Well, this is it as our story finally draws to a close. If you have a keen eye and memory you will also notice that this tale ends with a number of the same elements that actual happen when the real game ends. It was just our way of interpreting the events in Chrono Cross and explaining them a little better. In case you were wondering why Halre decided to be with the gods as their messenger, that was the final voter decision we had, and that was what the populace chose. All in all I think this story came out great and I want to thank each and every one of my writers.

TenkoStar17 - We've certainly grown closer over the past number of months we've known each other and think that's really a great thing. You are an extremely gifted writer and an even better editor. Even though you're a Nole and I'm a Cane I do believe we make a great team when we work together.

Alanna82 - It's with great honor and privilege that I can say I was your first GameFAQs friend. You are a very kind and generous person and that shows in everything you do. Sometimes you let things stress you out from time to time, but just try to relax and remember others are always there if you ever need to vent. Never stop gaming, as the community needs more girls.

Matt620 - Although I haven't talked with as much as the other writers that doesn't make you any less special. Your writing is extremely detailed and I hope you go far in this profession. Oftentimes you saved my behind when I hit writer's block or could not make a deadline and for that I am truly thankful. Keep your chin up in whatever you do and I'm sure it will come out just fine.

Vancewynd - Thanks for suggesting the name "Atikon" and commenting on other things about our story. Even though you weren't on the writing team for long, your ideas made a world of difference. Wherever you are, I hope you're doing well.

GameFAQs Readers - Without your continued support and votes this fanfic would have never happen. Your constant praise and critiques really helped shape the look and feel of this tale we told. I'm glad that you had as much fun reading this as we had writing it. And to all my supporters on the Chrono Cross Social Board, you might have another surprise in store in the near Readers - Thank you for your continued support and reviews (especially Paladin Dragoon). This site was daunting at first, but you accpeted my entry with open arms. If you ever have something to ask me don't hesitate to e-mail me, as I would be more than happy to offer feedback and comment on your own works as well.

Although the story ends here, please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the Review section. If it is anything not answered by the story or not clear enough and I get enough questions, I will add another chapter specifically dealing with that. Otherwise, just enjoy what is written and hopefully I will post again on this site in the future. Until we meet again.

Always I will remain,

Joseph Diamond (Daredevil3181)

Epilogue

How the next few moments played out was something no one could explain. There was this...dizzy feeling, and the stars themselves seemed to blur and dance. The next thing any of the heroes knew, they were in a field of wildflowers and tall grass, and the breeze flew elegantly, shifting delicate floral aromas and pollen through the air.

Serge was quiet, which didn't shock Leena, but she kept her arms wrapped around his chest as the young girl stood behind him. He turned to her and smiled, consoled by her presence. Leena knew that he had lost something; she could tell by the look in his eyes. She didn't want to impose; he would tell her when he was ready, and she would not rush him.

"And so, our battle comes to an end," Miki said, standing up as the wind shifted the ribbons of her costume and her long hair.

"The demon that would have been a god was put to rest, once again, by the hands of man," Orlha added.

"And demi-humans," Doc corrected his lifelong friend, which made Razzly smile with glee.

Schala gave out a loud, Kid-like laugh, and everyone was jarred to her attention. "I'm...proud...to have saved the world...and met you all," the Zealian noble said tearfully. She knew that it was almost time to say farewell to everyone. She prayed fervently for the sun to stop so that they could have this moment for as long as possible.

Leena felt the same way. She marveled at how far everyone had come. They were exhausted, and bore wounds and scars from that final battle. They were too fatigued to use magic, so all one could do was clean and bind wounds and wait for the body to heal itself. Norris and Orlha tended to each other, while Schala, tired but having the inexplicable energy of Kid, helped everyone else. As the lovely princess of Zeal took care of Leena's arm, the Champion let go of Serge, who sat down on the ground cross-legged; completely despondent and looking utterly alone.

"Serge, he..." Leena started.

"What happened was a big shock to him. He's coping remarkably well," Schala noted.

"I...I don't want him to cry."

"We don't know what happened to him. All I can say is that it must have been terrible. Give him a moment to grieve."

"I understand...Thank you, Schala."

"Congratulations, warriors!" A loud booming voice that was unmistakably the lord of all and nothing rang in everyone's ears. The sound of that voice made one's heart leap, and Leena stood up promptly to greet the being.

"Sir Trutin, I thank you for everything you have done. It was because of you that I..."

"Leena, there is no need for you to be so modest." Trutin rang out Harle's words before the battle. "It was you and truly you that saved this world. All of you." The god praised her and Leena found herself blushing. She was not used to such praise.

"We are all proud of you." A soft, friendly voice, forceful as Trutin but soft and kind, sang out over the crowd. Leena knew it belonged to the friendly and amiable Pallad. His voice seemed to fill Leena with strength, and as she felt herself being rejuvenated, the wounds she suffered healed, along with her companions' as well. The other six gods, an odd group of characters certainly, but powerful and wise, descended from the sky. As Leena watched, the gods opened portals, like they did back in their abode, and out came the rest of the heroes: the brave ones who dared Chronopolis. They noticed the looks on the faces of the Champion and her heroes, and that one look instantly told them that they were successful. FATE had been vanquished. Once again, the will of life beat the cold hard steel of a machine.

"It is done; the world is safe," Trutin declared. The younger members sat in awe while the older folks stood.

"As per our bet, the world and gods belong to the winners," Pyrika acknowledged. "We will continue to watch over this world."

"The world is yours now, children." Scyllor held out his sapphire rod and swept it over the crowd with an extravagant motion. He had a bad habit of being excessive, after all.

"Ha ha! You all did wonderful!" Ganta shouted cheerfully

"Yes, I thank you all for helping us...er..." Pallad started, but found himself stuttering a little.

"You can be honest, you oaf!" Kylin snapped back. "We made a mistake."

"Yes, yes," Mephos responded, coming closer to the children. "The people of this world have shown amazing resolve, especially you young ones. You must have been scared, but you were brave."

"I know one little brat who was scared," Glenn snickered under his breath. Marcy moved to stomp on his foot, but she didn't watch where she was going and crashed into Zoah. She muttered to herself but ignored her urges. This was a happy occasion, after all, so she should be happy, too.

"First, for Harle, I would like to ask you something," Trutin said. Harle came forward, curtseying a little to the brunette haired god that was the supreme being.

"Harle, because of your abilities and talents, I would make an offer of you. We need a messenger between ourselves. It is difficult for us, as gods, to reach each other..."

"That is because Pyrika and Scyllor are half-drunk most of the time," Kylin muttered under her breath, but every mortal present heard it in their minds. Leena couldn't help but chuckle. These were the gods, the beings that watched over the worlds. They were all powerful, but they drank, gambled, and constantly tried to get the better of each other.

"Despite this, they are better than FATE. Much better, for these gods... they allow us the freedom to live," Leena said to herself.

"Harle?" Trutin said. "The choice is yours to make. What would you like to do? Become an immortal messenger, or return to your world with your friends to live out the remainder of your days?"

"We are not on our world?" Riddel asked. Schala had felt that the air was a little thicker here than the world she remembered, but she hadn't pieced together that it was a new world.

"No, this is simply a...holding place, where we have placed you so we can have this talk without any interference from the hustle and bustle of your world," Pallad explained.

"I..." Harle sat in thought for a minute, then turned to Leena.

"Leena, w'at do vous t'ink I should do?"

"Harle...I cannot make this choice for you, but no matter what, I will support the choice you make, ma soeur."

"I t'ought you would zay zat. Monsieur Trutin, I 'ave decided. I will act as ze messenger of ze godz."

"Then so it shall be. You will come with the gods when they leave. So...get your affairs in order; it may be your last chance."

"T'ank you. Everyone, I am zorry, but I will not return with vous to ze world. I am going to stay 'ere, and maybe I can learn zomet'ing about mon family. Not knowing who I am is zomet'ing I hope to do away wit'. I t'ank you for ze adventure and ze good timez. I am proud of all of vous." Then, she turned to Leena.

"Leena, as I 'ave predicted and 'ave known, vous 'ave saved ze world. Pleaze, accept zis 'onor. I may be ze messenger of ze godz, but ze godz t'emselves bowed to vous. Vous are truly ze strongest woman in ze world. I will never forget, not even at ze dusk of eternity, zat you are ma soeur. I want to discover mon real family, but vous are ze family that I will always love ze most." The two women embraced, tears in their eyes. Leena wanted to say something, but found she just couldn't. So she hugged the woman closely, hugged like she wouldn't let go.

After an extended moment, the two women broke their embrace.

"All right, I am ready," Harle responded, and walked over to the gods.

"Now, there is one other thing I must say. As exciting as this has been, we cannot afford to have a major slipup like this again. I will need someone to watch the planets more closely. You all, with your strength, are easily the most capable, certainly infinitely more powerful and resourceful then any homunculus I could create. Decide amongst yourselves. Who will be the one to take on this important role?"

"I will." Serge spoke up almost immediately. Leena moved to stop him, but hesitated. She needed to hear him speak first.

"Madame Trutin, I..."

"You need not speak openly of such a thing, I know what happened," Trutin returned. Serge looked relieved that he didn't have to mention such a horrible thing, but Trutin spoke again.

"Unfortunately, Arbiter, I cannot allow you to do that. The role of Arbiter of Time is now yours, and you cannot be watching a whole group of planets when a specific one needs you more than any other." Serge seemed to accept the reasoning, and stood down.

Leena thought for a second. Should she? Should she travel the planes, watching over planets? It sounded extremely boring, but it was certainly necessary. She may have defeated FATE, but she didn't do it alone; she couldn't dream of tackling something like that by herself.

It was Schala who stepped forward.

"As one who has walked the darkness between worlds, I will say that it is not pleasant. I could not recommend anyone, regardless of their strength, to undergo the hell between worlds. I have been there once before, and so, I will go there again. Besides, both Kid and Schala have lost everything. Zeal no longer exists and Kid's family perished long ago. We were both alone, and now, Schala has Kid and vice versa. We won't be alone between the worlds, so I, Schala "Kid" Zeal, will go."

"Schala, are you sure?" Orlha asked.

"You're not feeling delirious from the battle?" Norris put in.

"No, Commander," Schala returned. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Of course I will miss you, but I could never forget the moments we had. I consider myself blessed for this privilege of saving worlds. It's a great and wonderful duty to save and protect one world, and now, I want to save many."

"Then the decision is made. Leena, I must ask that you surrender your power unto her," Trutin commanded kindly.

"Aye," Leena acknowledged. One of the things she heard people say was that power corrupts. She didn't want to go back to the world with this power; it would almost assuredly be misused, even if she was sure she wouldn't do it. She didn't want the power anyway, she needed it for Serge, but Serge was here. It had served its purpose. She rose up her hands and shut her eyes. Almost immediately she felt a rush, as if something was collecting into her hands. She kept her eyes shut and concentrated further, and about a minute later, she felt it leave her body. After that, she opened her eyes, and nothing appeared to have changed. Schala apparently had this power, but no one could tell by looking at her.

"I must not have appeared any different either."

"Now, it is time for you all to return to your world. I assure you, we will meet again someday. Although the meeting may not be this glamorous," Trutin responded.

"I'm looking forward to it, sir." Leena bowed.

"But, lo, we have an anomaly. This little Amazon princess is not in her right time." Trutin turned to Leah, who looked almost a bit afraid at the grand being, one she knew she could not fight.

"Um, what you-um, mean?" She asked.

"It means that you came from years and years ago. Space-time was destroyed and it sent you to our age, and now, we must send you back." With those words, Leah's eyes widened in fear.

"No-um! I-um was all alone then! I-um don't want to be like-um that," Leah pleaded, and Leena's heart was melting. Serge looked alone now, and Leena didn't want him to feel that way. It would not be right to condemn Leah to solitude. Even though Leena knew she didn't have her godlike powers anymore, she was about to step in on the cave girl's behalf when Draggy fluttered forth.

"Rarrr! Can I go with herrr?" Draggy asked. "I don't have a family eitherrrr."

"I suppose it would be fine," Pallad responded. "If she must go, she should have a friend. And I am sure there were dragons back then too. It is fine with me, so I suppose it would be alright." Pallad knew he was overstepping his bounds, but he too, believed that life was nothing unless there was one to share it with.

"Arbiter, you must send them back. Send them both. You can do that here. As for the rest of these mortals, I shall send you back to your world myself. You will wake up in your homes, and this experience at first will seem like nothing more then a dream. But you and I will know that it was real. The story may be outrageous and at times like an extravagant tale concocted by children, but you will know the truth." The gods started to wave their hands as Trutin finished speaking. One by one, the heroes vanished, glowing in an aura befitting their color before fading into space. In the end, only Leena remained as Serge took Draggy and Leah away. Then, she felt light, as if she was flying. Her vision went white and she felt like she was moving forward, but in her mind, she heard Trutin, the one god who depended on her, speak into her mind.

"Money has never warmed hearts. Fame is a sword one grips carefully, or he is cut irreparably. Even glory and honor fades to page and tome. In the end, there is only you, Leena. The world may never believe your tales, indeed, not many would believe such a fancy. But know this: even if the world forgets you, remember that were it not for your actions, the world would have suffered a fate worse then even annihilation. It may have been simple chance that brought you to this moment, but...never mind, I am not good with this."

When Leena awoke, she remembered it all, but she remembered Trutin's words mostly. And if she ever needed a physical reminder, she always had two things. One was Trutin's shifting colored ring, and the other, something infinitely more important, was Serge. He stayed in Arni for a time, although the word marriage was never spoken. Serge was never about pomp and ceremony, although he was able to tell her about his father. That thought made Leena think about marriage even less. After all, her father would not have been able to give her away.

But Serge could not stay in Arni for long. For the lack of a better term, Leena called Serge "the husband of the planet." He constantly told her that the term was "Arbiter of Time" but she enjoyed teasing him about it. She liked the way his face flushed when he corrected her. He had planned on leaving for a while, but postponed it time and time again, giving various excuses. However, Leena knew that he didn't want to leave her. So she had to keep him focused. She told him that his happiness mattered most to her, and before he could say anything else, she reminded him that she fought for the both of them: Serge and the world. He did not need to fight for Leena, but the world could not just take care of itself. After an entire night of arguing, Serge relented, and decided to carry out his duty.

On the day before he left, Serge received a visitor, Harle. After a tearful reunion between Leena and the jester, one that unfortunately, could not be very long, Harle handed a folded piece of paper to Serge.

"For vous, Monsieur," Harle said, before vanishing into thin air. Leena regretted that she didn't say good-bye in the way she wanted to, but Harle was a servant to the lord of all and nothing, not to mention the six wild ones that made up the other gods.

Serge opened the piece of paper and caught a whiff of a scented flower. It reminded him of the jasmine flower, but it was truly nothing like he, or Leena, ever smelled before. The script of the letter was a magnificent cursive, the slender strokes of a quill pen showed someone who definitely knew the art of calligraphy. He knew where it came from: it was not from Trutin, as she had a bad habit of grandiose movements such that a lettter would not suffice. Those drunks that were the six lesser gods could never make something so beautiful. It came from the princess beyond time.

Thus the curtain closes on another tale.

An eternity has passed, fleeting dreams fade into the distance...

All that is left now is my memories,

But I'm sure we'll meet again, someday you and I

Another place, another time although

You may not know who I am

Let us open the door to the great unknown across another reality

And live another today even when the story has been told. We'll meet each other again.

Schala "Kid" Zeal

Serge folded up the letter and handed it to Leena, along with a round seed. The seed was about half the size of Leena's fist.

"Plant it," he told her. "But it may not grow for a time." She accepted and gave him a kiss.

"I...will be gone for very long."

"I'm aware."

"It may be decades before I return, if I even return at all."

"I know."

"And yet..."

"Serge, I can't be selfish. I may be a champion, but I live on this world. It's bigger, and it needs you more than I do."

"You're strong, Leena. You'll make a man very lucky. I just..." But then he turned around and whispered softly to himself. Leena couldn't hear him, but he just wanted to hear the sound of his own voice saying the next small phrase.

"I just...wish...it could have been me," he said softly. And then, Serge, that boy with the bandana, walked away. And he was gone, gone like the wind.

'Even if I find someone else...' Leena thought to herself. 'Even if I mother a million children, I will still wait for you.'

"And that, my grandchildren, is my tale. 50 years have passed since then," an elderly woman read to a group of cross-legged young ones.

"Gran, that story's just pretend!" One of the girls shouted, standing up. She was always the rebellious one.

"Do you think so, Kayla? Do you want to see my proof?" Leena challenged. Her hair only had hints of red amidst the gray strands, but her eyes had the same fire as they did when she was that love-struck teenager. Kayla was her youngest daughter's only child, and was as wild and carefree as her mother.

"Okay Gran, let's see that ring!" Kayla folded her arms across her chest. Leena reached into the top of her dress and pulled out a silver chain. At the end of the chain, dangling down like a pendant, was a plain ring: no gems or finery adorned it. However, it was striking, as it glowed an ocean blue. Kalya still looked unimpressed, so Leena blew a cold breath onto the jewelry, and in amazement, the children watched as a bright green, and then, a fiery red played across the ring's surface. Kayla said nothing, obviously humbled.

"Hey, Mom!" A voice called into the house. The children all exited quickly, nearly piling on top of each other as in came Leena's oldest child, and her only son. He was special among her children, for he was not her husband's child. She gave birth to him before she met the man she married. From the day he was born, Leena swore that she saw Serge staring back at her whenever she looked at him, but she assured herself that she was probably just looking for something she could not have.

"Yes?"

"Mom...I...it's hard to say this, but, do you know that man Serge you told me about?"

"I'm not senile, of course I do!" Leena snapped a little. She had been impatient whenever anyone other than herself mentioned Serge, and she knew she shouldn't have been.

"Well...Mom...He was on the mainland, and he...he was attacked, I'm...I'm sorry." Her son, for the first time in his life, babbled.

Leena felt crushed, but in truth, although she cried, she knew that she hadn't lost Serge now. She never had him in the first place. Although she tried to tell herself that, and the old woman's daughters, four women that had all aged well, were comforting her, Leena could not keep herself from crying. She went to Serge's tree and sat in its shade. But that was when she noticed something. That tree had astounded everyone in the village of Arni, and Leena was no exception. One side of the tree was lush. It bloomed almost like clockwork. Its fruit was sweet and filling and the flowers were a pride and joy. Women from all over El Nido would pick a flower from the tree, and thrust it into the ocean while they made a wish. However, the other side was barren. Although the tree itself did not appear dead, nothing bloomed. It was as if waiting for the correct moment when the sun and cosmos were aligned and paying the correct homage. And now, this barren side of a tree sprouted a single blossom. An impressive shade of royal purple swirled out from the flower.

And after all these decades, one impressive, but still only one, flower bloomed on the side of the tree that had never bloomed before. Even though Leena could never explain it, she knew now that Serge was truly gone.

Far away, on a glorious beach where the sand was white as a snow capped mountain, stood a young woman in a dress. Her hair was blonde and tied back, and her blue eyes displayed both kindness and mischievousness at the same time. She looked out over the world with a bored expression over her face, but she immediately perked up when she sensed someone coming. From behind her, an old man, his gait assisted with a cane, walked up to her.

"Serge..." The woman spoke without looking at him. "You are no longer bound by your world. Here, you need not be in that form." As she spoke, her voice seemed to wrap around him like a song, removing wrinkles and replacing lost bone mass and cartilage. Features returned, gray gave path to color, and soon, the man identified as Serge was no longer old, but a teenager again, the way the woman remembered him. That was when she turned around and noticed him. His expression was kind and he smiled a little.

"It's been...so long, Schala," Serge said. "I've done and seen so much."

"I know. I've also viewed all the good you have done. It was also interesting to see how you handled that other danger so shortly after starting to travel the world. But still, after all this time, I've missed you dearly. Absence makes the heart grow fonder." When Schala said heart, Serge paused.

"Something the matter?"

"It's just...well...I'm not sure how to say this, but I...I know I belong here, but I..."

"We belong here. Even with Kid and Schala together as one, this world can be lonely when there is no other body. The gods never stay for too long, as they have their own affairs. It's just you and me, on this beach at eternity's shores."

"That's...not what I meant. I mean, you and I here together. I...I don't want to be blunt, but I know you love me."

"I don't hide such things," Schala affirmed. "It would be foolish otherwise."

"But I...I don't know how else to feel. I've..."

"I know what you meant. Although it's not the same, there are others that are important too."

"You may have seen what happened, but I'll speak anyway. I want to be with the world, to heal its eternal pains."

"As the Arbiter should." Schala sat on the sand and hugged her knees to her chest. Serge threw the cane into the ocean and plopped down next to her.

"But I...Before all this happened, when I was stuck in the body of Lynx, Harle asked me a question before she vanished. Do you know what that was?"

"Of course not."

"Harle asked me if I could choose between the world or a woman, which would I choose."

"A question with daggers underneath any answer. Even indecisiveness would be a flaw."

"I made that choice a long time ago in that world, but it was a brief twinkling here. In that world, I chose to take the world over a woman."

"The woman chose the world too, you know." Schala saw tears welling in Serge's eyes.

"There isn't some magic word that stops a pain; even separate worlds can't heal what I did. I made the wrong choice, and I regretted it every day. A half century of regret."

"Serge, take comfort in what you did."

"It pales in comparison to one woman," Serge responded. Schala nodded. She wasn't experiencing what he was, but she knew what was wrong.

"Where does it hurt?" Schala asked. Serge patted his chest.

"In my mind, I knew what I did was right, but the second mind, the heart, the governor of all things that reason forgets, screamed at me for so long." Schala pressed herself close to Serge.

"I don't want to see you in pain, and you know that she does not either," Schala said. "And so, we will be here, together. It won't be anything more than that. We respect that same woman and each other far too much for us to romance behind her back. But, I will be here, with you, and we have an eternity here. I will take your pain into myself. It sounds selfish, but I would rather be the one with heartsickness rather than you."

Smiling, Serge looked into the eyes of the lively princess. "I knew you would understand. I will never forget, but the future is still unwritten. Time has a habit of healing almost any wound."

"And we have all eternity," spoke Schala. She extended her hand to the Arbiter and he grasped it within his own. Although the bond these two shared was not some flittering romance, the platonic feelings were still there. As the two walked along the coast, seven pairs of eyes looked upon this scene and knew they had nothing to fear. The fabric of this reality was in good hands, from now until the end of time.

By: Matt620