-Sorry for the delay. There was a scene in this chapter I had to rewrite... Chrono fans will know when it comes up, but I think I made the right call here. -

Chapter 13

A cloud of accumulated dust and twigs burst out of the dual exhaust ports of the white airship as the Epoch began to fly once more! Flipping a few more switches and adjusting the steering wheel, Crono began to bounce in the pilot seat excitedly with Sonic leaning out the side of the aircraft with a massive grin on his face. The blue hedgehog watched with anticipation as the force of the ship caused the trees to pitch outwards, creating a natural clearing for them to rise above the canopy of the Great Forest!

Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he turned to the spiky haired lad who gestured upwards at the glass cockpit beginning to close around them. "Whoops...!" Sonic replied as he darted inside and leaned forwards towards the Epoch's controls in one swift motion. "Sweet ride, Crono! Now, push it to top speed...!"

The young man nodded with a smirk and slowly pushed the throttle forward. A sudden force threw Sonic into the backseat of the aircraft as it flew upward into the open sky! Planting his face on the glass, the hedgehog watched the scenery turn into a green blur as it launched ahead into the distance!

–

"Whoa...!" A young amber-colored fox watched beside the runway with open-eyed wonder as a white shape flashed above Knothole Village in an instant. Curving it's trajectory soon afterwards, Tails could clearly see the red and blue heads of the teens piloting the craft as the Epoch pitched sideways for a second pass. "Way past cool... Aunt Sally, when's my turn to ride!?"

Next to the lad, the young chipmunk princess watched the action with a degree of worry, with another member of royalty sitting beside her. Marle cheered on the two speedsters as she shielded her eyes from the sun. Sally finally gave way and joined in the excitement, applauding them with a warm open smile. Turning to the boy beside her she replied, "If you ask nicely, we'll see..."

–

"Okay, now bring it in nice and easy...!" Lucca shouted into her microphone as she motioned skyward at the end of the landing zone. She watched as the craft slowed down for its approach and could swear that the blue one was fumbling around for the communicator that she and Nicole put together for the trip. It was something they threw together at the last minute, so hopefully...

"Hear you loud and clear, Miss Glasses!" Uh, I'm not letting you get away with that nickname, speedy! "Better clear the way. I think Crono wants to show off!"

"Wait a minute...! We just repaired-" The helmeted girl clutched at her headgear as the Epoch angled toward the runway and nearly touched the ground as it glided past the awestruck crowd that began to gather beside the cleared path. Coming to a hover near the agitated inventor, the ship slowly crept to the forest floor as the wings folded into the hull, with the two boys grinning like madmen! "Don't...ever do that again."

–

The time stones rested on a nearby table in the guest hut as Robo rested his tin frame on one of the beds sitting across from it. Steam billowed out his joints as he glanced outside at the cheering crowd. He understood the red-haired chipmunk when she mentioned that most would be fearful of him, given the circumstances. Had the automaton turned out differently when his friends found him in that abandoned dome, they would have been right to fear him...

Suddenly, he heard the door swing open as a great number of humans and mobians alike poured into the hut! "Oh...wait...!" He quickly snatched up the two halves of the artifact and stored it within his body, and turned to hastily bow to everyone that entered, much to their delight. They are not afraid? Most curious...

He felt a series of taps on his back and swung around to see Sally and the android lynx standing behind the robot, smiling! "Well, I think we did a fine job of clearing up any confusion, wouldn't you agree?" Nicole queried, head cocked to the side in wait for a response from the befuddled automaton.

"I apologize... I seem to be far more confused than ever! What did you say to them?" The chipmunk giggled and motioned him closer with a sly grin.

"I told them that you were one of Lucca's 'inventions'. Not far from the mark, am I?" Robo stared at the two with consternation, not wanting to be part of such a fabrication.

Nicole was quick to respond with brow furrowed, sensing his reluctance immediately. "Now Robo, I do believe your friends had a large impact on how you've turned out. I was the same way after all!" An innocent smile capped off her words in a way that seemed to stave off his panic, at least for a little while. "That's better... Now Sally, I think we've got a party to attend too!"

A party? At a time like this!?

–

"Ha...?" Ayla was flabbergasted as she watched her concoction being dumped into the ground before her. "No skull-smash!?"

Marle sighed and looked at the ancient lady with disappointment as she continued disposing of the fermented liquid. "Ayla, we don't know what sort of effect this will have on the people here! Also, we don't want to be caught off guard if Robotnik decides to strike back."

The cave-woman grunted and reluctantly nodded as ran her hands through her voluminous hair. The young princess could see that she was deep in thought. "I tell you what, maybe we could have soup instead...?" At this, Ayla lit up and began an intense, primal dance!

"Ayla make something special! You like! Everyone like...!"

–

As the sun set over the tree-line of Knothole, the Great Hall found itself a beacon of light drawing all the residents as well as the time travelers to the center of the village. Numerous torches were set up, as well as paper lanterns hung around the perimeter of the area. Hot dishes of various dishes were set on the massive table in the middle of the hall, while grass mats were littered around the floor, providing temporary seating.

Everyone had a role to play to make sure this party went off without a hitch! Antoine and Rotor helped to route the first arrivals before the feast could begin proper. Robo provided a helpful light show to guide everyone to the party. Crono and Sonic handled the task of finding any stragglers, while Bunnie and Ayla handled the massive bonfire just outside the hall. Frog insisted on staying just outside the city limits to keep an eye out for any "party crashers". Marle, Nicole and Sally handled the final important task of greeting the guests and preparing them for something special!

As the night went on and the guests were sated on soups, salads and cakes, Ayla led everyone into a dance around the bonfire! Crono and Sonic were quick to join in on the festivities as Frog passed his duties onto a willing Robo. Antoine waved him over as they went over sword techniques once more. Bunnie brought over a massive log to refuel the fire, which caught the cave lady's eye. Soon the two were deep in conversation, giggling and flexing all the while. Rotor took a moment to go over the status of the Epoch, which Lucca had recently brought over to the party to keep a closer eye on the valuable machine. However, the small group that had been carousing earlier with the citizens was having a much deeper conversation...

–

"I can't help but think that this wasn't such a good idea after all..." Sally bemoaned as she chased her cake with a fruit cocktail that Ayla had made special just for her. It was tangy with a mysterious kick, one that had left her a little woozy. Shaking her head furiously, she continued to address the lynx and girl sitting next to the chipmunk.

"Man, you really -are- high strung, Sally!" Marle replied, "Was your dad pretty overbearing too?" The comment caught the auburn-haired one off guard and gave her a piercing look. A sigh soon followed along with another chug of the brew in her hand.

"No... Just tired. Like the rest of you. I get it, we needed a break after what we went through back at Robotropolis, but..." Nicole placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as Marle nodded in agreement.

"Just chill, Sally. We left him with minimal usage of his factories and labs, so it will be a while before Robotnik will be a threat to us. Relaxation leads to better planning, and..." Their shared moment was interrupted by a string of fireworks that dotted the sky. Sally drew her gaze to the base of the explosive celebrations, as Lucca and Rotor gave each other a high five!

"...and someone's gonna be regretful if they don't show off their moves before daybreak. What do you say, princess? We give these boys a proper show...?" Marle chimed in, brimming with excitement and anticipation for her answer.

"Okay, you convinced me. Let's do it to it!" She replied with an emphatic thumbs up as the girls made their way over to the welcoming blaze of the bonfire!

–

An eerie fog permeated over a gray debris-filled landscape, as howling winds blew through hollowed out buildings and crater filled cliffs. A massive shadow fell upon the earth, cast by a massive snow-crested mountain that loomed over the barren world. Off in the distance, a strange bluish-black juggernaut of a ship floated menacingly, with innumerable lights and strange patterns dotting its hull.

This is the sight that greeted Robotnik and Snively now stepping carefully out of their pitch-black aircraft, copied directly from detailed scans of the one found in the Great Forest. A massive, toothy grin filled the tyrant's visage as he brought his gaze down to the tiny man beside him. "Isn't it magnificent, Snively...? This...is our future!" The green-suited one was less than thrilled as a horrendous cackle echoed throughout this new realm they found themselves in!