Chapter Fifteen
He marched through the holding cells, driven by his directive. Omega turned on his scanner, pinpointing the cell where the girl and the bird were located. Doctor Robotnik's orders played back in his head again and again; Omega reminded himself what had to be done.
'The bird has a Chaos Emerald. Bring me the bird.'
Omega stopped at the fourth cell, and turned around. There she was; a green-eyed pink hedgehog in a red dress, red-white and gray boots, and white gloves with gold bracelets on her wrists. And in her hands sat a blue Flicky, a pendant around its neck. Omega scanned the bird; he also scanned the girl.
Her profile came up: Amy Rose the Hedgehog.
And then, he picked up the energy signature. The Chaos Emerald was in the pendant, the bird must have found it and had been using it like a good luck charm.
The girl, Amy Rose, held the bird defensively, and looked at the robot visiting her with caution. Omega stared at her for many long seconds, and Amy seemed to shiver, feeling intimidated by the bulky appearance of Robotnik's Badnik.
"Did Eggman send you?" She asked.
Now, he had to take the bird now!
"PINK HEDGEHOG, YOU WILL GIVE ME THE BIRD IN COMPLIANCE WITH DOCTOR ROBOTNIK!" Omega buzzed.
Amy pulled back, holding the bird away from the robot in a defensive manner.
"No." She said, "Certainly not."
"RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! REFUSAL IS UNACCEPTABLE!"
"Leave the bird alone!"
"YOU CANNOT KEEP THE BIRD AWAY FOREVER, PINK HEDGEHOG!" Omega told Amy, "DOCTOR ROBOTNIK HAS NEED FOR THE CREATURE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU HAND OVER THE BIRD AT ONCE! YOUR SURRENDER OF THE BIRD AND YOUR UTMOST COOPERATION WILL BE REWARDED!"
"I really pity you." Amy then said, "You're different from most of Eggman's robots, this bird is lonely and very precious. You might hurt him, the little one should be kept safe, and I'm protecting the bird from bullies like Eggman. It doesn't have to be like this, you don't need to let Eggman order you around like you're nothing but a mindless dog."
"I AM NOT A DOG, I AM E-123 OMEGA!" Omega buzzed.
"Omega?" Amy pondered, "That's... a very strong name. If I hand Birdie over, Eggman will only put him inside one of his robots, making her nothing more than a battery. Think about the creature inside of you, don't you have any compassion or humanity in there?!"
"COMPASSION. HUMANITY." Omega processed the words.
"You can be more than just a tool for Eggman, and there is no need to do horrible things to this bird." The pink hedgehog went on.
'Get the bird. Bring me the Chaos Emerald.' Robotnik's words buzzed in Omega's head.
The robot was tempted, tempted to break open the cell, and rip that bird from Amy's hand. But, he couldn't. Amy's words resonated in his head, and new thoughts began to fill his processor. Omega's primary emotions were fury, pride, and determination. But now; he was experiencing empathy, remorse, sorrow, and happiness?
Just then, the Flicky flapped its wings, and flew from Amy's hands. Amy gasped, raising her hand with concern in her eyes. The bird flew towards the bars of the cell, and looked at Omega, staring into his red, robotic eyes. Omega stared back into Birdie's eyes, staring into the bird's pure and innocent soul.
In a second, his weapons systems seemed to relax. Omega slowly backed away from the cell, and Birdie slowly retreated back into Amy's gentle hands.
Now, Omega had a new perspective. He listened to Amy's pleas playing back in his head, opposite of Doctor Robotnik's orders. Robotnik could still get the Emerald from that bird, but Omega didn't have to grab it, and the bird could fly free without being shoved into a robot.
Finally, he marched towards a switch, and turned it. Machinery whirred, and the cell doors opened. Omega turned to Amy, staring at her calmly.
"GO!" He said, "ESCAPE! KEEP THE BIRD SAFE!"
Amy walked out, looking at Omega with comprehension in her eyes. Omega told her to head to the Hot Shelter, he would meet with her later.
"I hope we meet again soon." She said optimistically.
And with that, she departed the holding cells with the bird following. Omega watched her leave, knowing that she was right. They would meet again. His processors hoped that Robotnik wouldn't be too furious with him, especially since the girl and the bird were coming his way...