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Chapter 9

He looked at the missive from Regis, scowling. How dare they threaten Noctis. Perhaps he had been away from Insomnia for too long. Had the Council forgotten about him, about who he was? It seemed it was time for him to return.

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Ignis didn't particularly like using the canals but he was in a hurry. He swam along the bottom to ensure he remained unseen. He was due at the Citadel, he was going to join in a training session with Noctis and Gladio, Noct had been having a good week and he wanted to train. Ignis would be stopping by Prompto's apartment on the way to see if he'd like to come and watch.

He stopped and stared as something hit the water up ahead and then he saw something sinking….blood…he smelt blood in the water. He sped up as he realised it was a body…hoping it was alive and then he saw something that had his blood boiling and fear filling his veins…wild bright blonde hair. He reached out, wrapping limbs around the limp body, seeing the blood seeping from wounds, pulling him in close. He felt for a pulse, finding a weak one. He reached into the Armiger and fit the piece into Prompto's mouth, activating it, watching his lungs expand as air was forced in. it was a good thing all emergency kits carried the equipment necessary to keep a human alive underwater. He took off at top speed through the canals, activating the comm device he carried and calling for a medical team.

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He couldn't move, everything hurt, heavy… he could feel air being forced into his lungs, like when he'd been stabbed or sick, but he wanted to cough and choke…water…he'd been in water. There were arms around him….or something….he struggled to open his eyes. Had a Glaive found him in the water? He managed to move his hand, and that was not human skin holding him…smooth, narrow. He tried to make a noise but there was something in his mouth, whatever was giving him air. He fought harder and finally opened an eye, looking up as he struggled to focus.

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Ignis glanced down as he felt movement, watching as one glassy blue eye opened, unfocused. He shifted a hand to run through the blonde hair, just like he had when Prompto had a nightmare about his childhood, hoping he would recognise the touch. His other eye opened, and they slowly focused on Ignis and he saw the younger male recognise him, relaxing again in his hold. A weak hand lifted to the breather and Ignis took it, shaking his head. "No," he said and even though Prompto couldn't speak under water, or the language of their kind, they'd been teaching him to recognise simple words. His eyes fluttered, obviously fighting to stay conscious.

He felt his comm buzz but ignored it, too focused on keeping Prompto secure and getting to help as fast as possible. He felt a faint touch to a tentacle and glanced down to see his hand curiously touching, trying to make sense of things. He shifted his grip on Prompto slightly, stroking his hair gently. You're safe, getting you help, he mouthed, and he saw the hint of a smile around the mouth piece before Prompto touched his chest and Ignis knew he was fighting the need to cough up any water he'd inhaled.

He entered the tunnels beneath the Citadel, finding Nyx and Crowe waiting, seeing their eyes widen at the body in his arms.

"What happened?" Crowe demanded.

"I don't know, he was thrown unconscious into the canal. If I hadn't been running late…"

"Hey, don't think about that," Nyx warned. "We've got a full medical team standing by." He led the way into the pool closest to the medical wing of the Citadel and they broke the surface.

Crowe reached over and pulled out the mouth piece and Prompto immediately began coughing to clear his lungs, groaning in pain. "We've got you kid," she soothed as they moved to the edge where the doctors reached down to pull Prompto out and get him onto the gurney.

He curled up on his side, hacking and coughing, bleary eyes meeting Ignis' as the mer pulled himself part way out of the water, several tentacles becoming visible. Prompto's eyes went wide and then he smiled slightly, a hand reaching out to Ignis before going limp, his eyes rolling back. The doctors quickly moved the gurney out of the room and Ignis finished hauling himself out, quickly shifting back to human form.

Ignis pulled out his phone and dialled. "Noctis, it's Prompto. He's in the medical wing, it appears he was attacked and then dumped in the canal."

Ignis stood outside the room Prompto was in, watching as the doctors worked on him once he'd given a report to Nyx, including the location of where Prompto had been dumped. He heard running and looked to see Gladio and Noctis, the Prince stubbornly holding on to his Shield as they moved.

"Iggy!" Noctis called in relief at seeing him and he quickly wrapped an arm around Noct's waist, letting him see into the room. "Who did this?"

"I didn't stop to look," Ignis admitted. "We must hope the cameras caught them, or Prompto can give us descriptions.

"How bad is it?" Gladio asked and Ignis shook his head.

"He was conscious and recognised me," Ignis told him. "He breathed in water before I got to him and he was bleeding."

They moved back as the door opened to reveal a doctor.

"Is he okay?" Noctis demanded immediately.

"He's alive," the doctor was quick to assure him.

"But?" Gladio asked and he looked between the three of them.

"His left knee is badly damaged, and he breathed in a considerable amount of water. Most of the blood loss was due to a head injury which is a concern, although he appears coherent and aware, which is a good sign. The main concern is an old injury to his upper spine, he took a very hard blow to the region, we have him immobilised until we can run scans to ensure no further damage has been done."

Ignis tightened his grip on Noctis as he blanched. No one knew like Noctis did how debilitating a spinal injury could be. "Can we see him?"

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"Of course, we've given him a mild sedative to keep him calm. but he is conscious." He led the way into the room and Noctis moved to take Prompto's hand, squeezing gently, feeling slight pressure in return even as Prompto's head shifted on the pillow and he forced his eyes open.

"Nnnnn…oct…"he slurred.

"Shh, don't try to talk. We're here, you're safe," he promised, using his free hand to push still damp hair back from his face. He looked over as several Crownsguard entered, taking up guard positions. "What's going on?" he asked.

Cor walked in and they all glimpsed the anger on his face as he saw Prompto, the Marshal walking over quickly. Prompto stared up at him, obviously only semi-conscious but he still managed a faint smile. "There was a camera, we have their images. It's only a matter of time before they're caught."

"I want to see."

"Noctis…"

"No Gladio, I want to see what they did to him."

"Very well," Cor agreed. "Your Father is on his way to discuss all treatment options. While magic is uncertain with head wounds, it is better at things such as limbs."

Noctis nodded, if they could use magic quickly enough it could save Prompto from surgery or limping on that leg for the rest of his life.

"Until we know more about the reasons for the attack, we'll be keeping him and all of you under guard," Cor added, and they nodded in understanding. Prompto had been seen with Noctis enough that they attack on him could be a prelude to a move against Noctis or any of them.

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Prompto slowly opened his eyes and blinked, he recognised this room…when he'd nearly died from withdrawal from the treatments….why? he tried to move his hand to find it trapped and looked down to see a head of fine black hair resting on the bed, a pale hand wrapped around his. Noct, it was Noctis. He looked around more and spotted two men outside the door, guarding it. What had happened? He licked dry lips and tried to reach for a cup with his free hand only to knock it over and Noctis jolted awake, confused for a second before his eyes widened and he smiled.

"You're awake," Noctis whispered, sounding utterly relieved even as he squeezed his hand. "How do you feel?"

Prompto grimaced. "W….wa..te" he broke off coughing and Noctis got up, pouring a new glass.

"Here, small sips," he warned and Prompto nodded, sipping gratefully at the liquid.

"What happened?"

"You were attacked, don't you remember?" Noctis asked, retaking his seat and Prompto's free hand, careful of the IV in the back of it.

Attacked? He grimaced as it began to come back. "Iggy? In the water."

"Yeah, he brought you here. He was on his way to your place to invite you to watch a training session. If he hadn't been running late and decided to use the canal shortcut…."

"M'okay," he smiled tiredly, at least he thought he was.

"You've been out for a week. Dad fixed your knee with magic but they uh…they hit you in the back. The doctors had to go back in, they kept you sedated till last night."

"Damage?"

"They got it all, you'll just need some therapy again when they let you up. You really need to stop getting hit in the back before we both need wheelchairs," he managed a shaky smile and Prompto squeezed his hand. "They got footage of the attack and Cor's tracking them down, they won't get away with this, not like last time," he swore and Prompto nodded tiredly. "Get some more sleep, one of us will be with you all the time," he promised.

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Ignis stepped cautiously into the room, looking around, seeing the signs of Noctis practically having moved into Prompto's room. He saw the younger man in the bed, watching something, but then he looked over and smiled.

"Iggy," he called and Ignis forced himself to approach the bed.

He hadn't seen Prompto since he had woken from the sedatives. Despite his acceptance of the others, Ignis had been nervous over his reaction to him. Though he wasn't sure how much Prompto even remembered. "You look a lot better."

"Not bleeding anymore," he grinned and Ignis chuckled.

"How do you feel?"

"Okay, looking forward to starting therapy…again."

"You'll get through this lot too," he promised and then Prompto reached out and weakly to grab his wrist. Ignis could feel the tremor in his muscles and he moved closer, gently removing his hand to place it on the bed. "Don't move too much Prompto," he soothed.

"Thought you were leaving," he muttered.

"You want me to stay?"

"Of course," Prompto answered, promptly. "I remember and I'm not scared of you. Cephalopod, right?" he asked and Ignis blinked before nodding.

"Octopus would be the closest," he admitted.

"You thought I'd be scared of you…because of tentacles? Iggy…" he reached out to him and Ignis hesitated but then moved to sit on the edge of the bed, leaning in to hug him and Prompto hugged back shakily. "You're my friend," he whispered.

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Iedolas causally put the paper down and picked up the next. It was always useful to remain informed over what the public in Insomnia was being told. He stared at the headlines and then at the picture of the victim….wasn't that interesting. He pressed the intercom. "Summon Verstael Besithia immediately." This could be very interesting and useful.

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Noctis waited silently as Prompto stared at the part of his testing that had been kept from him before.

"I…I don't understand…" wide blue eyes looked from him to Cor.

"The war, as you've learnt is about more than what the average citizen knows. Niflheim is ruled by a several clans of Harpies and the Emperor himself is an Isonade, a shark-like creature with a tail covered in barbs, that grows to incredible size. Both species are the natural enemies of merpeople," Ignis explained and Prompto went even whiter.

"I….I have harpy in me?"

Noctis hated hearing that tone back, just like when he'd been telling them about being a clone. He walked over and grabbed Prompto's hand, squeezing. "It doesn't matter what's in your DNA. Just like the whole MT thing doesn't matter. You're one of us," he swore, leaning down to press their foreheads together. Finally, he felt Prompto squeeze back, nodding slightly.

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Verstael looked down at the photograph and then the file he had brought up. So, the stolen clone had survived and integrated itself into the Prince's inner circle. Did they think the clone was no threat? How foolish. He smirked; every clone carried a piece of him within it. In a way, they were all his children, at least until they were fully converted, it kept them under control. He had wrongly assumed the clone dead, or he would have acted before.

With the attack, it was likely he was recovering within the Citadel itself, that was very handy indeed.

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Gladio hauled Prompto out of the heated pool where he collapsed into the chair, breathing heavily. "Hey, don't push it blondie."

"Gladio's right Prom, you can't push too hard or you'll set yourself back," Noctis agreed with his Shield, wheeling himself over. Sitting so long at Prompto's bedside had not been good for his own back but he hadn't cared. He tossed Prompto a towel and he began drying himself off.

"I know," he muttered, he just hated feeling weak again when he'd come so far. He rubbed his hair down and the dropped the towel, moving to do his stretches when his stomach cramped and he groaned, doubling over.

"Prom?"

"I don't…oh…" he curled up and Gladio moved to his side.

"Easy, breath through it," Gladio soothed and Ignis appeared with a heat pack to try and help relieve it.

"S…some…thing's wrong," Prompto groaned, hand gripping Gladio's arm.

"Noct, call the medics," Ignis ordered and Noctis pulled his phone out to make the call while Ignis and Gladio eased Prompto down onto the ground.

He cried out in pain, writhing and they held on to him as he began screaming.

"Prompto!" Noctis threw himself out of his chair and crawled over, cupping Prompto's face in his hands, seeing the pain and fear in his eyes. "Hey, look at me, focus on me. Medics are on the way, you need to stay calm," he told him firmly but gently.

"N…N…." he screamed again. He jerked and Noctis moved to cushion his head on his thighs.

"I'm right here," he promised and Prompto's eyes rolled back in his head, body convulsing. And then Noctis felt his blood freeze in his veins. "No…." he whispered. "Get my Dad, now!" he yelled to the guard outside. "Hey, come on Prom, look at me. I need you to focus on me," he begged.

"Noct?"

"Something's gone wrong," he choked out. "It's active." He looked back down to see Prompto trying to focus on him. "That's it, I'm right here. I know it hurts but you have to stay awake, you have to fight it. It's…it's the harpy DNA, it's waking up. I don't know what it'll do to you, so you have to fight it, please. We can't lose you," he told him, seeing the terror in his eyes.

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Ignis looked up at where Noctis was kneeling, seeing Noctis with tears in his eyes as he stared down at the writhing Prompto. Could Prompto never get a break? Could they do anything if the harpy DNA was really activating? What would it do to him? Prompto was eighteen years old, practically an adult, with a firm personality and emotions, would that override the instincts and mentality of a harpy? He could see it, the bright blue of Prompto's eyes darkening, the hands Gladio was holding down clawing at the ground and leaving marks which human nails shouldn't.

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"Your Majesty!"

Regis turned to face the approaching Crownsguard. "What is it?"

"The Prince needs you in the rehab room."

"Did he say why?"

"No, but there was screaming. Amicitia and Scientia are with him and Argentum for a physio session."

Regis' eyes went wide and then a hand grabbed his arm.

"Then dawdling would not be a good idea at all," his companion offered and then they were gone.

Regis stumbled slightly as they reappeared in the room to see Prompto writhing on the ground as the others held him down, Noctis cradling his head, speaking softly to him. "Noctis?"

"Dad, help him, please!" Noctis looked up, tears running down his face and Regis warped over, looking down at Prompto only to freeze in horror.

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He moved to join them, looking down at a blonde boy with familiar features. He saw his eyes darkening towards black. He knew what this boy was…but he had thought he had wiped all the facilities out, years before this one would have been created. It seemed the program had been restarted and somehow one of the clones had come to be not just in Insomnia but within the Citadel itself and with Noctis' group.

Noctis glanced up and his eyes widened. "Uncle?"

"Hello, my boy," he smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair, he hadn't seen Noctis since he had begun recovering from the attack.

"Can you help him? He's my best friend, our fourth."

Well, he hadn't seen that coming. He knelt down beside the writhing child, studying him. "Do we know how much harpy he carries?"

"Twelve percent, but also eight percent unknown, the rest registered as human," Ignis answered, tersely, shocked by his presence, but there was also hope in his eyes.

"Can you help?" Noctis begged.

"I know no way to stop an Awakening," he admitted. Merperson, harpy, no matter what species once it began it couldn't be stopped. "Have you bonded yet?"

"No….he's only known the truth about us for a bit over a year," Noctis whispered as Prompto screamed again, Gladio straining to hold him down.

"N…..No…c…t" the boy forced out through clenched teeth.

"I'm here," Noctis whispered, gently stroking his hair.

"H…ur..ts…"

"I know, just keep fighting, stay with us."

He watched him trying to sooth the clone, to give him the strength to fight against his own genetic makeup. "You need to initiate the bond Noctis, quickly."

"Will that stop this?" Gladio asked.

"I honestly don't know, but it is the best chance. Even if it doesn't, if the three of you can anchor him he may be able to hold on to his sense of self." That was a guess and the odds were against them, but it was the only chance the boy had. If he turned fully, lost himself to the creature within, they would be forced to kill him or lock him away for life.

Noctis nodded and shifted with a grimace to be sitting, Gladio helping pull Prompto up in Noctis' arms. He cradled Prompto to his chest even as Gladio restrained his hands. Blue eyes were now all but black, finger nails more claw than anything human.

"S…Sto..p….it," he begged, surprising the two older men, that he was still that coherent.

Regis knelt slowly, his brace clinking against the hard floor. "You are stronger than this Prompto," he told the boy, reaching out to grip his wrist gently but firmly.

"No…le..t…hurt…"

That surprised him, was the boy saying what he thought? Asking them to keep him from hurting anyone. "How old was he?" he asked and Ignis looked up at him. "When he was rescued from the facility."

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"Seven," Noctis answered gently, placing a hand over Prompto's heart. "This will feel weird," he warned, "it might hurt, it's not meant too but I don't know…" he looked for some sign that Prompto understood and his head jerked in an attempt to nod.

"T…tr..trust," Prompto got out and Noctis managed a shaky smile before reaching for his magic, praying it would work. They couldn't lose him, if this didn't work then they would have to try something else. He would never give up on him. Prompto grit his teeth to hold back another scream, locking eyes with him and he let the magic flow.

TBC…