Chrono Trigger/The Guru on Mt. Woe

The Guru on Mt. Woe (12,000 B.C. second time)

You begin this chapter when you climb the chain to Mt. Woe; after beating the Mud Imp and the two beasts. You can head back to the Earthbound Village to save and rest for free or to stock up on some more weapons, but head up the chain link when you're ready to move on.

Make note of the awesome rewards given for defeating the Rubbles up here. Each Rubble offers a whopping 1000 experience and 100 tech points, and while they disable you from using techs and items (using a "lock" ability), they're easy enough to kill if you just keep attacking. Rubbles only have 515 HP, but they have the ability to flee so make it quick. Only one of the Rubbles in all of Mt. Woe respawns; it's located in the top right of the second screen, on an island along with two chests.

Unless you want to run in and out of zones, you should focus on defeating them all. You can charms good items of those monsters: Gargoyle (Big Hand for Robo), Man Eater (Pearl Edge for Frog), Bantam Imp (AlloyBlade for Crono)

Mt. Woe
The first area has two Rubbles, an exit to the west then north, and a Lode Helm if you walk around the cliffs (north, then loop back down to the bottom left corner).

In the second area, you'll fight three Rubbles scattered about. The first is to the left of the chain you entered on. Follow the path to the right then fight the Gargoyles; save if you like but continue north after them. Cross the chain in the northeast to find the second Rubble, a Lode Vest and a Shield. Head back over the chain to the west, go to the top left corner and grab the Barrier. Climb the cliff just a little east of the chest, follow it around to the left and then south. Climb up onto the plateau and head directly north where you saw the chest (contains a Lapis); you'll have to fight two Bantam Imps to get it. From there cross the chain to the right, fight the two Stone Imps and two Gargoyles, then follow the cliff around to the right and then down and back to the left where you'll fight two Bantam Imps and two Gargoyles at the same time. Climb down the chain directly south, head to the right and fight the four Gargoyles and then grab the Barrier out of the chest. Run to the southwest corner of this area to fight the final (third) Rubble of the area. Go back up to where you just picked up that last Barrier, walk up the cliff and cross the chain to exit the area to the east.

In the third area, grab the Lapis before moving towards the Man Eaters. They won't attack you until you try to cross the chain to the north, so head to the southeast first and grab the Full Ether in the south and Barrier in the north; return and fight the Man Eaters if you haven't done so yet. Cross the chain, follow the path and fight the Rubble (the 6th so far). Continue and climb up a level, head south if you want a Shield and a Shelter, you'll have to fight three Gargoyles and two Man Eaters at the same time. Follow the path north, across the chain and around the last little "island" of the area containing a save point; cross the chain to the north when you're ready.

The fourth and final area is surprisingly empty, just pick up a Time Hat and Full Ether on your way and grab the Magic Tab in the bottom right corner before (you might want to read the beginning of the next section if you want to do well against the boss) climbing the giant chain to face the boss.

It's now time to say hello, once again, to Melchior. You'll escape to the Earthbound Village as the mountain collapses, and Schala and Janus will come to help you, only to be abducted by Dalton. Melchior will give you a Ruby Knife to help destroy the Mammon Machine. Don't bother buying any armor before you head out, as you'll be able to pick up some better ones in Kajar soon. Rest and save before you head out, and you'll be in the next chapter.

Challenging Lavos
If you go back and challenge Lavos at this point, you should get The Prophet Ending. There will be a few scenes involving "the Prophet" from this period and a particularly nice speech from him, hinting that he would have gotten the chance to do what he wanted without your interference.