Snippets and plans for later

Dawn broke over the city of Insomnia, its citizens slowly stirring to life. But within the Citadel's throne room, Prince Noctis and his companions stood ready, the weight of their impending journey hanging in the air. Noctis faced his father, King Regis, who sat regally upon his throne despite his obvious fatigue.

"The decreed hour is come," King Regis's voice echoed through the chamber, every word measured and deliberate. "Set forth with my blessing, Prince Noctis."

Flanking the prince stood his sworn protectors and closest friends. Gladiolus, the Shield of the Crown Prince, maintained his warrior's stance. Beside him, Ignis, the prince's advisor and strategist, stood with characteristic poise. Prompto, Noct's best friend from high school and self-appointed group photographer, shifted nervously. And finally, there was Cascade, the young Kingsglaive who'd grown up alongside the prince, her silver and blue-tipped hair partially obscuring one eye as she maintained her formal posture—though anyone who knew her could tell she was itching to perch on the nearby stair railing instead.

"Thanks..." Noctis mumbled with a half-hearted bow, adding a belated, "Your Majesty."

"Take your leave, and go in the grace of the gods." There was an undercurrent of emotion in Regis's gentle tone that made Cascade's chest tighten.

"Right." Noctis turned on his heel, brushing past his retinue without a second glance.

Cascade exchanged a quick look with Ignis before bowing deeply to the king. She hurried after Noctis, the click of her boots joining the others' footsteps as they followed their prince.

Once they'd cleared the throne room, Prompto let out a low whistle. "Well, princes will be princes, huh?"

"Indeed," Ignis adjusted his glasses with a slight frown. "So much for royal protocol."

"Hah!" Cascade rolled her shoulders, relishing the freedom to move naturally again. "And here I thought I'd be the one to mess up the formal stuff."

Gladio rotated his shoulder with a grunt. "At least you didn't have to give some fancy speech, kid."

"Your Highness!"

The group turned to see King Regis making his way down the stairs, leaning heavily on his cane, assisted by a Crownsguard whose name Cascade really should remember but definitely didn't.

"What now?" Noctis muttered under his breath.

Cascade gave him a playful shove forward. "Come on, don't be like that."

"I fear I have left too much unsaid," Regis held up a hand when Noctis moved to help him. He drew even with his son, his voice softening. "You place a great burden on those who would bear with you."

"You're one to talk," Noctis shot back, his royal facade dropping now that they were outside the throne room's oppressive atmosphere.

Regis sighed, but there was fondness in his expression as he addressed the group. "I ask not that you guide my wayward son, merely that you remain at his side."

"Indeed, Your Grace." Ignis bowed with perfect form.

"We'll see the prince to Altissia if it's the last thing we do." Gladio's pledge carried the weight of generations of Amicitia loyalty.

"Uh, yeah! What he said!" Prompto's earnest enthusiasm made up for his lack of courtly grace.

"As if you could get rid of me that easily, Noct." Cascade's grin took any sting out of her words.

"Hate to break this up," Noctis cut in, already heading down the stairs, "but Cor's got the motor running. Drautos, he's in your hands."

"And another thing," Regis called after him, a hint of amusement coloring his tone, "Do mind your manners around your charming bride-to-be."

Taking their cue, Cascade and the others made their way to the car. Ignis claimed the driver's seat—no surprise there—while Cascade smugly slipped into the front passenger seat, shooting Noctis a victorious look as he approached.

"Real mature," Noctis deadpanned as he squeezed into the back with Prompto and Gladio.

"Hey, I won that sparring match fair and square." Cascade settled back, practically radiating satisfaction. "Front seat privileges were part of the deal."

"Wait, that's what all that fighting was about?" Prompto leaned forward, eyes wide. "You guys were going at it like crazy!"

"The agreement had other stipulations," Ignis remarked as he started the engine, "though those were conveniently forgotten during the heat of battle."

Gladio chuckled, a knowing look in his eyes. "Been waiting for that one to play out. Though I gotta say, Cas, it's pretty funny watching you get all shy and flustered about—"

"Oh, shut up," Cascade cut him off, turning to stare out the window to hide her smile.

She caught her reflection in the side mirror, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the scar that ran below her eye and across her nose. Only Gladio and Ignis knew the true story behind that mark—and how it tied into her relationship with Iris, Gladio's sister. The big guy had been furious at first, but after seeing Cascade's genuine fear of losing his respect, he'd come around. Well, after thoroughly trouncing her in training, that is.

Prompto and Noctis were still in the dark about that particular story, and for now, that was just fine with her.

The sleek Regalia, pride of the Lucian royal family, sat defeated under the scorching desert sun. They'd barely made it a few hours outside Insomnia's walls before the engine gave out with an ominous sputter. Gladiolus leaned against the car's heated frame, having stripped down to his tank top in a futile attempt to combat the oppressive heat.

"I think we can forget about hitching our way there," he growled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Whatever happened to that famous outside-the-wall hospitality?"

Cascade had long since abandoned any pretense of Kingsglaive dignity, using her uniform jacket as a makeshift sunshade. The convertible top being down was both blessing and curse—less suffocating, but zero protection from the relentless sun. "You sure I can't just... you know, cast a little water magic?" she asked, not for the first time. "Just a tiny splash?"

"Unless you want to explain to Lady Lunafreya why her fiancé looks like a drowned rat at the wedding, I wouldn't," Ignis replied dryly, his head resting against the steering wheel in an uncharacteristic display of defeat.

From somewhere behind the car came Prompto's theatrical groan. "I've pushed myself to the brink of death..."

Cascade caught his reflection in the side mirror, sprawled dramatically on the asphalt. A mischievous grin crossed her face. "Guess you won't get to meet that cute mechanic at Hammerhead then."

The effect was immediate. Prompto shot up like he'd been hit with a Thunder spell. "Death can wait!"

"Car ain't gonna push itself," Gladio announced, already moving to the rear bumper. "Unless His Highness would like to try warping it there?"

Noctis shot his Shield a withering look. "Very funny."

With a sigh, Cascade tossed her jacket onto her seat and joined the others at the back of the car. The metal was burning hot under her palms as they lined up: Gladio in the center, with Noctis and Prompto on one side, her on the other.

"Ready..." Gladio's voice carried the command of a true Shield. "Steady... push!"

The car lurched forward with their combined effort. Ignis kept them straight, one hand lazily draped over the wheel while the radio—because of course that still worked—played a jaunty tune that seemed to mock their situation.

"Not exactly the epic road trip we imagined, huh?" Cascade managed between pushes, noting how Prompto's effort seemed suspiciously light. "Prompto, I swear by the Six, if you're slacking just to take photos..."

"I would never!" Prompto protested, though his phone disappeared suspiciously quickly into his pocket.

"Let's just hope this isn't some kind of omen," Gladio grunted, shifting to give Cascade more room as another car zoomed past them, its occupants not even slowing to offer help.

"Specs," Noctis called out, voice strained. "Any chance of switching drivers?"

"We agreed Ignis would drive to Hammerhead," Gladio reminded him firmly. "Unless you want Cascade behind the wheel?"

"I heard that!" Cascade shot back, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "I've been practicing, I'll have you know. Iris says I'm getting better."

"Is that what you call that three-point turn that took twenty minutes?" Noctis teased.

"Keep it up, and I might accidentally let go right as we hit an incline," Cascade threatened, though there was no real heat in her words.

The banter continued as they pushed, their progress marked by the slowly changing landscape and the gradual shift of shadows across the road. It wasn't the glamorous start to their journey that any of them had imagined, but there was something about sharing in the misery that made it almost... fun.

Almost.

"Next time," Cascade panted, already planning her revenge, "we're taking chocobos."

After what felt like an eternity of pushing, they finally rolled into Hammerhead. Prompto and Noctis immediately collapsed onto the asphalt, while Cascade perched on the Regalia's trunk, trying (and failing) to look less winded than the others. Even Ignis showed signs of fatigue as he stepped out of the driver's seat, though he maintained his composure better than most. Gladiolus, somehow, remained standing—a testament to his training regimen.

"Hey there, y'all kept a girl waitin'!" The voice that had captivated Prompto over the phone belonged to a blonde mechanic who approached with confident strides. Cascade had to bite back a laugh as she watched Prompto practically spring back to life at the sight of her.

"Figured he'd react like this," Cascade murmured to Gladio, who stood beside her. "Her voice alone had him swooning earlier."

Gladio chuckled. "Well, can't use the mechanic motivation trick twice now, can we?"

"Maybe it'll at least distract him from teasing me for a while." Cascade shrugged, watching as the mechanic surveyed their group.

"Now, which one's the prince?" The blonde's eyes sparkled with amusement as they landed on Cascade. "I know it ain't this charming lady."

Cascade felt her cheeks warm. "Nope—what a surprise that'd be to my girlfriend." She nudged Noctis with her foot, prompting him to stand.

"Aha! Hello, Your Highness. Congrats on your wedding!" The mechanic's smile brightened further.

"Not hitched just yet," Noctis mumbled, scratching his cheek.

"Lady Lunafreya's groom-to-be, here in Hammerhead." The mechanic circled the Regalia with an expert eye.

"Apologies for taking so long," Ignis offered, but she waved him off with a laugh.

"You'd best save your apologies for Paw-paw."

As if summoned by her words, an older man approached, his weathered face set in stern lines. Cascade straightened instinctively—something about him commanded respect.

"Roll 'er in while I'm still young!" he barked, giving both the car and Noctis appraising looks. "Didn't yer daddy tell ya? She's a custom classic, not some beat-up old clunker. Prince Noctis."

"Uh, yeah..." Noctis shifted uncomfortably.

"'Prince,'" the old man scoffed. "Like they took your old man and kicked the dignity out of him." He continued his inspection of the Regalia, leaving Noctis looking like he'd been slapped.

"You got a long way to go, son. And that slack jaw's gettin' you nowhere fast. She's gonna take a while. Y'all get her in and run along."

Cascade slid off the trunk with a sigh. "More pushing, yay."

The mechanic—who introduced herself as Cindy, Cid's granddaughter—seemed to take pity on them. She provided a map and some friendly advice about the area, but Cascade couldn't help noticing the knowing look in her eyes when they brought up payment.

"Oh, now I get it," Cindy grinned. "This must be what Paw-paw meant when he said he was gonna 'teach them kids a lesson.' Told me he oughta have y'all take care of some ornery varmints that've been causin' a ruckus 'round here."

Ignis glanced at Cascade. "I suppose you have your bestiary on hand?"

"Always." Cascade patted her jacket pocket with a smile. The notebook might have started as a simple assignment from Ignis—documenting creatures and their weaknesses—but she'd grown to take pride in her detailed observations.

"I'd be happy to pay y'all for your services if you're up to the challenge," Cindy offered.

Noctis sighed. "Yeah, might as well."

"Old man's got his eye on you, Noct. Show him what you got," Gladio said with a smirk.

Before they set out, Cindy slipped them 1,000 gil for lodging—"Just don't tell Paw-paw," she winked—and marked their target on the map. The hunt site wasn't far: just across the road and over the guardrail, where four Reapertails skittered across the desert sand.

Cascade summoned her weapons in a flash of crystalline light—crossbow materializing in her right hand, dagger in her left. The familiar weight was comforting as she watched the others call their own arms from the Armiger. The Reapertails skittered across the sand ahead, their metallic carapaces glinting under the harsh sun.

"Remember your training," Ignis called out, daggers at the ready. "These creatures are weak to bladed weapons."

"Got it covered," Gladio growled, his massive greatsword resting easily on his shoulder. The big man didn't even look winded from their earlier car-pushing adventure.

Noctis twirled his sword with practiced ease. "Cascade, you're up!"

She grinned, already moving into position. They'd practiced this dance countless times in the training yard, though admittedly never against actual monsters. "Don't blame me if I clip you," she warned, taking aim with her crossbow. "Dummy targets were a lot more predictable."

The first Reapertail lunged, its stinger arcing through the air. Noctis caught it with his blade, the impact sending sparks flying. "Little help here?"

Cascade was already moving. She darted forward as Noctis dropped into a crouch, using his back as a springboard to vault overhead. Her dagger caught the morning light as she brought it down in a graceful arc, leaving a deep gash across the creature's armored face.

"Show-off," Noctis teased, but he was already following through with their practiced combo. He launched himself skyward, his blade finding the weak spot where Cascade had struck. The Reapertail's stinger went flying, landing with a dull thud in the sand.

Without missing a beat, Cascade dropped to one knee, taking careful aim through the space between Noctis's legs as he landed. Her bolt found its mark, burying itself deep in the creature's head. The monster collapsed with a metallic shriek.

"Hey!" Noctis protested, warping to engage another Reapertail. "That last move definitely wasn't part of our combo training!"

"Improvisation is the soul of combat," Cascade quipped, rolling backward to avoid another stinger. "Besides, it worked, didn't it?"

The conversation cut short as Gladio's massive blade cleaved through her attacker, nearly bisecting it. "Less chatting, more fighting," he rumbled, though there was pride in his eyes as he watched them work together.

Across the battlefield, Prompto's gunshots rang out in perfect sync with Ignis's calculated strikes, bringing down their own target. But even as the fourth Reapertail fell, more emerged from the rocky outcroppings nearby.

"Well," Cascade readied another bolt, sharing a quick grin with Noctis, "at least we're getting our gil's worth."