"Why?" Noct asks them both. "Why aren't either of you answering my questions?" he asks sounding hurts because he is, he trust them both with his life and here they are keeping secrets. Gladio and Ignis look at each other then back at Noct
"We have been told not to." Ignis answers finally saying something. Confused Noctis looks at his father who shakes his head. It wasn't the king who told them that. If it wasn't him then...
"Who?" Noct asks more confused than before.
"Prompto." Ignis answers. Noct is stunned for two reasons. They actually are following Proms order and they have been in contact with her.
"How long has it been since you found her?" Noct asks hurt, they knew he has been waiting, searching for her and they kept it a secret from him. All because Prom asked them not to... what? What exactly did she not want them to tell him? What shouldn't he know? Again they both keep silent. Well now he knows where she is and will get answers himself. "I'm going." he tells them. Ignis and Gladio immediately knowing to where. Ignis goes to stop him but Gladio moves faster, grabbing his arm to stop the prince.
"What can you do? I won't let you go to get hurt." Gladio says, not wanting to risk it. Noct forces his arm out of Gladios grip.
"I don't care, I'm saving Prompto." Noct says leveling a firm look at Gladio. She saved him from his little black box he put himself in. He would have never known what it's like to have a real friend if it weren't for her. Because of her he knows what feeling like a normal teenager is like. He knows what falling in love is like. He owes her so much, more than a broken heart.
"Then I'll help." Gladio tells him with a smirk. "I'm worried about the little ball of sunshine."
"I will to." Ignis says.
"Sorry Iggy but you can't with Astrum." Gladio tells the advisor pointing to the baby in his arms. Ignis looks down at Astrum who gives him a toothless smile. Ignis for a second forgot about Astrum in his arms. Suppose he will have to stay, though he really wants to go also worried about Prompto.
"I can take him." Regis says. The three forgetting where they are for a second. Regis smiles at Ignis. The advisor thinks about it for a second. He promised Prom that only he and Gladio would be the only ones to take care of Astrum but considering the situation he's sure she would understand.
"Alright. Here," Ignis hands over Astrum then set down his chocobo diaper bag on the table. "We'll be back." He says to Astrum, but it seemed to be directed the king who nods. Astrum will be safe with his grandfather, plus it won't be easy to figure it out. For all Regis knows Ignis is baby sitting for a coworker. Ignis turns to leave with Noct and Gladio.
"Is it alright to let him go, would it not be safe to keep him here?" One of the council member asks. Regis smiles as he looks down at Astrum, the baby he didn't get the name off but he's sure he heard Gladio call him Astrum. What a wonderful name.
"It's fine, he's got Gladio and Ignis plus his magic. Also he would have gone even if we tried to stop him." Regis says, but he's also happy that Noct is going to help his friend. He's proud about that. Regis lets out a chuckle as the baby smiles up at him. The baby is cute, very much so, and familiar looking.
The whole way there they couldn't help but worry. What if something happened on their drive there? Noct knows it's selfish but he wants her back in his life. She could hate him for thinking that but he doesn't care. He's not going to let her go a second time.
It's easy to tell when they get there, the street is blockaded, yellow tape and traffic cones are set up. Police officers standing around, watching and waiting. Police care as far as the eye can see. And Luckily they are allowed in thanks to the regalia. As soon as they get as far as they can drive, there not being enough space, they exit the car and slowly walk to the center of the area, where a group of police officers are standing behind a police cruiser.
Noct stops when he sees the man from the news still holding Prompto. She looks more scared than before. Maybe it's because she's not on a screen. Getting a way closer look he could tell how Prompto's changed. Noct stays stuck on watching, not paying attention to anything else, so he doesn't notice when Ignis walks past him to the highest ranking officer. Gladio stays close to Noct, not able to keep a fully straight face as he watch this unknown man hold their sunshine close, threatening her safety.
"Hello," Ignis says politely but inside he wants to start yelling, "I'm Ignis Scientia, advisor to the prince, we were in the area and was wondering if there was anything we can do to help?" He wonders. He doesn't want this to be a big deal so lying about why they are really there seem to the best choice. If it's let out that Prompto is friends with them, who knows how it will escalate. It could also put Astrum and Prompto in danger when this is all over.
"We are waiting for the negotiator." The man in charge says.
"Has he said anything?" Ignis asks. They all shake their heads.
"Besides-"
"STAY BACK!" the man yells, pointing his gun at everyone but not shooting it. He drags Prompto back with him, the blonde woman lets out a whimper.
Ignis sees a woman come up, she must be the negotiator considering how calm she is, that and the air around her scream authority. She stands next to them, another woman comes from nowhere with a microphone. There is a screeching sound when she turns it on.
"Hello there, my name is Jessi. I want both you and those hostages you have to come out of this safe and sound. Just tell me what you want." She tells the man. He looks at her with a frown.
"I want my brother to be released!" He shouts.
"And who is your brother?" She asks.
"Kasey Mutt." He says. Ignis perks at that. Wasn't that... his eyes widen as his eyes goes to Prompto. She doesn't seem to understand what's going on because she looks confused and scared.
"I'll see what I can do." She tells him.
"No! You will get him to me, right now. If you don't..." He looks around, seeming to try to threaten them with something besides shooting, knowing that's not going to help him out, he needs a way to get out of here safe. Prompto uses that exact moment to try to reposition herself so she's not choking on his arm, he was at least half a feet taller than her. He stares at her. He pulls her closer, hiding behind her. "If you don't I'll play with her." he threatens as he moves the hand holding the pistol to slide down her side, along her curves. Her eyes widen when he moves his hands to close to the edge of her skirt but when he moves back up her heart thumbs in her chest wildly as he moves back up, too close to her chest. She shivers when she feels something wet touch her ear. She looks to see him smiling at her.
It's all forgotten when he jerks his head to something. Prompto also looks to see something on a rooftop. Before she could tell what it is he starts dragging her back inside. She can guess it was a sniper on that rooftop. But then he's smart enough to not stand out any longer.
This is not how she wanted the day to go.
Noct's blood boiled. They had to do something, but a hand on his shoulder stops him. He turns to Gladio stopping him. "We can't do anything stupid. Not only is she in danger but everyone in that diner." He says.
"We have to do something." Noctis hisses. Gladio frowns.
"Look princess we all care for her." By the six she has a baby that depends on her. "But we can't be stupid. Let's see what the police are trying to do about this." He says. Noct stares but ends up nodding, agreeing. He wants Prom to get out of this alive and unharmed.
"What do you plan on doing?" They get close to hear Ignis asking the negotiator.
"We can't just get his brother out of prison. You of all people should know how big of a deal having his brother behind bars is." She says crossing her arms, expression serious.
"You are going to have to think of something. The waitress he is holding is the one who helped us catch him." Ignis says, covering his mouth just in case the news filming don't catch his lip movements. The woman stands straighter and looks surprised.
"She was the informant?" She asks surprised.
"What are you talking about Iggy?" Noctis asks. Ignis looks at Noct, expression tight with worry and sadness.
"Prompto saw one of the King's Thieves. It would seem like the man who has her now is brothers with the man she saw." Ignis explains. Noct can only stare as his mouth is slightly open in shock. What? How long have they been keeping her a secret? And why? He wouldn't be surprised if they both knew the whole time where she is and just kept them apart, not telling him.
"We have to get her out safely then, she's an eyewitness." The woman says. "This is more serious than I thought." The woman mutters under her breath.
"NO! STOP!" They hear being yelled from inside the diner. It sounded like Prompto shouting, but that's only assuming. They have never actually heard her yell before. As they all turn their heads to the diner with the blinds closed the sound of gunshots echo.
One second Noct is on his feet and the next the air is knocked out of his lungs as his back is on the floor. Gladio on top of him, shielding him from a possible threat. Ignis is by them on his knees. They are mostly protected by the police cars.
When it's silent, Ignis stands up. "We are going in!" An officer yells. Ignis moving to go with them. The advisor is a crownsguard officer.
