Start Date: November 27, 2021
Windwillow
Chrono Trigger
Chapter Twenty-One
Crono was gone, the end nigh. Hope seemed a distant, foolish dream.
Scene One
Amdist the ruins of the Ocean Palace's sanctum, four people appeared next to the ruined Mammon Machine: Marle, Lucca, Schala, and Magus. All of them were exhausted and near death, demoralized and, in Marle's case, broken.
Watching Crono die in front of her had slaughtered her sense of mind. As Lucca cradled her she looked out blankly. Even life-threatening wounds seemed trivial...
Magus, meanwhile, punched the ground in frustration.
"Dammit all! Are you saying that the DECADES I spent growing more powerful meant NOTHING?! How powerful is that bastard?! Can mortal power even SCRATCH it?!"
Lucca shook Marle frantically.
"Marle! Marle, get a hold of yourself! MARLE!"
Schala lay on the floor, nearly dead, tears in her eyes. Crono's sacrifice gave her the time to teleport everyone out of Lavos's space... but it was an escape she was utterly ashamed of.
Marle slowly regained consciousness, eyes snapping open. Then, the memory of Crono's death passed them and she began to sob uncontrollably.
"H-he... he's... Crono just...!"
Lucca nodded solemnly.
"Yeah... he's dead..."
Marle slapped her.
"Don't say it! DON'T SAY THAT WORD! Just don't..."
She broke down again, crying and screaming. Lucca sighed.
"It's not like I wanna say the word either..."
I've known him my entire life. I've grown up with him, laughed with him... was any of this worth it?! Did I really want to save the future for THIS to happen?! DAMMIT!
Marle nearly passed out again.
He said he loved me... he said... I couldn't say... I...
Schala staggered to her feet, wiping her tears away. She looked at the devastation Lavos had wrought, and through her grief she quietly prayed.
"The last of my Pendant's power can send you to safety... All I ask of you is not to hate Mother or our nation... I don't know if I have that right, but..."
She snatched up Marle's Pendant and tossed it, Lucca catching it. Then, she looked at her own and began to chant. Magus rose broken and bloody, eyes wide opened and terror in his eyes.
"Schala, don't! Don't leave me again!"
The three vanished, leaving only Schala. She fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Oh, Crono..."
The Destruction of the Kingdom of Zeal
Cracking open from the Ocean Palace, Lavos emerged from his personal void and rose. The oceans split, falling into the ruins of the Palace, as light began to emanate from his spikes.
A flurry of arrows of light shot up into the sky, each charged with power mortals could scarcely fathom. Atop the clouds, the islands of Zeal quaked, the skies darkened with a sickening green.
The spires pierced Zeal's body in a hundred places, each island, each of the millions of Zealians, feeling Lavos's malice. What once was solid earth became ash in an instant, crumbling as easily as a cookie would.
Zeal began to list, crack apart, and fall. Entire cities crumbled before the cataclysm. And, as the floating islands fell to earth each stone kicked up a wicked wave, each steadily increasing in violence.
Each wave, in turn, upturned earth and shattered continents. The earthen dwellings of the Earthbound now were threatened, and as the apocalypse raged only a few scraps of ground could be salvaged.
The Enlightened Ones clung frantically to each piece of rubble, literally dragged down to earth. Some managed to escape and reunite with the Earthbound to safety. Most were either crushed by debris or drowned in the cataclysmic chaos.
Lavos slowly retreated back to his own space, allowing the Ocean Palace to crumble upon itself and sink to the bottom of the ocean. There was almost no one left to kill, and given that inflicting absolute devastation would be counterproductive to his intent to harvest DNA, he thus spared a few scraps of humanity.
And thus, the Kingdom of Zeal, they who conquered the skies and stars, was no more.
Scene Two
Nothing seemed left. Marle's vision had dimmed, but now faded back to consciousness. She lifted straight up from the ground with a scream. Through her tears she gathered herself, and found Lucca next to her. They both had been patched up.
"Crono?"
Lucca solemnly shook her head. Tears were in her eyes as well. Marle sobbed, fell back and finally began to sleep. Ayla entered the tent, after Lucca had brought her from a Power Spot they'd discussed what happened. Her grief, too, was great.
"Marle... Ayla sorry..."
Pausing, Lucca wiped her tears. She looked at Ayla.
"What's it like outside?"
Ayla shook her head. Tears were also in her eyes, and after surveying the destruction a sense of sorrow and guilt tinged her soul.
"Everything gone... many dead. Earth broken... Ayla cry much..."
Lucca sighed.
"How about the Elder? Has he recovered?"
Ayla nodded.
"Old man feel better, still tired. Want see us..."
The scientist crumpled to the ground, exhausted.
"I gotta get more sleep first. This is too much..."
Another Angle
"After the Fall"
What few people remained had gathered in the village commons. Their magic gone, now the Enlightened and the Earthbound were equals. The Earthbound Elder had survived and taken control of the situation.
He looked at everyone, the shattered remnants of humanity. He sighed.
"And all for what...?"
A villager approached.
"Elder, we've found a strange craft to the west. It looks like something out of Zeal..."
The Elder sighed.
"Leave it, but watch it."
Scene Three
Lucca and Ayla guided Marle to the village commons, where they looked at the aftermath. People were huddled together, crying, though some were mute. Lucca sighed.
"You wanted to see us, Elder?"
The Elder nodded.
"Is the girl alright?"
Lucca shook her head.
"She saw him die right in front of her own eyes. I don't know if she'll ever recover, period..."
Ayla nodded solemnly.
"Marle tired. Lucca tired. Ayla protect them till better."
The Elder sighed.
"Ah, yes. Your craft has weathered the storm. It's moored to the west, so when you gather yourselves, you're free to leave. I couldn't blame you."
A villager was slashed down by a Thrasher, falling to the ground dead. All eyes turned to the remaining soldiers and their commander, a bandaged Dalton.
"That damn hag's dead... now, I remain. Now begins the Kingdom of Dalton!"
Lucca spat at him.
"Go to hell. We won't let you have this place."
Ayla stood defiantly between Lucca and Dalton.
"Ayla protect. Ayla kick your ass."
Dalton laughed, and threw a fireball, which Ayla easily kicked away. Stunned, he fumed. He widened his eyes and pointed.
"What the hell is that?!"
As Ayla turned to look he launched a volley of fireballs that knocked out the party. He smiled, laughed, and cackled.
"It's all mine! Mine!"
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Aftermath"
Frog slammed his fist into a light post, his eyes full of tears.
"Damnation! It's really all gone? Crono is... gone?"
Robo nodded.
"From the data we have it seems so. What a horrible turn of events..."
The old man was silent, his mind clouded. He brushed aside his tears.
"... I won't let him die for nothing. We will avenge that poor child..."
Scene Four
Marle stirred, rising slowly as she regained consciousness. Beside her were Lucca and Ayla, who had been tied up. She scowled, and found that she was also bound. Ayla snapped her restraints and promptly freed her friends. Lucca sighed.
"They took our weapons... and there's more. Take a look out that window."
Slowly she did so, and found below her a field of clouds. She stumbled back, stunned, as Lucca flexed her wrists.
"We're aboard Dalton's ship; he called it the Blackbird. God only knows what's he's doing now..."
Another Angle
"My New Throne"
In a hangar, Dalton oversaw the refitting of the Epoch. He'd installed lasers and added wings and a propulsion system, allowing it to fly. He laughed madly.
"This shall be my new throne! My Aero-Dalton Imperial!"
A soldier approached.
"Sir, some music has begun to play from the vehicle. It seems... cheerful."
Dalton balked.
"Say WHAT?!"
Scene Five
Lucca slammed her fist into the ground.
"That bastard! We've gotta get out of here!"
Ayla cracked her knuckles. Lucca sighed.
"WITHOUT bringing everyone down on us."
With a nod, Marle tapped her fist.
"Let's act sick and trick 'em! When they come in, we waste 'em and escape!"
Pausing, Lucca nodded.
"Sounds good. Ayla, get ready."
Ayla laid on the ground, acting unconscious. Lucca battered the door.
"Hey, we have a sick one here! Help!"
A Thrasher unlocked the door and entered.
"What?"
His face promptly met Ayla's fist, knocking him out cold. Marle nodded.
"I see some air ducts over there. We can use those, find that punk, cut 'im, and get outta here."
Lucca sighed.
"You sound like Crono..."
Another Angle
"Stop the Music!"
Dalton shook his fist.
"No, no, no! Change the channel!"
The music switched to a more sinister tune. He laughed.
"Better! Now, Aero-Dalton Imperial! Prepare to take off!"
Scene Six
As Lucca examined her gun, she scowled.
"At least they didn't scratch it."
The three had used the air ducts to find the treasure room, where they recovered their weapons. Three goons lay unconscious next to them. Marle growled.
"Let's go put a foot up Dalton's ass."
Ayla nodded, rising from where she sat (which was next to the half-dead soldiers). She cracked her knuckles. The party left, careful to avoid open conflict, using the air ducts again. As they crawled through the ship, they heard a strange music start to play.
Lucca snarled.
"Hey, listen! Bastard switched channels on us!"
Ayla cracked her knuckles again.
"Ayla make hurt."
Marle nodded.
"I see an exit near there. Let's get 'im."
Another Angle
"Aero-Dalton Imperial Lifts Off"
"Ah, the sound of chaos! Love it! Start the Imperial!"
Dalton laughed. His soldiers opened the hangar, and as he continued to laugh the Epoch took off and took a good chunk of them with it, sending them falling to their deaths.
"Yes, YES! My Aero-Dalton Imperial is now operational!"
Scene Seven
The party dashed out onto the wing, hearing Dalton's cheering. They emerged just in time to see the Epoch fly by, Dalton laughing his head off. Lucca drew her gun.
"I'm gonna enjoy this! C'mon, Marle! ... Marle?"
Marle shook with rage.
"Stop laughing! Crono's dead... YOU KILLED HIM!"
She threw down her hands and created a stream of ice, which she rode down towards the Epoch. Ayla grabbed Lucca by the waist.
"Lucca hang on!"
Lucca screamed.
"TO WHAT?!"
Scene Eight
Marle landed on the Epoch, glaring at Dalton. He cocked his head.
"Eh? Where'd you come from?"
She swiftly pointed her crossbow at his face, her eyes wide with rage.
"Bring him back!"
Dalton cocked his head.
"Who?"
Marle launched the bolt and grazed his face. He angrily threw a punch that was caught by Ayla. Lucca fell frantically, just managing to get a hold on the Epoch. She screamed.
"Never do that again, Ayla! AAGH!"
Dalton clenched his fist.
"What the hell're you doing here?! Get off!"
Marle switched from her crossbow to her dagger, which she changed into a sword with her magic. She brandished it fiercely.
"You can't have the Epoch!"
Dalton cocked his head.
"Epoch? This is the Aero-Dalton Imperial, fool!"
With a deft hand Marle swung, scratching Dalton and slashing off his eyepatch. As he screamed she pointed the blade straight at him.
"Get the hell outta my face!"
Dalton clutched his eye, angrily creating a crackling orb of energy.
"Bitch! Well, the Golem Boss will-"
As the portal opened Ayla kicked him through it, and it closed before anything could emerge. Lucca and the rest scrambled into the Epoch, looking frantically at the controls.
"What controls what?! Does this button fly the-"
Instead of flying, the button launched a series of lasers that cut into the Blackbird, crippling it and sending to the sea much to the delight of the villagers below. Ayla laughed.
"Epoch become bird!"
Another Angle
"Graagh!"
In the dimensional nexus, Dalton landed with a thud against the Golem Boss. As it reared back to attack he slammed his hand to its face and dissolved it. He fell to the ground with a thud, nose bloody and eyes wild.
"What the hell was that?!"
Scene Nine
Marle and the rest departed the Epoch, leaving to the village. As the villagers cheered, the Elder laughed.
"Hah! Well, that made my day brighter!"
Lucca grinned.
"Yeah, I know, right?!"
A villager approached.
"Elder, we saw a strange man in a black outfit head to the north cape! What should we do?"
The Elder sighed.
"Let him be, whoever it is. Too dangerous to push our luck."
Lucca paused.
"Black outfit...? MAGUS?!"
Marle raised her hand.
"Let's bring Frog over! He'll wanna have a talk with him!"
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Switch"
Ayla reappeared from the Power Spot.
"Marle say Magus up north, want you come."
He drew the Masamune at once.
"Gladly! I'll kill that fiend!"
The old man sighed.
"I was wondering what happened to him..."
Scene Ten
The party dashed up the north cape, finding Magus staring out at the sea. He sighed, clenching his fist.
"Behold. Everything's at the bottom of the sea. Gone is the magical Kingdom of Zeal, and with it all its peoples' dreams and ambitions."
He turned, revealing his face as somber and solemn.
"I used to live there, once. But I was a different person..."
Frog drew the Masamune.
"Magus!"
Magus sighed.
"Oh, it's you guys. You should've listened to me back at Enhasa... maybe you'd have left before it all came crashing down."
Frog gasped.
"That boy was YOU?! You KNEW Crono would die?!"
Magus sighed.
"As usual, I was right. When I was a child, I was sent through a Gate to the middle ages... Ozzie found me, raised me, and made me into the leader of the Mystics. I started that stupid war to get to Lavos, you screwed it up, and now at the end of it all it all happened again!"
Lucca stepped forward.
"We thought you were gonna end the world!"
Magus shook his head.
"And I thought I'd kill Lavos, so we're both wrong. That thing's power is beyond comprehension... When I passed back to this era I was able to pass myself off as a prophet, given that I knew everything that'd happen. I never thought I'd end up like this..."
Marle sighed.
"It doesn't matter anymore. Crono's gone..."
Magus cocked his head.
"And I care why? The damn fool poked death and it ate him. Why should I care about that little twit?"
Frog brandished the Masamune, placing it at Magus's throat.
"How DARE you!"
Magus grinned.
"So, wanna fight me? I'll take you all on."
Frog paused, sighed, and lowered his sword.
"Killing you won't bring our friend back. Begone."
As they turned to leave Magus vanished and reappeared in front of them.
"How 'bout I bring him back?"
Marle gasped.
"You can do that?!"
He shook his head.
"I can't... but if we find the Guru of Time, Gaspar, he may have a way. I'll help you guys look if you agree to take me with you and help gut that bastard with me."
Marle paused.
"Why should we trust you?"
Magus readjusted his glove.
"You shouldn't. But I know what you need, and I need your power. The enemy of my enemy is my friend... We both need each other."
Lucca sighed.
"Fine, fine. Let's head back to the Epoch for now."
Scene Eleven
As they climbed into the Epoch, Marle scowled at Magus.
"Don't even think I'll trust you."
He sighed as the craft lifted off.
"I don't really care."
Lucca put in the controls, slowly typing commands.
"Well, now I know how it works... Let's go back to-"
A massive shockwave reverberated, nearly listing the Epoch, as a dark shadow began to appear out at sea. Magus narrowed his eyes.
"What in hell...?!"
Slowly, from the ocean a twisted thing rose. It was made of black obsidian, an abomination of spires and spikes that almost resembled Lavos itself. Somehow, even from that distance, they could feel the evil pour out. Magus growled.
"That bitch is back..."