Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 18

He gasped, feeling water fill his throat, choking. He knew better than to panic but that didn't help, terror drowning out all rational thought even as his body felt like it was freezing. Noct!

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"Prom!" he screamed and then dove down, terrified. They should have been more careful or have stuck to the shallower sections! He'd never forgive himself if Prompto was hurt. He spotted something further down and put on a burst of speed, sensing Gladio and then he gasped as he felt something in the bond shift…..Prompto! then he froze, eyes wide, as he saw the body floating limp before him. Prompto?

"Blondie?" Gladio sounded as shocked as he was.

Noctis shook it off and closed the difference, wrapping a hand around Prompto's arm, pulling him close, relieved to find he was breathing. He…he was…the most...delicate mer Noctis had ever seen. His tail was long and slender but still strong, powerful, shimmering almost silver though it was actually a silvery blue colour. Noctis hesitantly touched it, there were scales, just so small that the naked eye couldn't pick them out, even the enhanced vision of a mer, soft and smooth under his hand. The hands floating limp now bore claw with webbed fingers and Noctis could see his gills working slowly. Instead of scales or his tail colouring spread over his supper body, like himself or Gladio, there were delicate lines curling and trailing over his skin, like lace made of ice….like Shiva. His fins were almost translucent, delicate, long and trailing. He brushed a hand through blond hair, finding delicately pointed ears, also closer to hers than the fin-like ears of most ears.

"Prompto?" he called gently, cupping his cheek as he held him to his chest. "Come on, wake up please."

"Let's head up before Ignis completely freaks out," Gladio told him and he nodded, adjusting his grip on Prompto, swimming up to the surface.

They surfaced to find his Dad and the doc waiting with Ignis, all three relaxing as they saw how changed Prom's form was but then they realised he was unconscious.

"Has he been conscious at all?" she asked.

"Not since we reached him, no clue when he passed out," Gladio answered, carefully taking Prompto from him and he had to fight down the instinct to clutch Prompto closer, making himself let go, the fledging bond now stronger with his transformation and it screamed to protect his injured friend and bond mate. Gladio lay Prompto on his back across his arms so that they could get a good look at him and Ignis reached down to touch the back of a limp hand, assuring himself Prompto was alive.

"Incredible," he whispered. He then moved aside as Doctor Lorne moved in, reaching into the water to take Prompto's hand, checking his pulse.

"Pulse is steady," she noted, checking to see his gills moving steadily since Gladio had kept his throat submerged. She gently lifted one eyelid then the other. "Pupils are good too. Any idea how long he was under while human?" she asked.

"No, he sank really fast and by the time we reached him he was like this, just floating," Noctis answered.

"I'm tempted to say bring him out but…it's better for the newly changed to stay in the water for a time, right?" Lorne asked.

"It is," his Dad agreed, moving to sit on the edge, gently pressing a hand to Prompto's forehead, obviously trying to get a feel for the magic.

"It could be stress induced," she offered. "A conflict of instincts, and if he remained human for any length of time, he may have inhaled water, passed out, before the magic took over."

He hated not knowing, but he could feel Prompto in the bond, his life wasn't in danger. He reached out and nuzzled his throat, relieved when Prompto stirred ever so slightly. "Prom? It's okay, you're safe, we're here," he whispered, reminded of that day in the therapy room. Prompto's head shifted and he groaned softly, Gladio bringing him back to his chest to support him and restrain if needed, rather than holding him out to those on the ground.

"Come on blondie, time to wake up," he urged and Prompto's hand lifted, batting at him and Gladio laughed. "No, I'm not going to go away."

"Prompto, you need to wake up for us, please," Ignis added and he whined but slowly his eyes blinked open, showing confusion.

Noctis leant over and smiled at him gently. "Hey," he gently ran his fingers through wet blond hair, feeling Prompto press into his touch. "How do you feel?"

"Noct?" he mumbled, lifting a hand to rub at his face and then he froze, stating at his hand and the trail of silvery lace-like markings on his skin. "What?" he started, trying to sit up.

"Easy, I've got you," Gladio murmured and then Prompto saw his own tail, eyes going wide.

"What…am….Noct?"

"Shh," Noctis gently cradled his face between his hands, ignoring his Dad and the doctor as he tried to get him to calm down and focus. "Do you remember what happened?" he asked gently and Prompto frowned before his eyes widened slightly.

"I fell in?" he asked and Noctis nodded. "Oh," he shifted in Gladio's arms and his Shield carefully removed the arm under his tail, letting him move into an upright position.

"Hello Prompto."

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Prompto was shocked and confused, he had a tail! Looking at his skin he wondered if his form was because of Shiva, recognising the markings. He clung on to Gladio as he let go of his hold on his tail, feeling rather strange.

"Hello Prompto," a voice called and he looked up to see Doctor Lorne kneeling on the ground, watching him.

"Hi," he greeted her.

"How do you feel?" she asked gently and he licked his lips.

"Okay I think?" he didn't feel sick or sore. "Little light headed maybe?"

"See if using your gills helps," the King suggested.

Gladio gently tugged him deeper so the water covered his throat, he felt the water moving over his gills and it felt a bit odd. He couldn't help clinging tightly to his arm. "Easy Prompto, I won't let go till you're ready," he promised, leaning in to nuzzle his throat and Prompto gasped, head falling back, an odd noise leaving his throat, oh…that felt…wow. He heard Noct laugh softly, then there was a hand in his hair.

"Yeah, Iggy reacted the same way to that the first time he transformed too," Noctis murmured and Prompto blinked, looking over at Ignis who coloured slightly.

"It is a very different sensation after that. As a human, it doesn't feel anything like it does for a mer, even one in human form," Ignis clarified and Prompto nodded. It definitely felt different, like when he'd rub cheeks with them and every instinct screamed family, safe, clan. "Don't worry, you won't react that strongly to anyone but the three of us," Ignis assured him and that was very good to know. "Be glad this is not a mate bond or your reaction would be even stronger," he smirked and Prompto blushed, well, did he really need to know that? He couldn't imagine it being more intense than that! He just wanted to close his eyes and bask in the safety of his clan…pod…whatever they were.

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Ardyn appeared along the edge of Taelpar Crag, right where Gentiana had suggested. He was more sure than ever that the woman was no mere messenger with some of her cryptic comments regarding young Prompto. What could be here that he would have any interest in though? He sighed and summoned his sword, throwing it down, warping after it. Since even he had never been down there before it was safer to warp than attempt his normal methods, he could appear in the rock if he wasn't careful.

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Noctis gently took Prompto's hand as Gladio gripped Prom where his hips would be when human which was now part of his tail. Prompto let go of Gladio and Noctis took that hand as well. "That's it, you're fine," he murmured, holding his arms still so that Prompto could rely on him to keep him steady and above the surface. They stayed like that for a while, letting Prompto get used to the feel of the water moving about his body.

"Ready?" Gladio asked and Prompto slowly nodded so he withdrew one hand and then the other.

Ignis remained on the edge, ready to help haul Prompto out if needed, but the others had left, giving them privacy for Prompto's first swim. The light-headedness had cleared up and Prompto felt fine so medical aid was not needed.

"Okay?" Noct asked and Prompto nodded. "Gonna talk?" he teased and Prompto met his eyes, letting him see the nervousness in his. "Nothing bad will happen, even if you did go under, you can't drown anymore."

"And we'd grab you," Gladio added.

"Right," Prompto whispered.

"Just like using your wings, the knowledge of how to swim should be instinctual," Ignis explained gently.

"I won't let go till you're ready," Noctis promised. "Ready?" he asked and Prompto nodded so he slowly began to move backwards, gently tugging Prompto into moving.

He looked down through the water, seeing that for the moment he was doing all the work but that was okay, it had to feel strange to have a tail for the first time rather than legs. Gladio paced them as he carefully pulled Prom through the water and then he grinned when Prompto's tail moved, hesitantly, almost jerking. It was different to helping Ignis with his first swim since he had tentacles rather than a tail but the general idea was the same. His body knew what to do, they just had to get his brain, body, and instincts to work together.

"That's it, you're doing great," he praised, nodding at Gladio who reached out to tickle his sides, surprising Prompto, and taking his concentration off swimming, which was the idea. Noctis grinned when he saw his tail move more naturally now that his focus was elswhere.

Gladio chuckled, when Prompto squirmed. "You're doing great, just relax."

They kept going and gradually he began moving, swimming. "You're doing it!" Noctis laughed, tugging harder, getting him to speed up a little. He looked up at Ignis. "Coming in?" he asked.

"Iggy?" Prompto looked over at him and he nodded, removing his glasses first before diving in fully clothed, the clothing vanishing. "Can I do the clothes thing too now?"

"It'll take some practise," Gladio told him.

Ignis swam over and curled a tentacle around Prompto's waist, tickling him with it and he laughed. Ignis pulled him in to ruffle his hair and then nuzzle his throat, welcoming him properly. "I'm so proud of you," he murmured and Prompto blushed at all the praise, still easily embarrassed by such things.

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Ardyn landed on what was definitely a pathway, leading deeper down and...into the cliff? Interesting. He sent his sword back to the Armiger and cautiously began following it, on the lookout for any danger. He could feel magic lingering in the air, centuries of accumulation. Who or what was down here? He did not appreciate having to crawl through some sections, when climbing was needed he could cheat, but not when it came to crawling through narrow gaps. Finally, he came out at the top of a river which dropped down until it split into two, land in the middle where he could see the remains of ancient armour and weapons. Decided against getting wet, he appeared down the bottom, seeing the sealed entrance to something up ahead.

He knelt down and checked over the skeletal remains and armour…the sword damage was easy to recognise but the rest…harpy talons. Wonderful. Just what did Shiva want him to see? Did he trust her enough to keep going? She had saved Prompto…but how could they know all of her reasons for doing so?

In the end, he stood and headed for the entrance, using magic to remove the rock before it, grimacing at the rush of stale air and strong scent of harpy. There was something else…something….familiar. He couldn't place it though.

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He lifted his head, feeling a sudden breeze, fresh air….salt water? Ever so slowly he got to his feet and picked up his sword. It had been forever since anyone had approached and he scowled, the entrance was sealed to keep people out for a reason.

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Gladio bent down and put his hands under Prompto's arms. "Ready?"

"Yeah," Prompto nodded so he pulled, lifting him out of the water to lie on the towel that had been placed on the ground. Gladio knelt and began patting him dry carefully even as Noctis and Ignis pulled themselves out of the pool, transformations triggering immediately. The first time always took the longest which was why he was drying Prompto carefully, to help trigger it.

Noctis took Prompto's hand, stroking the skin as Prompto lay there, breathing heavily, nervous. "It's okay Prom, just relax, it always takes longer the first time," he soothed, leaning down to rub cheeks with him, figuring trying to stir more land based instincts might speed things up.

Gladio was relieved when there was a shimmer of magic around Prompto's tail, watching it become legs again, and Prompto relaxed at the change. "There you go," Gladio grinned at him as Noctis straightened back up. "Let's get you washed off, dry, and into bed. You're going to crash, just like after your Awakening."

"Kay," Prompto agreed, already looking rather tired.

They got him on his feet and into the showers, Ignis getting the clothing that had been left in Prompto's locker back when he used to swim with them since what he'd been wearing had been torn apart when his tail formed. Gladio carried him back to Noct's rooms and they collapsed into bed together to relax and let him recover.

That had gone as well as they ever could have dreamed. Now the real fun could begin, teaching Prompto how to live and fight in the water as one of them.

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Ardyn banished his sword, getting rather annoyed at being ambushed and by spirits of all things. That brought back memories of so long ago, memories that still hurt even after so many centuries. He walked out onto a stone bridge and then stopped, seeing a massively tall figure at the other end. At six foot two there weren't a lot of people taller than him and that big of a height difference was shocking and oh so familiar. It wasn't possible…was it? The scent of harpy was strong, but of only one that he could tell.

He took a deep breath and began walking slowly towards the figure, hands at his sides, if there was a fight then he would not be the one to start it. The closer he got the more he could see and the faster his heart raced. He knew that sword….that armour…that grey hair hanging down. "Gil?" he had to be seeing things, surely? "Gilgamesh?" he reached up and removed his hat, coming to a stop out of sword range.

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He gripped his sword tightly, what was a mer doing in his self-imposed prison? How did he get in?

"Gil?"

He frowned, how could he know that name? And then his full name was whispered in question and he tensed. The mer stopped and slowly lifted a hand to his hat, removing it, and Gilgamesh felt like he'd been hit by a herd of behemoth. It wasn't possible…it couldn't be him…but he knew that red-violet hair, tied back loosely…the golden eyes and pale skin.

"How is this possible? I…we thought you were dead."

We? Did that mean Somnus still lived too? Was he seeing things? Making this all up in his loneliness? It wouldn't be the first time he thought he saw or heard something that wasn't actually there.

"Gil? Do you remember me? It's Ardyn," the apparition called out softly…gently. It couldn't be real then, if Ardyn lived and had found him, it could only end in bloodshed. They were enemies now. "I can't believe it…" the Ardyn mirage admitted, taking a careful step closer.

He tightened his grip on his sword, hissing quietly, and it held its hands up, showing they were empty.

"Easy Gil… I don't want to fight you. Please old friend, speak to me."

This could not be him, despite the scent of mer, so he lifted his sword and attacked, only for whoever, whatever it was to dodge. He snarled as it continued to dodge, pressing harder until it tripped but then it held its hands up in defence and a sword appeared in a flash of crimson crystals and Gilgamesh froze, eyes on the blade. That…that was the Royal magic, in the strange colour only Ardyn had. He looked up the prone body, staring at the face. "A…rd…yn?"

That got a soft smile. "Yes old friend, it is me." He sent the familiar sword back to the Armiger and stepped closer, slowly holding out an empty hand. "Please Gil, I won't hurt you."

Gilgamesh stared at the pale human hand and then ever so slowly reached out an armoured hand in return. He hesitated, staring at the tarnished metal that hid him from the world even more than the caves did, but Ardyn stretched out the final gap, human fingers closing around metal. Then the mer stepped closer, unafraid, Ardyn and Somnus had never feared him and his strange powers or size. It was part of why he'd fled before losing himself to the new instincts, not wanting them to fear or hate him, to hurt them. Slowly, he reached up and used his free hand to remove his mask for the first time in longer than he could remember.

"It's alright old friend." Ardyn reached up, pressing a cool hand to his face and he started, it had been so long since anyone had touched him. "You can understand me?"

Gilgamesh nodded slowly, he had understood even back then, hearing them scream his name as he fled before he lost himself totally and attacked them. The scent of salt water was almost overpowering and he was fighting to not lash out or transform, knew his eyes had to be flickering black but Ardyn showed no fear.

"Have you been here all these years?" Ardyn asked and he nodded again. "I don't know about you, but these ancient bones could use some rest, it's rather a long way down here. Let us sit," he glanced around and then carefully tugged on his hand and Gilgamesh cautiously walked with him, Ardyn sitting on a rock.

He hesitated but then sat as well. He looked down at his armoured hands and then began removing the armour, wincing slightly in pain. He heard Ardyn suck in a shocked breath and then he was holding his hands, healing magic sinking into Gil's hands before he could pull back. He found his eyes falling closed as a myriad of pains were soothed, fading away, feeling the heat of the oncoming transformation fade away as well.

"You need to take better care of yourself," Ardyn chided, exactly how he remembered.

"H..ow…here…" it had been so long since he had spoken, he almost flinched at the sound of his own voice.

"Shiva," Ardyn smirked and Gilgamesh stared at him. "She suggested I would find something of interest here when I spoke with her on another matter."

"Sssh..iva?"

"She is masquerading as a Messenger but yes. There is a boy in the Citadel…his name is Prompto and he recently Awakened as a harpy," Ardyn told him and his eyes widened. The Citadel had been completed then. "He is also bonded to the current heir to the Throne, Somnus' many times grandson, Noctis. His father, Regis, is the current King."

Had things changed so much, was there peace between their kind somehow? "The boy?" he asked, speech becoming easier.

"He has not had an easy life, through no fault of his own. He has nearly been killed by strangers twice, all because of where he was born and the war. For the first seven years of his life he was raised by Niflheim's military, subjected to inhuman 'treatments', deliberately exposed to the Scourge, punished for any tiny failing. Thankfully, one of Regis' men was sent to gather intel, and brought him back with him. I am told Prompto nearly died several times on the journey and even once he arrived in the city as his body began rejecting what had been done to him. It took years of hard work for him to get passed all they had done to him. now he has begun training to fight to protect Noctis, to use what they taught him to defend his Prince."

Who would ever expose someone to that, let alone a defenceless child? Whoever this Niflheim was, they were evil to do so. He also knew Ardyn, or he had once. "You stopped them?"

"I killed the man behind the project responsible for Prompto just recently…and in doing so caused the boy's death too. The man used his own genetics to create the children and ensured that if he died, so would they. It was Shiva who brought Prompto back to life and restored his memory, which he had lost most of during his Awakening. Despite that, he fought against his clan head and refused to harm anyone."

"Felt that, deaths of a clan."

"You did?" he sounded surprised and Gilgamesh nodded.

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It was all he could do to keep from jumping for joy as he spoke with Gilgamesh. He had always been a quiet man but his quietness now seemed more out of shock, lingering wariness, and who knew how long without speaking. The idea of him locked away, alone, for centuries in such a place sickened him. If only he had known, he would have come but…without exposure to young Prompto, without seeing how the inner harpy could be tamed, controlled, would he have come to kill Gilgamesh or would he still have attempted to speak with him? He had noticed his old friends eyes flickering colour but it had stopped when he had healed him, the healing magic seeming to have calmed his instincts which was nice. His ability to heal had always been unique from anyone else's.

"I am sorry you felt it, I wish I could have spared them all but…death would have been a release for them. I've seen them, they are raised totally obedient, all individuality crushed from them," he shuddered slightly, it had been a very disturbing thing to witness. "Will you come back with me?" he asked and Gilgamesh's eyes widened slightly. You won't have to socialise unless you wish it, though Regis will want to meet you. I have a whole wing of my own, plenty of room. There are training rooms with enough ceiling height for flying, it is where Prompto has been learning. I'm told he can now manage a few circuits of the room before exhausting himself."

Was it too soon to ask? Probably. But the idea of leaving him behind was not one he wanted to consider. This was not a good place for anyone to live.

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Prompto sat on the exam table, not even needing to be able to see the guys as the doctor checked him over, not flinching away at all. She always explained exactly what she was going to do and she never talked down to him. He liked her, she was very good at her job and she cared.

"Well, everything looks good on my end of things. Your genetics are remaining stable, you're at a good body weight again and you have definitely fully recovered from the surgery. Have you noticed any changes since your dip?"

"Nothing," medical anyway. She eyed him but then nodded, accepting his word.

"I have," Gladio spoke up and they looked at him. "Guessing you don't pay too much attention to your freckles," he smirked and Prompto frowned but looked at his arm in confusion before his eyes widened.

"Oh."

"May I?" she asked and he held his arm out, letting her look. "Is that…"

"They've changed, they follow the marks on your skin mer form," Gladio answered.

Okay, that was a little odd but unlikely to be dangerous.

"Really?" Noct moved forward to look. "Huh, they have."

"At least it is not something most would notice," Ignis added as he took a look as well, obviously annoyed he hadn't noticed before. Then again, they had not been focused on looking for changes since his transformation, they had been focused on making sure he was alright. Not like they spent time studying his bare skin, yeah, they touched a lot and away from the public they tended to wear less clothing too, well, except for Iggy who was always pretty properly attired. But that was just a mer thing…and a harpy one too which made sense since wings and shirts did not mix.

"Okay, I want you back in three months unless something comes up before then."

"Thanks Doctor Lorne."

"You are one of the best behaved patients I've had here Prompto, seeing you is no trouble at all. "Go, enjoy the rest of your day." She shooed them out and they went outside into the garden so Prompto could soak up some sun.

TBC…