Disclaimer: not mine

I've had 2 requests for a pairing of the five guys and not really any other suggestions.

Chapter 6

Prompto left the caravan and stretched, smiling as he watched the birds enjoy their freedom. He grinned when he spotted Ignis, moving up behind him to see what he was cooking on the grill rather than waking everyone by using the caravans tiny kitchen.

Ignis glanced back and smiled at him. "Good morning Prom,"

"Mornin' Iggy, smells good."

Ignis laughed and gently pushed him back. "No sneaky any," he warned teasingly. "You're up early," he offered more seriously and Prompto shifted, shrugging slightly.

"It's a Chocobo farm, how can I waste time sleeping?" he asked but he knew he wasn't fooling him.

"Go have fun then, I'll call you when it's time to eat."

Prompto grinned and scrambled to the pens, who knew if they'd ever come back? He watched the staff feed the birds and grinned when given the chance to help, feeding and grooming the birds.

"Having fun?"

Prompto turned and grinned at Ichigo, he'd been up before Prompto and he'd been wondering where the hunter was. He was dressed a lot more casually than normal, in loose pants and a t-shirt, the shirt clinging to him, hair damp. "Jogging?" he asked and Ichigo nodded. "Iggy's got breakfast cooking, should be ready soon."

"I think I'll grab a shower first," Ichigo nodded and headed for the caravan and Prompto saw him divert around the birds who all watched him, shifting away. That was weird, he thought Chocobos liked everyone!

They soon gathered to eat breakfast, Noctis barely awake. "We will leave tomorrow for Lestallum. Do you know what you will be doing Ichigo?" Ignis asked him and he nodded.

"There's some hunts around so I'll be staying locally for a while at least."

After breakfast they split up, Prompto managing to convince Noct and Gladio to race Chocobos with him. That night he crawled into bed with Ichigo again, for one last night of good sleep, he didn't know why he slept so well near the hunter but he did.

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Ignis caught Noctis watching Prompto sleep beside Ichigo and shook his head at his Prince. They'd all noticed Prompto crawling in with Ichigo since Insomnia had fallen but Ignis was positive it was completely innocent. "Leave it Noct, they're just sleeping," he whispered, knowing that as awkward as Noctis could be, he could get jealous of those he cared for getting close to new people. Noctis knew and tried to not to but he'd been so isolated until Prompto had reached out. "Has he heard from his parents?" he asked.

"Nothing," Noctis admitted. "He hasn't seen them in months, I don't even know if they were meant to be in the city or not."

"Surely they would have tried to call," if they hadn't been there or gotten out, especially after Noctis was pronounced dead, knowing the two were best friends. In a way, it would be kinder if they were dead and not alive but leaving him to wonder.

Noctis just shrugged. "What happens after Lestallum?"

"I assume we continue seeking the Royal Arms while the Guard and Hunters search for more and information on the Empire."

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Gladio shook Ichigo's hand and then got in the car, eager to see his sister. It was nice to get his seat in the back of the car back, there was less legroom but more width. With Prompto sitting in front of him the kid would pull the seat forward since he was the shortest of them. He chuckled when he saw Prompto hug the hunter who looked startled before returning the hug and then the blond was scrambling into the car.

He'd miss the other guy; he was a good hunter and he'd done well against the Empire too. It wasn't fair to risk dragging him into their war though, he wasn't a soldier or anything. He would need to do more work with Prompto on watching his back while watching theirs. While it was good to have someone in the group who could take down enemies at a distance, it did mean Prompto was at greater risk since it would take them a little time to get to him if he needed help.

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Ichigo watched the Regalia vanish into the distance before heading back over to Wiz to grab the hunt flyers, it was time to get to work. He set up his campsite out the back of the outpost with Wiz' permission, using the outpost as a base to work from.

A week after the guys left, the earthquakes began.

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"Ichigo have ya seen?" Wiz demanded and Ichigo looked over at him, he'd had a night hunt so he'd slept most of the day.

"Seen what?"

"The Disc! They're sayin' Titan's gone. The Empire killed him."

The Empire killed one of this worlds gods? Okay, that was kind of scary….if it was true.

Six hours later an Imperial ship appeared and the people eyed it warily, wondering what they wanted, only for four familiar people to emerge, looking battered and exhausted.

"I hope you find that car of yours!" a man called after them and Ichigo recognised him as the one who had tried to do something to Ignis back in Galdin. The ship closed and began to leave, making the people relax.

Ichigo moved towards them, looking for any obvious injuries. "You alright?" he asked and they turned, tensing, relaxing when they recognised him. "Why do I get the feeling you have something to do with the Titan mess?"

"What is being said?" Ignis asked, pushing his glasses up.

"That the Empire killed him, nothing else yet."

That got a snort from Gladio and Noctis rolling his eyes.

"They didn't, they tried but I forged the Covenant with him and he wiped out a lot of their ships," the Prince explained and Ichigo figured the Covenant thing was a big deal but he didn't ask.

"Caravan's free or I have a permanent camp set up," he pointed out the back area. "Not as nice as the Galdin hut, just one big room."

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"Thank you," Ignis glanced at the others, knowing which Prompto would vote for.

"More room than the caravan?" Gladio asked and Ichigo nodded.

"It's a little drafty but it'll take all of us easily."

"I vote camp," Gladio agreed and Ignis didn't blame him, he was too tall for the average caravan bed.

"Noct?" Ignis glanced at his exhausted King, while the headaches had thankfully stopped they had taken a toll on him and then he had fought a literal god.

"Yeah," he agreed before looking at Ichigo. "Thanks."

Ignis saw Ichigo frown as he looked at Noctis. "Come on, this way," he told them, heading to the back of the outpost where they found a very basic structure. Inside it was a very basic, though good sized, room with a small stove in the corner to warm it at night. The ground was hard packed earth and there was no kitchen or bathroom but there was plenty of room for them all to stretch out. Ichigo already had his camping gear set out and he moved it over so that the four of them could lie together, Prompto setting his down beside Ichigo's so Noctis set his beside Prompto's.

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Noctis hung up and sighed, frustrated. It wasn't Cindy's fault; she was calling everyone she could think of to try and find the Regalia but they all knew who likely had it. the car was practically all he had of his Dad and the idea of it in Imperial hands…

The break was nice, Prompto was excited to be around the Chocobos and Wiz was letting him help out with them. Ignis was trading recipes and cooking tips with the staff and visitors and Gladio was hunting with Ichigo to increase their funds.

He was under strict orders to rest and recover. Ignis was taking no chances with his health after the days of headaches Titan had caused as well as claiming two Royal Arms, the various fights, and then taking on Titan. He could just take an Elixir to recover his magic, but it was better to let his magic recover naturally when he had the time. Technically, he had it all back within an hour of the last fight, but he'd pushed himself to the edge of stasis too many times over too short a time frame and that meant it was best to rest.

Staying with Ichigo wasn't all that different from camping as their own group, he didn't impose himself on them or ask questions. He just accepted their presence and helped with meals which he knew Specs appreciated. He wasn't trying to steal Prompto either, Noctis knew it, but he had trouble accepting how easily Prompto could turn to Ichigo. Why?

He nearly jumped as Ichigo sat on the rock beside him. "Not good news I take it?"

"No sign of the Regalia," he admitted grumpily.

"I called Dave; no hunters have spotted the car either."

"Thanks," Noctis was surprised he'd done that, then again, he'd done a lot for them since they'd met him and he'd asked for nothing in return.

"You think the Empire's got it?"

"Looks like it," he admitted.

"if you need a hand getting it back…"

"Why?" he asked and then froze, he hadn't meant to actually say that.

"Why what?" Ichigo asked, not sounding upset at him asking.

"Why do you keep helping us?"

"Why shouldn't I? You need help and I can give it. The Empire is bad news for everyone, getting to hit back at them is no problem at all."

Surely there was more to it than that? But…did it matter? Then again, they'd been bitten by Ardyn, falling for his helpful if cryptic manner for a while, even though they had been suspicious of his willingness to help. Why did the Chancellor of Niflheim want him to forge the Covenant with Titan? It didn't make sense. But Ichigo…Specs had said he stepped in when Ardyn cornered him at Galdin, he'd been part of the community there, the children looking up to him. So the odds of him being an Imperial plant seemed very low.

"Thanks," he finally said, and Ichigo nodded. "Ignis said you saw the odd man he was speaking with at Galdin."

"Yeah, there was something off about him."

"That was Ardyn Izunia, Chancellor of Niflheim…he got us through to Titan and then picked us up after since we wouldn't have made it out. Pretty sure he ordered the Regalia taken as well."

"Why would he help and then hinder you?"

"Yeah, wish we knew."

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Ichigo walked back into the outpost to find the group rather excited about something but he went to turn in the evidence of his successful hunt before heading over. "Find the car?" he asked and Prompto grinned.

"Better! Gentiana was here."

"Gentiana?" he asked in confusion.

"A messenger for the Astrals who tends to remain by the Oracle's side. She came to tell us that Lady Lunafreya has woken the Fulgurian," Ignis explained.

"Oh," he blinked, okay. "So car hunt is postponed?" he asked and then they all startled as the rain suddenly poured down on them, lightning splitting the sky.

"It would seem so."

They dashed for his camp; grateful it was waterproof. It became very obvious rather quickly that the storm would not be letting up.

"So what? We're meant to walk and follow the flashes?" Prompto asked as Ignis served up a stew.

"I would suggest taking Chocobos, but otherwise, yes," Ignis told him.

"It's going to be dangerous enough travelling with the storm, better wait till morning," Ichigo warned and Noctis scowled at the sky but then nodded.

As soon as the sun rose they set off on rented birds, though Ichigo definitely would have preferred walking. It took him quite a bit to get one of the birds to let him on, getting some chuckles from the others. At least they knew where they were going, the lightning bolts made it pretty obvious.

Of course they found Imperial troops waiting but with five of them they were easy enough to deal with. Ichigo hung back, watching Noctis approach the dead tree, holding his hand out, purple lightning branching from it to him. He turned back to them, eyes glowing, but it quickly faded back to the normal blue. He looked back down the canyon they were standing in, gaze going distant.

'The revelation of the Storm sender awaits the King… Hurry hence to the eye of the Storm. Foreign hordes fear the True King's ascension. The fearful seek to seal the path of what must come.'

"What is it? Another headache?"

"Noctis?" Gladio called and the King blinked.

"I heard Gentiana," he admitted, shaking his head. "One down, two more to go."

"Divine voices in your head again?" Gladio asked in concern.

"Hopefully it won't amount to the same headache it did with the Archaean," Ignis frowned.

Ichigo ignored the banter as they got back on their birds, he'd heard the female voice too…why? Did being what he was or from another world make him able to hear? Did she know what he was and why he was there so let him hear?

They were left alone for the trip to the next marker, managing to sneak around the waiting soldiers to reach the second runestone.

'O King. Journey to Fociaugh, the eastern hollow,' she whispered even as several lightning bolts converged and crashed together in the same spot in the distance. 'The seal has been lifted. Deep within the heart of rock lies the runestone, the portal to power. No other can be allowed to find it.'

"The last one's in the cave," Noctis told them.

"Let's hurry up and get this over with," Gladio was obviously eager to get it done with.

"Finally! Time to meet with the Storm sender!"

"You'd better look your best," Ignis smirked. "A good night's sleep is in order. We won't reach the cave before nightfall, better to wait."

Noctis hesitated, glancing at them and Ichigo knew they looked a rather sorry lot, soaked through to the bone. It wasn't exactly comfortable but at least he wasn't at risk of illness like they were.

They headed for the nearest Haven and set up camp, the birds huddling together around the fire, heads under their wings, while they crammed into the tent together. Good thing he was used to war conditions and the lack of privacy as they all stripped out of wet clothing to towel dry and get into warmer clothing. They summoned their gear in blue flashes of light, he had to rely on his pack. It was Seireitei made and Kisuke approved, the thing could probably stay dry at the bottom of the ocean or the heart of a volcano.

"So where exactly are we headed?" he asked as they ate.

"Fociaugh Hollow," Ignis answered.

"So we're basically backtracking," Prompto sighed, leaning against Noctis.

The tent was very cosy with all of them inside but no one was going to let him sleep under the stars in that storm. Prompto happily cuddled between Ichigo and Noctis, Ignis by the tent flap and Gladio on the far side.

They set out as soon as possible the next morning, at least the weather kept most of the wildlife out of their way. They were getting close when a massive bolt of lightning struck the ground ahead of them, the Chocobos startling so they dismounted and let them go.

"That one was pretty close," Gladio scanned the sky for any others that might come too close.

"Which means we must be as well," Ignis pointed out as they headed up the old track.

"That's the place lightning struck," Ichigo pointed at the split and blackened rock ahead.

"And we're supposed to go inside?" Prompto stared with wide eyes but they kept going, leaving him to scramble after them. He hated caves! "Here we are—Fociaugh Hollow!"

"No telling what waits inside," Ignis teased. "Stay sharp," he then warned.

"Always," Noctis told him.

"We're drifting into the deep end," Prompto whispered, eyes darting, and Ichigo clasped his shoulder.

"Deep breaths."

"I can't quite make out how deep it runs," Ignis peered down the tunnel, their lights coming on in the deepening dark.

"Only one way to find out, right?" Gladio smirked and lead the way.

"I've got a bad feeling about this place," Prompto whispered.

"As if danger lurks 'round every corner."

"Avoid all corners. Got it!"

They fought their way deeper and deeper, having to crawl into passages or even slip into thin crevasses which somehow Gladio managed without scraping all the skin off his bare chest.

"Guys, wait! Wha…what was that sound?" Prompto asked nervously and Ichigo cocked his head, listening with more than just his ears.

"My baby…" a voice hissed heavily.

"Keep moving," Noctis encouraged and the began moving on.

They suddenly heard Prompto screaming to the accompaniment of a sound like slithering.

"Prompto!" Noctis screamed, spinning around with wide eyes, they all ran back to find no sign of the blond.

"What happened?" Ignis demanded, then they spotted the opening low to the ground.

"Hey! You alright?" Gladio called, finding the way down and they took off.

They came out into a wide area with a few levels. "There!" Ichigo pointed at where Prompto was standing on a wide, rocky area across a chasm, facing a group of daemons.

"Prompto! Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay! This place is literally the worst! And why did it have to be a snake!? That thing dragged me all the way over here!" he yelled back, accompanied by the sound of gunshots.

They drew their own weapons and began moving down towards him, Noctis warping over quickly to back him up as they worked to clear the area. They eventually met up and Prompto took a potion to heal the various scrapes and bruises caused by being dragged through a narrow rock tunnel by a snake.

"Alright?" Ignis asked and Prompto nodded shakily.

"Let's keep going," Noctis bumped shoulders with Prompto who smiled and they made their way through the cavern until they found an opening in a rock wall, crouching to make their way into the next tunnel, then proceeded down the new path.

"She's here—I just know it. Show yourself already!" Prompto yelled in panic.

"Cool it," Gladio growled, eyeing the area.

"It's alright Prompto, we won't let her take you," Ichigo assured him.

They entered a more open area of the cave network, and the naga daemon suddenly emerged, the biggest any of them had run into.

"See!? I told you! There she is! That's her! Do something, Noct!" he stumbled back, eyes wide, Ichigo and Ignis steadying him.

The Naga raised itself up tall, hissing angrily at them. "My baby… Where…"

"Can't help you," Noctis offered, readying his sword.

"Oh, you can…by becoming mine!" she hissed before attacking.

"Whatever that is, it's disgusting," Prompto shuddered, forcing himself to aim and fire.

"Stop bitching, start killing."

Ichigo darted in and out, blade cutting deep into her scaly skin as Gladio's larger sword sliced in deep to the more flesh like upper body. Between the five of them it wasn't long before she was collapsing, dying.

"Bring back…my baby…"

"What was she talking about?"

"Beats me."

"Something about her 'baby'," Gladio shrugged.

"If it's anything like her, I ain't going near it. Do you guys see anything!?" Prompto looked around wildly.

"Nothing that's gonna snatch ya up," Gladio assured him as they begun looking around for the runestone. They followed a path and came out in a small area with a hole in the roof, light spilling down from outside.

"That's the last runestone," Ignis whispered as they stared at it.

"Finally."

"Alright, you're up, Noct."

Noct touched it and, lightning swarmed around him, seeing a flash in his mind of Luna forging the covenant with Ramuh. "This is it…the power of the Storm."

"Eh, I expected more fire and brimstone," Prompto shrugged.

"Wouldn't that be a different Astral?" Ichigo asked.

"Some gods are friendlier than others, I guess."

"But not all of 'em. Poor Luna…"

"Perhaps you had better console her in person," Ignis teased.

"Just a boat ride away!" Prompto grinned as they began making their way back to the surface.

"Lose that scowl along the way," Gladio joined in.

"Will do," he glared at them and Ichigo smothered a grin Seemed like the Prince wanted the wedding at least.

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It seemed to take longer to get out since they were going uphill. "Hey, it stopped raining!" Prompto grinned.

"Guess Ramuh finally got sick of showers."

They stopped and stared as an enormous winged ship flew overhead.

"Up there—it's huge!"

"Way bigger than the last one we saw!"

"You've seen one of these before?" Ichigo asked.

"Nothing like the size of this one."

Noctis's phone startled them by ringing; and he pulled it out to answer. "Yeah."

"Hey, Highness. About your car…"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I found her, but she's at a base."

"Ugh…"

"Now, I can handle garage folk no problem, but sweet-talkin' the empire? That'll take some doing."

"Don't worry about it," he assured her, they would never ask her to deal with them.

"Yeah?"

"We'll figure it out," he promised, they'd already guessed the Empire had it.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah, thanks for the heads up. Later." He hung up and put his phone away.

"Who was that?" Gladio asked.

"Cindy."

"Did she have any choice words for you?" Ignis asked and Noctis sighed but nodded.

"Yeah—the Regalia's at an imperial base."

"Oh boy."

"We'd already guessed that though," he offered, glancing at Ichigo.

"Guess that just leaves one question…" Gladio offered.

"When do we retrieve her?" Ignis finished for him.

"I'd say 'now'," Noctis answered.

"This is nothing more than conjecture, but I suspect that ship was due to arrive far earlier. The thunder and lightning must've slowed it down. There's a chance they intend to transport the Regalia back to Niflheim."

"We oughta thank the thunder god for buying us some time."

"But that time is running out," Ichigo pointed out, eyeing the direction the ship had gone in.

"Yeah, let's run in and ride off." The sooner they got the car back the better.

TBC…