Redacted

A Miracle

I apologize for the late update. I got caught up in a game...again...*coughs* Warframe *coughs* Anyways! Here's the next chapter! :D

Thanks to RWBYGAMES, TidalKiller, and AAA for the reviews!

AAA - Hey! Haven't seen you in a while! Nice to see you back! Thanks! Glad to see you're enoying Redacted! ^_^

Edited: 01/15/2023

Pluto never understood Ianos' preference for sidearms, the small weapon just not powerful in his eyes. He had used it personally on separate occasions and recalls too many times in the Crucible where he would receive a shotgun to the face or a fusion rifle in the chest before he could kill anyone with it. How Ianos can use it in general is something that Pluto will possibly never comprehend. As such, he is just as flabbergasted when Nine is able to use it proficiently, the familiar pop of his weapon going off followed by the cries of pain from the Fallen.

"And here they say you can never miss a shot."

"Shut up."

Hearing his Ghost snicker inside his head at his response, Pluto promptly ducked another bladed swipe from a Vandal before grabbing said Eliksni's arm, fired several shots into its armored chest, and kicking it away as it rasped and gasped.

He should have expected the entrance to the House of Kings place of stay to be guarded. Just not like this. And Pluto couldn't help but wonder how Nine found this place anyway.

As he pondered upon this, Pluto ducked, unable to completely focus on his thoughts with this many Fallen surrounding them and struggled even to focus on injuring them. Not killing someone who is trying to kill you is more difficult than Pluto had anticipated.

Nine, the latter of which isn't too far from Pluto, seems to be on the other end of the spectrum, easily weaving past bolts fired from the snipers and dodging the melees of Fallen who had gotten close. His fellow Exo would then casually counter by shooting limbs, legs to immobilize them followed by shooting their arms so they couldn't keep grip on their weapons.

Although this doesn't mean that Pluto couldn't help the frustration, the annoyance as he leaned back to dodge another swipe from another Fallen who had wandered too close. He grabbed the Vandal by the front of their armor and pressed the barrel of his sidearm under its chin. That is when Pluto felt them freeze, four eyes growing wide at the action. Despite himself, Pluto growled out in frustration.

He may have worked with the House of Spirits for a short amount of time, but after that, he couldn't look at the Eliksni the same. At least, not this close, not when he can see minuet expressions, small actions that made them less monster and more sentient.

As such, he shifted gears, lowering his sidearm and fired at the unprotected part of the Vandal's leg. He shoved them back as he heard them shout, a yowl of pain before using the butt of his gun to hit them on the side of the head. They fell like a pile of bricks.

"You are the reason we're here!" Pluto found himself shouting at Nine, readying himself to dodge another Fallen's attack – a smaller Dreg who seemed more panicked than brave, "Have a plan to get through them without killing them!?"

Watching Nine swerve to dodge a charge from a Vandal, Pluto then growled in frustration when he felt arms wrap around his shoulders, prompting him to lean back to gain momentum and then suddenly pulled forward. Hearing his attacker release a screech of surprise, Pluto flipped them onto the floor, pulled back a fist, and slammed it onto the Fallen's face. They went limp beneath him. That is when Day's voice echoed through the comms within his helmet.

"Nine says to get close to him. Claims he can't guarantee your safety for what he's going to do next."

"Excuse me!?"

Hearing his Ghost gawk at Day's words, Pluto promptly leaped back from another Dreg's attack before closing in on Nine's position. That is when he spotted the familiar sparks of arc light permeating around the Exo Warlock's arms. Before Pluto could even question what he is doing, that is when Nine slammed his hands onto the hearth. And he found himself scrambling as the floor beneath him lit with the crackle of lightning.

Fumbling in his steps, Pluto barely noticed the way the light crawled across the floor, latching themselves onto the feet of the surrounding Fallen. Not until he heard them scream, the outlines of their bodies illuminated by blue light. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it is gone and the Fallen collapsed. And they laid still.

Concern is the first thing that came to Pluto's mind, the Hunter kneeling next to one of the Fallen closest to him – another Dreg- before placing a hand upon its neck. He can feel a steady pulse against his fingers.

Releasing a breath, Pluto then turned his optics at Nine, narrowing his optics as the latter lifted his hands from the floor and subtly shook them; he can see sparks of light flick from his fingertips.

"How were you able to utilize your light like that?" He asked.

Waiting for an answer as Nine turned his attention towards him, Pluto couldn't help the frustration, the annoyance when, once again, the Exo Warlock didn't respond. Instead, the latter simply took his sidearm from his holster and walked towards the nearest door, followed by his Ghost.

Scowling, Pluto promptly stood just as he heard Nix say, "Just give me a few minutes, I can easily get into his head so he can answer your question."

"Nix." Pluto chastised.

"Come on! Do not tell me that I am the only one that is frustrated with Nine's lack of answers."

"I'm getting frustrated too." Hope piped in.

Pluto groaned.

"See!" Nix said, confident now, "Hope agrees with me!"

Subtly shaking his head, Pluto decided to check his weapon, ensuring that it escaped the barrage of arc light unscathed and that it is properly loaded before following Nine. The Warlock is waiting for him by the door, waiting until Pluto is close to turn and press the panel on the side, opening it. He couldn't help but raise a brow at this. Did Nine and Echo already grab the codes for entry during their search here?

Pondering upon this, Pluto once again followed Nine, letting the Phoenix Exo take point, and immediately brought his guard up. As they entered, he spotted armor hung upon racks, counters piled with materials and tools. This is obviously a place where they crated their arsenal, their armory, but where were the workers? The crafters? The splicers?

Cautiously following Nine in, Pluto further took in their surroundings, spotting the dim lights overhead followed by the countless bars of metal leading to the platforms secured above. Narrowing his optics, Pluto found his pace slowing, coming to a pause as his attention is now fully upon the rusted platforms. That is when he heard whispers of the Eliksni tongue echo from above.

"Nine! Heads up!"

Pluto shouted out a warning before instinct told him to dodge, releasing the fog of his void light just as he heard the shot of a wire rifle ring through the air. Despite being momentarily incorporeal, Pluto can still feel the heat as the shot went through him, feeling it hit the floor behind him just as he felt the last of his void light leave his person. Rolling back onto his feet, Pluto turned in time to see two Vandals drop down, snarling as they drew their blades.

Taking up his sidearm, Pluto then heard shots behind fired behind him, and recognized the sounds of Nine's own sidearm hitting armor, followed by growling shouts of pain. Firing his own weapon, Pluto couldn't help but curse as he watched his bullets graze against the armor of the Vandals. Although they jerked back in surprise, it did little to deter them from charging.

"How in the Traveler does Ianos use these?" Pluto hissed as he took steps back, firing potshots while as condensing wisps of light into his freehand. Just as the Vandals got too close for comfort, Pluto took it as an opportunity to turn and run, rushing towards Nine before holstering his sidearm, and wrapping an arm around his fellow Exo's waist. That is when he threw down the smoke grenade he had made down at his feet.

His vision went momentarily grey then violet, signaling the success of his cloak, but nonetheless it did little to slow Pluto down, leaping over the heads of confused Eliksni as he carried Nine in his arms. However, as he ducked into another room. Pluto found himself treading air, and with Nine's weight, his momentum twisted, pulling him down to his side, and he turned, allowing himself to land on his back. And with Nine falling right on top of him.

"This wasn't one of your brightest plans." Nix said.

"Nix, shut up."

Wheezing, Pluto waited until he felt Nine's weight leave his chest, allowing him to press a hand upon the floor to push himself up. That is when he felt a hand grab him by the arm and pulled him to his feet.

"Run towards the end of the hall and take a left." It is Nine, Pluto feeling the Phoenix Exo's hand leave his person, "That is where I last sensed Hunter Angel's light."

Quickly glancing between Nine and the Eliksni behind them, Pluto then blurted, "What about you?"

"I will hold the House of Kings off." Pluto couldn't help but sputter, gawking as Nine turned and took steps towards the group of approaching Eliksni.

"But how?!"

He saw Nine glance over his shoulder, "Echo is not the only one who can generate defenses."

Confused by the Warlock's words, Pluto's optics then grew wide when a mass of arc light wrapped itself around Nine's arms before the Exo snapped them forward. And a thin wall of crackling light appeared between them and the Eliksni. It latched onto the ceiling, the floor, and seemingly phasing through the metal and concrete, allowing no space for the approaching Eliksni to rush through. As such, the instant they touched the wall, there is a spark, a shriek of pain, and the group of Fallen scrambled back, surprise clear in their eyes.

"This should hold them back for now." Nine said as he shook his hands, sparks of light still lingering around fingertips, "however my presence is needed to sustain this defense." He turned towards Pluto, "My apologies for making you find Hunter Angel alone, but I must ensure that reinforcements not allow them through."

Looking back and forth between Nine and the wall of light, Pluto couldn't help the suspicion, the wariness before giving the Exo a single nod and ran down the hall, recalling Nine's instructions. Finding himself in a rocky corridor, Pluto then spotted the first door to his left – scraps of metal hastily melded together – in which he practically jumped through. Fortunately, there is no door, and Pluto found himself stumbling into a room with one side filled with cots, lined side by side. On the opposite, there were tools, jars filled with what Pluto recognizes as herbs, traditional medicines that only could be made by hand.

A sense of unease settled within Pluto's chest.

Where is Angel?

Scanning the room to find no occupants laying within the cots, Pluto then looked towards the back of the room, saw a table, and his optics lingered over it. And he froze.

Being a Guardian raised during the Dark Age, Pluto learned enough from fighting Eliksni of their biology, easily recognizing the four-armed figures from a distance. But what he saw laying upon the table, draped over with a piece of white cloth, was not a body of an Eliksni. It is obvious from the lack of four arms and way the cloth contoured around the face, revealing human-like features, features that Fallen obviously lack.

Feeling a knot forming in his stomach, Pluto took slow and cautious steps towards the table until he stood next to it, his optics staring until finally, to get it done and over with, he grabbed the top of the sheet and pulled it back, allowing him to see the face.

He found himself unable to move. This must be a lie.

Last he had seen the Hunter, Angel wore his hair long, pulled back whenever he would have to slip his helmet on. But now, past the bandages that is wrapped around his head, they were raggedly cut in an obvious attempt to access his injuries. He hadn't seen a Guardian this bruised in a long time.

Readying himself to pull the covers further, to assess the rest of the young Hunter's body, an anguished cry erupted from his mind, and he felt Hope's presence vanish. It didn't take long for the Ghost's white and red shell to compile just above Angel and Pluto watched as light flowed beamed from her core, trailing it down the Hunter's body.

Taking in a deep breath, Pluto clenched his jaw and pulled the covers back.

He recalls Nine and Ianos' report of Angel's injury before they were forced to retreat, at how he was scratched and missing an arm but, he seemed strong, having enough light that if he had left with them, had ran towards them instead of away, perhaps he would have not only lived, but his missing appendage would have been saved despite the long separation between himself and his Ghost.

As such, to see Angel not only missing an arm, but his remaining arm is placed in a splint, wrapped to set an obvious break, and his legs were missing, cut just above the knees. Were his injuries that severe? It didn't help that it looked like Angel had just come out of a crude surgery, marks of where a knife had went in obvious even through the bandages; it is obvious the surgeon had little knowledge of basic human anatomy. Nonetheless, Pluto can tell that whoever the surgeon was, had no ill-intent, the marks clean and the stitching flawless.

But it wasn't enough.

Lifting a hand, Pluto placed it upon Angel's remaining arm, and slowly lifted his optics towards Hope. He tried to keep his voice neutral as possible, "What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to resurrect him?"

Pluto just wants to take him home and out of this place. If he is to recover, he will need to be back at the Tower, where Pluto and the others can keep an eye on him. Knowing that he is alive and safe.

But as he watched on, Pluto saw Hope's light fade and her shell trembled against her core. This is soon followed by a strangled sob. A sinking feeling settled within Pluto's chest.

"Hope, stop playing around." Pluto found himself saying, "Resurrect Angel. He has been waiting long enough. If you need help, Nix and I can – "

"Pluto."

Despite the softness in his Ghost's call, barely a whisper, it is enough to cut Pluto off, and he could only stare as Hope shook.

"I, I can't." She finally said, "His, his light. I can't!"

Taking in a deep trembling breath, denial set in first, and Pluto glanced back and forth between Angel's prone form and Hope.

"What do you mean?" He asked but, Pluto already knew. He has lived long enough to know.

And as if to confirm his suspicions, his fears, Hope turned to look at him. And the last shade of green is now gone from her optic, replaced with the sheen color of white.

"We were too late." Hope mourned before she started crying and Pluto found himself staring once more.

That is when he moved his hand, lifting it away from Angel's arm and onto his chest, as if hoping to feel warmth, a steady beat of the Hunter's heart. Instead, he felt the stiffness of death, a chill running through the palm of his hand.

It then finally settled in.

Angel is gone, died a final death.

And he was not even a decade old.

Taking in another deep shaking breath, Pluto shifted, sliding his arms under Angel's body, and hefting him against his chest. Ensuring that his grip is secured, he then turned towards the exit.

"We're taking the body with us?"

"We are not leaving him here."

Hope is the first to retort against Nix's question, her voice trembling as she added, "Especially not in this House of cowards."

Taking note of the hate and grief in Hope's voice, Pluto instead focused upon Angel's face as he started the trek back to Nine. He could already tell from the young Hunter's injuries that he died in pain; he can only imagine how he had suffered without a Ghost nearby to ease the agony. Nonetheless, it looked as though he had accepted it, accepted death, as he looked to be asleep, a look of serenity upon his face.

Tightening his grip, Pluto tore his optics away from Angel and instead, sped up his pace, finding his grief slowly turned to anger. If Nine had not held Ianos back, then maybe, just maybe, Angel would have made it. They would have been able to save him, reunite Guardian and Ghost so that bond is kept strong, then he would have had a few more years to his life. Maybe he would have…

Pluto choked back a sob, his throat going tight as he slowed in his steps, grief clasping his core.

"Pluto?" He heard his Ghost call out, and Pluto turned his optics towards the viridian Ghost.

As he spoke, his voice wavered, "You know, you would think that after having centuries under your belt, that you would get used to this. To death." He turned his optics back to Angel, lingering over just how peaceful the young Hunter looked, "After all, we are in a war. It is inevitable that you will lose people, that you would lose friends." Pluto then took note of how young Angel looked. And it didn't help the grief, the guilt that took hold within his chest, "But, if there is a thing I cannot get over is how young some of these deaths are. Angel, he…" His throat went tight once more, "He is not even ten years of age and already…" His voice cracked, "Young. He was too young."

"Pluto." Nix called out again, his voice soft, comforting, "Let us return to Nine. Although I doubt he can do anything, he did say he has a solution to this."

Tearing his optics away from Angel, Pluto wanted to say something, comment at how Nine was going to fix this. However, Hope's choked cries prompted him to remain silent and instead, he nodded. In turn, Nix nodded back and his Ghost glided away, signaling Pluto to follow, and heard Hope do the same, her cries soft in his sensors.

Xxxxx

Nine kept his blank optics upon the waiting Eliksni, staring them down behind his arc wall. He already knows for certain that there are paths around it and there is no doubt in his mind that they are circling around. Fortunately, according to Echo, it's a long roundabout. It will take some time for them to reach him, long enough where they can grab Angel and go. At least, that is what Nine calculated. Unknown factors can come into play.

Shifting his sidearm in his hands, Nine glanced back to ensure no movement, no sound of approaching Fallen trying to sneak behind. He heard nothing and now he wonders what is taking Pluto so long. At this rate, not only will the Eliksni have time to attack from the flank, but more than likely bump into the Hunter on their way here. And if he were to have found Angel during that time…

"It cannot keep this barrier up forever." Nine turned his optics back towards the Eliksni and heard one of them continue, "Every bandit has a limit. This one, with no doubt, will break."

Outwardly, Nine knows that his expression is blank, emotionless, and he knows other see him as cold and unfeeling because of it. That does not mean he couldn't express inwardly, and he couldn't help but be amused at the Eliksni's words.

"You are correct, if the Guardian is of normal machinations."

The look of surprise upon the face of not only the speaking Eliksni, but the rest of the group, prompted Nine to tilt his head subtly, optics blinking. He then turned to his Ghost, Day promptly shifting their shell up and down; a Ghost equivalent of a shrug.

"From what I know, there aren't many Guardians who know the Eliksni tongue." Day explained, "only a handful I believe."

Nine's expression shifted; subtly, hardly noticeable, "Do Guardians do not try to understand the language of their adversaries?"

"Not many." His Ghost answered.

Blinking at his Ghost, Nine then turned his focus back towards the Eliksni and – although he can spot the hate in some of their eyes – he spotted looks of curiosity, to the point where they tried to peer through the arc wall, faces practically touching it.

"You speak just like that soldier we took in weeks ago." One of the Eliksni said, a Vandal, "One of our own came out of the caverns carrying him in her arms. Dug him out of the rubble of a collapse."

That is when a snarl emitted from the crowd, "She should have not wasted her energy on saving his life. He was nearly dead when she brought him in, and he did not last long before he expired." The speaking Vandal shook his head before they added, "It was nothing more than wasted energy and resources."

The words of the Eliksni resounded within Nine and he then felt waves of anger, of grief, emit from the back. Despite himself, he flinched, and his arc wall flickered, prompting the Eliksni to jump back, their guards up. Taking in a deep breath, Nine regained his composure, enough where his arc wall steadied. He then felt waves of apology from the back. It is going to get some used to have Knight's presence present while he is in control.

Nonetheless, Nine already knew that Angel is gone. He had sensed his light fade long ago, but it didn't stop him from trying to find the young Hunter. After all, he felt obligated to, especially since he is the main reason that they abandoned Angel down in the tunnels in the first place.

Pondering on what to do next, Nine then heard footsteps, slow and sluggish, come from behind and he turned but he didn't really have to look. He already knew it is Pluto, and as he expected, Angel's corpse is in his arms, the Exo Hunter's shoulders low with grief. The wonders of loss.

And Nine experienced plenty of it, in his first life. First his Unit, witnessed those he called his brothers and sisters die in a war for what they were created for, then his handler, the first human he called his friend, and the third, well, they are the reason why he is so intent on dying.

"You found Angel." Nine decided to say and this caught the Hunter's attention, judging from the way his head snapped towards him. And he sensed the anger behind his fellow Exo's visor. Nine didn't have to question why.

"You…"

Expecting the violence, Nine quickly holstered his sidearm just as Pluto charged him, amazingly keeping Angel's prone form in one arm while as with the other, grabbed him by the front of his coat. He felt his feet slide against the floor as he is casually lifted, Pluto obviously fueled with wrath as he slammed Nine against the wall, hard enough where static flickered around the edges of his vision, and enough where he glanced over to his arc wall. Nine can see it still stands.

"Thanks to you, Angel is gone!" Nine turned his attention back to Pluto, hearing the Exo Hunter shout, "You forced Ianos to abandon him! You left him in the caverns to die!"

"I understand your anger," Nine started, "However – "

"I do not want to hear anymore from you!"

That is when Nine felt Pluto's grip leave the front of his coat, only to find a hand wrap around his neck followed by void light permeating from the Exo Hunter's shoulders. He felt the fingers go taut around his throat.

"Wait! What are you doing!?" Day's frantic voice reached Nine's sensors, "Stop it! Traveler, damn it! Nine! Why do you always piss off the Old Guardians!?"

Instead of responding to his Ghost, Nine instead tilted his head back, forcing his shoulders to relax as he said, "Have you already forgotten? Did I not say that I have a solution to his death?"

"How!?" Pluto snarled, "How can you, a new light, able to the impossible task of resurrecting a Guardian!? Not even the most devoted to the Light are able to find a way to bring back the dead!" Nine felt Pluto shake him, "Only Ghosts can do that, and Hope is…"

Pluto looked away, prompting Nine to look over his shoulder and spot Nix and Hope, the two Ghost's hovering nearby. Both were simply watching, expecting, and Nine can see the wrathful look within Hope's optic. An optic now blank of color.

"And how many times do I have to say it?" Nine said, turning his optics back to Pluto, "I am not a Guardian."

Despite the visor covering the Hunter's features, Nine can sense the doubt, the bewilderment from the older Exo.

"What are you saying?"

Instead of answering immediately, Nine waited, waited until he sensed the scowl from Pluto and then felt the Hunter's hand leave his neck.

"Remember what I wanted to tell you of the Traveler and the Phoenix Exo?" He said. Pluto nodded, "Thanks to Echo's command, I cannot simply tell you, however, I can show you."

Nine then held out his hands, "If I may?"

He saw Pluto's shoulders tense, his grip going tight around the deceased Guardian's body but, Nine simply stood there, hands held out, and kept his optics steady over Pluto's visor. Finally, moments later, Pluto released a breath before taking a step forward and, slowly and carefully, settled Angel's body into Nine's arms.

"If this fails, your life is forfeit."

Nine nodded, understanding and not too worried of the threat because he is confident, knows, that what he is going to do next will work, despite his first attempt at doing so. Echo's words, whispers of the Traveler, helped him believe.

"Ghost Hope." He started as he settled to the floor, kneeling so that Angel's body is lying upon his lap, "Your light is needed for the process."

The Ghost in question shifted her shell warily, doubt clear in her optic but nonetheless, she glided over, signaling to Nine to raise a hand, palm open. Cautiously, she settled in. That is when he focused his light around her form, and he saw her jerk back, surprised.

"What are you doin'?" She asked.

"Imprinting your light." Nine answered and he sensed her confused stare, "The Light of a Ghost and a Guardian are similar in pattern, almost equal in resonance." He then turned his attention back to Angel, focusing his light around the Hunter. He found the small beads of light within, "I have to match your unique pattern in order for me to resurrect Hunter Angel or, at least, imprint his light back onto yours."

"I don't understand."

Instead of answering her, Nine lowered Angel to the floor until he laid flat and used his now free hand to place it upon the young Hunter's chest, further focusing his light. That is when he felt a soft hum permeate from Hope. He closed his optics.

"Soft and gentle but filled with a sense of injustice." He felt Hope shift in his hand, "Followed by regret and a need to make amends, wanting nothing more than peace between allies and foes." Nine focused, "Your light is faint, Hunter Angel, but it is there. There is no need to leave this world just yet." He opened his optics, and he felt the light burn around them, "Your friends and family are waiting for you."

He then sent a blast of light through his palm, into his fingertips, and simultaneously into Hope and Angel. Ignoring the gasp from the Ghost, Nine then felt the chill of death disappear under his fingers, color flowing back into the Hunter's face. He then heard Pluto - cautious, confused, and worried - take a step forward.

"What is happening?"

Feeling a dull beat under his palm, Nine glanced over at his arc wall, spotting it still thrumming strong, and the Eliksni behind it gone quiet, eyes wide with curiosity and wonder.

"As I have said before, Echo's command prevents me from answering." Nine can sense a frown from Pluto, "However, I am doing what organics call, a miracle."

That is when Nine felt Angel's light bloom within his chest, and his eyes snapped opened. And he took in a deep shuddering gasp.