Chapter 4

Renewed hope. That's what I always thought of when I saw Schala. But since Schala's gone, what or who do I look to for hope? That's what I thought of before I met him. Losing your home, that's terrible. Losing the one you loved most, that's even worse. Many loved ones were lost in the fall of Zeal. Only a few of us Enlightened survive, and we are Enlightened no more. Not a big loss for me, but for others. . . let's just say that It's a bigger loss than Zeal.

I still have one question, though. Where is Dalton?

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"Hey, you 'right? I've been worried sick about ya! Whatever hapen'd down there?"

"Huh? I'm alive?" I mumbled, still half asleep.

"Of course ya are! I'm the one who took care of ya," they answered.

I sat up, surprised to find myself on a beast-skin blanket.

"Am I at Algetty?" I found myself asking.

"Nope. Algetty's been washed down, 'long with Zeal. This was the only island we could find."

"Well... thanks."

"Name's Julia. Say, haven't I seen ya before at the Earthbound Village?"

"I've been down there a bit," I answered.

"Oh, yeah! Now I 'member! You're that one who nearly killed Joe!"

"Nearly? I thought he died. I'm sorry about that."

"Nah, It's 'k. He looked 'lot better in a cast than walkin' around. 'Lot less 'noying, too."

I giggled.

"We all need a few laughs once an' a while," she said, "Your bag's o'er there. I need to go buy a few tonics. See ya!"

"Thanks again," I called after her.

I quickly slipped into my pants and shirt, and was pulling on my coat when Julia came back.

"Yeah, ya look 'lot better in this than that ol' garbage," she said.

"I guess it's seen it's last days," I said, looking fondly at the grime-covered dress.

"Yeah."

"Say, what happened to Schala?" I asked.

"Can't say. No one's seen her since the palace crumbled," Julia said.

"Oh. Well, see ya."

"Yeah, you too," she said, and waved.

I wandered around the small village, and was both disheartened and enjoyed with what I saw. So few people were left. The remainder of the human race was pitiful. But these people were filled with hope of a new and happier age where both Earthbound and Enlightened could live together. I finally walked into a small forest marked "Commons".

Inside, again, both races were uniting as one. Three people were talking with the elder at the back of the forest. It took me a moment to recognize them, the three that had nearly defeated Queen Zeal. But they weren't the same people I had seen at the Ocean Palace. Instead of Crono, they were lead by a skimpily clad woman with long bonde hair. All her garments were made of a grayish animal hair, and she had a scarf made of the same material around her neck. The other two were the same people I had seen before, the blonde haired one and the brown haired one.

Suddenly, two of Dalton's cronies jumped up into the air, and knocked away a few people to clear the way for someone. That "someone" I knew. It was Dalton. I rushed into the shadows and watched.

"You there! What's wrong?! You're lucky to be alive! The old crone and the pesky Gurus are gone. I now rename Zeal, the Kingdom of Dalton!" Dalton said to the whole population in general, then noticed the three from the Ocean Palace.
"YOU! You're alive? Ah! That vehicle outside must be yours! It's just like the one Belthasar was building... I've decided you don't deserve such a splendid toy! Henceforth it shall be my personal chariot!"

"Epoch friend!" the leader said.

"You'll have to come with me. You might start a rebellion or something! And now, as a token of my esteem for you... take this!" he said, then threw a fireball at the bright blonde leader. She quickly reflected it, and Dalton fumed.

"What!? Grrr... Ha! How's this?!" he said, and threw three super fireballs at the three. They all fell unconscious.

"Dalton!" I yelled, forgetting my fear of him for the moment.

"Hm?" he said, not recognizing my voice... for the moment.

I stepped out into the open.

"So, you want to make a name of yourself by claiming yourself king and stealing a ship of some heroes. But I'll tell you what. I, personally, won't ever worship you. You're nothing but a..."

"Oh, shut up!" he yelled, and sent a relatively weak ice attack in my direction.

I quickly dodged aside, and the ice slammed into a tree. I picked up some snow and threw it at him.

"Dalton's so weak he can't even dodge an iceball!" I taunted.

"Grrr... That's it! Physiball!"

I knew this attack. It was a physical attack, so no magical shield could hamper it, yet as strong, if not stronger, than a magical attack. Nothing I could do could stop it, so I hoped it all to be over quickly. It was.

Another dream, another time.

"We all need a few laughs once and a while." Julia said, without grudge.

"Time isn't on our side."

"No one's seen her since the palace failed."

Happiness, Hope, Dreams. Fate, Destiny. Death, Despair, Nightmares. Feelings, Elements, Magic. Hurts, Healing.

What things are these?

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Author's Notes: I tried to leave everyone with a reasonable cliff. Do I have to keep on repeating myself?! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! I need reviews! Flames are now accepted! Please REVIEW!