Location: Far-side Colony, New Jackson

Time: 0300 PM

Section: ONI Base

Today was nightmare. Insurrectionist had bombed the base and now it was all on war with them. One of the soldiers fighting for the ONI Base was a Spartan 5. The only Spartan 5, Spartan Summers. She was only 16, going on 17 this coming month and was already in the biggest fight since becoming a Spartan. She had been in many small fire-fights like battles with her teams. However, those where nothing compared to this. This was considerably her first fight in a war. Luckily Spartan Summers had been trained by the best of the best, so he was prepared for a fight such as this one. But she was caught off guard by the usage of explosives that was near the armory. She lost some new good friends in that explosion. Now Spartan Summers had to protect her fellow soldiers and the scientists of the base. Easier said than done, obviously. If there was one thing Spartan Summers was good at was using dual weapons. She would grab two weapons of the same model and fire. Every time the guns where emptied she would find to more. Right now, she and survivors where huddled in a make-shift bunker. She kept an eye on the entrance seeing how things where looking. From the sound of the explosions and screams things did not sound good. The line that was being held was falling.

Damn, she thought. We are going to have to fall back.

"This is Spartan Summers of the UNSC calling for immediate evac! Does anyone copy?"

"This Eagle Eye 4, I copy Spartan." Said a pilot. "What's your position?"

"ONI Base northside, sending coordinates now. And hurry we have injured." Spartan Summers looked behind her seeing the injured scientists getting treated by the soldiers.

"Roger that, estimate time 5 minutes." Said the pilot.

Spartan Summers sighed in relief hearing that.

"Do you think we can hold out that long?" Asked one of the soldiers.

"We can, and we will." Spartan Summers replied.

This is going to be a long 5 minutes. She thought knowing the enemy would find them. And my tracker is picking up a lot of movement heading our way. Shit.

"You guys hunker down and say out of sight. Save your bullets and be selective. Use the hit-and-run tactic. Just don't let the bastards get a shot in."

"What about you?" Asked a scientist.

"I am going to buy some more time." Spartan Summers went to meet the Insurrectionist before they found the others.

These Spartans really are suicidal. Thought a rookie hearing the Spartan.

Spartan Summers walked closer to the exit and closed her eyes and reminisced of her time with her teams. Blue Team. Osiris. The time she was on Infinity. She gave an inaudible sigh knowing she wasn't going to see them again.

Sorry everyone.

"Wait Spartan." Said an older soldier. "It has been an honor." He saluted.

One by one the soldiers saluted her. One of the scientists handed her two guns that where loaded and ready. She smiled and took of her dog tags. She told the older solider to hold onto it because if she survived, she would be wanting it back. She saluted back. Then she turned looked at them one last time as if committing the scene to memory. After a few more seconds she ran out. The soldiers remained saluting until she was out of sight.

"Good luck Spartan…" Breathed the rookie.

Spartan Summers jumped over rubble and ran straight for the battle. She stopped on a little cliff seeing friendlies and foes locked in battle. She jumped down firing at the Insurrectionist catching most of them off guard.

"It's the Spartan!" Shouted a solider.

There was a large rally cry as the leader of the soldiers fought his way over to her.

"Good to see you stand Spartan." He said.

"You know the old saying Sarge, "Spartans never die"." Spartan Summers teased.

The Sarge smiled. "We need to push back the bastards. Did you find any survivors?"

"I have a Pelican picking them up."

"Anything else?"

"I can make an opening. But if things go south—for any reason—you and troops pull out."

"Understood Spartan. Go make that opening."

"Sir yes, sir!" Spartan Summers raced to the Insurrectionist side and Spartan charged them. Her armor's shields expanded pushing the enemy out of her way.

She fired before they had a chance to react. With the opening made the Sarge and his troops where about to aid the Spartan when the ground started shaking. The battle stopped as everyone tried to figure out what was going on.

"Sarge pull back!" Spartan Summers shouted.

"Roger! Come on Spartan we don't we all go home together?" Spartan Summers watched as the Sarge and his troops pulled out.

She remained. She didn't answer him. Something was up and as Spartan she had to put a stop to it.

It's got to be something the Insurrectionist have. She thought.

Spartan Summers raced deeper into the Insurrectionist side killing them as she went. She took out their cannons and tanks using one of their vehicles to get around while she fired. She stopped the vehicle and hoped out. She fought the Insurrectionist she found as the quaking got worst.

What the hell…? Summers wondered as she snapped the neck of the person leading the attack.

"Spartan Summers, do you read?" Said the Sarge.

"This is Spartan Summers I—" She didn't get to finish that sentence as the group caved in behind her.

There was this large blast and Spartan Summers was thrown off her feet. She crashed into something and broke through it. Her thoughts swirled to the time she was with the people she called, family. As those memories entered her head as she felt something puncture her stomach. And everything faded.

Location: UNSC Infinity

Time: O900 AM

Section: Bridge

Captain Thomas Lasky stood on the bridge reading over a data-file when a call came in. Lasky had Roland answer it before he put the file down. That was when Lasky was greeted by a Sargent. The Sargent was in his best uninform and his hat was on his chest. Why was like that. He spoke regretfully and told Lasky what had happened. Everyone on the bridge stopped working. They all had known Spartan Summers and to hear that she was dead was unreal. Lasky shocked but kept himself composed thanked the Sargent for telling him. The Sargent apologized one las time and said that Spartan Summers had left her dog tags with a survivor and the tags where going to be delivered to Infinity. Now to tell Blue Team and Osiris. He could tell Osiris first and then let Blue Team know after their mission.

Location: Deep Space

Osiris hand just finished up finding and securing Halsey from Covenant forces. It was a rough mission, but they got it done. As they were relaxing a bit Lasky called. The holo-circle table lit up and the Spartans gathered around it. Halsey looked interested by the meaning of Lasky calling them.

"Captain Lasky?" Asked Spartan Locke.

Lasky didn't look himself. That made them tense. Something bad happened.

"Fire-Team Osiris at O400 AM, the ONI base on the colony of Far Side was attacked by the local Insurrectionist." Lasky began.

The ONI Base on Far Side. That was where… Oh no. Lasky please don't say it. Spartan Buck prayed.

"Far Side was also one of the colonies that suffered a cataclysmic event. This happened during the Insurrectionist attacks. At O900 AM Sargent Barks called to inform me that we've lost a Spartan."

God, please tell me that this all some sick dream. Buck thought.

"Who—Who was the Spartan?" Asked Vale knowing who it might be.

"Spartan—Spartan Summers…" Lasky said shakenly.

Locke cut the transmission. Halsey was curious about the reaction of Osiris but didn't say anything. Buck punched the Pelican wall. Shaking the ship, a little which startled the others. That was the first time his team had seem him act like that. They all couldn't blame him. Someone important had been taken from them.

Location: Earth, New York

Time: Unknown

Section: Times Square

A little ball of blue light floated around the ruins a once great and powerful city. To think this city was one of the largest cities on Earth and home to millions of humans. But know all of that was gone was depressing. The little ball flew around scanning as it went while listening to the quiet breeze of the wind. Searching for something, or rather someone. This someone was to be another spark of hope that would be ready to ingite a blazing fire to push back the coming darkness. The little ball could feel that same darkness as it flew. The ball was startled by a cry in the distance.

Uh oh… I really don't feel like playing "Catch and Kill the Ghost". It thought picking up the pace.

The Ghost had seen many Ghosts fall victim to that. And this Ghost had interest in ending up like them. As the Ghost continued scanning there was this feeling it was getting.

This feeling…could it be? The Ghost began to feel a new sensation.

This sensation reminded the hall of the times the Ghost had seen others get. Now it was feeling this sensation. It felt incredible. Then there was a burst of light. When the light subsided there stood the figure of a young woman in hunter class armor. At long last the Ghost had found it's Guardian. Now there was another spark of hope ready to join the others. The Guardian looked disorientated, which was natural. This woman did just get brought back to life. the Ghost looked at its Guardian. For a hunter she was little on the buff side like a titan.

"It worked! You're alive! You have no idea how long I have been searching for you." Cheered the Ghost still in shock.

There was another cry in the distance.

Crap…why am I not surprised. Thought the Ghost looking back at the Guardian.

"Who—What are you?" She asks. "Wh—What is going on…?"

"I'm a Ghost, actually now I'm your Ghost. And…well, you've been dead for a very long time, so you are going to see a lot of things you aren't going understand." The Ghost explained.

It's female? Wondered the girl.

"I know, this must be scary, but I promise to be with you every step of the way alright?" She nods.

The Ghost makes a hopeful look as there is another cry from behind her.

"Oh, right I forgot about that. Okay, look long story short this is Fallen Territory, we aren't safe here. I need to—somehow—get us to the city. Hold still." With that the Ghost disappeared.

The girl blinked and looked around.

Keep it together Autumn. You're not a long. You have this Ghost thingy and you're going to be okay. She told herself.

"Don't worry I'm still with you!" Said her Ghost cheerfully. "Now we need to find a way out of here. Let's see…AH! That looks like a good place to start. Okay, Guardian that marker on your tracker?" Autumn nodded. "Good, now head toward that marker and be careful."

"Yes ma'am." Autumn said and raced toward the direction of the maker.

As Autumn ran she looked at her surrounds. This wasn't Far Side. This place did look familiar where had she seen this place?

Wait this is place, New York City!?

"Hey Ghost?"

"Yes Guardian?"

"First call me Autumn and second where are we?"

"A Human city called New York." The Ghost explained.

"What happened here?"

"That's a long story in its itself. I'll explain when we don't have worry about getting killed. Alright?"

"Sounds like plan. So where do you have me heading?" Asked Autumn.

"A Spaceport. It's the only place that I could think of where we might find a ship."

"Good. So, Ghost…are there others like you?" Autumn wondered.

"Thousands. As Ghosts we are to find Guardians like you to the defend the City." She explained. "Some find Guardians, others are still looking, while others have been…" She didn't finish.

"Mind if I call you something other than Ghost?" Autumn changes the subject.

"Sure. What did you have in mind?"

"Lady."

"Lady?"

"You sound like a Lady." Autumn said smiling.

"Lady is a pretty name. I like it. For own on call me Lady!" Lady cheered.

Autumn smiled. She then skidded to a halt and took cover behind a rusted car. She looked passed it.

So that is the Fallen. Autumn thought seeing the multiple armed aliens walking around looking for something to shot.

Autumn's mind started calculating plans that might work. She was going to need those guns if she was to get Spaceport and fight off whatever was in there. She then took action. She took a small rock and threw it somewhere causing a noise. Some of them went to check it out. Autumn snuck behind the ones that didn't and snapped one of their necks. She took them by surprised and killed them with ease. Lady watched in awe seeing her Guardian fight. For a weaponless person she was a good hand-to-hand fighter. When the Fallen where killed Autumn took one's cloak, and the others' weapons. Now armed and ready Autumn continued her way to the Spaceport.

"That was some fancy fighting Autumn." Lady commented.

"Thanks. I was trained by the best of the best."

"The best of the best?" Lady asked confused.

"My family. When I was young, I was adopted why these people called "Spartans". They are really nice and very protective."

"Whoa! You remember your past!?" Lady exclaimed in shock.

"Yep." Autumn said. "Am I not supposed to?"

"No—No its just that's very rare. For Guardians only 1 in a million maybe remember their past."

"Really?"

"Yeah. The thing is, that when a Guardian is revived, they are revived where they died. Sometimes a Guardian will find something that belonged to them which could spark a memory or two. But most of the time that doesn't happen. And I heard from some Guardians I ran into is that it's a rule for Guardians not to look into their past." Lady explained.

"Why?"

"Don't know."

"Before I—well died. I remember I gave my dog tags to someone."

"Even with out them you remembered. That's incredible, but I do feel bad."

"Because I might not see my family again?"

"Well I wasn't going to say it."

Autumn laughed as did Lady. They continued on their way to the Spaceport coming across Fallen patrols along the way. Autumn killed them in seconds. She was a great fighter and it was a good thing that Lady found her. Now the city had more of a chance to survive. Autumn did investigate a few stores see if there was anything she could use. It was obvious that the Spaceport she was heading to was a Fallen fortress. Now she had finally arrived at the Spaceport. It was completely covered in vines and plants. Autumn carefully walked over to a hole in the wall and slipped in. Lady watched the tracker keeping her eye out for movement. So far so good. Now inside the Spaceport Lady began scanning for signs of a ship. Autumn stealthily walked through the Spaceport following Lady's directions. There wasn't any Fallen so far, and both knew that it was bad thing. Autumn entered a pitch black room and Lady reappeared.

"Fallen love the dark and thrive it. We definitely do not. Give me a minute." Lady flew off. "And warning what I am about to do is going totally piss of the Fallen." Lady admitted.

Autumn held in a whine as she waited. She saw the eyes of the Fallen and was generally freaked out. This was going to interesting. Autumn did a quick mental preparation for what she was about to face.

"Oh…Another one of those hardened military systems and a few centuries of entropy working against me, we'll see about that." Lady said to herself.

I should tell her that coms weren't turned off. Autumn thought having heard that.

The lights flash on catching the Fallen off guard. Autumn races into the next hallway. She notices a rifle and takes it. That was going to be useful. Autumn didn't waste anytime as the Fallen came to attack her. Lady was in awe again watching Autumn fight. Her fighting style was clean, graceful and sophisticated it looked like she was dancing. And her light. Lady watched as Autumn used the Hunter Subclass for the first time, Gunslinger. Autumn was a badass that much was true. As they pressed themselves onward they soon came outside.

"The fresh air feels nice." Autumn commented. "Find any ships?"

"I'm getting the signs of a jump ship. But it's vague." Lady answered.

"Well let's head in its direction." Autumn said.

"Right. Marking estimated location." Lady said.

Autumn ran across the open quart yard wondering what happened to New York. She couldn't believe this was Earth. Something was off. She didn't even die on Earth. She died on Far Side. How did she get brought back here? Was she the only Spartan turned Guardian? So many questions flew around in her head as she continued. She wanted answers and hopefully she would find them.

I wonder if I am in another demission. If so then I am dead to my demission. I'm sorry Blue Team, Osiris, Infinity. I'm sorry. Autumn thought keeping her tears inside.

Autumn soon snapped out of her sadness and took it out on the Fallen that stood in her way. She wasn't going waste this second chance. That was a promise to herself. But one of the Fallen still had some strength left, she felt something hit her the chest and she feel. After a few seconds Autumn took a sharp gasp sitting up.

Wait, I got hit in the chest. Shouldn't I be dead? She wondered.

"Lady…?" She asked.

"I brought you back to life remember? All Ghosts can bring back their Guardians so you all are immortal unless something happens to us Ghosts." Lady explained.

"Huh." Autumn said.

Wow I am really living up to the old saying, "Spartans never die". She laughed on the inside.

Autumn rose to her feet and checked the Fallen for anything good or useful. The only thing they had was grenades and more ammo. Thankfully that was all she needed right now.

"Hey a loot cache!" Lady pointed out the catch before them.

Autumn opened it finding glimmer and a sniper rifle. She wasn't sure what do with the glimmer, but the sniper rifle was going to be handy. After some more shooting, Lady hand located a jump ship. It was an Alpha UMI. The ship was hanging from wires that where attached to the ceiling. The ship was high up since there wasn't any sign of Fallen on it.

"Well there's our ticket out." Said Lady. "Just clear out all the Fallen and we can leave."

"Copy." Autumn fired.

She wanted to Spartan Charge them but with his light armor that had no shielding there was no way she could do it. One all the Fallen were dead Lady looked at the ship. Autumn scanned the area looking around not seeing any more enemies but stayed ready.

"Will it fly?" Autumn looked at Lady.

"I can make it work." Lady said disappearing into the ship.

The ship began to start up and dethatch from the ceiling.

"Alright so it's not going to break orbit, but it might just get us to the city." She said. "Now about that transmat…" She said to herself wondering.

There was a loud clanking sound and two Fallen Vandals plus some type of larger Fallen entered from the large whole in the wall.

"Oh, hell no brining you in!" Lady exclaimed as Autumn was transported inside. "Don't worry you can deal with those guys whenever you like. But right now? Let's get you home."

Autumn bit her lip a little hearing the word home. But she told herself to get over it. This was her life now and had to accept that. She pulled off her hood and removed her helmet. She rubbed her eyes and sighed tiredly. Lady looked at her guardian finally seeing her face. Autumn was beautiful. She had youthful elegant features that where a warm beige color with the most beautiful green eyes. Her auburn hair was half way down her neck and looked mazing. Lady sat on Autumn's shoulder giving silent support to her guardian. Autumn smiled and relaxed asking Lady to explain just what was going on.

As the ship pulled out New York there was a figure with a cloak standing on a skyscraper watching.

So, she is the one. The figure thought.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed. Updates will be slow. But they will happen.