"Incredible." Celestia said, absolutely floored from the revelations told to her by Astute Sigil.

"Indeed." the Monitor said. "The Forerunners were one of the most technologically advanced civilizations in the galaxy. However, due to the firing of the Halo Array, they are all gone. However, there is still hope."

"How so?" Rarity asked.

"There is another species I must tell you of." Sigil said. "This species once faced extinction at the hands of a ruthless enemy, but they triumphed using the power of the Forerunner creations left to them. They are known as The Reclaimers."

"And who are these Reclaimers?" Celestia asked.

"Humanity, of course." Sigil said with pride.

At this, Celestia started to laugh.

"Impossible." she said. "Humans are but myth."

"They are no myth, Further One." Sigil said. "They are currently the most powerful species in the known Galaxy. They are the Heirs of the Forerunners, and with good reason. I know of records, stating of a Reclaimer in particular. This Reclaimer prevented the Halo array from firing, destroyed a massive enemy fleet on his own, and prevented the near-galactic genocide of his species. Twice."

Celestia dropped her jaw, along with everypony else in the room.

"Who is this one?" Celestia said.

"He is known as The Master Chief." Sigil said. "And he is, to my record, held by humanity as their savior from their foe's wrath. This Master Chief even killed the Ur-Didact, the Supreme Commander of the Forerunner Military when he threatened humanity's survival."

Celestia was floored. She regained her composure, and nodded.

"I take it back." she said.

"Good reasoning." Sigil said. "But there is still much to do, Further One."

"Why do you keep calling us that?" Rainbow asked.

"Because the Forerunners created you as such." Sigil said. "The Reclaimers would be first, all others further than them. You were to never match their glory, their status. I do apologize for seeming rude, but that is how it is. Reclaimers, and the Further Ones. That is how it will be."

Celestia frowned slightly.

"Will we ever match the Reclaimers of our own strength and progress?" she asked.

"Possibly." Sigil said. "But you are lesser-tier than the Reclaimers, as you have not developed significant technological prowess to advance. But it is possible."

"Where can we meet these Reclaimers?" Twilight asked.

"You are fortunate to ask that, Twilight Sparkle." Sigil said. "I have access to a Slipspace Portal below this control room. However, it can only connect, as of now, to one installation, where there is a likely chance you will meet the Reclaimers."

"What is this installation?" Rarity asked.

"Why, Installation 00, or the Ark of course." Sigil said. "The foundry of worlds and Throne of the Forerunners. However, I cannot advise you will be met peacefully. I have records that another species or group of species has engaged Reclaimers in battle on the Ark, at multiple locations. I cannot guarantee safe arrival and contact once you arrive."

"We shall deal with that later." Celestia said. "Can you prepare this portal?"

"I shall do so at once." Sigil said. "I would advise caution, however. There is no telling what will happen once you arrive on the Ark."

"We'll be fine, Sigil." Celestia said. "Twilight, as I must remain here to raise the sun, can I trust you with this task?"

"Of course!" Twilight said, her friends affirming that statement. "We'll do our best!"

"Then I shall commence preparations immediately." Sigil said. "Jump into the transit portal here when ready."

Twilight and her friends prepared themselves, and after saying goodbye to Celestia, they entered the Transit Portal.

====

"Are we ready?" Twilight asked as the Monitor activated the portal.

"Yes." Sigil said. "You may enter when ready."

The blue Slipspace vortex appeared, and Twilight and her friends entered with a ready smile.

====

The ponies fell out of the portal into a forested grassland.

"Everypony alright?" Twilight asked.

"Yep!" Pinkie said. "Strange, you think there'd be a welcoming party!"

"I don't think we'll be getting one, Pinkie." Rainbow said.

Then, Twilight heard a faint roar and loud booms coming from the distance.

"You hear that?" She asked.

"Yep." Applejack said. "It's cleaning out my eardrums, that's for darn sure."

"Let's see what's going on." Twilight said as she led the way into the foliage.

====

As the roars and booms came closer and closer, Twilight stopped at the edge of a cliff, just as the noise reached its climax. As she peered down the cliff face, she froze in place.

"What's going on?" Applejack asked. Then, her friends saw it.

In the valley below was the largest battle any of them had seen. Two armies, red and green in color, were engaged in warfare below them. Strange machines moved around on both sides, in both aerial and ground formations. Explosions and debris were erupting everywhere, and the scale of it froze the Ponies in their tracks.

"What ferocity!" Rarity cried. "What's going on here?"

"Let's get a closer look." Twilight said, pulling out a telescope from her saddlebag. She scanned the battlefield below, and as she focused on a garrison of the green army, she recognized what species they were.

"They're human!" she cried.

"Which ones?" Fluttershy said.

"The ones in green." Twilight said. "The ones in red look like a mix of species.The leaders seem to be like giant simians."

"What?" Rainbow said.

"Gorillas." Twilight said, slightly irritated.

"Maybe we should go." Fluttershy whimpered. "It's really scary here."

"Fluttershy, what's the worst that'll…" Rainbow said.

She stopped when a round of metallic clicks came from behind them. The ponies turned to see humans wearing brown and green armor pointing what were most likely weapons at them. Twilight and the girls pushed together, and the humans advanced.

"Whatever you do, don't make any sudden moves." Twilight whispered.

"You got that right." Rainbow said, now thoroughly scared for her life. Then, one of the humans walked forward, and extended his hand.

"I don't know what or who you are, where you come from, or why you were spying on us, but come with us if you value your life."

Twilight extended her hoof, and she was pulled to her feet. The human then kneeled and got out a large black object.

"Spirit of Fire, do you read?" he spoke. "This is Jet Three-one."

"Cutter here." said a second voice, broad and experienced. "Status?"

"Captain, we've found the source of the anomalies." the human said. "First contact scenario. Requesting Pelican extraction on our location."

"Understood. Bring them aboard." said the one called Cutter. "Pelicans inbound."

"Roger that. Marking location. Jet Three-one out."

The human threw down a canister, and red smoke spewed out, confusing the Equestrians.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"We're taking you back to the Spirit of Fire." the human said. "Captain Cutter wants a word with you."

"And you are?" Twilight asked.

"1st Lt. Michael Armstrong." he said. "UNSC Marine Corps. The men with me are the UNSC Marines of platoon Jet Three-One."

"Lieutenant!" a Marine cried. "Pelicans are here!"

"Roger that, let's go, pack it up!" Armstrong said. Twilight and her friends then saw three large machines soar down towards them, marked with MARINES on the side. As they were ushered aboard by the Marines, Twilight took one last glimpse at the battle below before they flew away and the door closed.

====

As the Pelicans landed on the Spirit of Fire, James Cutter watched as the Marines disembarked and saluted.

"At ease." Cutter said. "Where's the contacts?"

"Here, sir." Armstrong said as the ponies reluctantly strode onto the hangar deck.

"Good job, Marine." Cutter said. "You six."

Twilight and her friends approached.

"I apologize for the...unusual introduction." he said. "I'm James Cutter, Captain of the Spirit of Fire. Welcome aboard."

"I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria."

"Rainbow Dash."

"Pinkie Pie!"

"Rarity."

"Applejack."

"...Fluttershy…"

"Nice to meet you all." Cutter said. "Let's take this to a more formal environment, shall we?"

The ponies followed Cutter to an elevator, and it headed towards the observation bay.

Author's Note

Update!