Tactical Fantasy Action: Metal Gear Spira.
Chapter 1: Every Story Has a Beginning.
Snake sat in a rotting chair with his back up against the wall and a generic twelve gauge pump action shotgun in his lap. It was a quiet afternoon and he was enjoying it with a victory smoke now that he finally had a chance to sit back and relax. An hour earlier he had been packing up and salvaging what he and Otacon had brought to their little hideout. Their mission in New York was done and with the situation as it was they would need to switch locations for a while. Solidus was dead, the Patriots plans had been momentarily stalled, the Kamov was discarded in an abandoned parking lot, and Snake had finally gotten away from Raiden. He had indeed earned this cigarette. Bags of multiple guns weighed down the bed Otacon begged him to buy so he wouldn't have to sleep on the floor like Snake did. Chests full of PC equipment and pirated anime DVD's were all stacked neatly beside it. They always made sure to bring more supplies than they needed and if their van hadn't been stolen sometime during their outing at the Big Shell both of them would have already escaped from New York.
Thankfully nothing personally indemnifying was in it, but the thief did hinder what could have easily been a quick departure. Otacon was out getting them a new one with better security features since fewer people had seen his face. Snake wouldn't miss the old clunker. It wasn't even his and if not for Snake's sizable income garnered from a countless amount of suicide missions and smart investments they'd just be two men who sat in an unlit room and schemed all day long. The telephone rang in the awful studio apartment they managed to coexist in, but Snake didn't bother answering it as Otacon knew better than to contact him by that number. It couldn't have been any of the few people they trusted because they were no longer returning any of their calls. Something wasn't right. Someone had to have dropped the ball somewhere. It might have been them.
That disc they got from the President hadn't been very helpful so far, but it could potentially be used to prove their innocence if presented to the right people. Technically they were both considered dead, but that would change now. The Tanker Incident was a warning from the Patriots to stop messing with them. They hadn't. Snake wasn't sure how thirteen dead people could make his life miserable, but he had other theories that contradicted the data they had obtained from the disc. Otacon needed a lot more time to analyze the data to verify it and he'd have to do it later because Snake insisted that they relocate first. Snake didn't want to break the news to Otacon, but it looked as though they were on their own for now and without a recognized government agency backing them no matter how shady it was, they were in possession of items that made them nice targets for the FBI, CIA, and ATF.
Otacon begged Snake to not move again, but he wasn't interested in Otacon's preference for this neighborhood because all Hal wanted was to get in good with that Asian girl at the Starbucks five blocks to the north. Snake trusted the insight he felt at times that manifested itself in the form of a faint feeling of dread. It was his sixth sense and he had never ignored it before. There was a place up in Maine that they could stay at or an older hideout on the other side of the city if Hal absolutely had to stay in New York. Snake hadn't quite made up his mind about which one they should retreat to. Either way, Snake wanted to move. After parting as gracefully as he could with Raiden, which was more than he ever could have asked for, Snake rendezvoused with Otacon in a nearby alley where he quickly dropped all his gear and changed into some civilian clothing. They then hailed a taxi, stopped by that damnable coffee shop for some overpriced cappuccino's Snake paid for, and headed to a bogus location three blocks from home.
If Snake hadn't felt that they had been followed he wouldn't be making such a fuss about their predicament. After all, he and Raiden were clearly out in the open for more than five minutes as a crowd of people gathered around the wreckage of Arsenal Gear. Otacon had worn a mask while rescuing the hostages and in hindsight Snake wished he would have kept the Navy SEALS uniform he'd confiscated so he could have done the same thing. If he was lucky, nobody had gotten a good look at him. They were all pretty distracted by the giant monstrosity wedged inside Federal Hall. He was sure Raiden ducked out of sight before the authorities arrived, but he didn't know how good the kid was at covering his tracks. Snake had been trained to shake whoever was trailing him. It had been a long time since he had to do something like this and even though he'd been recognized as an expert at it he still felt that the Patriots would be on their way in through his front door before Otacon got back.
He really should have worn a mask. A distinct beeping noise filled his ears and caused him to jump in surprise. Snake pulled out his CODEC device and saw Raiden's number gleaming up at him. His nanomachines must have still been running. An older strain of them would have run out by now. He stuffed the device back into his pocket after ignoring the call and blocking the frequency. Raiden had a kid on the way and needed to find himself. It'd be best if they never saw each other again. He lit up another cigarette. Things could go from bad to worse so ridiculously fast. There was a knock at the door. Snake aimed his shotgun at the splintered barrier. Five seconds ticked by and someone began tapping a message across to him in Morse code. The word the quick knocks spelled out was rat.
"It's open." Snake called.
The lock released. Snake nodded to himself. If whoever was on the other end of the door had tried to open it without unlocking it just then they would have been splattered. Otacon stepped in, looking quite haggard.
"How much of my money did you spend?" Snake asked.
"Thirty five thousand. I went for the more secure model." Otacon replied.
"Not too bad. You're finally learning how to shop."
Otacon nodded nervously.
"What's wrong? You really look like hell."
"You're freaking me out, Snake." Otacon said as he took a sip from an extra latte he had taken the time to acquire. "You've got me feeling like we're being watched, too."
"Then I guess we'd better get going. Is the vehicle around back?"
"Yes. There's really not anyone around right now and before I forget, I have a favor to ask."
"What's that?"
"The next hideout we rent needs to have a running shower and a better toilet. It would be in both of our interests to have at least those two things."
"I guess you're right." Snake said with an indifferent shrug. "Let's get moving."
Snake grabbed more bags than Otacon could have possibly carried and headed for the back of the rundown complex they were forced to live in. Their room was way in the back next to the generator and all of the other noisy maintenance rooms. Otacon had some trouble sleeping at first due to the noise, but he had eventually gotten used to it. They didn't have to walk far to reach the exit and get outside into the parking lot. Even before Otacon began heading for it Snake knew which vehicle was theirs. A new black Honda Odyssey running on a fuel cell was parked perfectly in the spot available for it. If that wasn't suspicious in a lot full of trucks and less fuel efficient vehicles parked across two spots, Snake wasn't sure what was. Otacon put down the one bag he had managed to carry and got out his keys. While he fiddled with the back, Snake looked at the bag and identified what was in it by the sticker he had placed on it. The sticker was orange. Otacon had carried the M-16, M4, and P-90 he felt like bringing along because Snake couldn't be happy if he wasn't violating gun control laws on at least three counts.
Otacon forced down all the seats that he could for maximum storage capacity. They then tossed in their first haul. The next trip saw them carrying the last of Snake's stuff to the vehicle. Otacon's supplies came next. Fortunately the windows were tinted so it would be hard for anyone to see how much stuff they had packed into the back of the van. On the final return to their awful apartment Snake placed the keys on the kitchen counter and left the landlord a colorful message on his answering machine with a voice masker. It was only then that he realized they would be leaving Otacon's bed behind. Hopefully the next tenant would make good use of it.
They held no feelings of discontent as they separated themselves from the apartment complex. Perhaps it was indeed time to invest in a better hideout after all the problems they'd experienced with their former one. Even so, they needed a place where nobody asked any questions and if they had to sacrifice comfort for that luxury than they would have to do so.
"You're driving. For now." Snake said. "No J-Pop. If we're listening to music it's either heavy metal or classical."
Just before Otacon could hop into the drivers seat and open up the passenger's door the start of a sequence of highly unfortunate events began.
"Hey! Guys, over here!" a voice urged.
Snake had a hand on his concealed M-9 in an instant as he exchanged a confused look with Otacon.
"It's me! Raiden! I'm coming out now so don't shoot."
Snake searched the area and determined that the sound of his voice was coming from one of the dumpsters. It was open just enough to allow for Raiden to tentatively peek out from it. Upon realizing he had their attention he threw open the lid, which crashed noisily against the brick wall behind it. Snake lowered his head, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed heavily. Both Raiden and Rose came crawling out of the metal container. Otacon gritted his teeth in anticipation of Snake's unpredictable reaction. He remained silent and indifferent as the young couple approached him. Raiden had put on some civilian clothing, but his skull suit was still visible underneath it.
There was probably a great story behind how he got his clothes that must have involved him hiding in an alley somewhere while Rose charged the new outfit to her credit card. At least he wasn't too careless. Rose was still in her fancy white suit complete with matching heels and a tacky ankle bracelet.
"I see you've upgraded from the box." Snake said simply, referencing Raiden's dumpster stunt.
"Yeah, I figured you would be happy. They must have cleaned that thing out just today." Raiden said. "Listen, I have something very important to tell you. It's why I went through the arduous task of following you this far."
"I told you before; you're not coming with me." Snake said. "I can find Olga's child myself."
"I think Solidus is still alive." Raiden said.
"What? Are you kidding me?" Snake demanded.
"The press is at Federal Hall right now." Rose said. "They haven't mentioned recovering any bodies from the scene."
"That's probably something they would cover up."
"But weren't there already witnesses on the scene?" Otacon offered helpfully. "There were people around long enough to see his body if it was there."
"Raiden, did you not kill Solidus?"
He sighed doubtfully.
"I don't know. I mean, I can't be sure."
"Why, because it all happened too fast?" Snake asked sarcastically.
He turned his back on Raiden and almost started pacing back and forth as he thought about how to handle Raiden's anxiety. They were obviously scared and Raiden probably didn't know the first rule of making himself disappear. Snake would have to help him with that. His own escape would definitely be hindered by taking Raiden along for the ride. If Solidus was indeed still alive, he would have to be taken out. The Patriots would probably get to him first since they no longer needed him. Snake figured he might be able to use such a predicament to his own advantage by keeping an eye on Solidus. Then again, the Patriots might be more inclined to let Solidus kill both of them before they went after him.
Snake smirked. That was a good plan. Raiden's worries were now Snake's concerns.
"I saw you cut his spine in half." Snake said. "How does that make him not dead?"
"There's no telling how deep I got and to answer your next question his suit could have cushioned his fall."
"Precisely!" a familiar voice shouted.
They all looked up just in time to see Solidus leaping from the roof in what was sure to be a grand entrance. He screamed gutturally as he descended upon the brand new car Otacon had bought not two hours earlier. Snake vainly hoped he would miss, but Solidus hit his mark and destroyed the front of their getaway vehicle. Theatrics were so nauseating. Luckily, Solidus hadn't landed on any of their equipment. Not so luckily, his scream was bound to attract attention and the blaring car alarm certainly didn't help keep their confrontation private. Otacon switched the alarm off with his electronic keychain. Solidus was armed with his ever present P-90 submachine gun and looked incredibly agitated in addition to being in immense pain. He had also somehow managed to procure a black cape similar to the one he had worn earlier that concealed the wacky suit he wore for protection.
"Nice try, Jacky boy!" Solidus said venomously. "But it's going to take more than a pathetic jab with a sword and a fall from a few stories to kill me!"
"How the hell did you avoid getting caught?" Snake demanded.
"Easy. I said I was on my way to a cosplay convention. No problem!" Solidus said. "So long as you keep to yourself, nobody asks any questions. Indifference and independence are the mantra's of the American society."
"Have you come here for revenge?" Raiden demanded.
"Well, I'm not here for dinner!" Solidus assured him.
"Leave them alone! Rose is currently carrying your step-grandchild." Otacon said.
"Well then, congratulations!" Solidus said heartily. "Let me offer Rose a token of my appreciation by turning her into a single mother!"
Solidus was wounded and tired, which allowed Snake a better chance at getting the first shot. Or so he thought. When he pulled the trigger, nothing happened. It was then that he noticed that something was wrong. Solidus hadn't moved an inch after making his threat. In fact, he seemed to be frozen in time. Snake turned around and discovered that everyone else was as still as statues. It was quite eerie and highly disconcerting. Before he could think too much of it he heard the sound of someone approaching him. A child with a poor taste in clothing approached him.
"Solid Snake, I presume?" the boy asked.
"Are you the little bastard that just stopped my chance at killing him?" Snake asked, pointing at Solidus.
The child nodded.
"I'm sorry to have interrupted you at such a pivotal moment."
"You stupid brat!" Snake bellowed.
Snake finally realized the absurdity of the situation he was in and was fairly disturbed by it.
"Wait a second. How can I be sure any of this is real? Did I just die?" Snake thought aloud.
"No. As you suspected, all of this is my doing."
"Then what do you want, kid?"
"To begin with, I am over a thousand years old, but I suppose that is an irrelevant detail that will be lost to your arrogance. Secondly, it is not I who wants something in particular, but we. We the Fayth."
"The who?" Snake asked, squinting in scrutiny. "Are you part of a cult? Is that how you managed to stop time? If you are, then this conversation is over and you had better stop your voodoo now before I make you stop it!"
"Actually we're a group of semi-divine beings from another planet and we want you to do something very important for us." the Fayth explained. "What I'm about to say may be too much for you to handle at first, so allow me to barter your complete attention and trust with an item that you will find most useful."
The Fayth reached into one of its pockets and pulled out a fresh carton of Lucky Strike's. Seeing as how those particular cigarettes were becoming increasingly harder to get and all Snake had left of his original supply was a box of fifty that he never touched out of fear of losing them, his attention was instantaneously acquired by the Fayth.
"I'm listening." Snake said.
Snake pulled a lighter out of his inventory, lit a cigarette, and began smoking. This would be his fourth cigarette for the day. The Fayth rolled its eyes at how Snake's mood had been completely leveled out by the tobacco.
"As I said before, I represent a group of semi-divine beings known as the Fayth. We are spirits of immense power that reside on the distant planet of Spira whose souls are trapped in stone statues. Our powers are manipulated by an all-powerful sorcerer who has created a living weapon of mass destruction known as Sin. For a thousand years, Sin has brought death and destruction to the planet of Spira and by now we are frankly fed up with it. We have assigned the destiny of destroying this creature to an individual that we want you to protect and assist. Her name is Yuna. You will be transported there by us and you will be given all of the weapons and equipment that you desire from your own arsenal. You may bring your friends with you as well. Do you have any questions?"
Snake carefully thought over all of what he had been told.
"Haven't I met you before?"
"No, but you do know of someone that is attuned to such occurrences." the Fayth replied, hinting at the fact that it had frozen time. "You yourself are not familiar with phenomenon that is out of your world as everything to come will be."
"Geez. Magic. Giant living weapons. Quests. My friend here would be overjoyed to meet you." Snake said, pointing at Otacon. "What the hell did you put in these smokes?"
"Nothing." the Fayth said. "I have another present for you."
It held out its hand and a small bag materialized in its palm.
"This is what has been traditionally known as a bag of holding, under your terms. It is a magnificent container that will allow you to carry more items than you normally would be able to."
Snake raised an eyebrow at him.
"It will carry even more than that current sack you cram everything in."
"Impressive. Set me up with three of those and put all of my equipment into mine. Do the same to whatever inventory Raiden has. You know who that is, right?"
"Jacky boy?" the Fayth asked.
Snake nodded.
"Give one to my friend Otacon just in case he needs it."
"Certainly."
"How do you expect me to find Yuna?" Snake asked.
"A man named Tidus will lead you to her."
The two stared at each other for a moment. New York had never been so quiet.
"Could you maybe show me what he looks like?"
"Oh! Yes, that would be a good idea, wouldn't it?" the Fayth replied, somewhat embarrassed.
The Fayth snapped its fingers together. Without a seconds delay, Snake suddenly found himself floating in the sky above a sprawling metropolis. As he began feeling sick a giant creature emerged from the ocean surrounding the city. It fired huge balls of energy at random that leveled every building they hit. Weird little creatures flew from its tail and began attacking the citizens on the streets. He saw this assault persist and watched as it assimilated the debris as it centered on a platform where two figures stood. One was that of a blonde man who looked like a tanned Raiden in a yellow hoodie and black shorts. The other was another man who was dressed in a long red trench coat with greased black hair and a pair of sunglasses. He saw him grab the Raiden look-alike by the scruff of his neck as the thing that was attacking the city absorbed them.
"The gruff looking fellow is Tidus." Snake declared.
"You wish." the Fayth replied.
"I figured. And that beast is Sin?"
"Correct. Now you know why it's imperative that Yuna destroys this creature once and for all. The means to do so will become apparent on your journey."
With another snap of its fingers the two of them were returned to the exact spot they had been before.
"Do you have any other questions?"
"Not really." Snake said.
The Fayth was able to see through his ambivalence. Since it was a thorough being, it took the liberty of reading Snake's mind to clear up everything the man could have thought to ask.
"The tail is quite exceptional, or so I hear. Yuna is a woman worth your time and effort, but you might find it hard to deal with Tidus when you first meet him. Sin will serve as a vehicle between this world and Spira for the time being. Twenty three, seventy two, eighty five, nineteen, four, ninety six."
"Wait, what about. . ." Snake tried to ask before he was cut off by the Fayth.
"Yes, I did die before puberty." the Fayth said with a remorseful sigh.
"No, I was going to ask how I'm going to get home when I'm done."
"I'm afraid you'll have to find that out for yourself, but don't worry. There is a way, if you can find it." The Fayth answered cryptically.
"Could you be more specific?" he asked as he stripped Solidus of his P-90.
"Brace yourself." the Fayth said.
It vanished so quickly that it was there one second and then gone the next, which messed up Snake's eyes.
"What the? Where did my gun go?" Solidus demanded.
Snake spun around and saw that time had returned to normal. A giant shadow suddenly enveloped the scene. They all looked up to see what was above them. Snake's mouth dropped as he recognized Sin from earlier. Apparently the Fayth had been quite literal when it said Sin would be their method of transportation to Spira. It positioned itself so that its chest was directly above them. Once it situated itself a hole in its body opened up and a blinding white light came bursting forth from the orifice.
"What the hell is that?" Otacon shouted as he pointed up at the sky in terror.
They were abruptly encased in a yellow circle made up of tiny particles that rose into the hole in Sin's body.
"Rose, get out of here!" Raiden shouted as he pulled out his blade and shoved her out of the field.
The second she exited the field she froze, which lead Snake to correctly assume that the rest of New York was still frozen in time.
"What the hell is that thing?" Solidus demanded nobody in particular. "Is it an emissary of the Patriots?"
"Calm down and prepare for. . .something!" Snake told everyone.
For whatever reason, it appeared that Sin was also going to beam Solidus up with it. Snake found this to be highly inexcusable and would have pushed him out of the field if he could move his limbs. All four of them slowly lifted off of the ground before they suddenly picked up speed and shot headfirst into the white light.
"This is kind of disgusting!" Otacon screamed.
"Yeah? I figured with as much time as you spend on 4Chan you'd be used to this type of thing!" Snake shouted.
The second they hit the white light they were all assaulted with a numbing sensation that was so intense that none of them couldn't help but black out.