Halo 2: Shadowed pasts and Ancient Runes

Chapter 21: Chaos is a WONDERFUL thing!
Planet Equis. October 20, 2552
0300 hours

"Twilight? Where are you?" A voice called out through the darkness. The unicorn strained her eyes and saw a tall figure making it's way towards her. She instantly got to her hooves and ran for it full sprint. She knew the voice!

It was Nathan!

"I'm here!" She yelled. She kept running but every attempt to get closer to him only made him further away. Frustrated, she tried teleporting, only to have that fail, too.

"I need your help!" He called out. Twilight ran forward again, and all at once, the emptiness became a room. A window dominated the back wall, and in front of it was a pack of Brutes,cheering and hollering over their prize.

Nathan was kneeling on the floor, bruised and bloodied from torture. His face was cut, his eye was swollen shut, and his armor was caked in blood. Twilight tried desperately to fight the attackers off, but they didn't even notice her. Her attacks did nothing to them either. She looked back to Nathan, who just looked at her, square in the eyes.

"Help me..." He whispered.

Twilight couldn't move any longer. Her hooves were locked in place by some unknown force. The Brute Chieftan raised an energy sword high into the air, eliciting howls of excitement from the rest of its pack mates. Nathan stared at her one last time, and the sword came down.

She screamed in terror as his head rolled towards her, stopping just an inch from her feet. It just stared at her with cold dead eyes as she desperately tried to look away, but was unable to do so.

"I can save him." A voice called out from a distance. Twilight looked around for it, but found no sign.

"W-Who's there?" She called out. The room began to fade back into the blackness. Twilight found herself able to move again and walked towards the source of the voice.

"Oh, you're getting closer!" It laughed. Twilight began to sprint in the direction of the echo. It was a voice she thought she should know, but she couldn't place the name.

"Hello, Twilight!" It cheered, appearing right in her face. She yipped and fell back as the Draqonquues made himself known.

"Discord!" She yelled. "What are you doing out of your prison?!" The god of chaos cackled and wrapped a big, lion arm around her back.

"Oh, I'm still in that insufferable prison. But, I just couldn't let what was about to happen to your mate go on without your knowledge. And, I would like to help you! It's as simple as that." He cheered. Twilight raised a brow and pushed his arm off her.

"That was a lie! It was one of your many tricks!" She yelled in protest. Discord made a few tisking sounds and slithered around her.

"It was no trick, or illusion, my dear. I showed you what is to become of your precious mate. Tell me, it felt all too real, didn't it?" He asked. She looked away and nodded. "And, you could see him desperately calling to you, and you were unable to help him?" He asked. She nodded again.

"No one saves him." He whispered.

"No!" Twilight was barely keeping herself composed. She couldn't show any signs of weakness in front of Discord. "He has friends who will help! I know it!"

"Oh, about the only one who could? He makes it in about a minute after your love is... unhinged." He began to snigger as Twilight nearly faltered to the ground. Discord frowned and picked her up.

"You can save him, though. I can send you to help him!" He assured. Twilight stared at him for a good while. What was he playing at? Something wasn't right, and with Discord, nothing is. But was it really true? Was he going to die?

"How?" She asked. Discord shrugged and began to pace.

"Hmm. Well, just come meet me in the dungeon. That's where my statue is being held. I have just enough energy to send you to him. If you really want to, that is. It'll only be for one day, no more. What do you say, old chum?" He extended a hand, and the smile he had looked as genuine as it gets.

"Please," She whispered. "don't be lying..."

"I wouldn't dream of it." He held up his hand in sincerity. He smiled and poked her forehead with a claw. "Now, wake up."

Twilight shot out of her bed. She saw that her surroundings were that of her bedroom and let out a sigh of relief. "It was all a dream..." She sighed.

But she'd have to be sure.

She quietly got out of bed and made her way to the door. She took a deep breath and cursed herself for what she was going to do. She was about to bargain with... ugh, Discord.

Twilight failed to see reason in it; something she didn't quite have anymore since Nathan and the other Spartans showed up. And now, she was halfway down the hall towards the dungeon. She peered around the corner and smiled when she saw the guard sleeping. "Too easy."

Twilight cautiously crept over to the guard. The large key hung around his neck and swayed with each breath. She bit her lip and grabbed it with the tinniest bit of magic, pulling ever so gently upwards. This was going to take concentration, skill, and-

"HIYA, TWILIGHT!"

"GYAH!" Twilight screamed, dropping the keys back around the guards neck, who didn't even stir. Twilight turned to see Pinkie Pie standing right behind her. "Pinkie Pie! What in Equestria are you doing out here?" She groaned.

Pinkie Pie giggled and began hopping up and down happily. "Dunno. I just thought about getting fresh air." She shrugged. Twilight stared her over, more importantly, at her ensemble.

"And the black stealth suit is for..." She tried to lead into, but Pinkie just gave the simplest answer she could.

"For stealth! So, whatcha doin'? Trying to break in to see Discord, huh?" She asked. Twilight's eye twitched and she nodded slowly. "Neato! can I watch?" She pleaded. Twilight sighed and nodded, grabbing the keys off the guards neck. She'd have to remind Celestia to hire more alert guards later.

The bolt lock groaned and the door slowly opened to reveal a long, dark stairwell. Pinkie smiled and began hopping down the stairs, humming idly to herself. "Good ol' Pinkie. Even the end of the world doesn't dampen her spirits."

Twilight followed after her, and after a few minutes of descent, they came to another door, this one surrounded by a magical force field.

"Aw." Pinkie moaned. "We'll never get through now." Twilight smiled and approached the door.

"Pinkie Pie, did you already forget my special talent is magic?" Twilight giggled.

"Oh yeah." Pinkie said tapping her chin. "Now hurry and open it! I wanna see what happens!"

Twilight obliged, pressing her horn to the door. Twilight knew her teachers magic. It was pretty advanced stuff, but she had been around her magic to know how to get through it. And after another minute, the spell dissipated. "Shall we, Pinkie?" She gestured inside, to which the pink pony hopped into.

Twilight stared in wonder at the chained up statue. He was still in the position of pure terror, a look on his face she'd always remember. It was a look of panic, despair and horror. She approached the statue, which began to emanate a bright, pink light as it laughed.

"Ah, Twilight my dear!" Discord said happily. "Its been too long! Oh, wait! No it hasn't! Bahaha!" Twilight rolled her eyes and sat at the base of the statue.

"So. Are you going to send me to help Nathan or not?" She asked impatiently. Discord sighed and she could tell he'd be frowning if he wasn't encased in stone.

"Twilight Sparkle, since when did you become so brash? I never pegged you to be impulsive like this. That was always a Pinkie Pie thing. Speaking of which, how are you, my dear pink pony?" He asked.

Pinkie growled and got defensive. "Hey, big meany! How many friendships have you ruined since we last saw you?" She asked.

"Oh, far too many to count, really. But, if its any consolation, I think ruining your friendship was the best." He laughed and Pinkie began to snarl like an animal.

"Enough!" Twilight yelled. "Discord, you said you'd help me, now please. Help me!" She yelled. Discord laughed again.

"Oh, alright. Stand perfectly still. He's far away, so this might take some time." Discords statue began to emanate a different glow; this one a reddish color. It began helixing around his body, then began to sprinkle onto Twilight. Pinkie approached and sat directly next to her.

"I want to go, too!" She yelled. Twilight just stared at Pinkie Pie and gawked.

"Pinkie, are you sure? This is going to be dangerous, and I don't want you hurt, or worse!" She pleaded. Pinkie waved a hoof and smiled.

"Nah, it's no biggie. I've seen enough Covenant to know where this is going." She turned back to Discord and gave him puppy dog eyes.

Discord sighed explosively. "Alright. Just sit perfectly still. Are you two ready?" He asked. They nodded and an explosion of light enveloped them, sending them off. Before they left, he shouted one last thing. "And it only lasts for one day. You'll be sent back this time tomorrow."

The dungeon was now empty. Two of the Elements were gone and Discords plan had finally took shape. "Well, that was easy." He laughed, breaking the stone around his body. He stretched and scratched his back, smacking his lips together like he had just awoken from a nap. "Oh, I needed that." He sighed. "Alright, Equestria! MAKE WAY FOR DISCORD!"

One day earlier...

Nathan sat in the corner of the Phantom, knees to his chin. It was a bumpy ride going down, but he had faith in the Covenant tech that surrounded him. He sighed, taking out the picture of Twilight. It was the only thing keeping him going. Being able to see her again got him through countless fights back home, and here. But for how much longer? That was the million bit question.

"Is that your mate, Demon?"

Nathan folded the picture up quickly and looked over to see the Majordomo standing over him. He smiled and nodded lightly.

"Yeah, Yardamee, It is. And I can't wait to see her again." He smiled. The Elite clicked his jaws and walked over to the opening doors.

"Do you wish to see the Ark?" He asked. Nathan decided sitting in the corner wasn't good for him at the moment. Sulking would dull his senses. He needed to get a feel for the surroundings; see the world in which they would be fighting. Nathan peered out the door and his mouth fell open.

"Sweet Celestia..." He muttered, using one of Twilight's favorite lines. The world was flat, then curved upwards into eight arms. In the center was a large globe, what seemed to be a small planet of some sorts, which sat in a ring. These Forerunners sure know how to build...

"Well, glad to know the place is small." Nathan said sarcastically. He walked away from the door and grabbed a beam rifle from the weapon holder above. "Let's bag and tag."

The Phantoms glided smoothly over the desert terrain, kicking up sand in their wake. Nathan hefted the alien rifle and scoped out the cliff faces. The Covenant had set up plenty of AA guns on the cliff's off to the sides up ahead, which was going to make this a really bumpy ride.

The pilots voice suddenly blared over the loud speaker. "We're setting down just off the Library. We can't risk the canyons." He blared. "The Brutes are large in number, so be ready, Warriors."

The Elites in the hold cheered as the doors re-opened, revealing the hail of plasma going by. Nathan had to admire the smooth ride of the Phantoms. Great machines; probably why he admired Covvie tech so much.

The Phantom hung over a valley where a large structure was jutting out of the wall. It was beautifully crafted Forerunner technology. Silvers and golds mixing and melding into a colors he'd never seen. The Phantom dipped into the valley, spilling its cargo of aliens and one Spartan onto the field.

As soon as Nathan hit the sand, it began pluming and exploding around him. His visor tinted as he looked up to the ridge and he threw himself to the ground as a Brute Chopper barreled over his head. He whipped his hand around as it passed and grabbed onto the back, shoving the barrel of his pistol into the slot on the Brutes helmet. He fired and blood began to spew from the eye slot. Nathan kicked the rider off and brought the Chopper around.

He smashed the throttle down as far as it would go, pushing the vehicle up the steep slope. It smashed through a Shade emplacement and ground a Brute to pulp when it hit the ground. Nathan backed the vehicle up and drove it straight across the jutting metal platform. "Alright, boys! Come get these bastards!"

Elites in jump packs flew up to the platform, filling anything that moved with plasma. Nathan aimed and fired at the last Shade turret, preventing any casualties. Without the Shade turrets, the Elites had no problems taking out the rest of the troops guarding the entrance. Nathan smiled and clicked the radio.

"Johnson? We got the Library on lock down. What's the ETA on the Dawn?" Nathan shouted. Johnson came back over the roar of the Pelican.

"Dawn made it down in the valley adjacent from your point. The Chief's coming with heavy artillery to do some good ol' fashion bunker busting." Johnson laughed. "It's gonna be a good time, Spartan! Get ready."

Before Nathan could respond, the Elites dug into cover and pointed up, garbling in alien tongues to one another. Nathan looked to the sky as well and saw four more Phantoms coming in. "Shit. Tell the Chief to double time it, Johnson. We got incoming."

Johnson laughed. "C'mon, Spartan! It's nothing you can't handle, huh?" He teased. Nathan grunted and shut off the mic. He dove behind cover with Yardamee and aimed his beam rifle at the Wraith on the underside of the Phantom.

It was a small window and was a one in a million shot, but he'd have to take it. He held his breath, sighted in, and squeezed the trigger, hitting the gravity beam holding the tank. It fell fast, slamm ing into the side of the cliff wall. The Phantom rocked and pulled up from the sudden jolt and lost its underside to the top of the rock wall.

"Hey, Chief?" Nathan yelled over the comms. "What's your ETA?"

A huge crack echoed off the walls and one of the Wraiths on the hill was torn asunder. It exploded, taking a pod of Grunts with it. Nathan's comm crackled to life after that.

"I'm here to bail you out again, Spartan." Master Chief said, firing another salvo up towards the bridge. It cut off the Covenant squad barreling down on Nathan and the Elites, giving them a better chance.

He rolled his tank onto the thin hill, the treads just barely small enough to go across. Another Wraith fired from behind a large outcropping and sent a mortar his way.

The Chief turned the Scorpion sharply, letting the lethal ball of plasma detonate harmlessly in the sand. He turned the gun on the cliff above and brought down a large boulder, which landed on the Wraith with a loud crack, then blue explosion.

The Chief jumped out of the Scorpion and motioned for one of the riders to take command. He did as instructed and the Chief made his way across the bridge, while his old tank formed up with the rest of the armor underneath.

Nathan came out from cover and smiled as the Chief approached. "Took you long enough. Nearly lost my men out here." He said, motioning to the Elites who were now going underneath with the armor. The Chief unslung his rifle and motioned for the door that Guilty Spark was currently working on.

"Ah, Reclaimers! Please, avoid collateral damage! While this facility appears quite durable on the surface, no doubt, there are delicate facilities below the façade." He warned. Nathan and John just stared blankly at each other, then back at the monitor. "Odd, for a door to require such brute-force security protocols. One moment, Reclaimers..."

Spark hit the door with a solid blue beam, and after a few seconds, it began to open. Nathan shot John a glance and chuckled. "Jittery little bugger, isn't he?"

John didn't comment. The two Spartans walked down the slope to see Spark working on another door, while a Sentinel began to fly circles around Nathan. "What the heck is it doing?" Nathan asked a little worriedly. Spark turned and chuckled.

"Oh, do not worry. The Sentinel is just scanning you, to make sure you are no threat." Spark said. Nathan hesitated but let the machine do its job. When Spark opened the next door, it followed him through into a large room. "Strange little bugger..."

Nathan looked down to see the convoy of tanks and Warthogs waiting on the left end of the chasm. John walked up to a panel in the center of the platform that Spark was hovering over. "Here. This panel will activate a bridge."

John pressed it and the convoy began making its way across the the bright blue surface. Spark suddenly made a sound of revelation as he watched the Sentinels join the human column. "Sudden clarity! These Sentinels were trying to deny access to the lower levels of this facility. A wise decision, giving the Meddler's preference for destructive acquisition."

Nathan had to agree. The Covenant weren't the most gentle when it came to breakable things. Like his arms, or his legs... Or that one time when-

"Spartan? You okay?" John asked. Nathan snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking is all." He confirmed, running ahead. The mic crackled when they reached the next room. It was Miranda, of course.

"Good work, Spartans. Link up with our armor on the far side of the wall. Make your way down to the Cartographer." She ordered. John and Nathan quickly sprinted out the large, bay doors, when suddenly the earth began to shake.

"Watch out, Spartan!" John yelled, tackling Nathan to the dirt. Where Nathan was standing not but a second ago was now replaced by a large, mechanical pointy leg. The two looked up to see the Scarab above.

"Holy shit!" Nathan yelled, getting to his feet. He was going to try and climb its legs, when a warthog came barreling up the path, followed by two ghosts. Nathan and John opened fire as they shot the poor gunner right in the head.

The Grunts saw the Spartans and wisely made their way back into the canyon. The driver parked right beside the two, getting out and saluting.

"The guass hog is all yours, guys. I'll ride shotgun." He said, climbing into the seat. John ran to the other side and took the wheel, while Nathan hopped into gunner position.

"Aw, man. I always wanted to fire one of these things!" He laughed, arming the machine.

As he did, the Ghosts foolishly came back around the corner, firing away at the vehicle. "Oh, sorry! My gun's bigger than yours!" Nathan yelled, blasting the ghosts with a few rounds. John gunned the vehicle through the small passage, which was pretty difficult to navigate, thanks to the Covenant barriers and crates.

When all that was said and done, John launched the warthog up the hill to meet with the rest of the convoy. Only to be met by a Wraith mortar as they landed.

Nathan and John sailed through the air, their Warthog and unfortunate passenger now a pile of slag in the dirt. They landed hard next to the Scorpions and quickly scrambled for cover.

Nathan dove behind a rock, and John behind a slagged Scorpion. Nathan smiled and let an idea form across his mind. Not really an idea, so much as a wager.

"Hey, Chief? How much do you want to bet I can take out more Covenant than you?" He asked. John looked over to the overzealous Spartan and shook his head. What that kid wanted to do was just plain suicide. If he were a Spartan II, he'd have been sent back to boot camp for all the stupid shit he'd done.

But, he did bet...

Before John could say anything, Nathan bolted from behind cover, running up to the first Wraith on the left. John jumped over the husk of the tank and ran for the one on the right.

Nathan dove over the tank and grabbed onto the back, shoving a frag into its main engine, which sent it up in flames. Nathan smiled and ran for the next. "That's two, Spartan!"

"I got six."

Nathan looked over and, sure enough, John was now jumping off his third, which exploded a few seconds later with a nice ka-boom.

"Son of a bitch!" Nathan yelled, running to the second Wraith. He hopped on it, shot the gunner in the face and pulled the Brute out, shoving a plasma grenade on him as he did. Nathan took up the reigns and turned to see three ghosts on barreling down on him.

He fired one shot, which took all of them out. "That's seven!" Nathan yelled, firing on another wraith. "Nine!"

John was on his ninth Covenant as well, taking out stragglers with his BR on the way. Ten, eleven...

A loud rumbling made John turn. The Scarab was back, climbing its way over the wall of the Cartographer. He had to act as fast as he could. He turned to his left to see a small structure jutting its way out of the earth. He ran as fast as he could inside. There must be something in there he could use...

He saw the bright yellow inside the crate and smiled. Fuel Rod's probably not the best for taking down a Scarab, but he wouldn't know unless he tried.

He jumped down form the bunker and ran at the Scarab head on, firing at its front right leg. The rounds tore into the delicate structure and the Scarab began to list to the side. John took the opportunity and threw down a gravity lift, launching himself onto the top of the hulking beast.

A Jackal, not taking too kindly to this, began to open fire as fast as its Carbine would allow. John came down with his foot and crushed the creatures skull. He rolled out of that and stuck an approaching Brute with a spike grenade. He ran around the corner and shoved his BR into the writhing worms in the back. They squealed and stopped moving, turning a sickly gray as they did.

John turned to leave and was met by a berzerking Brute. He pushed himself off the wall and rammed into the creature, sending them both tumbling off the doomed Scarab. John stabbed the Brute in the face and grabbed its bubbleshield, placing it down just in time as the Scarab filled the area with an immense bright light and heat.

Nathan rolled up beside John in his Wraith and stared disbelievingly at the scene. He turned to the Chief and popped out of the hatch. "That still only counts as one!" He yelled, going back inside his blue beast.

John laughed and made his way up the ramp as the Ship Master came on over the comm.

"Good job, Spartan. I saw that explosion from orbit.Truth's fleet lies in ruins. Find where the liar hides... so I may place my boot between his gums!"

"You'll have your chance." Miranda chimed in. The Spartans climbed the tower. Opposition was tight, but it wasn't anything they weren't used to. A few Jackals, Brutes and Grunts comprised of the resistance. But, they were ultimately cut down for their actions.

Spark continued to float about as a Pelican landed with the Arbiter. The three walked inside and let Spark handle the dirty lock picking. They waited for around a minute, until the small sphere sighed in frustration. "It appears I have crossed a circuit." He said, a little irked.

One of the Marines, growing drastically impatient, stepped forward. "Let me have a look." He sighed, reaching for the door, only to be zapped by the Monitor.

All guns were trained on the robot. The Marine winced and held his side, staring at Spark with a look of disbelief. "Little bastard stung me!"

"I did not want you to come to any harm." He retorted. Everyone in the room visibly relaxed, except for the ticked off Marine, still rubbing his side.

"Funny way of showing it..." He muttered. Spark finally got the door to open with a thunk.

"Ah. This way." He said happily, floating into the room. Nathan and Chief froze at the sounds of snoring and grumbling came to their ears.

"Alright people. Take things slowly." Nathan whispered. Everyone walked in as slow as possible. Nathan took out his knife and silently stabbed the Grunts in the windpipes, silencing them. The Chief walked silently as he rounded the corner, then came face to back with a Brute relieving himself in the corner.

The Chief pulled out his knife, which alerted the Brute to his presence. He quickly fiddled with his armor and let out a roar as the Chief plunged his knife into the beasts chest.

It roared again, waking the remaining Grunts up. "Oh shit!" One of the Marines yelled, opening fire on everything in the room. Nathan and the Chief ducked under the panicking Marines fire and shot the rest of the aliens dead. Nathan glared daggers at the rookie.

"Pull that shit again, and I'll shove that gun in a place you won't find enjoyable." He hissed. The Marine gulped and nodded. The Chief watched as Nathan stormed down the hallway. That was the first time he'd ever seen Nathan so irritable. He walked up next to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Something troubling you, Soldier?" He asked. Nathan cracked his neck and shrugged. Yeah, something was bothering him. Did he really want to tell the Chief though? Eh, it wouldn't hurt.

"Yeah. Bad dreams, that's all." He confirmed. The Chief knew what that was like. But, he never let dreams cloud his judgement on the battlefield.

It must have been about someone he cared for.

"About your wife?" He asked. Nathan sagged a little bit then nodded. "Tell me."

Nathan recalled the nightmare. Twilight was being killed and he couldn't do anything to stop it. Then someone came to him. Saying that she was going to die in a horrible way in this war, and there was nothing he could do about it. He took a deep inhale and told the Chief that.

"Well, that doesn't sound... pleasant." He said. He'd seen his men killed in this war. But someone he actually love dying? He couldn't imagine it. "Just forget it. Keep your mind on the battlefield, Spartan. It was just a dream."

Nathan nodded and sprinted down the next hall. He hadn't realized he'd been shooting and killing during his conversation. He'd have to keep it cool for later.

As they descended the last ramp, a Brute came barreling through the door, pointing and yelling obscenities at them. Nathan leveled his beam rifle at him. "Didn't your mother teach you it's not nice to point?" He asked, sending a beam off into the creatures skull. It faltered, then fell as its brain registered the impact. Nathan, the Chief, and the Arbiter ran over the body into the next room, expertly decimating the Covenant as they went. This was the last room, then the map room was theirs.

They all walked outside and were met by an amazing veiw. The large waterfall fell forever, and the crystal blue sky was warm and inviting. It reminded him of when he was a kid back on New Jerusalem; his family trips to the great falls. Although, they were never this splendid. Maybe his and Twilight's trip to Canterlot falls was more to par. Certainly a hell of a drop.

"That's our Galaxy..." The Chief said in disbelief The monitor hummed an mhmm.

"2.18 light years from the galactic center, to be precise." He informed. Nathan walked forward and examined the map as well. It was pretty impressive.

"This is the Ark?" Chief asked disbelievingly. Well, it wasn't the most impossible thing he'd seen in his life.

Spark floated around the map, studying it intently. "I always assumed it was part of a... shield installation. It seems I was mistaken."

"That's a first." The Chief replied sarcastically. The monitor continued, clearly not getting it.

"Not at all. While I had a complete understanding of Installation 04, my Makers wisely limited my knowledge of all other strategic facilities. Compartmentalization - in case was ever captured, by the Flood."

"Where are we exactly?" He asked. The Monitor lit up a spot on the map.

"Here."

"And Truth?" He asked. Another spot lit up on the map.

"Near one of the Arks superluminal communication arrays, I'm afraid. Unfortunate. The Meddler had triggered a barrier—a defensive perimeter around the Ark's core..." He confirmed, studying the map. Nathan leaned over to see a small blip, which he guessed was where the Prophet was. ""The barrier will be difficult to disable... How odd that my Makers would place such a comprehensive defense around a single— Oh, my."

"What is it?" The Chief asked curiously. Nathan tapped him on the shoulder. The Chief turned as the Arbiter shouted, 'Phantoms' and dove into cover as it opened fire. The monitor hadn't moved from his spot at the map. "Spark! Move!" He yelled.

The monitor turned and noticed the threat, then quickly floated into cover with the Chief. "We must get past that barrier! Or the Meddler will destroy all!"