Halo is owned by 343 Industries. Just a little late, but in time for the 20th anniversary of Halo. I would like it if you can share this story to your friends and see what they think. Some more attention would be very great for me and motivate me to continue this story. Just one more chapter before this first arc ends.

Planet Reach, 2525...

"Is that...me?" Grim finally said as he observes him for hours. Finally realizing what is going on after hours of processing until it is nighttime when his Mom is sleeping. He waits for a long time, unsure what to do, or think. Thinking about what could be going on. Did his Mom replace him? Is this his twin brother? What are the odds of him being exactly like him? This life he had. Sitting in the couch, playing video games, watching TV. He recalls doing all of that. This person seemingly stole his life. Or is this even real? Is he dreaming? If this is a dream...he can do this. He finally opens the patio door with little effort thanks to his super strength. The clone who was watching TV alone gets startled to see someone barge in the house. Grim slowly walks over his clone as he notices him super pale, and red eyes. He was sick. Couldn't even stand up. Both Grims look at each other, almost like they are fascinated with each other. Eventually Grim felt everything become blurry. Like his feelings are beginning to overcome himself. The idea of not being missed, and all the things done to him, he puts his hands on his pistol and points it to his clone.

The clone seems not all scared. Still only confused. "Are you...me?"

Shield World, 2530...

Ellen Anders opens her eyes to see herself floating in a futuristic prison with blue energy surrounding her. She looks around to see many Elites around. But the one that catches her attention is the largest one she seen. The Arbiter walks towards her with sword in hand, meaning business. Behind him, a Major who is not fond with him. "Remember, she is too important to dispose of."

"Silence!" Ripa shouts as he grabs Anders by the throat. Losing his patience with her and the Prophet of Regret. He is thankful he retreated back to the ship, so he won't have to deal with any kind of humiliation with him. "Your judgement has waited long enough."

He drags the professor in one hand and then throws her to a control pad. Despite being completely helpless, she refuses to let fear overtake her. "Just get it over with!" She shouts back in anger.

The Elite then grabs her wrist, and drags it close to a sphere blue on said control pad. Ellen's hand touches it, and then it glows bright. With the Elites attention on this, the blue light then shoots out into the sky. Many giant floating monoliths around the Forerunner structure begins to activate and open up wings. The Arbiter lets her go and walks over to get a good look at the giant weapons by the Forerunners. "The Ancients have granted us the power to doom your race. Let the deconstruction of our gifts begin!" He declares. "The majesty of our new fleet will be unparalleled!"

The Major is amazed by the sight of this, among the other Elites with him. "Unbelievable...Nothing will stand a chance against our might now."

During all of this, Anders is still recovering from being tossed around by the Arbiter. She noticed a large symbol on the floor. She acts quickly and silently goes over it. "Nothing ventured..." She whispered to herself. Unsure this will work, she takes a chance. "Surface." And then she disappears.

The Major turns around to see her teleport away. "The human! It got away!"

The Arbiter snarls. "It matters not. We have everything we need!"

The Major growls as he walks out. "Your arrogance knows no bounds..." He whispers.

Elsewhere...

Ellen reappears in a surface part of the Shield World. Empty, serine, and safe. The professor can't help but be impressed with herself. "Hm...that worked out pretty well." Then through the shadows, the small Flood parasites reveal themselves to Anders. "Or maybe not." She backs away, worried.

The parasites would then pounce on the defenseless professor, until they suddenly explode in mid air. Ellen looks to see her savior. "Lady I ain't got all day. You want to be rescued or not?" Sargent John Forge walks up to the lady with bravado. "So, what? No thanks for rescuing me Sargent?"

Ellen sighs, rolling her eyes. "Later. The Covenant are assembling a huge fleet!" Getting back to business.

Cutter overhears back in the Spirit of Fire. "That didn't sound good. I need Arcade to tell me what we're dealing with."

Ralph was in the room with him. "If only it was that easy..." Recalling the recent incident.

Cutter sighs. "I didn't think any Spartan would cause this much trouble."

Ralph sighs. "You...probably never heard of how us Spartans were made..."

Cutter turns to the former Spartan. "Wait...you were a Spartan son?"

Ralph never felt comfortable talking about his past. But he felt like this would help with seeing things in Grim, his, and Daisy's point of view. "Well...We were all chosen when we were 8 to be a part of the Spartan Program. We weren't volunteers."

Captain James G. Cutter isn't the type of man to be surprised about a lot of things. A.I's, Aliens, Super Soldiers. But this was something he didn't think would be something the UNSC would do. "You're serious?"

Ralph nods. "Unfortunately. We seen a lot of things that really changed our lives. We were taken from our parents. And after years of harsh training, life threatening augmentations, it would be finding out that we were replaced by flash clones that really crushed us...Daisy gave up on living a normal life after leading the runaways...I couldn't handle it all and I had to quit after being considered not mentally capable...But Grim changed the most...I heard a lot of things about his reaction. Nothing good. A lot of people see Spartans as unstoppable forces of good. But I guess we're the living proof that its not the case...But still we try our best to help as much as we can possibly can. That is something I can promise you that."

This was a lot for the Captain to swallow for a moment. He saw Spartans as the best shot at victory. Although he didn't consider them unstoppable, its a bit disheartening to see them broken and torn apart from the inside, he knew Ralph is the best case at this point for being self-aware, and still devote to his duty. "Well...that's good to know son."

"Me too..." Both men then looks to see a familiar face on their door, still in her hospital gown.

"Daisy!" She enters the room, with her close friend rushing to her. "Are you better now?"

"Yeah...I feel much better." She shifts her attention to the Captain. "Sir. I wish to come back to the line of duty."

Cutter can see her determination. He ultimately nods. "Alright. But you'll need some armor. Unfortunately, we don't have a spare suit for you, and your old one is still undergoing repairs. I will prep you weapons and give you time to dust off your skills Spartan. I need you at your best."

The Chief Petty Officer salutes. "Yes sir!" Cutter see's not a victim of circumstance, but a soldier, willing to do anything to serve. Although he felt bad for using her like this, they need each other to survive this war. And she knows this too. Although he wishes the same can be said for the third one.

In his own room, Grim was sitting alone, shutting himself out to everything. "[Not the most productive way to spend your life. Especially when there is much to do.]"

"Fuck off you toaster. I ain't having this."

"[Its understandable to lash out when stressed. But it is hardly the time for this when things are at its most important.]"

Grim frails his arms. "You better shut it, cause I am not in the mood!"

There was a very awkward silence for a few seconds. Then Arcade finally speaks. "[Very well then. I shall tell you why you were chosen for my masters plan.]" Grim turns his head in confusion. "[The secrecy of this particular plan is essential. However, you do deserve some context. The Flood is the greatest threat in the whole universe. My Master was told that the Flood will expand every planet, and every race, and all life will be consumed. So he created me to recruit someone to both trust and depend on to help prepare for the Flood in the future. This prophecy is taboo to talk about. I was not told why, but I could only trust my master. You may not trust anyone due to your past, however my master put a lot of trust on you, and not just because you are a Spartan, but because he said you were different from the others. I may not know what he meant, but I am in no position to question him. And from my experience, you are indeed different.]"

Grim looks down and clenches his fists. "Is that it? Just because I'm only different?"

Arcade can tell the anger is still in him, and he seems to not be used to letting it out that easily. There was silence. Arcade, despite being an advanced artificial intelligence, it had to pause before saying this. "[If it makes you feel better, your ability to stay defiant over authorities can be considered admirable for your race.]"

Grim would then stands up and continues to be silent. He then lowers his head in front of a wall for a few seconds. Then he starts punching it, over, and over, and over, and over again. After 8 times of punching a heavily dented wall, he finally stops. He then remembers that moment. When he saw his clone, then headbutts the wall, completely breaking through the wall. Luckily the energy shields took most of the blunt force. He shakes his head off, and punches himself to try and maintain some sort of stability in his own mind, until he finally calms down.

"[Are you calm now?]"

Grim breathed in and out. "Yeah..."

"[Good.]" Grim leaves his room and walks to the Captains room. It felt like a long walk, considering how there is a chance Daisy is still there. Luckily, she wasn't there in the Captain's room."[Sorry for the wait, Captain. I hope we haven't missed anything.]'

Cutter turns to see the Specter Spartan and his alien A.I. back. He is slightly relieved, knowing he has some more help in this hectic time. "The Covenant has gotten themselves a fleet on the way. You think you can take control of this stuff?"

"[You didn't need to ask. I can override the controls before they can disassemble them. We just need to find the control pad. That way I can control everything and maybe take care of the Flood.]"

Cutter begins to get skeptical. "Are you sure? Those things are a huge problem. We were lucky to survive the first wave, and one of them just got inside the ship."

Arcade hesitated a bit. "[Well...We have to at least try. Preserving Forerunner Constructs would benefit humanity for this war. Considering how only humans can access them. But rest assured, if the Flood is too much to handle...I will destroy it. I'm gonna need your FTL Reactors to cause a chain reaction to the nearest sun and obliterating everything. Although there would be no way to return home, but...its a sure way to get rid of the Flood. I suggest we try to go for the first possibility though.]"

Cutter considers both options. Using these weapons would end the war to their favor. Although its risky due to the Covenant trying to get their hands on it. But it seems the A.I. is more concerned for the Flood. And considering their first encounter, he is rightfully so. "Alright. You helped us through this whole thing, so I'm confident to say, you have my full consent on making the decisions. But know that I am more leaning on the last option."

"[Duly noted Captain.]" Arcade is not considered human, yet his tone makes it sound like he is only slightly elated with having the stern Captain trust him after the battles he helped out on.

Grim was about to leave, until he stops himself. He didn't want to ask this, but couldn't help himself. "Where's Daisy?"

The Captain felt a bit taken back by Grim asking a serious question without any kind of sarcasm. "She's waiting for her armor to be repaired. Probably gonna need a replacement once they are done with it."

Grim was silent for a few seconds. "...I see." He finally lets out as he leaves. He would walk through the hallways, with some men looking at him awkwardly, no doubt hearing about what he said. He would spent his time in the armory, checking the many weapons. It seems everyone left this room. Something Grim doesn't mind. He usually likes being alone when he inspects his guns.

Later...

Forge would rescue Anders from the Flood and the Professor came the same conclusion as Arcade to use the FTL Reactors to overload the sun. However, Arcade makes an argument to try and control the Forerunner Shield World and kick out the Covenant and destroy the Flood. Although to be safe, they would have one of the Reactors on stand by back at the Spirit of Fire dock. Grim along with Omega Team gets dropped in the deeper levels of the Shield World. Through the comms, Arcade speaks to the professor. "Be careful guys. This is the coordinates of where I last teleported." They noticed the bases already being established. "There could be a chance there is still more of those things out there."

"[You mean the Flood. And yes, they are a lot more than I expected.]"

"Not too late to consider blowing everything up."

"[Lets not give up so easily Professor. I say we try to give the security a chance.]" Arcade knows Ellen Anders is the type of lady who likes to be safe than sorry. He would have to get the securities to play on their side.

Grim is packed with as much weapons as possible. Shotgun on back. Pistol on the left hip. Energy Sword on the right. And Assault Rifle on hand. "So use alien weapons to kill aliens. Makes sense."

He then noticed Sargent Forge prepping himself for the long fight ahead. "We're on route. Keep the coffee hot, I'll be back before you know it."

"I'll be monitoring you from here Sargent." Ellen Anders almost sounded worried for him.

Serina replies to this. "[Well, it'll be pretty obvious if he succeeds.]" Not making Anders mood any better.

Omega Team gets prepared as well with their weapons ready. Leon leading his squad. "Everyone ready?" His squad nods collectively.

Grim walks near them. They glare at him. "Listen, I'm not friends with you guys, and I sure as hell can't remember any of you guys names. But hey, we all can relate to one thing, and that's killing shit. Might as well share with the whole pack. Right?" Grim awkwardly lets out. He may prefer being alone, but he knows how rough things will be when both the Covenant and the Flood would be together. Or perhaps he still thinking about Daisy and wants to focus on other matters, with other Spartans.

Leon walks over to him. "Stay close to us. We Spartans work best together after all." This sudden mood change was unexpected for the Specter. "You'll learn a thing or two on being in a team."

Grim winced a bit. But accepts it, feeling like he needs this. But the last thing he needs is anyone knowing this. "Alright Major Pain." He said with restrained contempt.

They become the first ones exploring the lower levels through the fields. They notice banshees coming out, started blasting with their plasma guns. The Spartans scramble, and starts shooting back. They were moving fast for the one charging the Spartan Laser. "Can't get a lock on them!" One of them named Robert shouts out.

Grim looks around to see one of the circling around them closely before they shoot their green explosive shot. A direct hit from that is an instant kill. "[Seems to be risky.]"

"Might also make things easier if we can pull it off." Grim was anxious.

"[Exercise caution.]" Grim rushes in to jump on the flying banshee. But it notices him and shoots Grim, seemingly killing him. The Spartans watch this unfold. But as the smoke clears, Grim is on one knee, fist on the ground, and surrounded by a glowing white aura. "[You didn't exercise caution as I said.]"

Grim gets out of this elusive state, puzzled. "What was that?!"

"[That was armor lock, but infused with your energy shields. Admittingly an experimental phase of the suit, but I made sure it would work out.]"

Grim rushes back, the banshee shoots again, this time Grim leaps out of the way, almost feeling the heat of the blast. But then pounces at the flying machine and grabs it. He crawls his way towards the round shaped areal machine and and then finds the pilot. A blue clad Elite. "I'll take this!" He punches the alien as he growls in pain, then grabs him and throws him out to the ground towards his death. Grim then gets inside the ship. Noticing tons of lights in front of him, along with a cyber looking screen that shows the view in front of the banshee. "Whoa! This is pretty freaky!"

"[This won't be hard.]" He then brings out an easy to understand tutorial to ride the banshee. How to steer, how to shoot plasma shots or bombs and how to switch them. Might be hard to digest for a regular human, but Grim tried his best to process the essentials.

Grim would move around, to get a feel for this. "Alright alright. This isn't so bad. Oh yeah!" He then quickly starts shooting the other banshees with plasma shots. He switches to bombs and destroys one of them with it. "BETRAYAL!" He shouts out.

The other Spartans handles the rest, with Robert annihilating one with his Spartan Laser. Leon then calls out. "One more!"

"I got it!" August leaps out.

Grim was startled by August talking. "She's a girl?"

August then whips out her own Energy Sword and stabs through the banshees underbelly, then swipes it completely, cutting the whole banshee in half. "Target neutralized." The female Spartan nonchalantly states.

Grim tilts his head in fascination. "Damn...You go girl."

All three Spartans regroup and proceed with the mission. The Specter follows with gusto. He can't help but feel a bit interested on the amount of fire power this large construct has to offer. With some planning, and sneak attacks, the numbers begin to decrease fast for the Covenant. Eventually, they find themselves in a very open area filled with monoliths that were apparently Forerunner ships that can easily raze humanity if put against them. "[We are here.]" Arcade states.

"Homey." Grim quips.

"[We just have to find the control pad. Then I'll connect through the system and the security will be under my control. I might also give myself an upgrade as well.]" The A.I. muses.

Leon stops on his tracks. "Something wrong Leon?" August asks.

He turns around to see infected marines and Elites coming from behind. "We have trouble. You will have to find the pad." He says to Grim.

"I can roll with that." Grim nods. He rushes in while Omega Team has him covered. He runs through the lone hallways with the giant area of Forerunners monoliths floating everywhere. Grim then notices a platform with what looks like a very futuristic computer on it. "Is that it?"

"[Indeed. Connect me.]" Grim does so and it takes some time until Arcades HUB begins to glow bright blue and everything hums loudly. "[Assimilation complete. This Shield World is now mine.]" Immediately afterwards, sentries show up and starts blasting every Flood in sight.

"Whoa. Now that is some fire power." Grim was pretty impressed. He wouldn't find himself admitting stuff like this. Yet, he done so for this case. But then he notices more Flood showing up despite the Sentries doing their jobs.

"[No good. There is still too many.]"

Grim starts shooting with his own shotgun. "So what now?" Arcade begins to go silent. This would begin to unsettle the Specter. "Uh...hello? Hal?"

Eventually, Arcade would make the call to Anders. "[Professor, I believe we should go for the supernova plan. There is way too much Flood to risk preserving the Shield World.]"

Grim tilts his head on this sudden change of tune. "And here I thought you want to keep these toys around."

"[That was until the Flood is around. They are too much of a threat. And nothing is sure than a supernova. Sargent Forge. We require the FTL Reactors.]"

"You got it." Forge replies as two pelicans fly around to carry the bomb. Just then banshees begin assaulting the pelicans holding the cargo. "We got some boogies on our tail!"

"[Let me handle this.]" Just as he said that, the sentinels begin to shoo the banshees before they can damage the pelicans.

"Nice shooting there!" Sargent Forge complimented, knowing they just made this operation a whole lot more easier. They go to a teleporter to find themselves in the core of the planet, where they will place the bomb. Forge, along with Red Team find themselves in the spacious center of the planet. "Gentlemen, we're burning sunshine here!"

Grim meets with them. "About time you guys showed up, this place was already boring me."

One of the marines would check on the door behind the bomb to make sure it will do its job. However, behind him, an invisible enemy shines his Energy Sword.

Grim crosses his arms while the Spartans check on the bomb, then sighs. "I wanted a little bit of action."

"[Everything is going well. Although a little too well.]" Just then something teleports on the horizon. Red Team also notices it as they inform Forge. "[It seems your prayers has been answered Specter.]"

Grim watches. "Well I'll be. Some fodder." As he watches some Elites in spears charging.

"[Specter, we might have some unexpected company.]" Grim turns to see the marine already dead with a fresh stab wound by plasma.

"Oh I've been waiting for a rematch against that squid face fuc-" Just then someone tackles him. The Major that follows the Arbiter, although reluctantly. He brings out his Energy Sword. Just then, Grim whips out his own to block the aliens wrath.

This causes the Major to flinch, noticing the color of it is red. "(Just where did you got that?!)"

Grim then headbutts the bewildered alien on the face. "Let that mystery keep you up at night..." He then stands his ground and gets ready to fight to the death. The Major positions himself as well. Both of them don't know each other, but they know one of them will die by the end of this. As Sargent Forge battles the Arbiter, and the Red Team against the Elite Guards, the fate of the galaxy rests in this skirmish.

To Be Continued...