Hello all! Here we are with the next chapter! I'm so sorry for the long wait... I don't have a reason for why it was so late, but I'm glad for those who stuck around.

I hope you all enjoy!

I own nothing more than the plot.


Trusting You

Chapter 2: Vision

The next morning, all four awoke in their usual manner- Ignis being the first to arise, followed by Gladio. Prompto sat up slowly, wondering what kind of adventures they were having and when they were to eat, and Noctis... well, being him, needed the most assistance in waking up. His eyes were barely cracked open when Ignis made mention of breakfast before more pressing matters arose.

"About that gentleman we met yesterday... Ardyn, he said his name was?" the chef asked as he paused in the process of making something with batter and eggs. Gladio was up and moving, collecting their belongings to load in the Regalia, and paused at the odd ending of sentence his friend left.

"What about him?"

Ignis adjusted his glasses and continued making what he was making, not sure how to phrase it. Noctis, who'd finally decided to join the world of the living, rubbed his eyes and simply said, "I say we ditch him."

Gladio shook his head as he went to pack their camping gear in the trunk. Ignis chuckled lightly and put some batter into the pan he had ready for pancakes. "It isn't that easy, Noct. We still do not know who he is, nor what his intentions are."

"Clearly, it can't be anything good, right? I'm getting some seriously bad vibes from that creep..." Noct grumbled as he rubbed his temples. Those nightmarish- vision... whatever he had last night were killing him. Ignis, who had been stirring something in a saucepan, noted from the corner of his eye the uncomfortable state Noct seemed to be in and spoke up.

"Gladio, could you fetch Noct a few painkillers?"

"For what?" Then Gladio stole a look at their king, realized what Ignis meant, and went to hunt them down. Prompto was sitting next to Noct at the breakfast bar, one hand propped in his hand as he watched Ignis gliding about in the kitchen.

"He IS a creep... and what do you think he was doing, telling us all that weird future stuff?" he asked. Ignis looked at Prompto as the words Ardyn spoke eventually came back to his memory and sighed.

"I am not sure, Prompto. But he knows something, and as much as I hate to admit it..."

Whatever was in the pan was finished and Ignis turned the flame off, moving the pan so he could start on what Prompto assumed were pancakes, Ignis-style. He felt a sickening feeling in the pit of his gut as he clearly saw what was about to be spoken.

"...we have to travel with that nutjob until we know what's gonna happen with Noct."

Ignis nodded before turning his attention to his stove. Gladio returned with the painkillers and gave them to Noct. Prompto didn't like where any of this was going, and wondered why he kept having a feeling something really, really bad was about to happen. He rested his head on the breakfast bar countertop, letting out a small sigh.

"I know we have to... but something about him is... just plain weird, you know? Anyways, let's focus on helping Noct. That's what's important, right?"

Gladio eyed the nervous blond from where he stood closest the door, a bit suspicious about his behavior. 'Yeah... but what's the big deal about Ardyn that YOU'RE freaking out so bad?'


"Alright, so here is how we shall play this out."

The foursome were standing with Ardyn near their parked vehicles. Prompto was standing close to Gladio and Ignis, both of whom were beyond pissed that this man was still talking, and Gladio and Noct making it clear they could care less what he had to say.

"Enough with the talking already! Can we just drive?" Noct was still pissed that somehow, he'd been roped into driving early in the morning, and had to wonder if this... whoever he was knew that he wasn't one for driving if he could help it- why did he think Ignis was their main driver? But he had brought up a good point- Ignis was ALWAYS driving and he needed a break.

Noct realized he really hated getting guilt tripped like that. Especially from a stranger like him.

Noct headed for his Regalia, and Ardyn looked at his retreating figure in amusement before chuckling. "Well, someone's seems rather cranky this morning!" he exclaimed in that honeyed voice that was making Prompto sick.

"Trust me when I say he's not the only one." Gladio commented angrily, pushing past Ardyn to get to the Regalia as well. Prompto and Ignis followed suit, Prompto feeling just off... what was it about that guy that had him on edge?

'Noct's really pissed off... but I know it's not intentional or anything. That Ardyn dude is really pushing everyone's buttons, even Iggy, and that's saying a lot...' he thought as he sat down in his usual spot in the car. As he watched Noct start the car, he did realize even for them all being annoyed, it seemed a bit... tense. Too tense.

'I don't get what happening, but maybe once we get the hunt info, and get on the road, everyone's minds will clear out and we will be fine. Because THIS...' Prompto sank back into his seat and stared off at the landscape, the beautiful scenery not having any effect on the worries weighing down his mind.

'... isn't working for any of us. He's just... I dunno. Weird.'

After entering the Regalia, Ardyn decided right then and now was a great time to list his... rules.

"This is not a race, it is a chase. You are not to pass me. Lost sight of me, and you will lose your way." Ardyn turned on the ignation before he tossed one more rule in.

"And no tailgating. An accident would spoil the trip."

Noctis cut his eyes at the man, who was smiling as he was rather amused with an annoyed Noctis. "ALRIGHT! Let's just go already!"

Chuckling, Ardyn pulled off, and Noct shortly afterwards, making sure to keep his distance enough for Ardyn to lead them to their destination, and not drive too fast... although the idea of ramming the back of his car was so tempting...

"Noct, do not even think about it. Otherwise YOU will have to pay for the damages the Regalia will most certainly incur." Ignis piped up from the back, having sensed his king's anger and knowing what he had planned to do.

Noct simply rolled his eyes and drove. 'Damn you, Ignis... how did you know?'


The drive seemed to go on forever and ever... at least, to the blond who couldn't stand the silence. Everyone was so tense, no one felt like talking or anything. Even Prompto lost his interest in taking some scenic photos, and Noctis was tense from having to drive and dealing with a headache... yeah, Prompto told himself, this was one drive he wouldn't be keeping in his memory banks.

"Hey, Prom. Turn the radio on, will ya? Sick of the silence." Gladio asked from behind. His nose was still buried in a Japanese mystery- thriller book (from what Prompto was told once), and he hadn't looked up since they got in the car.

Prompto reached out and switched the knob to some random jazz music, not exactly sure what he was doing. He was still feeling very bothered by Arydn. His whole presence still disturbed him, and he felt something was... wrong. But it frustrated him that he had no idea what that sick feeling was. It was embedded in him, and he wished he could talk to his friends.

"You know something..." Gladio once again spoke up. Ignis looked at him.

"This is way too convenient for my liking. I don't like it... and I certainly do NOT trust him." Gladio's eyes narrowed as he considered this possibility strongly. Prompto, having now realized that he never thought about it until now, wondered...

"First Galdin, and then Lestallum... you don't think he could be...?"

"Following us? I wouldn't put it past him."

Ignis was growing worried now. He didn't like the mysterious shroud that seemed to cover the man they had no choice but to entrust their plans to locate Titan. "But to what end? What could he possibly get from offering his assistance?"

Prompto was secretly glad on the inside- they could feel it too! Iggy and Gladio could sense something was off with him too! Then Iggy said something that made him wonder about Ardyn...

"While I am concerned about is his origin. Who he truly is." Iggy sounded uncertain, something that didn't happen very often. Prompto didn't like that at all.

"He says he's from the empire? I find that hard to believe..." he mused, wishing he wasn't putting so much effort into this. Ardyn was bad news, plain and simple!

"As do I... but I find it ever harder to believe he is a Lucian." Iggy said, tapping his chin. "I'd sooner not rely on him."

Gladio looked at Noctis, who had been angry seething this entire time. "What's His Highness' opinion of Ardyn?" he asked, trying to keep a straight face. Noctis shrugged.

"A creepy old, annoying dude to me. Hate this guy..." He hissed between his teeth, accelerating just a bit more, inching closer to Ardyn's car. Prompto chuckled; he knew Noctis was a bit scary sometimes when he was mad, but this was just amusing.

Gladio growled as the man made a left turn, and Noct just barely managed to follow suit. "You definitely hit the head on the nail right there, man. But... he might be our only way to the Disc of Cauthess. Which means..."

"We 'watch our backs' the whole way? Yeah, cause I don't like this guy..." Gladio finished. Prompto repeated the plan from earlier in his head, allowing it to calm his steadily growing nerves.

'Watch our backs... watch our backs...'

So concerned was he about Ardyn, he failed to notice Gladio's eyes boring into the back of his head. Gladio was starting to get the feeling Prompto knew more about this 'Ardyn' than he was letting on. It was strange that he was the only one who was getting 'bad vibes' from him, and it was to the point that he would physically cringe whenever he was around.

'Something ain't right with you, kid. And I intend to find out what.'

As for the blond photographer, he was lost in his own thoughts once conversation stopped. Perhaps, once they were away from the nutcase, the feeling would go away. It just felt really... strange. Prompto clung onto that hope as they continued to follow Ardyn to the Disc of Cauthess. Noct needed to ask Titan for his help, they had a wedding to get to, and they had a war to prevent.

Yeah, there were WAY more important things to do. But it still just felt wrong. Knowing what he now knew, Prompto decided that the best course of action was just to ignore him. It was Noctis he seemed to be interested in, perhaps since they were both Lucians? He didn't really get it, but protecting his king and best friend was all he cared about and all he planned to do.

'Ardyn... I may not know you but whatever you're planning... you will NOT hurt my friends. I can promise you'll live to regret it.' he thought to himself. Soon, he settled in his seat and simply listened to the music- and Noctis' occasional swearing and Gladio's chuckling as Ardyn kept making sudden stops.

Prompto sank further into his seat and stared outside. Just a few more hours, hopefully... he could certainly make that, right?


"Noct... how are your headaches?" Ignis asked about an hour into the drive. Noctis had finally calmed down, although he still hated the golden-eyed man's guts for all this.

"Uh, they're fine for now. But they come without warning." he answered truthfully. Prompto looked at him, worried.

"Please stop if you need to, alright?" he begged, staring at him as if he'd have one right on the spot. Gladio and Iggy agreed.

"Yeah. Wouldn't want you to have one behind the wheel."

Noctis sighed. "Thaaaaaanks for the vote of confidence, Gladio."

Gladio laughed. It fell quiet again. And then:

"So any havens around here?"

Prompto wondered if Gladio was trying to do something with all the random questions, but at the moment, he wanted to address the damn haven issue- no way on earth was he sleeping in his uncomfortable bag again!

"Someone was to sleep outside! Annnnnd someone else wants to sleep in a PROPER BED!"

Gladio leaned forward and slugged Prompto in his shoulder. "Nice firm ground is good for your back... plus there's so much space for training. Astral knows you need it, skinny legs."

Prompto rolled his eyes and rubbed his sore arm. "Whatever. Can't you at least sleep in a caravan? I don't understand why you like camping so much..."

Gladio sat back and crossed his arms. "Sleeping under the stars, at one with nature... you tell me, what's not to like? Besides, there's no rules and most importantly, no checkout time."

Finally, they foursome reached a caravan destination. Prompto figured it was like a checkpoint and his spirits went up. They were close at last!

His happiness soon turned into confusion when, for some reason, Ardyn had pulled into the parking space of said caravan. Prompto looked around and located a sign- Coernix Station, This wasn't their destination... was it?

As Ignis exited the car, he looked at Noctis, whose eyes quickly lit up at the sound of 'extra sleep'. "I daresay you had Noctis at 'no checkout time'." he chuckled. Noctis got out of the car, stretched and nodded.

"You know me... I'm all for extra sleep." Noctis chuckled as he stretched. Thank goodness he was out of that car!

Prompto simply grunted. He hated camping... a lot. But the better question- why were they at a caravan? Didn't they have some more travelling to do?

"Uhhh... Iggy? This isn't where the disc is, right? Soooo... what's the deal?"

Ardyn, right on cue, answered with pretty much the same answer as the previous night- he was tired and once again offered to foot the bill. He did reassure the team that they were close to the disc, and that by morning, they would arrive.

"Are you serious?" Gladio and Noct asked at the same time. Noct felt a vein throbbing behind his eye. He did NOT spend the past two days driving just to entertain this guy... no he did not just do this!

"Why, yes. It appears we can all use a bit of a breather." Ardyn answered, almost smugly. He turned and headed towards the caravan's owner to pay the bill. Gladio cracked his knuckles, really tempted to knock him out, but was stopped by Ignis.

"Gladio. As much as the... concept of hitting him would do us all a great service, we cannot harm him. He is still our only chance for us to get to the Disc, remember?" Ignis didn't trust Ardyn no farther than Gladio could knock him back, but he knew that they had no choice... for now.

Noct sighed heavily. He smelled, his clothes were sticky, his head was beginning to hurt, and frankly, whatever they decided to do in regards of that bastard was not something he cared about.

"Let's just hit the hay already. I need a shower."

The other three reluctantly agreed, and approached Ardyn, who had finished paying the bill and gestured to the three caravans he'd rented for them for the night.

"I presume you boys would rather be amongst yourselves, correct? I shall stay alone in this caravan here." He headed toward the third caravan, furthest to the right. Waving his hand, he called, "Goodnight, boys! See you tomorrow for the rest of the trip!"

Prompto let out a small sigh of relief. He really couldn't stand the guy, and it seemed like everything was falling into place. It didn't seem like they had such a far trip to go, and he only had to deal with Ardyn for a few more hours. The strange feeling about him was FINALLY going away.


'I hate this man! Can we PLEASE have a little 'us' time?' Prompto thought angrily.

That night, after Ignis finished cooking dinner, Noctis finally took a shower and Gladio and Prompto were in the middle of a game of King's Knight, Ardyn approached them, looking as if he wanted to see what they were doing. He seemed particularly interested in the mobile game Gladio was very much intently trying to complete.

"What do you want." Gladio asked without looking up. Ardyn clasped his hands behind his back, smiling innocently. Prompto eyed him from where he sat, putting his phone down. Now, he felt funny.

"Nothing, dear boy. Just intrigued by how you guys pass time these days."

Prompto nodded slowly, putting his phone in his pocket. He lost interest in playing his favorite game, and decided to head in early. "Guys, I think I'm gonna turn in a bit early. I'll see ya."

Without another word, Prompto headed into the caravan he was to share with Noctis. Said king looked at the gunner's retreating form, a bit baffled. Since Ardyn began travelling with them, he'd noticed something a bit off about his best friend but wasn't sure on how to approach the topic.

"I'll be right back. Gonna go talk to the moping chocobo boy."

Noct excused himself and headed for the caravan. There, he found Prompto sitting on the bed, looking a bit upset. Noct sat next to him.

"Talk. Something's been bugging you?" Noct asked bluntly. Prompto looked at him.

"You... no. Never mind." He laughed humorlessly. "Probably wouldn't even believe me."

Prompto flopped down on the bed, his arm covering his eyes. He let out a groan. "Why meeee..."

Noct rolled his eyes and propped his feet up, using his best friend's lap as his leg resting spot. "So we're gonna be up all night. Not my idea of fun, but oh well. You're gonna tell me what's your deal or not?"

Prompto looked away. How exactly was he supposed to explain what he'd been experiencing the last few days? It wasn't like Noctis and his visionary headaches- it was just... a really bad feeling he couldn't shake off.

"Noct...? Can I ask you something? And promise you won't laugh."

"Alright. Shoot."

Prompto sighed. Here goes nothing... "You ever... get a bad feeling about something? And you can't shake it off, no matter what you try to do?"

Noct hummed in thought of the question, tapping his chin. "A bad feeling, huh... what, like nervousness?"

"No, more like... like someone's just... I dunno. Wrong. Evil."

Just like that, Noct put two and two together, and took his legs off Prompto's lap, sitting up, more alert. "This is about that Ardyn dude, isn't it."

Prompt chuckled. "Was it that obvious?"

Before Noct had a chance to answer that question, he suddenly grabbed at his skull, letting out a yell of pain as one of his headaches assaulted him. Prompto was shocked out of his relaxed state, and went to help his friend, who was kneeling on the ground as he tried to get the pain to stop.

Prompto placed his hand on his shoulder- and he was soon seeing a vision of himself attacking Ignis in a vicious manner. Or was he send Ignis to his death? Why was there so much blood? Better yet, why was he hurting Ignis? What happened to him?

Another flash, and an angry Gladio was storming towards him. Noctis was huddling their chef, and Ignis looked... afraid. Of him?

'I-Is this a dream? What's happening? What's wrong with Iggy?'

Prompto struggled to reach out to them, to find out what was happened, but all he could see... was a black, clawed arm. That was his arm? Was he a... no! NO!

"Prompto! PROMPTO!"

He snapped out of it. Gladio and Ignis were surrounding the younger two, Noctis having recovered mostly from his vision. They had been in the process of snapping Prompto out of whatever he was dealing with, and it seemed like he was having a fight with himself.

"Dude... what WAS that?" Noct asked in awe. Prompto blinked in confusion. "Wha- what just happened?" he asked, gripping his head. What WAS that?

Gladio stared at him. "Uhh, one second I hear Your Highness's screaming, the next you're yelling at someone about saving Ignis! What's going on, Prompto?"

The blond didn't like all the attention on him. He shrank back against the bed, very confused as to what he just went through. Ignis approached him and checked his forehead.

"Do you feel strange? Are you in any pain? Did something poison you last time we had a hunt?" Ignis was in doctor mode, and Prompto normally wouldn't complain any other day, but tonight...

"I'm okay... I don't know. Noct was having a headache and I was trying to talk to him and then..." He shuddered as the...vision, he presumed it was called, came back full force. It was horrifying... and it was beginning to make him sick.

"I don't know. I guess I must've ate something that actually didn't agree with me for once!" He tried to laugh it off, hoping his friends would drop the subject. "Guess I better lay off all the meat, huh Iggy." The last part felt forced, and Prompto knew no one was falling for his act.

Noct was still concerned, as was Ignis. Just then, Ardyn poked his head in the door, having noticed the group missing. Prompto's stomach dropped like a stone, and he leaned forward, groaning in pain. Ardyn's eyes lit up and a sick smile slowly spread across his face as he snapped his fingers behind his back. He then acted like his normal self as he stepped in the entrance.

"Is everyone alright?"

'Go away... please go away... it's you that's doing this, I know it!'

Noct, luckily, knew why Prompto was curling in on himself, and said rather coldly, "We're fine. We just need a bit of space, if you don't mind?"

Ardyn just shrugged and with a slight flourish, turned and saw himself out. Prompto took deep breaths, trying to calm himself down, and tugged on Noct's hand.

"Thanks." he said softly.

Ignis still wasn't pleased with how Prompto was fairing, and came to a decision. "Alright. I shall sleep in here with Prompto tonight, and Gladio, you shall stay with Noct." He announced. Noct and Gladio looked at Ignis as if he were crazy.

"You mean I have to share a bed with him?!" they exclaimed, pointing at one another. Ignis helped Prompto to the bed and glared at the two.

"You two... " Ignis rubbed his temple in slight frustration. "You two act more like children then men. Yes, you will be sharing a caravan. I cannot leave Prompto in this state, and I refuse to leave him in either of your care. So you will go to the caravan and work out whatever issues you have. Do I make myself clear?" Ignis' tone of voice left no room for arguing.

Noct and Gladio sulked, but did as they were told. Both men glanced at Prompto, who was sitting up in the bed, and dazed out of his mind. Noct knew now that something about Ardyn was bothering him, but he needed more information. He needed something else to go off.

"Guess I'll talk to him in the morning then." Noct mentioned as he and Gladio walked to their caravan. He opened the door and stepped inside, Gladio following suit.

Gladio looked up. "What? Who are you talking to?"

Noct looked like he'd been thinking hard- something Gladio never thought was possible. Throwing his things on the bed, he sat down and crossed his legs in his typical fashion. "What's on your mind?"

"Prompto was telling me something about Ardyn..."

Gladio scoffed and waved him off before he could finish. "Yeah, that we can't trust the guy. I think we all knew that. But now that you mention it... have you noticed how he's been acting?"

"Not until tonight. And he refuses to tell me anything more about it. Maybe he's just freaking out because of that guy."

"Or he's just being an overdramatic drama queen. You know Prompto tends to exaggerate stories sometimes."

Noct wanted to deny that, but unfortunately, he knew Gladio had a point. Prompto did like to add sprinkles to his stories... a lot. But something just didn't feel right about how he'd been acting tonight...

"Trust me, Noct. Maybe your visions of Titan are rubbing off on him. Didn't believe it was possible, but you are definitely one of a kind." Gladio said with a yawn, kicking off his boots. Noct followed suit, and removed everything else except his shirt and boxers.

"Yeah. That's true." Noct stretched out on the bed. "Still can't believe I have to share a bed with YOU, though."

Gladio shoved Noct rather hard against the wall and got comfortable himself, laughing as his king gave him a look. "Listen, I ain't too keen on the idea either. But if anyone can get that stubborn kid to talk, it's definitely Iggy. So close your eyes and keep your feet to yourself or we're gonna have some issues, got it?"


"Prompto. Care to talk now?"

Ignis was sitting on the edge of the bed, his legs crossed and his poise elegant as always. Prompto always felt comfortable telling Ignis anything... well, personal, but this time...

"I... I really don't know what happened back there, Iggy. I mean, Noct and me were talking and then his headache came on and I tried to stop it and..."

"Breathe, Prompto. Breathe."

Prompto took in a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. "Honestly, that's what happened."

Ignis hummed in thought before handing Prompto some tea. In it, he mixed some sleeping powder to help Prompto rest for tonight. They needed all the energy they could get for the important trip in the morning.

"Its not like I do not believe you, Prompto. But that is a very strange occurrence. We've been in close contact with Noctis as well, and none of us have ever experienced that before. Has it happened any other time before now?"

Prompto accepted the tea and sipped at it. It tasted bitter, but it helped clear his head, that's for sure. He took another sip before answering Ignis' question.

"No... not that I knew of..." Prompto wished he could just hide someplace. He hadn't even meant to tell Noct anything- he just assumed it would go away when they were far away from that Ardyn guy...

"Heh... looks like the tea did its work for tonight. I will be speaking to you about this again, Prompto. For now, just sleep."

The tea... Prompto rolled his eyes in amusement as Ignis navigated his shoes off, placed him in the bed and covered him. Of course he'd put a sleeping... something in the damn tea. "Dammit, Iggy... who tol' ya to... put tha... in... my..."

Ignis smiled lightly. "No cursing, Prompto. And good night."

With Prompto now sleeping, Ignis had some time to think. He didn't get much from either Prompto or Noctis about the blond's sudden behavior, and sometime told Ignis that Ardyn was doing something more than what he was letting on.

"But what is your goal, Ardyn...? Why are you even here?" Ignis wondered aloud. "And why is Prompto acting so strange...?"

He didn't think any more answers would come to light until morning, when they were at the Disc of Cauthess. Perhaps it really was just the blond feeling uneasy around their unwanted companion. It wasn't like anyone else trusted him, anyways. Maybe Prompto simply didn't trust him and this was his way of showing it.

Chalking it up to that conclusion, but still keeping an eye on his friend, Ignis cut the lights and laid down for the night.

Outside, Ardyn stood outside, admiring the moon as a soft breeze fluttered his brown-ish locks in the wind. "Soon... they will all pay for what they have done. Noctis... you will pay..." he muttered to himself, pleased with how his plans were coming along.

Prompto was perfect, and now, with what he'd overheard tonight, he knew he'd made the right choice. He held up his hand... his daemon hand, and grinned wickedly.

"All will pay... Noctis, your friends... and you Astrals."


And complete! Again, I'm sorry for such a wait. I hope you all liked this chapter!

Please let me know what you think.

Until next chapter!