Metroid: Mission Alpha

Episode 47: Hope

Last time, Samus traveled to Planet Zebes with a plan to help Alpha. In the remains of the Chozo ruins she unearthed the Chozo necklace, a mysterious and powerful necklace she had received in her childhood. Now she was returning to HQ-would the power of her necklace be enough to heal Alpha?

Samus, with the glowing Chozo necklace still around her neck, hastened into HQ and to the medical room, where Michael, Carol, and Eta waited. "What is that you're wearing, Samus?" Michael asked, noticing the necklace right away.

"It's the Chozo necklace, from Planet Zebes," Samus replied, "I'll explain later. Right now I need to see Alpha." She went over to the table where Alpha was lying attached to several machines. Taking a deep breath, she gripped the Chozo necklace's chain, took it off, and touched the stone to Alpha's forehead. She had never used its power before-was she doing this right? She would just have to see. So, closing her eyes, Samus said softly, "Chozo necklace, I need your power! Restore Alpha's mental energy!"

When Samus opened her eyes again, both the blue stone and Alpha's body were glowing brightly. Everyone gasped in awe at the sight. Then, when the glow faded, Carol looked at the machinery attached to Alpha. "Alpha's brainwaves have returned to normal! It's a miracle!" she exclaimed.

Samus felt her heart soar. "The Chozo necklace worked!"

"Yes," Carol replied, "Now that Alpha's mental energy is restored, he'll be fine. He'll wake up once the tranquilizer wears off, except…"

"Except what?" Samus asked.

"Well…the loss of mental energy may have caused some brain damage. I'm sorry to say this, but Alpha might no longer remember us when he awakens…"

While anxiously waiting for Alpha to wake up, Samus, Michael, and Eta sat in the main room. Samus told Michael and Eta about the Chozo necklace. It contained Chozo power and worked for those with Chozo DNA for good and against evil in extreme situations. Crafted by Chozo elite, it had been given to Samus at a young age by the Chozo elder. It had been forgotten in her countless adventures, but Michael's mention of the possibility of Chozo power healing Alpha reminded her of it. Samus had dug up the necklace from the rubble, and now its power was available to her once again.

Soon, Carol came into the room. "Since Alpha is doing better, I've moved him to the recovery area. He's still asleep, but you can see him now if you'd like."

Samus, Michael, and Eta went to see Alpha in the recovery area, a section of the medical room. It contained tables, chairs, and beds, and on one wall was a large window. Alpha was on one of the tables, still asleep. Eta whimpered when she saw him. "It's good to know that Alpha will survive, but what if he doesn't remember us?" Samus was concerned.

"All we can do is hope that he does remember us," Michael answered.

Samus looked at Alpha. If her Snacanid friend forgot everything the two of them had been through together, it would be sad-even disastrous. With no memories of their missions, he wouldn't realize that Master Greblai and Master Silhouite wanted to harm him and that their Energy Absorb machine was dangerous. He wouldn't recognize Samus as a close friend. He wouldn't even realize that his children would soon be born. How could he help Samus prevail in this mission if he knew nothing about it?

Samus turned to Michael and Eta. "I'll stay with Alpha until he wakes up."

"Good idea, Samus. It will be good for his recovery. Let us know when he awakens," Michael replied.

So that night, after placing the Chozo necklace in her Gunship for safekeeping, Samus sat in one of the chairs by Alpha's table. She kept watch over him as she awaited his awakening. Slightly uneasy about how his memory might be, she remained awake for a while. Eventually, however, she grew tired and rested her head on her arms, falling asleep.

It was a difficult sleep for everyone that night. Michael and Carol, still awake, paced through the halls until they came to outside the recovery area. Looking in the window they could see Samus sitting by Alpha's table, asleep. "Samus has been there all night! Do you think we should wake her?" Carol asked Michael.

"No, I think it's good for Alpha to have a friend nearby."

Early the next morning, Samus slowly woke to a soft whimpering sound. When she caught sight of Alpha's tail moving she jolted awake, sitting up straight and letting our a gasp. Alpha's eyes slowly opened and he pulled himself up into a sitting position. The time had come…he was awake!

"Alpha, you're awake! Do you…do you remember me?" Samus asked, her heart pounding. Alpha looked into her eyes for a moment, then barked happily and licked her. He remembered! Samus wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, Alpha, it's so good to see you're all right!" she exclaimed with joy.

"That's wonderful! It looks like we acted just quickly enough to prevent any brain damage," Carol said while Michael and she walked in, "Had we waited any longer, Alpha may never have been the same." Eta then ran into the room, letting out an elated bark. Alpha and she ran in circles around one another, barking jubilantly. "It looks like Eta is just as glad as we are!" Carol smiled.

Samus knelt beside Alpha and Eta and petted their heads. "Yes. Now Alpha will get to see his children after all!"

"However, now that we know about Master Greblai and Master Silhouite's plan, we must take action," Michael said, turning more serious again.

Samus stood up. "Right."

"Our next objective should be to destroy their machinery before they can capture any more Snacanids!"

"We'll take care of it right away…as long as Alpha is up to it!" Samus looked down at Alpha, who barked in agreement.

"In the meantime, I'll keep track of Master Greblai and Master Silhouite's location," Michael said.

"And I'll keep an eye on Eta," Carol said while she led the expecting Snacanid out of the room, "Her pups should be due any day now!"

And so, Samus and Alpha returned to the Gunship. With Samus back in her Power Suit and Alpha back to his old self, they would not let anything stop them. Things were getting eventful; it was now time to return to Lavolca and destroy the remaining machinery. Maybe that way, Master Greblai and Master Silhouite's vile plan could finally be thwarted.

Would Samus and Alpha be able to succeed at this mission? They were going to do whatever they could to make that happen!

(Original story from July 2018)