All the Spartans turned with weapons ready.
"Is that- the Didact?" Vale asked.

"Good God. He IS terrifying." Holly said.

He was the same as ever. Towering over even Spartans with his glowing armor. His evil-looking helmet with bright orange eyes seemingly burning through your soul. And his Knights were just as dangerous.

"This ends now, Humans."

Osiris opened fire upon the Didact, to realize their weapons had absolutely no effect as the rounds pinged off of the Forerunner's armor. "The fuck?!" Holly cursed.

"Human weapons… how they manage to take the lives of the beasts known as the Covenant is beyond me."

"How the hell did that not even hurt him?!" Buck cried.

"His armor is unique, able to render nearly any weapon useless."

"Well that's just great." Vale said.

"We're better off using Forerunner weaponry." John said. Before they could react, the Didact send out a shockwave, knocking everyone down.

"I have made adjustments to my armor. It would be a fool's gamble to go back into war without doing so."

It was a strong shockwave, and it rendered the Spartans almost useless. Almost. Warden rushed towards Didact. The two Knights attempted to stop him. Special Forces or not however, the first had its upper region separated from the chest down. The other had the sword pierced through its torso. "You will not destroy her!" Didact held a hand up, and a sword of his own, very Promethean Knight-like, and longer than most, formed. He charged and the two engaged in sword combat. Their blades clashing as they spoke to one another.

"You were always a stubborn man, Sundered-Star. But I never thought you would've gone so far as to kill your own wife!"

"You forget, she tried to kill ME."

"Only when you insisted upon slaughtering the remains of the Human race!"

"The events that predate that moment demanded action."

"And you chose the wrong one!" Another Warden appeared, followed by another. Then five more.

"Even with this many of your copies, you will still taste defeat."

"You will have to kill Living-Song to ensure that! And I ensure you that you WON'T!" The fight lasted for what seemed like hours, before the sword of the Didact glowed. He plunged it into the floor, and a shockwave stronger than the last went coursing through the ground.

Each Warden, save for one, was shattered. The remaining Warden fell to his knees, using his hands to keep from falling.

"Cortana… Song… I have failed you…"

With that, he dissolved like all Forerunner machinations do when destroyed. "Warden, NO!" Cortana cried.

"Warden… there's still more of him." Exuberant said, motionless on the ground. The Didact walked towards the stasis pod, and peered onto the face of the Librarian. Cortana tried to do something. To maybe hack into his armor, but it wasn't working.

"I have added improvements ancilla. Including those that block your attempts to stop me. You're efforts are as fruitless as ever."

His gaze never left the pod. "Osiris, report." Locke said, no answer. "Buck? Holly? Vale?!"

"Can't… move." Vale said.

"Blue Team, are you okay?" Chief called.

"Chief. I can't… we're stuck." Said Fred.

"To think… all this time I thought you were dead. Only to realize you were hiding beneath my very nose this whole time… no more."

The walls around them shifted as the Didact moved to the center where the pedestal was. "Your time will come, ancilla. But first… I remove the greatest threat." Using his signature telekinesis power, he lifted John before him "You, Warrior, will not be joining us. You shall remain on Genesis for all eternity, spending the rest of your days alone until you expire. But by then, you shall be the last Human alive."

The door the party came through opened, revealing the horizon of Genesis.

"Your companions shall be composed for my army, and the ancilla will no longer see the light. But not before I send Song's pod hurling into the sun."

John could do nothing as the Didact sent him closer and closer to the doorway.

"This tomb, is now yours."

The Didact felt a sharp, sudden pain in his left shoulder, he turned to find the Human known as 'Locke' on the ground, with a Boltshot aimed at him. He grabbed Locke as well, and brought him alongside John. "Since you have not been rendered useless, you shall join the Warrior on Genesis. Goodbye, Humans." With that, the Didact sent the two Humans tumbling down to the surface of Genesis at a high altitude.

"JOHHHNN!"

…

"Chief! SIR! My suit's systems are failing!" Locke yelled. John realized this for his suit wasn't really responding either. His motion tracker and HUD were working fine. But his thrusters weren't, and given time, it wouldn't be long before they reached the ground.

All he could do was helplessly watch as the Cryptum shrank from their view as they grew closer to the surface of Genesis.

"HUMANS!" They found Exuberant witness following them. "Wait! I shall repair your systems in flight. I can do this trust me!"

"Hurry up, Exuberant! Can't fall forever!" Locke said urgently, trying to activate his thrusters.

The Monitor got to work on the Chief first. "Checking thruster power, rebooting calculations… not too shabby." Next she got to Locke. "Come on. Come on. Come on!" The ground grew closer like a rushing car. Finally, Locke and John were able to descend slower at the same rate.

"A few seconds later and we would've been splattered." Locke said.

"Yeah, ironic considering I fell from the atmosphere. Twice. And walked away unscathed." John said. The comment was met with silence. "What?"

"Oh no. This is not good! He has the Cryptum." Exuberant said.

"The what?" Locke asked.

"A Cryptum. The Didact had one back on Requiem. He was sealed in it until I unwittingly let him out." John said.

"Cryptums are often used for forced meditation. Similar to the stasis pods. He plans to take the others with him as you know." Exuberant said.

"How do we reach the Cryptum from here?" Asked Locke.

"This way." The two Spartans and single Monitor went forward and found themselves outside.

Finding a MASSIVE collection of Guardians.

"My God…" Locke began, seeing the sheer number of machines surrounding the area. "How are we going to stop this?"

Suddenly, one of the Guardians initiated a slipspace bubble and was sent on its way.
"Where's it going?" Asked John.

"To destroy the plan of the Forerunners."

The Spartans turned to find the Warden behind them, unscathed. "Warden? But I thought you were-"

"Many bodies, remember?" John said, refreshing Locke's memory.

"I should have realized you wouldn't quit, machine."

"You will NOT get away with this Sundered-Star! We will take your Cryptum before you leave!"

"Do not be so sure. For I have more than a fleet of Guardians here to assist me."

"What is he talking about?" Asked Locke. Exuberant realized what was happening.

"Oh no… there's a ship here. And all this time I never thought-"

"What are you talking about? Locke asked.

"There's another ship that matches the Didact's needs." The Monitor said.

"You mean. Another Mantle's Approach? Like the one that attacked Earth and caused the New Phoenix incident?" John asked.

The ship was the Didact's personal flagship. It was the largest known ship ever seen by anyone in history. (It makes the Death Star, that's right, the Death Star, look small. Measurements. Here's what I found. The Death Star is 120 km. Mantle's Approach is 142 km long, 138 km wide, and 371 km tall. And it isn't even the Forerunner's largest ship ever. Where's your 'Reapers' now? Ha ha :D)

"Yes." Exuberant said. The first ship was mostly destroyed when John detonated a nuke at the composer section, pulling the rest of the ship into slipspace, being saved by Cortana, whose remains were with the ship, and leading to now.

"God… how do we stop him?" Locke asked.

"For now, we focus on the Cryptum, so long as we have the Librarian, we have the upper hand. Exuberant, teleport us as close to the Cryptum as you can, we must not tarry."

"Of course, Warden." With that, the four teleported to a glowing spherical source. "That's a gravitational core, there are five in total keeping the Cryptum in place, destroy all of them and you'll lower the Cryptum." Exuberant explained. John and Locke immediately opened fire. And destroyed the first core.

"More remain. We must be swift Humans. The Didact will accelerate his plans now!" The group immediately ran towards the next core, which was blocked by Covenant shields. "I shall deal with this, move to the next!" The two soldiers ran and split up. Locke went to the closer of the two on the left, while John focused on the one guarded by Shade turrets. He killed the Grunt in one, and threw a recently found plasma grenade at the other.

He took control of the unused turret and blasted at the core, regardless of the Covenant fire he was taking. Then the core exploded as it sustained too much damage.

Locke had reached the other core by then and was taking fire from turrets. He had to be quick to prevent the turrets from depleting his shields. He grabbed a Forerunner grenade, and his last three frags, he threw all of them with the Forerunner activated towards the core while sprinting, then continued in a round-about fashion and made for the last core.

By the time both Spartans got there, the Warden had already killed another Knight and used an Incineration Cannon to take down the shield. "Wow. We got that done quick." Locke said.

"About 2 minutes and 49 seconds." John said. "Exuberant, can yo-"

"I did it! I did it, I did it, I did it!" She cried with joy.

"What?" Locke asked.

"I found a way to reach the Cryptum. Alas, proper access requires a more Human touch." She said. The Warden was proving a VERY helpful ally, distracting the enemy with copies of himself while John and Locke focused on other matters until they had to fight.

"Got it. We can get to the Cryptum now." Locke said. The Spartans ran onto the ramp and sprinted for the sphere, when it began to move.

"Oh no." Exuberant said. "What? What is… NO!" John yelled. The Guardian that was centermost of the rest was pulling it towards it. And beneath it… was the ship, waiting for liftoff.

"This can't be happening." Locke said.

"You are more persistent than I imagined. Nevertheless, you will NOT take the Cryptum."

The structure they entered closed up as a roof enclosed on them, pieces flying into place. Blocking their view of the Guardian. "The Didact will be coming to finish you personally. He won't leave lose ends this time." Exuberant said.

"We can't fight him conventionally, he's just too strong… what do we do?" Locke asked.

"Well… there MAY be a way."

"How?" Asked John.

"You may have noticed he didn't use his telekinesis on me. It's because inside my pieces is a special material made by the Forerunners that cancels it out. It's a way to ensure that a friendly soldier isn't grabbed by accident."

"But how can that help US?" Locke inquired.

"I see. He wishes for you to combine your armor with his body." Exuberant said. The Spartans looked at one another dumbfounded.

"… can you do that?" John asked. Forerunner tech working with Human tech was no strange concept, the Prefect armor was proof of that. But this is a whole new level.

"It is Human. So long as I sacrifice two forms while Exuberant makes the necessary adjustments." The Spartans pondered this while Exuberant readied the chamber for the transition to the Guardian.

"The Didact is blocking my master level access of this facility with a nearby communications relay." She said.

The Spartans soon came to a decision. "Do it. We'll need the boost." John said.

"A wise choice, John." The Warden used his actual name! He summoned two more of his bodies, who broke apart and whose pieces were sent into a flurry around the two Spartans. Joint pieces, head parts, and other necessary materials were added while less needed object, like the fingers, were cast aside. The Spartans saw their HUDs go into a frenzy with this happening, Exuberant focused on each part as fast as she could when she came over to ensure it was going smoothly.

When it was over, the Spartans looked a bit more Forerunner than Human. Their armor showing under the pieces. "I feel… stronger." Locke said, holding his fist up and inspecting the pieces on his gauntlet.

"It feels like I can move faster." Said John, who was taking steps in his new skin.

"You can call upon most of my abilities. Those you cannot include teleportation and the energy bolt that emanates from the head. You can use a sword, however it will be similar to a Promethean's. You should also receive a boost for Forerunner weapons."

"HE HAS SEALED MY DOORS?! NO! UNACCEPTABLE!" Exuberant cried. Now the three fighters had to fight incoming reinforcements while she fixed the issue. The Prometheans came, and the Spartans had discovered their new blades. After a brief surprise inspection, they charged. Locke used a Boltshot in his other hand, the weapon gave more recoil and the Soldier went down instantly.

"They ARE stronger now." He said in awe, referring to the weapons. John had decapitated two Soldiers while plunging his blade into a Knight. The Warden was busy with other Prometheans, swatting them aside as if they were but toys. John tossed a Soldier at Locke, who sliced him in two.

John punched into the head of a Knight, leaving his last frag in it. The explosion took some Soldiers with it. "Oh dear. The Didact is preparing to leave! He's disconnecting the ship from Genesis." Exuberant said.

"How much longer?!" John asked.

"Hopefully sooner that his departure." As more enemies appeared, the Spartans found more and more creative ways to kill their foes. With the parts stacking up, the Spartans truly felt invincible.

No doubt about it. Forerunner tech was incredible. But would this be enough to fight an actual Forerunner?

"Here! NOW!" Exuberant said. The four stood on the platform, over which a shield appeared. With Knights on the outside trying to get in.

"This is amazing. I wish I could keep this armor forever!" Locke said honestly.

"We succeed, and you will have MUCH more for you to choose from, Locke."

"The relay access is at the end of the corridor. You must simply disrupt the signal. Once broken, control will be granted to me immediately." Exuberant said.

The Spartans looked upon the lone Guardian with the Cryptum that held their teams, their friends, their family. And in their way…

… was him.

The two soldiers understood this was it. If they failed. It was all over. And whether or not they got off the planet would be pointless. "Only one of us needs to get to the relay." Locke said.

"Right." Said John.

"Sir. Before we go, I just wanted to say I'm sorry, for trying to bring you in on Meridian. I should've just joined you, then perhaps we wouldn't be in this mess. And the Didact would be defeated by now." Locke said, with genuine guilt.

"Maybe, maybe not, but there's no point focusing on it now. But Locke, regardless of what happens, you're definitely a good soldier. One of the best. It was a great experience fighting with you and your team. They are excellent soldiers and definitely deserve to be Spartans. So do you. I just wish you were Spartan IIs. I don't know whether or not the future will be in our favor, but I won't stop without a fight. So when we reach that relay. And we will, the future of not only ourselves, but our teams, our people. Our species. Will enter a new era. The Reclamation will begin. And I intend for BOTH of us to see it." Locke stared at John, a smile forming behind his helmet. John did the same. Locke then nodded.

"Yes sir. Oh… and John… I should've said this first. Arbiter sends his greetings."

"… thank you, Locke." Calmly and courteously came from John's mouth. "Exuberant. Lower the shield."

She did so. "I will deal with his remaining soldiers, good luck to you, John, Locke." "Thanks." John said. "You too, Warden." Locke said.

The soldiers sprinted towards their enemy.

"I see you've made improvements. Adding my own people's technology to your armors."

The Didact began to slowly jog towards them, which turned to a full run.

"But yet, still you FAIL!"

The sword he wielded was stopped by their own, John swung at his helmet while Locke jabbed him in the side. Followed by John backhanding the Forerunner and Locke knocking him over with a foot swiping at his legs, they plunged their swords at him, but he dodged in time.

He grabbed John and was about to slice through his neck when a familiar jab of pain resounded in his shoulder. Followed by another jab in the side. He backhanded Locke, only for John to kick him hard in the chest, forcing him to lose his grip.

John gave an uppercut while Locke jumped into the air and struck him with his leg. The Didact then gave a punch to John while delivering a kick in the rear towards Locke. Both didn't give up. They kept at it. Every punch, every kick, every jab, and even their fewer sword strikes began to wear down the Forerunner. But he still had plenty of fight in him.

A jab by John, a kick by Locke. Didact pushed and lashed out with his sword. Locke swiped his own blade while John kneed the Forerunner. Yet again, the sword pierced the shoulder of the Didact, earning a scream this time.

The fight went on for what felt like an eternity. The same routine, different techniques, creative maneuvers. The Spartans were slightly panting, while the Didact was obviously panting hard. Finally, both Spartans ran to the Forerunner and delivered a combined uppercut, sending him into the air and leaving him on the ground. Their mighty foe defeated, John went to the relay, followed by Locke. Both raised their swords and struck the machine.

The object disintegrated and became no more.

He started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Locke asked. The Didact slowly got up, his helmet folded open as a smile with blood trickling down revealed itself.

"I still win. Slipspace coordinates confirmed. Cryptum secured. Goodbye, Warriors."

He teleported. And the ship flew into the air into a large slipspace portal.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Locke yelled helplessly as he watched the Cryptum be dragged away.

…

"I have control again!"

That was Exuberant.

"What? What are you doing?! What happened?!

"Do you hear me?! I HAVE CONTROL AGAIN!"

"You are still defeated. The slipspace drives are activated. You can't-"

Suddenly, a Constructor swarm of leviathan proportions flew towards the Cryptum, and soon flew around it, breaking the grip the Guardian had on it. The ice collection underneath the Guardian cracked and fell, revealing the largest Collector site either Spartan had ever seen. "Exuberant, are those-" Locke began.

"Yes. They are Constructors! This is a Builder facility. I was installed by the Builders. I SERVE THE BUILDERS!" Exuberant declared proudly.

"The Builders were the highest and most powerful rung in the Forerunner society." The Warden said, walking up from behind the Spartans.

"No. Stop it!"

"You took my installation! Now I will take something of yours!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

With that, the Cryptum was brought by the Constructors down to a longer-growing catwalk. The four approached the sphere as the Constructors began to fire their beams at the glowing indentations. The front opened up, and out came the other Spartans.

"John? Locke?" Said Kelly.

They almost didn't recognize the Spartans with Forerunner accessories to their armor. "It's us. You're safe now." Locke said.

"Where's Cortana?" John asked.

Linda came forward towards him, and gave him a familiar object: Cortana's chip.

He took it, and the shape of his dearly missed companion came forth. "You did it, John. Just like I knew you would." She said quietly and happily.

"Cortana… I-" He began to say.

His hand reached up to his helmet, which came off with a small hiss. Revealing his slightly aged, clean shaven, buzzcut features. His face was that of someone who had lost something near and dear to them, only to find it again.

The other Spartans followed suit, and removed their own helmets.

"I won't let you go again." He said, tears streaming down his face.

"Oh, John." Kelly said, feeling her own eyes water.

"It's okay now… we're all together again. And here's the guest of honor."

The Constructors carried the pod out of the Cryptum and to the group. Placing it in front of the Warden. "Finally, after so long… the time has come to awaken the Librarian." The tone of his voice was of a teary joy. He turned to Master Chief. "John, if you would do the honors?"

The tears had slowed, then stopped by then. And he nodded, he went over to the pod and gazed upon the holographic panel. "Cortana?" He said. She gave an appreciative smile and keyed the proper sequence. The field inside began to subside, leaving the female Forerunner no longer suspended.

At first, she didn't move. Then a right hand slowly went up to her forehead. The features on her face indicated a sign of not wanting to be awakened. But they were gone instantly when she opened her eyes ever so slightly. She took note of the group in front of her.

"W-Warden?"

"First-Light-Weaves-Eternal-Song." He knelt to one knee before the Librarian.
"The Reclamation has begun." Her eyes widened with surprise. She suddenly took notice of the Humans. One in particular.

"117?"

"Hello, Librarian." He said simply.

"Guess you could say we're even now." Cortana said with a smirk, placing her hands on her hips. The Librarian looked upon the Humans, who looked back in wonder. A smile came to her face as tears of joy fell from her eyes. "The Reclamation truly has begun. Wait… Cortana… you said we were even?" She asked confused. The Spartans frowned.

"We weren't the only ones here ma'am." Said Holly. The Librarian instantly understood.

"Where is he?"

"Gone."

"But there is good news!" Exuberant chimed. "I managed to intercept a transmission of the Didact after he left. After losing the Cryptum, the Didact immediately relocated all his Guardians to a portion of space far from civilized space."

"He has the Guardians?" She asked horrified.

"Yes. But we stopped him. With you still alive, his plans are all for nought."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank heavens."

"He called the Guardians off? Why?" Asked Fred.

"With the Librarian still alive, his plans have changed severely. The Janus Key will lead you to new worlds. So even if he attacks…" Exuberant explained.

"We could just relocate. And just a single Human surviving is a blow to his plans." Buck said understanding.

"Exactly. Now. I believe it is time we left this planet."

…

Sanghelios.

Something had gotten the attention of the victorious Arbiter and his warriors, with them came Palmer and Halsey. A UNSC Pelican came down and landed. Appearing next to it was the same machination from Sunaion. The Elites readied themselves, but instantly recognized what it was, and lowered their blades. It was the machine that helped them when the Spartans were there. From the Pelican came the teams they for so long waited for. And in the back. Was John and Locke.

Halsey came forward, recognizing her children. Her face was that of a mother who found a long lost child of hers. And in the hand of her child, was a chip, with the hologram of her daughter.

"It took you long enough." She said, choking back tears.

"John…" Said Arbiter.

"Thel." He replied.

"It is good to see you again. Alive too." The alien warrior said.

"We brought someone with us." John said. From the Pelican, came as sight no one expected.

A long dress-like pale blue garment with a rather fitting headdress emerged from the dropship.

"Spirits of our ancestors… is that-?"

"First-Light-Weaves-Living-Song. The Librarian."

"Hello, Halsey." She said warmly, getting on her knees to be at eye level with the now star struck doctor. "You have the Janus key with you?"

"Y-yes in here." Before she could reach in her pocket, John put a hand on her shoulder. Her LEFT shoulder. The shoulder without an arm.

"Halsey." He began darkly. "Who did this to you?"

Palmer barely backed up. Unfortunately, everyone noticed. "I-uh…" She began.

"Palmer… no… not you… it couldn't have been you." John said, as if he was betrayed. Which to be fair he was.

"Wait… you mean Jul didn't do it?" Locke asked.

"OSMAN TOLD ME TO DO IT!" Palmer yelled, knowing this would go on.

"Osman?" Halsey asked…

"I'll kill her."

John spoke those words. Osman was a Spartan too, but a failed one. Despite this, it was like being betrayed by a family member. "John. There's already things in motion." Locke began, "She doesn't know it, but Osman is being investigated."

"By who?" John asked.

"Lord Hood himself. Though he didn't say anything about it. All he said is that Osman has been acting suspicious whenever the situation here on Sanghelios was mentioned." Locke answered.

"Situation? Is THAT what they are calling our war?" Thel asked irritated.

"Im afraid so. And if our accusations are correct… well, let's just say Osman is in for a world of hurt." Locke said
John's anger seemed to shrink. He approached Palmer, and looked her dead in the eye. "Chief… for whatever it's worth… I'm sorry. Halsey… had the reputation back then." Palmer said sadly. John remained motionless.

Suddenly, his expression changed to pure anger as he slammed a fist into Palmer's gut.

She fell over with the wind blown from her, coughing. "Never. Again." He said simply.

"Okay. I deserved that." Palmer said straining her words.

…

Infinity. Bridge.

Command brass from all over the UNSC were here for this. Blue Team and Osiris were present too. Even Lord Hood himself was there. They weren't gonna miss out on this. Talking to a Forerunner and her AI bodyguard.

They just slammed it home. Humanity's intended future. The Arbiter, already an ally of Humanity, and the Brute Chieftain Lydus, who spoke of peace Humanity and the Sangheili, had successfully became Chieftain of the Jiralhanae, and united every Brute under a single banner. These were major players. They all wanted to see this monumental moment of what was undoubtedly the future of Humanity.

Long before this, Hood, Lydus, and Thel had met before to discuss the alliance, only for insurgents and a renegade Spartan IV to attack. They escaped, but the negotiations were put on hold. Fortunately, the alliance did indeed come into effect. And while the religion had more or less died out, both Brute and Elite still revered the Forerunners. So seeing the Librarian was like a Christian seeing Jesus in the flesh.

Meanwhile, over at the AI table, Roland was rather happy about the events. The Didact, more or less, stopped. And the Librarian here. It was just a dream come true. Now the question of where the Didact is now, but that could wait. Now. It was time to celebrate.

"Mr. Roland, I presume?" Roland turned to see Cortana sharing the table with him, her chip was put into the table not too long ago to give her a bit of presence too.

"Oh. Hello Cortana. Rough ride huh?" Asked Roland.

"Oh, tell me about it." She said, stretching her body for a bit of a while.

"Uh… you ok?" Roland asked.

"Oh yeah, never been better. No more rampancy. And it's been FOREVER since I've spoken to a Human-made AI. Particularly a male." She said, with her tone of voice getting rather flirty.

"Uh… yeah… I guess so." Roland replied.

"World War 2 pilot?" She asked. Referring to his appearance.

"Yep." He quickly said.

Two blue hands rested on his shoulders, one on each. He found a rather flirty-faced Cortana looking at him. "You know, Roland. I DO like a man in uniform." She said.

'Oh boy what's gonna happen next?" Roland thought.

He Librarian was told everything about the history. She was told of Humanity, of the Jiralhanae, of the Sangheili. Of all the known species. And of the Human-Covenant war. While it was indeed sad and heart-breaking, the Librarian found comfort in the fact that Humanity survived.

"Such a tragedy. This was NOT supposed to happen. But out of it has come a chance for a peaceful coexistence. Already in its infancy. And now, the next chapter in the history of the galaxy begins." She said. "Halsey. If you would please? The Janus Key." Halsey came to her and handed, with her one hand, the key pieces to the Librarian.

"This is the Janus Key. It offers the real-time location of every piece of Forerunner technology in the galaxy." She combined the pieces, and a 3D image of the Galaxy came into the bridge. Two kinds of dots appeared among stars. Orange and blue. "The blue dots represent Lifeworker artifacts and other items, the orange represents shield worlds, armories, and even Halo rings."

The room was filled with awe. Even John was open mouthed. The Milky Way was huge, and these dots were everywhere. The Milky Way was about 800,000 light years across in diameter. (This is an intentional non-fact. It helps explain the later ideas.) Countless blue and orange dots filled the map. "My God…" Lord Hood said. "This holds EVERY location?"

"Every, single, piece."

"And with this, your species may finally achieve its destiny, and claim the Mantle of Responsibility." News crews were watching too, with Guardians acting, this wasn't something to hide. The folks at home were just as amazed.

"By the Gods…" Thel said. Lydus let out a hearty laugh.

"I must admit. I am so envious of Humanity. ALL that for them."

"We do have plans to distribute these technologies, given the nature of our alliance, but we can't just go willy-nilly with it. Besides, from what we understand, Humanity's expertise would cover weaponry, while yours would be artifacts and research given your past." Hood said.

The two alien leaders nodded after all, the Covenant did hunt these artifacts in its time.

Then something happened.

New dots appeared on the map. Fewer in number. Green dots scattered across the galaxy. The Librarian's face went into surprise, then joy, then tears of joy. "I don't believe it… I don't believe it. They survived." She said with tears streaming down her face.

"What is this?" Arbiter asked.
"Before the Halos fired, I indexed every species in the galaxy to be reseeded. But of all the species, Humanity held a special place in my heart. That made me fear your future. What if you were destroyed before you even got a chance to claim the Mantle?"

"You sound like a motherly figure to me." Said Hood.

"So, in my fear, I seeded multiple planets with your kind, Lord Hood."

Silence…

"Wait," John said, "when you say that, do you mean-?"

"Yes, 117. There is more than one Earth out there. More than one Humanity. Some planets were specially terraformed before your kind was seeded, so they would be identical. Others were not. But they all hold Humans."

This was a huge announcement. "Then that means, we have other Humans out there." Lord Hood said. "Meaning, if we truly are meant to rule the galaxy, it would only be natural if we organized an expeditionary force to find them."

"I was about to say the same thing." Said the Librarian. The aliens were hearing this, and while a bit shocked, they knew complaining wouldn't help, especially for the alliance to work. "Perhaps we can help. After all, you DID say we were experts in artifacts." Arbiter offered.

"Indeed. Give us a chance to strengthen this alliance. Oh the stories to be made." Lydus said.

"A splendid idea. Lord Hood? What do you think?" Asked the Librarian.

"Hell, if it means peaceful relations between our three peoples, I'm up for it. Does anyone share my interest?" He asked. Just about every other hand in the bridge went up. Including the Spartans and the two AI's, one of whom was affectionately smothering the other. "That settles that. So I say, let the preparations begin!"

Cheers emanated from the crew, and the people watching the news. For once in a long time, Humanity was united once again. More or less. But towards a new goal. To unite their brothers and sisters throughout the galaxy under a single banner. And take over the Mantle of Responsibility.

The little event dispersed, and John made his way back to the Spartan section, when Lord Hood stopped him. "117. I need to talk with you. It's very important. If you'd follow me." He said. John did as expected and followed the man.

And even though they knew the Didact was still out there, plotting the extinction of their kind, Humanity wasn't gonna let that stop them. They felt safe, happy, and confident that they could do it.

…

AN: There you go. The story may be subject to some additional scenes, but I think it's okay. Anyway, what did you think? Pretty different huh? This is the groundwork for other crossovers with Halo I have. Perhaps some of those fics or animes portraying Humans in fictional settings may not be so alternate after all.

I know where to start from here, but until then. Pandora is my focus. Please review if you want, and I'll be unleashing the stories shortly. Please don't spam requests though. I'll figure out what'll happen. I get around the internet.