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Jarob woke his guests early the next morning. "Now is the time."

Chrono blinked a few times, but still couldn't see anything. "It's not even sunrise."

"No, but it is close."

Chrono plodded out of the bedroom and looked out the front window. He could see a sliver of light along the horizon, but nothing else. He heard Lucca complaining behind him. "Wow, when you said early, you really meant it."

"Exactly," Janob said, entering. "The first ship arrives in nearly two hours."

"Two hours?" Nadia's voice. "How far is it?"

"Not too far, but you'll want plenty of time. That means we have to leave now."

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The imps led the way along the dirt road Chrono had seen the previous day. It was deserted, or so it seemed, so they all walked at a comfortable, brisk pace. The still air made the stamping and crunching sounds under their feet much louder, and Chrono waited for the moment when a hundred other mystics would leap out from behind a bush and spear them.

Janob assured them that there was little danger here. The real trouble would come at the port.

"That's because it is likely no one will believe you are slaves – especially ours."

"What?" Nadia shook.

Lucca took over. "Right, no one believes you'd own human slaves."

"It is rare," Jarob shrugged. "Only the strongest mystics dare to tame a human. Mostly the weaker mystics take up 'positions of servitude' under some rich miser like Ozzie the Eighth."

"I knew that," Lucca assured him. Chrono shot her a look. "Really, I did."

Jarob ignored her. "Or there are mages who can easily overcome a human."

"Especially if one indoctrinates the human at an early age."

"Or beats someone into submission."

"Or torture with – "

"Hey!" Nadia stammered. "Can we stop talking about this now?"

Jarob and Janob traded looks and kept walking. "Sorry. I didn't mean to get ahead of myself. But now you know what's at stake, at least."

That brought an awkward silence among them that lasted for a long time. Eventually the sun began to show through the thicket of trees, and Chrono found the whole world to be painted in a sort of blue-ish hue instead of black. His eyes were always on the road ahead, watching for the sign of the approaching foe. Occasionally he would glance back in case someone came from behind, but then he would quickly look ahead again, fearing that while he was watching his back, the enemy would leap out of the forest to attack.

Soon Nadia began talking again, but she tried to avoid anything about death, torture, slavery, or the day's events. She struck up a casual conversation (or as casual a conversation as possible) with the two imps. Chrono thought it annoying, mainly because it made concentrating on the invisible foes in the brush much more difficult. He ignored what went on until Nadia brought up education.

Even then he didn't really listen until one of the two creatures said "surprisingly, the two of us were schooled in one of the human cities… Porre, I believe."

"Oh… then how did you end up here?" Nadia continued. "Is your family from this place?"

Chrono stopped walking. "No… that's not the right question." The others stopped and looked at him as if he had chosen the wrong time to speak. But he was suddenly excited and didn't notice their expressions. "It should be how you are going to get back to Porre." Nadia just wrinkled her brow, but Lucca winked at Chrono, as if to say finally, you solved the puzzle.

After a terrible silence, Janob rubbed his forehead and spoke hesitantly. "Yes… that is a good question. We had always thought it would be nice to get back."

"Yet somehow you never found time, is that right?" Lucca took over. "You live in fear of death, yet you never thought to just hop on a boat yourself and escape? What, do they not let you out around here? I think you're not telling us something – something very important."

"W - we left nothing out!" Jarob stammered.

"I don't believe you."

"So we envy the human world. Why does that bother you?" Janob kept his cool and began walking again. The others waited a split second, then jogged to catch up. "I promise we've told you everything you need to know."

Lucca didn't look one bit relaxed. "What we need to know is why you're all so willing to help us poor humans out. What do you get out of this? Nothing. Tell me you're not planning to sell us out and take our places on this 'boat.' You're going to have enough time for that, I think."

No one spoke the rest of the walk.

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The sun was up when they got to the port. Chrono saw that Medina Port looked as up-to-date as anything he had seen in Truce. The shore was littered with various small white buildings, clustered into little groups. In the middle of all of those was an open circle, like a town center, but smaller. Despite the fact that no boats were in the dock and nothing could be seen out on the water, there were already nearly a hundred mystics milling about. Very few of them looked small and harmless.

Jarob seemed to read his mind. "Relax. As long as you look like a slave, everyone will ignore you."

"Promise?" Lucca smirked.

The imps didn't bother answering her. They pressed on through the crowd, beckoning the humans (and Robo) to follow. Chrono did his best to look like a slave, but he wondered if there was more to it than staring at the ground and pulling his rags over his head. Now he couldn't see where he was going (which was a small blessing for him) and had to hold out his hands and perform his best blind man imitation. He was grateful to only bump into a few creatures here and there, most of them small, and that the bigger ones weren't in the mood to kill him. Occasionally one of the imps would grab his arm and pull him along.

He knew they had reached their destination when he bumped into something that felt like a rock wall. Not only that, but Lucca told him. "Congratulations, Chrono, you looked like a slave and a half-wit. And the door was just a little to your left."

"You can remove the… er, hood now," Janob said. "Follow us inside." He went through the door, followed by his brother. Lucca and Chrono merely exchanged a glance that said "what now?" before going in with the rest. There was a whole lot less light in the building, and Chrono spent a few moments blinking, wandering around, and running into more walls. "This way, to the slave chamber." Slave chamber! That doesn't sound hospitable. "Relax, all slaves are required to wait there while the 'masters' collect tickets. Whatever happens, please, stay in this room and sit down. No matter what - do not leave!"

They were herded into what looked and felt like a small lobby. There was only one place to sit – on a wooden bench under the only window. But this window didn't look to the outside world. It looked in to what could only be some sort of ticket booth. So far, no one saw either of the imps in that room. What they did see was a large turtle-like creature behind the "booth" (actually a wooden desk) and an even larger turtle carrying something in his hand. Nobody could tell just what that something was because of the light, but Chrono had a gut feeling it wasn't an umbrella. There was another door in their "slave chamber," one right next to the bench, and it led into that room, right up to the turtle with the "umbrella."

Lucca and Nadia sat down right away. Chrono followed and sat next to Lucca, craning his neck to see out the window from time to time. Robo just stood off to the side, refusing to get involved. "We're going to have to get out of here," Nadia said suddenly.

"Oh, really?" was Lucca's response.

"I don't think this is a normal waiting room…" her voice shook.

"So if we run, how do we get on the ship?" Chrono asked. "Those two things are supposed to get some kind of tickets for us…"

"Which they won't," Lucca corrected.

"We don't know that - and they said to stay here anyway. But don't we have a better chance waiting here to die then running around looking to die?" Chrono smirked. "Until we know for sure, why not stay right here. The first sign of danger, we run for it. How's that sound?"

Lucca spoke first. "I think that's the smartest thing you've said for weeks."

"Not funny."

"I wasn't joking."

"Shh…" it was Nadia. "Jarob and Janob just got in." Chrono and Lucca immediately got up to look. Indeed, the two imps were inside, but they were being shoved toward the booth by a gargoyle with purple wings. They didn't look too pleased about this, and they appeared to be complaining about something. But, Chrono couldn't hear anything more than a low murmuring through the window. Now Jarob and Janob seemed to be arguing with the turtle behind the desk.

"Does this look like danger?" Nadia looked to the others.

"Not for us," Lucca replied, shushing her.

Then the imps pointed directly at them. Chrono jumped back about two feet. Jarob and Janob were yelling something and pointing into their room. The turtle behind the desk just waved his hand as if bored with the imps' melodrama. It signaled the turtle with the umbrella, who immediately stomped toward the slave chamber. When it stepped into the light, Chrono saw that the "umbrella" suddenly looked a lot like a metal rod with spikes coming out of the top.

It was Robo who spoke. "Would this be considered dangerous?"

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

The four of them rushed out of the building as fast as they could. As far as they could tell, nobody was hot on their trail. But with the hundreds of mystics gathered just outside the building, they weren't going to take any chances. Right away they headed for the docks, trying to look as casual as possible, despite the fact they were walking quite fast and looking over their shoulders frequently.

Chrono never saw anything behind him that looked threatening (or at least a different kind of threatening from everything else), but he couldn't resist peeking anyway. Of course, not looking in front of him, he slammed right into another body. Both of them fell to the ground in a heap.

His friends stopped to help him up. "Quit fooling around, Chrono!" Lucca shouted as she pulled on one arm.

"Wait!" came the voice from underneath Chrono. "Just where do you think you're going?"

"What?..." Lucca adjusted her glasses. "Look at this... you just bowled over that creepy guy from Truce!"

"Old Man Melchior?" Chrono didn't believe it either.

They stopped long enough for the old man to grab Chrono by the shoulder. "The usual custom is to run with your eyes forward, young man," he muttered. Then, to the rest of them, "I don't suppose you're here for business."

Robo stepped forward. "Pardon?"

Old Man Melchior was surprisingly unmoved by the sight of the robot. "Listen to me when I speak, young Chrono. What ever possessed you to run away to Medina now? Of all the places to hide…"

"Hide?" everyone said at once.

"And now you've gotten your friends into this mess too. I should have known you would do something like this."

"Excuse me… do I know you?" Chrono jerked free of Melchior's grip. Just as he turned to flee, something very large came up from the harbor.

The old man grabbed Chrono again. "Don't run… 'The Boss' will be all over you."

"Let go, creep!" He jerked and fell to the ground.

Nadia and Lucca backed up to the nearest building as the creature came closer. It was close to seven feet tall, and about four feet wide, with large blue scales all down its back. On its belly was a pattern of gold stripes, the same color as its teeth, claws, and spikes on its shoulders. And what monster would be complete, Chrono wondered, without blood red eyes? He got up to run, but Melchior got a firmer grip on his shoulder. The beast came closer, and closer, until it was right next to them… and it kept on walking.

Chrono let out a sigh of relief so great he felt himself get shorter. He released himself from Melchior's hand and started off again, but before he got anywhere, he was thrown off his feet by a large crash. In fact, as he looked up, he noticed his friends, Melchior, and most of the other mystics around were now lying on the ground… except for the beast. It strode – six feet with each step – all the way back to the humans.

"What! What is THIS?" The monster roared with a harsh, throaty voice. Chrono guessed that was the usual volume level for a creature that size, but it surprised him when it said "I suppose you are the humans on the loose." Chrono marveled at the perfect (if somewhat raspy) diction the beast had achieved for its awkward, reptilian maw. But that calm demeanor suddenly gave way to an abrasive grunt as it scooped up the nearest human… Nadia. She didn't scream. In fact, she didn't do anything, but stare at the six-inch long nails around her arm. "You're not guilty of anything – yet. She's mine."

Melchior was actually the first person to object – "I don't think that's possible" – followed shortly by the rest – "Oh no you don't." Chrono found himself leaping at the enemy before his rational mind could hold him back.

To his surprise, the monster immediately released Nadia. But that, Chrono soon found out, was only so he could grab him with both claws – around the neck. "You, then. I'll only want one of you." Chrono would have objected, but he was having difficulty in speaking, let alone breathing. All that came out was a pathetic wheeze, like a slowly deflating balloon. "SPEAK UP, THEN!" the beast suddenly roared at him, removing all his urges to do anything except close his eyes and pray for a quick death.

The next thing he knew he was being dragged – by the neck – across the ground. That only lasted for a few seconds before the beast stopped. "Wait!" Chrono opened his eyes long enough to see Melchior coming his way. "Heckran, you swaggering fool." So, it has a name. "I insist you cannot take this boy, or any of the others. They are mine."

The beast Heckran released his grip just a little. Chrono took the opportunity to breathe. "Your slaves?" he growled, as if ready to attack.

"Of course not." Melchior seemed to falter a little, and he adjusted the collar on his tunic.

"He's family," Lucca supplied. "His family," she added, pointing to the old man.

Melchior continued, a little slower than before. "That's right. Now you can't take off my grandson like this. I'll see about that with the authorities."

The grip around Chrono's neck tightened. He took one last breath before his airway was constricted again. "You have proof?" Heckran uttered a snarl and took a step toward the old man. "Don't forget…" the beast trailed off, releasing one hand from Chrono's neck to point at Melchior, "I OWN this place! You don't have a grandson – you don't have any family. This thing is my property now. I'll do what I like."

Chrono felt the beast tighten the grip on his neck again. Now he couldn't breathe at all. He pulled his hands up to his chin, as if trying to pry the monster's nails from around his throat – but the position of his body and the fact he had no air supply drained all his strength. He saw Lucca and Nadia spring into action, running toward him, although he hadn't the slightest idea what they could possibly do (and Robo watched silently, completely oblivious).

The next few seconds seemed to take years. Chrono rushed from thought to thought – he had to do something to get free, and he searched his memory for anything. V-Mob, Nadia's Pendant – I'm dying, I'm really dying – Mom – Dad… The Telepod, Yakra, Lavos – Can't breathe – Time Travel, Gate, Gate, Gate, Gate Key – that's it, no it's not, it's closer, but – Time, Time, Time… Magic – Furry white things… Now he could remember a few words: "All you need is yourself." Something about… magic… Lightning – oh this is so stupid. I can't call on lightning bolts… but seeing as there are no other options…

Chrono began to concentrate – on lightning, on light, on anything besides his air supply. Besides which, he hadn't a clue on what he was supposed to do. But he suddenly felt unafraid and in control. He put his hands on the beast's claw and just concentrated – as if by will he could summon the world's largest thunderstorm. No rain clouds appeared, but the next thing he knew the grip around his neck had become impossibly tight, and he heard a throaty roar behind him – and he was propelled up in the air and into the side of the nearest building.

He didn't get up right away. Rather he felt like lying very still and taking a few well-earned deep breaths. But from his position, he could see just what had happened, as everyone in all of Medina had frozen in place to watch. The beast Heckran lay on the ground in shock, not wounded but very surprised. The girls were just standing there, staring at it in disbelief. (What Robo was thinking, who knew?) All the mystics nearby looked either like they really wanted to flee for their lives, or beat the humans to death. The only one who appeared unmoved by the whole thing was Melchior, who shouted "Fool! Seven feet tall on the outside, two feet on the inside."

Slowly, Heckran got to his feet. "Just you wait – lousy human." Perhaps the beast was trying to sound intimidating, but his voice was so shaky that it came out as a whimper. "Why Lavos hasn't come and destroyed you all hundreds of years ago – "

Melchior stamped his foot. "Go away, go carry on your sniveling someplace else."

Heckran looked ready to pounce on the old man, but looked at Chrono once more and decided it was not worth the trouble.

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

Nadia told Melchior everything as they headed down to the pier. It turned out the old man frequently visited Medina, to the point where he could easily get passage to Truce for three humans (and a robot). He said he even kept a shop there, though Chrono couldn't understand why he would put up with the mystics (or, for that matter - how). But his frequent excursions explained why he wasn't often seen in Truce.

Melchior seemed genuinely troubled when Nadia brought up the subject of the two imps. "They were trying to turn us in to get passage to the human world, I guess."

"Are you serious?" the old man asked. "Who are these two you speak of again? I know of Jarob and Janob… I doubt they'd do something backward like that. I should see to them anyway. They're likely in more trouble than you now."

"Yes, please. Thank you," Lucca waved the old man off, but he was slow in leaving.

"We'll be seeing more of each other soon," Melchior said as he turned the corner.

The minute he had disappeared, Chrono pulled Lucca aside. "All right, what just happened?"

"In a moment of divinely fortuitous and coincidental timing, some nice old crazy bought us four tickets home."

"No…" Chrono grimaced. "Not that. The other thing."

"Oh, that." Lucca shrugged.

Robo finished the thought. "I believe the beast suffered a massive electrical shock."

"And you would know…"

"Yes, I would. After all, I am made with electronic parts, so naturally I - "

Lucca tapped the robot on the shoulder (producing a strange clanking sound). "Right. We understand. That's impossible."

Now Nadia joined. "No, not exactly... do you remember that crazy Spekkio… thing?" Nobody answered – everyone stood with an expression that indicated they remembered but were trying to convince Nadia they hadn't a clue. "What if… what if he was right?"

"About what?" Lucca asked, though she probably knew very well what.

"He said something about magic, and that Chrono had the power of 'lightning'."

Lucca didn't respond – it was clear she knew Nadia was right, but she was having a hard time letting it out. Finally Chrono responded for her. "I believe – haven't you always said electricity and lightning are the same thing?"

"Fine."

"Fine what?"

Lucca gave an exasperated sigh. "Fine, you win. I believe…" She gave a dramatic pause. "But there is one condition, when we get home. No one knows."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, so I technically kept my promise. I updated before the new year, and I am NINE HOURS ahead of schedule. I have a good reason to be late, though. In case you never heard, up in Western Washington we had the massive storm and I was without power for about a week. From then on, my internet connection was unreliable... so I think this excuse is really good in these circumstances.

About the chapter, though. It felt a little rushed to me, like some characters and themes never got developed. I'm not sure if I want to describe them more in future chapters (coming 2063) or take care of that in the editing process. Either way, the only character I really needed to worry about was Melchior, for reasons which you already know. Or, perhaps, you haven't played the game all the way and you haven't a clue who this guy is. Actually, the first thing I wonder is why he sets shop up on an island WITH NO ESCAPE ROUTE except through the lair of a horribly out-of-proportion dinosaur. (No, really, it makes sense in the game... but for continuity purposes I decided to perform triple-bypass-surgery and change everything.)

Anyway, feel free to make comments, even flames. I'll ignore flames. Either that or I'll copy/paste everything and forward flames to people I don't like. ("Oh, I got a message from that one guy! What's it say? Huh? - 'my dead grandmother still writes better than you.' - I don't get it, I'm an engineer!")

All humore aside, I'm eager for comments. This is quite a divergence from the normal plot line. Oh - and the first 'use' of magic. I know it's sketchy at best... but I had a hard time believing three kids who traveled through time and watched the end of the world were hankering to fight the spawn of evil. Just me. So I had to create a circumstance which forced someone to use magic, thus allowing everyone to believe in themselves so that Christmas would be the most magical time of year... I mean, so that the story could progress to: PART DEUX (2)

By the way, that means I consider everything up to now PART UN (un).

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Note from Author's alter-ego: Ignore terrible attempts at humor. It's New Year's Eve and he doesn't have a date.