DISCLAIMER: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, nor the Disney and Square Enix characters. Please support the original works.
A/N:
Woof...long chapter is long...and once again, it will never be perfect enough, so I have to get it out there before I get in my own head and keep delaying it.
Chapter Twenty Eight: Ice Queen
Riku was a total mess. Not only was his body still reeling from the darkness Aqua had assaulted him with, but his brain struggled to keep up with the chaos of what was happening around him. Genie was changing forms so fast that by the time Riku was able to guess his shape, he'd already morphed into something else. Aqua sidestepped and rolled away from a charging Genie-bull, a giant, Genie-hammer, and even a literal Genie-kitchen sink.
Even though she was being pushed back, the heavy darkness she had been exuding didn't ease in its intensity. Though no longer being pinned down, Riku still felt Aqua's power festering in the air. She was toying with them. Genie fired several powerful magic spells, one after another with no indication of slowing down, yet Aqua did not get hit. Through the pounding explosions of magic, and the crackling of spells hitting everything in the surrounding city, Riku was barely able to hear Aqua's exasperated sigh.
Backflipping away from Genie's incoming, ridiculously massive, fist, she retaliated. Several spike-balls of sharp ice surrounded Genie. To avoid getting skewered, Genie looped, shrank, and threw fire spells at each giant ice crystal.
In the time it took for Genie to defend himself, Riku felt something approaching. He shook his head, trying to convince himself that what he was sensing was real and not a pain induced hallucination. It wasn't until he felt Kairi's spunky light that he knew he wasn't going nuts. A carpet dive-bombed down from the sky.
Aqua tilted her head back, watching as reinforcements dove toward her. She yawned, inspecting the back of her nails.
"I don't have the patience for this."
Riku couldn't see Aqua's eyes, but he knew that she had turned her head in his direction. He heard her words, even through the thunderstorm of Genie, Kairi and Oswald's magic. Despite the fire and lightning raining down all around her, Aqua did not move until her words were spoken.
"Prove me wrong. Show me that you are more then the darkness inside your heart. Perhaps then you'll have a chance of stopping me from getting what I came for."
Aqua's presence vanished the same time Kairi and Oswald's feet met the ground. They whirled around, weapons raised, back to back with Genie, searching for their foe. But Aqua was gone. If he weren't so confused from the whiplash of Aqua's attack and trying to make sense what had followed, Riku would have been amazed that what he had just experienced had taken less then a full minute.
His headache never got the chance to heal as Genie came barreling into him. Kicking his legs as he hovered a foot above the floor, Riku sucked in a deep breath when Genie squeezed him.
"You're okay!"
Riku wobbled when he was finally put back down. "Hey, um," he swallowed, "that was, really, uh..." "You're welcome," Genie said.
"You barely even know me," Riku argued.
Genie shrugged. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a bully. Besides," Genie messed up Riku's hair, "I think I'm really taking a shine to ya, kid. I can see how someone like you would be good friends with Sora."
"Aw," came Kairi's voice, "did I miss the bonding?"
Riku stepped around Genie.
"No, you had the perfect timing."
"Al!" Genie waved enthusiastically to the young man making his way across the square. "I see you've met Kairi."
"Yup," Aladdin put his hands on his hips. "Tough girl. Reminds me of Jasmine." He leaned forward to whisper in Genie's ear. "Sora sure knows how to pick them."
"I heard that," Kairi whined.
Riku slapped his hands on his head. "Jasmine!"
Genie, Aladdin, and Kairi tensed. "What?"
"Aqua's here, and Jasmine's in the palace. Alone."
Now it was Kairi and Oswald's turn to slap their hands on their temples. "That's right!"
"I'm guessing that this Aqua is bad news," Aladdin said. He whistled and the magic carpet, which had been hovering overhead, came floating down to rest in middle of the group.
"Let's get back to the palace."
Kairi and Oswald exchanged a glance as they listened to Jasmine explain the situation. People falling asleep because of the light, the sun not setting in days, the cold front taking over the climate. Kairi was reminded of Hollow Bastion, and the chaos that had ensued after Sephiroth had cut it in half. The boys were arguing about how to approach the problem. Kairi tuned out their plans. She rubbed her arms, not because of the cold. Since coming to the palace, she had been feeling a strange sense in her mind, as though something were telling her to relax, to sleep, to...
"You feel it too?"
Jasmine had come to stand at Kairi's side.
"Yeah," Kairi said. "This isn't the first time."
Jasmine tilted her head, questions in her brown eyes.
"When I was trying to save Sora, I had Riku pull out my heart. And then I felt this overwhelming sense of peace. Like I wanted to fade away. I thought it was because I took my heart out of my body, but," Kairi rubbed her forehead, "now I have this tugging feeling."
Jasmine looked up at the sun. "Me too. It's like..."
"Like it's calling us somewhere," Kairi finished.
Dread tingled in Kairi's legs. She thought about the intense light she thought she sensed in the realm of darkness. She pressed a hand to her heart, unconsciously moving closer to Jasmine. All this light, all the darkness that cased it, everything being out of order...it was all...
"Too soon," Kairi whispered.
"What was that?" Jasmine asked.
"It's weird, but I sometimes wonder if the overabundance of light is somehow normal. Like it's supposed to happen."
Jasmine looked up into the sky. "When I pull on the light, to create a barrier around the palace, I feel the same. Then I start to drift away, and I start to doubt."
"How do you draw in the light? How do you use it?"
Jasmine shrugged. "It's like breathing. I simply allow it to happen."
Kairi sighed. "So it's still instinctual. Great. I guess it's back to finding my hook."
"Hook?"
Kairi recited Lunafreya's lessons about the light. Jasmine absentmindedly stroked Rajah while she listened. When Kairi was finished, Jasmine put her hands on her hips.
"I see. My hook was being allowed to finally make my own choices. All my life, I never did a thing on my own. Aladdin was my first friend outside the palace wall." Jasmine's expression became determined. "After I was taken to Hollow Bastion, I vowed that no one would stop me from doing what I wanted to do with my life. I will do what is best for me and my people."
Jasmine looked as though she had more to say, but she was interrupted by Oswald. He stood on the garden fountain, stomping his big, rabbit feet to get everyone's attention. For such a little guy, he had a voice that boomed so loud, it silenced everyone's conversations.
"I vote that Kairi, Aladdin, and I stay in the palace to protect Jasmine while Riku and Genie go out there to investigate the source of the cold front." Oswald pointed his wand to the sky. "I'm no expert on light, but I do know magic. While we were flying back to Agrabah, I noticed that there are ice towers to the east. I'm sure the source of the cold front is in that direction."
Kairi bit her lip. "Aqua is out there, though. I wish we didn't have to split up."
Riku stepped forward. "But if we don't do something, then Agrabah will freeze. I can't let that happen. Besides, Genie has my back, and I know that you and Oswald can protect Jasmine. Unless," he smirked, "you don't think you can do it."
Aladdin crossed his arms. "Was that a sad attempt at a joke?"
Kairi stuck out her tongue. "Please."
Oswald smacked his wand into his palm. "What part of 'master level mage trained by Yen Sid' don't you understand?"
"This princess can also take care of herself, thank you very much," Jasmine added.
Riku cringed. "R-right. Of course, Your Highness."
He turned and motioned for Genie to accompany him back to the city. Jasmine and Kairi shared a secret laugh, both noticing how Riku's shoulders rose. He walked faster into the palace.
Kairi whispered to Jasmine. "I hope you weren't too mean to him."
"Me? No. Rajah, on the other hand."
The tiger yawned as if to say, "and I'd do it again."
"I still have some reservations, but I think Riku's on the road to total forgiveness."
"That's good," Aladdin said. "Because it would have been really awkward to be angry with him now that he and Genie are friends."
To say that an empty desert town was creepy was like saying that the sky was a little dark at night. The hollow buildings loomed over Riku. The cold air that slithered under his clothes. He had to stop himself from asking Genie, yet again, if the sun really was shining overhead. Following Genie to the edge of town, Riku thought hard about how to draw out the light from within himself.
He was determined not to be caught off guard by Aqua again. He tried to be present, to feel Genie's slightly smoky form next to him. He practiced the deep breathing exercises that Lunafreya had taught him, but all that did was make him lightheaded. For a single moment, he almost closed his eyes and let the relaxation take him away.
The sting of darkness reached his nose. Having been in the middle of a long inhale, Riku coughed. Next to him, Genie tensed.
"Is it Blueberry Lady?"
"Not this time." Riku hacked. "I have a feeling that she'll adapt." He summoned his soul eater. "Let's get her head on."
The thing about suddenly switching from lightheaded relaxation to adrenaline was that it took a little time for the brain to think clearly. If Riku hadn't been so focused on ambushing the darkness he felt down the road, he would have also noticed the strong-willed light that accompanied that darkness.
Too bad that there was no room for rational thought as Riku and Genie charged at the lone figure. That was, until Riku got close enough to realize that his enemy was not Aqua, but rather, a young man. He rolled away from Riku's first strike.
After his roll, the young man charged, a blade appearing in the his hand. Just as Riku blocked the attack, the young man jumped back, dodging a fire spell from Genie.
"Who are you?"
His voice was firm yet mellow, the sound of someone still too young to be truly commanding, but one that was used to having his orders followed regardless.
"Who are you?" Genie countered.
The young man walked around Genie. "What are you?"
Genie gasped. "Rude! What? Never seen a genie before?"
"Don't think so."
The young man lowered his stance, sword ready for attack. Riku had been anticipating a charge. He had prepared to lunge to the side. What he hadn't expected was for the young man's body to fade into nothing. He simply blipped out of existence for a second.
Riku's senses freaked out, but then he felt the air shift right behind him. He cartwheeled to the side before the young man's sword sliced into his back. Landing back on his feet, Riku had to duck once more as the young man vanished and reappeared right in front of him.
Two could play at that game.
Riku slipped into the darkness. The enemy grunted when Riku's soul eater slammed down on his sword a second later. Genie watched the two boys duel, all while waving around cheerleader pompoms and shouting, "Hey-hey-yo-yo-go-Riku-go-go!"
Grinning, Riku shoved the young man backward. The two paced around each other.
"You're not from Agrabah," Riku concluded. "Who are you?"
"Seeing as you were the one that ambushed me," the young man said cooly, "maybe it would be a good idea for you to explain what you're doing here."
Riku shrugged. "Mistook you for someone else." He relaxed his shoulders, trying to be nonthreatening. "Sorry."
The young man clicked his teeth. "Must be nice to think that attacking someone out of the blue can be solved with a simple apology. Do you always dive headfirst into conclusions, or am I just special?"
A counter quip was on the tip of Riku's tongue, but he never got the chance to say it. The roar of an engine and the squealing of tires was the only warning he got before a car burst out of an alley to his right. Closing his eyes from the sudden dust cloud, Riku made his way over to Genie. The two friends had a second to regroup before the car stopped and three men jumped out. When the dust had settled, all five men, and Genie, stood in a circle, weapons pointed at each other.
Genie pointed his fingers like a pair of pistols. One finger pointed to the young man that had insulted Riku. The other pointed to a slightly older man wearing glasses.
"Looks like we got ourselves a good ol' fashioned standoff boys," Genie said in a gruff voice.
"It would seem so," said Glasses.
His voice was sophisticated and calm. He tilted his head toward the young man next to him.
"Noct, mind filling us in on the situation."
Recognition tingled in Riku's spine. Looks like he had more apologizing to do.
"Noct? As in Noctis? Luna's fiancé?"
Though he had fought back and exchanged insults, up until that point, Noctis had mostly been aloof. Now there was fury, dripping like venom, from his voice.
"'That's Lady Lunafreya to likes of you." He stepped forward.
"Noct." Glasses did not sound angry, but his voice was low and commanding.
"Stay out of this, Ignis." He turned back to Riku. "Luna. Where is she? How do you know her?"
"She's my friend and she asked me to look for you." Riku's snapped back. "Now who's the one jumping to conclusions?"
Genie put up his hands. "This went from zero to one hundred real quick. Let's take a moment to calm down."
"I agree with the blue-floaty dude."
Riku turned to the third young man in the standoff. He was younger then Ignis, the man in glasses, closer to Noctis' age. He was lanky, and his hair was puffed up on one side. Though he held a pair of pistols, Riku sensed an easygoing aura from the young man. Slowly, Pistols put away his weapons and held up his hands, mirroring Genie's pose.
"Come on guys," said Pistols. "Can't we solve this with words?"
"Sure," Noctis spat. "Tell me where Luna is and maybe I will forgive the ambush."
The fourth man in the standoff spoke. Unlike Pistols and Glasses, the last man was broad shouldered and muscular. His voice was as gruff and heavy as the thick broadsword he had resting against his shoulder.
"Noct, listen to Iggy and stand down. The kid doesn't seem like he'd do Lady Lunafreya any harm."
Noctis grunted, finally relaxing his stance. "Fine." He pointed to Riku. "Talk."
Muscles pointed his thumb at Noctis. "Don't mind him. He's a little rough around the edges, especially when it comes to his young bride. Plus we've had to deal with a lot of crazy over the past few days." Muscles put away his broadsword and pointed to his chest. "The name's Gladio." He pointed to Pistols. "This is Prompto." He pointed to Glasses. "And that's Ignis."
"Great!" Prompto clapped his hands. "Now that we all know each other, let's talk this out like adults."
Genie leaned over to Riku. "Looks like the boy band has calmed down. Maybe you should do the same?"
Smiling ruefully, Riku released his soul eater. "Only for you."
He told Noctis about Luna's whereabouts and what she had been up to. When he explained how Luna had chosen to stay in Hollow Bastion so that she could help the people that had been injured during Sephiroth's attack, Riku felt a spark of admiration from Noctis.
"I'm glad that she's safe," Noctis said. "The question is how do we get to her."
"Shouldn't searching for Lady Lunafreya wait until after we've ascertained where we are and why we are here?" Ignis stated.
Noctis shrugged. "If you say so."
Riku suppressed a groan. As if he could sense the boy's mood, Genie floated behind Riku and slapped his hands on his shoulders.
"Say, I have an idea."
"Why do I feel like I'm not going to like it?"
Genie chuckled. "Sharp one, aren't ya? I was thinking that there's safety in numbers, and Blueberry Lady is still out there, and we don't know what's lurking out in the desert. Let's team up with the boy band."
"I don't think Noctis will agree so easily," Riku argued.
"Yeah, but he wants to reunite with his beloved. Maybe we should strike a deal."
"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this." Sighing, Riku waved at Noctis' team. "I'll keep this short. Me and my friend here, need to head out into the desert to figure out where this cold weather is coming from. We should team up. You guys can fight, right?"
"Does a chocobo love gysahl greens?" Prompto asked cheerfully.
"Is that a yes?"
Prompto hung his head. "Man. I'm really going to have to come up with some new material. Being in a new world is tough enough, what am I going to do if no one gets my jokes?."
Genie put a hand on his chest. "I feel ya, brother."
Prompto perked up. "By the way, are you seriously a genie?"
"In the flesh."
"Cool."
Riku was grinning. Prompto reminded him of Sora. He hoped that the mission for Yen Sid was going well.
"So, are you guys in?"
"I have a better idea," Noctis said. "Why don't you just take me to Luna. Then I'll decide to help you."
"Noct." Gladio managed to pack the name with both annoyance and concern. "I know you don't like the kid, but Lady Lunafreya would be appalled that you didn't help someone she considers a friend."
"Agreed. It is unlike a king to leave people in need so that he may go galavanting after their own self interests," Ignis added.
Riku narrowed his eyes. "Noctis is a king?"
"Not yet," Gladio replied. "He has to marry Lady Lunafreya first."
"Good. Because he's certainly not like any king I've ever met."
"Do you have something to say?" Noctis snapped.
"Just that the king I know tends to guide and sacrifice for his people."
"Children, please." Ignis scolded.
Noctis turned his heel, turning to face the desert. "We'll help you figure out what's causing the cold weather, but only if you agree to take us to Luna right after."
Riku grit his teeth. "I keep my promises."
He narrowed his eyes in Noctis' general direction. There was a flare of darkness in response to his look. The two young men would have been locked in a staring match, if Prompto hadn't heaved a heavy sigh.
"I'm all for helping you guys out," he pointed to the car, "but this baby isn't made for off-roading. The Regalia is more of a classy ride."
Genie cracked his knuckles. "Easy fix."
One quick snap later, and the car was obscured by a puff of smoke. Once the magical dust had worn off, the car's wheels had become much bigger and sturdier, making the car resemble a jeep rather then the sleek convertible it had been earlier.
Gladio whistled. "Now that's my kind of ride."
Ignis clicked his teeth. "The Regalia certainly has lost its air of refinement, but at least the reinforced undercarriage will make it easier to traverse over the ice and sand."
"Whatever," Noctis sighed, climbing up into the passenger's seat. "Ignis, you drive."
"As you wish."
While the "boy band" got into the back seat of the car, Riku turned to face Agrabah once more. Kairi and Oswald could easily handle the heartless, and they would be safe behind Jasmine's barrier. Still, Riku worried hoped that there may be more surprises.
Noctis called. "We don't have all day, grey hair. Get in."
"The name's Riku."
Gladio reached over and extended his hand, helping Riku up into the car.
"Pleased to meet you," Ignis said as Riku settled into the seat behind him. He then glanced up at Genie. "Sorry friend. It doesn't seem like there's room for you."
Genie winked. "I prefer to fly free anyway."
"Good to hear." Ignis put his hands on the wheel. "Where to?"
"East."
Genie turned into a floating compass. Surprised, Ignis leaned slightly to the side. Prompto applauded.
"There's something you don't see everyday," Gladio quipped.
"Yeah," Noctis chuckled.
"Was that amusement in your tone?" Riku joked. "And here I thought your emotional range was indifference and anger."
"I wouldn't say that you're too far from the mark," Ignis stated, shifting the car into gear.
Gladio leaned his head back, barking out a short laugh.
"Traitors," Noctis scoffed.
"This is going to be an interesting trip," Prompto said.
The cool air swept Riku's hair away from his neck. After flying behind them for half an hour, Genie eventually settled onto the back end of the car. Like Riku, he had closed his eyes and just let the wind press against his face. The drive had been tense at first, as both Riku and Noctis were doing their best not to talk to each other. Getting frustrated with the silence, Ignis had turned on some music.
Riku listened to the beats while doing his best to scan the area around them. Eventually, Prompto asked Riku why he was out in the desert. Riku debated how much to tell him, but then shrugged. They were already in a different world, might as well fill them in on everything he knew. When he was finished, Gladio let out a low grunt of sympathy.
"Sounds rough. And that woman, Aqua, you think she's out in the desert?"
"Maybe." Riku slouched in his seat. "She's strong, even without a weapon. I was trying to find a way to reach into the light inside me, so that I could counter the darkness she emits, but I haven't had much luck so far."
"Sounds like you need some more training." Gladio put his hands behind his head. "If we find a time to rest, I'm up for it."
"Thanks."
"Wait until he wakes you up at the crack of dawn to go racing," Noctis mumbled from the front seat.
"Too bad there will be no dawn." Riku explained how the sun had not set in three days.
"It seems we have the opposite problem," Ignis stated. "In our world, the nights are lasting longer and longer, the perfect breeding ground for night terrors."
Riku bit his lip. "How exactly did you guys get here? Did something terrible happen to your world?"
Gladio grunted. "If only it were that exciting. No. We were driving good ol' Noct to his wedding and then boom. Out in the desert. Except it wasn't like any desert we were used to."
"It's not this cold where we come from," Prompto added.
"I'm sure my friends and I can find a way to send all of you, and Lu-I mean, Lady Lunafreya-home safely. Once we solve the world crashing problem, at least."
Ignis hit the breaks.
Riku's seatbelt dug into his chest as he lurched forward. The wind had stopped. In its place was a heavy, angry atmosphere, like the silent vibrations one felt before an impending thunderstorm. Instead of lightning, sharp pillars of ice jutted out of the ground like spike traps trying to skewer wondering treasure hunters.
When Ignis had stopped, Genie had flown off the Regalia's trunk. He had managed to stop himself before he could hit the ice pillar that had popped up in his path. Even though he was uninjured, he still let out a surprised wail.
"Guys, we have a problem!"
Noctis rose up from his seat. "Someone's on on the ground!"
Riku sensed a body straight ahead. A girl was collapsed on the sand. And there were several sharp spikes of ice converging on her.
"Blue haired woman!" Prompto screamed. "Three o' clock!"
Panic flared in Riku's chest. He grit his teeth, preparing for the truckload of pressure that was going to fall on his head the moment Aqua got too close.
Nothing hit him.
Except the cold. The air began to burn his skin as shards of ice dug into him like sharp fingernails.
"Noct, get the girl! Everyone else, hold on!"
Noct jumped onto the hood of the car. He leapt into the air, vanishing. He warped across space, reappearing in the center of the ice spears.
Riku sensed that Noct was able to grab the girl and pull her away from the ice spikes before the two of them could be skewered. He would have sighed in relief, if it weren't for the fact that Ignis had turned the car so fast that Riku's mind whirled. The engine, as well as both Prompto and Genie-who held onto the car for dear life-screamed.
Ignis gunned it, serving left and right to avoid not only the crystal spikes coming out of the sand, but the also the huge chunks of ice that were falling from the sky, bombarding the sand like frozen comets.
"Iggy, she's on our tail!"
"Then don't just sit there. Put those pistols to good use."
Prompto undid his seatbelt. He leaned over the side of the car, pointing his pistols at a figure in the distance. A shot ran out, followed by a curse.
"She's too fast."
"Is that her?" Gladio asked Genie. "Aqua?"
"Nope. Never seen her-it-whatever that is-before."
Riku felt something. A spark of cold, focused light, one that was surrounded by poisonous darkness. It was running after the car. The being chasing them was unhindered by the sand. The sound of her feet hitting the ground sounded like icicles crashing onto stone.
Genie let go of the car's trunk. He flew toward the woman chasing them. "I'll give you guys a few minutes!"
"Not without me, you won't!"
"Need a hand?"
Gladio grabbed Riku's arm and lifted him up onto trunk of the car. Riku crashed onto the smooth, cold surface. He was then flipped onto a pair of strong shoulders. He flailed his arms for a few seconds, but stopped when a pair of hands braced his legs.
"Let's get that ice queen, kid!" Genie boomed.
"Get me an opening!"
"You got it!"
Riku wished he hadn't opened his big mouth. Riding on Genie's shoulders was like trying to balance on a barrel in high heels. All the loops, swerves, dives, and parachute falls completely destroyed Riku's senses as Genie magically bombarded the ice woman on the sand below.
Even as Genie rained down fire that would make a volcano jealous, the ice woman was quick, practically dancing out of the way of each attack. Whenever a hit did land, she casted freezing spells on herself to increase her own stamina. Riku teeth began to chatter. The temperature was dropping, and still there was no way to weaken the ice woman below. If this kept up, he would be frozen before he could even think about counterattacking.
There was a honk.
Genie threw another volley of fire magic at the ice woman, and she made the mistake of looking up and dodging the raining fireballs. Her blunder made it easy for Ignis to ram the jeep into her. The ice woman went flying. Though she bounced on the sand, she landed back on her feet.
While Genie rained down more fire, Gladio leapt out of the car, waved through the magic spells, and succeeded in slicing the ice woman. She stumbled back, ice forming out of her legs. Prompto ran around her, shooting rounds from his pistol, so fast that all the woman could do was summon ice walls to shield herself. And that was when Gladio charged at her and sliced through her walls with his broadsword.
"Now's your chance, kid!"
Genie gripped Riku's legs. He dove down. Halfway to the ground, Genie flipped three times, building up momentum before he let go. Riku flew, zeroing in on the ice woman's position. She was still trying to protect herself with ice shields, while throwing miniature blizzard clouds at Prompto.
Riku coated his soul eater in darkness. One slice, combining the speed of his fall, and the force from his attack, would stop the ice woman. Yet he felt a strange energy in the air. The ice around the woman's arm was rising. Even as she was sliced and bombarded by laser bullets, even as she leaned forward in exhaustion, she held one arm out before her, her thumb and middle finger touching, as though she were about to snap them.
Riku lifted his soul eater above his head with both hands. Gladio and Prompto were forced back by a powerful blast of cold wind, but Riku had a clear hot. He brought his soul eater down.
His weapon hit Noctis' sword. The young prince had appeared behind the ice woman's back, and parried Riku's attack. Noctis pushed Riku back. He crashed into the sands, while Noctis rolled away from the ice woman. If he weren't trying to regain his wits, Riku might have felt the huge blast of cold ice that had appeared where he had been seconds before.
As the sharp ice spread out into a huge circle, pushing all the men back, ice woman fled. When Riku stood back up to his feet, his teeth were no longer chattering. The temperature rose when the ice woman vanished, but Riku's cold fury remained. He stomped toward Noctis.
"What was that? We almost had her!"
"Stand down and listen," Noctis ordered calmly. "She was moments away from destroying you."
"What are you talking about? She was down. And thanks to you, we lost our chance."
Genie fluttered down behind Riku. "Easy. I'm sure there's a good explanation for this."
Riku didn't hear Genie. He couldn't remember the last time he was this furious, and Noctis' nonchalant pose only made it worse. "We bombarded her with all those attacks, and she just got back up and ran away like all we did was nothing."
A girl's voice spoke. "That's because she's an aeon. And she cannot be defeated by normal means."
Riku finally broke out of his fury. A girl close to his age ran up to him. Her boots stomped hard over the ice and sand. She bowed when she reached Riku.
"I'm so so sorry. This is all my fault. I told Noctis to stop you. Are you injured? Let me heal you."
Riku stepped back. "I'm fine," he snapped.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"I'm fine," he said again, more calmly. "I didn't mean to lose my cool." Riku grimaced. "No pun intended."
The girl giggled.
"Pardon me, miss," came Ignis' calm voice. "You said that the ice woman was an aeon?"
"Yes," the girl answered. "A spirit made of out light, and a summoner's hopes. She has a name. It's Shiva."
"So it wasn't the woman Riku and Genie were looking for," Gladio grunted.
Prompto waved at the girl. "Well we know the ice woman's name, but we don't know yours."
"Oh. Sorry. How rude of me." The girl bowed. "I'm Yuna."
"This just got bit more complicated, didn't it?" Gladio said.
Ignis made his way back to the Regalia. "Perhaps it would be prudent to find a place to rest. I'm sure Lady Yuna is exhausted, and we could all take a moment to regroup."
"But now we have too many passengers," Prompto said.
"Hey don't sweat it," Genie boomed. "Ms. Yuna, you can ride with me and Riku."
And with that, Genie morphed into a car.
Yuna clapped. "Amazing! You turned yourself into a machina."
Genie wasn't as sleek and stylish as the Regalia. His edges were rounder and cartoonish, but he had enough room for two. Genie opened his passenger side door and Yuna happily got in.
Riku inched toward the Genie-car. "You know I can't drive, right?"
Genie honked his horn. "I can drive myself, thank you very much."
"Come on! Get in!" Yuna bounced in her seat.
"Well, that's settled it then."
Ignis directed everyone else to the Regalia. When Noctis walked by, Riku did his best not to glare. Noctis didn't give any indication that he was aware of Riku's foul mood, but he did spare a moment to look over his shoulder at the Genie-car.
"Stick close. I wouldn't want to lose track of each other."
An arm came out from under Genie's hood, giving Noctis a thumbs up. Noctis made a low grunt of amusement. Then, he pointed at the passenger seat.
"Hey, Yuna. Might be a good idea to teach Riku your philosophy on smiling. He looks like he needs it."
Riku bit his tongue before he could make a comeback. What did Luna see in this guy? All he did was give the occasional snappy comment and expect everyone to follow his every whim.
Genie's engine started up. "Safety first, kids."
Seat belts clicked themselves into place. Yuna gasped in delight. Warmth blasted out of Genie's heaters. They were off, following the Regalia through the ice spears. Yuna turned in her seat, looking out into the desert.
"I would have enjoyed exploring a new world if it weren't for Shiva's rampage."
Riku turned to face her. "You were thrown out of your own world too?"
Yuna shook her head. "No. My friend and I don't really have a world. We go from place to place. We sensed that something was wrong when our summon spirits started to behave strangely. We were separated the moment we came here."
"Summon spirits? I thought you said that Shiva was an aeon."
"She is. There are two types of summon spirits. Aeons and Eidolons. As a summoner, it's my responsibility to control the Aeon's power. My friend controls the Eidolons."
Although Yuna's tone was cheerful, her aura did not match.
"What's bothering you?" Riku asked.
Yuna tilted her head. "Pardon?"
"You collapsed in the middle of the desert, lost your friend, and control of the summon spirit you were supposed to protect. And you're this happy? It's okay to express how you really feel, you know."
Yuna was quiet for a moment. Then she pressed her fingertips to her mouth and laughed.
"You're the first person to see through me."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Yuna shook her head. "It's lonely, being a summoner. Both my friend and I defeated our enemies, but by then our worlds were destroyed. All we had left were the spirits we were supposed to guard. After everything, I didn't want the sorrow to get me down. So I practiced smiling when I was feeling sad. That way, no matter how hard things get, I can always believe that there is something good around the corner."
Genie wiggled his rear view mirrors. "I like your style, Ms. Yuna."
Yuna put her hands on the dashboard. "And I like your transformations!"
"Wait till we find a place to rest. I'll give you a real show."
"That would be wonderful!"
Riku threw his arm over the back of his chair, feeling the irritation flutter away.
"Just smile, huh?"
"You could also try laughing out loud," Yuna suggested.
Riku raised an eyebrow. "I can fake a smile, but I don't know about a laugh."
Yuna leaned toward him. "I won't accept that answer. Come on. Laugh! Do it!"
"You know, you and my friend Kairi would get along."
"I'm not hearing any laughing."
Genie swerved suddenly, and Riku yelped when his body jerked to the right.
"Hey!"
Genie did his best Ignis impression. "I believe the lady made a request."
"Fine."
Riku took let out the blandest, most awkward laugh of his life.
"Louder!" Yuna demanded. "Like you mean it!"
Riku's lungs expanded as he belted out an obnoxious chortle. After a few seconds, the ridiculousness of the situation made Riku snort. His forced laughter became real. Yuna and Genie joined in, and, for a moment, Riku forgot about Aqua, and Noctis. Only laughing mattered. In that moment, if he had thought to try, Riku might have been able to summon some light.
Yuna, Riku, and Prompto huddled close to the campfire, listening to the coals crackle. After setting up some tents, and chairs, the group had stopped to rest. It was a strange feeling, camping when he knew the sun was out. Nevertheless, the fire warmed his arms and chest, and his mind drifted peacefully.
Ignis and Genie were off by to the side of the campsite, hovering over a grill. Whatever they were making smelled divine. Noctis and Gladio were looking over the Regalia for damage.
"That must have been some joke," Prompto said suddenly.
Yuna tilted her head to the side. "Joke?"
"Yeah, we could hear you guys laughing your heads off for five minutes. What was so funny?"
Light sparked in Yuna's aura. "It's a secret."
"What?" Prompto whined. "Come on."
"Sorry, dude." Riku leaned back in his chair. "You had to be there."
Prompto sighed, digging into his coat pocket. "Well, at least I have something to commemorate the moment."
He leaned over the fire, and gave a flat object to Yuna. She let out a squeal of delight. "It's wonderful! When did you take this?"
Prompto pulled a camera out from his pocket. "I take all kinds of pictures when people aren't looking."
He extended his arm to Riku, giving him a photograph.
"Thanks."
"Like it?"
Riku hoped he had a convincing smile. "Sure."
"You didn't even look."
Yuna leaned over, peaking at the photo in Riku's hand. "What's wrong? It's a nice picture of you."
"Is that what it is?" Riku let out a nervous laugh. "Sorry, Prompto. I'm sure it's great, I just can't see it. I'm blind."
Prompto got up from his seat so fast that his chair flopped to the side. "What? Then how you were doing all those flips and tricks earlier? Super cool, by the way."
Riku wondered if he should just start keeping his visual impairment to himself. He tucked Prompto's picture into his pocket, and prepared to explain how his senses worked. Luckily, or unluckily, Noctis chose that moment to come to the fire.
"That true? You really can't see anything?"
"Not a thing."
Noctis sat down in the foldable chair next to Prompto. "Well, now I can see why you mistook me for someone else earlier." Noctis shrugged. "Sorry about that, by the way."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously apologizing just because you learned I can't see?"
Noctis leaned forward on his knees. "You really have a low opinion of me, don't you?"
"Gee, what gave it away?"
Yuna waved at Riku. "I'm sure His Highness wasn't trying to insult you."
"Yeah. Noct is just not that good at expressing his feelings," Prompto added. "He's the cool, silent type."
"I thought that was my type," said Gladio, as he strode over to the group.
He sat down to Yuna's right and gave her a bowl of steaming food. A moment later, a plate fluttered down in front of Riku's nose. Genie hovered over the fire, magically levitating plates of food to everyone else in the group. Once his chore was done, Genie went to lie down on the roof of the tent right behind Riku.
"Dig in," said Ignis as he passed out a set of forks, "before it gets cold."
The savory smell made Riku forget about his argument with Noctis. There were several sighs of delight as everyone around him began their meal.
"Lasagna Al Forno," Genie announced in a smooth accent. He pressed his fingertips to his lips, making a kissing sound. "Absolutely scrumptious. I have to say, Ignis, you make an old genie jealous."
Riku could see why. The pasta practically melted on his tongue with each bite. The last time he had eaten anything that delicious was when he had stopped by Tiana's restaurant in Twilight Town.
"Do you always do the cooking?" he asked Ignis.
"For the sake of our survival, I must."
"Here we go," Gladio sighed.
"If I had left such chores to the rest of our group, we'd either persist on cups of noodles, courtesy of Gladio, or bland, tasteless food."
"Hey," Prompto whined. "At least my meals are edible. Noct burns everything he touches."
"For a man that has never cooked a day his life, one would expect such results," Ignis said.
Noctis threw a roll of bread at him. While still holding his fork, Ignis easily caught the bread.
"Don't waste food."
"Okay, Mom," Noctis snapped.
Ignis let out a small, displeased grunt while Gladio and Prompto snickered.
Yuna giggled. "You four are such good friends."
"Glad we could make the little lady laugh. I see that you're feeling better?" Gladio asked.
"Yes. Thank you."
"Why were you out cold in the middle of the desert anyway?"
Yuna reached out to the fire. "Shiva's power drained me when she broke out of my control. My aeons don't usually frenzy like that." Yuna pulled her knees up to her chest. "I cannot summon any other aeon until Shiva is returned to me. Without her, I'm almost powerless."
"What do you think made Shiva go nuts?" Prompto asked.
"Aeons are summon spirits that thrive on light. Imagine filling your stomach with so much food that you ache. I think the overabundance of light in this world has made Shiva lose control of herself."
"So how do we tame this wayward spirit?"
Yuna handed her empty bowl to Ignis. "If you can tire her out, I can try to reconnect with her, at least enough to dismiss her until we are somewhere that has less light."
"We can do that." Prompto elbowed Noctis. "Right?"
"Piece of cake," Noctis agreed. "But we'd need someone to keep an eye on Yuna while she's working her magic."
Genie raised a hand. "Leave that to me."
Yuna stood up. "You all barely know me and you're risking so much." She leaned forward in another bow. "Thank you."
"Don't sweat it, kid. We all have a horse in this race," said Gladio. "Helping out a lady in need is just the cherry on top."
"Indeed." Ignis collected the rest of the bowls. "Nevertheless, rest is required before we set out. Best not to let our enemies capitalize on our exhaustion."
Yuna was able to sense her aeon's presence. The Genie-car and the Regalia zoomed over the desert sands, following Yuna's directions. In the distance, crystals of ice shot out of the sand. The Regalia and Genie came to a stop. Genie returned to his regular form, hovering close to Yuna's side.
Riku felt Shiva's cold yet light aura straight ahead.
Yuna gripped a long staff before her. "Are we ready?"
"The five of us will engage with Shiva, while Genie protects the lady until she can regain control of the aeon," Ignis summarized.
"Don't mess up, Noct," said Gladio.
"Me? You think you can match Shiva's speed with that overgrown knife you call a sword?"
"The bigger the sword, the more painful the hit. Even with your teleportation abilities, you can still get caught off guard."
"Like being ambushed by a boy and his Genie friend?" Riku offered.
"Save it for the fight, you two."
"Whatever," Riku and Noctis said.
Both young men stiffened like a pair of trees. Then, they each walked away from one another, putting ten paces between them. Yuna and Genie giggled.
Prompto leaned over to Ignis.
"I could cut the tension with a knife. What's with them?"
"It would seem," Ignis pushed his glasses higher up on his nose, "that the two of them are peas in a pod."
"Huh?"
"On rare occasions, when two people of similar personalities meet, they may form a great dislike of each other."
Riku rounded on Ignis. "We are nothing alike!"
"Ah, you can hear me over there. Well then, would you kindly get ready for battle? Or are you and Noctis going to sulk all day?"
Grumbling, Riku moved in Shiva's direction. This was worse then back when Sora had joked that he and Jim Hawkins should have been twins. At least Jim was friendly and didn't hold grudges. Or maybe Riku was the one holding grudges...or was it jealousy regarding a certain ora-Riku slapped his hands on the sides of his head, forcing himself to focus on the mission.
Yuna and Genie had gone on ahead, and where kneeling at the top of a tall sand dune. Unlike Yuna, Riku didn't have to peek over the sand to know where Shiva was. He could feel the aeon angrily gliding over the sands, throwing chunks of ice in every direction. Wherever the ice boulders hit, spears of ice and sand burst up from the ground. The team whispered as they watched Shiva rampage below.
"She'a angrier then a fat chocobo being put on a diet." Gladio looked at Yuna. "You ready, kid?"
Yuna pressed a hand to her chest. "I have the easy task. The rest of you must put yourselves in danger."
"Don't worry. We'll just have to stay cool and make sure to bring the heat while we take on Shiva," Prompto chuckled.
"Puns? Really?" Riku and Noctis said. "Quit copying me!"
Ignis didn't laugh, but there was amusement in his voice as he stood and readied his dangers. "What did I tell you? Peas in a pod."
"More like unofficial siblings," Genie snickered.
Noctis stood. "I need to fight something."
"For once, we agree," Riku mumbled.
The team leapt over the dune, charging into battle. Shiva didn't move from her spot in the sand below. Rather, she raised her hand, and hundreds of icicles appeared in the air, bombarding the young men. Noctis teleported away from the raining ice. Ignis sliced through the magic with his daggers, while Gladio used his broadsword to smack the ice away. How he was able to use that massive weapon with one hand, Riku had no clue. He slid down the sand, slipping into the darkness, weaving left and right, avoiding all of Shiva's flying projectiles.
From above, there was loud boom of laughter as Genie, who had taken the form of a giant bird, flew overhead with Yuna on his back. Fireballs rained down from Genie's wings, melting enough ice spells for the young men to converge on Shiva.
A shot ran out and hit Shiva in the hip, momentarily stunning her. Before she could counterattack Prompto, Gladio came flying at her. He spun his muscular body, and his massive sword so fast that he generated a miniature cyclone. The wind threw Shiva to the side, leaving her vulnerable for a strike from Noctis, who has appeared out of thin air and slashed her with his sword.
Shiva fell to one knee. Ignis took this chance to throw his daggers. Though they were blocked by an ice shield, Shiva couldn't defend herself from being hit in the back by one of Prompto's expertly timed shots. She fell forward on her hands and knees, and it was at that moment that Riku and Noctis, using darkness and teleportation, appeared before her and delivered the final X-strike that made her lay flat on the sand.
Genie brought Yuna down, and the young girl stood before Shiva, dancing. She waved her wand over her head, spinning in place. Riku felt sparks of light floating off Shiva and moving into Yuna's staff. He was so transfixed by Yuna's dance, that he forgot to question why the fight had been so easy.
Shiva's body began to slowly disintegrate, fading into light. Riku could feel the ice melting around him. He was too late to sense the sudden, powerful blast of dusty wind coming his way.
Yuna fell over. Genie hovered down to protect her from the sudden sandstorm. Prompto and Noctis were knocked back. They would have rolled along the icy sand if Gladio hadn't caught them. The big man used his weight and sword to brace himself and his friends. Only Ignis was clever enough to let his body fall to the ground, allowing the wind and sand to fly over him instead of knocking him back.
Riku sunk his soul eater into the icy ground to anchor himself. Sand scratched at his face and neck. The air above them swirled into an angry cyclone, and while Riku could sense everyone else's presence through the storm, he knew that they were now at a disadvantage. The sandstorm had stopped Yuna's dance before she could completely subdue Shiva. The ice woman was rising. Riku could feel the light gathering in her body.
She was getting stronger, gathering so much light that Riku could feel it burning along his skin. Then, his heart sunk as he recognized a sudden, powerful point of darkness. It was moving. Toward him.
Riku threw his body to the side, feeling a razor sharp crystal of ice and darkness sail overhead. The sandstorm did not let up, but the wind had died down enough for him to get back on his feet. He wobbled where he stood. Darkness pressed on him like a hot iron. His throat was dry, his knees shook under the heavy weight, but he refused to cower.
"You shame me for using darkness, and yet you still use the same power to pin me down?"
Aqua chuckled as she stepped toward him. The sandstorm moved through her, as though she were a ghost. She stopped several paces in front of Riku. Sweat began to drip from Riku's forehead, but he forced his aching legs to stay standing.
"Hypocrite."
Aqua shrugged.
"My sincerest apologies. Would you prefer this instead?"
The light in the atmosphere twitched, as though it were being pulled somewhere. As the light moved, Riku got a better sense of what was going on around him. Shiva had restarted her rampage, and Yuna, Genie, and Noctis' team were too busy engaging with her to notice Aqua gathering magic in her open palm.
A surge of energy flew toward Riku.
He let himself fall, face first into the sand. A burning, hot sphere of light flew over him. Though he had avoided the attack, he was now pinned to the ground, trapped under Aqua's dark pressure, but that wasn't the primary worry in his mind.
Did Aqua just use light? Impossible.
She was now standing before him. She reached down, her hand hovering inches from Riku's scalp.
"No Genie to protect you now."
"How about a pea in a pod?"
A sword came flying out of nowhere. Just as it was about to sink into her shoulder, Aqua ducked. Noctis appeared at her side and began slashing at her with his sword. Riku felt utterly powerless. Though Noctis could kept Aqua away, the pressure was suffocating Riku.
The darkness pushed him down into the ground. It crushed his lungs, sand rising up into his nostrils and eyes. He tried to focus on the fight between Noctis and Aqua, but all he could think about was air. He needed to breathe! Sand burned his nose and throat, his lungs seized.
Noctis vanished, trying to get Aqua by surprise. When Noctis reappeared behind her, Aqua simply sidestepped his sword, grabbed his arm, and hurled Noctis back into the storm. With him out of the way, Aqua resumed her walk toward Riku.
"Maybe I have made a mistake."
Riku's fingers wrapped around the hilt of his soul eater. His muscles and bones screamed for him not to move, not to waste any more oxygen by struggling, but he needed to pull himself up.
"Look at you. Too weak to resist the darkness, yet so consumed by it, that you cannot summon the light."
Riku aimed his soul eater at Aqua. His heart beat wildly in his ears. This was going to be a quick draw. Either he got lucky and fired a single shot that would miraculously disrupt Aqua's concentration, enough for him to escape, or she pushed him down into his sandy tomb.
"Perhaps that princess of heart will offer a better challenge."
Memories of Kairi's lifeless body, after she had lost her heart, flashed in Riku's mind. Forget the quickdraw! Forget air! Nothing else mattered but making sure Aqua never got her hands on his best friend. The atmosphere around Riku shivered, covering him with warmth, but he didn't care. He raised his soul eater over his head, and brought it down with a primal scream.
A blade of silver energy flew through the air and sliced into Aqua's chest. Her boots kicked up sand as she fell backward. She didn't collapse, she didn't grunt in pain, but the pressure on Riku's body eased.
He pushed himself up on his hands and knees, gasping as though he had been drowning. Drowning. Drowning. Like back in Halloween Town, when Sora had needed him. And now, Kairi needed him. Noctis, Genie, and the others needed him. Now.
Riku charged at Aqua.
Luna's words echoed in his brain.
"Have you never felt the unstoppable will to protect those that you hold dear?"
Light from the world poured into Riku's body, pushing Aqua's dark pressure away. When he swung his soul eater, it was coated in darkness. But the darkness peeled away, revealing the light that had always been trapped within. Aqua was not quick enough to stop the light from slicing into her side, but she did counterattack.
Ice collided with Riku's side. He screamed as the crystal threw him back into the sand.
"So it is true."
There was a strange emotion in Aqua's tone. Not annoyance, or anger, but something else. She almost sounded...An angry cry interrupted Riku's thoughts before he could pinpoint the emotion.
"Get away form my buddy!"
Genie came flying out of the sandstorm. Even though she had taken two direct hits from Riku, Aqua made Genie chase her around.
While Genie distracted Aqua, Yuna ran to Riku's side. She tapped her staff to his back. The scent of spring leaves, and a warm feeling pushed away Riku's pain.
"Are you all right?" Yuna asked.
Riku sat up, smiling at her. "The others?"
"Still battling Shiva. She's even stronger then before. Something supercharged her with light."
Aqua. Riku realized. The sandstorm had been a cover for more then just ambushing him.
"I'll be there soon. I have to help Genie first."
"No. You don't."
Genie flew toward Riku, and scooped him up. Riku felt his back crack as Genie hugged him tight.
"Don't scare me like that! I thought she almost had you."
"Genie," Riku croaked. "Can't breathe."
"Sorry."
Once Riku was on his feet, he searched with his senses, readying his soul eater to defend against Aqua.
"She's gone, kid," Genie said. "Disappeared into the sandstorm."
"She's going after Kairi." Riku turned to Yuna. "Think Shiva will help us take down the woman that made her frenzy?"
"If we can make her regain her senses."
"You heard the lady, Genie. Let's go help Noct and the others."
"You go." Genie cracked his knuckles. "I'm going to blow away this sandstorm."
Wishing Genie luck, Riku grabbed Yuna's arm and pulled her toward Shiva. Genie rose up into the air, and bellowed out a loud, confident laugh. Moments later, the sandstorm began to ease in intensity, and Riku could sense things a little more clearly.
Noctis and the others were ahead. Prompto and Ignis were using laser bullets and throwing daggers to keep Shiva on the ropes. Defending from long ranged attacks kept her from counterattacking. That left an opening for Noctis and Gladio to get in close and slash at her with their swords.
Riku let go of Yuna when they were just a few feet away. He then slipped into the darkness, reappearing beside Noctis. Once more, the two young men sliced Shiva at the same time. Angry, the aeon swept her leg under Noctis and Riku's feet. The young young men teleported away before they hit the ground.
Reemerging from the darkness, Riku grabbed Noctis' arm.
"Need your help. Can you keep all of her attention on you?" Noctis clicked his teeth. "Easy. What's your plan?"
"If the light's making her go nuts, then I'm going to hit her with all the darkness I got. I need you to buy me time. Tell your friends to get clear when I attack. After that, it's on you to take her down."
Noctis nodded. "You better not miss."
"You better bring your A game."
Noctis chuckled. "You're starting to sound like Gladio." Riku pretended to gasp. "Please don't tell me he's a pea in a pod too."
Noctis ran back into battle, and Riku felt sparks of light flying off his aura as he teleported around Shiva, using his disappearing and reappearing attacks to disorient her. Riku concentrated. He had feared that finding his hook would make it harder to summon the darkness in his heart, but it came to him, unbidden, a second nature he knew would always be there, for there was darkness in every heart.
Riku held his hands out before him, feeling the dark energy pouring forth from his heart. But it wasn't enough. He needed more if he were to break through the light that was fueling the berserk spell on Shiva.
Light.
Of course.
Light trapped in the darkness.
Riku focused on Noctis and the others. They were counting on him. Kairi was in danger. And somewhere out there, Sora was giving it his all. He would be so annoying if he found out Riku wasn't doing the same.
Riku drew in the light from the atmosphere, funneling it into the darkness in his hand. The dark orb grew, so big that Riku could no longer hold it in his hands. He let out a cry that made his voice hoarse.
"Noct! Here it comes!"
The black sphere flew toward Shiva. Seconds after pummeling Shiva with enough attacks to keep her in place, Noctis, Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto scattered. Shiva turned, and the dark orb smashed into her. She fell to her knees and Yuna came running down the dunes.
She began her dance.
The sandstorm around them faded. Genie came floating down. Yuna did her last, graceful turn. She spun her staff before her and turned it upside down. Shiva faded into particles of light. The light floated into Yuna's body. She let out a breath, as though a part of her soul had returned to her.
Instantly, the cold air was gone, being replaced by a heat so intense that Riku instantly felt his mouth go dry. Everyone coughed and groaned
"Out of the freezer and into the frying pan!" Prompto shook sand out of his vest. "I don't know which one is worse."
Gladio, Ignis, Noctis, Yuna, and Genie laughed, but Riku's voice was grim. "We have to go back to Agrabah immediately."
Jiminy's Journal
Noctis (First appeared in Final Fantasy XV, 2016) A prince from a distant land. His royal upbringing has resulted in a seemingly indifferent air about him, yet he has a strong bond with Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto. Noctis and Riku got off on the wrong foot, but nevertheless the two have formed an uneasy respect for one another.
Gladiolus (First appeared in Final Fantasy XV, 2016) Though strong and serious, Gladio is a big guy with a big heart. He serves as the backbone of the group, and often partners with Ignis to make sure Noctis and Prompto don't get in over their heads.
Ignis (First appeared in Final Fantasy XV, 2016) The most intelligent and responsible of Noctis' entourage. Ignis prepares the meals, keeps the peace, and makes sure that Noctis is acting in a way that is befitting of his royal lineage. Ignis is loyal to a fault, but that does not stop him from scolding Noctis when the young prince has done something wrong.
Prompto (First appeared in Final Fantasy XV, 2016) Optimistic and kind, Prompto is the yin to Noctis' yang. His good natured attitude brings a breath of fresh air to the group, keeping them all in high spirits. One can often find Prompto taking pictures with his trusty camera.
Yuna (First Appeared in Final Fantasy X, 2002) A young summoner from a world that was destroyed long ago. She's proper and polite, always putting on a cheerful face, even though she shoulders as lot of responsibility, and has had a difficult past.
Shiva (First Appeared in Final Fantasy III, 1990) A summon spirit that can control ice. Shiva was Yuna's aeon, but the overabundance of light in Agrabah made her go berserk and break out of Yuna's control. Riku and Noctis were able to weaken Shiva enough for her to return to Yuna's side where she belongs.
