Romantica di Fantastica!

The Marquee in Lucis ~Parte Premier~

"The Lion would devour the Sun and plunge the Land of Life into the very depths of blackened doom… However, the last Flower would stand, tall and proud, and bloom in the wake of impending evil…"

"… Go now, Fiore… May Fortunia grant you the best of luck…"

"… Father...!"

She reached out her hand to the sky, only to see the dusty old ceiling above her. Beads of sweat ran down her face and chills crawled down her spine. She panted heavily, but she slowly got up from her slumber and scanned the area.

She remembered now: She was in her room – well, not exactly her room per se. Another lodging place to be accurate. The alarm on her smartphone ranged constantly to the point of falling on the floor. She groaned while scavenging for her phone and once she found it, she tapped its screen.

11:06 AM. 78°C. Mostly Sunny.

She sighed quietly while holding her dark blue hair with one hand, Another dream…

A sun-shaped symbol lightly illuminated a golden hue on the back of her neck, though she didn't notice. She could never make any sense of her dreams. Were they omens? Visions of the near bleak future? Such questions left her desperate and yearning for answers.

Suddenly, a voice called out from outside, "Lady Fiore!"

Fiore glanced out the window, looking quite annoyed, "…Hein?"

"Sorry to disturb your slumber, but we must depart!"

"Again…?" She yawned, "But we just got here…"

"I'm aware, but the Imperials are heading this way! We must leave now!"

Hein already prepared Fiore's luggage, motioning her to come to the foyer. As her "bullet-proof bodyguard and caretaker," it was his duty as the "Royale Personnel" to make sure the Marquee was safe from all harm. Fiore yawned again, but got up from her bed and waved back at Hein.

"I'm coming… I'm coming…" she headed towards the shower, "Zut… what does a girl have to do to get some sleep around here?"

Marquee Fiore Rozen Blanchard VII was not one to simply wake from her beauty sleep... Four years have passed since moving to the neighboring kingdom of Lucis and she has yet to assimilate and adopt the customs of the Lucian Kingdom, let alone the constant alert of the Imperials and their Magiktek Army. Lucis was far different from her motherland Valencia because her country was more of a "Renaissance" domain.

Despite its classical background, it didn't mean that they were far behind technologically, of course. Valencia also had its fair share of fancy vehicles and smartphones, usually imported from Lucis, but the overwhelming population preferred the ancient art of alchemy.

Oh, how Fiore missed her motherland and yearned to return, but Hein insisted staying in Lucis for just a bit longer, at least until the "internal conflict" died down.

After freshening herself up, the pair left Lestallum and continued their trip to Altissia. Once again the pair had to traverse on foot, much to Fiore's dismay. She hated long-distance walks especially in her black high heel boots, midnight blue strapless dress, and snow white bolero, but to Hein it wasn't so much of a burden even though he was the one carrying all her bags.

The trek to Altissia wasn't going to be an easy one…

Meanwhile, Noctis and his friends were off on the road again for Altissia. After an extended stay in Galdin Quay, the group lost track of to time and they had no other option but to drive the rest of the way without any breaks in between. Prompto opposed the proposal, only to be overruled by his friends.

Prompto groaned, "C'mon guys! We been on the road for hours… we didn't even stop for a single photo! And I kinda have to go!"

"Then hold it," Noctis casually replied.

"Or go lumberjack style," Gladiolus continued.

Ignis sighed, "Not in the car, Prompto. I remember giving you ample time to go to the restroom…"

"But I didn't have to go then!" Prompto complained, waning arms like a spoiled child.

"Well," Noctis laid his head on the car's side, "you should've gone when you had the chance."

Prompto slouched in his seat groaning while Ignis turned on the radio to drown out Prompto's moans. While flipping several radio stations, the female newscaster could be heard albeit the reception was a bit hazy.

"Ah, yes," Ignis turned up the volume, "World news… It never hurts to know what's happening outside of Lucis."

"They're probably better off than we are," added Gladiolus.

"…In other news, Marquis Solus Blanchard of Valencia has been pronounced dead. Sources claim he was assassinated in the wake of midnight and autopsies prove that there was indeed a struggle to which cost the life of the Valencian Count.

Now Civil War plagues the country. Bloodshed and violence have taken the lives of both opposing sides and with the recent collapse of the government, the Land of Life may not be so lucky to escape looming anarchy…

The Prime Minister has issued a statement on the matter…"

"Damn… They have it worse than us…" Prompto said, "I kind of feel sorry for them..."

Noctis remained silent; another king has died saving his kingdom – a reminder of his late father's death left a lump in his throat.

"Yes, but we have our own predicaments to handle…" said Ignis bluntly, "The homeland comes first before anything else. Remember we have an objective to complete."

"To reach Altissia with the Prince in one piece," added Gladiolus.

"Yeah! Right, Noct?" Prompto turned to Noctis.

Noctis looked up and he smiled lightly, "…Yeah. Right."

Fiore groaned, "Why do we have to continue the trip on foot? I demand faster transportation!"

Hein smiled brightly, despite being well annoyed with Fiore's complaints, "Well, our previous car crashed due to the 'mistakes' of a certain driver…"

"I had the right of way," Fiore interrupted.

"Yes, but do realize we are in a foreign country, milady…" Hein interjected, "The customs and rules of Lucis differ from our own."

She pouted and perked her nose up, "Hmph!"

Hein sighed and the both continued to walk the dry terrain. The area was barren save for a few beasts grazing. The heat was becoming unbearable for Fiore to take; she stopped in her tracks and crossed her arms.

"That's it… I'm done walking…"

"What would you like to do then, milady?" Hein asked.

Fiore stood on the edge of the road and put her thumb up, "I can't believe I'm doing this, but I will not take another step in this heat!"

"Hitchhiking? I see... Well then!" Hein dropped one of Fiore's bags and waved his hand to attract passing drivers.

The results were fruitless. Hours spent on hitchhiking and to no avail; no one was willing to give these two a ride. There was this one bearded old man in a red truck who offered to give Fiore alone a ride (and a "nice" time), to which she refuted by turning the car into a raging sabertusk, bucking the man furiously. The sunset dawned at the horizon, no car came by for a while, and at this point Fiore began to lose hope.

That is until Hein noticed a pair of headlights beam from behind.

Hein gasped in utter shock and amazement, "Milady! Look! Headlights!"

Fiore looked up to see that Hein was right. A pair of bright headlights gleamed overhead, so in a rush of excitement, she waved her hands and jumped.

"Lady Luck be so kind!" She mused, "Hey! over here!"

Fiore and Hein could make it out to be a black luxury car with three – no, four—males inside, who were also dressed in black. Fiore was certain that the Goddess Fortuna answered her prayers, but alas, the car also passed them without a second thought. Distraught and enraged, Fiore summoned her bow and arrow and aimed towards the trunk of the car.

Why is everyone in this country so rude!?

"Wait, Milady!" Hein reassured, "I think they're coming back!"

The charcoal-covered car stopped then made a U-turn. Fiore could hear a cheerful laugh from the car.

"Hello, beautiful," It was a blonde-haired man dressed in black, eying her from head to toe, "I think the princess is no longer in another castle, am I right?"

He looked at his friends for approval, only to return the gesture with groans.

"… Flattering." Fiore said sarcastically once her bow and arrow disappeared from her hands.

The blonde took Fiore's hand, "Sorry if we didn't stop the first time… My chauffeur here wasn't paying attention…"

The "chauffeur" adjusted his glasses, Why did I turn around?

"Anyways, need a ride? We have room for one more," The blonde asked eagerly, motioning Fiore to enter the Regalia.

"Prompto…" Noctis's eyes shifted towards Prompto.

"What?"

"We can't afford any more 'guests' on our trip," Gladiolus said, "Besides, she looks like the type to slow us down..."

"Slow you do—Do you have any idea who you are talking to?!" Fiore bellowed, "I am Fiore Rozen Bla—"

"Fiore Rozen! Just Fiore Rozen! Current heiress of the Rozen family!" Hein glared at Fiore for a moment. The last thing he wanted was for her to reveal her true identity to anyone, for no one in Valencia knew about her existence except the royal family and those associated with them.

"Please excuse her outbursts... she's prone to lashing out at others," Hein bowed in Fiore's place for forgiveness.

"Nah, it's cool!" Prompto assured him.

"Well then! We thank you for stopping... We figured no one would. But if it's not any trouble, we would like to receive a ride to Altissia."

"What a coincidence! We're heading to Altissia too!" Prompto exclaimed happily, placing a hand on Ignis's shoulder.

"Really?" Fiore asked, "Then it wouldn't be much trouble for you boys to escort me there..."

Prompto looked at the rest for approval, "Awww, come on guys! Can we? Please? Pretty please?"

"The Regalia can only fit one more person..." Noctis replied.

"I can fix that!" Suddenly, Hein turned into a small, impish, stone-like version of himself and crawled into one of Fiora's bags. The men were amazed. Never have they seen a man like Hein, if they could call him that.

"He's a Geo Homme," Fiore explained, "You know? Like a–"

"Human Rock?" Ignis interrupted, "I'd never thought I'd see one. They are quite rare."

Fiore's eyebrow twitched, "Yes... and could you please not interrupt me while I speak? It's quite rude of you."

"My apologies..." Ignis replied in a sarcastic tone.

Hmph! Four-eyed fool... Fiore thought as she handed her bags to Gladiolus and Noctis, "Excuse me, but you two are carrying precious cargo now, myself included of course."

She winked and giggled at the two while entering the car, only for Noctis to turn away uninterested and for Gladiolus to scoff and look away.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Onward! Chop! Chop!" Fiore commanded with a pompous snap of her fingers, "You, Chauffeur. Start the car."

"You heard the lady!" Prompto exclaimed, clapping his hands, "Chop Chop, Iggy!"

Ignis gripped the wheel in irritation, however, he kept his composure, turned on the engine, and drove off.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to execute you and this pompous girl right now, Prompto... However, I am a man of class... I will not resort to pointless nihilism... I'll let you both off with a warning this time...

~Parte Premier Fin~

Author Notes

So, the first half of the first arc is finished. I'll get to the second half of the arc soon to fill in the plot holes and possible errors...

And yes, this is another Iggy x OC story. After playing FF XV, I felt so bad for him... so I'm making this story as a tribute to him. This story, however, might evolve into something more drama fueled (Dramatica Romantica di Fantastica?)

Fiore is currently a working character in progress... her character will develop as the story goes along, I promise.

Also, this story is one of three (count 'em three!) FF XV themed stories. One is a comedic retelling of the 'Bros on the Road' if they were an aspiring boy band and the other is called "Noct's Bizzare Adventure: Lucian Crusaders." It's not technically a crossover, but rather another retelling of the FF XV storyline in the JoJo style.

Both these stories are in development hell...

I hope you all enjoyed the beginning of Romantica di Fantastica! As always, constructive criticism is welcomed! I'm trying to get back in the groove of writing again so please don't hesitate to write a review!

Chao!

~Bon De Soren