Title: Metal Gear Solid: Elements of Destruction- Chapter 5: Fate
Author: The Ice Goddess (FrozenBlueIce)
Fandom: Metal Gear Solid
Feedback: All feedback is welcome, whether it be negative or positive. I'm trying to improve on my writing so, please be honest: frozenblueice@yahoo.com
Pairing: The main pairing of this story is Snake/Otacon, which is obvious to anyone who knows of my fondness for Hal Emmerich, so therefore alright to disclose. There are others, but if I told you what they were, it'd ruin the story.
Series: No. There may be sequels in the future, but right now that is looking unlikely due to time constraints.
Rating: PG-13 for language (this chapter only)
Disclaimer: All characters appearing in previous Metal Gear Solid video games are the property of Konami Computer Entertainment of Japan, and of their creator, Mr. Hideo Kojima. All new characters are the property of The Ice Goddess. This is a work of fanfiction, and in no way, shape, or form will I receive any monetary compensation for it. It is for entertainment purposes only.
Type: Action/Shounen-ai
Summary: This story takes place one year after the events of "The Big Shell." New information found by Otacon sends Snake back into action. (That's all I'm revealing!)
Chapter 5: Fate
After unloading all of his heavy luggage onto the floor of his new apartment, Jack took a good look around at his surroundings. The place was considerably smaller than Rose's, but it was cozy. Jack didn't need much anyways. He preferred a small empty place, with the exception of a porch, balcony, or bay window with a nice outside view. This particular apartment accommodated that preference with a fifteenth floor balcony overlooking the Hudson River.
Jack opened his suitcase and pulled out a photograph of Iroquois. He placed the silver colored frame on the floor next to his sleeping bag. He had now arranged for furnishings yet, but his living arrangements were alright for awhile.
The room was quiet, and it started to bother the young man greatly. Sure he had known quiet before, but now he was used to the pleasant sounds his son made when his father would spin him around in the air. He was missing Iroquois already.
"I need some fresh air," Jack said with a sigh.
So he left the building and began to walk down the street again. The early evening breeze was cool, though it was now June. It felt good against his skin as the wind lightly ruffled his icy blond hair. He breathed in deep, taking in the much needed oxygen.
Jack decided to head out and see what Manhattan's night life was like. After all, Rose would've never allowed him to do such a thing, and a couple of drinks at the bar sounded really good to him right now.
The young man headed down the stairs into the subway station, and waited on the crowded platform for the next train. He had forgotten all about rush hour. Jack shrugged. He had all the time in the world, so there was nothing rushing him.
The subway squealed down the tracks as it slowed to a halt at the station. The doors opened with a hiss, and Jack moved along with the crowd inside the closest car. He migrated his way to the other wall and leaned casually against it. The doors shut, leaving about a quarter of the people still standing there. They'd have to wait for the train after this one. The subway began its journey again down the tracks, the click clack sound speeding up in rhythm as it accelerated.
Jack surveyed the car. It was filled to capacity. He looked down the sea of heads, his eyes resting on a pair of men sitting in the far corner. The one man sat with his arms crossed over his chest, with his head tilted downwards. Though he couldn't tell through the dark sunglasses he wore, the man was probably asleep. The posture seemed somewhat familiar. When he saw the man sitting next to him, Jack finally understood why. The other man was sitting quietly and almost nervously next to him, with his laptop computer clutched to his lap.
"I found them," Jack thought to himself in disbelief. The chance sighting of the two men only strengthened Jack's feelings on joining their battle for the future. It had to be fate.
He made his way around the people in the crowd eagerly. As he approached the sleeping man, he realized his movements must've been detected, because Solid Snake almost jumped from his seat as he grabbed Jack in a chokehold.
Recognizing the blue face in front of him, Snake released his grip.
"Raiden?" he asked for confirmation.
"Yeah," he replied coughing, "nice to see you too."
"Hi, Raiden," Otacon said to him, outstretching his hand to shake the younger man's.
"Hey, Otacon," Jack said, taking the scientist's hand.
"So, what the Hell you been up to, kid?" Snake asked, "Did you start your new life?"
Raiden looked to the floor, "Yeah sort of." He dug in his pocket, pulling out his wallet. Flipping it open to a recent picture of his son, he passed it over to Snake.
Otacon peeked over his partner's shoulder to see the picture too. "He's beautiful. Looks just like you," he said. "Rose's?"
"Unfortunately."
"Problems on the home front?" Snake asked handing back the wallet.
Jack nodded. "It's just not working out."
"I see," the other replied. "So, what's the kid's name?"
Raiden blushed a bit, "Iroquois."
Snake raised an eyebrow a bit surprised at what he had heard.
"Just a bit of hero worship," Jack justified quickly.
The mercenary let out a low irritated growl. "I'm hardly the kind of person you should be naming your kid after."
"I think so," Jack said.
He paused and looked around. He realized that what he had to say next might be overheard by the wrong kind of people.
"You still wired?" he said pointing to the spot behind his ear.
Snake nodded, then lifted his chin once at Otacon to signal to him to switch on his codec.
The three men tuned into frequency 140.80; the same frequency that Snake and Raiden had used to contact each other during the "Big Shell Incident".
"You both reading me?" the younger one asked.
"Affirmative," Otacon's voice sounded in his ear.
"Okay," Raiden began. "The truth is, I think that you two are fighting for something great. The future had never been important to me until the birth of my son. As a father now, I realized that it was up to me to give Iroquois a future. I've been struggling with that fact for awhile, and have come to a decision. You see, I was on my way to seek you out. It was pure luck that you ended up on the same train as me. I want in. On Philanthropy that is…"
Snake scoffed, "Don't be stupid, kid. We're into some serious shit. If you got yourself killed, Iroquois wouldn't have a father. Besides, we don't need any help. We're doing fine on our own."
"Well, actually, we could use the help," Otacon began.
Snake cut him off short with a smack to the back of the head. Hal put his glasses that were knocked off, back on his face, throwing his partner an injured look.
"He doesn't need to get involved," the mercenary told him.
"I can't rest easy until you let me in," Raiden pleaded his case. "I need this. I don't want there to be any more reasons for children to be placed into battle anymore. I have to stop all of these power hungry bastards."
"Look kid, I admire your spirit but…"
"But what? You don't need me? If I recall, Philanthropy is rather fringe, so I doubt you have recruits lined up outside your door, ready to do what it takes, and possibly lay down their lives for the cause."
Snake sighed, "I don't want your blood on my hands because I let you do something stupid."
Otacon chimed in, "He can make his own decisions, Snake. I think he knows good and well what he's getting into."
Snake growled again, this time saying nothing.
"So I'm in?" Raiden asked, eyes hopeful.
"Welcome to Philanthropy," Otacon said, extending his hand again.
Raiden shook it, this time with both hands. "Thank you."
Snake muttered something inaudibly under his breath, crossing his arms over his chest. Jack could only imagine what it was that was said.
Otacon adjusted his glasses again, "Are you going anywhere important now?"
"No," Raiden replied, "Why?"
"We're headed to a briefing now, for our next mission. Our only other member, Mei Ling, is making dinner. Come with us, and we can get you up to date with everything that's been going on," Otacon said.
"I'm already there," Raiden accepted the invitation eagerly.
Author's Notes:
I know absolutely nothing about the geography of New York City. I've only been there 3 times in my life, so I had to bluff my way through it.