Chapter 22: Prince

{Insomnia: April 25th 2005, 8:20am}

A crash came from the dining room as Noctis turned a corner. It was spring break and he was about to head out into the town with Prompto for the day off – thanks to Marshal Leonis stating that he needed a day or two off every once in a while – the entire week had been planned out by the blonde-haired teenager who had somehow convinced Noctis that exploring Insomnia was a good idea seeing as he had never actually gone through the entire town before. However, he had elected to eat something before leaving when he'd realized something wasn't right in the dining room. Midnight-blue eyes, with their slight rim of azure blue around the pupil that bled into the rich, deep-blue peered into the room and saw King Regis standing there, hand upon the table, dishes scattered across the floor and broken as he tried in vain to get himself back into a standing position.

"Dad!" King Regis looked up as his son came racing into the room and prepared to reach out to him. In that instant though, the King knocked his hand back, shaking his head.

"I don't need your help Noctis," he stated as the boy flinched and he looked to him.

"Why?" the man stood straight, taking in a deep breath as he straightened out his clothes.

"I am the King, I can stand on my own. Your concern isn't needed," he said. The boy once again flinched before nodding slowly as he looked at the dishes upon the floor.

"That's fine….I just wanted to make sure you were okay…" the boy started to crouch down, hoping to help get the mess up when a hand grasped his upper arm and pulled him to his feet.

"You do not do this, you are the Prince of this Kingdom Noctis, do not act as if you are…." the boy narrowed his eyes.

"I wasn't! I'm just helping others out! Like a genuine King should! Or is that not part of who we are?" the boy snapped and the man stared onward at him.

"I'm being too harsh…"

"No….you're right….I'm sorry Noctis…I merely don't wish for people to assume that you can be forced to do what is below your standing," he said. The boy shook his head.

"I don't care about that….in order for a good King to be made and accepted by his people…he must be willing to do what is below his standing…" the King stared onward at his son in questioning.

"Who said that?" he inquired. The boy gave him a bright smile that reminded him greatly of his mother's.

"Luna did, she said that it's part of what makes a good ruler: someone who is willing to get out there and get their hands dirty for the sake of their people." A gleam appeared within his sharp eyes, making them almost glow in the sunlight as the King smiled.

"Of course, how could have I forgotten? You're quite the incredible youth Noctis, that much I am certain of," King Regis stated.

"Thanks, I gotta go! Prompto's waiting on me and…." The man smiled.

"Very well, just one more thing?" he inquired.

"Yea dad?" deep blue eyes looked to him.

"Try not to get yourselves into too much trouble," he stated. The boy gave him a cheeky grin.

"I'll do my best…" with that he was gone and King Regis hobbled forward as he looked to his left hand as it trembled.

"Please do your best Noctis….I fear I am running short on time and you are still so young…."

{Castle Gates: 9:00am}

Prompto Argentum looked onward at the towering gates of the Citadel as he was stared down by the guards who seemed persistent to cause him harm. Noctis was supposed to meet him outside the gates; however, he found himself terrified that the boy wouldn't escape the imposing walls of the Citadel. It was as he swallowed around the lump in his throat that the gate burst open and a black-haired, dark-clad thirteen year old Prince of Lucis came flying out and nearly ran smack into the blonde. The slightly taller blonde-haired teen caught him as the boy skidded to a halt, having warped slightly to get to the gate faster as he took in a deep breath and smiled at his friend.

"Hey Prompto! Good morning!" he stated as the blonde stared at him in slight surprise.

"Hi….Noct….um….you got here quick." The boy nodded fixing the black vest he wore over the long-sleeved shirt with his black pants and sneakers.

"Yea, but not quick enough apparently," he said as he looked to the guards.

"Prince Noctis, what are you doing?" the boy grinned.

"Going to town with my friend. This is Prompto Argentum, he's a friend from school and he will be my escort for the day. Thank you, your welcome, and goodbye!" he said as he looped his arm through Prompto's and raced down the steps and far away from the guards.

Prompto looked at his friend while they ran at near breakneck speeds before; finally coming to a stop at the corner of North-Street and Vern avenue. The black-haired thirteen year old took in a few deep breaths, a smile on his face ever so slightly as the blonde looked at the boy with confusion. Something was terribly wrong right then, and while Noctis was known for keeping things quiet: Prompto felt he wouldn't remain silent about it for too long. The boy stood straight and soon started walking down towards the street in silence. Prompto frowned as he thumped the boy on the ear, causing him to look at him with a frown.

"What's that for?" he asked.

"Something's up with you. Why were you so jittery around those guards? It wasn't like they were gonna do anything to you…" the boy looked down, the light slightly catching the earring that belonged to Cari as he did so, giving Prompto a good look at it for the first time.

"I've never noticed that before…."

"I think something's…wrong with my dad…" Noctis admitted.

"What do you mean?" the boy shook his head.

"Not sure….but I went to get an apple this morning before coming to meet up with you…and he had fallen and was having a hard time getting up," he said.

"So? Your dad isn't as young as he once was you know…" Noctis nodded a bit.

"I know, but Prompto….what I'm saying is that he acted so strangely when I tried to help him up….he…smacked my hand away and then got all uptight about me helping him get up and even snatched me up away from the ground when I tried to pick up the plates he'd knocked over…." Prompto whistled.

"Whoa, seems like your dad got really peeved about something. But, Noct? What would cause him to do that?" he asked.

"I wish I knew….I mean, he's my dad Prompto…normally, he doesn't act like that even when he's angry at me. He started yelling at me about not doing things beneath my station and how I needed to act more like a Prince seeing as I would one day become King….it wasn't like him…" the blonde-haired boy looked down.

"Noct, it's gonna be alright. He's just getting on in his years and wants to know that when the time comes, you'll be able to deal with being King," he said this to encourage him, but the boy looked down, shaking his head a bit.

"I'm just not sure that I am ready….or that I'll ever be ready…." Prompto sighed and stood in front of him, grasping his shoulders a bit.

"We're going to see a movie, end of discussion and then, we're gonna hang out all night and tomorrow until you cheer up!" he stated as the boy sighed.

"Why?" Prompto shook him.

"Duh! Because that's what you do on spring break dummy! You do stupid things that can get you in trouble and have a fucking blast doing it!" Noctis gave his friend a long look.

"I'm the future King of Lucis….I can't have a wrap-sheet," he pointed out.

"I concede the point. But you know what we can do? Go see a movie marathon, get a bite to eat….because dude? You're a toothpick, and then we're gonna explore some of the city at night. How's that sound?" he probed this idea out with his friend before receiving a slight smile.

"Okay, fine….just nothing illegal: okay Prompto?" the blonde bowed ever slightly.

"Yes, my lord!" Noctis rolled his eyes.

"Of course you do that…."

"Come on! This is gonna be so much fun!" Noctis gave him a wiry smile, going with Prompto's insanity.

The blonde dragged them to a movie marathon that consisted of a series of horror films – Noctis believed it was called the Saw series or something like that – and while it was realistic, and gruesome: Prompto nearly had an heart attack during it; which made it entertaining for Noctis to watch at least. Noctis watched Prompto have a long-standing screaming fest every time a bone broke or blood was visible while Noctis sat there nibbling at the popcorn as the boy next to him clung to his seat for dear life. Six hours later, the movies were over, and Prompto appeared to have had roughly five years of shaved off of his lifespan.

Noctis now walked beside Prompto who was walking in an almost sluggish manner as he continued onward, next to the Prince of Lucis who only watched his friend until he was certain the blonde wouldn't pass out and they were at a pizza place for lunch – Prompto's suggestion – and had ordered their drinks. Once they were seated, Prompto gulped down his drink and Noctis calmly sipped his, watching the boy in front of him fall apart at the seams over reasons that he didn't fully understand while wondering if he would have to resuscitate him at any point in the next ten minutes or so.

"At least Ignis taught you first-aid and you've passed your medical training courses." Cari's thoughts interjected into his mind and he mentally agreed with her as Prompto attacked his next drink before the blonde looked to him as the waitress put down an appetizer that Noctis had elected to order until Prompto recovered from his melt-down.

"So, have we gotten over our little drama queen moment?" Noctis inquired as he poked a fork at the objects in the basket.

"Did you seriously….enjoy those movies?" he looked up into midnight-blue eyes as the boy shrugged.

"They were realistically pleasing and had a new twist each time while weaving together all at once. A delicate yet fantastically horrific balance," he explained. Prompto nearly fell out of his seat.

"Bless the Six….you're a horror fanatic…." Noctis grinned.

"What gave it away?" he probed.

"The answer you gave me….sadist…" Noctis shrugged a bit again before poking the food again.

"Not a sadist…just enjoy a good bloodbath…with a nice twist…" Prompto sighed.

"So long as it's fictional?" the blonde inquired.

"Yea, not a fan of it in person…" Noctis looked to the side and Prompto nodded.

"I can understand why, but um…Noct? What are you doing?" the boy glanced to him.

"What are these?" Prompto once more nearly fell over.

"You mean to tell me you don't know what wings are?" he asked.

"No…." the blonde groaned.

"I've got a lot of work ahead of me. Okay, Noct, eat the damn thing quit jabbing it like a foreign object with a stick….what are you? Eight?" the boy gave him a sour expression before sticking the fork into the object as Prompto took in the bright orange color of the food.

"Fine, I'll give it a shot…" Prompto looked at it once again.

"Noct, I hope you can handle spicy foods…those are…" the black-haired teenager put the object into his mouth and chewed it up, swallowing as if the intense heat didn't bother him. Prompto felt his jaw hang open at the sight.

"Those are really good. But, what do you mean by spicy?" he asked as Prompto continued to gawk at him before shaking his head.

"By Ifrit's horns…you're completely immune to that much heat?" the boy rose an eyebrow.

"Prompto? They're not hot!" Noctis stated.

"Noct, they're so hot that I can smell the heat and spices on them. I like hot foods, but even I'd have to have something to cool my mouth down after that!" the young Prince shrugged.

"They really aren't hot…well, to me at least…okay?" Prompto sighed.

"Fine, I'll eat some too. What kind of pizza are we getting? And please, don't say buffalo chicken…" he said as Noctis laughed a bit.

"No, we'll get something mild so you won't combust…"Prompto pouted.

"Not fair Noct, not fair," he whined.

"Suck it up Princess…." The blonde yelped.

"Don't even go there Noct!" he stated as Noctis laughed, grinning in a cheeky manner at him.

"Just pulling your leg Prompto…" the blonde grumbled.

"Sure, fine…."

Another hour or so there and soon Prompto was back in control of the situation, dragging Noctis across the town to explore and try new things out that he couldn't resisting putting the slightly naïve black-haired boy through. He had gone to a stand with sunglasses and put them on the boy who gave him a long look before Prompto nodded, and bought them before they were off, Noctis finding no time to argue with his friend who went through nothing short of a comedic hell as Prompto persisted to take him on a grand tour of the city Noctis had grown up in but never actually seen. The teenager stared in wonder at some of the things that were in the city on the ground but then, they were greeted with an idea Prompto just couldn't pass up.

Noctis found himself some twenty minutes later on a contraption that Prompto called an air trolley and started telling him that once they set off it would give them one of the bests tours of the city, but would drop them off in the lower south end of the city where it was a bit more run-down and not nearly as modernized as the rest of it. Noctis took that to heart and promised to wear his sunglasses until they left the area and were back in the main zone of Insomnia so that they wouldn't get hurt; however, Noctis did have the problem of being made to wear the Caelum family crest around his neck. He currently had it placed under his shirt, but if something were to happen where it could be seen or removed they may have problems.

Regardless, Prompto assured him that a lot of the Kingsglaive would end up going around there at the end of their work day; therefore, they continued on up the ramp and to the trolley as Prompto called it and soon were high above the city looking onward at the scene from a bird's eye view at roughly one-thirty in the afternoon. Noctis tucked the sunglasses away in his vest pocket and zipped it up before looking at the ground as the breeze ruffled his hair and Prompto looked around, taking camera shots of the place from above before looking at his friend.

"This is pretty cool huh?" asked Prompto as he continued to watch the other boy.

"Yea, it's like we're flying or something…" the blonde laughed as the wind pulled the other's hair just out of the way far enough for him to see the earring again with its black metal and rough-cut ruby.

"Hey, Noct? I gotta ask….what's with that earring? I've never noticed it before," he asked.

"This thing? It was a gift from a friend…" Noctis slightly touched the earring he'd had since he'd formed his contract with Cari when he was nine.

"Really? Was that friend Lady Lunafreya?" he inquired as Noctis shook his head.

"Like I'd tell you…." Prompto whined like a puppy.

"Oh, please? I really wanna know," he said.

"No, bad boy, no begging…" Prompto glowered.

"You're so mean Noct….oh well…whatever, it doesn't matter I guess. So, after we're dropped off here where to next?" he probed.

"How long is this ride?" Prompto sighed.

"About an hour….there are some really cool shops in the downtown district if you wanna take a look," he said.

"Sounds good…"

{Downtown District: 2:40pm}

Noctis stretched as he got off the trolley and looked around as he considered what was around him. A rather dirty looking place; however, it had a grand deal of odd shops and strange places that looked interesting to his eye as Prompto hopped off the trolley and patted him on the back before they started towards the first string of shops to look through out of pure curiosity. There was a store that sold potion supplies that looked both of good value and some that Noctis personally questioned – such as the human eye ball he was staring at constantly and swore it stared right back at him – and then, there was a store that sold magic equipment. Prompt kept looking at the guns there, stating that one day, he would like to learn how to become a sniper, stating how incredible it was and that he'd watched the Kingsglaive and Crownsguard sparring and training in the field before.

On a whim, while Prompto wasn't looking, Noctis bought the black gun – a ruger nine-millimeter, semi-automatic – and presented it to Prompto with a set of pewter-lock bullets that were known to go through cleanly. The blonde thanked him and holstered it immediately before nudging Noctis with a broad smile while the black-haired boy told him he'd have to protect him with it from now on as payback. The blonde was all too eager to accept the chance to be the back-up for his friend when he needed it. Noctis smiled as they continued walking, happy to know that now Prompto had some protection for them in case something were to happen.

It was as the day wore on and they started to grow hungry again that they ran across a shop on an outcropping that while dingy looked like a nice place to sit down and rest before leaving the downtown strict. The cook sold an array of items, but they settled on the kebabs, ordering enough for the two of them that varied between their tastes: lamb and vegetables for Prompto, and a red meat and fish for Noctis. It was as they were sitting there, slowly picking at their meal that a couple people came into the area and started to place their orders. One was a larger, red-haired man with dark eyes, a brunette man with a low pony-tail, and a woman with black-hair up in a ponytail while a few others gathered around them.

"Damn, those daemons outside the wall seem to be getting worse," said one man.

"Not to mention those fuckers from the Empire like laying it on us like there's no tomorrow…" the other man nodded.

"What do you think about that video of the King earlier today?" asked the shorter man with dark brown hair.

"What are you talking about Luche?" asked the reddish-brown haired man.

"He's talking about how the King was using a cane and had a leg brace on…"

"Well, he's getting' on in his years. I guess that brat of his will be sending us to our graves soon enough," stated another man.

"Hey! Don't talk like that about the Royal family! Do you know what kind of trouble you'd be in?" the blonde man rolled his eyes.

"Yea, Yea….the great Caelum family hides behind their black marble walls and lets us Kingsglave and Crownsguard do the dirty work for them. Those walls of blackened marble might as well reflect their hearts when it comes to us…we're just pawns, tools for their satisfaction," he said.

"Bezarus, no one said you had to become a member of the Kingsglaive…" he shrugged.

"Yet we did, thinking that we could make a difference in a war that's been raging for over a century now. See, here's the thing sweet-cheeks….no matter how many Kings have sat on that throne, none of them have done a fucking thing about the Daemons or the Empire," Bezarus stated. Noctis and Prompto listened to the conversation, choosing not to speak a word about it as they continued their meal in silence.

"What about Lady Lunafreya?" the blonde laughed.

"Her? She's a child! Not to mention all she'll become is the glorified whore of someone with power at one point or another, so why…" a knife embedded itself near the Bezarus's head, causing everyone speaking to look at the sight of the black-haired, blue-eyed boy standing there with a scowl upon his face.

"Don't talk about Luna that way," he snarled.

"Oh! We got a devout believer here folks! Listen kid, why not just stay out of it? This is an adult's conversation…" the man had started towards him, narrowing his gaze as he felt a spark of energy shoot through his veins. Cari chirped within the back of his mind, letting him know what he already felt: it was his magic overacting to his emotions.

"Then take back what you said about the King and Luna," he demanded as three of the Kingsglaive members watched the boy.

"Why should I? It's the truth, ain't it? The Caelum family ain't gonna do shit to protect Lucis, and they sure as hell ain't gonna stop the Empire…hell, that oh so fair and pure Lady Lunafreya will just end up as someone's bitch in the end so why don't you…" a fist connected with the man's face, breaking his nose and loosening his teeth in the front a bit as he went to the ground and the boy braced the backlash of the hit with his body as he shot the man a glare.

"I said to take back what you said about King Regis and Princess Lunafreya! Or did you fucking forget where the hell you live? If you wanna go slander people who are dear to this Kingdom then get the hell out!" he practically hissed as Prompto watched his friend.

Prompto knew Noctis was strong, he had noticed it long before they had become friends; however, this was the first time he had ever seen the boy resort to violence. His behavior was bordering on feral at this point and while he wanted to pull his friend back, he knew that doing so could be disastrous as the thirteen-year-old had a look in his eye that reminded him of someone who seemed prepared to commit murder. However, for now, Prompto would just keep an eye upon the boy and prepare himself to jump in for when the moment came.

"Alright you little bastard, I'm going to take that out of your hide. You gotta pretty face and a smart mouth….let's put that body to good use and see how you like it when someone overpowers you," Bezarus stated as the black-haired boy narrowed his eyes.

"Don't even try coming near me you son of a bitch…I'll strip you of your pride faster than you can fucking blink…" Prompto swallowed thickly as the blonde-haired man approached his friend only for the black haired boy to look him in the eye.

"Wanna bet? I'll take everything you have and use it up….I'm not gonna care what you think or do kid….because let me tell you something…" the man put a hand on him and instantly he was grasped as a crackle of ice seared into the older male's flesh, causing him to let go as the black-haired boy set a cold glare upon him.

"I said: don't come near me," he spat.

"What the fuck? Magic?!" the boy narrowed his eyes as he reached into his shirt and pulled out a medallion upon a black chain.

"Wait a minute….that's…" muttered one of the men near the bar.

"My name is Noctis Lucis Caelum, Crown Prince of Lucis, son of King Regis Lucis Caelum and Queen Aulea Omnia Lucis Caleum. Now, I'm going to ask you something: do you wish to continue this fight? Or shall I just inform you of how many laws you've just broken you sorry bastard?" Prompto came to stand next to his friend, hand on his gun for extra measure as the woman looked at the boy.

"Prince Noctis?" asked the woman as Bezarus stood up.

"Wait…Crowe? You know this sorry son of a…" the woman slugged him in the face, knocking him back in the seat as the other two men came towards her.

"Take a seat you sorry piece of shit. Hey, Prince Noctis, long time no see," Crowe said as she flipped her pony-tail behind her shoulders as Noctis got a better look at the two men near her.

"I remember you three: Crowe Altius, Libertus Ostium, and Nyx Ulric. You're the three who pulled me out of that rose bush a few years ago…" the three nodded.

"Yea, hey….sorry about this bastard. He's been treading the fine line with Captain Drautos for a bit now, we'll be sure to turn him in for threatening you and your friend and all the bullshit he said about your family too," Crowe told him.

"No, it's fine, just have him discharged and escorted out. That way nothing else happens, besides; I don't want them accusing the three of you of sheltering someone who was bad-mouthing my family. General Clarus doesn't take well to that…." Nyx laughed.

"Tell me about it….so….whose your friend?" he inquired.

"Oh! I-I'm um…Pro….Prom…." Noctis laughed.

"This is Prompto Argentum, personal bodyguard and best friend," he answered.

"Nice to meet you Prompto, thinking about joining the Kingsglaive of the Crownsguard?" the blonde smiled.

"Crownsguard, I gotta stick by Noct here and watch his back: sworn oath to the future King of Lucis and all," he answered Crowe's question and the woman smiled.

"Good, always keep your oaths: that's what makes us stronger. You got a good one here Prince Noctis, he's pretty loyal…" Noctis grinned.

"Yep, like a puppy…." Prompto whined.

"Awh…Noct come on! I'm not a dog…." Noctis looked to him as Nyx tied up Bezarus and requested Luche to take him back to base. The brunette did as asked, bowing to Noctis as he did so while Libertus looked at the boy before him.

"Okay, whatever you say," he stated as the blonde sighed.

"Fine, then you're a cat: you sleep all day anyways…" Noctis stuck his tongue out at the blonde, causing the three Kingsglaive members to laugh.

"You've grown up a lot Prince Noctis, and I'm glad to see you're doing well. But we gotta go, duty calls and Bezarus is in for hell with Captain Drautos for the things he said to you," stated Nyx as they bade the Prince goodbye alongside Prompto who sat back down to finish off his last kebab while Noctis continued to nibble away at his.

"Interesting lot, the Kingsglaive…" Noctis nodded.

"Yea, but I'm glad we have them….they're the ones who keep putting themselves on the line for Lucis…I don't think I could ever repay all their sacrifices," he stated as Prompto grinned to him.

"Then with that thought in mind I believe you'll become an incredible King to serve under." Noctis smiled.

"Thanks Prompto, just make sure your there when the day comes," he said.

"Yes, my liege." The blonde bowed slightly and Noctis sighed.

"There you go again," he said.

"Tis my job…" that earned him a wadded up napkin.

"Can the theatrics okay? For now you're just my friend," he stated.

"Got'cha, best buds with the future King is enough for now…"

{…..}

That's when something wild calls you home, home….

{….}

Author's Note: The entire chapter was based upon the question of what sort of trouble would Noctis and Prompto get into when they were thirteen and had a few hours to themselves: here's the answer. While the ending with Bezarus was a bit different than how I planned it, I think it worked better than the original. Also, it allowed me to put in Crowe, Libertus, and Nyx again whom I think needed some more attention as we will see them again. Tell me what you guys thought, and I look forward to reading your comments as always.

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.