The plan was conceived, hatched if you will.
His scales were thick, impenetrable by any drill.

The footsteps drew near, with Vik and Lachlan diving under the table just in time to avoid being spotted. The door slammed open, followed by heavy breathing and a quiet sob. Kenny's teary eyes widened slightly - It sounded familiar, yet it couldn't be... 'I'm going up'
'Kenny, no!' Brice hissed, but the younger blond was already pulling himself up. Bracing himself for an attack, he looked around nervously to find nothing "What the heck?"
'Is anyone there?' He called, hearing a quiet groan under the table from Vik followed by some inaudible muttering. Kenny simply ignored it though, slowly walking around the table as he heard - an almost silent - gasp 'I know you're there, and I'm not going to hurt you'

The next few moments were full of silence, spare for a few muffled cries. Cautiously making his way around the table, he saw a flash of creamy-yellow - But that was all he needed to see 'Choco?'
The dark-haired American slowly poked his head over the top of the table, his eyes widening when he saw his old friend 'Kenny? What-What are you...' The Asian trailed off, wincing slightly as he stood up 'Everyone's saying you're dead'
'Come on, Choco - You honestly think that Ignis can take me down easily? I'm a - Lockyati, no!'
The dragon had been charging a fireball while Kenny was moving around the room, and was now preparing to fire before the blond stood infront of it's target 'He's an old friend of mine, you don't need to attack... Oh! That reminds me. Guys, you can come out now!'
One by one, the remaining team members all crawled out of their hiding places - All except one. Looking around, Lachlan expected to see his younger Brother in a painfully obvious hiding spot, but his heartrate increased when he couldn't see him 'Uh... Vik, did you see Landon anywhere?'
'I thought he was with you!'
'I saw him with Lachlan, so I have no idea where he would be' Brice added, causing the taller - yet younger - boy to flinch 'Oh Lords... Landon? Landon, where are-'
'Shh! There are still people walking around, he's probably fallen asleep somewhere' Vik reasoned as the Australian froze 'Eh... I guess that's a possibility'

Silence fell upon the group, spare for Kenny and Choco as they muttered amongst themselves quietly 'Knowing Landon, he's more likely to pick a spot that's so obvious you'd just groan as soon as you realize'
'What if he got out?'
'Lachlan, we're talking about your eight-year-old Brother - Not a toddler. Like I said, he's not going to respond because he's asleep' Lachlan only nodded, looking around for his younger sibling.

Another explosion shook the castle, with a few stray tiles falling from the ceiling. A startled yelp came from behind, and the team turned to see Noah rapidly backing away from the gaping hole where Preston once stood 'They managed to break through the first line of Truncatis and Aether defenses, more Ignis soldiers are getting into the castle!'
'Choco, were you part of the first squad?' Kenny asked his cyan-eyed friend, who looked away and nodded slowly 'I... I never wanted this was to happen. I thought that the Kingdoms would be able to sort this out with logic - Not violence - But I guess I was wrong'

'Heh, you're beginning to sound like Preston'
'Oh! Is he with you?' The Atlantean's happy expression dropped, and he glanced towards the shattered window sadly 'He... He was, but-'
'It's a long story? That's what he said, too. He was supposed to be up here by now... Weird'
'Wait, you saw him? When?'
'About ten minutes ago. He told me to come up here, and that he'd be up soon, but I lost sight of him when the bomb hit' The Water Prince's eyes were wide with shock, and he sunk to the cold stone floor. Preston was still alive? It should be impossible, yet...

---Twenty Minutes Beforehand---

There was a scream from above, but the rest of the team could do nothing as they watched him fall.

The raging winds threw Preston around in the air, his dark brown locks flying around his face. The ground was growing closer and closer, but he could do nothing to defend himself. His powers would be useless - If only he had more useful abilities.
"Amelia could've used her vines to get out of a situation like this.
Vik or Noah could just Void-Travel out of there.
Lachlan could summon Lockyati.
Kenny could create a geyser to push him back up.
Nathan would probably dig his swords into the crumbling wall.
And Rob... Well, he would never find himself in a situation like this" He heard a loud bang, signalling that another catapult had hit it's mark. The Texan flinched when he saw how close the fight was "Guys, please... Stay safe, don't do anything that would get you-"

Preston hit the ground with a thud, a sharp pain running from his spine to the back of his head. The Ignis Royal coughed out some blood, the red liquid joining the puddles beginning to form beneath him as a loud buzzing filled his ears. He attempted to move, to call for help, anything - Yet nobody came. "I don't want to die" Tears filled the Prince's amber orbs, and he began to repeat the thought over and over "I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die! This-This can't be it, I've got to help-"
His vision faltered, the almost static noise growing louder with each passing second - But he could've sworn he heard something else. A warning, perhaps, or maybe a call.
Stay strong, my friend. You cannot leave just yet, you have... "Unfinished Business"

Strength slowly began to return to Preston's body, with an almost unnoticeable violet figure making it's way around him 'Who-Who are you?' The Prince asked slowly, sure he was dead and that this was the True Aether.
Or the other place.
We don't talk about that place.
You need not my name, young Prince. All you must know is that your friends need you - And you need them. You all keep your team together, any weak links could crush their spirit. Don't make my mistake, Preston, it's a dangerous world out there.
'Th-Thanks, I guess... Why did you help me?' The translucent figure shrugged, seeming to gain more colour as they continued to speak Because some of them used to be my friends too, and I cannot allow myself to let them go through another death - Amelia wouldn't be able to take it.

'You knew them?' They nodded, pigments of grey and red starting to appear on their torso as the wounds in Preston's back closed up It's not much, but I've managed to heal most of your injuries. You must hurry back to your friends young Prince, Robert is taking a turn for the worse.
'Ri-Right... Thank you, for saving my life' Laughing softly, the apparition waved and dispersed into the dusty air If you need anything, just call for me.
'Wait! I still don't know your-'
...Just call for the Sorcerer, and I'll be there.

Silence fell upon the area, with a gust of wind blowing a few stray strands of hair into Preston's eyes. Brushing them away, he shakily stood and took in his surroundings 'Huh... Good job Preston, you got yourself killed by falling out of a window. Not the best way of death, not gonna-'
'Preston!' A familiar voice called, and the Texan flinched. It sounded... No. There's no possible way it was-
'Preston, is that you?' Turning right, Preston came face-to-face with none other than his old friend Vincent 'Choco! What're you-'
The Ignis soldier shook his head, bending over slightly and trying to regain his breath as Preston walked to his side 'Oh my Lords, Vincent... What happened to you?'
'Let's just say this - Never talk back to Ali when he's mad' The Asian straightened up, attempting to hide his black eye before his American friend pulled his hands away 'Ali did this to you?'

Choco nodded, looking around nervously to see if any soldiers or weapons were nearby. So far they were safe, but knowing that Ignis and Void were working together... It was quite unsettling 'How's everything been since I left?'
'Hm... Pretty hectic. People are coming up with all sorts of conspiracies as to what happened, and people are being forced to fight in the War - That's why I'm here. Once you're actually out here, it's sickening. You just see... Kweh'
'Surely things can't be that bad'
'Believe me, right now it's as bad as it can get. Nobody can get hold of your Father either, it's as if he's-'
'That monster is not my Father. He's caused all of this destruction, and his actions have hurt thousands of people - There's no way I'm going to see him as a father-figure now!'
Vincent raised his head, locking eyes with his American counterpart who had a look of determination on his face 'Are you sure about this? He's still your-'
A loud whistling cut through the air, with two Ignis inhabitants barely having enough time to drop down before a large white rock flew over their heads. It bounced a few times, around ten feet away from the boys - Then it exploded. Voices began to near the area, so thinking fast they both ducked behind a fallen wall 'Who d'you think it is?' Preston asked curiously, turning to his friend and seeing a look of fear in his eyes 'Choco? What's-'

'It-It's Ali' Choco stammered, crawling backwards as the Brit started to argue with his comrades 'We've got to get out of here, he's gonna find us!'
'Choco, as long as we're hidden he can't-'
'Well well well, if it isn't Prince Arsement. It's been a long time coming, "Your majesty", how's life been since you abandoned us?' The brunette smirked, relishing the fear and anger in the duo's eyes as they scrambled back. Preston growled quietly once his back hit the wall, still aching from his fall as he stood up to face the soldier 'Ali, I can strongly remember relieving you of your duties. What on Esrever are you doing here?'

'Fighting for my Kingdom - At least someone is. Do you know how frustrated your Father is? Once I take you back... Oh, I see you have another traitor with you?' The Asian Guard in question whimpered softly, backing away ever more as Ali confidently strode towards him 'Vincent, poor innocent Vincent... You don't know what you're doing, do you? You don't know what this monster has done - He never told you the story, did he? Of how he killed his own-'
'Shut up!' Preston screamed, tears threatening to fall as the brown-haired boy narrowed his eyes 'What, can't handle the truth? Honestly, I always wondered how you were a Royal'
'Ali, you're going too far. You know he hates talking about the accident, and it wasn't even his fault!' Choco protested, before a metal-gloved fist connected with his stomach 'Shut it, brat'

Something inside of Preston seemed to snap, and he grabbed the back of Ali's armour roughly 'Choco, go to the dining hall upstairs. My friends should still be there, and they can help you'
'But-'
'Go! I'll be right behind you' The ebony-haired boy nodded shakily, beginning to run for the stairs before he halted in his tracks 'Preston, look out!' A bomb hit a few metres away, causing the Texan to hiss and cover his fave with his arms - Allowing Ali to escape 'Your Father never requested for you to be brought back alive... I'm sure he won't mind me bringing your corpse back'
'You'll have to catch me first!' A ring of fire surrounded the two, and Preston laughed as lava walls began to appear all around 'Welcome to my maze, Alistair - Catch me if you can!'