Disclaimer: not mine

Thanks to those who helped me come to the decisions needed for this chapter

Chapter 10

"T…tr..trust," he forced out without screaming seen Noctis smile back shakily. Prompto grit his teeth to hold back another scream, locking eyes with Noct's, even as he struggled to lock his muscles, to stay still. He could feel Gladio holding his arms, the King's hand on one wrist, that left Iggy to be pinning his legs. It hurt so much! He just wanted the pain to end. The King's hand vanished.

"We're here," Noctis whispered and he felt the hand over his hear press down hard.

He screamed, back arching as ice water poured through his body, battling the flames of pain. He was unaware of his body thrashing wildly as they struggled to restrain him without hurting him. All he was aware of was the contrasting powers trying to rip him apart.

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Noctis bit back a sob, fighting to keep his hand in place as Prompto convulsed in his arms, his Dad and Uncle moving in to help them hold him down. Unfocused, black eyes, rolled in their sockets, bare feet kicking against the floor, nails turned to claws. He closed his eyes to focus on his magic, rather than the horrible physical transformation. When he'd bonded with Ignis, there had been a brief pain for his first transformation but that had been it, nothing like this. Was it because Prom carried so little harpy that the Awakening hurt so badly?

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Flames were licking at his mind, twisting into his memories, thoughts….feelings… he whimpered in fear as he felt them trying to twist things. He struggled to focus on the face above him…Noctis…his Prince…the enemy…his friend…

'Kill….' The voice hissed through his mind and he screamed in terror, even as the physical agony centred on his back, between his shoulders, he could feel the skin stretching, warping. That voice….he knew it…the Scientist…the one in charge of them…he gasped and whimpered.

A wave of cold washed through his body so suddenly his teeth chattered harshly as the voice was pushed out briefly. It was Noct leaning over him, holding him, Noct was his best friend. "K…kil..l…me," he pleaded.

"No, you can do this Prom, you can fight it. Let us help," he begged.

"We're here Prompto. Reach for us," Gladio leant over, was it Gladio?

The flames were back, and he cried out again.

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Ardyn helped hold thin yet strong shoulders down, feely pity for the child growing as he screamed in terror. Who knew what he was suffering mentally on top of the physical agony. When his spine bowed, he slipped a hand back, feeling the heat of the skin between his shoulders, something beginning to bulge beneath. The wings of a harpy were beginning to form, despite Noctis' magic.

With that pity was awe in the boys strength. He had seen a harpy Awakening once, and it had happened in minutes, mind and body transforming until there had been nothing left of the man he had called friend for years. That had been so long ago though, perhaps this was the normal time now?

Hearing him beg for death, seeing how it affected Noctis…well, he knew where he would be going when he left Insomnia. It appeared there were more facilities within the Empire he needed to 'visit'. They needed to be reminded of his existence as much as Regis' Council.

"Sit him up," he ordered, feeling the skin stretch further beneath his hand and the moved together to hold him up in a seated position, his head lolling limply as the boy gasped for breath.

"Uncle?" Regis asked and Ardyn indicated his back. Regis grimaced in response. "He's had two surgeries just above there."

Ardyn nodded, seeing the mass of scars, so like those on Noctis' lower back. How much did these boys have in common? No wonder young Prompto was able to fit so well with his nephew.

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The flames burned deeper and deeper into his very being even as his back burned the hottest. The icy water surged through his body, fighting the flames and he welcomed the cold. He felt his body go limp, losing the strength to fight, feeling as he was moved, head hanging limp. He whimpered and felt a cool hand stroke his face, weakly trying to press into the touch.

"You with me?" a voice whispered. Who? A hand tipped his face up and he struggled to focus. "Prom?"

Enemy! Danger! He hissed, weakly trying to move but his body wouldn't respond.

"We're losing him," another voice spoke.

"No, Prompto stay with us. It's me, Noctis, your friend. I am not your enemy,' the first voice was back.

'Tricks…lies….' Whispered through his mind. 'Kill them all.'

He struggled to move, to obey, and then gasped as a wave of cold washed through him, pouring into him and with it came something else…he could feel three presences…enemy…friends…

'We're here Prompto, hold on to us,' a voice whispered, he knew it…he…Iggy?

Hold on…he tried to reach back to them, mind clearing. He forced his eyes open, staring into terrified dark blue. "N…oooccc…" it was a hissing slur but obviously understood as some of the fear faded.

"That's it, hold on to us, we won't let go."

And then the pain was back, and he thrashed weakly, tears falling from his eyes and then he screamed as something exploded from his back.

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Regis grimaced as blood, tissue, and fluid literally exploded from Prompto's back, wing bones forcing their way free, swiftly unfurling as feathers covered them. He locked his own instinctive reaction to them down swiftly. The boy was still in there, still fighting. "Noctis, the bond?"

"It's taking," his son assured him. "He…he's in so much pain." He leant in to press a kiss to sweat soaked blonde hair as Prompto gasped and panted. "It's like fire in his mind, trying to twist him into something else. And….a voice, I don't recognise it, its telling him to kill."

"Harpies of a clan are linked, allowing them to act as one," Ardyn explained grimly.

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Ignis focused on keeping Prompto's legs down, listening to the others but remaining silent. As the bond began forming he turned everything he could spare onto it, offering the younger male his strength and knowledge. He did look up as blood flowed down onto the ground, seeing the wings hanging limp behind his friend. He felt the limbs under him go limp and cautiously loosened his hold, flexing fingers and hands to get the flood flowing again. Looking up he saw Prompto's eyes were closed, his body limp in their hold. "Is it over?"

Noctis looked up, face streaked with tears. "I don't know," he whispered shakily. He shifted his hold on Prompto, cradling him close.

Gladio didn't move, hovering over them protectively, ready to pull them apart if needed. He glanced up and Ignis could easily see the horror and despair he was trying to hide, the fear he would have to kill a friend to protect his Prince.

Prompto's presence in the bond was murky and weak, more so than could be attributed to the bond being new.

Ignis looked down as he heard the sound of snapping bone, saw his feet had changed, becoming more like the talons of a bird, of a harpy. "It's still happening," he warned.

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Noctis didn't need to be told, he could feel the hair under his hand becoming feathery. He rocked Prompto gently, not bothering to try and wipe away the tears blurring his vision. "Dad? Uncle?" he pleaded with them for answers.

His Uncle pressed a hand to Prom's forehead for a few minutes before sighing. "I don't know," he admitted.

Prompto began to stir weakly, birdlike noises coming from his throat and they all held their breath, praying to the Astrals that he would be alright. Black eyes opened slowly, focusing on him and then Prompto shrieked and threw himself at Noctis, knocking him onto his back even as Noctis grabbed his wrists to keep the lethal claws away from his face.

"Prom no!" he yelped as he struggled against his now much stronger friend. He saw Gladio summon a blade out of the corner of his eye. "No! Don't interfere," he snapped. He shifted his weight, twisting and throwing, off balancing Prompto enough to reverse their positions. Prompto had enough training not to fall for that move anymore, the fact it had worked proved Prompto wasn't in his right mind. He sat on Prompto's thighs, struggling to pin his hands to the floor. "It's okay Prompto, you're safe. It's me, Noctis. You know me," he whispered, reaching for the nascent bond between them, trying to calm him. "I'm here, I've got you, just calm down." As he spoke, Prompto fell silent, black eyes locked on him. And then he heaved with everything and Noctis found himself being flung off, scrambling to get up, finding Gladio between them, sword reluctantly in hand even as he felt Ignis' hands under his arms, hauling him up. He could feel his Dad's magic gathering in the air, ready to protect him. "Hold!" He snapped, throwing ever bit of Princely command he could into the order.

He saw Prompto, pushed into a corner, curled with his knees to his chest, wings limp, hands covering his face. His heart pounding he took a step away from the others, that was not normal harpy behaviour, especially with the enemy right there.

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Regis was terrified when Prompto pinned Noctis to the ground, shocked when Ardyn held him back. It was a relief that Noctis managed to switch their positions and for a few seconds it seemed like he was getting through to his friend…until the boy threw Noctis away. He called up his magic to defend his child and his Retainers only to hold back as instead of attacking, Prompto scrambled back into a corner, cowering there. He pulled his magic back, even as Noctis yelled at the others, willing to wait and see.

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Ardyn was happily surprised when the boy stopped the attack and fighting to cower in a corner, that was definitely not normal harpy behaviour. He should be attacking and trying to kill them all, even with the horrendous odds against him, especially if he was hearing the voice of an older harpy commanding him to do so. Personally, he would prefer to live in peace with the others species of Eos, but if they wanted to fight then so be it.

Even if the child was lost, they couldn't kill him now, he would have to be detained for life, kept secret from everyone. Killing him would break the bond, injuring the other three.

When Noctis took a step towards the cowering form, Regis tensed but Ardyn shook his head. The boy's only hope of any kind of freedom was Noctis being able to reach him.

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His mind was being torn apart! He couldn't think as the fire and ice water fought inside of him, reacting to the pain but then there was something…soft, gentle….the icy feeling reacting to it, soothing the pain and he panted, gradually becoming semi-aware of a voice.

"It's okay Prompto, you're safe. It's me, Noctis. You know me." The icy cold surged, growing stronger, cooling the flames. "I'm here, I've got you, just calm down." Slowly an image came into focus above him, the scent of salt water filling his nose.

He threw it off with everything he had, scrambling back and away as he was overwhelmed by new senses, all screaming danger, enemies. He cowered in a corner, hiding behind his hands as he struggled to make sense of everything. There were five…two older and powerful, one more so than any other. The other three were younger, weaker, but still strong. A voice in his head screamed to attack, to kill, to rip them apart and he curled his arms around his head.

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As Prompto continued to huddle in the corner, almost rocking himself, Noctis glanced at his Dad and Uncle. He could tell they were wary but also unsure.

Ardyn offered a small smirk and waved him forward. "Carefully," his ancestor warned and Noctis nodded.

Ever so slowly he began to move towards Prompto, making noise so as not to startle him, but being careful not to be too noisy. Harpies had far better hearing than a human and he didn't want to hurt him. "It's okay Prom, it's just me. I won't hurt you. You know me," he murmured, watching as Prompto gradually stopped moving and then he heard it, the soft noises of fear and distress. That worried him, could Prompto speak or understand? "I know you're scared but it's okay, we'll help. No one is going to hurt you." Seeing Prompto beginning to tense he sank to his knees, ignoring his screaming back. "Please Prom, give me some kinda sign you can understand me," he pleaded. "Let me see you."

A wing shifted, moving up, hiding more of him from sight but it was a reaction, conscious or not.

"I'm not scared of you, or disgusted. No matter what, you're still Prompto. You're my best friend, one of mine. Can't you feel it?" he asked, ever so gently nudging the bond and he saw Prompto shiver slightly in reaction. "Sorry, it's cold. Comes from being a sea creature I guess." He kept rambling on softly and ever so slowly the wing fell away again.

Gradually, a hand shifted, and black eyes met blue. He already missed the bright blue that always held a smile. He made sure to stay still, offering a small, closed mouthed, smile, knowing better than to show teeth and offer a challenge. "There you are," he whispered. "Can I come closer?" he asked, and he heard a hesitant chirp, so he shifted to crawl closer until he saw Prompto tensing again. He sat with his legs crossed, facing Prompto.

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Part of him wanted to scream at Noctis to get back, to put himself between the two, to defend his Prince. But….it was Prompto. He was Noctis' shield, his first duty was to protect the heir to the Throne. Noctis had ordered him to stand down and he was grateful, he didn't want the bubbly blonde's blood on his hands. Seeing Noct go down under him had terrified him but now that Prompto was crammed into the corner he realised something, Noct shouldn't have been strong enough to hold him off, some part of Prompto had been holding him back even while trying to attack.

Seeing him now, it was hard to remember he was no longer human, that he was physically the strongest in the room now, except maybe Ardyn. He physically seemed to be mostly harpy, but those actions were all human as he cowered from them, trying to hide even as Noctis whispered to him, until he was allowed to get closer.

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Regis watched as Noctis slowly calmed Prompto, getting closer to him, and then he winced as he realised there was someone missing from the room. He reached out through his own bonds to Cor, urging him to come. That was when he realised someone was trying to get into the room which Ardyn must have sealed. He moved slowly and carefully across the room to open it and slip outside, finding a panicked medical team. He quickly dismissed them and then saw Cor approaching at a jog.

"Regis?" he called, and Regis grimaced slightly, he didn't want to have to tell him what had happened. He had no choice though, so he pulled him into another room and sealed it to ensure they wouldn't be overheard. "What's happened?"

"It's Prompto," Regis started, seeing his Marshal tense. "Something…activated the harpy DNA."

"No," Cor shook his head in disbelief.

"He's alive," he quickly assured him. "Noctis initiated the bonding process. He's scared and likely very confused with his new senses. Have you ever seen a harpy cower in a corner rather than attack? The physical change is shocking," he warned. "Noctis has managed to get close but you might have more luck."

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Cor was in shock, horrified that Prompto had undergone the Awakening. He should have been with him! He didn't know what he could have done but he could have at least been there for him. He had no children but…Prompto was the closest he had. "I need to see him," he stated, and Regis nodded, leading him back to the rehab room.

"Remember, his senses are a lot stronger and probably going haywire. Take it slow and quiet."

Cor nodded and followed him into the room. He saw Ardyn by a wall, then Ignis and Gladio in the middle of the room. It took him longer to spot Noctis sitting cross legged on the floor, leaning forward slightly, towards the corner. He stepped quietly closer and froze as he saw Prompto for the first time. he forced back the first, instinctive, reaction to the sight of a harpy, especially so close to his Prince. He made himself really take him in, seeing the limp wings, taloned feet, clawed hands covering his face, blonde hair now feathery looking. He was dressed in swim trunks, showing scattered, small, feathers over bared skin.

He took a deep breath and began moving slowly forward. "Hey Sunshine," he called softly, using the name he'd given him on their journey to Insomnia and he felt a shift, knowing Prompto was aware of his presence and looking at him even though his face was hidden. "Having a pretty bad day, huh?" that got an odd noise from the kid and he felt something inside himself relax at the acknowledgment of his words, Prompto could understand him. He dropped to his knees so as not to tower over the boys, Noctis quiet and watching now. Ever so slowly he made his way closer, until he was even with Noctis. "Can I come closer?" he asked gently, gentle wasn't something he did often, except with these two precious boys. "You know I won't hurt you," he reminded the skittish boy and then he heard a hesitant chirp.

He shifted slowly closer, hands open and down, unthreatening as he slid across the smooth floor. Ever so carefully he leant against the wall beside Prompto, hearing his breathing speed up, his body trembling slightly. Fear? Or fighting new instincts that likely screamed to attack? There was a little space between them, and Cor made sure he was slumped, making himself smaller the best he could, radiating not a threat. He stayed like that for a while before slowly moving one hand towards Prompto, fingers spread to show his hand was empty of weapons. Nervous chittering came from Prompto, but he didn't lash out and he brushed his fingers over the boys arm, feeling the fine down covering the skin, so fine he couldn't see it.

"See? That doesn't hurt. Your down is soft," he murmured, and he met black eyes without fear. "It will be alright Prompto, we know you're still in there," he promised and then a shaky arm lowered slowly, revealing part of his face. "That's it," he praised gently, lifting his hand to gently brush his knuckles over Prompto's cheek and then Prompto was pressing into his touch, soft, cooing noises coming from his throat and Cor smiled, careful not to flash his teeth. "Come here Sunshine," he urged gently, lifting his arm in offering and Prompto hesitated, torn, but then slowly he uncurled further, leaning towards him. Cor wrapped his arms around his shoulders, careful of the drooping wings. He tucked the kid into his side, running his hand up and down his arm to sooth him.

"Cor gives great hugs," Noctis whispered and Prompto chirped, rubbing his cheek against Cor's chest.

Cor glanced up at his King to see Regis relaxing, looking utterly relieved and he could feel it too. He could feel it through the bond, if it had come to no other choice, he would not have let Cor or any of the boys land the killing blow, even if it meant doing so himself. Though, with the bond in place, even brand new, killing Prompto would have been a very, very last resort.

TBC…