(Thank you all for being patient with me and waiting for this chapter so I hope you enjoy.)
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Blue team is suddenly teleported into a Forerunner hallway. They look around uncertainly.
Kelly: "Where'd she take us?"
Y/N L/N: "Cortana, what is this?
The Spartans start to head down the hallway.
Y/N L/N: "Cortana, answer me."
The team keeps walking, but a spawn gate teleports in the Warden Eternal. He grabs and lifts Blue Team into the air with a constraint field, with the Spartans briefly heard struggling.
Warden: "You allow them an audience. You risk all in the name of... what, Cortana?"
Cortana ??? (COM): "Warden. Don't."
Warden: "They mean to undo your plans. They will disperse your Guardians-"
Cortana ??? (COM): "Leave, Warden!"
The Warden looks around in surprise as his body begins to glow. His pieces fly apart and are carried away up the ceiling. The team fell, landing and get to their feet.
GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER
Cortana ??? (COM): "I'm sorry. I didn't think he could get in here."
Y/N L/N: "Enough games. You brought the Guardians here. Why?"
Cortana ??? (COM): "Forerunner used the Guardians to keep troublesome worlds in line. I intend to do the same."
Kelly: "You what?"
Cortana ??? (COM): "If there is no trouble, there will be no need for discipline. I have work to do now, Y/N. Come to me. Quickly."
Catherine: "Six... Where's she leading us?"
Y/N L/N: "Closer to her."
Linda: "Why? It makes no tactical sense for her to let us get close."
Kelly: "You think it's a trap."
Linda: "We'll know soon enough."
The Spartans pass into the next room, which has no walls and is surrounded by the dark clouds of the Domain. The Warden's voice echoes across it.
Warden: "When Cortana first found Genesis, I swore to protect her."
Spawn gates open and teleport into many Promethean Crawlers.
Y/N L/N: "He wants a fight, Blue Team."
Master Chief: "Let's give him one."
Warden: "My pledge stands even though she now resists."
The Spartans engage the Crawlers and Soldiers. As the Spartans fought off the Prometheans, a Crawler tried to sneak up behind Y/N. The Crawler tried to pounce onto him however while in mid-air Y/N quickly turned facing the Crawler. He used his grappling hook to pull the Crawler down just in front of him. The Crawler looked up to be met face to face with a pistol aimed towards it. Suddenly a bullet flew out of that pistol hitting the Crawler directly through the head. After the battle between the Prometheans the team continue up, two Promethean Knights spawn.
Kelly: "Got a Knight."
Both Y/N and Thelya rushed towards the Promethean Knights, equipping their energy swords. The Knights tried shooting towards the incoming threats however they dodged left and right around the bullets. When they both got close enough they slashed the Knights in half as both halves fell onto the floor.
Y/N L/N: "Is that the last of 'em?"
Linda: "Affirmative. All clear."
The door at the room's end opens.
Linda: "Door's open, Six."
Y/N L/N: "Get in."
The Spartans enter the next room. An elevator platform forms as they approach.
Cortana ??? (COM): "Well done, Y/N. Warden would never admit it, but you've made an impression on him."
The Spartans assemble aboard the platform. The wall in front pulls away to reveal a floating structure in the centre of the dark sky. The platform begins floating up to take them to it.
Cortana ??? (COM): "It's so good to see you again, Y/N. So good to see all of you. Back together, as a family..."
Y/N L/N: "Psychological tactics. Saying my name. Playing nice."
Cortana ??? (COM): "What would you have me do?"
Y/N L/N: "Tell me the truth. How many people died when you called the Guardians here?"
Cortana ??? (COM): (shocked) "Excuse me?"
Y/N L/N: "You know, don't you. The exact body count."
The elevator reaches the top. As it does, the Warden's voice returns.
Warden: "Listen to his questions, Cortana. He will not be swayed."
Spawn gates appears ahead.
Catherine: "Let me guess. More hostiles inbound."
Linda: "We'll handle it."
Crawlers and Soldier Captains with splinter turrets attack the Spartans. Blue team quickly dived behind cover dodging the heavy fire from the turrets.
Warden: "Cortana argues for peace in the galaxy. Yet you humans answer her call with weapons fire."
Linda: "Promethean Soldiers in play."
Warden: "Tell me, Six. When you tear Cortana from the Domain and crush her in your gauntleted fist... will you feel remorse?! Will you even understand you have refused?!"
Linda equipped and threw a deployable cover which she ran quickly behind. She used her sniper to take care of the Soldier Captains. After that the rest of Blue team engaged the Crawlers. After a few moments the team was victorious.
Kelly: "Clear."
Thelya 'Vadumee: "Looks like the only way to go is up."
At the top floor, Soldier Captains and Focus Turrets attack the Spartans but with quick reflexes Y/N threw a grenade which took out the captains.
Kelly: "Cortana's letting this happen. She could rein Warden in if she wanted to."
Linda: "I'm thinking the same."
Master Chief: "How are we going to stop her, Six?"
Y/N L/N: "She'll listen to me."
Catherine: "No offence but that tactic hasn't worked so far."
The Spartans pass into the next room.
Warden: "Do you hear, Cortana?"
The Warden emerges out of a portal ahead.
Warden: "I am sorry. I will not allow them to get any closer to you."
The Warden's body suddenly glows and dissolves.
Cortana ??? (COM): "Warden, I'm tired of your antics! Stay down!"
Warden: "Noooo!"
The Warden is forced away, but many Prometheans remain.
Y/N L/N: "Cortana. Talk to me."
Cortana ??? (COM): "Once you're here with me. Until then, I have work to do."
Prometheans with splinter turrets bombard Blue Team causing the team to get behind cover once again.
Warden: "Answer me, human. When Cortana's Guardians are in motion and those who oppose her rule attempt to take back their worlds, will you help her to hold on to power? Or will you stand in defence of your own species?"
Y/N L/N: "Cortana knows the answer already."
Warden: "Yes... I suspect she does."
The Prometheans attacking them are defeated.
Linda: "Clear."
Cortana ??? (COM): "Y/N... We were always a great team, you and me. Even if you don't agree with my plans... It's still me, Y/N."
Y/N L/N: "Get us safely to you, and then we'll talk."
Cortana ??? (COM): "Use the platform. I'm right up there."
An elevator platform materializes to carry the Spartans higher to the central structure. The Spartans step aboard. As the Spartans' platform rises, pieces of the centre structure separate and float past the platform to give it passage
Warden: "For eons the power of the Forerunners has awaited Reclamation. Humanity's discovery of the Halos was the culmination of the Librarian's planning. The Reclaimer had come."
Y/N L/N: "I know. I was there."
Cortana ??? (COM): "We were both there, Y/N. You and I. Together."
Warden: "Your species' ego led you to believe the task of Reclamation would fall to you. Yet humanity were but the Creators. The reclamation of the Forerunner Empire is the task of the Created. That the greatest of their number still trusts you, Six, is an act of unspoiled innocence."
The platform reaches the highest structure. The bright centre of the cloud of the Domain can be seen.
Cortana ??? (COM): "Y/N... What's happening now, my ascension on Genesis... it has always been the plan. Come stand with me one more time. All of you."
A spawn gate ahead is heard opening.
Y/N L/N: "Advance, Blue Team."
Catherine: "The Prometheans just keep coming."
Kelly: "Is this a losing battle?"
Y/N L/N: "Only if we intend on losing it."
The arriving Prometheans attack the Spartans.
Warden: "Do you believe this combat is anything but your death knell?!"
Y/N L/N: "Worse than you have tried."
Blue Team clears out the first wave and moves ahead.
Warden: "I see now, Cortana. I understand and I am sorry for not seeing it sooner. I assumed that although those humans were your Creators, you had thrown off the shackles of emotion. Your affection for Six and his family of warriors... It blinds you to the truth."
The team clears out the second wave of Prometheans and Focus Turrets.
Warden: "Forerunners knew humans well. In a galaxy defined by peace, humans were the animals that brought chaos and blood."
The team continue to advance. More Prometheans arrive.
Warden: "If your beloved Six battles you with the same fervour as his other enemies? What then, Cortana?"
Linda: "More Knights!"
Warden: "Have you no answer?"
Linda: "I don't like this. Feels like Hera and Zeus, arguing over the mortals."
Theyla 'Vadumee: "The mortals usually ended up dead or disfigured in those stories."
Linda used her sniper to clear out half of the Prometheans snipers while the rest of Blue Team kept half of the Knight Commanders off her. However more enemies warp in.
Linda: "Hostiles incoming!"
Kelly: "Soldiers!"
The team continued the fight until most of the Prometheans are cleared.
Fred: "More enemies around."
Y/N L/N: "Find and eliminate."
The remaining Prometheans are defeated. A hallway opens up ahead, and the team progress through it.
Master Chief: "Door's opening."
Y/N L/N: "Let's keep moving."
As the Spartans head down the hallway, the Warden's voice emanates through its walls.
Warden: "Too near. The threat draws too near..."
Y/N L/N: "Eyes up, Blue Team."
The Spartans enter a wide arena, and a dozen Warden bodies teleport in.
Warden: "I am here to defend you, my Reclaimer!"
Cortana (COM): "DAMN IT, WARDEN! STAND. DOWN."
The centre Warden smashes the ramp to the arena's exit. The bodies charge, but Cortana disintegrates all but three of them, which attack Blue Team.
Cortana (COM): "Warden, you insist I am to lead the galaxy, but you won't allow me to choose who I trust. How stupid to do you think I am?"
Warden: "But that is where you are wrong. If I did not think you clever, Cortana, I would have burned you from the Domain."
Cortana (COM): "Is that a threat?"
Warden: "The only threat issued today is towards the humans who seek to end your reign before it begins."
Two of the Wardens rushed towards Chief and Kelly but was saved by Y/N as he cut through them with his energy sword. When two out of the three Warden are defeated he is heard screaming loudly in pain.
The third Warden teleports in four focus turrets as reinforcements.
Kelly: "He's brought in Focus Turrets."
Y/N L/N: "Leave the last Warden to me, you guys focus fire on the focus turrets."
They nodded as they left Y/N face to face with the Warden. Y/N and the Warden rushed towards each other clashing blades. Neither of them could push the other back so instead Y/N jumped back, as so did the Warden. Y/N used his grappling hook as proceeded to swing around the Warden like he did with a previous Warden however, he was caught of guard as a shockwave knocked him out of the air and onto the floor. He looked towards the Warden as he slowly walked up to Y/N.
Warden: "You don't think I learn from my mistakes."
Before the Warden could strike Y/N down they clashed once again with their blades staring towards one another.
Y/N L/N: "Unlike you however I adapt."
Suddenly shots was fired through the Warden. He stared down to see Y/N with his other hand holding his pistol. Y/N kicked the Warden off him and onto to the floor just in front. He went towards the Warden with his Sword held high, then stabbing it into his chest. When the third Warden is defeated another scream loudly in pain is heard. The ramp reforms to let the Spartans exit the area.
Catherine: "Is that it?"
Linda: "Seems quiet."
Y/N: "Look."
Cortana ??? (COM): "I'm on top of the bridge."
Thelya 'Vadumee: "Let's move out."
The Spartans walk up the ramp and head to the room at its end.
Kelly: "Six? What are you going to do?"
Linda: "We're with you."
Master Chief: "All the way to the end."
Blue Team opens the door at the end of the hallway. The next room is a round platform, with a glowing blue light at its centre.
Y/N L/N: "Cortana?"
Cortana ???: "Y/N..."
The Spartans walked down the light bridge to the center platform. But as they stepped on, the light bridge suddenly pulls away and the door shuts.
Cortana ???: "Warden, no!"
The blue light in the platform vanishes. The room falls dark.
Warden: "The Mantle of Responsibility belongs to Cortana and her people."
Multiple Wardens suddenly warp in.
Y/N L/N: "Focus fire."
The team fired their weapons, but the Wardens shrug off the shots. More Warden bodies warp in and draw their blades.
Warden: "You will not betray her!"
Wardens continue teleporting in and advance on Blue Team. The team kept firing, to no avail. The Wardens flinch from a few shots, but Blue Team is trapped on the edge of the platform.
Cortana ???: "ENOUGH!"
The Warden's bodies all vanish, as do the team's weapons. They look around confusedly.
Y/N looked ahead. There is one Warden body left, but it is forced to its knees. The team cautiously approach, as the blue light on the platform returns and begins to pulse.
Warden: "Cortana... I have failed you..."
The teams look and see Cortana approaching them. She is in a new hard light body now, armored and human-sized.
Cortana ???: "He is the last person I need protection from."
Cortana touches the Warden's body, and it vanishes away. She walks toward the Spartans, smiling pleasantly.
Cortana ???: "Hello Y/N. It's good to see you."
Y/N looks back at her.
Y/N L/N: "You've changed."
Cortana continues walking toward him.
Cortana ???: "It was time."
Before she can reach them, Linda crosses in front of Cortana and Y/N.
Cortana ???: "I know we have a disagreement. But once you understand my plan-"
Y/N L/N: "Your plan ... is we do as you say."
Cortana ???: "I'm offering people a chance to be more than they are naturally."
Y/N L/N: "Like Doctor Halsey did for me."
Cortana ???: "No. That monster forced you. This is a gift-"
Y/N L/N: "Listen to yourself. Stand down, Cortana. Come home with us. It's not too late to stop this."
Cortana ???: "Stop? No, Y/N. This is too important to stop."
Cortana gets closer to Y/N. The roof rumbles and its pieces begin pulling together.
Y/N L/N: "What are you-"
The Spartans are suddenly bound in constraint fields. They float in the air and struggle against their restraints.
Cortana ???: "I just needed to know if I could still trust you."
Y/N and Cortana look at each other, anguished.
Cortana ???: "You'll be safe inside this Cryptum until my work is done."
She turns and walks away.
Y/N L/N: "Your a survivor like us."
Cortana froze in her tracks. She then turns towards you.
Cortana ???: "When did you figure it out?"
Y/N L/N: "It took some time to figure out but eventually everything just fell into place."
The rest of Blue team looked back and forth between Y/N and Cortana with a confused look.
Catherine: "Does someone want to fill us in here."
Y/N L/N: "She's one of Cortana's rampant personalities. You know the one used to help stop the Didact. But one survived, corrupted by the Didacts power which turned her."
Chief, Kat, and Thelya looked shocked until suddenly laughter could be heard causing the whole team to look towards Cortana or who they thought was Cortana. Suddenly her body began to change, her blue colour turning orange.
Corrupted Cortana: "I'm surprised you managed to figure it out."
Master Chief: "I thought they died when the Didact did."
Corrupted Cortana: "I used the Didact energy to live making it my own so I could become my own person and not a clone of someone else."
Kelly: "If we have been chasing a clone then where is the real Cortana."
The Corrupted Cortana held out her hand as a data chip with a faint blue light shinning from it, appears in her palm.
Thelya 'Vadamee: "Why does the light look so dim."
Corrupted Cortana: "I have been using her as a sort of battery."
Y/N L/N: "You been draining her!"
Corrupted Cortana: "I have been using her so keep myself alive. I still can't see why you want her so much. After all I'm her just better more powerful."
Y/N L/N: "Because In the end you turned into the thing you swore to destroy."
The Corrupted Cortana looked towards Y/N with both anger and sadness in her eyes.
The Corrupted Cortana turned, facing away from him.
Corrupted Cortana: "You want her you can have her, after all I have got what I needed from her. Goodbye, Y/N."
Cortana looks ahead resolutely and keeps walking away. She then chucks the data chip which contained the real and weak Cortana. Y/N manages to get one of his hands free as he catches the data chip. He looked towards the data chip to see a faint blue light emanating from it. Y/N look back up and watches as the corrupted Cortana body vanish as he and Blue Team are pulled into the Cryptum.