Metroid: Mission Alpha

Episode 30: Into the Light

I apologize if this series is too much about Alpha and not enough about Samus, and if I'm not showing their bond well enough. That honestly wasn't my intention for this series...I'm always trying to improve.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

Samus and Alpha had just explored the Dark region on the planet Mysteke. After escaping from the dangers of the region and nearly finishing off M-01, they had returned to the Central region. Now, it was time to move on again, so they went into the last teleporter they had not used with Melody.

In a moment everyone could see a unique environment. The sky was clear and bright blue. The ground had the appearance of white cloud, and the sunlight shone brilliantly. All around was an essence of peace.

"You've come to the Light region," Michael's voice was heard, "As with the Dark region, I know little about it…it appears peaceful, but remember you're still on the lookout for M-01."

"The Light region is the opposite of the Dark region," Melody added, "It's filled with the essence of all positive feelings experienced on Mysteke. Many of the native creatures come here to relax. It's a beautiful and tranquil place. Right now we are in the outskirts; to enter the main area the region must make sure your hearts are kind, at the gate over there." She pointed to a tall, shiny, gold gate a short distance away.

Samus and Alpha, followed by Melody, went over to the gate. It became surrounded in brilliant light that flowed around Samus and Alpha. When the light vanished the gate slowly opened, revealing an area similar but even more bright and beautiful. Samus and Alpha stepped inside, viewing their surroundings with awe.

"Things may be a little different this time," Melody informed, "M-01's evil powers are weakened in this region, putting it at a disadvantage, so it's actually trying to avoid you now! You'll need to search everywhere to find it. My guess is that M-01 came to this region so it could attempt to cause trouble in every region."

Samus nodded, then asked a question that was on her mind. "If only those with good hearts are allowed to enter the Light region, then how did a heartless robot like M-01 get here?"

"M-01 is always allowed here because of its normal job to protect the life on Mysteke. Unfortunately, the Light region didn't anticipate its corruption…"

Soon after, Samus and Alpha set off on their search. Alpha barked and ran onto an area higher than the rest. Samus ran after him and stopped beside him, and both of them looked ahead. From where they stood, they could see a breathtaking view of the Light region. Lush green fields, sparkling blue rivers, colorful flowers, more cloud-like areas…all could be seen from the view. "You can see the whole Light region from here," Samus said, "This place must be a paradise for the creatures that visit it."

Suddenly, a familiar mechanical object rushed across the sky. Samus and Alpha snapped out of their thoughts and looked up. "M-01," Samus muttered. Alpha and she ran down from the elevated spot and back on track for their search.

After a distance across the bright landscape, Samus and Alpha came to a long gap above the fields far below. They stopped and watched as two large bird-like creatures with fluffy white feathers flew near them and perched beside them. "Those are Cloudoves," Melody said within a brief appearance, "They'll help you get across the gap."

Samus and Alpha each got on the back of a Cloudove, which then took off with a flap of its wings. Despite their light appearance, the creatures were able to carry the weight of their riders with ease, and they flew gracefully through the sky. The two adventurers watched their surroundings as they soared by it, the luminous sunlight shining on them. Alpha yipped with excitement, feeling the wind on his fur and clearly enjoying it. This journey helped to make the splendor of the Light region even more enjoyable, even if there was still a job to be done.

Soon, Samus saw an arched pillar-like structure on the other side of the gap. "Looks like this is where we get off!" She extended her Grappling Beam, latching it onto the upper part of the arch. Leaping from the Cloudove's back, she grasped Alpha with her free arm when she swung by him. Both of them swung forward and then let go, landing softly on the ground. They looked around at where they were now.

Suddenly there was motion in the sky again. "There it is!" Samus said. She jumped high in the air using the High Jump Boots and then released the Grappling Beam, which attached to M-01. Both of them fell and landed neatly on the ground. M-01 tried to free itself, but Samus held on tightly. "Give it up, M-01," she told it, "There's no use trying to escape. You knew from the beginning we wouldn't let you get away, and that still stands now. If only you had kept working for good this would have never happened. Sorry, but your evil task ends here!"

The bounty hunter pointed her arm cannon forward, ready to fire, when M-01 used dark power. The burst of power was small and weak, but still enough to tear the robot away from the beam. Samus retracted her Grappling Beam and ran around M-01 while launching Wave Beams, which it was barely able to avoid. It jumped up and shot a few lasers from above, which Samus dodged by jumping back.

M-01 prepared to escape upon landing, but Samus swiftly tackled it, knocking it over. She held the robot down and pinned down its arm cannon so it could not attack. Then the bounty hunter fired a powerful shot into its battered frame. M-01, growing dangerously low on power, suddenly leapt back and hit Samus with some lasers. She got to her feet immediately and ran out of the attack, noticing that her suit's energy reserves were reaching low levels. She had to finish this battle fast!

Samus, catching M-01 off guard, pelted it with Wave Beams. Alpha knew this was his chance to attack, so he shocked it. The robot then fell to a kneeling position, its light flashing and sparks surrounding it. "Now it's time to finish this with your scarf's power!" Samus said to Alpha. The Snacanid nodded and concentrated his power. The scarf became enveloped in bright white light that surrounded Alpha's body with greater size and strength than before. He sent the light at M-01, striking the robot with incredible power. It sparked once more and then exploded with a flash of light.

Samus and Alpha leapt back to avoid the blast and watched as the explosion cleared. Amazingly, there was no trace of M-01 left behind. The battle was over. The evil machine was gone. With its defeat came a new peace and quiet over all the land. "You did it! You destroyed M-01!" Melody cheered while she appeared nearby.

"We couldn't have done it without your help, Melody. You gave us that scarf, after all," Samus replied, "How is Harmony doing, by the way?"

"She's hanging on," Melody smiled a little, "She's definitely a fighter, but we need to get her some help. The barriers are still up in the Central region, but we can get M-0 to remove them now that M-01 is gone. The teleporter leading there is down in the fields. You can get there with the Cloudoves."

Samus and Alpha found two Cloudoves near them again and rode on their backs. They were taken down to the fields, where green grass waved gently in the light breeze. The flowers stood out in many different colors, and a clean pond sat in the middle of the field, its surface rippling as a lone tree leaf landed softly upon it. All of this was brightened by the sunshine, bringing a feeling of serenity to the place. Alpha slipped into the pond when he came to it and swam across the surface merrily. Samus found herself breathing deeply while she walked across the field and watched Alpha.

Suddenly Melody came in front of Samus, causing the bounty hunter to stop and Alpha to run over to her. "Our mission isn't over just yet," the floating creature said worriedly, "I sense trouble in the Central region! We have to get there immediately!"

"We'll take care of things," Samus reassured her. The three of them rushed to the teleporter and went inside, prepared for whatever now awaited them in the Central region.

(Original story from October 2017)