The Rescue

Less than five minutes later Chrono found himself sitting in the latest cell. It wasn't long before he found the room's only chair (while groping in the dark). Milton had come and and he had gone, leaving the door slightly ajar. For a moment, Chrono considered making some kind of escape, but he thought better of it and sat down again, resigning himself to watching the white outline of the doorjamb and counting how many shadows passed by.

His count was just above ten when Milton returned, showering the room with light. He brought with him some extra bodyguards. Chrono recognized a few of them instantly – there was Benny, looking suspiciously professional, as usual. The Chancellor also came by, with front row tickets Chrono was sure. There were about four other castle guards, who could serve no other purpose than intimidation, and they looked like they really wished they had better things to do. And, finally, there was one more visitor, who by all appearances was another prisoner awaiting his death. He had the same pale demeanor that Chrono had, only a little worse, and drooped his head to his chest, showing his matted strawberry hair.

Chrono stretched in his seat and tried to change his position. As soon as he realized there was no back to the chair, he leapt to his feet. The guillotine! So that's how they were going to get rid of him! And he had been sitting where countless other victims had lost their heads. He gave an involuntary shudder.

"Sit him down, please," the Chancellor ordered. Immediately, two of the guards stepped forward and clasped the boy's shoulders. Chrono was shoved back onto the guillotine and positioned appropriately. Then they slid the wooden barrier in place. Once their task was complete, they backed toward the wall with the other guards.

Milton stood by the lever for half a minute before turning to the Chancellor. "Sir?"

"What are you waiting for?"

The executioner turned toward Benny. "Is he allowed in here?"

Benny showed no emotion. "No."

"What? Is that a law?" The Chancellor spat, his hat bobbling across his head.

"Yes. No one is allowed in this room, save for the execution party. Oh, and the criminals to be executed," he added, referring to Chrono and the other boy.

"You just made up that law! I want to see this boy die!"

"Sir, you cannot be here." The others were adamant.

"What if we bring you his head?"

"Quiet!" Benny raised a hand. "Chancellor, I'm sorry you could not participate, but if you don't get out I will force you out myself."

The Chancellor was about to retort, but held his temper, turned on his heels, and marched out of the room.

Now Milton stood above the lever again, his hand hovering over the death switch. Chrono shut his eyes, awaiting a hot steel blade in his throat. After twenty seconds, and he was breathing, he popped one eye open. Milton still hovered over the switch, but now looked across the room.

Chrono craned his neck as best he could, but it did no good. All he could see was the giant blade hovering over his face.

"Milton?" It was Benny… something strange was in his voice. The executioner nodded. BANG! He crumpled to the floor. Chrono could hear the other four guards jump into action, but after several more sharp reports, they all hit the floor.

Next thing he knew, Chrono was being lifted off of the guillotine. "Chrono!" Benny was staring him in the eye. "Get to the stairs – third door on the right, straight until the end of the smallest corridor. Go all the way to the top and go across the bridge. The warden's office is to your left. Go up those stairs and you should be in the castle. Corny should get you out from there. Now take this gun to Lucca!" With that, Benny pointed the weapon at his own chest. BANG! He hit the floor.

Chrono stood a few moments over the body, then knelt to retrieve the gun. Something very wet and red was oozing from the guard's chest. Chrono gasped and ripped open Benny's vest. "Of course." The guard had secured himself a steel plate…

Chrono rose to his feet again, holding the gun. He stared at the weapon momentarily before glancing back to Benny. Hmm – he wore gloves.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Aside from the fact that Chrono had been tossed in jail for three days on a trumped up charge, beaten, denied proper nutrition, nearly killed, then subjected to a near suicide, he was really in great physical condition. He found the strength to stand on his own two feet for more than a few minutes at a time, and could even talk now and then. The other boy followed him out of the execution room, appearing as flabbergasted as Chrono felt. No time to delay, I need to get out of here – now which way was it?

He mustered all his strength and sprinted across the hall. "Wait!" It was the other boy. His call stopped Chrono in his tracks. "Wait! Not so fast! I can't run so well…" Chrono returned to the boy. Aagh! He'll slow me down – but I can't simply leave him here – this close to freedom… can I? "Can you help me, please? I've been here for a month, I think. I don't have my energy…"

Chrono only nodded his head. You'll find it, trust me.

"Do you know the way out?" the other boy asked. "I can't remember a word Benny told you. Which door is it?" The boy meandered down the hall.

"Third on the right. I think." What did Benny not tell me?

"Thanks… please, help me out of here. You're the one with the weapon…" Chrono pulled the gun out of his pocket. What kind of weapon was this…? "I can't go myself."

"Who… who are you?"

"I'm Fritz. I'd tell you more, but… if we get out of here, stop by the Truce marketplace. I'll be there to help you right away…" The boy smiled sarcastically. "Now, please, lead the way."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The two runaways were quite grateful that the hallway was unoccupied. Even then, they slinked across underneath the floor, as if the light were to alarm the guards if it caught a glimpse of them. The hallway seemed so much longer now, especially as they crawled at a pace just faster than a speeding glacier. Thus, they had plenty of time to worry and analyze every last noise that they did not produce – and there were plenty of those. There were drips from dank ceilings, footsteps from the floors above echoing through cracks in the stonework or ventilation shafts, and the occasional coughs from other doomed prisoners. Chrono was tempted to examine the cells and see who else was trapped downstairs, but he didn't want anyone to have any reason to alarm the guards. That is, if anyone even had enough interest left in them to inspect those strange footsteps creeping across the corridor. Not to mention that he wasn't interested in seeing familiar faces.

In due time, the two reached the staircase, and naturally stopped at the foot. Chrono checked his weapon for the umpteenth time, and Fritz took the time to fix his collar. After an urging from the other boy, Chrono took the first step. And the second. And the third. Any second now, the door above would burst open, revealing several giant, metallic figures, thirsty for blood.

Sixteen steps later, the door was still shut. Chrono and Fritz both stood still and in great humility waited for the other boy to open the door. "Well," the other boy sighed, "what are we waiting for? As if the door were to open itself or something." He reached out and cranked the handle – the door opened easily, if not quietly. Fritz hesitated at the first creak, then continued; slowly, but surely, the door crept out, the sound amplified to a volume level reminiscent of a nuclear explosion.

Chrono nearly pushed the boy through the door, hurrying him further up the stairs. The footsteps below seemed to be coming closer, though as they ran, the boys knew their minds were only playing tricks on them. Or so they hoped.

They only knew for sure once they had come through the barred doors at the top of the stairs. Suddenly the dungeon exploded into night, and the chilly air pierced their skin. "Which way do we go now?" Fritz whispered just before the world's loudest alarm screamed in his ear.

"I think we've been found out," Chrono whispered.

"Are you sure?" quipped the other boy.

"Quick, which way were we supposed to go?"

"I think it was left?"

"Right?"

"Or," they both said, "across this bridge right here." They both giggled at themselves.

Chrono looked both ways as if crossing a street before stepping onto the bridge. From this side, the bridge appeared to extend into the mountains miles beyond the castle. It seemed even longer, running all the way across it.

They skidded to a stop as two of the steel gargantuans appeared right in front of them. In fact, the soldiers were equally surprised, but instinctively pulled out their huge sabers. "What?" one of them growled, Chrono couldn't tell which. The gaurd immediately went to impress the boys with his intelligent grasp of language. "You – are… who are… what…"

The second soldier quickly grew impatient and slammed his fist into the first's heavily armored stomach. Then, he pointed his sword directly into Fritz's face.

"Stay here, and do not move." The voice was surprisingly pleasant for the figure, which kicked the other soldier so that all of Guardia could hear a tinny crash. "Get the Chancellor." The first gargantuan hurried off at a pace unfitting a metal behemoth. The other didn't say more, for fear his language skills wouldn't hold out much longer. He just held the sword at Fritz's head and made threatening gestures.

It seemed a few hours passed before Chrono remembered his gun. In a heroic fashion, he whipped it out directly to the soldier's head. The guard actually seemed surprised by the turn of events, and now that his partner had scurried away to get the Chancellor – well, at least no one was around to hear them or close enough to care.

"Put that down." Chrono didn't register the command until the soldier had repeated it twice. "Put away the gun, or this boy dies."

Please, as if I haven't heard that kind of a threat before. BANG! The guard fell to the stone, a gaping hole in his helmet. Neither boy dared to look to see what remained inside the shattered armor. They just stood in shock at the dead man, Chrono wringing his hands from the recoil. Only when he felt Fritz tugging his arm did Chrono remember where he was. "Hey, we're almost there."

"Oh, right." Chrono awkwardly tried to find a place to put the gun, but Fritz was pulling quite hard. "Sorry. I'm coming. Coming."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Neither boy was surprised to find their road obstructed at the end of the bridge – this time with several armor-clad guards and a very angry Chancellor. "This escape ends here!"

Oh, please. Like I haven't heard enough of this tonight.

"Put down your weapons," one guard ordered.

"What weapons?" Fritz smiled innocently.

"Don't give me that – "

"The one you're holding behind your back!"

"This one?" Chrono pulled out the gun and cockily pointed it at the Chancellor. Immediately fifteen more weapons were aimed at his head. "Right. I expected that."

"What are you doing?" the Chancellor fumed. "The boy is supposed to be dead already. Just shoot him!"

BANG! Chrono dropped to the ground – still breathing for now. What was that shot? He couldn't make out any more – all of a sudden numerous shots rang out, men were yelling, Fritz was shaking him again. Chrono couldn't make out what he was trying to say, so Fritz began wildly pointing toward the door at the castle. That I can understand. As quickly as they could on their knees, they sped away from the guards. "Don't let them just run away!" the Chancellor's voice pierced the air over the cacophony. Suddenly all the gunshots were aimed at them! – but it was too late. They were through the door and tumbling down the stairs in an orderly fashion.

They guards were right on their heels, bouncing, rolling, then running after the two runaways.

Neither boy could tell how many corners they had blazed around before they ran smack into several more guards. They shared an initial moment of surprise before gently grabbing the escapees by the scruff of the neck. Where am I? Chrono did his best to twist his head around and get an idea. Great. I don't think I've been in this hall before. So, if I somehow get free, how on earth am I going to get out of here?

The other guards rejoined the boys, huffing and puffing. "Good," one of the more athletically fit panted. "Let's just wait for the Chancellor. He'll take care of this."

"STOP!"

All heads turned – to see the Princess Nadia enter. Chrono was surprised that he was surprised to see her appearance. She was almost a clone of the Queen Leene she had been in the past. Sure, the dress was a little different. For one, there were no frills or jewels. It was a plain but brilliant green, and almost seemed to be made of glitter. But if one thing remained the same, it was that she still had not learned how to walk in it.

"Stop this at once!" she squealed, wobbling across the hall in spiky heels. Wonder what that would feel like, being kicked in the stomach with those! "What are you doing with these boys?"

The guards shared a look. "Princess, these are the prisoners…" No response. "The ones about to be executed."

"What?"

"Executed. As in, dead, Your Highness."

She did not budge. "What?"

"Dead. Gone. No longer living. I'm sure you understand."

"Oh, yes, but what I don't understand is why you're carting off these two innocent boys."

The guards couldn't hide their puzzlement. Chrono tried not to smile. "Princess, I'm sorry, but the Chancellor – "

"This is none of his business!" Everyone's eyebrows shot up. "Get out of here!"

"No! No, Princess, I'm sorry, but I cannot obey your orders this time."

"You will be sorry." With that, she scooped up the boys, one with each hand, and wobbled out of the hall. No one tried to stop her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The rest of the escape was rather uneventful. None of the guards dared question why the Princess had two disheveled boys by the arms, or why she wasn't wearing any shoes - especially after she gave them her friendly icicle stare.

However, outside the gate, they ran into the first snag.

Chrono and Nadia said it at the same time. "Lucca!"

Lucca got up from her cross-legged position and readjusted her pack. "All right. Let's get ready to go."

"Go?" Nadia released the two boys.

"Chrono, what's she doing here?" Both boys shrugged. "Never mind. Fritz, you make your way home. There shouldn't be any guards on the road. Besides, you're dead. Nadia, go on, go back inside!"

The princess shook her head violently. "No! What's going on?"

"I can't explain right now."

"Oh, that's original!"

"Nadia! Just go inside. When you see us again, you'll know."

"No! I can't."

"Quit arguing with me!"

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are – "

Chrono finally interrupted. "Shut up! Just, shut up!" Wow, that's the harshest thing you've ever said. "Lucca, I think you do owe us all an explanation. Why don't you tell us while we all make the break."

"Chrono, we can't do it this way! Nadia should not have even been here! Where is that other guy? And Fritz! – " the boy jumped. "Wherever you live! Go home!"

"But – " he began to protest, but couldn't think of a real complaint, so he backed up a few steps, toward the underbrush. Before he was out of sight he waved to the group. "Uh – I guess I'll see you all later?" He was gone.

Nadia stepped in front of her comrades. "Now will someone please explain?"

"Too late," Chrono muttered, nudging the girls and pointing to the array of soldiers barring the road ahead.

Lucca played it cool, tugging at Chrono's arm. "Let's go the other way."

"What other way?" Nadia was right on their heels.

"Just run!" They took off.

Lucca took the lead, dashing around invisible bends and through somewhat prickly bushes. Chrono and Nadia followed, spurred on by the sound of heavy footsteps right behind them and the original threats of "Stop!" and "We'll shoot!" Of course they won't.

BANG!

Maybe they will.

BANG! BANG! The tree next to Nadia exploded with bark.

"Hurry! Here!" Lucca motioned furiously, and the others blindly followed.

Immediately they came to a halt. "Oops. Dead end," Chrono muttered. The three of them looked every which way – but the only way out of this little foxhole was the way they came in.

"No, look at this – " Lucca nudged her friend's ribs.

"What is it? Don't – " he stopped. "Wow."

By now Nadia had noticed it as well. "It's another… um…"

"Gate. It's a gate." Lucca sighed.

"I hate to break this up, but the soldiers are here and they really look mad."

"Stop!"

We are stopped.

"Come on, Chrono!" Lucca was motioning about something. Before he knew it, he was being dragged across the little hole. The soldiers were approaching fast.

But not fast enough. Lucca held the key high, then threw herself into the portal. Chrono was right behind. The soldiers stopped and dropped their weapons. "What? That was… er…"

Nadia glanced between the guards and the portal, her only escape. Well, at least she didn't have much left to lose.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry! Sorry! I know I haven't updated in about two months! Or, maybe just one. But this past month has been exceedingly excruciating (a.k.a. bad) and I couldn't find a whole lot of time to write.

Now, onto this chapter. I feel sort of evil for changing the story around so much. I did my best to keep the events true to the game, but there were some things that didn't work. Maybe in a video game, they're fine, but a novel reader would question how Fritz could find his way out of prison by himself but Chrono had to fight to escape; or how Lucca fought her way in the castle when, at the beginning of the game, she would be instantly thrown out when she hit the front door. So, all that said, I had to change things. I know it's kind of hard to understand what REALLY happened in this chapter, but that will all be explained, probably in the next update (COMING SOON TO A WEBSITE NEAR YOU IN 2034).

No, it won't be that long. I hope.

Tell me what you think of this turn of events, because I was rather surprised by it.