Absolutely out of nowhere, after forging your way through the visually stunning Chronopolis and learning of FATE’s silent hand, you are faced with the actual hardest boss in Chrono Cross: MIGUEL
He is A FRIEND OF YOUR DAD’S, and the father of your hometown sweetie Leena. You have never met this dude in your life.
He explains that one time he and your dad were exploring the insanely dangerous jungle around your village when your dad was bitten by a PANTHER DEMON (very plausible in this world tbqh) (this demon looks like a regular panther). He then goes with your dad on a new quest to get a cure. They get blown off course and end up in Chronopolis. I’d consider it a bit of a plot hole that they survive the myriad of horrible creatures that infest the realm but you soon learn that Miguel is fucking unbelievably powerful. He is stonger than Magus. He is stronger than Larvos. He sure has hell is stronger than you.
He finds the Frozen Flame, and your dad escapes with it while Miguel is imprisioned in this realm for a decade. Your dad never really mentions this nor does anything about it. The FATE supercomputer then uses him (?) to guard the Frozen Flame of the OTHER universe, where he remains until his best friend’s son arrives to take it, at which point he chooses to absolutely wipe the floor with your entire party.
WHY, BRO?
What was his deal??