~3rd Person POV~

"Could you repeat that?" (Y/n) asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Dave needs the component for the hunters. Not sure why, but he would tell us after we got it," Noctis said.

Prompto pursed his lips. "How're we supposed to get the targeting component from a MA-X Cuirass? It'll explode the moment we defeat it. I seriously doubt it will be intact after the explosion."

"That's the issue here. We need to get it before the machine combusts, but we've no way of doing that," Gladio sighs heavily.

Ignis and (Y/n) exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing. The young woman stepped forward, all eyes falling onto her. "There is one way."

"How?" Noctis questioned. "We know you're a Guardian, but you're not a miracle worker. Uh, no offense, (Y/n)."

"None taken. I am a Guardian but my second form is small enough to wiggle inside the Magitek armor and steal the component. Once I have the targeting component, I'll exit the armor and we'll be on our merry way."

"Oh, now that I think about it, we've never seen your second form. Only Iggy's ever seen it!" Prompto points out.

Gladio elbowed the blonde. "That's because she's the Guardian of the Scientia bloodline. Why wouldn't he have seen her second form by now?"

"I-I know that! I'm just really curious as to what her other form looks like," Prompto defensively responds.

(Y/n) beamed at the cameraman, "You'll see it soon enough, Prom."

"So, we have a plan, but where are we gonna find a MA-X Cuirass?" Noctis asked.

"Our best option would be the empire's fort located in the Leide region," Ignis replies.

"I could also check from above to see if the fort has any remaining Magitek armors. It would be a waste of time if we infiltrated the structure and found it was empty," (Y/n) states.

"That means you can fly! Oh, now I'm even more excited!" Prompto squeals.

Noctis nods, "Alright, let's head to Leide."

Half an hour in the Regalia, the group arrives at their destination. They parked the car a safe distance away and eyed the stronghold. Ignis' emerald gaze met with (Y/n)'s (e/c) one with a little worry. "Do be careful, (Y/n)."

"I'll be back before you know it, Iggy." (Y/n) took a step forward and transformed before their eyes.

"Oh. Em. Gee! She's so adorable!" Prompto coos. Without even acknowledging his words, (Y/n) took to the sky.

"What all can she do, Iggy?" Gladio asked, his eyes following (Y/n)'s small form.

"(Y/n) is capable of high-level spells. She is also equipped with forbidden knowledge that is the key to destroying an entire nation within a day."

"Whoa, whoa... hold on..." Noctis spoke up. "If she wanted to destroy any nation in the world, she could?"

Ignis nods, "Yes. She is capable of revealing a nation's weaknesses with such vast information. With her knowledge that we humans lack, she is one of the most intelligent beings in all of existence."

"Talk about small but deadly," Gladio chortles. "Anything else we should know?"

The strategist sighs lightly, "Though she is powerful, her small form is vulnerable and frail. That is what I fear the most out of this mission."

"Guess Guardians aren't flawless, either. All that power and she's given a frail body. Evens out the playing field for the enemy," Noctis states.

"Will she be okay?" Prompto worriedly asked.

"She is only performing a small reconnaissance. The empire has no cause for concern if she is merely flying above," Ignis reassures the blonde. He knew exactly how Prompto was feeling because he also felt the same. Though his expression showed he was calm, he was far from it.

(Y/n) returns a few minutes later, landing on Ignis' shoulder. When they asked if she spotted a MA-X Cuirass, she nodded. A cute sound left her mouth as she pointed to something in the distance with her muzzle. "It seems she has also found a way in without alerting the empire," Ignis said, translating her movements to the confused boys around her.

"Let's get ourselves a targeting component," Noctis said before moving his gaze to the small creature on the tactican's shoulder. "We're countin' on you, (Y/n)." She smiles from her spot in response.

With Ignis interpreting (Y/n)'s directions, the group was able to find a small hatch that connected to the interior of the stronghold. The metal panel was hidden behind a boulder that obscured it from anyone's sight.

One by one, they descended the ladder. As the darkness consumed them, (Y/n) snuggled up closer to Ignis' neck and slung her tail over his other shoulder.

When they reached the bottom, the boys turned on their flashlights to banish the shadows. Ignis felt (Y/n) tense up suddenly and his eyes darted to her. He quickly called out to the others in a hushed voice, stopping them in their tracks. The group quickly hid just as a couple of MTs came into view. Due to the narrowness of the pathway, the boys had to push themselves against the wall and turn off their flashlights to prevent the enemies from spotting them.

After they passed, (Y/n) nodded to Ignis to signal it was safe to proceed. They pushed forward through the pathway until they were greeted with a sliver of light in the distance. Gladio took the lead and guided them safely to a metal door. The shield pushed it open, their surroundings bathed in luminescence.

"An underground lab? Who knew," Prompto shrugs.

"We've gotten this far without bein' spotted. Let's find a way to the surface and to that damned armor," Noctis said.

(Y/n) flew off of Ignis' shoulder and towards a control panel that was in the corner of the lab. The boys followed after her, watching as she hacked into the door controls and opened a heavily locked door on the other side of the room.

"She just hacked into a high-level security system within seconds!" Prompto shouts in disbelief.

Ignis smiled at her as she turned to face them. "Impressive as always, my dear." He offered his hand and (Y/n) jumped onto his palm. She climbed up his arm until she was snug against his neck in her favorite spot.

The companions exit the underground lab and reach the surface. They hid behind a stack of crates and metal containers, trying to think of a way to get (Y/n) safely to the MA-X Cuirass without her having a target on her back.

"One of us should go with (Y/n) while the others distract the imperials," Prompto suggests.

"Good idea. Prom, you go with (Y/n) and make sure to protect her. The rest of us will cause a diversion," Noctis explains.

"I've qualms with this reckless plan, but... it is our only option," Ignis sighs.

"We'll rendezvous once (Y/n) secures the component. Anything we miss?" Gladio glances around at his friends.

Prompto swallowed hard. "Uh, are you sure you wanna leave protection duty to me?" (Y/n) moved from Ignis' shoulder and flew over to him, landing on his arm. He stared into her large turquoise eyes, able to see the trust in them. Smiling, he allowed her onto his shoulder. "Just give me directions."

"Let's get this show over with," Noctis announced, summoning his engine blade. "We'll rendezvous back in the lab."

"Gotcha. Ready, (Y/n)?" Prompto asked, turning his head towards the small creature. She nods, her tail wagging in anticipation. Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis left the safety of their hiding spot and started their diversion. When the area was clear, (Y/n) gave Prompto directions to the MA-X Cuirass. The marksman ran as fast as he could through the vast stronghold.

According to (Y/n), the Magitek armor was on the opposite side of the base. Prompto didn't stop until he reached the armor. He came to a sudden stop, spying a few straggling Magiteks. Diving behind cover, he caught his breath. (Y/n) hopped off his shoulder and landed in his lap. Glancing down, he saw her spreading her wings and reading to take flight. The sharpshooter quickly grabbed her in his hands and prevented her from flying off. "It's not safe, (Y/n). They're still some imperials around."

(Y/n) knew the others couldn't handle all the imperials and wanted to get the component as quick as possible. She squirmed in Prompto's hand and was able to squeeze out of his grasp. The boy gasped, tryin to grab her again. Before he could lay a finger on her, she had already flown off. Fear consumed him as he watched her wiggle her way inside the MA-X Cuirass' chest piece.

Seconds turned into minutes as (Y/n) continued scrounging around for the piece. The longer she was gone, the more worried Prompto became. The concern was nipping away at his entire being. It took his entire strength to hold himself in place and not try to find (Y/n) within the metallic monster.

Wiggling further in, (Y/n) made her way to the central core. She folded her wings tightly so they wouldn't snag against the many wires and pieces protruding in her path. Passing the core, she moved to the head of the MA-X Cuirass and found the targeting component. With her sharp claws and teeth, she was able to snap the wires and unscrew the small component. It was about the size of her paw, making it easy for her to carry in her mouth. (Y/n) scurried back to the chest and exited with the component held tightly between her teeth. She made sure not to damage it as she flew down to where she last saw Prompto.

Arriving at his hiding spot, she was greeted by someone she hoped not to find. The soldier that had taken Prompto's place spotted her and aimed his rifle at her. Pulling the trigger, the bullet sped towards (Y/n). At the last second, she dodged it and flew around to confuse the man.

"(Y/n), over here!" Prompto shouts, shooting the soldier that was pursuing him. His holler had distracted her, allowing the soldier to attack. He raised a hand and batted her out of the air as if she were a fly. Her small body crashed into a metal container, an echo created by the hard impact. (Y/n) lost consciousness before she could register the blood she was losing.

Prompto's eyes widened as he ran over and shot the soldier that attacked (Y/n). He fell to his knees next to her and scooped her small body into his arms. Seeing the targeting component fall out of her mouth, he slid it into his pocket and ran to the lab, not caring who saw him. Blood dripped from (Y/n)'s head onto his shirt, which made him run faster. "I'm so sorry, (Y/n)," he whimpers, a few tears falling from his eyes.

When Prompto arrived, the others were already waiting. Ignis' heart stopped when he saw the state (Y/n) was in. He dashed over to Prompto, taking her small form into his own arms. "What happened?"

"A-A couple of s-soldiers... t-they fell behind and attacked me. Before I could reach (Y/n), o-one of them swatted her out of the air. S-She hit her head on a metal container."

Noctis and Gladio searched for a potion, but couldn't find one. They had used them all during the diversion due to the overwhelming number of imperial forces. Prompto and Ignis didn't even have a spare curative on their person to even help (Y/n). "We must return to the Regalia," Ignis urgently informs, wiping blood from (Y/n)'s pure white fur.

Without a word, the group ran all the way back to the car. The tactician tossed the keys to the prince while Gladio got the first-aid kit from the trunk. As Noctis drove to Old Lestallum, Ignis laid (Y/n) in his lap and opened the first-aid kit. He poured a small amount of disinfectant on a piece of cloth and pressed it to the large gash on (Y/n)'s head. Due to the immense pain, her eyes flew wide open and she tried to fly away. Ignis immediately dropped the cloth and grabbed her small body gently, pulling her towards his chest. "It's alright, my love. Please, calm yourself. I must tend to your wound."

Ignis' gentle and tender voice eased (Y/n) greatly. She relaxed in his hold and he placed her back in his lap. She flattened out her wings and ears, allowing him to continue. He picked up the cloth, dabbing it gently against the gash that ran from the top of her head to the top of her back. Ignis felt his heart ache every time he saw her flinch from the sting of the disinfectant against the wound. Gladio watched the advisor as he finished with the head wound and used a small amount of disinfectant to clean the blood from her once pure white fur.

Now clean, (Y/n)'s ears perked up. Ignis placed the bloody cloth down before readjusting her in a more comfortable position. He watched with a gentle smile as she curled into his lap, closing her eyes and welcoming sleep. Through half-lidded eyes, the man leaned his head back with a sigh.

"How's the wound?" Gladio asked just above a whisper.

"Cleansed for the moment. I will need to address it once more when we find lodging."

"Is it dire?" Prompto asked, standing on his knees in his seat, eyes glued to the sleeping (Y/n).

"No, she will be fine. Though, she must remain in this form until the wound is completely healed to prevent the gash from reopening due to her transformation."

The sharpshooter hid half his face behind the headrest. "How long will that take?"

"A few days. Her healing abilities are enhanced in this form."

"I'm really sorry, Iggy..." The boy whines.

Another sigh left the royal advisor. "What transpired at the stronghold was not your fault. (Y/n) would also concur." Prompto felt slightly relieved, but he still blamed himself. He slid down in his seat and faced forward.

-Old Lestallum-

Securing two rooms at the motel, Ignis carries (Y/n) to their room with a potion he was able to buy from a nearby vendor. The others headed to their room, knowing the man would want privacy while he tended to (Y/n).

Inside the room, Ignis grabbed a pillow and laid (Y/n) gently down on it. She was still fast asleep as he used the potion. A green radiance engulfed her small body, the gash closing quickly. A scar was prominent, but it was almost hidden by her white fur. In silence, Ignis sat next to (Y/n) and stroked her back, avoiding the scar because he knew it was still fresh and wanted to avoid waking her.

Suddenly, the door opens and the trio enters with quiet footsteps. Prompto kneeled in front of (Y/n), peering at her head. "At least she's okay. The scar's pretty big, but it's not too bad."

"The scar will fade with time," Ignis states in a mellow voice.

"Anything we can do?" Gladio offers the advisor.

"Only a few days rest. The three of you will deliver the targeting component to Dave in the morning. From there, we shall recuperate our strength and allow (Y/n) to rest. We've no major need to depart from Old Lestallum hastily."

Noctis yawns, "I could use a few days of rest. I'm not arguin' with this plan."

The shield rolled his eyes. "Of course. Who would've expected you to turn down the offer?"

"Eh, good question. I seriously think you guys would die from shock if I did turn down the chance to sleep," Noctis snorts. He placed a hand on his waist. "Anyways, since we're here, why don't we hit up the Crow's Nest for some dinner. I'm starvin'."

"Same here. You taggin' along, Iggy?" Gladio asked.

The man shook his head. "I shall remain here."

"Well, can we at least bring you both back something to eat?" Prompto inquires.

Ignis thought for a second before answering. "Do bring two orders of salmon for us. I know (Y/n) will eat when she awakens."

The blonde nods with a smile before leaving with Noctis and Gladio. Ignis remained at (Y/n)'s side for a few more minutes before relaxing in a nearby chair. As he kept his eyes on the tiny creature, he rested his elbow on the armrest and laid his chin atop his hand. Feeling drowsy, he closed his eyes and fell asleep within minutes.

The moment Ignis felt something in his lap, his eyes flew open. Peering down, he saw it was (Y/n). She was smiling up at him with her tail wagging back and forth. The tactician smiled back, resting a gentle hand on her head. "How are you fairing, my love?" (Y/n)'s smile widened as she snuggled into his palm. He caught a glimpse of the scar, noticing how it had faded since he saw it a few minutes ago. "You used a healing incantation, correct?"

(Y/n) nods and stands on her hind legs. Ignis moves his hand to under her chin and scratched. His ministrations earned a soft sigh from the girl as she closed her eyes at the heavenly sensation. Seeing as she was enjoying his actions, (Y/n) directed his fingers to the back of her ears, which was her favorite spot.

After a prolonged scratching session, Ignis had scooped (Y/n) up in his arms and carried her back to the pillow. "You must rest, (Y/n). Though you have nearly healed the scar, you need proper rest to regain your strength."

(Y/n) snorts with a frown before plopping down on her belly. Ignis shook his head with a smile as he went to relax himself with a warm shower.

-Forty-Five Minutes Later-

A knock reverberated from the door, signaling the others had returned. (Y/n) perked up while Ignis opened the door. Prompto bounded in, setting down the two boxes of salmon on the coffee table. "Here ya go, Iggy. Two salmons for you and (Y/n). How is-" Prompto turned to the bed to check on (Y/n) and saw she was awake and well. "(Y/n)!"

"That was quick. I thought she'd be out for longer," Gladio said.

"As did I. It seems (Y/n) was able to use a healing incantation before she fell unconscious," Ignis informed his friends.

Noctis and Prompto sat on the bed with (Y/n) while she energetically jumped around them and across their laps. The prince had caught her and lifted her up to eye level. "You sure you should be bouncin' around like this?"

(Y/n) nods frantically while Ignis stepped in. "She should remain from exerting herself."

Noctis glances between the two. "Gotta give his one to Specs, (Y/n). You should eat and then go back to sleep." He carried her to the coffee table and sat her down next to her dinner. The others gathered around while Ignis and (Y/n) ate their dinner. Prompto snickered when the girl raised her head and saw a piece of salmon stuck to her fur. Ignis saw this, as well, and plucked the salmon from her head. "It seems you were more hungry that I had thought," he huffs with laughter.

With their stomachs full, the trio decided to head to their room. Ignis cleaned up dinner while (Y/n) stretched her wings and flew to the open window. The cool breeze caressed her fur, the blissful sensation making her smile. Her turquoise eyes stared up at the radiant moon that shone down upon her.

"(Y/n)," Ignis called out to the girl. Her ears perked up as his voice reached her. "Time for bed." She nods and flies to the bed. The tactician closes the windows and shuts off the lights before laying down in bed, abandoning the sheets.

Deep in thought, Ignis stares up at the ceiling. The cogs in his mind were at full-speed and he couldn't sleep. Then, he felt something crawling up his side and resting on his chest. His emerald eyes darted down, seeing it was (Y/n). She had crawled up on him and curled in a ball on his chest. A smile graced his face at her close proximity and the warmth of her presence, allowing him to fall into a deep sleep.

-Next Morning-

As the sun beat down through the windows, Ignis opened his eyes slowly. Checking his phone, he realized it was eight o'clock on the dot. He raised a hand to his chest and realized (Y/n) was no longer there. In silence, he got to his feet and looked around for her. With no sign of her in the room, he left to check the streets of Old Lestallum.

Ignis calmly walked out of the motel in search of (Y/n). Scanning the area, he saw she was chatting with Dave. He didn't wish to interrupt so he went to buy extra curatives in the meantime.

"Good morning, Iggy," (Y/n) chants as she jogged over to the strategist.

"Morning, (Y/n). How are you fairing?"

"Perfectly fine. The scar aches a little, but nothing major. In a day or two, I should be able to heal the remainder of the scar." She ghosted a hand over the back of her head as she spoke.

Ignis sighs in relief. "I am delighted to hear such a revelation. Are you hungry?"

"Mm, a little. How about a small breakfast with just the two of us? We haven't had much alone time since we departed from the Crown City."

The royal advisor nods with a smile. "I would quite enjoy a private breakfast with you, my dear."

"Great!" (Y/n) cheers, jumping up and kissing him on the cheek. "Let's go!"