Notes: Wow, thanks for the reviews guys. Thanks to SPECIALGUY for complimenting my humor, (I wasn't sure if my laugher at my own jokes qualified as funny…). Just wanted to let xXHellsingXx know that yes, even the most honorable Elites can develop a curse when they're pissed

Ch. 8 The Battle of the Golden Titans

Plasma sizzled as the two swords collided. With surprising speed the Elite began to execute heavy blows that smashed over and over on the Spartan's unsteady hand. The adroit Elite, sensing the Spartans lack of skill with the blade, recklessly bounded forward and executed an upward slash. The force and speed of the blow knocked the Master Chief back, and the Elite used this weakness to administer a sharp kick to his gut.

The Spartan landed on the ground, refusing to let the bile that had risen to his throat spew out. He quickly got to his feet and steadied his right hand.

" Oh, I see how it is," he growled as he charged at the Elite.

The Elite, amused by this sudden movement, decided to end the life of this annoying alien with one lunge. With a roar of victory it lunged with heightened agility towards the Spartans throat.

The Master Chief twirled to the side and sidestepped the attack.

The Elite's amusement changed to a grimace as the Spartan repaid the Elite with an elbow smash to the face. The Elite staggered, and the Master Chief swung his boot up the alien's crotch, lifting it several feet into the air.

The expression on the Elite was indiscernable though it was far from happy at getting kicked in that special area.

" I guess these Elites do have the family jewels after all," thought the Spartan as he prepared to finish his combo with a cut of his sword.

Just then the enraged Elite slashed at the Master Chief's chest. The edge of the sword penetrated through his gold armor and shields, cutting through his suit to his bare skin. The Master Chief felt another searing pain and wetness as his blood began to issue out from the wound.

As he attempted to sturdy himself from the attack, the Elite swung back and gave the Master Chief a roundhouse punch to the face. The force of the impact forced the Master Chief several feet as he hit the ground with a thump. Stars formed in front of his eyes and his arms felt like stone. A dull migraine pounded in his head.

As he attempted to reach his sword the approaching Elite kicked it aside and towered over the Master Chief.

" Alien," his translators spoke. " The punishment for holding a sword and attacking a warrior is immediate death. I will see you in the void."

As the Elite swung his arm up to execute the finishing move, the Spartan mustered all his strength and kicked at the Elite's legs. His boot collided with the back of its knee and the Elite crumbled under the blow. Doing a front flip the Master Chief grabbed the Elite's neck and began to pound its face with his armored fist. Its shields diminished as the continuous blows broke through the Elites armor and began to impact with his face. Reaching for the Elite's vest he grabbed a plasma grenade.

" See you in hell," muttered the Spartan as he activated the grenade and stuck to the Elite's forehead. " I hope that meets the regulations of a decent burial."

The Elite's screams were interrupted as the plasma grenade exploded, blasting bits of gold armor and gore onto the Chief as he rolled to safety. The Master Chief stood up and brought out his battle rifle, ready to leap into battle.

Five Wraiths stood in a row, hulls on fire as smoke poured out from its cockpit. Hundreds of Ghosts and several destroyed Banshee littered the landscape, crackling with broken circuits as a few exploded. Distant gunfire and yells were heard while the sound of Fuel rod guns were heard issuing their deadly plasma. The Master Chief headed to the Ghost that the former golden Elite had been riding in and climbed in. He rode the vehicle past more carnage of smoldering corpses until he reached the spot where he had last left Robert and Chris.

Of the six Hunters that had been protecting them, only two remained. A circle of dead Elites, Jackals and Ghosts surrounded the group as the marine and Hell-jumper clambered out from under the beat up Warthog.

" Yea!" cried the excited Marine. " I knew the Master Chief would return to save us!"

" Save us from what idiot? Looks like he came back at just the right moment to look good," sneered Chris as he unslung his rocket launcher.

The Spartan ignored him as he took the wheel of the smoking Warthog.

" Strap up and shut up," he replied as he revved the engine. The two soldiers complied as he headed back to the rendezvous. Something fishy was going on.

As he neared the forest where the marines had been attacked he spotted the Admiral conversing with several Lieutenants. As he got off the vehicle and headed towards the group, shouting erupted.

" I want to know why in blue blazes the Covenant were attacking their own kind? What bullshit is happening now? I want a report goddammit and I want it fast, no, I want it now!

A blue light flashed from the Admiral's hand and configured itself into the A.I Toto, who appeared to be very smug about something.

" If the Admiral could calm down I could give…"

" Shut up Toto! As you haven't seen, I'm doing my bitch session!"

"…you the files on the emergence of the Covenant."

" And now my session is over. Go ahead electric lips."

Ignoring this insult, the A.I consulted his files. " It is written here by a certain captured Elite named Tolseraree that each species had been found on separate planets. The Hunters had been tamed from a barren rock world and the Jackals had been found in a heavily forested planet. The Brutes and Elites have been mortal enemies on this same planet though the Elites were first incorporated into the Prophet's armies after being convinced. The grunts seemed to have been forced in and originate from a marshland several clicks from their main city. There is no evidence of where the drones had appeared."

" Ok then, explain to me why the Hunters are fighting their own homies huh?"

" I suggest you allow me to talk to the head Hunter about this matter. He may be able to provide me with more adequate information."

Grumbling, the bad tempered Admiral walked towards the naked Hunter while quietly clicking the safety off his M6C pistol. He didn't trust the monstrous beasts even though they had fought with them. Tables could turn, and the admiral had had that honorable experience several times during orbit battles.

Toto began to speak in the Hunter language with his deep grunts and growls while using hand gestures to ensure the understanding of the Hunter. The Hunter in turn, raised its arms and spoke in the similar language, ending it with a snarl as it banged its shield against its fuel rod. The A.I turned towards the Admiral.

" Based on what I could decipher, the Hunters have absolutely no idea who the Covenant are. At the time they had been on their home planet hunting their mortal enemies. Their foes had vanished into a cave and the hunting pack of Hunters had scrambled in after them. The next instant they had appeared in this forest and had been attacked by us and the Covenant. Judging by the way he was slamming his shield I don't think he was happy with the welcoming committee.

" Well, he started it," muttered the Sergeant as he glanced over at the Hunter with dark eyes.

" Aren't you around twelve years old Hanson?" inquired the A.I

" Thirty seven dumb ass. But I'll let any age between twenty-four and thirty slide."

" Well, start acting your age, cause I could have sworn I've heard that phrase used by second graders."

" Bitch."

" So," interrupted the Admiral. " Are you telling me that these giants just ran into a portal and were brought here? Like us?

" Well, we were sucked by a Kerr Hole so we most likely went into the past. I think the Hunters had stumbled upon a teleporter."

" So, the Covenant haven't been created in this time yet correct?" said the Master Chief as he walked over to the group. " Only the Prophets, Elites and Jackals have united."

" From what my report shows and the past events, yes," replied the A.I.

" Oh, it is my birthday," murmured the happy Sergeant. " And I know exactly how I'm going to celebrate it."