AUTHOR'S NOTE: Heeeeere it is, the revised Chapter I: Chrono Dreamer! I'm starting work on Chapter II as soon as I get this up and hope to have all the chapters revised by morning! After that, be prepared to be blown away by the new material that's coming down the line.

Chapter I: Chrono Dreamer

"I'll find ya."

There she was standing on the beach, the sea breeze dancing with her braided lengths of soft blonde hair. This scene had played over and over in his mind. She turned and smiled at him, a smile that he knew he had seen a hundred times before, then pulling him close, her eyes slid shut and…

Serge woke from an uneasy sleep. The dream was nearly always the same. The same girl who's name he could not even recall, and yet deep down in his heart he knew who she was, and the memories were there, waiting to get unlocked from his heart, memories which seemed so real while he slumbered, and yet faded with his passing back into the waking world.

Serge sat up, rubbing what sleep remained from his eyes, secretly yearning to return to that dream and never wake up from it. Something about it seemed right. Now, he had to tell himself that he was still in Arni, that he never met that girl, never traveled to parallel dimensions where he didn't exist, never fought to free the girl from…

Lavos. He shuddered but could recall that name, as if it were imprinted upon his memory. Serge couldn't help but think that he was losing his mind, but a part of him also knew it could not be a total fabrication. Light came through the curtain to fall on his swallow: the Mastermune. After Leena found him on the beach the day the dreams started he found it in his home in Arni. Somehow, he knew what it was, as if it were connected to his soul, the very same way he knew the name Lavos. But rather than fill him with dread, when he touched the Mastermune he felt at peace, as if the spirits of the blade were talking to him, calming him. He knew it was his swallow, and in his dreams it had been converted by the energy of Zeal from a weapon of darkness and hatred to one of great good. With it and the Chrono Cross, he defeated Lavos and freed… the name still escaped him, but he could feel his heart trying to call out the answer.

"Serge!" he heard Marge call. "Serge! You gonna sleep all day?" Serge sighed, knowing that a part of him wanted to return to sleep. But he knew better, and took his swallow off the wall, feeling better for the moment that he held it before strapping it to his back and leaving his room.

There he found Marge with her hands on her hips. "There you are sleepyhead." Serge smiled faintly and sat down to eat the breakfast she had prepared for him. "Leena was by looking for you. How many times do I have to tell you, girls can be scary when you let them down."

Serge said nothing as he ate his breakfast, although at this hour it would be more appropriate to call it lunch. Leena was his longtime girlfriend, but ever since that day on the beach…

"She said she'd be waiting for you down at the beach," Marge continued. Serge's head popped up, and leaving his breakfast half finished, Serge ran from the tiny hut. Marge only smiled and shook her head as she watched him go. "Boys," she muttered contentedly.

I'll find ya, the voice in Serge's head said, the voice of the girl, confident, soothing. He ran as fast as he could down to the beach, the images of the girl dancing through his mind, I'll find ya. He saw the girl on the beach, smiling at him, drawing him close. I'll find ya. He could not remember how many times he had run down this path the last few weeks, every time expecting to find her at the end, waiting for him. He saw a figure and nearly shouted out to her.

He stopped. His heart sank as he saw the figure on the beach was not the girl from his dream, rather it was Leena, just as his mother had said. She turned to face him in a manner that eerily resembled how the dream girl turned to look at him. Leena even stood in the same spot.

For a second when she saw him, Leena's eyes lit up. For the first time in weeks there was a fire in his eyes, something that had been missing as of late. But then, the look quickly melted away to one of disappointment, but Leena put on her best smile, rather than match Serge's look. She knew very little of what happened to Serge that day she found him unconscious on the beach, and Serge had never been very forthcoming about it. What little she did know made very little sense to her, but what she did know was that Serge was even more distant than usual. However, Leena could still say that she cared about him very deeply, and so she tried to tolerate his sullen attitude with understanding. In truth, whatever was going on was starting to tear her apart inside, and she didn't know how much more she could handle.

"Serge," she called out, wearing her plastic smile. Serge smiled weakly back at her, an equally fake looking expression, but said nothing. Leena turned back to look over the water, the waves lapping at her bare feet and the peaceful sounds of the ocean filling the tense air between them. It settled both of them briefly. Serge walked up next to Leena and sat down on the beach. Leena sat next to him and place her head gently on his shoulder. Serge moved his swallow from him back to the ground next to him, keeping one hand on the shaft, not due to any particular dangers here, but rather to keep himself centered, and feeling at peace.

"It was here wasn't it," Leena said after a long, silent moment. "Everything seems to start here, you were attacked, then nearly drowned… then earlier this summer." Serge remained silent. Even if he could explain, he wondered if Leena could understand, and yet part of him said that she was there too. "Why can't you tell me," Leena implored, no longer able to hold back a tear from running down her face.

Serge had no words for her, but instead held her close, thinking of the blonde haired girl from his dreams…

You wouldn't let a sweet, vulnerable girl go off on her own, would ya?

The port city of Termina had been doing extremely well that summer. The city was full of bustle in the early afternoon, despite the climbing late summer temperatures. A ship had arrived earlier that week from Choras, and despite the large harvest, the local shops and fishermen were having trouble keeping up with the demand for the exotic El Nido goods. Similarly, the local tavern could not get Squid Gut Pasta to the tables fast enough to meet the extraordinary demand, which was popular even during the off seasons. Spirits were high all around, despite rumors of unsavory individuals that had come with the ship, and the rapidly rising temperatures. Soon however, all knew that the temperatures would start to grow colder, or as cold as it got in El Nido.

It had been a great fishing season both here and in Arni, many of the local stands owned by fishermen from the small village to the south. The open air markets had a constant flow of customers, and the sounds of buying and selling drowned out nearly everything else as those from the mainland hurried to buy up what would be considered delicacies on the mainland.

In the midst of this bustle, a couple moved their way expertly through the crowds. Already starting to get more advanced in years, they both made an effort to stay in top physical condition, a carry-over from experiences that now seemed a lifetime ago. Now, they smiled as they were swept up by the feeling that permeated the city. They moved away from the market to stand on one of the bridges, watching the boats of the fisherman pass beneath them, the wife taking time to wave to them as they passed.

Neither had been in El Nido long, having arrived with the ship from Choras, but both agreed that this was a long over-due trip. They both knew that it would not be a vacation, as rumors kept spreading of Porre's interest in the collection of islands. Some years ago, Porre had seized control of the Zenan continent from Guardia, which had ruled over the area for over 500 years and family could be traced back before the kingdom of Zeal. No one knew quite what prompted the change in Porre's focus from a relatively peaceful nation to an aggressive military nation. The war between Guardia and Porre was swift and brutal and left differing accounts of what became of the royal family, but during the battle the King was gravely wounded, and what remained of the family went into exile and were pursued by Porre in the fifteen years since the fall of Guardia. Rumors circulated constantly of their whereabout, placing them anywhere from Choras, to El Nido, with some even stating that they hid away in the mountains on Zenan, striking back at Porre where they could.

The couple lingered on the bridge for some time, and did not take notice of a shadowy figure watching them. He melted into the shadows after a moment and ducked into the tavern to escape their notice. The figure was dressed in long dark velvet robes that appeared black in the shadows, revealing a dark blue when exposed to light from just the right angle. He kept his hood pulled tightly over his head to keep his pale face from view.

He too had arrived on the boat from Choras, and was a bit surprised not to have noticed them before. He planned on leaving with the boat the next day when his business here was concluded. "Those two will complicate things," he muttered under his breath.

"Excuse me?" The barkeep asked, approaching the figure. "Can I help you."

The figure looked down at the rotund barkeep, then nodded, "Yes, Squid Gut Pasta, if you please." The barkeep grumbled and left the figure to go about his business, everyone seemed to want Squid Gut Pasta. The figure looked back through a window to the bridge where he saw the couple, but they were gone.

"Madam Marle?" A voice behind the couple asked. The women turned to see a young Acacia Dragoon standing behind them. Marle smiled when she saw him, her husband also turning to face the young Dragoon. He too smiled at the boy's appearance. He was shorter than the husband, with a mop of pale brown hair covering the top of his head. A scar adorned one cheek and he wore two matching swords at his side. "I am Glenn."

Both Marle and her husband paused for a second and exchanged a look and rather broad smile. Glenn paused for a second, "Is there a problem."

Marle giggled, a surprisingly girlish giggle for her age, and shook her head, "Oh no, no, you just remind us of someone we knew when we were younger. It's a pleasure to meet you Glenn. I take it General Viper sent you."

Glenn paused, taken slightly off guard from their manner. He quickly remembered his duty and responded, "Yes. He thought it best I provide escort to Arni Village for you. There have been reports of strange people around asking questions."

"That is so sweet of him, isn't it dear?" Marle asked her husband. He smiled and nodded, but there was concern in his eyes that was echoed in Marle's. Neither had to say what they were thinking: Porre. Marle did not let this show to the young Dragoon but instead said sweetly, "Oh you will have to forgive my husband, he's never been much for words."

A slightly hurt expression crossed her husband's face. "Oh, you know I love you dear," Marle nearly sang in response, and both laughed playfully. Glenn again found their manner odd, especially after General Viper made clear their importance to the Dragoons. But the General had also told him not to be deceived by their looks and that both were more than capable of taking care of themselves.

But if that were true, why send Glenn, even if he was one of the most promising young Dragoons?

"Well, madam," Glenn said politely. "We should head out. It already passed mid-day and we'll want to hit the pass before the temperature climbs any more than it already has. I think you'll enjoy Arni, it has some of the best beaches in the world."

The three of them left town right after that and made for the pass between Termina and Arni Village. The shadowy figure caught sight of them leaving and frowned when he saw who was leading them. His eyes also flashed with recognition, but even worse were the twin blades he wore at his sides: the Einlanzer. Forged by Melchoir of Zeal, their legend rivaled that of the Masamune. That would complicate things a great deal indeed.

The group slowed as they entered the pass. Glenn glanced among the rocks, keeping a sharp look for any creatures that might try and attack. This pass could occasionally be dangerous to travelers going to and from Arni, and most caravans kept a few well trained guards or Dragoons for the more important ones.

A shadow passed behind them and Glenn spun around, hands flying to his swords. But behind him and in an extraordinarily fast movement, a creature resembling a feline fell at the husbands feet, his katana in hand. Glenn stared for a moment, amazed at how quickly the man could move.

The husband winced and fell to his knees, Marle fell beside him and shouted, "Crono!" Another of the cat creatures leapt at them and this time Glenn leapt in front of it, striking it down with a series of blows from the Einlanzer. More of them approached the group cautiously and Glenn gave a shout of challenge as he held his blades up.

The creatures were distracted by a nearly deafening roar of a large predator from the rocks above them. They quickly scattered and Glenn went to Crono's side.

"Come on, I'm not sure what that sound was, but we need to get moving now!" Glenn warned. Crono nodded in agreement and stood up. The three of them ran through the pass, but were not challenged again.

Above them in the rocks, the figure frowned. He did not know why he saved them, knowing it would be temporary, but perhaps he had changed more than he wanted to admit. He passed through as well, unmolested by any creatures who either made way for him, or simply did not notice his passing.

They arrived at Arni, but once there, the figure did not follow them into the village, instead he felt a pull to the south. He started down the trail to Opassa Beach muttering a single word, "Schala."