Chapter Fourteen: Loqi Tummelt
"Noct! There are imperials overhead!" Prince Noctis of Lucis groaned in frustration as Ignis called out the same unnecessary warning he always did; as if anybody could miss the roar of an engine and the dark shadows cast by an Imperial Airship.
The group looked up at the carrier looming above them, weapons drawn as both Prince and retinue prepare themselves for yet another fight.
Prompto readied his gun, loaded with bullets ready to tear through the tough metal armour coating the Magitek soldiers. Ignis had been concerned at first, questioning whether Prompto would be comfortable fighting other Magitek Troopers. The blonde had assured the concerned chamberlain that they were simple hunks of metal and daemons, that there wasn't a human thing about them. Not anymore, anyway.
However, it wasn't Magitek troopers that came hailing from the sky this time. Instead a much larger machine dropped down from the airship, the sun baked earth cracking under its spindly metal feet as it landed in front of them.
"Astrals, what is that!?"
Ignis could only shake his head in response to Gladio's outcry. Unexpectedly it was Prompto who provided the answer, the group preparing themselves as the machine steadied its lumbering metal body, preparing to attack.
"That's the MA-X Patria, we need to be careful! It's got missile launchers, can probably take us all out in one hit."
Instead of feeling threatened Gladiolus seemed to take the blonde's words as a challenge, readying his great sword with a grunt. "Not if we take it out first" he quipped, and with that the fight began.
Prompto kept his distance, using his knowledge of the machine to target its weak spots with piercing shots. Gladio was right under the metal beast, taking broad swipes at its spindly yet surprisingly sturdy metal legs, leaving a trail of fire in his wake whenever he swung the mighty Blade of Brennaere.
Noctis was getting up close and personal with the machine, Ignis using his daggers to set the Prince up for warp strikes. In a flurry of blue Noct would warp around the Ma-x Petria, the sound of metal clanging against metal ringing through the clearing as he attacked relentlessly.
Despite their efforts it seemed that Prompto's calculated attacks were the only really effective ones, but even then they weren't doing much. It was inevitable when the machine shot a barrage of missiles at them, a shout from Ignis their only warning.
Things didn't go too great after that. Prompto threw himself to the side at the last second as he saw the homing mistle aimed for his face. He managed to dodge the impact that likely would have been fatal, but he still got hit with the resulting shockwave. It sent him flying a few meters, and left him covered in burns and scrapes he would have rather avoided.
Ignis got off fine: he'd noticed the missiles as soon as they'd been fired, and had managed to jump out the way in time.
It was Gladio who had taken the worst of the attack. He'd been nearest the machine, and the missile would have hit him square on if it hadn't been for the metal leg that had blocked it. As it turned out the missiles used thermal targeting, and hadn't accounted for the M-AX Patria itself being in the line of fire. it took only one missile to take it down and soon enough the machine fell to the floor with a sickening metallic crunch, never to move again.
Noctis, of course, came out of the battle completely fine. He'd warped away from the missiles with ease, and now took upon himself the task of dishing out potions to his friends. The healing drinks were happily accepted with weary mumbles of thanks. After chugging several potions the group found themselves sat on the sun-baked stones of the desert, staring at the heap of partially destroyed metal.
"We're gonna get 'em back for this, right?" It was Gladiolus who spoke first, all eyes flicking to the Shield as he did. While a potion or two had taken care of his physical injuries, pride couldn't be healed by magical healing juice, and Gladio's shirt was burnt. Badly. In several places.
"What do you propose, Gladiolus? We can't exactly storm the Empire over your shirt." Despite Ignis' negativity, it was clear from his voice alone that the advisor too was interested in a little revenge. Even Prompto had sat up from where he'd sprawled out on the ground, eyeing Gladio with interest.
"Well. There's an Imperial Base near here, right? A stronghold. Cor told me about it: it's new, with low defences. We can break in and give 'em hell." Gladiolus hadn't been that sure the others would agree to his little plan at first, but as he saw the growing smirk on Noctis' face and the very specific way in which Ignis adjusted his glasses, he was starting to think otherwise.
"Yes.. we can sneak in during the night and launch a full attack.. your thoughts, Highness?"
Noctis broke into a mischievous grin, eyes twinkling with the excitement of taking on a task so bold. It'd be a direct move against the Empire. The first and last real attack against Niflheim he'd ever be allowed to take part in, most likely.
He was the Prince. Waging war was not his job. But this.. this was something he could do, and no one was here to tell him otherwise.
"Sounds like you've got us a plan, Iggy.. Let's go raise hell."
"Astrals above, this is awesome" Noctis couldn't help but agree with Prompto's hushed exclamation. This was pretty damn amazing, there was no denying that.
"Feels like we're in a spy movie" commented Gladio, as they continued to move. The group were all being extra stealthy, shuffling along in a crouch. Noctis was starting to feel a deep, deep ache in his shins and thighs but he was trying his best to ignore it, continuing to wiggle his way to victory.
The Imperial base was in Leide, and just as Gladio had said it was fairly new. Unlike the other bases this one didn't have a Magitek Generator installed yet, which was definitely an advantage to them. Due to the lack of a generator to supercharge them, all the Magitek Troopers and MA Veles were at a normal strength. Normal enough for daemon enhanced machines at least.
"You ready kid? Don't screw this up" Prompto nodded in response to Gladio's words, deciding a snarky retort of 'no pressure, then' could wait for another time. They were doing this, they really were, and it was either going to go wonderfully well or fail spectacularly.
"Okay Noct, I'm ready. Let's do this."
With a flash of blue and some fussing from Ignis Noctis was in handcuffs, and their little charade was ready to go. Deciding it was best not to ask why Noctis stored handcuffs in the ether Prompto did his best to wipe the worry from his face.
Prompto held the Prince's wrists behind his back as they both stepped into the open, emerging from behind the crates that had kept their little group hidden.
The blonde kept his eyes straight forwards, not looking at any of the troopers that stood to attention around the base. His vigilance seemed to pay off: the MT's remained at their posts, not making any moves or turning their attention to him and his 'captive'.
All four friends were aware that the stakes here weren't that high; if things went south, Gladio and Ignis would come and help them out. If this base was even a little older, better equipped, then Prompto was certain he would never have be allowed to try out this crazy plan. But as it was, everything seemed to be going perfectly so far.
That was, until the commander of the base came into view. Then everything went to shit.
Prompto swore his heart stopped beating as Loqi Tummelt rounded a corner. They were heading right for each other. Prompto forced himself to continue walking forwards, each step stiff as he came closer and closer to the Brigadier General of the Niflheim army. He felt the knot of nerves in his stomach tighten, partly in fear and partly due to a tentative joy he couldn't bring himself to repress.
It was Loqi. Loqi, who'd been so very kind to him. Prompto knew the man well, from when the general had visited the depths of the Empire, inspecting the Magitek Troopers being produced there. The man had taken a particular interest in him, the first human to be called a Magitek Trooper.
They'd been.. close. Loqi had been nice, the only one who'd show kindness to him, and Prompto had quickly latched on to the unexpected source of comfort.
The man had still been strict and cold at times, but whenever he came to visit he'd always give Prompto a pat on the head and even a smile. If he was feeling particularly generous Loqi would even sit with him for a little while, petting his hair and giving him a few bites of extra food. That had been more than enough for the affection deprived blonde, who'd quickly become reliant on the General's visits to get him through the seemingly endless experiments he was subjected to day after day.
That had been his life, up until the experiments had been completed and he was taken away from the facility. Before all that, Prompto had been a work in progress, so Loqi had been able to spend as much time with him as he wanted. They'd certainly gotten close in that time, so there was no doubt in his mind that Loqi would recognise him now. He was soon proved correct.
"Hm? Looks like the runaway dog's come wandering back" the man mused. Prompto felt his breath catch as Loqi reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind his ear. The blonde stiffened at the touch but kept quiet, which prompted the General to shift his attention to Noctis, regarding the Prince calmly. "You bought me such a wonderful gift, 05953234.. Well done"
Noctis frowned a little as he noticed Prompto visibly relax at the praise. Why did the blonde care what this man had to say? Did they know each other?
"Well now, Prince Noctis. It's my lucky day. To have caught the future King of Lucis... I'll be promoted in no time!"
Noctis glared at the General, reminding himself that this would be over soon. He could warp out of these handcuffs without an issue, and then they could get out of here. "What about this poor soldier? Doesn't he get any of the credit?"
"Oh, the MT? No, but I'll reward him in my own way. Won't I, 05?" Noctis was surprised by the sweetness in the man's voice. His eyes narrowed as Loqi reached out a gentle hand, caressing Prompto's cheek in such an unexpectedly tender way. Noctis snapped as the blonde shuddered, the Prince taking it as a sign of discomfort even though if wasn't. Not really. Prompto had just been convinced he'd never get to feel that touch again.
Without a second thought Noctis launched a vicious attack on Loqi. He was free from the handcuffs in a flash of blue, sword appearing out of nowhere as he slashed at the Brigadier General. Loqi only just managed to avoid the attacks, pulling his sword from his sheath and deflecting the merciless blows aimed to kill.
He seemed panicked for a moment as he blocked Noctis' next strike, before parrying. The Prince easily warped away from Loqi's blade, appearing next to Gladio and Ignis, who had emerged from their hiding places once they heard the telltale sounds of metal on metal.
Loqi was left with Prompto, large industrial crates and a metal wall blocking any chance the Brigadier General had of escaping. There were no MT's close enough, nobody he could call to for help. Loqi looked between his three assailants before his eyes hardened, a look of resignation setting on his face.
"05.. be a good boy and stand over there."
Prompto did as he was told before he could even think about questioning the words, backing off from what was about to become a battleground. Loqi sounded serious, speaking in a tone that left no room for argument. That was a voice he couldn't bring himself to disobey.
The battle was never going to be fair. Loqi favoured machinery as his chosen weapon but had nothing but his sword to defend himself with, as he was rushed by the royal trio. Gladiolus came charging in from the right, ready to cut the General in half with a broad sweep of his sword.
Loqi could do nothing but jump out of the way, into the awaiting blades of Ignis. He hit one of the man's daggers hard with his sword, sending it flying across the clearing. The other sliced effortlessly through Loqi's light armour and deep into his arm, the point tearing through flesh and muscle before Ignis pulled it free.
It was Noctis who landed the final blow.
Loqi was disorientated due to the blood gushing from the deep wound in his arm. In such a state nobody could have prepared for Noctis falling from the sky, warping from across the clearing to right above Loqi.
The man couldn't hold back his scream as a sword sliced into his back, and at the shrill noise Prompto snapped. He rushed forwards, tears stinging at his eyes as the full reality of the situation hit him. "Noct, don't!"
That made the Prince pause. He turned from where he'd been preparing to land the killing blow, sword dripping blood to the floor as he looked up at Prompto. "Prom? What is it?"
Prompto practically shoved the Prince away from Loqi, who had collapsed to the floor. He wasn't dead -not yet- but he certainly wouldn't be able to defend against another attack. "Stop it! Don't hurt him! I-I won't let you hurt him anymore!"
That made Noctis stop for real, sword disappearing from his hand. Prompto was upset? Why? What had made Prompto so upset that he was crying?
Upon seeing that Noctis wasn't going to attack again Prompto fell to his knees next to Loqi, tears spilling over and rolling down his face as he frantically tried to think of anything he could do to help. To stop the bleeding. To do something.
"Hey, do.. you know the Prince?" Prompto nodded numbly at the question, not knowing what to say. He was flooded with relief when Loqi didn't look angry or disgusted. Instead the man smiled, running a shaking hand through Prompto's hair, marking the pure blonde strands with red.
"So it was all planned out, then.. you got me good."
Prompto frantically shook his head at that, swallowing down more tears as he forced himself to speak. "No! I-I didn't know it was going to be you. I'd never.. I'd never have done it, if I'd known. I-I would've stopped them-"
He was hushed by the Brigadier General pressing a blood crusted finger to his lips, and Prompto realised time was precious now. Loqi wouldn't be around much longer. That thought just bought a fresh wave of tears, the gunner's shoulders shaking as sobs wracked his body.
"N-no, you can't go. Don't leave. Please don't leave."
Loqi smiled again, but his expression betrayed more pain this time. He ran a thumb over Prompto's cheek, repeating the action over and over, barely noticing how it grew weaker each time. "I don't have much time now, 05. There are no potions that can heal something like this. Give me a goodbye hug?"
Silent tears still rolling down his face Prompto nodded and pulled Loqi into a tight hug. The man hugged back as best he could, more life draining from him by the second. He held Prompto close to his chest, running a hand through the boy's hair one final time. "You ran away. The Chancellor.. He's going to be angry Prompto. Be careful."
Prompto sounded like he was choking for a moment but he forced himself to nod, not pulling back from the final embrace with the first man to ever show him kindness. "I will be master. I promise."
"Good boy" Loqi seemed content at that, and he finally let his eyes slip close. Prompto hugged tighter for a moment, as if he were trying to keep the last wisps of life trapped inside the man. He didn't let go, not until the sun was beginning to sink and a chill was setting into the air.
A pool of blood had formed under him, soaking into his trousers, but Prompto hadn't seemed to notice. Either that or he just didn't care. The body in his arms had long grown cold, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. That would be admitting it, accepting that Loqi was dead, and he wouldn't do that. He refused.
"Prom.. he's gone. We need to go. We need to-" Noctis was taken by surprise as Prompto snapped around, glaring at the Prince. His eyes were full of burning anger, hands clenching into fists as he finally wrenched himself away Loqi's body.
"Shut up! This is your fault. It's your fault he's dead!" Prompto's furious shouting sounded through the whole stronghold, fresh tears forming in red eyes. Gladiolus took a step forward, looking like he was about to get angry right back at the Trooper, but he was stopped by Ignis. He gave the Shield a warning look and Gladio nodded, stepping down for now.
Ignis spoke up after a moment, taking a step towards the blonde, keeping Noctis safely behind him. Ignis trusted Prompto, he really did, but they'd never seen him this angry before. How he'd act when he was like this... none of them were too sure.
"Prompto." Ignis spoke carefully, keeping his distance as if the blonde was a bomb that could blow up in their faces at any moment. Red eyes snapped from Noctis to his advisor, the harsh glare softening just a little as Ignis continued to speak. "This isn't Noctis' fault, you know that. Brigadier General Loqi Tummelt was a soldier of Niflheim. He would have killed Noctis. Gladio and I, too. We didn't have a choice. Do you understand that?"
Prompto stiffened, giving no reaction for a moment before he shook his head, staring down at the floor. "No! He was trying to protect me.. he just thought that you were g-going to kill me..."
Noctis shook his head, taking a step forward and placing a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "I'm sorry Prompto, so sorry but.. you know that isn't true."
The blonde let out a sob, raising his head to meet Noctis' eyes again, his own already red and puffy from crying. "I know" he whispered, and no more words were needed. Noctis pulled him into a tight hug, allowing Prompto to cry into his shirt for as long as he needed.
"I'm sorry."
Notes: To clarify, in this world Magitek Troopers are suits of armour. A human was once in the armour, but was fused with a daemon. The daemon causes the human body to melt and fuse with the armour permanently. Just wanted to clear this up in case anyone's confused about it.
Loqi appreciation chapter! He's my favourite underrated son.
Also, a longer chapter! Finally
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