A/N: Sorry for the wait, but here's the next chapter! Well, enjoy!

VI

Corruption That Lies Within

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a sec. Back up," started Prompto, rising from his chair. "Noct, buddy, pal. I know things have been rough on you recently, but that's no excuse for spewing out crazy hair-brained plans!"

Noctis frowned and crossed his arms. "What would you suggest we do?"

"What about going to one of the other kingdoms? Or even head on over to somewhere in Zenn'thus to wait out this mess. I'll take anywhere over seeing that sadistic bastard again."

"Who knows what the other kingdoms would do with us," commented Gladiolus, shifting slightly. "Niflheim is still under suspicion. And all of this happened after allying with Tenebrae, so who knows if even they are connected to the murder or not. Travelling all the way to Zenn'thus would be too far and too out of the way, even if it would be safe, for Ignis to contact us when needed."

Scrunching his face together, Prompto looked around the confines of the bridge. "Did Ignis stowaway somewhere after all? 'Cause it sure sounds like he's here! Though I don't think he'd agree to going after the Black Bandits. Why in blazes would you guys even consider going to find Saul? There has to be something better we can do!"

"We should try to get information," responded Noctis. "Ignis is doing what he can in Lucis, I think we should do our part out here. Gladiolus is right, there's no telling what the other kingdoms would do with us. If it wasn't Niflheim that attacked us, it could be any of the others."

"And so you think going to Saul is the best plan? Do you even remember what that guy and his men did to us?"

Noctis grimaced and shuddered at the memories resurfacing. Being kidnapped, bound up, and tortured was not high on his list of fond trips down memory lane. In fact, he tried his hardest to forget that time, and the nightmares of his both during that journey and the recent plague of faces had helped to keep them far back in his mind and not high priority. However, those memories, and the pain that came with them, were rushing back to him. "Yeah, I remember," he answered sourly.

"Really now? Because what you're suggesting makes it seems like you don't!"

"Saul works outside the kingdoms!" Noctis retorted back, his voice rising louder than he would have liked when just discussing matters with a friend. "He's probably the only person we can trust now... Which is really quite sad, when you think about it... He did help us once before, though, so maybe he'll do so again..."

"Yeah, only helped us because it worked in his favour."

The silent voice amongst them finally spoke up: "I've worked for Saul before."

All eyes fell onto Cid, who was leaning casually back in his chair, eyeing the friends trying to persuade one another with amused curiosity. The young skycaptain tapped a finger steadily, his eyes briefly glancing out the window before shifting back to the Prince.

"Wait... Are you actually part of the Black Bandits?" spat Prompto, reaching for his weapon.

Cid barked a laugh and dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "No, no. I've just done the odd job for him here and there."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not picky when it comes to my work, and he pays quite well, actually. But, either way, I'd probably be able to help you guys have him at least listen to you. Beyond that is outta my hands, though."

"So you know where to find him?" asked Noctis, hope managing to return when it had all but been snuffed out the previous night. If he could just talk with Saul, then there might be a chance to get the information that he wanted.

A nervous chuckle escaped the skycaptain. "Well, see, there's the slight bump in the road. Saul or his men would come find me, not the other way around. I have no idea where to start looking for him."

Noctis sighed and slumped against the door frame. A momentary glimpse of hope that was once again gone.

"Well, where does he contact you, then?" asked Gladiolus.

"Atherna, mainly, since that's where Valan and I stay between jobs. Why, you want to head there and wait? Who knows if word's gotten to him that I currently work for Lucis or not. He may no longer try to contact me. Ever. Besides, there's no telling when he would contact me if he needed something. Could be a day. Could be a month. Could be a year."

"Which would be exactly why we don't wait. We've met Saul there before, maybe we'll get lucky again. If not, Cid, think you could at least get a message to the Black Bandits?"

Cid absentmindedly scratched his cheek, pursing his lips together to form a thin line. "Probably. I mean, again, I have no idea how long it'd take to hear from him."

"That doesn't matter now," replied Noctis. "What's done is done." The young Prince grimaced. Part of him wanted to rush back to Lucis, to start a search there, and find the people responsible. He did not want to search for the man who had kidnapped and tortured them the previous year, and even then, the side that wanted revenge on the leader was struggling to break free. Yet, if he were to return home at that time, he would undo all the work his friends had done to keep him safe. Prompto and Gladiolus for staying with him. Ignis for remaining in Lucis, despite what dangers still lay there in wait, to find the source of the corruption. Even Niveus, for warning him from the looming threat in the shadows, despite whatever danger was present for her. "Take us to Atherna."

"Right-o, Mr. Prince." Cid swivelled around in the captain's chair after giving a lazy salute and opened up the comm system. "Hey, Valan?" There was nothing but silence when the skycaptain awaited a response. "Valan. Valan, wake up!"

There was a long pause before rather annoyed, "What?!" shouted over the comm system, the speakers crackling from the force.

"That's enough beauty sleep for now, brother. Fire her up. We're heading back to Atherna."

"Ah, what's this? One death and we're already running back home? Man, and just when I was getting used to the abundance of parts in Lucis, too."

"It's just temporary," reassured Cid while he began the start-up procedure on his end. "We're going to try to contact the Black Bandits."

"Are you kidding me?" asked the younger Caldwell brother, the unamused tone in his voice even making it over the rusty comm system.

"Nope."

"This was their idea. Wasn't it."

"Yep."

"...Shit."

"Just helping out how we can with another job, Valan. It's no different than any other time."

"Are we getting paid for all this?"

Cid opened his mouth to respond, but closed it quickly, letting out an odd huff instead. The skycaptain looked over his shoulder. "Are we?"

"Eventually," grunted Gladiolus. Noctis, on the other hand, shifted and looked anywhere but the elder brother. There was no way of knowing, at the moment, when they would be able to return to Lucis, if that possibility was even still in their future.

"Uh-huh..." Cid sucked on his teeth and gave the scarred man a flat stare before focusing back on the consoles. "You bet. And paid rather royally, too."

"You suck at lying, you know that, right?"

"Ahah. You're so funny, Valan. Get to work."

"This is why I always beat you at cards!" the young brother manage to get his final words in before Cid shut off the comm system from his end.

"What was that about?" asked Prompto while Daedalus stirred from its slumber.

"We practice cards so we can hustle for money when work is low," the skycaptain answered with a shrug. "And I don't lose all the time!"

"Not that. Why didn't Valan seem to like us going to find Saul?"

"Oh. Valan just doesn't like dealing with him all that much."

"Gee, I wonder why."

"Anyway, it'll take a few hours before we reach Atherna. If you don't mind, I'm not about to push the engines."

"No rush," muttered Noctis. The rush had ended the previous night. He turned to quietly slip away, wanting to get at least a little more rest before they reached the coastal city. If he was no longer going to be plagued by those nightmares, then he had a lot of catching up to do with his sleep.

"Hey, Noct?" started his scarred friend before he could even leave the bridge. Turning back around, the Prince silently raised his eyebrows in question. "The Crystal's still with you, right?" Once more, Noctis only gave a silent answer with a nod of his head. "Does that mean Niveus is with you?"

In the hassle of the night and then his desire to rest, he had not had the chance to explain what had happened to her. So he took that moment then to tell him what he knew and understood, which, granted, was not much, but it was still a level of reassurance for his friends.

Prompto snorted a snicker. "Noctis has a girl in him," he muttered cheekily.

"Prompto," groaned Noctis, unable to come up with any better retort shy of walking over to his friend and bonking the blond on the head. At times, albeit most times, it felt like the blond had stopped maturing in his teens, and possibly even regressed a little.

Gladiolus, who surprisingly ignored Prompto, then asked, "Is she able to help us again like last time?"

"No," sighed the Prince. "It wouldn't be her if she did."

"Niveus! Don't let this idiot get you in danger!"

"Hey!" Noctis swiftly shoved his blond friend away before any more shouting could be done into his ear. Grumbling under his breath, he rubbed his ear and shot a glare at Prompto.

"Think she heard me?" asked the blond brightly.

"I wish I couldn't hear you! Bah, just get me when we reach Atherna, okay?"

"Noctis?"

"What?" snapped the Prince, rounding back around again before he could finally leave. He quickly cleared his throat and muttered an apology when he saw the grim look on Cid's face.

"I'm sorry you had to lose your father like you did. Losing on parent is bad enough, but both..."

Noctis felt his voice catch in his throat. Out of everyone currently on Daedalus, Cid and Valan were the only ones who had an inkling of an understanding for what Noctis was going through. The Caldwell brothers had also lost their parents, at even younger ages than the Prince.

"Thank you," he managed to murmur before finally leaving for his cabin.

Ignis stared grimly at the mournful crowd that had gathered. Though it was not a funeral, many wore black. Cameras were rolling and press had gathered as closely as they could to where Morior and the guards stood. It was two days after the murder of not only King Regis, but, as Ignis found out, much to his discomfort, the Councilmen as well. All except Morior...

The bespectacled man shot a steely glance to the new ruler of Lucis from his location in the crowd. It could not have been a coincidence. Perhaps Morior had managed to escaped harm, like Noctis, but Ignis could not erase the growing doubt at the back of his mind. All had been too quiet during that night, leading him to suspect betrayal from within Lucis rather than some kingdom that wanted their Crystal. A survivor, no matter how revered, was always a suspect.

"People of Lucis, a terrible fate has befallen our kingdom," started Morior, his voice echoing loudly through the speakers that had been set up. "As you know by now, our beloved King, my beloved brother, has passed away. The Councilmen who aided him are also gone from us. These deaths, as you may have suspected, were murders."

Murmurs rose up from the crowd. The matter of Regis' death had managed to stay concealed from the public during the past couple days. The only reason Ignis had known was because of Noctis, or else, even despite his job and position, he would have been kept in the dark as well.

"Not only have these deaths caused a weakening blow to us, but, as you may have also begun to suspect, our Crystal has been taken." Even more murmurs rose from the crowd, some angered and some sad. "I am saddened to say that these atrocities were able to occur because of one of our own, one that we also loved and held in high esteem. Prince Noctis, in league with Niflheim, brought about the death of his father and the Councilmen. After his deed was done, he stole the Crystal and fled Lucis."

An uproar rose from the crowd. Wails of disbelief and anger filled the air, the people unable to believe the words given to them. Ignis remained silent, his glare and frown deepening, hidden well by all the people around him that now wore similar expressions, if only for different reasons. Noctis had hardly been the one to bring about Regis' murder, and would not even be capable of such a task. The suspicions that had been flickering away inside of the bespectacled man only grew, but he would need more than suspicions. He needed proof. And that proof had to be kept only to himself, for there was no one else that he could now trust.

Morior gestured his hands for the crowd to quiet. After some time, the angry uproar simmered down until the voice over the speakers could be heard again. "We have all been cut deep by this treachery. Myself, most of all. But I will not let Lucis fall. We must rise up and strike back at this betrayal! With our new allies in Tenebrae, we will strike against Niflheim for what they have done!"

Ignis felt his voice catch in his throat, remaining silent while the crowd of gathered people first murmured quietly in confusion before rising up in cheers. He should have heard of such a decision. Perhaps not have had a say in it, since the future of Lucis was not his responsibility, but, somewhere along the line, he should have been informed before the general public. He could almost accept keeping the murder hushed for the past couple days, but he could not accept the new path Morior had laid out for Lucis, or the blame of it being put on Noctis.

"Lucis will not remain in the shadows," continued the new ruler. "We must show the other kingdoms that we can control our own fates! We will seek justice against those that have turned against us! Help me, and I will lead our kingdom to a new and brighter future. The road to that future may be dark and paved with hardship, but, by the light of our Crystal, we shall prevail!"

The crowd cheered, strung along perfectly by Morior's words and the desire for revenge. Ignis, however, did not join in the cheers. How could he? Barely any time had passed since Regis' blood had spilled the ground and now Morior had gotten the people demanding more. As the crowd cheered and reporters tried to ask their barrage of questions, Ignis slipped quietly away.

He would have to find out what was waiting at the end of the mass of tangled threads, and quickly.

"For your claim that all mortals can be killed, Noctis certainly is an elusive man," commented Viduo over a class of wine.

Morior arched his eyebrow while he refilled his glass before settling back in his chair. Though King of Lucis now, he retained his office from before. He had taken time in getting everything the way that he liked it inside the rather spacious room (for an office), and he was not about to switch. Let everyone else worry about becoming accustomed with reaching the different room, for he should not have to worry about such trivial matters.

"Refining his skill in battle was the only stydy that he was good at, really," replied the new King, taking a long sip. "It is not my fault that your men were unable to complete their task because of that detail. You did say the device seemed to work, after all. He had been unable to use his abilities until farther away."

"To a degree. Only now it is impossible to improve the device, since he has taken your Crystal with him."

"A minor setback. There is still plenty of research that you can use, and that I can give you now that I'm King."

Viduo frowned. "You should have guarded the Crystal better against him."

"Why? Because he should have been dead at that point? Besides, you forget, the Crystal is alive in its own way. It knows when there is a threat present to it. Changing anything more than the guards might have alerted it. Noctis went there because, well, in the end, it's all he's ever cared about, even more so than the kingdom or the people."

"Will you be able to retrieve it? For if not, then our bargain—"

"Will be fulfilled, if just a little slower now. With Noctis now painted an enemy of the kingdom, we need only find him, take the Crystal back, and be done with him without the people even worrying. I've already sent out some groups in search. And, once you've taken what you needed from the Crystal, its time will also be over." Morior sighed and swirled his cup around, watching the dark liquid roll slowly. "We've clung onto that shard for far too long. People may think it helps us, brings us forward, but it has only held us back all these years. Your research into The Light is the future, and we shall show the world what it can do against Niflheim. A fitting judgement for that kingdom's role in the past against both of ours, and others, wouldn't you say?"

"Was declaring war so soon really such a good idea?"

"You heard the crowd's response. It is amazing what the death of one that they loved can do to rally a people to seek revenge. Besides, you know as well as I that the peace between kingdoms was a charade at best; a fool's mask ready to be thrown aside when the opportune moment arose while everyone let down their guards. As long as Lucis has a Crystal, there could be no peace. So we will merely make the first strike, and create our own opportune moment."

"Well, then I shall return to Tenebrae shortly to continue the plan from there."

"You may return," started Morior as Viduo began to rise, halting the King of Tenebrae. "But your daughter shall remain here for now." The new King simply continued to stare at his drink, not needing to look at Viduo to know that a masked glare was present.

"For whatever reason is that?"

"She wishes to use more of the Crystal's information to help further her research with The Light, does she not? What better place to accomplish that than where that information is located? She will have all that she needs. Until the Crystal is restored, of course. Then she may return to Tenebrae and the Crystal will be handed over to you for anything else that may be needed."

"...Of course."

Morior was no fool, and knew that Viduo was no fool either. Without the Crystal, he had to keep the tables tuned in his favour. Having Stella remain in Lucis would be weight enough for what he needed to ensure that Viduo did not back out of their agreement in case the Crystal was never returned.

He had planned everything for far longer than he wanted to admit. Nothing more could be left to chance.

Noctis leaned against a wall, having managed to find a patch of the ship that did not have something awkward protruding or dangling down and then digging into his back. Before him, seated at the table of Daedalus' kitchen, was Prompto, Gladiolus, and Valan, playing cards. Gladiolus had a fair size stack of the tokens that they were gambling with, while Valan had the most, and Prompto was left with only just a few more than a dozen. It was rather amusing to watch, actually, as long as one was not bleeding tokens like Prompto.

It had been over a week since their arrival to Atherna. Nothing much had changed about the coastal city, from what the Prince remembered. The salty sea breeze was refreshing, and he made certain that nothing on him could be stolen, not wanting to live through that experience again. Staying inside Daedalus also helped with that, for he only slipped outside the airship, at most, once a day, and only then no more than an hour. While the local people, or even visitors, did not recognize him, he did not want to run the chance of blowing their cover. It was up to the others to deal with the Black Bandits.

"I told you that we play cards for extra pay, and yet you still challenged Valan?" asked Cid, entering the kitchen. He leaned against the frame of the door and arched an eyebrow to those gathered at the table who did not pay his question any heed.

"You managed to ping his radar of stupidity," commented Noctis, smirking in amusement while Prompto focused rather hard on the game at hand, not even noticing the remark made against him. The blond grinned and placed down a card.

The skycaptain neared the Prince, nodding. "That doesn't surprise me. But what about Gladiolus?"

"He got sucked into the stupid idea." Noctis found himself frowning, recalling events from the past and tallying as many as he could on his fingers until he ran out of digits. "Which happens quite often, now that I think about it. Prompto can be like a black hole at times."

"One that sucks you in as well?"

Noctis dipped his head in embarrassment. "More than I'd like to admit," he mumbled. "Unless Ignis is around to knock some sense into us."

"Guess we're doomed without him here, then." Cid let out a long sigh.

"Did you need something?" asked Noctis, changing the subject as he glanced to the skycaptain.

"Right! Actually, I got word back from the message I sent out last week. Looks like there's someone here who's willing to talk to you."

"It took them a week to tell us there was already somebody here?" asked Prompto, glancing up from his hand of cards after placing another down on the table. "Bit slow on the uptake, aren't they?"

"They may have just gotten here, for all I know. There wasn't much information. Whatever the case, you guys got your way in now."

"Is it Saul, or someone else?" enquired Gladiolus.

"Again, not much information, not even that. But if you want to talk, now's the time. The Black Bandits' member is waiting. Valan, you wanna come?"

The younger brother scoffed. "As if. Even if it's not Saul, no way am I going. Aha!"

"What?! How'd you win!" shouted Prompto, bolting up from his chair.

"Because I did." Valan smirked victoriously, raking in the tokens that had been wagered. "Look at the bright side: You can't lose any more now since you guys have to go."

"Yeah, but this isn't over!"

"It is for now," muttered Gladiolus, grabbing Prompto by the back of his vest and pulling the blond away before he demanded another match. Valan was left chuckling and counting his fake winnings while the others left.

Noctis and his friends followed Cid through the coastal city, working through streets that were crowded with people. With so many others present, he made certain to keep his head down, not wanting to be recognized, no matter how slim the chance. A restaurant rose up before them, appearing much more extravagant than he had expected for a meeting with one of the Black Bandits.

The hostess inside led them through the maze of tables towards the back of the building. Inside, the lighting was dark, helping the other few people present to feel like there was no one else while they enjoyed their meals.

"Ah, Cid. I do believe it's been a while," greeted a voice that made Noctis' skin want to crawl. He had not heard it many times, bit that sadistic, almost mocking, voice would forever be imprinted in his mind. The hostess bowed lightly and left them at the booth that was far too much for one person, even with all the plates scattered about. Saul placed down his knife and fork, glancing up to the four young men. "Has life in Lucis been treating you well?"

"Can't complain," answered the skycaptain with a shrug. Unlike Noctis and his friends, Cid was completely at ease in the presence of the Black Bandits' leader. Of course, he had not been through the same ordeal as the other three.

"And here we have Prince Noctis, and his friends. Prompto and Gladiolus, was it? Please, sit. Sit!"

Noctis eyed the booth and Saul warily while Cid took up the offer without hesitation. Glancing around the restaurant, he wondered just how many of the customers were actually part of the Black Bandits. As there was not much else they could do, the Prince and his friends took their seats, making sure to stay away from Saul as much as possible.

"Are you guys hungry?"

"Yes!" blurted out Prompto before Noctis, or Gladiolus, could decline the offer. "What? I'm hungry!" defended the blond when he saw the looks directed at him. Saul gestured for a waiter and placed and order for the four of them to share.

"So, I hear you wanted to talk to me?" Saul returned to eating his meal, but never once taking his eyes off of Noctis. "I'll admit hearing that piece of information caught me by surprise. I just had to come here and see what the commotion was about." Grinning, the auburn-haired man leaned back in his seat. "What has you so desperate that you had to come to the Black Bandits for help?"

"We need information," answered Noctis curtly.

"I value myself as a fairly smart man, but even I need a bit more detail than that. What sort of information?"

The Prince frowned. "If you don't know what's going on by now, to some degree, then should we really be coming to you for help?"

A smirk graced Saul's visage as he chuckled under his breath. "A good point. Are things really that bad that you need my help in reclaiming your kingdom?"

"As I said, we need information. Trying to gather it ourselves would be a bit difficult, considering everything." His voice trailing down, Noctis closed his lips tight when the waiter returned with a platter of appetizers, which Prompto swiftly began to devour. Dark eyes glanced once more around the restaurant, making sure no one else was near enough to overhear. "We need you to find out if Niflheim really was behind the recent attacks on Lucis or not. And..." His voice caught in his throat.

"And the death of the King?" finished Saul, causing Noctis to give a shuddering nod. "It may sound like an easy task, but it would take some fine finagling, even with my network and contacts. You can rest assured that finding out the truth behind this little game that seems to be in play will take a fair amount of time and work. What are you offering? I can't see you being able to pay me easily now that you've run away from home. Unless you managed to have a huge pile of Gil hidden on you, somewhere."

Noctis found himself sitting up a bit straighter and glancing to his friends. The subject of payment had come up earlier in the week between them, thanks to Cid for having pointed it out. Acquiring the services of the Black Bandits did not come without its price. So they had discussed the matter, not having much in the way of funds on them, for they had to leave Lucis quickly, or the means of gathering that pay in a reasonable amount of time (even if they had been as good at cards as Valan). There was only one thing that they could offer in their current predicament:

"A favour," replied Noctis.

Saul arched an eyebrow sardonically. "A favour?"

"Lucis will owe you a favour. A substantial fee would also be given, but, as you guessed, that would only be once matters have cleared and I take my place on the throne."

Lacing his fingers together, Saul rested his chin on the back of his hands. "The Black Bandits are part of no kingdom. Taking a favour would not work in our benefit. Actual payment would of course be good, and probably enough, but I don't work for promises. If you don't reclaim the throne, then I don't get paid for all the work I've done. You'll have to come up with something better, Prince."

"Me."

"Noctis, what are you saying?" hissed Gladiolus.

"I'll owe you a favour," continued the Prince, ignoring the look his friends were giving him. "Not the kingdom, me. No strings attached. No questions asked. I'll owe you a favour. I know you're aware of my abilities. That alone should pique your interest. And it can still be paid even if we fail to reclaim Lucis. Well, what do you say?"

The leader smirked, his green eyes glinting with cruel delight. "Now you're getting the right idea. See? Isn't it great what sort of arrangements people can come to if they let go of the past?" Noctis bristled at Saul's words and the memories that were drudged up again. "A favour from you, and that payment should all go well and you return to your kingdom."

"Done."

Prompto let out a long sigh. "Something tells me we should have had Ignis handle this..."

Ignis gathered what he could. Packing was minimal, as he could only take what he could carry. The corruption in Lucis ran deeper than he had first feared, all the way to the new King. Having followed the trail from the odd guards by the Temple that eventful night started him on the needed path. The searching had taken a while, days of hunting in the shadows and trusting no one else.

Glancing over his shoulder, the bespectacled man took one last look at his apartment. Everything else had to be left behind, for he had no knowledge of when he would be able to return, even his family and other friends knew not of his plan. His search for the truth had been secret, and so he had been unable to let even them know, despite the part of his mind that was screaming to tell them how the war was a sham, and Morior a usurper. They were like everyone else of Lucis: Caught in the web of lies that had been spun by the new King to trap all those in his scheme.

With a sigh, Ignis left his apartment, closing and locking the door behind him. As horrible as things were now, though the people of Lucis did not see it in the same light as he did, he had a new matter to hold his focus. One step of his plan was complete, finding the source of the corruption, but the second step, finding where Noctis had gone, still had to be taken.

It would be difficult. A light sigh escaped him at the thought of how he really did not know where they had gone. There was a mental checklist of locations, certainly, but that list alone was long, and that was only of the most-likely places. Separate from that list was another of completely possible, yet less-likely places, which was practically the entire world, and even beyond. For all he knew, Noctis had gone off to some remote location, away from cities, towns, and any sort of contact with other people. Perhaps they should have at least come up with a number of locations agreed upon, giving him only a handful of places to search rather than the entire planet.

"Ignis Scientia?" asked someone once he had left the apartment building.

Three men in front of him, and one on either side. The bespectacled man tensed, for the five were of the Royal Guard. While he worked for the royal family of Lucis (though in the past several days, he had all but quit his job, only holding onto the position to help get in the information that he had needed), the Royal Guard had never before come for him.

"Yes," he answered tentatively, trying his hardest to read the guards' expressions, but it was no use.

"Ignis Scientia, you're under arrest for conspiring to commit treason against the crown of Lucis."

That was it. Cursing under his breath, Ignis bolted away from the guards as fast as he could. Slipping out of Lucis silently was no longer a plausible plan. Depending on how the next few crucial moments went, he would be lucky to just leave the city, let alone the kingdom.

The nearest guard moved to cut him off, but, being nimble, Ignis managed to dodge. What he would not give for Noctis' teleportation ability at that moment. His thoughts cut short, Ignis tumbled to the hard ground, a pain piercing his side. He could feel his abilities being sealed, and his body becoming paralysed, leaving him capable of no more than ragged breathing. The footsteps of the guards nearing him echoed in his mind before he slipped to sleep, or unconsciousness, he was not sure which.

When he awoke, he was met by three cold stone walls while the fourth was of cold steel bars. He groaned, his body still protesting and his mind giving him a headache when he tied to make sense of what had happened. The guards and prison were obvious enough, but the charge of conspiracy to commit treason left him baffled.

"Well, at least you didn't sleep for very long," said a cold and level voice from the other side of the bars.

His head clearing, Ignis pushed himself up from the poor excuse for a bed and stared at the usurper King. He only stared at Morior, not wanting to voice anything in case it gave the King useful information, no matter how slight.

"I thought you had left with your friends. But you just had to stay and poke your nose in where it did not belong. That information will do you no good any more. Only one thing can save you now. Where is Noctis?"

Ignis arched an eyebrow before coolly responding, "You've managed to maneuver this stratagem of yours into play, and yet you honestly think that I would tell you where Nocts went? I do believe that I've given you more credit than you deserve."

"You should know the simplest course is always worth taking. Where is he?"

Clasping his hands together over his lap, Ignis leaned against the wall behind him. "I don't know."

"Come now, be reasonable. You must know where your friends have gone."

"Come now, be sensible. You must know that I would purposely avoid learning where they went for this very reason."

"Where is Noctis?" demanded Morior, his patience already growing thin.

"Take your pick. Your guess is as good as mine. Somewhere in Domumna? Sure. There're still a number of places outside of Lucis where he could hide. But don't forget Zenn'thus. That land is larger than Domumna, and holds far more many secrets, especially past the mountains. Though there is the gateway to Erebus there, too, something that only Noctis could now use. And that's only the places that the living can reach. Certainly you must recall our journey to the Underworld; that realm is no longer a mystery to us. Granted, you could actually follow him there, but you would not be returning."

Eyes closed, he could not stop his mouth from twitching every so slightly into a frown. He tried his hardest to pass it off as an annoyed scowl, one directed not at his current predicament, but rather his friends. If they actually had the audacity to even consider travelling to the Underworld, he would see to bringing them back from the land of the dead only to send them back there himself. The four of them had been lucky the last time that they had travelled to that unseen realm where Etro had allowed them passage home. He could not be so certain that they would be as fortunate the next.

"I suggest you get started. It is quite a long list of locations to search."

There was a long silence before Morior finally said, "It does not matter any more. Noctis is as good as captured."

"Perhaps you should be the one wearing glasses, for Noctis is no where here, and likely no where inside Lucis. He is hardly 'as good as captured'." Ignis frowned some more in thought. His friends may very well have returned to Lucis for all he knew, hiding in plan sight, as it were. A stupid move in his mind, considering how now most everyone in the kingdom believed Noctis to be a traitor, but one that he would not put past his friends.

"That is where you come in, Ignis. Having you imprisoned will certainly get the Prince to return in attempts to save you."

"If he hears of it," responded Ignis. He could not bring himself to say something along the lines of "Noctis would not do that", for he could actually picture his friends trying to come up with their own rescue plan despite the importance of staying away from Lucis. "Was this war of yours worth it?"

"It is not my war, it is Lucis' war. It is for the benefit of the kingdom." Frowning in disgust, Ignis could not dignify that comment with a response. A war was hardly in the kingdom's best interests. War rarely was, in the long run. "You'll have plenty of time to think on that while in here."

Saying no more, Morior left. Only then did Ignis let out a long sigh and slide down the bed until he was in a rather slumped position, hardly comfortable, but it matched his mood.

How was he going to get out?

"Geeze. Seriously? You're playing cards with Valan again? Is that all you guys do when I'm out? And what happened to you not getting sucked into Prompto's black hole?"

"Oh shush," muttered Noctis, focusing on his cards in hand rather intently. Watching the games had only lasted him so long before he caved and joined the gambling to see if any of them could constantly beat Valan. Prompto had dwindled down to only a few tokens left, while Gladiolus and Noctis together did not even equal half of Valan's. It was rather embarrassing that such a young kid could beat them so easily. After much more thought than he would have liked, the Prince finally placed down a card.

"Well, this game's over!" chuckled Valan as he placed down his final cards. A loud groan escaped the other three while he just claimed the pot. "Really? You guys are still surprised by me winning?"

"We can still hope," replied Gladious, tossing down his cards dejectedly.

"Any news today?" asked Prompto.

"Actually, yes. Looks like Saul's ready to deli—whoa!" blurted out the skycaptain when the three friends bolted up from the table, ready to leave. Valan, like last time, refused to go see that "damned man" and remained behind on Daedalus while the others left to go gather the information.

It was rather similar to the last meeting: Saul was eating again at that same restaurant that Noctis, once more, did not notice what the name of the establishment. Noctis sat down without hesitation or fear of the leader of the Black Bandits. The need to know drove him to look past his dislike of the redhead.

"What did you find?" demanded Noctis.

"No hello? Or even some other greeting? Goodness, kids these days." Saul let out a long, exaggerated sigh, which made Noctis want to grind his teeth together in frustration. "Well, where should I begin?"

"Was Niflheim behind the attacks?"

A long pause of silence followed the question while the redhead took a long draught from his drink. It was taking much more restraint than Noctis would have liked to keep himself from strangling the man. "No," the leader finally answered.

Prompto blurted, "Who then?" before anyone else could.

"Tenebrae."

"What!" barked Gladiolus. "But that assassin was aimed at both the Lucis and Tenebrae royal families!"

"To help bring your two kingdoms together, and set up Niflheim for the blame, from what I could gather. You see, Lucis, by order of the new King, has declared war on Niflheim."

Noctis felt his blood drain from his face. War. The one thing that their kingdom had avoided all the long years was finally at their doorstep. He sank into his seat, his friends doing much the same upon hearing the news.

"There was something else that I found, too," continued Saul. Noctis could only bring himself to give a small grunt, unable to voice any coherent question. "Turns out you're no longer the beloved Prince of Lucis."

Finding his voice, Noctis managed to utter, "What?"

Run.

There it was again, Niveus' voice in the back of his mind like the night that he had to flee his kingdom. Why was she telling him to run? She had not done so during their first meeting with Saul.

Saul dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. "Turns out you're wanted in your own kingdom now for conspiracy."

"What?!" Blood rushing, Noctis and his friends bolted up, noticing several other people in the restaurant doing the same thing around them.

Noctis, run!

For a brief moment, Noctis wondered if the people were other Black Bandits or not. That question would have to remain unanswered, for he had to get out of there. The power of the Crystal flowing through him, he summoned forth his sword, seeing that other weapons were also present and that his friends currently had none. If he had to fight, then there would be no stopping him. Eyes flashed not red, but a bright and pale blue from the full power of the Crystal as he teleported to behind the nearest person.

That was all he could do.

Grunting, Noctis felt like a weight was pressing down on him, constricting around his body and crushing not only his form, but his mind as well. His eyes reverted back to their normal colour, the power of the Crystal no longer reaching him. Like the night that his father had been murdered, something was interfering with his abilities. His friends still tried to fight, but they were taken down one by one.

"Sorry, Niv," muttered Noctis, collapsing to his knees and dropping his sword. The person in front of him turned around, and he gasped. The men were not of the Black Bandits at all. "Cor?" he asked, recognizing the face of the man. He was a high-ranking member of the Royal Guard, and, on many occasions, had been assigned to protect the royal family members himself. "Cor, what's going on?"

"Prince Noctis Caelum, Gladiolus Amicitia, Prompto Argentum, and Cid Caldwell, you are all under arrest for committing treason against Lucis and conspiring with Niflheim," stated Cor, his expression grim. Powers sealed, everything from wielding a weapon, to casting a spell, to even using the Crystal's gift, Noctis could do nothing as Cor and his men arrested Noctis and his friends.

"Saul, you bastard!" Gladiolus managed to spit before they were led out. "How could you do this?!"

Remaining calmly seated, Saul returned to his meal. "You had a decent price, but theirs was better. That is all."

A/N: Cameo for Cor! He'll get a bit more too. Don't worry, he's not evil! Just very duty-bound to Lucis in this, to a fault. But yeah, Saul...his allegiance is only to the highest bidder. And, like in Lux Crystallis, the whole blocking their abilities is meant to be like the spells in the FF games that block physical/magical abilities. Stuff to be explained more next chapter, so I'll get working on that right away!