A/N: Welcome back to The Trial! We are reaching the climax guys! The final battle! I'm so excited, yet sad to leave this story behind. I mean, I know I said that I would get faster with the updates so I could start on other stories, it's just, enjoyed making this. Anyway, onto the chapter. Sorry about my rambling. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 26: The Masked Emperor

Finally, Ardyn felt the airship slow down and start landing. Dorian stirred beside him, causing him to look down at her. She looked refreshed. Ardyn looked to the door and saw a Magitec troop open up their cell door. Ardyn fought back confusion, he had been led to believe that Stark would be there. The Magitec troop put shackles on Ardyn's wrists and led him out of the cell.

He did the same with Dorian. Suddenly, Ardyn had a bad feeling about this. Soon, the three of them were walking down the hallway. Ardyn fought back fear and confusion as they walked down the corridor. They were led outside and Ardyn recognized Lucis. He looked back at Dorian who looked just as confused as he was.

Stark exited the ship, a smirk on his face. He walked up to them, laughing. "I can't believe you actually fell for that! I am terrible at acting and you actually thought I was against the empire. You must be out of your minds! No matter, soon the Masked Emperor will take care of you," Stark said, squeezing Dorian's cheek.

She slapped his hand away angrily, a look of shock and hurt on her face. "How dare you touch me? I mean it, how dare you touch me? You lie to us and expect me to let you touch me? Shame on you, Stark," she said angrily.

"Oh, that's General Moonsinger to you, bitch," Stark said, glaring at her.

"Oh I'm sorry, did I hurt the big baby's feelings? Oh no, I must apologize to his mother. Oh, I am very very sorry," Dorian said sarcastically.

Stark glared at Dorian and moved his hand away from her face. Ardyn held his breath, worried of what he would do to her. He then slapped Dorian straight across the breath, drawing blood. Dorian let out a gasp of shock. Before she could recover, Stark punched her in the gut. The princess fell to the ground.

Ardyn angrily kicked the Magitec in the shin and fought to reach Stark. The general turned to Ardyn and smiled at him. He then snapped and suddenly, a Magitec was on him, putting heavy shackles on his wrists and ankles. Ardyn fought the Magitec off and tried to reach Dorian. He was shocked at how heavy the shackles were.

"Oh, Stark, you know not to play with the prisoners like that," a voice said from behind the general. Stark squeaked and bowed quickly. A large man in a mask was glaring at the cowering general. He looked more annoyed than anything. "Oh get up, big baby! Seriously!"

"O - Of course, your majesty," Stark said, suddenly, he drew a knife and charged at the emperor. He only caught it and broke it in half. Then he threw one of the pieces at the general. Stark gasped and barely dodged out of the way. Suddenly, the emperor stabbed Stark's side with the other half. "No...how?" Stark gasped, he then fell unconscious.

"Nice try, Stark. I have a little song for him. You try your best but you don't succeed. That's basically him right now. So if you don't want to end up like him, I advise you do what I say exactly when I say it. Do you understand me?" the emperor said, kicking Stark as he said it.

"Y - Yes, your majesty, but what do we do with the general if I may ask?" a troop gulped.

"Good question, take him to the dungeon. Since he thought he could beat me, he'll just have to stay with Dorian and Ardyn," the Masked Emperor said.

"Very well, your majesty," the troop said. He then walked over to Ardyn and Dorian. "Okay, you too. Let's get going. Don't want to keep the rats waiting."

Dorian and Ardyn looked at each other and shivered, but followed without protest. The troop led them to a dungeon and shoved them in it roughly. They glared at him as he walked off. That was when they noticed the other person in the cell. He looked like a Magitec troop with pieces of metal sticking out of him.

Then Ardyn recognized him. "Prompto?!" Ardyn and Dorian gasped at the same time.

He looked up at them. "Dorian? Ardyn?" Prompto whispered weakly.

"Prompto, what happened to you?" Dorian gasped, running over to him.

"It was awful..." Prompto said quietly.

A/N: And done! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Until next time, remember to review! Byyyye! Also, Prompto! I had to have Prompto in here. Don't worry, he'll be back in shape in no time. For real bye!