A Shadow Of Evil Chapter 2
By Icy Brian
Lucca and Marle disembarked from the Epoch and headed inside Proto Dome, where Robo sat unmoving and unknowing as to what was happening around him. Lucca wasted no time in starting him back up, and soon the cheerful robot was moving and beeping as usual.
"Lucca! Marle! What a pleasant surprise it is to see you!" said Robo as he surveyed his surroundings. "How may I be of assistance?" Lucca hurriedly explained the story of what had happened to Crono, and how he must help them. Robo agreed without a moment of hesitation.
"Why don't we just check the computer?" asked Lucca with a knowing look at Marle. "There's bound to be something on this in there." She started towards the console when Marle blocked her path.
"I'd rather not know. If something happens to him... Please, for my sanity's sake, don't look." Lucca nodded and motioned for the others to follow. They all jumped onto the Epoch and headed for 65,000,000 B.C.
.
The familiar scent of the forest awaited them as the trio made their way towards Ioka Village, only a short walk from their landing spot. The sound of a volcano rumbling could be heard in the distance, and two dactyls were seen flying overhead towards it. It was Ayla and Kino.
"Oh, great, " mumbled Lucca under her breath. "Everybody! Back in the Epoch!" The three of them charged back to the Epoch, and pursued Ayla towards the volcano. As they neared it, an ear-shattering roar emminated from the bowels of the volcano.
"Sounds like Tyrano," remarked Marle. Another roar was heard, louder than the first.
"It would appear to be quite distressed," retorted Robo. "Perhaps Ayla and Kino are quarreling with it." Lucca stared at the robot, noticing a slight difference in his actions. Ignoring this, she climbed to the mouth of the volcano, where she had a clear view of Ayla and Kino standing on a ledge below, with Tyrano a few feet away from them. Kino launched himself at it's knee, and it doubled-over in pain. Ayla jumped off of Kino's shoulders and landed on Tyrano's chest, as it cried out in pain. In a desperation move, Tyrano jumped up and slammed it's two adversaries against the wall. It stepped back and roared, thinking itself to be the victor. Lucca pulled out her gun and took a shot at the raving creature, knocking it back to the edge. This bought Ayla enough time to tackle it and send it falling over the edge.
"I guess that takes care of that," said Marle. She turned to face Robo, and saw him standing over Lucca. "What happened!?"
"I said for you to hurry. Next time, you should take me seriously." He raised his hand, and a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky. "I don't have time for petty fights." A ball of light surrounded him, and the princess turned away, blinded by the flash. When she turned back around, she was met by the cold stare of a tall man with a red eye. He tossed back his cape and waved his hand at Marle, who in turn flew back against the side of the Epoch. He then motioned towards the volcano, and Ayla appeared next to Lucca, also unconscious.
"Who are you?" asked Marle, as the man grabbed her by the throat. His glass eye glistened, and she noticed a large scar running from the corner of that eye down to his lip. A smile formed on his face.
"You'll find out soon enough. Now go and gather the rest!" He tossed her in the Epoch and set the dial to 600 A.D. She stared back at him, absolutely terrified as he picked up Lucca and Ayla. He vanished from sight, taking them with him. At that moment, Kino scrambled up the side of the cliff.
"Where Ayla go?"
"Gone," said Marle, her head in her hands. "She's gone."