Chapter 3: Memories of a Dead Past

Later on, Crono, Marle, and Lucca fell asleep. Magus was still up. He was lost in thought. He was standing near the steps where the epoch used to sit. He was staring out... lost in thought. After awhile, he walked out closer to the edge. He heard footsteps behind him. Gaspar walked toward him.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

Magus just stood there silent. Gaspar looked at him. He lowered his head, wondering what was wrong with Magus. He spoke again.

"The gates are opening more quickly." he said. "If you get some sleep, they should be open when you wake up."

Magus stared at him for a second. He had a sad look on his face.

"Something's bothering you isn't it?" Gaspar asked. "You looked like that as a child when something was wrong."

"None of your business." Magus said.

"Ok. I'll just leave" Gaspar said.

Magus took a deep breath and spoke.

"It's just that..."he paused, "When we defeated Lavos, I expected Schala to re-appear, but she never did and I was disappointed."

He looked straight at Gaspar.

"I looked everywhere, every time period that had a connection to Lavos. I tried to use my powers to search her out, but I failed." Magus continued. " I wasn't able to save her. I knew what was going to happen and I wanted to prevent it but I was too..wea..."

"What makes you think that?" Gaspar cut in. " You were never too weak. You were far from weak and you still are. Ever since you were a little boy, you've always had a mind of your own. Yo..."

"But those are memories of a dead past." Magus said. "There is nothing I can do to change that past anymore... I missed my chance."

Magus walked away and sat down in a corner until he fell asleep.

When Lucca woke up, she woke up Marle and Crono, who were still sleeping. They headed over to the gate area where Magus and Gaspar were already waiting. All 9 Gates were open.

"You should only need to search 3 of them, but I opened the others just in case." Gaspar told them.

"We should split up, we could cover more ground." Lucca said.

"Great idea." Marle said.

"Crono, you should go to the Prehistoric era and find Ayla, since she seems to like you better." Gaspar said. "Marle, since your ancestors live in the Middle Ages, you should go there and speak with Frog. Magus you know the middle ages well so you go with Marle, which leaves Lucca to go with Crono."

"One problem" Lucca said. "They can't open a Gate without the Gate Key."

"I can open it." Magus said. "This amulet given to me by Schala has the power to open Gates, that's how I was able to come and find you Crono."

"Really!?" asked Lucca.

"What did I just say?" Magus snapped, rolling his eyes at Lucca.

"Well EXUSE ME!" Lucca yelled. "Come on Crono, let's go!"

"Come back safe, you hear." Crono said to Marle.

"You too!" Marle said.

With that, they stepped into the pillar of lights and opened them. They shot off into time. Heading to their designated areas.