"So, five and a half months of trying to get home and you never saw the notice signs?"

"No not really, I avoided civilization whenever possible, when it was not possible I stayed as short as possible, so...my uncle hasn't really told me much about the past six months, just said that you apparently put a guard on him King Regis"

"Yes, I was worried about him once he found out about your death, and the fact that he attempted suicide twice on us, once without him knowing about the guard and once with the guard right in front of him being forced to watch him try and kill himself, validates my decision"

"I see,so what name did you use anyways?"

"The cover name you gave us after your three month vacation"

"Understood, I believe that was a good idea though since I avoided civilization as much as possible I didn't see anything or I would have known to contact you using said name, or allowed myself to be known to the Hunters"

"In any case, you did what you had to to survive, now then you're still recovering according to the doctor so you're going to be on light duties until further notice, but I hope to see you on full duty again soon, in the meantime all four of you are not to train today, you're simply to spend the time catching up with each other"

And so the four head to Noct's apartment where they initially play a couple of video games before Noct speaks up

"So...I know a way to train without training"

"Wait what?"

"Yeah, the Astrals taught it to me right before being sent back as a precaution where if I was in a situation where it couldn't be known I was training I could still train without suspicions"

"Oh, by the way Prompto, you didn't have to officially become a Crownsguard right after you lost me you know"

"Well I know that the future isn't set anymore, though certain things are, I just...I didn't want to waste any more time when I could have lost Noct and Gladio too, I wanted them at least to see me being sworn in as a Crownsguard, I knew nothing would most likely have changed the outcome of Galdin but it was simply something I felt had to be done"

"I understand Prompto, but I didn't see you in uniform today"

"Yeah, two different circumstances were told to me, either your...your funeral or a year after your disappearance, granted I most likely will receive orders otherwise seeing as how you're alive, but we'll see in a little bit"

"Indeed, and except in specific formal events you won't be wearing the official uniform often"

"Yeah, would have yesterday because of...things but because of orders I didn't"

"I see...wait, you'll officially wear your uniform soon then if you receive those orders"

"Yeah, you're going to officially be reintroduced to Lucis as alive and it's also the fall festivities, dad kept his word Iggy, Prompto, Gladio and I made the majority of the plans anyways, there were a few things that we let dad and the others take care of, but only because they were things that we ourselves weren't sure what to do about"

"Ah yes, I remember the last time a Guard and Glaive both went missing and was presumed dead, though there wasn't a festival at the time of their return announcement"

"True, but it was still a huge event all things considered"

"Now then, about the training that doesn't look like training, are you sure you want to go against your father's orders Noct?"

"Yes Gladio, I do, this is because quite frankly while I get what dad's trying to do we need to train, we need to get back into a sort of normal routine"

"No Noct, not today"

"Specs?"

"I know that getting back into routine is helpful, and I had a wonderful few days with my uncle, but now I simply want to relax with you three and not think about anything but maybe what we're going to do next on our rare day off and what to order for take out"

"Okay Iggy, we'll simply relax today"

And so that's what they do. Two weeks later and it was time for the fall festival to begin, it was a three day festival that officially recognized the beginning of harvest season and thanking everyone for the food that would supply the people through the winter which could be harsh, Ignis was currently hidden away as per tradition and necessity, as it was very, very few people even knew Ignis was alive in the Guard and Glaives as well

"So...how are we going to do this?"

"You are going to be at the festival in civvies Iggy, at least for now, dad said that the speech isn't to be until tonight, the opening ceremony is going to be quick so that the people have the day to enjoy the festivities of the first day"

"Why wait so long?"

"You'll...you'll see Specs"

Ignis soon found out what Noctis hadn't said, the people were subdued, sullen and just not as jovial as normal, and it was partly on account of his own presumed death and the fact that while things weren't quite as bad as when they left Insomnia to head to Altissia for the false wedding there were still skirmishes and one had recently happened and there had been deaths. Now then no one knew that he was the one there seeing as how he was currently in disguise, though one that could be taken off quickly, but the people could tell that he was out of touch with the world of the city, possibly a visitor who hadn't heard the news lately for whatever reason and as such told him some of what he already knew and some of what he wasn't aware of seeing as how his uncle hadn't fully debriefed him. The festivities perked them up ever so slightly, but he could tell that they were still mostly subdued and he also knew that what would happen that night would perk them up even more, and then someone spoke to him

"So, how long are you planning on staying stranger?"

"Hm...not sure yet"

"Well, I hope you stay for the festival at least, it's...it's a lot livelier normally, it's just been a bad period for us is all"

"I understand"

And so Ignis subtly goes through the crowds and simply enjoys the day, but finally he knew it was getting time for the reveal and so left and quickly got out of his disguise, though he didn't change into his uniform quite yet since he still hadn't been revealed as being alive

"So, here's the plan, dad will make a speech about how the festivities will last for two more days and what tomorrow's plans are for in regards to the festival, and then he'll announce that he has recently come upon good news for the city that he wished to share and that's when you'll come out and reveal yourself"

"Understood, Noct, just how many people in the Guard and Glaive know about me?"

"Um...basically only those that were there when you revealed yourself the day you returned and took off your cloak, dad immediately ordered everyone to silence by the way and that order hasn't been lifted so...yeah"

"Right, a lot of people are going to be shocked then tonight"

"Yeah, but there's not much we can do about it, you know full well why it has to be this way"

"I do indeed"

And so Ignis stands in a specific location hearing Regis give his standard speech about how long the festivities will last, why it's that long and about what was planned for the next day and then finally Ignis knew that it was time for him to reveal himself

"...there is one more bit of news today that I would like to share with you, it's good news as well. I have been keeping this news a secret for some time for reasons that will be self explanatory once the news is revealed, but for now I have a wish, that you give everyone involved in the news time and space, Ignis Scientia would you please come up here?"

And so Ignis reveals himself to the city at large and the comment about time and space suddenly made much more sense to everyone, depending on how long he'd been back Ignis would still need to get his bearings regarding the city, get caught up on official news and simply need time to adjust back to being home

"He's been home just under three weeks, but he still needs time to adjust back to a city that has changed since he went missing thus why I haven't said anything until now, that and the fact that the city needed something joyous for once and I felt that the festival was a good place for good news"

The rest of the festival was much more upbeat with the news that Ignis was alive and soon enough it was over, and just as requested by Regis the group allowed the core group time to adjust (which they had been doing but PTSD made it hard for them to be apart from Ignis) and the Guard and Glaives were also adjusting to the news that Ignis was alive and Dustin said as much

"It's...it's hard to believe you're alive Scientia"

"I know, and I'm sorry for making you believe I was dead, that was never my intentions"

"We know"

Eventually the festival ended and lives returned to normal, as for the four time travelers they got back to a sense of normality as well, training continued and Prompto was outed as a Crownsguard member at the festival since he had been ordered to attend in his official uniform

"So, what's the agenda for today?"

"Meetings and then training instead of training and then meetings"

"Let's get to it today, oh by the way I'm not going to be in the room and neither is Gladio"

"What for Prompto?"

"Clarus said something about a different duty than normal"

"Got it"

Prompto would discover that the duty that he and Gladio had was a very unique, very special type of duty, it was an honor guard that was not done often, and those who were selected for the honor guard were older members whose loyalty had been proven without a doubt and were routinely given the duty

"Wait so we're..."

"Yes, for today at least you are"

"Thanks dad, we...I knew about this duty but I never thought I would be chosen for it"

"I agree that it's rare others get chosen for this duty but it was necessary this time and Regis felt that you and Prompto earned this right, even though Prompto hasn't officially been known as a Crownsguard member for very long"

And so the day was long but finally they got to the training and while Ignis and Noctis were obviously curious about what duty they had been assigned to they didn't ask, almost as if there was a silent understanding that one or more of the group was assigned a mission that they weren't given details about before the actual assignment then it was off limits in regards to questions after the assignment was completed

"So, in regards to the meeting what did we miss?"

The two are updated and then training with just the four of them commences seeing as how Regis, Cor, and Clarus were all too busy to do the training that day, then again the three that knew the secret had been backing off lately in regards to actively taking part in training though the four time travelers didn't know why. What they didn't know was that the three that were trusted with the secret were making special plans in regards to testing the four of them, but they were also waiting until after the two year anniversary, and part of the test was to see if they would even notice that it had been two years since they had returned to the past

"So...the test that we've planned"

"If they notice it we'll decide based on how they act on the anniversary, if they don't notice it we'll follow through with our plans with no interruptions"

"Agreed, how Scientia been adjusting anyways?"

"Pretty good from what I can tell, his PTSD has flared up again but..."

"It was to be expected"

"Exactly"

"Well now, I guess all we can do now is wait for six months"

"Less than six months, but yeah"

"Still...are you certain this is a good idea Regis?"

"What is it Cor? I thought you were in full agreement last time I checked"

"I was, and testing them is a good idea, but...I now have reservations regarding the timing and the plan in general in regards to what the test is"

"We have to make sure Cor, I know that they have a tight bond considering what they've told us but I need to make sure for myself that no matter what they can handle what's in their future"

"I assume then I am outvoted in my concerns"

"Yes, this time you are, I have my reasons Cor in timing the test as I have"

"Fine, by the way what has the group thought about the Drautos issue?"

"Very, very annoyed at the moment that we have yet to find a reason to arrest him and any other potential traitors within the Glaives"

"You know, that's getting annoying to me too seeing as how we know those four are telling us the truth and yet there isn't anything we can do about something so critical"

"I know, now then what else, besides the upcoming test do we need to talk about?"

"Their plans to take care of something that they took care of in the future before too many people die"

"Oh yes, that Hunt"

"Yeah, it's around the same time as when it's been about two and a half years since they came back in time"

"You're going with them Cor, even if they pass the test"

"Sir?"

"I have my reasons for this Cor, just obey orders understood?"

"Yes sir"

"Still, I wonder what they're going to think about the test"

"Who knows...I just hope Ignis doesn't hurt anyone too badly when he goes into action"

"What are you talking about?"

"Blinding him temporarily"

"Ah, yes that would do it"

"Indeed it would"

"In any case for now all we can do is wait for the time to come for the test"

"Yes"

Time passed slowly for the three that only knew about the future but hadn't lived it, for the four that had lived through a bad future time passed more quickly, but they still remembered important dates, and acknowledged that it had been two years since they had come back from the future

"So...two years since that day huh? I think it's safe to say that quite frankly I thought things would be worse for us in regards to our PTSD"

"Yeah, Iggy had a rough time initially after his return from being thought dead but he would tell us if something was up right?"

"Indeed, though I also know for a fact that the four of you have had episodes semi-recently haven't you?"

"Yeah, but not as severe as when you had your setback"

"Still, think we should start training for what's coming up in six months"

"Good point, we'll stop things before..."

"Yeah, before"

"Think we can get Dave involved?"

"Um...no, no, let me think, and definitely not"

"What is it Specs?"

"This Hunt...you know about the losses that were incurred on this Hunt but you don't know why the groups were as big as they were" (more quietly but still heard) "or why Dave took this Hunt so personally when we offered to join to help make up the numbers required"

Gladio suddenly speaks up

"Wait, Iggy, are you saying that this Hunt that we're planning is the Hunt that..."

"Yes Gladio it is indeed that Hunt"

"Oh man...oh man I never dreamed that...if we succeed..."

"Indeed Prompto"

Noctis interrupts

"Uh, guys what are you talking about?"

"Right, you were in the Crystal at the time so you wouldn't know, at least you wouldn't know the full story"

Ignis sighs a deep heavy sigh

"You know that Dave is an experienced Hunter, you also know that for this particular Hunt we're preparing for he made the rules quite clear that this Hunt was only to be allowed if a minimum of nine people agreed to take on the Hunt together, and the experience level was to be quite high as well, the Marshal vouched for the four of us and I later learned that Dave...knew you were Prince Noctis and that we were your retinue, how he found out I'm not entirely sure and we may never know since we couldn't confront the Marshal. In any case during the years of darkness we were talking about our adventures when that particular Hunt came up and that's when we learned something that had been kept from all the groups that had undertaken that Hunt, not because it wasn't important but because of the fact that it was simply too painful for Dave to talk about, even years later. It turns out that the first group to try and take down the target had Dave in it, the group was slaughtered with Dave the only survivor and it took him months to heal. After that incident he decided that there would be ground rules for certain Hunts and that Hunt had some of the more stringent rules attached, and in fact was the only Hunt that had a minimum group requirement"

"And it took a lot of time between Hunts for the requirements to be met"

"Exactly, there's more regarding the Hunt we're going to go on soon, it's the whole reason behind the minimum group number, when...when Dave went on that Hunt he was one of fifteen people who came together for the Hunt, this was primarily due to the size of the Hunt as you full well recall just how big that opponent was, that means that due to the fact that Dave was the only survivor out of fifteen people fourteen lost their lives"

"And he's insisted on being part of that Hunt every time because of his experiences, did you...did you find out how he even survived?"

"No, and he didn't know how he survived either"

"Maybe...maybe we can take care of it before the original start date of the Hunt"

"We'll see, in the meantime though, how about we simply spend the night relaxing, we've been training in extremes lately being uneasy with the routine change"

And so that's exactly what they do not knowing that they were being watched