As the Banished neared Canterlot, Douglas, Jerome, and Alice walked through the Infinity's hallways to the Armory, as they were ordered to receive new Mjolnir Mark VII armor, courtesy of Lasky.

"I'm going to miss this armor." Alice said as she settled into the frame.

"Not me." Douglas said. "It stinks in this suit."

"Says you." Jerome retorted as the Technicians set to work removing their Mark V armor and replacing it. Soon, the three Spartans stepped off the frame in Mark VII Recruit armor, their old paint scheme and emblems transferred over.

"This feels great." Jerome said, flexing his hands to get used to the armor.

"Better than the old armor, that's for sure." Alice replied.

"So you don't miss the old suit?" Douglas quipped, and Alice slapped him on the back, flaring his shields.

"Seems you've been brought up to speed." Palmer said, walking forward, her battle-charred armor repaired and cleaned. "Head out on a Pelican back to Canterlot. You're to link up with Blue Team, and Fireteams Osiris and Crimson."

"Roger that." Douglas said as the three Spartans headed to the Hangar.

=====

Chris watched as his fellow soldiers took a well deserved break from fighting in one of the barracks in Canterlot Castle. Mark's leg had been mended, and he was currently on a treadmill doing strengthening exercises. Locke and Buck were talking with David and Ken, and Grant was playing cards with Evan. Zag was meditating, and the other Spartans were doing their own thing. Chris sighed and looked back at the storm lashing outside.

"Still raining?" Tanaka asked.

"What do you think?" Chris replied. "We should be out there right now, in the trenches."

"Lucky we aren't." Vale said. "They're probably up to their necks in mud right now."

"Amen to that." David said. "Hey, can Spartans still get Athlete's foot?"

"I wouldn't bet on it." Ken said. "The armor blocks out moisture from the outside. It and the underplating would have to be pierced, and water would still have to go through the bodysuit to reach the skin. And I think our shields repel water."

"Thanks, egghead." Buck said. "Next time I need a suit diagnostic, remind me screw the techies and go directly to you."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Ken said. Buck sighed and went back to looking over Linda's shoulder at the book she was reading. Chris chuckled and put on his helmet.

"I think I'll go for a walk." He said. He left the barracks and began to take a comfortable stride through the halls to a balcony not far from the barracks. He took shelter beneath a roof and watched the lightning flash across the blackened sky. Then, the forms of countless Banished appeared on the horizon. Chris flinched, and ran back inside as Plasma shells began to fall on Canterlot.

======

"Battle stations!" Chris yelled at the Spartans, who didn't need to be told twice. Each Spartan grabbed their helmets and weapons, then dashed after Chris, who was receiving comms updates from Lasky.

"Crimson, Red Team is en route to you. Get to the trenches and repel those Banished. We can't let them take Canterlot."

"Roger!" Chris replied as he skidded to a stop. A plasma shell hit the path, shattering the ground.

"We're cut off!" Mark cried, then a Phantom appeared over them.

"Contacts!" Vale yelled.

"Weapons free!" Tanaka added as the Banished infantry deployed, already shooting at the Spartans. The red-painted Phantom fired its plasma turret, forcing the Spartans to retreat to cover.

"Fuck!" Evan cried. "There's too many!"

"Not for long! Heads down!" Chris yelled as multiple rockets hit the Banished, and a Pelican flew over.

"Need help?" Jerome cried over the roar of the engines.

"That would be nice!" Chris said as the Spartans boarded the Pelican, which soared towards the embattled trenches.

=========

"Sitrep!" Chris yelled at a Marine squad.

"The shit's hit the fan, that's your sitrep, Spartan!" The Marine cried. "The western flank is almost overrun, and there's too many of them!"

"Roger that." Chris said. "Osiris, head to the west. Blue and Red Teams, head where you're needed Everyone else, with me…"

"INCOMING!" a Marine screamed as plasma shells impacted, sending Fireteam Crimson flying. Chris's vision cleared, revealing several Banished Brutes had broken through. One was about to slam his Gravity Hammer into Chris's chest when gunshots echoed, and a Spartan knee-kicked the Brute, sending it flying. As the other Brutes attempted to rush the Spartan, it dodged and weaved, peppering them with bullets from a Magnum. As the Spartan felled the last brute, it holstered its Magnum and walked over, pulling Chris up and taking off the Air Assault Helmet that kept its face obscured. Chris's eyebrows raised at the sight of blue eyes, curly blonde hair, and a female face.

"Let's get going, Crimson." she said, her dark blue and tan armor glistening in the rain.

"Who are you?" Chris replied.

"Laura-0472, your newest member of Fireteam Crimson." Laura replied.

"I didn't ask for another Spartan." Chris said gruffly.

"Orders came straight from Commander Palmer." she replied, handing him a Battle Rifle. "Let's go. The Banished are still out there."

Chris shrugged, motioned to his fireteam, and the eight Spartans headed for the main bunker.

Author's Note

Wow, it has been so long since I've updated this. I got in a Halo-y mood after listening to a song by Miracle of Sound on Youtube.

Expect a longer update next time.