S1-178
Guardian Sim Pods

12:13 PM
07/28/3273

Planet Earth - The last City
Deconstruction site

Music
Metroid Prime - Underwater Frigate Reactor Core

On this calm evening, Michael decided to visit the City on Earth one last time. There were quite a few IMC excavation crews picking the place clean of any useful materials, so there wasn't much left to see. He looked to the sky, seeing that the Traveler was no longer there.

As he walked through what was once the Tower's courtyard, Michael spotted another of the Guardians. "Lord Shaxx. What're you doing here?"

"I came to say 'goodbye' to this old place. I assume that's why you're here too."

"Just gives you a sense of total nostalgia, doesn't it?"

"Yeah... I'm gonna miss it here. More than you will, I bet."

Michael briefly chuckled, patting Shaxx's shoulder. He then made his way to the old hangar, seeing Cayde's pet chicken, the Colonel. Amanda was there too, having just finished packing her things. "Howdy, Amanda."

"Hey, Michael. Just got done picking up my equipment and belongings. I heard about Cayde's successful restoration. I am so stoked to see him again."

"I think his chicken will be happy to see him again too."

"Right. I'll get the Colonel to him when I can. Seeya around, Traveler's Legend!" Amanda then walked out with her luggage, holding Cayde's chicken in her left arm.

After that, Michael arrived at the Bazaar, seeing Ikora Rey and Zavala.

"Without the Council, who will lead the Guardians?"

"I'm sure the Aurora Units will make good use of the Hidde- I mean the Moonhawk Brigade... to lead them, Zavala."

"Perhaps the Frontier IS better than Earth. Humanity would be so much safer there. The Pilots and Titans rival the power of the Guardians, despite not having the Light, but Guardian-Pilots may just be the most powerful of us all. Guardians linked to Titans, and armed with the trained skills of a Pilot."

"Have you ever thought about joining them?" Ikora wondered.

"I don't think I'm allowed to join their ranks because of what I did after Cayde's death in the Prison of Elders, and what I said after Michael returned from the Tangled Shore. I'm afraid the Traveler's Legend... hates me."

Without saying a word, Michael moved along, entering the annex, where the Black Armory once resided a pretty long time ago. There was a new person down there. "Look who we have here. If it ain't the Traveler's Legend."

"I guess I'm famous. I'm not really into fame. I just prefer to do what's right."

"Noble. I like you, kid."

"I'm not a kid. I'm over 1,000 years old."

"You've been around, huh?"

"You could say that."

"Call me Drifter. "The Drifter then pulled out a strange jade coin. "You lookin to get rich?" Rocco appeared, displaying Michael's account balance.

3,807,296,068 Credits

"I think I'm already good in that department." Michael stated.

The Drifter's eyes widened, his grip on the coin faltering until it fell on the floor. "You're rich as ████, punk! You won't be needin Gambit."

"Language!" Michael scolded. "And... what's 'Gambit'?"

"You don't need to know. Then again, nobody needs Gambit anymore. With the City turnin to dust, the Council out of commission, and the Taken allied with us because of the Shadow up there on the Dreadnaught, this operation of mine is goin out of business."

"What does it have to do with the Taken?"

"Nothin anymore. I might as well just drop 'em off where they belong. I ain't too big on leavin Earth, y'know? I'll stay close by. You all go on ahead."

"Suit yourself."

"Just so you know, I made a deal with the Council so they'd let me stay in the Tower, but it... crumbled with them. As I said, I'm stayin near Earth... for now. Sentimental reasons. You understand. I'll be onboard my ship."

"Have fun, Drifter. I'm heading out."

On his way back to the remains of the courtyard, Michael spotted a Guardian ship flying in. A fresh new Guardian appeared, alongside a new Ghost that was looking around, confused. "{Why is... What's going on?}"

"This is the City? Where's the Traveler?"

"{I don't know. Something must've happened while I was searching for you in pre-Golden Age Michigan.}"

Michael then confronted the newcomers. "A new Guardian, huh? From Michigan? Interesting. Anyway, I'm Michael W Johnson, 2nd Gen IMC Pilot, and the Traveler's Legend. Follow me."

12:47 PM
07/28/3273

Planet Korj - Angel City District 10: Phoenix Central
Sim Chamber

Music
Destiny 2 - The Last City

A while later, Michael and the new Guardian, Nolan January, arrived at Phoenix Central. "So I take it you're new to being a Guardian?" Michael asked.

"Yeah. Recently revived."

"Well, we've managed to gain some readings and telemetry from other Guardians in the field, so we actually managed to manufacture and program new Sim Pods specifically designed to train Guardians. I'll monitor your training."

Michael and Nolan entered two Sim Pods, but with the former's access codes, Michael was able to enter the latter's simulation to oversee the new Guardian's progress.

Music
Metroid: Other M - Briefing

HAMMOND INDUSTRIES GUARDIAN TRAINING POD

Initializing simulation modules...

HAMMOND INDUSTRIES
GUARDIAN ABILITY
SIMULATOR

Guardian Training Module 2-1
[ Arcstrider ]

They entered the first module. "Welcome to Hammond Guardian Ability Simulator. The abilities of all three Guardian disciplines have been mapped out. Your Ghost has registered you as a: Hunter." Multiple Spectres with red lights were rezzed in, nothing more than simulated targets. "You may summon your Arc Staff."

In Nolan's hands, a staff of surging electricity appeared, allowing the new Guardian to shock and drop the virtual foes.

"Excellent. Now engaging: Way of the Current. Use the Whirlwind Guard and deflect enemy projectiles." Another Spectre appeared, opening fire with an EPG.

Nolan brought back out the Arc Staff, spinning it around to knock the projectiles right back at the enemy. "Well done."

Guardian Training Module 2-2
[ Gunslinger ]

More Spectres appeared, but just three of them. "Summon the Golden Gun and destroy the targets." Nolan pumped his right arm into the air, causing a flaming pistol to appear in his hand, allowing him to take aim fire off three shots, each hitting its mark.

"Impressive. Now engaging: Way of a Thousand Cuts. Your Golden Gun has been replaced with the Blade Barrage. Use your Blade Barrage to clear the area." A large group of virtual Stalkers appeared. Nolan jumped into the air, throwing out a large volley of flaming, explosive blades. Everything in his wake was destroyed. "Nicely done."

Guardian Training Module 2-3
[ Nightstalker ]

A few more Spectres appeared, each without a weapon, yet exhibiting an orange glow. Simulated Suicide Spectres. "Summon the Shadowshot and tether your targets."
A purple bow appeared in Nolan's left hand, allowing him to release a single shot, which turned into a tethering field, pulling in the targets and causing them to detonate.

"Impressive. Now engaging: Way of the Wraith. Your Shadowshot has been replaced with Spectral Blades. Use your Spectral Blades to eliminate all targets." Simulated Spectres appeared, actively scanning the area, ready to fire with V-47 Flatlines.

Nolan summoned a pair of blades, vanishing into a moving shadow, then struck the first Spectre from invisibility. He destroyed them all, and he didn't even sustain any damage. "Exemplary moves, Guardian. You are now ready to take your Light into the field."

Music
Destiny 2 - The Last City

Both Sim Pods opened up, allowing the two to exit. "Great session in there. Looks like you've got the hang of it. The Guardian armory will have the weapons and armor you need."

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

We have another new Guardian.

The IMC could do what the Vex cannot. We can simulate the abilities of a Guardian.

See you guys next time.