Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, the Characters, or any Game, Movie, or TV Show content that are mentioned in this FanFiction story. They belong to their respective owners and I honor & respect their great works.
(High Charity)
Thel 'Vadamee, The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee walks down a large hallway through rows of Elite Honor Guards. The two watch as the Brutes take Honor Guard equipment from the Elites. Some Brutes fight each other for choice parts. As they ascend the stairs leading to the Prophet's Inner Sanctum, a pair of former Honor Guard Elites pass by them, without their helmets and carrying Plasma Rifles instead of Energy Staves. They walk through a large doorway, past the new Honor Guard Brutes heading into the Inner Sanctum where the Prophets of Truth and Mercy speak with Rtas 'Vadumee and two of his Spec Ops Elites
"This is unprecedented...Unacceptable." Rtas 'Vadumee says
"A Hierarch is dead, Commander." The Prophet of Truth says
"His murderers were within our grasp. If you had not withdrawn our Phantoms-" Rtas 'Vadamee says before The Prophet of Truth interrupts him
"Are you questioning my decision?" The Prophet of Truth asks
"No, Holy One! I only wish to express my concern that the Brutes-" Rtas 'Vadamee says before The Prophet of Truth interrupts him again
"Re-commissioning the guard was a radical step. But recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee our safety." The Prophet of Truth says
"I shall relay your...decision, to the Council." Rtas 'Vadamee says
Rtas 'Vadumee and his Elites leave. He nods to The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee who returns the nod
"Politics...How tiresome." The Prophet of Truth says with a small sigh
The Prophet of Truth speaks to the Arbiter while Kira 'Vadamee stands by his side
"Do you know, Arbiter, the Elites have threatened to resign? To quit the High Council? Because of this...exchange of hats?" The Prophet of Truth says
"We have always been your protectors." The Arbiter says
"We have stood by your side as some of your most loyal followers." Kira 'Vadamee says
"These are trying times, for all of us." The Prophet of Truth says
"Even as the humans' annihilation filled us with satisfaction, the loss of one of the Sacred Rings wracked our hearts with grief." The Prophet of Mercy says
"Putting aside our sorrow, we renewed our faith in the prophecy that other rings would be found. And see how our faith has been rewarded." The Prophet of Truth says
They turn to a large view screen of Delta Halo
"Halo! Its divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation." The Prophet of Mercy says
"But how to start this process? For ages, we searched for one who might unlock the secrets of the ring. An Oracle. And with your help, we found it." The Prophet of Truth says
They turn toward the Monitor, 343 Guilty Spark, who seems to have been suspended in a gravity beam.
"With appropriate humility, we plied the Oracle with questions. And it, with clarity and grace, has shown us...the key." The Prophet of Mercy says
The Prophet of Mercy presses a button on his Gravity Throne and shows a hologram of the Activation Index
"You will journey to the surface of the ring, and retrieve this Sacred Icon. With it, we shall fulfill our promise." The Prophet of Truth says
"Salvation for all!" The Prophet of Mercy says
"And begin the Great Journey." The Prophet of Truth says
(Moments later)
A Phantom flies toward the surface of the Halo ring. Inside the cockpit was Tartarus, the Chieftan of the Brutes with a Brute pilot
"Once the shield is down, we will head straight to the Library. I do not with to keep the Hierarchs waiting." Tartarus says
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee were both in the Phantoms with some Brutes preparing for their mission. But they both wondered who killed the Prophet of Regret
"The ones who killed the Prophet of Regret, who was it?" The Arbiter asks
"Who do you think?" Tartarus says
"The Demons and their winged beasts are here!?" The Arbiter asks surprised
"On this world!?" Kira 'Vadamee asks also surprised
"Why? Looking for a little payback?" Tartarus asks
The Arbiter draws his Carbine while Kira 'Vadamee draws her dual Plasma Rifles
"Retrieving the Icon is our only concern." The Arbiter says
Tartarus laughs in a skeptical tone
"Of course." Tartarus says
The Phantom flies Delta Halo's Library, heading for the Sentinel Wall. The dropship stops at the Sentinel Wall and hovers over a landing. A battle has been fought here recently, as evidenced by Sentinel wreckage and Covenant blood on the ground. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee drops down from the Phantom dropship which then flies off. Behind them, an Enforcer rises up and slowly advances toward the two Elites
An Enforcer was a massive Forerunner robotic automaton designed to prevent mass Flood outbreaks on the Halo Rings. They guarded key locations such as the entrances to the Sentinel Wall and the Library on Installation 05. Enforcers have three Energy Shields. The larger two are split in half for their guns to fire through, and the small upper shield protects the 'eye' of the Enforcer. The shields only protect the front side of the machine. Enforcers are armed with Pulse Beams and Missiles. They are also equipped with large claw-like arms
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee whirls around and fires their Carbines and Plasma Rifles. The Arbiter shoots three shots of his Carbine while Kira 'Vadamee shoots her dual Plasma Rifles. Their attacks had little effect. Suddenly, the Enforcer is hit by a sustained burst of plasma fire and loses its right-back leg. The Phantom flies by, and the Enforcer chases after it
"Lower the shield, Arbiter! I'll pick you and your Sister up when you've finished." Tartarus says through the COM Channel
The Arbiter and Kira' Vadamee moves through the entrance where some Constructors are repairing the damage. One of them opens up a piston for the two Elites providing them with passage into the Sentinel Wall. The two Elites jump into the passageways moving downward. They soon arrive at one room where they are greeted by a Grunt. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee moves into the next room where they see a group of Grunts and Jackals fighting Sentinels. They move in and assist the Grunts and Jackals against the Sentinels firing their Carbines and Plasma Rifles at them. The Arbiter fires three shots into a Sentinel while Kira 'Vadamee shoots several plasma shots at another Sentinel. With enough sufficient fire from their weapons, the Sentinels were destroyed
"Arbiter...Sister...our saviors! Stupid Jackal, say thank you!"
After saving the Jackals and Grunts from the Sentinels, The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee moves to the next room. As they do, they recieve a transmission from Tartarus
"You're getting close to one of the shield generators. Many of my Brutes have fallen attempting to take it down. Let's see if you fare better." Tartarus says
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee soon reach the Shield Generator
"You've reached the power source." Tartarus says
As they enter, an Enforcer descends from above and attacks them
"It is useless to attack the Enforcer at the front, especially when its shields are up. Stay in the shadows, wait until it loses interest, then strike the beast when its back is turned." Tartarus says
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee activate their Active Camouflage blending into their surroundings. The Enforcer has trouble searching for the two Elites unaware they were moving behind it. Once they were behind the Enforcer, the Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee prime one of their Plasma Grenades and throws it at the Enforcer. The Plasma Grenades stick to the Enforcer and explodes. The two Plasma Grenades were enough to deal significant damage to the Enforcer destroying it
"Well done. Quick, the power source. Overload the locks holding it in place." Tartarus says
The two Elites overloads the first lock by shooting at it with their weapons. Next, they move onto the second lock and overload it. Then, they move onto the third lock and overload it as well
"One more." Tartarus says
They overload the last lock and recieves another transmission from Tartarus
"Release the power source. Find a way to remove it from its cradle." Tartarus says
The Arbiter uses the holo-panel, causing the platform and the door in front of them opens. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee looks up and sees the bright-green shield surrounding the Library fading away, followed by Tartarus's Phantom flying lower towards the other side of the wall
"Our path to the Library's clear. I'll pick you up on the ledge ahead." Tartarus says
The door of the approaching wall opens to another Enforcer firing on the Phantom
"Blasted machines! Make your own way through the wall, Arbiter!" Tartarus says
The Phantom leaves followed by an attack by Sentinels, Sentinel Majors and a break-out of Flood Combat Forms. The Forerunner robots focus their attacks on the Flood, ignoring the Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee. The two Elites use this to their advantage and move on heading through a wide-opened door in the wall. They reach a piston on the other side, open it up and head down into a hallway. As they proceed through the hallways, their COM links picks up a Marine's transmission
"Proceed to the objective, we'll hold out as long as we can!"
The Marine on the transmission screams in pain
"Get it off me!"
"Suppressive fire, suppressive fire!"
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee encounter Flood Infection Forms, Combat Forms of both Marines and Elites, and Carrier Forms as they proceed through the hallways, but they quickly gun them down with their Carbine and Plasma Rifles blasting them to pieces. As they reach the next bottom floor, their COM links pick up another transmission
"Negative, ma'am! They are not Covenant!"
"Cover that doorway!"
The two Elites manage to fight their way through hordes of Flood, Sentinels and Enforcers. They soon drop down a long tunnel, and reaches the bottom of the wall. As soon as the doorway opens, an airborne Sentinel Production Facility can be seen in the distance as it is shot down by Wraith mortars and crashes into the Quarantine Zone. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee proceeds through the snow. Orbital Insertion Pods land across the canyon
"Forerunners be praised, the Arbiter! And our Sister!"
"Brothers, what news do you bring?" Kira 'Vadamee asks
"This Quarantine Zone has been compromised, we must do what we can against the Flood. Our Commander has landed further in."
"Come with us. Let us join our brother." Kira 'Vadamee says
With the Elites joining them, The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee crosses a bridge and through a tunnel. They soon meet up with Rtas 'Vadumee and his team of Elites
"Arbiter! Sister! What are you doing here?" Rtas 'Vadumee says
The Elites are interrupted by screeches of the Flood
"The Flood is upon us!"
"We must hold this camp until reinforcements arrive." Rtas 'Vadamee says
The team battles the oncoming Flood as they defend the zone. The Arbiter, Kira 'Vadamee and Rtas 'Vadumee take their Energy Swords and slash away at the Combat Forms destroying them with only one slice. The rest of the Elites fire their Plasma Rifles at the Flood Infection Forms. After the fighting has gone on for a while, a Phantom descends from above, firing on any remaining Flood in the zone. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee walk up to Rtas 'Vadumee
"In the center of this zone is a Sacred Icon critical to the Great Journey. Our Sister and I must find it." The Arbiter says
Rtas 'Vadumee nods and turns to his Elites
"We shall cut into the heart of this infestation, retrieve the Icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way!" Rtas 'Vadumee says
Elites roar and growl in agreement. Rtas 'Vadumee looks back toward The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee
"The parasite is not to be trifled with. I hope you know what you are doing." Rtas 'Vadumee says
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee look toward each other, then look toward the entrance on their left
"Forward, warriors! And fear not pain nor death! Go, Arbiter, go Sister. I'll follow when our reinforcements arrive." Rtas 'Vadumee says
The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee mount two Ghosts. The Elites that stayed with them also mounted their own individual Ghosts. An Enforcer, along with some Sentinels enter through the large door in the wall ahead
"Enforcers! To the vehicles. We'll need their heavy guns."
The Elites fire their Ghosts at the Enforcer and the Sentinels. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee focus on the Enforcer while the Elites focus on the Sentinels. The two Elites fire their Ghost's Plasma Cannons at the Enforcer. With their combined firepower, they take out it's front shields and eventually, the Enforcer itself. The Elites manage to defeat the Sentinels with their Ghosts as well
"Onward to the Sacred Icon!"
The team pass through the tunnel and enter the structure within. They find Flood-Infected Bodies riding Ghosts
"What? The parasite controls our vehicles?"
"No matter, brother. They shall die all the same." Kira 'Vadamee says
The team of Ghosts quickly gun down the opposition taking out the Flood and destroying the Ghosts with their combined firepower. Moving ahead, they head through a large area where Enforcers and Sentinels were fighting Flood that controlled Ghosts, Warthogs, Scorpions, and Wraiths. The team manages to bypass the firefight and move on toward the next area. They drive through a valley of Flood-Controlled Wraiths, with Enforcers rising and falling into and from the pits in the center. The team passes them moving through a tunnel ahead. They then head through the remains of the Sentinel Constructor Factory that had crashed. After bypassing the area, the team enters a large valley. A Phantom flies in and drops a Spectre, driven by Rtas 'Vadumee, aiding The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee
A Spectre was a multi-sized, multi-troop armored Covenant ground assault/transportation vehicle. The vehicle features two seating positions for additional passengers and a rear-mounted Plasma Turret
"Forward to the Icon! The parasite's ranks swell as we draw nearer to the Library. Steel your nerves, we're not turning back."
With Rtas 'Vadumee now joining them, The Arbiter, and Kira 'Vadamee along with their team of Elites through the Flood-filled valley and reach a barricade where a Scorpion tank and a Wraith face off with Enforcers. The Flood were guarding the entrance to a tunnel with turrets. Using their Ghosts and Spectre, the team of Elites quickly deal with the Flood blasting them to bits
"Once again, brothers, we are victorious!" Rtas 'Vadumee says
The team finds a gondola on the other side of a tunnel. The Elites dismount their vehicles and head for the gondola. The team runs to the control panel of the gondola. The Arbiter was about to activate the drive switch until they hear the grinding and whirring noise of another gondola approaching the Library
"More humans?" Rtas 'Vadumee says
"They must be after the Icon." Kira 'Vadamee says
Flood screeches echo through the air
"On your way, Arbiter. Go, Sister. I'll deal with these beasts!" Rtas 'Vadumee says drawing his Energy Sword
"Tread carefully, brother." Kira 'Vadamee says
Rtas 'Vadumee takes off as The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee watch him go. They turn back to the control panel and activates the gondola. The gondola starts moving, and Tartarus's Phantom hovers above the team
"I see that coward didn't join you. I'll do what I can to keep the Flood off your back." Tartarus says
The entrance, in the shape of a circle, rotates, then opens in four-quarter pieces
"We cannot let the humans capture the Icon. The Hierarchs do not look kindly on failure." Tartarus says
"Look! Up ahead. The Flood gathers for an attack."
"Let them come! I am ready for battle!"
Up ahead, the Flood awaited the team of Elites. They drop down and ambush them. The team fights off the Flood wave with their Energy Swords slicing them to pieces. As the gondola continues it's journey to the Library, more Flood attack the team. The Elites quickly deal with the second wave of Flood still using their Energy Swords. Soon, the gondola ascends and the team of Elites arrive at the Library
"Behold, the Library of our lords!"
"The humans are already inside, Arbiter! After them! I'll watch the perimeter." Tartarus says
"We shall protect this vessel. It may be our only means of escape."
"Retrieve the Icon, Arbiter, Sister, for the Covenant, and the Great Journey!"
With the team of Elites staying behind with Tartarus' Phantom, The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee move through the hallway heading toward the Library. Inside the Library, Miranda Keyes was looking toward the Index as it floated in its container in the center of the Library. Miranda approaches a Flood tentacle hanging off of some Enforcer wreckage and grabs hold of it while reaching for the Index. The container whirs, clicks, and then releases the Index. Miranda grabs hold of the Index
"Gotcha." Miranda says
The tentacle loosens its hold on the wreckage. Miranda about to fall to her death until the tentacle suddenly stops. She looks up and sees Johnson holding onto the tentacle
"You know, your father never asked me for help either." Johnson says
"The Index is secure." Miranda says as she places the Index in her belt
Miranda climbs back up onto the floor
"McKenzie, Perez, how's our exit?" Johnson says
No response
"You hear me, Marines?!" Johnson asks
Still no response
"We got trouble." Johnson says
Miranda readies two SMGs. Johnson walks slowly, watching for signs of enemy forces. He turns to his right and sees movement of a cloaked figure. He aims his Battle Rifle and fires
"Damn!"
Johnson opens fire shooting three bursts, but misses. The cloaked hostile gets close enough for Johnson to club it twice with his Battle Rifle, but with no effect. The attacker was none other than The Arbiter who grabs Johnson by the shoulders and sets him straight on his feet
"How 'ya doin?" Johnson says
The Arbiter growls, and hits Johnson with a head-to-head clash, knocking him down and out. He looks up toward Miranda who aimed her dual SMGs at him
"Sergeant, stay down!" Miranda says
Miranda fires, and bullets light up the Arbiter's shields. The Arbiter dashes for nearby cover, his shields drained as he reaches a piece of wreckage
"Johnson, are you all right? Johnson!" Miranda says
While Miranda was distracted, Kira 'Vadamee appears right in front of Miranda and slaps the SMGs out of her hands. She is about to react when a shock surrounding her whole body flickers, and pulls her away from Kira 'Vadamee. Miranda lands flat on Tartarus' shoulder unconscious as he catches her in his grasp
"Excellent work, Arbiter. Fine work, Sister. The Hierarchs will be pleased." Tartarus says
The Arbiter had a hand on his side, where he was shot when his shields were drained. Kira 'Vadamee stood by his side
"The Icon...is our responsibility." The Arbiter says
"Was your responsibility. Now it is mine." Tartarus says
Two Brutes aiming Brute Shots at The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee. The two Elites stare at them in disbelief. Another Brute drags Johnson's unconscious body with Tartarus firmly placing Miranda on the same Brute's shoulder. Tartarus takes his hammer and points it toward The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee
"A bloody fate awaits you and the rest of your incompetent race. And I, Tartarus, Chieftan of the Brutes will send you to it."
"When the Prophets learn of this, they will take your head!" The Arbiter says
"And mount it on a stave for your treachery!" Kira 'Vadamee says
"When they learn?" Tartarus says
Tartarus chuckles
"Fools. They ordered me to do it." Tartarus says
Tartarus shoots his hammer and sends The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee falling into the pit below with one gravity shock
Author's Note: The Journey for the Sacred Icon. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee are sent to the Delta Halo to head for the Library where the Activation Index for the Halo ring awaited them. But they were not the only ones after the Index. Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Johnson with their Marines were also after the Index. Both sides encounter the Forerunner Drones and Sentinels along with the Flood and are involved in a race for the Index. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee receive help from Rtas 'Vadumee who journeys with them to the gondola, then rushes off to face against the Flood. The two Elites reach the Library where Miranda and Johnson had already acquired the Index. The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee quickly deal with Miranda and Johnson disarming them and forcing them unconscious. Tartarus arrives and takes possession of the Index betraying The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee telling them that the Prophets ordered him to betray them. Tartarus knocks The Arbiter and Kira 'Vadamee into the pit of the Library. What do you think will happen next? Who will they meet? And how will they react? Let me know what you guys think. No flames please. Hope you guys like and don't forget to review!