Redacted

Atun

Edited: 10/13/2024

"I call the top bunk!" Gemini called out.

Nearby, Pluto heard Scorpio let out an audible gasp as he heard the other twin rush forward, "No fair! I wanted top bunk!"

"Then grab the other one! There's more than one you can top!"

"Not when you say it like that! Come here!"

There is a rush of steps followed by a squeal from Gemini. This was soon followed by the sound of the twins bickering and some slapping around. No doubt Pluto will have to intervene soon.

"A room." Ianos' voice permeated nearby, and Pluto heard the Warlock let out a slow exhale, "We finally could gain some semblance of privacy."

Hearing that, Pluto couldn't help but raise a brow. Had they been in the Medical Ward for the entirety of their stay before he got here?

A chuckle from Zakai pulled him out of his thoughts.

"I apologize for the delay." The Preceptor said, "however, with your recovery and the Harmonization, I had no time until now to find accommodations for you and your team."

"This will do until the Harmonization is done." Ianos said; Pluto heard to subtle hitch of his voice, "speaking of, I would like to speak with you about it."

There is a hum from Zakai, "I am going to assume it is to speak of an alternative way to perform the Harmonization?"

A subtle huff from Ianos, "You know me so well."

After hearing Zakai let out a chuckle, Pluto also heard a yelp from Scorpio followed by a tumble of limbs.

A pause.

"Scorpio?" Gemini called out.

Another pause.

And then a groan from the young Hunter.

A sign for Pluto to finally intervene.

"Gemini." Pluto said as he approached the bunk, coming to a pause just short of it; he heard Scorpio sit up on the floor, "Did you just push Scorpio off the top bunk?"

"No." Gemini answered immediately. Then, a beat of silence, "Well, not intentionally."

Pluto found himself exhaling through his nose before tilting his head down at Scorpio. The Hunter had yet to stand.

"Scorpio, are you alright?" He asked.

"Yeah." Scorpio's voice was tinged with strain, "just, give me a minute."

There is another groan, and moments later, the sound of light settled into Pluto's senses.

"I got him." Sirius, Scorpio's Ghost, sighed, and this was soon followed by the familiar hum of healing.

This prompted Pluto sigh as well, "What did you break?"

"I didn't break anything!" Scorpio protested. Then he groaned again, "well maybe my pride."

Pluto gave him a bland look, "I can imagine." Then he shifted his attention to Gemini, "Get down."

"But-" Gemini started.

"Get. Down." Pluto said again.

At first, there was no sound of movement, no sign of compliance but moments later, Pluto heard Gemini murmur under her breath which was soon followed by the sound of wood creaking off the bed frame, and steps stepping down the wooden ladder. Then, as Gemini settled onto the floor, Pluto finally heard Scorpio finally stand, stumbling over his steps before finally coming to a steady. It was only then when there another sound of transmat. A sign of Sirius returning to his Guardian.

"Right." Pluto started, "Before this gets anymore difficult over having top bunk, let us resolve this. Peacefully. Nix."

The instant he called out to his Ghost, Pluto felt Nix's presence leave the back of his head, and the hum of light rang in his senses followed by buzzing.

"Rock. Paper. Scissors." Nix announced. He seemed more jovial than usual, "Best two out of three. Winner gets the top bunk."

"Nix and I will referee." Pluto added in, "to ensure no cheating is involved."

There is a feigned gasp from Gemini.

"Us? Cheating?" It is obvious from her tone, that she is being playful, "who would have thought?"

"And you won't cheat either, Pluto?" Scorpio jumped in.

"I'm a Hunter." Pluto found himself answering before he could even think, "and how can I cheat in Rock, Paper, Scissors when I am not participating? Now in positions."

There is a giggle from both twins before there were a shuffle, and a quick flash of light showed Gemini and Scorpio standing in front of each other with a fist out.

"Rock." Nix started, "Paper, Scissors!"

Not long after the chant there was an uttered curse from Scorpio and a gleeful sound from Gemini. Pluto can already tell who won that round.

"Nix?" he called out.

"Both showed their hand at the same time, thus, no sign of cheating." His Ghost answered, "Yet."

"We won't cheat." Scorpio protested.

"Again." Nix said, "Rock, Paper, Scissors!"

Were there sounds of scrambling, a hint of panic, and this time, it was Gemini who let out a low curse.

"We weren't ready!" She said.

"Both hands were shown and at the same time." Pluto found himself smiling at Nix's retort, "it counts."

Hearing Gemini let out a groan, he decided to interject, "Take it or leave it, Gemini. Then that would mean you take the loss and – "

"There's still one more round!" She shouted.

"Then stand ready!" Nix said, "Rock, Paper, Scissors!"

There was only a beat of silence before there was a shout of triumph from Scorpio and a scream from Gemini.

"That one didn't count!" She argued.

"Nix?" Pluto asked.

"Same time and no sign of cheating." His Ghost confirmed, "It counts."

"No fair."

Pluto can practically see Gemini pout.

"Top bunk is mine!" Scorpio shouted in celebration and Pluto heard him scramble up the ladder. He can tell he was practically giddy as he heard the top bunk creak under the young Hunter's weight.

In contrast, Gemini let out a groan before Pluto heard a bed creak and bounce. He wouldn't be surprised if the young Hunter flopped into one of the bottom bunks, likely underneath her brother.

"You know, you can just choose one of the other top bunks." Pluto pointed out.

"But I want to share a bunk with Scorpio." Gemini's voice sounded muffled. That told him that she was facedown in her bed, her face likely pressed into a pillow. The disappointment is obvious.

"We can take turns?" Scorpio, always wanting to please everyone – especially his sister, Scorpio.

There was a pause, a beat of silence before Pluto heard Gemini heave out a sigh.

"I can compromise with that." She said.

Amused, Pluto decided to turn his attention back to Ianos and Zakai. The two's voices were quiet again, likely once again caused by the blanket of darkness released by the latter. In other words, best to give them some privacy. Pluto decided this is the best time to call the Tower.

Pulling on his bond with Nix to signal his Ghost to transmat back into his head, he then turned to leave.

"Pluto? Where are you going?"

Coming to a pause, Pluto didn't bother to look back, to turn around when he answered Scorpio's question, "I believe it is finally time for me to contact the Tower myself, and not through a third party."

There is sudden jolt from a bed and Pluto heard Gemini gasp.

"Can we come?" Pluto heard her bed creak more before her feet settled onto the floor, "I want to hear what they have to say."

He raised a brow. Pluto knows that the twins can get curious at times but for a simple call?

"You do not have to come if you do not wish to." He said.

"But we do!" This time it was Scorpio who spoke up and this was soon followed by a sudden landing onto the floor, "Gemini and I want to hear what the Vanguard has to say."

"And also." Gemini was close now, her voice low, and Pluto can feel her lean in, close to his sensors, "I think it would be best to leave Ianos and the Preceptor alone."

He raised a brow, and Pluto reached out with his senses to the pair.

Again, Pluto couldn't hear anything, just muffled voices. But, when he reached out with his light, he can see the pair were standing too close, heads bowed low, and the subtle way their lips moved, it was obvious that they were trying to keep their voices hushed, even with Zakai's cloaked darkness.

But if they wanted privacy, they have it. So why does Gemini and Scorpio want to leave the two alone?

"Please, Pluto." Gemini's voice is loud and prompt again, and this time, he felt her hand grab his. He can practically see her optics pleading at him, "can we come with you?"

"Please."

Hearing Scorpio add in, Pluto found himself facing against two young Exo giving him the doe eyes, and he let out a slow exhale through his nose.

"Hush?" He called out and he released his light, letting it bounce around the room.

It wasn't long until the image of Hush bounced back, and she was looking at him, her head tilt in curiosity. However, she was standing in front of Nine and Knight, the latter seated on one of the bottom bunks. The child Guardian had one hand latched onto the Exo's, and the other was wrapped around Eidr's form. With having been changed, the infant was quiet now and had a tight grip on Nine and Knight's arm. His eyes had not once left the Exo's face.

Pluto had initially hoped that Hush would be the best excuse, the excuse where the twins would have to keep an eye on her, to ensure that she wouldn't wander. But now, he realized that Hush was keeping an eye on Nine, Knight, and Eidr. She wasn't going anywhere, not with one of her favorite Warlocks being catatonic.

He let out a sigh of defeat.

"Take care of everyone while I am gone?" Pluto asked instead, and the subtle hum he received from Hush was answer enough.

Then, he shifted his focus to the twins. A thought settled in.

"The two of you have been scouting out the base, correct?" Pluto asked.

"Tried to." Scorpio said, "but these Revenants shadowed us like crazy."

"Made it difficult to really take a good look around." Gemini followed, "but we know the quiet places if that's what you want."

Pluto couldn't help but be pleased. He taught these two well.

"Lead the way." he said as he gestured to the door.

Waiting until he heard the twins brush past him, Pluto then carefully followed, holding out a hand until his fingers brushed against the wall. He started using that as a guide as he followed Gemini's and Scorpio's footsteps.

"So." Gemini's voice broke the silence, "what do you think of Ianos and the Preceptor?"

Pluto raised a brow at her question. He couldn't help but pick up the hint of glee in her voice, filled with mischief and curiosity. Unable to help but pick apart her words, Pluto then shifted his attention onto Scorpio. He can feel the other Hunter's optics were on him, and his was curious as well.

"You know what I think of Ianos." Pluto answered, "The Preceptor…" He hesitated, picking his words carefully, "I never really trusted him, even from the beginning."

"From the beginning?" Scorpio picked up on his words, "You knew the Preceptor before all this?"

Pluto raised a brow. He thought it would have been obvious, considering on how he was acting around the Revenant Warlock. Then again, Pluto had taught the twins to always be suspect of those they have just met. Perhaps they had thought that he was simply doing the same?

He guesses it wouldn't hurt to let the twins to know a little.

"I met him years ago, moments before the Great Disaster." Pluto started, "it was when we, the Galaxy, returned from our self-exile to aid in the efforts. When we met with Ianos, he was with his partners, one of them being the Preceptor."

"Partners!?" Gemini gasped, "He had more than one!?"

Pluto paused, contemplating if he should answer. This was Ianos' private life after all.

"He had two." Pluto decided to say, "Zakai, the Preceptor, and Ahamari-34." Then, he raised a finger to his lips, "Do not tell Ianos that I was the one to tell you."

"Promise!" Gemini's voice rang out followed by her mimicking a zipper noise. He wouldn't be surprised if she copied the noise to the action across her lips. And not to mention if Gemini agrees, likely Scorpio is on the same page.

"Wait, if they were partners back then, what happened to make them be like." There was a brief pause from Gemini followed by the sound of leather scraping together. Pluto has the thought that she was vaguely making a gesture, "this? So awkward but warm around each other?"

Warm?

Pluto subtly tilted his head, pondering.

Now that he thought about it, despite Ianos' anger and Zakai's eagerness, the two still had a sense of longing, of yearning. Their feelings towards each other are still obvious, even after all these years.

And not his story to tell.

"If you want to know, you will have to ask Ianos or the Preceptor." He said.

The noise that Gemini made, made Pluto smile.

"But Ianos never tells his story." The Hunter protested.

"Then ask the Preceptor."

There is sputtering from Scorpio.

"You think it's a better idea to ask Ianos' supposed ex for their story!?" his voice was a pitch higher than usual.

Pluto smiled once more, "Your choice."

There is a pained noise from Scorpio and grumbling from Gemini, Pluto then decided to take the opportunity to change the subject.

"How much farther until our destination?" He asked.

Another noise, this time from Gemini, like a whine. She had more questions, more to ask. Pluto gave her a blank look. Fortunately, she understood.

"We're practically here." She sighed. Pluto can basically see her shoulders slumped, a pout upon her face. Her steps came to a pause, signaling him to do the same. Pluto heard Scorpio come to a stop next to him.

"For some reason most of the Revenants avoid this area." He explained, "tried to learn why but only caught snatches of his territory." There is a sigh from Scorpio, "could never figure out who but I doubt whoever 'owns' this part of the base will spot us, considering that Gemini and I would come here frequently when we wanted some privacy."

Taking in the younger Exo's words, Pluto reached out with his senses, only to find that Scorpio's words were true.

Despite the activity in the other rooms, this specific space, this end of the hall was vacant, empty of any curious eyes. Or ears.

This signaled Pluto to raise a hand and once again, the presence of his Ghost in the back of his head disappeared. Nix's weight soon settled onto his palm, and he felt him shift, hearing the sound of static.

"You sure this is a good idea?"

Shifting his attention to Scorpio, Pluto couldn't help but raise a brow at the young Exo's wariness, and could even hear him wring his hands together, the sound of leather rubbing against each other giving it away. And not just him either.

Pluto can hear Gemini playing with her hand as well, and even heard her idling on the back of her feet. She too was nervous.

And it took Pluto a moment to realize why.

But can he blame them? It has been nearly a month since they had left the Tower. Considering how quickly the Consensus are quick to judge, their reaction on whoever is on the other line may not be a good one.

Nonetheless.

"It's either we tell the Vanguard where we have been, or we return to a nice little welcoming party by the Trackers." Pluto said.

"But didn't the Preceptor say that he already contacted the Tower?" He heard Gemini ask, "Wouldn't that be enough?"

Pluto thought about it.

"Perhaps," he admitted, "but I believe the Consensus would rather hear it from us than a Rogue."

A groan can be heard from Gemini.

"Fuck the Consensus!" She exclaimed, "They're just a bunch of narcissistic assholes that think their shit smells better than everyone else's."

There is a gasp from Scorpio.

"Gemini!" Pluto heard her brother say.

"What?" Gemini snapped, "You know it's true!"

"It is!" Scorpio agreed, "But say it where one of them can hear us."

There was a stunned pause. It was quickly followed by Gemini's snickering.

"What do we do if they get mad at us?" She asked.

Unable to help but shake his head at the pair's antics, Pluto decided to step away, leaving the twins to their planning as he turned his focus onto Nix, and raised his hand once more.

That is when he felt a tight grip clasp around his wrist.

Pluto jumped, barely suppressing a yelp before he leaped back and tearing his hand away from the invasion. Squaring out his shoulders, Pluto reached out with his light, letting it bounce against the intruder.

What he got back was a figure clad in leather and cloth, a hood pulled over his face, hiding most of his features. Nonetheless, the scowl is prominent upon his face.

"What in the Traveler's name are you doing?" The Revenant demanded – and strangely, the voice sounded familiar, "If you want to contact the Tower, take it outside. And far from the entrance of this place."

The last sentence was tinged with malice, with warning. A sign that he was being serious.

Despite that, Pluto heard Gemini scoff.

"The Revenants take paranoia to the extreme?"

The words barely left her lips when the Revenant snarled out, "We Revenants are cautious to ensure that we will not be hunted, especially by Tower Guardians."

That brought silence into the room, and when nothing else was said, Pluto decided to raise a hand. A signal for Nix to sink safely into the back of his mind. He didn't like the sound of the Revenant before him; there was a lot of anger behind his words. It almost sounded personal. There was more to it than being hunted.

However, just as Pluto felt the tip of his Ghost's shell touch his fingers, he felt Nix pause. It was then he felt a flash of surprise through their bond.

"Wait, I know that voice."

Feeling his Ghost leave his hand, Pluto took in a sharp breath, blindly reaching out. His hand hit air, and he couldn't help but curse under his breath. He cannot flail about here, not when there is a possible violent Revenant within their vicinity. Thus, Pluto decided to wait, taking in the comfort that if the Revenant truly had wanted to hurt them, he would have done so long ago, especially with Nix out in the open.

He listened to the hum of his Ghost go a margin farther. And then a gasp.

"Atun? Is that you?"

Atun?!

The name caused Pluto to choke and sputter. That was not the name he was expecting to hear from Nix.

"Atun?" He managed to wheeze out, lifting his head in the direction of the Revenant, an instinctual reaction to see his face, "You are not talking about the same – "

An impact against his shoulder halted Pluto's words and he had to pivot on his feet to prevent himself from falling, stumbling back into balance.

He hadn't even heard the Revenant's steps, let alone heard him rush past him.

Although, as Pluto listened to the rushed footsteps fade away, it left no doubt in his mind. That Revenant is indeed the same Atun he was thinking about.

"You know that asshole, Pluto?"

Instead of answering, Pluto pressed a hand against his shoulder, rolling to ensure no damage had been done to it.

"Yes." He finally answered Scorpio's question, "It has been a few years – decades – since I have last seen him, however."

Sensing the questioning and curious looks sent his way from the twins, Pluto sighed before he continued, "He hasn't been to the Tower since post the Great Disaster. Everyone had thought him dead." As he continued to roll his shoulder, he could feel the familiar sparks of arc light tingle against his senses; still the same affiliation since Pluto had last seen him, "I am surprised that he is here. And alive."

And Ikora no doubt would be the same.