The story begins with sweeping shots of different worlds. A futuristic city bathed in neon light, a war-torn landscape riddled with craters, a peaceful medieval village untouched by time, and an alien world with strange, twisting flora. In the background, Nate, the Sole Survivor, narrates solemnly.
"War. War never changes. From the first bullet fired to the last, the echoes of eternity, the chaos, the loss, the struggle for survival remain constant. But what if it's not just one war, in one world? What if there are infinite worlds, each with their own battles, their own heroes and villains? In the vast expanse of the multiverse, countless realities exist. Each one shaped by its own conflicts, its own cataclysms. When catastrophe strikes, the world as they know it changes forever. In the aftermath, new purposes are forged. People fight to survive, to protect, to rebuild. Yet, as they journey through their own ruins, a question lingers: What if their reality is just one of many?"
The montage of realities continues—each world starkly different from the last—until the scene settles on Earth 1024. The sky stretches out wide, with a sweeping shot revealing the vast expanse of a Halo ring looming in the distance. The ring's massive structure curves across the horizon, partially obscured by clouds and faintly illuminated by distant stars. Below, two UNSC Pelicans slice through the atmosphere, descending toward a battlefield raging below.
Inside one of the Pelicans, a group of battle-hardened UNSC Marines sit in tense silence. Their armor is sleeker and darker than the standard issue, with glowing red visors betraying the brutal reality of this universe. They grip their weapons tightly, ready to face whatever awaits them below. The air inside the Pelican is thick with tension, the weight of their mission heavy on their minds.
Standing near the edge, gazing out at the rapidly approaching battlefield, is a variant of Master Chief. His full black armor, lined with green outlines, is battered from countless battles, scarred with scorch marks and deep scratches. His helmet, more angular than the classic design, hides any emotion as he stands tall, projecting an aura of unbreakable resolve.
The pilot's voice crackles over the radio, urgent and tense.
"Chief, we've got eyes on Cortana. She's tearing through everything in her path. Rampage is an understatement—prepare for heavy resistance. We're almost at the LZ. Get ready to land!"
Master Chief doesn't flinch. "Lock and load," he says, his voice steady. "We hit the ground running. Be ready for anything."
A Marine, his voice betraying his nerves, speaks up. "Sir, what do we do if she—if Cortana—targets us directly?"
The Chief glances back, his gaze cold beneath the helmet. "She will. Stay focused. Follow orders. We take her down, no matter what."
The Marines exchange determined looks, steeling themselves for what lies ahead. The distant sounds of explosions and gunfire grow louder as the Pelicans descend into the chaos.
"LZ in 30 seconds! Get ready for hot deployment!" The pilot's voice cuts through the noise.
Master Chief grips his weapon tighter. "Stay sharp. We move together."
Suddenly, from the cockpit, the pilot's frantic voice rises above the din. "What the—!? Is that... a Scorpion?"
Outside, a UNSC Scorpion tank hurtles through the air, violently spinning end-over-end like a toy thrown by a giant. It barrels toward the Pelican with terrifying speed.
"Brace for impact! I can't dodge it!" the pilot yells.
With a deafening crash, the Scorpion slams into the side of the Pelican, sending the craft spiraling out of control. Inside, the Marines scream as they're thrown around, desperately clutching for support. Master Chief stumbles but quickly regains his balance, his enhanced reflexes keeping him steady.
"We're going down!" one of the Marines screams.
The Pelican plummets toward the ground, smoke trailing from its engines. The pilot struggles with the controls, shouting over the comms, "Hold on! Brace for impact!"
The crash is brutal. Metal screeches as the Pelican slams into the ground, debris flying in every direction. When the dust settles, the wrecked craft lies in a smoking heap on the battlefield, pieces of its hull scattered across the land.
Master Chief pushes aside a piece of wreckage and emerges, his armor scorched but intact. He scans the area, quickly assessing the situation. Over the wreckage, some Marines lie lifeless, their armor shattered beyond repair, while others groan in pain, struggling to move.
Chief kneels beside one Marine slumped against debris, checking for a pulse. There's none. He lowers the Marine's hand solemnly before hearing a faint cry nearby.
"Chief... help... I can't move...!"
Master Chief moves swiftly, finding another Marine pinned under a large chunk of the wreckage. Without a word, he grips the debris and lifts it aside effortlessly, offering the Marine a hand.
"Can you move?" the Chief asks.
The Marine nods, wincing as he rises to his feet. "Yeah... I think so."
The remaining Marines gather around the Chief, battered but still determined. One of them, wide-eyed and unsure, looks at him. "Chief... what now? What do we do?"
Master Chief surveys the destruction around them, his visor reflecting the chaos. Then, standing tall, he replies with unwavering conviction.
"We finish the mission."
The Marines nod in grim determination, readying their weapons. The battle isn't over, and as Master Chief leads them forward, they march once more into the fray, prepared to face whatever comes next.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Earth 2017 - Fortnite Universe. The morning sun casts a serene glow over Loot Lake, a place of nostalgia for those who remember Chapter 1. Birds chirp in the trees, and the lake's waters ripple gently in the breeze. The peace is almost tangible.
On the deck of a cozy lakeside house, Agent Jonesy lounges in a chair, sipping a drink with a relaxed sigh. The calm of his surroundings wraps around him like a blanket.
"Now this is the life," Jonesy mutters, stretching lazily. "No missions, no stress, just peace and quiet."
But the tranquility doesn't last. A faint ripple disturbs the air behind him, and before Jonesy can react, a larger portal opens. The Foundation steps through, his towering figure immediately commanding attention.
Jonesy turns, his expression shifting from contentment to mild annoyance. "Seriously? I can't even get a break on my vacation?"
The Foundation strides forward, urgency in every step. "Jonesy, we have a situation. There is an anomaly that appears... abnormal. We need to investigate."
Jonesy sighs, standing up reluctantly. "Anomaly? Haven't heard that word in a while. Thought we had them all under control."
The Foundation's voice is intense as he explains, "These are different. They are not just simple rifts; they are more powerful, more dangerous. They threaten the stability of every universe."
Jonesy feigns disinterest, trying to maintain his relaxed facade. "Sounds like a job for the experts. I'm on vacation, remember?"
The Foundation, not buying it, removes his helmet. His tone is serious, his gaze unwavering. "Jonesy, this is serious. If these anomalies aren't contained, they could unravel the fabric of reality itself."
Jonesy swallows nervously but tries to brush it off. "Look, Foundation, I've dealt with anomalies before. Nothing we couldn't handle. Why not send someone else?"
The Foundation steps closer, his voice low and stern. "Because you're the best at this, Jonesy. And because you know more than you're letting on. This isn't just any anomaly, is it?"
Jonesy avoids eye contact, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't know what you're talking about."
With a firm grip, The Foundation grabs Jonesy's shoulder, making him face him. "You can't fool me, Jonesy. I know you felt it too. This isn't about your vacation. It's about preventing a catastrophe."
Jonesy sighs deeply, giving in to the inevitable. "Alright, alright. Let me grab my gear. But I'm telling you, Foundation, if this turns out to be another wild goose chase..."
The Foundation releases his grip, his tone softening slightly. "It won't be. We need to get to the bottom of this before it's too late."
The tension between them is palpable, the weight of the mission hanging in the air. With a final sigh, Jonesy heads into the house. His fingers linger over his rift device for a moment longer than usual, doubt nagging at him as he contemplates the challenge ahead. Opening a rift has always been second nature to him, but this time feels different. Something about it stirs unease deep within him.
When he returns, the rift device is in hand. A swirling portal materializes before them, its energy humming with barely contained power. The Foundation stands ready beside him, his presence a pillar of strength.
"Are you ready?" The Foundation's voice is calm, but the weight of the situation is unmistakable.
Jonesy grips the device tighter, forcing a confident nod. "Yeah. I'm ready." But even as he speaks, uncertainty lingers. He knows he's hiding something—something dangerous. Whatever it is, it could throw their mission into chaos.
Together, they step into the portal, the swirling energy enveloping them as they are transported to the unknown. The unspoken secret gnawing at Jonesy threatens to unravel everything as they cross into another universe.
On the other side, The Foundation steps out first, his imposing presence steady as ever. Jonesy follows close behind, his breath catching in his throat as the sight before him unfolds.
"Whoa..." Jonesy's voice is filled with awe.
They have arrived at the Seven's base of operations, a massive high-tech fortress nestled between the fabric of realities. Towering structures of gleaming metal and futuristic glass stretch high into the sky, their angular designs blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Bright, glowing energy conduits pulse beneath the surface, giving life to the sprawling complex.
Hovering platforms glide smoothly above, transporting personnel and equipment across the vast expanse. In the distance, a massive control tower rises from the heart of the base, its holographic displays flickering with intricate data on multiversal activity.
The scale of it all is overwhelming.
"This... this is incredible. I didn't think anything like this even existed," Jonesy breathes, still stunned.
The Foundation glances at him, his expression steady. "Now you understand why we have to protect it. Come on. We don't have much time."
Jonesy nods, knowing there's no time to waste. The magnitude of their mission just became far more real.
As they step inside one of the towering buildings, the atmosphere shifts. The hallways are sleek and lined with advanced technology, glowing with faint pulses of energy. The Origin, the Seven's Field General, waits for them. He stands with the quiet confidence of a seasoned leader, his eyes sharp.
The Foundation nods in greeting. "Origin."
The Origin returns the nod, his demeanor calm yet commanding. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, The Foundation introduces Jonesy.
"This is Jonesy. He'll be working with us on the anomaly."
The Origin sizes up Jonesy, his expression unreadable. "Welcome, Jonesy." His voice is professional, but there's an undercurrent of curiosity.
With little time for formalities, The Origin informs them that the Scientist has prepared a room for them to examine the anomaly. The Foundation acknowledges this with a nod, motioning for Jonesy to follow him.
As they walk through the corridors, Jonesy can't help but smirk. "Looks like you've been busy," he remarks, casting a glance at The Foundation.
The Foundation remains focused, answering without breaking stride. "Since we started monitoring the anomaly, we've made it a priority to ensure the Zero Point is beyond anyone's reach."
Jonesy's curiosity is piqued. "So... where is the Zero Point now?"
The Foundation pauses for a moment before responding. "It's hidden, protected by layers of earth, advanced technology, and mysticism. Together, these defenses make it nearly impossible to reach. The Zero Point remains connected to the multiverse, but its location is shielded, keeping it relatively safe."
Jonesy raises an eyebrow. "Mysticism?" he repeats, surprised. He hadn't expected that, but it makes sense. The Zero Point isn't just any ordinary object—it's the anchor that holds the multiverse together.
"So... that means no one can access it, right?" Jonesy presses.
The Foundation's response is firm. "No." There's a quiet authority in his tone, a confidence that leaves no room for doubt.
Jonesy grins slightly. "Good. Sounds like you've got it under control."
As they continue down the hall, Jonesy can't help but feel a newfound respect for the measures in place to protect the Zero Point. Whatever dangers lie ahead, at least the heart of reality is secure... for now.