Disclaimer: I do not own Chrono Trigger or any other related names or titles. They are property of Square Enix.
Author's Note: Re-reading this, I had made Magus kind of a sissy towards the end. I tried to change that. Also, the Epoch 2 was renamed the Neo-Epoch, the one that Belthasaur spoke of during Chrono Cross.
Clouded by the Dark Force
By Chrono Eternal
Chapter 6:
The Vehicile, the Villian, and the Vortex
"Lucca, we've been trying for five hours. That's 249 tries. What makes you think it'll be any different this time?" asked Belthasaur.
"Belthasaur, we have to try again and again! There is something very important that I need to ask Robo," said Lucca. Her hand was in her pocket, holding a ripped picture of herself.
* * *
"Hah! The thing that gave him life! Completely destroyed!" There was a ripping sound.
* * *
Lucca was recalling what had happened when they arrived in Mallow Dome to rescue Robo.
"All right, Nubert! Connect the machine to the Orb of Life," said Belthasaur.
Nubert, the Nu, looked back at Belthasaur.
"I know that Lucca's being stubborn, but she and Robo are our friends," said Belthasaur.
Nubert connected the machine that Robo was inside to the Orb of Life.
Lucca ordered, "Okay, everyone. Man your stations. Prepare the operation in five! Four! Three! Two! One! NOW!"
The Orb started glowing, along with the machine, but still Robo was not awakened from the dead.
"That's 250 times!" exclaimed Belthasaur.
"Oh, you're right; it isn't working! What could be wrong?" Lucca thought out loud.
* * *
"Hah! The thing that gave him life! Completely destroyed!" There was a ripping sound.
* * *
"That's it! That's it! How could I have been so stupid? Belthasaur, do you have something to take a picture with?" asked Lucca.
"Do you mean a camera?" asked Belthasaur.
"Well...maybe...they haven't exactly invented something like that yet in 1000 AD..." said Lucca.
"Well, I have a camera...but why?" questioned Belthasaur.
Lucca replied, "Well, will you take a picture of me?"
"Well I suppose...umm...here, I found my camera. Alright, say, 'cheese!'" Belthasaur said.
Lucca, confused, said, "Cheddar?"
Belthasaur snapped the picture with his digital camera and went to his computer. He pulled a floppy disc out of the camera and placed it in his computer. "Computer, print," said Belthasaur.
"Printing your photo," said the voice of the computer. Instantly a picture flew out of the machine and Belthasaur grabbed it.
He gave the picture to Lucca and asked, "But why would you want a picture of yourself at a time like this?"
"You'll see," she said. She placed the picture in Robo's data processor. Then she did Nubert's job and attached the machine to the Orb of Life. "Alright, Belthasaur, Nubert, here we go!"
Lucca pressed a button and suddenly the machine and the Orb started glowing once again. Then Robo's viewing censors (his eyes) started glowing a bright green color. Now all had stopped glowing, besides his eyes. "Lucca?" Robo asked.
"Robo, Robo, is that you?" asked Lucca (well, duh, it was Robo; Lucca just wanted to stop to be dramatic).
Robo and Lucca hugged each other. "Belthasaur, Nubert, could you leave us alone for a sec?"
"Okay, come Nubert," said Belthasaur as he and Nubert left the room.
"Robo...there's...something I have to ask you...you are somehow alive...and I brought you back from the dead...and...and...it...it only worked when I put a pict-"
HONK!
"Lucca, come on!" Lucca heard a voice call for her.
She and Robo ran outside to see the Epoch which was crammed with Cyrus, Frog, Ayla, Kino, and Atropos, along with to dragons that Marle and Crono were riding.
"Lucca!" Marle shouted. "Dragon Portal Activate." She threw a red and black marble-sized ball on the ground. Suddenly it turned into a dragon...Fiery.
"What's all this?" Lucca asked.
"Well," said Crono, "the Dark Force has proven to be very powerful. So, we need all the help we can get! You see; we've got Frog and Ayla, along with Kino, Atropos, and Sir Cyrus."
"CYRUS?! CYRUS?! That guy right there is CYRUS?" Lucca asked.
"Yeah, he joined us after Ayla and Kino summoned him. You see, they're summoners," Crono explained.
"Oh, my gosh, that is amazing!" Lucca exclaimed.
"Hey, look Robo is...alive...again!" exclaimed Marle.
"Hello, Marle," he said.
"Well, Lucca, you, me, and Crono are gonna ride on our dragons right behind the Epoch," explained Marle, "and Frog, Cyrus, Atropos, Kino, Ayla, Cyrus, and you, Robo, will ride in the Epoch."
"That makes seven people. How can you fit seven people inside a vehicle that is supposed to hold three?" asked Lucca.
"Leave that to me!" shouted Belthasaur. He and Nubert came out of Keeper's Dome. "Quick! Everyone inside!"
Everyone was very glad to get out of the Epoch and into Keeper's Dome. Belthasaur removed a picture from his wall, revealing a set of buttons: one red, one blue, and one green button. He pressed the blue button and a door on the opposite side of the room opened. He walked through and the rest followed. Everybody was in awe when they saw it.
"This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Neo-Epoch," Belthasaur said, quite proud.
The Neo-Epoch was a navy blue. The wings (there were four instead of the original's two) were a bright sunshine yellow. There were three sections: The front section, which had three seats (the middle was for the driver); the middle, which had four seats; and the back, which had five seats.
"And instead of just a flying mode, Neo-Epoch has built in wheels for a land mode and a scuba mode as well, for underwater exploring. It also has missile and torpedo launchers. And, the best of all, it has these handy cup holders for each seat!" said Belthasaur.
"This is amazing; it has more than enough seats!" exclaimed Marle.
"When did you do this?" asked Lucca.
"Oh, I've been working on this forever," said Belthasaur, "I just finished it up on that break between try 100 and try 101."
"Well, I want to drive it! Dragon Portal Deactivate!" shouted Crono. Sparky then turned into a small black and yellow marble which flew into Crono's hands.
"We might as well do the same," suggested Marle.
"DRAGON PORTAL DEACTIVATE!" shouted Marle and Lucca. A blue and black marble flew into Marle's hands, and a black and red marble flew into Lucca's.
"I guess you should be on your way; no telling where that Dark Force is," said Belthasaur.
Crono, Marle, and Lucca got into the front section; Atropos, Robo, Kino, and Ayla in the middle; and Frog and Cyrus in the back.
"Would you like to come with us Belthasaur? We need all the help we can get," suggested Marle.
"That's exactly why we've got to go find HIM," said Crono.
"Oh, no, Marle, these old bones aren't good enough to fight; even for a Guru," said Belthasaur.
"All right, fine, but if he pulls any funny stuff he's not joining us; is that clear?" asked Marle angrily.
Crono's reply was, "Crystal."
* * *
"Brr... It's so cold here," said Marle.
"It's 12,000 BC; what did you expect?" said Lucca.
"Thy sense his evil presence," said Cyrus.
"As doth I," said Frog.
"I'm telling you, guys, he changed; he's a different person now," said Crono. "Look, there he is, by the foot of the mountain!"
They walked over to the foot of the mountain to see the man they had been speaking of. He was dressed in a cape and was holding a powerful scythe, known as the Doom Sickle. His name was Janus, though now most people call him...
"Magus!" shouted Crono.
"Hello, Crono; I've been expecting you," said Magus.
"You have?" Crono asked.
"Oh, yes, you see, I knew that you would be quick find out about the Dark Force," explained Magus.
"You mean you know about it too?" asked Crono.
"Of course, its presence is here," said Magus.
"Really?" Crono asked.
"Come to the top of the mountain, and I'll show you." Magus flew straight up from the ground to the top of the mountain.
"See? He's not so bad," said Crono.
"I don't know..." Marle had spoke for the rest of the group.
The group walked up the mountain, until they reached the top, which was flat.
"Wow, Magus your flying skills have really improved!" exclaimed Crono.
"So have my other abilities, Dark Bomb!" Magus shouted. A ball of black light was shot at Crono. He fell into the ocean below the mountain.
"I knew it was to good to be true!" exclaimed Marle. She pulled out her crossbow and shot an arrow at Magus. Lucca did the same with her gun.
"Fools!" shouted Magus. He sliced the arrow in half with his Doom Sickle and stopped the bullet as well. "Dark Mist!"
Suddenly, nobody could be seen, for thick dark mist was all around them. Then again, Magus could see what was going on. "Dark Bomb!" He shot two of the same balls of dark light towards Marle and Lucca. They were tossed into the ocean as well.
"Are you two alright?" Crono asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," came Lucca's reply.
Crono shouted from below the sea, "Magus you'll pay! Lumin.."
"Hold it right there boy! You should know that water conducts electricity. If you try using any of your lightning attacks, you and your friends will be zapped as well! Heh...heh... That gives me an idea. Lightning 2!" Magus shouted and launched a powerful lightning attack into the ocean. Crono, Marle, and Lucca were all shocked by it.
"AGH!" they screamed.
"LUCCA!" shouted Robo.
"What can thy do?" Frog thought aloud.
Suddenly, four red lights started glowing from the mist. It was Ayla and Kino's eyes. "Tortonious, Great Turtle of the Sea, come to our aid!" they shouted.
Instantly, a gigantic turtle came from under Crono, Marle, and Lucca, lifting them up to the top of the mountain.
"You are such idiots!" shouted Magus as he grabbed Lucca and Marle's hands and threw the two back against the wall of the mountain. "Especially you Crono."
Crono pulled out the Yellow Katana and fought Magus and his Doom Sickle. After a few minutes, Magus said, "I'm growing tired of this! Black Hole!"
Out of midair, a black hole started to appear; beginning to suck in its prey...Crono.
"I won't fall into that black hole, Magus, no matter what you do!"
"I doubt that. Dark Matter," said Magus, unleashing the most powerful Shadow Magic attack ever. Crono's body, now severely weak from Lightning 2 and Dark Matter, gave in to the black hole and flew into it.
Then a mysterious voice said, "It is done."
Instantly, the darkness in Magus's eyes vanished. By now, the mist had cleared up and every member of the party had gathered around Magus...their weapons ready to strike.
"Marle...Robo......Cyrus!" Magus yelled.
"Magus today is the day you die!" Marle exclaimed.
"Heh...so much for being allies." Magus asked.
"ALLIES?! As if you don't remember, you made Crono get sucked into a black hole!" Lucca exclaimed violently.
"What the......Lavos...LAVOS! I WILL KILL YOU IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO! You must understand. Lavos took control over me. I was pierced with uncontrollable evil. Try to kill me if you must, but I won't be going down without a fight." Magus said.
"Wait, Lavos?" asked Marle. "Lavos is the Dark Force?"
"Yes, Lavos. I don't remember much, but I know it was he. And...I remember that he's...he's human!" Magus exclaimed.
"Human?" asked Robo.
"It doesn't matter, we still won't spare you; what you did to Crono is unforgivable!" Marle shouted.
"Wait, a black hole? That's just a rip in space. It doesn't mean that he's dead," said Lucca.
"Of course he's dead! There's no air in space." said Magus.
"...Use it on me!" said Lucca.
"Didn't you hear me?! There. Is. No. Air. In. Space. The chances of you and Crono surviving are slim to none!" Magus shouted.
"The chances of everyone surviving without Crono here to help defeat Lavos are even slimmer! Take both of us!" Marle shouted.
"You tried to help Schala and the Gurus. As much as I dislike snobby brats and stuck up scientists, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I sent you to die." said Magus.
"Then we'll kill you!" shouted Marle.
"Fine! You fools have no idea what you're getting yourself into. Black Hole!" Magus used his Black Hole attack again, which sucked Marle and Lucca in there, hoping to find Crono.
After they had gone, Magus said, "Glenn, Cyrus, I know you hate me. Kill me now."
"Magus, thy do not understand, thou have let Marle and Lucca find Sir Crono for exchange of thou life," Frog said.
"No, you don't understand..."
"That be what I just said," said Frog.
Magus continued, "Lavos only stopped controlling me, because he believed that Crono is dead. Crono is his only true threat, for the boy has a power in him that is even more powerful than mine. I was his last recruit. Now knowing that Crono will most likely live, he will take control of my body again, and make me kill you all."
Author's Note: Re-reading this, I had made Magus kind of a sissy towards the end. I tried to change that. Also, the Epoch 2 was renamed the Neo-Epoch, the one that Belthasaur spoke of during Chrono Cross.
Clouded by the Dark Force
By Chrono Eternal
Chapter 6:
The Vehicile, the Villian, and the Vortex
"Lucca, we've been trying for five hours. That's 249 tries. What makes you think it'll be any different this time?" asked Belthasaur.
"Belthasaur, we have to try again and again! There is something very important that I need to ask Robo," said Lucca. Her hand was in her pocket, holding a ripped picture of herself.
* * *
"Hah! The thing that gave him life! Completely destroyed!" There was a ripping sound.
* * *
Lucca was recalling what had happened when they arrived in Mallow Dome to rescue Robo.
"All right, Nubert! Connect the machine to the Orb of Life," said Belthasaur.
Nubert, the Nu, looked back at Belthasaur.
"I know that Lucca's being stubborn, but she and Robo are our friends," said Belthasaur.
Nubert connected the machine that Robo was inside to the Orb of Life.
Lucca ordered, "Okay, everyone. Man your stations. Prepare the operation in five! Four! Three! Two! One! NOW!"
The Orb started glowing, along with the machine, but still Robo was not awakened from the dead.
"That's 250 times!" exclaimed Belthasaur.
"Oh, you're right; it isn't working! What could be wrong?" Lucca thought out loud.
* * *
"Hah! The thing that gave him life! Completely destroyed!" There was a ripping sound.
* * *
"That's it! That's it! How could I have been so stupid? Belthasaur, do you have something to take a picture with?" asked Lucca.
"Do you mean a camera?" asked Belthasaur.
"Well...maybe...they haven't exactly invented something like that yet in 1000 AD..." said Lucca.
"Well, I have a camera...but why?" questioned Belthasaur.
Lucca replied, "Well, will you take a picture of me?"
"Well I suppose...umm...here, I found my camera. Alright, say, 'cheese!'" Belthasaur said.
Lucca, confused, said, "Cheddar?"
Belthasaur snapped the picture with his digital camera and went to his computer. He pulled a floppy disc out of the camera and placed it in his computer. "Computer, print," said Belthasaur.
"Printing your photo," said the voice of the computer. Instantly a picture flew out of the machine and Belthasaur grabbed it.
He gave the picture to Lucca and asked, "But why would you want a picture of yourself at a time like this?"
"You'll see," she said. She placed the picture in Robo's data processor. Then she did Nubert's job and attached the machine to the Orb of Life. "Alright, Belthasaur, Nubert, here we go!"
Lucca pressed a button and suddenly the machine and the Orb started glowing once again. Then Robo's viewing censors (his eyes) started glowing a bright green color. Now all had stopped glowing, besides his eyes. "Lucca?" Robo asked.
"Robo, Robo, is that you?" asked Lucca (well, duh, it was Robo; Lucca just wanted to stop to be dramatic).
Robo and Lucca hugged each other. "Belthasaur, Nubert, could you leave us alone for a sec?"
"Okay, come Nubert," said Belthasaur as he and Nubert left the room.
"Robo...there's...something I have to ask you...you are somehow alive...and I brought you back from the dead...and...and...it...it only worked when I put a pict-"
HONK!
"Lucca, come on!" Lucca heard a voice call for her.
She and Robo ran outside to see the Epoch which was crammed with Cyrus, Frog, Ayla, Kino, and Atropos, along with to dragons that Marle and Crono were riding.
"Lucca!" Marle shouted. "Dragon Portal Activate." She threw a red and black marble-sized ball on the ground. Suddenly it turned into a dragon...Fiery.
"What's all this?" Lucca asked.
"Well," said Crono, "the Dark Force has proven to be very powerful. So, we need all the help we can get! You see; we've got Frog and Ayla, along with Kino, Atropos, and Sir Cyrus."
"CYRUS?! CYRUS?! That guy right there is CYRUS?" Lucca asked.
"Yeah, he joined us after Ayla and Kino summoned him. You see, they're summoners," Crono explained.
"Oh, my gosh, that is amazing!" Lucca exclaimed.
"Hey, look Robo is...alive...again!" exclaimed Marle.
"Hello, Marle," he said.
"Well, Lucca, you, me, and Crono are gonna ride on our dragons right behind the Epoch," explained Marle, "and Frog, Cyrus, Atropos, Kino, Ayla, Cyrus, and you, Robo, will ride in the Epoch."
"That makes seven people. How can you fit seven people inside a vehicle that is supposed to hold three?" asked Lucca.
"Leave that to me!" shouted Belthasaur. He and Nubert came out of Keeper's Dome. "Quick! Everyone inside!"
Everyone was very glad to get out of the Epoch and into Keeper's Dome. Belthasaur removed a picture from his wall, revealing a set of buttons: one red, one blue, and one green button. He pressed the blue button and a door on the opposite side of the room opened. He walked through and the rest followed. Everybody was in awe when they saw it.
"This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Neo-Epoch," Belthasaur said, quite proud.
The Neo-Epoch was a navy blue. The wings (there were four instead of the original's two) were a bright sunshine yellow. There were three sections: The front section, which had three seats (the middle was for the driver); the middle, which had four seats; and the back, which had five seats.
"And instead of just a flying mode, Neo-Epoch has built in wheels for a land mode and a scuba mode as well, for underwater exploring. It also has missile and torpedo launchers. And, the best of all, it has these handy cup holders for each seat!" said Belthasaur.
"This is amazing; it has more than enough seats!" exclaimed Marle.
"When did you do this?" asked Lucca.
"Oh, I've been working on this forever," said Belthasaur, "I just finished it up on that break between try 100 and try 101."
"Well, I want to drive it! Dragon Portal Deactivate!" shouted Crono. Sparky then turned into a small black and yellow marble which flew into Crono's hands.
"We might as well do the same," suggested Marle.
"DRAGON PORTAL DEACTIVATE!" shouted Marle and Lucca. A blue and black marble flew into Marle's hands, and a black and red marble flew into Lucca's.
"I guess you should be on your way; no telling where that Dark Force is," said Belthasaur.
Crono, Marle, and Lucca got into the front section; Atropos, Robo, Kino, and Ayla in the middle; and Frog and Cyrus in the back.
"Would you like to come with us Belthasaur? We need all the help we can get," suggested Marle.
"That's exactly why we've got to go find HIM," said Crono.
"Oh, no, Marle, these old bones aren't good enough to fight; even for a Guru," said Belthasaur.
"All right, fine, but if he pulls any funny stuff he's not joining us; is that clear?" asked Marle angrily.
Crono's reply was, "Crystal."
* * *
"Brr... It's so cold here," said Marle.
"It's 12,000 BC; what did you expect?" said Lucca.
"Thy sense his evil presence," said Cyrus.
"As doth I," said Frog.
"I'm telling you, guys, he changed; he's a different person now," said Crono. "Look, there he is, by the foot of the mountain!"
They walked over to the foot of the mountain to see the man they had been speaking of. He was dressed in a cape and was holding a powerful scythe, known as the Doom Sickle. His name was Janus, though now most people call him...
"Magus!" shouted Crono.
"Hello, Crono; I've been expecting you," said Magus.
"You have?" Crono asked.
"Oh, yes, you see, I knew that you would be quick find out about the Dark Force," explained Magus.
"You mean you know about it too?" asked Crono.
"Of course, its presence is here," said Magus.
"Really?" Crono asked.
"Come to the top of the mountain, and I'll show you." Magus flew straight up from the ground to the top of the mountain.
"See? He's not so bad," said Crono.
"I don't know..." Marle had spoke for the rest of the group.
The group walked up the mountain, until they reached the top, which was flat.
"Wow, Magus your flying skills have really improved!" exclaimed Crono.
"So have my other abilities, Dark Bomb!" Magus shouted. A ball of black light was shot at Crono. He fell into the ocean below the mountain.
"I knew it was to good to be true!" exclaimed Marle. She pulled out her crossbow and shot an arrow at Magus. Lucca did the same with her gun.
"Fools!" shouted Magus. He sliced the arrow in half with his Doom Sickle and stopped the bullet as well. "Dark Mist!"
Suddenly, nobody could be seen, for thick dark mist was all around them. Then again, Magus could see what was going on. "Dark Bomb!" He shot two of the same balls of dark light towards Marle and Lucca. They were tossed into the ocean as well.
"Are you two alright?" Crono asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," came Lucca's reply.
Crono shouted from below the sea, "Magus you'll pay! Lumin.."
"Hold it right there boy! You should know that water conducts electricity. If you try using any of your lightning attacks, you and your friends will be zapped as well! Heh...heh... That gives me an idea. Lightning 2!" Magus shouted and launched a powerful lightning attack into the ocean. Crono, Marle, and Lucca were all shocked by it.
"AGH!" they screamed.
"LUCCA!" shouted Robo.
"What can thy do?" Frog thought aloud.
Suddenly, four red lights started glowing from the mist. It was Ayla and Kino's eyes. "Tortonious, Great Turtle of the Sea, come to our aid!" they shouted.
Instantly, a gigantic turtle came from under Crono, Marle, and Lucca, lifting them up to the top of the mountain.
"You are such idiots!" shouted Magus as he grabbed Lucca and Marle's hands and threw the two back against the wall of the mountain. "Especially you Crono."
Crono pulled out the Yellow Katana and fought Magus and his Doom Sickle. After a few minutes, Magus said, "I'm growing tired of this! Black Hole!"
Out of midair, a black hole started to appear; beginning to suck in its prey...Crono.
"I won't fall into that black hole, Magus, no matter what you do!"
"I doubt that. Dark Matter," said Magus, unleashing the most powerful Shadow Magic attack ever. Crono's body, now severely weak from Lightning 2 and Dark Matter, gave in to the black hole and flew into it.
Then a mysterious voice said, "It is done."
Instantly, the darkness in Magus's eyes vanished. By now, the mist had cleared up and every member of the party had gathered around Magus...their weapons ready to strike.
"Marle...Robo......Cyrus!" Magus yelled.
"Magus today is the day you die!" Marle exclaimed.
"Heh...so much for being allies." Magus asked.
"ALLIES?! As if you don't remember, you made Crono get sucked into a black hole!" Lucca exclaimed violently.
"What the......Lavos...LAVOS! I WILL KILL YOU IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO! You must understand. Lavos took control over me. I was pierced with uncontrollable evil. Try to kill me if you must, but I won't be going down without a fight." Magus said.
"Wait, Lavos?" asked Marle. "Lavos is the Dark Force?"
"Yes, Lavos. I don't remember much, but I know it was he. And...I remember that he's...he's human!" Magus exclaimed.
"Human?" asked Robo.
"It doesn't matter, we still won't spare you; what you did to Crono is unforgivable!" Marle shouted.
"Wait, a black hole? That's just a rip in space. It doesn't mean that he's dead," said Lucca.
"Of course he's dead! There's no air in space." said Magus.
"...Use it on me!" said Lucca.
"Didn't you hear me?! There. Is. No. Air. In. Space. The chances of you and Crono surviving are slim to none!" Magus shouted.
"The chances of everyone surviving without Crono here to help defeat Lavos are even slimmer! Take both of us!" Marle shouted.
"You tried to help Schala and the Gurus. As much as I dislike snobby brats and stuck up scientists, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I sent you to die." said Magus.
"Then we'll kill you!" shouted Marle.
"Fine! You fools have no idea what you're getting yourself into. Black Hole!" Magus used his Black Hole attack again, which sucked Marle and Lucca in there, hoping to find Crono.
After they had gone, Magus said, "Glenn, Cyrus, I know you hate me. Kill me now."
"Magus, thy do not understand, thou have let Marle and Lucca find Sir Crono for exchange of thou life," Frog said.
"No, you don't understand..."
"That be what I just said," said Frog.
Magus continued, "Lavos only stopped controlling me, because he believed that Crono is dead. Crono is his only true threat, for the boy has a power in him that is even more powerful than mine. I was his last recruit. Now knowing that Crono will most likely live, he will take control of my body again, and make me kill you all."