Start Date: September 26, 2021
Windwillow
Chrono Trogger
Chapter Nine
What began as a jaunt through time to save a damsel in distress had unfolded into a nightmare. Now, knowing that the world will end if they don't destroy the cosmic beast Lavos, our heroes advanced to find a humanoid robot they dubbed "Robo," whose help allowed them to access their Gate home.
Maybe?
Scene One
It was a bizarre place, covered with mist and a series of floors, walls, and fences that surrounded a vast area. To the left and right of them, two glowing orbs resembling Gates floated, and the one they'd emerged from was similarly shaped.
"The hell are we?"
As the three stepped from the pedestal, Crono's remark seemed apt. In the distance they saw a street lamp and an old man leaning against it, so they approached and, as courtesy dictates, shook the geezer awake. No time for manners - the hell were they?!
"Great ghosts of-"
The man inhaled sharply.
"No one tell you to respect your elders?! If I had a heart attack what'd you do then, huh?"
He sighed.
"Whatever. Welcome to the End of Time."
Crono cocked his head.
"So we're dead?"
"No," the old man said. "You're at the center of nothing, essentially. I take it you four came here through a Time Gate... four of you. If any more than three entities try to pass through Time the Conservation of Time Theorem states that they will end up at the point of least resistance: Here!"
Lucca held her chin.
"Okay, assuming you're right, WHY are we here?"
The old man chuckled.
"Let me explain it. You find shiny hole. You go through hole. You, come here. Can you follow me?"
Lucca glared.
"Don't treat me like a child, you old geezer! I don't hurt the elderly, but I might change that idea!"
Crono stepped between them, holding Lucca back with one arm. He had even less of a grasp on whatever happened, wherever they were. His mission was to keep his friend from decking a senior citizen.
"Alas," the elder said, adjusting his bowler hat, "it's true. Exactly why I can't say... we have a few odd characters popping up of late, like some guy calling himself "story armpor" or whatever... Weird guy, loved boobs."
Marle blushed, but composed herself.
"Is there a way to 1000, the Common Era?"
He nodded.
"To the left of where you came from. Goes to Medina, though."
Lucca was startled, as was Marle, while Crono was just irked.
"So we cut some more Mystics up, no sweat. I've slashed them before..."
As they turned to the Gate, though, the old man piped back up.
"Not if they're immune to weapons, you won't. All that damages the Imps and Gargoyles is Magic."
Crono swiveled.
"Is there any other way there, then?!"
The old man chuckled.
"Nope, no other way. But if you can use Magic it'll be just peachy."
Our heroes stood stunned, but the elder pointed to a door behind him.
"Go in there and you'll learn Magic. Simple enough."
"But," Marle protested, "we aren't Mystics!"
He smiled.
"Just go in and listen closely to your teacher. He's... unique... but he'll get the job done."
Knowing no other way, the trio entered the back room, only to find a large, green frog standing in a circle. Its head jerked up as it noticed them.
"Welcome to the abode of the God of War, which is me, Spekkio!"
Crono cocked his head.
"We're learning magic from a toad?"
He was blasted back with a stab of the frog's arm. As he recovered, the frog again addressed them.
"My appearance reflects whoever sees me. If you're strong, I look strong. If you're hopelessly weak, I look weak. Guess which category you guys fill? Now, sit down," it said as three chairs appeared, "and I'll give you the basics."
They sat, and he spoke again, though in a deeper voice.
"Magic is a power that draws from a greater source. The Mystics pray to the Planet and receive theirs, while you humans are dull and stupid. But! All living creatures have an innate element to them! One of Light, Water, Fire, or Shadow. Even humans can learn it! Now, just circle this room three times chanting 'o Lord Spekkio, thy wisdom be mine!' and I'll teach you."
Crono was indignant.
"Why do we have to do that?! I ain't dancing around!"
A pause.
"Okay, I was kidding. Now... Ember, sun and river dance! To these humans your powers I demand!"
Wondrously, a brilliant light surged from the trio. Gold for Crono, Red for Lucca, and Blue for Marle. It was amazingly warm and soothing, almost like their very souls had begun to dance. In a flourish the light broke apart and left a soft aura, of their respective colors, around their bodies.
"So this is magic?" Marle wondered. "It's... actually sort of chilly."
Lucca nodded.
"Nah, this is nice and toasty. I feel like I'm a freshly baked biscuit."
Crono, though, shivered.
"I feel like I'm inside a radio... Static in places I didn't know could conduct."
Spekkio hopped forward.
"Long story short, you have magic. Long story long, let me begin one by one. We'll start with spiky head here. Your element is 'Light,' represented by positive energy and electrical charge. Think of yourself as a big golden battery! Or a redheaded battery that came from the Land of Misfit Toys... but I digress. Stretch out your hand and feel your own warmth."
He did, and the current pulsed through his palm.
"Now just push that energy out like your hand is belching."
Odd descripion from Spekkio, but Crono did so and a sharp silver bolt of lightning burst forth, breaking apart a column at the back of the room.
"Crap," he exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I..."
To his amazement the room reconstructed itself.
"Room's magic too, kid. Next up, draw your sword."
He did.
"Do the same thing with your hand, but then clench it hard."
As he did so a sharp crackle sounded. His sword was coated in flickering light in alternating colors of silver and gold.
"That enhances your sword in every way possible. It'll swing faster, cut deeper, and slash through almost anything not reinforced with magic. Warning, though: using it too much will exhaust you like the dickens. If our shiny carrot keels over in the middle of a fight, we're toast. Next, the ponytail girl."
Marle stepped forward.
"Your element is 'Water,' representing cooling energy and positive thinking. With it you can heal wounds, and use ice magic. By that I mean, using it will freeze the air and condense it into ice. Try it by stretching your hand out and imagining it being extremely cold."
She did as asked, and a relaxing cold surrounded her arm. Like Crono she pushed the energy forward and a giant icicle flew from it, piercing the wall and freezing it a solid blue.
"Not only does the cold do damage, but the enemy is also frozen. Frozen plus sharp impact equals squashed bad guy. So, if you follow it with a blunt attack - say that crossbow of yours - the enemy will shatter and be defeated. But be careful, not everyone is vulnerable to it... powerful entities can resist the shattering, but the glacier jutting from their gut will still sting. Next, put your hands down at your side."
She did.
"Push it down and clench your hands."
As sbe did, the ground cracked and a platform of ice floated up, carrying her into the air much to her amazement.
"With this, you condense the atmosphere into an ice sbeet. You can use it to go up, down, fly, etc. You can also carry others with you, too! When you get good enough the sky is literally the limit: free flight. Lastly, you have a dagger on your belt. Take it out and do what pointy head did with his."
The dagger pulsed and a sword of razor-sharp ice jutted from it.
"The dagger now has the qualities of your ice: piercing cold, freezing solid and a sharpness like any top-quality sword would have. Swing it, thrust it, do whatever. That brings us to goofy glasses."
Spekkio pivoted towards her.
"Your element is 'Fire,' defined as sheer explosive power. You can blow crap up, basically, so there's no... ironically, enough, 'science' to it. Come up with whatever you want."
"Hey!" Lucca protested. "Where's my deep, moving dialogue?!"
"You blow stuff up, like I said. Things go 'boom' and 'ka-whoom'! If you know ballistics you ought to figure something out. Now, you're all decked out with magic! Wanna try me?"
Crono cocked his head.
"We have supernatural powers and we're supposed to fight a frog with them?"
Spekkio paused.
"Good point. I'll start."
The three of them were blown back in a maelstrom of fire, lightning, and ice. No defense, no evading, just slammed into the walls that quickly broke open and reconstructed.
"I'm the Master of War, people. You aren't close to my level yet, if you even CAN surpass me. Now, off you go to the geezer. He's got a couple goodies himself! Oh, and if you find another friend I'll fix 'em up good!"
Scene Two
The old man tapped his cane against the ground.
"I see you've learned magic," he said. "Once, an entire Kingdom could use it! Ah, but that Kingdom is long gone... Now I have a contribution to give as well. Crono, look in the corner there, and you'll see a light."
Crono cocked his head.
"I don't see anything."
Holding his hand on Crono's forehead, the old man closed his eyes. A new aura surrounded him, and as it did a series of wisps appeared in the corner. They were shining white, motes of light swirling around in a circle. When Crono touched it his whole body shook. His wounds closed, he felt more energetic, and it even cured his hunger!
"These are Power Spots," the elder explained. "Sources connected to the Planet that rejuvenate your body and soul. Touching one will fill you with energy and heal all negativity. Consider it the Planet infusing its power, like forming a teardrop. Now that I've awakened the ability you can now acccess them and heal yourself. Even better, they connect here. Use the Gate Key and you can swap places with a comrade anytime you want!"
Crono breathed in a deep breath.
"This is awesome! I'm not even hungry anymore!"
Lucca poked his shoulder.
"Gimme, gimme!"
The old man shook his head.
"Using a Power Spot drains it. Meaning, using it keeps it from being accessed again until it refills. If you all touch it at once the effect is distributed equally."
Lucca glared at Crono.
"I need food, dammit! Pony up!"
Marle shook her head.
"It's gone already. We need to find another one."
She moaned, though. Her hunger was overwhelming. Curious, she looked towards another light: this one was in a bucket-like container. As she reached for it, the old man caught her hand.
"Touch that and you die. It leads straight to the Day of Lavos."
Crono sighed.
"No time like the Present. We've gotta get back home," he said. "You said that the left Gate, right? Let's go, guys!"
The trio started towards the Gate. However, the old man tapped his cane with great force.
"It doesn't lead to Guardia. It leads to the Mystics' town, Medina. They hate humans, so I'd be careful... never know when you'd find a fat green bastard around the corner. Let me repeat: BE CAREFUL. You'll find help there, but it won't be easy. Now, go."
Our heroes entered the Gate, a swirling vortex enveloping them and absorbing their bodies. This left Robo and the old man.
"Sir," Robo said, "you have implied danger. Are you certain they will be alright?"
The old man nodded.
"I've got an old friend there..."
Without speaking he lifted his head.
-He's smart... he might figure out the plan on his own. If not, I'll give him a call.-
Scene Three
"Happy Birthday, Lyn!"
"Thanks, Gobh!"
"To your thirty-third birth-"
All three heroes tumbled from a cabinet in two Imps' house, much to everyone's surprise. Naturally surprising to Crono and co., falling out of a closet. Surprising to Lyn, since he'd just cleaned it!
"The hell are you doin'?! Get the hell outta my house!"
As they recovered all Marle and Lucca could see was a birthday cake. Silence, silence, and two gurgling stomachs roared. The blue Imp sighed, and held out a piece of cake to our heroes. Marle and Lucca almost swallowed it whole.
"I dunno who you are or why you're here," the red Imp said, "but get lost!"
The trio turned to leave.
"Wait."
Lyn hopped from his chair.
"You're in Medina, the Mystics' capital. Humans ought to be wary here... not everyone gives cake; they plant steel. If you like living find a way out of here and quick."
Scene Four
Crono, Marle, and Lucca were led into a large mansion, one that almost resembled a castle's interior. They'd been caught and disarmed by the local police, although Lucca passed off her gun as a cigarette lighter (she was relieved none of them smoked). They came before a bizarre, lizard-like creature: green, bloated, and smelly. It hovered in the air above its throne.
"I, the Great Ozzie VIII, demand an explanation from you worms! How did you get here without a ferry!? Who let you in!?"
Crono glared. He wasn't about to rat on Lyn and Gobh.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter. You're banished, get lost, go away, we don't like you, however many ways I have to say it!"
"But," Marle protested, "all we want is to get back home! We don't want to cause trouble!"
Ozzie VIII scoffed.
"Then go down south, to Heckran Cave. You'll find a way to Truce there."
As they loosened his bonds, Crono rose, notably irked.
"Fine, gimme my sword and we're gone."
Ozzie wagged his finger.
"You think we'd give three human worms their weapons back?! Get lost! You can find some weapons at the swordsmith's house... so GO. AWAY!"
The group was led out. The sinister green snot bubble burst out laughing.
"Heckran will send you to Hell before you get to Truce! Nyeh-heh-heh!"
Scene Five
"It's you! From the fair!"
Our three disarmed protagonists had headed south as the Mystic leader suggested, finding a cabin there. When they entered, to their surprise, the swordsmith salesman from the fair, Melchior, stood in his hut with a puzzled look on his face.
"Aye, lad. This is, indeed, myself! But I wonder, whyever would you be here in Medina...? Even I must take a secured shuttle here, 'tween Truce and Medina!"
Lucca growled.
"It's a long story... got any bacon on you?"
Melchior grinned.
"Magic makes you hungry, lass. Not a curiousity three mages would fancy a bite!"
No words seemed appropriate, given that there wasn't any explanation as to how the old man could tell.
"Who are you?" Marle asked. "Do you know something about magic?"
Melchior chuckled.
"Indeed I do, milady, but my business is none but my own."
Crono weakly shook himself to sense.
"We need to get back to Truce, and there's a way through that cave up north, right?"
Melchior's gaze sharpened.
"Yes and no. The northern caverns do indeed hold a way through to Guardia, but they're guarded by bloodthirsty Mystic extremists. Blade and arrow mean little to them, only magic being effective. Though given you've the gift I'd wager you could manage."
Crono sighed. This was getting freaky.
"Can we but any weapons from you? Like, a katana, a crossbow, and a long dagger? We don't have much money, but..."
"... but I'll supply you the best."
The heroes leaped at that. Melchior shifted and withdrew a large container from behind his fridge. From there we took out three items: a long, silver dagger; a well-made wooden-and-iron crossbow; and a white sheathed katana.
"This dagger is blessed steel. It'll pierce even Mystic skin. The crossbow, I've made from oak and iron ore, and it fires bolts at a semi-automatic rate. Turn the handle, detach it, and it fires three at a time; then you can quickly reload. It's a fine specimen."
He liftd the katana before Crono. Detaching the sheath, he pulled out a white pattern-tempered blade gleaming with silver and steel.
"It has a circular guard, an ivory scabbard, and a straight edge pattern. I call it the White Tiger, Byakko. You'll find it capable of slicing steel with ease, particularly if charged with magic."
Crono could barely keep his composure.
"And you're giving all this to us!? We just met!"
Melchior grinned.
"Anyone who bears that Pendant," he said as he pointed to Marle's necklace, "has my loyalty. 'Tis simple as that, friends... no more and no less."
Lucca cocked her head.
"And that means?"
Marle looked carefully at her Pendant, and back to Melchior.
"Thank you, Sir. We'll be on our way, then..."
The trio left, and Melchior reclined in his rocking chair. A bemused look crossed his face.
"Auras, magicks and that Pendant! If I'd half a mind I'd figure someone is trying to tell me something... But then, anyone who thinks like that is long dead and buried 'neath the Ocean Palace!"