Snake and Luigi continued with their perilous journey of the wasteland. Their next stop was the ruins of the Mushroom Kingdom, a place that was long-forgotten since the Catastrophe. It was certainly a husk of a once bright, colorful and thriving kingdom, and it was assumed to now be baron. Needless to say, the discovery of the Committee's presence there created a lot of questions.
"Have you ever been there since the Catastrophe?" Snake asked his friend who was a former resident.
"No, I haven't. It's strange…I would've thought that it would be the first place I would go after the incident, just out of concern and curiosity. To see who and what made it through. But honestly…I feel afraid more than anything. Afraid of what I might see." Luigi admitted.
"That's an understandable feeling, nothing to be ashamed about. It was your home. No doubt it's where a lot of happy memories took place. Then to possibly see the whole place reduced to ash, would be heart-breaking."
"Yeah. But it's been seven years since then. After all the shit I've been through over that time, not to mention these past few weeks, I think I'm prepared to go back."
"Glad to hear it. The one thing we know is that the place can't be just a crater. There's something there that's important enough for one of the Committee leaders to pay a visit."
Snake began to receive a call on his radio. He patched it through.
"This is Snake." He gave his usual response.
"Hello Snake." A soft, kind voice said over the radio.
"Hey Peach. What's going on?"
"Link told me that you're heading to the ruins of my…my kingdom." She said clearly troubled thinking about those last two words.
"That's right. What about it?"
"Well I thought maybe I could help out a little, tell you guys about what to expect there."
"So you've been there after the incident?"
"That's right."
"Well if you know anything about what the area looks like, that'd be very helpful."
"Okay then. Though it's been a while since I was there, so I may not remember everything."
"Just tell me as much as you can. Anything helps." He assured.
"For starters, the outer part of the kingdom got the worst of the disaster. Any of the areas farther than the main city are nothing but destroyed buildings and debris."
"I figured as much."
"But the inner cities are still relatively intact. You'll definitely see buildings that are heavily damaged, but a lot of them are still standing."
"Alright. I guess that's the most likely spot for us to come across any type of resistance. What about your castle?"
"Like the buildings, damaged but structurally sound. Other than that, that's all I know I'm afraid."
"That's all right Peach. Thanks for your help."
"I just don't understand. I don't know of anything there that would be of interest to the Committee. What are they looking for?"
"Well I'm going to find out. Thanks Peach."
"Stay safe Snake." She said before the call ended.
"What'd she say?" Luigi asked.
"She gave me an idea of what to expect there, what areas are heavily damaged, that sort of thing."
"She have an idea on what they might be searching for?"
"No…however I'm getting the feeling that they're not looking for anything." Snake deduced.
"Really?"
"Think about it. Shulk was at Gaur Plain, and you said there shouldn't be anything of interest there. It was a barren land, but when we got there we found a laboratory built by them. It was a damn good hiding place."
"I think I see where you're going. They're setting up bases of operations in places that are thought to be empty of resources. Hide them in places people don't go."
"Yeah. And according to Peach, the Mushroom Kingdom still has buildings, and even the damn castle still intact. There's no need to build from the ground up, they can just move their equipment into those buildings." Snake explained.
"You're right! But what do you think their doing there? We just destroyed their lab that developed all of their weaponry, including the mutagen."
"I'm not sure what it could be, but I'm not looking forward to finding out."
"Agreed friend. Regardless, we're wasting time thinking about it. We'll figure out a plan when we get there. Let's go Snake." Luigi said and the two made haste.
Night began to fall, and the skies grew dark. It was the time for Snake and Luigi to look for temporary shelter. Luigi then saw something strange in the distance.
"Snake! Take a look over there!" Luigi pointed to the location. Snake looked and the two were surprised to see a cave with a bit of light emitting from the entrance. They assumed it to be a campfire. "I don't know anyone besides us that uses a cave for shelter."
"Neither do I. Let's check it out." Snake suggested.
"We're not going to hurt them are we?" Luigi stopped Snake before they proceeded.
"Of course not! Unless they're our enemies. Other than that it could be somebody that needs help." Snake gave his reasoning.
"You're right. I'll be right behind you."
The two made their way into the cave, taking each step with caution. They ended up coming across the source of the light. As they guessed it was a campfire, but they didn't see anyone around. But then they heard a man fiercely shout, and a blast of energy hit the rock wall right next to Snake, stopping both of them in their tracks.
"Take another step and I will kill you!" The man threatened, insinuating that the previous attack was a warning shot of sorts. The man was farther back in the cave, and Snake could only make out his silhouette, but could tell he was in combat position.
"Take it easy! We don't mean any harm!" Snake attempted to calm things down.
"Is that so?" The man asked, sounding unconvinced.
"That voice…that attack…I remember!" Luigi said to himself. "Ryu! Ryu it's me! Luigi! Remember?"
Snake was surprised. He wondered if they really had run into the man. He noticed the silhouette go at ease.
"Luigi! Is that really you?"
The man stepped forward into the light, showing that he was indeed Ryu. "My god! It is!" He cheered. The two old friends shook hands, delighted to be reunited. Ryu then looked over to Snake.
"Oh! Luigi, who is your friend here?"
"The name's Snake. Though people who haven't met me refer to me as "The Nomad"." Snake introduced himself, extending his hand to the martial artist. Ryu was shocked to know who he was looking at, and gladly shook Snake's hand.
"So you're the legendary Nomad? It's a pleasure to meet you! I've heard many tales about your exploits." Ryu complimented. "Please forgive my actions earlier. I was worried that you two might have been…"
"Let me guess. Committee assassins?" Snake finished for him.
"That's correct. I should've realized you two must be in the same boat as I am. You've probably crossed paths with them many times."
"You have no idea." Luigi laughed.
"Oh please! Do sit down! I'm sure there's much we can discuss." Ryu offered as if inviting them into his home.
The three sat around the campfire and ate their meals. They began conversing with each other.
"By the way, no need to apologize about earlier. We know how it is. You can never be too safe out here, especially when the Committee is after you." Snake said.
"I'm glad you understand." Ryu smiled.
"So you say that you've heard a lot about me, but you should know that you've been making a bit of a name for yourself out here. Luigi told me a little about you. You're a martial artist right?" Snake asked.
"That's right."
"What's your fighting style?"
"It is called Ansatsuken."
"Ansatsuken…Assassination Fist." Snake said to himself, translating the word. Ryu was pleasantly surprised upon hearing that.
"That's right. So you know Japanese?" He asked.
"I'm fluent in six languages. Japanese is one of them."
"Incredible!" Ryu said in fascination.
"Yeah really. You never told me about that." Luigi said.
"Well you never asked." Snake retorted.
"What about you Snake? What is your fighting style?" Ryu asked.
"It's not a very imaginative name. It's called CQC, and it's a bit of a mixture between judo and jujitsu that also utilizes weapons, preferably a knife and a pistol. It's a soldier's best friend when it comes to a stealth operation. It allows for striking, grappling, chokeholds, disarming, and shooting or stabbing if the situation requires it."
"That sounds fascinating! Do you think we can spar sometime in the future?" Ryu asked.
"Yeah sure. Without the knife and gun of course." He said and the three of them laughed.
"So Ryu, what's your current situation with the Committee." Luigi moved to the more serious matter.
"Well I've been on the run. They've sent a few of their hitmen after me and I've managed to either eliminate or evade each of them. But I'm afraid that I can't continue that forever. Sooner or later I'll make a mistake and it will cost me my life. What about you two?"
"We used to be the same way. That is until Snake and I decided to bring the fight to them." Luigi said in response. Ryu was interested to know more.
"We were tired of running away. I started learning the things they've been doing and it's clear that they're a threat to the good people of the wasteland. Things like propaganda, forcing settlements to be under their control, bioweapons that create mutants…" Snake went on.
"Wait! They're responsible for the mutant problem?" Ryu asked to which Snake nodded. "That's atrocious!"
"I agree, and that's why we're fighting. And the only way to take down an organization like this is to go directly for the head. Target the ones in charge."
"And how have you two been doing in regards to that?"
"We're half-way done." Luigi answered. Ryu's jaw dropped, almost in disbelief at what he heard. "Shulk and Robin are done for. That just leaves Roy and Marth."
"Luigi and I are currently after Roy. Tomorrow the two of us are going to find him and eliminate him."
"No…" Ryu said, confusing Snake and Luigi. "We are going to find him…the three of us!"
"So you want in on this?" Snake questioned.
"Yes! I too am tired of running. The three of us were targeted by them because we go against the Committee's narrative, one where they're supposed to be the "heroes". I wish to help the good people of this land, to defend those unable to defend themselves. Not for fame or glory, but because it's the right thing to do. But the Committee is denying me the ability to do so." Ryu shook his fist in anger. "They are a bigger threat to the people then any army of raiders could hope to be. And for that, they must be stopped. I ask the two of you to let me join you in this. Let me fight this fight!"
Snake and Luigi look at each other briefly, and nodded, showing a silent agreement.
"I don't see any reason not to let you join. You're in Ryu." Snake decided.
"Thank you! Both of you!"
Luigi laughed to himself. "Looks like a triumvirate has been formed. The Nomad, The Green Missile and The Swordless Ronin working together. Wonder how the Committee will feel about their top three most wanted being on the same team."
After the three finished their meals, they were about ready to get some sleep. Though there was something on Ryu's mind.
"Hey Snake?"
"What is it?" the mercenary turned to the martial artist.
"If you don't mind me asking…what is that horn-shaped thing on your head?"
"Oh that? Its shrapnel, a little souvenir I got for being so close to ground zero. It also serves as a reminder."
"Of what?"
"A lot of things. One of them being that I survived when I shouldn't have, so I should be grateful for the fact that I'm even alive. It also reminds me of how I saw heroes become demons…demons that ruined not only the world, but people's lives as well."
Snake remained silent for a solid minute, recollecting the events he saw unfold just before the Catastrophe.
"I won't let it happen again…"