"I have never seen anything like this in my life." Paul said as he watched you in awe as you walked in between Noctis and the black chocobo.

The chocobo calmly walked beside you without so much as a single rope around him to keep him with you. While Noctis had to hold onto the reins for his so that it didn't race away. Not that it would, since it seemed to be relaxed as it walked on Noctis' opposite side from you. But it was giving the black chocobo a nervous eye every once in a while.

"I have." Wiz said as he never took his eyes off of you. "But only once."

"Really?" King Regis said as he rode beside them as they slowly rode their birds' back to the post. "Who was the rider?"

"I never learned his name." Wiz said as he slightly shook his head. "I could only just make out his fiery red hair and quiet demeanor from a distance. I just happen to be scouting around for hurt or injured birds when I came across him."

"I wonder how he was able to link up with a wild bird?" Paul asked.

"I don't know. And especially since it wasn't just any wild bird." Wiz said as he glanced at Paul. "It was the leading male for the largest wild flock in these parts. No one had been able to get anywhere near the flock with him protecting them. At least not until the guy with red hair went walking right up to him. I didn't hear anything that he said, due to how far away I was. But it certainly was incredible to witness."

"Whoa." Prompto quiet replied.

"How long ago was that?" Gladio asked from the back of the group as they slowly rode a few feet behind you and Noctis.

"Long before you were born my boy." Wiz said before he started to get lost in thought. "Long before."

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~

"So what are you going to name him?" Noctis asked as he glanced over at you as he walked beside you.

"I don't know." You said as you reached up and placed your hand on the black chocobo's neck.

The black chocobo gave you a deep grumble from his throat as he slowly walked beside you. You smiled as you marveled at how gentle he was to handle. And you didn't even have a halter or reins on him. Just your hand on his neck for the occasional pet.

The bird's whole demeaner kind of reminded you of a certain someone who was a bit hot headed sometimes. But at the same time, was as sweet as could be towards you. You slightly smirked as you realized that even the color of his feathers matched the person's hair. And with a slight laugh you turned back to Noctis.

"How about Prince?" You asked with a smile.

"Prince?" Noctis asked as he gave you a confused look. "Why Prince?"

"Because he's just like you."

"Huh? That bird and I have nothing in common."

"Oh yes you do. You're both very stubborn and single minded."

"That's not true." Noctis grumpily said as he looked away.

"But you're also both very sweet and protective of me." You continued with a smile towards Noctis.

He quietly walked beside you for a few moments before he glanced back at you with a slight smile.

"And besides," you continued as you reached up and touched Noctis' hair, "you both have the same gorgeous, raven black hair. Or feathers in his case."

Noctis smiled at you as he reached his arm around your waist and pulled you next to him as you walked. Suddenly Noctis yelped and quickly pulled his hand away. You quickly looked at Noctis. You saw him giving 'Prince' a firm look as he was now rubbing the top of his hand.

"What happened?" You asked you grabbed his hand.

"Apparently he's a bit of the jealous type." Noctis said as you inspected his hand.

"Sounds familiar." You replied with a smile as you saw a slight red mark starting to form. "But at least its nothing serious. Here. Let me kiss it away for you."

Noctis then felt his heart start to race as you raised his hand up to your lips and kissed the red mark. Then you wrapped it back around your waist and placed your hand on his to protect him from being nipped at again. The chocobo leaned his head towards your hand and gently nipped your fingers. You smiled at him and released Noctis' hand and gave Prince a gentle pat.

"See all better." You said as Prince calmed back down again as he gave you a low grumble again.

"I guess so." Noctis said as he gave Prince a firm look.

"Looks like the two of you will just have to learn to share." You said with a smile as you glanced back at Noctis.

Noctis didn't say anything as he smiled back at you. Instead, he pulled you closer to him and kissed you on top of your head. Prince raised his head and almost seemed to growl at Noctis. You slightly laughed as you gave Prince a gentle pat in order to calm him down again.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

"So just show him the reins so that he can check them out first. "Then I want you to put them on him." Wiz was telling you as you walked over to Prince as he stood perfectly still in the corral and watched you.

You slowly walked up to Prince with the halter and reins. He slightly cocked his head at you when you held the halter up in front of him. But he didn't make any indication that he was going to move. Which made you smile as you put it on.

"Good boy." You said to him as you snuggly tightened it to his head. "I knew that you were smart enough to understand all of this."

"Good." Wiz said as you started rubbing his neck after it was nice and snug. "Now lead him around with the reins."

"Okay." You said as you grabbed a hold of the reins and started walking him around the corral, which Prince walked along with you like a well trained puppy dog.

"Perfect. Now try putting on the saddle." Wiz said.

"Sure." You replied and lead Prince over to the fence where the saddle was waiting.

"First put on the saddle pad, then the saddle. But do it gently. You don't want to spook him."

"Got it." You replied and grabbed the saddle pad.

First you showed him the pad and let him look at it. But he didn't seem to be interested in it as he push his head against it. Which made you smile. Then you gently started to rub it against him so that he would get to use to how it felt.

You were pleased that he didn't so much as bat an eye at the pad on him. Then after gentling rubbing the pad across his back, you placed the pad right on him and picked up the saddle. He turned his head to watch. But again he didn't make a move. You smiled at him and slid the saddle up onto his back.

Then you went to reach around his chest to attached the breast straps. As you did, you expected him to cower from you as he lifted his head back up and watched you hand. But instead, he seemed to puff his chest out as you put it on. Which made it easier for you to fasten the leather straps. And as you tightened up the straps, he slimmed back down so that you were able to get it nice and snug.

"There's something different about this bird." Paul said to Wiz as he slightly shook his head. "I've never heard of a wild bird taking to the saddle and reins so easily."

"Nor have I." Wiz answered. "I'm beginning to think that he use to belong to someone."

"Now lead him around so that he can get use to the weight on his back." Wiz called out to you.

"Perhaps he escaped from your stables?" Prompto asked as he glanced at Wiz as you started walking Prince around the ring.

"I've only had him here for about a week." Wiz replied without taking his eyes off of you as Prince walked calmly besides you as you walked around the whole corral. "And that was only after I found him half dead on the side of the road."

"Whoa. Seriously? Someone actually hurt him?" Prompto asked in horror towards Wiz.

"Unfortunately yes. And he was hurt quite severely. But I don't think it was a person who hurt him. His wounds were much to deep and wild to be human." Wiz said with a nervous tone.

"A behemoth perhaps?" King Regis asked as he watched you petting Prince as you praised him for doing so well.

"I was thinking the same. But I haven't seen one in these parts for a long time now. At least, not since the war." Wiz said as he started to get quiet.

"War...?" Prompto started to ask.

But he stopped short as Gladio bumped him in the arm and shook his head at him. Gladio could see that the topic was a very sore subject with Wiz, who seemed to space out for a moment as he stared at the ground. Gladio had seen that reaction from a lot of the glaives when they would come back from a mission. He quickly learned by their reactions, on how it went. The quieter they were, the rougher it was. Let alone the fact that there were fewer of them returning then when they had left.

"I think he likes this." You said in a bright tone as you beamed at Prince.

You had no idea that there had been a serious discussion going on, since you were totally focused on Prince. But they didn't let on that anything heavy had been discussed as they all shifted on their feet as they tried to beam back at you when you glanced over at them. Which of course made you beam even more. Since you felt their support and encouragement flow through you as you walked with Prince.

"Are you ready to ride?" Wiz asked.

"Really?" You excitedly asked. "Do you think he's ready?"

"There's only one way to find out." Wiz said with a smile. "Put your hand on his head and gently push him down. If he wants you to ride him, he'll lay down and let you on his back. If he doesn't, then he's not ready."

"Okay." You said as you turned towards Prince and stood looking at him.

Prince stood still as you placed your hand on his head. You then gently tried to push down on his head. But he stood fast. Your heart started to drop as he stood there staring at you.

"You have to apply some pressure if you want him to get down. He won't move without it. Understand?" You heard Wiz say.

You slightly nodded. Then you pressed down harder on his head. And as you watched him moved down to lay down under your hand. Your heart started to race in your chest.

Holy shit!! You thought as you removed your hand as he stretched out his neck as if wanting you to climb on.

Which made you slightly laugh as your heart became overwhelmed with emotions. Then without thinking, you climbed onto his back. And as you settled in the saddle, he stood back up with you sitting on him with the biggest grin. All everyone could do was applaud.

Prince kwehed at their noise as he shifted his feet. You smiled back as you started to scratch his skin under his feathers. Which apparently Prince really liked. Since he closed his eyes and gave you a deep grumble as he pushed against your hands.

"Aww. You really like that, don't you boy?" You asked Prince as you continued to scratch his neck as he cooed at you.

Wiz laughed heartily at you as Prince became instant putty in your hands. Because all he could do was coo at you as he stretched his neck out as he put his head straight up. You couldn't help but to beam at him as you continued to scratch him for a couple moments. Only for him to sqwak at you as he looked back at you.

"I think you found his sweet spot." Wiz said to you as he beamed. "I'm impressed. It usually takes longer to figure that out with these guys. Especially since males are more aggressive than females."

"Females can be aggressive to." You replied as you went from scratching Prince's neck to simply petting him.

"Of course they can. But they tend to back down more." Wiz replied.

"Unlike someone we know." Noctis said with smirk.

"You haven't seen anything yet." You smirked back at him.

"Well for now, let's take a break and have some dinner." Your dad said as a means of stopping that taunt before it got out of hand.

"Oh shit!" You said in shock as you realized how late it was.

But your dad's firm look told you to watch your tongue.

"I mean shoot." You quickly said. "I haven't even started dinner yet."

Everyone simply laughed at you as you sat there stunned.

"How about you eat here for tonight." Wiz said with a smile. "My treat."

"Are you sure?" King Regis said as he turned to Wiz. "We can pay easily enough."

"Seeing her with that bird there, is more then enough payment for me." Wiz said with a warm smile.

Kweh! Prince said as he stood up tall and shifted his feet as if he wanted to show off.

Everyone laughed again.

"Someone likes that idea." You said as you scratched Prince's neck again and had him once again giving you a deep grumble.

"That sounds great Wiz." Your dad said to the man beaming in front of him.

"Thank you old friend." King Regis said with a smile as he patted Wiz on the arm.

"Think nothing of it, your grace. I consider it my honor to serve you." Wiz smiled back to King Regis.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

After hitching up Prince to the post by Noctis' bird, you joined everyone at the closest table for dinner. Which consisted of burgers with chips. The guys were thrilled. And you were surprised at how good his burgers were compared to the ones that you had had in the city. (So of course you took notes to use later.)

After dinner, you found yourself back at camp, sitting on the ground by the fire pit. You were leaned up against Prince, who was curled up right behind you. Your computer was on your lap as you worked on your assignment for Korn. This one was in regards the different plants in the wild and how you can use them for either food or medicine. Noctis was practicing sword play, while King Regis and your dad watched carefully.

Prompto walked over to you and was about to sit next to you. But after Prince lifted his head and gave him a warning kweh. Prompto changed his mind and sat down just off to your side.

"Is that an assignment from Korn?" He asked as he propped up one leg and put his arm on it as he leaned towards you.

"Yeah." You said without glancing up as you typed away.

"What's it on this time?"

"Oh just the plant life in the wild."

"That sounds engaging." He replied sarcastically.

You slightly laughed as you gave him a quick glance. "Yeah. Not exactly the most exciting topic. Even if it is very helpful. I just wish that I could remember the names of the greens again that Wiz was telling us about."

"Which ones did you forget?" Prompto asked as he leaned closer. "I might be able to help."

"Well, I remember him talking about the Reagan green that give the birds a bit of a gliding boost. Plus there it the Gypsy green that doesn't do anything but feed them."

"That would be Gysahi not Gypsy." Prompto corrected as he pointed to your screen. "Then you have Curiel for a running boost and Sylkis that is like the super treat since it boosts their glide and speed."

You paused and looked at him in shock. Prompto looked back at you and gave you a nervous look.

"What?" He asked as he searched your face.

"I'm sorry to stare, you just surprised me is all. You must have been really paying attention to him." You said as you searched his face in wonder.

"What can I say." Prompto said as he started to scratch the back of his head with a smile on his face. "I love chocobos. And I think they like me as well."

Right then his chocobo came over and gently pushed her head against Prompto's back as she gave him a deep grumble. Prompto slightly laughed at her as he turned towards her and reached up to scratch under her beak as he rubbed her head. She did a deep coo as she settled down right behind him and placed her head on his chest. Then she gently pulled him back against herself as she laid down on her legs to rest.

"Well that is obvious." You replied with a smile. "It must be the golden glow of your hair. I wonder if she thinks of you more as her baby chick then as her rider."

"I would be happy with both." He said as he continued to get her affection, which she seemed to be really enjoying.

Prince raised up his head for a moment as he watched them. But then he laid his head back down and fell back to sleep. Which made you feel better. It looked like Prince trusted Prompto too. At least with another chocobo.

THE next morning found all of you standing in the open field in front of the campsite. You could feel the tension in the air as everyone stood at the ready with their weapons in hand. Because this time it wasn't for a simple training session. And there was nothing pleasant about what you were about to do.

"Does everyone understand what their to do?" Your dad asked as everyone stood looking at the garula that was standing right in the middle of everyone as it flared its nostrils at you.

"Isn't there another way?" You asked as you gave your dad a stressed look.

"I wish there was kiddo." He replied as he gave you an understanding look. "But she's already in a lot of pain from whatever attacked her."

His words made your heart ache as you glanced back at the injury animal. Everyone had heard the attack last night in an area just far enough away that the threat wasn't towards the camp. However, it had been loud enough to wake everyone up enough that they all walked out of their tents and looked around. But after one last cry from her and hearing the ground thundering from the herd moving, it was decided that the team would wait until morning to go and investigate. Which was the easy the part, since she was right in between the haven and the water's edge.

"In her current state, she's more of a threat to her herd than anything else. That's why they left her." You heard your dad say as you dropped your head. "If we don't do this, she'll only suffer even longer. It's really the best for her."

You took in one long shaky breath. You knew that your dad was right. You could see the super deep gashes in her sides. And one of her legs was off to the side in what looked like a very bad compound break.

But her eyes were telling you that she was scared. Even though her body was quivering in pain as she tried to stay on her feet. Which is what was making you hesitate. You were just glad that you weren't the only one questioning this as you did a quick glance at Prompto and saw your torn expression looking right back at you.

"Come on." Gladio said as he summoned his two-handed broadsword. "Let's get this over with."

"Yeah." Noctis said in a flat tone as he summoned his engine blade.

But you could tell just by Noctis' tone and his locked jaw, that he wasn't to pleased with this either. Then again, it was the best thing for the animal. And it was going to die either way. Whether it was by your hand or by whatever attacked it last night. And it was best by yours so that the safety of the haven wouldn't be put at risk.

"Come on Prompto. She needs our help." You said as you summoned your bow. "Let's end her pain."

Prompto glanced at you for a moment before he lowered his head.

"Yeah." Prompto said as he looked back up as he summoned handgun.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

You weren't exactly sure how long that it really took to take down the animal. All you knew was that it was certainly quick. Which you knew was partly due to her injuries. But mainly due to the fact that your dad and King Regis joined in as well and delivered the fatal blow to the head with a combo move. Which you had to admit, was pretty cool to witness.

Your dad had shot it in the head and caused it to raise its head enough to expose its neck. Which gave King Regis enough room to warp underneath her neck and slice her throat open. And with a unsettling splash and a thump, she was gone. And without anyone getting a single drop of physical blood on them. Even King Regis.

Of course you still couldn't help but to feel sad for the animal. Which quickly went away as you felt your lunch start to come back up as King Regis processed to gut the animal right on the field. You had to look away as you felt the color start to drain out of you face as your dad moved up to help out King Regis. You closed your eyes for a moment as you fought to get your stomach back under control.

It was obvious as to why they were doing that there. They were preparing the meat for consumption. But it didn't make it look any better to you. In fact you had to walk away from them as you tried to get away from the sound of it all as well. And you were grateful that the guys didn't follow you as you walked back towards camp.

You quietly figured that perhaps you could distract yourself by preparing lunch for everyone. Not that you were hungry after seeing that. But you know that everyone must have built up an appetite from taking care of it. And besides, cooking had always been a great distraction for you when you were upset.

Lost in thought on what to cook as you were walking back to camp, you just happen to spot the end of a familiar long tail as it was disappearing into the woods. You paused for a moment and shook your head before you looked again. But you didn't see it anymore. Even though you could still tell that something had gone on. Even Prince knew it as he was nervously pacing in front of the other chocobos.

He saw it too. There's no way that it could be just a coincident now. You thought as you walked up to him and placed your hand on his neck as he gaze never wavered from where the tail had disappeared. "Easy boy. It's gone."

Kweh! He said back to you before he focused back on the tree line again.

You slightly smiled as you started to pet him. "Thank you for watching out for the others, Prince."

Prince then pushed his head into your chest as he cooed at you. You smiled at him as you scratched his neck again. He cooed even louder as he pushed a bit harder against you. You smiled broadly at him and scratched him even harder as you gave him plenty of affection.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

After lunch, you and the guys practiced your sparing again while your dad and King Regis finished up with the garula. Then afterwards, you starting dinner of fish and garula steaks. You couldn't help but to smile at the guys as their mouths were practically drooling as your dad cooked the steaks over the open pit fire, while you cooked the fish and veggies on the stove. And no one gave a second thought about the animal that had been taken down just a short time again.

The next morning you were standing next to a small cluster of rocks that seemed to be electrified. Which was totally fascinating to you as you stared at them. They reminded you of the canisters that you had found in the storage room in the Niflheim tower while you had been making your escape. Your dad was explaining that the rocks were putting off the raw power of a natural element as it glowed.

"Each one is a different element. It just depends on the glow, on which one it is. This one is nothing but a huge electrical charge. You will also find fire and ice at the havens."

"Why would you need these?" Noctis asked as he walked up to the glowing rocks.

"The magic that you get from them can be used for a variety of things." Your dad stated as he continued to explain them. "You can use it against an enemy as a weapon. Or you can use it to start a fire at a haven, or chill your food in your ice chest. You can even use the electricity to charge your phones."

"Wait? Really?" Prompto asked in an excited tone.

"But how do we do that?" Noctis asked as he never took his eyes off of the rocks.

"Why don't you show them (y/n)." Your dad said.

Suddenly your heart almost stopped as you quickly looked at your dad. What?!

"Wha.. wha..what would make you think that I know...?" You started to stammer.

"When we were escaping from the empire, you pulled the raw magic out of the canisters in that storage room as if you had always done it." Your dad said as he searched your eyes. "Then you showed us that you could handle it by disabling all of the doors on the way out. And you did it without a single lesson in how to use it. And without a single word."

You felt your whole mouth go dry as you felt everyone's eyes on you. Why would he be telling them that now? Why couldn't he just tell us how?

"That's very impressive young lady." You heard King Regis say as your eyes never left your dad's stare. "Would you mind showing us what you can do?"

"Yes....." You said in shock before you collected yourself again. "I mean no your grace. I mean....of course I'll show you."

Then you dropped your gaze as you approached the rocks and stood beside Noctis. But you didn't meet his eyes as you reached out one hand over the rocks. You took a single deep breath and you focused on the rock. Then you concentrated on pulling the magic out of the rock and into yourself.

The magic glowed as it flowed from the rock, through the air and into your hand in a wispy trail of blue. The sensation of the magic entering your body, sent a thrill through you as you could once again feel the power flowing into you. The whole time you didn't realized that everything lit up around you as you pulled out all of the magic. That was until the rocks' glow disappeared and just looked like a rock with blue crystals in it.

You stopped drawing the magic as you raised your hand up again. Then you looked at the electricity as it teasingly ran in thin fingers across your skin before disappearing again. That was when you looked up to meet Noctis' gaze. But the look that you were expecting to see on his face, was the total opposite of what you saw.

Because his radiant blue eyes weren't scared. Instead, they were now dark navy blue. They made him look like he was totally turned on and was about to pull you into his arms to kiss you. The site caught your breath as he went to reach for your hand. But was stopped short as a spark flew off of you and hit his hand.

Noctis froze in place, before he slowly looked back up at you. You couldn't hide the shocked expression on your face as you looked back at him. You hadn't intended for that to happen. But as you watched his face, he didn't seem to care. In fact it seemed to make him want you even more.

"Whoa." Prompto said as he stepped up to the two of you. "Does it hurt?"

"No." You said as you slowly tore your eyes away from Noctis' and looked at Prompto. "But it does kinda tingle."

"Can I try next time?" Prompto asked as he looked at your dad.

"Not everyone can do it."  Noctis said as he kept his eyes on you. "Only those blessed by the gods can."

You quickly looked back at Noctis. He knew about this then?

"Are there more of these around?" You heard Gladio asked as Noctis' eyes seemed to bore into you as he reached over and grabbed your hand.

"Every haven has them." You heard King Regis answer as Noctis reached over and placed his other hand on your cheek. "And not just for electricity like for this one here. You will also find one for fire and one for ice."

"Wow." You heard Prompto said as if in a distance, oppose to right beside you as he turned and looked at King Regis.

The rest of the conversation didn't seem to register with you at all, as you became lost in Noctis' touch. There seemed to be a pull from him as if he was slowly pulling away some of the power from you. It almost seemed as if he was using you as a crystal shard as he gently pulled the magic from you and into his own body. And it seemed to connect you both in a much deeper way then if he was kissing you with his lips. The sensation left you breathless as he moved up against you as he kept his burning eyes on you.

"Are you okay?" He asked under his breath as he lifted up your chin so that your lips were within an inch of his.

"Yeah." You replied as you reached up and placed your hand on his.

Then you slowly pulled his hand down and smiled at him. You knew that he felt the same electricity that was running through you. And you saw the faint hint of red outlining his eyes. Which told you that he had pulled some of the magic from you and into himself as he touched you.

Which was something that you hadn't even considered before. But then again, you hadn't really played with the different elements before. At least not since you escaped from the Niflheim stronghold.

"Perhaps I should show these two a bit more about magic since we're here." King Regis said to Paul as they watched the two of you slowly move apart.

"This would be the idea location for that." Paul replied as you took a half step back from Noctis and smiled at him.

"But do you think they're ready?" King Regis asked as he looked at Paul.

"I know my teenager is." Paul replied before he looked at King Regis. "Is yours?"

"Huh." King Regis returned with a smile before he looked back at the two of you as Gladio and Prompto walked up and started talking to the two of you. "Perhaps they're more ready then we are to show them."

******Author Note******

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, I wanted to apologize for the delay for this week. But my family was hit with losing one of our own. My father-in-law passed away this week in the hospital after falling the night before he passed. It was a bit expected considering his age and degrading health. But we had been hoping to at least see him for one last Christmas and possible New Year. But as fate would have it, he didn't make it to either of them.

I ask your forgiveness if there is a slowing of my posting as we make his finally preparations this coming week. I will continue to try and write as a means of a distraction. But it has been hard so far to think about anything other than him and his wonderful life that he had lead before he went up to sit by god's side. At least now we take comfort in knowing that he will not be suffering in pain anymore.

But next up, you are faced with saving another yet again. Will you be able to save them in time? Or will it be to much for you this time? We shall see.

Thanks for reading. :)

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