I'm back home! T_T What a day...or night. I don't even know anymore xD Aaaanyway, new chap folks! :D
Trigger warning everyone: though absolutely not explicit, in this chapter it is mentioned an episode of rape. Which is another reason why the rating has been upgraded to M. Just so you know...

Prompto thought that was the end of him this time. Verstael treated him like a prince, taking good care of his health, his training as an MT, making sure he ate, drank and slept enough.

During the following months spent at the Imperial base, his life was the same routine over and over again: wake up, eat, train, shower, sleep. Every day.

Prompto hated it. He hated how he couldn't refrain his body from following Verstael's commands in the training room, where he was forced to fight against other MTs. His training was a tough one, often fighting alone against hordes of enemies. But fighting alongside Noctis and the others had made him stronger than ever, and he always managed to complete his training sessions with only superficial wounds.

Verstael would smile proudly at him as he patted his shoulder as he always did when he was satisfied, before allowing him to rest.

"You will soon be ready to take over Insomnia, Damian" he always told him. Prompto wouldn't answer anything.

When he was alone in his room, lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling, he often tried to gain control over his body again. Why was it so difficult to make for the exit door and leave that infernal place behind? No one ever guarded the door, no one ever guarded him. And yet, despite the commands given to his body, this would refuse to move unless specifically ordered by Verstael.

That evening, after his usual training session, Prompto promised himself that he would take control over his body again, one way or another.

And so, once back in his room, as he kept his eyes fixed on the ceiling, the blonde focused as hard as he could. He stood up and walked towards the door. It took him a lot of effort but he did it. He then opened it. So far so good. He glanced to the left and to the right in the dark hallway, making sure no one was coming, before continuing to the exit doors in front of him. He stopped in front of it, staring at the handle. A simple, normal handle. No card reader. No alarm. Nothing. It almost felt like the door itself was nothing but a way to test the MTs, to see if they still possessed some will. Prompto swallowed hard and told himself he had plenty. Focusing on Iris's face as well as those of his three best friends, he placed one hand on the handle. He was sweating cold, his hand shaking. Prompto tried as hard as he could to turn the handle, which should have been a simple operation that he had repeated so many times before. And yet, in that moment, it felt like the most difficult thing he'd ever done. He gritted his teeth as he squeezed the handle tighter, but unable to actually turn it.

Prompto dropped his shaking hand and kicked the door with all the strength he got in his right leg, only to end up feeling a sharp pain shooting through his foot.

"Goddammit!" he cried out, punching the wall beside the door "What the hell happened to me?"

"It is quite simple, actually".

Prompto turned to look at Verstael, who seemed to have been watching his struggle all along. He was standing in the dark hallway, his arms behind his back and a smile on his face.

"You see, all I needed to do was injecting Daemon essence into the arm where your barcode was printed. The contact triggers a chemical reaction which alters your genetic code. And now you're an MT obediently following my orders, though with still some residual will. That, however, I expected, what with you being a fully-grown specimen and not an infant. But don't you worry, my child, for that will soon be gone too. You will become an empty shell at my mercy" Verstael spoke softly, almost kindly as Prompto learned the horrible truth. The blonde felt a shiver run down his spine as he heard the other man speak of all the people he had turned into MTs as specimens, as if they weren't human at all...

"I won't become one of those things" he retorted defiantly.

"Oh but you will. And I'll tell you more: you will erase your dear King Noctis, your friends, your family as well as your pathetic girlfriend from your mind once and for all when the conversion process is complete" Verstael gave him a wide smile.

Prompto laughed bitterly at the man's words, causing him to raise an eyebrow questioningly.

"And you call yourself my father. Is this the great plan you had in mind for your dear son?" Prompto asked him angrily.

"Damian, m'boy. You must understand that I have created you for a reason, and that is to help me rule over Eos. I certainly didn't become a father simply because I wished so. Quite the contrary, actually. After all, I've never really been the affectionate type of person, or I wouldn't have turned your mother into a Daemon for an experiment".

Prompto was so shocked at this revelation that he actually gasped, staring at the man wide-eyed.

"M-my mother?" he asked.

"Yes, your poor mother was a young, pretty girl from the countryside outside Gralea. Her only mistake was trusting me. Her parents were both ill and could therefore no longer work to earn any money, so I promised her I could offer her a job here in Gralea. She followed me like a lost puppy, and I… well, let's just say I took advantage of her stupidity and innocence. However, she did make me very happy when I discovered she was with child: my son, the key to conquering Insomnia" Verstael took a pause to glance at Prompto before continuing "You look a lot like her. You've got her eyes, the same fair skin, even the freckles on your face remind me of her".

"You're one hell of a bastard, you know that?" Prompto hadn't even realized he was shaking uncontrollably with anger until he started speaking. Verstael's tale was absolutely terrifying, especially considering the calm tone he was using.

"Now, Damian. What would your mother say if she heard you use such terrible words? Of course, she can't really say anything anymore, but still…" Verstael said in a mocking tone, pretending to be offended.

Prompto had had enough: he shot forward, determined to tear the man apart piece by piece with his bare hands.

"Stay right where you are" the white-haired man ordered calmly, without even taking a step back.

Prompto froze in his tracks. What the hell was he doing? This was his chance to get his revenge and head back home! Instead, his body came to a halt...

"Good boy" Verstael smiled paternally "Now, since you're such an obedient child, I have decided to reward you by taking you back to Insomnia tomorrow".

Prompto stiffened up as he listened. He doubted he was going to like the rest of what Verstael was about to say.

"You will be able to see your friend Noctis, your adoptive family, your friends and that pretty Iris girl. Aren't I an attentive father? Because I do care about you, Damian dear" Verstael continued with a sly smirk "So go to bed, son. We're leaving early, and you will need all the sleep you can get".

Verstael waved a hand dismissively at him, watching him turn around and head back to his room.

Prompto had been ordered to wear a special Imperial uniform made just for him. He thought it didn't look too different from the Kingsglaive one, but this one was longer and a dark grey color with the red Imperial symbols sewn on the hems of his coat. Verstael had also given him his brand new weapon, a semi-automatic rifle with laser red dot.

Verstael smiled at him before guiding him to a large, flying ship.

"After you, son" he said, signaling him to get on board first. Prompto stepped onto the ramp and climbed up until he reached the interior of the ship. Verstael joined shortly after, taking a seat beside him.

In a matter of seconds, the huge metal door closed and the ship was ready to start its course towards Insomnia.

"And now, Damian" Verstael said soothingly "I want you to do something for me".

Prompto had been waiting for this. He knew their little trip to Insomnia couldn't be a peaceful one, just for the blonde to be reunited with his friends. Of course Verstael had something in mind.

"Once we arrive in Insomnia and you'll be met with your dear friends, I want you to give them a message. Tell them your real name, that you've been secretly conspiring against King Noctis with the Empire, planned the attack on the city before mercilessly slaughtering your own soldiers and returning home to Gralea. Then, I want you to declare an official attack on the Crown City. Start a battle, I want you to strike with all your might; I want you to keep fighting alongside the troops I will be sending even if you're injured or on the brink of death. For today, you'll all die for a greater cause: earning your father the throne".

Prompto listened in horror as Verstael told him what to do, and was forced to listen to his own voice repeating the terrible words spoken by his biological father. How ironic to think that his so-called father would gladly sacrifice his own son to become the undisputed ruler.

"Make me proud, son. I know you won't let me down" Verstael put one hand on Prompto's shoulder and gave him a paternal smile. Prompto shivered as he tried as hard as he could to focus on gaining control of his own body and his own actions. He couldn't betray Noctis and the others. He couldn't let Verstael take over the throne.

His heart started hammering when an MT official announced they had started their descent towards Insomnia. Without the Crystal to protect the city, Noctis couldn't deny their landing within his territory.

The door opened when they were a few hundreds feet above the city as they descended slowly to a wide opening just outside Insomnia. Prompto watched in silence as they approached their destination, which was becoming more and more detailed the more they descended. He could discern the contours of the smaller houses, the different shops and restaurants, the park where he always used to stop by to take pictures, his elementary school…

In other circumstances, he would have loved to take a shot of the city from that height. Gods, how long had it been since he had even touched his camera? It felt like forever ago now.

They finally landed just outside the city gates and Prompto could hear the city sirens to alert the citizens to run to their assigned shelters.

"Go, Damian" Verstael smiled at him "Fight valiantly until the King has fallen".

Prompto sent him a look of pure hatred as he turned around and marched towards the city gates. He stopped to turn around when he heard the sound of the ship which had carried him there turn its engine on and hover over him, before disappearing into the clouds. He was alone for now, until more ships came on the rescue.

Prompto chuckled bitterly as he finally understood what Verstael's plan had really been all along: Prompto would be dropped off by the city entrance, luring Noctis and the others to believe he had been freed by the Empire, letting him in. At that point, Prompto would have gained access to the city, allowing the Imperial attack on it while the others were distracted. Freaking awesome.

"Identify yourself!" a guard from the other side of the robust gates ordered. Prompto remained silent, even if his brain was screaming for him to fight against the spell that had trapped him, to break free and run to tell Noctis what was about to happen.

"Outta the way! Prompto!"

Prompto's heart ached as he heard Gladio's voice and then the sound of more voices.

"Wait, it might be a trap!"

"I don't care, Cor! Let him in!"

Prompto swallowed nervously as he heard the sound of the gates being unlocked. He immediately recognized the worried faces of all his friends: Noctis, standing in the middle, Gladio on his left side, Ignis on the right and Cor right behind the King. Cor looked livid.

"Prompto!" Noctis cried as he ran towards his friend and did something he had never done before: he hugged him.

"Noct…" Ignis said. Prompto didn't miss the alarm in his voice.

"Your Highness, you might wanna take a better look at your 'friend'" Cor warned with a look of disdain on his face.

Noctis stepped back and stared at Prompto's impassive face, then at the garbs he was wearing. Prompto's heart broke when he saw the look of hurt and betrayal on his best friend's face. Even though he couldn't fight the words he was about to say, he still wished he could somehow convey his real emotions through his body language. But that seemed to be failing him too.

"Prom…?" Noctis asked tentatively. He looked terrified. Just as Prompto thought things couldn't get any worse, Iris made her entrance, running towards the rest of the group.

"What's going on? I got your message, Gladdy and…" she stopped abruptly when she locked eyes with Prompto. She almost dropped her jaws when she noticed his outfit.

"My name" Prompto heard the words escaping his mouth uncontrollably, frowning at how void and emotionless they sounded "is Damian Xanthus Besithia, son of Verstael Besithia of Gralea, and Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army. My father and I have plotted an attack on the city of Insomnia, and got rid of some of your Crownsguards in between".

"What the hell are you talking about, Prompto?" Noctis whispered wide-eyed. He was absolutely shocked at his best friend's words. Prompto swallowed once more when he quickly scanned the others' faces: Cor was looking at him with pure hatred but didn't seem too surprised, Ignis and Gladio were just as shocked as Noctis. But what really destroyed him was locking eyes with Iris: he had expected shock, hurt, horror, but nothing could prepare him for what he actually read on her face: betrayal. Hate. Disgust.

Prompto could hear the sound of more approaching airships and understood that it was time. He grabbed his rifle and pointed it against his best friend. "This is your downfall, Noctis Lucis Caelum".

All happened incredibly quickly: Prompto pulled the trigger; Gladio jumped in front of a paralyzed Noctis; Ignis, Cor and Iris summoned their own weapons; the Crownsguard army was marching towards the city gates, and the Imperial ships landed behind him to reveal hundreds of MTs.

To Prompto's relief, Gladio had conjured his massive shield just in time to block his bullets, protecting both himself and the King. He watched as the muscular Kingsglaive dragged Noctis away from danger, as Cor and the others led the Crownsguards into battle.

Prompto was immediately faced with Cor the Immortal himself, who was swinging his long katana at him, his fighting skills deadly as ever despite his age, and clearly intentioned to kill him. Prompto was fast and agile, however, and managed to dodge his attacks just as the MTs and the Crownsguards clashed in the middle of the battlefield.

Prompto lost sight of his opponent as he advanced in the crowd to locate Noctis. His heart was bleeding at the thought of what he had just done, as well as knowing that he didn't possess enough strength to break the spell his own father had used on him. He loathed himself for being so weak, and genuinely hoped Cor would find him and put an end to his miserable life once and for all.

He finally saw the familiar spiky, dark hair that belonged to Noctis and ran forward to reach him.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Prompto's head shot to the left and met Iris's hazel eyes, so unnaturally filled with hate and disdain.

They briefly stared at each other before the girl aimed her bow at him and shot an arrow. Prompto swiftly dodged it and lifted his rifle.

His brain was screaming desperately to lower the weapon immediately, that he had caused enough damage already and Prompto found himself fighting against his mind and his body at the same time. His fingers were automatically tightening around the trigger, ready to squeeze it as every single brain cell was trying to force-stop his hand from doing the irreparable, as the memory of them two training together in Altissia all those years ago when Iris had gotten her bow, Prompto was positively shocked when he realized he had managed to refrain himself from pulling the trigger, but his hesitation cost him. Iris had wasted no time and took advantage of his moment of distraction as she shot an arrow at him, piercing his right shoulder. Pain shot through his arm as he cried out and wrapped a hand around the metal object. He wheezed as he extracted the arrow from his flesh, as blood streamed down under his sleeve. Prompto's new instincts ordered him to shoot the girl in front of him, but he refused to obey, focusing solely on the pain. He realized that doing so helped him ignore the commands being shouted at him by an invisible voice.

"Fight back, you bastard!" Iris yelled at him, striding towards him and slapping him hard in the face. And again. And again. Prompto felt a stinging pain in his cheek now, but still wouldn't comply. He was too busy staring at Iris, as tears escaped her eyes and wet her cheeks. She kept hitting him, though weaker and weaker, until she dropped her fists and buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

Prompto had forgotten the pain he felt in his shoulder, pushed away the angry orders his body was shouting at him and wrapped his good arm around the girl's shoulders as his hand rested on the back of her head, almost as if shielding her from the roaring battle being fought all around them.

"I'm sorry" he whispered in her ear "I'm sorry..."

It was overwhelming and exceptional to think that tiny girl had the power to suppress his new killing instincts.

"Get your hands off her, you son of a bitch!"

Prompto barely had time to register the words being yelled at him, as he saw Gladio's tall figure charging at him. He was forced to let go of the girl to dodge the attack, but stumbled upon a fallen soldier and found himself lying on the ground.

"You're dead meat!" Gladio cried out as he lifted his greatsword to strike.

"No, Gladio!" Iris screamed, as Prompto aimed his rifle at the man towering over him. The blonde was much faster as he pulled the trigger and heard the unmistakable sound of bullets penetrating flesh.

Gladio grunted as he stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, motionless.

Prompto was staring in horror at Gladio's limp figure, before glancing at Iris. The girl's face was an emotionless mask as she stared back at him.

It felt almost comical to be sitting on the floor, waiting for a reaction from her as machines and humans fought all around them.

"Damian!"

Prompto snapped his head to his left to look at Verstael approaching him, escorted by a whole troop of MTs.

"What're you doing? Get up and kill the King!" he ordered fiercely. Prompto felt his legs standing up automatically and his eyes went to scan the battlefield, searching for Noctis.

When he had located him, bravely fighting alongside Ignis and Cor, he began stepping forward but a grunt made him freeze. Gladio was slowly moving from where he had fallen.

"Damn you, Prompto!" the large man mumbled, wincing in pain as he wrapped one arm around his abdomen. Prompto frowned as he wondered how the heck he had managed to survive, but he couldn't deny he was extremely relieved to see his friend was alive. Iris immediately shot forward to kneel beside her brother, checking if he needed assistance.

"It's ok, Ir" Gladio muttered "Thank the Six we have our bulletproof vests".

"Damian! Get a move!" Verstael yelled at the blonde, who jerked slightly. His body was moving on its own accord, but his brain kept asking "why?" and Prompto realized that he didn't know. He didn't know why he was supposed to follow that stupid order; it didn't make sense because he didn't want to get a damn move. He wanted to stay right where he was, with Gladio and Iris, and fight by their side, not against them.

"No" Prompto said simply, turning to face the white-haired man.

"What?" he asked, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"My name" Prompto continued calmly "is Prompto Argentum, citizen of Insomnia and faithful servant of the one and only King of Light. And you are nothing but scum".

Verstael stared in shock at his rebelling son, before wearing a calm yet murderous expression.

"Very well" he stated "I guess my little experiment wasn't that successful after all. You leave me no choice, Damian".

Verstael snapped his fingers as the entire troop aimed their rifles at him. Prompto knew that was the end of it all, that he would die. But he was happy, for he would die a Lucian and a free man.

He stared right ahead of him, without ever blinking as he faced his own demise. He watched as the MTs pulled the triggers and, almost as if in slow-motion, the bullets traveling towards him.

DUN DUN DUUUUN! D:

Btw! I made a drawing of Prompto wearing the Imperial garbs :D I'm no professional artist or anything, quite the contrary. But it would mean the world to me if you checked it out: you can find the link in my profile! Just please, let me know if you can see the link, as FF is trying its best to remove it x)

Next Chapter: a shorter chapter, where Prompto receives help from an unexpected ally, and the fight between Insomnia and the Empire continues...