I awoke blearily, having slept fitfully during the night. I couldn't remember any of my dreams, but all the same, they left me feeling uneasy. In contrast to all of this, outside my window the sun was bathing the tops of the trees in golden light, the birds were singing, and a slight breeze stirred the leaves. I sighed. It was so peaceful…a peace that would last for another 399 years if history was left unaltered. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be around to enjoy it. I turned from the window, gathered my clothes from the wardrobe, and proceeded to dress.

I was tying the lacing on the front of my jacket when I noticed something odd. Was it just me or did my hands have an outline? I turned them over experimentally, wriggling my fingers. The outline didn't go away. It was like looking at a drawing or an…anime? I rushed over to the mirror. Everything had an outline! My body, my clothing, my face. I was an anime character! But drawn by whom? Oh duh! I facepalmed. Akira Toriyama of course! Everyone in this world was animated by Toriyama-San! There was just one problem with that…

As much as I love anime, and as much as I love variety in anime, there are some varieties that I don't tolerate as well as others. Toriyama's was one of them. It was fine for male characters (excepting the fact that the eyebrows were literally on top of the eyes, which made everyone, including Crono, who was actually a really nice guy, look scowly) but it made females look boxy and stocky and compact. And the eyes- you'd think he could do more with his eyes. It seemed every character came equipped with the standard generic set of Toriyama eyes. The only difference was color, and a few eyelashes for the girls.

Well, I'd just have to accept it. I turned to face the mirror again and this time examine my face thoroughly. There was the mouth; a curved line with another line below it to define the lower lip. The nose was short and pointed, with a shadow on the underside to give it depth. Now for the moment of truth. I slowly raised my gaze, inwardly pleading Not the eyes, not the eyes, not the…eyes! I smiled with my mouth wide open in a rounded triangle of joy. My eyes were my own; the ones I always drew on myself when I was anime-styled. A large oval- almost a circle- was topped by an arch that thickened at the end to form generous eyelashes. A smaller curved line, arched slightly upwards in happiness at the moment, defined the bottom. What made me really happy was that the irises were perfectly shaded, going from a light milk chocolate at the bottom to a dark chestnut where the light struck and left a couple of shine spots. A dark black pupil graced the middle.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Startled, I jumped and then taking a deep breath, called, "Yes?"

"Art thou awake, Lady Melanie?" Frog's voice asked from the other side of the door. "The Queen desires our presence at breakfast within the hour. After that, we have much to do if thou art to arrive in Lady Lucca's era."

"Yes, Sir Frog; I'll be there, Sir Frog!" I answered, hurriedly tugging on my boots. There was silence for a few seconds, then I heard a throaty chuckle.
"Frog will do," said Frog. "Thou art not a soldier."

Snatching the Heartsong from the vanity, I cautiously opened the door and stepped out onto the landing. "Thank you, Frog." I said, blushing delicately.

"That is better," Frog replied, smiling, which looked so adorable on his amphibian face that I had to hold back a squee and settle for a grin instead.

As we proceeded down the steps, Frog explained, "I have much to explain to thee, as well as certain items to bestow. Lucca, as thou knowest, left them in my safekeeping when Guardia was invaded in her time." My heart started to pound. He couldn't mean…

But a few moments later in the knights quarters, there it rested in my hands, round and padded, with its metal rim gleaming dully in the torchlight. The antenna quivered slightly, as it picked up my excited trembling. It definitely weighed more than my imitation made of craft foam and fabric, but it couldn't have been over a pound. I ran my index finger gently over the bumps on the rim. Here was physical proof that she existed- her helmet.

"Why doest thou not try it on?" Frog inquired. Startled out of my reverie, I stammered out "B-but…I couldn't! It's not mine!"

"Aaah," Frog intoned, "But thou of all people could. 'Twas this object that brought you together in the first place, was it not? Perhaps it can guide you to her again."

I thought morosely of the loneliness I had felt last night, swallowed, and lowered the helmet onto my head. It fit quite comfortably, well padded on the inside. My senses were heightened almost imperceptibly, and I felt so much more…observant. It was like being able to see in all the mirrors of a car at once; being able to analyze the entire situation instead of having my view limited to only what I could see…and yet…and yet…

I slid the helmet off of my head, chocking back tears. "I can't find her, Frog…It's like something's blocking me." I gave a deep, shuddering breath and was about to set the helmet aside when Frog stopped me. "Try again," he instructed.

Something in his tone reassured me, and I put the helmet back on. This time I battered at the barrier with all my strength, yelling Lucca's name over and over in my mind. The helmet began to jump and rattle on my head. Frog backed away in alarm and was about to say something when suddenly the Masamune flew out of it's sheath and rose into the air, splitting into two glowing forms. The forms took shape as two identical dream spirits- Masa and Mune.

Who in the name of the Gurus is making all that racket??

Dunno big bro, but I haven't felt a presence like that in quite a while.

Think it's got anything to do with that thing on her head?

Hey, you're right, I recognize that!

Lucca was wearing that!

Hey, kid! Whatcha messin' around with that helmet for?!

It was a good thing I had plopped down onto a nearby bench at their very first mention of me, because once Masa addressed me openly my knees completely gave way. I-I…Lucca… I stammered incoherently.

Whoa, relax! implored Mune. We don't bite. Just try to start from the beginning and let your thoughts flow from there. We'll help out. Right big bro?

Yup. We're good at picking up trains of thought. So just let it loose!

I did, starting from the moment I had first begun playing Chrono Trigger, to the time I met Lucca, to the time we became friends, to the time she first kissed me, to the time I felt comfortable kissing back, to the time I fell into the portal, to the present moment. It was like watching my life flash before my eyes, so to speak, as Masa and Mune helped the memories along.

Wow… said Masa after everything was finished

A love out of time, that knows no dimensional boundaries… gushed Mune

Anyway, I think we have the solution to your problem, interrupted Masa. There was a slight draining feeling in my skull as something came away. Masa caught whatever it was before it could hit the floor. At first I thought he was holding a Barbie doll, but then I recognized the figure. She had her light brown, almost honey-colored hair in a bun, and was wearing a zip-up sweater over a white cami along with a matching skirt and knee-high boots. It was Mary!

Mary didn't figure prominently in my psychosis. She was always busy in the background, weaving and sorting out my thoughts into patterns and dreams. Because that was what Mary was- my dream spirit. She had literally transferred over from one of my dreams into my waking thoughts one morning, and after getting over the disorienting experience of being in the waking world, had taken over the job of weaving my dreams. She was young and, of course, being pulled fresh from my dreams, inexperienced at the task, but she tried her best and that was what counted. She was very shy and never said much unless I addressed her directly, but then what she said was very insightful and accurate. I hadn't considered that she might hold the key to all of this.

But Masa looked concerned. Mary lay prone in his hands, not moving a muscle. "Is she…dead?" I whispered.

No, Masa reassured me, only in stasis. Your journey here must've knocked her out somehow. Lemme see what we can do.

The brothers took Mary in both their hands and began to mutter strings of unintelligible words. There was a flash of bright blue light accompanied by a gust of warm wind… and Mary still lay limp and unmoving in their hands.

Wha-what did you do? I asked, somewhat panicked.

This should help bring her out of stasis faster. Masa replied. When she wakes up, she should have the key to that barrier stashed away somewhere in the archives of your mind. Of course, it'll help if you interact with Lucca, too. That should get the juices flowing in your brain.

O-okay. Thank you.

No problem, kid. Contact us when you reach 1006 AD; let us know how things are going.

Speaking of contacts, one of your friends sends greetings from Zeal!

Leaving me to puzzle over that last enigmatic comment, they merged back into the sword once more.

One breakfast and a flute concert later, Frog and I said our farewells to Queen Leene and King Guardia and set out for Truce Canyon. The walk along the road was pleasant and peaceful for the most part, and Frog and I talked of his adventures with Crono and the gang. I carried Lucca's helmet and a hefty pouch of gold in a brown leather rucksack slung over my shoulder. Once we reached the forested canyon though, Frog cautioned me to stay behind him and have my flute at the ready. Luckily we were able to avoid many encounters simply by being quick and stealthy, and in those that we didn't, Frog showed amazing skill with his sword.

However these monsters, unlike the heartless in my previous adventures, did not simply vaporize on the spot when killed. More than once I had to turn away as Frog dumped a carcass into the bushes, still oozing blood from where his sword had inflicted its fatal wound. Frog, however, did not look down on my squeamishness. He simply assured me that magic was an effective tool that left little or no mark on the target.

Upon reaching the clearing, Frog presented me with my final gift: the gate key. Pressing it into my hands he warned, "When thou arrivest in Truce, speak to no one. Daltons spies are everywhere. 'Tis wiser to error on the side of caution." I nodded. "Go straight to the Ashtears' home. There thou wilt find sanctuary with the Rebels," leaning closer he added in an undertone, "and thy love. I am sure she can find a way to send thee safely home, though she may not want to." Again there was that charming smile. "Now go."

I stepped into the center of the clearing, where a little pile of stones had been stacked. Standing next to them, I felt around in the air with the gate key until it snagged on something. Then, pulling it back, I revealed the gate, pulsing and crackling with blue energy in the air.

Looking over my shoulder one last time, I saw Frog looking on, still smiling. This time I couldn't resist. Walking over, I said, "I may not be a princess, but you deserve more of these," and planted a kiss on his cheek. He croaked in surprise, his throat ballooning out like a bullfrogs. "Thank you, Glenn!" I called as I bounded into the portal.