Halo: Luck

Chapter 6: Amnesia

Spartan A-266's eyes shot open as he fell onto a spotless, white floor. He lay there, gasping and coughing, before forcing himself to stand. Jun finally came to his senses, and took a look around. He found that he was in a rectangular room, with a cot stuck to the back wall. The room lacked a door, much to Jun's dismay. He stumbled over to the cot, making himself comfortable. He noted the metal frame, assuming that whoever or whatever stuck him in here, knows how much he weighs. Where the hell was he? What the hell happened yesterday? He strained to remember, shocked when he failed to. He sighed softly, before unsheathing his knife, only to find it gone. This caused him to take a sit-rep on his arsenal, finding that he had nothing, not even the items in his pouch. Only his armor. At least they left him with the most dangerous asset he could have possession of. He chuckled a little at this. He checked his UGPS, tapping through to see his location. The device's screen went static. He shut it off. Only one last thing to do. He knocked a hoof on the wall lightly.

"I see that you have awaken," said a familiar voice.

Jun, at hearing this, jumped off the cot, ready to defend himself.

"Stay calm, we do not wish to harm you," reassured the Princess.

Jun decided to play along by sitting back on the cot. He sat in a tense pose, finding her reassurances hard to believe. He heard her sigh.

"I guess we'll have to start off at the basics of introducing ourselves. I am the Princess of the Sun, or Princess Celestia," she stated, waiting for his answer. Unfortunately for her, he wasn't ready to give it. "I see that you still feel hostility towards us. I have to apologize, Jun, for my attack on you. It was a huge misunderstanding." He froze at this. How did she know his name? How much else did she know?

"What do you want from me," he asked bluntly.

"I'm asking for why I should trust you," answered Celestia. "So that you can be released into society. You are a pegasus, correct?"

"Can you see me," he questioned.

"Yes, I can see you. Are you a pegasus?"

Jun nodded an affirmative.

"What is it that you are wearing, Jun?"

"I can't tell you much about it."

"May I inquire why?"

"Most of it is classified."

"I see. So I assume that you are a soldier then. It would explain the knife. I suppose that is armor?"

"MJOLNIR armor."

"I have never heard or seen such a design. On your wish, I will not inquire more about it. I assume that you want to know where you're located?" Jun shrugged, trying to appear uninterested. "We are in the Royal Castle of Canterlot. I have a few more questions for you. They'll be your way of leaving. Will you answer them?"

"I will, if they aren't private," he replied.

"Well then. I'll admit that I know more about you than you believe. I have to ask, are you a Spartan? And, if it's open information, what is a Spartan?"

Jun hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yes, I'm a Spartan. A Spartan-lll to be exact. Spartans are elite soldiers who's bodies have been augmented for enhancements like near-unbreakable bones and quicker reflexes." He wasn't going any deeper than that. Or into the differences between a Spartan-lll or ll.

"That would explain the size, strength, and speed you have. In your previous form, as a human, were you on the 'good side'? And before you ask, I do know what a human is."

"If you want to consider the side fighting for the existence of it's species, then yes, I was on the 'good side'."

"I want to thank you for your cooperation. I believe that you mean well. I want to name you now as a part of the equestrian society. Before I let you free, I have one request for you. Do you remember the group of ponies you first encountered? I want you to protect them, and befriend them. Please do act appropriately too. It would be for your own interests." She said the last sentence firmly. He knew she meant it. "You will sleep here tonight, and I will collect you in the morning for your introduction."

The Spartan responded with a quick,"affirmative", before clambering onto his cot. He stared at the ceiling of his 'cell', absorbed in his thoughts. He decided to check through his helmet's files. Surprisingly, he found one labeled 'music'. Opening it, he found one of his favorite songs. The song began, with the sound of drums quietly in the background, quickly followed by violins. After about a hour, it ended, bringing up a few words.

I heard you liked it. For letting me borrow your SRS. -Six

Touching, he thought jokingly, as he closed out of the song. So this was his gift. He was surprised he'd never noticed it.

"That was a beautiful song," said a quiet voice.

Jun hadn't realized that it was on his external speakers. Mentally scolding himself, he sighed softly.

"I agree."

"Before you ask, I am the Princess of the Moon, or Princess Luna, younger sister of Princess Celestia. I was checking to see if you needed anything."

"I'm fine," he answered. "I do have one request. Could you let me see the sky?"

Before he knew it, the top of his room was reflecting the night sky.

"Your welcome."

"I appreciate it." He continued staring up, wondering if he'd see the familiar sight of Covenant ships coming out of slipspace, or hear the command to retreat. He felt that he wouldn't. Last time he checked, the Covenant was pulling apart. He had to say, that spartan really knew how to wreak havoc. He set a timer on his UGPS for the morning. From there he felt himself drift into a dreamless sleep...

The Next Day...

The sound of an alarm clock dragged Jun awake, the beeping sound starting to annoy him. Quickly silencing it, he prepared for the events that were planned today. He slid off his cot and stretched throughly. There was a knock on the wall, which opened into a doorway. Two royal guards entered, along with the Princess. He was bewildered to see her mane flowing like there was a gentle wind running through. Probably magic. The guards pointed their spears at him, with a stoic expression on their faces. They thought that this was heroic?! Try fighting the Covenant everyday, then we'll see who has that right.

"Are you prepared for the introduction," asked Celestia.

"I'm ready," he replied quietly.

He walked through the opening into a huge hall that stretched far above even his head. The Princess walked forward as her two guards shuffled beside him. Celestia looked back and nodded them off. "That won't be necessary," she assured them. The guards, looking at the Princess and Jun nervously, eventually nodded and headed off. With his heightened hearing, he heard her mutter under her breath, "At least, I hope it won't." As the two walked along, Jun noticed some ponies stop and glare at him, with mixed expressions of fear and hostility. Jun countered this by calmly glancing back. As they approached the entrance, he halted the Princess.

"Excuse my asking, but may I take my weapons?" Jun looked at her seriously. "I can defend more efficiently with them." Celestia called for a guard who in turn returned his weapons. He replaced all of them in their original positions. Celestia just stared at him.

"Don't make me regret this decision."

He smirked under his helmet. "No promises."

The Princess looked back at him. "I could escort you back to your room," she teased, understanding the joke.

Jun heaved an exaggerated sigh. "You won't regret it."

They came out onto a plaza overlooking what he assumed was Canterlot. "Beautiful view," he commented.

"Yes, I have to agree."

A chariot awaited them, along with the two pegasi guards who controlled it. "Uh, Princess?"

"Yes?"

"How is that going to hold me?"

Celestia glanced at him with the look that said 'I'm sure it can hold you'.

"I weigh half a ton..." He got the exact look he expected. The one that said,'Holy shit'.