Chapter 16 / Nexus of Crisis

"I truly am sorry I was not there," Glenn had bowed to me. I knew he was sincere in his words.

I shook my head, "I'm not your responsibility, Glenn. All of us are here because we made a choice. And more than that, we were able to resolve it." I turned towards the large ocean in front of me. "Deep under the waves, sleeping beneath us all is a being that cares for nothing but itself. Eventually it will rise and release untold destruction upon the planet. And the world can do nothing to stop it. We saw that devastation. And it was what changed everything for us."

"It explains how you all received the ability to use magic. Truly, if I had not been so narrow minded in my revenge I would have taken you all more seriously," a voice approached us. I turned to see Magus and Schala walking side by side to our group. Magus' constant scowl seemed to be changed to a much more thoughtful expression. One of regret.

Glenn croaked involuntarily, as was common of his form. Changed into that of a humanoid frog thanks to Magus' magic. "Time will continue to move. But now that we know of Lavos' power there is a question of how do we prepare to take down such a beast."

"Need power. Ayla no want family to die," Ayla said as she indicated the others. "Crono strong. We get stronger."

Ayla's mention of Crono made me glance back at them. It wasn't something I could avoid. Nor did I want to. He was the only real thing that occupied my thoughts.

"Crono was able to push back against Lavos' power and use power beyond what I thought possible," Magus said. "Truly, such a young man proved how little I knew of the world. And how my priorities had skewed over the years."

"I'm sorry to all of you," Schala said this time. "I've spent so much time trying to appeal to my Mother and who she used to be. Even I had lost sight of what was important, of what I should have been doing. Instead I only helped my Mother and because of that... your friend Crono paid the price. I'm not worthy of the kindness you showed to rescue me, or his sacrifice."

I laughed, I couldn't help it, "You're wrong, Schala. It's easy to say now. Looking back, you can see lots of moments in your life that you can regret. I know I have many. How I wish I spent more time with my Mother and Sir Lazarus. How a part of me wishes that I had taken some of my lessons more seriously. As educated as I am, perhaps more would have been beneficial in our travels through time. Perhaps in that moment, I could have stood at Crono's side and given all of my power as well. Maybe it would have changed the outcome. Schala, you are not the only one with regrets. I know everyone here has many."

"She is correct," Robo said. "I was left desolate and in disrepair in the future. Not knowing what had befallen those I had worked for. I was unable to assist them in their greatest hour of need."

"I was unable to stop Cyrus from charging foolheartedly against Magus. My words had not been enough to halt his mission," Glenn said.

"My Mother lost her legs when she was cleaning one of Father's inventions. I didn't know enough to be able to help her. So, I decided to learn to prevent any sort of accident from happening again," Lucca added.

"Ayla stubborn. Ayla almost lose Kino and put tribe in danger. Ayla learn. Not make mistake again," Ayla even contributed.

"I provided the mystics with too much confidence and resulted in the death in many innocent lives. I didn't bother with their plans and allowed Ozzie to use me to rally mystics to his cause. All so I could gather the materials and power I needed to attempt my feeble attempt at revenge against Lavos. And then when I was given another chance, I put my revenge on Lavos above what was more important to me. The life of my sister," Magus shook his head. "Glenn, I know words are scarcely a comfort for the death of a comrade. But I truly did not wish to kill Sir Cyrus. But I was blinded then, and would not allow anyone to get in my path..."

"The anger I feel from then has already faded," Glenn said. "Cyrus should have gone back, saw the Masamune repaired and took the might of Guardia to face the mystic army. He was a brother to me, and I will forever miss him. But I do not hold you responsible for his foolishness. He was eager to show off for Leene, our Queen but also our childhood friend."

"You see, Schala? All of us are now here. Regrets, and the pain of loss, we carry it with us. I would be lying if I said that my heart was still in this fight. If I'm being truthful, I want to run off this cliff and into the ocean. To die and join my beloved in the afterlife. That is the pain I hold in my heart. But I would never do such a thing. As painful as it is. My heart belongs to Crono, and so I would never allow myself to do anything he wouldn't approve of," I told her.

Schala nodded, "You're right. I've spent these years trying to save my Mother. But it seems that Lavos managed to control her completely. I think that infernal machine is the source. The Frozen Flame. Any who was around it seemed to only go mad with obsession. So I did my best to keep Janus from it. I tried in vain to keep Mother from it. But my pendant allowed me to not fall under that same fate. But this point forward we should move to do what we can to correct things. And I think that starts here."

She moved to Glenn, "Brother, I think it is time you undo this curse."

"You're right," Magus said. "However, I'm unsure of how to do so."

Schala smiled, "I suppose I was never able to finish your education. You were too attuned to the Shadow. But even so. The truth is a curse is entwined with our thoughts. So to undo the curse you must use your magic to let your new thoughts overwrite it. Only then can the magic be undone."

Magus approached, "I see. Glenn, I'm sorry for this form I gave you."

Glenn shook his head, "You did this to spare my life, correct?"

"If I did nothing, Ozzie would have no doubt killed you," Magus answered honestly.

"Indeed he would have," Glenn croaked again. "Let us both move forward then, in a common goal. And let the past be just that."

Magus held his hand in front of Glenn. Magic began to swell around them, "Let the sins of the past be undone, and pave way for a different future. Reversal!" A dark energy wrapped around Glenn. I had to look away as the magic brightened and made it difficult to see. But after a moment the light was gone.

Glenn's clothing had fallen to the ground, and standing there was a tall young man with long green hair, his body defined with well toned muscle and standing naked as could be.

"Oh my," Schala blinked before looking away. I also quickly turned and facing the ocean again. A moment later Lucca and Schala joined next to me.

"He's taller than I expected," Schala said.

"I always knew he was originally a man, but I didn't think he'd be so..." Lucca stopped. She was blushing big time.

"Handsome?" I offered and giggled.

Lucca didn't trust her voice and simply nodded. Maybe she had gotten an eyeful of everything that Glenn had to offer. That thought made me laugh even more. "Better get used to it."

Ayla joined us as well. It gave time for Glenn to see to his clothing.

"What we do now?" Ayla was the one to ask.

"I have a suggestion on that front," Magus was the one to speak next. He moved past all of us and to the edge of the cliff. "We seek out Gaspar, the Guru of Time."

"Why him?" I asked.

"Because... he's suggesting we might have a chance at saving Crono," Schala said from next to me.

"A part of me wants to call him a fool. To say he shouldn't have played with fire after seeing how hopeless even I had been against that strength. But... he stood his ground. But I was the fool. I let things play out as they had before. I had it in me to believe that I could defeat Lavos... but I instead put myself in a disadvantage." Magus turned back as his cape billowed in the wind and looked towards all of us. "After all those years, I just became obsessed with killing Lavos. He's been around for millions of years, gathering more and more power. What hope did I possibly have?"

"Right now, I understand what you feel," I said as I made a fist. "Every time I close my eyes I can only see those last moments. But Crono didn't give his life without reason. And that power he used. He was able to hold the power of Lavos back. If we could all find that strength and were able to support him then... I think we have a chance to truly defeat Lavos."

Magus nodded, "I agree."

"Crono, he might have been able to get past his own boundaries as a magic user," Schala spoke up. "It might be exactly what we need."

"But Gaspar was pulled into time gate... which means finding him will be difficult," Magus said.

"No, we already know where he is," Lucca said.

"Whoa, what is that?" Schala pointed out into the distance.

"I suppose it is that time, isn't it?" I said as it came into view. "That is the last voyage of the Black Bird. With it, the last of the technology capable of drawing on Lavos' energy is gone."

The massive air ship was on fire and slammed into the water of the ocean. Pieces of it falling off as it did, ensuring it would never be capable of being used again. I closed my eyes for a moment, thankful that Dalton was no longer alive to influence the development of the world.

"Dalton truly was a repulsive man," Schala said. "If it hadn't been for Mother..."

"Good riddance," Magus looked like he was going to continue but he turned back to the ocean. "He didn't deserve such a thing. Taken from those of true talent."

Then I felt it... something moving, an energy rolled over me and it made me shiver. "What..." I noticed that my pendant was glowing.

"This..." Schala stepped back. "It's Lavos. No wait! It's the Mammon Machine..."

"The Ocean Palace... it's rising out of the water," Magus muttered as all of us could only stare as the massive structure took to the air. Dark metal left the sea, the surface shimmered under the suns rays as it rose high into the air. The floating nation of Zeal was gone, but in its place was a monument of that nations sins.

"Mother... was this what she wanted?" Schala shook her head. "That power, I'm sure Mother achieved her goal."

"Eternal life, huh?" Magus spoke softly.

"Time has changed again," Lucca stated as she was holding her scanner. "We should head to the Epoch. I don't think there is much we can do right now."

I looked up as I saw the once Ocean Palace rising high into the sky, the dark metal shining from its still wet outer hull. It was daunting. I closed my eyes. Crono, he died to give us a chance to keep fighting. For me... I don't know if it was something I could continue to do. Without him, I was just falling back onto responsibilities as a Princess. Would that be enough to keep me motivated?

We all headed back to the Epoch and headed inside. Lucca moved to the pilot seat with Glenn helping her. And it was obvious that Lucca was hyper aware of Glenn's presence. And it would take all of them to get used to the once Frog and his new dashing swordsman appearance. Robo settled in, but not before offering to help.

Ayla had come in and sat down on one of the available seats. She and I had unloaded the food stores that apparently Dalton had stocked it with before his planned maiden flight of the Epoch. Thankfully it would actually serve some good for the people here.

Magus and Schala were the last to come aboard as they looked around the craft.

"So this is the life's work of Belthasar," Magus commented.

"It's amazing," Schala commented.

"Welcome aboard, Lady Schala and if I'm correct, Master Janus. Though Lady Marle tells me you go by Magus now," Epoch's voice came through.

The two had been told before hand but the two could still not hide their surprise upon hearing the voice of Belthasar.

"It's really you, isn't it?" Schala put her hand on the side of the ship and closed her eyes. "I can feel the remnants of your own magic in this device. The love and care you took in its creation."

"What else was an old man to do when stranded in a bleak and dying land? Although, this Belthasar you speak to is nothing more than a shade with his memories. I'm now Epoch. A time machine made to help save that bleak future. A future set in motion likely because of our actions in Zeal. Queen Zeal most of all," Epoch said.

"Looking at it now, we all played our part," Magus shook his head as he took a seat. "My own foolish desires allowed for mistakes to simply be repeated rather than prevented."

"But you were alone," I said as I closed the door to the Epoch and made sure it was locked. "A child surrounded by fiends, mystics and you had just lost everything. I'm not making excuses for you, but the area you grew up in was those that lived on hate and envy."

"Yes, and I used their aspirations to my benefit. No amount of apologies can make up for what I did to acquire my powers," Magus closed his eyes. "Your Crono made me see how much of a fool I truly am."

"What matters is what you do now. What we do now," Schala spoke up. "I am not blameless either. I should have never interacted with the Mammon Machine. I should have fought against Mother when I realized she had become too obsessed with Lavos and his energy."

"The Guru's are just as much to blame," Epoch said. "We were motivated by all we could do with Lavos' energy, and the seemingly limitless supply of it. Floating continents in the sky, the blackbird, the ocean palace were all birthed by our own ambitions and desire to explore the facets of power we didn't understand but foolishly believed we controlled."

I sat down in a seat as I indicated for Schala to do so as well. "There is no point in playing the blame game. I could also claim that things happened this way because I left the castle to see the millennial fair. I planned to do everything I ever wanted, and then at the end of the day, commit suicide."

Schala's eyes widened as she sat down in the seat next to me, "Why would you do that?"

"My Mother died when I was young. Since then my Father and I grew distant. And I wasn't allowed to go anywhere. I was just a bird in a cage, unable to see the world. To know what was worth living for... I read about them in books and such but I hated my life. No one to talk with or grow close to. No friends, just tutors and books. I wanted to know what my Mom had liked about the world. She always told me about Truce, so I thought the fair was the perfect thing to see all I had missed. But that was all I wanted. I never wanted to return to the castle. But I could never truly run away. I had no experience to be able to survive on my own. So I decided that ending my life was the best choice," I shook my head. "But I met Crono. He changed everything for me."

"I understand," Schala sat back as she was now strapped in as we heard the engine of the Epoch come to life.

"Hold on everyone. We're taking off," Lucca called back.

The Epoch started moving, slowly at first but then it rocketed off and into the sky. The force of it pushed us all into our seats before we were able to adjust to a new equilibrium.

"Hey Robo, help me with these calibrations before we attempt to use the time jump. It hasn't been used yet so its going to be our test run," Lucca said as she was moving around and moving to a display on the side of the Epoch.

"Of course," Robo confirmed.

"Is there anything I can do to be of assistance?" Glenn offered and Lucca looked towards him briefly before quickly looking back at the display.

"No, thanks Glenn. Just sit tight it won't take long," Lucca said quickly but was obviously blushing at his offer.

I raised an eyebrow at the exchange. Glenn just seemed confused before he sat back down in his seat. "My view was so narrow," I spoke to Schala again. "My belief that I had no control of my life, that things would never change. It was the reason why I thought suicide was the only path where I could control my own life. But my pendant... it intervened along with Crono. Sending me to a different time. And while I had barely known him... Crono came to save me. Upon returning though, my Father attempted to have him executed. So I took another option. I rebelled against my Father. I worked with Lucca to free Crono and then we escaped through another gate in time. Only to find out the grim fate of our world."

"You found your reason to live. Your reason to fight," Schala smiled sadly as she looked down at her hands. "My power put me in a similar position. Isolated, tutored to foster that power. But when my Father was alive, I was proud to do so. Mom was happy. But Father died when I was young. And slowly she changed. It was subtle at first. But when I did notice things had progressed so far that I didn't know what to do. And Mother had changed so much that she threatened me with Janus' life and those deemed the Earthbound Ones."

"None of which is your fault," Magus spoke up across from us.

"What is my fault is not fighting back against Mother. Even now I can't help but hope that some part of the Mother I loved is still there... lost, drowning in sorrow since Father died. I want to believe that she isn't lost. That all of this is because of Lavos," Schala admitted out loud. "And who am I to criticize you, Marle? I was trying to teleport all of you out, only to leave myself there, expecting to die. No... wanting to die after having believe my last chance to save Mother was gone."

"It wasn't any easier for me. I had just watched Crono die," I closed my eyes, the image of those last moments burned into my mind. "But having come so far, having found my reason... I couldn't let it end. Even as my heart was falling apart, I had to make sure he didn't lose his life in vain. He gave his life to protect you."

"Yes, and I owe you an apology for not respecting his sacrifice," Schala let out an audible sigh. "If there is anything we can do... Gaspar will know. I don't want to give up hope. So that I can return the favor."

"Gaspar theorized the possibility. But also that it would require a great deal of energy as well as other factors. I don't remember much, but while he tutored me as a child he had always wanted to dive further into such studies. Only for the pure fascination of the unknown. Zeal was a source of fostering knowledge, but the forces at play were of things we should not have messed with," Magus said.

"And yet we're now dependent on that same knowledge that came about to fight Lavos," I said as I opened my eyes to look at him. "Knowledge itself is neither good nor bad."

"Hmpf," Magus cracked a smile. "I believe it was an adventurer that said, Morality is simply a scale that men created to justify their actions."

"You're right. Many times in our history have atrocities been committed in the name of justice and belief," I shook my head.

"Two minutes until we're blasting off. Everyone make sure you're strapped in," Lucca announced.

"Lavos is a parasite, it cares not for the other organisms that live on this planet. While he slowly feeds on us," Schala said. "I've always known the truth but I didn't think there was anything that could be done."

"I refuse to believe he cannot be killed," Magus said. "If Crono, an individual with only the beginnings of magical knowledge, can hold back Lavos power back for so long. If we can harness that, and apply it to our own. We can create an opportunity. And that is all we need."

But could we do that? I thought as the Epoch started to throttle forward in a sudden burst of speed. My thoughts only returned to Crono. Could I really keep going without him? My heart felt numb. I'm sure if I allowed myself to stop moving then I would simply begin to cry again.

Life was unpredictable. For so long I had been imprisoned in an ivory tower. Wanting for nothing that many in the Kingdom didn't have. Yet without my Mom, things were empty. My brief moments I was allowed to the castle grounds to practice archery and the cross bow, as well as sword training were my only reprieves of being trapped within the castle walls.

Now I remember why I had come to such a grim decision when I went to the fair. I'd go out and do as much as I could. Forgetting about everything for a brief moment, and then end my own life. But... I met Crono. At first I was just glad to have someone to show me around. But soon, those hours had me smiling. Not some fake one I often had to placate my father, but a genuine, happy, smile. What would have happened if I hadn't been pulled through the gate? At the time I was still resolute on my decision. I had even thought of the idea of giving Crono my virginity before leaving him to take my own life. Would I have still gone through with it?

I'd like to think I wouldn't have. That what I felt for Crono in that time was enough to stop me. But I also would know that I was inviting so much trouble to his life by wanting him. But being sent through the gate had given me a lot of time to think. I was confused on what had happened, but one thing was clear to me. In the moments that I was being pulled through the gate, the name I called out for was Crono. I thought of no one else, and I thought I would die, but I was scared. Scared of leaving Crono behind, of being separated from him. When he came for me, I tried to play it off, we weren't that close, and yet he had come after me, to save me. My heart was beating so fast I thought he might notice.

It all changed, I realized I couldn't give up. Crono, he was worth it. If he had faced the unknown to save me, then I needed to stand up for myself, to put effort into living the life I wanted. Of course, I didn't know I'd fall in love with Crono. Or maybe I hadn't realized that I already had. So when Crono took me home and everything started to happen, I decided to throw it all away. I would not allow my father to keep me in a cage. And I would not allow him to execute the man that had saved me. In more ways than I even knew then.

But now... without him, I wanted to just give up. I was going become the same person I was before I met him. And as much as I didn't want that, I felt that as time goes on I might not be able to stop myself. But if the smallest chance that Magus is right and that Gaspar might have a way to save Crono. Then I would do all I could in order make that come true. No matter the cost.

The door out opened as I realized that the Epoch had come to a stop. I undid my restraint and stood up. Seeing the vast nothing outside the ship was oddly comforting. The others were still making their way while I jumped out onto the lone standing structure in the End of Time.

"So, you've all returned," The old man tilted his hat towards everyone. Standing off was Spekkio, a God of War, as he claimed. There was no doubt that it was him who had awakened the power of magic within me. Thanks to that I've felt more like myself since then. But it was still strange at time feeling the flow of mana around me.

Spekkio glanced but hung his head, he already knew what had happened.

Schala and Magus came off the ship next.

"This is the End of Time?" Schala looked around. "But how is there anything here at all?"

Magus looked at the old man, "I suppose you would know the answer, wouldn't you, Guru Gaspar?"

I blinked and looked to Magus and then to the old man, "Hold on, you're Gaspar?"

"That is what they used to call me, but that was eons ago. That name, is nothing but a reminder of my arrogance. Of all of ours that dared to call ourselves Gurus. Be that as it may, full glad am I to see you and your sister here and unharmed, Lord Janus," the old man bowed.

"I go by Magus now. My time with the mystics has had an affect on me, as you can tell," Magus said.

"Gaspar, how long have you been here?" Schala came up to him. "You look the same as when I last saw you."

"I do not doubt that I do, child. However, time doesn't move here. Ironic that the very thing I sought to understand most is what I am now denied," he chuckled. "Marle, my dear, step forward. There is something you wish to say to me, is there not?"

I stepped towards him, "Gaspar, I have spent my life being told what I can and can't do. It was Crono that showed me that I have the power to decide those things on my own. Magus says you might know of a way to rescue him. I know how selfish it sounds, but if there is even the smallest chance to save him, please, you have to tell me. I beg of you." I got on my knees in front of him and looked to the ground. "Perhaps I'm just young and foolish, but I love him, truly, with every part of my heart and soul. I need him."

"Crono stood against Lavos, and he used a magic of uncontrolled but pure and held back the devastation that is Lavos powers. It was enough that my Brother and I could be saved. Wasn't your research about this very thing? To defy fate itself?" Schala moved next to me, also going to her knees and showing humility for Gaspar and his knowledge. Everyone joined me as well, stating the reason that Crono should be saved.

Lucca noting she regrets never telling Crono how important of a friend he was to her. Robo talked of a deep respect for him. Glenn commenting that Crono's swordsmanship had just begun to take a new form and beauty unknown to any swordsman before. Ayla talked about how Crono fought for her and her people, and the strength of his heart. Magus was the last one still standing on his feet.

"Not long ago, I would have admonished any admittance in the qualities of Crono or the others here. My one singular goal was to exact revenge on the being that had been at the core of the destruction and corruption of everything I held dear. Too young was I to understand the depths of such dark emotions would warp my ambitions. But this young man made me question myself for the first time since I ended up in the Middle Ages. I had spent my life gaining power and martial prowess to face Lavos, and yet I couldn't last more than a few seconds when finally against him. Despite all I had done, and power I gathered. But the truth was I had forgotten a fundamental truth to magic," Magus said. "The true power of magic comes from purpose, determination..."

"...From the heart," Spekkio said. "All your power and knowledge cannot escape this truth."

"In my arrogance, I forsake what I had learned and sought to supplement my power through other means, much like the use of the Mammon Machine taking the energy of Lavos. But, Crono, he stood against something he had no knowledge of. The power of Lavos... he met it head on and he halted it in its tracks. One or two seconds would be impressive, but he held it back for nearly two full minutes. I cannot allow my own mistakes to not acknowledge what one could do, that I could not. And so, I too, will ask for your help Gaspar. I'm positive after talking with his friends, that Crono is our key and only means in which we can overcome the abomination that threatens to doom us all," Magus then got to one knee. "Gaspar, only your knowledge can give us this chance."

I don't think shocked would cover what I had heard from Magus. And yet I could only keep my eyes on Gaspar and hope that this was enough to convince him.

"To break death's hold over one you hold dearer still. You all are hardly the first to wish for such a thing, nor will you be the last," Gaspar looked at me and smiled. "Crono must be happy indeed, knowing how all of you feel." He stepped forward and then placed something in my hand. A jeweled egg. "Take this with you."

"What is it?" I asked as a stared at it.

"This is a Time Egg. A culmination of my research and effort. But, it is not so easily used. Changing fate, the flow of time to place something back into its river is not what just anyone can do. Seek out the one who crafted the Wings of Time, he can tell you where you must go. This... Chrono Trigger is a representation of potential. There is no way to guarantee its success. But this is the key, the way in which you can intervene on and change the current flow of time," Gaspar said.

"Still the same as ever, Gaspar," The voice of Epoch came from a speaker from the ship.

The old man looked up towards the ship, "Is that you Belthasar?"

"Indeed, although I go by Epoch these days. Sorry I couldn't make it around to see you again. But time never stopped for me. Instead I transferred my consciousness to my greatest invention. The Wings of Time. Perhaps not conventional use of my knowledge, but I daresay will prove to be invaluable to my new friends," He replied.

"Then you would know the place that they will have to go to attempt to revive the young man," Gaspar smiled. "I'm glad you were able to accomplish what you have, my friend."

"And full glad am I to know that you've been helping them in your own way. Perhaps we might yet undo the damage our knowledge might have wrought. My friends, I will describe to you what you will need to attempt the rescue of Crono when you are ready to depart," Belthasar, aka Epoch, became silent once more as we all stood there.

"Nadia," Spekkio called to me. I turned towards him and he motioned for me to join him. I left the others to do as they wished as I followed Spekkio into his room. "Do you remember how you felt when you first used magic?"

The first time? I was warm, I felt confident and willing to face anything because I had Crono at my side. When I opened my eyes he had been there to greet me, supporting me the whole time. Because of that and everything I fell more and more in love with him. My life changed because of him. "I was confident, resolute... warm, comforted... supported by him. If I hadn't met him... I do not believe I would have been able to pass your test."

"That isn't true," Spekkio said simply as he turned away from me. "You think a God of War would allow you to gain such power if your strength of will and heart had been completely dependent on another? What Crono provided you, was a path. One that you had lost sight of. You are not one who blindly follows your own happiness. You care about others, no matter the time or place. Or do you believe you could hide your actions from one such as I?"

I shook my head, "Yeah, of course. You're right."

"Loss is difficult. No matter how much time passes, a mere thought can make that pain just as fresh as it was the moment it happened. If you succeed and you get him back, you will never forget that pain. Nor should you. That being said. Your power is fueled by your heart. Let it guide you, let it become your strength. To do what you first sought to do, you must have no doubts in your mind," Spekkio said.

No doubts in my mind? What was important to me?

"This world... it means nothing to me without him. That's the truth. Regardless of what strength I have to stand on my own. I need to go down this path. Do all I can to get him back. Even if it means bending the rules of time and existence to do so. But if there truly is no way to change what has happened then... I will finish what we started, even if it is to prevent such a tragedy from happening to the rest of the world. And ensure it lives on," I locked eyes with Spekkio as he turned back towards me.

He smiled, "Hold onto your desires. And I'm sure that with your power, you can make it happen."


"Death Peak harbors a power capable of restoring the slain to life. Well, in a fashion. But to ensure its success there are multiple factors to consider. The power to reverse death is not one easily invoked. The need must be great, and the person's existence of the utmost importance. Though I must confess there is no way to determine this before hand," Epoch spoke over the vessels speakers for everyone to hear.

"Considering the events he's been involved with and affected, I have little doubt that Crono qualifies," Magus spoke up.

"What else do we need?" Schala asked.

"You'll need a double, a doll, identical to him in every detail. Then you'll need magic to stir the power of the egg," Epoch said. "The exact method and how it works after the egg hatches is reliant on the individual you seek to save. So this is all I can tell you on how to proceed."

The now Epoch, once Guru of Time named Belthasar, finished his explanation and everyone took a moment to think about it.

"A double? The doppel doll that Crono and I won from Norstein Bekklar at the millennial fair!" I said as I looked to Lucca.

"That means going back to Truce... and we aren't exactly wanted there and..." Lucca started.

"Then the 3 of us will go," Glenn said as he stood by Magus and Schala.

"Agreed," Schala nodded. "Besides, it should really be you two that use the Chrono Trigger to get him back. So at the very least, leave this task to us."

"After his sacrifice to save my sister and me, this is the least I can do for him. We'll leave the actual saving of him to you," Magus said looking to me.

"Thanks all of you," I said, a smile coming to me more naturally than it had since losing Crono.

"Then we know our destination. We'll land a good distance away from Truce as to not attract too much attention. And we'll give you the rundown of where to go from there," Lucca said as she headed to the pilot seat with Robo in tow.

We all sat in our seats and I strapped into my own. Schala moved next to me and took my hand, "Forgive me, Marle. I also thought that perhaps returning there would be difficult for you."

I sighed as I felt the engines of the ship turning on, "It's probably for the best. The doppel doll of Crono will be at his home, in his room. His Mom, Gina will be helpful, I know. But..."

"I see. You don't want to face her," Schala squeezed my hand with her own.

"How could I? What's worse is... I know she wouldn't blame me. I know she would comfort me, even though it was her own son that died. Seeing her, stepping into his home... it would kill me. I..." I felt tears running down my face, a common sight for them at this point.

"Hold onto those emotions, Marle. No, Princess Nadia. When it comes time to use the time egg, these feelings, this pain can be used to amplify your magic, to break down the wall of reality. This I firmly believe," Schala said quietly to me as the Epoch was rising into the air.

I closed my eyes as I felt the ship taking off, likely lining up to travel through time. "Princess, huh? I spent so much of my time trying to escape it. Running away, meeting Crono, then getting them both labeled as criminals in their hometown for kidnapping me. I have never felt more like myself than being with them, or everyone else here for that matter."

"We all need that time to escape for a while. Especially as royalty," Schala said. "It's a luxury that many don't have the ability to take. You meeting Crono and experiencing all you have. That is a rarity, and a treasure that only you have. And to meet someone so talented and skilled, you truly are lucky. Honestly, I'm jealous. I wish I could have met someone like that."

"And that's just another reason we have to succeed, right? To have that possibility of it happening in the future. I'm sure there is someone out there that..." I stopped and blinked. "Here I am wishing for your happiness when I'm..."

"Because you love him. Truly love him," Schala smiled. "This is who you are, Princess. Royalty that wants to see everyone around her, not just herself be happy. Even though you are suffering, you are thinking about those around you. I know you feel lost. But if your telling me to not lose hope, then you can't either."

"If that fiend Lavos can bend time to his benefit, then why shouldn't we be able to do the same?" Magus spoke up. "What better way to defy the fate that Lavos would have us tread than denying him the death of one capable of meeting his power head on."

It was a bit strange to hear it put in a way that Magus had, but he was right. Crono had looked at that abomination and stood his ground, releasing the might of his magic against it, and held his own longer than anyone else.

"Hold on everyone, we're jumping," Lucca announced.

With a swirl of thoughts in my head the Epoch jumped through space and time, back to the time and place where this whole journey had begun.


After we landed, Glenn, Magus and Schala were the ones to leave leaving the rest of us to stay in the Epoch. Lucca had parked us out of sight on the far side of the forest, oddly near Guardia Castle. I knew it was dangerous, but a part of me wanted to go. After all maybe his room... I could pretend he was there with me. The back and forth on if what they were going to attempt to do was even possible was floating around in my mind.

I had to hold on to hope, no matter how far fetched it seemed. Did Crono not being here change how I felt about the world? No, not really. Maybe my personal motivations had been severely hampered because he was gone but... I guess seeing his home and where he had lived for his life would only have hurt me. But I wanted to apologize to his Mom. It was all my fault. His involvement with me at the fair.

Even when things happened... I insisted he come with me back to the castle. Because I was smitten. After he saved me and I had come back from that cold and dark existence... I didn't want to leave his side. Crono brought me warmth, comfort and safety, things I don't think I felt or had taken for granted since my Mother died. If I had gone home alone... then none of it would have happened.

I could do nothing as Crono was accused of my kidnapping. Accused of being anything other than my savior, my protector. So I made a decision. In the authority of my Father trying to lock me away once more I instead worked with my maid and personal knight to escape the castle to find Lucca.

I decided that I would throw everything away. My title, my life and whatever future that would have been and instead give it to the man that had stolen my heart. Who had risked his life for my own. I owed him nothing less in return.

"We've returned," Glenn announced as he was coming up the ramp of the Epoch, followed by Magus and then Schala. Schala had the doll of Crono, carrying it on her back, like she was giving the real Crono a piggy back ride. My heart ached at the sight of such a doll, that looked so lifelike and similar to the real Crono, that at a glance I likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Maybe for the casual person that didn't really know Crono would be equally deceived.

Schala seemed to be careful with the doll and moved it into her arms and then looked to me, silently asking if I wanted it. It would not take much for the build up of tears to break through now. I nodded and took the doll. It was neither light nor heavy, but the appearance and craftsman ship to make something like this was just more than impressive.

"I knew you would be here, Princess Nadia," A familiar voice called.

I froze at the voice and looked up to see the one person I was unsure I could face, Crono's Mother, Gina. I could only blink as I unconsciously clung to the doll of Crono.

Instead of any amount of yelling or anything that I know I deserved, she came up to me and wrapped her arms around me. The last of my defenses came crashing down at this gesture, this comfort from the Mother of the one I loved. "It's okay."

"No it's not!" the tears came out as I turned into a sobbing mess. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

I was yelling, screaming as the tears and pain I felt came out, against the person I had hoped to be family with one day when I had married Crono. How had I kept any amount of composure until now? I had felt so much anger up until this point... denied it was possible. But it was true... Too painfully true. Crono had died. Died doing what made him who he was. Selfless, sacrificing, protector of those that didn't have the power to do so themselves. Or couldn't. It had been no different with me.

I remember the look in Crono's eyes when he had figured out that my trip to the fair, I had planned to be the last thing I did in my life. That I had planned to take my own life when all was said and done. I was a Princess, someone that had no worries. I didn't have to worry about if I would eat the next day, or if I had enough to make rent or taxes for the month. I didn't have to worry about having to work myself. I was just an attention starved spoiled Princess. I remember the last time I felt pain like this. When Mother died. But I was still too young then. A lot I didn't understand.

Crono made me realize how much I didn't know, how much of the world I hadn't seen. And I connected with him like I had with no one else in my entire life. I still questioned myself from time to time though. Was it truly love? Was I really committed to spend my life with him? Losing him made me realize a resounding truth. Yes, yes I wanted to spend every moment of my future with him. To love him, to hold him, as wedding vows often went. In sickness and in health... Yeah, I wanted it all. To have children, to grow old, to experience everything this life had to hold. Too late, I was far too late to realize the real depth of my own feelings.

What if I had stood at his side? What if I had combined my magic with his to push back Lavos attack? Could I have steeled myself for whatever result that would have brought? I stumbled, I couldn't move when I should have. I should have been at his side, resistant, defiant.

Time passed, I apologized again and again to Gina. Sorry I wasn't stronger. Sorry I wasn't at his side in those moments. Sorry that I was still such a spoiled Princess. Sorry that I took your son for granted. Crono was everything, and I realized it only after he was gone. Sorry for being so useless.

Gina didn't say anything as I let everything out. I'm sure it had to be at least two hours before I started to finally calm down.

"Feel better now?" she asked me.

I nodded against her, as she still held me against her.

"Crono was just like his Dad, don't you think?" Gina asked.

"Sir Lazarus?" I blinked as I pulled away from her.

She smiled and stepped away from me, I settled into a seat as she looked away, out the ramp of the Epoch, "My husbands dream had always been to be a Knight... the Knight Commander of the Guardia knighthood. Even though it was his work ethic and aspiration to match that dream, I ultimately became jealous of those he would be sworn to protect. Over me, over our son. He would come home and tell me about the Queen, and the Princess that he was so proud to serve and protect. I even harbored a suspicion that my husband fell in love with the Queen over me."

Gina shook her head and continued, "I was a fool. That man was loyal to a fault. But his love for me had never wavered. I know that now more than anything. I wasted my time on such thoughts when I could have build more memories with him. I regret that more than anything."

"But Sir Lazarus... he..." I started.

"He was sent away, right? A do nothing mission that should have been easily dealt with. And yet, he never came back," Gina turned back towards me. "That has nothing to do with this moment though. My point is, that my son, did what he believed was the correct course of action. What he did, what he died for was his choice. Not yours. Do you truly think he wouldn't have gotten mixed up in some sort of trouble if he hadn't met you? Don't kid yourself. You know full well that it might have been a different situation, or a much different problem, but Crono was always going to fight. Fight to protect those that couldn't. He was in every way. a knight. In all the ways that mattered. A knight who had lost faith in the knighthood that had failed to find out what happened to his father."

I looked to the ground, 'Crono... he probably would have gotten mixed up in something anyway. I can't refute that. It's selfish of me to think that he did all of these things for me."

Gina chuckled, "Stop that. Crono upheld the beliefs of his father, just as much as he did to protect you. After all, he loved you, didn't he?"

Of course... all this time I had wanted there to be someone to blame, someone to direct this anger at. But this is who Crono was. And of course I knew the truth of it. After all, the man who stood defiantly against Lavos had been none other than the man I loved.

"If it were me alone, I would have never been here. But this won't be the end of us all. No matter the consequence I will face off against fate with everything that I am, and every ounce of strength I can muster. Now, come! I stand against the will of the heavens!"

His words held so much power. He stood in such a way that it was hard for any of us not to be moved by it. But I had been gripped by fear, about what I knew he was resolved to do. I hadn't been strong enough then to believe in him, to have faith and understand why he made that choice. I was selfish. Just as I had always been. How could we defy the very fate of our star and not be prepared that such a thing could happen. That had to be the difference. Crono, he knew what was at stake, and he used that to delve into the potential of his very being to in that last moment call a power that was far beyond what we had been able to do before. Even Magus and Schala had been speechless at the display.

I looked back to Gina, Crono's Mother, "I'm going to get him back. Even if I have to bend the rules of space and time."

"When you do, make sure he knows exactly what he put you through. All of you," Gina said glancing towards the cockpit where Lucca stood in its entryway.

"Oh, I plan to give him a piece of my mind," Lucca nodded. "But, it's also still the Crono that I've always known. And I doubt he ever would have acted differently, no matter if he knew people there or not."

Glenn stood nearby, "Indeed, his honor has always seemed beyond reproach."

"I would like to apologize to you, madam," Magus stepped passed the others and approached Gina. He went to his knees and then bowed to her. "I insulted your son. I called him a fool, thought him a moron for his beliefs and his stance. I was blinded by my own revenge, but lost sight of my own true goals. It was your son, who despite being my enemy, recognized my true wish. He saved my life. If not for him I would have likely just remained a victim of that disaster. And forgotten that my family, my sister was what I should have been there for to begin with."

"I'm sorry too," Schala joined her brother. "Crono is a true hero. But if I had been brave enough to stand up to my Mother... then perhaps he wouldn't have had to take such a drastic action."

However, Gina remained smiling, "But how do you feel now? Do you recognize what's important now? Do you not know what kind of courage that it takes to stand up for what you believe? To fight for what you love? The loss of my son is devastating. I know that eventually I too will succumb to the loss. But how can I not be proud of him? In all his years, he had never known what to do with himself. The loss of his father left him lost. He struggled to know what to do day to day. But meeting you, Princess Nadia, changed him. But he continued to change after he met every single one of you."

"Ayla like Crono. Crono strong. Ayla tell Crono but could not protect him," Ayla also showed her own remorse to Gina. "That why, we bring Crono back. Crono strong that he come back."

"That is why you all came here. You needed this doll for this process. Though I can't imagine what you have to do. I can tell that all of you desire it. All for your own reasons," Gina said. "Now I'll be going. I don't want to hold you up any longer."

"Wait, Gina..." I started but she came up to me and silenced me with a knowing look.

"No more, Princess," she then leaned in and kissed the top of my head as I remained seated. "Bring my son back to me. So that one day, I may call you my daughter-in-law."

The words caught me off guard and a warmth filled my heart, tears falling gently from my eyes as looked up to her, "I will, I promise." The dream that I had held so tenderly in my heart since I had met Crono was invigorated in that moment. Remembering the silly dream of getting married, living in a house of our own and children. Visiting Crono's Mom with our children... Yes, I wanted to fulfill that dream so much.

Gina said her goodbyes and she left. Moments later the Epoch took to the skies.

"I've analyzed the doll, this will do nicely for using the time egg. Now we must venture to the time where you found me. Death Peak is north of where my dome was located. You must venture up to its peak. From there you must use your magic and pour its energy into the egg, while holding the wish of whom you want to bring back. The time egg will only respond if it has a clear and vivid image of who and wear the person you wish to save is. Theoretically, the time egg will send you back to that moment in time. From there you swap him with the doll, and well... the doll will be destroyed in his place," Belthasar explained as Lucca was setting the course.

"Back to that desolate time," Robo commented.

"But why Death's Peak?" Lucca asked.

"It is a place where Lavos has already triumphed, and its influence on time is nearly non-existent. It is weak enough that the power of the time egg will be its most potent to control its flow. After all, time is but a river, and what we will do is to disturb its flow, but there is little to be changed in that far flung future. Nor will it effect the events and outcome of his death. The Chrono Trigger is the only means to revisit a place in time that you have already been. But its time frame is limited, and you must be quick. Also I do advice getting some warm clothing for the trek up the mountain. It is dreadfully cold," Belthasar said.

I moved up and sat in the co-pilot seat with Lucca at the helm. "Shall we stop in the middle ages for supplies then?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Lucca nodded. "Everyone strap in. We're launching in 3... 2... 1..."

The sky above the Guardia kingdom would see nothing but a line of blinding light, as the Epoch disappeared into the past.


"So even here, the Black Omen sits in the sky," Magus comments as we are all walking down the towns road towards the supply store that is said to have winter clothing.

"It appears as though the inhabitants say it has always been there," Glenn said.

"And it would be part of your own memories if we stayed in any time period for too long," Lucca added.

"What bothers me, if the disaster of the Zeal Kingdom, still happened... then why wasn't the Black Omen in the sky before? Doesn't that mean that the end of that disaster has changed?" I asked the others.

"That is concerning," Magus nodded. "I had been pulled into a time gate days before the disaster occurred, so I don't have any reference for what has gone different. However, without Crono and the others there, perhaps I alone as the Prophet would have failed to put up any meaningful resistance. Without the Masamune being able to destroy the Mammon Machine then the truth is... The Ocean Palace remained operational."

"Meaning Mother... likely would have been there, alone in her immortality at the bottom of the ocean. Awaiting for Lavos to claim the world," Schala shook her head. "From what I've seen, it's very likely that without Crono, there would have been no one there to attempt to destroy the Mammon Machine with the ruby knife that Melchior entrusted to him."

"You're right," I said but then shook my head. "Wait, that ruby knife changed to the Masamune? How would it have survived and then end up passed down through the Guardia Knights then?"

"Yes, considering that Melchior didn't have it with him in the present. That meant he had to have entrusted someone with the ruby knife. And they would have had to have some exposure to Lavos' energy to have it turn into the Masamune," Lucca said. "That being said, we've changed what happened originally. So despite what the original events might have led, the shift in the timeline will mean that the Masamune that Crono stabbed into the Mammon Machine is the same that would end up in the Guardia Kingdom."

"Crono's actions have left significant impact on the history of our kingdom," Glenn said.

"Actions fated to be lost before the formation of Guardia," Lucca said.

"But we know the truth. We know how these events happened," I shook my head as we finally approached the store we had been directed to. We entered the shop and saw as a young boy with vibrant crimson hair stood there. I lost my thoughts as I was overwhelmed by the sight. This was no doubt the spitting image of Crono. No, not quite, his features were slightly different, a more lean build, his nose bigger, but all in all, the resemblance was too strong to deny. An ancestor?

"Hello, welcome to the Truce Supply Store!" A man with red hair, not nearly as vibrant at the boy welcomed us. I was shaken from my stupor, though my eyes compared the similarities.

"Um, yes, we were told you had winter clothes. We were hoping to stock up," I said.

"Oh? Heading for a trip?" he asked... he must have noticed how we were all looking around. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Magus shook his head.

"You'll have to excuse us, your son looks strikingly similar to a friend of ours," Schala quickly followed up.

"Is that right? Didn't know there were many others out there with hair like our family line. Seems to be every few generations we get one like my boy. Why don't you say hello, Beat?" the man said.

The boy smiled, "Hello!"

I returned the smile, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure!" He eagerly said.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I'm gonna be a knight, just like my Grandpa!" He spoke proudly. "Are you okay, miss?"

I felt the tear running down my face and I quickly wiped it away, "Yeah, yeah I am. I'll be praying that your dream comes true."

"Thanks Miss! I'm gonna do my best!" the boy grinned before running off.

Crono... What were you like as a child? Did you hold the same dreams? Maybe to follow in the steps of your Father and becoming a knight? Did that change when your Father died? What if you had followed those steps... could you have been my knight like how your Dad had protected my Mother? Would I have still fallen in love with you then?

It was clear that such decisions effected so much more than people realized. Crono's appearance in the Dark Ages, standing against the Ocean Palace and using the Ruby Knife on the Mammon Machine... All of these things had changed the future. Now... the once Ocean Palace was known as the Black Omen and hung in the sky. The world saw it but knew nothing about it. Only that it was an ever present part of their sky.

It was also proof that the future could be changed. The actions we took mattered. We could stop Lavos... I was sure of it. If we could bring Crono back... then nothing was impossible.

I wonder if Crono had realized how ludicrous the goal was when I had said we should defeat Lavos. Change the past, just like how he had saved me. So easy to say, but we watched Lavos erupt from the ground and destroying the whole of civilization in a moment. I was living a high then. Crono saved my life, only to be imprisoned by my Father, and threatened to be executed. I worked with Lucca to break him out and feeling that anything was better than my life in a gilded cage, we jumped into a Time Gate.

For the first time in my life, I felt in control. With Crono with me, I could do anything. I could get the life I always wanted. And because of everything I had fallen in love with Crono. I'm sure people would question on if what I feeling was really love or not. But I couldn't fathom it being anything else. Either way, the only way to truly know is to bring Crono back.

We left the store and returned to the Epoch. I sat down and strapped in and closed my eyes. I could see him in my minds eye. Crono smiling at me.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Crono would tell me. "If you went home and lived the rest of your life peacefully, without worrying. I'd be okay with that."

"Without you?" I whispered. "There is no peace in that, or knowing the fate of our world."

Maybe it was a sign I was losing myself to hear his voice in my mind. But we would save him. I had to. Because if I couldn't, then I had already lost the one thing in this world worth saving.


"Death Peak harbors a power capable of restoring the slain to life. But the power to reverse death is not one easily invoked. The need must be great, and the person's existence of the utmost importance," The recording of Belthasar spoke from the construct in front of them. "And wha'ts more, you'll need a double-a doll identical to that person in every detail. Then, and only then, will the power deign to hatch the egg."

"I already have the doll," I stood there with Chrono's doll and presented it to the construct, after a moment it registered what I had.

"Yes, that will do quite well. It seems the time has come for you to attempt Death Peak. It is the only chance you have of reviving the dead. I've implanted one final program-truly, I mean it this time-in this construct's memory banks. It will help to guide you up the mountain. Please stand back." The construct told us. We did as instructed and stepped back.

A line of 3 blue Poyozo Doll's came out and simultaneously said, "Executing Program!"

The dolls disappeared, leaving only the construct to remain.

"The three entities you just saw will aid you on Death Peak. This ends my message. Now, I must ask you for a favor. This construct has reached the end of his final program. Please, let him rest. The switch is on his stomach," the recording ended.

"Just as what Epoch told us," Lucca said as she stepped forward and switched off the construct.

"All that is left is to scale the mountain," Glenn stated as he adjusted the heavy parka he had on as they all began to make the trek out of the Keeper's Dome.

"We are as prepared as we can be," Schala noted. "He's waiting for us."

I nodded numbly to her words. I couldn't say anything as we exited the dome and made our trek over to Death Peak's base. It wasn't that far, but as we got closer the winds picked up and the temperature dropped. Thankfully, the heavy parka's we got did wonders against this weather.

When we got to the base, we were welcomed by the first Poyozo doll, instructing us on a path on the initial climb and revealing trees that were hidden to us before. Despite the heavy winds that threatened to push us back down the mountain we were able to push our way up slowly.

After that the winds were no longer as big a factor. But that was when the fighting began. Creatures prowled around and there was little room to avoid them. Many of them twisted, deformed and aggressive creatures that attacked on sight. Even with restricted movement because of the heavy parka's we still dispatched them easily enough. But it was the larger creatures that drew our attention.

"What is that?" I asked as we came around a cliff side and saw a massive creature. A shell covered in spikes and a exposed part that looked a lot like...

"Lavos spawn," Magus said. "There must be many here. Likely looking to mature enough before they go out to space to find their own planet to feed off."

"Baby Lavos, go elsewhere and hurt others?" Ayla asked.

"Indeed," Glenn nodded. "It would be wise we do not allow them to do so."

"Preparing for combat," Robo said.

I readied my crossbow, "At the very least, we won't allow for such tragedy to leave this planet."

Unlike Lavos, his spawn were nowhere near that strength. While it was nothing to scoff at, it was still nothing like what we had seen that day when Crono lost his life. Focusing on it's exposed flesh we avoided it's attacks and magic and eventually killed the spawn. And we took extra steps to ensure it was truly dead.

We continued up the mountain, killing every single Lavos Spawn that we encountered along the way. Even using some of their shells to get higher up the mountain at points. We killed three of them along the way. But we had eventually reached the top.

"The summit of Death Peak..." I said as I stepped forward with the Time Egg and Crono Doll in my hands. I handed Lucca the doll as I moved towards the solitary tree in front of us.

"We'll stay back, we don't want to interfere with Balthasar's magic," Schala stated.

I held the egg and came to a stop. My emotions, they are what drive my magical power. The Egg would help... I focused my thoughts, feeling my magic intertwine with the egg as I let my intentions known, "You who fear the night and fight the coming of darkness... Lend us strength! Help us return our champion, the one who would lead that battle!"

"Marle, your pendant!" Lucca called out.

I looked down and sure enough, my pendant that was around my neck was glowing and sending it's energy to the egg. The combined power made the egg rise from my hands and into the air, an immense magical energy surrounded it. I looked at it, with all the hope in my heart... and then the egg shattered.

Was that supposed to happen? Did something go wrong?

"No! What use was it to come so far?" Lucca yelled and collapsed.

I shook my head, still pouring my magic out, "No! I refuse! There is NO ONE more important to this world! To this future than Crono! You will give him back!"

Then in a matter of seconds the sun in the sky was eclipsed, covering them in darkness, when I was able to see once more, it was different. I was back... back in the depths of the Ocean Palace. It was that moment. I saw Crono, standing in front of Schala and Magus, putting them out of harms way. Seconds before Lavos energy would hit him. Time was frozen.

"A time freeze? Are we really back at that moment?" Lucca said as she looked around.

"We should hurry," I said as Lucca came over with the Crono doll. I pulled the real Crono from his place while Lucca put the doll in its place. "Crono..."

When the swap was completed, our vision began to go once more, but I wrapped my arms around Crono as we then shifted back. In a moment we were back on Death Peak. Crono and I against the tree.

"I... uh... what?" Crono was dazed.

I put my hand against his chest, feeling the movement of his breaths and the beating of his heart, tears started going down my face, "Crono... It's you. It's really you!" I couldn't register anything else, the others or their reactions.

"I'm... not dead," He scratched his head. "All I remember was pushing Schala and Magus out of the way. It was all I could think to do."

"It's been a few weeks since then for us," I wiped away my tears. "A lot has happened and I... I'm sorry Crono... I was..." but my words turned into a blubbering mess and instead I just leaned against him and cried. Relief, happiness, guilt and a swirl of emotions all in between came over me.

It worked... it really worked.

"I love you, Crono. Please, don't ever leave me again," I muttered against him again and again.


A/N: Hey guys. I meant to have this chapter up a LOOOOONG time ago. So I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of you have forgotten about this story entirely. But here we are! We back!

I hope to be able to post the next chapters much faster. The length of time since the last one is definitely not normal. Long story short, my personal career launched suddenly and quickly as well as issues with my depression which demotivated me for a long while. But I'm back and I will be finishing this story dammit!

Crono is back, so we'll get a more in depth scene with that and kind of a better view of what the rest of the story will look like. As all of you with a good understanding of the game will realize all that is left is all the side quests and the Black Omen then the confrontation with Lavos. So hopefully I can make it all flow together to lead to that final confrontation. That being said, who knows how much will still be left for us to go through.

But yes, I'm back and going to make a push to finish this story!