Editing Earth Ark

{{Status|RealWorld}}

[[File:S117returnstoEarth2552.jpg|thumb|250px|While the Master Chief's re-entry sequence would be cut from ''Halo 2'', it was later re-concepted by [[:Category:Images by Dorje Bellbrook|Dorje Bellbrook]] for ''Halo 3''.]]

On Earth, the next cutscene would depict a group of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] fighting in the deserts of East Africa, besieged by [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] forces and their [[Zo'op-pattern Weevil|artillery cannons]]. In the distance can be seen a mysterious Forerunner structure - the Ark.{{Ref/Reuse|Storyboards}} In this early revision of ''Halo 2'', the Ark was to be a Forerunner structure buried under the city of [[New Mombasa]], and by this point had been excavated by the [[Covenant fleet]] in the wake of the departure of the [[Prophet of Regret]] earlier in the game. The design for the Ark as envisioned in ''Halo 2'' was later reused in ''[[Halo 3]]'' as the [[Portal at Voi]] - now a portal used to access the megastructure known as [[Installation 00]] outside the [[Milky Way]].

The gameplay for this level is not fully clear, as little has been revealed of what was intended. However, a handful of comments by [[Joseph Staten]] indicate that the geometry for the Ark was fully blocked out and in some way implemented in-game. The level was to involve a fight with two [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarabs]] - something later seen in storyboards for later revisions of [[The Great Journey]] before ultimately being realised in ''Halo 3''{{'}}s [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]] mission. Like Earth Ark, the dual-Scarab encounter on The Covenant features the player battling the two walkers in the last stand of the Covenant.{{Ref/Site|Id=VICE|URL=https://www.vice.com/en/article/xwqjg3/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history|Site=VICE|Page=The Complete, Untold History of Halo|D=14|M=11|Y=2021}}

Storyboards for a cutscene in the middle of Earth Ark then showcase the Master Chief cresting a rise on the edge of the Covenant's excavation site, revealing an army of thousands of Brute warriors ready for a fight. The Brutes let out a mass roar and the Marines and Master Chief ready their weapons for a final stand, though are interrupted by the appearance of a Covenant fleet above the Ark site. The fleet begins [[Orbital bombardment|firing down]] upon the surface of the planet, though it is quickly revealed that the Covenant ships are not Brute ships trying to kill [[human]]ity, but [[Sangheili|Elite]] ships firing down upon the Brute army - clearing the way for the Master Chief. In response to the bombardment, [[seven]] pillars rise out of the ground and begin to cast a protective [[energy shield]] over the Ark to protect it from the bombardment. Seven [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] dropships then head toward the Master Chief's position as the shield continues to grow, attempting to enter the Ark before the shield can form a full dome and prevent all entry or exit. One of the dropships is revealed to be piloted by [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and [[Miranda Keyes]], who narrowly make it through the shield as the trailing three dropships crash into the shield. Keyes' and Johnson's dropship then lands near the Master Chief while the others - containing the Arbiter and [[343 Guilty Spark]] - descend into the trench around the Ark site.{{Ref/Reuse|Storyboards}}  

When describing this level, Joseph Staten also noted that the level would have featured a "trench run" for the player to make their way onto the Ark. It is unclear whether this trench run was intended to refer to the aforementioned Phantom cutscene, or whether it was intended to include a new gameplay element following the Arbiter's Phantom disappearing into the trench.{{Ref/Reuse|VICE}} After the end of the aforementioned cutscene, the  player was to switch to the perspective of the Arbiter for the final mission of ''Halo 2'', possibly including some combat inside the Ark. The next set of revealed storyboards showcase the interior of the Ark, with the Prophet of Truth scrambling to activate the [[Halo Array]]. Truth and the Arbiter would have a brief dialogue concluding in the Arbiter removing his helmet and throwing it to the ground near Truth, before raising his weapon and pointing it at the Prophet. Gameplay would then commence with a final boss battle against the prophet. During the dialogue, the Master Chief and 343 Guilty Spark would arrive in the control room, possibly indicating that the Master Chief would serve as an NPC ally in the encounter.{{Ref/Reuse|Storyboards}}

The final cutscene of the game then shows Master Chief running to escape the collapsing Ark structure before being swallowed in a bright light. The scene then transitions to the interior of the ''Torres Vedras'' (the name for what would be later named [[Cairo Station]] in final release), with Master Chief being awarded a medal by Lord Hood. Several [[Cut Halo 2 vehicles#Strike fighter|strike fighters]] begin deploying fireworks outside the station and the crew applause. As the Master Chief looks out over Earth, he shares a few words with Johnson before Johnson departs and Miranda enters the frame. The cutscene ends with John-117 and Miranda Keyes watching over the Earth from orbit as the Covenant fleet prepares to leave the system.{{Ref/Reuse|Storyboards}}