Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Halo universe, which is the property of Bungie Studios.
However, original characters belong to me.
Note: To people who don't like the story, PLEASE DO NOT READ THE FAN FIC, JUST LEAVE.
NOTE: As if its not that obvious I'm still gonna say it, This story is not following the
the original canon of the Halo series.
Chapter 24 A New Year
"Bonn Ridge Vineyard?" asked Zen.
"Yup, were going to a wine making facility." said Viper.
"Wow." said Stahn.
"When are we going?" asked Z'jo.
"Well it depends can you guys go this afternoon?" asked Viper.
"Well were free this afternoon." said Zide.
"Well it's settled then we're going at the end of the week." said Viper.
"That would be on December 31?" asked Zide.
"Yep" answered Viper.
* * * * *
TIME FRAME: December 31
A few minutes later Zen pulled up, in front of the house of Viper's. Stahn had already distributed the cameras for them. Zen stepped out and went into the back. Viper came out a few moments and approached Colde who was sitting in front of the lawn.
"Colde, if you get hungry just asked John, Johnson or Thel to cook you something to eat." said Viper to Colde.
"Sure." answered Colde. Viper patted him in the head and stepped into the driver's seat.
"Why aren't they coming with us?" asked N'kev.
"Well John, Johnson and Thel were tired. They agreed that they'll just cook us a feast when we come back home later." answered Viper.
"Yehey! We get to play with Colde again!" cried Jess. Viper smiled. He placed the AI chip of Cortana again on the slot.
"Ok, where are we going this time?" asked Cortana, her voice came out of the speakers.
"Bonn Ridge Vineyard." answered Viper.
"ETA 1 hour." said Cortana, and then the Van moved on.
* * * *
The drive wasn't that much long since the Vineyard was near. As they neared the Vineyard, they could see fields of grapes in the distance. There was a building, which Zen guessed to be the processing plant, not far off from the distance. It was a basic industrial plant but oddly wasn't giving out black smoke.
"That right there is where they package the wine and export it to another places." said Viper pointing to the industrial plant. A few moments later they passed a sign saying "Bonn Ridge Vineyard, up ahead."
The vehicle halted and parked at the parking lots in front of the visitor's area for the Vineyard. They were a few cars there and a couple of tour buses. It was quite obvious that this place was a tourist spot. They stepped out of the car and stretched as they were sitting for a long time.
"Ok, guys same thing procedure as last time. But this time we're not separating with one another. Since this place is big we have to work fast." ordered Viper.
* * * * *
The Vineyard was actually bigger than one would think. The fields of grapes were actually still part of the Vineyard but only a selected portion of it is opened to the public for 'grape picking'. Zen and Nira took snapshot of people taking grapes along with an overview of the fields. Z'jo and Zide started asking the people around the place about their opinion of the place.
Viper and Stahn watched the kids as they did their work. N'kev and Jess were enjoying themselves as they ate the grapes they picked. It was actually allowed to eat the grapes you pick. Soon after the 'Grape Picking' area they went to the 'Wine Making' area. It was basically a large room that showed the machinery and the works on how they transform grapes into wine.
Afterwards they went to the 'Packaging Facility' where they could see lots and lots of bottles riding on conveyor belts. They were then transported and got filled up with wine. N'kev and Jess were amazed at the entire process while Zen and Nira watched their kids with private smiles.
They then moved onto the 'Wine Tasting' area. It was here that you can actually sample all the wines the Vineyard had to offer. They were only a few restrictions such 18 only and must have at least one person in the group to not drink the wine. Viper kindly suggested the fact that he would be the one not to taste the wine since he already tasted them.
Zen walked along the tables showing the different wines the Vineyard had to offer. They were all placed in bowls with serving spoon that can be used to transfer the wine into a small paper cup that can be found near it to allow the person to taste it. Most of the wines were made of Grapes but there were others such as Apple, Banana and more. The Vineyard had a lot to offer. There was one there labeled, The Big One; under it read that its alcohol content was quite high than the average wine.
Zen being a curious person took a cup and filled it with it. He smelled it and the aroma filled his nose. It smelled alcoholic. Zen wasn't the type of person you could find to have hangovers since he wasn't a drinker. He only drinks as long as the occasion demands it. That's why he never knew how much exactly he could take.
With a deep breath he took a gulp. Not a sip but a gulp. He emptied the glass with one long gulp. He literally felt his face flush as the effects of the alcohol overcome him. He felt his head start to swim and his eyesight to blur. He even started hiccupping. He walked back to Nira, who tasted a banana flavored wine, and placed his hand over her shoulder for support. She looked at him and immediately realized that he was drunk.
"You're drunk aren't you?" she asked Zen.
"What makes you *hic* say that?" he asked. But before Nira could respond Zen collapsed onto the floor snoring. Zide and Z'jo rushed over to her to see what happen.
"Drunk?" asked Zide with a smirk.
"Yup." said Nira.
"I'll carry him to the car." said Z'jo kneeling beside Zen and scooping him up in his arms.
"Thanks." said Nira.
* * * * * *
"Mom what's wrong with daddy?" asked Jess. They were now in the van heading back to Viper's house. Zen was sitting in the front, sleeping.
"He's umm… Drunk." answered Nira.
"Oh…" said N'kev. Zide chuckled.
"That's why kids you should never drink alcohol." Jess and N'kev giggled.
"Let me guess he drank The Big One didn't he?" asked Viper.
"Yup." answered Z'jo.
"Wow, the alcohol levels in Zen's body has spiked to an all time high." said Cortana.
"I can't imagine why." said Zide.
* * * * *
A few moments later they stopped at the front of Viper's driveway. All of them stepped out along with Zen being carried by Z'jo. He stirred as Z'jo carried him into the eyes. Z'jo looked at him and Zen blushed.
"Z'jo have I ever *hic* told you… your hot." said Zen, his voice still a little bit slurred then he fell to unconsciousness again. Z'jo turned purple at the comment.
"Uh… Thank you?" said Z'jo as he laid Zen down onto the couch. Zide who was near him started laughing.
"Wow he really is drunk." said Zide.
* * * * *
A few moments later Zen opened his eyes. He groaned as he still felt he was dizzy. He sat up and recognized that he was at Viper's house. He looked at his watch and saw that it was currently 7 PM. It was approximately 2 hours since he passed out at the Vineyard.
He stood up and his knees felt wobbly as he was still a bit dizzy. He looked up as he saw Nira stepped into the living room.
"You're awake." said Nira. She immediately rushed to his side as Zen feet gave.
"Sit down." she said as she helped him to sit down.
"What happened?" asked Zen.
"Well you passed out after drinking a strong wine." answered Nira. Zen chuckled.
"I was could never really handle alcohol that well." Nira smiled.
"C'mon they're waiting for us at the dinner table." and both of them stood up.
* * * *
They all ate their dinner; all of them, Viper, Zen, Nira, John, Johnson, Thel, N'kevm, Jess, Z'jo and Zide. They had enjoyed this moment; it was like a family reunion. They all shared what had happened back at the Vineyard. Zen felt his insides warmed as he conversed with his friends and family. His mind wavered back to his original family back at the other dimension. He longed to see them again but he knew he wouldn't be able to.
It was kind of a bittersweet moment. He remembered how his life had changed in less than one year. It really happened only in one year. One moment he was going to the mall to celebrate with his friends then he sees this white ball and all of a sudden he finds himself in alternate reality.
He remembered how he nearly died by being stabbed by an energy sword. But along with that he managed to change the course of history by going into the future and adding a few things here and there to make certain things happen. He was quite amazed at what he had achieved and now looked at the bright future in front of them.
"Hey guys lets go to the garden." said Viper.
"Why?" asked Johnson.
"You'll see why in a few minutes." said Viper.
* * * * *
A few minutes all of them stood outside in Viper's garden. All of them stared at the black sky which was filled with stars shining brightly.
"Why are we here again?" asked John. Viper looked at him then back at the sky.
"Ok its going to happen in 5…4…3…2…1…" he counted down then they could see a rocket get launched into the sky. It exploded and gave bright colors. It was a firework. All of them looked awe at the fantastic light show in front of them.
"So this is the fireworks you speak of?" asked Thel to Zen who was near him.
"Yes, this it." answered Zen.
"Hey, Zen how old is N'kev?" asked Thel curiously looking at the boy who had his mandibles agape as he stared at the fireworks.
"Um… 7 year's old." answered Zen.
"Oh… his training should start in the next year then." said Thel. Zen looked at him confused.
"Unless… you know if you don't want him to go to the army." Thel added as an afterthought. Zen stared at him, then went over to N'kev and knelt beside him.
"N'kev what do you want to be when you grow up?" he asked. N'kev thought for a moment then came to an answer,
"I want to be like you father, I want to help protect people." Zen smiled and nodded. Thel heard his statement and said to Zen,
"It's settled then; he should start training next year." Zen nodded but looked at little worried. Thel noticed that he seems to be worrying about his son.
"Don't worry I can personally oversee his training and I'll train him with the energy sword." said Thel. Zen raised an eyebrow,
"You would do that?" Thel nodded,
"It's the least I can do. And besides I want my grandson to become a strong fighter, like his grandfather." Zen chuckled at this.
He gazed up again and watched the fireworks unfold. New Year was just right around the corner. To Zen, New Year always meant 3 things: A new beginning. A new bright future ahead of them and lastly it meant a new Life.
Author's Notes: As I have mention in my profile, Life is planned to reach up to 25 chapters. Meaning this is actually the last chapter and the next will be the epilogue.
If you like what you read and want more, please favorite the story and the author,
subscribe for story to story alert and please leave some reviews.