Chrono Trigger Threads of Destiny

by Sylverwolf

Been gone for a long time, I'm restarting Chapter 6 and should be updating this soon!

2. Spell Unraveled

Chrono Trigger: Threads of Destiny

Chapter 2: Spell Revealed

1000 A.D.

Crono sat down hard on the grass, breathing heavily. After a moment of silence, Crono looked up at the robot and asked, "Are you understanding any of this?"

Robo beeped for a second then sighed and sat down also.

"The reason I came back here was an abnormality in Doan's memory patterns. All the people I knew during my age were forgetting about my definite personality or simply forgetting about me altogether," Robo explained, "When I arrived here I discovered the same phenomenon among people in this time period."

Crono nodded solemnly, "Marle has forgotten about me completely and Lucca... she only remembers what happened before I met Marle."

Robo beeped again, "Yes, she and her family were discussing your odd behavior when I checked on her."

"You didn't let her see you, did you?" Crono asked curiously.

"No, I decided the course would not be a wise one and only end up complicating matters further," Robo continued, "However while they were speaking of you I got the impression you might not have lost your memory of the past events."

Crono shook his head, "No, I don't know why but I still remember everything, but..."

Crono lost himself in though while Robo stared at him, waiting for Crono to explain his last statement. After several moments, Robo beeped and Crono snapped back to wakefulness.

"Huh? Oh, right!" Crono burst out, "Well, my memories have been trying to slip away. There are times when I can feel my memory draining, and it's been coming faster and stronger lately. The only way I'm able to keep my memory is by working with the sword; I originally thought it was because the movements refreshed my memory by reminding me of the times I used these skills... but now I'm not sure."

Robo thought about it for a second, "Did the cloaked man catch you by surprise? When I showed up your sword was far away and he seemed quite capable of taking you one-on-one."

Crono thought about it for a second, "Actually, he first pretended to be my father, which made no sense since it couldn't have gained him anything... and he had to have known that it would only last for a few seconds before I figured it out... "

Robo looked at the blade then beeped in surprise, "That's the Rainbow!"

"Huh?" Crono looked stupidly at him, "Of course it's the Rainbow..."

"Crono, think back, what's the Rainbow made of?"

"The Rainbow shell and the power of the Sun stone," Crono said patiently.

"The Rainbow shell," Robo explained, "Remember the Shell's property? It was highly resistant to magic and could either break or cancel any spells thrown at the user!"

Crono looked at the metallic genius for a second then snapped his fingers, "Of course! I've never really thought about it! He must be using magic to make everyone's memory disappear! Very subtly, or we'd all feel it!"

"Right, I'm a robot and magic can't touch my memory by an enchantment," Robo explained, "He also spoke of the 'enigmatic sorcerer' and the 'stupid frog' as well as the both of us."

Crono nodded, "Glenn has the Masamune, which is even more powerful than the Rainbow when it comes to anti-magic."

Robo stood up quickly, "And Magus would probably catch our friend in the act and tear him to pieces if he even attempted to use magic on him, Magus is still the single-most powerful and skilled wizard and sorcerer on this planet."

Crono shook his head, "No, we've fought Magus and he was nowhere near as strong as that guy... I think he could have easily taken the both of us. Beside, how do we know that man isn't Magus?"

Robo shook his head, "No, his speech and action patterns were no match to anything Magus is capable of. As for him fighting Magus... we've never seen Magus fight at full power. When battling him in his castle much of his power was bent on keeping Lavos under control, and after your death Lavos had stolen the majority of his powers away from him."

"Mmm, that would explain his comments. But it doesn't really answer the important questions of who he is and why he's doing this," Crono fumed.

"Correct, we still know nothing of him. We also do not know what has become of Frog or Magus."

Crono looked up into the shining night sky, wondering what had become of Magus and Glenn and wondering if they were looking up at the shimmering sky in an entirely different moment.

600 A.D.

Glenn awoke on a stretcher being carried by two soldiers, facing the starry night sky with it's shining array of brilliant stars, trying to focus on where he was. He sat up a bit, but a sharp pain in his head cut that course of action short, and he fell back lightheaded.

"Wha..." he tried to say.

"No worries, Sir Glenn," one of the soldiers exclaimed, "You fought off Magus and killed his henchman Ozzie! You stopped the attack singlehandedly!"

"Damaged, Magus...?" Glenn murmured, "Have I gotten vengeance for you, my dear Cyrus... Magus... this is not the first time you and I have fought... is it? How, how did I damage Magus?"

"The mighty Dragon you summoned from the earth's depths attacked and damaged Magus. Ozzie was killed and Magus retreated after cursing your name!"

"Dragon? Only the Masamune can defeat Magus... how did I summon a dragon to do this?" Glenn's head hurt horribly, "Where is the Masamune?"

"Don't worry, sir, we have someone already out to get the Masamune from the Denadoro mountains."

Glenn's head ached so badly he couldn't stay awake any longer, even though he heard the soldier saying more about his miraculous powers, Glenn faded into insensibility wondering about the Masamune, something of it tickled his mind.... Isn't the Masamune broken and un-repairable?!

1000 A.D.

Crono stood up using the Rainbow as a crutch, the pain was a sharp reminder of what he'd already gone through tonight. Robo was already standing and had been for sometime, not that it mattered to the metallic warrior; he could stand up forever without getting tired or sore... besides, he wasn't the one who'd been getting bounced off trees.

Crono sighed, "We'll need to find Glenn first, he'll be the easiest to find and the most helpful in finding and convincing Magus... the Masamune will be helpful should Magus decide to do something rash."

Robo beeped in agreement.

Crono looked sharply at the robot, "How did you travel to this time period anyway?"

Robo nodded, "I recreated the Key from my memory banks and used it to open the Gate again."

Crono blinked, "But didn't the Gates all close after Lavos' defeat."

Robo shook his head, "You are partially correct, after Lavos' defeat the energy keeping the Gates visible and stable was gone. However I had been studying the Gate areas, and had noticed a dormant energy signal synchronized with the original Gates. My study of the dormant Gate energy led me to believe that the Gates were a phenomenon of nature and the planets evolution. It was only Lavos' power that would activate them.

Lucca developed a Gate Key which would open these time portals, I studied the Gate Key in detail and after analyzing the signal it gave off when activated, I found the wave lengths to match that of Lavos' aura, although on a lesser scale."

Crono shook his head, "Wait... how could Lucca have copied Lavos' patter? And how did Marle activate the first Gate in the fair grounds? it doesn't make any sense at all."

Robo shook his head, "No, Marle's pendant had the residual power of Lavos residing in it, from when Schala charged it with Lavos' power. When the Telepod activated, it enhanced the signal and created a reaction with the dormant Gate energy, opening a doorway where Time wasn't linear. The different gravity drew Marle in, pulling her directly into the Gate. When Lucca created the Gate Key she copied the energy pattern emitted by the Telepod when the Gate opened."

Crono thought about it for a second, it was starting to make some creepy sort of sense, especially since Robo was explaining it; he was much better than Lucca's lectures. Crono looked at the robot and shrugged, "Guess we leave for the fair grounds, then."

Robo nodded, "We can't wait for him to find us, we'll need to act as quickly as possible to save Glenn and find Magus."

Crono sighed and hoped his mom didn't worry about him disappearing for a few days again as he took the Rainbow's sheath from the bench and slung it across his waist. The sound of his blade sliding into it's sheath relaxed Crono and he started walking towards the fair grounds feeling somewhat reassured. Robo took rear guard, moving as silently as possible behind him.

The dark shroud of night covering the town seemed to grow darker and more forbidding as they approached the edges of the city. Robo touched Crono's shoulder and made a worried gesture with his robotic hand, warning Crono to be more careful; the robot must also have felt the tension in the air. Nodding knowingly, Crono rested his hand on his blade's finely-crafted hilt and the pair headed toward the more shadowy part of the street.

With only half a mile of city left before them, and the small forests near the fair grounds in sight, Crono relaxed a little, reminding himself that their foe couldn't possibly have sent anything so quickly against them.

Click. Click. Click. Robo and Crono froze in their tracks at the soft sound. Crono's hand tightened the Rainbow's hilt and Robo brought his arm up. The clicking sound grew slightly louder and louder as it approached, Robo pointed right around the closest buildings corner. Crono nodded slowly and mouthed, Cover me. Robo nodded understandingly and pulled farther into the shadows.

Crono's heartbeat was so loud in his ears he could hardly hear his opponent, something about it made him feel fear greater than he'd felt in a long time. Click, click, click. A small and very familiar shadow appeared around the corner and was followed almost immediately by the rest of the creature. Crono breathed a sigh of relief as the cat looked curiously at them and me-owed softly.

Robo lowered his arm, beeping amusedly while Crono's hand loosed on his hilt. The cat padded it's way towards Crono, who'd always had a way with animals, especially cats.

Crono blinked, then shouted, "Watch out! It's not what it seems!"

The cat jumped at Crono, an aura of pure darkness gathering around it as the Traveler struggled to pull his sword from it's sheath. The shadow cat caught Crono right in the chest before he could even half-pull the Rainbow. Time slowed as the shadow passed right through Crono, his eyes widened as a chill colder than death washed through him. He tried to scream but his voice didn't seem to work as he collapsed to his knees.

"Crono!" shouted Robo, swinging his hand right through the shadow creature. The monster was unaffected by Robo's attack, ignoring the harmless robot as it turned it's attention back to the other worn Traveler.

Crono could only watch in shocked terror as the monster slowly padded back towards him, still ignoring the attacks of Robo, who's arm continued to passing through the shadow as though it didn't exist. The chill in his chest was starting to ease a bit, but Crono was paralyzed by the cold, dead eyes of the shadow; unable to move.

Robo was unsure what to do, his attacks were having no effect and his energy weaponry would only strengthen the power sapping shadow; it had already sucked most of Crono's energy away and was returning for the rest. The shadow was only a few yards away from Crono when Robo jumped between them and activated his florescent light beam.

The monster screamed at the artificial sunlight pierced it's nighttime shroud, and like a cornered cat it's back arched and shadow gathered around it, so intense as to nearly extinguish Robo's light. The darkness around the monster continued to darken and Robo realized his light would soon be overpowered.

Unfortunately for the shadow, Crono had regained his footing and his sword. He knew he was no match in close for the darkness, and he had no desire to feel that cold darkness inside his chest again. With a grim smile, he instead called down lightning. The intense flash of the lightning as it cut deep into the shadow aura blinded even Crono and overloaded Robo's light sensors; it also produced the desired affect. The shadow cat screamed in agony as the lightning broke through to it.

No longer protected by the dark aura, Crono's magic sliced into the shadow's insubstantial flesh, tearing the monster to bits. The two Traveler's watched dispassionately as the form of the cat melted into nothingness under the remaining power of Robo's light.

Crono sighed wearily, "That was too close."

"Indeed, my memory banks have no data on a creature like this," Robo beeped.

Crono grunted sourly, "Well, it was good thinking on your part to get that light on."

Robo nodded, "It was the only logical solution to fighting an insubstantial shadow. I am just thankful that one my newest features was this high-powered light, though I doubt anyone could have foreseen it's use being so opposite from it's purpose."

Crono laughed, sheathed his blade, and started off towards the fair grounds, "C'mon, we'd better get moving before another one of them shows up!"

The grounds were empty and lifeless when Crono and Robo entered, the last fair had been so spectacular that everyone seemed almost reticent to have another celebration there. So they had sat unused for well over a year now, the blatant lack of care reflected in the undergrowth that was slowly taking back the edges of the park.

Crono and Robo approached the small area at the back of the grounds where Lucca's first Telepod had reacted with Marle's pendant and started the whole adventure that had led to Lavos' demise; it seemed almost anti-climatic now, returning once more to travel through time without Lucca... and without Marle.

Crono felt a cold, metalic hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry Crono, we'll find a way to restore their memory!"

Crono nodded and gave a slight smile as Robo handed him the Gate Key. The Key felt the same as Lucca's, though it was newer and made of finer materials. With a deep feeling of nostalgia, Crono raised the new Gate key and activated it.

For a split second he thought nothing was going to happen, that it had failed and that the Gates really were closed for good, but then the small opening in mid-air appeared slowly widening into the Time Stream that he knew so well.

"Come on, something tells me we've got quite a task ahead of us getting to Guardia castle," Robo stated.

Crono nodded and they both stepped once more into the whirl-tides of time.

After the Gate had closed, a black-cloaked figure walked to the area laughing softly to himself, "Very good, it shouldn't be long now, not long at all."

600 A.D.

Glenn stared aimlessly out the small window, watching Magus' army gathered at the mouth of the bridge in their tents. The army had fallen farther back than any of the humans had dared hope, some even said they should attack and take back the bridge. The King and Queen had disagreed, however, saying that Glenn hadn't recovered and that without him Magus would simply tear any attacking force to shreds.

It had been two days now since Magus had been forced to retreat, Glenn was nearly recovered and claimed to be able to fight should the army assault them in any way. The frog had been dreaming during the days he was recovering, and what he saw in his dreams disturbed him. A broken sword remade anew, himself mastering the power of an element and using magic, and a group of oddly mixed people whom he knew were his friends, facing a large, all-powerful monster alongside him.

The sword could only be the Masamune, it's beauty and glory were matched by none. The power he mastered he'd found he could consciously control now, it had apparently been the power he'd fought off Magus with. And now...

"So you say the Masamune will return my true memories?" Glenn asked again.

The large, armored person answered him again, "Yes, the Masamune is anathema to magic and will cancel the effects of an enchantment like the one you're under."

Glenn shook his head again, the armored man who would not remove his armor and the spiky-haired boy who said little and held a sword with the air of one who had mastered the blade; these two had arrived earlier this day, sneaking to the castle gates and asking to see Sir Glenn by name.

The spiky-haired boy stood watching him, waiting for the frog to make the decision he knew was right. The armored one showed no emotion, one could not even see his face behind all the metal.

Glenn sighed, "Alas, it does seem that I haveth no choice in the matter. As you have claimed, to the Denadoro mountains we must proceed."

The spiky-one smiled and nodded, the other made an odd noise that sounded strangely familiar to the frog. Glenn chuckled his froggy chuckle and gave his hand out to the red-haired leader. The boy shook his hand with a calloused and worn hand of his own, a hand Glenn recognized instantly as the hand of a battle-tried swordsman.

"You do knoweth that to reach the mountains we must cross the bridge?" Glenn pointed out, "It is suicide to come even to close to that area."

The two looked at each other, the boy shrugged and said, "Not a problem, we'll break through and shake any pursuit."

Glenn shook his head, "Magus is there, even if you had the power to break through, no way doth exist to sneak past that fiend. You're bravery and boldness do you credit now, but they will do you no credit as a corpse."

The other made the odd noise again, "He's right Crono, we might want to consider another way."

The one named Crono nodded but looked semi-disappointed.

Glenn thought for a moment, then sighed, "I think I may be able to get us through, the generals of the Guardian army wish to launch an assault upon the Mystics and drive them across Zenan bridge. I am recovered enough now to use mine power once more. For though you may not believe it, I have the odd ability to use magic. I should be able to hold Magus off long enough for us to get by and maybe avoid him altogether."

Crono looked blankly at him for a second, then burst out laughing. Glenn was quite upset at this, "It is true, I do have the ability to use magic!"

The other continued to laugh, so Glenn summoned a bit of power and threw a large bubble of water at him. Crono raised his hand without hesitation and a small bolt of lightning pierced the bubble, detonating the watery bomb instantly.

"I'm sorry, Glenn, I couldn't help but laugh! You'll understand when we get the Masamune back!" he apologized.

Glenn, however, hardly heard him, "So you may use magic as well?! And you?" he asked, looking at the armored one named Robo.

"I cannot use magic exactly, but I have a power close enough to suit."

"Then perhaps we will have a chance 'gainst Magus and his army," Glenn said quietly, "I shalt inform the King and approve the plan quickly, I gainsay that time is of the essence here."

Crono nodded, "How soon can you get the Guardia army to attack?"

Glenn thought for a moment, "It shall take them at least three hours to gather a force of substantial enough size to challenge the Mystic force, but they know that the Masamune is our only hope and methinks they shall be prepared for an attack tomorrow."

Crono shook his head, "Too long, how about tonight?"

It was Glenn's turn to shake his head, "Never, we would be decimated by the Mystics at night, in close combat in darkened territory they are undefeated. Their eyes, I fear, are much sharper and enhanced by natural magics. The darkness is their greatest ally."

"We can do something about that," Robo claimed, "If you can get a force to attack tonight, I know a way to illuminate the entire battlefield."

The frog pondered it for a moment, then nodded, "I'm placing my trust in you, my friend, I shalt have a force ready by nightfall then."

Glenn walked quickly from the room, heading towards the Knights Hall.

"Looks like our friend is wasting no time," Robo said.

"So how are you going to light up the field?" Crono asked.

"I'm not, you and this are," the robot said, pulling a small sphere from his pack and handing it to Crono.

"What in the...? Hey, it looks a lot like the Sun Stone!"

"Correct, after studying the Sun Stone I had come to understand some of it's properties. The one facet I had managed to recreate was the ability to store and amplify any energy absorbed by the sphere. I developed these in my time to help with lighting and energy conservation. The greater the energy put in, the stronger the light and longer it will last."

"Robo, what else is in that pack?" Crono asked curiously.

"Some first aid materials, a compact tent and some rope and fishing line as well as some tools for self-repair."

"Came prepared I guess...but do you really need any of that stuff?" Crono raised his eyebrow.

"I myself need only the tools, but I had thought the rest might be handy for you, Lucca and Marle," Robo stated plainly.

"You think this has a chance to succeed then?" the King asked.

"Sir, I believe we could damage our foes and retrieve the Masamune in one strong blow," Glenn said.

"But without you what chance will we have against Magus?" the King countered, "You are the only of us skilled in the magic arts!"

"Magus shall follow me, he dare not allow me to reach the Masamune once again. To this end he may also take Flea and Slash to even the odds, leaving his army void of any magical support."

"Hmm, you seem to have thought this through. Have you asked the Knights their opinion on this strategy?" the King asked.

A tall man dressed in golden armor came forward from his position just inside the door. "Sir, the Knights of the Square Table agree with Sir Glenn as this being our chance to strike fear into the hearts of the Mystics and restore the people's faith in Guardia. Too long have we cowered in this castle, holding against the tide of Magus' army. We must move and prove to all that we are truly Knights and not to be angered lightly."

The King sighed and lowered his head in thought, the weeks had not been kind to him; the King was worn and looking rather ragged. His queen sat to his left at all times, but she scarcely looked better than the King. It had been the King's courage and the Queen's kindness that had let the Knights hold out emotionally as long as they had underneath the continual siege, even Glenn had drawn some portion of his strength and will to fight from them.

"Very well," the King said, "You shall have your force. I am trusting you to this task, Captain and you to get back the sword, Sir Glenn. Fail me not comrades."

Glenn bowed, as did the Captain, and then departed the Throne room.

"I shall be leading the attack, Sir Glenn," Captain Tanil said, "We shall strive to break through for a short time to allow you and your friends passage. If you can hold off Magus this should not be too difficult."

Glenn croaked, "Worry not, Sir Knight, my friends and I shall distract Magus and help what little we can with the attack. I feel much rested, though I am still unsure as to the mettle of my new companions."

"Only time shall tell us that, good night to you, Sir Glenn, I shall assemble my Knights and get what rest we may. We'll leave the castle when darkness settles in."

12000 B.C.

Melchior downed another shot of the burning liquid, though not a drinker by nature and usually prone to avoid anything alcoholic, the old man found a great need for strong drink that evening during dinner. He looked again at the stranger. He itched to use his magic to check inside the hood, but the last time had been a failure and a warning, Melchior was wise enough to know not to try that again.

The black-cloaked man had said nothing since the tower, and Melchior was slightly disturbed by the whole mess. What can I do? I saw it with my own eyes! There was no mistaking that...I wish the stranger would say something, he claimed to be here because of it...

The cloak of the stranger shimmered black as he stood up; all eyes in the room were drawn to his form like iron filings to a lode stone.

"All of you but this old man," the stranger said, pointing to Melchior, "Leave this room now. I will inform you when you may enter again."

Silence greeted his declaration, but the authority in his voice was so absolute that one or two people were up before they knew what they were doing, and soon the trickle turned to a flood until the entire wooden hall was emptied and only the flicker of the flames gave truth to any life in the room.

"I have come here to speak to you, Melchior," he started, "You have seen what shall convince you of the truth of my words. I need your memory now, old Guru. The wisdom that was locked in your memory."

Melchior blinked, "What do you mean?"

The figure trod slowly around the table, until he stood before Melchior. The air around the old man seemed to chill, as though the other radiated cold. Though he could not see the face of the stranger, he could see the eyes. The cold, lifeless eyes. He had seen those eyes before, but they were not the same.

"Impossible..." Melchior started.

"Not impossible, the path I took changed me in this way."

"But, how could any path change you this much?" the astonished old man asked him, "And what has happened to you to change your soul!?"

"The Black Wind," was the reply.

Melchior gasped, "Not possible, no human could have survived that for long! Only Schala was powerful enough to hold the Black Wind from breaking her sanity!"

"Then you should know that I too am able."

Melchior stared for a second, trying with all his human might to make out what hid behind the hood.

"You will not be satisfied until you've seen with your own eyes, will you?" came the resigned reply. Like a statement of testimony, the stranger pulled down his hood and his face stood bare. It was a face that, though changed, Melchior recognized instantly.

"So it is you," Melchior gasped.

"Indeed, and now I need your help," he replied, "I need to get into there."

He pointed out the window, and though Melchior didn't need to look, his eyes were drawn to the floating mass. The Black Omen. How he had hoped to never see or hear of it again.

"But why do you need to go into there?" Melchior asked.

"Because like one other you know who has long been searching, I look for the girl named Schala."

"Another? You mean the wanderer? The one with the silver hair? He came here asking me about Schala. He seemed to know me fairly well, but I didn't recognize him," Melchior fluttered.

"Yes, that is the one I speak of," the other said, "And believe it or not, you really do know him. You know him from a long time ago."

600 A.D.

The small army had gathered only a mile from the Mystics' camp, their silent travel had been uninterrupted by scouts or sentries; it appeared the Mystic army was not worried about being attacked.

"I worry about this," the Captain of the Knights said, "Are they careless due to pride and their continual attack, or because it is a trap we are about to get snared by?"

"Let us hope 'tis the former," Glenn said, "But methinks it would be wise to leave a path of escape open should the latter prove true."

The Captain nodded and motioned to a few of his men, who ran silent as the wind to contact the other commanders of that evening's attack. The determined Captain nodded to his sergeant, then looked at Glenn.

The frog seemed wholly absorbed by the camp, especially one of the fires in it. He could barely make out the form of Flea by the fire, talking contemptuously to the men gathered around it. One of the Mystics stood up and seemed to say something, which Flea responded to by incinerating him on the spot. The others around the fire seemed cowed, and Glenn had to wonder why Flea would be hurting his own troops.

The Captain nudged Glenn in the side, looking urgently at him. Glenn nodded quickly and stood, preparing to shout the attack.

"Wait!" came a loud whisper.

Glenn turned to see Crono and Robo sneaking up behind him.

"What is it?" Glenn whispered urgently, "We don't have much time!"

"We're gonna light up the sky now," Crono said.

Glenn blinked then realized it would make a more lasting impression and create more chaos than his shout on the enemy. He nodded sagely to Crono and followed him and the metal warrior closer to the enemy camp. Once within throwing range of the outer camps, Robo stopped and signaled to Crono, who nodded, "Ready when you are!"

Robo pulled out a small orb and pulled his arm back. Shooom! Like an arrow the orb buzzed off into the night, farther and higher than any normal person could have thrown. Crono closed his eyes and held forth his hands. Glenn said nothing, but watched carefully as Crono slowly lifted off the ground, the air around him swirling up and starting to blow faster and harder.

Robo stepped back, as did the frog, unsure what magic the boy was using, but sure that it was not one to be taken lightly. The wind around the three whipped and fluttered like a storm, the sound becoming audible enough for a few of the Mystics to start noticing.

Suddenly Robo shouted, "Now!"

Crono's hands shot up and he shouted in a voice that echoed with power, "Luminaire!"

Right above the middle of the Mystics' camp appeared green tendrils of light, brighter than the sun and hotter than molten metal they spun for a moment or two as if searching, then seemed to stabilize as if something had been decided.

From the center of the tendrils a growing sphere of pure green-white light began to expand, forming outward in a half-sphere upon the ground. There were screams as Mystics got caught in the spell and vaporized, then more as the others ran screaming away from the brilliant death.

The spell began to die out, but the brilliant light did not. From the center of the spell floated up an incandescent sphere, so bright that it illuminated the whole battlefield like a small, white sun. Glenn recognized what metal warrior had thrown into the air just before Crono had attacked, thought it hadn't been lit at the time.

Spell completed, the boy collapsed into a pile on the ground, his energy spent. Behind him Glenn hear the charge of the Knights, their great battle cries and shouts of 'For King Guardia!' rumbling even more loudly than the crescendo of their footfalls. Robo stood over Crono, giving the tired boy a hand up. The spiky-red-haired kid seemed to be fine, saying he was just out of practice with his magic and only needed a second to catch his breath.

Glenn watched as the Knights slamed into the first rank of the confused Mystic defense while trying to keep an eye open for Magus, Flea, or Slash. The titanic battle between the frustrated humans and confused Mystics was starting to heat up as more and more Mystics grabbed their weapons and cheered for Sir Magus as they rushed the enemy.

Glenn stood up, "Come, we'll need to go through now if ever we are to break through!"

"Yes, this is the ideal time! Crono, will you be ok?" Robo asked.

The young boy took a deep breath, stretched a bit, then nodded, seemingly as energetic as before casting his spell, "Yeah, I'm all set if you are."

The three nodded and rushed off towards the hottest spot on the battlefield, Zenan bridge. I hope, Glenn thought to himself, that I shan't end up regretting this course of action!

1000 A.D.

Princess Nadia looked into the mirror, sighing over having to spend another afternoon in endless dinners and social gatherings with other nobles and government officials. She absolutely hated these formal gatherings! Hated them with a passion! I wish I was free again! she thought to herself.

A sudden chill in the room brought her mind back from wandering, she looked around quickly, reaching to make sure her crossbow was still hidden beneath her dresser. The white walls of the room glistened in the bright sun light, outside a bird was chirping while the wind made a whistling sound and the trees swayed lazily in the air. Marle wished Crono was here to talk to, she missed him a lot these day, but she never got to see him.

A sudden shadow passed over the room and Marle's eyes went blank, when she shook her head a moment later she rubbed her forehead, What am I doing? Marle? Who is that? And Crono? She looked at the expensive clock on the mantle and made a very un-ladylike comment, grabbing her small pendant and rushing out the door.

The room stood still, even the bird and the wind had quieted now... The black-cloaked figure made no sound as it walked across the floor. Stepping over to the dresser he gave a slight chuckle as he picked up a small, round object. Without a word he walked off the same way he'd entered. Despite his departure, it was some time after the portal had closed before the birds and wind dared sing again.