As Celestia and Luna sat dumbstruck while Astute Sigil told them of the Forerunners and their Ecumene, the Monitor seemed to be growing in pride with each statement he spoke.

"So, where are these Forerunners now?" Celestia asked. "Is there any way we can contact them?"

"That, I regret to inform you, is impossible." Sigil said with a hint of sadness. "The Forerunner Ecumene ceased to exist with the activation of the Halo Array as a last resort against the Flood onslaught."

"What is this Halo Array? And what is the Flood?" Luna asked.

"I will explain both." Sigil said. "The Flood is a parasitic species whose ultimate goal is the annihilation and consumption of all sentient life, which they viewed as nourishment to spread their species further. It is stated that a single Flood infection form could wipe a species out if not contained. And the Forerunners, for all their might and progress, couldn't stop the Flood's rampage across the Ecumene."

"As such, the Halo Array was constructed." Sigil continued. "A vast array of Ring-Worlds were created as weapons powerful enough to erase all sentient life capable of sustaining the Flood within three radii of the Galactic Center."

Celestia and Luna paled, white as marble.

"This horrible weapon was used?" Luna asked, fearful.

"Yes." Sigil said. "The Array was fired, killing the Forerunners and all life capable of sustaining the Flood. However, a Forerunner known as the Librarian and her Lifeworkers indexed the DNA of all known species for repopulation. From their efforts, the galaxy was returned to its former state. But the Forerunners were gone, sacrificed to save the universe. Without an ample source of life to feed on, the Flood decayed and retreated. That was over 1,000 centuries ago, if my records are correct."

Celestia gasped, horrified that such a device was used.

"What else can you tell us?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"I can tell of you the Reclaimers, if you wish." Sigil said.

"Reclaimers?" Luna asked.

"A species that once waged war with the Forerunners, now destined to inherit their glory." Sigil said proudly.

"What is this species?" Celestia asked.

"Humanity." Sigil said, with a nod of affirmation.

"That's impossible." Celestia said. "Humanity is a myth, mere legend. Our most renowned scholars haven't uncovered any reasonable proof to their existence."

Sigil gave a laugh of amusement.

"They are not myth or legend, Princess." Sigil replied. "From their homeworld of Erde-Tyrene, or Earth, they have spread through the stars and currently stand posed to learn the greatest of the Forerunners' secrets. I've recently been meaning to send out a beacon to them, to alert them of my activation. Would you like me to include a diplomatic overture from your own kind in this beacon?"

"We would be honored, Sigil." Celestia said. "How long will this take to reach them?"

"It might take a while, seeing as I must prepare and activate several crucial systems, but I will send it as soon as I can." the Monitor said. "In the meantime, I will activate the full extent of my systems to aid in the reconstruction of your city. It was my Installation's activation that caused the earthquake, after all."

"Thank you." Luna said.

"My pleasure, Princesses." Sigil said. "Would you be so kind as to take this?"

A small object floated down, and Celestia took it in her hoof.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A Communicator." Sigil replied. "When the beacon is prepared, I will speak to you through that device. Until then, I request that this Installation be left alone so I may prepare the beacon in peace."

"As you wish." Celestia said. "Shall we be off?"

"Indeed." Sigil nodded. "I will open a transit portal to the city plaza. Farewell for now, Princesses."

As the portal opened in front of them, Celestia and Luna bowed to the Monitor before entering it. As they disappeared, Sigil began to access the Installation's Superluminal Beacon.

====

The Guards stationed above the Facility were debating entering the complex to locate the Princesses when Celestia and Luna appeared out of the Forerunner portal, right in front of them.

"Princesses, are you alright?" one asked. "It's been two hours, we were growing concerned."

"We are fine, Sergeant." Celestia said. "And we have learned so much in those two hours. I ask that this plaza be cordoned off until explicit further notice from myself or my sister. We have a guest below ground, and he wishes to be left alone for the time being."

The guards looked at each other, uncertain of what was going on, but they nodded and took defensive positions around the site. As Celestia and Luna watched, Forerunner Constructors and Sentinels began appearing in the air, and began repairing the damage from the earthquake.

"It seems our new ally works quickly." Luna said, impressed by the speed and ease that the Forerunner constructs worked to rebuild the city. "Imagine the possibilities, sister."

"I am." Celestia replied. "Come, I think we should tell the citizens what's going on, and bring the Element Bearers here. They'll want to know about this."

As the two Princesses headed for the palace, their minds swirled with wonder.

====
Sol System, Orion Arm, Milky Way Galaxy
Orbit of Titan, Moon of Saturn

Bridge of the UNSC Infinity

"Captain Lasky? I think you'll want to see this."

Thomas Lasky turned from the command console to see the Infinity's Shipboard AI, Roland, motioning him over to the central holotable. As Lasky approached, Roland gave a salute.

"What is it, Roland?" Lasky asked, standing near the table and leaning on it.

"We've just received a beacon from an unknown location, sent directly at us." Roland said. "It's Forerunner in origin."

Lasky raised his eyebrows as Roland displayed several holographic readouts on the table for the captain to look at.

"What does this mean?" Lasky asked the AI, who frowned as he moved his hands, changing the visible readouts.

"I'm not sure yet, sir." Roland replied. "This message is partially made in a written language I don't understand. It's not anything I've seen before, or probably the UNSC for that matter."

"Show me." Lasky nodded. Roland moved his hands, showing a readout of a blocky language that seemed to resemble a combination of English and Forerunner Glyphs.

"Can you decode it?" Lasky asked the AI, who nodded.

"I can try, but it's proving difficult." Roland said. "I have a feeling we've only got part of the puzzle with us, and we need the whole thing. I'll get to work on it right away once we reach Earth for resupply."

"Good work, Roland." the Captain said. "I'll speak to the Brass about this. Keep me posted once you make progress."

"Yes, sir. Once I know the source location or have a translation ready, I'll contact you."

As Roland saluted and blinked out, Lasky gave the order for a slipspace jump to Earth.

Author's Note

Update! (Finally.)

Yeah, the UNSC's coming to Equestria, in the foreseeable future.

Next time - Roland decrypts the message, and the UNSC weighs its options. And in Equestria, the Element Bearers arrive in Canterlot.