(Original) Act II: Chapter 11: Ancient History

Act II: UpheavalChapter 11: It's All Just Ancient History

Undisclosed Location

"So tell us again, why are your kind really fighting our UNSC allies?" A shadowed figure inquired.

Former Covenant Zealot Toyah Kusovai rested a slender hand on the energy barrier confining him to his cell. "The Humans have been deemed Heretics. Living insults to the Gods, the Forerunners. We have never once questioned as to why the Prophets made the decision to go to war with man, for it was not our place ."

The figure nodded. "And what is your stance now, as if we don't already know?"

"I have seen how your people truly are. And I now do not see why the Prophets gave the orders they did. How could massacring an entire species lead us onto the Great Journey? Blasphemy I know, but I still to this day do not approve of my brothers fighting in this war. There is no honor in our Covenant any longer."

"So where does that leave you now, Kusovai?"

The elite inclined his head, thinking for several moments. "Wherever you want us, my lady. If you demand that we spill blood in your Empire's name, so be it. You have fairly beaten us in honorable combat, and as a Sangheili, I will honor the duty I now owe to you for sparing us."

This apparently satisfied the figure, who came out of the shadows of the corridor. The regal form of Crown Princess Luna now stood before the Elite.

"That's most pleasing to our ears, Toyah Kusovai. You and the rest of thine compatriots shall be moved to more open accommodations in a fortnight for this. Perhaps even in a few months we shall allow you to join us in battle. Fare thee well, Swordsman."

"Of course, good bye regal one." When the Princess was long out of sight. The Sangheili pulled his jaws into something resembling a grin. He lifted his wrist, and upon it a communication device blinked to life

"What is your status, Councilor?" An unknown voice asked.

"In position, noble prophet. Soon these Eqeustrian fools shall release us freely."

"Excellent, Councilor. The data you have provided for us thus far has been most...appetizing. You have our blessing to continue this charade, for as long as need be. For the glory of the Covenant!"

"Towards the salvation of the Great Journey." Kusovai agreed. The communicator turned off. The Sangheili let out a quiet malicious chuckle.

Some Time Later...

Epsilon Eridani System

Planet Reach

ONI Olympic Tower, New Alexandria, Espoz

July 16th, 2551

"Welcome to Reach, Archon Spectra Dash." Lord Hood said, shaking the pegasus' hoof in greeting. "I trust what you have to tell us is of top priority?"

The Archon gave the Admiral a stiff bow, spreading his wings apart for a moment. "I thank you for your kind welcome. And yes, it is of the greatest urgently that I impart my knowledge to you all." Hood nodded at him in understanding, and moved to take his seat.

Dash cleared his throat, and began to speak to everyone as he took the center stage of the briefing room.

Assembled around him was every one of the guests who had attended the Gala a couple of days previous, as well as several new faces. Alongside the Admirals, Halsey, and Ackerson now stood Admiral Whitcomb, a Navy Commander by the name of Jacob Keyes, various officers and researchers, and Dr. William Iqbal, a Xenoarchaeologist of the University of Edinburgh. On either side of the room, stood at least a dozen Spartan III's on security detail.

Next to the UNSC officials stood the Empress and Princess, along with the commanders of the Imperial Military, who all watched the ancient pegasus quietly. Behind them all, sat the Mane Six, watching the proceedings with curiosity.

"Ahem! Hear me o' Humans, leaders and scholars of the United Nations Space Command. I am known as Spectra Dash, and in my day I was the Archon of Fortitude, one of Six Archons who represented the best virtues of our civilization. What I am about to tell you will seem implausible, radical, I know. It will be difficult to accept all at once, but I swear on my life that the information I impart to you is the full, honest truth of both my peoples' history, and your own."

The humans gave him mixed expressions of curiosity, confusion, and skepticism. A few seemed taken aback to the archaic manner in which he had addressed them. Nevertheless, Spectra maintained his stiff posture. "Before I begin, I have to introduce, not one, but two comrades of mine." He motioned a hoof to a doorway on his right.

The door opened, and out walked two other Equestrians. One was a rather short, but imposing male earth pony with a red coat and brownish mane and tail . The second, was a female Unicorn that shared Spectra's surprising stature. She had a white coat with an azure mane and tail.

Both wore armor similar to what the pegasus stallion had, and also like Spectra, their cutie marks were not visible. They were covered by exotic armor plating that protected the wearers' flanks, backs, necks, and everything in between.

"May I acquaint you, with Generals Honoria..." He gestured to the unicorn. "...and Aurelius." Gesturing to the earth pony. Both bowed to the crowd. "And now, I pass the words to General Honoria." He tilted his head to the unicorn, and she nodded once. Turning to face everyone, she spoke.

"Dignitaries of the UNSC, I am former General Honoria, at your service." She bowed to them. "Let me begin with a question. You scientists are aware, of the Forerunners, are you not?" Honoria was glancing at Halsey and Iqbal in particular.

Halsey nodded in affirmation. "Indeed. We have stumbled upon Forerunner artifacts and ruins from time to time across various colonies. It would appear the Covenant take special interest in these artifacts, as they never glass planets until said artifacts are recovered. Why do you ask?"

"The Forerunners are integral to what we are about to tell you all." Halsey nodded, narrowing her eyes with intrigue. She too cleared her throat, and looked to her fellow general. "Aurelius, if you would be so kind?"

General Aurelius bowed before them like his colleague. "I'm not one for mincing words, so I'll be blunt as a hammer. We are from the time of the Forerunners. Based on your calendars, and our reckoning, myself, General Honoria, and Archon Spectra are over 100,000 years old."

This bold statement was greeted with a chorus of pandemonium as the crowd of humans began to murmur loudly. Many of the scientists openly voiced there confusion. Others seemed angered and frustrated. If the General was truthful, what they were about to hear would completely throw their theories and facts about the Forerunners on their heads. Everything they thought they knew about the mysterious alien civilization, was about to figuratively be thrown out the windows of Olympic Tower.

Spectra raised his hooves, in an effort to catch their attention so they could continue. After a few more moments of quiet, furious whispering to each other, even the most stubborn of the intellectuals returned their attention to the ancient beings on stage.

"Like I said, we speak the truth." Spectra repeated. "And now I am about to begin. If someone would turn on the projectors please? I shall begin my presentation."

A couple technicians turned on a few things of equipment, and the room's main view screen flickered to life. Spectra looked at the technology.

How primitive. He mused as he inserted a crystal data chip from a knapsack on his armor into the computer on the stage, and the two-dimensional screen changed.

The lare monitor displayed what the Imperials instantly recognized as the Planet Equis, as it appeared from space. However, it looked radically different from how they remembered it. The continents appeared smaller, meaning the seas were apparently higher. "Over one hundred and ten thousand years ago, during the time of the Forerunners," Spectra began.

The shot panned across the planet, to the side shrouded in night. "...Our Equestria was a powerful and prosperous empire. We were ruled by an Emperor and Empress, and had a Senate of democratically elected representatives, who helped their Imperial Majesties to govern our empire across the stars." Cities were shown all across central Equestria, as well as along the coasts. Their lights formed glyphs and other beautiful patterns. In the middle, where Ponyville and the Everfree Forest were now situated, the largest of the collection of lights gleamed radiantly in the backdrop of space. Starships went back and forth between the planet and various orbital platforms and stations. Many of the stations were connected to the planet's surface by massive orbital tethers.

"We Equines, the natives of Equis, were allied with your ancestors." Spectra continued. The screen now displayed proudly, the leaders of the Prehistoric Human Civilization."

The first was a stoic looking, professional man with a long mane of flowing black hair. He had a face reminiscent of a Native American from Earth and possessed white tattoos adorning his chin, nose, and forehead. The man was wearing sleek, glowing armor under an ornate jacket and had a helmet to top off his uniform. "This was Lord of Admirals Forthencho. Once Humanity's prime military leader, and was Equestria's closest ally within our alliance, the Imperium of Harmony."

The second was a tall, slender woman. If Celestia were a human, she would surely resemble this woman. She had long flowing blue and black locks of hair and smooth, light brown skin. But unlike Forthencho, she wore not armor, but an elaborate robe that flowed much like her hair. Parts of the robe actually seemed to literally levitate in the air, defying gravity. "Yprin, Yprikushma, the chief political, scientific, and morale leader of the Ancient Human Government." Spectra explained.

Behind both, were men and women clad in sleek, powerful looking armor and uniforms of various styles.

The UNSC officials stared at the image of the Ancients, their faces enchanted with awe. Clearly these people were from a time when Humanity had been at an almost god-like status.

"And that's not all. Ponies and Humans were allied with other species as well." The next image that appeared, shocked the audience greatly.

Yprin and Forthencho could now be seen standing next to two alicorns in a beautiful, sun-lit courtyard. The first was a tall violet-eyed stallion with fur as black as midnight and wings and a mane that shined like a veil of stars. The second was a mare as tall as the first who had a white and orange coat. Her mane was orange and violet. Together, her colors mixed to form an exquisite nebula across her mane and tail.

Both alicorns wore gleaming crowns, and at their hooves...were Celestia and Luna, when they were fillies.

"The Emperor Tarquin and Empress Galaxia, heads of the Equestrian Imperial Family." Spectra declared, his face stoic and impassive as his ears fell flat on his head.

In the back of the room, Luna felt herself becoming misty-eyed, and the Empress put a wing around her. Admiral Cutter and Shining Armor stared at the sisters with concern etched on there faces.

It wasn't the sight of the supposedly deceased monarchs or their daughters that truly shocked the UNSC officials however, but rather the other beings accompanying them and the ancient humans. One of them was a Sangheili, in armor General Forge instantly recognized as eerily resembling Ripa Moramee's, the Elite Arbiter he had killed back on the shield world. He couldn't believe his eyes.

In addition, three other beings stood next to the ancient Sangheili. A San Shyuum, now known as a Covenant Prophet, who stood, tall and lithe, on his two legs. Next to the San 'Shyuum, was a tall, mysterious and golden-skinned being that greatly resembled a human, but had ears ending in sharp points and a highly angular face. The last being caught everyone, Admirals, Imperials, and the Alicorn Sisters alike, by complete surprise.

There stood what was unmistakably Discord, accompanied by another, female Draconequus. Even stranger, Discord did not look like his usual self.

Instead of a lion's paw, and an eagle's talon, and the other mismatched appendages one would expect, Discord and his female counterpart had normal, symmetrical limbs. They resembled reptilian, serpentine dragon versions of ponies. Despite the vast difference in appearance between the distant past and when they had last seen him, the look in Discord's eyes were unmistakable to Celestia and Luna. It was him for sure.

Archon Spectra saw the Alicorns' disbelief, and addressed them directly for a moment. "Your majesties, this was Discord as he and his species was, before the Forerunner Builders abducted and used the Draconequii for abominable medical experiments. I suspect that was what had driven Senator Discord to turn on us as the others did."

Turning back to the rest of the audience he continued his original speech. "We were allied with species that are now part of this 'Covenant' you and the Empire are fighting, as well as numerous other species who had wished to resist and repulse Forerunner dominance."

Spectra zoomed the ancient photograph out, emphasizing that fact. All the beings in the picture were standing together with smiles, grins, and smirks on their faces, laughing at a now long-forgotten joke or tale. This was not just a group of allied civilizations that were fighting a common threat, but rather, a large extended and closely knit family with common ideals and virtues.

This realization did little to sway the humans of the UNSC however. Whereas they had previously murmured their skepticism or confusion, many were now in absolute uproar over it.

"So what if we were allied with the Covie split-chins and others a million freakin' years ago, how does that even matter? Them bastards are GLASSING OUR PLANETS RIGHT NOW! IT'S ALL JUST ANCIENT HISTORY!" Ackerson shouted across the room at Spectra, adding to the chaos of the crowd.

This made Admiral Parangosky unbelievably furious. "JAMES ACKERSON, YOU ARE A COLONEL OF THE UNSC AND YOU WILL BEHAVE LIKE ONE!" She bellowed.

Admiral Lord Hood look like he wanted to strike both of them upside the head with a solid hardcover copy of the UNSC Codes and Procedures, but he professionally kept his cool. The tumult among the UNSC delegation continued for two more minutes, before General Honoria intervened.

Using her magic to amplify her voice, she bellowed, "ORDER! NOW!" It was enough to even make Celestia and Luna cringe from the sheer volume.

The shout produced the desired effect. The entire audience silenced at once, everyone peering at her. The ancient General regained her normal speaking voice. "Thank you, if we may continue?"

"Please proceed." Iqbal said, eagerly wanting to hear more. The Archon cleared his throat once more, and waited for his hearing to properly return, before speaking.

"In those times, the Forerunners," Spectra changed the image again, this time to that of the Galaxy, with massive swaths of star systems covered in a blue light.

"Commanded a vast empire, what they called, the 'Ecumene'. It dwarfed even the combined territories of all species allied with the old Equestrian Empire. In time, as we expanded our own territories across unclaimed systems, they became increasingly more aggressive in their attempts to annex our core worlds and governments. But that was not what ushered in our civilizations' respective falls."

This time, a new image appeared, displaying a disgusting looking creature with a various probing tentacles and stalks on its body. "This, this Parasite, is what set everything in motion." If the crowd wasn't completely silent before, they were now.

"The Parasite, or the 'Flood', as it widely came to be known as, sprung up out of nowhere several years after the Human San 'Shyuum Alliance announced a mysterious discovery on some abandoned planetoid in the Outer Rim of the Orion Arm. After many more years, dozens of systems and scores of colonies had been attacked and compromised. To make matters worse, Humanity and the San 'Shyuum's attempts to sterilize infected worlds, were met with hostility from the Forerunners. They interpreted our actions as aggressive expansion." Spectra felt his rage building.

"Then, they attacked. When the Flood was at its strongest, they, the Forerunners Warrior Servants and the gods-damned Didact, attacked us, claiming 'unlawful expansion', in an effort to claim the Mantle. THE IRONY!" The Ancient Equestrian drove his hoof into a metal table with force, busting a hole straight through it.

That was when an  image of the Didact, in full Forerunner combat skin, appeared on the screen.

After several seconds, the image was replaced by new ones, ones of battle. "This, is the fate our civilizations met after we, the great Imperium of Harmony, defeated the Flood, the greatest threat to all living things." Spectra spat, barely able to contain his anger.

Humans and San 'Shyuum were seen dying in droves, cut down by the energy beams of Forerunner soldiers. Fleets burned in the orbits of planets, and entire worlds were turned to glass by orbital bombardment.

"They hunted us like mere animals they did. All in the name of the Mantle? Bah! I crushed many a Forerunner Promethean's skull beneath my armored hooves, but still it wasn't enough!"

Ponies, and all the other races, were now seen in battle alongside Sangheili, Humans, and Prophets, both on the ground, and in deep space. "The Forerunners made no difference in their targeting. They spared no military lives in their conquest of planet after planet. Meanwhile, the civilians were subjected to vile things. Genetic Experimentation, population reduction, starvation. Indeed, many in the Ecumene rejected such genocide, but they were quickly ruled out by the powerful Builders, who supported the Didact in his campaign against the Imperium. All for the upholding of the Mantle, right?"

Finally, the images cut back to Planet Equis, now surrounded by entire fleets of warships, and a single massive orbital platform. "We fought them for centuries like this, slowly being pushed back to our capital worlds. Eventually, we were isolated from each other." Spectra held his head low, his anger fading into a deep sadness.

"Equestria, and the Draconequii Dominion held our own on Equis, while the Humans likewise defended Charum Hakkor. The San 'Shyuum surrendered, as the Sangheili died valiantly holding onto Sangheilios. We had long ago lost contact with the Ehlnofey, of the planet Nirn. They had turned on themselves in a civil war, no doubt of the Forerunners' deviant designs."

"Then, we got final word from Yprin Yprikushma. She and the remainder of the Humans had been under siege by the Didact's forces for fifty years, until Forthencho's fleet had finally been broken. They were making their last stand. And now, so was Equestria."

"As the last children of the Era of Harmony, as noble Galaxia had called it, we fought the Didact's legions alone until  the bitter end."

As more images scrolled on by, Equis was now surrounded by battle. Forerunner, Equestrian, and a few remaining ships of the other species, were engaging each other in high orbit. Debris fields littered the skies, meanwhile, the surface of the planet burned. All of the Equestrian continent was ablaze, from coast to coast. The area now called the Everfree forest, once the Imperial City, was a massive plane of bare ashen-colored glass.

Listening intently from afar, Doctor Anders felt a chill run down her spine at the implications of the image portraying the glassed land. Glassing...? The ashes left behind in the soil all those millenia, they're the reason why the ground is so fertile for agriculture, particularly apple orchards, around Ponyville! The morbid realization weighed heavily on the Minister of Technology, but still she listened as the Archon continued on.

"But, we had one trick left up our sleeves, thanks to the sacrifices of a brave few." Spectra looked back up to the crowd with fire and vengeance in his eyes. "Our answer, to the Forerunners' unstoppable Naval supremacy."

The massive orbital platform seen previously appeared again, in a closer shot. A magic energy was building inside the space station's center. "Behold, the power that was, SOL INVICTUS!" Spectra bellowed.

The orbiting super weapon's beam fired, striking Equis' Sun. The sight left Halsey completely flabbergasted. "You tried to make your star go supernova?" The scientist asked.

"Watch." The pegasus replied simply.

The beam triggered something in the Sun, causing it to convulse. Celestia watched the historical event unfold with absolute confusion. Luna was equally left speechless. As the star convulsed more and more, it suddenly stopped. Then, from a single, precise point on the Sun's surface, a new beam of energy erupted out, right at the fleets as they blew each other into molten slag and debris.

The beam struck the middle of the largest Forerunner vessel, a Fortress-class carrier ship.

The behemoth spacecraft buckled and melted as the beam cut into it's hardlight hull. Then, as the beam reached it's greatest intensity, the vessel erupted into a massive fire ball almost equivalent in power to a UNSC Nova Bomb. The miniature star consumed every Forerunner and Imperium ship within range, before dying out into darkness.

A second, third, and fourth beam jolted out, repeating the process, over and over again, until no vessel remained in orbit. Everything had been ionized back to their subatomic particles. Not a trace of these fleets remained, and still, Equestria's homeworld burned. It would, and did, take the planet countless decades to finally recover.

By then, the ancient Empire of Equestria, and all the civilizations it had aligned itself with, had become a distant memory. All of its history and culture lost to time, war, and decay, until its partial rediscovery in the living form of Spectra Dash now.

"Admiral Thanaxes, alongside the Emperor, commanded our fleets in those final moments. They knew they were going to perish, yet they held their ground until the very end, taking their hated enemy with them. In the months to come, if what I understand about the Covenant is true, you must be prepared to fight like that. Like your ancestors!"

In this new war, we face off against old allies, but we must not give them quarter, for they have failed to remember what he have safeguarded in stasis for a thousand centuries. This Covenant will fall before our new-found might this era, and we will all be whole again!"

Previous skepticism and indifference set aside, the UNSC officials all arose in applause, even ones like Ackerson clapped, if out of sarcasm.

Hood nodded from afar and spoke loudly. "We're in agreement on this Spectra. The UNSC is prepared to stand with our  Equestrian allies against the Covenant. If they attack one of us, they attack all of us! We're in this war together, every last soldier and civilian!"

From his seat next to Catherine Halsey, with pipe in hand, Jacob Keys next addressed the ancient pegasus. "You ponies have amazed me! To think we once fought side-by-side! Well Spectra, how about together we give them Covenant a history lesson they'll never forget?!"

Taken aback at the sudden burst of applause, Spectra looked at all the humans gratefully. His felt his veins pulse with adrenaline from the fervor of the support from his audience.

"I thank you from my heart for your words. You honor me! Unfortunately, from what I have been told of the Covenant, they sound to me like they are attempting to mimic the Forerunners. To become like them. This is most dire news for the entire galaxy, I fear."

The Archon stared at Colonel Ackerson, his eyes piercing right through to the human's soul. "You see now, why all this history matters, young one?"

Ackerson was at a loss for how to respond in the wake of the Ancient's unexpected retort. As the UNSC delegation took back to their seats and quieted down, Spectra Dash looked to them all.

"My friends, I'm afraid that is the end of my briefing to you. I must leave to...gather myself."

Dash quickly trotted off the stage, heading for the exit of the briefing hall. As he passed by the Equestrians, he whispered in Celestia's ear. "I wish to speak with the Elements of Harmony, as soon as possible, your majesty." She nodded wordlessly with a concerned frown, and the ancient stormed out.

The hall was quiet for several awkward seconds, before General Aurelius' voice finally cut through the silence like a knife.

"We apologize for Archon Spectra's abrupt departure. Just please understand, the state of affairs in the Galaxy right now, coupled with all that has happened in the past 100,000 years, who wouldn't be emotional beyond an ever stoic monk on a mountain top?"

There was a chorus of agreement from many of the gathered UNSC officials, the Admirals among them. The UNSC has been facing quite a similar situation as Spectra's people had, after all.

Honoria took over for her comrade again. "Well, lords and ladies of the UNSC," She declared archaically, "I thank you for dedicating your time to hearing us out. We promise you, we shall share the more specific details of our history, military tactics, technology, magics, and society with your scientists at your request, with the Empress' approval of course." The ancient Unicorn turned to gaze at Celestia expectantly.

"Yes, I approve. There is much the UNSC, as well as current-day Equestria, can learn from you ancient ponies." The Sun Empress said with certainty.

Doctor Halsey, who had been sitting next to Commander Keys for much of the Archon's history lecture, turned to Celestia across the aisle. "I thank you, your majesty. The data on your people's interactions and history with the Forerunners will be invaluable in mine and my colleagues' research."

As everypony got up to leave the large room, Celestia smiled at Halsey. "We would be happy to invite you to collaborate with our Ministry of Technology sometime in the future if you so wish, Doctor Halsey."

Dr. Anders looked to the Empress in horror, Celestia did not see it, but she new Anders had the look. Still gazing at Halsey, the alicorn's smile turned into a grin.

Catherine smirked intelligently at Anders, and then back at the Empress. "It would be my pleasure to work with your scientists. Your magic intrigues me deeply, and I look forward seeing it up close."

"Well, we look forward to having you, Doctor." Empress Celestia replied kindly. As Halsey joined Keys, Hood, and the others to leave, Luna, who had been sitting next to Anders, broke out into a little giggle at the whole exchange.

Ellen nudged her forcefully in annoyance, trying to get her to stop. Quickly realizing that she had just touched a Princess without permission, she quickly reddened with embarrassment. "Your majesty, I'm so sorry. You just struck a nerve." Luna waved a hoof at the Doctor.

"Tis nothing Minister Anders. I was yanking your chain on purpose. You have nothing to apologize for." The Princess replied, maintaining her giggles. Anders smiled lightly, still embarrassed.

Celestia smiled warmly at the both of them, before she made her way to the Mane Six, who had watched the whole presentation with rapt attention. The mares' responses to it all were mixtures of sympathy, shock, fascination, and pure awe, all rolled into one confused jumble of emotion.

"Twilight and friends, Spectra Dash has personally requested that you all see him and the Generals in private as soon as you can." she informed them. "Luna and I, along with everypony will be with you shortly."

"Okay Empress." Twilight replied. Rainbow Dash, for reasons well known to Twilight, was the first to hurry out of the room. As the six friends made their way out of the hall, other activities were afoot.

On stage, the two ancient Equestrian generals looked over at Colonel Ackerson and Parangosky. They whispered something to each other, and both nodded in agreement, then exited the briefing hall through the back behind stage, rendezvousing with the Archon of Fortitude outside.

Parangosky, making sure she was out of earshot of Hood or the other Admirals, whispered something to Ackerson. The black-haired man nodded, and walked up to one of the Spartans, who was equipped with gray Mjolnir Mark V Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor. He spoke to the soldier quietly, who had his back to the wall causally.

Twilight was the last of the Elements to leave, but just before she went through, she caught the final bit of the Colonel's conversation with the Spartan. "I expect you guys to carry this mission out with utmost efficiency and secrecy, do you understand me SPARTAN-B313?"

"Got it, sir."

"Good, then be ready to muster out to Equis in the next few days. That will be all." The two humans saluted each other, and exited the room through separate doors.

The unicorn wrote it off as nothing, even despite Ackerson's strange expression and overly secretive body language, as well as his mentioning of her homeworld. She moved to follow her friends, her mind still racing about the history they had all just witnessed.

ONI Olympic Tower

Skydeck

The wind whipped through Spectra Dash's rainbow-colored mane as he gazed out over the human city of New Alexandria. It's tall skyscrapers, bustling streets and skies, reminded the Archon much of the time he had spent in the Imperial City, back on Equis all those millennia ago.

He was broken out of his musings by a rather tomboyish voice. "Hey? You really Spectra Dash?" The old pegasus turned around, and was greeted by almost an exact clone of himself, were he not a stallion. He was rather caught off guard.

"In the flesh. You're... really Rainbow Dash?" He said, awe creeping into his voice.

"Hay yeah! So is it all true then, are you really my great, great, great, great, great..."

"Grandfather?" He finished for her. With an amused grin, he continued. "Yes, Rainbow Dash. I am your distant ancestor."

The vastly younger pegasus flared her wings in excitement. Here she was, staring somepony in the face, a relative separated from her by the span of thousands of years. The thought was almost mind-boggling.

"That...is...so...AWESOME!" She approached him and inspected his armor. "Is the metal really floating, above your body?" Spectra nodded.

"Again, just awesome!" Spectra continued to grin at her. "Not only does it float, the metal is mixed with, wait for it...solid light!"

Rainbow raised an eyebrow at him. "Come again?"

"Ancient Equestrians could take sunlight itself and form it into solid things." He pointed at one of the many tall skyscrapers surrounding the two. "We could even make buildings and ships out of it! whatever we needed, all powered by the Empress' Sun, and good old fashion unicorn magic."

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in amazement, finally understanding the ancient technology at least basically. She was just in the middle of asking the Archon about other technological miracles of ancient Equestrian society, as Twilight and the rest of her friends arrived on scene.

When they looked at the two rainbow-colored pegasi, Rainbow blurted out, "I'm not an egghead, I swear!" Before she put her hooves to her mouth, embarrassed over her outburst.

Spectra greeted the Mane Six warmly. "Girls, welcome."

"Her majesty said there was something mite important ya wanted to talk to us 'bout. What might that be Spectra?" Applejack inquired.

"Ah, yes. I do have something of great importance to mention." He looked from AJ to Twilight. "It's about the Elements of Harmony, and you six, to be precise."

"We're listening." Twilight replied.

"As you wish, but first, a little bit more history." Spectra said. Pinkie Pie began to get excited. "Oh boy! Story time!" The mare began bouncing up and down.

"Not just any story, my young friends, but a story that has since descended into legend in the time of my absence. It is the story of...how the Elements came to be, and what your roles are in the story now, as it is still being told. I shall tell you now, the story of the Six Mighty Archons."

"You see young ones, long, long ago, in the times of the Old Empire, there were six Pony warriors of great power, Archons who represented the greatest of virtues in not just Equestria, but all of the Milky Way." He turned to Rainbow Dash. "Just as I am your ancestor, Rainbow Dash, so are the Archons the ancestors of all of your friends."

This statement caught everypony by surprise. "Say what?" Applejack interjected, clearly confused.

"In the final days of our long war, when Equestria needed them most, the Archons were selected as the first to wield the Elements of Harmony into battle. But not as weapons, rather as sources of power, granted by the Empress Galaxia herself."

Each of the Mane Six looked to their respective Elements with new-found awe and curiosity.

Turning to Twilight, he spoke. "The first element, the Element of Magic, was wielded by the Archon of Magic, Midnight. She was the wisest scholar in all the Empire, and also the most fiercest of unicorn battlemages. Her masterful command of the destruction and combat magic schools defeated many of the Empire's foes."

At the mention of the wise scholar part, Twilight perked her ears up, smiling.

Spectra Dash's eyes became a little misty as he remembered each of his long lost friends.

He next looked to Pinkie Pie, who had stopped bouncing, to pay attention. "The second Element, Laughter, was held by the Archon of Emotion, Cicero. Like you, Pinkie Pie, Cicero always worked tirelessly to ensure the happiness and good spirits of his friends and acquaintances, and sometimes even complete strangers. His antics kept us all together in the long campaigns against the Didact's forces."

Pinkie Pie gave him a huge grin, to which the pegasus tried his best to return.

Fluttershy was next. "Fluttershy..." The yellow pegasus looked up at him shyly behind her pink mane. "Your ancestor, was the Archon of Compassion, Gentlewind. She was renowned throughout the galaxy for her deep caring for all living things, sometimes even risking her life to save a wounded enemy soldier, if long enough for their comrades to retrieve them. The Element of Kindness allowed her to save lives in a way no other healer or doctor ever could. She would be proud to see her descendant has long since continued that legacy of compassion."

The two pegasi smiled at each other warmly, Fluttershy losing her shyness, before Spectra moved once more, this time to Rarity.

"Raregroove was your ancestor, Rarity. Long before our war with the Forerunners, he was the Empire's premier artist and, like you, had a knack for designing fashion. All the bits he had made with his works always went to charities. When the war broke out, he used the Element of Generosity's powers to create some of the most effective armor designs for the soldiers of Equestria and her allies. Your ancestor saved many a life with his careful oversight." Rarity closed her eyes in pride upon hearing this.

At that, Spectra focused his violet eyes on AJ. "Applejack, you are the Element of Honesty? Then you will be proud to hear that your ancestor, Golden Heart, was the Archon of Truth. Not only did she discern if there were traitors among our ranks, she also worked to ensure we were all pure of heart, in everything we did. She valued hard work and humble honesty above all other things."

Smiling, Applejack took off her hat and held it to her chest. "Aw shucks, that's mighty fine to hear from ya, Spectra."

The Archon returned her smile, before finally turning back to peer into his own descendant's magenta eyes, eyes that so closely resembled his own.

"Rainbow Dash... As you may already know, I was the Archon of Fortitude, with the Element of Loyalty at my disposal, I lead many troops and armadas into battle alongside the other Archons. The Element saved my life more times than I can count, and now, it rests in your hooves. To say that I am confident you will use it to the best of your ability, is a gross understatement, Rainbow. I have seen very little of you so far, but I can tell from looking at you already, that you're made of the right stuff kid." His eyes began to fog up with tears.

Rainbow Dash looked up at him, clutching the Element with her right hoof."Aww, come on Gramps, now your gonna make me cry too! I'm so glad you're here at least!" At that, the younger pegasus buried her face in the elder's chest, wrapping her left foreleg around his neck. Hugging his distant relative back with his wings, Spectra felt his heart nearly melt from the contact.

The fastest flier in Equestria's friends stared at her and the ancient pegasus with a mixture of adoration and amusement. Here was the mighty Rainbow Dash, tearing up in front of everyone. Finally breaking the hug, Rainbow glared at all of them.

"What, I'm not crying...It's just ugh..liquid pride, yeah! For, for having such an awesome Grandpa!" Looking back at Spectra, the two grinned at each other, then all seven shared a laugh, before somepony's voice appeared out of nowhere.

"Liquid pride eh? I might have to remember that line. That's a good one." Coming up the stairs, it was Shining Armor. Behind him were Celestia, Luna, and the others.

"Big brother!" Twilight let out a squeal of joy, and rushed towards the Lord General, wrapping him up in a bear hug. "Hey Twily? How are you doing kiddo?" He tussled his younger sibling's mane.

"It's great to see you again Shining!" The purple unicorn declared. As the pair exchanged pleasantries, Celestia and Luna walked past, smiling affectionately at the two siblings as they went.

"How did it go Spectra? Did they take the information well?" The Archon gave a small smile towards the Empress. "More then I could have ever hoped for, your grace. There is still just one thing though..."

Turning back towards the Mane Six, Spectra addressed them one final time. "Girls, listen, I have one final important thing I need to pass along to you. You remember how I said the story is still being written, and how you all have important roles in them?" They all nodded, paying attention.

"Well, I know not what roles they are, for they are up to you, but I do know this: Many brave souls shall fight in this terrible war in the long months ahead, but know that only you six friends, with the aid of a select few, shall be the one thing that will stand between Friendship, Peace, and Justice, and the complete and utter destruction of everything we know."

He stared at each and everyone of the Elements . "All six of you, are to be the Galaxy's heroes. I can feel it in my blood. You, and all those who stick close to you, are destined for greatness, girls."

"And awesomeness?!" Rainbow interjected. Flashing a warm smile, Spectra replied. "Yes, awesomeness too."

"Stay true to each other, the Elements, and to your hearts. With harmony at your possession, there will be no obstacle or agent of darkness that can resist your combined power."

Twilight and company stepped up closer to the Archon, all of their faces shined with confidence and determination. "If Equestria and the Galaxy ever needs us, then we, the Elements of Harmony, shall be there to light up the darkness. The power and bond of our friendship will be unbreakable, Spectra." Twilight declared. "Am I right girls?!"

The five mares responded with cheers. All around them, the Imperial Equestrians broke into cheer with them, and the UNSC Admirals clapped in astonishment at the friends' sheer willpower as it positively radiated from them.

Feeling his heart swell with new-found pride for his people, Spectra quietly walked back to meet with his sole remaining comrades from the old days. Aurelius looked to him with an amused smirk. "The races have become so dramatic in the past 100,000 years, haven't they all?" The General mused to his two friends.

Honoria hit him playfully in the shoulder with a well-aimed hoof, causing his shoulder pauldron to float briefly in the wrong direction. "Oh come on, as if we weren't like that when we were fresh out of Imperial Cadet School!"

Spectra Dash smiled at his two remaining friends. Secretly, he was musing to himself about rather profound things.

By great Tarquin and Galaxia, I swear I shall make the Empire great once more. Being here, surrounded by friends and family, both old and new, I think that duty just might be fulfilled in the time to come. If them Forerunner-worshiping scum are lurking out their thinking they can defeat such righteous might, they better pray to their false Forerunner 'gods' that we don't find them first. For unlike their precious Forerunners, we don't need the Mantle, or even Sol Invictus. We have the Empress' Elements of Harmony themselves on our side. And that, is enough.