[i]AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know that there are those of you who want to take a break from the howls, whining, shrieking, salt, tears, and general negativity of the post-D2 letdown (not saying some of it isn't deserved, Bungie made some very questionable decisions). Some of you might remember how fun BraveCole and my "Kinderguardians" stories were. Well, I don't know if Brave is returning anytime soon. But I am happy to announce that I am back for more. Note that this offering might be a little less funny than some of my others... it's hard to bring too much levity to the horror of Destiny 2's opening hours. [/i] [b] DRAMATIS PERSONAE[/b] MR. ODDISH, 247. Male Human Titan. Long blond hair with blue streaks, blue eyes. Primary kinderguardian teacher for the Vanguard. Has a Ghost named SIGMUND, Iron Song shell. GLORIA, almost 11. Female Awoken Warlock. Mane of pure-white hair, indigo skin, luminous golden-yellow eyes. Intermediate kinderguardian. Has a Ghost named ALBUS, male persona, winter sky shell. MARSHALL, 9. Male Human Hunter. Short dark hair, brown eyes. Primary kinderguardian. Has a Ghost named SPIKE, male persona, spiky blue shell. DAVID, 8-1/2. Male Human Warlock. Longish auburn hair, quite a suntan from spending lots of time outdoors. Despite his age, the least experienced kinder in the class. Has not named his Ghost yet. PETRA, almost 8. Female Human Titan. Very long blond hair, usually worn in twin ponytails, big brown eyes, insanely cute. Primary kinderguardian. Has a Ghost named BELLE, female persona (and Emma Watson's voice), yellow princess shell. She also has a companion wolf named GROWLER. RICARDO, 6-1/2. Male Human Hunter. Shoulder length dark hair, dark eyes, Hispanic appearance. Youngest primary kinderguardian. Has a Ghost named SPARKS, male persona, generic shell. The following takes place six months after "Kinderguardians - Journeys Begin" [b]THE TOWER - Kinderguardian Education Complex. 0800 hours[/b] It's a stormy morning, and the sun has had little luck penetrating the chokingly thick clouds above. The thunder is audible, even through the thick walls of the Tower. Mr. Oddish stands in pensive silence. Pint-sized Titan Petra stands next to him, holding his hand. With her mother gone to Titan on unknown business, Petra has been spending the last few days with Mr. Oddish. It's not their first visit of this sort; Mr. Oddish occasionally performed this service for Paula back in Petra's preguardian days. However, it's their first since they've known that they're actually father and daughter. Growler, Petra's ever-faithful lupine companion, lies curled at Mr. O's feet. Previously, Petra was the only kinderguardian dwelling in the Tower, but that was before young David was discovered, living several thousand kilometers from the City. His mother, killed by Fallen shortly before he was found, was resurrected as a Guardian by an unassigned Ghost about the same time David was selected by another. And sure enough, the two of them show up together. David's mom kisses him, then heads for her ship to head out on patrol. ODDISH: "Ah, David. Right on time." DAVID: "Mr. Oddish?" ODDISH: "Yeah?" DAVID: "There's something I've been wondering." ODDISH: "No surprise. Go ahead." DAVID: "Most Guardians whose parents were Guardians too are the same class as their parents, right? Like you and Petra are both Titans?" ODDISH: "You're wondering why your mom's a Hunter, but you turned out to be a warlock. Right?" (David nods) "I guess I can understand that. You're the only warlock in the class, and it's normal to feel a bit different." DAVID: "Yeah. So, do you know why?" ODDISH: "I talked to your mom. She's not surprised. She says you like to learn things, you're always asking questions. And I know your mom doesn't remember, but according to Aaron, you've been like that all your life. That's the mark of a good scholar. And really, you're lucky." DAVID: "I am?" ODDISH: "Yup. If Petra and I ever decide to do patrols or strikes together, our fireteam will be lopsided because we won't have all three classes. You and your mom, on the other hand, can just hook up with a Titan." DAVID: "Oh. Cool." A few minutes later, the elevator opens and his other two kinders (Ricardo and Marshall) join them as well, with an unexpected guest. Gloria officially transitioned to BraveCole's intermediate group a month ago. As is the norm with intermediates, she is fully armored and has the pulse rifle she got in her first and only Iron Banner match slung on her back. ODDISH: "Gloria! Good to see you! Come to visit us?" SIGMUND: "Not exactly. BraveCole's accompanying Ventis, Dawn, and RJ in the Crucible. He could only have the three, though." ODDISH: "Yeah, I heard he was experimenting with four-on-four matches. A lot of people are upset." GLORIA: "He said I could do study hall by myself or visit here." ODDISH: "Well, you're welcome. Now that everybody's here, why don't we head in?" They do just that. Mr. Oddish heads over to the ordinance rack in the back of the room. He keeps his beloved Colovance and his Young Wolf's Howl (which has replaced the Dark-Drinker that Crota destroyed) where he spends the most time. Below them is an assortment of bare-bones SUROS and Hakke test guns for the kids to practice with, and an unfamiliar-looking weapon. DAVID: "What kind of gun is that?" ODDISH: "It's called a trace rifle, they've just started producing them. Zavala owed me a favor, so he said I could borrow this one." PETRA: "Can I shoot it, Daddy? Pleeease?" Technically, Mr. Oddish knows he should be telling Petra to use his surname when in class, but he's long since decided there's no point, because she always forgets. Besides, he still likes hearing it. ODDISH: "Everybody'll get a turn. Ricardo, put the knife away." RICARDO: "Yes, teacher." ODDISH: "You play with those things so much, I'm amazed you haven't skewered your parents by now. Gloria, you're a crack shot. Why don't you go first?" Gloria picks up the trace rifle and heads over to the target, a block of bullet-absorbant material with the outline of a Fallen Captain stenciled on it. She's all over the target at first, but quickly manages to get the beam under control, and turn the faux captain's head into a smoking mass. The younger kids take their turn: Petra is good for seven, but she's little and the gun is big, and it's hard for her to keep it on target. Ricardo has the same issue. And Marshall has improved, but David grew up with rifles, and has taken Gloria's place as the class's crack shooter. He shoots last, and he's not quite as good as Gloria, being less familiar with energy-type weapons. But he's good enough. ODDISH: "Nice work, David." DAVID: "How come I don't get my own gun yet?" ODDISH: "That normally happens when you're ten or so, and getting ready to transition to Brave's class." DAVID: "Awww." ODDISH: "You'll have hundreds of years where you're packing iron day in and day out because your gun is your life out there, and you'll get tired of it. So don't be too eager. Enjoy being a kinderguardian while you ca..." He is interrupted when Growler leaps to his furry feet and snarls savagely. Seeing that the animal's eyes are focused on something going on toward one of the room's windows, the teacher turns to look. And then, the clouds fly apart and reveal the approaching fleet of Cabal battleships. As Mr. Oddish stares in horror, missiles seperate from the ships and fly toward the Tower. Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Oddish spent 150 years in the field, and he has not forgotten how to react fast. He grabs Growler's scruff with one hand, and Ricardo (who is standing apart from the other kids) with the other, The other four kids are fortunately together, and he throws up his bubble amidst them. Heavy warheads pummel the building. There are over a dozen support personnel and janitorial frames in the vicinity, all are vaporized by the onslaught of high explosives. The kinderguardians, thanks to Growler's warning and Mr. Oddish's rapid response, are unacratched. At length, the missile barrage ends, and the Tower is a smoking teetering ruin. Mr. Oddish tries to go for his weapons, but the ordinance rack took a direct hit. He has his trusty sidearm, a new Vanguard-issue weapon that fires three-round bursts, but his Colovance and sword are metallic splinters. He grieves a bit for both: the sword was presented to him when he became an Iron Lord, and the rifle was his bread and butter gun for well over a century. He looks at the group. He and Gloria have their armor but no helmets, the others have only their jumpsuits: they can heal and be revived, but their light level is still sublethal without armor. He has the Cold Heart and a sidearm, Gloria has her pulse rifle. They are not combat-effective. GLORIA: "What do we do?" ODDISH: "Sigmund, get..." SIGMUND: "I already summoned it. The Blue Bird will be in position in forty seconds. How long before your bubble goes out?" Phzzzt. The bubble goes out. ODDISH: "That long." SIGMUND: "I'm detecting multiple transmats, Cabal energy signature. We're about to have company." Oddish hefts the trace rifle, then shoves his pistol into David's hand. ODDISH: "You may need this. Marshall, Petra, Ricardo, keep your heads down." [i]To be continued...[/i] Part 2 now up: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/237387127 Oddish's Index Page: https://www.bungie.net/en-US/Forums/Post/228589572