Halo 2: Shadowed pasts and Ancient Runes

(Sorry this took so long. My BFF Desiree just got back from the Micheal Jackson tour with Cirque De Solei. Five day long camping trip takes a lot out of someone, so here's a nice two in one chapter. Enjoy everypony!)

Chapter 15: The way the world ends...
Planet Equis: October 17, 2552
1630 hours

"Cam! Do you copy? A large task force has entered the city! We're being overrun!" Laurence yelled, falling back behind a pillar. He watched as the Covenant troops on the other side of the bridge placed a grid over the hole, allowing troops access to Canterlot.

There was no answer.

"Cam! Cam! What's going on?! Talk to me! Should we fall back?!" He yelled. He turned to see Selina, Sharif and Gary, now turning tail into the city for better protection. This was going to hell and his men knew it. And without Cam to help guide them, it was a one way ticket into a shitstorm.

"Sir?! What are our orders?" Selina yelled. Gary and Sharif nodded and continued to fire on the Brutes and Grunts, trying to keep them at bay.

"Head for the bunkers! Cam's in trouble!" He yelled. He didn't know if that was true, but the man wasn't answering, so he assumed it was because something happened. Laurence couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness. He looked at the scenery before him as they ran for the deeper parts of the city.

The sky was now a deep orange from the fires raging across the lands. The cities and towns burned all around them and the battles of Covenant ships raged just below the atmosphere, painting blue and white flashes in with the deep orange spectrum. Laurence sighed and clacked his rifle.

"We're coming, Cam. Don't worry.

"Looks like we're not going back to Canterlot." The pilot said sadly. Twilight's eyes instantly widened and she ran into the cramped space.

"Why!? Why aren't we going to Canterlot?!" She yelled. The pilot pointed out the window. Twilight gasped in horror, seeing the city she'd grown up in in flames and stormed by invaders. She felt a pang of guilt run through her body, remembering who was still in there.

"Bill?! Can you-" She started but the man shook his head.

"No! I've been trying to raise Cam on the mic for twenty minutes! Something happened, I know it!" He yelled. Twilight turned back to the pilot.

"Set us down, now!" She yelled. The pony stared at her, eyes wide.

"Are you certifiably insane?!" He yelled. "There's nowhere safe for me to even attempt that! What makes you think you can-" He stopped when Bill glared at him.

"Set us down, Pilot." He said simply. The unicorn gulped and nodded.

"Y-yes, Sir."

The hatch opened and Twilight was the first to step out. The ground was hot under her hooves, as was the air. She pulled something out of her bag and passed it to Bill, who snatched it out of the air.

"It's Almya. She needs a host right now, and we could use her help." Twilight said. Bill nodded and slid the chip into the side of his helmet.

"Hmm. Hello, Bill. How are you doing today?" She asked nonchalantly. Bill grunted and set off for the bunkers. Twilight and Shining Armor followed suit.

"Here, Twilly. Take one of these." He said, passing her an extra Pony Plasma Rifle. "You could use the protection." She smiled and nodded.

"Thanks, BBBFF." She said happily, running after Bill. She turned to see Laurence and the others running through the adjacent street. "Bill! Look! It's the others!"

Bill turned as the four Spartans ran full speed along side them. "Whoa! where's the fire, Spartans?" Bill asked. (Ironically, it was all around them.)

"Don't talk, RUN!" Laurence shouted. Bill turned to see three Wraiths barrel down the street, knocking down delicate structures in their way.

"SON OF A BITCH!" He yelled. "RUN!"

Everyone sprinted for the bunker, resting atop one of the turreted mounds. The ponies guarding it had been killed and the doors inside were busted open. "Oh no! Princess!" Twilight yelled, rushing into the dark room. Her horn flared and the space was illuminated. Bill, Shining Armor, and the others ran down the steps to see it all.

The Covenant corpses were riddled with bullet holes, plasma burns, and magic blasts. The group cautiously made their way into the interior of the bunker, weapons trained at anything. Shining Armor dropped his gun and smiled.

"Cadence!"

The pink Princess turned and smiled, rushing to meet her husband. She slammed into him full force and wrapped around him. She sobbed into his mane and could barely stand. Something was wrong. Something happened.

He looked over to see blankets covering the fallen Equine soldiers. There where a lot of casualties, and a lot of friends lost. His eyes made their way to the end of the row. A very distraught Rainbow Dash, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna knelt next to the blanket a soldier was covered in, tears pooling their eyes. The soldier coughed and gasped for air, desperately clinging to life. On top of his body rested an assault rifle and a red helmet with a blue visor, the visor punctured and burnt.

"Oh, no..."

Nathan took the Sniper from the marine scout. "Sorry, Private. I need to get some revenge." He said with anger in his voice. He didn't know why he was so mad. He felt something deep in his gut, and he couldn't make it out. Something was wrong, but he pushed it down and sighted on the Prophet of Truth and smiled. "All too easy."

Truth let the cheers of his army die down before he continued his sermon. It was a glorious day and he personally wanted to see the device he uncovered for himself. Sure, leaving the protection of his ship was risky, but the human filth wouldn't dare try anything in the heart of his camp. He cleared his throat and continued.

"My Dreadnought, the vessel that has so long been the focus of our worship, now rests on it's true pedestal. Even now, its engines spark greater ones below, relics long without power yet ready to fulfill their divine purpose. Stand fast! Keep our enemies at bay! Soon, my brothers, we will all have our reward!"

The Covenant soldiers around Truth yelled in triumph and delight, bowing before their God. He smiled and spread his arms wide, taking in the praise like a very ugly sponge.

CRACK

Everything stopped. No one moved, no one breathed. The echo of the shot resonated across the solid steal structure. They all looked on to their holy leader, falling out of his chair to the ground.

"HUMAN FILTH! PROTECT THE PROPHET! SHIELD THE AREA!" A Chieftan yelled. Bubble Shields were thrown in a large circle around the Prophet. Brutes surrounded their God, giving him aid. The frail aliens eyes were shut tight, and a thin layer of blood caked his temple. He opened his eyes and instantly got a look of fury on his face.

"The time has come. Now we activate the portal, and we go to the Ark! The human filth have hastened their death with this treachery!

"Goddamn it!" Nathan yelled, throwing the Sniper onto the ground. "Son of a bitch! How in the hell did that miss!? What the fuck?!"

The marines around the angry Spartan backed away in fright. Nathan clicked on his radio and addressed Lord Hood again. "Sir, do you copy?" He said, the anger etched in his voice making it obvious what had happened.

"You didn't get him, did you..?" Hood sighed. Nathan grunted. "It's alright, son. You did your best. Master Chief is almost there, and-"

The mic crackled again, and Recon team Helios joined the conversation. "All Brute Cruisers are pulling back to Truth's ship. Winds inside the storm just hit 200 kilometers per hour. Energy cascades all over the artifact!"

Miranda quipped in now, and sounded a little desperate "Admiral? A single Covenant ship just slipped in system." Lord Hood raised a brow.

"Just one? Whats its range and disposition?" He sounded curious, but one ship didn't matter. It wouldn't put a damper on their plan

"Above the artifact, inside the orbital line. It seems to be holding steady." She stated. Lord Hood scoffed and smiled.

"The attack proceeds as planned, Commander. Were not going to get another shot at truth."

"Sir, yes Sir." She said in a crisp voice. The mics snapped off, leaving Nathan, again, alone. He turned to the marines and threw his helmet to the ground.

"Well, we're fucked..."

Fluttershy put another water logged towel over Cam's right eye. The Spiker round penetrated his helmet and imbedded itself into his skull. Celestia healed him as best she could with her magic, but it was out of her hooves now. Rainbow cradled his head and smiled, despite her eyes welling with tears.

"Cam? I love you, Cam... You know that?" She asked. He gasped and inhaled again, his eyes clouding over and his skin becoming colder. Everyone looked on with tears in their eyes.

Twilight was held close by Shining and Cadence, Laurence held Star Trot, who was crying into his neck, Bill said a silent prayer for his friend, the other Spartan's had their heads hung, and the Princess' and civilians just looked on. No one said a word except Rainbow Dash.

"You know why you have to live, don't you?" She asked again in a whisper. He nodded and arched himself in agony, inhaling a scream. Rainbow Dash's tears started to flow more. "You... You can't leave me you big lug..." She quivered. "I-I can't go on without you... You're my everything."

Fluttershy put a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "Rainbow?" She said quietly.

Rainbow stared at her closest friend. The look in Fluttershy's eyes showed the despair and hopelessness she felt. Rainbow knew that this was it. This was the last time she was going to be with Cam.

Her heart nearly broke and she collapsed into Fluttershy's forelegs, soaking the yellow mares chest with tears. "It's okay, Rainbow... It'll be okay." She said with a sniffle.

Bill took a deep breath and walked away from his friend. First Issac, then Shelly... Now Cam? This war was taking too much from them. He walked over to the Princess', wearing a fake smile.

"Princess?" He whispered, stopping in front of Celestia. She turned to him, a sad expression etched on her. "The Covenant are right outside. Are there any ways out?" He asked.

"Indeed. Come." She said, opening the wall behind her, revealing a new passage way. "It is a long trek, but we need to get these civilians someplace safe." She turned back to Cam and frowned. "What of Cameron?" She asked.

"We'll be as careful as possible with him, ma'am." Bill confirmed. Luna stepped in, a forced smile on her as well.

"Allow us to carry thine companion, William. It would be our pleasure." She said, lifting the wounded man into the air. He gasped again, but settled into the magic grip. "Come, we are not sure how close the enemy is." She stated, taking a look back into the main bunker.

Everyone entered the long, dark corridor. Princess Celestia re-sealed the entrance, and they were now left in a hall lit by emergency lights. It seemed to stretch on forever. "It's a mile walk." Celestia stated. "I hope you all aren't too tired to make the journey."

Everyone shook their heads and stepped to. They didn't want to be here anymore, and they needed to get Cam help.

The walking was becoming tedious to Twilight. She just wanted so desperately for this to be over. If anything, she just wanted to move back to Ponyville with Nathan and start their family. It was stressing her out thinking about it, and causes another searing pain to shoot through her abdomen

Twilight clutched her stomach tight, feeling her stress causing the baby grief. Shining Armor turned to her and frowned. "Hey, Twilly. Are you okay?" He asked. She got a panicked look on her face for and instant. He couldn't find out about the pregnancy. Nopony could. Only Rainbow Dash knew, because she'd come to her for the same problem a few weeks ago. Twilight faked a smile and nodded.

"Everything's fine, BBBFF. Just a... stomach ache. Let's just keep moving." She said, walking ahead of him. He wasn't so convinced of her story, but shook it off. He looked to Cadence, who had a look of worry on her face as well.

"What do you think is wrong with Twilight, dear?" He asked. She looked to him with bloodshot eyes and frowned.

"I... don't know. She'll be alright, though. Don't worry." She assured. He nodded and continued on. Cadence was right. Twilight would be okay, since she knew exactly what was wrong with her. The mood swings she'd noticed last time she saw her, her covering herself more with blankets or clothing, her pain. Cadence sighed and shook her head

"Oh, Twilight... How in Equestria did you get... pregnant...?"

"Sir, look!" The same Marine called out. Nathan looked out at the other side of the hill, to see a small explosion of purple. The Chief had finished his job and punched a hole in the Prophets defenses. He could see Forward unto Dawn fly across the plains along with two other Frigates The earth shook as MAC round after MAC round hit the Dreadnaught, not so much as putting a scratch on it. Then it began to descend into the structure, the device opening like a flower.

"Well, this brings back some memories..."

Nathan swayed to and fro as the building began to tip over the side of the dig sight. It had to be two thousand feet to the ground. Nathan wrapped himself around a beam and held on for dear life. "MARINES?! GRAB HOLD OF SOMETHING!!"

He looked out when he didn't receive an answer, and saw the soldiers being sucked away into the raging maelstrom above. Nathan winced and looked away, clutching the beam with all his might. The building swayed and buckled, collapsing in on itself floor by floor. Nathan wouldn't survive a fall from that height and he knew it.

"Anyone out there?! I need emergency evac! Over!"

Static.

"Hello?! For the love of God, someone please help!"

Crackle

"Oh. Thank Celestia!

"Nathan? Nathan where are you?!" Miranda called out frantically.

Nathan marked his position on the crumbling building, frantically digging himself into the metal. The tower, however, didn't care how much he held on. It crumbled, falling over the precipice below. Nathan took a deep breath and shut his eyes. This was it. No one could help him now, and he wasn't going to make it this time. Two thousand feet of free-fall awaited him.

THUNK

Nathan opened his eyes and, surprisingly enough, was wedged onto the nose of Miranda's Pelican. She smiled and gave him a light wave. "Need a lift, Spartan?" She asked. Nathan gave a thumbs up and climbed the ship, entering the emergency hatch on the top.

He fell to the deck with a 'thud' and walked into the cabin, slumping into the seat next to Miranda. "That was close." He said, out of breath. He took off his helmet and smiled. "Thanks."

She winked and flew back to Voi. Nathan looked up at the bright blue portal. Fears of the past instantly flooded into his mind, causing a shudder down his spine. Miranda looked over and noticed his apprehension. "Nathan? Are you-"

"New contact! Slipping in!" A marine on the radio yelled. Nathan and Miranda looked over the horizon. A Cruiser pulled out of slip space, trailing debris and covered in...

"Oh shit..."

The ship crashed into the city, and already Nathan knew just what it was. The Flood had returned.

Everyone walked through the tunnels in silence. Except for Cam, who was still gasping and gurgling for air. Rainbow stayed by his side the whole time, which showed just how loyal she was. She was the element's holder, so it made sense. She wrapped her cyan hoof around his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"You're gonna pull through this, tough guy. I know you can." She assured. He gasped again and arched in the magical grip. Rainbow turned away and bit her lower lip, feeling more and more hopeless by the second.

"Thou has nothing to worry about, Rainbow Dash." Luna assured. "Cameron is a strong specimen. He shall pull through in time."

Rainbow Dash sniffed and looked to her with hopeful eyes. "Promise?" She whispered. Luna smiled and nodded.

"We have no need to promise. We know so." She winked. Rainbow smiled and nodded back, feeling a little better. Cam was the love of her life. No longer would anypony think she was a fillyfooler. Not that that mattered anyways.

"Now? I guess I'm a humanhumper."

That thought made her chuckle, but oh well. Everypony knew Cam was an amazing person, but she knew him just a bit more. The fact he had... other amazing attributes just gave him that extra 'oomph' in her eyes. He was one in a million, just like her, and now they were two in a million.

"Ah! Here we are." Celestia exclaimed. Her horn glowed a bright gold and the wall melted away, revealing a long staircase. She turned to the group of soldiers and the civilians and smiled. "Come, my little ponies. We are almost out." She said reassuringly.

The Princess' let the Spartans go through first, followed by the civilians when they gave the all clear. Twilight looked back to Cam and sighed. She didn't even want to think about Nathan's mental state if Cam died. He was still touchy about Issac and Shelly.

Especially Shelly. She knew he still had some feelings buried for her, but the way he saved her from Shelly's jealous wrath that day made it evident where his loyalties were.

She shook off the memories and climbed up into the room. She looked around the space. They were in the heart of the palace. The throne room was dark as a tomb and just as quiet. But something felt off about it.

The sounds of electronics being shut off filled the air, and around twenty Elites materialized from the walls. Everyone went stiff and looked to one another. Sure, they were now 'friendly', but what would stop them from changing their minds. One of them walked forward and had, what Twilight guessed, was a smile etched on its parting mandibles. It stood in front of her and tilted it's head, speaking a very shaky English.

"You are the one the Demon refers to as... 'Twilight', correct?" It asked. Twilight raised a brow and nodded. She didn't understand what he meant by 'Demon'.

"I am, but who's the 'Demon'?" She asked. The alien clicked his jaws.

"The Spartan who went to Earth with The Arbiter and Ship Master." He said, pointing up to the sky as if Earth was right there. "Your planet is safe for now. We finished routing up the last of the Brutes and we must return to our fleet. An emergency has been sounded. The Flood have reached the planet and are overrunning their defenses."

Twilight turned to Celestia and saw the look of horror on the sun goddesses face. She looked to everypony who knew what the Flood was and, they too, had a mixed looked of horror and anger.

"We take our leave. Take care of your world and families. Your struggles will be woven into our battle poems for ages to come." The Elite bowed, placing it's fist on its chest, then left without another word, his soldiers following close behind.

Twilight took a deep breath and fell on her haunches. She could barely breath, she couldn't feel her legs, and the pain in her stomach was becoming unbearable. She took a quivering breath and looked up at the sky. Her forelegs finally buckled beneath her and she fell to the ground and the world went dark around her.

"TWILLY!"