Chrono Trigger: Redreamt

- III -

Salvataggio

There before the bewildered couple stood a very large frog, decked out in armor and green cape. He quietly sheathed his sword and let off a ribbit. Lucca stared in disbelief, holding her wounded arm tight. Crono finally broke the silence, basically screaming, "It's a fricking talking FROG!"

"I-IT'S A FROG!" Lucca shrieked, "I HATE FROGS!"

"Apologies for my appearance, but it 'tis what I am." He closed his eyes a moment, then asked, "What, pray tell, art thou doing here in this shrine of sin?"

Lucca hid behind Crono, stammering, "Y-y-you talk to it!"

"Oh, yeah, sacrifice the boy first…" Crono hid a tremble, "E-er, we're searching for someone, mister... Froggy thing... "

"The name 'tis indeed Frog. And who might thou beist in search of? Certainly no foul creature that might reside here, I pray."

"T-The Queen!" Lucca yelped.

"!" Frog sputtered, "You search for her Majesty?"

"Yeah… You lookin' too?" Crono started to ease. It was obvious Frog wasn't about to eat him, so…

"Indeed. They say they had found her, but I had mine doubts…"

"G-good luck to ya, Froggy!" Lucca saluted, working on bandaging her arm.

"Whoa, hold on there, Lucca. 'Scuse us a sec, Frog, I need to have a huddle over here. " Crono turned around as she got upright, and asked quietly, "Listen, this guy is looking for Leene, right?"

"Y-yes…" Lucca quickly finished the wrapping and secured it all with a pin. Alphonz mewed.

"You saw how he cut that thing in two. Chances are pretty darn high that we're going to run into MORE nasties, right?"

"Y-yes…"

"So I think it would be a VERY good decision on our part to go along with this guy. We could use the extra hand." Crono glanced at his wood sword, "A big stick and an airgun aren't gonna get us far."

"B-But HE'S a NASTY!"

Crono groaned. "Listen, I'll prove he's not going to slime you to death."

He turned around, picking up Alphonz and asked. "Hey, Frog, could you do us a favor for one moment?"

"Mm? What might thine request be?"

"Please," he held the cat out at him, "Touch this kitty's nose."

Lucca and Frog -stared- at Crono, bewildered. Alphonz said not a word. With a shrug, Frog approached. "I… suppose."

He carefully put a gloved finger upon the kitten's nose. The cat let off a strong, reassuring, full-bodied purr. Crono grinned and laughed. "Ha! See, told ya, Lucca. Guaranteed good guy, right there!"

"…W… whatever?"

Has the lad gone insane? "Er…"

"Listen…" Crono put Alphonz onto his shoulder and casually leaned against Frog. "… since we're both looking for the same person, I was wondering if we could join forces. You know, whoop some ass together."

"Whoop... some ass?" Frog blinked. "E-ehr... very well, I accept your proposition. The more the merrier!"

Lucca groaned audibly. Crono straightened up and smiled. "Groovy. Alright, now do you have any leads as to where Leene is? We're fresh out."

"The trail went cold here. Search as I might, I cannot discover how to travel deeper into this treacherous hall's bowels."

Alphonz looked around, then hopped onto the organ. The cat hit the keys, producing an annoying noise, then began bouncing about the keys. Before anybody could stop him, a hidden door swung open. The sudden motion caused everyone to flinch, but Frog was suitably impressed.

"Astounding! The cat hast solved the enigma!" He glanced long at Alphonz, "...but... a moment... is that not the feline of the mage Alphonz?"

"What, you know him too?" Crono asked, with Lucca looking on in interest.

"I know he is a legend of our time. A great and mighty mage who's skills might have even rivaled foul Magus himself."

"Do you know what kind of magic he used?" Lucca asked timidly.

Frog let off a ribbit, thinking. "Mmm... a proper question... it was not elemental in nature, or, if it was, belonged to a neutral one. All demons were equally purged by his strength."

Lucca stared at the cat. "…where is he now?"

"That is the curious nature of it all. The man simply vanished into the mists. 'Tis a bit of a mystery!"

"Maybe…" Crono scratched his head, "He got sucked into another portal thing?"

"Still, one piece missing." Lucca thought hard, looking down. "My theory, however, is slowly becoming more solid."

"If thou sayest so…" Frog shook his head. "But, for the moment, let us depart from our chitchat and take action to find her Majesty. In this pit of evil I am certain she ist in great danger."

"Right." Lucca picked Alphonz up off the organ.

"Good call. I think we need to get this show on the road." Crono nodded, heading through the new door. Frog followed along behind, hopping… Lucca shuddered horribly and crept along, trying to avoid their new companion.

The building revealed itself to be massively expansive, with halls and walkways above. The place was packed with monsters, that all seemed to be in the makings of a party. Several held cocktail glasses filled with a bloody, red drink, and there was some annoying music coming from -somewhere-… Crono and the others stared for the longest time.

"Surprise surprise, it's party time down at Monster Mansion." Crono tried to laugh.

"Indeed. 'Tis covered in vermin."

"So let's clean this place out!" Lucca dropped Alphonz, taking out her airgun. The cat rolled his eyes and hopped out into the middle of the hall. All of the monsters froze and stared down at him.

"HEY! DINNER!"

Alphonz was clearly sick of being constantly threatened about being eaten, and bristled his fur. A great magic circle spread out beneath him and glowed. Suddenly, a rainbow-colored rain fell upon the enemies and smote them where they stood. He let off a great shiver afterwards with a shudder.

"Tis magic!" Frog gasped.

"… woah… so cool." Lucca was intrigued as usual.

"You go, Alphonz!" cheered Crono.

"'Tis quite effective... but how…"

"Don't question it. Just watch the pretty lights and be envious." Crono followed the cat to a branching path. But the poor cat looked around, unable to follow any sort of trail. It looked up at him with a pitiful mew. Crono picked him up, and Lucca glanced around.

"Well as long as the area is clear, I assume we explore, eh?"

"T'would be wise. Most certainly, the area contains some foul trap covering a door under lock and key."

"Kitty, can you find it?" Lucca looked at Alphonz, who drooped. "Guess he's tuckered out."

"Yeah. I think we're pretty lost down here. How about you two do some searching on the upstairs and we cover this part?"

"Y-yeah." Lucca nodded and ran off, trying to avoid Frog.

"A wise choice. We shall meet once more in this same place!" With another ribbit, he bounced off after Lucca, who let out a squeal.

"Hoo boy, she's not gonna be happy. Oh well." Crono knelt down and Alphonz leapt upon his shoulder. "Let's get to searching, Alphonz. Maybe I can find something a little sharper than Spruce."

"Miao!"

Crono started down the hall, tiptoeing over bodies. He carefully went down around the corner, spotting a door. Pressing his ear to it he didn't hear a word, glancing at Alphonz who gave a slight nod back. Going inside, he found a big wooden chest. Crono brightened up, exclaiming, "All right! Free stuff!"

He went to open it, when he was interrupted by a Naga-ette who peered in and asked in a scolding tone, "Hey! Does that belong to you?"

Alphonz nodded silently. "Well, okay!"

It disappeared shortly after. Crono blinked. "…Leene got kidnapped… by nimrods…"

He looked at Alphonz. "This does not say good things about our government."

Alphonz let out a miao. Crono shrugged and opened up the chest, gasping. Inside was an actual metal katana - dull, but so much better than wood- and he pulled it out, looking it all over. He smiled a moment, then thought. "You know, if we keep running into coincidences like this, I'm gonna have to wonder if I'm dreaming all of this… well, I'm not complaining!"

He put it in a new place on his belt, smartly keeping the wood one on him in case of emergency. He then looked back at Alphonz, "Okay! Back to searching! You have any leads?"

Alphonz hopped down and sniffed, following the path of the Naga-ette. They paused in front of the door where there was booming music, and the sounds of many people cheering. The cat and young man looked at each other uneasily. Crono muttered, "I didn't actually MEAN a party, but you see what I get…"

Alphonz scratched at the door. Crono sighed. "Alright, Alphonz, I need you to cover for me again.

"Miao?"

"I'm going to tell them that you're my owner, alright? If they ask if you really are, just nod to them."

"Miao!"

"I hope that's a yes." He didn't bother to think about how stupid he sounded, talking to a -cat-, "Okay, here goes!"

The room was festooned with ribbons and banners, and monsters of all sorts were having a grand old time. Several of the Naga-ettes were dressed in clothes stolen from parishioners, and imps munched out of snack bowls.

"…Swank."

"Hey!" The Naga-ette from before sidewinded over, "It's you again! Y'know, we're on break, you can take that disguise off now!"

"N-no… we're on, er, special assignment…"

Alphonz nodded. The woman pouted, "That's too bad. Well! Come in and grab a bite to eat before you leave! Party hardy, mate!"

The monsters all cheered, "Yeah, PARTY!"

Crono nervously gazed over the buffet. There was a big bowl of bloody punch, fried fingers, some Twinkies… pickled toads, fried and salted bats… and a big bowl of Doritos. His stomach churned in agony. "Urp... E-eh-heh, N-n-no, thanks. Order from the top. Just need to know where the Queen is…"

"He's up with the boss, stupid."

"Derr, a queen is a female human, loser."

"Who cares! They're all deliiiishious anyway!"

"Yeah! Delicious!" laughed an imp.

"Y-y-yeah. T-tastes just like h-home cookin." Crono backed up a little.

"Ya know…" The naga sniffed, "That cat smells an awful lot like a real cat."

"I-it's the newest improvement!" Crono backed up quicker, "Well, we'll be going now, thanks for your time."

"…with a hint of cotton.. Sniff… And that guy…"

The monsters shouted, "HE'S WEARING COLONGE!"

Crono slammed the door shut and booked it. Alphonz hung onto his shoulder by his claws, barely staying in place. The door was kicked down and the monsters chased behind him, and he had to ask God, 'WHY ME?' He shot past an upper balcony, from which Lucca dropped down wielding a new gun.

"Hah! Eat this, you bastards!" She shot at them with fairly good accuracy. Alphonz leapt off Crono's shoulder and assisted with fighting them off. Crono himself skidded to a halt, turning around on one foot.

"Thank you, Lucca!" He drew out his sword, "Where's Frog?"

"I r-ran away from him!"

"Graceful."

A very LOUD metallic 'shump!' echoed through the hall, causing the team to jump and look around for enemies. Instead, from a balcony hopped Frog, landing before them and nodding slightly with a ribbit, "I believe the path is now clear."

Lucca nearly crawled out of her skin, "T-thanks."

"Go you, Frog!" Crono smiled, and Alphonz kindly brushed up nicely against the amphibian's legs. Crono then explained, "Okay, the monster said Leene was with 'the boss', so let's find the bastard!"

The trio, and cat, nodded. Though the halls had a few more monsters, they were slain with little trouble, and not too long before the group stumbled across the main back room where a great, ugly creature stood before the Queen. Something akin to a mutant, horned, poop-brown colored mole… while maybe not the most frightening, it WAS something a single person couldn't deal with alone. Upon seeing the group enter, Leene let out a gasp. Frog instantly drew his sword, crying, "Majesty!"

"Ah HAH!" Crono was right behind him, "Found her!"

"Hey!" The beast snarled, turning around and drooling, "That's MY war prize there!"

"Ah!" Leene shouted, before smacking the thing with a fist, "He's taken me hostage, the beast!"

"H-hey!"

"Fear not, Majesty! You shall be freed with haste!" Frog narrowed his eyes at the monster, "I offer you a chance to withdraw, foul creature! Do so, or I shall use deadly force!"

"Well we just get right into it, don't we?" Crono blinked and readied himself.

"This pot roast is mi- Ow! Stop hitting me! How DARE you touch the great Yakr- OOF!"

Leene dug her heel into Yakra's foot, then ran off towards Lucca as fast as she could. Lucca held the door open and waved, "Majesty! Please, this way!"

"Please take care!" She called out as she slipped out under Lucca's guard.

"Sorry, but nobody eats a Queen in my town! Even if it ISN'T my time period." Crono stood ready, Alphonz leaping down in between the two warriors.

"Prepare thineself, demon!"

"Whatev- Oooh!" Yakra stared down at Alphonz, stomach growling loudly enough to be heard through the room. He drooled sloveningly, "A side dish!"

Alphonz had –enough-, goddammit. He let off a sharp hiss, but this only caused Yakra to chase the poor cat around. Luckily enough, a kitten is much more agile than a giant mutant mole, and was able to dart away. It gave perfect opening for Frog to charge, cleaving his sword into the monster's side.

"GAH!" Yakra slammed his paw into Frog as hard as he could, knocking him away. Dropping his fist on the startled cat, he let out a laugh, "Oooh, now here we go!"

"Hey! That's MY cat, mother fucker!" Crono launched forward and plunged his new sword deep into the beast. Yakra roared in pain and attempted to draw the sword out, letting Alphonz free. Dazed, the cat shook its head then leapt onto the creature's face and introduced his claws to Yakra's eyes.

"GAAAH!" Yakra flailed blindly, so Crono drew the sword off and kicked out of striking range. However, Yakra was able to chase after, plowing down both Alphonz and Crono with his sheer bulk. Bleeding violently, he shook his head to clear his vision, and spotted Lucca before the doorway. "Gimme back my pot roast!"

Lucca fired off a warning shot into the air, which made Yakra back up nervously. At that time, Crono was back on his feet, shaking his head. "Alright! No more mister nice timetraveller! You is goin' down! Frog, double team?"

"Quite!"

"Then on three. THREE!"

The two threw themselves at Yakra in opposite directions, blades tearing through flesh. As they skidded to a halt, Yakra literally fell into bits on the floor, lifeless. Crono turned and looked over the scene, before breaking out into a victory dance. "Oh yeah. Who tha best? WE tha best! Uh-huh!"

Frog stared at him like he had three arms, "Q-quite, lad..."

"I think Alphonz is less than alive right now…" Lucca winced, looking over the mashed, unmoving feline.

"Oh –shit-." Crono immediately ran over and carefully picked up the limp kitten. "Hey, you still in there?"

Alphonz lay still.

"C'mon, kitty…!" Lucca pleaded.

Faintly, his ear twitched.

"Ah!" Frog pointed, "Life still runs through his veins!"

"Great, let's get him out to the castle and we can treat him!" Lucca glanced back at Leene, "We also better get Queen Leene out of here ASAP!"

"Wait," Leene pointed in at two chests in the room.

"Lucca, will you get those for me?" Crono focused on keeping Alphonz steady.

"Yeah." She hurried over and opened one, muttering, "Crossbow… and this one is-"

"Good HEAVENS!" A short little man leapt out, overjoyed.

Lucca –screamed-, "THERE'S A MAN IN THIS ONE!"

"And women everywhere scramble for boxes like it." Crono shook his head, "Well, untie him!"

Lucca did so nervously. Leene exclaimed, "Why, it's our Chancellor! I figured he had been eaten!"

"Foul beast," muttered the man, "Kidnapping Her Majesty and putting me in a box!"

"There ist no end to the evil wreaked by Magus and his minions... But come, we must flee!"

"And flee we shall." Lucca shuddered, heading out.

"Lucca…" Crono caught up with her, and asked quietly, "Where did you get a new gun when they haven't been invented yet?"

She held it up. "It's a converted hairdryer."

"…" Crono said nothing more during the rest of the trip.

Back at the castle, the heroes stood before the King and Queen. His Majesty spoke with a deep respect, "I deeply thank all of you for assisting in the return of the Queen. Please, if ever you need lodgings, consider Guardia Castle open to you."

"Really? Wicked sweet!" Crono grinned from ear to ear.

Frog let off a sad sort of ribbit…"

"Thank you, your Majesty." Lucca bowed sweepingly, "I do not deserve."

Frog bowed as deeply as he could, "I failed to prevent your capture, Majesty. For that sin, I dost deserve to be shamed."

Leene sighed, "Frog…"

He bowed again. "Pardon me, but I must take my leave before I once again fail your throne…"

Everyone watched as he slowly turned and walked out, very downtrodden. Crono blinked, "Woah. Talk about being hard on yourself."

"…you were kinda cool, Froggy." Lucca sighed.

"Tell me, how does the feline fare?" Leene looked concerned. Lucca merely tipped her bag open where he slept, tucked in with a sweater and patched up. The Queen nodded. "Then, did you not make mention of a girl…?"

"Shi – er, yeah! Quick, Lucca, time for a Marle check!" Crono managed a quick bow before tearing off upstairs. Lucca bowed sweetly.

"Good day, your Majesty." Then she tore off right after him.

As they re-entered the room, a glow was amassing before them into the familiar shape of Marle in the royal gown. Soon enough, with a pop, she reappeared, holding her head and looking dazed as hell. Crono shouted, nearly leaping on her, "YES! Thank God, you're back!"

"Huh…?" Marle blinked. "Oh! Oh that was awful! Do you know what sort of scary things I saw?"

"Princess Nadia! Ah, it worked!" Lucca laughed in that disturbing way…

"Princ- uh oh." Marle giggled. "My cover's blown."

"To Kingdom Come, pardon the pun!" Crono threw his arms up, "You know, it would've been -rrreeeeeeaally- nice if you had given me that little heads-up."

"But…" She pushed her fingers together nervously. "But if I told you… you… wouldn't have hung out with me, right?"

"'Course I would have hung out with you. Where are you getting that thought from?"

Marle squealed and jumped. "This is why I like you, Crono! I'm not sure why I think like that, so excuse me."

"Come on," Lucca laughed flatly. "Let's get you home, Your Majesty."

"Oh. Just call me Marle." Giggle.

"Alright, Pr- … Marle."

"Home sounds real nice right about now. But, er... how?"

"If I can make a gun out of a hairdryer…" Lucca dangled it off a finger, making everyone fear for their lives, "I can do anything… heh. Heh. Heh."

"Speaking of hair which leads to fur," Marle looked around, "Where is Alphonz?"

"Oh! He's in my-" Lucca opened her bag and looked in. "-bag. Alphonz?"

"You –lost- him?" Crono blinked.

"He was in there while we were talking to the Queen, not two minutes ago!"

"Wonderful." Crono groaned. "Are there any holes in that bag?"

"None whatsoever!"

"Could he have gotten out the top?"

"I had it mostly closed…" She looked it over. "But open for air… Maybe he'll turn up downstairs."

"I hope so!" Marle sighed, "It'd be too sad to lose poor Alphonz!"

"Yeah. I'd rather not just leave him here in the past. Despite the fact that this is when he's from." Crono scratched his head…"

"Oh?" Marle grew a blank expression, "What?"

"I'm working on condencing it into an explainable factor that will not cause you to spontaneously combust…" Lucca adjusted her glasses a little.

"….?" Marle tilted her head.

"In other words, she's trying to explain it without giving you a headache from Hell."

"Oh. Too late."

"I just need to ask a few more questions and examine that collar…"

"Alright. We'll go downstairs and look there. If he's not there, he might be with Cecelia."

"Yeah!" Marle literally leapt out of the gown, shouting, "Let's go searching!"

She headed downstairs in the lead, then sunk up quietly next to Queen Leene. She giggled. "Hello!"

"Well! Hello, dear!" Leene laughed a little, startled, "Good to see you are well. Apologies about the mixup…"

"Nah! It's okay!" She moved around over to the King, "You two BETTER get along! I'm crossing my fingers!"

The King and Queen confusedly looked at each other. Lucca scolded, "Don't terrorize them!"

"Oh! Forget about it. But…" She whispered, "Just make sure you give her lots of candy and flowers before you put the moves on her."

"I –beg- your pardon?" Leene raised an eyebrow.

"Toodles, poodles!" Marle hurried on out, scouting for Alphonz.

Crono followed, shaking his head. "And to think SHE'S the princess…"

Not finding the feline in the confines of the castle, they eventually wandered to Cecelia's house. Marle squealed, "What a cuuuute house! Who's going to knock?"

Lucca sunk around behind Crono. "N-Not me."

"I got it covered." He knocked happily. They all waited as the door opened, with all of them facing a HUGE, burly man as thick as a brick wall and cranky looking. He looked them all over, casting his shadow over them.

"Who's calling?" He asked, gruffly.

The team stammered in fear. Crono finally worked up courage, "Uh… Crono. I'm here to talk to Cecelia."

"…" The man mumbled. "Yes, come in."

"Oh, it's Crono!" Cecelia smiled widely as they came in. "Todd, please be kind and show them to some seats!"

He physically lifted everyone and put them in seats. Lucca started shaking like a naked Chihuahua in an arctic storm. Crono was about the same, but Marle giggled bemusedly. "Thank you!"

"Nice muscles there, Todd." Crono sweated heavily.

"Yeah."

"Oh, father is a bit shy…"

"Father? Oh! Hello sir!" Crono swallowed hard.

"'Lo." He turned and headed into the kitchen.

"We just finished making hot chocolate, would you care for a cup?"

"YEAH!" Marle shouted. Soon everyone was given a mug, steaming hot and fresh. Lucca stared at hers as if it was pure poison, but Marle's princessy side came out as she sipped daintily with not a noise.

"Well," Cecelia smiled, sipping on hers. "How can I help you all?"

"Er, we're kinda looking for Alphonz…" Crono blew on his to cool it down, "He's kind of gotten himself lost."

"The cat, right?"

"Yeah, forgot to specify…"

"No worries, sir… He has not come to the door… How about you, father?"

"Don't open the door for no stuffed animals." Todd grumbled into his chocolate.

"Stuffed?" Marle tilted her head.

"I've never heard of live cats referred to as being 'stuffed.'" Crono sipped. Delicious!

"!" Lucca sat up.

"But he's a stuffed cat. Alphonz was capable of animating certain objects… last of his kind that we know of."

"!"

"When he fled our home, he left all of his tools behind. Including the cat, Hearth, who I decided to look after…"

"THAT'S IT!" Lucca stood up so fast she knocked the entire table over in a crash!