Chrono Trigger: A Retrospective, Chapter 10
Just as you touch the lives of every life form you meet, so too, will their energy strengthen you. Fail to live up to your potential and you will never win.
Chapter 10: Tying up loose ends
Now, searching for the special stone, the group is unsure where to start looking. When searching for Geno Dome, they found a cave structure called The Sun Palace on their scanner, so they decide to investigate it. Landing the Epoch near the cave entrance, they find inside an ancient looking structure with technology similar to the Ocean Palace in the Kingdom of Zeal. Moving toward the central platform, a large orb with a single eye in its centre appears surrounded by 5 flames. Hitting it directly does nothing so the party realizes that they must attack one of the flames to damage it, which changes every time they hit it. After defeating the creature, it's flames disappear, a bridge appears and it retreats, leading them further into the chamber. The creature sits upon a strange pedestal between 2 ancient statues, and as they approach it turns into a mysterious round stone.
Frog exclaims: "'Tis the ancient Sun Stone! But it lacketh luster. Perhaps the sun can rekindle it! But how long will that take?"
Formulating a plan, they take the Sun Stone to the Sun Keep in Prehistory and set it where light shines in a beam perpetually in the same place.
"Is cozy! Sunshine good!" Ayla says to the group. Now, travelling into the Future to see whether it was able to charge, they visit the same Sun Keep 65 million years later.
"Gone... rock not here?" Ayla observes. "But plenty dust. Someone take long time ago." Someone took the Sun Stone at some point in history. Tracking it back to where it was last seen, the team travels to the Present, 1000 AD. "Not here too. Someone take! We find!”
Noting that the shine of the Sun Stone is so bright, they can see it all the way in the Mayor's Manor in Porre Village, they visit the residence. "Moon Stone? Never heard of it!" the Mayor lies. Speaking with his children, it seems their father has a reputation for being a selfish cheapskate. And speaking with the mother, she worries the children are slipping away from their parents. Having run out of options, the group decides perhaps something can be done in the past, so they travel to the Middle Ages to visit the families ancestors. As they speak to the family, the mother is lamenting needing an ingredient to cook her dinner. Having coincidentally just acquired some beef jerky from the Snail Shop of the Porre village, the team volunteers to give it to her. She asks to pay an exuberant price, but seeing the value of charity they give it to her for free. Saying she thought there were no kind people left in the world, the Mother promises that her children will learn the value of sharing.
As they return to the Present to see if their actions had any affect on the future. Speaking to the Mayor, he tells them "You're interested in the Moon Stone? Well, someone simply left it here. Seems important to you folks. Why don't you take it!" They receive the precious item, and speaking with the Mayor's children it seems they now have a great deal of respect for the man.
Returning to the Sun Keep to return the Stone so it can finish charging, they then travel to the Future to once again see whether they were successful in re-energizing it.
Now, as they enter the Sun Keep, the brightness of the Sun Stone flashes, lighting up the cave walls. Picking it up, Lucca observes: "Amazing! With THIS much energy I can make a powerful weapon! Let's go back to my house right now!" Once they travel to the Present and settle down in Lucca’s house, she begins her work. "I'll modify the Sun Stone to extract its energy..." She says. "Then, we'll just vacuum pack it into a cartridge." A massive power discharge emanates from the machine she's working with, and as the cycle completes, she turns to the group: "And it's finished!" She holds her new invention up proudly, the WonderShot! "Sometimes I amaze myself!" She boasts.
Lucca's father then walks into the living room: "Take a look Lucca! I borrowed a bit of the Sun Stone to create something nifty!" He hands her his own invention, the Sun Shades which pair perfectly with her new pistol.
Now, concerned with the clue regarding the ghost of a lofty knight slain by Magus in the Middle Ages, the heroes travel to the far away Village of Choras which contains the Northern Ruins; a haunted mansion near the edge of the town. Investigating the Ruins they realize that access is impossible in the state of disrepair it's in. They travel to the local cafe to see about hiring the local handyman but he's complaining that his tools have been stolen so he can't get any work done without them.
Now to see if they can't change their fortunes, they travel to the Present to visit the Village of Choras. While asking around the local inn, they encounter the handyman of this era and ask if they can borrow his tools. Being in a good mood, he obliges them gladly.
As they return to the Middle Ages, they give the handyman the tools. To show his appreciation, he sends his work crew to the Northern Ruins to repair the building. Once they meet up with the repairman in the Northern Ruins he tells them he fixed everything he could but couldn't get to the spots where monsters hide. If they get rid of them, he'll resume his repairs.
As the adventurers explore the Ruins, they defeat the ghouls they find inside one by one. As soon as their task is completed, they return to the handyman's home to get him to resume his repairs. As soon as they negotiate a price, he sends his employees to the Ruins to continue fixing the structure.
As they investigate the lowest level, they find a headstone for a grave in the basement. It reads: "Cyrus, the fool who challenged Magus, rests here.
"
As Frog and the others gather around, Frog speaks to the grave. "Cyrus. I hath returned. I shall honour my promise to thee!" He unsheathes the Masamune and lifts it above his head and the room is filled with a holy light. The spectral form of Cyrus rises from the grave and regards Frog. "Cyrus." Frog says solemnly.
"Glenn..." Cyrus says to Frog. "Thank you for making the journey here."
"Dear Cyrus." Frog replies. "Thou must... think ill of me.
"On the contrary! You have come far, my friend." Cyrus says warmly. "When Magus defeated me, I thought of all those whom I had left behind. King Guardia, Queen Leene, and of course, you..."
"Cyrus..."
"Your skill and dedication is superior! I can rest now, knowing that everyone is in good hands. Goodbye, my friend!"
"Cyrus, wait! I..." Frog starts. "I..."
With that, the form of Cyrus disappears. "The Queen... Look after Queen Leene." Cyrus's voice calls after. "Alas, and... farewell... Glenn..."
"Cyyyruuus!!!" Frog calls after him and falls to his knees. "I'm so sorry Cyrus."
Feeling a strange force, Frog regards the legendary blade: "The Masamune?!" he exclaims. The sword lifts into the air under its own power. It then spins, and separates into the 2 spirits of the blade, Masa and Mune.
"That was special." Mune says.
"Quite. I guess it means that a hero's power come from within." Masa replies.
"Mucho metaphysical, man." Mune quips.
"Like, MIND over matter, Mune!"
"My... mind?" Frog asks.
"Now for a yummy, full-on test!" Mune says energetically.
"It's thrashin' time!" Masa exclaims. The 2 spirits reach back and high five each other enthusiastically, creating a flash of light which fills the crypt. Now, returned to its sword form, the legendary blade slowly lowers back into Frogs hand.
"'Tis flowing with strength and vigor." Frog says. "Ahh! 'Tis the true identity of the Masamune!! Cyrus, I promise to fulfill your wishes!" He lifts the sword above his head again. "'Tis a sad farewell!" Turning to his friends, "Onward, all!"
Noting the inscription on the headstone has magically changed, it now reads: "Cyrus sleeps here, avenged by his friend Glenn."
The heroes now leave the Northern Ruins, looking for their next adventure. Gaspar spoke of an item from the Middle Ages that sparkles like a Rainbow.
First the party stops by the Guardia Castle to see the King. At the front doors the Chancellor addresses Marle: "I've been worried Princess! I understand your pain. But the king really only cares about his realm... Yes, even when your mother, Queen Aliza passed away, he worked all day!"
"No one could do that! It's inhuman!" Marle says.
"Oh child, it's ancient history now." he says to her.
Marle asks: "Tell me more!"
"This may be difficult... Well, Queen Aliza's condition suddenly changed for the worst. She desperately wanted to see the king one last time, but he couldn't find the time to drop by... Said he had some work to do... But knowing nothing about death, you waited faithfully by your mother's side... Aliza passed away in sorrow. It's as if the king indirectly killed her... Such a shame..." The Chancellor tells Marle.
"What!! Father KILLED MY MOTHER?!!" She cries.
"But what do I know! There are reasons for everything, right dear? Now, so glad to see you back again. Please go and visit the king."
As they enter the Throne Room, King Guardia regards the adventurers. "Oh! Nadia..."
"W, what do you want?! I'm not giving in to your demands!" Marle yells.
"It's your fault for leaving the castle! And letting these... hoodlums in here." The King yells back. "You might as well beg for break on the street corner!"
"Stop it! They're my friends!"
"They're a disgrace to this family!"
"Father! You... you... You care more about your country than me... or mother!!" Marle cries.
"What?" The King asks, stunned.
"You... you killed mother!"
"Get... OUT OF HERE this instant!!!" The King bellows. "I never want to see your face again!"
"Good riddance!" Marle yells back.
"We're no longer family! Do as you wish!!" With that, the King retires to his chambers.
"Oh woe is me..." The Chancellor says with a gleam in his eye.
They return to the cafe in the Village of Choras to meet with an adventurer named Toma who was searching for a mystical item called the Rainbow Shell.
"Hey Marle, I've finally got a lead on the Rainbow Shell. Oh, can you hang on to this for me?" Toma says and hands them a can of pop. "If I don't return, come to my grave and pour this on my headstone. Gee, isn't that morbid?" He jokes.
The group leaves, and heads to the future. On the Western pier near the Village sits the West Cape, and Toma's headstone. They walk up to the grave and pour the pop on it. Toma's disembodied spirit rises from the grave, and says to them: "Crono, long time no see. I've located the Rainbow Shell." Toma walks to the edge of the pier and points. "To the Northwest of this cape is a large island called the Giant's Claw. You can find the Shell there. But beware! There are many beasts about! Time to shove off." Toma's spirit rises to the heavens and they can hear his final words for them: "You guys are a riot a minute! See ya!”
Heading back to the Middle Ages, they track down Giant's Claw Island. As they enter the cave at the base of the mountain, they pass by Azala's throne and realize that inside is a large section of the Tyrano Lair from Prehistory! Apparently it partially survived the ages underground, preserved in the earth. As they search the passages of the cave system they find many species of dinosaur have survived in the subterranean levels. As they explore the furthest reaches of the underground structure they find the prison cells which once held Kino and the others. Behind that, there was now a hole leading to a new section, and from that hole a terrifying roar could be heard. As they confront the source of the sound, a huge Rust Tyrano blocks the path. Once engaging in battle with the large Prehistoric Reptite, they defeat it and find the Rainbow Shell behind it. Realizing it's far too heavy to drag out of the cave by themselves, they enlist the help of Guardia Castle. The King agrees to safeguard the Shell for the foreseeable future.
As they return to the Present, they check in on Guardia Castle and see how the safekeeping of the Rainbow Shell has been going. As they enter they strike up a conversation with the guards and learn that King Guardia is on trial for selling the Royal treasures. As they head directly for the Courtroom, guards block the doorway. Marle demands they move aside and the group enters the Court where they see Marle's father on the Witness stand being cross examined by the Chancellor.
"Had any of you heard of the 'Rainbow Shell'? I too, had no idea until I found this..." The Chancellor holds up a note. ""It's an ancestral will. It says, "Unveil the Rainbow Shell to the people at the Millennial Fair."
"What are you talking about? We have no family heirlooms here." The King states.
"So this is a forgery?" The Chancellor asks. "Why does the defendant deny the people a glimpse of the 'Rainbow Shell'? Because he no longer HAS it!! He sold the heirloom for cash! Witness, please!"
Marle walks up to her father; "Wh, what is it, Nadia? We are conducting a trial here." He says to her.
"Father!" She cries.
"Nadia! The Chancellor is trying to frame me!"
"He hurls insults! Confirm your innocence with proof!" The Chancellor demands.
"Proof?" Marle asks.
"Yes. If he hasn't sold the heirloom, it should be in the castle. Show me the 'Rainbow Shell' and I'll accept his innocence, heh heh." The Chancellor goads.
"Chancellor! What kind of trickery is this?!" The kind shouts.
"Remove them!" The Chancellor orders.
As the party is removed from the Courtroom and thrown into the hall, the Princess steps forward to try and get past the guards again. "No entry allowed." The guards tell her.
"LET ME THROUGH!" she yells.
"Princess, not even you may enter."
Lucca turns to Marle: "Find the 'Rainbow Shell' and we'll be able to prove the King's innocence!"
"What ARE you saying?! It's a lie! There IS no heirloom!" The princess says.
"We changed history back in 600 AD, so the 'Rainbow Shell' should still be in the castle!" Lucca reminds her.
"Aha! The 'Rainbow Shell' we gave to my ancestor 400 years ago is still here. It's probably in the basement!"
The trio descend the staircase and take a right towards the basement stairs. The soldier guarding the entrance is lying in the corner, barely conscious. "Ouch! A rat bit me!" He says weakly. As they turn the corner they see 2 monstrous asps guarding the front door of the basement talking to each other and they stay just out of sight to eavesdrop.
"The boss is itching to avenge the grudge that's been in the family for 13 generations! Gee hee!" The first snake says to the second.
"He's gonna frame the King! Ga haw!" the second responds. Stepping forward the heroes startle the monsters and quickly dispatch them.
"So there is a plot! The Princess says as soon as they're defeated. "Let's hurry!"
As they race to the furthest depths of the castle basement, above in the Courtroom a merchant is taking the witness stand: "I confess. I bought it from the King. He said he needed the cash."
"Liar!! I've never even seen you before!" The king bellows.
"Order in the court!" The judge says, banging his gavel.
"Heh heh. Was I convincing?" The merchant whispers to the Chancellor.
"Perfect!" The Chancellor says.
As the heroes continue to run towards the location of the Rainbow Shell, they spot it in the furthest inventory room, sitting on a raised dais.
"The Rainbow Shell!" Marle exclaims.
Lucca leans down: "What's this... a letter?"
"To Marle...?" The Princess reads. "Dearest Marle, I know things are tough between you and your father. But nothing can break your bond of blood. Neither words of anger, nor great distances. Someday, when you have children, you will understand. This special bond is part of a family tree which links us together. -Queen Guardia XXI, Leene."
"Boy, can she tell it like it is!" Lucca says.
"Father! Hang in there, we're coming!" Marle grabs a Prism Shard from the Shell and they hurry back to the Courtroom.
The judge instructs the jurors "Members of the jury, if he is guilty stand to the left. If innocent, stand to the right."
As they once again reach the doors of the court guarded by soldiers, they repeat themselves that even the Princess may not enter.
"You won't reconsider?" Marle asks.
"No, Princess." They reply.
"There is one way... It's a bit rough, but just follow me!" Marle tells the others.
"The verdict is in! Guilty!!!" The judge tells the courtroom.
"The Guardia line ends here. This domain shall be mine!" The Chancellor gloats. The Kings shoulders slump. "Take him away!"
"Wait!" They hear someone yell.
"Who is it?!" The Chancellor asks.
"Father!" The voice yells.
A shadow can be seen on the other side of the great stained glass mural of the courtroom. It climbs to the top, and Marle smashes through the glass and lands before the judge.
"Nadia!" The King exclaims.
"Princess! Control yourself!" The Chancellor yells. "You're too late! The King has been found guilty. Even kings are subject to our laws."
"No, this was a set up!" Marle pleads.
Nonsense! The King's a crook!" The Chancellor argues.
"But the treasure is right here!" Marle pulls out the Prism Shard to prove the existence of the Rainbow Shell.
The Chancellor's mouth drops open: "IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Your little scheme is over, Chancellor!" She says.
"Grrr.... I mean... uh..." The Chancellor growls.
"Huh?"
"Hee hee hee! It's not the plot you think! I'm here to avenge my ancestors!" The Chancellor says. "Super, ultra, presto.... TRANSFORM-O!!!" As he utters his incantation, the Chancellors form changes to that of Yakra, the beast who originally plotted to overthrow the Kingdom in the Middle Ages by kidnapping the Queen. The heroes ready their weapons and engage him in battle, eventually overcoming his dark magic and landing a killing blow. "D... defeated again!" Yakra's descendant cries as his body dissolves to the ether.
As the heroes celebrate their victory, Marle's father, the King, steps forward. "Father... I..." Marle says.
"No, don't say it. I was wrong to be so stubborn." King Guardia says.
"No, I didn't even think about how you felt." Marle confesses. "Um... I know it in my heart, but the words just come out wrong."
"I too, have that problem. I thought you left me, but realized that it was I, who abandoned you." The King says softly.
"But I'm here now. We'll talk about everything that's happened. About Crono, and mother, and..." She trails off.
"Your mother... How sad. It has taken me so long to understand what Aliza meant with her last words: "Someday when Nadia grows up, she will bring her beloved to meet you. Welcome him warmly. It will be a day you remember forever.""
"You... heard her last words?" Marle asks.
"Of course! You were so young! You ran around saying "Daddy, it's fun having all my favourite people here!" Seeing you so happy, she felt reassured, and she left us quite peacefully." The King explains.
"So that's how it was..."
"Yes, why?"
Marle takes a deep breath and pauses. "I used to call you 'Daddy'?"
"You did."
Marle steps forward and gives her father a hug. "I'm sorry... Daddy. I'm really sorry for doubting you."
As they return to the throne room, the King announces to the adventurers: "I'll let you exit the castle, BUT! You be careful, now. Take care of her!"
"Yessir!" Lucca says.
The main door swings open: "It's my turn now." A voice from behind them speaks. In walks Melchior. "Can't let you run the whole show. Let me make some weapons from the Rainbow Shell! Finally time for me to do somethin'. Watch and learn!" As they follow the legendary blacksmith downstairs, they notice an item dropped by Yakra's descendent, and pick up a small key. Standing before the Rainbow Shell, Melchior says to them: "This is very rare! As armour, it deflects magic! I can make you one Prism Dress, featuring maximum defence. Or I can make 3 less effective Prism Helms."
The group decided that choosing the Prism Dress is the best option. "All right, you just wait there!" After some time constructing the armour, Melchior announces: "Finished! Off you go now!" They receive the powerful shimmering Prism Dress, and Marle equips it, fortifying her ability to defend against magical attacks. Before they leave Melchior notices that they are holding out on him. "Ahh! A Sun Stone! I'll create an alloy out of it!" After some more time tinkering, Melchior hands them a pair of the Prism Specs. "Heh heh! Don't think that's the last of my bag of tricks!" After a third round of inventing, Melchior once again announces "Finished! Off you go now!" and hands them the powerful katana, the Rainbow! Crono replaces Slashes sword with the glittering new blade. "I finally feel like I'm doing something worthwhile!" Melchior confesses, and then departs for his home near Medina Village. Before leaving the castle, the group takes the key they found and uses it to open a locked chest that they found earlier. Out falls the real Chancellor tied up. As they free him he says "Phew, finally! That beast, keepin' me locked up in here! Princess Nadia! Your friends, I presume? Wait.." The Chancellors mouth drops open, "I don't have time for this. I must prepare for the Moonlight Parade!" and with that he runs down the stairway.
Now, fortified with the most powerful weapons in the known world, the heroes set off to confront the Queen of the Lost Kingdom of Zeal, and her master, Lavos, on the Black Omen.
