A/N: In this chappie you'll read how Master Chief enters the story. YAY Master Chief! If you don't have Halo 2 and beaten it then this chapter is gonna be confusing…more than it'll be anyway.

A Hero's Welcome

The year 2553…

It all looked so peaceful out in space. There was no war out there, no merciless covenant, no blood thirsty flood. Just peace and quiet…

A large covenant ship floated in space. Surrounding it was the remains of Earth's space defences, Malta, Athens, and Cairo. Malta and Athens were obliterated by covenant bombs earlier, leaving Cairo to defend Earth by itself, and failing to do so.

Inside space platform Cairo was really not much. Dead bodies were spread all over the place. Dead covenant by the UNSC soldiers protecting Cairo and dead marines by the almighty covenant army.

"Sir I'm getting an unidentified object on view."

Admiral Hood sighed, "Well then, it's not ours, take it out."

Static came out of the com system then a voice. "Sir, this is Spartan one-one-seven."

"Chief! Do you mind telling me what the hell you're doing on that ship?", Hood spat.

"Sir… Finishing this fight."

Hood grounded his teeth, "Chief, with all due respect, you will die in vein, you are about to go against a whole covenant ship single handed." Chief sighed, "Sir, it's not like I haven't done it before."

"Admiral, I got good news." The technician interrupted.

"Tell me."

"Well we got two marine transponders… Sergeant Johnson and Miranda Keyes. The weird thing is that they seam to have an elite and an A.I. with them, sir. They're coming in a covenant cruiser."

Master Chief interrupted, "Keyes and Johnson?"

"Well Chief, I hope that's excuse enough for you to get off that ship. I need you to go protect them, THAT'S AN ORDER!"

"No need for that admiral." The voice female... familiar…

"Cortana, didn't you stay at High Charity?" Chief asked.

Cortana laughed, "I can't leave you alone, you're still an irresponsible little boy. And if you were wondering, I uploaded myself into the covenant ship where Keyes is and then into Cairo."

"Enough with the chit chat! Chief, get into an escape pod as quick as you can and get your metal ass here even quicker." Hood barked.

Master Chief turned off his communicator. The closest emergency pod was not too far. He picked up his battle rifle and slowly crept through the ships halls.

"BROTHERS!" Regret's voice rang throughout the whole ship. "Today is yet another day to rejoice. The absence of the elites was saddening but necessary. BUT! That is in the past and WE are the future!"

After the cheers subsided, Truth continued, "Halo has failed us in attempt to rid us of the flood, but no matter! The stars are aligned to our favour, our time has come, and the covenant shall rule!" More cheers followed as Truth finished his speech.

Master Chief finally found an emergency escape pod. Just as Master Chief was about to step in Cortana appeared on his com system. "Chief, I'd just like you to know that besides the covenant ship you're in and the cruiser where Johnson and Keyes are, another one came… In Amber Clad… and it's heading in the same direction as the ship you're in."

"I thought In Amber Clad crashed against a tower in High Charity?"

"It did. But the flood must have found a way to remove it. The bad news about it is that the Gravemind is aboard the ship. Oh, and don't worry about the pod, I uploaded a navigator in it so it will lead you to us. I'll see you there." Cortana got off leaving static in his communicator yet again.

Master Chief punched the door leading to the emergency escape pod, denting it. "Damn…"

He stepped inside the pod, the door automatically closing behind him.

"What else can go wrong?"

Just as he said that a white void appeared behind him, sucking him in instantly. Master Chief saw that the world around him swirled without stop. His stomach churned as he felt something he thought he would never feel… fear.

Even through the continuous tumbling, he saw something at the other side of the portal, coming towards him. Just as it was about to pass him, time slowed down. Master Chief could tell it was a young teen. The boy had odd green hair, and red 3D glasses. Before Master Chief could make out more of the boy, time sped back to normal and both flew in opposite directions.

What else could go wrong…? I just had to fucking ask.

A/N: for some that don't know:

1: High Charity is the covenants home.
2: The Gravemind is the big talking flood, their leader.
3: Admiral Hood is also known as Lord Hood in the game Halo 2, he's the old guy giving out medals in the first level.