At long last an end to a means would be reached, a final confrontation; one which would cement a finale to a battle which brought a fury in its presence, all stemming from a deception linked to the past.

His mind had nearly reached its limit, weighed down from all obstacles that had led to this very moment.. he didn't break. The physical output of the battle itself left an exhaust in its wake, bringing an urge to fall over in exhale.. he didn't break. A breeze of wind hissed past his left brow where blood dripped slowly downward coupled in with the frosting subzero temperatures which threatened to stone numb every inch of his body, no matter how strong it was in its call.. he didn't break.

The stars hung high from above, being the only to bear witness to the battle of two proclaimed warriors who both sought only one thing, the title of 'King'. The weapon in hand was held tightly as he made a break for a large tree, leaping behind it just as an onslaught of metal melting lasers soared past. There was no doubt in his mind, the end of a chapter was drawing near, but would it bring about his end?

He leaned his back to the tree he took cover behind, gaining some sense of comfort as he began recording his thoughts through transmission onto a device attached to his wrist, all which detailed the events leading to this very moment in time.

"After days upon weeks of being pushed to my limits through trickery and deceptive lies I've come to finally face the demon that has awaited at the end of the road from the very beginning; the ultimate weapon, a master mind, a soldier.. my blood," They coursed aloud as the sound of the soft snow being crushed under foot from nearby could be heard, alerting him that the beauty of death closed in. "Even with my life now hanging in the balance I can't help but think of them all… the ones who I couldn't fully bring myself to trust at first, and maybe it was because of my self-code or lack of trust to the outer world."

The steps only neared with each second.

"You could even say I considered them enemies; Captain Falcon, Link, Sonic, Mario, Solid Snake.. Samus Aran… but, but I came to find that I was wrong, you guys were never truly my enemies but rather comrades, maybe even friends," He spoke out. "All of the great individuals who I had an opportunity to stand by in the past months, I would like to say it has been the ultimate honor, there's a bond that can never be broken between us, no matter what happens to me now."

The sound of their approach was now only feet away, knowing if there ever was a time to make a move, it was now. His finger was brought to the trigger as his eyes reopened.

"This is where my destiny has led, and I want you all to know I accept my fate with open arms," He proudly declared. "I will see it through, no matter what the outcome may bring... Fox out."

The transmission was immediately cut at that moment as he tightly held the blaster in one hand and reaching for a grenade with the other. With all set he was ready to face the challenger for a final time, jumping out of hiding with only one thing to announce.

"Come on!"

Shots were immediately fired by both, bringing a large cloud of dust in its wake. But above all a life was claimed, titling one of a bloodline who now stood alone at the top.

"At long last.. it is finally over."

Project: Super Smash

Chapter 1

Where it Began

Several months earlier

This was proclaimed to be his final mission, a declaration that had been conveyed to him even before now.

There was nothing but darkness surrounding every turn and every corner, the only source of light came from the moon that stood supreme in the far distance above. But it wasn't his line of sight that posed for the most disturbance, but rather the heat and humanity that came with the current environment he found himself occupied with. Regardless of the uncomforting conditions he persevered, crawling through the tall grasses as if to blend in as a creature of the night. He pressed on for a short time more before reaching what appeared to be the edge of a hill. Had the given coordinance been finally reached?

The grass that blocked the view ahead was quietly pushed aside which allowed him to see what preceded him ahead. It was just as he had suspected, the top of a hill had indeed been reached. What lied at the bottom several yards down was a large facility with one also occupied by a small cabin left of it a short distance away. Walking the vicinity were a number of six armed guards from his line of sight. There was no doubt about it, this location was the one detailed in the mission briefing. After becoming self assured of this it was now time to make contact, pressing down to his ear piece to do just that.

"Colonel, it's Snake," The one in position conveyed as he brought front their binoculars. "I've reached the site."

"And in almost an hour sooner than the expected time, good work," Roy Campbell complimented in response. "But enough with the small talk, what's the circumstances surrounding the situation?"

"The entryway to the main building is tightly blocked off, two guards are standing there on sharp watch as we speak," Snake informed. "There's three others who are well armed as well, all whom are currently pacing the outer boundaries."

"Clearly looking out for any outside intrusion," Roy said upon hearing this. "Though I suspect that won't pose too much of a problem for you?"

"I'll find a way in," Snake declared. "It's just a matter of picking my point."

"Remember once you're in your main objective is to make contact with a man named Dr. Etoyc, he's being held hostage somewhere at that very facility," Roy detailed. "Gather as much as you can from him once contact is made, if there are any kinds of weapons to speak of report back, remember this isn't a rescue mission you're just simply there to gather intel."

"Got it."

"Staying hidden is top priority," Roy said adding weight to the point. "Once you've completed the operation I'll get back to you on where to group for your ride out of there."

"I'll be in contact."

"Good, then there's nothing more for me to say.. if you come across anything of possible importance don't hesitate to call," Roy added. "This is it, good luck Snake."

With that the transmission between the two came to a close.

"Now.. where to go from here?"

Of the three additional guards who didn't stand directly in front of the entry point one stood watch out on the left side of the facility while the other two monitored the grounds on the right side. Logic would say to approach from the left side, but there was another factor to consider, cover. The shine of the moon was at its brightest on the left portion of the grounds below, furthermore there was much more to work with as far as staying hidden on the right. With all things considered a decision was made.

"Going right is the safer route, and provides with the most approaches."

A move to press on was immediately made after making this determination. He found himself crawling along once again, feeling the aching of his aged body with each made move. This was put to the back of his mind completely, all that mattered in his conscious was the mission itself. He gradually made his way down hillside, using the tall grasses as a shield the whole way down.

The bottom was reached in little time, feeling the descend of sweat gracing down his forehead. Whether it was nerves or the heat itself was of little concern, all that mattered now was finding a way into the building. He continued to move onward, taking little time for him to come upon a set of stacked crates.

"This will do."

Now in good position he stood to his all while reaching for the binoculars he had used before. His first thing to figure, finding an alternative path in besides the front entrance. It took very little time for him to accomplish just that.

"There's a vent on the right side of the building, no more than ten meters from the front curb of the facility," Snake noted. "However, attempting to take that path is not an option, I'll surely be seen."

There was no mistaking it, if he were to make way toward the discovered vent there was no real form of cover, given that the grass was cut short in that particular area. He took the next minute to observe the guards, checking just to see how attentive they were in regards to their current look out. It was also during this time that he came to make a notable discovery.

"They're in constant communication with the inside, so taking them out isn't an option," Snake discovered. "If I was to and contact was attempted and no one responds they'd know something was going on."

With his initial option knocked from the table it was now time to look to an alternative route of gaining entry. This led him to shifting his sights to the smaller building several yards away further right. There was only one guard pacing the area surrounding its entrance, making it the most viable option in hind sight.

"If I make way to the smaller building one has to wonder if I can find my way to the larger through the inside."

He contemplated on that very thought for seconds more before coming to an inner decision.

"There's really only one way to find out."

His mind was now made, all that remained was for him to bypass the security of those who stood watch of the surrounding grounds. Just as he was to make a move a sound pounced to the side of his ear, that of a door pushing open.

"What was that?"

Curious as to what was going on he peaked out from behind the crate to see someone in a white lab jacket step out with another armed guard. The person in question appeared to be a man in his mid-thirties with average build, who also sported straight black shoulder length hair. His eyes were unique in color, gold.. no, amber.

"Who the hell is this guy."

The man in question stepped out past the door completely with the door closing behind him with a thump.

"Could this be that Dr. Etoyc I was informed about?"

He took eye as the guard to have led the man in the lab jacket out spoke to all others.

"How have things been out here, any kind of suspicious activity to report?"

"No, things have been clear up till now," One of them answered in response. "Though I am curious as to why you and Dr. Etoyc have left the confines of the east end of the facility."

And with those words, confirmation was given.

"So, that man in the lab jacket is Etoyc after all," Snake discovered. "That now strikes the question, if he is a prisoner why is he allowed out here?"

He watched on, hoping that very question would soon be answered.

"We've come out, because it is time."

"Time for what?"

"A demonstration." Dr. Etoyc said taking the liberty of answering himself.

"Demonstration for what?"

"Our latest gizmo of great intangibility; produced squarely by our first party engineers." Dr. Etoyc replied pleased to announce.

"Where is this.. gizmo you speak of?" One of them asked.

The doctor simply smiled in response, waving his hand toward the guard who had companied to the outside before speaking.

"Open the bag, let them bear witness to what is inside." Dr. Etoyc instructed.

"Yes, of course." He replied with the nod of his head.

These proceedings left not only much to be asked, but a doubt in situation.

"I was informed Dr. Etoyc was a hostage being held here, but given from what I'm witnessing now I'm getting a completely different message," Snake quarreled in mind. "What the hell is going on here?"

The bag that had resided over the shoulders of the guard was removed, zipping it open before reaching inside to pull out what appeared to be a rocket launcher of some kind, one in the color of complete silver.

"What in the world is that?!" One of them exclaimed.

"Its name, the S-2 Displacer," Dr. Etoyc answered in full. "Constructed strictly for our latest development… Project Smash."

He heard the words of its name loud and clear, staggering to the depths of his mind.

"Project Smash.."

"So, what exactly does it do?" The guy from before asked.

"Go ahead," Dr. Etoyc said giving the ok. "Give these gentlemen a demonstration of its fine capabilities."

"With accepted pleasure."

With that the man in possession of the S-2 Displacer took aim at a couple crates a few yards, steadying himself for the shot to take.

His eyes widened at the events that were now unfolding.

"Damn, he's aiming that thing my way!"

"Like shooting a snake in a barrel, fire!" Dr. Etoyc commanded.

The trigger was pulled in an instance, releasing a bright beam of light that traveled directly toward him. He was too slow to react, feeling a burning sensation of pain that erupted throughout his entire body, boiling through his veins like a hot stream of water through steel pipes. The pain was gone almost as soon as it had come. There was no longer anything to see nor anything to feel, had his life reached the final door.

Was it truly the end of a mercenary, a soldier.. the legend known as Solid Snake?

To Be Continued