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:

Edited: 05/21/2023

"Are you heading out alone?"

Turning his optics away from the window of his cockpit, Nine locked onto Ace's, the orange glowing in the dim lighting. He decided to remain quiet at the Ghost's question.

"Will Echo be with you?"

Once again, Nine decided to say nothing. A sigh can be heard from Ace.

"Are you seriously planning to face Dusk alone? Again?"

Again.

Nine repeated the word in his head, feeling Knight and Day pull in his mind, silently telling him to heed the Ghost's words. There is a quiet warning behind it.

"Echo is already at the Tower." He broke his silence, "There is no doubt that he is already confronting Dusk as we speak." Nine saw Ace's optic narrow, "I will not be alone, if that gives you solace."

This earned him another glare, a glower, but eventually, the Ghost released a sigh, their shell shifting against their core as they spoke, "Knowing how capable you are, normally, I should not be worried." They scowled at Nine, "But considering it is Dusk, I cannot help but be concerned."

Nine blinked at them, "We do not know if her ability to take light is applied to other Phoenix Exo."

"But do you know if you are completely immune?" Ace argued. Nine paused, "I am not saying to run away, Nine. All I am saying is…" The Ghost breathed out, "Be careful."

"I will survive." Nine said bluntly.

"You do not know that."

Ace didn't shout, but they didn't have to for Nine to hear the desperation, the seriousness behind their voice.

"Do you know how many times Ianos and I have heard those same words spoken to us before we never see them again?" Ace asked.

Nine didn't respond. He already knows the meaning behind the Ghost's words.

"You may carry a piece of the Traveler, but even the Acolyte of a god have limits." Ace continued as Nine watched them glide closer, "Tell me, you may have the capability to bring Guardians back from the dead, but how long can they stay dead before you are unable to bring them back?" They narrowed their optic at him, "Two days? A week? A month?" Nine remained silent, "Or how about healing?" That made him flinch. If Ace notice, they didn't acknowledge it as they continued, "Angel told me that when he was resurrected, he was in the same condition he was when he had died, and that you had fallen unconscious after. Do you know your limits when it comes to bringing someone back, Nine?"

Hearing Ace go quiet, Nine took it as a sign from that the Ghost that they wanted an answer, a response. But he couldn't give them one, and thus, once again, said nothing. He felt Knight get agitated in the back of his mind.

To distract himself, Nine turned his attention back to the window of his ship, his optics hovering over where the Tower stood. He can see a single plume of smoke coming from it. Small, but clear enough for Nine to know that Dusk had started her assault in the Plaza. She seems to be contained, considering that no other source of smoke could be seen. For now.

Nine knows that soon she will break through the Tower, break down the main defenses of the City. Then, she will turn her attention to the feet of it, wiping out the inhabitants within their very walls before claiming the Traveler under its own name. Nine is familiar with that tactic. He and his Units did the same back in his previous life. Seems they had programmed it into the older units as well.

"Nothing?"

Nine forced himself to look back, to stare down the glare that Ace had pointed at him.

"If you cannot answer, then how about this?" The Ghost said, "How about yourself? Are you like Dusk that you can resurrect yourself without the aid of your Ghost?"

That is when Day's presence left Nine's head and before he couldn't even realize what had happened, his Ghost's shape appeared from the corner of his optic. Their shell flared from their core.

"Why are you interrogating Nine?" His Ghost glared back, "He can take care of himself, even against Dusk. Why won't you worry about your own Guardian?"

"I am!" This time Ace's voice was raised, and it caused even Nine to jerk back. He saw his Ghost reel at the shout, "How do you think Ianos would feel if you were to leave and then never come back!?"

It took Nine a moment to process the Ghost's words, to fully comprehend their meaning. He turned his optics to Day, optics flashing. He found his Ghost looking back, but they too remained quiet.

"He has hardly known me." Nine finally said as he turned his attention back to Ace, "I doubt it will affect him that deeply."

Not that he trusted me that much. He thought to himself. Not to mention that he has known Knight longer. No doubt that he would care more for the young Exo than Nine himself. He thought that this would be the end of the conversation.

Instead, he heard Ace laugh and Nine couldn't help but look on in confusion. He had been taught that laughter was supposed to be filled with joy, of happiness. The one he hears now is filled with nothing, nothing but grief and worry.

"If you think that way, then you are denser than I thought." Ace said.

"Hey!" Day jerked forward, shell clicking angrily against their core. They glared at their fellow Ghost.

If Ace took note of it, they showed no sign of it.

"It is true that he did not trust you at first." Ace admitted, "but then you saved Hush, and it was then Ianos decided that you were trustworthy." The Ghost paused and then snorted, "He wouldn't admit it vocally but, there is a reason why he always left Hush in your care, Nine."

And it wasn't because of Knight?

At least, that is what Nine wanted to ask. But something kept his words quiet, silenced within his mouth, and he could only stare, locked onto Ace's orange optic.

It had never crossed his mind that Ianos trusted him. He had always thought it was Knight he trusted. Perhaps, he needs to reevaluate.

Thus, Nine found himself nodding and saying, "Since you insist, I will be careful."

The relief that flashed over Ace's optic is obvious, and Nine saw the way their shell drooped, relaxing away from their core.

"Thank you." They said.

This finally allowed Nine to send a signal to Day, feeling his Ghost's presence linger back into his head and his vision tinged with light. The last thing he saw before transmat, was Ace looking on, worry still clear in their gaze.

Xxxxx

It felt like eternity before Pluto made it to Matt's writhing form, the Medic's screams ringing in his sensors as he leaned over him. Tearing his cloak off his shoulders, Pluto threw it over Matt's body, praying, hoping that it would be enough to smolder the flames. So engrossed in his panic that he hardly felt the hand that grabbed him by the shoulder.

The movement was swift, quick, and Pluto only had the time to see the Phoenix Exo before pain burned from his left optic. He screamed as darkness engulfed his vision, and Pluto jerked back, trying to gain distance as he felt the last of the wires leave his left socket. A hand tight around the front of his cloak kept him in place.

"I have taken back what was not rightfully yours." He heard the Phoenix speak, prompting him to fumble, raising his hands until his fingers pressed against the familiar texture of leather and steel. He trailed up until he found her hand and clawed at her grip.

All he heard was a small 'tsk' and then a hand wrapped around his throat followed by another. Pluto choked when he felt pressure build around his neck.

"N-Nix." He managed to call out, fumbling to his waist as he felt the familiar flash of light leave his person.

The image that appeared in his mind is broken, lines dashed, but it was enough for Pluto to recognize his target, prompting him to finally find the handle of the spare knife upon his belt, jerked it out of is sheath, and thrusted it into the Phoenix's side.

He heard a gasp followed by a short cry, feeling a hand slip away from his throat. Pluto took in a rasping breath followed by clawing at the lone hand keeping him close. He felt the Phoenix's grip go tight.

"How dare you."

Pluto heard her snarl before he felt his feet treading air and he felt a slap hit his hand away from his knife. There is a grunt, the sound of a blade scraping against steel, and before Pluto could call out to Nix to scan his surroundings once more, he let out a cry of his own as pain seared from his abdomen. He then screamed again as he felt a blade cut across his stomach.

"I was planning to leave you Lightless." Pluto heard the Phoenix snarl, "But now your death won't be painless."

Taking in a sharp breath, Pluto forced the growing panic into his chest and instead, focused on his light, trying to gather it into his hands. If he could just create a grenade, then perhaps he could slow her down.

However, just as he felt his light solidify in his hand, he felt it fade and Pluto could feel himself growing weak.

He heard the Phoenix chuckle, "Say goodbye to your light, imitation."

Fumbling with his hands until he found the Phoenix's around his throat again, Pluto once more try to pry it off his person. But his fingers refused to obey, feeling numb.

"N-Nix?" He croaked out.

His Ghost's panic is apparent through their bond, hearing Nix cry out, muffled to his senses and Pluto tried to focus, tried to concentrate on what he is trying to say. He couldn't make out his words.

But Pluto could tell he was pleading, begging, and it was then he realized the absence of Nix's presence in his head. Despite being unable to comprehend his words, Pluto had wondered why his Ghost's words seemed loud, despite feeling their bond weaken.

Feeling his grip go slack against the Phoenix's wrist, Pluto took in a shuddering gasp as regret settled in followed by irony. To think that he, the one called 'The Executioner', would be killed by another Lightbearer. If his senses weren't so muddled, Pluto would have laughed at the thought, amused that a Phoenix, one who is created from the flesh of the Traveler, would be the one to end him. Thus, he breathed out, and accepted death.

"Dusk!"

A shout, a cry, and suddenly Pluto found the hand around his throat gone and he collapsed to the ground. Falling to his side, Pluto groaned as he reached a hand to the knife in his stomach. It was loose, and he pulled it from the wound. He felt it bleed, a dull ache followed by a spike of pain. Pluto couldn't help but curl in.

"Pluto?"

Nix's voice is barely comprehensible still, but it is enough for Pluto to latch on, using it as an anchor to stay conscious. He laid his head onto the Plaza floor, "Matt?"

Hearing the hum of his Ghost gliding closer, the sound of his shell clicking together, Pluto then heard Nix answer, "He's severely burned, but alive." A brief pause, "Barely."

That's good but Pluto cannot stem the concern, the worry. Matt may be alive now, but Pluto knows by experience that could change at any moment. Thus, he tuned in to his surroundings, focusing until he heard it; shuddering gasps, wheezing of someone struggling to breath, to even exhale. Matt was not going to last long.

"Nix." Pluto called out.

"I'm already on it."

The familiar warmth of light settled into his senses and Pluto waited patiently for the last of the aches, the pain, to subside, at least so he can stand. However, the instant the relief set in, it vanished, and Pluto curled in as the agony returned.

"She's weakened our bond." Nix despaired, Pluto hearing his shell shifting erratically, "I cannot heal you properly, at least, not now. We need time."

Time. Time that they do not have.

Pluto turned until he can place his hands upon the floor. And then, he pushed himself up, sitting upon his knees.

"Pluto! What in the Traveler are you doing!?" The panic is obvious in his Ghost's voice, "You should not be moving!"

Staying quiet at Nix's words, Pluto instead groaned as his body protested, pain spiking from the wound from his abdomen and the absence of his optics left a heavy ache.

"Send out a scan." He said.

"Pluto." Nix protested.

"Nix." Pluto rasped out, "Please."

There was a pause, a silence that made Pluto wary, until the familiar hum of light reached his senses and the broken, jagged shapes took form in his mind. From there, he could spot a form, subtly shifting not too far from where he sat, and Pluto gathered as much strength as he could to plant a foot onto the ground. He took a deep breath as agony took over, and Pluto found himself falling once more.

That is when he felt a hand hook under his, keeping him steady.

Xxxxx

"Hunter Pluto." Nine called out as he helped Pluto stay upright, seeing the Hunter glance up at him. He could practically hear Knight and Day gasp in his head at the absence of the older Exo's optics. White fluids dripped down the front of his face. To Nine, it resembled tears.

"Nine?"

Instead of a verbal confirmation, Nine gave Pluto's arm a squeeze, and he heard the older Exo release a harsh breath, shoulders sagging. The latter practically collapsed, kept upright by Nine's grip.

At first, Nine thought to help him stand, to lead him to the medical wing, but then he saw the amount of fluid building around the Hunter. He decided against it.

"You are injured." Nine said instead.

He could feel Day give him a mental slap.

"Is it that obvious?" Nine watched Pluto look back at him and give him a wry smile.

He couldn't help but tilt his head and stare. What is there to smile about?

Deciding not to comment on it, Nine instead turned his attention to Dusk. And Echo.

Somehow, he and the Titan had made it to the Plaza simultaneously but Echo was the first to react, and Nine is certain that it was for Dusk's sake. Nonetheless, he appreciated it, for if Echo had not tackled and carried her across the Plaza, it was more than likely she would have killed Pluto. And Nine would rather not have that happen.

Now, he could see that Echo had taken himself and Dusk a good distance away. He had put her down, but kept his hands upon her shoulders, and from where Nine is standing, he is shouting, yelling. What, Nine couldn't quite catch or, either that, Echo is keeping his voice low enough where even he couldn't hear. For now though, judging from the scowl upon Dusk's face and how she started animatingly started shouting back, Nine does not want to get in between the two.

Thus, Nine decided to shift his attention to his surroundings and he finally took the number of Guardians around. There weren't as many as he anticipated – perhaps Dusk had attacked during a time of activity, where most are out-bound? – but there were enough, enough where they are closing in, weapons raised, ready to find an opening, find a vulnerability to attack Dusk. She is fortunate that Echo seems to have noticed, for Nine saw him shift, turning so that he is between her and the slowly approaching Guardians.

Nine, at least, could help with that.

He raised his free hand, focusing the light not around his hand, but around Dusk and Echo, and when he finally has a clear vision, he snapped his hand shut.

Walls of light, near invisible if it were not for their subtle glow, formed around the two Phoenix Exo. If the pair had taken notice, they showed no sign of it as now they seemed to be getting physical, Dusk pushing Echo's hands off her and now jabbing a finger at him accusingly. Flames lingered around her fingertips.

In contrast, the approaching Guardians halted, obviously confused, but not enough where one of them raised his weapon and fired. Nine is pleased to see the bullet bounce harmlessly off his shield. That is when he noticed Dusk gesture towards the attacking Guardian, jabbing at them now as if to prove a point. Echo in turn, threw down a hand, shouted something back.

Confident that the pair wouldn't be interrupted, Nine finally turned his attention back to Pluto, only to see that the Hunter had steadied himself, back on his knees, but is patting the floor with his free hand. It is obvious what he is searching for. Or more like who.

Lifting his optics, Nine settled over Matt. If it wasn't for his light, he would not have recognized him. Even beneath the smoking remains of the cloak, the Medic is beyond recognition, his wheezing breaths and coughs the only sign of his miraculous survival.

The lingering vestiges of Dusk's light made it obvious who had put Matt in such a state, and the wisps of void light around him made it clear how he survived. But Nine couldn't help but wonder if that last ditch void shield was worth the effort.

Deciding to slowly release his hold on Pluto's arm until he is certain the Hunter can steady himself, Nine then approached Matt, kneeling to his side. He felt Matt's eyes turn to him.

"Knight?"

In honesty, Nine is not too surprised at the mistaken identity. He can hardly recall a time when he met the Medic face to face himself. No, it is the fact that he could tell that it is Knight at all, or at least, Nine in control of the body, that is what surprised him the most. When Matt had turned to look at him, parts of the cloak fell from his face. His eyes, once brown, were grayed from the flames, and were looking right through Nine.

Without the aid of a Ghost, there is no possibility he would see again. But perhaps if he receives aid quickly…

"Guardian down!" It has been too long since Nine had raised his voice, sounded strange, foreign in his sensors as he looked towards others, "Guardians needs aid!"

It was a relief to see most of the present Guardians turn towards him, taking note of the way their attention settled over Matt and Pluto before scrambling over. Frustratingly, this convenient distraction didn't catch all, and Nine spotted a couple still waiting, their attention still upon Dusk and Echo.

Thus, as he kept his optics upon Pluto and Matt as they were tended to, Nine raised a hand, focused his light, and slowly curled his fingers together. That is when, even from where he is kneeling, there is a flash of light, illuminating brightly from the walls that he had conjured around Echo and Dusk. From the corner of his optics, Nine saw the Guardians stumble back, raising a hand to their faces to block the worst of the light as they let out shouts of surprise. After, Nine watched on with mild amusement as a few removed their helmets, rubbing their eyes. Surely it wasn't that bright.

Sensing a tinge of pity from Knight, Nine mused if enough time had been given to Dusk and Echo to come to a mutual understanding. He turned his focus to them and he now sees that Echo has taken Dusk's hands in his. It is obvious now that he is pleading with her, his voice low and he is rubbing his thumb over her fingers. Nine spotted the hesitation, the way Dusk's optics glanced around to the surrounding Guardians and back onto Echo.

For a moment, just for a split second, Nine thought that Echo's words has broken through when they both remained silent, staring into each other's optics, and the way her solar light slowly died around her shoulders. That was quickly quashed when her optics narrowed and Nine saw anger flash into her gaze.

Nine turned, raising both his hands as he manipulated the walls of light around Echo just as Dusk's flames exploded. He felt the pressure press against his hands, watching as his light shimmered around the Titan's form.

"I recommend you tell everyone to evacuate the premises." Nine managed to strain out, watching as Dusk raised her knife and slammed it against the wall of light. He flinched as it shimmered and cracked under the blow, "There is nothing you can do here."

"What?" A Warlock turned to look at him, "If we work as a team-"

"The Hunter has the ability to take light if she so wishes." Nine heard the Warlock's words come to a halt, "and according to Echo's title as 'The Reaper'. I doubt he would appreciate others getting in his way."

Ignoring the surprise, the shock from the surrounding Guardians, Nine took in a breath, watching as Dusk went to strike another blow upon the wall of light when Echo leaped forward and tackled her. He allowed his wall of light to shimmer away and stood, taking steps towards the older Units.

"Wait, how come you are telling us to leave but you are staying?"

Pausing in his steps, Nine glanced back at the Guardians, subtly tilting his head as he contemplated an answer.

"Because I am one of them." Nine decided to say.

He sensed the confusion, sensing the puzzled looks behind their helmets but he opted to say nothing more. Thus, turning his attention back to Dusk and Echo, he resumed his approach.

Xxxxx

Echo couldn't help the knot build within his stomach when he had seen the damage Dusk had done to the Plaza. And to the Guardians she had managed to get her hands on. The Ghosts and bodies were few but, Echo knows the Vanguard and the Consensus enough. Once they learn of what Dusk has done, any chance of her being pardoned or a chance of a minor punishment vanished. There is no chance that she will remain free, especially not even when Echo knows that the enigmatic Speaker does not forgive easily when it comes to the well-being of the Guardians.

He had dreamed of having her in his arms again, embracing each other when in bed just like back during the Golden Age. It seems so far away now.

As he tackled Dusk, Echo carried her away, hoping, praying, that he would place enough distance between her and any curious Guardians before pain spiked from his back. Gritting his jaw, Echo felt her tear her knife between his plating and he knew she was aiming to strike again. Thus, he halted in his run, shoving her away and he watched as she reeled, wheeling her arms as she stumbled back.

Then she proceeded to blast a pillar of flame toward him.

This shows her lack of focus, her lack of tact, wishing only to do harm and not kill, and Echo started to gather his void light around his person. Only to pause when the flames slammed into a shimmering wall of light, white light, that prompted him to turn and glower. He could see Nine slowly approach, wisps of light fading from his fingertips.

"Stop interfering!" Echo heard Dusk shout from behind.

In turn, Echo watched as Nine's blank optics looked over his shoulder, more than likely locking his gaze with Dusk's.

"You are endangering the Tower and the Guardians." Nine said; Echo heard Dusk growl behind him, "I say it is my right to interfere."

Scowling at him, Echo went to retort, only to hear a scream of rage from behind. Turning around, Echo spotted a flash of a Golden Gun in Dusk's hand. And she is pointing it in Nine's direction. Gathering his light around him, Echo felt the familiar fog of the void cascade from his shoulders before he charged. Once again, he slammed himself into Dusk but he felt the heat, felt her feet stick to the floor. It seems this time, she had expected it.

Gritting his jaw as he felt the void light smother and burn, Echo then tightened his grip around Dusk's waist, braced his feet against the floor and lifted. This time, he heard Dusk let out a startled shout as he turned and slammed her onto the tiled ground. Brushing her gasp and wheeze aside, Echo then planted himself on top of Dusk, seating on top of her abdomen as he pressed his hands against her shoulders, effectively pinning her.

"The Traveler chose humanity!" Echo shouted, condensing his light around himself as he felt heat build underneath him; Dusk's flames grew around her, "Why can you not accept it!?"

"Have I not said it before!?" Dusk argued back, "I refuse to accept that the Traveler would have chosen such a greedy race as its Acolytes!"

Echo gripped her shoulders tight, locking his optics with hers and searched, searched for even a tinge of doubt. He found none. His lights dimmed.

"Dusk, please." Echo pleaded, "The Traveler is asking me to protect the Guardians, to protect its Chosen." He slowly leaned it, cautious until his forehead touched hers; Dusk's optics flickered, "It is telling me to fight you, Dusk, and that is not my wish."

That is when Echo saw red and white flicker within Dusk's optics before they dimmed. The flames around her slowly dwindled. He couldn't help the relief, letting his light fade against his body.

"I do not wish to harm you, my love." Echo said.

That is when the last wisps of flames died around Dusk followed by her optics shining, revealing their white sheen. Echo breathed out, feeling the last bits of his void light leave his person. Then, he lifted his hands off Dusk's shoulders. Instead, he traced his fingers against her cheek before he cupped his hand against her face and closed his optics.

"I have missed you." He murmured.

Which is the truth. Many a night he had dreamed of her, only to awaken to a reality where he had thought that she was gone. And Echo couldn't help but blame humanity for it. Hence why he couldn't help but remain bitter, remain angry at them for taking away someone he had treasured greatly.

But now, she is right here underneath him.

Echo felt Dusk tremble before he felt hands press against the back of his head, feeling her trail her fingers down the back of his neck and then under his jaw.

This reminded him of back then, when they would embrace after missions, curled together in each other's arms within their small cots, sleeping away their fears, their trauma of war. Feeling her touch again, gentle, made him feel warm, just like back then.

"I'm sorry."

The apology prompted Echo to open optics, staring into Dusk's just as he felt the warmth of a hand cannon barrel press under his jaw. He couldn't say anything, couldn't think of anything as Echo saw the flash of regret and grief flash into Dusk's gaze. Instead, he felt his dream shatter when he heard the Golden Gun fire.

Xxxxx

Nine had hoped that Echo would have been enough to help Dusk change her mind, to help her lead off the path of anger and denial. However, when he witnessed her pull out her Golden Gun and promptly shoot Echo under his jaw, Nine knew that any chance of saving Dusk from her wrath is zero. Even the Phoenix that she had loved and cherished could do nothing to pull her away from the destruction of the Guardians and the Tower. And more than likely, the City.

Thus, Nine prepared himself, gathering his light around his person when Dusk pushed herself to her feet, brushing off the ashes of what was once Echo off herself. Nearby, he could see Reaver's black shell. The Ghost looked up at Dusk and in turn, she did the same. It was short, but in that brief moment of when their gaze locked when Nine could see the hurt, the regret in her optics.

Then, he saw her turn her attention towards him.

"Are you going to try and stop me as well?"

Nine couldn't help but contemplate, humming thoughtfully to himself. He is certain that he gave her his answer not too long ago, but he took note of the tone of her voice. Instead of fury and betrayal as he expected, Nine heard weariness, and saw the slump in her shoulders. Even her solar light seems to flicker weakly around her hands.

"I do not wish to harm you, sister." Nine decided to say. He saw her optics flicker, between white and a shade of blue. The meaning of the color is foreign to him. "However, the Tower is my home, and the Guardians are under my protection. I also do not wish to see you do them harm."

Dusk seemed to flinch, as if struck by his words, "Then, yes?"

Nine couldn't help but pause again, debating if he should weave his way around her question. The concern from Knight and Day prompted him to nod and answer.

"Yes."

He then raised his hands, expecting Dusk to retaliate, as she had done before. Instead, he watched as she sighed, closing her optics.

Then, she nodded her head once, "I see."

That is when her solar light flared to life, lashing out wildly, as if crazed. Dusk opened her optics and locked onto Nine's. They were narrowed, glowing brightly, "Then goodbye, brother."