Disclaimer: not mine
Only reviews from 2 of my dedicated readers on ffnet. Is this not as good as the others in the series?
Chapter 3
Ignis couldn't remember ever being so happy before. He felt almost giddy which was not like him at all. He sat on the couch on his balcony, rubbing Luna's stomach with a bare foot as he enjoyed the sun. There was so much to plan, word would need to be sent back to Galahd of their impending wedding, hopefully some of Prom's family would be able to attend to support him…he hadn't really mentioned his family before, maybe they didn't get along? Surely not with the way he had arrived, unless it was their way of trying to ensure he never needed to return? No, he would not think ill of his future family without knowing anything about them. Prom would become King, his Uncle would step down, and Ignis knew that Prom would listen to him, would welcome his thoughts and input. It wouldn't be the same as being King himself but they would be partners and work together for the good of their people.
"Ignis!" Noctis almost ran into his chambers, eyes wide.
"Noct?" He stood and Luna rolled to her feet, whiskers flicker. "What is it?"
"It's Ardyn, he's escaped the dungeons! Looks like that blasted bird stole the keys! Or…"
"Or one of the guard in his pocket let him out. If he's smart he's miles away already. Prom broke his staff, he's powerless."
"We hope," Noctis murmured.
"Uncle may need a show of support, we know some of the guard are Ardyn's men."
"Full formal regalia?" his friend asked, moving to the wardrobe.
"For both of us," he told him. Noctis sighed but nodded. As his Retainer, he had his own version of formal wear for Court. They got Ignis into his and then Noctis got into his own. "Come on Luna, let's find Uncle." She got up and led the way through the halls.
"Ignis," he Uncle called, seeing the way they were dressed he smiled slightly, surprising Ignis by hugging him briefly. "I was worried Ardyn would make a move towards you."
"Luna would have liked that I'm sure," Ignis grinned and his uncle laughed.
"Sire!" Pelna almost slid around the corner.
"Report."
"We've located Ardyn, he's in the Throne room."
"Cor, summon your men."
"Yes Sire," Cor moved away to ensure the Guard would be there in force.
Ten minutes later the Guard opened the doors to the Throne Room and they strode inside, the Guard fanning out to surround the stairs where Ardyn was sitting calmly.
"Ardyn. You should have left Insomnia while you had the chance."
"Why leave when the city belongs to me now?" the man smirked.
"It's over, Ardyn," his Uncle stated firmly.
"Over for you. I've endured your spineless incompetence for long enough," Ardyn sneered, eyes gleaming gold.
"Cor," the King barked and the Guard moved in.
Ardyn just laughed and pulled out…a lamp? He rubbed it and blue smoke billowed out until a blue figure hovered in the air and Ignis felt sick, glancing at Noctis whose eyes were wide, face pale.
"Genie! For my first wish, I wish to be King of Insomnia."
"What?" Ignis couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"As you wish, master," the blue being…Gladio?...genie? looked at Noctis sadly as he said it and Noctis stared back at him, shaking his head, eyes pleading. I'm sorry, he mouthed before lifting his hands and they both saw the metal bands around his lower arms.
He knew the old stories, the myths…genies were basically slaves, having to obey their 'Master' for three wishes. Wait…he'd been with Prom… did that mean that Prom was really Prompto, street thief? "No!" Ignis cried out as magic surrounded his Uncle, stripping him of every sign of his station.
"Cor!" his uncle called and the man waved his Guards forward.
"Cor!" Ardyn snapped. "You obey the King. So you obey me now. You know the law, Cor."
"No," Ignis looked at Cor, a man he'd known all his life, shaking his head.
Cor looked from his Uncle, to Ignis, and then to Ardyn who now wore the crown. "My King!" he saluted and the other Guards followed.
"Cor, marshal an army to invade Tenebrae," Ardyn commanded.
"Tenebrae? You cannot..."
"I think we've heard enough from you, Prince. It's time you start doing what you should've done all along. Stay silent. Guards!" he called and then smirked at Ignis.
Ignis stiffened, Luna growling lowly as Noctis shifted closer, stance firming up, hand dropping to his belt where he carried a concealed blade. Ignis' hand shifted to his own as he eyed the tense Guards, seeing Pelna hanging back, eyes wide.
"Remove him!" Ardyn ordered and Luna snarled, whiskers humming with growing electrical power even as she swiped at Sonitus with extended claws. Noctis grabbed Axis' arm and flipped him, slamming a booted foot into his temple, knocking him out. Everyone forgot that Noctis wasn't just his companion, but the final line of defence.
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Gladio watched as Noctis took on a Guard bigger than him and won, defending his Prince and yeah…that was amazing and unexpected. It made him even more attracted but…Noct knew what he was now, he'd never want him. He'd lied to him, let him think he was human and anyway…he would have been back in the lamp after Prom's third wish…unless he had used it to free him. Not like that would happen now. He didn't know where the kid was but hopefully he was safe.
…..
"Control that cat if you know what's good for you," Ardyn warned almost lazily.
"Luna," Ignis called her back to his side, back to back with Noctis. Pelna was still staying back for which he was glad, he thought of him as a friend, so did Noct. They were too badly outnumbered and…even if they weren't, could they fight, maybe even kill people they had known for years? Had trusted? "It's all right," he brushed Noct's wrist, squeezing gently.
"No Iggy," he breathed the childhood nickname.
Ignis gently nudged Luna over to Noctis who buried a hand in her scruff, moving away from them, head held high, green ice cold as he glared at Ardyn.
"Don't touch him!" he Uncle demanded as the Guards moved in, Sonitus smirking but then Pelna was there, blocking him, gently gripping his arm and Ignis nodded slightly.
"Uncle," he managed a small smile for the man, before turning to the door, letting Pelna guide him away.
"Ignis," he heard his Uncle call after him as he was led from the room.
"It's okay," Pelna whispered and then the other Guard tipped their head up and Ignis' eyes widened as he recognised Crowe. How? Pelna shrugged slightly, smirking. "Had a bad feeling, thought backup might be a good idea." Crowe was Pelna's betrothed, she was from Tenebrae and an excellent fighter, she would have made an excellent Guard, if the law did not exclude her due to her gender.
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Prompto frowned and stood, staring hard at the Citadel. What was…no, it couldn't be. His hand went to his belt and came away empty. How…the man! He closed his eyes, focusing…Ardyn! "Let's go Nyx!"
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Ignis saw more Guards heading for the Throne Room, looking back to see Noctis had moved defensively closer to his Uncle who was still turned towards him, their eyes meeting. He took a deep breath and stopped walking.
"My Prince?" Pelna asked, there was nothing they could do right now except smuggle Ignis to safety. The Queen of Tenebrae would surely take him in since they were related.
"Cor!" he yelled and Cor looked up at him.
"Take him away! Tell them, Cor," Ardyn commanded but Cor lifted a hand, keeping his men from moving.
Ignis pulled his arms free and the two fell into place slightly behind him as if ready to drag him away at Cor's signal but more to protect him. "You were just a boy when your father came to work the grounds. But you have risen up to become our most trusted soldier. As a man, I know you to be both loyal and just. But now, you have to choose," Ignis told him, walking back into the Throne Room, head held high and eyes locked on the man who had taught him to wield a sword. "Duty isn't always honour. Our greatest challenge isn't speaking up against our enemies, but defying those whose approval we seek the most. Ardyn is not worthy of your admiration nor your sacrifice."
I wish nothing but glory for the Kingdom of Insomnia," Ardyn promised and Ignis glared at him.
"No. You seek glory for yourself. And you would win it off the backs of my people!" They were his people, no matter what his rank was; Prince, King, or nobody. He focused back on the soldier. "Cor. These men, they will follow where you lead, but it's up to you. Will you stand silent while Ardyn destroys our beloved kingdom? Or will you do what is right... and stand with the people of Insomnia?" he stared Cor down, seeing the conflict in his eyes before he snapped off a salute, bowing.
"My Prince. Forgive me, my King."
"Guards! Arrest the Vizier!" Cor commanded firmly and the Guards moved forward to obey. Those who had sided with Ardyn moved to block them.
Ardyn scowled in rage. "So this is how it will be. Not even the title of King would wake the herd from their sleep. I should have known," he shook his head but then lifted the lamp again. "If you won't bow before a King, you will cower before a sorcerer. Genie! I wish to become the most powerful sorcerer there is."
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Noctis stared at the Genie…at Gladio. Why hadn't he told him? Had it been a game to him? Their eyes met and Noctis bit his lip, seeing the pain, fear…and grief in dark amber. No…it hadn't been a game; it had been real. But what kind of future could they have even if Ardyn was stopped? Gladio was a Genie, bound to his lamp and master. Staring at him, he managed the smallest of understanding smiles, it wasn't Gladio's fault. None of this was. He saw the surprise in Gladio's arm before he turned to Ardyn.
"As you wish, master."
"This could be fun," Loqi squawked and Noctis promised himself he was going to throttle that blasted bird! "Ladies and gentlemen, a warm Insomnia welcome for Sorcerer Ardyn!
"Cor. I had such big plans for you. But now...you are no longer of any use to me," Ardyn told Cor as the massive snake became a new staff and Noctis knew their chances of winning had just plummeted. "Perhaps your men would like to follow you to the dungeon." He tapped his staff and all of the loyal Guard vanished. Luna snarled and lunged towards him. "You too." The Coeurl vanished.
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Luna! Ignis' eyes widened and then he spotted movement by the Throne where the lamp had been left, seeing familiar blond hair.
"Prince Prom!" Loqi called and Ardyn waved a hand.
Ignis watched as Prom was frozen, obviously straining to reach the lamp, their eyes meeting even as he did.
"If it isn't our Prince Prom..." Ardyn smirked.
"Prom!" Ignis called in alarm, not liking that smirk.
"Or should I say..." he tapped the staff and Prom vanished only to reappear on his knees between them and Ardyn, obviously unable to move, now dressed in the old clothes he had worn when they first met. "Prompto."
"Prompto," Ignis whispered, staring into sad blue eyes. It was true, he wasn't a Prince. He'd been trying to ignore any thoughts of that. Since seeing Gladio and the lamp though… he found himself taking a half step forward towards Prompto. It didn't matter if he was a Prince or not, not to him. He saw Prompto's eyes widen, saw his fingers twitch slightly.
"He's been pretending the entire time, an impostor. There is no Prince Prom, there never was. He's nothing but a lying thief," Ardyn explained.
"I'm sorry," Prompto whispered and Ignis shook his head, it didn't matter.
"You're insignificant, an irritation I no longer need to tolerate once I... ensure your agonizing death by banishing you to the ends of the earth," Ardyn laughed, raising his staff.
"No!" Ignis screamed, reaching for Prompto as he was enveloped in freezing snow. When it was gone, so was he.
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Prompto groaned, rubbing his arms for warmth. "Nyx! He yelled. "Nyx!" he looked around but all he could see was white. He got to his feet, stumbling around, looking for any sign of his friend. He heard something over the wind and looked down, spotting the small dark brown form on a ledge so he began scrambling down. He scooped the monkey up, settling him under his shirt and vest to keep him as warm as possible. Oh, this is all my fault. I should have freed the genie when I had the chance. "Nyx, are you okay?"
Nyx was shivering violently, little teeth chattering, as he curled closer to try and warm up.
"I'm sorry, Nyx. I made a mess of everything. Somehow... I gotta go back and set things right," he whispered, getting up and starting to walk. He saw something in the air and shaded his eyes before they widened. "Libs!" he yelled, waving his arm as the flying carpet soared towards them. How….Gladio! he must have managed to send him after them!
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"Puppet want a cracker?" Loqi laughed, shoving crackers in the King's mouth as he moaned in distress, dressed like a Court jester. 'Here's your cracker! Shoved all the way down your throat! Here! Have lots!"
"Stop it! Ardyn, leave him alone!"
Ardyn gestured for Loqi to stop, Loqi growled as he shoved the remaining crackers down the King's throat. "It pains me to see you reduced to this, Ignis. A beautiful desert bloom such as yourself should be on the arm of the most powerful man in the world. What do you say, my dear? Why, with you as my queen..." he smirked at the female title as he took in the rather skimpy clothing he had dressed the young Prince in, the chains around his wrist and throat, tugging him in closer using them only to splutter as Ignis threw the wine in the goblet he had been holding in his face.
Noctis watched from where he was chained at Sonitus' feet, dressed just as skimpily, glad that Gladio had been returned to the lamp and couldn't see him.
"Never!"
"I'll teach you some respect!" Ardyn growled raising his hand and Ignis braced for a blow but it never came. "I could simply kill you all," Ardyn said as he calmed a bit. He waved his staff and the three found themselves before him. "But that would be inadequate repayment for years of humiliation and neglect. 'Remember your place, Ardyn', 'You forget yourself, Ardyn'," he sneered at the kneeling King.
"Ardyn…"
"No…What you need is to suffer. Like I have suffered," he smirked and the King gasped in pain, body rigid, skin going red.
"Uncle?" Ignis reached out to him in alarm, supporting him
"Watching me rule your kingdom be enough?"
"Stop!" Ignis yelled.
"But watching my armies devour your toothless allies..."
"Please, make it stop!" Ignis pleaded as Noct helped him support the King.
"No, the most suitable punishment would be to make you watch while I take what you love most," Ardyn chuckled.
"No!" Ignis yelled as Noctis collapsed in agony.
"Uncle! Noctis!"
"And marry your nephew," Ardyn laughed.
"No!" Noctis groaned.
"No! He will never marry you," the King forced out, skin bright red.
Ignis looked between his Uncle and his best friend, his brother, seeing their pain. He pushed up to his feet. "I will do as you wish!" he yelled but Ardyn ignored him. "Make it stop!" he screamed and Ardyn released them to lie panting on the ground.
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Noctis' hands were trembling slightly as he carefully settled the heavy robe over Ignis' shoulders, before settling his circlet in his hair.
Ignis grabbed his hand, squeezing gently. "It'll be okay Noct," he murmured, both ignoring the Guards watching them.
"I'm sorry," Noctis whispered, hating that his pain had been used to make Ignis agree to the marriage.
Ignis dropped his voice lower. "First chance you get, you run and you don't look back."
"No, I won't leave you," Noctis answered, stepping back.
"Noctis please…" Ignis pleaded but he shook his head, he would never abandon his Prince, his brother. Ignis stood and they were lead from his chambers, towards the large balcony outside the Throne Room where his uncle was being restrained on his knees. Ardyn stood before Shiva's High Priest, waiting for them.
Noctis squeezed his hand and then was led to the side, two Guards on him considering they now remembered he could fight and fight well.
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Ignis took a deep breath and approached Ardyn, head held high. This was not how he had ever imagined his wedding. The thought of being bound to the man…it made him feel ill. He could not watch his Uncle and Noctis being tortured though. With Prompto gone, the Guards locked away with Luna, Noct and him both unarmed and watched carefully…what else could he do?
He took his place opposite Ardyn, meeting cold gold eyes before they raked over his body, refusing to show any reaction.
"Your Highness, King Ardyn. In honesty and sincerity, do you accept Prince Ignis-"
"Yes. Yes, I accept," he cut in. "Prince," he all but purred.
"Prince Ignis, do you accept the King to be your husband?" the priest asked and Ignis froze.
He couldn't do this, he….he looked over at his Uncle, seeing tears in his eyes. Then he looked at Noctis, seeing the rage and fear in his eyes.
"Come on, boy! Accept," Ardyn commanded.
"I..."
"Yes?"
"I..." he saw the lamp hanging from Ardyn's belt and then he saw something passed the Priest. His eyes widened slightly but then he focused back on Ardyn, moving closer, slowly lifting his arm. "Do not!" he ripped the lamp from Ardyn's belt and ran for the railing, leaping over.
"IGNIS!" he heard his Uncle scream in terror and felt bad but there'd been no time to explain.
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Noctis gasped as Ignis threw himself off the balcony. NO! Please no….and then he laughed in relief as of all things, a magic carpet zoomed past, Ignis and Prompto on it. YES! He laughed and then dropped, sweeping his guards legs out from under him even as he lashed backwards with his arm, hearing the breath whoosh out of the second as he connected, hard.
"The Lamp! Loqi!" Ardyn screamed and the bird took off after them even as the King struggled with his own guards.
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Prompto's heart was pounding, he hadn't expected Ignis to jump! He glanced over at him, nervously and met green eyes, finding Ignis grinning at him, and then a warm hand covered his own where he held on to Libs.
"You came back," Ignis called out to be heard over the wind.
"Of course I did," Prompto answered. This was all his fault, without him, Ardyn would never have gotten his hands on the lamp. He glanced back and paled as he saw a suddenly massive bird chasing them through the sky. "Hold on!" there was no time for talking as they flew through the city, twisting, turning dropping and rising to try and keep away from the bird.
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"You are nothing without your staff! Nothing!" he screamed in triumph, seeing another guard falling to Noctis. Either they needed to increase the Guard's training, or Noctis was better than even he had realised. Which…was actually a good thing, it was better for Ignis that Noctis be underestimated by everyone. He struggled as he was grabbed but it didn't matter, Ignis was safely away and had the lamp, Ardyn's staff should have shattered on impact, they could beat him.
Ardyn smirked and held his hand out, letting him watch in horror as the staff floated back up and into his hand. He threw his head back and bellowed, the sky darkening, winds whipping up. His strange bird was soon falling down on the balcony, before managing to right itself and grab onto a perch and then, to his horror, he heard two human screams and a monkey, seeing his nephew and the boy slam into the balcony, rolling across the stone, the carpet torn and limp even as the monkey tugged on it to get it up.
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"Ignis!" Prompto yelled as Ignis was suddenly pulled into the air, suspended by magic, green eyes wide.
"Punish them! Punish them. Make that Genie witness it!" Loqi shifted from foot to foot.
Ardyn smirked, rubbing the lamp to release Gladio who looked at Prompto in relief at seeing him alive. "As the old man said, 'You should have left Insomnia when you had the chance'. I told you before to think bigger. You could have been the most powerful man in the room. But now, I hold the lamp. I hold the power," he swept an arm out, showing Noctis and the King held in the same manner as Ignis.
Prompto pushed up to his feet, facing the maniac. "You can't find what you're looking for in that lamp, Ardyn. I tried and failed, and so will you."
"You think so? But I am King! I am the greatest sorcerer the world has ever seen. I will create an empire that history cannot ignore. I can destroy cities. I can destroy kingdoms. And I can destroy you."
Prompto gasped, driven to his knees, struggling to breath, glancing at Gladio who looked horrified. "True…. But who made you a King? Who…made you a sorcerer? There will always be some thing, some man, some being more…powerful than you."
"What are you doing?" Gladio hissed at him in alarm and he managed a shaky grin, praying his idea would work.
"Genie gave…..you your power, and he can…take it away."
"HE SERVES ME!" Ardyn roared at him and he groaned in pain as whatever magic was holding him down tightened its grip.
"For now…But you'll never have more power…than the genie. You said it yourself, you're either…the most powerful in the room, or you're nothing. You will….always be sec…ond.
"Second. Second," Loqi squawked, snickering.
"Second?! Only second?! HE SERVES ME! I will make sure no one will ever say these words again! Slave, I make my third wish. I wish to be an all-powerful genie! I wish to become the most powerful being in the universe!" Ardyn demanded, rubbing the lamp and Prompto gasped, collapsing to hands and knees before scrambling out of the way.
"All right, your wish is my command. Way to go, Prom," he hissed but was surprised when Prompto winked at him, getting it now. "A lot of grey area in that wish. But, uh, the most powerful being in the universe, coming right up!"
Gladio sent the magic at him, backing off as Ardyn began to change, becoming a Genie, reaching out to steady Prompto, pulling him further back.
"The most powerful in the universe! At last! Second to no one! And I thought I had power before! First, I'll lay waste to those fools in Tenebrae," he bellowed, preparing the magic as he hovered above them all, unlike Gladio, Ardyn was a red genie. As he went to toss the magic his arm was wrenched back as a metal shackle slammed into his arm. "What have you done to me?"
Prompto chuckled. "I haven't done anything to you, Ardyn."
"What have you done to me?!" he demanded, lunging at Prompto, Gladio shoving the blond behind him to be safe but then the second shackle formed.
"This was your wish, not mine. You wanted to be a genie... you got it. And everything that goes with it. A genie might have phenomenal cosmic powers…"
"But an itty-bitty living space. You see, a genie without a master, goes back in their lamp," Gladio finished with a grin as a lamp began to form on the ground.
"I'm gettin' out of here!" Loqi took off.
"I will not forget you, boy! Mark my words. I will not forget what you have done to me!"
"Goodbye, Ardyn," Loqi darted passed but Ardyn grabbed him.
"Parrot! You're coming with me!"
They watched as the two were sucked into the lamp, Ardyn's magic fading, dropping the others down to the balcony. Cor, the Guards, and Luna suddenly appeared, freed from the cells.
"A couple thousand years in the Cave of Wonders ought to cool you off," Gladio laughed, sending the lamp flying.
"Uncle!"
Prompto turned at Ignis' cry, seeing the King half collapsed, moving to help get him up and seated on a bench.
The King looked up at him. "How can I ever thank you?"
"Oh, no, no," Prompto shook his head. "You don't need to thank me. But I hope you accept my apology. I'm sorry... to the both of you," he offered a sad smile and then looked Ignis in the eye. "Especially you. You deserve... so much."
"We all make mistakes, Prompto," the King assured him.
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"Ooh, that's a bit of a mess there, Nyx," Gladio smiled sadly at the sight of the still carpet, ripped in two, reaching out with his magic. "Let me take care of that for you." He was relieved when the carpet became whole again, leaping up. Libertus was his oldest friend after all.
He glanced over at where Noctis was getting water for the King. One last wish and then it was back to the lamp and he'd never see any of them again. Noctis looked up then and their eyes met, the human shocking him by smiling at him. Wasn't he…mad at him? Then he looked at Prompto who had picked his lamp up, face melancholy.
"No long faces, all right? I got an idea, all right? It's your last wish. Royalty was the right idea, okay? We should just rip on that a little bit."
"But Gladio…your freedom," Prompto argued and he was touched by the gesture. For once though, he didn't want it, he wanted the kid to be happy.
"Hey, it's only an eternity of servitude. This is love Prom. You're not gonna find another guy like him in a million years. Believe me, I know. I've looked. We've got two options here. This is what you need, the governing laws of Insomnia by royal decree. Okay, and... here it is! 'Must marry a prince or princess'. Right. But, you say the words... and this law just kinda like, goes away. You and the prince are in it together forever. Or we have this! The marriage certificate of the prince's parents, see this date here? This is the issue, say the word, and it changes, we backdate it to before the prince was conceived and presto! The Prince can now be King!"
"You can just make the law disappear?"
"Psshh. Please. Like it never existed. All right. Last wish. Let's get it." Gladio grinned, wondering which Prompto would choose and figuring it would be Ignis' status cause he was that kinda guy.
"Okay," Prompto took a deep breath, holding the lamp tightly, glancing over at where Ignis was tending his Uncle with Noctis' help.
"Last wish."
"Gladio, I wish...I wish...to set you free."
"Right one…" he froze, amber eyes going wide as he realised just what Prompto had said. He gasped as his shackles snapped open, falling from his arms, dissolving away. What? Blue smoke surrounded him and when it faded, he was staring at human hands. He looked up, watching the lamp dissolve in Prompto's hands. "I'm free. I'm free. Quick. Quick. Wish for something outrageous. Say, 'I want the Nile', try that."
"Uh, I wish for the Nile," Prompto repeated.
"No way!" Gladio laughed. "Oh, does that feel good!" he could feel it, the magic fading from him but…he looked at Prompto, seeing his happiness but also sadness. No, he wouldn't get his happy ending at the expense of Prom's! He focused everything he had left, calling up the certificate, pouring the last of his magic into it, grinning as the date changed.
Blue magic suddenly wrapped around carpet and then a young man was sitting there. "Yes!" Libertus shouted, scrambling to his feet. "Told you we'd be free one day Gladio. I knew we could trust you Prompto," he grinned and grabbed the shocked Prompto in a hug before picking up Nyx to spin the monkey around before setting him back down. "I am starving!"
Gladio laughed and then nearly jumped when slender arms wrapped around him and he hugged back. "Thank you."
"No. Thank you, Gladio. I owe you everything," Prompto smiled at him. "What are you gonna do now?"
"Um...Actually, there is this...retainer that I would love to spend time with, if he'll have me," Gladio turned to face Noctis.
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Noctis was frozen, watching as Gladio became…human? He was free? He smiled as Gladio and Prompto hugged. He was barely breathing when Prompto asked Gladio what he was going to do, unable to move when Gladio turned to face him, expression nervous but hopeful.
"Um...Actually, there is this...retainer that I would love to spend time with, if he'll have me."
Noctis stumbled, glancing back to find Ignis had prodded him. His friend smiled at him and nodded. He turned back to Gladio and walked towards him, shakily reaching out and Gladio took his hands. "If I'll have you?" he whispered and Gladio nodded. Noctis grinned and threw himself at Gladio who pulled him in. Gladio slowly leant down and Noctis went up on tip toes, he hated being short, but he didn't care as their lips met.
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Prompto looked down at the scroll Gladio had given him and walked over, setting it beside the King before slipping into the shadows…backing up. He glanced around for Nyx, almost laughing at the sight of him sitting on Luna's head, chattering away at her. His jaw dropped when red magic swirled around them, shattering, fading, and then….a man and young woman were sprawled on the ground. What?
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Nyx sat up and stared in shock, he…he was human? He looked around wildly and saw her lying beside him. "Luna?" he breathed in wonder. He reached out as she stirred, helping her sit up, brushing her hair back from her face as she blinked up at him.
"Nyx?" she whispered. "Nyx!" she cried, neither caring as everyone stared as he crushed her to him, kissing her.
"What?"
He recognised the voice of Prompto's Prince and looked up to see the Prince staring at Luna in shock. Nyx got up, helping Luna up as well.
Luna smiled at the Prince. "Hello my friend."
"I…I don't understand," the Prince said.
"It was Ardyn. We saw something we shouldn't have and so he ensured we couldn't ever tell anyone," she explained.
Nyx turned to look for Prompto, heart sinking as he realised his boy was gone. Prompto was his kid brother, he'd done his best to raise him when he was nothing more than a monkey. It had been hard to remember being human, to try and not forget everything and let the monkey mind and instincts rule him all the time. He knew several places Prompto could retreat to, though he wasn't sure how many of those he could get to as a human.
"Huh, thought something felt off about you too," the Genie…ex-genie commented.
Luna giggled as the Prince and his friend went red. "Don't worry, I didn't ogle," she promised the two embarrassed young men.
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Did his nephew have nothing normal in his life? His Prince was a common born thief, Noctis' young man was a genie, his pet was actually a human…he shifted and then frowned when he spotted the scroll, picking it up to read, his eyes widened as he realised it was the marriage certificate and the document recording Ignis' birth, the dates had bene changed, Bahamut's seal in place…his nephew was now recognised! He sighed and patted Ignis' hand, getting his attention. "Sit with me nephew," he asked and Ignis knelt in front of him, concerned. "I'm sorry."
"Uncle, why are you...?"
"Please, let me finish," he said and Ignis nodded. "I feared losing you, like I lost your mother." He had loved his sister dearly. "All I saw was my little nephew, not the man you have become. You have shown me courage and strength. You... are the future of Insomnia. You... shall be the next King.," he handed over the scroll, watching Ignis' face as he realised what he was reading.
"Uncle?" and then he looked over at Gladio, so he did as well, both catching the wink.
"As King, you may change the law. He is a good man," he smiled at Ignis who slowly grinned back, getting up and looking around.
"Where'd he go?" Ignis asked, dismayed.
"He won't have gotten far yet, your Highness," the ex-monkey offered. "There's too many guards, he likely isn't to the gates yet."
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Prompto heard the gates close behind him, something final in the sound. For a few short days he had everything he could ever dream of; friends, family…love. Now…he was more alone than ever. He was happy for Nyx and Luna, he really was, but Nyx had been with him for as long as he could remember, which should have been a clue. Monkeys didn't live that long and yet he had. He stared out at the streets of Insomnia and took a deep breath, he needed to go make sure his home was still empty. He pulled out the golden cuff from his pocket, smiling sadly, at least he had something to remember them all by, he wouldn't try to sell it, ever.
"Stop, thief." He froze, not because of the words but the voice, not daring to turn around. "Your King commands it," Ignis said and Prompto slowly turned, seeing the hesitant smile on Ignis' lips.
"King?" guess they found Gladio's work then. "Does that mean I'm in trouble?"
"Only because you got caught," Ignis closed the distance between them, cupping Prompto's cheek in his hand, leaning down and Prompto stared up at him. Was he really? And then their lips touched. "I am to be crowned on my birthday, as is tradition. And the first law I am changing is the one saying royals have to marry royals. I was hoping…you'd stay?"
"You really want me around?" Prompto asked, trying to sound light-hearted.
Ignis kissed him again. "Forever," he promised.
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Prompto looked around the chambers that were now his, till the wedding anyway. The same ones he'd stayed in as Prince Prom. There was no law saying he couldn't stay in the Palace and as Noctis had pointed out, he had a lot to learn before he married the soon to be King. It was all rather overwhelming and…lonely. Which was just stupid. Noctis and Gladio were getting married in three days, Luna and Nyx in another week. Ignis had insisted they stay and they had eventually agreed, not like they could go back to their old lives when they hadn't aged a day in years.
"Alright?" Ignis asked and he turned to face him.
"Overwhelmed I guess," he admitted, he had promised to himself, he would never lie to Ignis again.
Ignis walked over and kissed him. "It will be alright," he promised. "No one expects you to know everything before the wedding. There is plenty of time to learn. Besides, you bring something important too, knowledge of the people."
Prompto nodded, remembering their talk when watching the party. "I love you Ignis."
Ignis smiled. "I love you Prom."
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Prompto grinned and clapped as Gladio and Noctis kissed before the Priest. He was so happy for them! He met Ignis' eyes and grinned wider. Soon, it would be their turn and he wasn't as nervous about it anymore. He thought he was starting to get used to life in the Citadel. Their wedding date was set for one week after Ignis' coronation and preparations were already underway. A Royal wedding was a massive affair after all.
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Nyx sat on the bench beside Prompto who looked up at him curiously. He reached out to ruffle blond hair and Prompto swatted at his hand.
"Hey!"
Nyx laughed and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug. "You're the kid brother I never had Prom, I will always be here for you, got it? And hey, no fleas anymore," he grinned and then they both laughed.
"Did…did you have a family?"
"Not alive, it was just me and Luna by the time we were cursed."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not, yeah it was hell at first but then I found you. I knew from the start there was something special about you and…you needed me."
"Still do," Prompto admitted.
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Libertus stood proudly in his new uniform, watching as Prince Ignis was crowned King of Insomnia, glancing over at his friend as Gladio stood with his husband. He'd thought maybe he would have no place with his oldest friend but then he'd been offered a spot in the Guard because Gladio had spoken to Cor about him. He kind of missed flying wherever he pleased…but he loved being able to talk to people again…and eating, that was something he'd never take for granted again!
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Ignis smiled as Prompto joined him before the Priest, finally, it was their turn. They held hands and recited their vows, the audience cheering loudly as the street rat and the Prince got their happy ending.
The End.