The Stars Collide

Chapter I: As The World Turns

The stage was a glorious one. Rafters of red and gold, embroidered with dragons and japanese markings, held a full capacity crowd inside of its mass. The thousands of fans sat anxiously, chattering quietly to a family member or friend beside them about what they were about to witness. Others, performing the exact opposite; standing and throwing their fists in the air, screaming "We want action!". The exciting buzz in the air seemed more than enough to make the audience forgetful of the blistering heat that had swept through the area this season. This was going to be the most excitement the people got in a long while. Not only was the World Tournament a chance for the greatest fighters from all across the land to gather and pit their skills against one another for proof as to who is the greatest combatant in all the world, it's a gathering of peoples and a spectacular display of martial arts ability.

Beyond all of the ruckus and goings on of the inner stadium, through a giant crimson archway and down a dark passage, lit only by a few beams of sun, there were the quarters of the entrees. There were indeed a mixed bag of competitors. Though all were human, they filed around in all shapes and sizes. One, an average built man with a flambuoyancy in his step and a haughty way of carrying himself that suggested he was too good for the others. Many, it appeared may not even know how to fight at all, but entered on that "Ah.. What the hell." attitude. One competitor in particular stood out amongst the rest. He wore a snug black t-shirt, sleeves cut off above the shoulder and pants with colors to match, tucked into white boots that came to a point at the toe. At the middle of his forearm, pearl white gloves tightly hugged his hands. His hair was of the deepest blacks and spiked. He was a Prince. A true warrior. A Saiyan.

Vegeta, as was his birth name, leaned impatiently against a stone corridor wall with both arms folded on top of his chest. His head nodded forward, eyes shut, but completely aware of his surroundings. He began to lift up the lower portion of his foot and place it back down rhytmically, tapping. Vegeta could never wait to get into battle. It thrilled him. Combat is the only thing that makes his blood run red. The thrill of putting his might against anothers and coming out on top fueled his soul and fed him life. And even if he were to lose, which would never happen, he would only become that much stronger, as is in the Saiyan blood. He had fought countless battles throughout his years after first coming to Earth in an attempt to take over the planet. They had increased his thirst for battle and not only that, but his lethality, as well. Looking back on his first visit to the planet he scoffed under his breath at the image of Kakarot, a fellow Saiyan, but in denial about his heritage. Kakarot, or Goku as he prefers to be called, defeated Vegeta, as much as it stung to admit. A Saiyan Elite defeated by a mere low-class peasant.. Hah. Never again. I swear, the next time we meet, Kakarot.. I will be the winner!

His eyes pricked and he turned his head to the right, uncaringly surveying the small group of men in suits coming their way. One, the shortest and walking in the middle, had orange hair and a microphone in his hand. Vegeta recognized this man as the ring announcer from the other times he had participated in the tournament. Another occasion when Kakarot had been the victor. His head shook tightly, scrambling the haze from his mind. No reason to think of that now. A few of the participants approached the men heading straight down the middle of the hall and towards the runway to the ring. "Yes, yes. Just calm down. We will be announcing the matches shortly. Now, you've already picked your numbers so just wait here until you hear your name. Give it your all." said the orange haired man with the microphone, accentuating his words as if he were stirring up a crowd. Vegeta laughed in his mind at how trained that puppet was. For a good while it was nothing but quiet. Even the raucous roar of the crowd had been pacified by the appearance of the ring announcer. Stillness fell over the arena like an invisible blanket, weighing down on everyones shoulders.

"Ladies.. And.. Gentlemen!" exploded through the loudspeaker and the crowd responded in kind. " I would like to welcome you to the Nine Hundre.. and.. " he rambled off and cleared his throat loudly." To the World Tournamnet!" again, a thunderous boom out of the loudspeaker and one from the crowd.

"Now, if I can just hold your attention for a few moments longer.. You will be introduced to the grrr-eatest display of combat.. you have ever witnessed, folks!"

In the waiting rooms, Vegeta mentally settled himself for a few minutes of meditation. He wasn't up until the third round. Biding time until the chance came to prove his prowess was not going to be an issue. He had waited this long, he could wait a little longer..

--------------------------------------Point of View Transition-------------------------

Note: All Point of View Transitions herein shall be referred to as P.O.V. Transitions.

Silent and inert under the heavy canopy of the dense forest, tense and ready to strike, Snake lay in thin blades of grass, his face painted to better disguise himself in the topography. It was surprisingly hot even with all of the shade heavily outnumbering the bars of sun that snuck in, but it wasn't anything he hadn't dealt with before. His orders were to take possession of a scientist by the name of Sokolov and exfiltrate the man and himself safely back to the extraction point silently. Silently. That had proved easy enough so far. Enemy forces weren't very tight around this area. Pulling his body forward with both forearms, one in front of the other, low-crawling, Snake meticulously scanned the region, carefully scaling through the weeds and roots.

He had not encountered anything out of the ordinary up to this point and was actually beginning to wish he could tango with a little resistance. As if he had cashed in that once in a lifetime wish, a single patrolman was spotted ducking under some low branches. Snake easily picked out the radio at his right shoulder and an AK-47, by Snake's supposition, and what looked to be a concussive grenade. Just one sentry? Too easy.. Still, it's not like me to pass up a good chance to kick some ass and perform impossible feats while saving the world all before bedtime.

Snake was highly proficient in the art of stealth and found no problem with hiding in wait. He was completely silent and the guard had no idea he was there until Snake lept from the ground and locked the sentry in a half nelson with his right arm, the left pressing a serrated knife to his throat. "Ahh. My first badguy. Alright. I gotta tell Otacon about this later." Snake proudly whispered to himself.

"Wh-what? Who are you?" his captive choked out.

"Quiet. I'm asking the questions here." he barked.

"... ... ... Uh?"

"What?"

"Were you going to.. ask a.. question?"

"... ...Oh. How do I do that again?"

The captive sighed in annoyance. "First, you've got to get them into the CQC hold, which we've established. Next, click and hold the L3 button to interrogate. After you've acquired the information needed, you can press the analog stick+the O button to throw, and incapacitate the guard."

"Ah.. Alright. I got it now. Wait.. Wasn't there something else?

"Huh? Er, nope. Nothing at all."

"Are you sure? I seem to remember.. Something to do with a knife?"

"Haha.. uh.. No. You're mistaken."

"Wait..So, if I push the O button firmly it.."

Snake dragged the bladed edge of his knife across the throat of his prey, blood spraying out as his neck dangled open. "Oh. So that's what it does.. .. Sweet."

The first blood of the day had been shed and even though his unit may not exactly encourage killing, it was one of the bonuses of the job Snake liked to exploit whenever possible. As long as he hid the body well enough, no one would have to find out about it. Snake hugged the muddy ground once again, switching up the style of his facial camoflague. He was about to continue on his way when he felt as if something was watching him move. Gripping his knife preemptively, Snake burst from the ground and into a crouch, spinning to face the direction of the unseen eyes. What greeted him was far beyond wat he had anticipated. A transparent figure of a man floated in front of him. His hair was slicked back and his face thin, drained and withered. "Snake..." he bellowed. "I am.. The Sorrow."

"The Sorrow? ..You're not supposed to show up at this part! Dammit, I told Hideo that if we're going to do Operation: Snake Eater we need to do it right. Did you get the updated script?"

"I don't think you understand, Snake. I.. need your body."

"Whoa. What? I don't remember signing up for any anal se---"

"No, no. I mean, I.. need your talents.

"Look. I don't know who you've been talking to, but that only happened one time and I was drunk."

"U--...Er, I.. need your.. Oh, the hell with it. Snake I'm going to possess your body and take over the universe."

" I don't understand! "

"That's because this is the first chapter, Snake."

Snakes eyes widened and he tried to scream, but he blacked out and fell to the forest floor.

------------------INTEMISSION TIME!---------------