So, about the title if anyone is wondering why this particular word in regards to either AC or XV. "Convocation" means a large, formal assembly of people and in some cases in North America can be used to specifically refer to assemblies where awards are given out most commonly meaning graduation ceremonies. But convocation is also the word used to describe a group of eagles and the eagle is the creature most commonly associated with the Assassins. Individual Assassins may have other animals or birds associated with them like Conner has an association with wolves, the Frye twins with rooks which are corvids like crows and jays and speaking of crows Eivor is associated with ravens but the eagle represents the Assassins as a whole and in many titles eagles are seen roosting on the viewpoints.

So why convocation? Well because unlike the games where you generally only follow one main Assassin at a time (switching between the twins as needed) you guys will be following the adventures of four Assassins who work together as a team. Thus it's a group of four eagle themed characters.

And where is Prompto in all this you may ask? You'll see.

Disclaimer: I only own the hooded plot bunny in my head.

000

Convocation

Chapter 2

000

"Noct, do not engage," Ignis warned.

"I can end this right now," Noctis said, eyes fixed on the red head across the theater. He seemed to be talking with two other men but at the moment Noctis didn't care about anything other than his blade in Ardyn's throat.

"Noct, do not get stupid," Gladio growled. "We're not here for him, we're here for Monica's intel."

"We can do two things at once," Noctis argued, getting up when it looked like Ardyn and his companions were leaving their box. "You guys get the intel and I'll get Ardyn."

"That's not the mission," Gladio snapped. "If your ass isn't backstage by the time I find you-" Noctis turned off his earpiece, going into hunt mode as he made his way down to the main floor. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a breath. When he opened his eyes again everything faded to a ghostly gray except for bright auras surrounding the crowd, prickles of light that indicated hiding spots or things of note. He glanced through the crowd, most people gave off a blue aura to him but there was the occasional red indicating someone dangerous. Mostly just security guards and these Noctis made note of so as not to draw attention to himself. Instead he was looking for one color in particular. There, coming down the stairs opposite him was a gold aura indicating the current target of Noctis's attention. He blinked and dismissed his Eagle Vision, thankful for Ardyn's height and showing wardrobe. He scoffed at that, it was like the man wanted to draw attention to himself. Very dangerous mindset when an Assassin was out for blood. Resisting the urge to rush through the crowd, Noctis fell back into practiced movements, slight nudges to get past groups, sliding smoothly into gaps in the crowd, light steps to become a ghost in the sea of humanity. He noted that Ardyn was leading his little entourage towards a set of doors that led to the theater's lounge areas. Private areas could be tricky since less people meant less crowd cover but it also meant the people inside, especially the more exclusive and heavily guarded areas, were all likely to be Templar or Templar agents so no civilian casualties. However it looked like a good portion of people wanted to use this area and Noctis was able to let the crowd carry him past security. Now just to keep track of Ardyn until he was vulnerable.

000

"Noct!" Gladio hissed into the radio. "Noct!" He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to keep his fear in check. Of all the times for that man to show… "Iggy, I can't raise him," he then said.

"He must have turned his radio off," Ignis replied, a faint clip to his voice betrayed his own fear. "I'll get the intel, find Noct before something happens."

"Oh something's going to happen alright," Gladio growled to himself and began scanning the crowd. He silently cursed not having Eagle Vision, it would have made things so much easier to locate the bright white aura Assassins were said to give off amidst the blue and occasional red. Instead he tried to use what he could see and knew about the layout of the building. If Ardyn was in a private box that would mean he would need to use the stairs to reach any other area of the building and at 6'2" with a habit of wearing pricey clothes he had to stick out somewhat. Barring that Gladio was hoping to use his own height to try and locate Noctis's hood in the crowd. Assuming the pair hadn't already left the main floor and had gone who knows where. Gladio bit the inside of his mouth, no he couldn't think like that. Intermission just started, they were still in the building and it would take time to get down the stairs.

Ah, there now Gladio could see him and saw he wasn't alone. There were two other men with him, one was older, balding with white hair and a beard and the other was a young man not much older than Noctis with blonde hair. Even from this distance and despite the clearly sizable age gap Gladio could tell these two were father and son. The older man was Verstael Besithia, head of Research and Development at Abstergo and a high ranking Templar, Ardyn's second and as close a friend as Gladio felt the two men could be. But… When did Verstael have a son? Gladio was sure such an important fact would have been noted. Still this was bad, with two high ranking Templars in a Templar holding, security was going to be incredibly tight.

Damn it, Noct, Gladio thought, trying hard not to tear through the crowd. Where are you? He saw the trio pass through the doors to the lounge areas and his heart stopped seeing a familiar flash of white follow them. He made his way to the doors, praying to whatever higher power felt like listening right now that he would reach Noctis in time.

000

"Hm?" Ardyn glanced back, looking around the lounge lobby.

"Something wrong?" Verstael asked.

"Oh, no I thought I saw someone I knew," Ardyn replied, giving a small smile as his gaze lingered on one of the support pillars. "But it's no one important. Now then I believe you were telling me about your MT program and the resounding success I see before me." Prompto blushed a little at the praise.

"O-oh it's nothing," he managed to get out. "I mean I was only exposed to my ancestors' memories. I didn't realize I had so many gunners in my family tree."

"And yet your results at the shooting range speak for themselves," Ardyn continued. "Beating out not only the other recruits but several of the seasoned veterans with years of practice. Truly your father's program shines through you."

"Ah well… Ya know…" Prompto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, used to the more hands off approach of Verstael and not the flattering compliments.

Noctis tailed the trio as best he could, pausing only to hide and make it look like he was checking his phone. Ardyn's comment had both infuriated him and given him pause. Did Ardyn know he was there? No he couldn't have otherwise he would have alerted the guards. He did bite back some colorful language when he saw the group enter a private lounge, four guards blocking the doors.

"A bit overkill don't you think?" he muttered and looked around. What did he remember about this part of the theater? That particular private lounge had an open air section and there was another, public lounge that also was open air. "And that one's… There," he said, seeing a group go to an open set of doors. There were two guards there but they were a few steps from the door, more for being in earshot in case of drunken altercations than to actually check who was entering. Noctis headed through, weaving his way through the crowd, toward a corner where the railing met the wall of the theater and away from anyone who would think he was trying to commit suicide. Making sure he was alone and no one was watching he climbed up onto the railing, reaching out and climbing along the wall. Slowly and carefully he made his way over to the private lounge, pulling himself up and over the railing once nobody was looking. He quickly slid behind a long rectangular planter with topiary bushes, keeping track of Ardyn's location and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Perhaps you could give me a live demonstration," Adryn suggested, making his way over to a long rectangular topiary planter.

"Wait here?" Prompto asked. "But… isn't that… dangerous?"

"You won't get in trouble," Ardyn said with a casual wave, going to the end of the planter. "I promise, I will take care of everything. Now try to hit here." He pointed to what seemed to be an innocuous bush in the planter. Prompto hesitated, looking over at Verstael for confirmation that this actually was happening. Verstael simply nodded in encouragement and Prompto hesitantly drew his pistol, having been allowed past the security check with it due to his father and Ardyn. Taking a few breaths to steady himself he aimed at the bush and fired.

Noctis could hardly believe his luck, Ardyn had actually moved to stand next to the same planter he was hiding behind. Creeping closer he was blind to the danger he just put himself in, standing slightly to drive his blade into Ardyn's side. Suddenly Noctis flinched, sensing danger a second before hearing a gunshot and pain exploding through his right bicep. Giving an involuntary cry of pain, he crumpled to the ground and clutched at his arm to stem the blood flow. Just as he was registering that he had royally screwed up he was grabbed by his injured arm and dragged to his feet.

Prompto stood frozen in horror, having heard a human cry of pain from the bush he had shot at. Without missing a beat Ardyn swiftly turned and with the speed of a cat pouncing on its prey reached down and dragged a young man in a white hooded jacket from the bushes.

"And what a pleasant surprise!" Ardyn said joivally. "How kind of you to grace me with your presence, Highness."

"Let go of me," Noctis spat and struggled to pull away.

"After you clearly went through the trouble to crash my little get together?" Ardyn asked and tightened his grip, causing Noctis to wince as his injury was agitated. "I think not." Prompto saw a faint glint as Noctis glanced at Ardyn. He barely opened his mouth to call out a warning when Noctis shot his free arm forward, light reflecting off a blade attached to his wrist. Ardyn however was ready and grabbed Noctis's arm just above the wrist, stopping the attack before effortlessly spinning the young Assassin around so that his back was now to Ardyn's chest. Noctis froze, feeling the faint tickle of his own blade against the back of his neck, his right arm aching from being forced slightly behind and to the side which further pulled at the gunshot wound.

"Hu-huh?" he gasped out in surprise at how quickly and fluid the movement had been.

"I've been hunting and been hunted by your kind for years, dear boy," Ardyn sneered softly, enjoying that this new position was forcing Noctis to look up at him. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't expect such an obvious sneak attack?" Noctis couldn't do more than give a soft growl in response and avert his eyes. "Now with all that climbing and sneaking around," Ardyn continued, using his congenial tone once again. "I wouldn't be surprised if you're a little worn out. And what sort of host would I be if I didn't extend a much needed invitation for you to rest at my abode?" Noctis's eyes went wide and he glanced over, seeing one of the security guards walk over with something in his hand. Once the guard was closer and began to raise his hand, Noctis saw the item was a hypospray.

"No," Noctis begged, his heart pounding as the guard got near him and pushed his hood back to get a better grip on his head. "Please, please don't-" he gasped and winced as the sedative was injected into the side of his neck. He gave a final, withering glare up at Ardyn as the drug coursed through him and slowly Noctis felt his body grow heavy. He started to slump to the ground and Ardyn released him from the hold, another guard coming forward to help the first catch him.

"And do be gentle with him," Ardyn told the guards. "He's very important to me."

"As you wish, Grandmaster," the guard with the hypospray nodded as he and his partner dragged Noctis off.

"It would seem your plan finally paid off," Verstael said, having been the one to call the guards over once Noctis had been subdued. "We successfully acquired a Caelum and he's in relatively good condition. Now our plans can once more gain some traction."

"Yes they can," Adryn agreed, watching Prompto's reaction to the whole event with interest but especially the look the young blonde had at seeing the treatment of the young Assassin.

Gladio had reached the lounge too late, cursing his inability to keep Noctis from getting captured.

"Ignis," he said softly. "I was too late. Ardyn knew, he knew Noct was following him and he was ready. They got him, I couldn't…" There was silence on the other end.

"Let's report back to Cor," Ignis finally said, trying to maintain some direction in this mess. "I have the intel, maybe there's something in it that can help. Why we didn't know Ardyn would be here tonight, how we can break Noct out, anything that might allow us to… To fix this."

"Yeah," Gladio said. "Alright I'll head to the meet up point."

"I'll see you there," Ignis replied before the radio went quiet.

Hang in there Noct, Gladio thought. We're coming for you.