War Has Changed

[ 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!] )

[When the feed starts, Snake has placed the Gear down in a secure location (???) and is standing by his team of six Pokemon. Togetic, Pidgeotto, Magnemite, Drifloon, Slowpoke and Onix. He's been wanting to show them off for a bit, especially after getting a bit of an ego boost about them... The Pokemon, however, look quite uneasy. Even Snake is feeling worse than the did a few days ago.]


That music... It's different. [Looks around.] Do you hear it? Some kind of... strange tune.

[ That bad feeling he's been getting has only grown since... He's always felt it in his gut, and his bones are aching much more than usual. Years of experience in stuff just going wrong, especially in terms of changing music, he knows this isn't just a bad day. ]

... Ah, anyway... [ Turns to his team, then kneels down, giving Sunny a pet on the head. ] We'll be fine. [ How does one reassure someone of something that even they aren't sure of? ]

GRUUUUUBBLLEEBORBBGHLL...

[ Solid the Onix is looking pretty worried, too. Snake looks up at him and reaches a hand forward, placing it on the Rock Snake's nose. ] Hey, you're the biggest guy I've got. Try to show a braver side.