Chapter 9- The End
Johnson lands on the farming station and he says:
-Chief, what the hell are WE going to do?
-I'm going to the experimental labs and activate the Reach's destruction ray. I'm going to destroy the Halo once for all.
-Didn't the Covenant messed with this destruction ray?
-They don't know the password that it needs to use it.
-And you, do you know the password?
-I don't know, but Cortana does.
-While Chief destroys the Halo I can call SS Normandy. – says Cortana
-Ok, I'm convinced. Ladies, follow Mr. Chief and let's kick some Covenant ass.
The farming station is green, everything is colorful and the trees are shaking with the wind. They grab some ammo to their guns and they get out of the pelican. Cortana sees all the green and says:
-I'm impressed. The Covenant didn't touch a thing.
Chief sees the skulls of human bodies all over the place and he says:
-They really didn't touch a thing.
-Why the Covenant didn't just removed the human skulls?
-Maybe they think we are contagious. – says Johnson
They start exploring the farming station when Johnson finds something and shout:
-Hey, look what I found over here. It's a Warthog, which will get us faster to the experimental labs.
-It will, but does it have space for everyone?
-I hate to say that to you, Chief. It is a transport Warthog.
-Let me go driving at least.
When Chief is going to seat on the driver's seat he sees something behind the Warthog. He goes check what it is. After seeing what's behind the Warthog, he says to Johnson:
-You can drive the Warthog.
Johnson sees a Scorpion behind the Warthog. He laughs a little bit and say:
-It looks like that today is your lucky day.
Chief goes alone on the Scorpion and get out of the farming station. Chief talks to Johnson:
-Johnson, can you hear me?
-Loud and clear, Chief.
-I'll go first and you follow me, alright Johnson?
-My vehicle is faster, why are you going first?
-Because your vehicle is faster than mine.
-Oh…now I got it.
Chief follow the trail and he ends up on a city called Lavender. It is a big city, with a lot of big buildings. Chief see two Wraiths making a daily round on the city. He shoots one of the Wraiths, blowing it up. The second Wraith shoots Chief's Scorpion, but it makes little effect on the tank. Chief tries to shoot the Wraith, but it dodges the tank's shot. The Wraith accelerates and starts going directly to Chief's tank. When the Wraith is about to hit Chief's tank, he shoots in the Wraith, making it blow up in front of him. Chief keep going front, but enemies start coming from both sides. Johnson's Warthog starts taking care of those enemies. Suddenly, Chief is stopped by five Hunters, which start shooting Chief's tank and cause extreme damage to it, almost destroying it. Chief shoots the Hunters, but two Hunters survive. Those Hunters aim to Chief's tank, but Johnson run over on one of the Hunters and Johnson's Marines shoot the other Hunter to death. Johnson says Chief:
-We just started the trip and your car already broke? That's bad luck.
-Didn't you just said that today is my luck day?
-I said "It looks like". I didn't say that today you are certainly going to have lucky day.
Suddenly, a group of Banshees attack Johnson's Warthog, making it turn upside down. Chief shoot the Banshees, while all the Marines tries to untap the Warthog. The Marines untap the Warthog, doing a big effort to do it, and they keep going with their trip. Chief sees five Wraiths in his way, but the Marines are close to the experimental labs. Chief shoots one of them, blowing it up. The other four tries to shoot Chief's tank, one of the shots hit his tank, but the dodges the other ones. He shoots another Wraith, but it doesn't blow up. All the Wraiths shoot Chief's tank and all the shots hit the tank. When the Scorpion is about to explode, Chief gets out of it and run away. Johnson looks to Chief and say:
-Son, are you alright?
-Yes, Sir. We need to take those Wraiths down. Take down the damaged Wraith, I'll take the other ones.
-Usually, I would say "Good luck". But you proved that you don't need luck. You already are a lucky bastard.
Johnson starts driving to the damaged Wraith, but the Marines starts shooting before they reach the Wraith. Chief throws a plasma grenade in one of the Wraiths, blowing it up. Chief quickly jumps on the next Wraith and he pulls off the driver's seat hatch. After he pulls off the Wraith's hatch, he throws a frag inside and blows up the Wraith. The last Wraith accelerates and hits Chief, which fall on the ground and faints. An Elite gets out from the Wraith's hatch and walks towards Chief. Johnson gets out of the Warthog and run to punch the Elite's face. The Elite sees Johnson coming from far away. When Johnson gets near the Elite, the Elite starts choking him and raise him up. Johnson's tobacco falls on the ground and he says with anger:
-You…made my…tobacco…fall…on the…ground!
-Too bad for you. –replies the Elite
Johnson stealthily pulls out his pistol and says:
-No. Too bad for YOU!
Johnson points the gun to the Elite's head and shoot his head, killing him. The Elite's body fall on the ground and Johnson runs to Chief's body. Chief slowly stands up, when Johnson gets near to him, Johnson says:
-Need a ride?
-Sure, thanks.
-You owe me a tobacco, you know that right?
Chief goes on the passenger's seat on Johnson's Warthog. They drive for a while, without having any enemy contact. Suddenly, something big falls from the sky and hit the ground in front of Johnson's Warthog. When Johnson looks to see what it is, he gets surprised and say:
-What the hell is this?
-This a Scarab V2. –says Cortana
-I fought one of those before. Johnson, distract the Scarab while I take him down. –says Chief
-Alright…
Chief gets out of the passenger's seat and starts climbing one of the Scarab's leg. When he gets to the top, he sees 3 Elites waiting for Chief to climb the Scarab. He pulls his shotgun out, the Elites look to Chief and 2 of them pull their energy swords. The one that didn't pull his energy sword out is an armored Elite, which pulls out two plasma rifles and start flying with his jetpack. One of the Elites tries to stab Chief, but Chief shoots the Elite's head, killing him. The other Elite punches Chief, making him drop his weapon. The Elite tries to cut Chief's head off, but Chief quickly dodges and grab his shotgun. The Elite grab Chief's neck and raise him up, choking him. Chief shoots on the Elite's chest, but that does not kill him. The Elite drops Chief and fall on the Scarab's ground. Chief don't let the Elite stand up and shoot in his head, killing him. The flying Elite starts shooting Chief, which run away from the Elite's shot. Chief run through the Scarab, until he gets to the Scarab's heart. He breaks the Scarab's heart shield and he is ready to destroy the heart, but the flying Elite appears and kick Chief away from the heart. While this, the Scarab shoots Johnson's Warthog, making it turn upside down. Johnson says with anger:
-Not again!
Chief stands up and throws a plasma grenade on the Elite, sticking it on the Elite's chest. The plasma grenade wasn't activated, the Elite laughs and say:
-Foolish human. You almost did everything right.
Chief pulls his pistol out and says:
-I did everything right.
Chief shoots on the plasma grenade, which blows up and kills the Elite. While this, the Warthog is upside down and the Scarab is going to shoot on Johnson and the Marines. Johnson closes his eyes and say to the Marines:
-It was an honor serve alongside you men.
Chief shoots the heart of the Scarab and starts running away. The Scarab starts blowing up from the inside, Johnson opens his eyes and say:
-What the hell?
Chief jumps out of the Scarab, while Chief is in the air, the Scarab blows up behind him. All the Marines starts celebrating, Johnson gets near Chief and say:
-Thanks, if wasn't for your stubbornness, we would be dead.
Chief untap the Warthog and say to the Marines:
-Don't celebrate, it's not over yet.
Johnson starts driving to the experimental labs, but this time, no one bother Chief and the Marines. Johnson asks:
-Why would someone hide a tank on a farming station?
-Tell me Johnson, if you were an Elite, where would be the last place you would expect to find a tank. –says Cortana
-Oh…know I understand.
When they are getting near to the experimental labs, they see a Phantom falling from the sky and he falls inside the experimental labs. Chief, Johnson and the Marines finally reach the experimental labs. Johnson looks behind him and he sees an army of Covenant coming to the experimental labs. Johnson looks to Chief and say:
-Chief! Do what you have to do, the Marines and I will cover you as much as we can.
-Alright. – says Chief
Johnson and the Marines stand in front of the front door, waiting for the Covenant to come. Chief runs to the destruction ray and he sees the Phantom inside the experimental labs. Chief gets in the room of the destruction ray and sees a panel. Cortana says:
-Chief, put me inside that panel!
-I can't!
-Oh no…there is no way to get me inside the panel, so we need to do this manually. Chief, first of all, turn on the ray.
Chief press the "ON" button on the panel. They hear a gear noise. Cortana says:
-Now, insert the coordinates.
Chief press number buttons, forming the coordinates that was given to him in the video recorder. Cortana says:
-Now the password is…
-What's the password, Cortana?
-Behind you!
Chief looks behind and an Elite is coming for him with an energy sword. Chief dodges the Elite attack and kick him right after. Chief pulls his shotgun and shoot the Elite's head, killing him. Chief grabs the Elite's energy sword and keep it for him. Chief asks again:
-Cortana, tell me the password.
-The password is DEATH_STAR
Chief writes the password on the panel and wait for the ray to destroy the Halo. While this, Cortana contact SS Normandy:
-SS Normandy, this is Cortana, can you hear me?
-Cortana, this is Lord Hood, we can hear you. What's your position, over?
-I'm in Reach with Sergeant Johnson and Master Chief.
-Get a pelican and we will wait for you outside the planet.
-Understood, Cortana out.
Chief and Cortana see the destruction ray destroying the Halo. Some pieces of the Halo weren't destroyed by the ray. Cortana says:
-The fact that we hate that place makes this destruction looks so beautiful.
-Cortana, focus. What do we have to do?
-We must get a pelican and get out of the planet, where Lord Hood will be waiting for us. Let's find the Marines and get out of here.
Chief runs to the front door, to find the Marines. When he gets there, the Marines are shooting the Covenant that is trying to get in the experimental labs. Next to Johnson and the Marines, he sees a familiar face. This familiar face pulls a yellow energy sword and he is ready to attack Johnson. Chief shouts:
-JOHNSON! LOOK OUT!
Johnson looks behind and this familiar face chops Johnson's left arm off. Johnson fall on the ground screaming in pain and he shout to the Marines:
-KEEP SHOOTING, DON'T LOOK AT ME. THE COVENANT IS YOUR BIGGEST PREOCUPATION RIGHT NOW!
Cortana says to Chief:
-It's Sam!
Sam raises his sword up, ready to kill Johnson, but Chief interrupts saying:
-Your fight is with me, Sam. Kill me and have your revenge.
Chief pulls his energy sword out and stare Sam. Sam turn around, looks to Chief and say:
-I'm not only going to kill you, as I'm going to humiliate you.
-I'll give you the first attack. – says Chief
-Then be it.
Sam attacks Chief with his yellow energy sword, but Chief blocks it, making a lot of effort. Sam says:
-You think that you can defeat me? I'll kill you the same way I killed your team.
Sam tries to stab Chief's chest, but Chief dodges it and kick Sam's back. Sam stand up and try to cut Chief's head off, but Chief blocks it. Sam kicks Chief and punch him right after. Chief is a little bit dizzy, but he can fight. Chief tries to stab Sam's chest, but Sam blocks it with one arm, with the other he pokes Chief. Chief tries the same thing, but Sam blocks Chief attack, disarm him and kick his belly, making Chief fall on the ground. Sam shake his head and say:
-Poor Chief, he can't avenge his team, he can't avenge his Spartan friend, he can't avenge his other friend and he can't avenge himself. I was going to save the universe, Chief.
-No, you were going to kill all of us.
-A necessary sacrifice. Now, I'll avenge my team. I'll kill you the same way I killed Linda.
Chief grabs his energy sword and attack Sam with anger, Sam blocks it, but gets surprised by Chief's attack. Chief stands up and duel with Sam. Sam tries to stab Chief's belly, but Chief blocks it with one hand and punch Sam with the other hand. Sam tries to chop Chief's head off, but Chief blocks it and kick Sam, which fall on the ground. Sam stands up and says:
-That's impossible! You are not going to defeat me!
Sam tries to stab Chief's chest, but Chief dodges it and chops Sam right arm off. Sam fall on knees, looking to his right arm, which he used the energy sword. Sam says to Chief:
-You will kneel for me one day! You are not getting away with this!
-I already have. – says Chief
Chief stabs Sam's chest and raise him up with the sword. Sam gasps, stop breathing and die. Chief turns off the energy sword, making Sam's body fall on the ground. Chief puts Johnson's body on his shoulder and Chief says to the Marines:
-Let's get out of here.
-Sir, yes Sir.
The Marines start walking forward, until they reach the Warthog. Chief sit on the driver's seat and he puts Johnson on the passenger's seat. The Warthog starts running and Chief starts driving through the city, going back from where they came. If any kind of Covenant step in front of the Warthog, Chief ran over him. The clouds are obfuscating the sun, it is starting to rain. Cortana says to Chief:
-Lord Hood is outside this planet! You just have to grab the pelican and Lord Hood will be waiting for us.
Chief look back and he sees an army of Elites following the Warthog. They finally get to the farming station, they don't have much time. Chief puts Johnson inside the pelican and help the Marines getting in the pelican. Chief enter inside the pelican, the door slowly starts opening. An army of Elites stop right in front of the pelican, instead of shooting, one of them brings a kind of harpoon. They shoot this harpoon on the door of the pelican. They can't get out of there, some Elites take out their explosives and the Elite with the harpoon starts pulling the pelican door down. Chief thinks for a while and when he is going to say something to Cortana, she interrupts and says:
-Goodbye, Chief.
-I'll see you again. I promise
-Don't make a girl a promise if you know you can't keep it.
Chief disconnects her from his armor and give the disk to Chips Dubbo. Chief hold Chips hand and say:
-Don't ever let her go.
-Alright, Sir. It was an honor.
Chief pulls his energy sword out and jump out of the pelican. He cuts the harpoon rope and start fighting against the Elites. Chips start seeing what is happening to Chief. He sees Chief killing Elites with his energy sword. The pelican door start closing slowly as they get away from Reach. As door is closing, Chips sees Chief being punched in the face and falling on the ground. Some Elites holds Chief's arms and legs. The Elite that punched Chief pulls out his sword, raises the sword and when he is going to finish Chief, the pelican door closes and Chips can't see what happened next. Johnson and some other Marines are doing their best to stop Johnson's arm from bleeding, Johnson look to Chips and he asks:
-Chips, since you aren't doing anything useful, can you grab my tobacco on my pocket.
Chips grabs the tobacco, puts it in Johnson's mouth and light up for him. Johnson asks with a sad face:
-What happened to that green stubborn?
-He is dead, Sir.
-Are you sure? Did you see with your eyes his death?
-No, Sir. But there is no way he could have escaped that situation.
-HA! Don't underestimate that lucky bastard!
-Some Elites were holding his arms and legs and the other was going to stab his chest, I just didn't see the rest.
-Well…I can't see an escape scenario. Wait a minute…why didn't you bastards helped him? Why didn't you asked the pilot to shoot the Elites.
-We could have done that, we didn't have this idea.
-Are you stupid or what?
-I'm not stupid, I just didn't think about this idea.
-Son, if you aren't stupid, then I'm pretty sure that you are a psychopath.
-Sir, just shut up.
The pilot sees the SS Normandy, waiting outside the planet. He flies to the cruiser and he land on the hangar, where there are lots of Marines applauding. The pelican door opens and Lord Hood is waiting for them. Johnson shouts:
-I need medical assistance, right now!
Lord Hood call some medics that help Johnson. The last one that gets out of the pelican is Chips Dubbo, which delivers a disk to Lord Hood. Lord Hood asks:
-What is this?
-It is Cortana
-Where is Chief?
-He fulfilled his mission
-Oh god…what a big loss. When we get to Earth, we will honor his name. Go get some rest.
-Sir, yes sir.
Lord Hood walks to the control room, insert Cortana in the system and say to her:
-Cortana, take us to Earth
-I'm on my way, Sir.
2 Weeks Later
A lot of people are sitting in the chair, it is a cloudy day in Earth, and the funeral of the Spartan John-117 is being broadcasted all over the world. The funeral band starts playing a song called "Never Forget-midnight version". Lord Hood stands in front of the empty coffin and start his speech:
-It was an honor to serve alongside Master Chief, he was more than a soldier. He saved not only us, as he saved the whole galaxy from extinction. Most of you people don't even know who he is and some does not remember who he is. He had strength, agility, intelligence and hope, but most of all, he had a heart. He sacrificed himself to save some soldiers from dying in the hands of the Covenant…
Elsewhere, a hooded man gets close to a place called "New Alexandria Spaceport". This man takes his hood off and it is Master Chief. He sees all the skulls of the dead Marines during the fall of Reach. The Covenant didn't touch in the human bodies.
-…After Reach, we thought that Chief would be a spiteful man, but he didn't become a spiteful man. Instead, Chief became a man that don't usually express his feelings, but you could see behind that mask, what he was feeling. When I first saw him training, I knew he would be one of the bests Spartans of all. The thing that I want you people from all the world to understand is that he is not dead. Do you people know why? Because…
Chief gets near the place where his team died, he sees the bodies of everyone from his team. But there is one body missing, the body of Linda. Chief gets near to the place that she died and don't see anything, not even bones. Chief gets surprised and he say to himself:
-She…she is alive!
Chief turns around and start running forward. He runs away from the spaceport.
The people in the funeral are almost crying, Johnson is almost crying, but he holds his tears. The funeral band finishes the song and listen to last words of Lord Hood. Lord Hood make a low and emotional laugh and he says:
-…Because Spartans never die.
The End.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading, please leave your review and tell me what I should do better. I'm working on a sequel to this story. I really appreciate that you read my story until the end.