Redacted
Lost Hope
Another late update but here it is! Just a heads up, the next chapter will most likely be a Dawning special, so watch out for it C:
"You are leaving?"
Taking his optics away from the window of his cockpit, Unit Eleven turned to lock his gaze into orange, the familiar black and orange form of Ace lingering in his vision; the Exo Warlock simply remained silent at the Ghost's question.
"Is Echo with you?"
Once again, Unit Eleven said nothing; he received a sigh in response to this, "Are you planning to face Dusk alone again?"
"Echo is already at the Tower," The Phoenix Exo broke his silence, "No doubt he is already facing Dusk as we speak." He paused as he saw Ace's orange optic narrow in suspicion, "I will not be alone, if that gives you any solace."
Seeing the Ghost's orange optic narrow even further at his words, Unit Eleven waited as Ace then let out another sigh, their parts shifting against their core as they spoke, "Knowing of your origins and your capability, I wouldn't be so worried. However, considering that this Dusk has the ability to take the light of others, I cannot help but be concerned for your safety."
Taking in the black and orange Ghost's words, Unit Eleven then stated, "We do not know if her ability to take light can be applied to other Phoenix Exo."
"But do you also know if other Phoenix Exo are immune to her ability?" The Exo Warlock paused at this, "I am not saying to run away, Unit Eleven. All I am saying, is be careful."
"I will survive."
"You do not know that," There was a sternness in the Ghost's tone, years of experience tinged behind their voice, "do you know how many times Ianos and I had heard that before we hear news of a fellow Guardian's death?" Another huff from Ace, "You may carry a piece of the Traveler however, you do have a limit." Unit Eleven watched the Ghost glide in closer, just enough to place emphasis on their next words, "Tell me, you may have the capability to bring one back from the dead, but how long can they stay dead before you are unable to resurrect them? Two days? Three? Seven?" The Exo Warlock remained silent, "Or how about healing? From what I had heard from Angel, he awoke in the same condition he was in when he died, not to mention that you slipped into unconsciousness once you brought him back. Just how much energy does it take to bring someone back from the brink?"
Hearing Ace pause and watching their orange optic linger over his features, Unit Eleven knew that the black and orange Ghost wanted an answer, a response to their questions. However, despite the lingering nervousness emanating from the back of his mind by Knight, the Exo Warlock once again remained silent, opting to instead fix his attention back towards the window at the front of his ship, and his gaze hovered over the wisps of smoke emitting from the Tower.
From what Unit Eleven can assess, Dusk started her assault in the Plaza, as the flickering orange and red of flames are more clearly seen in its central point. Luckily, the female Phoenix seemed to be contained in the area as the male Exo has yet to see any other damage done to the base of the Guardians. Although, knowing of Dusk's ability to take the light of others, it won't be long until the female Phoenix overwhelms the barrier of Guardians and continue her attack on the rest of the Tower. Then, as soon as the main defense of the City was taken care of, Unit Elven knows fully well that she would then turn her attention towards the civilians, the non-Guardians inhabiting behind these walls, and then claiming the Traveler under its name. It is, after all, a tactic that the Exo Warlock was familiar with; it seems this applies to the older Phoenix as well.
"Nothing to say?" Unit Eleven turned his attention back towards Ace; the Ghost was giving him a glare, "You may have the capability to bring back the dead, but can the same be said for yourself?" He watched the black and orange Ghost's shell quiver against their core, "Are you able to bring yourself back from the dead without the aid of Day, much like your 'older sister'?"
"Why are you so worried about Unit Eleven?" It was his Ghost, Day's white form shaking angrily against their core, "He can take care of himself, even with Dusk's ability to bring herself back without the aid of Ember. Why won't you worry about your own Guardian?"
"Because Ianos' mental stability counts on if Unit Eleven makes it back or not," The Exo in question watched Day reel back, their white optic wide as Ace continued, "Do you think he can handle another death amongst his Fireteam? His 'family'? He nearly went crazy when he learned that Hush was kidnapped by those 'Paragons' or whoever they are. Imagine if he learns that you fought against Dusk and not return."
Staying silent at this, Unit Eleven simply turned his gaze towards Day, his white optics flashing momentarily before returning his focus back towards Ace and said, "He has hardly known me, I highly doubt that if I do not return, that it would affect him that deeply."
A laugh immediately permeated from Ace, although Unit Eleven couldn't help but give the black and orange Ghost a bewildered look; he sensed no joy emanating from the Ghost however, it was clear from the shaking core and the way their optic narrowed were all signs of laughter.
"If you think that way then, you are denser than I anticipated."
"Hey!" The Exo Warlock watched as Day curled their parts inward, giving the black and orange Ghost a glare.
"Ianos had accepted Knight the day when we saved the two of you from the Hive," Unit Eleven blinked at Ace's words, "for you however, he didn't trust you at first, not until you put yourself at risk to save Hush on multiple occasions." A snort than can be heard from the Ghost, "He wouldn't vocally say it out loud but, there is a reason why he always entrusts Hush to you, Unit Eleven."
Processing Ace's words in his mind, Unit Eleven finally let out a simple nod, "Since you insist, I will be careful."
He received a bob from the black and orange Ghost, "Thank you."
Xxxxxx
Pluto was unsure how long it took him to reach Matt's writhing form although it wouldn't matter; it might have taken seconds but for the older Guardian, it felt like eternity.
The first thing the Exo Hunter did was to tear off his cloak from his shoulders and tossed it over the human Guardian's flaming form; how the Medic survived the initial hit of a Golden Gun shot rang in the back of Pluto's mind but, worry and panic made it to the forefront, causing Pluto to repeatedly pat the screaming human down in a vain attempt to put out the flames.
It was then he felt a hand grab him by the front of his armor.
So attuned was his attention on Matt that the gesture completely caught him off guard, and as such, barely had time to comprehend feeling himself being forced onto his feet. Then, pain spiked throughout his remaining optic, Pluto letting out a scream as darkness fully engulfed his vision.
"There," Reaching out his hands, Pluto felt the familiar texture of leather caress against his fingertips, prompting him to dig into the armor piece in a vain attempt to tear the Huntress' grip off of him; instead, he heard her promptly add, "I have taken back what was not rightfully yours."
It was then he felt her hand shift to his neck, taking in a choked breath as his fingers wrapped around the Huntress' wrists, "N-Nix."
It was then the familiar hum of his Ghost's light permeated throughout his senses and the flash of white and black figures and forms all to recognizable to the blind Exo. Gritting his jaw as he saw the outline of the female Hunter materialize into his vision, Pluto then reached down to his waist, fumbling around for his spare knife before clasping his fingers around the familiar metal of his weapon, tugging it free from its sheath, and then thrusting it into the Huntress' side.
A gasp was his reward, however, instead of the loss of her grasp as he had expected, Pluto instead sensed a narrowed look of anger, "How dare you."
Feeling his feet leave the floor, the blind Hunter then felt her hand wrap around his fingers on the hilt of his knife, before feeling the weapon leave his fingers followed by a grunt from the female Exo. Then, before he can even call out to Nix to scan his surroundings, let alone release his own light to 'see', pain spiked through his abdomen. Releasing a shuddering gasp of pain and shock in response to this, Pluto then let out a scream as he felt the blade slide across his stomach, the sound of metal scraping against metal ringing in his auditory sensors.
"Although an imitation, I was thinking of simply taking your light and letting you live," He heard her snarl, "However, with all the trouble you have caused me, not only am I taking your light alongside with your life, you death won't be painless."
Taking in a sharp breath, Pluto suppressed his growing panic, and instead, forced himself to focus onto his light, struggling to form around his body. However, right as he felt himself feel invigorated, it quickly dissipated, and Pluto found his senses dulling, his body weakening.
"Say goodbye to your Ghost, imitation," The Huntress' voice was an echo, a dull thrum, "For it will no longer have a Guardian."
Fumbling with his fingers, Pluto felt himself unable to have the energy to keep his remaining hand on the female Huntress' wrist, feeling it easily slide from her arm and dangle near his side, "N-Nix?"
At first, he was unable to hear his Ghost, Nix's words hardly comprehensible to Pluto, at least, not until he felt the familiar shift of the air near him to know that the viridian Ghost had materialized into the open.
"Stop! Please!" Nix's words resonated through the Exo Hunter, "We have been together for 'decades'! He is my friend! My brother! Please! Don't break our bond!"
His Ghost's pleas growing faint in his sensors, Pluto felt the fog in his mind grow, and in turn, he felt his connection to Nix weaken. Feeling himself slowly grow slack in the Huntress' grasp, the Exo Hunter let out a shuddering breath as his mind swarmed with memories, with regrets, all tinged with irony; he, the one that everyone calls 'The Executioner', will be ended by a fellow Guardian. If his mind wasn't so muddled, Pluto would have laughed at the thought, the thought of being 'executed' by a being who carries a literal piece of the Traveler. Too exhausted to even let out a chuckle, the Exo Hunter instead let one single thought linger; acceptance.
"Dusk!"
A shout resonated through the air followed by the Huntress' grasp leaving his neck, hearing her let out a startled yelp as Pluto collapsed to the floor. Falling onto his side, Pluto let out a groan as his hand instinctively went down to his abdomen, feeling the hilt of his knife still lodged into his gut. Gritting his jaw, the Exo Hunter gripped his fingers tightly around the handle before prying the weapon out of his abdomen, letting out a gasp as pain spiked throughout his form followed by a dull but painful throbbing.
"Pluto?"
Nix's voice barely comprehensible through the haze in his mind, the Exo Hunter laid his head on the marbled hearth as he whispered, "Matt?"
Hearing the familiar hum of Nix gliding nearby, Pluto waited patiently as the sound of the viridian Ghost's shell rubbed worriedly together before hearing him respond, "He's severely burned, but he's alive." A pause, "barely."
Relief flooding his systems, Pluto then took the opportunity to tune in onto Warlock, concentrating on the area where the human male had fallen, and found Nix's words to be true. He heard breathing, a shuddering wheeze struggling to take in air and a choke as if it was a fight to exhale; only just, but Matt was definitely still alive.
"Nix."
"I'm already on it."
It was then warmth filtered into Pluto's senses, causing the Exo Hunter to let out a breath of relief as he felt the pain numb slowly, only to pause when Nix started to curse. No sooner had he heard his Ghost vent out his frustration when he felt the warmth fade and the pain slowly started to return in a dull throb.
"Whatever she's done, she's weakened our bond," Pluto heard his Ghost twist and turn their parts restlessly, "I cannot heal you properly, at least, not now."
Shifting his blind gaze to where he believes Nix hovered, an irritated sigh emanated from the Exo Hunter before he placed a hand over his wound, feeling the familiar fluids paint his fingertips, "Then it is fortunate that my insides are made of metal and wires then."
"What?"
Opting to ignore his Ghost, Pluto turned onto his chest, placed his hands onto the floor, and with a grunt, forced himself onto his knees. Immediately, the throbbing intensified into agony, the Exo Hunter collapsing back onto the floor as he heard Nix let out a stutter followed by a shout. His Ghost's words incomprehensible thanks to a ringing in his auditory sensors, Pluto let out a shuddering breath before gathering all his remaining energy and forced himself onto his knees.
"Nix-"
"What in the Traveler are you doing!?" The despair, the panic was visible in the viridian Ghost's voice, "Your light is weak! You are injured! Why are you trying to move!?"
"Just. Send out a scan."
"Pluto-"
"Nix, please."
Hearing his Ghost immediately pause at his words, Pluto waited patiently until the familiar hum of light permeated around him and the white lines formed into his vision. Barely catching the sight of Matt's form nearby, Pluto forced one of his feet up, taking in a deep breath as he prepared himself to stand.
It was then, he felt a gentle hand lay onto his shoulder.
Xxxxx
"Hunter Pluto." Unit Eleven saw Pluto slightly shift his gaze towards him – or, at least he thought so.
If Knight had a voice in his mind, Unit Eleven would have easily heard a gasp as the Phoenix Exo saw the broken edges of what were Pluto's optics, the white fluids can easily be seen flowing down the front of his black features.
"Unit Eleven?"
Giving the Exo Hunter's shoulder a squeeze to signify his identity, the younger Guardian then felt the older Exo's shoulders sag in relief, seeing him curl in to himself, and then, only then, he saw the hand clasped tightly against his abdomen.
At first, Unit Eleven saw nothing out of the ordinary, but then his white optics paused upon a trail of fluids slowly pooling around the Hunter's form. Narrowing his gaze, the Exo Warlock then froze when he spotted its source, "You are injured."
An exhausted but bitter chuckle emanated from Pluto, "Is it that obvious?"
Tilting his head slightly as he took in the Hunter's words, Unit Eleven then took the opportunity to glance back towards Dusk; he had arrived just moments before Echo had torn the Huntress' form away from Pluto, dragging her easily halfway through the Plaza before somehow, she had freed herself from the Titan's grasp. He couldn't hear them now, although not because of the distance. Even though Echo's features were hidden by his helmet, Unit Eleven can easily tell from his tense shoulders and gestures of his hands that he was attempting to talk Dusk down, occasionally seeing the older Exo shift his hands towards the surroundings Guardians as if to emphasize his words; the younger Phoenix wasn't going to intervene if Dusk and Echo weren't trading blows.
As such, Unit Eleven shifted his attention towards the surroundings Guardians, immediately sighting some of them hefting their weapons into their hands and slowly closing in. Why they decided to attack now or how Unit Eleven had never noticed them was beyond his understanding, but nonetheless, when the younger Exo deemed them too close, he raised one of his hands, focused his attention around the other two Phoenix's form and curled his hand shut.
Immediately, a flash of light snapped around the two older Exo's form, a glistening wall of light placing itself between them and the incoming Guardians. Seeing the Soldiers of Light reel back, it came as no surprise to Unit Eleven when some of them started shooting, letting himself feel tinges of amusement as many, if not all, the bullets harmlessly bounced off his shield.
This did little to deter Dusk and Echo however, as Unit Eleven noticed the pair still argue, still 'talking' as gunfire roared around them, the Huntress now gesturing her hands towards the firing Guardians, the younger Phoenix knowing fully well she was trying to use their surroundings as an example of her words. Nonetheless, Unit Eleven turned his attention back towards Pluto, only to pause as he watched the blind Hunter reaching out with his hand, patting the floor around him as if in search for something.
The Exo Warlock didn't have to look to know that he was searching for Matt, the younger Exo only having to take a glance to know of the Medic's condition. It was obvious he was hit by one of Dusk's attacks but sensing the presence of void light lingering around Matt's form, Unit Eleven knows that the Warlock had gathered his light around himself in a last-ditch attempt to defend. It kept him alive, but Unit Eleven wonders if it was worth the effort.
He can easily see the familiar cloth of Pluto's cloak over Matt's form in a vain action to smother the flames, although, it was burned black, the edges jagged and corroded by the flames. Beneath it, Unit Eleven can hear the ragged breathing of the Medic followed by groans of pain as his body twitched and spasmed; if it were not for his light, the Exo Warlock would have not recognized the mangled form as the human Guardian who constantly treated not only Ianos, but the other injured Guardians under his care.
Approaching the Medic's side, Unit Eleven then slowly lowered himself onto his knees, only to pause when Matt slowly turned his gaze his way.
"Knight?"
The Phoenix Exo wasn't surprised for his mistaken identity; he hardly recalls a time when he would visit the Medic personally and not hiding within Knight's mind. Nonetheless, Unit Eleven decided not to correct the Warlock; although still amazingly intact, Phoenix Exo can easily tell his eyes 'see' through him and the original brown of his corneas were colored a dull gray. Without the aid of a Ghost, there was doubt that he would not be able to recover from Dusk's attack, let alone see again. But there was a chance he could still survive his encounter with the female Phoenix.
"I need aid!" Unit Eleven filtered his voice through the broken Plaza, his white optics catching the gaze of those nearby, "Guardians down!"
It was both relieving and frustrating when several of the Guardians lowered their weapons and came over for assistance although, some still kept their focus on the two Phoenix Exo safe within Unit Eleven's shield.
As such, while keeping an optic out on the Guardians lowering themselves to carefully heft the injured Hunter and Warlock into their grasps, Unit Eleven took the opportunity of their distraction to subtly raise his hand and slowly curl his fingers together. It was then, he closed his optics as a bright flash emanated from the shield followed by a scream of surprise and pain, prompting Unit Eleven to open his gaze in time to see the surrounding Guardians stagger back, some of them actually removing their helmets to rub their palms into their eyes in a vain attempt to rid themselves of their blindness.
Feeling a tinge of pity from the younger mind, the older mind simply mused if it was going to be enough to give his older brethren time to sort things out, especially when he glanced over in time to see Echo take Dusk's hands in hers, seeing him gripping her fingers gently but tightly enough in an attempt to get his words through to her. That is when Unit Eleven saw hesitation flash over the Huntress' optics, and glancing around at the staggering Guardians around them.
For a small moment, just for a split second, Unit Eleven thought that the female Phoenix was going to take Echo's words into consideration, just from the way she stayed silent as her white optics locked back onto the Titan's, and how the flames around her shoulders slowly faded. His hope then quickly dwindled when Dusk's narrowed her gaze and anger quickly replaced with her hesitation.
Taking advantage of his shield, Unit Eleven shifted his hands to manipulate his light 'around' Echo, watching as Dusk's light exploded, only for his light to shimmer brightly around the Titan's form.
"I highly recommend you tell everyone to evacuate the premises." He murmured, turning his blank optics to the nearby Guardians, sensing shock and surprise emanating behind their helmets, "there is nothing you can do against the two of them now."
"But if we work as a team-"
"The Hunter has the ability to 'take' light in an instant if she so wishes," A pause from the Guardian, "and if I heard correctly, Echo's nickname is 'The Reaper', and I highly doubt he will appreciate if others intercede."
Once again sensing hesitation from the group, Unit Eleven found it good enough to shift his attention back towards the two older Phoenix Exo and promptly started to approach.
"Wait, how come we can't get any closer but you can?"
Shifting his gaze momentarily back towards the group of Guardians, Unit Eleven subtly tilted his head as he mused, "Because unlike me, you are not like them."
Opting to say nothing more at the bewildered looks he received, the Exo Warlock simply focused his attention back onto Dusk and Echo, and started to close the distance.
Xxxxx
Echo had seen the damage Dusk had done to both the Tower and several of the Guardians; he can already tell who had their light taken, the ones rolling on the ground groaning or had gone still, the emotion of shock still emanating from themselves or their Ghost. As such, he knows any chance of Dusk gaining a pardon from the Vanguard and the Consensus was now broken, beyond her reach; even if he requests her freedom. Even the enigmatic Speaker won't be so forgiving towards a chosen that had crippled many of their Guardians.
The dream of having the female Phoenix in his arms once again now shattered, Echo practically did nothing as Dusk released her light in a fiery of fire, his words of convincing her to stop lost to her. Expecting the familiar burn of flames eating away, Echo instead reeled back when a shimmer of light flickered in his vision, prompting him to take steps back as the fire rolled around his form, passing by harmlessly before it faded.
"Stop interfering!"
Glancing up to see Dusk's red optics glancing over to their side, the Exo Titan followed her gaze only to pause upon the approaching form of Unit Eleven, the Exo Warlock simply shrugging his shoulders, as if her words were anything but a threat.
"You are endangering the City and the Guardians who protect it," Echo heard Dusk growl at the younger Exo's words, "I say it is my right to interfere."
A scream of rage can be heard emanating from the female Phoenix before Echo saw the familiar shape of a Golden Gun form in her grasp, and aiming the solar weapon in the younger Phoenix's direction. That is when the Exo Titan gathered all his light around him, letting the fog of void light act as his second skin before slamming his shoulder against Dusk's from, and wrapping his arms around her waist. A shout of outrage was the response to his actions followed by the heat of solar light burning against his form. Gritting his jaw as his void armor spilled out into a smog, Echo then turned, and threw her to the floor. Hearing her let out a wheeze and cough, the Exo Titan then climbed on, placing his hands onto Dusk's shoulders to pin her to the hearth.
"You know the Traveler chose humanity!" He shouted, condensing his light against his form as he felt Dusk's fire grow in heat underneath him, Echo seeing her optics glow red in anger, and betrayal, "Why can you not accept it!?"
"Have I not said it before," Dusk spat, "Humanity yearned for its power despites its gifts, its 'generosity'. I refuse to accept that it would have chosen such a greedy race as its Acolytes."
Echo paused at her words, his white optics searching against her metallic features for any sign of hesitation, for any sign of doubt; he found none.
"Please, Dusk," He pleaded, "The Traveler is asking me to protect the Guardians, to protect its Chosen." Echo then leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers as he whispered, "It is telling me to fight you Dusk, and that is not my wish."
That is when he saw her optics flicker, the familiar sheen of white glimmering through the red before he watched her shut them, signaling to Echo to let his shoulders relax as the flames around her form slowly dwindled; just a bit more, "I do not wish to do any harm to you, my love."
That is when the fire around the female Phoenix's form finally died, followed by Dusk opening her optics to reveal the white lights in her gaze, allowing Echo to completely relax, letting his void light dissipate, and taking his hands away from her shoulders. Momentarily hesitating, the Exo Titan then permitted himself to reach out with his fingertips, grazing them against the female Phoenix's face before cupping them in his hands and closing his optics, taking her in as he murmured, "I have missed you."
Feeling her tremble beneath him, Echo did nothing as he felt hands press against the back of his helmet, feeling Dusk shift and press herself against him as her fingers trailed down the back of his neck and then under his jaw.
The Exo Titan remembers when they use to embrace like this, when there were no human eyes watching over them, and they were isolated in their quarters after missions. It was hard to contain their fears, their trauma of being soldiers out on the field, seeing the death and chaos of war as their fellow Exo, both Phoenix and non-Phoenixes alike, fell in battle. But as soon as the pair had gained their privacy, they would pull each other into their partner's arms, letting their sensors fill with the warmth of the other as they waited for their next assignment. Despite the ruin of the Plaza around them and the curious and horrified expressions of the Guardians nearby, Echo felt the same familiar sensation, the safety and warmth of Dusk filtering into his systems.
"I'm sorry."
Echo snapped his optics open, giving the female Phoenix a bewildered look behind his visor before he felt the familiar point of a barrel press under his jaw. Slowly realizing her intentions, disappointment and grief filtered into Echo's senses as he heard the click of the hand cannon permeate into his auditory sensors.
Xxxxx
Unit Eleven had held out hope that Echo would have been the one to change her mind, despite her acts of denial and rage. However, as soon as he saw Dusk pull out her Golden Gun and pressed it underneath Echo's jaw, he knew that any chance of saving Dusk from her anger, from her wrath, was now gone. Even the Phoenix she had loved and cared for, can do nothing to ease her away from the destruction of the City and its Guardians.
As such, the Exo Warlock prepared himself, gathering his light around his form as the ring of the hand cannon resonated through the air followed by Echo disappearing into a flash of fire and smoke, leaving nothing except for the black form of Reaver hovering in his place. The surprise was poignant from the Ghost however, Unit Eleven can also feel the pity, the grief as he fixed his white optic at the Huntress, the latter of which slowly pushed himself onto her feet and flashed the black Ghost a look. The Exo Warlock easily can feel the regret reverberating from the female Phoenix before he felt her gaze lock onto his, "Are you going to stop me as well?"
Unit Eleven had expected anger from her words, their previous encounters filled with fury and betrayal. However, instead, weariness can be heard in her tone, and Unit Eleven noticed her slumped shoulders, the way the Solar Light flickered pitifully against her form.
"I do not wish to do you harm, sister," Unit Eleven watched her gaze flicker, lifting her head just slightly, "However, the Tower and Guardians is my home, I also do not wish to see you do harm to them as well."
He saw her flinch, "Then, yes?"
Unit Eleven paused, sensing concern reverberating Knight from the back of his mind before he nodded, "Yes."
A tired sigh took place of the rage that the younger Phoenix had expected from the Huntress, seeing her close her optics as she slowly nodded her head, "I see."
It was then Unit Eleven saw her light burn brightly around her form as Dusk opened and narrowed her gaze, "Then goodbye, brother."