Night Light {FFXV/OT4}

A New Recipe!

Chapter Two: A New Recipe! 

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Noctis woke up to a strong, familiar hand shaking at his shoulder. He didn't move at first, wanting to go back to his nap. However the hand shook him again moments later and he shifted with a small groan, finally reaching up and batting the hand away.

"I'm up, I'm up.." he groaned, forcing tired blue eyes open as he felt the Regalia jerking and jolting as Ignis drove them over rough ground. Or more specifically, the pebbles that make up the floor of an outpost parking lot.

The sky was growing steadily darker, night approaching faster than the three had been expecting. Upon realising they wouldn't make it to Lestallum by night-fall the trio had settled on a more realistic goal, deciding that the Wiz Chocobo outpost would have to do as a resting place for tonight.

Gladiolus had been insistent they just camp out at a haven instead, but in the end even Ignis had agreed that they deserved a proper rest. While not as spacious as a hotel room they were happy to rent out a camper van, and it would still be far more comfortable than camping at a haven.

The Prince and his retainers piled out of the Regalia. Noctis was surprised to see Wiz himself standing nearby, instead of in the dining area greeting guests like he usually was. In fact, the Prince quickly realised, there were no visitors sat at the normally crowded plastic chairs and tables. The hum of voices that often sounded from the dining area were gone. Even the woman offering Chocobo customisation options had disappeared, making Wiz the only one left at the outpost. How odd.

"Hey Wiz, where is everyone?" The man in question looked up as Gladio's gruff voice called out across the outpost. Despite how desolate the place currently was, a smile broke out on Wiz's face at the sight of his three regular visitors.

"Nice to see you three! You're the only faces that have shown since this morning I'm afraid, everybody else was scared off." The words brought puzzled frowns to the faces of the Prince and his entourage. They all wondered what could possibly have scared off any customers from this particularly popular outpost. Whoever you are, Chocobos are cute. It wasn't an opinion but fact.

Wiz noticed the confusion of the trio and was quick to explain as he lead them towards the dining area; he knew they'd be hungry. Whenever the three dropped by they'd always order food, and by now Wiz knew from experience that the big guy could eat like a behemoth.

"An MT came bumbling through this morning, completely on its own mind you. Didn't try to attack anyone; it made a beeline for the Chocobos. No idea what it wanted with 'em, it ran off as soon as I got near."

Wiz was too preoccupied clearing a table for the three to notice the pointed look both Ignis and Gladio sent Noctis, the Prince only glaring back. A Magitek Trooper who didn't attack on sight, and ran away from people? There was no doubt in any of their minds that this MT was the same one they'd allowed to escape, and Noctis knew full well that he'll soon enough get an earful for convincing his friends to be merciful. He was relieved to hear that the Trooper hadn't hurt anyone at least: Gladio would berate him endlessly for his 'softness' if it had.

Once finished setting the table, Wiz ushered his three guests into their seats. Pulling a lighter from his pocket he lit a candle in the centre of the table to fend off the gloom of the approaching night. "Well, what will it be? The menu hasn't changed, so the same as usual?"

At Noctis' nod of confirmation Wiz pulled out his notepad, scribbling down what he'd be making for the three: every time they visited, the group always ordered the same thing.

"So one Chocobo Club Sandwich for the Prince, Gysahl Chips and Green Smoothie for Ignis, and all three for Gladiolus?"

Gladio smirked as his order was read off, nodding. "Yep, sounds about right" he confirmed, and without further ado Wiz hurried off to the kitchen to prepare the food for the royal trio.

Noctis pulled out his phone, more than ready to play King's Knight and ignore his two friends completely. After a few taps he was faced with the game's loading screen. He stared at it idly as he drowned out the beginnings of Ignis and Gladio's conversation, only to almost drop his phone in surprise as panicked yelling shattered the idyllic quiet of the outpost.

"Get away, you stupid machine! Out! Out of my kitchen!"

The three sprung up from their seats and ran towards the commotion, Noctis feeling his heart jump at the mention of a machine. Was it that Magitek Trooper from earlier again? He reached the kitchen just in time to see a blur of metal armour disappear into the forests surrounding the outpost.

Wiz made to run after the soldier only to stop, realising it was pointless, he'd never be able to catch it on foot. The man turned back to his mess of a kitchen with a heavy sigh, solemnly surveying the damage; spices were strewn all over the floor and worktops; Ingredients lay in the dirt, crushed from being trampled over by heavy metal boots.

Ignis pushed his glasses up his nose, the man uncomfortable seeing the workplace of a fellow cook in such a state. With nothing else to do Wiz begun picking up the scattered vegetables off of the floor, halfheartedly examining them before throwing them in the waste bin. He already knew that none of it would be salvageable.

"Sorry boys, but unless you can get me those ingredients back before that MT does.. well, whatever machines do with vegetables, then I'm afraid I won't be able to cook anything for you tonight"

With their dinner on the line Noctis was quick to rise to the challenge, a small yet reassuring smile on his face. "Don't worry, we'll get you your food back. You know what, we'll even take down a Garula or two so Specs can cook up some steak. That alright with you, Wiz?"

The man nodded, a kind smile on his face as he and Ignis begun to tidy and try to save what they could of the spilt spices. There was no debate: it was apparent that Ignis wouldn't be leaving this kitchen until it was back in its proper state.

"Of course, it'll be an honour to have a royal chef cook in my kitchen."

Ignis once again adjusted his glasses at that, the only sign of pride he allowed to show through his always perfect composure. "I'm no royal chef, but nonetheless I'm flattered that you'd hold me in such a high regard." Ignis' gaze then shifted to his companions. Gladiolus and Noctis both lingered by the door, already raring to go.

"You two bring back something edible, and I'll cook us up some well deserved dinner. Get something good and I might have a new recipe on my hands. If not, you're having flame roasted toast again."

The promise that failure would result in more toast had the two out of the door in a matter of seconds. They took two Chocobos from the stable -with Wiz's permission, of course- and set off into the forest.

Noctis rode behind Gladio, who was skilfully tracking the Magitek Trooper. Noctis had no idea how he did it, his Shield apparently picking up on tiny details in their surroundings that Noct was completely oblivious to.

It was clear from the carnage left in the kitchen that the Trooper had been in quite a hurry to run away. Again with the retreating... Noctis knew it was silly, but he felt awful at just the thought of killing something that was trying it's hardest to escape, machine or not.

"Hey Noct?"

"Hm?" The two didn't slow their pace even as Gladiolus struck up conversation, both determined to catch up with the Trooper before it ruined the ingredients it had made off with.

"You know we're going to have to kill it this time, right? Before it really does hurt someone. It's wild, dangerous. Someone could die"

Noctis went quiet at that. He knew Gladio was right: Magitek Troopers were machines of destruction, programmed to kill any living thing that wasn't aligned with the Empire. It felt so wrong, killing something that was trying so desperately to run away- a silent plea for mercy.

Nonetheless.. they had to kill it. He knew that. He was the Prince, soon to be King: he had to protect his people. With this thought in mind Noctis nodded in response to the question, before forcing himself to speak as he remembered Gladio couldn't see him from ahead.

"Yeah. I know. We find it, we kill it...That's what a good King would do."

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Notes: I've lost the newer version of this chapter, so this one is a little worse than the others. So if you didn't like my writing in this chapter I ask you give the next one a shot, because that ones been edited to the best of my current ability! （＾ω＾）