Noctis' declaration sent his three friends into a flurry of confused and concerned confirmations. After staring at Noctis for a few heavy seconds, Ignis turned back to the book in his hands. He reread the passage Noctis had pointed out, then scanned through the pages before and after it with furrowed brows.
Gladio and Prompto stepped back, allowing Ignis the dubious pleasure of verifying the Prince's logic. Instead Gladio turned to Noct and said, "And if that's true, what are you planning on doing?" The grin that spread on Noctis' face had Gladio shaking his head. "No way! There's a war going on outside the Wall! It's not safe!"
Noctis smiled and patted Gladio's shoulder gently. "What Dad, or Uncle Clarus, doesn't know won't hurt them. I'm certain we can find Ifrit before they even notice we're gone." Noct walked past his irate Shield to his rarely-used work table. He opened a drawer and pulled out a map, a list and Luna's notebook.
Prompto had been wringing his hands together, eyes jumping from Noctis to Ignis to Gladio. As Noct pulled out the notebook, Prompto asked, "Noct?... Are you sure about this? What did Lady Lunafreya say?"
Noctis looked up, eyes looking at Prompto with understanding fondness. "Hey, you don't have to get involved in this if you don't want to. It's going to be dangerous and you're not a Crownsguard." Noct left his stuff aside to move closer to Prompto.
Prompto blushed softly and hurriedly shook his head. "No way! I'm going with you no matter what!" He demanded somewhat nervously.
Gladio scoffed, turning to stare at the younger guys while crossing his arms. "Whether Prompto goes with you or not doesn't matter! No one is going anywhere outside the Wall!" He shifted enough to cover the door, clearly intent in physically preventing them from leaving if he had too.
He wasn't expecting Ignis to clear his throat and say mildly, "I'm afraid that may be necessary." Ignis closed the old book with a surprisingly final snap of its spine. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he sighed mournfully. "It would appear that Noctis is correct on his interpretation of the texts. It was due to the Infernian's absence that the Six, now Five really, were unable to cleanse the blight from Eos when it first appeared."
Noctis grinned. "Ha! Told you, Specs." He twirled to stare down his Shield. "I have to go and find Ifrit!" He gave the slightest shake of his head as Gladio took a breath to argue. "No Gladio. I have to do this now. Dad is dying. He's been using his cane a lot more, almost every day now, and losing way too much weight." Noct bit his lip, "I...I got a look at Dad's medical file. The doctors don't think he'll live another 5 years at this rate and the war is getting worse."
The Prince straightened his shoulders and met Gladio's gaze firmly with all the determination and confidence he could muster. "This is the only chance I have to save him! I am going to leave, tonight. And you're either coming with me or not but you won't stop me." He felt Prompto move to stand beside him, his steps slightly hesitant but determined all the same.
Ignis sighed from somewhere behind him but Noctis refused to give Gladio any sign of weakness. Seconds passed like minutes before Gladio raised a hand to rub at his forehead. "Fine, I'm coming with you, since I can see you're not changing your mind on this." He flicked his gaze past Noctis to Ignis before adding with a widening grin, "Someone's got to keep you lot alive so your dad can skin you when you get back."
Noct hissed at the comment but he couldn't say anything against it. Instead he looked to Ignis, "I can get the keys to the Regalia but…"
Ignis sighed, "If we wish to remain unnoticed, then we should use my car or Gladio's." He frowned and tapped his finger on the counter. "Leaving tonight would be possible but we have neither provisions, nor are we prepared for a journey." He glanced at Noctis.
Noctis met his gaze with a sheepish one of his own. His hand rise to scratch his cheek as he said, "Well… I kinda already have stuff prepared…" Noct flinched when Ignis sighed, the sound harsh and exasperated. "Sorry."
Ignis rubbed his forehead as he waved off the apology. "Of course you have. Let's see then. We should be able to figure out what else we need and work from there." Noctis nodded and reached into his armiger.
Soft blue light illuminated the kitchen as the rations, clothes and tools Noct had 'borrowed' hung in midair for Ignis' approval. Said adviser walked among his magic, inspecting each item as he did. He wasn't the only one as Gladio started walking around as well, grunting as he stopped to check certain items with a shake of his head.
Noct turned his attention away from his childhood friends to see what Prompto was doing. He couldn't prevent the chuckle escaping his lips as he saw the amazed, almost starstruck expression on his friend's face. He had forgotten it was the first time Prompto saw his magic.
"You can take a picture if you want." Noct said with a wide grin. Prompto's answering smile was worth the blinding flash of light that followed.
Ignis and Gladio had made a full list of what they had and what they needed to get within ten minutes. Ignis turned to Prompto, "What about you Prompto? If you wish to come then we must ensure you have all that you need for a trip outside the Wall." Prompto blushed and hung his head.
There was no need to say anything more. They were all aware of Prompto's situation. Ignis gave an understanding nod and wrote something down on another piece of paper. "The Imoril shopping centre should still be open. The three of you will go get everything on this list then meet me at the usual Crow's Nest in exactly two hours. Understood?" They all nodded, Gladio grabbing the list before ushering the others out.
Two hours passed by quickly as the three friends went shopping for what was on Ignis' list. Noct squirelled all the bags into his armiger before they moved on. The last stop before meeting up with Ignis was at Gladio's house. It was a quick stop; Noctis ending up stuffing all of Gladio's camping equipment into his armiger while stifling an amused grin.
Ignis was waiting for them in their usual booth, a cup of coffee and their usual order waiting for them. "All set?" Ignis asked. Nods answered him and Ignis smiled. "Good. We have an hour before we are expected at the gate."
Ignis ignored the confused looks shared between his friends as they settled to eat. At the correct time, Ignis rose and lead them to a slightly beat up car where he settled into the driver's seat. After a shrug, Prompto claimed the passenger seat while Noct and Gladio slid into the back.
The drive was tense and silent, no one willing to ask what Ignis had planned. The gate loomed large as they approached it steadily. Noctis wasn't certain what he expected to happen when they were stopped by the guard manning it, but the sight of Ignis handing over a single-paged letter to the guard wasn't it.
Whatever was written in there was enough to get them waved through without any inspection. As they drove through the gate and the Wall, Noctis shivered at the feel of his father's magic passing over him. He had to fight back the memories of his last two trips outside the city.
He wasn't a child anymore. A slight shove from Gladio; eyes shining with understanding. He wasn't alone either. With excitement slowly pushing his nerves away, Noctis leaned forward and said. "Let's go find Ifrit."