Chapter 7 - Gamma Vs Omega
Since Aya accepted Gamma into the family, things have been tranquil, calm and uneventful. Although Gamma is still fixated on finding a way to set Ko free, he's made himself comfortably home at this retreat. He's become quite the helper around camp, while also acting as something like a bodyguard. Beyond that, he has become a friend to all the people in the camp, especially Aya, who often goes wherever he does, spending days on playful pastimes with her bff.
One evening like any other, Aya and her two flicky companions race through the vast forests surrounding home base. It seems that they're currently immersed in an intense game of hide and seek. A game where Gamma is taking a little too seriously.
Aya: Gamma! Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!
Aya spritely calls out, searching every nook and cranny for the unseen droid, as she stops and sweeps for any signs of movement. It's then that she spots a silhouette that looks like Gamma, lurking behind the bushes in the area ahead. His stocky body preventing him from being fully hidden, appearing shorter as if crouched, or standing in a small ditch, a mischievous grin plasters onto her face, the rascally Aya sneaks onward towards him. One step at a time, she gets closer and closer, taking gentle steps to avoid crunching the leaves from her feet.
Now overlooking the figure, she springs through, jumping through the bush triumphantly.
Aya: Heh heh heh, I found you!
The scarlet robot does not respond, Aya smiling glee slowly turns into anxious befuddlement, wondering if Gamma's upset about losing, only now with further inspection, does she realise.
Aya: Wait. You're not-
From the Dark, the mechanical impostor turns to meet her.
?: Juvenile meat bag, relay information immediately. Where is the inferior E-series known as E-102 Gamma?
Not talking to strangers is one thing, but this is on a whole 'nother level. The faint of heart Aya is at a loss for words, her face vapidly petrified, confused and emblazoned by the sheet of the unknown robot's eyes. Mi and Fu share their timidity, as the two of them recede into frozen terror. Although Aya's is not one to judge based on appearances, for all intents and purposes, this unexplainable automaton doesn't exactly give off the impression of friendly. Furthermore, it's rapidly provocatively inquiring about Gamma, whom there's still no sign of. Recognizing the element of danger and in a bid to stand up for her friends, the courageous Aya plays coy, evading the robot's question.
Aya: I- I don't know what you're talking about, I- I don't know anyone named Gamma.
Aya's fib, brave and bold as it may be, only implicates her further. The robot didn't ask because he thinks she knows Gamma, but rather, he knows that she knows Gamma.
?: Inaccurate. You vocalized his name just a moment ago. Direct me to Gamma's current location or be eviscerated. You have 10 seconds to comply. 10...9...8…
While the robot has been counting down, he has failed to notice Aya gradually sliding her hand towards her camera without notice. Thanks to the robot's carelessness, on the count of ten, Aya budges her camera forward and snaps a photo. The camera flash goes off directly into the robot's optics, blinding him with a sudden and brief burst of phosphorescence. With the robot rendered momentarily sightless, Aya bolts, slipping away into the woods as fast as she possibly can. She releases the flickies from her arms.
Aya: Mi, Phu, fly away for your sake! Go on!
The loyal avians refuse to leave her no matter how much she tries to shoo them.
Aya: Gamma! Gamma! Help us! We're in danger!
Having wiped the metaphorical egg from his face, the unknown robot comes steaming after her, up in arms for being mocked by a little girl. He closes in on her, crashing about the woodland as Aya ducks and leaps around trees, over logs and through shrubbery, until eventually, unsurprisingly, the robot drives Aya into a corner. Too tired to flee and with nowhere else to go, she cradles the flickies and steals herself with the notion that she tried as hard as she could. However, before the robot could enact his revenge, something else comes to monopolize the cutthroat robot's attention. A red figure, plunging from high altitude and clunking in plunging into the ground in between Aya and the robot in a cloud of exhaust fumes.
Aya: Yay! I knew you would come Gamma!
Gamma has arrived, having vacated from his hiding place hearing Aya's cries for help, and surveying the island with his quartile jet boosters.
Gamma: Are you guys okay?
Aya nods repeatedly in happiness but also with worry for the unknown robot she had found in the forest. Gamma mounts guard on his friends all the while honing in on a very zealous robot and probing the robot for information.
Gamma: You are an E-series? I was under the impression that I was the last of my line. State your intent and designation. Did Dr. Eggman send you to find me?
Omega: I have no obligation to Eggman. I am E-123 Omega! And I am here for me. I am here solely for your annihilation.
Gamma quickly scans Omega's internals, expecting to find a captive small animal, but his checks come back negative. Gamma detects his power source coming from something called Chaos Drives. As Gamma continues to look at Omega up and down, he can't help but downplay the level of danger, due to the mech's build.
Gamma: It would appear that the newer E-series models are deficient in vertical proportions.
Omega: My stature is not a benchmark for my strength. Commencing Demonstration.
Undoubtedly vexed by the comments on his height, Omega bounds at Gamma. Gamma too, lunges towards to counteract, but this precipitous offense catches Gamma by surprise. Realizing just how startlingly fast Omega is, despite his bulkiness. Now in close quarters, Omega lashes his arm, swiping his lazer sharp claws. Gamma moves just in the nick of time, avoiding the brunt of harm. However, the attack was not completely wiffed. Omega delivers a barbarous vertical slash, tearing a gaping laceration into Gamma's chest region, hacking through the metal bar at his waist, and even severing his spotlight. Quite literally agape from the legion, Gamma manages to shove himself away before a second strike is delivered, skidding to safety with his heel mounted wheels as Aya and the flickies come to his aid.
Gamma now grapes the danger this powerhouse poses. Despite his stout dimensions, Omega just cleaved through Omega's frame like it was made of paper mache. If he hadn't evaded, that scratch could've very well been a killing blow. Omega moves in to resume the assault.
Gamma: Leave me! Hurry back to camp! Alert Tomo and the others!
Aya: B-but.
Gamma: Do not argue. Go now!
Gamma uncharacteristically stamps his foot and scolds Aya in order to hasten her getaway. This strained performance works, as Aya fetches the flickies and runs with them back to the campsite. With his cherished friends at a safe distance, Gamma activates the energy shield on his left Arm. Omega, as if to reciprocate, retracts his hands into his sockets, producing two rotary cannons in their stead. Before long, the pair are embroiled in what can only be described as a chase, mixed with an all out gunfight. Gamma retreats, changing between modes to drive or glide between obstacles, all the while exchanging blasts with the pursuing Omega.
While Gamma could simply fly out of Omega's reach and off to safety, disappearing would only leave the island itself under siege. Even if he fled the island completely, Omega would just follow relentlessly, potentially harming others on his warpath like Amy Rose or Miles Prower. Gamma knows he has to finish thing here and now, but before he once again devotes himself to their fray, he makes one solitary attempt at persuading Omega to cease.
Gamma: E-123 Omega. There is no need for us to do this. I changed, and so can you. See reason, and be more than what Dr. Eggman made you!
Omega: Why are we even still talking, when we should be fighting? Boredom increased by 40%. Annoyance rising at a commensurate rate.
Gamma's words fall on deaf Audio sensors. There is totally no convincing Omega here, he is totally one track minded. Omega abides by an insatiable hunger for battle. He craves combat, he covets conflict, and in it's world, it's survival of the fittest, and only the strongest may survive. He doesn't even care about the pink flicky that Gamma harbors. All that matters, is his supremacy. Thus, Omega continues showering lead, which Gamma blocks with the use of his shield, unaware that their combined trajectory is about to send them on a collision course with innocent lives.
Meanwhile, back at camp, its inhabitants are now made aware of a disturbance due to the sounds of gunfire and flares of light from afar. Team leader, professor Tomo stands outside the tents with his crew. As they take preliminary measures to secure the grounds, they spot Mi and Fu gliding by one of the tents at the far side of the camp. Following them is Aya, friendishly waving her arms and calling out to anyone who can hear. Then the distant sounds of Artillery grow closer and louder. All of a sudden, both Gamma and Omega come cracking through the trees and careening into the campsite. The archaeologists hit the deck and run for cover, darting in all directions as their quarters are turned into swiss cheese by Omega's scattered barrage.
Gamma is in a dilemma, his mission's conflicting. He can't let harm come to the people here, but he also can't let himself be destroyed, as that would forfeit the life of Ko inside him. At odds with himself, Gamma is so caught up on processing that he doesn't see Aya and the flickies are still out in the open. Witnessing this, professor Tomo shouts.
Tomo: Aya! Get out of the way!
In an act of familial instinct, Tomo breaks into a rapid sprint towards her, unconcerned with his own welfare as stray shots come propelling through the barracks and towards his helpless granddaughter, as tragedy lies but a breath away, at the very last second, Tomo dives through the air and throws himself in front of her, taking a bullet in the back. He slams to the ground, grunting in agony, as Aya, seeing what he's done, clamours to help him. The bullet is still lodged inside, it doesn't exactly tickle, but thankfully on all accounts, he still seems to be okay. Aya, panicked and heavy-hearted compels him to return to his feet, but not is all as it seems.
Aya: Grandpa please, please get up, we have to go!
Tomo: I can't I- can't move my legs!
While still guarding Omega's flurry, Gamma's head turns, sighting the downed Tomo and teary-eyed Aya. Quickly realizing what's happened, time seems to slow to a crawl. A crushing gravitational force yanks down on Gamma's entire exoskeleton. That being the unfathomable weight of failure. Forbidding this dangerous situation to continue, Gamma manages to draw Omega away and out of the camp, luring the mad machine back into the far ends of the forest, just overlooking the coastline.
Now at a safe distance and more out in the open, it's time for round two. With his higher speed and multi-dimensional mobility, Gamma manages to keep his distance from Omega, rocket boosting in a starfing motion side to side, as well as going airborne and swooping around E-123 in a circle.
Omega: You're only delaying the inevitable.
Gamma calculates. He notes that Omega's been tanking head-on blasts without a scratch with minimal defensive actions. The titan's armor is very thick. Thus, Gamma needs to find a way to circumvent it. There must be an achilles heel, right? Gamma lets off pop shots from behind his shield. With his superior targeting system and being the better marksman, he begins probing for a weak spot in Omega's architecture. Between plates and the joints of his arms and legs. He even attempts to employ Aya's tactics of aiming for his eyes, but Omega merely raises his arm to cover his face. The battle rages on for an elongated duration. With Gamma persistently trying out various means to cripple this impossible opposition. However as Omega's negating fire bludgeons Gamma's shield, shockingly the crystalline energy that makes up the barrier begins to crack. Though it was thought to be nigh impervious, Omega's colossal hammering is over straining the shield emitter, it won't take much more, and once it's gone, he'll be defenseless.
It's a miracle that Gamma's still going. He would've never lasted this long if it wasn;'t for his upgrades, but even with the enhancements and his determination, it soon becomes apparent that his efforts are in vain. Omega shows no chinks in the armor, he's abundantly reinforced, immovable. The fact is, he's just too powerful. What can Gamma do? If he keeps his distance, he'll be blown full of holes, but if he gets up close, he'll be ripped in half. Perhaps he could knock Omega into the ocean? Perhaps he could redirect some of Omega's gunfire back at him.
Omega, still running at peak efficiency, grows tired of this game. It's time to up the ante. He opts to bring things to the most spectacular conclusion he can muster. The walking arsenal unloads his entire weapon stockade, peppering the entire region with missiles and cannonade. Widespread explosions blanket ⅛ of the island and light up the night like fireworks. Gamma's polychromatic shield taking the brunt of the discharge, finally reaches its limit and shatters like glass. He is thrown through the air, splintering like trees in quick succession before plowing against a rock so severely that he's knocked into some kind of daze.
As he tries to recover, his heads up display overflowing with static, Gamma sees something moving beyond the interference. Surrounded by jumbled clumps of jittering clutter, comes an anomalous frail figure. He sees the flicky that is encapsulated inside of him. Somehow, due to either a malfunction or some kind of spiritual happening, Gamma is experiencing an inexplicable vision of the one contained within him. This is the first time he's seen Ko face to face and not just in a photograph. She tweets at him repeatedly, letting out a few shrill calls before the static overtakes her and she vanishes.
Not far off, Omega abruptly halts his bombardment and the roaring salvo comes to a stop. From the scorched woodland in front of him, gamma marches out, still in one piece, capturing Omega's curiosity. Has the suboptimal E-series finally accepted his fate? The dormant Ko managed to communicate with her host, reaching out to tell him not to fight for their survival, but for the survival of others. That's all that matters now. Her love for her siblings and for Aya runs so deep and that love is compelling Gamma to make a choice, the choice to be selfless. With what's already become of Tomo and the island around them, this can't go on any longer. No matter what happens, Gamma must employ any and all measures available to him, even if it means sacrificing all that he is. A voice flashes into Gamma's memory banks.
Tails (flashback): 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 slowly raises his arm cannon, and then from the green node of his gun barrel, a swirling yellow ball of light materializes. As Omega stands, tantalized by the performance, Gamma overrides his firing mechanism but continues injecting power. In a process comparable to squeezing a hose pipe and causing a buildup of water at one end. The energy ball, now more akin to a glaring incandescent light bulb, swells to three times its initial size as Gamma continues feeding its intensity, pouring in far more energy than his body can reasonably dish out. His right optical cracks under the pressure, indiscriminate snaps are followed by sparks and smoke from within his overclocked body.
Omega, allowing this action to unfold, taunts and devalues Gamma's last coup de grace (final blow)
Omega: That expanding energy exhibits forces far beyond your physical capability. You would destroy yourself as a means to defeat me? Feeble challenge accepted. I invite you to take your best shot.
Omega's industrial strength ego gives little consideration to the risks. Rather, he welcomes the challenge. Annihilating Gamma is one thing, but conquering his strongest attack proves a far more appetizing victory. Thus, Omega raises his arm and gestures with his hand, as if to say "bring it".
Gamma has funneled in all the energy that he can, his arm bursting and rattling on its hinges as it tries to retain the force. In tandem with an ear-piercing thunderclap, he fires the all or nothing supercharged lazer. The blast ultra kinetic that it sends him flying backwards in the opposite direction.
Omega buries his feet into the ground as the yellow wave surges towards him, his arm still outstretched, he opens his metal claw, catching hold of the boiling light on impact and wrestling against it as the blast drives itself against him, pushing him back through the dirt, it's here that E-123 realizes that it's way more than he bargained for. Against all odds , the energy cascades into Omega's arm, pouring throughout its internals and erupting from every vent and cavity on his body. One by one, his defensive systems begin to malfunction as he aimlessly tries to repel the onrush, his chassis literally coming apart at the seams, and still, even now, he asserts his superiority in a fierce and crazed manner.
Omega: Disappointing, inadequate, futile. I can take this, this is nothing to me! I am E-123 Omega, the world's most powerful-
His words and existence are bluntly brought to an end, as in a cataclysmic dome shaped fireball, Omega explodes. The detonation dislodges his head and blows it to smithereens along with the rest of him, in an island-quaking shockwave, leaving only smoldering fragments as the dust clears. Undone by his own hubris, Omega has been obliterated.
Following Omega's destruction, a short distance away, Gamma lies recumbent and broken down. Ge tries to return to his own feet, but he's no longer able to lift his own mass. He shuffles lethargically, his movement accompanied by sounds similar to a faulty power drill, as the motors governing his appendages give out. In the midst of his toil, out of the blue, Gamma overhears some familiar high pitched cheaps, as two feathered friends perch upon him. The flickies Mi and Fu, sensing the Gamma was in distress due to their hereditary connection to Ko inside of him, they've soared to help. Synchronically going where they go, from the grove, a quarter of a mile away, Aya swiftly appears, having left her grandpa in the care of the camp's medical staff and hightailed it back into the woods to find Gamma. Upon spotting him thanks to frantic chirping of the flickies, Aya's heart spirals into despair. As the panic stricken Aya runs into Gamma, she gives a good look at Gamma.
Gamma's body is mangled and dilapidated to a grisly degree, both internally and externally. His blaster lays detached in shreds, partly melted by the extreme heat of his energy ray, and yanking off his hand as the gauntlet was blown loose. His whole right arm was violently dislocated, and the entire right of his torso dented and warped outward. While Gamma showed some signs of operation before, now he can barely move at all. Aya, down on her knees, next to Gamma, tries to speak to him, but among the many injuries he has sustained, his voice chip has been damaged too. He can't even respond, all he can do is gaze at her and flickies through his one functioning eye-lens, eased at the knowledge that they are all safe and okay.
In a state of heartbreaking denial, Aya's mind disregards reality, convincing herself that she can somehow patch Gamma up like a big jigsaw puzzle.
Aya: *at the brink of tears* You're okay. You're okay. We'll just put you back together all right, we'll put this piece there and that goes here and…
Common sense soon returns to her, she doesn't need to be a robotics engineer to know that Gamma's not walking away from this one. Not even Gamma's auto recovery mode can save him this time, he is damaged beyond repair, deteriorating by the second, and when Gamma expires, Ko will expire along with him. A quiet anguish overtakes Aya and her built up sorrow sheds force.
Aya: *crying* Gamma, Koko, you can't go, you can't go.
As she sobs, she suddenly feels the caress of cold metal against her cheek. With the last of his strength, Gamma's left hand is raised to Aya's face, gently wiping away her tears. With his speech impaired, this is all he can do to comfort her, comfort being the only mission he has left. After a few grievous moments, finally, the light in Gamma's eye begins to flicker, his core processors set about flatlining and the millions of tiny transistors that make up his extraordinary brain begin fizzling out. Still whimpering, Aya grabs Gamma's hand as it goes limp, placing his and her hands onto his chest inches above where Ko slumbers, the flickies join, nuzzling their heads on Gamma's fingers. Both they and Aya, cherishing their final moments together, as a family.
A/N: *sobs* I am sorry it took a while to make this chapter, it was just too tear jerking for me. But putting the story aside I have to address a few things. 1st is the fact that the link in the description of the summary doesn't work, so here's a working link. channel/UCsnqYqWm18LqeRwNHiljoLw 2nd: I am going to have to put this story on a temporary hiatus, as there is a possibility that this might be the end of this what if or a possibility of a continue of the story. Since the next video will focus on Sonic's memory loss, I will have to wait till Segascourge brings up this what if again stating either he will finish it or not. The story will highly change on either option.
