S1-103
The Gateway

It's been years since the Traveler awoke, and things have only been getting better.

Michael and Samus's daughter, Jenny, had turned 26 a few months ago, and wanted to follow in her father's footsteps, becoming one of the best in the IMC's ranks.

The Shadow took his rightful place as ruler of the Ascendant Realm, found Oryx, and took him, gaining his powers and knowledge, while also becoming the new Taken King.

It's been years since the Shadow was seen directly, but his new Echoes were reported on various planets, hunting down any Fallen, Hive, Cabal, or Vex in the solar system.

Upon all that, the Shadow became capable of speaking English fluently, making it so that Ghosts no longer needed to translate what he's saying.

Just as well, the Hive were being pushed to extinction. It's a bit ironic to think that the very species which ended humanity's first Golden Age and drove them to the brink of extinction were now on the edge themselves.

10:21 AM
08/09/3272

Planet Earth - The last City
Bazaar

Music
Destiny - The Tower

On this particular day, Ikora Rey had called for Michael. He brought Samus and Jenny with him. She sensed their presence, so Michael didn't need to say anything. "Michael, thank you for coming. There's been a 'development' on Mercury; strange reports from the cultists clinging from what's left of the planet. Normally, I'd ignore their conspiracy theories, but one of my Hidden brought me... this." She moved aside, revealing an inactive Ghost with an extremely unusual shell.

"A dead Ghost?" Michael wondered.

"She's not dead. Her name is Sagira. I've known her a very long time. And her Guardian, Osiris."

Michael's Ghost perked up. "{THE Osiris? The second most powerful Guardian ever? The hero of Six Fronts? The Zavala before Zavala?}"

"Zavala wouldn't like to hear you call him that. Most Guardians won't even speak Osiris's name. He was the only Counsel Commander ever exiled from the City... and the man who taught me what it means to be a Warlock."

"Back to Osiris's Ghost... What happened?" Jenny asked.

"We found Sagira on Mercury, and at the same time, Vex activity there surged exponentially."

"And you think Osiris might be involved?" Samus questioned.

"I need to know what happened, even if the Counsel wants to forget him. When I lost my Light, I didn't have anything else. I was... empty. Then you came to Io, and you helped me find my way back. I need those friends again, Pilots."

"We'll see what we can do." Michael replied.

"Go to Mercury. Take Sagira with you. The Followers of Osiris, the few who remain, might know what her presence means. And for now, let's keep this between us. I'd hate to have to throw you off this wall."

"{Um... That was a joke, right?}"

"That... was a joke."

"Joke's on you, Ikora. Just try it. I'll come right back."

Deciding to see about that comment, Ikora picked Michael up and literally threw him off the wall, only for Michael to shoot out a grappling hook and immediately pull his way back up, landing right back where he once stood. "Huh. You're right about that. Now that I think about it, you should go see another friend of ours. I heard he took the position of an old foe."

"The Shadow. Of course."

10:49 AM
08/09/3272

The Dreadnaught
Altar of the Shadow

Music
Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded - Castle Oblivion

Michael, Samus, and Jenny arrived at the Dreadnaught, the bridge between the real world and the Ascendant Realm, and they made their way to where the Shadow resided these days; a sector once known as the Altar of Oryx. It was like they were approaching someone of royalty. Taken were lined up like guards along the walls, and a hooded figure was standing at the end. The Shadow.

"Death, there's something strange happening on Mercury." Michael stated. "We humbly request your assistance." The Shadow was silent for a while, as if he wasn't even there.

"Uh... Is something wrong with him?"

"Shh. Give him some time, Jenny." Samus whispered.

Eventually, a spike in dark power could be felt in the air, followed by the Shadow breathing in, then out, speaking proper English. "I am aware of the surge in Vex activity on Mercury. However, I do not know much else." It was then that the Shadow turned to face the three as he pulled the Darkscythe out of the ground. "I suppose I could lend some of my time to assist you. After all, you helped me get to where I am now. I have yet to repay that debt."

"You have no debt to pay." Michael reassured him.

"Whether I do or I do not, it does not matter. Go to Mercury. I will help you there."

10:53 AM
08/09/3272

Approaching planet Mercury

Music
none

The three had boarded Michael's new ship and were en route to Mercury. "Ikora, Death will be helping, but I don't know how he's gonna get there."

"The Shadow has his ways." Ikora chuckled over the comms. "The Traveler transformed Mercury into a garden world. It was a paradise... until the Vex came. The Vex replaced the planet's core with their own machines. We call it the 'Infinite Forest', and ever-expanding labyrinth of realities. No two paths are ever the same. No one has ever escaped. It was Osiris's... obsession."

Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
The Lighthouse

Music
Minecraft - Warmth

A new voice was heard over the comms. "Welcome to Mercury, Guardians. The signs told me you would come."

"{What a coincidence. We followed the signs here too, and by signs, I mean facts.}"

"That, too, is a sign! I am Brother Vance of the Followers of Osiris, keeper of the Lighthouse, and oracle of the Lost Prophecies."

They landed, with a rear ramp opening for the three to exit. An Echo of the Shadow was waiting for them there.

"There is a Vex gateway near your location. Osiris spent years studying it. He was convinced it was the door to the Infinite Forest. If it is still possible to find Osiris, we need to open that door."

"Ikora Rey, Osiris's greatest student!"

"Brother Vance, Osiris's greatest fan."

"There are Vex Transfer Gates up ahead. They will help us on our path." The Echo stated. They ran to a Vex Transfer Gate, then walked through the portal, ending up elsewhere. After going up some stairs, there were some Vex.

"Ooh! A Vex Goblin! Can I take the shot?"

"Go ahead." Samus replied.

Jenny pulled the trigger on her weapon, causing it to release a stream of micro-missiles at the Goblin's back, reducing it to rubble.

Michael felt proud of his daughter. "Nicely done."

"{Good shooting.}" Jenny's Ghost commended.

Up ahead were more Vex, and they were quickly and easily overpowered, then destroyed, including any Minotaurs they happened to come across. "This is entertaining to watch." The Echo of the Shadow chuckled.

"Heh. I love the smell of destroyed Vex in the morning."

"Me too, Michael."

Vance was on the comms again. "I'm so pleased Osiris has brought you to me, his most faithful servant."

"Considering how you revere a man who questions everything, I'm surprised how well faith serves you." Ikora replied.

"Oh, burn!" Jenny laughed.

"The Vex are at my door. Osiris has not returned. Faith... is all I have left."

Up ahead was a massive arch, pulsating with temporal energy. "{The gateway to the Infinite Forest; a place from which no one has ever returned, not even Osiris.}" More Vex 'bit the dust' as the small group advanced.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Agoros
Gatekeeper

Up ahead was a Hydra, and Jenny immediately brought out the heavy artillery. Taking out an MGL, she opened fire, eventually killing the Hydra with ease.

Jenny [MGL] Agoros, Gatekeeper (Sol Collective)

It was then that they reached the gateway to the Infinite Forest, and there were no Vex in sight. "Here it is. Well, I'm ready if you are." Samus stated.

Michael went ahead to secure the area, but the gateway pushed him back. Some sort of security barrier. "We can't get through. If Osiris's Ghost were awake, then maybe she could help."

"Osiris preserve us!" Vance became ecstatic. "You have his Ghost? Sagira?! Please, please, bring her to me!"

"I have the coordinates, now let's-" Samus was interrupted by odd sounds that were heard as Vex transport particle clouds formed, dropping in a strange form of Vex, including a Minotaur.

SCANNING
NEW ENTRIES

1: Tyranos
Gatekeeper

"{These aren't normal Vex.}" Michael's Ghost was right. The Vex that appeared were of a more pristine variety.

It was then that Jenny's right arm began to surge with Solar Light. "Past, present, future, I don't came where these Vex are coming from!" She put away her SMR, and a new weapon appeared in her hand.

Jenny [Golden Gun] Tyranos, Gatekeeper (Sol Collective)

"Jenny, you're a Hunter?!" Samus exclaimed.

Michael chuckled. "Just like her mother."Up ahead were more odd Vex, and they were quickly dispatched by superior weaponry. Eventually, they reached a massive obelisk, with a strange cube of Vex tech hovering above the ground.

More and more Vex were appearing, with the same strange appearance. A special target appeared before them.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Methodios
Module Proxy

Michael channeled his Light, completely decimating his target.

Michael [Andromeda Cannon] Methodios, Module Proxy (Sol Collective)

The cube of Vex tech became vulnerable, so Samus shot it with a Missile, causing the barrier around a nearby Transfer Gate to collapse.

Music
none

"{Vex from different timelines are converging on Mercury. That's bad.}"

The four went through the Transfer Gate, ending up in a new place within the same sector, and their new 'friend' was there.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Brother Vance
Follower of Osiris

"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if Osiris hadn't sent you to me. In return, the Followers of Osiris can help you revive his Ghost. We have a hidden temple of Earth. Take Sagira to these coordinates. I will notify the Followers that you are coming." Brother Vance handed Michael a slip of paper with a set of coordinates. "Now that the Lighthouse is safe, we can prepare for Osiris's return. All of the Lost Prophecies are coming to pass. I'm finally going to meet Osiris...!"

A sort of window opened in the back of the room, flooding the chamber with the sun's brightness.

11:17 AM
08/09/3272

Planet Mercury - Low orbit

"I swear, that guy's head ain't on straight." Michael stated as he programmed the coordinates into his ship. Their next destination was in the European Dead Zone on Earth.

Jenny 'Amaya' Aran-Johnson

Primary
Grenadier - SMR Sidewinder - (Extra Ammo) - (Tactikill) - (Pro Screen)

Secondary
Hammond P2016 - (Extra Ammo) - (Tactikill) - (Pro Screen)

Backup
MGL Mag Launcher - (Extra Ammo) - (Factory Issue) - (Pro Screen)

Tactical
Pulse Blade

Ordinance
Gravity Star

Boost
Battery Back-up

Tier 1
Power Cell

Tier 2
Low Profile

Execution
Get To The Point

Pilot Camo
Zebra Blue

Primary Camo
Zebra Blue

Secondary Camo
Zebra Blue

Backup Camo
Zebra Blue

Tango-November Nine-Six-Eight-Four (TN-9684)

Titan
Vanguard

Loadout
Customized

Primary weapon
XO-16

Offensive
Slaved Warheads

Utility
VTOL Hover

Defensive
Particle Wall

Core ability
Laser Core

OS voice
Ion - Prime

TN-9684's color scheme
A Splitter Rifle orange version of Sarah's red Vanguard-class Titan, MOB-1316. On the cockpit hatch, there is a triangle with the insignia of the City within it, with the symbols for the three Guardian classes just outside the triangle and along the three sides, going clockwise in the order of Warlock, Hunter, Golem.

Titan Light infusion

{[TN-9684]}

XO-16 - Void
Slaved Warheads - Solar
VTOL Hover - N/A
Particle Wall - N/A
Laser Core - Solar

The Curse of Osiris.

See you next time.