#chrono trigger janus

[ascendancy-echoes]

Prologue

At seventeen years old, Janus had tried his best. He tried to return to ‘normal’ after his adventure through time but such a thing was impossible. Maybe if he had friends to return to or a loved one waiting who truly understood him, but not Janus. The first few months weren’t so bad. Schala was consoling to his heartache that he missed his friends from the future but soon she was reminding him that Lucca had most likely moved on and he should too. After all, he didn’t belong in her time. His home was here and now. 

But Janus couldn’t move on. He regretted leaving Lucca.

As he quietly pined for Lucca, Janus started to feel like he didn’t have a place in Schala’s new life. She had a husband now and she had Xylia too. How could Schala possibly understand when she had two people she was in love with and they loved her back?

It didn’t help Janus that it didn’t take long before the people in the village began to lose patience with his ways. In such a small village, it didn’t take long for him to figure out the truth. Sure the others tried to act like they accepted him, but there was more than one occasion that he overheard people admit quietly that if he wasn’t Schala’s brother, they’d have less tolerance for his supposed needs.

The other survivors from Zeal also had little tolerance for him. They never understood him when he was the prince and now they had more reason to be frustrated with him. For whatever reason, he still had his magic while theirs had begun to fade. Even Schala had started to lose her magical abilities. Janus could have theorized for days why he was so fortunate but the fact of the matter was there was a growing sense of resentment from the others despite Schala consistently reassuring him.

So, heartbroken and feeling increasingly isolated and misunderstood, Janus made a decision one night. While he was never able to apply what he learned from Gaspar or Balthasar to the lessons they forced upon them, between their notes on time magic and his own understanding of magic and enchantment, Janus was confident he could find his own way back to Lucca. He knew in his heart that Lucca was working on rebuilding the Epoch but he couldn’t sit around and wait.

All he needed was the Gate Key Lucca had given him, the last bit of red stone he had kept and time to prepare. No matter what, he would return to his friends. He would reopen the gate in his time and find his way back to Lucca.

After all, time is not unlike a river rushing down the mountain to the ocean at its end.  If one knew their destination, they could plot a course. To where they truly belonged. To home.

[lost-corridors-of-time]

(Saw this in Discord)

[zeal-ascendancy]

This was my second attempt at an epilogue picture. I realized I needed to show Schala too so I drew her talking to her partners (original characters Amnon and Xylia).

Janus feels left out of her life but at least he has Alfador.

[sylvanmigdal]

This kid drew some short straws when it came to parental figures.

[forseties]

corridors of time

[saikyo78]

[janus-zea1]

[yells-of-the-not-so-danged]

[artmek]

Some Magus x Lucca from today. They live in my head rent-free is2g

Each time I think I'm over this ship they come back twice as hard 😭

Heavily based on a sketch from DGcommi on twitter because I was looking for an inspiration and my mind went THEM upon seeing this piece.

Also yes, I forgot Tumblr exists again

[janusofguardia]

So I was feeling well enough to try digital art just a bit. I decided to tweak Janus’s design again.

I like the version with sidetails better! Without looks ok too as a design but I think with has a better balance of making him look different from canon while still looking like himself (different but still believable, especially since I draw canon Magus with sidetails). 

[incorrect-chronotrigger-quotes]

Lmao, amazing

[ascendancy-echoes]

Chapter 1: The Return

Leene Square, Guardia. 10th of Fifthmoon, 1003 A.G.

Janus woke up to the feeling of cold stone against the side of his face, a throbbing headache on the other side of his head, a suffocating tightness in his chest and throat, and the sensation of a cat’s tongue raking against his forehead. He tried to reach out to pet Alfador as he became aware of his cat trying to wake him up but his arms felt numb and heavy. The late morning sun was shining down on him and the light was agonizing to see.

Alfador meowed loudly and bumped his head against Janus’s forehead. The world spun around Janus as he laid in the upper plaza of Leene Square. Closing his eyes didn’t stop the spinning sensation so he forced himself to keep his eyes open. Nauseous, he struggled to get to his hands and knees and then to his feet. It was almost impossible to keep steady as he took wobbling steps and caught himself before he fell down the stone steps at the end of the upper plaza. 

Every breath was a struggle. Leaning against the rail, Janus looked down the steps. He could see two people down by the bell in the main plaza, but the spinning sensation and headache caused his vision to blur. Janus tried to call out but his voice betrayed him, coming out in a hoarse wheeze. He tried to make his way down the stairs in hopes of getting help, but he forced himself to sit down after only going down a few steps. Overwhelmed, Janus leaned his head against the stone railing and started to close his eyes as Alfador ran down the steps towards the two people, meowing loudly. Everything faded to black.

Janus woke up once more, now to the sensation of being shook by someone. There were familiar voices that sounded distant at first asif they were underwater, begging him to wake up. He opened his eyes slowly and struggled to stay awake. Sitting beside him was Marle and in front of him was Crono. They looked a little bit older than he remembered but not too much. Janus vaguely wondered what year he had arrived in.

“Janus? What happened, how are you here?” Marle asked as he glanced in her direction. She and Crono looked scared. How long had he been out?

Janus wanted to answer but the tightness in his throat and chest and the throbbing pain in his head made it impossible. He wanted to tell Crono and Marle that he used all his magic to come back, to be with Lucca. All he could manage to do was pull out his sketchbook from his bag and fumble to open it up to the pages to the one he wanted to show them. He knew they couldn’t read Zeal but he knew they’d know to show the letter on the page to Lucca.

As he found the page, Janus felt himself falling backwards as Crono and Marle shouted his name in panic. The spinning and pain faded into darkness. The next thing Janus knew, he was laying in a bed. The spinning sensation had faded and the tightness in his chest was duller but still faintly present. His headache was fainter but now Janus was aware of the ache in every inch of his body. Aside from the numbness that remained in his lower legs and the tips of his fingers, it hurt to move. It hurt him to lay in bed.

Looking around the dark and unfamiliar room, he tried to remember what had happened after he had opened the gate in the cave. He remembered the rush of adrenaline as he successfully opened the Gate and saw the swirling blues and purples of the portal. The last thing he could clearly remember was thinking of the upper plaza of Leene Square and Lucca as he stepped into the Gate.

Had he dreamed that he had seen Marle and Crono and given them his sketchbook? As he tried to make sense of where he was, Janus could hear muffled voices on the other side of the door. He couldn’t concentrate on what was being said but it sounded like Crono, Marle and Lucca.

Meanwhile, Crono gave Janus’s sketchbook to Lucca. He also handed her a pendant that Janus had been wearing. It looked like Janus had turned his gate key into a piece of jewelry. Lucca read the letter several times and looked over the preceding pages in the sketchbook before she finally spoke.

“The letter says he couldn’t wait anymore. Things weren’t going well for him back in his time and after two years of trying to fit in and feeling miserable, he spent the next year and a half afterwards figuring out how to create a time travel spell and turned the Gate Key into a spell focus with the last pieces of dreamstone he had. He suspected it would drain all of his magic to come back…” Lucca explained as she held the sketchbook in her arms. “The drain from his efforts was probably a million times worse than that time on Death Peak…”

“Should we contact Melichor?” Crono asked. “Do you think he’d know what kind of spell Janus used?”

Lucca thought for a moment before shaking her head and saying, “While he probably knows how to treat magical burnout, I don’t think he’ll know what spell Janus used…”

Showing Crono and Marle the sketchbook, Lucca continued, “Janus has drawings of runes I have never seen in any of my books and random words and phrases pertaining to time and I think this one says something about a river, but most are scribbled over or crossed out and there’s a whole two pages ripped out. Maybe Melichor could make some sense of it, but I don’t think Janus wanted anyone to know exactly how he did this…”

“You should go be with him,” Marle urged. “He’s asleep but he’ll be happy when he wakes up and sees you.”

Lucca smiled softly and nodded. She looked down the hall to see Gina standing at the end of the hall. Gina approached and said that she had some tea brewing.

“Thank you again for helping, Mom,” Crono said. “Sorry about dumping this on you but Janus would be hard to explain to the town doctor.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Gina assured. “It’s not the first time this house has been a hospital for a time traveler. Why don’t you two go back to planning your wedding. I’ll take care of things here.”

Crono looked at Lucca who assured him she’d be okay. After he and Marle departed, Lucca turned and entered the guest room. She was a bit surprised to see Janus already awake in the bed. He looked at her, glassy-eyed. Seeing her, he smiled. He struggled to take a deep breath and started coughing.

Descending into a coughing fit, Janus rolled to his side, causing Alfador to leap awake. The cat had been sleeping at Janus’s feet and didn’t expect his owner to move suddenly. Alfador scurried to the floor and out the door as Lucca rushed to Janus’s side. When Janus wouldn’t stop coughing, Lucca called out to Gina.

Gina rushed in with a cup of tea. She set the tea on the nightstand and helped Janus sit up. Picking up the cup, she offered it to the coughing teen and urged him to try and take a sip.

“It’s just honey and lemon,” she said reassuringly. “It should ease your cough.”

Janus managed to suppress his cough enough to take a sip of the warm tea. The scratchy feeling that had come from coughing disappeared. As soothing as the tea was, it didn’t lessen the tightness in his chest, although it did stop the coughing.

“I read your letter,” Lucca said, tears building in her eyes. “I’ve been trying nearly every day to rebuild the Epoch so I could see you again… Janus, I’m so sorry I haven’t finished it yet and you went through this.”

Janus wanted to reassure Lucca but the words wouldn’t come forward. He smiled weakly at her and reached out to take her hand. As Lucca took his hand into hers, Janus could feel his mind starting to lose focus as exhaustion overtook him once more. He closed his eyes and mouthed an apology to Lucca before drifting off to sleep again.

Lucca sat on the edge of the bed, listening to Janus’s breathing wheeze and struggle slightly. She recalled the terrifying few minutes he had been breathless and unconscious after casting that spell on Death Peak. The fear that he may very well die because of the spell was very vivid in her mind. The racing thoughts of panic were almost immediately interrupted by Gina placing her hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll bring you a chair so you can be more comfortable,” she said softly. “And I’ll have your parents bring some books to pass the time and I’ll bring you something to eat.”

Lucca thanked Gina. Soon, she was seated in a chair next to Janus. Turning on the lamp, Lucca  began flipping through the rest of his sketchbook, seeing the things Janus had drawn since she had given it to him. 

She was stunned how well he could draw, the drawings looked almost like photos. All she could manage were doodles more fitting in a child’s classroom. Within the pages were sketches of his family and Alfador, the map to the Geno Dome and his notes on the spell he had created to save Robo.

There were also drawings of her and the others. Lucca found herself wondering how Glenn and Ayla were doing in their times and if Robo was okay too. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of her parents. Seeing them, Lucca closed the sketchbook and put it aside. She practically threw herself at her parents to hug them.

“How’s he doing?” Taban asked quietly, looking over at Janus as he slept. “Your mom said Marle came by earlier to tell you that Janus was back but he was hurt.”

Lucca looked back at Janus and frowned. “He’s breathing better now but there were times it sounded like he was struggling. He’s been asleep almost the entire time he’s been here.”

“Your father and I were talking on the way over, Lara said. “When he’s well enough to move, Janus should stay at our house.”

“Gina says it’s okay for him to stay as long as he’d like but I know it would help you and him feel better if you could be close by,” Taban added.

Lucca smiled and thanked her parents. It would be hours before Janus woke up again. waking up long enough to get something to drink and giving Lucca a faint smile before falling back asleep once more. His breathing remained shallow and struggled but improved over the hours.

While Janus slept, Crono and Marle returned and informed Lucca that the Gate was closed and gone. Whatever Janus had done had only opened it long enough for him to walk through. They had also reached out to Melichor who expressed astonishment at Janus’s return, citing that time travel should have been impossible without a machine.

As far as how to help Janus, Melichor admitted there had never been a case of magical burnout that severe in the written history of Zeal. He grimly noted that Janus might not survive if he was suffering this much. He also said they could try and treat the symptoms but otherwise they would have to wait it out as Janus recovered on his own, if he recovered.

Lucca refused to believe such a dark outcome. He had survived so much. They had fought Lavos. Janus would survive, she was sure of it.

[dishsaop]

the time gang discovers t shirts

[zeal-ascendancy]

“Excuse me.”

Everyone looked in surprise as Gaspar descended the stairs towards them. He removed his hat and bowed slightly.

“I’m afraid there’s no more time for celebrations here,” Gaspar said with a frown. “The Gates have grown weak. You must hurry to your times lest you remain here…”

“Y-you mean we won’t be able to see each other again?” asked Marle, looking to her friends from the past and future.

“Not unless you have another time machine, no,” Gaspar said sadly. “The Gates always close after Lavos’s defeat… the force, Entity, call it what you may… it is a peace with Lavos’s defeat so there is no need for the Gates. Forgive me for not saying something sooner but I felt you deserved some celebration together.”

Janus immediately looked at Lucca who shared the same quiet terror in her eyes as he felt. It was too soon to say goodbye. They had barely had a day to celebrate. He wanted to be angry at Gaspar for ruining this moment but he knew it was out of the Guru’s hands.

Glenn sighed, “Then I suppose we need to return to our respective eras…”

He cast a glance towards Ayla and back at Janus. As much as it pained him to depart, he knew the three of them had to go back to their times for history to go on as it should. His gaze went to Robo who was looking at Lucca. As expressionless as Robo was, Glenn knew that Robo must have been feeling the same sense of bittersweet disappointment.

After saying their goodbyes to King Guardia, Gina, Taban and Lara, the group ascended the stairs to the upper square where the Gate that had started it all awaited them. Before Gaspar could turn to follow, Melichor approached.

“It is good to see you, Gaspar,” he said. “Where and when did you end up?”

“Then end of it all,” Gaspar replied. “The End of Time itself. It is a peaceful place and I guide any time travelers that find their way there. Still a blacksmith?”

“Ha, no, I think I’ll retire from it. Those kids have no need for weapons anymore,” Melichor chuckled. His mood turned serious. “You were right, you know… about Lord Janus. He has indeed become as powerful as his parents.”

Gaspar smiled softly. “He had the right friends.”

Bowing, Melichor wished Gaspar well. Gaspar returned the bow and wished Melichor the same. Before ascending the stairs to join the group, Gaspar looked to the king, Gina, Taban and Lara.

“Your children are exceptional people, you raised them well.”

At the top of the stairs, Gaspar approached the Gate. “I know you must be disappointed that the Gates will not last but know that the memories and bonds you built together will never fade.”

“I know you all will be well, even when separated across the river of time,” he concluded as the Gate opened and he walked through. After he left, the Gate remained open, awaiting its next traveler. Ayla and Glenn exchanged glances, silently figuring out who would go first.

“I guess this is goodbye then,” Crono sighed.

“I will miss you all,” Ayla said with a smile but everyone could hear her voice crack a little bit. “I will never forget you and I will tell my children and their children of our story.”

Before anyone could react, Ayla gave each of them a firm hug, even Robo. As she approached the Gate, Ayla stopped and turned to face the group.

Looking back to Glenn, Ayla smiled and said, “Stay strong, Glenn. Don’t let the spirits get you again, okay?”

“I’ll be okay…” Glenn assured. “Thank you for everything, Ayla.”

Satisfied, Ayla smiled and said goodbye once more before, wished her friends well and then walked into the Gate, returning to her time.

Glenn looked at the Gate and then back at the group. “I’m not very good with goodbyes…”

Crono smiled, holding out a hand for Glenn to shake and said, “It’s alright. It was great knowing you, Glenn.”

Glenn nodded and smiled, shaking Crono’s hand. Robo and Lucca wished Glenn as well. Janus pulled at his sleeves as he said goodbye as Glenn wished him luck in his own time.

Marle surprised him with a hug. “I’m sorry for yelling at you so much when we first met.”

Chuckling, Glenn said, “No, I deserved it. Be well, Princess Nadia.”

Marle smirked and said, “You too, Sir Glenn.”

Glenn walked up to the Gate, took a deep breath and turned to wave to everyone before walking into the Gate.

Janus stared at the swirling Gate and started to pull at his sleeves. He turned back and looked at everyone.

“I want to stay…” he said. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”

“But what about Schala?” asked Crono.

“That's true… She has to be worried.” Marle said softly. “You promised her you’d come back.”

“I’ll rebuild the Epoch,” Lucca said. “No matter how long it takes. I know I can do it.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Janus replied.

Lucca pulled her Gate Key out of her pocket and offered it to Janus. “Here. Just in case the Gates open again before I rebuild the Epoch.”

Janus took the Key and put it in his pocket. Quietly, he took off the charm Schala had given him from his belt and handed it to Lucca. Lucca took the silver charm into her hands and smiled.

“I love you, Lucca,” he whispered quietly, unable to speak the words louder for fear that he would cry. He kissed Lucca and promised to see her soon.

“Bye guys….” He added, smiling at Crono, Marle and Robo.

Janus walked over to the Gate and looked back at his friends once more before walking through.

Now all that remained was Robo who had barely said a word beyond wishing well to the others and saying goodbye.

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Robo?” Marle asked, looking back at Lucca.

“She knows.” Robo beeped.

“Knows what?” asked Crono.

Robo beeped and replied, “When you three first told me of your goal to stop the apocalypse in 1999, I considered the high probability that I would cease to exist because it would change the future from the one you found me in. However, humanity’s and your descendants’ futures are far more important than my own existence.”

“However, I am certain that I will be in the new future,” Robo added. “There is still a statistical chance.”

Lucca, already overwhelmed by Janus’s departure, started to cry. “Don’t pretend you aren’t sad about leaving or scared your calculations are wrong!”

Robo’s posture slumped. He walked over and, as gently as he could, hugged Lucca. He beeped sadly and said, “I owe this time to you and the others. You all taught me what friendship and emotions truly are. I am grateful for this.”

“Robo will be in the new future,” Marle said as Crono nodded in agreement. “I’m sure of it.”

Robo beeped and walked over to the Gate. Like the others, he turned back one more time to wave goodbye and departed.

“We should go back to the festival,” Crono said, looking at the Gate. “The others wouldn’t want us to sulk.”

Marle stretched and said, “As fun as it was at times, time-traveling was exhausting.”

Lucca nodded. She wiped her tears and said, “I’ll work on rebuilding the Epoch after we take a break. We deserve one.”

Just as the trio was about to go back down the stairs, Crono spied an orange blur scurrying up the stairs.

“Get back here!” called out Gina. She reached the top of the stairs just as Crono grabbed his cat who was not pleased about being picked up so suddenly.

Giving her son an exacerbated look, Gina panted, “I don’t know how but she got out somehow. I’d say it’s because you forgot to feed her but I can’t fault you when you’ve been busy.”

Behind the group, the Gate finally closed and vanished. Marle looked at the empty space where the Gate had been moments earlier and said, “Wow. Good thing you grabbed the cat. I can’t imagine what trouble she would have caused.”

Crono laughed and nodded. After briefly going back home to secure his cat, Crono and Gina returned to the fairgrounds so Crono could enjoy the rest of the evening with Marle and Lucca.

Tomorrow would bring a new day and a bright future for everyone.

[sylvanmigdal]

f'nart

[angrybatart]

Hopped onto Spotify and looked to see if Chrono Trigger WAS on there as my mum claimed. It was. So I doodled a quick Crono while listening and settling down for the night.