Hey everyone! As usual, thanks for all the support!
This chapter should mainly focus on The Boss. As for Summer, her part should be in the next chapter, but it'll still be far from over. And also, metaphorical meaning in this chapter's lyrics, as in 'large event'. You'll know it when you see it!
And last but never least, this chapter has been both beta'd and co-written by Kabuto S. Inferno! Wouldn't nearly been as impactful without his inputs, as well as discussing some ideas and character interpretations. Like I've said before, thanks for taking the time out of your days for this, man!
With that said and done, enjoy!
The air was incredibly still. Thick, even, with emotion and tension that dared to spill out into a mighty uncontrollable storm. Yet, against a world of the possible and impossible, it remained unmoved. Undaunted.
Then, a silent breeze blew past, its temperature chilling both their skins.
"I-it's really you… isn't it?" The Boss whispered out. "Snake…"
In response to those words, however, Venom tightened his grip on his gun and aimed it right at The Boss.
"Don't move." Venom bit out, keeping his gun trained. This was bad. She was in league with Salem as well? Not to mention being alive all this time?!
Quiet he could understand, but The Boss?!
No, this was worse-!
Beneath the moonlight, The Boss shifted from Venom's harsh words. After all this time… she thought he would be ecstatic to see her, just like she felt right now.
Her son, Naked Snake, or whatever codename the U.S decided to give him after her death.
Did he hate her for what she forced him to do back then? She couldn't tell.
But even so, it was the only way. There was no other way he could've survived and lived as old as he did now…
But he recognized her, didn't he? He said her name, after all. He hadn't forgotten her just yet.
So then… then maybe it's time for a refresher, wasn't it?
And then, faster than most could react, The Boss moved.
'Shit! Here she comes!' Venom thought. Even in the night's darkness, he saw her swiftly grab her cloak and cast it to the wind.
FWOOSH!
The green cloak blended into the night, and The Boss rushed at him with all her speed.
Venom kept his gun trained, ready to fire. But for all his strength, he couldn't find it in himself to pull the trigger.
Come on, just do it! She can't dodge, after all! You need to defend yourself! This was the enemy!
But Venom found difficulty in pulling the trigger. She was moving so fast! Why can't he shoot her-?!
And then, Venom felt his consciousness begin to slip. His vision began to blur, and. No, not now!
This- this was…!
"That arm still hurt?"
"Boss... Why are you doing this?"
He shook his head to free himself of the flashback, but it was already too late.
The Boss was already upon him, her stark white combat armor clear to see and her arms lashing out to grab him.
'Damn!' He felt The Boss' hands wrap around his pistol, then strongly pulling him in. Venom grit his teeth and took a step to the side, dodging The Boss' arm for his neck.
They turned around with their steps, keeping their gazes on each other's eyes.
Venom saw her Silver Eyes shine bright in the dark as she turned around as well. He couldn't help but keep his gaze on them…
"HYAH!" The Boss raised her left knee for Venom's gut.
'Block!' Venom put his right elbow down and hit The Boss' knee midway. She took a step back from the blow, and Venom lunged forwards.
"Grah!" Venom brought his knife from the left, swinging right for The Boss' throat.
"Hmph." The Boss lifted her right hand and caught his attack by his arm, safely stopping the knife. She stepped in and brought his arm over her shoulder, positioning it to flip him over her and to his back.
"Hah!" The Boss used her strength and lifted him over her.
'No!' Venom swiftly shifted his footing as he was raised high. The Boss brought him down over her, planning to slam him to the ground, but thanks to his shift Venom managed to land on his own two feet behind her.
'Got you!' Venom grabbed The Boss' right arm with his other hand and pulled her in as fast as he could. He heard The Boss groan as she was forced back, one arm truly locked. Now, to grab the other arm and immobilize her-!
"Hyah!" But before Venom could move, The Boss used her momentum being pulled back and slammed her elbow behind her, right into Venom's head.
SLAM!
"Grk!" Venom took a step back and let go of The Boss, vision hazy once more. He felt The Boss break free and took her own steps back. In response, Venom brought his gun back up again, and The Boss did the same.
Click!
Click!
"Hmph. It looks like you've still got the basics down." The Boss smiled, The Patriot still aimed at Venom. "It's nice to know that decades haven't made you rusty at all, Snake."
Venom's mind was racing. He needed to beat her, but how?! His CQC was good, sure, but he couldn't rely on that alone if he wanted to win. He needed something to edge him over, something that would guarantee a surefire victory.
But how?
Even back then, Big Boss wasn't sure why he had won…
"No words?" The Boss smiled at him. Smiled. "I'll admit, I'm very much the same."
"Boss…"
The Boss' smile for him was pure. No ill intent, even with all of Salem's influence. Venom's heart ached.
A smile that wasn't meant for him, even if she didn't realize it.
She surprised him even more when she lowered her weapon. The Patriot, now pointing its barrel to the floor beneath them. Perhaps realizing the gravity of the situation, or maybe despite it, he didn't know.
"Come, Snake." She urged him to lower his weapons as well. "Let's talk. No Salem, no Ozpin, no nothing. I've been dying to know how life has been for you."
Venom felt compelled to do so, and it took all his mental strength to even keep his gun up.
Seeing Snake still stalwart in his decision, The Boss sighed and gave one more effort. She shrugged the tension off her shoulders and dropped The Patriot to the floor.
Clack!
Right after it clattered to the ground, The Boss did something further astounding and kicked the weapon away from both of them.
"There." She smiled and opened her arms for Snake. "I'm all yours, Snake."
"Boss…" Venom whispered out. Then, he forced himself to ask the only question he could even think. "Why didn't you come back?"
"I had things to do here." The Boss answered wholeheartedly. "Remnant… it's filled with so much corruption. So many things that needed to be done to make it whole once more. And once it is, we can work on re-introducing it to the United Continents."
"The mission comes first, huh…?" Venom asked, casting his gaze away. Of course. The damned mission always came first, after all.
"Exactly. I knew you'd understand, Snake." The Boss smiled that damned smile once more. "And besides, I needn't worry about The United Continents."
Venom's gaze shot back to The Boss, his teeth grit in anger. "And why's that?" He bit out.
"Because you were there." The Boss said sincerely. "You've surpassed me. I've taught you everything I could. And… you inherited my will. What else was there for me to give you?"
"Your will…?" Venom could only parrot back. In the face of that fact, he could do nothing but drop his gun's aim to the side.
Oh, how wrong she was.
"Tell me… how are things over there?" The Boss smiled, still oblivious. "I'm sure it's miles better than here. Have the nations decided to make peace? I'm sure they have, with you in the lead."
Big Boss felt crushing regret and looked away, his single eye cast down in sorrow. How could he tell her the truth…?
But maybe he can't…
"And how about Zero? Is he well?" The Boss continued, ignorant to Snake's internal conflict. "Well, I'm sure he is, if you're still speaking to me right now. Tell me… what title did they decide to give you?"
Venom sighed, heart heavy. She expected so much of him, of them.
They failed.
He failed.
But the title they shared… That one, he could give out. Because he owned it as well.
"Big Boss..." Venom said solemnly. "That's what they gave me."
"Big Boss… it suits you." The Boss said simply. "To eclipse my very legacy… I expected nothing less."
"Expected…?" Big Boss trailed off, barely above a whisper.
"Of course. Why else did I tell you about my dream back then?" The Boss gave a short nod. "I was certain you'd continue it, and seeing you now, I'm certain it's been done. Why else are you here, if not that the U.C has finally embraced peace due to your efforts?"
"Boss… Listen, I-!" Venom tried, but he was quickly interrupted.
"If you're here to unite us, then I'll gladly step aside." The Boss said, interrupting Venom's words. "Salem or not, I'll support you wholeheartedly, Big Boss. There's a reason you won that day, and it's because I believe that you and I share the same vision. If it's to unite us, to bring all of humanity together once more… then I'm sure Salem will see reason and let us work together again. Just like before."
That, he couldn't do.
Salem was the enemy, and it was The Boss who needed to see reason. No, he couldn't stay cowering under their guilt. He'll tell her the truth, no matter how painful.
She deserved the truth, at least.
They both did.
"Boss… Naked Snake is dead." Venom sighed.
"Hm? I suppose he is, isn't he? Replaced by Big Boss, right after the mission." The Boss smiled, as if understanding a deeper meaning. "Of that, I could understand-"
"No." Venom said. Quickly, he pulled his eyepatch free and let his own Silver Eye meet hers.
"I meant what I said, Boss." Venom said. "Your son… Your student.. he's dead, and has been for a long time."
The words rang around her head like a distant, unfathomable echo, steadily rising in percussion with each pounding beat until, finally, it soon became the only thing she could hear.
Despite the oddity that she saw, she could confirm his words were true. No signs of deceit, and no deeper meaning than face value.
'Your son is dead.'
'Your son is dead.'
'Yoursonisdead.'
'Deadeadead-!'
"Your son is dead." Venom said once more, sinking the fact in. "And I'm… I'm his doppelgänger -!"
"And you killed him, didn't you?!" For once, The Boss couldn't hide her emotions in battle. In an instant of incredible speed, she stepped back and armed herself with The Patriot once more, pointing it back at Venom.
Venom sighed, but he kept his gun pointed to the floor.
Snake was dead.
Snake was dead, he was dead!
So he failed? Her son was dead, and replaced by this- this faker?!
"Did you take his face and steal his identity?!" The Boss shouted. Snake, her son, no no no-!
"Well maybe you should've done your research!" The Boss shouted once more, "Did you do this all to deceive me and defeat Salem, was that it-?!"
Venom kept his voice level even as he felt his heart rip at those accusations, no matter the state of mind he had. "On the contrary, Boss…" Venom said softly. "I remember everything your son was."
He heard The Boss grit her teeth in anger. "What?" She bit out. "What could you possibly know, killer?!"
"I remember…" Venom began with a heavy heart, "…the day you picked me up from the orphanage. The day we began training together. The day you gave me my first present, and the day I first enrolled in the berets… I remember it all."
The Boss opened her mouth to challenge him, but Venom spoke out before she could.
"It was a Swiss Army knife, right? Built in '58, complete with your handwriting on it."
And with that sentence, all doubt she had was washed away.
"H-how…?" The Boss felt her eyes go wide. That was- that was such a long time ago! And private! Nobody knew about that except-!
"You told me to keep it on hand until I could get a real gun. I protested, but you didn't budge. You never did, after all." Venom said softly.
'No…' The Boss unconsciously took a step back.
"That's true…" Venom turned his eyes to Boss once more. "…Isn't it, Boss?"
"What…" The Boss whispered. She felt her head spin and her emotions turn to a whirlwind. "What are you…?" She spoke out.
Venom put his right hand out, the Grimm one, and showed it to The Boss.
"I am your son's other." Venom said softly. "But… I can't help but feel what he always felt for you. Because even so-."
The Boss felt nothing but horror as she heard the words.
"-We're both Big Boss." Big Boss finished.
"Big Boss…?! So that's what that title meant…?" She whispered the words back. "Why… Why would he even need a doppelgänger? And if he did, then shouldn't you be the one who's-?!"
"Dead?" Venom chuckled. "I've asked that question many times, Boss."
"So then tell me."The Boss forced out, feeling her rage seep out once more. "What happened to my son?!"
"…It's best if I showed you." Venom spoke softly. He held out his Grimm hand once more. "You can control the Grimm, right? Dive into their heads? Then… take a look inside mine."
The Boss looked at Venom's hand, her expression unreadable.
After an eternity of silence, she finally spoke up once more. ."And what knowledge do I gain?"
Venom gave a sad smile, his voice sounding older to her ears than Naked Snake's ever did. "Everything your son ever was."
The Boss stared at Venom's hand for what seemed like an eternity.
Venom held it out patiently.
After what seemed like hours, she sighed and grabbed his hand in hers. Only now could she tell the slight differences, now so clear between her son's and this doppelgänger's.
Venom closed his eyes and relinquished his guard, a sharp vein shooting out from inside The Boss' and into Venom's own.
The vein continued to travel inside, even after going past Venom's arm, going deeper up to his arm, then to his neck, and eventually to his brain.
In a matter of seconds, Venom knew that another consciousness was looking at his memories. Now, The Boss' eyes went blank, no doubt looking inside Venom's brain as she stood across him deathly still.
She'll see the truth then.
The Boss' first feeling upon entering these memories was that it felt ingenuine. Stitched together, mixed up with all kinds of elements in one's mind. Like footage that had corrupted edges around its borders, and yet in the center it was still clear to see.
But then, she also felt a sincerity within these memories, like it was meant to be like this in the first place, or at least put here by the original owner's permission.
It still had that taste of authenticity.
'So this is what it's like to be in someone else's mind…' The Boss thought. She felt herself floating-yet-not-floating, her body phasing through solid objects yet still standing on her own two feet. It was all black now, but slowly and surely she felt the world change around her. Objects and lands built themselves around her, assembling the scenery for her first scene.
It was in a hospital, one that wasn't distinct enough for her to remember specifically. However, what she could make out clearly were two of the three people that were there.
Her two sons, Naked Snake and Major Ocelot, were standing over a hospital bed that had an unrecognizable man laying above it. They were much older than when she left them now, clearly fully grown soldiers with their own scars and experience.
And yet, she couldn't help but feel the motherly instinct she had to them all those years ago…
With that in mind, the Boss took a step to the side and watched in silence as the scene began to unfold. There had to be a reason this was the first memory she was viewing, and she was determined to find out what those were.
"You're back on your feet pretty quickly." Ocelot chuckled next to Snake. "Guess the doctors couldn't keep you down, huh?"
"Hmph. If I listened to everything the doctor said I'd probably rot out of boredom." Snake shook his head. "No point waking up after nine years for all of that."
'Nine years…?' The Boss' mind quickly connected the dots. '...A coma, then? But why? How's he doing right now? Is he okay?'
Ocelot talked next, obviously ignoring his mother's 'presence'. "Well, havin' you out of that bed makes things a lot easier."
"Bad news, huh?"
"Mhm."
"Go on." Snake waved his hand.
"They found out. About you waking up". Ocelot sighed. "We've already got intel on forces moving in. So we'll have to move forward ahead of schedule. Miller already has the preparations under way for your return… and we'll have to wake up your 'neighbor' too."
'Neighbor…' The Boss thought, amidst a sea of unrecognizable names being spoken. So her son was being hunted right now, and this 'neighbor' was someone connected to both her sons.
"So he's not- ... He seems awake now…" Snake looked on in wonder. And indeed, as The Boss took a peek, it seemed that for all intents and purposes, this 'neighbor' was currently conscious.
"No. Well, he's not actively conscious yet at least." Ocelot gestured with his hands.
"He was a doctor too." Snake bluntly said.
"In his mind that past no longer exists." Ocelot said back simply. The Boss felt her eyes widen with every passing sentence. At what her son did…
"Your past is his past now." Ocelot continued, "He's going to be your phantom, something more than a doppelganger. Not some simple diversion - he'll act as the new Big Boss. And the act just isn't for Cipher - he'll be your face on the world stage. Until the time comes for your resurgence."
'Cipher…?' The Boss trailed off. Was this their enemy? If so, then who was the head? Perhaps an old enemy of hers that wanted Snake's objective stopped?
"You make it sound so easy." Snake smirked.
Ocelot smirked as well. "Well we've been busy over the last nine years, y'know. His altered state of consciousness has helped us implant powerful suggestions through hypnosis."
"I doubt hypnosis is that strong, Ocelot." Snake raised an eyebrow. "There's gotta be something more than that."
"Heh. Sharp as ever." Ocelot leaned back. "I've been traveling the world for a little bit while you were gone, well at least when I could. In that time I managed to pick up something interesting."
Ocelot lifted an open palm and narrowed his eyes. Within seconds, a faint yellow glow engulfed his hand.
The Boss felt her breath catch in her throat. 'T-that's-!'
"The mountaineers called this Aura." Ocelot said simply. He turned his vision back to Snake. "Most of the time, it comes with a special ability, called a Semblance. Mine's called Mind Conditioning."
"Mind Conditioning…?" Snake parroted back.
"Just like the name says, Snake, and a lot more." Ocelot clenched his open palm to a fist. "It's a slow process, and can take up to a week, but it's worth it. I can condition someone's mind to such a degree that without a person being there to actively correct them otherwise, someone who truly knew them before the change, they could believe just about whatever I want to make them believe…. But for this case, I can't do it by myself."
Just as he said that, a string shot out from Ocelot's heart and into Snake's. It glowed the same color as his Aura, a bright shining yellow. With another motion from his hand, the string detached from Ocelot's heart and into the 'neighbor'.
Both Snake and The Boss watched in wonder, too amazed to speak.
Ocelot lowered his hand and continued his explanation. "Now, he'll have a link to you until he dies. With the link… He'll believe that he's lived through all of your missions, both on and off the record, and he'll share all your knowledge and experience. To make him believe that he is the one true Big Boss. No one around him, even Miller, will doubt that he's the Big Boss they know. So is he the real Big Boss or a stand-in? What does that mean to him? Nothing. The human brain is capable of many illusions… and my Semblance will fill in any knowledge and emotions he lacks."
Big Boss closed his eye, in the barest form of regret. "He was always the best man we had. But…"
"Nine years ago in that helicopter, he threw himself between you and the blast. In that moment, the man you knew died." Ocelot stressed. "He died protecting you. And now, by becoming you, he protects you again."
The Boss couldn't find the words. This was- this was twisted! A low she'd never approve of in her life. 'Adam… how could you-?!'
"It's not just him." Ocelot continued regardless. "We'll be putting the people in this hospital in the line of fire… They'll be your shield, and a necessary diversion. To buy us some time."
The Boss' anger grew. Innocent lives-?! 'Adam-!'
And then, to her sadness, Snake paid no mind either. "And you?" He asked Ocelot.
"I'll be right by his side." Ocelot said. "Setting up my own mind isn't that hard."
"Then I'll be counting on you." Big Boss turned back to his 'neighbor.' He spoke to Ocelot, "How can you remember?"
"2+2=5." Ocelot said simply. "In this year."
"Alright." Snake nodded. "And… his codename?"
"Venom Snake." Ocelot said. "V, comes to."
The world faded to gunpowder, leaving her in empty darkness, and The Boss was felt with a feeling of betrayal.
What Snake and Ocelot did… it went against everything she had ever taught them.
Sacrificing someone's loyalty? Playing with innocent lives?! That would only ensure a continuing conflict, a never-ending cycle of betrayal. How was that supposed to realize her will?
How was that supposed to create a world that was whole and one?
But in her wandering thoughts, the answer came to her in the form of Ocelot's Semblance.
A string shot out from the darkness, and implanted itself to The Boss' heart.
'T-this is…!' A link? But how?!
Was she…
Was she meant to pull it?
Her hand inched closer to the string on her heart. Its blue glow was the only light source in this total darkness, reflecting against her wide eyes.
Maybe the answer lied here…
With a deep breath, The Boss tugged.
More gunpowder descended from the skies, creating the next scene for her to see.
But then, as they formed, The Boss couldn't help but feel her heart drop.
The Field of Lilies in Russia.
The Boss then saw specks of black dust descend from the skies, strikingly similar to gunpowder. From the dust, two figures were constructed and propped up in front of her. One stood tall, the victor yet broken. The other laid on her back, content yet the loser.
And as soon as she realized it, history was made.
Without much fanfare at all.
BANG!
Even though she lived through all this, The Boss couldn't help but watch in morbid wonder. Snake pulled the trigger. The lilies around her burned their colors and turned to deep red, covering them all in a pool of emotional death.
She felt a strong wind blow-and-not-blow against her current form. All the lilies shed their flowers, casting aside what little illusion there was.
All it left was Snake alone, staring at her pale and bleeding body.
Even though this was the way it had to be, she couldn't help but feel sad. Why did she have to betray him-?!
'Wait. No, that's not it…' These weren't her thoughts at all! She remembered feeling content, happy even, that her son was stronger.
That she had trained him well, and that with that strength…
He would surpass her. Make the world a better place and carry her will.
But then what went wrong? Why did he do that to Venom…?
After all, he continued her message, right?
Her will to create a whole and one world?
Even if she weren't to work with Salem…
No, he must've. She was sure of it, and that's why she never returned.
Snake was a strong man, and he'd find a way to finish the job while she did the same in Remnant. Eventually he'd move on, just like she had to, and then he'd be a greater soldier than she ever did.
She never doubted her son, not even when he killed her, and not for any moment after.
But for the first time, The Boss began to think hard.
If he had completed her mission, why was he dead? Was that low stoop with Venom just a momentary lapse in judgment? He stayed on the righteous path, without a doubt, no?
These memories would give her a clue, right…?
And these feelings… these emotions weren't her own, were they?
It was just as Ocelot said in the first memory.
The Boss realized this and looked down to her chest. That string…
She looked up, her eyes following its lead.
The string ended right at her son's own heart.
So this reluctant acceptance… This was what Snake felt back then.
The Boss looked down to the string and gave it a slight tug to continue to the next scene.
Immediately, its glow shifted from blue to pure white. She saw the gunpowder descend from the skies once more, constructing the next scenery.
This one… she recognized, but only just.
She was now in the White House, more precisely in the Secretary of Defense's main office. It was a quaint place, filled with many things that were truly left behind in the 60's. Old books and carpets, furniture that was identic of the time…
She took another look around her. This time she was 'accompanied' by many familiar faces from the President himself to other members of the White House she had met only briefly during her time. But they weren't the ones that stood out the most.
Instead it was her old friend Zero, accompanied by members of his newly formed FOX unit.
'Zero. You're here too…?' The Boss had thought. She felt another pang in her heart. She had often wondered what happened to her old friend… but it was no use to think of that now. He probably moved on in the end, just as well.
But she felt another emotion from Snake's heart. It was… disgust? Hatred? No, it was sadness.
The Boss heard footsteps approaching, and she 'watched' as Snake eventually opened the doors to the office and stepped in.
Immediately, claps echoed in the room. They all congratulated the great soldier, who had saved the world from destruction and protected the glory of the U.S.A
But The Boss looked on as Snake approached the secretary, sensing that something was off. No, something was wrong. His eye seemed empty, his steps just barely carrying the grace of what she trained him for.
Her son didn't greet many of the people that congratulated him. Instead, his attention glazed over pretty much everything that was.
His one eye was defeated and broken.
She watched on as Snake reached the President, and he began his speech to promote Snake. "You are above even The Boss." he said. "I hereby award you the title… of Big Boss."
Snake gave the barest of nods. The President smiled in return and proudly placed a heroic medal on Snake's chest.
Snake gave a salute in response, and the President smiled.
"You are a true patriot."
The Boss saw the barest of shifts from Snake's stance. But beneath Snake's silent exterior, she felt another tug from a heart not her own. And it was stronger than any visual she could ever see.
The Boss was overcome with grief as she recognized the feeling in her son's heart. 'Snake…'
Disgust.
The President then gave his hand out, urging Snake to shake it.
To The Boss' further sadness, Snake stayed silent with his expression unflinching.
After what seemed like an eternity, the President took the first step and took Snake's hand on his own, shaking it firmly and posing for the camera. Flashes followed, all the while Snake's eye never changed. It regarded everything neutrally, as if…
As if he knew the truth.
'So in the end, he knew after all…'
As the photo ops finished, Snake broke away from the crowd and made his way to the exit. He ignored all attempts at further communication. Handshakes from other government officials, pat on the backs from fellow FOX members, he didn't care one bit.
The Boss felt sorrow overcome her. 'Oh, Snake…'
The Boss watched as Snake's way was blocked by Zero, and only for her old friend did he stop. She watched the silent exchange between her son and her friend's eyes.
It was clear, in these three eyes…
Both of them knew.
And then, with a silent sigh, Zero stepped aside to make way for Snake to leave.
Big Boss took a step, and then another, and then another.
He left the office without ever looking back.
And just like that, her world dissolved again into scattered gunpowder. It left her in the dark once more, with nothing but the red string planted in her chest.
The Boss closed her eyes and sighed. The seeds of doubt she had began to grow.
But she shook those doubts away. No, it was necessary. Snake had to kill her back then, it was the only way for her to clear the U.S' name and save her son. She would gladly die a thousand times over for the world to become one...
And moreover, for her son to live on.
Besides, he would move on to greater things. Realize her will with Zero, and create the world she had dreamed of.
She was sure he understood her, in the end, no matter his slight lapses in judgment.
With that thought, she grabbed the string in her chest and pulled it once more.
Gunpowder descended from the skies, and she watched as the next scenery assembled itself. This one… she didn't recognise it at all.
All around her was metal, constructing a hallway that was lit by few lights spaced in-between. She looked around, trying to rack her mind for any memories. But alas, her knowledge came empty.
This must be a new memory, then.
Step, step, step!
The Boss turned her head at the source of the sound, and saw Snake marching down the hallway with a furious expression on his face. He barely held back his anger, fists clenched and steps loud. She didn't need her connection to feel what he felt.
But then, why exactly was he so furious?
The Boss trailed behind her protégé as he continued to make his way down. As she concluded that they must be underground, he had come to a stop in front of a door that was built like a bunker. The Boss stopped beside him as well and watched as he let his anger loose.
"ZERO!" Snake shouted. "Open up this door! Now!"
Not long after, the door opened and Snake marched in with anger still rolling off of him. The Boss stepped inside and then off to the side, taking a position at the edge of the room and crossing her arms to watch the scene unfold.
Snake came to a stop in front of Zero's desk, her old friend calmly writing several documents with a steaming cup of coffee to the side. He looked up as he felt Snake approach and gave him a smile. "Ah. Snake." He greeted in his British accent, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Don't play games with me, Major." Snake bit out. "Tell me. Is it true?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to be more clear, Snake." Zero said. He motioned to the papers he was writing with his arms, "As you can see, we're expanding our sphere of influence. I have so many things on my desk right now I could hardly keep track! But if you could point it out to me, then I'll gladly answer you."
'Sphere of influence…?' The Boss thought. 'Does he mean-?'
"Don't play games with me!" Snake shouted. "Is it true?! That you're scared of me leaving the Patriots?!"
'The… Patriots?' The Boss trailed off. She wondered what that could possibly mean. Did it mean a new organization had sprung forth from the ashes of The Philosophers? Or was this after The Cold War had ended? What were Zero and Snake's position within it exactly?
But The Boss didn't have to wait long as the memory continued to play.
"Snake." Zero began, "The fact of the matter is, you're in a very important position in our organization. Most of the people here joined because of you, after all, and I do not think that would ever change. As such, we need to take appropriate action to ensure her vision comes true. I'm sure you understand."
'Her…?' The Boss thought. It was obvious that Zero was referring to her. So this is what they set out to do? So then, how far along were they in realizing her dream-?
"The Boss would never stoop to this kind of low!" Snake shouted at Zero. "I could understand using me as a figurehead, as much as I hate it… but cloning?!"
'Cloning?!' The Boss thought with surprise. No, Snake was right, that was- that was unimaginable! Subjecting those new lives to a life of nothing but war…
First Venom, and now clones…
What had happened?! How did Zero figure that out from her will-?!
"Their sacrifices will be necessary if we are to control the world in one, to prevent any war from ever happening again!" Zero shouted back to Snake, eyebrows furrowed and voice growing in intensity. "Humanity cannot be trusted with many in power! It needs a single command to order them all!"
'No… that's not what I meant about a world that's whole, Zero!' The Boss thought sadly. 'No, we need to respect the will of others while fighting for ourselves-!'
Her thoughts were interrupted when Snake shouted again. "And yet you did it without my permission! You betrayed our trust, my trust, just for what you think is right, Zero!
Zero looked down to his papers, and The Boss followed his gaze. She felt her blood freeze to ice.
There, smack-dab in the middle of the papers, were two baby faces with medical data and code names beside them. The codenames they would carry until their end.
Solid Snake.
Liquid Snake.
'No, Zero, don't do this! No no no-!'
Snake grunted, his gaze following Zero's as well.
"This is what she wanted, Snake…" Zero muttered to him. "…For the whole world to become one again…"
Snake gave a low grunt. "Then if that's your game, Zero… I quit."
'Snake-!'
"Have fun without me." Snake said bitterly as he turned around. "I'm done being your figurehead."
With echoing steps, Snake left the room and the facility behind, Zero still staring down at the photos of the babies. This was exactly why this was necessary... And it seemed these kids would come into play after all.
The Boss felt her breaths going short. No, no, this wasn't supposed to happen! This wasn't what she meant at all!
'Please…! Stop fighting, you two!' This wasn't how it was supposed to be! She had hoped that with her death, those two would continue her legacy together, make the world one again just like she hoped…!
Her gaze shot to Zero, who was still looking at those papers with his hands on the desk. Creating a unified world didn't mean a single control. She meant a world that could coexist with one another, a world where everyone respected the will of others.
Still, at least she still had Snake, even with his mistakes…
…Right?
The world dissolved into gunpowder again, and once more the only thing illuminating her path was the string connected to her chest.
This time, with much more hesitance, she pulled.
The color shifted once more, from a calming pure white to the darkest of bloody red. Gunpowder descended from the skies once more, and they constructed the next scene for her to see.
This place, she didn't recognise at all. It was all built with metal, surrounded by sea on all sides. Said metal constructed platforms that stretched all around her, building a base that stood tall in the middle of the sea.
Maybe some kind of oil rig…?
"Snake! Wait up!"
She looked to the side and saw someone running up to approach her son. He had blonde hair, was wearing green military overalls, and finished his outfit with a yellow scarf and a pair of aviator sunglasses.
She saw her son turn around, shoulders still tense, maybe from finishing a battle. He looked at the man who called him with one eye.
She saw her son lit himself a cigar, taking a long drag and puffing out smoke from his lips.
"Snake…" That friend of her son's spoke again. "That name Paz mentioned… 'Cipher'. It's a code, and it means 'empty'. It also means-."
"Zero." Snake finished, lowering his cigar and then stomping it in the ground.
'Cipher… so that's Zero's faction…' The Boss deduced. But then, why exactly was it so important…?
"A world of electronic intelligence, built on codes… and at the center of it all, a zero." Her son's friend finished.
Snake paused, turning his single eye to glare at his friend. "Kaz…" He muttered lowly.
The one named 'Kaz' looked away, and began walking around nervously. "Uh… look, Boss, I owe you an apology."
"Ngh… Sure." Snake looked away and cast his gaze to the metal floor.
"I, uh… knew Paz and the Professor. I knew who they really were all along." Kaz said.
"Kaz…" Snake growled, hands clenching into fists and turning around to shoot Kaz a vicious glare.
The Boss felt a pang of betrayal from Snake's heart, and her own heart couldn't help but reciprocate the sadness. He was betrayed yet again?
Her son…
"I used them." Kaz said lamely, still looking away.
Snake took angry steps and faced Kaz eyes-to-eye, barely any distance between them. "And I suppose you were the one who brought them to Colombia, huh?"
When Snake's betrayed eye looked into his own, Kaz looked away once more. "Guilty as charged." He sighed. "Paz wasn't just CIA, you know…? She was working for the KGB too. And also this 'Cipher' Group. In other words, she was a triple agent-!"
Grab!
In a flash, Snake grabbed Kaz' collar and brought him close, snarling in anger. "You knew all of this?!" Snake growled to his second-in-command.
"Wait, Snake." Kaz calmly put a hand on his superior's arm. "Let me finish…"
"Ngh…" Snake lessened his grip and eventually roughly pushed Kaz away. "Fine, then. But make it quick."
"Listen…!" Kaz began, and he motioned his arms wide. He spun around, as if showing him everything they had accomplished.
The Boss looked around as well, and sunk in everything Kaz intended to show. An independent base. Numerous attack helicopters. Troops marching about and training day-and-night.
Was this, perhaps, her son's own private military…?
"MSF never would've gotten this big if it weren't for them, Snake!" Kaz said with pride to his superior. "This mercenary business we've built, someday it's gonna be a new driving force in the world economy!"
"Huh… was that your plan all along, Kaz?" Snake said, casting his back once more to his friend.
The Boss couldn't help but listen on. A world driven by bloodshed? Where they made their bread through blood, and required conflict to survive?
She could never envision such a world taking place, even in the darkest of nightmares she had. That would mean killing for the sake of it, not even for a country or an ideology.
It would mean turning her back on everything she had sacrificed, creating a world where being whole could never be reached.
But Snake wouldn't do that, right?
"The Cold War's not gonna last forever. Sooner or later it's gonna give way to regional conflicts and terrorism." Kaz said, "A paradigm shift from counter-Communism to counter-terrorism."
The Boss felt dread creep from the back of her head. That was true, conflict would be there no matter what, but still-!
"In the new age, armies won't be tied to states, and war will become a business." Kaz continued, "We'll be a valuable commodity, Snake. There'll be clients all over the world who'll need our services!" He motioned his arms wide again to Snake.
"MSF is only the beginning, Snake." Kaz said proudly, "What we're doing is making a revolution in and of itself… Am I right?"
'Snake…' The Boss thought. 'Don't fall for it. There's still so much to fight for!' She urged him. 'Don't kill just for the sake of it! Fight for a way to coexist with others-!'
But alas, her pleas went to a deaf past, one that was already written in permanent ink.
"Kaz, it's... not going to be that easy." Snake shook his head.
Kaz leaned close, standing beside Snake. "What do you mean?"
"This whole Peace Walker thing has left our mark on the history of the old order." Snake sighed, standing near the edge of the platform and staring out into the open sea. "We've put ourselves on the radar of intelligence agencies and governments East and West. The whole world probably knows about us now..."
"Including that Cipher outfit..." Kaz concluded.
Snake gave a brief nod, then carried on. "We've let ourselves interfere with the times - with the Cold War system of deterrence. We're an army without a flag. We weren't supposed to take sides in international affairs. But we did."
"I see your point." Kaz said after a moment's pause. "So then… what happens to us now?
"We'll be hunted." Snake said simply, closing his one eye and letting out a silent sigh.
"Not everybody's gonna be happy with us, huh?" Kaz concluded.
"You're damn right." Snake confirmed, "We upset the global military balance of power."
"And these people would rather our 'army without borders' not exist at all?" Kaz asked Snake.
"They're gonna come knocking real soon." Snake gave a brief nod before looking out to the distant horizon, Kaz soon joining him. "There's no turning back now. We're a wrench in the old system of deterrence. As long as the times refuse to change, we're going to make a hell of a racket all around."
That dread The Boss felt started to grow even stronger. 'Snake, No…!'
"Then who are we going to fight?" Kaz asked.
"The establishment... anybody who tries to restore the old balance, wants to snuff us out of existence." Snake finished.
"Which establishment?" Kaz asked while leaning in. They had to be ready, they had to survive and grow after all!
But Snake shook his head at Kaz' inquiry. "It won't be a particular country or ideology that hunts us. It'll be something else."
'No…'
"Who, then?" Kaz asked.
"We're gonna be fighting the biggest beast of all - the times."
'No, Snake!' The Boss shouted. 'The times change, but we shouldn't fight it! We should work with it to make the future a better place! Respect the will of others, while fighting for your own, and then leave the way it was supposed to be! Whole and one!'
But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Instead, it seemed that Snake grew more determined with each passing moment.
She didn't, no, couldn't understand! Why?! Why was Snake doing this?! This isn't what she meant at all!
Did nothing of what she said stick to his mind?! About making the world whole?! She couldn't understand him at all!
'Snake, please, stop!' The Boss begged, 'Why… why are you doing this?! Can't you see-?!'
Her answer came and interrupted her thoughts.
"Ten years ago, the times rejected The Boss... and killed her." Snake said, and his heart crumpled with grief.
Any thoughts The Boss had grinded to a halt as she felt what he felt as well.
"And now we're the ones being tested, Kaz. Will the times erase us? Or work with us? It's gonna be a lonely battle... No good or evil, no winners or losers. Business will have to wait. The question we have to ask ourselves now is, can we survive long enough to see the 21st century?"
The Boss almost crumpled with what she felt from Snake. She could barely form the words.
But one thing she did realize, is that back then…
She had asked him for too much.
"I'm with you, Boss. We'll see how it turns out, together." Kaz said with determination.
Snake didn't respond. Instead, he cast his gaze away and turned around.
The Boss' mind started to work and connect the dots.
Ten years.
Ten years, and he never moved on.
This was all his life was.
Trying to live up to her, searching for a reason on why he was here and she was dead.
All the while she left him with the biggest wound a man could ever have.
She never realized… she never realized how much she meant to him. Never realized that he could never move on from her. How he would go to the ends of the earth and then some just for her, and even if it was only for her and no one else. But it was clear to her now. His loyalty had never been to America, or to any politician or ideology. Even after he had killed her…
His loyalty was only for her.
For the first time, the Content that she had felt that Snake surpassed her was viciously dashed away.
Now, there was only Regret.
And back then she…
She forced him to-!
~Petals of white…~
"I was wrong, back then." Snake said simply. "...She betrayed me, Kaz."
The Boss couldn't find it in herself to refute him.
She did, didn't she?
She never understood how much she meant to him, underestimated his love.
It may not have been how the U.S had set her up, but by keeping the truth from him, and expecting him to live up…
She failed him, and in never returning, betrayed the love he held so strongly.
~Cover fields, flowing in grieving tears…~
"She what?"
"In the end, she put down her gun. And when she did... she rejected her entire life up to that point... including me."
She never gave him up, but in never realizing his love, and in expecting him to understand her as if he was herself, she may have done just that.
~And all the hearts, once new, old and shattered now…~
"What do you mean?"
"In giving up her life, she abandoned everything she was as a soldier..."
"And you consider that betrayal?"
'F-forgive me…!'
~Love can kill, love will die, give me wings to fly…~
"I won't make the same choice as her."
"My future's going to be different. From now on, Kaz…
…call me Big Boss."
'Snake…!'
~Fleeing this world, so cold…~
The world dissolved again, and The Boss felt herself empty of words.
Could she blame him?
No. She would never have the right.
Her death at his hands…
The duty she had to fulfill, both back then and under Salem…
Leaving him alone back there…
She had expected too much of him.
~I just wonder why…~
She didn't understand his love, and it cost him too much.
She didn't even realize the tears that began to leak out of her eyes. Didn't realize as she fell down to her knees, sobbing at what Snake had felt back then. At how her actions and blind loyalty had cost her son too much. Didn't realize as the world around her dissolved to gunpowder once more, leaving her alone in pitch-black.
After all, what were a few seconds of guilt to the life filled with regret her son had lived?
All because of her decision to stay loyal to the U.S?
In the end… her son was still a man.
And a man was nothing without his mother.
So The Boss cried.
~Cold as the dark…~
It seemed like an eternity had passed as she realized what had changed at the time she left them behind. How much her son had changed, all because he loved her too much. Because he couldn't let go.
Realized how wrong she was about her loyalty-!
~Now my words, are frosted with every breath…~
But then, gunpowder descended from the skies once more. She thought they would take her to another scenery…
And yet, mid-fall, they transformed into something more.
The Boss' cries paused as the gunpowder changed to white petals, dancing around her as they descended.
She forced herself through her tears to see what was happening, to see through blurred Silver Eyes.
The darkness surrounding her had lit up. The petals that flew around her danced, with beautiful grace, eventually colluding with themselves in front of her and forming a shape like two men shoulder-to-shoulder.
~Still the heat burns wild, growing inside this heart…~
She watched with wide eyes as the petals' formed shape became clearer and clearer, eventually ending its collusion shaping into two men staggering towards her.
She immediately recognized them, down at her knees, even if she never met them at the same time.
Her son, Big Boss, supported by the shoulder by his own son, Solid Snake.
~When the wind changes course, when the stars align…~
Her son staggered towards her, now much older with gray hair and a sorrowful eye.
'Snake… son…' The Boss reached a hand out.
No.
The name she gave him to be able to do everything she never could…
'Jack…-!'
~I will reach out to you and leave this all behind…~
Big Boss spoke to Solid Snake as they both took slow steps towards her. "If… you were… in my place back then… maybe you wouldn't have made the same mistakes I did."
He looked to the left, and The Boss followed his gaze.
To the weapon laid on the floor, The Patriot.
Of course.
She asked him for too much… and he never moved on.
~When heavens divide…~
"Solid… ever since the day… I killed The Boss… with my own two hands…" Big Boss clenched his hands as he was now closer to her than ever before.
He sighed, his life full of nothing but regret. "… I was already dead."
'Jack…' The Boss let her tears flow free, her son now much older than she had ever imagined. And yet still, he never let her go. 'I- I'm so… sorry…!
As she let that thought roar free within her, she saw Big Boss break free from his son's support. He took a final step towards her and stood before her, with shaking feet and ragged breath.
And then, with rapid-fire memories and emotions, she felt and saw everything that her son's life had accumulated to in the end.
~When heavens divide!~
His construction of the MSF, and creating a world where soldiers would always be needed.
Sacrificing thousands of lives with his gun, and killing even more with his actions.
~I will see… the choices within my hands!~
Expanding his influence to the entire world. Motivating others to rally under his banner, to create conflict without ever thinking of another reason other than to fight.
Because what other home did they have than this?
He killed the only home he ever had.
~How can we ever protect, with our tiny souls?~
'Jack!…' The Boss sobbed. 'Please…-!'
Manipulating Venom to be his double. Sacrificing trust and thousands of lives so his plan could come to fruition.
Forcing Venom to shoot down his own men… and then playing Kaz like a fiddle.
A flash of a memory, and she was taken to The Fall of Mother Base. She heard explosions and the racking of gunfire, and felt the heat of Snake's anger burn up into total wrath as his home fell. As HIS MEN were murdered in droves. His roars echoed in her ears as she saw him gunning down his enemies with no mercy.
A headshot. Then another. Then one to the heart. Then the taking down of the choppers.
They would never be casted away! Used like garbage and thrown to the wind at the earliest convenience by nations that no longer wanted them! Soldiers will always have a home! He won't end up like The Boss! He won't end up dead and used!
And all of this…
All of this because he loved her.
~Let me shine! Like the sun! Through the doubts and fears!~
The scene changed again, this time her son riding a motorcycle with a cigar in his mouth and the sun rising behind him.
She felt his emotions tug at her again.
He'll be more than she ever was. Be more than just a hired gun… he'll be the reason the world changed, be the reason soldiers have a home. Be the reason the world will always need them, no matter the age.
The sounds of explosions and gunfire would always be soothing and calming, and he looked forward to the next conflict that he could embrace.
Zero will be defeated. His so-called sons will never surpass him. As long as his heart was still beating, he'll fight them all.
~Do you feel the storm approach as the end draws near?~
And if his life ends while fighting for that dream…
Then so be it.
'Snake! I- I wanted you to live…!' The Boss pleaded. 'Don't- I- I can't-!'
'I'm sorry…!'
~When heavens divide…!~
The flashes of memories ended, and now she was back at the 'present'.
Her son, shakily standing in front of her and clearly out of breath.
Every step was a struggle, every second of being present more than he could handle. But he pressed on.
Meanwhile, Solid Snake's form behind Big Boss dissipated into white petals, flowing free and disappearing into the skies.
"A-augh!" Big Boss fell forwards, no longer having the energy to support himself. He fell to his knees, right before The Boss.
She stared at his final form.
Old, brittle, regretful.
Broken, with nothing to show for his life other than sorrow.
~Time will come to softly lay me down…!~
"Boss…" Big Boss muttered, staring into her eyes.
The Boss forced her tears away. 'Y-yes… Jack?'
"You were right…!" Big Boss whispered. "It's not about changing the world… It's about… doing our best to leave the world… the way it is…"
The Boss gave a shaky nod. 'Yes, Jack… that's right…!'
"It's about respecting the will of others, and believing in your own…"
~Then I can see a face that I long to see!~
Big Boss took a shaky step back, forcing himself on his own two feet. "Isn't that… what you fought for?"
'Jack…!'
Big Boss stood on his own two feet, staring down at The Boss. "At last… I understand the meaning behind what you did. At last, I understand the truth behind your courage."
With groans, and with what strength he could muster, Big Boss gave her a single, final salute.
~And for you, only you I would give anything…!~
The Boss quickly rose to her feet, forcing herself through the sadness. Swiftly, she returned Big Boss' salute through her own tears.
~Leaving a trace for love to find a way!~
With each passing second, Big Boss' breaths grew more shallow. The Boss held her salute as long as she could. Savoring the moment with every inch of her soul.
And then, with one final breath, Big Boss dissolved once more, into nothing but white petals that drifted into the sky.
Her salute ended with her staring into the empty blackness alone.
'Jack…!' The Boss fell to her knees once more, letting her tears and regret flow free. 'I-I…!'
'I'm so sorry…!'
The Boss let loose all restraints she had and let her emotions flow free.
For the first time in her life, The Boss felt regret.
With nothing else holding her back, she cried.
She cried for the times that had changed, for all of the death and destruction that no doubt occurred between Zero and Big Boss as they waged their secret war with one another, and for her son, who lost the mother he had because she was too selfish to see the deep love he harbored.
She cried for the love she could never receive again, and for failing him so completely.
Her son was dead… And he had lived a life full of regret, all the while she could've easily returned for him and gave him the love he so desperately wished back.
She failed.
~When heavens divide…~
Winter ran as fast as she could along Vale's rooftops, forcing her legs to bring her as fast as she could to the docks.
She had to run, the situation there was the most dire.
And as for the situation back at Beacon… it was complete chaos.
Apparently, someone had stolen a weapon from Atlas' black site and used it on the docks to help Team CMEN escape. What this weapon was, not even she knew, and yet it was so great that it turned the General's face to pale white once he realized it had been stolen. And that wasn't all. She saw Ozpin and the General immediately argue, and it exploded into a verbal clash she never expected from either of them. And even then, General Ironwood never told her what it was, only that she had to get to the docks as soon as possible and that the Knights would be on their way.
So she did as she was told.
'Almost there..!' Winter thought. Just a bit more and she'll see this weapon with her very own eyes-!
But then her thoughts grinded to a halt when she saw a strange sight before her. She had to stop at the current rooftop, because the next rooftop was already occupied with something happening.
Venom, standing before a figure she couldn't recognise wearing white body armor and having stark Silver eyes…
With her Grimm limb piercing Venom's Grimm hand.
They both had glazed eyes staring into each other, not even realizing her fast approach. Winter felt confusion and panic bubbling forth.
What was this? Venom wasn't with the docks squad?! Then how were they doing?! Did that weapon succeed?
it was clear to her that something bad was happening, and this one even more so. Perhaps Venom was in the process of being controlled once more?!
That couldn't happen! They'd lose a valuable ally!
She had to stop that woman, whoever she was!
"Get away from him!" Winter shouted, jumping from her position and lunging with Frostbite.
At that precise moment, consciousness returned to Venom and The Boss. They pulled back, just as Winter's sword sliced the link between them both.
Step!
Winter landed to the side and quickly slashed towards the enemy, the one that held Venom Snake in control.
She saw the enemy duck beneath her sword.
Winter smirked. Now was the time to put her new training to good use.
Swiftly, Winter brought her other hand out to grab at the enemy's arm. She felt her hand grip firmly around the enemy. Yes, this was it-!
But then, she felt herself losing control of the situation. Winter's eyes went wide. 'Wait, what-?!'
With the enemy's grunt, she felt herself being twisted in position, the opponent pushing her in and counter-locking her. And then, before she could counteract, she felt herself being lifted and slammed down the floor.
SLAM!
'Ack…!' Winter felt the breath being slammed out of her body. That was- that was CQC! But how did the enemy know that?! She thought Venom was the only one, and that he was only beginning to teach the basics to her!
Winter quickly got back up, forcing herself through her pain to fight. As she regained her vision, she saw the opponent running back, green cloak flapping in the wind and particles of Grimm-black trailing behind her, before reaching the edge of the rooftop and jumping down to the streets.
Winter growled and stepped forward, preparing to run. She can't let her go-!
But then, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't." Venom said simply behind her, tightening his grip. "You won't stand a chance."
"Sir…" Winter found herself perplexed by Venom's words. Why did he say that? Moreover, why wasn't he chasing after that woman?
She turned around and looked into Venom's eyes for an answer. And yet, instead, she only found a deep sorrow within them.
Venom sighed and looked away. His heart felt heavy, but at least now The Boss knew the truth.
"That woman was The Boss." Venom said simply to Winter. "And against her… I'm not even sure that I myself would win."
"The Boss…?" Winter whispered. Such a name, and no doubt from the U.C as well… "What do you mean…?"
"She's my… 'predecessor', so to speak." Venom sighed. He lifted his Grimm hand to the sky, and a silent breeze blew past them both.
He pinched his hands in the sky…
And a lily petal was caught between his fingers.
Venom closed his eyes and let the petal flow free. It bled its colors to red, gliding into the night sky alone before fading to obscurity.
Venom let out a breath with his eyes still closed. He embraced the emotion that The Boss felt within his mind, etching it deep into his heart so he would never forget.
"The Boss… my mother that never was."
And that's a wrap! As mentioned, Summer's part will come in the next chapter, and after that, a slight cooldown period + the second phase of the Beacon Arc.
Thoughts? Comments? Leave them in the reviews!
Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
Review Responses:
To Imperfect Demi-God, yeah, that song!
To Gwynx, and there you have it, The Boss' learns the truth of Big Boss and the consequences of her death. Which leaves the question, with the head-honcho of Salem's Vale branch learning such a close to her heart, what would happen to her oh-so-loyal subordinates? As for Raiden… hey at least Remnant's full of battles! Thanks for reading!
To SolSparda369, exactly! This isn't going to be the only MG fight here, there's going to be another coming soon enough and everyone has to get ready… As for reunions, now with one down (The Boss), there's just Summer left. After that, like I said, should be cooldown, and the entrance of some long-awaited characters.
To Spyash2, Well, here you go! Hope you enjoyed!
To aaafirefly123, oh she will, don't you worry! But it's going to take a lot of effort from all sides, not just Tai. He has to "Take Back the Love" after all. And I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far, truly! Thanks for reading, and for sticking around!
To CriticaofRandomness, glad you liked it! Sometimes I do write kinda too much in advance, though, since that's like… early 2022, I think? Heheh. An entire year before lol.
To TheJSmooth, yeah I wanted to show that with teamwork, Team RWBY could help the others. Now, to make them strong enough for future chapters, since RAY was only the tip of the iceberg… As for Tai, in the next chapter! And with his arrival, he brings the 'truth' of Summer's final mission for Ozpin! Thanks for reading!
To Skeletalrepublic, sorry that The Boss' views on Remnant weren't discussed too much here. But I hope you liked the part regarding her love for BB! And thanks for the compliment regarding the fight scenes! I try my best, so I'm glad you liked them at least! Thanks for reading, and for sticking around!
To Large Executive, RAY's gonna be destroyed lol, cause ain't no way Raiden's gonna let that thing stick around now no matter how hard Ironwood tries to say otherwise. A good MG is a dead MG, especially in Remnant where a nuke can wipe out an entire kingdom, one of the last remnants of humanity there is (pun not intended). That said, this isn't the only one around… remember Watts? Thanks for reading!
To WaqueKoala 2.0, true true! Since it's gotta be strong enough to replace Hunters, not just soldiers, and the former's baseline strength is much stronger. Thanks for reading!
To KenSanders, Summer's part in the next chapter, but it'll be far from over. It won't be that easy to make her return, it'll be a test of determination, strength, and love… but I promise you, she will. Because the core of her actions was that she gave her life to protect… not Ozpin, but her own family. As for Venom, well I hope you liked this! Now to find a way to move forward with the both of them… thanks for reading, and for stickin around!
To Kabuto S. Inferno, since these reviews are pretty long, I figured I'll PM you the responses later, and a comprehensive list at that. Couldn't do that since it's wouldn't fit here. And from there, we could talk some more, no? Sorry for that, and thanks for taking time out, as always!
To Havel the Hebel, and there you have it, not much of a showdown but more a 'realization'. Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoyed!