Start Date: October 7, 2020

Windwillow

Chrono Trigger

Chapter Two

The common era, marked as year "zero". Guardia's grip extended to the northen, southern, and eastern continents. To put it mildly, discussions alone didn't secure their reign; by sword and shield each nation was tied to the Guardian's rule.

But time passes, as it does, and domination turned to a quasi-democracy with trade and culture all around. Guardia was no longer the "Tyrant" but a... well, guardian. The whole big-stick policy had faded by around 500 C.E.

However, one continent wasn't interested in openness and trade, but only domination - Guardia had forgotten their own, conviencely. The Mystic lands routinely launched guerrilla attacks and sabotaged international merchantry and seldom left witnesses.

It was in the year 580 of the Common Era, that all of it changed. The leadership in Medina gave way to a violent man who carried hatred and viciousness and united them all under his rule.

He was called the Fiendlord, Magus.

Scene 1

Silence covered the platform, both physcially and mentally.

"Y-yeah," Taban stuttered, "Uh, we made her go extra-far! Check back in a couple minutes for her big re-entrance!"

The people gathered around slowly left, leaving only three people remaining: Crono, Lucca, and Taban.

Lucca's mouth gaped; Crono swallowed nervously.

"Lucca, where the hell is she?!" Taban barked. "Do NOT tell me we blew up a pretty young girl!"

"I-I don't know!"

She adjusted her glasses.

"That wasn't the Telepod activiating, it was more like the pendant... warped it."

It was the worst case scenario, and Crono knew it. Not only did he see Marle vanish, he wasn't able to do anything about it.

His eyes turned towards the pendant, and he said, "Do it again!"

Taban said, "Uh... do what again?"

"Make it go all kaplooey again! I've got to follow her!"

"You WANT to do it again, dumbass?!" Lucca said, "and go God-knows-where with God-knows-whatever-the-hell-happened, yourself?!"

Crono nodded.

"Yes... Start it, now."

Although Taban mouthed a curse, Lucca's face turned to a sour frown.

"Fine. We'll start again, but don't you DARE die!"

Taban was about to object, only for Lucca to interject with, "Fine. Come on, Pa!"

The both of them took their places, Lucca adjusting her equipment as her father pumped the levers quickly.

"Hey, my arms are sore!"

Lucca kicked him.

"Oh, suck it up! Faster!"

However, she also had issues: the controls weren't working right.

She bashed the controls, and no response. A second time, the same. In frustration she just slammed the entire console.

And it worked. Once again, the swirling sphere materialized, albeit with a few sparks and Taban's sprained arm.

"Crono, hold on tight! This could be bad!"

The pendant in his hand shone with a brilliant blue light, the same as before. Suddenly, Crono seized up, a less than proper word leaving his mouth, as he was dragged into the... whatever it was.

"I'll follow you when I figure this out!" Lucca said, nursing a sore wrist. "Whatever happens just-"

He couldn't hear the rest of the sentence, as the sphere enveloped him. A strangely warm feeling, Crono ceased to be at the square, now towards parts unknown.

Scene 2

The blue void came from all directions, left, right, center, and even up and down. Crono felt a strange, pulling feeling.

"Yeah, shouldn't have had that churro..."

It didn't last long, though. From his view a white circle replaced the blue, and at that he landed on solid ground.

Crono slowly stood up and took note of his surroundings.

"Tree, check... grass, check... ugh, bird crap, check... and... where did the square go?"

Indeed the area felt alien. The wind was gentler now, and a strange calm came upon him. And, somehow, he felt like he really didn't belong...

The sharp noise startled him; Crono leapt to the ready stance as three figures appeared from the bushes. They were each half his size, oddly purplish skin, rotund and wearing a really creepy grin.

"M-Mystics?!

Since they didn't respond Crono took at his guard, a good move given that the first imp leapt straight towards him. A second goblin struck from left, the remaining from the right. In a split-second he drew his sword and struck!

Problem being, the wooden sword cracked. Crono began to panic.

"I... should've seen that coming..."

He tossed the sword aside, and assessed his options. First, it was two-on-one. Second, both the Mystics were stronger than him. Third, he didn't have a weapon anymore. But as he watched the imps leap and vault, he finally got an idea.

As the duo moved, Crono put himself between them and, given their lack of elemental strategy they fell for it - the two of them slammed head-first into each other, and he wasted no time in running away.

He was here. The problem as he looked around, though, was that we WASN'T where he was.

Guardia's Leene Square was replaced by a lush grassland, its stands and fences turned to rivers and lakes, and even a waterfall made up the space. Crono could only stare in disbelief.

"What... in the hell...?"

Shaking off his discomfort, Crono carefully descended the plateau; it was no easy task given that Mystics were everywhere. He'd seen small Mystics in the Guardian forest, but comparing a big crow to a full-winged monster didn't match up.

After reaching the settlement to his west, he could tell this town wasn't his, but it sort of still was. The houses were constructed with less-polished wood, the roads replaced with cobblestones, and the smell a faint reminder of the lack of top-class indoor plumbing. It was there that Crono gathered his senses, and the picture came into focus.

History Lesson

Guardia, Then and Now

Year Zero marked Guardia's beginning. Back then there were various city-states dotting the Zenan mainland, a number of clans and families dedicated to their own - the rest were enemies to the last man. In this era, peace meant nothing and only power and prestige set the groups apart.

Guardia began in the northwestern mountains on Zenan, perhaps not the strongest but one of the most cunning. Its King skillfully manipulated his neighbors, using diplomacy and deceit to entice war between the clans.

His swords and soldiers ready, he played peacemaker and warmonger, gathering his strength by weakening others, until at last Guardia launched a brilliant campaign...

And the Kingdom of Guardia was created with blades, though tempered with integrity so as to dominate all lands in the world, yet with respect enough that it carried on for a millennia in peace.

However, there were issues. Nationalist movements came about for independence and so were granted - Choras, Porre, and others became sovereign nations.

Scene 4

"I... might have really... made the wrong choice."

Crono muttered, but he still continued to move forward. The layout of Truce was basically the same, but fewer people walked around. The town wasn't deserted, it just seemed the people didn't have much reason to wander.

"I need some cola," he groaned. "And I'm guessing they don't serve Crown here..."

Finding that there was no other place in sight, he slipped into the tavern. He was so screwed up that he didn't think anyone would vet him.

To be expected the building was awash of middle-aged men who made looking depressed an art form. At the side of a round table was a furnace, several stools around it, and lots of booze. None of the men seemed approachable except for a man in a bandana. He wore plain tunic and an orange vest.

"Can you believe it?" he asked.

"Believe what?" Said speaker after a swig.

"They found the Queen to the east! Not a thought why she was there, but there she was!" Punctuated with a belch.

"She seemed daft, saying that she came from nowhere. No dress befitting royalty, no crown nor regalia!"

Another man piped up. "Yeah! Said she was looking for some bloke named Crono!"

If he'd had the cola he'd of spewed it out.

"Me?! The Queen wants to see me?"

The bandana man swiveled around. "Indeed," he chuckled. "As if a runt like you saved her!"

Crono muttered, "I came here TO save her..."

With a laugh, he said, "Then to the castle with ya! I'd love to see a kid like you put in chains for that idea! 'Cept I'd be shackled myself!"

"Oy, Toma!" another guy piped up. "leave the boy alone! And rephrase that or you'll give the wrong impression!"

Well, one could keep the conversation going, but, no. After all the bantering and boasting and boozing, it was decided that Crono would head to the castle. Problem? He didn't know how to get there. So lacking a clue he just moved onward.

All the buildings looked the same. No idea what direction was the right one he kept going left. And staying on the left. He figured that was west.

"Hey! Don't go into the grass! Bandits are afoot! They're mighty dangerous unarmed!"

Crono shrugged.

"Yeah, well, there's that," he said, holding his hand to his forehead. "But I've got to get to the castle if they want me there."

The fellow's eyes lit up. "You couldn't be THAT Crono, would you lad!?"

"Uh... yep."

"Then come with me! I'll suit you up to head west!"

Another Angle

"Down the Rabbit Hole, Up to Who-Knows-Where"

Traveling through the gate wasn't pleasant. The same blue vortex turned Marle's stomach too, much less the loud thud signaling the ride was over. Marle slowly stood, though her legs felt about to buckle.

Holding her head, she said, "Maybe the ice cream wasn't the best idea..."

She rose, and looked around. The surroundings were familar. The royal retreat took her past Truce and into the flower field at the waterfall's top, a tradition since ages back.

"Why am I here...? Where did Crono go?"

Marle sighed and plopped down.

"... this sort of sucks..."

A commotion roused her, a set of soldiers in archaic armor approached her. One of them, wearing a shining golden helmet, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty! We never thought you'd be here! Where have you been, Queen Leene?"

"Yeah," Marle thought, "this really DOES suck..."

Scene Four

"We've much to do, lad," the shopkeeper said, "if we're to get you to the castle. Tent, flint, a healthy supply of water, and most vital, a weapon. I'll gather the rest while you find one. Just a moment..."

Weapons and armor of all kinds filled the shelves of the store, from pikes and axes to bows and brass knuckles. But beyond that it held basic supplies as well - tents, satchels, dried goods and torches... rigging poles for tents, heavy clothing - all a would-be adventurer who didn't know jack about survival would need.

"Sword, axe, lance?" said the owner, "all sorts of 'em. Got a preference?"

Crono paused. He couldn't haul an axe or a longsword around.

"Do you have any katana?"

Jumping from his ladder, he landed on the ground.

"The swords with curves?" he asked. "Try the back of the store. We've got one that we bought before Medina went mad."

It was, indeed, the back of the store that Crono found his target. Most of the katana were identical, just different scabbards and colored hand-grips.

Crono slowly took up one: a black lacquered sheath, a pommel with two open locks in a clover hilt. The blade just sort of seemed... like he was in a picture holding it.

"Hey, ol' man, I'll take this one."

The store owner shrugged.

"Works for me."

"Uh..." Crono stammered. "How much do I need to buy all this stuff?"

"8,000 Gil."

Crono slapped his head. "I've never even seen that much!"

"Well," the owner said, "I can't take coin from ye, so it's on the house."

With a sigh, Crono nodded in agreement.

"But it'll be twelve grand when you get back, so save up."

Crono sighed. Well... so much for the charity...

Another Angle

"Back and Forth to go Back"

"All the systems are normal, but I can't figure out what happened!"

Lucca held her head in frustration; the gears, the computers, the levers, the wires - the everything! There were NO glitches, NO hacks, NO idea what in the high-holy hell happened!

"When it happened," Lucca muttered, "the Telepod warped..."

Coming back from a snack of churros, Taban sighed.

"I know something went wrong, but my leg still hurts..."

"I said suck it up!" Lucca snarled. "The space-time continuum just tore!"

Taban gnawed at his churro. Not much response to speak of for him.

Lucca knelt in contemplation. This was a total nightmare.

"Even when I warped myself on accident on this thing," said murmured, "the energy only jumped 0.3 percent from normal. So, if it wasn't the Telepod itself, and it wasn't a glitch, that leaves..."

She paused.

"It acted as a catalyst! The energy was torn apart, and everything scattered along a definite pattern... So..."

Lucca grinned and pumped her fist.

"I can back-hack it! I'm SUCH a genius!"

Scene Five

The trek to Guardia's capitol took two days. During the trip, Crono had slept with one eye open for an ambush. Since nothing came and his jerky had tasted terrible, he not only was tired but hungry.

At the end of the Forest, the castle stood. It jutted massively into the landscape; a gigantic, ornate structure that seemed to touch the heavens, two towers as spires and a block-shaped four-sided cube. As he reached the entrance, Crono could feel his hunger bite at him.

"Well, it looks like a castle," he muttered, "so I guess I found it."

Unlike a typical castle the structure had no drawbridge - just a large gate and a smaller one further in. Guards didn't seem to block the way, so Crono continued on. A large staircase lay at the end, with two soldiers manning either rail. Oddly enough, their uniforms were much shabbier.

It was here that two men approached, dressed as soldiers, or at least going retro-military with their armor. Steel pauldrons were fixed on the shoulder, covering and tightened around a deep-purple suit of armor.

"Oy, you there!" shouted one of the guards as he hilted his sword. "What're you doing here, kid?"

The other piped up, "D'ye think he's Magus' soldier?"

"Hah! He'd never make the cut! Away with-"

A sharp voice pierced the scene: "What do you think you are doing, men?"

A majestic young lady stepped down the staircase. She was cloaked with an immaculate white dress, golden rings and other jewelry adorning her body.

"This man," she said curtly, "is my friend, Crono. You better treat him with more respect!"

The both on them sank to their knee.

"Your Majesty! Please forgive us!"

It came quickly that they both jolted.

"Sir Crono...? The Sir Crono whom rescued Her Majesty?! Please, sir! The King awaits!"

The noble ruler giggled, winking her eye at Crono. She sort of felt... familiar?

Proceeding into the throne room, he came upon two thrones, one absent and the other occupied by a dynamic-looking man dressed in brilliant colored robes. He looked a bit young to be a King, but he was.

"You, then, are Sir Crono? I'm in your debt! You've returned my darling Leene to my side!"

Crono shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't going to correct him.

"My Queen wishes to meet with you in her quarters, namely the east tower. I've not a clue what she wants of you, but I'd not necessarily be privy to even my wife's whims!"

To the left of the King was a squat little man, the poster child for an Igor cosplay, minus a mad doctor. He was dressed in green, a brown tunic, and holding a jeweled scepter. One look at the dude and he was PISSED off.

We'll address that next chapter. In a huff he turned and headed to the western end of the throne room and soon disappeared. The eastern tower was, of course, in the east, so it wasn't hard to find it. Crono approached a guard with more ornate plate armor.

"The Queen awaits. Do not dally."

So he didn't, and opened the door. There were two maids (attendants? Figure it out yourself) at the table, with the mystery woman by the window.

"Please," she said, "leave the room. I must speak to this individual in private."

With a bow the maids left.

"Come nearer, sir," said the noble. Crono advanced and caught a familiar grin in his eye.

Another Angle

"Castle Gossip"

In the hallway stood the maids, and the knight who let Crono through.

"It cannot be appropriate to meet the Queen as such!"

The knight nodded. "Our Queen, alone with a boy?"

"Scandalous indeed," the other maid piped up. "But... the Queen has been acting strangely since her rescue. The Head Chef is wracking his brains to make the... Eyes-Cream for her?"

The other maid nodded as well. "Something isn't right..."

"It is not our duty to question," said the knight, "but to obey. The Queen's orders are absolute."

Rustling in her pocket, the first maid pulled out a small box.

"What's your favorite flavor of Jerky? I've got spiced, cinnamon, and apple."

Scene Six

"Come nearer, sir."

She was the boss, and so Crono walked closer. The Queen's smile cracked as she chuckled.

"Do you recognize me?" she asked. "It's me! Marle!"

Crono cocked his head. "Uh... nice dress?"

Marle giggled. "Right? They all call me Leene, but that was my great-great-"

She paused. Could'nt say the truth, so she said, "great-aunt's friend? I've, uh... heard about her a lot. Never met her."

Confused, but dropping the subject, Crono grinned. "You look great. All white is SO your color."

Both of them started to laugh.

"Yeah, I know! I always a wear white-" she stopped again. "uh... even after Labor Day! Yep, I like white!"

Crono cocked his head, but didn't address the subject. "I was worried, y'know? You did sort of blow up."

"Hehe," Marle giggled. "Yeah, I dunno what that was-"

Marle clutched her chest. Over and over her body shook, like what the Telepod did. But, she was laced with electric sparks as a dark vortex from her chest formed.

"C-Crono..." She gasped. "What... what's... happening? I'm... tearing...!"

Crono jumped towards Marle.

"I'm tearing apart!"

Just as he reached for her hand the dark hole collapsed on itself, leaving Crono to slam his head on the wall when he fell.

He rubbed his head again. This time the headache was killer.

"Did she just... blow up again?"