeditated Abduction of Royalty, Pierre paused for just a moment, The question is, did he kidnap Princess Nadia.

The answer, Pierre continued, Is NO. No took place at the fairgrounds that day.

The two met completely by accident. In fact, it was Princess Nadia, or Marle as she told Crono, who asked if she could join him.

Is this true, the Chancellor said as Pierre stepped back to his position, Who started this whole affair?

Crono said after a moments thought, I guess in a way I did. I...

Crono was going on to explain but the Chancellor stopped him short. Just as I suspected! The defendant deliberately tried to get near the Princess.

It's not like that, Crono tried to say again but was cut off.

The Princess then innocently followed you to Lucca's little sideshow, the Chancellor said, Whereupon you both disappeared! Now if that isn't criminal abduction I don't know what is!

It was an accident that caused her to disappear, Crono tried to defend himself, I went in after her to rescue her!

The jury was listening but the Chancellor was not. I also have evidence that throw the defendants character into question as well.

Pierre called, This can't have any relevance to this case.

Care to respond Chancellor, the Judge asked.

Crono's character is at the very core of this case, the Chancellor insisted.

Very well, Pierre said then continued under his breath, We have nothing to lose.

If character is to be the question, my Lord, Pierre said addressing the Judge, Then we have a number of witnesses who will attest to the good character of my client.

First, a young girl, Pierre said.

The Seargent at Arms stepped to the door and opened the door. Crono smiled as he saw who it was. The young girl whose cat Crono had found stepped inside. She turned and looked at Crono, This nice man found my kitty for me.

She was escorted out. Thank you for being so kind, she said to Crono as she left the room.

We also have a written testimonial from the Mayor of the town of Truce and several of the townspeople who were willing to testify today, Pierre continued.

I think we can skip that part young man, the judge told Pierre, Clear Crono is a man of good character.

Pierre said, The final issue to settle is motive. Was there any motive for Crono to abduct Princess Nadia? No!

What about ransom, the Chancellor asked.

Didn't her fortunes tempt you, the Chancellor asked trying to trap him.

To be perfectly honest, Crono said, I had no clue who she really was until a few hours ago.

You mean you had no idea?

Not until I was told by my friend Lucca, Crono said.

The Chancellor grumbled, The prosecution rests, your honor.

Members of the jury, the judge said, If you find the defendant guilty stand to the left. If innocent, stand to the right.

The jurors filed in. The final vote was four Not Guilty and two Guilty. The crowd was booing. Order in the court, the judge called as he slammed his gavel, A verdict has been reached. The verdict is not guilty. However the fact remains that even though he didn't kidnap her, he did run off with her. Three days solitary confinement.

The judge slammed his gavel down finally. Take him away, the Chancellor called.

Two guards stepped through the door. Marle ran in after them. Now wait just a darn minute...

the Chancellor said in shock.

Then a silence fell upon the courtroom as the King himself entered the court. That's enough, my dear, he said to Marle.

But Father!

All I asked was for you to behave like a Princess, the King said sadly, Even royalty must obey rules. Leave the rest up to the Chancellor and forget about the events in town.

Marle was shaking her head. We're leaving, the King said finally as he stared into the defiant face of his daughter.

The guards followed the King outside, dragging Crono between them. Marle sank to her knees. she said softly.

Crono was set down on the bridge leading to the jails. The guard waited for the Chancellor to arrive. The Chancellor walked ahead of Crono as if he were a conquering hero. Crono was led down a flight of stairs. The Chancellor walked towards the head guard who was seated behind a large desk. This terrorist has tried to overthrow the Kingdom, the Chancellor said conspiratorially.

Crono could not make out what was being no matter how hard he tried. He has been found guilty and you must carry out his sentence.

So this is the monster who kidnapped the princess, the head guard said.

The execution is three days away, the Chancellor said, Be sure to keep an eye on him.

That's funny, the guard said as he shuffled through his papers, I don't recall receiving anything about an execution.

Do you doubt what I say, the Chancellor said angrily, The paperwork is probably lost in the system somewhere.

Understood, sir!

the head guard called.

Two heavily armored soldiers walked into the room. Take the prisoner to his cell

One of the guards stepped behind Crono and hit him with the pommel of his sword. Crono passed out instantly.

Crono woke to find himself lying on the cold stone floor of a cell. On the bed, a bright pink package sat. Crono stood up and held his head for a moment as it started to hurt. His head cleared in a moment. He walked woozily towards the package and opened it. Inside he found his pack as well as a note. Thought you might need this, ~A friend. Somehow it had gotten through there security.

Crono grinned as he pulled out a Tonic and drank it down quickly. The pain in his head cleared immediately. Crono walked to the door and started to shake it. One of the guards looked at him and said in a gruff voice, Stop it, kid.

Crono kept it up until the guard yelled at his partner, Open the door. I'll teach him not to mess around with me.

The door creaked open with a squeal of rusted hinges. The guard struck him before he could react. Crono fell backwards and the guard followed him. He was still feeling the effects of the Tonic and didn't feel much pain. That's what you get for misbehaving, the guard said as he stooped over Crono's body.

As the guard turned Crono reached into his pack and drew his sword. He lashed out with as much force as he could muster. The blade cut through the armor on the back of the guard who fell to the floor with a loud clang. Crono dashed for the door but the other guard was standing in the way. Where do you think you're going?

The guard was carrying a heavy sword that was slow in the ungainly armor but could deal a lot of damange if Crono were not careful. Crono held his sword in a fencers stance. The guard took a swing at him but it was too slow to hit. Crono dodged nimbly to one side and slashed his sword at the guards sword arm. Crono's blade resounded off the man's heavy armor. The guard sent his elbow flying into Crono's face.

Crono reeled drunkenly from the blow as he tried to get his thoughts organized. The guard swung his sword again and Crono reacted on instinct. Crono moved himself inside the mans swing and straightened his sword arm out. The blade pierced the armor and drove through the guard sprouting from his back. Crono pulled his sword from the guard before running up the stairs that led from the cell block he was being kept in.

At the top of the stairs Crono found the way out blocked by a pair of shields. Behind them, two shadowy figures crouched. One moved his shield away to try and strike at Crono but Crono moved too quickly. Crono hit the man with his shoulder, sending him flying. He slashed with his sword killing the man before he could come around. The man behind the other shield stuck his head out to find Crono's sword slashing at him. His head fell to the floor like overripe fruit.

Crono ran to the stairs that looked like they lead down. At the bottom Crono finds a long walkway suspended between two of the towers. Winds gust around the towers, threatening to knock Crono over. The path ends in a stairway leading down into another long hall. A guard stands in front of another cell. Crono dashes forward, impaling the guard on the sword.

Crono throws up the switch that sits on the wall next to the cell. The gate opens with a metallic clank. Crono moved quickly inside, checking for prisoners to help escape. No one is inside but he does find four chests. From these chests he gets 2 Mid Tonics, slightly more powerful versions of the tonic, and two ethers, potion designed to replenish energy.

Crono stepped back outside and examined his surroundings. The hall dead ends. No choice but to head back, Crono thought. He walks towards the stairway but sees a large figuring coming down.

A giant of a man, wielding a mace and covered in armor, steps slowly down the stairs. So you're that escaped con, the man booms out.

He steps towards Crono, each step shaking the ground a bit. Crono draws his sword once more. The hulking man swung his mace at Crono but his swing was much too slow. Crono easily side stepped it and lashed his sword out at the man. The blade dented the armor but did little else.

The large man laughed. Is that the best you can do?

He swung again but Crono sidestepped again. Stop moving!

Crono lashed out again, taking the guard high on his chest. The blade penetrated the armor and struck something that felt like flesh but no blood followed his blade when he pulled it out. Crono could see the cut through the armor clearly, it was about an inch wide. Crono dove under the man's next clumsy swing and stabbed his sword through the gap he had made in the mans armor. The man grasped his chest as Crono withdrew his sword. I don't get paid enough for this, he grumbled as he ran as quickly as his bulk would allow away from Crono.

Crono ran back across the suspended walkway and up another flight of stairs. These led to another long walkway between the two towers. About half way across a voice cried out, The prisoners escaping!

Two guards, one on either side of him, strode forward. Crono looked about him carefully. There wasn't much room to maneuver. Crono did the only thing he could do, he attacked. He charged the guard in front of him, cutting him down with a spectacular swing of his sword. Crono's hands were starting to feel a bit numb from the vibrations of his sword hitting the armor. Crono picked up the fallen guards sword and hit the other guard, who was trying to run up behind him, with the flat of the blade. The guard overbalanced in his heavy armor and went tumbling to the ground. Crono grinned to himself as he resumed running for the exit.

The walkway ended in another long hall. Crono could see two guards in the hall. Crono managed to sneak past the first, who was not very attentive. The second guard, who was standing in front of some sort of torture chamber, was more attentive then the first. Crono killed him before he could raise a warning. Crono threw open the switch and found a young man with his head in the guillotine.

Crono ran to the man and lifted the block that was keeping his neck trapped in the machine. The man stood up and rubbed his neck. You're a life saver, he said as he shook Crono's hand, My daddy runs a shop in the Truce area. Stop by some time.

I'll do that, Crono said, Now get out of here.

The room had another gate. Crono threw the switch and entered the next room. Two skeletons lay on the floor. In the corner a treasure chest sat. Inside was a suit of Bronze Mail. Crono grinned to himself as he donned the armor. This might not be so bad, Crono thought to himself.

Crono stepped from the room and ran out the next exit he found. This led to another of the walkways that Crono had seen so much of. At the end of the hallway Crono found a room with stairs in every corner. Crono could see light coming from the upper right stairway and ran up two flights of stairs. The stairs ended in a room with two guards. The stood on either side of the doorway.

Crono drew his sword silently then stabbed the sword through the back of the right guard. As the body fell Crono jerked the sword out of the mans back and brought the sword around in a fierce arch that severed the man on the lefts head from his shoulders.

At the end of the room a large wooden door was set into the stone. Crono threw these open and stepped through. The head guard was sitting behind his desk. An important looking document sat on his desk. The guard stood up and ran for the stairway leading out. A series of sharp raps sounded from the stairs and the man fell down the stairs, unconcious.

A figure stepped down the stairs in large glasses and a silly hat.

Crono! I'm here to rescue you, then she looked around, Well, looks like you didn't need my help after all. Let's blow this joint.

I'd agree with that, Crono said, But first, I want to see what this is.

He picked up the sheaf of papers which had fallen to the floor when the guard had run. The title was Dragon Tank Owner's Manual. Crono read on. Apparently the Dragon Tank was some new weapon the Chancellor had ordered built. The head wouldn't take damage from lightning or fire damage, whatever that meant, and would apparently repair damage done to the main body. The manual continued to say that the tank is unbeatable unless the head was destroyed.

I guess that's kind of useless, Crono said as he tossed the manual back on the desk, Let's get out of here.

The two ran up the stairs to freedom. Another long walkway. How many of these things does this castle have, Crono asked as they ran along it.

The walkway shook beneath there feet. What is that, Lucca asked.

In the distance the hiss of steam being released under pressure could be heard. They continued forward. The shaking grew more and more noticeable. With a hiss and a screech a giant tank with the head of a dragon rolled out onto the walkway. That must be the dragon tank, Crono said.

The Chancellor was standing behind the tank shouting encouragement. Forward Dragon Tank! Crush those rebels, he yelled in his whinny voice before he ran back inside like the coward he is.

Hey Lucca, remember what the manual said, Crono pointed out, Go for the head but don't use flames, it's immune.

Lucca said as she drew her trusty gun.

Crono drew his sword and waited for the tank to settle. The head peered down at the two with no hint of emotion. With a whirring click the mouth dropped open and sent a jet of flame at Crono. Crono rolled to the side avoiding the flames as Lucca sent a bolt from her gun into the tanks mouth. The flames sputtered a bit before going out. Hey, nice shot, Crono called to Lucca.

I just added a little explosives to the round so when it hits it causes some extra damage, Lucca called as she fired at the head again.

The jaw slammed shut and the round exploded harmlessly on the outside. Crono lept at the tank, swinging his sword at the mouth. The sword reverberated in his hand but the well made sword did not break.

The jaw opened again but this time a beam bathed the tank in a strange green light. The gaps in the jaw closed and started to reform. That's amazing, Crono thought, I bet Lucca would give anything to study that thing some more. Lucca fired into the mouth again, damaging the circuitry inside. Crono jumped towards the mouth and jammed his sword into the metal monstrosity. With a ominous clank the jaw opened fully and did not move.

That takes care of that, Crono called as he jerked his sword from the mouth.

A series of grinding sounds issued from the tank and a hatch opened on the top of the tank. With a roar three missles lifted into the air. Crono dodged two that were aimed at him but Lucca was knocked to the ground by the concussion from the third.

Crono jumped to his feet and ran at the tank. He took a giant leap at the top of the tank and drove his sword into the delicate machinery beneath its armored hide. Sparks flew and smoke issued from the seams of the tank. Crono yanked his sword out and ran to check on Lucca. She was bruised and a little singed but otherwise alright.

The Chancellor ran out of the tower and started yelling, They got the Dragon Tank! Fix it quickly!

Two guards ran forward with the Chancellor to try and fix the damaged tank. With a deep roar the tank was ripped apart by explosions. The Chancellor and the guards looked wide eyed as the section of walkway they were standing on collapsed.

In desperation they grabbed each other. The guard holding the Chancellors feet got his toes over the edge of the damaged are while the guard that the Chancellor had grabbed had his hands gripped tightly on the opposite side. They formed a sort of human bridge. Crono and Lucca ran quickly over the three as the Chancellor shouted at them, Don't think for a moment that you've gotten away with this!

The two ran down the stairs that led to the exit. At the bottom a pair of guards stood on either side of the exit. As Crono stepped out one of the guards yelled, They're escaping.

Run for it, Crono yelled.

The two guards gave chase as the two teenagers ran for the exit. As they reached the door four more guards appeared, surrounding the two.

A voice called out,

Princess Nadia, the guards said in unison and dropped to one knee.

Marle stepped forward, wearing a very fancy dress that seemed totally inappropriate for her. This is my friend. Show him some respect!

one of the guards started to say.

Marle glared at him. Can't you take orders, Marle asked.

Of course, the soldier replied.

Hold it right there, the Chancellors high pitched voice said.

There was the Chancellor, striding self importantly towards where Marle stood. Do as King Guardia the XXXIII commands.

The King himself strode forward, resting on a scepter of gold.

Silence, Princess Nadia, the King commanded, The throne comes before your personal wishes.

Marle said angrily, Just because I have a title does not mean I am not a person!

You pick up strange ideas venturing outside, the King replied.

I didn't pick up' anything, it's called common sense,' Marle retorted.

Princess Nadia, the King said pleading.

I despise you! I'm leaving!

She threw off her dress, revealing the loose white clothes she seemed more at home in. Marle stepped to Crono. Come on Crono. Let's go.

Crono and Lucca followed Marle out the door. The Chancellor yelled at the guards, Don't just stand there, catch them!

The King stepped forward sadly, Princess Nadia...

Now I have lost my only family, the King thought as he stared at the door.

Outside in Guardia Forest the guards were pursuing the trio. They had cut off the route to Truce village and forced them towards a clearing. The three burst into the clearing. Looks like a dead end, Marle called.

Lucca saw the small glowing ball on the ground, Look, a gate!

Let's go through it, Marle said.

But we don't know where it will take us, Lucca replied.

Who cares? This place stinks anyways, Marle said to Lucca.

While Lucca considered a voice called from the path. Princess Nadia!

The Chancellor and several guards blocked the way out. This is completely irrational, Lucca told Crono.

Marle looked at Crono. Hurry Crono.

Crono said, Lucca open the gate.

If you insist, Lucca said resignedly as she pulled out the gate key.

She pointed it at the gate and it opened. The guards stared in shock as the gate opened. The Chancellor went wide eyed. They disappeared!