Introduction

I loaded up my Playstaion 2, seeing it had been some time before I was able to enjoy a good game. I knew I had yet to beat the great heard game of Metal Gear Solid 3. Everyone bragged and I finally had time. I remember the last time I played was with Tia a few months ago, but we only played a bit of the beginning, seeing that there wasn't much time to enjoy the time we had before.

This time around Tia came down to visit, we were to co-op on single player. I was able to show her the second game, but she wanted to get to know the series well respected by now. Big Boss had a bit more personality than Solid Snake. I wanted to also get to know the Snake Eater song more than before.

I gave it thought as I rubbed the necklace that was around my neck. I clutched it in my hands, thinking if not a moment on everything. I always wanted somethig that could represenrt Metal Gear Solid as I had for other games I picked over. Of all of them, Metal Gear was the longest I stuck around and yet I had nothing to represent it. I shook my head at such a silly thought, laughing to myself. knowing I grew up with such inspirations. It wasn't typical to think of the past.

Metal Gear Solid had such impact, even if it didn't have as many games as Final Fantasy and it may have not been as popular as the series should have been, but still the greatness of the game impacted me when I was a kid, always keeping a reason as to why I love Metal Gear Solid if not a bit more. A secret, knowing it was always in the back of my head. Even if I haven't completed the first, I know I completed two, three and four.

My thoughts broke as my cell phone rang, sounding like the Codec... it was Tia, telling me the time that she would arrive. If she was a bit late, she would still get here to play all the way through Metal Gear Solid 3 if not at least watch the cutscenes I gathered from completing the game itself. I sighed, only knowing it was dragging out.

I ran my fingers through my dirty blonde hair, tying it back. It was a habit when I didn't want my hair in my face. I checked my dark shirt and jeans, bushing them down as well. I had time to relax before having to rush into gameplay, but I knew that it wasn't much before having to pick up the controller.

Tia had arrived on time as per usual, but there was no time to waste, I wanted to get playing. The Intro and Title Screen played. Tia and myself both worked on marching on through the game. She was having fun and it was my third time playing on through.

As I looked at her, I noticed her messing with her pocket knife. It's hilt had a skull on it. I was reminded of it before just never saw the detail placed into. I gave notice that her hair was getting longer, but even knowing that her hair was longer than mine, she bragged about it.

Blondes always did, but she was lighter than me, I never commented or felt competed to catch up to her. Even if it was in a few months in age as well. She always thought she was on top and it got on my nerves from time to time.

Tia felt to ask a handful of questions, knowing that she never really played it before and I had to explain many times that Boss and Snake were not in the same game, only in different times. She saw that after a while, seeing she was more used to me bragging about Solid Snake. Tia laughed at Boss's snide remarks, I heard them, but they were fun to laugh at every now and again.

As the game continued, Tia passed me the controller, I caught it, knowing that my sight was off. With a smile, I played into it, seeing Tia couldn't get passed certain parts that I knew. Something was different though, as I played; I felt a sense of calmness as I saw everything melt around me. I took a deep breath feeling as though I was now falling through a bottomless ground.

Focusing my eyes around me, I slammed down hard, now not knowing how to react. I looked around, the facility I was now at looked all too familiar. I felt the rough dirt on my face, wiping the gravel off my face. My breathing shallowed as I heard footsteps crunch under the boots of a soilder. I hesitated to move, but my instincts told me different.

Feeling the weather change as I stood, I had very little time to give it at least a thought. I ran behind a building, knowing it would only by me some time. I took an attempt for a diving roll behind a few crates, watching as the uniformed soldier that I caught a glimpse of before patrolled.

I didn't want to think of where I was, I knew clearly where I was at, my only real concern was that Tia wasn't around. I couldn't scream, I couldn't complain, I couldn't set my eyes on one objective, only getting past security. Taking my time, I observed as the soldier left. I knew I was not an expert in stealth in this area or not as much in real life, but it wouldn't mean I could at the least try.

Where to head was out of the question, I could at the least gather information on where to start. It was stupid I knew that I wouldn't get far and knowing I was not of nationality, I only had only so much to go by. I wouldn't be able to make an excuse. Taking a deep breath, I charged, sneaking on into the right side of the facility. I looked up, knowing the fortress was Graniny Gorki. It looked like it at the least.

I slowed my breathing, hearing many walk around me. I saw as someone was scoping around the corner. I dove beind a plant, watching as the soldier continued his post. I ran past him as his back was turned. I heard him question what was behind him as I was able to hide behind a near by desk. I hesitated, feeling my heart race, that it would only take more time. I had to head to the basement at least.

I knew I wasn't thinking. I didn't look to the left. "Hold it right there!" I heard the man I sneak passed before give me trouble I was anticipating.

"I don't want to cause any trouble, I was just trying to find someone, honest."

"State who you are trying to see."

That one man who met Emmerich's Grandfather if I remember. What was his name? "I'm... ummm... I am here to see Aleksandr Leonovitch Granin."

"What business do you have with him?"

I couldn't speak as the gun the soldier carried was pointed at my head for the moment. "Pl...Please, don't shoot. I don't have anything on me."

The soldier observed me for the moment, then shook his head. He gave acknowledgement to someone. I glaced up, seeing a bit of movement. I was hit hard by the soldier, he was able to get a pressure point, causing me to fall to the ground. The soldier kicked me, I clenched in pain, knowing by now I wouldn't be able to convince him. Footsteps gathered to where I was, another joined in, carrying an assult rifle.

"Sweet dreams." The soldier stated clear. I was knocked out cold in an instant. Pitch black.

I woke, feeling cold as something warm dripped down my forehead. My eyes focused, I felt as though I was in darkness, but I only shivered as a result. I could tell I was searched. Feeling around, I immeadiatly noticed that the necklace I was wearing was now goine. I felt dread, knowing that the necklace within itself was special to me and I wore it around my friends everyday symbolizing many things.

I wipped the blood from my forehead, not knowing how long I was out, but I could tell a good amount of it was dry. They must have hit me harder than I thought, but then again you would have to with that type of weapon. but it stung, giving me a reminder not to pull a stunt like that again. I grunted in pain, sitting up from the concrete floor. I blinked a few times, only to realize there was no point in fighting. I was stuck, until possibly interogated and killed. What a wonderful end.

I heard footsteps approach, I knew something had kicked in as I dove under the bed. Something I knew from Metal Gear Solid. Even if I haven't beaten the game, I coildn't think straight, I wanted out, but I couldn't stand what was going on. I needed a cool head. I curled the best I could, hoping they wouldn't know I was around.

Perhaps it were the two that caught me, knocking me out, it so I was in deeper than I imagined. I shivered and cried. I was normally strong, but in a situation where I was outnumbered and outguned if not unarmed. There was the opening of the cell door, I tensed up. I saw the shadow and the boots that stopped at the end of the bed's edge.

I didn't move, anticipating the next move. I heard something drop and roll towards me. I noticed the sound and shape, it was an apple. I picked it up, dusting it off. I didn't know what to think, I heard my stomach. It must have been a while since I had really ate anything. I wouldn't know if it was poisoned, but I went ahead and took a bite of the apple.

There was silence as I chowed on the friut, I thought of how I was getting tempted. I saw as the feet of the soldier backed away. I crawled from the bed, looking up. I couldn't see his face, seeing the shadows covered him well.

There was a moment of akward silence as he stared down at me and I at him. I handed back the core of the apple as he bent over to take it. I was startled, crawling back under the bed. Feeling safe under there.

The soldier, crouched down, not advancing any further than needed. I heard him sigh. "How long are you going to stay under there?" He asked in an impatient voice.

"I.. I don't know. But I know that I..." Tears rolled down my face. "I'm stuck here, aren't I? You.. you're only being nice to me because I know that you want information."

There was a second as he thought. "Well, yes and no..."

A hand reached out to me, the gesture asking for me to get out. I grabbed on, not knowing if there was any danger, but something told me to trust whoever was reaching out. I noticed he still had the apple in his had as he tossed it aside. I reached for his other hand as I had been pulled up. I looked into his eyes, not saying anything for the moment.

"Seems like they got you good." He spoke, breaking the ice.

"I didn't do anything." I said.

"Apparently you did..." He intented to finish.

"Forgive me... my name is.." I froze, I had to think of something. "My code name is Phoenix."

"Nice to meet you Phoenix, my name is Snake."

My eyes widened. "The Le...Bi... Snake?"

"Yeah, is there something wrong?" Snake asked

I shook my head rapidly. "No, no not at all."

"Let's get this out of the way then. Why are you trying to find Granin?"

"It's a long story, but... I don't know where to start."

"Then make it a short one."

I rubbed my neck, trying to shorten it, but how to explain was the hard part. I started crying again, letting everything float around me as I moved my head from side to side. "I always thought it would be fun, but never like this. My friend Tia was playing the video game with me and now I'm seperated from her..."

"Rewind that a bit, give yourself a moment. Tell me everything."

"How.. no.. well... I don't know if you'd believe me."

"Try me, I heard pretty crazy things in my day." Snake gave a laugh at the comment he would soon be better off not saying.