imthe_shit | 001 [ video ; action ]

[ The video feed clicks on, showing the waters by New Bark Town, as well as the ferry nearby. There's some smoke coming from off-screen, and the camera slowly moves to look at the cause of it.

There's a Torkoal sitting by the water's edge, looking grumpily up at the video feed before cocking its head and snorting. The feed clicks off.

A few moments later it returns, this time facing a man... A very old man. He's sporting a beaten up looking bandanna, a gray mustache and a large, poorly made bandage covering the left side of his face. He stares into the video, the corners of his mouth turned ever so slightly into a frown, his eyes carrying deep pain within them, but his gaze is firm. Snake was back. ]

Kept you waiting, huh?

[ His voice his gravely, and he ventures a bitter smile, before coughing harshly, dropping the Poke Gear momentarily. He picks it up again, clearing his throat, though the video goes back to staring out over the lake. ]

Looks like this place isn't done with me yet... Wonder just how much has changed... [ He snorts. ] There's no way in hell my old team is still here, is there? [ The Torkoal makes a hissing sound and Snake gives a short laugh. ] Don't worry, Boss. I'm not replacing you... [ He begins coughing again, this time more harshly, and the feed cuts out. ]

[ Snake is knelt on the ground by the water, coughing harshly and leaning on Boss, his Torkoal, for support. He looks to be in a pretty bad way, and that bandage is somewhat hanging off his face, revealing the horribly burnt flesh underneath for anyone close enough to see it.

He's dressed in what looks like some sort of sneaking suit... It's muscular, and maybe a bit out of place, as well as burnt in several places and pretty beat up looking. What the hell happened to him since the last time he was here? ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What do I [ cough ] look like a [ cough ] Pokemon?!

They have first aid for everyone! Don't you remember?

_{[Jack has certainly had his share of bumps and bruises patched up at the centers.]}

[ He's about to respond but he's back to that retching cough. Goddammit. By the time he's managed to calm down, he's sitting on the grass and shaking lightly. ]

A Pokemon Center can't... do anything for me.

_{[The old man's brows peak, his concern keeps growing and growing. He doesn't have a pokemon that can Fly to...wherever Snake is. All he can do is hope that another one of the soldier's friends gets to him first.]}

They can at least do something about that patch! Snake, what's happened?

[ He grimaces, placing a hand to the makeshift bandage. ]

I... I couldn't save her... [ He's muttering now, his voice is quiet and gravely. ] I failed the mission again. I couldn't... stop him. I couldn't stop Liquid and I lost Big Mama... We're back where we started and I couldn't do a damn thing just like the first time.

[ He coughs again. Boss, his Torkoal, wanders over to sit next to the old soldier, to be a sort of support for him. Snake leans on the Pokemon somewhat. ]

_{[Jack isn't familiar with any of those names but the dismay in Snake's words just makes him more worried. He notices the turtle pokemon and decides to see if he can talk to it instead.]}

You there, Snake's partner! Please see if you can drag him into a pokemon center, he needs medical attention.

[ The Torkoal looks into the camera feed and snorts, black smoke coming from its nostrils before turning away. ]

_{[...Oh.]

[The skeleton wilts, feeling pretty darn helpless.]}

Jack...

[ Snake hangs his head, coughing again. ] Don't take it personally... You just met Boss, my new companion... [ Rubs his throat. ] The guy's an ass, he's like this to everybody, even me. He's reliable though... Just stubborn.

_{[He can't very well MAKE Snake go take care of himself, and even if he were there, he's quite sure he couldn't drag the man to a doctor.]}

I've met a few pokemon like that... how long have you been here?

... A few hours, maybe... Not long.

[ Takes in a deep breath, trying to mask his coughing. ] It'll take a while to get back to where I was before...

How have you been?

I've been well. It's been a long four Halloweens.

Four... Halloweens...

You've been here four years?

_{[Jack nods slowly.]}

It's been a while, Snake.

[ He nods slowly. ]

You look good.

I wish I could say the same for you.

[ Coughs and shakes his head slowly. ]

Yeah... Things haven't been so good on my end, that's all.

I can see that...have you gotten into contact with anyone else you knew?

... Hnn. Working on it.

[ Otacon hadn't contacted him, neither had Liquid... That meant that more than likely they were gone. ]

Spoke to Heather.

Oh, good, that's wonderful to hear. I believe she's in it for the long haul like I am.

Yeah... You guys are still here. Probably won't be going anywhere any time soon.

Regardless, I'm glad I've stuck around long enough to see you again!

[ That gets a bit of a smile from the old man. ]

Yeah. It's good to see you, too. You were one of the first people I met here... I remember you trying to scare me off when I... [ CQC'D YOU FOR SOME REASON? ] ...jumped you.

Yes. My spine remembers that day very well.

[ Rubs the back of his neck absently. ]

Hn. Maybe the next time I see you, I'll give you a few tips on how to do that yourself.

[Video]

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