Chapter Summary: Time to get our wheels back!
We've nearly made it to the weekend, guys, and have I got some exciting news! There's now Fire Forged inspired art by the very talented ArabianNinja. If I'm understainding the rules correctly unfortunately I can not include the link here but this story is also posted on the Archive of Our Own database under the same name so if you'd like to go see their take on Dragon!Iggy you can find the link in the story notes there.
Noctis had to hand it to Iggy. His plan had gotten them inside Aracheole Stronghold without a hitch and so far they hadn't been spotted. So long as Cidy's intel held up they'd be driving out of here in the Regalia well before the end of the night. Maybe this whole stealth thing had its perks after all. Noctis was feeling pretty confident as he sidled up next to Prompto behind a couple of ammunition crates. The two of them watched a magitek armor lumber past their hiding spot in quieted awe.
"Dude," Prompto breathed, craning his head back to see more of the towering war machine. "How awesome would it be to sneak in there and give one of those babies a test drive?"
The idea plucked at Noct's inner daredevil but, as expected, nothing got past Iggy. "Need I remind you that the only drive we're here for is the one that will take the Regalia through the front gates – a task that will be made much more difficult by taking unnecessary risks?"
"Next time," Noctis mouthed at his friend.
Coast clear, Gladio shepherded them forward. "Hate to mess with one of those anyway."
"Keep to the shadows and we shouldn't have to," Ignis pressed, pulling Noctis back from stepping into the path of a search light.
"Ah… right." Okay, so maybe Noctis could admit stealth wasn't quite so easy as it looked. Still, they hadn't been caught out yet and things were actually starting to get interesting. Working their way further into the base now, they could make out a tall tower shooting crackling, red energy straight up into the sky. It kinda reminded Noctis of the devices the Empire had used on Titan.
Prompto took in the odd structure with interest. "So this is what's powering the base?" And likely what was causing the red haze in the air, Noctis added silently. There was just something about it that made his skin crawl with a feeling of wrongness.
"A magitek generator of some description," Ignis supplied. "It would explain why the troopers in the vicinity are uncommonly strong."
Gladio considered the generator tower. "I say we wreck it. Spare us the sneaking around." Always one for busting up imperial property, Noctis wasn't against the idea himself.
Ignis shook his head. "The risk is too great. Finding the Regalia comes first." Which wasn't a surprising verdict really. Ignis was just as protective of the Regalia as Noctis – maybe a little more so when it came to driving it.
"We can always come back and smash it later," Noctis decided. Even if it was possible the portable base would be moving on soon they'd probably still get their chance to do some damage.
They ducked back down as more soldiers filed out to patrol the area. Ignis gave him a nod and Noctis warped to the top of the closest watchtower. The high vantage point gave him a decent view of all six soldiers milling about as well as when would be the perfect time to strike.
Two soldiers working their way toward the southern end went down first, one after the other before either even knew he was there. He took out soldier number three with similar ease before warping up to a nearby scaffolding to scope out his next move. The rest were closer to the next security gate. Catching them all with their backs turned would be the trick here.
His heart sped up with anticipation as he gathered his magic, waiting for an opening. He couldn't help but feel antsy. They'd already agreed that if they couldn't get the Regalia out by sunrise they'd have to leave without her. It wasn't a comforting thought, even though they still had time. Between that and the oppressive air of this place it was getting hard to be patient.
There. Noctis warped onto the next soldier, bringing him down without a fuss and the one after was just as quick. He just wasn't quite so lucky on his last target. The final soldier must have heard his buddy go down because he turned around before Noct could even free his sword.
"Hey!"
A riffle was raised between them but Noct moved before the first shot could fire, ending the confrontation without allowing the imperial to give them away.
When the guys caught up Gladio gave him one of those judgmental side eyes of his. "Cutting it a bit close for comfort there."
"I had it under control." Mostly, Noctis thought.
Luckily, Ignis choose not to point out his feelings of uncertainty or send him any sense of chiding or disapproval, though Noct's not entirely certain he won't hear about this later. Whatever, future Noctis' problem now.
Besides, they'd found what they came for; the Regalia sat waiting just on the other side of the security gate. Noctis could hardly contain his relief. "There's the old girl."
"She's a real sight for sore eyes," Prompto enthused, consciously keeping his voice down.
"And none the worse for her time in imperial hands," Ignis added, giving the Regalia a quick once over. And he seemed to be right about that, but Noctis knew they'd still be dropping her off with Cindy for an extensive checkup just in case the Niffs tried any tampering.
Of course, with things going so smoothly it was only a matter of time till their luck really ran out. And true to form, it was in about the most explosive way possible. Steps away from the car a disembodied voice rang out, shattering the quiet of the night and their cover along with it.
"What have we here?"
The Empire must have been expecting them after all, or maybe they really were just that unlucky Noctis thought sourly to himself as one of the magitek armors that had been dormant and folded in on itself against the far wall stood up to its full height. He noticed it was a more supped up model than the ones they'd seen patrolling the base earlier. Taller too. Well, you know what they say about the bigger they are…
Noctis warped forward before the magitek could get them in its sights, tearing off the back mounted missile launcher in the process. It staggered under the warp strike but didn't stay down for long. Noctis had to warp away again or risk getting smacked by one of its weaponized arms. He frowned at the magitek's quick recovery. Thing was definitely more sturdy than usual and if the sudden influx of soldiers and MTs into the area was any indication, this fight was just getting started.
He felt a twinge of irritation work its way through Ignis as he called his daggers back after propelling them into the nearest MT with vindictive force. "Change of plans. Our new objective is to clear a path for the Regalia."
So they cleaned house. The Niffs had made the job a bit easier by leaving plenty of combustible energy tanks laying around. Ignis was quick to notice and mark them as targets. Noctis and Prompto also took the opportunity to borrow a couple of unmanned turrets to help even the odds. With most of the soldiers kept busy Ignis and Gladio were able to dismantle the oversized magitek armor without interruption.
Once they'd thinned the base's forces Noctis turned to Ignis. "So about that generator?"
"Might as well take care of it while we're at it," Ignis agreed after coming down on an unfortunate MT unit lance first. "Our cover's blown. Go to town."
Noctis loved those words.
Working back through the base went a lot faster this time around. Even dealing with the tougher troopers didn't slow them down too much and soon they were coming up on the generator tower. There was just one little hiccup to removing the imperial eyesore.
"Uh, guys, I think we're in trouble," Prompto warned as whole line of magitek armors activated in front of the generator with one of the larger models up front.
"That's a lot of tin cans," Gladio complained.
And that wasn't their only problem Noctis noticed as the red trail of sniper scopes soon zeroed in on them as well. "Think we can't take 'em?"
Gladio huffed. "Not sayin' that. But things might get a bit hairy."
That turned out to be a bit of an understatement. The imperials tried to keep them pinned down with an almost constant stream of bullets. It very nearly worked. Noctis couldn't stay still for more than two seconds before he had to warp to more cover. He tried to take care of the snipers perched on a scaffolding in front of the generator, but he barely got to the first gunman before a magitek armor fired its missiles and the metal walkway came apart under his feet.
The fall wasn't a bad one but he'd felt Ignis' flare of alarm before he even hit the ground. He wasn't surprised when the dragon somehow managed to get to his side and pull him up off the ground and back behind cover. Ignis gave them a little breathing room by firing off a blast of elemancy into the closest knot of magitek armors, flames knocking a few of them off balance but not removing any of the machines from the fight.
"I think it's time we dispensed with the charade." Ignis frowned, clearly dissatisfied with their dwindling options. "Preserving my identity prevails us naught if we don't survive the night."
"Hold that thought," Noctis interrupted, feeling something shift in the atmosphere. An odd sensation had caught on to the edge of his senses that was steadily working its way down his spine and into his very veins, making the hairs at the back of his neck stand on end as the air became thick with static. A roll of thunder sounded in the distance. "You feel that too, right?"
Ignis blinked in understanding. "The Fulgurian."
And with those words he recognized the charged presence for what it was. Ramuh was reaching out, offering assistance. Noctis reached back.
What happened next felt more like an oddly lucid fever dream than reality. In a crackle of ozone Ramuh was there, all decked out in flowing, ethereal robes and larger than life. He took Noctis in his hand and lifted him up and up, till he looked down on the base hundreds of feet below. Then the Storm Bringer's staff was raised high and lightning came down to meet it, channeling deadly bolts down onto the imperials that were so bright they seared the backs of Noctis' eyelids.
In the aftermath the ground glowed hot, orange embers floating up from the cracked concrete as if lava lurked underneath. Noctis found himself on his feet again, Ramuh having vanished just as suddenly as he'd appeared. He numbly made his way toward where the others were huddled, feeling a weird disconnect from the rest of his body. So this is… the power of the Six.
"Dude… that… was… hardcore!" Prompto pumped his fists in the air to punctuate his excitement.
"And it did the trick – the place is dead." Ignis looked around a little stunned himself, almost like he was in a daze of his own.
"Rest in pieces," Gladio snarked vindictively before hooking his thumb back to where they'd left the car. "C'mon, let's grab the Regalia and split."
They turned back to do just that. But instead of taking the wheel once they got there as Noctis expected, Ignis hesitated. "I was mistaken before. We're not alone."
Noctis frowned, not sure how anyone could have survived Ramuh raining down judgment on this place, but after realizing who it was he supposed if anyone could manage it unscathed it would be a member of House Fleuret – not that the jerk deserved that protection after everything he had pulled.
The high commander himself stalked toward them like a dark storm cloud, rapier drawn. "Long has it been Prince Noctis. You've received the storm's blessing, yet you know nothing of the consequences."
Noctis was going to ask what the hell he was going on about but got distracted by the sword tip winding up inches from his face.
"Watch it." Gladio tried to insert himself between them but Ravus just turned his sword to Gladio's throat instead.
Ignis stepped forward to intervene as well but held back when Ravus' eyes flashed to him, not willing to be reckless with an enemy blade against Gladio's airway. "And what of you," he tried, "have you so forsaken your own calling?"
Ravus scoffed. "Don't be asinine. Only those that make their own calling in this world are ever truly rewarded. Heir to a crown befitting no other. Witness his splendor and glory. All hail the chosen king. Honestly, I'll not chance destiny on such folly."
At those words Noctis saw red. It wasn't as if he'd asked for any of this. "Awful high and mighty for an imperial rat serving the enemy to hunt down Luna!"
Then Noctis had metal fingers around his neck. "I don't serve, I command," Ravus spat as he shoved him back.
Gladio moved then, taking the full brunt of Ravus' ire, allowing Noctis a moment to recover and distracting from Ignis' more subtle movements.
"The king's sworn shield," Ravus growled.
"You better believe it," Gladio challenged right back.
"I have not come to test the brittleness of a shield." Ravus brought his sword down without warning, forcing Gladio to hastily bring up his guard.
Noctis could see the tremor in Gladio's arms as he struggled against the power of Ravus' magitek arm. Ravus snapped his wrist, dispelling Gladio's sword and bringing around his rapier to block Ignis' incoming lance.
"Then perhaps it's best if you take your leave," Ignis hissed, holding his own against Ravus' unnatural strength but trying not to make it look too easy. "The path on which you tread will not right the wrongs of the past nor will it avail the future."
"Such wise words spoken from one who blindly walks the broken path set forth for him." Ravus' anger seemed to evaporate from his expression as cool calculation took its place. "If the future is truly your concern then mayhaps you should heed your own advice."
Noctis was just about ready to give Ravus some advice of his own but before more could be said Ardyn made his unwelcome presence known. "I'd say that's enough of that. A hand Highness?"
"Not from you," Noctis shot back, immediately on edge.
As usual, Ardyn didn't seem overly concerned by the hostility. "Oh, but I'm here to help."
"And how is that?" Ignis demanded, cautiously disengaging from Ravus.
"By taking the army away," Ardyn cheerfully supplied.
Gladio scoffed. "You expect us to believe that?"
"When next we meet it will be across the seas. Just so happens we have business of our own with the tutelary deity, don't we?" Ardyn cut his eyes over to Ravus who refrained from comment, merely following along after his departing master like the obedient dog he apparently was. Either way nothing seemed to bother Ardyn. The man waved grandly as they took their leave. "Fare the well, Your Majesty. And safe travels."
As they begrudgingly watched the pair go Noctis couldn't help the unsettling feeling that he'd missed something important here.
Ravus observed from the air as the child king and his misguided protectors made their escape, north bound. Lestallum bound.
He dialed his contact and waited for the secure line to connect. "Yes, target is confirmed and headed your way. Proceed as planned."
Today's encounter may not have gone quite as hoped but soon enough fate would be turning in his favor all the same.
*Ravus scheming noises*
Man, does anyone else agree that stealth missions were the worst? XD Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy out there!