Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 13

Ardyn left to see if he could find anything in the library and they all dozed off as Prompto slept, saving their strength for the fight to come. Several hours later Noctis was woken as Prompto began to stir.

"We're here Prom," he promised softly, and slowly bright blue eyes opened to stare up at him blearily.

"Noct," he mumbled sleepily, and Noctis smiled.

"Hey, how do you feel?"

Prompto yawned and stretched before pressing his ear over Noctis' heart and he moved a hand to run through wild blonde locks. "Okay."

Noctis decided not to tell him that he knew he wasn't due to the bond. Prompto always insisted he was okay, so it was good to hear him say it, even if technically it wasn't true.

"Sorry."

"For what?" he asked, knowing the others were awake and listening.

"All messed up in here," Prompto pressed a hand to his head.

"It's not your fault Prom. You'll get better with time but even if you don't we won't leave you. We promised, remember?" he asked, hoping he did, it would be bad if he was having issues with his short-term memory as well, but Prompto nodded.

"Noctis' right Prompto," Gladio murmured and Prompto didn't jump so he'd likely realised they were awake.

"Don't wanna be broken," he whimpered.

"Never say that. You aren't broken Prompto," Ignis denied and Prompto stared at him with tears in his eyes.

The door opened and Prompto hissed in alarm, pressing back into Noctis who tightened his grip as Cor slipped into the room and Prompto froze before relaxing. "Cor," he practically chirped, and Cor smiled gruffly as Prompto reached for him. He walked over to the bed and reached out to ruffle his hair.

"Alright?" he asked and Prompto nodded.

"Any word from Uncle Ardyn?"

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"He's terrorising the library staff," Cor admitted. He was being a bit scary in his frenzy to find something to help the blonde. That got a snicker from Gladio as he sat up to stretch. "You boys hungry?" that got nods and a puzzled look from Prompto before he nodded as well. "I'll have something brought up so don't even think of cooking Ignis."

He knelt to be eye level with the boys, especially Prompto. It was much easier to read blue eyes than black, and it was a relief to see nothing he would have expected from a harpy. He reached out and ruffled his hair again, getting a happy laugh from the younger male even as he pressed up into his hand. "Anything specific you want to eat Sunshine?" he asked and Prompto chewed at his lip before shrugging. He'd have to double check what harpies ate compared to mers, just in case there was anything they reacted badly to. "Okay, you let them take care of you." He stood and left the room to arrange meals to be sent up to the room.

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Ignis watched as Prompto ate with his hands, wanting to correct him, to get him to use the cutlery, but he held back. He didn't want to push him, and it wasn't like there was anyone else in the room. Noctis looked from Prompto to Ignis and grinned before putting his own cutlery aside to use his hands too. Gladio chuckled, shrugged when Ignis looked at him, and then joined in. Ignis sighed and then carefully put his own down and carefully lifted a piece of fish to his mouth.

If Prompto's memories failed to return it appeared he would have a lot to learn. He obviously wouldn't be able to live alone, in his apartment or even in the Citadel, until he relearnt several things. It would be best he remain with them anyway, where they could help him and ensure he was safe.

His link back to his clan was also a worry, what would happen if they couldn't shift or break it? How long could Prompto fight it and his new instincts? Fighting both would eventually exhaust him and he would lose. Ignis was aware of the fact no one would want to risk killing Prompto, not with how it would hurt them…which meant there was a plan in place to keep him contained and hidden if necessary. That was no way for anyone to live. If their plan to try and help him failed they would have to find another way, he could note bare to think of Prompto lost to them forever.

Ignis felt Gladio's hand brush against his lower back and he forced himself to relax and think of more pleasant things, not wanting Prompto to pick up on his concern.

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Gladio could feel the worry pouring off of Ignis as they ate, and he gently touched him to knock him out of his own head before Prompto picked up on it and became stressed. The longer he stayed in human form the better, his instincts would be stronger and harder to ignore in harpy form. He'd rather not have to try to restrain the blonde if that happened, he was strong, even in human form, but stronger than a harpy? No, not without a weapon or shield in hand and he couldn't risk that with Prom.

It was kind of nice, to see Prompto so…carefree? He was always worried about doing the wrong thing, not fitting in, he always watched them to get an idea how to act in the Citadel but here he was happily tearing into raw fish. It was good that they shared some dietary needs. He was so innocent like this, no memory of the horrors visited on him by the Empire, the attacks he'd suffered in Insomnia…but he wanted their Prompto back, mental and emotional scars and all.

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Regis entered the library to find his Uncle feverishly going over everything he could find on harpies. "Have you slept?" he asked and Ardyn glanced up at him briefly. "Well?"

"I am capable of going months without sleep, as you well know Regis. This is far more important. The boy will not be able to resist forever."

"Have you found anything?"

"No…two thousand years and all we can do is trust Noctis and his friends can save him," he sighed and closed the book.

"If he was not Noctis' fourth, would you be trying so hard?" Regis asked, curious and Ardyn stared at him blandly. "Uncle?" he pushed.

"It is due to my inaction that the boy exists at all. I had the chance to kill Besithia many years ago and I did not take it. It would have been better for our world if I had, yet in doing so I would have denied your son his final companion."

"I see…"

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Prompto lay curled in Gladio's arms, letting the sound of quiet talking wash over him. His stomach was full, and he felt warm and safe. He knew he was hurting them, and he hated it, he wanted to remember, to be who they remembered. It was hard, to think and talk, to do anything really.

"Prom?" That was Noct, so he opened his eyes and turned his head enough to see him, smiling for him and Noct smiled back, reaching out to run cool fingers through his hair. "Feeling any better?"

"Full," he grinned and Noct chuckled.

"That's good," Noctis leant in, pressing his forehead to Prompto's and it felt good. He lifted a hand to curl around a pale shoulder, unable to hold back the soft, pleased cooing noise that came from deep in his throat. He could see the corners of Noct's mouth tug up in a soft smile. "Uncle Ardyn can't find anything to help you," Noctis whispered seriously and Prompto just stared up at him, what was Uncle? "We can still try to get rid of the voice, if you want."

"Please…" he begged. He wanted it gone, no matter what it took, wanted it to stop hurting, telling him to hurt them.

"Alright, we'll try," Noct promised and Prompto smiled trustingly at him.

"Will we be doing this here?" Iggy asked and Noct shook his head.

"No, the Crystal room."

Prompto wondered what that meant but he would do whatever Noct told him to. He trusted him more than anyone else, he wouldn't hurt him, no matter what the voice said.

"Prom? I'm going to carry you, okay?" Gladio asked and Prompto nodded, curling closer to his chest, feeling his arms steady him there before they were moving.

"I shall ensure we have a clear path," Iggy spoke from across the room and he felt Noct's hand on his shoulder. He buried his face against Gladio, unable to help the nervous chittering at all the strangeness around him.

"It's okay Prom, you're safe," Noct soothed as they moved.

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Regis dismissed the guards from around the Crystal room, Ardyn at his side. It was risky, bringing Prompto here, but they understood Noctis' reasoning. They would need all the power they could get to free the boy from his clan without killing him.

"I believe I should make a quick trip to Niflheim," Ardyn commented, smirking slightly.

"Oh?"

"We wouldn't want dear Besithia able to bring his full power and that of his clan to bear on the boys, would we?"

"Be careful Uncle."

That got a laugh. "Dear boy, I am immortal."

"And I would prefer not to have to use the army to break you out of captivity," Regis warned, the Empire feared Ardyn and with good reason. He had no doubt they would capture and contain the immortal being if they could.

"As you wish," he bowed with a flourish before vanishing as the boys came around the corner. Regis quickly ushered them inside and Noctis went immediately to the pool beneath the Crystal, slipping into the water.

Gladio approached the pool, Prompto curled against his chest and Regis smiled sadly at the sight, able to hear the soft noises of nervousness coming from the boy. Prompto lifted his head as he was lowered to the ground and their eyes met. He had met Prompto several times since he had befriended his son and yet there was no recognition in his eyes, just nervousness and confusion, even a little fear. Regis smiled gently at him and the fear faded, the boy offering a shy smile before cocking his head to the side, studying him, obviously seeing the similarities between himself and Noctis.

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He stared at the man, he didn't know him, did he? There was something…Noct! He looked a bit like Noct. Where was Noct? He heard a splash and turned his head, a shriek of terror tearing from his throat as he scrambled back from the water, eyes wide as every instinct in his body screamed danger. Gladio's arms wrapped around him, holding him still even as he struggled, wanting to get away but not hurt Gladio. Then Iggy was there, kneeling in front of his, holding his hands.

"Hush Prompto, hush. Just look at me," Iggy called, and he forced himself to look at him, shaking. "That's it, very good."

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Ignis held tightly to Prompto's hands, holding eye contact as soon as Prompto looked at him, seeing the black spilling into the blue of his eyes. They had all known that it was likely he would shift at some point during this, but it would be better the longer it could be held off. "You're safe Prompto. We won't let anyone hurt you," he swore and Prompto swallowed, chittering softly. "Take nice deep breaths with me," he urged, freeing one hand to gently run through blonde hair that had begun to change but not fully. He felt Prompto's breathing begin to slow and smiled gently at him.

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Gladio held on as Prompto fought his hold, aware that even terrified the kid was holding back to not hurt him, obviously having recognised who was holding. He kept his grip as Ignis talked Prompto down from his mindless panic, feeling him relaxing a little but he didn't dare loosen his hold just yet. Not until they could get Prompto to look at Noctis and really see him. "It's okay kid, we've got you," he added his own promise.

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"Are you still with us Prompto?" Ignis asked gently, Prompto hadn't spoken since panicking and with his transformation begun, if halted, he wasn't sure the other was still capable of human speech.

He hissed softly through his teeth but then swallowed. "I…Igg…Iggy," he stammered and Ignis smiled, gently stroking his cheek.

"Good, that's good," he praised. "You're doing so well. You need to stay calm; can you do that for me?"

"Th…there's…" his free hand pointed behind Ignis at the water.

"It's okay Prompto. Do you remember when Noctis goes in water and looks different? He'd take you swimming with him," Ignis offered but there was no recognition in Prompto's eyes. Did he not understand or was it a lack of memory? Did he even understand what had happened to him? "I know he looks different, but it's Noct in the water," that got him a confused look. "I promise, it's him and he would never hurt you." Ignis glanced back to see Noctis holding onto the edge with white knuckles, trying not to let Prompto's reaction hurt.

"N..N..oc…t?"

"Prom," Noctis whispered.

"Noct?"

"It's me, I'm sorry I scared you," the Prince called softly.

"That's it, it's Noct and he won't hurt you," Ignis promised. "We're right here," he kept a hold of Prompto's hand and slowly moved to reveal Noctis again.

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Regis watched as the boys worked to calm Prompto down before he changed fully, Ignis slowly talking him down from his panic. It was very impressive and showed just how much Prompto trusted them, even with much of his memory gone….or just inaccessible at the moment? A glance at his son showed he was upset at causing such a fearful reaction in his friend but that he was hoping Prompto would recognise him.

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He clung to Iggy's hand, Gladio's arms around him tightly but not painfully. Noct was…he looked towards the water, feeling terror clawing at him, shaking in fear. He stared at the creature, this couldn't be Noct, it couldn't….could it?

"Prom," the creature called, and it was Noct's voice. A clawed hand was slowly extended towards him and he pressed back into Gladio. "It's me Prom, I'd never hurt you."

He pressed his hand to his head, crying out in pain as the voice surged back, louder than ever. No! He wouldn't listen, he wouldn't!

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Regis didn't look away, knowing exactly who had entered the room and what he was carrying. Restraints designed to hold a harpy were hard to make but the Citadel held several sets. Cor was carrying one though they hoped they would be unneeded.

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"Prom look at me," he called softly and slowly Prompto did, revealing eyes that were a mix of blue and black. "I know you can do this, you're stronger than him."

"Noct?"

He smiled without opening his mouth. "Yeah, it's me." He kept his hand out and ever so slowly Prompto leant towards him. He glanced at Gladio and nodded so his Shield gradually let go, everyone holding their breath as the partially transformed blonde inch by inch crawled across the floor towards him in the eerie light of the Crystal above them. "It's okay, I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you," he whispered. Clawed fingers brushed against ones with forming claws and he threaded his fingers through Prompto's, seeing his eyes widen.

"Noct," he whispered and this time it wasn't a question.

Noctis gently tugged the bond and Prompto started, shivering slightly but then he smiled and gripped Noctis' hand in return. He rested on that elbow to free his other hand from the ledge and slowly reach up, gently touching a warm cheek and Prompto closed his eyes, pressing into his touch, shaking slightly. "That's it, I've got you."

"H…help me," Prompto pleaded.

"Always," he promised. "Lie down," he urged and Prompto looked nervously at the water. "Trust me, please Prom," he whispered and slowly Prompto lay down on his back, head turned towards him. He looked up and nodded so Gladio and Ignis joined them, remaining on land with Prompto. He pulled himself half out of the water, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Prompto's. he felt Gladio's hand on his chest, steadying him. Ignis held his shoulder and then they placed their other hands on Prompto who was struggling to remain still, eyes flickering between blue and black. "Ready?"

"Trust," Prompto whispered, echoing his words when Noctis had initiated the bond between them.

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Cor watched as Prompto fought against every instinct he had to lie down right next to the water, to a merman, the other two moving in as well. None of them knew if this would work but it was the only choice they had. He did not want to think of the alternative even as he was very aware of the restraints at his feet. No, this would work.

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Noctis reached into the bond with Prompto, using it to try and sooth him, feeling Gladio and Ignis do the same and slowly his eyes stopped flickering, settling on the bright blue of his human form. He blinked slowly, the blinks becoming longer.

"Nnnoct?" he slurred drowsily.

"It's okay Prom, just go to sleep," he whispered and Prompto yawned, body gradually relaxing, his eyes falling closed. Better he sleep through as much of this as possible.

Noctis flung open the bond, feeling it as their magic and minds merged closer than ever. He hadn't opened up this far since forging the bonds with them, not wanting them to be too influenced by it. Once that was done they turned to Prompto and his unguarded, sleeping mind. It was easy to find the head of his clan as the harpy whispered to him, to feel the bond between them. It would not be so easy to either severe it totally or transfer it over to them, but they had to do it. They could not fail.

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"Have you missed me?"

The scientist turned quickly, how had someone come into the heart of the Facility without him knowing? And then he saw the being before him and he snarled….right as he felt something attacking the bond with the child in Insomnia. No, the boy was his and would do as he commanded, he would not fail.

TBC….