After the celebration had finally ended, Halt decided he’d had enough of formalities and appearances. A grand homecoming to Araluen was not what he’d wanted. Now that he had Will back, all that was left to do was to return to the little cabin in Redmont and sleep for a week straight. If it weren’t for the assembly the King called for, he’d be able to do just that.
Someone knocked on the door. He gave a final tug on the straps of his pack before heading over, heaving in a silent sigh. But when the door swung open, he was met with an unexpected face.
Well, not entirely unexpected. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He’d rather it would have been later, but alas, Fate seemed to be enjoying her time with him.
“Crowley.” He stepped aside, allowing the Ranger Commandant in the room. “I thought you’d have left by now.”
“Really?” The sandy-haired man turned to look at him. “Eleven months, and that’s the first thing you have to say.”
“Eleven and one week,” he said quietly. “And I seem to recall giving you a full report earlier. So no, that is not the first thing I have said to you.”
Crowley ran a hand through his hair. “And one week.” A breathy chuckled escaped the other man. “Do you think I haven’t been counting each day?”
He raised an eyebrow. “A Ranger Commandant has more important things to do than wait for the prodigal son to return.”
“I’m sorry.” The older Ranger reached a hand towards his arm and then faltered, those light eyes desperately seeking his. “If I could go back in time, I would change everything. I would have broken you out of prison. I would have covered it all up. No one would have ever known.”
“Having everyone know was a part of the plan.”
“But why, Halt?” His voice broke. “Why would you put us through that?”
Halt raised his eyes to the ceiling. After all this time, his friend still had the nerve to ask the same question. “I don’t give you as much credit as I should. You’re not stupid, Crowley. You know the answer.”
It was the boy. Will. He would have burned the world for his apprentice if necessity demanded it of him. He had given up his life for some cheeky, over-talkative child that had somehow become an integral part of his life. Losing Will had been like losing an arm. He could have said all this and more, but he wasn’t sure if the other Ranger would ever truly understand.
“Crowley.” He laid a land on his friend’s shoulder. “You have your loyalties and I have mine. Surely you didn’t think I’d change over the years?”
“No. I never would have expected that.” The older Ranger turned away. “You always were a stubborn one.”
“And I don’t intend on changing that. I became a Ranger to help you. Not to pledge my full allegiance to a King.”
“That’s exactly what being a Ranger is.” The silver Oakleaf felt heavy around his neck. Halt knew what the Oakleaf meant. Running away from Clonmel, he was given a second chance, and that chance had been Araluen and its Rangers. He liked Duncan a great deal more than he cared to admit—certainly the Araluan was a far better King than either him or Ferris. But against all odds, that’s just what Duncan was.
A King.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Crowley said quietly. “But it seems to me you’re doing fine in that sense.”
Halt let go of the man’s shoulder. “You thought too highly of me. That’s your mistake.”
“I think just enough of you.” The redhead sighed. “My only mistake was turning you away. I’m sorry, Halt.”
He met his friend’s eyes, and saw the pain inside them, pain he was responsible for. “I am, too.”
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Swap Springtrap just won’t ever leave my mind, and I keep thinking of how a bunch of stuff would go. The certain swapped stuff just usually depends on the version.
I’ve already probably mentioned a few bits before, but like, among the other stuff going on throughout it, but I keep thinking about how Pizza Sim would go in a swap deal.
One way, Swap Springtrap would take Henry’s role from the original game—such as causing the fire to free the others, including his daughter. Which... either she’s still Scrap Baby, or she’s swapped with Charlie for who they possess.
But... xlskajwhq... I always love when he cares, and this is also a swap—so, under the scenario of him taking Henry’s role, I’d just love for there to be some sort of reunion—he hasn’t seen his kid in a long time.
Elizabeth and the others arrive, he manages to have a talk with her or something—and Elizabeth is so happy to see her father—and then, later, the fire occurs.
But I’ve also always loved the idea of Swap Henry still having his role—with causing the fire and everything, but for completely different reasons, rather than trying to stop Scraptrap and free the others.
Whether or not Swap Springtrap knows he’s there or not, I can at least imagine him arriving at the pizzeria and managing to get inside, and then having a much needed reunion with Elizabeth.
But then the fire happens—unfortunate. And he’s just trying to find a way to help his daughter get out—which may or may not happen.
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