Welcome, dear friends, to the newest chapter of Crossfire! You have made the decision to enter this tale, and I thank you with open arms. As we enter a new month, I shall plan to nourish all of my adventures for the future! This tale has certainly been a ride of highs and lows. It will be forever remembered as one of my greatest tales, for years to come. The world's turbulence might have simmered, but the blazing love behind Crossfire hasn't!
By the way, I want to give a shout-out to The Big Boss. The recent review from my friend touched my heart. It made me realize how much love I have invested in this, and using June's turbulence as ammunition was a great idea. That very same flower added a Crossfire shout-out to Angels and Temptations. Thank you, my dear friend. I strive to make a great impact on my readers' hearts, and I evidently made one on yours.
Warning: This is pretty easy to figure out by now. As all of my MGS work will, Crossfire contains a Snake that's exposed to weakness, like a throbbing wound that's exposed to scorching winds. In addition to that, boy/boy love is featured. If you're unhappy with either of those elements, you'll be better off elsewhere. Thanks!
If you're tired of seeing those warnings, I apologize. You won't believe what I've seen on here, though...
He awakened to hear drums pounding inside of his skull. His inner drummers were enraged kids, determined to annihilate everything in sight with their drumsticks. Savage waves of pain scorched the insides of his mind, creating equally powerful waves of nauseating dizziness. He blinked furiously in an attempt to regain his vision, but once he did, he immediately regretted its return. He was flat on his back, arms spread out and ensnared like an unlucky canary. His eyes were peering straight into the heavens, and an unsettling sense of foreboding riddled his bloodstream. He was at the edge of the Earth, and with a single push, he'd easily fall off-and drift into oblivion as a leaf. The kick to his side didn't lighten the situation's potency.
"Rise and shine, Snaaaake!"
He blinked, inwardly wishing for the deactivation of proper hearing. He was old, after all, and old enough to be a victim of impaired hearing. Perhaps the voice he heard didn't belong to Liquid. Perhaps-
Perhaps he was hoping for too much.
Clear vision made a comeback. With a fusion of frustration, fear and wrath, he peered up at his one and only sibling. The ability to gather himself was lost, and had been stolen back in the GW oven. He couldn't rise to his feet, for he could barely breathe. His OctoCamo suit was pretty much in tatters, and-
Cloud.
An all-powerful blade buried itself deep into his heart. Memories crashed into his throbbing skull mercilessly, reminding him of everything he adored and cherished. Reminding him of everything he ate and drank. He drank from the cup of his mate's existence, and yearned for the cup whenever it wasn't near. His return to consciousness wasn't met by the warm, ever-glowing eyes of the Strife, and it certainly wasn't met by his tender voice. Then there were the tears. The tears! The tears Cloud shed, after their trek through the oven! Shiva had done something to his Materia, and he was heartbroken! He evidently wanted to use his magic to at least provide some comfort, but couldn't!
Seeing his forlorn brother's distress, Liquid Ocelot gave the world a broad grin. He was a cat with a canary all right, and was enjoying his victory lap around the track. Snake looked as if he had accidentally left a pride of lions to die! What a priceless look his poor sibling had! "Good morning, dear brother of mine," the Ocelot snickered, clearly overjoyed with his brother's despair. Snake couldn't decide if he wanted to break out in sobs, or break out in screams. Cloud's absence was obviously too much to bear!
"Nice to see your bright, shining eyes this morning! How are we today, Snake?"
Snake became an enraged, snarling wolf. The situation rubbed him the wrong way for several reasons. Cloud wasn't anywhere near him, he hadn't been able to stop the Strife's tears, and then there was his brother. He hated the way his brother talked to him! Liquid spoke to him as if he didn't have a sliver of a brain! "Where is he?!" the wolf barked, eyes glowing with immortal hatred. The look he received was one of poisoned innocence.
"Who?"
For Snake, speaking was almost an impossible task. It was certainly excruciating, for his body hadn't lost GW's fire. His throat was still painfully raw, and not a sliver of strength remained in his battered frame. "Cloud! Where is he, Liquid?!"
Pawing at his elegant beard, Liquid pretended to contemplate a difficult math equation. His face then lit up, shining with the intensity of a diamond. "Oh! You're speaking of your beautiful blonde," the tyrant declared, as if he had just struck gold. He paced around his brother's body with a triumphant grin, clearly pleased with himself.
"You're talking about that gorgeous, luscious lover of yours. Well now...I'm happy to tell you he's with me!"
Snake's reaction caused him to break out in laughter. The most precious peace of his life had been stolen, and he was crushed! The mixture of pain, fury and grief on his face was just beautiful! Nothing short of priceless! "That's right, dear brother of mine," Liquid went on, walking on top of the world. Above him, thunder roared and lightning glistened in the heavens. "I've got him now! He's no longer yours! But don't hate me so much! He's with someone that will take care of him! I'm a much better choice for him, brother! I can provide everything for him-security, power, and a much better time in bed!"
The forlorn canary had two options. He could either launch himself at the cackling feline in uncontrollable fury, or he could verbally attack him. The latter option was preferable, and much more sensible. He was already seething with anger at his inability to remove Cloud's tears. Knowing that Sephiroth had snatched the Strife away, all in Liquid's favor, just deepened the chasm in his heart.
And Cloud always did everything in his power to protect him.
"He doesn't love you, you heartless bastard! How can you claim him if his heart isn't yours?!"
The question didn't ruffle a single one of Liquid's feathers. "How?! Dear Snake, you ask the cutest of questions! My dear comrade-in-arms plans on snapping your Strife's spirit in half! With a few flicks of the wrist, your blonde knight will be entirely in my control! I cannot provide you with all of the details, since I'm not well-versed in the art of a magician, but Sephiroth's got my love life under control!"
Snake buried a blade into Liquid's newborn stream of laughter. "You're pathetic," he growled, voice rumbling. "You're depending on someone that could easily turn away from you! Sephiroth and Cloud aren't the best of friends, but from what I've heard, Sephiroth isn't a team-player!"
"Are you implying that he might betray me? Don't count on it, brother. We're going to usher in a New World Order, and we're going to do it together! By the way, once I've erased all of humankind, I'll celebrate by making love to your Cloud. I'll wipe out every filthy memory he made of you! My hands will replace your hands, my lips will replace your lips-"
The next thing to escape Liquid's mouth was a grunt. Drawing strength from the very treasure called 'love', his brother pounced on him. The two fell into a life-or-death struggle, wrestling one another for the ultimate prize. Snake was determined to throttle the very life out of his brother, while Liquid was focused on trying to pry him off-wearing a victorious smile. Ephemeral moments passed before he had Snake pinned against the top of his battleship, savoring the look on his snarling brother's face. "That's right, Snake," he sang, delivering punches to his captive's face. His fingers dug viciously into the other's skin, and bones threatend to crush bones.
"I have emerged as the victor! You have lost! I've taken your world, your lover, and soon I'll take your life!"
Seven punches made contact before Liquid found himself in a perilous position, drawn over Snake's knee in a flash. That very same knee was driven straight into his face, while a merciless hand gripped his hair. The knee bashed his face several times before he found himself slammed against the ground, face first. Kicks rained in on him, all of them accompanied by fierce grunts. The round of kicks came to a miserable end, as the fifth kick was caught in mid-air. Liquid seized his sibling's leg and used it to slam his assailant into a nearby pole, laughing with demonic intensity. Once his immortal enemy was up against the pole, he unleashed a round of punches-all of them making contact with Snake's ribs. Poisonous nausea gripped the old legend's insides, sending him into the form of a ball. "You have to agree with me in this one situation," Liquid said nonchalantly, beaming at his brother's frail form. "If you never see eye-to-eye on me with anything else, fine. But you have to agree on this. Cloud deserves better. He deserves the world-and that's something you can't give him! You can't even protect him!"
Burning, boiling, fuming, Snake said nothing for a moment. He then lifted himself, face saturated in hatred. "I agree with you, brother," he replied, voice dripping fatal sarcasm. "He deserves better. He deserves much more than I'll ever be able to give him. He deserves more than any mortal-or demon-will ever be able to give him! But he loves me, and I love him!"
Snake's inner response to his last eight words: wow. Shock ran throughout his veins, and coursed through his brother's. Liquid threw his head back with a howl, clearly amused by his brother's newborn spark. "Love?" he cried out, sharing his cynicism with the world above. "Love?! Are you insane, you wretched sack of shit?! We weren't made to love! We're nothing but freaks, man-made beasts made for destruction! You definitely weren't made to love, and there's no way to justify your bond to that angel! You're disgusting, Snake! You're nothing but a fowl, hideous beast that needs only darkness-nothing more, nothing less!"
"Don't you think I know all of that?!" the previously forlorn monkey shot back, hands balled into fists. "Don't you think I know, Liquid?! I know I'm ugly! I know I'm a worthless sack of shit that's doomed to die! But that changes nothing! I tried to convince Cloud of all that, and he refused to listen! He loves me! He doesn't see me through my eyes! He sees me with his own eyes-and through those eyes, I am much more beautiful than I'll ever be!"
Bloodied but unbroken, Liquid's adversary delivered a staggering kick to his face. The impact caused the beast to reel back, snarling in aggravation. Punches were fast and heavy between the two, making contact with limps. Fists collided with bones, eyes glistened with everlasting scorn, and chests heaved from exertion. Snake drew his brother into a chokehold several minutes down the road, arms tight around the other's neck, but Liquid sprang out of it. Grabbing both of Snake's arms with inhumane strength, the cackling deity pinned his brother to the ground once again. He buried his fists into the older male's face, euphoric over his sibling's pain. "You'll see, brother," he said, his voice shrill and rapturous. "You'll see! I'll tear you apart, and then I'll create the perfect world! I'll bring our father's ideas to life-and you won't be around to love anything but the worms, you stinking pile of flesh!"
Pain boiled with the velocity of raging lava. It boiled on the surface of his face, and underneath his skin. Seizures held up red flags, threatening to swallow him whole. Muscles tensed, desperately fighting against the onslaught of venomous fire. Nausea was a dull but maddening throb, echoing inside of his stomach. In mere seconds, he could possibly become Liquid's ragdoll.
"Don't worry, old monkey! I'll take good care of your precious Cloud! By the time I'm through with him, he won't remember the stench of your wrinkled carcass!"
The many members of humanity were riled whenever opponents pressed certain buttons. Some were riled whenever an enemy attacked a family member. Feathers were sometimes ruffled whenever a profession was laughed at, or when a lovingly crafted meal was contemptuously thrown down the drain. Enraged mothers approached school officials whenever a child was unfairly treated at school. Friends pulled together whenever a member of their group was harassed. Snake may not have drawn ample strength from the world's fate, or even the topic of Big Boss, but his loved ones endowed him with strength. Hal, Sunny, Tifa, Cid, Barret, Yuffie, Roy, Meryl, Akiba and even Drebin were fountains of strength-pretty much fountains of youth. If Liquid had made the decision to attack any of them, even in the smallest way possible, he'd fight back. He'd unleash his claws, growl and attack!
Liquid wasn't attacking any of them, though. He was attacking the strongest fountain of all-
Cloud.
He leapt up, thrusting his legs straight into Liquid's chest. The force of his attack sent Liquid several feet away, giving him a chance to recover. Several seconds were spent in heavy breathing, then Liquid received his attention. He leapt into the air with a roar, giving his sibling's face a devastating kick. The collision sent the Ocelot onto his back, stunned by the sudden outbreak in strength. Before he could even blink, he found himself against another pole-pinned to that very pole by a livid Snake. Kicks were delivered with astounding ferocity, many of them followed by 180 degree turns. Snake initiated every last one of them, keeping his brother glued to the pole.
The final and greatest kick was a present to Liquid's crotch.
Panting, the old hero watched as his eternal foe slid to the ground-no different from a rag. Unable to do anything but pant, he observed his tormentor's frail movements. The cruel remarks against love had come to an end, along with the wicked laughter. Liquid's mouth grabbed at oxygen, just as a fish would grab for air outside of water. Suffocating underneath his own pain, the sadistic devil sent daggers in Snake's direction. Standing, and inwardly surprised by his ability to remain on his feet, Snake glared with undying hatred. While scorn stood on the stage, regret clutched the curtains. Cloud's mate was gazing at his last brother, and his heart still longed for an intimate connection. His heart longed for the chance to befriend the Ocelot, and form a brotherly connection that would never be broken.
Unfortunately, the only connection Liquid wanted was a connection to Sephiroth. And Sephiroth, as Snake mentioned earlier, was NOT a team player. Something was bound to shatter their so-called alliance. As for Cloud?
Snake didn't understand magic. He didn't understand Materia. Every time Cloud used Curaga to soothe his aches, it always felt like the first time. It was a new, fun, fascinating experience! But there was a lot he didn't understand, and Materia fell into the category. So whatever Sephiroth did to Cloud's soul, he couldn't grasp. But one thing was certain. Cloud, and his love for an ugly old beast, couldn't be broken. He was far too strong to be dragged underneath darkness, and his love surpassed all. Only a fearless, reckless idiot would love a frail, old beast in the first place! Cloud deserved more, much more! He deserved someone younger, stronger-someone that could give him the world, the moon, and everything beyond! It was still impossible to believe the Strife made love to him! A beautiful, virile, noble swordsman made love to an old, wrinkled killer! A freak!
Snake sneered. Liquid was probably lying. No, not 'probably'. He WAS lying! Cloud wasn't broken, and never would be broken! Sephiroth had undoubtedly whisked Cloud away, but nothing devastating had taken place! Cloud fought just to see him smile! Cloud was disconsolate when he couldn't cool Snake off! Cloud wasn't in any danger! Wherever he was, he was fighting to return to his mate-and he'd fight too! He'd fight against Liquid and return to the Strife's side, with every ounce of his strength! There wouldn't be any more running, any more hiding, or any more bowing! It was time to strike back! Cloud would defeat Sephiroth, and he'd defeat Liquid! Their war would come to an end, the world would find peace, and-
They'd get married. They'd live happily ever after, just as every fairy tale couple did.
Liquid's hands sought the sky. They sought the heavens, fingers grasping for light. Snake watched as his brother sought the light, bearing a fusion of astonishment and disgust. Not a single word was shared, but then the Ocelot broke the uncomfortable silence. His voice, although shaky and hoarse, was surprisingly calm. "It won't end here," he declared, still grasping at the air. "It won't end here, Snake. This is only the beginning. The world will fall into chaos, and the true nature of humanity will shine through. You'll see. There won't be love. There will only be death. Nothing else."
Snake, no longer Old Snake but Solid Snake, shook his head. His voice was weak, but it was just as calm as Liquid's. Devoid of hatred, devoid of anger, and only filled with serenity. He knew his chance at having a brother was forever lost, and decided to accept the death of that dream. His body was indifferent to physical pain, ignoring every last one of his wounds.
"That's what you think. I used to believe the same thing, Liquid, but I don't any more. Not any more. I found light. You already know where it comes from. You're trying to steal that light away from me, because you know how powerful it is. You know that light is my driving force, the fire behind my wheels. That's why you're so hellbent on keeping Cloud to yourself. That's why you're reaching for the light. You want something you know you'll never have, because your heart's too black."
Walking towards his fallen sibling, he felt himself smiling. The smile was one of dense regret, but it held warm acknowledgement of reality. "I'm sorry," he said kindly, smiling as his brother gasped for air-still clinging to Heaven's invincible rope. "You won't ever have the light I carry. I know I'm ugly. I know I'm nothing but a beast, but...someone out there loves me. And the future's waiting for us."
The next events happened in flashes.
The face of a beautiful, divine maiden flashed in his mind, whispering the words 'well done, David'.
A rather familiar Masamune dove straight into Liquid's chest-
And birds took flight, soaring in the dark heavens.
A sharp gasp tore itself out of Snake's chest. Not only was he unable to identify the ephemeral maiden, but someone had evidently entered his battlefield-snuffing out his brother's weak flame. Grief erupted at the death of a corrupted sibling, but it was overriden by an abrupt explosion in shock. His eyes, widened to their limits, were directed to an angel with one wing. That celestial being was making his descent from the sky, as calm as a goldfish.
Seconds passed. Snake stepped back several feet, eyes glued to the silver-haired deity. Silence walked between the two, serene yet troubling. Mortal and deity gazed at one another, souls bearing different reactions to their encounter. Snake had the face of an alarmed fawn, wondering about the entity's next actions. Not a single thought ran through the soldier's mind as he watched the cryptic being. The Masamune, meanwhile, remained inside of Liquid Ocelot's chest. Would the one-winged angel run it through Snake's chest?
Sephiroth was a statue, completely silent and devoid of emotion. He walked closer to the fearful fawn, his intentions cloudy. With every step Sephiroth took, Snake jumped back two steps. "Remain still," Cloud's opponent ordered, his voice no stronger than a zephyr. With eyes that were as calm as an ocean, he sent a smile that instantly froze Liquid's brother. His blade remained buried in Liquid's chest, but he was still equipped with Materia-the deadliest Materia known to man, according to Cid.
Snake shut his eyes, fearing the worst. He had managed to evade Liquid's death grip, but Sephiroth was a completely different story. Would Sephiroth wipe out his life, just as he erased Liquid's? Was he fated to die before a silver-haired angel, without seeing any of his loved ones again? There was no way a mortal could fight against an angel-a corrupted angel, to top everything off!
A wave of energy blanketed his body. It was surely coming from Sephiroth, but what was it? Was the angel going to kill him? Why wasn't-
Why wasn't there any pain? Why were his wounds going away? Why was he able to breathe so freely?
The wave of light vanished as quickly as it came. Eyes widened and fearful, Snake examined himself hurriedly. His face, arms and legs were free of gashes. His teeth weren't bloodied, his body wasn't in danger of exploding from heat...and the only thing in tatters was OctoCamo. It was as if he had never ventured into GW with Otacon and...
Cloud.
"There," Sephiroth said, looking as if someone had just told him to kiss a kitten. Taking only a few steps, he removed his blade from Liquid's chest-without the smallest bit of remorse. Clearly disgusted with everything in existence, including his bloodied Masamune, he sheathed his precious blade and turned away. Snake, thoroughly stunned from head to toe, sent out a hand to reach him.
"Wait!"
The word 'ew' was stamped all over the deity's face. "What is it?"
"What...what did you do to me?" Snake asked, shy and soft. A hand was over his heart, and he had the eyes of a bashful doe. Sephiroth gagged at the old man's behavior and appearance, looking as if someone had dunked his hand in slime. "Isn't it obvious?" the angel replied, rolling his eyes. His voice was as calm and inexplicable, deep and almost soothing.
"I rid your body of its ailments, save for one. I didn't rid you of your wrinkles, because that moronic lover of yours cherishes you in that form."
At the mere mention of Cloud, Snake's soul lit up like a Christmas tree. A radiant smile spread across his face, shining with the brilliance of newborn daylight. "Go to him," Sephiroth grumbled, wanting to rid himself of Snake and everything attached to him. The old soldier laughed at his wish to make a quick exit. "Wait a minute," he said amidst chuckles, exhausted yet surprisingly warm. "What in the hell is all of this about? What made you get rid of my brother?"
Sephiroth didn't bother to turn around. It was too much trouble. "His stupidity. I became bored with his power trip, and his obsession with you disgusted me. Out of the two of you, I see you were the one blessed with brains."
Snake smiled, but his face wasn't the only thing that smiled. His heart and soul smiled right along with it. "Where's Cloud?" he asked Sephiroth's back, unable to mask a few chuckles.
"Waiting for you aboard that wretched little ship."
"You sent him there, didn't you?"
"I tried to kill him, but he wouldn't lay down," Sephiroth groaned, anger elevating. "He kept talking about you. Snake this, Snake that-his drivel almost drove me insane. I'll kill him when you're out of the picture, thank you very much."
Glowing with affection, Snake presented another question. "Why don't you kill me? I'm right here. You've got the perfect opportunity."
"It's like I said-you're the one with brains. And not too many mortals have brains."
Warm chuckles fell from the old one's heart. It's much deeper than that. Can't fool me!
"I'd send you to your sailboat myself, but I'd become sick from the exposure to stupidity," Sephiroth's back grumbled. "So don't ask me to escort you. I'd sooner behead myself."
Right then and there, an old legend came alive. Life, screaming as a newborn baby, entered his body and surged into his bloodstream. A part of him wished to prod Sephiroth and say 'you like me, you like meee', but he chose another route. "Where will you go?" he asked gently, face shining with love. Sephiroth slowly turned to face him, devoid of disgust.
"Into your memories. Where else?"
"You don't want me to be in the way," the soldier said instantly, eyes twinkling. "You don't want me to be around when you settle the score with him, because you know it'll break my heart. You don't want me to cry if something were to happen to Cloud."
The angel said nothing, silvery blue eyes focused on the old hero. Silence provided Snake with the answer he expected. "Pretend all you want, Sephiroth," Big Boss' son said, still smiling. "Keep on lying to yourself. You're out for the light, no matter how much you try to mask it. You want it just as much as he did."
"Don't compare me to that cockroach," the silver angel snarled, looking as if Snake had thrown rotten oranges down his throat. "I should eliminate you for that little remark, but I won't waste my time. I do pity you, though, for your brother will burn in the flames of his own stupidity."
He said not another word, departing from the world of mortals on a single wing. Snake watched as Sephiroth departed, rising into the heavens as a lone wolf. With a smile he watched the angel vanish, knowing he'd be all right. Knowing he'd find the light, regardless of its distance. Knowing all creatures, man-made or otherwise, would have their lives blessed with light. Pure, undying, holy light.
Smiling, he looked to Liquid's lifeless body. For the very first time, his sibling was peaceful. Although bloodied and broken, Liquid-no longer Liquid Ocelot but Liquid Snake-was at peace. Pain was nowhere to be found. Serenity had emerged, drawing him deeper into eternity's golden stream. He turned away from his fallen brother, body glowing with newfound vivacity. Translucent pink raindrops soaked his face, falling from the rejuvenated ether. Closing his eyes, he sank deep into the world's bliss, allowing the rain to heal his weary frame. Deep within his heart he heard the laughter of babies. The laughter of children.
As he absorbed the world's jubilation, the maiden made another return to the inside of his heart. Into his mind she returned, soft eyes radiant with everlasting love.
"Congratulations, sweet flower. You are now alive."
'Shall Never Surrender' was a bad-butt theme for the Snake/Sephiroth interaction. The lyrics and ambiance of that song captured the spirit of their conversation, and the end to a lifelong struggle. As for the rest of the chapter, I used 'Snake Eater' and the 'Old Snake' theme, to commemorate the original spirit of the MGS4 finale.
The pink rain was inspired by the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children finale. Snake closing his eyes against the rain was also inspired by the AC finale. In the film, Cloud did the same thing after his greatest battle. XD How romantic. XD
Aerith sent rain from the heavens, healing the pain from the Cloud/Sephiroth confrontation. Speaking of Aerith, she's the maiden that appeared in Snake's mind twice.
So! What did you think about Sephiroth's decision to betray Liquid? Surprising, eh? Well, I'm sorry, but I really didn't view Sephiroth as a team player. He's not someone to care for another person's goals. He only partnered with Liquid to further his own agenda, and planned on killing him in the end any way. Maybe things will be different for 'Age of Eternity', but this time around, I just couldn't see Sephiroth working with Liquid-without ulterior motives, and without bearing the desire to kill him. XD
Originally, Sephiroth was supposed to return Snake's body to its young state. I had him left in Old Snake form for the reason Sephiroth explained. Oh, and FOXDIE was removed from Snake's body. Sephiroth gave him a new lease on life. XD
Implied Snake/Sephiroth fluffiness was originally included in the Snake/Sephiroth exchange, with Sephiroth exuding a bit of a puppy crush on the old soldier. The crush was supposed to be part of his refusal to kill Snake, with a crystal-clear shot. I left out the fluffy crush in favor of Sephiroth's character, for I didn't wish to betray his rough exterior. Plus, I am inexperienced at portraying Sephiroth's character at this time. While writing his lines, I only went off his voice from the Advent Children film. XD I'll save the harder climbs for later. I adored the Snake/Sephiroth exchange, though. I read through it after the chapter came to a close!
Thank you for joining me, my dear friends! As you have probably guessed, Crossfire's finale will be a joyous one. And if you're familiar with MGS4, you know what's in store. The inexplicably beautiful, tear-jerking epilogue!