Chapter 11: Coronation

[Previously:]

/-Roy pulled himself back into the tank and closed the pilot's hatch shut. The tank came to life again and started to walk away.

I laughed towards Koru, "Well there he goes."

Koru responded, "Yep, he sure is."

We watched as Zavala and Cayde jumped on the tank and tried to pry the hatch open. Hitting it repeatedly with their hands. We could still hear Roy yelling "My tank!" from within it as it marched away.

Ikora walked up to me and Koru. She spoke, "Regardless of what they say, well done Fireteam Pluto. I'm proud of you." She offered us a smile and turned to walk towards the guardian ship.

Both Koru and I looked at each other and exchanged a first bump for our victory and followed Ikora. It was time to go home. Back to the Tower.-/

[Currently:]

Within the Vanguard Hall, Cayde turned to face the members of Fireteam Pluto and chuckled.

"So, Fifi. You and your boys are in some deep doo-doo. Zavala is pissed. Mostly at you, Roy."

Cayde pointed finger guns at Roy.

Cayde continued, "Aaannnd we now have a giant Ketch that is being scavenged in our backyard. So here's what we need you to do. Go back to the giant Ketch you destroyed. Clean up all the debris. I mean ALL of it and clear out the Fallen that are scavenging in that area. Understand?"

I spoke, "But -"

Cayde concluded, "Great. Now scurry along." He motioned his hands waving us away.

I sadly looked at Koru and Roy, "Come on guys. This sucks."

Cayde spoke to us once more, "Oh wait. I almost forgot. Take him with you. You'll need him."

Cayde presented to us a Tower Sweeper Bot. It stood on the side of Cayde vigorously sweeping the floor.

Cayde continued, "Now go on get!" Waving his hands once more.

We turned defeated and headed for the stairs leading out into the Tower plaza. The sweeper bot followed closely behind us. It swept every single step of the way repeating, "Dirty, so dirty..." in its robotic voice.

Roy spoke back to the bot, "Oh I'll show you dirty lemme just -" Roy motioned to his codpiece.

Koru and I immediately restrained Roy's arms and yelled "No!"

Roy hung his head low, "Fine. This is such -blam!-. We shouldn't have to clean this mess up. We did a good thing."

Koru sarcastically responded, "You did a good thing if you consider mass murder and destruction of an orbital craft 'good'. But you know, having your friends clean up your mess is totally cool. Like it's the best thing you could've possibly gotten us into. No other way I wanted to spend my day."

We were passing Lord Shaxx as he approached us.

Shaxx spoke, "Gotten into a bit of trouble haven't we guardians?"

I pointed to Roy, "He got us into trouble. Roy destroyed an entire Fallen Ketch and now we have to go clean up the mess in the Cosmodrome. Such crap."

Shaxx was intrigued, "Roy you destroyed an entire Ketch? Most impressive. I'd love to see that destructive power in the crucible."

Roy looked at Shaxx and grunted. He kept walking towards the stairs exiting the crucible quarters with his head hung low.

Shaxx, insulted by Roy's response, whispered, "One v. one me, bro."

I turned to Shaxx, "What?!"

Shaxx chuckled, "Nothing guardian. Don't you have a battleground to clean?"

Disgruntled, I grabbed Koru and proceeded to run up the stairs to catch up to Roy. We exited into the Tower plaza.

The sky was a perfect baby blue with white puffy clouds playing about. The sun shined brightly into the plaza. The Traveler almost glowed in the distance. We caught up to Roy who was accessing his vault.

"Roy, what's the matter bud?" I said.

He responded while headbutting the vault repeatedly, "Phoenix. I. Hate. Cleaning."

I grabbed him and pulled him back from the vault so he'd stop hitting it.

I spoke, "Me too bud. But hey, at least we got this sweeper bot to mess with."

We all turned to the sweeper bot who stopped sweeping to look at us. We smiled and it tilted its head to one side, clearly concerned.

It spoke towards us, "Error. Error. Must go to maintenance. Danger. Error."

Roy picked up the sweeper bot and put it over his shoulder to carry it.

"Nope, if we can't get out of it, neither can you." Roy said to the bot.

I turned to Koru, "Do you think one of Gypsy's grenades could blow the bot to pieces?"

Koru smiled sinfully, "Hmm I think so. Might have to try two grenades though. The Tower's frames are typically reinforced for high durability… Let's do it for science!"

We all yelled, "Yeah for science!" As we started running to our ship, purely excited to blow -blam!- up.

The sweeper bot flailed on Roy's shoulder in fear and continued to screech, "Danger! Danger!"

/- Some Time Later -/

Koru raised his fingers and waved them through the air creating a flame rune on one of the larger metal remnants of the Ketch.

Koru yelled towards me, "Ready Phoenix?!"

I eagerly yelled, "Ready!"

"Alright here we go!" Koru exclaimed.

The fire rune exploded and the superheated metal hull fell off of the Ketch glowing in a bright yellow/orange. I swooped down from the sky with my flame fueled blades in hand. Air rushed around me as I accelerated towards the falling piece of the hull. It was deafening but so exciting. I raced across its face smoothly cutting through it like butter from end to end. I turned in my flight path to make another pass and another.

I yelled, "Woohoo!" As I accelerated and repeatedly chopped up the falling piece faster and faster.

With a catastrophic thud the hull struck the ground in neatly cut pieces which could be managed by a single guardian.

Roy walked over to the neatly cut stack and hammer-fisted the top in an arc-charged attack. The metal panels quickly turned from a glowing yellow/orange to blue and flattened out perfectly. Roy then took each panel individually and put them in a large container filled with the freezing water from the Russian Motherland.

Roy groaned, "Come on guys I have the -blam!-est job here. Koru let's trade!"

Koru chuckled at Roy, "Sorry but I'm not the one that disobeyed mission directive and took out the Ketch."

I harshly landed on the ground in front of Koru and Roy with my right fist and right knee striking the ground and my left arm in the air. I held the kneeling pose with the air of epic-ness around me.

Koru clapped, "Wow, very good Phoenix. You've officially become a tool."

Roy looked up and sighed while turning around to continue cooling and stacking the metal plates.

I stood up and scoffed while patting debris off of me, "Uh Koru it's called the superhero landing for a reason."

Koru sarcastically responded, "Yeah. 'Superhero'. Right."

I ignored his response and turned to Roy.

"Roy what's wrong?" I asked.

Roy spoke while hammer-fisting another stack of superheated panels.

"I dunno Phoenix, might have something to do with that." Roy responded while pointing to a huge area of land behind him with over five hundred superheated panels awaiting him to cool them in the container of freezing water.

I confidently responded, "It's not my fault you work slow. Why don't you just do the lightening-y thingy again and strike each pile. I dunno, make it rain, too, or something."

Koru raised his eyebrow and turned to compliment me, "Phoenix that's the best idea you've had all day." He patted me on the shoulder.

Roy scoffed, "I'm exhausted from using all of that energy before. The most I can manage is this hammer-fist thing." He said while striking another stack and throwing them each like frisbees into the container.

I yelled, "Roy don't do that you'll damage the metal!"

Roy responded, "Why are we even keeping these anyway?! Why can't we just trash 'em?!"

I rolled my eyes while turning around and walking towards the remains of the Ketch to continue slicing it down with Koru.

"Because, Roy, if you haven't noticed we are very much in debt thanks to your drinking problem. These armored panels will make a pretty penny on the black market." I said while smiling gleefully.

Koru smirked while drawing another flame rune on the Ketch. "Phoenix that's the second best idea you've had all day. You're on a roll! Skye be sure to document this!" Koru said to my ghost.

Skye laughed, "I'm already ahead of you Koru-buddy!"

I flew up into the Russian sky which was a mix of baby-blue, pink, and purple as the sun started to set in the distance. I spoke to my ghost Skye with my mind.

"Hey Skye, have you ever thought of why we're here?" I asked.

She responded, "Yeah but I think the prophecy kinda cleared that up for ya." She chuckled a bit.

"No, I know that Skye. But I mean I don't feel like I'm the chosen one to bring an end to the Darkness. I just don't feel like it's me, you know? I just want to stay up here and fly all day. I don't want to fight anymore. Look at this place Skye. Look how beautiful it is. I feel we were created for something much more than just fighting." I explained.

I felt Skye thinking deeply. It was actually making it hard for me to think.

She responded, "I know what you mean Phoenix. Yes this is a place of great beauty but in order to protect it we have to fight. Think of it this way: if we don't fight then no one in the entire universe would be able to enjoy a sight like this. We have no choice but to fight. We have to protect this beauty."

I stopped mid flight. I was well above the clouds and where I needed to be. I could hear Koru yelling at me on the comms but I just ignored him. I stared out into the sunset closely admiring each shade of blue, pink, and purple. Birds flew in the distance. I took a deep breath.

"Yeah Skye you're right. Just sucks is all. It's discouraging that there is something out there that actually wants to destroy this." I said.

Skye chuckled, "Well that's why we have to win! You big silly!"

I smiled, "You're right, let's do this!"

I flipped backwards and accelerated towards the Ketch. Clouds and the air flew around me at a deafening velocity.

I yelled over the comms, "Koru now!"

Koru responded, "Where the hell were you?! Igniting now!"

Koru snapped his fingers and the rune exploded on the Ketch's hull. Another large superheated mass of metal fell from the Ketch. I careened through the hull cutting it with my blades. I laughed as I spun with my blades at my waist.

Koru thought to himself, He is having way too much fun with this.

I spun and flipped while landing on the ground and sheathing my blades on my back.

I called out to Roy, "There's another stack for you bud!"

Roy looked up and around at the immense piles of metal hull. He gave me the middle finger while throwing another stack in the water container.

I walked over to Koru, "Hey you wanna grab a drink after this? We're almost done here and just have the mid-rear section to go."

Koru agreed, "Yeah that sounds good. I could use a drink."

I looked around puzzled, "Uh Koru where the hell is that sweeper bot?"

Koru looked around confused as well, "hmm it was at the base of the Ketch cleaning up there. Maybe it went inside?"

"Yeah maybe" I said, "we should have Roy look for him so we can help with those metal stacks. How many are left?"

Koru sighed, "After what we just put down, six hundred and forty-three panels are left. Not counting the rest of the Ketch we still have to do."

Koru and I sighed, "-blam!-"

/- 1 Hour Later -/

"Here Sweepy Sweepy Sweepy! Here boy come on!" Roy whistled while pacing through the main hallway of the Ketch calling for the lost Sweeper Bot.

Roy pouted, "Man I totally wanted to blow that thing up too. Cayde is going to ki -"

A large thud echoed throughout the broken Ketch. Roy looked around. The Ketch was nearly pitch black within. Only a few rays of setting sunlight came through the broken exterior.

"Da -blam!- was that?!" Roy exclaimed.

He continued to walk down the dark metal hallway towards the main deck. His boots clanked with every step. Screeching noises came from deep within the Ketch. Roy stopped.

"Clutch, scan the area. We aren't alone." Roy said to his ghost while materializing his shotgun.

"Roger that Commander!" Clutch responded.

Roy continued forward and was met with the closed doors of the main deck.

"Hmph. Clutch I don't remember closing these doors." Roy said.

Clutch responded, "They must've closed when the Ketch crashed. Also I'm not picking anything up on my radar. Everything is hazy in here."

Roy opened the door slowly and walked into the main deck where he killed the Kell earlier that day. He smiled at his destructive craftsmanship.

Roy whispered to Clutch while gripping his shotgun tighter, "How come I feel like we're walking into a -"

Roy was cut off by a group of fallen dregs and vandals jumping onto him from above. The group pinned him to the floor, threw his shotgun to the side and restrained him.

Roy yelled, "TRAP!"

One of the Vandals head-butted Roy in the face knocking the already exhausted titan out. They dragged his body towards the throne of the main deck. The dead Kell that Roy viciously murdered earlier was still at the base of the throne. The Fallen dragged Roy's body next to it and looked at the two in comparison. Studying them both, trying to understand. The group of vandals and dregs spoke to each other in their Fallen dialect. The House of Spirits was up to something…

/- Just Outside The Ketch -/

Roy yelled over the comms "TRAP!"

Both Koru and I snapped our heads towards the Ketch as we were dropping a new batch of metal panels into the freezing water container. The sun just set in the distance allowing the Russian landscape to become bone-chillingly eerie.

"Oh boy, he's in trouble" I said to Koru.

Koru responded, "Yeah. I was wondering why the Fallen haven't engaged us yet."

We materialized our weapons and sprinted towards the Ketch.

"Skye scan the Ketch, Find him!" I yelled to Skye.

She frantically replied, "Everything is coming in hazy! I can't find him!"

I turned to Koru, "Grab my hand!"

Koru nodded and grabbed my hand as I jumped, forcing us to blink through into the Ketch.

We both landed on our hands and knees within the Ketch.

Koru shook his head, "Whoa, what a rush."

I stood and grabbed the two fallen swords from my back. I flipped the switch allowing them to come to life with arc energy.

I smiled to myself while admiring the fallen blades I obtained so long ago, "That never gets old."

Koru shook off the feeling of nausea from the forceful blink and materialized a shotgun for himself.

"Yeah this is definitely close quarters." Koru stated.

We ran down the main hallway of the Ketch towards the main deck. We could hear screaming and shouting. Koru and I look at each other and quickened our pace.

Bright lights flashed through the slightly opened door of the main deck. The lights were sporadic and multicolored. The sound of tribal drums echoed from within. Koru and I kicked open the door breaking it clean off the wall. We both gasped. What we saw was… disturbing.

Roy was seated on the throne in the main deck with the dead bloodied Kell hanging from ropes behind him, like a trophy. Fallen vandals and dregs were lined up on either side of the deck, creating a straight pathway to Roy. They wore ceremonious armor and beat on metal drums. Two armored guards stood at both sides of Roy. Upon viewing me and Koru they stood at the ready.

Koru and I looked up to see a Fallen disco ball made from shiny metal scraps and broken pieces of the Ketch turning slowly and reflecting colored lights in all directions.

I looked to Koru, "What the -blam!- is this?!"

The drumming stopped and all of the Fallen stepped to their respective sides to face me and Koru. Their steps echoed in unison throughout the Ketch.

Koru swallowed, "Um, maybe a ceremony of some kind…?"

The group of Fallen yelled in their dialect towards me and Koru. They made vulgar gestures of death and pain. Roy raised his right hand, and they all stopped and were silent.

Roy smashed his fist on his throne and a door to the right of him opened.

Koru spoke to me, "This can't be good… "

A Fallen vandal wielding a metal staff as a walking stick and 2 robotic arms walked out from the doors. He was garbed in a green robe with a fur collar. A decorative metal Fallen mask hung from his face.

The vandal spoke in broken words, "Greetingsss guaaardiansss. I am Variks of House of Judgemeennnt. Welcome to Kell ceremonyyy. Are you friend ooorrr foooeee?"

A shiver ran down my spine. I looked to Koru, "K-Koru they speak our language now. W-what do we do?!"

Koru chuckled, "Don't worry. I got this."

"Variks how are you buddy?! It's Koru Sen! Long time no see!" Koru responded to Variks as he bowed.

Variks, clearly excited, tapped his staff on the ground twice and the group of Fallen that lined the main deck stood at ease and spoke quietly in their dialect among themselves.

Variks spoke, "Koru Sen my frieennddd. How good it is to see you once mooore."

Koru straightened up from his bow and started to walk towards Variks. Roy, still sitting on his throne, took a sip of rum from his golden goblet and played with the Fallen crown that sat on his head.

Koru motioned to me, "Come on Phoenix, don't be rude."

He dragged me towards Variks. I was completely at a loss for words. We approached the Fallen vandal. Koru hugged Variks when Variks turned his head in confusion towards me.

He spoke, "And who are you guardiaaannn?"

I stuttered, "P-Phoenix. Good to m-meet you Variks." As I bowed lightly.

Variks nodded, "Good to meet yooou as well Phoeniiixxx. Yooou have never spoken to a Fallen befooore?"

I responded, "No, I uh, usually shoot first?"

Koru jabbed me in the side.

Variks chuckled and responded, "Ah you are a funny one Phoeniiixxx. Allow me to explaaain. My Kell is the Queen of the Reef. She is good Kell. She commands Variksss."

I nodded respectfully, "Oh uh tha-that makes sense. But umm what's going on here?" I was beyond confused.

Variks raised his arms and bowed towards Roy.

Variks spoke, "I was called by House of Spirits afterrr Roy killed their Kell. They proposed to make Kell Roy their new Kellll. I arrived this morning to prepare the ritual ceremony for theeemmm. Now Kell Roy is Kell of House Of Spiritssssss."

Variks and the group of Fallen within the main deck bowed towards Roy. At this moment Roy stood up and spoke for the first time since this Coronation.

"My friends! My Fallen pirates!" Roy thunderously spoke as he turned to me and Koru and whispered, "They love that line!"

Roy continued, "These two here are my brothers! No harm shall come to them! Is this understood?!"

The Fallen roared and raised their arms in agreement, in complete awe of Roy.

Roy chuckled, "Good, very good my friends. Now I must ask a favor." Roy clasped his hands together modestly in front of him.

The entire group of Fallen ran up towards the throne and went down on one knee while bowing their heads. They playfully fought over each other to get closer to Roy.

Roy continued, "Now listen carefully. I ask you to repair this Ketch with the metal panels piled up just outside."

Roy pointed towards the hole in the Ketch's hull. In the distance the stacks of metal panels still remained awaiting to be finished.

"I ask you to repair this Ketch in order for us to have a command ship in which I will appoint the first Captain. Furthermore, I ask that you scavenge what you can from the other Fallen Houses, Cabal, and Hive in order to build us a fleet. Do by any means necessary. You are free to express your will but never harm any guardians unless provoked, and absolutely no women or children. That will be punishable by death. Is that understood my brothers?!" Roy asked his Fallen entourage.

They all roared in agreement. They seemed so happy and delighted with their new Kell.

Roy nodded in approval, "Very good. Now we celebrate!"

Roy raised his goblet and took a mighty gulp of his adult beverage. The Fallen stood and roared in celebration and carried out massive tubs of rum in which they started to drink in the masses.

The tribal drumming continued and the disco ball started to turn and light the main deck.

Roy walked towards me, Koru, and Variks.

Roy spoke, "Well what'dya guys think? I got my own pirate army, it's a dream come true! And they made me a disco ball like I asked for!"

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Yeah, watch out for Blackbeard over here. Also, we were going to sell the metal outside. Way to go, we'll always be in debt now!"

Roy scoffed, "Bruh I have an army of pillaging pirates. We'll never be in debt anymore. Just give 'em a chance." He patted me on the shoulder in a brotherly manner and continued, "For now we party!"

Koru walked over to Variks, but before starting a conversation turned to Roy.

Koru questioned, "Roy, how do you plan on appointing a captain? Also, good job on creating an army of drunks."

Koru laughed while pointing to all the Fallen who were drinking Roy's limitless amount of rum out of tubs and kegs.

Roy responded, "That's easy. Whichever one of them is left standing at the end of the night will be captain."

Roy then pointed to a Fallen vandal that was doing a keg stand, "My glimmer is on that guy!"

Roy cheered and ran down to party with his Fallen brothers.

I chuckled and said, "Screw it, woohoo!" While running down to join Roy.

Koru and Variks laughed together and walked to the side where the breach in the Ketch's hull was, allowing them to view the moon outside.

Koru questioned, "How is she Variks? Am I still banished from the Reef?"

Variks answered, "Koru Sen, my frienddd, ever since the incident the Queen has been… upsettt. Give her time. Variks will fiiixxx."

Koru sighed, "But what about her brother, what abou -"

Variks politely interrupted, "Koru, the Master of Crooows is always upsettt. Worry not, for now we celebraaate. Let's dance, guaaardiaaannn."

Variks put one of his metal arms around Koru's shoulder and turned him towards the party. Roy and I were dancing in a mosh pit of Fallen with goblets full of rum in hand. We were all laughing and celebrating together. Variks and Koru joined us in the center and we all danced. After dancing for some time I exited the mosh pit and walked over to the side of the Ketch to catch my breath.

I looked as Roy, Koru, Variks, and the Fallen danced together and started a conga line. I turned to view the moon through the hole of the Ketch.

I smiled and said to myself, "How the hell are we going to explain this to Cayde?"