Chapter 22: Ancient Runes
October 20, 2552
1200 hours

3 hours before current events...

The crisp air of the night filtered in through the open windows of Canterlot General Hospital. Celestia carefully stepped over ponies who were lying in the halls, occupying every space that was available. She felt so sorry for all of her little ponies; displaced by a war they had no choice of being in. She felt a little resentment towards the humans for bringing this terrible curse to their peaceful world.

Yet she had always known they would return...

She finally made it through the sea of bodies to her targeted destination. There, in the hospital bed, slept Cameron; Rainbow Dash curled tightly by his side. She sighed lightly and made her way over to him. She had to show him what she had known for thousands of years.

"Cameron? I need you to wake up." She whispered in a soothing voice. She shook him once more and his eyelids slowly lifted. He looked down at Rainbow, then up to the Princess.

"Ma'am? What is it?" He asked in a tired voice. Celestia smiled at him and levitated him to his feet. He winced in pain, but ultimately fought it off. His head hurt like no other though...

"Cam, I need to show you something; something I have kept hidden away for far too long." She sighed again and Cam nodded, allowing her to teleport them back to the castle. Or, what he thought was going to be the castle, instead turned out to be a gigantic mine with thousands of crystals.

"So, Where are we?" He asked. Celestia smiled and gazed at the structures around her. To the untrained eye, they were just random crystals. But what they actually were?

Celestia ignored Cam's question and walked over to a random stack of crystals. She tapped them in a seemingly random order, and a large door hissed open. "Cam? I feel that it is time you knew a little something about our past. I showed Laurence this yesterday, and he was quite... shocked. Please, follow."

Cam looked down the large passageway and nodded. "So, how did you find out about this place?" He asked. Celestia walked past a few crystals, which lit up as she past. She hadn't been down here for ages. Now it was her second time in under a day.

"Through my family history, Cameron. You see, my ancestor fought alongside you, the human race, in the past. We went against the Forerunners, and the nightmares..." She explaned. Cam strolled up along side her.

"Nightmares, Ma'am?"

"I didn't know what they were called up until now. My ancestors fought along side yours in the war against them, and you fought them just recently."

Cam frowned. "The Flood..." He whispered. She nodded and led him through a doorway into a very, very large cavernous space.

"Welcome, Cameron, to the center of the planet." She said, gesturing to the large space. Cam was in awe; the planet was as hollow as a basketball. He looked left, then right. He could barely see the far walls. Above was a metallic ceiling, sporting the classic lights in Forerunner blue, as he liked to call it.

"Why are we here?"

Celestia frowned. "For eons, it has been my ancestors job, and mine, to keep this planet alive; to keep it happy and healthy. What we call, harmony. You know what the Elements of Harmony are, yes?" He nodded. "Well, those are Forerunner artifacts. They can only be wielded by those with purpose, which is why the six mares you know wield them. They have a purpose to fulfill, Cameron. As do you Spartans."

"Ma'am?"

Celestia guided him to a control panel on the far wall. "This device has been dormant for over 10,000 years. It is finally starting to function again, if however, very minimally."

Cam stepped forward and pressed a button on the holographic panel. It began to twist and turn, making an odd humming noise. That's not all that happened, however.

A large gathering of metal creatures appeared around them, glowing a light yellow. Cam backed against the wall, while Celestia just smiled. "Relax, Cameron. They will not harm you." She assured.

Cam knew not to trust that. Some of them were the same creatures he saw in the shield world last month. "Ma'am, I know what these are and they're extremely dangerous!" He warned. Celestia giggled and trotted up to one of the large creatures.

"They are no threat to you, I assure you. Please, calm down." She pleaded. Cam looked at each one of the creatures. There were the large bastards, which could easily take him and the Princess down in seconds, the floaty ones that liked to whip your grenades back at you, and then there were tiny, four legged ones. He didn't see those before.

"What are they doing here?"

Celestia ran a hoof across one of the Knights bulbous back and turned to Cam. "They are the Guardians of our world. They've been here since time immemorial. I keep them here because... well, my little ponies just aren't ready for their reveal. Not yet."

Cam kind of got pissed at that. They would have made one hell of a difference during the fight upstairs. Was she really more concerned with what everyone would think about a couple of shiny robots than their lives? He sighed and relented.

"So, you said we have a purpose to fulfill?" He asked.

"Yes. You are not here by accident. I know it seems crazy, but when the time comes, you and the others will know. Now, let's get you back to the hospital. You look a little pale." She giggled. Cam smiled back and nodded. He was feeling like shit.

Celestia walked forward and placed her horn on his head. "Now, sleep. Please." She released a pulse into his head and his eyes slowly fluttered close, sending him off into his own world.

"We hit these three generators, and the barrier will fall?" Miranda asked.

"A small section, yes." The monitor confirmed. She nodded.

"Good enough. Johnson, drop the Chief at the first generator, then head to the third. The Elites will punch right down the middle."

Nathan stood in the Pelican next to Johnson. This was the first time he'd be fighting along side his oldest ally. and he was ready for a good lesson in how to kick some grade A Covenant ass.

Present time...

"Johnson! You and your men just go!" Nathan shouted from behind cover. Johnson looked over towards the exit to see it completely encamped by Brutes.

"Oh yeah? And where do you suppose we go to?" He shouted back. Nathan frowned and sniped one of the Brutes in the face. Why he had chosen a Sniper Rifle was beyond him, but at least it was handy and punching through the thick ape hide.

"Johnson, what's your status, over?" Miranda shouted over the radio. Johnson took one last potshot and took put his fingers to his earpiece.

"Brute reinforcements, ma'am! We're pinned down!" He shot again and a Jackal flopped on its back and gushed purple blood.

"I'm on my way!" She came back. Johnson's brow furrowed.

"Negative! Fire's too heavy! Everyone fall back! Now!" He shouted. He recoiled to the ground when a Spike grenade stuck itself into his helmet. Nathan took it and threw it back at the Brutes, only to get stuck in the side by another Spike grenade.

"Son of a-" He began to say, but the grenade exploded and the world went dark.

Nathan's head throbbed as his vision returned. His helmet was thrown on the other side of a room, but not the room he came from. The far side of the room had a large glass barrier, surrounding a lift. The center of the room was lowered, while the sides and where he was kneeling were raised. He turned his head to listen to the conversation the Brute and the Prophet were having.

"-And the human filth was exterminated. We have control of the final tower." The booming voice of the Chieftain said. Nathan listened as the prophet hummed his satisfaction.

"Excellent. Let me see the human you have." He said. Nathan felt himself being jerked around towards the hologram of the diminutive creature. "Hmm. Pitiful attempt, Demon. I expected more from a human of your caliber." He goaded. Nathan smiled and spit up blood.

"Yeah. Says your forehead. Hows it feeling by the way, short fry?" Brutes growled angrily as the Prophet stared daggers at him. If Nathan was going to die, then he was going to piss some aliens off.

"Enjoy your satisfaction while you can. Kill him. Bring me his head when you're finished." He said before his hologram flickered out of existence. Nathan looked to the ground and smiled. Well, this was it. This was how it was going to end for him; beheaded like a witch.

He turned his head slightly at the hum of an energy blade. The Brutes around the Chieftain cheered triumphantly as the sword was raised in the air. "Any final words, demon?"

Nathan smiled and leaned his head to the side. "Just a little off the top there, Cap'n." The Brute scoffed and was about to swing it down, when a large red light filled the room. Brutes shielded their eyes and Nathan frowned. He recognized the light and consistency of the orb.

It was magic.

Well, now was as good a time as any to usher in his plan. His hands may have been bound, but that didn't mean he couldn't do some serious damage if he wanted to. He jumped up and brought his bounds to the front, wrapping them around a Brutes neck and snapping it with a loud crack. The other Brutes were getting there bearings back when Nathan hefted the turret up off the floor, firing it into the apes, sending them reeling to the floor, scorched and smoking. With that taken care of, he sat on the floor and waited for the magic bubble to dissipate. And as it did, sure enough, Twilight was laying on the ground with Pinkie Pie.

Twilight felt her head throbbing and muscles aching. Good. That meant she survived the journey. She heard the groans of Pinkie Pie to her left, so she was okay. Twilight slowly fluttered her eyes open to see Nathan sitting on top of a dead Brute with his chin cupped in his hand, smiling at them. She smiled and shakily stood. Nathan walked over, clutching his side, and helped his mare up. "Well. Can't say I'm not surprised you followed me here. How did you even get here anyway?"

Twilight frowned and hugged him tight. "It was... just this aweful, prophetic dream I had. You were held captive and... and they were going to behead you! Then... Discord came and told me that only I could save you, and that he could send me to you. And, of course, Pinkie Pie couldn't resist going, either."

At that, the Pink mare shakily got to her feet and smiled. "Oh! Hey you!" She giggled, hugging him. Nathan winced in pain and clutched his side again. "Oops! Sorry!" She said, jumping back. Twilight walked over and examined his sides. There were large, metal spikes sticking out of the skin.

"Sweet Celestia!" Twilight gasped. "What happened to you?!" She poked one and Nathan winced.

"I-It's nothing, Twi. I'm okay." He said pushing her away. His face got more serious and he frowned at both of the girls. "Just... What were you two thinking coming here?"

Twilight's eyes widened. "I told you! We came to save you!" She said loudly. Nathan shook his head and frowned.

"I can handle myself! Besides, how am I going to watch out for you two in the middle of a warzone! I can't be your babysitters!" He yelled. Twilight winced and furrowed her brows.

"Oh! Sorry for wanting to save the father of my child!" She shrieked. Nathan winced and looked to Pinkie. Twilight's eyes shut tight as she turned slowly to her friend as well. Pinkies jaw was pretty much unhinged at this point as she stared at both of them. She put her jaw back in place and blubbered incomprehensibly.

"Bu- you an- hubba- baby- mom!" She continued that until Twilight put two firm hooves on her shoulder.

"Pinkie, I need you to promise to tell no one! We're keeping this a secret, alright? Pinkie promise!" She said panicky. Everyone knew Pinkie could gossip, but if she made a Pinkie promise, her lips were sealed like an airlock.

She remained quiet, but began to do the Pinkie promise motions. Twilight smiled at her friend, then turned to Nathan with angry brows and a scowl. "You're still not off my shit list!" She yelled.

"Watch that mouth! I don't like it when you swear! Makes you seem less like the happy, sweet girl I love!" He ordered. Twilight stepped forward and chuckled dryly.

"I can swear as much as I damn well please! What are you, my mother?" She yelled again. Nathan rubbed his temples and sighed.

"Alright, fine! Swear all you want! But that still doesn't change the fact that coming here was reckless, and above all else, incredibly stupid! I swear, Twilight. For someone as smart as you, you really don't think things through."

"That started out as a compliment, but deteriorated pretty quickly! If it wasn't for us, you'd be dead right now! You should be thanking me!"

Nathan laughed and gestured to the Brutes around him. "If you haven't noticed, I killed them on my own! Don't count me out so easily! I've been a prisoner countless times in my past, and all those times I've escaped!"

Twilight got angrier. "Oh yeah? And if we hadn't distracted them, you'd be a head shorter now!" She yelled. Nathan got closer.

"Oh yeah!? And you want to know what I think about that?!" He yelled.

"WHAT?!" Twilight shouted back. Nathan shot forward and kissed her lips hard. Twilight pressed herself into it and wrapped her forelegs around his neck tightly hanging on as he hefted her into the air. Pinkie watched as their tongues danced inside each others mouths, then turned to the other super soldier standing at the end of the room.

"Ahem?" Pinkie coughed trying to get their attention, to no avail.

The two ignored Pinkie and whispered to one another. "Is it weird that I like this?" Twilight whispered. Nathan began biting her ear and elicited an eep from her.

"...Nah." He chuckled, kissing down her neck. Pinkie came back again, this time shouting.

"AHEM!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. Nathan and Twilight broke free and turned to her as she pointed to the other end of the room. Nathan's eyes were pinpricks as he slowly put Twilight back on the ground.

"Um... Chief..." Nathan stammered, giving a shaky salute.

"...Spartan..." He said back. Twilight looked back and forth between them and her blush increased tenfold. "So..." Master Chief continued. "I take it you... know these two."

Nathan nodded. "Uh, yeah. Twilight? meet the Master Chief. Spartan 117. Chief? This is my, um, fiance' Twilight."

Twilight waved nervously and the Chief nodded back. "How are they here?" He asked. Nathan chuckled as John walked forward.

"Do you believe in magic, John?"

"Chief? Do you copy? We need that tower down now!" Miranda yelled into his com. John brushed past the others and placed his gloved hand on the control panel. Nathan and John watched as the Super carrier, Shadow of Intent flew over head.

"Now, Prophet. Your time has come." The Ship Master said, preparing his weapons to end the war, once and for all.

Celestia ran through the Castle, continuing her search. The Spartans and Elements had been gathered, but two were missing. She rounded the corner and bumped headlong into Luna.

"Lu-Lu! Have you found Twilight and Pinkie Pie?" She asked quickly. Luna shook her head and ran down another hallway.

"Do not fret, sister! I shalt find them! In the mean time, gather thine allies! We shall need them!" She yelled. Celestia nodded and made her way back to the throne room.

"So, Bill. What do you think this is all about?" Cam asked, eating one of his protein bars. Bill looked out the stain glass windows and sighed.

"You mean why are we all here? Or the fact it's raining chocolate?" He asked. Cam burped and put the wrapper in his armor.

"Both. Although, the chocolate rain doesn't seem all too bad to me." He chuckled. Bill rolled his eyes and turned to the girls at the other end of the room. They all seemed a bit worried; more worried than the circumstances seemed to call for.

"What do you think is up with them? It looks like they've seen a ghost or something." Cam nodded and walked over to their part of the room.

"So, ladies. Anything you want to tell us?" He asked. Rainbow looked up at him with tired eyes.

"Cam, i-it's Discord. He's come back!"

Cam and Bill just looked at one another, then back to the girls. "I'm sorry, Disco-who now?" Cam asked. Rainbow groaned.

"He's the spirit of chaos. One of the most challenging tasks my friends and I had to face was to send him back into stone. He... has this weird way of getting under your skin and knowing exactly what buttons to press. Not to mention his magic abilities are off the charts." She shuddered. Cam and Bill shared another glance and frowned.

"So... Where's Twilight and Pinkie?" Bill asked. Everyone looked around perplexed. Fluttershy gasped and became frantic.

"Oh! It isn't like Twilight to be late for something as important as this! Oh, I hope she's okay!" She said shakily.

"Aren't you worried about Pinkie Pie?" Cam asked. Fluttershy looked around and shrugged.

"If I know Pinkie, she's probably outside drinking the chocolate rain. I mean, I hope she is..." She murmured.

Celestia burst into the room, her eyes wide in fear. Luna was hot on her heels, the same look on her face as well. "Girls, Spartan's," Celestia began. "We can't find Pinkie Pie or Twilight! They're just... gone!" She said.

The girls and Spartans looked to one another. "What do you mean, gone?" Cam asked. Celestia was about to offer a hypothesis, but Discord felt he was remaining quiet long enough.

"Did you even think to ask me, Tia?" He pouted. "Jeez, give me some credit for unexplained happenings. Oh, by the way, this is my first time meeting the humans again. My, how they've changed." He said in mock astonishment. Celestia scowled and the mares looked to one another in confusion.

"Discord! Can't you see our world, our way of life, is being threatened? The last thing my little ponies need is you destroying their last bit of hope!"

Discord cackled loudly, His voice echoing through the halls of the castle. "Oh, I have something different in mind, Tia. he's returning." He cackled.

Celestia looked around. "Who? Who is returning?! And what do you have planed if not chaos?!" Discord tsked.

"Oh, that's right. You weren't even born when he was still out and about. I have foreseen his return and I need to prepare this rock for my master."

Celestia gawked. Discord was a lone wolf, free spirit. To hear him say he was preparing for his 'master' was unfathomable. "W-what?! What creature could control you?!" She stuttered.

"Oooh! Celestia is speechless! I love it! Yes, I have one Master, and believe me, if I fear him, then you should have your tail between your legs and be running for the hills. Now, I need to awaken some old friends of mine. See you soon!" His voice faded at the end of his sentence and the room was left in silence.

"What did he mean by that, Princess?" Bill asked. Celestia turned, her face stoic as ever. She looked at the remaining elements, and then the Spartans.

"I need the other Spartans here. Now. We're going to the vaults."

Discord hummed idly to himself as he strode through the Forerunner tunnels towards the center of the planet. "Ah, now here's a sight I haven't seen in eons!" He looked at the vast space from edge to edge, then let his eyes fall to the center, where the large crystal hung in a suspended animation. "Oh, my leverage is still there!"

He teleported towards the platform surrounding the crystal. The ring had raised and lowered sections, as well as plenty of places for somepony to hide. No one was foolish enough to venture out here though. He smiled and made his way for the two prongs sticking out of the tipity top of the platform. He placed his hands on each one and cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Oh, Didact? I'm home!" He cheered. It took a couple of seconds for the reply he was looking for came.

"Discord? I would have thought you dead so long ago." He said. Discord chuckled.

"Well, being encased in stone for SO long and being immortal does wonders for the skin. So tell me, how's Requiem? Still as boring as ever?" He chuckled.

The Didact sighed. "Things are being set in motion, Discord. I know that you, too, have felt it." He said. Discord stiffened and nodded.

"The age of Forerunner's is about to begin again."

The Didact hummed his approval. "Very good. I would have thought you'd gone soft after so much time."

Discord scoffed. "Please! What's 100,000 years? Besides, we have some humans of our own here. Should help get things ready for your return. Which, by the way, when is that?"

"Too long, but time has made me patient. Make sure things are ready for my return."

"It will be done, Didact." He bowed and left the relay with a devious smile. "Come, Tia. I want to show you how fast your world can come crashing down..."

Author's Note

Huh... This is my first time checking this story, and he didn't post this. It looks done to me, so I'm going to put it up for you guys. It's been so long since he updated it last! Enjoy my gift to you, my little Bronies!

It seems he describes his chapters at the end... Well, Idk what to say. I like the way he tied the Didact into the story, and Discord knows him. Idk if I should write the next chapter without him... I'll see what I can muster. ;) Enjoy