Metroid: The Last Aurealian *REWRITE*

Faded Memory: Sibling Rivalry

I scamper across the open jungle, my paws slapping against stone floor. My heart races as my jaws gaps open, gulping air into my lungs. Thick vines and foliage surround me; their sharp scent prickled my nose. The Zebesian sunlight shone brilliantly above, reflecting against my glittering scales. Not far behind my brothers romped among the plants, squawking noisily as they pursued me. Their favorite game was chasing after their tiny sister and tackling her when they caught up. I had escaped them for now, ruffling my neck fans and sticking my tongue out.

Never catch me!

                                                                                                                                                  My brothers grumbled behind me. Oh yeah. We show you!  They sprinted after me, but I outran them for a tail length away.

Slowpokes! Slowpokes!  I screeched, taunting them.                                                                                                  

Come back runt! My larger brother, the Silver one panted. Why don't cha play with us? Barked the Copper one.

I growled, trotting off in my usual gait, shaking my rump. I hated being called a runt, even though it was true. I was the smallest of my litter and, even though I was the second born. My parents worried about me, and given me lots of food and vitamins to help me grow. But even now, at four moons old, I was still much smaller than my sisters who could easily pummel my rowdy brothers with a swipe of their claws.

I raised my neck sniffing the air of the fresh familiar scents of my home colony. I could hear others of my kind scaling the great cliffs or resting among the rocks. All spread out but close enough where I could sense their presence and be reassured by their protection. Another scent wafted into nostrils, one that's not a part of the colony.

My pupils shrunk as I recognized the scent. The Bird People, the Bird People are here! They were good friends with my kin, and they visited our colony every once in a while. Whenever they came, everyone thrummed with happiness. Especially Mother, who welcomed them in as our own.                                                                                                                                                                                  I could smell three of them and hear their pawsteps walking towards the colony. Two of them had normal Bird People scent. One shuffled along while the other walked confidently through the brush. The third smelled like a Bird Person with a mix of something else. A sharp feeling tugged at my heart, sending me ablaze with warmth and happiness.

I screeched in utter joy, racing in the direction the link was pulling me.                                                                                                                                                           Don't wander any further, little one. Stay where I can hear you. Father's stern voice rumbled in my mind. I stopped in my tracks, nearly stumbling over my paws. Father lay basking on an open cliff top not far away, eyes and chords on his boisterous younglings. He did not like us wandering far off and made sure we didn't.

I drooped my head, knowing I can't disobey him.  I paced to and fro, waiting for them to appear. I always loved it when my best friend came to the colony. She and I shared a special bond which I didn't understand and whenever she was close, a connection pulled at us to each other.  I sat on my rump, eagerly twitching my tail for her to arrive.  If I stayed still the connection would pull her right where I was sitting.

My brothers pounced, wrestling me underneath their thick scales. Stop that! I twisted and turned, snapping at their legs and whipping their hides with my lean, spiny tail. Lemme go! I'm telling Mother! I bared my teeth, releasing a hiss.

Mother not here. Stop squirming.  Silver said. Yeah, why don't you play with us? said Copper.  Because she's a baby and too afraid to play! jeered Silver.  I snapped angrily,

I'm not a baby and I'm not afraid of you! Lemme go or I'll spike your eye out! I flexed my tail spines threateningly, at four moons they were still loose and tiny, but they do a good enough damage to repel a predator, or two annoying brothers.                                                                                              Ow you hit me! Silver recoiled after being whacked in the nose.  You'll pay for that runt! growled Copper. They pinned me down with their claws and tail, despite my fruitless struggling. Silver raised his head, convulsing his neck muscles until a foam of spit dribbled from his jaws.

Eww, gross! Don't you dare! I screeched.                                                                                                                                                                Luckily my sisters came to the rescue, tackling my brothers and sending them whimpering with tails between their legs. The Violet one, the first born, snarled at them. Leave our baby sister alone!   The third born, the dark blue, hissed in agreement.  The males lowered their heads in submission, muttering under their breath.                                                                                                                                                

Violet helped me on paws, licking my forehead. Dark Blue entangle her napse chords with mine, making sure I was okay.

They continued berating my brothers on their roughhousing, using the authoritative tone of a queen.   We 'ent  gonna hurt her. Copper gulped. We wanted to play. Silver grumbled. I spat at them angrily.

Violet hissed. She doesn't like it! Yeah, Agreed Dark Blue. Not her fault she's so small and doesn't wanna be squashed. So stop it!! I nodded.

The connection tore through my veins, and my mind swelled with happiness. I could feel my best friend's presence drawing closer. I raised my head, my napse chords tingled with energy as they squirmed on my head. Guys the Bird People's coming.

My siblings gazed me confused. Each of them raised their napse chords skyward, picking up the sound and energy of the guests. They are! Violet said excited. Gold Scar's with them!  Gray Voice's here too! Piped Dark Blue.                                                       

I forgot my anger towards my brothers, and scampered two tail lengths ahead. What we waiting for, let's go!

What if Father gets mad? He doesn't like us walking off by ourselves.  Said Copper.  I held my head high. At this point I became too jittery to wait for the Bird People, and I wanted to see them now. Won't be by ourselves, we'll be together!  I crouched down; tail held high and body pointed straight like an arrow. C'mon race ya!