This mission was simple. Infiltrate the remote Niflheim facility. The mission was strictly reconnaissance. The Empire wasn't to know that anyone had been in or out. It was for this reason that Cor had decided he would go alone.

If he were caught, it would be easier for the King to disavow a mission of one lone man.

There wasn't much in the way of civilizations once he got past the coastline. The closer he got to the snowy mountain ranges the less inhabited he found the area. The last town Cor had passed through was two days behind him and so sparsely populated that to keep his presence, unknown Cor had taken to stealing the necessary rations and supplies in the dead of night. It was hardly behavior fitting of the Lucian Crownsguard, but he knew such purchases would draw unwanted attention.

Not that thievery wouldn't attract attention if discovered, but he knew he would be long gone before then. At least this way no one would ever have seen his face.

He had set himself up in a haven nestled in a nearby crevice alongside the mountain. Cor found himself unconcerned that anyone else would attempt to make use of the campsite. The region was especially desolate this time of year. Anyone foolish enough to traverse the area would likely be someone who had business at the compound and would stay within the safety of its walls.

After over two weeks Cor's usual patience was starting to wear thin. There was little in the way of information that he could gather observing the outside of the compound. He had recorded dropships leaving out the south end and taking flight towards Gralea. He had watched as armored vans had arrived a few days prior that didn't leave until yesterday morning.

It was all such useless information if he didn't have some idea of who or what they were escorting in and out. However, his best chance for that sort of information would be to enter the facility itself. A reckless and dangerous endeavor for certain. If he were ten years younger, Cor reasoned that he would have taken such a risk by now.

It was also likely he would have destroyed the entire place heading back to Lucis with nothing other than notoriety to show for it. It was better to be patient and allow a more reasonable opportunity to present itself.

Cor stretched out his legs a moment having gone stiff from his watch position squatting along one of the rocky mountain ledges. While he wasn't keen on the idea of slipping into the facility before a proper moment presented himself, Cor was aware that he was running out of time.

Provisions were running low, and with the closest town days away Cor would soon have to abandon his position for supplies running the risk of compromising his position. The Graula in the area seemed to be running scarce though Cor noted there were no shortage of daemons in the area after dark.

Having to do a supply run would be ill advised at this point. If he were to leave it would be to make his way back to Lucis and Cor wasn't keen on doing that empty handed.

If he had discerned the pattern correctly, then a dropship should be exiting the facility just before dusk this evening. If he could time his movements accordingly and at best he would be able to slip in unnoticed as the ship was leaving. At worst, he would have to deal with a handful of MTs in the hangar. At very worst actual authority figures within the Imperial army.

Luck, for the most part, had been on his side. Cor had managed to slip through before the large heavy backdoors slid shut against him. The lights were dim giving the impression that operations had been shut down for day.

A few MTs lined the back wall across from Cor. As far as he could tell they had been powered down for the night. That didn't mean he wanted to provoke them into action or draw any attention to himself. They were probably models that were getting ready for deployment.

A brief though of sabotage crossed through Cor's mind. Though messing with a few MTs would hardly help with the border skirmishes in the long run and be more of a waste of his time here than anything. A personally satisfying waste of time, but a waste none the less.

His eyes caught a few snowmobiles off to the side of the hangar doors. He reasoned to himself if it would be worth it to steal one. He immediately shook off the thought. Stealing one would make travel more convenient, but ultimately work to give his presence away faster.

Still, it begged the question what they needed a snowmobile for. The compound itself looked rather close knit. He hadn't noticed any other structures while he had been here. He supposed they could be for supply runs, however, given how barren stock was out in this portion of the Empire it would be better to reason that such runs were done by the drop ships heading to Gralea.

Cor pushed the thought to the side. His time would be better spent checking through the facility further rather than pondering about the existence of snowmobiles. He would keep it as a point to come back to later if the need arose, not obsess about now.

A billowing black cloud in the hangar got Cor's attention causing him to jump back behind one of the structural pillars.

Daemons.

It was just a handful of snaga, but their appearance had taken Cor back. He watched them carefully for a moment. Their dark greedy eyes scanning around the room as they bounced about looking to cause trouble.

Cor wasn't sure why he was so surprised by their appearance. He had heard that the daemon problem was considerably worse in Niflhiem as of late. The hangar did open directly to the outside, and there wasn't much in the way of defense to stave them off.

Or at least he hadn't thought there was.

The eyes of the MTs against the wall flashed a brilliant red, and with jerky motions, they began to swing forward to deal with the intruders. Cor tried to make himself smaller against the wall lest the troopers sense his presence and act against him as well.

The first MT brought his axe down in a quick motion slicing through one of the daemons dissolving it back into the ether. Another one of the snaga reacted jumping on to the MT's arm before the trooper had a chance to bring down a second swing.

The daemon's sharp fingers began tearing fiercely at the wires connecting the arm to the shoulder. The MT managed a few more jerky movements as the arm fell the ground. The snaga then launched itself onto the MT's faceplate clawing savagely at that until a second MT stepped forward cleaving both the daemon and its fellow trooper.

The damaged MT fell to the ground in a mess of smoke and wires as the snaga disappeared altogether. The screeching noise made by the last remaining daemon was cut off when the MT brought his weapon down for another swing.

The room fell silent, and Cor held his breath watched as the MT stood still looming over its fallen comrade. A few beats passed, and an uneasy feeling began to wash over Cor. If the MT began to search the room for more foes would he have to fight a whole hangar of troopers.

His question was answered a moment later at the MT turned went back to the lineup with the other motionless robotic soldiers against the far end of the hangar. Its eyes dimmed, and the previous quiet that fell over the room resumed.

Cor let out a breath. Apparently, daemon attacks within the facility walls were common place enough that the Empire had MTs stationed around to handle such occurrences.

It was not entirely unreasonable to believe that the units would act hostile to any intruder not just daemons, so Cor continued to stay as far back from them as he was able until he stopped by the door.

Believing that door would not be locked would have been a foolish thought. Cor merely thought that once he got a look at the type of security, he was dealing with he'd be able to handle it. He stared at the scanner next to the door scrutinizing it a moment.

It was a fairly standard access panel one that appeared he would need a acces card or maybe even a handprint to gain access. One that Cor was confident in his ability to bypass as long as he had the proper time.

The fact that daemons had spawned within the hangar made him doubt that he would have such an opportunity.

Cor's gaze fell to the severed MT arm that littered the floor. If these were standard mass produced models than he reasoned they would all have the same hand casing. However, if such mindless machines were allowed security access was another matter entirely.

Still, picking up the arm Cor turned it over in his hand for a moment. It was worth a shot. Stepping over to the pannel again a green light emitted from the scanner illuminating the arm. The faint sound of a click was heared as the door pulled open.

Unit 034762 access granted.

Cor turned his attention back to the other MTs a moment breathing out a sigh of relief when it appeared the security clearance had not roused them again. Clenching the arm tighter in his grip, he slid through now open door heading into the main facility.

Cor's luck gaining access using the broken MT's arm ended at the door. As to be expected a basic unit didn't have the authority to access archieves or any of the computer systems in the building. It could still open doors which was enough of a reason for Cor to continue to carry it around, but viewing the various rooms without being able to gather concrete information from them was being to wear on Cor's nerves.

Trashing the place and just leaving was starting to sound more appealing with every road block he came across.

The faint beeping coming from the room at the end of the hall snapped his attention for such thoughts proceeding cautiously to the source of the noise.

The room was dark, just like every other dormitory and office Cor had set foot in since being here. However, this one appeared to be more labrotory in its use. Rows of tubes lined the main floor, and large computer panels dotted the far wall facing a window that was currently shaded.

Cor glanced at the rows of tubes. They were covered and shaded as well preventing him from seeing their contents. Magitek trooper storage, perhaps? Sparing them no second glance he headed straight for the access pannel near the door that lead beyond the large shaded window.

He held the arm up to the pannel and—

Access denied.

Cor let out a huff in frustration and tossed the arm to the side. Fine, this time he would just get the pannel open himself.

As he made to squat down next the pannel, he noticed one of the display screens on the far left was showing a critical message along with the beeping error sound that had drawn him to the room in the first place.

Cor's eyes narrowed as he walked closer checking the monitor.

Pod 036 critical error. Stasis objective failed.

Cor looked back over his shoulder at the rows of tubes counting. There were five rows and each row apperead to have ten in the row. Stepping away from the monitor he quickly made his way down the third one.

Each tube had a shaded pannel around rendering him unable to see it's contents. All save for the sixth one.

What was inside stole the breath from Cor's lungs.

A small blond boy wearing nothing more than a long white shirt was curled up against the back of the glass. There were tear tracks on his cheeks, and his eyes were shut tight a pained expression marred his face.

Every bit of caution concerning his mission here flew from Cor's mind. His fingers were wrapped around his weapon slamming it relentlessy against the structure. The child had to be no older than a year old. What possible reason could the Empire have containing him here?

The commontion woke the boy who now stared at Cor with large frightened blue eyes. His entire body shook at the pod's casing began to crack under Cor's assault. Tears started to well up in his eyes again as the front portion of tube broke permitting Cor access.

As soon as the pod was broken into red lights flashed around the room and an ear spilitting alarm sounded throughout the compound.

Security breach in research laboratory A. Security breach in research laboratory A.

Cor flinched, but there was no time to consider what he had just done. The original mission was now a failure, and his primary objective would be to get as far away from the facility as possible before the cavalry arrived.

And he would not be leaving here alone.

If the Astrals wished to grant him just a bit of mercy, he would appreciate it.

It did not go unnoticed to Cor how the child stiffened and recoiled when he picked him up. Or how his breathing hitched and eyes screwed shut when Cor touched his wrist inspecting the tattoo that had been etched there.

A barcode.

As if the child was nothing more that Niflhiem inventory. The thought made him sick. Were there children behind the other pods as well? What was the Empire doing with them?

The sound of metallic footsteps rushing down the hall pulled Cor back to reality. A could feel every tremor tearing through the child's body as he raced down the open hallway.

Lines of MTs began to step into their path prepared to halt their unauthorized departure. Cor didn't even pause to check and make sure that the troopers were defeated as he slashed through them. Attacking just once enough to cut through the metal and wire of his adversary. If he didn't defeat them completely, he could only hope he slowed their pursuit enough.

He only slowed down when he reached the hangar again. Eyes immediately going for the snowmobiles in the corner. Thank the Astrals that each one already had the key in the ignition.

Cor glanced down at the trembling bundle in his arms. The boy was still looking up at him wide eyed. However, the initial fearful gaze that had been there before had transformed into something else, curiosity maybe.

The hangar doors were opened once again. MTs from the outside filing in to heed the alarm call.

Cor settled himself into the snowmobile seat looking down at the child. This was dangerous. Borderline stupid, but there was no way he'd be able to get away from all the troopers converging on them if he didn't use one of the vehicles.

Shifting the boy Cor tucked him into his jacket zipping it up again. He could feel him burrowing against him trying to gain warmth against the chill of the open bay doors. It was by no means the most adequate safety seat, but it would have to do.

Commence lock down in twenty seconds.

That was his cue to get out of there. Cor reved the engine just as one of the MT snipers bullets grazed his shoulder. Ignoring the pain that shot through his arm, Cor sped off just as the doors began to close.

The icy wind whipped against his face as he squinted against the frigid air. Night driving on a snowy Niflheim landscape. Just another reckless endeavor Cor could add to the current count. Even his younger self had to be shaking his head at this point.

He sped off pushing as fast as the vehicle would allow untilt the shots and commotion were but muffled noises behind him. Only then did he slow down his pace, but not by much. Just enough that the turns he took to avoid the daemons rising from the ground wouldn't flip them over.

From under his jacket, the child's tiny fingers gripped tightly against his shirt each time a bellow of an Iron Giant echoed through the night sky.

Cor barely came to a complete stop before jumping off the snowmobile once they arrived at the haven. While they had put some good distance between themselves and the facility he had no doubts that a search of the area would begin as soon as possible.

It wasn't as if Cor took the last snowmobile either.

He gently pulled the child from the folds of his jacket and made to set him on the floor halting once he got a good look at him.

The boy was barefoot and already shaking against the cold. His large blue eyes were looking at the ground pouting in the same manner the Prince did whenever a toy was taken from him. Shifting the boy against his hip Cor knelt down and began to dig through his own bag producing some socks and other warmly layered shirts to wrap the boy in.

By the time Cor finished bundling him up in everything that remained in his personal back the child was swimming in layers.

Chubby fingers were pulling at the material that bunched up over his hands, and Cor saw what he believed what a tentative smile before the boy shoved some of the matieral into his mouth and began chewing on it.

A smile tugged at the corner of Cor's own mouth as he began shoving what was left around the haven into his bag. It was not as if this particular campsite was a well kept secret. The Empire could well be on their way to check here for their intruders.

Cor wanted himself and this child to be long gone before they got here. He tossed his bag onto the back of the snowmobile. "Glad you like it kid, but we gotta get going."

Back to Lucis. Astals this was going to be a weird one to explain to the King. He wasn't one hundred percent sure how his actions would be received. Of course, Regis, his friend and Regis the father, would not fault him for absconding with a child instead of bringing back valueable information against the Empire.

However, Regis the King would have every right to be upset with him for this. He had been trusted to seek out information that may allow them aid with ongoing border skirmishes against the Empire. Instead, he not only left evidence of a hostile presence in one of Niflhiem's own facilities but also was bring back a child they had been keeping there.

Oh, Gods, he was going to have to get a child all the way back to Lucis.

It was ridiculous that the thought was only now resonating with him. It had been a difficult enough trip for him to get to this point on his own. Now he was going to have to do it with a one-year-old of which he had no clothing for and no idea how to take care of it.

Cor ran a hand through his hair looking back at the boy. Briefly, he supposed he could leave him anonymously at the doorstep of a family asking them to take care of him. He immediately tossed out the idea. Such a thing only worked in fairy tales. It was far more likely that instead of being taken care of he would be tracked down and dragged back to the facility and the family he left him with killed.

"Da-." The boy made a nosie attempting to stand up. The oversized material from his makeshift clothing pooled around his ankles, and he barely raised one leg before he found himself on the ground again. His face scrunched up into a pout of frustration as he attempted to stand again.

Cor reached out to ruffle the kids hair in an affectionate manner. "Maybe wait and try that walking thing when we get you some clothes that fit."

The boy looked at him a moment his shoulders relaxing and the pout transforming into one of an open mouthed gape when he realized that Cor's touch was nonthreatening.

It was a small shift in reaction, but one that Cor noticed and it was taking every rational part of his being not to mount that snowmobile and head back to destroy every inch of that facility for causing such a reaction in a child like this.

He shook off the thought as the boy resumed chewing on his own sleeves. They would have to take the direct route to one of the larger towns this time. While taking a longer way around and hitting up the lesser towns would have been ideal Cor was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to blend in with a kid.

Reaching down he picked him settling him back into his jacket. "Okay. Let's get moving."

Three months had passed before Cor once again set foot in Insomnia. Upon on arriving back in the Citadel Cor had situated himself in one of the lesser used meeting rooms sinking into one of the couches.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as the child toddled along stopping every few steps to sit back down and turn to look at him. Cor offered him a weak smile the second time he glanced back at him. He wanted nothing more than to have a hot shower and then a nap. The trip back to Lucis had been draining, but he was relieved to have made it back with the boy in one piece.

Now he just had to explain how the original mission went horribly wrong to the King.

The doors flung open, and Cor immediately jumped to his feet standing at attention. Regis's gaze washed over him and the older man let out a sigh of relief. "It has been far to long, my friend." Regis made to take a step forward but stopped noticing the small blond child pulling himself to his feet using the edge of the bookcase.

Cor followed the gaze and immediately moved over taking the boy by the wrist and leading him back over to the couch. "No, no not there. Dangerous."

"Noooooooo," The child answered back drawing out the 'o' sound in the word as he looked back at Cor breaming clearly delighted by the sound of it.

Cor rolled his eyes and lifted him up setting him down on the couch. "Stay there."

"No." He answered back with a large grin on his face.

Clarus cleared his throat and was doing nothing to hide the amusement on his features. Regis, however still had a gentle gaze on the child before turning his attention back to Cor and raising his eyes.

"It would seem you have much to tell us," The King gestured for Cor to have a seat next to their unexpected visitor.

Cor sank back into the couch an action that clearly delighted the child to his left as the boy crawled over taking a familiar place nestled against the Marshal's chest. Instinctivly Cor placed his hands on the boy's shoulders and sighed.

"I found him within the Niflhiem facility," Cor began he pushed up on the sleeve covering the boy's wrist. "They're doing something to them there. There were other containment units, but I couldn't see inside them. Just the one with this kid in it," Cor let out a shaky sigh as he let go of the child's wrist. "I failed the objective. As soon as I nabbed the kid alarms went off through the whole base. I had to flee."

Clarus wrinkled his nose in distaste. "That's a new low even for the Empire. Branding children in his manner. Do you suppose whoever they have contained there are orphans?"

The possibility had crossed Cor's mind though the thought of it had left him feeling ill.

"So, shall I take it your trip did not yield any information?" Regis asked leaning forward. He offered the child a small smile. The boy only burrowed closer to Cor.

Cor shook his head. "Nothing of real value," He said gently petting the child's hair when the boy moved in closer and action he wasn't fully conscious of doing. "They will have known by now someone was within the base and that this child was stolen from him."

Clarus pressed his lips together in a thin line. "If Niflheim were to trace this back to you Cor they would no doubt demand the return of the child."

"I know."

"I understand your heart was in the right place, but clearly they view him as property. As a representative of the crown, your possession of their stolen property could create an incident. Matters with Niflheim will only become more strained."

Cor did not respond. Clarus was not saying anything that Cor hadn't already thought himself.

Regis raised a hand silencing his Shield. "While your concerns are valid, Clarus, what is done is done. As I trust you would have reacted in the same manner in the Marshal's place."

Clarus grumbled in the affirmative.

"I do not intend to keep him," Cor said. "For the very reasons, Clarus has stated. The child would only be in more danger in my care." Left unspoken was the fact that Cor had no idea how to properly care for a child. Queen Aulea had often teased that he wasn't even able to properly take care of himself.

"We can't just place him in an orphanage," Clarus stated. "If we're going to stick him with someone it has to be a family outside of the Citadel. One that will know of his origins but not the crown is involved in anyway."

Cor shut his eyes but nodded all the same. "How do you suppose we find someone willing."

"Money, usually." Clarus sighed. With the rising situation at the borders, it wasn't as if the royal cofiers ran deep.

"I can provide the nessecary funds," Cor said reading what was written all over his friend's face. "The problem is finding a suitable family."

"That will take some time," Regis interjected. "Until then, Cor, perhaps you should continue to care for the child. We will not make anyone aware of your return. Consider it," He paused thinking his words over carefully. "Paternity leave."

Clarus snorted trying to hide a grin. "I shall see if Zinnia has any of Gladiolus's old clothing the boy can have."

It was Regis who snorted this time. "Clarus I hardly think anything previously belonging to your son would fit the boy. There are plenty of items that have been sent to Noctis that I'm sure we can make available to the boy." He looked at Cor. "What is his name?"

Cor appeared a bit taken aback. "Name?"

"Astrals, Cor don't tell me you haven't even give the kid a name yet." Clarus groaned. "He's gotta to be what one-year-old? If we're going to try to give him to an Insomnian family, they're going to expect he has a-."

"Prompto," Cor said cutting Clarus off.

Raising his eyes, Regis shared a look with Clarus. It sounded as if Cor had previously given thought to this. However, neither of them spoke on these suspicions.

"Well," Regis said nodding towards Cor. "I suspect you and Prompto will want to get some rest. We shall see to it that the two of yous presence here it kept under wraps."

Cor nodded taking that as his dismissal. Lifting Prompto as he stood he offered the King a bow and took his leave all the while Prompto reaching to pull at his hair babbling nonsensically in delight.

"He doesn't want to get attached," Clarus noted after the doors shut behind Cor.

Regis nodded in response. "I fear that it may already be too late for that."