Two Empires Under the Sun

The Ark Relay, Control Center.

262,144 light years from Milky Way Galactic core.

John had followed the Arbiter into a strange Forunner structure that the elites had been using as a base of operations. His alien friend walked ahead of him at a brisk pace, eventually leading them into a large open chamber. Half a dozen elites were scattered about the room, working their long four-fingered hands along Forunner terminals and datascreens. Arbiter approached the center of the room where a hologram of a sphere rotated clockwise on a slight tilt of it's axis. John took a moment to take in his surroundings. The chamber was like many he had seen in Forunner buildings, although more intact, more functional. It seemed firing the Halo ring next to the Ark hadn't damaged all it's systems, just the ones closest to the surface.

John heard Arbiter's voice call him over. "Come Spartan, my team has found something that may be interesting to you."

John obeyed and moved beside the alien. The Hologram of the sphere flickered and faded. A new hologram began to form, vaguely humanoid, but lacking any features to define it. The voice however was all to recognizable.

"John. I... I don't know if you'll ever hear this. But I have to try."

"Cortana." John bawked. To hear her voice, to know that it wasn't just in his head... But somehow he had always known she was alive, he had never given up hope.

"I've sent a priority message into space in all directions. When I was onboard the Didact's ship my AI matrix was saved to the Domain, a sort of Forunner database. It contains a wealth of knowledge, more then Dr.Halsey could even imagine. I've become a part of it now, and that's why I need your help. The Domain is alive itself John, and I've talked to it. The Domain was relocated after the Halos fired 100,000 years ago, but its location has been compromised. I've learned the forunners built a massive relay network to travel outside the galaxy, and even into others. The link is still active, and someone is trying to reach it from the outside. The Domain is worried, if its database is obtained by the wrong hands they could use this knowledge to do unspeakable things. I didn't know who else to call, you're the only one I can trust with this burden, humanity isn't ready for this, not yet. There is a link to the relay on each forunner installation, I've already encoded the SlipSpace coordinates into this message so that only you can go through the portal. Help me John, You're my only hope."

Cortana's image froze as the message reach it's end. He still could not make out her features properly, but he was still so dazed at seeing her alive and asking for his help that he didn't care. John felt drunk with emotions he didn't quite understand, but one thing was certain, he had to rescue Cortana from whatever doom was approaching, no matter how far it took him.

"We have been working on removing the SlipSpace coordinates ourselves, but now that you are here it seems we wont have to." The Arbiter said. When John didn't answer, the Arbiter's face soften, as much as an alien face could anyway. "I'm sorry about showing you she was alive like this. In truth, I never thought I would see you again. Much less that I would deliver this message to you."

"Its fine." John said.

"I know how much she may mean to you,I was there to help you both escape High Charity. Only foolishness or love could make any being go through all that. But the message is more important then its speaker, The Domain has been found. Endless knowledge of The Forunners, cycling back to the creation of the Galaxy. We must find it, and we must be there first."

John looked at the Arbiter in the eyes, though the alien couldn't see it.

"You must understand what my race has been through since The Covanant broke up." Arbiter said, moving away from the Spartan. "Civil War, Endless fighting, even Saghellios has been taken from me. And all because of Men."

Two Elites in inclosed combat armor strode up beside The Arbiter, Energy Swords in hand.

"You want The Domain for yourself." John Said.

"I have tried peace, but your kind has made it clear there can never be peace between the Elites and Humanity. Your kind is preparing for a war to destroy us."

"The Covanant almost destroyed Humanity. You've given them every reason to be afraid, The UNSC is only thinking about Humanities future." John Retorted. He began to finger the hilt of his Assault Rifle, ready incase this got ugly.

"And I am thinking of my species future. Like I said, their can be no peace between our races while the other exists. I have spent much time asking forgivness for my transgressions, for all the worlds I burned. But there is nothing I will not do to protect my kind. Even if it means destroying yours." Arbiter now reached for his own energy sword and snapped the power on igniting the blade. The Two elites beside him did the same and John pulled out his AR and looked down the barrel at his former friend.

"I do not wish to fight, all we require is your touch on the control panel. It will only unlock for Humans. Do not make this harder for me then it already is Spartan." Arbiter looked mournful over what was happening sure, but the fact remained that he was trying to get John to betray his own species. A thought suddenly struck John, He lowered his rifle. The Arbiter looked surprised at this, as if he was not expecting it to be this easy, and it wasn't going to be.

"All it takes is a touch?" John asked. Arbiter nodded and deactivated his EnergySword.

John Moved to the center control panel and found a holographic display that was seemingly the perfect size for a human hand. He reached out and touched it. The Control panel lite up in a stream of neon lights that fell into the ground beneath him. Mechanical noises beneath the floor sounded as two pillars of symmetrical design lifted up into the Chamber and seemed to combust in blue fire down the middle. The Portal was open, now for the fun part.

Arbiter was at John's side again. "You have done you're part Spartan, now step aside."

"I don't think so." John moved faster then light, Punching the Arbiter in a cheap blow to the head. Before his foe could recover John let the two grenades he had unclasped and armed fall to the foot of the portal before diving into the blue flames himself. He never felt the explosion, or knew if he had succeeded in destroying the portal before he lept in. But that didn't matter, he would deal with The Arbiter once he saved Cortana. That was all that mattered as he shot through the fabric of space and time, and darkness took him.

Imperial Star Destroy *'Mercy'*

On route to [Forunner] Relay

Imperial intelligence eyes only

Thrawn sat in the captains' chair aboard the mercy an odd name for the mile long warship. Despite its name thrawn found its accommodations more then adequate for the task at hand. The mercy and three other destroyers were traveling through the dizzing blue aura of hyperspace, on route to the mysterious forunner installation. It had been a long trip this far since leaving coruscant, and thankfully Darth Vader had chosen another star destroyer to command. The last thing thrawn wanted when exploring unknown space was a force wielder staring down his back. Throughout the trip Thrawn had been busy studying information provided by The Moniter Droid. The forunners had quite an extensive history to say the least. Thrawn wished he had more time to asses the situation before blindly leaping into the unknown, but The Emperor had given him a direct order, and with Vader present Thrawn dared not try his luck by questioning orders, Vader had been known to kill for less. At least the ISD Destiny had already sent probe droids through the relay. However knowing if they would be able to communicate with them was yet unknown. A young imperil officer approached Thrawn's chair, he couldn't have been much older then 20 standard years, a product of some backwater imperial academy no doubt. Thrawn finished the text he had been reading and turned to face the officer smiling.

"Admerial, we're about to come out of hyperspace." The Officer said.

"Very good, begin diverting energy to the shields." Thrawn still didn't know what lay on the other side of the relay. He admitted privately that he was becoming quite curious himself. But curiosity did not prevent caution. In this case it encouraged it. The star-lines began to return to individual stars as the fleet reentered normal space. The Mercy was dwarfed the relay, not even the almighty Death Star could compare. Where the Death Star mirrored a small moon, this relay looked as if a planet had been cut out at the equator. It was a dull gray all around, no noticeable features from orbit, but imperial agents had already landed on the structures control room to open the way for Thrawn's fleet to pass through.

Thrawn pressed a switch at the aide of his chair and opened his comm to all frequencies. "This is grand Admerial Thrawn speaking, expedition fleet do you read?" Green lights began winking all over the bridge as each ISD reported.

"Agitator standing by."

"Destiny standing by."

"Dictator standing by"

Good all ships were accounted for. "Destiny have you recovered a transmission from any of the probe driods you sent to recon?" A moment passed "Negative Admerial, probes are still transmitting but their signal is too weak to make out"

Fine they were going in blind then. "Copy that destiny. All ships divert power to forward shields and get ready to move on my mark." Thrawn turned the fleetcom off and switched to a local channel. "Ground Team are you ready to access the relay?" "Roger grand admiral. Foreign droid has been showing us how to operate this Tec. Just give us the word." Thrawn went over everything once more in his mind. He had wanted to bring The Monitor along on the expedition in case the fleet ran into any problems operating the relay. But Vader had not liked the idea of a rouge AI being lose in a Star Destroyer. "Ground Team, open the portal." for a moment Thrawn thought they had entered hyperspace again, but they hadn't. The relay was suddenly not hollow but filled with violet a d amber glow. It lite up the bridge of the mercy as though a star had appeared in empty space. Many of the officers couldn't help themselves and stared out the transparasteel windows into the aura of the portal. It danced and shimmered, seeming both solid and liquid at once. Thrawn stood up and walked the short distance to the window. The crew noticed this and snapped out of their gaze and were once again working at their stations, just like the well oiled machine the imperial navy was. "Attention imperial expedition, move forward and follow the mercy through the portal." Thrawn had to be the first to see what was on the other  side.

Equestria

Fluttershy's Cottage, Ponyville

Fluttershy had been brewing a cup of tea why she heard hood rats on her cottage door. It was early morning, and she hadn't been expecting any visitors. Reluctantly Fluttershy pulled on her pink robe and went to answer the door. The door creaked open and Twilight Sparkle was seen standing on her porch. "Twilight? Its a little early." Fluttershy said whipping sleep from her eyes.

"I'm sorry fluttershy, I've been up all night and I didn't know who else to come to" Fluttershy now noticed the tired look her friend wore, her mane was unkempt and her eyes were bloodshot. " Oh twilight! You look awful, come on inside I'll get you some tea.

"Fluttershy I." but before Twilight could protest Flittershy  grabbed her friend and pulled her inside. "Twilight you came to the right pony. I'll have you feeling better in no time" Fluttershy stuffed a thermometer in Twilights mouth and put her hoof to the purple mare's forehead. Twilight spat out the glass tube and used her magic to gently push Fluttershy away. "I'm not sick Fluttershy, this isn't even about me." Twilight said.

It was just like Fluttershy to be concerned about her friend. Twilight was appreciative but she hadn't come here to be pampered over like a spoiled bunny. "I'm sorry Twilight. What are you doing out here so early in the morning then?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight sighed and sat back on one of Fluttershy's comfortable pieces of furniture. "Last night AppleJack's farm was attacked. I was stargazing for an essay I had to write, and everything just went crazy."

Twilight told the story while Fluttershy sat in stunned silience, only offering a gasp when she mentioned the severity of Big Mac's injuries. "I've sent a letter to the Princess, but she hasn't responded yet. So I thought I would do some research and try and find information on the creature that attacked Applejack's farm. It was no use, there are no records of a creature like this in any of my books. I thought I would ask you since you know all about strange magical creatures." Twilight finished.

Fluttershy took everything in for a moment. Somewhere in the cottage a tea kettle was whistling and boiling over.

"Im sorry Twilight, I've never seen or heard about such a strange creature. Did you... did you kill it?" Fluttershy said.

"I think so, I didn't hit it that hard. It's like it had some sort of self destruct or something." Twilight said.

"I may not be able to help you, but Zecorra knows all about creatures from outside Equestria. If you thing its that important, I'd ask her for help."

Twilight got up from Fluttershys couch and made for the door, pausing to hug her friend.

"Whatever it was. Its gone now Twilight. Try and get some rest before you go trudging through the Everfree okay?" Fluttershy said, breaking the hug.

"I will. If you see the rest of the girls, don't tell them about this just yet. I don't want everypony panicking, we've been attacked by strange creatures before. I'm hoping that's all it was."

"Oh course. But do you think AppleJack would mind if I went to vist Big Mac in the hospital? He's been a good and very reliable pony. I feel like its my duty to ease his suffering if I can."

Twilight Smiled and made her way out. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She hasn't left his side since last night, she probably needs your help more then I do." Twilight said,

Angel Bunny appeared by Fluttershy's hoof and began yanking her mane in the direction of the kitchen. "Oh my that's right my tea!" Fluttershy vanished from view and her pet bunny slammed the door shut.  Twilight was beginning to feel the effects of exhaustion and the painful throbbing of a hangover in her head. She would get some sleep, there wasn't anything to worry about. If there was, Princess Celestia would have known about it and warned her. Tommorrow she would find Zecora and ask her about the strange creature aswell, maybe she could even bring the mystic zebra to Sweet Apple Acres to survey the body, and crash site. Everything was going to be fine, but then... why did Twilight have a very bad feeling about all this?

Unkown Space

Imperial expedition Fleet.

When the Imperial Fleet had passed through the relay, no time seemed to pass. Every flickering light on the bridge shown solid, every officer sat stiff in their chairs unmoving. Thrawn himself was still staring where the portal had been a moment before, replaced now by an omnipresence white light that flooded the bridge through the transparasteel windows. Oddly enough, Thrawn was aware of all this, even as time seamed to grind to a halt. The Ships were being accelerated faster then any conventional engine could replicate, Thrawn felt like his body was being stretched thin by some unknown force. This distressing sensation ended abruptly as the fleet reentered normal space and time seemed to speed up again.

Everyone on the bridge seemed to exhale at once. Thrawn to let out a little bit of air he hadn't realized he had been holding. But in a moment he regained his composure and began to take control of the situation as all good leaders did. "Capitan Nelliun. Confirm that we are indeed in a different galaxy. Compare starcharts of all known systems."

It took a moment as the crew looked over the data and the sensors scanned the billions of stars that shone all around them.

"Star alignments do not match any known system Admiral. Long range communications with Imperial Centre have been cut. If were not in another galaxy, we must be very far from home." Capitan Nelliun said.

"Admerial, Lord Vader is hailing us from the Dictator. He demands we make contact at once." An officer said.

Thrawn had heard them both, but was still staring out into space. A whole new galaxy, untouched by the wars and factions of their own home galaxy. It was beautiful, and very humbling at the same time. "Admiral?" The officer said again.

Thrawn turned his attention to the officer. "Establish contact with the Dictator." Thrawn doubted Vader shared the sentimentality Thrawn felt about this new Galaxy, but he was under orders to work with him and carry out The Empire's will. And like it or not Vader had almost limitless control over The Empire. He, not Thrawn, would decide their next course of action. No matter how much it burned him inside.

Vader's blue tinted hologram appeared on the bridge, drawing attention from many of the officers, before they nervously tried to look busy, as if Vader could see them if they weren't. Thrawn made a polite bow and addressed Vader. "The first step of the expedition is a success my lord."

"Do not praise that which took little effort admiral. There is much work to be done. I'm ordering the fleet to regroup and travel to a nearby star system." Vader said.

Thrawn's red eyes narrowed in the way they did when he heard something unbelievably stupid.

"My lord, there are millions of star systems for us to investigate. If I may ask, why send the fleet to only one?" He said.

"There is a great disturbance in the Force. It is emanating from this system. That is all you need to know right now Admiral. Prepare TIE squadrons and ground assault teams, have them ready for when I need them." Vader's image shimmered out of sight before Thrawn could ask anything further. The hotness in his flesh burned like a supernova now. This was an expedition to recover technology from The Forunners, not some dammed religious crusade. And on top of that Vader wanted to go in hot to a completely foreign world. Thrawn had a sneaking suspicion that Vader's leadership was going to get everyone onboard the expedition killed.

Equestria

Everfree Forest

Zecora was not a worldly zebra, she kept her modest collection of possessions from her homeland in a cozy treehouse inside the Everfree Forest. But one of the delights she allowed herself was the collecting of ingredients for making potions. Dangerous work in a dense forest with all kinds of predators that liked to eat little ponys for breakfast. Zecora however was not a pony, she knew how to avoid, distract, and when all else failed fight anything that hindered her search for herbs and spices to complete her many brews. She moves silently through the canopy of trees until she found her way into a large clearing. She recognized it as the ancient castle of the two pony sisters. A decrepit relic from a long ago time, and also one of the only places in the forest where the plants she needed grew.

She walked across the rickety bridge and made her way inside the shady castle. It was cold on the inside, colder then it should be. Zecora felt uneasy at the strange change in temperature. She felt something that she couldn't quite describe as well. Something strange and new. Something that didn't belong. She ignored the sensations that sent her gaze shifting rapidly back and forth over each corner and tried to locate clearing where she knew the plants grew. Even for her Zebra senses, the castle was disorienting and easy to get lost in. Every hallway looked the same, every piece od rubble was undistinguishable from any other. Never the less, she found the clearing where the tiny plants had grown from cracks in the marble floors. They were puny things, but very important. With out several mixed in her potions would dissolve through a pony's stomach and everything else that got in the way, rather then cure stomachaches, as was the desired effect.

She plucked several of the steams and folded them into her sack, leaving a few to spare in case she ever needed to come back for more. As she tightened up her sack she began to have that odd feeling again. Something wasn't quite right. She sensed no danger, but a presence. Their was someone else in the castle. Zecora didn't immediately think it was that strange. She had heard from her pony friends that they were trying to restore this castle, but she didn't sense ponies. She knew ponies as much by their features as the way they felt. The Magic they radiated off in waves, be they Pegasus, Unicorn, or Earth Pony. They all felt the same way to her, and this presence was not of their kind, nor was it anything she had felt before. Her curiosity peaked and she tried to hone in on the location of this mysterious being.

After a brief period of concentration, Zecora was sure she had it. She existed the main castle and made for the throne room of the royal sisters. A place with much history to be true. She was very familiar in the lore of the defeat of Nightmare Moon, separated by centuries, and yet it had all happened here.

Zecora entered what was left of the throne room after two climatic battles. She recognized the pedestals where the Elements of Harmony had been locked away. Twilight had once told her the entire tale of how she met her friends. She felt honored to be at the site of such humble beginnings. Without Twilight's help she wouldn't have good relations with the citizens of ponyville after all, and that was one of the smaller deeds that Twilight and her friends had accomplished since they had forged their friendship here.

The room was empty save for Zecora, but she still felt the presence, much stronger now. As if she was right on top of it. To her surprise the pedestal began sinking into the floor as she grew closer. It let out a loud mashing sound as stone rubbed against stone. In its place was a winding staircase that seemed to descend into complete darkness. Zecora reached into her sack and pulled out her firestone. A useful item from her homeland. She spoke the magic words in her native tounge and rubbed the stone until it glowed a bright white light. The shadows disappeared around Zecora, she saw further into the pit before her now, but the staircase still seemed to loop endlessly downwards. Her curiosity wouldn't let her stop now, she had found something even Twilight hadn't known about, or at least she hadn't mentioned it in any of her stories.

Slowly Zecora made her way down the staircase one step at a time. She tied the firestone around her neck with a length a string to light her way. Whatever was down here she felt it growing fainter. Like it was fading just as she was getting closer to its source. She descended in silence, shadows trailing behind her as she went deeper into the earth.

Twilight hadn't remembered when she had fallen asleep. She had simply laid down to rest her eyes while she waited for Princess Celestia to respond. She was still worried about what had happened last night. She remembered the shooting star that had been the cylinder had broken into three separate pieces. One landing in Sweet Apple Acres, and the other two Goddesses knew where. If what happened at the farm was an isolated incident, she would be surprised.

But for now everything seemed peaceful, as it normally was in Ponyville. She looked at the window above her bed and realized it was dark out. Twilight through the sheets off of her and made for the bathroom. When she got there she started to drawn a bath for herself when a knock came at the bathroom door. Twilight turned off the faucet with her magic and answered. She was shocked to see Princess Luna standing in her bedroom.

"Princess? I Wha?" was all Twilight managed to say.

Princess Luna held a stern frown despite the awkwardness of the situation. Which in turn made it even more awkward.

"I suspect you were expecting my sister?" Luna said.

"Well yes, kinda, not like this. I sent her a letter last night about an attack on Applejack's farm. I wanted her to know in case something was happening." Twilight said. She filed out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Spike was there now, sitting on her bed.

"Heh Sorry Twilight. She just arrived, and well you don't say no when a princess asks you to come in." Spike said.

"I apologize for my intrusion. But this is most important." Luna said. "Twilight have you seen Princess Celestia?"

Twilights mouth dropped open. The Princess was missing? "No, I sent her a letter and was waiting for her response. I guess that explains why she hasn't sent anything back..."

"I have not seen her since yesterday. It is much unlike Celestia to leave without saying anything. Especially to me." Luna said, her frown becoming a painful expression. "I thought maybe at least she would have told you, but it seems I was mistaken."

Twilight thought of possible reasons why Princess Celestia would just disappear. "Do you think she is in trouble?"

Luna looked off distantly for a few moments. "No, I can sense her. She is unharmed. But she is also blocking my attempts to contact her. I believe she left by her own design."

Okay so things weren't as bad as they seemed. Maybe The Princess had a good reason and would explain it to them when she got back. Luna interrupted her train of thought.

"There is another reason why I am here Twilight." Luna said. Twilghts ears pricked up. "In Celestia's absence there is only one ruler on Equestria's throne. I come to invite you to be a temporary princess of Equestria until my sister decides to stop this silliness."

Twilight heard that right didn't she? Luna was asking her to help rule Equestria with her... Twilight felt like the weight of the world had been thrust onto her back. She kept expecting her legs to buckle from the unbearable weight she felt pressing down on her.

"I... I... I cant replace Princess Celestia! I barley know the first thing about being royalty, much less how to run a country. There has to be somepony more qualified then me." Twilght said.

Luna looked down thoughtfully, as if selecting the right words to calm the purple alicorn. "There is no pony more qualified then you. Like it or not you've been a princess for awhile now. You had to know this day would come eventually. Sometimes we must do what is asked of us, no matter the personal sacrifice. I promise you this would only be temporary, you will still be able to return to ponyville once this crisis is over. It's always been your destiny to rule Equestria Princess Twilight, my sister saw it, and now I see it to. I believe in you my friend." Luna finished her speech with an affectionate nuzzle to Twilight's cheek.

Twilight didn't want to believe what was happening. She had briefly been Equestria's only princess when discord's evil plants had captures Luna and Celestia. But she hadn't had to make any decisions that really effected anypony, and she hadn't exactly been formally taught how to be a princess. What if she made a mistake? How would Princess Celestia ever forgive her?

"I... I need to think about it." Twilight said. Luna seemed surprised at her answer but didn't push anymore.

"Very well. Hopefully by the time your mind is made my sister will have returned and I wouldn't have to ask this of you anymore." Luna Paused. "But the offer is still available, Equestria could always use a pony such as you." Luna finished and existed the bedroom.

Twilight joined Spike on the bed and buried her face into the pillows.

"Twilight... What the heck was that?" Spike said.

Twilight seemed taken aback by spikes comment, when she removed the pillow from her face she had a look of surprise written on her face. "What do you mean what the heck?" She said.

"Princess Luna travels all the way from Canterlot to ask you to sit on the throne with her and you don't immediately say yes? What about what happened at Sweet Apple Acres? And now a princess is missing. Equestria could be in danger, and you're going to sit here and scream into your pillows?" The Dragon said.

"Spike I never asked to rule Equestria. It's too big of a responsibility. Princess Luna and Celestia have hundreds of years of experience doing it. And I'm just a silly old unicorn who somehow ended up being a princess." Twilight buried her face in her pillow once more.

"Pony Feathers Twilight. You're just as good if not better then Luna and Celestia." Spike jumped off the bed and headed for the door. "You got to stop being afraid of failure sometime Twilight." With that Spike closed the bedroom door leaving Twilight alone.

Was it really her destiny to rule Equestria? That was what Celestia had been planning for her all along right? Twilight just wished her mentor would have shared that detail with her before she no longer had a choice in the matter.

John's eye's slowly opened. He smelled something minty in the air that made it's way through his helmets filtration. For a moment he almost panicked when his eyes were open fully. He had gone blind! No his Heads Up Display was just black. The normal visual input of his visor was completely dead. The Electronics were likely fried, as he had difficulty lifting his arm to remove his helmet. Without power to his Mjolnir armor was essentially a two ton brick. With some physical strain he was able to remove his helmet. What he saw he was not prepared for.

"look who finally opens their eyes, please be still my patient, you're in for a surprise."

John saw an equine looking creature standing over a boiling caldron, adding unidentifiable plants and different colored vials into the mix. She was stripped like and Earth zebra, and was only about as tall as his knee-height. He was in some sort of hollowed out tree that was decorated with strangely tribal looking décor. To top it all off the thing standing over the caldron seemed to speak in rhyme. Like some twisted Dr. Suess book that he was living. This hadn't been what he expected hell to be like.