A/N: well, if you're reading this, then I've gone back and edited chapters one through nine (ten just got one comma, so it's not really editing). So you should totally go back and tell me what you think of the changes via reviews. Otherwise, this is the end.

Also, thank you to Cheezeburger and TheBleachDoctor for reviewing the previous chapter.

Epilogue

Your Private Shore

The aftermath of Halo Array Number 7 was less violent than many had expected. Both fleets were intact, their crews still alive. The UNSC side was in hysterics, having expected to die the instant the scanners had picked up the firing sequence. They were breaking open multiple bottles of champagne to celebrate; the parties sent off towards the ring having already returned. Lord Hood had been removed from his command post and Only Master Chief and Matt-B312 were missing.

The Galactic Federation fleet flew over to the other human fleet, leaving the alien ones to float lonely. Some of the marines on both sides were surprised when weapon exchange wasn't ordered. Peace had come in the flash that had been emitted from the Halo. Weeks would pass before a search party was sent down to search for the missing SPARTANs and the bounty hunter who had forced the entire event. Yet they never found them.

The search ended after three weeks of searching; the combined group now known as the United Sentient Worlds had decided that if they were still alive, they would return on their own.

This is the rest of their story.

John's eyes opened up to spot two birds making lazy circles around his position. He sat up instantly, thinking he was still on the Halo. The entire ring had gone white just as he exited the pod he had traveled down in. However, the surroundings were different than he had expected; the forest and metal buildings was now an expansive beach. A woman dressed in a bikini with lengthy blonde hair stood at the shore, looking out. The SPARTAN looked over to the side to see another man lying on a mat. His color was barely there, fighting forward.

"Don't worry about him," the woman spoke. The voice was familiar, but he couldn't place it. "He should wake up soon." She looked down at the ground, letting him see part of her face. "Your armor is somewhere out there. You stripped down as we carried your brother here." His face scrounged up, confused.

"I don't remember that, nor is he my brother," John replied. He stood up, thinking. "I could consider him a brother in arms, but not as flesh and blood." He walked towards her. She watched him approach, arms crossed.

"There's a lot you don't know, Jonathon." His eyes widened, surprised. He only knew that was his birth name because of one time he had snuck into a classified area and read his entire file. A section about siblings had been blackened out. John had always wondered why it was like that; maybe this familiar woman would tell him why.

"Like what?" he replied. "I've seen my own file." She laughed, walking around him. The woman was barefoot.

"I know that you were never told that your younger brother went through the same processes you have. In fact," she began, "he basically followed your footsteps, other than he's more of a lone wolf than you are. Or ever would be." The woman started to stroll away. "I'm surprised you haven't asked who I am."

He crossed his arms. "Fine. Who are you then, since you think that it's so important for me to know?"

She turned around, smiling. "I'm Samus Aran, obviously." She stared him down until the SPARTAN began to laugh, trying to not fall to his knees. The lady continued to stare at him for a couple of moments before walking up to him. He looked up, still laughing. John never expected the kick she gave him. The man was sent sprawling backwards, crashing to his back. He sat up, rubbing his jaw.

"Ok," he agreed, "maybe you are Ms. Aran." He stood back up stretching his arms back. "Why did you bring us here and what happened on that ring?" The bounty hunter took a step forward.

"I did what I did on that ring because that was the only way out that didn't involve more blood," she said, staring the man down. "The ancient spirits of the race that raised me gave me this option. I didn't want it then, since my job does entail mass murder and genocide, but by the time I had captured your brother, it seemed like the only option."

"That's not what I asked." She smirked at him, turning to face the ocean.

"On that ring, races were resurrected and others were destroyed. The Flood, a species that you've faced more than once, was destroyed instantly, wiped from existence." The wind began to blow across the waves, pushing her hair around. She ignored it, continuing on. "Races such as the Forerunners and the Luminoth have returned to the galaxy. And maybe possibly other races have returned, destroyed by the first firing of the Halo Array."

"And how can you be sure that's what happened?" John asked, butting in at her pause. He hadn't moved from where he had been standing.

"Just say it's a," she paused for a moment. "Educated guess." A loud groan came from just beyond the shore. The other man had woken up. He rubbed his face twice before opening his eyes. His lips moved, yet they couldn't hear what he said. The two standing far away from him exchanged glances before the man moved, walking towards the man revealed to be his brother. The woman watching him walk away didn't know if he believed that, but she hoped that he would.

Once John reached Matthew, Samus turned away from the two SPARTANs, returning her gaze to the ocean. A yellow, lazy sun hung in the sky. She watched as waves approached the shore she stood at. Her brain was processing her future chances and they looked grim.

Yet she smiled, having found her private shore.

A/N: well, it's done! Hopefully I'll have the thank you's up by Saturday. Review and enjoy.