Geez, took me long enough to get this one posted huh? Haven't posted in like 2 weeks or something right? Anyway…

Disclaimer – I don't own Chrono Cross o.O

*Insert Text here* - Memories

Insert Text here - Voices

(Insert text here) –Thought

~*~ Here ~*~  - Dream

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Chapter 16 – Preparations

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            The loud rush of air swept passed Locke's ears as Drakius tore across the light spangled darkness that was Time's Way. His coat, his pants and his hair were all whipped backwards violently, their attachment to his body the only thing keeping them from flying off into oblivion. The young man wore no grin upon his face; in fact it was much the opposite. His façade was one of grim seriousness and the starch urgent-ness in his aura begged his dragonic friend to fly faster then he ever had in his life.

            There's no time…no time…faster, faster and passed the depths of hell, you'll never make it, but go, go now! It may prove to be a show…

            Locke growled as the voice echoed throughout the inter-chronological passage. Glancing over his shoulder he saw the route behind him begin waver and crinkle as a distortion ripped through its core, creating suction and blowing force, making for rough flying. The Dragon Rider held on with one hand for dear life for the other was occupied with wondrous blade, which he held even harder.

            "Damn it Drakius go faster!"

            *I'm trying you little-*

            "Light!"

            Seconds after Leo/Locke yelled out, Drakius flew head long into a blinding light.

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            "Is this really necessary?" Asked his brother questioningly as he looked at the odd picture of himself in the dark green dress uniform of the Dragoon.

            "No," Came the reply as Dario shifted slightly, unused to his old outfit, "but you're going anyway."

            Glenn frowned at his brother as he finished tying the strip of cloth around his head. He saw the look of protest on Dario's face and made it very clear if he was going to be forced to do this, the bandana was not leaving his head. Giving his head a slight nod to be sure this point was planted firmly in his older siblings mind, the young Deva grabbed his Einlanzer and the belt it was sheathed to. "Wouldn't I be doing more good on watch?" As he spoke he proficiently coupled the belt around his waist, its buckle having been polished tenderly as had been his sword.

            "No, There are plenty of men on watch and plenty of people for them to rotate with." Dario replied before handing his brother a stiff metallic piece meant to sit upon the shoulders. The intriguing object was made of Mythril and shimmered dully in the light as its leather straps wavered and their buckles jingled lightly. "Besides Glenn, it would do you good to just relax. You expect way to much of yourself."

            "Maybe…" He replied quietly while taking the shoulder gear from his brother's hand and pulling his head through the appropriate hole between the two shoulder pieces. As he went about securing the item with the leather straps, Dario took the liberty to speak.

            "Not maybe Glenn. It is true. You do. And don't you dare retort with 'Well I'll never live up to you' because you are wrong." When Glenn said nothing, his brother continued on. "You have long since broke free of my shadow and surpassed me Brother. There is no doubt about that. You have the respect of me and all others, now will you allow yourself to have your own?"

            And still Glenn said nothing. Only stared silently at the mirror as he grabbed a blacken cape from the back of a near-by chair and pulled the top corners over the Mythril shoulder gear. Almost soundlessly he fastened two straps on the underside to a special buckle on each the shoulder pads before fastening the upper corners across his upper chest by means of a silver chain. Only after doing this did he turn and face his brother.

            "I do not know if I deserve your respect brother, but I will try my best to live up to it." Without waiting for a reply, Glenn picked up a pair of thin leather dress gloves and Mythril bracers. Slipping the gloves on he began to speak once again. "But I do appreciate your looking out for me, even if you did not intend it that way." His sentence closed with the placid snap of his bracers locking around his strong wrists.

            Dario walked over to his brother before placing a gloved hand upon his shoulder, "I am your brother, if I don't look out for you, what good am I hmm? And as for living up to it you needn't worry, I already told you, you have."

            A sudden loud knock interrupted the sibling's small moment. "Hey, you two are you ready?! This damn thing starts soon and if you two don't come out of there soon I'm going to kill you! I can't believe I'm wearing this!"

            Dario and Glenn exchanged looks before snickering loudly at Karsh. After hearing the Deva leader rant awhile longer they finally conceded to his wishes and left the room.

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            Kidd made a mad lunge for the door. Unfortunately Riddel who blocked the door stubbornly intercepted her mid lunge.

            "Kidd! Co-operate!" She said pleadingly while the Radical Dreamer tried to struggle from her hold.

            "No way! I am not puttin' that damn thing on!"

            "Oh don't be so immature."

            "If this is immature then I bloody like immature!" As she spoke she managed to break free and darted a good 10 feet away before stopping. "Besides! Do you have a law against woman not wantin' ta wear dresses?!"

            "No. But Kidd be reasonable, it's only for this one night you can live that long."

            "Speak fer yer self, mate!"

            "Oh come on Kidd, Riddel has a point it won't kill you." Leena said, having been watching from a seat upon Riddel's couch the entire time. She had to admit, it had been amusing but now it was just plain annoying. "At least try it on."

            "No!"

            Leena crossed her arms "Fine then, I'll just have to pull out the heavy artillery then."

            Kidd crossed her arms as well before tapping her foot and giving the village girl a suspicious look. "Ya don't gotta thing on me, mate."

            "Oh don't I?" Leena's eyes sparked evilly before she turned to Riddel. "Did you know just before we entered Mount Pyre we had to camp outside by the shore. While there Serge had felt the day's wear upon him so he went down to the water to wash."

            The thief's eyes jerked wide, "Ok ok! Shhh! Shut yer mouth Leena or I'll kick yer arse so hard you'll kiss tha moons!"

            He village girl just smiled, "Me and Glenn had engaged ourselves in conversation and during this time Kidd had off and disappeared. We went to go find her and what to ours eyes should we see but Kidd down by the shore lo-"

            "OK OK! I'LL PUT ON YER BLOODY DRESS! NOW WILL YOU SHUT YER MOUTH!?!?!"

            Leena giggled evilly and replied, "Yes, Yes I will."

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            Norris sat quietly on a bed fiddling skillfully with his Dendorite and Silver Guns. He and his crew had also been invited to join in on the festivities, yet having nothing more 'proper' than his uniform to wear; he needn't go through the trouble of changing. So he used this free time to fiddle with his pistol. Oh yes, and watch poor Serge fidget aimlessly with his formal dress.

            "This…just doesn't feel right."

            Norris lifted his head from his self ordered job to look at the troubled Chrono Trigger. "Well…when was the last time you were without your short sleeved shirt and shorts then placed into long wear?"

            Serge stopped playing around with the collar button before grinning slightly "You know…I can't remember."

            "Well that would explain why it doesn't feel right."

            The village boy nodded while undoing the buttons to the black overcoat, leaving it lazily open to show the smart, white dress shirt beneath. He grumbled slightly at the 'frilly' material that wrapped the end of the shirts cuff links then ran his fingers through his cobalt hair, definitely not feeling right without his beloved bandana which Norris had talked him into removing for the duration of the evening. The silhouette feeling of the silk pants against his legs felt awkward, almost as if he was wearing nothing at all, which disturbed him a great deal. Thank goddess, he was allowed to keep his steel-tipped boots on.

            "You look positively thrilled Serge." The young man turned to the Blackwind commander and frowned slightly. "I said you looked thrilled, I didn't saw you look horrible. Lighten up you look fine."

            "This still doesn't feel right."

            "Would you like me to change the subject then?"

            "If you wouldn't mind."

            "Lovely night we were having three days ago hmm?" Norris said, a slight bit of mischief creeping into his voice. "The sea was calm, the stars were out, the wind was warming right Serge? It seemed like the perfect time for a certain Chrono Trigger and his thief to express certain feelings, did it not?"

            Serge turned a light red before grinning sheepishly. He turned back to the mirror and continued to fiddle around with his wear, "I do look thrilled don't I?"

            Norris laughed as suddenly a knock came from the door.

            "Done yet?"

            Serge walked over to the door and opened it slowly to be met with the knightly image of Glenn, who wore a lopsided grin. The two young men looked at each other then snickered quietly, never having seen the other in such formal attire. It was odd to them thus the quiet snickering.

            "Come on you two," Norris said while pushing by Serge into the hallway. He could see that Dario and Karsh were waiting patiently for the three of them at the end of the corridor. "We mustn't keep all waiting for us." Without waiting for Glenn or Serge, the Blackwind commander walked towards the head and former Devas.

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            Talon flicked his tail back and forth as he patiently watched the Manor in front of him. He had brought along 300 or so other flyers with him, all of which had settled quietly in the plains and cliffs near their intended target.

            "Sir." A winged Hellhound came bounding silently over to him, a blank look upon his face. "Sir, my previous report to you was exaggerated. The Dragonite, he only has one of the holy swords Sir."

            Talon gave the hellhound a look "and?"

            "And the Chrono Trigger sir, something isn't right."

            The winged panther gave a small grunt. "Very well then, back to your place." He watched as the hound conceded to his request and took off.

            "Sssso the report wassss wrong. Neither the Chrono Trigger or the Dragonite Warrior issss complete."

            "Apparently so."

            Jemeeko laughed bitterly "Thissss will be eassssier then I earlier exsssspected."

            Talon lumbered off, completely ignoring the Lizard hare. As long as Zeek did his job this would all go smoothly. And as long as Jemeeko kept his blood lust under his control it would go much more easily.  One of the two things was most likely to crack and the flying creature held his bets on the latter being the one to do so.

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…I guess the name explains it all. Until next time readers…