Redacted
He's Your What!?
Note: 11/10/2024
From here on out, these are completely new chapters. No more updated pages :D
Pluto couldn't help but feel nervous.
He had been confident before, filled with the strong need to contact the Vanguard to update on their position. But now, after seeing Atum again after centuries, Pluto couldn't help but shift on the back of his feet, wary now. Perhaps he wouldn't be as much if Zavala or Cayde answers. However, if he gets Ikora.
Worse case scenario, there will be a lot of demand involved. Hopefully, if Ikora does answer, she will be a tad receptive.
"Pluto?" He heard Gemini call out from behind, "Are you okay? You have been acting strangely since, well…" Pluto can imagine her gesturing a hand vaguely into the air, "Since we met that Atum guy."
In response, Pluto sighed.
He knew he should have asked Nix to reach out to the Tower's frequency earlier. But Pluto had found himself pacing, contemplating what to do before finally, relenting to Atum's warning. He doesn't want to risk Atum's ire, especially with his temper. Thus, he made his way outside, feeling the eyes of the Revenants even as he made his way through the trees.
However, thanks to this, the twins are now asking questions. Question he feels like he has no right to answer. All of that should go to Ikora. This involves her after all.
"It is a long story." Pluto decided to say.
He wasn't all too surprised at the displeased looks he felt coming his way. Pluto pondered upon his next words.
"Correction." He added, "It is not my story to tell."
That helped ease the tension emitting from the twins.
"Whose story, is it?" Gemini asked.
"Ikora's."
Pluto heard her let out a sputter, a cough.
"Who in the – what in the – " Gemini managed out, "Were they lovers!?"
Now it was Pluto's turn to sputter, to wheeze, "How in the – What mad you think that!?"
That is when he felt the blank stare from Gemini.
"Not your story to tell. Ikora. Atum." Pluto can practically see her gesturing with her hands when bringing up one and then the other, "what else am I supposed to think?"
"That's not…" Pluto sighed crossing his arms and pinching the bridge of his nose, "They're not lovers."
"Then what are they?" Scorpio asked.
Pluto groaned, "Scorpio, not you too."
"Well." He can imagine the young Exo shrugging, "It's like what Gemini said. What else are we supposed to think?"
"They're not lovers." Pluto raised his hands, gesturing them towards Gemini and Scorpio, "Just, just do not mention it in front of Ikora. At all. It is…" He vaguely waved a hand, "it is a sensitive topic for her."
"Why?"
Pluto gave Gemini a blank stare.
"Again, not my story to tell." He repeated before finally, he reached out with his light.
Ignoring the way the twins jumped behind him, Pluto waited until he felt his light bounce back, allowing him to 'see'.
The three of them were a good distance away from the Revenant base, their strange mix of light and darkness hardly visible in Pluto's vision of black and white. However, he can also spot the Revenants, at least two, hiding on the treetops. Pluto wouldn't be surprised if they followed to ensure their own secrecy.
Not that Pluto would give it away.
He knows better than to spark the ire of Chosen who can kill Guardians without needing to kill their Ghosts.
Nonetheless, despite his instincts telling them that he needs to shoo them away, Pluto decided against it. Who knows what they will do if he tells them to leave?
Thus, raising a hand, Pluto once again felt the presence of his Ghost leave the safety of his head and felt Nix's weight settle onto his palm. Then, he felt the subtle burn of light as Nix hovered which was then followed by the click of his shell.
And then the static of a frequency.
Pluto waited, lowering his hand and hooking it onto his belt as he shifted on the back of feet before forcing himself to be still. He knows better than making himself so easy to read when other eyes are watching. Although, this didn't stop him from lifting his head when he heard a familiar click.
"Hunter Pluto?" Dread settled into the pit of Pluto's stomach as Ikora's voice came through; of course, she would be the one to answer, "It has been a while. The three of us were worried that you finally went rogue."
Pluto winced but nonetheless, answered back, "I was preoccupied, as you know. The Preceptor of the Revenants claims that they had made contact. Is that not true?"
"Yes. He did." Zavala's voice confirmed, "We were just concerned if he was telling the truth or not."
"He isn't the type to lie." Pluto found the words left him before he could realize. Behind him, he could hear the twins pause and then giggle. He heaved out a sigh, "The Preceptor informed us that he had contacted the Tower to inform you of our status. I am making contact to confirm it."
"Confirm your safety, I hope." Cayde's voice came in next; Pluto can hear the relief in his voice, "It has been a while since we received the frequency from the Preceptor. The three of us honestly thought the worse."
"We are alive." Pluto added in, "All of us are."
"All of you?" Ikora asked and Pluto can hear the relief, "Does that mean…?"
"Ianos is doing well, or at least, will be soon." He finished, "Surprisingly, the Revenant's methods with the Darkness helped stabilize him and currently, they are preparing a ritual to keep it that way."
"Wait." Cayde's voice popped in once more, "Are you saying that Ianos is finally cured?"
Pluto carefully pondered upon his next words, "In a sense. The Darkness won't kill him, once we are through here. Not anymore."
"If all goes well." Zavala added in. Pluto can hear him hum through the frequency, "Knowing the darkness, likely there will be a price."
"A price that is worth the risk for his life." Pluto decided to add in.
"Even if he is corrupted by the darkness?"
He frowned at Ikora's question.
"Either he lies in bed and waits for the corruption to kill him, or to undertake this ritual and garners the risk of corruption." Pluto said, "either way, he will die of corruption. At least the latter, he has a chance."
"And judging from how calm you are, it is well worth the risk." Cayde, at least, didn't sound the least bit concerned. Then again, Cayde hides his true feelings well, "otherwise, I doubt you would be giving us a call right now."
Despite himself, Pluto couldn't help but feel annoyed. Although admittingly, what the Hunter Vanguard says is true.
"What are your thoughts on this ritual, Pluto?" Ikora asked.
That made him pause.
What does he think of the ritual?
"Wary." He finally said, "but relieved."
"Relieved?" Ikora repeated back.
"That I do not have to worry about the darkness corrupting and killing him." Pluto clarified, "If again, all goes well."
And he hopes that it does. Ianos have been delaying what they thought was the inevitable for years. This may be the only thing that could save him now. Pluto doesn't want to think what will happen if the ritual falls through.
Or what they will do.
But if all goes well.
Ianos will be okay.
At least, when he is out in the field, Pluto can do something about his safety. He can finally lose that sense of hopelessness of watching Ianos slowly deteriorate away.
A slow exhale from Zavala pulled Pluto out of his thoughts.
"My only concern is that Ianos will pay a heavy price." The Vanguard Commander said, "there are risks when working with the darkness."
Pluto let out a sigh of his own, "If it helps, perhaps we may ask Eris Morn. She may have an idea on what the ritual entails."
And not to mention she is one of the few friends that Ianos has back at the Tower. One of the few that could be trusted when it comes to his well-being.
"A solid advice." Ikora agreed, "Do you have details on this ritual?"
That made Pluto pause, brows furrowing together.
He had been so focused on Ianos during the first attempt that Pluto hadn't noticed anything of import, especially since he can't exactly see what is going on.
Expect for one detail.
"A Hive Wizard has to enact it." Pluto finally answered, "Or at least be present for the ritual to be undertaken."
"Wizard?" Ikora repeated back, "The Revenants are working with the Hive?"
That made Pluto pause again.
Good point. The last time the Tower had last seen the rogue Guardians was years ago, not long after the Great Disaster. He wonders if he spoke too much, especially since he heard movement in the treetops.
"The Hive." Cayde's murmur came through the frequency, "That doesn't sound dangerous. At all."
"You and I have the same sentiment." Pluto said, "However, according to the Preceptor, it is tantamount that a Hive Wizard is present for the ritual, otherwise it won't work."
"Likely for the reason that the Wizard is the link needed for the ritual to be successful." Zavala's words were insightful as usual, "perhaps because of their link to the darkness."
Pluto pondered upon that. It would make sense, especially considering how closely the Revenants are working with the Hive. What is the best way to stay in 'balance' when one side is knowledgeable of the Darkness and the other is knowledgeable of the Light? That would also explain why Atum is here. He always did have what was considered an 'unhealthy' curiosity with the Hive back then.
"If that is the case then I believe that the ritual will go well." Pluto found the words leaving his mouth, "The Preceptor claims that there had been no incidents whatsoever ever since the ritual has been enacted."
"And you are certain of the truth?" Ikora's distrust is obvious, "That he is speaking the truth?"
"As I have said before, he is the not the type to lie." Pluto said, "You knew him after all."
There was a pause, a beat of silence through the coms. Pluto wouldn't be surprised if the Vanguard had glanced had each other, silently conversing through their understanding and time together.
"Zakai was always the honest type." Zavala finally admitted, "if he claims that the ritual will end well, then likely he is telling the truth."
"He sounded confident as well." Pluto decided to add in, "If he wasn't, I wouldn't be allowing Ianos to undertake the ritual."
There is a snort from Cayde, "Trust us, we would know if you won't allow the ritual to happen. You aren't exactly scared to show how you feel."
Again, Pluto frowned and again, he was quiet, as again, it was the truth.
"Nonetheless, we are glad to hear from you, Pluto." Ikora said, "and we are relieved that you and the others are safe."
"For now." Pluto couldn't help but glower over his shoulder at Gemini's mutter.
Through Nix's frequency, he can hear a hum from Zavala.
"Not surprising that the Revenants are on edge as usual." The commander commented, "They were they same not long after the incident with Atum."
Pluto's core sank.
Please, for the love of the Traveler, let the twins miss the mention of his name.
"Atum?" Gemini's voice came from behind, the tinge of boredom vanishing from the edge.
"What happened with Atum?" Scorpio's question followed not long after.
Pluto let out a heavy sigh.
Traveler, damn it.
"You have heard of Atum?" Pluto can practically see the raised brow from Ikora, "he isn't well-known here, how have you heard of him?"
"Gemini. Scorpio." Pluto warned.
He felt a slender hand land upon his shoulder, forcing Pluto down as weight as placed upon it.
"We met him!" Gemini practically chirped, "He was a bit rude though."
"Gemini!" Pluto this time raised his voice, and he felt the younger Exo's hand pull away, her weight leaving his shoulder.
However, as he raised himself, squaring out his shoulders, Pluto heard the silence coming from Nix's frequency. Again, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Did we say something wrong?" Scorpio asked.
"I was just curious." Gemini piped in.
"Gemini. Scorpio." Pluto warned again.
"You have met Atum?" His shoulders slumped at Ikora's question, "When? And where? Don't tell me…"
That made Pluto hesitate, pondering upon his next move. Should he deny or tell the truth? His thoughts then settled over Ianos, how keeping a secret went. Pluto doesn't want a repeat.
"Yes." He confirmed, "Atum is with the Revenants."
There was another pause, another beat of silence. Then, Pluto heard Ikora let out a heavy sigh, filled with disappointment.
"I thought I told him not to get himself involved with them." He can imagine the Warlock Vanguard pinching the bridge of her nose, "he experienced firsthand what happens when involving himself with those who work with the darkness."
At not fault of his own.
Pluto promptly bit down on his tongue.
Ikora already sounded aggravated enough. No need to aggravate her further.
"How is he doing?"
Despite the frustration, the disappointment from earlier, Pluto also heard the genuine concern, the worry.
"From what I could tell, he is doing well." He answered, "quick on his temper as usual."
There is a huff through the frequency, obviously filled with amusement.
"One of the few traits that he had inherited from you, Ikora." Cayde commented.
"That was not from me." Ikora argued. Her tone was soft.
A chuckle from Zavala.
"I remember him running through the Tower, getting into spaces where he shouldn't be and asking questions whenever he could." The Titan Commander reminisced, "would often times get himself into trouble."
"At no fault of his own." Pluto found the words slipping off his tongue, unable to help but settle into the memory.
Atum was so small then, with hazel eyes always wide with curiosity as he would run between Guardians, pointing at their gear, at their Ghosts, anything he could ask questions for. And whenever his questions are answered, he would have such an intense look in his eyes, so eager to learn, so eager to take everything in.
Only if he could have remained that way. Young, curious, bright. And mortal.
Pluto can understand the sentiment of why Akiva despaired when his son was chosen. All those who had watched Atum grow, who had helped raise him, felt that way when his Ghost, later named Eridanus, chose him.
Perhaps one would see it as a blessing; a child of a renowned Warlock being chosen by a shard of a Traveler, to help protect the City. But another would be that the child's fate had been fixed, nothing can be done to alter their course as a Soldier of the Light. If one had willingly taken up the mantle, perhaps it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
But it wasn't.
And Pluto cannot help but wonder if that is why Atum seemed so bitter when growing up with Eridanus by his side.
"So." Pluto heard Gemini say, and felt her hand settle onto his shoulder. He felt her weight press against him, "Was Atum a child Guardian like Hush?" She leaned further against him; Pluto can feel the heat of her lights against his neck, "Who is he?"
"Gemini." Pluto warned.
"It's not fair that you guys are talking about him in a round about way." He felt Gemini's hand tighten against his shoulder and felt himself being subtly shaken, "I want to know too!"
Pluto let out a frustrated sigh, "As I have said before, Gemini – "
"Not your story to tell." He heard the Hunter finish before he finally felt her hands slip away. Pluto can practically see her cross her arms and sulk. Nearby, he heard Scorpio let out a chuckle.
At first, nothing came from Nix's core. And then, there was a long exhale from Ikora.
"Atum is my son." She confessed.
And Pluto wasn't all too surprised at Gemini's and Scoprio's reaction.
There was a choke, a wheeze from Gemini, Pluto hearing her sputter while there was a sharp intake of breath from Scorpio. Which is promptly followed by a hail of coughing,
"Excuse me!?" Gemini shouted, "Son!? You have a – ack! Scorpio!"
As expected of Scorpio, he likely had jabbed his sister in the side, ceasing her questions. At least, for now.
This was soon followed by a hush from Scorpio and then a grumble from Gemini.
"I could see the resemblance." Pluto heard Scorpio say, "he has your face."
There was a gentle huff from Ikora.
"If he had heard you, he would have hit you." She said.
A stunned pause.
"Atum doesn't like it?" Scorpio finally asked.
That question made Pluto shift.
Here it comes.
Through Nix's core, Pluto heard Ikora inhale and then slowly exhaled.
"Let us say that he and I do not always see eye to eye."
An understatement, since last Pluto had seen them together was before Atum had left with the Revenants. There were some harsh words and violence exchanged, and after they were practically pried off each other, the pair parted with no other words spoken. But the expressions on their faces said it all.
Beside him, Pluto can feel Scorpio's frown, and he could tell that the young Exo wanted to ask, to delve deeper. However, unlike Gemini, he has tact, proven when Pluto felt him nod and nothing else was said.
"Why? Did something happen between you two– ack! Stop it!"
Pluto sighed.
Gemini lacked tact. He was just fortunate that Scorpio was always there to reign her in. At least to an extent.
Fortunately, it seems Scorpio is intent on not enabling his sister, as Pluto can hear him let out a low hiss, speaking through clenched teeth. It wasn't long until he heard Gemini grumble once more.
And thus, Pluto decided to end the call. Before Gemini tried to get anymore questions in.
"I will notify you of any further updates." He decided to say.
A pause.
"Keep in touch." Ikora said.
"And stay safe." Zavala's voice came throught his time, "All of you."
"And try not to piss of the Revenants." Cayde piped in, "Or Atum in that matter."
Despite himself, Pluto chuckled, "I know better than to agitate Ikora's son."
"Smart." Was all Cayde said before the line promptly ended.
Pluto slowly breathed out.
And then promptly turned and gave Gemini a good swat to the shoulder.
"Ow!" Pluto heard her protest, "Why is everyone hitting me today?"
"Gemini." He sighed, "Please. Learn to restrain yourself."
Pluto felt her give him a look.
"What?" Gemini asked.
Sighing once more, Pluto opted to send his light outward, waiting for the pulse to return. The Revenants that have been following them, one had settled onto the ground, and he can practically feel their unease from where he is standing. Pluto wouldn't be surprised if they were getting ready to pounce on them if they were to linger any longer.
"Quickly." He said, "Let us head back." Walking close to the twins, Pluto then lowered his voice, "Before our hosts start to get a little impatient."
Feeling Scorpio nod and hearing Gemini continue to grumble under her breath, he then decided to slip past them, moving slowly just long enough to feel Nix's presence settle back into his head. And silently, he prays that they will soon be able to return to the Tower. Although the Vanguard and the Consensus won't be pleased, Pluto would rather deal with that than stay within the vicinity of a Faction that is obviously displeased at their stay.
