Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 2
Noctis smiled at the guards as he passed, tray in his hands, hopefully his favourite breakfast and coffee would cheer Ignis up. He'd thought the boy was kind of cute and had hoped he would come. It wasn't like the piece he had stolen was important, though it was valuable. Well, at least he would get a few weeks of meals out of it should he sell it.
Noctis slowed as he spotted Sonitus, one of the guards who was definitely Ardyn's man. He hesitated but then pressed to the wall, half hidden behind a massive vase, listening to the men talk and his eyes widened. How could he tell Ignis? He waited till they were long gone before hurrying on, mind reeling. That explained why he had stood Ignis up. Should he go and check the dungeons first to be sure? He spotted Pelna up ahead and hesitated before approaching the cheery guard who saw him and smiled.
"Good morning Noct."
"Good morning Pelna, I hope you had a pleasant night."
"Well, it was quiet which is always good, if boring."
"I overheard some of the other guards…"
"Meaning you eavesdropped?" he teased and Noctis shrugged, pulling of an innocent look that made the older male chuckle.
"They were talking about a thief being caught the other night."
Pelna frowned in confusion. "I haven't heard anything and there's no one new in the dungeons. Is it important? I mean, I could ask Cor."
"Don't worry about it, I was just curious. Go get some sleep," Noctis smiled and walked on, a sinking feeling in his stomach. What had Ardyn done? He couldn't tell Ignis, those two clashed enough and there was something…very dangerous about the man.
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Nyx chattered, pulling at Prompto's vest.
The blond groaned but began to stir. "Oh! My head," he sat up slowly, shaking his head, eyes widening as he looked around and remembered what had happened. "We're trapped. That two-faced son of a voretooth!" he snarled before sighing tiredly. "Whoever he was, he's long gone with that lamp." He looked down as Nyx bounced around happily, the monkey holding up…the lamp and Prompto chuckled. "Why, you hairy little thief," he praised, taking it to look at. "Looks like such a beat-up, worthless piece of junk," he shrugged and tucked it into his vest, standing up. "Now, all we need's a way out. Hey, carpet, do you know a way out of here?" he asked and the carpet seemed to shake its 'head', before pointing at where he'd put the lamp. "The lamp?" he asked and it nodded so he brought it back out to look at, frowning as he lifted it to see better. "What is that?" he yelped, stumbling back as the lamp glowed, a stream of….blue smoke? He stared as it billowed up until there was something there. Whatever it was, it was massive and was a little petrified.
"Aaaaahhhhh!" it bellowed and he got ready to run, not that there was really anywhere to hide. "Oy! 10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck. Hang on a second. Whoa! Whoa! Does it feel good to be outta there. Nice to be back, ladies and gentlemen. Hi. Where you from? What's your name?" it suddenly leant over him and Prompto was staring at a rather handsome face…but blue.
"Uh... Uh, Prompto."
"Prompto. Hello, Prompto. Nice to have you on the show."
"I must have hit my head harder than I thought," it was all he could come up because this couldn't be real, could it?
"Yo, Rugman. Haven't seen you in a few millennia. Give me some tassel Libertus." The carpet slapped a blue hand with one of its tassels. "Yeah. Yo, yo. Say, you're a lot smaller than my last master. Either that or I'm gettin' bigger. Look from the side. Do I look different to you?" he turned side on.
"Wait a minute. I'm your master?" Prompto asked dumbly.
"That's right. He can be taught." The blue…man? smiled at him. "What would you wish for me? The ever impressive, the long contained, often imitated, but never duplicated... Gladio... Genie of the Lamp! Right here direct from the lamp, right here for your very much wish fulfillment. Thank you." He bowed theatrically.
"Whoa. Wish fulfillment?" this was all way too much!
"Three wishes to be exact. And ix-nay on the wishing for more wishes. That's it. Three. Uno, dos, tres. No substitutions, exchanges or refunds."
"Yep, now I know I'm dreaming."
"Hey, do you mind if I just stretch it out over here? Do you mind?" Gladio asked, floating over to a clear spot to stretch out which looked odd considering he was smoke from the waist down.
"Uh, are you asking me?"
"You're my master."
"I'm your master?" he'd said that before, hadn't he? But…he was just Prompto, how could he be anyone's master? "No, no, no. You look like you should be my master."
"Right, but that's not quite how it works, though," Gladio shrugged as if it was obvious.
"How long have you been trapped in here?"
"'Bout a thousand years."
"A thousand years?" That was…horrible! To be trapped for so long…no wonder he seemed a bit…quirky.
"So, what'll be, Master?"
"You're gonna grant me any three wishes I want, right?" he asked, just wanting to be sure.
"Ah, almost. There are a few provisos, a couple of quid pro quos."
"Like?" he sat down on one of the remaining rocks.
"Ah, rule number one: I can't kill anybody. So don't ask. Rule number two! I can't make anybody fall in love with anybody else. Mwah! You little punim there. Rule number three! I can't bring people back from the dead. It's not a pretty picture. I don't like doing it! Other than that, you got it," he explained rather dramatically and Prompto shuddered when he became green, smelly, and covered in bandages, definitely not wishing for anyone to be brought back because ew!
"Hmm," what should he wish for? Nyx scurried up to his shoulder, watching with wide eyes, tugging at his sleeve and Prompto got what he was trying to say. "Provisos? You mean limitations? On wishes? Some all-powerful genie. Can't even bring people back from the dead. I don't know, Nyx. He probably can't even get us out of this cave. Looks like we're gonna have to find a way out."
"Excuse me? Are you lookin' at me? Did you rub my lamp? Did you wake me up? Did you bring me here? And all of a sudden, you're walking out on me? I don't think so, not right now. You're gettin' your wishes, so sit down!" he gently pushed Prompto back and he landed on the carpet…Libertus? Why would a carpet have a name? Nyx screeched and he tucked him into his vest for safety. "In case of emergency, the exits are here, here, here, here, anywhere. Keep your hands and arms inside the carpet. We're... outta here!"
They spiralled up towards the stone and Prompto flinched but suddenly they were outside.
"Thank you for choosing Magic Carpet for all your travel needs. Don't stand until the rug has come to a complete stop. Thank you. Goodbye now. Good-ye. Thank you. Goodbye. Well, how about that, Mr. Doubting?"
"Oh, you sure showed me," Prompto stood, a little unsteady from shock and adrenaline. "Now, about my three wishes."
"Dost mine ears deceive me? Three? You are down by ONE, boy!"
"Ah, no. I never actually wished to get out of the cave. You did that on your own," Prompto grinned.
Gladio's jaw drop and he stared at him before blinking. "Well, I feel sheepish." And he turned into a sheep. "All right, you baaad boy, but no more freebies."
"Fair deal. So, three wishes. I want them to be good. What would you wish for?" he was curious, what would such a being wish for?
"Me? No one's ever asked me that before. Well, in my case... Ah, forget it."
"What?" Now he was really curious, sitting down as a tent formed over them, shading them from the hot Leide sun.
"No, I can't. I..."
"Come on, tell me." What on Eos could it be that he would be so hesitant to admit to it?
"Freedom," Gladio smiled wistfully and Prompto swallowed.
"You're a prisoner?"
"It's all part and parcel of the whole genie gig. Phenomenal cosmic powers... Itty bitty living space." He shook his wrists and Prompto realised that the metal was not there for decoration.
"Gladio…that's terrible," he whispered.
"But, oh, to be free. Not have to go, "Poof. What do you need? Poof. What do you need? Poof. What do you need?" To be my own master. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world! But what am I talking about? Let's get real here. It's not gonna happen. Genie, wake up and smell the curry."
"Why not?"
"The only way I get outta this is if my master wishes me out. So you can guess how often that's happened."
"I'll do it. I'll set you free," he told him, how close had he come as a kid to being taken by slavers? Too close too many times. Slavery was illegal in Insomnia but that didn't stop people vanishing.
"Uh-huh, yeah, right."
"No, really, I promise. After I make my first two wishes, I'll use my third wish to set you free," he promised.
"Well, here's hopin'. All right. Let's make some magic! So how 'bout it? What is it you want most?"
Prompto lay back on the couch, thinking, before smiling softly.
"Uh-oh. Seen that face before. Who is she? Or he? Who is it?" Gladio smirked, leaning closer.
"He's a prince," Prompto admitted softly.
"Aww, aren't they all? Treat your woman like a queen, and your man like a king, I always say."
"No. No, he's an actual prince," Prompto explained, that was why it was impossible.
"Well, I already told you. I can't make anyone love anyone, so..."
"No, no. We had a connection."
"Did they?" Gladio asked Nyx who chattered and nodded, before going back to eating the food that had appeared.
"He is smart and kind and so handsome. But he has to marry a..." he stopped, eyes widening. "Hey, can you make me a prince?"
"There's a lot of grey area in "make me a prince". I could just... make you a prince." He snapped his fingers and a Prince appeared.
"Oh, no," Prompto shook his head wildly.
"Right, you'd be snuggled up with that dude for the rest of your life." He snapped again and the Prince vanished. "Be specific with your words. The deal is in the detail." He pulled out a scroll and began looking down it. "Let's see here. Chicken à la king? Nope. Alaskan king crab." A large crab lunged from the scroll, grabbing a blue finger. "Ow! I hate it when they do that. Caesar salad. Ah! Et tu, Brute? No! Aha! "To make a prince." Is that an official wish? Say the magic words," Gladio stared at him and Prompto took a deep breath.
"Gladio…Genie... I wish..." he started, was he really going to do this?
"Lamp?" Gladio pointed out and he blinked.
"Oh. Sorry," he picked it up and rubbed the side.
"All right," Gladio smirked.
"Genie...I wish...to become...a prince."
"All right! Yo, yo! Woof! Woof! First, that shirt-and-vest combo is much too third century," he studied Prompto's clothing closely and he winced, he did the best he could! "These patches. What are we trying to say, beggar? No. Let's work with me here." He began going through several outfits while Prompto stared in the mirror. He winced at the over the top outfits until finally Gladio stopped and Prompto studied himself, okay, he could like this one. "Ooh. I like it. Muy macho. Now, it still needs something. What does it say to me? It says mode of transportation. Excuse me, monkey boy. Hic. Over here."
Prompto stared at himself in the mirror. He looked…he had never imagined owning such finery. Gone were the dreary grey majorly patched pants, worn boots, faded blue shirt and black vest. In their place was a pair of finely made boots, well fitting, expensive dark grey pants, dark blue shirt, and a dark purple/blue cloak. The biggest shock was the fine circlet set in his hair, made sense if he was meant to be a prince.
Nyx backed away, shaking his head but he was wrapped in blue smoke anyway.
"Here he comes. What better way to make your entrance on the streets of Insomnia then riding your very own brand-new Anak. Mmm. Not enough. Still not enough. Let's see. What do you need? What do you need? Yes!"
Panicked noises came from the now transformed Nyx and Prompto walked closer, reaching out to stroke his side.
"Nyx, you look good," he told the transformed monkey. "What's to stop people from recognising me though?"
"It's genie magic, no one will recognise you," Gladio smirked. "He's got the outfit; he's got the behemoth. But we're not through yet! Hang on to your cloak, kid! We're gonna make you a star!"
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"Sire, I've found a solution to the problem with your nephew!" Ardyn announced as he walked into the room where the King had been studying a map, trying to work out who to next approach about a possible marriage.
"Awk. The problem with your nephew," Loqi parroted.
"Oh, really?"
"Right here," he pulled out the scroll with the law written on it. "If the prince or princess has not chosen a husband or wife by the appointed time, then the king shall choose for them."
"But Ignis hated all those suitors. How could I choose someone he hates?"
"Not to worry, my liege. There is more. 'If in the event a suitable prince cannot be found the royal must then be wed to...' Hmm... Interesting..."
"What? Who?"
"The royal vizier. Why, that would be... me," Ardyn widened his eyes as if shocked.
"But I thought the law says that only a prince or princess can marry a prince in Ignis' circumstances. I'm quite sure of that," the King frowned. If there was another answer, surely he would have seen it.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, my lord." The eyes of his staff began to glow.
"Yes. Desperate measures."'
"You will order the prince to marry me."
"I will order... the prince... to..." he shook his head. "But you're so old."
"The prince will marry me!" he commanded angrily.
"The prince will marry..."sudden trumpet fanfare broke the spell and the King shook his head to clear it. "What? What is that? That music." He walked to the outer balcony and stared out at the main street. "Ardyn, you must come and see this," he called, eyes widening as he saw the approaching parade. Who had sent their princess or prince to them now?
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"Splendid. Absolutely marvellous," the King announced as Prompto and Gladio entered the throne room.
"May I present, Prince Prom of Galahd!" Gladio announced.
Prompto bowed. "Your Majesty, I have journeyed from afar to seek your nephew's hand."
"Prince Prom Galahd. Of course. I'm delighted to meet you. This is my royal vizier, Ardyn. He's delighted, too," the King nodded to him
"Ecstatic. I'm afraid, Prince Gaiiil...
"Galahd," Prompto corrected.
"Whatever. You cannot just parade in here uninvited and expect to..."
"Come now Ardyn, all of the kingdoms know of our search, is it so surprising they would send suitors before receiving word to do so?"
"Just where did you say you were from?" Ardyn demanded, staring at him.
"Oh, much farther than you've travelled, I'm sure."
"Try me."
"Come now Ardyn," the king called and he moved back to his side. "A very impressive youth, and a prince besides," he whispered, leaning in. "If we're lucky, you won't have to marry Ignis after all."
"I don't trust him, Sire."
"Nonsense. One thing, I pride myself on, Ardyn, I'm an excellent judge of character."
"Oh, excellent judge. Yeah, sure. Not!" Loqi muttered from his perch above them.
"Ignis will like this one."
"And I'm pretty sure I'll like Prince Ignis," Prompto offered, feeling rather nervous.
"Your Highness, no. I must intercede on Ignis's behalf. This boy is no different from the others. What makes him think he is worthy of the prince?"
"Your Majesty, I am Prince Prom Galahd. Just let her meet me. I will win your nephew."
"How dare you. All of you. Standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won," a familiar voice snapped and Prompto felt his heart drop as he turned, eyes widening slightly as he saw Ignis dressed as a prince for a second before he turned and left the room, angry.
"Oh, dear. Don't worry, Prince Prom. Just give Ignis time to cool down." The King assured him and Prompto nodded before being led to where he would be staying. "We hope you can join us tonight, Prince Prom, when we celebrate our harvest."
"Of course, thank you, Your Majesty."
"I think it's time to say good-bye to Prince Gala," Ardyn glowered.
"In 10,000 years, I've never been that embarrassed," Gladio whispered as they walked down the hall. It was odd, seeing him look like a human and not a genie but if he looked like a genie he wouldn't be able to go with him, Ardyn would realise immediately.
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Ignis stormed back into his Chambers, how dare he! He was not some prize! If he had to marry, then he wanted it to be with someone he could at least call friend, if not love. He did not want to just be someone's path to a throne.
"I take it, it didn't go well?" Noctis asked as he laid out Ignis' clothes for the party.
"He said he would 'win' me," Ignis snapped and Noctis sighed.
"Everything will work out, somehow. Forget about this Prince…"
"Prom of Galahd," Ignis informed him.
"Well forget about Prince Prom and just enjoy the party," Noctis advised and Ignis smiled.
"What would I do without you to cheer me up?"
"Be a miserable lump of a Prince," Noctis grinned and Ignis mock glared at him before getting up to get ready.
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"Don't worry. You are not out of the game yet. Just do whatever you normally do at a party."
"I've never been to a party," Prompto told him.
"What? Oh, you gonna need to go back to the room then. You're not messin' up my night," Gladio smirked and Prompto sighed.
"Prince Prom. May I have a word?" Ardyn stepped out from the shadows. "Privately? This doesn't concern your servant."
"I'll be over there, minding my business," Gladio stepped away.
"I know who you are."
"You do?" Gladio had said no one would recognise him!
"Yes. You're a man of great ambition, like myself."
"I, uh, I don't believe we've been properly introduced," he tried because what else could he say?
"Ardyn Izunia, Vizier to the King. I could be a valuable ally to help you get what you want."
"I, uh, I will think on that. I don't wanna keep the Prince waiting."
"Perhaps I'm not making myself clear. This offer will not be on the table for long, you see." He tapped his staff, the eyes beginning to glow. "Prince Prom..."
"Excuse me," Gladio interrupted. "Prince Prom, your presence is requested. So I guess that's the guy that sent you into the cave?"
"Mm-hmm, that's the guy," Prompto agreed and then swallowed as they stepped out into the courtyard full of people in their finery.
"Okay, there he is," Gladio subtly pointed out Ignis. "This is your chance."
"You know what? There are a lot of people. I don't think I can do this."
"You'll be fine," Gladio assured him. "Ooh! Look at his retainer. He's gonna get some punch. Feelin' a little thirsty myself," Gladio looked the young man over, taking in fine black hair and dark blue eyes, he was very fine.
"No. No, no, no, no. You can't leave me. They'll see right through me," Prompto panicked.
"No, they won't. All you have to do is walk over there."
"And speak. I also have to speak," he practically babbled and Gladio moved them over to a corner.
"Okay, listen to me. I live in a lamp, but this is a party. Do not mess this up for me. Okay? I'd like to party. Go get him!"
"Okay. Mm-hrm."
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"Prince Ignis!"
"You! You're... still here," Ignis was shocked to find Prince Ravus hadn't left yet, managing a polite smile.
"I decided to give you another chance."
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Prompto saw the man, obviously a prince, who approached Ignis and slipped away, sitting on the edge of a fountain…the same one he'd told Ignis he'd meet him at and hadn't.
"What you doing?"
He looked up to find Gladio was back. "Hmm?"
"What are you doing?"
He looked down to find he'd had his hand in the water. "I'm just making sure the water's...
a good temperature."
"Why are you not over there?"
"How am I supposed to compete with that? Look at him. He's so princely."
"You have got to be more confident about what you have to offer."
"What do I have to offer? Knowledge of how to steal food? How to jump between buildings? Now, Prince Prom, he has jewels."
"Stop, stop, stop," Gladio demanded and he fell silent, looking up at him. he looked so different when pretending to be human...he made him feel even shorter than normal, small and scrawny. "I made you look like a prince on the outside. I didn't change anything on the inside. Prince Prom got you to the door, but Prompto has to open it."
"Oh," he whispered and then saw the King looking at him, raising his glass slightly so he raised his own in return, managing a smile. "See, the King does like me."
"Okay, well, maybe he'll let you be his husband."
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Ignis glanced over and sighed. "Look at that. Another prince more interested in Uncle."
"I don't know. I think this one might be different," Noct offered, looking over the large man with the prince. "And he comes with an incredibly attractive friend. Please make it work."
Ignis chuckled, yes, the man was definitely his friends type. "And what about Prince Prom?"
"Oh, look at him, he's trying so hard," Noctis offered. "He's probably just nervous. He's young, probably a third son or the like and not as used to these sorts of things." No kingdom would send their heir after all.
"And that's the problem," Ignis murmured, but he pasted on a polite smile as the prince approached.
"Hi," the blond offered nervously and Ignis admitted, if only to himself, that perhaps Noctis was right, he was just nervous and unsure of himself.
"Prince Prom," he greeted.
"I um...I just wanted to apologise for before. You're right, you're not a prize."
His words shocked Ignis who stared at him in surprise. An awkward silence began to grow but the music began and Ignis smiled. "Dance? I'd love to."
"Yes," Noctis whispered and Ignis walked away. "Go. Go," Noctis urged the prince to follow Ignis.
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"Well, that went better than you were expecting," Noctis commented as he helped Ignis change into something to relax in since neither was ready for bed yet.
Ignis sighed, "I suppose."
"He did apologise," he pointed out.
"True," Ignis removed his circlet. "And he wasn't too bad of a dancer," he petted Luna. A knock sounded and Ignis nodded to Noctis who went to see who it was.
"Good evening," the man with Prince Prom greeted him and Noctis was shocked, glancing out into the hall.
"How did you get past the guards?"
"Oh, uh, I snuck past."
"All 48 of them?" he asked in disbelief. "Even the ones that eat fire? Impressive," he smirked slightly.
"That's why I'm, uh... That's what people say about me. Oh, that-that didn't come out the right way. No one says that. I-I don't know why I said that," he babbled and Noctis found it kind of endearing from such a formidable looking man. He then found a bouquet of flowers being held out to him.
"They're beautiful, he'll hate them. Tell Prince Prom, the way to his heart is through his mind," he could help them out that much. He thought that this Prince could be a good option, once he got passed his nerves anyway. He just wanted Ignis to be happy.
"Actually, these are from me...to you."
Oh! "Could you excuse me one moment?" he pulled the doors shut and turned to Ignis who was grinning at him. Was this really happening? He took a deep breath and opened the doors again, accepting the flowers. "My favourites," he smiled. "I accept, please continue."
"I was noticing how... pleasant the evening is. At the party, I noticed...you noticing how...pleasant I am. Right. How's this going?"
He bit back a laugh but couldn't stop smiling. "It's clumsy, but in a charming sort of way," he admitted.
"Uh, a stroll. Would you like to take an evening stroll? Just the two of us? As people."
"Just one more second," Noctis shut the doors again. He looked away only to find his cloak flying towards him and he caught it, slipping it on.
"Have fun," Ignis murmured and Noctis nodded.
He opened the doors and stepped out, threading his arm through the others. "I've never actually done this before. How does it work? And, well…what is your name?"
"Gladio."
"Gladio, I like it. I'm Noctis." He made sure the doors were shut before they walked away.
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Ignis shook his head, still smiling, as he moved back to his table which was covered in maps. Where was Galahd? A knock sounded and he sighed at the disruption. "Come in."
"Actually, I'm already in," Prince Prom called and Ignis turned to find him on the balcony, but how?
He heard Luna growl and held up a hand. "Don't move."
"I just came back... because you left so..."
"How did you get there?" Ignis demanded, was there a hole in security?
"Magic carpet?"
"Hmm," he didn't believe it. "Actually, I'm glad you are here."
"You are?" the prince asked, surprised.
"I've been trying to find Galahd, but it doesn't seem to be on any of my maps. Care to show me?" he asked, the only Galahd he had found was a long abandoned island nation, but no one had lived there for centuries.
"I'd love to," he smiled and walked closer only to freeze as Luna prowled forward.
"Oh, Luna, let's not eat the Prince today. He needs his legs for dancing," Ignis teased and Prom surprised him by blushing slightly. "Galahd?"
"Yes," he cleared his throat and took the map to look at, Ignis waiting to see what he'd do or say. He watched him study the map for a while. "Have you lost your country?"
"My country? No. No." he put the map down and pointed. "There it is."
"I don't think so. I've been..." he blinked at seeing a small section of the map marked Galahd, on the coast near where the ancient kingdom had been. "There it is! How did I not see that?" he was confused, how could he have missed it? Yet it was obviously there.
"Who needs maps anyway?" Prom shrugged. "They're old and useless, and have no practical value."
"Maps are how I see the world," Ignis told him as the other prince wandered back onto the balcony.
"I thought a prince could go anywhere?" he sounded genuinely confused. He must be a younger son then to have such freedom.
"Not this prince."
"Uh, well, uh, would you...? Would you wanna...?" he pointed out beyond the wall and Ignis smiled wistfully, he'd love to leave but it was impossible. "You should see these places. I mean, there's a whole world outside of books and maps. Do you want to?" he smiled shyly and Ignis stared at his offered hand.
"How? The door's guarded."
"Who said anything about a door?" he shrugged and stepped up on the banister, Ignis' eyes widening in alarm.
"What are you doing?"
"Sometimes Prince... Sometimes, you just have to take a risk." He stepped off and Ignis ran to the banister.
"What just happened?" he whispered, had Prince Prom really jumped? And then he rose back up into view…standing on a carpet? "What? Is this...?
"A magic carpet," he grinned boyishly and then held his hand out. "Do you trust me?"
"What did you say?" he asked, he sounded like…but that was impossible, wasn't it?
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes," he murmured, taking the offered hand, and then they were sitting on the carpet as it soared up and away from the Citadel. He watched in awe as the kingdom flew by, and then they were beyond the city, soaring over the coast, rivers, deserts, plains…it was so incredible, better than in his books! Eventually, the came back to Insomnia, watching as a small party was held in the streets. "Of all the places you've shown me, this is by far, the most beautiful," he admitted.
Prince Prom shrugged. "Sometimes you just have to see it from a different perspective."
"It's them, the people. They make it beautiful. And they deserve a leader who knows that. I don't know why I think it could be me," he admitted quietly, glancing over at Prom who smiled at him.
"Because it should be you."
"You think so?" he was surprised to hear it; did he not care at all about the circumstances of his birth?
"Does it matter, what I think?" the prince asked, reaching out to settle his own cloak over Ignis' shoulders.
"Oh, look at that adorable monkey down there. Is that Nyx?" Ignis asked, heart in his throat from nerves. He could be about to make an idiot of himself.
"No, no, it couldn't be Nyx, he's..." blue eyes went wide as Prom…Prompto? Stared at him in shock.
"So, how many names do you have, Prince Prompto?"
"No, no, I..."
"So, who's Prince Prom?" Ignis demanded.
"I am... Prince Prom," he insisted.
"But how would you know the city so well?" Ignis asked in confusion.
"I came to Insomnia early, because to know a people, you have to see them for yourself," he shrugged in embarrassment. "But you already know that. When we first met, you were disguised in your own city," okay, he had him there. "You saw us arrive with dancers, a behemoth, and a magic carpet. How could a street thief have all that?"
"But how could I not recognize you?" Ignis demanded. And yet…something about him had been familiar.
"People don't see the real you when you're royalty."
"I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed. I mean, you've seen more of Insomnia in days than I have in an entire lifetime," Ignis looked down at the city sprawled beneath them.
"We should...probably head back," he finally said and Ignis looked up at him.
"Already?" he asked and Prompto shrugged. They flew back quietly but Ignis felt more relaxed now he knew the truth.
"Until tomorrow, Prince," Prompto smiled, making sure he was firmly back on his balcony. "Good night."
"Good night," Ignis smiled and headed inside, laughing as he heard a word on the wind.
"Woo-hoo!"
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"Ooh! I like that face," Gladio smirked as Libertus set Prompto on his feet. "Good date?"
"The best. But it was better than the best. He figured out I was Prompto. You said that wouldn't happen."
"Wow," okay, he hadn't expected that, at least not so soon. "I mean, genie magic is really just a facade. At some point, the real character's always gonna shine through. But that's a good thing, right? Now, he knows."
"Well..." Prompto collapsed on the bed.
"Well, what?" Gladio asked in concern.
"I convinced him that I really was a prince," he admitted and Gladio blinked.
"And he believed you?"
"I think so."
"Eventually, you are going to have to tell him the truth," Gladio warned.
"Eventually, I will tell him. Anyway, I sort of am a prince now."
"Oh. So you're gonna drink from that cup," Gladio sighed.
"When the time is right, I will tell him," Prompto assured him again, closing his eyes and Gladio shook his head, changing the kids cloths for him as he fell asleep, he'd had a very long day.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"He told me he was only pretending to be a thief to see the city. But he's actually a prince," Ignis explained as they lay on his bed. It was obvious Noctis' date had gone just as well, even without a magic carpet.
"And you believed him?" Noctis leant up on an elbow. "You don't think maybe you want to believe him because you have to marry a royal but you can't marry a thief?" he offered and Ignis shook his head.
"No. I believe him….I do," Ignis stated, Prompto wouldn't lie to him now, would he? No, because if he wasn't a prince then there could never be anything between them. And…he wanted to see if there could be something more.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Prompto smiled as he walked down the hall, Nyx on his shoulder and very happy to no longer be a behemoth, chattering away. He paused as two guards blocked his way. "Morning?"
"Morning," a voice called from behind and he glanced back to see not the head guard but one who was high ranking.
"Not again," he sighed as Nyx scurried away. He was grabbed and dragged to a high tower where they forced him into a chair, tying him securely to it. "Please, please, I... Gentlemen. I-I think there's been some sort of confusion. I don't think you know who I am," he tried as the chair was moved to the edge. He looked back and down to see a long drop to the sea below. "Oh, no, no."
"I know who you are. Prompto," Ardyn stalked into view, his bird on his shoulder.
"Prompto?"
"Prompt," Ardyn smirked.
"I don't know who that is. I-I'm Prince Ali..."
"Street rat," the bird crowed.
"Of-Of Galahd."
"A prince from a kingdom that doesn't exist. Who now possesses a magic carpet
from the Cave of Wonders," Ardyn turned back to him, smirking. "Seems to me, the only way that's possible, is if you found a certain treasure. My treasure."
"Where's your monkey? Where's the lamp?" the bird demanded.
"This clearly, is some sort of misunderstanding. I'm Prince Prom," he argued.
"If I throw you off of that balcony, and you are who you say you are, you will die a watery death. If you survive, it can only be because of the lamp. In which case, I will have my answer. For the last time... Where is the lamp?" Ardyn demanded.
Prompto gulped but stuck to the story, he wouldn't really do it, would he? After all, if he was a prince then his dying in Insomnia would be very bad for international relations…or something. "Listen to me, I don't know who you think I am," he tried.
"Goodbye, Prompto." He waved a hand and the guard pushed the chair back.
"No!" Prompto screamed as he plummeted towards the sea.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Gladio emerged from the lamp wearing a shower cap, had something happened? "Never fails. Get in the bath and there's a rub at the lamp. Hello? Prom?" he gasped in alarm as he saw the boy floating lifelessly before him, realising they were under water. "Prom! Kid, snap out of it. You can't cheat on this one. I can't help unless you make a wish. You have to say, "Genie, I want you to save my life." Got it? Okay! Come on, Prompto!" he shook him and Prompto's head flopped back and forward in the water. "I'll take that as a yes. Here we go!" He scooped the kid and lamp up and took off.
He lay him down on the couch, hovering over him. "Come on, kid! Kid! Kid, please. Come on. Wake up. Wake up, wake up. Kid! Wake up, please," he pleaded more and more frantically and then Prompto suddenly coughed, water leaving his mouth and Gladio grimaced as it hit him.
"Ew. Probably coulda done that the other direction though. How you doin'?"
"Thanks, Gladio," he coughed.
"Hey, no problem, uh, I was in the neighbourhood," he offered before sighing. "Oh, Prom, I'm gettin' kind of fond of you, kid. Not that I wanna pick out curtains or anything."
"I thought you said no favours?" he sat up, looking a lot better to Gladio's relief.
"I wa-I wa..."
"I thought you said no friends?"
"Right, uh...It actually cost you a wish," he admitted carefully but Prompto just smiled.
"Whatever it cost. You saved my life."
"Yeah, that's true. I mean, strictly speaking though, it was a team effort," he pointed to Nyx and Libs.
"Thank you," Prompto told them all, carefully getting up and Gladio snapped, drying him off before he could catch a cold or something. "We have to stop Ardyn."
"That's not gonna be easy," Gladio warned. "The King trusts him completely. He has everybody fooled."
"Maybe not everyone."
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"Ignis," his Uncle called when he saw him in the room.
"Uncle," he smiled, wanting to see what Ardyn would say.
"I have chosen a husband for you."
"What?" he had to be hearing things, right?
"You will wed Ardyn," his Uncle smiled at him even as he gasped. What? No.
"You're speechless, I see. A fine quality in a husband," Ardyn smirked.
"I will never marry you. Uncle, I choose Prince Prom."
"I overheard Prince Ali talking to his advisor about returning with an army to conquer Insomnia. Now it appears he's fled in the night."
"You heard him say this, Ardyn? And you saw him leave?" Ignis demanded.
"Uh-oh," Loqi flew up into the ceiling, realising something had gone wrong.
"Yes. With my own ears and my own eyes. So, what's the problem now, Prince?" Ardyn demanded and Ignis smirked.
"This is the problem, Ardyn. If what you say is true, why is Prince Prom still here?" he asked as Prom emerged from the shadows with his Advisor, Gladio, at his shoulder.
"Your Majesty," Prompto bowed.
"Prince Prom, this is a surprise," Ignis' uncle looked from the prince to Ardyn.
"Your Highness, your advisor's not who he says he is."
"Oh. I'm not who I say I am," Ardyn seemed oddly amused by that but Ignis ignored if for now.
"Uncle, he tried to kill Prince Prom," Ignis told him angrily.
"Ardyn, can you explain this to me?"
"Yes. My king... You know my loyalty belongs to you."
"Your loyalty….Your loyalty."
"Yes," Ardyn said.
Ignis frowned, something strange was going on, but what?
"Prince Prom, you invited yourself into our city. And we welcomed you as our guest. But I believe your intentions are... deceitful. You are a grave danger to Insomnia, and you shall be dealt with as such."
Wait, what? "Uncle, what are you saying?"
"Enough, Ignis! Ardyn told me of Prince Prom's ambition. He's here for the throne. Cor!" he commanded and Ignis stiffened, no!
To everyone's shock, Prompto lunged for Ardyn, wrestling his staff from his hands to smash into the floor.
Ignis watched his Uncle stumbled, pressing a hand to his head, and he quickly moved to his side. "Uncle?"
"What happened?" the King asked.
"He had you under a spell," Prompto answered, glaring at Ardyn.
"He's not to be trusted, Your Majesty. He wants the throne," Ardyn tried, moving back.
"Ardyn, you were my most trusted advisor! Cor! Put him in the dungeon!"
They watched as the guards restrained Ardyn, dragging him away.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"You should think about how quickly the sands of power shift in the storm, Cor," Ardyn warned as he was locked into a cell.
Cor glared at him. "I am loyal to my King, as you should have been. The law is the law," he snapped before walking away and Ardyn glared after him only to smirk as a familiar bird landed in the window above.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
He was in shock, how could Ardyn have betrayed them so? He knew their security, their trade routes, everything. Obviously, he had been after the throne for himself. Who knew what he would have done to Ignis once married and crowned King. He turned to apologise to Ignis and watched in shock as Prince Prom took Ignis' hand and Ignis smiled at the shorter prince, brushing back a stray blond strand of hair from Prom's face. Could it be? "Prince Prom, I must apologize," he called and the two boys turned to him, both suddenly looking awkward, releasing each other's hand and he fought not to laugh, ah, young love.
"Well, Your Highness, there's something I... I'd like to explain."
"Your honour and integrity will never again be questioned here in Insomnia," he smiled, watching the boy go a little red.
"I..."
"A more noble and sincere young man has never graced the chambers of this citadel," he smirked as the boys ears went red, he really should stop teasing.
"Well, uh...Wow."
"I would be honoured to call you my nephew."
"Oooh," blue eyes were very wide now.
"If that...were something anyone wanted." He glanced at Ignis to find his nephew smiling. He waved Ignis forward and he stepped up to Prince Prom.
,,,,,,,,,,,
"I wish that, do you?" Ignis asked carefully. Prompto had nearly died and all because he had come to Insomnia. Maybe...maybe he would prefer to go home and forget all about them. He wouldn't blame him after the visit he'd had.
Prompto reached out slowly and took his hand, looking up into his eyes and then he smiled nervously. Ignis squeezed his hand, smiling back. "Really? You really want me out of everyone?"
"You see me, not just some prince," Ignis admitted.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"We gotta get outta here. I gotta start panicking. Only essentials. We gotta travel light. Bring the guns, the weapons, and how about this picture? I think I'm making a weird face in it," Loqi began tossing things into a bag. They had to go before anyone realised Ardyn was no longer in the dungeon and the keys were missing. Hearing maniacal laughter he looked down and gulped. "Oh, boy. He's cracked. He's gone nuts. Ardyn! Ardyn! Get a grip!" he smacked his face with a wing and then wheezed as a hand wrapped around him, too tight. "Good grip," he choked.
"Prince Prom is nothing more than that ragged urchin, Prompto. I was right to suspect him, the genie saved him from his watery grave. He has the lamp, Loqi."
"Why, that miserable..."
"So we shall just have to retrieve it."
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
"So you got the boy," Gladio smirked, watching as Prompto slumped against the balcony railing, looking a little shocky. "I mean, trust me, I had my doubts after your whole
prize debacle. But you pulled yourself back together a little bit."
"I did, didn't I? I think I finally got the hang of being a prince," he straightened a bit.
"Oh, well, that-that's not exactly what I meant. But you were right. People see what they wanna see. Prompto is gone. I'm Prince Prom now," he nodded, grinning slightly.
"Wow. Got it all figured out now, huh, kid?" Gladio bit back a sigh.
"And you know, I was thinking about my last wish, and I just... I can't do this without you. I know I told you I'd use it to set you free, but you heard the sultan. I can't let everything that we've worked for fall apart."
"So...You just never tell him the truth? You're gonna keep living the lie?"
"It's not a lie, people can change."
"Heh, oh, they can change, all right," Gladio shook his head, why had he ever believed the kid would be different?
"And? That's a bad thing? Everything's better now. No one got hurt. You'd rather me be back on the streets stealing to survive? I... thought you'd be happy for me. But all you cared about was that I use my last wish to set you free," Prompto tuned away and Gladio grimaced. He let go of the human illusion and flew closer to him, hesitantly putting a hand on his shoulder. No, he didn't want to see him back on the streets, kid was too skinny already.
"Wow. Kid, I don't care nothin' about that wish. This is about you. What's happening to you. You'd rather lie to somebody you love than give all of this up."
"You don't get it, Genie. People like me don't get anything except by pretending," Prompto muttered.
"I think, maybe, you don't get it. The more you gain by pretending, the less you're actually gonna have. 10,000 years, I have never once, ever... called a master a friend. I broke the rules for you. I saved your life... and for what?" Gladio drifted away, back to his lamp. "You are breaking my heart here, kid. You're breaking my heart," he choked and then simply sank back into his prison.
"Gladio, no. Hey, come on!" Prompto called but he ignored him.
,,,,,,,,,,,
Prompto collapsed on the bed, tears in his eyes, torn. If he told the truth…he'd lose Ignis, even if he forgave him for lying, if he loved him in return, they could never marry. For the good of the people he had to marry a royal. It was the law. The King couldn't change it since he was only technically regent, he was from Tenebrae after all. Could he live a lie for the rest of his life?
Sighing, he got up and stripped out of the fancier outer layers and jewels before slipping on a plain coat. He hooked the lamp to his belt and spotted Nyx watching with big eyes. "Come on Nyx," he smiled sadly and Nyx scurried up his arm. Slipping out of the Citadel wasn't hard and then he pulled his hood up, wandering the streets he'd lived on all his life. The coin purse on his belt felt very heavy and he began slipping coins into the pockets of those in need.
"Hey!" he yelped as someone knocked him aside but the man kept walking and he sighed, heading to the only place he had ever called home, climbing up to the top to stare at the citadel as he had so often.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Gladio emerged from the lamp and hit his head. "Aah! Are you kidding?" he glared up, rubbing his head. "Now, why would you rub the thing under the..." he looked over and gulped, that was not Prompto, "archway."
TBC….