(Started on June 25th, 2009.)

My friends, you have entered the fourth chapter of Crossfire. As life provides me with twists, turns and transformations, emotions blaze behind this adventure. Just last night, my baby sister and I witnessed the cinematic end of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The entire experience was mesmerizing and unforgettable. The events of Act 5 were breathtaking tear-jerkers, and the epilogue was...well, to tell you the truth, indescribable. People shouldn't be allowed to place a price on that masterpiece, because the ending itself was out of this world. I can't get the scenes with Old Snake, Zero and Big Boss out of my mind. XD And I never will. If you haven't seen the end of MGS4, do yourself a favor. Watch it. Watch it again. You will not regret the decision to do so, I promise. Witnessing the end of such an adventure, I felt as if I had witnessed the rebirth of a friend-and that friend turned out to be Snake. XD

Oh. Can't forget about how much Drebin rocked. He pulled a stunt that was absolutely beautiful. XD Gotta love him!

Special themes for the MGS4 conclusion are 'Life Is Beautiful' by Sixx: A.M, 'Simple and Clean' (End Version) by Utada Hikaru, 'Over the Sky-Angel Feather Version' by hitomi, and 'Sanctuary-After the Battle' by Utada Hikaru.

The momentous, awe-inspiring conclusion to MGS4 took place last night. On this very day, I turned twenty three-and a world-renowned pop artist passed from the mortal coil. My family and I feel as if we've lost a dear friend.

What a month.

Warning: Yep, you guessed it. The Old Snake/emotions/boy hawtness stuff. No likey? No readie-time for you. Thanks for dropping in!

Lying in the night's blankets, those that sought the future were given peace. The peace was ephemeral, but that didn't dampen its radiance. The glow of nighttime memories filtered into the newborn day, weaving itself into the cracks darkness unwittingly offered. Unstable fate had risen from its slumber, but the combatants for life were prepared to pursue their world's rejuvenation. Soldiers provided one another with their last messages of encouragement, making promises to cross the finish line. The heavens were bleak, and riddled with the requiem of an oncoming storm, but their hearts weren't submerged in overwhelming fear. The vague future supplied mortals with shaky predictions on the battle, but hope was eternally strong. Even as the mortal civilization teetered on the brink of destruction, hope was a blazing statue.

Liquid Ocelot and Sephiroth, initiating the world's chaos, gave birth to an army of devilish proportions. Uniting their talents and knowledge, both beasts nourished Mako-infused soldiers. Sephiroth relished the creation of such soldiers, while Liquid loved to play puppetmaster. One could have said they were a match made in Heaven, but the more accurate saying would have been 'a match made in Hell'-or rather, 'Hell's perfect pair'. Sephiroth provided Liquid with toys, and Liquid's adoration of the swordsman was monstrous. Snake's corrupted brother was really the spoiled brat of the pair, and Sephiroth was the enigmatic guardian. As a result of their collaboration, the world was forced to endure bondage-bondage at the hands of not one, but two malicious tyrants. Liquid wished to become a household name, and with Sephiroth at his side, he believed himself to be invincible! Their army, even after a thousand waves of unparalleled turbulence, was still in its prime. His soldiers were prepped and ready for the finale! Nothing would stop the spawns of Hell, if he had anything to say about it!

The future was hanging by a thread. And threads were easily broken.

Music was aboard the battleship, playing underneath an inhospitable ether. Despite the cold, ghastly environment, many soldiers were using music to brace themselves. A work out was being conducted by an old boombox and the inseparable pair, Cid and Barret. Yuffie was doing her best to assist the work out, providing the best entertainment available. She was a bundle of thunder, and irrepresible once galvanized into action. Working as a cheerleader, she scoured the ranks of work-out participants-and made sure their spirits were high. With Yuffie in the picture, sadness wasn't ready to be served on a plate. It wasn't anywhere on the menu!

Tifa, with her mind cemented on three particular souls, prepared the artillery. Her eyes might have focused on soldiers searching for warmth, but her mind was elsewhere. Whenever she caught the chance, she tossed a glance to a particular pair-and grimaced every time. Dr. Hal Emmerich, one source of her distress, was in his designated station. True to form, he had his Apple laptop at the ready-and was intolerably nervous. The otaku had experienced a wealth of pain in a painfully short amount of time, so the upcoming battle wasn't light on his nerves. Naomi Hunter's betrayal, Tifa Lockhart's participation in the battle, and Snake's condition weighed heavily on his fragile mind. Cloud's devotion to the old soldier wasn't easy to reflect on, either. The Strife, eternally devoted to a man-made monkey (as Liquid put it), expressed hesitation all throughout the morning. He felt passionately about Snake's participation in the GW assignment, and the passion wasn't positive. Hal adored and loved Cloud to death, due to his unyielding love for an old friend. However, the bond between Cloud and Snake provided him with an unbearable amount of pain. And he had to follow them! Being at Snake's side was horrible enough! How much more could he take?!

Sunny was the only solid beacon in his life. She would affect the battle indirectly, but she wouldn't even glance at the frontlines. Despite her strongest efforts to remain at his side, he wished to have her out of sight-and far from the inevitable explosions of violent instability. With Denzel and Marlene, her first outside friends (as she put it), she remained far from the breeding ground of anxiety. Her Epyon's involvement in the finale worried her to no end, as she noticed the progression in PTSD-and FoxDie's progression. PTSD was at its lightest when Cloud (or Egret, as Sunny referred to him) was around, but Epyon's body was crumbling. The blonde knight, who turned out to be one of her two heroes, received a kiss on his hand-and a request. Please take good care of Epyon.

Cloud said he'd impale himself before endangering Snake.

Sunny's other hero hugged his laptop for dear life, unaware of his heroic title.

Silence soon swept over the ship. Roy Campbell's words crept into the frosty, gray air, flashing the endangered future in front of all eyes. Two lovers were glued to one another, eyes closed and hearts immersed in divinity. No verbal communication was shared between them, but their bodies were perfectly clear. Hands gripped, hearts pounding and eyes closed, they absorbed each other as flowers absorbed water. Every breath was absorbed into the frightened, hungry body of its mate. Hearts sang of love's first kisses, melting into a sea of golden brilliance. Devotion blossomed as the world approached its edge. One soldier wasn't too thrilled with their unbreakable attachment, and had never been fond of Cloud. As far as she was concerned, the deliveryman from nowhere stole the life she wanted!

Watching the two flowers from afar, Meryl Silverburgh found herself grimacing. Tear water lingered in her fierce eyes, glowing with remorse and pain. Her father, who received quite a bit of anger from her, had just delivered a moving set of words. But Cloud annoyed her. Cloud was quite the catch, all right. Fearless, beautiful, noble and dedicated, he was an astounding catch! But why Snake? Out of all the people to fall in love with, why did the deliveryman have to fall in love with Snake? Why did he have to choose the one she still loved? Why did he have the power to make Snake smile? And why did Snake have the face of a broken-hearted puppy? Was he really worried over Cloud that much?

Why?

Of course Akiba loved her. He worshipped the ground she walked on. And she loved him. But why? Why did Cloud steal her fairy tale? Just what was so special about the mysterious deliveryman? She knew very little of him, aside from his valor and impeccable personality. That may have been her own fault, but why? She pondered that very question as she observed them, wiping the proof of pain from her eyes. Her father's words touched her heart, but seeing Snake wrapped up in Cloud's arms sent knives into her heart. Not even the world's frost could steer her focus away. Seeing her first love-the man she still loved-in the arms of another was difficult. Seeing the pain on Snake's face rattled her heart. Seeing the two lovers together...

...made her plea for their happiness.

It wasn't meant to be. Wiping newborn tears from her eyes, she knew it wasn't meant to be. She knew Snake would never peer into her face with that same fear and longing. She knew she'd never be able to make him smile, and her future was meant to be spent with Akiba.

She knew.

She knew the hands cupping Snake's face would never be hers. She knew the words coming from Cloud's mouth would never be hers. "You are the air, the sun, the moon and my heavens," the blonde was saying, forehead against his mate's forehead. His voice was fast, frantic and tearful-as if he only had a few seconds left to confess everything. "You are everything to me, now and forevermore. I love you. You are my world's treasure, and no matter what, I will be with you. I may not be able to answer when you call me, but I'll be with you. I'll be with you and love you, always."

Snake shuddered at those words, giddier than a maiden approaching her first crush. Even in the darkest of situations, Cloud always had the ability to melt away pain, fear and anxiety. In what would forever remain his darkest hours, Snake found Cloud to be a necessity for life. He could feel himself slipping, ebbing away, mind teetering on the edge of destruction. His body had been pulled through more than enough wringers, and GW was about to provide another. Jumping through a million hoops to reach the finish line was almost impossible. With Cloud at his side, everything would be all right. Everything would be possible...as long as the air of his heart remained with him.

He never said anything in response to Cloud's lyrical words, but his body language was more than enough for Cloud. The old soldier would nuzzle against him, kiss the bridge of his nose, or simply blush. At that time and place, though, words were needed. And Snake had the perfect words. "Thank you," he said, softly. Warmly. His raspy, weathered voice, which would always be a hymn to Cloud's ears, held so much happiness. And on Cloud's end, the world couldn't have been any more beautiful. The deliveryman's blue eyes went straight to the other's bandana, staring at it as a cat would eye a toy mouse. Cloud never understood the bandana's background, but he found it to be incredibly adorable. Snake's refusal (or inability) to explain the bandana was even more adorable.

"Thank you...for last night. Last night was the most amazing night of my life. Thank you for everything."

Cloud's insides formed an invincible Buster Sword, then used it to stab the pit of his stomach. As much as he hated to acknowledge it, those words would probably be the last words he'd hear from Snake. FoxDie wasn't about to sit around and wait for the world to be saved. And what if it wasn't? People could be as optimistic as they wanted to, but reality was unstable. Would the Strife have enough time to find Snake's cure? Would he be able to find it at all?

More sadness struck the Strife's tender eyes. Cloud rarely ever exposed himself to sensitive emotions, but when Snake's life was involved, he allowed himself to be completely vulnerable to all emotion. Looking very much like a wounded, frightened dog, he gazed into the older male's eyes. "I love you," he said, voice hoarse and quaky. Stroking the old soldier's face, he remembered the origin of Snake's burns with a thousand pangs. He tried to heal Snake's face of its burns, but his lover wouldn't have it. For a reason he didn't explain, Snake wanted the burns to remain. Perhaps he wished to have a reminder of that fateful night. Perhaps he wished to have a reminder of his ghastly birth. Whatever the reason, Cloud knew it wasn't an uplifting one. And he hated it.

"I love you, Snake. I love you. I could say that a million times and it wouldn't be enough, but I love you."

"All soldiers, to your battle stations! I repeat-all soldiers to battle stations!"

Soldiers scrambled. Soldiers prepared their ammunition. Soldiers waved to one another. And in the midst of it all-

Cloud and Snake gazed at one another.

Cloud was a three-legged puppy, watching his family abandon him. Snake was a defenseless infant, begging to remain in his guardian's arms. Seeing their inability to leave each other, the Mark II cut in. It tapped on Snake's leg, as a child would tug on a parent's sleeve. "I will find you," the Strife said, pushing his words out, straining to speak. "I will find you. I will...find you...my love!"

Without another word, Cloud turned and fled. He quickly met up with Tifa, Cid, Barret and Yuffie, engaged in a final conference. Meryl observed Snake, scowling as he observed Cloud's movements. Heart heavy from reluctance and fear, the old soldier soon lifted the Mark II into his arms. He then assumed his position, settling himself into the catapult. Meryl, Akiba and Cloud followed suit, all pleading for the future. Mei Ling issued final instructions, but none of them were heard. Five sets of ears, including Hal's, were closed off to the outside world. Inner chambers witnessed explosive turmoil, all fearing for the world's tattered thread. Sirens were resonant. Tifa gave a final glance to Hal, pushing soldiers along. Hal, fearing he'd never see her face again, slowly rose a hand to the window. Sitting inside of the ship's cockpit didn't steer him from reaching out.

Sunny clutched her Chocobo-

Cloud gritted his teeth, heart pounding-

And sirens continued to roar.

Thunder seized the world by its throat and rattled it. The mere blink of an eye gave birth to so many events, all of them unparalleled in intensity. Soldiers boarded the battle, clashing against hordes of Mako-infused entities. Soldiers barked out orders, working to protect their comrades. Armies boarded the battleships of their enemies, seeking to end the life of opposition. Five particular soldiers dove into the belly of the beast, rushing to meet the greatest challenges head-on. Sunny, eyes closed and Chocobo toy in hand, begged the heavens for the success of her team. Marlene and Denzel, ever watchful, remained by the small maiden's side.

All hearts were hanging by a thread.

Time, although a visible enemy, escaped all measurements. It scorched the surface of reality, leaving all fighters breathless. The confrontation with Screaming Mantis pushed many hearts onto a cliff, and threatened to shove them right off. Cloud was a victim of intense apprehension, fearing for the condition of his beloved mate. His fears over Snake's last words were coming to life, right before his eyes. The old legend was withering away, unable to stand and hardly able to breathe. At one point, 'Otacon' urged the Strife to assume command over the Mantis dilemma. Snake had fallen out of his coherent stage. To make matters even more difficult, Naomi's syringe (which Yuffie reluctantly surrendered, due to uncontrollable circumstances) was failing him-and Cloud could hardly reach him. Performing the Curaga spell was intolerably difficult, for Mantis was dead-set on keeping the two lovers apart.

Meryl, taken into Mantis' merciless grip, got a first-hand look at Cloud and Snake's bond. Although she was ensnared by the wicked puppetmaster, and Cloud worked tirelessly to free her, it was easy to acknowledge one fact: the Strife was far more worried about Snake than he was worried about Meryl, or even the unconscious Akiba. The blonde knight enclosed the half-conscious Snake inside of a Reflect barrier, hoping to shield him from Mantis' cruelty. A frantic Otacon led Cloud through the duel-as much as he could. The battle ended in a way Snake found bizarre, with the resurgence of Psycho Mantis. Recovering a bit of strength, the soldier staggered to his feet and placed himself at Cloud's side. As he expected, the Strife was stunned by the appearance of Psycho Mantis. Meryl, holding onto Akiba, was equally stunned-but knowledgeable about the Psycho.

Sickened but moved by the intensity of a blooming flower, the spirited redhead ordered two lovers onward. Two would move on, while two more lovers would remain behind. Snake objected to her order at first (as she expected), but she was adamant about standing her ground.

"Go on, get moving! GW isn't gonna wait forever, you know! Get out of here!"

At that point in time, she was more of an enraged girlfriend than a commander-or even a friend. She was a maiden that had just lost her dearest lover to another, and couldn't stand to see her lover's new future.

"Get your assess out of here! We'll hold 'em off! Now get busy!"

As soon as those words left her mouth, she realized something. That was her way of saying one simple word.

'Goodbye'.

They ran.

Together, they ran.

Holding each other's hands, they ran.

Not a word left their mouths, but their hearts spoke of everything. They spoke of first kisses, first glances, first smiles and dreams. They spoke of a first embrace, and the first promise. They spoke loud and clear, guiding two lovers toward a hole of Hell. Words were silent but spoken, springing from hearts that were once lonely.

As they ran side by side, they experienced the deepest longing. They experienced aches that were far beyond excruciating, killing the loneliness they felt prior to love's birth. They wished to leave their nightmare behind, wanting nothing more to do with fate. Unfortunately, there was no way out. They were destined to face GW, and they'd face it-together.

Cloud's enthusiasm towards the microwave oven was at an all-time low. Snake's condition was sinking, and sinking at an unbearably fast pace. The soldier couldn't even recognize Otacon, but knew Cloud was with him. Squeezing the blonde's hand, he knew he was still in the world's safest haven. He peered into the Strife's eyes, his own eyes weary and tearful. His eyes were distant but focused, forever lodged on the one he loved. Life was rapidly seeping out of his orbs, leaving them without a spirit. They were almost...

Lifeless.

Seconds became minutes, but they were no different from ages. Three souls, one of them the Mark II, approached GW in silence, unable to bear the weight of possible losses. Cloud came to a stop once the oven's door appeared, no more than a few feet away. A tsunami of sadness crashed into his eyes, transforming them into the most gentle orbs known to man. He was a puppy that refused to lead a lifelong companion into danger, regardless of the circumstances. And seeing Cloud in such a state was difficult, for his shows of pain were infrequent.

The Mark II, in the role of a fretful child, peered up at Snake-and then turned his attention to Cloud. No words were spoken as Snake staggered slowly towards Cloud, eyes begging for love. For comfort. The Strife, perilously close to tears, winced-then spread his wings. Taking flight, he ran towards his one and only. He swept the older male into his arms, hearing only the frantic chatter of the Mark II-and Snake's ragged breathing. Not a single word left his mouth as he held Snake close, cradling him. Loving him far more than he would ever love air and water.

Snake remained silent, but his silence was loud enough. He had the eyes of a horrified, starving baby, determined to cling to its only source of life. Cloud gazed into the eyes he loved so dearly, running a hand through Snake's hair. "Do you want to know when I realized my feelings?" the tearful swordsman asked, referring to their blossoming bud of love. It was so difficult to talk, so difficult.

"I realized I loved you when I saw you that morning. When you opened your eyes...I knew. I knew I loved you, and would always love you."

Snake said nothing, but his reaction was painfully clear. He looked sad, so sad...so tender and sad. Wanting to confess everything before time ran out, Cloud gripped the other's arms. "It was after that night...that night we saw Big Mama. You were so sad, so sad and upset, and...so fragile. Just like a flower. I saw that and I knew. I knew I'd love you."

Tears erupted from Cloud's eyes. Sobs popped out of his shivering mouth, unbidden and filled with immeasurable pain. Never before had the Strife emitted such emotion, so two hearts were instantly broken. The Mark II patted Cloud on the leg, while Snake planted a tender kiss on the bridge of his nose-then nuzzled his forehead against Cloud's. Right then and there, Cloud made a decision. He would have preferred death by fire to reality.

"I don't want you to do this. I don't want you to go in there. I don't."

Wearing the saddest smile, Snake squeezed his hand-looking very much like an Alzheimer's patient. Cloud, in severe danger of buckling, tried to smile back-but could only release a sob. His chest ached, veins ached, eyes ached-heart ached-

Otacon, without a single word, slowly moved to open the gate to GW's oven. Cloud, trying to stifle his sobs, drew Snake into his arms. Both pairs of eyes were directed to the door before them, waiting for Otacon to remove the seal. A few buttons were pressed, Cloud tightened his grip on Snake, and the door to Hell opened. A blast of unendurable heat slammed into them, and the longest bridge awaited their travels. Their next destination was a million miles away, sitting beyond the agonizing inferno.

Cloud's body just wanted to cave in. The world was in danger, but he wanted to cave in. He wanted to cave in, forget everything, and cling to Snake. Snake gingerly wrapped his arms around the blonde, shivering. They rubbed their foreheads against one another, eyes closed and tears falling. "I'll be okay," the old soldier whispered, cupping Cloud's face. The Strife stiffened at the sound of Snake's voice, surprised to hear the melody he held dear.

"I'll be okay...as long as you're with me."

Cloud said nothing. Hands gripped, they peered into one another's eyes. Slowly Snake made the first steps, and Cloud was close behind. Inhaling, eyes shut, the Strife prepared himself. His heart stopped, time stopped, and two souls made their way into the microwave. Their souls were instantly, brutally engorged with heat. Searing, merciless heat.

Seconds passed before the Strife and soldier went down on all fours. Heat infiltrated their skulls, nostrils and eyes. Fire erupted inside of their lungs and veins. Their bodies were pressed far beyond their limits, even as the Mark II desperately tried to lift their spirits. Their hands grasped at the floor below, reaching for the goal. Heated oceans soaked their bodies, blurriness struck their eyes...pain throttled their chests and skulls. Panting, gasping, they sought the finish line-but it was a goal that seemed so far away.

"Come on, come on! Don't give up on me, you two! Don't you dare leave me!"

Eyes wished to close. Pain erupted-heat erupted-lava melted into two bodies, and covered everything it found. Sweat flooded two sets of eyes, skin became silky, clothes became sticky, and the smell of roasting flesh pierced two noses. Otacon desperately continued to encourage them, moving about in the form of the Mark II.

"Come on! Don't leave me! Don't give up! You're almost there!"

Hearts were exploding, screaming for release. Bodies were crying for relief-ANY kind of relief. Nails ached, eyelids ached...throats were unbearably dry, legs were no different from bags of gelatin...

"Snake? Snaaake! Snake, come on! Get up, soldier! On your feet!"

Cloud's eyes flew open. Melting, laid out on the floor, he saw a motionless Snake-and the hysterical Mark II.

"Get up, Snake! Get up! Please!"

Shiva. Shiva, help. Please, Shiva.

I need you now, more than ever. Please.

Please, Shiva.

In times of dire need, Cloud called on his Summon for assistance. Shiva happily granted it to him, and they happily dwelled in a friendship that was solidified for eternity. Unfortunately, Shiva wasn't exactly happy about providing assistance for that particular situation. She said not a word in response, leaving him outside of the ocean of possible relief, floundering like a fish.

Shiva! Shiva, answer me! Please! Shiva, damn you, answer me!

No answer came. Invincible iron, liquified and hot, poured into Cloud's throbbing soul. Tears met sweat drops as he gazed upon his motionless mate, hands reaching, heart screaming. As a dying baby reached out for a parent, he sent his hand out towards Snake. Words burned behind his lips, but none were able to emerge. His heart continued to throb, furious with its endangered condition. His body was saturated in heat, saturated in sweat-

Snake wasn't moving. Wasn't moving at all.

"Snaaaake! Please! Please get up!"

Words scorched his heart and soul. He had to speak, needed to speak, but couldn't. Couldn't find the strength. His lips were far too dry, his skin was transforming into a muddy sheet of heated liquid...hands were gelatin, his throat was raw beyond comprehension...so there was only one thing left to do.

Whistle.

At the sound of Cloud's fragile whistle, Snake began to move. His movements were weak, but they were movements nonetheless. Controlled by its ecstatic owner, the Mark II pranced in the small vicinity. With a frail chuckle, the old soldier slowly looked back at Cloud-and both exchanged smiles. Warm, everlasting smiles. "I'm right here, just as I've always been," the knight said soothingly, eyes warmer than they had ever been. "I'm right here, love. Just as I'll always be."

Always.

The lovers exchanged a nod, and continued to move. Slowly, but surely, they continued.

And they would continue to love one another, whether the battle was won or lost.

This was composed to 'The Time Has Come'/'Shall Never Surrender' of Devil May Cry 4 OST, and 'Wandering' of Final Fantasy X OST. The first melody is a special theme for June, especially for the death of a certain pop singer, and the completion of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Near the end of this chapter, I had Cloud whistle to Snake. In Final Fantasy X, Tidus asked Yuna to whistle whenever she needed him. I decided to have the same arrangement between the two lovers. XD Snake summoned Cloud by whistling for him, in times of dire need. That's where the line about Cloud being unable to answer Snake came in, towards the beginning of this chapter. XD Since speaking was not an option in the GW furnace, Cloud decided to use that precious method of communication to rouse his lover.

The song Cid, Barret and Yuffie played for the work-out was 'I Got The Power' by CC Music Factory. My mom turned it on a few days ago, and I thought: hey, that would be an adorable battle anthem!

You may have noticed the alteration of many Act 5 events. Originally, this story was meant to focus on the Cloud/Snake relationship. I broadened the story's scope a bit, but the focus on eternal love remained strong. I decided to jump over the arrival on Liquid's battleship, and the Screaming Mantis battle, for this reason: I didn't want to draw anything out. I wanted to get right to the heart of this chapter, especially in this immeasurably emotional time. The exclusion of Raiden was done in favor of Cloud's presence, and the expulsion of Raiden's greatest scene was done in favor of the GW elements.

Thank you, all of you, for reading. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. This will definitely remain one of the greatest, most emotional pieces I have EVER written. Thank you. Oh, and please ready my profile when you have the chance. It would mean a great deal to me.

(Completed June 26th, 2009.)