Ibuki: Disclaimer! The author does not own any of the material appearing in the story. The OC's belong to their respective owners!
BGM: Hades' Infernal Theme (Kid Icarus: Uprising)
"Time! Space! Reality! It's more than just a boring ol' linear path! It's a prism of boundless entertainment! A single choice can branch out into infinite realities and infinite amusement from yours truly! Alternate universes created from the ones that we know and love! I am Lord Hades, your handsome guide to these wonderful and boundless fun of opportunities! Follow me, if you dare… and bask in the neverending torturous question of:"
SUPER RWBY: WHAT IF?
"What If!"
End BGM
"Well, that was exciting! Yang bites the dust and Ruby gets even more badass than she typically gets! What an exciting moment, I sure hope Ruby doesn't bite the dust in this one! But who knows… she thinks she can save Reach. Hahahaha!"
What If… RWBY Fought In Reach? (Finale)
"Go Covenant!"
BGM: Wing and a Prayer (Halo Reach)
A Pelican flew over what was left of New Alexandria as Ruby was sitting in the back all by herself, staring at burning skyscrapers as one skyscraper collapsed. She had her helmet off as she looked absolutely unsure of herself.
Sure, she just saved a lot of people but she was starting to doubt that Reach could possibly be saved at this point. Yang's sacrifice was all for naught…
The Pelican landed on a helipad as Ruby put her helmet back on and hopped out where Weiss greeted her. To Ruby's surprise, Weiss gave her a hug, patting her on the back. She smiled and returned the hug as they parted a moment later.
"You gonna be okay?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, I should be… I'll cry for her when this damn war's over. As for-"
"That report's going to have to wait. The Covenant are jamming all comms to Command. Pyrrha needs your help running a counter op." She said as a Falcon landed.
"That for me?"
"Yeah." Weiss nodded. "It's good to have you back."
"Sorry if i came alone."
Weiss walked off before turning to look at her. "Make her proud." She said and continued to walk off as Ruby climbed into the cockpit.
End BGM
BGM: Fall From Grace (Halo Reach)
"Six, can you hear me?" Pyrrha asked.
"Loud and clear." Ruby said, lifting the Falcon off the ground.
"The Covenant have deployed comm jammers in high rises across the city. We can't hear Ironwood and he can't hear us. When I find them, you hit them… hard."
"Understood." Ruby said as she flew the Falcon, seeing another nearby skyscraper collapsing. "Oh… breaks my heart…"
"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do."
"Unfortunately." Ruby mumbled as she flew around the city.
"Four Charlie Two-Seven to Command, request immediate assistance!"
"Go ahead, two seven."
"We're at the Vyrant Telecom Tower! Got Hunters between us and the jammer!"
"Copy, Two Seven. Help is on the way. Noble Six, I'm sending coordinates for the Vyrant tower. Go get those troopers unstuck."
"Hunters… why does it have to be Hunters?" Ruby groaned as she flew toward her destination.
"What are you talking about? You have a knack for destroying Hunters in style."
"Yeah, but they're still a major pain in the butt. I'd rather face a Fuel Rod Shade Turret head on instead of dealing with those assholes!"
Pyrrha let out a chuckle. "Fair enough."
Ruby made her way to the Vyrant tower, and as she did, two Shade Turrets, who just so happened to be the Fuel Rod variant, opened fire at her. "I didn't mean to jinx myself!" She said, shooting them down along with the ground troopers.
End BGM
BGM: Whirling Dervish (Halo Reach)
Ruby landed the Falcon on the ground as a Brute came running out, only to fall on his back when Ruby shot him in the head with a few rounds of her DMR. She looked at one of the Shade Turrets.
"Hmm…" Ruby walked over to them, managing to yank out the Fuel Rod blasters out of the Turret and walked inside to find herself in a club that two pairs of Hunters were giving some marines hell. She would also see the jammer across the room from her.
Ruby attached the Fuel Rod blasters to her DMR and aimed at the Hunters. "Lock and load, baby." She said and pressed the trigger, annihilating the Hunters before they could realize what hit them.
"Thank goodness their backs are totally exposed!" She said and turned to her DMR, which had completely melted and warped due to the plasmic heat from the Fuel Rod cannons. "Aww…" She tossed it to the side, only to find a shotgun for herself as she picked it up and walked over, finishing off one Hunter that barely survived the onslaught.
"Thanks Spartan!" A marine thanked her as Ruby turned the jammer off, which exploded immediately after.
"There we go. One jammer down, Pyrrha!"
"Excellent. Head back to your Falcon."
"Will do." Ruby walked off to her Falcon, strapping the shotgun to her back.
End BGM
Ruby hopped back into her Falcon and flew up, turning around to see a Covenant Cruiser flying in and flying directly toward one part of the city as it came to a stop… and proceeded to glass the entire area, causing Ruby's shoulders to drop.
"Heartbreaking…"
"Command: this is Gunnery Sergeant Buck, Eleventh ODST, over."
"Copy, Gunnery Sergeant. Go ahead, over." Pyrrha said.
"My guys got caught in a firefight in the Nomolos Tower, roof collapsed. I gotta get over there and get them out."
BGM: Escorting an Old Friend (Halo Reach)
"Solid copy. Noble Six will escort your Falcon to your tower."
"Alright, coordinates set. I'm coming over!" Ruby said as she flew to Buck's location, shooting down a few Banshees that were in the area as she made it to his location. Buck hopped in his Falcon and flew off as Ruby flew right behind him.
As they flew, several Banshees came flying in to shoot them down, only for Ruby to outmaneuver them and shot them down as one Banshee flanked her and went for Buck, only for him to turn around and shoot it down.
"Nice shooting!" Ruby complimented.
"I ain't an ODST for nothin'." He said as they continued to fly around until they got to Nomolos Tower where Buck immediately hopped out as he landed and ran inside the tower, where he came out moments later with his squad as they all hopped in and quickly flew off.
"Is that everything?" Ruby asked.
"It is, actually!"
"Good. See you around!" Ruby flew off.
"I owe you one, Spartan. I'll see you in hell!"
"…Was that meant for "Good luck" or something more condescending?" She asked as Buck didn't answer. "Hello?"
"I think that was his way of saying good luck." Pyrrha said.
"I sure hope so!"
"Mayday! Mayday! Seven Delta One Niner to all UNSC forces!"
"What's your status, One Niner?
"We found the jammer, but we're getting hit! Request immediate assistance! SinoViet Center is- AAAARGH!"
"You still with me, One Niner? Seven Delta One Niner, do you copy?"
"Need me to go investigate?" Ruby asked.
"That would be swell. I'll try to see if I can still radio them in. I'll send coordinates to you now."
When she got the coordinates, Ruby immediately flew toward the SinoViet Center as she proceeded to gun down any Covenant forces on the ground. "Anything on the troops there?"
"Nothing. They've gone radio silent. There's an elevator up ahead to their location."
"An elevator…?" Ruby wondered as she flew around, shooting down Brutes and Jackals that were awaiting her. "I've got a better idea." She flew up toward the floor where the jammer was at.
"What are you…?"
"Aha!" Ruby shot down some glass and flew on in, landing just on the edge of the window and hopped out.
BGM: War Machine (Halo Reach)
"Just one question. WHY did you do that?"
"It's a lot faster than the elevator." She responded, readying her shotgun as she looked around, spotting several marines on the ground, all of them dead. "Pyrrha, I found our squad here. They're all KIA."
"Do you see any Covenant?"
"No. It's quiet… a little too quiet if you ask me." She said, slowly walking around with her shotgun drawn, slowly scanning the area as she looked into the main lobby that had a waterfall and a pond, but it was all too quiet.
Ruby approached the jammer as she scanned the area, including the ceiling for anything fishy. She spotted a cloaking device as she snagged it for herself and slowly went for the jammer.
"...It's too easy." She said, immediately activating the camouflage and pressed the button. Once it had blown up, she heard the sound of Drones coming in to attack her, only to be met with confusion when no one was there.
Ruby climbed aboard the Falcon, the active camouflage deactivating. "It was a trap, Pyrrha. Tons of Drones waiting to ambush. Luckily I fooled them. They're not very bright." She said as she flew off.
End BGM
"I had a feeling they would have pulled something like that."
"Any other jammers nearby?" Ruby asked as she spotted a group of soldiers being pinned down by Covenant forces on a roof. She swiftly flew over to gun then down.
"One of our squads went silent after the hospital got hit. You might have to finish their mission."
BGM: Triage (Halo Reach)
"Will do!" Ruby nodded as she flew toward the hospital, gunning down any Banshees in the way as she landed on the ground shortly after, then she pulled out her shotgun, finding a Needle Rifle nearby as she picked it up and walked in, seeing some Brutes giving them hell.
Ruby got on one knee, looking through the scope. "Four shots. One kill." She said, shooting four needles into a Brute, where the needles exploded and sent the Brute flying. She proceeded to do the same with the other Brutes while the Marines gunned down an Engineer.
"Thanks for that!" A marine waved. "...Crap, more Covenant coming our way!"
"Seriously?" Ruby turned her head to see several Elites coming in via jetpacks, forcing them to take cover and fired at them, where Ruby would gun them down until the Elites were taken care of. She walked over and picked up the ammo for her Needle Rifle. "Thank you~!" She said as she turned the jammer off and ran out.
"Thanks Spartan!" Another marine said as Ruby hopped into the Falcon and flew off.
"Alright Pyrrha, that's another one down! …I hope that's the last one!"
End BGM
"It is. Noble Two to Noble Leader, all jammers are down!"
"Solid copy, Noble Two. New orders: All personnel are to be evacuated from ONI HQ. Say confirm."
"Confirm, ONI tower evacu-"
Suddenly, there was an explosion through the com.
"Argh!"
BGM: Vital Evacuation (Halo Reach)
"Noble Two?! Noble Two, sitrep!"
"Covies are hitting the tower in force! They must have zeroed my signal!"
"Get that evac started!"
"Roger that. Six, get over here and cover our evac Pelicans. I need you overhead now!"
"On my way!" Ruby punched it as she flew toward the Olympic Tower, gunning down more Banshees that were firing at the tower.
"Command, this is Whiskey Three Five. I've got eyes on six long range Shade turrets in the vicinity of the ONI tower. Making life pretty hard on our evac birds."
"I'll take care of 'em!" Ruby said as she flew around the perimeter of the tower, destroying the Shades as they fired back at her, where her Falcon took heavy fire but managed to destroy them all. "You guys are cleared! Took a lot of heavy fire, but I pulled it off!"
"That's great, since they were all anti air. Anyway, Whiskey Three Six, you may proceed with evac."
"Solid copy, command. Thanks!"
"Ruby, you are one steely eyed Spartan. I'm extending the vertical landing platform. Come home, lieutenant."
"Roger that." Ruby said as she flew toward the platform… but as she did, her engines died out due to the heavy fire she received. "Ah crap…" She quickly ejected out and landed on the platform while her Falcon fell and disappeared into the heavy smoke on the ground.
"Maaan, I loved using that…" She sighed and walked into the tower.
End BGM
BGM: Crown Jewel (Halo Reach)
Ruby walked into the room where the rest of Noble Team were at. Blake was looking out the window with binoculars, said window was shattered as a Banshee was flipped over with Weiss next to it, Cardin was sitting down sharpening his knife and Pyrrha was fiddling around with her helmet.
"Look at this place. Used to be the crown jewel… not anymore." Blake said as she turned her head to see Ruby. "Hey, you made it."
"It's a regular family reunion." Cardin shook his head as Ruby pulled out Yang's dog tags. "Keep 'em. She gave 'em to you. I'll honor her my own way."
"Yang always said she would never leave Reach…" Blake said.
Cardin laughed. "The bombshell always was sentimental…"
"She gave her life thinking she just saved the planet." Weiss reminded. "We should all be so lucky."
"Ma'am." Blake spoke up. "Is that true about Gauntlet, Red and Echo teams assigned to civilian evac ops?"
Weiss turned to Pyrrha. "Those are senior level communiques-"
"I hear what I hear. Point is, why put Spartans on defensive deployments?"
"I need that link to SATCOM, Pyrrha."
"Chasing it, but this console's got more shrapnel in it than transceivers…" She turned to Weiss. "You didn't answer my question."
"You want to know if we're losing?"
"I know we're losing. I want to know if we've lost."
"We probably did…" Ruby mumbled.
Suddenly, Pyrrha got a signal. "General Ironwood hailing us? What's he doing on an open channel?"
"Let's hear it." Weiss said.
"-In the southwest quadrant of the city, over? Sierra two five nine, if you are receiving, I am authorizing override of radio security protocols to link with this channel."
"How long for a secure link?" Weiss asked.
"I can't guarantee secure anymore."
"Could Covenant trace it to us?"
"I could-"
"Noble Leader, this is a Priority One hail. If you are receiving, acknowledge immediately."
Pyrrha handed it over to Weiss. "Keep it brief."
Weiss put it close to her ear. "Weiss, here. Yes, sir-"
"We got movement!" Blake warned. "Multiple Covenant vehicles vacating the area… and they're in a hurry."
"How often do you see Covenant retreat for no reason?" Cardin asked.
"Radiation flare!" Pyrrha exclaimed. "Big! Forty million roentgens!"
"Just lost Ironwood. What's going on?" Weiss asked.
"Atomic excitement scrambled the signal. Ninety million now!"
"Source?"
"Airborne. Close."
"How close?"
Suddenly, a Covenant Cruiser immediately started glassing nearby, unleashing a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet and shattered the window.
"THAT CLOSE!" Pyrrha yelled as everyone scrambled and most put their helmets back on. They quickly ran to two elevators as Weiss, Cardin and Blake got in one and Pyrrha and Ruby went into another, both of them going down with Pyrrha and Ruby just a little behind them.
"Phew…" Ruby sighed.
"First glassing? Me too… don't worry, i'm on it." Pyrrha put her helmet back on. "Our best option is a fallout bunker in Sublevel two. Ninety six meters northeast. We got orders from Ironwood, ma'am?"
"We're being redeployed to Sword base."
"Sword?!" Blake asked in surprise. "Covenant own it now!"
"Which is why they want us for a torch and burn op. Keep Halsey's excavation data from falling into enemy hands." Weiss said, as the elevator reached its destination as the three ran out.
"If it hasn't already!" Pyrrha said as the duo ran out just behind the trio.
"Maybe, but according to Ironwood, the Covenant are still hunting for something."
"Oooh, where does he get off calling a demolition op Priority On-"
A needle from a Needle Rifle shot through Pyrrha's helmet, instantly killing her. "NO!" Ruby yelled, immediately grabbed Pyrrha's Magnum and started firing at a Phantom where the rest of Noble Team shot their Assault Rifles at the Phantom as well.
The Phantom flew off as Ruby growled, grabbing Pyrrha's body and dragged her into the bunker where the other Spartans helped her drag her in, closing the door to the bunker.
Later on, the group walked out and would see the glassed city in front of them. Weiss holding Pyrrha in her arms while Blake pulled out a signal flare, waving over a Pelican.
Ruby looked on at the destroyed city, then looked at Pyrrha's body. A few tears escaped her eyes as she clenched her fists, closing her eyes.
"...There's no way we're saving Reach…"
End BGM
"Two down, four to go! Ohohohoho, can't wait to see what happens next!" Hades grinned cheekily.
"Noble One? This is Noble Actual. Noble One?"
"Go ahead."
"We need that base taken out. What's your status?"
Ruby snuck through some hills, her DMR trained at some Covenant unaware of her position.
"Still outside. Thermal on the interior shows standing room only. We're gonna have to thin 'em out or we'll be way too popular."
"Copy that, Noble One. Ironwood out."
"We've got a job to do, so let's stay focused and get it done. Six, are you in position?"
Ruby dropped down a small ledge where some ODSTs were waiting for her. "Affirmative."
"Good. Execute."
The four of them dropped down into the water.
"Covenant own this sector now,, and are defending for a major strike, not a small group infiltration. Eliminate all hostile anti air defense so the rest of Noble can land at Sword Base for the torch and burn. Keep a low profile, we'll take them by surprise, this'll be a hell of a lot easier."
"Understood." Ruby nodded as she put a silencer on her DMR and started shooting down Grunts in Shade Turrets, one piloting a Ghost, two Fuel Rod Cannon Grunts and two Jackals in a sniper nest.
"Nice shootin'." One of the ODSTs said as two of them grabbed a hold of the Fuel Rod cannons as Ruby marched on ahead.
"Structure is cleared." Ruby said.
"Pyrrha was right. It does seem like overkill." Cardin said. "Sending us back here for a small demolition op?"
"ONI thinks it's worth it. That tell you something?" Blake asked.
"It tells me things ain't so simple."
Ruby and her group walked further ahead and found a Scorpion hidden from sight. "...Oh hell yes." Ruby smirked as she climbed inside.
BGM: Simple Things (Halo Reach)
"So much for keeping a low profile." An ODST said.
"I mean, would you want to pass up a tank?"
"Good point."
Ruby started driving forward, turning the cannon around and shooting down a sniper's nest as she drove off, shooting anything that moved. Revenants, Grunts, Elites, Ghosts… nothing stood a chance.
Those who survived, Ruby personally crushed them with the treads of the Scorpion. "That was for Pyrrha and Yang." She said as she drove along, soon coming into contact with two AA turrets.
"Isn't there a shield we have to take down from within?" One of the ODSTs asked.
"Yeah, we're gonna have to go inside and-"
Ruby shot the heads of the AA guns, where several rounds was enough to destroy them.
"-Ooooor we can just let the lady handle it."
"That's for Reach." Ruby growled, aiming high and shooting down Banshees while nonchalantly crushing any stragglers in the way that weren't murdered by the Fuel Rod guns as two Falcons flew overhead.
"Noble Team: Falcon group has landed, hostiles engaged. Blake is working on getting the gate open."
"Sure missing Pyrrha right about now…"
Ruby shot down a sniper's nest and moved up ahead, shooting down Revenants while also taking out any Shade Turret along the way, including a few more Banshees and a Revenant that tried to open fire.
Once she reached the gate, it opened as the ODSTs looked at the only entrance. "Looks like the Scorpion reached its end."
"Not with that attitude!" Ruby said as she charged forward, squeezing the Scorpion through until she went through the gate with the Scorpion. The ODSTs looking on in surprise before hopping back on the Scorpion.
"...How did she manage to squeeze a Scorpion through that?" Blake asked.
"I'm starting to think that she's probably a little pissed." Cardin said as Ruby opened fire at everything, running over an Elite and crushing him while also shooting at Plasma Turrets.
"A little?" Blake raised an eyebrow as Ruby moved inside the base, only to hop out and ripped the turret off of the Scorpion.
"You guys coming or what?" Ruby asked as she walked away.
"You sure she's stable? She's getting aggressive." Cardin said.
"Honestly, considering we just lost two spartans and we're losing Reach… I'd be a little aggressive myself." Weiss admitted as they chased after her. "Hey Ruby, you can't have all the fun!"
End BGM
Ruby tore through several Jackals where Weiss found an Energy Sword, picking it up as she ran behind Ruby and slashed through a few Skirmishers that tried to get the jump on her as Blake and Cardin tagged a few extra just above them.
"Hey hey, easy!" Weiss said, putting her hand on Ruby's shoulder.
Ruby sighed. "Sorry… am I going too far?"
"No, I'd say you're doing the right amount of damage. The problem is, we're left with the table scraps and while that's not necessarily a bad thing… personally, I want a few kills as well. Can't hog all the glory now."
"Right, my bad…" Ruby rubbed her head.
"Don't worry about it. Let's tear 'em down with style." Weiss smirked. "For Pyrrha and Yang."
"Right." Ruby nodded as they tore through the base, striking down any Covenant that they ran into.
"So, any idea where we're going?" Blake asked, noticing the ODSTs staying behind to take on any straggler.
"Dot?" Weiss cued, throwing the dull Energy Sword into an Engineer before shooting it down.
"Please proceed to the pre-arranged coordinates."
"Cryptic." Cardin mumbled.
"You know as much as I do, Noble Four."
The four of them made their way to the coordinates in question, soon leading to several dead marines.
BGM: The Expected (Halo Reach)
"Looks like they got themselves cornered." Blake said.
"Or committed to the position." Weiss responded.
Cardin rounded the corner, reaching a dead end. "I'm going with cornered. There's nothing here!"
"No load bearing columns either…" Blake added. "Ma'am, if we're supposed to blow this place, this ain't the spot to do it from."
"Dot, check your vector." Weiss requested.
"Vector confirmed, Commander. We are precisely where ONI has directed… apologies. Coordinates revised. Please confirm?"
"Revised…?" Weiss asked in disbelief.
"By an AI of unknown origin. Whose clearance is well above my own."
"Well, it's pointing us a click and a half east and two thousand feet underground." Blake mentioned.
"I didn't bring my shovel…" Cardin said.
"Ma'am, I say we go AI free on this one." Blake advised. "Obviously, these coordinates are junk and the longer we go chasing them-"
Suddenly, a secret door opened up as everyone trained their weapons at the door. Nobody came out of it as they cautiously moved through. "What is this, Dot?" Weiss asked.
"Our revised route, Commander."
"Well, we made it this far…" She mumbled as they walked through until they came across a tram. They hesitantly walked in with the door closing behind them. "Your new AI friend tell you anything else, Dot? …Dot?"
"She's been expecting you."
"That's perfect…" Cardin groaned as the tram started to move. At that moment, a screen popped up in front of them, showing Halsey.
"Apologies for the unusual security measures, Commander, but the stakes demand it."
"Dr. Halsey. Casualty reports listed you as-"
"Yes, well, as they say, the news of my death has been greatly exaggerated. I only wish the same could be said to the rest of Noble Team."
"We all do, ma'am…" Weiss mumbled.
"It may please you to learn that the data module Noble Two procured from Visegrad station contained precisely what my scientist promised: a latchkey discovery. It has unlocked, at last, the secrets of this excavation."
"Not sure I understand."
"Your orders were a pretext to bring you to me and have been overridden. You are here, Team Noble, to ensure the delivery of this vital data to a secure location."
"Doctor, our orders are to destroy all sensitive materials-"
"Others will handle the demolition."
"I'll need to confirm this new directive with Command-"
"General Ironwood will be briefed. You belong to ONI now."
"...That's comforting." Ruby sighed.
The tram proceeded to turn into an elevator and proceed to gently descend into an unnatural cave formation.
"Before you is an alien artifact neither human nor Covenant in origin. Advanced beyond our comprehension… until now. Thanks to Noble Two, the decrypting of its data is nearly complete."
They would see a massive boulder falling from the ceiling of the unnatural cave.
"Whatever we're doing down here, we better make it quick." Cardin said.
"Have your data ready, ma'am. We're coming to you."
"The decrypting process is still underway."
"I don't think you understand, we're out of time. If it isn't portable when we reach you, it's gonna get buried!"
"Bury any of it, and you bury mankind's best chance of survival! Commander, you've been wondering what your Spartans have died for? They died for this… please, buy me all the time you can."
End BGM
"I'm picking up on some turrets here." Blake said.
"Was ONI expecting company?" Cardin wondered as they saw some Phantoms approaching them.
"Well, they sure as hell got it. Activate those turrets, make it a bit easier for us!" Weiss said as they spread out to activate the four turrets as they made it back to the entrance of the lab.
"So now what do we do? Sit here and watch the turrets do all the work?" Blake asked.
"No." Ruby said as she approached them with a grenade launcher. "We give them hell."
"Where'd you get…?" Weiss turned her head, spotting a lot of UNSC weapons. "...Alright, let's buy Halsey all the time she needs! We are going down swinging if we have to!"
BGM: Time to Dance (Halo Reach)
Ruby immediately hid behind some rocks, firing a few grenades into a bunch of Jackals and Grunts, sending them flying as two Elites were killed by Blake's sniper rifle.
Several Grunts flanked them with Fuel Rod guns where Cardin aimed a Rocket Launcher and fired at them, sending them flying as a Fuel Rod Gun landed in front of Weiss. She picked it up and proceed to fire at several Brutes and Elites, sending them flying.
"This thing's got a kick to it. I love it!"
A Phantom dropped a Ghost as it started to charge at the base, only for Ruby to drop on top of it and kicked the Grunt out of it, then she turned it around and proceeded to speed boost into him and a long line of Grunts, bowling them over as she turned around and charged at some Skirmishers that were trying to get away.
A Wraith was dropped off and fired, where Weiss quickly charged at the Wraith, firing Fuel Rod blasts into the Wraith where she then threw the Fuel Rod gun into a Grunt, knocking him down as he dropped his Plasma Pistol.
"Oooogh, my achin-" Weiss aimed her Magnum and fired at the Grunt's head, then picked up the Plasma Pistol and fired a charged shot at the Wraith, disabling it as she ran straight for it, shooting at the gunner to kill him as she then climbed aboard, and yanked the driver out.
"I'll be taking THIS!" She said as the Wraith came back to life as Weiss bowled over the Brute and then charged ahead while the Turrets gunned down some stragglers. A few Elites assumed the Wraith was getting closer to give the Spartans hell, only for the Wraith to shoot at them to kill them while Cardin shot down some Banshees as Weiss turned it around and shot down a Phantom that crashed into some Jackals and Brutes, and then the Phantom exploded.
At that point, another Banshee fired at Weiss, only to get shot down by Blake who found a Spartan Laser while Ruby continued to run over the ground troopers as a Grunt threw a Plasma Grenade at the Ghost.
The Ghost exploded as Ruby launched out, jumping on top of the Grunt and flipping over, landing on the back of a Brute and swiftly assassinating him as she turned around and shot the Grunt on the head.
"Spartans! I'm opening the laboratory doors!"
"That's our cue!" Weiss said as the four of them went inside, while Weiss parked the Wraith in front of the door to make things difficult for the Covenant to get through. She even threw a Plasma Grenade at the engine where it blew up behind her.
End BGM
BGM: Say the Words (Halo Reach)
The four of them wandered into a high tech laboratory, all of them looking at it in wonder as they saw Halsey working on something. "What is this stuff?" Cardin spoke up.
"Knowledge." She responded. "A birthright from an ancient civilization." Halsey walked over to another machine. "This AI is its custodian, and she has chosen you as her couriers."
"Chosen?" Cardin looked to Weiss. "...By an AI?"
"By this AI, yes." Halsey nodded. "Her measure of you carries as much weight as my own." She moved out of the way to show off the blue AI. "Perhaps more. You are to take her to the UNSC shipbreaking yard in Aszod. There, you'll find a Halcyon class cruiser waiting to get her off planet."
"I understand." Weiss nodded.
"Do you? Mankind is outmatched. When Reach falls, and it will fall, our annihilation is all but certain. Unless…" She started to press some buttons. "...We can glean from this artifact a defense against the Covenant. A game changer. On the level of the conical bullet in the nineteenth century or faster than light travel in the twenty third."
"And what if there's not?"
"An apt question if there were somewhere else to replace our hope. There is not." She pressed the button as a barrier surrounding the AI disappeared as she looked at Halsey before disappearing. She then pulled out a package and handed it over to Ruby. "Take it, Lieutenant… she has made her choice."
Weiss nodded at Ruby as she grabbed it.
"Do you have it?" Halsey asked.
"Yes."
"Say the words, please."
"I have it."
Halsey hesitantly gave it to Ruby, not wanting to let her go but had no other choice as Ruby strapped it to her back.
End BGM
Once outside…
BGM: Do What Is Necessary (Halo Reach)
"Doctor Halsey, Noble Three will escort you to Castle Base." Weiss said.
"I require no escort, Commander."
"Blake, make sure nothing falls into enemy hands."
"I'll do what's necessary, ma'am. Good luck."
"You too, riflewoman."
Weiss walked into the Pelican where Cardin and Ruby watched Blake and Halsey take off. "I need a heading, Dot."
"At three kilometers north, turn right heading zero five zero."
"Which leads to…?" Weiss asked as the Pelican roared to life, prompting Cardin and Ruby to climb aboard.
"The shipbreaking yards in Aszod. The only off planet extraction point left on this continent. Small scale air attacks have decimated many convoys en route." The Pelican took off, away from the base. "An armada of Covenant Cruisers is hastening to the site as well. UNSC cruiser Pillar of Autumn is awaiting your arrival."
"It wouldn't be a Noble mission if it were easy." Weiss said as Ruby and Cardin watched as the charges detonated, causing the cave to cave in and bury what remained of Sword Base.
"Look at that, isn't it beautiful?" Hades chuckled. "Anywho, only three Spartans remain! I wonder what will happen to 'em? Let's find out!"
BGM: Once More Unto the Breach (Halo Reach)
"Noble Leader, seek immediate medical attention." Dot requested as their Pelican was being chased by two Banshees and a Phantom. The Pelican was also currently on fire. "Noble Leader, please respond."
A Banshee fired into the Pelican, taking down Ruby's shields while Cardin fired a grenade launcher into the Banshee, hitting it as it swerved out of the way and took out its fellow Banshee, leaving only the Phantom.
"Please respond, Sierra Two Five Nine. You are alarming me."
Weiss took off her helmet, where there was blood splattered on the windshield as blood was also pouring down her face. She let out a grunt. "Not sure how long she's gonna stay together! Skies are jammed up anyway. Gotta get you two off of her!"
"...Ma'am, you-"
"Don't wanna hear it!" Weiss interrupted Ruby. "Get the Package to the Autumn!"
"Done."
"Not yet, it's not. Cardin, go with her! It's a ground game now."
Cardin pounded his chest. "It's been an honor, ma'am!"
"Likewise." She said and looked at Ruby. "I'll do what I can to draw their fire… Six, that AI chose you. She made the right choice."
"Yeah." Ruby nodded and walked off.
"Good luck, lieutenant."
Ruby froze, turning around as Weiss turned her head as she gave Ruby a bright smile and a wink. Ruby's eyes sparkled and then nodded with confidence. "See? She'd warm up to ya." Cardin said as they walked to the edge of the Pelican.
"On my mark!" Weiss held her hand up with three fingers, as the two got ready. Her fingers counted down to zero. "MARK!"
The two of them jumped off, sliding off the edge of a cliff as they slammed into the ground, their shields absorbing most of the blow as Ruby held up the package. "Phew…" Ruby sighed with relief as the Pelican flew overhead with more Banshees chasing after them.
The two of them got up, shaking it off as they walked out of the pathway and watched Weiss fly off. "Are you still with us, Commander?" Cardin asked.
"Stay low. Let me draw the heat. Just deliver that package."
The two of them looked on to see the Pillar of Autumn in the distance. "There's our destination, Six. The Pillar of Autumn." Cardin cheekily looked to Ruby. "Race you to her."
"Oh, you!" Ruby punched him as he chuckled.
End BGM
"So, do you two tend to jump off of airships for a living or was that your first time?"
"What the… who said that?" Cardin asked.
"I did. I'm in the package."
Ruby unstrapped the package from her back. "Oh, hi there! I thought you were a mute AI."
"Why would I even be mute? I just didn't feel like talking when we first met."
"Soooo, do you have a name?"
"I'm Cortana. And you two would be Nobles Four and Six, correct?"
"Yes. Name's Cardin, nice to meet ya."
"I'm Ruby!"
"Charmed. Now let's get to the Pillar of Autumn. I'd like to get off this planet before we all get glassed and potentially tortured for information."
"Who would want to torture an AI?"
"I wasn't referring to myself."
The two of them sweatdropped. "...Okay, let's just get this over with." Cardin said as Ruby put Cortana back.
BGM: End of the World (Halo Reach)
Ruby spotted an Elite watching Weiss fly away, his back turned to them. "Okay, I have an idea." Ruby said.
"...You're not seriously thinking of-" Cardin watched Ruby take a running start before leaping off the cliff. "...She's serious."
Ruby slammed down on top of the Elite, immediately assassinating him as she took his Plasma Rifle and started shooting at the startled Grunts, mowing them as she did the same for the Jackals.
Another Elite came from underneath the bridge and two Grunts, only to get blown up by Cardin's grenade launcher. The Elite's shields went down and roared, only for Ruby to gun him down.
"Okay, can we not jump off any more cliffs? I'd rather not die by recklessness."
"Sheesh, party pooper." Ruby mumbled as they walked off to a small building, where they would see Mongeese nearby.
End BGM
"Now that's what I'm talking about." Cardin said as he got on one Mongoose as Ruby got on the other, the former revving it up.
BGM: This Town Ain't Big Enough (Halo Reach)
"Remember when I said "Race you to Pillar of Autumn"?" Cardin teased.
Ruby smirked. "I'm in." She said as the two of them took off, driving on the road as a Banshee flew down and tried to shoot them, both plasma shots nicking the duo as they drove through the canyon.
As they swerved and kept going, drop pods came down… along with a Scarab that crashed down in front of them.
"Oooooh crap!" Ruby grimaced, when Weiss suddenly swooped in and shot at it to get its attention.
"I got your back… get the package out of here!"
With a nod, the two of them continued driving, going around it as Weiss continued to shoot at it before she disappeared behind the rock.
However, more drop pods arrived with another Scarab dropping in, as Cardin decided to cut through the road for a shortcut while Ruby drove underneath it and taking a sharp turn where she caught up with Cardin and drove through a few tunnels… and then they would see the bridge up ahead destroyed.
"The bridge is out! We gotta jump it!"
"Here goes nothing!" Ruby said as they drove through, driving over the makeshift ramp and landing on the other side, only to be stopped by barriers.
End BGM
"Crap… looks like we're doing this by foot." Cardin said as they went through the barriers where Ruby found two Rocket Launchers, tossing one to Cardin as they would see several Brutes, Grunts, Jackals… and a Wraith that was currently firing at them.
"You take the Wraith, I'll deal with the foot soldiers."
"Sounds good to me." He said as he aimed and fired at the Wraith to gets its attention as Ruby went down and started blowing everything up, including throwing frag and Plasma grenades. One Brute hid behind a truck and flanked her, shooting at her with a Spiker, only to get a rocket to his face right as Cardin blew up the Wraith.
"What took you so long?" Ruby teased.
"Well, that Wraith was a bit of a squirrely one." Cardin chuckled as they walked up the path where they used their last rockets to blow up kamikaze Grunts, where they tossed their Rocket Launchers to the side.
"A shame, really. I was looking forward to you two continuing to blow stuff up."
"Sadly, we don't have infinite ammo." Ruby said, picking up a Needler while Cardin picked up a Carbine, then the two went through the tunnels, only when they came out, they were confronted with a Scarab.
BGM: Sacrifice (Halo Reach)
"Mother…" Cardin glared at the Scarab who was aiming its main cannon at them. "We can get past it, ma'am!"
"No, you can't. Not without help." Weiss said as she fired at the Scarab to get its attention.
"Commander, you don't have the firepower!"
"I've got the mass."
Ruby's eyes widened while Cardin slowly nodded. "Solid copy. Hit 'em hard, boss."
Weiss turned the Pelican around. "You're on your own, Noble. Weiss out."
The Pelican slammed into the Scarab, where a massive explosion rocked the Scarab as it desperately tried to hang on to the cliff before it slipped and fell off the cliff, exploding once it hit the bottom.
"Crevice to the east. Let's go."
Ruby closed her eyes, letting out a sigh. "Right…"
"Don't let her sacrifice be in vain, Ruby. She knew what she was doing. You can mourn her when we get off of this planet."
"I'll mourn everyone when we get off this planet."
Cardin put a hand on her shoulder for comfort as the two walked off.
End BGM
The Spartans walked through another cave, hopping down where they would hear buzzing. "Is that what I think it is?" Ruby asked.
"Unfortunately…" Cardin mumbled as they were swiftly ambushed by Drones, but they were swiftly dealt with as they progressed, as they even took down a few Skirmishers that tried to attack them while the Drones ambushed, however they were also destroyed.
"Lousy buggers…" Ruby mumbled as they kept walking, where they would soon find themselves walking outside and seeing Marines and Covenant slaughtering one another.
BGM: Shipbreaker (Halo Reach)
"Over here, Spartans!" A female marine waved them over.
"This is Captain Keyes of the Pillar of Autumn. We are tracking you, Noble, and I have begun our launch sequence. Proceed to drydock, platform D. I'll be on it myself to receive the package."
"We'll be there, sir." Cardin said.
"You better be, soldier. Because my countdown has no abort."
"Understood. We got to get to the-" Ruby walked past Cardin, back into the cave. "...Where are you going?" He asked, only to see her come back out with a Spartan Laser.
"Going to the drydock. You coming?" She hopped down.
"...Sometimes, you scare me more than Pyrrha."
Ruby dropped down, picking up a Needle Rifle and strapping the Spartan Laser to her back as she walked forward, immediately shooting down Grunts and Skirmishers. The Marines saw her as they looked at each other and nodded.
"Let's give these Spartans cover!"
A Zealot shot at Ruby, but she stepped out of the way and shot him with the Needle Rifle to do away with his shields. He roared, bringing out his Energy Sword and lunged at Ruby… only to get a Spartan Laser to the face to finish him off.
Ruby put her Spartan Laser away as a few Jackals approached her, only for Cardin to shoot them down with his shotgun. The two of them went up some stairs. "We're almost home, Cortana."
"Music to my ears."
They rounded the corner as they found another wave of Covenant shooting at Marines. Ruby spotted a Sniper Rifle, handing it to Cardin. "Here, you can snipe."
"And what the hell are you gonna be doing?" Cardin asked as Ruby took a running start and jumped off, landing on a Ghost and kicking the driver out. "That, apparently." He said, proceeding to snipe at the Shade turrets while Ruby plowed through Grunts as an Elite latched onto the Ghost and climbed aboard, punching Ruby as she punched back until he kicked her out of the Ghost.
"Hahahaha!" The Elite laughed as he turned the Ghost to Ruby.
"You might want to get rid of that present I left you!"
"Huh?" The Elite looked into the Ghost, seeing that Ruby planted a Plasma Grenade, and it exploded. "BWAAAAAARGH!" He cried, flying to a wall as Ruby shot him in the head the moment he hit said wall.
"Pleasure doing business with you." She said.
"You're rough and tough. I like it!"
End BGM
BGM: Meltdown (Halo Reach)
Cardin reunited with her. "You're welcome for those Shade Turrets." He said as they went inside the buildings, gunning down the Covenant as Ruby pulled out her Spartan Laser and annihilated a Zealot that charged at her with an Energy Sword.
Ruby then picked up the Energy Sword as she and Cardin ran up the stairs and onto a catwalk where Ruby slashed through some Jackals, while also picking one up by the ankle and tossing him into a vat of acid as Ruby then impaled through an Elite before running out and were greeted by more marines that joined the fight, only to be greeted by Hunters.
"Great! Hunters!" Cardin complained as the Hunters shot at them, forcing them to spread out as Ruby decided to climb up some containers while the Hunters proceeded to clobber the marines… only to get annihilated when Ruby fired her Spartan Laser into their backs to kill 'em.
"You're welcome." Ruby said as they dropped down and ran off, soon making it to Platform D.
End BGM
"What's the situation?" Cardin asked a marine.
"We rigged a mass driver up top. We lose that and the Autumn will have no covering fire. She'll never make orbit."
"Noble to Keyes: We're at the pad."
"Copy, Noble. My Pelican's ready. Clear an LZ and I'll meet you down there."
"Copy that."
BGM: Keyes (Halo Reach)
"All right, Six… this is it." Cardin said. "I'll man the big gun. You just get to the platform and deliver the package."
"You got it. Good luck out there."
"You two."
The two of them shared a fist bump as they went their separate ways, where Ruby made her way to the landing pad where she would spot Phantoms closing in.
"I'm in position. I'll take out as many dropships as I can!"
Ruby mentally readied herself, taking a deep breath. "You ready, Cortana?"
"Well… I don't have much of a choice now, do I?"
Cardin fired the MAC gun, taking out a few Phantoms and Banshees while the rest dropped down and the Covenant dropped down en masse.
"Party time." Ruby said as she charged ahead, shooting them down as a Brute Chieftain lunged at her. She swiftly dodged the swings, ducking and weaving around the powerful swings until Ruby rolled out of the way as the Chieftain swung his hammer into a wall and getting it stuck.
She aimed her Spartan Laser at his head and fired it, killing him instantly as she threw the now empty Spartan Laser away, smacking it into an Elite that made him topple over and fell off the cliff. She then grabbed the Gravity Hammer and swung it around, sending a lot of Grunts and Skirmishers flying while swinging it again into several Brutes.
She switched to the Needle Rifle and proceeded to fire at more reinforcements as Cardin continued to shoot down the Phantoms, as Ruby picked up a Fuel Rod Gun, tossing her empty Needle Rifle away and proceeded to blast away Grunts and Elites, turning around and shooting down a few Brutes as well.
"The waves are thinning. No one else is coming, I believe. Keyes, you're good to go!" Cardin said.
End BGM
"On my way."
"There's our ride." Ruby said.
"Ruby, it's time for you to leave. Get the package to the pad and get your ass off this planet. I got your back."
"You're not coming?"
"I wish I was, but someone's gotta take care of these pests."
End BGM
"...Very well." Ruby said solemnly as the Pelican flew over to her and turned around.
BGM: Special Delivery (Halo Reach)
Keyes walked out. "Good to see you, Spartan. Halsey assured me that I can count on you."
"Not just me, sir…" Ruby said solemnly.
He put a comforting hand on her arm. "They'll be remembered." He said as he took Cortana, then turned around to see a Cruiser approaching. "Cruiser! Adjusting heading for the Autumn! Noble Four, I need fire on that cruiser or we're not getting out of here. Do you copy?"
"You'll have your window, sir." Cardin aimed for the Cruiser.
"Bridge, this is the captain. We have the package. Returning to the Autumn, over."
"Copy that."
Suddenly, a Phantom came in and shot the other Pelican down, which careened over Keyes' pelican and nearly slammed into Ruby, but she dove out of the way as the Phantom made its way over to Cardin, a plasma turret shooting at Ruby to prevent her from advancing. "CARDIN, LOOK OUT! YOU GOT-"
"AUUUGH!" Cardin yelped, shooting an Elite down as he emerged from his seat and shooting him in the head to finish him off. "Who's next!" He exclaimed, only for a Zealot to impale him from behind. "Augh!" He grunted. "Rrrgh…! I'm ready!" He turned around. "HOW ABOUT YOU!" He impaled the Zealot in the neck with his dagger, knocking the both of them down. "Augh… ugh…"
"Cardin? Cardin, do you copy! CARDIN!" Ruby clenched her fists right after. "That's enough."
"Lieutenant, get aboard! We gotta get the hell out of here!" A marine exclaimed.
"Negative. I have the gun. Good luck." She walked off with a pissed off determined look in her eyes.
"Good luck to you, Spartan." Keyes said as the Pelican flew off.
End BGM
BGM: On The Gun (Halo Reach)
Ruby sprinted toward the gun, running up the stairs as she picked up two Plasma Rifles and dual wielded them, mowing down Grunts as a Zealot charged at Ruby, slashing her with his Energy Sword, but she dropped her guns and grabbed his arm after she dodged, twisting his arm and using her elbow to slam it into his forearm, making him drop the Energy Sword as she picked it up and cut his head off.
She took off, slashing through any Zealot that got in her way as the last one clashed with her with his own Energy Sword, only for Ruby to kick him in the knee and pulled away his Energy Sword before swinging both arms freely to cut him down, then climbed into the MAC gun where she proceeded to destroy any Phantom or Banshee.
"This is for Yang!" She said, destroying Phantoms left and right. "This is for Pyrrha! FOR WEISS!" She kept blowing them up as the Phantoms attempted to shoot her down, only to get annihilated.
"FOR CARDIN!" She yelled as the Cruiser got dangerously closer, however the plasma port was right on target.
"And this…" She held the trigger as the MAC Gun charged up. "IS FOR REACH!"
The shot struck the Cruiser's plasma port, causing it to quickly lose altitude.
End BGM
BGM: Majestic Giant (Halo Reach)
"Good guns, Spartan! All stations brace for cast off."
The Pillar of Autumn roared to life as the Pelican soon flew in and landed inside a docking station, next to a Spartan encased in a cryochamber. The Pillar of Autumn lifted off the ground with the help of some atmospheric rocket pads, pushing it up into the sky and pushing it away from the port, positioning it and pushed it up before the rockets ran out of fuel.
Ruby climbed down the ladder, watching it fly out of Reach's atmosphere as she took off her helmet, tears running down her cheeks with a smile on her face.
"This is the Pillar of Autumn. We're away. And the package is with us."
"Have fun out there, Cortana." Ruby said, wiping her tears as she looked at what remained of Reach. "Now… let's see who can survive first."
End BGM
Later, up in space…
The Pillar of Autumn flew out of slip space, where it flew through the emptiness of space.
"Cortana, all I need to know is did we lose them?"
"I think we both know the answer to that."
"Hoo wee! That was quite the spectacle, wasn't it! …But wait, aren't we forgetting someone before we wrap up this little arc? …Oh right!"
BGM: There'll Be Another Time (Halo Reach)
"I've lost track of how many days it's been since they left Reach. I've fought off the Covenant and won every time, but I'm starting to grow weary… you'd think they'd leave me alone, but apparently, they're still pissed and want me dead. Apparently, they're not done with Reach yet even though it fell."
Ruby noticed several Phantoms coming in. "Well, here comes another wave. Might as well see how this plays out." She said, putting away her video diary and took a deep breath.
"Alright, let's get to work." She said as she hopped down a platform, pulling out two Plasma Rifles. "My main objective today? Survive."
Ruby swiftly ran ahead, shooting down anything that moved as they fired back at her. She ducked between energy blasts, quickly weaved her head to avoid Plasma Repeater bolts as a Jackal shot her in the shoulder with a Needle Rifle, only to get blasted down as she dove over and picked up the Needle Rifle, shooting down Elites and Grunts.
Ruby emerged from cover, shooting down Brutes as she turned around and shot down Skirmishers that tried to sneak up on her.
She felt something stick on to her. "...Huh?" She looked down to see a Plasma Grenade stuck to her foot. She picked it up and threw it back quickly, blasting away some Grunts.
She heard a loud plasma shot. She looked up to see a Wraith shot coming down on her. "Talk about desperate…" She chuckled as she started to get out of the way… only to trip over a Skirmisher corpse. "Mmmph!" She grunted as she got up… only for the Plasma shot to come down and struck just inches from her, but the radius was enough to send her flying.
End BGM
"Graaaaaaaagh!" She cried as she fell on her back, her helmet rolled away as Ruby lay on her back, panting. Some blood dripped down her forehead and lower lip. She was sprawled out, heavily panting.
She heard laughter.
"We got the Demon! Now let's kill her!"
"Hah… hah…" Ruby slowly sat up, shaking it off as images of her team flashed in her head. She still had no idea where Blake was, but she knew that she was with Halsey and out of Reach… she just wished she came back and grabbed her after the Pillar of Autumn left.
Footsteps approached her at a rapid pace.
"I'm not going to die here…" She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'm not going to die here…"
She opened her eyes.
"I! AM! NOT! GOING! TO DIE! HEEEEEERE!"
BGM: Genesong (Halo 2 Anniversary)
Ruby picked up the weapon closest to her, which was her DMR as she proceeded to run and gun, shooting down Grunts with ease before diving and grabbing her Plasma Rifles, mowing down Brutes and Skirmishers.
Her Plasma Rifles overheated as she tossed them to the side as an Elite swung his Energy Sword into her, but she sweep kicked to trip him up as she grabbed the Energy Sword and impaled him as she ran ahead and impaled a Brute Chieftain that held a Gravity Hammer, knocking him down as she picked it up and ran toward the Wraith.
The Wraith fired at her but she sprinted to get away as she threw a grenade down and then jumped over it, grenade jumping over toward the Wraith as she swung her Gravity Hammer down, destroying the gunner as she pulled out a Plasma Grenade and shoved it inside as she jumped off and turned around as the Wraith exploded behind her.
She picked up a Plasma Turret and mowed down Skirmishers and Jackals, tossing it to the side when it ran out of plasma as she picked up a Beam Rifle and shot through several Grunts and Elites, then picked up a Needle Rifle as several Grunts threw Plasma Grenades at her.
Ruby aimed her Needle Rifle, shooting the plasma grenades at a rapid pin point accuracy where they all exploded as Ruby ran through the plasmic cloud and took down the Grunts as an Elite jumped in and slashed her with the Energy Sword, only she shot him in the neck with the Needle Rifle, the needles exploding as she picked up the Energy Sword.
Ruby held the two Energy Swords in her hands and sprinted, cutting through Jackal and Skirmisher shields as she cut through them as well, turning around and blocking a Gravity Hammer swung at her and parried, cutting the Gravity Hammer in half and impaling a Brute Chieftain.
Several Zealots came charging at her all at once as Ruby shifted her eyes as she smirked, proceeding to tackle them all, dodging the swings and impaling one while one managed to nick her right arm as Ruby turned around and cut off two heads, as she engaged the last Zealot one on one as the two clashed with their Energy swords until Ruby sweep kicked him and impaled him in the head.
"Hah… hah…" Ruby fell on one knee in exhaustion as she saw more Covenant coming toward her. She gritted her teeth and fought through her tiredness, sprinting ahead and blocked the energy bolts with her shields, where she was also hit on her abdomen and knees but she wasn't about to go down… not here!
She swung her Energy Swords into several Jackals, only for her Energy Swords to be depleted of energy. She picked up a Plasma Rifle and started mowing down an Elite… until one snuck up behind her and impaled her from behind.
End BGM
"Graaagh…!"
"Your life is forfeit… demon." He said, kicking her down as she turned around as the Elite folded his arms. "And so is mine."
"Wh-what… what the hell are you…" Ruby coughed out blood. "What the hell are you talking about?"
The Elite motioned his head up as she looked up to see a Covenant Cruiser right above her. "You… you idiot! You're going to get glassed yourself!"
"I will face it with dignity. After all… I was the one who slayed you." He said. "You may fire when ready!" He cued as Ruby spotted a Magnum as she reached for it and aimed at him, pulling the trigger… only to hear it click.
Ruby staggered to her feet, coughing out more blood as her legs wobbled. "I'm not dying here…" She said. "I refuse to die… to YOU!" She yelled as the Elite smirked, doing a "come at me" gesture as the two of them engaged in hand to hand combat, Ruby swinging her fists but the Elite slugged her in the gut, knowing full well that she was fully exhausted and kicked her down and then got on top of her, punching her repeatedly as Ruby grabbed his fist to stop him.
"Face your death with dignity!" The Elite said, holding her in place as Ruby desperately tried to punch her way out. The Elite soaking the blows as he closed his eyes, accepting his death as Ruby kept swinging… right as the Covenant Cruiser fired the laser, glassing the entire area.
"Aaaaand that will do it for now! See y'all next time!"
Objective: Survive? More like Objective: Go Out Swinging!
Ibuki: Hell yeah!