War Has Changed

[ It had taken way longer to get here than initially intended. First off, Snake was surprised to see that damn tree was no longer in the way, so it meant he didn't have to go down to Azalea (yet). He would if he wanted to get the badge, but that'd come later... He still hadn't beaten Falkner, and honestly didn't feel like it at the moment. Felt better to just get out and traveling.

Unfortunately, he had to do it on one of the hottest days for traveling. This Summer had been pretty mild for the most part, but it seemed as soon as August rolled around, the real heat came out to play. Though it might have also seemed worse because Snake had basically quit smoking and everything was worse after that. Stumbling over to a nearby bench, Snake sprawled on it, looking entirely too eager to sit down. He and Otacon had ridden to Goldenrod on S2's back, and after a while, it actually became a literally pain in the ass. But now they were able to relax, despite Snake having flashbacks to how long he had been in Goldenrod before, and god had he not missed the music. He flipped open his Gear, checking for any updates. ]

I heard something about Free Ice Cream? I could use that... [ He smiled at Otacon. ] For you, too, I know.

Oh yeah... [ He held up another Pokéball. ] Caught another one. This time it's a... bug. Dragonfly? It's called a Yanma or something like that. [ A smirk. ] Flying beats Bug, at least that hasn't changed.

[ 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?

[ Snake's outside of Whitney's Gym, leaning against the wall and having a smoke. He's looking as he always does- bundled up (aside from not having a hat on his head) and grumpy. There appears to be a medium sized tortoise crawling around his feet... the thing's up to his knees, and quite warm. As Snake exhales smoke from his cigarette, the tortoise does the same, except from its nostrils and shell.

... It's kind of cute, actually. They both look similar right now.

Snake takes out his PokeGear, leaving a video message. ]

That's one Gym Leader out of the way... Didn't think she'd cry so much when I beat her, though... She nearly trounced me with that cow of hers. Chicken and Sunny finished it, but Solid did most of the battling before Milktank knocked him out.

Anyway... Wasn't bad. I got the Plain Badge anyhow.



... Oh.

My egg hatched... [ He peers down, bringing the video with him to show the Pokemon scuffling around his feet and blowing smoke. ] This guy's a walking furnace... I've called him Marlboro. [ SNAKE YOUR JOKES SUCK ]

I guess if I go back to Violet now, I can take on Falkner... Shouldn't be too bad with Solid anyway. Over and out.