I don't own Final Fantasy XV, just having a bit of fun.

Well, this is my first fic in this new fandom, and to those that have played the game and finished it, you will understand when I say - THE ENDING KILLED ME!

Well, this is a new fic for you all, and I do hope you will enjoy it. I am at the moment, trying to find a beta reader for it, but no luck so far. So any remaining mistakes are my own.

Chapter One

Cor walked softly and quietly through the installation he had infiltrated. He was under orders from King Regis to find out more about the Magitek Troops that Nifelheim had started to use in the last few years. So far no one had managed to get inside one of the manufacturing facilities. Cor had been the first. So far he hadn't been able to find much information about them, just the materials that the suits are made of. But nothing of what was inside the soulless robots. He had seen a few of the Magitek Troopers around and had been able to avoid being detected by them.

Cor looked around as he heard the telltale clanking of the metal boots against the metallic floor. Ducking into a small alcove he waited for the soldier to go past. Moving out as soon as he couldn't hear them he carried on with his mission. He headed into another room, one where the trooper had just come from. In front of him was a desk, covered in papers. He went over and started looking through them all. His eyes going wide as he saw what was there. Quickly he pulled out the small camera that he had been given and started to take pictures, glancing around every now and then to make sure that no one would be able to sneak up on him. Everything that they needed to know about how the Troopers were made was right in front of him. It disgusted him to the very core, but he kept a tight lid on the emotions that were swirling within him.

The last page had been photographed. Now he could get out of there. He glanced up as he heard a scream from a nearby room, and begging. Curiosity got the better of him as he slowly went towards the other door and glanced through the window, trying to remain out of sight as he did so. There was a man before him, He couldn't see what was on the table. But the scream came again and he shuddered. It was the scream of a child. He couldn't leave, he couldn't just walk away when a child was in danger. He knew that there were many more in danger, but this one, this one was close

"Hope you understand Your Majesty," he whispered to himself as he opened the door as slowly and as quietly as he could. He made it into the room. On what looked like an operating table was a child, that could be no older than five, maybe six. The child was crying, face red and blotchy from tears that were streaming down the side of his face, hitting the metal table.

"Please, please stop, no more," the child begged. Cor had no doubt that the child would be thrashing around if he wasn't bound tightly to the table.

The child screamed again as the man took no notice of the pleading and began to cut into the skin. Cor's eyes were wide with horror, what he had just read was taking place in front of him. Without thinking he grabbed the man, pulling him away and knocking him out quickly. Making sure that his face was never seen. It wouldn't do to leave any evidence that he had been there. Though they would know someone had been there, but not who since he had been able to jam the security system to stop pictures of himself being recorded.

"Hey kid," Cor said as he walked to the table, wincing as he saw a number of long cuts along the arms and legs, and a larger one going across the chest. He pulled out a potion and drizzled it along the injuries. Watching as they slowly began to heal. Cor used another one when he saw they weren't fully healed.

"Please, please don't hurt me," the blue-purple eyes begged him.

"I'm not, I promise," Cor said softly as he began to unbuckle the straps that were keeping the kid on the table. As soon as he was done the kid darted off the table and into the corner as far away from Cor as he could manage, scared eyes watched him. His whole body was shaking in fear.

Cor knelt down as he went over, keeping level with the child he said in his softest voice, "It's okay kid, I'm gonna get you out of here, all right. But I need you to stay with me so no one will see us," he told him, hoping the child would listen to him.

"Outside?" eyes went wide as he spoke, "They don't allow us out there, we're to stay in our units unless we are to be modified."

"Well, I'm not them, so you can come with me, all right," he smiled as best as he could with all that he had learned, and held a hand out to the child, waiting for him to take it.

The child leaned forwards and the mess of blond hair went into his eyes, but slowly a hand sneaked out from and took hold of Cor's.

"Right, I need to get you to wear something. It's too cold for you to be going around in just your underwear," he muttered to himself as he pulled the kid towards him and picked him up. He looked around and sighed, grabbing the lab coat that was hanging up to one side. He grimaced as he saw the blood on it. There wasn't much else he could use, so they had no choice.

Cor wrapped the coat around the child and tucked him into his arms, holding him tightly. "Right let's get out of here," Cor told him, feeling a nod from the huddled child.

Cor began to make his way out of the building. Ducking into an alcove to avoid the troopers that were patrolling the corridors. He just hoped that no one would find the scientist that was knocked out. He was reaching the exit when an alarm went off.

"Fuck," he swore rushing those last few yards outside and into the cold air. He ran, heading towards the exit that he had been able to make for himself when he got in. He pushed the child through the gap and quickly followed. "You okay kid?" he asked as he hoped to hear the child's voice again.

The child nodded, looking at the dark sky above them, you couldn't see the stars from where they were, blocked out by the lights of the compound and the small city that surrounded it. Cor sighed and picked him, seeing that the child was still barefoot. He would have to do something about that soon. But for now, he would try and make it to the nearest haven outside of the city. He didn't want to remain inside for longer than he had to.

The child was shivering in his arms, "Damn," he muttered. "Right kid, I'm gonna have to put you somewhere to hide. If I do that will you promise me that you'll stay there?" he asked, hoping the child would agree.

"You're leaving me," the child shook.

"No, no. I need to get a few supplies to make sure that we'll be safe when we leave. I can't do that with you in my arms because it will draw attention to us both. I want to keep you safe. I promise," Cor told him, as he began to make his way through the mostly empty city streets. He came to the storm drain that he had been able to use, and winced, "Not the safest place," he murmured to himself. He looked around and saw a few things that he could use to hide the place a little more.

Cor placed the child inside and made sure that he was huddled in the lab coat. The child was shivering and he sighed, pulling off his jacket he wrapped it around the child as well, "There that should keep you a little warmer."

"Thank you," the child murmured, remembering words that he had heard when someone had done something nice for someone else in the facility.

Cor smiled, "Right, you need to stay here until I come back, and I will be back soon. I just need to get a few things."

"I… I will," the child nodded, determination shining through for a moment.

Cor smiled, ruffling the dirty blond hair "Good kid," he then moved away, hiding the entrance to the storm drain, covering it with the metal sheets that were around. Cor hesitated for a moment and then left, grabbing some dirt from the ground and putting it over his face a little. Messing the short hair he had up along with the dirt. It wasn't much, but anything to change how he looked, even a little would help.

He was happy that Niflheim used gil like most of the world. He went to the closest convenience store and stocked up on few food items they sold, asking the clerk, "You know where I can get a few kid clothes, my sister just dropped her kid off with me but didn't leave any clothes and he's dirtier than I am," he said, trying to be charming with the woman.

"Erm, there is a place over there that should still be open," she pointed out the window to the other side of the road and towards a small alley, "It's a charity shop, but the clothes are always clean and nice. Not worn down like some," she smiled, "I got a few things from there a few days ago, only cost me 160 gil."

"Thanks, I'll check it out," he nodded as he put away the food he had brought.

"That's 320 Gill," she told him, taking the money from him and giving him a little change.

"Thanks," he said as he walked out and over to the charity shop, sighing in relief when he saw that it was still open. He walked inside and browsed a little, gathering a few clothing items and shoes. Hoping they would fit the kid. They looked about the right size. He quickly paid for them as he noticed a few troopers in the streets now. Mostly likely searching for him and the kid. He walked out, trying not to act suspiciously as he headed back to the storm drain.

Cor reach it and pulled the metal slats away. And went inside, "Good, you did good kid," he told him, "I've got a got a few clothes for you, But I think we need to get to the other side before you put them on. There are troopers around and I'd rather not let us get caught," he told him.

The child nodded his head as Cor picked him up, not taking the jacket back as Cor rushed through the storm drain. Thankful that it was large enough for him to walk upright. He shuddered as he thought of some of the ones he had been in where he had to crawl. Cor breathed easier when they reached the other side. He set the child down and pulled out the bags he had gotten. Picking out a set of clothing for the kid to wear he helped him dress. He glanced at the tattoo that was on his wrist, wondering if there was a way to get rid of it.

"Okay, let's get moving. I need you to keep as close to me as you can, there are Daemons around this time of night, and I don't want you getting hurt," Cor told him as he led the way to the nearest haven. It would take them about two hours to reach it. And Cor wanted to make good time. He swung the kid onto his back and began to jog, keeping an even pace so he wouldn't tire himself out too much.

The child remained silent as they moved taking in the sights around them. Cor didn't blame him if what he feared was true. This would be the first time the child would have been outside. Two hours later and they finally reached the Haven. Climbing up on the rock Cor sighed in relief as he set the child down. He went into the Armiger and pulled out the camping equipment that had been placed in it for him to use.

The child watched as Cor moved around setting up a small pop up tent and starting up a fire. Cor pulled a few more things out of the Armiger and began to make a small meal for the two of them. It wasn't really safe to do so here, but he didn't see much choice, there would be another nine hours until the sun rose. He finished the cooking and dished up two bowls.

"Here," he said, offering one to the child.

The child looked at it wide eyes, "But I'm not allowed Human food," he shook his head, looking terrified of the bowl in front of him.

"With me you are," he reassured him as he coaxed the kid closer. "Come on, you need to have something to eat," he said softly.

The child moved forwards and took the bowl with shaking hands. He sat down next to the older man and looked inside at the stew that had been cooked. Tentatively he dipped his hand in.

"Use this," Cor said as he held out the spoon, He showed the child how to use it quickly and then watched as he began to eat. Eyes widening as he then rushed to eat the meal. "Don't go too fast, slow down a little, I won't take it from you," he promised as he began to eat his own, but keeping an eye on the child.

The child slowed down a little, but not much. Cor said nothing more about it. The child was thin, unhealthy so. When the bowls were empty, Cor took it and put it to one side. He would deal with it in a moment. He spreads out the sleeping bag in the tent and motioned the child to come over, "Come on Kid, you need to sleep, we've got a long trip ahead of us."

The child looked at the bag, fear in their eyes. "I.."

"It's okay, it's a sleeping bag, like a blanket that goes all around you. It's nice and warm, and you need some sleep," he told the child, coaxing him over and settling him inside. The child was shaking, "It's okay, I know it feels like you are trapped, but you're not. Just move this and you can get out yourself, okay," he reassured softly, running his hand through slightly greasy hair.

The child gave a whimper but slowly, their eyes began to fall and soon he was sleeping.

Cor moved out of the tent, leaving the flap open a little so he could see the child, but closed enough that some of the cold air wouldn't enter. He didn't think it would be a good idea to let the child be out of his sight. He pulled out the phone he had been given to be able to report in. It was basic, old model and it was linked with another just like it back in Insomnia. He rang the only number he could, typing it in from memory and waited for the call to connect.

"Cor, how're things going?" Clarus asked as soon as the call connected.

"Shouldn't you wait until you hear my voice to make sure it really is me before saying my name?" Cor snorted, shaking his head.

"Maybe," Clarus said, and Cor swore he could hear a grin in his voice.

"I was able to get the information and exit the city. I'm at a haven nearby at the moment," Cor informed him.

"I would have thought you would have gotten further away than the closest haven?" Clarus said, a hint of worry in his voice.

"I'm fine before you think something's wrong," Cor interrupted, "I... I came across a complication. I was able to get the information we needed, and it. Well. you'll see for yourself when I get back. But the complication comes in the form of a five or six-year-old child."

"Child, how the hell did you come across a child?" Clarus exclaimed, shocked.

"He was being experimented on. From what I could see, and from what I've found, well they use children and start training them up as soldiers. Some are clones, others are from the orphanages. They… they take them before they are two years old. It's not good news what they do. I've gotten some information about it. Sorry, I wasn't able to get more, I couldn't leave the kid there," Cor said, shaking his head. He knew he had acted rashly in taking the kid, but part of him didn't regret doing so.

Clarus sighed, "I'll tell his Majesty. Will you be able to get back?" he asked.

"Yeah, might take me a little longer. But I can get a transport here and there, and rent a Chocobo for some of the journey," Cor said as he began to go through what money he had available. "I won't be able to get the train, as I need a visa for the kid, I've got my fake one, but I'd need one for him."

"I can always see if we can find someone in the area for you to link up with. Maybe they would be able to make you a visa for the kid," Clarus said.

Cor nodded, "It might be an idea, but if not, don't worry about it. For now, I've brought the kid some clothes and extra food for the two of us. I'm going to have to talk to him and see if I can find out what was going on with him."

"Don't traumatize him. Whatever he has been through already may have done that," Clarus reminded him.

Cor paused for a moment, "Yeah, he sighed, "This isn't going to be easy. I don't even know if they would still be looking for him. I'm keeping watch tonight to make sure. But may have to fight and run with him quickly." he asked.

"Right," Clarus said with a nod.

"I've got around eight hours until sun up and we can move without the risk of Daemons popping up every few minutes," Cor said, scanning the horizon that held the city he had escaped from in the distance. He could just about make the walls of the city out from where he was camped.

"Cor, be careful, it's going to be hard to get back here with a kid. You may have to take a few hunts to be able to get back," Clarus said, thinking of the things that Cor may have to do to return to Insomnia.

"I know, going to be a bit difficult. Will have to try and take the easier ones with the kid around. Don't want to get him hurt," Cor added.

"Get to Cleigne and we'll try and send a couple of the Crownsguard out to you to bring you back. I don't want you and the kid out there longer than need be," Clarus said, making up his mind about what he was going to do.

"Might be an idea. I'll try and keep you updated on our journey. But I don't want to take the risk of being overheard if we are in a city or town," Cor told him.

"That's fine, just make sure you get back in one piece," Clarus told him.

"I'll make sure of it, and can you start looking into a family for the kid. I don't want him to be under watch all the time," Cor suggested.

"I don't know what His Majesty will say to that. But I can at least bring it up to him," Clarus promised.

"Thanks," Cor said, "I'm going to sit watch now, so night sir."

"Night Cor, and be careful," he reminded as the call was cut.

Cor put the phone away and checked on the child. He was still asleep, a little frown on his face. Cor stretched a little as he went back to the fire, getting closer to it, the night air was bitter and cold, grabbing his jacket from where it lay on the floor by the tent he put it on. It was going to be a long night.

Thank you so much for reading!