Chapter XIII: This Tempest Rising

A shrill blaring alarm, loud and ear-wrenching as an ill-tuned violin resonated in the chamber. Marle's hand was clamped over a red button. She looked at Lucca and about her as the siren wailed. Lucca looked at Marle, unsure of what to tell her. Crono stood hands clamped over his ears.
'Make it stop!' He cried.
'I don't know how!' Marle removed her hand from the button, but the wailing continued.
THe screen began to flicker and flash. It went black, save for a thin hazy white line which stood in the direct center and ran across the width. Words scrolled across the Screen as the siren decrecendoed. Lucca read aloud the words.
'"January 1, 1999. Displaying visual record of the Day of Lavos."' Lucca looked at it with a curious gaze. 'What, "Day of Lavos" I, I...'
All three were transfixed upon the screen like children watchin saturday morning programming.
A picture emerged, subtly and slowly. It flickered a couple of times before it was completely established. THey looked upon the image of a lush green landscape. The day seemed to be perfect. Rich groves stood tall and covered the bottom of the screen. Within the groves were waving knolles that flanked roads. The grove parted giving way to a plain. The plain housed a city enclosed in a serise of domes, around it were a few smaller glades. It sat in the plain like a bird in a nest, comfortable and secure. The city was larger than any dwelling they had ever seen. It was as an ocean of concrete with spiring, exalted towers, and streets bathed in light. THe city stood before a mountain. The two sat upon the land like a parent and child, the mountain seemingly watching over the city. Not to far, was the ocean.
The image flickered again. When the image was re-established, the image grew dark, as though a cloak of clouds was thrown over the sun. The light was drained from the land like blood flowing out of an open wound. The landscape began to tremble like a heavy train were rumbling through. The Earth looked as though it were having a seizure; it shook so violently, the screen looked as though it would break. Marle and Lucca held fast onto the console. Their eyes were as wide as lakes. Crono could not even swallow.
The Earth looked as though it would soon break for it trembled so venemently. The surface rippled like wind-hefted waves. The trees began to topple like sand castles pushed over by the tide. The city was torn apart like a carcass fought over by hungry scavengers. The lofty buildings collapsed upon the streets.

Crono's heart sank. He ralized the buildings were full of people, and he could do nothing more than watch. Lucca watched on as an advanced society was being shattered. There was so much she could learn, and it was smouldering. Marle was stunned. THe very thought of such a crisis besetting her kingdom was nothing short of paralyzing. A dozen emotions welled up like water collecting before a levee. Tears leaked out from the corner of her eyes.
A rupture opened upon the surface. A tear formed across the land like the slow stabbing of a jagged, rusty knife.From the center of the chaos, a form began to arise. It was round and as large as a dome. It was covered in spines like the head of a mace, but far more lethal. The creature had an eye, that sat on the bottom and was closed. It was as meanacing as a spreading fire, and as deadly as a falling bomb.
The party looked on in fearful silence as though the devil were staring at them from the screen. The being continued it's assault upon the planet. It was as merciless as a sweeping arctic wind. IT launched flaming bombs onto the earth, striking nearly every inch of the green surface. They pummled the surface like an angry prizefighter, giving no respite. Volley after volley was sent into the blackened skies. It sprayed it's destruction like a plague, leaving nothing but death in it's horrifiying wake.�
Lava flowed out of the rift, blanketing the plain, and consuming the forest. It over ran the city like a swarm of locusts, swiftly and violently.� It then began to assault the mountain.� The lava crawled up as it eroded it's foundation. It seeped into the sea, causing steam to billow up. The heat was so intense the water drew back, seemingly in pain.
The rift widened and the land began to buckle.

All at once hell erupted on to the earth as a pillar of fire surged and spiraled up, spreading desctruction over the land. Firey bombs rained upon the ground and water, leaving the surface scarred and holed.�
Lakes dried up leaving steaming craters where life once prospered. Vivacous glades became feilds of smoking ashes and embers. Green lucious knolles became hot smoking wastelands. Cities fell like men before the flailing arms of an angry giant. The planet was as devastated as a sheep left to the wolves.
Lavos stood within the eye of chaos, haughtily, scornfully and full of disdain, like Beelzubub upon the throne of lies.� ALthough the party was not able to discern it's emotions, they swore they sould hear it laughing.� It sent a shiver of goosebumps across each otheir spines, and their stomaches quivered violently.

The party looked on in a stunned stoney silence. They stood and watched as the srceen image broke up and went black.
Marle was upon the floor, Lucca was still, Crono had no expression for what he felt within.
'This can't be! This can't be! This can't be the way the world ends!' cried Marle. 'I wont accept it! I refuse! The world can't end like this! NO!!!!!!'
'Lavos' Lucca spoke in a hushed whisper, as though saying it's name would somehow summon it. 'Is that what caused this world to collapse? Is that what's killing this planet?' Her eyes were wide and she gripped the handle of her mallet fast. 'It all makes sense now!' She exclaimed with a quiet intensity. 'This is why we're here now! This why we've gone through what we've gone through! We have stop Lavos!'
'What!?' shouted Crono. 'Did you just see what that monster did?! Us against that?!'
'Crono,' addressed Marle. 'After seeing this, I can tell you that it wasn't an accident that we met. It wasn't an accident that you saved me. We were brought here to save the future! We have to!'
'Save the future?' echoed Lucca looking upon the floor 'Us.' She looked up between Crono and Marle. 'I think you could be right Marle. It's no accident that we're here. Save the future. I like that idea!' Her voice was firm with conviction. 'We must save the future! I finaly get a challenge worthy of my genius!' They shared a smile. Lucca looked at Marle as she would a sister. Marle felt a stirring within, as though she had met a long lost friend.

They both turned their attention to Crono.
'Well Crono?' began Marle. 'How about it? All we have to do is change history again like you did when you saved me.'
'That's all?' He knew he stood little chance of refusing both of them.
'Come on Crono!' urged Lucca. 'Show Marle what you're made of. Show her how much of a man you really are'
He blew out a sigh. 'Okay' He drew in another breath and cracked a grin inspite of himself. 'Let's do this!'
'Together we can!' affirmed Marle.
'Alright! Let's go back home to find out what we can about Lavos' reccommended Lucca. 'Next stop, Proto Dome!'
They exited the info center. On their way back to Doan and the rest, they cleared the room of all the patroling robots. The company mowed through them with resolute conviction. They vented all of the emotional duress watching the world die had produced. Their steps were quick, their weapons were precise. The party realized they no longer fought for themselves, but for the future, and for all people, past, present and beyond
They scaled the ladder, to find Doan waiting like a parent welcoming a child, or in their case children, home from school. A few other people gathered about, curious as to who these people were who delved into the basement and survived.
'Yall are back. I'm glad your all safe. What did you find?'
Marle came foreward and held out her hand. 'These. Our future'
Doan gave a bewildered look.
'Um yeah.' said a man, 'That's nice and all, but just where's the food?'
'This is all we could get' answered Marle, displaying the package they lifted from the body. She got several blank stares from the group. Marle handed hte package over to Doan.
'Seeds...?' He simply said with barely the inflection to form a question.
'You don't know how long that enertron will hold out.' said Lucca. 'These seeds might be your only hope.'
'You have to stay alive.' exhorted Marle 'We all have to'

Doan regarded the seeds. He felt the soiled, wrinkled package, and hefted it a bit in his grasp. He looked from his hand to the people in the dome. If those seeds could save them, he'd try it. He looked back at the seeds then to Crono Marle and Lucca. They were the exact opposites to say the least. A light shone in their eyes as vibrant as the sun. Their postures were firm and erect. Their steps were lively, their voices were strong.
'There's something different about yall'
Marle gave him a quizzical look. 'I don't know what it could be. Maybe we're healty?'
Doan tasted the word. It sounded Greek to him. 'Heal-thy. May have to give that a try. We'll grow the seeds' Doan felt a certian hope spring up like a sapling breaking free of the soil's grasp, tasting sunlight for the very first time.
Marle smiled plesantly.
'What are those things?' inquired a kid.
'These? These, could very well be our future.'
Lucca and Crono smiled as well.
'I suppse thanks are in order. So what now?' asked Doan.
'We're heading for the Proto Dome?'
'Really. Well here, take this.' He dug into his pocket, pulled out an item and tossed it to Crono. Marle and Lucca looked upon it, curious as to what it was. 'This is a key to my old Jet Bike. I used to ride it when I was young. You'll find it up north in Lab 32. There are stronger robots there, so be careful. This will help you across the rest of the ruins. IT's a minor gift, I know compared to these seeds, but please.'
'Thank you.' acknowledged Lucca.
'No thank you. When we get this thing grows, I want all three of you back here, and we'll all have a meal!'
'I'd like that.' said Crono.
'Please take care.'
'WE will. You too.'
'And stay,' he cleared his throat. 'healthy!'
The party shared a pleasant smile with the inhabitants. After using the enertron, they bid Doan and his group a farewell, and again headed out into the savage world. THey took the road that led them to the Arris dome, and where it forked, they headed down the branch they had yet to travel down.

Crono, Marle and Lucca stayed in tight formation, walking shoulder to shoulder against the punishing wind. Lucca's head was down, watching the road, and she kept a hold of Crono's shirt. Crono walked with his forearm raised, so to sheild himself from the elements. He was at the point. Marle held on to his arm, and also to Lucca's garment.
THey continued for a mile or two before they came to what Doan called Lab 32. It was a structure similar to the city they crossed to get to the Arris dome. It was once a large building that had been shattered by the attack. The walls were ragged, the ground was cracked. There was erratic lighting that gave them enough vision to see where they were, but not far beyond. The lab provided a fair protection from the elements, but they could still feel the bitter kiss of the savage wind upon their cheeks.
They regrouped and regained their breathes.
'Every one alright?' queried Crono
'Yeah I'm fine.' answered Lucca.
'As far as I can tell.' repsonded Marle.
The three arose and searched about the lab. They were ready for whatever monsterous creatures lurked in the dark unknown shadows. THe room was musty, and they heard the skittering of rodents, and the buzzing of machinery.

'What are we looking for again?' asked Marle.
'A Jet Bike.' answered Lucca.
'Okay. I guess we'll know it when we see it.'
The buzzing and humming grew louder the farther they delved into the lab. The machines would hum loudly, then stop abruptly, and hum again. They turned a corner and saw what they believed to be their objective.
'WOW!' exclaimed Lucca. 'I bet this thing's a monster! What a beauty!'
'What is it?' asked Marle.
'A jet Bike of course.' she stated mater-a-factly.
What they assumed to be the Jet Bike, as Doan called it, was unlike anything any of them had seen. It was cylindrical in form like a tipped over can, and about the size of pushed over phone boothe. The Jet Bike looked like a hollow point bullet. It was rich cobalt blue with a gold bottom and silver trim and had it's share of dings and scratches, but was in good overall shape.
The front end, (or what Lucca took to be the front), was the intake for the air to flow in. About a foot behind that was the cockpit. There was a small galss windshield above the cockpit. At the front of the cockpit was the controls. It was a pannel full of switches and knobs, with a control stick in the middle. It would be a tight fit for all three of them to say the least. If all three were to inhae sharply, they may be able fit.
The rear had a long fin that started in the center of the bike and flared up like a flame brushed by the breeze. It held an emblem of a lightning bolt shooting through a circle. On the lower front end were small wings, like a spoiler only lower and it cut through the frame. The Jet bike also had certain vents and pipes that none of them could discern their functions.
'I'd love to take this home and just take it apart. This baby's amazing! Hey Crono, toss me that key.'
He knew better to question her, but also knew better not to. 'You sure?' he adivised. 'We don't know what that thing can do, or if even the right thing' As if that would stop her.
'Just give it!'
He tossed and Lucca looked for a place to insert it. She scoured about on the door and control pannel. Marle scrutinized it, wondering what exactly it was. Crono dreaded whatever it was the Lucca was getting them into next.
'Come on now, I know you fit in here somewhere!' she said to the machine.
'Um Lucca' began Marle.
'Oh I forgot to tell you guys, I made a robot?' declared Lucca as she still searched. She may as well have said that she found the fountain of youth.
'What?'
'A robot. A mechanical being. It's about 8 feet tall, walks on two legs, it's over at the fair. We can fight it once we get back.'
'Okay..' siad a confused Marle.
'It won't break another rib?' asked Crono.
'Yeah, it may' she talked as she worked. 'There!' Lucca inserted the key, and a shrill, ear piercing alarm sounded.
The ear pounding, migraine bringing siren resonated within their skulls and throughout the lab. It was as shocking as a banshee's wail, it hit them like a sour note from an untuned trumpet.
'What did you do?' queried Crono
'Nothing! Just put the key in!' defended Lucca.
Marle was hunkered down, arms over her ears. 'Make it stop!
Crono arose and drew his sword, expecting another attack, as occured the last time a siren sounded. He found it extraordinarily difficult to focus with the blaring alarm pounding nails into his brain.
From the shadows, he saw a beam come streaking out, landing at his feet, kicking up smoke is at singed the floor. Crono leapt to evade. 'Guys, we got company!'
All three arose, and readied their arms. They stood in a circle facing out at the shadows. From all about them, gaurd robots came, completely surrounding them. They looked on, as the alarm screamed and the robots drew nearer. THeir mechanisms hummed, and their weapons charged. They prowled about the company like lions stalking gazelles. As they circled, the distance closed, like a tightening noose.
'Looks like we got another fight!' commented Marle.
'Come on!' provoked Lucca. 'DO your worst!'
Crono cocked back his sword and sprang at a gaurd, sword flashing. The machine evaded, and fired point blank. Crono ducked and struck again. It dodged his sword, and retorted by firing a metal shod fist into Crono's chest sending him crashing onto the dirt. He snapped up angry, but before he could strike, the alarm cut and a voice cried out,
'Hold it right there!'

�� End Chapter