Chapter 3

Snake was prowling down a hallway, sidling against the wall at every corner and peeking around them. He then heard the tread of footsteps coming down the hall towards him. Being a master of stealth, he hid under his box that he always seems to pull out from nowhere. He heard the footfalls pass him and stop. The box was then lifted off of him, and he was looking at Mario, only he was wearing a medic's jacket, a stethoscope, and a reflector.

"Here he is," said Dr Mario to Zelda, Link and Toon Link. Snake was silent, fuming that his hiding spot had been so easily found. "We have a request for you Snake."

"What is your request?" asked Snake dejectedly.

"We were wondering if you would be willing to help us look for Roy," said Zelda.

"Roy…?" asked Snake, getting up.

"Swordsman, spiky hair, blue armor, cape, not too bright…" Zelda went on.

"Oh, right. Isn't he the one always getting lost in his closet and socializing with that Lucario Pokémon?" asked Snake.

"Yes, he's missing and he hasn't registered for the new game yet," answered Zelda. "Will you help us look for him?"

"Alright," answered Snake, "Looks like I've got nothing better to do anyways. Nothing like a mission to pass the day. So where do we start looking?"

"I've already checked Roy's room, the game room, outside, the kitchen, the attic and the basement," said Dr Mario. "But there's more places to look."

Snake stood there thinking, before saying: "Well, it looks like we don't have time to do reconnaissance around the building, so it looks like we'll have to split up into groups and look in other places. Doc, you and the little swordsman go check the lounge and the library, while me, the princess, and the other swordsman will check the Pokémon and Fire Emblem rooms."

"Why look there?" asked Toon Link.

"Because he was hanging around with Lucario," answered Snake. "And we should check with those he's been with."

"But both Marth and Ike don't know where he is, and they say Lucario hasn't seen him either," pointed out Dr Mario.

"We'll still check with them, because firsthand knowledge is much better to have," confirmed Snake.

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"So you haven't seen him since he left the line?" Snake asked both Ike and Marth. They had both finished registering, and were going to help look for Roy. "And you say Lucario hasn't seen him either?" Both nodded, Snake eyed them both, and then nodded himself. "You two can search the trophy room." Then Snake went to go question Lucario. The two swordsmen looked at each other, and then headed for the trophy room.

Zelda and Link were walking with Snake towards Lucario's room. They finally reached it and Snake was reaching for the handle when Zelda stopped him.

"Snake, it's rude to barge into another person's room, you should knock first," Zelda scolded. Snake stood there a moment, perplexed, but he knocked on Lucario's door. Lucario answered the door and stood there, frowning and looking at them questioningly.

"Yes?" asked Lucario, looking from one to the other.

"We needed to ask you some questions, Lucario," answered Snake.

"About what?" inquired Lucario, his frown still there.

"We were wondering if you had seen Roy anywhere," said Zelda.

"I see," said Lucario. "But I can't say I've seen him today."

"So you haven't seen him?" prodded Snake.

"No, I haven't," answered Lucario. Snake noticed Lucario broke eye contact for a split second when he answered. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm getting ready for a nap." With that, he closed the door on them. The three walked towards their rendezvous point, the lounge.

"So where do we look now?" asked Zelda.

"Lucario's room," answered Snake. "He's hiding something, and I'm going to find out what."

"What do you mean?" asked Zelda. "Lucario just told us he hasn't seen Roy. Besides, maybe one of the others found him." Snake nodded slowly in agreement.

"Very well then," he said. "Let's check with the others and see if they had any success in finding Roy." Then they proceeded to the lounge.

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"He wasn't in the trophy room," said Marth.

"He wasn't in the library," said Dr Mario.

"Or in here," added Toon Link, motioning around the lounge.

"And he wasn't where ever else we looked," said Zelda.

"No success yet," said Snake. "Lucario must be up to something, I know he's hiding something."

"So what do you suggest we do? Barge into his room and search?" asked Ike.

"No, I'll search his room, as I'm the only one here who's a secret agent," answered Snake.

"How are you going to do that?" said Marth with a raised eyebrow. "Lucario always locks his room."

"Oh, I have my ways," said Snake, looking up the wall. "Who can give me a boost?"

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