Chapter 4 - Gamma's Quest

Gamma: I insist. I need to get my family home. Someone outwards might be able to help with the predicament. Priority One: Bird's owner. Priority Two: fixing the problem.

Tails: Alright, if you're sure. But I would still like to do some more studying on you if it's okay.

Gamma: Permission: Granted

Amy nods and heads home.

2 week later

Tails is typing on his keyboard, punching in some commands.

Tails: And done. The Tornado 2 is going to be much more fun to use now. [He turns towards Gamma's room]

Gamma exits the door, looking determined for his priority 1 mission

Tails: Hey Gamma… before you leave, I have a gift for you.

Gamma: A gift?

Tails: It's obvious that Eggman might try to find you again, so I am going to make you prepared for that eventuality.

Gamma: Gift: Accepted

Tails gets ready for some modifications to Gamma.

Tails: Using the scraps that Amy brought, I have made some modification designs. You might need more than one hand. I'll take that bulky thing off [He takes off the blaster] And here is a new hand, with a built in laser blaster on the wrist. Two hands will be important if you want to grab stuff firmly. That booster is limiting. [He takes away the booster and modifies Gamma with 4 miniature boosters] That should give you a wider field of aerial movement. [He picks up an arm] I found the apparatus of a rainbow attack in the pile, sooooo [he wires the apparatus on the left arm] That is a shield emitter for protecting you and the flickies. Now those parts with black and white don't suit you well, so [he gives the new parts a paint job, more accurate to Gamma's color]

Gamma gets up and looks into a mirror to see his new self.

Tails: Don't strain the new blaster, your body wasn't meant to stockpile energy, so charged shots are too risky in case of backfire.

Gamma: Understood

Tails starts to ramble on, until him and Amy see breaking news on the TV. Tails, turns up the volume.

TV reporter: Just earlier today Sonic the hedgehog has been apprehended by G.U.N's forces for destroying multiple military installations right after robbing the Central City bank. He is currently being transported to a secret high security base for incarceration. This seems unlikely for Sonic, but security (fades into background)

Tails and Amy: WHAT?!

Amy: There's no way Sonic would rob a bank. He just saved Station Square from Chaos!

Tails: Sonic is the kindest person we've known! There's no way he did it! There has to be a mistake. Uh- Uh- wrong eye witness reports? Fake camera footage? Something!

Amy: No matter the reason, we have to go find Sonic!

Tails: Yes of course!

Gamma: Perhaps, I could be of assistance.

Amy: [Smiles] I appreciate the generosity Gamma, but no thank you.

Tails: Actually Amy, with some extra help, we could storm the military at much more ease-

Amy: Gamma isn't a weapon to be used, Tails! He's a guardian. He has a responsibility to the flickies, and nothing should get in the way of that. We'll be able to handle things on our own. Besides, we've gotten a lot stronger. He should be able to do what he has to do.

Tails, Amy and Gamma walk outside, to say goodbye to their friend.

Tails: How do you plan to find out where the flickes came from? Where do you start?

Gamma: My connection to the Eggnet was severed a few days ago. This leaves me blind of intel. This may be of Eggman knowing that I am no longer on his side. There's only one place that will help: The Final Egg.

Amy grabs Gamma's hand.

Amy: I wish all the luck of the world onto you. I hope we meet again someday soon.

5 minutes later

Gamma arrives at the cliff to the hideout. Even though it's shut down and abandoned, signs of recent activity are around with G.U.N. robots swarming the base. Gamma sneaks past the robots, knowing he'd be shot down on sight.

After walking in, Gamma turns on his spotlight, and proceeds to look around the dark and dusty chamber. He starts analyzing the visual changes that have happened since the last time he had been there. Among those are the chambers of Metal Sonic, and Silver Sonic 2. Metal is missing, and his tank has been smashed open from the inside, while Silver Sonic 2's is completely tattered, with the robot ripped to shreds.

Journeying onward, the flickies huddle into Gamma. Gamma reaches a control room and wires himself into the mainframe through the connector on the tips of his fingers. Just barely functional, the computer reveals to Gamma, the logbook of all the animals that were brought to the base for robotization and the place that they were taken from. Gamma, combs through the files at high speed, and finds the entries for the three flickies and a set of coordinates. Downloading this data, Gamma's built in GPS blips onto a small island in the barracuda sea, an island not found on any ordinary map.

With his destination set, with the help of his new boosters, he begins the long distance flight across the ocean, and one step closer to home. At sunrise, a few short hours later, Gamma zeroes in on the outline of land in the distance. As the nebulous fog lifts, the island comes into view. The two flickies that have been asleep on Gamma's shoulders wake up and chirp from excitement, confirming that they know this place. As the island draws closer, the appearance of the isle is notably abnormal, compared to any typical earthly island. The rustic ruins of an ancient temple sediments dense forestation, snow dusted mountainous peaks encircle a now active volcano.

Gamma glides himself into the atoll and touches down in the wooded grove near the coast, noting that the ground here looks unnatural, at least compared to the Mystic Ruins. The rock floor sports a checkerboard pattern and the nearby flora bursts with vibrancy. Gamma scans the immediate area for nearby signs of life. To his surprise he discovers that this place is alive with flickies with different shapes, sizes and colors. But one non-avian being has shown up on his radar: a human. Gamma enters roller mode and moves towards the signal.

He soon comes near to the edge of a clearing. In the middle lies a toppled tree, leaning against the tree is a little girl, no more than 10 years old. Gamma watches from the bushes nearby. From the satchel on her waist, the girl pulls forth a vintage film camera, hangs it from her neck on the strap and begins snapping photos of her environment. She takes a deep breath and smiles with exuberance, but beneath the veil of delight lies but a hint of sadness. Gamma, upon seeing this girl, again begins to experience the same flashes he witnessed during his time with Amy. The flashes of someone embracing the three flickies, the feeling of a kind gaze and calm serenity. Gamma then starts to feel that he knows the girl, but also begins to recall a name as well.

Upon seeing this mystery individual, the two flickies blurt out into a series of hysterical cheeps before rushing from Gamma's shoulders and over to her. Hearing the familiar sounds, the girl turns, her face strewn with disbelief, her eyes filling with tears, as the birds practically tackle and perch onto her, still tweeting away. With tears streaming down the girl's face in joyful relief, gently strokes the flickies with one finger, as they shower her with loving affection.

?: Fu, Mimi! You're here! You're okay! I was so worried that I thought that I would never see you again.

The girl continues to weep while muttering the only two things that matter.

?: How did you get here all by yourselves? And, where's Koko?

As the girl asks these lingering questions, Fu and Mi turn their heads towards the direction of the tree line. The girl follows their line of sight, as out comes Gamma. Confusion turns to panic as fear sweeps across the young girl's face and she blurts out.

?: No! Don't come any closer. I won't let you take them away again.

Fu and Mi tweet at her furiously, trying to tell her that Gamma means no harm, but in doing so, she assumes that they're just as terrified as she is. She grabs hold of the two flickies in both arms and runs deeply into the woods. Gamma raises his hand as if to reach out to the feeling girl, unable to form the words he needs. A mystifying force from within slowly pulls him forward, as he begins to give chase, not grasping the girl's state of terror, or her reasons for this.

Meanwhile, the girl darts through the trees and arrives in a large-scale campsite, set up beside the entryway to the old temple ruins, the same ruins Gamma saw when approaching the island. The camp is filled with human researchers, archaeologists who have set up shop here on the landmass. These archaeologists are here to examine part of a fabled continent that raised from the seabed countless years ago.

?: Guys Guys! A robot is pursuing me! They're back!

The girl runs to the far end of the installation where the team leaders tent is set up. A bearded elderly man steps out. As the girl runs towards him from a distance.

?: Aya! Oh for goodness sake, I was worried sick! How many times have I told you not to go out on your own?

Aya steps further letting the man see her panicked state, making the man stop the scolding. The man then sees the flickies in her arms, still ceaselessly tweeting away, as Aya tries exhaustedly to calm them.

?: Wait a minute, those two! H- how did you? Aya dear, what happened!

Aya: Grandpa! It's coming this way!

Just then from the other side of the camp a scream echoes out and everyone turns to see Gamma, plodding through the site too. Panic erupts as one of the specialists runs up towards the man.

?: Tomo! What do we do?!

Professor Tomo: MEN! TAKE UP ARMS!

Tomo shows Aya inside

Professor Tomo: It's too dangerous out here!

As Aya goes inside, she and the other members of the camp that sends a razor sharp chill down their spines.

Gamma: Aya.

Gamma inexplicably utters Aya's name all while glaring at the frightened girl with his pure green lenses. Aya looks onward, hiding behind her grandfather terrified. As Gamma steps closer and closer towards her position.

Professor Tomo: So you've come for my granddaughter this time am I right?! Well we won't let you!

Suddenly blocking Gamma's path comes every one in the archaeological team present, every one of them wielding a weapon of some sort: stones, pipes, and other miscellaneous blunt instruments. WIthout hesitation, the huge group moves in and surrounds Gamma, bashing and beating the robot from every angle as they strafe around him

Archaeologist: This is for the wildlife!

The archaeologists continue to bash Gamma with their stuff, not giving in. Gamma, in a state of disarray tries his best to protect himself and Ko with the rainbow shield. He won't fight back, he doesn't want to harm these people. With the futility of the situation ever more evident, he is forced to retreat, turning around and scurrying out of the camp as fast as possible.

Professor Tomo: Place down more fences! And keep watch if the robot decides to attack again!

Gamma, now alone in the forest, it becomes obvious to him based on the human's reactions that they are familiar with beings like him and judging at what Aya said earlier "I won't let you take them away again" It's clear to him that when the robots came to grab new animals for more robots, they encountered the humans in their quest. They seemed to be living on edge ever since it happened, awaiting the time more of them came.

Gamma decides to keep his distance for the time being. He remains close to the camp; close by Aya, mindfully watching from a distance. Later in the early hours of the evening as the moon looms overhead, many of the camp's inhabitants have gathered around a television set outside, nearby is a set vampire where Aya is sat. In her arms are Mi and Fu, now finally fast asleep once again. A look of anxious worry is fixed onto her face as if a buzzing fly would send her into a frenzy. This campfire Tv setup was to cheer Aya up after the ordeal earlier in the day. The television set abruptly cuts from a late-night showing of kids cartoons to a sheet of static.

Archaeologist one: Huh? What happened to the TV

Archaeologist two: Give it a good slap.

The archaeologists slap the tv in an attempt to fix it. A new image hijacks the signal and displays itself.

Gamma: No! What's he doing now?

Aya, Tomo and the rest of the crew freeze in place, gathering around to listen in.

Eggman: Hah, hah, hah! Citizens of earth, lend me your ears and listen to me very carefully! My name is Dr. Eggman, the world's greatest scientist, and soon to be the world's greatest ruler! Now, witness the beginning of the greatest empire of all time!

Aya, Tomo, Gamma, and the crew look up to the sky as they bear witness to a gargantuan beam of energy hurdle above Earth's upper atmosphere, colliding with the moon and blowing the celestial body completely in half. The stomach-turning sight leaves the camp in horror, practically hysterical

Tomo: Everyone! Calm down! Calm down everyone!

The Next day

The morning arrives, despite the fact that many of the camp didn't get a wink of sleep after what they saw, but sadly, the worst is yet to come. Rather than be greeted by the sunshine of daybreak, they're met with dark clouds looming above. A sprinkle of rainfall begins to splatter down and before long, the sprinkle has turned into downpour. A monstrous storm has enveloped the entire region. Gigantic waves crash up onto the embankments, and near hurricane strength winds tear apart the island. The Archaeologists battle to hold down their tents as the rain and wind batters the camp, instantly they become worried for the flickies on the island. The archaeologists split up into several groups to venture out and rescue the animals while another small number holds down the fort here at home base. Aya runs out of her tent upon hearing that Tomo is among the away team.

Tomo: Aya! Go inside where it's safe!

Aya: No! I can help grandpa, please let me help.

Tomo: No! It's too dangerous out here Aya! Now do what I ask! I have to go!

Tomo leaves in a hurry. No more than half an hour later, Tomo and two other archaeologists are already trudging their way back to camp, each of them with wearied flicky birds in their arms. As they fight back against the torrent, a bolt of lightning strikes a tree nearby which cracks from its root and falls in Tomo's direction. As the professor freezes and braces himself, a sudden energy blast blows the tree to smithereens mid collapse. Coming up to them, comes Gamma, holding two flickies in his arms.

Gamma: Take these two and go! Return to camp immediately! It is dangerous here.

Gamma passes the flickies to Tomo and the team who are left stunned not only by the machine's sudden reappearance, but by the fact that it's assisting them. Gamma quickly turns, detecting more life signatures in another direction, then takes off towards those signals. Gamma makes his way around the island recovering flickies while protecting the endangered archaeologists. He is soon seen guiding the final few flickies and archaeologists back to camp, using his chest mounted spotlight to lead the way. But suddenly, without warning a burst of sparks erupts from Gamma's body and he kneels over onto the floor.

Gamma: N- N- N- N-o-o-o-o-o

Gamma's systems slowly fall into an unresponsive state. As debris flies about Gamma shouts.

Gamma: G-g-go on w- w- w- without m- m- m- me!

The archaeologists hurrying their way into the camp. Gamma struggles as he continues to break down. Loud snapping sounds blurting inside of him as his internals short circuit.

Back at camp, the two flickies Fu and Mi suddenly stir from their slumber inside Aya's tent. Something seemed to have spooked them, and it's definitely not the storm. Somehow, they're tangibly aware that Gamma and Ko are in danger. Aya has kept them inside as she doesn't want them to get hurt, but it seems the two birds have other plans. Without hesitation, they fly from their perch and out of the tent, vanishing into the woods as Aya dawns a raincoat running after them.

Aya: Fu! Mi! Come back! It's dangerous out there! *starts thinking* Are they leading me somewhere?

Fu, Mi and Aya find Gamma sitting on the ground. Fu and Mi sit on Gamma and start chirping at Aya in exasperation, asking for her to help Gamma. Uncertain of why they're doing this, but trusting her own intuition, Aya begins to push Gamma with all of her might. Her face twists as she gives it everything she has, her shoes slipping across the thick mud at her feet while the violent tempest pelts the forest around her, but as she strains , unaware of her surroundings, another tree snaps and tumbles over towards her. Aya realizes all too late. Aya screams, leaning forward to cover the two flickies with her body, but as a splintering thud is heard, Aya's steady breaths remain, she opens her eyes and to her shock, sees Gamma, with his arm raised, utilizing his shield emitter to hold the tree off of Aya and the birds. Summoning his waning might, he throws the heavy chunk of timber aside. Aya is speechless.

Aya *thinking*: Why… did he… save me?

Aya gives herself a running start and propels herself to move Gamma again, but he won't budge. Aya lacks the strength to save Gamma. Electrical jolts flare from within Gamma's waterlogged internals, but as all hope seems lost, suddenly the entire troupe of archaeologists that Gamma saved prior comes streaming out of the forest and rush to Aya's aid. In unison they heave and carry the disabled Gamma all the way back to base camp. Gradually, and against all odds, Gamma comes too. His HUD blinks into virtual cognizance and his maneuverability once again becomes operational. Gamma has been unresponsive for 24 hours. His core systems just barely came to life after he stopped moving and managed to reboot into auto recovery mode, slowly restoring him while he rose in a comatose state.

Gamma wakes up inside of the tents in the camp. He rotates his head to see Fu and Mi sat on his shoulders once again. Tranquility staring at him without a sound, as if they already knew he would be okay. Gamma exits the tent, the archaeologists nearby are immediately startled but watch cautiously rather than besiege him, like they did before.

Professor Tomo: Hey! Robot! What are you doing here! What do you want with my granddaughter? Why did you help us? Why are Fu and Mi so attracted to you? Can you understand me? I am asking, what is your goal here?!

Gamma: Mission: Return home, Mission status: Pending.

Gamma's answer only serves to further puzzle Tomo and those around him. But as the professor attempts to pry for further information, from behind, Aya peaks her head out, curiously meeting eyes with Gamma.

Gamma: Aya: Friend.

Aya then steps out from behind Tomo and approaches Gamma.

Tomo: Proceed with caution Aya.

Aya then impulsively marches up right in front of Gamma.

Aya: My name… why do you know my name? And why were you following me before? Mimi and Fufu really seem to like you. They haven't moved since we brought you back. I've never seen them act like that before. Aren't you here to take them away?

Gamma: Negative, I arrived alongside them.

Aya: Where is Koko?

Gamma: Creature sustained critical trauma. Internal life support required for continued survival. Rescue incomplete.

Aya: I- I don't understand.

Upon realizing that he is dealing with a child, Gamma simplifies his words. Intending to soften the blow as much as possible.

Gamma: Koko is… hurt. She can no longer sustain herself on her own. Releasing her now would… cause her great pain.

Aya: Releasing her? What do you mean release her?

Gamma points to his chest.

Gamma: Koko is here. She is inside. My body keeps her alive while she sleeps and in turn, she allows me to go on. I function, because she is here. SHe is my power. I am hers

The young Aya slips into totalk shock. A confused look blankets the young girl's face before understanding finally sinks in. Tears trickle down from the corners of the young girl's eyes. She's finally been given a chance to finally be reunited with her beloved pets, only to learn that one of them is near death, only holding on by a thread. Aya quells up, holding in her heartache and placing her hand against Gamma's chest.

Gamma: I could not rescue her. So instead, I made it my mission to return her and her two siblings to return home to you. I'm sorry she couldn't be here.

Aya: But she is here! Because of you!

Aya's unexpected statement shakes Gamma into silence as he looks down at her. He was convinced that she would be banging on his chest screaming at him to set Ko free, but no. Aya has already formed her perception of what Gamma is. He's a knight in shining armor. He rescued Fu, Mi and Ko; he's a hero. She sniffles wiping her eyes and looking up to Gamma with a jubilant yet soft smile.

Aya: What's your name?

Gamma: Gamma

Aya presses her cheek against Gamma's metal frame and throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

Aya: Welcome home Koko, welcome home Gamma.