Chapter 23: All-Out War: Part Three

Disclaimer: I Don't Own Halo, Red Vs Blue or Any of their Respective Characters

A/N: Hello, yet another Merry Christmas and welcome to the finale of "All-Out War"! I hope the last chapter was pleasant and I hope that you enjoy this final chapter of the sage that has come to be known as "All-Out War". I would also like to say that the name of the Story-Arc is a reference to a two-part story (of the same name) of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead. I'd just like to give credit to the inspiration to the title of this story-arc. So, if you enjoy this chapter, please follow and/or favorite the story. Also, if you want to submit your opinion, than you'd want to leave a review or PM me. I try to respond to all the reviews now (I won't respond if it's a simple review, such as: Good job or keep up the good work.). So, without further ado, I hope that you enjoy this final part!

John-117

The Holy City of High Charity, Flood Outpost

John opened fire on the incoming Flood, as about seven of them went down. "You can't tell me that you weren't expecting this, John!" Sarge said, as he approached the Master Chief, shotgunning the Combat Forms that were getting too close. "Don't call me John. Only Cortana can call me John!" John said. Speaking of Cortana, she was safe back in Blood Gulch with Doctor Halsey in the Infirmary, incase someone was injured and they had to be returned to the canyon for medical attention. "Let's get this done quick and clean people!" John said, as he moved up, while tossing a Fragmentation Grenade. All of a sudden, a rocket launched in front of John, taking out several Combat Forms and Infection forms. John turned around to see Doc lowering a Rocket Launcher. "Fly, you fools." Doc said, but it didn't sound like Doc, his voice sounded distorted. "Mwah-ha-ha!"

"Doc?" John asked. "Are you feeling alright?" Doc nodded. "Of course I do." Doc said, his voice sounding normal. "I feel great." John sighed as he reloaded. "All right people! The docking bay is clear! Let's move on to the corridors and make our way up to the Gravemind's chamber!" John went over to a door that was jammed and bashed it with the butt of his Rifle. "Move out!" John said, as he waved his Rifle through the door. They all ran through the door, with Grif running to John's side. "Chief, how do you know that the Gravemind has his own royal chamber-type thing?" he asked. "I don't." John said, as he rounded a corner. "I just assumed." Grif said nothing for a few seconds. "But Sir, I thought you told us to never assume?" he finally asked. "You just had to get one disrespectful comment to the Master Chief before we died, didn't you?" Simmons asked. "Eh, it was a given." Grif said. "Besides, it's payback for that fucked up speech he gave in Valhalla." John grunted. "Oh, don't even talk about that, Dexter Grif." John said. Grif shut up after that.

Cortana

Blood Gulch

It had been a boring day since John left. Cortana had wanted him by her side ever since she regained her memory. But, as luck would have it, John wasn't here right now. She would just have to hope that he would come home in one piece. She loved him so much. And she was so glad that he had finally told her the same. "Cortana." Doctor Halsey said, in a slightly annoyed tone. Cortana looked up at the old Doctor. "What?" she asked. "I know that you are thinking of John, it's obvious. But can you not stare off into space with googly eyes as you think of him?" Doctor Halsey asked. "Doctor Halsey, I love him! And I don't even know if he is going to return home!" Cortana said, in a sort of pleading voice. Doctor Halsey gave Cortana what looked like a look of sympathy. "I'm sorry honey. I haven't been a good, supporting mother to you in the past few months, have I?" she asked. Cortana shook her head. "No. You've been the perfect mother to me. Even if you won't allow John and I to be together." Cortana said. "But I know one thing." Doctor Halsey raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?" she asked.

Cortana smiled sort of a sad smile. "I forgive you." Cortana said. Doctor Halsey looked shocked. "I'm sorry?" she asked. "You are the only mother I'll ever know Doctor." Cortana asked. "And if you don't want me to be with John as his love interest, than I can accept that. I forgive you." Doctor Halsey smiled a weak, sad smile. "Oh, Cortana. You really do love him. Don't you?" she asked. Cortana nodded. "Well, okay then. Okay." Doctor Halsey said. "What are you saying?" Cortana asked, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You have my blessing." Doctor Halsey said. "What?" Cortana asked, feeling as if she could cry tears of joy. "Are you saying that John and I can be together?" she asked. Doctor Halsey nodded. "If he wants to marry me, you wouldn't have a problem?" Cortana asked. "If you want him to marry you, who am I to stand in the way of your dreams?" Doctor Halsey said. Cortana smiled. "I can't stop thinking of the muscular body underneath that armor." she whispered. "And Cortana?" Doctor Halsey asked. Cortana looked up. "If you love John, please refrain from talking about him like that while you are in my presence." she said. Cortana just blushed.

John-117

The Holy City of High Charity, Flood Outpost

As John and Company reached the next level a very loud voice began to speak. John could tell it was the Gravemind from past experiences of rescuing Cortana from this hellish nightmare. Now, it was even worse. "I can tell you are a group of formidable soldiers. So, make your way up to the highest level of my Flood infested fortress. I will command my troops to stand down. But I can't promise all of them will follow protocol." the voice said. John continued jogging through the corridors. "You heard the man, let's move!" John said, as he continued sprinting. They eventually came to the end of a corridor with a grav lift. "Men, we will go up that grav lift. It will take us to the top level. I know from past experience that it will work." John said. They all acknowledged the order and moved into the grav lift one at a time. Eventually they all got to the top, to see a giant door that was locked from the inside. All of a sudden, they heard the Gravemind's voice again.

"Now that you have all made it here, let's see if you soldiers are really as good as you have proven yourselves to be." the Gravemind growled from elsewhere. He must be using speakers to transmit messages. Or something else. I can't put my finger on it. "I am in two rooms over from the room you are currently in. In the next room, my honor guard awaits you." the Gravemind continued. "You have three minutes to take defensive positions if you feel it is necessary. And after that time is up, I will let them all bombard you. If you survive, then I will allow you to enter my chamber. You now have three minutes." The Gravemind's voice went off from whatever speaker it was transmitting from. John sighed. "So Chief, what's the plan after the Gravemind has been killed?" Donut asked. John reached around to his back and pulled off the cylinder-like explosive device that he was carrying. "I found this nuke aboard the Pelican Dropship." John said. "After the Gravemind has been killed, we blow this place to kingdom come."

"Um, Sir?" Grif asked. "Won't the blast destroy this place and send the debris down to Blood Gulch?" John hadn't thought about that. "I uh, hadn't thought about it. I guess, we'll have to sacrifice ourselves." John said, in a sad voice. Sarge dropped his Battle Rifle and took his Shotgun off his back, cocking it. "You know what they say boys. Today, is a good day to die." he said. "No. No!" Noble Six said. "You won't have to sacrifice yourselves." John turned to look at him. "What do you mean?" he asked. "I mean, I'm immune to death. Remember?" Noble Six asked. John nodded. "Chief, I can activate the bomb's self destruct sequence and I can make it to the escape pods that they have here before the nuke detonates." Six said. "What about Blood Gulch?" Grif asked. "I can pilot the city away from orbit and out of the system. That way, when it blows, the debris will float endlessly in space for all time." Six said. "What if you don't make it in time?" Caboose said. Everyone looked at him, in shock. But Noble Six didn't seem mad. "Then I guess that I'll just float forever." Six said. "But-" John began to speak, but Six interrupted. "Chief, you either die a villain, or live long enough to see yourself become a hero." Six said, in a solemn tone.

"That's beautiful." Donut said. Six shrugged. "It's what seperates me from them." he said, referring to the Flood. "Noble Six, if you survive this and return to Blood Gulch, you will have earned my trust." John said. "Chief, it's been an honor." Simmons said. "You just had to get one more ass-kissing in before we died didn't you?" Grif asked. "If I die, please make sure my parts are recycled." Lopez said. "I love you, Lopez!" Donut exclaimed. "Aw, that's so sweet!" Doc said, before speaking in a different voice. "Now, let's strike fear into the hearts of our enemies!" Across the room, Grif spoke. "For a Medic who doesn't really help anyone and claims to be smart, I think that was the smartest thing that you've ever said." he said. All of a sudden, the doors in front of them opened. "Lock and load people!" John exclaimed. Sarge cocked his Shotgun, Donut loaded his dual wield Magnums, Grif loaded his Brute Shot, which he claimed after the Meta died (again) and Simmons loaded his Battle Rifle, John got his Rifle ready. "Ready!" Freckles, the AI in Caboose's Rifle beeped. Tucker turned on his Energy Sword, Carolina loaded her Battle Rifle, Washington loaded his Battle Rifle, Tex loaded her DMR and Six slammed a fresh drum magazine into his Saw. "It's go time." John said.

Roses are Red and Violets are Blue...

A/N: Good times. Just paying homage to the end of season 10. Also, the final words the crew exchanges, I do realize that's pretty much exactly how it worked in the end of Season 13. I just want to remind you (or say it if I never had) that some, if not most, of Season 13 in non-canon with this story. The same goes with everything after "Cortana's death" in Halo 4, the comic books and various novels. Also, there are only three chapters left! So, that is the end of the All-Out War story-arc. I hope ya'll enjoyed it! So, if you enjoyed this chapter, please follow and/or favorite the story and if you want to submit a review or PM me for input, that would be great! As always, I wish you a Merry Christmas! And until the next chapter release today, peace!