When the Regalia pulled into Meldacio, the four men immediately caught sight of Jackie. She was sparring with another hunter. It looked to be hand-to-hand combat, and Jackie was clearly winning. The group made their way over. Jackie had the guy's arm twisted, nearly breaking it with the force she was using. Her opponent was crying out in pain.

Fortunately, Dave intervened, roughly pulling the girl away. "Jackie, that's enough!"

The redhead glared at him. "So you're just gonna let this wimp go?! He's gotta toughen up or he'll never survive out there!" She turned her gaze to the guy now holding his arm. "You're not cut out to be a hunter! You're too much of a pathetic crybaby! Don't expect the monsters and daemons to go easy on you!"

"Jackie!" Dave shouted in a commanding tone. "Hush up and go to the caravan!"

"Stop telling me what to do!" she yelled before storming off in a rage.

The hunters who'd been watching slowly cleared out, including the man who'd been sparring with Jackie. Dave sighed, noticing the boys approaching him. "What am I gonna do with her? She's gonna end up losing her right to be a hunter at this rate. She don't even listen when I ban her from hunting."

"We could probably tail her on a few hunts," Noctis said.

"I'd be mighty grateful if you would. Maybe some company will do her good."

And so, the boys waited, keeping an eye on Jackie from afar. As soon as she headed out, so did they. They followed her in the Regalia. She immediately took notice and mentally cursed at them. They soon came to a stop, where Jackie crossed her arms and glared at them as they got out of the car.

"Stop following me."

Noctis shook his head. "No can do. We've got our own hunt to take care of out here."

"So, we might as well team up while we're at it," Prompto pointed out.

She sighed. "Listen, Plumpo-"

"Prompto," he corrected.

"Whatever. I work alone. So you guys take care of your hunt, and I'll take care of mine."

"Fine," Noctis replied.

And so they split up. The boys took care of the havocfangs they had signed up to hunt rather quickly. They then decided to go find Jackie. She was a short distance away, fighting a small herd of arba. She seemed to be doing fine on her own. But one of the beasts was charging toward her while she was preoccupied with another. Noctis warped over, intercepting the arba's horns with his sword.

Jackie angrily glanced their way, seeing them all join the battle. "What are you doing?!"

"Looked like you could use a hand," Noctis told her.

"I've got it!" she yelled, dodging and arba's hooves and slicing its legs. "I don't need your help!"

The group finished off the creatures. The boys had fought alongside the girl, despite her objections. And she was very angry at them.

"I told you I could handle it! I don't need you interfering with my hunts! Don't you have some royal duty to attend to, Your Highness?!" Noctis's eyes widened slightly, causing the girl to smirk. "That's right, I know who you are."

Gladio stepped forward and snatched Jackie's arm. "Where do you get off being so cocky? That's your future king your talking to."

Jackie glared up at the tall, muscular man, struggling to free her arm. "Status means nothing out here, only skill."

Gladio shoved her back and summoned his greatsword. "Fine. Then let's spar, you and me, Jackie."

"What?"

The shield smirked. "C'mon, you ain't scared, are you? If you're really so confident in your combat abilities, then beating me shouldn't be much of a challenge."

Jackie unsheathed her sais. "Fine by me, anything to get you pests off my back."

The others stepped back. In an instant, Jackie lunged at her opponent. Gladio got ready, and right as the girl was about to slice at him, he brought his sword up, blocking her blows. He then shoved her back and swung his blade down. Jackie was surprised by his reflexes as she just barely dodged. Gladio kept up his pattern of blocking and attacking, wearing down the girl.

Jackie was quickly tiring, expending her energy on her relentless attacks and dodging. She was worn out when Gladio used the flat side of his greatsword to send her flying onto her butt on the ground. Gladio loomed over her, a frown on his lips and his weapon resting on his shoulder.

"Looks like I win," he said. "Y'know, you're not as superior as you act like, Jackie. You've got plenty of faults and weaknesses, just like everyone else."

Jackie growled, glaring up at him. She quickly stood and stomped her foot. "Dammit! You bastards are getting on my nerves! I may not be as strong as you Crown City snobs, but I am strong among the hunters!"

"No, you're reckless," Ignis corrected. "Being ruthless and disobeying orders is not strength."

Jackie turned on her heel, storming away while grumbling to herself. The group silently followed her back to the road. With her climbing on her bike, they swiftly got in the Regalia. Jackie took off, away from Meldacio, and the boys tailed her. This time though, she wanted them to follow. She was going to prove, once and for all, that she was strong and could handle herself.