Chapter 5 - Trial And Error

As they came out of the gate into the display ground, Crono and Marle were still fighting.

"Why the hell didn't you just tell us who you were in the first place? All of this bloody mess could have been avoided! We wouldn't have even let you near the bloody telepods!" shouted Crono.

"Goddammit! Just shut the fuck up you two! All I've bloody well heard is you two bitching about each other non-stop! I've bloody well had enough of all your bullshit!" screamed Lucca. Stunned at her outburst, the other two shut up and just stared at her. "Some people... we make the discovery of a life time and you spend all the time arguing!"

"Well, I guess I shouldn't be so hard on you Marle... I was kinda harsh on you," mumbled Crono apologetically.

"And I guess I shoulda told you who I really was," Marle mumbled back in response, staring at her feet.

"Gee, you two sure know how to communicate well... Crono, would you be a gentleman and escort Marle back to Guardia Castle? I've got things to do."

"... 'k," was all Crono responded with.

Lucca walked off with a laugh and shook her head. "A perfect couple..."

Crono and Marle walked back to Guardia Castle in silence, both being wary of saying anything to offend the other. Marle looked at Crono as they were walking.

He is kinda cute, but does he have to be so bloody sanctimonious? He really gets on my nerves... if only he'd show me a bit of kindness. I'm sure we could get on with each other, maybe even... just maybe...

Realising she was staring, Marle snapped her attention back to the path they were walking on, focusing on every pebble and twig that lay before them.

I wonder if she likes me... she's pretty damn hot, but what a sharp tongue she's got on her! I mean, if only she'd try to be civil to me, I'm sure we could get on with each other, maybe even... just maybe...

Both of their minds awhirl, they arrived at the entrance to Guardia Castle.

"Well, here I am. I guess I'd better hurry up and get in, my dad'll be going spare!"

"It'd be un-gentlemanly of me not to escort you in, and give you an excuse..."

"Aw, thanks Crono!" blushed Marle, holding her hands behind her back.

Opening the large doors, the two stepped inside, to be greeted by a loud voice.

"Princess Nadia!" called the Chancellor. "Are you alright? Where have you been! I heard you were abducted! We had soldiers searching for you!" Seeing they had company, the Chancellor spun around to face Crono. "Scoundrel! You're the one, huh? Kidnapping Princess Nadia!"

"No, Crono's..."

Marle was cut off by the now-furious Chancellor's wild accusations. "Admit it! You tried to confuse her and take over the throne! Terrorist!"

As guards swarmed towards Crono to arrest him, Marle screamed out, "S, stop it! Stop this at once!" causing all the guards to drop to their knees.

Shocked at the guard's actions, the Chancellor bellowed, "What are you doing!"

"But Princess Nadia said to..." spoke one of the guards without lifting his head.

"Idiots! Detain him!" And with that, the guards leapt upon Crono, dragging him to the ground...

The last thing he heard was Marle calling out, "Crono!"


A large crowd had gathered to see the spectacle. It wasn't often the Royal Princess got kidnapped and they all wanted to be there on the 'scoundrel's' judgement day. In boxes all around the courtroom the audience gossiped, their voices buzzing with excitement and anticipation until finally, the Judge, enthroned in his large chair, brought his hammer down, marking the beginning of the proceedings.

Stepping forward, the Chancellor introduced himself to the jury, "I'm the Chancellor, the prosecutor!"

On the other side of the judge, a man stood up, saying, "And I'm the lawyer, Pierre."

Resuming control over the trial, the Chancellor continued. "Members of the Court. We now bring forth the defendant, Crono, who is charged with abducting Princess Nadia." A short nod to two guards by the door led to Crono being dragged into the courtroom and placed behind a small podium. With a sneer drawn across his face, the Chancellor paced around Crono, talking all the time. "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."

Bringing his hammer down with an almighty crash, the Judge spoke, "Crono, you are hereby ordered to tell the truth!"

Crono's lawyer stepped forward and began the defence. "Crono is charged with 'Premeditated Abduction of Royalty'. The question is, did he kidnap Princess Nadia? The answer? No, he did not. In fact, no 'abduction' took place. The two didn't even meet with each other before Princess Nadia disappeared!"

The Chancellor stepped forwards as Pierre sat back down and began questioning Crono. "Is this true? The two of you never met before her disappearance?"

Crono just shook his head.

"So the fact that she disappeared at YOUR friends sideshow, and that you disappeared shortly after was all just coincidence?"

"Well, not exactly. Marl... I mean Princess Nadia went on the telepod, but something went wrong. Her pendant did something to the machine and it went loco, causing her to disappear. Someone had to go after her, and I was the only one who was willing."

"Now that sounds like SUCH a convincing story doesn't it?" exclaimed the Chancellor as he turned to the rest of the court. Spinning back to Crono, he asked, "Do you really expect us to swallow that tripe?"

"Objection! He's badgering the defendant!" cried Pierre.

"Sustained," ruled the judge with a nod of his head.

"Sheesh, enough already!" muttered the Chancellor. "I have facts that throw the defendant's character into question!"

"Objection! This can't have any relevance whatsoever to this case," cried out Pierre.

"Care to respond, Chancellor?" spoke the Judge, his thick grey moustache twitching.

"Crono's character is at the very core of this case! It's his character which shows he is likely to commit such a heinous crime against the crown!"

"We have nothing to hide whatsoever," spoke Pierre confidently.

"Your honour, I would like to bring forth a witness who'll testify to an incident last week which makes the defendants character seem highly suspect." Crono's heart sunk as his cheeks blushed red, knowing what was coming next.

"Granted. Please bring in your witness Chancellor."

The doors to the courtroom were opened up and in walked a young woman. Short orange hair bobbed and swayed as did her hips, making sure every single eye in the courtroom followed this beauty's entrance.

"Now, please tell us your name."

"Miss Elaine Stockholm. My father owns the little shop in Truce," she said, her voice confident in front of the large crowd.

Speaking clearly and soothingly, the Chancellor continued. "And can you tell us what happened on the morning of Thursday the seventh, last week?"

"I can sir. I was looking after the store when the defendant ran in stark naked." Crono's cheeks flushed even brighter as he carefully studied the podium he was standing at, trying to ignore all of the stares.

"Did the defendant ask you to do anything?"

A wry smile covered her face as she answered the question. "Yes he did, he asked me to bow down and kiss the magic snake."

Many sniggers were heard around the courtroom and even the judge struggled to keep a grin from his face at the young mans audacity.

When the crowd finally settled down, the Chancellor asked, "And what was your reaction?"

"Well, I was kinda shocked and surprised so I screamed. My dad heard me and came downstairs when he found Crono there. He grabbed him by the ear and marched him straight to his house where I heard his mother gave him a right royal ticking off."

"Thank you, that is all Elaine. You may step down now." With a smile, Miss Stockholm did so, her hips resuming their swaggering as she exited the room.

"Would you like to give your side of the events Crono?" asked Pierre, desperately trying not to burst out laughing.

"I only did it for a bet!" he wailed. "Fritz bet me four hundred pieces of gold I wouldn't do it!"

Quickly the Chancellor leapt to his feet, launching in with more questions. "So, you'll do almost anything for money would you? Say even... kidnapping a Princess!"

"What? No! I never kidnapped her! I told you already what happened!"

"And what a likely story that was... Surely, her fortune DID tempt you, did it not?"

Struggling to keep calm, Crono merely shook his head.

"Are you sure? You really weren't tempted?" pressed on the Chancellor.

"Not. At. All," he staunchly affirmed.

"That's enough, I have no more questions."

"I'd like to make a brief statement to the Jury if I may your honour?" asked Pierre as he stepped forwards.

"Granted."

"Ask yourselves this: What kind of kidnapper would bring their hostage back to their home, where they must have surely known that they would be captured? To do so would just be plain idiocy and I doubt anyone could accuse our defendant of being that stupid. Also, why was no ransom demand made of the King? Isn't that the first thing any kidnapper would do? It's certainly clear in my mind, as it should be in yours, that Crono did in no way kidnap Princess Nadia. It is evident that my client is a fine noble, albeit foolish, young man! Your honour, the defence rests."

Drawing himself fully upright, the judge spoke. "Members of the jury... If he is guilty, stand to the left. If innocent, stand to the right."

Not guilty... Guilty... Not Guilty... Not Guilty... Not Guilty... Not Guilty... Not Guilty...

All around, the court burst into huddled whispers. People were all turning to each other, whispering as quietly as their eager states would let them. Within minutes, word would be out on the streets of Crono being found not guilty.

The hammer smashed down onto the desk once again. "Order in the court! 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. Crono, you shall serve three days solitary confinement as punishment."

"Take him away!" screeched the Chancellor, rubbing his hands together.

The twin doors to the courtroom burst open and Marle came striding through. "Now just a bloody minute..."

"Princess!" exclaimed the Chancellor in a state of shock. "What are you doing here?"

"That's enough, my dear!" called out the King as he strode through the open doorway. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

"But Father..."

Any argument would have been useless; the King was determined to win this argument. "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 about the events in town. We're leaving!"

Two guards stepped up and escorted Crono from the room, past a stunned Marle.

"Crono!"

The guards led Crono to the jail section of the castle, with the Chancellor struggling to keep up with them. Crossing the long walkway, they came to the jail entrance. Noticing the Chancellor, the Jail warden stood up from his desk and smartly saluted.

"This terrorist has tried to overthrow our kingdom! He has been found guilty, and you must now carry out his sentence."

"So THIS is the monster who kidnapped the princess!"

"The execution is 3 days away. Do NOT let him out of your sight."

"WHAT! Execution? I was only supposed to ge--" Crono was silenced by the Chancellor's elbow mysteriously finding its way into his stomach, knocking the air from his lungs.

"Erm... aha... clearly trying to fool you into thinking otherwise. Take him away and lock him in his cell. No-one is to talk to him at all until he's to be executed. Is that clear?"

"Understood, Sir!" With another salute, the warden turned and called out, "Guards! Take the prisoner away!"

From the doorway strode two burly guards, heavily decked out in armour. One of them strode up to Crono and smashed his blade sideways over Crono's head, knocking him out cold...

Darkness surrounded him, ran through him, ensnared him. Chaos and confusion ruled his mind, a black wind howling through his soul, filling every inch of his very existence... "Wake up, wake up," it said over and over again until light started to flood into his eyes...

"Maybe he's so tired from banging the princess, he ain't gonna wake up?"

"Look, he's awake." Turning to Crono, the second guard said, "We're here to take you to your place of execution. Come along."

Crono's head was still groggy... Did that guy say execution? I thought that was gonna be three days away? Did I sleep through all of those days? Slowly, memories drifted back into his tired head... he'd spent most of the last three days asleep, only waking up for meals and to go toilet in the corner of the room. It was as if he'd been a robot...

"Come on! Get off your arse and come with us, you've got an execution to get to... namely yours!"

Dragging himself to his feet, he let the guards drag him along the grimy corridors, his feet knocking about on the cobbled floor as they passed cell upon cell, their current occupants walking up to the bars and spitting at Crono. Turning a corner, the guards pulled him into the execution chamber.

"We've sharpened up the guillotine... Any last words?" asked the executioner.

Crono was silent though his thoughts raced through his head. So this is how it's gonna end. Do a girl a small favour and you get executed for it... why me?

All of a sudden, a guard came tumbling down the steps into the chamber, his heavy armour clanking loudly in the eerie silence that had taken over the room. Lucca came bursting down the steps, gun in hand crying, "Crono! I've come to save you!"

"Who the heck are YOU?" cried out one of the guards.

Aiming her gun, Lucca quickly fired off three rounds, dispatching everyone in the room but Crono. She knelt down by the guillotine and quickly undid his chains. "Let's blow this joint!"

Crono and Lucca sprinted down the grimy hallways and over the narrow walkways, desperate to find a way out when a deafening roar was heard. "What the hell was that?" asked Lucca, quite visibly shaken. Crono just shrugged and continued running. He skidded to a halt as a monstrosity of a machine trundled out onto the walkway. The walkway itself trembled under the massive strain put upon it.

From behind the machine leapt the Chancellor, screaming, "There they are! Dragon Tank, kill the prisoner and the girl!"

The large tank rumbled forwards, it's mouth opening as the walkway underneath it creaked and groaned. It clearly wasn't designed to support such a heavy weight. A sudden burst of flame came flying out from the tank's mouth, trying to engulf Crono. Jumping backwards, he felt the hairs on his arm burn off. Lucca let off a quick shot, hitting the head of the tank full on, sending sparks out of it. Crono rushed in and swung his sword round frantically, shearing off the neck, but the machine was still functioning. A massive gout of steam emerged from the vents at the back and the wheels sped up, sending the Dragon Tank flying towards Crono and Lucca, knocking them over. Shaking his head clear, Crono saw Lucca hanging onto the edge of the walkway. He dashed over to her and lowered his hand.

"Come on, take my hand! We haven't got time to piss about! That thing'll charge us again soon!"

Lucca clamped onto Crono's wrist and was promptly pulled back onto the walkway.

"Now to finish this thing," snarled Crono. Letting out a loud war cry, Crono charged at the Dragon Tank. Jumping onto it's back, Crono plunged his sword deep into its engine, tearing it apart. Crono felt the machine shudder underneath and instinctively leapt back, pulling his sword out with him. Diving to the floor of the walkway, Crono shielded himself and Lucca as the Dragon Tank exploded, sending an eruption of flames out into the sky.

The Chancellor was shocked, "They got the Dragon Tank! Fix it! Quickly!" The chancellor and the two guards accompanying him rushed out to fix it, but suddenly the walkway couldn't take the extra weight, giving way underneath them. Quite what happened next was a blur but the Chancellor and the two guards had formed a human bridge over the gap. Crono picked himself up and helped Lucca to her feet. Turning around, they dashed over the human bridge and down the stairwell, with the Chancellor's words echoing behind them, "Don't fool yourselves into thinking you've gotten away with this!" Crono and Lucca emerged into the entranceway to the castle.

"We're gonna have to bust through 'em," said Lucca, drawing her gun.

"No, they're innocent people, we leave them alone. We don't want their lives on our conscience!"

Crono and Lucca emerged from the stairwell to the cry of "They're escaping!" Several guards rushed at them, pinning them to the walls when a voice rang out clearly.

"Stop!" cried Marle as she appeared, wearing a beautiful pearl-white dress.

"Princess Nadia!" cried the guards and they dropped to one knee.

"This is my friend! Show him your respect!"

"B, but..."

"Can't you take orders?" Marle's royal nature took over, her sharp tongue lashing out against the guards.

"Of course!"

"Hold it right there!" boomed out a voice. Everyone turned to see the King stride out from his courtroom, the Chancellor right behind him.

"Do as King Guardia XXXIII says!" he cried shrilly.

"Father..." Marle whispered, her previous fiery temper gone in an instant.

"Silence Princess Nadia! The throne comes before your personal wishes!" he demanded.

"What! Just because I have a title doesn't mean I'm not a person!"

"You pick up strange ideas venturing outside!"

"I didn't 'pick up' anything! It's called 'common sense!'"

"Princess Nadia! Control yourself!"

"I despise you! I'm leaving!" she cried, tearing off her dress to reveal the clothes she had been previously wearing.

"Princess Nadia!" cried out the Chancellor, visibly shocked,

"Come on Crono!" called Marle as she charged out of the castle.

"Don't just stand there! After them!" bellowed the Chancellor and rushed off as fast as his stumpy legs could carry him.

Marle, Lucca and Crono dashed through Guardia forest, hotly pursued by the castle guards issuing forth cries of "There they are! Don't lose 'em!"

The trio ran around a bend in the forest path and found themselves in a clearing. "Oh no, it looks like a dead end!" moaned Marle.

"Look! Over there, a gate!" cried Lucca, pointing to a section of the air that was distorting everything around it.

"Come on!" cried Marle, heading straight for it.

"But we don't know where it'll take us!" said Lucca, trying to remain cautious despite the danger that chased them.

"Who cares! This place stinks anyway!"

Bursting into the clearing came the Chancellor, followed by about a dozen castle guards. "Princess Nadia!"

"This is completely irrational," muttered Lucca before opening up the gate and jumping in.

"Hurry, Crono!" called Marle as she dove in as well. Crono just shrugged, gave a cheeky little wave to the Chancellor and threw himself into the gate just before it closed.

"They... disappeared!"