Memory bank
Sep. 18th, 2034 01:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
send_noodsNOTES: These memories have character names static'd out except for Gladio's, Noctis, and Gladio's little sister Iris.
These are the boys. They feature in Gladio's memories a lot and I'm too lazy to link or describe them every time. Noctis (Sorrel) is on Lilis. Prompto is the blonde, Ignis is wearing glasses.
Day 275 ✦ Cup Noodle Quest. Gladio really likes cup noodle...
----------------------
Day 279 ✦ Childhood fwends - reading at the library with baby Ignis
----------------------
Day 301 ✦ Regalia memories. (Pushing the car to Hammerhead, Type D, and Type F)
Day 301 ✦ Kid Gladio tickle attacks his baby sister.
----------------------
Day 338 ✦ (taken at the Pep Dorm movie marathon style )
• Gladio's no good guard duty day (Brotherhood ep. 3.)
• Understanding Noctis (Brotherhood ep. 3.)
(In the following memories, Gladio has a lone, vertical scar on his face and no chest scar)
• Hammerhead Garage and our mechanics
• Galdin Quay and meeting Absinthe/Ardyn
• the Fall of Insomnia
• Meeting with the Marshall, and acquiring a Royal Arm for Noct
• Going to Lestallum to reunite with baby sister
• Titan's blessing and Ardyn, Chancellor of Niflheim
• The boys raid a Niflheim base and Noctis summons Ramuh
• Road tripping with Iris to Cape Caem.
(in the following memories, Gladio has the the added horizontal scar on his forehead, plus the massive scar on his chest)
• The boys are on a boat. They arrive in Altissia (aka neo-Venice)
• Battle of Altissia
• Altissia, aftermath
• The train fight. Everything is terrible
• Cartanica and the Royal Tomb at Caestino Mines. Things are slightly less terrible
• Longer nights and losing a Prompto
• Harried drive into Gralea, the Empire's Capital City
• Separated from Noctis and searching Zegnautus Keep
• Discovering daemon Emperor Iedolas
• The boys are reunited
• Swarmed with daemons, they send Noctis ahead to use the Crystal
• They try and fail to kill Ardyn's immortal ass
First time in Hammerhead
Date: 2021-03-11 06:12 am (UTC)(NOTES: Prompto and Ignis' names are static'd out. A video link to the scene)
[The boys finally push the car to Hammerhead Garage. Prompto is laying on the ground exhausted; the legs of a young woman come into view as she approaches the Regalia; taking notice of her, Prompto quickly gets back up]
Cindy: Hey there, y’all kept a girl waitin’!
[She looks around]
Cindy: Now, which one’s the prince?
[Noctis stands up into view from the other side of the Regalia]
Cindy: Aha! Hello, Your Highness. Congrats on your wedding!
Noctis: Not hitched just yet.
Cindy: Lady Lunafreya’s groom-to-be, here in Hammerhead.
Ignis: Apologies for taking so long.
Cindy: You’d best save your apologies for Paw-paw.
Gladiolus: Well, that makes you…
Cindy: Cindy. Cid’s grease-monkey granddaughter.
[Cid suddenly shouts out to her]
Cid: Roll ‘er in while I’m still young!
[Cindy’s grandfather comes walking up to the Regalia now]
Cid (to Noctis): Didn’t yer daddy tell ya? She’s a custom classic, not some beat-up ol’ clunker.
[Cid looks the car over, then looks at Noctis]
Cid: Prince Noctis.
Noctis: Uh, yeah.
Cid: “Prince.” Like they took your old man and kicked the dignity out of him.
Noctis: What?
[Cid resumes inspecting the Regalia]
Cid: 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.
[Cid walks off; Cindy looks after him and sighs before turning back to the others]
Cindy: Y’all heard him! Let’s get movin’. Right this way.
[Cindy motions for the others to follow her and walks off; the scene now transitions to the boys standing outside the garage at Hammerhead, the Regalia inside being fixed; Cindy stands a few feet away]
Ignis: And now we play the waiting game.
Prompto: Never liked that game.
Noctis: Never any good at it, either.
[Cindy also gives the boys a map of the area and the boys take on hunts to earn money, after learning that Yen isn't used outside the crown city and they have to earn Gil.]
Galdin Quay and a man of no consequence
Date: 2021-03-11 06:36 am (UTC)(NOTES: Prompto and Ignis' names are static'd out. A video link to the scene)
(The boys walking around the beach)
Prompto: Is this place amazing or what!?
Ignis: The breeze is quite refreshing.
Noctis: Didn’t think I’d enjoy the seaside this much.
Gladiolus: Sounds like it’s made a good first impression.
(As the boys approach the main entrance to the Galdin Quay resort, a flamboyantly dressed man (Absinthe from BARiTONES) approaches the four friends as they walk in]
Absinthe/Suspicious Stranger: I’m afraid you’re out of luck.
Noctis: Are we?
Absinthe: The boats bring you here.
Prompto: What about ’em.
Absinthe: Well, they’ll not take you forth.
Gladiolus: And what’s your story?
Absinthe: I’m an impatient traveler, ready to turn ship. The ceasefire’s getting us nowhere.
[The stranger turns and tosses a coin at Noctis; Gladiolus snatches it out of the air before it can get to the prince]
Gladiolus: What’s this? Some sort of souvenir?
Prompto: They make those?
Noctis: What? No.
Absinthe: Consider it your allowance.
Gladio: Yeah, and who’s allowing us?
Absinthe: A man of no consequence.
[The stranger leaves]
Noctis: Yeah, right.
Prompto: You believe what that guy said about the port being closed?
Ignis: I’m skeptical, though I won’t discount the possibility.
Gladio: I say we go check it out for ourselves.
[The boys walk to the port behind the resort, and it is indeed closed, delaying their trip to Altissia to get Noctis married to Luna. They're approached by a journalist named Dino, who offers to trade them an alternate ship if the boys fetch him some raw gemstones. The boys go gem-hunting]
Fall of Insomnia
Date: 2021-03-11 07:00 am (UTC)[the boys wrap up Dino's quest, but he tells them the ship won't be ready until the next day so the boys spend the night at the resort
The following morning, the three friends are in their room as Noctis wakes up]
Prompto: Heya, morning.
Noctis: Where’s Specs?
Gladiolus: Should be back any minute now.
[Ignis returns holding a newspaper a moment later, upset expression on his face]
Noctis: What’s that look for?
[Ignis hands the newspaper to Gladiolus]
Ignis: It’s in all the papers.
Noctis: What is?
[Prompto leans in to read from the paper]
Prompto: “Insomnia ... falls”?
[Noctis’s jaw drops]
Noctis: This your idea of a joke?
Ignis: I need you to calm down so I can explain.
Noctis: I’m as calm as I’m gonna get!
Ignis: There was an attack. The imperial army has taken the Crown City.
[Gladio reads from the newspaper]
Gladiolus: “As treaty room tempers flared, blasts lit the night sky. When the smoke about the Citadel had cleared, the king was found ... dead.”
Noctis: No, wait, hold on...
Ignis: We had no way of knowing.
Noctis: What? Knowing what?
Ignis: That the signing was last night, that Insomnia—
Noctis: But the wedding! Altissia!
Ignis: I know, that was the plan. Yet the reports of the invasion are all the same. How could every headline in the kingdom be wrong?
Noctis: ... Lies.
Prompto: ... If only.
[Gladiolus looks at Ignis]
Gladiolus: What else do we know?
[Ignis shakes his head]
Gladiolus: Then we can’t be sure until we see it with our own eyes.
Prompto: And that means we go back to Insomnia.
Ignis: Might not be safe for us there.
Prompto: Might not be safe for us here.
[Gladiolus looks at Noctis]
Gladiolus: Turn back?
[Noctis casts his eyes downward]
Noctis: Yeah.
[The four drive back toward Insomnia under rainy skies, but there's a blockade across the main road. They detour and park the Regalia, fighting their way through the Empire's Magitek robot infantry until they get to a cliff overlooking the Crown City.
It's obvious that the Wall (a pinkish purple magical barrier maintianed by the King that surrounded the whole city) is no longer up. As Imperial dreadnoughts fly overhead, Noctis gets a phonecall]
Noctis: H-Hello? Cor?
Noctis: The hell’s going on?
--
Noctis: Outside the city, with no way back in.
--
Noctis: “Makes sense”? Are you serious? What about any of this makes sense!? The news just told me I’m dead — along with my father and Luna.
--
[Noctis eye’s widen; he looks at Insomnia and is silent a moment]
Noctis: Right.
[Noct lowers his phone]
Ignis: What did the marshal have to say?
Noctis: Said he’d be in Hammerhead.
Gladiolus: And the king?
[Noctis doesn’t respond; the four of them just stare in the direction of Insomnia]
Cor and the Royal Arms
Date: 2021-03-11 10:08 am (UTC)Gladiolus: Can’t keep up with this guy.
Prompto: First the Crown City, then Hammerhead, then the royal tomb?
Ignis: His nickname should have been “Cor the Restless.”
Gladio: Somehow not as catchy as “Cor the Immortal.”
Prompto: Making it out of Insomnia only adds to his legend.
Noctis: Well, fortune favors the bold.
Ignis: The wise make their own luck.
Gladio: You think it’s a coincidence he’s made it out of all those battles alive?
[As they enter the tomb, Cor is waiting for them, standing beside a sarcophagus that bears a sword in its hands]
Ignis: Marshal.
Cor: At last, Your Highness.
Noct: Yeah, wanna tell me what I’m here for?
Cor: The power of kings, passed from the old to the new through the bonding of souls. One such soul lies before you. To claim your forebears’ power is your birthright and duty as king.
Noct: My duty as king of what?
Cor: Now is not the time to question your calling. A king is sworn to protect his people.
Noct: And yet he chose to protect only one prince. Was that his calling? Forsake the masses to spare his own son?
Cor: How long will you remain the protected? The king entrusted the role of protector to you.
Noct: “Entrusted” it to me? Then why didn’t he tell me that? Why did he stand there smiling as I left? Why— Why did he lie to me?
Cor: That day, he didn’t want you to remember him as the king. In what time you had left, he wanted to be your father. He always had faith in you, that when the time came, you would ascend for the sake of your people.
Noct: Guess he left me no choice.
[Noct holds out his hand; the sword on the sarcophagus phases through the casket’s hands, floats into the air, hangs there briefly, and then flies into Noctis, imbuing him with his ancestor’s power.
Cor tells them that that there are tombs scattered across Lucis, and sends them on a fetch quest to acquire the weapons]
Train fight
Date: 2021-03-11 10:25 am (UTC)[Several weeks after the Battle of Altissia, the boys are on a train bound for Niflheim. Prompto and Ignis are sitting together in one seat; Gladio sits on th ebench behind them and Noctis sits alone across the aisle, hanging his head]
Prompto: So...we’re gonna roll through Tenebrae.
Ignis: Not before visiting the royal tomb in Cartanica.
Prompto: You’re sure you’re up to that?
Ignis: ... The wounds have mended. Eyesight’s a matter of time.
[Gladio stands up and stalks up, glaring at Noctis]
Gladiolus: The hell is wrong with you?
[Noctis slowly raises his head]
Noctis: What?
Gladiolus: We’re not stopping in Tenebrae. You need to grow up and get over it.
[Noctis stands and confronts his friend]
Noctis: I am over it. I’m here, aren’t I!?
[Gladiolus grabs Noctis by his jacket and pulls him close]
Gladiolus: Maybe when you’re not too busy moping, you can look around and give a shit about someone worse off than you.
Noctis: Let go of me.
Gladiolus: How’s that ring fit ya? You’d rather carry it around than wear it? She gave her life so you could do your duty, not so you could sit around feeling sorry for yourself.
Noctis: You don’t think I know that!?
Gladiolus: You don’t! Ignis took one for you too, and for what!?
Ignis: Enough, Gladio!
Gladiolus: You think you’re a king, but you’re a coward.
Noctis: Shut up!
[Noctis shoves Gladiolus and grabs him by his jacket as well; Prompto stands and addresses Gladio]
Prompto: Don’t do this—!
[Gladio puts his hand on Prompto’s face and shoves him back]
Noctis: I get it, alright!? I get it!
[Noct shoves Gladio away]
Gladiolus: Then get a grip! Pull your head outta your ass already!
[Noctis turns and walks away; Prompto calls after him]
Prompto: Noct!
Gladiolus: Leave him!
[Gladio turns and walks away in the other direction; Noctis walks to the other end of the train car and takes another seat]
They're on a boat
Date: 2021-03-11 10:58 am (UTC)• Cid and Cindy have repaired the Royal Vessel, a boat that belonged to Noct's dad, hidden away at the dock beneath Cape Caem.
• They chat as they sail to Altissia. The wedding is postponed, but Noctis still needs to make a covenant with the Astral Leviathan after Luna summons it
• The group shares their concern that the Empire will be there, and that Luna and her safety is their top priority.
• They mention Luna's brother Ravus, and his prosthetic arm that looks like a piece of Magitek technology, and the rumour that Ravus was seen brandishing Noct's father's sword.
• They talk about Ardyn (Absinthe) and muse on what exactly his motivations are.
• And finally they enter Altissia, aka neo-Venice.
Battle of Altissia
Date: 2021-03-11 11:22 am (UTC)• As per talks with First Secretary Claustra, Gladio, Prompto and Ignis are stationed to aid the citizens of Altissia evacuate if the summoning of Leviathan breaks bad. They keep tabs with in-ear comms
• The summoning breaks bad. Leviathan is a wrathful god, and a Niflheim battalion is trying to take her down, both causing damage throughout the city
• The three boys lose contact with Noct, and the trio's conversation is cut short as an out of control Empire airship crashes into the building they're in.
• For a time, Gladio and Prompto think Ignis dead, until he checks in via radio. Ignis tells them he will make his way to the altar and Noctis.
• Gladio and Prompto keep aiding the evacuation effort, and organizing aid for Ignis as he makes his way to the summoning altar.
Altissia aftermath
Date: 2021-03-11 11:43 am (UTC)• Gladio arrives at the destroyed altar first, slowing down and taking pause as Ravus walks past him. Gladio turns and watches him a moment like he wants to confront him, but he lets Ravus go and turns back to Ignis and Noctis who are both unconscious on the ground, with no sign of Luna.
• Noctis looks physically okay, but Ignis' face is visibly injured, a large scar marring his left eye and the area around it. He and Prompto carry Noct and Iggy to safety.
• The days pass and Ignis wakes, but is now blind in both eyes. Noctis wakes some days after.
• Some weeks pass as they recover. Noctis is grieving for Luna, and Gladio is increasingly getting more frustrated at Noct's inability to move forward.
Cartanica
Date: 2021-03-11 12:07 pm (UTC)• Ignis goes with the group, equipped with a cane, he stumbles and trips, with Prompto often going to his side to help him up
• Gladio shows some concern and offers some encouraging words, but he spends as much time taking verbal jabs at Noctis who snarks back. Prompto attempts to lighten the mood, but his efforts fall flat.
• At the door of the tomb, they're attacked by a Malboro, and it's Ignis that deals the final blow by throwing a fire magic flask into its mouth.
• They're able to enter the tomb and Noctis acquires another Royal Arm.
[as the group walks back out into the swamp]
Ignis: A moment?
Gladio: Is everything okay?
Ignis: It bloody well isn’t. And I won’t suffer this pointless bickering in silence any longer. Let’s be frank. My vision hasn’t improved, and probably won’t. Yet in spite of this... I would remain with you all. Til the very end.
Gladio: Sorry, but I object. War is a matter of life and death.
Prompto: But, we’ll be there!
Gladio: It’s not about us looking out for him!
Prompto: Uh-huh. Well, then he should be free to choose.
Gladio: There’s more to it than just what he wants!
Ignis: I know full well! I won’t ask you to slow down. If I can’t keep up, I will bow out.
Gladio: What says “His Majesty”?
Ignis: Noct, you are king. One cannot lead by standing still. A king pushes onward always, accepting the consequences and never looking back. Gladio, Noct will take his rightful place, but only once he’s ready.
[Gladio is quiet for a moment before relenting and turning his back]
Gladio: Have it your way. We’re still taking a big risk.
[Gladio turns to look at Noct]
Gladio: We better all be ready.
[Gladio walks off]
Longer nights and losing a Prompto
Date: 2021-03-11 12:24 pm (UTC)Gladio (to Ignis): Hey captain, mission complete.
Ignis: Splendid.
Noct: So what “caught your ear”?
Ignis: Rumors of longer nights.
Gladio: They’ve been growing longer, day by day.
Ignis: There was talk of it back in Lucis, but recent days have shown an unseasonably sharp change. Should this trend continue, before long…
Noct: There won’t be daylight.
Gladio: Well, it’s not out of the question. The empire’s already slain half of the Six. No wonder the whole world’s in disarray.
Noct: I ... guess.
Ignis: And longer nights mean more daemons.
Gladio: Seen that with our own eyes.
Ignis: I happened to overhear a fellow passenger discussing this very same phenomenon.
Gladio: So he sent yours truly to seek ’em out.
Noct: Nice police work.
Gladio: Well, don’t wanna keep ’em waiting.
Ignis: No, we don’t. Back in a moment.
Noct: Sure.
[Gladio and Ignis leave Noctis on their way to talk to the passenger when the train abruptly screeches to a halt.
The windows in some of the train car shatter, as Niflheim troops and tanks start firing at the train. Gladio and Ignis fight off all the attackers as they make their way to engine, protecting the crew so they can get the train going again.
As the train starts moving again, Ignis receives a frantic call from Noct. Ignis catches Gladio up, that Prompto as been pushed off the train via Ardyn's machinations]
Gralea, the Empire's capital city
Date: 2021-03-12 12:22 am (UTC)Noctis, Ignis and Gladio are sitting in the dining car of the train as it heads for Gralea.]
Ignis: We should be drawing close to Gralea.
Noctis: Yeah.
Gladiolus: I can’t imagine what it’ll be like.
Noctis: Swarming with daemons, but you knew that.
Gladiolus: Don’t remind me.
Ignis: Once we arrive, we’ll make for the Keep.
Noctis: The Keep?
Ignis: Zegnautus. An imperial megafortress said to be impregnable.
Noctis: With Prompto and the Crystal inside it.
Gladiolus: What goes in, must come out.
[The three are silent for a moment]
Gladiolus: So, are we buying this story that the Crystal can purge daemons?
Ignis: The proof is in the purging, but it does stand to reason. We’ve observed that as the nights have grown longer, the daemon hordes have grown stronger. If they are in fact averse to the Crystal’s Light, it could save not only Lucis, but the world.
Noctis: We’ll find out once we take it back.
[Suddenly, the train comes screeching to a halt. Deamons have started swarming the train, visible from the windows as they start to burst in.
The trio attempt to draw their weapons, but they can't summon/conjure them. They hurry to the freight car where the Regalia is being stored. Noctis gets behind the wheel and they drive out of freight and speed along the train tracks
A defense mechanism is activated and Noctis has to drive fast to avoid a series of gates closing and incendiaries. The trio makes it safely through the tunnel, but the Regalia is destroyed]
Separated in Zegnautus
Date: 2021-03-12 12:34 am (UTC)• Their car is destroyed, and they still can't summon their weapons.
• The trio make their way toward the wreckage of the train car that sits propped across a bridge. Noctis makes his way under the wreckage, but before Gladio and Ignis can follow, the train car collapses, separating the latter two from Noctis
• Gladio helps Ignis through the wreckage and Ardyn(Absinthe) shows up, claiming to bear "gifts." He snaps his fingers and Ignis and Gladio's weapons appear in hand. After a terse exchange, Ardyn leaves. The duo proceed to the Keep, now able to summon their weapons again.
• As they enter the keep, they fight daemons and Magitek troopers as they're taunted by Ardyn over the intercom. They come across a control room, with all footage wiped except for one thing that they muse was left for them to see.
• The video shows Ravus (Luna's brother) in the throne room, flanked by demons as he confronts Emperor Iedolas. The Emperor orders the deamons to kill Ravus and he's attacked and falls from a height. The camera switches and an injured Ravus is approached by "Noctis." Ravus offers Noct his father's sword and Noctis kills him... and the illusion fades and it was Ardyn all along pretending to be Noctis. The video ends.
• The duo discuss it for a moment, and turn back to the monitors. Gladio finds the location of the Crystal.
Reunited
Date: 2021-03-12 01:08 am (UTC)Noct is on the ground as Gladio barrels into the room]
Gladio: That was close.
Noct: The hell’d you get here?
[Gladio holds out his hand to Noct]
Gladio: You’re welcome?
Noct: Thanks.
[Noct takes Gladio’s hand, and Gladio pulls him to his feet]
Ignis: After we were separated, we received “help”—from the usual suspect.
Gladio: That bastard’s playing with us. But at least we’re together.
Ignis: All but one of us.
Ardyn (via the intercom): Reunited with your retainers at last. How very touching. Must be a fine feeling, having friends. Look how happy you are! I pray you find your dear Prompto soon.
[The trio keep searching and discover Prompto in a prison cell. They free Prompto from his restraints, and he falls to the floor, bruised and injured. Reunited, they take a moment to rest in one of the dormitories in the keep.]
Emperor Iedolas
Date: 2021-03-12 02:47 am (UTC)[Before Gladio and Ignis can leave the control room, a talking daemon shows up, which is very uncommon.
The Daemon is obsessed with the Crystal, and is very possessive of it and it's power. For a moment, a purple miasma surrounds the daemon's head, and its face transforms into Emperor Iedolas.
The duo fight the daemon until it turns into miasma and retreats]
Ignis: I can't hear it anymore. Is it dead?
Gladio: Not yet -- thing just disappeared. I've never seen one that talked like that before
Ignis: Nor one so fixated on the Crystal.
Gladio: I thought Aranea said the daemons were afraid of the Crystal?
Ignis: It may be like moths to a flame -- or it may be one of the empire's "alternative facts"
Gladio: Whichever it is, that monster's still on the loose
Ignis: And we need to find it before it finds Noct and Prompto
[The duo leaves the control room to find their companions.]
Deamons and more daemons
Date: 2021-03-12 03:02 am (UTC)They end up in a large hangar space as Ardyn taunts them over the intercom.
Ardyn: Your Majesty, your precious Crystal awaits you. To liven things up I thought I’d take you on a stroll down memory lane. Of course, memories decay with time.
[Ravus’s body walks through the hangar doors, now grotesque and daemonic, transformed into a monster]
Ravus: Kill me… End it…
Gladiolus: Is that Ravus?
Prompto: Or what’s left of him…
Noctis: Dammit…
(when Ravus’s body has been defeated)
Gladiolus: A sorry end for the high commander—for anyone. He was a man with hopes and dreams.
[Ravus’s body begins to discorporate]
Prompto: It’s horrible.
Ignis: What kind of fiend makes daemons of men?
[Ravus’s body finishes discorporating and is gone; Noct looks sadly at the floor where his body had been]
Gladio: Look alive—company!
[The room suddenly fills with daemons; they begin to attack]
Gladio: We’re getting nowhere!
Prompto: And they just keep coming!
Ignis: Noct, you must go alone.
Noctis: What?
Ignis: If you can obtain the Crystal’s power, we may yet turn the tide. Elsewise, we are all like to perish here.
Gladio: Iggy’s right. It’s our only chance.
Noctis: But what about you?
Prompto: We’ll manage somehow! Just get moving!
[The elevator to the loading bay comes up to this level. Noct grimaces and goes to the elevator as the trio keep fighting]
Ardyn the villain
Date: 2021-03-12 03:16 am (UTC)• The daemon swarm trickled to a halt after Noctis leaves, Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto defeat the last daemons and run to the Crystal chamber.
• Noctis isn't in the room, but Ardyn is. He turns taunts the group about Noct being in the Crystal, gesturing nonchalantly and begins to walk away;
• Gladiolus swings his sword through Ardyn’s head, releasing a puff of dark smoke from where the blade strikes; Ardyn falls back a little, but maintains his balance and keeps walking, to the group's surprise.
• Prompto shoots Ardyn in the back before he can take more than a couple of steps, releasing another puff of dark smoke and hurling his body onto the floor. After a moment, Ardyn stands up again and smiles, revealing corrupted daemonic features as he does so.
• Ardyn walks away, leaving Noctis’s closest friends unharmed but devastated.
Titan and the Chancellor
Date: 2021-03-12 03:42 am (UTC)[The boys are in the Regalia and following Ardyn's(Absinthe) car, since he told the party he'd be able to get them past the imperial blockade to explore the Disc of Cauthess. The boys are cleared to go through and Ardyn leaves.
They discover a Royal Arm close to a ledge. Noctis claims the weapon and the earth shakes dramatically. Noct is unable to get far before the ground falls out from under his feet and he falls. Gladio shouts out to him from a few feet away and dives out over the ledge to grab onto Noct's arm to pull him up.
The meteor begins to rise before them, revealing Titan, who has been holding the chunk of space debris on his back for many years.]
[Titan says something indecipherable in the language of the gods]
Noct: Goddamn… This is the Archaean?
Gladio: Seems we woke the big guy up.
Noct: He’s trying too tell me something … But what?
[Prompto and Ignis call down from high above, telling Gladio and Noctis to move forward to Titan and they'll find a way down to meet with them.
Gladio and Noct make their way closer to Titan. Noctis getting more annoyed as they progress]
Noctis: I’m sick of this endless walking…
[Gladio suddenly grabs him by his shirt and pulls him close]
Gladiolus: And I’m sick of your endless whining. Calm the hell down.
Noctis: Get off my back.
Gladiolus: Are you a man of royal blood or aren’t you?
Noctis: Of course I am.
[Noct pushes Gladio’s arm away]
Noctis: I couldn’t forget it if I tried. What about it?
Gladio: I ain’t saying that you’ve forgotten, but you gotta know something: You’re not the only one who’s having a tough time. We’re all on edge. We Amicitia are the king’s sworn shields. Guard the king with our lives—that’s the way it’s always been. I’ve embraced my duty. And I take pride in it. When you can’t focus, I focus for you. It’s my job, so let me do it, alright?
Noctis: Alright.
[The two continue on]
Gladio: Sorry, but I had to get it out. C’mon. And remember, don’t rush ahead on your own.
Noct: Hey, Gladio. Your dad ... I’m grateful to him.
Gladiolus: Just doin’ his job.
[The duo finally make it to Titan, where it speaks to Noctis. Gladio and Noctis exclaim in disbelief as Titan takes a swing at them, and they proceed to fight him. Ignis and Prompto join them, and Empire dropships also show up, MT soldiers attacking Titan.
With a roar, Titan and the meteor suddenly discorporate in a powerful flash that sends all the imperial ships in the vicinity crashing to the ground; lava spews from the earth as the Disc of Cauthess crumbles around Noctis and his retinue]
Gladiolus: Doesn’t get much worse than this.
[The four find themselves trapped; suddenly, an imperial drop ship descends to their location]
Ignis: The empire! Now?
[The drop ship’s door lowers; Ardyn is standing there]
Ardyn: Fancy meeting you here!
[Noctis and the others stare at him in stunned silence]
Ardyn: It occurs to me I never formally introduced myself. Izunia. Ardyn Izunia.
Ignis: Imperial Chancellor Izunia?
Ardyn: At your service. And more importantly, to your aid.
[None of the four move, instead offering only uncertain stares]
Ardyn: I guarantee your safe passage. Though you’re always welcome to take your chances down there.
[Noct and the others continue staring back, clearly frustrated]
Ardyn: Buried among the rubble, is it?
Ignis: Dying here is not an option. We have no choice, Noct.
Noctis: I know.
Ramuh and retrieving the Regalia
Date: 2021-03-12 04:08 am (UTC)Cindy calls to let them know that the car is being held by the empire at Aracheole Stronghold]
Noctis: Some kind of fortress.
Gladio: Yeah, port-a-fortress. Those walls don’t look so portable, though.
Ignis: They are remnants of the Old War, and the imperial army has availed itself of the added protection. Entry will not be easy.
[The boys make camp at Sothmocke Haven and devise an infiltration strategy.
They sneak in, but they get discovered anyway, fighting MTs and heavily armed mech. The boys are struggling, and Noctis summons Ramuh fo the first time (Video clip of the summon)
The base and the enemies are decimated, Noct and the boys are safe from the destructive magic.]
Noctis: This is the might of the Six…
Prompto: Dude…that…was…hardcore!
Ignis: And it did the trick—the place is dead.
Gladiolus: Rest in pieces. C’mon, let’s grab the Regalia and split.
[on the way to retake the Regalia inside the base]
Prompto: Piece of cake, huh?
Gladiolus: Hmph, this part is.
Ignis: Inadvertent though it was, we dealt the empire a crushing blow today. The marshal will be pleased to hear of this.
Iris and Lestallum
Date: 2021-03-12 05:36 am (UTC)Gladio has gotten in touch with fellow crownsguard and the Amicitia family retainers. They've taken his sister Iris and fled the crown city, waiting for them in Lestallum.
The boys arrive at the Leville Hotel in Lestallum; while they stand in the lobby, Iris comes down the stairs]
Iris: Gladdy!
Gladio: Iris.
Iris: Look at you guys, holding your own out there.
Prompto: What can I say? You look good.
Iris: All things considered. You guys are staying here, right?
Ignis: That’s the plan.
Gladio: When you have time, we have catching up to do.
Iris: Sure.
The boys get a hotel room and after some moments, Iris arrives with an old man and a young boy.]
Gladio: Jared and Talcott! Is it good to see you.
Talcott: Prince Noctis! Iris is safe with me!
Jared: Please excuse my grandson. He has yet to learn his manners.
Noctis: I like it.
Jared: Your Highness is very kind, but we shan’t impose. A very good night to you, Your Highness.
[Jared and Talcott leave; Iris closes the door; she and the boys then all take a seat]
Noct: So Iris, what was it like inside the Crown City?
Iris: Not pretty. The Citadel took a beating. But a lot of outlying neighborhoods made it through in one piece.
Ignis: The empire had tactical targets in mind.
Iris: You know if there’s anything else, you can ask me.
Noct: Yeah, uh, thanks.
Iris: So ... about Lady Lunafreya. I keep hearing she was in town. Apparently she left right away, but at least it means she’s okay.
Noct: Good to hear. Thanks.
[Iris stands]
Iris: Yeah, well, get a good night’s rest.
[She leaves the room and Gladio follows. The siblings go into a room by themselves]
Gladio: Settling in okay?
Iris:Uh-huh. It's pretty different from home but we'll make it work.
Gladio: Atta girl.
Iris: Are you guys staying a while?
Gladio: Maybe a few days. Then we have to get going.
Iris:You're still going to Altissia?
Gladio: Don't worry about it.
Iris: Gladdy...
Gladio: I still have a duty.
[she looks unhappy]
Iris: Like dad?
[his lips flatten and he moves to sit next to her
Gladio: He did his duty. You should be proud.
Iris: I know...
[Iris leans her head against him and Gladio wraps an arm across her shoulders. They don't speak as Iris cries quietly against his shoulder.]
going to Cape Caem
Date: 2021-03-12 06:16 am (UTC)[Iris calls them and is distraught. The empire has come to Lestallum and killed Jared. Talcott is devastated. They pack up to go to Cape Caem, where Cid and Cindy will help them fix a boat to take to Altissia.
Talcott travels with crownsguard Monica and Dustin. Due to lack of space, Iris travels with the boys in the Regalia. They stop once in a while to fulfill hunts with Iris. She has advanced combat training, with specific attacks done in combo with Gladio.
They pass Fort Vaullery, and the boys are vengeful enough that they infiltrate the base and take an Imperial Officer captive, Ignis handing him off the awaiting Hunters. Before they manage to leave the base, the boys are attacked by a dragoon. They fight for a bit, before she declares it "Quitting time," revealing that she is a mercenary that doesn't fight if she doesn't get paid.
They finally arrive at Cape Caem, Cindy is waiting for them, updating the boys on the repair progress of the ship and missing parts that she asks the boys to find. Iris thanks the boys for taking her to Caem and runs ahead to the house at the base of the lighthouse.
Cindy leaves, Iris and Talcott are on the porch of the nearby house.]
Talcott: Prince Noctis! Hey! Our house is over here! Right this way!
[Talcott and Iris give the boys a heads up on where to find the missing material they need for the ship repair]
Gladiolus: Yeah, just…give us a second.
Iris: Uh, okay? I’ll be inside, then.
[Iris goes inside]
Gladiolus: So yeah, gonna have to ask you to handle this boat business without me.
Prompto: Say wha?
Gladiolus: Got some business of my own to deal with.
Ignis: A solo venture?
Gladiolus: Just a little hike to help me clear my head.
[Gladio leaves the party]
Guard duty (brotherhood)
Date: 2021-03-12 07:15 am (UTC)[13 year old Gladio is standing at his post inside the royal dining room. Young Noctis and his father are eating at the table.
Another Crownsguard opens the door]
Guard: Gladio.
Gladio: Yes?
[They go the lobby, a 5 year old Iris is there, clutching her stuffed bunny, and is being kept company by three servants.
Iris: Gladdy!
Gladio: You dummy! What're you doing here?
Iris: I'm not a dummy. You're a dummy!
Gladio: Did you come here alone?
Iris: Yep! I came to see Noct.
Gladio: What? You know you can't--
Iris: Why? You see him all the time!
Gladio: Because it's my job
[Iris scowls and stomps her feet]
Iris:No fair, no fair, no fair!
[A beat of silence as an elderly butler says]
Butler: Shall I ask for an audience with the prince?
Gladio: Eh?
Iris: Yay! Thank you!
[Gladio looks exasperated. The older servants look charmed. He takes Iris to a receiving room where she sits on the couch]
Gladio: Now stay here. They're asking the prince right now.
Iris: Where're you going?
Gladio: Back to work.
Iris: Okay!
[The servants have lost track of Noctis, Gladio goes back to the receiving room but Iris is gone.
He runs around frantically trying to find her, and is finally informed that she's been found along with Noctis. Gladio is furious.]
Gladio: Iris!
Iris: (subdued): Gladdy...
Gladio: Where were you?! You had me worried sick!
[Iris is wide-eyed and staring up at Gladio]
Gladio: Well? Say something!
[King Regis comes into the room]
Regis: What's all the commotion, Gladiolus?
[Gladio straightens and bows along with everyone in the room, Gladio's tone immediately drops to something more respectful]
Gladio: My sister went missing and caused an uproar in the palace--
Noctis: It wasn't Iris's fault
Gladio: What?!
Regis: Gladiolus.
[He holds a hand up to stop Gladio and turns to Noct]
Regis: Tell me what happened
Noctis: I went outside to play earlier and asked her to come with me
[Iris looks at noct surprised. Gladio glares at Noctis
[King Regis chastises his son, and grounds him. Noctis leaves and Regis apologizes to Gladio and Iris. Gladio bows to King Regis again, saying he should have kept a better eye on his sister. Iris is silent and looks sad.
Taking Iris home, Gladio is still angry at Noctis. Iris approaches her brother and nervously admits that it wasn't Noctis' fault. She saw a cat in the garden and followed it. Noct showed up to help her when she got lost. Gladio raises his voice in disbelief, but quiets down when Iris tearfully apologizes and bursts into tears.]
Understanding Noctis (Brotherhood)
Date: 2021-03-12 07:41 am (UTC)Gladio: What, done already? Homework?
Noctis: Project from my tutor. I have to do it 'cause I'm grounded.
[Noctis looks over to Gladio who is standing in the doorway]
Noctis: What?
[Gladio offers up a smile]
Gladio: Even if you can't go out, you can still train, right?
Noctis: I think I've got enough to do already.
Gladio: Come on. you're not the only one being punished here.
[Noctis blinks confused, but they both go to the training rooms. They don protective gear and start sparring with wooden practice swords. Gladio seems to exert minimal effort to knock Noctis down several times.
Noctis swears and sits up, breathing hard. Gladio sits on the floor next to him.]
Gladio: You still got a long way to go. But... you got guts.
[Noctis looks at Gladio surprised]
Gladio: Iris told me the whole story.
Noctis: What story?
Gladio: The real one, where you covered for her.
Noctis: O-oh.
Gladio: Thank you.
[Noct's eyes widen and he looks down, slightly bashful]
Noctis: You don't need to...
Gladio: But that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. You got a lot to learn before you're king.
Noctis: Then teach me.
Gladio: That's why I'm here.
[Gladio raises a fist. Noct smiles and the boys fist bump. Noctis picks up his practice sword and stands up]
Noctis: This time, I won't lose!
Gladio: Heh. Give it your best shot
Cup Noodle Quest
Date: 2021-03-12 09:50 am (UTC)- The boys are wandering Lestallum and Gladio asks if they can stop by the Cup Noodle truck. Prompto wonders why Gladio loves them so much, and Gladio waxes poetic about the wonderful things about Cup Noodles
- Gladio gets the idea that the best foods have the finest freshest ingredients. Therefore, they should hunt down a rogue behemoth to use its meat for the "ultimate flavor experience."
- The boys are successful and bring down their prey, earning a hearty dinner of... Cup Noodle. Gladio expresses his Cup Noodle appreciation once again, and the other three humor him (they're good supportive friends)
That stuck up prince
Date: 2021-03-12 10:11 am (UTC)(Video link for the scene, 2:34 to 3:20)
[kid Gladio is lounging at home on the couch sounding frustrated]
Gladio: That stuck-up prince!
Iris: You said something mean! I'm telling Papa!
[Iris pops up from behind the sofa arm]
Gladio: Iriiis
[Gladio grabs her over the sofa arm and flips her over on the couch. Grinning, he launches a vicious tickle attack and Iris laughs happily]
Iris: Hahaha! Stop it, Gladdy!
[Gladio stops tickling her, and her laughter trails off]
Gladio: Just blowing off some steam.
Iris: Do you really hate him?
Gladio: Yeah, I hate that spineless brat from the bottom of my heart.
Iris: But, isn't it your job to protect him?
Gladio: Huh?
Iris: You're supposed to be the king's shield, just like Papa!
Gladio: If it were King Regis, yeah. But I'll never protect that punk. Not like he'll ever be king anyway.
Iris: Wait -- how come?
Gladio: Go to bed.
[Iris leans closer to Gladio's face]
Iris: Tell me, tell me, tell me!
[Gladio smushes Iris cheeks with both hands]
Gladio:I said go to bed!
Regalia memories
Date: 2021-03-12 10:34 am (UTC)(Video clip of the broken car scene)
[Noctis sits behind their roken-down car, Prompto is on his back a couple of feet away, Ignis is behind the wheel, Gladio is standing beside the car and tries to wave down an approaching vehicle.
The civilian car approaching them just goes around them, honks a couple of times as if in annoyance, and continues on down the highway]
Gladiolus: I think we can forget about hitching our way there… Thought people were friendly outside the city.
Ignis: You can only go so far on the kindness of strangers.
Gladio: Just gonna have to push her all the way.
Prompto: I’ve already pushed myself…to the brink of death.
[Gladio smacks Noct on the back to get his attention and walks over to Prompto]
Gladiolus: Oh, get up.
[Gladio kicks Prompto’s foot]
Gladio: C’mon, car isn’t gonna move itself.
[Noct and Prompto get up]
Prompto: I thought the car was supposed to move us.
[Gladio gets his hands in position on the back of the Regalia while Noctis and Prompto get in place on either side of the car]
Noctis: Wouldn’t that be nice—
Gladio: Can it. Ready…
[Noct and Prompto groan]
Gladio: Steady… Push!
[The boys continue to banter as they push the car all the way to the Hammerhead Garage, which is currently a small speck in the distance.]
---------------
TYPE D - Because Noctis lets Cindy do pretty much anything, she transforms the car into a monster truck and the boys take it off road.
---------------
TYPE F - The boys fetch some parts for Cindy and she puts them to good use, converting the Regalia so it can transform and fly. (flight video clip)