- "He was in front, there was no doubt who was the Leader, but he was young. The new arrival wore body armor but no mask; the scars across his speckled brow and on his clawed hands were extensive, but from the condition of his tusks and talons, he looked no older than an unBlooded."
- ―Machiko Noguchi regarding Light-Stepper (from Aliens vs. Predator: War)
Light-Stepper was a Yautja Leader and member of Top-Knot's Clan
Initially a promising Un-blooded, Light-Stepper would eventually rise through the ranks to become a reputed hunter.
After being Blooded in an initiation hunt held by Top-Knot, in which he narrowly killed a Xenomorph, he would go on to become a Leader, and led a hunting party of Yautja to the planet Ryushi, where they would go on to encounter a platoon of Colonial Marines.
Characteristics and Traits[]
Light-Stepper was a prodigious and skilled young Yautja who developed himself from a promising Un-blooded into a fully-fledged Leader within the span of roughly a year.
Despite the loss of his right hand, Light-Stepper was an incredibly proficient warrior, whose experience allowed for him to compensate for his handicap, nor did he ever allow it to bother him or hinder his performance. Machiko Noguchi noted that despite his young age, he bore battle scares that would even make a veteran hunter proud.
Biography[]
Initiation hunt[]
Two-Stripes kicking over Light-Stepper.
Light-Stepper was a member of Top-Knot's clan, who partook in an initiation hunt on an exotic planet infested with Xenomorphs in the hopes of becoming a blooded hunter.
Light-Stepper, alongside nine other Un-blooded, landed on the planet and began tracking for traces of Xenomorph activity, being led by Top-Knot himself. Two planet days passed before Light-Stepper discovered a carcass with a ruptured chest within the foliage. However, a brash, fellow young hunter named Two-Stripes jealously kicked Light-Stepper over. Light-Stepper shot up and prepared to fight his rival, before Top-Knot got between them. Two-Stripes claimed that it was he who discovered the carcass, and Top-Knot, after giving some thought, credited Two-Stripes with the discovery, irritating Light-Stepper.
Light-Stepper battles a Xenomorph.
The nine hunters set off to collect their first trophies. Light-Stepper departed off on his own route, unaware that Two-Stripes was tailing him, before suddenly encountering a Xenomorph Drone. A brutal battle ensued, and Light-Stepper emerged victorious, at the cost of losing his right arm and bottom left-mandible. With Light-Stepper grievously wounded, Two-Stripes suddenly moved in and, in an act of treachery, took the Xenomorph's head for his own, abandoning his brethren and leaving him for dead.
Light-Stepper is retrieved by the clan, to Two-Stripes' shock.
Luckily, Light-Stepper was found by two other hunters and bought back to Top-Knot. With Two-Stripes' deceitfulness exposed, he was punished by being stripped and marooned on the planet, left at the mercy of the Xenomorphs as the clan took leave.
With Light-Stepper rightfully gaining the rank of Blooded, he would go on to briskly rise through the ranks, and soon became a reputed and respected leader only a rough year later.
Ryushi Hunt[]
- "Together, we'd taken out an enemy that would have killed us both, and maybe at that moment we came to some kind of an understanding. Or maybe we're just too tired to fight each other. Either way, there's nothing to do now but wait -- and see who's people show up first."
- ―Glass (from Aliens vs. Predator: Duel)
At some point, Light-Stepper led a hunting party that orbited the planet of Ryushi, presumably to lead other Un-blooded for their initiation hunt. However, unknown events would see their Mother Ship crash on the planet. The hunters subsequently left their ship, abandoning the imprisoned Queen within, but not before one of them was subdued by a Facehugger.
Light-Stepper killing a Xenomorph.
Soon, a platoon of Colonial Marines began investigating the planet after intercepting a distress signal sent by the Predators. After encountering their ship, they entered it and took the body of the infected Yautja, before being attacked by a horde of Xenomorphs. Light-Stepper and the others moved in and inadvertently saved the Marines. However, when Marine Cogeletti attempted to establish peaceful contact, Light-Stepper expressed hostility to the humans and killed her, sending the Marines into a retreat.
The Predators eventually caught up with and attacked the squad, who had set up an encampment within the ruins of Prosperity Wells. The Marines were both simultaneously attacked by Light-Stepper's party, and the fully-grown Predalien that had recently birthed from the infected Yautja. However the Marines' captain, known as Glass, had set explosives around the perimeter, detonating them and killing all remaining hunters but Light-Stepper.
Light-Stepper battles the Predalien.
Light-Stepper caught up with Glass, now the sole-survivor of his squad, who was being chased by the Predalien.
Light-Stepper and Glass sit and await rescue.
A battle ensued between Light-Stepper and the Predalien, and just as the creature had the upper hand, Glass opted to side with the Predator, and distracted it by striking it with his Pulse Rifle, giving Light-Stepper enough of an opportunity to kill the abomination.
Exhausted, the two mutually sat down and assumed a truce, awaiting rescue from their respective peoples.
Build up to Bunda[]
- "Still young, but with scars that would do a veteran proud..."
- ―Machiko Noguchi regarding Light-Stepper (from Aliens vs. Predator: War)
Machiko steps out of line, causing Light-Stepper to strike her away.
Sometime shortly thereafter, in the build up to the massive Predator hunt on the planet Bunda which marked the defection of human Predator Machiko Noguchi from Top-Knot's clan, Light-Stepper was seen returning triumphantly to the clan ship, Shell, to much acclaim, adorning Glass' squad's flag worn as a bandana by Glass over the stump of his missing hand.
Machiko was shocked to see the Marine flag, and stepped out of line by approaching Light-Stepper and touching it. Insulted, Light-Stepper struck Machiko away. After she made the submissive gesture, he left her and continued onwards.
Noguchi's strong reaction to the implication of Light-Stepper hunting humans was key in causing her to reassess her decision to live amongst the Yautja. She would ultimately opt to betray Top-Knot's clan and side with the humans once again.
Equipment[]
List of Notable Victims[]
- Cogeletti
- Predalien (Ryushi)
Trivia[]
- Light-Stepper is one of few notable Yautja to appear in more than one Predator-related story. Other examples include Top-Knot, the Devil and Ahab.
- In the novelisation of War, Light-Stepper is seemingly depicted as a Leader separate to Top-Knot's clan, who was invited by the latter to join in on the Bunda hunt.
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
