Chapter Text
Crono stepped up to the bucket, watching the water’s continuous ripple rise to rapid sloshing on his approach. He could faintly see the dark outline of something within. He turned to look at Gaspar warily. “This is a portal?”
Gaspar responded with a curt nod. “Give it a tap.”
Pursing his lips, Crono tapped the water with his fingertip. On contact, the water abruptly calmed, and the vision within disappeared, leaving only clear water in a tin bucket. His brow furrowed. Was that it? “I don’t get it, doc,” he started to say, before a Time Gate suddenly appeared beneath his feet. He just got a view of Gaspar in his periphery before it swallowed him whole, returning him to the void.
“Crono!” Marle yelled, leaping in after him. Lucca and Robo followed, diving into the strange Time Gate before it sealed. The four fell through the void, struck by an intense gale as they descended. The fall was long enough for them to start dwelling on their current situation, and how dangerous their impending foe might be, before an opening appeared before them, spitting them into a vast, echoing cavern.
The Gate closed, leaving the four alone in the dark, subterranean space, filled by a strange gurgling sound at the far end. “That’s him,” Robo mused. “The great fire that destroyed the land. The parasite that shaped human history.” He looked at his palms, flexing his fingers for a few seconds. “We will likely lose.”
“How likely?” Lucca asked, examining her gun.
Robo swivelled his head. “I estimate a 0.01% chance of us even harming him.”
Crono reached out where the Time Gate was, but felt nothing. He looked over his shoulder, and saw the cavern stretch further beyond view. “What year is this?” he asked, out of curiosity.
Lucca checked her Gate Key. “This is…” she muttered, then let out a startled gasp. “This is it!” she screamed. “1999, the day of awakening!”
“What?!” Robo turned to Lucca, snatching the Key out of her hands. “She’s correct,” he said, shock invading his monotone voice. “In just a few minutes, Lavos will pierce the land and begin his destructive reign.”
In unison, the four looked into the dark, towards the echoing gurgles. They could faintly see something moving within its veil. “If anyone wants to leave…” Crono started to say.
“We wouldn’t have followed you into the Gate,” Marle replied, her voice shaking with terror. She clutched onto her crossbow for dear life.
“If we die here,” Lucca added, “I wanna take that monster with us.”
“If I was built to enforce Mother Brain’s will,” said Robo, “I was made to destroy her master.”
Crono drew his sword and stepped forth. “Then let’s give him hell!” he screamed, running towards the beast. His friends joined him, screaming with every fibre of anger, terror, determination and hope they had. This was the battle of their lives.
***
Gaspar cranked his head up, watching an apparition of 1999-era Guardia take shape in the void. It was a view he’d seen many times: any second now, Lavos would rip through the ground and lay waste to everything. Any second now. Behind him, he could hear the pitter-patter of inhuman feet. “This old show again?” asked Spekkio.
“That’s where our guests just went,” said Gaspar. “If nothing happens, they’ve defeated Lavos. If he rises like always…” He looked away from the timeline for a second.
“You think they’ll survive if they win?” asked Spekkio, staring at the continent intently.
Gaspar stayed quiet. Perhaps the anticipation of Lavos’ awakening held his attention. With every passing second, Spekkio felt a rising tension within him. Even if they delayed Lavos’ awakening by a minute, would that make any difference to the timeline? He stared, watching for nothing to happen. “I suppose it’s better than watching 12,000 BC over and over,” he muttered.
“Indeed,” said Gaspar, watching the skyline of Guardia, waiting to see Lavos tear the ground asunder. Even without looking at Spekkio, he could sense the same sense of dread from his only ally.
The two watched, and waited. A flock of seagulls flew across the scene, hiding the landscape beneath their cloud-white wings.