This is my first fanfiction in a loooong time, so please be nice if it doesn't read very well, I have been out of the writing game for so long. I would love if you can read and review. There will be chapters coming up, plenty of angst to come.

Firstly I don't own FF15 or the characters, I'm just using them for angsty and emotional play times. No real spoilers in this from what I can think apart from the name of a summon.

Noctis POV

The day had started off pleasant enough, when he had awoken the sun had tingled against his skin and the warm breeze playfully tugged his dark hair. Noctis surveyed the dark clouds with a sigh as they ran towards the area indicated on the map, it was only two in the afternoon but it was already starting to get dark.

"It looks like it's going to rain!" he whined to his companions. Gladiolus ran slightly ahead of him as always his mountainous figure making short work of the underbrush, next to him Prompto dashed lithely, camera in his hand and Ignis took up the rear.

"It's just a bit of precipitation." Ignis stated calmly in response, Noctis could see in his mind's eye that Ignis would be calmly pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, the very essence of nonchalance as he spoke. Noctis huffed in reply but continued to jog as, just as predicted the heavens opened and they were hit by the cold deluge. They needed this quest desperately; they only had 5 gil left between them and no potions at all, Noct wanted to get this done quickly so they could restock and look at getting a room at a motel, what he wouldn't give for a warm room and soft beds. The only way to achieve this was to continue on this monster hunt which although slightly more dangerous than normal was paying more than double.

So they ran through the wet, green underbrush, dodging trees and boulders as they made their way upwards to the waterfall, according to the information they had been given a heard of Spiracorn had taken up residency here, as far as Noctis had been informed some kind important work had been taking place here which could not be continued until the monsters had been removed. He tried for a moment to remember what work they had mentioned on the wanted poster but he could not bring it to mind.

It was around three in the afternoon when Gladio held up his hand and slowed his relentless advance, there was hardly any light to see by but Noct was sure he could see movement up ahead. The sound of crashing water was echoing all around them, it would be even louder when they exited the tree line. Everyone was dipped in a crouch as they made their way slowly forward, noiselessly brushing aside branches and bracken until they were able to see their targets. The ground before them held a large meadow full of sweet grass in which the Spiracorn were grazing, the large river ran down its centre and then beyond that they could see a rocky outcrop which gave way to the waterfalls head. The roar of the waterfall was even louder from here, it felt like it was pressing against his eardrums, his whole body vibrating with its force.

The storm was rolling in with a cold wind blowing from the north, the sky above rumbled with grey and purple clouds that roiled ferociously with the rain which came down harder than before. The weather was turning nasty fast, if they didn't make this quick they would find themselves battling through the storm and that made the whole situation a lot more dangerous. Noct flicked his soaking hair back from his eyes as he attempted to rise; it was time to finish this.

"Noct are you sure about this, could be bad?" Prompto laid a hand on his arm to halt him and looking round Noctis saw the blondes arm was covered in goose pimples, why he insisted on wearing a sleeveless shirt he never understood. Feigning a cool indifference he didn't real feel Noct shook his arm free from his friends grip.

"Do you have a better idea Prompto, we need the gil." Immediate hurt flashed across the blondes face and he quickly dropped his gaze, Noct felt hot bubbling guilt rise up inside him and went straight to fix the situation. "Hey I promise when we get the pay off for this I will get you some of them chilli fries you loved, I may even let you beat me at Kings Knight for once." Noct gently nudged his friend in the ribs, his crooked smile plastered all over his face and from the corner of his eye he watched Prompto's fist pump of excitement and heard Gladio's chuckle combined with Ignis' indulgent sigh. His friendship with all three of them was as natural as breathing, he could almost predict what they would say and yet they could still surprise him. "Any advice Ignis?"

"Attack and don't die." Was the mockingly sarcastic response but it gained a smile from the whole group. Noctis shifted his weight onto one foot and he focused his attention to the nearest Spiracorn, gathering his power Noct flung himself forward in a warp and struck the first blow of the battle, his companions rushing forward to engage.

The battle was tough, the creatures were fierce, and their hides thick, with flailing hooves and horns like sabres the group had to work very hard to stay together while avoiding their sprinting charges. They worked as a well oiled machine, each working to their strengths and covering each other's weaknesses. Despite their prowess in battle the weather was against them, it made the ground slippery, the wind seemed to blow from all angles and it was so strong it even blew Gladiolus off course a couple of times.

The battle was long and hard and with a final swing of his sword Noctis felled the last beast and it came crashing down at his feet, sword vanishing from his hands he lent forward to grasp his knees, panting heavily. They had been forced onto the rocky area in pursuit of the large stallion and were right by the waterfalls edge. Still struggling to regain his breath Noctis lifted his head to gaze around his companions, Gladio and Ignis were stationed behind him and Prompto was closest to the edge, all were still alive and kicking and looked none the worse for wear.

"Everyone still alive?" Noct called to the group and was glad to hear three resounding replies, ranging from excited, mocking and enquiring after himself. He was just starting to regain his breath and offer his own retort into the mix when the lightning struck. It was as if Ramuh had descended from the sky feet away from where Prompto stood. Noctis eyes stung from the violent light and he had to blink several times, attempting to remove the bright streak that had etched itself into his cornea. Only a few heartbeats had passed, the storm continued to rage about them, rain pounded down and the river gushed and churned as if in torment then a loud crack pierced above the winds roar, at first Noct though it was just the thunder to follow the lightning however when it continued into a grating crunching groan he knew something was amiss.

The edge of rock on which Prompto was standing had begun to crumble and break, already he was a head lower than he had been previously as the very earth gave way beneath his feet and he began to topple into oblivion. Everything seemed frozen, this second could have lasted an eternity, Prompto's face as if carved in marble gazed back into his own, his expression almost comically surprised and Noct knew that this image would be forever burnt into his mind more so than the lightning. There was nothing anyone could do, except him.

Time restarted and Noct reacted like a coiled spring, throwing his sword a meter from Prompto he warped to it, instead of grabbing the hilt it was Prompto's arm he reached for. Clinging to his forearm with a vice like grip Noctis did the only thing he could to save his friend, flexing all his muscles he pivoted around and used his momentum to swing Prompto around and behind him back onto solid ground. He watched his friend hit the rocks and roll to a stop at Ignis' feet, watched him reach out towards himself but there was nothing anyone could do, at least he was facing his friends as he began to plummet down the waterfall.

"NNNNOOOOOCCCCCTTTTTTT !" Prompto screamed as Noctis closed his eyes and felt the wind rush passed his skin, happy in the knowledge that his friend was safe.