//------------------------------//
// The Last City Adventure Part One 
// Story: Destiny DLC: The Gathering Light 
// by observer of dimensions 
//------------------------------//



Two Guardians sat on a couch in the apartment owned by Nox-23 and Twilight Sparkle. One of them was Nox-23, as he was one of the residents. The other was known by many names most of them fake, others were titles like the Golden Duelist. To Nox-23 however, he was Jeremy. The two of them were showing off the great Guardian skill of watching television. A show believed to be re-mastered pre-golden age kid's show...Something Universe, If Nox-23 remembered correctly. The two of them had been watching the show since Jeremy decided to stop by. Only once did Jeremy move from the couch and that was to raid the fridge for something to drink. As time went on however Jeremy began to shift around more and more on the couch. He would look around as if waiting for something. "Something wrong?" Nox-23 finally asked.

Jeremy turned to face Nox-23. "Yea actually. Where is Twilight I expected that she would have woken up by now."

"Your Ghost isn't here either." Jeremy's Ghost added in her observation.

"Oh Twilight went for a run. Ghost is with her." He said nonchalantly. The expected reply from Jeremy did not come. Nox-23 slowly turned his head to met the blank stare of his friend. 'What?"

Jeremy majestically placed his arm against the top of the couch opening his hand and letting his head rest against it. "So. we have been here for a two hours and you didn't tell me that Twilight wasn't here?"

"You didn't ask till now. I didn't know that her location was needed to be told the exact moment you got here."

"...Touché"

Their attention returned to the T.V. only to be broken when Nox-23 spoke again. "I plan to take Twilight out into the city today." Jeremy raised an eyebrow but otherwise remain still, ready to listen. "Yesterday was a bit hard on her.  I'll tell you it in detail later but the short of it is that we confirmed that the Fallen that attack her home are from an unknown House. That and some other frustrations are getting to her. I'm hoping that touring the city might help her mood." 

"Jeremy shrugged and nodded his head. Sound like a good idea. Several seconds later. "can I join?"

Before Nox-23 opened his mouth to give his reply the front door opened to a stack of levitating boxes. The boxes entered the apartment  and continued forward for several feet before an Equine head and a Ghost popped out from behind them. "Oh Jeremy, when did you get here?"

"About two hours ago, how are you doing?" Jeremy waved. 

Twilight gave the two humanoid Guardians a bright smile. "Good. I found a few things on my walk that I think I might need."

Nox-23 looked up and down the tower of various shaped boxes. "A few things?"

The mare nodded. Yea, I don't have anything other than what I was able to bring in my saddlebag and the books Discord delivered. If I'm going to be staying here for awhile I rather not sleep in a barren room." Twilight said wittily. The Pony and Tower moved again, this time toward her room. Nox-23's Ghost however, flew over to his partner, letting out a  sigh as it reached him.

Jeremy grinned slyly at the Ghost. "Looks like someone is lucky that they don't have hands."

"We were on our way back from jogging when we took a street that had a number of stores on it. What you saw is the results of a few clothing, a furniture, and a book store. Twilight used her own Glimmer, though I think she might be practically broke after that."

Jeremy couldn't keep himself from laughing. This was by far the most amusing thing that had happened this morning. "It looks like the  stereotype can affect anyone no matter what race they are even alien ones." His laughter stopped abruptly when he noticed the stare his Ghost was giving him.

Ignoring the two Nox-23 removed himself from the couch and turned to face the hallway. "Twilight?"

A few seconds later the sound of a door opening was heard. "Yes?"

"What you like to tour the city with Jeremy and me?"

Out of nowhere a sound somewhat familiar to a rubber duck being squeezed came from down the hall. "YES YES YES YES YES...I mean sure." The door slammed shut only to open again immediately. "Just give me a few minutes to put on something." The door closed again but less forceful this time.

Nox-23 caught Jeremy and the two Ghost looking at him out of the corner of his eye. He slowly turned his head to them. "I have no idea what just happened. Do you?" Jeremy just shrugged.

During the few minutes they waited, the Guardians and Ghosts broke away from the gravitational pull that was the couch and had move to the front door. When the door to Twilight's room opened again they all watched as the newly clothed mare trotted out into open. Jeremy and Nox-23 could only stare at her.

Twilight wore a beautiful Purple Kimono with creamy blue flower designs placed throughout it. Two holes had been made in the back, allowing her wings to sit comfortably on top of the silk fabric. Seeing the stare from her friends Twilight raised her wings in the air and look back at her body. "So ah... does it look good?" she said nervously.    

"Wow."

"Indeed."





"OK...why does the tour of the city begin at the Tower?" Twilight said, a little vexed at where they had ended up. The three of them had just stepped out of the elevator however, the moment Jeremy heard Twilight speak he halted all motion almost causing Nox-23 to run into him. Slowly Jeremy turned around. He looked down at Twilight with mock horror. Twilight returned the look with a obfuscated one of her own. 

Jeremy quickly changed to staring at Nox-23 "You haven't told her yet???"

"Oh, I knew I was forgetting something." Nox-23 Facepalmed. Twilight remained quiet with one eyebrow raised. "well." Nox-23 began under the watchful eye of Jeremy. "Starting Friday a man...or what we believe to be a man called Xur comes to the tower and sells goods. Most of those goods happen to be exotic weapons and armor. Though...the only thing he accepts as payment is Strange Coins."

Twilight looked back at them while her expression turned from curiosity to confusion. "Wait, with this Xur always able to sell exotics wouldn't that make them not exotic so more?" 

"When you think of it that way then yes it does make them feel less exotic. However considering that the only known ways to get an exotic is through Xur, a exotic bounty or if you are extremely lucky a strike, then the label does fit." Jeremy explained in a sagely to the young mare. "I should also mention that it is believed that The Nine  the ones the Xur works for, are somehow able to makes duplications of exotic gear.  Some they give to Xur to sell others the give them as a bounty."

"There are specific bounty just of exotic gear?" Twilight asked, surprised of this new information."

Jeremy nodded in confirmation "For weapons yes. and they aren't easy. For example, my Thorn among the other things i had to do i had to kill a number of very strong Hive Wizards. At least i wasn't the guy who need to find a specific  Wizard that was only known to hang around a huge ass Ogre."

"Hey guys!" Nox-23 called out to grab his friends to get their attention. "If you are done with your lesson I think it is time to go." Nox-23 point at the gathering crowd staring at them. Twilight blushed in embarrassment and Jeremy simple back away acting as if nothing happened.

Twilight and Jeremy quickly joined Nox-23. The patrons of the Tower dispersed as well, though a few continued to stare as they walked away.

"Must be Twilight's Kimono?" Jeremy suggested.

Nox-23 shrugged. " If so let them look on in awe of her beauty." Twilight nearly lost her footing. She stare up at him gawking. Nox-23 acted like as if he hadn't said anything. "Anyway we need to find-" An arm found it's way around Nox-23 shoulder. Nox-23 stopped talking to see that the arm belonged to one Legion-59.

"Long time no see."

"Legion?" Twilight called out, surprised to see the Titan. The Exo waved a hello to the pony. 

The moment Legion-59's eyes fell open Jeremy the Exo smiled. "It's been a long time Jeremy." The two of them fist bumped like old friends.

"The two of you know each other?" the mare asked.

The two Guardians laughed. "Know each other...we fought together several times. Whenever we team up I know that he as my back and I have his." Legion answered.

Jeremy smiled and nodded in agreement. "though..." He paused. "Why are you here? Heading to see Xur?"

Legion-59 shook his head. "Na, he doesn't have anything I want. I'm just here to get my new ship 'registered'." The Exo air quoted. "Or as I think it is, 'find out everything you can about the new ship'. You buy a ship from the Reef and everyone is all over you." Legion-59 pulled Nox-23 closer to himself then focused on Twilight and Jeremy. "Why don't you two go check out what Xur has. He is in front of the  big door in Tower North. I need to talk with Nox-23 for a bit."

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "It’s ok." Nox-23 reassured her. He look up at Jeremy who nodded.

"Come on Twilight. Maybe we can use your cu-I mean intelligent mind to actually get some answers from Xur. Reluctantly Twilight trotted away, looking back at Nox-23 and Legion-59 with an expression curiosity rather than fear. 

"So want is it that you want to take to me about?"

Legion-59 finally let go of Nox-23. "Well I wanted to come clean to you." Legion-59 waited for Nox-23 to comment but when none was forthcoming he continued. "I pick up jobs from the Queen of the Awoken. I'm paid well, as you can see by the gear I carry."

"and how exactly does this connect to you wanting to come clean to me." Nox-23 asked warily.

" I was requested to find out about Twilight Sparkle."

"So you were spying on us." Nox-23 sneered, ready to clock the Exo in front of him.

"Whoa whoa, it's not like that." Legion-59 waved his hands defensively. It's not spying, I'm not looking for secrets to use against her, I was just ask to make observations about her. I didn't even give the Queen the information that we found in the Fallen database, just on Twilight herself."

Nox-23  halted hostility but didn't look any calmer than before. "Why would the Queen want to know about Twilight?"

Legion-59 shrugged. "I don't know why. I was just told in exact words  'Find out what you can on the Alicorn and determine if she is a threat to the Reef'. I didn't ask why. When dealing with the Queen and her brother it is not a good idea to question their motives. Outsiders like us Guardians tend to find ourselves a lot less alive if we do."

Nox-23 finally calmed down, taken a more relaxed posture with arms across his chest. "So... what did you tell her?"

"What Twilight is like, her hatred toward Fallen and the extreme unlikelihood that she is a threat to them."

Nox-23  had no means of knowing if Legion-59 was telling the truth or not but at the same time there wasn't any reason to not trust Legion-59. As long as The Reef Dwellers don't bother Twilight or him everything should be fine.





Finding Xur didn't take long considering that he mystery Vender was surrounded by Guardians. Jeremy had made a promise to himself to stick to Twilight like glue. In the sea of tall humanoids the vertically challenged pony could get lost easily. Twilight on the other hand had disconcerting though on the scene "How can anyone get through this disorganized mess. Why isn't there a line or something? A little organization can go a long way."

Jeremy Nodded quietly, making note not to tell Twilight about how bad the crowd would get at the end of Xur's stay. Thankfully they crowd was thinning out little by little. Guardians, smiling happily with their purchase or frowning, dissatisfied with the week's section, pushed themselves through the crowd and out toward the rest of the Tower. At some point during the waiting game a warm metallic hand landed on Jeremy's shoulder. "Hi Nox." He said without turning around.

Twilight did however. "Nox!" Her eyes shifted slightly to look behind the Exo to see if Legion-59 was with him. He was not. " Where is Legion-59?"

Nox-23 looked displeased at hearing Legion-59 name but it only lasted for a second. "Oh he had to meet a friend so we spit up."

"So?" Twilight asked.

"So?" Nox-23 replied, confused.

Twilight sighed and shook her head in disbelief. "So what did he want to talk to you about?"

Nox-23 broke eye contact with her and stared straight ahead. "I'll tell you later."

Twilight wasn't too happy with Nox-23 deflecting her question. She would have spoken up about it but as they were standing in a area filled with people, making a scene discouraged that idea. Once more was that they were finally getting close enough to Xur to talk to him and for Twilight to finally see him.

Xur looked very... different from anything that Twilight had seen before. His all black clothes covered almost every inch of his body. The only visible part was his face and even then there were no definable features thanks to the inky blackness that seem to cover his face. He wavered back and forth like a drunk trying to remain balanced. For a moment he stopped when his eyes fell upon Twilight. Twilight looked back at him. Into those Yellow eyes. It felt like those eyes were swallowing her up. Bidding her into the darkness. She did not notice the crowd became silent, waiting how the two would react to each other.

Twilight jumped in surprised when Xur spoke. "Greetings, I am Xur, agent of the Nine." 

"Oh.. Hello I'm Twilight Sparkle." Somewhere a groan was heard from the crowd. Through whether it was because of the of the anticlimax or if they were just annoyed with how long it was taking for Twilight to do business with Xur.

"So what Exotics do you have this week my good yet mysterious man." Jeremy asked, breaking the odd atmosphere that had befallen them. 

The Agent of Nine seamlessly transition to serve Jeremy leaving Twilight to watch inquisitively at their transaction. "I have 'Mask of the Third Man'   'Claws of Ahamkara' 'MIDA Multi Tool' and Exotic Chest armor engram."

Jeremy shrugged. There is nothing I need. what about you Nox-23?" Nox-23 answered with a simple shake of the head. "Twilight."

The mare nodded. "Actually yes. Xur, how are these Exotic gear made?"

Some Guardians looked at the mare knowingly. She had not been the first to ask that question. Thankfully, all of them, even the less patient Guardians held their tongue. "I do not how they are made. Only that I am to sell them." Xur answered the same way as he had many times before.

Twilight was of course not satisfied with that answer. She was downright agitated with the lack of explanation, however before she could make a remark she felt Nox-23 hand on her withers. "Let’s leave it at that for now. Don't want to keep everyone waiting." Nox-23 pointed a thumb back at the everyone waiting to get to Xur.

Several Guardians pushed past the three off duty Guardians toward Xur. Reluctantly Twilight backed away from the odd vender, following Nox-23 and Jeremy out of the crowd.

"So what's next?" Jeremy asked once they were free of the mass of Guardians. Twilight was only half listening. The lack of concrete information had left her drained of enthusiasm.

Nox-23 did not answer immediately. His eyes wandered away from Jeremy toward the City and beyond. "I think I know."





Two and a half hours later Jeremy, Nox-23 and Twilight Sparkle arrived at the farm lands on the outskirts of the city.  The bus that had delivered them to their location drove off along the dirt road to it's next stop. Jeremy waved at the bus or more specifically to a dark skinned woman in the back waving back.

The countryside was beautiful, not that the city or Tower didn't have their own kind of majestic allure, but for Twilight It felt much more similar to her home then any previous place she had been too. So many familiar smells and sounds. It finally felt like the day was getting better.

Nox-23 on the other hand was grumbling to himself. It had been his decision to take a bus, of course with Jeremy just tagging along and Twilight being a moody mare who couldn't care less at the moment it wasn't that hard for that chose to be made. Unfortunately Nox-23 would come to regret that chose.  The bus driver had been a dick to Twilight, calling her an animal and ordering Nox-23 to remove her and find transport that does take dirty animals. Even after they informed him of the Speaker's announcement which he apparently didn't hear about and Twilight proving her intelligence he demanded double the fair for her. The ride itself was on filled with stares and questions aimed at Twilight minus the few women that Jeremy distracted with his good looks and wonderful stories. Nox-23 was about to call the trip a bust when he saw Twilight's expression when the acres of grass, trees and various types of farmland. Twilight was beaming. Her smile alone was enough to change his mind. Nox-23 would hold his judgment, for now. 

The three of them walked along the side of the dirt road that had seen more action from the weather then vehicles. On the other side of them was wooden fence baring them from the corn field the laid beyond. Ahead of them, just a few yards away was a driveway to a house and barn. Twilight stopped in front of said driveway with interest. It wasn't a apple farm but she was curious as to how similar it could be. "What to see if anyone's home?" Jeremy asked. The young mare nodded.

'knock, knock'

"..."

'knock, knock, knock'

No answer, no one seemed to be in the house. Nox-23 took the incentive to look out into the field to see if he could find anyone out there. As He did so Twilight put their heads together to figure out what they should do.

"Do you think they are at home at all?" Jeremy asked.

Twilight tapped her chin the shrugged. I don' t know. Back home at least one of the Apple family was at home or easily findable at least most of the time. But this isn't Equestria or the Apple's farm." Twilight sighed. "Nox-23? see anyone?" The Titian shook his head. "Then I guess nobody's home."

"Or they are in the barn. None of you have check there yet." Jeremy's Ghost suggested from her intangible location. Everything became dead silent. The Guardians with blood and flesh become flushed in the face. The Exo just stood like statue staring off into the distance. A moment later his head dropped with the speed of a blink strike. 

Once the three of got over their embarrassment they made their way to the barn which located not to far behind the house. Jeremy was the first to notice someone was in there. "My Ghost is right, someone is in there." The barn door itself was open  allowing easy entry.

The barn looked very similar to the Apple family's barn, right down to the red paint on the outside. The inside was wasn't half bad either. there was blocks of hay here and there as well as a few stalls in the back. The smell was something less desirable though, even Twilight's nose scrunched up when they first entered. "Hello?" Twilight called out.

"Just a moment." someone replied. A moment later one of the stall doors opened and a man limped out of it, a very familiar man. "Now what... can... I." The man stopped, recognizing the his visitors.

"Ohmei?"

The sound of silence between the Guardians was broken by the clanking of a bucket, once in Ohmei's hands, now on the ground. "Nox-23, Twilight." he sputtered. "What are you doing here?" The human warlock stared at them generally surprised to see them.

"We're giving little Twily here a tour of our fair and only City." Jeremy jumped in with his answer. earning an brow raise from Twilight.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked.

bending down to pick up the previous fallen bucket Ohmei answered her. "I work around the farms sometimes when I'm not out there." He pointed upwards. "It's nice to see the two of you again. I honestly didn't expect to see either of you again so soon. Who is that...with..." Ohmei hesitated as he realized who was with his to former teammates. "You’re Jeremy the Golden duelist!"

Jeremy bowed. "At your service. I'm here just as a tag along so don't mind me."

"Oh...ok." Ohmei said hesitantly. "I'm going to clean out this food bucket." He pointed behind him to a hose on the ground. Ohmei limped toward it.

"food bucket? for what." Twilight asked.

The occupant of the very stall Ohmei walked out of answered that question. A whinny, it sounded so familiar to Twilight yet... Twilight slowly step forward. Ohmei stood frozen where he was, eyes darting between the mare and the stall. Jeremy Whispered to to his Ghost. "You need to record this!! The meeting of two equine, once divided by the space between our worlds."  The Ghost just rolled her eye.

The stall door had been left opened as Ohmei had attended. A rubbery bar was hooked across the door frame preventing its occupant from leaving. A large brown head poked out of the stall and immediately turned toward the incoming pony. Twilight stopped short, just a foot away from the larger animal. The Horse's ears pointed forward toward Twilight, curious at what it was sensing.  It exhaled loudly into Twilight's face. The mare's head jerked back in surprise. However a second later she returned the favor.


The horse suddenly whinnied in Twilight's face then retreated back into its stall to munch on some hay. "well that's just rude." Twilight snorted. She turned away to find Nox-23 and Jeremy staring blankly at her. Behind her Ohmei scratched his head in confusion. "What?"

"What the hell just happened." Jeremy pointed to the stall.

"Horses greet each other like that...Though after that reactions can go either way. I'm surprised nothing more extreme happened."

"I'm surprised that Twilight knew what to do." Jeremy's Ghost intervened in on the conversation.

"Oh that?" Twilight pointed toward the munching horse. "Parents do that with their newborn foals so that it creates a bond and identifier between the three of them. I was a little surprised at first that he was doing it when he is most definitely not a newborn. " Twilight stated, intrigued by the discovery.

Ohmei Started washing down the inside of the feed bucket with a hose he had grabbed. "So how long do you plan on staying."

"Till the next bus comes, which is in an hour for those of us that need a reminder." Nox-23 Ghost answered promptly.

The arrive of the bus was still quite some time away as indicated by the Ghost. The single hour however wasn't enough to truly tour the countryside. The best course of action was to stay where they were. Though, Staying still and watching Ohmei work was not something a decent Guardian would do. "Would you like some help?"





At a farm there is no end to the work that can be done. If it can't be done that day it would be the next. After some convincing Ohmei let them help, splitting them up into two groups. Twilight was teamed up with Jeremy and Nox-23 with Ohmei.

Ohmei limped along as he opened the gate to the paddock. Nox-23 followed behind with the horse that they met when the first came here. "I'm I doing this right?" Nox-23 asked. was he pulled the horse into the paddock with the lead line he held.

Ohmei nodded. Yea just pull off the halter then come out and I'll we close the gate. Nox-23 nodded in compliance, pulling the halter of the horse's head. The horse, having spotted a good spot of grass ignored the Exo as he retreated. Once the gate was closed once more the two men leaned back on it.

“Heading back soon?" Ohmei asked tilting his head to Nox-23.

"Yea." Nox-23 paused for a moment as he contemplated  an idea. "Do you wanted to come with?”

Ohmei head snapped toward Nox-23. For a brief moment he smiled. That smile however faded into a deep melancholy frown. "I...I'm sorry but I can't."

"Why?"

"I just can't."

Nox-23 folded his arms front of him and shook his head. oh no, I'm not taking that as an answer. Is someone bothering you, Is the owner here blackmailing you?"

Ohmei looked completely appalled at Nox-23 suggestion. "What, no Mr. Bacon isn't like that... he's just kind old man who helped me." The Warlock sighed. "I guess...I can tell you why. It's not like you wouldn't be able to find out." Ohmei lowered his head to look at the ground, unwilling or unwanting to face Nox-23 as he spoke. "Half a year ago I was in a prefecture not to far from here visiting the local pet store. I was just leaving it when I saw a man running past me with a purse in his hands. A woman yelling thief made it crystal clear that it wasn't his. I did what I thought would be right and chased after him." Ohmei let a small chuckle escape his lips. "I was able to keep up with him pretty well but I couldn't enough speed to overtake him so an idea popped into my mind. One that I will regret for forever. I used my Nova bomb."

Nox-23 stared hard at the man. "Your the one who illegally used a super in the city!"

The human guardian nodded. "I didn't hit anyone I just shot it to startle the thief. I startled more than just the thief. Property damage, injuries, panic. At least the thief was caught. I was brought before the Vanguard and charged with recklessness endangerment. I was locked away for awhile. Which was a lighter sentencing then I thought I would get. Actually The first time we met was my fourth week back into active duty. I...I before that I went back to the city. word had spread about my actions, almost everyone looks at me with hate fear or a bit of both. Mr. Bacon is one of the few that didn't, even gave me a job taking care of animals."

"Sounds like you really animals... I guess that's why you were drawn to our Equestrian friend."

Ohmei's face turned a light red. "A talking alien pony, what animal enthusiast wouldn't want to get and know her.  Speaking of which." Ohmei point a finger across from them. Nox-23 turned to look at what had caught his friend's attention.

Jeremy was making his way over to them and was currently walking through a large puddle of water. Twilight Sparkle on the other hand was not walking by him or flying. Instead she was piggybacking on the hunter. Her wings were spread out to help her balance. Her hooves shifted uneasily on Jeremy's shoulders and back. Several times Twilight made half-hearted attempts to get off Jeremy's back but to no avail.

"In Soviet Russia..." Ohmei whispered to Nox-23 all the while quietly chuckling to himself.

The moment the two was passed the puddle Twilight immediately jumped off Jeremy's back. "well you don't see that everyday." Nox--23 commented mirthfully.

Jeremy shrugged. "Well as we were cleaning out the chicken coop Twilight so happen to divulge to me that her kind are going to take over the world and free all the Equine from our suppression. I for one welcome our pony overlords."

Twilight faced-hooved while Ohmei and Nox-23 laughed.

"We should get going." Jeremy's Ghost interrupted their fun.

"Thank you for letting us stay." Twilight said to Ohmei.

"It was good to see you guys again. Hope we can do this again."

"Agreed" Exo and Mare said in unison.

After saying their goodbyes Nox-23, Twilight and Jeremy left the barn traveling to the bus stop that they were dropped off at. Only a short time after they got there the bus arrived, thankfully with a more a decent driver. Seats picked out and curious passengers losing interest in Twilight, the bus began to move. As the bus traveled along the road it passed a single figure, waving at it was it went along. It was none other than Ohmei. Twilight smiled and waved back. "Hope things get better for you." Nox-23 said from behind her.

"What was that Nox?" Twilight asked her metal companion.

Nox-23 shook his head. "Oh nothing. Just talking to myself."