Ok so far the votes for keeping Cortana alive is winning while votes for killing her a little behind. I am still accepting votes and on the next chapter I will post the winner and thanks for all the nice reviews, this is definitely my most popular story out of my three.

If my describing of places on this story are not good, you can check out what they really look like on Youtube. Just type in Tomb Raider Legend walkthrough. There you can see what the ruins and what everything looks like and I highly recommend you watch it before you read this. It will really help in understanding what everything looks like except the Halo parts.

Disclaimer: I don't own Halo or Tomb Raider. Halo belongs to Bungie or 343 Industries now, Tomb Raider belongs to Crystal Dynamics

Chapter 4: Showing what they got.

In the Bolivian Mountains

It was a beautiful afternoon in the mountains of Bolivia; the sky a perfect light blue, the temperature surprisingly warm in the high mountain region, and the wind had a gentle and desirable gust to it. It seemed like any ordinary day for the average person, but there were three individuals on the terrain that were far from average.

Lara Croft and Master Chief were now traveling through the mountains of Bolivia. Lara backtracked to where she came through before she found the Spartan and the A.I, since it was the most effective way of getting into the ruins.

It was a simple trip and it only took a few moments for the globetrotter to get back on track to her destination.

As they jogged, Cortana asked a question that bugged her since they left the Dawn.

"So Miss Croft wh-"

"Just call me, Lara."

Cortana was caught off guard at how casual the explorer acted, since she first found them.

"Alright Lara, what are you doing here in Bolivia?"

"I've been looking for certain artifacts… well, for some time now, and an old friend working in La Paz has tipped me off about a rather promising rumor." Lara chose her words carefully, not wanting to reveal her whole story.

"What sort of artifacts?"

"An ornate stone dais, among other things." She said as she observe her surroundings to see where could she plot and reach her next checkpoint.

"Why? Are you trying to collect them?" Cortana asked.

"No and yes, but that is all you will get from me."

"Oh suspenseful aren't we?" the A.I. joked.

"It makes the day livelier, if I do say so." Lara replied, but then shifted her gaze to the armored soldier. "You know, you never told me told me your name."

"Call me Master Chief." He declared in his deep voice.

Disinformation. He didn't want her to know who he was… she couldn't blame him for being cautious. She had enough run ins with shady organizations. He had her secrets and she had her own as well, still she was suspicious of him.

She then spotted a vine that was growing out of the cliff face that looked like it could lead up to the waterfall through a series of climbing vines and holding onto ledges that were a part of the cliff. She leapt for the vine and began to ascend it at a rapid pace. Before launching to the next vine, Lara glanced down to the Spartan.

The super soldier merely stood there and watched how she impressively escalated up the thin green vines.

She sighed, she was worried that he might slow her down, and it appeared she was right. Cortana spoke highly of the soldier's amazing skills, but it almost seemed as if she lied, but then again the climb could prove challenging to some.

"Come on, its easier than it looks!" Lara yelled out.

"We'll catch up, go on ahead." Master Chief gestured lightly, looking up at the tomb raider.

She shrugged, leaping from the next vine to a rock jutting out of the cliffs that held the vines. She tucked and rolled on her landing to absorb the impact. She jogged for a few seconds and found another vine dangling in the air a few feet front in front of a cave. She climbed the vine and started to swing with it. She would thrust with every swing to gain more momentum.

Lara enjoyed how the air felt against her skin, as she swung. It made her feel more alive and excited. One of the many thrills she treasured on her adventures. But her enjoyment was cut off by a familiar voice.

"The video is going to make me sick if you keep swinging, Lara." Alistair complained through her headset.

"Look away from the screen then." She replied, picturing Alistair's face turning green.

As she swung on the vine, her mind could not help to wonder how the green armored man was faring through the vines and rocks. She did not see him behind her. She started to think that maybe she should go back and check on him. Or just keep going. If she made it to the waterfall, from up there she could spot an easier way for him to climb up. Unfortunately for Lara, she was unable to see the Master Chief make his way through the obstacle by his own way.

...

Though she was out of sight, the Spartan could hear the sound of taught vines swinging through the trees. Croft was still nearby, unwilling to leave without him.

"Chief, those vines and rocks won't hold you. We are going to have to find our own way up." Cortana said, pulling him out of his thoughts.

The vines and rocks weren't going to support his weight. He weighed a metric ton inside it. This would make climbing the mountains, somewhat tricky. He needed to find another up.

His eyes panned across the cliff and onto the waterfall. An idea came to mind.

"I found one." He simply said, leaving Cortana to wonder what he meant.

The green giant walked over to the rock wall and drew back his fists. In less than a heartbeat, the armored gauntlet smashed into the rocks, and tore away at the masonry. His work left two large gaping holes in the surface. He then booted the stone, creating another pair of ragged holes for his feet, large enough to be footholds.

"I think I see what you are doing here, Chief." Cortana observed.

He struck two more holes above him, and moved up by placing his hands in them with his feet in the spots where his hands used to be. He repeated this process for several more seconds. As he got higher and closer to the waterfall, his armor was sprayed by the gleaming water. Soon the waterfall soaked his entire form.

"Honestly, when was the last time you bathed?" Cortana asked.

Her comment was met with a familiar silence from the super only earned her silence from her friend that she was quite familiar with.

With minimum effort and under a short few seconds, he then reached the top of the waterfall.

"Kind of old fashioned, but effective, caveman." Cortana joked.

Chief scanned the area for the tomb raider, but saw nothing.

"She isn't here." He said.

"Patience Chief, she'll be here in a little bit. She just doesn't have the augmentations that you have." Cortana reassured.

He grunted in response, while wondering how long would he have to wait.

...

Having gained enough momentum, Lara jumped off the vine. She sailed in the air and through a sheet of water, tumbling into the valley below in a waterfall fashion, before landing in a narrow cave on the far side. She waited a second for her eyes to adjust to the relative dimness of the cave after the blinding sun outside.

"Hey Lara, you said there was some other person with that guy. I didn't see anyone else?" Zip said through the headset.

"It's complicated Zip. I will explain it later." she picked her way over the pitted floor of the cave.

"Did the person stay behind or still has radio contact?" Zip asked.

"Like I said, its complicated." she repeated agitatedly.

Lara came back out into the sun and squinted. She sighed, as the sun's orange rays warmed her skin. She scanned the rock face for a way back over to the waterfall, where she would be able to follow the riverbed.

There was a narrow ledge that ran all the way back to the river mouth.

How fortuitous. she thought, and jumped to grab a hold of it.

Moving her hand over the other down the ledge, she dropped herself and landed safely on the rock. There was a long thin ledge that seemed like it led to the river mouth. She grabbed a hold of it and started scooting her way towards the river mouth.

"You don't trust them, do you?" Zip abruptly asked over the radio.

Lara was momentarily taken aback by his tone. It wasn't often that the hacker regarded people with such…dislike. It was almost as if they had personally attacked him…ah, Cortana. How could she have forgotten?

"Their story does seem a little…far-fetched, doesn't it?" Alister added. While he was also sceptical, he was at least open to other possibilities.

"What would make you think I trust them?" Lara asked.

"Uh…I don't know." Zip answered drily. "Maybe the lack of questioning or the fact that you're bringing them along?"

Lara resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Let me get this straight; you want me to interrogate a soldier who easily killed five mercenaries before I could even fire a single shot?"

Zip hesistated.

"…maybe."

"No I don't trust him," she replied. "I don't believe their story either. A secret government project?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"You have seen your fair share of government secrets." Alister agreed. "But something doesn't feel right. I mean did you see the big guy's armour? I'm not seeing an alternative explanation that explains that."

Alister had a point. There were very few things that could explain the ship or Chief's gear…or the cryo-chamber for that matter, but everything that came to mind belonged in a sci-fi movie. It was true that some ancient civilisations had developed items that were far beyond their time…though there was something about the way Cortana and Chief behaved that led Lara to believe they weren't entirely familiar with their environment. It could have something to do with being in a remote area of Bolivia…but still.

"So…we kicking them to the curb?" Zip asked with a bit too much enthusiasm.

Lara considered the question for a moment.

"No…not yet, at least."

"What? Why not?" Zip demanded.

"I haven't exactly been up front with them either." Lara explained with a small shrug. "They must have their reasons for lying. Chief helped me out and if he wanted to kill me, he could have just let those mercenaries do it. He was under no obligation to intervene."

"So…what?" Zip asked carefully. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

"I don't think Chief and Cortana are enemies or allies yet. I need a little more research on them." Alister pointed out.

"Zip, Alister, put whatever issues you have aside and look at it like this: whatever they've told us, they need help." Lara argued. "We can't sit by and ignore that. Would you rather they were helping James Rutland?"

"No." Zip grumbled sulkily.

"I appreciate what both of you are doing." Lara continued gently. "I know you have my best interests at heart, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll see how things go. Chief's fighting may come in handy later on or we may go our separate ways."

Alister cleared his throat.

"Lara has a point. Right now, we don't know much. Just take it one step at a time."

"Agreed?" she asked.

Zip sighed in defeat.

"Agreed. Just…watch your back. He might be nice to you until you are no longer useful."

"I thought that's what I have you for." she teased. "I'll be careful, Zip."

Lara got the distinct feeling that Zip and Alister were not going to let the matter drop.

When she finally reached the river mouth, she was stunned to see the green armored man was already there.

"How did you get here so bloody fast?" Lara said, flabbergasted.

The Spartan turned towards her.

"I found an easier way." Chief simply said.

The globetrotter squinted her eyes at him, but then let out a sigh. She did not have the time to waste on arguing.

"Fair enough. You could at least have told me there was a more simple route."

Lara did not completely believe him, for if there was another way up to the riverbed she would have found it.

This man is hiding a lot of information, too much. She thought to herself, eyeing him carefully.

Chief merely shrugged his shoulders.

Lara began squeezing the excess water out of her hair and brushing herself down, when a rumbling hit the cave. She glanced up to see a large boulder come loose and start rolling down the riverbed towards her and the Spartan.

"Run!" Croft roared, sprinting towards the waterfall.

Time slowed for her; she took advantage of that by checking her surroundings. Lara noticed her companion was not running, but instead he stood his ground as the boulder came rolling at him.

"What the hell is he doing?" Both Alistair and Zip exclaimed as they saw what was happening in front of her.

"What the bloody hell are you doing? Run!" Lara hollered.

Chief merely bent his knees and held out his arms.

Lara closed her eyes, not wanting to see the gruesome sight she was sure was about to unfold. After waiting a few seconds and not hearing bones or metal crunching, She gave a little peek with one of her eyes. She then opened both of her eyes at the surprising sight in front of her. Instead of being crushed, the green armored man was holding the massive boulder like it was some sort of light box with his arms.

Chief turned around and tossed the boulder off the waterfall like it was a block of wood. He then faced the wide eyed globetrotter.

"We need to keep moving."

"You picked that boulder up and threw it, like it was nothing!" Lara said breathlessly. "Now what exactly was that?"

It was at that moment, Cortana spoke up.

"The armor increases the wearer's strength. Great for heavy lifting and you never know what you need when you're exploring the unknown." Cortana partially lied. Though the MJOLNIR does greatly increase someone's strength, but a Spartan already had super-strength from the augmentations.

Lara wasn't entirely sure on their story, but was thankful that he was able to prevent the classic Indiana Jones moment. She nodded.

"Right, let's go."

"That was close. I wonder what else he can do?" Zip asked through Lara's headset.

"I don't know Zip, but I have a feeling that we are about to find out." Miss Croft replied.

Lara couldn't hep but to wonder about the mysterious armored man. She wanted to focus on the mission, but this person was no normal human being. He was something different, something not quite what she has ever encountered before.

She began trekking up the riverbed with the Spartan and A.I behind her. The sun at her back began to dry her hair and clothes. Both her shorts and her top were waterproof, the top was a rustic shade of chocolate brown that matched her hair. It was of course short sleeved and came to a point just below her ribs, leaving her stomach and sides mostly bare, it was the best way to stay cool in this weather.

She stopped dead; her path blocked by yet another waterfall, although this one was substantially lower. The tomb raider spotted a tree limb that would get her above the obstacle. She sprinted ahead and propelled herself at the branch. The first chance she got, Lara grasped onto the tree branch, shaking the limb slightly. She flipped up onto it testing its strength. Satisfied that it would hold her lightweight, she launched herself off of it to grab a hold of the top of the waterfall. This time she avoided a dousing and got a grip on at one side while the water flow.

Though John wouldn't admit it out loud, he was kind of impressed at how acrobatic and flexible this Lara Croft was. She could have been helpful against the Covenant. She might have also been a great candidate for the Spartan program like Cortana said, or at least a trainer for young Spartans.

"You know, you could have just walked up to the river and helped her up there. She wouldn't have to perform all those fancy flips." Cortana suggested to her oldest friend.

"She seems fine," John-117 simply replied.

"Yeah well, try to speak up more. We can make this trip a lot easier than it has to be. I hope you are not afraid to help a girl, Chief." Cortana teased though it sounded more like a challenge.

The Spartan didn't respond, but trudged through the rough water like if it wasn't even there. He then saw a red dot on his motion sensor on the radar inside his helmet's HUD. He also heard a male voice beyond the mini-waterfall.

"We got company." Chief warned Lara and Cortana.

"I don't see any climber." The voice came from the river channel above Lara.

She ducked back down holding herself as close to the cliff face as she could to avoid being seen, and hoped her hands were hidden by the small amount of brush on the narrow river bank.

"I got all worked up thinking I could put someone down." The male said, though no other voice had joined him.

He must be talking to someone on a radio. Lara surmised in her head.

"Yeah well, I can't shoot on sight if I can't see nothing." He protested, his voice becoming more distant as he walked away from her.

Silently, Lara jumped up onto the river bank and pulled the grapple gun from her belt. The small device fired a magnetic dart that latched onto metal targets and was attached to a length of nylon cable that made it good for climbing, if there was metal nearby, that was. It was also excellent for pulling things around, just like now.

The merc felt a sharp tug from behind, that brought him face first to the dirt. He tried to pull himself back up, but Lara ran up and kicked him back down. The mercenary went for the submachine-gun on the strap around his neck, and got a couple of shots off, but they went wide as Lara punted the weapon away. The merc growled and pulled out a combat knife that was strapped to his knee. He swiped at Lara, but she quickly leaped back.

The man picked himself back up, with his knife ready to draw blood.

Lara prepared herself bringing her fist up. She knew she would need to be fast and agile to avoid being slashed.

The merc charged at the brunette woman, dust flying behind him. He went for an overhead slice, but the woman narrowly ducked. He tried to cut open her stomach, but she hopped back. For a final attempt, he went to stab her in the chest.

In one motion, the tomb raider pushed the knife arm aside, and sent a quick jab to his outstretched elbow. The man hollered in pain, dropping the combat knife. Lara spun and delivered and strong kick to the merc's chest pushing him far back. The kick also had the affect of putting him off balance and he toppled backwards off the waterfall.

Instead of a sickening thud, Lara heard a hiss with the guy's grunt. She wondered over at the edge of the waterfall and looked at the sight below her. The merc she just threw off was pierced through his entire torso by an energy-like dual point sword that the Spartan held up the air. Lara was once again surprised, though not at the sight, but the weapon Chief had.

"Woah! Since when did this guy start carrying a lightsaber?" Zip said over the comm, almost drooling at such a weapon.

Chief deactivated the energy sword and let the body fall to the ground. He then leaped up and landed on the edge right by the tomb raider, something Miss Croft had to use her acrobatic skills for. He looked at the brunette before him, except she had her hands reaching for her dual psitols.

"Alright, what the hell are you?!" Lara shouted at the green armored goliath.

"We told you, we're from a black ops..." Cortana started to respond, but was cut off by the explorer.

"Rubbish! Did you really think I would believe all that? Just look at your armor and weapons! No military would have technology like yours! Now tell me the truth or I leave you behind! Who are you and where are you really from?" the tomb raider pushed, ready to make a daring move if she didn't get the correct answer.

Lara's heart raced like a motor, readying herself to react on a moment's notice. Her eyes shifted over the Spartan's massive form, trying to detect even a subtle action from him, but he stood there like a statue. She could've sworn she heard the familiar sound of something beating against the air above her.

Instantly she looked up, where two helicopters raced overhead through the clear sky, cutting a knife through the tension in the air.

"And here come the bloody tourists to spoil it all." Lara growled, she then turned to Master Chief and said, "Stay here, we're not finished yet."

The British explorer jogged up the path, hoping to deal with a more intermediate problem. Answers would have to wait for later about the mysterious soldier and his advanced computer.

She got down on one knee and pulled out her electronic binoculars to see the pre-Incan ruins and its entrance. The ancient foundation was under a cave, hidden from any satellites and travelers. Only the stone beams on the sides held the rocks up, so it wouldn't collapse and seal all of its secrets forever. A large but worn out, stone-made staircase led up to the doorway, somewhat similar to a Mayan's temple. There were pillars and walls around the entrance of the ruins that was like a little maze. The entrance itself was a wide, rectangular shape that had some steps that lead to the remnant site.

In front of the ruins was a broad dirt area, dotted with small patches of grass. Unfortunately it was certainly wide enough for two helicopters to land and an SUV to park. Several armed men piled out of the vehicles like ants from their hill. Eight mercenaries from each helicopter and six from the automobile, all quickly assuming defensive positions.

"Twenty-two? Smashing." Lara sarcastically swore under her breath.

"Your cam doesn't pick up details that small. What do you see?" Zip asked over the radio.

"Several men with guns. Mercenaries working for Rutland by the looks of them."

"Sounds like a bit of a hand full, Lara, even for you." Alister added in.

The tomb raider let out a low sigh.

"Yes, this might be a problem."

It was then a large green blur jolted past her, leaving a gust of wind and her brown hair blowing.

End chapter. Not my best writing, but I'm so glad to finally be done with this chapter. It was incredibly hard to rewrite, but bad or good, I'm happy that its finished.