Greetings everyone! I decided I'm a one trick pony right now regarding fanfic, so have begun another Final Fantasy 15 fic. After watching Kingsglaive again, I wondered what it would be like if Luna had her own agenda for helping Lucis/Noctis and what that would look like. Also, I had so much writing Ardyn the last go-round that I am using this opportunity to explore his origins as well. This one doesn't feature the Chocobros (at least not yet) and focuses on the "less popular" characters, so it may sit in the lonely void :( However, in case anyone is interested in this "what if" scenario, give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments. For anyone who gives it a chance, great big thanks and happy reading!
12 years ago
The Imperial throne room of Gralea was stark and cold. Cold marble floors, cold drafts blowing everywhere, it was designed to show underlings how powerful Emperor Iedolas Aldercapt was; and encouraged them to state their business with him quickly and depart. It's not like his present visitor cared about this though. That's what his black dustcoat and gray paisley hooded cloak over that were for. He sauntered in and bowed to his liege, sweeping his gray fedora on the floor in the process.
"Esteemed Emperor Aldercapt," he began, pure oil in his voice. "The Scourge of Lucis, Liege Lord of Niflheim. I am humbled and honored that you would deign to meet me."
Aldercapt was actually unsure why he had bothered to let this fop in. He came highly recommended by Aldercapt's lead research scientist Verstael Besithia, but he had learned to be wary of that madman's friends. Besithia did good work, but was not to be trusted.
It was just that Aldercapt had had his fill with military officials coming in with excuses as to why King Regis of Lucis was still alive this time. He was bored, and this weirdo promised some sort of entertainment. And when he got sick of him, there was always the dungeons…
After a greeting like that, he was already getting sick of him. "Enough, Sir. What do you want of me?"
The man stayed kneeling, auburn head bowed like a supplicant. "I have heard some distressing rumors about the war with Lucis. I pray to the Gods that that they are incorrect."
"What kind of rumors?"
"Merely that with all the technology and troops at your disposal, there continues to be problems bringing the neighboring kingdom to its knees."
"And what would you know about it, peasant," the Emperor snapped.
So the rumors are true, the visitor thought with a smirk. He still kept his head bowed to obscure his expression. Aloud, he said, "Nothing more than the rumors I've heard. I thought the Emperor would be merciful, and not 'shoot the messenger' as they say. If I was mistaken, then I submit myself to punishment."
Aldercapt sighed. If he lashed out now it would be a sign of weakness. "I am not going to punish someone who brings the truth. Please rise, Sir."
The man rose and the Emperor met his eyes for the first time. Aldercapt was surprised. He thought he knew sycophants—they always had something furtive in their gazes, a kind of sniveling demeanor that marked them as the cowards they were. This man left him stymied. His gaze gave nothing away. Aldercapt had the suspicion that anything he was seeing there was because the other man was allowing it. "How do you pronounce your name," the Emperor asked him.
"I'm honored that you asked. It's pronounced Ardyn Izunia," he responded with a nod. "I have come to offer my services, if you would be so kind as to grant me you a few moments of your time."
"And what services would those be?"
"I can help you 'dispose' of King Regis and his son Noctis."
Now Ardyn had the Emperor's attention. "Do you know a way around their shield," the Emperor asked him, eagerly.
"Alas, no. The Crown City of Insomnia is nigh impenetrable with that crystal shield of theirs. But I wager you already knew that," Ardyn said, with an edge of smugness in his tone. "However, I happen to know that both father and son are not in Insomnia right now. They are in fact headed to Tenebrae. Poor, frail Prince Noctis is ill, and needs the healing hands of the Oracle. There would be plenty of opportunities to 'waylay' them in route."
"And you would just give me this information? What do you want in return," Aldercapt asked.
"Why, nothing. I happen to think there is someone 'better' out there to rule Lucis than they. Although, if you are granting rewards for the information, I wouldn't refuse."
"That depends on if your information is genuine. If it isn't, you will find our dungeons have a wide range of torture devices that will make you regret ever exchanging words with me."
"Oh, I assure you. What I have told you is genuine. It is up to you to make something out of it though. Now I must bid you adieu. I'm sure you can find me if you want to persecute me. Tata." And with that, Ardyn meandered out of the room, leaving a bemused emperor in his wake.
"Can you tell me the story of the crystal again," the 8 year old boy asked the older blonde girl at his side.
12 year old Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret sighed. Why couldn't he want to hear stories about sky pirates or Goldilocks and the 3 tonberries like other kids his age? He was the Crown Prince of Lucis though, so she supposed he wasn't really normal.
Her mother, Queen Sylva, knew the story a lot better than she. In fact, she hardly paid attention to it. All she knew was her own role—that she would one day become the Oracle as her mother was. She was supposed to make sure there was always daylight in the world, and heal anyone attacked by daemons. She had figured it was only a ceremonial title—that she would have to make some random traditional pledges to it at her eventual coronation, but that was about it.
Now that she had actually seen a daemon attack though, she was rendered uneasy. They had brought Noctis in half-dead, with serious wounds that she had never seen before in her life. Not even the royal doctors at Lucis had been able to figure out what was wrong with him, she had heard. The fact that her mother was able to heal him at all was a shock. It had taken several weeks, but he was finally just about healed. Would Luna be expected to heal wounds like this one day? She had asked her mother about this, but Sylva just told her there would be time enough for that later and to focus on her studies.
Luna had snuck out of them actually to see Noctis. She felt bad for him. He was just about clawing the walls out with boredom. They had caught him at the pond fishing a few days ago, much to his father's consternation, and now they had to keep an attendant nearby to make sure he stayed in his room until he was mended. Luna's own attendant Gentiana was on duty for now, and had just shook her head bemusedly when Luna came to visit Noctis.
"Come on, tell me tell me," Noctis demanded, with the wheedling tone young kids seem to have down pat.
"I don't really know it," Luna began, then subsided when she saw Noctis's crestfallen expression. "But, I know another one," she said impetuously. His look of disappointment was wiped away as if by magic and he was looking at her eagerly. Darn! Now she would have to come up with one. But one came to her.
"Ok. Well. Once upon a time, great darkness befell the land. To counteract it, the Gods bequeathed the crystal to humans. It grants them great power."
"What kind of power," Noctis cut in.
"Superpowers," she said with a smirk.
"You mean like you can fly with it?"
"Sure, why not. Anyway, the crystal is so powerful that not everyone can use it. The Royal Family of Lucis was chosen by the Gods to be able to wield it."
"Why us?"
"Because the Gods like you. They made the crystal just for you guys to be able to use. Like it's a big fancy car and they gave you the keys to it."
"Like the Regalia," Noctis asked, referring to his father's car that they always rode in when leaving the Insomnian Citadel.
"Yes, exactly. But, even then, the crystal is waiting for just the right person. Just the right Lucian Royal to give the ultimate powers to. The crystal is waiting for a royal named Noctis," Luna ended with a smile.
"My name is Noctis," Noctis replied matter of factly. "Do you think—it could be, me," he asked awestruck and excited.
"It could be. No one knows," she ended mysteriously.
"YAY! I'm going to be chosen by the crystal and stop the darkness."
Any reply Luna would make was cut off by the sound of the door opening. She looked up, guiltily, to see King Regis standing there.
"Hello, Princess Lunafreya. I see you have taken on nursing duties. Your mother will be proud. Although, she would probably sooner have you hitting the books about now," he said, an edge of sternness in his voice.
"She was telling me stories, dad," Noctis piped up.
"That's nice. Queen Sylva says you need some fresh air. Let's all head out to the garden for tea."
Her mother and brother Ravus were already out in the wooded backyard where the tea table was set up. Ravus didn't look happy to be there. At age 14, he'd rather be anywhere than sitting behind a tea set with his mother. Noctis was still not allowed to walk, much to his chagrin, so King Regis was pushing his wheelchair. All was peaceful and genteel, until they heard the sound of imperial airships.
"If you want something done right, do it yourself," Ardyn Izunia thought philosophically. Although he had already tried that and failed. He had been lucky. He had been able to convince Verstel Besithia to "loan" him a soldier/Marilith hybrid to attempt kill Noctis. However, he hadn't reckoned on Cor the Immortal being close at hand to take it down so quickly, or on the hybrid being so weak. The fact that it had gotten one bite to the kid was the last stroke of luck Ardyn got from the escapade.
So he had tried to get the empire to do the deed for him. He had been able to lure Regis and Noctis out of town right into their clutches, but Emperor Aldercapt had to wait too long to make the attempt. He had to be greedy and decide he wanted to conquer Tenebrae and kill the Lucian Royals at the same time. So now Queen Sylva was dead, and Regis and Noctis had successfully escaped. They would be gun-shy for awhile and continue to hole up in their office building/castle. It would take awhile to make another attempt.
Ardyn was back in the imperial icebox (that he did not feel) throne room again. Again facing Emperor Aldercapt. Anything to please a potential constituent, even if it would end up with him in the dungeons.
"So, Izunia, you didn't play me false after all."
"Dear Emperor, I am crushed that you would think me capable of that. I am only sorry that I was unable to help you 'detain' King Regis and Prince Noctis."
"I can take the hit in this case. It gave us the excuse we needed to go after Tenebrae. The occupation forces are taking charge of it as we speak."
"So, you mean to make it a military state then? If I may be so bold, that is a little, ah, shortsighted."
"What do you mean?"
"Simply that the populace may not be too happy with the 'Queen's Murderers' ruling their kingdom and may fight back. You may be fighting a war in Tenebrae and Lucis before too long. But I'm sure you have enough equipment and troops to handle that."
It was evident that they didn't. He tried to hide it, but Ardyn could see that he had scored a hit with Aldercapt.
"Well, what would you recommend?"
"I'm glad you asked! Seeing as both the Prince and Princess are still alive, they should remain so. Allow them to be rulers at your behest. As puppets, if you will."
"I don't see how they will do it, seeing as, as you say, I 'murdered' their mother."
"I would be happy to act as emissary on your behalf. I might be able to persuade them to see things our way."
"You do that, and there is a title for you," the Emperor told him.
"I will do my best," Ardyn said with mock humility.
The Empire would attempt to kill Regis and Noctis again. Ardyn would make sure of it. He would soon be in a position to do so. He had all the time in the world to wait. Being immortal himself had its advantages…
Luna was being dragged away from all she knew, even if it was now rendered horrific by imperial troops. Each step she took was bringing her further and further away from her mother and brother. She had to go back for them, but Noctis's grip on her hand was too tight. Even as she watched, she saw her mother struck down by an imperial trooper. Not just struck down, completely eradicated, shattered. "Please, help us," she heard Ravus call out, plaintively to King Regis. He was continuing to drag her and Noctis away. It was clear he wouldn't help.
When she saw her brother knocked down by another guard, Luna behaved instinctively. She wrenched free of Noctis's grasp and ran back to her brother, ignoring Noctis's calls to come back. They were on their own…
Luna sat up in her chair, gasping. It was just a bad dream, she thought with a flash of relief. Then reality returned. Her dream had been a flashback, not a nightmare. She was sitting at Ravus's bedside. He had been knocked unconscious by one of the guards, and had not yet regained consciousness. She didn't have the healing skills her mother had. There was nothing she could do for him. She had never felt so powerless and alone.
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye as Gentiana handed her a cup of tea. "Any change," she asked Gentiana hopefully. Maybe Ravus had woken up in the night and was now just asleep.
"No change," she said sadly.
Luna's shoulders slumped. She wanted to cry, but knew it would do her no good. "What is going on outside," she asked Gentiana next.
"The imperial guards have restored order of a sort. It is still unclear what they will do with us. I can get you out, take you somewhere safe…"
"And leave Ravus?"
"There is nothing you can do for him right now. He would want you to be safe."
"No! Just, no! You are free to go, but I'm staying here."
Gentiana sighed. "You know I am bound to your family. If you stay, I stay."
What was Luna supposed to do now? If she stayed to protect Ravus, Gentiana would be in danger, and if she left with Gentiana, Ravus would be in danger…
There was a firm knock at the door, then an imperial guard entered. Gentiana lurched up to stand between the children and the potential threat.
"Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret: your presence is required in the throne room," the guard intoned.
"She needs to stay here to tend to her brother," Gentiana responded. "As remaining Oracle she is the only one who can heal him. I will go in her stead."
"Why would we care about you, peasant," the guard sneered. "My orders are to bring the princess to the throne room, one way or another."
Gentiana moved to a defensive posture, clearly ready to do battle with the guard.
Luna couldn't watch Gentiana get hurt too. They had been lucky the guards had left them alone until now. As the only "functional" royal right now, she knew her duty. She stepped forward. "It's ok, Gentiana. You stay with Ravus. I will see what they want." She infused as much confidence in her voice as she could, doing her best to conceal her dread.
Gentiana appeared to hesitate a moment, then stood back to allow Luna through.
Luna strode through the hallways, keeping pace with the guard escorting her. He did not speak to her, and she did not ask him any questions. She would rather not know ahead of time what was in store for her.
The lavish throne room was big and empty. Her mother's presence was already erased from it. There was a man with his back to her, staring out of the stained glass windows. Due to the contrast of light, she couldn't see him in detail—just a black silhouette. He turned after hearing her footsteps and walked closer.
"Ah, Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. What an honor it is to meet you. I only wish it was under better circumstances. I am so sorry for, what happened," the man spoke gently, removing his fedora.
She sized him up, and didn't know what to make of him. She was used to smartly-dressed, clean-cut visitors, dressed to the nines to meet the royal family. This man looked like he hadn't shaved in a couple of days, and hadn't had a haircut in months. His auburn hair flowed down to his shoulders. He was wearing a pinstripe suit, she noticed, but it was covered by cloaks with so many loose pieces that it looked like he was wearing rags.
"Who are you? What do you want," Luna asked.
"My name is Ardyn Izunia, emissary for the Empire. I wanted to apologize both personally and on behalf of the empire for what happened. What the guards did—that is not us. It is unacceptable, and the guards who caused you so much pain have been dealt with. I just wanted to let you know that."
Luna didn't know what to say. She was expecting imperial demands, maybe that she and her brother were not meant to be kept alive. To have someone from the empire expressing sympathy was leaving her nonplussed.
Ardyn continued. "Tell me, are you and your brother doing ok? Did any of the guards hurt you as well?"
"We are fine," Luna lied. She couldn't show weakness in front of the conquerors.
Ardyn was not fooled, and rose an eyebrow. "I fear your brother is not a very caring one. Any brother worth his salt should have come to protect his little sister when meeting a stranger."
Luna stiffened and responded sharply, "my brother happens to be unconscious with wounds your guards inflicted." Luna didn't realize until too late that she had just contradicted what she just said, and had basically admitted to lying.
Ardyn didn't challenge it. "I'm sorry to hear that. But surely as Oracle you can heal him?"
Luna looked away.
"Not enough mana is it," Ardyn asked matter of factly, with such understanding in his tone that Luna turned to face him.
"I may be able to help him. If you are willing to trust me," Ardyn said smoothly.
Could Luna really trust him? Her instincts were saying no. There was something off about him. But then, she was unable to cure Ravus on her own. Any port in a storm, they said.
"Why would you want to do that," she asked. "Wouldn't it be in your best interests for us to—end up like mother?"
"As I said, what happened to your mother was unplanned and unfortunate. We did not want that to happen. Our hope is that you and Ravus will stay on in your current roles. Of course, with some stipulations regarding loyalty and alignment to the Empire."
"And, if we refuse?"
Ardyn was unfazed. "Well, who would you ally with? I suppose you could align with Insomnia, but they—retreated rather than helping you. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't trust them. But then again, even though it was a mistake, we killed your mother, so I suppose you can't trust us either. It's really your choice. As a show of good faith on the empire's part, I pledge to do my best to heal your brother. You could ask Insomnia what they will offer you in the event they can give you a better deal. But, your poor brother will be suffering while you wait…"
Luna was learning fast. As a royal she had to choose between two equally appalling decisions and do what was best for her people. Even though Ardyn had dodged the question, she knew the empire would crush them if they aligned with Insomnia. And Insomnia did abandon them. Here was a chance, however slight, of saving her brother and returning peace to her people. She made the only choice she could.
"On behalf of the Tenebrae people, I pledge loyalty to Emperor Aldercapt and his allies. If you can heal my brother, I will be eternally grateful."
Ardyn smiled. Well, it was more of a smirk. "Excellent choice, my dear. Kindly lead the way."