Beginning Anew

**Beginning Anew** is the first episode of *The Gamma Awakening.*

## Plot

*(Scene opens up with the inside of an office building during the night. The windows in the background are fully open, exposing the view of the cityscape and the twinkling stars above in the sky. In front of the windows is a large, black, shiny desky with a rolling chair behind it. A man sporting a grey business suit with a blue tie is sitting, leaning casually in the chair in a relaxed manner; a bottle of scotch sits half full in front of him).*

Man: \*to himself\* Ahh, another successful day. Here's to me!

*(He lifted up a glass of scotch to his lips and drank the entire glass dry; it was clear he was an experienced drinker. The man smiled and closed his eyes, stretching his arms in the air. A knock on his door interrupted his relaxation).*

Man: Yep?

*(The door opened with a woman in a red dress holding a navy blue suitcase. The man's position suddenly changed as he grew interested in what she had brought).*

Man: Ooh, nice! Bring it over here, will ya?

*(The woman, nodding, walked over to him uncomfortably. She put the suitcase onto his desk and turned to leave, but the man stopped her suddenly).*

Man: Why ya in such a hurry? Don't you wanna see the goods too?

Woman: \*uneasy laughter\* Oh, um, no thank you! It really isn't my business, sir. Besides I got the kids to get home to and stuff--

*(The sound of a click startled the woman. She froze in her position as her legs began to shake from fear. The man held a gold and black pistol in his hand towards her face, grinning).*

Man: Well, here it is! It feels...pretty lightweight. Do you want to hold it?

Woman: I...I don't know what you want me to do, exactly...all I\*swallowing\* I had to, um...

Man: \*shifting his tone\* You're so overdramatic, ya know that? I've never even *seen* you here before; did you think I'd fall for the bait?

*(The woman laughed and then began to smile. Quickly, she dove to the left as the man fired a bullet, narrowly missing her. Caught by surprise, he grunted, running to the right to catch a glimpse of her. He fired another shot, thinking he had seen her, though he missed again. The woman dove underneath his desk and rolled up her left sleeve, exposing what appeared to be a watch; she tapped it).*

Woman: \*silently\* Yo, your assumption was...right I guess.

Voice: Uh yeah, I already told you I hacked into the building's cameras and all that fun stuff. It was only a matter of time before this triggerhappy rapist would lose his cool.

Woman: Mhm...mind coming in now?

Man: \*loudly\* You lil' bitch, where are ya!? I really didn't wanna cause a scene, but you made me, damn it!

*(The woman quickly dove out from under his desk and jumped onto it. She leaped off, going for the man's back, but he turned around just before. He shot a bullet at her thigh, this time hitting her. She groaned, falling flat from the impact. The man then walked over her and bent down, his gun aiming directly at her).*

Man: That didn't work, did it?

Woman: Oh please, I *let* you hit me. Wanna know why?

*(A scarlet flash spread around the man, startling him. He fell onto his back and looked behind him, seeing the Bedrock transformation standing before him).*

Bedrock: \*sighing\* Well that was kinda useless! All I had to do was hit it and BAM you're already scared shitless.

*(The man dropped his gun and shook in fear, covering his eyes. Bedrock rolled his eyes and stepped over him, walking to the woman who held her thigh tightly).*

Bedrock: You didn't need to do that...come on, Olivia.

Olivia: ...If you had, you know, hurried up a *bit*, I wouldn't have had to. Now whose fault is it?

Bedrock: We can discuss this later, okay? Oh and I forgot to call the police, so...

Olivia: Don't worry; I may have *accidentally* attacked the guard downstairs and his walkie talkie was *kinda* on.

Bedrock: Look at you, a criminal in the making. I'm *so* proud.

*(Olivia sighed and clenched her teeth, visibly in pain now. Bedrock lifted her up and then turned around, seeing the man running towards the door).*

Olivia: Ah, that figures...get him good, yeah?

*(Bedrock layed her on the desk and slid towards the door, grabbing the man by his legs, and then lunging him at the wall. The man hit his head and was out cold almost insantly).*

Bedrock:\*turning to Olivia\* How's that?

Olivia: \*smiling\* I *guess* pretty good.

*(Bedrock walked over to her, placing his hand over the symbol on his right breast and began to transform back. He appeared wearing a grey and scarlet jacket with a light grey undershirt and had red, wavy hair. He walked over to Olivia as she lifted her body up, and began to hug her).*

Olivia: \*blushing\* Castiel, uh, we should probably--

Castiel: Yup, I know.

*(Castiel rolled up his right sleeve, exposing what appeared to be a brand new Gammatrix in the form of a metallic gauntlet and other advancements. He tapped the core and it spun up, glowing).*

Castiel: Access 2!

*(Castiel's body then began to glow and transform into Fright Height. He grabbed onto Olivia and sprinted towards the window, as his wings came out of his back. He rammed through the window, flying out with glass spraying everywhere, however he shielded Olivia from it with his other wing).*

*(Olivia looked down, seeing a large group of police cars surrounding the building; she then glanced behind Fright Height, seeing a couple beginning to enter the man's office).*

Olivia: There's *one* freak down. Agh, my damn leg is bleeding...

Fright Height: We'll get your leg healed up soon, honey, just hang in there. Flint'll be at his office still...probably. Man never leaves, I swear...

Olivia:\*laughing\*He does care about his work and all.

*(Scene switches to a fairly large hospital nearby a highway. A view inside of one of the rooms is seen with a man wearing a white overcoat and a pale blue shirt with a black tie examining a patient inside the room. The nametag of the man read 'Flint Maxis, MD').*

Flint: Allllright, so it just appears you have...um...Rivers' Disease.

*(The patient looked up at Flint with a concerned look. He began to fidget with his hands, looking at the floor).*

Patient: Are...you sure it's that?

Flint: \*glancing at a handheld device\* Quite sure, heh, but uhh...look I'm not *too* good with turning frowns upside down and all that, but, I don't think it's...you know...terminal or anything.

Patient: \*impatient\* Then what the hell is it?

Flint: \*scratching his head\* We'll just have to keep watch over you and all that fun stuff. Actually I think it *is* terminal...so why don't you come with me, hm?

*(The patient's eyes widened and his heart rate began to increase).*

Flint: Sir you need to calm down--

Patient: It *might* be terminal!? Can I speak to a REAL doctor? Please!?

*(The patient's arms began to shake violently, and he fell to the ground. Flint immediately kneeled down and raised his device over him, examining what was going on. The patient's eyes then flashed orange).*

Flint: Ok so yeah this is terminal...\*shouting outside\* we need a sedative, probably!

Nurse: What's the--

Flint: \*seriously\* A code orange.

*(The nurse nodded and then sighed. She grabbed a gurney and ran inside of the room, followed by another doctor, who wore a black coat and large goggles around his eyes).*

*(The nurse picked up a machine and hovered it over the patient; the machine glowed, shining a light over the patient's chest. The patient then began to stop shaking and passed out. The doctor and nurse then lifted him onto the gurney and rolled him out the door).*

Nurse: By the way, your friends are here...one's injured. Mind taking care of it?

Flint: I could use a break, sure. Stay safe.

*(The nurse nodded and then rolled the patient away. Flint stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at the ceiling, closing his eyes and mumbling something. Castiel appeared in the doorway with Olivia in a wheelchair).*

Flint: Oh! What a lovely sight. \*joking tone\* What appears to be the problem, madam?

Castiel: \*playing along\* Ah yes, Doctor Maxis, she got shot in the leg and would require your utmost assistance in healing her right up. Can you do it?

Flint: I sure can!

*(Flint closed the door and laid Olivia on the table. A machine connected to the table lifted her up, shining a light over her leg and then automatically prepping it).*

Olivia: Could you make it burn a teensy bit less?

Flint: Do you want it out or what?

Olivia: \*rolling her eyes; jokingly\* Alright I'll continue to suffer then.

Flint: Sooo, how did tonight go? The news flashed by about Mr. Burgaer being taken into custody for allegations of rape and stuff. He was also apparently unconscious and bleeding.

Castiel: Guess Bedrock hit him a *littttle* bit too hard, huh?

Flint: Look man, I think it's time you hang up your "cape" and take a break for a bit. All summer you've been pretty busy.

Castiel: If anyone's taking a break, it's Olivia. Can't have you get hurt like that anymore.

Olivia: Oh come on, it's fun tagging along with you every now and then...besides, who else do you got to yell at you for messing up and stuff?

Castiel:\*laughing\* Yes I suppose you're right. In all seriousness though, if you're ever hurt worse, it'd be *my* fault and all. I'm honestly sorry tonight turned out like...you know, this.

Olivia: What? Getting shot in the leg? You know I can handle a lot. But...I'll look into taking a little vacation.

*(The machine slowly began to remove the bullet and its shards. Castiel ran over to her and gripped her hand, kissing her forehead, as she squeezed onto him).*

Flint: By the way, did you hear Ronnie got the Disease?

Castiel: Huh? Really?

Flint: \*looking into the hallway\* Yeah, he got it recently. I stopped by his room earlier this afternoon. He's not...looking too hot these days.

Castiel: \*sighing\* Yet *another* person's life my family managed to mess up. What else is new...hey, Flint?

Flint: Hm? What?

*(Castiel glanced at Olivia, whose bullet was almost done being removed. She winced and looked the other way).*

Castiel: I just wanted to, well, say thank you for helping us out and stuff.

Flint: Well, I mean, what kinda doctor and best friend would I be if I turned you guys down?

*(The machine suddenly stopped as it was bandaging up Olivia's leg, and the lights in the room began to flicker. Flint looked up at them).*

Flint: Jesus Christ these new lightbulbs burn out so damn quickly...hold on a second.

*(Flint left the room and shut the door behind him. Castiel breathed in and then suddenly was out of breath. He clenched his chest and looked around).*

Castiel: That was--

*(Castiel's surroundings suddenly began to flash and move around. Castiel quickly jumped up, looked around. He ran over to Olivia and saw everything get stretched far away and then begin to disappear in what seemed to be an instant).*

Voice: \*echoing and struggling\* *There* you are. I cannot keep you here for long...in fact, it's taking up most of my energy to bring you here for just this moment. We'll talk soon, 'kay?

*(Castiel's surroundings began to return with a flash. He shook his head and then looked around uneasily, out of breath. He looked over at Olivia, who stared out the window. Castiel ran to her side).*

Castiel: \*nervously\* Olivia, did you--

*(Olivia quickly turned her head towards him and wiggled herself closer to him, embracing him. The two briefly kissed, and then stopped).*

Olivia: I love you.

Castiel: Me...too.

*(Scene forwards a bit with Castiel exiting the hospital with Olivia in a wheelchair. Flint sprinted towards the doorway, nearly tripping on the ground, and then standing up formally).*

Flint: See y'all later, I guess! I mean, let's face it, with your line of...work...I sure will.

Castiel: Oh you're *too* funny, doc. See ya!

*(A taxi cab swerved towards the entrance, stopping suddenly in front of them. The doors opened automatically and shined a bright, red light).*

Cab Driver: Get in, I'm exhausted an' wanna go home, so hurry it up, yeah?

Castiel: Got an injured one if you haven't noticed, sir, but we'll try.

*(Castiel helped Olivia into the backseat and laid here down; she was sleeping. Castiel then closed the door and walked towards the passenger seat, when suddenly his head began to throb).*

Castiel: Ah, give me a, um, second, okay?

*(Castiel grabbed his temples and squeezed his eyes shut. Everything around stood still except for him. A voice began to rang in his head).*

Voice: Okay, here I am again, yay! Awesome, so, I'd like to offer something to you. Would you be fine with that...? Eh, doesn't really matter I guess! Anyway, in just a few minutes, you're going to be...well, *attacked* I guess is the way to put it. In the taxi cab. So, your driver is gonna be kinda dead soon.

Castiel:\*silently\*Jesus Christ have I finally gone mad? Guess I got the *bad* genes from dad.

Voice: No, no, no! Trust me, I'm not some ominous voice in your head...well, to you I am, but not the way that you're probably thinking. Look, get into the cab and he'll drive you a bit and then wham, you'll be attacked. Trust me, alright?

*(Uneasily, Castiel hopped into the cab and slammed the door. His head began to feel normal and he put his seatbelt on. The driver sighed and began to speed off quickly).*

Castiel: \*glancing at the driver\* You look...kinda ill or something.

Cab Driver: Oh, uh, no I'm just kinda sweaty is all. It got kinda hot today and I wore this suit all day so it kinda gets uncomfortable in here.

Castiel:But the highest temperature was around 64 today?

Cab Driver: ...I don't really fare well in the heat, you know.

*(The driver speed onto the freeway, narrowly missing a few cars. They beeped loudly at him, obviously angered, and then began to catch up to him).*

Castiel: Could you maybe, just maybe, go a little bit slower? We're gonna probably die at this rate...*er, you will...apparently.*

Cab Driver: \*loudly\* Why should I? What if I want to die!?

Castiel: *What!?*

*(The cab driver smiled and then sped to it, breaking through into the other lane, and then driving towards an incoming car).*

Cab Driver:So sorry you had to come with me, but...I'm sure the afterlife is much more beautiful!

*(Castiel glanced back at Olivia and then tapped his Gammatrix).*

Castiel: ACCESS 7!

*(Castiel glowed all around and then flashed, transforming into the Magtallic transformation. He slammed his hands onto the bottom of the ground as waves began to pulsate from his hands. The entire car began to glow and then slow down, going backwards instead, before fully stopping. Magtallic then manipulated the door and broke it off, getting out of the car. He floated to the back and pulled out Olivia).*

Cab Driver: Wh-what did you do!? Why did you stop me!?

*(Magtallic moved to the side of the road and set Olivia down, who was now beginning to wake up from the incident).*

Magtallic: Clearly you're suicidal. Hey, I can get you some help, can you just cooperate with me, please? I want no one to die here.

*(The driver's eyes began to flash orange as his mouth began to foam. He fell onto the ground, shaking, and trying to get back up. His body began to bend unnaturally as he laughed).*

Magtallic: What the hell!?

*(Magtallic floated towards him, raising his hands at him. Slowly, he began to manipulate the iron in his blood to fix what was happening, but the man began to scream instead. Magtallic began to go faster as the man's body began to snap and spark).*

Olivia: Castiel...?

*(Magtallic stopped and watched, falling to his knees. The cars all around them swerved to a stop, watching what was happening).*

Magtallic: \*helplessly\* I can't stop this! I can't. I tried, but...

Voice: Because you can't!

*(Magtallic turned towards the direction of the voice, spotting a figure in a grey and blue metallic suit flying above him with a jet pack).*

Magtallic: And *you* are?

*(The figure raised his right palm towards Magtallic. His palm had a metallic, glowing piece embedded into it; it began to spark. He fired a beam at Magtallic, encasing him in a bubble that began to shrink and take form around him).*

Figure: My goal isn't to...*hurt* you or anything, but I need you to not interfere. You can do that, right?

*(The figure dove towards the man, now glowing and pulsating all around. He landed beside him, kneeling down over the man, and lifting up his chin).*

Figure: \*sighing\* You're in pain, aren't you? I can see it coming from your body. You want to die so that you no longer have to...deal with it anymore, right?

*(The man's eyes began to water as he shook in pain. The figure then grabbed his neck, facing away, and snapped it. Everyone around gasped and began to scream, running away).*

*(A scarlet flash interrupted the figure. Hellfire stood inside of the trap, heating his body up. He burned his way through the entrapment and sprinted towards the man in the suit).*

Figure: You're a real trooper!

*(The figure zoomed down at Hellfire, picking him up by his neck and squeezing him. Hellfire then slapped the symbol on his chest and it began to spark).*

Hellfire: \*choking\* Well that...didn't work.

*(Olivia began to crawl on the ground, struggling to get herself up. She glanced over at the now deceased man, with orange energy spiraling out of his body).*

Olivia: *\**groaning and getting up\* What is that?

*(The figure turned around, seeing the energy come out. He quickly let go of Hellfire and dashed towards the ground, landing swiftly, before sprinting towards it. Hellfire's symbol still began to spark).*

Olivia: Oh my god, Castiel!

*(The figure raised his hand towards the energy, collecting it into an orb-like shape. He held it in his hand, glancing at it with awe).*

Figure: Shame you had to die, housing all of this wasted potential. Tsk, tsk, tsk...

*(Hellfire slowly began to get up, as Olivia was walking to him. Hellfire marched over to the figure, his shoulders igniting with flames, and the ground beginning to melt around him).*

Figure: Give it a rest already, mate. I've got what I needed and stuff so you can buzz off now.

Hellfire: \*shaking his head\* No, you see, I--

*(Hellfire suddenly glowed, and stopped in his place. The Gammatrix symbol flashed, as did his entire body. His body began to expand rapidly and the fire burned out in a zig-zag pattern. Sparks began to form from where the fire used to be, producing ultraviolet light. Metallic armor formed around his body in various places, followed by pointed hair and metal bands wrapping around his mouth. The Gammatrix symbol morphed into his body and moved downwards to his naval, which flashed and began to produce light inside).*

Living Laser: --I play to *win.*

*(Living Laser quickly raised his hands up, firing a beam of energy that locked onto the target. The figure quickly took off, now glowing green. He appeared to disappear into nothing as the trail of his jet pack dissipated. Castiel, as Living Laser, stood there, looking up confused).*

Olivia: So, question: *who* was that?

*(Living Laser turned towards her, and then looked at himself).*

Living Laser: How am I supposed to know?

*(Olivia sighed and then grabbed her knee. Living Laser ran to her, looking at it. Police sirens were heard, followed by a helicopter coming over to the scene).*

Living Laser: You sure you should be walking and stuff? Maybe we can ask Flint to--

Olivia: I've kinda had *enough* for one night.

*(He hovered his hand over the symbol on his chest, and he transformed back into Castiel. Castiel nodded and then noticed the police beginning to surround them).*

Castiel: I think we should probably bail.

*(Castiel held Olivia's hand and began to run to the trees nearby, missing the police. He stopped and looked to ensure they weren't being followed).*

Olivia: Hey, Castiel?

Castiel: Don't worry, we're fine.

*(Castiel looked down, realizing his hands were on her chest).*

*(Scene switches to an apartment complex nearby a few sororities and a couple of restaurants. The view of a room is seen, with rustling heard from a bed. Exhausted breathing is then heard, followed by Castiel lying still on his back, with Olivia beside him).*

*(Castiel looked up at the ceiling, catching his breath, and then Olivia turned towards his side, beginning to snuggle up to him. He glanced at her briefly and then looked up once more).*

Castiel: \*mentally\* Tonight was...rather eventful. Not sure what the whole voice thing was about, but...he was right about the driver and the attack.

*(Castiel let out a sigh and then glanced at Olivia, who was beginning to fall asleep).*

Castiel: How's your leg doing now? Still hurt?

Olivia: \*yawning\* Not so much now, no. You seem a bit bothered, what's up?

Castiel: Just the whole thing earlier, kinda threw me off guard. Not just the random transformation, but the whole...event. That poor guy, though.

Olivia: Yeah, it's a shame. But...maybe this can be a happy thing, for him I mean. He wanted to die.

Castiel: I wouldn't...call that a good thing exactly. He got killed, in front of *me.* I couldn't do a damn thing but just watch.

Olivia: After all the shit you've been through before this, I think you're being too hard on yourself, Casty. You can't *always* do something, it's just a fact of life, but that doesn't stop people from trying.

Castiel: Thank you.

Olivia: Get some sleep and we can go to see a movie or whatever tomorrow! Kinda in the mood. Does that sound good to you?

Castiel: Sure!

*(Olivia then closed her eyes again and relaxed. Castiel felt pressure in his head again and began to press on his temples).*

Voice: Hello hello? So sorry if this is a bad time, but, I'd like to give you my offer now! How's about it?

*(Castiel looked around, seeing his surroundings seemingly frozen in time. He then looked to his left, spotting a figure by the doorway).*

Castiel: So, you're not in my head then? Great, now I'm hallucinating.

Figure: Ha! I've never been in your head, silly, just nearby. Look, the reason I gave you that info earlier was to get you to trust me...to a *degree*. Since I basically saved your life, it's time you hear my request.

Castiel: \*frustrated\* I have no idea what the hell's going on, but you need to get out of here. I don't care what your stupid request is, but I'm trying to sleep and forget today happened. Would you be so kind as to let me have that, please? Thanks.

Figure: ...Fine. I'll allow you a *tad* bit of time to rest up, but expect me to come back real soon. Anyway...\*snapping\*.

*(The figure disappeared, and everything began to move again. Castiel sighed and rubbed his face, then laid his head down).*

*(Scene cuts to where the figure disappeared to. The figure flashed green, appearing in a dark place, with wind flowing around. Platforms began to flash into existence, floating in the middle of nowhere. The figure put his hands behind his back, looking around).*

*(Suddenly, the sound of a jet pack interrupted the figure's thoughts. The man from before landed next to the figure, holding his hand out).*

Figure: Come now, Gadget, show me what you managed to pick up. I'm eager to see!

*(Orange sparks began to come from his palm, as the orb of energy manifested itself. The figure, with a mask on, looked at it curiously. He put his hand inside of the energy, but could not manipulate it).*

Gadget: This what you wanted?

Figure: Indeed! It's much more beautiful than I could have imagined. And it really does exist in other forms!

Gadget: \*chuckling\* Too bad I had to kill to get it, but I guess it was worth it.

Figure: Yes, yes. This is proof right here that you and that Rivers kid aren't the only ones who possess this...Gamma Energy. It appears my theory is proving to be true.

*(The figure turned around, walking towards a floating platform).*

Figure: You can go now and do whatever it is you do.

Gadget: ...And what about the Energy?

Figure: Right, I've almost forgotten! You'll have to excuse me, my mind isn't what it used to be.

*(The figure walked behind Gadget, shooting a green beam into thin air. The beam began to spark and open up a diamond-shaped portal. A severed, chrystalline arm appeared inside of it, floating; the figure picked it up).*

Gadget: Um...what's that, exactly?

Figure: Our newest ally!

THE END

## Notable Events

* All (human) characters debut.
* All aliens reappear, while Chain Mail debuts.
* The Unknown Figure obtains Gamma Energy.

## Characters

### Protagonists

* Castiel Rivers *(debut)*
* Olivia Shreen *(debut)*
* Flint Maxis *(debut)*

### Antagonists

* Mr. Burgaer *(debut)*
* Cab Driver *(debut)*
* Gadget *(debut)*

## Aliens Used

* Bedrock *(first reappearance)*
* Fright Height *(first reappearance)*
* Magtallic *(first reappearance)*
* Hellfire *(first reappearance)*
* Living Laser *(first reappearance)*

## Allusions

* When Castiel jokingly refers to Flint as 'Doctor Maxis,' this is a direct referene to the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies character, Dr. Maxis, whose last name is Flint's.

## Trivia

* All the aliens were decided by a randomizer, save for Living Laser.
* Coincidentally, Living Laser and Fright Height debuted in the Mig X premiere and also this premiere.