Author's Note: For any Chrono Trigger fans reading, this chapter features my headcanon for how the magic in Chrono Trigger works, so in case you don't agree with it, just be aware that I'm not claiming that's the official lore.

After arriving in East City, Lucca and Crono were each provided with a room in Eastern Headquarters. It was night by the time they were situated.

Crono knocked on Lucca's door. "Lucca, are you decent? Can I come in?" he asked.

"Yeah," Lucca said.

Crono opened the door. The rooms weren't particularly big, mostly just having a bed and a table. With Robo's bulk, the space was quite cramped, but Crono didn't mind. Lucca was sitting at the table inspecting the gun that the government had given her, which she'd taken apart. She wasn't wearing her helmet.

"Anything in there you couldn't have thought up yourself?" Crono asked, sitting across from her and leaning back in his chair.

"Nothing I couldn't eventually think of," Lucca said. "Although I do envy the precision of some of these parts, especially the mechanism for chambering ammunition. This design has obviously had some time to be refined."

Crono picked up Lucca's old gun, which was sitting on the table. It used air as a propellant, and fired pellets rather than bullets. "Well, no offense, but it's certainly better than this old airgun," he said.

"None taken," said Lucca. "I wasn't ever expecting to get roped into some grand adventure, so I never put much effort into weapons."

"Except your miniature flamethrower attachment," Chrono said, putting the gun back down. "Even before you learned magic you loved fire."

Lucca chuckled. "What can I say? It's always fascinated me," she said, starting to put the gun back together. "The way it moves is mesmerizing."

Robo beeped a curious-sounding tone, and Lucca smiled at him. She held out her hand, and a flame appeared in her palm.

"Dad used to take me camping a lot when I was younger. I guess that's where it started" she said. The flame vanished, and she went back to the gun. "I hope the others are alright."

"They can handle themselves," Crono said.

"I know, but just look at all the trouble we've gotten into already," Lucca said.

"Is it any worse than getting stuck in prehistory?"

"Heh. Guess not."

Crono yawned. "I'd better head to bed. We'll figure this out, don't worry. We've just gotta take it one step at a time."

Crono woke up to Lucca knocking on his door.

"Get up, sleepyhead! We need to talk to the colonel," she said.

"Right..." said Crono.

Eastern Headquarters was a large building, so they had to get directions to Colonel Hawkeye's office. They came into the room before it, where there was a long table. Five men in uniforms sat at the table, and the chair at the opposite end was empty. There were books and small drawers helping to separate the desks, and most of the men seemed to be doing paperwork, except for the closest, who was fiddling with a radio. There were maps on the walls, and in the corner was a low table between two couches. Another door on the other side of the room presumably led to the colonel's office.

One of the men leaned back in his chair to look at them. He had messy, dirty blonde hair and a cigarette in his mouth. "Can we help you?" he said.

"We're here to see Colonel Hawkeye," said Lucca.

"Oh yeah, she said you'd be coming by," said the man. He pointed at the door. "Go on through."

The colonel's office was much more spacious. There was a desk with a telephone and small tray in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window. In front of the desk was another low table with a couch on either side. A green bulletin board was hanging on the wall.

Hawkeye was sitting at the desk, papers scattered before her, with her hand to her face. When she saw Crono, Lucca, and Robo enter, she quickly composed herself. "Ah, good morning, you three," she said.

"Um, is everything alright?" Lucca asked, moving to sit on one of the couches. Crono sat across from her, and Robo remained standing.

"I'm just getting acquainted with being colonel," Hawkeye said. Crono thought that wasn't quite the whole story, but didn't push it. "So, Lucca, you want to learn about alchemy?"

Lucca nodded.

Hawkeye grabbed a piece of paper from a drawer and pushed it across her desk towards them. Lucca got up and picked it up, with Crono following and looking over her shoulder. The name "Shou Tucker" was at the top, and there was a photo of a man with short brown hair and glasses, wearing a suit.

"That's Shou Tucker, the Sewing Life Alchemist. He lives here in East City," Hawkeye said. "Like I said, if you two are willing to help us out should we ask for it, I can help you meet him. I have a lot of work to do though, so I'm afraid I can't escort you personally."

"No, it's fine," Lucca said. "This is already a big help." She put the paper back on the desk.

Hawkeye looked them over. "By the way, if you need a change of clothes, I can have that arranged as well."

Crono and Lucca looked down, taking notice for the first time of the state of their clothing, which was still covered in dirt and blood from their fight with McDougal. Lucca was the type of person who would make sure Robo and her inventions were polished to a shine, but could show up to a high-class party with motor oil still smeared on her face, and Crono just liked to think of himself as practically-minded, often not taking notice of things that didn't have a very tangible effect on him.

"I think I could use a shower, too," said Crono.

Hawkeye smirked. "Be my guest."

Crono and Lucca were given black clothes and jackets that had the same white edges as the soldiers' uniforms, though they certainly weren't uniforms. An escort drove them to a large, fenced manor, then took them to the doors and rang a bell hanging next to them.

Before anyone came, though, something blocked out the sun, and Crono looked up to see a huge white dog above him. "Woah!" he shouted, before it landed on top of him.

"Crono! Are you alright?" Lucca asked.

Crono just laughed as the dog sat on top of him, wagging its tail. Robo bent down and lifted it off of him, which the dog seemed to find interesting rather than distressing.

The door opened, and a little girl in a red shirt with brown hair in long braided pigtails was standing on the other side. "Daddy! There are people out here! Look!" she said, smiling.

Shou Tucker, the man from the photo, appeared behind her, wearing a black shirt and green jacket, and now having some stubble. "Nina, this is why I told you to keep the dog tied up," he said. His voice was soft and gentle. "So, I'm guessing you three are Crono, Lucca, and Robo? Please, come inside."

He took them to a dining room and made them some tea. There were dirty dishes piled up in the kitchen, and the rest of the house was scattered with dusty books and papers.

"I'm sorry about the mess," Tucker said, giving Crono and Lucca their tea. "Ever since my wife ran out, this place has been a wreck; I'm not much of a housekeeper." He sat down across from them. "Now that we're all settled in, let me say that it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm assuming the colonel told you who I am."

"You are Shou Tucker, the Sewing Life Alchemist," Robo said.

Tucker nodded. "I was told a bit about you, but I'm afraid I'm not aware of your full circumstances. Why is it you've come to see me?"

"I was hoping to learn about alchemy," Lucca said. "It's something I've never seen before, and it's very interesting."

"Really? But I've heard that you were able to create flames when you brought down Isaac McDougal."

Lucca looked at Crono, as if asking permission. Crono shrugged, so she spoke. "That... wasn't alchemy, sir. It was magic."

"Magic?" said Tucker. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

Just like she'd done the previous night, Lucca held her hand out, and created a flame in her palm.

"Incredible..." Tucker said, leaning in. "No transmutation circle. Not even a spark."

Lucca vanished the flame and pulled her hand back.

"I'm afraid I don't have time to teach you myself, but I could let you read some of my materials," said Tucker.

"No problem," said Lucca. "Even that much would be very appreciated."

"However, if you want me to show you the tricks I've got up my sleeve, it's only fair that you show me the tricks you've got up yours as well. It's the code we alchemists live by: equivalent exchange," Tucker said. "I'd be happy to let you borrow my materials if you'll let me study your 'magic'."

"Well, Lucca will be the one doing all the studying," said Crono. "I can help you with that."

"Wonderful," Tucker said, standing up. "Well, why don't you follow me."

He took them down a hallway, opened a set of double doors, and flipped the lights on, revealing a room lined with shelves, each one filled with books.

"This is my library," Tucker said.

"Wow! This is really impressive," said Lucca.

Tucker smiled. "Thank you," he said. "I'll pick out a few books on the basics of alchemy for you." He led Lucca into the library and started scanning the shelves.

"I'll be taking my leave now," said the soldier who'd escorted them. "Someone will be by this evening to pick you up."

"Don't bother," Crono said. "We can walk."

"If you say so," the soldier said. He waved and left down the hallway.

After a few minutes, Lucca and Tucker came back, Lucca carrying a small stack of books.

"You can wait outside if you like," Tucker said. "I'm sure it will be more pleasant than waiting in here where it's such a mess. Crono, I'll come get you when I'm ready for your help."

"Sure," said Crono.

In the yard, Nina and her dog were sitting under a tree. She smiled and waved at them as they approached. Lucca sat at the base of the tree, set her books beside her, then took her helmet off and set it on the other side of her. Nina walked up to her with a curious expression.

"What is it?" Lucca asked.

"Why do you both have such funny hair colors?" Nina asked.

Lucca smiled. "Where we come from, people have all sorts of hair colors."

Crono nodded. "My mom's hair is green. We've seen a lot of people with purple hair too."

"Wow!" Nina said. "Maybe Daddy and I can go there one day.

"Maybe," said Lucca.

Suddenly, Crono noticed that the dog was above him again, and he stepped back before it could land on him. "Not this time," he said.

Nina giggled. "Alexander likes you!" she said. She looked up at Robo. "What about you? Why are you wearing all that?"

Robo beeped. "I'm not wearing anything, this is my body. I'm a robot, an artificial person."

"A... robot?" Nina said.

Robo nodded. "Watch this," he said. He stepped back, then spread his arms out in front of him. There was a sound like steam being released, then the plates in his face and torso pushed outward, revealing the metal skeleton and mechanisms underneath. In his chest, there was a round core with a green light. Quickly after opening, he closed back up.

"Woah..." Nina said.

Crono and Robo entertained Nina while Lucca read, until Tucker came outside some time later, asking Crono to come with him. He led him back to the dining room, where he had a notebook and pen sitting on one side. He pulled out a chair on the opposite side for Crono, who sat.

"Would you like some more tea?" Tucker asked.

"No thanks," said Crono.'

Tucker sat across from him in front of the notebook, and picked up the pen. "So, I heard from Lucca that you use lightning magic?"

"Yes," Crono said.

"Why don't you start by telling me what you understand about magic."

"Do you want the history, too, or just the practical stuff?"

"Both, if you please."

Crono collected his thoughts briefly. "There are four types of magic: light, shadow, fire, and water. Each person has access to one type."

"And yours is light?"

Crono nodded.

Tucker jotted something down in the notebook, then said "Please continue."

"Twelve thousand years before I was born, there was a kingdom of people who could all use magic, and all four types, too."

"How is that?"

"The magic wasn't coming from them, but from a connection to a massive underground creature called Lavos. They overused it, though, and lost access to it. Lucca and I had our magic awakened by a creature called Spekkio, which is why we're able to use it without an outside source."

Tucker continued writing. "Fascinating..." he said. "So, how do the spells themselves work?"

"Well, lightning and fire seem to be similar for everyone, but I've only seen one other person who uses either of them, and he was from the magic kingdom. Water can also take the form of ice, though. I don't know much about shadow; I've only ever seen one person use it."

Tucker finished writing. "Well, I'd appreciate it if you could show me some of your lightning. Where do you think would be safest?"

"I don't know. I've never really used it when I wasn't trying to hurt anyone."

"Hm... I suppose that makes sense. Why don't you come back tomorrow? I should have something set up by then."

"Alright." Crono went back outside to help entertain Nina while Lucca read. Just as it was starting to become dusk, she closed her book and stood up. "You finished?" Crono asked.

"I just want to give this a shot before we head back," Lucca said. She walked over to where the yard's path left an area without grass, then she bent down and drew a circle in the dirt with her finger. "So, from what I've read, the circle is the base of the transmutations," she said. She started drawing lines through the middle of it. "The symbols inside are called the structural matrix."

"Alright, so what does it do?" Crono asked.

"Well, this is a pretty simple transmutation. It should just raise the surface of the ground slightly," Lucca answered. She placed her hands just above the circle and concentrated, but nothing happened. She frowned. "Did I draw the circle wrong?" She ran back to the tree and grabbed the book, flipping through it.

"Maybe Daddy can help," Nina said. "I'll go get him!" She ran inside, and came back out a minute later with Tucker in tow. "Lucca's trying to do alchemy, but it's not working!"

Tucker bent down and inspected the circle. "That's strange, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with your circle. Let me try." He did the same thing Lucca had, placing his hand just above the circle, but this time it started glowing a light blue and the ground bulged up, leaving a slight indent around it. "Well, that's strange," he said.

Lucca got all the way to the ground and started looking closely at the effects of the circle. "That's exactly what I wanted to happen. Why didn't it work?"

"Lucca, let's just go back. You can try again tomorrow," Crono said.

"Alright..." Lucca said, standing up. She ran back to the tree and grabbed the other books, then handed them to Tucker. "Thank you for everything," she said.

"My pleasure," said Tucker. "Please feel free to keep coming back as long as you like."

"Yeah! Especially Robo!" Nina said.

"Don't worry. We'll definitely be back to see you again," Robo said.

They left the house and started walking back to headquarters as the sun began to set.

"I don't get it," Lucca said. "The circle was perfect."

"Perhaps neither of you can perform alchemy," Robo suggested.

"What do you mean?"

"No, I think I get what he's saying," Crono said. "It's the same reason Ayla can't use magic. We weren't born in a place and time where alchemy exists, so it's always going to be off-limits to us."

Robo nodded. "Precisely."

Lucca crossed her arms. "As much as I hate to admit it, that makes perfect sense," she grumbled.

"Don't get upset about it Lucca, you can create fire from your hands," Crono said. "From what you've told me, we can do something that no alchemist can: create something from nothing."

Lucca nodded. "Our magic is a bit limited, though. It doesn't have much use other than combat."

Crono shrugged. "I'll take what I can get."

"I guess you're right," Lucca said. "Still, I hope Robo's little hypothesis doesn't turn out to be true."

When they returned to Eastern Headquarters, they went straight to bed. The next day, when they arrived at Shou Tucker's home, there was a ring of large rocks in the yard, with a metal pole in the center. While Lucca started reading and trying transmutation after transmutation, Tucker brough Crono to the ring.

"What's this for?" Crono asked.

"I want you to cast your lightning spell on that rod, which is connected to a device that will read the electrical energy passing through. In case there's a fire, the rocks will keep it from spreading," Tucker said.

"How'd you get this set up so quickly?"

"We state alchemists get high pay. It was no big deal for me to have this done."

"Hm. Alright, so you just want me to hit the rod?"

"If you please."

Crono was about to do so when Alexander, Nina's dog, jumped on top of him again. "Ouch..." he said as the dog started licking his face. He pushed it off of him and stood up, dusting himself off as Nina came over with Robo in tow.

"What's going on?" Nina asked, looking over the rocks.

"Crono's about to use his magic. Would you like to watch?" Tucker said.

"Yeah! Show me!" Nina said.

Crono nodded. "Here goes," he said. He raised his arms, and a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky with a sharp crack, striking the lightning rod.

"Wow!" Nina said.

Tucker climbed over the rocks and looked at the device at the bottom of the rod. He pulled a notebook out of his pocket and wrote something down. "There's no doubt about it," he said, returning. "That was real lightning. Can you use it inside, too?"

Crono nodded.

"Fascinating... Thank you for showing me th—"

"Gyah!" Lucca suddenly shouted from the middle of the yard.

Everyone turned to look at her. "Lucca, what is wrong?" Robo asked.

Lucca sighed. "You were right, Robo. I don't think there's any way I can use alchemy."

"Really?" Tucker asked. He walked over to her, where there were well over a dozen transmutation circles drawn in the dirt. "I've never seen anyone who was born unable to use alchemy. I'm sorry, Lucca."

"No, don't worry about it. It was still useful to learn about it," Lucca said. "I appreciate your help."

"No problem," Tucker said. "I appreciate Crono showing me his magic. If you don't mind, can you show me yours before you leave?"

"Sure," Lucca said.

"Yay! More magic!" Nina shouted.

Tucker removed the lightning rod from the ring of stones, then placed a pile of firewood there. "I want to see if your spell will actually ignite things," he explained.

"Makes sense," Lucca said. "Alright, step back." She put her arms out to her sides, then spun on her heels as flames started to surround her. When she stopped, she put her right hand up, where it met the flames, and she directed them toward the firewood. They impacted, and soon there was a fire going.

Tucker nodded. "As I expected. It seems your magic is very real, and has a tangible impact on the world while bypassing the Law of Equivalent Exchange. You aren't tricking me and secretly using a philosopher's stone, are you?"

"A what?" Crono asked.

"Wait, I read about that," Lucca said. "It's an object that allows an alchemist to ignore equivalent exchange. Even if we did have one, though, I'm fairly certain there's no alchemy that can create lightning."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Tucker said. "Well, you've given me a lot to think about. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to return to my lab now."

"Let me get your books for you first," Lucca said. She started walking towards the tree, but stopped when she noticed Nina pulling on her leg.

"You're leaving already?" Nina said.

"Don't worry Nina, we'll come visit again," Robo said.

Crono and Lucca nodded.

Nina let go. "Okay, you better!" she said.

They said their goodbyes, then started on their way back to headquarters. Crono noticed that Lucca seemed to be considering something. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"Just that maybe I could still use the energy from a philosopher's stone even if I'm not an alchemist," she answered.

"Like with the Sun Stone?"

"Right. Something like that might be a big enough power source for me to build something like the telepods that could bring us back home."

"Perhaps we should ask Colonel Hawkeye if she knows something about it," Robo said.

"Not a bad idea," Lucca said.

When they made it back to Hawkeye's office and told her what they'd just talked about, she raised an eyebrow. "A philosopher's stone, huh? Funnily enough, that's what the Elric brothers were looking for. I believe they were about to head to a town called Liore; there are rumors of some kind of miracle worker there."

"Really? Well, I didn't expect to find a lead that fast," Lucca said.

"We do not have the means to go there," Robo pointed out.

"Don't worry about it. I'd actually appreciate you looking into the situation there," Hawkeye said. "It could become problematic in the wrong circumstances, so I'll send an escort with you there and make sure you're fed. You can leave tomorrow."

"Oh, thanks," Lucca said.

"Don't mention it. Now, I've got work to do, so unless there's anything else you need, please be on your way."

"Sure," Crono said.

When they opened the door into the other office room, they heard the man at the radio saying "The receiver on this thing's seen better days. I think I might need to replace it." He was young, with glasses and short, spiky black hair.

"Here, let me take a look," Lucca said.

"Huh? Sure," the man said. He pushed the radio towards Lucca, who set her toolbag down, opened the radio, and started fiddling.

"I'll leave that to you, then," Crono said.