S1-77
The lost arts
10:21 AM
05/03/3241
Planet Earth - Low orbit
Music
Destiny - The Great Unknown
City Hawk 723 was orbiting Earth, and Michael was pondering what action to go with in this new war.
Ikora was on the comms. "City Hawk 723, this is Ikora Rey of the Counsel of Guardians. We have a mission for you, all of you."
"This is Hunter and IMC Pilot Samus Aran of City Hawk 723. What do you need, Ikora?"
"We have a few... lost powers... that you may require in order to better combat this new threat."
"Lost powers? What do you mean?" Michael asked.
"We need the Warlocks of your Fireteam to head to Mars."
The Warlocks of City Hawk 723 were Jack, Mark-18, and Carlos. Michael was obviously included, since he was essentially all three Guardian disciplines. With Michael and the other Warlocks riding in the Order Theory, Ikora began her historical lecture. "What does it mean to be a Warlock? Power. Only Warlocks understand true power. True power lies in knowledge, in understanding. Power channeled, not controlled. The storm is raw power, the trance is true understanding. Both are required. The Stormcaller, then, is both the question and the answer, and thus what it means to be a Warlock."
10:34 AM
05/03/3241
Planet Mars - Meridian Bay
The Buried City
Music
Destiny - Exclusion Zone
"My Hidden agents discovered a powerful Vex, a Conductive Mind, below the bones of Freehold. It has the Arc source you need. Find it." Ikora transmitted.
"{Won't be easy. The Freehold tunnels are still crawling with Vex.}" Michael's Ghost stated.
"Good. Storms emerge from conflict." The Warlocks proceeded into the tunnels, blasting their way past the Vex, then their Ghosts came out to illuminate the dark path. "Don't shy from the darkness, Guardians."
"We know." Carlos replied.
Planet Mars - Meridian Bay
Freehold Station
"I don't see Vex, but I see Cabal. Clear them out!" Michael ordered.
In a matter of minutes, the Cabal scouting squad was killed off, and City Hawk 723 went onward, encountering more Cabal fighting the Vex, and the Ghosts were no longer needed for navigational assistance through the tunnels since that room was lit.
"{Ikora, there's an army down here!}" Michael's Ghost reported.
"Overcome it! They will keep you from reaching their master."
"Let's not be prevented from doing what we came here to do, OK?"
"Couldn't agree more, Jack." Mark-18 put plainly.
The path ahead was blocked by a force field, which was kept online by three of the Vex. The Hobgoblins were hunted down and destroyed, causing the force field to drop, allowing the Fireteam to advance. Jack's Ghost picked up unexpected energy signatures from the Vex. "{Ikora, those constructs were supercharged with Arc energy. The whole area is saturated with power.}"
"Find the Conductive Mind. You're not finished until its Arc is yours."
Planet Mars - Meridian Bay
Tharsis Junction
(!) Darkness Zone (!)
Music
Destiny - The Vex
There were more Vex to destroy, and they were getting close. Eventually, near the old Transfer Gates, a large Vex warp cloud formed, releasing a Hydra surrounded in electricity.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Vekron
the Conductive Mind
"{Unless there's another lightning-powered deathbot down here, I think that's the Conductive Mind!}"
"Well, that certainly is... 'shocking'."
"{PfpfpfHAHAHAhahaheheh!}"
"Really, Michael? A pun? Heh heh..." Jack couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"It WAS pretty funny." The Hydra was simply welcomed to oblivion by the Warlocks, and the Exo scored the kill.
Mark-18 [Bonekruscher] Vekron, the Conductive Mind
Music
none
"{Ikora, we've neutralized the Conductive Mind.}" The Exo's Ghost reported.
Ikora responded. "Then I hope you've learned from its defeat. Let's teach you to wield lightning, Guardians."
"Well, this should be 'shockingly' effective." Michael added.
"Make no joke... even though that was funny." Ikora chuckled.
Planet Mars - Low orbit
The Warlocks were transmatted back to Mark-18's ship so they could head over to a new destination.
"Mars. The Vex crawl across her surface, seeking out rare Arc storms, bathing in their power like hot springs. We have located one on the far edge. If you are to call the storm, to learn the trance, you must go, and let nothing stand against you."
10:57 AM
05/03/3241
Planet Mars - Meridian Bay
Blind Watch
The arrived at an old facility, which was being constantly saturated and struck by lightning. "Find a space to clear your mind, Guardians. This is how a Stormcaller begins." While exploring, the Warlocks found, and destroyed, quite a few Vex.
There was a swirling vortex of energy from the storm, and they went inside, sitting down and assuming monk meditation positions. As a few Vex came out of a corridor, Michael used a Satchel Charge to deal with them... without even looking.
Just then, a loud clap of thunder was heard. "Good. The storm is aware of you, but you need its loyalty. Do it again."
Another energy well was found nearby, and the Warlocks proceeded to meditate within it. With the Bonekruscher, Mark-18 took down two Vex Hobgoblins before they could snipe them.
The thunder was heard again, and the well vanished. "The storm begins to obey! Once more, Guardians."
Another well appeared where the Hobgoblins once stood, and the Warlocks jumped over to it. As the Vex attacked, they were struck by lightning and destroyed.
"Your lightning walks its own path! A show of force is in order. Call the lightning and become one! You will either rise a Stormcaller, or not at all."
"That's... comforting. But despite the raging storm and the Vex, I feel at peace here." Michael replied calmly.
"As did I."
There was a long metal walkway, leading over the cliff of the area, and the Warlocks walked upon it. As they walked, Arc Light began to spark within them. Suddenly, they were struck by a single bolt of lightning, causing them to vanish, and not even their Ghosts were left where they once stood.
Just then, they reappeared, Arc Light surging around them.
"Stormcallers rise... Let's turn our attention to the Vex. They're here for the Arc. Show them the Arc." The Warlocks surrounded themselves with Arc Light, calling forth the storm, hence the name, and using its power on the Vex as they appeared, completely disintegrating them.
Eventually, after a little while, the Vex were purged from the area, and the Warlocks had completed their mission.
"None stand against you, and the wind is at your back. You are Stormcallers, and you wear the mantle well. The storm is both an answer and a question. As you carry your spark from this place, remember this, and teach this lesson to those that would drag you from the skies."
11:27 AM
05/03/3241
Planet Earth - Low orbit
Music
Destiny - The Great Unknown
"Look who's back. How'd it go, Michael?" Sarah asked.
"New Stormcallers have risen."
"I have just received word that Cayde needs the help of the Hunters to find a lost friend of his." Spyglass reported.
"Hang on. Cayde, got a lesson for the Hunters of this Fireteam?" Hayden-10 asked.
"Uh... yeah. What does it mean to be a Hunter? I say it's all about where you belong. The Warlocks have their libraries, and Golems have their walls, but Hunters belong in the wilds. Out there, you wanna live? You better have a quick shot, or a sharp blade. A lot of us are loners, but that's not the only path. Some of us know the difference a Fireteam makes. Some of us, we touch the Void, make it part of us, and then we take a name. Nightstalker. Hunt from the shadows, pin them down, never let them see you coming."
11:49 AM
05/03/3241
Planet Venus - Ishtar Sink
Campus 9
Music
Destiny - Ishtar Sink
Michael and the Hunters arrived on Venus, with the destroyed pieces of what looked like an entire Vex army littering the ground, with Void vapor seeping out. "Wow. I guess the Vex weren't expecting this."
"Tevis is our most experienced Nightstalker. We can't afford to lose him. Plus, y'know, he's an old friend, owes me money."
There was a single Vex Goblin near one of the piles of dead Vex, malfunctioning and limping. They walked past it, watching as it tried to shoot them, but ended up shooting the ground just ahead of it.
"{A Nightstalker's bow leaves behind very precise scarring. Fascinating.}"
Just then, a voice was heard on the comms. "If anyone can hear me, I don't think I'm on Venus anymore. This looks an awful lot like the Black Garden."
"Tevis! That you?"
"Cayde? Good that I can't smell your breath. Listen, I stepped through the Gate. My Ghost is still on the other side."
"Well, he's in a great mood. See if you can find his Ghost. If Tevis is trapped in the Garden, he'll need you."
Planet Venus - Ishtar Sink
Endless Steps
There were a lot of living Vex, but that was about to change. Michael initiated his new ability. The Stormtrance. Michael went throughout the sector, electrifying the Vex until there were none left. "That's 'shockingly' effective."
"That was a lot of zapping. You alright?" Cayde-6 asked.
"{We're fine. I'm picking up the origin point of the broadcast. It's a dead Ghost...}"
"Right. Let's hope Tevis is still kicking." The dead Ghost was nearby, lying on the ground near the large Transfer Gate. Spyglass sent out his Ghost to scan it. "Tevis, if you can hear us, we're getting telemetry through your Ghost." Cayde-6 transmitted.
"The Vex are attacking quicker and quicker! I got no Ghost, and a bow that's short on Light!"
"{We can use the gate in the Valley of Kings to get him out! Let's go!}"
12:17 PM
05/03/3241
Approaching planet Mars
Music
none
"Guardians, I've been trying to raise Tevis. He won't answer. Either he's in over his head or... L-look, that guy owes me a lot of Glimmer, so... uh... he better still be kicking. Alive or the other thing, we need to find Tevis. There aren't a lot of Nightstalkers in the field. We can't afford to lose his connection with the Void to the Vex. Go get him."
12:23 PM
05/03/3241
The Black Garden
Pantheon
"Tevis is a cheat. And a liar. And he smells like a barrel of Thrall spit."
"Disgusting." Spyglass added.
"But he's our cheat. The Vex can't have him!"
Samus shuddered slightly. "I have to admit, smelling like a barrel of Thrall spit is pretty gross."
"Says the one who blasted apart giant monsters as a bounty hunter and ended up covered in their guts, only to continue on as if nothing happened." Michael stated.
"True. You've got a point."
As expected, there were a lot of Vex in the area, so the Hunters just had to fight their way through, until they say what they were looking for. It was Tevis.
But they were too late. He was KIA.
With the area clear for a while, Sarah deployed her Ghost. "{Tevis is gone, but the Light in his bow still burns.}"
"Won't stay lit forever. Make it your own."
Michael gently took the orb of Void Light out of Tevis's dead hand, renewed it with his own Light, then created more orbs of Void Light, passing them on to the Hunters. They each formed a bow out of Void Light, then test fired to see just how powerful the Shadowshot is. The arrows exploded upon impact, carpeting the area around it in Void Light.
Music
Metroid: Other M - Final Mission Resolve
The Vex began to appear in massive hordes. "I was there when he first picked up that bow. You have it?"
"{We do.}"
"Thanks to my unique Light, we all have it."
"Take them out, Guardians. Make them pay."
"Gladly."
Michael reformed his bow, using the Shadowshot on a group of Vex and destroying them, tethering others and pulling them into the center of the impact point, allowing Michael to take them out with a Satchel Charge.
Spyglass jumped into the air, launching the Shadowshot at a Minotaur, destroying it and grabbing a hold of a nearby Hobgoblin for him to finish off with the Hemlok BF-R.
Samus launched the Shadowshot from her arm cannon at a few Hobgoblins, killing them and pulling in any nearby Vex, allowing her to destroy them with her Seeker Missiles.
Sarah used the Shadowshot to destroy a group of Harpies, then use her R-101 Carbine to finish off the surrounding Goblins.
Hayden-10 unleashed the power of his own Shadowshot, flat-out killing any Vex in the area of impact.
Eventually, the Vex were vanquished, cleared out of the Black Garden.
Music
none
"I'll be honest, Guardians. I wasn't sure you could connect with the Void. It's always a challenge. Michael, I wasn't sure you could make a second connection. I should've known better. We may have lost Tevis, but your strength means the Counsel still owns the night. Come on back."
1:14 PM
05/03/3241
Planet Earth - Low orbit
Music
Destiny - The Great Unknown
Upon returning to the rest of the Fireteam, Michael was surprised to suddenly hear Zavala on the comms. "City Hawk 723, I have a mission for Michael. I've sent a Guardian your way. He will need your guidance."
"Sure thing. Who is this guy?"
"This Guardian is an Exo by the name of Tanner-21. I assume you already know of Mark and Hayden being brothers. Well, Tanner is the third brother. They tend to go out and help Guardians everywhere, wanting nothing more than to be of assistance."
"I'll help him in return."
Eventually, another ship appeared, with a lone Guardian at the controls. "City Hawk 723, this is Guardian Tanner-21, reporting for duty."
"Tanner!" Mark-18 greeted, followed by Hayden-10
"Good to see you're still kickin, Tanner."
"Council business as usual. You know how it is."
1:26 PM
05/03/3241
Approaching planet Venus
Music
none
"Zavala, if you have anything to say about this, I'd like to hear it."
"Very well. What does it mean to be a Golem? As a Golem, you are a part of the City in a way no Warlock or Hunter can understand. The dream of the City rests upon our shoulders. Then there are those that find a path outside our walls, those that take up with leaders they barely understand. So it has ever been with the Sunbreakers. The Hammer of Sol is a flame in the darkness, but fire burns without thought. It is time that fire came home, to keep the City and her walls warm throughout the long night."
"Those are some words of wisdom right there, but I've heard more from Ikora and Cayde."
Planet Venus - Ishtar Sink
Ishtar Commons
Music
Destiny - Ishtar Sink
"A legion of Sunbreakers was spotted near a Vex gate in the Ishtar Sink. They do not stay in one place for long." Upon landing, Michael's helmet acquired the ID of his new ally.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Tanner-21
Council Soldier
Michael and Tanner-21 headed further into the Academy, fighting off the Vex that stood in their way.
Planet Venus - Ishtar Sink
N/Gen Branch
"{I'm detecting what looks like a Sunbreaker's beacon, but it's interlaced with Vex feedback.}" There were a few Vex in the area, but not for long. Michael and Tanner-21 took them out, then the Exo allowed his Ghost to examine the beacon.
A distorted signal was patched in, allowing them to hear it. "Fall back! Fall back! Should've known Osiris- ~static~ Protect the Forge once they're in! You remember- ~static~"
"Osiris? Find out where they've gone, Guardians. My report said they were headed to a Vex Gate." Zavala ordered.
"Why would they be heading there?"
"No idea."
They headed up the stairs, then opened a nearby door, revealing a lot of Vex in the next room. Michael cleared them all out with his Smart Pistol MK5.
Tanner-21 marveled at the destruction. "I gotta get me some of that Pilot tech!"
"How about a Titan? Mark and Hayden have Titans, so why can't you? After all, you three are brothers." Michael then loaded a fresh magazine to replace the empty one pulled off from his Spitfire LMG's underside.
"I heard. Mark was linked to a Monarch, and Hayden was linked to a Northstar. I don't know whether to get an Ion, A Scorch, a Tone, a Ronin, a Legion, or a Vanguard."
"I'll make sure to let them know you're requesting a Titan, but can't decide on what class it is."
Spyglass was on the line. "I heard, and I have already returned to the Tower. Tanner-21, I will brief you in on the loadouts of each Titan you are deciding on. The Ion has the Splitter Rifle, Vortex Shield, Laser Tripwire, Laser Shot, and Laser Core. The Scorch has the T-203 Thermite Launcher, Thermal Shield, Incendiary Trap, Firewall, and Flame Core. The Ronin has the Leadwall, Broadsword, Sword Block, Phase Dash, Arc Wave, and Sword Core. The Tone has the 40mm Tracker Cannon, Particle Wall, Sonar Lock, Tracking Rockets, and Salvo Core. The Legion has the Predator Cannon, Gun Shield, Mode Switch, Power Shot, and Smart Core. The Vanguard has the XO-16, Vortex Shield, Electric Smoke, Multi-Target Missile System, and Burst Core."
"Think on it."
"I've made my decision. A Scorch."
"Area lockdown, huh?" Michael replied, approving the choice.
"A Scorch-class Prime Titan is now under construction." Spyglass reported.
Planet Venus - Ishtar Sink
Dig Site 4
(!) Darkness Zone (!)
They headed further into the Ishtar Academy, encountering a few inactive Vex Goblins. They passed by, but the Goblins activated and engaged. They should've stayed inactive, since they ended up dead. As the duo proceeded through the complex, a Hydra appeared up ahead, but was destroyed with ease as Tanner-21 smashed it with the Fist of Havoc. A large group of Vex appeared where the Hydra once was, only to be cleared out by Michael using the same Super.
Planet Venus - Ishtar Sink
Dig Site 4
Music
none
Tanner-21's Ghost appeared, looking over what remained of the Vex. There was a Vex Transfer Gate up ahead, but there was no portal. "{The Gate's offline. If I can map that conflux, I might be able to figure out where it leads.}"
"Go at it."
The Ghost scanned the conflux, gaining the required information. "{Zavala, the Sunbreakers opened this gate to Mercury! I have the coordinates.}"
"Then plot a course. Find their Forge, Guardians. If the City hopes to weather the oncoming Darkness, we will need the flame it holds."
1:52 PM
05/03/3241
Approaching planet Mercury
Michael and Tanner-21 were en route to Mercury, and the Pilot's Ghost had a bit of info to share. "{Mercury was transformed by the Vex in the early days of the Collapse. As far as we know, the Warlock Osiris is the only Guardian to spend any time among the Spires, and we haven't heard from him in years.}"
"Osiris brokered a contract between the Sunbreakers and the City. Its terms were... uh... unacceptable to me. Now, the Sunbreakers hate the Counsel. They... hate me." Zavala transmitted.
"Time to teach them a lesson."
"You're willing to punish the Sunbreakers for that? I admire your loyalty, but there is no need for... that."
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
The Burning Shrine
Music
Minecraft - Warmth
They arrived, and were immediately greeted by a voice over the comms. "We do not know of you, Guardians. But if you found us, you are worthy of our time. I am Ouros, third Embyreal Magistrate of the Sunbreakers. You have come to test your Light in the Forge. Here, you must prove you are one with the Light. Use your Ghosts to ignite the Forge."
"{Yes, ma'am.}" The Ghost turned back to his Guardian-Pilot. "{Michael, Ouros is a legend. If even half the stories are true, she's one of the most powerful Golems alive today!}"
Up ahead were a few inactive Goblins, which were immediately taken out before they could become active and engage. A Vex Spire was there, and the Ghost went to scan it.
From the Spire came a strong beam. "{Power's on, but the array needs to be aligned. Let's head outside.}" They headed back out, followed by Michael's Ghost.
"{Inspecting...}" A Vex terminal was nearby, and Tanner-21's Ghost realigned the beam. "{Job done.}" A nearby platform was surrounded in flames, and a large sphere of Solar Light formed in the center.
"In the shadows of Light that gave birth to the ancients, use the Forge." Ouros's voice boomed.
Music
Destiny - Hammer of Sol
Michael and Tanner-21 headed down to the Solar orb and approached it. "Fire born of man. Fire of the Light. Ask yourselves: what power do you seek from the Forge, Guardians?" They reached their hands into the sphere, then started pulling out what looked like mallets. "Can you bring Light to where only Darkness survives?" Michael pulled his arm out, revealing the Hammer of Sol in his hand. Tanner-21 did the same, gaining new power.
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
The Burning Shrine
(!) Darkness Zone (!)
Music
Destiny - Surge of Light
"Prepare yourselves."
Michael's Ghost vanished. "{So we're going to get attacked then. Here we go!}"
Michael used his new Super as a wave of Vex appeared, incinerating them all. With each attack, the Hammer of Sol came back to his hand, ready for the next strike. The first wave of Vex were dead, and Tanner-21 had summoned his own Hammer of Sol, ready to destroy the next wave. They took turns destroying wave after wave, until the Vex seemingly called it quits.
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
The Burning Shrine
"A Sunbreaker does not answer to any but the will of the Light. Welcome, Guardians. Wield no power but the fury of fire!"
2:17 PM
05/03/3241
Planet Earth - The last City
Tower Plaza
Music
Destiny - The Tower
Eventually, they had returned to the rest of the Fireteam, ready for what's next.
"Welcome back. Tanner-21, your Titan is ready." Spyglass stated, stepping aside.
A Scorch-class Prime Titan was crouched in the back of the plaza, ready to establish a neural link. Its chassis number was XM-2536. "[Greeting, Guardian. I have been assigned to establish a neural link with you.]"
Tanner-21
Species
Exo
Gender
Male
Class
Golem (In-game: Titan)
Primary weapon
Scout Rifle - Angel's Advocate
Special weapon
Shotgun - Occam's Razor
Heavy weapon
Rocket Launcher - Disassembly Required
Helmet
Mangonel Type 2
Gauntlets
Mangonel Type 2
Chest armor
Mangonel Type 2
Leg armor
Mangonel Type 2
Class item - Titan Mark
Vitruvius Mark
Ghost shell
Towerwatch Shell
Artifact
Intact Warmind Core
Armor shader
Default Shader
Sparrow
S-39 Autumn Glow
Sparrow Horn
Frame Horn
Ship
Arcadia Class Jumpship
X-ray-Mike Two-Five-Three-Six (XM-2536)
Titan
Scorch - Prime
Titan kit
Assault Chip
Scorch kit
Tempered Plating
Titanfall kit
Dome Shield
Titan Camo
Heavy Reign
Nose Art
Phoenix Risen
Weapon Camo
Heavy Reign
Titan execution
Random
MAN that took a while!
That's the last of my three Guardians.
I had to figure everything out, then put all three different subclass quests into one chapter.
See you next time, guys.