Theory - Atropos and FATE

[tuxedojacob]

This morning I was reading the Wikipedia article about the epic poem, "Dante's Inferno".  I got to a part talking about the Atropos in classic mythology.  Here are some similarities to Atropos in Greek mythology and FATE in Chrono Cross.  I contend that the missing link that combines the two is Atropos from Chrono Trigger

(Unfortunately I couldn't find as much on Atropos as I could on Prometheus, but what I did find was compelling)

Atropos in Greek myth / FATE in Chrono Cross

Was the goddess of fate / Was referred to as the goddess of fate by El Nido-ians
Executor of destiny / A manipulative meddler, changing destiny in powerful ways

I found this interesting and thought that if Prometheus (Robo) decided to integrate himself into FATE, it would stand to reason that his "love" at the end of Chrono Trigger, Atropos, would want to help him and be with him.  It seems to be too much of a coincidence.  Also, similar to the way Robo was made for evil, but became good I could see a polar opposite thing happening with Atropos becoming good, then corrupt.

So the long and short of my theory is that similar to the way Robo is used as a fail safe inside of FATE, Atropos is (at least part of) FATE itself.

Thoughts, comments?

***Modified for clarity***

[V_Translanka]

Uhhhh...but Mother Brain was already corrupt before Robo...so why would you need to find further reasoning for FATE's actions...?

[tuxedojacob]

My comments are not so much about why FATE was corrupt. 

I'm not trying to find any extra reasons for why FATE did what FATE did, but more pointing out this observation, that begs some thought.  Even if it's not true or meant to be so, it does demand a second look.  It's a pretty interesting find.

I'm using the tendency of a machine from this time period to become corrupted, as a supporting piece of evidence to show that (even if it's not canonical) Atropos might be at least part of FATE.  The reasons I stated above would make common sense.  Feel free to set me straight if I'm off base, but give me something to look at that reasonably refutes the suggestion.

Here are some other evidences that the creators of Chrono Trigger made Robo (Prometheus) at least in a way similar to his Greek mythological counterpart:

Prometheus in Greek Myth / Prometheus in Chrono Trigger

Was a Titan / Starts with a "Titan" vest
Defied the greater power (Zeus) / Defied the greater power (Mother Brain)
Played a central role in creating and assisting humans, giving them power such as fire and other civilizing arts / Rescued the future for humankind repeatedly, giving them the opportunity to live
Zeus punishes him for rebellion / Mother Brain punishes him for rebellion
As an advocate for humanity he gains semi-divine status at Athens / Fiona's shrine anyone?  Immortalized in FATE?
Took fire away from Zeus (something that was believed to be unspeakably powerful from the gods) / Keeps Frozen Flame away from FATE (something that was believed to be unspeakably powerful)

Hopefully this at least shows some of the aforementioned similarities.  Wouldn't it stand to reason that if the creators wanted to make Prometheus have some similarities to the Titan from Greek myth, that another character, so closely tied to him in C.T. might also have been given parallels to her counterpart.  While they're both robots, Robo is implied to be a boy robot, and Atropos a girl, which both also match their myth counterparts.

Does this make sense?  I think so, let me know what you think : )

***Modified for clarity***

[V_Translanka]

Well, there's ALL of the Fates (Atropos AND Clotho & Lachesis) mentioned in Cross via the Vitas you fight before entering Chronopolis...I suppose that could help support w/e theory it is you're trying to make here...?

[tuxedojacob]

Do you think (or do we know if) the Vitas are a mechanism of FATE?  If so, that might apply to the theory. 

I'm not trying to be a smart-aleck about this, I genuinely want to delve deeper into this possibility.

But, if you don't think talking about it is worth your time, you don't have to post your comments about it.

[BROJ]

Do you think (or do we know if) the Vitas are a mechanism of FATE? 

The Vitas are a security system for Chronopolis and, thus, an extension of the will of FATE.

[Thought]

To note, Atropos was unyeilding and unchanging; she was inevitable death.

Robo (aka, Prometheus) is the opposite in that regard; Prometheus brought change and he represents the ability to conquer fate.

[BROJ]

Perhaps one could put it like this:

Atropos: Enforcer

Clotho: Regulator

Lachesis: Proclaimer

Promethius: Modifier

I think that would complete the security circuit.

[tuxedojacob]

Interesting, when you put it like that, it makes it sound like Robo, Atropos, and possibly two robots that we never met complete the security mechanisms of FATE.

I don't think I'm all that off base.  Just because they never point it out in canon, doesn't mean it can't be so.  I could see this as a real possibility.

[V_Translanka]

How about FATE just creates these Vitas based on it's own intelligence...? Mother Brain originally created Prometheus & Atropos, so why wouldn't a modified version of it create modified versions of what it already knows, eh?

[tuxedojacob]

How about...

For the same reason that FATE didn't create the Prometheus lock.

Regarding FATE: "...Based on the old Mother Brain circuit boards..."

FATE was based on the old Mother Brain technology, but wasn't Mother Brain itself.

I believe it's implied that they just used technology available in the era and that would include Atropos - Mother Brain technology.

Like I said originally, why wouldn't it make sense for Atropos to dedicate herself to the same task as Robo?

[TNT-M4v3r1cK]

Well, as you recall, in Chrono Trigger, after Robo defeats Atropos, he removed her mental blocks, but she died before he could fix her. That sounds a LOT like a Greek myth. Atropos also wasn't made of defective circuit boards, Mother Brain effectively installed a virus on her to make her what she became.

[BROJ]

How about...

For the same reason that FATE didn't create the Prometheus lock.

Regarding FATE: "...Based on the old Mother Brain circuit boards..."

FATE was based on the old Mother Brain technology, but wasn't Mother Brain itself.

I believe it's implied that they just used technology available in the era and that would include Atropos - Mother Brain technology.

Like I said originally, why wouldn't it make sense for Atropos to dedicate herself to the same task as Robo?

Premise:
"...Based on the old Mother Brain circuit boards..." !=(necessarily) Based on the old Mother Brain circuit board's designs.
That said, your conclusion of "FATE was based on the old Mother Brain technology, but wasn't Mother Brain itself." is fallacious at best and baseless at worst and thus I have ground to dismiss your conclusion as smoke. Really, either solution isn't any more valid than the other as there isn't enough certain proof for either.

Edit: don't take this as an insult, I was just correcting your logic.