Disclaimer: I do not own Chrono Trigger or any related names or titles. They are property of Square Soft.
Clouded by the Dark Force
By Chrono Eternal
Chapter 11:
In the Pit of Hell
Janus and his pet cat, Alfador, patrolled the halls of Zeal. Everything seemed to be going well. The scholars were researching and making Tabs. Everything seemed to be in perfect order in the kingdom of Zeal. But no one, not even a child as young and inexperienced as Janus would believe that.
Schala ran through the halls of the palace, searching for her brother. When she saw the blue-haired child, she, though out of breath, exclaimed, "Janus! It...it's Mother! She's...she's...no time to explain! Hurry, we must go to the Guru of Life! Quick! Now!"
* * *
Schala encircled her and her brother in a glowing ball of energy, as they floated off towards the blue pyramid to the east.
After that, Schala raised up the pendant around her neck. The blue light that the pyramid was made of absorbed itself into the Astral Amulet.
Melchior, Guru of Life, noticed the two, and smiled. "Hello children. How are you today?"
"Not so good, wise Guru. It's our mother..." said Schala.
"Haha. Always your mother isn't it?" Belthasaur said, slamming his hammer onto a soon-to-be-sword. "What was it again? Oh yes, Lavar, Vosla, uh..."
"Lavos. Lavos is the monster she intends to summon...as a key to immortality. And the key to Lavos is that silly contraption you've worked up there!" Schala exclaimed as she pointed towards the golden structure in the center of the room.
"Ha! The Mammon Machine? Over my dead body..."
"And I'm afraid that's what it will be," said Schala. "She will kill you if you do not let her have it."
"Listen," said the Guru. "You, Schala, are the only with a key into this place. Not even I own one!"
"The black wind howls, Melchior! You must destroy the Mammon Machine...now!" Janus exclaimed.
The Guru replied, "Oh, young one...look around you...why would I give all this up...all of it? These...these weapons are my life's work, and they can only be powered by the Mammon Machine."
The two Enlightened Ones searched around. There were two swords and a dagger.
"They are mere weapons, wise Guru," said Schala.
Melchior replied, "Hah! Each weapon has the souls, the spirits of two fallen angels. In fact, Ellaine and Doreen gave themselves to the sword you see there, now called the Eldoreen."
"Melchior, we don't care right now about your silly toys!" Schala exclaimed.
"I have one for you Schala," said Melchior.
"Oh! Well...I'm sure there isn't any harm in that!" Schala exclaimed. "Which one is mine? The smallest one I suppose?"
"Yes," said Melchior. "That is correct; the dagger, called the Makamars. As you may have guessed, Maka and Mars reside in the weapon."
Janus then said, "Maka and Mars reducing themselves to such a week dagger? I don't believe it!"
Melchior responded, "A dagger may be small, but it has the potential to be very powerful. Very much like you, Janus."
Schala rolled her eyes and Janus blushed. They all knew that Janus had no power to speak of.
"Agh!"
"What is it Janus?" Schala asked, concerned.
"That sword hurts my hand when I hold it; I sense the black wind in it," Janus said.
"The Masamune? That's very interesting. It's the Shadow Weapon. Perhaps you'll have better luck with the Eldoreen, the Water Weapon? I would let you test out the Lightning Weapon, the Einlanzer, but I'm still working on it," Melchior explained.
"That's all right Melchior. I would rather wield a scythe," Janus said.
"Suit yourself," Melchior replied.
Schala spoke up. "Melchior...is it possible for us to spend the night here? I don't feel safe in the palace with Mother storming about like that..."
"Go ahead!" Melchior exclaimed. "Be my guest; stay as long as you wish."
* * *
"Melchior, you fool! Open the pyramid now!"
It had been three days after when Janus and Schala escaped to the Guru of Life's smithy. Dalton, the power-hungry fool had been trying to get them out, under the order of the queen, for hours.
"Quiet yourself, Dalton!" Janus yelled from within the blue pyramid. "Leave us alone!!!"
Melchior, trying to hide his fear, smiled at the youth.
Schala, in a far corner, walked up to where Janus was standing. "No, Janus," she said, "We must obey our mother's wishes." She lifted up her pendant and the blue light of the pyramid was slowly absorbed inside.
"Janus," said Dalton, "you are to go into your room at this instant. Schala, Queen Zeal wishes to speak to you immediately. And you...you old fool...the queen has left your fate into the hands of me...hahaha!"
* * *
"Schala! Do you realize what this means? The world will be ours. No...the universe! And it all depends on that pendant of yours!" the queen exclaimed.
"NO! I will only use my Astral Amulet will only be used as a way to help people!" Schala exclaimed.
"You stupid girl! Don't you know that you will be helping people...you...me...US!" Queen Zeal exclaimed.
"Stay away...you...you monster!!!" Schala screamed.
"Oh, a monster am I? Listen, you are to go to the Mammon Machine, Melchior's creation, which has been moved to the palace, and power up that little pendant of yours! Then we shall awaken Lavos...and become the rulers of the universe!" Zeal exclaimed. "Melchior has been fed to Giga Gaia. Now we will use his prized creation to lead us to victory!"
Janus and Alfador stood back behind the wall...listening to everything.
Back then he knew nothing of the strange prophet...nothing of the boy who gave his life...nothing of the brave knight and the frog...
Nothing of the monster that he would soon become...
* * *
"Where...where am I?" Janus asked staring at the strange new land around him, and the Blue Imps who had gathered.
"Stand, back, you insolent fools!" said a much larger imp. This one was green though. "What's yer name kid?"
"Er...Magil," said Janus.
"Magil? What a wussy name..." said the tall imp.
"Oh, yeah? Well what's your name then, green boy?" Janus asked with his attitude, as usual.
"Oh, green boy, is Ozzie. Well, Ozzie isn't the one with the blue hair!" exclaimed the large creature.
"Excuse me, are you talking about yourself in third person?" Janus asked, but not nearly as polite as it might look.
"Ozzie doesn't know what you mean!" exclaimed the creature, obviously Ozzie.
"Hahahaha! And YOU were just calling these flea bags insolent fools?!" Janus exclaimed, still extremely rudely.
"You got spunk, kid. Ozzie likes that," said the ugly Ozzie. "From now on, you will be known as Magus!"
Janus smiled as he repeated, "Magus...The Great Magus..."
And, thus, the monster was born.
* * *
"Daddy, it's fun having all my favorite people here!" Nadia exclaimed once again at her mother's bed.
"Nadia, please, Mommy is very sick right now," said the King.
"Cough...it's all right dear...cough...cough..." said the dreadfully sick Queen.
"If anyone should be gone, it's YOU Daddy! Hehehe! This SHOULD be a girl only zone!" Nadia innocently said.
"You know, Nadia, it won't be too soon till you start liking boys!" the King said.
"Cough...cough...cough!" Queen Aliza coughed up blood.
"Darling! Darling, are you all right?" the King rushed to her aid.
"She's coughing because a BOY is in the room! You're giving her coodies!" the young Princess Nadia yelled.
"Cough...Someday when Nadia grows up...cough...cough," Aliza said.
"Honey, we're here for you..." said the King, tears escaping his eyes.
"Cough...she will bring her...ack...cough...beloved to meet you...achem...cough..." said the Queen, using the last bit of life she had. "Welcome him warmly. It will....ahem...cough...cough...be the day...cough...cough...you remember forever."
With that, the Queen smiled at her daughter, and died.
* * *
"Hello, I'm Lara. And this is my daughter Lucca," said Lara.
Lucca hid blushing behind Lara's leg.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ellis. And these are my two sons, Rhad and Crono," said Ellis.
"Hi, Miz Lara, Lucca," said Rhad.
His brother, Crono, did the same as Lucca, hiding behind Ellis.
"Lucca, wouldn't you like to say hello to Crono and Rhad?" said Lara.
"Hi, Rhad and Crono," Lucca nearly whispered, blushing much brighter than ever before.
"Oh," said Ellis. Then she whispered to Lara, "Crono is well...handicapped."
"Oh," said Lara. "Does he go to some sort of therapy?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no, you see - "
"My brother is not retarded!" Rhad exclaimed.
"RHAD! Mind your manners!" Ellis exclaimed. Then she said back to Lara, "Crono can't talk...he's mute."
"Oh, I see," said Lara. "I'm sorry I acted like..."
"That's all right," said Ellis. "It's my fault. I really should be more clear, but just sometimes people think we're well, less-than-perfect...you know, having a child to love and care for...but he never talks back..."
"Oh, well we're not the kind to judge. I'm sorry my husband Taban hasn't been here to meet you," Lara apologized.
"Oh, well, would you like to come over and help us get settled?" Ellis asked. "I'd love to have you over. I'm sure my husband, Quinton, would love to meet you."
Lara then said, "Wow, I've never heard that name before...not that's is strange or anything..."
Rhad broke in, "It means, "from five." My name means "thunder," and Crono's means "through time."
"Well," said Ellis with no sarcasm, "you sure are a very smart child..."
Perhaps he was too smart...
* * *
Lucca and Crono were having the greatest time as they played at Leene's Square.
"You're a great friend, Crono," said Lucca.
Crono only smiled and blushed.
"You're my only real friend, too... It's good, you know. To have a friend you can talk to, but they never say anything rude or mean back at you..."
Crono nodded, understanding.
"You might think that I hate having a friend like you sometimes, since you never talk back...but then you're wrong. But...I was just wondering...do you ever get tired of just listening...?"
* * *
Ellis screamed, "Stay back, you...you MONSTER!!!"
"Why is it so much different now?!" Quinton exclaimed. "You already knew."
"I thought you loved me...but now I know the truth...you want to destroy us...THAT'S WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO!!!" Ellis exclaimed.
"I can't help who I am, Ellis," said Quinton.
Ellis exclaimed, "How can I possibly be alive now...after having raised children with you! Leave Quinton...leave now...and never come back."
Quinton stormed upstairs where Crono and Rhad were playing.
"Arr...I am the dark wizard Magus! No one answers to me and lives!!!" Rhad exclaimed, as he and his brother were playing pretend.
Crono gave two small punches at Rhad.
"NOOOO! You've defeated me! ARGHHH!!!" Rhad exclaimed.
Quinton, who was now in the room, said, "Rhad, you're coming with me."
Rhad replied, "What are we doing, Daddy?"
"We're going out for a light stroll," said their father.
"Well," said Rhad. "Can Crono come with us?"
"NO! COME WITH ME NOW! Say good-bye to your brother. We'll be right back!!!" Quinton exclaimed.
"All right," Rhad sighed. "I'll see ya in half an hour, 'kay Crono?"
Crono nodded.
Crono would defeat Magus some day...
But Rhad would never come back...
* * *
"MOMMY!"
"CRONO!"
"RHAD!!!"
Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Tijino found themselves in a very hot place with blazes of fire everywhere.
"Where...where are we?" Marle asked.
"Are we...dead?" Tijino asked.
"Dead..." Lucca repeated. "But shouldn't it be nice and peaceful...and we're on clouds?"
"No..." said Crono. "We went...somewhere else..."
"You mean we're in..." Tijino began.
Crono cut him off. "Hell."
"But...but...HOW?!" Marle exclaimed. "We're the good guys!"
"Because..." said a voice. A shadowed figure walked upon the crimson hot ground and appeared to them. "You died with anger in your heart."
"MAGUS!!!" Marle exclaimed.
"Luminaire!" Crono shouted launching his ultimate attack at the wizard.
Magus emerged from the smoke caused by Crono's attack. "Try as you might," he said. "It's hard to kill a dead man."
"Why...what did you do?! Why did you attack us like that?!" Marle exclaimed.
"I was under the control of Lavos," Magus said. "Perhaps you would like me to explain it elsewhere. I've met some people you might recognize."
Magus led them the hot horrible land of Hell. How could they have gone there? After all they were the good guys...could anger...could anger alone really do that...
"So," said Marle, "did you see your life flash back before your eyes?"
"Yeah..." said Crono, "yeah, glimpses, images I didn't want to see again."
"Me too..." said Marle. "Me too..."
"Hmm..." said Tijino. "Perhaps that is an experience only you humans experience. I instantly found myself here."
"Well," said Lucca, "I had rather good memories...from when I met you, Crono...of course...there would have been a bad memory there...except..."
Lucca remembered the Green Dream. Maybe if she had it equipped she would still be alive now.
"Except what?" Marle asked.
"Nothing...nothing at all..." said Lucca.
"Hey, Tijino," Crono said, "do you think you can revive us from here?"
"No...no..." sad Tijino. "I tried reviving myself before you appeared. It didn't work."
"Oh..."
"Here we are," said Magus. "Recognize 'em?"
Before the group stood two elderly people dressed in animal skins.
"AYLA! KINO!" Marle exclaimed.
"Marle!" exclaimed Old Ayla.
"Wait! I have an idea!" said Lucca. "Can you two tell us who won this fight against the Dark Force...or Lavos or whatever?"
"I've tried asking them that," said Magus. "They don't remember a thing. This is obviously because they, in 12,000 BC, will go to their summoner mode, in which they can't remember a thing."
"Anyway, Magus, tell us about Lavos," Lucca said.
"Well, this Dark Force is Lavos, in some form or fashion. It's a human though...and he's trying to make another Lavos..." Magus explained.
"Excuse me?" Crono asked.
"I can't make much of it right now...it's all scrambled up in my mind..." Magus said.
"That's all right," said Marle. "So you were being controlled by Lavos when you attacked us?"
"Correct...a human Lavos..." said Magus.
"So," said Tijino. "Is there anyway to see what's happening elsewhere right now?"
"Yes, Tijino. That's how I know your name...simply close your eyes and focus on what you want to see," said Magus.
"Yes," said Old Kino. "Close eyes."
Old Ayla replied, "Shut up, Kino!"
They all closed their eyes and saw the super-powered Ozzie fighting Frog, Cyrus, Ayla, Kino, Atropos, and Robo. He was doing very well, too. They quickly opened their eyes.
"Is he being controlled?!" Lucca asked.
"Yes...Lavos informed me I was the last of his minions, but he was lying. I have a plan though, how we can get rid of Lavos once and for all..." said Magus.
"Really?" Marle asked.
Magus smiled and said, "Yes. It's a little risky, but it might work. Naturally, all of us need to be revived to fight Lavos...since he is even more powerful than before."
Lucca asked, "Magus! You and I both know that there is no way to get revived without a Time Egg or Tijino's reviving abilities."
Magus replied, "Or the Orb of Life."
"What!?" Crono exclaimed, pulling out the Orb. "THIS thing can bring people back to life?"
"It's called the Orb of LIFE, Crono," said Marle.
"Shut up," replied Crono.
"There's a ketch," said Lucca. "All revival items-slash-abilities can only be used in the living world."
"True," said Magus. "Partially true. Does anyone know another name for Hell?"
"The Underworld?" Marle guessed.
"WRONG!" Magus exclaimed. "Most people think that the Underworld is the same thing as Hell but they are very wrong indeed. Living dwarves rule the Underworld, while the dead occupy Hell. Both, however, are very close together, and Old Ayla, Old Kino, and I seem to have found a pathway to the Underworld. So...we..."
"We get from here to the Underworld, through this dimension gap. Then we'll be in the living world, so we use the Orb of Life to revive us. Then the dwarves help us to get to the surface!" Lucca exclaimed.
"Yeah, but even so, Robo, Frog, and the rest will have gotten killed by Ozzie Omega by the time we got to the Overworld!" Marle exclaimed.
"Yes," Magus said, "but close your eyes and tell me who out of our allies is doing the best."
They closed their eyes and then reopened them. Marle replied, "Frog is, I guess."
"EXACTLY!!!" Magus exclaimed. "You might not realize it, but when I turned him into a frog, his power was greatly reduced...haha...but I'm dead now..."
"Which means..." Crono said with a smile a mile wide.
"Yes, any second now," said Magus. "Our froggy friend will become Glenn...in human form! Becoming a frog actually helped that knight-wanna-be. Now, we can't get too cocky, but I think it'll work. Ozzie will be powerless against the human form of Glenn."
"Yeah," Marle said. "But what will they do after that?"
Magus replied, "It's up to Fate to decide."
Author's Note: There were some MAJOR revisions in this chapter. One is the change of the swords. I had completely forgotten about the Einlanzer when I first wrote this, and I know it belongs to the Acacia Dragoons, but it'll get there sooner or later. The biggest revision is that Ozzie doesn't have revival powers. I originally planned for the 12 heroes (the Neo-Epoch has 12 seats) to be Crono, Marle, Lucca, Robo, Atropos, Ayla, Kino, Frog, Cyrus, Tijino, Magus, and Ozzie. Like he joined them or whatever after he brought Crono, Marle, Lucca, Magus, and Tijino back to life. But then there would be 2 reviving-powered characters and I don't want that. So, the 12th character I just thought up yesterday, and that (s)he would be perfect! Anyway, have fun reading!
Clouded by the Dark Force
By Chrono Eternal
Chapter 11:
In the Pit of Hell
Janus and his pet cat, Alfador, patrolled the halls of Zeal. Everything seemed to be going well. The scholars were researching and making Tabs. Everything seemed to be in perfect order in the kingdom of Zeal. But no one, not even a child as young and inexperienced as Janus would believe that.
Schala ran through the halls of the palace, searching for her brother. When she saw the blue-haired child, she, though out of breath, exclaimed, "Janus! It...it's Mother! She's...she's...no time to explain! Hurry, we must go to the Guru of Life! Quick! Now!"
* * *
Schala encircled her and her brother in a glowing ball of energy, as they floated off towards the blue pyramid to the east.
After that, Schala raised up the pendant around her neck. The blue light that the pyramid was made of absorbed itself into the Astral Amulet.
Melchior, Guru of Life, noticed the two, and smiled. "Hello children. How are you today?"
"Not so good, wise Guru. It's our mother..." said Schala.
"Haha. Always your mother isn't it?" Belthasaur said, slamming his hammer onto a soon-to-be-sword. "What was it again? Oh yes, Lavar, Vosla, uh..."
"Lavos. Lavos is the monster she intends to summon...as a key to immortality. And the key to Lavos is that silly contraption you've worked up there!" Schala exclaimed as she pointed towards the golden structure in the center of the room.
"Ha! The Mammon Machine? Over my dead body..."
"And I'm afraid that's what it will be," said Schala. "She will kill you if you do not let her have it."
"Listen," said the Guru. "You, Schala, are the only with a key into this place. Not even I own one!"
"The black wind howls, Melchior! You must destroy the Mammon Machine...now!" Janus exclaimed.
The Guru replied, "Oh, young one...look around you...why would I give all this up...all of it? These...these weapons are my life's work, and they can only be powered by the Mammon Machine."
The two Enlightened Ones searched around. There were two swords and a dagger.
"They are mere weapons, wise Guru," said Schala.
Melchior replied, "Hah! Each weapon has the souls, the spirits of two fallen angels. In fact, Ellaine and Doreen gave themselves to the sword you see there, now called the Eldoreen."
"Melchior, we don't care right now about your silly toys!" Schala exclaimed.
"I have one for you Schala," said Melchior.
"Oh! Well...I'm sure there isn't any harm in that!" Schala exclaimed. "Which one is mine? The smallest one I suppose?"
"Yes," said Melchior. "That is correct; the dagger, called the Makamars. As you may have guessed, Maka and Mars reside in the weapon."
Janus then said, "Maka and Mars reducing themselves to such a week dagger? I don't believe it!"
Melchior responded, "A dagger may be small, but it has the potential to be very powerful. Very much like you, Janus."
Schala rolled her eyes and Janus blushed. They all knew that Janus had no power to speak of.
"Agh!"
"What is it Janus?" Schala asked, concerned.
"That sword hurts my hand when I hold it; I sense the black wind in it," Janus said.
"The Masamune? That's very interesting. It's the Shadow Weapon. Perhaps you'll have better luck with the Eldoreen, the Water Weapon? I would let you test out the Lightning Weapon, the Einlanzer, but I'm still working on it," Melchior explained.
"That's all right Melchior. I would rather wield a scythe," Janus said.
"Suit yourself," Melchior replied.
Schala spoke up. "Melchior...is it possible for us to spend the night here? I don't feel safe in the palace with Mother storming about like that..."
"Go ahead!" Melchior exclaimed. "Be my guest; stay as long as you wish."
* * *
"Melchior, you fool! Open the pyramid now!"
It had been three days after when Janus and Schala escaped to the Guru of Life's smithy. Dalton, the power-hungry fool had been trying to get them out, under the order of the queen, for hours.
"Quiet yourself, Dalton!" Janus yelled from within the blue pyramid. "Leave us alone!!!"
Melchior, trying to hide his fear, smiled at the youth.
Schala, in a far corner, walked up to where Janus was standing. "No, Janus," she said, "We must obey our mother's wishes." She lifted up her pendant and the blue light of the pyramid was slowly absorbed inside.
"Janus," said Dalton, "you are to go into your room at this instant. Schala, Queen Zeal wishes to speak to you immediately. And you...you old fool...the queen has left your fate into the hands of me...hahaha!"
* * *
"Schala! Do you realize what this means? The world will be ours. No...the universe! And it all depends on that pendant of yours!" the queen exclaimed.
"NO! I will only use my Astral Amulet will only be used as a way to help people!" Schala exclaimed.
"You stupid girl! Don't you know that you will be helping people...you...me...US!" Queen Zeal exclaimed.
"Stay away...you...you monster!!!" Schala screamed.
"Oh, a monster am I? Listen, you are to go to the Mammon Machine, Melchior's creation, which has been moved to the palace, and power up that little pendant of yours! Then we shall awaken Lavos...and become the rulers of the universe!" Zeal exclaimed. "Melchior has been fed to Giga Gaia. Now we will use his prized creation to lead us to victory!"
Janus and Alfador stood back behind the wall...listening to everything.
Back then he knew nothing of the strange prophet...nothing of the boy who gave his life...nothing of the brave knight and the frog...
Nothing of the monster that he would soon become...
* * *
"Where...where am I?" Janus asked staring at the strange new land around him, and the Blue Imps who had gathered.
"Stand, back, you insolent fools!" said a much larger imp. This one was green though. "What's yer name kid?"
"Er...Magil," said Janus.
"Magil? What a wussy name..." said the tall imp.
"Oh, yeah? Well what's your name then, green boy?" Janus asked with his attitude, as usual.
"Oh, green boy, is Ozzie. Well, Ozzie isn't the one with the blue hair!" exclaimed the large creature.
"Excuse me, are you talking about yourself in third person?" Janus asked, but not nearly as polite as it might look.
"Ozzie doesn't know what you mean!" exclaimed the creature, obviously Ozzie.
"Hahahaha! And YOU were just calling these flea bags insolent fools?!" Janus exclaimed, still extremely rudely.
"You got spunk, kid. Ozzie likes that," said the ugly Ozzie. "From now on, you will be known as Magus!"
Janus smiled as he repeated, "Magus...The Great Magus..."
And, thus, the monster was born.
* * *
"Daddy, it's fun having all my favorite people here!" Nadia exclaimed once again at her mother's bed.
"Nadia, please, Mommy is very sick right now," said the King.
"Cough...it's all right dear...cough...cough..." said the dreadfully sick Queen.
"If anyone should be gone, it's YOU Daddy! Hehehe! This SHOULD be a girl only zone!" Nadia innocently said.
"You know, Nadia, it won't be too soon till you start liking boys!" the King said.
"Cough...cough...cough!" Queen Aliza coughed up blood.
"Darling! Darling, are you all right?" the King rushed to her aid.
"She's coughing because a BOY is in the room! You're giving her coodies!" the young Princess Nadia yelled.
"Cough...Someday when Nadia grows up...cough...cough," Aliza said.
"Honey, we're here for you..." said the King, tears escaping his eyes.
"Cough...she will bring her...ack...cough...beloved to meet you...achem...cough..." said the Queen, using the last bit of life she had. "Welcome him warmly. It will....ahem...cough...cough...be the day...cough...cough...you remember forever."
With that, the Queen smiled at her daughter, and died.
* * *
"Hello, I'm Lara. And this is my daughter Lucca," said Lara.
Lucca hid blushing behind Lara's leg.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ellis. And these are my two sons, Rhad and Crono," said Ellis.
"Hi, Miz Lara, Lucca," said Rhad.
His brother, Crono, did the same as Lucca, hiding behind Ellis.
"Lucca, wouldn't you like to say hello to Crono and Rhad?" said Lara.
"Hi, Rhad and Crono," Lucca nearly whispered, blushing much brighter than ever before.
"Oh," said Ellis. Then she whispered to Lara, "Crono is well...handicapped."
"Oh," said Lara. "Does he go to some sort of therapy?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no, you see - "
"My brother is not retarded!" Rhad exclaimed.
"RHAD! Mind your manners!" Ellis exclaimed. Then she said back to Lara, "Crono can't talk...he's mute."
"Oh, I see," said Lara. "I'm sorry I acted like..."
"That's all right," said Ellis. "It's my fault. I really should be more clear, but just sometimes people think we're well, less-than-perfect...you know, having a child to love and care for...but he never talks back..."
"Oh, well we're not the kind to judge. I'm sorry my husband Taban hasn't been here to meet you," Lara apologized.
"Oh, well, would you like to come over and help us get settled?" Ellis asked. "I'd love to have you over. I'm sure my husband, Quinton, would love to meet you."
Lara then said, "Wow, I've never heard that name before...not that's is strange or anything..."
Rhad broke in, "It means, "from five." My name means "thunder," and Crono's means "through time."
"Well," said Ellis with no sarcasm, "you sure are a very smart child..."
Perhaps he was too smart...
* * *
Lucca and Crono were having the greatest time as they played at Leene's Square.
"You're a great friend, Crono," said Lucca.
Crono only smiled and blushed.
"You're my only real friend, too... It's good, you know. To have a friend you can talk to, but they never say anything rude or mean back at you..."
Crono nodded, understanding.
"You might think that I hate having a friend like you sometimes, since you never talk back...but then you're wrong. But...I was just wondering...do you ever get tired of just listening...?"
* * *
Ellis screamed, "Stay back, you...you MONSTER!!!"
"Why is it so much different now?!" Quinton exclaimed. "You already knew."
"I thought you loved me...but now I know the truth...you want to destroy us...THAT'S WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO!!!" Ellis exclaimed.
"I can't help who I am, Ellis," said Quinton.
Ellis exclaimed, "How can I possibly be alive now...after having raised children with you! Leave Quinton...leave now...and never come back."
Quinton stormed upstairs where Crono and Rhad were playing.
"Arr...I am the dark wizard Magus! No one answers to me and lives!!!" Rhad exclaimed, as he and his brother were playing pretend.
Crono gave two small punches at Rhad.
"NOOOO! You've defeated me! ARGHHH!!!" Rhad exclaimed.
Quinton, who was now in the room, said, "Rhad, you're coming with me."
Rhad replied, "What are we doing, Daddy?"
"We're going out for a light stroll," said their father.
"Well," said Rhad. "Can Crono come with us?"
"NO! COME WITH ME NOW! Say good-bye to your brother. We'll be right back!!!" Quinton exclaimed.
"All right," Rhad sighed. "I'll see ya in half an hour, 'kay Crono?"
Crono nodded.
Crono would defeat Magus some day...
But Rhad would never come back...
* * *
"MOMMY!"
"CRONO!"
"RHAD!!!"
Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Tijino found themselves in a very hot place with blazes of fire everywhere.
"Where...where are we?" Marle asked.
"Are we...dead?" Tijino asked.
"Dead..." Lucca repeated. "But shouldn't it be nice and peaceful...and we're on clouds?"
"No..." said Crono. "We went...somewhere else..."
"You mean we're in..." Tijino began.
Crono cut him off. "Hell."
"But...but...HOW?!" Marle exclaimed. "We're the good guys!"
"Because..." said a voice. A shadowed figure walked upon the crimson hot ground and appeared to them. "You died with anger in your heart."
"MAGUS!!!" Marle exclaimed.
"Luminaire!" Crono shouted launching his ultimate attack at the wizard.
Magus emerged from the smoke caused by Crono's attack. "Try as you might," he said. "It's hard to kill a dead man."
"Why...what did you do?! Why did you attack us like that?!" Marle exclaimed.
"I was under the control of Lavos," Magus said. "Perhaps you would like me to explain it elsewhere. I've met some people you might recognize."
Magus led them the hot horrible land of Hell. How could they have gone there? After all they were the good guys...could anger...could anger alone really do that...
"So," said Marle, "did you see your life flash back before your eyes?"
"Yeah..." said Crono, "yeah, glimpses, images I didn't want to see again."
"Me too..." said Marle. "Me too..."
"Hmm..." said Tijino. "Perhaps that is an experience only you humans experience. I instantly found myself here."
"Well," said Lucca, "I had rather good memories...from when I met you, Crono...of course...there would have been a bad memory there...except..."
Lucca remembered the Green Dream. Maybe if she had it equipped she would still be alive now.
"Except what?" Marle asked.
"Nothing...nothing at all..." said Lucca.
"Hey, Tijino," Crono said, "do you think you can revive us from here?"
"No...no..." sad Tijino. "I tried reviving myself before you appeared. It didn't work."
"Oh..."
"Here we are," said Magus. "Recognize 'em?"
Before the group stood two elderly people dressed in animal skins.
"AYLA! KINO!" Marle exclaimed.
"Marle!" exclaimed Old Ayla.
"Wait! I have an idea!" said Lucca. "Can you two tell us who won this fight against the Dark Force...or Lavos or whatever?"
"I've tried asking them that," said Magus. "They don't remember a thing. This is obviously because they, in 12,000 BC, will go to their summoner mode, in which they can't remember a thing."
"Anyway, Magus, tell us about Lavos," Lucca said.
"Well, this Dark Force is Lavos, in some form or fashion. It's a human though...and he's trying to make another Lavos..." Magus explained.
"Excuse me?" Crono asked.
"I can't make much of it right now...it's all scrambled up in my mind..." Magus said.
"That's all right," said Marle. "So you were being controlled by Lavos when you attacked us?"
"Correct...a human Lavos..." said Magus.
"So," said Tijino. "Is there anyway to see what's happening elsewhere right now?"
"Yes, Tijino. That's how I know your name...simply close your eyes and focus on what you want to see," said Magus.
"Yes," said Old Kino. "Close eyes."
Old Ayla replied, "Shut up, Kino!"
They all closed their eyes and saw the super-powered Ozzie fighting Frog, Cyrus, Ayla, Kino, Atropos, and Robo. He was doing very well, too. They quickly opened their eyes.
"Is he being controlled?!" Lucca asked.
"Yes...Lavos informed me I was the last of his minions, but he was lying. I have a plan though, how we can get rid of Lavos once and for all..." said Magus.
"Really?" Marle asked.
Magus smiled and said, "Yes. It's a little risky, but it might work. Naturally, all of us need to be revived to fight Lavos...since he is even more powerful than before."
Lucca asked, "Magus! You and I both know that there is no way to get revived without a Time Egg or Tijino's reviving abilities."
Magus replied, "Or the Orb of Life."
"What!?" Crono exclaimed, pulling out the Orb. "THIS thing can bring people back to life?"
"It's called the Orb of LIFE, Crono," said Marle.
"Shut up," replied Crono.
"There's a ketch," said Lucca. "All revival items-slash-abilities can only be used in the living world."
"True," said Magus. "Partially true. Does anyone know another name for Hell?"
"The Underworld?" Marle guessed.
"WRONG!" Magus exclaimed. "Most people think that the Underworld is the same thing as Hell but they are very wrong indeed. Living dwarves rule the Underworld, while the dead occupy Hell. Both, however, are very close together, and Old Ayla, Old Kino, and I seem to have found a pathway to the Underworld. So...we..."
"We get from here to the Underworld, through this dimension gap. Then we'll be in the living world, so we use the Orb of Life to revive us. Then the dwarves help us to get to the surface!" Lucca exclaimed.
"Yeah, but even so, Robo, Frog, and the rest will have gotten killed by Ozzie Omega by the time we got to the Overworld!" Marle exclaimed.
"Yes," Magus said, "but close your eyes and tell me who out of our allies is doing the best."
They closed their eyes and then reopened them. Marle replied, "Frog is, I guess."
"EXACTLY!!!" Magus exclaimed. "You might not realize it, but when I turned him into a frog, his power was greatly reduced...haha...but I'm dead now..."
"Which means..." Crono said with a smile a mile wide.
"Yes, any second now," said Magus. "Our froggy friend will become Glenn...in human form! Becoming a frog actually helped that knight-wanna-be. Now, we can't get too cocky, but I think it'll work. Ozzie will be powerless against the human form of Glenn."
"Yeah," Marle said. "But what will they do after that?"
Magus replied, "It's up to Fate to decide."
Author's Note: There were some MAJOR revisions in this chapter. One is the change of the swords. I had completely forgotten about the Einlanzer when I first wrote this, and I know it belongs to the Acacia Dragoons, but it'll get there sooner or later. The biggest revision is that Ozzie doesn't have revival powers. I originally planned for the 12 heroes (the Neo-Epoch has 12 seats) to be Crono, Marle, Lucca, Robo, Atropos, Ayla, Kino, Frog, Cyrus, Tijino, Magus, and Ozzie. Like he joined them or whatever after he brought Crono, Marle, Lucca, Magus, and Tijino back to life. But then there would be 2 reviving-powered characters and I don't want that. So, the 12th character I just thought up yesterday, and that (s)he would be perfect! Anyway, have fun reading!