Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 8

Regis watched as the boy fell asleep, body limp, all signs of his transformation gone. He lay still, breathing deeply, as power began to gather around the four boys. Above them the Crystal seemed to grow brighter and he could feel Noctis pulling on its power. He fingered the Ring, Noctis was too young and not ready for the Throne, but he could temporarily wield the Ring, it had happened before with failed assassination attempts that left the reigning monarch temporarily indisposed. With the King or Queen temporarily out of commission the heir would step up until they recovered and then pass it back. Should he offer it? Would they need that much raw power?

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Ignis felt strange, disconnected from his body, the link wide open, and Noctis' mind and magic threatening to overwhelm him completely. He wanted to let it, to let go and give everything to his Prince and he struggled to fight that urge, knowing that Noctis would never forgive himself. He could feel Gladio also struggling to keep some separation even as all that power was turned on the sleeping Prompto, seeping into his undefended mind, searching for the clan link.

Prompto jerked under their hands as Noctis found the link and poked at it experimentally.

"Easy," Gladio murmured.

Noctis gently felt out the link and where it led, obviously trying to work out if it could be broken to free Prompto from his clan fully or if they would need to try and redirect it onto themselves. Prompto jerked again and then began convulsing and they struggled to hold him down as whoever was on the other end became aware of what they were trying, having to let go of Noct to do so but he kept a hand on Prom, the other gripping the floor to keep from slipping back into the pool.

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"You," Verstael spat even as he transformed from human to harpy, lunging forward, claws ready to tear flesh. The being before him simply vanished, reappearing nearby, blade in hand. It didn't take a genius to realise the connection between whatever was happening to the fledgling in Insomnia and the Immortal Lucis Caelum's presence in his lab. They were trying to break the link between his clone and himself. They would be sorely disappointed by the result then. He smirked, wondering how they would react when the child went berserk and then died. Did they think he wouldn't put in failsafe's?

"This time I shall ensure your cloning program is permanently ended."

Verstael cackled, did he really think it would be that easy? He had ensured his own immortality via the Immortalis, even if this creature struck him down it wouldn't matter. "Kill me….kill the boy," he hissed in glee.

"I don't think so."

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Cor and Regis moved in to help hold Prompto down, Cor reluctantly using the restraints to ensure Prompto didn't hurt himself or anyone else. He'd transformed fully now, black eyes wide open but he doubted the kid was seeing any of them as he screamed and screeched in pain. It was a good thing the room was soundproofed or half of the guard would have stormed in by then, recognising the screeches of a harpy. This was worse than his Awakening by the look on Regis' face. A glance at the Prince showed his eyes glowing red with magic even as he gasped for breath, obviously exhausted but refusing to stop. How much more could either of them take?

Prompto screeched, back arching, body writhing in the restraints, wings lashing out wildly and then it all stopped and he collapsed to the floor, utterly still.

"Prom?" Noctis gasped out, reaching out to shake him gently and Prompto's body moved with the motion, lifeless, eyes half open, staring blankly at the ceiling. "No, no, come on!" he begged as Ignis reached to find a pulse, eyes wide with terror.

Cor didn't hesitate, summoning a Phoenix Down and using Prompto's hand to crush it, watching the magic surge over the boy, causing his body to jerk but then he was limp again.

"Dad…" Noctis sobbed for help and Regis placed his hands firmly on the boy, sending his own magic surging into the too still body, fighting to bring him back.

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Ardyn watched the body collapse to the ground, definitely dead. He looked up at a rumble and his eyes widened slightly at the sight of a massive Magitek coming to life. "Well, that hardly seems fair," he complained before launching himself at it, blades spinning around him. He needed to end this quickly and return, he had the sick feeling that something had gone very wrong. Had Besithia spoken the truth about what his death would cause? If so, time was of the essence, magic could only bring back the newly dead after all and this may be beyond Regis' skill let alone young Noctis'.

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Noctis let Gladio pull him from the water and then he wrapped himself around his best friend, tears blurring his vision as he felt the sheer force of the magic his Dad was bringing to bear on the body in his arms. "Please, come back Prompto," he begged, whispering in the blonds ear. "We need you." He closed his eyes, drawing up what little magic he had left, before he felt someone break an ether over him, restoring his magic, letting him add it to his Dad's as he mentally pleaded with the Astrals, his ancestors…anyone.

He felt a surge of magic and looked up to see his Uncle appear.

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Ardyn glanced at the scene and moved to kneel beside Regis, seeing the boy lying deathly still and pale in his nephews arms, Noctis wrapped around the body, both of them channelling all the magic they could into him. "Noctis," he called and his youngest nephew looked up at him with eyes red from tears and magic, naked which meant he had been in the water for the attempt, where he was most powerful.

"Please…" the boy begged and Ardyn rested a hand on wet hair.

"Together nephew," he offered and Noctis nodded. Ardyn focused his magic not just on Prompto but also Noctis, he was the one bonded to the boy after all. They did not have long before not even magic could do anything. The amount of magic being used should have revived him already.

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He remembered Noct…falling asleep…pain…nothing. He opened his eyes and looked around to find himself standing on a frozen mountain, snow falling all around but he wasn't cold. He wanted Noct, where was he? He hugged himself, wings wrapping around his naked body, though he didn't feel at all cold, snow crunching beneath taloned feet. He should be freezing, shouldn't he?

He remembered how badly the cold made his back ache due to the old wound….old wound…he'd been attacked, twice, he remembered! He remembered his adoptive parents, always being alone, meeting Noct and then the guys…finding out the big Royal secret, telling them his own…his apartment, classes, living in the Citadel…he sobbed in relief. He knew who he was! He was Prompto Argentum, created to be an MT, rescued by Cor, and Noctis' best friend, his fourth. So where was he? Was he…dead? He didn't want to leave them, he…he loved them. He'd wanted to say yes to the bond, he just hadn't gotten the chance cause he had stubbornly wanted to be better first. Why hadn't he told them?

"Child of Air and Fire, born of a land of ice," a female voice called on the wind and Prompto turned, eyes going wide as he stared at the woman floating before him. He'd never met her, never dreamed of it, but he still recognised her. How could he not recognise one of the Hexatheon? Shiva….she was beautiful, taller than him, with pale blue skin, purple eyes with white eye shadow, delicately pointed ears and hornlike protrusions that resembled icicles. Her long silvery hair was in elaborate braids, and her body was covered by lace-pattern frost that resembled…well, he forced his eyes up, cheeks red… She had sheer white frost sleeves and a filigree choker made of ice around her throat. Just like in the pictures but somehow so much more.

Was he meant to say something? Bow? Was there a protocol for meeting an Astral? "I…" he swallowed hard and she smiled at him.

"Created of the forbidden, made to destroy Kings, yet complete the future King you do," She told him and he frowned in confusion before getting it. Cloning was forbidden? Or the specific method used to make him?

"Am….am I dead?" he whispered.

"The iciness of death has touched your soul, yet its hold is not complete. The magic used to pull you back to your Prince cannot do so as you are."

"Because I'm…a harpy?" he asked and she nodded. "I don't want to be," he choked out and a cold hand stroked his cheek.

"Fickle is my sister, goddess of the seas. Yet in the deepest waters, the cold can be found."

"I don't understand." She had to mean Leviathan, Noct had mentioned her once and it was one of the few times his friend seemed genuinely scared. Iggy had explained more, how she could claim a mer as hers and they wouldn't be themselves any more. Even humans could petition her for aide, if desperate enough.

"Would you stand by his side forever?" she asked and he didn't even have to think about his answer.

"For eternity."

"The road ahead may have many hardships but remain true to your heart fledgling and you will find the path," she told him and then he gasped as icy lips pressed against his, feeling like he was being frozen before everything shattered.

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Ardyn slowly sat back, eyes sad, as he stared at the pale, lifeless body before him. "I am so sorry Noctis."

"No!" the Prince denied, sitting up and holding Prompto to his chest, rocking him. "He's not…he can't…" he sobbed, hiding his face against blond hair, kissing the pale face.

Ardyn carefully reached over, releasing the restraints that had been placed on the boy while he was away, watching limbs flop lifelessly. He couldn't help feeling guilty, was this because of what he had done?

Ignis and Gladio pressed close to their Prince, trying to offer comfort, their own expressions bleak, grief stricken. The bond had been new but all three of them were feeling its loss. It was obvious, they had all loved the blond.

Ardyn glanced at Regis and the Marshal, seeing how pale the King was. He summoned an Ether and broke it over his nephew, restoring his magic. He pretended he couldn't see the tears the Marshal was shedding for the boy he had seen as his own. Ardyn had seen so many over the centuries who had to live with the pain Noctis would live with for the rest of his life and it was not something he would wish on anyone.

Noctis suddenly yelped, head flying up, as the body in his arms jolted, bright blue eyes snapping open as the body gasped desperately for air, thrashing. They all stared and then Ignis and Gladio moved to pin the flailing limbs. "Prom?" Noctis called shakily, reaching out to hold his face gently in his hands and blue eyes focused on him. "Is…are…Prom?"

Ardyn watched warily, ready to call his sword to hand in an instant. This was impossible, the boy had been dead for nearly an hour, no one could come back from that. Was this really the boy? Or something using his body.

"N..No…ct…" he stammered out through chattering teeth, as if he had been exposed to an extremely cold temperature, body slowly relaxing, breathing becoming easier.

"I've got you, you're okay," the Prince whispered, pulling him firmly back into his arms as the others let go.

The blond burrowed into his arms, shivering, and Regis called a blanket from the Armiger, wrapping it around them. Prompto looked up at the King and smiled slightly. "Kin..g Re…g…is," he chattered out and Regis froze.

"Do you recognise me?" he asked gently and Prompto nodded, clinging to Noctis who rubbed at his skin to try and warm him up a bit via friction.

"Prompto?" Ignis asked, hope obvious in his voice, and Prompto turned to look at him.

"Rem…ember," he whispered, the shivering already beginning to stop.

"Remember what?" the Adviser asked gently and Prompto slowly freed one hand to reach out to him, Ignis taking it in his carefully even as the younger male smiled.

"Everything." He yawned, head resting on Noctis' shoulder and Noctis lifted a hand to tenderly rub his back, expression an almost painful mix of relief, hope, and love.

Ardyn watched but everything so far said this was truly Prompto returned from the dead. The worrying question was, why? Who had done so and what had been the price?

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Watching as Prompto fell asleep in Noct's arms, Gladio stood and then reached down to gently take him off the Prince, holding the blond close to his chest. He felt warm now, though not quite as warm as he had been since his Awakening, then again he'd been dead long enough for his body to have begun to cool. He was limp in his arms, but it was the stillness of a deep sleep, not death, chest rising and falling evenly, proving that. They had lost him, the newborn bond to him snapping, the utter agony it had caused, but now…now it was back where it belonged and the pain was gone.

"Let him sleep as long as he wishes," Ardyn spoke up. "His body and mind have been through a massive trauma today. I shall come and look him over in a while to ensure all his well."

"Thank you Uncle," Noctis darted in and hugged the much older merman who startled but then smiled and petted Noctis' head.

"That's quite alright. Now go get some rest, all of you."

"Clothing Noctis," Regis called with a small smile and Noctis blinked but summoned his clothes back to his body before they left the room.

Gladio didn't need to be told twice, heading back towards Noct's rooms, Ignis once again moving ahead to ensure the way was clear.

Once safely in the bedroom Gladio lowered Prompto to the bed, Noctis moving in to strip him of his damp clothing while Ignis grabbed Prompto's normal sleep clothes of shorts and t-shirt and Gladio got a wash cloth, wiping stale sweat from his limp body. He had to keep checking to see he was breathing as he cleaned him up, wanting him to wake up again. They got him re-dressed and then settled under the covers before changing themselves and getting in with him.

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Regis looked up as Ardyn entered his study but he didn't move from his sprawl in the armchair. He ached from using so much magic, besides his uncle was never one for standing on ceremony. "What happened in Niflheim?" he asked as Ardyn sat in the other chair.

"Besithia is dead, the facility utterly destroyed. I had no time to see if there were others. He claimed his death would kill young Prompto so I returned immediately."

"He knew about Prompto then," Regis sighed, he had suspected as much, the timing of his Awakening had been far too suspicious and then Besithia reaching out to command Prompto kill… They hadn't been able to keep the attack on Prompto quiet, they had now found two of those involved and their families were fighting hard, despite public opinion turning on them after reporters had dug as deep as they could into Prompto's life. Noctis himself had ended up giving a statement, something his son hated doing.

"Indeed. The Emperor saw the article on the attack and brought it to his attention. They planned for the boy to kill Noctis and as many others as he could before he was killed. Thankfully, the bond and the boys own mental strength ruined that plan. I do not know if his death will have killed all the other clones or not, or even the MT's."

"The clones maybe but I doubt it would affect the MT's since they are simply miasma now," Regis sighed, life would be a lot easier if his death had taken out the MT's as well but they weren't that lucky.

"True," Ardyn nodded and then stood. "I need to check on the boy."

"You're worried."

"You aren't? No mortal magic I know of could have brought him back after so long."

"Are you concerned as to who or what brought him back…or that it isn't him in the body?" Regis asked for clarification. No one had ever successfully been brought back after being dead for as long as Prompto had been. He had hoped it had finally worked due to all of their magic, the bond, and the boys stubborn nature wishing to live.

"All of the above, although if it is not the boy, he was doing a superb acting job." Ardyn nodded to him and then vanished and Regis forced himself to his feet.

He needed to check on things, there were several missions at the moment, those involved would know if the MT's had been affected by the scientists death. He hadn't been concerned until Ardyn mentioned it, but now he worried how Prompto had been returned to them.

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Cor slipped into the dim room silently, approaching the bed to look down at the four young men sleeping there. It had been just over a day since Prompto's return from the dead and he hadn't woken once. The others were refusing to leave his side and that was good, he likely needed them to help stabilise him and they needed him too to let the bond settle back into place.

Ever so carefully he leant over to brush some hair from Prompto's face. Seeing him, lying there so still and cold…it was not something he ever wanted to see again. He didn't know how he had come back but he was grateful. Prompto was the closest he had to his own kid, the thought of losing him… he walked across the room to sit in a chair, keeping watch over them.

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Prompto woke slowly, feeling utterly safe and warm. He didn't really want to wake up but his bladder had other ideas. He slowly forced his eyes open to find himself curled up against Noct, his head over his friends heart, able to hear the steady beat. He could feel Ignis on his other side and when he lifted his head he saw Gladio on Noct's other side. As carefully as he could he wriggled free of them and scooted to the end of the bed. He stood up and then grabbed onto the bed as he legs threatened to buckle. Right…he hadn't really walked since his transformation…Awakening was what they called it, right? He hadn't wanted to but he couldn't remember why, some of what had happened since then was a little fuzzy but it didn't matter. He'd been getting better at walking as his rehab progressed so why hadn't he wanted to walk?

He slowly stepped away from the bed, his legs feeling surer with every step, thankfully. He did what he needed to in the bathroom and then splashed his face with cold water. He felt pretty grimy but he didn't feel like a shower right then, he was too hungry. He left the bathroom to see Noctis sit up, eyes wide as he looked around. It took a second for him to spot Prompto and then he was scrambling off the bed, waking the others as he rushed over and pulled Prompto into a rib crushing hug. "Whoa! Easy Noct," he gasped and he felt Noctis loosen his grip a bit.

"I thought…" Noct whispered and then pulled back enough to look him in the eye, searching for something, a hand lifting to cup his cheek and Prompto leant into it, enjoying the feel of cool skin against his own.

"It's okay, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere," he swore. He'd promised a literal goddess he would stay by Noct forever and he'd meant it.

"You're really back, I mean, to how you were before the Awakening," Noctis stumbled over his own words. "You remember everything?"

"Everything. Noct I stink, you should probably let go."

"Well you have slept for three days," Gladio spoke up and Prompto looked over at him.

"Three days? Why didn't you wake me up?" No wonder he felt gross and starving!

"Ardyn said to let you sleep as long as you needed, that you'd been through some massive traumas close together so your body needed the rest."

"Guess that makes sense…and explains why I'm starving."

"I'll get something for you," Ignis got up, squeezing Prompto's shoulder as he passed him and Prompto grinned at him.

"Thanks Iggy."

"Come on, back to bed for now," Noctis urged and Prompto let himself be led back to the bed, understanding Noct was freaked out over what had happened and would be protective for a while.

He didn't blame him; he was freaked out too! How was he meant to tell them what had happened without sounding crazy? Noctis immediately curled around him again to wait for the food and Prompto rolled so he was facing him, Gladio at his back. He could almost feel Gladio's hesitation so he pressed back into him and then a hand moved to rest on his waist. He reached out to Noct who pressed closer, nuzzling at his throat and Prompto tipped his head back, giving him better access. "M'sorry," he whispered and Noctis pulled back, frowning in confusion.

"For what?"

"Not telling you before," he whispered.

"Prom?"

"I was waiting till I was better, till I could walk properly."

"To tell us what?" Gladio pressed as Ignis returned with food, joining them on the bed.

"I was going to say yes, to joining the bond," he told them and he felt Gladio's hold tightening.

"You were?" Noctis stared at him with wide eyes, Ignis watching from beside him, and Prompto nodded. Noctis leant in slowly and Prom smiled shyly but moved with him, their lips meeting.

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He stirred, looking up, sensing….something had changed. He didn't know what or why it had caught his attention. Nothing did that anymore, he hadn't been interested in anything for a very long time now. How long had it actually been? How long had he been sealed away in these caverns with only the dead for company?

He closed his eyes, trying to just stop thinking and it came to him. It was…death, death on a large scale though mostly far away….a clan leader was dead and had taken most of the clan with them.

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Regis and Cor turned as the door opened and the four boys entered. Ardyn stood from where he had been sitting across the room to join them, all eyes on young Prompto who shifted nervously at the attention before bowing awkwardly. He looked healthy, if maybe a little tired still, you couldn't tell my looking at him that he had been dead or slept for several days straight.

"Your Majesty," he murmured.

"Prompto?" Cor stepped forward before Regis could respond as Prompto straightened up, searching bright blue eyes for any sign and Prompto grinned at him, not the innocent happy grin of late, but a pure Prompto grin.

"Sorry you've been worried about me Cor," he offered and Cor walked forward, yanking him into a hug filled with relief at hearing him truly speak again. "Can't breathe," he whined and Cor let go, studying him closely. "I'm okay," the teen promised softly.

"You truly remember then?" Regis asked and Prompto nodded.

"At least I think so? How would I know if there was stuff missing?"

He had a good point. Thankfully, it seemed at least the majority of his memory had returned, but how? Ardyn had looked him over while he was sleeping and had admitted something about him had changed during his death, though that could just be the severing of his clan bond. There had been no tests they could run since the body was Prompto's, it was the mind and soul they were concerned about. "What do you remember of what happened?"

"You mean dying?" Prompto asked and Regis was surprised he knew he had died but he nodded. "I remember the Crystal Chamber, seeing Noct in the water and panicking for a bit until he convinced me it was really him. I lay down next to the pool and I could feel him, in my head, the cold of the link…I could hear Him as well, screaming at me to attack…but Noct was there, calming me down, so much I…fell asleep?" he looked at Noctis who nodded.

"You were mid-transformation and I wanted to stop it so I helped you calm down." The guilt for putting him under was obvious on Noctis' face but Prompto reached out and squeezed his hand.

"Hey, you did the right thing. I…I don't think I could have held Him off much longer with how scared I was of what was going on," Prompto was quick to reassure Noctis, another point in favour of this truly being a restored Prompto, somehow. "I remember pain…so much…" he took a shaky breath and Ignis stepped forward, gently grasping his shoulder in support.

"It's alright, take your time," he soothed the younger male who nodded unsteadily.

"I don't know what happened but I was on an icy mountain…naked," he blushed slightly at that and Cor smirked at him. "I had wings and I wrapped them around but I wasn't really cold. I was confused but then I remembered. I knew who I was, who you all were, coming to Insomnia, the attacks, everything. Then there was this voice on the wind and she was there," he shifted nervously.

"Who Prom?" Noctis asked, worried.

"Shiva," he answered, shocking everyone. "Just like the pictures of her. She was…incredible and scary but kind of…motherly? I can't remember exactly what we both said but I asked her if I was dead and she said death had touched me but it didn't have me fully or something. But because of what I am…was…I don't know, but because of that the magic being used couldn't bring me back?" he looked at them and Regis nodded.

"Several phoenix downs were used as well as Noctis, Ardyn, and myself attempting to call you back."

"Oh," Prompto stared at them with wide eyes, shocked. "I told her I didn't want to be a harpy," he looked away and the three boys shifted closer to him, offering their support again. "I remember exactly what she said for the next bit. 'Fickle is my sister, goddess of the seas. Yet in the deepest waters, the cold can be found.' That was really confusing but I remember you telling me about Leviathan. She asked if I would stick with Noct forever, I said yes and….she said something…then she kissed me. It…it felt like I was being frozen and then everything shattered. Next thing I remember is Noct calling my name."

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Shiva…when had the Glacian last reached out to anyone? Her physical body had been slain by the Empire, but he knew it took more than that to kill a god. That would explain the difference he sensed in the boy. Why would she send him back, save a child of the people who had killed her? To spare Noctis a lifetime of pain? Perhaps he should pay the Oracle a visit and see what she or the Messenger that visited her knew. She had gotten a promise to remain with Noctis forever from the boy, just how binding was that?

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"Does that mean you aren't a harpy anymore?" Noctis asked carefully. He didn't care, Prompto was Prompto no matter what but it would make his life easier if he didn't have to hide for the rest of his life. Could the people of the Citadel come to accept a harpy among them if they found out?

Prompto frowned, considering before shaking his head. "No…I can still feel it," he admitted, rubbing absently at his chest. "She did…something. I don't know," he shrugged.

"You're back, that's the important thing," Cor offered.

"Is it easier now that your clan head is gone?" His Dad asked and Prompto blinked, head tilted to one side, considering.

Prom looked at him and then the others, before smiling. "My clan's here," he stated.

It had been one thing, to pick up the stray though but to hear him say it was better than anything. Noctis couldn't help it, he yanked Prompto into another hug, smiling when it was returned without hesitation. He could feel it, the bond with Prompto strengthening and settling further at his words, could feel something in Prom relax too. The itching feeling went away and Prompto relaxed physically…his instincts! They'd settled, accepting them as clan?

"Noctis?" his Dad called, obviously seeing something.

Noct grinned at him and then nuzzled at Prompto's throat to show them, getting a laugh.

"Noct, that tickles," he complained but didn't try to pull away. "Your hair's spiky." That got everyone laughing even as Prompto lifted a hand, not to push hm away, but to try and shove his hair away from where it was tickling him. When Noctis lifted his head, Prompto leant in, rubbing their cheeks together, the harpy version of the greeting he'd given?

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Ardyn watched as Noctis offered the greeting and the boy…he really should get used to using his name, Prompto just laughed because his nephew's hair tickled. There was not even a flicker of fear, no tension, nothing. Then he rubbed their faces together and Ardyn had seen that move between harpies, a type of greeting. Had he really managed to latch onto them as his clan once the link was severed? Had Shiva helped with that too? He was wary of any intervention from the Astrals, even her. As Prompto had said, there were times she could be almost maternal and he thought it came of her relationship with Ifrit…could Astrals have children? No! Mind off that topic immediately, he really did not want to know.

He reached out with his own magic, testing the waters so to speak, and there it was, the four boys were tightly bound together. Only Prompto could be their Fourth which meant this truly was Prompto, returned to life by an Astral. That was one less worry. Now that the issue with Besithia was dealt with, he could turn his attention to the Council and their plans for his youngest nephew. He would remain in the Citadel after though, sooner or later someone would find out about Prompto's heritage and they would need his support to ensure no one tried anything drastic.

Would the bond grant him an aquatic form as was usual? Or would that be blocked by his own heritage. There was still the Unknown aspect too, though when he had looked at the report something about it seemed familiar. The problem with being so old was far too many memories to sort through. He'd figure it out eventually, hopefully before it could bite the poor boy, he'd been through enough already.

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Ignis woke and reached for his glasses, slipping quietly form the bed only to realise he wasn't the first up. A quick check showed the bathroom was empty and he left the bedroom, looking around only to spot the balcony doors were open. He walked towards them and felt his heart stop in terror. "Prompto," he called very softly, dreading what would happen if he startled the younger male.

Prompto looked over at him and smiled happily. "Hey Iggy," he greeted as if he wasn't sitting on the railing, legs over the edge. All traces of tiredness were gone thankfully after another nights sleep.

"What are you doing?" he asked, stepping closer.

"Thinking, enjoying the fresh air," he shrugged and then cocked his head to one side, the move a little birdlike, or was Ignis just seeing it like that because he knew? "What's wrong?"

"Do you think you could come down from there, please?" he asked, offering his hand and Prompto blinked before shrugging and taking his hand, letting Ignis tug him back onto the safe side.

"Are you okay?" Prompto asked, squeezing his hand.

"I'm fine…other than possible heart failure from you sitting on a thin railing twenty stories above the ground," Ignis told him, pulling him closer and Prompto leant against him, hands buried in his shirt and Ignis wrapped his arms around Prom's waist.

It felt good to be able to hold him, yes, they'd been getting Prompto used to how much more physical they were, but they had also held back some to avoid making him uncomfortable one he knew what they were hoping for from him. To hear he'd been planning to say yes before his Awakening had messed things up had been a relief, to know he hadn't just agreed because of what was happening at the time.

"Oh…sorry? It just…felt right?" Prompto shrugged, looking away.

Ignis took a deep breath and then nuzzled his throat, assuring himself Prompto was fine. He was surprised when Prompto lifted his head, reaching up, but he leant down slightly, pressing their lips together in their first real kiss. "I'm sorry," he offered after a while. "It is only natural for you to seek the sun and moving air and we forgot to consider that. Until we have seen you manage flight though, I do not think any of us will like seeing you in such precarious positions."

Prompto stared at him, eyes going wide. "I can fly?"

"That is the point to wings," he pointed out dryly, ushering him inside.

"I suppose but…I didn't think they'd be big enough to support my weight?"

"They will. I don't know if you'll need to train or if it will be instinctual. We can book a training hall at some point for you to try."

That got a grin as Ignis moved into the kitchenette and Prompto went with him to help. Ignis watched his reactions to the various items of food, ones he knew he liked, wanting to see if anything had changed. He hadn't had the chance yet to investigate the normal harpy diet for himself. Prompto had eaten Noct's vegetables for him since they had started sharing meals…now he was eyeing them, unsure. Perhaps harpies were purely carnivorous? He would have to wait and see. Eventually he sent Prompto back to the bedroom to wake the other up, they had a lot to do and talk about.

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Prompto turned the TV off as a knock sounded. He got up and went to the door, opening it and then grinning. "Hey Cor," he stepped back to the let the Marshal in.

"I wanted to see how you're doing," Cor reached out to ruffle his hair and he dodged like always. "I'm surprised the boys agreed to leave you alone."

Prompto shrugged. "They had stuff they couldn't get out of without too many questions." He sat back down on the couch, curling up and Cor sat beside him.

"So, how are you doing?"

Prompto leant against him. "I'm fine," he promised. "No nightmares, I'm not tired or anything anymore, no voices either."

"Good," Cor sounded relieved. "I've been talking with Regis, there's a spare suite near Ignis', it's yours."

"What?" he stared at Cor in confusion. He had his apartment when he wasn't staying with Noct.

"It's too dangerous for you to return to the apartment Prompto. Practically all the other tenants are members of the Guard."

"You think they'll be able to tell?"

"All it would take is bumping into someone for them to realise you're body temperature is off. And we don't know how good your control of your transformation is, what if something startles you and it starts?"

"Oh…" he hadn't thought of that. "I guess that makes sense." Did that mean…he'd be stuck in the Citadel for life?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto walked into his apartment, looking around. It was weird but now that he was inside it again…it didn't feel like his anymore.

"Okay?" Noct asked in concern from his chair before shakily moving to the couch.

"Yeah, it just feels weird," he admitted. Maybe it felt rushed? Cor had only mentioned it yesterday and now they were packing up his apartment when the majority of the others living in the building were on duty.

"It's partially the bond, there's a reason the others end up sleeping in my room so often and when they don't they're usually in Specs. Gladio rarely goes back to the Amicitia Estate."

"But what about your Dad and Lord Amicitia?"

"They've been bonded a lot longer than we have and it's not quite the same kind of bond either, so they can handle separation a lot better, plus he had a wife and kids to care for so that helped," he explained as he began gathering up everything that had been left on the table or floor near the couch. No one had been in the apartment since the day after Prompto had woken up from his surgery, when Iggy had returned with a list of things he wanted.

Noctis was relieved that Prompto was finally officially moving into the Citadel where he belonged. The door opened again to admit the others, armed with boxes and packing material so they got to work. It took a good portion of the day but in the end he was officially moved into the Citadel, some of his things to Noct's room and others to his new suite.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Iedolas snarled as he read the reports, Besithia was dead, the facility gone with him, and every clone that had not been converted to an MT had dropped dead all at once. It had been a shock when the two in his officer and crumpled, lifeless, on his carpet and he had immediately sent for Besithia and that was why they had found out so quickly what had happened. Their deaths were the only proof there hadn't been some sort of catastrophic accident, if he had died in an accident they would have lived, one or more of them becoming clan head. Honestly, it likely would have been the one in Insomnia, despite having only just Awakened. The others had been practically living machines, with no will of their own, not fit to lead themselves let alone all of them.

Which meant the best placed assassin they'd had in centuries was dead too, though he likely had been before the facility went up since there had been no destruction or death at the Citadel reported, in fact the Prince had been spotted by a spy since the forced Awakening. Oh well, there had never been the best chance of success in using the clone, it had none of the training or enhancements of its 'brothers', he'd checked the report himself, very little had been done to it, although it had been infected so really, it was a miracle hit had lived so long in the first place.

So who had killed his chief scientist and oldest ally? Had it been a team sent by Regis in reaction to the clones Awakening and death? Had they actually cared for the thing? Or had it been simple retribution for attempting to kill his son? There was the slim chance of some rebel faction being responsible, especially with young Ravus seeking vengeance for the death of their Mother. Anthousai liked vengeance and while he was male and therefore human, his sister had him wrapped around her finger. If only they had managed to take the children when they had killed the mother but that had failed, leaving Tenebrae locked down against all outsiders. Then again, the young Prince was not truly a child, though his sister still was by Anthousai standards.

Without Besithia the MT program would be slowed, but others would need to be found to continue his work. They were very useful for keeping Lucian forces busy on land even if they weren't as useful under water. Sooner or later, Lucis would fall, and the world would be his.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Noctis got into bed beside Prompto who smiled shyly at him. things had been so crazy since Prom's Awakening but it was beginning to settle down. Tomorrow, they would be seeing if he could transform at will and fly. Ignis and Gladio were spending the night in his suite to give them time alone, something they hadn't really had any of since that horrible day. They'd eaten Ignis' cooking, watched a movie they'd been meaning to for months and now they were in bed.

Noctis smiled at him and then kissed him, letting his hands slip under Prompto's shirt and he mirrored him. He didn't mind the heat of Prom's skin at all, it felt good actually, and Prompto didn't seem to mind the coolness of theirs either. He opened the bond on his end and felt Prompto do the same, hands gripping tight as emotions flowed between them.

"N…Noct," he gasped, eyes flickering black.

"I'm here," he promised before kissing him again. They kissed over and over and then Noctis rolled onto his back, tugging Prompto up to straddle him. He kept kissing Prompto, hands wandering under his shirt even as he move his hips and Prompto groaned. "Too much?" he forced himself to ask, he didn't want to push him. Thankfully, Prom shook his head and when Noctis moved again, he moved with him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Prompto looked around the large hall, seeing how high the ceiling was. He was excited but also scared. Would his wings really be able to hold him? What if he couldn't' transform at will? He hadn't tried at all since coming back to life. Part of him dreaded seeing looks of disgust from his clan which was silly, they hadn't been disgusted when he didn't even remember them so why would they be now? He felt a heavy hand clasp his shoulder, squeezing in support and he looked up to see Gladio looking down in concern.

"We can come again another day if you aren't ready," he offered but Prompto shook his head.

"Then I'll never try," he admitted. He needed to work flying out because he kept being drawn to balconies and ledges and Iggy had been right, it was dangerous. What if he fell and didn't transform or couldn't fly? He stepped away and further out into the room, kicking off his shoes. He took a deep breath before yanking his shirt off, at least the Awakening had dealt with his body issues when it came to letting people see him, mostly. He'd kept his shirt on last night with Noct, they'd both stayed fully dressed in their sleep clothes, and it was silly because Noct had seen him naked, he'd helped change him when he was unconscious! Last night it had just felt different though, like he wasn't ready and Noct had been fine with that. He'd really enjoyed what they'd done.

He reached inside for the fire that was his harpy side and he felt it happily surge up through him. It felt odd and then he felt his wings spread form his back, looked down to see claws and then grimaced as the rest of the transformation happened. He kept looking down, unsure if he wanted to see their reactions.

"Prom," Noct called and he couldn't stop himself from looking up, meeting his eyes, and Noct grinned.

TBC…

Anthousai = are nymphs of flowers in Greek mythology. Thought it'd be appropriate consider Lunafreya's love of those blue flowers.