The Fire When it Comes – Chapter 7: Time's Petty Pace – In which there is entirely too much conversation and many truths are revealed.
A Crono-Trigger/Cross fanfic
By
Deborah J. Brown

Chrono-Trigger & Chrono-Cross and all associated characters belong to Squaresoft.

Janus watched Belthazar's face go white as his hair with a faintly cruel amusement. It wasn't so much that he wanted to hurt the old man that much anymore, but there was still a touch of irritation in him over Belthazar's betrayal. Though, admittedly, it's been two years from his perspective and only a few days from mine. If anything, I'm the one who should be holding onto a grudge. "Sit down. Lucca's made a us a lovely pot of tea."

Slowly, Belthazar stepped forward and sat. His eyes were glancing side to side rapidly as if he were considering his routes of escape. Janus ignored this, however, in favor of looking up at Lucca. "Will you need help drowning the brats?"

Lucca laughed. "No, I've been doing this for years now. I'm used to chasing them down at bath time. Besides, they only run because it's part of the game. Once they're in the bath the big fight will be getting them back out."

A quick, real, smile crossed Janus' face as he recalled similar situations in his ever so long ago childhood. "Then Belthazar and I will sit and talk until you come back. I have some things to tell you, but they can wait a little while."

Once Lucca had left, Janus turned and raised a brow at the old man. "To quote a certain old friend of mine. I am most wroth with you, Belthazar. You've been keeping secrets. Too many secrets. I think it's time you answered some questions."

"Not to you," Belthazar replied, defiantly, eliciting a sigh from the mage. "You have no idea the damage you can do"

Janus managed a sour smile. "In the last few days I've learned only too well what damage I can do." he narrowed his eyes at the old man. "I may not know what I am, old man, but I can guess." He pulled off a glove, raising a hand whose inner fire glowed faintly in the light of the sun. The bloodglow was brightening, the changeover closing in on him. He wasn't sure how it would happen, but it was nearly time. "How did it happen, old man? Did I ever have a father or was I just born of that chunk of Lavos you stole?"

Belthazar stared at Janus' hand for a frightened moment. Then his shoulders sagged. "I really don't know. Zeal your mother never told us. I only know that a good portion of the Lavos stone disappeared around the time you were conceived. That you were born far too soon for a normal human child. Whether your father was Dalton and your body just absorbed Lavos' power completely, or if her absorbing that power created you in Zeal's body I just don't know." He paused, looked at Janus tiredly. "I can tell you this much, though. There was never a Janus until Lavos came into the picture. Just Schala."

Janus nodded. "That was about what I'd expected," he said softly.

Belthazar looked miserable. "When we realized Lavos was there we hoped to find a way to prevent it from awakening. We were going to study the stone, learn its nature and hoped to find a way to use it against Lavos. We never thought your mother would"

"Be such a damnfool as to try and control Lavos? You should have. You really, really should have. You sealed my power didn't you? Tried to control me. That's why I had no magic until I was thrown forward through time. Until the time current partially broke the seal. And now that I've learned the time travel spell and used it, that seal is almost gone. One more time jump will – most likely – break it entirely."

"Something like that, yes." Belthazar sighed. "Listen to me, boy. You're about the greatest danger to this world next to Lavos. We can't afford yet another disaster to avert. There are too many as it is. The Mother Computer, Lavos FATE." He gave Janus a pleading look. "Release that geas on me. Let me call my brother Gaspar. Maybe if you left time entirely you'd present less of a threat"

"No." Janus said flatly.

Belthazar's hand clenched and Janus noted that he was carefully hiding the other under the table. "Leave the knife alone, old man. You can't kill me. By now the Masamune is the only thing that's going to be able to end my life and that will happen in its own good time."

Startled, Belthazar stared at Janus, who'd gone very still, gazing into the flow of time with an ache forming deep inside him. The black wind howled in his mind, a lonely echo to his own howling soul. Now why did I say that Oh. Yes, I suppose that is where I'm headed. It wasn't a comforting thought. He really didn't want to die. Didn't want his killer to be one of the only friends he had. But it would be necessary for the next step. Whatever that is. "All of this is beside the point. I want you to tell me exactly everything began. How this world came to be in such a foul mess."

"I"

"But wait until Lucca's back. I want her input on this. Her logic is beyond reproach and – at the moment – I don't quite know what's to be done."

***

Belthazar spoke slowly – hesitantly – aware of Lucca's solemn gaze and Magus' colder glare. When he was done, it was Lucca who spoke first. "So you aren't even from this universe, and Gaspar and Melchior are your clones. That would explain why none of you three have never seemed to age. This universe's time is different enough from your original one that it can't affect your body – and since those two essentially are you"

"Exactly," Belthazar admitted, not looking at Magus at all. "I came here in the very first Epoch. Came here and crashed. In my efforts to escape, the technology I used resulted in the first Mother Computer. She tried to use time travel to ensure her creation and to draw all the branches of the tree towards that creation. That drew Lavos here and well you've seen some of the resulting chaos. I don't know what to do, to be honest. We needed the Mother Computer to create the time warps for you and your companions to ensure Lavos was destroyed, but doing so resulted in FATE – another Mother Computer, this one worse because – despite the Prometheus Code that you created – it has still found a way to harm humanity."

"In, of course, the interests of preserving it," Magus' voice was soft, strangely subdued. "I only wonder that she has done so little up 'til now, with so much power at her command" The Magus of the past would never have been so quiet about his confession. He'd have been furious. Oh, there was a light of anger in those ruby eyes, but also a touch of comprehension. "So the only way out of this trap was to find a way to keep her from using the Frozen Flame properly. That explains that boy"

"Boy?" Lucca asked.

"An Arnean child named Serge, about three or four years old – no, nearer seven now. He's touched the Flame and – thus – become the only person able to command it. FATE is no longer able to control matters in the same way she had." Magus sighed. "I'm sure she'll be doing something to rectify the problem, but we have a little breathing space."

A frown crossed Lucca's face. "I've heard of something called the Frozen Flame down in the El Nido area. An artifact capable of granting wishes?"

"It's a chunk of Lavos!" Belthazar interrupted, disturbed and agitated, remembering the moment when he'd realized the true nature of the thing at the center of FATE's web. "Not a toy to play wishing games with."

"Well now, for once we agree on something. That won't stop folk from trying, though," Magus said with a sour smile. "Never mind that, Belthazar. The main point is, for a little while at least, the boy's life will block FATE's plans in this world. For that time, however short it might be, we have a chance to work out a way to save my sister and thwart that metallic bitch."

"Schala I've been meaning to talk to you about that You keep distracting me," Lucca gave Janus a reproving look. "Schala's here"

***

1001 A.D.

Glenn forced himself to walk forward to face the White Dragon that sat curled on a large rock at the top of the hill on Sky Dragon Island. It had been interesting and not entirely surprising to realize the island was located exactly where the Reptite tower had appeared all those centuries ago. The tower must have sunk into the sea after it had lost its battle.

"So, human. We meet again."

The voice was huge. Obviously softened for the sake of fragile human ears, but huge none the less. "I greet thee, Lord of the Sky," Glenn murmured, going down onto one knee and staring upwards into the face of something both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Even as he spoke, he wondered what the dragon meant, and asked, "Meet again? I fear thou hast mistaken me for another."

"There ist no mistake, human. Though it may be that thou hast yet to meet me in that long ago day. So be it. Tell me, little mortal, what it is ye seek?"

"I am told ye might have answers to my questions for me." Wording the matter carefully so as to avoid giving too much information, Glenn began telling the Sky Dragon his story. Of Magus, of his original intent to stop him and his renewed friendship with the mage when it seemed he'd been misinformed of the man's intentions. Of being lost in time from his friend and of Chronopolis and his fears of its nature and plans.

"And ye would block FATE? Defy her? This would be a show well worth watching." The Sky Dragon gave the young human a long, considering look. "Ye speak of this friend of thine gaining powers unexpectedly. What is this friend's name?"

"He was known as Magus in my time," Glenn answered, though a part of him wondered if this answer was a wise thing. "But in 12,000 B.C. his birth name was Janus."

"Hmmm." The Sky Dragon went silent. At last he said, "The names art unfamiliar. Mayhap ye couldst describe the man?"

Somehow drawn, with a part of his Self protesting all the way, Glenn did so. "Right now his blood is glowing, or it was the last I saw him. I fear me he is changing and fear too that it might not be a change for the good."

"Aye." Claws tapped the ground consideringly. "So, that is who he is. And if his blood glows as ye describe, it explains what. Very well. I believe I can help thee. There is a place. A place in the mountains of Zenan continent. The Dragon Shrine. At this Shrine it is possible to reach through time and space to contact one you seek. Go there. Even if he is out of this time, you will be able to reach him and call him to you."

Glenn started to bow, only to halt as the dragon spoke again. "And when he comes to thee, young human, thou shalt pay for my aid By slaying him."

***

1008 A.D.

"SCHALA?" Belthazar rose to his feet, startled as a deer suddenly set upon by the hounds. "But she" He shook his head. "She's bound to Lavos. She can't possibly break free"

"She can if she has help," Magus said softly. "Between the Frozen Flame and myself, we gave her a moment to do something towards freeing herself completely." He looked at Lucca and there was a rueful look in his eyes that Belthazar had never seen there before. "But Kid isn't – quite – Schala. She's her clone, a physical copy of my sister. Schala herself could not break free entirely of Lavos' control."

Lucca's expression as she looked from Belthazar to Magus was disappointed. Then it darkened. "You know more about her than you should. Was it you who abandoned her"

"Not abandon," Belthazar would have sworn Magus sounded plaintive. "Never abandon. I knew you were there. I left her where you'd find her."

"Gee, thanks. You didn't even bother asking me if I wanted to take care of a baby."

It's strange, Belthazar thought, He's one of the most powerful, no, by now he is the most powerful mage on this world and he's letting himself be browbeaten by a girl less than a quarter his power and half his height. "But you seem to enjoy it," the sage protested despite himself.

"Enjoying it and wanting it are two different things," Lucca growled, turning on Belthazar momentarily. "I would have much preferred to have my own child with someone I cared about." She was looking at Magus with a strange expression. "Or help from the one who brought her to me"

A sound outside the door caused her to gasp and grab the handle, just in time to stop a small blonde girl from running away. "KID!"

"You don't want me. You don't want us!"

"Don't be silly," Lucca held the girl in her arms. "I'm angry that you were dumped on me without so much as a by your leave, but I've never been sorry for it."

Kid struggled in Lucca's arms, but was slowly relaxing. "Really?" she asked in a plaintive tone that hit Belthazar in the base of his gut. This was one of the lives injured by his inability to repair the damage he'd caused. One of the many countless lives. Then he glanced at Magus and saw the young man's eyes watching the girl with an aching sorrow. His life too. I never ever thought of that. Between our tying his power down and Lavos throwing him thru time to the mystics, it's a wonder he's managed to retain any human feeling. But he loves his sister and he loves this child

"Really, Kid. I swear as Lucca the Great that I'll never be sorry I have you or any of the others. No matter how mad that skinny scarecrow over there makes me."

Kid looked over at Magus. "Don't you eat?" she asked. "You really are skinny."

***

A guffaw escaped Janus' lips. Schala or not, the child had his sister's way of picking on him. "I eat. Just probably not enough." He smiled at Kid, "Your sister Lucca's right, Kid. She has every reason to blame me for assuming she'd take care of you. That doesn't mean she doesn't love you. Just that she's not too fond of me at the moment. She'll get over it." I hope.

"Humph. Maybe. Maybe not. Kid, it's time for bed," Lucca's gruff response concealed little of her real reaction. The situation, thankfully, had been defused.

"Wait," Janus murmured. "I have a gift for you, Kid. Something to help keep you safe if you're in trouble."

"I don't need that, I have the Great Lucca to protect me," Kid protested.

Lucca smiled and shook her head. "The Great Lucca will be hard to take down," she agreed. "But it's never a bad thing to have more protection."

Janus glanced over at Belthazar, who was watching the child with saddened eyes, then reached out his hand and concentrated. Slowly a strand of blue shaded crystals formed there, their depths glinting with hints of ruby fire, the largest shaped like an upside down tear drop. "Wear this, little one," he whispered. "Wear it and stay well."

"Oh It's so pretty Like the necklace Big Sis said I had when she found me." The girl took the gem and gazed at it with wide and delighted eyes. "She won't let me have that necklace until I'm older."

"Probably a good idea," Janus agreed, knowing the power that resided in the Time Egg that had once been Schala's. "But this one I'd like you to wear all the time, all right?"

"Oh yes! Thank you!" Childish arms wrapped themselves around Janus and he felt a sharp ache start in his throat as he returned the hug. Oh sister Little big sister

"It's time for bed now," Lucca murmured firmly. "Come along."

As Lucca took the girl away, bouncing happily with the necklace around her throat, Janus sighed and sagged, not so much because of his use of power as from the whole situation. "That's taken care of, then. The time stream's not clear for her, probably due to the Lavos influence on her, but I can see one thing. She's going to need all the help she can get."

"It was"

"A time egg of sorts. Not unlike the one my sister left with her, except this will affect only her. If her life is in danger time will run backwards and she'll be moved to a safe place." At Belthazar's startled stare, he shrugged. "I'm not going to be here to protect her. At least I don't think I will. Don't tell Lucca that." The future held confusion, too much for him to work out what was going to happen soon. Not like that time in his childhood when Crono's death had been clearly marked in the current.

"Time stream? STREAM?"

Janus shrugged and nodded. "I know you and Gaspar and Melchior seem to think it's a tree, but what I see is more like a stream. Constantly flowing, constantly shifting. What do you think attracted Lavos here in the first place? It consumes time. I consume time. You, or that Mother Computer, baited it here by pulling the stream into such a tight, single, flood." He sighed. "It's why the Flame is so powerful. All that time, so close together, so easily shifted as pleases."

Belthazar was silent for a moment. "Magus No, Janus I have been misjudging you. I have thought you were just seeking power. I didn't really believe you needed Schala that much. I should have realized how much she meant to you."

"It wasn't like mother was much of a parent, after all, and if Lavos is my sire – well that's not much of a recommendation either." Janus shrugged slightly. "Although – I'll admit I'd almost prefer it to that jackass Dalton."

"Still, you must listen to me. Your power is too great. For the sake of the world I have to ask you to remove yourself It's not your fault, Janus, but don't you realize what you can do? Look at that time egg you created so casually. It took me years to create anything remotely similar and you just thought it up"

Janus shook his head. "You can't remove me from the time stream without risking the current path." He clenched his fists, seeing his own future only too well. "A long while ago – it seems like years, but I fear it's only been a few days for me – a recorded message from myself warned me that I was due to become a god. Warned me I wouldn't like it, and I don't. Don't worry that I'll use my power for my own selfish purposes, old man. I'm going to be hard put to prevent it from being misused by others."

***

1001 A.D.

Glenn felt strangely out of sync. Around him, the rest of reality was blurred, uncertain. He occasionally saw people, but they appeared flat, unreal, to him. Somewhere, deep within himself, he knew he was being used, controlled, but that small part wasn't strong enough to swim back to the surface of his thoughts and break free.

So he rode the boat that had taken him to Sky Dragon Island to the mainland and left it and its pilot there without comment. He walked. Walked and walked and walked through forest and past a swamp until he finally reached a cave high in the mountains. It was enormous inside, the kind of place one would imagine dragons coming to worship in. And at one end of the shrine was an altar with two raised pillars.

The place of tears, he thought and didn't quite know how he knew. Where love and hate combine to sing a song of freedom. But that freedom will never be. Can never be. Is impossible. He stepped forward to stand before the pillars. "Janus, called Magus. It is I, thy friend and boon companion. Come unto this time and place that we may meet again." Barely aware of having done so, he drew his sword.

To Be Continued

Author's Notes:

Re: Guile as Magus: I'm of the understanding that this is a favored subject of flamewars on Gamespot's Forum. Suffice to say that Magil was Magus in the Radical Dreamers game and Guile is based on Magil in part. However, he's a wimp. I've played him and it isn't until you've played through a couple of times that you get much use from him as a either a fighter or a mage. As for whether or not he's Magus/Janus in this story Well Sore Wa Himitsu Desu!

Re: Posting Speed: I have about two chapters written beyond this one and I'm not sure when it's going to end. Once I hit the end of the already written stuff I may have to slow down posting, depending on how much I can get done in the next few days. At worst I hope to post once a week. At least I know where I'm going now. (rubs back of head embarassedly)

Re: Crono, Marle and Lucca: Death is such a final word. Let's just say that I have plans for them and leave it at that.

SFX of Luminaire, Flare and Ice2 (poor Marle never got a big-time offense spell, drat it) being tossed at Kosagi, who scurries off to avoid the characters' wrath.