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Chapter 1: Equestria Reborn2,103 words
Chapter 2: Kilo Five3,266 words
Chapter 3: Crimson Man, Blue Spartan3,242 words
Chapter 4: Arrival in Equestria3,029 words
Chapter 5: The Day Before3,071 words

Chapter 5: The Day Before

I Have Returned 2 The Broken Ones
Chapter 5 - The Day Before

Canterlot History Museum

Vaz picked up a pamphlet from the front desk of what once was Equestria’s canterlot palace, and now musuem. He looked up to see a smiling unicorn receptionist looking right at him.

“We do have an optional tour available, it starts in just ten minutes if you’re willing to wait sir.”

Vaz cleared his throat “No that’s alright, I’ll find my own way around.” He responded.

Vaz checked his watch for what seemed to be the umptienth time that day. It was around one pm, and Jane still hadn’t contacted them, and when he tried to go to her room earlier in the morning she was already long gone.

He sighed “What the hell is with her, we have work to do.” He said to himself.

Vaz tried earlier to check in with Roland on Jane’s status, but all he was told was that she needed some time alone. What in the bloody hell did that mean? Of course he respected the fact that she’s only human and therefore has the right to have her own issues and deal with them, but why now?

As far as Vaz could remember, Jane never took time off. Every time she finished something for Osman she’d be right on the next task for her with no break. Their work was of course important, but he never saw Jane ever getting or taking a break. It was like she was Osman’s lap dog. That once again brought up the question, why now of all times?

Regardless of the situation Vaz had some time to himself, a rarity these days so was going to use it. Even then though he still made it a point to keep checking up on things, after all they still had a job to do.

From the pamphlet he picked up it seemed that the throne room was the main attraction of the museum as it was highlighted with a circle around it. No doubt it would be busy, but he decided to make his way there anyway.

He passed by multiple employees trying to get him to offer him help, with others asking for donations to the museum itself to which he decided to spare a little extra money for. It was a free museum so he decided to spare a few.

Vas passed through the towering doors of the throne room that were adorned with beautiful carvings and designs that were no doubt thousands of years old. The first thing that caught Vaz’s eyes after that were the multiple mosaic windows depicting Equestrian history. In front of each one was a raised plaque with a description and backstory to each mosaic, all crowded around by ponies and human tourists of course.

Intrigued he approached one that caught his eye. It depicted 6 ponies firing some sort of beam at a black alicorn. Wait, he read about this once before. That alicorn was called Nightmare Moon and she was apparently an evil being who President Luna used to be. And that meant that the ponies firing the beam were the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. The inscription on the plaque read that their names were Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle.

Curiously he took out his data pad and decided to look them up to see what they were doing these days. Pinkie Pie was a famous baker, known Equestria wide for her pastries. Rarity was a successful fashion designer with multiple store locations across the planet. Rainbow Dash was a weather reporter for Canterlot. Fluttershy owned a zoo, Applejack was a farmer.

Then he looked up the last name in the element bearers Twilight Sparkle. It appears that later on in her life she became a Princess Alicorn herself, but went missing 11 years ago, presumed dead.

“Damn it must suck having that much going for you in your life to end up with that kind of fate.” Vaz murmured to himself.

He stepped forward to take a closer look at Element bearers on the mosaic to see them better, then he noticed something about Twilight Sparkle.

“Heh, she has the exact same hair as Jane Arimondo, that’s a funny coincidence.”

Vaz felt a tap on his shoulder and instinctively turned around to find himself face to face with a rather gruff looking earth pony dressed in a security uniform.

“Sir, please stay at least 3 meters back from the exhibit” He ordered Vaz. Looking behind him Vaz also noticed that he was being stared at by a group of attendees as well all looking rather cross at him.

Vaz put on an embarrassed smile and said “Oh sorry, my bad” before stepping away.

Curious he wondered if they had more on this Twilight Sparkle, she sounded interesting. Opening up his pamphlet he saw that there was a small exhibit on her a few rooms down. It was worth checking out.

Taking a few moments to walk over he finally reached the exhibit room and walked in. There were tons of photos and descriptions about Twilight and her life. In the center though was a large portrait of her in her princess gown. There was one thing though about the painting that captured his interest that he couldn’t ignore, her cutie mark. Vaz couldn’t help but think he had seen it before, it was so familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on where. All that he knew was that something didn’t feel right….

___________________________________________________________________
Streets of New Canterlot City

“Jane I’m not saying you can’t deal with this issue, but there is work to be done and we are wasting time.” Roland said through Jane’s comm unit in her ear.

“Fuck off.” Jane whispered under her breath as she turned into a small chain restaurant.

Entering it Jane found that she was the only human inside putting all eyes on her. Even after five year, seeing a human being still must have been strange for most ponies, even in the large cities like Canterlot they were probably rare.

A hostess came up to her in an attempt to offer Jane a table, but before she could say anything Jane walked right past her and sat down at the bar. It was a bit tight in terms of seating as it was meant for a pony, but she managed.

A rather nervous looking bartender approached her whilst cleaning a mug and said “Umm is there anything I can get for you ma’am?”

“Bourbon, neat.” She replied as blunt as she could.

The bartender gave her a strange look for ordering an alcoholic beverage so early, but then rolled his eyes, grabbed the bottle and poured it anyways.

Jane douced it down instantly feeling the burn of the liquor hit her.

“We don’t get too many UNSC types in a joint like this, I thought you high class officers ate and drank at fancier places.” The bartender said, pointing at her shoulder pad which donned her rank with the UNSC.

“That’s my choice and my choice alone.” Jane responded, wanting to end the conversation then and there.

Hearing a scoff next to her Jane looked to her side to find an older pony with graying hair giving her the stink eye.

“What's your problem pal?” She asked.

“I don’t fucking like your kind here.”

“You talking UNSC or Human?” Jane said, raising her eyebrow.

“Both.”

“Well too bad buddy, cause I’m here.”

“I don’t like your fucking attitude.” He said, starting to raise his voice.

“That seems more like a you problem than a me problem. Don’t like me here then beat it pal.”

He stood up “You fucking humans, coming here taking away our magic, shoving your government into ours. I don’t care what Celestia lied about, things were better off with her!” He shouted, shoving Jane backwards with his hooves.

Immediately Jane grabbed the bottle of bourbon and smashed it over his head, spilling the drink and glass everywhere, and sending the pony to the floor screaming in pain.

Jane turned to the bartender who seemed to be in shock to the point where he dropped the glass he was cleaning and said. “He’ll be fine, I’ll pay for the fucking bottle.”

“Al… Alright then.” He replied.

_____________________________________________________________
A few moments later…

Jane was back on the streets of the city after paying for her bottle and adding some extra to cover the cleanup.

“You didn’t have to fight him Jane.” Roland scolded over her earpiece.

“I don’t need your opinion, plus it wasn’t much of a fight.” She scoffed.

“Still you can’t just go around doing this kind of shit.”

“I don’t care what you think. Now tell me where is the nearest liquor store.”

“Oh no I’m not, in fact I’m putting a block on your funds until you snap out of this.”

“And what in the fuck gives you the right to do that.” Jane scoffed. “Might I remind you that I know your obedience phrase, and I’m not afraid to use it. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“For fucks sake Jane you can’t just go around doing whatever you want. This is the same kind of attitude you had five years ago!” He exclaimed.

“What the fuck do you just say Roland!”

“That’s I’m giving you a few hours to calm the fuck down, if you’re still like this then I’m reporting you to Osman. I’m turning off my comm connection to you until then.”

“Roland! Roland!” Jane yelled into the microphone receiving no response. “That fucking bastard. Fine then I’ll find the liquor store on my own.”

_______________________________________________________________
President Luna’s Office

Luna Placed her data pad down onto her desk and rubbed her forehead with her hoof after the frustrating article she just had to read. The papers were getting angry at the lack of support from the UNSC and was blaming her for being too much of an apologist and letting it happen.

Politics like this are still so new to Equestria. The public still doesn’t understand just how hard it is to get the things and support this planet needs. Luna was not all powerful anymore, no more controlling the moon, and ruling the world with just her sister. Things are bigger now, and Luna knew she was just a mere pawn.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the hologram of Jane’s AI Roland appear next to her, his hands folded in front of him.

“May I help you?” Luna said, raising an eyebrow.

“I just need to ask you a few things President.”

“I’ve already given you access to all the information I have about the Sun Order. What more is there to ask?”

“It’s not about the Sun Order.” He said, looking rather downdraught.

“I must remind you A.I. that I am the President of this planet, time for chit chat for me is very limited, especially for ones who just show up to my office uninvited.”

“I apologize President, I’ll leave then.”

Luna stopped him before his holographic projection left. “Before you go though can you give me any sort of update on the first stages of your investigation?”

“I.. I’m afraid there has been no progress so far. Jane is still reeling from your conversation with her last night. She just got into a fight at a bar actually. I don’t know why Osman chose her to do this, it’s almost as if she’s taunting Jane. Like she’s reminding her of her past and who’s in charge of her now.”

Luna sighed, this was the last thing she was wanting to deal with “...Very well then. I take it her behaviour is what you came here to speak with me about? Do you believe she is a threat?”

It was a legitimate question. As much as she hated to admit it the possibility of Jane Arimondo being a danger again was not something she could ignore. It seemed as though despite five years she Jane had not changed a bit.

“No no no, I think she’ll be fine. I know her, she’ll calm down then I’ll have a discussion with her myself. What I wanted to ask you about is what the old Jane was like, Twilight Sparkle I mean.”

Luna took a deep sigh “I have a lot of things to say about Twilight, and I hold a lot of… fond memories of her. I know you two are close, but I hardly know you, so I’m afraid it’s something I don’t wish to speak about. If you have no further business here, may I please return to my work?”

“Yes of course. Thank you President Luna.”

_________________________________________________________________
Trevelyan

Serin Osman stepped into one of the many research buildings set up on the world formerly known as Onyx. Time was of essence to her at the moment. Something Forerunner in origin was going down on multiple colonies causing massive destruction. Previously her team of ONI scientists were not able to find anything on these incidents from here causing her to have to send Jane to Equestria, but now it seems as though they’ve found a lead.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Doctor Glassman running up to her in a panicked state.

“Ah Admiral Osman, I’m glad you're finally here. This is our first major breakthrough regarding the elements!” He said, almost stuttering.

“I’m well aware Doctor Glassman. Just a shame this took you five years to accomplish.” She scolded.

“I know I know Admiral. It has taken a while but I think these strange Forerunner events have played a part in it. The wealth of information were getting is staggering, you came here just in time!”

“I better have Doctor Glassman, I’ve spent a lot of resources on this. What do you have for me?”

Glassman pulled out a data pad from his lab coat and brought up a photo of the elements glowing. Alongside the picture was lines and lines of notes regarding them, all using language that was far beyond her scientific understanding.

“Glassman what does all of this mean?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We believe the elements want to be taken to some location to unlock them. We're trying to circumvent that and trick them into thinking they are whey they need to be, but none of our attempts have worked so far.

“Do you think actually attempting to take them where they want is our best course of action.”

Glassman shrugged his shoulders. “As much as I love scientific expeditions, I have no idea what we’re walking into. We simply don’t have sufficient data to pinpoint an exact location or determine if it is safe.”

“Any idea as to how far away they want to be taken?”

“No idea currently. With them being able to give off a signal to be taken somewhere tells me it can’t be too ridiculously far away, but at the same time this is Forerunner in origin, and I wouldn’t be surprised if stuff this advanced had the ability to signal something even outside of the galaxy.”

Osman scratched her chin in thought. A lot of time and effort had already gone into this project, all based on that damn Jane Arimondo. If she hadn’t destroyed all of Equestria’s magic they probably would be much farther into this project. Furthermore she had long past the point where she could bail and suffer no consequences.

“I’ll order a frigate to transport the elements. You prep the elements for transport, and put together a team of your five best men to join you. I want constant updates on the situation, especially if you get any idea as to how far away these things want to go in case more resources are needed. Do I make myself clear Doctor Glassman?”

“Yes ma’am understood.” He nervously said standing up straight.

Osman smiled. “Good, you pull this off I’ll make sure you're well rewarded. Now take me to where the elements are, I want to see them for myself.”

_______________________________________________________

“Ouch!” Osman yanked her hand away from the jewel on top of the element of magic. “Jesus that’s hot.”

They were in a small isolated room surrounded on each side with windows packed with scientists observing their every move. She could tell from looking in the eyes of some of them just how worried some were. Whether that was over their research of the elements or the situation as a whole, she couldn’t tell.

“Oh I’m sorry I forgot to mention that admiral!” Glassman panicked. “Do you need some cream for that?”

“No I’m fine.” She said waving away the cream he pulled out of his pocket and held up to her. “How long has it been like this?”

“Since the elements started to act up the temperature has been slowly rising on them.”

The protective cover over the element of magic was lowered back onto the pedestal it rested on. Osman stepped back. Was she taking too big of a risk on letting these be taken away from Trevelyan? Then the reports from the destroyed colonies flashed through her mind again. The destruction was like nothing she’d ever seen before, even Covenant dreadnaughts would have a hard time matching whatever was going on there. Dammit, she had to take the risk on this, there was no other choice.

“Alright. I’ve seen what I need to see. There is no doubt in my mind now, the expedition has to be made. Prep your crew, I’ll ensure you have a ready ship as soon as possible. I also want a report tomorrow on everything we’ve learned in the past while about them.”

“I’ll get right on it Admiral.”

Dammit, this better turn up results, or else she’s gonna be in hot water.

_____________________________________________________________
Sometime later, Unknown location….

Jul M’dama stepped into the lab of his ‘associate’ nearly tripping over the in use equipment strewn all across the floor.

“Our contacts in the stolen shield world have supplied us with some valuable information” Jul said. “They’re moving the artifacts out, we plan on intercepting them while they take a pit stop at an outpost. These better be worth all you’ve said!”

His associate chuckled. “Oh don’t worry Jul, they are. Once I have them you’ll see just how worth it all of this has been” Said Doctor Halsey.

Author's Note:

Well shit this was a long time coming. I wrote about 90% of this chapter a month after the last one published, but a general uncertainty of if I still wanted to go with the direction I was originally planning with this story. Moreover life just kinda took over and other things were my focus. Alas though we are here and back on track! Until next time I'll see you guy on the online Halo 5 battlegrounds!

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