Ocean Palace Incident
General Information
Era: 12000 B.C.
Chrono Trigger
The Ocean Palace Incident marked the end of the Kingdom of Zeal, and caused a number of influential events across time. The Incident occurred during the activation of the Mammon Machine in the Ocean Palace; it had been moved there in 12000 B.C. to facilitate higher yield energy extraction from Lavos. The Gurus expressed dismay at this course of action, but Queen Zeal was adamant in her desire for power. While the Mammon Machine was moved, the citizens of Zeal rejoiced, claiming that they were soon to achieve immortality. On the day of the event, Queen Zeal, Schala, and the Gurus assembled at the Mammon Machine's fixture in the Ocean Palace. The machine was activated and operated without error at first. However, once it was raised to its limit, Lavos was awakened and a temporal distortion engulfed the area around the Mammon Machine. Queen Zeal began wildly exclaiming joy as she took a position near Lavos; the Gurus, befuddled by the temporal flux, were soon swallowed up by other distortions. Melchior was transported to 1000 A.D., Belthasar to 2300 A.D., and Gaspar to the End of Time. Janus arrived just as they were disappearing, and he was gated to a period a few years before 600 A.D. Only Schala and the Queen remained; presumably, Schala used the last of her power to kill her mother or transport both out of the Ocean Palace and to relative safety. Things were much bleaker above the sea, however, as the awakened Lavos obliterated Zeal in a wild display of fire and destruction.
The results of the Ocean Palace were paramount; in 600 A.D., what could have been an otherwise peaceful history was changed as Magus provided the spiritual leadership necessary for the Mystics to declare war on the humans. In 1000 A.D., Melchior survived with his skills in smithing. In 2300 A.D., Belthasar was allowed to continue work on his concept for a time traveling vehicle, dubbed the Epoch. And lastly, at the End of Time, Gaspar was afforded a careful watch over time. The strategic placement of the Gurus and the nature of the temporal distortions in the Ocean Palace itself suggest that
