Nox-23 had failed to keep Twilight safe. She laid in front of him dead. Syifs was walking back and forth in a trance. Jeremy, Victor and Hex-107 stood together holding a silent vigil over the mare.
“Th...With the heart gone sensors and comms are operating at normal capability. We’re inside Mars. We can leav...oh Twilight. What do we do now.” Nox-23 Ghost asked.
“We returned to the tower.” Victor replied, no longer the happy-go-lucky man he was before.
“Then what do we do with Twilight? We can’t leave her here.” Nox-23 spoke sorrowfully .
“We bring her to the Last City and either take her body back home or bury her here on Earth.” Answered Hex-107
“And what do we tell everyone. That she died a hero. To continue the fight in honor of her. ANd what am I going to tell her family and friends.” Nox-23 stated
“She died a Guardian, that is what we tell the people. As for those on her home planet… I don’t know.” Jeremy rubbed the back of his head unable to come up with anything more helpful to say.
Nox-23 looked at Jeremy in a curious manner. “Guardian.” he whispered. He suddenly stood up. “Guardian he repeated.
“What?”
“Twilight wasn’t an official Guardian. No Ghost of her own. There is a chance that we can find one to revive her.” Nox-23 explained.
Jeremy stroked his chin. “It’s possible but it isn’t guaranteed that it will work, Or even find a Ghost..”
“I know but we have to try!”
Victor nodded. “Let’s do it we have nothing else to lose.” The Hunter turned to his leader. “Hey boss you okay?”
Syfis had stopped pacing but her normal indifferent expression had not returned. “No I’m not. I’ll contact the other Guardians and tell them what happened.”
“And we will go ahead.” Nox-23 said, gently picking up Twilight’s body.
Jeremy and Victor looked at him confused. “Where to?” they asked.
“To the Tower to talk to the Speaker. That is the best place to start.”
The six of them raced their way back to the Tower in their ships. No one spoke as they traveled through space. It wasn’t until they closing in on the Last City that a call through the comms broke the Silence. “Guardians, you’re coming in too quickly slow down! This is your only warning!”
“Ghost lower the speed.” Nox-23 said removing himself from the pilot’s chair.
“Uh okay. What are you doing.”
Nox-23 walked over and picked up Twilight’s body. “I’m transmatting down as soon as it is possible.”
Nox-23’s Ghost glanced that the pony form in his hands. “Alright, transmatting in 3...2..1…”
In just second the inside of the ship was replaced by Tower Watch. Nox-23 took off running earning glances from the Tower inhabitants. Ignoring them he made his way to the Speaker tower finally stopping in front of the Speaker himself within his Observatory/office.
The Speaker looked down at Twilight. Then back up to Nox-23 “She is dead.”
“I know.” Nox-23 yelled, making the Speaker flinch. “Sorry….I came here hoping you can help me find a Ghost who can bond with her.”
“I will do what I can.” he replied. He looked over to his Ghost who nodded back. “It may take some time to find a Ghost we can match with her.” The Speaker placed a hand on Nox-23 shoulder. “Please sit down and rest.”
Unable to do anything else Nox-23 did as the Speaker suggested. He laid Twilight in front of him and removed her helmet. It was strange how she looked like she was sleeping instead of...what is actually was.
“Hey.” A some called out to him from behind. The rest of the fireteam had arrived. “Any luck?” Victor.
Nox-23 shook his head. “Not yet.”
The other sat down besides Nox-23 and waited for news, good or bad. They waited for what seemed like hours before a single Ghost slowly flew into the Tower. Stopping once it noticed the group of Guardians “Oh I didn’t expect so many people.” The Ghost said in a feminine voice.
The Ghost hovered to Twilight’s still form. “Will you be able to revive her?” the Speaker asked.
“I won’t know till I try. Everyone back away I need space for this.” Once everyone had clear away the Ghost sent out a blue beam into Twilight.
Twilight awoke to find herself standing up. “Where...where am I?” all around her there was nothing but darkness. ‘Hello?” She called out again. No answer was forthcoming. “I guess i'm alone in whatever place this is.” Twilight called her magic to her horn for an illumination spell only to have it fizzle out before she could cast it. “What?” Twilight touched a hoof to her horn, prodding it several times. Twilight sighed. ‘Guess I’ll have to deal…” Twilight stopped to noticed something in the distance. A flickering light.
Twilight ran to the light. It could be a trap but with nothing else in this field of darkness what was she to do. Getting closer to the light she noticed that it was hovering off the ground like a large spector. ‘Hello?” she called out again and agains she did not get an answer.
Looking around just in case she saw something she stepped toward the light. The light flickered again as if the surrounding shadows were trying to sniff it out. Twilight looked down at her hooves then back at the light. She lefted a hoof and reached out to the light.
“You’re.” The Light exploded engulfing the mare.
Twilight gasped loudly as her lungs started working again. “Twilight!” several voices yelled at her. Twilight jolted upward looking around frantically.
“Wha- where am I?”
“You are in the Tower. “ the Speaker answered.
How did I get to the tower the last thing I remember is. Twilight pupils shrunk.
Victor patted her on the head. “Looks like you figured it out. Congrats, you are officially one of us now.”
Twilight glanced up to him to see the Hunter smile at her. She was able to return a ghost of a smile to him just as she noticed a Ghost floating of to the side. Having finally being noticed The Ghost happily floated closer to the mare. Hello Twilight I guess you already know who i am.” Twilight nodded.
The Ghost chuckled. “I guess this is going to take time getting use too. Nonetheless I look forward to working with you.”
Twilight stared at her Ghost for a long moment before giving her a small smile. “As do I.”
Victor sighed with relief. “Glad that's over with. I need a drink.” He started to walk away turning back slightly to wave at Twilight. “Congrats on become a guardian even if the reason could have been a better one. Take care.”
Hex-107 gave the rest of the guardians a nod before leaving as well with Syfis following after giving a bow to them as well.
After watching them leave Twilight looked at her Ghost “Now what?”
“Now, I think you should take you learning of you Guardianship to a new level.” A new voice answered. Twilight watched as a dark skin woman with barely any hair walk up the stairs to them. She wore long robes resembling those that all Warlocks wear.
“Ikora Rey, it is nice to see here.” The Speaker greeted the Vanguard Warlock.
“It is good to be here especially since we have a celebrity in our mists.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. “I don’t think I have done anything noteworthy.”
The Warlock smiled and kneeled down to be eye level with the mare. “Maybe not in the means of achievements on the field but there is something else that you have done that has made you famous. You have given us hope. Hope that we are not alone against the darkness. “
“Excuse the interruption but what do you mean by what you said about Twilight learning about Guardianship.” Nox-23 asked curiously.
Ikora stood up to address the Titan’s question. “What I meant when I said that is that Twilight needs more training. Training in which My Warlocks and I can provide.”
Nox-23 frowned the best an Exo could. “I’ve been training her to fight. I don’t see why she can’t continue with me.”
“It is because you are not a Warlock. You can only do so much to help her. You have taught her the basics and for that I thank you but now it is time for her to learn from those who are from the same class.”
“You're not making her a Hidden are you?” Jeremy asked reminding the Group that he was still there.
“No.” Ikora shook her head. I do not plan to do that.”
“Oh so She's interesting enough to take her in for your special training but not enough to make her a Hidden. “ Nox-23 steamed.
The Vanguard frowned. “It’s not like that. My Hidden are a specialized force taking years to hone their skills. I’m not saying Twilight doesn’t have the skill it is just she doesn’t have what I want for a Hidden.”
Nox-23 opened his mouth. “Excuse me!” Twilight interrupted. “Shouldn’t I be the one to decide what i'm going to do?”
Both Titan and Warlock reluctantly nodded in defeat. “Good. Now I was thinking it over while the two of you were arguing and I think it would be best if I go train under Ikora.”
Ikora gave Twilight a small smile. Nox-23 on the other hand looked shock. The mare walked up to her Friend and hugged him. “Look I know we have been through a lot and I enjoy the time we spent together, however Look what happened when I left your side for a few minutes. I need to stand up on my own and not rely on others so much. Plus it gives me a chance to meet even more people and make new friends.”
Nox-23 gave Twilight a good long but gentle stare. “Alright I understand.” he said with a sigh.
“It’s not like I'm taking her away for years on end. I’m sure you are bound to see each other often.” Ikora added in.
Twilight smiled. “So you and everyone else can keep tabs on how well my training is going.
Nox-23 ruffled the hair on Twilight’s head. “Yea I would like that”.
“When do we start?” Twilight asked.
“Tomorrow but for now I want to introduce you to a few people.” Ikora answered.
Twilight turned to Nox-23. The Exo motioned with his hands to go ahead. “Go on i’ll see you back home. THe mare smiled and wave before she her Ghost and the Vanguard left.
“Soooo.” Jeremy stepped next to the slightly disheartened Nox-23 What me to grab you two a drink. Mention both Exo and Ghost.
“Neither of us drink.” the Ghost deadpanned.
“Is that so.” Jeremy tapped his chin.What about you Speaker.”
‘While I appreciate the thought I have work that must be done.” The Speaker shook his head.
“Well more for me then.” Jeremy grabbed Nox-23 by the arm pulling him along with him. Despite the Exo’s protest.
“H-hey stop I don’t drink.” Nox-23 said futually.
“Doesn’t matter.” Jeremy replied laughing the entire way.