Tormented

by AceArcalas

"Ianos is old. Very old. And with age comes with experience... and scars. He has seen many things, things that you two could never imagine. And don't you dare say that other Guardians of the same age 'recovered' from their experiences. They never do, at least, not completely. Every Veteran Guardian is tormented by an event in their past. Always."

4. Pluto-99 (REVAMPED)

Tormented

Pluto-99

Anyway, another heads up, this chapter will mainly focus on other characters besides Ianos (as you will see later on why) and will focus more on their personality and/or backstory as time goes along.

Enjoy :D

Edited: 5/20/2017

Took a while but finally fixed this chapter as I was not please with the ending results on the old version.

---

Hearing the incapacitated Warlock wheeze and gasp as he writhed on his cot, Angel finally understood why Carina had asked to take over the controls of the ship instead of keeping an eye on the Awoken. Though they had hardly known him for a few days, watching a fellow Guardian writhe in agony is painful to watch.

Shifting nervously on his knees, Angel glanced around, taking in the single space with nothing more but the controls located in the front and the cot located in the back of the ship, leaving enough walking space between the two. Although plain in his sight, the Hunter just thanked the Traveler that Ianos' ship held enough room to house the three of them. Turning his gaze back towards the black and orange Ghost scanning the Warlock's helmet in an attempt to repair it, Angel then turned his green hues towards the opening on the fellow Guardian's exposed helmet, taking in the sight.

The familiar pale azure skin patterned with shifting white mist holds Ianos' statement as an Awoken true. Alongside the glowing orange eyes that flickered behind his lids as the Warlock took in rapid breaths, Angel also spied dark azure strands move around Ianos' eyes as he tossed and turn, the dark blue strands seemingly glowing beneath the dim lights of the ship.

"Damn."

Snapped out of his thoughts, Angel glanced over at Ace, watching the Ghost turn and narrow their orange optic at the female Titan, "Can't you drive this ship any faster? He's getting worse as we speak."

"Shut it, I'm driving as fast as I can," Seeing Carina glance over her shoulder, Angel can easily sense the glare behind her visor, "I am not use to the controls of his ship. It's all outdated and ancient. What is he driving? A rust bucket?"

"We had this ship right when the Tower was built," Ace retorted, "With limited parts and supplies, we didn't have much of a choice but to stick with this one." The Ghost scoffed as they returned to repairing Ianos' gear, "We were lucky that Ms. Holiday is generous enough to give us upgrades when we needed them."

"Can't you just buy a new ship from her?" The Exo asked as she shifted the controls, causing the ship to tilt a tad to the right, shifting course, "She has plenty in storage."

"When we have a perfectly working ship? Not needed" Ace's parts twirled as they continued to work, "That's what Ianos says anyways."

This earned a snicker from the Titan, "What? He likes to keep every glimmer?"

"Ianos likes to save as much as he can for equipment," Ace answered, "He says 'decorative' items are not needed, in which he believes jumpships are part of that category."

"But this outdated?" Carina grunted as she finally forced the controls to the left, causing the ship to take a sharp turn, nearly tossing Angel off his seat and causing Ace to let out a cry as the Warlock slowly slid out of his cot.

"Careful!" Ace yelled as the ship finally steadied itself, Angel quickly regaining his footing and pulled Ianos back onto his bed, "Don't force it like that! You'll-"

Almost instantly, a 'snap' echoed through the hull, causing everyone to go silent as Carina lifted up her hand, a piece of the stick visible in her grasp as sparks came from the exposed wires.

"…Oops?" Was all the Exo could utter before the ship started to descend.

Xxxxx

"Ikora? Lady Ikora?"

Glancing up from the reports placed in front of her, the female Warlock turned to her Ghost, the familiar white form bobbing in front of her as she spoke, "Yes? Is there something you need?"

"Incoming Transmission," The Ghost announced, causing Ikora's brows to furrow as she asked, "From who?"

"Uh," The Ghost hesitated, her parts scrunched together around her singular optic, "Just… take a listen."

With that, the Ghost spread her parts apart and almost immediately, frantic screaming over took the room, causing all the Vanguard and everyone present to glance over.

"We're going down! We're going down!"

"Angel?" Cayde lifted himself up from his crouching position over the table.

"I told you to be careful!"

"How can I be careful if this hunk of a junk can't even take a turn!?"

"Is that…Carina?" Zavala asked, earning a bewildered look from his fellow companions.

"Angel to the Tower! We're going down!" The Hunter's frantic voice echoed through the room once more, "Carina had been too rough with the controls-"

"It's ancient!"

"Cannot control the descent! I have taken over and heading to the Hangar! Prepare for a rough landing! I repeat! Prepare for a rough landing!"

With the Hunter's message sent, Ikora's Ghost then shifted her parts back together, causing silence to fill the room.

"Well," Cayde coughed, "Already having fun on their first mission together."

"This is no time for jokes," Zavala frowned, "Warn everyone to evacuate the Hangar and get medics ready to be on standby."

"Don't worry, Angel is a great pilot."

It was then Ikora glanced over, her golden eyes blank as she stated, "Great pilot or not, a ship descending at break neck speeds is still a dangerous matter."

"…Right." The Exo Hunter coughed once more, "So, shall we get ready to greet them then?"

Xxxxx

"I can't believe you managed to break the landing gear too!" Angel yelled as he messed with the controls, the ship wildly moving side by side in response, "and of all the time to break! It has to be near the Tower!"

"This ship is a rust bucket!" Carina retorted as she held onto the bars connected on the walls of the vessel, "not my fault it breaks like a twig!" She stumbled as the ship rumbled, "and who the hell places a landing stick next to the power stick!?"

"Says the Exo who doesn't even know her own strength!" Sighting the familiar Plaza filled with the bustling forms of Soldiers of the Light, panic settled in the human Hunter's chest. Twisting the controls to the right, Angel felt the ship take a sharp turn but not before he felt the floor beneath him rumble, flinching when the familiar sound of scraping metal echoed through the air.

"Great pilot my ass!"

"Shut up!" Angel gritted his teeth, his green eyes scanning the edge of the Tower before he sighted the familiar gates of the Hangar, "Hang on!"

With that, he pulled up on the controls, causing the ship to tilt upwards and almost immediately, the sound of grinding metal once again rang through the air followed by groaning of the ships cockpit. Then suddenly, Angel felt himself lurch forward when he felt the ship come to a suddenly halt, feeling himself being thrown out of the seat and pain crawling up his head, arms and chest. The edges of his vision blurring, the human Hunter let out a groan as he pressed his hands against the floor, pushing himself into a seated position as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"We're alive!"

Turning his gaze towards the Exo Titan, Angel watched as Carina lifted herself onto her feet, Ace floating up from the floor as they shook themselves side to side, "I take back what I have said before, you're an amazing pilot!"

Shaking his head to clear his vision, Angel stated, "Just, ugh, for an apology, just, help me with Ianos, alright?"

"Oh, right."

Watching the Exo tend to the Warlock, who had somehow amazingly stayed on the cot, Angel heaved out another groan as he kept his grip on the chair to steady himself, rubbing his helmet in a vain attempt to relieve the throbbing in his head.

"Get ready for transmat," Ace stated as he watched Carina nervously wrapped the wheezing Warlock around her neck, lifting him on her back as she turned her gaze at the Ghost, both of whom disappeared moments later.

Having watched the two leave, Angel heaved out another sigh before lifting up his hand, the familiar form of his Ghost appearing in his palm, "Hope."

"On it."

Feeling the familiar sensation of floating, Angel waited when his vision went white, prepping himself until he felt nothing but air beneath his feet, and color coming into his field of vision once more. Squaring out his feet to land, the Hunter waited until the dull throbbing in his head faded and then pushed himself up from his kneeling position, just in time to see Carina lean Ianos on a wall, the Warlock taking in a shaky breath as she did so.

"He doesn't look so good," The Exo stated as Angel approached her, Ianos' Ghost floating nearby the gasping Warlock, "What's wrong with him anyway?"

"That's-That's none of your concern!" Ace's parts shifted close together around their optic, "all I can say is that he can't survive without his armor."

"You told us that already!" Carina removed her helmet, revealing her violet optics narrowing in frustration, "What we don't know is 'why' he has that armor on. Did he gain a serious injury back then? And if yes, why can't you just heal him?"

"It's more complicated than that!" Ace retorted, their orange optic flaring as they added, "If I had wanted to heal him, I would have done so long ago! But I can't tell you because what he has, he's already being scorned for it already!"

"I…what?" The Exo stated, reeling back at the Ghost's words, "What do you-"

"See, told you guys that Angel is a great pilot."

Turning around to snap their gaze back behind them, the Guardian pair blinked as the familiar hooded figure of the Exo Hunter came into view with Ikora and Zavala not too far behind, a group of three humans clad in white following behind them; medics Angel guessed.

"Is everyone alright?" Angel watched as Zavala paused, his glowing silver eyes blinking; the human Hunter can take a guess that he spotted the shivering form of Ianos.

Seeing the Warlock Vanguard heave out a sigh in response to this, Angel watched as Ikora waved for the medics to move. However, to the human Hunter's surprise, he saw hesitation clear in their eyes as they took tentative steps forward but stopping just short of the incapacitated Guardian. Letting Ace's words ring in the back of his mind, Angel watched as Ikora heaved out another sigh and then narrowing her bronze hues at the trio; this was convincing enough for the three to approach the Awoken Warlock.

"Oh no," Blinking as Ace's form zipped in between Ianos and the three medics, Angel couldn't help but reel back when the former stated, "I am not letting these 'three' treat Ianos."

"He is in obvious pain," The Human Hunter easily heard the bewilderment in the Warlock Vanguard's voice, "You are willing to let your Guardian suffer because you do not trust the medics in front of you?"

"If Ianos was able and in not obvious pain to speak, then he'll say he would rather have Matt than these 'medics' here." Angel watched as Ace nodded their core towards the three medics, watching the latter frown in response, "And I do not want him moved without a 'Vanguard' present."

"Ace –" Hearing Ikora pause suddenly, the human Hunter turned his attention back to the three Vanguard, just in time to see Cayde hold up a hand and turn his pale azure optics towards the female Warlock, "I'll escort him, I'll take over from here."

A frown of disapproval can easily be seen flash over Ikora's dark features, "Cayde-"

"I have to visit an old friend of mine at the infirmary," Angel watched as the Exo Hunter shrugged, "wouldn't hurt to drop Ianos off and then pay him a visit."

At first, seeing Ikora give Cayde a puzzled look, Angel couldn't help but let curiosity grow in the back of his mind when the female Vanguard's eyes soften into one of understanding, "I see." He then watched her turn her attention towards the Titan Commander, "Zavala. Let us help Hunter Angel and Titan Carina to the Hall. We need to know what occurred to understand Warlock Ianos' current state."

"If of course, they're able," Seeing the Awoken Titan turn his glowing silver eyes towards himself and Carina, Angel couldn't help but let heat rise up to his cheeks before nodding once, a confirmation for Cayde to clap his hands together once as he announced, "Alright, so it's settled." Angel then watched as the Exo Hunter pointed at one of the three medics, "You, help me get this fella onto his feet, will you?"

Watching the medic point at himself as if to confirm the Exo Hunter's words, Angel easily heard a sigh escape said medic when Cayde nodded once. Feeling a hand clamp down onto his shoulder, Angel tore his attention away from the Exo and the incapacitated Warlock, gazing into Carina's visor. Easily sensing a sheepish smile behind her helmet, Angel watched as the Exo Titan nodded her head towards the Ikora and Zavala; a sign for him to follow. Hesitating, Angel glanced back in time to see Cayde and the Medic heft Ianos onto his feet, hearing the Warlock let out a cough in response before the human Hunter forced himself to stand and followed his comrade out of the Hangar.

Xxxx

It was strange entering the section of the Tower where many Guardians dread to go, mainly for the reason that if it is something that their Ghosts can't heal, then it's something definitely serious. In other words, their Ghosts have perished in battle or the darkness had affected them in some way.

Although he himself hadn't checked into this wing of the Tower, Cayde had known plenty of other Guardians who had been checked in for different kind of afflictions; a wound given to them by a Hive Knight, a damaged Ghost unable to heal their Guardian, or their light corrupted by the Darkness itself. To those who live outside of the Tower, they would believe that not many Soldiers of Light would be found living in this area of the large complex; they are beings selected by the Traveler, a deity equivalent to a god, what out there can seriously injure a Soldier of the Traveler?

To a civilian, there would be nothing, the beings of Light seemingly immortal in their eyes. However, to the Guardians themselves, the answer is simple: many things.

Cayde would constantly see steady streams of Guardians being brought in into the Medical wing of the Tower, only to never be seen again. The Exo Hunter had seen too many of his fellow brothers and sisters concede to their injuries brought upon them by the Darkness; they already had seen too much to willingly continue to fight.

Luckily, there are those who can still be saved, all thanks to a familiar white clad form currently standing in the middle of the Hall when the Exo Hunter entered.

"Hey! Matt!"

Cayde watched as the figure snapped his brown hues away from the papers he held in his hands, only to see them widen behind dark strands when he spotted the Exo Vanguard and the Warlock he barely helped kept standing, "Don't tell me…"

"Yeah, his equipment has been damaged again," Cayde stated as Matt rushed forward, dropping his files before taking the Exo Hunter's place in keeping the Warlock steady, "and pretty badly I must add."

"Thank you for stating the obvious, Cayde," The pale human frowned as he glanced at the Awoken Warlock up and down, "I'll take over from here." Nodding his head to confirm he had heard the human Medic's words, instead of immediately leaving, Cayde stood where he was, earning a puzzled look from Matt before the latter let out a silent 'ah' of understanding.

"If you're here for Neptune, he's the second to last door down the hall," Matt nodded his head in said direction before a sigh escaped his lips, causing Cayde to glance down the corridor with concern, "All I can say is this, get ready to say your goodbyes. He's not going to last much longer."

"Now don't say that," Cayde let out a nervous smile, his optics betraying the truth, "who knows, he might be able to pull through."

"With his Ghost absent and his parts badly damaged and his light fading, I highly doubt it," Matt hesitated, "Just…just head in there. He's been asking for you the past few days anyway."

Giving the human a nod of thanks, Cayde watched as he and the other medic entered another room with Ianos in tow before the Exo started his way down the hall. Glancing at the names pasted on the doors, the Exo Vanguard finally came to a slow halt as the familiar name, 'Neptune-88' caught his attention. Standing in front of it for several moments, Cayde took in a breath before he slowly pressed a hand on the metal surface and opened the door.

Almost instantly, his sight was filled with wires hanging from the ceiling, contouring all over the room, and connecting to machines laid out on the walls. Tracing his optics to the center, Cayde instantly recognized the single occupant laying on the table as an Exo. Or, what is left of him. Of all the parts, only the head and torso were connected while as the left arm is only attached through wires. The other limbs were missing or unrecognizable, revealing the mechanics inside the Exo of his exposed parts, causing Cayde to flinch as some of the parts sparked, signifying it attempts to revive itself but quickly dying out. Carefully ducking and shifting around the wiring, Cayde made it to the single occupant, the lights from the machines and his optics the only thing illuminating the figure in front of him. Almost instantly, the Exo came to life, white lights illuminating the dark azure body as his hand shook, the optics flashing on to signify that the Exo was powered on.

"Hey, Neptune," The Hunter Vanguard greeted, his azure optics struggling to keep on his fellow Exo's face, ignoring the pieces of limbs and metal splayed out on the table; in other words, what they could retrieve of the Exo Warlock.

Moving his optics around, white lights connected with Cayde's and almost immediately a smile formed on the Exo's mouth piece. With his face fractured and dented, it was painful to watch the dark azure Exo open his mouth to speak, only for metal to scrape against each other as he spoke, "C-Cayde, it's been a while old friend."

Watching the dark azure Exo metals lips scrunch together, Cayde watched as Neptune's severed arm twitch, the body part only connected to the torso thanks to a few wires. Moments later, Neptune heaved out a sigh of defeat, "I-I-I would give you a handshake as a greeting but I guess that is not going to happen anytime soon."

This earned the broken Exo a chuckle from the Hunter, "Still trying to use that old human gesture every time you greet friends? You never change, Neptune."

The Exo just gave Cayde another smile, "S-So, what brings you here, Cayde?"

"Oh, you know, was dropping off a fellow Guardian here so I thought 'Why not?'" The Exo Hunter slowly returned the smile, "Might as well since I'm here."

"G-G-Good, good," Neptune then heaved out a content sigh as his optics dimmed, causing Cayde to worry to filter into his mind until the Exo's white lights flickered back to life, "I-I-I have a question, Cayde." His white optics traced back towards the Hunter, "D-D-Did anyone else survive?" When silence permeated the room, grief could be seen in the Exo's white optics, "A-a-anyone? Mercury? Jupiter? Saturn? Anyone?" The damaged Exo paused as he waited for an answer, "P-Pl-Please Cayde, I have been in here for years and the medics here would not tell me anything. P-please, I need to know what happened to my Fireteam."

The Exo Vanguard hesitated, his bright optics fixating onto the broken Exo, only to see the pleading in his white optics, "You want the whole story?"

Watching the Exo nod, Cayde continued, "Uranus and Jupiter were killed out in the field. Mercury made it along with you and Pluto but she died as soon as they tried to hook her up onto to machines in an attempt to keep you two alive. Saturn…" He hesitated, "She… 'retired' from Guardianship, if you understand."

"S-she got corrupted?" Neptune asked in which the Exo Hunter let out a slow nod, "L-let me guess, Pluto was the one who ended her?"

"Well, with the name 'The Executioner', who else do you think would have done it?" Cayde stated in which the Exo Warlock gave the Hunter a sheepish smile.

"S-so Pluto is the only one left then?"

"Yes."

"T-the-then can you send him a message for me?"

Cayde paused, his glowing optics staring at the broken Exo, "It's not going to be a last message, is it?"

When silence permeated the room, the Exo Hunter sighed, "I'll do it if it's not going to be a last message."

"F-Fine. I-I-It's not going to be a last message."

"…Why am I not convinced?"

"Y-you're not going to send my message otherwise."

"Alright fine, I'll do it," Cayde retorted, a ghost of a smile etching onto his metallic features. He missed their banters, "Just stay alive long enough for Pluto to send a reply, alright?"

Giving the Exo Hunter a single nod, Neptune turned his gaze towards the ceiling and let out a sigh of content as Cayde held out his hand, the familiar form of his Ghost materializing onto his palm, "Ready?"

Xxxx

"Come and get me you stinky scavengers!" A laugh escaped from the Ghost as he zoomed across the graveyard of vehicles and roads, a group of Fallen chasing after him in a rage.

"What? Can't catch a small thing like me?" He mocked, turning his flickering red optic back at the group, his scanner active from his cracked eye as he continued, "And here I thought the all mighty House of Winter are better than this!"

This in turn earned him another cry of rage, causing the Ghost to release another laugh as he turned and kept his scanner in front, narrowly dodging the rusting cars and debris.

"They're still on your tail?" A voice echoed through the Ghost's coms, in which the AI gave a reply, "Of course! They'll be ready for you in just a few seconds, hitting the dead end in-"The Ghost came to a sudden halt, his scanning eye glancing up at the rusted building in front of him, twirling around only to find himself with no escape route, "Now."

"Hold them steady."

His flickering optic blinking once, the Ghost turned and faced the Fallen scavengers, a group of three dregs and a single Vandal, all of which was slowly closed in on the small AI. Holding up their shock blades, a low rumble emitted from the Vandal, an Eliksni equivalent to a chuckle while the Dreg surrounding it held up their own daggers, their high pitched chanting showing their excitement for a rare catch.

"Hi there fellas!" The Ghost announced, his optic turning completely blank as the AI slowly glided backwards, trying to keep a distance between him and the enclosing Scavengers, "Didn't expect you guys to catch up to me, especially likes this!" The AI let out a shout as he glided up, narrowly dodging a swipe from one of the Dregs, "I enjoyed this game of tag but I think-" He glided just out of reach of another Dreg's grasp, "I think it is time to end this charade."

Almost immediately, three consecutive 'bangs' echoed through the air, followed by the heads of the Dregs exploding in a mass of metal and flesh, their precious ether letting out a 'hiss' before their bodies landed with a 'thud' on the marshy hearth. Shocked and angered, the Vandal twirled its head in the direction of the sound of the fired shots, only for its own head to explode in turn, more Fallen meat raining down onto the ground as its body followed suit.

Blinking once, the rusted Ghost shook his body, shaking off the remnants of Fallen blood and flesh from his parts before he turned his attention towards one of the rotting buildings, "Nice shot! Four out of four! Just like you, Pluto!"

Cloaked in black and gray, a figure climbed out of the window from the shadows, landing on his feet easily as he held the sniper rifle in his hands. Glancing up at his Ghost through his black visor of his helmet, the Hunter responded, "They're just Fallen. Easy prey." He then walked up to the corpses, kneeling down and placing his hand on the body of the Vandal, "H'm, except for a Shock Blade, nothing much."

"What about its ether tubes?" The Ghost glided over, his flickering red optics coming to life momentarily to scan the body, "that costs a nice handful of glimmer back at the Tower."

This earned the Ghost a scoff, "And return to that place of children? No, I'd rather stay here, on Venus, where there's plenty of prey to hunt."

Pushing himself up onto his feet, the black and grey clad Hunter nodded his head towards his ghost, "Come on, Nix, lets head back to camp."

"Oh! Resting for the night?" The Ghost exclaimed as he glided over the shoulder of his Guardian, "Why not another day? We're still up and about and full of energy."

"Normally I would, but my joints are starting to get clogged," Pluto responded, moving his shoulders which released small squeaks, proving the Hunter's point, "Time to get most of what's restricting my joints out before it gets me killed. Again."

"Oh, right," The Ghost hummed to himself, "then can you tune me up as well?" His parts twirled once, causing them to squeak, "I haven't had a tune up in a while myself."

Glancing over at his comrade, a ghost of a smile phase over the Hunter's metallic features, "Why not? Won't help your looks though."

This earned a huff from his Ghost, the latter of which was rusted and covered in moss, "Says you. You don't look good yourself."

He received another smile, "Then again, I think neither of us have a say, don't you think? Our eyes don't exactly work."

"Good point," The Ghost hummed, before he let out his scanner, scanning his partner as they walked. Instantly, Nix recognized the black and grey gear that his Guardian wore as the image slowly updated into his memory banks but, also grimaced at the tears and dirt that had rubbed itself into the protective material, slowly making its way into the Exo's mechanical parts and in turn, getting gunk and dirt into his joints and underneath his metallic shell, "I seriously think we still should head to the Tower and get a nice clean up someday."

This earned the Ghost another scoff, "We will later."

"You said that several years ago," Nix scrunched his parts together in a pout, "Seriously Pluto, if we don't get ourselves cleaned, our parts are going to get clogged. Just like you are now!"

"We can do it ourselves."

"…You just said we're both blind." The Ghost glided in front of his partner, "we can't get every nook and cranny."

Hearing his Guardian come to a slow pause, Nix came to a stop as well, his blind optic blinking once as they stood in silence before Pluto heaved out a sigh, "Fine, but we're only going back if we get a message from the Tower."

"Like that's going to happen," Nix muttered as he heard his partner move forward again, gliding after the Guardian as he stated, "When was the last time we got a message from the Tower?"

"Right when we left that place," Pluto responded as he crouched, his knees skidding across the marshy hearth before he sensed the opening in front of him, the smell of smoke and wood signaling to him that they made it to camp, "when Mercury died."

Nix came to a sudden halt, his blank optic staring into space, "You know Pluto, Exo anatomy is still unknown, no matter how much of Exo biology we find in Golden Age tech, right?"

This earned the rusted Ghost a sigh, "I know, I know, I…I feel like they didn't try hard enough to save her." Pluto reached up and pulled his hood down, revealing his charcoal helmet corroded from time and grime smeared onto its surface, "She was in agony when they brought her in and she died in agony as the darkness devoured her light." Another sigh escaped the Hunter's lips, "She didn't have to pass like that."

"They did everything they could, Pluto," Nix comforted as he glided over to his Guardian, "with little to no information on Exo anatomy, they couldn't risk going in and messing with her parts, especially when many of it was already missing." Shifting his parts around his blank optic, Nix added, "At least they were able to stabilize Neptune."

"But with his Ghost dead, Neptune will forever be a cripple," Pluto crawled over near his fire, his hands pressing down on the familiar cement block he uses as a seat, "unable to move or even disconnect from the machines keeping him alive, and even then, it's a temporary solution. Who knows how much longer he will survive."

"He'll pull through," Nix let out his scanner, scanning the ground in from of him until he reached his partner, lifting his optic so he can locate his Guardian's shoulder. Turning off his scanner, Nix then proceeded to glide over, "You know how Neptune is, he's well known in getting out of a scrap."

Pluto heaved out another sigh, "There used to be so many of us. We use to be a Clan, not a Fireteam." The Hunter latched his fingers together on his lap, his grip tightening as he added, "Now look at us, the infamous Clan Galaxy consisting of only Exos now dwindled down to two, and one of them of can't even move."

"And we can't just recruit anyone?" Nix asked, in which he gained a nod as response, "Yes, there are certain…requirements in joining." Pluto let out a scoff, "and there are many Exos who are resurrecting with memories of their original name." The Hunter leaned back on his seat, "Lucky bastards."

"Speaking of Exos," Nix let out a few clicks, "Cayde is calling us." This caused the rusted Ghost to earn a look from his Guardian.

"…You're joking," Pluto retorted, earning a chuckle from the Ghost.

"No, I am quite serious, I recognize the frequency anywhere, and it's Cayde."

Keeping his blank gaze on his Ghost, the Exo Hunter brought up his hand, the former gliding over to his palm and disconnected his joints.

"Hello? Pluto you there? This is Cayde-6 of the Vanguard."

"I know who you are," Pluto responded, the abrupt reply causing the Exo on the other line to pause, "What do you want?"

"H'm, still a bit sour I see," The Exo Hunter frowned behind his helmet, "Anyway, I would stay and have a pleasant chat but I'll just get to the point." Cayde cleared his throat, "Message from Neptune to Pluto."

This immediately caught the corroded Exo's attention, "A message? From Neptune? How is he?" Pluto stood up abruptly, "Is he still awake? I want to talk to him!"

"Woah, woah, calm down there, Lovebird. He just woke up, he's not strong enough to relay the message himself, so he asked me, a dependable Exo that I am, to relay it to you in his stead."

"…You? Dependable?"

"Shut up. Anyway, he said to tell you that he doesn't have much time left. Neptune is handing the title of Leader to you."

"Me? But-"

"He said not to complain about it and accept it like a real Hunter you are…which, doesn't really make sense when you think about it but anyway, he also said that the fate of Fireteam Galaxy is in your hands now and to come and visit him as soon as you can. Neptune wants to see you one last time before he passes."

"Wait, passes?" Pluto's optics widen, "What do you mean 'passes'?"

"He fought for a long time, Lovebird, he says that it is time for him to stop fighting and accept that it is a fight that he isn't going to win."

"…So this is it? He's just going to pass just like that? Not even going to put up a fight?"

"He put up a fight for decades, 'Hunter'. It is time for Neptune to rest."

The abrupt change in tone of the Hunter Vanguard's voice caused a strained silence to permeate through Pluto's makeshift camp, the only sound emitting from Nix's coms, the Ghost blinking uncomfortably against his Guardian's palm.

"You know as well as I do, Pluto, that not all fights can be won."

"…I know."

"…See you back at the Tower?"

"…Yes, just give…give me a moment to prepare."

With that, Pluto dropped his hand, startling his Ghost as he struggled to keep himself afloat while as trying to sort his parts back together. His plates squeaking as they finally set itself back into place, Nix glided over until he bumped into his Guardian's hand, "Pluto? You alright?"

Feeling the Hunter's hand twitch, Nix scooted closer into his Guardian's palm, feeling the Exo's fingers gently wrap around his shell.

"They say Exos cannot cry," Pluto whispered, "But that does not mean they cannot feel sorrow."

Feeling his Guardian's fingers tremble around his shell, Nix cuddled closer, letting out a hum of comfort as Pluto fell to his knees, his shoulders shaking as he grieved.

Xxx

"Warlock Ianos killed the Archon on his own?"

With her helmet absent, her facial structures were clearly visible as metallic parts scrunched together into an Exo equivalent of a pout, Carina couldn't help but cross her arms as she muttered, "He did have some help."

"But he dealt the finishing blow," Angel reminded, causing the female Titan to pout even further in her seat.

"Exceptional as always," Seeing Ikora nod in approval, Carina watched as the female Warlock turned her gaze to Zavala, only to see the Titan Commander frown, "If you call 'overkill' exceptional."

Immediately, the shining look in the Warlock Vanguard's eyes quickly darkened, prompting Carina to lower herself in her seat as Zavala returned the glare. Moments later, she asked, "Did we, miss something here?"

"If you call letting the Warlock stay or exile him 'something' then, no, there isn't."

Jumping at the familiar voice of Cayde echoing into the room, Carina only had the time to glance over to the entrance of the hall as Zavala's voice spoke out, "Cayde, that was confidential information you just released."

Seeing the Hunter Vanguard nonchalantly lock his fingers together in front of him, the female Titan couldn't help but think that he had more to say but silently walked over to his spot at the table.

"Wait, exile?" It was Angel who asked the question, "Why exile Ianos? What did he do?"

"That is just a part in our little decision making." Carina watched the Exo Hunter shrug, "Although, I would prefer exile over execution if I were him."

"Cayde."

"They have every right to know," Carina jumped at Cayde's retort, blinking as the seemingly laid-back Vanguard was replaced with one who had enough, "The three of us agreed that they are his new Fireteam, correct? Then they should know at least what's going on."

"Cayde." It was Ikora who spoke however, unlike the stern tone she held before, the female Titan instead heard one that was softer and laced with concern, "Cayde, you seem a bit tense. Did something happen between you and your friend?"

No sooner had the female Vanguard's words permeate through the room when Carina saw grief fill into Cayde's optics, however, his posture still held an air of confidence as he stated, "Right. I almost forgot to mention that I finally made contact with Lovebird." The Exo Titan raised a brow at the name, "He should be coming here soon."

"Pluto-99?" Carina turned her gaze to Zavala, "Why now? Every attempt to call him back to the Tower was met with no contact."

"That would be because of my friend," Turning her attention back towards Cayde, the sorrow in his optics were now prominent, taking only moments for Carina to put the pieces together.

"He's dying, isn't he?" It was Ikora who asked the question formulating in the younger Guardian's mind, Carina shifting herself in her seat as her violet optics expectantly stared at the Hunter Vanguard for an answer.

"Not much longer now." Hearing his response, the female Titan turned her gaze to Angel, seeing the same bewildered but empathetic look in his green hues. Then, she watched as the human Hunter lean forward in his seat, "If I may ask, who is Pluto-99?" Carina felt all eyes turn to Angel, "And this who is this friend of yours, Cayde?"

Taking note of Angel's willingness to ask questions, Carina turned her attention back to Cayde, the latter of which let out a low hum as he removed his knife from his sheathe, "Have you two ever heard of the clan, Galaxy?"

Confusion immediately settling into her mind, the female Titan stayed silent as she opted for Angel to answer for both of them, "No?"

Carina heard Cayde let out another hum, "Well, I'm not too surprised, considering their numbers have dwindled down just enough to form a Fireteam." Watching him fiddle with his knife in his hands, the female Titan stayed silent, signaling to the Hunter Vanguard to continue, "After the loss of their original numbers, Galaxy went underground, making it a priority to scout out unknown areas to mark for reclamation. The six that survived were Mercury- 11, Jupiter-50, Saturn-67, Uranus -71, Pluto-99, and their leader, Neptune-88."

Taking in the names of the clan members, Carina's violet optics widen as she put together a pattern, "All Exos?"

"All Exos." Seeing Cayde nod, the female Titan waited in anticipation as the Vanguard Hunter continued to play with his knife in his hands, "But they were 'special', if you can call it that. The members consisting of the clan were known to have undergone a memory wipe so 'deep' that their true names were gone alongside their memories. As such, when they were resurrected-"

"We had no true name to go by."

The sudden introduction of a new voice snapped Carina's attention away from Cayde and turned her gaze towards the entrance of the Hall and immediately, she paused. Standing at the entrance was a Hunter, however, his black and gray attire was torn and covered in the elements, as if he simply had left the Tower and not once looked back. As he took steady strides into the room, a trail of grime and the smell of marsh followed behind him, causing anyone nearby to shuffle away. As she watched him walk past her, Carina's violet optics spotted the white patterns of planets and stars on the backside of his tattered cloak, causing her mind to fumble the clues together as he came to a pause near Cayde. How he was able to tell where the Hunter Vanguard was caused Carina to give the Hunter a bewildered look, as his corroded helmet was tucked under his arm, revealing the white piece of metal that seemingly melded over his optics, obscuring his view. Nonetheless, he placed his helmet on the table before Carina heard the newcomer add, "We found each other through the years, staying close as nameless synthetics while we struggled to keep our place within the Guardians, finding no purpose until an Exo claimed the name Sun-7." Hearing him pause, Carina waited as the Hunter seemingly turned his blind gaze towards everyone in the room, "They gave us a purpose, helping us gain a name from the very galaxy we live in to remind ourselves of our objective: To reclaim what we had lost. As such, was the Galaxy Clan born."

"Lovebird" Carina couldn't help but snicker at Cayde's nickname, "How's it – Traveler! Pluto! When was the last time you cleaned yourself!?" The female Titan watched with mild amusement as Cayde took several steps back, surprise clear in his pale optics, "You really let yourself go."

Carina saw the Exo in question shrug, "That's what happens when you spend decades out in the wilds."

"But even 'I' don't even let myself go that far." The Exo Vanguard scanned the black and grey Hunter up and down, "even before I joined the Vanguard."

Seeing the dark clad Hunter turn his blind optics towards Cayde, the female Exo easily can sense the amused smile forming on Pluto's metallic features, "For a Hunter, you are quite vain on your outlook, Cayde."

"Hey now," Although his face contorted into one of being offended, Carina can easily tell from his tone he took it with a grain of salt, the edges of his voice holding a tinge of play, "I'm not 'that' vain."

As if to confirm Carina's suspicions of the two 'teasing' each other, she heard the blind Exo let out a chuckle, hearing him say nothing as the female Exo watched him turn his hidden gaze towards herself and Angel, "Who are these young lights here?"

"Oh right," Instantly, the playfulness that Carina had sensed from the Hunter Vanguard dissipated and she can feel uneasiness shifting from his shoulders, "This is Angel and Carina -23, they are, Ianos' new Fireteam."

No sooner had Cayde's answer left his lips when the smile on Pluto's face faded and Carina then felt rage ooze off the dark clad Hunter, "New…Fireteam?" At first, bewildered by his words, the female Titan then jumped as the blind Exo suddenly slammed a palm onto the table, easily causing it to rumble and the items on its surface scatter, "Did he not say he did not want a Fireteam!?"

Hearing the anger in his voice, Carina's violet optics slowly turned towards the Vanguard, amazed at how well composed they kept their features neutral and their shoulders held high; a sign that this was not the first time they had seen the Exo Hunter's frustrations.

"How many times did Ianos say he did not a want a Fireteam!?" She heard Pluto snarl, "He said he does not want another one and yet you assigned him one anyway!?"

"It has been years, Pluto," Carina watched as Ikora's bronze gaze narrowed, "It was time for him to move on and-"

"His previous teams were more than just a 'team'!" Another fist on the table caused Carina to reel her attention back onto the dark clad Hunter, "They were his family! His friends! There is a reason why he decided to work alone, Ikora! He gets too attached! Too connected! He cannot take another loss!"

Soaking in the words of the Exo in front of her, Carina took the time to turn her gaze towards Angel, seeing the wide-eyed expression on his face as his hands clenched the arms of his seat tightly; it seems he was taken aback from Pluto's outburst. And so was Carina. But seeing Angel part his lips, the Exo Titan knew that his surprise did little to stop him from sating his curiosity.

"What do you mean when you say he's 'too attached'?"

Seeing Pluto snap his blind gaze towards Angel, Carina easily see the younger Hunter's shoulders tense, his green hues growing wider as he felt the dark clad Hunter's piercing gaze. Although no sooner had the Exo Hunter fixated his gaze upon the human Hunter, Carina can also sense the rage subtly subside; it showed to Carina that Pluto has some control over where he directed his anger.

"Ianos is an emotional individual." Doubt immediately lingered into the female Titan's mind, "He's too empathetic. He bonds himself to fellow Guardians too easily to the point where even upon a short meeting, he feels like it his responsibility to keep them safe."

Letting the memories of the Warlock's treatment towards both herself and Angel during the mission flash in her mind, Carina couldn't help but let the doubt grow before she couldn't contain herself any longer, "Emotional? Empathetic? You sure we are talking about the same 'Ianos' here? He was condescending and rude to both Angel and I during our time with him." She let out a scoff as she added, "Emotional? Empathetic? He is none of those things. If anything, he is a selfish prat who had gotten what he had deserved."

No sooner had her words left her lips when she saw Pluto turn his gaze towards her and when she sensed the rage return to his posture, Carina couldn't help but let a small tinge of regret grow in the back of her mind. This regret turned into one of fear as the Hunter disappeared from her sight before Carina felt a force pull her seat away from the table, turn it around and felt hands slam into the arms of her chair, causing her to snap her arms close to her chest. Taking in a gulp, Carina lifted her gaze unsteadily to stare into the white sheet of metal that covered Pluto's optics although, she didn't have to seem them to sense the unbridled fury emitting behind them.

"Tell me, 'tiny' light." The Exo Titan took in a shuddering breath, straightening out her posture to keep herself composed; she wasn't going to go down without a fight, "Have you ever experienced loss? The pain of losing someone you called friend and family for years?" Carina barely had time to comprehend Pluto's words before she saw him lean in, prompting her to keep a neutral expression as his face stopped mere centimeters from hers, "That agony is something you can never imagine 'little' light. So, don't you 'dare' speak as if you already know Ianos, 'especially' since you hardly even known him for more than a few days."

Seeing Pluto finally pull away from her, the Exo Titan still kept her guard up however, placed her hands back onto the arms of her chair as the blind Hunter took steps back, "And here I thought the Vanguard knew how to place Fireteam members that know how to 'compliment' each other. Are the three of you turning that incompetent of your positions?"

"Pluto-"

"Don't 'Pluto' me." The female Exo wonders how Pluto can easily interrupt the head of the Vanguard so easily; she ponders if it's the 'years' she can sense emitting from the dark clad Hunter, "I was called back to the Tower and the first thing I heard when I landed was talk about 'exile' and 'execution'. Care to explain?"

Immediately, the room went silent, and if there was anyone that the Exo Titan currently pities for, it is the three Vanguard currently standing around the table behind her; and from the way Pluto let out a sound of annoyance, he wasn't too pleased at the lack of an answer. Although that didn't stop her violet optics from going wide when Pluto removed a scout rifle from his back, "Are you going to answer or is my gun going to have to make you talk?" As if to emphasize his words, he pulled on the small lever on the side, Carina hearing the familiar 'click', signaling that it was indeed loaded.

"Put that away!" It was Cayde, "No need to resort to violence! We'll talk about it! Just, just put that gun away, alright?"

Hearing Pluto let out a scoff, Carina let out a breath of relief when Pluto sheathed his weapon onto his back before hearing the Vanguard Hunter mutter behind her, "By the Traveler, now I see where Ianos gets his violent side from."

Immediately, the Exo Titan sensed the glare Pluto shot at the Exo Vanguard, "What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Another scoff left the blind Exo's lips before he nodded his head; a sign for the Vanguard to start talking.

"It's the darkness within him," Carina's optics widen at Zavala's words, "We came to believe that it is-"

"Only temporary." The young Titan reeled back at Pluto's growl, "He can fight it off."

"It is consuming his light," The female Exo didn't have to turn around to sense the frown on Zavala's features, "If we leave him be any longer, it will completely devour him which will lead to two scenarios: His death or he will turn into a vessel of Darkness." Carina heard Angel cough next to her, "The risks of letting him stay here is too high. If he indeed does turn to the Darkness, he will endanger everyone around him. We cannot let him stay in the Tower any longer."

"So, exile is the answer?" Carina heard Pluto hiss, "or was that the plan over execution?"

"We are trying to find a solution to this, Pluto." It was Ikora who spoke next, Carina hearing her tone staying even and calm, "We are also discussing whether he is applicable to stay and live out the rest of his years here."

"Of which, knowing the Vanguard, he will be under heavy watch and cannot leave the Tower unless without an escort, correct?" Pluto snarled, "and let me guess, with someone who is willing to 'do the job' if things go wrong?"

"Look, Pluto, I understand why you are upset-"

"He can fight it off!" Carina jumped at Pluto's outburst, "I have been executing fellow Guardians since the day I was resurrected! How else do you think I have earned the alias 'The Executioner'!? I have been doing it for years! So I know what I am saying when I say not all Guardians succumb to the darkness that taint their light!"

Seeing the blind Hunter take in a breath, Carina sat idly in her seat as the former added, "He survived this long, did he not? He survived years, decades, with his light tainted by the darkness and the first few years without the aid of his 'system'." A sigh then escaped from Pluto, "I need to speak to Neptune about this. Alone." Watching the blind Exo lift his gaze, the Exo Titan once again sensed the glare emitting behind his makeshift blindfold, "And if you do 'anything' to Ianos while I am around, then I 'will' make you pay."

The female Titan choked at Pluto's threat, her optics wide as the Hunter exited the Hall, "He-He just threatened you." Carina turned her seat around, her violet optics falling upon the Vanguard, "He just threatened you! The Vanguard! The supposed 'best' of their class! How can he-"

"We heard you Carina," The female Titan paused as Cayde wrung his hands nervously together, "Here I thought things would go smoothly with him."

"Does anything go smoothly with Pluto-99?" A sigh escaped from Ikora as Carina watched Zavala pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Titan Carina, Hunter Angel." The Exo Guardian sat up straight in attention, "You are dismissed. Make sure everything you heard in here is kept to yourselves." Carina blinked, "'Everything'."

"But-"

"Now!"

Startled at the sudden raise in volume from the Titan Commander, Carina jumped up from her seat, stumbling over her feet as she exited the Hall, hearing Angel's quick footsteps follow behind her.

"Do you think what they said in there is true?" The female Exo paused at her comrade's question, "That Ianos is infected with the Darkness?"

Pondering on the questions of the human Hunter, Carina opted to say nothing, and instead remained silent as they made the small trek to their quarters.

Xxxx

"Hello how can I help – Pluto?" Hearing the surprise in the Medic's voice, Pluto opted to say nothing as he came to a pause just short of Matt's position, "When did you get here, and you're a mess."

"We'll catch up later, Matt," The Exo Hunter sensed the bewildered stare, "but first, a visit."

Hearing nothing but silence permeate between the two of them, Pluto once again opted to say nothing, and soon heard Matt let out a sound of understanding, "Make it quick, I highly suspect he is going to pass soon."

Giving the medic a nod in thanks, Pluto headed down the hallway, holding out his palm as he heard the familiar sound of his Ghost materializing into view, "Nix, scan the doors for me."

Hearing Nix let out a click in confirmation, the Exo Hunter then heard the familiar sound of scans echoing in his auditory sensors, sensing the light emitting from the source in his palm.

"Here," Nix announced as Pluto sensed the light fade from his Ghost's optics, causing him to come to a pause, "Ready?"

Instead of immediately responding, a nervous smile flashed onto his metallic features before Pluto reached out with one hand and pressed his hand against to what he believes to be the door. Tracing the frame, his hand came to a familiar panel on the side, prompting him to press his hand into the slot and the familiar brush of air of the door sliding open rang into the air. Taking in a breath, Pluto slid his hand away from the frame and took a step inside. Almost immediately, he felt something thin and wiry snag around his face and neck, and instantly, his body screamed for him to swat them away, the lack of sight setting his senses into overdrive. But Pluto forced the panic down with pure experience and will, telling himself quietly that the very things snagging around his neck was the machines keeping his Fireteam leader alive. As such, Pluto held out his hand again, the familiar rusted form of Nix materializing into the air.

"Nix."

"On it."

Hearing his Ghost let out another click, the familiar sound of Nix's parts expanding hummed into the air before he sensed light flash all around him. Then just as quickly as it appeared, it faded, "Data sent."

Standing patiently, Pluto waited until the dark space in his vision suddenly exploded with white lines and shapes, causing the Exo to tilt his head slightly as the lines slowly drew into the room before him, revealing the wires and machines lined up against the wall. And the single occupant in the middle of it all.

Taking in a sharp breath, Pluto took a step back, tentatively untangling himself before ducking and weaving his way past the wires, eventually making his way to the middle. No sooner had he reached the bed that held Neptune when he sensed the light within the incapacitated Exo strengthen, feeling the warmth permeate through the room, "H-Hello, Pluto."

"Hello, Neptune," Pluto let out a dry smile, "How are you feeling?"

"O-oh, I-I can't feel anything. T-they turned off my neuro-sensors when they brought me here."

"…Not that kind of feeling."

"O-ooh, you mean 'that' kind of feeling? I-I am sorry, I misunderstood." Hearing Neptune laugh, grief and regret tugged in the back of Pluto's mind although, he forced out a smile at his Fireteam Leader's jest.

"T-To answer your question, I am tired. T-Their attempts to reboot my main system only rejuvenates me momentarily, b-but it is not enough to keep me conscious for long periods of time." Taking in the Exo Warlock's words, Pluto then leaned over and intertwined fingers with the broken Exo's, earning a light chuckle in response, "I-If I may ask, what happened to you?"

A dry chuckle escaped the Exo Hunter before he could stop himself, "Where do you think Hunters go to meditate? To clear their mind?"

"T-t-the wilds then?" Nodding his head in confirmation to Neptune's question, Pluto then heard him add, "T-t-that must have taken years to accumulate enough mud to turn your face brown like that, Pluto. E-Especially since it was originally black." A pause, "J-just…how long did it take for it to turn out like that?"

The disheveled Hunter hesitated, his fingers squeezing the hand of his Leader's as he fidgeted on his feet, letting silence permeate through the room before he finally responded, "Decades, lost count on how many."

The Exo Hunter heard a silent 'ah' emit from Neptune,"T-Then that's how long I have been in here." A sigh, "S-So, Cayde circulated my message to you?"

Another nod, "S-so you know then? Y-you are to be the new leader of our Fireteam. A-and our Clan."

"What Fireteam?" Pluto blurted, hearing the Exo Warlock go silent, "What Clan? It is just to the two of us now, Neptune. The rest of our so called 'Fireteam'…Our 'Clan', is gone." He heaved out a sad sigh, his shoulders slumping as he added, "And soon, I am going to be the last one left." Pluto tilted his blind eyes to where he believes the broken Exo is, "I am going to be alone."

"W-Who says that you are going to be alone?" He can easily sense the disapproval emitting from Neptune, "H-Have you already forgotten about our 'Little Light'?"

In response to his question, Pluto let out a snort, "Of course not, but with darkness tainting his light, I am not even sure how much longer he will live. Who knows though, he could be like me, fighting until the end, or…" The Hunter hesitated, "He could be like you. Know when it is time for you to acknowledge that you cannot always win, despite how much you fight back."

"L-L-Little Light always have been a fighter, you know this." Pluto sensed the comforting smile Neptune gave him, "H-How else do you think he made it this far?"

"But he could be at his limit," Pluto retorted, feeling the comforting stare turn into one of bewilderment, "The Vanguard is currently debating whether to exile him or to put him under guard. They are even considering execution." He paused, letting the words sink into his partner before he added, "They believe that he will completely succumb to darkness."

Feeling Neptune's hand grip tightly in his, Pluto waited patiently, letting the Exo Warlock ponder on his words, "B-But he has been around for years. G-Going as far as the Dark Ages. H-he-he fought against the Darkness for years but yet, this is how they repay him?"

"You know how most are today," Pluto couldn't help but sneer, "Even mention the darkness, and they will immediately perceive it as a threat, no matter who or what it is." The Hunter scoffed, "All those years of work only for it to crumble, all because 'one' incident on the Moon that the Vanguard refuses to acknowledge."

"Y-y-you know as well as I do that Little Light did not have the proper evidence to back up his claim, despite his obvious injuries and trauma." He heard Neptune sigh, "I-If only we can find evidence that will even clear Little Light's name, or even give his words a tiny bit of credence."

"I know," It was Pluto's turn to lament, pulling his blind gaze up to the empty space in front of him, "We will find evidence, someday."

Sensing another smile being given to him by Neptune, Pluto returned the gesture, only for his smile to fade as he heard the broken Exo let out a grasp, feeling his hands clamp tightly around his grip, "My-My light."

At first confused, Pluto's blind eyes went wide when he reached out with his senses, only for his dark vision to be filled with a small flame, flickering away in the darkness as it dimmed with each passing second, "No, No it is too soon!" Pluto reached out and placed his hands onto his fellow Exo's chest, as if in an attempt to prevent the small essence of life and light from escaping, "I need more time!" He then raised one of his hands, summoning the familiar star shape AI into the room, "I need more time!"

Lowering his hand to let his Ghost work, instead of progress, all Pluto heard was Nix sputtering, "I-I cannot do anything." He heard Nix's parts expand and click together in a panic, "His anatomy is different to yours. I cannot risk repairing him without proper data."

"So you are just going to let him die!?"

"N-No, I-"

"P-Pluto." Hearing the familiar voice of Neptune echo through the air, Pluto fixated his blind gaze back onto what he believes to be the broken Exo's form, "C-Can y-you t-t-take m-m-me o-ou-outs-side? I-I-I w-wa-want t-to-to s-see the T-T-Trav-Traveler o-one l-l-last t-t-time."

Hearing the familiar tone of acceptance in the broken Exo's voice, Pluto remained silent, his mind numbingly trying to process the situation. Then, slowly, the Exo Hunter slowly reached out, tracing his fingers upwards until he found the battered face of Neptune. Then tenderly, he cupped his cheek as he forced out the words, "As you wish."

As he leaned over to scoop Neptune into his arms, Pluto heard Nix sputter over his shoulders, "But the machines! The wires! What if he can't live long to see the-"

"He. Will. Live," Pluto paused, hearing his Ghost go silent, "At least, long enough to see the Traveler." Hefting what remained of the Warlock into his arms, Pluto glanced down when he felt Neptune lay his head against his chest, "One last time." With that, Pluto turned and headed towards the exit of the room, only to jerk back as he felt the wires tightening around Neptune's form. Hearing the Warlock let out a groan in response, the Exo Hunter gritted his jaw before taking one large step forward and tugged. Immediately, the familiar sound of the wires snapping rang in his auditory sensors followed by Neptune's shuddering breath, causing the Exo Hunter to pause, his grip tight on the broken Warlock's shoulders.

"I-I'm f-fine," He heard Neptune rasp out, "K-Keep g-going."

Listening to the Warlock's labored breaths momentarily, Pluto brought Neptune closer to his chest before taking steps forward.

"You're out," He heard Nix announce as he heard the Ghost let out a few clicks, the familiar black and white images flowing into his optics signaling to Pluto that the Ghost was scanning their surroundings, "Sending the data to your optics, should be enough to get you out of here."

"Hey! What are you doing!?"

"Or not," Hearing Nix hover back close to his shoulder, Pluto came to a pause as he heard quick footsteps approach.

"You are endangering the life of a patient, return to him to his room, now."

Momentarily silent, Pluto gave the medic a blank stare before he stated, "He wants to see the Traveler."

"And risk him dying for such a request?" The Hunter sighed at the human's words, "He is already in critical condition. Take him outside and he'll-"

"Enough." Recognizing Matt's voice, Pluto couldn't help but let a smirk form onto his metallic features; he's won.

"But-"

"Pluto, take Neptune outside. You have my permission."

Nodding his head in thanks, Pluto resumed his strides, quickly passing the Head Medic as he followed the digital map built within his blind optics. Quickly exiting the Medical Wing, Pluto then felt a rush of cold air as he resumed his quest towards the Plaza as he listened to Neptune's quiet breathing. Seeing himself reach the Plaza, Pluto momentarily paused as he heard no sound of rushing footsteps or clanking of armor, a sign that it is nearing the end of the day; a scenario that Pluto did not mind. This signaled to the Exo Hunter resumed his pace before the digital map showed his position he had reached his destination and as such, he stumbled over to the grass before taking a seat. Cradling Neptune's broken form in his lap, he then felt the Exo Warlock shift in his movement; more than likely in an attempt to gain a better view of the Traveler.

"B-Beautiful a-a-as-as a-a-al-always" He heard a sigh of content emit from Neptune, "W-W-Wish I-I-I c-could h-ha-have s-se-seen i-it w-w-when i-i-it w-was a-a-al-alive, i-i-in a-all i-i-its g-glory."

"We will bring it back," Pluto blurted, tightening his grip on the broken Warlock, "even if it takes us years, we 'will' bring it back."

The Hunter heard the Warlock chuckle, "R-Re-m-mem-ber w-w-when t-the To-Tower w-was f-f-first b-built?"

"Back when we use to sit right here and just watch the Traveler light up the sky?" Pluto reminisced, "How can I forget that? It is the only one of the few memories I have that does not involve fighting against the Darkness."

"S-So p-peaceful," He heard Neptune let out a quiet hum, "P-Pl-Pluto, I-I h-have o-one-one m-more r-re-request o-of y-you."

"Yes?"

"O-O-Our L-Li-Little L-Light… T-Take c-care o-o-of h-him... p-p-pro-prot-t-tect…"

Pluto waited, waiting patiently for Neptune to finish his sentence. When moments passed and silence continued to permeate the air, the Hunter glanced down with his blind eyes, as if attempting to look into the Warlock's dimmed optics before bringing the broken Exo even closer to his chest, his grip squeezing on Neptune's shoulder.

Hearing Nix hover over his shoulders once more, Pluto attempted to suppress his grief, his shoulders shaking as he took in a breath, "I promise."

Xxxxx

Nix may not have use of his optic anymore but he can still hear and the stifled sobs of his Guardian permeated quietly through the air. The rusted Ghost was just glad that they were alone out in the Plaza (according to his knowledge at least); he doesn't want to know how the Guardians will see Pluto differently when they figure out 'The Executioner' is just as vulnerable to emotions as themselves.

"And they say that Exos cannot grieve because they are unable to shed tears," Nix lamented as the night filled with the grief filled cries of the Hunter.