"You pretty much know what happened after that"
"True, but...you didn't tell me you were on restrictions Specs"
"That's because of the fact that it didn't affect you Noct"
"Oh really?"
"Think about that time period and you'll realize I am telling you the truth"
Noctis does think back and realizes that Ignis was telling the truth, all of them while training regularly had different training schedules during his final recovery period purely because of their duties
"Okay, you win your argument"
"We're just lucky none of the rest of us caught your flu"
"Agreed Gladio, how that was avoided I have no idea, especially because of the fact that I didn't exactly know I had the flu, for the longest time I thought I simply had a nasty cold that wasn't easing up as quickly as normal"
Regis speaks up
"Oh I have my ways"
"Dad?..."
"Sorry Noctis, but I'm not talking unless it becomes necessary"
"Fine"
And so time passes and soon enough the one year anniversary of the four time traveling back to the past came
"So...a year huh?"
"Yeah, it's been a year since that first chaotic day"
"You know, it's amazing how far we've come since that day, in fact it's amazing how far we've come in the past six months"
"Therapy has definitely helped us, now that we're being honest with each other and our therapist I think we're actually healing"
"We'll always have PTSD according to them but our episodes will most likely lessen in severity and frequency the longer we spend in therapy and the further away from our trauma we are"
"Hm...I don't think they're quite accurate considering our particular trauma and the fact that we're going to have to go through it again but it will be nice if once we get to that point in the timeline things are indeed less severe"
"In any case, here's to a year of being back and doing okay all things considered"
"Hear, hear"
The four toast to the year with the three that knew the truth observing as a precaution because they had been warned that the one year anniversary might be...rough for them in various ways, especially because the majority of their numbers were being given alcohol even though they were technically underage for the current timeline but totally legal in reality (the three non time travelers agreed that time travel was confusing, especially when it was more mental time travel than physical) a few minutes later Regis speaks up
"Noctis, Prompto, Ignis and Gladio, I need you four to listen to me"
The four immediately stop drinking and Regis could tell that they weren't drunk enough to not understand what he was saying the next day
"I know that the four of you are talking with your therapist regularly both together and separately, and that you're sharing everything you were holding back before, I also know that you'll always have at least a mild case of PTSD, there's no avoiding it after what you four have been through, three of you more than the fourth but...there was no other way unfortunately. I have decided that if you so wish, the four of you can head to Galdin Quay for a couple of days as a test for how far you've gotten in your therapy, now then there will be Crownsguard and Kingsglaive members in the city to keep an eye on you four and your reactions, but if you pass this test, I may allow you four to plan the next major event of the city"
"The fall festivities"
"Exactly"
"We'll take that challenge dad, and win"
"I hope you do"
"Wait, we need to clarify exactly what winning means considering we have PTSD"
"Unless there's a legitimate attack no bringing out weapons at sounds that are similar to what you four heard for the longest time, everything else up to bringing yourself to hand combat readiness is allowed"
"Um...when you say bringing out weapons and hand combat that needs further clarification your Majesty"
"Very well Gladiolus, if any of you access Noct's Armiger you lose the bet, if something happens and you find improvised weapons that is allowed"
"Understood"
And so they head to Galdin Quay the next day and know from Regis that they were to be given two weeks, though part of that was because of the fact that Cid was going with them part of the way and thus that would add to their journey time. Finally though they reached Galdin Quay and for the first few days everything was fine with one very minor incident of a car backfiring and all four of them diving for cover and surprisingly each find an improvised weapon at their locations, but after a moment and Gladio for Noctis and Ignis for Prompto taking a quick look from cover they realized what had happened and all four of them relaxed
"Well, we haven't failed the test so far at least"
"Agreed, hopefully though the rest of our time here is peaceful"
Sadly Ignis' hopes were in vain, the day before they were to leave Galdin Quay an attack by Niflheim came, and it was sudden and unexpected since none of the four remembered hearing about this in the original timeline, and it nearly a complete surprise attack on the group too, only Ignis' superb hearing after spending a decade blind and keeping up his training let them all know of trouble before they were sniped
"Airships inbound!"
The group looks up to see the airships, summons their weapons and manages to doge weapons fire just in time. The group did well against the enemy considering they'd had a small break from fighting against them, but then again they had fought against them for so long they knew the tactics of the enemy, and the few Crownsguard and Kingsglaive members that were also there helped out too, Noctis had a mild panic attack when he suddenly felt Ignis being cut off from access to his Armiger but seeing him continue fighting let him know that Ignis was okay, annoyed that he had no access to any of his other weapons or potions himself but he was still doing fine, what no one noticed was that they were getting real close to the docks and then the enemy hit Ignis in a vital spot (but not immediately fatal) and dumped him into the water
"IGNIS!"
Noctis' cry let Prompto and Gladio know that things had gone wrong and all three of them fought with renewed vigor, but eventually the enemy left and Noctis, Prompto and Gladio were forced to leave as well with the Crownsguard and Kingsglaive that were also there, one of the Guard members drives the three back to Insomnia, picking up Cid to drop him back off at home, during that trip all three time travelers begin the mourning process (barely, and all three of them knew that they would never truly get closure until Ignis' body had been recovered for burial) and are silent. When they finally reach Insomnia they immediately go to the throne room, go up the initial flight of stairs and kneel before their King and Noctis is the one who speaks up
"Your Majesty, we come bearing sad news"
"We hear and await your report"
"We...we regret to report that Ignis Scientia is missing after a fight with Niflheim soldiers in Galdin Quay, we were unfortunately unable to rescue him from the water but believe that he is alive due to knowing of his skills in the water"
"I see, I will report to the Council tomorrow about the declaration of Ignis Scientia being missing, you are dismissed"
Noctis and Gladio stand but Prompto remains kneeling and as such Regis speaks up again
"Is there something further you have to report Prompto Argentum?"
"King Regis, I Prompto Argentum wish here and now to take my official vows as a Crownsguard member, I know that it wouldn't have changed anything at Galdin Quay and I also know that my vows are traditionally made in public, but I feel it only right that those who are my brothers are the only witnesses, I already lost one brother recently before taking my official vows, I don't want to risk losing another before then"
"Very well, We shall hear and accept your vows"
And so that's what's done, fifteen minutes later and Prompto is in his official Crownsguard uniform for the first time ever, though it's decided by everyone that he wouldn't wear the uniform in front of the Council quite yet
"When shall I wear it then?"
"Under one of two conditions, either when we find Ignis Scientia and give him a funeral, or after a full year has passed since his disappearance unless told otherwise for whatever reason"
"Understood sir, am I still allowed to attend the meetings though?"
"Indeed you are, as one of the Crownsguard you have more of a right than most to be there at any time whenever I or Noctis is there"
The group is officially dismissed and then Regis, Cor and Clarus go to Regis' office to talk
"So...what's the plan?"
"Considering it's already been a few days and Ignis has yet to get in contact with us it's not looking too good at the moment for his survival, but let's wait on declaring him presumed dead for at least four months, and even then we'll wait a little longer before officially declaring him dead"
"How long is a little longer?"
"Hm...I guess the one year anniversary is to be when he's legally declared dead, it will be hard for Prompto to wear his uniform on the same day that his friend and comrade is declared dead but it must be done"
"Agreed, but in the meantime...how about we send out his description to Hunters, have them be on the lookout for him"
"Good idea, but his name..."
"That is why we shall be using the cover name that the four gave us when they returned from their three month sabbatical"
"Very well, I shall get started on that right away"
"What about Ignis' uncle?"
"Keep a guard on him at all times until further notice, I will not trust his mental state for quite some time and if there's an incident his watch time will be doubled"
"Agreed, secret or public guard?"
"Secret until he does something that forces them to act for his own safety, after that public guard and he'll know why too"
"Understood, by the way, do you even know why those four chose those cover names?"
"No idea, might ask them after..."
"Yeah, after"