Metroid: The Last Aurealian *REWRITE*

Faded Memory: Last Hope

The old nurse held the squirming newborn gently in her claws, raising the dear little creature to her head to get a decent look. Her ancient eyes clouded with age but glimmered gently in the luminous cave. She sniffed at the newborn, linking her napse chords gently against the baby's own in a gentle touch. The newborn made a startled squeak, overwhelmed by the flow of emotions and warm sensations from the nurse's conscious.

It was too much for me to comprehend. Everything was too big and too complex! Why didn't she keep me where I was! Why was I forced to leave? I had been perfectly fine in the comfort of my mother's womb, lulled by dreams of the outside realm while soothed by her booming heartbeat. I was protected by the walls of her uterus and my cozy egg sack, which provided all the nutrients I could need, but now to be forcefully expelled from her body with such dissent, open to the shivering cold. Even worse, the egg sack which served as my life-breath and my food supply became a soggy mush that suffocated me, and I couldn't get out at all! But my brothers and sisters could, they tore out of their imprisonment with ease, slimy little beings yowling for warmth. I'm different from them; I couldn't get out by myself. And I was smaller than them, weaker and sick.

I mewed defiantly, digging my nubby claws into the nurse's haggard scales. She set me down as gently as possible, coiling her bright bronze mass around my tiny body. I mewed again, crawling halfheartedly around the enclosed space, sniffing the air for new scents. My napse chords wriggles, taking in the new sounds and sensations of the world. Everything clearer out here, nothing is muffled like inside mother's womb, and it is much colder, I do not like it in the least. I sprawl exhausted next to the nurse's lean head curling up against her as cozy as I could manage.

 The ancient Nurse gazes at me with adoring eyes, raising her head to nuzzle me. Her wet tongue caressed my little scales. She picks up a small cylindrical bottle with the points of her claws and offers it to me. Its contents are milky blue with the fresh scent of meat coating it. I try to squirm away but the nurse encloses her claws around me so I couldn't leave. I wriggle and squeak in protest as the bottle closes towards my mouth, but I'm forced to drink it. I guzzle the contents as quickly I could while attempting to spit it out, but the nurse ensures everything goes down.

Nice and easy little one, I want you to drink it to the very last drop so you can become healthy and strong. Ah, good girl, you'll be well again in no time. The Nurse's leathery, cooing voice echoes in my mind. I become drowsy and she wraps me up cozily in a warm blanket. I cocoon myself while keeping a drooping eye to the outside. The Nurse nuzzles my head, touching her napse chords against mine.

Another voice speaks to the old nurse. It is a small shrunken feathery creature as old as she, with a curved beak and claws, cloaked in strange material. Its dusky red eyes gaze at me with interest. You can pet her if you wish; she will not bite you when she's sleepy. Just make sure your talons are clean, I've never heard of an infant catching ill from a Chozo but I do not wish to discover it as fact.

The creature clacked its beak and exclaimed humorously, tapping the side of her foreleg with a walking stick. She nipped him playfully in response. I know that too well, you old codger! How should I forget that I bonded to you the moment I emerged from the egg sack! I'm only taking precautions; if she caught the slightest ill Queen Nova would have my skin as a trophy.

The feathery creature approached me, kneeling beside my comfy cocoon. He strokes my head as gentle as any creature could, his claws soft and soothing, lulling me to sleep with each stroke. I close my eye and emit a purring thrum. The Nurse uttered a deep thrum of her own as she watched the strange being pet me.

She is a dear little treasure isn't she? More precious than the rarest of emeralds. Such a darling.

Her companion clattered in agreement; he spoke in a language I didn't know. The nurse heaved a long sigh. She is so small, my dearest, too small for newborn. And her strength is ebbing, if I had not clawed the egg sack off she would've suffocated. She has a long way to go if she is to survive. But I know she will, I will not let her die.

I cozy up in the warm blanket, curling up into a firm ball. I liked that blanket; it smelled warm and musty like my mother's pouch. The nurse pressed her great talons around me in protection.

This infant is one of the last, Old Bird, the remaining hope for our kind. Our species' survival depends on this little newborn as it does her siblings. We cannot let the factors of nature claim her or else we face extinction. She is going to live, and I will use every extent of my power to make it so.