S1-102
Chosen

11:52 PM
03/18/3251

Planet Earth - Low orbit

Music
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Gunship theme

City Hawk 723 was entering the City, ready to finish their mission.

"{The Traveler! What's happening to it?}"

Michael looked upon the Traveler. "I have no clue." The Cabal cage around it had fully enveloped the giant sphere, and the area around the large machine that put the cage around it was... glowing.

"Zavala, we're back and ready to-" A Red Legion defense turret hit Samus's gunship, sending it crashing down.

Thankfully, the Ghosts managed to save their Guardians.

Planet Earth - The last City
Peregrine District

Music
Destiny 2 - Journey

"I gotta hand it to them. That was a lucky shot." Blisk noted.

"Pilots, are you still with us?" Zavala asked over the comms.

"We're fine, but... the Traveler..." Dane replied.

"That's why we're here, to stop this madness. Ikora and I are converging on the rally point. Cayde's already there."

Ikora was on the line. "We'll use the Vex teleporter to jump to the Traveler... if we make it there alive."

"We've got your back!" Mark-18 stated.

"Welcome back, Pilots. Glad you could join the party. Red Legion's using these energy barriers to funnel us into kill boxes. I can hack into the grid and knock it down for short stretches. Stand by." Hawthorne transmitted.

As City Hawk 723 went through the ruined City, they saw multiple Titans fighting off the Cabal. Michael ran up from behind an Atlas-class Titan and prepared to embark. "Jeeves, Pilot-Mode!"

The Titan briefly knelt down to catch Michael as he slid between Jeeves's legs, then placed him within the cockpit. "[Welcome back, Michael. I've kept the seat warm for you.]"

The Red Legion may have had the numbers advantage, but it didn't matter. The Cabal were outmatched.

"[Michael, they just keep coming! I don't know how long we can keep this up!]"

"Don't worry about it so much, Jeeves. We're here."

"[You disabled the Almighty's weapon and brought the Counsel back together. The Cabal were not expecting that. We have them by surprise.]" DL-2671 stated over the radio.

"[That may be, but things aren't getting any easier! Where's RD?]" PYR-8638 asked.

"He's dead... His chassis was somewhere outside the City, and his Datacore was destroyed..."

"[I just hope we don't lose any more.]" Vanessa said.

"Same here, Vanessa."

"[We need to get through this if we're ever gonna beat these ugly space rhinos!]" Sid simply put as he backhanded a whole Red Legion squad.

There were multiple Guardians, Pilots, and Titans fighting off the Cabal.

Up ahead, an energy barrier collapsed. "Barrier's offline! Go!"

Everyone rushed through, fighting even more Cabal, but the Titans were too big, so they had to be left in AI-Mode.

"We're through." Michael reported.

"Roger that. We're almost at the rally point."

"Cayde, is the teleporter active?" Ikora asked.

"OW! Son of a... Yeah! Almost ready!"

"I knew it. Never send a Cayde to do a Hawthorne job."

"Heard that, Poncho!"

Up ahead was another energy barrier, and a Vanguard-class Titan gunning down any Red Legion in sight. DL-2671. "[The energy barrier is impervious to my Burst Core. I can't destroy the shield.]"

"Hawthorne, we're blocked again. There's another energy barrier."

"Hold on. I've got you."

DL-2671 took out any Cabal soldiers with the XO-16 and the Multi-Target Missile System, killing them with bullets and rockets.

Eventually, the energy barrier went down, opening the path. "Go! Barrier won't stay down for long!"

"[GO! GO! GO!]"

"⎅⍜ ⊬⍜⎍ ⏁⊑⟟⋏k ⍙⟒'⌰⌰ ⋔⏃k⟒ ⟟⏁?"

"{I hope so.}"

"As do I."

On the other side were three more Vanguard-class Titans. MF-8472, UQ-2153, and XM-2536.

Mark-18 jumped up at MF-8472 as his Titan opened the cockpit, allowing him to enter and gain control. "[Pilot detected. Validating protocols.]"

"Cayde, we're seeing a squad of Red Legion flanking your position. What's your status?" Zavala demanded.

"████ it! Next time, YOU get to fix the Vex tech while being shot at!"

"Keep your head down, Cayde! We're almost there!" Ikora transmitted.

The Exo brothers conversed as they fought.

"I don't know how long we can keep this up!"

"If anyone has the best chance of ending this, it's Michael. He was chosen by the Eye of the Traveler!"

"And the Shadow?"

"We'll see what happens!" Michael replied.

As the Exo brothers fought off the Red Legion, the rest of City Hawk 723 went further ahead. After killing more and more Red Legion, the remaining members of City Hawk 723 pressed onward.

Music
Destiny 2 - No Mercy

"Ikora and I have reached the rally point, but Cayde is still wrestling with the teleporter."

"I can either shoot or work on this thing, but not both, because they JUST SHOT OFF MY ARM!"

"Cayde, we need that teleporter! We can't hold this position much longer!"

"They're coming at us from all sides! We need your help, Pilots!"

Planet Earth - The last City
Systems deck

"{The Traveler... Ghaul found a way to drain its Light. It's the only explanation. Michael, we have to stop him. If he takes the Light... it's over.}"

Michael, Samus, the Shadow, and Blisk jumped from building to building, killing off more and more Red Legion. Rockets were shooting up from below, hitting the Cabal. "Take Ghaul out, free the Traveler! We'll cover you from here!" It was Carlos and Mr. Mortar.

"Ikora, Cayde, if we don't make it out of this alive... know that I've never been prouder to be part of your Fireteam."

"If we have to die, at least we'll die in the shadow of the Traveler, old friend."

"We're about to die and you're still making speeches?!"

"You will NOT die!" Michael proclaimed.

They were getting closer to the rally point, and there were more Cabal standing in their way. "Just one more- Hey! Don't shoot that!" Coming around the corner, City Hawk 723 witnessed a Legionary knock Zavala against a wall, only to be killed by Ikora from a shot to the back.

The Counsel was out for the count, but at least they were still alive. "Zavala! Ikora! Cayde!" Michael rushed to their aid.

"Pilots, we can't make the jump... It's all on you now. Save the Traveler!" Zavala ordered, trying to power through his injuries as his Ghost, Targe, tended to his wounds.

The Vex teleporter Cayde-6 was working on activated, and the Exo was backing away from the portal, missing an arm and a leg. "A working, probably stable Vex gate! One step and you'll be right next to the big guy." His own Ghost, Sundance, worriedly looked over the damaged Exo.

"Go... For the Counsel... and the Traveler. Make it matter." Ikora said as her Ghost, Ophiuchus, projected a healing beam from his eye.

"Ah, I was tired of that arm anyway. Next one? Built-in rocket launcher."

"In your dreams, Mr. 6."

"Don't call me that, Blisk..."

"Blisk, Dane, stay here and help the Counsel. We'll handle Ghaul." Michael, Samus, and the Shadow went through the Vex teleporter, ending up on the Red Legion flagship.

Music
Destiny 2 - Cabal

Zavala was on the line. "You're on Ghaul's command ship. It's as close to the Traveler as we can get you. Be brave, for all of us."

The large door up ahead opened up, revealing a lot of Red Legion War Beasts. Samus used her Seeker Missiles to clear them out, portion by portion. Once the path was clear, the trio rushed through the empty halls of the command ship.

Planet Earth - The last City
Quarterdeck

"There's the Traveler. We're getting close!" Michael stated, looking through the large window.

Red Legion forces jetted in, moving into attack position. Samus disrupted them with charged Plasma Beam shots, aided further by the Diffusion Beam. The Cabal were blown out of the way as they advanced.

It was then that they reached an elevator platform.

Music
none

"This is it. Whatever happens here, I'm just glad you're here with me, Samus."

"Where would you be without me?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to. All that matters is that we'll get through this... together."

"⟟ ⌇⎍⌿⌿⍜⌇⟒ ⟟⏁ ⟟⌇ ⏃ ⎎⟟⏁⏁⟟⋏g ⋔⍜⋔⟒⋏⏁ ⎎⍜⍀ ⏁⊑⟟⌇. ⏃⌰⌰ ⍜⍀ ⋏⍜⏁⊑⟟⋏g."

They reached the top, seeing a vortex of dark red energy swirling up ahead. "{It can't be...}"

"It is." Michael replied. "Ghaul has taken the Light."

"⟟ ⎅⍜⋏'⏁ ⌰⟟k⟒ ⏁⊑⟟⌇ ⏃⋏⊬ ⋔⍜⍀⟒ ⏁⊑⏃⋏ ⊬⍜⎍ ⎅⍜."

Ghaul's voice boomed. "Fitting your Traveler would send you to face me once more." The vortex vanished, revealing the leader of the Red Legion, wearing some strange tech. "Look upon me. Dominus of the Red Legion. Annihilator of suns. Razor of a thousand worlds. Slayer of gods, and CONQUEROR OF THE LIGHT! I. AM. GHAUL!" He then menacingly looked up at them, unholstering his weapon. "And I have become legend."

Music
Destiny 2 - Dominus Ghaul

"It's time to end this!" Michael proclaimed.

"You won't escape me again!"

As Michael plopped down an A-Wall projector and opened fire with his Spitfire, the Shadow summoned Taken Vandals with Wire Rifles, and Samus aimed down on Ghaul with the intent to freeze him and use Super Missiles to deal maximum damage.

Ghaul blasted upward and formed a sword of Solar Light. The Daybreak. He attacked, hitting the A-Wall and shattering the protective shielding, knocking Michael back as his Spitfire slid across the ground. He was about the let out another heatwave, until a stream of hot lead pelted him in the shoulder.

Michael's helmet identified the rounds.

BULLET TYPE: 8.19MM+P FULL METAL JACKET TUNGSTEN PENETRATOR

Michael looked back, seeing the Shadow using the Pilot's weapon, and with a great deal of accuracy.

"Your Traveler should have chosen me, and now it is too late! Look at your dead god! It won't save humanity a second time!" Ghaul yelled as he chucked three Solar swipes at the trio. "I am Ghaul! I claim what is mine!"

A Super Missile hit Ghaul square in the chest, causing him to retreat back to his original spot, with a black and purple vortex appearing as Red Legion soldiers joined the fight.

"More...! I need more! EEAAAAAHHHHH!"

The Shadow went back to Michael and handed him the Spitfire, returning the weapon to its owner. The vortex went away, and Ghaul came back out, but was now using Void Light. "You failed your Traveler! You let your city die! Give up! You have nothing to fight for! Nothing to die for!" Ghaul went up, using Nova Bombs periodically against them.

It was then that Michael formed the Andromeda Cannons. They fired, blasting right through Ghaul and forcing him to retreat again.

Another vortex surrounded Ghaul as he screamed out. "GYAAAAHHHH! THE LIGHT! AAAAAHHHHH!"

"That's what he gets for trying to force the Traveler's Light into himself." Samus quipped.

The vortex went away, and Ghaul was using Arc Light. "I pity you! You know nothing of sacrifice! Nothing of worth!" He was creating thunderstorms and bending them to his will as an attack.

Michael moved out of the way as Samus blasted him with another Super Missile. The Shadow's Blighted Andromeda Cannons formed, and they opened fire on Ghaul. He was almost done!

Taking his chance, Michael finished the job with his Charge Rifle. "No... NOOOOOOO!" He fell to the metal ground, dead.

Michael [Charge Rifle] Dominus Ghaul (Red Legion)

Music
none

For a while, Ghaul's body lay there, lifeless.

Just then, the Light within him began to shine out. It streamed out and into the sky, manifesting itself to resemble Ghaul. "Traveler! Do you see me now?" Ghaul brought up his left arm, closing his hand into a fist. "I am immortal! A god!" He brought down his arm and looked at the Traveler. "You have failed." The reincarnated Red Legion leader turned to face those who opposed him. "Witness the dawning of a new age!"

The Cabal cage around the Traveler began to crack, with Light seeping out. The Eye of the Traveler was reacting to this, and Michael then knew went was going on.

The cables surrounding the Traveler snapped, and the Light shined bright as Ghaul turned back around. "You... do... see me." The reincarnated Dominus Ghaul began to dissipate as the Traveler took its Light back from him! "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The cage shattered, and the Traveler was free. Its aura once again surrounded the City, protecting everyone within it. The Light spread out across the universe, fully restored. The Traveler... it was awake!

The Red Legion was defeated, Ghaul was dead, humanity was safe, and... the Shadow was still there? "⟟ ⎎⟒⟒⌰ ⏁⊑⟒ ⏁⍀⏃⎐⟒⌰⟒⍀'⌇ ⏃⎍⍀⏃, ⏚⎍⏁ ⟟'⋔ ⋏⍜⏁ ⏚⟒⟟⋏g ⎎⍜⍀c⟒⎅ ⟟⋏⏁⍜ ⋔⊬ ⊑⏃⌰⎎ ⍜⎎ ⏁⊑⟒ ⊬⟟⋏ ⊬⏃⋏g ⌇⍙⟟⏁c⊑."

"The Traveler must have seen your actions to save it. I think the Light trusts you." Michael surmised.

10:21 AM
07/15/3251

Planet Earth - The last City
Bazaar

Music
Destiny 2 - The Last City

It was a new day. The Traveler was pulling in all its lost shards, putting itself back together, and the City had been remade. Suraya Hawthorne had joined the Counsel as a liaison between the civilians and the Guardians.

Michael decided to check up on her to see how she was adjusting, and her ID was updated.

SCANNING...
ENTRIES UPDATED

1: Suraya Hawthorne
Clan Steward

"Suraya Hawthorne. How have you been doing?" Michael greeted.

Hawthorne spread out her arms and beckoned to the public. "Make way, everybody! Hero coming through!" She then calmed down, letting her arms rest at her sides. "Heh heh heh... You better not let this whole 'saving the day' thing go to your head, or I'm gonna regret my decision. Yeah, that's right. Bet you thought you'd be rid of me by now. Nope. I'm sticking around. Zavala convinced me, can you believe it? We talked a lot about the Clans I put together. He likes them, thinks they'd be a good addition to the City. So, here I am. Still feels crazy to me, but... these days, what's not? The Traveler is alive. Old rules don't apply anymore, but, hey, never really liked rules to begin with."

"Clans, huh? Interesting. I hope you're doing well."

"Same here."

Michael went down to see how Ikora was doing, and Mark-18 was there too. "How have you been, Michael?"

"Pretty good. You?"

"I've been better. I kinda liked the old place, but... this'll do."

Ikora spoke up. "I never thought the Traveler would wake again. If the Traveler was testing me, I think I failed. Being wrong is a... new experience for me, but now, I see that the mysteries of this universe are far deeper than I ever dreamed. In the Traveler's Light, whole new worlds of possibility unfurl before us. For the first time in centuries, I have no idea what the future holds. Isn't it exciting?"

"Exhilarating, ma'am. Mark, you said you wanted to pay the Frontier a visit when we defeated the Red Legion?"

"Oh yeah! I forgot."

"Looks like we're a few months overdue. Don't worry. A Pilot can bring you there." He then headed out, looking for Cayde-6.

Planet Earth - The last City
Courtyard

"Master Rahool, have you seen Cayde?"

"Yes, he's in the hangar. Just go down that way and you'll find him." Following the Cryptarch's directions, Michael headed down to the City's new hangar.

Planet Earth - The last City
Hangar

"Cayde!"

"Oh, hey! You know I used to think the Counsel was a bad fit for a Hunter, but I'm doing some good up here. Most folks just see Ikora's calm and collected side these days. You should have known her back in her Crucible days, like that time Ikora and I-I-I- actually... Yeah, she would kill me if I told you this one. Nevermind! Guess what I'm trying to say is... Just remember, Michael, the Counsel is behind you, always. Ooooh! Gave myself goosebumps!"

"Um... OK?"

He then went over the check on Amanda Holliday, who was accompanied by Tanner-21. "How you like my new setup? Though sometimes I still look up and expect to see the old hanger. Ah, well. Ain't the first time I've had to start over. Forward momentum. It's a beautiful thing. Speaking of which, I hope you like this Sparrow I made for you! What are you doing still talking to me? Go on, take it for a spin!" There was a new Sparrow nearby, with the symbol of the IMC painted on the sides.

"Maybe later. I should talk to Zavala."

Planet Earth - The last City
Courtyard

He left the hangar, heading to where Commander Zavala stood.

"Commander."

"I helped build these walls, you know. I was proud of them. I still am. But walls don't just keep out our enemies, they keep us in. It can be... easy to forget that. In this, the start of our new Golden Age, the City is anywhere and everywhere humanity sets foot. We will venture outward. We will dare to behold the unknown. We will walk upon new planets, and one day, in the light of distant stars. And Michael, you will lead the way."

"I look forward to the honor, Zavala."

The Red War is over!

What happened to the Shadow after this? Well, we shall see.

See you next time.