Line #14 Heartwarming/Halo


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/elite_abrazable_halo_cea.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:"This is it, baby... hold me."]]
3	For a game about a cyborg killing aliens, the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' series has quite a few SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments.
4	!!Per troping policy, all spoilers are unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.
5	!! ''Halo: Combat Evolved''
6	* When the Chief reaches the last lifeboat, he sees a marine who has tripped on the floor. Chief picks him up and throws him into the lifeboat before boarding himself.
7	** In the same cutscene, another marine timidly asks him if they're going to die. The Chief's response is a comforting hand on the shoulder. However, the scene quickly becomes a TearJerker when the lifeboat crashes and everyone but the Chief perishes.
8	* Johnson and the Elite hugging each other in the Legendary ending, [[EasterEgg even if it's technically not canon]].
9	* At the end of the game, the Chief and Cortana take a moment to rest and catch their breaths. And while the ending is [[PyrrhicVictory incredibly bittersweet]], we can see that [[TrueCompanions the Chief and Cortana still have each other.]]
10
11	!! ''Halo 2''
12	* The Arbiter and Half-Jaw (the Spec Ops Elite commander) did not start off on the right foot, but even when the latter became suspicious and distrustful of the Hierarchs' decision to replace the Elites with the Brutes as the new Honor Guards, he still trusted the Arbiter implicitly after the events of the Gas Mine at Threshold. It was that trust that united most of the Sangheili under the Swords of Sanghelios by ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
13	* Even after being betrayed by Tartarus, the Arbiter still attempts to reason with him at the climax of "The Great Journey", and when 343 Guilty Spark tells them the Halos are weapons, the Arbiter tells Tartarus that the Prophets have betrayed them both, probably one of the few times an Elite has ever considered a Brute their equal. Sadly Tartarus refuses to believe him.
14
15	!! ''Halo 2 Anniversary''
16	* In the opening Terminal scene with Locke and the Arbiter, the Arbiter tells Locke that while he and the Chief were once enemies, the Arbiter now considers him to be a friend.
17
18	!! ''Halo 3''
19	* At the start, when they think the Chief's dead or incapacitated, Johnson wants heavy lift equipment, because [[NoOneGetsLeftBehind "We're not leaving him here."]] [[LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt And then the Chief's hand grabs him]], and he speaks up, and Johnson gets cheerful.
20	* The Master Chief and the Arbiter start off as enemies briefly, but eventually [[FireForgedFriends trust each other after several skirmishes]]. While the Chief doesn't say more than only one word to the Arbiter, it is clear that he trusts him implicitly, such as when he allowed him to kill Truth on the Ark, and when they became back-to-back against the Flood. They've come a long way since they met in the bowels of Delta Halo.
21	* In this game, you can come across human soldiers [[ColdBloodedTorture being interrogated by Brutes]] and [[FateWorseThanDeath being assimilated by the Flood Infection Forms]]. [[BigDamnHeroes With some quick thinking and careful shooting]], [[VideoGameCaringPotential you can save them]].
22	* Cortana the level, when you reach Cortana the person.
23	-->'''Cortana:''' You found me. But so much of me [[BreakTheCutie is wrong]], [[MindRape out of place]]. You might be too late.
24	-->'''John-117:''' "You know me. [[IGaveMyWord When I make a]] [[ThePromise promise-]]"
25	-->'''Cortana:''' "You... keep it. I do know how to pick 'em."
26	-->'''John-117:''' "Lucky me."
27	** As if that wasn't wonderful enough, keeping in mind the background from the Fall of Reach novel makes it even better.
28	** Also, this CallBack right after you've retrieved Cortana, mirroring the start of the first game, delivered in the most heartwarming way by Jen Taylor:
29	-->'''Cortana:''' "Just keep your head down... There's two of us in here now, remember."
30	** Towards the end of the level, Cortana registers a friendly ping and wonders in amazement who would be crazy enough to jump in a Flood-infested High Charity. It turns out to be the Arbiter who came after the Chief to help clear an escape route for him in what would have been a suicide mission, just to make sure his ally made it out.
31	* Not long after Johnson's death, a piece of ice near the door collapses, revealing a slope for them to climb. Arbiter takes this as a sign that even in death, Johnson is still helping the three heroes find their way home. Indeed as the slop leads them to Johnson's Warthog which they use to drive back to the Dawn.
32	* After 28 long years, the Human-Covenant War has finally come to an end. On Earth, a memorial is held for the crew of the Forward Unto Dawn, including Miranda Keyes and Avery Johnson.) Following his speech, Lord Hood converses with the Arbiter, and while the former will never forgive the Sangheili for what they did to humanity, he thanked 'Vadam "for standing by him to the end." As they shook hands, Hood expresses sorrow for the apparent death of John-117 but 'Vadam responded with [[{{Bookends}} "were it so easy"]], echoing his first words to Chief at the beginning of the game.
33	** The epitaph of the memorial reads "In memory of those fallen in the defense of Earth and her colonies. March 3, 2553" with photographs and other personal belongings to the brave men and women who gave their life defending Earth. As a tribute to the SPARTAN who contributed the most, the number "117" is scratched onto the memorial along with the insignia of the Master Chief ranking tape below it.
34	* The departure of the Sangheili at the end.
35	-->'''Rtas 'Vadum:''' Things look different, without the Prophets' lies clouding my vision. I would like to see our own world. To know that it is safe.
36	-->'''Arbiter:''' Fear not. For we have made it so.
37	-->'''Rtas 'Vadum:''' ''(salutes)'' By your word... Arbiter.
38	-->'''Arbiter:''' ''(a mixture of pride, eagerness, urgency)'' Take us home.
39	* Mendicant Bias was a forerunner AI that defected to the flood. He was captured and split in two: One part on the Arc, one in High Charity. What makes this heartwarming? When the Covenant opened the portal, the two parts of Bias reunited. Filled with regret, knowing he was dying, he decided to betray the Flood, and protect John from the dangers of the Arc. Particularly heartwarming is this message to John, found in one of the terminals.
40	-->'''Mendicant Bias:''' And so here at the end of my life, I do once again betray a former master. The path ahead is fraught with peril. But I will do all I can to keep it stable - keep you safe. I'm not so foolish to think this will absolve me of my sins. One life hardly balances billions. But I would have my masters know that I have changed. And you shall be my example.
41	* Despite being stranded in space in the other half of the Forward Unto Dawn that made it through the portal that escaped the Ark successfully, John and Cortana still find comfort in each other, knowing that as long as they're together, they can pull through this eventually with the distress beacon Cortana set up, though Cortana says it might take several years, before anyone picks it up while John undergoes cryosleep.
42	-->'''John 117''': [[SealedGoodInACan Wake me... when you need me.]]
43	!! ''Halo: Reach''
44	* At the credits of Halo: Reach, Bungie gives a goodbye letter to its fans. No true Halo fan could read it without breaking into tears.
45	* [[BandOfBrothers The camaraderie of Noble Team.]] Even Emile and Jorge, two polar opposites, consider each other friends [[spoiler: with the former [[AndThisIsFor dedicating some kills]] to the fallen Spartan-II.]]
46	* At the end of Halo: Reach, we see Reach...in 2589. The grass is green. Snow sits on the mountains. And Noble Six's helmet still lies where it fell, and Dr. Halsey's voice speaks over the peaceful vista, telling you that your death was not in vain, and that through your courage, humanity was ultimately able to survive and rebuild.
47
48
49	!! ''Halo 3: ODST''
50	* Vigil!Engineer [[https://youtu.be/dLUqIwUVDoY?t=48s lighting Johnson's cigar]]. Bad. Ass.
51	* When Vergil/Quick approaches Dare in the data centre, Dare removes the last explosive harness from its side and pats the Engineer softly. Dare's also noticeably gentle when instructing it to stay behind her. Its probably the first time in a long time that Quick has ever been treated with such care and respect, and its pretty obvious he enjoyed it.
52	** When one considers the Engineers are clearly abused in the Covenant, its kinda obvious that Quick to Adjust is pretty happy to be leaving in the care of people who would treat him properly. Even when in interrogation they still let Vergil tinker with tech, albeit under supervision.
53	* In the final audio log, the surviving refugees quickly board the train, but ensure that ''everyone'' is on board, some helping others onto the train. And they take the time to wait for Sadie and Branley to join them.
54	* [[OneSceneWonder Jonas]], the kebab merchant in Sadie's Story. Rather than choosing to flee like all the other civillians, he stays. Partly because [[BigFun his obesity]] renders him incapable of running, but mostly because he's aware his size will deny other civilians safe passage, choosing instead to give away free kebabs to the fleeing refugees. Guy's a damn saint.
55
56	!! ''Halo 4''
57	* Pretty much every scene Master Chief interacts with Cortana is this. Especially when she finally manages to touch him, right before she dies.
58	* When John learns that Cortana is suffering from rampanacy, the Master Chief's immediate reaction is that if he can get her to Catherine Halsey, she'll be able to repair Cortana. It's heartwarming because despite the backdraft Halsey has been receiving from Halo canon over the last few years, the scene is a stark reminder that John will ''never'' lose faith in her.
59	** More than just lose faith in her, it smacks of "we'll take you to mommy, mommy will make you all better". Long awaited acknowledgement in the games what was established in the books: [[ParentalSubstitute the Spartans think of Halsey as their mother]].
60	** The Chief's refusal to even consider the possibility that Cortana might succumb to rampancy. Rampancy is an inevitability for AIs, yet John keeps insisting that he will save for. After a while, you starting thinking that maybe, just maybe, he will defy the odds again and save the day.
61	*** Which makes the [[BittersweetEnding ending]] all the more tragic, as John's efforts [[AllForNothing weren't enough.]]
62	!! ''The Forerunner Saga''
63	* Humans and Forerunners finally come together on friendly terms following the Halos firing. They both attend a ceremony and mourn and even dance together. Trial, a Lifeworker overseeing humanity, has this exchange with Riser:
64	--> '''Trial''': "You know, humans and Forerunners were always meant to be brothers, not to fight like we did."
65	--> '''Riser''': "Brothers fight too, you know."
66	* Then, when humans are brought to Earth, Riser and Bornstellar share some parting words:
67	--> '''Bornstellar''': In regards to the Portal on earth "Perhaps one day your children will make their way back, and I hope meet our children"
68	--> '''Riser''': "I doubt even I will live long enough to see that day. But it is good to think that one day our young will rise to another challenge as brothers should: making trouble, finding strength."
69	--> '''Bornstellar''': Overcome "Hope..."
70
71	!! ''Halo 5: Guardians''
72	-->''"It took you long enough."''
73	-->--'''Catherine Halsey''' upon being reunited with John-117
74	* The rapport between members of Team Osiris and Blue Team are heartwarming in separate ways. Team Osiris are a BandOfBrothers, while Blue Team is a FamilyOfChoice. Watch the ways they interact. Osiris have a confident yet warm bravado, while Team Blue are more subdued and caring towards each other.
75	** When Cortana and Blue Team finally meet face-to-face, Cortana begins to walk towards Chief, and Linda silently moves in front of him as a shield. The moment is doubled when Chief gently moves her aside, proving that, even after all she's done, even after she's become an insane dictator and bullying megalomaniac, Chief ''still'' trusts Cortana.
76	* Halsey begged Locke to bring John back to her. In the ending, the [=SPARTANs=] return, and when Halsey comes forth, Locke is there - with John beside him. All wishes fulfilled.
77	* When the Arbiter speaks with the Spartans in Sunaion, he asks Locke to "send [his] greetings" to the Chief. After Halo 3, it is endearing to hear him still consider Spartan-II a friend. It's also heartwarming of how friendly a Sangheili is to a human.
78	* The novel ''Bad Blood'' expands on the ending a little and shows Thel 'Vadam reuniting with his old friend, the Master Chief. Over dinner, 'Vadam assures John that regardless of the galaxy's dire situation, they will find a way to win as long as they work together just like they did in the past.
79	** Buck, the narrator, notes that Chief and Thel began reminiscing about their time during ''Halo 3''. Buck falls asleep during most of the conversation and wakes up near the end of it, implying that they stayed up most of the night just talking.
80	** When saying farewell, there is a mention that the two of them reached out to clasp forearms and Chief thanking Thel.
81
82	!! ''Halo Wars 2''

Context Heartwarming / Halo