The first part of my fic Guardian that I ended cutting out. I didn't end up liking my plan for this decided that my story might be better off a bit more vague in what happened. But this was still partially written so I finished it up as best I could so I can post it here instead. I didn't spend as much time fixing this up so apologies in advance for that!

Guardian (Cut Content)

"And whose foolish idea was this?" Ardyn Izunia raged at his brother and the Chosen King. The three men stood in a field of multicoloured Sylleblossoms that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Blue, purple, white, red, yellow, almost every color and shade imaginable was growing around them. Their sweet floral scent perfumed the air. Such a place did not exist on Eos, just in the realm of the Crystal.

Noctis Lucis Caelum looked over at Somnus, seeing the Founder King raise his hands up, palms outward in a gesture of sheepishness.

"... Mine, I suppose." The the first King of Insomnia admitted softly.

"Why am I not surprised? You've become even more witless than I remember, brother. And here I thought you couldn't get any worse," Ardyn snapped, furious at what his brother had suggested. He glared at Somnus as he continued. "I once believed those scatter-brained plans throughout our childhood were the most moronic ideas you could have concocted. Like your brilliant idea on how tame Spiracorns that nearly ended up getting the both of us gored. Or that time you wished to show off and believed your newly emerging magic could thaw out an entire lake. You nearly killed yourself and spent a week in bed. Eos above, even your attempt at avoiding the fallout from your relations with the maid and both sisters ended in disaster. That scandal and your handling of it was all the people could talk about for years afterwards."

"And yes Noctis," Ardyn looked over at the Chosen. "your revered Founder King, as your younger generation might say, got around."

"Good to know." Noctis couldn't help but laugh out loud at the knowledge. He looked at Somnus at the mention of such things. The older man looked rather startled at what was being revealed and quickly waved it off with a soft blush on his cheeks. He heard him mutter a soft, I was not that bad.

Noctis decided he would try and find out more about what the Founder King had been like in his youth, especially that last incident. It seemed Ardyn might be happy to divulge the finer details of that and more. He quickly focused his attention on the brothers again as it seemed the older was not done his ranting.

"-are again suggesting a most asinine idea and expect me to follow along with it. Do I have that correct, Somnus?" The former Accursed was still furious.

"Well… Yes. I mean... You always did before." Somnus said, not really giving the finest response he was capable of. But in fairness, he was rather startled at his brother's vehement refusal. And it was true. During their childhood, Ardyn had always gone along with whatever foolish idea he thought up. Maybe it was just to make sure Somnus didn't hurt himself but the younger brother had always been grateful. Maybe he did take advantage of that a little, but it had been a way for them to spend time together.

Ardyn just looked at Somnus in bewilderment, seemingly unable to respond to his statement.

"No. No. Not anymore. That Ardyn is long gone. I thought you had outgrown such foolishness but I was clearly wrong." Ardyn finally said when he regained the ability to speak. "And now goodbye. Tell your overgrown reptile to ferry me away to whatever awaits me on the other side. I have no desire to stay here any longer. You two may do as you wish."

"Brother, please. It shall not be that bad." Somnus argued. "You will regain your memories, eventually at least. I just wish a good life for you, one where you can live freely without any burdens placed upon you. I want to see you happy after everything that has happened. Even the Chosen has forgiven and wishes this as well."

"He's right, Ardyn. Despite everything that happened between us, I think you deserve better. The Starscourge destroyed any chance at happiness for you in this life. Maybe a clean slate without the memories of guilt, pain and anger might allow you that?"

"… No," Ardyn sighed, his anger dissipating at the honesty in both of their words, "not like this. You do not understand."

"Then tell us." Noctis urged.

"You wish to erase my memories to be reborn anew? With nothing of my former self remaining? I will not allow that. I will not have any more of me be erased, even if you say it might only be temporary."

"Ardyn…" Somnus murmured softly, not knowing what to say in response. His brother had been enraged at the knowledge that almost all mention of him had been erased from history. Only in a few select places was Ardyn's name written, and those could only be accessed the the line of Lucis. The Founder realized then why his brother found what he was suggesting to be so abhorrent. It was reopening a still very painful wound.

Even Noctis was quiet, realizing the issue.

Mortals… I grow tired of this. Bahamut's voice carried across the landscape. The Astral appeared, slowly materializing in the air.

"Please Bladekeeper, give us a bit more time." Somnus bowed his head in reverence as he spoke. Maybe there was another way to go about this? Could Ardyn be happy if he was returned as he was? Or… Maybe it was just best to give up and allow things to be as they were.

Ardyn Lucis Caelum. By the request of your kin, you are offered a chance rarely given to any mortal. You refuse such a gift?

"Yes!" Ardyn shouted as loud as he could, uncaring of the proper respect he should be giving the Astral. "A thousand times, yes!"

Somnus sighed, admitting to himself that he may have been wrong. If this was what Ardyn truly wanted then he would accept it.

So be it. You shall not return of his will. Bahamut stated. The swords around him began to glow, floating away from his body.

Ardyn looked at them warily. Something seemed wrong.

You shall return of mine.

"Wait!" Somnus cried out immediately. He heard the Chosen say something as well but did not hear what it was. What on Eos was the Draconian doing? "He does not desire this!"

Bahamut said nothing in response and held out one hand towards the red-haired man. The swords, now illuminated with light all pointed themselves at their target at the gesture.

The former Accursed stepped back, his face twisted in anger. The man activated his Armiger and allowed his own weapons to circle around him. It was a pathetic attempt as he knew he would be no match for the Draconian as he was now.

As the swords shot towards Ardyn, both Somnus and Noctis reacted without thinking and warped towards him. In seconds, all three men were engulfed by the swords and the blinding light they exuded.

When the light dispersed and Ardyn could see clearly again, he found himself in the Citadel. Specifically, alone in the Crystal Chamber. The room looked like it was under repairs as the debris had been cleaned up. The Crystal was long gone. It had been taken away by the Gods and hidden now that it was no longer needed by humanity. From one of the partially repaired walls, the former Accursed could see that it was night.

The man looked over himself and realized he was still the same as he had been before his death. He wore his Chancellor's attire, thankfully with none of the tears and filth it had gained from his battle with the Chosen. He wondered why this was, as it seemed Somnus had wanted him to be reborn anew. Had something gone wrong?

"Bladekeeper!" Ardyn called out loudly in the silence. He didn't want to be back here. And what had happened to the fools that had placed themselves between him and the Draconian? He… Had not expected that. There was an odd feeling in the man's chest at their actions but he ignored it for now. "Show yourself you wretched creature!"

Two soft cries alerted Ardyn that he may not be as alone as he thought he was. He stilled recognizing the type of sounds but unbelieving that they were real. He felt dread settle inside him as he whirled around to two small, swaddled bundles on the floor. The man quickly stepped towards them and knelt down.

It couldn't be. The man thought as he gazed upon the two little infants, each bundled in white cloth and laying upon two rather plush looking pillows.

Ardyn blinked hard, hoping his eyes and ears were deceiving him. He recognized both little faces before him. The face of Somnus and even the face of the Chosen King, as they both looked similar to one another.

The former Accursed stayed still, stunned even as the infants now began to wail when they received no physical attention. The man belatedly realized he must have woken the both of them when he shouted.

"Bahamut!" Ardyn hissed, trying to keep his voice low. The damage had already been done though. The two infants were crying out for comfort of some sort and Ardyn was not in the right state of mind to offer it. He did not wish to beg the Bladekeeper for assistance but who else was he to call upon but the one who created this mess? "Fix this!"

Almost immediately, the man felt an aura around him. The Draconian's presence was palatable though he did not appear in any physical form.

Three spheres of light appeared and one floated in front of Ardyn. One coalesced into an object, which dropped to the floor. Ardyn winced, expecting a clatter but there was hardly any sound. He stared in confusion at what he saw before him.

A stuffed toy?

It was a green hued lizard. An overstuffed larger replica of a rare lizard that inhabited Lucis. Somnus tried to keep one as a pet once, Ardyn recalled. The little critter had escaped one day and his brother had been too heartbroken to get himself another.

… In a way, you could call it an overgrown lizard.

The other two lights coalesced into two ornate bottles, filled already with a white liquid.

It was then Ardyn realized then he would not be getting any help from the Bladekeeper in fixing this.

The lights and presence faded and Ardyn was left alone with his new charges.

Thanks for reading!