Making his way into 'Cold Storage' through the Flood infested tunnel, the Doom Slayer continued his onslaught by shredding Flood combat forms apart with his chainsaw. as he sprinted through every chamber after another. Splattering their green blood over the sterile Forerunner walls, stomping down on any infection form that tried to infect him. Tightly gripping his chainsaw as he carefully strolled into a long hallway that lead into a large chamber, the Doom Slayer observed the icy mist flowing throughout. Once he dropped down onto the icy floor, a light shined upon him and swiftly exchanges his chainsaw for his combat shotgun, aiming his weapon at the very large and quiet monitor fixed into the ceiling above.
"Heh, it kinda looks exactly like Guilty Spark, at least this one doesn't speak for a change." He whispered to himself as he lowered the barrel toward the floor. He noticed the light following his every movement while exploring the silent, misty chamber. Finding an active blue glowing teleporter located at the back end of the chamber giving the Doom Slayer immediate suspicion of the area. Trusting his intuition to stay put he heard an loud thud from behind and turned around with lightning speed to see a new hulk-like flood combat form standing calm in front of him.
"Greetings Reclaimer." A voice boomed from the tank form. "I've been watching you and I know what you seek. I can give you a clear path to the Index and safe haven in return if you return the key that rightfully belongs to me. If you refuse, you will die and become a monument to all your sins." The Gravemind threatened.
"I know who you are and know your plan. If you want it, you'll have to try killing me first." Refusing the Gravemind's offer with an taunt and fired the charged shotgun shot at the pure form. Blasting the beast into many parts, giving the sterile metal walls a fresh coat of blood.
"So be it! I'll make you suffer as you will die in Hell!" The Gravemind's voice boomed. Using his regenative powers to resurrect the pure form back from the dead watching the strands of muscles twirling back together, forming the tank form to rear it's ugly deformed head toward the silent Doom Slayer.
"Hell? I've been there and I'll tell you it's nothing special." Doomguy laughed before blasting away the Tank form once again, then sprinted away with several flood combat forms chasing behind him.
After dealing with several Sangheili Honor Guards inside the large temple. The Master Chief walked up to a pre-recorded hologram of the Prophet of Regret giving a sermon. The Chief heard enough as he loaded more shells into his M60 Shotgun and walked away till Cortana protested; "Wait, go back.". Forcing the Chief to place his hand over the console on the holo-projector, watching her avatar appear.
"That's what I thought he said. The Prophet of Regret is planning to activate Halo!"
"Are you sure?" The Master Chief asked to which Cortana snaps her fingers in response to hear the Shan'yuumn language translate into english.
"I shall light this holy ring, release it's cleansing flame, and burn a path into the divine beyond!" The Prophet preached until he was silenced once more after Cortana snaps her fingers once more.
"Pretty much."
"Commander, we've got a problem."
"So I hear. But from what I understand, the Prophet will need an object, the Index, to activate the ring. I've located a Library similar to the one you found on the first Halo. If the rings work the same way, the Index should be inside."
"I'll bet the Covenant are thinkin' the exact same thing."
"Then we'd better beat them to it, Sergeant. Extract your men and meet me at the Library."
"Yes ma'am."
"I'll secure the Index, Chief. You take out the Prophet. He's given us all the intel we need." Commander Keyes ordered, ceasing communications.
A swarm of Drones flew inside the temple, ambushing the Master Chief. The Chief fended off the swarm with his shotgun clearing the area of enemies while hearing the chattery voices of two UNSC Marines walking into the room, reminding him of two similar troopers in white armor he met before. With some backup, the Master Chief and the two Marines pushed their way through the Covenant-held temple. The Chief moved up ahead to secure the next open area. Cleaning the area of a few Elites and Kig-yar snipers and other enemy squads, hearing a loud noise of a gondola lift quickly leaving the platform. The Master Chief rushed over to quickly change one of his weapons for an Covenant carbine as he heard the swoosh noise of an Covenant Phantom dropping off a Hunter pair from above. Once the Chief and his Marines dealt with the Hunter pair he heard static from his radio to hear the voice of Commander Keyes through the static.
"Cortana, the Covenant are getting nosy. I don't want to give away my position, so I'm rerouting a few stragglers back to you. I apologize; these Pelicans are all the support gonna get."
"Understood, ma'am." Cortana replied while the Chief armed himself with a SR99 Sniper Rifle and grabbing all the ammunition for his M60. Walking over toward the end of the platform to see an incoming gondola.
"A gondola is launching from the far tower. Big surprise! It's full of Covenant reinforcements." Cortana pointed out as the Chief watched a full Gondola approaching him and his squad. He aimed for the head of the lead Elite and fired his SR99 sniper rifle, watching the Elite plop dead onto the ground. Making the Grunts that were on the gondola, flee in fear.
"Well, they were nice enough to bring us a ride. This gondola won't get us all the way to the main temple, but it'll get us close. Let's get onboard." Cortana said.
"Alright, everyone aboard."
"I'll drive." Sgt. Stacker said, running over to the hologram control located at the front of the gondola.
"What's to drive? It comes here, it goes there." Pvt. Dubbo joked.
"Yeah, it's not like that crazy tram train from hell that is in Mombassa." Pvt. Mendez replied.
"Oh yea, I've heard that train has no breaks on it. So, if you're stuck on the track and see it speedin' towards you, It was nice knowing you." Pvt. Dubbo snickered as the Gondola started up and traveled to it's destination.
Once the gondola passed the far temple, the Chief noticed another swarm of Drones approaching. They quickly deal with them as another incoming gondola approached their own, quickly dealing with the two Sangheili Elites who occupied it and jumped back onto the other.
"Didn't some guys started up a TV show where they drove vehicles onto the track for the train to smash into? Ah, what is it called?" Pvt. Mendez snapped his fingers.
"Train Smash?" Sgt. Stacker suggested.
"That's it!" Pvt. Mendez replied.
"Ah... Train Smash, I miss that good show." Pvt. Dubbo happily sighed.
"Hmmm... This lake couldn't have been created by volcanic action, which means it was either built this way on purpose or was created by some other cataclysmic event... Sorry, were you trying to kill something?" Cortana sarcastically asked as they continued. Reaching the temple and pushed through to clear it out of enemies. Curious, the Master Chief heard crying from above and followed the cries to see one lone Grunt minor trembling in fear as he held a fuel rod gun. "Here! Take it! I run!" The frantic Grunt cried, dropping the Fuel Rod gun onto the metal floor and ran away. The Master Chief picked it up then walked back to give it to one of his Marines who were patiently waiting by an empty elevator.
"Ah, now I see. There's a submerged section that connects these towers to the outlying structures. Looks like we're going down. Unless you'd... prefer to swim." Cortana explained, ending with a sarcastic joke once the Chief and his two Marines entered the elevator. Feeling the drop as the elevator began to move. Dropping into the murky, underwater depths below.
"I've intercepted a secure transmission from Regret's carrier to something called High Chairty. It seems to be a formal apology to the Prophets of Truth and Mercy. Apparently, Regret jumped the gun when he attacked Earth. He's asking the other Prophets to 'forgive his premature arrival', arguing that 'no human presence was foretold.'. That explains why there were so few ships in his fleet. But it's odd that a Prophet would have such bad intel about his enemy's home world." Cortana explained, once as the elevator reached the next area.
"Hey Chief? Do you hear that?" Pvt. Dubbo asked as he picked up the sound of bashing drums, guitar riffs, followed with a deep voice that echoed through the halls. "DOOM! DOOM SLAYER!"
"Well that's something you don't see everyday." Cortana quipped on the head banging squad. Who were blindly rocking out to the heavy metal rock music that is blasting loudly from an Covenant communication hub. An hub that has cables protruding out from one side. With one line connecting to Gary's music player. Peering inside to notice bodies of Covenant soldiers that littlered around the chamber. He moved his eyes back onto the blood drenched squad who were rocking out with air instruments. Holding their position as they hear the last few lyrics were sung, followed by one more guitar solo played by an head banging Snagheili in maroon armor.
"Woohoo! That was... Badass!" Pvt. Chips Dubbo celebrated along with the others.
"Thank you, kind sir..." Gary replied to the UNSC Marine. Quickly becoming stunned after noticing the seven foot green super soldier as well. "Oh shit... Chief? Is that you?"
"Affirmative trooper. Where's your friend? The Doom Slayer?" The Master Chief asked.
"Ohhh... He's... uhhh..." Gary mumbled, turning his head to Jeff. "Bro, you wanna help me out here?"
"Oh... He's checking out the Index from the Library while we cause trouble for the Covenant." Jeff nonchantly replied, swinging his blood drenched golf club onto his back.
"I see." The Chief replied. "Cortana?"
"Frankly, I don't see a problem with that and since he is there I see that as a good thing. Because the Commander will need all the help she can get in that place. Although, it's good to see these guys once again and we could use the extra help for our mission." Cortana explained to the Chief through his HUD. While the Chief continued to gaze at his Marines get along with Doom Squad. Overhearing their conversation about a taco run, along with other silly ideas that made him chuckle a bit. With Doom Squad in tow, the Master Chief and Cortana kept moving through the alien tunnels. Finding an elevator that took them through another submerged section once again.
"Regret's carrier just received a response from High Charity. A very well encrypted message from the Prophet of Truth. Listen to this: 'Your haste has jeopardized the fulfilment of our Covenant, threatened our grand design. That you shall be spared a public display of our contempt is thanks only to Mercy and his wise council.'. Truth, Mercy, Regret. Three Prophet Hierarchs. Killing Regret should shake up their leadership. But frankly, it sounds like you might be doing Truth a favor." Cortana explained once as the elevator arrived. Spotting one lone Sangheili Honor Guard patrolling through the area.
The Chief quickly dealt with the Honor Guard by knocking him out from behind. Quietly dealing with another Honor Guard and a few Grunt minors who were resting nearby a Covenant hologram projector. Giving the signal of all clear to the others before moving up.
"Every member of the Covenant shall walk the path. None will be left behind when our Great Journey begins! That is the Prophets' age old promise and it shall be fulfilled!" Regret barked.
"Great Journey? Doesn't he know what these rings do?" Cortana questioned once they reached the temple exit, leading outside.
The squad immediately received plasma fire from a swarm of Drones and three Elites who controlled the hilltop. Jeff and Gary dealt with the Drones while the Chief pushed his way up the hill ramps. Quickly wiping out both Elites with a few blasts from his shotgun in order to secure the area for the last Pelican support drop.
"This is my last run, Chief! I'm nearly out of fuel. We've secured the first tower cluster, so I'll set down there. Call when you're ready for evac." The Pelican pilot said over the comm. Positioning his Pelican over the open area, dropping off more weapon pods.
"Nice. Dibs on the rocket launcher!" Kalum yelled, running over and grabbing the SPNKR missile launcher. "Hmm... how do you fire this thing?" Kalum said, pushing the small button which rotated the barrels.
The Master Chief hopped up on top of the hill. Crouching nearby a tall tree, positioning himself with his SR99 Sniper Rifle. Zooming the scope onto the head of the leading Sangheili Elite Major who was busy chatting with two others. Before he could fire, he felt a slight ping from his shields as a rocket flew pass his head. Flying toward the unsuspecting Elites, wiping them out in one large explosion. The Chief turned to his side with lightning speed to see Kalum the teal-armored Sangheili fumbling with the SPNKr Launcher. Quickly dodging another fired rocket and heard the screams of Grunts seconds later.
"Oooh, my bad." Kalum apologized.
"Yo, Kalum? I'll give you my beam rifle for your rocket launcher." Jeff offered, handing over his beam rifle. "Deal?"
"Of course, brother." Kalum replied, then stared straight at the Master Chief, then kneeled with his hand over his chest. "My apologies Spartan."
With that situation squared away and everyone ready to move out. The Master Chief pushed on ahead. Ignoring the piles of debris and severed apendages. He spotted another Covenant Phantom flying in with cannons blazing at anything that moved. Taking cover as the drop ship dropped a familiar Sangheili Elite wearing a red hat who held a large box labled 'Plasma Pizza' on the front. Jeff locked onto the turrets firing one rocket after another destroying each turret, forcing it to retreat and left the delivery Sangheili behind.
"Agh! By the Prophets! I said not to leave! Come back!" The pizza delivery Elite roared, shaking his free fist at the fleeing ship. "That's it! I'm am done! I'm fucking done! Screw the Prophets! Screw this job! I wanted to be in Special Forces, but no they say! Let's place Dumae in pizza delivery they say! When I get back to High Charity. I'm gonna get my revenge!" He ranted out loud, grabbing his hat, and tossed it aside with anger.
They watched the Elite ramble to himself as it walked back and forth, picking up his red hat, and put it back onto his head. The Elite walked back to the overturned pillar where the delivery bag laid. Opening it to grab a slice of the pie. Drooling over the sight of grilled Kig-yar bits, green peppers, and purple mushrooms before taking a bite. He ate another piece after another and got an idea. He stared back at the bag to look inside; "There it is..." He said, pulling out a pizza cutter out from the bag. The Elite stood back onto his feet, breathed in the fresh Halo air as he stretched his arms into the air for a few seconds. "You know...? I have an idea. An idea that..." The Elite said to himself, playing with the pizza cutter blade. "...the Prophets will... know well! That I! Dumae! Will be the... The Pizza Man! Hah, hah, hah!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, before sprinting away with the pizza cutter in hand.
"Geez...Psycho." Jeff cringed. "You know, I believe we've just witnessed the birth of an psychopath. "
"With such a large army like the Covenant they must have someone they can talk to." Gary whispered, snapping his fingers. "You know, like uh... an Psychotherapist."
"Yeah for sure. Even the Imperial Navy had at least three on every Star Destroyer. Ten on the Death Star and even Vader had his own private therapist." Jeff explained.
"Troopers. We've found another gondola. Looks like it leads straight to the main temple. Not much further now. Get what you need. Cause, this is an one way trip." Cortana said over the radio.
"Copy. We'll be there in a sec'." Jeff replied, tapping Gary's shoulder before running off. Gathering weapons, ammo, and the box of pizza that was left behind. Meeting up with the Master Chief and his two UNSC Marines.
"There. Everyone is onboard. Activate it, Chief." Cortana ordered.
Once the Chief activated the gondola, he heard radio static form with the voice of Commander Keyes on the other end.
"How's it going, you two?" Commander Keyes asked over the radio.
"So far, so good. We've met up with some old freinds and are now approaching the main temple."
"Roger that. I'm as close to the Library as I can get. There's some sort of... barrier. We're trying to find a way around it. I'll keep you posted."
Another enemy controlled gondola approached to their right side. Along with two Covenant Banshees flying up from behind. Jeff locked onto one and fired, watching the rocket fly around in the blue sky as it struck one of the Banshees. Locked onto another, fired once more, and blew it out of the sky. Doom Squad continued fighting off Covenant forces as they slowly approached the main temple. Quickly unleashing their might onto the main defenses once the gondola docked with the temple. The Master Chief walks off the gondola and starred up at the deep blue sky. Noting an uncountable number of Covenant ships and the outline of a massive space station warping out of Slipspace.
"That's the largest Covenant fleet I've ever seen... the largest anyone's ever seen." Cortana said in awe. "Get inside the temple and kill Regret, before they can stop us."
"Sith Spit!" Gary yelled out in awe.
"Man, look at the size of that thing." Pvt. Dubbo said in awe as he gazed at High Charity.
"Cortana, we've got company a swarm of drop ships are headed our way. We'll hold them off while you take care of the Prophet." Jeff said into his communicator. Huffing over into cover and fired his last two SPNKr rockets at an incoming Phantom.
"Copy. Give them hell, trooper." Cortana replied. "The Covenant fleet has launched multiple waves of Phantoms. Too many to track... We don't have much time."
After the Chief enters inside the Temple, he could hear the Prophet of Regret talking to several of his Sangheili Elite Honor Guards. Peeking from behind cover to fire one quick round burst at Regret. Only for them to ricochet off an plasma shield which protected the Prophet from any kind of damage.
"His throne's shielding is protecting him. Get in close and do what you can." Cortana pushed.
"I could really use the Doom Slayer's BFG-9000 right about now." The Chief mumbled, firing another burst at the Prophet of Regret.
"Guards! Remove this vermin from my sight!" Regret barked as he sputtered around in his chair.
With his luck, the Master Chief was able to grab hold of the side of Regret's throne. Scooting over on top and began to give the Prophet of Regret a much earned beating of a lifetime. Quickly killing Regret with three heavy blows to the head and toppled the dead prophet out of his own throne.
"Bad news, the phantoms are turning around. The fleet is preparing to fire on our position. We need to get out of here."
The Master Chief rushes outside to see a large CCS-Class Covenant Cruiser. Looking over to his right to see one of the Gary grab private Dubbo by the waist and jumped backward off the temple ledge. As a large purple beam fires down into the lake, boiling the water around it. As it moves toward the temple, glowing brighter and brighter.
"Chief! They're fine! Run!" Cortana yelled, prompting the Master Chief to turn, runs around a corner, and jumps off the ledge, landing about several feet below. He runs the entire length of the temple as the beam starts slicing the temple. He barely makes it as the bright glassing beam fling the Master Chief into the water. To which he slowly begins to sink along with debris of stone.
"This... Is not your grave..." A demonic voice grumbled as a long, slimy tentacle withers upward toward the Chief. Tightning around the waist and pulling the unconcious super soldier down into the deep depths below. "...But you're welcome in it."