Before anything, the player picks a battle mode and names the main character. I'm using クロノ(Crono, or, if you prefer, Chrono), the default name. Then we get to the real opening...
The camera pans by a seaside town. Sea gulls cry out, and balloons, loud noises, and other indications of festivities come from a park on the north side of town. The screen centers over one of the houses, then fades out. The sound of a bell (a large one like in a bell tower, not an alarm) is heard.
クロノ！
クロノったら！
"Crono....
Crono!
Hey, Crono!
Crono!
Good morning, Crono!
Fade in to reveal a bedroom. A woman stands next to a bed with someone sleeping in it, and a cat lies on the floor. 1-3 朝の日ざし (Morning Sunlight) plays.
いいかげん起きなさい！
Gina: How long are you sleeping?
Get up already!
Get up!
There's a bit of a difference between "Gina" and "MOM", isn't there.... "Jina" is equally valid if you prefer that spelling.
Gina walks over to the window and opens the curtains. Crono squirms in bed.
気持ちよさそうに歌ってる。
どうせゆうべ、こうふんして
ねつけなかったんでしょ？
ま、建国千年のお祭りだから
無理ないけど……
あんまり調子に乗って
ハシャぎすぎるんじゃないわよ！
さ、いいかげん起きなさい！
Gina: Ahh, Leene's Bell is
singing so pleasantly.
I'll bet you wound up too excited to
get to sleep last night, didn't you?
It IS the National Foundation Millennial
Festival, so I suppose that's only natural....
But don't get caught up in the moment
and party too much!
Come on, get up already!
beautiful music!
You were so excited about the
Millenial Fair that you didn't sleep
well, did you...?
I want you to behave yourself today!
Let's get moving, now!
Gina heads downstairs, and Crono finally gets out of bed. He has bright red spikey hair, green eyes, and wears a blue tunic, red footwear, and red armbands.
He's also apparently psychic, since he never has any trouble communicating, even though he never actually speaks at any point in the game, with the exception of a single alternate ending. Actually, it's probably just so you can picture Crono as yourself, or something like that.
Anyway, he heads downstairs too. 1-4 やすらぎの日々 (Tranquil Days) plays. The cat follows Crono around the room, for what it's worth.
そうそう、あの、おさななじみの
発明好きな子……
アラ、ドわすれしちゃったわ。
なんていったっけ、あの子？
Gina: I see you finally got up.
Oh yes, your childhood friend,
that girl who likes inventions....
Oh, it's slipped my mind.
What was that girl's name?
By the way, that inventor friend of yours...
Uh...you know...!
Oh, dear, I've forgotten her name!
The original doesn't make any gender-specific reference, but it hardly matters, since you can tell by the miniportrait on the naming screen.
Time to name Crono's friend. I'm going with the default again, ルッカ (Lucca) for her.
Because English isn't entirely phonetic and often doesn't correspond exactly to Japanese sounds anyway, her name could as easily be "Lukka", "Rucca", or "Rukka", and "Luca", "Luka", etc. would work too. I go with "Lucca" because it looks better than most of the others, and I'm used to it from the US release. Incidentally, that 'u' is closest to an English long 'u', so her name sounds more like "Luke" than like "luck".
ルッカの発明、見に行くんでしょ？
あんまり、おそくならないようにね。
さ、行ってらっしゃい。
Gina: That's right, Lucca!
You're going to see Lucca's invention, right?
Make sure not to be too late.
Go on, I'll see you later.
Don't forget that she invited you to
see her new invention!
Run along now, and be back before dinner.
Crono leaves and heads to the festival.
The mayor's manor has tutorial information for playing the game. Since you can easily skip this whole part, I'm marking it as optional.
この家の事聞きたい？
この家の町長は、ぼうけん者が好きでね。
初心者にぼうけんのノウハウを
教えてくれるのよ。
それから、この家にある宝ばこは
町長がぼうけん者のためにって
置いてあるの。
えんりょしないで持って行ってね。
Would you like to hear about this house?
The mayor in this house likes adventurers.
He teaches beginners adventuring know-how.
Also, the treasure boxes that are in this house,
the mayor left for the sake of adventurers.
Feel free to take them with you.
Do you know about our establishment?
This is the Mayor's Education Center.
Think of it as a workshop for
beginners!
You can take the things you find here!
I'm amazed at how much detail the NA version loses...
聞かせてあげましょうか？
武器といっても、色々なものがあるのよ。
刀とか、ゆみとか、けんじゅうとかね。
けど人にはとくい、ふとくいがあって
その人に合った武器しか、使えないの。
防具には３つのしゅるいがあるわ。
頭につけるものと、体につけるものと
それからアクセサリー。
防具も自分の体に合ったものしか
装備できないのよ。
それからアクセサリーには、特別な力が
あるものが多いから色々と調べてみると
いいわ。
それと、刀は力が上がれば攻撃力も
上がるけど、ゆみやけんじゅうは
チョットちがうの。
必要なのは命中りつ、これが上がれば
強いダメージをあたえられるわ。
We call them all weapons, but there are a variety
of them. Like katanas, bows, and pistols. But
everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and
can't use any weapons but those suited to them.
There are three types of armor. The ones you
put on your head, the ones you put on your body,
and accessories.
You can't equip armor either except for the
ones suited to your body.
Next, in accessories, many of them have
special powers, so you should try checking
out a variety of them.
Also, for katanas, if your power increases,
your attack power also increases, but for
bows and pistols, it's a LITTLE different.
It's hit rate you need, and the more it increases,
the stronger the damage you'll be able to inflict.
seminar?
Weapons include swords, bows, and
guns.
Some weapons can only be used by
specific party members.
You'll find a variety of armor for the
head and body.
Finally, there are numerous accessories
with unique properties and effects.
As you gain Power, swords will inflict
greater damage. Bows and guns get
more powerful as your Hit rate
increases.
動き回れるんだぜ。
遠くはなれれば、声も聞こえなくなるよ。
a message up. If you get too far away, you
won't be able to hear the voice.
But go too far, and you can miss them!
Ｙボタンで上下に、いどうするのよ。
window up and down with the Y button.
Message/Battle window up or down.
あるという。
そこでは危険にみちた場所でも
旅の記録をとる事が出来る。
それはレプリカさ。 もし本物を見かけたら
旅の記録を取ることをすすめるぜ。
なんせ危険な所ほど出現しやすいと
いう話だからな。
おっと、それともう１つ！
ワールドマップでは、どこでも旅の記録を
とれる、わすれないでくれ。
where time's memory abides.
There, you can take a record of your
journey, even in places full of danger.
That's a replica. I suggest taking a record
of your journey if you catch sight of the
real thing. Anyhow, they say they appear
more readily in more dangerous places.
Oh, one more thing!
On the world map, you can take a record
of your journey anywhere, don't forget.
places where you can save your game.
Save whenever you can, especially in
unfamiliar or dangerous areas!
That's just a replica. Record your
journey whenever you find the real
McCoy!
You'll find more of them in riskier areas.
Also, remember that you can log in
anywhere on the World Map!
Referring to the NA version... First I'm not sure I've ever heard "real McCoy" used in actual conversation... it sounds corny. Second, I think that's a misuse of "log in". In any case, it would be better to use the same word for saving every time for consistency.
知っているのかい？
『シェルター』はセーブポイントと
ワールドマップで使用できるアウテムで
ＨＰもＭＰも全回復するんじゃよ。
べんりじゃの～。
Shelters are items you can use at save
points and on the world map, and they
fully recover both HP and MP.
How convenient...
They're quite useful!
Use "Shelters" at Save Points, or on the
World Map, to completely restore HP
and MP.
ふむ、お前さんはそしつがありそうじゃの。
お前さんは戦いを続けていくうちに
『技』を身につける事が出来るじゃろう。
技とは、おのれの武器をつかった
とくしゅな攻撃法じゃ。
これは、おのれのたんれんでのみ身につく。
日々これ精進じゃ。
ほっほっほっ。
熱心なわかものじゃの！
よし、わしからのプレゼントじゃ。
これで装備でもととのえるとよかろう。
Hmm, it seems that you have potential.
As you continue fighting, you should be
able to learn "techniques".
Techniques are unique attack methods
using your weapons.
You will learn these only by your training.
Focus on this daily.
Ho, ho, ho.
Zealous youngster!
All right, a present from me.
Use this to ready yourself with some equipment.
You've got potential!
You'll learn a number of "Techniques"
as you progress!
"Techniques" are magic attacks that
also utilize your weapons.
You'll acquire them with discipline.
My, my! You're so enthusiastic!
Use this to help you get started!
Advance warning: The following explaination of techinique effect ranges is mangled enough in the NA version to make it difficult to understand at times.
教えてやる。 聞くか？
effect ranges. Listen?
you willing to learn?
Scene change to a dull background in red with some borders. 1-12 戦い (Battle) plays, and some little blue goblins drop into the scene, in a line more or less facing Crono, who has his sword out.
こうかはんいがある。
まずは、モンスターを中心に
広がるダメージだ。
たとえば、こいつを
ターゲットしていしたときは……
there are various effect ranges.
First, damage that spreads out
centered on a monster.
For example, when this one's
picked as the target....
attack can vary.
First, some of your attacks will
damage more than one enemy.
For example, target this critter...
A pointer points at the top goblin, and a magenta circle expands around it far enough to reach the middle one but not the bottom one.
つまりこの場合は２ヒキに
ダメージをあたえる事ができる。
だがな、こいつを
ターゲットしていすると……
monsters in this range, that is,
two monsters in this case.
But pick this one as the target,
and....
monster in the area.
But if you target this one...
The pointer moves to the center goblin, and a magenta circle of the same size appears, reaching all three goblins.
ダメージをあたえられる。
うまく使いな。
次に、自分から直線的に
ダメージをあたえる場合。
damage on three monsters.
Use it well.
Next, the case where you inflict
damage on a line from yourself.
Use this fact to your advantage!
Next, you can hit enemies in your
direct line of sight.
Two more goblins drop down, on a line from Crono through the bottom of the ones already present.
１つめのパターンは……
The first pattern is...
The first one...
The pointer points at the farthest of the goblins lined up with Crono, and a yellow lines travels from Crono through all three and beyond.
モンスターこの場合は３ビキ全てに
ダメージをあたえる。
along a straight line from yourself,
three in this case.
oriented on a straight line from you.
カーソルをもっていってももんだいない。
the line has the cursor, there's no problem.
of them on the line.
The cursor moves to the nearest of those three goblins, and the line again goes through all three of them and beyond.
Actually, it usually does matter which monster this type of skill targets, since even though it hits everything on the line, the angle is rarely quite the same.
自分とモンスターをむすぶ直線上の
敵だけにダメージをあたえる。
You inflict damage only on the enemies on
the line between you and the monster.
...allows you to hit only the enemies in
a straight line between you and the
target.
The cursor again moves to the farthest goblin, and a yellow line appears from Crono, through the middle two, and up to but not past the far one.
creatures are targetted here, but...
The cursor moves to the near goblin, aand the yellow line extends only to it.
気をつけろ。
次はターゲットしていしたモンスターを
ジクにして、ヨコ方向のモンスター全てに
ダメージをあたえる。
so be careful.
Next up makes an anchor from the monster
picked as the target and damages all the
monsters crosswise from it.
get!
Next, use an enemy to establish a line,
and any others on it will also be hit.
Three of the goblins are now lined up horizontally. The cursor points at one, and a yellow line goes through all three and off both sides of the screen.
The cursor points at a different one of the lined-up goblins, and the yellow line again goes through all three and off both sides of the screen.
オーケーだ。
最後に自分を中心に
ダメージをあたえるパターン。
pick as the target.
Finally, there's the pattern that inflicts
damage with yourself at the center.
The final pattern puts you at the
center of the attack zone.
Again, it sometimes does matter which one you target, since the line may shift up or down somewhat.
A magenta circle spreads out from Crono, but doesn't hit anything.
いない場合は使えない。
range, like this, you can't use it.
enemies are outside of the zone.
The goblins all jump in close to Crono, and the circle appears again, covering them all.
自分を中心としたはんい内の全ての
モンスターにダメージを
あたえることができる。
then you can inflict damage on all
the monsters in a range centered
on yourself.
enemies inside the active zone!
The scene returns to the mayor's manor.
べんきょうになったろ？
Learned something, didn't you?
Feel more confident?
こいつも大事だ。
戦術的てったいとでも言おうかな。
けどよ、逃げてばっかじゃ弱いままで
強くなれないから気をつけな。
それから、もう１つ。メニューの説明だ。
武器マークのヨコの数字は攻撃力。
たてマークのヨコの数字は防御力。
防御力は、なぐりや物理攻撃を
どれだけふせぐかあらわす。
魔法をふせぐのは『まほうぼうぎょ』。
これがたとえば４０だったら
敵の魔法を４０パーセントふせぐ。
それと数字が星マークになったら
そのパラメーターは最高ということだ。
This's important too.
I guess we'll call it a strategic retreat.
But look, keep running away, and you'll stay weak
and won't be able to get stronger, so be careful.
And one more thing. Menu explaination.
The number by the weapon mark is attack power.
The number by the shield mark is defense power.
Defense power indicates how well you
defend against hits and physical attacks.
It's "magic defense" that defends against magic.
If, for example, that's 40, you'll cut enemy magic
by 40 percent.
Also, if a number becomes a star mark,
it means that parameter is at maximum.
escape from battle!
Know when to run!
But you need to fight to grow strong!
Now, about the Equip menu...
Numbers next to the Sword and Shield
icons indicate Attack and Defense
power.
The higher the number, the greater the
power.
"M. Def." indicates your ability to block
magic attacks. If it's 10, then magic
damage will be reduced by 10%.
A star after any characteristic means
it's at maximum strength.
The maximums for various attributes are level 99, 999 HP (still displays as a number), 99 MP (still displays as a number), 255 attack power (still displays as a number, and only one character can reach it), 255 defense power (still displays as a number, but 238 is the highest possible without cheating anyway), 99 power, 16 speed (use Speed Capsules to raise), 99 evasion (only two characters can reach 99, and only with an accessory), 99 hit (but 98 is the highest possible without cheating, even with accessories), 99 magic power, 99 stamina, and 99 magic defense.
Note that because magic defense works as a precentage reduction, small differences in the amount near maximum value mean huge differences in damge taken. If an magic attack would inflict 12,000 damage to someone with no magic defense, one with 99 takes only 120 damage, but at 98 it's 240 damage, 360 at 97, etc. Maxing out magic defense is extremely useful. Defense actually works similarly, as damage is multiplied by 1 - (defense/256), but since you can't get as close to the maximum, the difference is less obvious.
レクチャーしましょうか？
モンスターの攻撃には特別なダメージを
あたえてくるものがあるわ……
you take during combat?
Some monster attacks inflict
special damage....
in battle?
Some monsters have special attacks.
Scene change to the lead character on a black background. Battle plays. The character is hunched over with purple bubbles around the head.
ＨＰが少しずつへっていくの。
このじょうたいでは
攻撃力も落ちるわ。
Poison:
Your HP gradually decreases.
While under this condition,
your attack power also drops.
HP slowly decreases.
Your attacks are weakened.
The attack penalty from poison seems to be about 20%.
The character now stands normally, but with a glowing white outline.
スピードがおそくなって、次の攻撃に
すばやくうつれなくなるわ。
Slow:
Your speed slows, and you can't move
on to your next attack as quickly.
Increases the time between attacks.
The character now falls on the ground, with little zZ snores.
眠ってしまって防御力が下がるの。
けど、攻撃を受けるとめざめるわ。
Sleep:
You fall sleep, and your defense drops.
But take an attack and you'll wake up.
Lowers your guard.
A good hit will wake you up again!
The character now stands, laughing insanely, with a star spinning overhead.
自分が何をしてるのか
わからなくなってしまうの。
味方を攻撃したりね。 コワいわよ。
Confusion:
You don't know what you're doing any more.
You'll do things like attacking allies. Scary!
Confuses you into attacking allies!
A little tough on friendships!
Confusion in this game isn't nearly as bad as in many others. Confused characters will attack at random, but will only use normal attacks, with a low hit rate and vastly reduced power. This minimizes the damage it can do, and means it won't waste any MP or items.
The character stands normally, but has a symbol in front of the face that blinks between an eye and a big X.
回りがよく見えなくなって
モンスターに攻撃をあてにくくなるわ。
Blind:
You can't see your surroundings well and
have a hard time hitting monsters with attacks.
You can't see too well...
It's hard to hit enemies!
The character now has a big ? overhead.
いっさいの技がつかえなくなるの。
Lock:
You become unable to use any techniques.
Can't use any "Techniques."
The character now stops moving except shaking the head, with a stopwatch overhead.
これは動きが止まって
何もできなくなるわ。
Stop:
This is when your movement stops and
you become unable to do anything.
Immobilizes and disables you.
Scene change back to the mayor's house.
防御力が落ちてダメージが大きくなるわ。
『ばんのうやく』などの体調回復アイテムで
なおせるけど戦闘が終われば、アイテムを
使わなくても自然になおるのよ。
increases when you're in these conditions.
You can cure them with status recovery items
such as the "Panacea", but if combat ends,
you get well naturally even without using items.
and you'll sustain more damage.
Use "Heal," or wait until the battle
ends to heal automatically.
なると戦闘不能になっちゃうわ。
もちろん『アテナの水』とかのアイテムで
復活も出来るわよ。
けどね、みんなが戦闘不能になった時は
時のながれのわすれ物になっちゃうの……
気をつけてね。
attacks, you become incapacitated.
Of course, you can revive too, with items
like "Athena's Water".
But when everyone is incapacitated,
you'll be lost in the flow of time....
Be careful.
Use "Revive" to restore yourself, but if
everyone goes down, you're through.
Be careful!
The square is full of people, games, merchant booths, colorful decorations, and so on. 1-6 ガルディア王国千年祭 (Guardia Kingdom Millenial Festival) plays, as the festival is a celebration of Guardia Kingdom's 1000th anniversary. As he roams around trying to see everything, Crono runs into a girl who isn't looking where she's going either. She has long blonde hair in a ponytail, green eyes, and wears a white shirt and sweatpants. The collision knocks them both to the ground, and a pendant flies off to the side. The music halts as soon as they run into each other.
いったー……
Girl: Kyah!
Owie....
Ouch, that hurt!
She gets up slowly, brushing herself off. Leene's Bell, nearby, starts ringing on its own as she goes to check on Crono.
だいじょうぶ？
Girl: I, I'm sorry!
Are you okay?
Are you okay?
Crono, as usual, doesn't say anything, but he gets up and nods.
ペンダントが……。
た、大変！
なくしちゃったのかしら？
Girl: H, huh?
My pendant....
Th, this is awful!
Could I have lost it?
My pendant!
Oh, no!
Don't tell me I've lost it!
Crono spots the pendant, picks it up, and takes it to her.
そのペンダント私のよ。
古ぼけてるけどとっても大事な物なの。
返してくれる？
Girl: Thanks!!
That pendant's mine.
It's worn out, but it's really important.
Could you give it back?
My pendant!
It has a lot of sentimental value!
May I have it back?
Crono can refuse, but nothing else happens until he gives it back to her.
ねえ、あなたこの町の人でしょ？
一人じゃ面白くないもん。
いっしょに回ろうよ！
いいでしょ？ ね、ね？
Girl: I came to see the festival.
Hey, you're from this town, right?
It's no fun alone.
Let's wander around together!
That's okay, right? Right, right?
You...live in this town, don't you?!
I feel a little out of place here.
Would you mind if I walked around
with you for a while?
Crono can decline, but she'll just keep bugging him until he gives in.
助けると思って、お願いッ
Girl: Oh, come on! Please, think of
it as helping out a frail little girl
around here! Please!
The music resumes playing as soon as Crono agrees.
あ、名前言ってなかったね。
え、えーと私は……
Girl: Yaaay, all right!
Ah, I haven't told you my name.
Uh, ummm, I'm....
Oh, by the way...
My name is, err...
Time for the player to name her. I'm going with the default, as always, and that's マール (Marle) in this case.
Marle is pronounced with the 'e' more or less like one of those schwa sounds that most dictionaries show as an upside-down 'e'. They're the unemphasized vowels that come out sounding like a weak 'uh', like the 'a' in 'about'. The correct pronunciation of her name is actually somewhat important later.
あなたは？
クロノか、いい名前だね！
よろしくね、クロノ！
さ、早く行こう！
Marle: I'm Marle.
And you?
Crono? That's a good name!
Nice to meet you, Crono!
C'mon, let's go, quick!
And you're?
Crono?
What a nice name!
Pleased to meet you!
Now, lead on!
Crono and Marle head off together.
There's a lot to see at the festival, but most of it's completely optional, so I'm marking this section with the colored border of alternate stuff.
ゴンザレスと戦いたいかたはこの奥へ！
勝てばシルバーポイントもらえるよ！！
bipedal robot Lucca developed, head in here!
You can get silver points if you win!!
Lucca's robot battle trainer!
Collect Silver points if you win!
Gonzales is a large, red, vaguely humaniod robot that sort of resembles a cat. And he sings, too: 1-7 ゴンザレスのお (Gonzales's Song)
オ～レは 強い♪
オ～レに勝ったら
１５ポイント～！！♪
I~'m strong♪
If you beat m~e
15 poi~nts!!♪
I have metal joints♪
Beat me up♪
And earn 15 Silver Points♪
I guess "Gato" because it's shorter and Spanish for "cat"? I can't say that the English version of the song isn't catchier, though.
So they fight. Crono wields a katana, and Marle uses a crossbow. During this battle, and every other regular one, Battle plays. Like most battles, winning nets not just the experience points normally found in RPGs, but also わざポイント (tech points) needed to learn combat techniques, which is how the game collectively refers to skills and spells.
With a few tech points, Crono and Marle start learning techniques, and even learn one that they do together (which is one of the Really Amesome Things about Chrono Trigger). But, after learning their second techniques, Crono and Marle both suddenly stop learning more, even though each has plenty of free space on their techniques list. More on that later....
As far as combat attributes go, Crono has better physical stats than magical and is quite fast, while Marle has better magical stats than physical.
Crono's status screen has a golden 天 (Heavens/Sky) in the top corner, and Marle's has a blue 水 (Water). This means more later, but for now I'll just mention that each has a small innate resistance to and takes about 1/5 less damage than usual from attacks of the matching attribute.
So anyway, they beat Gonzales. His song plays again for his litte ditty, then the usual music resumes.
あ～んたは す～ごい♪
だ～から あげるよ
１５ポイント～！！♪
You~'re ama~zing♪
So~ I give you
15 poi~nts!!♪
Here's 15 Points♪
Now wasn't that fun!?♪
Elsewhere, a little girl is crying...
わたちのネコが……。
My cat....
Where's my cat?!!
わたち (watachi) is either a cutesy kiddy version of わたし (watashi), or it's the Japanese equivalent of "miffing my two fwont teef"...
Crono finds the cat across the square, and leads it back to the girl.
ありがとう。
Thank you!
Elsewhere, a kid talks history...
何びゃく年か昔、魔王軍と
すごい戦いがあったんだって。
もしその戦いに負けてたら
今こんなお祭りはなかったって
うちのママが言ってたよ。
I heard there was an awesome battle
with Magus's army hundreds of years ago.
My mom says if we'd lost that battle,
there wouldn't be a festival like this now.
So what if we won a war against a
Wizard hundreds of years ago!
This is foreshadowing, though the NA version loses it entirely. Also note their different translation of 魔王 here, as opposed to "Magus" elsewhere.
魔王 (maou) is a tricky term to translate. As becomes clear later, it refers to a person. 魔 means "demon" or "magic", but in this case it's more likely a direct reference to 魔族 (mazoku). 魔族, in which 族 means "tribe" or "race", refers to a collection of mostly humanoid supernatural creatures. "Demons" is possibly the closest English can come, though 魔族 doesn't seem to have quite the same connotations. Getting back to 魔王, since 王 means "king", most likely it simply means King of the Demons. However, that's awfully cumbersome. I thought about "Warlock King" for a while, but that gets to be a pain too. Eventually, I just gave in and went with the NA rendition, "Magus". Just keep in mind that it's a title belonging to a position, and not actually a name.
リーネの鐘の音を聞けばしあわせに
なれるって言い伝えがありまちゅ。
A legend says if you hear the sound of
Leene's Bell, you'll live happily ever after.
who head Leene's Bell ring will have
interesting and happy lives!
Marle giggles. She seems to do that a lot.
クロノとこうしているの。
Marle: I'm happy!
I'm here with Crono.
Marle: Crono...
I'm having a great time!
One intersting side bit in this game is seeing how Crono's mother reacts to the various party members...
連れて来るなんて、めずらしいわね。
お名前は？
Gina: Oh my, how unusual for Crono to do a
thing like bringing a girl besides Lucca here.
What's your name?
MOM: My, how nice!
I've only seen you with Lucca!
Who's your pretty new friend?
マールです。
Marle: It's nice to meet you!
I'm Marle.
……？
どこかでお会いしてません？
おかしいわね、気のせいかしら。
Gina: Hm? Marle-san?
...?
Haven't I met you somewhere?
How odd, I wonder if it's my imagination.
MOM: Eh?! Marle?
...?
I'm sure I've seen you before, dear!
Now, where was that...?
More foreshadowing...
Eventually, someone at the fair lets Crono know what else is going on.
広場をずうっと奥へ行った所だよ。
It's waaay in the back of the square.
She's at the north end of the square.
So Crono goes to check it out. On the way there...
キャンディ買っていくわ！
Marle: Wait up!!
I'm gonna go buy some candy!
I want to get some candy.
Crono waits as she browses a candy booth.
If Crono tries leaving while she's browsing, it doesn't go over well...
急がないでよ！
あるまいし。
そんなに腕を引っぱらないでよ！
Marle: It's not like you're a kidnapper.
Don't yank on my arm like that!
by the arm like some kidnapper!
Eventually, Marle picks something.
これちょうだい！
I'd like some of this.
Marle giggles and turns to Crono.
They now reach the north end of the square, where a small crowd faces a strange device with two large platforms that resemble sci-fi teleport pads. A man speaks to the crowd, while a girl who could only be Lucca tweaks the equipment. She's wearing an orange dress and large glasses, has teal eyes, and wears a shell-like hat that covers most of her purple hair.
お立会い！
これこそ、せいきの大発明！
超次元物質転送マシン１号だ！！
早い話が
こっちに乗っかると
Taban: Come, come, those with the
time and bravery bear witness!
THIS is the great invention of the century!
It's the Ultra Dimensional Matter-Transfer
Machine Number 1!!
In short, when you get on over here,
who have the time and the courage!
Our "Super Dimension Warp" is the
invention of the century!
To use it, jump up here...
Taban runs to the other pad.
夢の様な装置だあ！
こいつを発明したのが頭脳めいせき
さいしょくけんびの、この俺の一人娘
ルッカだ！
Taban: You're transferred to over here.
The device works like a dream!
The one who invented this is the clear-headed,
gifted with both intelligence and beauty,
my very own only daughter, Lucca!
It's the masterwork of my beautiful
daugheter, Lucca.
At this, Lucca turns around and does a little victory dance, but no one looks interested in getting any closer to that bizarre contraption. Crono, being sympathetic and perhaps more brave than wise, decides to investigate.
待ってたわよ！
だーれも、このテレポッドの転送に
ちょうせんしないんだもの。
こうなったら、あんたやってくれない？
Lucca: Crono!
I've been waiting for you!
Nooo one will put this Telepod's
transmission to the test.
Come on, won't you do it?
Where have you been!?
No one wants to try the Telepod!
How about you?
やってみなよ。 私見ててあげる！
Marle: It looks neat!
Try it out. I'll be watching!
I'll watch while you try it out!
Crono gets on the pad, and Taban and Lucca take up positions by the controls.
Crono turns into a cloud of sparkles, which then floats to the other pad and turns back into Crono.
グレイト！！
Everyone: Ohhhh!!
Great!!
That was GREAT!
The funniest thing about that line, IMO, is that "great" is in English, just written phonetically in katakana.
めずらしい事も……
コ、コホン！
いやいや、ルッカの発明だから
当然！ すごいだろう！
Taban: It really went well!?
Even the most incredi....
C, cough!
No, no, it's Lucca's invention,
so of course! Isn't it great!?
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
Uh, er, a thrilling display of science at
its best, ladies and gentlemen!
何だったらもう一度やる？
Lucca: How was it, were you surprised?
You can do it again, if you want?
Want to try it again?
I want to try it, too!
ちょ、ちょっとクロノ
あんたいつの間に、こんなカワイイ子
口説いたのよ。
Lucca: Huh?
Hey, hold on, Crono.
Just when did you manage
to pick up such a cute girl?
Hey Crono, how did you
pick up a cutie like her?
ここで待ってて。
どこにも行っちゃやだよ！
Marle: I can do it, right, Crono?
Wait here.
Don't go anywhere!
I'll be right there!
行っちゃや is 行ってはいや run together. Basically the same as 行ってはいけない, but with いや ("DO NOT WANT") instead of いけない (must not do).
こんなにカワイらしい娘サンだ！
ささ、どーぞこちらへ！
Taban: Well, well, the challenger
is such a lovely young woman!
Come on, right this way please!
this vision of loveliness steps aboard
the machine!
じゃ、ちょっと行ってくるね！
Marle: Eheheh.
Well, be right back!
I'll be right back!
やめるんだったら今のうちだぜ。
Taban: Are you sure this is okay?
If you're quitting, now's the time for it.
There's still time to change your
mind!
全然こわくなんかないもん。
Marle: No problem!
It's not like it's scary or anything.
Throw the switch!
She steps onto the left platform. Ominously, the music fades to silence.
このカワイイ娘サンが見事
消えましたら、はくしゅかっさい。
スイッチオン！
Taban: Well then, everyone!
When this lovely young woman beautifully
vanishes, let's have some applause.
Switch on!
great big hand when she reappears!
All systems on!
As the machine powers up, 1-8 不思議な出来事 (Strange Happening) begins playing, and a light begins to shine from somewhere around Marle's chest...
ペンダントが……。
Marle: What's this?
My pendant's....
My pendant...it's...
Electricity suddenly arcs from the machine, driving Lucca and Taban away from the controls.
Between the pads, some kind of rift in space opens. Instead of reappearing on the right pad, Marle materializes in the middle of the distortion. Her pendant drops to the ground, and the rift closes, leaving no sign of either Marle or itself.
出て来ねーぞ？
ハ、ハイ！ ごらんの通り影も形も
ありません！
こ、これにてオシマイ！！
Taban: Hey, Lucca, she's
not coming out?
Uh, right! As you can see, she's
vanished without a trace!
Sh, show's over!!
Where is she?!
Show's over, folks!
Let's head along now!
Everyone leaves except Crono, Lucca, and Taban.
一体どうなってんだ？
あのコはどうしちまったんだ！？
Taban: Hey, Lucca!
What the hell's going on?
What happened to that girl!?
WHERE IS SHE?
テレポッドの転送の消え方じゃない。
あの空間のゆがみ方……
ペンダントが反応していたようにも…
もっと別の……何かが……。
Lucca: The way that girl vanished isn't how
things vanish in the Telepod's transfer.
The way space warped....
The pendant seemed like it was reacting....
And something... else....
It couldn't have been the Telepod!
The warp field seemed to be
affected by her pendant...
助けることは？
Taban: What should we do?
About helping her?
……んっ？ そういえばあのコ
どこかで見たことがあるような？
Lucca: That girl....
....hm? Come to think of it, I feel
like I've seen that girl somewhere?
I KNOW I've seen her somewhere...
Crono, wanting to do something, probably feeling responsible, and again more bold than sensible, picks up the pendant and heads for the Telepad.... Crono's heroic theme, 1-2 クロノ・トリガー (Chrono Trigger) plays.
後を追うってのかクロノ。
さすがは男だぜ！
Taban: Oh!
So you're going after her, Crono.
That's a real man for you!
What a fine lad!
あの空間の先に何があるのかわからない
けど、それ以外に方法はなさそうね。
Lucca: That's it!
We don't know what's beyond that space,
but it looks like there's no other way.
I don't know where this machine is
going to send you, but we haven't
any other choice.
あなが現れるとはかぎらないぜ。
Taban: But the hole won't necessarily
conveniently appear again.
Big change in meaning. In the JP version, he's questioning whether they can get the distortion to appear at all. The problem of getting anyone back hasn't even come up yet.
きっとペンダントがキーに
なってるのよ！
クロノ！
しっかりそれをにぎってて
きっと同じ事起こるはずよ！
Lucca: It's worth trying!
The pendant is definitely the key!
Crono!
Hold on to it tight, and the same
thing should happen for sure!
That pendant seems to be the key, so
hang on to it Crono, and brace
yourself!
Lucca is being optimistic in the JP version. The NA version make it sound more like she's desperate and panicking.
もっと出力をあげて！！
Lucca: Engage energy charge!
Raise the output more!!
Power to full!
Give me more power!
The machine begins to spark, just like before.
うまくいきそうよ！！
Lucca: Bingo!!
It looks like it's working!!
We did it!
As expected, space distorts and Crono is thrown into the middle of it.
後を追うわ！
たのんだわよ、クロノ！
Lucca: Once I investigate the cause,
I'll follow after you too!
I'm counting on you, Crono!
what went wrong.
Good luck, Crono!
The rift closes, sending Crono on a brief trip through the distortion. Another rift on the other side opens into....