When it began he was sipping an Ebony in a small Enix cafe far too distant from the alter for his liking. Luna had been insistent he not be stationed any closer. As soon as the giant serpent emerged from the sea people were panicking and fleeing in the streets, terrified by the awesome sight. Ignis rose from from his chair and encouraged those nearby to evacuate. None recognized him in the casual button up shirt and dark slacks he'd disguised himself in, but he must have retained a certain amount of authority regardless as people began moving toward the docks. He did not follow. Noctis' retinue were in the city to protect the citizens. He was here for Luna. The area was almost clear when the Empire arrived. They'd no doubt noticed his absence by now and given Caligo the go ahead. He pulled off the shades concealing his unique eyes and focused robotic lenses onto the approaching warships. If he acted within the next thirty-seven seconds most of the ships were not likely to land in the still populated areas of the city. It's the best he could hope for. He activated the small detonator in the palm of his hand and watched as the charges planted on the imperial air ships do their work. The explosions were impressive, rendering the magitek engines inoperable and sending the burning metal transports crashing to the ground. He wasn't able to sabotage every ship the Empire dispatched, but the few that remain would be far easier to deal with.
Satisfied, Ignis made for the alter.
Altissia shook with Leviathan's rage. Many of the buildings had collapsed into the streets and the water level of the canals fluctuated wildly. The sky had turned an ominous gray, threatening torrential rain at any moment. Running through the half decimated city was proving hazardous, but they couldn't delay. Now that the civilians were clear it was time to see to their king.
"Noct, do you read me?" Ravus paused in his dash above the waterways as he was nearly knocked off his feet by another tremor.
"Do you know if he's okay?" Prompto called as he and Gladio caught up to the advisor.
"The trial should be over by now right?" Gladio tried to look past his companions to where the astral rampaged across the city.
Ravus shook his head. "There's nothing we can tell from here. We should move on to the alter. Even without the Empire's interference Noct may have need of us."
"Right! Can't let His Highness slack off now, let's go!" Gladio urged them on as the three retainers raced toward their friend and king.
ATTN All Surviving Units:
The High Commander has betrayed the Empire. I am certain the treacherous snake is present within the city, likely looking after his precious sister. All available squadrons convene on the oracle's position. If Ignis Nox Fleuret is spotted kill him on sight. He is to be executed on behalf of His Imperial Majesty.
Commander Caligo Ulldor
It's something bittersweet, watching Noctis take on the Hydraean amidst the clouds. He had grown so much from the curious but somewhat withdrawn boy of her memories. How ludicrous it seemed now, thinking back on how they imagined they'd save the world together. Luna tried to force down the dismal mindset that particular thought drug to the surface. None of them could have known the perilous journey that would be laid before them all.
Leviathan screeched in self-righteous fury and slung Noctis right out of the sky. When he didn't rise again Luna surged to her feet, making to rush to his aide, but her body was at its limit. She stumbled and coughed on the humid air, gasping for breath. She looked up, trying to keep Noctis within her sight, but then the chancellor was there, casually strolling over the ruined alter as if the utter chaos all around them didn't exist.
"Oh don't mind me, I simply have a delivery of sorts to pass along." He turned and kneeled before her and she had only a moment to recognize the Ring of the Lucci was held within his palm. "On second thought, you let him have it." With a sudden, violent motion Ardyn stabbed the oracle. Luna's eyes widened as a silent cry slipped from her lips.
"And do remind him about the crystal." Ardyn pulled the blade free from her flesh. Luna gasped and fell on her side breathing heavily. "Oh Prince, your bride awaits!"
Luna struggled to sit up while grasping at the wound. "I will pass the ring to the rightful king." Ardyn grabbed her face, forcing her to look into his cold eyes. Luna placed her hands over his and golden magic flared at the contact, fighting against the scourge steeped within the man. "When the prophecy is fulfilled all enthralled to darkness shall know peace."
Ardyn scowled and snatched his hand away. He rose and looked down at the hand she'd attempted to heal. "How sweet. But please, Lady Lunafreya, you first." Ardyn mockingly bowed before dropping the ring and watching it roll along the ruined stones before coming to rest at the knees of the oracle. He turned to depart but faltered in his step as his back was pierced by a lance set aflame. He had but a moment to stare down at the blade burning up his insides before he fell off the alter and into the churning waves.
"Luna!" Ignis arrived, kneeling over his sister, elixir in hand. After the restorative was administered Luna felt she could breathe a little easier. "Forgive me, I—I should have been here sooner."
"Noctis." Luna was already trying to stand.
"Easy, let me help you." Ignis made to carry her in his arms, but hesitated at noticing the ring laying innocently at her side. The mere sight of it made the hollows of his eyes throb. Luna followed his gaze and quickly hid the ring away into the folds of her dress. Ignis didn't comment on her actions and lifted his sister in a bridal style hold with slightly shaky arms before running towards the edge of the alter. Noctis was still there, slumped limply over wreckage not yet swallowed up by the angry squall and looking close to unconsciousness.
Once returned to her feet, Luna summoned the power of kings to aide Noctis. She surrendered her trident in a flash of radiant light as it joined the royal arms called to battle and she prayed for his victory.
The rite with Leviathan was something to behold, the very forces of nature were called to arms in this trial of fate. Ignis tracked Noctis' ephemeral shadow darting across the sky in awe. He registered Luna shivering beside him and slipped his arm around her shoulders, hoping to offer her some manner of warmth. He mentally berated himself again for allowing her to be touched by the likes of Ardyn. The remaining Imperial forces not destroyed by the explosives he'd planted had been deployed far too close to Luna's position and he'd had to take them out to get to her. As a result, he'd nearly been too late to save his sister's life. How could I have been so foolish? The visions that still occasionally plagued his mind had shown him Luna and Noct's deaths were very real outcomes if fate remained unchanged. It was maddening to know he could not talk either out of their destinies.
Noct collapsed on the alter after slicing open the Tide Mother. Luna was quick to offer her blessing in hopes of hastening his recovery. Ignis knew there would be no stopping her, but the healing came at the cost of the last of Luna's strength. Made weak from the rites and blood loss, she could do little more than crumple beside Noctis, exhausted. Ignis helped her sit up and supported her as she pulled their unconscious friend into her lap. They nearly all took a tumble when the alter lurched without warning. Leviathan wasn't done yet. Her furious cries beat the waves into a dangerous frenzy. Ignis was considering his rather abysmal odds of distracting the serpent with fire elemancy before Titan rose up from the surf to their defense. It seemed Noct really was gaining the favor of the Six. The Archean created a gargantuan shield of earth that towered above them. Several powerful streams of water broke through the barrier while they waited out the Hydraean's wrath and Ignis feared it would fall on more than one occasion. Luna was barely still with him by the time they could no longer hear the Astrals' bout and the shield left by Titan crumbled back beneath the surface.
Ignis finally felt a sense of relief when both members of the Hexatheon disappeared from the scene. "That was rather reckless." But Luna didn't reply to Ignis' chiding and he knew she wouldn't be awake much longer.
The sky choose that moment to open up and Ignis sighed at the rain steadily drenching himself and his charges. He considered the merit of hacking into Noctis' phone to contact his retinue for assistance. Dragging the battered king and oracle through dangerous terrain in the middle of a monsoon would be most unsightly. He'd just about decided on the action when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, the foreboding sensation accompanied by an icy chill running down his spine.
"Well, you've certainly been busy haven't you? I'd say you're meddling may have cost the Empire quite the setback... but I'm afraid I can't allow you to intervene in my plans any further." Ardyn's voice retained that oily slickness that served to both unnerve and belie his true intentions, but there's an added venom to the words. Ignis looked over his shoulder to see the chancellor holding his lance and completely healed of the wound to his abdomen. His hand was engulfed with dark magic and he snapped the weapon clean in half. "I believe it's time you realized just who you're dealing with, boy."
Ignis placed himself between Ardyn and his sister and friend. "I'll not allow you to harm them."
Ardyn's smile was predatory. "Oh my dear Ignis, you should really worry about yourself every once and while."
It's only a fraction of a second, but his eyes did pick up the bullet just in time to know its headed for his leg. He couldn't help crying out at the impact. It felt like his shin was split in half. He had no time to inspect the damage before he must throw himself from the steps at the end of the alter.
"Get away from them!" Gladio's great sword left an impressive gouge in the once smooth stones.
Ravus came for him next. The man was strong and his katana was charged with lightning elemancy. Forever thankful for his own foresight, Ignis pulled free the daggers he'd taken to hiding on his person since his induction to the Imperial Army. He met Ravus' blade with two of his own, but the strain on his injured leg made it difficult to keep his voice steady. "What are you doing?"
"What we should have done long ago!" Ravus yelled angrily. "Ridding the world of this menace! We will play you're games no longer!" The advisor struck out at him, his left hand balled into a fist, but Ignis backflipped out of rang. It was murder on his leg.
"Prompto! Get over here!" Gladio called and Ignis watched warily as the blond retainer who'd shot him rushed up to Luna and Noct.
"Please, stop fighting," Luna begged weakly.
"Don't worry, Lady Lunafreya, we'll protect you!" Prompto said it like he meant it. How queer, they believed she would want protection from her own brother.
"No, you don't understand –" Ignis lost track of Luna's plea with Noctis' incensed retinue as he used the distraction to take a brief glance down at his aching limb. The bone's most likely not broken, but he bit back a curse when he realized there wasn't an exit wound. The bullet was still inside his body and there was quite a bit of blood. Taking on three skilled crownsguard with a bad leg was rather more careless then he felt comfortable with. Ignis had no choice but to use a potion and leave the bullet be for now. He cracked the vial and returned his attention to the retinue who clearly saw him as something he was not.
"I am not your enemy," Ignis tried to reason with them as he felt his skin stitching itself back together. He knew Noctis was not likely to be forgiving if he hurt his friends, but Luna needed medical attention now and who knew when Ardyn would show his vile face again.
"Nice try, we ain't buying it!" Gladio was coming in for another attack and Ravus was right behind him.
"Then you leave me little choice." Ignis dialed down the light sensitivity in his eyes before lighting up the alter with a large fire spell. Temporarily blinded, Gladio didn't notice him until he's much too close for the great sword to be effective. He evaded the wide swing of the powerful weapon, feeling a rush of air as he barely avoided being sliced into with less than an inch of clearance. Ignis moved before Gladio could adjust his strike, using the shield's forward momentum against him and bringing the blunt handle of his dagger to the larger man's temple with as much force as possible. It worked. Gladio fell in a senseless heap, but Ravus had already recovered from his improvised flare. He's incredibly fast. They trade powerful blows with swift precision, straining against each other's magically endowed blades. Without his magitek eyes Ignis wasn't sure how well he could have kept up, but he was starting to tire and could feel his boots sliding back on the slick stone. He deflected Ravus' viscous strikes, but was grabbed roughly around his neck. Ravus' cold fingers dug into Ignis' throat and his feet left the ground. He fought to find purchase while gasping for air and kicked out with his good leg. It's enough to knock the taller man back. Ignis tried to make his move then, throwing all of his weight onto Ravus and bringing him to the ground. He wrapped his legs around the man's arms, pinning them to his sides from behind and braced his arms in his own choke hold over Ravus' throat. The advisor struggled like a mad man. He somehow managed to get one of his arms free and summoned his katana back to his grasp in a reverse grip. It's an odd angle, but he still managed to dig the blade into the former high commander's side. Ignis cried out and Ravus got the leverage he needed to get lose. Ignis had moments to bring up his daggers before Ravus was bearing down on him with his sword. Breathing heavily, Ignis felt his arms tremble with the effort of holding back the killing blade. If this continued, he knew he would succumb to exhaustion soon. He heard Luna shouting, but he couldn't make out what she was saying. Next thing he knew the pressure against his arms was gone.
"Prompto, what the bloody blazes is the matter with you!?" Ravus yelled furiously at the blond crownsguard.
The gunman looked like he wanted to be anywhere else after tackling his friend, but he didn't back down."Ravus, look at what you're doing. That – that's not Ardyn."
Ravus looked past Prompto and his expression became stricken when he laid eyes on Ignis this time. Having almost gotten his breathing under control, Ignis rose on unsteady legs. "If you've quite returned to your senses the oracle and king are in dire need of medical attention."
"Right, sorry about that," a gruff voice spoke up from behind.
Ignis turned and looked over at Gladio who stood up from where Ignis had dropped him, wiping at the oozing trail of blood left behind by the healing wound to his temple. Prompto must have given him a potion during his and Ravus' scuffle. "Assist me in moving them to the nearest triage station and consider your apology accepted."
Luna looked relieved when he limped to her side, but she couldn't hold onto consciousness much longer. She must have somehow gotten through to Prompto. So much for sweeping in and saving the day. "How are you feeling?"
"I've had less eventful experiences to be sure," she answered blithely but the fatigue was clear in her voice.
"Rest now, Luna." Ignis knew they were not out of the woods yet, but at least they weren't alone anymore.
He didn't recognize the man sitting calmly at Lady Lunafreya's bedside. There's simply no connection to the immaculately dressed, enraged avenger they'd met at Aracheole Stronghold. Instead of the stark white robes and silver armor he's wearing a wrinkled gray shirt that cut off to a lighter shade just below the shoulders and was tucked neatly into dark dress pants with a pair of stylish yet practical black boots. Still more put together than Prompto would ever be able to manage, but the blond struggled to reconcile what he's seeing with the set image in his head. Here Ignis just looked like a normal guy who was tired beyond all reason and worried about his big sister.
It had nearly taken an act of the Six to get Ignis to allow Ravus to carry Lady Lunafreya, but the man had been dead on his feet and they hadn't wanted to use a potion because of the bullet still lodged in his leg. Prompto watched with something close to fascination as Ignis tenderly brushed Lunafreya's bangs out of her face. The doctor they'd finally managed to track down had just left to check on Noct and the room was far too quiet by Prompto's standards. "You should really let the doc have a look at you too."
Ignis only hummed in acknowledgment.
Prompto gulped audibly at the lack luster response, but pushed on regardless. "Seriously man, can't be much fun having that bullet stuck in your leg and you did kinda get stabbed."
"Perhaps after he's seen to Noct," Ignis did answer this time, but he still seemed lost in his own little world.
"Actually want to say sorry about that, the uh, bullet that is." Prompto couldn't help but feel guilty about shooting the guy.
He counted it as a win when Ignis turned to look at him without appearing annoyed by his existence. "Were it actually Ardyn you'd been shooting at I would have approved of your methods entirely. It's rather unfortunate that it will take more than a few bullets to do him permanent harm."
Before Prompto could ask Ignis what he meant by that the door to Noct's room swung open, admitting Gladio and Ravus into the hall. Gladio arched an eyebrow when he noticed them sitting together before moving to stand next to Prompto. "You guys mind if we join you?"
"I will not protest the extra company," Ignis replied, seemingly never one to be intimidated by Gladio's over protectiveness. "How is he faring?"
"Physically speaking, he's nearly unscathed. Exhaustion is the only thing keeping him under. Knowing His Highness' sleeping habits, he will likely keep us waiting for some time before we are able to move on." Ravus already seemed irritated at the delay.
Ignis surprised them by chuckling. "Don't tell me he never grew out of napping. I was certain he'd tire of sleeping so much by now."
Prompto laughed loudly. "Are you kidding? Noct is the nap king hands down. Getting him up in the mornings is like waking the dead!"
Ignis gave them a genuine smile. "I suppose it's comforting to know some things never change."
Suddenly feeling more confident, Prompto dared to ask a question he's had weighing on his mind. "So you're coming with us now, right? To, uh, get the crystal that is?"
Ignis pondered the question a moment before turning to regard them a look of upmost seriousness. "That depends entirely on your king's intentions towards my sister."
They all froze, taken off guard by the sudden, severe tone. That is until Ravus' face turned a deep shade of red Prompto hadn't witnessed since Gladio tried to make lewd jokes about his sword. "How dare you imply ill of His Highness' honor!"
For a moment, Prompto thought the world's two most stoic men were about to be at each other's throats until Ignis burst out laughing, throwing them all for a loop again. Prompto watched the man choke on air as the blond tried to pick his jaw up off the ground.
"Apologies, I truly have no quarrel with Noct. Furthermore, Luna hardly requires my protection for such matters, though that doesn't mean she does not have it." Just a bit of that steel returned to his expression to let them know he's not entirely joking before he settled back into the relaxed persona Prompto wouldn't have believed him capable of a few days ago as Ravus sputtered in outrage. Maybe they could get along with this guy after all. If you're gonna light up the darkness every spark helps, right?
NOTES: Thank you to everyone who's stuck with me to the end! I hope you enjoyed the Ignis and Ravus swap and that you'll let me know what you thought!
For anyone who might be interested in more The First Rule About Having Fun is a oneshot based off this AU and I'm in the process of writing a sequel. Hopefully I'll be able to share soon!