War Has Changed

[ The feed clicks on, and Snake is looking pretty damn irritated. The burn on his face has scarred over, so he's not bothering to wear the bandage now, though he probably still should. He appears to be inside the Pokemon Center, if the music was any indication, but where... That was the real issue. The sound of howling wind could be heard outside. ]

... All right... There are some things I need to know.

First, what the hell happened the last three days? According to this thing, it's been three days since I last opened it... And I'm not in Pallet anymore... I'm in another city all together! [ He gestures to the front desk. ] She told me that this is Mahogany Town in the Johto Region. How the hell did I get here? I was in Pallet, dammit.

[ He growls irritably, shaking his head. ] And there's some kind of typhoon happening outside...


Actually, Sir, it's a Tornado.

...

A tornado!?

[ It's been kind of quiet on the feed for Snake... He's arrived in Pallet, anyway, and for now he appears to be just wandering around the town. ]

This is Snake... Forgot to mention we've arrived in Pallet. Nice town... Has an Inn, too. Might have to work around here to make enough to keep a room here. [ Rubs his chin absently. ]

I have a lot of options, but I'm not sure any of them are really things I'm interested in... [ Snake, you can't do sneaking missions here. ] Fisherman life looks like it'd be a smelly hell.

Work's work, I guess. [ He crouches down, patting Boss on the head. ] Boss is in a better mood after getting off that ferry. I don't blame him... Going underwater for days is not really the most fun anyone could be having.

As for me, I'm getting better... Must be this place.

[ 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. ]

( [Action for New Bark Town people!] )

[ Snake's sitting on a dock in Olivine, having spent a long time in this city, but not minding too much. The salty smell of the sea kept him motivated, and it was a nice change from the previous towns he'd been in while in Johto.

Plus, there was that matter of challenging the Gym Leader here, too... But for now, the old soldier is trying his luck at fishing on the docks.

Sitting next to him is Sunny, his Togekiss, who is smiling and idly trilling a song while Snake sits on the edge of the dock, hands holding the fishing pole firmly. ]

Hnn... Not really a lot here except Magikarp, huh.

[ Sunny ruffled her feathers, looking happy. ]

Maybe I'm not using the right bait... [ Turning, he reached into Sunny's feathers and withdrew the PokeGear, flicking it on and placing it near himself. ]

Might as well see if anything interesting's happening somewhere else...

[ It really shouldn't have made sense, but here he was... Snake had decided once more to practice his sneaking capabilities while in Johto. Having been driven to Olivine had helped greatly... It felt good to not be walking back between Goldenrod and Violet. Now he was in a new place, sneaking about quietly, finding good uses for his Octo Camo.

Sneaking along with him was his newest partner, a Kecleon. The chameleon Pokemon had been left to him by someone... Someone who'd left Johto unannounced. Considering the kind of Pokemon it was (with its camouflage capabilities), the old soldier knew quite well whose it was.

And because of that, he vowed to take good care of his former mentor's Pokemon. Now he was approaching the Ranch, though sticking to the bushes to try and get the upper hand on any wild Pokemon. ]



MmmmMOOOOOOO.



[Snake froze. That sound. He immediately pulled out his Gear, contacting Otacon.] Otacon-- There's a Gekko here. [Not wanting to be caught by the beast, Snake rolled further into the brush, wanting to avoid being caught by its infrared sensors. He couldn't hear the familiar stomping sounds that accompanied it-- Kecleon hurried along with Snake, crawling alongside him and looking perplexed. Why did Old Snake look so worried suddenly?

Snake could hear another moo-- this one was closer... It was behind him! Turning to try and shake the creature off, the old soldier found himself with a face full of Milktank tongue.]

Ar-gghrh!

Mmmooo.

...



Oh. [psyche gauge droops...]

[Snake had been in Violet, trying to deal with the rainfall-- it was a nice change from the dryness of before but.. his bones always ached before it rained, and with the rainfall now, his arthritis wasn't getting any better.

On the plus side, he'd retrieved his Steelix back from Heather through the Pokemon Center communications, and things seemed to be getting calm again. He hadn't heard from Otacon in a little while, but assumed that no news was good news.

Snake had been making a note to call Heather in order to speak with her father-- he had said he'd do that.

Unfortunately, the old soldier was a little distracted right now. Not only was there a lot of rain-- the Pokemon in the streams were really acting strange. Snake had decided to try and check out what was causing it when he'd slipped on some mud, sending him crashing down on his rear. When he'd landed, not only had his Gear fallen and turned on, but the Shiny Stone that he'd purchased (on Sunny's persistence) also fell out, rolling a few inches and plopping into the pool of water by the Sprout Tower.]

Damn! [Snake grunts, and moves close to the edge. Sunny, who had been watching, quickly dives in after the stone, to which Snake opposes greatly but is too late to stop her.] Sunny, no!

...

[There was silence. A great amount of it... Snake swallowed hard, unsure of what to do. Was she all right? Should he dive in after her? His bones would hate him forever if he attempted it, but... Just as he was about to make a decision, the water began to glow... No. Something in the water was glowing.]

Hn--? [Snake slowly stood up, taking a step back and taking out a Pokeball if necessary. Whatever was in there... was big. It was rising up as well, and Snake could only watch in utter shock as a large, smiling Bird rose out of the water, shining with light.]

Kyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!




... What... the...

[Snake's in the National Park again, deciding to spend some time there before heading back to Goldenrod again. He's not sure if he'll head to Violet himself or wait for Heather, so he's spending the early morning to think about that.

And lo and behold, his egg finally hatched. Snake is crouched down, staring at the small... strange Pokemon. It looked like it could be vicious if it tried really hard.]

Huh... So you're my new partner.

[The Gible looked up at Snake before grabbing a leaf and chewing on it.] You don't have a big attention span, do you?

[A little playful growl.] Didn't think so.

[GUESS WHO'S BACK IN GOLDENROD. Snake turns on the feed, making it general because he can't be bothered otherwise.]

For people expecting to see me in Violet... Change of plans. Heather and I are in Goldenrod. [When he says Goldenrod, you might notice his eyebrow twitch. He's probably more sick of the music than anyone by now, mostly since he's gone back and forth so much lately.]

We're checking a few things out, I don't know when I'll be in Violet again. Don't bother waiting for me, if you have somewhere you need to go, go.



Sorry to keep you waiting.

[For people IN Goldenrod, Snake is near the bicycle shop. He's training his new Surskit.]

[ Snake's in Goldenrod, since he arrived about last week and decided to hang around. He wanted to go to Ecruteak, but he figured he could at least relax for a while before making the trip to Violet again.

Sitting on a bench near a hot dog stand, Snake takes out his PokeGear. ]

[PRIVATE CALL TO OTACON]

Otacon, what can you tell me about Team Rocket?

[/]

[ Switching frequencies, he decides to make an update for the rest of his friends. ]

This is Snake. I'm in Goldenrod, I'm going to Violet either tomorrow or the day after... I haven't really decided yet. At any rate... Heather, are you interested in going to Ecruteak..?

And Claire, where are you now?

[The feed flicks on to show a very frustrated and tired looking Old Snake. He's sitting outside Bugsy's Gym and frowning into the video feed, though his gaze is elsewhere.]

Juliette, give it back.


Schnub! [The sound of an entitled Snubbull could be heard.]

... Hhrnn... I don't know what's gotten into you, but your master entrusted me with your care. So start listening to me. [ The gear turns to look at the pink Pokemon, its ears adorned with pink bows, though its face quite... uncute. Truly, it should have evolved by now, but it seems Old Snake doesn't realize that.

The Pokemon's own will to remain a Snubbull was too strong even for nature.] What is your problem?

Schnub! Schnububububull! Nub nub! Schnubbull! [She then begins to run away, something shiny in her grasp.]


... Hhrrnmmm... Any advice on how to get this damn Pokemon to listen to me? Was she always this stubborn?...