Hello, children of all ages. I come to you with another MGS adventure. However, it is an adventure unlike any other. This project marks the beginning of an era, an age that will place guardian angels in the spotlight. This sample of the future is a giftfic for the lady Zephyr, whom I always hope to inspire.
My baby sister and I rented Mirror's Edge (PS3) last weekend. I am enchanted with both the game's concept and the game's leading lady. Hoping to push an angel to even greater heights, I will now post a sample of the future. Once the tale has come to an end, you'll be able to find extensive notes on my saga plans. Please sit back, relax and enjoy, as I use the Mirror's Edge OST for composition music! Bwa ha ha.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Mirror's Edge (other than a rental copy) or Metal Gear Solid. Thank you for understanding!
Warning: Old Snake will be a victim of human emotions. Implied yaoi will be featured, so tread carefully if you're uncomfortable with boy/boy love.
We are like birds, free to fly wherever we choose. We soar on the wind, forgetting the past and only concerned with the future. We glide on our wings, crossing invincible bridges to fate. Not a single bag holds us down as we fly, flying through paths we pave for ourselves. We know nothing of rules or boundaries, following only the rules of our souls. We are Runners, and we work in favor of salvation.
I am an eagle that walks on air. I fly in search of tomorrow, never knowing what the present holds. I evade my predators, moving as a bolt of lightning. I move in time with the wind, never looking back. I am a seeker of the future. Things have changed over the course of time, though. No longer do I fight for myself. I fight for another living being now, keeping my mind and heart focused on his future. My pain is his pain, and it burns fiercely in my heart. I am Faith, and I seek his salvation.
I fight for a family. I fight for him.
Duskiness had the world in a calm grip, foretelling the advent of cataclysm. Many souls had fallen asleep, succumbing to the call of tranquil slumber. However, there were those that could not find slumber. One particular soul, while rubbing at his eyes, withdrew from his humble bed. Another nightmare had plagued his weary mind, giving him no reason or desire to fall asleep. He made an attempt to shake off the phantasm's aftertaste, but Hell's poison lingered within his mouth-and his heart. Tears lacing the edges of his eyes, he made an exit from his bedroom-discovering the nearby presence of another. In a flash he recognized a familiar sound, one that had been attached to himself many times. Someone was in the living room, drumming away on the PC's keyboard. The fingers danced in a light, airy and musical manner, providing a weary heart with brightness. He could easily be accused of pounding away on the keyboard, but his fingers didn't perform such a dance.
Adrenaline seized a handful of shyness, bottled it up and tossed it inside of Hal Emmerich's heart. Taking his inner bottle with reluctance, he cautiously walked into the living room-treating its sole inhabitant as an angel that shouldn't be disturbed. "You don't sleep?" he asked gently, heart pounding against its chamber of captivity. Horror split through as the angel turned around, stealing the wind right out of his lungs.
"Look who's talking. You obviously don't sleep either."
Embarrassment throttled the forlorn otaku. Blinking furiously, he endeavored to compose a proper response. "Well, I…uh…you've been s-s-so b-b-busy, and…I thought…maybe you'd sleep for a little while," he stammered, cheeks becoming redder than roses. With those words, and his demeanor, he earned a smile-a smile that not only lit up their makeshift living room, but their world as well.
"I'm fine. I'm used to going without sleep. Don't really need it. I live off adrenaline. And besides, I've got things to do. I'm not failing at my job."
Her job. Hal stiffened at the mention of her 'job', which she didn't really treat as a job. If he had hired anyone else to take the 'job', his family wouldn't have been so lucky. Snake wouldn't have received such an angelic blessing in his life, Sunny wouldn't have a radiant role model to adore, and Hal…Hal…
By Hal Emmerich himself, she had been asked to liberate a stolen soul. Snake, withering away due to a vicious virus, had been snatched by a new brand of government-for reasons unknown, but hellish reasons nonetheless. Learning of the newly formed Runner network, which had been formed to provide the public with assistance, Hal hired the most capable Runner to rescue his precious friend. Much to the chagrin of her team, that particular Runner accepted the job in a heartbeat. Her comrades informed her that she'd be opening a can of worms (a phrase she found painfully familiar), but she trudged on. There was someone she had to fight for, and wouldn't fail another living soul.
She didn't treat the job in a formal, stiff manner. She was a pillar of incandescent, unbelievable beauty, glowing in every way imaginable. Not one for hesitation or cruelty, she exuded raw emotion and honesty. Her eyes provided enough emotion to move a nation, black and effulgent with unspeakable qualities. She was a maiden of short black hair, sharp black eyes and a svelte figure. A simple black tank sat about her upper body, while an adventurer's pants covered her legs. Her right eye was covered in some sort of emblem, one Hal could not yet comprehend. Perhaps it was an emblem of the Runner network?
Despite his overwhelming shyness, Hal managed to smile. "What are you doing?" he asked softly, still refraining from a high volume. His voice was already soft, but he had no desire to lift it. After all, the Runner was an inexplicably ethereal creature. Sunny frequently referred to her as an angel, asking if she wished to take flight whenever a mission arose. The little maiden practically gawked at her movements, for she moved like a leaf on the wind-performing tasks no Olympic gymnast would even dare to attempt. "Enlisting Dave into a dating service," she explained, with a smile of her own. She returned to the keyboard, not taking the chair but standing over it. "I'm acting as his messenger. Oh, and don't worry. I didn't spill any confidential information."
I didn't think you would, Hal thought, shaking his head. "How's it going?"
"Great," she replied, typing at what Hal believed to be the speed of light. Even her fingers were surreal works of art. On what planet was she born on? Were all Runners such ethereal entities?
"I'm still setting up the ad. I'm taking great pains to weave the losers from the winners. I've found a lot of hot guys, but we'll see who wins in the end."
As a small bud would grow within a field, silence bloomed between the two. The Runner continued working on Dave's personal ad, while Hal took the prime opportunity to gaze upon her. Hiring her had been the best decision of his life. She was a fiercely devoted caretaker to Dave, Sunny wanted to be like her as an adult, and he…well, he…
"H-h-how was h-h-he…when you p-p-put him to sleep?"
That inquiry caused her to stop writing. She folded her hands, stretched them out, then turned to face the gentle otaku. Fondness bloomed throughout her smile as doves would take flight, stretching across a blue sky. "Happy," was her first word, executed with pride and relief. "He's getting better. His speech is still slurred, vision's still cloudy, and he's still pretty weak, but he's regaining his fire. He doesn't realize it yet, but he's determined to fight. I think we've got a real trooper on our hands."
Sadness shot through Hal's eyes, running at the speed of a galvanized cheetah. "You've given him that fire," the otaku said softly, tears gracing his eyes once again. His voice became hoarse, and due to an onslaught of sadness, he failed to notice her hands. She placed them upon his shoulders in a comforting manner, exuding compassion.
"You've been such a great help to him, Faith. Without you…he would have been gone long ago. Sunny and I…would have lost him."
"You don't give yourself enough credit," she replied instantly, voice firm but gentle. "You're a part of his family. You're his life. And from what he told me, you two have been friends for years. You assume you don't count for anything, but you do. You're important to him, Hal. All of the time, he tells me how much he cares for you-and regrets being a horrible friend to you in the past."
She caught the heart-rending frown on Hal's face in a flash. "I told him you don't feel that way, and you love him with all of your heart," she explained, laughter filtering into the edges of her eyes. "He thinks you're an idiot for loving him, and can't stand being around Sunny because he's 'dirty'. Don't worry about any of that, though. I'll take care of it. Even if I have to shove the truth down his throat."
Eyes drowning in tear water, Hal peered straight into endless black skies. "Why do you care so much?" he asked, perilously close to weeping. "I only asked you to bring him back home, but you're still here, and…why? You're putting your own life at risk, fighting battles that shouldn't be yours, and…I don't understand. Why do you care so much?"
Faith slowly lifted her hands from his shoulders, appearing to be offended by his inquiry. All assumptions were crushed by her eyes, which became wielders of heart-breaking sadness. Her eyes became so raw with pain, Hal was surprised they weren't bleeding due to exposure. "I lost a friend, long ago," she stated, turning her back on the otaku. Hal kept his eyes on the slender Runner, filled with vast apprehension. She grabbed her left elbow with her right hand, eyes directed at the ground.
"I loved my friend. I miss him, even to this day. I loved him…but I let him go. He was killed because of me."
Tears were making their way out of her heart. Her friend might have passed long ago, but her pain was still vibrant. Intolerably vibrant. "It was all my fault," she pressed on, voice becoming husky. "I let him die. I…I was…trying to help my sister, and…I ended up killing him. I led our enemies straight to him. By the time I got back, it was too late. He died, and…I'll never forgive myself. I loved him, but I let him die."
She directed her eyes onto Hal. She gave off flames of sorrow so great, they could've burned their makeshift haven into cinders. "I'm not letting him die," she promised, her wavering voice scorched by valor. "I'm not letting Dave die. I run each day, not for myself but for him. I run with his pain in mind, thinking of how he's suffered. I think of how those bastards tore him down, and I become angry. He's beautiful, Hal. He's a flower just waiting for the right time to bloom, but can't because he's afraid. He's afraid to awaken because of what so many people have done to him. I failed my friend, but not I'm going to fail Dave. There's no way in Hell I'll allow that to happen. I don't wish to fail you either. I don't want to fail Sunny. You asked me to help Dave, and I shall."
An abrupt bolt of intolerable pain split across her face. The pain was so dense, a horrified Hal assumed a wound haunted her. Forgetting every last bit of shyness, the otaku rushed to her side-and swept her into his arms. The pain remained on her face, accompanied by tears that streamed down her cheeks. "He hates himself," she said, voice no higher than a whisper. She was adept at hiding her pain in front of her patient, but in Hal's presence, she just had to release it.
"He hates himself with a passion, and it's not fair. He thinks he's ugly, but that's not true! I hate the way he thinks!"
Her hands shot to her face, covering a tear-stained portrait of profound love. Momentarily forgetting his shyness, Hal began to wrap his arms around her waist-having placed his hands onto her shoulders. A gasp soon emerged from the Runner's mouth, but not in response to his movements. Someone in another room was whistling! "Shit!" Faith snapped, then bolted out of the living room-followed by a frantic Hal. Unintentionally enchanting Hal, she kicked down a bedroom door and entered her new area. The bedroom's inhabitant, a male much older than Hal and Faith put together, was sobbing at the top of his lungs. Faith instantly swept him into her arms, running a hand over the top of his head. All the while she whispered 'sssh', rocking him back and forth.
Tears in his own eyes, Hal observed the interaction between maiden and male from a distance. Most of the male's bed sheets were covered in vomit and blood, making everything all too clear. Another nightmare had ransacked his mind, and apparently frightened him. Perhaps he had dreamt of his captivity again. Damn those wicked bastards.
"Sssh, ssssh. I'm here. I'm here, Dave. I'm here."
Dave peered into her eyes with such babyish eyes, a demon would have keeled over in tears. "Tell me what happened," Faith said soothingly, cupping his face in her hands. "I'm here. I'm listening."
I know you're here, tearful eyes said, filled with unspeakable pain. "They took you away from me," he explained, struggling to push his words out. Not only were tears interfering, but the drugs were kicking in again. Faith inwardly cursed her ineptitude in medical procedures. If only she had been equipped with some sort of knowledge, some sort of damned elixir, anything!
"They took you away from me. I told them not to, but they took you, and…you were torn apart. You-"
She knew who 'they' were. She knew who 'they' were, and hated them with a demonic passion. 'They' were the same ones responsible for Dave's capture. They can go and shit on themselves, for all I care.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm still here. I'm not leaving you, Dave. I'm sticking with you."
Gently she placed the old legend's head into her chest, still rocking him back and forth. "They're not taking me away from you," she continued, voice struggling to retain its firm luminosity. "I won't let them. I promised you I'd fly for you, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Besides, I can take care of myself. I've done it all my life. So don't worry about me anymore, flower. I'm not leaving you."
He had more words to issue, but struggled to release them. Faith could see the scorn in his eyes, and it was all directed at himself. He hated his inability to speak properly, even though the loss of natural speech hadn't been his fault. They had caused it. They drugged him like tomorrow didn't exist. It was all their fault. Not his. "I don't want you to go," he sobbed, struggling to wrap his arms around her. "I want you to stay. I love you."
While Hal fell to his knees, observing the entire scene, Faith hovered between two options. She could either follow Hal on his route, or release a roar of indeterminable anger. She wished to choose the latter, obviously uncomfortable with stifling her anger. "I love you," a flower wept, clinging to her-as a child would cling to a mother.
A seventy year old man was hugging her as if she had become his mother. And he had become a five year old.
She was a livid lioness, visibly boiling with anger. "I love you too," she whispered to the man within her arms, then kissed the top of his head. She laid him to rest, gently delivering a sweet lullaby.
"You have changed
I have changed
Just like you
Just like you
For how long
For how long
Must I wait
I know there's something wrong
Your concrete heart isn't beating
And you tried to
Make it come alive
No shadows
Just red lights
Now I'm here to rescue you
Oh I'm still alive
I'm still alive
I can't apologize no
Oh I'm still alive
I'm still alive
I can't apologize no
So silent
No violence
But inside my head
So loud and clear
You're screaming
You're screaming
Cover up with a smile I've learned to fear
Just sunshine
And blue sky
That's just how it goes
For living here
Come fire
Come fire
Let it burn and love come racing through..."
Not another word was delivered onto the cold air. Faith gazed at Dave for what seemed like an epoch, watching over the flower that had been lulled to sleep. She wished to remain in that position, but was much too uneasy. Moving at the speed of lightning, she began to clean her charge's bed sheets. She moved about huffily, evidently bearing a mind engorged by anger. A tearful Hal watched her inquisitively, studying her as a researcher would observe a rare animal. His heart stopped once she opened her mouth.
"I'm going out."
The Emmerich shot to his feet. "What?!"
"I said I'm going out," Faith snapped, while her eyes said 'I'm pissed off. Don't screw with me'. Still moving about in a huff, she approached the doorway-but was intercepted by Hal himself.
"Wait a minute! You haven't slept in forty eight hours!"
"Look, Otacon," Faith snarled, returning a necessary habit. Out on the field, she kept in contact with her Scout and 'Otacon'. Calling him 'Hal' would have only led to immediate disaster-and it was the type of disaster she did not wish to repeat.
"They're not going to wait around, and neither is Snake. I've got a job to do."
She shoved her way through, pushing him off to the side. The otaku could only watch her departure, eyes glazed over in both pain and profound adoration. So many emotions had flown through that night, he was surprised by his ability to hold all of them. In the distance, a little maiden emerged with a radiant smile. She looked to her sleeping Epyon, then looked upon her father's face. "She really is one," she whispered, face glowing with affection and pride. Meanwhile, a computer monitor displayed an ad. The ad read:
"Hello! My name's LadySnake22. I'm seeking an honest, loyal lover for my friend. He cannot write his own ad, due to medical issues and emotional trauma. I come to you in his time of need, which is also my darkest time of need. My greatest wish is for him to receive a pure-hearted, kind and compassionate lover. He needs someone that will listen to him, and take the time to understand him. He needs a guardian angel. I want the wings of Heaven to fall upon him and love him. Please say you'll help him."
While all of the other ads read:
"Hello! My name's ShevaAngel072! I want a hot, good-looking guy to go with my brand-new car! I love dancing, drinking and surfing on the beach!"
"Hello! My name is ShadowRiku1724! I want someone that will pamper me until I pop!"
"Hello! My name is KingPhoenixDown! I'm looking for an ultra hawt lover to make my jaw drop!"
This was composed to the Mirror's Edge Main Menu Theme, and 'Still Alive' by Lisa Miskovsky. Faith performed 'Still Alive' for Dave as a lullaby. It's a divine, perfectly beautiful song.
I cried while writing this. The ads weren't too easy either. I made them in order to compare Faith against the rest of the ads, highlighting her strength, valor and devotion for Dave. Listening to 'Still Alive' didn't exactly help. Find the link to that song in my profile! XD
I am planning a Guardian Angel saga. Its participants are Leon Scott Kennedy, Faith Connors, Dante and Zack of Final Fantasy fame. Leon's adventures are in full swing, with 'Hymn' still at the forefront of my eyes. Dante's adventure, 'Shall Never Surrender', will experience a renovation-and join the saga. I am proud to say that Dante's been a long-running staple in my heart, for he was paired with Snake in the early versions of 'MGS4: Genesis'. Watching an uber-sexy cutscene of DMC4 brought about my decision to renovate his tale. Its renovation will occur after the end of Tempest, which is Leon and Snake's final adventure.
Faith's adventure will also follow the end of Tempest. I cannot give an exact date, especially since her tale is still raw around the edges. I made up a title for it, but I find 'Faith's Edge' a little corny. XD In her death-defying tale, she will pit herself against a heartless form of government, all to protect the withering life of a legend. Old Snake (whom Faith affectionately refers to as 'flower') will not only deal with the pain of the FOXDIE virus, but with a million other forms of pain as well. His captivity induced him with the darkest drugs imaginable, and the absence of self-respect is still intact. Not only that, but he hates his old form with a violent passion, and (mostly thanks to his wonderful brother, Liquid) thinks he's lower than dirt. Hal hires her to care for Dave, putting her on an adventure she won't ever forget.
With the assistance of fellow Runners, Jack (who regains his nickname, Raiden) and Meryl Silverburgh, Faith will battle against overwhelming odds. Even Liquid enters the scene, hell bent on tormenting his brother in the slowest ways imaginable! Emotions will scorch the face of the Earth! An old hero will shed a million tears! One of Earth's angels will take flight, and an otaku will fall helplessly in love!
I've already thought of an ending for Faith's adventure. XD Kinda sad, considering I haven't thought of a title, but here are hints towards the ending: it won't be a happy one, and it'll have an immense effect on Dave. I'm not saying anything else! XD
"Just sunshine
And blue sky
That's just how it goes
For living here
Come fire
Come fire
Let it burn and love come racing through..."
-Still Alive by Lisa Miskovsky
This flower bloomed for a dear friend.