Ignis and Prompto returned to the main tower to find that Luna had already taken the reigns of the evacuation. She wasn't the only one helping the ex-prisoners as they saw Nyx and Libertus administering some first-aid while Luna's hands glowed with her power.
Ignis and Prompto shared a surprised glance before they walked over to the trio. Ignis dropped to a knee between Nyx and Luna, his eyes taking in the broken fingers that Luna was healing.
Nyx spoke up without stopping as he wrapped bandages around a shallow cut that spanned a page's arm. "Where's his Majesty?"
Ignis replied as he handed over some tape to Nyx, "He's with Gladio and Iris. She needed some time with her brother and His Majesty is guarding them."
Nyx nodded as he finished the bandage, "Got it. Pelna is directing everyone to the trucks once they've been cleared to move by us." He jerked his head towards the elevator. "Your uncle refused Luna's healing. He needs it; so go convince him to stop being stubborn, won't you?"
Ignis groaned and nodded. "I will." He paused and added under his breath, "Uncle said that Niflheim was going to unleash a new weapon of some kind here." He pushes himself to his feet.
Nyx chuckled, "Ya, he said as much but I doubt we have to worry about that." He glanced up at Ignis for a brief moment before concentrating on the young lady who was helped to sit in front of him. "Pelna saw three airships approaching while copying the data he found in the base's computer. Crowe was in that area and… Well we figured out what the blessing Ramuh gave us is and she used it to destroy the ships before they got too close."
Ignis looked down sharply, a confused look on his face. He barely refrained from questioning the glaive further but he could do so later, once they were safely away. He simply inquired, "What of the guards still left behind?" Nyx's smirk was answer enough for Ignis.
He passed by Prompto, who was helping another of the injured prisoner to sit in front of Luna, as he walked over to his uncle. The central tower was better illuminated than the cell tower and the light allowed Ignis to see the extent of the injuries his uncle suffered.
Deep bruises marked his arms and the skin visible above the collar of his shirt. Damp patches on the shirt had Ignis quicken his step. A black eye adorned his uncle's face along with a serious-looking cut that still bled occasionally.
Ignis waited until his uncle had sent off the next group into the small elevator before making his presence known. "Uncle." He caught the barely-concealed wince that flashed across his uncle's face as the older, injured man turned to face his nephew.
"Ignis! You've returned quickly but," Ventus looked around quickly as he spoke, "I do not see his Majesty. Is everything well?" His gaze returned to Ignis, and he winced internally at the determined frown he saw appearing on his nephew's face.
Ignis didn't answer right away, simply meeting his uncle's gaze with a determined one of his own. "His Majesty is unharmed. You, on the other hand, are in need of medical attention." Ignis crossed his arms and dared his uncle to contradict him.
Ventus sighed and did just that, "I am fine, Ignis. There are others in need of more ur…" He didn't have the chance to finish his thought as Ignis reached out and grabbed his left arm. His nephew barely put any pressure on it but it was enough for Ventus to have to bite back a groan of pain as it flashed through him, nearly making him nauseated.
Ignis lifted an eyebrow and threatened his stubborn uncle in a low voice. "That is more than enough Uncle. I do not care to hear for any of the excuses you have prepared. You will follow me to be seen by Lady Lunafreya or I will sling you over my shoulder and carry you to her." He didn't even blink as he spoke, staring at his uncle.
Ventus sighed, his shoulder slumping in defeat as he nodded slowly. Ignis felt his shoulder fall as he relaxed, giving his uncle a grateful smile before gently steering him over to where Luna was. Luna looked up as they approached, giving Ignis an amused smile before turning a critical gaze on Ventus.
Ignis stepped back as Luna went to work, her hands glowing brightly as she started to deal with Ventus' many injuries. There was something about the way his uncle was acting almost...guilty and refusing to see to his injuries that had Ignis puzzled. It was unlike his uncle to act in such an irresponsible manner.
Some voices were heard from the cell tower, Ignis turned to look and smiled as Noctis and Gladio came out. Iris seemed to be asleep in Gladio's arms, Ignis smiling as he noticed the peaceful expression the young girl wore. The trio headed straight for Ignis, his uncle and Luna as soon as they emerged from the tower.
Libertus was up in a moment, moving to meet them with a potion flask in hand. Gladio nodded thankfully as Libertus broke it over Iris' sleeping form, the bruises already fading as they approached. Luna looked up for a brief moment, gauzing the extent of Iris' injuries before returning to her healing of Ventus.
Ignis looked over at Noctis, eyes flicking meaningfully between Luna and him. Noct nodded, summoning an ether flask and throwing it over to Ignis before he shoved Gladio towards a free spot on the floor. Ignis caught the flask, giving Noctis a pointed disapproving look before turning and kneeling beside Luna and his uncle.
"Here, use this." He whispered as he pushed the flask into her free hand. Luna didn't stop her healing as she squeezed the bottle until it shattered in her grip. Ignis nodded to himself in satisfaction as her body posture relaxed a bit. He gave his uncle, who looked much better than before, a quick smile before heading to see Noct.
Gladio had laid Iris on the floor, her head resting on his lap as Libertus and Prompto worked together to bandage any injuries not healed by Noctis and the potion. Ignis knelt down beside the group and started telling Noctis and Gladio what they had missed.
Noctis and Gladio listened intently as Ignis gave his report, Libertus interrupting to add a few details to it. Noctis tapped his ring finger against his leg as he considered what to do. "Our priority is seeing everyone to safety but where do we go? Lestallum is clearly not safe any longer." He frowned as he muttered under his breath.
Libertus straightens from where he had been hunched over Iris and suggests softly, "What about Galahd? It won't have the same comforts as Lestallum but it would be safer." The glaive looked at his king and found himself blushing at the four intense stares aimed at him.
Ignis chuckled, "That is perfect. Navalus did say he would work things out to allow Insomnians to settle down, at least temporarily, within the region." Ignis dug out his phone, frowning as he saw there was no signal. "We will have to wait until we leave before we can contact Navalus about this."
Noct nodded, "Then it's settled. We will arrange for everyone to make their way to Galahd." He looked over at Gladio for a moment before adding, "I'm worried about the weapon that Ventus mentioned. I think the Glaives should serve as escort to a safe resting area. While you do that with Luna, we'll go check the airships Crowe took down and see what we can find."
Libertus nodded as Noctis explained his plan. "We can do that. It might be hard getting to somewhere safe before nightfall but I think we can manage it." He finished bandaging Iris.
Gladio tensed up as Noctis outlined the plan. He stayed quiet as Libertus got up and headed towards Nyx. It wasn't until Noct place a hand on his arm that Gladio spoke softly. "What about Iris?"
Noct looked down at the sleeping Amicitia silently. Gladio tightened his grip on his sister and growled, "I can't just leave her alone Noct!"
"I know…" Noct answered with a sigh. He brushed aside a lock of hair as he smiled down at Iris. "What do you want to do, Gladio?"
Gladio ducked his head as he considered his options. He desperately wanted to stay with Iris. She had been through such a hard time not long after losing their father! He couldn't possibly leave her alone after that; neither could he send her away.
Gladio gritted his teeth together as he struggled with himself. Ignis, Prompto and Noctis watched with heavy hearts as their boyfriend thought about what he would do.
After several long minutes of silence, Gladio finally spoke to his boyfriends, "I'll let her choose what she wants to do." He sighed and let go of Iris reluctantly. "But I'm going with you to check on that weapon, got it?"
Prompto grinned and hugged Gladio. Noct and Ignis simply smiled towards them. Ignis waited a few moments before clearing his throat and getting up to his feet. "As much as we need a break from all this, we need to start moving if we wish to ensure everyone can get to safety."
Gladio, Noct and Prompto nodded. Gladio gathered Iris in his arms before getting up carefully. Ignis helped Noct to his feet before they all headed over to where the elevator. The last group of Insomnians were being sent down leaving only Ventus, Luna, the two glaives and themselves.
Noct stopped beside Luna and Ventus, giving the older man a relieved smile. "I'm so glad you're doing alright Ventus. We were quite worried about you."
Ventus nodded numbly, refusing to meet the young king's eyes. Noct shot Ignis a confused look at the man's unusual reaction. Ignis simply shook his head, just as worried and confused as Noct was.
Luna finally stopped her healing with a heavy sigh, dropping her hands to her lap. She smiled at everyone, "That's all I can do for the moment." She slowly got to her feet, staggering a bit until Nyx appeared behind her to act as her support with Libertus following close behind.
She gave him a delighted smile, snuggling closer to Nyx. Luna turned to Noct and inquired, "What is the plan now?" She looked between Noct and Nyx.
Noct smiled gently and explained, "I want you and the glaives to escort everyone to a safe place to rest. I'm going to go check on something with the others and then join you after."
Libertus added, "After that, we'll see if Galahd can take in everyone since Lestallum isn't safe anymore. Nyx's uncle should be able to let us know." Luna hummed and nodded sleepily.
Nyx smiled, pressing a kiss on Luna's forehead before bending down slightly to pick her up, "You're exhausted so rest. We're getting out of here." As he spoke the elevator had returned and the final group stepped in.
They soon found themselves outside, seeing Crowe and Pelna directing the last group that had left the tower before them towards military trucks. Nyx nodded towards Noct before adjusting his grip on a sleeping Luna and then heading towards what appeared to be an empty truck.
Gladio was about to follow him when Crowe suddenly appeared in front of them with a feral grin. "About time you got out! I found something you might be interested in." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder and Noct followed the directions until he saw what she meant.
"The Regalia!" Noct shouted before Prompto slapped a hand over his mouth while Gladio and Ignis glared at him. Crowe and Libs chuckled as they watched Noct brush Prompto's hand off and ran towards his dad's car.
A/N:
AH! EPISODE IGNIS WAS SO GREAT! (but now the bar has been set for a happy ending so I have to work hard to match or surpass it XD)
I am starting to plan for the next part of this au which will be side stories filling in gaps of Bahamut. I'd like to know which side stories you would like to see and any suggestions for drabble or stories! Thank you!
