#codangst

(Heavily Referenced the game for this, its kinda shittily written but i tried nonetheless, plot is changed quite a bii minus the minor details.. word count is like 3800+ so be wary if you read.)

CW/TW: Major Character Death, Angst Soap dies.. i mean what... noooo....

Graves had betrayed them, and fuck did it hurt.

A voice was struggling to pull him back from the harsh ringing plundering his hearing. Soap looked round, trying to figure out who was speaking to him.

Ghosts blurry face came into view, his senses coming too-- "-Johnny, get out of there." He watched a blurry fist come down, "SOAP GO." The words were heavy on his already beating skull, fucking hell... his body twitched as he pushed the heavy body off him. 

"Ghost.." He moved to crawl to him, but Ghost shook his head "Go Johnny, run."

His heart hammered as he looked toward the barrier, he nodded back towards Ghost before pulling himself over the barrier.

"STOP HIM." Graves yelled, he stumbled forward gun shots flying all around him, most narrowly missing save for one -- a bullet shot right through him, he fell hard scraping his knees through his pants. Holy shit.

He tumbled down, falling onto his chest, the dirt was turning to mud and caused him to begin slipping down the hill. He cried out as he tumbled, his body twisted and contorted, head banging against the loose ground.

He could do nothing but take the onslaught of pain being thrown at him.

The shadows calling to eachother became silent as he slid farther and farther away, finally coming to a stop he whined.

"Shi-t," he stammered, eyes wide and filled with tears. He placed a hand over his wound and forced himself up, the pain seared through his body as he got out of there, away from the heavy fire of guns. He was crying now, barely able to breathe as blood pooled in what he hoped wasn't his lungs - god damn it this isn't how he wanted to die. 

Making it to a wall he collapsed, wincing as he pulled his hand away he rasped staring at his blood covered glove, it dripped down and onto his pants staining the dirty brown red. His ears were filled with cries of a young woman, begging what seemed to be the shadows for mercy. Groaning he reached to the comm on his chest, switching the radios until there was silence. Sure Ghost would hear him he spoke into it, "This is- shit, bravo 7-1.. in the blind..." he winced, "How copy?"

He waited a moment, no response. "Ghost, This is 7-1, do you copy?"

Letting go of the comm he felt utterly alone, leaning his head back against the cement wall. He whimpered, "fuck,, Where are you Ghost?" knowing he wouldnt get a response, but needing to keep himself talking if he didnt want to die.

Pulling himself up slowly, he stammered into the alley way, two dead bodies of what seemed to be young men lay there - stiff and covered in blood. What a fucked way to go.. he couldn't help but feel sorry for the men. Pain flared up in his chest, he lost his balance and crashed into the ground, surely he must have a concussion now. He'd banged his head so much...

Struggling to get up his comm crackled to life, "Soap-- This is Ghost, how copy?" There was urgency in his voice, Soap could barely move at this point, crying out as he crawled forward.

"Johnny?" 

Wincing hard he forced himself to his knees, the pain was excruciating sending flares all over his body. He didn't want to move anymore, just wanted to lay there and cry. His comm crackled again, "Johnny... how copy?" 

A twitch of a smile pulled at his lips, so Ghost really did care huh. 

He pressed on the comm, "Solid." It was wheezed out but Ghost didn't catch it, "Thought we lost ya." Fuckin' brits.

On all fours Johnny crawled towards a car, grabbing onto the bumper to pull himself up and onto his feet. He leaned down, Shadows moving somewhere infront of him, he could hear them talking. Graves voice caught his attention..

"2-0.. Your men cordon this area.. Yeah? If Soap, Ghost or Hassan's here, let's keep em contained yeah?" 

And to think he actually started to like Graves. 

Bodies littered the streets, it was a scary sight honestly, nonetheless Soap crawled up to a couple of bodies and sat near them as Graves passed down the road - he nearly wretched at the smell. He was best to keep out of sight though, he wasn't able to fight in this condition. He crawled between cars and next to buildings, he was trying to get to the alley way Graves came from without being spotted.

"Oww" He cried, pushing himself to his feet. He looked around the area before leaning against the wall next to the alley way entrance, Ghosts voice startled him.. had he accidentally pressed the comms button while getting up?

"You injured?" It was stark, straight to the point. 

He felt like he should hide his injuries from Ghost, unsure if he would just leave him behind knowing his condition. He groaned settling for a half and half answer. 

"Whats the difference?"

Ghost chuckled through the mic, "Life and Death." With that he was gone again, Soap screwed his eyes shut for a moment before peaking down the alley way. Three men were at the exit, moving round a car and out into the streets. He hissed lowly, "Where are you, L.T?"

"Theres a church. Im heading to it, lets RV there." There was no fighting the way he said it, off in the distance he could see the makings of a church. He hoped he could get there before he bled out. "You'll need to improvise to survive, keep it careful and maybe you'll make it."

Graves voice brought him back to reality, shit, he peaked down the Alley again, "The shadows are on a killing spree. Fucking murderers." 

"Looking for Hassan."

Soap Tsked lightly, unheard by Ghost, "Hassan and us,  i heard them."

The shadows were threatening and forcing what seemed to be the cartel against the wall, questioning them while using brute force. It was sickening. Holding onto the wall for support he moved down the alley way and behind the parked car, the street was full of Shadows. He ducked against the car, hand flying over his mouth to muffle his cries of pain. 

All he could taste was iron, whether it be from him slowly dribbling out the blood in his lungs or from the blood covered glove pressed there.. he didn't know, he also didn't wanna find out.

"Do it." Graves commanded his men, a few gun shots going off as bodies hit the ground.

Soap grunted, "fucking hell.."

Graves directed his team around the corner, "found some dirty cops, lets go have some fun with them shall we?" He spit on the ground, team following him as he walked out of sight.

Now in the clear he moved forward, Ghost crackled alive in his ear "Advise you move interior, if you're not already. It's good cover."

"Copy."

Watching down the street he moved toward into an open garage, pulling on a door. Locked. "No joy.. doors locked L.T."

"Look for supplies- things you can make tools with." Always good with advice, Soap huffed out a laugh immediately regretting it as his chest lit up like a fire on christmas. "Welcome to Gorilla Warfare, McTavish."

Gathering some supplies he came back to the door, popping it open whilst breaking what he'd just made. The heavy movement of busting the door open made him pause for a break, he leaned against a table, unfinished food and chairs scattered. Someone left in a rush..

He heaved for a moment before continuing on, he crouched around the house, he could hear women and children crying and begging for help. 

"Don't hurt my children.. im begging you.. please.." A woman cried out, a small child screaming for her mother, they continued to cry out as a loud gun shot was heard. Soap winced, knowing he could nothing to help the civilians right now. He hurried out into the living room, moving around. 

"Take the kid, get him out o' here." Graves.. fucking hell.. atleast he wasn't sick enough to hurt the kid. A shadow began talking to the child, "Let's go, come on, you're with me," the child cried, "quiet, come on... shhhh-shhhh."

Graves laughed, "oh look what we got here, more policia. Cops, helping cartels." He paused, Soap froze and covered his mouth, "Let's show 'em how we handle corruption!! Yeah-"

"Happy to, sir." 

"El Sin Nombre, will kill you for this." The cop spoke, anger evident in his tone. Graves barely chuckled, "Oh, no, no. El Sin Nombre's no beuno right now, amigo."

"He'll cut your fucking head off-" A shadow kicked his face in, knocking him to the ground. Soap winced backing up and away from the door. 

"Shut, the fuck, up!" Graves spoke again.. Soap was to close. He backpedaled towards the stairs, limping up them and into an open hallway. "No more talking." 

A guy stumbled out of a corner, knocking into a table and collapsing. 

Soap was startled to say the least, "creeping fucking jesus.." he coughed, then winced. Graves could be heard downstairs, talking to the cop.. it didn't sound all to good. The cop threatening to rip their balls off.

Swallowing, Soap moved forward, toward the fallen man, he barely moved other then to offer a weak groan. Hissing he moved round him, he moved into a sheltered little closet area -- maybe a storage room? Either way a head lamp rested on the ground, 

Graves voice was loud and clear outside, though through the ringing he barely caught the end. "...Keep your head on a swivel for these Brits.. Take 'em dead or alive.. you know my preference."

Soap scoffed, he was no brit.. he was a proud scottsman. 

He focused on updating Ghost on his predicament, "Found a headlamp... not to far away from its.." he glanced back at the dying man, "original owner."

"Good. Careful with it. Can light your way but attract unwanted attention."

"Ouwff."

"Whats the latest?" Was there a tinge of.. concern in his voice? Soap must be loosing more blood then he thought.

Speaking of, he looked down at his abdomen, stomach and chest covered in blood and then some. The latest wasn't good, not good at all. He tsked himself, to hell with it if he was bleeding out, if he was so cold he could barely feel his fingers.. it didn't matter as long as he got where he needed to. He could get help if he just kept pushing.

"Mercs are killing everything in their path." Short, keeping his own problems out of it.

A scoff, "War crimes.."

"Yeah, makes me want to commit a few war crimes of my own.."

"Tyranny. It won't stand." Ghost was a cold blooded asshole but.. he believed in the peace of civilians so.. maybe there was some good in him.

Spluttering Soap knelt down, spitting up blood onto the wooden floorboards, no more then there was before he supposed. "You think we'll get a green light to go after these guys?"

"No more green lights, Johnny. We're on our own." 

That didn't sound to good.

A short few quips later, Soap found himself prying open another door, he found himself in predicament when a caged dog began barking at him. 

"Whats going on up there?" "Dunno, i'll go check it out."

"Shit's hitting the fan right now.." He looked around the room quickly, making an escape through the balcony. He lifted himself over the fence piece, "You see the caged dog?"

Judging by how high up he was, this was going to hurt -- especially since he was incapable of properly putting himself in a landing position. He gnawed on his lip, "Big Geezer. If he barks, shoot him and repo quickly--" No remorse.. "Don't get compromised."

With a pray sent to any gods listening, Soap jumped down landing hard on his side. He gritted his teeth together, fuck that hurt... he laid there for a moment, breathing in and out trying to lessen the pain bouldering in his side and chest.

Ghost crackled through, "Gimme a sit-rep."

Once again forcing himself to stand he groaned, "Outside.. Gated Alley."

"Stick to the edges and stay low."

"Copy."

Leaning against the wall for support he moved round, trying to find a proper exit. "You may get a brag rag for this," Ghost teased, the scott huffed out a laugh, "a medal?" "Chest candy."

"Thats all rubbish." He groaned, "Well, you said you wanted a win. Congratulations, you're a winner.."

Soap smirked, resting against a wall, "Away n' bile yer head..!"

"English, McTavish.." Ghost teased again.

"Sorry sir.. let me translate.. Go fuck yourself."

"Much Better."

Silence over took the two, Soap slinking down the wall to catch a much needed break. He pulled off his vest, revealing a bullet hole that went straight through the back and out the front. "So thats how you're bleeding then.." 

He groaned as he pulled out some duct tape, supposed to use it for something later but right now... he thought he might lose consciousness. He wrapped it tightly round his abdomen, not as good as gauze but would have to do for now. He slunk the vest back over his chest, tightening it with a grumbled laugh. 

He had to keep going.

"I've set up a sniper position in the church tower. Find your way there, and you might just make it." Ghosts most comforting words.. ever. Soap had made his way to the roof tops, watching as shadows beat up and killed three cops, they were berating them for working with narcos. It was brutal to watch.

Clicking on the comms he spoke quietly, "Graves is rounding up cops.."

A response was quick, "Hes judge, jury and executioner now."

The comms crackled before turning off again, Soap sighed as he watched the final cop get his brain shot across the cobble path. As the Shadows began moving away, Soap made his move, sliding off the roof and onto the ground. He winced and grabbed at his chest, the tape was rubbing the wound the wrong way.

Moving round the fountain he picked up a bottle, alerting Ghost to what he'd found, "Good for a distraction. Make it count, Johnny."

The shadows were talking about Ghost over comms, it caught his attention only because of the last sentence. "You're right, you won't see him, if you see him you're dead already."

Soap didn't know much about Ghost, but apparently his reputation proceeds him even now.

He had to get the attention of the guard away from the exit, he gripped the bottle a little tighter. Good for a distraction. He looked around, carefully planning where to throw it. Focusing on the fence he tossed it the guard immediately turning to check it out. 

"Tossed the bottle, worked like a charm."

"Told ya.. Pay attention and you just might learn something.."

Cheeky bastard.

Pain flared in his chest suddenly and he fell forward, barely catching himself. He pulled himself behind a planted bush, squeezing his eyes shut tight and begging for the pain to go away, begging for the ringing to stop. All he could see was white, all he could hear was ringing and that is not a good sign.

He took control of his breathing, and slowly the ringing faded away until he was able to hear the guard move back into position. Shit. He'd wasted his opening because of this stupid injury. He groaned, moving to his knees and looked round the area spotting another bottle. 

Hurriedly he picked it up, he aimed slightly farther away and threw it. The guard didn't react like he had before though, merely turning in the direction and shining his light. It was better than nothing though.

Quickly Soap slid by him and into an open doorway, he grabbed another bottle as well as some wax.. he was sure it'd help later -- lord was he right, he found some chemicals and Ghost was happy to tell him how to make a smoke bomb.

"A Toxic distraction."

Soap smiled, "Sick.. I like it." As long as he didn't hurt any civilians in the process he was all for it.

Ghost was quick to quip back, "Guarantee you they won't." The teasing edge was back, replacing the serious undertones he'd been replying with. Soap made his way out of the.. shop?.. He didn't quite know, he slid past another guard and down a back alley. A dark and cold back alley. There was no way out through here, he had to go by the guard. 

Not knowing if he'd actually win the fight due to his injuries, he rested against a shop door.. Mentally preparing himself to die in a fight against a shadow personnel. Pulling a bottle from the ground he took a deep breathe, slowly moving towards the Shadow. 

"Feeling weak are you?" Ghost startled Soap, causing him to take a few steps back and press against a nearby wall. "A bit shaky-Sir. Yeah."

"Graves tried to kill us, would stand to reason if you were a little off."

Of course yes, the trying to kill them through him off but the constant pain in his chest and arm was another factor -- a factor he wouldn't bother the Lieutenant with, but a factor nonetheless. "Find a stim- it'll give you a boost."

"Yes sir."

Slinking by the Shadow again, Soap moved into another shop, he found more chemicals and a mouse trap.. that could prove to be pretty useful.

He stumbled down a hall way, falling into an open door. A dead Shadow greeted him, "Ghost, you missing a knife?.."

"Several."

Soap was a bit to excited, "Think i found one."

A little cheeky Ghost crackled through the comms, "Some of the dead shadows are.. my handiwork."

"You came through here?" His voice cracked slightly, but he covered it with a cough. "On my way to the church."

"And you left me?" Soap wouldn't lie, that kinda hurt.. almost as bad as being shot in the chest. "I'm used to working alone." Ghost, ever so heartless.. 

"So much for no man left behind." He was a bit snarky in his response, but he was hurt that Ghost would just leave him. "Just.. get yourself to the church. 'M tryna keep you alive n' get you here in on piece. One of us needs to survive to tell the tail."

That one of them seemed more, and more likely to be Ghost with how hard it was to breathe. But as always.. Soap bit through it. "Taking a shine to me then?" Trying to joke his way through the pain.

"Not in the slightest." That was more then obvious. "Still got a lot of ground to cover."

With a sigh, Soap pulled himself through a window, he moved down the alley way finding a small black box. Opening it revealed some interesting treasures... "Seek and ye shall find.."

"Whatchya got?"

"Black powder." They seemed to jump over the last hurdle, going back to how they were before. 

Soap could hear the slight smile through the comms, "Nice, this could get interesting.."

Pulling out the tape, and mousetrap Soap fashioned a homemade mine.. so the mousetrap did prove to be useful. He took a moment before deciding to tell Ghost, "a man after my own heart." It was teasing, breathless and most of all not meant to be flirty.. but it struck somewhere in Soaps heart, he bit back a smile.

"Thought you'd like that."

"You thought right."

Now smiling, he made his way round the streets, a shadow blocked his exit. Slowly he creeped up behind them, having taken the knife with him, he launched up grabbing the shadow in a choke hold and stabbing him in the neck. He threw them down, pulling the knife out and taking their gun. 

The Shadows comms were going off, asking Shadow 3-1 to respond -- unfortunately he wouldn't be responding any longer. He shuffled away from the body just as the comms crackled again, "this is Shadow 2-7, im on my way to check out 3-1."

"Copy."

Soap hurried to move out of sight, pulling himself into a nearby shop and moving out and around. He dropped his head down a Shadow moving just outside the building, he crawled out the open door and into the streets. He sprinted across the street and into another building, Ghost coming to life in his ear. 

"You'll need to go through the tunnels, keep in mind sergeant theyre flooded. It's gonna be a cold swim."

"Yes sir.."

He'd waded through the tunnels, taking out guards in his way, taking breaks when needed. All this movement made him feel like he was about to pass out, but he was so close to finishing this, to being safe. 

"I've got your back sergeant, im you're guardian angel right now, stay safe."

Soap groaned, as of current he was tucked against a wall -- Ghost was keeping watch, heat flooded his chest. He pulled out an adrenaline shot, he'd had it tucked away just for this. For when he knew he wouldn't be able to hold himself up anymore. 

He popped the lid and slammed it into his thigh, eyes rolling back as relief immediately flooded his system. Easily moving to his feet he shuffled to the door, trying the handle only to find it locked -- with a grunt he manufactured a pry and weaseled it into the door. Popping it open only to met with a Shadow, knocking him on his ass and pointing a gun at his head. 

"GET DOWN!"

It was commanding, his ears rang from the brute force of being knocked in the head with the barrel of the gun. His sight went black for a moment as a gun shot rang out, blood splattering all over him and bringing him back to his senses. 

Another Shadow moved forward and he was quick to shoot them, crying out as he pulled himself to his feet. So much for the adrenaline shot, he thought to himself. Moving out of the building, shooting any Shadows that dared come to close. 

"Holy hell.. Ghost was that you?"

"Who else?.. Now go." It was urgent again, Ghost could tell they were on bought time, if they wanted to RV they had to move fast. 

Johnny moved quick, making his way to the church, he watched as Ghost threw himself over the fence. "That'll do, sergeant."

Soap smiled, he took a second before opening his mouth, Ghosts eyes widened "Shit Johnny-" But it was to late, a bullet rang through the air. Slicing clear through the centre of Soaps neck, he collapsed against Ghost, spluttering,, "No you made it Johnny, c'mon, you made it."

Ghost returned the fire, pulling Johnny with him to behind a car, the latter was spluttering and coughing, tears in his eyes. "G-ost, p-se" He cried hard as the pain took ahold of his body, there was no saving him from this. 

"Johnny, no come on, Johnny stay with me."

Ghost hated to admit it but he'd grown attached to the Scott, he imagined they'd be good friends after this - heaven knows Ghost needed one. "Johnny.." He spoke softly, wiping his sweaty hair from his forehead. 

Heavy gunfire was upon them, and as much as it pained Ghost to have to leave Johnny he couldn't carry the body with him. He couldnt save Johnny from this.