Chrono Corruption

Act 4: New World Order

Chapter 18: Slumber

*El Nido Archipelago*

Crono and Garet appeared in a brilliant flash of light. They had arrived on an island that they had never known. It was volcanic in nature and the village they were near was built off its coast with wood and ornate cloth structures, not unlike those seen in the Ice Age. Crono turned to Garet, "Looks like we made it, but where are we exactly?"

Garet searched his memory cells for the map that Belthasar's research had provided, "We are on an island called 'New Enhasa'. It is a rustic fishing village that carries traditions over from the Ice Age. We must be careful as these villagers are strong followers of Neo Emperor Dalton."

"Okay, but could you please stop calling Dalton that," Crono said, slightly annoyed.

"Why, he is our target is he not?" Garet asked quizzically.

"Yeah, but Dalton isn't even worthy of being called 'garbage', let alone 'Emperor'," Crono said flatly.

"True, I will make note of this," Garet said stoically. "Additionally, it would be wise to do some reconnaissance on Dalton, to see how his people view him and what rules he has established."

"Good idea, knowing our enemy is the first step in defeating him. I also have to ask about Marle. I hope she's okay...," Crono mused, worriedly.

"The last trace for your wife's location would be at the main island, El Nido itself." Garet deduced. "Let us make haste, we should locate the chief, they'll have the Intel we need."

"Right, that tall cone-shaped building looks important!" Crono pointed out.

Crono and Garet entered New Enhasa from the sandy path they had been placed on. The village was slightly confusing as it was separated into two stories worth of wooden construction. Ziplines were fastened to higher buildings for fast travel. Crono casually toured the village until eventually finding the chief's office. Inside was a spiritual woman sitting on a cushion in front of a contained bonfire. The room was filled with cultural and spiritual art that reflected the village's past. She sat in front of a table with a crystal ball that she peered into. She immediately took notice of Crono and Garet as they walked in. An assistant priestess intercepted them, however. The young woman smiled, "How may the chieftain assist you this fine day weary travelers?" she asked sweetly.

Crono immediately put on a convincing act, "We are travelers from afar that have come seeking the ways of Neo Emperor Dalton," Crono said trying not to gag.

"Ah yes, then right this way weary ones!" she said excitedly as she allowed Crono passage.

The beautiful priestess welcomed them with a warm smile, "Welcome, do you come seeking the wonders of our unrivaled God, Neo Emperor Dalton?" she said with an eerie sense of joy.

"Um, yes, if you would. May we see any writings he has established?" Crono asked nervously.

"Certainly!" she said as she handed over a small pamphlet.

"I was expecting a 'bible' of sorts," Garet whispered cautiously.

"...You were?" Crono whispered back, genuinely surprised at his statement.

"Now that you mention it, no," he said, correcting himself. "What does the pamphlet say?"

"Let's excuse ourselves first, so we can read it in peace," Crono whispered.

"Good thinking," Garet replied.

With that, Crono respectfully excused himself and Garet and they left the hut. Crono opened the pamphlet and its design seemed very cult-like. Crono began to read, "There seem to be only a few rules. Commandment 1: Bow down and worship me, or I'll destroy you and your land, homes, and anything else you own! Commandment 2: Worship me and I'll give you a paradise to live in and won't destroy you! Commandment 3: All blasphemers are to be sacrificed to me without mercy! Commandment 4: Bring to me a Champion among you to fight for me and I'll grant you peace and prosperity! Commandment 5: The whole planet is under my power, don't forget that! Remember and be afraid! Commandment 6: Make slaves of the poor as they aren't useful for anything else! Commandment 7: And this is an important one! Remember me always with festivals and effigies built in my image because if you don't, I'll destroy you! That's it," Crono stated. "Well, other than times of held events and festivals to Dalton, there really isn't any more useful information."

"He is no God...," Garet said flatly. "He is a fear-monger."

"Sounds about right," Crono began. "Let's see if we can't find a boat ride to the main island and find Marle."

"Mission objective complete, let's proceed to the next step," Garet agreed.

Crono took the zipline back to the base of the village and found small wooden boats that a slave was tending to. He approached the man, "Um, hey, could you give us a ride to the main island by any chance?" Crono asked.

"Oh yes, I can do that!" the man said nervously. "I must stay busy or the priestesses of Neo Emperor Dalton will get angry with me!"

"...Poor man...," Garet said under his breath.

Crono boarded the small boat that had been prepared and both he and Garet sailed off. The ride took only a couple of hours as they came to a dock in another small tropical village. "Thank you!" Crono said as he handed the sailor the fee.

The dock led into a small desert village. It was built like an oasis. It was called, 'New Kajar Village'. However, a glum atmosphere overtook it. Dalton's influence of fear could be seen in the hearts of the people, but anyone who was a leader seemed smug. "According to my data, the time distortion that Marle should have appeared from is north of this village. There is nothing of interest here, so we should continue forward," Garet recommended.

"Now hold on, let's ask a few people if they've seen anyone with Marle's description come this way," Crono replied.

"Very well, that will prevent us from backtracking," Garet said.

Crono wandered the village asking if anyone had seen a woman with Marle's description. However, Crono was met with empty responses. After a few more tries, Crono came to a conclusion, "I think it's safe to say that she hasn't been this way."

"Agreed, the villagers mentioned something about the great city to the north that is past the valley up ahead and how she most likely would be there. They must be speaking of Daltonopolis," Garet deduced.

"Thanks for pointing that out. Since Marle hasn't been here, it's time to go. We got to catch up to her before something happens," Crono said, starting to worry.

With that, Crono and Garet left the little oasis and headed north through the scorching desert. After some time traveling, they came to a craggy mountainous area with a pathway that led through two large rocky walls. A woman stood before a small wooden barricade. Her smile and joy were obviously faked, "Hi, welcome to the Black Bird Valley! We're sorry, but we aren't doing any tours today as we had some strange phenomenon occur and are have some specialists investigate. So if you could, please remain on the main road as it will lead you straight out of the valley!" she said as she opened the barricade.

Crono and Garet continued past the woman until she was no longer in sight. "That woman back there. She must've been talking about Marle. Let's take a look around!" Crono said eagerly.

"Very well, there is a man up ahead we can ask," Garet pointed out.

They approached the man, he was a very grumpy soldier type and was dressed in bronze armor over white cloth, "Do you need something?" he said irritated.

"Uh, what happened here?" Crono asked, trying not to sound suspicious.

"We don't really know. We were told to come here and investigate, but we have not found anything out of the ordinary. It was perhaps, just another ghost sighting or something... Anyway, you two move along. I do not want to have to take you in for causing trouble. If you head out of the valley you will come to the City of Daltonopolis," the guard said.

"Okay, by the way, have you seen a woman dressed in white with blonde hair that was tied up?" Crono asked hopefully.

"Yes, pretty much every woman has such clothing! If you are looking for someone, they will likely be in the city," the guard continued.

"Thanks, we'll be on our way," Crono said as he politely excused himself.

Crono and Garet began to walk away, "I wonder why people are so drawn to that city," Garet thought out loud.

"I just hope Marle doesn't do anything foolish!" Crono worried.

*The City of Daltonopolis*

Crono entered the egotistically named, 'Daltonopolis'. It had massive iron portcullis gates that were set into marble walls and the homes were made of common gray stone. The homes were tightly packed together as people moved in and out and up stone-carved stairways. The people walked around in white robes and togas with bronze jewelry and accents. They filled the streets making merry, doing business via trading goods, and doing whatever they wanted regardless of morale.

Crono walked around the city, taking in its sights. Crono noticed that the people began migrating to a specific spot in excitement. "Where is everyone going? Is a festival going on?" Crono asked in bewilderment.

Garet pulled a random person by the shirt, "What is happening here?" he asked coldly.

The man struggled a bit in fear, "Hey! What do you mean, what is happening? The Church of Neo Emperor Dalton is about to execute a blasphemer!" he said as Garet released him. He straightened his clothes all while giving Garet a disgusted look and then walked off.

A fear awoke in Crono's heart, "No, I hope it's not who I think it is...!"

Crono and Garet took off running until they came to a large pyramid structure that was overlaid with gold. Grand stairs separated the crowd from the base of the pyramid. A large man in white, purple, and gold-colored ceremonial clothing stood before the crowd with his legion of assistants. A golden altar was brought out and a blonde woman was placed on top of it by the clerics. However, Crono was too far away to tell if it was Marle. "We gotta get closer!" Crono said in frustration.

Garet stood atop a crate that was near a house and squinted. His cybernetics kicked in and his eyes began to glow. He was able to zoom in on the woman's face, "Warning, the woman on the altar is Marle, confirmed," Garet said flatly.

In an instant, Crono's rage began to flare up, "Then we find a way to her, now!"

"Affirmative, the future must be preserved," Garet agreed.

The head Priest began his speech as the people all calmed down to watch the spectacle. "Friends, Family, and Foreigner alike! I welcome you here this fine day, so that we may do away with this blasphemer!" the fat disgusting man spoke. The people cheered in a blood-thirsty delight.

"Garet we gotta do something! I swear I can see her crying, but I can't get through this sea of people!" Crono said desperately.

Garet analyzed Marle again, "Her emotional state is near a breaking point. I detect a change in her biology approaching if any more stress is applied."

"A change...? Do you mean, an Aura Surge?" Crono asked curiously.

"It is a possibility. Marle's stress levels are extraordinarily high. A normal person would have fainted by now," Garet explained.

"Well, I've never known Marle to be weak, but she really needs to shut her mouth sometimes. That's probably why she attracted their attention!" Crono guessed.

Crono and Garet found a way to get to higher ground. They began hopping from building to building to get closer. The Priest began speaking again, "This foreign woman has blasphemed our beloved God! She has called him wicked and deceitful! And that his face is 'stupid', among other childish insults!" he claimed. The crowd 'booed' Marle's actions. He then did the unthinkable, he grabbed hold of Marle's face and squished her cheeks in a mocking fashion. This caused Crono to slip when he saw this. Luckily, Garet grabbed him just in time so he wouldn't fall. The Priest continued to harshly taunt Marle, "She even claimed that she's going to MURDER him with an arrow to the heart!" he announced. While being taunted, Marle's emotional state peaked as her blood veins glowed crimson. The Priest backed off as Marle's eyes began to glow as well. "Can it be? Ladies and Gentlemen! This woman has the mark of our Emperor himself! This is unexpected! This is a sign ladies and gentlemen! This woman is not to be executed, but she is to be made a sacrifice, made to become ONE with our great ruler!"

Crono, Garet, and Marle became white with shock as to what this might mean. "...Become 'one'? With Dalton and Lavos?" Crono mused in disgust. "I won't let it happen! Not in a million years!"

The Priest dismissed the crowd and leaned into Marle, "I don't know why a witch like you bares the mark of our ruler, but it does not matter. Soon, you will be cleansed of all your weaknesses and become one with the Emperor and receive immortality!"

Marle struggled against her restraints only to fail as the acolytes took Marle into the pyramid. "We must follow them inside, or I'll lose Marle forever!" Crono said as he and Garet continued across the rooftops.

"We have a much higher chance of reacquiring her in the pyramid than out here. These people would get in our way," Garet said analytically.

Crono managed to sneak his way past the people and both he and Garet snuck into the pyramid before the mechanical doors closed. They silently followed the inattentive acolytes and once inside they ducked behind two pillars once inside.

Crono whispered to Garet, "Where do you suppose they are taking her?'

"A sacrificial altar perhaps?" Garet responded.

The acolytes took Marle up a flight of stairs, pulled two levers on either side of the door, and into a long stretching hallway. The doors closed behind them. Two acolytes remained and stood guard at the door. "I like these odds much better!" Crono said as he leaped out from behind cover and drew his sword. Garet covered him as he did so.

Before the acolytes could react, Crono swiftly cut them down. "Good, these two levers look like they need to be pulled at the same time, on three," Garet deduced.

Crono agreed and the two counted down and pulled the levers. The ornate door opened and they cautiously entered the hallway. All the way to the end they could see Marle before another large door, but this one resembled the black doors from Zeal that could only be opened with Marle's pendant. The head priest opened the door with an artifact of his own, however, and they took her inside. The door began to slowly descend and the duo swiftly dashed down the hall to reach it before it closed. Just before it did, Garet made it first and used his cyborg strength to hold the door open, "GO! NOW!" he struggled.

"I'll be right back!" Crono said as he slid underneath the door. Garet let go and he was sealed outside.

Inside, Crono viewed the darkened room that reminded him of the Ocean Palace. Large statues of gargoyles and glowing floor designs made up the special room. On an altar lie none other than the Frozen Flame. Although it was different this time. It was levitating in its compact state as it was bathed in a rather calm torrent of dark energy.

The Priest approached the Flame, "Oh, Mighty Lavos! I have found one that you desire! She bares your marking! I..., I get my reward now, right?"

The Flame opened and its dark energy began creeping toward Marle, but strangely Dalton's voice was nowhere to be heard to berate her. "Stop right there!" Crono shouted.

Marle's tired eyes brightened as they immediately locked on to Crono's position. The ugly Priest turned around, his jowls contorting as he glared at Crono. With superhuman speed, Crono cut down the remaining four acolytes and he placed himself between Marle and the priest. "I don't know what kind of stunt you're pulling here Dalton, but... I'll be taking back my wife, thank you very much!" Crono said strongly.

The priest laughed, "Talk all you like, but it seems Neo Emperor Dalton has fallen into a deep sleep as of late! I know the real power behind him! The Mighty Lavos! And with you two as sacrifices, I too will commune with Lavos and gain immortality!"

"...Boy where have I heard this before?" Crono said sarcastically.

Crono dashed towards the priest and cut into his abdomen. "No, this can't be! Lavos, give me strength!" cried the priest in agony.

His blood poured out onto the floor and Crono sheathed his blade and took Marle's hand. "Come on, darling! Let's get you outta here!" Crono said as he swept her into his arms. She was still in shock as Crono dashed down the long hallway as the priest cursed at him. He put Marle down looking for a way out as the doors in front of him were still closed. The priest's voice became garbled and distorted as Lavos' emanations began creeping down the hallway. Just then, Marle faced the door and opened it with her pendant. Garet stood outside with a large comical pile of defeated acolytes.

He approached them with haste, "Good, she has been reacquired," Garet said with a smile. However, his smile was wiped clean as he noticed Lavos' energy filling the hall behind them. "We don't have much time. Let us escape immediately."

Marle faced Crono, confused, "...Who...?"

"I'll explain later!" Crono said as he urged the party to start running.

As the party escaped the pyramid, they were met by an entire crowd of people, who were in the middle of reveling and making merry. "Woah! How do we get through them all?" Crono stated in surprise.

The priest's laughter could be heard coming from inside the pyramid as a strong pressure built up inside. The doors began to creak and moan as they then suddenly gave way with explosive power. As the dust cleared a horrifying monster was revealed. The priest, although already an ugly man, was transfigured into an ugly beast. His body had become ruddy with bright purplish coloration. He was so fat and deformed his belly resembled a blob that bore a horrifying mouth that was created from the cut Crono gave him earlier. His face gained a pig-like structure over his once human features.

Crono charged the Priest Beast with his sword and made two strong cuts and Garet followed with a strong punch with his cybernetic arm. Marle remained idle with her tear-stricken face downcast and her teeth clenched in anger. "Marle are you okay?!" Crono shouted as he simultaneously defended himself.

The Priest Beast struck back with elastic arms and gas attacks. As Crono and Garet fought back, the Priest Beast mixed Light magic with physical attacks. Crono fired back with his own Lightning Bolts, but they seemed to deal little damage. Garet's Ballistic Salvo pushed the monster back somewhat but failed to keep him down. "It has such a tough hide," Garet confirmed as he continued to fire his weapons at it.

After a short skirmish, the Priest Beast managed to get the upper hand as Crono's Light magic was nearly ineffective and Garet's weapons too weak to do any real harm. Crono began receiving hit after hit along with Garet. Garet was eventually brought to his knees and a weak and battered Crono placed himself in between Marle and the beast.

Marle then began to act strangely and her two party members quickly took notice. A cold air emanated from her body and her teeth began to chatter as if she was freezing and her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her eyes widened as she looked up and the nasty monster before her and her breath became visible as if she were in a cold environment. She then let out a cry of rage as her eyes glowed fiercely. Her body became enveloped in a familiar bright light. When it subsided, Marle had transformed. Her aura could be seen like a strong blizzard rising from her feet. Her hair was as white as fresh snow and sparkled beautifully. She came to Crono with a look of peace on her face and kissed him on the lips, healing him of all his wounds with her curative magic. She let go as she stared at him with her golden eyes. "Crono my love, watch me now. It's my turn!"

"What is this?" the Priest Beast snarled. "Is this the true power of Lavos? I shall devour you and grow even stronger!"

"I am beyond you... I am the Princess of Guardia, and I have had enough...," Marle said eerily.

The monster charged toward her, but it could not touch her as she calmly and gracefully moved out of the way like an ice skater. She countered the beast's rubbery body with Ice Breath attacks. The Priest Beast backed off, feeling the sting of Marle's cold ice magic. He faced the crowd of onlookers, "The lot of you, come before me!" he said as he pointed to the people nearest him. Fearfully, they approached and rightfully so as the Priest Beast devoured them with the mouth set in his belly. Their screams and agony brought a sickening astonishment to Crono and the others and the people of the city.

Marle's fury was amplified as she coldly set her gaze skyward. She lifted her bow as the monster finished its meal. "Icicle Rain," Marle chanted as she fired off a freezing bolt of ice magic into the sky. The sky rapidly grew dark as everyone was in awe. Just then, a sharp icicle came down from the sky and pierced an acolyte, and then another, and another. The denizens of the city fled for their lives. The beastly creature received an icicle straight into his eye socket. He roared in agony as more icicles began to effortlessly pierce his flesh. As the skies cleared, the monstrous man and his followers became covered in ice and were still freezing. As the Priest Beast's body hardened from the freezing, it began to crack and crumble until he had shattered into pieces.

Marle's aura had dissipated and she reverted to her normal state. Crono rushed up to her and grasped her in his arms, "Marle, sweetheart! Are you alright?" he asked in obvious concern.

She looked up at him with a face of relief, "Ah, I needed to vent," she giggled weakly.

Garet came up to them, "It is imperative, that we use this opportunity to leave. We must head to the beach that is just north of the desert village we came from."

"Alright, let's go, can you stand Marle?" Crono asked worriedly.

"Yeah," she said as she faced Garet. "I don't know you yet, but thank you. Here, let me patch you up real quick!" she said as she cast a Cure on Garet. His wounds vanished without a trace.

"Thank you," he said with a gentle smile. "I am Garet by the way."

"Pleased to meet you!" Marle said cheerfully.

"Alright, let's get outta this hell hole before the city decides to form an angry mob!" Crono warned. With that, the trio took the opportunity to leave the now chaotic Daltonopolis.

*Strange Beach*

Escaping the city and making their way back through the valley, Crono and his party finally came upon the coastline that Garet spoke of. The beach in question just seemed like an ordinary beach to both Crono and Marle, but Garet was certain of his coordinates. "Here, there is a Gate," Garet said as he uncovered a spatial anomaly in the sands. It was sealed within a pyramid-shaped enclosure of magical energy. "Marle, please use your pendant to activate the Time Egg. Then have the egg hatch near Dalton's seal and the released energy should shatter the seal."

"Okay!" Marle agreed.

Crono held the Time Egg in his hand and Marle began to channel the energy from her pendant to the egg. With a bright flash, the egg hatched, and just as Garet said, Dalton's seal shattered with it.

"Sweet, it really worked!" Crono said joyfully. "Time to go back to Chronopolis!" said Crono as he opened the Gate with the Gate Key. They entered the Gate and Marle and Crono posed like they were in front of a camera.

*Chronopolis*

Crono's party gathered around the core and Robo's voice echoed through the speakers, "Welcome back Marle, it's so good to see you again!" he said cheerfully.

Marle was astounded, "Robo? Where are you? I can't see your body!"

Robo took the time to explain everything to Marle that he told Crono and she was brought up to speed. "...And that is how you came to be here!" Robo explained.

"I see, that certainly is a lot! It feels like a lot happened since we beat Lavos. So if I'm to understand this. Essentially, everything boils down, to Lavos wanting a 'Round 2'?" Marle asked as she condensed what she learned.

"Yes, that is a good way of looking at it!" Robo agreed. "Anyway, back to the matter at hand..."

Belthasar took over, "It would seem that a change has happened to Dalton since you've been away."

"A change?" Crono asked curiously.

"It would seem that Dalton has entered a state of inactivity, but we do not know why," Robo claimed.

"Yeah, the priest that became a monster we fought had access to the Flame and mentioned that Dalton had 'fallen into a slumber," Crono stated.

"Hmm, a slumber?" Belthasar mused.

"That sounds troubling," Robo whirred.

"We will study this more, but in the meantime, you should head back through time and find your friends while this opening exists!" Belthasar recommended.

"You bet, but where do we go first?" Marle asked curiously.

"May I make an educated suggestion?" Robo asked.

"Sure Robo, go ahead," Crono urged.

"...Go back to the Future first, my time," Robo said bluntly. "Find me and recruit me. I will have no problem rejoining you and my added strength and technology will be very useful here."

"All right, we're getting Robo back!" Crono said excitedly.

"Just some information before you go," Robo started. "...You won't find me in very good shape when you arrive."

"What?' Marle said worriedly.

"Why, what happened?" Crono followed.

"After we defeated Lavos and I returned to the Future I did indeed find a wonderful future. Although, it did have its problems," Robo began. "I ignored it initially as I explored this new future and found Atropos, but I quickly realized that Atropos and I were... 'antiques'. I actually located Atropos in a robotics museum and managed to get her out with some hacking and less than moral actions, but this got me and her in trouble. I managed to keep her safe, but I was eventually caught by the more advanced tech of the age and deactivated. I was eventually, reactivated in a scrap yard on an island with a Robot Colosseum. I had been scavenged for parts by the time I awoke. Two young children found me and took me back to the surrounding village hoping to make me into a battle bot. This is where you will come in. Instead, I ask that you two reclaim me and give me a hand, so to speak."

"Won't we need Lucca to help with the repairs though?" Marle asked worriedly.

"No, we can't even locate Lucca at this time. Plus, there are many mechanics who do a great job in the village around the Robot Colosseum. I would prefer Lucca, but finding her is proving difficult. I was only able to locate Marle because of her pendant and its energy signal," Robo explained.

"I see, we're starting with eras we already know," Crono said.

"Makes sense to me," Marle agreed.

"Then it's settled," Belthasar announced. "Don't worry about any sort of tech problems. Once you get Robo back here, I have many technicians who could help with any repairs that are necessary."

"Sounds good," Crono agreed. Crono, Marle, and Garet returned to the Telepod Chamber and Crono grabbed another Time Egg.

"All right, is everyone ready?" Belthasar asked. He received confirmation from the party, "Well then, 3... 2... 1 activate!" he counted as he activated the machine. The Rift opened and swallowed the party and once again, they were sent off through time.

*End of Chapter*