Metroid: Mission Alpha

Episode 36: The Next Destination

Samus, Alpha, Michael, and Eta had all traveled to Venine and had found Master Greblai and Master Silhouite searching for something there. However, the villains did not find what they were looking for and left the planet. Now it was time for Samus and company to return to HQ in search of the next destination.

Samus's Gunship and Michael's spaceship made their landing near HQ and everyone moved out of them and into the building. "I've got to find Master Greblai and Master Silhouite's current location," Michael said, seating himself at the main computer. He searched the map, but appeared puzzled. "They're not on Lavolca or Venine…or on any other planet we've encountered so far. They must be on a planet we have yet to explore, but which one?"

At that moment, a small furry creature dashed into the room. "Harmony!" Samus said. Harmony began to run in circles around her and then leapt into her arms with joy.

"Hey, welcome back," Carol told the others when she walked into the room, "Harmony is doing well, but she certainly is playful!"

"I can see that," Samus chuckled, patting Harmony's head. The young Magicklope made a cheerful sound and then ran over to Alpha and Eta. The three of them began to play together and chase each other around the room.

After a little while, a now tired Harmony walked over to Carol, who picked her up. "Come on, Harmony, it's time for bed," the HQ leader said. She stroked Harmony's fur and then walked away.

Samus looked out the window, seeing that it was now dark outside; she looked at Alpha and Eta, who appeared tired. "Goodnight, Michael, we'll see you tomorrow," she said.

Michael nodded. "Goodnight. Hopefully tomorrow we'll find where to go next." Alpha and Eta yipped to tell each other goodnight, and then Alpha followed Samus to the Gunship.

While curled up in his bed asleep that night, Alpha began to dream. He was walking through the field at night; however, despite the dark sky, there was a strange light shining from all over. The lights were on in the Gunship, which could be seen in the distance, and the moon was so mysteriously bright that it illuminated the ground. Alpha took in all the strange, yet beautiful in a sense, scenery of the twilight.

Suddenly, a howling sound rang out over the field. Alpha stopped short, his fur raising as the eerie sound continued, a mist appearing and drifting and swirling through the air. The mist came to rest above the ground and formed a group of transparent white Snacanids. Alpha stood still and stared, feeling a chill run down his spine and too alarmed to make a sound.

The mysterious Snacanids communicated with Alpha through barks and yips that echoed in the night. "We are the souls of the Snacanids who suffered Master Silhouite's cruelty," they were telling him, "We have come to alert you of his latest plot. Master Greblai and he are searching for a rare plant on the planet Fantastar." They showed him an image of a green, brown, and white planet and a plant with five pointy purple petals on its flower. "You must prevent them from obtaining that plant. Good luck…" Then the ghostly Snacanids howled once more and faded from sight, leaving Alpha alone in silence.

Alpha woke with a start; it was still dark. Frightened from his dream, he dashed out of bed and out into the field. The lights and Snacanid ghosts were not there. Thinking of them, he raised his head and began to howl loudly.

The sound woke Samus, who quickly looked around. She noticed that Alpha's bed was empty. "That sounds like Alpha! I wonder what's going on out there," she got up and came outside, seeing Alpha howling sorrowfully. She moved nearer. "Alpha, what's wrong?" she spoke over his howling, but he did not stop. Samus knelt beside Alpha and embraced his neck; he quieted and hung his head, his eyes closed. "What's the matter? Did you have a bad dream?" she asked gently. He whimpered softly. "It's okay, it's over now, and I'm right here," she responded.

Then, Michael, Carol, Tim, and Eta came over to Samus and Alpha. "Is Alpha all right?" Carol asked, "We heard his howling form inside HQ."

"Just a bad dream," Samus replied, "He'll be fine." Eta licked Alpha's cheek affectionately and comfortingly. Alpha licked her cheek in return and smiled. As long as he was with his friends, everything would be fine.

The next morning, Alpha had forgotten about his dream as Eta, Samus, and he gathered near the computer with Michael. However, he was soon reminded again when the HQ leader began searching around his computer's map. "I've got to keep looking…" he said to himself. It was then that Alpha saw it: a green, brown, and white planet on the map, just like the one he'd been shown in his dream. Before Michael could move the map again, the male Snacanid barked excitedly. Michael looked back at him. "What is it, boy?" Alpha, still barking, jumped up and down, staring at the screen.

"This planet? That's Fantastar." Michael looked closely at the map. "Why, you're right! I can see Master Greblai and Master Silhouite's energy readings there. How did you know, Alpha?"

"Something tells me he knows something we don't," Samus guessed.

"I wonder what Master Greblai and Master Silhouite are looking for there," Michael said.

Alpha barked and ran over to a planet sitting on a shelf. "They're looking for a plant?" Samus guessed. Alpha nodded.

"That's it!" Michael exclaimed, "They must want the Fantastarish plant known as the Fantasy Blossom. It grows only in an underground tunnel and is so rare and beautiful it looks like something out of a fairy tale."

"Alpha must have seen these things in his dream," Samus said. Alpha nodded again.

"Quite possible," Michael replied, "Also, Fantastar has three different climates: Verdant, Arid, and Frigid. I can guess that Master Greblai and Master Silhouite heard there was a rare plant on a planet with multiple environments, and they assumed it was Venine. That's why they were digging around there."

"Yes…if they want the Fantasy Blossom, it must have some great power."

"I'm not sure what powers it has or why those fiends want it, but I know it's not for a virtuous cause."

"Our next mission is obtained, then," Samus concluded, "go to Fantastar and prevent Master Greblai and Master Silhouite from getting their hands on a Fantasy Blossom."

"Good luck," Michael answered, "I'll inform you of anything new I discover." Alpha and Eta looked in each other's eyes and then nuzzled one another to say goodbye before Alpha walked off.

Soon, Samus and Alpha were back in the Gunship in preparation for their next journey. "Next stop: Fantastar," Samus said, preparing the Gunship's controls for the flight, "Master Greblai and Master Silhouite are already there, so we need to find them. Who knows what may be ahead of us, but I believe we can do it." Then her ship lifted off into the vastness of space.

What will Samus and Alpha find on Fantastar?

(Original story from February 2018)