Misato: Hey, ShardclawKusanagi!
Me: Oh, Misato. What's up?
Misato: The fans want to know how soon you'll hook me up with Snake. Don't hold back the suspense, you have bribed me enough beer, I want some 'me and Snake' action!
Me: Oh, keep your skirt on, it'll happen eventually. Just let Snake do his job and soon it'll happen.
Misato: It better. Or, else, I'll have to get rough with you... (starts undressing.)
Me: What the...? Misato?
Misato: Shut up! On with the fic. Last time on 'COE', the activation test for Unit-3 becomes a disaster, when the 13th Angel comes to life and possesses the Unit-3, with Touji still trapped inside it. A determined Snake and Raiden go on a rescue mission to save him. Things were set as Snake was able to get the pilots help to aid him, but before they could get ready, Revolver Ocelot returns in Metal Gear RAY, simply disables Unit-0, knocking out Rei. Now, Raiden has to stop Ocelot, while Shinji, Asuka and Snake prepares to rescue Touji...but can they do both at the same time?
Me: You suck at summaries, Misato.
Misato: That's it! You're going to get it now, buddy!
Me: Why me?
Misato: Because you rock!
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Shardclaw Kusanagi Presents:
Metal Gear Solid: Children of Evangelion
Chapter 7: A Little Teamwork
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"What? Metal Gear RAY was spotted? Where?" an eccentric Greg asked over the com-unit.
"At the Nobe mountain range. Snake and Raiden are also at there, but the pilot of Unit-3 is still trapped." Roy's voice said over the radio. "Ocelot was reported to have been the pilot of RAY."
"So he's still alive...but what would he be doing there?" Linn asked.
"Your guess is as good as ours, but for now, he appears to be a threat as well. He managed to shut down all the power of Unit-00 and render the First Child out cold."
"Just great...a human making the Angel's threat to humanity look like child's play." Greg growled. "Colonel, our ETA of arrival in Japan will be in twenty minutes, but we can get there in fifteen."
"You two be careful...and remember your orders."
After the com-unit turned off, Greg turned slightly to his partner. "Well, Linn, we're actually going to see RAY in the flesh. I hope you are prepared."
"Are you?" Linn asked a look of uncertainty on her face.
Greg stayed silent, only to grin a bit. Linn noticed the look.
"Uh-oh, I know that look, that's one of your 'I have something evil in mind' looks." Linn frowned.
"Don't you worry, it's for the best." Greg said. "Now let's go help out our fellow agents, shall we?"
Linn just sat back on her gunner's seat, while Greg held onto the Harrier's flyer stick and pushed it full throttle. The fighter jet then sped off at an even greater speed than before over the wide, golden coloured ocean.
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(It's just one of those days...) Snake thought to himself, as he saw the Angel getting closer to his range. He'd better be extra cautious about this; he was trained to kill terrorists, not Angels. And if he slips up on this on, he won't be able to save Touji.
But Solid Snake is known to be a determined person, there wasn't a mission too hard for him to accomplish in the past. He wasn't going to let his reputation be dampened by a murder of an innocent child which can be stopped, and certainly no Angel, RAY, Ocelot, Dummy Plug or Commander Ikari can stop him. He'd already promised Shinji and especially Misato that Touji will be safe by the day's end, and he will have Shinji's and Asuka's help to see this through.
"Alright, Shinji...Asuka, let's do this!" Snake shouted to his Codec.
Shinji swallowed and saw the Angel ahead of him. He was holding his Eva- sized automatic rifle, but instead he placed it nearby on the street and took out his progressive knife instead.
"Touji...I'm sorry...but here goes." Shinji whispered to himself, as he positioned himself for the Angel.
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"What's the status of Unit 00 and its pilot?" Gendou's voice rang through the now silent Command Centre. The bridge crew was still in a state of shock to see a man-made machine take out Unit-00's power, even Gendou himself, almost cringed at the RAY's awesome power for a mere few seconds.
"Uhh...nerve connections and synchronization of the pilot are still active, but Unit-0 is currently on low power." Hyuga answered, who was at a loss himself after seeing RAY. "The pilot is still unconscious, but unharmed."
"And of the target?"
"It's still advancing towards Units 01 and 02. But, Unit-1 has drawn out its prog knife." Maya said.
Kouzou leaned over and whispered to his comrade. "Ikari...that weapon...is it really..."
"Yes...an actual Metal Gear." Gendou simply said.
"But...an AT-Field from one of our Evas totally missed it. How is that possible? You don't think..." Kouzou asked.
"The Committee...They are sending me a message..." Gendou spoke, and then watched Otacon below. "Dr. Emmerich?"
Otacon jumped slightly from hearing his name called, especially by Gendou himself.
"Yes, Commander?" Hal asked, still trying to keep cool.
"Your partner, Pliskin..." Gendou was looking at the engineer hard enough through his tinted glasses that he meant business. "What is he doing around Unit-1's position?"
"I-I don't know, sir." Otacon had to fib; he can't risk his cover being blown in front of everybody. "Maybe, he's there for backup?"
"If he is planning to rescue the pilot from the target that is a hopeless scenario." Gendou coldly said.
"Now, wait a minute..." Otacon said, facing up to Gendou. "We have another crisis at hand with the First Child and still you want this to happen! This isn't right!"
"That is neither your or Pliskin's command, but mine to decide. Destroying Angels is NERV's top priority." Gendou said. "The safety of the pilots and civilians is irrelevant in this war against Angels."
"Jesus! There's a kid trapped in there! Give them some time." Otacon was near furious, to everybody surprise, including Maya. She had never seen anyone stand up to Gendou and defy orders. But this was obviously not a good thing.
"Emmerich, please. Now's not the time for this sort of thing." Maya did her best to keep her subordinate calm.
Otacon breathed a deep breath before he returned his focus to the giant monitor. (This isn't over yet, Gendou Ikari.) He thought, and then he touched his Codec call button. "Snake…I think we may have a problem..." he whispered to his Codec.
"Tell me something I don't know." was Snake's harsh remark on the other end. "What's the Commander up to now?"
"I don't like this, Snake...he wants this thing dead without any concern for the Fourth Child's life."
"Maybe now's a good time to get that program of yours ready, just in case the Commander pulls something." Snake said.
"Already on it, Snake."
"How's Raiden doing?" Snake asked.
"He's going to take care of Ocelot now, but I don't know if Raiden alone can take out the true, original prototype RAY, unlike the mass-production type army he took down."
"When Touji is rescued and at a safe place, I'm going after Ocelot." Snake said. "I trust Raiden can handle this and keep Rei safe, until I get there."
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Touji was still confused as to what was happening. Since the Angel took over the same Eva he was in, he was trying to get an idea of what was happening. Now, after seeing that his Eva was controlled by something he didn't know was in it, he knew the end was coming. But, the thought of seeing his sister again, as well as Hikari, really kept him to hope for a possible escape from this situation.
(What did I get myself into now?) Touji thought, his heart racing and thumping loudly enough that he could hear it in the dead silent darkness of the entry plug. (Mari...Hikari...I'm so sorry...)
He can see clearly from the HUD, the clear golden sunset and the other Evangelions. He also saw RAY over a downed Unit-00 and a young man with pale white hair loading missiles into his Stinger. At first, Touji was stumped and even more frightened at the sight, but he just sat back and started to pray...pray for the second chance that he can see Hikari again. That moment he spent with her during previous day's lunch, was one moment he would have again right now if he can get out of this Angel alive. From that moment of despair and confusion, he felt a little assurance from this, but for long?
He then saw Units 01 and 02, and then he saw a muscular American dressed in grey and black armour with a dark grey bandana. He wondered what was a civilian doing there, but before he could think of anything else; the Angel made a move to attack.
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Rei slowly woke up from her brief sleep, but with a throbbing headache. Placing a hand on her head, she noticed the scene outside her Eva. She could see Raiden running towards RAY, which was already on its hind legs.
Outside, Raiden fired a missile at the RAY's leg, but suddenly the missile veered off and flew in another direction, towards a building, totally levelling it.
"Damn!" Raiden shouted. "Not you too!"
"Ha-ha-ha!" Ocelot laughed. "It's useless, young fool. Both your weapons and the Evangelion technology are futile against RAY."
"I'll show you who the fool is!" Raiden shouted, but his answer was a rapid shower of bullets from RAY's machine gun. Dropping his Stinger, Raiden perfectly timed the coming projectory of the gunfire and avoided the bullets by simply side stepping, then drawing out his sword, he deflected the rest of the bullets as he ran toward RAY. Rei was paying close attention to this and was actually surprised that a human could move this fast enough and risk not getting injured.
Ocelot watched this feat of amazing agility by the young soldier and grinned. "Ah, the Patriots have trained you well, Raiden. You've gotten just as dangerous as Solidus. I knew this encounter was worthwhile." he said. "But, will you last long enough against the original RAY?"
RAY then opened up its wings, readying itself to fire its deadly and inescapable cluster missiles. Raiden saw what was coming next, but by the time he had already noticed the missiles were about to fire, it was too late.
Rei was confused as to why this stranger was risking his life to save hers, she knew not if the man who called himself Revolver Ocelot was human or not, but Rei considered he was still a threat nonetheless. She also thought of Touji's own life on the line, so she sat up on her seat and concentrated into returning power of Unit-00.
Rei nodded to herself after making a surprising choice, one that can certainly buy the wrath of the Commander.
"I...I must aid...Raiden..." Rei managed to utter some words, as she clenched on to her controls. "Then...I must help Ikari."
Back at the Command Centre, Maya looked in surprise as she saw Rei recovering slowly in Unit-00.
"The First Child's regaining consciousness, but she's refusing to eject."
"Rei, why aren't you standing down?" Gendou said coldly.
"Raiden...needs assistance. He must be helped." Rei said, as she used her Unit's AT-Field to project an invisible umbrella shaped shield above Raiden. Then the cluster missiles haplessly fell on top of the unseen force above Raiden, thus saving him.
He got up and nodded at Rei. "An AT-Field! Whoa, that was almost too close! Thanks!" Raiden smiled, raising thumbs up.
Rei, who was watching Raiden from her entry plug, simply nodded and raised Unit-0's arm in agreement. "It was very much appreciated."
"Well, well. The two of you have decided to join forces against me?" Ocelot smiled. "I didn't think it would come to this, but this is even more enjoyable than I imagined."
Raiden had already retrieved his Stinger Launcher and strapped on. "We had more important things to do until you came to crash the party. What is it do you want?"
"The First Child...she will be the Patriots' bargaining chip once she is in my custody." Ocelot explained through RAY.
"I'll never be taken by the enemy." Rei simply said.
"You'll know that isn't going to happen, Ocelot!" Raiden answered.
A loud laugh can be heard from Ocelot. Raiden growled even more, as Rei stared at him even more intently. "What are you laughing about?"
"When will you ever learn that you can't beat the Patriots, my dear boy?" Ocelot said.
"Commander, three more unidentified targets have just appeared on the radar and heading towards Unit-00!" Shigeru shouted. "They also have no colour patterns!"
"No...not again..." Otacon said, to himself, as he saw another shocking sight through the large monitor.
Suddenly, three more howls were heard around Raiden and Rei, as to their surprise, three more RAYs appeared, surrounding them.
"These are the missing RAYs that were in storage at Arsenal Gear, the ones that you haven't destroyed." Ocelot said. "I hope you and your young pilot friend will get to know one another after these new advanced RAYs take you apart limb by limb!"
"Snake...we have another problem..." Otacon said to his Codec. "Three more RAYs just showed up."
"WHAT? Not now...of all the times..." Snake said, seeing the Angel get closer to Unit-01.
The Angel screamed a frightening howl as it jumped at Unit-1 with a dive, thrashing into the ground. Snake had to get some cover as he didn't expect the impact of Unit-1's fall near anywhere around him. Snake sighed a breath, another close call.
Shinji recovered from his enemy's surprise attack, and was able to see the entry plug of Unit-3 still lodged in it's back. Shinji swallowed and shouted to his Codec. "David! I see it! It's the entry plug!"
"Then, get to it! Asuka, just be ready to give him support." Snake said.
Shinji got up to stand and felt compelled to attack, but he couldn't risk hurting Touji. Snake saw the hesitation in Shinji's action and spoke.
"What are you waiting for, kid?" Snake answered. "Don't you want to save Touji?"
"I...I can't do it!" Shinji said, lowering his head. "I want to, but..."
"We don't have time to back out now! I can't do this alone, Shinji!" Snake said. "Come on, pull yourself together. We can do this. You can't let this fear of yours take away the chance of saving your friend. You HAVE to do this. If your father wants to hurt Touji, he would have to answer to me. Remember, Shinji, I'm on your side."
Shinji thought of Snake's words and nodded. He held onto his prog knife, while from behind, Asuka tackled it from below, hurling it down on its stomach. The Angel turned to see its new attacker and lifted its arm to attack, but Unit-1 held its prog knife against the Angel's neck.
"I'm sorry, Touji. But, soon, everything will be alright..." Shinji said, as he held the Angel down with enough momentum and force, that he wrestled the Angel and shoved its face into the ground, while he wrapped an arm around the Angels' back. Unit-2 then took the other arm and held it in place, while it was on the ready to get a hold of its legs.
"Hurry, Snake!" Asuka shouted. "Get Touji out of there!"
Snake ran at a quick pace and easily climbed on top the giant hand of the possessed Unit-3. He ran up to the back of the Unit without any difficulty and managed to get near to the entry plug, which was covered in some sort of strange substance that Snake didn't hesitate to remove. He got closer to the plug where he could call out to Touji.
"Touji! Touji!" Snake shouted. "Come on, answer me! Are you alright?"
Touji, who was almost knocked out from the throw down that Units 1 and 2 gave him, heard a deep, harsh voice call out his name. He had to call back; probably help had come for him.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Touji answered. "What's going on?"
"An Angel has taken over Unit-03. But I'm here to rescue you before anything happens, okay? Listen, I'm going to blow an escape for you through the entry plug. Just get your head down and brace for the shock." Snake said. "Don't you worry; the blast won't even hurt you. And Shinji and Asuka are helping me. Just hang on tight, and soon you'll get out of there."
"Okay..." Touji replied, getting into a fetal position.
Snake then placed the SEMTEX on top the plug's base, then getting at a safe distance from it, he had a simple detonator switch ready for times like these. He then pressed on the button, which followed a loud explosion.
Back at headquarters, the entire bridge crew, including Otacon was at the edge of their seats watching the two events take place simultaneously, but the Commander was near blowing his top as to see this was happening...a rescue mission from an Angel.
He could care less about Ocelot and his group of RAYs, seeing this Angel dead was his main concern. He spoke to Shinji while seated, "Shinji, why aren't you fighting?"
Shinji, who was still holding the Angel in place, had to put up a brave face and answer. "I can't, I won't. The pilot inside that thing is my friend. I have to help him."
"Irrelevant. It's our enemy. Destroy it." Gendou coldly replied.
"Father, if you please, give us some more time..." Shinji said.
"Ignore the pilot and destroy the enemy or it will destroy you."
"NO! I won't do it! I must rescue Touji!" Shinji shouted.
Gendou just had about enough and he stood up from his seat. "Dammit! Shut down all of Unit-1's synchronization circuits immediately!"
"What? Shut it down?" Maya asked in shock.
"Correct. Switch all control to the Dummy Plug system."
"But, sir, the Dummy Plug isn't fully operational yet. Dr. Akagi hasn't approved its use." she told him, while Otacon started to type away on his laptop.
"Hurry, Snake!" Otacon said. (This better work...)
"It's still better than the current ones! Do it!" Gendou was obviously furious.
Maya turned around and looked at Otacon, who simply pushed up his glasses and nodded. "Go ahead." he said seriously.
"Yes, sir." Maya said, typing a command on her console to turn off the synch circuits of Unit-1, and then activating the Dummy Plug.
Shinji then felt all of his control of his Eva went down. This was something he really didn't expect.
"Father...NOOO!" He screamed.
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"..."
"..."
"..."
After a few moments, Maya noticed the error the MAGI had read on the Dummy Plug.
"The Dummy Plug's not accepting the command!" Maya said. "All circuits to the plug are being blocked off!"
Gendou had just about enough of this. "How the hell is that possible?"
Snake, who heard Shinji's scream, sensed something bad has happened, but he can now see a wide gaping hole on the entry plug. (The explosives have done their job, now to do mine.) He thought. He had just moments to get Touji and himself away from there before the Angel moves again.
He ran back to the plug's new opening and stuck his arm inside it through the LCL. "Grab my arm!" Snake shouted to Touji. "HURRY!"
Sooner than he had said that, Touji's hand grabs Snake's and with an amazing show of strength, Snake pulled up the young pilot from the plug. Touji was still covered in wet LCL, and then started to cough up the substance.
"You alright, kid?" Snake said, holding him up.
Touji was a bit disoriented, but he was unhurt. "Yeah...I'll be fine."
"Hang on to me; I'll get you outta here." Snake said, lifting Touji's body and resting it on his back. He then ran off the arm of the possessed Unit and safely made it to a safe distance.
"You guys take care of him, okay?" Snake said, as he saw a group of recovery squad members coming for Touji. "I got some personal business to attend."
As the squad picked Touji up, Touji simply said to Snake with a weak smile. "I don't know who you are, but thanks."
"It's all in a days work." Snake said, and then he responded to his Codec. "Otacon, everyone...Touji is alright. He was a bit spaced out, but he's unhurt."
Otacon sighed, while Shinji's face lit up. "Wow, Snake...you actually did the possible. That was really incredible."
"David..." Shinji was close to crying. "I don't know what to say..."
"A little 'thank you' wouldn't hurt, Shinji. But half of this goes out to you. Without your cooperation, I wouldn't have been able to get to Touji." Snake said.
"My father... he wanted me to destroy the Angel when Touji was still inside it." Shinji cried. "He shut down the circuits for my Eva and turned on the Dummy Plug system."
"The Dummy Plug...Otacon, how much time do we have until it actually starts? That program of yours is operating, isn't it?" Snake asked.
"Like a charm. The timer is there on your Soliton radar...hmmm, about four hundred and sixty-two seconds left counting." Otacon said. "Snake, Raiden and Rei are still taking care of those RAYs. Go over and give them a hand. I'll have Maya re-activate the circuits, so the Angel can be out of our heads once and for all. The Commander's about to burst his top seeing enough of this, but everybody else was relieved to see Touji is safe."
"Well, that's news." Snake said. "Shinji..."
"Yes...David?" Shinji said.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened today. What you did was really brave. I'm proud of you." Snake said to Shinji. "Thanks, kid."
"I...thank you too, David." Shinji smiled back.
"Now...go kick some Angel butt, while I'll go take care of a bothersome fly." Snake smiled.
"Alright! About time!" Asuka said. "Let's go, Shinji!"
"Okay...I'll see you later, David." Shinji said.
"Later, kid...oh, and my name's also Solid Snake, my young friend."
"S-Solid Snake?" Shinji looked surprised, and then both Codecs went off.
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"Return activation of Unit-01. Destroy the target." Gendou spoke, and then he turned his back to Kouzou. "I leave the rest of this mission in your hands, Fuyutsuki."
"I see that the evening had quite a toll on your hands, Ikari." Kouzou slightly smiled. "Pilots defying orders, bodyguards rescuing pilots, Metal Gears appearing out of nowhere..."
"Certainly, the Committee have to answer for this. Handle the rest of this, will you?" Gendou said, as he took the lift in his seat to go into his office. As the room was cleared of Gendou's presence, the bridge crew sighed a breath of relaxation and some others who were watching Snake rescuing Touji even cheered on.
"Alright, people, let's not get carried away. The Fourth Child may be safe, but the target is still active and Unit-0 is still confronting the new unknown threats." Kouzou said. "What's Unit-0's status?"
"It has fully recovered to full power. It is assisting the unidentified person in dispatching them." Hyuga said.
"Sir, the Children's protector has left the targets' proximity and advancing towards Unit-00's position." Shigeru said.
"Go, Snake, go get Ocelot." Otacon said. He turned to Maya and saw she was wiping away some tears from her eyes. "Hey, you okay, Maya?"
"I'm sorry...I'd never seen anyone do anything so amazing for someone else. It's like he's a knight in shining armour." Maya nervously smiled.
"Well...his armour may not shine, but he's a knight nonetheless." Otacon smiled.
"Hal...that program of yours...it really did stop the Dummy Plug from activating, didn't it?"
"Of course. I just did not expect the Commander to have it activated, but it came in good timing."
Maya looked at Hal for a moment and smiled at him. "Thanks, Hal. You also helped in saving a life today. Say...if you're not busy later, how about you and I have some coffee later and get to know ourselves more? And maybe tell me how you come up with such incredible programs."
"I'd like that, Maya." Hal smiled. Then the two watched as Units 1 and 2 taking down the Angel.
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"Take that!" Asuka shouted, as she pounded her clenched Unit-2's fist into the Angels stomach, while Unit-1 took its prog knife and stab it from behind. The Angel howled in pain, as Unit-1 then pushed the knife further into the Angel's back.
Shinji was feeling a lot of resentment as what his father had come close to doing. If it wasn't for Snake's, and Raiden's help, the appearance of Ocelot and RAY and Otacon's program and Asuka's cooperation, Touji wouldn't have gotten out alive and unhurt. He felt that since he met Iroquois Pliskin, he was always there to guide Shinji, thanks to those countless times he made Shinji smile and gave him advice when he most needed it, but now knowing that the bodyguard assigned to protect him was the Legendary Solid Snake himself, he felt somehow attached to him...almost as if he was a son in need of a better role model... and he thought that Snake was the one to take his father's place...
"Father...Damn you!" Shinji's mind ran through the only image that haunted him for so long and almost cost him his friend. He pushed the blade into the Angel even deeper. Unit 01 then slices open the stomach of the Angel, blood-like fluids spurting out.
The Angel went down in one fell swoop, but not before Unit 02 took out its pistol and fired it blank range at its head. Then, the finish...several more shots to the head area before it lay silent and dead.
Asuka could hear Shinji's deep breathing and wondered what was going through his head when he attacked the Angel, but after witnessing what his own father tried to do, she could sympathises with her fellow pilot.
"Hey, idiot…let's go help out Wondergirl." Asuka said a smile on her face. "The nightmare's over for now."
Shinji nodded and gathered himself. "Okay, Asuka."
"Shinji?" Asuka asked.
"Yes, Asuka?" he asked back.
"I'm glad Touji's safe." Asuka said. "Even though he's just a dumb jock, Hikari's really got the hots for him, and I wouldn't forgive myself if something horrible happened to him that were to hurt her feelings."
"Yeah...I wouldn't forgive myself too, Asuka. But...I'm glad he's safe too." Shinji said. "Now, let's go help out Ayanami."
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Raiden simply grinned at Ocelot's attempt to frighten him with three RAYs. "Come on, Ocelot, even you could do better than this." he said, as he aimed at the middle RAY's left leg. Surprisingly, the RAY did take the missile as normally the first time Raiden faced the army of mass-produced types Metal Gear. He then quickly aimed at the RAY to his right and fired another missile at its leg. With the middle RAY's mouth still open, he fired at it, hitting a perfect hit.
Then using his sense of judgement and timing, he side stepped, then did his flip, as the extreme left RAY he hasn't fired at yet, fired its own set of missiles over head. Rei again used her Eva's AT-Field to protect Raiden one more time from the unpredictable shower of missiles. Firing another Stinger missile at the RAY he had now set his focus on, he then retreated back to another position, but not before checking to see if the middle one has recovered to attack. Seeing it was still vulnerable to attack, he decided not take chances and returned his focus to staying alive and protecting Rei from being captured by the enemy. But seeing that so far she seems to be doing well defending herself against the other RAY that attacked before, he pulled out a chaff grenade and re-equipped his Stinger. He was also paying attention to how much missiles he had left, only 12 he had left, but he could manage.
Rei herself was puzzled by the movement of the RAY she was battling. It moved as if it had intelligent life in it, as it was able to evade her AT- Field more than once. She then contacted Otacon for some advice.
"Dr. Emmerich, these machinations seem to be controlled by an unknown force. Just what it will take to stop them?" Rei asked.
"The mass-production Metal Gear is unmanned. It's probably under the control of GW, the Arsenal Gear AI." Otacon said. "But GW was destroyed when a cluster virus corrupted it. How these Gears are able to operate now is beyond me, but if Raiden has any Chaff grenades, he can use it to confuse the RAY. Be careful not to get into the range of the chaffs' explosion or your Eva will get electronic interference itself and you won't want that. Using your AT-Field when it's vulnerable is your best shot. Aim for the RAY's open head section."
Rei could see Raiden had already pulled out chaff, and then she used her AT-Field to attack the head section of the RAY she was targeting and with one shot from her Field; the RAY was then totally devastated by the power of the AT-Field.
Raiden can see his new combat buddy had taken care of one RAY, now only the prototype that Ocelot was piloting and the two last MP RAYs remain. He carefully kept his distance, as one RAY landed near his position.
The area he was in was no circular arena, thus limiting his space to escape, but now he was in a wide, outside open area and he used that to his advantage. Letting the RAY step back a bit, he can predict that it was going to fire two homing missiles at him. He aimed the Stinger and fired at one of its legs as the missiles were fired. Soon after firing, he dropped his Stinger once more and flipped towards the RAY, while the missile he fired destroys the left incoming missile and the other missile passed behind him.
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(Author's note: Don't try this at home, unless you are really quick like me!)
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Snake was sprinting towards the other ongoing battle which wasn't so far where he rescued Touji from the Angel and was surprised that Raiden was able to evade that attack. He can see that Rei herself was being a big help too. He can see Ocelot and his RAY just standing by watching the battle. Knowing that Raiden won't be needing his assistance, he took out his USP and headed straight for Ocelot who so far hasn't noticed Snake approaching him.
"OCELOT!" Snake shouted to his long time enemy. Ocelot then noticed Snake, but by then it was too late. His exposed right arm begins to spasm and go haywire.
"NO! Not again!" Ocelot shouted. RAY begins to stand full length and comes to a halt. Rei and Raiden, who had just taken down the last RAYs, stopped to watch Snake confront his enemy.
"Ah...Snake, my dear brother. Thanks for bringing me back once more." a familiar British accent was then heard from Ocelot's lips. "And to Japan to all places."
"...Liquid." Snake recognized the tone. He started to fire at Liquid/Ocelot, but the bullets veer away, just like Fortune. "Damn you, Liquid. Of all the times...why now?"
"Why? Because only you can take me to the Patriots." Liquid said. "But...now that you and little Raiden are both here, I'll give you a warning...NERV and Toyko-3 will be mine for the taking very soon and there's nothing the two of you can do to stop it."
"Ha, just try, Liquid!" Raiden fired his spare missile at Liquid, but that too veered away.
"Damn! That was my last Stinger!" Raiden shouted.
"Now...I'll just finish off where we left of, Snake! Time for you to meet our father in hell!" Liquid shouted as he got into RAY.
"Raiden, get down!" Snake shouted, but before he can do anything, a grenade was launched from out of nowhere, at the prototype RAY. The grenade actually dented most of RAY's armour, and had Liquid mad as hell.
"What the...?" Liquid looked up and saw a black Harrier 2 with the FOXHOUND insignia at its side. There, stood Greg at the left wing of the Harrier, cloak blowing at his side and loading another grenade in his gun. His right hand was now showing an unusual blue colour, as he gripped on the gun and held it at RAY.
"YOU!" Liquid shouted.
"Me." Greg simply smiled at Liquid. He fired another round at RAY, but RAY simply leapt back away.
"Damn, missed the bastard!" Greg grumbled.
Liquid had seen that he was beat, as he saw Evangelion Unit-01 and 02 coming his direction.
"Your little junior friends may have saved you today, Snake, but not the next time!" Liquid shouted, as he moved RAY towards the lake's edge.
"Damn!" Snake said.
"Don't you worry dear brother; we'll meet again soon enough!" Liquid gloated.
"Liquid! Stop this thing!" Snake started to run after RAY, which leapt into the lake. He was about to follow, but Otacon persuaded him not to over the Codec.
"Don't go after him, Snake! It could be a trap!" Otacon said.
"But...he's heading right for the Patriots! This is our chance to get to them!" Snake said.
"I know...but it's best that we regroup for now and plan our next COA. Too much has happened on one day, we need our time to rest off and wait till things cool down."
"He's right, Snake." Raiden said. "Come on...let's call it a day."
Snake was close to refusing the offer, but really he was feeling bushed. A lot of energy was taken out of him today, so he nodded and complied.
"You're right. There's always a next time. Liquid...this isn't over yet by a long shot..." Snake said.
The Harrier 2 had already docked at a street and the two FOXHOUND recruits had already exited the fighter jet. They closely observed the scene as the now dead 13th Angel laid silent, craters, burning fires, and three destroyed MP-RAYs marked the past destruction. Greg just shook his head.
"Damn...we did miss a lot, didn't we, Linn?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile, at the Horaki residence, Hikari was humming a tune as she was in the middle of cooking another appetizing lunch for tomorrow.
"Hmm, now which shall I cook, for Kadama, Nizome and myself, but these all are servings for four." Hikari said, then looked up and thought of Touji. "I sure hope he'll be hungry tomorrow."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Queen, Ocelot has messed up this time. It appeared that Snake had more help than we expected." Vamp's voice was heard in a darkened hallway.
"It obviously had to happen. There's no way we can trust him to do anything right, especially with Liquid still part of him." Fortune spoke.
"But, the battle data recorded for Raiden was sufficient enough for the upcoming simulation." a mysterious man's voice was heard form the shadows. "Despite things turning out not as we planned, it has given us an advantage to learn how he has progressed since the last time we faced each other."
"What now? Have all the data been collected?" Vamp asked.
"Yes, we have sufficient data now to return GW back to full operation. The takeover at the NERV first branch, Snake's confrontation with you, Vamp, Raiden's rematch with Fortune, and the event's that took place today...all executed perfectly."
"So...Arsenal's going back online then?" Fortune said.
"Yes...all thanks to our friends from Spetsnaz. Now, we just wait until Arsenal's fully resurrected. Then, with the remainder of the Gurlukovich army in their Tengu's, we shall make our strike at Toyko-3 in two days time where the Patriots are hiding and..."
The man steps out, having short grey hair, an black eye patch over his left eye and was wearing a full exoskeleton Sneaking Suit. He was carrying two blades behind his back and a rifle in his hand.
"Then...the 'Sons of Liberty' shall have their revenge!" the man shouted, as lines of Tengus were lined up listening to him.
"Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!" the Tengus' cheered on their leader's name.
Solidus grinned and laughed an evil tone. (Soon, my dear son, Jack...we'll have our reunion very soon...)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Misato woke up from her long sleep. She found herself on a stretcher, and it was already night. Her left arm was in a splint, her head bandaged. She heard the commotion around her, ambulances and rescue workers all over the area. It was then she realised she was still at the now destroyed Matsushiro base.
"I'm alive." Misato whispered. She turned to see Kaji, next to her, who was watching her all the time. "K-Kaji?"
"You're lucky, Katsuragi." Kaji spoke.
"Where's Ritsu?" Misato asked. (Ritsuko was also called Ritsu as well.)
"Don't worry...she wasn't hurt as bad as you." Kaji said.
"That's good." Misato smiled slightly, and then a look of worry took over her face. "What about Eva-3?"
Kaji remained silent. "It was destroyed...as an Angel...by Units 1 and 2. But that was after the pilot was rescued."
Misato's face then lit up. "You mean...Touji's safe?"
"Yes...that bodyguard of yours went through a lot of trouble to get him out of there safely." Kaji smiled. "Solid Snake's an extraordinary man. You're very lucky to have hired him."
"You knew...about David?"
"Yes...but, don't you worry. Your secret's safe with me." Kaji said.
"Where's Snake?" Misato asked. "I got to see him. He promised me he'd rescue Touji, and he actually did."
"If you want to thank him, Misato, I won't stop you." Kaji smiled. "Just be careful."
Misato was a bit surprised to see Kaji act so casual about this, but she smiled and got up from the stretcher.
"Take me to him." Misato said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back where the chaos taken earlier, Snake was relaxing himself, having a smoke as Raiden was sharing a ration with Rei, while Asuka and Greg talked over on the Harrier, while Linn and Shinji talked as well.
"So...Pliskin really was an alias? He's the famous Solid Snake? This is too unreal." Asuka couldn't believe it.
"Well, start believing, kid. The 'Legend' is your bodyguard and I also work with him." Greg said.
"You mean work FOR him?" Linn's voice said in the background.
"I heard that!" Greg shouted, as Asuka chuckled. "Do you always have to bring that up?"
"Wow, U.S spies helping us beat Angels...this is just too rad." Asuka said. "And that Metal Gear thing...will there be anymore of those around?"
"Well, we have just seen the last of them...but we can't let our guard down." Linn said. "Now, that we know the threats potential, your city may have just more than Angels to worry about now."
Snake got up and walked over to Shinji, as he was sulking away since he got out of his Eva. He sat down next to the Third Child and offered a ration.
"Here you go, kid. You look like hell." Snake smiled. "Come on, cheer up...Touji's safe, just as I promised you guys."
"I know...but..." Shinij stopped. "I really could have hurt someone today, David. And my father...he didn't care if Touji was in that thing or not, he didn't even care about my feelings. I was just starting to understand him, but he was just using me like a tool...I hate him!"
"Shinji..." Snake patted his young friend and watched him intently. "Listen to me...I can sympathasize with how you feel about your father. And yes, it could be true that he's just toying with you, for his own needs, but don't you ever think of yourself as a tool."
"How can you say that? You're Solid Snake, I read about you and how you were used for the enemy's own needs." Shinji shouted loud enough, that it caused everybody around them to listen. "Wouldn't you feel the same if your father did the same thing to you?"
"...Yes, there were times like that in my first years as a soldier. That's why when at a point when my father's power totally corrupted him, I had to kill him." Snake seriously.
Shinji was shocked to hear this answer from Snake. He felt a lot of pity for the 'Legend'; it's as if they had shared both nightmares of living.
"Shinji, I don't want you to go down the same road I did and I don't want you to stay anything close to a tool for him either." Snake said. "There's something my best friend said to me once that I want you to remember, ' We're not tools of the government or anyone else. Fighting was the only thing I was good at, but... At least I always fought for what I believed in..."
"Fighting...for what I believe in?" Shinji was close to crying.
"Exactly. I'm fighting for what's right, and for a future." Snake said. "I found something to believe in and I intend to pass it on to the future. You should start doing the same yourself. But you have to do it by yourself."
Shinji's sad look started to disappear as he saw Asuka, glaring at him, Rei glancing at him back with those mysterious red pupils, then Touji who were watching close by. He then turned his focus back to Snake.
"I...I think I found something to fight for." Shinji said.
Snake smiled. "I think I know what you mean. Just hold on to that thought and you'll be just fine. Now, you must be starving, go ahead and eat up that Ration."
Shinji smiled and opened the circular canister and started to eat the contents in it. His face then showed an almost delighted look.
"Um...David?" Shinji started to blush. "Between you and me?"
"Yeah?"
"I prefer rations over Misato's home cooking."
Snake started to grin, and then laughed. "Hmmm...that bad, huh?"
The two started to laugh at the joke, while Greg and Linn looked on.
"You know...Snake makes a rather good father to Shinji." Linn smiled.
"Yep." Greg said, and then he noticed Misato coming their way. She stood there, watching Snake having a time with Shinji and she was more than pleased to see that Touji wasn't hurt.
(David...) Misato thought. Ever since meeting Snake, she had felt feelings she couldn't describe for this man. Now, that knowing that Solid Snake was no normal man, she felt compelled more than ever to be drawn to him. It wasn't his rivalling good looks that made him different, nor was his sandpapery voice...he was a determined soul who puts right over everything else in a mission, and he was able to prove that when he rescued Touji and helped out Shinji emotionally today.
And that was reason alone to fall completely in love with him.
"David!" Misato shouted. Snake turned to see Misato, his bandana flowing in the soft wind. He was surprised to see she came this far to see him, but her condition almost broke his heart.
"Misato...you shouldn't be moving around so much." Snake said, getting closer to her. "At least I'm glad you're alright."
Misato stood in front of him, silence between the two, as everyone else watched.
"David...thank you. You fulfilled your promise, now here's your payment."
With that, she leaned forward and kissed Solid Snake on his lips in front of everyone. Shinji looked shocked, and felt all the colour left his face. Asuka was cheering on, while Raiden spat out the drink he was having. Rei looked on, but her cheeks were turning red as well. Greg had a camera with him and was taking pictures and Linn smiled, her hands clasped.
Misato pulled away for a moment and saw the confused look on her hero's face.
"Misato...we shouldn't..." Snake said, but Misato placed a finger at his mouth.
"I think we should." Misato simply said, as she leaned forward to kiss him on his lips even more. They kissed for a few seconds before they stopped and Snake looked at Misato.
"I'm sorry...I already should have told you..." Misato started to blush. "I wanted to find out how it felt to kiss the 'Legend'. I've...always had a crush on you."
Snake smiled holding Misato once more. "And how does it feel?"
Misato turned her head to blush even more. Everyone who was watching this was obviously enjoying every minute of this.
"Yes...my plan's working and soon Kaji will be mine!" Asuka said, with a loud laugh.
"Snake and Katsuragi appear to be quite a compatible pair, aren't they?" Rei said a light smile on her face.
"No fair...that should be me!" Touji cried out.
"Um...Misato, David..." Shinji was at a loss for words.
"Oh boy...exposure! Wait till the guys back at Philanthropy gets a load of this!" Greg grinned.
"Aren't we supposed not to get involved in this kind of stuff?" Linn asked.
Raiden got up and walked to Snake. "Um...you do know she has a boyfriend?
"Yeah...so?" Snake smiled.
"Oh no...you don't mean...Snake..." Raiden smiled. "You old dog! You didn't come to Japan just to hit on very important NERV officials and then fall in love with them!"
"It can't be helped." Snake said. "I have feelings for her too...love can happen anytime, at any place. At least I was able to protect her and those that matter to her..."
Raiden threw his hands up. "I give up, you win. But...be careful, Snake. Don't get her boyfriend mad at you because she thanked you with a kiss."
"Hey, guys listen up." Greg's voice called over everyone's attention. "Otacon just called via burst transmission, he wants ALL of us to re-group at NERV HQ and plan our next tactic. Maya's there as well and has uncovered some info about the RAYs that were destroyed."
"All of us?" Raiden asked.
"Seems today's the birth of a new group...Philanthantropy/NERV!" Snake said.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To Be Continued...
Yeeeeessss, can you hear the tension building? The crowd chanting for more? I thought this was an exceptionally BEAUTIFUL Chapter, I went out to make this good as possible, but I'll let you, the reader be the judge of that. I know you want more of this, and the real suspense hasn't even begun yet!
Ah, and to those who thought the Snake/Misato part rocked, thank you very much! I'd like to see more people on the side of Snake/Misato pairing, so come on, let hear what you think about it and even how far you want it to go.
Stay tuned for the next Chapter for more Greg and Linn wackiness, Snake and Misato cuteness, Otacon and Maya sharing anime, more mysteries revealed...and a Snake vs. Kaji battle in the VR cage of NERV? It's time to start placing your bets, ladies and gentlemen! This one's starting to sound like an instant classic!
I do not own Evangelion, or else I wouldn't have let Touji suffer such a sad fate, but I relieved myself a lot while writing this Chapter. Didn't you folks feel good about this Chapter too?
Metal Gear Solid is not mine either, I'm only writing this fic for the fun of it, so please don't sue me. I'm broke and I don't have my PS2 as of yet. Hey, Misato, what's with that leather outfit and whip?