?th day of ???, 17 AJ

Time:????

Location:????

POV: Hope, age 16, Protector of the Light

Hope's eyes slowly opened. She was in a bed, but where exactly? Wood was right above her, but the ceiling couldn't be that low, could it? Hope rubbed her tempel and struggled to remember what happened.

"Well, look who's up! Good morning, sleepy head."

Hope looked to her right. Sun was sitting at his desk and had a smile on his face. She looked at him in confusion. Weren't I fighting Ghaul in the Last City? Hope thought.

"Heh. Lillie and I found you out cold on the beach. You were in your Guardian armor still, so you kinda owe us an explanation. Why were you lying on the beach in your armor?"

Hope was confused. She was fighting Ghaul in the Last City, wasn't she? "What? I was light years away. How'd that happen?"

Sun's smile vanished. "Wait, you were light years away? What time was it?"

"That won't help. How long had it been between me leaving the planet and you stumbling across me on the beach?"

Sun scratched the back of his neck. "Umm. I want to say three hours, minimum?"

Hope gaped. Three hours! That was how long the flight and fight had been!

"What, something wrong?"

"I spent three hours total in my ship plus fighting! And then the Traveler did something and I was blinded by light, then my world went dark. I had felt my feet get thrown out from under me, right before I guess passed out. What the hell is going on?"

Sun's Rotom Dex flew out of his hanging bag and floated around Hope. Hope watched as it made circles around her.

It then flew over to Sun and reported its findings. "She was a Faller, weak but still one. Now, even I partially think she's a portal to Ultra Space. And she said she was knocked off her feet, so I guess she was thrown through a Ultra Wormhole! Professor Burnett would know for sure, though."

Sun glanced at Hope, then his shaking bag. "I don't think we need an expert. It's trying to get out."

Hope cocked her head. "It?"

Sun glanced at her before putting on his bag. He left without a word, bringing Rotom with him. Hope sighed and let her head drop. All she wanted to do was hibernate. Lillie stepped out of the bathroom and was confused at Sun's abstinence. She had a towel wrapped around her body and her hair was wet.

"He left when I asked what 'It' is."

Lillie looked at Hope. "It? What are you talking about?"

"His bag was shaking. He said, and I quote, 'It's trying to get out.' He was obviously referencing something in his bag, but I have no clue as to what. I was also called a 'Faller,' whatever that is."

Lillie almost dropped her towel. "Wait, he called you a Faller?"

"Rotom did but same thing, right?"

"Oh my Arceus, he must have an Ultra Beast."

"So?"

"Ultra Beasts will viciously attack Fallers if they stumble across one. They think you're the way home, ut et enraged when they discover that you aren't a rift to their world. Sun's one, as is Moon. They've traveled through an Ultra Wormhole to save Alola. And now there's you."

Hope decided to change topics. "Hey, Lillie?"

"Yeah?"

"So.... You know how you found me passed out on the beach?"

"Yeah, what's up with that, anyways?"

"Well, turns out that when the Traveler smited the hell out of Ghaul, it accidentally sent me flying...."

"Are you saying you were shot through space to land on Alola's shores?"

"Not exactly the space you're thinking of...."

"Wait, you were shot through an Ultra Wormhole?"

"Yeah...."

"And that's how you became a Faller. I get it. Well, feel free to stay with us as you recover from the impact. Sun and I were in Ten Karat Hills when we heard a loud splash come from the sea. Multiple, actually. Don't know how you lived those heavy impacts."

Hope chuckled. Xerneas probably healed her, then returned back to its Pokeball. "Wait, what were you doing with Sun in Ten Carat Hills? The best training sport for you would be Route 2 or Verdant Cavern."

"We were having a small picnic together."

"Oh really? Say it in the Ancient Language." Hope told Lillie the words to the language, but not for what Lillie thought she was going to say.

She thought she was saying "Sun and I had a picnic in Ten Karat Hills" when in reality she was saying "I love Sun." Hope laughed and Lillie cocked her head.

"What, did I say something wrong?"

"Nope. That was perfect. The reason I'm laughing is because... actually, hold on. Give me a sec."

Hope casted a spell to block eavesdroppers.

Lillie looked around confused and asked Hope, "What did you just do?"

Hope was still giggling. "I've prevented people not a part of a conversation from listening. So, as I was saying, what I find so funny is because I was right with your relationship with Sun!"

Lillie got furious. "You tricked me! What did you have me say?!"

Hope bit her tongue to stop her from laughing. "I'll admit it, I did trick you. I had you say 'I love Sun.' If you couldn't form the words, I knew I was wrong and you two weren't in love, but I was right!"

"I hate you. I hope you know that."

"I'm sorry. But if anyone overheard us saying that phrase, they would be lost as to what we were saying. Also, there was a reason I was so slow with the phrase."

"You would have been lying."

"Exactly. Also, I know you two were actually having a picnic, I just used this as an opportunity to figure you out. And with the final piece of the puzzle, I've discovered your True Name. I'll use it to help you, not destroy your life, okay?"

"I don't trust you."

Hope was about to say something when Lillie collapsed. A dart was in her neck. Hope threw a knife and it instantly killed the assassin. Hope pulled out the dart and immediately knew that Lillie was talking with Etro. Hope killed the eavesdropper spell and began rapidly weaving a strong healing spell that could only be performed if the user knows their True Name as well as the patient's. Hope finished the spell and check Lillie's heart rate.

At first, she felt nothing. Then, like a miracle, Lillie's pulse slowly returned. Hope placed her in the bed and slipped a night shirt over Lillie's underwear. Hope pulled the blanket over her shoulders and tucked the rest of it under her chin. Moon walked into the room and was confused at the scene.

"What the hell happened? Why are you tucking Lillie into bed?"

Hope gestured at the dart. "Don't cut your skin with it."

"Why?"

"Death, within seconds of injection. And that dart still has venom on its tip."

"Wait, what? Li-li-"

"No. Lillie isn't dead, just passed out. She wouldn't be alive if I didn't know her True Name. I've been trying to figure out all of your True Names since I first met all of you. Lillie's was eluding me barely until I tricked her into confessing that she actually loved someone. You're tricky. Huge clash of words, like calm and hyper. I've got your brother down, just like Lillie, but you? Your's eludes me. And I'm guessing that's because you love someone. Am I right?"

Hope had definitely hit the nail by the head. Moon had taken a step back and had almost fell down the stairs. "N-no! I'm n-not in love!"

"Admit it. You are. You're stuttering, was taken by surprise when I accused you of being in love and you're blushing. I'll keep it a secret, I promise. Vel eïnradhin iet ai Shur'tugal. Upon my word as a Rider."

"O-okay. I.... I'm in love with Gladion."

"And that'll explain all those opposites. Hope it turns out well." Hope flashed Moon a smile.

She got all flustered and immediately climbed into bed. Hope was about to go and look for Sun when she had the sneaking suspicion that Lillie would be targeted again. She went about the room, placing various runes of protection, all tied to a crystal filled to the brim with energy that Hope wide inside the wall. Hope also slipped a necklace with a crystal sapphire on Lillie's neck and tied various wards that Hope placed on Lillie to the gem. The gem would last her years, but the wards wouldn't last her forever, only a month if she gets attack once a day. That was why Hope placed hundreds of wards on Lillie, to keep her safe. Hope snuck out of the room and was met with Sun and Moon's mom.

"Oh, hi there! Come watch TV with me!"

"Um. What's on?"

"The Pokemon League! Sun has a challenger! Several, actually."

"I guess I can watch with you."

Hope sat down on the sofa and watched as Sun proved that he was still worthy of being Champion. He sat down on the Champion's seat and the carma turned to face his approaching opponent. It was Gladion, Moon's secret crush. Hope watched as Sun destroyed Gladion's team with ease. Several more Trainers followed after Gladion, one of them being Hau. N was also a contestant and Sun had a rough battle with him. Eventually, Sun was left with one last challenger, Country. She had her team from Kalos and Sun had his team fully healed as could be. A quiet standoff ensued.

Country was the first to break the ice. "Just so you know, I won't accept the Alolan Championship if I win. This fight's to see who's stronger, me or you."

Sun smirked. "Fine by me. Let's name this fight as a fight in honor of Tapu Koko, shall we?"

Country smiled. "Let's not keep it waiting then. Sir Pinnie! Your time to shine!" She threw a Pokeball and a Chesnaught was sent out.

The battle was quick, but intense. Sun was left with one Pokemon and Country had two, although one was critically low on health. Country had her starter, Delphox, currently in play and it was at half health. Sun grinned, then grabbed his last Pokeball.

"Alright Jelly! Let's finish this!"

Country thought she was going to face an Inkay or Malamar, but was shocked to face a strange beast. Hau and Gladion were in a state of pure shock and Sun lifted his hand.

"Rock Tomb."

His Pokemon fainted Country's Delphox and an aura around Jelly strengthened. Country tried to win the battle with Sir Pinnie, but lost.

The two shook hands and Sun said, "Didn't expect that, did ya? I happened to have Jelly in my bag when I was notified that I had challengers."

Country laughed. "You're right, I wasn't expecting that. What's its typing?"

"Rock-Poison."

"Oh, wow. Even if I had my last two Pokemon fully healed , you still would have wrecked me. Good fight."

"KO-O-O-O-O!"

Sun looked out of the crystal dome and up at the sky. "Well, someone sure liked it."

Everyone in the room laughed and the reporters signed off. Hope sat on the couch for a little longer, then got up. She walked over to Iki Town and dangled her legs over the cliff found at the end of Mahalo Trail. It was then she heard the whispers. She was fiddling with a strange relic she had picked up from an enemy and it began to glow. The relic looked like someone melted a revolver. The glow was orange and it reminded Hope of something; what exactly, she didn't know. Hope got up and climbed down the cliff. She made her way to the Shard, pausing to look at teachings created by the Light. The teachings were aimed at Hunters who wanted to master the art of the Golden Gun.

Hope stepped through a Taken portal and arrived at a Shard. Vex started warping in and Hope sent her Ghost out to siphon off some Light from the Shard as she battled the mechanical foes. She fought long and hard and eventually, there was a lull in the fighting. That was when her Ghost pulled away some Light.

She felt fire crawl across her skin, she felt her bones charr. Her blood boiled and her vision grew sharper. She lifted her hand to the heavens and grasped the handle of a flaming gun. She fired three shots from it and spun the handcannon in her hand. The Vex returned.

She smiled and stepped into a pool of unleashed Light. She lifted her gun into the air and it was engulfed with flames. She blasted the "juice box" of three Minotaurs and they collapsed. The flames quenched themselves, but Hope kept diving into the wells of Light. She effortlessly dispatched her foes and smirked when all that stood before her was a pile of wrecked metal. An Exo walked amongst the broken Vex.

"Don't you find it odd how the Traveler is awake, the Guardians have gotten their Light back, and yet you still seek out Shards to regain your powers?"

Hope dumped the empty shells in her gun's chamber and put new ones in. "Who are you?"

"A friend. The Traveler is testing you and your family. You must find the Light on your own."

"Yeah, found that out myself."

The Exo chuckled. "You consider this place holy, don't you?"

"Why? What brought you here?"

"I've been following your journey. You are the reason I'm here. We will meet again. And when we do..." the Exo noticed a twitching Vex. She placed her foot on its core, lovingly nicknamed its juice box, and smashed it. "Ground... could break." She forced the word "break" when she smashed the juice box.

The Exo vanished, leaving something behind. Hope walked over and saw that it was a hand cannon. She picked it up and left the forest. It was dark when she returned to town. Someone was walking around, Hope could hear their feet hit the ground.

Wait, two people are walking around. Who the hell's up at this time? Moon? But Gladion's in Kanto now, so who would she be walking around with? Wait, I know that hat....

Hope peered out of the bushes. She saw a fancy brown trilby hat poking above the stairs and a casual cap next to it. Two heads poked up and Hope realized that Country and Calem were walking around. They were talking about something or other and Hope saw that they were holding hands. As she watched the two talk, Hope noticed the air behind them shimmer. The houses became slightly distorted and Hope drew her hand cannon. Using the Light, Hope pulled Country and Calem to the ground and unloaded two bullets into the Marauder's head. Ether spilled out of its head and it screamed as it died.

Dozens more Marauders decloaked and Hope blasted four of them. She reloaded her gun and flipped back, dodging a blow from a Marauder. She released all six of her shots into the Fallen and threw a Sol frag. She reloaded again and felt her blood boil. She lifted her gun into the air and the burst of fire lit every house with the dawning Light. Hope shot three Marauders and unloaded three more shots. She slowly backed up, the Fallen closing in. Hope kept fighting, eventually pressing her back against a wall. She continued to fight, ready to take as many Fallen to hell with her as she could.

One leaped at her and she was in mid reload. Right as Hope thought she was going to die, the Marauder exploded. Hope tensed up, grossed out by the flesh that covered her. She heard lightning crackle and when she gained the courage to open her eyes, she saw that Quib was deep in a Storm Trance. His feet touched the ground and he looked around. He glanced at Hope and chuckled. He dumped a pail of water on her head and Hope froze, almost literally.

Through chattering teeth, Hope thanked her friend. "Th-th-thanks Quib. I owe ya one."

"No, you don't. I had owed you one."

"I know. You one, saved me, and two, washed this stuff off of me. Two favors. You owed me one."

"Nah. Let's call us even and stop counting, okay?"

"Deal."

Hope shivered and walked over to Country and Calem, who were still confused about what had happened. Hope helped them up and sneezed. Quib laughed.

"Sorry Hope for givin' you a cold. Here's a blanket."

He draped a blanket over her shoulders and she clutched it close. She grinned and sat down on a bench. Kahuna Hala walked out of his house and viewed the scene. Quib dusted off his hands and explained what happened to the kahuna.

"Hey Hala. Fallen tried to either kill Country and Calem, or they tried to steal from them. Hope fought them and tried to kill all of them, but she was out numbered. I arrived and dropped into a Storm Trance, electrifying the Marauders that were attacking Hope to death. So... yeah.... Sorry about the mess."

Hala simply nodded his head and watched as the bodies burned. Hope gave Quib back his blanket and she walked away. Hala went back into his house and Quib chased after Hope.

"Hope. Where are ya going?"

"Just had a vision."

"Wait, what? I thought only Warlocks could have those."

"Guess you thought wrong."

Hope summoned her ship and was about to transmat in when she looked over her shoulder.

Quib scratched the back of his head. "I guess this is a one man mission?"

"It can be, but doesn't have to."

"I'll contact Cyle."

Hope gave Quib nod and entered her ship. She began to spin up its engines and took off. She waited in orbit for Quib, and the two linked their comms.

"So. Destination?"

Hope sent him coordinates and activated her jump core. Quib joined her and the two sped towards the Sol solar system. They exited the warp stream over the chewed up Mercury and they met up with Cyle. The three of them flew to the surface and they surveyed the area. Hope got out of her ship and her Fireteam followed. Hope made her way to a massive triangular Vex gate and eyed it. She attempted to walk through it, but was met with an invisible barrier.

Cyle looked at her. "What are you trying to do? You know that's the entrance to the Infinite Forest, right? No one's returned."

"That doesn't mean it's harmless."

Hope slammed her fist into the barrier and she was forced back several steps. She frowned, but then noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She walked over to it and realized it was a Ghost, powered down, but alive. Its shell was scorched, like it had been shot. Hope pocketed the Ghost and walked back to the ships. Her Fireteam was confused.

Quib looked at her. "Hope. You're not telling us something. What is it?"

Hope dodged the question. "Let's head towards the Tower. I need to talk to Ikora."

Quib and Cyle exchanged looks before hoofing it over to their ships. They jumped over to Earth and approached the Last City. Hope made her way to Ikora and looked around.

"Hunter. What answer do you seek?"

"Permission, actually."

Ikora turned around and lifted an eyebrow. "For what?"

Hope pulled the Ghost out of her pocket. "Remember this Ghost?"

"That's... Sagira. How did you find her?"

"I had a vision. A dark one. It was of a world without Light or Dark. Vex was the only thing in the universe. I saw Osiris struggling to find and stop the cause of this dark future. He would fail, but then, my vision shifted. It revealed to me that if I was there, in the Infinite Forest, then I would be able to prevent that future. But, I know how the Vanguard frowns upon anything to do with Osiris."

"And you came to me for permission to pursue him. You must know that I used to be his student."

"That doesn't matter. What does matter is the survival of Humanity. And the Light. I need to find a way to revive/awaken Sagira. I can't do it without permission."

Ikora turned around and pondered on Hope's request. Hope slipped her hands into the pockets in her skirt and waited.

"Go to the Lighthouse. Find the Followers of Osiris. Go alone. Keep it quiet."

"As you say. But about my Fireteam...."

"I'll ground them. Good luck Hunter. And may the Traveler shine down upon you."

Hope gave the Warlock a bow, then rushed over to the hangar. Quib and Cyle tried to follow her, but they were stopped by two of Ikora's Hidden. Hope started up her ship's engines and took off.

Quib and Cyle are gunna hate me, but I don't care. This mission's too important.

Hope made way for Mercury and landed close to the Lighthouse. She stepped into a repurposed Vex teleporter and came face to face with a Follower of Osiris.

"Yes? What do you want?"

"I have Sagira. She's silent. I need to get into the Infinite Garden."

"Oh, really? We shall help you, but I must ask, why do you want to enter the Forest?"

"I have dreamt of a dark future, one where nothing but Vex exists. I have dreamt that the only solution to this suture is to be found deep in the Forest. And Sagira's the only one who can enter it."

"Ah. Then, go to these coordinates. Find the hidden temple there and my brothers shall assist you. Now go, I must return to studying the Prophecies."

Hope walked back into the teleporter and flew back to Earth. Mumbling to her Ghost, Hope complained about what they're doing. "We're just going back and forth with no real reason. Let's hope that we haven't been sent on a wild goose chase."

"You really are thinking about that now? Why not when we first had that vision?"

Hope rolled her eyes and touched down in the EDZ. She made her way to the coordinates, noting that she was walking over to a radio tower. She engaged the Fallen swarming the place and found a painted eye. She jumped down the elevator shaft and was faced with dead bodies robed in Osiris colors. Hope touched the side of her helmet.

"Ikora? They're dead."

"Damn it. They must have some device to revive Sagira. Try to find it."

Hope's Ghost flew over to a device and did a quick scan. "Found it. I think. Weird repurposed Vex tech. Let's put Sagira on it."

Oh god. This will not go well."Ghost. Not a good idea."

"It actually is. Can't hurt!" Hope's Ghost placed Sagira in the conveniently shaped hole in the podium and started to activate it. Sagira began to shimer and Hope's Ghost began to shake.

"Oh god. Oh god! OH GOD! It hurts! IT HURTS!"

A burst of light shrouded what happened and when Hope's vision returned, she noticed that Sagira was gone.

"Oh, new shell. Wait, who are you?" Hope's Ghost sounded different.

She noticed that Sagia's shell was semi visible, a mirage of Light.

"Wait, did you really use a device that you knew nothing about?"

Hope lifted her hands in defence. "Hey, I was about to say something when my Ghost went ahead and activated that podium. He totally ignored me! Also, where's my Ghost?"

Sagira glanced at the podium. "Wow. Didn't know Ghosts could be so dumb. And we're sharing, kinda. Don't worry about it, it's fine."

"Yeah, sure. Guess we're stuck together for now. Let's move." Hope shouldered her scout rifle and climbed out of the radio tower. She leaped off of the top of the tower and wall runned across a rocky wall. She continued to wall run until she came across a cliff. She leaped off the wall and landed on her speeding ship.

"That was impressive. How'd you do that?"

Hope looked at Sagira. "Skillz."

"Every Hunter I've met can't get close to what you did. It's more than that."

"Maybe I'll tell you later. Right now, we're going to wander around in a forest."

"The Infinite Forest? Why?"

"I had a vision. It was of me defeating something in the Infinite Forest and prevent a terrible future, one without Light or Dark, only Vex."

"Oh my god. That must have been what Osiris saw. We have to move."

"Yeah, I know."

"Do you have a Fireteam?"

"Yeah, but Ikora didn't want them with me. Would have drawn too much attention. She instead grounded them; the City needs more Guardians to defend it anyways."

"Oh. Her."

"I take it that you two didn't leave on good terms?"

"You can say that."

Hope and Sagira landed on Mercury and the two walked over to the massive Vex gate. They walked into it without problem and they came across a massive wide-open space. Platforms materialized in front of them and Sagira gave Hope some important advice.

"We may be in a massive simulation, but it's real enough to kill us."

"Good to know."

They wandered around, not knowing where to go. Then, through the Light, or rather, lack of it, Hope found a ominous presence. She looked at Sagira.

"Do you have a bad idea?"

Hope smirked. "I have a bad idea."

"What are you going to do?"

"Have some face to face time with the brain of this place. You might want to vanish."

Sagira rolled her eye and vanished. Hope opened a rift with Chaos and leaped in. She was immediately grabbed by Panoptes, the Infinite Mind. Hope tried to wriggle out, but couldn't. Hope focused on Hammer's unique song and summoned him to her aid. He slammed into Panoptes' arm and it let go of Hope. She sprinted over to Hammer and Sagira began to freak out.

"What are you doing? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"We are better together." Hammer grabbed Hope out of the air and placed her inside.

Hope smiled and took control of Hammer. The pair began to shoot at Panoptes' arm, weakening its integrity. Hope grabbed the arm, and with aid from biotics, she ripped it off and prevented the machine from deleting them forever. Hope then sprinted up Panoptes' other arm, leaping onto its eye. She ripped off the protective covering and Hammer unleashed a full volley from his Acolyte Pods. Panoptes let out a loud scream as Hammer's tac display fizzled out. Hope heard someone climb onto her back and she knew that Osiris had decided to go for a ride. Using Hammer's vision, Hope walked out of the Forest and back into the light of the sun. The Vanguard was waiting for her.

Zavala stormed up. "Guardian! Why did you go AWOL?"

Hope climbed out of Hammer. "Sir, with all do respect, I wasn't AWOL. Ikora knew where I was."

Quib's arms flickered with electricity. "What. The. Fuck? Why did you get Ikora to ground us?!" He was furious.

Hope looked at Sagira and shrugged.

"I did it by myself. I told Hope to do this on her own, without any backup." Ikora appeared next to Hope.

Thank the Traveler Ikora's here. This'll go much more smoothly.

Zavala glared at his fellow Vanguard. "You know what I think about Osiris, Ikora."

"I do. The reason I gave Hope permission to pursue Osiris was not because I owed him something, it was because of a vision Hope had had."

Quib's hands twitched. "What vision?"

He's about to blow.

Ikora looked at Hope. She looked back at the Warlock and Ikora gestured to the Guardians before them. Hope took a deep breath and was about to answer when Osiris interrupted.

"If she didn't revive my Ghost and enter the Forest, this universe would have been demolished. The Light and Darkness would have no longer exist. All life would be gone. The only thing left would have been Vex. She destroyed their brain, preventing them from using that avenue of attack. She saved us all. She's better than my legend. I'm not even as good as my legend... Zavala." Osiris had stood up on top of Hammer.

Zavala shifted his glare to the Warlock. "Osiris. Why are you standing up for this Hunter you've never met before?"

Hammer stepped forwards. "Commander. Look past your assumptions. Look at everything in a new Light. See what would have happened."

Zavala glared at Hammer and was about to shout, then stopped. He closed his mouth and pondered on Hammer's words. Zavala glanced at Osiris, then turned to leave. Hope finally knew what to say.

"Zavala. Being a Guardian isn't about having the strongest punch or sharpest blade or biggest brain. It's about fighting for what's right. It's about fighting for the survival of humanity, even if it's about to perish. As Guardians, we will go down fighting, standing shoulder to shoulder, forming an impenetrable wall of souls hell bent on defending Humanity, even if it leads to our death. We will never go out without a fight."

Everyone looked at Hope. She was right, a Guardian's a Guardian. Hunters, Warlocks, Titans, they're the same. They fight to keep humanity alive.

Zavala walked away without a word and Quib followed him. Everyone but Ikora, Hope, Hammer, and Osiris left. Nothing was said for a long time.

"You're more than a Guardian."

Hope looked at Osiris. He stood there, not willing to explain himself. He didn't need to. She knew of her greater purpose. She was a Pilot and Etro's Daughter.

"I know."

Hope walked away, leaving Osiris and Ikora to watch her go. Hope got into her ship and took off, leaving Sagira with Osiris.

Inside the cockpit, Hope's Ghost glared at her. "You've been busy. Without me."

Hope didn't reply. She looked down at her hand. Dog tags rested in her palm. They were that of a Pilot's. Hope clenched her hand tight and lifted her gaze back up. She ignored the stream of curses coming from her Ghost and tapped in a set of coordinates. He ship vanished in an instant, speeding towards the Militia fleet.