"Now that our work's done, let's see ourselves to Galdin." Ignis said as we climbed into the car.

He started to drive and I set up and turned on the Radio.

"It's in the treaty?" Prompto asked shocked.

"Of course, simple formality." Ignis said calmly.

"One of those "symbol of the peace" deals." I explained.

"So it's more like a... marriage of convenience?" Prompto asked calmly.

"Her Ladyship seems nevertheless amenable to the prospect." Ignis said calmly.

"And Noct here likes the idea." Gladio said with a chuckle.

Noct let out a sigh and I held back a laugh.

"What's that? "I do"?" Prompto asked as I burst out laughing.

"Buzz off." Noct said as he rolled his eyes.

We soon made it to the sea and I set up.

"Hey! I see the sea!" Prompto exclaimed.

"I "sea" it, too." Noct said with a smirk.

"One more pun and I will end one of you." Somnus said angrily.

"That's Galdin Quay." Ignis said calmly.

"Kinda wanna go for a dip." I said softly.

"I'd love to see that." Prompto said with a smile.

"I'd love to drown you." Gladio said calmly.

"That a big mountain behind it?" Noct asked softly.

"No, it's an island." Ignis said calmly.

"Nobody goes to Galdin for an island, though. They go to kick back and get massages!" Prompto exclaimed.

"And savor the seafood. It's famously delicious." Ignis said softly.

"Sounds great."

"Somethin' to look forward to." Gladio said calmly.

"I can't wait for a break." I said as I leaned back in my seat.

We made it to the docks and I quickly rushed ahead.

"No fair!" Prompto yelled as he chased after me.

We made it to the port and stopped when we saw a man. He walked up to us and I looked him over.

"Ardyn." Somnus whispered.

"I'm afraid you're out of luck." He said calmly.

"Are we?" Noct asked with a frown.

"The boats bring you here."

"What about 'em." Prompto asked with a frown.

"Well, they'll not take you forth." Ardyn said as he met my eyes.

There was something sinister about the man. And the way Somnus seemed to fear him only added to my thoughts.

"And what's your story?" Gladio asked calmly.

"I'm an impatient traveler, ready to turn ship. The ceasefire's getting us nowhere." Ardyn said calmly.

He threw a coin at Noct and Gladio caught it.

"What's this? Some sort of souvenir?" Gladio asked

"They make those?" Prompto asked shocked.

"What?"

"Consider it your allowance." Ardyn said calmly.

"Yeah, and who's allowing us?" Gladio asked angilru.

"A man of no consequence. Safe journeys Princess." Ardyn said as he turned and walked away.

Ignis pulled me closer and I stared after the man.

"You believe what that guy said about the port being closed?" Prompto asked as I looked over at Ignis.

"I'm skeptical, though I won't discount the possibility." Ignis said calmly.

"I say we go check it out for ourselves." Gladio said calmly.

We looked around the docks and I let out a sigh as I saw that there was no boats.

"Aw, man. Not a ship in sight. What gives?" Prompto asked shocked.

We ended up meeting a journalist and he sent the boys after a stone.

"Why can't I go again?" I asked as I leaned over the side of the car.

"Cause I said so." Gladio said calmly.

"You're no fun." I said softly.

"We won't be gone long." Ignis said softly.

"Be safe." I said softly.

I stood up and sent them a smile before turning and walked away from them.

"You do know if you choice to go into the crystal.... you will never see that boy again." Somnus said as I plopped down on my bed.

"And?" I asked with a frown.

"And he loves you... do you really want him to left alone?" He asked as he walked around the room.

"Ignis doesn't love me."

"Please he is crazy about you."

"You really don't want me to go inside that crystal." I said calmly.

"It doesn't matter to me. Though if you don't go inside I get to come back and become King again." He said calmly.

"And if I do?"

"I still get to return, just not as king." He said with a sigh.

"You know my father would have to be dead for you to become king." I said softly.

"True." He said with a frown.

I let out a sigh and shook my head. I stood up and stretched.

"I'm going to get some rest... try not to be to bored." I said as I left to change.

"Aren't I always." He said with a sigh.

When the boys returned they told me we had to wait until morning. We all got separate rooms thankfully so I could sleep shortless. When morning arrived I changed and made my way to Noct's room.

"Heya, morning." Prompto said as I walked into the room.

"Where's Specs?" Noct asked softly.

"Should be back any minute now." Gladio said softly.

"What's that look for?" Noct asked as Ignis walked into the room.

He handed a paper to Gladio and then looked over at me.

"It's in all the papers." Ignis said softly.

"What is?"

"Insomnia...falls..." Prompto said softly.

"This your idea of a joke?" Noct asked angrily.

"I need you to calm down so I can explain." Ignis said as I went and set down on the bed.

"I'm as calm as I'm gonna get!" Noct snapped.

"There was an attack. The imperial army has taken the Crown City." Ignis said softly.

"As treaty room tempers flared, blasts lit the night sky. When the smoke about the Citadel had cleared, the king was found...dead." Gladio said softly.

"No, wait, hold on..." Noct said softly.

"We had no way of knowing." Ignis said softly.

"What? Knowing what?" Noct asked angrily.

"That the signing was last night, that Insomnia-"

"But the wedding! Altissia!" Noct yelled.

"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?"

"Lies." Noct said softly.

"...If only." Prompto said softly.

"What else do we know?" Gladio asked softly.

Ignis shook his head and I covered my mouth.

"Then we can't be sure until we see it with our own eyes." Gladio said softly.

"And that means we go back to Insomnia." Prompto said softly.

"Might not be safe for us there." Ignis said softly.

"Might not be safe for us here." Prompto said angrily.

"Turn back?" Gladio asked softly.

"Yeah." Noct said sadly.

Ignis looked down at me and I continued to stare at my hands.

"Maria.... will you be alright if we leave you at Hammerhead?" Gladio asked softly.

I nodded my head and followed them to the car. They soon dropped me off and I walked towards the garage. Ignis quickly stopped me and gently took my hands.

"I will be back." He said softly.

I nodded my head and he kissed my forehead.

"It will be okay... I promise." He whispered softly.

He pulled away and left to drive them back to the city. I went inside and Cid motioned for me to sit down beside him on the couch. I let out a sigh and looked at my hands.

"I'm going to do it." I said softly.

"What?" He asked softly.

"I'm going to touch the crystal." I said sternly.

He nodded his head and I let out a sigh.

"Noct isn't going to die... I won't allow it." I said angrily.