My Emerald Child

Okay, this is chapter three and I hope you like it. My summer just magically became very active so I'm trying my hardest to do this without getting caught.

I will try to get the next one up by next week Friday or Monday at the lastest. If I can't than forgive me but when you have parents who are narrow minded, supicious, and watch you like you'll break any moment then things become very difficult.

To clear something up, in this story, when the Elites refer to Harry as the Emerald or Emerald child, they mean magic or if you prefer child of the gods, because if you recall he appeared to Orion by a mass of green energy.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Three: A Father's Love

Setrae stood by the control panel, waiting for any orders that the Prophets had for them. Everyone was anxious to get home and properly tend to Arcana. It was evident that the child gets medical treatment from a medic. Although there were none here, there were plenty back home. Each one would be more then willing to keep the child a secret.

"Commander, this is Tartarus. I have orders to give you. Are you there?"

"The commander has ordered me to receive any commands and deliver them to him. He is making rounds in the corridors" Setrae answered in a neutral tone

"Tell the Sangheili that the Prophets have ordered for your pickup. It should arrive shortly." Growled the brute

"Is there a reason why we are ordered to leave this place?"

"It is no longer of any use to us." Was the only reply

"Understood, we will be ready." The Elite cut the connection and went to find Orion. Things just kept getting more and more complicated.

Setrae headed for Arcana's room and stopped at the sight in front of him. His commander was sitting up in the human bed with the child sleeping against his chest. The white Elite was gently stroking the boy's head and humming a song that had never been heard by any one but the Sangeili.

"Commander" Setrae began in a whisper; he didn't want to wake the sleeping child. "We have received our orders."

"Give me a moment." Orion slowly and quietly got up and placed Arcana back on the bed. He turned to the red Elite and nodded before they both walked out. The two hunters still stood at attention when they left and were told to let no one in to Arcana's room.

"What were the orders?"

"We are being picked up and set back to High Charity."

"This puts us in a difficult predicament, Setrae."

"I know and I highly doubt the Prophets would understand the boy's situation. They would more than likely try to use him to their advantage. There is no telling what lengths the Demon is willing to go to in order to get the child if he is discovered." Orion snapped

"No one is taking My Child! I swear to the Stars and the Gods that created them, so long as I live he is mine and no one is going to take him away from me!" Orion growled menacingly and walked away.

Setrae stared at his commander and couldn't shake off his shock. His commander had just claimed a human as his own by swearing and invoking the gods. He wasn't against the idea but it was rare to hear some one swear to the gods about anything. It was a very old way of proclaiming to protect one's Honor. Although, it was every creatures given right to protect it's young. Since, Orion claimed Arcana as his own; anything or anyone who became a threat to his child was taken care of in anyway possible.

As Setrae watched the Special Ops Commander Elite stalk down the hall, he could feel a cold shiver run through his veins. He knew the boy's life would be put in danger and he knew Orion would go to any length to keep him safe. That made him a very dangerous and frightening opponent far greater then the Demon him self.

Scene Change

Orion was without a doubt sulking. He was taking his son with him but he had nothing for him! The Elite didn't think the Prophets would allow him to steal some human items without a plausible reason. He certainly couldn't tell them he had a human child that he had claimed as his own. He could lie but he would need a good lie.

"It's not like I can tell them I plan on stealing human items in an attempt to discover a-"

Orion stopped dead in his tracks as his thoughts strayed and then he let out a deep, dark and sinister laugh. He knew just what he had to do to keep his son safe and non-existent.

Without the Elite's knowledge, the higher powers also had begun to make plans. Palns to make his son the greatest entity the mortal worlds have ever seen. Arcana's magic swirled in delight and satisfaction.

It would get its turn soon enough.

Scene change

Orion immediately set his plan into action. He gave orders to everyone to prepare for pick up then gathered the things that Navvi and Ryoku had packed. There were very few things they could find for a child. They got him several clean bed sheets, pillows, a first-aid kit, random medicine, military rations and a pair of socks that went up to the boy's knees.

Arcana was excited and afraid. He didn't know where they were going or how they were getting there but his father had told him that they were going home. All around him the soldiers were moving and talking to each other. Arcana stood under Kaihu's shield. They didn't want him to accidentally get hit by one of the grunts.

When the ship arrived, Orion sent Nequera, Ryoku and Zhou to talk to the crew and especially the Ship Master. On board the ship were merely two sangheili pilots, once they were told of the situation, promised absolute silence and full cooperation. Orion was pleased with himself, everything was going smoothly. However, the Ship Master wanted to see Arcana for his self.

Orion had Arcana, Kaihu and Zhou board first before everyone else. Once everything was in order the ship took off and left the base behind. Arcana was awed by the experience of flying a spacecraft and seeing the stars so close.

"Papa is everyone like you where we are going?" the boy looked at his father with fascination and wonder.

"No my child, not all of them. In fact very few of them like me or my brethren."

"But if it is your home wouldn't you get along? Even if it is not real?" Arcana asked

"No, we are many different families put together. Although some of us get along and work well with each other, there are some who we absolutely despise. Not for any one thing but for the many that they have done and will without a doubt do. For instance, I am an Sangeili and my kind fights with honor and skill. The brutes fight with strength, brutality and care nothing about honor." The boy nodded his head in understanding.

Although he was a child, Arcana understood many concepts and made sure he remembered everything that was said to him. His father was telling him a fact and he would take it to the heart. That meant he had to avoid the brutes and stay close to the Elites. He hadn't met any brutes just yet but the way his father spoke about them meant there was more then he was letting on. He wasn't going to push on the matter. He trusted the Elite's wisdom and if he didn't trust someone than he would trust that judgment.

Orion turned his head when he felt a presence approce him. There before him stood a female Sangheili in gold armor. So, thought Orion, we have Ship Mistress.

"Hello to you, Special Ops Commander Orion 'Tsudame(1)", she said

"Hello to you, Ship Mistress.", At this point, the female looked past Orion and peered at Arcana.

"So, this is the human you speak of."

"He is."

The female seemed to soak everything about the child. From the darkness of his hair to the paleness of his skin. Her eyes paused at every bandaged wound and every visible bruise. It was as if she were looking at a human for the very first time. Her examination ended when she locked eyes with the child before her. To her they appeared as pools if emeralds, reflecting and shining, swirling and glistening when the light catches it just right. She broke the contact and turned to Orion.

"I am ShireVe 'Lumimde. It is an honor."

"As am I."

Orion could not stop the purr from passing his mandibles. He was imensly pleased with this female. She was definitly not like Chur'R-Yar. This one was intelligente, understanding, and incredibly Female. She sees the human as a youngling. Most would not has hesitated to kill him. They parted ways. They were almost there.

To Arcana, the sangheili named ShireVe was pretty. He only saw the color gold once on tv. She wasn't his father, his angel, but she was pretty. The ride had suddenly become bouncy and Arcana closed his eyes so he didn't have to strain his self. It was over very soon and Arcana stole a look from the side window and saw a massive city with hundreds of pink, purple and blue lights. They had arrived.

"Welcome, Arcana, to your new home." The small boy who had no hope smiled at his father

The ship docked and the crew got ready to get off. Orion nodded his head to Kaihu and the hunter stood up and cradled Arcana in the shield arm; thankfully he was small enough so that he would not be seen. Everyone except the Elites and the Hunters went their own ways to rest. Orion led the way to the sangheili's "dorm", where only the sangheili and a selected few were allowed.

Orion stopped and stepped into a large room, it had a control panel in the center, there were several pods with tinted windows along the wall where some Elites were sleeping and it was colored with pinks and blues, unlike the human's dull grey and silver. Orion took Arcana from the Hunter and placed him on the ground. The child was fascinated with his surroundings.

"This is where I'm going to stay? Will you stay here too, papa?" he asked his father

"Yes, this is the 'lounge' and until I find a much more suitable environment, this is where you and I will be staying. I will be getting some new things for you as well, so Jaren, Ohba, Obata, and Nequra will be staying with you for a little while. They better do a good job of keeping you busy, if not tell me and I'll make them wear grey." The child laughed and said that he would

The white Elite left with Navvi, Ryoku and Setrae to talk one of the Councilors. He gave orders for Zhou and Kaihu to guard the door and let no one in until he returned. Nequra left to get a medic and Jaren started to talk to Arcana to try to keep him busy. No one wanted to see if Orion was just kidding when he meant he was going to get them to wear grey. It was such an ugly human color.

Scene Break

The walk to the councilor felt like a mile for the Sangeili. They were feeling tense and they knew one wrong word or phrase could send them and Orion's plan plummeting. So when they entered the councilor's quarters, they did not know what the outcome would bring.

"It is good to see you alive and well Commander Orion." Said the Councilor without looking at them

"I am honored to have your concern. However, there is something that I had wished to speak with you about."

"If it has something to do with your recent mission, do not concern yourself with the details. We have already begun devising another strategy to take down the humans." Sneered the supiror sangheili.

"It does not."

"Than speak."

"I have been in battle with the humans for a while and it has dawned on to me that we know very little about them other then their way of fighting."

"What does it matter other than the way they fight?", the Councilor turned to look at them

"I had started to think that maybe, just maybe there was something we could use against them. Perhaps there is something that influences the way they fight. I do not know if you would approve, since obtaining such information would not only be difficult but long."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I had thought if we raided a few human colonies and then studied those items to the fullest, then perhaps something might turn up. The humans do have sources of information lying around as well. The whole concept would basically consist of gathering large sums of items and information then analyze them. When the process is complete than there may be a way to lessen their fighting ability. It would make them easier to defeat." Finished Orion.

Now was the moment of truth. The Councilor looked thoughtful. For a long moment, there was absolute silence. Then...

"This might work to our advantage."

He knew nothing about Orion's true purpose and pretending to be looking for a flaw within the humans would be easy enough. Besides he would need the research to raise Arcana. Things were going according to Orion's plans.

"Very well, Commander. When you are able to leave, do so with a group you know would do well by you. Since this mission would take much longer then the average, we are giving you permission to use one of the more advance starships. You can take either The Bleeding Scourge or The Vengeful Scimitar. There would be no need to waste your time coming back and forth from long distances when you can do the analysis onboard your ship. However, this home will always be open to you when you are in dire need of it. May the Stars and the Gods watch over you."

"And to you, Councilor."

Orion bowed his head in respect then left with Navvi and Ryoku at his side. When they were well on their way to the sangheili's dorm, did Orion let go of the breath he was holding.

"I have never been so terrifed." Ryoku said

"Indeed. After we are gone, things should be easier. I still fear the political difficulties hiding beneath the surface. Unfortunalty, we can do nothing." Replied Orion

"It would be best if we looked after Arcana before we try saving the Covenant from itself." Added Navvi

"We will be staying here for a few days to recuperate from the mission. After that, we'll gather those who were on that mission and a few trusted others to ensure our survival."

The others agreed with Orion's plan. They arrived back at the lounge, stopped and blinked at the sight before them. Apparently, the sleeping sangheili had woke up and weren't expecting to see a human child to be laughing with one of their own. Arcana wasn't expecting to see an sangheili without their armor and stared back at them.

However, after the shock wore off, the medic had gone, questions were asked and introductions were made. Of course, Arcana seemed like a magnet that you couldn't stay away from. So, they watched as the unarmored sangheili pranced, prowled and played around with the childas if he were one of their own. They had him laughing and giggling like a normal five year old kid.

"Papa!" yelled the boy, snapping Orion out of his shock.

Arcana had noticed his father standing in the doorway and abruptly stopped to tackle him.

"Papa! Your back!"

"It is good to see you making friends, Arcana. However, we will need to stay here for a few days. I hope you do not mind." The child shook his head and grinned.

"Good, now why don't we settle you in one of the sleeping chambers. After today and due to your condition, you need to get some rest." Orion dully noted the growls he heard when he mentioned Arcana's 'condition'. It seems they had been filled in on the situation without him.

Arcana pouted but did as he was told. Although he was having a lot of fun, he knew his father was right. He was sore, tired and his back stung. Orion and the others made sure he ate some of the rations on the ship so he wasn't very hungry. He let Orion led him to one of the strange machines behind the control panel. It sprang to life when Ryoku activated it.

The machine detached itself from the wall then slowly laid itself out flat. The mechanics that it was attached to made it seem like it was hovering in the air when it was being held there. When the window opened out, Arcana peered inside. The inside was a mixture of pink and purple and reminded him of a cradle.

Setrae pulled out the supplies they stole for Arcana. They placed the pillows and the blankets inside. Then Orion gently placed Arcana inside. The boy smiled at his father before making him self comfortable. When Arcana was lying down, Orion gently pulled the sheets up to Arcana's chin.

"Night, Papa." Arcana whispered changing back into the shy and timid human Orion had first met.

"Sleep well child. I'll be watching over you."

When the boy closed his eyes and had fallen fast asleep, the machine closed the window and was dragged inside a hidden chamber. Instead of moving back upright in its original position, the pod stayed flat. When it was all the way inside the hidden room, the wall closed behind it and its existence disappeared.

Ryoku upped the security on Arcana's pod tenfold. Such security measure was usually used when a sangheili was either of high rank or had been injuired while retreiving valuable information. Then set it to keep him asleep until midmorning the next day. After that the entire room irrupted into noise. The Elites were overly excited. It was rare that high ranking sangheili claim a children of thier own. Orion let out a screech and the room became quite.

"My brethren this information must not reach beyond this room. The child's safety is threatened by humans and Covenant alike. I have claimed the child as my own and nothing will change my mind."

Orion looked at the Elites that woke up and demanded their names.

"Altoy, Major ."

"Anorith, Ultra."

"Lotad, Major."

"Ralts, Stealth Specialist."

"We shall keep our word and speak only silence." Vowed the Elites

"I thank you. Now, go about your normal task. You have my permission to give word to our brethren, the Elites, we have an Emerald Child. I have claimed him as my own and no one but our brethren must know. Take caution when you speak of this."

The four Elites bowed their heads and Orion dismissed them. Orion let out a sigh and placed a hand over his head. He closed his eyes and counted to him self. When he was down he removed his hand and opened his eyes.

He was exhausted and was in dire need of some rest. Orion decided now was the best chance to get some rest. Ryoku activated one of the pods for him and Orion got in without bothering to remove his armor. When the pod closed, Orion welcomed the silence and fell fast asleep.

Yes! This one is done. It has come to my attention, that summer programs are good for gaining experience but bad at giving me some free time. –Pouting-

That's alright though, I think I can manage.

Here is a list for those who got lost/confused:

Major Elites: Nequra, Ryoku, Setrae, Altoy, and Lotad.

Minor Elites: Jaren, Navvi.

Special Ops Commander Elite: Orion

Stealth Specialist: Ralts

Ultra Elite(Higher than a Major): Anorith

Hunters: Zhou, Kaihu, and the Brothers Ohba and Obata

Harry Potter: Arcana…

If anyone noticed where I got the names for the four new elites, you've earned yourself a cookie!! Not just any cookie, a sugar cookie!! –Grins-

Anyway, please review!! Tell me how I'm doing!!