As the Spartans rushed into the trenches, countless red-armored Banished streamed towards them like an endless wave. No matter how many they killed, two more replaced each fallen soldier.

"We need backup!" Chris said over the radio. "There's just too many!"

"Roger that." Isabel replied. "I've got some special units inbound from the Spirit of Fire. Hold the line until they arrive. ETA is two minutes."

"Roger that, Isabel." Chris said. "What kind of special units?"

"You'll see."

Chris resumed shooting at a Banished Brute Chieftain, while the other Spartans and Marines, along with a few Equestrian battalions, did the best to keep their position.

"Special units are imminent!" Isabel said. Chris then saw three humongous UNSC aircraft fly in and begin unloading salvo after salvo at the Banished.

"Condor Gunships!" Ramos cried. "Those haven't been used in years! Glad to see they still work!"

"That's not all." Isabel said as five standard Pelicans unloaded five Warthogs. Two were troop transports, the other three made Chris flinch.

Flamethrowers were mounted on the back of the three Warthogs, which drove to the front line.

"Spartan!"

Chris then saw two Marine squads bearing additional Flamethrowers come up and salute.

"Devil Platoon and Heel Platoon reporting, Spartan." the Marine in charge said. "Ready to burn!"

"Roger that." Laura said. "Get moving and start shooting!"

"You heard the lady! Let's go!" the lead Marine cried. As they approached the trenches, another Banished wave appeared on the horizon.

"Wait for it...wait for it…" Chris said.

"They're getting too close!" A marine yelled.

"NOW!" Chris yelled at the top of his voice. At the signal, the Hellbringers opened up with columns of fire, radiating heat that Chris could feel through his armor. He dove into cover and watched the Warthogs open up with their own Flamethrower turrets, giving the illusion of hell rising in front of them. The Banished attempted to hold their own positions, but after a few minutes, they started to retreat, buckling under the constant threat of being incinerated.

"Get some!" Mark cried as the Banished pulled back, a few stray plasma bolts and bullets were fired before the battlefield went quiet.

"We pushed them back!" A marine cried. "They're retreating! We won!'

"No." Zag said. "That was not a retreat, only a regroup. Reform the line!"

"We're almost out of ammo!" the marines protested.

"There will be time for ammunition when the Banished are broken, not beaten!" Zag replied. "Scavenge if you must. We must hold this line or Canterlot will fall!"

The marines nodded and set to work gathering ammo and treating the wounded. Chris headed for the Hellbringers, who were replenishing their supply of fuel.

"You stocked?" he asked.

"We're starting to run dry, but we'll be alright." they replied. "We might have to tap into the Warthogs if this keeps up."

"Feel free to do so, only if needed." Chris replied. Grant motioned from his position, and Chris peered from an offered pair of binoculars.

"Zag's right." Chris said. "They've got a staging area just beyond here. And they're reforming their squads."

"Phantom on approach!" Evan yelled. Chris looked to see Evan was right. A Phantom, red like its Banished counterparts, only painted with black and silver war markings, set itself hovering in the middle of the fray.

"Steady…" Chris said. Then, the largest Brute that the Spartans had ever seen stepped out of the Grav lift. Chris could see a massive Gravity Mace and Hammer strapped to his back chestplate, which was made from pieces of Covenant and Human armor. Atriox laughed as he spread his arms wide.

"Your defense is remarkable, humans." he chuckled. "I know that you wouldn't fall to a mere scouting party such as this...but you exceeded my expectations."

"Hold your fire." Chris said. "This isn't over."

Chris then stepped forward to face Atriox.

"So, what's the point?" he asked the Brute. Atriox laughed.

"The point, Demon, is that your forces have impressed me. As with Captain Cutter's resilience on the Ark, now your resilience here. But know I have faced three of your kind...Spartan...and defeated them. I know your kind's strength, but not the strength of these...ponies. I challenge their leader to single combat. The victor shall claim this world. The loser shall flee in defeat, and pray the victor does not hunt them down and slaughter them."

Chris did his best not to flinch. Before long, the clouds parted, and the sunlight streamed forth.

"I shall relay your challenge accordingly." Chris said. "Where and when?"

"Here, and now." Atriox replied. Chris nodded and turned to depart.

"May the best one win." Chris said over his shoulder. Atriox returned to his lines, with a smile on his face.

====

Celestia stood in front of the monitors in the Command Center, with a stunned look on her face.

"Celestia?" Luna asked. "Please tell me you won't fight that monster!"

"I have been challenged." she said flatly. "And I accepted. He will have his duel."

"Princess, Atriox bested three Spartans in single combat." Isabel pleaded. "And with all due respect, you're not a Spartan!"

"I am the bearer of the Sun incarnate." Celestia replied. "I have faced foes more terrible than this Atriox. Luna, If I am not to return...take my place."

Luna flinched, and before she could speak, Celestia was gone in a flash, teleported away.

====

Atriox watched in curiosity as a white pony appeared, the light shining around her almost blinding. Celestia strode forward, the sunlight coalescing into plate armor, a divine shield, and a spear burning with the sun's flame.

"I am Celestia, Sun Incarnate, Ruler of Equestria. I accept your Challenge, Atriox of the Banished." she spoke. "I do not expect a fair fight from you, let it be known."

"I am one of my word." Atriox replied. "I defied the Covenant and lived. If it is a fair fight you want, it is a fair fight you shall receive."

"So be it." Celestia said, her mane and tail now tipped with holy fire. Atriox drew Chainbreaker and activated it, the blood-red energy swirling around the edge. Celestia made the first attack, a slash of her lance towards his chest. Atriox deflected the blow with his shielded gauntlet and charged, smashing Chainbreaker into her shield. The blast generated a shockwave that cracked the ground.

"Shit!" David yelled. "What now?"

"We watch." Chris said. "This is their fight, not ours."

Atriox smashed his Gravity Mace against the fiery aegis several times, the ground breaking beneath them. Celestia's spear suddenly rushed for his throat, Atriox dodging just in time. He swung Chainbreaker up and over the lance, aiming to crush her midsection. Celestia's shield deflected the attack and bashed into his chest, sending the Brute back a few inches. Atriox then slammed Chainbreaker into the ground, which sent the Solar Princess into the air, followed by a crushing blow to her midsection.

Celestia screamed in pain as the gravity-amplified blow smashed into her, crushing her and breaking a few ribs. She staggered to her feet, as Atriox roared with laughter.

"Impressive!" he bellowed. "Few can resist my strength."

"And fewer can resist the power of the SUN!" Celestia roared, summoning her remaining magic and firing a blast of solar energy. The blast enveloped the Brute, blinding all present. Celestia staggered to her hooves, breathing heavily as her magic worked to heal her.

"Is it over?" Chris asked.

"No." Zag said. "Not by a long shot."

As the smoke cleared, Celestia's eyes widened. Atriox had slammed his fist into the ground and covered himself in red energy, leaving him unscathed.

"That's…" Six said.

"Armor Lock." Jorge finished. "How'd he get his claws on that?"

Celestia flinched as Atriox strode forward, Chainbreaker glowing red.

"Die." he roared, slamming it once more into her back. Her scream echoed through the field as she fell like a broken doll. The victorious Brute hoisted her into the air and threw her living, but pummeled body back towards the human lines.

"I win." he said, snorting. "Your time draws short, Humans. I will end you all."

Atriox walked back to his Phantom as Chris and Zag hurried to get the fallen Princess back to Canterlot.

"Command, this is Fireteam Crimson. Celestia is down, I repeat, Celestia is down. She's barely breathing...need immediate medical attention. Banished assault imminent."

Author's Note

Yep, Atriox just beat Celestia in single combat.

And soon, things really go from bad to worse...No spoilers here...