The sun had set minutes ago.

The inevitable darkness quickly spread across the desert lands so fast that those who watched it would swear that one could hear it moving over them. There was no time to enjoy the colors of dusk to dark as the night seemed to claw at the land like an ominous flesh eating disease.

Nobody ever ventured out at night. It was too dangerous, too foolhardy. Add what had been days of misty rain into the mix and the already frightful night turned even deadlier.

But not everyone was detoured by the dark as the roar of an engine could be heard from the motorcycle of a lone rider who was racing westward down the muddy roads. He was traveling at high speeds, recklessly fast, as if it was his intent to break the sound barrier.

Considering the circumstances, it was understandable. Especially when daemons were on the rise in the surrounding darkness and hidden within the misty rain.

The rider could hear them as they began to emerge from their shadowy realms into reality. Screeches and wails echoed across the land, bouncing off rocky outcroppings and sand dunes, loud enough for him to hear them over the sounds of his bike's engine. He knew they could sense him. Daemons were good at detecting fools crazy enough to travel at night.

At least that's what it felt like to Prompto as he sped through the red and rocky desert.

But he couldn't stop. It was his job to make it to the Crown City within a matter of hours. If he missed this time, this chance, all that hard work would be for naught.

It's not that far from here. Prompto chanced a glance in his rear view mirrors, blue eyes wide and scanning his surroundings.

It was then that he spotted it.

So fuckin'close. He scowled as he watched several large figures manifest themselves from dark puddles that spread over the ground like oil.

Blue eyes widened even more as a Iron Giant emerged.

DAMNIT... IT'S RED! Prompto wasted no time accelerating.

The red skinned Iron Giant didn't crawl out of the darkness... no.. It wrenched itself out of it and charged towards the motorist at terrifying speeds.

Prompto could see the light of the giant's sword, orange and glowing like magma, swaying back and forth as the thing charged at him. He could practically feel the heat radiating off that cursed weapon as he tightened his grip on the handles of his bike.

He could see the glow of floodlights in the distance. The gates to the Crown City were so close and yet so far away.

Sparks from the small display between the handlebars of his bike crackled a warning at him. He was pushing his bike past it's limits and the shots of electricity were like the rattling warning of a snake.

"Fuck... Come on! Come on! Just a little further baby..." Prompto couldn't stop. With a red Iron Giant at his back, stopping meant instant death.

There was a sudden flare of light at his left. Prompto grit his teeth, squinting through the rain as he swerved to his right. The crunch of metal and rock was enough to make his stomach drop but not enough for him to lose focus.

He kept himself just moments ahead of the daemon behind him, swerving when needed, zigzagging when necessary as he kept his eyes wide open and trained on the road ahead. He caught sight of the sword again, alight with fire and baring down on him again.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Prompto had to admit amazement at how fast the giant was moving. Something as big and lumbering looking as it where, it was more than enough to get travelers to assume they could always outrun it with ease. Those who had that mindset usually found themselves in a shallow grave.

Prompto was well aware of the power the daemon behind him held. He refused to give it the edge. Hell he refused to even blink as the raindrops, feeling more like icy spikes of water, pelted him in the face in his escape.

The cursed sword came down at him again as the Iron Giant took a leap in order to close in on him. The impact of its landing shook the ground, it's weapon split the rock beneath it and Prompto barely contained a grimace of pain as just the heat coming off the sword seared his back.

The floodlights were close, less than a mile!

Prompto let out a puff of air and gave his bike that final push.

The high tech vehicle gave a loud pitched reel as he plowed down the road. Prompto could handle this... speed was his angle. He just needed to make it to the light.

Rocky cliffs zoomed past him in a blur of midnight and red. The smell of the rain, the sulfurous scent of the daemon behind him, the jolts of electricity from his bike rocked his senses... it was practically overpowering. His heart was pounding so hard now that it felt like his chest was rattling as he burst through the last outcropping of jagged rock and into the light, just as the Iron Giant leaped at him. It was thrilling to see. Prompto came to a skidding halt, his bike turning over on it's left side in a twirl and he barely managed to slip onto the right side.

He moved with his bike as it spun. Despite the fast movement, he managed to keep the Iron Giant in his sight as it wailed at him.

Prompto and his bike came to a halt in the middle of the bridge that separated the dusty lands of Lucis from it's heart; the Crown City.

He watched, eyes wide, pupils blown out as the giant let out an agonizing scream. The floodlights were not just for show.

Holy lights were what kept the daemons at bay, hurting them... killing them if they stayed within the white glare for too long.

He watched as the daemon began to burn under the lights. Prompto's eyes were intense as he began to try and calm his breathing.

It could have been the adrenaline running like fire through his blood or just a moment of hysteria, but Prompto laughed aloud, raising his hand in the shape of a gun and pointing at the dissolving daemon before him.

"Bang." He grinned. I made it... Thank the Six.

There was a clamor of feet and voices gathering around him as Prompto turned his back from one obstacle and faced another.

"Hands up where we can see them!"

"On your knees now!"

Prompto didn't resist as he knelt on the ground with his arms raised. Within moments he was surrounded by soldiers- Crownsguard soldiers.

It didn't take long for Prompto to find himself looking into the barrel of a gun that was close enough to the temple of his forehead that he could just smell the gun powder.

It was alright though... he had made it. And by doing so, there was but one thing to do next.

He scanned the crowd of shouting armed guards, ignoring their questions and looked around.

The gun wielding soldier apparently didn't like being ignored as he snarled at the kneeling man and struck him in the temple with the butt of his gun.

"Stinking Nif! Just who do you think you are?!"

Prompto was knocked back by the force of the blow and landed on his back. He pushed himself back up on his elbows, he was shocked to some degree. He knew that racing towards the gates of the kingdoms capital was insane but it wasn't as if he had a choice. Blood began to flow from the cut on his temple as he watched them with wide blue eyes.

They advanced on him and for a moment he began to think that perhaps the agreement had been broken.

I guess old wounds never truly heal do they?

It was all happening too fast as he watched them close in. It was then that a single voice cut through the rain and commotion.

"Stop."

All eyes turned towards the gate to see a lone figure walking towards them.

Prompto observed him from his waterlogged spot on the ground. The newcomer was tall, solid, broad shouldered, dressed in a similar fashion as the others but with an air of authority about him. He looked like a middle-aged man, his short brown hair clinging to his head under the pressure of the rain did nothing to obscure such a strong face. It was his eyes that gave him away. Focused and intense, those ice blue eyes were far too wise... too experienced. Prompto had no doubt who this man was. It had to be non other than-

"Marshal sir!" came the first voice in the rain.

The others straightened as the Marshal walked past them and towards the motorist on the ground the Marshal stopped within inches of him, observing him with eyes that made Prompto feel a breath of intimidation. And yet Prompto refused to let his eyes drop.

And then, the Marshal reached out to him. "Quite the entrance. Even if we were expecting you long before sunset Argentum."

Prompto grinned and took hold of the offered hand. "Couldn't be helped sir. Lots of hazards between here and where I'm from."

There was a clamor of surprise coming from the surrounding guards.

"This was the messenger?"

"But he's a Nif!"

"Just what is happe-"

The voices were silenced as the Marshal turned towards them. His gaze broke no argument as he looked at the surrounding guards. "Back to your posts."

The guards scattered like roaches in sudden light. Prompto almost laughed at the sight.

"We'll have your vehicle delivered shortly. As I'm sure some repairs may be needed from your grand entrance."

Prompto actually ducked his head in embarrassment. He hadn't meant to be so late. He couldn't really blame the guards for freaking out on him.

A Nif speeding towards the gates to the Crown City in the dead of night was no doubt a suspicious vision.

"The Prince will be happy to see you in one piece." The Marshal's voice cut through his thoughts,startling him and causing Prompto to look at the Marshal.

He met those icy blue eyes with a casual grin. "I crossed hell and high water for him so he'd better be."
-

End of Chapter One

There are several pairings, some slight alterations, massive battles and fun reveals in store. Prompto is one of my favorite characters in that darn game. He's a brave little bastard who had to overcome a lot that was thrown at him. I couldn't resist the urge to write about him in an AU story. I have a lot planned for him and the crew. Thanks for reading! I haven't had the chance to sit back and write a FanFiction in years. Please feel free to critique as I have no beta reader.

Thanks again guys :D