Disclaimer: This is a work of pure fiction I do not own Halo and it's characters. All rights belong to Bungie and 343 Industries and its affiliates.

This is my fourth story. I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

Author's Note: I haven't read the books this is going purely off the games and movies so things will be different then you are expecting and I apologize for that.

Chapter 1: Nightmares and Chasing Phantoms

Time: 4 years after the Ark was found on Earth and Master Chief disappeared.

Location: Infinity, Aala's room.

Aala woke up with a gasp as she held her head in pain as tears of sorrow and frustration fell down her cheeks. The nightmare of failing her mother and family weighing heavy on her as she chased after John's form in her dreams before tripping and looking up begging him to turn around and come back only for him to look at her like a stranger before fading from her vision.

"Damn it!" Aala cursed as she slammed her fist into the night stand next to her causing it to dent terribly at her enhanced strength and falling over.

Getting up she made her way to her mirror and looked at herself. Staring at her was a beautiful 30 something year old red head that had dark circles around her eyes. Her green hues staring back her brokenly and barley shining with any life.

She only had one purpose in life and that was bringing John back into their familie's fold. Whether anyone realized it or not he had become the corner stone of it. His very being seemed to give life and laughter to the family and their friends. When his flash clone had died the family had been very broken from it. It was like their very soul had been sucked out and they just did the bare minimum to get by.

Until news from other planets of families losing children suddenly and being found then without warning all mysteriously dieing from any and everything.

75 children missing and then later found before eventually dieing from organ failure and the like. Aala thought through gritted teeth. ONI and Halsey may think they were super smart in replacing families with their clones but if you dig hard enough the truth always comes out.

Time: Two years after John's supposed death

Location: Lab

Families reached out to each other desperately but secretly telling each other their children's life stories and the events leading to their children's deaths. When her grandmother Everette listened to everything the family's all told each other she started doubting the body in a casket was really her John. She secretly hired one of her best friends to take a look at John's body and see if it was actually her baby.

When her best friend looked at the dna it all matched but then he noticed something odd that an inexperienced doctor or one that was paid to ignore stuff would miss. John's dna was too fresh. There was no sign of aging and errors that come with living let alone six years of life and encountering the environment or people which causes the body to change and adapt to it. While yes John was a very strong and a healthy boy he should still have signs of sicknesses that leave markers in the dna. He saw none of those. He grew very concerned and immediately downloaded the data to a shadow server he owned before deleting everything he saw and his theorys etc.

This was too deep and secretive he decided before leaving his lab and pretending nothing was out of the ordinary. On his way to Everette's home he saw a black van with no markings on it following him. Cursing under his breath he quickly hit a button on his dashboard before making a quick turn and parking his car in a parking lot which cloaked his vehicle and made it seem like it was an empty parking spot.

When the black van following him entered the parking lot they didn't see his car and quickly pulled out before driving to the upper floors believing he went up. Once the coast was clear he pulled out and made his way to Everette's home at top speed.

Not trusting any of his devices let alone his car he parked in a forested area near the home and walked to Everette's home while leaving everything in the car.

Walking deep into the forest he pounded on what seemed like a dead tree before a slot opened up and a phone presented itself. Pulling the phone out he quickly called the only number on the phone which was Everettes.

"Hello?" Everette answered her voice weary and exhausted.

"It's me Renjiro. I was followed. I need you to come get me. Meet me at our spot." Renjiro said before receiving a quick "Understood, becareful" Everette said before hanging up and getting her pistol she bought ever since her John had been kidnapped.

Making way to a grove that had a small lake in it with a big tree with a heart on it with the letters Ren and Ever in it. They were to be married and loved each other dearly but their families at the time thought it was too soon and separated them. Causing them to drift apart and go their own ways in life but they always swore to help each other if the other ever needed it.

Finally arriving in the grove she spied Renjiro hiding in the shadow of their tree his arms crossed and a ugly frown on his handsome face.

Seeing her approach he went to meet her halfway but she held her hands up causing him to stop. When she got to their tree she pulled a branch that was bent at a odd angle and caused them and their surroundings to cloak. On the outside it just looked like the forest kept going on but to them they could see anyone that could be following him.

Looking imploringly at Renjiro, Everette waited for him to speak. Sighing in despair and anger he leaned back against their tree before looking her straight in her tired eyes. "John's alive. That body we all buried is a fake. Someone or some big players are doing something that made them kidnap 75 children and flash clone them and give us their fake bodies back believing we wouldn't double check after everything that happened." Renjiro said in disgust and anger. He quickly pulled Everette to him when she let out a sob before full on wails as finding out John her precious baby was still alive but not in her arms.

Rubbing her back soothingly, Renjiro kept apologizing to her and kissing her wet cheeks and lips trying to get her to calm down. "Hey… Hey it's okay I'm sorry he whispered over. Before giving her a final kiss on the lips and attempting to pull away but couldn't since Everette wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back in earnest. Pouring all the love she had and still had for him. When they pulled apart he wiped her tear stained face with his hand. Causing Everett to blush profusely and look down at the ground in shame for betraying her husband though the man didn't really react to their John's death. If anything he was always out nowadays and didn't even sleep in their bed with her anymore. Preferring to sleep in the guest bedroom or couch after coming home drunk. It disappointed her and made her want to quit living.

"Sorry I shouldn't have kissed you on the lips." Renjiro said with a frown on his lips his heart burned for her love and jealousy of not having her. He never got over their separation and stayed in love with her even when she got married and had John.

"No… I shouldn't have kissed you back it's just… my husband hasn't been there for me. I guess he took John's supposed death harder then me. I don't know anymore he's never home and when he is he's always drunk and sleeps in the guest room. I guess I just needed to feel loved and appreciated again especially since I'm still grieving over my baby and probably always will especially now that I know he's still alive out their doing who knows what." Everette answered looking away in sadness and anger.

Hearing this brought a sneer of hatred for Everette's husband. He never liked the man he didn't believe he deserved the angel that Everette was. Renjiro sighed before pulling Everette's face back to him and getting down on one knee and pulling out a wedding ring causing Everette to gasp in shock and awe.

"I know this is wrong and definitely not the right time for this but I should have never let our families separate us as kids or let that man take you away from me. Your the light of my life. The one I ache to be with every hour of the day the one I want to wake up beside and go to sleep next to. Wll you please leave your husband and give me a chance by marrying me. We will do whatever it takes to find John again and be happy." Renjiro swore to a now crying Everette who was extremely touched that he still loved her and was willing to search the universe with her to find her baby."

Everette shakingly put her left hand out as Renjiro slid the ring on. While it looked plain she could sense that it wasn't a normal ring. Lifting her left hand to look at it she let out a sob as a picture of them as kids showed up kissing under their tree and John as a baby being held in her arms with Renjiro holding her beaming at them.