Redacted
Of Great Import
Edited: 9/29/2024
While editing this chapter, realized that there were too many perspective cuts and when cutting them out, a lot of them only came up to be 1k or under. So, had to reevaluate the choppiness, the time jumps, etc. This one took a bit lol
If there was one thing that Pluto was not expecting to happen, was not getting a Nova Bomb to the face. Or at least, not getting punched.
He had expected some physical violence, not being seated in the room where Nine and Odarata had their scuffle, and having a somewhat leisurely silence as they sat on whatever remains of the table. Of course, that doesn't mean Ianos was not furious with him, his anger still palpable through his senses. The only difference compared to his previous encounters was that this anger felt more controlled, less chaotic, as if Ianos gathered his composure together. In other words, Pluto will likely be struck by harsh words and not light. Or darkness, considering that is an option now.
As he contemplated upon this, Pluto then heard a soft groan next to him before feeling a head settle onto his lap, followed by a weight settling onto his shoulder. Simply giving who he believes to be Gemini a gentle pat on the shoulder, Pluto then felt her shift before she went still as she found a comfortable position on his legs. It seems the twins couldn't keep their open as Pluto listened in on Ianos' and the Preceptor's hushed conversation.
What they were saying, he couldn't tell, even when adjusting his senses. For some reason, even though he was close by, Pluto could only hear muffled whispered, words hardly intelligible. However, he did sense a murkiness constantly pouring from Zakai's person, and Pluto wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason why he couldn't eavesdrop on their conversation. Well, would it be called eavesdropping if he was simply a couple of seats down from where they sat?
Letting out a heavy exhale, Pluto then decided to tune in onto Hush and Nine/Knight, hearing the smaller footsteps of the child Guardian leading the older around the ruined room.
Not long after he walked in on Ianos and the Preceptor fell through a wall, the twins and Hush groggily peered through, exhaustion clearly set in their posture but their eyes wide. He had decided to let Gemini and Scorpio lean on him while Ianos and Zakai started to talk, but Hush seemed to be too antsy to go back to sleep.
At first, she had bothered Pluto, pulling on his hand as if to get him off his seat but must have given up after she saw how comfortable the twins were using him as a pillow. Hush must have then turned her attention to Knight/Nine, as not long after she left Pluto alone, he heard an extra pair of steps join hers. It didn't take long for Pluto to realize that it was the Phoenix Exo, and judging from his slow steps, he was still catatonic, still unresponsive. But somehow, he is still mobile, considering that during the entirety of his stay, he had yet to hear a fumble or a stumble in the Warlock's steps. Especially with all the broken furniture and debris strewn about.
Now considering the thought of where the Revenants got their supplies and furniture when they were so isolated, Pluto then jumped when he felt a hand settle onto his shoulder. He froze when he heard the twins grunt before feeling them shift and then going still. The two Exo continued to sleep.
"Sorry." It was Zakai, the Head Revenant sounded sincerely apologetic, "Ianos and I finished talking and well, it is time to bring you into the conversation."
"Oh." Pluto heard Nix take in a breath, "Joy."
Grimacing at his Ghost's commentary, Pluto decided to simply nod. He then heard the Preceptor back away. And he recognized Ianos' steps approach.
"Normally." He heard the Warlock start, "I would punch you first before even thinking about speaking with you."
"Please don't." Pluto spoke despite himself. His jaw started to ache, recalling the rare occasions when Ianos gave him a solid punch.
He sensed a glare from Ianos not long after his little plea, and Pluto thought that he would make good on his threat. Even if the twins were settled on top of him for a nap.
But to his surprise, he heard a sigh from Ianos instead.
"However." Ianos started, "Zakai convinced me otherwise. Saying that my frustrations against you is punishment enough."
There is a soft hum from Zakai, "Pluto raised you. It hurts him to see you so upset towards him, dearheart."
"Do not call me dearheart." Ianos's voice was filled with frustration, with anger, "We maybe speaking but I have not forgiven you." There is a momentary pause and then sighed, "Not completely. Not yet."
In other words, to Pluto, Zakai will eventually be forgiven. Although, knowing Ianos, it might take a few years. Or decades, if the grudge is heavy. Honestly, Pluto personally wouldn't be happy with that arrangement but, sensing the mix of relief and amusement from the Preceptor, he seems satisfied with it.
"Zakai helped me understand why you decided to keep his survival a secret." Ianos continued, "that you thought keeping his identity hidden would be better for me." This was followed by a huff, "Although upset that is what you decided, I have to say it was the best course of action when it came between Zakai and I."
A pause.
If Pluto still had his optics, he would blink.
"What?" he said.
Another exhale from Ianos.
"Although I despise to admit it, I am emotionally compromised when it comes to Zakai, or anyone that I have bonded with." Ianos confessed, "As you know, I react first when it comes to others, and it is getting quite difficult to keep my actions under control."
"Understatement."
Pluto was quick to raise a hand and tapped the back of his fingers against Nix's face, hearing his Ghost let out a sputter. It wasn't long until he felt Nix glare at him. Although, he can sense the lightheartedness behind it.
"Hence." Ianos continued, "despite my upset, Zakai has convinced me to forgive you."
Again, Pluto blinked, subtly leaning back in his seat.
"I…" He started, "What?"
Despite his blindness, Pluto can practically see Ianos raise a brow at him.
"Would you rather receive a Nova bomb?" He asked.
"No!" Pluto felt the twins jump in his lap from his outburst, "I think experiencing it once is enough." He then hesitated, fidgeting in his seat as he heard the twins grumble, "and I, I apologize, Little Light. For keeping this." He gestured to where he believes Zakai stood, "away from you. He was important to you and…" His voice faded, feeling guilt settle into his chest, "Despite your forgiveness, I feel I still did wrong towards you."
No sooner had he finished speaking when Pluto sensed both surprise and convoluted warmth from Ianos. Then, he heard the latter speak.
"As I have said before, you are forgiven." Then, there was another pause. And Pluto felt a hint of mischief. His core dropped, "Although, if you want to be completely forgiven, I want to ask a favor of you."
"Oh, boy."
This time, Pluto heard Scorpio snicker at Nix's comment, and Pluto found himself shifting his shoulder so that it caused the young Hunter's head to bounce. He was satisfied when there was a sound of protest.
"And that would be?" Pluto asked.
"You are aware that I have been teaching Hush Warlock techniques?" Raising a brow, Pluto nodded, "And on the side, Akiva has been helping her continue her studies on Titan skillsets?"
It was then Pluto understood.
"Are you implying you want me to teach Hush Hunter skills?" He asked.
Pluto heard a gasp from nearby. It was Hush. No doubt she overheard their conversation.
"She has been requesting to be taught every skillset that is currently available." Ianos explained, "and since she has been somewhat of a pariah at the Tower thanks to her 'lineage', it was either you or Angel. And considering Angel does not have as many years of experience, you are the only viable option."
Taking in Ianos' words, Pluto then dragged a hand down the front of his face.
"You do realize that I have nine other Guardians that I have to train?" He asked.
"One more won't hurt." Ianos retorted, "Unless I could find someone else who is more qualified. Perhaps, a certain drifter."
Pluto's jaw dropped.
"Oh, no. No, no." He said, "I thought you cut off ties with him."
Although unable to see, Pluto can imagine Ianos shrug.
"He does not fit with any of the three classes." The Warlock explained, "and he has been around since the Dark Ages. I can think of no one else besides him who is more qualified when it comes to mentoring another of an ambiguous class."
"Us!" Pluto gestured at himself and Ianos, "We have been around since the Dark Ages!" He ignored the way the twins protested, "We only conformed to these jobs to appease the Consensus." Pluto then halted, realization setting in, "Wait, you do remember that the Consensus banned future Guardians to have knowledge of all three skillsets?"
"Fuck the Consensus."
Another chuckle, this time from Gemini, and Pluto had enough. He grabbed Gemini by the collar of her cloak, pulling her off his lap and then shoved Scoprio away with his shoulder. If the twins were awake enough to laugh at him, they had garnered enough sleep.
Nearby, he could hear Ianos shift. Pluto cannot help but get the mental image of the Warlock having crossed his arms.
"They have been the ruling body that only adheres to the rights of the people of the City." Ianos continued, "Which, according to their perspective, does not include the Guardians. In other words, us." Pluto couldn't help but admit quietly to himself that there was truth in his words, 'If they have a problem with Hush learning how to be a Guardian with an ambiguous class, then they can take it up with me."
"The hate is strong in this one."
Hearing Gemini giggle followed by a grunt, Pluto didn't have to see to know that Scorpio had punched his sister on the shoulder. Although, the younger Exo's chuckle gave away his amusement. If either Ianos or Zakai had heard it, they showed no sign of it.
"It is true that you and I have the skillset needed to mentor her." Ianos again continued, "However, it has been years since we had last utilized them." There is a sigh from Ianos, "It is not fresh in our minds. Better for Hush to learn from someone who has experience with each skillset individually. Hence why she has Akiva and I mentoring her. Perhaps you too, if you allow it."
Pluto paused, before letting out a slow exhale and pinched the bridge of his nose, brows furrowed.
"You are not making it easy." He said.
There is a huff from Ianos, this one amused.
"I am certain that the New Galaxy will be happy to learn that they will be able to spend more time with their youngest sister."
Setting his hand down back into his lap, Pluto couldn't help but give Ianos the blankest stare he could muster. Then, he shook his head when he heard Zakai laugh followed by a cough.
"Fine." He admitted defeat, "You win. Once we return to the Tower, I will find time to put Hush into my schedule."
No sooner had the words left his tongue when Pluto heard a breath from Ianos – this one filled with relief.
"Thank you." He heard him say.
This prompted the uncertainty in his head to fade and Pluto made a quiet reminder to himself. This is to help repair things between him and Ianos, to make amends for his secrecy. Helping Hush gain more experience, and knowledge is just an additional benefit.
Although, this did little to stop Pluto from smiling when he heard the child squeal in delight followed by the twins' words of congratulations. That is when he heard Gemini let out a gasp.
"Can we learn other skillsets too?" she asked.
Pluto's core sank. He went to answer.
"Of course you can," Pluto sputtered at Ianos' answer; he can sense the mischievousness back in the Warlock's voice, "if Hush could learn, I see no reason why you and your brother can't."
"Ianos." Pluto started.
"Want to learn Titan or Warlock skillsets first?" Ianos continued.
"Titan." Gemini chirped.
"I will see if Akiva will agree." Ianos said, "Scorpio?"
"No, I am fine as is." Pluto felt relief at the male Exo's answer, "anyway, I want to spend time with Eidr, and with my time as a Hunter, I don't think I'll have time to study other skillsets."
Again, Pluto felt relief. And then, he paused.
"Wait, spend time with Eidr?" He repeated, "What do you mean?"
"Oh, didn't you notice?" Pluto can practically hear the way Scorpio beam, "Eidr is attached to us. He doesn't like the Revenants here. Which reminds me. Knight, or Nine, my turn."
There is the sound of Scorpio sliding out off his seat and his steps walking away, and Pluto heard him approach the slow steps of Nine and Knight. That is when he decided to turn his attention to Gemini. He can hear the latter suppressing a laugh under her breath.
"Gemini?" Pluto called out, "What does Scorpio mean?"
There is another brief chuckle and then a cough.
"It's like what Scorpio said." There is a strain from Gemini's voice, "Eidr has grown attached to us. He doesn't like the Revenants. Otherwise, he's coming with us."
Pluto took a moment to process. And processed it again.
"What?" He finally decided to say.
"Eidr is ours now." Gemini practically chirped at him.
Disbelief set in and Pluto found himself flicking his attention to Ianos, wanting nothing more for the Warlock to interject, to say that Gemini's words were a prank. Instead, there was only silence.
"Ianos." Pluto said.
"She's not lying."
He buried his hands into his face, heaving out a heavy sigh at Ianos' confirmation.
"We are not capable of raising an infant." Pluto said, "We are all busy as it is."
"Tell that to Eidr." Ianos retorted, "every time the Revenants try to raise him, he cries and cries until one of us picks him up." The brief paused allowed Pluto to imagine that the Warlock shrugged, "Mostly Nine, Knight, and Scorpio, but anyone else amongst our numbers works as well."
Pluto lifted his head and gave Ianos the blankest stare he could muster.
"Then the baby can deal with it as he grows up." He said.
There is a gasp from Gemini.
"Rude." Pluto heard her chastise, "That's not healthy for a baby at all."
Now it was her turn to receive a blank stare from Pluto.
"And you know this, how?" He asked.
"Scorpio." Pluto can hear the exasperation in her voice, "He always wanted a kid, so on his free time he would spout random baby facts and care to me. And trust me, his information is immaculate."
Keeping his attention on Gemini, Pluto then released a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. Although he doesn't want to admit it, Gemini does have a point. Scorpio had always been vocal about his want of a baby and even would sneak out to read in the archives. Pluto even caught him a few times asking passing mothers whenever they were in the City. If there is one thing that Scoprio is great at, is any information when it comes to child rearing.
"If you are worried about time, I feel that we will have plenty when we return to the Tower." Ianos' voice prompted Pluto look at him, "I have a feeling that although they may allow us to stay, that we might be Tower bound. For a long time."
Right.
Ianos and the others have been absent from the Tower for a month, and Pluto with the twins and Orion have been gone for a few days now. No doubt the Consensus are furious, and the Vanguard will be upset with them as well. Chaos will be waiting for them to return, even with Zakai's communication with them.
"I guess you're right." He sighed as he tapped the side of his head. Pluto can feel a headache setting in.
At least that is one problem resolved. Temporarily.
But first, they must handle an angry Consensus and a disappointed Vanguard.
As he contemplated on what to say when he gets into contact with the Tower, Pluto decided to tune onto Scorpio; he wants to hear how the young Hunter is with this infant, Eidr. He wants to ensure that their decision on taking the Revenant child with them is the right one.
However, as Pluto listened in, he could hear Scorpio's steps were rapid, frantic, as if trying to keep pace. It was then he realized that Nine and Knight's steps were a little more active than usual, almost like as though he was trying to evade something. Or someone.
"Nine. Knight." Scoprio's voices sounded pleading, "Could I please have Eidr, you had him for hours now, it's only fair if I – "
That was when a roar erupted through the room.
It was startling, disruptive, and Pluto found himself jumping out of his seat. Not once had he heard either Nine or Knight be this vocal.
This surprise was quickly quashed when he heard Scoprio let out a cry, followed by his steps coming to a sudden halt.
"Scorpio!" Pluto called out, sending out his light in a wave, ignoring the images of Zakai and Ianos beside him and instead, focused on where he had last heard the young Hunter.
The light that bounced back showed Hush first, the child Guardian standing a bit aways, stock still as if in shock. Next was Scorpio, sitting on the floor and looking up at Nine and Knight. The latter was backed away defensively, curled in on the Eidr's form. Even with his blindness, the Phoenix Exo's light was blinding to Pluto.
"Scorpio!" Gemini's voice rang out and Pluto heard her run past him, likely to her brother, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, he just pushed me." Scorpio spoke slowly, obviously in shock. Pluto later heard him stand, "He really doesn't want to let Eidr go."
"I can see that." Gemini muttered.
"But I want a turn." Scorpio whined.
"Eidr is not a toy to be handed around." Ianos' voice piped. Pluto wasn't all too surprised to hear Hush's steps run past him and to Ianos. This was soon followed by a sigh, "Although, I admit, it is a problem that Nine and Knight do not want to let him go."
"Likely a defense in this state." Pluto heard Ace speak, humming softly, "which means, in other words, until we find a way, Nine and Knight are not going to let Eidr go."
"But, but." Scorpio started to protest, "What if he needs to be cleaned? Or fed?"
Pluto furrowed his brows. That is a worrying predicament.
"Perhaps let him feed and clean the child?" Zakai's voice came from nearby, soft and low, "he may not want to share, but likely he is capable of attending to Eidr's needs."
"But Nine and Knight are kind of, not there?" Pluto can imagine Gemini gesturing vaguely at the Phoenix Exo, "can he even take care of Eidr on his own?"
There is a sniff from Scorpio followed by a sound of disgust, "Well I think we can test that now, Eidr needs a diaper change."
At the young Exo's words, Pluto couldn't help but raise a brow. Is it really that pungent?
Pluto decided to take a deep inhale. And almost gagged.
Yes, the child needs a change.
As if on cue, there is a whine from the baby and then, a wail.
"Right." An exhale from Ianos, "Scorpio, I am going to assume that we have what we need to change Eidr?"
"Of course I do!" Scorpio chirped.
"Hand them to Nine and Knight, if you will."
"And quickly too." Gemini's voice sounded different, almost as if she plugged her nose, "it's starting to smell. Bad."
And here Pluto thought that he and the New Galaxy had enough experience when they watched Akiva's kids. Then again, it has been a while since they last watched Ora, Amara, and Nahala.
"Hold on, hold on." He heard Scorpio say followed by the familiar sound of his Ghost transmatting out followed by the sound of items clattering together, cursing and then the sound of more items falling to the floor.
Pluto looked over and raised a brow.
"I got it." He heard Scorpio protest before the younger Hunter grumbled and followed by the sound of items being gathered.
Then, he heard Scorpio walk over to Nine and Knight. This was soon followed by a pause.
"Hello?" Scorpio called out.
"Scorpio." Pluto chastised.
"He's not moving."
"Just wait."
"But he's just standing there, staring and – oh wait, never mind."
It was subtle, but Pluto heard movement, small steps which was soon followed by items being gathered. And then more steps, another pause, and then items being set down. It wasn't long before the cries of Eidr quieted to whimpers and then faded completely.
"…He changed him." Was all Scorpio said.
Well, that was good to hear, considering that Nine and Knight refused to share. They won't have to worry about Eidr's care. For now. At least until they must return to the Tower, if there is no other choice but to bring the child with them at least.
"I am glad that Eidr is being well taken care of." Zakai's voice prompted Pluto to turn and look at him, "however, there is another topic at hand I would like to speak with you. All of you."
Pluto's brows furrowed, suspicion setting in, "And that would be?"
He can practically feel the smile from the Preceptor.
"I believe accommodations would of be great import." Zakai said.