CHAPTER ONE
BLAST TO THE PAST
The sun rose in the western sky over the mighty kingdom of Guardia, rulers of the northern most continent of Gaia. The song of the sea birds could be heard over the crashing waves of the ocean tide. This was a special day to all the people of this realm for it was the one thousandth anniversary of the kingdom and there was a grand fair being held in the main square of the village nestled at the mouth of a mighty canyon. This town is also the home of a young man who would shape the futures of the entire world, even time itself. The name of this town was Truce.
At the edge of town in a small blue house lived a young man by the name of Crono. He had bright red hair that stuck out at all angles, and never seemed to behave or stay where it was placed. He stood five foot nine and weighed around one hundred forty pounds. True he was light for his height but he made up for this short coming with his magnificent ability with the use of a sword. Crono had just past his sixteenth birthday, and was planning on joining the kingdoms soldiers in a few more months.
Crono slept soundly in his bed of his small room when his mother Seela entered to awaken him. Seela was the town's seamstress whom unfortunately lost her husband to an unexplained illness twelve years prior. Thanks to the help of one of the village families who's daughter just happened to be her sons best friend she was able to find her feet again and raise her son into a fine young man. She thought to herself as she did so many times in the past. "How would Crono have turned out if Roger were still alive?" Seela shook off these thoughts; it did no good to dwell on what would never be. She turned to her handsome son and spoke.
"Rise and shine sleepy head, it's a beautiful day outside...listen..doesn't Leene's bell make such lovely music?" She walked across the floor to his only window and drew the curtains. "Sigh.so pretty." Turning she strode back to the staircase and turned back. "Oh Crono! You were so excited about the millennial fair you didn't sleep very well did you?" Her only answer to that was a huge yawn from her son as he tried to speak. "I thought so. Well. You should hurry up and get dressed. I'll be downstairs finishing up our breakfast, so don't take too long." With that she tuned and left the room with Crono's cat Nigh hot on her heels. "Alright Nigh I'll feed you." And then she was gone.
Drowsily Crono pulled himself out of bed. He let out a short yelp when his feet touched the floor. "Yeow! That's cold."
"What was that dear?" He heard from downstairs.
"Nothing mom!" He yelled back as he got up. Crono yawned again and stretched his back; he could hear cracks and snaps coming from his spine. "Oooh, that felt good." Then he pulled off his bed clothes and dressed in a green tunic and tan breeches with his favorite red bandanna. "Oh yeah it's the fair today! All right! I've been waiting for this my whole life." He grabbed his boots and placed them upon his feet, then raced down the stairs nearly colliding with his mother.
"Watch it Crono, you'll hurt someone one of these days!" she scolded him in her matter of fact tone of voice. "Now why such a hurry?"
"Sorry mom, it's just that I don't want to miss any more of the fair than I already have." He said as he righted himself.
"There will be plenty of time to enjoy yourself. After all it's only ten in the morning, the fair lasts until midnight." Seela sighed to herself at her son's unnecessary rush. "Now sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I made pancakes, your favorite."
"Can't I just skip breakfast today?"
"No! Breakfast is very important, now eat." She set a plate of food in front of her son and sat across the table from him. "By the way that inventor friend of yours called. Now what was her name? Oh my goodness I forgot her name again."
"Her name is Lucca mother."
"Yes! That's it; Lucca called and told me to tell you to meet her at her booth at the back of Leene square later today." She then walked over to the cupboard and pulled out her wallet and took some money from it. "Here you go dear. Twenty gold for the fair, consider it an advance on this months allowance."
Crono took the money from his mother. "Thank you mom, this means a lot to me."
Seela shrugged. "Sure sweetheart. Who knows, maybe you'll bring home a girl today."
"Mom! I don't want a girlfriend. Besides none of the girls at school like me very much. I don't think they ever will."
"Well maybe if you weren't so quiet all the time and speak to them. There's no need to be so shy." Crono was silent throughout the rest of the meal and his mother began to think she had said too much about his shyness around others. "Sweetie, I'm sorry I didn't mean anything by it. I just want you to find someone nice, and who likes you for who you are."
"I know mom, but this is something that I have to do when the time is right for me."
"Yes. I'm sorry. Now go and have some fun, and don't keep your friend waiting. Have you ever thought about asking Lucca out on a date?"
"We're just friends. It could never be anything more, and she knows that." Crono walked over to the front door and gave his cat a stroke. "I'm going out now, thanks for the money mom. But don't expect any miracles in the girl department, not unless some stranger runs me down today."
"Very funny, now get out of here." Smiling she watched her son leave the house. I hope your stranger comes dear. A sweetheart of your own could only do well for you. Then she went to the task of cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. Little did she know her world as she knew it was about to come crashing down around her ears.
Crono walked from his house in the opposite direction of the square just so he could get a good view of the castle on the hill. The castle was home to the king of the land and his daughter, the beautiful princess Nadia. He had only seen her once from afar when the royal family was out for a horse ride in the forest. He had been gathering the spring berries for his mother when he saw her. He couldn't see her that well but he could see her golden hair blowing in the wind before they were out of sight, but he never forgot that day. "Crono, you're setting your sights way too high. You've never even met, let alone gotten close enough to even look at her face. All I saw was her hair. Hardly enough to fall in love with someone. Still. It would be nice to meet her out of the palace, and without any of those royal guards that eye people like hawks." Crono paused a moment and thought about what he heard about the royal family. If I remember correctly, the princess lost her mother when she was four or five. Gosh. I don't know what I would do without my mother; then again, at least she still has her father. "Stop it Crono! It's not important."
A few more minutes later he turned back toward the square and started walking back. Shortly he arrived at the entrance, where he met an old man.
"Welcome to the millennial fair young man, have fun!"
Crono didn't answer him, just waved and went in. Inside near the fountain he found one of the few people he could talk to without getting tongue tied. His name was Melchior, and he ran the local weapon shop. Once in a while he would sell weapons to the castle when the mystics would get too big for their britches, but most of the time he sold bows and arrows to hunters. Crono however, had his eyes on one of his swords. He wanted to replace the wooden sword of his fathers with a real metal one. When he reached his friend he called to him. "Hi Melchior. How have you been? Sold anything yet?"
"No. Not yet, but that's the way I like it. Are you going to buy that sword today?" Melchior asked him as he picked up a sword with an acid etched blade. "After all this is one of my finest works. Only thirty-five gold."
"Sorry, I only have twenty for the whole day. Maybe later though."
"Well then. You just turned sixteen didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"I haven't given you a present yet." Melchior placed the sword in Crono's trembling hands. "There you go. Happy birthday Crono."
"Melchior! I can't take this."
"Take it boy. It's a gift for one of the best and youngest swordsmen I know."
"Thank you." Crono tied the sword to his belt and turned to leave. "This means a lot to me."
Melchior smiled hugely. "Don't mention it. Are you going to find yourself a pretty girl today?"
"Not you too. My mom said the same thing this morning at breakfast. I just don't want a girlfriend yet. Besides, I have enough trouble talking to the other boys in town; can you imagine the trouble I have with pretty girls?"
"You just need to get over your shyness. Don't worry too much about it. I've seen men worse off than you fall for a girl and never be able to shut up again." He winked at Crono who shook his head. "Now off with you. Have some fun. Who knows, maybe you'll meet that special girl. You never know."
"I guess so. Bye Melchior."
"Bye Crono, keep your eyes open you never know."
"Yeah, I guess." They then parted ways and he went to the center of the square to look at Leene's bell. "I don't see why my mom likes this bell so much. All it ever does is wake me up." Suddenly he was slammed to the ground from behind. "Yeow!"
"Ouch, that hurt!" Crono glanced to his right and saw what had hit him. It was a pretty young girl. Strike that, she was beautiful. She was picking herself up as he stared with his mouth slightly open. When she turned her head and looked at him his mouth dropped farther. She had eyes so blue he thought he might drown in them as if they were lakes. "Are you okay?" Her voice was like music to his ears. "I said, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah." He mumbled, his voice very quiet.
"No need to be shy." She smiled at him. "I. Oh! My pendant! It's gone!" She was beginning to cry. "Where could it be?" The tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Crono really felt bad for her. "Don't cry. What does it look like? Maybe it's around here somewhere."
She turned toward him with sorrow filled eye, but this time there was hope as well. "Do you think so?"
"Sure why not. Running into someone can cause you to drop stuff." Crono smiled his warmest smiles. "What does it look like?"
"It's got a blue stone about the size of a coin, and it's got a gold back and trim on a gold chain. It was a gift from my mother before she died. I have to find it." She was beginning to cry again.
"Don't worry we'll find it." They both started looking around the area of the collision for the pendant. After a few minutes she was starting to get desperate, and he sat down next to one of the pylons that held the bell. It felt as if he had sat on a rock. Reaching underneath him he pulled out the girl's pendant. "Hey look! I think I found it!"
"You found it! Thank you so much, you're a life saver!" She snatched the necklace from his hand and placed it around her neck, but she couldn't get the clasp open. "Oh come on!"
"Let me." Crono opened the clasp and placed it about her neck. "There." He stepped back and looked her over. "That necklace suits you." He said softly, however she heard him.
"You're sweet."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry, where are my manners? My name is Marle. What's yours?" Crono blushed a deep crimson. He was actually talking to a pretty girl.
"Um, Crono."
"Crono huh? That's a nice name." She giggled and continued to talk. "Look I'm new around here, could I walk with you far a while? Maybe you could show me around, and introduce me to your friends?"
"Uh, yeah, sure. I don't mind. You should know that I like to run, so you'll have to keep up. "He was glancing in all directions, anything not to look in her eyes.
"I'm a good runner." She had noticed his discomfort. "Your shy aren't you?" Crono nodded and looked in her eyes. "No need, I won't bite. Relax." Then she winked at him, and he smiled back warmly.
"I guess your right. Let's go."
"Okay!"
Crono and Marle spent most of the afternoon together, never once questioning their instant friendship. Crono thought in his head that maybe his mother was right. He did need a girlfriend, and perhaps Marle was the one for him. It's almost like this was fate, maybe he should tell her a bit about himself. "Marle."
"Hmm?"
"What do you like to do? I mean in your spare time?"
"Well I don't really have much spare time. Like today."
"What do you mean?"
"My father wasn't going to let me come to the fair. He said it wasn't fitting for a young lady to enjoy herself in such a fashion."
"But you're here. Obviously he let you come."
Marle shook her head. "No he didn't. I snuck out and came anyway." Crono was silent for a moment. He was trying to find the right words. "But I don't care. He never lets me do anything. A day like the one I've had is worth the tongue lashing I'll receive when I get home."
"Man! Are you saying he never lets you out of your house?"
"House nothing! I'm lucky if they let me out of my room!" Marle was steaming now. Apparently she resented her father for being so strict. "I wish mother were still alive. She would never let daddy do this to me."
"What will happen when you get home?"
She just shook her head. "Doesn't matter, but enough about me. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?"
"Me? I like to practice swordplay."
"Are you any good?"
"Okay I guess. I was hoping to join the royal army some time next year. I also like to help my friend Lucca and her father with their inventions. Not that they need my help. Most of the time I just get in the way." He was beginning to laugh. "Last time I ended up black from head to toe. One of her gadgets blew up and covered me with oil and grease. I never thought I'd ever get clean after that." Now he was laughing very hard and so was Marle. "Also I help my mom run her seamstress business."
"Your mom is the town seamstress?"
"Yup. She's even worked for the palace once. They ordered a couple of dresses for the princess's birthday last year."
"That's great."
"I guess. It just gets boring sometimes. Making clothes just isn't for me. I have more fun teaching my cat tricks. I guess I just like giving orders and someone actually taking me seriously."
"Sound like you would make a good commander."
He shrugged his shoulders and was about to answer her when a man walked up to them and addressed Crono. "Hey Crono."
"Oh hi Taban!"
"Just thought you'd like to know that Lucca has finished her invention, and that she wants you to see it in action. It's in the show time booth at the back of the square."
"Great I'll bee there in a few minutes."
"Good. I have to go now or Lucca will have my head on a platter."
"Bye Taban!" When Taban had left Crono turned back to Marle. She was looking at some flowers a little girl was selling. "Marle?" She looked up and smiled again. "Do you want to meet my friend Lucca? She's giving a show in the back."
"Sure Crono. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun. But ever since I first met you I've had nothing but fun."
"We just met less than an hour ago."
"So. I just feel like I've known you all my life." She smiled at him again. To Crono her smile was as beautiful as the dawn.
Great now I've started thinking like a poet! Crono mentally scolded himself. She's way too good for me, I can tell. I don't deserve someone as nice as her.
"Is something wrong Crono? You seem to be a little preoccupied."
"No nothing." He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. "Let's go!"
"Kay!"
He led the way through the square toward the back. Just as they reached the entrance to Lucca's sideshow Marle tugged on his arm. "Hang on; I want to buy some candy."
"Huh?" She pointed to a small stand to their right. It was a booth so small Crono hadn't even noticed it was there. "Yeah, okay."
"Thanks." So he waited next to the cart as she browsed. He had the strangest feeling that he was being watched, the weirdest part about this was it had started just after he had met up with Marle. "Excuse me; I'd like some of this." Startled out of his thoughts he turned to Marle. She was pointing to some sour lemon drops on the old woman's cart.
"Here you are dearie."
She took the small bag of candy from the woman and turned back to him and flashed those Gorgeous blue eyes and dazzling smile. "Thanks for waiting." Then she giggled. Her voice so innocent. Crono despite his efforts was beginning to like this girl.
"Common let's go." He tugged at her arm to get her moving.
"There's no need to drag me around like some kidnapper!"
Every face in the place turned toward them. "I'm sorry, but I don't want to miss any of Lucca's show."
"It's okay. I didn't mean to yell."
"Then we're both to blame." Crono shrugged. "Let's go then." Marle wrapped her arms around Crono's elbow and in that manner they entered Lucca's booth area.
In the small courtyard at the back of Leene's square they came across Taban who was trying in vain to explain the precise function of his daughter's invention. To Crono it looked like something out of a horror story. It had two odd looking pads on either side of a mess of gears and buttons. He couldn't make any sense of any of Lucca's inventions no matter how hard he looked, so he stopped trying. Taban continued his ranting. "Step right up ladies and gentlemen, for the invention of the century. Just stand inside the left pod and 'Poof' you'll magically be teleported to the pod on the right. Another magnificent device of my daughter's scientific mind!"
Crono shook his head. "That old blowhard."
Marle glared at him. "That's not a very nice thing to say."
"Taban couldn't explain what her inventions do any more than I could fly." They both laughed at the odd analogy.
A voice then came from behind them. "You shouldn't make fun of other people. They might get mad." Crono jumped in surprise, and turned to locate the speaker.
It was Lucca his best friend. "Oh, uh. Hi Lucca, how are you doing? Uh, I'd like you to meet a new friend of mine." He turned to Marle. "This is Marle. I met her in the square near the bell."
"I crashed into him."
Lucca tuned to look at her. "Hi Marle. Nice to meet you." Without even waiting for a reply she tuned back to Crono. "Look Crono, nobody wants to try out my Telepod. Why don't you?"
Crono jerked back. "Why me?"
"Well you were the one who was insulting my father. I'd say its due punishment, wouldn't you?"
"So this is my punishment, to be your guinea pig. But more importantly Lucca, is this thing safe?"
Marle nearly jumped out of her skin with excitement. "Come on Crono, it looks like a lot of fun. And after you do it I can try."
"Alright, alright, I'll do it. It seems I'm outnumbered on this one." Grumbling he walked out of the crowd and up to the left pod. "This one?" He asked pointing to the pod. Taban and Lucca both nodded, and Crono sighed and stepped in. "Let's get this over with."
"Okay! Let's go!" Taban cried. Lucca walked up to the contraption between the pods and pressed a large red button. She then began to turn some knobs and dials. A loud hum and a few crackles could be heard from inside the device.
"Dad! Full power!"
"Roger!"
"Beginning energy transfer."
At that moment an odd sensation passed through Crono's body. It was an impossible to describe feeling. It was almost as if he were flying and falling at the same time. Sensation was enhanced while his eyesight was failing him. All he could see was the blurred shapes of his friends. Then from the tips of his toes began the sensation of heat. It engulfed his whole body within seconds, and from there began to intensify. Soon he felt as if he were in the desert sun. He was feeling very dizzy, and at the verge of passing out. Still the heat continued to increase. It grew until he felt as if he were on fire; every part of his body was burning. As he was about to cry out in agony the feeling passes. He opened his eyes, which he didn't remember even closing, and to his surprise he was in the other pod. Lucca's invention had worked. Though with one nasty bug of course. He took a few tentative steps forward and out of the pod. His legs were a little wobbly and sore, but none the worse for wear.
"How was it Crono?" Lucca was now by his side. "Want to go again?"
"I don't think so, I can't take another one."
Lucca appeared confused at his response. "Never mind that! I wanna try!" Marle was jumping excitedly into the left pod. "Start this thing up!"
Taban was at her side instantly. "You got it young lady!" He then ran back to the controls. "Hey Lucca hit the switch!"
"Okay I'm coming!"
Crono grabbed her arm. "Wait Lucca!"
"Not now. It can wait until after Marle's turn." Lucca tuned away from him and pressed the red button and turned all the dials and knobs. "Here we go!"
The humming began as it did with Crono, but then it grew louder into a searing whine. Marle's pendant had also started to shimmer. "My pendant! It's reacting. Crono what's happening? This is scaring me!" Her pendant sent out a bright white light, and electricity shot from his pod connecting it to the other. In the center of this beam a blue portal opened up and pulled Marle into it. "CRONO! Help me!" Then the portal closed leaving behind nothing of Marle, save her shimmering pendant.
"Where did she go?" Taban screamed aloud then turned toward the crows. "Okay, show's over, nothing left to see here!" The crowd dispersed to other parts of the fair leaving the three of them alone to puzzle out this situation. "Lucca where did she go?"
"Lucca was quiet in thought for a few minutes. "That pendant she was wearing had some sort of adverse reaction to the Telepod, but by the way she disappeared it couldn't have been the machines fault."
"What are you saying?" Taban was close to hysterics.
"I'm sure I've seen her somewhere before, only I can't remember where."
Crono hadn't been listening to their verbal exchange. He was too busy trying to figure out how to follow her, after all it was his responsibility to follow and bring her back. This is the first pretty girl I've ever known who likes me for who I am. Even though I'm shy she didn't care. How could I live with myself if I let this one get away, or be lost? He turned from his thoughts and to his friend. "Lucca! LUCCA!!" She wasn't even paying attention; she was too busy yelling at her father. "Lucca!" Still nothing. He walked up to the left pod of the machine and looked down at Marle's pendant. What's the deal with this thing? Just what is it? He bent down and grabbed it, only it slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor of the pod with a loud clang. This somehow got through to Lucca and her father, because they both turned to face his as he finally got a grip on the pendant and picked it up.
"You're actually going after her? What a fine lad."
"Right dad." Lucca said sarcastically. "Crono? Are you sure you want to do this? I don't know where you'll end up."
"But won't they both be lost?" Taban was an interesting man. He could go from calm and cool one second to hysterical the next.
"I have to go Lucca! I brought her to your sideshow, so it's up to me to bring her back."
"You like her don't you Crono?"
"Lucca this is no time to talk about that."
"Alright. We'll try to repeat the accident." She turned to her father. "Start the machine."
"Okay, but I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I." Lucca's voice was downcast. She pushed the red button again. "Now Crono, hold on to that pendant, it seems to be the key." Crono tightened his grip as the electricity began to arc and the pendant to shimmer. Again the portal opened and Crono was pulled inside. The whole time he refused to release his grip on the necklace. "Good luck Crono! I'll follow you as soon as I figure out what went wrong!" If there was more that she had to say he didn't hear it as the portal closed and sent him hurtling to who knows where.
End of chapter one
The sun rose in the western sky over the mighty kingdom of Guardia, rulers of the northern most continent of Gaia. The song of the sea birds could be heard over the crashing waves of the ocean tide. This was a special day to all the people of this realm for it was the one thousandth anniversary of the kingdom and there was a grand fair being held in the main square of the village nestled at the mouth of a mighty canyon. This town is also the home of a young man who would shape the futures of the entire world, even time itself. The name of this town was Truce.
At the edge of town in a small blue house lived a young man by the name of Crono. He had bright red hair that stuck out at all angles, and never seemed to behave or stay where it was placed. He stood five foot nine and weighed around one hundred forty pounds. True he was light for his height but he made up for this short coming with his magnificent ability with the use of a sword. Crono had just past his sixteenth birthday, and was planning on joining the kingdoms soldiers in a few more months.
Crono slept soundly in his bed of his small room when his mother Seela entered to awaken him. Seela was the town's seamstress whom unfortunately lost her husband to an unexplained illness twelve years prior. Thanks to the help of one of the village families who's daughter just happened to be her sons best friend she was able to find her feet again and raise her son into a fine young man. She thought to herself as she did so many times in the past. "How would Crono have turned out if Roger were still alive?" Seela shook off these thoughts; it did no good to dwell on what would never be. She turned to her handsome son and spoke.
"Rise and shine sleepy head, it's a beautiful day outside...listen..doesn't Leene's bell make such lovely music?" She walked across the floor to his only window and drew the curtains. "Sigh.so pretty." Turning she strode back to the staircase and turned back. "Oh Crono! You were so excited about the millennial fair you didn't sleep very well did you?" Her only answer to that was a huge yawn from her son as he tried to speak. "I thought so. Well. You should hurry up and get dressed. I'll be downstairs finishing up our breakfast, so don't take too long." With that she tuned and left the room with Crono's cat Nigh hot on her heels. "Alright Nigh I'll feed you." And then she was gone.
Drowsily Crono pulled himself out of bed. He let out a short yelp when his feet touched the floor. "Yeow! That's cold."
"What was that dear?" He heard from downstairs.
"Nothing mom!" He yelled back as he got up. Crono yawned again and stretched his back; he could hear cracks and snaps coming from his spine. "Oooh, that felt good." Then he pulled off his bed clothes and dressed in a green tunic and tan breeches with his favorite red bandanna. "Oh yeah it's the fair today! All right! I've been waiting for this my whole life." He grabbed his boots and placed them upon his feet, then raced down the stairs nearly colliding with his mother.
"Watch it Crono, you'll hurt someone one of these days!" she scolded him in her matter of fact tone of voice. "Now why such a hurry?"
"Sorry mom, it's just that I don't want to miss any more of the fair than I already have." He said as he righted himself.
"There will be plenty of time to enjoy yourself. After all it's only ten in the morning, the fair lasts until midnight." Seela sighed to herself at her son's unnecessary rush. "Now sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I made pancakes, your favorite."
"Can't I just skip breakfast today?"
"No! Breakfast is very important, now eat." She set a plate of food in front of her son and sat across the table from him. "By the way that inventor friend of yours called. Now what was her name? Oh my goodness I forgot her name again."
"Her name is Lucca mother."
"Yes! That's it; Lucca called and told me to tell you to meet her at her booth at the back of Leene square later today." She then walked over to the cupboard and pulled out her wallet and took some money from it. "Here you go dear. Twenty gold for the fair, consider it an advance on this months allowance."
Crono took the money from his mother. "Thank you mom, this means a lot to me."
Seela shrugged. "Sure sweetheart. Who knows, maybe you'll bring home a girl today."
"Mom! I don't want a girlfriend. Besides none of the girls at school like me very much. I don't think they ever will."
"Well maybe if you weren't so quiet all the time and speak to them. There's no need to be so shy." Crono was silent throughout the rest of the meal and his mother began to think she had said too much about his shyness around others. "Sweetie, I'm sorry I didn't mean anything by it. I just want you to find someone nice, and who likes you for who you are."
"I know mom, but this is something that I have to do when the time is right for me."
"Yes. I'm sorry. Now go and have some fun, and don't keep your friend waiting. Have you ever thought about asking Lucca out on a date?"
"We're just friends. It could never be anything more, and she knows that." Crono walked over to the front door and gave his cat a stroke. "I'm going out now, thanks for the money mom. But don't expect any miracles in the girl department, not unless some stranger runs me down today."
"Very funny, now get out of here." Smiling she watched her son leave the house. I hope your stranger comes dear. A sweetheart of your own could only do well for you. Then she went to the task of cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. Little did she know her world as she knew it was about to come crashing down around her ears.
Crono walked from his house in the opposite direction of the square just so he could get a good view of the castle on the hill. The castle was home to the king of the land and his daughter, the beautiful princess Nadia. He had only seen her once from afar when the royal family was out for a horse ride in the forest. He had been gathering the spring berries for his mother when he saw her. He couldn't see her that well but he could see her golden hair blowing in the wind before they were out of sight, but he never forgot that day. "Crono, you're setting your sights way too high. You've never even met, let alone gotten close enough to even look at her face. All I saw was her hair. Hardly enough to fall in love with someone. Still. It would be nice to meet her out of the palace, and without any of those royal guards that eye people like hawks." Crono paused a moment and thought about what he heard about the royal family. If I remember correctly, the princess lost her mother when she was four or five. Gosh. I don't know what I would do without my mother; then again, at least she still has her father. "Stop it Crono! It's not important."
A few more minutes later he turned back toward the square and started walking back. Shortly he arrived at the entrance, where he met an old man.
"Welcome to the millennial fair young man, have fun!"
Crono didn't answer him, just waved and went in. Inside near the fountain he found one of the few people he could talk to without getting tongue tied. His name was Melchior, and he ran the local weapon shop. Once in a while he would sell weapons to the castle when the mystics would get too big for their britches, but most of the time he sold bows and arrows to hunters. Crono however, had his eyes on one of his swords. He wanted to replace the wooden sword of his fathers with a real metal one. When he reached his friend he called to him. "Hi Melchior. How have you been? Sold anything yet?"
"No. Not yet, but that's the way I like it. Are you going to buy that sword today?" Melchior asked him as he picked up a sword with an acid etched blade. "After all this is one of my finest works. Only thirty-five gold."
"Sorry, I only have twenty for the whole day. Maybe later though."
"Well then. You just turned sixteen didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"I haven't given you a present yet." Melchior placed the sword in Crono's trembling hands. "There you go. Happy birthday Crono."
"Melchior! I can't take this."
"Take it boy. It's a gift for one of the best and youngest swordsmen I know."
"Thank you." Crono tied the sword to his belt and turned to leave. "This means a lot to me."
Melchior smiled hugely. "Don't mention it. Are you going to find yourself a pretty girl today?"
"Not you too. My mom said the same thing this morning at breakfast. I just don't want a girlfriend yet. Besides, I have enough trouble talking to the other boys in town; can you imagine the trouble I have with pretty girls?"
"You just need to get over your shyness. Don't worry too much about it. I've seen men worse off than you fall for a girl and never be able to shut up again." He winked at Crono who shook his head. "Now off with you. Have some fun. Who knows, maybe you'll meet that special girl. You never know."
"I guess so. Bye Melchior."
"Bye Crono, keep your eyes open you never know."
"Yeah, I guess." They then parted ways and he went to the center of the square to look at Leene's bell. "I don't see why my mom likes this bell so much. All it ever does is wake me up." Suddenly he was slammed to the ground from behind. "Yeow!"
"Ouch, that hurt!" Crono glanced to his right and saw what had hit him. It was a pretty young girl. Strike that, she was beautiful. She was picking herself up as he stared with his mouth slightly open. When she turned her head and looked at him his mouth dropped farther. She had eyes so blue he thought he might drown in them as if they were lakes. "Are you okay?" Her voice was like music to his ears. "I said, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah." He mumbled, his voice very quiet.
"No need to be shy." She smiled at him. "I. Oh! My pendant! It's gone!" She was beginning to cry. "Where could it be?" The tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Crono really felt bad for her. "Don't cry. What does it look like? Maybe it's around here somewhere."
She turned toward him with sorrow filled eye, but this time there was hope as well. "Do you think so?"
"Sure why not. Running into someone can cause you to drop stuff." Crono smiled his warmest smiles. "What does it look like?"
"It's got a blue stone about the size of a coin, and it's got a gold back and trim on a gold chain. It was a gift from my mother before she died. I have to find it." She was beginning to cry again.
"Don't worry we'll find it." They both started looking around the area of the collision for the pendant. After a few minutes she was starting to get desperate, and he sat down next to one of the pylons that held the bell. It felt as if he had sat on a rock. Reaching underneath him he pulled out the girl's pendant. "Hey look! I think I found it!"
"You found it! Thank you so much, you're a life saver!" She snatched the necklace from his hand and placed it around her neck, but she couldn't get the clasp open. "Oh come on!"
"Let me." Crono opened the clasp and placed it about her neck. "There." He stepped back and looked her over. "That necklace suits you." He said softly, however she heard him.
"You're sweet."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry, where are my manners? My name is Marle. What's yours?" Crono blushed a deep crimson. He was actually talking to a pretty girl.
"Um, Crono."
"Crono huh? That's a nice name." She giggled and continued to talk. "Look I'm new around here, could I walk with you far a while? Maybe you could show me around, and introduce me to your friends?"
"Uh, yeah, sure. I don't mind. You should know that I like to run, so you'll have to keep up. "He was glancing in all directions, anything not to look in her eyes.
"I'm a good runner." She had noticed his discomfort. "Your shy aren't you?" Crono nodded and looked in her eyes. "No need, I won't bite. Relax." Then she winked at him, and he smiled back warmly.
"I guess your right. Let's go."
"Okay!"
Crono and Marle spent most of the afternoon together, never once questioning their instant friendship. Crono thought in his head that maybe his mother was right. He did need a girlfriend, and perhaps Marle was the one for him. It's almost like this was fate, maybe he should tell her a bit about himself. "Marle."
"Hmm?"
"What do you like to do? I mean in your spare time?"
"Well I don't really have much spare time. Like today."
"What do you mean?"
"My father wasn't going to let me come to the fair. He said it wasn't fitting for a young lady to enjoy herself in such a fashion."
"But you're here. Obviously he let you come."
Marle shook her head. "No he didn't. I snuck out and came anyway." Crono was silent for a moment. He was trying to find the right words. "But I don't care. He never lets me do anything. A day like the one I've had is worth the tongue lashing I'll receive when I get home."
"Man! Are you saying he never lets you out of your house?"
"House nothing! I'm lucky if they let me out of my room!" Marle was steaming now. Apparently she resented her father for being so strict. "I wish mother were still alive. She would never let daddy do this to me."
"What will happen when you get home?"
She just shook her head. "Doesn't matter, but enough about me. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?"
"Me? I like to practice swordplay."
"Are you any good?"
"Okay I guess. I was hoping to join the royal army some time next year. I also like to help my friend Lucca and her father with their inventions. Not that they need my help. Most of the time I just get in the way." He was beginning to laugh. "Last time I ended up black from head to toe. One of her gadgets blew up and covered me with oil and grease. I never thought I'd ever get clean after that." Now he was laughing very hard and so was Marle. "Also I help my mom run her seamstress business."
"Your mom is the town seamstress?"
"Yup. She's even worked for the palace once. They ordered a couple of dresses for the princess's birthday last year."
"That's great."
"I guess. It just gets boring sometimes. Making clothes just isn't for me. I have more fun teaching my cat tricks. I guess I just like giving orders and someone actually taking me seriously."
"Sound like you would make a good commander."
He shrugged his shoulders and was about to answer her when a man walked up to them and addressed Crono. "Hey Crono."
"Oh hi Taban!"
"Just thought you'd like to know that Lucca has finished her invention, and that she wants you to see it in action. It's in the show time booth at the back of the square."
"Great I'll bee there in a few minutes."
"Good. I have to go now or Lucca will have my head on a platter."
"Bye Taban!" When Taban had left Crono turned back to Marle. She was looking at some flowers a little girl was selling. "Marle?" She looked up and smiled again. "Do you want to meet my friend Lucca? She's giving a show in the back."
"Sure Crono. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun. But ever since I first met you I've had nothing but fun."
"We just met less than an hour ago."
"So. I just feel like I've known you all my life." She smiled at him again. To Crono her smile was as beautiful as the dawn.
Great now I've started thinking like a poet! Crono mentally scolded himself. She's way too good for me, I can tell. I don't deserve someone as nice as her.
"Is something wrong Crono? You seem to be a little preoccupied."
"No nothing." He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. "Let's go!"
"Kay!"
He led the way through the square toward the back. Just as they reached the entrance to Lucca's sideshow Marle tugged on his arm. "Hang on; I want to buy some candy."
"Huh?" She pointed to a small stand to their right. It was a booth so small Crono hadn't even noticed it was there. "Yeah, okay."
"Thanks." So he waited next to the cart as she browsed. He had the strangest feeling that he was being watched, the weirdest part about this was it had started just after he had met up with Marle. "Excuse me; I'd like some of this." Startled out of his thoughts he turned to Marle. She was pointing to some sour lemon drops on the old woman's cart.
"Here you are dearie."
She took the small bag of candy from the woman and turned back to him and flashed those Gorgeous blue eyes and dazzling smile. "Thanks for waiting." Then she giggled. Her voice so innocent. Crono despite his efforts was beginning to like this girl.
"Common let's go." He tugged at her arm to get her moving.
"There's no need to drag me around like some kidnapper!"
Every face in the place turned toward them. "I'm sorry, but I don't want to miss any of Lucca's show."
"It's okay. I didn't mean to yell."
"Then we're both to blame." Crono shrugged. "Let's go then." Marle wrapped her arms around Crono's elbow and in that manner they entered Lucca's booth area.
In the small courtyard at the back of Leene's square they came across Taban who was trying in vain to explain the precise function of his daughter's invention. To Crono it looked like something out of a horror story. It had two odd looking pads on either side of a mess of gears and buttons. He couldn't make any sense of any of Lucca's inventions no matter how hard he looked, so he stopped trying. Taban continued his ranting. "Step right up ladies and gentlemen, for the invention of the century. Just stand inside the left pod and 'Poof' you'll magically be teleported to the pod on the right. Another magnificent device of my daughter's scientific mind!"
Crono shook his head. "That old blowhard."
Marle glared at him. "That's not a very nice thing to say."
"Taban couldn't explain what her inventions do any more than I could fly." They both laughed at the odd analogy.
A voice then came from behind them. "You shouldn't make fun of other people. They might get mad." Crono jumped in surprise, and turned to locate the speaker.
It was Lucca his best friend. "Oh, uh. Hi Lucca, how are you doing? Uh, I'd like you to meet a new friend of mine." He turned to Marle. "This is Marle. I met her in the square near the bell."
"I crashed into him."
Lucca tuned to look at her. "Hi Marle. Nice to meet you." Without even waiting for a reply she tuned back to Crono. "Look Crono, nobody wants to try out my Telepod. Why don't you?"
Crono jerked back. "Why me?"
"Well you were the one who was insulting my father. I'd say its due punishment, wouldn't you?"
"So this is my punishment, to be your guinea pig. But more importantly Lucca, is this thing safe?"
Marle nearly jumped out of her skin with excitement. "Come on Crono, it looks like a lot of fun. And after you do it I can try."
"Alright, alright, I'll do it. It seems I'm outnumbered on this one." Grumbling he walked out of the crowd and up to the left pod. "This one?" He asked pointing to the pod. Taban and Lucca both nodded, and Crono sighed and stepped in. "Let's get this over with."
"Okay! Let's go!" Taban cried. Lucca walked up to the contraption between the pods and pressed a large red button. She then began to turn some knobs and dials. A loud hum and a few crackles could be heard from inside the device.
"Dad! Full power!"
"Roger!"
"Beginning energy transfer."
At that moment an odd sensation passed through Crono's body. It was an impossible to describe feeling. It was almost as if he were flying and falling at the same time. Sensation was enhanced while his eyesight was failing him. All he could see was the blurred shapes of his friends. Then from the tips of his toes began the sensation of heat. It engulfed his whole body within seconds, and from there began to intensify. Soon he felt as if he were in the desert sun. He was feeling very dizzy, and at the verge of passing out. Still the heat continued to increase. It grew until he felt as if he were on fire; every part of his body was burning. As he was about to cry out in agony the feeling passes. He opened his eyes, which he didn't remember even closing, and to his surprise he was in the other pod. Lucca's invention had worked. Though with one nasty bug of course. He took a few tentative steps forward and out of the pod. His legs were a little wobbly and sore, but none the worse for wear.
"How was it Crono?" Lucca was now by his side. "Want to go again?"
"I don't think so, I can't take another one."
Lucca appeared confused at his response. "Never mind that! I wanna try!" Marle was jumping excitedly into the left pod. "Start this thing up!"
Taban was at her side instantly. "You got it young lady!" He then ran back to the controls. "Hey Lucca hit the switch!"
"Okay I'm coming!"
Crono grabbed her arm. "Wait Lucca!"
"Not now. It can wait until after Marle's turn." Lucca tuned away from him and pressed the red button and turned all the dials and knobs. "Here we go!"
The humming began as it did with Crono, but then it grew louder into a searing whine. Marle's pendant had also started to shimmer. "My pendant! It's reacting. Crono what's happening? This is scaring me!" Her pendant sent out a bright white light, and electricity shot from his pod connecting it to the other. In the center of this beam a blue portal opened up and pulled Marle into it. "CRONO! Help me!" Then the portal closed leaving behind nothing of Marle, save her shimmering pendant.
"Where did she go?" Taban screamed aloud then turned toward the crows. "Okay, show's over, nothing left to see here!" The crowd dispersed to other parts of the fair leaving the three of them alone to puzzle out this situation. "Lucca where did she go?"
"Lucca was quiet in thought for a few minutes. "That pendant she was wearing had some sort of adverse reaction to the Telepod, but by the way she disappeared it couldn't have been the machines fault."
"What are you saying?" Taban was close to hysterics.
"I'm sure I've seen her somewhere before, only I can't remember where."
Crono hadn't been listening to their verbal exchange. He was too busy trying to figure out how to follow her, after all it was his responsibility to follow and bring her back. This is the first pretty girl I've ever known who likes me for who I am. Even though I'm shy she didn't care. How could I live with myself if I let this one get away, or be lost? He turned from his thoughts and to his friend. "Lucca! LUCCA!!" She wasn't even paying attention; she was too busy yelling at her father. "Lucca!" Still nothing. He walked up to the left pod of the machine and looked down at Marle's pendant. What's the deal with this thing? Just what is it? He bent down and grabbed it, only it slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor of the pod with a loud clang. This somehow got through to Lucca and her father, because they both turned to face his as he finally got a grip on the pendant and picked it up.
"You're actually going after her? What a fine lad."
"Right dad." Lucca said sarcastically. "Crono? Are you sure you want to do this? I don't know where you'll end up."
"But won't they both be lost?" Taban was an interesting man. He could go from calm and cool one second to hysterical the next.
"I have to go Lucca! I brought her to your sideshow, so it's up to me to bring her back."
"You like her don't you Crono?"
"Lucca this is no time to talk about that."
"Alright. We'll try to repeat the accident." She turned to her father. "Start the machine."
"Okay, but I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I." Lucca's voice was downcast. She pushed the red button again. "Now Crono, hold on to that pendant, it seems to be the key." Crono tightened his grip as the electricity began to arc and the pendant to shimmer. Again the portal opened and Crono was pulled inside. The whole time he refused to release his grip on the necklace. "Good luck Crono! I'll follow you as soon as I figure out what went wrong!" If there was more that she had to say he didn't hear it as the portal closed and sent him hurtling to who knows where.
End of chapter one