Spartans Never Die, They're Just Missing in Action

Chapter 1

"Do not underestimate them. But most of all, do not underestimate… him."  -Doctor Catherine Halsey; concerning the SPARTANS and the Master Chief

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Royal Throne Room

"Ummm...." Rainbow Dash started, looking right towards the things that had appeared in the center of the room. "Am I the only one seeing this?" She finished. She was the only one of her friends-the Elements of Harmony-who had even recovered. All of them, even Twilight, had their mouths dropped open to the point where flies could make comfy homes inside them.

"Shhh. Rainbow Dash, please. I shall take care of this." Celestia stepped forward. "Guards, please lower your spears." They looked tentatively at their ruler, before complying. Despite this, they kept tight formation around the intruders, and it would take them seconds to raise their sharpened weapons again. After all, after the Changeling invasion royal guards underwent huge amounts of training and disciple in order to keep up security.

"Hello. So, um..let's start with the basics. Do you speak Equestrian?" She asked. As excited as she was for a new race, Celestia only got one vacation day a year. She hoped this would end quickly and peacefully. Celestia returned her gaze upon the creatures. They seemed to understand what she had asked, but she couldn't be quite sure. Heck, she wasn't sure if that was some kind of clothing or if they were made of metal. But after living to be over a thousand, one becomes very observant. These 'creatures' seemed to make almost microscopic movements with what she assumed was their head. It was as if they could communicate telepathically, but that couldn’t be right-it takes magic to do such a thing-and they quite obviously did not have horns. Also, they each looked so different, yet so the same. Although the clothing, or skin, or whatever it was seemed to be shaped differently for each of them, as well as the color....they seemed to act as one. They stood in similar postures, and seemed to know each other's actions even when not looking at each other. They were....coordinated.  Precise.  Also, she recognized that they each seemed to communicate.  Then, suddenly, the dark blue one in the front simply replied.

"If that is the language we're speaking now, than I'd be inclined to say I do." Princess Celestia was shocked to say the least. Not only did they speak the ponies' native tongue, but also it spoke in such a smooth and educated way. Despite this, the voice of it was deep and intimidating in its own controlled manner.

"So, what are you?" She asked. The creature seemed to think for a few seconds.

"Spartans." Strange. Last Celestia remembered, the Spartans were an ancient and strong, war-like Pegasi tribe of the past. However, these creatures were definitely not Pegasi. But the way they all stood by each other in a defensive position also suggested they were not very peaceful.

"What are your names?" Celestia asked, trying to salvage a sign of trust. To her dismay, the lead 'Spartans' answer was very dodgy.

"You may refer to us Spartan's 104, 87, and 58."

"Are those your real names?" The Spartan stopped. All three of them stopped staring at the guards and stared at her. from the Shiny gold that Celestia assumed they used to see, the 'Spartans' seemed to peer into her very soul.

"No." The main one once again replied. She wasn't sure, but it sounded more defined and masculine. And it seemed the other two were also thinner. Maybe, he was male? And they were female? She decided not to judge yet, until she knew more.

"Would you mind indulging me then, as to what your real names are?" Now she saw they definitely seemed to communicating. they nodded towards each other, and once again it seemed like they were communicating telepathically, but when she searched for anything on the telekinetic waves, which were used by magicians for any and all telepathic communications, she only found one link nearby. It seemed that Twilight had opened a link with her friends.

'What do you think Applejack?' Twilight asked.(Thought? Questioned?)

'Who knows? Ahm a bit disturbed by the fact they just dropped in like that out ah nowhere though, but 'ey, We teleported here, so ah ain't one ta judge.' Celestia chuckled inwardly, amazed at the fact that even in telepathy, Applejack was somehow able to project her strong accent.

'What if they're just space aliens who came here to party?' Pinkie said(Thought? Projected? Oh whatever-I give up!), somehow shouting within their minds.

'Or What if they are invaders, here to take over Equestria? If so, then they have another thing coming!' Rainbow added. They were about to continue but they heard a small cough. they all turned their heads to the creatures.

"If we could get back on subject..." The dark blue one asked. All the ponies gasped. Could they read minds?

"Of course." Celestia all too quickly replied.

"We would prefer to keep our names private. You may refer to us, as I stated previously, as Spartans 104, 87, and 58."

"WHAT?" Everyone looked towards the voice. It was Pinkie Pie. She looked depressed. Her hair (somehow) deflated. "How come you won't even give us your name? Do you not trust us? Are we not your friends?" She actually sounded pretty depressed and started heading through the formation of guards, towards the Spartans. She almost started to look angry.

"Pinkie calm down." Celestia said, her voice tense. "Although I do not believe the way she is acting, you 'Spartans' obviously do not respect us, given that you intruded into Royal Equestrian Property and refused to show even the slightest trust to the rulers of this Equestria, I hereby detain you to the dungeons until we can further derive your motives. Please note that this is only for the safety of my subjects, and I do not mean to treat you as a criminal of any sort."

Celestia had had enough. Today was her only day of rest the entire year, and she chose to spend it with her faithful student and her friends, the elements of harmony. But TODAY, of ALL DAYS, these so-called 'Spartans' teleport in like they own the place. She made her decision mostly to delay dealing with them-in all actuality. She needed a break. Besides, if they had planned on harm, it was obvious they could have done it buy now. They were not at all intimidated by having almost all of the royal guards point spears at them. If Celestia could guess, putting those 'Spartans' in the dungeon was going to bite her in the flank. She just knew it.

On the way to the Castle Dungeons

"Fred, you mind telling me why we're letting these 'Equestrian Horses' lock us up?" Kelly asked through the comms, not pleased with the situation. The three continued down the halls as they were lead by 'armed' horses.

       "Ask yourself how happy UNSC Command and ONI will be if we start another war with aliens. We just got news of the end of the war with the Covenant. Humanity, not to mention us, have been fighting for survival for over 25 long, grueling years. you think they want that again. Besides, look at these things. They have spears and possible telepathy-we have energy shielding, guns, and camouflage. That reminds me, weapons check." As the three of them walked through the halls while having spears pointed at them, they checked how many weapons they actually had.

"I went for light setup, small weaponry. Still have a shotgun and the two SMGs." Kelly reported.

"My rifle, and a magnum." Linda stated afterwards. Fred checked what he had himself. Being the stronger, he had a Spartan Laser magnetically clamped to the back of his dark blue MJOLNIR armor. In his hands, he had the UNSC's favorite  cheaply made Assault Rifle-the MA5B. He knew that each of his team were also well equipped for ammunition as well. After all, there are about a thousand places to clamp, tie, and strap ammunition onto when you wore a half-ton suit of armor. He finished, and the Spartans kept quiet. Finally, they reached what Fred could safely assume was the dungeon. Compared to human prisons, it was dank, dark, and above all-extremely easy to break out of. But compared to the prisons where ONI kept the occasional Elite prisoner for interrogation-this place was a dream. The three were pointed into a cell in the far corner, and they watched two guard horses station themselves outside the dungeon doors. The cell grate locked shut.

"Kelly, remind me to never let you touch anything related to a forerunner. Ever.  Again."

"Yes sir." After that, the three Spartans settled into a peaceful quiet. Linda, content with herself, simply rearranged the variations of parts for her sniper rifle. Fred seemed to be content on waiting, and Kelly....well Kelly was a bit restless. Spartans had the patience of a meditating monk during missions, but yet she was pacing like no tomorrow. Fred knew that was her flaw. Being the fastest Spartan, she had a natural dislike for sitting around and doing nothing. Kelly was used to getting things done quickly, and moving on. Fred realized that they may as well do something useful and get some rest before tomorrow's events.

"Okay, let’s get some rest before tomorrow. Sleep in 2-hour shifts, I'll keep first watch." The other Spartans nodded and promptly fell asleep leaning against the wall, in case they needed to be ready quickly.

Royal Chambers

"So Tia, you’re to tell me that you meet new intelligent life, and then you throw them in the dungeon because it was your day off?" questioned Princess Luna.

"When you say it like that Lulu, you make it sound plain evil!"

"Whatever, I'm going to go see them."

"What?!? Luna, are you insane? What if they're dangerous? They may be in our custody but I don't think the 'Spartans' appreciate that yet."

"I'm not there to have tea sister. I will use an invisibility spell. I just want a good look at them so I know what to expect tomorrow."

"What if they notice you?"

"Relax, they'd have to have the most remarkable of vision to see the glimmers of an invisibility spell." Luna countered. Celestia hated to admit it, but Luna's logic had won out.

"Fine, but make sure you get some rest for tomorrow."

"I will." And with that, the Princess of the night walked off towards the dungeon, wanting to see the aliens. She had never told her sister, but during the time she was on the moon-specifically in the last 25 years or so- she had had visions of aliens locked in conflict against each other. Great battles across space. She once thought she had one where one spaceship sacrificed itself on a gas giant to destroy hundreds of the enemy's sleek, advanced vessels. And in her visions were warriors of the most unwavering courage and the most remarkable of determination. And just like the ancient Pegasi tribe, and now these new visitors, they were known only as...Spartans.