OUTSIDE the citadel during the wedding ceremony.........

The grounds outside the citadel were dark and quiet with only the street lights shining on the black asphalt.  The gate guard yawned as he struggled to stay awake.  He had forgotten how boring is was to watch the back gate.  Especially since all of the excitement was going on deep within the citadel.

"Would it kill you to stay awake?"  The guard heard a friendly male voice say from just outside the door as another guard started to walk into the small cramped shack.

"At this rate the only thing that's going to kill me is boredom."  He replied as the other guard came closer to him.

The other guard laughed, which made the gate guard start to laugh in return.  That was until the front glass window shattered and gate guard's head did a sudden jerked back before it froze in place with a shocked look in his face. The other guard froze at the sudden change in the gate guard's expression.

"Hey man.  Are you alright?"  He asked.

But then he gasped as stream of blood started to pour from the gate guards forehead before he tumbled to the ground.  The guard froze for a moment before he realized what had just happened.  Then he quickly turned around and started to run towards the back of the shack.  But before he could reach the door handle, his head too jerked forward followed by his whole body as it went flying into the back wall.

"Is that all of them?"  Said a burly, old brunette, in a gruff voice as he stood beside a much younger blonde.

"Not yet."  Said the blonde in a smooth voice as he moved his scope to spot the last guard who was walking across the front of the gate.

But then he watched the guard glance over towards the shack and freeze for a moment before he frantically unlocked the gate before he started to run towards the shack as he grabbed his handheld radio from his belt.

"Oh no you don't."  The blonde said in a low tone as he lined up the cross hairs on the back of the guards head.  "You can stop right there."

Then as the blonde held his breath, he pulled the trigger.  The silent bullet wiped through the air in a silent scream before it hit the guard in the back of the head causing him to lurch forward before falling to the ground in mid stride.  The blonde then did one last glance around the gate to make sure that the other guards hadn't started walking towards the gate as they started their hourly rotation.  But after confirming that wasn't the case, he lifted the long barrow of his sniper rifle straight up as he stood up.

"That's the last of them."  The blonde said as he turned to the brunet beside him.  "But only if we're quick."

The brunet nodded before he turned to face his gang behind him.  "You heard him.  Get moving."

Then without another word the small street gang all dressed in black, made their way out from behind the dumpsters and quickly dashed across the street.  Then they moved along the outer wall that formed the high fence that surrounded the citadel so that the overhead lookout couldn't see them below.  Once they made it to the gate, they quickly made their way through the gate and ran to the shack.  They knew that they only had a few minutes to move the bodies out of sight and take over for them so that no one would suspect anything.

The blonde looked at his watch to make sure that they were still good on time as he causally walked through the gate.  They only had about 25 minutes before the roof guards were to start their rotation.  And they were the ones that he was worried about since they were the royal snipers that had been mentioned to him from the emperors' inside source.  Which had surprised him a bit since he had only just learned about them from the Emperor himself during their final brief that had taken place about a hour ago.

The creaky old baster must have one hell of a source to learn the security as well as he did.  The blonde thought as he followed one of the gang members who was dragging the last guard that he had shot to the shack to dump his body.

Once everyone was inside, three of the gang members quickly started to take off the guard clothes and change into them.  Meanwhile the blonde searched the outside gate guard for his access key to the back door.  He knew that was the best way to sneak in the back door undetected.  The brunette was searching the other two to get theirs as well.

"Everyone knows the plan?"  The blonde said as he stood back up and put the card in his pocket.

"Yeah, we know."  The gang leader said as he put one of the cards in his pocket before he handed the other off to the last two gang members.  "We're not stupid you know."

I beg to differ.  The blonde thought as he started to walk to the door to keep an eye out while the rest of them finished up.  "Well just to reiterate, we're to head to the roof and take out as many guards as we can along the way.  We have to break their defenses enough for the magitek solders to get in."

"But won't the shield stop them?"  One of the gang members asked as he looked nervously at the card.  "I mean, that's why Insomnia has it, isn't it?"

"It's not as strong since Ifrit took out those towers."  The blonde said as he glanced out the door as the two gang members now dressed as the guards walked out to resume the illusion of an active patrol.  "He punch a hole wide enough around the citadel for them to dropped in without frying their circuits."

"Damn."  One of the gang members gasped as he suddenly realized why Ifrit has attacked in the first place.

"Alright we have 15 minutes until the snipers rotate."  The blonde said as he looked at his watch again.  "Let's go."

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

Meanwhile on the roof....

"I still don't see why we have to be up here."  Anthony said as he lazily slumped up aginst the wall as he stared blindly at the window that was across from him as he stood watch on the roof of the south tower.

"Because boss wanted us to."  Anthony heard Alyse say in a flat tone through his ear mic from her spot on the east tower.

"And he wanted to make sure that tonight went as smoothly as possible for the wedding."  Steve added as he walked around his post on the north tower.

"Well he could have at least let us head down for some food first.  I'm starving."  Anthony moaned as he slowly started to make his way towards the outside door.

"They'll send some up.  I'm sure of it."  Erica replied right as Anthony reached the door from the west tower.

"I'm not holding my breathe."  Anthony replied as he opened the door.

The wind from the outside flew past him as he stepped out into the night air, which concealed the ding from the elevator before the door opened up.

"Okay boss.  I'm on the roof."  The gangster said as he nervously looked around for the guards.

"Good.  So are we.  Now everyone search around and take out anyone you see."  Came a gruffy voice from his walkie talkie.

'What about blondie?"  The gangster asked.

"He has another mission to do."  His boss answered in a short tone.  "Now get to it."

"You got it boss."  The gangster replied before he reclipped it to his belt.

Then he took his two pistols out from behind his back and started to look down each hallway as he held them in in front of himself.  Once he saw that no one was there, he started to head for the farthest door from the center of the citadel.  But then he glanced out the window and saw Anthony walking towards one of the snipers.  He quickly ducked down so that he wouldn't be noticed.

Shit.  Their right outside the window.  He thought as he tightly closed his eyes as he tried to steady his hands again.

Then he slowly raised his head and glanced out the window again.  He watched Anthony turn and walk away from the sniper.  Then as Anthony headed away from him, he started to head to the door again.  Once he reached the door he slipped outside and moved along the building as he made his way closer to the sniper.

One quick shot.  That's all I need.  He thought as he crept up behind the sniper.

Then once he was close he pressed one pistol to the the back of the sniper.  The sniper froze as he felt the gun on his back. Then he slowly started to turn his head, right as the gangster pulled the trigger.  The gunshot was muffled by the wind as the sniper slumped lifeless forward.

That's one.  The gangster thought as he moved back towards the wall before he started to make his way to the next one.

As he rounded the next door, he watched Anthony walk away from the next sniper.  That's it.  Say your goodbyes.

And once again as soon as Anthony walked away, the gangster crept up and took out the next sniper.  

That's two.  The gangster smirked to himself as he followed Anthony as started to make his way around to the roof that now faced the center of the citadel.  This is easier then I thought.

But right as that thought left his mind, he stopped short as a red dot suddenly showed up on his chest.  He froze for a moment as he closed his eyes.  The anticipation of feeling a bullet hitting him made him start to tremble.  But then when he looked down the dot was gone.

He slowly turned his head and saw the guards starting to shift their positions.  For a moment he let out a heavy breathe of relief.  But then he realized that he had to move before someone else noticed him. So he quickly started to make his way after Anthony again. 

Suddenly Anthony heard shouting from the other side of the roof.  He quickly pulled out his pistol and started to quickly move towards the commotion.  The gangster saw this and quickened his steps as well as he headed straight to the next sniper.  Then he quickly shot him in the head before running back to wall again as he continued his pursuit of Anthony.

Anthony quickly came around to the other side of the building to see one of the guards frantically looking over another one who was flat on his back.  But he didn't hesitate as he made his way over to them, all while looking around for what might had happened.  When he reached them, he heard one of them panicking as he tried to tear open the other's jacket in an tempt to help the guard on the ground.  But as Anthony approached, one look at the empty stare of the one on his back told him that he was already dead.

"Get up!"  Anthony shouted at him as he grabbed the guards arms and started to pull him away from the one on the ground.  "Or you might be joining him."

"But he might still be alive!"  The other tried to argue as Anthony started to quickly drag him away from his friend.

"I'm sorry."  Anthony said as he let him go.  "But he's already gone."

The guard froze as he stared with wide eyes at Anthony.  "You mean he's..."

But before he could say anther word, he head jerked back.  Anthony jumped back as the guard fell lifeless to the ground.

Shit!  Anthony thought as he quickly started to look around as he aimed his gun in front himself.

But he couldn't see anything against the building due to the bright lights shining out the windows.  So he quickly started to make his way back to the door.  The gangster quickly started to follow. But before he could reach the door, Anthony had already enter the building and had locked the door and shut off the lights.

Anthony ducked down below the windows as he quickly made his way to the other doors.

"Everyone inside!  Now!  There's someone on the roof!"  He shouted through his ear piece as he quickly started to lock the other doors.

"Sorry, but I'm a bit busy at the moment!  I'm trying to not get shot here!"  Erica responded with the sound of gun shots going off in the background.

"Shit their here too!"  Alyse shouted as the more gun shots could be heard.

"Damn it!"  Anthony shouted as he pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Paul's phone number.

Shortly after all the guests entering the ballroom, you heard the tapping of a microphone.  You looked towards the stage as you stood with the wedding party just outside the door.  And that was when you saw none other then king Regis himself on stage with the mic.  The whole room started to get quiet as everyone started to take their seats.

"Please my friends and honored guests.  Find your seats."  He said a smooth tone with a smile on his face.

You watched the crowd take their seats Gina and Jeff stood in front of you as the whole bridal party waited to be introduced.

"Thank you. And I would like to welcome everyone tonight." King Regis began as the crowd turned their attention towards him.

"It's always nice when we can come together like this." King Regis said as he looked out over the crowd. "Of course, normally I would be the one being announced."

You heard a few light chuckles from the crowd.

"But for tonight I take great pleasure in being the one who gets to do the introducing.  And I will start with the parents of the bride, Philip and Pam Julius.." He said with a smile as he glanced back at the door.

The room started to clap as Mary's parent entered the room and started to head for their seats. They both beamed as they waved at the crowd before heading to their table. You could see that they were beyond happy as they smiled at everyone before they took their seats.

"Next we have the ring bearer and flower girl.  Jeffery King and Gina Sullivan."  King Regis said with a smile.

The two of them smiled at each other as she wrapped her fingers around his upper arm as he led them into the room.  Everyone clapped as the two of them walked in smiling.

"Where's my dad?"  You asked Ignis as you looked back at Tracy as she stood alone with Nathaniel in her arms.

"I'm not sure."  Ignis replied as he looked that way as well.  "I thought that he was with Tracy."

"So did I."  You replied as you slowly looked at your feet as you nervously wrapped your fingers around Ignis' upper arm.

"Perhaps he had to use the men's room first."  Ignis said as he placed his hand on yours as he tried to comfort you.

"Perhaps."  You replied as the whole room fell silent again.

"Next we have the groomsman and bridesmaid, Ignis Scientia and (Y/N) (L/N)."

Ignis slightly squeezed your hand as he smiled at you.  You smiled back at him as he lead you into the room.  The two of you smiled at the crowd as the crowd clapped for the two of you.  Which warmed your heart as you headed for the head table.

"Next we have the best man and maid of honor.  Paul and Tracy (L/N)."  King Regis said before he realized that Paul wasn't with Tracy.

But the crowd didn't seem to realize that that was a mistake as Tracy walked in carrying Nathaniel.  In fact you heard them cooing over them as she waved Nathaniel's tiny little hand to the crowd as if it was all apart of the plan.

"And now, without further ado, I would like to introduce our new bride and groom,  Korn and Mary Scientia."

Everyone rose to the feet as Korn and Mary entered the room.  They smiled and waved at the crowd as they made their way over to the head table.  You stood behind your chair with Ignis right beside you on one end of the table.  Gina and Jeff were at the other end.  And Tracy and your dad sat on either side of Mary and Korn.  Except of course at the moment your dad was MIA.

Once Korn and Mary reached their seats, Korn' grabbed her chair and pulled is out for her.  She gave him a kiss on the cheek before she sat down so that he could help her slid it in.  Ignis did the same as grabbed your chair and pulled it out for you. You smiled broadly at him as he helped you push it back in after you sat down. 

Then he took the seat right next to you. You then glanced down the table as watched Gina and Jeff take their seats at the other side of the table. And you watched Tracy put Nathaniel in his car infant seat after take a seat herself.  You couldn't help but to wonder what had happened to your dad.  It wasn't like him to disappear for that long.  And especially during something like this.

"Let us now celebrate their union as we dine together."  King Regis said which signal the servers to start fanning out through he crowd and start to set down hot plates of food for the guests. 

Just then you watched your dad come strolling into the room.  But he didn't seem to be in the same happy mood that he had been in when he arrived at the church.  In fact he looked very stressed as he made his went straight over to the head table.  And not once did he wave and smile like everyone.

Once he arrived at the head table, he walked right up Korn and spoke quietly in his ear.  Korn quickly looked at him in shock.  But he didn't say anything as your dad spoke to him again.  Mary looked at both of them in confusion.  But Korn quickly gave her a kiss before he stood up and followed your dad back out of the room for a moment.

But no one seemed to notice as the servers continues to walk around room as they served the guest their plates and drinks for dinner.  Except perhaps those of you in the wedding party as you watched them step outside the room.  Which left you even more confused as you looked from Tracy to Ignis.  Meanwhile, Tracy followed them with her eyes before a waiter sat her plate down in front of her.

"What was that about?"  You asked Ignis in confusion.

"It must be important if they both left the room."  Ignis said as he watch his uncle and your dad stop just outside the door and start to talk.

"But what could be more important then the wedding?"

"I'm not sure, love."  Ignis answered before one of the servers set your and Ignis' plates down in front of you.

Meanwhile in the hallway.....

Korn stood quietly for a moment as he took in what Paul had just him about the situation on the roof.  All Paul could do was watch him as he waited patiently for Korn to say something.  But at the same time, Paul was still trying to process it himself.  After Anthony told him what had happened, he was still in shock himself.

"How many men did we loose."  Korn finally spoke in quiet tone.

"Almost all 16 snipers."  Paul said in stressed tone.  "There was only one survivor.  But he's traumatized at the moment to get any real answer out of him.

"And your team didn't see anyone?"

Paul slowly shook his head as he looked down at the carpet.  "Not yet. But they just started searching all of the floors, starting with the roofs."

"Hmm."  Korn responded as he put his hand on chin as he began to thinking.

"I've already called in reinforcement to increase the watches around the perimeter."  Paul said as he slowly look up at Korn.  "We're not going to stop until we find these assholes."

"But we can't let on to the guests that anything is wrong."  Korn said as he slowly looked up Paul.  "You understand that it would certainly cause a state of panic if they knew.  Even possibly some major political downfalls."

"My team and I know that."  Paul answer through gritted teeth.  "And they know to call me as soon as they run across something."

"Good."  Korn said as he straightened out his sleeves.  "In the meantime we need to keep up our personal appearance that nothing is wrong."

"Right."  Paul answered as he glanced down as he tried to hide his frustration of not being able to do more to help.

The soft murmur of conversation and the clinking of dishware could be heard through the ballroom as the guests were finishing their meals.  Ignis smiled at you as you hummed in delight at the flavor of your grilled chicken with white rice as you took your last bite.  The light bit of gravy made the chicken nice a moist and gave the rice a delicious taste.  Then he grinned at you when you quickly reached into your purse and started to take down notes about them.

Ignis was about to make a comment to you, but your dad interrupted as he stood and started taping his glass with his knife. The whole crowd became quiet and turned their attention to him. He then put down the knife and before he turned back to crowd with a smile.

"As in with all wedding traditions, I would like to propose a toast to our happy couple." Your dad said loudly as he looked at the crowd.

Everyone grabbed their glasses and a gave your dad their full attention.

"Here's a toast to the past, to all the good times, and the bad. And to everything that you have endured to making to this day. You have both been instrumental in impacting everyone's lives here in more ways then you may ever know. For the strength that you have both given us will forever live through us. And I know that your strength and love will only grow as you live long and healthy lives with each other. Let's raise our glasses to the strongest and most giving couple in Insomnia."

"Cheers!" Everyone loudly said as they raised their glasses  before everyone took a quick sip from their glasses as Tracy stood up to give her speech.

Tracy smiled at your dad as he sat back down before she looked at Mary and Korn. "I would also like to propose a toast as we congratulated both of you on your wedding day. And I know that this will always be a day to remember for both of you. And when times get tough. Remember this day: Remember the promises that you have made and the vows that you gave. And I can assure you that the light that you found in each other will see you through you anything. Best wishes to both of you."

"Cheers!" Everyone loudly said once again before taking a sip from their glasses.

And as Tracy took her seat, the kitchen staff started to clear away the dinners plates and refilled everyone's glasses.  You then nervously looked over at Ignis as you knew what was coming up.  But Ignis simply smiled back as you as he took your hand in his.  Then he raised up to his lips and kissed you gently on the back of the hand.  Your heart started to pound as a smile moved across your face as all of your nervousness was replaced with excitement.

"Ready, love?"  He asked as he lowered your hand and gave you a heated looked.

Your pulse quickly as his eyes started to get dark right around the edges.  You slightly bit your lip in anticipation.  For you knew that dancing with him was could be as intimate as sharing a bed with him.  And both of which you were thrilled to do with him.

"For you, always."  You replied as you smiled back at him.

https://youtu.be/gE3ZjNfYJDs

The both of you then stood up and made your way over to the dance floor. The crowd started to get silent again as they watched the two of you take your places on opposite sides of the dance floor.  King Regis then once again took to the stage.  The smile on his face as he looked at the two of you filled both of you with pride as you looked at each other.

"So to start off the dancing tonight, we always start with the couples first dance."  King Regis said as you and Ignis locked eyes.  "Which will be started off by (Y/N) and Ignis."

You both took one last deep breathe as you waited for the music to start.  Then with the first few words you each turn turns as you spun and moved towards the center of the floor.  Then on the long hold the two of you joined hands and started to sway together as you started to smoothly dance together in the center on the floor.  Then on the next tempo change you both did a slight fast step to the beat before you moved towards the back of the floor.

Then your dad and Tracy came out and did the same thing.  Followed by Gina and Jeff as the slowly walked out and joined in the center before they slowly walked around each other as they eyed each other up and down.  Then everyone did the same moves as everyone did the quick step before moving off to the sides.

Then the tempo slowed down and Korn and Mary came walking out the center of stage.  The whole room erupted as they slowly walked out.  But then as the tempo of the words changed, they picked up their steps to matched the beat as they did quick jerky moves as they clung to each other as if in an intense salsa dance.  The cheers were almost deafening as the crowd erupted once again for them.

Then as the tempo changed back to the main rhythm, everyone started to do the exact same quick dance moves.  Then as the tempo slowed down everyone was wrapped up in the arms of their partners.  And the spot light started to dim, it focused to solely show Korn and Mary.  And as the song ended Korn and Mary ended with it a gentle kiss on the lips.

The whole room erupted again with cheers and even a few whistles from the crowd.  Mary then slowly pulled away from Korn and gave him a huge smile.  Korn smiled back with the biggest grin that you had ever seen on him.   Which made you smile as well to see them both so happy.

Suddenly all of the lights flickered.  Which only a few people noticed as they started to take their seats again.  But then the lights flickered again.  Then you heard a distant boom as they flickered again.

"What's going on?"  You nervously asked as the lights continued to flicker and you could hear more distant booms.

Ignis tighten his grip around you.  "I don't know.  But it can't be good."

"Paul?  What's happening?"  Tracy asked as Paul held her close.

"Shit!  How did they get down here?"  Paul asked he watched the high chandlers start to sway on the ceiling.

"Huh?"  She asked as tried to search his face as kept glancing at the ceiling as they continued to flicker and sway more as the booms were getting closer.

"We can't stay here."  He said as he looked down at the crowd as they all looked around nervously.  "We have to get everyone out."

"Paul!  What the hell is going?!"  She shouted at him as he started for the stage.

"I'll explain everything later.  Just get everyone to the parking garage.  We have to evacuate the citadel!"  He shouted before he grabbed the microphone, but then he quickly realized that it wouldn't turn on.

"Good evening everyone.  I'm afraid that the rest of the dinner will have to be cancelled.  It's simple not safe here at the moment.  So if I could get everyone to calmly file out of the ballroom and head down the stairs to the parking garage, we will ensure your safe departure."  Paul shouted loudly so that everyone could hear him.  "Please do so quickly but calmly."

"What's going on?"  One of the guest shouted in his booming voice.

"I'll explain everything once we reach the parking garage.  Right now I need everyone to quickly evacuate this room."

And right at that moment, the ceiling shook from a close boom as if to proclaim the urgency of what he was saying.  Everyone then quickly grabbed their things and headed out of the room and towards the stairs wells beside the elevators.  You and Ignis included, as you dashed over to the head table.  You grabbed your purse as Ignis grabbed the diaper bag for Tracy as your dad grabbed Nathaniel in his car seat.

"Let's go!"  Your dad shouted as the whole room shook.

Fuck!  You thought as everyone quickly left the room.

But then right as the last server dashed across the dance floor as he tried to make his escape, the whole ceiling collapsed on him.  You quickly turned your head at the sound and saw him get buried under the rubble.  Your heart stopped as you gasped.  But Ignis grabbed your arm and urged you to keep going.

What the hell is going on?   You thought as you followed the rest of the crowd to the two staircases as everyone quickly made their way down to the garage.

A million things started to race through your mind as you ran down the stairs.  But nothing came to mind at first.  That was until you felt the building shake again and it reminded you of your escape from the Empire.  And it made your heart stop.

It's Nifilheim!  Their attacking the citadel!

**********Author Notes**********

And here I bet you thought that you were going to have to wait another year for an update.   Aren't you glad that you thought wrong.  :) 

But what will happen next?  Is this all a plot to take down the King?  Or does it have something to do with you?  You'll just have to wait and see in the next chapter.

Until then..

Thanks for reading.  :)

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