My Prompto the Traitor Theory
Spoilers for the game - written before Episode Prompto is out This is something I can’t help but think about after finishing the game, and granted does take into account what I believe might have been cut content rather than something currently ‘canon’ in the game itself Now the main thing that brought this is on is just how much more attention Prompto gets concerning character development-wise when compared to pretty much any other character in the game except maybe Noctis.
I was so confused when after I triggered the Prompto motel conversation I went online and tried to find where I could experience similar conversations with Gladio and Ignis only to come up with nothing. On top of that Prompto’s kidnaping and subsequent MT reveal clearly have an impact on the plot....and I'm fairly sure was meant to have more to it than being essentially “Turns out I'm a MT” “Cool” “Ok” I mean wtf? I cannot be the only person confused and a little annoyed with how that ended. Prompto’s entire ‘reveal’ being there just so he can open a bloody door. Don’t get me wrong I love the entire concept its just so poorly executed I’ve been spending weeks reading the FFXV wiki for explanations that the games leave out. Such as more thorough explanations for the Mt’s and Project Deathless. (see @domesticfluffsimulator ‘s posts and my replies on MT’s Are Disgusting Part 1 and Part 2) Now onto my actual theory I am about 70% sure that in a previous version of the game (and boy do we know there were a lot of those) Prompto was going to betray the bros and had been meant to from the beginning. Why? Because he has the entire set up to have turned out like Sephiroth. He is not only meant to be an MT but is the son of the man in charge of the project Verstael Besithia. Now people seem to think that Prompto was merely one amongst many clones and that Verstael just used his own DNA because it was readily available.
I disagree
For one, Prompto’s tattoo gave him access to the Throne Room. In what universe would it make sense to give access to such an area to your standard All-purpose Magitek Infantry Model? Keep in mind these things are essentially brainwashed beings with very little agency. As I mentioned in the MT posts it would make sense that they have human’s acting as commanding officers to each unit (Aranea, Loqi, Calligo, Biggs and Wedge)Those people I can see having access to the Throne Room. Its simply not logical any sort of intruder or assassin would just need to take out one unit and shove its arm under the scanner to get at the Emperor. So it would make sense if Prompto’s access to that area came because he was Verstaels son as apposed to because he was a clone designed to become an MT. Point 2 The Adoption We know from the ultimania that Prompto was adopted by the Argentum family when he was one. Now I don’t know about you but legal adoptions between warring countries just don’t happen. Not to mention he was only a year old so he didn’t escape on his own, I know a lot of people who believe that Prompto was born from a woman and not a clone believe it was his mother who saved him but what about this... Ardyn purposely placed him there. Have Prompto grow up and just happen to go to the same school as the Prince? He’d be the perfect sleeper agent. The betrayal would be entirely unexpected as anyone who looked at him would see a kid who grew up in Insomnia with no possible influence from a foreign power he’s pretty much the safest option for a friend.
Not to mention the event that set Prompto on the path to becoming Noctis’ friend in the first place was finding an injured Pryna outside his house. How did she get hurt in the first place? Why would she even be there? (I will concede that it seems a bit convoluted to think Ardyn would go so far as to injure a dog on the hopes that Luna would tell its saviour to befriend Noctis but then again its final fantasy nothing is too convoluted) Part of me wants to believe that in a world where the Empire was actually a threat they’d have now ‘Evil’ Prompto reveal his true self, open the door to the Throne Room, THEN fight the Emperor/Faras demon there with Prompto also participating. Make them have to fight Prompto, beat him, and then do the whole friendship overpowers programming thing. I can’t help but think that would be more effective emotionally. Or have it clear that Ardyn is controlling him, have Prompto fighting back but the combat still happens. Make it so that Ignis and Gladio have to stay back and fight off the Faras demon and Prompto together while Noctis makes a run for the crystal. Make us wait the ten years and meeting up at hammerhead again to even find out if they had to kill him or not. Anything along those lines I think would have had more of an impact.
I just can’t help but feel that what was in the game was executed so poorly because they cut all the content that would have made it flow. In the end I'm just really REALLY hoping that Episode Prompto will flesh things out a bit more. From what I've heard its supposed to be a lot more story centric than the Gladio one (thank the gods). And I will gladly look forwards to anything it might tell me that contradicts my already made assumptions (granted most of this is stuff I'm fairly sure must have been cut from the game) If anyone has any similar thoughts or counterpoints I'd love to hear them <3 EDIT- I have heard there was a rumor in Versus 13 Gladio Prompto would betray Noctis and Ignis if anyone has a verifiable source pls send it to me