Noble Six

Chapter 1

The Lone Wolf

August 30, 2552

2000 Hours

Aszod Ship Breaking Yard

Planet Reach

Vasyl B312 for the first time in his long career as a Spartan smiled as he bathed in the sunlight from Epsilon Eridani. He had done it, he had delivered the Package safely to the Autumn and in doing so he had secured at least some hope for humanity… he watched the Covenant Banshees fly overhead and the Phantoms hover towards him. His DMR was in hand. The Spartan looked at the sun, he was truly alone now. The last of Noble Team alive on Reach. He laughed even though he knew that it would be his last, Carter had told him to dump the Lone Wolf stuff and he did, the sheer irony was not lost on the last Spartan left on Reach. Vasyl looked up as he saw them coming, so this is how it all ended. One last battle with the enemy. Well he'd give them that and more, no way would this Covenant get him without a fight. He'd make them bleed; he will make them scream in pain and fear. He would carve a bloody canyon for those cruisers to see from the sky. He'd make them fear him even when he was long gone, his body and armor turned to dust and ash they would remember him as a nightmare...A demon that dealt death. Vasyl flicked the safety off of his DMR as he prepared himself for the end. "Come at me," he whispered softly "I'll give you a fight." He scoped in on the first alien and opened fire.

His last stand had begun.

The Grunt squealed as a half ton of armor and Spartan came down on him. Its spine was crushed instantly. "Come here!" Vasyl roared at the other little diminutive aliens as they ran for their lives. The crumpled carcass of an Elite Minor lay behind him. They had charged at his position a few seconds earlier and now they wanted to run? Well screw them too.

Vasyl opened fire and the first bullet from the M392's chamber punched right through the first Grunt's head. It dropped with a squeal as methane bubbled from its shattered breathing mask. The Spartan kept firing and ducked as a barrage of plasma bolts hit the boulder he had used as cover, rock melted instantly. The Spartan watched as another Grunt squad this one led by a red armored veteran elite move in on his flank. "Die!" Vasyl roared as he fired on them. The Elite snarled as the7.62 millimeter rounds hit its personal energy shields and returned fire. The Spartan rolled out of cover and as the Grunts aimed at him he threw a frag grenade. The small explosive device detonated, turning three aliens into mush and wounding two severely. Vasyl charged the veteran, shooting and finished the bastard off with a blow to the head.

The Spartan killed and killed. He didn't stop. He fired his weapons until they were empty and tossed them aside. He pried energy weapons from dead fingers and used them. With captured Energy Swords he slashed the Covenant bastards that had taken everything from him. But there was no end to the Covenant horde and more kept coming until at last he stood on a small hill as more and more enemies rushed towards him, he let his long suffering shield system recharge drawing power from the MJOLNIR's power pack. Vasyl stood on this new platform, his black armor stained with shades of blue and purple alien blood. He had acquired an MA37 and that was it other than his side arm.

He exhaled once as the Elites began to advance. Zealots this time, the finest Sangheili warriors ever conceived. It was an exhilarating thought; they had wasted resources on one Spartan. On him. "The best of the best for me." He said to himself laughing "Seven of them for one of me, a fair trade…See Carter? Being a Lone Wolf isn't that bad, I get the fun stuff in the end…"

Right now on that platform, as he fought against these alien swordsmen the Spartan knew his team, his family… his team Noble was proud of him. So he charged them this time and closed in with the first Elite, kicking the first Elite. A face full of boot was always a good greeting.

The Sangheili knocked him down and raised its energy blade. Vasyl shot him in the face with his M6G and kicked him off, just for another to try and finish the same thing. Vasyl turned, drawing his combat knife…

And he vanished into thin air…

/

Tristain magic Academy

Tristain, Halkeginia

Spring Time Familiar Summoning Ritual

"All right Miss Valliere, it's your turn." It was a rather sunny and delightful day at the Magic Academy. For Louise Francoise le Blanc de la Valliere it was nerve wracking. Small and delicate the little mage gulped nervously. "All right, Professor Colbert." She murmured. This was it, she had prepared all night for this. The pink haired mage started on the ritual. Though she looked calm inside she was fraught with tension. She shook her head. No! Today was the day she would prove that she wasn't useless! She was a Valliere, not a Zero or a commoner. As she began the chant to summon a familiar she had no idea what fate had in store for her.

Instead of an awe inspiring spell complete with the clouds gathering and thunder roaring what the little Valliere got was an explosion. A rather large explosion that covered the area with thick black smoke.

Everyone in the courtyard coughed. "Way to go Zero!" was one of the jeers as the smoke began to clear. A busty redhead laughed "As expected Louise the Zero!" Louise shook with barely contained rage but she could only gawk as the smoke cleared and something stood up.

It was at least seven feet tall, humanoid in shape but was covered head to toe in black armor that was stained with blue and purple liquid, a strange object hung off its back and a smaller one that looked like a pistol was in its right hand and a knife in its left. Louise's jaw dropped, it was a golem but one that exuded a raw and murderous aura. This thing was clearly made to fight and kill. The golem had one bronze eye and it was looking left and right, it lowered its weapon and spoke in a hoarse but cold voice. Louise couldn't help herself; she shivered at the low growling tone.

"Where am I?" it asked and looked around. The Professor Jean Colbert approached Louise silently. The golem turned then looked down at her. Louise squeaked audibly as the golem approached.

Vasyl thought he was going out of his mind. Still caught up in the adrenaline rush he looked down at the little girl that had squeaked. For some odd reason he was reminded of a small and fragile kitten. She had vibrant pink hair and amber eyes. She wore what looked like a school uniform, it was pretty standard a white long sleeved shirt, a black skirt and stockings along with shoes. The cloak was definitely not normal; the small twig in her hands was also strange. Wait…it had a grip. No way a wand? Vasyl thought astonished. He shook the thought out; first things first assess the situation before going crazy. "Excuse me…civilians, where am I?" he asked trying not to scare anyone. The balding man with the glasses holding the staff answered "You are in Tristain, golem. I am Professor Jean Colbert, this is Louise Valliere. She is the one who summoned you here."

The Spartan looked from Colbert to the little pink haired girl called Louise. "Summoned?" Vasyl asked Colbert not familiar with the term. He was really confused now, this planet was strange. He looked at the…academy. It was like a medieval castle of some sort. "Yes summoned, Miss Valliere here is your master." It was then that Louise took over "Yes, and as my familiar you will do as I say. Now remove your helmet familiar and be quick about it!" she said pointing at him with one hand and another at her hip.

Despite his confusion, and his building annoyance with the girl, Vasyl found the pose to be endearing though he balked at removing his helmet. As far as he knew they could be Insurrectionists…but a nagging part of his brain told him that he was somewhere else, farther than even the UNSC's territory. Sighing dejectedly he finally obeyed after a few moments of toying with the idea and took his helmet off.

A young face that was marred with a large scar that ran down his cheek was what Louise saw and she heard several female gasps among the students that were in the courtyard. Louise was flabbergasted, the golem was a human! A handsome dark haired human that is. The man opened his eyes and the little Valliere blinked. His brown eyes were nearly blank, lifeless. It completed the look of a war torn soldier. "W-Who are you, familiar?" she asked and the man looked at him. Founder Brimir, those eyes! They looked right through her at nothing! "Lieutenant Vasyl, Spartan B312, call sign Noble Six." He answered softly. "Just Vasyl is nice enough…" Colbert nodded "Miss Valliere, please seal the contract." "R-Right," Louise mumbled still scared of Vasyl's blank eyes. "Familiar come closer." Confused Vasyl knelt down to her level keeping his helmet tucked under his arm "C-Consider y-yourself l-lucky commoner!" Louise exclaimed. She kissed him. Vasyl's eyes widened and before he could even register what happened she broke contact.

A burning sensation spread through his left arm. He let out a small growl and shook his arm after it was over. "What was that?" The Spartan asked Colbert. He looked rather annoyed. "She just had to finish her contract with you, mister Vasyl. May I see your left hand? I have to see if there are runes." The Spartan sighed again and removed his gauntlet. He noted that there were several markings, he narrowed his eyes. He would figure this out later, the stares had intensified.

The room was pleasant if a little bland but to a Spartan it was enough. It consisted of a wardrobe, a round table with a small oil lit lamp and a large bed. He saw a stack of hay on the floor. "You will be sleeping there Familiar!" Louise told him as he looked at the corner with the bundle of hay. "How low the mighty have fallen." Vasyl murmured to himself. Still he had slept in worse and Onyx was far away from here.

After the "Springtime Summoning Ritual" as Colbert had explained Louise had lead him inside the academy. It was a beautiful place; the Spartan was impressed with the feeling of history it had given out. "What was that familiar?" Louise asked snootily Vasyl shook out of his reverie "…Nothing." He said quietly. Jorge would have been laughing at him by now, Jorge who had sacrificed himself. He would have been good to have around right now. It was already evening, Vasyl noted and at the corner of his eye he saw something white flash his way. The Spartan turned and soon enough had an armful of clothing. Louise was in her nightgown. "Clean that" she said "I'm going to bed. Wake me up at dawn" Vasyl wanted to say something but instead just obeyed. "Yes, yes…" he muttered and left the room. Cheeky little minx isn't she? He thought to himself as he walked down the stairs towards the main hall.

He wandered the castle hall and sure enough he caught sight of a girl in a maid uniform. She had black hair and bright blue eyes and she was cheerfully dusting off a bust of some old man with a long beard. Vasyl shrugged and approached "Excuse me, ma'am." He spoke politely trying not to intimidate her. It was hard to be less intimidating in full armor. The maid squeaked and knocked the bust off the stand. Vasyl's reflexes kicked in and he caught the stone statue with one arm. He kept Louise's clothes on the other. The maid gasped "Sorry ma'am" Vasyl apologized. "I-It's no problem, y-you startled me." The maid stammered. "I-I'm Siesta, ho-how can I help you?" Vasyl already liked her. Compared to Louise, he still couldn't get his tongue around the word "master" whenever the brat was around; Siesta was a lot nicer. And helpful.

With her help Vasyl had managed to do the laundry, with that done he walked back up to Louise's room. He opened the door as quietly as possible. Louise was on her side asleep. Setting her clothes down on the round table she had he walked over yo her bedside. She looked so much like a small kitten. Smiling underneath his helmet now the Spartan reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Mommy…" Louise mumbled and Vasyl just chuckled quietly to himself, maybe she wasn't bad at all…just troubled. He kept up a vigil until even he fell asleep.

"Little Master, wake up." Vasyl shook Louise gently; he was really holding back otherwise he'd push her off the bed, something he would rather not do. "Munya~~" Louise just rolled over. Vasyl exhaled "Louise, its dawn wake up." Vasyl said and shook her harder. He sighed as she yawned and stretched. "You…Oh, I summoned you right?" she asked "Yeah and I also did your laundry…" Vasyl grumbled under his breath. Louise looked at him; she noted that he was wearing his helmet again with the bronze visor reflecting her face. She shivered slightly "Familiar…I want your face always seen, it is improper if someone is talking to you." She told him "Oh…okay," Vasyl answered quietly and depolarized his faceplate. Louise had yet to be accustomed to looking at his blank eyes. The little mage gulped, if she pulled this on him who knows what he would do. So she decided to take the much more conservative option.

"I-I'll dress myself, familiar…you can wait outside." She said. The Spartan shrugged and he promptly vacated the room. When Louise appeared fully dressed they headed to the Alviss dining hall. During the duration of the journey Vasyl checked his motion tracker, and saw a blip and quickly polarized his faceplate. "Why hello there Zero!" a feminine voice called out. Louise turned.

Kirche Augusta Frederica Von Anhalt Zerbst was…striking to say the least. With tanned skin, long red hair and a bust that always drew stares she was known as the Ardent. From what Vasyl gathered Louise hated her. "Zerbst! What do you want from me!" she shrieked. "Just wanted to say hello," Kirche answered "But considering that Vallieres always seem to lack manners…Ah, you must be the Zero's familiar." She looked at Vasyl who nodded slowly "Yes." He said softly in that hoarse voice of his. "Damn Valliere," Kirche chuckled at the smaller girl "A human familiar? And what's up with the strange armor? You probably just heckled him into pretending to be your familiar." Vasyl said nothing but he did cross his arms as Louise began a tirade of anger. Okay…hatred was clearly an understatement.

He saw Louise make a movement and he grabbed her shoulder "Ma'am to start a fight here would be unwise…" Vasyl said softly. Louise looked up at the Spartan. "And Miss Von Zerbst, I would appreciate it greatly if you didn't antagonize Miss Valliere." His voice was a little colder than it usually was. Kirche just smiled "Sure, sure. It's all just a joke anyway; I'm surprised you haven't snapped at all in Zero's presence." She said. Vasyl narrowed his eyes. "I've gone through worse" The Spartan answered curtly which surprised Kirche a little. "Let's go, Miss Valliere." Louis blinked at his sudden reticence but she nodded and glaring at Kirche she led the Spartan down to the hall.

"I don't like her," Vasyl said as he stood behind Louise. Everyone was staring as he kept a watch on Louise. Though an attack wasn't possible he still had to watch out. Especially for that Kirche woman; after hearing about why Louise hated her, he found the reason to be utterly ridiculous. Still, now he knew why Louise was called the "Zero". She had no talent whatsoever she had claimed. "W-Well I-it's nice to know someone else does…" "Still, starting a fight like that is rather unwise." Vasyl said. Louise grumbled. The Spartan merely shrugged and opened up his faceplate to pop a nutrient supplement. He wasn't hungry just yet.

Today's class had something to do with Earth magic, Vasyl leaned against the wall while everyone took seats and stared at him. Vasyl crossed his arms. With that single motion his posture just made him look even more intimidating. With his enhanced hearing he heard several murmurs. Most of them concerned him. The teacher, a middle aged woman in purple robes known as Miss Chevreuse, appraised Louise. "You have…quite the interesting familiar, Miss Valliere—"

"Familiar nothing!" A chubby blonde boy stood up "She just paid some random commoner to be her familiar!" "Shut up, Malicorne!" Louise spat back. Vasyl stood up straighter. The motion was noted by everyone in the room. "You know…" Vasyl continued looking at Malicorne who stood stock still "It's rude to interrupt the teacher where I come from." "Now see here commoner!" Malicorne spat back but recoiled when Vasyl glared at him and spoke coldly "Sit down before I get ugly with you." The blonde boy sat down promptly. The tension permeated the room. Louise looked at the Spartan who turned to her and gave a slow nod. Sniffling she took a seat. Miss Chevreuse cleared her throat. "Well…Miss Valliere's familiar is right; Malicorne there is no reason for you to insult your classmates." "B-But…" Malicorne started but glanced in Vasyl's direction. The Spartan merely looked at him. The boy promptly clamped his mouth shut. Vasyl returned to his earlier position and watched the class like a hawk. So Louise was a victim of bullying…Maybe they had a lot more in common than he realized.

He watched the lecture and nearly started when he watched Chevreuse turn what looked like pebbles into gold or some other shiny metal. "I-Is that gold Miss Chevreuse?" one student asked. "No," the teacher said "It's brass. Now to transform any object into gold is Square class magic. I am only a Triangle class." Square…triangle, Vasyl thought about this. He assumed Square was a higher tier than triangle. He still had a lot to learn about this place. If he had to defend himself or Louise it would be nice to have some Intel on any enemies. "Transmutation will be one of the easiest skills you will have learned here, Miss Valliere I suppose you would like to try?" Vasyl raised a brow when Kirche raised her hand. "Yes Miss Von Zerbst?" Chevreuse appraised the redhead. "Um…That's dangerous, professor. Louise…well…" "I'm sure it's not that bad, Miss Zerbst. And judging from her familiar she must be quite competent." A few snickers from the class. Vasyl exhaled. "That's…just it; Louise isn't she fails at everything she casts…" Kirche said. Shaking visibly Louise stood "I can do it!"

It was a big explosion, Vasyl did most of the heavy lifting but he kept an eye on Louise as she tried to push the heavy desk back into position. The Spartan heard her scream in frustration and she kicked the table before falling to her knees growling and crying in pain and disappointment. Vasyl walked over to her and crouched.

"Hey" he said holding Louise shoulder.

"Go away" was the reply. "Why did I have to get a familiar like you? Why can't I get anything right, why am I so weak?" she was sobbing and that painful look on her face made Vasyl's heart twinge. He exhaled once before removing his helmet. "Look…I'm sorry for what happened, alright?" he said trying to reassure her "You may think that you're alone but you're not. I'm here if you need me." Louise sniffed, keeping her eyes down. "…I'm really not good at cheering others up, but at least I tried." Vasyl said. Spartans were good at everything that involved killing, calming civilians down was a new territory. Still, the Spartan felt that his actions were adequate because Louise stopped crying but she sniffled still. "Th-Thank you fa-V-Vasyl…" she said softly holding her arm. Vasyl smiled "No problem, let's get this done." He pulled his helmet over his head again.

He would defend this girl, he realized.

He would defend her to the death.

/

Just something I wanted to try...