Chapter Summary: A bond is forged.

Notes: This work is a collection of one shots based on the "what if" scenario of Ignis being born a dragon. Chapters will not necessarily be in chronological order.

The king's shield shifted beneath his formal robes in a rare display of disapproval. "Are you certain about this? The boy is so young."

Were they alone, Regis would have found much enjoyment in teasing Clarus for his worries, though he shared some of the same concerns. Time was the one luxury he could not gift to his son. "I'm afraid we'll find no better opportunity than the present, my friend. The bond we seek to forge must be stronger than that of brothers. Noctis will need every advantage."

Clarus didn't appear appeased. "I've heard tales, whisperings of dragons laying waste to entire civilizations, only seeing fit to bow before the cruelest of kings."

"Don't let the lore of old deceive you. Dragons are not so simple minded. They are incredibly intelligent creatures. It takes more than a show of force to win their trust, but the history texts are right about one thing: a dragon's loyalty is the making of legend." Regis patted his son's shoulder encouragingly. "Noctis, are you ready?"

Noctis nervously gripped at the fabric of his father's jacket as he glanced back across the underground cavern beneath the Citadel to the large set of imposing metal doors sealing off the other end of the chamber. The impressive entrance was covered in intricate runes and flanked on either side by rows of crownsguard. "Am I really gonna meet a dragon?"

Regis smiled at Noctis' anxious fidgeting. It must truly seem like a fairytale come true for the boy. "Yes, Noctis. But you see, this dragon is special. He's all alone and has no one to play with. Do you think you would be able to become his friend?"

The boy's eyes widened; his face lit up in excitement and longing in equal measure. "Really? I mean, sure! I can do that."

Regis' heart swelled. If there was one thing that pulled at Noctis' heartstrings it was loneliness, though it was an emotion Regis truly wished his son couldn't emphasize quite so well with. Hopefully today that would change. He hadn't been dishonest when he told Noctis this particular dragon was alone. The last egg gifted by the Crystal and hatching only two years prior to the birth of the Chosen King, the dragonling truly was the last of his kind. Just like Noctis. "Then let's say hello."

The massive doors were pulled aside and Noctis tensed, likely imagining some scaly monstrosity akin to the fantastic illustrations often depicted in storybooks. What eventually stumbled out of the darkness on too long, unsteady legs was no taller than the prince's chin and covered from nose to tail in tawny brown feathers. There were two tiny wings tucked in close to his back and the beginnings of a purple coeurl pattern growing in along his flank and traveling down to his tail feathers. He was still quite young, especially by dragon standards, but already showing signs of prodigious intelligence. Even as he shuffled toward his visitors in a manner befitting a newborn anak, it's clear the dragonling was watching them all quite closely.

Noctis gasped the moment he laid eyes on the creature, entranced by the small dragon that was nothing like he'd expected. Drawn in by the hushed excitement and doubtless sensing the Crystal's influence, the dragon swiveled his head toward the prince. The room stilled when their eyes met. The air crackled, saturated with magical energy, as every soul held their breath, waiting for the verdict. It was over in an instant. The dragon bounded over to Noctis, caution seemingly thrown to the wind, and sniffed at the boy's face curiously. Noctis giggled at the attention and gently held out his hand for inspection. "Hello, my name's Noctis. Want to be friends?"

The dragon pulled back, then almost reverently nosed his snout into Noctis' palm. The two were then caught up in a brilliant flash of crystalline light that built steadily in intensity before shattering. In the fading luminance Noctis' hand now rested on the head of a boy, no more than a few inches taller than the prince himself, kneeling at his feet. "Hello, Prince Noctis. My name is Ignis and I would consider it a great honor to be your friend."

The bond was forged.

Thanks for reading! Any feedback or thoughts on the story are very much appreciated.