Start Date: November 28, 2021
Windwillow
Chrono Trigger
Chapter Twenty-Two
The situation had managed to worsen. Somehow, the Ocean Palace had been resurrected as an unholy abomination known as the Black Omen, floating ominously above its resting place. No doubt Zeal was there, worshipping Lavos; whatever she was doing, it wasn't sunshine and rainbows.
Our heroes, plus Magus, headed back to the End of Time. Their goal: find Gaspar, the Guru of Time, and find a way to bring back Crono. But where to look?
Scene One
As Magus stepped off the Epoch to the End of Time, Ayla readied a punch. Marle placed herself between them.
"Ayla, don't! He's on our side!"
Ayla growled.
"Ayla want kick ass anyway."
Robo shook his head.
"I do not believe this is a wise course of action."
Frog sighed.
"I agree, but he might be able to bring back Crono."
The old man perked up.
"Crono's gone? Damnation... if only I could write a requiem for him..."
Lucca stepped forward.
"Listen, mister. We're looking for an old man named Gaspar. He used to live in Zeal, and we think he might have the key to reviving our friend."
The old man shook his head.
"I haven't seen him in ages. Sorry."
Magus slapped him.
"Don't lie just because you've not looked in a mirror. I can tell who you are, old man..."
Marle gasped.
"You're Gaspar?!"
Lucca sighed.
"And you have been the entire time? Now I wanna slap you. Why didn't you stop us from going if you knew Crono would die?!"
Gaspar sighed.
"It's more a matter of... couldn't."
Frog cocked his head.
"I don't understand, sir."
Gaspar crossed his arms.
"Even I have rules to follow. If I'd said or done anything, it'd have affected the situation, and... well... let's just say someone upstairs has limits on what is allowed. Because I'm here I have laws to follow, with consequences... most unpleasant."
Robo nodded.
"If you were to meddle too much, a certain entity would not allow it. Perhaps, even erase you."
Gaspar nodded.
"I don't have much to do here, but I'd like to stay alive. That's why. If I'd forced you along rather than guided, the plan would never have worked the way it did. Myself, Melchior, and Belthasar might not have managed to pull this off."
Lucca cocked her head.
"What do you mean, pulled it off? Didn't the three of you know what to do? I mean, you connected all the dots."
Gaspar shook his head.
"Call it a deduction rather than a plan. I couldn't have orchestrated anything from here, anyway. Because each of us was placed at a certain point in time, we were meant to further the plan. I would guide, Belthasar would provide your wings, and Melchior would reforge the Masamune."
Frog sighed.
"But it seems Melchior was in the dark as well."
Gaspar nodded.
"His task was less obvious. Until presented with Dreamstone he wouldn't figure out his part. Once you brought him the Masamune and asked him to reforge it, he realized his role was to do so and further the plan."
Magus growled.
"Nice to tie up loose ends, but let's cut the crap. Is there a way to revive that punk?"
Gaspar paused.
"Yes and no. No in that I can't do it myself. Yes in that it is theoretically possible. I can't actually pull it off."
Robo stepped forward.
"I do not understand."
Gaspar dug into his vest and pulled out a small, egg-like object.
"This may help. I call it a Time Egg. If you can find your way back to Lavos's murder of Crono, you could fool him and swap him out."
Ayla cocked her head.
"Old man make Ayla head hurt."
Gaspar handed the Time Egg to Marle.
"That's where a clone comes in. If you take this Chrono Trigger to the point of Lavos's greatest disturbance, i.e. Death Peak in 2300 C.E., you'll find yourself back at the Ocean Palace in time to save him."
Marle paused.
"Clone? Wait, clone?! You mean like that Bekkler guy gave us?!"
Magus startled.
"Bekkler?! How does he enter into all this? He shouldn't be around to do anything of the sort!"
Gaspar sighed.
"He wasn't at the Ocean Palace, but he was sent to 1000 C.E. for the same reason we Gurus were. He's a mischievous magician from Zeal who loved creating dolls and toys, so knowing that he was sent there to provide a clone to fool Lavos."
Frog shook his head.
"That implies someone knew Crono would die!"
Gaspar paused.
"I'm not allowed to say anything more on the matter. What matters is, we can bring Crono back if we go to Death Peak - Lavos's most powerful temporal distortion - use the Chrono Trigger to bring us to that moment, swtich Crono for the clone, and bring him back."
Lucca slapped him.
"Who knew?! WHO?!"
Marle stepped between them.
"He says he can't say! But as long as we bring Crono back that doesn't matter!"
Magus nodded.
"The dialogue got away from us, but yes. Find the clone, go to Death Peak, and do it. That's the point, girl."
Lucca sighed.
"But where IS the clone?"
Marle paused.
"Wait, I think... Bekkler said he'd send it to Crono's house. I don't know how he knew where it was, but he said he'd send it there after we got it."
Lucca nodded.
"I'll put it in a capsule. Marle, you and I ought to visit Crono's house."
Marle nodded.
"Right."
Scene Two
"Hello there, Lucca! Have you seen Crono?"
Gina's words stunned the two. They couldn't really tell her he got atomized. Gina pressed Lucca.
"The anniversary of his father's death is in a couple of days, and he said he'd be back for it. Heaven forbid that boy listen to me!"
Marle paused, and shook her head.
"We came to get something, and then we can bring him home."
Lucca nodded.
"Have you seen a clone anywhere?"
Gina paused, and then nodded.
"Some creepy Crono doll popped up in his room. Feel free to take it; the damn thing weirds me out."
Lucca nodded.
"I'll go capsulize it."
She moved upstairs, leaving Marle and Gina. Marle looked at the photo of Crono's father, Joaquim. He looked a lot like him...
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to hear about your husband."
Gina sighed.
"He died in the south Zenan desert, got lost and ended up dead. If only that desert had never existed, we might still have him..."
Marle paused.
"We'll bring Crono back in time... literally."
Lucca popped up from upstairs.
"I got it! Let's head out!"
Gina nodded.
"Bring that boy home on time, won't you?"
Marle pasued, and smiled.
"Count on it."
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Magus and Gaspar"
"I've been wondering, Janus... how did you end up in the middle ages?"
Magus sighed.
"I was at the Ocean Palace, as a boy... a Gate opened, sucked me in, and landed me right in front of Ozzie. After I fried his flunkies he took me in. Knowing that the Mystics' knowledge could further my plans, I gave them their war."
Frog growled.
"All those people died for RESEARCH?"
Magus shook his head.
"I meant no harm. Besides warping you I never laid a hand on a human."
Frog clenched his fist.
"You killed Cyrus."
Magus sighed.
"Bad mood."
Marle and Lucca arrived with the Epoch. Lucca held up the capsule.
"Got the clone! Who's coming with us?"
Everyone paused, uncertain. Magus approached.
"I'm the strongest here. If I go with you little twerps our chances are best. Let's make ready to go."
Not that I care about that brat, but he's got some power behind him.
Scene Three
And thus our heroes (plus Magus) departed for the future, where they moved to climb Death Peak. They were promptly swept away by the fierce winds. Magus fumed.
"That old fart didn't tell us about this!"
Lucca paused.
"How about Belthasar's Dome? It's close, and he HAS been researching Lavos for decades."
Marle nodded.
"Worth a try."
Magus sighed.
"I just hope this isn't a waste of time..."
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Questionable Alliance"
"Sir Frog, I am concerned about Magus joining us. You clearly show apprehension working with him."
Frog growled.
"Damn straight. But... if he really brings Crono back, we'll owe him. And debts must be repaid."
Ayla grinned.
"Ayla still want kick ass."
Frog nodded.
"As do I. But, again... my vengeance may have to wait until Lavos is slain. Then I'll gut the bastard."
Scene Four
"I understand the situation... yes, I have three entities that can help you climb Death Peak."
Belthasar's Nu turned towards the control panel. He paused.
"But I have a request. Once this is done, my friend's tasks will be over. I ask that you turn it off and send it to rest."
Marle nodded.
"Of course."
The Nu clicked in a few controls. Three strange, ducklike dolls emerged from a hatch by the computer. Magus scoffed.
"Three dolls will help us? How?"
Pausing, the Nu sighed.
"These Poyozo dolls have been programmed specifically to assist your ascent. Follow their instructions and you should succeed. Now..."
The Nu input a series of commands, and the dolls vanished in a flash of light. Lucca bowed her head.
"Then, how do we switch this thing off?"
The Nu nodded.
"Flick a switch on my belly button."
Marle paused.
"Are you sure...?"
The Nu sighed and nodded.
"It has done more than its duty. I've placed so much pressure on its shoulders... I can at least send it to rest, and myself with it."
Marle nodded.
"Then... good night, Belthasar."
She pressed the button and the Nu stopped cold. Magus groaned.
"We've had the tender moment, so can we please get back to the matter at hand? I've not the time nor desire to dally here."
Lucca paused.
"Yeah... our business is done."
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Gaspar and Belthasar"
"Sir Gaspar," said Robo, "what precisely is your relationship to Sir Belthasar? You said you were both Gurus in your time period."
Gaspar nodded.
"There were three Gurus: myself, the Guru of Time; Melchior, the Guru of Life; and Belthasar, the Guru of Knowledge. Each of us made many cultural strides... and it pains me that I'll never see him again."
Frog paused.
"Being here must make that a common feeling."
Gaspar sighed.
"I've seen so many passings I'd like some therapy after this whole job is done..."
Scene Five
As they entered Death Peak, the party found one of the three Poyozo dolls in the center of the path.
"Brace yourselves against me and wait for the wind to pass."
Then it turned into a tree, and Lucca nodded.
"If we wait for the wind to wane, we can make our way forward."
Magus groaned.
"Cut the poetry. You used too many 'w's."
They waited against the tree, and when the storm passed they rushed forward. Soon they'd made it past the impediment and arrived in a wide open area. Marle sighed.
"Well, that's one hurdle down..."
Magus drew his scythe.
"The wraiths around us make a second. Prepare to fight!"
Several ghostly spectres appeared, wielding scythes. Magus clashed his own with three, quickly dispatching them in a single slice. As more approached Marle fired a bolt, killing one, and then switched to her dagger-sword to fend off another batch.
Lucca fired round after round at the ghosts, mostly hitting but sometimes whiffing. As they closed around her she clenched her fist.
"I'm so OVER these things!"
She threw out her hands and fire flew in all directions, incinerating the wraiths wholesale. Magus paused.
Even the scientist has potential... this may be worth my time after all.
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Bekkler's Part"
"You mentioned someone named Bekkler earlier. Who is he?"
Gaspar sighed.
"He was a magician back in Zeal, loved festivals and toys. When it all went to hell he was sent to Crono's time, where he set up shop as an entertainer. During the Fair, he met Crono and recognized his aura. Knowing something was up, he took a guess and gave him a clone."
Robo paused.
"Why would that seem relevant?"
Gaspar shook his head.
"Beats me. It's probably all he could think to do. Balloon animals would be worthless..."
Scene Six
Our heroes approached a new area, clearly laden with ice. Another Poyozo doll appeared.
"Watch your step. It's slippery."
Magus groaned.
"Great advice. We could already tell."
The doll began to glow.
"I'll prepare a path."
As it finished glowing, a row of solid ice appeared, arranged in a pattern that guaranteed a place to brace against. The party continued on, reaching a series of caves, which they entered. Another set of wraiths appeared, but Magus just growled.
"Enough of this."
He snapped his fingers and emitted a wave of lightning and fire, obliterating the ghosts.
"Let's continue."
Another Angle
"Back at the End of Time: Ayla's Opinion"
"Ayla head hurt."
Frog sighed.
"It's all a bit much to take in, yes... Do you have anything to add here?"
Ayla nodded.
"Cro die, Ayla want bring back. Asshole guy help, Ayla happy. Ayla not kick ass if he brings Cro back."
Robo cocked his head.
"Anything else?"
Ayla shook her head.
"Everything else make Ayla head hurt more. Stop thinking."
Scene Seven
At the end of the caves was a vast open area, with footholds several meters up... with no way to get there. Lucca groaned.
"Where's the doll?"
A roar sounded, one that was much too familiar. Then, a Gate opened and a small, Lavos-like creature emerged. It was several feet tall, with Lavos's spiky carapace and a small mouth at the bottom. Magus snarled.
"His spawn... Let's kill it."
Magus hurled a bolt of lightning at the shell, but it was repelled. Then he struck at the creature with his scythe, to no effect. The Lavos Spawn glowed red, and released a series of bolts from its spikes. The party dodged, narrowly.
"I remember that attack!" yelled Lucca. "How do we stop it?!"
Marle paused.
"If we can't hurt the shell, how about the mouth?"
Magus paused, and nodded.
"Works for me."
He drove his scythe deep into the Spawn's face, causing it to shriek loudly as the head dissolved and it died. That left only the shell. Another Poyozo doll appeared.
"Push the shell... climb the shell..."
Lucca cocked her head.
"I get that part, but how will we move it?"
Marle stepped forward.
"I think I know."
She created a sheet of ice underneath the Spawn, drew her crossbow, and fired two bolts at it. The shell was pushed back, leaving a path ahead to climb the shell and continue. Magus smiled.
She's quick, too. These guys might... just be useful after all.
Scene Eight
"We finally reached the top!"
Marle and the others dashed up a hill, finding a long abyss below and a single tree to their right. Ahead was nothing but emptiness, a dark void upon which a dead sun shone.
Lucca sighed.
"Finally! Now let's do this!"
Magus took up the rear, dreary as always.
"Great landscape. I love what they did with the place."
Marle stepped up to the top, raising the Chrono Trigger, and prayed.
"Those who curse the night and pray for dawn, I ask you: bring our friend, Crono, back!"
The Chrono Trigger rose up and, against the broken sun, shattered. Marle stepped back.
"It... shattered...?!"
Lucca paused. She began to tear up, and approached her friend.
"I... guess we were stupid to think we could bring him back. Let's go, Marle..."
She reached her hand to touch Marle's shoulder, but it wasn't there. Falling to her knees, tears running from her eyes, she began to sob.
"Are you telling me... that I... can never... see him again...?"
Lucca sighed.
"Marle..."
Marle sobbed, and held her head in her hands.
"We've gone through so much... laughed, cried... and I... never got to tell him how I feel... COME BACK! CRONO!"
Magus scoffed.
"What a farce..."
He started to walk away, only to see the light before him dim. Turning, he saw an eclipse begin to form.
"In the name of all that's holy..."
Scene Nine
In a flash, the party found themselves back at the Ocean Palace, exactly where they'd been when Crono was murdered. Marle and Lucca were frozen, their faces twisted; Schala had begun to rise and Magus writhed on the ground. And Crono stood defiantly, before death incarnate.
Marle sobbed, and grabbed him.
"Crono! Oh, God! Crono!"
Lucca released the clone from the capsule.
"Let's switch him. I'll adjust the position..."
As they did, Magus's eyes turned first to Schala, and then to himself. A scowl of contempt crossed his face.
In the end, I changed nothing...
Scene Ten
As the eclipse passed, Crono fell against a tree, slumped down in a stupor. Lucca approached, crying.
"You scared us to death, dummy!"
Crono slowly came to, watching Lucca's face stare back at him.
"Lucca...? What happened...? Where's Marle...?"
Marle approached, tears in her eyes.
"We went through a lot, you know... first we... then we... are you even listening?! Dammit, Crono?!"
She sank to her knees and embraced him with a sob.
"Dear God, I love you... don't ever leave me again...!"