The End of Time

For the only time in the game, you'll have four characters following you around. This strange place exists outside normal time; talk to the old man to learn what happened. When more than three people pass through a time portal together, they get sent here - the End of Time.

Understanding the Hub

The End of Time serves as a central hub connecting all time gates you've accessed. Here's how it works:

• A save point and green healing light let you restore HP/MP anytime
• From now on, stepping into any time gate sends you here first
• You can then travel to any gate you've previously accessed
• First-time gate travel still takes you directly to the destination; subsequent trips route through the End of Time

Party switching. This is also where you swap party members. Talk to a character and say yes when they ask to join; the background music switches to their theme. You can also press Y at any point in the game to switch characters instantly.

Currently you have three exits: Proto Dome (2300 A.D.), a canyon (65,000,000 B.C.), and Medina Village (1000 A.D.). The gates you used earlier - Millennial Fair to 600 A.D. and Guardia Forest to Bangor Dome - aren't accessible from here yet. You'll need to travel through them again to add them to the hub.

Meeting Spekkio

The old man sends you through the door to meet Spekkio, the Master of War. He'll teach your party magic - but first you must prove yourself.

The walking challenge. Talk to Spekkio, then walk around his room clockwise three times, starting from the door. You must touch each corner of the room. After three complete laps, talk to him again. If it doesn't work, you probably cut a corner or went the wrong direction; try again.

Learning magic. Once you complete the challenge, Spekkio grants magic to your human party members:

• Crono: Lightning magic
• Marle: Ice/Water magic
• Lucca: Fire magic
• Frog: Water magic (when you recruit him later)

Robo can't learn magic since he's a robot, but his laser attacks function similarly and he can still participate in Dual and Triple Techs.

Practice battle. After learning magic, Spekkio offers to fight you. Accept for good practice using your new spells. Winning rewards you with Tabs, Ethers, and Elixirs depending on your level. Bring each character to meet him throughout the game.

2300 A.D. Revisited

Now that you can switch characters and use magic, it's worth backtracking through 2300 A.D. to strengthen your party. This section is optional but recommended; completing it now while enemies are challenging gives better experience than returning later when they're trivial.

Power Tab. Take the portal back to Proto Dome. Check near the Gate for a Power Tab you couldn't reach before.

Lab 32. If you haven't already, walk across the highway area, fight Mutants, and pick up the Race Log. Race Johnny for a score of 1500+ to win another Power Tab.

Sewer Access. Clear out the sewers now while monsters are on your level. You can switch characters and use magic, making it easier than before. Grab the Rage Band (50% counter-attack rate) and defeat Sir Krawlie. Flip the switch to create a shortcut for later. The exit leads to Death Peak and Keeper's Dome, but there's nothing to do there yet; head back through your new shortcut.

Opening more gates. Head back through Lab 16 (avoid having too many Potions stolen by rats) and return to Bangor Dome. This opens two new portals at the End of Time. The Guardia Forest portal is still a dead end since soldiers cut you off, but it provides access to a sealed chest you can't get elsewhere. The Bangor Dome portal gives you a useful shortcut for later.

Next Destination

With backtracking complete, you're ready to continue the story. Your next destination is Medina Village in 1000 A.D. - take that portal from the End of Time. The village is inhabited by Mystics who hate humans, but it's the path forward to learn more about Lavos and eventually reach 600 A.D. again.

Treasure Summary