M.E 755, August 21

11:56 AM

Citadel, Insomnia

Weiss slurped in the last noodles and soup of the egg cup noodle she was eating; enjoying the splendid piece of high-quality food she was consuming. Ever since she had to camp with Regis and his retinue out in the lands of Lucis in their journey, the former Schnee heiress developed a taste for cup noodles, much to the joy of Clarus. There was no word to describe the feeling of eating the delicious hot noodles and egg yolk that went soft against her tongue as she swallowed them wholely, along with the warm yet spicy taste of the soup that came in the soup. Despite Regis and Ignis trying to convince her that eating a significant amount of them wasn't exactly healthy for her, she didn't gave a single ground for their argument. She was in the finest physical state ever and eating crate worths of cup noodles per month didn't diminsh it in anyway.

She was disheartened that her son didn't share the same sentiment as her in the glory of cup noodles, but he still ate it from time to time at certain occasions. The only person who knew the truth was Clarus and his kids. They knew how important cup noodle was and how fulfilling it is to their being, cup noodle was more than some simple instant food. It was getting closer to the food of the Astrals. One day, her son will understand his folly and embrace the truth. Perhaps she could introduce her former team and few family members to it.

"You know Weiss, sometimes I wonder how you don't gain weight with all the amount you're eating." Regis dryly remarked to his wife, glancing to the two empty cup noodles on the private dining table.

The queen of Lucis shot a glare against her husband. "Well dear, unlike you I'm well cultured into the fine arts of Lucian cuisines. Knowing the intricate, tasty qualities of dishes that makes you melt internally and cry in bliss." She said with a passive-aggressive tone.

"Ignis would vehemently disagree with you being well-cultured on cuisines." Regis replied.

"That I have to disagree with you on, my king." Clarus joined in the group holding a particularly super-sized cup noodle. "You simply lack taste on something delicate at this, while your wife saw reason."

"Why am I the mature one in matters of stupid cup noodles." Regis muttered. "Also Clarus, just call me by my name in non-official settings." Disliking his friend/shield referring to his title in private settings.

"Just being a loyal shield of the king, Regis. And following protocols, am I right Cor?" Clarus referred to the marshal of the Crownsguard sitting next to Regis, being his usual stoic self.

"Yes." Cor simply answered, nothing more to the reply.

"Cory, please say something other than simple replies. You barely even talked for the past 10 mintues." Weiss said to Cor.

Cor head instantly glared at her majesty for the blasted nickname she made for him when they first met. "Your majesty… Please refrain from using the nickname." Cor gritted his teeth.

Regis and Clarus glanced at each other as they tried to hide their giggle. There was nothing more great than seeing the sight of the Immortal get emotional when Weiss calls him Cory. She enjoyed riling Cor up during his teenage years where he was more reckless and stubborn to prove himself as the youngest Crownsguard, and Weiss not enjoying the past Cor's behavior towards her and others.

"So Cor, what do you think of this entire situation?" Weiss asked the Crownsguard Marshal.

"I do not honestly know too much, but I can say is that there are lot of unknown factors we will have to deal with; both here and the other side of the portal. The empire must not have any news of this development least they use it to their advantage. And securing both sides is of the utmost importance to prevent any threats from crossing the portal, along with maintaining contact with Remnant to gain support." Cor finished.

"Precisely Cor. The portal represents a blessing from the Astrals that could help Lucis." Weiss complimented. "Things haven't been going well these past years with all contacts with our forces beyond Insomnia having been lost, and the Empire gaining ground everyday despite all the losses they're suffering. The Kingsglaive could only do so much against the Empire. However our solutions comes from the portal."

"Getting help from your homeworld to aid us." Regis observed.

"Weapons, technology, and manpower. My home can give all of these things we desperately need. Atlas – my homeland – has a military to outmatch the Nifs in raw power and tech, along with huntsmen of other kingdoms whose aid would change the tide in this blasted war." Weiss said. "With the news of Eos reaching the population, the people would be aware of a world untouched by Grimm."

"Having all those land untouched by Grimm – ignoring Daemons – would be their wildest dream." Clarus muttered.

"People would wage wars to gain a single acre of them." Regis whispered.

"Do not forget space technology, it's something we never achieved due to dusts unique properties." Weiss added in. "Along with elemency, we have several advantages with us. A land untouched by Grimm, satellite technology, elemency, and non-dust energy source. Lucis is a metaphorical goldmine for the kingdoms. A lot of people would be trying to cross the portal and live their lives in Eos to escape the Grimm."

"So you plan on using those to get support from the otherside?" Regis asked.

"Alongside the kingdoms, there are plenty of huntsmen and armed third-party groups willing to help us if the price is right for them." Weiss said.

"We'll be hiring mercenaries then." Cor snorted in distaste.
'"Distasteful it maybe but they will provide breathing room for us in the fight against the Empire." Weiss reasoned. "Now that I'm thinking of Atlas, I may have to speak to them not to deploy their robotic army to Lucis."

"A PR nightmare that's going to get everybody screaming imperials." Clarus muttered.

"Dear, we also have a Catoblepas in the room to deal with." Regis reminded Weiss.

Weiss blinked few times before realisation kicked in. "Oh, the Schnee Dust Company. Forgot about that." She admitted sheepishly. "My father is going to… Pose a problem for us."

"From your colorful description of him, he'll probably extend his company into Lucis and try to monopolize what valuable resource he can, and also try to use you to gain influence in the Citadel." Regis scrowled while Clarus and Cor frowned.

"Not if I have something to say about him." Weiss declared.

"Something that involves Arma Gigas or throwing a firaga spell on him." Clarus joked, until he saw the contemplating look on the queen's face. "Weiss, I was joking on the last one."

"I know, I was imagining how I would feel about it."

"Did it brighten your day I presume?" Regis asked, smirking to himself of the pun.

Clarus, Cor, and Weiss groaned at the pun. "Regis, your day would be very bright and hot if you make one blasted pun again!" Weiss exclaimed to her husband.

"What? Those jokes are funny dear."

"Yeah, tell that to Noctis when he moved out from here." Weiss snarked.

That burn was going to take quite the healing magic to recover from.


Few minutes later

"Do you think we could get Cid and Weskham here when it starts?" Weiss asked,

"Hmmm… I'm not sure. Cid is very possible, but Weskham would be very difficult." Regis mumered.

"Getting him out of Accordo with Imperials watching the borders would be nearly impossible. As much as I want him with us, it's not going to happen without a battle." Clarus pointed out Weskham's current residence.

"It would be nice to have the old gang together again." Cor muttered. "Just like the old times."

Everybody went silent as they together went through the memory lane of the old times when they were at their prime: Young and bold against the future they were uncertain of but willing to meet the challenge head on. The bond they developed between each other as they explored the outside world of Insomnia, seeing a world they never saw beforehand; the quiet moments of peace and friendship at various campsites of their internal struggles and worries of the future; and fighting for the future of their people and kingdom against a ruthless foe. Those times were filled with fightings and struggles against overwhelming odds, but also ones immortalised by comradery they shared and the happy times of youth.

It was truly a pit that two members had to depart outside of Insomnia due to earlier difficulties in the group or living the life they have.

"Remember the time when Regis crashed Regalia when we just left Insomnia?" Clarus asked.

"Cid was pissed when that happened." Cor mused.

"And remember the time when Regis got his butt 1000'd needled by a Cactuar." Weiss brought up a eternal embarrassment her husband ever went through.

"Who could've have forgotten that scream that I assumed for a second that you were the one screaming." Clarus laughed, much to Regis's chargin.

"Did you have to bring that up!?" Regis exclaimed.

"Sorry Regis, it's just that… You never screamed that high of a pitch, even when Weskham was taking out the needles. Still remember him asking me if he had any ear covers." The Shield of the King remembered fondly.

"Also remember how Cor was so stubborn and serious when he was 15 years old. Hilarious to see and hear him at the time trying to make the most manliest voice ever." Weiss chuckled. "We had to get him out of trouble a lot with the countless times he charged at a numerically superor foe."

"And I remember you complaining a lot about the mud or insects on yourself when we ventured into Verspool or Myrlwood." Cor muttered. "First day of camping nearly killed you."

"Hey, those were old times when I was being-."

"Uptight, haughty, and arrogant." Cor finished.

"I was rather immature back then to be honest." Weiss winced at the description Cor laid out.

"You always went crazy whenever Chocobos were involved. Getting you out of that chocobo outpost away from those chicks was like trying to drag a Behemoth." Regis said.

"Those chocobos were cute! I needed more time to show them my love!" Weiss yelled shamelessly. She realised how fortunate she was to meet the chocobos, the bird-like creatures were the most magificent creatures to exist.

"Cor, remember the time when Weiss fell into a pond, who happened to wear a white dress e that was rather see-through?" Clarus asked Cor. "I remember Regis's face when he helped Weiss get up and seeing all of her front visible for him to see. Her squeak when she realised what happened to her clothes was hilarious." The Shield of the King mischievous teased both Regis and Weiss, but mostly at Weiss.

Regis blushed at the old memory while Weiss scrowled. "What is this, pick on the queen day?"

Cor however was not done and was determine to avenge his pride when Weiss called him Cory. "And don't forget the time when all of us ran into you and Regis alone at a tree… Doing THAT act." Cor blurted out. "Also Weskham did faint at the sight… And won 100 Gils that day from Clarus."

Silenced shock went through everybody's mind at the unspoken memory they agreed to never discuss it again, which Cor now broke to get back at Weiss.

"Cor… Never thought you would be this bold." Clarus muttered in shock, while Weiss's face became red due to embarrassment and stuttered as she tried to make out her words.

"I thought we agreed never to bring this up again!" Regis hissed trying to supress away the blush on his face. "But I do remember the awkwardness that followed for the following days."

"You son of a bi-." Weiss attempted to lunge at Cor before she heard her son's voice.

"Uhh, is this a bad time." Noctis awkwardly asked.

Regis and Weiss looked in surprise and horror to see Noctis standing in the doorway of the chamber. A stunned look was pasted on his face while the rest of his retuines and his fiance had an awkward look on their face.

"Uhh… Hi son?" Regis and Weiss awkwardly greeted his son who intruded at the worst time.

"You screwed mom in the rear way before you were married?" Noctis asked, surprised his parents were this rebellious. "You guys didn't seemed to be… That… Uhh… Into it." Noctis tried to find the right words to describe his feelings to getting into what his parent's sex life might have looked like.

"Sorry your majesty. It seems we may have intruded at the wrong time." Lunafreya apologised, face red enough to be mistaken for strawberry.

"Uhh, Hello your majesty. We didn't hear anything you said." Prompto tried to fan away the the stuff they just heard, while trying to wash away the image that formed in his head.

"Noct, promise me that you would be patient with Lunafreya." Ignis whispered to his highness's ear.

"Don't count on that Ignis." Gladiolus muttered.

"Hey! What's that suppose to mean!" Noctis cried out his face blushed in embarrassment as well as Lunafreya.

Hoping to get his conversation to a new direction, Weiss quickly reminded Noctis of something. "Noct, how goes your preparation with your luggage?"

"Things are getting a bit complicated with which one to pack in." Noctis replied.

"Trying to get Noctis not to pack unnecessary objects." Lunafreya told her future mother-in-law.

"Son, try not to bring that outfit you got at the Assassin's Festival". Weiss told

"You're the one to talk mom, one of the luggages is literally nothing but cup noodles." Noctis snorted to his mom.

Regis coughed out. "He's not wrong."

"She's sharing that with me." Gladiolus reminded everybody else.

"Gladio, remember not to eat too much cup noodles." Clarus called out to his son. "They maybe good but remember eating too much isn't good."

"Got it pops." Gladiolus gave a thumbs up.

A bark interrupted the room as everybody's eyes locked towards a black spitz-type dog with white underside, green rope tied around his neck and front legs, and a red, leather notebook tied to his back.

"Umbra." Lunefreya kneeled down to pet the dog on his head before taking out the notebook. "Will you excuse me, I have to be somewhere private." Lunafreya then left the group, holding the notebook close to her chest.

Weiss face fell to a dejected mood as she knew what Lunafreya was holding and who she was writing it towards to, someone she failed to save over a decade ago at Tenebrae.


Weiss ducked underneath a swipe from a MT axemen before she thrusted Myrtenaster through its armoured body and magitek core; the queen ripped the axe out of the machine's dead arms before hurling it at a imperial infantry aiming its rifle at a fleeing civilian. The infantry cyborg crumbling under the force of the thrown oversized axe.

Multiple bullets hit her body causing her to grunt from the attack, her aura holding firm againt the assault. Weiss then formed mutiple glyphs and used it to zoom across the battlefield, taking down dozens of Niflheim troops in a blink of en eye. She looked around to see that more and more imperial forces were arriving, determined to eliminate the Lucian rulers and capturing the Fleuret family.

"MOTHER!" A horrified scream from a boy pierced through the air as Weiss turned around to see General Glauca taking his blade out of the kneeled corpse of Sylva Nox Fleuret, her son behind her in fear.

Anger erupted from Weiss at seeing one of her friends die protecting her own son from the armoured general of the empire. Swiping her rapier, a summoning glyph appeared on the ground as her Arma Gigas knight emerged from the ground. The knight then quickly went into action as it swung its massive blade, dismantling several magitek and imperial infantry units into scrap metals. It slammed its weapon upon Glauca, who managed to bring up his sword to block the heavy attack.

Weiss summoned a pull glyph at Ravus to pull him towards her, but Glauca managed to parry her summon's attack and grabbed male scion of the Nox Fleuret family by his shoulder, and threw the teenager towards a group of imperial infantry who dragged him out of the chaos. Ravus kicked and thrashed around, yelling to let him go or pleading for someone to save him.

The Angel of Shiva was about to use a push glyph to get to Ravus, but she was forced to block an wide swipe from Glauca. He then used his monsterous strength to push Weiss out from the blade lock and kicked her hard that she flew several feet in the air until she crashed near where Regis, her son, and Lunafreya were at.

"Weiss!" Regis cried in concern as he took Noctis out of his wheel chair.

"Mom!" Noctis screamed, his voice laced with terror at the carnage around him.

She recovered from the attack and looked to them with concern, until she glanced to her front to see Glauca jumping towards Regis blade ready to strike. Suddenly the knight slammed its sword at Glauca, the armoured imperial general sent through a large tree where bark and splinter exploded from the impact.

"RUN!" Weiss yelled, quickly grabbing Lunafreya's hand and using her glyph to get them out of Tenebrae as fast as possible. From the distance as they ran, more and more imperial forces dropped in as the knight summmon valiant held off many as it could before it was finally defeated by Glauca.


Regis's voice interrupted her memory trip. "It's not your fault you couldn't save her brother."

"I had the power to save Ravus and bring him in with Luna, but I failed and left him by himself as a prisoner to the enemy." Weiss despondently responded.

"However, she still can keep in contact with her brother with the notebook. So not too lonely." Regis comforted his wife.

"Whatever, I'll be leaving you gentlemen here while I make some final preperations for the trip… For the return home." Weiss announced, deciding to end the conversation and finish preperation to returning back to Remnant.