After restoring most of the Chrono Trigger timeline, our intrepid heroes unfortunately stumble into the path of … Dalton? And Azala?? Thrown into a prison cell on the Blackbird with neither tools nor weapons, how will the party escape and stop whatever nefarious scheme is afoot? Will T and G ever get to go home? There’s only one way out of this sticky situation: a stealth mission.
In our world, T and G dig into the enigma that is the “seat” of power himself (in that he’s a big ass), Dalton!
Editing, scripting, and podcast visual design by Nick Terwoord. Special thanks to Square Enix for making that game that we love, Chrono Trigger ...and for not suing us.
Alphabetically, by actor:
Background: What’s the deal with Dalton?
Storytelling: Villains in Chrono Trigger
Storytelling: Chrono Trigger as Set Pieces
The Zeal Archives is a monthly podcast exploring the A-Z of the world of Chrono Trigger one bit at a time—two parts audio drama, one part discussion podcast, one hundred percent love letter to one of the best JRPGs of all time!
The Zeal Archives is published at zealarchives.com and thenickscast.com and can be found on most podcatching services. Please leave us comments, questions, criticism, or any other feedback at TheNickscast on Facebook or Twitter.
Part 1
INT. A FUTURISTIC PRISON CELL
Straight from the previous episode, a portal opens up facing a futuristic prison cell. Nizbell throws the party into the cell through it’s unusually wide door.
ROBO
(deadpan)
Ow
LUCCA
[thrown to the ground, pained]
NICK T
[thrown to the ground, pained]
NICK G
[thrown to the ground, pained]
DALTON
Fools... You're lucky to be alive!
LUCCA
(contempt)
Dalton!
Dalton grabs the cuff of his glove and pulls it taught against his hand.
DALTON
(haughty)
You may address me as King Dalton…
It takes a moment, but Dalton begins to take note of who he is addressing.
DALTON
(surprise, then condescension)
You? You're alive!? I suppose not for very long…
Dalton quickly pulls his cape up with a flourish, unleashing a series of energy balls towards Lucca, knocking her to the back of the cell.
LUCCA
[pained shriek]
NICK G
(concerned)
Lucca!
NICK T
(concerned)
Lucca!
ROBO
(concerned)
Lucca!
Dalton throws his cape behind him and turns away dramatically.
DALTON
(boasting)
The world now belongs to me! Mwa ha ha!
Azala’s voice crackles to life over the radio.
AZALA
(annoyed)
Dalton! Are you almost done with those other apes?!
DALTON
(annoyed)
Grrr… Yes ma'am! By your leave…
AZALA
Excellent! Join me here. We must continue our preparations for this Black-bird.
DALTON
(annoyed)
Grrr…
DALTON
(commanding)
You! Numbskull!
NIZBEL III
(meekly)
It’s Nizbel…
DALTON
Whatever! Have you taken their equipment?
NIZBEL III
Yes, sir! I’ve ensured that they won’t…
Nizbel is abruptly cut off.
DALTON
Then why are we still here, you idiot? Seal the door and let’s go.
Dalton stomps off as Nizbel pushes the huge door shut. Through the tiny window he speaks.
NIZBEL III
Don’t think you’ll be getting away this time! [giggle]
The party rushes to Lucca’s aid.
NICK T
(worried)
Lucca, are you alright?!
LUCCA
(wincing)
I guess a helmet comes in handy for situations like this. Heh heh heh… owww.
NICK G
(relieved)
[sigh] Well, that’s one less thing to worry about…
NICK T
(encouraging)
Come on G! We’ve been in situations like this before. We’ll find a way out.
NICK G
You have become uncomfortably familiar with this kind of situation.
NICK T
Yeah… this cannot be good for my mental health.
Lucca slowly stands up, and braces herself against the wall.
ROBO
Lucca!
LUCCA
(pained, reassuring)
I’ll be ok. We need to find a way out of here, right?
NICK T
For sure, but this place seems to be locked up pretty tightly. Solid metal as far as the eye can see.
Nick T knocks on the wall, but instead of solid metal, the response is hollow.
NICK T
(surprised)
...Or not?
NICK G
Hel-lo… I think I hear opportunity knocking. Maybe we can access some sort of door control from this side?
Lucca starts patting herself down, looking for tools, but has none.
LUCCA
I’m sorry… it looks like they took all of my equipment… including the key!
NICK T
Damnit!
NICK G
Wait a second… we may not have something to open this panel, but we do have someone: Robo.
ROBO
I am uncertain if this will work, but I will try, friends.
Robo’s brings his digits close together, and his hand begins to spin like a drill. Slowly, his fist grinds up against the metal shearing open a small space. The drill spins down and Robo carefully bends the metal out of place revealing a number of different blinking lights and wires.
LUCCA
Fascinating…
NICK T
(hurried)
Lucca, I think we’re on a bit of a timeline here.
LUCCA
Robo, I’ll need your help. These look like data wires, but I don’t have any of my tools. I’ll need to use some of your ports.
ROBO
How may I be of help?
LUCCA
Grab that blue wire, and try inserting it into your serial port.
Robo pops open his main hatch, and tears the wire out of the wall. The lights briefly flicker then return until he inserts the wires into the port. Robo briefly vibrates and sparks fly at the point of contact.
LUCCA
(concerned)
Robo, are you ok?!
ROBO
(speaking quickly)
Voltage levels within acceptable parameters. I will be ok!
LUCCA
(relieved)
Thank goodness… alright, let’s see here…
Lucca accesses the small control panel within Robo, until eventually, something is revealed.
LUCCA
(proudly)
It looks like… yes! I can access the security system! Oh...
NICK G
Oh? What is it?
LUCCA
I can access the camera and some other internal systems, but not the doors… but it looks like they left our equipment in a room not far from here!
NICK G
Ok… that’s something.
LUCCA
There’s a series of ventilation shafts connecting the different room… including one that connects this cell and that room.
Nick T is tapping his foot anxiously until suddenly he bursts out.
NICK T
Of course, that’s it! Robo, give me a boost.
NICK G
What?
Nick T struggles to reach the vent, then just barely manages to pull it free.
NICK T
[struggling]
The metal grate falls to the ground, rattling and clanging.
NICK T
Success!
NICK G
What are you doing?! We’re going to get caught.
LUCCA
Oh! I get it! You’ll need a way to keep in touch… little did they know that I, genius inventor Lucca, have a working radio in my helmet!
Lucca hands the helmet over to Nick T.
LUCCA
It’s already connected to Robo, so we should be able to talk both ways.
NICK G
(frustrated)
Could someone please explain what is going on?!
NICK T
Oh… yeah. Well, one of us needs to crawl through the vents to the other room and get our stuff back. That’s it, that’s the plan.
NICK G
We’re not going to vote on it or anything?
NICK T
[struggling to climb into vent]
NICK T
Well, last time, you saved me, so it’s my turn to return the favour.
NICK G
I almost died, and I’m pretty sure you did. You think this is going to settle the score?!
Nick T starts army crawling down the vent, and we can hear his voice echo back down the vent.
NICK T
Baby steps, G!
The radio crackles to life as T begins down the small shaft.
LUCCA
I have a visual on your location.
LUCCA
The route is only about fifty meters, but there are guards below and a few fans I’ll need to disable along the way, so you’ll need to be stealthy. I’ll warn you as you get closer to obstacles.
NICK T
(gravely)
Got it.
A beat passes
NICK T
(gravely)
Lucca… do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different?
LUCCA
(confused)
What? I don’t understand.
NICK T
(gravely)
If we didn’t have to worry… about getting home, or Lavos, or whatever it is Azala is planning.
LUCCA
No, I mean, I can’t understand what you’re saying. Your voice got so low and gravely.
NICK T
(gravely)
Oh. I’m trying to avoid alerting the guards. I don’t want to speak too loudly.
LUCCA
It’s... a little bit strange.
NICK T
(gravely)
Well, what do you suggest?
LUCCA
There are guards below you right now, so for now, try not talking.
NICK T
(gravely)
Understood.
Nick T continues army crawling.
LUCCA
You’re clear! In a few meters, you should hear a ventilation fan. I’m going to disable it, but you’ll need to hurry though.
NICK T
(gravely)
I can hear it… it’s disabled! I’m going through. Thanks Lucca.
LUCCA
(lying)
You know what? I’m seeing a lot of guards here... I’m going to disable the electronic lock on the vent into that room, but after that we should maintain radio silence.
ROBO
I am not detecting any guards near T’s location.
Lucca covers the microphone.
LUCCA
Shhhhh! I just want him to stop with that creepy voice.
Down below, a large stack of crates is piled up to the ceiling vent, and a lone Basher guards a chest. T slowly lowers himself down from the vent, climbs down the crates and tip-toes to the chest.
NICK G
(mildly impressed)
Wow, do you think that he’ll actually pull it off?
BASHER
[sleeping sounds]
LUCCA
I haven’t known the two of you long, but you’ve been friends for a long time, right? What do you think?
Nick G pauses for a second to think. T opens the chest.
NICK G
(hesitantly)
Ehhhhhhhhhh?
We can hear T over the radio
NICK T
(triumphant)
Yes! Got it!
BASHER
Who said that?! Guards!
The Basher pounds a large red button on the wall that triggers a ship-wide alarm. Red lights descend from the ceilings and klaxons go off everywhere.
Dalton’s voice booms over the ship’s loudspeakers.
DALTON
(annoyed)
I want a full report on the situation now!
NICK G
Uh… now what?
Over Robo’s radio, we can hear laser blasts, explosions, and… maniacal laughter.
NICK T
[maniacal laughter]
NICK T
(gravely)
This is a stealth mission; no survivors.
NICK G
What?!
Outside the cell, various footsteps and screams can be heard along the metallic pathways.
LUCCA
(chipper)
It sounds like T found our equipment!
Lucca reactivates the radio.
LUCCA
If you can bring back the equipment here, I can talk you through some of my tools and we should be able to break out of here.
Something attaches itself to the outside of the door, and we can hear a rapidly increasing digital ticking before there’s a small explosion on the door. The door slides open.
NICK T
(terrible Arnold impression)
Come with me if you want to live.
NICK G
(unimpressed)
The worst. Terrible.
LUCCA
There’s an energy signature a few floors below that matches the Epoch. I think if we had this way, I can get us down there and we should be able to escape through the main hangar!
Before anyone can respond, we hear a familiar voice.
DALTON
You made it this far. Maybe I underestimated you...
Dalton unleashes a flurry of blasts, knocking everyone down… except for G. He holds G by the neck.
NICK G
[struggling, half-choked]
DALTON
I didn't think they'd make it so easy on me! [maniacal laughter]
EPISODE DISCUSSION
(To be transcribed)
Part 2
The party is now squeezed into a freight elevator. Nizbel III holds Lucca, Robo, and Nick T, while Nick G is held captive by Dalton. Delightful elevator music plays in the background.
DALTON
I don’t know why we couldn’t have just taken the stairs…
NIZBEL III
(embarrassed)
You know that my massive muscles don’t fit down those tiny corridors…
DALTON
Of course… you idiot!
NIZBEL III
[whimpers]
Nick T struggles for a moment to break free, kicking at the air towards Dalton.
NICK T
[struggling to kick]
DALTON
(threatening)
Stay back. The life of this man means nothing to me!
The elevator slowly lowers in relative silence, and as it reaches its lowest floor, we can hear an echoing of many voices cheering in the main hangar. A voice booms over a speaker as the lift finally eases to its bottom.
SOLDIER
...Now, bow, and pay homage to our new lieges: King Dalton, and Empress Azala!
CHORUS
All hail our King and Empress!
LUCCA
What is this? What is going on?!
DALTON
(boasting)
With the old crone and the pesky Gurus gone… I’ve declared Zeal the new Kingdom of Dalton!
AZALA
(scolding)
How is it that you cannot handle such pathetic little apes?
DALTON
(muttering)
Grr… the geezer speaks…
AZALA
(reprimanding)
What was that?!
DALTON
(containing rage)
Nothing, my liege.
Azala speaks into the microphone.
AZALA
(charismatic)
Humans have had this planet for too long… they have carelessly destroyed its many resources, poisoned the planet, and even allowed it to come to its own destruction!
Somehow, images of these events are being projected onto a large wall of the hanger.
NICK G
Where did she get these? How is she doing this?!
Azala turns away from the microphone
AZALA
Silence!
AZALA
Even in the far future, they toil and suffer… Mother earth has deemed the humans unworthy!
AZALA
Long ago, I had a vision of a distant future, one where those in power live in harmony with nature. A future ruled by the descendants of the reptites, who were wrongfully removed from this world millions of years ago.
LUCCA
(dawning realization)
Oh no…
AZALA
But now… the time has come! The time for all of that to change! To set the world on its true path… for the falsehoods to be cast away so that all may know the path of the righteous.
NICK T
(dawning realization)
Oh no...
AZALA
The way… of the reptites, begins today!
Azala presses a button and the hanger bay opens. The dim interior slowly lights up, revealing the Epoch, and numerous wires and cables attached to the K33-Y. As the light makes its way deeper into the hanger, there are also huge piles of what appear to be explosives.
AZALA
Though I am loath to admit it, I must thank these… cunning [blech] apes. Through their continued failures, we now have the technology to change history, and you have all been deemed worthy to witness and enact this world-changing endeavour!
The crowd gasps in awe.
NICK G
(angry)
Dalton, you son of a bitch!
Nick G kicks Dalton in his side, and struggles to wrestle free.
NICK G
[struggling]
DALTON
[briefly pained]
DALTON
(under his breath)
Do anything funny and you’re dust, got it?
LUCCA
(shocked)
You… you’ve messed around with the Epoch!
NICK T
(angry)
And you sold out all of humanity?! For what!?
DALTON
(proudly)
Of course! It’s a small price to pay for... immortality! [maniacal laugh]
ROBO
I am detecting several high density explosive devices in the vicinity.
AZALA
This will allow us to protect our home, and rain fire down on those filthy apes.
Azala presses another button and the epoch activates, creating a massive gate at the end of the hangar bay. An uncomfortable energy fills the air… and eventually we can see what appear to be glimpses of the long past.
LUCCA
This… it’s impossible!
ROBO
I am detecting an immense distortion of space time linked to sixty-five million B.C.
NICK T
(whispering)
We’ve got to do something or she’s going to wipe out all of humanity
NICK G
[struggles]
DALTON
Pathetic. That will get you nowhere.
ROBO
The gate is highly unstable. There is a high probability that it might collapse if there is a sufficient disturbance nearby.
NICK T
[power up noises]
Nick begins tensing up, and there’s a certain pressure building up around him. Music begins to swell in the background.
NIZBEL III
Oooooh, it tickles.
LUCCA
(concerned)
T?
NICK T
[power up noises]
DALTON
W, what's this strange force? Could this be...Lavos's energy?!
NICK T
[more powering up]
NIZBEL III
(irritated)
Hot! It’s hot now! Ouch!
For just a moment, Nizbel lets go of T
NICK T
Dark Bomb!
The dark energy that had slowly been forming around T condenses into a ball, and in his moment of freedom he hurls it at Azala.The resulting explosion knocks Azala back, and Dalton aside. The control panel is damaged, and the portal begins to warble and distort, causing portions of the ship to be sucked in and damaged.
NICK T
(excited)
Holy crap, I did it! I did magic!
NICK G
Shit yeah! Congratulations!
Suddenly, small explosions and rumbles start occurring across the hanger as the dark bomb and destabilizing gate takes its toll. Fires begin to rage and smoke fills the hanger.
LUCCA
[cough] We’ve got to get the key and get out of here!
ROBO
Structural collapse of this vessel is imminent.
There is a large creaking noise as the ship begins to tilt heavily to one side. The epoch slides briefly, then is caught by a few tethers holding it into place.
NICK G
The epoch is just over there. Let’s get it unlatched and get out of here.
LUCCA
I’ll get the key! We’ll need it to get you two home after this!
Nick G frantically unsnaps the different bungies and clasps trying to free the Epoch. The ship rumbles and the Epoch heaves. Nick T drops into one of the front seats and begins examining the controls. Robo sits in the driver seat and begins toggle switches and dials as the Epoch slowly comes online.
NICK T
But there’s only three seats!
NICK G
You think I care? Cuddle up to someone, we don’t have time to be choosey here!
Lucca is struggling to untangle the key from the monstrosity of wires.
LUCCA
(shouting)
I’ve almost got the key… just a few more wires.
DALTON
(wounded)
Not… so… fast…!
LUCCA
(surprised)
Dalton?!
We can’t see the source, but blood is dripping down Dalton’s face. He’s taken a lot of damage from the chaos swirling around him.
DALTON
(pained, winded)
All my work... will be in vain... if I... expire before I'm immortal!
G draws his sword, and both Lucca and T draw pistols which briefly power on.
DALTON
(pained, winded)
See those... beautiful wings. That is the throne… of a King! Remove yourselves from the Aero-Dalton Imperial… at once!
From the smoke, Azala emerges, and leaps towards Lucca, wrenching it from her hands. Wires rip from the key causing it further damage.
AZALA
[shrieking attack]
AZALA
(condescending)
Enough of this you foolish primate!
Azala attempts to activate the device, and another gate opens between the two of them.
DALTON
(contempt)
You! Make like the wind... and blow outta here...!
AZALA
(haughty)
I think not.
DALTON
(annoyed)
Very well then… Go! Golem Boss!
Dalton somehow opens another gate. The energy from the three portals begins to coalesce and cause a massive amount of pull between them.
DALTON
(confused)
What? Where are you?!
The wind picks up, and Dalton is pulled into his gate.
DALTON
Nooooooooo!
ROBO
The collapse of all gates is imminent. Lucca, we must go.
LUCCA
No, we need to get the key back!
NICK G
I’ve got it. Get in, Lucca!
Nick G leaps towards Azala, and struggles to pull it from her.
NICK G
[tug of war struggle]
AZALA
[tug of war struggle]
NICK G
Got it! Let’s go!
Nick G runs to the Epoch, and jumps onto its back. Slowly, Robo activates the jets and it begins to rise up into the air. Explosions continue to rock the ship.
NICK G
Here, take this!
Nick G tosses the key into the Epoch, but just as he does that, Azala leaps onto the ship and takes him down… just as the Epoch blasts out of the hanger.
NICK T
(distraught)
G!
The Epoch escapes the hanger, and from behind them explosions rock the Blackbird, some bits being torn apart and others ripped into the portals. The remainder cascade into the sea…
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