Chrono Trigger and the characters contained therein do not belong to me. They are the property of the 'Squaresoft' company. However, if you feel like stealing any of the parts throughout the chapters that are obviously original, then God bless you and I'm very flattered. Just ask first, okay? Or better yet, e-mail me and I'll help you come up with cool, original stuff.
Ollen70: Okay people, we're getting into the home stretch. Parts of this chapter are geared toward people who may not have played the game and don't know exactly what the Chrono Trigger is. The dialogue between Gaspar and the group isn't exactly word for word, because I did it off the top of my head, but I know it's pretty close. There's a little bit of original stuff thrown into that nice long speech too, just for fun..
Chapter Four -- The Keeper
Lucca rolled over half awake, struggling to sit up. The bed, with it's clean white sheets and consuming warmth had such a strong hold on her that she eventually gave up and sank back into it's folds. The room was bright with daylight now, which was hardly surprising. Magus still lay beside her, his bare chest and shoulders illuminated by the first rays of the sun from the clear sky. Running a hand along his back, she marveled at the perfection of his form for the thousandth time. Except now, she could express those thoughts to him without fear of him cursing her somehow.
His skin was soft and warm, not as cold or as pale as one might expect at first. Even from behind, she could feel the steady, rhythmic pounding of his heart as it beat. 'I could play the piano to that,' She thought hazily, pulling close to him and resting her head in the space between his neck and shoulder. He sighed quietly, his breathing ragged for a moment before settling back into the cadence she was used to.
Much to her astonishment, Magus had been skittish at first once they had returned to the room. Her hands were foreign to him, so much so that he drew himself away and seemed very small, delicate almost. She barely kept herself from commenting to that effect. He had been raised in the company of monsters and, to her knowledge, had never been near a woman before his return visit to Zeal. Of course her touch must frighten him. It was an odd thing for her to realize, but the affectionate touch of another human must have been a very strange sensation. Still, Lucca was content to lay beside him as long as she could. By his side, she felt safe.
Magus lay in the sanctuary provided by the clean sheets of the bed, unwilling to release the ragged edges of his dreams and awaken. Waking would mean dealing with the many disappointments he had doubtlessly caused the night before. Passion was a thing that he was unaccustomed to, and not quite anxious to attempt. His reluctance was to himself as despicable as it was endearing to Lucca, who held him close just the same. Any other reaction would have shamed him further. As it was, the protective shell he kept around himself was beginning to shatter. Spending a night wrapped helplessly in the arms of a beautiful young girl was more than sufficient to plunge him into a spiral of self-doubt.
Lucca, once again defying any previous assumption he could have formed, dealt with his shame with a gentle grace that was far-reaching and striking, even for her. She stroked his hair in a way that should have made him feel more uncomfortable. In fact it did at first. Hoping to remedy this, he turned toward her and brought her even closer, reveling in her scent and her touch, but more than anything in the clarity her eyes afforded him. Planting gentle kisses along her neck and shoulders, he lulled her into an eventual sleep with his care.
Two days later, the group stood before the Epoch. The storm, dormant since Magus's attempt to enter the gate, had picked up with more fury than ever, though it was barely noticed by anyone who stood before the newly repaired time machine now. Lucca, with Robo's help, had managed to locate the crossed wires a day ago. With that, she sent Marle, Ayla, and Glenn through the gate to question the Nu that was Belthasar on how they might repair the problem. That in itself was an interesting ordeal, as Marle was forced to take extremely fastidious notes on the instructions Belthasar gave. Lucca almost wished she could have spared Robo to make the journey. Being a robot, remembering word for word what the Guru said wouldn't have been particularly difficult.
Lucca polished the glass dome one last time from the inside, glad to finally be done with the precarious work of upgrading the instrument panel. She unrolled a scrap of paper that had been in her pocket and read the cramped, spidery writing on it one last time.
'In addition to Marle's general notes, I've included schematics on how you might combine the Epoch with that peculiar Gate Key you've managed to construct. If my calculations are accurate, it might stabilize the warp and keep the Epoch in a better state of repair as it travels from era to era. Good luck to you. I'm sure I'll see you soon.'
Wondering exactly what he meant by the last line, she held the gate key to the new ignition in the Epoch, delighted with herself at the success of the modifications. Before she could use it, however, she, Marle, and Magus would escort Ayla, Glenn, and Robo to the end of time and then follow them there in the Epoch. The 'Old Man' was long overdue for some company.
The initial arrival at the End of Time was not particularly eventful. As always, the quaint square with it's iron railings, arbitrary collection of buckets and lone lamp post was picturesque against the swirling mists of time all around that resembled nothing so much as the ocean on a calm day. The old man dozed contentedly against the post, oblivious to the arrival of the three, or the others that were coming from the northern section of the square and the pillars of light that connected to fixed points in time.
"Wha...What's this, then?" The man murmured when Marle gently jogged his arm. He started at first, then grinned sleepily at her. "Oh, hello, my dear. Now tell me," here he wiped his eyes carefully on the sleeve of the long, brown jacket he always wore and straightened the matching bolder hat, "What is your reason for interrupting the slumber of a tired old man? What news do you have, of late?"
At first Marle said nothing, only blinking furiously as her eyes grew swollen and red. Steadying her friend with her hand, Lucca conducted her to the comforting, if not startled, arms of Magus. Having done that, she explained as quickly and painlessly as she could the events that brought them to the End of Time.
"I'm so sorry to hear that," the old man said quietly, as a sad tune began to play. "This is terrible news. Unfortunately, that is the way of things. From the moment one is born, an inevitable march toward death begins. Whether it takes a single year, or one hundred times as many, no life in complete without that final seal of the heavens." Quiet for a moment, he reached up and straightened his hat once again. "I'm afraid all I can give you is this song. It's called 'Memories of Crono.'"
For a long time no one could find the heart to break the spell of the little song. Staring at her feet with blurred vision, Lucca felt the last bit of confidence break away to dust. Though Magus discreetly reached for and clasped her hand reassuringly, it did little to comfort her.
'And now you know.' She thought miserably. 'You know exactly how he feels, leaving Schala behind. I wish I'd been easier on him.'
"We're looking for the Guru of Time. Have you seen him?" Marle asked at last, hope all too evident through her tears.
"Well, I've heard of him, of course.." came the almost gruff reply. "I'm sure most everyone has. What do you want with him, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
"He knows how to bring back Crono."
For a long moment the man was silent, apparently touched by Marle's words. He touched her face kindly, but there was little encouragement in his eyes.
"To bring back lost loved ones...That's what everyone wants. Crono must be proud, to have friends like you." And that was that. The song played on sadly, causing Lucca's eyes to sting with tears. The Old man didn't plan to help. There was nothing left for them here.
"Hey." The old man called as they turned to go. "Here. Take this with you." He held out a beautiful golden egg that Marle took carefully. Even from a distance Lucca could see from the graceful curve, swirls of jet black, and bright sparkle of the shell that it was more than it seemed.
"An egg? Is it hardboiled or 3-minute?" Her levity elicited a stray smile across the man's weathered face.
"Let us call that the Chrono Trigger. It is pure potential. By unleashing a specific course of events, it can have a powerful effect on time. Ask the one who made Epoch, your Wings of Time, how to hatch it. Like any egg, it represents a possibility. It may, or may not, hatch. But the Chrono Trigger gives you the potential to get your friend back. The egg will have an effect equal to the effort you put into your search. No more, and no less. Don't forget that. As long as you keep Crono in your heart, the day you are dreaming of shall arrive."
Turning to Magus, the man's smile grew. "Hey. I haven't seen you in awhile. You've become much more formidable, yes?"
"....?" Magus gave him a long, searching look. "I get it now. It's you, isn't it?"
"Wait a minute. Are you Gaspar, the Guru of Time?"
Shifting uncomfortably, the man looked toward the lamp-post against which he leaned. "Um, well..I believe that's what they used to call me, ages ago..."
This time the boiling sense of hope was so strong within Lucca that she thought she might sing out of sheer relief. Never before had she felt so light, able to walk on air if anyone were to ask it of her. The tasks set before her, Marle, and Magus by the Nu incarnation of Belthasar were completed almost before he told them what must be done. Once they'd won a Crono clone from Norstein Bekkler at the Millennial Fair, they returned once more to the bleak, broken down ruin that was the keeper's dome.
Walking in behind Marle, Magus caught her arm before she stepped over a twisted support beam.
"Too much hope is as dangerous as total despair." He whispered in the dim light, checking to be sure Marle was too far ahead to overhear anything distinct. "And if you aren't careful, it will lead you into the same places. Yes, we have the means to retrieve Crono. But that doesn't mean for certain that we will."
After that she'd become angry with him. How could he dare have the gall to tell her that? Didn't he think she'd told herself that already? Was he jealous? Did he think that once Crono was back, she wouldn't need him anymore? She expressed these sentiments as completely as she could in a hushed, hurried tone, mixed with language a lady probably shouldn't have used.
"Keep denying the truth, if you think it best to do so. You will learn to your dismay that I know much of what I speak" His eyes were hard again, cold and as distant as if she'd struck him. He stormed away toward the sealed doorway Marle was opening with the power of her pendant, now that it had been charged in the distant past. It occurred to her that what she had done was likely much worse, but in the moment she couldn't bring herself to accept it, or to remedy it.
Ollen70: Sorry about this. I'd meant to actually finish the story in this chapter, but I guess I just got carried away. If any of you are interested, the content in the first few chapters has been changed a little. Now, it makes more sense (at least I hope it does.) The next chapter should be up relatively soon. I'll try to have it up by tomorrow, but this last part's been pretty hard to write. Thanks again for reading this. You're my hero! Or you will be, if you review... : )
Ollen70: Okay people, we're getting into the home stretch. Parts of this chapter are geared toward people who may not have played the game and don't know exactly what the Chrono Trigger is. The dialogue between Gaspar and the group isn't exactly word for word, because I did it off the top of my head, but I know it's pretty close. There's a little bit of original stuff thrown into that nice long speech too, just for fun..
Chapter Four -- The Keeper
Lucca rolled over half awake, struggling to sit up. The bed, with it's clean white sheets and consuming warmth had such a strong hold on her that she eventually gave up and sank back into it's folds. The room was bright with daylight now, which was hardly surprising. Magus still lay beside her, his bare chest and shoulders illuminated by the first rays of the sun from the clear sky. Running a hand along his back, she marveled at the perfection of his form for the thousandth time. Except now, she could express those thoughts to him without fear of him cursing her somehow.
His skin was soft and warm, not as cold or as pale as one might expect at first. Even from behind, she could feel the steady, rhythmic pounding of his heart as it beat. 'I could play the piano to that,' She thought hazily, pulling close to him and resting her head in the space between his neck and shoulder. He sighed quietly, his breathing ragged for a moment before settling back into the cadence she was used to.
Much to her astonishment, Magus had been skittish at first once they had returned to the room. Her hands were foreign to him, so much so that he drew himself away and seemed very small, delicate almost. She barely kept herself from commenting to that effect. He had been raised in the company of monsters and, to her knowledge, had never been near a woman before his return visit to Zeal. Of course her touch must frighten him. It was an odd thing for her to realize, but the affectionate touch of another human must have been a very strange sensation. Still, Lucca was content to lay beside him as long as she could. By his side, she felt safe.
Magus lay in the sanctuary provided by the clean sheets of the bed, unwilling to release the ragged edges of his dreams and awaken. Waking would mean dealing with the many disappointments he had doubtlessly caused the night before. Passion was a thing that he was unaccustomed to, and not quite anxious to attempt. His reluctance was to himself as despicable as it was endearing to Lucca, who held him close just the same. Any other reaction would have shamed him further. As it was, the protective shell he kept around himself was beginning to shatter. Spending a night wrapped helplessly in the arms of a beautiful young girl was more than sufficient to plunge him into a spiral of self-doubt.
Lucca, once again defying any previous assumption he could have formed, dealt with his shame with a gentle grace that was far-reaching and striking, even for her. She stroked his hair in a way that should have made him feel more uncomfortable. In fact it did at first. Hoping to remedy this, he turned toward her and brought her even closer, reveling in her scent and her touch, but more than anything in the clarity her eyes afforded him. Planting gentle kisses along her neck and shoulders, he lulled her into an eventual sleep with his care.
Two days later, the group stood before the Epoch. The storm, dormant since Magus's attempt to enter the gate, had picked up with more fury than ever, though it was barely noticed by anyone who stood before the newly repaired time machine now. Lucca, with Robo's help, had managed to locate the crossed wires a day ago. With that, she sent Marle, Ayla, and Glenn through the gate to question the Nu that was Belthasar on how they might repair the problem. That in itself was an interesting ordeal, as Marle was forced to take extremely fastidious notes on the instructions Belthasar gave. Lucca almost wished she could have spared Robo to make the journey. Being a robot, remembering word for word what the Guru said wouldn't have been particularly difficult.
Lucca polished the glass dome one last time from the inside, glad to finally be done with the precarious work of upgrading the instrument panel. She unrolled a scrap of paper that had been in her pocket and read the cramped, spidery writing on it one last time.
'In addition to Marle's general notes, I've included schematics on how you might combine the Epoch with that peculiar Gate Key you've managed to construct. If my calculations are accurate, it might stabilize the warp and keep the Epoch in a better state of repair as it travels from era to era. Good luck to you. I'm sure I'll see you soon.'
Wondering exactly what he meant by the last line, she held the gate key to the new ignition in the Epoch, delighted with herself at the success of the modifications. Before she could use it, however, she, Marle, and Magus would escort Ayla, Glenn, and Robo to the end of time and then follow them there in the Epoch. The 'Old Man' was long overdue for some company.
The initial arrival at the End of Time was not particularly eventful. As always, the quaint square with it's iron railings, arbitrary collection of buckets and lone lamp post was picturesque against the swirling mists of time all around that resembled nothing so much as the ocean on a calm day. The old man dozed contentedly against the post, oblivious to the arrival of the three, or the others that were coming from the northern section of the square and the pillars of light that connected to fixed points in time.
"Wha...What's this, then?" The man murmured when Marle gently jogged his arm. He started at first, then grinned sleepily at her. "Oh, hello, my dear. Now tell me," here he wiped his eyes carefully on the sleeve of the long, brown jacket he always wore and straightened the matching bolder hat, "What is your reason for interrupting the slumber of a tired old man? What news do you have, of late?"
At first Marle said nothing, only blinking furiously as her eyes grew swollen and red. Steadying her friend with her hand, Lucca conducted her to the comforting, if not startled, arms of Magus. Having done that, she explained as quickly and painlessly as she could the events that brought them to the End of Time.
"I'm so sorry to hear that," the old man said quietly, as a sad tune began to play. "This is terrible news. Unfortunately, that is the way of things. From the moment one is born, an inevitable march toward death begins. Whether it takes a single year, or one hundred times as many, no life in complete without that final seal of the heavens." Quiet for a moment, he reached up and straightened his hat once again. "I'm afraid all I can give you is this song. It's called 'Memories of Crono.'"
For a long time no one could find the heart to break the spell of the little song. Staring at her feet with blurred vision, Lucca felt the last bit of confidence break away to dust. Though Magus discreetly reached for and clasped her hand reassuringly, it did little to comfort her.
'And now you know.' She thought miserably. 'You know exactly how he feels, leaving Schala behind. I wish I'd been easier on him.'
"We're looking for the Guru of Time. Have you seen him?" Marle asked at last, hope all too evident through her tears.
"Well, I've heard of him, of course.." came the almost gruff reply. "I'm sure most everyone has. What do you want with him, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
"He knows how to bring back Crono."
For a long moment the man was silent, apparently touched by Marle's words. He touched her face kindly, but there was little encouragement in his eyes.
"To bring back lost loved ones...That's what everyone wants. Crono must be proud, to have friends like you." And that was that. The song played on sadly, causing Lucca's eyes to sting with tears. The Old man didn't plan to help. There was nothing left for them here.
"Hey." The old man called as they turned to go. "Here. Take this with you." He held out a beautiful golden egg that Marle took carefully. Even from a distance Lucca could see from the graceful curve, swirls of jet black, and bright sparkle of the shell that it was more than it seemed.
"An egg? Is it hardboiled or 3-minute?" Her levity elicited a stray smile across the man's weathered face.
"Let us call that the Chrono Trigger. It is pure potential. By unleashing a specific course of events, it can have a powerful effect on time. Ask the one who made Epoch, your Wings of Time, how to hatch it. Like any egg, it represents a possibility. It may, or may not, hatch. But the Chrono Trigger gives you the potential to get your friend back. The egg will have an effect equal to the effort you put into your search. No more, and no less. Don't forget that. As long as you keep Crono in your heart, the day you are dreaming of shall arrive."
Turning to Magus, the man's smile grew. "Hey. I haven't seen you in awhile. You've become much more formidable, yes?"
"....?" Magus gave him a long, searching look. "I get it now. It's you, isn't it?"
"Wait a minute. Are you Gaspar, the Guru of Time?"
Shifting uncomfortably, the man looked toward the lamp-post against which he leaned. "Um, well..I believe that's what they used to call me, ages ago..."
This time the boiling sense of hope was so strong within Lucca that she thought she might sing out of sheer relief. Never before had she felt so light, able to walk on air if anyone were to ask it of her. The tasks set before her, Marle, and Magus by the Nu incarnation of Belthasar were completed almost before he told them what must be done. Once they'd won a Crono clone from Norstein Bekkler at the Millennial Fair, they returned once more to the bleak, broken down ruin that was the keeper's dome.
Walking in behind Marle, Magus caught her arm before she stepped over a twisted support beam.
"Too much hope is as dangerous as total despair." He whispered in the dim light, checking to be sure Marle was too far ahead to overhear anything distinct. "And if you aren't careful, it will lead you into the same places. Yes, we have the means to retrieve Crono. But that doesn't mean for certain that we will."
After that she'd become angry with him. How could he dare have the gall to tell her that? Didn't he think she'd told herself that already? Was he jealous? Did he think that once Crono was back, she wouldn't need him anymore? She expressed these sentiments as completely as she could in a hushed, hurried tone, mixed with language a lady probably shouldn't have used.
"Keep denying the truth, if you think it best to do so. You will learn to your dismay that I know much of what I speak" His eyes were hard again, cold and as distant as if she'd struck him. He stormed away toward the sealed doorway Marle was opening with the power of her pendant, now that it had been charged in the distant past. It occurred to her that what she had done was likely much worse, but in the moment she couldn't bring herself to accept it, or to remedy it.
Ollen70: Sorry about this. I'd meant to actually finish the story in this chapter, but I guess I just got carried away. If any of you are interested, the content in the first few chapters has been changed a little. Now, it makes more sense (at least I hope it does.) The next chapter should be up relatively soon. I'll try to have it up by tomorrow, but this last part's been pretty hard to write. Thanks again for reading this. You're my hero! Or you will be, if you review... : )
