The Dragon's Roar and The Phoenix's Fire
The pelican's engines roared as it left The Black Phoenix and rocketed towards Requiem.
"Phoenix?" Drago said through the comlink.
"What?" Phoenix asked.
"Can I ask you something?" Drago asked.
"Depends on the question. Phoenix said.
"That woman who looked a bit like Cortana." Drago said.
"The one who has green eyes and jet black hair down to her shoulder blades?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah. Is uh is she seeing anyone." Drago asked doing his best to keep his voice neutral.
"Yeah she's got a boyfriend and she's pregnant with his child." Phoenix said emotionlessly.
"Oh." Drago said sounding dejected.
"I'm messing with you, laugh a little it's good for you. Phoenix laughed as they reached Requiem.
The pelican touched down on Requiem and Phoenix jumped and had Drago start to unload the weapons crates and establish a temporary base while he tried to raise Eliza over the comlink.
"Eliza, this is Phoenix do you read me." Phoenix asked.
"I read you Phoenix. What do you want?" Eliza responded.
"I want all the info you can supply" Phoenix asked.
"Phoenix I was barely willing to ask for your help. Why would be willing to share my information with you?" Eliza asked.
"Hey it's your daughter I'm perfectly happy with letting her die, hell I'll even pull the trigger. So here's what I'm gonna count to three and if you haven't sent me all the information I need for this mission I'll just turn around and go home." Phoenix said.
"Very well here is all the information I have on Jul 'Mdama." Eliza said grudgingly.
"Where is it?" Phoenix asked.
"I sent it to your ship" Eliza responded.
"Thanks." Phoenix said.
"No thanks necessary just bring my daughter back in one piece." Eliza said before cutting of the transmission.
"Banshees!" Drago warned as a pair of banshees soared over them
"SHIT!" Phoenix cursed as the banshees looped around and began to open fire.
Suddenly two rockets hit each of the banshees completely obliterating them.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Phoenix yelled as two pelicans landed in the clearing next to Phoenix and Drago's pelican.
"They with us or Eliza?" Drago asked picking up an incineration cannon and throwing one to Phoenix.
"I don't know but I say we disarm them as soon as they open the ramps." Phoenix said readying his weapon.
The pelican's ramps began to open
"DON'T MOVE!" Drago yelled.
"THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPONS AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOU HEADS!" Phoenix yelled.
"Hold Phoenix we did not come here for battle!"
"Thel is that you?" Phoenix asked.
"Indeed Phoenix." Thel replied.
"We're here too." Cortana added gesturing to Ike, Lucina, Link, Zelda, Samus, Snake, Rose, Chief, Kelly, Fred and Linda
"Why are you here?" Phoenix asked.
"To reinforce you when you storm Jul 'Mdama's fortification." Kelly said
"Who said anything about storming?" Phoenix said.
"Oh then what is your plan Phoenix? Rose said sounding rather pissed. "Please enlighten us."
"Uh well I uh was planning to uh..." Phoenix started.
"You have no plan do you." Linda said
"No. No I don't." Phoenix admitted.
"Then how do you expect to rescue Eliza's daughter?" Rose asked still sounding pissed.
"Well I was planning to do some reconnaissance in the pelican while Drago watched the base." Phoenix said.
"That's actually not a bad idea." Fred said.
"Well I'll just be getting on with that then." Phoenix said walking over to his pelican and hopping into the cockpit.
"I'll go too." Rose said. "Somebody has to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. She said climbing into the back of the pelican
"Oi!" Phoenix said "I have never done anything stupid in my life."
"I'd have to disagree with you on that one." Drago laughed.
"Hey, whose side are you on?" Phoenix demanded.
"Uh, not yours" Drago replied
"Asshole." Phoenix muttered while taking off.
Phoenix gunned the engine and rocketed straight towards the area where Rose said Jul 'Mdama's fortress was.
"So…" Phoenix started trying to break the silence. How've you been?"
"Oh so now you care." Rose said.
"Of course I care." Phoenix said. "What makes you think I don't?"
"Hmm let's see… oh yes there's the fact that you tried to leave me behind!" Rose raged.
"I tried to leave you behind because I care about you." Phoenix said.
"Well that's not how it felt!" Rose yelled.
"Damn it Rose why can't you understand that all I want to do is protect you." Phoenix said.
"Yeah, well I can protect myself, I'm not some delicate little flower like my name suggests." Rose said.
Phoenix noticed several incoming aircraft on the radar and landed the pelican in a clearing and opened up the ramp.
"What's happening?" Rose asked.
"A squadron of banshees is incoming I thought it best to land the pelican, hole up inside and cut the power." He said closing the ramp and pulling a sniper rifle from one of the weapons racks in the pelican and beginning to load it.
Rose decided to change the subject.
"Did you mean what you said about me before you killed Romeo?" She asked.
"Huh?" Phoenix said still loading his rifle.
"You said I was 'the most beautiful, amazing woman' you've ever met and that you loved me. Did you mean that? Rose asked taking a step towards Phoenix.
"Of course. Phoenix said. "And that's why I'm so sorry for doing this." He said walking forwards so that he was just behind Rose
"Doing what?" Rose asked.
"This." Phoenix said slamming his elbow into Rose's back knocking her out. I'd better activate the distress beacon, don't want to risk the covenant finding her here." Phoenix muttered to himself before pushing the button to activate the distress beacon.
Phoenix exited the pelican and ran towards the site of Jul 'Mdama's fortress following the route taken by the squadron of banshees. Phoenix ran for thirty minutes before he reached a giant Forerunner structure. There he saw Jul 'Mdama forcing a human who, Phoenix assumed was Eliza's daughter to activate a console.
Settling on a ridge opposite the structure Phoenix dropped into the prone position and aimed the sniper at Jul 'Mdama.
"PHOENIX WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING KNOCKING ROSE OUT LIKE THAT?" Linda boomed over his helmets comlink.
"Linda shut the fuck up I've got a clear shot on Jul 'Mdama and I'm not going to have you mess this up." Phoenix whispered.
"What do you mean me mess it up." Linda asked.
"Look as soon as I take this shot I'm gonna have the entire covenant after my ass and you are to use that moment to extract Eliza's daughter. Understood?" Phoenix said.
"Yes." Linda replied.
"Good I'm sending the live feed from my helmet." Phoenix said before cutting the transmission.
Phoenix watched and adjusted his sights until he had a clear view of Jul and the console where Eliza's daughter was working when he saw what seemed to be Sargent major Johnson. Phoenix made the split second decision to extract Johnson as well as Eliza's daughter and adjusted his sights to Jul's torso rather than his head.
BANG! Phoenix pulled the trigger and watched as his bullet soared through the air and carved a clean path straight through Jul's chest, making sure he was unable to fight but not dead before jumping down and discarding his sniper for his assault rifle.
Phoenix ran forward as a Pelican entered the area and opened fire on the covenant forces.
"Damn you guy's got here fast." Phoenix said dodging a blast from a fuel rod cannon.
"Yeah Rose wants you alive so she can kill you herself." Drago laughed as he leapt out of the pelican along with Thel Vadam, Chief, Kelly, Linda, Fred and Rose.
"Oh shit!" Phoenix said when he saw Rose walking towards him.
"YOU FUCKING IDIOT WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING KNOCKING ME OUT LIKE THAT!" Rose screamed over the gunfire.
"Hey I was trying to protect you" Phoenix defended.
"By knocking me out?" Rose asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes." Phoenix answered.
"You're a moron." Rose sighed before shooting an elite in the head.
"Tell me you've got a plan to get out of this mess." Drago said snapping an elite's neck.
"If you can cover me I can grab Eliza's daughter and some info from the console she was working on and then we can high tail it out of here." Phoenix said slicing an elite's arm off before decapitating it.
"Got it." Drago said laying down cover fire while Phoenix ran towards Eliza's daughter.
Phoenix slaughtered every one of the covenants forces that stood in his way as he charged towards Eliza's daughter and the console she was working on. Eliza's daughter had silver shoulder length hair and piercing blue eyes and though he hated her mother Phoenix had to admit she was rather beautiful.
"Hey! You Eliza Halsey's Daughter?" Phoenix yelled as he removed the data card from the back of his helmet and plugged it into the console.
"Yes." The girl said.
"You got a name?" Phoenix asked removing the data card and plugging it into his helmet.
"I'm called Alexis" she said. "What's your name?"
"That's classified." Phoenix said
"It's nice to meet you 'that's classified'." Alexis said.
"I'm not going to dignify that with a response." Phoenix said before noticing an elite charging him wielding an energy sword
Phoenix activated his own energy sword and engaged the elite in an energy sword duel.
"Linda have you got a shot at that elite Phoenix is fighting?" Chief asked.
"I've got one but it isn't clean." Linda replied looking down the snipers scope.
"Take the shot." Chief ordered.
Linda's finger tightened around the trigger just as Phoenix killed the elite he was battling.
"GAH" Phoenix yelled as the bullet Linda fired ripped through his right side."
"Are you alright?" Alexis asked. Rushing over to Phoenix
"I'll be fine" Phoenix groaned holding his side in an attempt to stop the bleeding. "Linda I'm going to kill you when I get my hands on you!" Phoenix muttered before blacking out.
5 days later Phoenix woke up in the Pelican with Drago Thel Vadam, Chief, Kelly, Fred and Rose
"He's waking up." Kelly said
"What happened?" Phoenix groaned trying to sit up.
"Linda shot you." Fred said flatly.
"Oh I remember now." Phoenix said. "How long was I out?" he asked noticing that Rose had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder.
"About five days, we tried treating you at the temporary base on requiem but we decided Dr Halsey would the best to treat you. You should have seen how angry Rose was with Linda when she heard she'd shot you." Cortana said.
"How did Drago react?" Phoenix asked.
"He was pissing himself laughing." Cortana replied.
"Figures." Phoenix said. "Away I found something rather interesting." He said removing the data card from the back of his helmet.
"What's that" Cortana asked.
"Sgt Johnson." Phoenix said
"Ha ha, that's right. The toughest, cigar chompinest marine there is. Johnson said his hologram popping out of the data card." He looked around and saw Cortana "What the … Cortana! When did you get so big?" Johnson asked.
"It's a long story." Cortana replied.
"And why am I so small!" he asked.
"Remember when 343 Guilty spark blasted you and the ring blew up turns out it turned you into data rather than killing you, so now you're some sort of combat training A.I." Phoenix said.
"Well whatever happened I'm glad I'm back in the game. So thanks guys." Johnson said
"Actually we didn't know you were there." said Chief. "Phoenix is the one you should be thanking he risked his life just to get close to the console you were trapped in."
"You know when I first saw Phoenix he was still just a runt in training. It's good to see he turned into such a fine Spartan. Johnson said.
"Careful Johnson if you praise him anymore his ego won't be able to fit in the pelican." Drago joked.
"Fuck you." Phoenix said.
"Mmm I love it when you do that Phoenix." Rose mumbled snuggling up to Phoenix.
"What the fuck!" Phoenix exclaimed.
"Did she just say what I think she said?" Cortana chuckled.
"Someone wake her up." Kelly laughed.
"Every one cover your eyes and ears." Phoenix said pulling out a flashbang grenade and removing the pin causing Rose to wake with a start and fall on the floor.
"What's happening? Are we under attack?" Rose asked.
"I think you were having a very interesting dream." Phoenix laughed.
"What? How could you…" Rose started before Phoenix cut her off.
"You talk in your sleep." Phoenix said.
"Oh." Rose said her face turning bright red.
"You ok Rose? You're starting to look like a tomato." Cortana chuckled.
"Oh like you can talk with that hair." Phoenix interjected.
"What's wrong with my hair?" Cortana asked.
"It's bright fucking blue." Phoenix said.
"So?" Cortana said.
"You look like a fucking fruit, I mean not like a homosexual I mean like a literal walking fruit." Phoenix said.
"Ooh you got told." Johnson laughed.
"Asshole." Cortana muttered under her breath.
"I will stick a sword through your chest if I have to." Phoenix said drawing one of his swords and immediately dropping it. "Oh shit! Well I think we may have a problem here." Phoenix said.
"What now." Chief said.
"I can't feel or move my right arm." Phoenix said.
"Oh that's right Linda was experimenting with a different type of bullet that's designed to slowly paralyze the target." Fred said.
"Right as soon as I get my hands on her I'm defiantly going to kill her. Phoenix said as the pelican landed on The Black Phoenix.
Phoenix limped out of the pelican and was greeted by Dr Halsey and a team of medics followed by Linda
"Phoenix come here please." Dr Halsey said.
"Sure." Phoenix said limping over.
"Linda here informed me that she hit you with one of her experimental bullets." Dr Halsey said.
"Yeah and now I can't move my arm." Phoenix said.
"Then you'll need this." Dr Halsey said injecting a murky brown liquid into his wound before applying Biofoam.
The feeling immediately returned to Phoenix's arm.
"Thanks." Phoenix said before punching Linda in the face. "Learn how to aim dumbass."
"Phoenix a Colonel shouldn't go around assaulting his subordinates." Dr Halsey said helping Linda up.
"I'm a Colonel?"
"Yes Captain Lasky got the documentation as soon as you left for your mission. But more importantly, we need to get you to the medical bay so we can fix that bullet wound." Dr Halsey said.
"The Biofoam should hold up until after this mission so I'll be fine but there's someone in this data card who won't be if you can't fix him." Phoenix said handing her a data card before starting to walk off.
"One more thing Phoenix." Dr Halsey said.
"Yeah." Phoenix said.
"Regarding Sapphire, she had a few accidents while you were away..." Dr Halsey began "Don't worry she's not hurt she just feels embarrassed." She said after Phoenix gave her a look that said 'if she's hurt I'll kill you.'
"About what?" Phoenix asked.
"She wet the bed a few times." Dr Halsey said.
"So? We've all done it." Phoenix said casually.
"I just thought you should talk to her you know being her older brother and all." Dr Halsey said.
"I was going to see her after I'd returned your niece to her mother." Phoenix said.
"I have a niece?" Dr Halsey asked.
"Yes. Jesus woman how can you not know about your own niece." Phoenix said.
"You didn't know about either of your sisters until I told you about them." Dr Halsey retorted.
"Ah touché. Phoenix yielded. "Wait, what do you mean 'either' of my sisters?"
"You have another sister, she's currently attending the Corbulo Academy of Military Science." Dr Halsey said.
"Phoenix we've gotta get going or else Eliza will start bitching that we took too long!" Drago yelled.
"Find out as much as you can about my new sister and don't tell Sapphire I want to tell her myself." Phoenix said before running off to reunite Alexis with Eliza.
Drago escorted Alexis into the back of a pelican as Phoenix walked into the cockpit and began to take off.
As the pelican sped away from The Black Phoenix Drago tried to raise Eliza over the Comlink.
"Eliza we have your daughter and we're ready to return her to you, if you could tell us where your ship is that'd be great." He said.
"Who the fuck is this?" Eliza demanded. "I asked for Phoenix not some second rate amateur."
"I'm Drago, Phoenix's best friend and he's here too he's just watching your daughter to make sure she doesn't try anything funny."
"Put Phoenix on!" Eliza demanded.
"Fine." Drago said. "Hey Phoenix!"
"What?" Phoenix answered.
"Eliza's only willing to negotiate with you, and to be honest she's kinda pissing me off." Drago said.
"I'll talk to her." Phoenix said.
"Thanks" Drago said.
"Hey Eliza It's me" Phoenix said.
"It's about goddamn time. What's the big idea putting some idiot on instead of reporting straight to me?" Eliza responded.
"Hey that 'idiot' is my best friend so show him some respect or I will separate your head from your body."
"That didn't work the last time you tried. Anyhow my new ship should be coming out of Slipspace soon when it does you'll be able to land on it and then you can hand over my daughter." Eliza said.
"Very well." Phoenix agreed as Eliza's ship exited Slipspace. "Drago I've set the Pelican to autopilot us into Eliza's landing bay let's armour up on the way there I don't exactly trust her to let us go without a fight." He said loading his assault rifle, sub machine guns and pistols.
"You really don't trust my mother, do you?" Alexis said glumly.
"No I don't." Phoenix said without looking up from his rifle.
"Are you going to kill her?" Alexis asked.
"If I can avoid a battle I will but if there's no other way out then yes I will kill her." Phoenix answered.
Alexis lowered her head in an attempt to hide her emotions, noticing this Phoenix decided to probe a bit more.
"You don't exactly seem thrilled to be going home." Phoenix said putting down his rifle.
"Not really but it's better than a covenant prison facility." Alexis said raising her head.
"If you don't like it then why do you stay?" Drago asked.
"I tried to leave once but I ended up going back, and mom was extremely pissed off. She said if I ever pulled a stunt like that again I'd never see the light of day again." Alexis answered.
"Eliza doesn't like any one messing up her plans." Drago said.
"One more Question." Phoenix said.
"What?" Alexis said.
"How did you end up with Jul 'Mdama?" Phoenix asked.
"I-I don't want to talk about it." Alexis said lowering her eyes.
"I think I can guess." Phoenix said. "She traded you for weapons and information. Am I right?"
"H-how did you…" Alexis started. Before Phoenix cut her off
"I know because what she said when she contacted us didn't add up. She said 'Jul 'Mdama has kidnapped my daughter', the main question there was why contact us? The only logical explanation was that she didn't want Jul to know that she was involved in taking you back." Phoenix said.
"I can think of a reason she sent you instead of coming herself." Alexis said.
"What might that be?" Phoenix asked.
"To start a war between The Covenant remnant and The UNSC." Alexis said.
"That makes sense." Phoenix said.
"Except for one thing." Drago interrupted. "Why would Eliza send us to rescue her daughter if she wanted to start a war between us and the Covenant remnant? I mean it's like she's giving us the ultimate bargaining chip." He said.
"Because she either doesn't think we know what her plan is, or she doesn't care what we do with Alexis." Phoenix said as he landed on Eliza's ship.
Phoenix left the pelican with Drago and Alexis in tow and was greeted by Eliza and a detachment of her soldiers.
"Welcome aboard The Malevolent Storm Phoenix I trust you have my daughter." Eliza said.
"You're either blind or stupid Eliza you can clearly see that Alexis is standing right next to me." Phoenix said.
"Watch your tongue you bastard! Lady Eliza is worth a thousand of you!" One of Eliza's soldiers, who was wearing armour similar to Locke's, growled.
"If Eliza is worth a thousand of me then how come she can't kill one of me?" Phoenix asked.
"YOU BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU!" The Soldier yelled drawing his pistol and firing several rounds at Phoenix each one deflecting harmlessly off of Phoenix's shields.
"It's alright Alex." Eliza said holding out her hand to stop him from shooting again.
"B-but Ma'am he insulted you." Alex said.
"And I am ordering you to leave him be." Eliza said.
"I don't need you to defend me Eliza if your mutt wants to challenge me I'll be happy to oblige him." Phoenix said cracking his knuckles.
"That's fine with me." Alex said.
"That won't be necessary." Eliza said.
"But Ma'am I can beat him. Alex said.
"No you can't Alex, this is one opponent who would surely kill you if he was given the chance." Eliza said.
"Alex I've seen Phoenix fight, you can't win." Alexis said.
"Shut up traitor!" Alex yelled startling Alexis.
Phoenix punched Alex in the stomach and elbowed him in the back causing him to fall to the floor.
"You move and I'll kill you." Phoenix said drawing one of his swords and holding it at Alex's throat.
"Just kill him Phoenix." Drago said. "Serve him right for being such a prick."
"Nah maybe I'll take an arm to teach him some respect." Phoenix said dragging his sword across the chest plate of Alex's armour leaving a deep scratch.
"Or you could let him go." Alexis said her hands on her hips.
"Very well." Phoenix conceded sheathing his sword.
"Well that was amusing but I'd like to get my Daughter back if you don't mind." Eliza said.
"Well I guess this is goodbye." Alexis said hugging Phoenix and Drago before running over to Eliza's side.
"Hey, Alexis if you ever want to talk to either of us use this." Phoenix said throwing her a data card as Drago got into the pelican. "By the way Eliza what were you hoping to achieve by selling your daughter for weapons and information?" Phoenix asked.
"H-how did you know?" Eliza asked looking flustered. "Did you tell him?" she asked looking bitterly at Alexis.
"No I figured out myself, it wasn't actually that hard. I know you sold her because what you said when you contacted us didn't add up. You said 'Jul 'Mdama has kidnapped my daughter', the main question there was, why contact us? The only logical explanation was that you didn't want Jul to know that you were involved in taking Alexis back." Phoenix said.
"I'm impressed Phoenix I never would have thought that you would have been bothered to figure that out." Eliza said smiling deviously. "But then again I also didn't think that Rose would have had the guts to steal 58 billion dollars from the UNSC." She said.
"You were behind that weren't you?" Phoenix growled.
"Yes." Eliza said. "And I've sent fake orders to arrest Rose to a Spartan by the name of Sarah Palmer so you'd better get going."
"You bitch!" Phoenix snarled before running into the pelican and racing back to The Black Phoenix.
Meanwhile on the Black Phoenix.
"This is Commander Sarah Palmer requesting permission to come aboard." Palmer said over the comlink.
"Permission granted Commander Palmer." The air traffic controller answered.
The pelican landed and out came Spartan Palmer and Spartan Thorne.
"Alright you let's spread out and find Spartan BR01 and bring her back to the Infinity for questioning like Captain Del Rio ordered.
"Yes Ma'am" Thorne said as he noticed Sapphire enter the landing bay.
"Hey commander." He asked.
"What?" Palmer replied not noticing Sapphire looking around the Landing bay.
"Why's there a kid on a military ship?" Thorne asked pointing at Sapphire.
"I don't know but I'll ask her." Palmer said. "HEY KID" She yelled startling Sapphire. "COME HERE."
Sapphire walked over to Palmer.
"What are you doing on a military ship?" Palmer asked.
"I'm waiting for my big brother." Sapphire answered.
"Who is your brother?" Palmer asked.
"Phoenix." Sapphire answered as Rose entered the landing bay.
"Hey Sapphire." Rose said. "Phoenix contacted me and told me he'll be back in a few minutes." She said as Palmer and Thorne both aimed their weapons at her.
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!" Palmer ordered causing sapphire to hide behind a warthog.
Rose removed all her weapons and dropped them at Palmers feet before taking three steps back, kneeling and placing her hands on her head.
"Cuff her Thorne." Palmer ordered as Phoenix's pelican entered the landing bay.
"Big brother!" Sapphire squealed peeking out from behind the warthog as Phoenix left the pelican and charged Palmer tackling her.
"Drago take her partner." Phoenix yelled planting one of the grenades given to him by Dr Halsey on Palmer's armour and kicking her away. The grenade went off and Palmer was encased in a sticky resin that prevented her from moving. (Think the glue grenades from Arkham Origins.)
"What the hell is this stuff?" Palmer asked as she struggled to get free.
"That was an experimental sticky grenade courtesy of Dr Halsey, and I'd stop struggling if I were you because the more you struggle the tighter it gets and the quicker it hardens." Phoenix said.
There was a loud crash as Drago threw Thorne into a nearby weapons crate and placed his foot on his chest preventing him from getting up.
"Hey Phoenix got any more of those grenades?" He asked.
"Here." Phoenix replied throwing him a grenade.
Drago placed the grenade on Thorne's chest and stepped back as it exploded covering Thorne in the same resin as Palmer.
"You must be Sarah Palmer." Phoenix said walking up to Palmer and removing her helmet.
"That's Commander Sarah Palmer." She replied.
"Drago do you know what the punishment for attacking a superior is?" Phoenix asked.
"I'd guess you'd be court – martialled and would face a prison sentence of around 20 years followed by dishonourable discharge." Drago replied.
"Well I guess it's a good thing I'm a Colonel then isn't it." Phoenix said. "Now who are you?" Phoenix asked Thorne while removing his helmet.
"Spartan Thorne." He said "Sir I apologise for the inconvenience but we were only following orders."
"Fake orders supplied by Eliza Halsey." Phoenix revealed shocking Palmer but drawing a blank look from Thorne. "Now since I already know what's going on I'm going to let you both go, I'll also speak to your commanding officer and tell him you Didn't go AWOL but you two can explain the rest to him. Understand?" Phoenix said.
"Yes Sir." Thorne said.
"It seems that your companion understands the position you're in better than you do Sarah. Perhaps he should be the commander instead of you. " Phoenix said. Palmer said nothing but instead gave Phoenix a look of pure Loathing. "I'll take that to mean you understand." He said as he cut Thorne free
"You shouldn't have a kid walking around a warship." Palmer said trying to change the subject as Phoenix cut her free.
"Where I have my little sister is none of your concern." Phoenix said. "Now get off my ship and pray we never cross paths again."
Palmer and Thorne both climbed back into their pelican and took off for Infinity.
"You ok Rose?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah nothing hurt but my pride." Rose answered.
"Sapphire?" Phoenix called. Sapphire where are you?"
"Boo! Came a voice from behind Phoenix.
"Really you're trying that again." Phoenix said.
"Aww why can't I scare you." Sapphire moaned as Phoenix picked her up.
"I'm a Spartan I don't get scared easy." Phoenix replied.
"Now I've got to get to the medical bay or Dr Halsey will have my guts for garters." Phoenix said before walking to the med bay with Sapphire, Drago and Rose.
10 minutes later Phoenix and the gang arrived in the med bay.
"Ah Phoenix I wondered how long it would take you to finish your mission." Dr Halsey said as Phoenix and the rest entered the medical bay.
"Yeah it took longer than I expected, but now I'd like this bullet removed." Phoenix said.
"Well lie down on the bed over there and I'll begin the operation." Dr Halsey said.
Phoenix removed the top half of his armour and his undersuit revealing a deep gash in his side.
"This seems to have gotten worse Phoenix." Dr Halsey said before she noticed Sapphire staring at Phoenix's side. "Phoenix are you sure you want Sapphire to see this?" she asked
"If she wants to stay she can." Phoenix answered.
"Well I assume you know that the sedative I have here doesn't work on Spartans so I'm going to give you something that will allow you to move your body but will make it so you can't feel anything." Dr Halsey said injecting him with a pale blue liquid. "Right now the hard part begins."
Dr Halsey put on a pair of latex gloves and reached inside of Phoenix in an attempt to grab the bullet after three try's she removed her hand. "We have a problem, the bullet is lodged between the third and fourth ribs and my hands are too big and I'd rather avoid using tweezers because there's a chance I could rupture some vital organs." Dr Halsey said.
"I have an idea." Phoenix said. "Sapphire you want to be a doctor right?"
"Yes" Sapphire replied.
"Then I'll be your first patient and you can help Dr Halsey remove this bullet from my ribcage." Phoenix smiled.
"But I don't wanna hurt you by accident." Sapphire said nervously.
"I'll be fine just do what Dr Halsey says and you won't go wrong." Phoenix said patting her on the head.
Sapphire nodded and Dr Halsey brought round a stool for her to stand on and handed her a pair of latex gloves which Sapphire pulled on then Sapphire with Dr Halsey's guidance moved her hand in an attempt to remove the bullet.
"A little more to the left." Dr Halsey said. "That's it!" She praised when Sapphire successfully removed the bullet from Phoenix's side.
"Hey Phoenix it looks like Sapphire is the brains of your family." Drago joked.
"I have a retort but I don't wanna say it in front of Sapphire." Phoenix said as Dr Halsey began stitching up his side.
"Big brother?" Sapphire asked.
"Yeah?" Phoenix replied.
"Are you gonna be ok?" Sapphire asked.
"Of course I am. Dr Halsey's going to fix my side and then I'll be back on my feet and ready to fight." Phoenix said.
"Actually I'm suspending you from active duty for two weeks." Dr Halsey said as she finished stitching up Phoenix's side.
"Wait, what?" Phoenix asked in shock.
"You heard me, no fighting for two weeks." Dr Halsey repeated.
"Well this day can't possibly get any worse." Phoenix sighed.
"Look on the bright side you can still come shipping with me Lucina, Samus, Zelda, Kalmiya, Kelly, Linda and Cortana." Rose said.
"Yeah I'd rather take another bullet in the side." Phoenix said. "Why are you going shopping anyway?" Phoenix added.
"Well we were thinking of going to the beach but we need new swimsuits so we were gonna go buy some." Rose said.
"Whoa! Can I get in on this?" Drago asked with a cheeky look in his eye.
"Drago I hope you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting." Phoenix said.
"Oh I'm suggesting exactly what you think I'm suggesting." Drago laughed.
"Keep your hands of my woman or I'll slice off your balls and feed 'em to you." Phoenix said getting off the bed.
"Dr Halsey I may have an alternative." Rose cut in.
"I'm listening." Dr Halsey said inviting her to continue.
"Phoenix found the Brawls at the Super Smash Arena extremely easy so why not allow him to fight there." Rose said.
"Very well I'll tell Captain Lasky to plot a course for the arena." Dr Halsey said. "I dare say Phoenix will have enough Protection in his thousand pounds of titanium, which reminds me you'll need some new armour." She added glancing at Phoenix's wrecked armour.
"What's titanium?" Sapphire asked giving Phoenix a confused look.
"Remember when Rose and I came to take you from that orphanage and I told you about the different types of MJOLNIR Armour?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah." Sapphire said.
"Well, all MJOLNIR Armour is made of a material called titanium, it's extremely tough." Phoenix said.
"And it's bulletproof." Drago added.
"Actually its bullet resistant there is no such thing as a bulletproof material." Phoenix corrected. "Anyway this is pretty advanced stuff I wouldn't expect most adults to understand this so don't feel upset if you don't get it." Phoenix said.
"Ok." Sapphire said.
"Now I believe we have disturbed Dr Halsey enough for one day." Phoenix said as he walked towards the door. "Thank you for your assistance." He said before leaving the medical bay.
"Oh Sapphire, Dr Halsey told me you had a few accidents when I was away." Phoenix said as the group walked away from the medical bay.
"Am I in trouble?" Sapphire asked nervously.
"Since when did wetting the bed become a something children got punished for?" Phoenix asked casually as Sgt Johnson walked towards him.
"Sir." Johnson said coming to attention and saluting him.
"At ease." Phoenix replied returning his salute.
"Who's the kid?" Johnson asked as he noticed Sapphire.
"This is my little sister Sapphire." Phoenix said. "Perhaps you could offer your opinion on something?"
"On what?" Johnson asked.
"Whether or not wetting the bed is a problem." Phoenix said.
"Why you wet the bed lately?" Johnson questioned.
"Do I look like I've wet the bed lately?" Phoenix asked. "I'm trying to tell Sapphire that it's not a problem."
Johnson took a step forward and knelt down in front of Sapphire. "Let me tell you something, wetting the bed ain't nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone's done it at some point, in fact I've even seen grown men wet their pants when your brother walks on to a battlefield and their not ashamed of it." He said.
"Are people really that scared of you?" Sapphire asked looking up at Phoenix.
"Depends on the people." Phoenix said. "Now I assume you came to see me about something other than wetting the bed."
"That's right I wanted to ask if you needed any help in getting your squad up to scratch." Johnson asked.
"Yeah I'd be really grateful if you could help me train Cortana, Kalmiya, Ike, Link, Zelda and Lucina." Phoenix said.
"What about the others?" Johnson asked.
"They already know how to shoot to a degree so they're not a priority." Phoenix said.
"So I'll gather the troops and get 'em to the shooting gallery, Shall I?" Johnson said.
"Yeah I'll meet you there." Phoenix said before walking off to the Spartan Deck (S Deck).
5 minutes later Phoenix arrived at the S Deck with Drago, Sapphire and Rose.
"Welcome to the S Deck Sapphire." Phoenix said as Sapphire looked around in awe.
"What are all these machines for big brother?" Sapphire asked pointing to one of the machines.
"I'll show you." Phoenix said getting into one of the machines.
The machines mechanical arms removed his armour and began replacing the damaged parts with brand new fully functional ones, leaving Phoenix to step out in fully functional MJOLNIR MK VI Warmaster armour.
"That's what these machines are for." Phoenix said removing his helmet.
"Can't you just put it on yourself?" sapphire asked.
"If I could I wouldn't need these machines." Phoenix said. Now let's go see how Johnson's doing with our friends."
Meanwhile in the shooting gallery Johnson had given everyone on Phoenix's squad, bar the Spartans ,an assault rifle and had them open fire down range though no one hit their target score needless to say he was not happy with their performance.
"THAT WAS PATHETIC SOLDIERS WHAT DO YOU THINK PHOENIX WOULD SAY IF HE WAS HERE!" Johnson bellowed.
"To be fair I wasn't even expecting them to hit the targets." Phoenix said as he entered the shooting gallery.
"Their aim is still shit though." Linda muttered under her breath though Phoenix still heard her.
"Linda if you ever use language like that in front of Sapphire again I will dish out a punishment so severe you'll wish you were dead. Understood!" Phoenix growled giving Linda a look that said 'Cross me and I will destroy you'.
"Y-yes." Linda squeaked.
"Yes what?" Phoenix demanded.
"Yes sir." Linda replied.
"What did she say big brother?" Sapphire asked having not heard what Linda said.
"It doesn't matter." Phoenix said.
"But I want to know what she said." Sapphire complained.
"I said it doesn't matter." Phoenix repeated sternly.
"Yes big brother." Sapphire relented.
"Now, let me have a look at those marksmanship scores." Phoenix said as Johnson passed him the targets. "Cortana 5, Kalmiya 6, snake 14, Ike 10, Link 8, Zelda 7, Lucina 9 and Samus 12. Well all things considered that's not as bad as I thought it would be but there's a lot of room for improvement, so everyone get ready for some real schooling because I'm taking over your training." Phoenix said.
"Are you sure you're really the best man for the job?" Chief asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Phoenix asked.
"Well you're not exactly the best at academics." Chief replied.
"You know I would beat you with my belt, but I can't be bothered to go back to S Deck and take off my armour, come back here, beat you and then go armour up again. So I'll just do this." Phoenix said walking over to Chief.
"What are you doing Phoenix?" Chief asked sounding slightly scared.
"You'll see." Phoenix said planting one of the sticky grenades Dr Halsey gave him on Chief's chest.
"What the…" Chief began before the grenade went off encasing him in a sticky resin. "What is this stuff?"
"Don't know Dr Halsey made them, I just use 'em. Oh and I wouldn't move if I were you because that'll just make it tighter and harden quicker." Phoenix said.
"Was that really necessary Phoenix." Rose asked.
"Not really, but I had an extra grenade and while I was planning to use it for… something else… I thought that this opportunity was too good to miss." Phoenix answered.
"What do you mean by 'something else'?" Rose asked.
"You don't wanna know. Phoenix said. "Now where was I?"
"You were about to say what your plan was to get these guys up to scratch." Johnson said.
"Thank you." Phoenix said before Chief interrupted.
"Can someone get me out of this?" Chief asked.
"Very well, but only because I'll need you for the next part of training." Phoenix said cutting Chief free. "Now we have eight qualified UNSC marines/Spartans and we have eight people in desperate need of some marksmanship training. So here's what we're gonna do, I will pair each of you with a marine or Spartan and that marine or Spartan will teach you everything he or she knows and then you will compete against the other teams, the team with the lowest score, well let's just say you don't wanna lose." Phoenix said.
"So you're basically making us do your job?" Kelly said.
"Pretty much." Phoenix replied. "Now Chief you will be paired up with Cortana, Drago you can have Kalmiya, Fred you can take Link, Rose you take Zelda, Kelly you take Lucina, Johnson you take Snake, Linda you take Ike and I'll take Samus." Phoenix said.
"What about me?" Sapphire asked.
"Well you're not old enough to do marksmanship practice, but you can play with this." Phoenix said removing his armours hologram projector and handing it to Sapphire.
"What does this do?" Sapphire asked turning over the module in her hands.
"Click it." Phoenix said.
Sapphire clicked the module and a life size hardlight hologram of Phoenix was projected out in front of Sapphire causing her to jump back in shock.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to let a six year old play around with a hologram projector?" Kelly asked.
"Yes" Phoenix said "Now let's get training people."
The group split up into their designated pairs with each Spartan/Marine showing their partner how to strip down, repair, aim and fire their assault rifles.
"EVERYONE CEASE FIRE AND GATHER REOUND!" Phoenix yelled.
Everyone put down their weapons and gathered around Phoenix in the centre of the room.
"That was a large improvement on what I had previously but it will only get harder from here. Phoenix said. "Now time to find out who had the lowest score." He added as everyone handed him their score cards.
Phoenix looked over the cards and was rather impressed with how everyone had done.
"Right it's time to announce the scores." Phoenix said. "In first place with 93 points we have Snake, in second place with a score of 85 we have Samus, in third we have Kalmiya who scored 80, in fourth we have Cortana who scored 72, in fifth its Lucina with 66, in Sixth we have Link with 63, in seventh we have Ike with 58 and in last place we have Zelda who scored 55."
"So what forfeit does she have to do?" Drago asked.
"To be fair Rose isn't a very good teacher." Phoenix said.
"Oi." Rose said.
"So I'll give you a way out, if you can get my dog tags before tomorrow morning I'll let you off scot free." Phoenix said."
"You're not wearing dog tags." Zelda pointed out.
"What!" Phoenix exclaimed feeling around his neck. "Oh yeah I gave 'em to Sapphire. Sapphire can I have my Hologram module and my dog tags back."
"Here you go" Sapphire said returning Phoenix's gear.
"Thanks." Phoenix said.
"It's hard to believe you two are related." Kelly chuckled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Phoenix asked.
"She means Sapphires polite and well-spoken while you swear like a sailor." Cortana said.
"You both realize that I have unlimited access to the armoury and I can easily find out where your rooms are." Phoenix said.
"That threat makes you sound like a stalker." Drago said.
"It sounded less creepy in my head." Phoenix said.
"Sure it did." Drago laughed.
"Oh shut up." Phoenix said picking Sapphire up and walking off.
"Where are you going?" Chief asked.
"Anywhere but here because Cortana is really starting to get on nerves. Phoenix said.
"It's not just me, Kelly's making fun of you too!" Cortana exclaimed.
"Yeah I guess you're right so instead of washing all the tanks on your own, you two can do it together." Phoenix said.
"What?" Cortana and Kelly both exclaimed.
"You heard me and you'd better have cleaned them all by the time I come to check on you." Phoenix said. "Zelda."
"Yeah." Zelda replied.
"You're off the Hook." Phoenix said before he left with Sapphire.
"Can I ask you a question big brother?" Sapphire asked.
"Sure." Phoenix replied.
"Why did you make Miss Cortana and Miss Kelly clean the tanks?" Sapphire asked.
"Because they're annoying and they need to learn that there's a time for talking and a time to keep quiet." Phoenix said. "Now can I ask you a question?"
"Of course big brother." Sapphire said.
"Why do you keep calling me 'big brother' instead of calling me by my name?" Phoenix asked.
"Well I guess it's because you were the only member of our family who cared about me enough come and take me home and give me a family again even though you didn't know me, and I don't ever want to forget what you did for me." Sapphire answered. As they reached Phoenix's quarters.
"Sapphire what school did you go to before I brought you home?" Phoenix asked.
"I didn't go to school." Sapphire answered.
"Hmm well I'll have to find you a teacher then wont I?" Phoenix muttered to himself before calling Kelly over the comlink. "Kelly you there?"
"WHAT?" Kelly yelled over the comlink.
"Why're you yelling?" Phoenix asked.
"WHAT? Kelly yelled again.
"Hold on I'm gonna remotely shut down all systems in the landing bay." Phoenix said while typing on a hardlight keyboard on his arm. "Can you hear me now?"
"Yeah, everything just shut down for some reason." Kelly said.
"How many tanks have you cleaned?" Phoenix asked.
"We've barely cleaned one." Kelly answered.
"Out of how many?" Phoenix asked.
"Around a hundred and fifty." Kelly replied.
"Well both you and Cortana are to come to my quarters immediately." Phoenix said.
"What about the tanks?" Kelly asked.
"Forget about the tanks just get here now!" Phoenix ordered disconnecting the comlink.
5 minutes later both Kelly and Cortana arrived at Phoenix's room.
"Phoenix we're here." Kelly said as she knocked on Phoenix's door.
The door opened but instead of Phoenix it was Sapphire who answered the door.
"Hi Miss Kelly, hi Miss Cortana." Sapphire said letting them both in.
"Hello Sapphire." Both Kelly and Cortana said in turn.
"Where's Phoenix?" Cortana asked.
"He's in his room looking for some black spray paint." Sapphire said as Phoenix came down stairs carrying a bag filled with several cans of spray paint.
"Oh hey Cortana, hey Kelly." Phoenix said.
"Hi phoenix." Kelly and Cortana said.
"I assume you can guess why you're here." Phoenix said sitting down at the table in middle of his room.
"No. not really." Cortana said.
"Well I need to find Sapphire a teacher and I was thinking you two could fill that post." Phoenix said.
"So you're basically asking us to stop washing the tanks and teach Sapphire." Cortana asked.
"Yes." Phoenix replied.
"We'll do it." Cortana said.
"Good." Phoenix replied before walking towards the door.
"Phoenix why do you have all that spray paint?" Kelly asked.
"Because I've noticed that all the tanks we have are either green or grey so I've decided to paint my personal tank black and to put my symbol on her." Phoenix said before running off to the landing bay.
5 minutes later Phoenix arrived at the landing bay and noticed Link, Ike, Snake, Lucina, Samus and Zelda talking to Captain Lasky.
"Ah there you are Phoenix." Lasky said as Phoenix walked into the landing bay.
"What's going on Lasky?" Phoenix asked.
"I thought you already knew." Lasky said.
"If I knew I wouldn't have asked." Phoenix said walking over to one of the tanks, pulling out a can of spray paint and starting to paint his symbol on the tank.
"Were about to reach the super smash arena and I'm assembling everyone who wants to disembark." Lasky said.
"Oh well you can add the rest of my squad to that list." Phoenix said as he finished Painting his symbol on the tank.
"I have some bad news Phoenix, I won't be remaining in command of this ship anymore." Lasky said solemnly.
"WHAT!" Phoenix yelled. Who's taking over?"
"Captain Del Rio." Lasky answered.
"OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!" Phoenix bellowed before he noticed a group of marines escorting a handcuffed Dr Halsey towards a pelican. "Hey!" He yelled running over to the marines. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Phoenix raged stepping between the marines and Dr Halsey.
"We're arresting Dr Halsey on numerous charges of war crimes." Said one of the marines who attempted to push Phoenix out of the way.
In a flash Phoenix had drawn on of his swords and sliced the marines arm clean off.
"ARGH!" the marine screamed as he writhed about in pain on the floor.
"Dad!" One of the other marines shouted before trying to punch Phoenix in the face only to have Phoenix catch his fist and crush it in his own as the rest of the marines stared helplessly.
"Phoenix stop!" Dr Halsey said.
Phoenix immediately let go of the marines hand and watched in disgust as the marine crawled over to his one armed father.
"Phoenix please leave, don't make this any harder for yourself than it already is." Dr Halsey said as she entered the pelican along with the marines.
Phoenix stood there in shock as the pelican took off and left The Black Phoenix. "Damn it." He muttered under his breath as Lasky walked over to him.
"I'm sorry Phoenix I had no choice." Lasky said.
"Y-you knew?" Phoenix raged.
"Yes, I'm sorry." Lasky said.
"Lasky I'm going to let you live because you were a good friend to me in the past, but I want you to get off my ship right now. I don't care where you go or what you do but if I ever see you again I will kill you." Phoenix said before sheathing his sword and walking away.
"Is everything Ok Phoenix?" Zelda asked as he walked past them.
"…"
"Well that was rude" Samus said.
"I think we should leave him alone for a while." Lucina said.
"Why?" Link asked.
"For two reasons, one because he just sliced the arm off one marine before crushing said marine's son's hand. And the second reason is that, well I don't know if anyone else could feel it but I felt a lot of murderous intent coming from Phoenix." Lucina said as she watched him leave the landing bay.
well that sure was an interesting development wasn't it?
My apologies for me not updating sooner but I have been busy with school and family matters
As I'm sure you all noticed I have a great dislike for Commander Sarah Palmer, this is mostly due to what she does to Dr Halsey in Spartan Ops in Halo 4 and the fact that's she's a cocky little bitch.
As always please review I enjoy reading them and seeing how you guys think I could improve. Also please leave any requests for brawls in reviews or PM me.
I thank you all for reading and I hope you read the next chapter of HALO Forward Unto Brawl.
