A//n: I've added titles to one shots that are part of a set, or a small series. This is part 2 of 4 with the Horizon: Zero Dawn crossovers. You still have Noctis and Gladio to look forward to! I never expected them to be so lengthy. Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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~3rd Person POV~

With blurry vision, Ignis' eyes fluttered open. He was surrounded by his friends as they peered down at him with worry in their eyes. He sat up with help from Gladio as he took in their surroundings. "Where are we?"

"Don't know, but it's freezing!" Prompto shivers, his arms wrapped around himself.

"Seems to be an abandoned lab," Noctis said.

With his vision finally clear, Ignis scanned the area with his eyes. The only light they had was emitting from strange devices surrounding them.

The air was frigid and the ground was drenched. It felt more like a cave than an abandoned facility.

"We must find a way out," Ignis said as he got to his feet.

"Can't. The doors won't open. We've tried everything. None of us can summon our weapons," Noctis states.

Ignis searched the room for any possibility the trio had missed while he was passed out. With no luck, the royal advisor rested his hands on a desk and hung his head. Prompto began to pace back and forth nervously. Noctis and Gladio tried the doors again but to no avail. The four crashed to the drenched floor in disbelief.

Time drags on as they try to think positive, but their thoughts keep returning to the shadows. No one said a word as they listened to the sound of dripping water. Noctis flew to his feet, determination pumping through his veins, once again. "Let's try to break-"

The prince was silenced by the sound of footsteps approaching the room. They ran to the window and peered out to see who it was. Hopefully, whoever it was, wouldn't try to attack them. The person could be heard on the stairs as the metal clanked beneath their feet. Once the mysterious person came into the light, the boys saw it was a young girl around their age. She wore strange clothes that any of them haven't seen before.

Prompto banged on the glass, hoping to grab her attention. Gladio was about to scold the blonde for not being cautious, but the girl noticed them. Her (e/c) eyes widened once she spotted them. Noctis pointed to the door, which the girl picked up on quickly.

"Do you think she understands us?" Prompto asked.

"We'll see if there's a language barrier or not when she opens this damn door for us," Gladio replies.

Ignis watched the girl closely as she unhooked a spear from her back. She lodged the sharp metal tip into the tight seal and pushed. With a loud hissing noise, the door opens and the girl enters. "She understands you just fine."

The men froze, realizing she spoke perfect English and had heard the blonde's voice through the glass. "S-Sorry 'bout that," Prompto apologizes.

The girl held her spear in one hand and glanced between the four of them. "Never seen a tribe wear clothes like yours. And how did you get inside? The entrance was sealed shut."

"You wouldn't believe us," Noctis said. The girl hooked her spear on her back before stepping closer. She examined them closely before using a small device that was in her ear. She circled them like an animal ready to pounce on its prey. After she was done, the device in her ear ceased glowing. "Unknown origin... How strange. You clearly aren't from the Cut, the Sacred Land, or the Sundom."

"The what?" Gladio asked.

"You're currently in an underground facility close to All-Mother in the Sacred Land. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you clearly aren't from these lands."

"'Cause we're not," Prompto said.

"Then, where are from?"

"We're from a place called Eos. We don't know if we're in a different time or in a completely different world," the sharpshooter explains.

"Did your people create malicious machines?" She asked.

"What do these "machines" resemble?" Ignis replies with his own question.

The girl fell silent before letting out a laugh. "You're clearly not from here if you don't know what I'm talking about."

"So, we are in a different world," Noctis huffs.

"And... you believe us?" Prompto peered into the girl's eyes.

She nods. "It may sound crazy, but it explains why you aren't familiar with the machines. I suggest we get out of here and head to my abode."

Prompto took a step closer to the girl. "You're gonna help us?"

"Of course. I'm (Y/n). We'll head back to the entrance. Follow me."

She beckons them to follow her and they gladly fall in step behind her. As they climbed the stairwell, Ignis was enthralled at seeing so much abandoned tech. He had more questions than answers and felt the need to ask (Y/n).

As she answered his questions, (Y/n) told him and the others about the 'Old Ones' and their deadly machines that now ravage the beautiful lands. He was so absorbed by her story of her world that he didn't realize they had reached the entrance. Noctis and Prompto sprung forward and gasped in amazement at the beauty around them. Even Gladio and Ignis were taken aback at the gorgeous sight.

(Y/n) smiled at their expressions before leading the way through the forest. The four noticed what seemed to be civilization behind them, but (Y/n) was heading in the opposite direction. They didn't question her as she guided them up a steep path. To break the silence, the boys gave her their names.

Snow began to fall as they reached the top. A small hovel awaited them, which they assumed was (Y/n)'s home.

"Sorry it's a little small. It's just me and my sister now," (Y/n) said, a melancholic look on her face.

"No need to apologize. We are more than grateful for your assistance," Ignis piped up. She smiles and opens the door for them. In the warmth of the well-built hovel, the men got comfortable as (Y/n) gave them wool blankets. After hours of stories from the girl, the door opened and a girl with bright red hair entered. She didn't notice the men until she glanced up at her sister.

"(Y/n), who're they?" She asked, taking a defensive position.

"Found them trapped in the underground facility near All-Mother. I helped them and decided to let them stay until they can return home."

"And where is home?"

"The Sundom, Aloy. Shadow Carja were hunting them and they fled to the underground facility," (Y/n) lied through her teeth.

"Alright, just make sure to keep an eye on them. If they dare hurt you-"

(Y/n) laughed and patted Aloy on the back. "I'll be careful. Did you forget something? You're never back this early."

"Yeah, I came to grab some wire. Forgot to pack some earlier. Are we still going Sawtooth hunting tomorrow?" She asked.

"Of course! Teb still needs the heart."

Aloy smiles before grabbing the wire, saying goodbye to her sister, and leaving with her bow on her back. No one asked why she lied about their home because they already knew why she did. (Y/n) then went back to her stories. She had put the men to sleep not long and she laughed silently. Anyone would be worn out if they were in their position. (Y/n) moves to the back of the room to claim her bed for the night.

-Next Morning-

When Ignis awoke, he realized (Y/n) was gone. He quietly got to his feet and headed out the door, being greeted by a beautiful sunrise as he stepped into the snow. Glancing around, he spotted (Y/n) with a bow in her hands. She notched an arrow before aiming it at what seemed to be a practice dummy made of different materials.

He expected her to aim for the head, except she directed her arrow towards what seemed to be wooden vials on the dummy's back. He watched in awe as her arrow hit every mark.

(Y/n) slung her bow around her shoulder and smiled at him. "Good morning, Ignis."

"A beautiful morning, it is," he beams. Ignis took in her appearance and noticed a few things different. Unlike yesterday, she had rope hooked on her hips and her bow appeared different. (Y/n) realized he was staring and laughed a little. "Aloy and I are going hunting today."

Ignis hummed in acknowledgment as he remembered the promise the two sisters made last night. The two were interrupted by a certain cheery blonde and the other sister. Aloy smiled at (Y/n), joy radiating from her being. "Ready to head out?"

"Oh! Can we come with you?" Prompto asked, latching a hand onto Ignis' blazer. The tactician glared at the blonde for not thinking before he spoke. Aloy and (Y/n) exchanged glances, both girls thinking the same thing.

"Fine, but you have to do what we say. Sawtooths aren't merciful," (Y/n) said.

"You'll stay hidden while we deal with the machine," Aloy adds. They nod in agreement and depart. When they reached the bottom of the path, both girls whistled. In the distance, they saw two machines heading right for them. Prompto began to freak out while Ignis was completely calm. The two animalistic machines had horns that seemed to resemble a ram or yak of sorts.

The machines stopped in front of the sisters and they hopped on the metallic creatures' backs. Aloy decided to take Prompto and (Y/n) chose Ignis. She told him to hold on and he wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Digging her heels into the machine's side, it began to gallop. (Y/n) picked up speed as she and Aloy rode side-by-side.

It was around noon before they dismounted the machines and continued on foot. They had left the Sacred Land for the Sawtooth they were hunting entered the Sundom. Seeing the desert was new to Ignis and Prompto. Both men were snapped back to reality when the sound of screeching was heard. Aloy and (Y/n) readied their bows, their eyes scanning the sky above.

"W-What's that sound?" Prompto stutters. He and Ignis drew closer to the girls as they didn't answer his question. Another screech echoed across the desert, much louder than the previous one. (Y/n) grabbed Ignis while Aloy took Prompto. The sisters pushed them into a small patch of tall grass just as an enormous machine flew into view.

"Stormbird... great..." (Y/n) mutters.

"We know its weak points. Let's make this quick," Aloy said as she fired an arrow, catching the metal beast's full attention. The two fought side-by-side like a well oiled machine. They were able to destroy the chest component and a few jets, causing the bionic bird to crash to the ground. Switching their bows for spears, Aloy and (Y/n) delivered a final blow to the Stormbird.

With the bird now lifeless, (Y/n) removes a chip that Ignis only thought of was the heart they were talking about earlier. "Do you think Teb would find this more useful than a Sawtooth heart?"

"I'm sure he'd appreciate it more. We should head back before night falls. Wouldn't want to be jumped by any machines in the dark," Aloy said.

"I-I agree! Can we go back?" Prompto begged.

"Aloy, take Prompto back home. I'll deliver the heart to Teb with Ignis," (Y/n) states. The red head nods before calling a machine to her side. Prompto hops on behind Aloy and she takes off. (Y/n) then turns to the royal advisor. "Hope you don't mind a small detour."

"Not at all," he responded more quickly than he meant to. The young archer smiled at his response and whistled for her own machine. On their way to Mother's Heart, Ignis has asked myriads of questions about her world that he didn't get to the night before. He was still fascinated with the multiple tribes and machines that seemed to have no end. What shocks him was the lack of technology, but (Y/n) explained the 'Old Ones' to him in more detail.

Arriving in Mother's Heart, Ignis follows her into the capital of the Sacred Land. He received strange glances but most of them were harsh glares directed towards (Y/n). What caught his attention was when he heard an older Nora mumble, "Motherless reject." Ignis felt a small rage building up within him, but he pushes it aside so he wouldn't draw more attention to himself.

"There you are, (Y/n)!" A soft but excited voice rang out. The young boy who approached them seemed to be much more friendlier than the other Nora.

"Hey, Teb. We didn't get our hands on a Sawtooth heart, but we did manage to scavenge a Stormbird's."

(Y/n) hands the part over and Teb gasped. "This'll do much better than a Sawtooth heart. Thank you, (Y/n). I can't believe you fought such a dangerous machine."

"Aloy helped. She had to drop a new friend off."

"You both are the best, no matter what the others think. You've saved my life and now, you slew a powerful machine for me. I can't thank you enough."

"All I need as thanks is that you stay safe, Teb. I'll pass on the message to Aloy, as well."

(Y/n) and Ignis leave the capital, both wishing to escape the harsh words that were sailing through the air. Once alone, Ignis couldn't help but ask about all the hatred towards her. "Don't worry about it, Ignis. Aloy and I deal with it every day."

"Tyrannical words are something one should never get luxurious with," he said, his emerald eyes piercing her (e/c) ones.

"My people fear those who are different. My sister and I never had a mother nor father. The only family we had was Rost, but... he was killed. He cared for us like we were his true daughters. All I can hope for is one day, they'll see us as actual people. For now, all I can do is tune out their whispered insults."

Ignis was at a lost for words. He knew she was strong, but he didn't know she was this strong. Without another word, the two head back to the hovel and rest for the night.

-Months Later-

The boys had yet to find a way home, but none of them were complaining. They enjoyed the new world and how beautiful it was. Aloy and (Y/n) had taken care of them and even situated them with weapons to their liking to help with fighting machines. With the girls' teachings, they learned the weaknesses of each machine and accompanied the sisters out of the Sacred Land.

Today, the six were split into groups of three. Noctis and Prompto went with Aloy to dispatch a bandit camp while Gladio and Ignis accompanied (Y/n) to an Eclipse outpost. She immediately pushed the two down as she spotted a Corrupter.

"Corruptor... should've known..." She huffs in annoyance.

"How shall we handle this?" Ignis asked. (Y/n) didn't reply right away as she was evaluating their options. She took a deep breath before turning to face them. "I'll distract the machine. Once it begins to pursue me, that's when the cultists will follow it. Use that time to take them out while I destroy the Corruptor."

"Gotcha. Be careful," Gladio warns.

(Y/n) nods before nimbly jumping to another wooden platform. They watch closely as she fires an arrow at the drum atop the Corruptor's body. It immediately detects her and began firing missiles. Gladio has to hold Ignis back as the shield saw him about to go and help (Y/n). "She'll be fine, Iggy. Let's take care of those cultists."

"Alright." His tone was still dripping with worry as they descended the ladder to reach the members of Eclipse. With the enemy distracted by (Y/n), Gladio and Ignis eliminate the human threats with ease. The Corruptor was still targeting (Y/n) as they finished off the last member of Eclipse. When the men grabbed the attention of the machine on accident, (Y/n) jumped onto its back and took out another component. Then, she took her spear and drove it through the Corruptor's head. She jumps from its head before the machine crashes to the ground, its red eyes now completely lifeless.

"Well, that didn't take long," (Y/n) comments. "Nice job."

Suddenly, (Y/n)'s Focus made a small beeping noise as she received a distress signal from Aloy and the others. "You two, head to the bandit camp. I'll join you soon."

Before she could storm off, Ignis grabbed her by the wrist. "You mustn't go alone."

"I'll be fine, Ignis. Just gonna get a helping hand," (Y/n) beams. Ignis reluctantly releases her and watches as she nimbly climbed up the side of the camp and vanished from sight. Gladio and Ignis returned to the machines they rode to the Eclipse outpost and pushed the metallic beasts until they reached the bandit camp that was just south of the Eclipse hideout.

Gladio and Ignis found Noctis, Prompto, and Aloy hiding in one of the wooden watchtowers. They told them of the dead bandits and how the camp was soon invaded by two combatant machines called 'Scorchers'.

(A/n: I know Scorchers only appear in the Frozen Wilds DLC, but I'm trying to introduce different machines. These buggers are annoying as heck!)

The two heard the machines stalking closer to their advantage point. Curiosity grabbed ahold of them and they eyed the metal creatures that seemed to resemble a fox.

"They're agile and aggressive. Their fire attacks and explosive mines are deadly at any range. We're gonna need all the help we can get," Aloy said.

Just then, the five heard whistling and their gazes snapped to outside the camp. The Scorchers immediately picked up on the sound and charged after the person behind the noise.

"It's (Y/n)!" Prompto cheers.

"What's that giant machine with her?" Noctis asked as everyone's eyes widened at the sight of the huge machine by her side.

"She's overridden a Thunderjaw, one of the most dangerous and feared machines. But how did she override it?" Aloy wondered.

The five watch as the Thunderjaw made scrap piles of the two Scorchers within seconds. Then, more Scorchers appeared and targeted the young girl at the machine's side. With a swipe of its tail, the Thunderjaw knocked the enemy back and allowed (Y/n) to release a storm of arrows down on the Scorchers. Finally, the allied machine fired a rapid round of bullets at the enemies, destroying the hostile machines in one fell swoop.

Aloy and the boys emerged from their safe haven and swiftly made their way over to (Y/n). Out of all of them, Aloy was the most stunned. "How did you learn to override a Thunderjaw?"

"Remember when you had to visit Meridian?" Aloy nods and allows her sister to continue. "I headed to the Sundom myself and discovered a Cauldron. Not only am I able to override a Thunderjaw, I also can override a Stormbird and a Rockbreaker."

Aloy was speechless. The others were examining the Thunderjaw closely as they've never seen such a large machine. (Y/n) nimbly climbs up the titanic creature and easily repairs a few spots where it had been hit by the Scorchers. The metallic beast was aware of her on its back and raised it head slowly to look at her. She smiles at the machine before jumping off its back. The Thunderjaw stalks away, taking out any machines that drew too close to it.

With the bandit camp empty-Aloy, Noctis, Prompto, and Gladio searched for anything useful. Ignis stayed behind and waited with (Y/n) for the others to finish. "Thank you for all your help these past few months, Ignis."

"We should be the ones who are thankful. You provided sanctuary where others would've left us for dead."

(Y/n) smiles and lays a gentle kiss on his cheek. "If you're thinking about repaying us, forget about it. You and your friends have proven to be helpful in many endeavors, which is payment in itself."

Ignis was in complete bewilderment at the sudden kiss on the cheek. Though it was short, her soft lips were enough to ignite a fire within his chest. He had fallen in love the moment he first spoke to her, heart-to-heart. Since then, he's only fallen further into the deep abyss of endearment.

Without warning, Ignis moves in front of (Y/n) and cups her cheeks in his gloved hands. Staring into her gleaming (e/c) eyes, his heart began racing in chest. Leaning down, he pressed his lips against hers without a second thought. When she kissed back, Ignis was consumed with ecstasy. He closed his eyes, enjoying every second of the intoxicating kiss. (Y/n)'s eyes also fluttered lightly as they closed.

"Called it!" Someone shouted, making the two jump and end the kiss. Ignis recognized the voice as Prompto's cheery tone. The tactician mentally cursed the blonde for ruining the moment before turning around to see the others were back. All of them were smirking, even Aloy.

"About time, Sis," Aloy crosses her arms with a grin.

"Says the girl who likes no one..." (Y/n) mutters.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing!"