Disclaimer: I do not own Halo or any other character portrait on this fic, any character portrait here is property of Microsoft. If I did I would make Halo 2's ending better.
´´ ´´: Dialogue of characters.
The Great Journey
The Master Chief and the Arbiter stayed locked in their staring contest for several minutes while Penitent Tangent babbled about regulations about Halo and controlling the flood. Finally ,the Arbiter broke the silence, or better said, his weapon broke it:
The plasma sword came to life illuminating the surroundings of the Arbiter's hand, although the chief had fought against the Arbiter before, he had never had a chance to fight him while the elite had a plasma sword. The chief had seen dozens of marines , ODST's and even Spartans fell to the might of the energy blade in the past. But this was not going to be his case. Instinctively, the chief raised his assault rifle ready to open fire at the Arbiter's first move.
What the chief had not expected was a second plasma sword being activated in the Arbiter's left hand, never had an elite used a second weapon for being too difficult and dangerous to wield, but suddenly the Arbiter threw the plasma sword to the chief in a manner not to hurt him, but rather for the chief to be able to catch it.
As the chief examined the sword, the Arbiter spoke -´´ Drop your rifle demon, we shall fight with honor ´´.
The master chief turned off the sword and clipped it to his belt -´´ Thanks, but no thanks´´.
The chief raised his assault rifle and fired upon the Arbiter. The Arbiter ran and leaped trying to find a place to take cover, just as his shields were about to drop he found shelter behind a small pillar.
´´ Damn it ´´- The Arbiter cursed -´´ I should have brought long range weapons as well ´´.
The chief reloaded and took the liberty to fire at the pillar, after all he still had 480 rounds left -´´Give up and come out, and maybe I will kill you fast ´´.
´´ Really, how generous of you ´´- The Arbiter countered.
´´ Yes I am, considering that I should skin you alive for killing my brothers ´´- The chief said, referring to the Spartans the Arbiter had killed before.
´´ As you said demon, thanks but no thanks ´´- The Arbiter primed a plasma grenade and looped it towards the chief, however given the distance and the angle, the chief easily stepped aside and let the grenade fell harmlessly to the pit of the control room.
´´ Nice try ´´- The chief said -´´ But you'll need more than that ´´
The Arbiter now only had 3 grenades, there was a chance that if he threw the 3 of them at the same time, at least one of them would stick to the chief, but it was a long shot. Taking a small peek ,the Arbiter saw a solution to his troubles. The Arbiter primed the 3 grenades and looped them in a way the chief didn't even had to move to avoid them.
´´ You must be getting desperate ´´- The chief said -´´ Or maybe it's the fear of death getting to you ´´.
´´ Or maybe I'm thinking, instead of you demon ´´- Just as the Arbiter said those words, 2 of the grenades exploded ,taking out the fuel canisters some UNSC marines had left behind when they took over the control room. The resulting explosion took the chief by surprise and send him flying to the floor. The Arbiter acting quickly, leaped from his hiding spot and kicked the discarded assault rifle to the pit, then with his plasma sword he lunged to the chief.
The chief barely recovered to avoid the deadly blade, however the Arbiter managed to slash his left shoulder. Melting armor and skin was visible to the eye.
´´ Now demon ´´- The Arbiter sneered -´´ Let's try this one more time, shall we ´´.
The now covenant controlled Pillar of Autumn exited the ring world Halo, escaping the nightmare known as the flood. The Spec ops commander gave himself the privilege to recline on his small human chair, relaxing for a few seconds.
´´ Cortana ´´- The commander spoke -´´ use this ship's primitive transmission system to contact our fleet and rendezvous with them ´´.
Cortana's image appeared in one of the few holo projectors the Autumn possessed, Cortana ignored the order a few seconds, still remembering the last words of the Arbiter:
Flashback:
´´ He's heading towards the control room, if he activates the ring…´´
´´ That won't happen ´´- The Arbiter cut her off -´´ Prepare the next fighter to the same destination, and Inform Half jaw that he can leave ´´.
´´ Got it ´´- Cortana said -´´ Alright, yank me out ´´
The Arbiter approached her image, ready to speak -´´ You're not coming ´´.
´´ What are you talking about ´´- Cortana replied -´´ We need to stay together and go stop him before…´´
´´ No ´´- The Arbiter said -´´ I need to go alone, you remain here and lead our forces out of Halo ´´.
´´ But…´´
´´ Don't say anything ´´- The Arbiter merely whisper -´´ I need to do this ´´.
Cortana studied his features, searching for anything but found nothing, except sadness. Sadness that he might not come back alive. -´´ Very well, just promise that you'll come back , ok ´´.
´´ I'll try ´´- The Arbiter said and ran towards the longsword fighter leaving Cortana in the ship.
´´ Good luck …´´
End Flashback
´´ Cortana ´´- The spec ops commander repeated -´´ Have you done what I ordered you to do´´.
´´ Yes ´´- Cortana replied -´´ but the slip space engine of this vessel is fairly damaged and…´´- Cortana appeared to be thinking about something -´´ We have bigger troubles that that .´´
Already guessing what it was, Half jaw spoke -´´ Show me ´´.
The nearby screen changed to the view outside the ship, the 3 remaining UNSC vessels that accompanied the Pillar we're heading strait towards them. Due that the UNSC vessels had not attacked yet, indicated that they had not yet discovered their presence in the once human vessel.
´´ What should we do?´´- Cortana spoke -´´ This ship is fairly damaged and engaging the 3 of them is suicide ´´.
´´ Then we'll die fighting ´´- The spec ops commander spoke -´´ power up the ships weapons and fire upon the nearest ship ´´.
´´ Got it ´´
The Pillar fired the modified 3 shot MAC gun to the nearest ship while delivering hundreds of archer pod missiles, the ship clueless of the impending danger received the MAC shots, leaving the ship dead in space.
´´ Interesting ´´- The commander spoke -´´ I didn't think that this ship could cripple the enemy so easily ´´.- The shaking of the Pillar indicated that the remaining two ships had returned fire.
´´Status Cortana ´´.
´´ Bad news ´´- Cortana's image flickered -´´ Their MAC shots have just damaged our own MAC gun ´´- Her image vanished for a moment as more incoming MAC shots hit the Autumn -´´the pillars armor plating cannot withstand more direct hits, there's nothing we can do now´´.
´´ I see ´´- The spec ops commander said, turning to his fellow brethren in engineering he spoke to them -´´ Brothers, this is the day we shall die, however do not forget that we die with honor and distinction , the covenant last hopes rest upon the Arbiter ´´.
The covenant in engineering yelled in reverence for the Arbiter and the covenant as their final moments had arrived, once the two UNSC ships were in position suddenly one by one were destroyed by incoming plasma weapons.
´´ Cortana ´´- The commander spoke -´´ What happened ?´´
´´ Commander ´´- Cortana spoke -´´ It's High Charity!´´.
The Master chief ignored the enormous pain on his left shoulder and activated his own plasma sword, the Arbiter could see that the chief's left arm was now useless.
´´ Tell me demon ´´- The Arbiter said -´´ can you really fight with only one arm ´´.
´´ Come see for yourself ´´- The chief countered as he raised his plasma sword. The Arbiter leaped to the chief and made an horizontal slash, however he only managed to drain the chief's shields as the chief jumped backwards. The Arbiter tried again ,this time with a vertical cut but the chief sidestepped and managed to land a slash to the arbiter's shoulder.
´´ Now we're even ´´- The chief said as the Arbiter tried to stop the bleeding with his free hand. Since the arm the chief had hurt was the right one, the Arbiter switched to his left arm to fight.
´´ Now the question is, can you fight with your left arm ´´- The chief attacked the Arbiter but to his surprise the Arbiter blocked the sword.
´´ Did you really thought I couldn't use a sword with my left hand ´´- The Arbiter said to the chief -´´ All high class elites are trained to be left handed swordsman's as well ´´.
´´ Really, guess what ´´- The chief replied. To the Arbiter's surprise, the chief grabbed him by the neck with his left hand. The Arbiter had thought he couldn't use his left arm after the last blow.
While the chief squeezed the life out of the Arbiter, the chief spoke -´´ Now, should I kill you slowly or quick…I know´´- The chief stabbed the Arbiter in the chest with his plasma sword.
´´ Painfully ´´
This was it, the Arbiter was loosing conscious and everything around him was turning black. -´´ I lost…´´- The Arbiter whispered , sudden images of his fellow covenant companions passed before his eye: families and friends on his home world, half jaw, Cortana, everyone…Then replaced by the humans and demons killing them all.
´´ No ´´
The Chief was surprised to find out that the Arbiter could still talk, and even more surprised when the Arbiter kicked him away. The chief stood up to find the Arbiter in an attack pose with his sword in hand.
´´ Demon ´´- The Arbiter spoke -´´ I cannot die yet. If I do, thousands that depend on me will perish by your kind , and I cannot permit that. Prepare to die ´´.
´´ You should have died already ´´- The chief replied -´´ Now I will make sure that every last one of your race suffers ´´.
The Chief and the Arbiter ran towards each other as they prepared for the last attack, as they approached each other both of them unleashed their attacks. After the two fighters stopped, only one was on foot.
´´ I win ´´
3 Covenant carriers approached the battered Autumn as they finished off the remaining UNSC vessels.
´´ This is Zera usumoe to the surviving crew of the Truth and Reconciliation, stand by for pickup of that useless human vessel ´´.
´´ Understood ´´- The spec ops commander replied -´´ Another minute in this cramp of a vessel and we might have lost it ´´.
´´ Indeed jeje ´´- Zera joked as dozens of phantoms approached the Autumn. -´´ Over and out ´´.
The spec ops commander ordered the remaining forces to head towards docking bay 7, then he approached the panel to extract Cortana out of the ship's network.
Suddenly Cortana's image popped out -´´ The Arbiter…did he…´´
´´ We'll go get him right away ´´- The spec ops commander replied to her -´´ but for now we must leave this vessel .´´
´´ That's not what I meant ´´- Cortana said to him -´´ somehow, I can feel something happened to him ´´.
Half jaw was stunned to hear Cortana speak like that, no AI is capable of feelings ,right?. Shaking those thoughts away he spoke again. - ´´ I can assure you he's fine. Now come, we'll descend to Halo's control room right now ´´.
Cortana nodded as the commander withdrew the data crystal and guard it inside one of his armor's compartments. He wouldn't reveal it, but the commander was worried as well for the Arbiter's well being.
´´ I lost…´´
The Master chief dropped the sword to the floor as blood gushed from his chest. In the last moment the Arbiter had sidestepped and made an horizontal slash. The chief had not foresaw this and failed to avoid the deadly blade.
´´ I won ´´- The Arbiter said as he slowly approached the kneeling body of the chief. As he reached him ,the chief lowered his head in shame.
´´ Kill me now ´´- The chief said as he closed his eyes. Several moments had passed and the chief could still feel the beat of his heart. Hearing footsteps getting farther away the chief decided to open his eyes to find the Arbiter reaching for the control panel.
´´ Wait ´´- The chief's voice stopped the Arbiter dead in his tracks -´´ Why wont you kill me? ´´.
´´ Because, I'm not a murderer ´´- The Arbiter replied as he once again turned to the control panel -´´ Besides, when my brethren find you in here you shall suffer a greater fate than death ´´.
The chief's wound finally gave in as he collapsed in the floor, as the Arbiter reached the panel he could also feel that his time was getting shorter. With the Index he took from the chief's body he inserted it into the panel as Penitent tangent started speaking.
´´ All systems ready to go, primary systems…´´
´´ Please ´´- The Arbiter interrupted the red orb -´´ just tell me when it's ready ´´.
´´ Understood ´´- as penitent tangent said it an enormous energy column rough the center of the room. -´´ It's ready reclaimer ´´.
´´ You don't say ´´- The Arbiter replied as the energy column grew more and more. Soon the Arbiter's vision was blinded and his body started to feel different. Then, everything around him vanished.
´´ Commander ´´- Cortana spoke to Half jaw trough the phantoms speakers -´´ High Charity is reporting that in the center of Halo there is an enormous concentration of energy forming up. Do you think is the beginning?´´
´´ Yes, I do ´´- The commander replied -´´ pilot hurry up and get us to the control room ´´.
´´ Yes commander ´´.
The 3 phantoms unleashed 10 black armor elites ,15 grunts and Half jaw with Cortana's data crystal. Not waiting to secure the area, the commander ran to the inside of the control room followed by the other elites. As they reached the door that lead to the control room, the commander withdrew his plasma sword.
´´ Commander, only one life sign detected ´´.- An elite said to Half jaw.
´´ Very well, enter ´´- As the elites entered, they found the battered body of the chief in the floor, a black armored elite approached it and grabbed the chief by the neck.
Lifting the body the elite spoke -´´ Now you will die demon ´´.
´´ Wait ´´- The commander spoke -´´ don't kill him, he will be severely punished once we reach High Charity, besides what better present for our prophets´´
The black armored elite smiled and tossed the body of the chief to the grunts. The commander inserted Cortana into the mainframe of Halo, instantly Cortana appeared in the holo projector in the room.
´´ Cortana ´´- Half jaw spoke -´´ can you get any video log of the control room, so that we can find out what happened to the Arbiter ´´.
´´ There isn't any video ´´- Cortana whispered -´´ But the system indicates that Halo was activated just moments ago. Which means… ´´
´´ …That the Arbiter has begun the great journey´´- The commander whispered.
´´ Where am I? ´´
The Arbiter was surrounded with an intense light as he continued to walk aimlessly. The only sign of …anything was Penitent Tangent next to him.
´´ In the beginning, of course ´´- Penitent answered. -´´ I shall guide you to the real entrance of your true journey ,reclaimer ´´
´´ But, you'll only guide me to the entrance right?´´- The Arbiter asked.
´´ Of course ´´- The red orb replied, much to the relief of the Arbiter. -´´ You must reach ascension by yourself ´´
´´ Very well ´´- The Arbiter spoke -´´ lead on ´´.
Both of them continued to advanced forward while penitent tangent took the lead, whatever awaited the Arbiter far beyond was worth it to finally end the human covenant war.
The End
Author's Notes:
Finally, my second finished fic. Although the ending is a bit lame it's because there's going to be a sequel in a (hopefully) not so far future. Until the sequel.
Demonwithasoul