Metroid: Zero Mission Novelization

Prologue

Zebes, orbiting star FS-176 is a rocky planet with a hollow crust due to high Urthic Ore composition, ideal for burrowing and caving. It's atmosphere is thoroughly capable of sustaining life, however its harsh conditions allow only the hardiest and most adaptable of creatures to survive. As such, most of Zebes' animal species are predatory, as are many of its plant species. Zebes was also, many years ago, a notable colony world of the spacefaring Chozo, an aging race of sentient, bipedal avians with a strong technological and  spiritual history. Even some of their most ancient relics are millennia more advanced than the technologies of modern galactic society. The Chozo were vigilant, caring, infinitely kind, and very, very wise.

But above all, they were my adopted family.

My name is Samus, I was born on Earth mining colony K-2L, to Rodney and Virgina Aran. When I was three years old, two Chozo, Old Bird and Grey Voice, came to K-2L for reasons I do not remember or was never told. I befriended Old Bird, who taught me to be compassionate to the local wildlife. Shortly after, the colony was attacked by Space Pirates under the command of Ridley, a brutal, sadistic being who resembled a dragon in appearance. My father sacrificed himself to prevent the Space Pirates from acquiring what they desired, blowing up the valuable ores mined from the planet, a large number of Space Pirates.... And himself. I, beings young and naïve girl, approached Ridley and attempted to befriend him. He intended to destroy me, only for my mother to get in the way, saving my life. I ran and hid as the Space Pirates razed the colony, sparing no one they could find.

I was the only survivor.

Returning to the colony as the Space Pirates left, Old Bird found me hiding amongst the flames and rubble. Old Bird, ever kind and merciful, took the shell-shocked me with him back to the Chozo colony on Zebes. Grey Voice initially objected to this, not for his own sake but for mine, stating I would not survive Zebes' harsh conditions. Upon arrival, I was examined by a small floating orb that was linked to the colony's central computer. A sentient creation of the Chozo, named Mother Brain. She was not merciful in her assessment of me, reinforcing Grey Voice's original conclusion: I would not survive the harsh environment on Zebes, and I would have to be confined to Brinstar and Crateria. After much deliberation, disagreement, and what I can only conclude today to be "guilt-tripping" from Old Bird, it was decided that I would have my DNA infused with that of the Chozo, so that my body could withstand not only Zebes' conditions, but also the trials and tribulations I would go through over the following years.

The training was grueling. Not only did my physical training push my body far beyond its limits every day, but the mental and spiritual training were equally as horrendous. Many years went by in the same way. The Chozo taught me everything they knew, built me into a warrior worthy of their legacy. And despite everything they would put me through in training, I knew they were doing it out of kindness and never resented them. As I grew, I pushed myself harder and harder, fueled by a desire for vengeance against Ridley and the Space Pirates.

When I came of age and discipline, they granted me their greatest gift of all: a Powered Armorsuit reminiscent of those used in their militaristic history, specially designed and built for me. Mother Brain, I was told, oversaw its development and made numerous improvements to it, tailoring it to my body and mind in every possible and previously impossible way. The suit itself was mostly yellow, save for the cuirass and helmet, which were red, the visor, which glowed a soothing lime green, and the flexible undersuit exposed at the joints, which was straight black. The suit was biologically implemented to me, and I could call it to use or rest at will. Included on the suit in place of a gauntlet on the right arm was a cannon capable of firing a powerful beam weapon, which required neither ammunition nor charge to fire. The ultimate power hidden within the suit, however, it its modularity. Technology developed by the Chozo and societies they have come in contact with, and even some they haven't, could be integrated into the suit and adapted for use, be they weapons, movement systems, shielding upgrades, or other expansions. The possibilities were endless. I was trained in the use of the suit, and when the time came, I parted with the Chozo to pursue my new life among the stars.