012 on eggs hatching and evolution [video/action]

[otakon_geek]

So, my egg finally hatched after a week of keeping it warm inside of my backpack. I guess keeping it with other Pokémon helped too. Are you going to say hello, Naomi?

[He panned the PokeGear screen down so that the young Vulpix could take a look at who her trainer was talking to.]

If you're wondering about the name Naomi, it's because I once knew a woman by that name who worked in an organisation known as FOXHOUND. She and I were close for a while. [Until she died.] For people who have had a Pokémon egg before, is there any special way I should look after Naomi? Do I have to give her extra berries or Pokémon supplements of some kind? I'm just wondering how she would grow up in the wild, as to growing up with a trainer. If anyone has any advice, it would be welcome.

[Naomi made a small barking noise at the screen then began to sniff on the ground.]

Oh and something else happened to me yesterday. Piplup evolved into Prinplup. This was after a battle I had with another trainer. Thanks, Mimi. It feels really weird not having Piplup on my shoulder anymore. Prinplup, you're just too big for my shoulder now. [Prinplup gave a proud nod to his trainer and ate a berry, given to him by Otacon.]

Battling with others really does make a difference in how a Pokémon grows and develops. If anyone else would like a battle with me, I'd be more than welcome to offer you one. My Pokémon are always eager to battle anyone, right, guys? [Nomad fluttered onto Otacon's right shoulder and gave a playful peck to his ear.]

Comments

[otakon_geek]

I wasn't intentionally blurting the name out. You were in FOXHOUND? May I ask when?

[majorcrotchgrab]

Just be careful next time. While we may be the only ones from our world, it's still risky mentionining it.

I was... recruited a few months ago before I arrived here. 1970.

[otakon_geek]

I know. Perhaps, I was a bit foolish back there. [He frowned and made sure not to be so open about FOXHOUND next time.]

Ah, I see. Around the time of Big Boss then.

[majorcrotchgrab]

Mmhmm. Snake wouldn't tell me the connection between him and Big Boss but I'm suspecting he's his son.

[otakon_geek]

[Could it hurt to discuss this with Raikov? A Soviet who lived around before their time? Yet, Raikov was his friend.]

Most people know this anyway back in my time. Yes, Snake is Big Boss's son.

[majorcrotchgrab]

I thought so. The resemblance is uncanny.

But why was Snake so old? As far as I knew, Big Boss never had any children in my time.

[otakon_geek]

Yeah, it is. [Should he tell him about the cloning thing?]

This is your future, so things could get a little odd if I explain this to you. But, you're my buddy, Raikov and I hope you'll not tell anyone at route about this. Please? It's very secret information, regarding my buddy, Snake. He wouldn't want his family history spread across the land.

Big Boss was used as a clone father.

[majorcrotchgrab]

Why would I tell anyone?

[Buddy though, huh...? But Otacon's explanation causes him to raise an eyebrow.]

... A clone? Is that even possible?

[otakon_geek]

He and I go back a long way and we're close friends. I'd do anything for the old guy. [Yep, he would.]

Yeah, it's possible, or was. It was a project set up by the US Government. Les Enfants Terribles. The Terrible Children. Snake wasn't the only clone child born from Big Boss. He had two brothers too. Liquid Snake and Solidus Snake. The Patriots were behind the whole thing and no one knew what would happen once the clones actually grew up.

[majorcrotchgrab]

Damn...

[That's pretty fucked up. Not surprising that the government wants Big Boss so much though.]

That doesn't answer my question as to why Snake is so old. Shouldn't he be around our age?

[otakon_geek]

[Yeah, it's fucked up. You can blame the government and the Patriots for that.]

He's not actually as old as he looks. He- [Otacon doesn't really like talking about his illness but he trusts you, Raikov.]

-he's dying. He was injected with a virus known as FOXDIE, developed by the DIA, Defence Intelligence Agency, to target certain DNA. Snake's DNA. Right now, he'd be around forty two. The virus is a degenerative virus, so that's why he looks so old.

[majorcrotchgrab]

Oh...

[Okay, that's even more fucked up. Raikov brings a hand up to his mouth and frowns.]

... I'm sorry.

[otakon_geek]

Yeah, the whole thing is pretty mucked up. My best buddy got the worst deal of all. We've tried countless doctors, medics, physicians but nothing. So far we've found no cure.

[He felt Nomad lean against his head in support. He could tell his Trainer wasn't happy talking about his friend like this.]

[majorcrotchgrab]

How long does he have, if you don't mind me asking?

[otakon_geek]

Around six months predicted. [He shouldn't get choked up because he knows this. Yet, it still hurts.]

[majorcrotchgrab]

Shit...

[Comforting people is difficult. He's really not sure what to say.]

At least... you know when it's going to happen, right? This way you can make the last months of his life special.

[otakon_geek]

It's ok. We're going to make the last few months of his life the best. Do as much as we can and try not to dwell on the inevitable. [He still hadn't given up on finding a cure.]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[Raikov nods.]

Good. Even if he's a grumpy asshole, you still need to spoil him.