Chapter 29: Up in the Air

September 7, Present Year

Act One

Crono, Marle, Lucca, Glenn, Robo, and Ayla stood on the outdoor platform. They were far up in the sky, and a long way from the ground. Looking back, Robo could see Philadelphia. Had it not been for the wall and door ahead of them, he would be certain he would be able to see New York.

In any event, the door stood in front of them. As the group closed in on their destination, six guardeyes began to illuminate in red.

"I don't think we're welcome here!" Marle exclaimed as she aimed her crossbow, taking out one of them.

Lucca took out another, and Robo destroyed a third one with his laser.

Meanwhile, one of the guardeyes fired its own laser, striking Ayla in the calf.

"Ow!" she shouted, before charging for the door. She grabbed the offending guardeye, and then smashed it against the remaining two before smashing it again against the wall.

The door then slowly opened.

"Coming?" Ayla asked.

The remaining five followed her through the door.

Inside, the interior looked very similar to that of the Ocean Palace, though the color was now a dark, midnight blue. There were three doorways; one to the left, one to the right, and one straight again.

"Well?" began Marle. "Where to?"

"Good question," Crono replied.

And then, someone suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, in the center of the room.

It was none other than the queen. Only, strangely, she was translucent.

Lucca immediately aimed her blaster.

"It's a hologram," Robo announced. "You can't harm her."

"Fools!" the queen taunted. "Haven't you learned your lesson?"

"You!" Crono exclaimed. "What makes you think you can stand against the rest of us?"

"So! You're saying you want to be totally destroyed again?" the queen continued. "We are immortal! We shall live forever with Lavos, who devours this planet even as he sleeps. Draining this planet's power, Lavos will rule the world in a mere matter of hours."

"Not if we can help it," Crono said.

The queen presented an evil grin.

"I admire your bravery," she complimented. "The Black Omen is a path which leads to Lavos. It is a shrine which provides us with limitless power. As long as the mighty one reigns, your dreams are hopeless! You should sacrifice yourself to the mighty Lavos!"

"Been there, done that," Crono retorted.

The queen shrugged.

"You really won't accept fate, will you?" she sighed. "Very well. Behind me are three paths, all leading to Lavos. Complete with both dangers and treasures along the way. But only one of them has Gaspar."

With that, the hologram faded.

"I don't trust her," said Lucca. "What if she's lying?"

"We can't stay here," Robo replied. "We'll have to take that chance. In any event, it would be most reasonable to split up and have two take each pathway. That way…."

He stopped. He did not want to give the reasoning.

Lucca already knew what he would say.

"That way," she continued, "if one group doesn't survive, we still have a chance."

Robo nodded.

The groups were not hard to decide. Marle would not want to leave Crono's side, so she was naturally paired with him. Lucca was then paired with Robo, as she would not want the other option.

"Well," Glenn said as each pair stood in front of their respective doorway, "good luck to us all. We'll see you on the other side."

And then, each group passed through their doorway.

Act Two

With nothing further ado, Crono and Marle proceeded through the hall, which quickly became a catwalk. Below was a deep, endless abyss of pipes and wiring. There was no guardrail on the catwalk; both knew that anyone who fell off would be gone for sure.

They encountered two yellow masks up ahead. As Crono and Marle approached, one of them turned and fired a beam, which Marle barely dodged.

"Those things looked creepy to begin with!" Marle exclaimed. "But I didn't think they were dangerous!"

She fired her crossbow, but didn't do any damage.

"Wait until they turn," Crono commanded.

Marle nodded.

The second the first one turned, she fired her crossbow again, destroying the mask. She destroyed the second one in the same manner.

In the next room, Crono and Marle continued down the catwalk until they were confronted by two flying goons.

"Look out!" Marle exclaimed before destroying them both in turn.

And then, she realized-too late-that she was standing on the edge of the catwalk. And she realized-also too late-that she was beginning to fall backward.

Crono, quickly realizing the danger, grabbed her before she fell and pulled her to safety.

"Thanks!" Marle said as she hugged her love.

"Don't mention it," he replied.

Further up the catwalk, two robots appeared. They were hovering above the ground.

"I don't think they're friendly," Marle said.

At that moment, one of them fired a laser at Crono, which he easily dodged.

"Nope!" he agreed as he destroyed one of them with a lightning spell.

Marle quickly shot the other one with her crossbow, causing it to explode.

"Looks like they really blew it!" Marle said with a smile.

The next room appeared to be a hallway. Unlike the previous two rooms, there did not appear to be anything in the hallway.

"What on earth?" exclaimed Marle suddenly.

"What?" asked Crono.

There were what appeared to be statues meshed into the wall.

"I don't like this one little bit," Marle observed.

Crono cautiously approached them.

And then, a laser fired from one of them.

"They're alive!" Marle exclaimed.

"Aim for the eyes!" Crono commanded. "That's where the laser came from!"

Marle fired her crossbow until all of the statues were neutralized.

In the next room, they were attacked by purple orbs, which they easily dispatched.

"That almost looks like the Son of Sun," Marle pointed out. "I don't know what we're going to find up here!"

Crono, in response, took Marle's hand, and clutched it for support.

Marle smiled and kissed him.

"I really love you," she said.

MEANWHILE…

In another part of the Black Omen, Glenn and Ayla rounded a corner in their corridor to come to a familiar, unfriendly face.

"Welcome and well met!" Ozzie greeted.

"Ozzie," replied Glenn.

"This is Ozzie?" Ayla inquired. "A Reptite?"

"Not exactly," Glenn replied. "He's an imp. A big, fat one."

"You pesky, low-down good-for-nothings!" Ozzie snapped. "I'll have you begging for mercy!"

"Where is Gaspar?" Glenn demanded.

"Not in this room, obviously," Ozzie retorted.

Glenn drew the Masamune.

"Flea!" called Ozzie.

Flea appeared a moment later.

"You sent for me?" the magician greeted. He then noticed the intruders. "Long time no see. You know, I really don't like you."

"I'm counting on you, Flea!" Ozzie implored as he disappeared into the doorway behind him.

"Get ready for a slapping good time!" Flea taunted. "Get it?"

Just then, Glenn pointed his finger, and cast a spell.

A moment later, a bubble emerged from his finger. It travelled straight for Flea, quickly catching up to him and then, to the amusement of Glenn and Ayla, encased him inside. The bubble then began to float around the room.

"No!" cried Flea. "It's not fair!"

He attempted to cast a lightning spell, but it hit the bubble wall and struck him instead.

"Ow!" he shrieked.

Eventually, the bubble did pop, sending Flea to the ground.

Ayla, wasting no time, performed a triple kick.

The first kick hit Flea in his butt.

The second kick hit Flea right in the nose.

The third kick, worst of all, hit Flea between the legs.

Flea fell to the ground and grabbed where he was kicked last.

"Your days are numbered," Glenn informed him.

"Just you wait!" hissed Flea. "We'll teach you a lesson!"

With that, he helped himself up, and ran through the doorway.

"Are they all this easy?" Ayla inquired.

"Hardly," Glenn replied.

MEANWHILE…

Back at the Sheraton, Gehrig was staring into her cell phone, giggling.

"Whatcha doing?" Mary Ellen inquired.

"Making a meme," Gehrig replied with a naughty smile.

"Let me see!" Mary Ellen pleaded.

It read: "THINGS IN CHRONO TRIGGER I WANT TO RIDE."

One picture as of the Epoch. The second was of the Blackbird. The third was the Black Omen. The last one was of Glenn.

"How badly do you want to have sex with him?" Mary Ellen sighed.

"Bad enough I thought about marching into his room last night and jumping him," Gehrig replied, blushing.

"Anna Gehrig Cline," sighed Mary Ellen.

"What?!" Gehrig laughed. "I'm only human!"

MEANWHILE…

Crono and Marle had made their way further down the catwalk to be greeted by two strange metal creatures the red tentacles coming from both sides.

"Don't let those touch you!" Crono wanted. "They probably either sting or suck your life out!"

"I don't want to find out!" Marle declared as she cast a water spell, causing both of them to short-circuit and collapse to the ground.

"I didn't see that coming," Crono admitted.

"I guess water and electricity don't mix!" she giggled.

Further up were two more metal creatures and two flying cyclopeses similar to the ones they had encountered at the Ocean Palace. Marle took care of the metal creatures with another water spell, and Crono cut down each cyclops with his sword.

The next room was an elevator. They had been in one before; they knew what awaited.

Marle clutched her love's hand and looked at him with concern.

"I guess this means we have a battle up ahead," she realized. "Or two or three."

"I'm ready if you are," Crono assured her.

They stepped onto the elevator, and Crono pressed the button.

The elevator began to descend.

Four two-headed snakes dropped from the ceiling.

"Here we go!" Marle announced.

Crono dispatched two of the snakes with his sword. Marle took care of the other two with her crossbow.

Four more snakes dropped from the ceiling; Marle washed them away with a water spell.

Four bots then dropped in. Crono got two with his sword, while Marle got the other two with her bow.

And then, the elevator came to a stop.

"That wasn't so bad," Crono said.

"I think that was a practice run," Marle replied as they disembarked.

MEANWHILE…

Lucca and Robo continued their trek through the Black Omen on a similar catwalk. There were fewer enemies for them, and, why they did appear, they were easily dispatched of.

What stuck out, however, is that Lucca was silent most of the time. She had nothing to say, and didn't even make eye-contact with her companion.

"You're quiet," Robo observed.

"I guess I just have a lot on my mind," Lucca replied, still without making eye-contact.

"About what?" he asked.

"I don't really want to talk about it," she replied. "At least not for right now."

"I understand," Robo complied.

"Incoming!" Lucca suddenly shouted.

Robo looked up to see two flying robots bearing down on them. He zapped one of them with his laser, while Lucca got the other one with her blaster.

In the next room, Lucca looked down to see that the pipes and wires were no longer below.

Just pitch black.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," she muttered.

She then turned to see Robo chuckling.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

"This definitely looks better than a trash compactor!" Robo quipped.

Lucca shrugged.

"I don't get it," she sighed as she adjusted her glasses.

"Never mind," Robo said.

At that moment, the door behind them slid shut.

"That's not good," Lucca observed.

Robo made his way over to the door in an attempt to pry it open, but to no avail.

"Great," muttered Lucca. "We're trapped."

"On the contrary," Robo dismissed as he pointed into the opposite direction. "I can see a doorway at the other end of the catwalk."

"Is it open?" Lucca asked.

"Yes," Robo answered.

"Then let's go before something happens," Lucca suggested.

They started down the catwalk. No enemies of any kind appeared, and nothing seemed to change. Still, Lucca felt her heart beginning to accelerate, and the blood begin to pound in her ears.

Then, a gurgling sound began.

Lucca glanced over the catwalk to see a fluid begin to appear below. As she watched, it seemed to draw closer. At the same time, the room seemed to become hotter.

"It's lava!" Robo exclaimed. "Run!"

Lucca began to run. Her eyes were down the entire time, taking care not to accidentally run off the catwalk.

She only looked up when a laser blasted into her direction.

Two flying robots were bearing down on them.

Robo quickly blasted them both.

The two of them resumed their dash as the lava continued to rise.

Lucca was now staring at the doorway at the end of the catwalk. Her heart was racing as she ran, somewhat waiting for the door to start to close.

But she and Robo made it through the doorway with time to spare.

In the next room, Lucca and Robo were greeted by a ten-yard tunnel that ended at a ladder.

Lucca breathed a sigh of relief.

Robo, however, turned in worry to the doorway behind them.

"It's going to come in through the doorway!" he realized.

"That lava's still coming?" she exclaimed.

"Go!" cried Robo. "Up the ladder!"

They darted to the ladder in ten seconds flat and began to climb. They reached the top of the ladder just as the lava entered through the doorway and continued to rise.

Lucca looked frantically around, and spotted another ladder.

"Next deck up!" Robo commanded.

The two climbed the ladder to reach the next level.

Looking down, Robo could see the lava continuing to pursue them.

Lucca then spotted yet another ladder leading to the next deck.

"Let's go," she commanded.

The two of them climbed the ladder. When they reached the top, it appeared that the lava had ceased to advance on them.

"Looks like it's stopping," Lucca observed.

"Congratulations," the queen announced over a loudspeaker. "But you'll have more challenges up ahead. Is Gaspar really worth this?"

"Kiss my butt!" Lucca retorted.

She then sighed and collapsed to the floor.

Robo immediately rushed to her aid.

"I'm okay," she insisted as she helped herself up. "Boy, I hope Crono's having it easier than this."

MEANWHILE…

Crono and Marle entered the next room, and were immediately confronted by more two more two-headed snakes and six more purple eyes.

"This is practically a menagerie!" Marle exclaimed.

At the upper platform, another flying robot and two more flying cyclopses were waiting for them.

"Where do all these creatures come from?" Marle inquired.

"My guess is they're a creation of the queen," Crono replied.

Further up, three more purple eyes appeared on the upper platform. Crono took care of them one by one with a lightning spell.

"It sure seems like the queen wants to be left alone," Marle observed.

Another flying robot appeared at the top of the room, which Marle quickly destroyed with her crossbow.

The next room appeared more like the Ocean Palace, only the floor was blue and the pit was teal.

And then, they were attacked by a creature similar to Hekran. Crono, wasting no time, kicked the creature, knocking it into the seemingly bottomless pit.

"It can't really be bottomless, can it?" Marle asked.

Crono simply shrugged.

In the next room, Crono and Marle were immediately attacked by two flying goons, which Marle took care of with her crossbow.

Further up, four two-headed snakes attacked, but Crono killed them all with one swat.

"I think it's obvious the queen wants to be left alone," Crono said.

In the next room, there were three purple eyes, which Crono and Marle quickly knocked into the light pit below.

Two more flying goons awaited a few feet away; Marle killed them with her crossbow before they could get close.

Six more purple eyes attacked Crono and Marle further up ahead, which they again knocked into the pit.

"I'm beginning to think this is worse than Magus's castle!" Marle exclaimed.

"Agreed," Crono replied.

In the next room, they were attacked by another robotic cat. Marle shot it between the eyes with her crossbow, causing it to explode.

"I'm willing to do this nine times if I have to!" she announced.

In the next room, Crono and Marle found themselves face to face with another Giga Mutant.

"How many of those things are there?" Crono exclaimed as he drew his sword.

"I think one is too many!" Marle said as she armed her crossbow.

And then, she noticed an orb hanging from the ceiling.

"Hold on," she commanded.

Seconds later, she fired her crossbow into the air. Down came the orb, crushing the Giga Mutant.

She turned to her love and grinned.

"Do you have a crush on anyone?"

Act Three

Crono and Marle found themselves at another elevator. It was completely identical to the previous one in every way, though one look back would reveal that they were not going around in circles.

Marle was less than pleased.

"Here we go again," she sighed. "I'm really not in the mood for more of those snake creatures."

"It may be something different," Crono suggested. "In any event, we can't stay here."

Marle nodded and pushed the button, and the elevator began moving up.

Two robotic cats jumped from the ceiling. Crono quickly decapitated one of them with his sword. Marle shot the other one between the eyes with her crossbow.

Two more robotic cats jumped from the ceiling. Crono zapped one of them with a lightning spell. Marle, aware that water and electricity didn't mix, got the other one with a water spell, causing it to short circuit.

The elevator then came to a stop.

"I guess that wasn't so bad," Marle said.

In the next room, Crono and Marle found themselves back on the catwalk with no barriers to prevent them from falling into the abyss of pipes and wires.

Two flying robots suddenly attacked from above. Marle destroyed one of them with her crossbow, and Crono got the other one with a lightning spell.

Two flying goons were waiting up ahead. Crono immediately drew his sword, striking the first goon four times in succession and destroying it. He then dispatched the second one in the same manner.

The impressed Marle placed both of her hands on her heart and looked on at her boyfriend in awe.

"What was that?" she exclaimed.

"I call it the frenzy," Crono replied.

"When did you learn that?" she giggled.

"Just now," he replied with a wink.

He then picked Marle up (causing her to squeal in delight) and kissed her.

The two then made their way further up the catwalk.

Two more Hekran-like creatures were there, ready to attack, and Marle quickly shot them dead with her crossbow.

"She has to be running low on monsters by now!" she sighed.

"We can only hope," Crono said.

MEANWHILE…

Glenn and Ayla, meanwhile, came to a small chamber.

On each side, there were conveyor belts that led to the abyss below. Dead in front of them was a door, and above the door was a balcony.

On that balcony stood Ozzie.

"We're taking Gaspar with us," Glenn declared. "Whether you like it or not."

"You're nothing but common thieves!" Ozzie cackled. "Anyone who tries to steal my treasure is looking for a very cruel death!"

At that moment, two goblins fell from the ceiling and landed, on their feet, on each conveyor belt.

"And away we go!" Ozzie shouted with glee.

The goblins glared menacingly at Glenn and Ayla as they moved along the belt.

Glenn did not draw the Masamune.

One of the goblins hissed as they both moved further along the belt.

Ayla did not raise her firsts.

The goblins then reached the end of the belts, and disappeared into the abyss.

Ozzie gasped in shock.

"Ozzie's in a pickle!" Glenn taunted.

"Outta here!" Ozzie announced as he turned and ran off.

"This Ozzie guy not too bright," Ayla observed.

MEANWHILE…

Lucca and Robo found themselves at the entrance to a glass tunnel as long as the eye could see.

"I suppose you're not detecting another way to go forward," Lucca began, immediately sensing a trap.

"I am not," Robo answered.

"Fair enough," she said, realizing that there was no alternative. "Let's go."

Lucca and Robo entered the tunnel, preparing for anything.

When they were two yards into the tunnel, the door slid shut behind them.

"Right on cue," Lucca sighed as she drew her blaster.

They stood for several seconds, waiting for something to happen.

But nothing did.

"Come on," Lucca commanded. "Let's get through this tunnel before something does happen."

They made their way down the tunnel, with Lucca keeping her blaster at the ready.

But there was nothing in there. No enemies, no spikes on the floor, nothing.

And then, Lucca displayed a melancholy look on her face.

"This tunnel might just be a decoration," Robo suggested. "We may be safe here."

"It's not that," Lucca said as she shook her head.

"What is it?" Robo asked.

"Nothing," she quickly answered.

"Lucca," he began, "I am responsible for your emotional health."

"You don't quit, do you?" Lucca observed.

Robo shook his head.

"It's Crono," she finally replied. "I'm going to lose him."

"Lose him?" he asked.

"He's in love with Marle," she clarified. "And he'll be with her from now on."

"But he's your cousin," Robo said. "You can't be with him like that. Except maybe in Alabama."

"I didn't mean it that way," she clarified. "He's the closest thing to a brother I have! Not to mention, all my life he was my only true…friend."

And then, the tears came. Her eyes were red and burning. They stung like they had never stung before.

Like they had never stung before…

"Why are my eyes stinging so bad?" she continued.

Robo emitted a scanning beam from his eye. Then, he became alarmed.

"This is tear gas!" he realized. "We need to get you out of here before you suffer any eye damage. I will carry you!"

"Robo, I don't need to be carried!" Lucca protested.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "But the first law of robotics will not allow me to put you at risk."

Waiting no longer, Robo, lifted Lucca off of her feet and began to carry her through the tunnel. Being a robot, his eyes were immune to the tear gas.

Lucca, meanwhile, was not so lucky. Her eyes stung so badly that she could not tell whether tears or blood came from them. She shut them as tightly as she could, hoping and praying that they weren't ruined.

Finally, they passed through the mouth of the tunnel and away from the tear gas.

Slowly, Lucca opened her eyes, fearing the worst.

At first, everything was a blur.

Then, it all came back into focus.

Robo scanned her eyes.

"I detect no damage to the corneas, nor the retinas," he announced.

"That's good, right?" she asked.

Robo nodded.

"You can put me down now," she requested.

Robo gently let her down.

"You know, Lucca," he began. "I'll be your friend. But if we succeed in changing history…"

"I know," she interjected.

She knew exactly what he was going to say, and was not prepared to deal with it yet.

"You've done well so far," the queen suddenly announced over the intercom. "But there are more traps ahead. I suggest you use caution."

The message then ended.

"She sounds like Jigsaw," Robo observed.

"Who?" Lucca asked.

"Never mind," Robo dismissed.

They continued to carefully walk through the corridor.

"She really likes her cousin that way?" Lucca asked.

"Who?" the perplexed Robo asked.

"That girl named Ella Bama?"

"Never mind," Robo answered. "Perhaps I should have brought up the Lannisters instead."

MEANWHILE…

Crono and Marle entered a seemingly deserted room, only to be attacked by more panels.

"Take this!" shouted Marle as she dispatched each and every one of them with her crossbow.

"This is getting too easy," Crono sighed.

"And repetitive," she added.

And then, another, unpleasant creature presented itself in front of them.

"Another Giga Mutant!" Marle exclaimed.

"Wrong, children," taunted the queen over the intercom. "This is my Terra Mutant! No physical weapon can destroy it!"

"We'll see about that!" Marle announced as she aimed her crossbow and fired it at the base of the creature.

Her ears were greeted with a loud clang.

"It must be some kind of armor," she observed.

"Too bad armor is made of metal!" Crono floated before casting lighting at the base.

There was still no effect.

"Maybe she was right," Marle suggested.

"I don't believe her," Crono dismissed. "She had to be lying."

He cast lightning again, this time on the head.

The Terra Mutant let out a loud wail. The head appeared weaker, and no longer exhibited any will to attack.

"You did it!" Marle exclaimed.

Then, suddenly, a red tube extended from the creature's mouth to its bottom half.

The upper half seemingly recovered.

"You have to be kidding!" Marle exclaimed.

"Patience," Crono suggested. "I have an idea."

He cast lightning in the upper half again.

The upper half weakened, and again drew energy from the lower half.

"Ahh," said Marle. "Now I get it."

She attacked the upper half again with an ice spell.

The upper half again absorbed energy from the lower half.

And then, the lower half died.

"Now you're in trouble!" Marle announced.

She case another ice spell, causing the upper half to weaken.

Then, Crono cast a lightning spell.

The upper half toppled over, dead.

"I knew it would run out of energy eventually," Crono observed.

Beyond the Terra Mutant was another catwalk. Marle walked ahead, with Crono right behind her.

And then, she began to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Crono asked.

"I feel you checking my butt out!" she giggled.

"I am not!" Crono defended poorly.

"Don't lie to your girlfriend!" she giggled.

Crono blushed.

Marle then turned to Crono and smiled.

"Really, I don't mind," she assured him. "Now I know why girls' jeans are so tight."

Crono couldn't say anything; he was well aware he was caught.

"Let's take care of this," she said. "Then you can stare at my butt more."

Act Four

Crono and Marle entered a small room. It was completely quiet, and void of any activity. There were no creatures to be seen.

"I don't like this," Marle said. "It feels like something's going to happen here."

"The feeling's mutual," Crono added.

The small room had a doorway in the back, and it appeared to be the only way through.

"Fortunately," Crono observed, "we won't have to stay in this room long."

They began to walk toward the doorway.

And then, energy began to appear several feet in front of them.

They drew their weapons.

"Here we go," Crono said.

Then, a gate opened.

Out emerged a familiar-looking, menacing hedgehog-like creature.

"Lavos?!" Crono shouted.

"It's a spawn," Marle clarified. "We saw them on Death Peak. She must have summoned it from there."

The Lavos spawn let out a hideous noise.

"Crono!" Marle exclaimed.

"I know," Crono said. "The nose!"

With that, he quickly drew his sword and drove it into the nose.

The spawn came to a stop.

"Did we kill it?" Crono asked.

"It appears so," Marle replied.

"There's only one way to be sure," Crono said as he placed his hands on the defeated spawn.

"What are you doing?!" Marle exclaimed.

"Checking," Crono replied as he lifted the shell and tossed it aside.

Under the shell stood what appeared to be a reptilian creature. It stood about six inches high, and seemed wired into the interior.

It looked at Crono, and screamed.

"It's still alive," he observed.

He then squashed it under his foot. A gooey mess presented itself when he lifted his shoe.

"Ew!" Marle exclaimed.

Crono sighed, knowing full well what this meant.

"It looks like Lavos might not be as easy to beat as we thought," he said ominously.

MEANWHILE….

Glenn and Ayla entered the next room to find no sign of Flea. Ozzie, meanwhile, was standing in front of the doorway to the next room.

"You still haven't given up?" Ozzie sighed. "Well, how about a good thrashing!"

"For you," Ayla announced.

"Slash!" called Ozzie.

At that moment, Slash appeared from behind Ozzie.

"You rang?" Slash greeted.

"You again," Glenn observed.

"Beat me once, shame on you!" Slash taunted as he drew his sword. "Beat me twice, shame on me."

"How about a third time?" Ayla suggested.

"At first I really didn't want to slice and dice you, but now it sounds kind of fun!"

Ayla cracked her knuckles.

"Ready?" taunted Slash.

"Have it your way," Ayla sighed.

"Slash, don't let me down!" Ozzie commanded as he stood back.

"Too late!" Ayla announced as she performed another triple kick.

Slash was able to dodge her each time.

"Wow, he's slick!" she observed.

Glenn quickly drew the Masamune and charged.

Slash darted out of the way again.

"I've learned a thing or two since our last encounter!" he taunted.

And then, Ayla blew him a kiss.

Slash stopped what he was doing in bewilderment.

"That is some fancy swords work," Ayla continued as she approached him.

"Th-thank you!" Slash replied.

"I think you deserve a reward," Ayla informed him.

She stopped less than a foot in front of Slash. She gripped the bottom of her shirt, and started to lift it.

Slash's heart began to race.

And then, Ayla made her move; she kneed him where it counted.

"Ouch!" cried Slash as he hobbled to the back exit.

"What in the...!" exclaimed Ozzie.

"Ozzie's stumped!" Ayla declared.

Ozzie quickly turned and ran off.

"This is becoming a joke," Glenn sighed.

MEANWHILE….

Lucca and Robo came to a large open room.

Lucca stopped, and scanned the area.

"I know something's going to happen here," she sighed.

Robo scanned the area.

"I'm not detecting anything," he said.

"That's strange," Lucca sighed. "I wish I had the ability to scan like that. She then turned to Robo. "I think I'm ready to tell you what's been on my mind."

"What is that?" he asked.

"I think I want to stay here," Lucca replied.

"You want to stay here?" echoed Robo. "In this era?"

Lucca nodded.

"I won't be going back to the Eleventh Century," she continued. "Six weeks ago, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would go completely blind one day. And then it took these two pieces of glass to change that. What else can they fix here?"

"Polio, tuberculosis, smallpox, diphtheria, COVID-19, scarlet fever," Robo answered. "Even cancer. To some extent, at least."

"And there's more," Lucca added. "Women aren't confined to the house. People aren't judged over their race."

She then rested her hands on her butt through her jeans.

"Except these modern women's clothes are really uncomfortable," she laughed.

"What about your parents," Robo asked. "I'm sure you'd like to see your mom. She does have her legs back."

"I suppose," sighed Lucca. "I suppose."

MEANWHILE….

In the next room, five more panels attacked immediately. Marle dispatched of two of them with her crossbow, and Crono took out the other two with lightning spells.

Beyond the creatures stood another doorway.

But both Crono and Marle had a strong feeling that the doorway led to their destination.

"Crono," she began.

"I know what you're thinking," he replied. "The queen is through there. I have the same feeling."

"Either one of us might walk through that door and never come back," she continued.

"I know," he acknowledged. "But it's a risk we have to take. The whole world depends on us."

"Crono," Marle said. "Listen. Before we go through, there's…something I want to say.

Crono nodded, giving his love his complete attention.

"Ever since we've met," she began, "we've never properly parted."

It was true; the only times they had been apart where when Crono was imprisoned, and when he was dead.

"And I never want us to," she continued.

Crono was, at first, unsure of what to say. True, this adventure had most indeed run away with itself. And, even after Lavos was defeated, who knew what might rise from its ashes?

"There will be more adventures," he said. "We could clean up all the minor problems."

"And it's more than that," she said nervously as she turned to him and took both of his hands in hers. "Crono…I…want to….I want to wake up next to you every morning."

"Every morning?" he asked.

Marle nodded.

Both of their palms were sweaty. Crono, because he knew it was coming, and Marle, because she was summoning the courage to say it.

"I want to get married," she said as tears formed in her eyes. "When this is over, I want to get married. I don't ever want us to be apart again."

Crono was silent for a moment.

"Neither do I," he replied, as he fought back his own tears. "But…are you proposing to me?"

Marle quickly shook her head.

"No, silly, I'm a girl! You have to propose to me when this is all over. And when I'm not expecting it!" She then gave him a serious look. "But…I did want you to know how I feel, in case we don't make it out of here alive."

Crono pulled her in and gently kissed her.

"I'd also like to come back here and see that Justin Bieber guy," Marle giggled.

Crono's eyes widened.

"Isn't he cute?" she playfully continued.

Crono gave her a playful shove.

Her face then became serious.

"Whatever happens," Marle said, "I'll always love you."

"And I'll always love you," Crono replied as he kissed her again.

"But," she continued, "first things first."

She then turned to the doorway that led to the next room.

"Hold my hand," she requested. "If this is the last thing we do, I want to do it together."

Their hands clasped together.

Immediately upon entering the next room, Crono and Marle were greeted by two familiar-looking holograms. The one on the left was that of Crono. The one in the right was Marle.

Marle clutched Crono's hand tighter; their destination was near.

Further up, they were greeted by two more holograms; with Lucca on the left and Robo on the right. Finally, they passed two more with Glenn, in his frog form, on the left, and Ayla on the right.

Beyond those, there were four steps that led to a higher platform.

There stood the queen, who had been awaiting them.

"Behold, my pretties!" she cackled. "Destiny, in its most brutal form."

"There's no such thing," Crono said. "If there's one thing I've learned on this adventure, it's that nothing is written in stone. Not the future, not the present. Not even the past."

"All the dreams that might have been," the queen continued. "All the happiness, and sorrow, you might have experienced. Gone forever! For you there will be no tomorrow!"

"That may be," said Crono. "But for everyone else, there will be."

Queen Zeal cackled.

"The Dark Omen transcends time and space, waiting for Lavos to awaken!" she gloated. "Destiny has led you here. And here you shall rest forever, unless you can defeat me, and smash the Omen!"

Marle aimed her crossbow.

"We'll either smash it, or die trying!" she announced.

"Come, dear friends," cackled Zeal. Perhaps I can persuade Lavos to share his dreams with you!"

"Speaking of dreams, it's time for you to go to sleep for good!" Crono declared as he aimed his finger.

"Did I say dreams?" Zeal continued. "I meant his eternal nightmare!"

Crono immediately cast lightning on Zeal.

There was no effect, save for Zeal beginning to cackle.

"What part of 'immortal' don't you understand?" Zeal taunted.

"What part of 'resurrected' don't you understand?" Crono retorted. "You killed me with a spell. Now I'm back for more!"

"I won't be doing that again," the queen assured him. "That was too quick. I want you to suffer!"

With that, Zeal snapped her fingers.

A strange aura shot from the queen in all directions, eventually hitting Crono and Marle.

They immediately collapsed to the ground, burdened with weakness and exhaustion.

"My Halation will allow you to die a slow and painful death!" Zeal announced. "Your magic attacks are useless against me in this form!"

And then, the crossbow slowly raised.

"For Schala!" Marle cried as she fired.

Suddenly, Queen Zeal wailed in agony.

Marle had shot her in the shoulder with her crossbow.

"And Belthasar!" Marle shouted before shooting her majesty in the shoulder again.

"Ouch!" the shocked Zeal exclaimed.

Marle quickly cast a cure spell on herself and Crono, allowing them to rise to their feet.

Angrily, Zeal attempted to raise her arm, but she couldn't; the pain was, for now, too unbearable.

Act Five

The queen stood clutching her bleeding shoulder.

Crono and Marle felt slightly victorious, but kept their weapons aimed at her, just in case.

"My powers don't seem to work here!" Zeal exclaimed.

"Give it up," Crono commanded. "Your game is over."

Just then, another door opened.

Out came Lucca and Robo. Upon seeing the queen, Lucca immediately drew her blaster, then joined Crono and Marle in front of their captive.

"I see you also found a way through my place," Zeal lamented.

"Your place?" Lucca scoffed. "Your place is jail, and that is where you'll go!"

"Wait!" the queen announced. "I'll simply toss you into the Mammon Machine! You'll be one with the Omen, Lavos...and me!"

At that moment, a trap door opened beneath their feet.

Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Robo disappeared into the abyss below.

MEANWHILE…

Glenn and Ayla ran into the next room, to see Ozzie, Flea, and Slash standing before them, forming a triangle.

"Not so fast, friends," Ozzie cackled. "I'm not going to make it that easy for you." He then flaunted his chain-mail leggings. "Ozzie Pants!"

"Flea Vest!" shouted Flea, flaunting the appropriate article of clothing,

"Slasher Two!" called Slash as he drew his sword.

"These unique items make us invincible!" Ozzie declared.

Glenn drew the Masamune.

Ayla simply cracked her knuckles.

"Would you like to see my Triple Kick?" she asked.

"You're what?" asked the perplexed Glenn.

In response, Ayla charged Slash, and kicked him in the groin. She then charged Flea and did the same. Finally, she charged Ozzie; his Ozzie Pants proved useless.

Ozzie, Slash, and Flea were now doubled on the floor.

"Where is Gaspar?!" demanded Ayla as she kicked the Slasher Two down a grated vent.

"Forget it!" Slash dismissed as he rose to his feet and darted to the next room.

"We're not telling!" Flea insisted as he followed suit.

"I can't lose!" groaned Ozzie as he fled. "What would become of my Mystics? I must win!"

"Come on!" Ayla commanded as she led Glenn up the small stairwell to the next chamber.

MEANWHILE…

Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Robo found themselves in a large room beneath the queen's chamber. It was a lit room, with a light from the ceiling projecting a water design on the floor.

In the center of the room stood the Mammon Machine.

"I almost forgot about this thing," Marle said.

"Be careful," Lucca warned. "We don't know everything it can do."

And, as almost if on cue, the Mammon Machine fired a laser.

"Look out!" Crono exclaimed.

Everyone successfully dodged the laser.

"Try this!" Lucca shouted as she cast fire on the device.

Unfortunately, it apparently had no effect.

Just then, it shot out another laser, brighter and more powerful than the first.

"Head's up!" Crono shouted as they all dodged the attack.

"Chill out!" Marle shouted as she cast ice.

The Mammon Machine remained intact and unharmed. Moments later, it fired out another laser, seemingly more powerful than the first two.

"It seems magic increases its attack," Lucca observed as she jumped away from the laser.

"Leave this to me," Robo commanded.

He fired his own laser continuously at the Mammon Machine, only to notice its effect grow weaker as he continued.

"It seems any physical attack makes its defense stronger," Robo said.

"The perfect defense," Lucca sighed.

"We need to destroy this thing!" Marle exclaimed. "Before it destroys us!"

"Everyone," Crono said ominously, "I'm not sure we can."

MEANWHILE…

Upon entering the next chamber, Glenn and Ayla were attacked by some pesky, three-foot robot walkers, but they were fragile, and were defeated in one blow.

At the end of the chamber was a doorway that led to another elevator.

And inside the elevator, they found what they had been looking for.

"Gaspar!" Ayla greeted.

"Are you okay?" asked Glenn.

"I'm fine," Gaspar insisted as Ayla cut his ropes and helped him to his feet. "But you should not have come. It's a trap!"

"Nonsense!" Glenn insisted.

"Old man not grateful?" Ayla added.

And, at that moment, the elevator began to rise.

A moment later, Magus leaped down from above.

"Magus!" Glenn scowled.

Magus simply smirked. A moment later, he stabbed Gaspar with his scythe.

"No!" cried Ayla.

"Scoundrel!" shouted Glenn.

Poor Gaspar fell to the ground.

"This was a trap!" Magus informed them. "The queen wanted you divided into smaller groups. She's probably killed Lucca and Robo with her traps. She's probably killed Crono and Marle with her menagerie. But, as for you two…she has left you to me!"

"We go down fighting!" Ayla announced.

"Very well," Magus said. "But I won't be beaten easily!"

With that, the sorcerer cast a lightning spell in Glenn's direction, which he easily dodged.

"I'm not changing my barrier this time," Magus announced. "Without Crono, you can't destroy me."

He cast lightning a second time, which Glenn was able to dodge again.

"You will tire sooner rather than later," Magus informed him.

He then cast a third lightning spell, striking Glenn, and knocking him to the ground.

"And now," Magus said, "the time has come to punish…."

He didn't finish.

Instead, he felt the full-forced impact of Ayla's foot on his face.

And a second time.

And a third time.

He began to feel dizzy.

Not wanting to be defeated, Magus raised his finger upward. A moment later, he quickly ascended out of view.

Ayla immediately ran over to Glenn and helped him to his feet.

"You all right?" she asked.

"I think so," Glenn replied.

He then turned to the fallen Gaspar.

Ayla next ran to him.

"No," Gaspar sighed. "Nothing can be done now."

"Hang on!" Glenn pleaded. "We'll get you healed."

"I'm dying!" Gaspar declared.

But he was not upset about it.

He was smiling.

He was laughing.

"I'm dying!" he repeated, almost joyfully. "After all this time, I never thought it would be possible. Oh, I'm dying!"

With that, he rolled over, let out a sigh, and he passed away.

"He'll pay for this," Glenn growled.

"Glenn…" Ayla began. "Gaspar is at peace. He will not dwell at the End of Time forever like he was fated to."

Glenn nodded. He slowly leaned over Gaspar, and closed the old man's eyes forever.

"Thank you for all your guidance, old man," he said.

And then, the elevator came to a stop.

MEANWHILE…..

The Mammon Machine continued to fire its lasers at its captives. They continued to dodge them, but knew they would not hold out long.

Crono was attacked the most. He dodged laser after laser, but began to tire.

And then, Crono stopped.

He turned to the Mammon Machine.

He cast Luminaire.

"Crono!" Lucca yelled. "You're giving it more energy!"

"I know," he replied nonchalantly.

He then cast Luminaire again.

"Crono!" exclaimed Marle. "What are you doing?!"

"Trust me," Crono assured her.

He cast Luminaire a third time.

This time, the third time, the Mammon Machine began to emit more heat. It also nearly seemed to glow more.

"Now I get it!" Marle said, and began to cast ice.

Crono cast Luminaire again.

And then, the Mammon Machine made a hideous, grinding noise. Sparks began to fly, and soon the device was whining loudly, consumed in energy plasma.

Everyone could feel sharp heat.

"It's going to blow!" Robo announced as he ushered everyone to the back wall.

Moments later, the Mammon Machine exploded, leaving a loud boom and a flash of blinding light. When the light dissipated, the Mammon Machine had been reduced to a shouldering pit.

"What on Earth happened?!" Lucca exclaimed.

"Simple," Crono replied. "I just overloaded it. Call it too much of a good thing."

Robo, seeking a way out, looked upward.

"Everyone, hang on to me," he commanded.

The other three complied as Robo extended his arm to the ceiling of the chamber above, and pulled everyone back to the original level.

Queen Zeal appeared almost as if she wanted to cry.

"My Mammon Machine!" she sobbed. "It's gone!"

She then turned around, and fled through the door behind her.

"Quick!" exclaimed Marle. "After her!"

Act Six

Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Robo dashed into the next room.

Queen Zeal was there, waiting for them. She was standing on a floating platform, suspended above the ground.

"This ends here and now," Crono demanded. "If you wake Lavos, mark my words, the world will end!"

The queen didn't say anything.

Instead, the ground shook, and everyone suddenly felt themselves ascending.

"What is this?" Lucca demanded.

"You said if I wake Lavos, the world will end?" Zeal asked.

"Yes!" pleaded Marle. "Everything will be ruined! You won't be able to live on Earth!"

And then, the ascension stopped.

"I guess you're right," Zeal admitted.

Just then, the door to the left slid open.

Out came Magus first, followed closely by Glenn and Ayla.

All three stopped upon seeing the queen on the floating platform.

"Nice underwear," Ayla taunted, seemingly looking up Zeal's dress.

Queen Zeal scanned her surroundings.

"You cretins," she growled. "I plan to live with Lavos, and control the universe forever. You will not get in my way!"

"But you just said we were right!" Marle protested.

"Too true!" Zeal cackled.

Then, the ceiling began to retract until it was gone.

Looking up, everyone could see a black sky, studded with not only stars, but planets as well. The earth was visible over the horizon.

"Where are we?" exclaimed Lucca.

"Space," Robo answered.

Glenn, being exposed to the moon, quickly reverted to his frog form.

"You said I won't be able to live on Earth," Zeal continued. "So I shall rule from space for all eternity!"

"Idiots," Magus began. "Nothing can live forever."

He then turned to the queen.

"Zeal," he continued. "A pitiful woman, duped by Lavos! I, myself, will bring an end to all of this!"

"Prophet!" hissed Zeal. "You are doomed. I haven't forgotten what you did at the Ocean Palace."

"Neither have I," Magus retorted.

With that, he raised his finger, and cast lightning. Nothing happened.

"You fool!" Zeal snarled. "Lightning, water, fire, and shadow are all Earth elements. Those spells don't work in space!" She paused. "But this one does!"

Slowly, Queen Zeal disappeared from her platform.

A few moments later, she reappeared at the edge of the room.

But she no longer looked human.

She was now a large, gray disembodied head, wearing a mask that covered everything but her eyes and mouth. Two disembodied hands appeared on each side.

"Your magic is useless here!" Zeal taunted. "And so are your bodies!"

Both disembodied hands pointed their fingers. A moment later, sparks, each in all the colors of the rainbow, began to shoot out of them.

Lucca was the first to be hit; she toppled over weakly.

Frog was next; he also toppled over.

Magus, Robo, Ayla, and Marle were all struck simultaneously.

Crono was more fortunate; he slid out of the way with less than a second to spare.

"You missed me," Crono announced as he aimed his sword for the head.

"I think not!" Zeal declared as she pointed the right hand at Crono.

Suddenly, he became immobile.

"I guess you never learn," Zeal lamented. "You will now forfeit your life."

With that, Crono was lifted off of the ground. At the same moment, a powerful wind began to blow from the queen's direction.

Marle gasped in horror; she knew exactly what Zeal was doing. She tried to fire her crossbow, but the wind was too powerful for it to work.

Lucca tried to fire her blaster, but suffered the same results.

Frog, Ayla, and Magus could not penetrate the wind with their bodies, and could not approach the queen.

A tear rolled down Marle's cheek.

Crono was doomed forever.

There was no Chrono Trigger this time.

Crono, meanwhile, continued to rise toward his fate.

And then, Robo produced the missile cannon on his shoulder. The missiles were stronger than the wind; they could destroy her for sure.

Except for one problem.

The warning appeared on his visual screen.

WARNING: ROBOTICS LAW #1: A ROBOT MAY NOT INJURE A HUMAN OR, THROUGH INACTION, ALLOW A HUMAN TO COME TO HARM.

"Of course!" taunted Zeal as she noticed his hesitancy. "You can't shoot me. It's against your programming!"

Robo aimed his missile cannon at Zeal, but could not fire. The warning remained on the visual screen.

WARNING: ROBOTICS LAW #1: A ROBOT MAY NOT INJURE A HUMAN OR, THROUGH INACTION, ALLOW A HUMAN TO COME TO HARM.

"Robo, please!" Marle pleaded. "You have to save him!"

"I….cannot!" Robo said with a tone of regret, still seeing the message.

WARNING: ROBOTICS LAW #1: A ROBOT MAY NOT INJURE A HUMAN OR, THROUGH INACTION, ALLOW A HUMAN TO COME TO HARM.

"Now you will die knowing my true power!" Zeal continued.

Robo tried to force a missile to fire, but all he saw was the warning.

WARNING: ROBOTICS LAW #1: A ROBOT MAY NOT INJURE A HUMAN OR, THROUGH INACTION, ALLOW A HUMAN TO COME TO HARM.

"Lavos and I have become one!" she announced.

"Robo!" cried Marle.

And then, Crono had stopped rising. He was in position; it a few seconds, it would all be over.

"Robo, save him!" Lucca pleaded.

But, in a few moments, it would be too late.

Marle painfully watched as her love was about to disintegrate for the second and final time.

"I am no longer a human being!" Zeal howled. "I AM A GODDESS!"

And then, Marle grinned.

"You shouldn't have said that!" she gloated.

At that moment, the warning that Robo had been perceiving immediately ceased.

Robo fired a missile, striking the face.

Zeal cried out as Crono dropped to the ground unharmed. The wind stopped.

Robo fired another missile. And then another.

And then another.

Zeal's face disappeared in the explosion, and the hands mysteriously vanished.

Robo continued to fire missiles at the explosion, causing more explosions and seemingly displaying a sense of satisfaction.

After a few more seconds, he was simply firing missiles out into space, so he stopped.

"Watch what you say in front of a robot," he quipped.

The roof then closed, and everyone felt the Black Omen descend.

Frog was suddenly Glenn again.

Crono, meanwhile, rose to his feet.

"Crono!" squealed Marle as she ran over to her love and threw her arms around him. "I thought she had you!"

"Me too," he whispered as he hugged her back and kissed her.

"Stop scaring me like that!" she reprimanded, echoing Gina.

"Thanks, Robo," Crono said in gratitude.

"Well," Lucca said as she folded her arms, "it looks like there's one thing left to ask."

"What's that?" asked Marle.

"How do we get off of here?" Lucca replied.

Everyone except for Magus began to laugh.

And then, everyone stopped.

"Well," Glenn asked, "how do we get off of here?"