Halo 2: Shadowed pasts and Ancient Runes

Chapter 19: A shadowed past
Planet: Earth, October 18, 2552
0310 hours

Twilight sat outside the door, listening to the conversation going on. She remembered the story vividly; Their first encounter with the Covenant, the pirates that kidnapped them, and the escape. She knew exactly who he was talking to in there. She leaned in and listened closer.

"I'll have to take you up on that offer, son. You've been one hell of an inside man." The Captain of the ship said. He turned to someone at his side, whispered a little, then turned his attention back to the rouge soldier. "Alright. You'll have to make it look convincing. We'll lock you in the ships brig with the others, then release you when we get to our destination. Do we have an accord?" He asked.

"Affirmative. I'll be willing to-" He turned his head slightly towards the door and Twilight shot her head back, holding her breath. She didn't know if he saw her and she could feel her heart pounding out of her chest. She checked the radar, but there was no movement. "-To do that. I'll send you the coordinates when we're in the Pelican." He confirmed. The Captain continued on with the rouge and Twilight took a quivering sigh. How could he do this?!

"Twilight?" Bill whispered from the corner. Twilight stared at him and didn't budge and inch. She waved him over and he crouched low, sitting by her side. "Who is it Twilight? What happened?" He asked.

She jammed her thumb towards the door. "It's... It's... Do you remember when you were captured by pirates?" She asked. Bill cocked his head and nodded. Nathan must have told her a lot of stories. Twilight continued, as quiet as possible. "I think I know who was behind it..."

He could hear the crack in her voice. She was scared, almost to tears. Bill leaned into the doorway and saw that pitiful excuse for a rebel Captain, and then to the Spartan. He stood quickly and entered the room.

"Cam? Cameron! What the hell is going on?" He asked. Cam smiled and turned to face his teammate. The grin made Bill feel incredibly uneasy.

"So, it seems you found out about my fast cash scheme. And I was going to buy a house in the tropics on Earth." He pouted playfully. He turned to the screen and looked at the Captain. "Hope you don't mind two dead Spartans?" He asked. The Captain shrugged.

"As long as we get the technology in their armor, by all means. Kill them, but do it quietly." He said. The screen snapped off and Cam pulled his assault rifle out, aiming it at the two. Twilight took a step back and Bill put his hand on his pistol.

"All this time... One of my closest friends, a rebel... a traitor. You had us all fooled. Even your own girlfriend, er... whatever! You have a lot of balls." He spat.

Cam smiled and aimed at Twilight. "Without her magic, she's useless. It was a simple matter of turning her into a Spartan. She wouldn't know how to handle power in that form." His fingers itched the trigger and his smile stretched wider.

Bill stepped in front of Twilight and pulled out his pistol. Something was terribly wrong. Cam wasn't this smart, not by a long shot. Something else was driving him. It drew them here, and wanted them all dead.

"Who are you...?" Bill finally asked. Twilight looked up at him, then to Cam. It didn't occur to her that this could be a fake. Why would Cam construct a fake, traitorous version of himself in his own conscious? That didn't make any sense.

"Mhahahahaha!" Cam bellowed a laugh, a laugh that shook Bill and Twilight to their bones. Twilight knew that laugh, as did Bill.

"Gravemind!" He shouted, opening fire. The Gravemind used Cam's body with ease, rolling past the shots and tackling the man. Bill let out a grunt as he was thrown through the wall. Twilight screamed and ran out of the room as the brawl ensued.

"Twilight?! Bill?! What's happening?" Rainbow Dash yelled. Twilight followed her close friends voice. She rounded the corner and ran into Issac.

"Whoa! You okay, soldier?" He asked. She held him tight and pointed him in the direction of the brawl. They all ran for the room as Bill was thrown into the far wall in the hallway. He slumped to the floor, struggling to regain his footing

The Gravemind came back out and smiled at Issac. "Oh, come now." He tolled the tall man. "No need to be shackled by those ridiculous sub-species!" He laughed. Twilight gasped as Issac clamped his large hand around her throat.

"Yes, Sir." He hissed, squeezing slowly. Rainbow shot forward and jumped onto his head, wrapping her hands around his visor.

"Let her go, you rusty tin can!" She shouted, landing punch after punch. Issac didn't flinch, however and continued to squeeze.

Twilight gagged and gasped for air, pawing at the hands around her throat. She shut her eyes tight and willed her mind to focus on the one person who can save her now. She felt a bit of magic in her and pushed it out with all her might, hoping to gain some ground in this confusing and horrifying turn of events.

"Nathan! Please?!" She screamed in her head, willing her magic out. "Save me!"

Twilight fell to the floor hard, feeling her soft, furry, pony body return to her. But, why did she fall? She looked up to see Nathan, standing in the doorway with his pistol smoking. "Nathan!" She squeaked, her voice hoarse from the stranglehold.

"Heh. Didn't expect me here did you... Gravemind?" He asked, kicking Issac's limp body aside. Twilight couldn't believe she'd done it! All she had to do was focus on the Nathan memory and focused all of their memories. All their shared feelings were pumped into the fake mind, making it as if Nathan was right here with them.

Twilight looked over to Rainbow Dash who was back to herself as well, staring at the corpse of Issac. "Holy geez, Twilight! What the heck did he just do?!" She squeaked, shaking in her cyan coat. Twilight inhaled deeply as he walked past, brushing her mane with the tips of his fingers. The contact felt good, since all she had today was tackles and strangleholds.

Cam scowled at Nathan and locked heavy, black eyes with him. "Come now. Don't you think it's time to experience the freedom I promised before?" He asked. Nathan smiled and pressed his pistol into Cam's head.

"Don't think you can control me, slime. Where's the real Cam? You think hijacking bodies is a good idea while I'm around?" He asked playfully. His eyes narrowed and he got closer. "How'd you get into him? He's not infected..."

Cam smiled and laughed. "When I died, I released my spores into the atmosphere. They infected probably ever life form on this rock! I felt it would be... poetic to form in someone you care for. Doesn't that just sting? Like the way you killed me in cold blood?! THE SAVIOR OF THE GALAXY?!" He bellowed.

Nathan's fingers flexed against the trigger. He let out a struggled grunt and clasped the gun in both hands. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull the damned trigger.

"Whatsa matter, big guy?! That's not Cam! Take him out!" Rainbow yelled. Nathan began to sweat bullets and squeezed at the gun with the strength of ten men. Still, that trigger held strong. The Gravemind chuckled and put his finger on the tip of the gun, lowering it ever so slowly.

"Do you want to know where the real Cam is?" He asked innocently. Nathan gulped and nodded. Trying with all his might to raise that gun. The Gravemind walked around him and put a hand on his shoulder. "He is in a memory where you will most certainly fear to tread. I think you have knowledge of the incident that still plagues your mind?" He asked. Nathan began to tremor as he tried to raise the gun.

"Stop it..." He whispered.

"He's where she died."

"STOP!"

"You'll have a choice..."

"SHUT UP!"

"Save him or her."

"I'LL FUCKIN' BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!"

"SILENCE!"

Nathan went rigid and lowered the gun. "You need me to take you there. If you pass this test, I might let your friend live. There is no reason we can't make a game out of this? I have been alive for over ten thousand years. I know patience, and I will rise again eventually. But, I want to make you suffer first..." He chuckled.

"When this is done..." Nathan began, but the Gravemind held a finger to his lip, a wicked smile on his face.

"Your mate will come along, no one else." The Gravemind commanded. Twilight trotted up alongside Nathan and nuzzled his leg. He eased a bit and let out a long breath.

"How's the war going?" She asked. Nathan smiled and shrugged.

"I don't know. You have no memories of it." He said nonchalantly. Twilight blinked at him a few times and registered what he said.

"You know you're a memory? I didn't want to tell you, since you're now conscious. Does..." She struggled to search for the right words. "Does it shock you?" She finally asked. He smiled and kissed her on the lips.

"Someone needs to keep you safe. It's gotta be me, whether I'm real or not." He gave a wink and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"I'm not as helpless as you think." She said playfully. Nathan smiled and pressed his forehead to hers. He was about to rebuke when the Gravemind spoke up again, a little annoyed by the exchange.

"If you two are ready? Your incessant rambling is getting a bit redundant. I'm quiet eager to finish destroying your life, even if you are just a figment. Practice makes perfect, after all..." He sneered.

Nathan glared at the Gravemind and stood up from Twilight's face. She let out a quivered breath and sighed. She didn't realize how much she missed him. A large knot formed in her gut and she wanted to just hold him forever. But, if there was one thing he taught her in the time they were together, it was to never hold on to a dead man. She had flat out refused to believe that. He was free of the war.

Well, then he was. Now? Now he was back to war... She felt the pang of guilt grip her heart realizing she'd probably have to live by his proverb. But what of their unborn child? What of their family? She couldn't bear to raise the child on her own. Losing him would break her heart...

"What's wrong, Gravemind?" Nathan taunted. "You can't stand to see emotion? Sick filth..." He spat. The Gravemind stood unfazed.

"Very well. Come. We'll walk. I want to stretch my new legs for a while, and we have much to discuss."

Nathan narrowed his eyes and put a protective hand on the back of Twilight's head. She smiled as his fingers brushed through her mane. It was a soothing gesture he always did in their quieter times. The three walked forward into a blank slate, leaving Rainbow Dash and Bill behind.

"Twilight?" Nathan whispered. She looked up and smiled. "Are Bill and Rainbow going to be okay? They won't get stuck here, will they?" He asked. She shook her head and smiled.

"When I leave, they leave. They'll be alright, don't worry." She assured. She nuzzled his leg and they followed the Gravemind through Cams mind, the long white halls representing god knows what. Nathan chuckled and shook his head.

"I knew Cam's mind was empty, but this is ridiculous." He said, looking around the vast space. The Gravemind turned and smiled at him.

"Well, now that we're away from the others, I feel it'd be best to talk." He said, looking over at the lavender mare and scowled. "Why do you have feelings for that... detestable creature?" He spat. Twilight wrinkled her nose and snorted.

"Says the fifty foot squid monster!" She huffed. The Gravemind chuckled and walked between the two. The move making the two feel uneasy.

"Did I ever tell you about the great war with the Flood and Forerunners and human kinds kindled love for the Equine species?" He asked. Nathan blinked dumbly and looked to Twilight, who was just as fascinated. The Gravemind smiled and went on. "In the past, the human commander met the Queen of Equestria. The two fought side by side on many fronts, winning countless battles. They eventually consummated their love for one another, bringing forth a human/equine hybrid that nearly brought ruin to my precious children." He nearly spat the last part out. Twilight smiled smugly and huffed.

"Serves you right! You do nothing but murder!" She yelled. The Gravemind shot her a glare and turned down a 'hall'. The two followed.

"Who is the murderer? The one who gives salvation? Or the one who kills the bearers?" He asked with a laugh. Twilight and Nathan looked to one another. He smiled and shook his head.

"His heads the size of a planet. You get used to it." Nathan mused. The two stopped, letting the Gravemind go ahead so they could be next to one another again.

"Why get attached to her, human? She doesn't love you." The Gravemind pointed out. Nathan looked down to Twilight, who let out a sigh. She leaned into him and walked as she pressed herself against his armored leg. Nathan sensed the love, but he knew he wasn't real. He looked himself over, knowing that he was just a hollow echo; a shell of the real deal.

"I'd like to think I'm being a good analog." He pointed out. The Gravemind laughed and stopped, turning to the two lovers. He smiled and the room dissolved into the spire in the shield world.

The place where Shelly lost her life...

"Cam is up there." The Gravemind pointed. Nathan looked up at the intricate design on the ceiling and, sure enough, Cam's body was locked into the wall. Nathan smiled and strode forward.

"Should be easy enough." He chuckled. The Gravemind grabbed his arm and pointed to the ice blue Spartan, who was about to dive and take the missile for Twilight.

"Who can you save?" He asked, grabbing Twilight and throwing her into the spot where the ghost version of herself sat just a second ago. She struggled to move but couldn't lift a hoof. Nathan turned to the Gravemind and scowled.

"That Shelly is just a figment. She isn't real." He said confidently. The Gravemind pondered this and smiled. He flicked his fingers and the Flood with the rocket launcher split into three. One aimed for Twilight, the other for Shelly, and the last for Cam.

"Fuck..." Nathan exclaimed. The Gravemind smiled and walked over to each of his friends in the paused battle.

"Shelly is a memory, yes. She doesn't need to be saved, but with your prior history with her, it'll make it hard to watch her die." He smiled. Nathan shook his head and took in a deep breath.

"I did it before, I can do it again." He insisted. The Gravemind walked to Twilight and put a hand on her face. She struggled at the invisible force keeping her in place and turned away from the monsters caress.

"Ah, and the lover. See how scared she is? She must hold so much faith in you. Will you let her down, Nathan? Will you watch her physically die?"

Nathan's eye twitched and his hands clenched tight. "You don't lay a hand on her, you animal!" He hissed. The Gravemind removed his hand and walked to Cam.

"Ah, the idiot. Wake up!" He shouted. All at once, Cam inhaled a deep, raged breath. He looked at his surroundings, then to the Gravemind posing as him.

"Jesus! When did I get a twin?!" He shouted. Nathan rolled his eyes and step forward.

"That's the Gravemind posing as you. He's trying to take over your mind, which is where we are." He yelled. Cam looked at Nathan and smiled.

"Oh, hey boss! When did you get back from earth?" He asked happily. Nathan frowned and tilted his head towards Twilight.

"I'm at Earth right now?" He asked curiously. She nodded and smiled, hoping to reassure him it was okay for him to be there. He had promised never to return to the war, but she guessed some promises were harder to keep.

Cam chuckled a little, getting Nathan and Twilight's attention. "C'mon! He's right here! How can you say he's at Earth?" He asked incredulously. Twilight rolled her eyes.

"He's just a thought projection from your mind. I gave him consciousness with the memories we have up until he left for Earth. This Nathan is a-" She hesitated, not wanting to hurt his feelings, but Cam finished it for her.

"He's a fake. Got it." He said innocently. Nathan cringed, but quickly shook it off.

"Good to see you, too, Cameron. I missed you." He said sincerely. Cam gave him a curious look, then looked over to Twilight. Her expression was somber and he understood the situation.

One of them was going to die here.

Cam smiled and gestured to Twilight. "Save her, Boss. She is your honey after all." Nathan shifted and looked to Twilight. He may not have been real, but he knew how to think like him.

"Velocity of the rocket? 450 fps. Speed off a M6D round is 840 fps. Where will they intersect in mid air? How long to I have to be in mid dive to stop both? How much do I lead...?"

"Are you prepared to die, human?" The Gravemind asked. Nathan smiled and pulled out his sidearm, staring at the Flood with the rockets. He turned to Twilight and smiled.

"How much do you trust me, Twi?" He asked. She gave an astonished look, but quickly reverted it to a smile.

"With my life." She affirmed. Nathan laughed and cocked the Magnum.

"Oh, good. 'Cause if you didn't, this probably wouldn't work. Even if I'm not the real deal, at least you treated me like it." He said happily. "Tell the real me to shape up and come the hell back home. He's got a fiance' waiting for him."

"Begin!" The Gravemind shouted loudly. All at once the battle resumed. Shelly exploded to bits in mid dive, which was to be expected. The flood shot her point blank with the hit. Nathan dove and looked to Twilight with a smile.

"See ya on the other side."

He leveled his pistol at the rocket launcher on the far side of the room aimed at Cam. He squeezed the trigger and the bullet flew free. He had no time to enjoy the satisfaction of victory, however, as the rocket aimed at Twilight hit him square in the chest. There was a feeling of peace that enveloped him, then nothing.

He was gone.

Twilight screamed and heard the rocked on the far side of the room detonate. She turned to see Cam still on the wall, The Flood holding the rocket launcher jettisoning into the far wall from the close range detonation. Twilight smiled wide as Cam fell to the floor, grabbing an assault rifle off the ground. He aimed it square at the baffled Gravemind and smiled.

"Ready to finally die?" He asked. The Gravemind smiled and nodded.

"If I can't even beat a figment of that accursed human, then I have no chance of beating the real one. Make it quick. Oh-" He said before Cam pulled the trigger. "Why not tell them all that you are, in fact, a traitor?" Cam winced and his face contorted into sheer anger. The Gravemind laughed again, knowing he'd gotten at least some revenge before he died. "What, do you think I made that part up?" He asked, chuckling loudly, erupting into full blown laughter. Cam pulled the trigger on his assault rifle and sent the monster skidding across the floor minus a face.

Twilight got to her hooves, finally being able to move. She stared at Cam with fearful and hurt eyes. What the Gravemind had said was true. Cam had betrayed his friends, and his military. He turned to her apologetically.

"Twilight... I-I didn't-" She held up a hoof and walked over to him.

"T-that doesn't matter now. Let's just get you home." She said, trying to keep her voice level. Cam nodded and she tapped him with her horn. He disappeared from sight and she sighed. Her horn began to glow and envelope her in a purple ball. She disappeared from his mind-

-And woke up on a hospital bed beside Rainbow and Bill, who also were awakening. Everyone in the room smiled warmly as she sat up. The Princess' were even there.

"Twilight Sparkle! Are you alright?" Celestia asked, nuzzling her student affectionately. She smiled at her teacher and nodded. It was good to see her again, Luna too. She was glad they were safe.

"I'm fine, Princess. We managed to... save Cam." She said, somewhat unsure if they should have. Bill darted up and quickly walked over to Cam, who was just awakening. He grabbed him by his hospital gown and placed his pistol to Cam's forehead.

"HEY! LET HIM GO!" Rainbow yelled, rushing over, only to be stopped by Twilight. She shook her head at the Rainbow haired spitfire and watched the scene unfold.

"Cam, you son of a bitch!" Bill spat. "I can't believe I trusted you! We ALL trusted you! Why did you betray us? Money? Power?!" Cam remained silent. "ANSWER ME, REBEL!" He spat.

Everyone in the room was dead silent. The two Princess' looked to one another, unsure of what to do. Cam sighed heavily and looked at Rainbow, who's eyes darted from him to Bill.

"I did it for myself! I wanted a life, Bill! I wanted to live!" He shouted. Rainbow slowly fluttered over to him and pushed Bill off. She held his face in her hooves and he grabbed them affectionately.

"So... everything was real, I mean, between us?" She asked. He smiled and kissed her slowly. She closed her eyes and smiled, pressing her face to his.

He pulled away, giving her warm eyes. "I wanted a life, and you gave it to me." He turned to Bill and Twilight who were standing on the sidelines.

"I'm sorry, Bill. I-In order for me to be free, I had to give you guys up to the rebels. They promised me a life, a home. I never wanted to be a Spartan, Bill! I wanted to just be free of this war! I hated it, I didn't want a part of it!" He yelled, sitting up. Bill was still a little on edge. Cam saw it and frowned.

"Well, we did end up being free... somewhat. At least we all have something to live for, yeah?" He asked. Bill stormed out of the room after that. Twilight quickly chased him down and Rarity followed as well.

"Bill! Wait a moment!" She yelled. Bill stopped and turned. Twilight crashed into his legs, not expecting him to do that. She looked up and gave him a pleading look. "Please, give him another chance! He only wanted-"

"Wanted what?! He wasn't going to give US a chance! If Nathan hadn't broken out and saved us, we'd be executed and our armor in the hands of dangerous thugs! We wouldn't be here today, and you'd all be DEAD!" He spat.

Bill recoiled as Rarity slapped him across the face. "Don't talk like that!" She said, almost to tears. "We lost so many today, and we need our friends close! We can't push others away!" She quickly wrapped him in a tight hug. "Don't you EVER think that way! We're all here and safe. Thanks to you." She whispered.

Bill hesitated and slowly hugged her back. After all the months of working for her, she'd never showed her feelings like this. He knew she appreciated his help around the boutique, but she never was physical about it. He smiled and released her. "Thank you, Rarity... I'm sorry for the way I acted in there."

Rarity smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "It's quite alright. Now, shall we go check on Cam? I'm sure he'd like a warm welcome after nearly dying." She pointed out. Bill turned to Twilight, who was blushing slightly with a sly smile on her face.

"Yeah. Let's go see Cam..."

"Are you sure you aren't going to come with us, Lord Hood?" Nathan asked again. The old man sighed and turned as he strode up the Pelican's ramp. Miranda and the Chief strolled up a second later.

"No, Spartan. My place is Earth, with our people. We need some souls behind to hold off the Flood. If I die, at least we give you all a chance to save the rest of the galaxy." He chuckled dryly. Nathan shifted and frowned, scratching his freshly shaven head. He wanted to be as battle effective as possible, and that meant shaving his medium length hair that Twilight loved so much for better performance in battle, then so be it.

"With the Flood in the galaxy, we're doomed anyway. We trade one villain for another." Nathan stated. Hood smiled and nodded.

"Well, then we're doomed anyway. This is goodby, Spartan. Semper Fortis." He saluted. Nathan saluted back as the hatch to his Pelican finally closed and flew out of the Super Carriers hanger. Master Chief and Miranda strolled off to wherever they were going and Nathan walked back to the staging area.

He turned when he heard the approach of large feet behind him. The Majordomo strolled up beside him and the two walked side by side. "Demon. Come, you're part of our team." He said in a deep tone.

Nathan raised a brow and half smiled. "Seems everywhere I go, you're there." He chuckled. The Majordomo did as well.

"You have proven yourself a Sangheilli warrior in my eyes. I would be honored to call you my battle brother." He said, slapping his chest and bowing before him. Nathan smiled and did the same.

The Elite led Nathan to their hangout spot by a ghost. The rest of the Elites were minors, covered in blue assault armor. The Major leaned on the ghost as Nathan got himself acquainted with the squad.

"Brothers! We have a new squad mate! The Demon will aid us in our battle against the Prophet!" He said. The Elites cautiously encircled the Spartan and, accepting him as a member, gave him a warm greeting.

"Welcome Demon. Chose your weapon." One said, gesturing to a crate. Nathan smiled from ear to ear, eying the pair of Plasma Rifle rifles. He grabbed them and they hummed to life.

"Ah. If there's one thing I admired about the Covenant, it's these things." He said, hefting them happily. The Elites roared with laughter. They all began to chatter, telling stories of war to one another. The Spartan smiled happily, feeling a sense of comradeship that he missed. He may not have his Spartans here, but at least he was with warriors.

He was with a familiar kind of family.