III. Sta Prope Me(Stand By Me)


"I do not own Final Fantasy XV, it belongs to Square Enix. All else belongs to their rightful owners."


Prologue

"When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No I won't be afraid

Oh, I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me"

-Ben E. King


[Notes]

"Normal English/English Thoughts"

"Dothraki Tongue"


[3rd Person P.O.V.]

"Today's the day, Vic." The sixteen year old sighed as she examined herself in the mirror with Crownsguard clothing on. Her clothing consisted of a dark blue v-neck with elbow-length sleeves under a black leather hoodie vest with the hoodie a black cotton material in place of the leather. On her forearms were long black fingerless gloves under black leather fingerless ones. Victoria's lower half had skinny dark blue jeans with a black belt and black leather knee-low, low-heeled lace-up boots. The Crownsguard logo of a skull was on the back of her vest and as a silver buckle for her belt. Besides that, a silver locket was around her neck with a picture of her family and hidden in her right boot was a Kingsglaive dagger with the handle hidden by a powder blue and black neckerchief tied around her right knee to hide it some more.

She only had recently trimmed her hair, making it an inch shorter with layers, bangs parted to the right and a little ways below her ears to her brows in length. Other than that, she was prepared before looking out her door to make sure no one was around before closing it. "Alright… let's check if I have them all ready." Victoria summoned Crescent Rose, being sure it was good and being careful of the amount of room she had before dismissing it and switching to Gambol Shroud, splitting the blade into the twin form and making sure the ribbon was tight and well. Then she switched to Storm Flower, it's dull-silver blades shining from the bottom of the gun before dismissing it to go to Wilt and Blush, examining the red blade before dismissing that as well.

"Looks like I'm good to go, I just can't warp remember that until after Altissia." She spoke to herself before nodding with determination at her reflection. Her phone went off with the ringtone "The Lazy Song", signalling that it was the lazy prince calling her. "Yep, Vivi here." Victoria answered it. "Where are ya? You're suppose to be here in front of the throne room." Noctis spoke, frowning a little. Victoria looked at the clock and her eyes widened. "SHIT! I'll be there just hold on!" She ended the call and tucked her phone into the inner pocket of her vest before adjusting her shoes and grabbing her back then ran for it, hurrying into the entrance of the throne room.


[My P.O.V.]

"The decreed hour has come." Regis said, voice stern with the strictness of any king but held a fatherly tone to it. Pale green eyes examined each of us before landing on those of my friend, his son, Noctis. "Set forth with my blessing, Prince Noctis."

"Thank you… Your Majesty." Noctis bowed before standing back up and looked back at his father for a few seconds before looking back down. "Take your leave, and go in the grace of the gods." Regis said in a robustly manner. "Right." The lazy Prince sighed, frowning a bit at the mention of his leave– leaving his home to be exact, the only place he knew was safe from Eos' other cruelties ranging from daemons to monsters in human form. He bowed before going pass between Gladio and Ignis. We four turned our heads to watch him leave before we each quickly bowed and followed shortly behind him.

Then as we left, a memory echoed itself in my ears.


~Flashback~

"How many must die… before you are satisfied?"

"I have seen many deaths," A voice growled. "But now I only do forward to one… And then, I can rest."

Silence.

"And it must be… Your's."

~End Flashback~


"Why must the good die?" I asked myself silently, glancing up at the Citadel and it's towering self with spotless glass reflecting the sunlight. "Because like flowers, only the best are picked." My "conscious" answered as I sighed. "Something wrong, kiddo?" Nyx poked my cheek to snap me out of it before I scowled and swatted his hand away, making him laugh a little. He had come with Drautos and Regis to greet me goodbye while the other had to say his goodbyes as well. "Stop poking me, I'm just gonna miss this place." I pouted as he continued to laugh before patting my back. "Well, don't get yourself out there killed before I do." My mentor-friend chuckled and it made me realize something- our relationship was alike to Cloud's and Zack's, irony being we matched their heights and plot wise… which I don't want to think about.

"Remember to, uh…" He tried to come up with something to motivate me, making me laugh before I pulled him into a hug. "I'll come back, Nyx, don't worry about me. You better not die or the gods will have to drag me away from Hell to bring you back from the dead and beating your ass myself." We both laughed and smiled before pulling away as he ruffled my hair. "Remember who you are," He then did the Kingsglaive salute as I did it back as we both said, "And do it for hearth and home." I teared up, being the emotional person I was before I blinked my tears away and wiped them with my forearms. "Walk with pride, little sparrow." Nyx smirked in Dothraki which I had willingly taught to those who were interested(which was half of the Glaive, few Crownsguard, and friends). "Stay alive, nightly Glaive." I responded back. And not even an hour later, we're stuck in the middle of fucking nowhere with the Regalia broke down.

"I think we can forget about hitching our way there… Thought people were friendly outside the city." Gladio grumbled, having to switch to a tank top as he and the boys(minus Ignis and I) had stopped pushing the car some time ago. My cheeks were still a pink color because goddamnit Gladio's hot and looks well in a tank top! "You can only go so far on the kindness of strangers." Ignis sighed, wrists on top of the wheel as I hung over the side of the passenger seat, dying of the heat. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to wear black when it attracts the sun and make it the main color of the uniforms and Lucis-Caelum's royal color? I wanna murder them. "Just gonna have to push her all the way." The Amicitia flexed before going around the car and throwing me over his shoulder, "And you're helping."

"I fucking hate you." I growled before throwing my vest off and into the backseat. "I've already pushed myself… To the brink of death." Prompto panted, laid out on the burning floor as he was tired out like a Chocobo chick that ran around all day but in human form. "Get up you lazy bums." I gently poked Noctis in the cheek before nudging Prompto's side. "I thought the car was suppose to move us." The blond pointed out as the two got up and we prepared ourselves to push the Regalia. "Wouldn't that be nice–"

"Can it. Ready…" Gladio shuts up Noctis. "Steady… Push!" We then began to push the car while Ignis guided it, "Stand By Me" by Florence + The Machine playing from the car radio as we pushed the car. "Unbelievable." The lazy one huffed. "Not exactly a fairy tale beginning, huh, Prince Noctis?" Gladio remarked casting a small glare at Noctis while my arms shook a little from pushing something heavy.


"When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we see"


"We let ourselves get carried away." Ignis popped in before I said, "And you yourself did it too."

"Look, these things happen!" Prompto said, trying to not let an argument break out. "Let's hope this isn't some omen!" The shield groaned and I mumbled, "That's what she said."

"Not the time!" He said, making Noctis and Prompto laugh while I heard Ignis sigh in disappointment. "Gladio, do me a favor." Noctis said as Gladio went, "What?"

"Push this thing by yourself." I laughed at Noctis' words, almost wheezing for air at the humor. These were suppose to be adults- but they're man-children. "All by myself?"


"No I won't be afraid

No I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me"


"You won't even notice if we just let go." Prompto said. "Prompto, don't even think about it." Gladio growled. "You're digging yourself a grave, you two." I huffed, blowing a piece of my hair away. "Save your breath for pushing." Ignis commented, not even bothered. "Ignis, c'mon– time to switch." Noctis tried to convince his four-eyed man. "Nuh-uh! We just switched back there!" Gladio interrupted.


"And darling, darling stand by me

Oh, now, now, stand by me

Stand by me, stand by me"


"And it's my turn, Noct." Our lovely cinnamon roll Chocobo added. "His "turn"." Ignis poked before I rolled my eyes. "Don't start this shit, Ignis."

"Language." He warned before I shouted, "Does it look like I give a damn?!"

"My hands are killing me." Noctis mumbled. "You rather I kill you with mine?" Gladio asked. "Easy there, tough guy." Prompto tried to ease the tension.


"If the sky that we look upon

Should tumble and fall

And the mountain should crumble to the sea"


"Any luck?" Noctis asked Ignis who responded with, "Only a busy signal."

"Hold the phone– is it just me, or was it suppose to be way closer?" Prompto asked. "I assure you the map is correct." Ignis answered Prompto's question. "Stop counting time and keep count of the amount of minutes you have left before I murder you with my own hands with whoever asks another "are we there yet" question!" I growled, becoming irritated about the constant questions asked. Silence then overcame us as the radio continued to play.


"I won't cry, I won't cry

No I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me"


"The world's a big old place." Noctis said to cut through the silence. "Filled with wonders." Ignis added. "Ngh, tell that to my legs." Prompto whined. "You guys even pushing?" Gladio questioned. "Hard as I can!" Prompto answered. "Prompto, you shouldn't have sai-" Noctis warned before I let out, "That's what she said!"

"SHUT UP!"


"And darling, darling stand by me"


IV: Interlude Satis Vixi