A/n: Yay! Book two's here! The same goes for this story as did the first. You can choose your hair color, but not your eye color since it corresponds with the book. Hope that really isn't a turn away for too many. And a small FYI, a skvader is a Swedish fictional creature that looks likes a winged rabbit. Enjoy the new story! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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With a huff, Noctis throws himself on the ground and leans against the bumper of the broken-down Regalia. A few feet away, Prompto is on his back with his eyes closed. Gladio stands beside the car and tries to wave down an approaching vehicle. Ignis is in the driver's seat of the broken-down car, resting his head against his arms that were splayed across the steering wheel. (Y/n), the guardian of the tactician, was in her spiritual form in the backseat.

She spreads her wings, stretching them. Shaking her small body, she jumped out of the back seat and onto the trunk of the Regalia. She then leapt down and landed on Prompto's stomach, earning a grunt from him.

The car approaching them that Gladio was trying to flag down just goes around them, honks a couple of times as if in annoyance, and continues on down the highway. Noctis yawns, unfazed by the lack of help.

Gladio sighed, leaning against the car. "I think we can forget about hitching our way there... Thought people were friendly outside the city."

"You can only go so far on the kindness of strangers," Ignis replied.

"Just gonna have to push her all the way,"

"I've already pushed myself...to the brink of death," Prompto dramatically sighed.

Gladio walks behind the car and smacks Noctis on the back to get his attention. He then saunters over to the blonde. "Oh, get up." He kicks the marksman's foot. "C'mon, car isn't gonna move itself."

(Y/n) hopped off Prompto and sat on the asphalt, her tail swishing back and forth. The two boys get up and prepare themselves to push the Regalia. Gladio looked down at the guardian when noticing she was staring at him. "You too, munchkin. Get your furry butt in the car."

The skvader flapped her wings and flew into the car. She landed in the backseat and climbed over the middle console. Making her way up Ignis' arm, she eventually reached the top of his head. Laying down on her belly, she pressed his hair down. Of course, the tactician was not bothered by her actions at all. However, he would have to fix his hair later.

Prompto, who was located on the right side of the car near the passenger's side door, groaned. "Sheesh. I thought the car was supposed to move us."

Gladio gets his hands in position on the back of the Regalia while Noctis stands on the left side of the vehicle. "Wouldn't that be nice-" Noctis said.

"Can it," the shield snapped. "Ready... Steady... Push!"

Noctis and Prompto grunt as they tried to push the Regalia with Gladio's help. Ignis was behind the wheel, keeping the car steady as his friends pushed. It wasn't long before the complaints came rolling in.

"Un. Believable," Noctis grunted.

"Not exactly a fairy tale beginning, huh, Prince Noctis?" Gladio retorted with his own grunt.

"We let ourselves get carried away," Ignis sighed.

"Look, these things happen!" Prompto tried to stay positive.

"Let's just hope this isn't some omen," the brute remarked.

"Gladio, do me a favor," Noctis said.

"What?"

"Push this thing by yourself."

"All by myself?"

"You won't even notice if we just let go," Prompto stated.

"Prompto, don't even think about it," the shield growled while still pushing the car.

"Save some breath for pushing," Ignis advised.

"Ignis, c'mon-time to switch!" Noctis chimed in.

"Nuh-uh! We just switched back there!" Gladio spoke up.

"And it's my turn, Noct," Prompto said.

"His "turn"," the strategist mocked.

The blonde's eyes looked over at (Y/n), who was still laying down on top of Ignis' head. "(Y/n) should transform and help us!"

"No," Ignis quickly shot down the idea.

"Why not?" Noctis grunted. "Four...would be better than three."

"I refuse to allow a lady to push a vehicle."

Prompto groaned. He lowered his head and continued pushing. His hands were beginning to ache from the pressure. "My hands are killing me."

"You rather I kill you with mine?" Gladio hissed.

"Easy there, tough guy."

Ignis pulled out his phone with one hand still remaining on the steering wheel. He dialed the number to Hammerhead, but only received an automated message stating the line was busy.

Noctis looked over his shoulder for a brief second and asked, "Any luck?"

"Only a busy signal," Ignis responded.

Prompto spotted the tall sign of the outpost in the distance and gasped in disbelief. "Hold the phone-is it just me, or was it supposed to be way closer?"

"I assure you the map is correct."

"The map said Hammerhead was right there," the prince complained.

"Literally next door," the sharpshooter added.

"Looks that way on a map of the world," Gladio stated.

The four are quiet for a moment as they continue struggling to make their way. (Y/n) perked up and jumped off Ignis' head, flapping her wings and taking to the sky above with a squeak. She flew in the direction of Hammerhead, leaving the boys behind. At the outpost, she swooped down towards a young woman with short blonde hair and a red hat. Landing a few feet away, she squeaked to get her attention.

The young woman turned around and looked down. Seeing the skvader's slitted sapphire eyes, she recognized what she was in an instant. "Well I'll be! Ain't you just a darlin' little thang!" She kneeled down and beckoned the guardian closer. The skvader made her way over and sniffed the mechanic's hand before allowing her to pet her. "Are ya lost, sweet pea?"

(Y/n) wanted to transform, but her shyness prevented it. Ignis is the only person who's seen her human form. She felt more comfortable confronting people in her spiritual form instead of her human one. Another squeak emitted from her throat as the mechanic picked her small form up into her arms and carried her into the garage. She sat her down on a workbench and poked her nose with a brilliant smile. "You wait here a moment, darlin'. I'll be right back!"

Waiting for the mechanic's return, the spirit looked out of the garage. As she did, she saw the boys pushing the car into Hammerhead. Once pushing it close enough, Prompto immediately lets go and flops down on the ground. Noctis sat on the ground on the other side of the Regalia while Gladio remained standing. Ignis emerged from the driver's seat, gently closing the door behind him.

The mechanic returned to the garage and allowed the guardian to hop on her shoulder. She then saw her awaiting customers and walked out of the garage. Prompto quickly gets back up at the sight of her.

"Hey there, y'all kept a girl waitin'!" She looks around at the faces of the three boys she could only see. "Now, which one's the prince?"

Noctis stands up into view from the other side of the Regalia, revealing himself.

"Aha! Hello, Your Highness. Congrats on your wedding!" She said with a bubbly, energetic tone.

"Not hitched just yet," Noctis replied.

"Lady Lunafreya's groom-to-be, here in Hammerhead."

"Apologies for taking so long," Ignis said.

"You'd best save your apologies for Paw-paw," she explained.

"Well, that makes you..." Gladio began.

"Cindy-Cid's grease-monkey granddaughter." Cindy then plucks (Y/n) off her shoulder and cradles her against her chest. She scratches behind the skvader's ears and asks, "This darlin' one of y'alls?"

"Indeed, she is," Ignis answered.

Cindy released the spirit and watched her fly towards the advisor. (Y/n) landed on the bespectacled man's shoulder, wrapping herself around his neck. He reached up and stroked the top of her head.

All of a sudden, Cid shouts out to Cindy. "Roll 'er in while I'm still young!" The old man walks up to the Regalia, eyeing the car. "Didn't yer daddy tell ya? She's a custom classic, not some beat-up ol' clunker."

He then looks over at the raven-haired boy. "Prince Noctis."

"Uh, yeah," Noctis unsurely responded.

""Prince"," Cid scoffed. "Like they took your old man and kicked the dignity out of him."

Noctis was flabbergasted at the old man's words. "What?"

He resumes inspecting the Regalia. "You got a long way to go, son. And that slack jaw's gettin' you nowhere fast. She's gonna take a while. Y'all get her in and run along." Cid walks off.

Cindy looks after him and sighs before turning back to the others. "Y'all heard him! Let's get movin'. Right this way." She motions for the others to follow her and walks off.

While Ignis pulled the Regalia into the garage, (Y/n) hopped off his shoulder. She sat patiently on the ground beside Noctis, who was standing up. Once the car was safely inside the garage, Ignis regrouped with them as repairs were underway. "And now we play the waiting game."

"Never liked that game," Prompto confessed.

"Never any good at it, either," Noctis remarked. He then went to chat with Cindy while the others headed towards the convenience store.

Prompto noticed a poster on the glass window and gasped. "Whoa! They got Ebony out here! Ignis is gonna flip! Wait... Uh, what's a "gil"?" He looked down at the skvader. "You have any idea, (Y/n)?"

She squeaked in response, causing him to sigh. "Oh, right... The whole secret identity thing." He kneeled down next to her and picked her up with a pleading smile. Holding her up to eye level, he stared into her sapphire eyes with his own. "C'mon, transform for me! I'm dying to know what you look like! Please, (Y/n)?"

Ignis, who was standing by the gas pumps, was watching the scene. He saw how desperate the blonde was to see her human form and couldn't help but smile slightly. It was a mystery only he had the answer to. Seeing Prompto beginning to shake the skvader, he spoke up. "Do refrain from waving (Y/n) around as if she were an object. I'm afraid she may bite if prompted."

Prompto stopped immediately. "Wait, she bites?"

"On occasion, yes."

"S-Sorry 'bout that, (Y/n)..." He gently placed her down and patted the top of her head. He stood up and backed away from the small creature, tensing when realizing her eyes were following him. Her eyes were unblinking and her stare made him feel uneasy. He couldn't believe such a small animal could frighten him so much. "I-I'm gonna find Noct!"

Ignis' faint smirk grew a couple inches as he watched Prompto scurry away. He then looked down at his guardian, crossing his arms. "This charade is quite entertaining. For how long it will remain, I am unaware. Now then, shall we find the others and tell them about our inadequate funds?"

(Y/n) lifted her head with a squeak. She returned to her favorite place to perch-Ignis' shoulders. The advisor approached Noctis, who was talking with Prompto and Gladio outside of Takka's Pitstop. "A moment, Noct? We've expended the last of our funds on the repairs. I suggest we confer with Cindy."

"Broken down and flat broke," Prompto sighed.

"Adding insult to injury."

Gladio crosses his arms with a disapproving glance towards the garage. "Old man's in for both after charging us that much."

Noctis couldn't believe the price of the repairs either. "Yeah, let's pay him a visit."

The five return to the garage where they speak to Cindy. "She ain't gon' be ready for a while. Y'all need somethin'?"

"Bit steep for a simple tune-up, don't ya think?" The prince asked.

The mechanic's eyes lit up as she was struck with realization. "Oh, now I get it. This must be what Paw-paw meant when he said he was gonna "teach them a lesson." Told me he oughta have y'all take care of some ornery varmints that've been causin' a ruckus 'round here. I'd be happy to pay y'all for your services if you're up for the challenge. How 'bout it?"

"So much for finding an easy way out..." Prompto muttered under his breath. "Thanks a lot, "Paw-paw"."

Cindy, whether she heard the boy or not, continued. "Normally when we need help with varmints, we just call the Hunters."

""Hunters"?" Noctis parroted.

"Band o' bounty hunters, come out from the city. Keep these parts safe-provided the money's right." Her eyes scanned over their appearances, placing a hand on her hip. "Y'all look like a rough-an'-tumble bunch. I reckon you'll round up those critters lickety split. 'Specially with that little darlin' of y'all's," she said, gesturing to the skvader. "But don't feel obliged or nothin'. Wouldn't want ya to ruin your royal reputation."

"Heh," Noctis chuckled. "Somehow I think I'll be okay."

The group walks away from the garage and towards the road. Knowing their targets were nearby and they had no mode of transportation at the moment, they had no choice but to proceed on foot. (Y/n), at Ignis' suggestion, flew ahead in search of their targets.

"Is it really safe to bring (Y/n) along?" Prompto asked worriedly. "I think everything's bigger than her..."

"What she lacks in size she compensates for in magic," Ignis stated. "Fret not for she is well-versed in the art of combat."

"Guess we'll see if that's true pretty soon," Gladio commented.

(Y/n) returned a few seconds later, squeaking to gain the boys' attentions as she flew overhead. They all looked up at her and knew she had found some of their targets. Noctis was in the lead as he followed her. "I don't really care if she's some badass in combat or not. She's already saving us a ton of time by flying ahead."

With the guardian's guidance, they located the first group of reapertails. The large scorpions were easy to dispose of without the need for any magic from the skvader.

Ignis dispelled his daggers. "Excellent work. On we go."

Repeating the process for the remaining group of reapertails, they were able to wipe out every last one of them. With their targets eliminated, they were ready to head back and claim their reward. However, Noctis' phone rang. Taking the device out of his pocket, he saw an unknown number calling him. "Who could this be?" He accepts the call out of curiosity. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's Cindy," the voice on the other end greeted. "How goes the huntin'?"

"Actually, we just finished."

"That's great, 'cause I got one more hunt for y'all-only this time it's for a person. Fella named Dave went off, and we ain't heard from him since. Reckon he staked out a spot in an old shack nearby."

""Old shack"..." The prince looked around the surrounding area. In the distance, he spotted an old barn-like structure. It was a good place to check first. "Got it. We'll take a look."

As Noctis began leading his friends to the old, abandoned structure, Prompto asked, "So, what'd Cindy say?"

"Needs us to find some "Dave" guy," he replied.

"He went missing?" Gladio inquired.

"Not "missing." Said he's holed up in that shack."

(Y/n) swooped down and landed on Ignis' shoulder. Prompto saw the whole thing because he was walking behind the advisor. His cerulean eyes stared at the skvader for a few seconds. He then built up the courage to ask about her. "Hey, Iggy. What's it like having a guardian?"

"Normal," Ignis simply replied.

The marksman was in disbelief at the response. "Dude, seriously?"

"What were you expecting?" Gladio wondered.

"Some details! Y'know, like what's it like living with a guardian! I've always wondered how it felt! It can't be just "normal"!"

"It's normal to Specs, but not for the rest of us," Noctis stated. "Why do you care, anyway?"

Prompto huffed out an annoyed groan. "I have read way too many books about them and always wanted to meet one. And now I have, but I can't talk to (Y/n) because she won't change forms!"

"I have to admit, I'm curious about her too," Gladio spoke up. "Tell us what she looks like, Iggy."

"Where's the fun in that?" Ignis retorted.

"Wha-is this a game to you?!" Prompto shrieked.

"Perhaps."

The shield grinned. "You sly dog. Hiding her from us so you can be the only one to bask in her beauty. You would really deprive your friends that much?"

"Hiding (Y/n) is not my intention," Ignis clarified. "She is rather bashful hence why she remains as is. Although, your eagerness to learn of her human form is quite amusing."

"Oh, that's so dirty, Iggy!" Prompto wailed out. "I swear, I will be there to photograph (Y/n) the moment she changes!"

"Someone's really determined," Noctis mumbled.

Continuing towards the barn-like structure, they arrived a few minutes later. Prompto, Gladio, and Ignis check the perimeter while Noctis searched inside with (Y/n). She startled him slightly when she flew up to perch on his shoulder. He walked towards the farthest corner of the large shed, where a cart was located. Taking a closer look, he saw a letter on top of it. "What's this?" He picked up the letter so they both could read it.

*****
Mutant Dualhorn Sighting
Codename: Bloodhorn
Characteristics: Red tusks, extremely violent
Outstanding bounty on sabertusks in the area
*****

Noctis looked down at the skvader when she hopped off his shoulder and sat on the cart. "What do you make of this, (Y/n)?" She tilted her head in curiosity, her ears flopping to one side.

Just then, they heard Ignis shouting their names. "Noct! (Y/n)!"

Noctis turns to see sabertusks running into the barn, one of which is heading for him and the guardian. He went to summon his blade, but stopped when multiple large ice shards shot out of the ground and impaled the sabertusks. The spell was enough to kill all the creatures. The prince rubbed his exposed arms when he felt the chill from the ice. He blew out a puff of air and was able to see his breath. "Damn, it's cold..." He looked over at the spirit who hadn't moved. "Nicely done, (Y/n)."

Unlike Prompto and Gladio, Noctis was well-acquainted with her in this form. She would often accompany Ignis whenever he was on duty at the Citadel and would play with her often when he was younger. He found her to be a friend even though she never revealed her human form to him. He couldn't deny he was curious, but not as curious as his shield and best friend.

Prompto, who was the first one to rush into the barn, was about to ask if they were okay, but he saw the large ice shards and gaped. "Whoa... Talk about ice."

Gladio and Ignis were close behind. The three watch as the ice melts, revealing Noctis and (Y/n) in the corner. Before anyone could say anything, more sabertusks dashed into the barn. This time, the boys dealt with the beasts. With the sabertusks dead, they left the barn.

Standing outside the barn, Gladio scans their surroundings and takes notice of another shack nearby. It was being swarmed by more sabertusks. "Hey, what about that shack over there?"

Prompto followed the brute's gaze. "Or it could be another trap."

"We could send (Y/n) ahead to check," Noctis suggested.

"From the sabertusks' behavior, we can assume who we seek is inside," Ignis stated. "There will be no need for scouting."

The prince sighed. "Hope you're right, Specs."