CHAPTER FOUR
TRIAL AND ERROR
The portal opened up right where it was supposed too. Right smack in the middle of Lucca's booth at the millennial fair. After the trio exited the Gate it closed up again.
Marle began a joyous hop. "Phew! We're back!" She spun around and faced her friends again. "Crono, Lucca, why don't you come with me to the castle? I'd like you to come over for dinner."
Lucca planted her eyes on the ground and kicked one of her feet. "Sorry for putting you through all that, Marle." Her voice was sad and guilty.
Marle just shook her head and laughed. "Are you joking? That's the most fun I've had in months! And I have some new friends, too." She swung her arms around Lucca. "That's something I've never had before!"
"Great! But I'm afraid I can't come."
"But, why?"
Lucca just walked up to Crono. "Crono, be a gentleman and take her home. I've got some work to do." With that said she turned and left the square headed for home.
"See you soon, Lucca!" Marle nodded at Lucca's retreating back then turned back. "Will you escort me home, Crono?"
"Sure thing Marle."
"Why Crono! I do believe your blushing." She giggled as Crono turned a bright red. "Let's go." Taking his arm she led him out of the square. On the way to the castle Crono stopped. "What is it Crono?"
"I was wondering. Did you want to meet my mother? She always insists on me bringing my new friends over to meet her."
"Why's that?"
"She thinks I'm too shy, and wants to make sure I actually have friends."
"She sounds wonderful. I would be honored to meet the mother of my hero."
Crono led the way through town toward his home. He was relieved to see all of the new buildings. It was a whole lot better than the desolate landscape of the past. More buildings meant more people and no fear from the mystics. Turning one last corner they came to the small blue house of Crono's. "Marle this is my house."
"It's small."
"Not really. But I guess any house in town looks small compared to the palace."
"I guess. Crono?"
"Mmm?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by that, really."
"I know. Let's go in." Crono opened the door and let Marle inside where she was nearly tripped up by his cat. "Tiger! Stay out from under foot!"
"He's cute Crono."
Crono's mother who was cooking dinner at the time turned at the sound of Marle's voice. "Crono dear! Welcome home. Did you have fun at the fair?" She looked over at Marle before continuing. "My how nice! I've only seen you with Lucca! Who's your pretty new friend?
Marle put her hands behind her back and looked as innocent as possible. "Hi, I'm Marle. Pleased to meet you." She then beamed her beautiful smile at her.
His mom got a weird look on her face. "Eh?! Marle?" She tilted her head to the side. "I'm sure I've seen you before, dear! Now where was that?"
Crono broke in on the conversation. "It was probably in the square somewhere. She lives in the area."
"Yes, you're probably right. I am pleased to meet you dear. I was making dinner would you like to join us?"
"That was the reason I came home early mom."
"Yes?"
Marle decided that she should tell the woman. "I invited Crono over to my place for dinner. I wanted him to meet my father."
Seela's eyes sparked when she heard that. "Of course he can." She was so happy. It seemed as though her prayer had been answered, her son had met his stranger "Go have some fun sweetheart. Be home at a decent hour and be polite."
"Yes mother, I will." Crono went back to the door and as he opened it Marle latched on to his arm once again. "Bye mom."
"By Crono's mom!"
"Call me Seela dearie, that's my name."
"Bye misses Seela." Then the door was closed and Seela was left to her thoughts.
Back outside Crono let out a deep sigh and turned toward the direction of the castle. Marle stayed quiet by his side until they reached the border of the forest, there she spoke. "I like your mother a lot. She's nice."
"And nosey."
"She's just being a mom. I don't really remember mine, but I'll bet she was a lot like yours." Crono smiled back at her then turned and led the way through the woods.
After a few silent minutes they arrived at the castle gates. Marle opened the gates and they walked in. The inside looked about the same in this time as it was in 600A.D. save for the fact that the soldiers were a bit less intimidating, but no less dangerous. Also instead of the torches along the walls, the place was lit with electric lights now.
As he stood in the entrance way Marle strode forward to meet the guards. She had only made it a few steps when a loud bellow was heard. "Princess Nadia!" From the large double doors that led to the throne room the Chancellor hurried into the room. The Chancellor from this era was dressed in green instead of blue like the other timeline. He ran right up to Marle and a little out of breath began to speak again. Are you alright? Where have you been? I heard you were abducted! We had soldiers looking all over for you!" Marle didn't get a chance to respond, because as soon as he noticed Crono the Chancellors demeanor changed from one of concern to one of fury. "Scoundrel! You're the one, huh? Kidnapping Princess Nadia!"
Crono's reaction could only be described as astonished; he couldn't even begin to know how to respond to the accusations. Fortunately Marle decided to come to his defense. "No!" Marle shook her head. "Crono's..." She was unable to get any farther than those two words before the Chancellor started up his rant again.
"Admit it!" The Chancellor pointed one boney finger in Crono's direction. "You confused her and tried to take over the throne! TERRORIST!!" The last word was screamed so loud that it caused all of the soldiers in earshot to converge in the room.
"S, stop it!" The soldiers began to slowly walk closer to Crono, hands on the hilts of their swords. "STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Her screech was ear piercing to say the least, but at least it was effective, the guards all fell to one knee kneeling before their princess.
The Chancellor turned a deeper shade of angry red at this. "What are you doing?"
One of the guards lifted his head toward him. "But Princess Nadia said to."
"Idiots! Detain him!" He once more pointed his boney finger at Crono. "Now!"
Three of the soldiers in the room jumped up and tackled Crono to the ground where they placed shekels on his wrists and ankles. "Marle! What is going on?" One of the soldiers backhanded him across the face and told him to be silent. Not that he could talk at the moment anyway, his vision was swimming from the force of the blow and he could taste blood in his mouth.
"Crono!!" Marle screamed as he was dragged out of the right side of the room, in the direction of the courtroom. It was then that she realized that they were going to put Crono on trial for kidnapping. If he is found guilty they could either sentence him to torture or they could. Marle shivered at the thought of what could happen to her friend. "How can I stop this?" She whispered as one of the maids led her back to her room.
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The courtroom was filled with various members of the castles staff. The room was huge, with three layer seating. At the back of the room was a floor to ceiling size stained glass window representing the lady of judgment, who carried a scale that represented that justice is fair. Seated near the window was the Judge, he was an old kindly looking man with a large mustache and he wore a black robe. Seated near the front of the hall near the entrance was the jury of seven who would decide Cono's fate. And on either side of the Judge stood a single man. On the left was the Chancellor and on the right was another man in blue.
The Chancellor stepped forward and addressed the room. "I'm the Chancellor, the prosecutor!"
The second man stepped forward as well. "I'm the lawyer, Pierre."
Chancellor spoke again, this time directly to the jury. "Members of the court. We now bring forth the defendant, Crono, who is charged with abducting the Princess Nadia." Chancellor walked over to the doors, opened them and walked out.
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Out in the Hallway Crono was being held by two burly palace guards as he waited for his time in the courtroom. This is nuts! What makes them think I kidnapped Marle? I've never done anything wrong, what have I done to deserve this?" Crono sighed deeply when the doors opened and the Chancellor walked out.
"Come in here now boy!" He sneered, then turned around and stomped back into the courtroom. The two guards unlocked his manacles and led him inside.
They pointed toward the pedestal facing the judge. "Stand there."
"Okay." Crono replied meekly.
The chancellor then started up his tirade again. "What shall we do with him? Fire, perhaps? Hang him upside down for a few years? Or.Shall we employ the guillotine? You, the jury, shall decide his fate. Now let us begin." Crono placed his hand around his throat when he heard the guillotine mentioned.
The judge banged his mallet on his desk for order. "Crono, you are hereby ordered to tell the truth!"
"Y, yes sir."
The man in blue named Pierre began to address the crowd. "Crono is charged with "Premeditated abduction of Royalty". The question, did he kidnap Princess Nadia? The answer?" Pierre held up one finger and waved it at the courtroom. "No, he did not. In fact, no "abduction" took place. The two met completely by accident. In fact, the princess ASKED Crono if SHE could join HIM!"
The Chancellor didn't seem to believe Pierre. He walked over to Crono and put his face in his. "Is this true? Who actually started this whole mess?"
"Well I was standing near the bell, and I guess I was in her way, because she collided with me, and."
"Just as I suspected! The Defendant deliberately tried to get near the princess!"
"NO! That's not it!"
"The princess then innocently followed you to Lucca's little sideshow. Where upon you both disappeared!" His eyes were daggers as he looked at Crono and his voice was getting louder. "If that wasn't criminal abduction, I don't know WHAT is! And I have facts that throw the defendant's character into question!" The last few words were shouted.
"Objection!" Pierre cried. "This can't have any relevance whatsoever to this case!"
The judge who was listening quite patiently turned his attention to the Chancellor. "Care to respond, Chancellor?"
"Yes. Crono's character is at the very heart of this case!"
Pierre had calmed down a little, but to Crono he still looked a little flustered. "We have nothing to hide. The issue here is MOTIVE. Was there any motive for this fine citizen to kidnap Princess Nadia? No! There was none."
"Of that we shall see!" The Chancellor stopped to catch his breath before continuing. "What about ransom? Crono, her fortune DID temp you, did it not?"
"No sir. I didn't even know she was the princess until a little while ago."
"Are you sure? You really weren't tempted?"
"No!"
The Chancellor turned away from Crono and addressed the crowd again. "Please keep in mind that he just said he had no interest in her fortune. Witness please!"
A young woman was ushered into the courtroom. She was dressed in a green dress and looked extremely nervous. "He can't fool me, I saw him with my own eyes!" She stopped speaking and was so nervous she looked as if she were about to bolt from the room. "Dear me! I'm so nervous!"
The judge looked at the girl. "It is all right my dear, take your time."
She gave him a slight smile. "I heard it clearly. I heard her cry out with my own ears! She said. "There's no need to drag me by the arm like some kidnapper!" She was starting to freak again. "Is that it? Can I go?"
"You may go." At the judge's word the young girl left the room.
"Nothing more your honor. The prosecution rests."
"Anything from defense?"
"The defense rests your honor."
The judge turned toward the jury. "Members of the jury. What is your verdict?"
The representative of the group stood and spoke. "Your honor. With a vote of five to one, we find Crono, NOT GUILTY." A roar of disapproval flooded through the room.
Crono's mind was in a whirl. It sounds as if they actually wanted me to be guilty. These people are nothing more than bloodthirsty beasts! The judge was feverishly pounding his mallet down.
"ORDER!! Order in the court!" The place quieted in just a few moments. "A verdict has been reached! The verdict is.not guilty! But the fact remains that even if he did not kidnap her, he ran off with her." The judge gazed over at the frightened Crono. "Three days solitary confinement as punishment."
The Chancellor didn't look at all happy with the verdict. "Take him away!" The two guards who had escorted Crono in walked back up to his sides.
Just as they grabbed a hold of his arms and turned him toward the door Marle came rushing in. "Now just a darn minute!"
"Marle!"
"Silence!" One of the guards yelled as he hit Crono in the head. "You will not speak to the princess!"
The Chancellor calmed himself just enough to speak. "Princess!" Then the king walked calmly into the room.
"That's enough my dear!"
"But father.!"
"All I asked was for you to behave like a princess. Even royalty must obey rules. Leave the rest up to the Chancellor and forget the events in town."
"I will not forget! Crono is my friend!"
"He is just being detained for a short while, that is all!" The king turned back toward the exit. "We're leaving!"
Marle just sagged to the floor as her father left and Crono was dragged out after him with the Chancellor in tow. "Marle!" The guards hit him again telling him to be quiet.
"Crono!!!"
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Crono was taken from the courtroom and up a set of stairs on the opposite side of the castle. He was led across a long bridge that led into one of the most ominous looking set of buildings he had ever seen. They were several stories tall with bridges connecting them at each level. Tiny slit shaped windows were scattered along the walls, all of them too small for even a child to fit through. On the ether end of the bridge was a large doorway that opened to a stairwell leading down.
The stairs ended with another set of large double doors. When they entered they were greeted by a young man dressed in a blue uniform sitting behind a desk. "Chancellor! A pleasure to see you sir."
"Yes, yes. Enough with the formalities." He grabbed Crono's arm and thrust him forward, causing Crono to collide hard with the desk.
"Watch it! You could break something!" The young man yelled.
"Yeah, like my neck." Crono said meekly. He was rewarded by another smack to the back of the head.
"Shut up boy!" The Chancellor didn't even look his way while he spoke. "This terrorist has tried to overthrow the kingdom! He has been found guilty, and you must now carry out his sentence."
"Guilty? No I haven't!"
Crono was this time backhanded by the young man. So THIS is the monster that kidnapped the princess!" He grabbed Crono's chin and forced him to look him in the eye. "Listen well boy. I am the supervisor of this prison, and what I say goes around here. You would do well to hold your tongue in my presence. Got it."
"Yes sir." Crono said in a quiet subdued voice.
"Good." He let go of his chin and directed his attention back at the Chancellor.
The Chancellor had been quiet throughout this little exchange, enjoying the sight of this annoying boy being cowed. "Now then, back to business. The execution is three days away. Do NOT let him out of your sight!"
A look of utter confusion fell over the supervisor's face. "Execution? Strange, but I don't seem to recall hearing anything about an execution."
"That's because there isn't supposed to be one!"
"That is enough boy!" The Chancellor was about to hit him again, then decided against it. His attention was back on the supervisor. "How DARE you question ME! The paperwork's probably just been held up in the system!"
"I suppose that is possible." He glanced over to Crono then back at Chancellor. "Understood, sir! Guards!" Two huge men in battle armor walked into the room from the next room. "Take the prisoner away!"
"Yes sir!" One of them said as the other walked up behind Crono and unsheathed his sword.
"Please sir! I didn't do anything, I was found not guilty. I'm not supposed to be executed!"
With a hand signal from the supervisor the guard hit Crono on the back of the head with the butt of his sword. Crono dropped to the floor, his world spinning. Blackness lingered at the edge of his vision. When Crono tried to stand back up the blackness spread and enveloped his entire vision, and he thought no more.
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Lucca was on her way home the day after the fiasco with her telepod when an unusually large group of people gathered together caused her to pause. She couldn't hear them very well but she thought she distinctly heard Crono's name mentioned. She walked up to the group to see what they were crowded around. To her surprise it was an execution notice.
Upon closer inspection she let out a gasp. She read the letter out loud because she still couldn't believe it. "By order of the ruling council of the law, Crono, son of Seelia and resident of Truce is hereby sentenced to execution for the crime of kidnapping the Princess Nadia. His execution will be held in three days time on Tuesday at 7:00a.m." She couldn't believe her eyes. They can't kill Crono! Marle wouldn't stand for such a thing! Then a thought struck her. Maybe there is something I can do to stop this. At least I have to try. He's my best friend!
Lucca ran off down the road to her house, which was on the outskirts. It was the only place they could live that was far enough away from people that they didn't bother anyone when one of her and her father's inventions blew up. She knew that if she could help Crono in any way, she would.
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Marle left the courtroom in the escort of a pair of soldiers. She didn't watch where she walked nor cared where they led her. She just didn't care. Her thoughts were all on Crono and if he would still like her when he got out of that cell. She momentarily shook off her stupor when they tried to direct her toward the dining room.
"I'm not going in there."
"But your highness, your father requests your presence for dinner."
"I'm not hungry." She walked away from them and up to her room, which she realized with a slight shock, was the exact same room Queen Leene called her own in 600A.D. "Some ruler I am, I can't even save an innocent man from being locked up." Marle curled up on her bed and cried herself to sleep, still in her clothes she had worn through her adventure with Crono.
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He could hear the dripping of water somewhere in the distance, as he fought off the lingering effects of unconsciousness. Crono moaned as he moved, the lump on the back of his head throbbed, and he felt nauseous. As his eyes focused in the surrounding gloom he shook of the last fringes of black that surrounded his vision. The cell that he had been placed in was only large enough for him to stretch out in any direction without touching the walls. The cell contained a single cot which was attached to chains coming out of the walls, a slit shaped window, and a table with a cup on it. The cot also had a small bundle set upon it.
Testing his feet first, to make sure he wouldn't fall over he walked up and began to open the package.
"Some sympathizers brought that stuff for you, you lousy felon."
Crono ignored the guard's snide remark and opened the bundle. It contained an item called an ether, 6 of them in fact. Ether was a drink that was supposed to boost your stamina or something like that. Crono never did pay much attention to that stuff in school. "Huh. A lot of good this will do me. Not when I'm going to die in three days."
"Two now brat, you slept through one of them!"
"Wonderful." He grumbled and tucked the ethers into his pouch. "Just peachy." Then he lay back on his cot and drifted back into an uneasy slumber, and waited for the inevitable.
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Two days had passed since Crono had left with Marle, and Lucca was still slaving away on a new invention. Her father Taban walked into the room and just stared at her.
"Are you ready dad?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Don't worry. If this works it will only put you to sleep for a few hours." Taban nodded to his daughter. "Now just stand over there by the bookshelf."
He stood by the shelf and closed is eyes.
"Now just hold still." She fired the pistol she had been working on. A small pellet flew from the barrel and exploded on her father's chest into a large white cloud. When the dust cleared she found her father lying on the floor snoring like he was cutting down the whole forest. "It worked! This is wonderful! Now I can get Crono out of there!" Lucca checked her watch. "11:45p.m. the execution is scheduled for 7:00a.m. That doesn't give me much time for sleep." Lucca went up to her room and set her alarm for 5:00 and went to bed. She fell into alight sleep shortly after.
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Marle hadn't eaten for two days, and she intended not to eat again until he would let her see Crono. She couldn't understand her own reaction to the boy, but she knew that whatever bond had formed it was unbreakable. "Crono." She whispered. "Why can't I forget you like my father wants?" She got off of her bed and dressed in her outdoor clothing like the ones she was wearing when she first met Crono. Then she put her dress on over the top to conceal it. "Now if daddy won't let me see Crono, I can go find him on my own." Marle walked out of her room, down the stairs and into the throne room where her father waited for her.
"Nadia, please you have to eat something."
"I am not hungry." This had been the extent of their conversation since the day of the trial. And neither of them had tried any further attempt. I can hold out as long as you dear father.
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Crono awoke on the third day to the sound of his rusty cell door being opened. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he stood to face his executioner.
To his surprise it was the supervisor whom he had met when he first entered this god forsaken place. "Hello young man. We're here to take you to your place of execution."
"So you still believe that I deserve the death penalty?"
"It is not for me to decide that. I just follow orders."
"Yes, I know." Crono walked over to the supervisor and placed his hands out. They were cuffed and he was led from his cell and down the hall. As he was ushered past other cells, one of the other prisoners (a female) screamed and ran to the back of her cell, while another just laughed like a lunatic.
The next room was another hall with a junction where a second hall went off on his left. Past this junction was a large door guarded by another of the hulking soldiers. "Open the gate."
"Yes, sir."
The gate was opened and Crono was ushered in. This room was obviously a torture room. There was an iron maiden in one corner, stocks, and a guillotine with a young man sitting in it. He watched Crono pass with a pleading look in his eyes as well as tears. He was led through a smaller door at the other side of the room. This one was a lot danker than the last. Not quite as frightening, but certainly held a more foreboding air. This room was darker than the last and it was damper. In the center of the room was what frightened Crono the most. The Guillotine!
"Come boy. Let's get this over with."
Easy for him to say! He's not the one about to lose his head! The two guards who had been on either side of him since his cell grabbed his arms and flung him on his knees. They then placed his neck in the small grove under the blade that was made for the purpose of holding the prisoner still.
Once they had Crono locked in place the supervisor knelt down beside him. "I am sorry young man. Do you have any last words?"
Last word? Crono's mind was in a whirl. "Please don't kill me."
Before the supervisor could answer a loud crash was heard from the next room. "What was that?"
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Lucca woke to her alarm ringing in her ears. "Damn alarm! Why'd I have it set so early?" Stupid morning amnesia. Then as she rubbed her eyes her memory came back to her. "That's right! Crono!" Luckily she had fallen asleep still dressed. That had saved her a little time. She strapped her gun holster and gun to her hip, and placed her experimental gun in her pocket. And as she ran out the door she grabbed an apple for breakfast. I should take one for Crono. They probably didn't waste food on him, seeing as though he was to die. Placing the extra apple in her belt pouch she ran out, and headed in the direction of the castle.
When she arrived she was stopped by the soldiers guarding the gate. "State your business."
"A friend of mine is imprisoned here. I am here to say hello to him."
"Name."
"I am Lucca, my friend is named Crono. He is scheduled to be executed this morning. I just wanted to see him one last time." Lucca began to cry fake tears. "I loved him."
"You may enter. But make it quick. When you enter turn to your left and go up the stairs. The supervisor will send you to the proper place." The soldier opened the gate and ushered Lucca inside.
As Lucca walked down the hallway toward the jail she thought to her self. Wow! Guards aren't the most intelligent people in the world. She walked up the stairs ant across the bridge. By this time her watch was now reading 6:35a.m. Damn, running out of time. Lucca walked into the supervisor's room and met up with a middle aged man in blue. "Excuse me, are you the supervisor?"
"No, he's overseeing an execution right now. A royalty kidnapper."
"Where?"
"One floor down, in the second tower."
"Thank you." She pulled out her sleeping gun and fired a pellet at the man. In a matter of moments he was sleeping soundly on the floor. "Sweet dreams creep." She ran out the doorway into the jail hallways. She first had to descend two sets of stairs, and sneak past a pair of strange watchmen holding up large blue shields that looked like masks. Then she had to run across a very long bridge linking tower one to tower two. This doorway opened up to a hulking guard with a huge sword blocking her way.
"Who are you?"
"Nobody you should be concerned about." She fired another pellet and the guard drifted off to sleep. "That was close." Her watch now read 6:50a.m. She ran the length of the hall to where it turned right and peered around the corner. Just in time to see the supervisor and two guards escorting a shackled and very frightened Crono down the hall. YES!! I'm not too late! She waited until they had passed and she heard the gate they walked through shut before she ran down the last stretch of the hall and turned the final corner.
Bad idea. She ran smack into another hulking brute. "You! What are you doing down here? I order you to leave!" Lucca wasn't thinking, she just shot her gun again. The guard fell asleep, but Lucca caught the tail end of the cloud and felt drowsy herself. But she always kept a few ethers in her pouch, she drank one and the effects of the sleeping powder were erased.
"Too close." She opened the gate once again and ran through the adjoining room, right into the room where Crono was.
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Lucca ran into the room just as he was asked for his last words. She was a sight for sore eyes.
"Crono! I've come to save you!"
"And not a moment too soon!"
The supervisor stood up and addressed Lucca. "Who the heck are you?" The other guards walked in Lucca's direction.
"Get out of my way!!" Lucca pulled her gun one more time. "Take five you mugs!" She shot each of them in turn with the sleeping pellets, and each went down snoring. Lucca turned to Crono who was still strapped down. "So, what do you think of my Zonker-38? Pretty cool, huh? Let's blow this joint!" She turned back to the door.
"Uh, Lucca?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you release me first?"
"Right, sorry." She released Crono from the guillotine, and as he stood up Lucca flipped a switch on it causing the blade to fall.
"Lucca, never do that again." Crono grabbed his neck as he had a horrible thought. He walked over to one of the guards and picked up one of their swords. "It's not my kitanna but it will do until I get back to the main entrance."
"Why's that?"
"Because that is where my stuff was put." He strapped the sheath to his hip and walked out of the room.
"Be with you in a second. I want to check these guys' pockets." Her poking around turned up some nice items, a few potions and an ether. "Okay, now we can go."
Out in the adjacent room she found Crono walking over to a young man strapped into another guillotine.
"H, help me!" Without a pause Crono released him from the machine. The man jumped up and hugged Crono. "You're a life saver!" He let go of Crono before he continued speaking. "I'm Fritz. My dad runs a store in Truce Village. Stop by if you're ever in the area." Then Fritz ran out the door.
"Strange boy wasn't he? Why did you help him Crono?"
"Gut feeling. I believe he was an innocent man."
They left out the same path Lucca entered through. They picked the pockets of the guards she had knocked out and made their way to the supervisor's office. While Crono recovered his kitanna, Lucca was sifting through the pockets of the man on the floor. Then she turned her attention to a paper that Crono had knocked onto the floor.
"What's this?"
"Huh? You find something?"
"This paper is a memo about something called a Dragon Tank. Listen to this. "To prison supervisor: "Dragon Tank Owner's Manual" The tank head repairs body damage. It contains a shield that prevents damage by lightning and fire. Unless the head is defeated, the tank is unbeatable. 'Guardia R&D'" Lucca placed the paper back on the floor, and turned to face Crono. "What do you suppose this is all about? What do you think a Dragon Tank is?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. Honestly I don't care!" Crono ran past her and opened the door that led out. "I just want to leave this hell hole!" Lucca and Crono sprinted up the stairwell and across the bridge leading back to the castle.
Halfway across there was a rumbling followed by the sound of steam escaping from a pipe. Lucca straightened her glasses. "What was that?"
"Uh?"
"Never mind." They continued across the bridge, only to be stopped just short of the other end by a humongous robotic beast. "Oh god, is that the Dragon Tank?" It was indeed shaped like a dragon, only instead of feet it had two large spiked wheels connected to its sides. The head had a hinged jaw with something large and cylindrical inside. Lucca couldn't tell quite what it was because the mouth was partially closed. The body was a solid hunk of metal with a small steam vent on the top. The metal was a greenish color meaning it was made mostly of copper. "Crono!"
"I know, I know."
"Do you really?" Came a voice from behind the tank.
"I know that voice!" Growled Crono.
The Chancellor stepped out from the tanks shadow. "Indeed you should." The Chancellor let out a bark-like laugh and turned to the tank. "Forward, Dragon Tank! Crush those rebels!" He then ran through the door and closed it behind them.
"This is just great! Now what do we do?" Crono cried in fury.
"How should I know? Just fight for your life!"
"Now I feel a lot better!" Crono said sarcastically as he ran forward with his sword out and hit the tank in the head. His sword dented the head, but did no other damage. "This. . .is. . .not. . .good." The tank opened its mouth and revealed what was previously unseen. A large metal barrel that looked like. "Lucca is THAT a cannon!"
"Yes! It is a cannon!" a pail blue light began to form at the end of the barrel. "And it's going to fire!" A blue beam was shot from the barrel and hit Lucca in the arm as she tried to dodge out of the way, and it nearly caused Crono to fall off.
"Lucca are you alright?"
"Just a small burn. That was a laser beam! Those things are unstable." The tank began to smoke a little after the shot. It closed its mouth and revved up its wheels. "Look out its going to charge us!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Crono pulled out the sword he had stolen from the prison guard and threw it into the wheels. Because of the rotation of the wheels, the sword was wedged tightly in the gear on the body. The wheel seized up and started smoking. They heard a humming coming from the tanks back, but were too preoccupied to check it out. The head had just opened its mouth again and the barrel was glowing. "Lucca, can you fire strait into its mouth?"
"Sure. I'm a marksman!" She took aim, fired her pistol, and missed the shot.
"Lucca!" Crono screamed as the barrel was pointed in his direction.
"I know, I'll try again!" She swapped her pistol for her Zonker-38 and fired a pellet at the tank's barrel. The pellet plugged up the opening just as the tank fired. The pellet exploded when the laser contacted it, forcing the powder into the electric systems of the machines head. Small sparks were erupting from the seams around the mouth and smoke was now billowing from the cannon. A loud pop was heard and then the head exploded into tiny pieces. Shrapnel flew in all directions, and the wheels fell off as well. The loss of the wheels revealed another pair of laser ports, and they were now beginning to glow as well.
"Not more of them!"
"Crono! Try that vent on the top!" Crono looked to where Lucca was pointing. The vent on the top of the tank was smoking horribly. "It might short circuit the thing!"
"I can try." Crono climbed up on top of the Dragon Tank. "Though personally, I think this is crazy!" He took his kitanna and plunged it into the vent. It must have punctured something important because the tank began to shake violently, and short circuit. Crono was thrown from the tank in one of the more violent shudders. "What is going on?"
"You must have hit the main battery! The thing is going to blow up!"
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A horrible scream was heard from the opposite side of the tank. The Chancellor had returned. "You are supposed to lose, you brats!" The tank sprayed a shower of sparks over his head. "They got the Dragon Tank!!" The Chancellor violently motioned with his hands. "Fix it! Quickly!" Two soldiers came out onto the bridge, and with the Chancellor, began to repair the tank. However, the cascading damage to the systems spread too quickly for them to repair and the tank exploded in their faces. It took the entire section of the bridge with it, forcing the three men to create a human bridge to prevent them from falling.
Lucca started to giggle. "Well at least we have a way across."
Crono had a smug grin upon his face. "I would have to agree with you." Using the human bridge they crossed over to the doorway.
All the while the Chancellor kept talking. "Don't fool yourselves into thinking you've gotten away with this!"
They ignored any further comments from the Chancellor and ran down the stairs back into the castle. When they reached the main floor, and emerged from the stairwell, they were set upon by a pair of soldiers.
"They're escaping!"
Lucca pulled her gun back out. "We have no choice but to break through!"
"That's fine, just don't shoot anybody." Was the only thing he said before he tore through the soldiers and ran through the hall.
"Wait for me!" Lucca ran after her friend and caught up with him when he was forced to stop by a large number of guards in front of the main entrance. "Oh dear." The guards began to close in on the pair when a bellow was heard from the throne room doorway.
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Marle was standing next to her father's throne when the Chancellor barged in from one of the less known corridors that led from the jail.
"Chancellor! What is the meaning of this?" The king exclaimed.
"Your highness, the prisoner. He's escaped!" Marle perked up at this news. She was so elated she didn't immediately notice that her father had turned to look at her.
"Do you know anything about this my dear?"
"No father." She looked scornfully at the Chancellor. "But if the Chancellor can't hold a teenage boy, he does not deserve-"
"Silence Nadia! I did not want your opinion on the Chancellor." Marle huffed and walked to the door leading out to the main hall.
"If that is how you feel father, I shall wait in the hall."
"So be it."
Marle opened the door and walked out into a strange sight. After shaking away her shock, she screamed at the top of her lungs to the entire room.
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"STOP!!!"
At this scream all of the soldiers turned and knelt down on one knee. One of them got up the courage to speak. "Princess Nadia! We were."
"This is my friend! Show him your respect!"
"B, but."
Marle completely lost her temper at this soldier. "Can't you take orders?"
"Y, yes, of course!"
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"
From behind the Princess, Chancellor and the King entered the chamber. The Chancellor had an almost triumphant smile upon his face. "Princess, you must do as King Guardia XXXIII says!"
"Father."
The King was absolutely livid by this time. "Silence, Princess Nadia! The throne comes before your personal wishes!" He was trembling by this time.
"What?! Just because I have a title doesn't mean I'm not a person!"
"Hmph! You pick up strange ideas venturing outside!"
"I didn't "Pick up" anything! It's called "Common sense"!"
"Princess Nadia!"
Marle glared at her father. "I despise you! I'm leaving!" Marle tore off her dress to reveal her tank top and baggy pants she was wearing underneath.
The Chancellor squeaked out her name. "Princess Nadia!"
Marle ran down the stairs to Crono's side and grabbed his arm. "Come on Crono!" She then drug hum out the door with Lucca hot on their tails.
The Chancellor jumped up and down in frustration. "Don't just stand there! After them!" The soldiers and the Chancellor ran out of the castle in pursuit.
"Princess Nadia..." Whispered the king.
At the mouth of the forest the soldiers caught up with them and flanked them. "There they are! Don't lose 'em!" The path out of the forest was cut off leaving only the opening to their left open to them. "There is no escape!" Frightened the three ran down the path, and it opened up to a small clearing.
Marle's face fell when she looked around. "Looks like a dead end!"
Lucca gazed around the clearing and, seeing something shimmer, she ran over to it. "A Gate!"
The other two ran over to her and surrounded the shimmer. Marle piped up. "Come on!"
Lucca jumped. "But we don't know where it'll take us!"
"Who cares?! This place stinks, anyway!"
Crono who was looking around nervously added his thoughts. "I don't care where we go, but if they catch us both Lucca and I are going to lose our heads!"
Almost on cue the Chancellor and soldiers burst into the clearing. "Princess Nadia!"
"This is completely irrational!" Lucca exclaimed.
"Hurry Crono!"
The Chancellor bellowed again. "Princess, move away from that hoodlum!"
"This guy is really starting to get me angry!" Crono barked and took the Gate Key from Lucca and pressed the button, opening the Gate. "Let's go!"
"But we don't know where it goes!"
"Lucca!" Both Crono and Marle yelled in unison.
"Alright!" The three took each others hands and jumped through the portal.
The Gate closed leaving a very confused Chancellor. "They.Disappeared!"
Okay folks, sorry the update took so long. The next piece is going to take a little while but should be up in about two months. I hope you liked this chapter, I am enjoying this a lot. Remember all reviews are most welcome. They can help me write it better. Have a nice day and thanks.
TRIAL AND ERROR
The portal opened up right where it was supposed too. Right smack in the middle of Lucca's booth at the millennial fair. After the trio exited the Gate it closed up again.
Marle began a joyous hop. "Phew! We're back!" She spun around and faced her friends again. "Crono, Lucca, why don't you come with me to the castle? I'd like you to come over for dinner."
Lucca planted her eyes on the ground and kicked one of her feet. "Sorry for putting you through all that, Marle." Her voice was sad and guilty.
Marle just shook her head and laughed. "Are you joking? That's the most fun I've had in months! And I have some new friends, too." She swung her arms around Lucca. "That's something I've never had before!"
"Great! But I'm afraid I can't come."
"But, why?"
Lucca just walked up to Crono. "Crono, be a gentleman and take her home. I've got some work to do." With that said she turned and left the square headed for home.
"See you soon, Lucca!" Marle nodded at Lucca's retreating back then turned back. "Will you escort me home, Crono?"
"Sure thing Marle."
"Why Crono! I do believe your blushing." She giggled as Crono turned a bright red. "Let's go." Taking his arm she led him out of the square. On the way to the castle Crono stopped. "What is it Crono?"
"I was wondering. Did you want to meet my mother? She always insists on me bringing my new friends over to meet her."
"Why's that?"
"She thinks I'm too shy, and wants to make sure I actually have friends."
"She sounds wonderful. I would be honored to meet the mother of my hero."
Crono led the way through town toward his home. He was relieved to see all of the new buildings. It was a whole lot better than the desolate landscape of the past. More buildings meant more people and no fear from the mystics. Turning one last corner they came to the small blue house of Crono's. "Marle this is my house."
"It's small."
"Not really. But I guess any house in town looks small compared to the palace."
"I guess. Crono?"
"Mmm?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by that, really."
"I know. Let's go in." Crono opened the door and let Marle inside where she was nearly tripped up by his cat. "Tiger! Stay out from under foot!"
"He's cute Crono."
Crono's mother who was cooking dinner at the time turned at the sound of Marle's voice. "Crono dear! Welcome home. Did you have fun at the fair?" She looked over at Marle before continuing. "My how nice! I've only seen you with Lucca! Who's your pretty new friend?
Marle put her hands behind her back and looked as innocent as possible. "Hi, I'm Marle. Pleased to meet you." She then beamed her beautiful smile at her.
His mom got a weird look on her face. "Eh?! Marle?" She tilted her head to the side. "I'm sure I've seen you before, dear! Now where was that?"
Crono broke in on the conversation. "It was probably in the square somewhere. She lives in the area."
"Yes, you're probably right. I am pleased to meet you dear. I was making dinner would you like to join us?"
"That was the reason I came home early mom."
"Yes?"
Marle decided that she should tell the woman. "I invited Crono over to my place for dinner. I wanted him to meet my father."
Seela's eyes sparked when she heard that. "Of course he can." She was so happy. It seemed as though her prayer had been answered, her son had met his stranger "Go have some fun sweetheart. Be home at a decent hour and be polite."
"Yes mother, I will." Crono went back to the door and as he opened it Marle latched on to his arm once again. "Bye mom."
"By Crono's mom!"
"Call me Seela dearie, that's my name."
"Bye misses Seela." Then the door was closed and Seela was left to her thoughts.
Back outside Crono let out a deep sigh and turned toward the direction of the castle. Marle stayed quiet by his side until they reached the border of the forest, there she spoke. "I like your mother a lot. She's nice."
"And nosey."
"She's just being a mom. I don't really remember mine, but I'll bet she was a lot like yours." Crono smiled back at her then turned and led the way through the woods.
After a few silent minutes they arrived at the castle gates. Marle opened the gates and they walked in. The inside looked about the same in this time as it was in 600A.D. save for the fact that the soldiers were a bit less intimidating, but no less dangerous. Also instead of the torches along the walls, the place was lit with electric lights now.
As he stood in the entrance way Marle strode forward to meet the guards. She had only made it a few steps when a loud bellow was heard. "Princess Nadia!" From the large double doors that led to the throne room the Chancellor hurried into the room. The Chancellor from this era was dressed in green instead of blue like the other timeline. He ran right up to Marle and a little out of breath began to speak again. Are you alright? Where have you been? I heard you were abducted! We had soldiers looking all over for you!" Marle didn't get a chance to respond, because as soon as he noticed Crono the Chancellors demeanor changed from one of concern to one of fury. "Scoundrel! You're the one, huh? Kidnapping Princess Nadia!"
Crono's reaction could only be described as astonished; he couldn't even begin to know how to respond to the accusations. Fortunately Marle decided to come to his defense. "No!" Marle shook her head. "Crono's..." She was unable to get any farther than those two words before the Chancellor started up his rant again.
"Admit it!" The Chancellor pointed one boney finger in Crono's direction. "You confused her and tried to take over the throne! TERRORIST!!" The last word was screamed so loud that it caused all of the soldiers in earshot to converge in the room.
"S, stop it!" The soldiers began to slowly walk closer to Crono, hands on the hilts of their swords. "STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Her screech was ear piercing to say the least, but at least it was effective, the guards all fell to one knee kneeling before their princess.
The Chancellor turned a deeper shade of angry red at this. "What are you doing?"
One of the guards lifted his head toward him. "But Princess Nadia said to."
"Idiots! Detain him!" He once more pointed his boney finger at Crono. "Now!"
Three of the soldiers in the room jumped up and tackled Crono to the ground where they placed shekels on his wrists and ankles. "Marle! What is going on?" One of the soldiers backhanded him across the face and told him to be silent. Not that he could talk at the moment anyway, his vision was swimming from the force of the blow and he could taste blood in his mouth.
"Crono!!" Marle screamed as he was dragged out of the right side of the room, in the direction of the courtroom. It was then that she realized that they were going to put Crono on trial for kidnapping. If he is found guilty they could either sentence him to torture or they could. Marle shivered at the thought of what could happen to her friend. "How can I stop this?" She whispered as one of the maids led her back to her room.
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The courtroom was filled with various members of the castles staff. The room was huge, with three layer seating. At the back of the room was a floor to ceiling size stained glass window representing the lady of judgment, who carried a scale that represented that justice is fair. Seated near the window was the Judge, he was an old kindly looking man with a large mustache and he wore a black robe. Seated near the front of the hall near the entrance was the jury of seven who would decide Cono's fate. And on either side of the Judge stood a single man. On the left was the Chancellor and on the right was another man in blue.
The Chancellor stepped forward and addressed the room. "I'm the Chancellor, the prosecutor!"
The second man stepped forward as well. "I'm the lawyer, Pierre."
Chancellor spoke again, this time directly to the jury. "Members of the court. We now bring forth the defendant, Crono, who is charged with abducting the Princess Nadia." Chancellor walked over to the doors, opened them and walked out.
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Out in the Hallway Crono was being held by two burly palace guards as he waited for his time in the courtroom. This is nuts! What makes them think I kidnapped Marle? I've never done anything wrong, what have I done to deserve this?" Crono sighed deeply when the doors opened and the Chancellor walked out.
"Come in here now boy!" He sneered, then turned around and stomped back into the courtroom. The two guards unlocked his manacles and led him inside.
They pointed toward the pedestal facing the judge. "Stand there."
"Okay." Crono replied meekly.
The chancellor then started up his tirade again. "What shall we do with him? Fire, perhaps? Hang him upside down for a few years? Or.Shall we employ the guillotine? You, the jury, shall decide his fate. Now let us begin." Crono placed his hand around his throat when he heard the guillotine mentioned.
The judge banged his mallet on his desk for order. "Crono, you are hereby ordered to tell the truth!"
"Y, yes sir."
The man in blue named Pierre began to address the crowd. "Crono is charged with "Premeditated abduction of Royalty". The question, did he kidnap Princess Nadia? The answer?" Pierre held up one finger and waved it at the courtroom. "No, he did not. In fact, no "abduction" took place. The two met completely by accident. In fact, the princess ASKED Crono if SHE could join HIM!"
The Chancellor didn't seem to believe Pierre. He walked over to Crono and put his face in his. "Is this true? Who actually started this whole mess?"
"Well I was standing near the bell, and I guess I was in her way, because she collided with me, and."
"Just as I suspected! The Defendant deliberately tried to get near the princess!"
"NO! That's not it!"
"The princess then innocently followed you to Lucca's little sideshow. Where upon you both disappeared!" His eyes were daggers as he looked at Crono and his voice was getting louder. "If that wasn't criminal abduction, I don't know WHAT is! And I have facts that throw the defendant's character into question!" The last few words were shouted.
"Objection!" Pierre cried. "This can't have any relevance whatsoever to this case!"
The judge who was listening quite patiently turned his attention to the Chancellor. "Care to respond, Chancellor?"
"Yes. Crono's character is at the very heart of this case!"
Pierre had calmed down a little, but to Crono he still looked a little flustered. "We have nothing to hide. The issue here is MOTIVE. Was there any motive for this fine citizen to kidnap Princess Nadia? No! There was none."
"Of that we shall see!" The Chancellor stopped to catch his breath before continuing. "What about ransom? Crono, her fortune DID temp you, did it not?"
"No sir. I didn't even know she was the princess until a little while ago."
"Are you sure? You really weren't tempted?"
"No!"
The Chancellor turned away from Crono and addressed the crowd again. "Please keep in mind that he just said he had no interest in her fortune. Witness please!"
A young woman was ushered into the courtroom. She was dressed in a green dress and looked extremely nervous. "He can't fool me, I saw him with my own eyes!" She stopped speaking and was so nervous she looked as if she were about to bolt from the room. "Dear me! I'm so nervous!"
The judge looked at the girl. "It is all right my dear, take your time."
She gave him a slight smile. "I heard it clearly. I heard her cry out with my own ears! She said. "There's no need to drag me by the arm like some kidnapper!" She was starting to freak again. "Is that it? Can I go?"
"You may go." At the judge's word the young girl left the room.
"Nothing more your honor. The prosecution rests."
"Anything from defense?"
"The defense rests your honor."
The judge turned toward the jury. "Members of the jury. What is your verdict?"
The representative of the group stood and spoke. "Your honor. With a vote of five to one, we find Crono, NOT GUILTY." A roar of disapproval flooded through the room.
Crono's mind was in a whirl. It sounds as if they actually wanted me to be guilty. These people are nothing more than bloodthirsty beasts! The judge was feverishly pounding his mallet down.
"ORDER!! Order in the court!" The place quieted in just a few moments. "A verdict has been reached! The verdict is.not guilty! But the fact remains that even if he did not kidnap her, he ran off with her." The judge gazed over at the frightened Crono. "Three days solitary confinement as punishment."
The Chancellor didn't look at all happy with the verdict. "Take him away!" The two guards who had escorted Crono in walked back up to his sides.
Just as they grabbed a hold of his arms and turned him toward the door Marle came rushing in. "Now just a darn minute!"
"Marle!"
"Silence!" One of the guards yelled as he hit Crono in the head. "You will not speak to the princess!"
The Chancellor calmed himself just enough to speak. "Princess!" Then the king walked calmly into the room.
"That's enough my dear!"
"But father.!"
"All I asked was for you to behave like a princess. Even royalty must obey rules. Leave the rest up to the Chancellor and forget the events in town."
"I will not forget! Crono is my friend!"
"He is just being detained for a short while, that is all!" The king turned back toward the exit. "We're leaving!"
Marle just sagged to the floor as her father left and Crono was dragged out after him with the Chancellor in tow. "Marle!" The guards hit him again telling him to be quiet.
"Crono!!!"
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Crono was taken from the courtroom and up a set of stairs on the opposite side of the castle. He was led across a long bridge that led into one of the most ominous looking set of buildings he had ever seen. They were several stories tall with bridges connecting them at each level. Tiny slit shaped windows were scattered along the walls, all of them too small for even a child to fit through. On the ether end of the bridge was a large doorway that opened to a stairwell leading down.
The stairs ended with another set of large double doors. When they entered they were greeted by a young man dressed in a blue uniform sitting behind a desk. "Chancellor! A pleasure to see you sir."
"Yes, yes. Enough with the formalities." He grabbed Crono's arm and thrust him forward, causing Crono to collide hard with the desk.
"Watch it! You could break something!" The young man yelled.
"Yeah, like my neck." Crono said meekly. He was rewarded by another smack to the back of the head.
"Shut up boy!" The Chancellor didn't even look his way while he spoke. "This terrorist has tried to overthrow the kingdom! He has been found guilty, and you must now carry out his sentence."
"Guilty? No I haven't!"
Crono was this time backhanded by the young man. So THIS is the monster that kidnapped the princess!" He grabbed Crono's chin and forced him to look him in the eye. "Listen well boy. I am the supervisor of this prison, and what I say goes around here. You would do well to hold your tongue in my presence. Got it."
"Yes sir." Crono said in a quiet subdued voice.
"Good." He let go of his chin and directed his attention back at the Chancellor.
The Chancellor had been quiet throughout this little exchange, enjoying the sight of this annoying boy being cowed. "Now then, back to business. The execution is three days away. Do NOT let him out of your sight!"
A look of utter confusion fell over the supervisor's face. "Execution? Strange, but I don't seem to recall hearing anything about an execution."
"That's because there isn't supposed to be one!"
"That is enough boy!" The Chancellor was about to hit him again, then decided against it. His attention was back on the supervisor. "How DARE you question ME! The paperwork's probably just been held up in the system!"
"I suppose that is possible." He glanced over to Crono then back at Chancellor. "Understood, sir! Guards!" Two huge men in battle armor walked into the room from the next room. "Take the prisoner away!"
"Yes sir!" One of them said as the other walked up behind Crono and unsheathed his sword.
"Please sir! I didn't do anything, I was found not guilty. I'm not supposed to be executed!"
With a hand signal from the supervisor the guard hit Crono on the back of the head with the butt of his sword. Crono dropped to the floor, his world spinning. Blackness lingered at the edge of his vision. When Crono tried to stand back up the blackness spread and enveloped his entire vision, and he thought no more.
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Lucca was on her way home the day after the fiasco with her telepod when an unusually large group of people gathered together caused her to pause. She couldn't hear them very well but she thought she distinctly heard Crono's name mentioned. She walked up to the group to see what they were crowded around. To her surprise it was an execution notice.
Upon closer inspection she let out a gasp. She read the letter out loud because she still couldn't believe it. "By order of the ruling council of the law, Crono, son of Seelia and resident of Truce is hereby sentenced to execution for the crime of kidnapping the Princess Nadia. His execution will be held in three days time on Tuesday at 7:00a.m." She couldn't believe her eyes. They can't kill Crono! Marle wouldn't stand for such a thing! Then a thought struck her. Maybe there is something I can do to stop this. At least I have to try. He's my best friend!
Lucca ran off down the road to her house, which was on the outskirts. It was the only place they could live that was far enough away from people that they didn't bother anyone when one of her and her father's inventions blew up. She knew that if she could help Crono in any way, she would.
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Marle left the courtroom in the escort of a pair of soldiers. She didn't watch where she walked nor cared where they led her. She just didn't care. Her thoughts were all on Crono and if he would still like her when he got out of that cell. She momentarily shook off her stupor when they tried to direct her toward the dining room.
"I'm not going in there."
"But your highness, your father requests your presence for dinner."
"I'm not hungry." She walked away from them and up to her room, which she realized with a slight shock, was the exact same room Queen Leene called her own in 600A.D. "Some ruler I am, I can't even save an innocent man from being locked up." Marle curled up on her bed and cried herself to sleep, still in her clothes she had worn through her adventure with Crono.
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He could hear the dripping of water somewhere in the distance, as he fought off the lingering effects of unconsciousness. Crono moaned as he moved, the lump on the back of his head throbbed, and he felt nauseous. As his eyes focused in the surrounding gloom he shook of the last fringes of black that surrounded his vision. The cell that he had been placed in was only large enough for him to stretch out in any direction without touching the walls. The cell contained a single cot which was attached to chains coming out of the walls, a slit shaped window, and a table with a cup on it. The cot also had a small bundle set upon it.
Testing his feet first, to make sure he wouldn't fall over he walked up and began to open the package.
"Some sympathizers brought that stuff for you, you lousy felon."
Crono ignored the guard's snide remark and opened the bundle. It contained an item called an ether, 6 of them in fact. Ether was a drink that was supposed to boost your stamina or something like that. Crono never did pay much attention to that stuff in school. "Huh. A lot of good this will do me. Not when I'm going to die in three days."
"Two now brat, you slept through one of them!"
"Wonderful." He grumbled and tucked the ethers into his pouch. "Just peachy." Then he lay back on his cot and drifted back into an uneasy slumber, and waited for the inevitable.
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Two days had passed since Crono had left with Marle, and Lucca was still slaving away on a new invention. Her father Taban walked into the room and just stared at her.
"Are you ready dad?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Don't worry. If this works it will only put you to sleep for a few hours." Taban nodded to his daughter. "Now just stand over there by the bookshelf."
He stood by the shelf and closed is eyes.
"Now just hold still." She fired the pistol she had been working on. A small pellet flew from the barrel and exploded on her father's chest into a large white cloud. When the dust cleared she found her father lying on the floor snoring like he was cutting down the whole forest. "It worked! This is wonderful! Now I can get Crono out of there!" Lucca checked her watch. "11:45p.m. the execution is scheduled for 7:00a.m. That doesn't give me much time for sleep." Lucca went up to her room and set her alarm for 5:00 and went to bed. She fell into alight sleep shortly after.
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Marle hadn't eaten for two days, and she intended not to eat again until he would let her see Crono. She couldn't understand her own reaction to the boy, but she knew that whatever bond had formed it was unbreakable. "Crono." She whispered. "Why can't I forget you like my father wants?" She got off of her bed and dressed in her outdoor clothing like the ones she was wearing when she first met Crono. Then she put her dress on over the top to conceal it. "Now if daddy won't let me see Crono, I can go find him on my own." Marle walked out of her room, down the stairs and into the throne room where her father waited for her.
"Nadia, please you have to eat something."
"I am not hungry." This had been the extent of their conversation since the day of the trial. And neither of them had tried any further attempt. I can hold out as long as you dear father.
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Crono awoke on the third day to the sound of his rusty cell door being opened. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he stood to face his executioner.
To his surprise it was the supervisor whom he had met when he first entered this god forsaken place. "Hello young man. We're here to take you to your place of execution."
"So you still believe that I deserve the death penalty?"
"It is not for me to decide that. I just follow orders."
"Yes, I know." Crono walked over to the supervisor and placed his hands out. They were cuffed and he was led from his cell and down the hall. As he was ushered past other cells, one of the other prisoners (a female) screamed and ran to the back of her cell, while another just laughed like a lunatic.
The next room was another hall with a junction where a second hall went off on his left. Past this junction was a large door guarded by another of the hulking soldiers. "Open the gate."
"Yes, sir."
The gate was opened and Crono was ushered in. This room was obviously a torture room. There was an iron maiden in one corner, stocks, and a guillotine with a young man sitting in it. He watched Crono pass with a pleading look in his eyes as well as tears. He was led through a smaller door at the other side of the room. This one was a lot danker than the last. Not quite as frightening, but certainly held a more foreboding air. This room was darker than the last and it was damper. In the center of the room was what frightened Crono the most. The Guillotine!
"Come boy. Let's get this over with."
Easy for him to say! He's not the one about to lose his head! The two guards who had been on either side of him since his cell grabbed his arms and flung him on his knees. They then placed his neck in the small grove under the blade that was made for the purpose of holding the prisoner still.
Once they had Crono locked in place the supervisor knelt down beside him. "I am sorry young man. Do you have any last words?"
Last word? Crono's mind was in a whirl. "Please don't kill me."
Before the supervisor could answer a loud crash was heard from the next room. "What was that?"
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Lucca woke to her alarm ringing in her ears. "Damn alarm! Why'd I have it set so early?" Stupid morning amnesia. Then as she rubbed her eyes her memory came back to her. "That's right! Crono!" Luckily she had fallen asleep still dressed. That had saved her a little time. She strapped her gun holster and gun to her hip, and placed her experimental gun in her pocket. And as she ran out the door she grabbed an apple for breakfast. I should take one for Crono. They probably didn't waste food on him, seeing as though he was to die. Placing the extra apple in her belt pouch she ran out, and headed in the direction of the castle.
When she arrived she was stopped by the soldiers guarding the gate. "State your business."
"A friend of mine is imprisoned here. I am here to say hello to him."
"Name."
"I am Lucca, my friend is named Crono. He is scheduled to be executed this morning. I just wanted to see him one last time." Lucca began to cry fake tears. "I loved him."
"You may enter. But make it quick. When you enter turn to your left and go up the stairs. The supervisor will send you to the proper place." The soldier opened the gate and ushered Lucca inside.
As Lucca walked down the hallway toward the jail she thought to her self. Wow! Guards aren't the most intelligent people in the world. She walked up the stairs ant across the bridge. By this time her watch was now reading 6:35a.m. Damn, running out of time. Lucca walked into the supervisor's room and met up with a middle aged man in blue. "Excuse me, are you the supervisor?"
"No, he's overseeing an execution right now. A royalty kidnapper."
"Where?"
"One floor down, in the second tower."
"Thank you." She pulled out her sleeping gun and fired a pellet at the man. In a matter of moments he was sleeping soundly on the floor. "Sweet dreams creep." She ran out the doorway into the jail hallways. She first had to descend two sets of stairs, and sneak past a pair of strange watchmen holding up large blue shields that looked like masks. Then she had to run across a very long bridge linking tower one to tower two. This doorway opened up to a hulking guard with a huge sword blocking her way.
"Who are you?"
"Nobody you should be concerned about." She fired another pellet and the guard drifted off to sleep. "That was close." Her watch now read 6:50a.m. She ran the length of the hall to where it turned right and peered around the corner. Just in time to see the supervisor and two guards escorting a shackled and very frightened Crono down the hall. YES!! I'm not too late! She waited until they had passed and she heard the gate they walked through shut before she ran down the last stretch of the hall and turned the final corner.
Bad idea. She ran smack into another hulking brute. "You! What are you doing down here? I order you to leave!" Lucca wasn't thinking, she just shot her gun again. The guard fell asleep, but Lucca caught the tail end of the cloud and felt drowsy herself. But she always kept a few ethers in her pouch, she drank one and the effects of the sleeping powder were erased.
"Too close." She opened the gate once again and ran through the adjoining room, right into the room where Crono was.
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Lucca ran into the room just as he was asked for his last words. She was a sight for sore eyes.
"Crono! I've come to save you!"
"And not a moment too soon!"
The supervisor stood up and addressed Lucca. "Who the heck are you?" The other guards walked in Lucca's direction.
"Get out of my way!!" Lucca pulled her gun one more time. "Take five you mugs!" She shot each of them in turn with the sleeping pellets, and each went down snoring. Lucca turned to Crono who was still strapped down. "So, what do you think of my Zonker-38? Pretty cool, huh? Let's blow this joint!" She turned back to the door.
"Uh, Lucca?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you release me first?"
"Right, sorry." She released Crono from the guillotine, and as he stood up Lucca flipped a switch on it causing the blade to fall.
"Lucca, never do that again." Crono grabbed his neck as he had a horrible thought. He walked over to one of the guards and picked up one of their swords. "It's not my kitanna but it will do until I get back to the main entrance."
"Why's that?"
"Because that is where my stuff was put." He strapped the sheath to his hip and walked out of the room.
"Be with you in a second. I want to check these guys' pockets." Her poking around turned up some nice items, a few potions and an ether. "Okay, now we can go."
Out in the adjacent room she found Crono walking over to a young man strapped into another guillotine.
"H, help me!" Without a pause Crono released him from the machine. The man jumped up and hugged Crono. "You're a life saver!" He let go of Crono before he continued speaking. "I'm Fritz. My dad runs a store in Truce Village. Stop by if you're ever in the area." Then Fritz ran out the door.
"Strange boy wasn't he? Why did you help him Crono?"
"Gut feeling. I believe he was an innocent man."
They left out the same path Lucca entered through. They picked the pockets of the guards she had knocked out and made their way to the supervisor's office. While Crono recovered his kitanna, Lucca was sifting through the pockets of the man on the floor. Then she turned her attention to a paper that Crono had knocked onto the floor.
"What's this?"
"Huh? You find something?"
"This paper is a memo about something called a Dragon Tank. Listen to this. "To prison supervisor: "Dragon Tank Owner's Manual" The tank head repairs body damage. It contains a shield that prevents damage by lightning and fire. Unless the head is defeated, the tank is unbeatable. 'Guardia R&D'" Lucca placed the paper back on the floor, and turned to face Crono. "What do you suppose this is all about? What do you think a Dragon Tank is?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. Honestly I don't care!" Crono ran past her and opened the door that led out. "I just want to leave this hell hole!" Lucca and Crono sprinted up the stairwell and across the bridge leading back to the castle.
Halfway across there was a rumbling followed by the sound of steam escaping from a pipe. Lucca straightened her glasses. "What was that?"
"Uh?"
"Never mind." They continued across the bridge, only to be stopped just short of the other end by a humongous robotic beast. "Oh god, is that the Dragon Tank?" It was indeed shaped like a dragon, only instead of feet it had two large spiked wheels connected to its sides. The head had a hinged jaw with something large and cylindrical inside. Lucca couldn't tell quite what it was because the mouth was partially closed. The body was a solid hunk of metal with a small steam vent on the top. The metal was a greenish color meaning it was made mostly of copper. "Crono!"
"I know, I know."
"Do you really?" Came a voice from behind the tank.
"I know that voice!" Growled Crono.
The Chancellor stepped out from the tanks shadow. "Indeed you should." The Chancellor let out a bark-like laugh and turned to the tank. "Forward, Dragon Tank! Crush those rebels!" He then ran through the door and closed it behind them.
"This is just great! Now what do we do?" Crono cried in fury.
"How should I know? Just fight for your life!"
"Now I feel a lot better!" Crono said sarcastically as he ran forward with his sword out and hit the tank in the head. His sword dented the head, but did no other damage. "This. . .is. . .not. . .good." The tank opened its mouth and revealed what was previously unseen. A large metal barrel that looked like. "Lucca is THAT a cannon!"
"Yes! It is a cannon!" a pail blue light began to form at the end of the barrel. "And it's going to fire!" A blue beam was shot from the barrel and hit Lucca in the arm as she tried to dodge out of the way, and it nearly caused Crono to fall off.
"Lucca are you alright?"
"Just a small burn. That was a laser beam! Those things are unstable." The tank began to smoke a little after the shot. It closed its mouth and revved up its wheels. "Look out its going to charge us!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Crono pulled out the sword he had stolen from the prison guard and threw it into the wheels. Because of the rotation of the wheels, the sword was wedged tightly in the gear on the body. The wheel seized up and started smoking. They heard a humming coming from the tanks back, but were too preoccupied to check it out. The head had just opened its mouth again and the barrel was glowing. "Lucca, can you fire strait into its mouth?"
"Sure. I'm a marksman!" She took aim, fired her pistol, and missed the shot.
"Lucca!" Crono screamed as the barrel was pointed in his direction.
"I know, I'll try again!" She swapped her pistol for her Zonker-38 and fired a pellet at the tank's barrel. The pellet plugged up the opening just as the tank fired. The pellet exploded when the laser contacted it, forcing the powder into the electric systems of the machines head. Small sparks were erupting from the seams around the mouth and smoke was now billowing from the cannon. A loud pop was heard and then the head exploded into tiny pieces. Shrapnel flew in all directions, and the wheels fell off as well. The loss of the wheels revealed another pair of laser ports, and they were now beginning to glow as well.
"Not more of them!"
"Crono! Try that vent on the top!" Crono looked to where Lucca was pointing. The vent on the top of the tank was smoking horribly. "It might short circuit the thing!"
"I can try." Crono climbed up on top of the Dragon Tank. "Though personally, I think this is crazy!" He took his kitanna and plunged it into the vent. It must have punctured something important because the tank began to shake violently, and short circuit. Crono was thrown from the tank in one of the more violent shudders. "What is going on?"
"You must have hit the main battery! The thing is going to blow up!"
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A horrible scream was heard from the opposite side of the tank. The Chancellor had returned. "You are supposed to lose, you brats!" The tank sprayed a shower of sparks over his head. "They got the Dragon Tank!!" The Chancellor violently motioned with his hands. "Fix it! Quickly!" Two soldiers came out onto the bridge, and with the Chancellor, began to repair the tank. However, the cascading damage to the systems spread too quickly for them to repair and the tank exploded in their faces. It took the entire section of the bridge with it, forcing the three men to create a human bridge to prevent them from falling.
Lucca started to giggle. "Well at least we have a way across."
Crono had a smug grin upon his face. "I would have to agree with you." Using the human bridge they crossed over to the doorway.
All the while the Chancellor kept talking. "Don't fool yourselves into thinking you've gotten away with this!"
They ignored any further comments from the Chancellor and ran down the stairs back into the castle. When they reached the main floor, and emerged from the stairwell, they were set upon by a pair of soldiers.
"They're escaping!"
Lucca pulled her gun back out. "We have no choice but to break through!"
"That's fine, just don't shoot anybody." Was the only thing he said before he tore through the soldiers and ran through the hall.
"Wait for me!" Lucca ran after her friend and caught up with him when he was forced to stop by a large number of guards in front of the main entrance. "Oh dear." The guards began to close in on the pair when a bellow was heard from the throne room doorway.
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Marle was standing next to her father's throne when the Chancellor barged in from one of the less known corridors that led from the jail.
"Chancellor! What is the meaning of this?" The king exclaimed.
"Your highness, the prisoner. He's escaped!" Marle perked up at this news. She was so elated she didn't immediately notice that her father had turned to look at her.
"Do you know anything about this my dear?"
"No father." She looked scornfully at the Chancellor. "But if the Chancellor can't hold a teenage boy, he does not deserve-"
"Silence Nadia! I did not want your opinion on the Chancellor." Marle huffed and walked to the door leading out to the main hall.
"If that is how you feel father, I shall wait in the hall."
"So be it."
Marle opened the door and walked out into a strange sight. After shaking away her shock, she screamed at the top of her lungs to the entire room.
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"STOP!!!"
At this scream all of the soldiers turned and knelt down on one knee. One of them got up the courage to speak. "Princess Nadia! We were."
"This is my friend! Show him your respect!"
"B, but."
Marle completely lost her temper at this soldier. "Can't you take orders?"
"Y, yes, of course!"
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"
From behind the Princess, Chancellor and the King entered the chamber. The Chancellor had an almost triumphant smile upon his face. "Princess, you must do as King Guardia XXXIII says!"
"Father."
The King was absolutely livid by this time. "Silence, Princess Nadia! The throne comes before your personal wishes!" He was trembling by this time.
"What?! Just because I have a title doesn't mean I'm not a person!"
"Hmph! You pick up strange ideas venturing outside!"
"I didn't "Pick up" anything! It's called "Common sense"!"
"Princess Nadia!"
Marle glared at her father. "I despise you! I'm leaving!" Marle tore off her dress to reveal her tank top and baggy pants she was wearing underneath.
The Chancellor squeaked out her name. "Princess Nadia!"
Marle ran down the stairs to Crono's side and grabbed his arm. "Come on Crono!" She then drug hum out the door with Lucca hot on their tails.
The Chancellor jumped up and down in frustration. "Don't just stand there! After them!" The soldiers and the Chancellor ran out of the castle in pursuit.
"Princess Nadia..." Whispered the king.
At the mouth of the forest the soldiers caught up with them and flanked them. "There they are! Don't lose 'em!" The path out of the forest was cut off leaving only the opening to their left open to them. "There is no escape!" Frightened the three ran down the path, and it opened up to a small clearing.
Marle's face fell when she looked around. "Looks like a dead end!"
Lucca gazed around the clearing and, seeing something shimmer, she ran over to it. "A Gate!"
The other two ran over to her and surrounded the shimmer. Marle piped up. "Come on!"
Lucca jumped. "But we don't know where it'll take us!"
"Who cares?! This place stinks, anyway!"
Crono who was looking around nervously added his thoughts. "I don't care where we go, but if they catch us both Lucca and I are going to lose our heads!"
Almost on cue the Chancellor and soldiers burst into the clearing. "Princess Nadia!"
"This is completely irrational!" Lucca exclaimed.
"Hurry Crono!"
The Chancellor bellowed again. "Princess, move away from that hoodlum!"
"This guy is really starting to get me angry!" Crono barked and took the Gate Key from Lucca and pressed the button, opening the Gate. "Let's go!"
"But we don't know where it goes!"
"Lucca!" Both Crono and Marle yelled in unison.
"Alright!" The three took each others hands and jumped through the portal.
The Gate closed leaving a very confused Chancellor. "They.Disappeared!"
Okay folks, sorry the update took so long. The next piece is going to take a little while but should be up in about two months. I hope you liked this chapter, I am enjoying this a lot. Remember all reviews are most welcome. They can help me write it better. Have a nice day and thanks.