CHAPTER 10:

A LOVER'S QUARREL

Harry was perched on his broomstick, no mean feat in a blizzard, but he had played Quidditch in a rainstorm, with Dementors attacking during the game. This was still harder, but he was good at flying in hard conditions. It was cold as hell, though, but not as cold as Liquid Snake's heart.

He had dropped Wolf off at her ambush location. And now, he was up here, waiting. Something was wrong. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. But it was there. Then again, at times, he felt like Mad-Eye Moody had infected him with his paranoia. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" he could hear the grizzled, scarred Auror bellow in the depths of his memory. Murdered by a Death Eater while trying to save Harry's life. What would Moody have made of the life Harry now led?

As if on cue, the Sorrow appeared. "I could summon him, if you wish," he offered.

"No," Harry said to the Cobra ghost. "No, some of the dead should remain buried. I've made my peace with Moody, Lupin and Tonks. And with my parents and Sirius. Sorrow, am I actually making a difference here? Will I be able to stop what Liquid has started?"

"I do not know. Your presence has helped many things. Now, Emma Emmerich will be less tempted to join the Arsenal Gear program. And Snake has gone in without blinkers. I hope that you have changed enough, Harry. But I can only see futures but dimly." He watched as the door opened, and Snake stepped through. "I should go."

Snake clearly saw the phantom Cobra fade away, because he called out over the howling wind of the blizzard, "Who was that?"

"A ghost of the past," Harry said. He looked down at Snake from his perch. "It's time to play our roles, Snake." He brought out his wand from the wrist holster in his sleeve. "You're the hero, and I'm the villain." A bitter chuckle wormed its way from his throat. "With a wave of this wand, I could paralyse you, kill you instantly, make you feel such pain that makes Ocelot's torture feel like the caress of a lover. It makes your SOCOM look like a rock axe in comparison. The man who crafted it once said I would do great things, just like the wand that gave me my scar did. Voldemort did terrible things, but great things on a scale you couldn't do with one man with a gun." He put his wand up in a salute. "So, shall we dance, Snake?"

Snake's response was to draw an M9 pistol. Harry recognised it as a form modified to fire tranquiliser rounds. "Yeah," he said.

Before either of them could do anything, though, there was the scream of a volley of rockets, which smashed into the bridge linking the two towers by their roofs. And Harry whirled, spinning the broom to find the Hind-D gunship, Liquid at the controls, sneering at Harry.

"What the hell, Liquid?!" Harry yelled at him, before activating his Codec. "Dammit, Liquid, I had him!"

"Of course you did…traitor!" Liquid snarled, using the external speakers of the helicopter gunship he was piloting.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Harry yelled out loud, only to be answered by a chuckle from the blonde bastard. Liquid clearly read his lips, because there was no way he could have been heard over the sound of the storm and the rotors(1).

"Mantis and I have had a bond ever since that false version of Big Boss 'rescued' us!" Liquid sneered. "As he died, he caught a glimpse in Snake's mind that you were an informant, helping Snake! He sent me that, so I've known since Mantis was killed. Of course, Wolf was rather upset when I told her. You'd even turn traitor to the love of your life? How callous of you, Griffin…or should I say, Harry Potter? The Boy Who Lived. The vanquisher of Lord Voldemort. Well, let's see if machine gun fire will kill you!"

Harry ducked and weaved on the broom. Liquid's mastery over using the helicopter was good, but the broom was infinitely more manoeuvrable. Harry sent a Bombarda spell Liquid's way, and as the explosive spell hit home (albeit doing little more than rocking the helicopter), Harry landed near Snake. "Okay, the jig's up. Hop on, now!"

Snake held on tight, understandably nervous about trusting his life to a broomstick, and Harry took off, going over the railing, and heading down to the other bridge, the one connecting the towers further down. Harry pulled up out of the steep dive at the last moment (making a Wronski Feint look like child's play by comparison), and sped towards a trio of Genome Soldiers, who were startled to see one of their superiors bowling towards them on a broomstick. They dove out of the way, and Snake, having switched his M9 for his SOCOM, shot the three of them. They followed the bridge to the tower, and dismounted from the broomstick, hurrying into the tower just as Liquid flew in their direction, firing at them with the machine gun on the Hind-D.

"Bastard!" Harry snarled at the closed door. "You stupid, malicious, petty and petulant bastard, Liquid!"

Snake noticed a box down by their feet, and murmured, "A consolation prize. Look, a Stinger missile launcher. That could help bring down the Hind-D."

Harry only half-heard him, smashing his fist into the wall. "Damn you, Liquid."

"Harry." He felt Snake's hand on his shoulder, and Harry turned around. "You did what you had to do."

"Yeah, but it might have cost me the love of my life," Harry said, quietly. "She'll be gunning for me as much as she would be for you, Snake. Wolf doesn't take what she perceives as betrayal lightly. She hates the US, because of what happened during the first Gulf War. I knew I would have had to explain it sooner or later, but…"

Snake nodded. "I know. Harry, I want to ask you some things, but now may not be the best time…"

"No, no, I'll…I'll answer them. Anything to keep my mind off this…"

"Then how is Liquid my brother? Were we twins?"

"More than that, Snake," Harry said. "You were triplets, the product of Les Enfants Terrible, a project designed to create children for Big Boss. He was sterile, you see, and a man called Major Zero wanted to make sure Big Boss' legacy lasted. You and Liquid were products of that project. So too is President Sears, believe it or not."

"…Actually, I can. I've seen Sears, I've wondered why he looks so much like…like him," Snake said. He scoffed. "So Liquid and I are clones of Big Boss?"

"Crudely engineered, and with some traits relating to warfare enhanced. Liquid got recessive genes, many of them the better ones, while you got dominant genes that are more common. Genetically speaking, you should theoretically be inferior to him. But Liquid thinks he is the inferior one, and he's got a shaky grasp of biology, not to mention genetic determinism. Snake, you've proved yourself to be better than him. Genes shape your fate, but they don't determine every part of it. You may be a puppet of the government, but you at least try to do what you can. Liquid claims he's seeking freedom, but in reality, he's just repeating Big Boss' mistake, on a grander scale. There's another thing you should know."

"What?"

"There's a group pulling the strings of those who are pulling yours. The Patriots, a group once founded by Big Boss and Major Zero, but now in the hands of artificial intelligences. They effectively run the United States, and the world. I know it's fantastic, but the Patriots are the ones behind what is happening here. Liquid is fighting them, but in the wrong way. Should we survive this, I intend to fight them in what should be the right way."

Snake scoffed. "Well, I'll want to hear the whole story later. For now, we'll get the hell out of here…"

The stairs leading to the Snowfield, however, had been demolished, and Harry couldn't use a Reparo charm, not for want of trying. They had tried the elevator, but it was busted. He pulled out his broomstick. "Wolf's waiting down there."

"And according to Mei Ling, Liquid's circling the top of this tower like a vulture. Otacon's on his way, he's going to help fix the elevator. Harry…I'll go and deal with Liquid. You can deal with Wolf. Just remember…I can't have anything standing in the way of the mission. Do what you have to do."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Snake," Harry scoffed bitterly.

"I'm sorry. I don't want you to kill your lover…but she's in the way. Do what you can. Good luck."

Harry nodded, before mounting the broomstick, and carefully flying down the shattered stairwell, all the way to the bottom. He then took out the Invisibility Cloak, and made his way out, mounting the broomstick again just as he entered the Snowfield. As he flew around, his heart was heavy with the enormity of the task he had to do. He had to defeat his own lover.

After a few seconds of flying around, he heard his Codec go off. He answered it. "Wolf."

"Griffin." Her voice was even colder than the blizzard. "I know you're there. I saw the door open. I saw no footprints, so it can't be Hal. You betrayed me, Griffin."

"I betrayed Liquid," Harry responded. "He's a madman. You know me better than anyone else in FoxHOUND. How could you think I would sit idly by and allow him to inflict his insanity on the world?"

"Shut up!" Wolf snarled, her voice heavy with emotion. "You betrayed me, Griffin! You betrayed the love I felt for you! And the worst thing is, you're not even denying it! If you had said Liquid was lying, I would have…"

"You deserved honesty from me, Wolf. Yes, I am helping Snake. To make sure you survive!"

"Go to hell. I will love nobody who stinks of betrayal. You are my enemy, my special target, Griffin. The man I loved is dead. All that is left is a traitor."

"Says the woman willing to inflict what she endured in her childhood upon so many other children. War and famine and pestilence and death. The Four Horsemen. Do you really want that to happen? Liquid does."

"Shut up. Take off that damned Invisibility Cloak, and face me, Harry Potter!" she screamed, all but sobbing.

Harry soon found her, hiding near a snowdrift amongst the trees at one end of the Snowfield. "Really? Do you want to see Harry Potter uncloaked(2)?"

"Yes. But you never will, you coward. Hiding like men do before a strong woman."

"I never said you weren't strong, Yasmin," Harry said out loud. As she whirled to face him, he flung the Cloak into her face, and dropped down from the broomstick, which hovered just above him. "You're the strongest woman I have ever met. A proud wolf. And yet you follow Liquid to your death like a common dog! Where is your pride, Sniper Wolf?!" he demanded, tears running down his face.

She struggled free of the Cloak, and then fired at him. He was already moving, pointing his wand at her and roaring, "EXPELLIARMUS!"

Her PSG-1 rifle was nearly torn from her grip, but she held onto it, merely being flung to the ground. She raised it and fired. Harry felt the bullet clip his ear, but tried his best to ignore the pain as he dashed towards her. Wolf swung out with the rifle's butt, smashing his ankle, and sending him to the snowy ground. She stood up, and stood over him, aiming the rifle at point-blank range, but a wordless Depulsio spell sent her flying.

Harry remembered what Gray Fox had said about his fight with Snake in Zanzibar Land, when they hid the Cyborg Ninja in Naomi Hunter's home. He said that it had become not a fight of enemy versus enemy, but like a sport, a pure game where life and death was on the line. While it wasn't quite the case here, there was something almost liberating about this fight, something dangerous. He was losing himself in a warrior's frenzy, and while he could assume the role of a warrior, he was something else.

The spell had sent her flying into a tree, and with pained gasps, she struggled to her feet. "Wolf," Harry said. "Just stop."

"Never," Wolf said, tears running from her face, of physical and psychological pain. "You broke my heart, you bastard, so I'm going to shoot yours."

As she raised her rifle, he pointed his wand at the snowdrifts around them, a spell of his own making. The snow suddenly erupted in a wave that sent Wolf flying again, only to crash down onto the ground. As she lay there, stunned, he cast a Body-Bind on her.

Just as he walked over to her, he heard an explosion from above, and watched as the Hind-D began spiralling out of control. He heard Liquid scream through the external speakers, "SNAAAAKE!", before the helicopter gunship began to crash. The rotors were blown off, and Liquid ejected. The cockpit, burning up, headed straight for them, and as fast as he could, Harry erected a Shield Charm. Even so, the cockpit pinned them against a wall, Harry crushed up against Wolf.

The parachuting Liquid landed soon thereafter, and looked around the Snowfield. Then, he saw the burning cockpit. "Wolf said Griffin would be here. I can't see them. Maybe they got hit by the cockpit." He then scoffed contemptuously. "Good. Two birds with one stone. Liabilities, the pair of them, fucking like rabbits. A traitor, and his angst-ridden drama queen slattern. Only good for meatshields. Good riddance."

Wolf's eyes widened, and then narrowed. Liquid made his way into the Blast Furnace entrance. Then, Harry, after a few minutes, sent the cockpit flying with a Depulsio spell, and then undid the Body-Bind. Wolf fell to her hands and knees, and began sobbing. She let Harry hold her as the anger she had felt towards him sublimated.

As her sobs petered out, Harry said, "I got you the FoxDIE vaccine from Ocelot. He called it a cold vaccine when he gave it to you. I want to save you, Wolf, and the world. That's why I did it. I know I kept secrets from you. I didn't want to, but you were so in favour of supporting this, I…I…" His own eyes filled with tears again.

Wolf nodded. "I…I understand, Harry. We mean nothing to him. He claims to be following Saladin's dream, but he treats us as…worthless, disposable. Like the Patriots do." Her hand clenched into a fist. "He will die. He will die for what he treated me as. You value my life. He doesn't. Bastard."

A few minutes later, Emmerich arrived. "Wolf? Griffin? Are you two okay?"

"We're fine, Hal," Harry said, standing, helping Wolf to her feet. "Just working out some issues." He picked up Wolf's rifle, and handed it to her.

Wolf took it with a nod, and then looked at Emmerich. "I'm no longer with Liquid. He doesn't value my life. He is no son of Saladin. Saladin would not have sacrificed my life so readily."

"You mean Big Boss?" Emmerich asked. He had heard Wolf refer to Big Boss by the name of the famous military leader from the Crusades before.

Wolf nodded, and Harry said, "He's gone by a lot of names. Naked Snake, Ishmael, Jack, John Doe…Saladin's just what Wolf calls him."

"Saladin would not have betrayed me like that," Wolf said. "Not like so many others."

Emmerich then did something unexpected. He threw his arms around Wolf, and hugged her. Harry and Wolf were startled by the unexpected gesture, but allowed him to do so. "Wolf…" Emmerich said quietly, "nobody should treat you like that. I mean, I know you were working with Liquid, but…I know you are a good person. And Snake told me back in the Comms Tower that you've been working with him since he got here, Griffin." He broke off the hug, and gave a nervous smile. "You two were happy together, why stop now?"

A few minutes later than that, Snake approached, having come out of the Communications Tower. He looked at Harry, Wolf, and Emmerich together, and noted the lack of aggression in Wolf's eyes. "We good?" he asked, laconically.

"Liquid doesn't value my life," Wolf said. "I only ask that you let me put a bullet in his head when the time comes."

Snake nodded. "As long as you don't put a bullet in mine, I'd appreciate the help." He turned to Emmerich. "Otacon, find somewhere safe to hide. And any intel you can find on the emergency PAL key you can dig up, I'd appreciate it."

Emmerich nodded, and began walking, well, limping away. Harry, meanwhile, managed to find his broomstick and his Invisibility Cloak. Putting them to one side for the moment, he looked at Snake, and at Wolf. The three fighters nodded in agreement, and then headed to the Blast Furnace entrance. It was a relief not to play a role anymore, Harry reflected. But now, the more difficult part began. Stopping Liquid, and making sure he didn't activate Metal Gear REX…

CHAPTER 10 ANNOTATIONS:

And there you have it. Liquid and Wolf have learned of Griffin's betrayal, and Wolf has realised how little Liquid values his underlings. When you think about it, Liquid is very much a man who thinks his comrades and colleagues disposable, which makes him a hypocrite. He's trying to have Snake activate Metal Gear REX through a major deception, but allows his best allies to be killed in the process. The Phantom Pain suggests that he has always been this callous towards his allies, apparently, so I've put that in here.

1. How else could Liquid Snake and Solid Snake speak to each other during their confrontation, with Liquid in a noisy helicopter?

2. This is a reference to the novel The Lord of the Rings, where Gandalf, upon finding Bilbo increasingly reluctant to give up the Ring, says "It will be my turn to get angry soon. If you say that again, I shall. Then you will see Gandalf the Grey uncloaked." And by 'that', he means Bilbo calling the Ring his 'precious'.