Tormented

Saved

Late update as always lol. Anyways, this chapter is pretty short compared to the previous ones (although not as short as the first few chapters) but don't worry, next week, I am planning a double update. One chapter will be a Halloween Special and the second will continue on and (hopefully) finish up the Rasputin Arc.

Thanks to Ali for the review!

Ali - I didn't really have a fixed look for him in the beginning of the chapters (He was still like 200 light level back in 320 cap and as such I didn't have a good idea on what most of the gear looked like). But if I remember correctly, when he finally reached 330 (during 335 cap) I made him wear Iron Companion gear, with the exception of the helmet which he wore Obsidian Mind, if that helps lol. And I'll try and incorporate your character into the story, although it may take a bit.

Edited: 11/28/2021

He was being followed.

Not that Pluto was surprised; he had no doubt in his mind that once the new Galaxy made their way back to the Tower and everyone saw that he wasn't there with them, the Vanguard would have gotten suspicious. And more than likely send someone to find him.

From where he was, Pluto counted three lights and, at first, he had thought that they were just a team patrolling the Cosmodrome. However, it took only a moment for him to realize that they had kept the same distance and pace with him during the short moment he was here, and he even have led them near House of Devils territory to test them. And they still followed.

Pluto will have to find a way to lose them before he can enter Rasputin's bunker safely. As such, as he rode around a cliff placed in the Forgotten Shore, he leaped off, his Sparrow disappearing back into his Vault as he rolled and leaped onto his feet. Then, concentrating his light towards his fingertips, he grasped his smoke grenade and tossed it down at his feet.

A tingling sensation settled over his body, feeling the smoke cling onto his armor like a second skin, and then, without another word, Pluto ran and huddled into a crevice, pressing himself in as a familiar sound of Sparrow Engines rang in his sensors. Waiting patiently, he felt the rush of three vehicles fly past, feeling his cloak billow from the breeze that they had left behind. It didn't take long for their engines to fade into the distance. Waiting a beat longer, Pluto then slid out of his hiding place, summoned his Sparrow, jumped on, and started driving back towards the Graveyard of Ships. Praying that the simple trick would give him enough time to enter Rasputin's Bunker, unseen, Pluto clamped down on the levers of his Sparrow, and felt the Sparrow jerk forward from the boost.

As Nix's scans filled his vision with the familiar shapes of rustic ships, Pluto raced past the surviving Devil Eliksni, ignoring their screeches of surprise and frustration as he sped past. Forcing his Sparrow up the hill, Pluto then reached for his sniper as he entered the building, jumping off from his Sparrow before it crashed into the wall, rushed over where the console to enter the Bunker is hidden, and quickly started punching in the code; a code that Sun had given him years ago. However, just as he heard the bunker doors hiss open, that is when he felt a barrel of a gun press against the back of his helmet followed by a 'click'.

"Move and a bullet enters your head."

A heavy sigh escaped Pluto before he could help it, letting his arms fall to his side and his shoulders slump as he heard two more pair of footsteps approach.

"Nice!" Nix's scan showed a Hunter, the latter of which he heard whistle, "If I would have to guess, you have some pretty good hacking skills, my friend."

"Except 'no one' hacks Rasputin." The Warlock of the team said, "Tell us, how did you 'hack' his code to access his bunker?"

"I am going to take a guess and say that the Vanguard sent you." Pluto opted to say; he sensed the annoyance from the Warlock, "I will take that as a yes, especially considering that if they suspect anything that has to do with Rasputin, the Consensus no doubt would want the Vanguard involved."

"They have a reason to suspect that Fireteam Redacted have something to hide." It was the third member of their group, a Titan and the one holding the gun to the back of Pluto's head, who spoke, "The Vanguard then sent us to learn what. So, care to explain 'why' you are standing here at the entrance to enter Rasputin's Bunker, and with such ease?"

Remaining silent, Pluto processed Nix's constant scans, seeing that the two other Guardians already have their weapons raised, readying themselves if the blind Exo were to do anything sudden.

"Pluto?"

Nix's whisper settled over Pluto's sensors, and he couldn't help but curl his hands into fists, gritting his jaw as his mind shifted through 'years' of experience on what to do. He didn't want to be seen as a traitor, but neither does he want to give away Sun's survival.

"Whatever you and whatever happens, do it for your 'own' sake." Sun's voice rang throughout Pluto's head, "do not worry about me when it comes to your safety." They felt their smile, one filled with resignation, "After all, death has already marked me."

Letting out a breath, Pluto let the tension ease from his body, "Fuck me."

Then, without another word, Pluto plucked another smoke grenade from his light into his hands and tossed it towards the floor. This sent droves of smoke into the air obscuring clarity. With the exception of Pluto's

With the aid of Nix's scans, he dodged forward, feeling his body melt around him as a fog draped over his shoulders as he rolled. That is when he heard a single shot and then, followed by a curse; he didn't have to look back to know that he had broken through the trio's little blockage. Leaping back onto his feet, Pluto took the opportunity to dash into Rasputin's bunker, leaping down the stairs and dropping into the hall.

That is when Nix's scans came to a sudden halt.

Left in complete darkness, Pluto came to a screeching stop, his core beating hard in his chest as he waited for Nix's scans to continue. Instead, he received nothing and felt only a heavy blanket of Darkness settling over his body.

Darkness.

He cursed, scrambling to find his way back up the stairs and outside where it was free from the Darkness' influence. And where Nix's light can freely help him see.

Pluto barely heard footsteps and then, a growl.

Before he could reach for his weapon, pain seared throughout right side, and as he could properly register the injury, an impact slammed into his chest.

"Pluto!"

Crashing to the floor, Pluto turned onto his left side, pressing a hand against the floor to push himself back onto his feet. Instead, he found himself flopping, falling back onto the metallic floor. It took him a moment to realize that his right arm is missing. And when the agony finally registered.

Screaming, Pluto turned onto his back and reached over with his left hand to assess the injury, only to feel the mesh of wire and fluids spilling through his fingers. Counting to keep his panic down, it was then Pluto felt an impact, a kick, slam into his side, and he felt himself go flying. Landing was painful enough, especially since Pluto had heard a 'crunch', a sign that the kick had crushed 'something' but skidding and slamming into a wall just made the experience worse.

"Nix. No."

Pluto managed to groan out, the tingling sensation of Nix about to transport out of the safety of his armor and mind coming to a pause. He can easily sense the agitation, the worry, but Pluto would rather have his Ghost safe than let him be exposed to who knows how many enemies' view just to tend to his wounds.

It was then he found a pressure slam into his chest – a foot most likely and from a large enemy judging from the weight, at how easily Pluto felt his plating bend under the pressure. And he still couldn't see, despite Nix's best efforts.

Cursing for turning complacent, Pluto then sensed the pressure around him shift and churn, and it took him only a moment to realize that whoever was standing on top of him, was building up 'something', a shot, to finish him off.

Pluto choked, panic fully settling in as his thoughts wandered to the young Galaxy clan members. There was no way he was going to leave them behind, not like this, not this soon. As such, with his foggy memory, Pluto formed a familiar blade of light into his hand, and he swung it down onto the leg of his attacker. He received a cry of surprise and pain before the foot lifted off, followed by heat and a breeze as something flew just above his head. Taking in a deep breath, in both relief that the shot fired and to prepare himself for a fight, Pluto leveraged himself slowly back onto his feet. He coughed and wheezed as he readied for a battle.

"Hey! Fat Ass! Over here!"

It happened quickly; a brush of motion flying past him, the sound of arc blade coming to life, and the sound of an enemy – no enemies – letting out screeches of pain and outrage.

"Take it easy."

Feeling gentle hands settle over his shoulders, Pluto felt them coax him to ease onto the wall and the floor and he was more than willing to obliged. As he settled down, Pluto then heard gunfire, and a war cry that he recognizes many trained Titans were taught when first starting out; more than likely influenced by Shaxx.

Knowing now that the three Guardians were now on his side, Pluto decided to joke, "And here I thought the three of you were going to shoot me earlier."

He heard the Warlock scoff, "We may have been hostile towards you earlier but, that doesn't mean we won't help a fellow Guardian in need."

And he appreciates that, much to his relief. And much to Nix's relief too judging from the way his Ghost frantically materialized out of his mind and immediately started transferring light over his injury. Pluto let out a breath as the pain subsided.

"We need to heighten your senses." Pluto heard Nix say, followed by a sniff, "or at least practice so you do not need the light to see."

Mentally agreeing with his Ghost, Pluto then decided to reach up to the sealant just underneath his jaw, hearing it release with a hiss and then tossing his helmet off. Then, he reached to the white plating over his optics, sliding his fingers underneath is before practically tearing it off his face as well. As he discarded it to the side, the darkness within his vision flickered, revealing the familiar metallic ceiling of the bunker momentarily, blurring, and then finally, his vision cleared.

"The rumors are true then? You can heal your eyes anytime you want?"

Blinking rapidly to clear the last of the blurriness from his vision, Pluto turned his attention towards the Warlock, and spotted the insignia of the Queen decorated onto her purple and black robes. A Guardian loyal to the Queen most likely, not uncommon, to Pluto at least.

"Yes."

He felt the Warlock frown at him, "Why?"

"If your Ghost went blind, wouldn't you do the same?"

She went quiet at that, thoughtful even, and perhaps would have come up with more to say if a whoop and a holler hadn't reverberated through the corridor.

"That's all of them!"

"How is he doing, Andrea?"

Turning his attention away from the Warlock and towards the other two Guardians, Pluto squinted as his vision adjusted once more.

The Hunter was adorned in Trials of Osiris armor, right down to the cloak, and was clad in gold and brown; no doubt in Pluto's mind that he is flaunting his status. The Titan on the other hand, wore shades of black and accented with green; dulled colors to ensure his camouflage out in the field.

"He is doing fine now." The Warlock, Andrea, said before he felt her eyes fall upon him, "You were lucky that we followed you in."

Pluto simply gave her a nod, "I appreciate it."

"Although, I want to ask is how the infamous 'Executioner' ran in here and got an ass-kicking from one Taken Knight."

"Marcel…"

"Oh come on, Duke." The Hunter turned to his Titan companion, practically beaming, "You're just as curious as I am!" Pluto practically saw him beam, "The deadly Pluto-99, renowned for never missing his shots in the Crucible, taken down easily by a simple Taken enemy."

If Pluto had been easy to offend, he would have retorted, that the Taken that had caught him off guard and he had been literately blinded. But fortunately for Marcel, that wasn't the case.

Nonetheless, it seemed the Hunter's words held true when it came to Duke, as Pluto then saw the Titan drum his fingers against his knees, head tilted curiously. This earned him a snort from his teammate.

"I thought so."

That is when Pluto heard Nix let out a huff, "Well excuse us!" He felt the warmth of light leave the remnants of his forming right arm, "I am sorry if 'both' of us were blind and that our only way to see was blocked out by the Darkness here."

The amusement from Marcel quickly switched to one of curiosity, "Wait, just because the Darkness is prominent here, you couldn't see?"

"If my optics are deactivated, yes." Pluto couldn't help a breath of relief when he felt the warm of Nix's light settle back over his arm, subsiding the pain which was quickly followed by weakness.

Swaying where he was seated, Pluto then heard Nix say, "Ah, my apologies. My light alone wasn't enough to stop the fluid loss. Had to take some of yours." There was a brief pause, a sense of hesitation from his Ghost, "I cannot heal you here efficiently, we have to get you out of here."

"And back to the Tower."

Pluto couldn't help but give Andrea a narrowed look; in turn, he received one back.

"Too risky to heal you out here. Remember, we're in Fallen territory."

"No." Pluto retorted, seeing the Warlock reel, "The rest of my team is here, I cannot leave them."

Before he could realize his mistake, he heard Marcel ask, "The rest of Fireteam Redacted?" Pluto mentally reprimanded himself, feeling Nix suddenly go on edge, "What are they doing here?"

Deciding not to answer, Pluto instead pressed his good hand against the floor and, with a grunt, pushed himself back onto his feet. Instead, he said, "I have to get to the rest of my team. They need aid."

"Not in this condition you're not."

Before he could further protest, Pluto felt a hand settle onto his shoulder, the grip tight with stubbornness and determination. Glancing back and glaring at Andrea, Pluto decided to play her game and as such concentrated his light to his feet, using it to steel himself to the floor. Judging from the way Andrea heaved out a sigh, she didn't miss it.

"Marcel, Duke, head deeper into Rasputin's bunker and see if you can find the rest of Fireteam Redacted." Pluto blinked at her words, "I will take Pluto back to the Tower."

"Understood." Duke said as he raised a hand to a salute while as Marcel nodded once. Before Pluto could say anymore, the two were already back on their feet and rushing down the corridor, and deeper into the bunker.

"They will be able to handle it."

Andrea's words gave little comfort to Pluto but, given that he was already swaying on his feet, it seems he has little choice. As such, he didn't resist when Andrea leaned in, hooked her arm underneath his, and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Feeling Nix's streams of light coming to a pause, Pluto turned his attention towards his Ghost, only to witness him disappear into particles of light. It didn't take long to feel the familiar weight of his presence settle into the back of his mind.

"Thank you." Pluto decided to say, and he felt the look of surprise Andrea sent his way. Despite this, he opted to say nothing else, and he was relieved to see the Warlock nod in response. Then, slowly, she led up towards and up the stairs.

As the entrance of the bunker came into view, Pluto mentally sighed, knowing fully well that once the Vanguard gains word of their return, they weren't going to let this go, especially if the Consensus gets on their back about it. As such, as the dread built up in his chest, Pluto contemplated on what to say once he returns to the Tower.

Xxxxx

"More here too?"

Gaia cursed under their breath as they glided back to hiding amongst the wires, their yellow optic sighting the twitching form of the Taken. They had long ago slid out of the safety of the vents, but it seems that no matter where they go, the Taken seem to be blocking their way to Rasputin's Core room. And without a body of a Guardian to give them safety, Gaia felt like they had little choice but to hide and hope to find another way around. Except, they know that there isn't another way around.

Twirling their back fins in agitation, Gaia further pressed themselves into the mesh of wires, before slowly and carefully, making their way through the tangle and hopefully, make it to the door.

In a vain attempt to simmer down their nervousness, Gaia told themself of their other near-death situations, recalling memories of when Sun was still an active Guardian; narrowly dodging shock blades swipes of Vandals, feeling the heat of shots whizzing past their shell, hiding behind cover as Vex fired at Sun's body, or having to press themselves into the cracks of Cabal armor after a failed hack into their systems.

Yes, they have been through worse, worse situations than this, and as such, feeling the confidence building back into their core, Gaia prepped themself to fly out of the safety of their wired haven. If it wasn't for the fact that they saw an eye of a Taken Psion appear in their vision.

Taken aback, Gaia found themself going still, fear taking a hold of them as the Taken raise its gun, and the swirl of darkness started building at the nose of it. Just as soon as they felt the heat of the darkness finish building up, a flash of black and white flashed in their sight, promptly causing Gaia to press further into the mesh of wires; it took them only a moment to realize that at this rate, they were going to get themself tangled. As if to prove this point, when Gaia attempted to move, they felt their fins lock, cursing as the wires wrapped around the spaces of their shell.

Nonetheless, when they looked back, expecting to see the Taken Psion, they only saw a space of where it once stood. They blinked. Now that they looked, all of the Taken that had been in the corridor were now gone, missing. Dumbfounded, Gaia quickly tore themselves out of the wiring and slowly, and cautiously hovered out of their hiding spot.

They then reeled when Taken shots flew past them, only to come to a pause when they recognized the sounds of Hand Cannon shots firing back. This was soon followed by the white and silver clad form of Angel rolling into view, dodging the Taken fire.

"But how…"

"Missed us!?"

A yelp escaped from Gaia before they could help themself, reeling once more only to pause as their optic locked onto familiar green. Hope, in response, let out a playful giggle before she nodded with her shell.

"This way, you're more exposed to enemy fire here."

Listening to her hum as they watched Hope's white and red shell disappear behind a tangle of wires, Gaia paused momentarily before following.

"Here we go." Hope practically chirped as Gaia came to a pause next to her, "We should be safe here while Angel clears the room."

Listening to the Hunter's shots just outside of their hiding place, Gaia then took the opportunity to give their fellow Ghost a blank stare, "I thought I told your Guardian and the others that I can easily get to Rasputin's core myself."

The joyful look in Hope's optic vanished, "Right, you 'totally' had that handled."

Gaia gave her a glare. It didn't seem to affect her at all.

"Look, I understand why you are so hesitant on trustin' 'us', especially with your history with organics." Hope sighed, "But Angel and the others couldn't help but worry for your safety once you left. It took them only a moment to make the decision for Angel to follow you."

"Is it because of his relation to the Fallen?" Gaia asked bluntly, "To try and use that to convince Sun and I of his 'goodwill'?"

At least, that is what Gaia was expecting. Angel wasn't the first – and perhaps nor the last – Guardian to try and use their 'connections' with those outside of the City to earn points with them and Sun. So, it came to a surprise to Gaia when Hope shook side to side.

"No." She gave them a bewildered look, "It is because he is faster than Aleeza and Akiva. After all, what's the best way to catch up to a Ghost than a swift Hunter?" Hope chuckled, "You were lucky that we made it on time too. That Taken Psion almost got you. I am not sure how violently Sun would have reacted if they learned you died."

"Horribly." Gaia said, they paused when Hope blinked at them, "You should understand. After all, once a Ghost and a Guardian bond, they are 'one', their ties unbreakable." They contemplated on their next words, "What would you do if your Guardian dies, and you cannot revive them?"

Hope continued to blink rapidly at them, and then, turned her attention downwards, as if finding the wires beneath them amusing. It took only a few beats of silence for her to speak.

"I have heard from others that many Ghosts who have lost their Guardians move on to find others."

Gaia scoffed, "And are you willing to do that?"

There was a click of a shell, "No."

"Now imagine your Guardian but, unlike us, they do not have the option of finding another Ghost. At least, not easily. They are forever stuck, alone, as a Solder of Light with one life." Gaia paused, their gaze wandering, "Although, each Guardian would react differently, I am confident that Sun would react violently, especially towards those organic in origin."

Considering Sun's age, it is the 'only' reaction that Gaia expects from their Guardian. After all, they had spent many years together, especially during the Dark Ages where Gaia sometimes would spend decades sharing a headspace with Sun. They practically became one individual thanks to that.

That is when curiosity settled into their core, and as such, Gaia lifted their optic at Hope, took a quick scan of her light, and paused, "Your bond." They felt her give them a confused look, "At this age it should be stronger."

"Excuse me?"

Opting to ignore her, Gaia visibly used their light, scanning it over Hope who made a noise of indignation.

"Rude! You cannot just-"

"Do you not spend time inside your Guardian's head?" Gaia interrupted, scowling at her, "True, you two are newborns, but your bonds should be more advanced than where they are now."

There was a pause from Hope, the furrowed look in her optic fading, "What?"

Taking her experience into consideration, Gaia took a breath, "As you know, Sun and I have been together for centuries, and during that time, I have learned that the longer a Ghost and a Guardian are linked, the stronger their bond."

"Obviously." Hope blurted, "We are practically by their side throughout all their years alive."

"A mental bond." Gaia decided to reiterate, earning them another puzzled look from Hope, "How else do you think Ghosts as old as I am able to easily find where their Guardians are located? Or how to read their emotions as easily as though they are a book?"

"Through talking and getting to know each other?"

Gaia gave her a blank stare; they couldn't argue with that.

But.

"When a Ghost settles into the mind of their Guardian, the longer time spent in there, the stronger their bond will be." Gaia explained, "That is why it is widely encouraged for Ghosts to spend most of their time within their Guardian. To strengthen that bond."

"But." Hope hesitated, "I just thought it was to keep us Ghosts safe."

"There is often more than one reason for a rule."

Gaia watched as Hope glanced around, more than taking in their words before her optic settles onto theirs.

"Is that why you and Sun are close as you are?"

At first, taken a back by her question, Gaia simply blinked. Then, they nodded.

That is when they saw her optic darken, determination settling into Hope's gaze.

"There is no need to worry. Our team will ensure that both you 'and' Sun make it out of this 'alive'."

For the first time in years, Gaia felt obligated to believe. The sincerity in her words, the look in her optic. There were no lies that Gaia could find.

"You and your Guardian, you two are really willing…?"

"You two okay in there?"

Angel's voice prompted Gaia to turn towards a small opening in the wiring, only to spot the Hunter's visor as he peered in.

"Yes, we're safe." Hope answered, "All clear?"

"Clear." Gaia then recognized the sound of a clip being inserted into a weapon with a 'click', "Sorry if it took a while. Those Taken Pisons kept replicating like no tomorrow."

A laugh can be heard from Hope as she glided out of their hiding place, prompting Angel to lean back to allow both her and Gaia to slip out.

"That's why Akiva and Aleeza picked you." Hope practically chirped, "You have a a quicker hand to take them out."

"I think they mostly picked me because I'm light on my feet. Hope."

"That's what I mean."

Hearing Angel laugh at Hope's words, Gaia couldn't help but stare, reminiscing. It felt so long ago but, not, when they themself had garnered the same reaction from their Guardian. Now, how has it been last they had heard Sun laugh?

"Gaia? You still in there?"

Startled out of their thoughts, Gaia snapped their optic towards Hope before saying, "Yes."

When they said nothing more, this earned them a raised shell from Hope but nonetheless, instead of commenting she said, "Come on. Angel just said that he's ready to escort you to the Core Room."

Shifting their back fins at this, Gaia then turned towards the aforementioned Hunter, only to pause when the latter held out two hands; one for each Ghost. As they stared reluctantly, Hope flew past, and barely settled into Angel's palm before she glanced back, gave them a wink, and then disappeared in a flash of light. Gaia sighed a this, but nonetheless, slowly glided over and settled into Angel's other open palm. It took them only a moment to connect their light with his, and in an instant, they found themself looking through the Hunter's eyes.

From what Gaia could see, Angel was currently using a hand cannon, a sniper, and a machine gun; typical Hunter's gear in their perspective. Currently, he is attuned to Arc light and his shields, much to Gaia's surprise, are sturdy and powered high. Unusual considering, in Gaia's experience, most Hunters would rather have light shields to boost their speed.

"Gaia?" They jumped, "where to?"

Further settling into the Hunter's perspective, Gaia glanced around before pinging a direction on his radar.

"That way."

Feeling the Hunter nod beneath them, Gaia then watched as Angel ran down the Hall, startled at how quickly the Hunter close the distance to the corridor door. Quickly changing direction on his radar to keep up with his momentum, Gaia couldn't help but mentally agree.

Angel is indeed light on his feet.