Chronicles Five: Mourning
"Today is Wednesday, June 19th, and it's a very somber morning here in Lucis. The funeral of Noctis Lucis Caelum CXIV is to commence in a few hours. We at Lucis TV send our condolences to Her Majesty and the Royal Family at this time."
"How dare they not attend their own father's funeral…?" an MP said.
Minister Lukahn looked around at the processional, seeing the Glaives in position, most surrounding their former liege's coffin. The Crownsguard was in front and behind them and Cosmogony priests and 1st of the military bands were at the very front. Behind the Crownsguard station at the back of the coffin were some of the hunters of Leide and after them were the representatives of the various outposts and cities of Lucis. Then there was the carriage the royal children were supposed to be driven in, the confidants of the former king, some of the representatives of the charities he funded, and the Insomnia police were at the very back, guarding MPs that wanted to walk in the processional.
Readying themselves in front of the Citadel, the long march was to head for St. Galuf's, where the priest could perform the Last Rites and commit their fallen sovereign to the ground. They hadn't done so with King Regis and many may have felt guilty for not helping the Father of the Chosen.
"I hoped that the Queen and her siblings would show up. Gladiolus and the others are here. Why not them?" Lady Edelgard said.
Before he could say anything, Minister Lukahn saw Lady Etro and she said, "Perhaps the pain of the loss is too great. But…We can share in it if they just…"
"Sorry, we're late."
The complainers were surprised, seeing their new sovereign. Instead of wearing the usual royal black, blue, and gold, the trio were dressed in all white, with a few black accents. The new queen was dressed in what looked to be ancient clothing from the time of the Warrior, a white kimono and a pearl, halo-shaped headdress that made a statement. Cato was dressed in attire similar to the late Lord Ravus Nox Fleuret and Stella followed her sister's lead in clothing choice but opted to add a veil. The girls also had their faces painted completely white with black tear marks underneath their eyes, giving a ghostly look.
"Oh…Your Majesty," Lady Etro said, looking a bit flustered.
"Regina was trying to figure out what would match the kimono. Mom had a few headdresses from Tenebrae, so we're wearing those," Stella said aloud.
Lady Edelgard said nothing, as the color white was associated with mourning in ancient Lucis…until House Fleuret showed that the color meant different things depending on the culture. Those who saw the new sovereign and family saluted her and the trio decided to walk behind their father's coffin. It was something that was last seen when King Regis processed behind his father's, Mors, coffin. And that was nearly 65 years ago.
Gladiolus and the others spotted the trio and he joined them. Ignis, Prompto, and Cor did the same. Prompto then asked, "Are ya sure?"
"Yes…We're sure," Regina said.
The gates to the Citadel opened and a loud horn alerted the crowds outside the procession was to start. There was no cheering, just eerie silence. The band in front started playing and it was the somber form of the Lucian National Anthem: Somnus. The procession moved and everyone slowly marched towards St. Galuf's in the southwestern quadrant of downtown.
As they marched, Cato spotted many onlookers, most with the flag of Lucis in their hands. Even those that were foreign came out and they had piteous gazes on their faces. Regina was stone-faced, not showing any emotion at all. A few tears were streaming down Stella's face, but the veil made it obscure to anyone not standing near her. Cato fought off a few himself as it was too much of a reminder of Lunafreya's funeral. The difference was that the Tenebraen prayer songs were sung and they rode in the carriage to the church…
Gladiolus placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "You're not alone in this."
Cato looked and saw the older man was very sullen. Prompto fought back tears as best as he could and Ignis's glasses obscured most of what looked like tears. They knew the day was coming, but the king's friends didn't expect him to go out like that.
"For Hearth and Home! FOR HEARTH AND HOME! FOR HEARTH AND HOME!" someone shouted in the crowd.
"VIVA REX! VIVA REX! VIVA REX!" another shouted.
To the processional's surprise, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers, with many yelling, "FOR HEARTH AND HOME! VIVA REX! VIVA REGINA!"
That was much better and Cato couldn't hold back anymore. He looked at the ground and silently sobbed as the processional continued.
Standing in front of her kids in the Citadel's throne room, an older Lunafreya yelled, "Leave my children alone!"
She saw the invaders, a pale-skinned, silver-haired man dressed in tattered regal clothing of black with bits of gold along with his retinue of black-clad warriors. If she didn't know better, she would've thought they were Lucian. And if she was lost in grieving, she would've thought that the man…or being before them was her deceased husband.
The imposter glared, red eyes glowing with terrible fury, and said, "You would give up your life for cheap sentiment?!"
The Dowager Queen nodded, telling him, "Yes. I would. They're my children and I will not let you or those imposters harm them!"
A sad expression on his face and he asked, "'Imposter'? Is that what you think of me…Luna?"
"How do you know my name?" Lunafreya asked.
"I know everything because I am…"
June 21st…
"Hello, Your Majesty. Um…I guess I gotta call ya that now," Luca said, the little person getting a bit flustered.
Regina, dressed in all-black and looking more like a Gothic doll than usual, said nothing and continued on her way to the meeting hall room. Despite being located at the northeastern tower; it sustained little damage from the incident and was deemed suitable for use. Above it was the throne room, but Regina dared not go inside. Not yet…
She stopped at the doors to the meeting hall and the nearby Glaives opened the doors. Unsurprisingly, MPs, the prime minister, and news cameras turned their attention to the new queen. Regina, seeing the throne, walked wordlessly towards it, ignoring everyone and their questions. Just as she got to her seat, the Glaives saluted her and those in attendance bowed.
Finally seated, the new queen was bombarded with questions. She said nothing and Minister Lukahn said, "Please, Her Majesty is still in mourning. So, limit your questions."
"Yes…Well, what will be done about your father's dream? It seems that he paid the price for it, no?" a reporter asked, rather bluntly.
"His vision will come to pass. We in the Parliament will see to it," Lady Etro said, making herself spokesperson to Lukahn's annoyance.
Another raised their hand and asked, "But what about those from the Lucian Nationalist movement? They wish to see the Niflheim Empire receive their just desserts for the war and plunging the world into darkness."
"That time has long since passed. The late king and Oracle forgave that transgression, despite all that was done to them. And they aided Lucis in the defeat of the traitorous Draconian. I would hope that such knowledge would not be so quickly forgotten," Minister Lukahn said.
"And what about the reports of new places appearing in Tenebrae's Ulwaat region? What will be done about it?" a third reporter asked.
Lady Etro and Minister Lukahn looked ready to answer when the reporter rudely said, "I don't want an answer from you two. I want one from the Queen. Well? Are you gonna do something or not?"
The room went silent and the new queen said nothing. The reporter, miffed, muttered, "Figures. Such a do-nothing, gil-hungry, royal…"
"Unless those places pose a threat to Lucis, I see no reason to show hostilities," Regina said, sounding quite regal compared to her usual.
Luca didn't know whether to be proud or sad. Her demeanor seemed to change as she was rather calm, like how the late queen was to hostiles. If she was her usual self, that reporter probably would've gotten a force push towards the wall.
"If anything, investigations would be in order," Regina added.
"Yes. Her Majesty is wise in showing restraint and caution," Lady Etro said, glowering at the reporter.
Why was the woman suddenly so…defensive for Regina? Luca was sure that the woman wanted the royals gone. Maybe the royals still served a purpose or something to her? The teen wasn't sure of her endgame.
With Stella…
Still not too comfortable in the Citadel, the blonde teen went to the barracks of the Glaives, wanting to stay near Terra Firma. After nearly falling to her death in the destroyed tower, Stella wasn't keen on heights. Libertus wasn't too surprised and chalked it up to PTSD. He suggested that she go and talk with someone about it as everyone was still shaken up by what happened and most went to therapy. But the girl was sure she didn't need it. All she needed was distractions to keep her mind off of it. And designing new outfits for her older sister and queen was best.
She gave up on her dream of joining the medical field as Regina had to decide on an heir if she was to not have kids and the Cosmogony needed someone to head up the temples in Tenebrae. Most likely, she would be the likely candidate to head there while Cato would most likely be Crown Prince. Maybe having such dreams was something Eos and the Six laughed about…A deaf teen going into medical? Yeah, like that would ever happen, Stella thought.
Turning her attention back to her sketchbook, Stella resumed designing a new outfit she thought Regina would love. It was the usual royal black, but it was a design more suitable for battle. She wanted it to be similar to the designs of the Shield Maidens from both fantasy media and old Lucian tales. She also wanted to incorporate more draconian designs in it. Sure, Bahamut did screw up and betrayed the family he was to protect. But he was connected to them and maybe incorporating his likeness into their clothing would get his curse off them? Maybe?
"Uh, are you aiming for Dark Knight in those designs? Looks scary," Libertus said, peeking over her shoulder.
The teen turned to read his lips and she pouted. It wasn't that scary looking. Right?
Taking a second look, the design started to look like something from Dead Fantasy IV. Yeah, too many dragon horns on the armor did make the outfit look like Dark Knight armor. And the color black didn't help.
Shaking her head and tearing out the page, Stella started over and hoped the next design would be less scary. But this was Regina. She had a habit of wearing clothes that made her look scary. Ever since their mom died, she changed her wardrobe to that.
With Cato, southeastern tower, 14th floor music room…
Getting over his PTSD by taking the stairs to the upper floors, Cato arrived in the music room. The place hadn't been used much since his mother's demise and he missed having the sounds of music coming from the tower. During the many times they practiced, Cato found that he inherited Luna's gift of singing and Noctis' gift of piano playing. Good thing he inherited Luna's gift as his father wasn't known for staying in tune even while humming, an anomaly for someone who could play an instrument.
Regina didn't seem to inherit anything from either parent but was an excellent dancer. Well, fighting was dancing in a way. So maybe she got that from Dad, Cato thought. And Stella didn't sing or even hum, which Cato chalked up to her being almost completely deaf.
Walking to the piano to come out of his thoughts that seemed to come from 12 separate universes, Cato touched the keys and remembered when Noctis showed him the basics. Cato was able to catch on quickly and Luna thought to enroll Cato into classes. But after she died, the music stopped as it was a painful reminder. And now that Noctis was gone…Maybe it was best that the Citadel became a mausoleum. Too many bad memories…
"Babuba-buba-buba…Bu-baba-babuba-ba-ba…Don't you worry about a thing. 'Cause I'll be standing there when you check out…"
Cato followed the voice and saw that Luca was standing outside in the halls, singing to herself. The girl had a beautiful singing voice and that caught his attention when they were little. And the last time she sang it, she brought the house down, literally, at their elementary school's recital as a nearby screen had fallen while she was jumping around on stage. Looking at the ceiling and walls, Cato hoped that she wouldn't do the same to his home. Yeah…his home…the Citadel, he thought.
Luca smirked, seeing Cato, and continued. She changed keys and sang, "Don't worry. Don't you worry about a thing, Cato! 'Cause I'll be standing there for you!"
A flourish of notes and Luca swiftly hugged him. Cato blushed and asked, "Uh…a song for me?"
"Well, more like a song for the three of you. Don't worry. You got me, Robin, Riku, Gladio, Ignis, Prompto, and a whole lot of other people. So, don't worry…okay?" Luca told him.
Cato scoffed, trying not to get emotional. Luca could be so cheesy sometimes.
"I'm so sorry. I feel that what has befallen you three is our fault…Your father's and mine…"
Regina, sleeping in a guest room near the barracks as her room was destroyed in the incident, looked up at the ceiling as she had an odd dream. It was of her mother, looking over a group of baby triplets that kinda looked like her and her siblings. But instead of two girls and a boy, the triplets were two boys and a girl. Regina heard the names "Ventus" and "Aurelius" and she remembered those were the names of two previous kings. In Lucis' history, Ventus Lucis Caelum was called the "Wayward Wind" and Aurelius Lucis Caelum was the "Trusted".
Why on earth would their parents name them after long-dead kings? Regina didn't get the name of the baby girl but wondered if it was her name or Stella's. She couldn't get a good look at them either. But that was the nature of dreams.
Regina closed her eyes, remembering that she had another big meeting with MPs in the morning. But after several minutes, the teen couldn't get back to sleep. Tossing and turning in the not-so-comfortable bed, the dark-haired teen groaned and got out of bed.
Checking her phone, the time was 3 AM. The same time her father…
Shaking her head and quickly putting on a housecoat over her pajamas, Regina rushed out of the room as she felt the room had started to close in on her. The panic triggered her asthma and she started wheezing. She collapsed and cursed that she had forgotten her inhaler. Even with all her powers, she still had that one glaring weakness: her asthma.
The halls felt like they were closing in on her and the floor was cracking apart. Just like it did during the incident. The wheezing got worse and Regina thought she was going to die when she heard, "Regi? Regi!"
Cato found her and called for help. Stella, who was also in the halls, found them and waved at some Glaives who were running towards them. They helped her towards the Glaives' infirmary and the nurses on call began working to help Regina.
As they watched Regina getting checked over, Cato's spirits fell. If he and Stella, who couldn't sleep either, didn't find their sister, who knows what would've happened. They already lost their mother, then their father, and Regina almost…
Shaking his head and wiping his eyes, Cato didn't want to think about it. He didn't know what he would do if Regina was gone too. And that would mean that he would most likely become king. And he didn't want that. How would the people feel having two monarchs gone in less than a year?
"Regi will be fine…We gotta believe that," Stella signed.
"But if anything happens to her, you'll be sent to Tenebrae and they'll make me king. Or they'll just kick me out," Cato said, worried.
"We'll be fine…I hope," Stella signed.
"So, why are we out here again? In the open? Risking our lives like this?" Cato asked.
The trio of Crownsguard-dressed royals, Regina, Stella, and he, headed for the plains near Taelpar Crag. According to their mother and the hunters, the dragon they encountered in the Nebulawood flew towards Lestallum but stopped before it could attack. It then flew off, heading for Focaugh Hollow. The eldest of the trio, Regina, wanted to see if what her mother said was true. If that dragon was indeed all that was left of their father, then she had to see it for herself.
"Mom didn't want us leaving the hideout…" Cato said.
Stella agreed and Regina told them, "I…I just need to know. If he isn't there, then…"
"Okay, okay. We get it. Let's just see if we can find him and get out of here," Cato told her.
Regina woke up, surprised as she was outside in what looked like the plains near Taelpar Crag. She didn't leave Insomnia but thought to do so as being at the Citadel after what happened was too much. Nearby were old hunter huts and they looked worse for the wear. The skies above were in what looked like perpetual twilight and it was somber. It wasn't as bad as the skies at Caem Shore.
The last thing the teen remembered was feeling that her room was about to cave in on her and running out of the room to escape. She remembered wheezing as her asthma started acting up due to stress and then Cato and Stel…
"Cato? Stella! Please don't tell me…" Regina said, getting up.
She was still in her housecoat and was happy she had something to cover her tank top and pajama pants. But she wasn't happy that she wound up that dreamscape again. With no way to get back, Regina started exploring. If she was near Taelpar Crag, then that means Lestallum wasn't too far.
The scenery was just as bad as it was in the last dreamscape, with vegetation virtually nonexistent and the local fauna nowhere to be seen. Even birds and insects were nowhere to be found. Almost as if everything had died. Unnerved, Regina thought to find ways to get home.
After dodging rocks, twigs, and the occasional pile of bones to protect her bare feet, the dark-haired teen was able to get onto the main road. The tarmac was surprisingly cool, despite the sun hanging in the red sky. There were abandoned, burned-out cars strewn about, with what looked like the remains of clothing, suitcases, and even weaponry. The sight came straight out of a post-apocalyptic movie and Regina wanted to go home.
Heading east along the road, more of the desolation was visible and Regina wondered what happened. The dreamscape was that of Lucis, but why was it destroyed? And the last time she was there, her counterparts told her to leave and never come back. But why?
Regina stopped and quickly hid behind a charred tree. Something large was lying in the intersection and was sleeping. Taking a closer look, Regina noticed it was a black-scaled dragon. It was curled up, and didn't notice the teen. Regina started wondering how to get past it without waking it.
"R-Regi…?"
'No way…' Regina thought hearing a familiar voice.
The dragon opened its eyes and rose, looking and sniffing around. It started stomping in her direction and the teen got a better look at it as she continued to hide. The oversized, winged lizard, black-scaled with a reddish underbelly, looked incredibly fierce in appearance. But the air around it…It was…off as the aura betrayed its terrifying appearance.
"Just…dream? A dream…?"
The distorted voice spoke again and seemed confused. If Regina didn't know better, she would've thought…
The dragon whipped about and used its tail to break the tree the teen was behind. Regina ducked just as the large tail struck and turned to see the dragon staring at her. It didn't look too happy as it glared with fire-red eyes and looked ready to burn her to a crisp.
"Uh…h-hi?" Regina said nervously.
Could she summon her weapons? Use her powers? Any way to defend herself? If she died in a dreamscape, would she ever wake up?
"You…not…her…?"
The voice…It was coming from the dragon.
Regina couldn't believe what she was hearing and thought to run. There was no way…No way at all…
"Hey! Get away from there!"
A force push, followed by Blizzaga, struck the dragon and pushed it back. Regina took off and ran down the tarmac. Something pushed her off and into the grasslands. She looked and saw that it was the other Cato, dressed in a Glaives' uniform. He looked worried and asked, "How did you come here? And why are you back?"
A loud roar and he said, "Come on!"
He grabbed her arm and the two ran towards what looked like a haven. Sensing something rushing behind them, Regina turned to see the dragon flying towards them. It dove, ready to strike, when the pair made it to the haven. The dragon soared past and landed, looking around in confusion.
Older Cato sighed and said, "I don't think he knows we're in here."
He looked at Regina and asked, "How did you get back here? I thought Regi told you not to come back! Seriously, this isn't good."
"I didn't mean to. I was just…What are you doing here?" Regina started.
A slam and Cato mouthed for the teen not to speak. The dragon was nowhere to be found and Regina could sense the older Cato's heart racing. He summoned two guns to his hands and rapidly pointed them in different directions. His eyes widened as he was terrified and muttered something under his breath.
Whatever it was that was chasing them, it had disappeared and the air around the haven was filled with danger. Another slam and Cato nearly lost his footing. Regina, getting to her feet and summoning a large scythe, looked around and whispered, "What's going on?"
"He's here…We're both gonna die if he gets inside the haven…" older Cato replied, his voice barely a whisper.
A third slam caused the haven to rock violently and Regina shouted, "Show yourself!"
Cato glared and said, "Why would you…?!"
"Y-you…? Wh-Who…?"
Something or someone appeared in a purplish light and the haven's barrier grew stronger. To Regina's surprise, but not Cato's, the barrier rippled and the being phased through. Cato began firing and the bullets stopped in midair. The young man's jaw dropped and the being said, "Cato? Is…that y-you?"
"Nuh-uh! You're not tricking me again, Mad King! Go away!" Cato shouted, rapidly firing at the being.
The bullets continued to halt in midair and Regina took that as her cue to run. Just as she did, the teen slammed into the barrier as if she ran into a brick wall and she cursed. Cato stopped firing and said, "Come on! We didn't do anything! Let us go, okay?"
The being, with eyes fire-red like the dragon's, seemed confused and asked, "M-Mad…King?"
"Yes…Um…Please don't kill us," Cato said, pleading.
He got that he couldn't kill it with bullets and tried to appeal to…something. Regina didn't understand what was going on. All she knew was that the being had a dangerous air and running was best. But how when the haven turned on them, trapping them inside?
"R-Regi? You…okay?" the being said.
This must've been the one who took the other Regina's powers. Remembering how dangerous she said he was, the teen kept silent. She had to figure out how to get her and the older Cato out of there and away from that creature.
"Y-You did a terrible thing…You hurt Regi and went after Uncle Gladio and the others…" Cato started.
The being was very confused, asking, "Hurt…Regi? Gl-Gladio?"
"Yeah…She lost her powers because of you. And…then you went after me and Stel. And then we find that there's two of you and you've been hunting us…" Cato continued.
Regina sensed a swell of power coming from it and quickly stood in front of older Cato. She slammed the scythe onto the ground and summoned a barrier just as the being screamed in horror. Its light turned a violent red and all Regina could hear was, "NO! NO-NO-NO!"
A blast of wind shattered the haven and Regina's barrier and the pair was sent flying out of it. Landing on the ground below, Regina saw a massive plume of black mist, and the dragon from before reappeared. It didn't look too pleased to see her and roared. Seconds later, it charged, snapping at her and the teen disappeared and reappeared behind it in red light.
Cato did the same as the dragon's attention turned to him, reappearing in blue light. He then said, "I'll keep it distracted! Head for Lestallum! Stel should help you get home!"
He started firing on the giant winged lizard and saw that the teen wasn't moving. Just as he dodged a body slam, Cato yelled, "Get moving!"
With a wave of his hand, he teleported Regina back onto the tarmac that led to Lestallum. Hearing more dragon roars in the distance, the teen began running. As she continued north, Regina saw the shadow creatures from before appearing on the bridge. With a few scythe swings, the teen cut her way through.
Like the terrible horror flicks she used to watch with her dad, Regina managed to trip over a crack in the bridge road. She slammed face-first onto the pavement and loudly cursed. Why did she have terrible luck? First, she got a panic attack that quickly turned into an asthma attack. Then winding up back in that hellscape. And then running for her life to a Lestallum that was most likely not the same as the one back home.
A loud snarl, followed by a roar, snapped her attention to the skies. The black dragon found her and was diving straight for her. To her surprise, older Cato appeared, warp-striking from wherever he had been. He rushed towards her, yelling, "Regina!"
The dragon slammed into the bridge, just as Cato got close to help Regina up. The pavement was destroyed and the two free fell towards the valley below. Cato warp-striked a second time, narrowly missing Regina's hand as he tried to grab her.
Horrified, the teen thought it was her end as the valley below rapidly came closer with every second. She closed her eyes, thinking it was the end, when she heard, "What are you doing? Why are you giving up like this?"
'Huh…? Dad?' Regina thought.
An image of her flying with a fire-red aura came to mind and Regina remembered something important. Noctis' voice seemed pleased as Regina summoned her magic to her arms and made a downward-throwing motion, stopping herself in midair as the flames engulfed her. Another motion, which looked like the flapping of wings, and the teen shot upward. She saw the bridge as she flew and nearly overshot the thing.
Landing and seeing a shocked Cato, Regina sighed in relief. How in the world did she forget that she could fly since she was a baby? The youth didn't know.
"Just like her. Cool!" Cato said.
A loud growl and the two saw the black dragon. It glared at the pair and landed, preventing them from progressing to Lestallum. Belching flames from its maw, the beast continued its assault and Regina held up a hand, blocking the flames.
As she protected herself and the older Cato from the dragon's fire, Regina saw a silhouette that looked human. Her mind wandered to the last time she spoke with her father and it finally clicked. The thing that she and her siblings' counterparts were so afraid of was their father. The dragon that they were fighting was him. And he was also known by the moniker, the "Mad King". And it was all Etro's fault.
The dragon, annoyed, widened its maw and even more and hotter flames shot out. The force of it pushed the teen back and the older Cato joined her, creating a barrier of light to push back.
"This…This is your DAD?!" Regina shouted.
"Yeah! And he hasn't been the same since Regi got hurt!" Cato screamed.
The two were pushed back a second time by the fire and the flames changed color from fire red to blue. The air became stifling and the pavement started to melt from the heat. But they had to push on. If Regina could just get to its heart while Cato stun it, then she could…
"Got it! Let's go! CHARGE!" Cato shouted, pushing forward as if he was a defensive rugby player.
Regina could've sworn she heard the dragon speak in that Astral language. The flames then became a combination of white and blue and it must've been the hottest the flames could get. The landscape was ablaze for possibly the umpteenth time and the road melted like lava. One final time, the duo was pushed back, nearly hitting the area that had melted. But press on they did and the pair managed to make it to the dragon's maw after several agonizing minutes.
"GO…AWAY…!" the beast bellowed telepathically.
As if knowing what the two were up to, the dragon stopped belching flames and got into the air. It then fired off a salvo of fireballs and the duo dodged as best as they could. Every blast that struck the remaining pavement left gaping holes and the concrete was melted.
More of the Astral speech and Regina immediately got it and it was chanting. A sigil appeared behind it as it was charging up. It turned to the city of Lestallum and a bright light came from its maw.
"Oh no…No!" Cato said, throwing a knife he had for a warp-strike.
"That's not…Megaflare?" Regina said, quickly flying towards it.
The two were repelled by a powerful barrier that surrounded the beast. Both luckily landed after phasing and saw Cato's worst fears. The beast aimed Lestallum. Just as the dragon was about to unleash Megaflare on the city, chains of light broke through the shield and struck its wings.
Another set of chains latched around its tail and neck, pulling the beast to the ground. It tried to get away, but the chains held it fast and a sigil appeared on the ground underneath Cato and Regina. The pair ran towards the closed tunnel that led to Lestallum and was surprised to see familiar faces.
"Whoa! Is that…?" an older Prompto said, holding a bazooka.
Regina's counterpart snapped, yelling, "Focus on the task at hand, Uncle Prompto!"
"Okay, okay!" he yelled.
He and older versions of Gladiolus and Ignis, rushed in. Her counterpart and the other Stella joined them, attacking the downed dragon. The beast snapped at whoever came near and belched out flames that were weaker than before. The sight looked like something from that King's Knight game her dad and Uncle Prompto used to play.
"The beast is weakened. Aim for the heart with this."
Regina turned to see…
"Mom?!" the teen said, her voice quickly choking up.
Lunafreya, much older in appearance and dressed in battle garments of white and silver, shook her head and said, "We'll talk later. Please hurry and use this. It's only so long I can keep it at bay."
The old Oracle gave Regina a crystalline dagger. Just as she did, the dragon broke free of its chains and blasted the party back with a force push. Regina took to the skies again as the beast did the same. It aimed for the group below with Megaflare, but the teen rushed in, seeing a glowing spot on its chest.
With a charge, the fire-powered teen shouted, "No! I won't let you do this!"
Just as the dragon was about to fire Megaflare, Regina stabbed it in the chest with the dagger. The beast jerked back, the power from the crystal shocking it. Another force push and the girl was knocked from the skies. Using her powers, she stopped herself from free falling and saw the dragon writhe as black mist came from it.
A flash of light and it wrapped its wings around itself. More black mist escaped and a figure fell, crashing into the forest below. Regina landed, looking around to see where the figure was. Her counterpart appeared and asked, "Why do you keep coming back here? Seriously, this place is dangerous."
"However she got here, it was a good thing she did. See? We finally beat the Mad King!" Cato said relieved.
Lunafreya came up and motioned for Gladio and the others to find the figure. She then turned her attention to Regina and said, "I don't know how you came here. But I thank you."
"Um…What's going on? Why did…?" Regina started.
"None of us know how this happened. But he had to be stopped," Lunafreya said.
The teen looked ready to ask another question and the old Oracle said, "I'm not the same as your mother. I'm only the mother to the trio I birthed here. But I'm sure that your mother would be proud of you, taking up your father's mantle of Ruler of Lucis."
Regina was crestfallen, hoping to have a bit of a chat. This grey-haired Lunafreya seemed much more serious than her mother. Which was unsurprising, seeing that the other Lucis had been turned into a hellscape.
"I'll send you back now. But everything here will feel like a dream. So please, try not to return here. Don't think about us or even about running away from your duty," Lunafreya told her.
With a wave of her hand, Lunafreya teleported Regina in a shower of light, not even saying goodbye to her daughter's younger counterpart.
And here's Chronicles 5. It seems that Regina helped Lunafreya and her other world counterparts defeat the Mad King. Will that affect anything in her world? Or will things get worse?
-miano53