Chapter Three: Reconcile

It was pitch black darkness all around her, the feeling of weightlessness made her mind groggy.

Her cyan eyes glowed slightly in the darkness of the void, a sense of panic filled her being in a place that could constitute as death...

Where… Where am I? Luna thought, her hands moving in front of her face to make sure she was whole and not a spectre.

Is this… Is this what it feels like? She questioned to herself, her brow furrowed in confusion, a slight frown on her features as she looked around.

Luna couldn’t see anything at all, couldn’t FEEL anything, not even her magic was responding to her commands…

Then suddenly, the darkness pulsated like a thick cloud of smoke, closing in around her, suffocating her as if she was in a small burning building that she was trapped in.

Her hands shot to her throat, trying desperately to get oxygen in her lungs, before the feeling of inevitable ‘death’ faded, causing her to drop her arms, sucking in air as if it was the end of the world.

“ I see that you have decided to join me…” Said a male’s voice, causing the Alicorn to tense.

Her head shot up, eyes darting around the void of black to see the source of the voice.

But she couldn’t find any…

“ You have joined the realm of Death itself.” He said, now speaking as if he was to her left.

“ Who- Who art you? SHOW YOURSELF!” She shouted, the feeling of dread shuddering down her spine and forming a pit in her gut, increasing with every passing second.

“ As you can tell… You died… So, introductions are in order, I might as well…” The male said, his voice speaking as if he was directly in front of her.

" ...Show you who I am.”

There was a cloud of darkness, darker than the ones that surrounded Luna, coiling into a tall pillar with small red lightning bolts sparking inside the dark condensed water vapor.

The clouds suddenly spread apart, revealing a hairless ape that was wearing a full black shirt and slacks combo, a blood red tie shining clearly in the void as if it were a beacon…

His face was hairless except for the brown mane on the top of his head, lopped back and slightly longer than below his ears.

His eyes glowing with a white light in the empty sockets, a crooked grin on his lips as he stared at her.

The space around him shivered and pulsed, as if it was familiar to him, a low thrum and whispering piercing the silence…

“ Time is short, Princess Luna; the world needs your aid…So does the Doom Slayer… Now… might I suggest that you WAKE UP!” He said, shouting with a voice that overlapped with deeper demonic tones, lunging at her.

Luna jolted, her eyes springing open and gasping for much needed air for her starving lungs...

She quickly got into a sitting position and felt a small spike of pain lance in her side, causing her to look at what may have been a fatal wound.

But it was disappearing, the flesh and skin sewing back together to reveal bare blue fur that grew back at a quick rate…

What… How? The Lunar Alicorn thought to herself, her left hand tracing her stomach; over the area that the wound originally was.

There was only one question on her mind as she got to her feet; The white sheet that covered her falling to the ground and revealing her nude body.

Who was that creature? Why did he look so weird? How… How am I alive? Did I fall unconscious? She thought, her body on autopilot as she wordlessly summoned her armor onto herself from the other side of the room.

She could’ve sworn she heard a dark chuckle echo throughout her mind; barely there, barely detectable…

It was deathly quiet throughout the hallways of the castle, causing Luna to feel concerned at what might’ve happened after she passed out…

Then the silence was suddenly interrupted by the far wall being destroyed, and a green armored creature that Luna familiarised herself with as The Slayer; his body flew past her as if he was being kicked hard.

He landed on the ground hard, creating a small trail of rubble on the floor as he slowed to a stop…

Luna tensed at hearing her sister’s voice bellowing through the large hole.

It seemed to have a double tone that was reminiscent of Chrysalis, filled with rage and grief.

It made her feel a shiver run down her spine...

“ YOU KILLED HER!” Celestia said, her glowing and flaming form flying through the hole and past Luna, charging at the Slayer.

Luna’s eyes widened at getting a good look at her sister...

Her armor seemed to have been warped and barely covered her decently, her usual magenta eyes were now glowing a fiery gold.

The armored human barely had enough time to grab the flaming right hook to the face, before Celestia’s left leg kicked out and impacted his armored stomach.

“ You should’ve been fast enough! You should’ve tried harder! IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!” She screamed, her voice deepening at the end.

The flaming Alicorn quickly twisted around on the spot and sent a roundhouse kick to the Slayer’s chest; making him fly down the long hallway further, impacting the wall and he fell hard into the ground.

He instantly got back up, his fists clenched; but it was clear he was holding himself back…

Luna felt herself shaken with slight fear at the one-sided fight…

What happened to cause this? Luna thought to herself in horror, trying to think back to the battle.

But it was fuzzy…

The Solar Diarch grabbed the Slayer in a telekinetic grasp and threw him back down into the floor, deepening the crater.

Celestia slowly moved towards the downed superhuman, a large fireball orbiting in her left hand with a snarl on her features.

Her eyes gleamed a brighter gold and her irises were in the shape that seemed to be reminiscent of Nightmare Moon…

Luna gasped lightly, finally feeling the shock and horror fill her being at the sight of her older sister.

The small sound drew the attention of Celestia, her eyes flaming brighter for a second; before dimming at the sight of the other Alicorn.

“ ...Luna…?” She whispered, shock in her double tone voice.

The fireball dissipated in her clenched fist, smoke billowing slightly from the closed hand, as she turned towards her.

The Lunar Princess gulped at the darker Celestia walked up the hallway toward her…

The flaming Alicorn’s eyes traced the mare’s body, her eyes filled with confusion and worry, a small furrow on her brow indicating her mood.

How is this possible? She thought to herself.

It was silent, the Slayer getting up from his small crater that was created by his own body, staring at the scene with no way to tell what his expression is…

Celestia felt something well up in her eyes as she raised a sharp nailed hand; gently placing it on her sister’s cheek, feeling silky soft fur and the warm flesh that made itself known to her.

Luna gulped at how warm her sister’s hand was on her cheek; it wasn’t blistering, but still warm enough like feeling a warm fire a few feet away on a cold night.

Celestia’s draconic slit irises became less dilated, and she shut her eyelids, taking a couple of breaths…

Then she opened them again, her magenta eyes shining with warmth and care, her flaming body dimming into normal and the armor got unwarped and shifted back to normal.

“ It IS you.” The Alicorn said, a sense of astonished relief detected in her voice that made Luna feel a sharp pain in her heart, " Your Bond… it is still there.” She continued, her voice wobbling and cracking.

It felt like the time Luna returned from the moon, after her thousand year banishment…

The two hugged and cuddled for hours on that particular night, never letting go of each other until the next morning.

Luna smiled, her lips tugging upwards,

“ Hi.” Was all the Lunar Princess had time to say, before her older sister wrapped her arms around her torso in a crushing vice, she would’ve been short of breath if she was a normal pony.

Celestia let out a gasp that was a mixture of a sob and a laugh, her cheeks wet with tears that slid down and dripped down to the linoleum floor.

Luna returned the hug with vigor, her own tears spilling from her eyes, sniffling.

The Doom Slayer felt like he was intruding, and felt uncomfortable at the sappy reunion of the two mares.

He turned to leave by going down a conjoining hallway…

Before he got brutally stopped by a golden glow surrounding his body.

He looked down at the magic that gripped him gently, then caught sight of Celestia’s horn glowing…

The human’s head tilted to the side in confusion; before he was answered by the culprit in question.

“ I… I need to apologise for my actions against you, Slayer.” Celestia said, sniffling and letting go of Luna, who smiled assuredly at her.

The Solar Diarch began walking towards him, her eyes showing a sadness and remorse that made the Slayer even hesitant of trying to force himself to hurt her…

If he had the ruthlessness of a Demon.

“ My grief, and anger, at the sight of Luna almost ( and possibly had) dying... It got out of control; and I took it out on YOU.” She continued, stopping only a couple feet away from the intimidating behemoth.

It was a little bit tense as the Alicorn stared into his visor, before she suddenly bolted forward and wrap her arms around his large frame…

“ I’m sorry… I’m SO-SO sorry that I took it out on what may be our newest ally. How can you forgive me?” She said, sniffling as she squeezed the man gently, her eyes closed as she took in the comforting warmth he provided.

The Doom Slayer felt uncomfortably shocked that someone would willingly hug him; much less doing so after the carnage he just caused not 30 minutes ago…

But then his red eyes looked down at her, softening at the way her head was buried on the crook between his broad armored left shoulder, and his flamethrower/grenadier.

He hesitated, a new feeling welling up inside the superhuman as his hands twitched…

She looks so peaceful, and yet… sad… Why do I have such a strong urge to comfort her? He thought, before making a decision.

I trust them… unlike some OTHERS I thought I could trust. He internally snarled at the image of Samuel Hayden, the head of the UAC Facility on Mars, as well as the cause of Hell's Invasion on Earth.

It was one that he practically never had done in the presence of others when he was in his armor...

He pulled his hands up to his helmet, twisting it with a small hiss of air...

Celestia jolted as the feeling of comfort got snatched away by the sound of a loud hiss next to her left ear, causing her eyes to snap open.

She pulled her head back and saw the Slayer’s hands placed on the side of his metal head, slightly twisted and unlatched from the neck plate.

The Solar Princess stared as the armored creature lift up his helmet, and made eye contact with the red irises that slightly glowed in her sunlight.

Luna’s eyes widened at the familiar face she saw in the void, but it looked very different; there was no beard, and a smaller crop of mane that was a different color than the other creature’s.

The one in the Void had a chocolate brown mane, this one was raven black...

Celestia couldn’t look away from those eyes of his, the way they glowed like the color of freshly spilled blood, the way they showed emotion besides hate…

The weirdest thing about him was that he looked FAMILIAR to her.

“ Who are you?” She whispered, her voice taking on a tone of awe and slight respect.

The human didn’t say anything, only staring down at her with those EXPRESSIVE eyes of his…

Then he leaned downwards a tiny bit, and hummed a small tune he once heard, as a way of comfort in his home.

He kept letting out the deep hum, his voice deep and raspy as if it hadn’t been used for centuries.

Celestia slightly shivered at the sound, then realised that she was relaxing at the sound of it…

The Slayer kept humming, his arms wrapping around the voloptuous mare, shutting his eyes closed, and his body relaxing…

Luna didn’t say anything, not wanting to ruin the moment between them…

Although, a small voice in the back of her mind was telling her that the two would look GREAT together…

The Lunar Princess shook her head to clear that thought, causing a small insane giggle to ring out from the back of her mind.

I must be going insane. She thought to herself.

The Celestia hesitantly got off of the armored human after a minute of hearing him him; a small splash of pink rising on her cheeks as she backed away.

The creature, no, DoomSlayer, gave a gentle half-smile at her, before putting the helmet back on with a small hiss coming from the suit as he twisted it into place.

“ Thank you…” The Solar Diarch said, her hands wringing together, feeling slightly embarrassed at the situation she unexpectedly found herself in.

To be honest, he looked cute without a helmet...WAITWHAT?! She thought, her eyes turning wide at the last part, her cheeks turning a tomato red.

Luna, on the other hand, grinned widely at the sight...

Hmmm… She thought to herself, then blushed at the feeling and sound of her stomach growling loudly.

It caught the attention of the DoomSlayer and Celestia, who turned towards the sheepish Alicorn.

“Hehe…” Luna smiled slightly sheepish, " I admire the fact that you two are getting comfortable.” She said, smirking at her sister’s light blush, although the creature, HUMAN, cocked his head to the side, a confused furrow on his brows.

She continued after filing that away.

“I don’t suppose that we could eat a meal after this reunion is over?”

Celestia snapped out of her slight embarrassment and snickered, before fully bellowing into a full laugh, the beautiful Melody echoing throughout the castle.

The guards mares and citizens that were ordered by Celestia to evacuate the castle for a short time, felt relieved at the sound, knowing their ruler and fellow pony was alright…

The strange group of three were sitting in a small room, Celestia, Luna, and Chrysalis lounging on the couch; while the Slayer stayed standing, leaning against the wall facing them.

The two Alicorns and Changeling Queen were leaning over the coffee table, a map of Equestria spread out on the varnished and dusty wood, whispering to each other in low tones as they pointed to various locations.

The Slayer remained silent; like a guardian; relaxed yet ready to fight in an instant…

That is until a small beeping noise came from his helmet…

The radio crackled on the superhuman’s speakers, getting the other occupants’ in the room their attention.

Then the static cleared up and a woman’s voice came through.

“ Mayday, mayday. This is UNSC FFG-201 Forward Unto Dawn, requesting immediate evac. Survivors aboard. Prioritization code Victor 5-3-Sierra-117.” She said, her voice undertone with static, but clear enough to hear.

Celestia’s ears perked and her head tilted in confusion as the Slayer reached to the side of his helmet to press a small button.

“ He-Hello? Can you hear me? I heard the comlink ping! But… how did you get on this channel?... It doesn’t matter, if anyone can hear me, please respond!” Said the woman, her voice in clear relief, but still having a slight hysterical panic mixed within it now.

The Slayer reached to another part of his helmet and pulled out a small microphone, an inch small with a small fuzzy cover on it; before he silently handed it to Celestia.

The Solar Alicorn blinked at it for a second, before looking at the green armored human in question…

He only tilted his head toward it, and gestured the motion for ‘talk’ with his gloved hand.

Celestia took a light breath, nodding in return, and spoke with a clear voice.

“ Forward Unto Dawn, this is Princess Celestia Solaris of Equestria. May I enquire as to whom I’m speaking with?” She asked, her voice changing to that of authority.

The comm crackled for a couple of seconds, before the woman replied.

“ Equestria? Never heard of that before. It… doesn’t seem to be in the logs... “ She said, as if muttering to herself at a fast rate.

Then she continued in a clear voice.

“ UNSC A.I: Cortana reporting. Me and a friend of mine are stranded, the engines went critical and the craft we’re trapped in is falling into an uncontrolled descent. Requesting immediate assistance, over.” Cortana said, the voice going slightly fast at the end.

Celestia tilted her head again, then replied, feeling a certain sense of curiosity welling up in her.

“ Cortana, can you give us your precise coordinates?” She said, her magenta eyes slightly narrowing.

Cortana responded with a few strings of numbers that made Luna’s and Chrysalis’s head hurt, causing them to rub their temples.

Celestia took a moment to digest the information in her mind, before saying in a calm tone, like that of a caring mother mixed with the Princess that all Ponies knew.

“ Don’t worry Cortana, we’ll get you out of there in no time.” She said.

The comm crackled for a few moments in silence, before Cortana responded.

“ Thank you, Princess.” She said, her tone full of relief, before the commlink went dead silent.

The Princess silently handed the small device back to the Slayer, and turned towards the laid out map.

Chrysalis and Luna shot a look at each other as Celestia traced the map with both her pointer fingers, muttering to herself the same string of numbers that the ‘ A.I’ provided…

“ If I’m not mistaken… Then the craft Cortana and her friend are trapped on will land…” She said, trailing off at the end, her eyes narrowing; before they widened in shock.

Luna spoke, breaking the tense silence.

“ Sister, where are they gonna land?” She asked, her brows scrunched in confusion.

Celestia looked up at the Doom Slayer for a few moments, then sighed.

“ They’ll crashing near Ponyville. Right outside of Caribou central.” She said, her tone grim and her eyes dead-like.

High above the world of Equis, a large metal structure that had the shape of a slight rectangle; but was torn in the front of it; fell into the atmosphere in a great big ball of fire; it’s landing zone just a few hundred meters from the newest kingdom of the Caribou...

Author's Note

A/N: EYYUP, I'm bringing in Cortana and The Master Chief into this war! It might make things... INTERESTING... Hope you guys are enjoying this, lemme know what I should do in the next chapter for the introductions between these two POWERFUL killing machines!

Anyways, happy 2020! It's a new year, and new things might be happening over on my YouTube Channel: WhalenJPOnline, and possibly gonna be looking for a good career to choose.

Hope you all have a good day, my friends. :D

~ WhalenJP