Final Fantasy Short Stories (+more)

(FFXV) Rogue 3

Jackie finally stopped at the Chocobo Post. Ignis parked the Regalia and the boys got out, following the redhead. "I'm guessing you've heard of the behemoth tyrant that lives in the Nebulawood," she said.

"Please tell me you're not gonna face it," Noctis begged.

Jackie scowled. "Of course I am. Taking down that beast will prove my strength. If you're so scared, then by all means, stay here."

"Oh no, we're going too," Gladio replied.

They began following the girl out to the Nebulawood. "Why the sudden concern?" Ignis quietly asked the tattooed man.

"Yeah, you jumped at the chance to go," Prompto pointed out.

The shield shrugged. "Dunno. Guess I just feel a bit of a connection to Jackie. She wants to be stronger, so she's testing herself. She reminds me a little of myself."

"Ah, I get it." Noctis nodded.

Soon enough, the group was deep within the fog-cloaked woods. Once at the small ruins, they caught sight of the white-skinned behemoth. It laid up on a ledge, watching them and growling. Jackie unsheathed her sais, smirking up at the beast.

"Come on down and fight me!" she shouted.

The behemoth rose to its feet and let out a mighty roar. It then leapt down in front of the redhead, its eyes focused on her. Jackie glanced back at the boys. "Don't interfere this time, got it?!"

They simply backed away, complying to her demand. They were prepared to jump in if needed though. Jackie charged forward, stabbing and slicing the monster's legs. It snarled and swiped at her as she slid under its feet. With Jackie's attacks mostly annoying it, the beast furiously stomped around, trying to squish her. She struggled to avoid it as she was quickly tiring. She was beginning to regret her decision.

Once out from under the beast, the behemoth then swiped its tail around, catching the girl off guard and knocking her away. The ferocious monster then swatted at her, its claws grazing her arm. She winced and stumbled back in response, dropping one of her sais in the process. The beast then rammed her with its head, sending her flying back into a rock. She yelped in pain.

"Jackie!"

Right as the behemoth tyrant was about to impale her with its horns, Gladiolus jumped in front of her, using his greatsword to block the blow. Jackie stared with wide eyes. Gladio was shielding her. Noctis then warped to the monster, slicing it in the face while Prompto shot at it. That detered the behemoth. Ignis then stepped in, slicing up one of its legs and making it stumble. Gladio then swung his blade, his power chipping half of the creature's horn off.

In no time at all, the boys took down the behemoth tyrant. Jackie was left sitting on the ground, her back against the rock. She stared in shock and awe. The boys approached her, Gladio took her uninjured arm and pulled her up to her feet.

"You okay, Jackie?"

"Y-You..." she stuttered out. "You saved me."

"Well yeah," Noctis butted in. "You expect us to sit by and watch a hunter get killed?"

Ignis went over, examining her arm. "You're injury isn't serious. What about your back?"

Jackie looked at him, still a bit dazed. "Um, I think it's just bruised."

The bespectacled man cracked a potion over her cuts, healing them up. Prompto nervously cleared his throat. "So... you're not... mad at us?"

She slowly shook her head. "No..." She hung her head down. "Actually... I'm sorry I was such a bitch. I'm clearly not cut out to be a hunter after all."

"On the contrary, I think you're a fine hunter," Gladio said, causing her to look up at him. "But you gotta stop biting off more than you can chew and start listening to your superiors."

She slowly nodded. "Okay."

"Dave told us about you're parents," Noctis told her. "I know how you feel, I lost my parents too."

"But instead of rushing off to try and avenge them," Ignis added, "you should put your skills to use helping others, so that a similar incident doesn't happen in the future."

Prompto nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's what hunters do."

Jackie nodded again. "You're right. I think I... need to talk to my uncle."

The group went straight back to the Chocobo Post. They were surprised to see that Dave had arrived. "Jackie!" he called, hurrying toward the group. "I got a call from Wiz saying he saw you heading for the Nebulawood. With that behemoth tyrant in there, I thought maybe I'd lost more family."

Jackie suddenly rushed over, hugging the man. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Dave! I'll never disobey orders again!"

Dave looked at the others, stunned by his niece. Noctis smiled slightly. "We kept Jackie from getting into too much trouble."

"I can't thank you boys enough," Dave said.

Even Jackie was grinning. After a few more moments, the boys headed out after a job well done. "Looks like a happy ending for Dave and Jackie," Prompto said.

Ignis kept his eyes on the road ahead of him, but smiled lightly. "I'd say we mended a family issue."

"We sure reeled in that rogue hunter," Noctis added.

"And I'm positive Jackie has learned her lesson," Gladio said.

They suddenly heard a motorcycle from behind. Ignis glanced at the rearview mirror, seeing the familiar black and red bike closing in. Jackie was catching up to them on her bike. They looked over at her questioningly as she rode alongside them. She suddenly tossed a rock into their car. Gladio caught it, noticing a note tied to it. Jackie waved to them and sped up, leaving them behind on the road.

"She left a note," Gladio informed his friends.

"What does it say?" Ignis asked.

Gladio quickly scanned over it before reading it aloud, "Thank you boys for everything. Hope to see you again soon."

"Sounds like we won't have to worry about Jackie anymore," Prompto stated.

A slight smile tugged at the prince's lips. "We'll have to come back sometime and see how she's doing."

Jackie Auburnbrie was a brand new hunter. She'd be putting her skills to good use from now on. But now she knew what she could and could not handle. And she'd definitely do her part to aid those in need, and hopefully make a difference among the wilds of Lucis.

The End