Old Snake In
Sunny Side Of Life
I do not own the rights to the Metal Gear Franchise. All rights belong to Konami and Kojima Productions and I am using the characters for fanfiction. This story takes place in between MGS 4 and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Chapter I
Snake stood gazing at the graves of the dead. He found it hard to come to terms with the size of the overgrown cemetery. His exploration into the success of his courage in war brought him to a small village in Africa. After only having a year to live, he travelled the world to observe the things he had changed for the better in places that were once infected with conflict. However, wherever he went he was still surrounded by death and as much as he tried, he could not bring back those who lost their lives on the battlefield. He strolled among the graves which were marked with two twigs in a cross shape. The graves were nameless making them seem less significant. He stopped at one grave that stood out form the rest. This grave had a blue rose on it. Snake wondered what made that grave so special. A native African man popped up behind Snake.
"Snake, it is time to go. My people are preparing to feast," Said the African.
"Did all these people die in war, Enu?"
"Yes. Some of them were as young as 9 years old. My son is among them," Explained Enu in disgust.
"What does the blue rose mean?"
"The blue rose is for those who died without choice or chance," He pointed to the grave Snake was standing at, "That one there is the grave of a baby girl who died through starvation after being born into poverty. The blue rose signifies hope which they can carry on into the next life."
Snake turned to face Enu.
"War is a terrible plague, but we must engage with it to make it extinct. I mean, look at me. I fought for my country only to be rewarded with more death, deceit and destruction."
"The world is not perfect, Snake, but I believe you have done your best to change and improve on its flaws. That's all anyone can do."
"Yeah, well my best wasn't good enough," Snake escaped his darken mood, "Come on, Enu. Let us go eat."
The two strolled over the sandy ground to a camp fire attended by many of the locals. They served Snake with a juicy joint of meat. The tanned skin of the meat was peppered with herbs.
"Thank you," Snake said kindly to the locals.
"No thank you, war hero," Replied one of them.
Snake froze on the spot and sighed before sitting down. He dug into his meat with average expectations but was surprised by the quality of the meal he was eating. As Snake was enjoying his meal, one child came and perched his rear end next to his. Snake looked at him and looked away again.
"Hello," said the boy but Snake didn't react.
"My name is Tau. What is yours?"
Snake looked at the kid with a mouthful of food.
"Snake. My name is Snake."
"Snake, huh? That's a warrior's name. I meant what's your real name?" Tau said with enthusiasm.
Snake ignored the boy's question.
"Shouldn't you be sat with the others," He said nodding in the direction that was most populated.
"Thank you."
"For what?" asked Snake.
"…For saving my people."
"Don't thank me Tau. I may have saved your people but there are many others I didn't."
Snake put his eyes to the ground.
"You need to stop being so sad. Be happy. You may have not saved some people but without you, no one would be safe. It's because of you any of us are still alive. You may not like the hero treatment but unique people deserve unique respect," Spoke Tau with maturity.
Tau's words surprised Snake.
"Tau, go away and leave Snake alone," snapped Enu.
Tau got up and ran away.
"Tau, wait," shouted Snake.
Tau came sprinting back.
"It's David; my real name I mean."
Tau smiled and returned to his family.
"You feeling better Snake?" asked Enu.
"Yeah. I guess I am."
"I'm sorry about Tau. He can be a bit annoying sometimes but he is a smart kid."
"Don't worry about it, Enu."
They sat together as they finished the last few strips of meat they had left. But then Snake felt a sharp pain in his chest. He began to cough vigorously.
"Snake?" said Enu in shock.
His coughing got progressively worse until he began spewing blood. Enu tried to help by patting his back but was truly inexperienced with this kind of behaviour. Snake raised his arm to signal to Enu to leave him. Eventually the coughing simmered down but Snake still had blood covered lips.
"Snake, are you okay? I think you need help," suggested Enu.
"There isn't anything anyone can do for me now. I have a year tops to live."
Enu felt sorry for Snake but as he said, there was not a lot he could do. Snake wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I'm sorry, Enu, but I'm going to have to call it a night. Thank you for letting me stay here with your village folk. I'll be gone by morning."
"So soon?" questioned Enu.
"I'm afraid so. There's a lot I have to see and not much time to see it in."
"Fair enough, Snake. Sleep well."
"I doubt it," muttered Snake, "you too, Enu."
Snake wandered off into the tent provided for him scratching the back of his neck. He sat on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands. He paused a minute to assess the day's events. The final decision was that it had been a successful day for Snake. He looked over at his rucksack by the side of the bed. It was time for him to check in with Otacon. While dragging the bag closer to him, he reached in and pulled out his ear piece. He placed it in his ear and lay back on the bed as it rung.
"Hello, Snake," Greeted a voice in Snake's ear.
"Otacon, how have you been?"
"Not bad at all."
"What have you been up to?"
"Sunny and I have been testing security systems for the American government. You know, like safe codes and fire walls."
Snake was speechless. He never was very good with the technical side of espionage.
"Anyway, how have you been since we last spoke," enquired Otacon.
"Excluding the stomach and chest pains, I have been fine. I must admit, I'm enjoying my travels," Snake smirked.
"Good. Let me know when you're finished, Snake. We will have to meet up at some point and have a formal catch up…" Suddenly Otacon was interrupted by some murmurs.
"Snake?" Spoke a new voice.
"Sunny?" Questioned Snake.
"Hey Snake. How are you?"
"I'm good, Sunny, how are you?
"I'm good too. You still not smoking? Do you miss my cooking? Do you miss me?"
Snake laughed, "No I'm still not smoking and yes I have missed you."
Sunny knew that Snake had deliberately ignored the cooking question but chose not to follow up on it.
"I miss you, Snake. Call again soon, okay?"
"I will Sunny. I'll get in contact within the next few days. Tell Otacon I said bye."
"I will do. See you soon Snake."
Snake took the ear piece from his ear and placed it on top of his fold-out table. He then lay with his back to the bed and his arms folded behind his head. Snake gently closed his aged eyes and instantly drifted to sleep after a long day of travelling.