Editing Phazon Corruption

[[File:Phazon Elite mp1 Screenshot 04.png|250px|right|thumb|A [[Phazon Elite]], a [[Space Pirate]] that has been artificially corrupted by Phazon.]]
{{Quote|Soon everything will be corrupted. Including you.|[[Ghor]]}}

'''Phazon Corruption''' is an unsafe, hazardous state in which any living bioform can go through if exposed to excessive amounts of deadly [[Phazon]] radiation. It is most likely to occur when one is donning a [[Phazon Enhancement Device Suit|Phazon Enhancement Device]] and misusing or abusing its devastating power. Corruption infects living organisms and even vegetation on contact causing aggressiveness combined with raw power and a hunger for more Phazon, similar to a drug addiction. Phazon can also eat away at deceased bioforms, in a process similar to decomposition. This is quite noticable in the [[GFS Valhalla]]. When Phazon is introduced to an environment, it can bring native species to the brink of collapse or extinction (as seen by the [[Chozo]] of [[Tallon IV]]). Some species across the galaxy however, such as the [[Galactic Federation]] and [[Space Pirate]]s, have learned to control the substance and even [[Project Helix|artificially infuse Phazon with infantry]] for warfare tactics.

==Arrival to Alien Planets==
The Phazon substance originated on the isolated planet [[Phaaze]], which had produced massive, sentient beings known as [[Leviathan]]s. These structures acted as vessels for Phazon, and left the planet in the form of asteroids. They had the ability to create artificial wormholes to travel to distant planets and spread their Phazon reserves, causing the corruption of said planets and their inhabitants.

==Corruption of Planets==
===Tallon IV===
{{main|Corruption of Tallon IV}}
[[Tallon IV]], a colony of the [[Chozo]], was among the first planets to become impacted by a Leviathan, which had led to the planet's decay and emigration of the Chozo inhabitants.

===Aether===
{{main|Corruption of Aether}}
The fertile and bountiful planet [[Aether]], home of the [[Luminoth]] race, was impacted by a Leviathan. In an unusual series of events, the impact caused a split in the planet's energy, creating an alternate dimension known as [[Dark Aether]].

===Bryyo===
After [[Bryyo|Bryyo's]] full-scale war between its science-devoted and primal factions, a Leviathan struck the surface of the planet, with Space Pirate forces along with it. Bounty Hunter [[Samus Aran]] managed to resolve the situation, destroying the implanted Leviathan as well as the Pirate fleet.

===Elysia===
A Leviathan simultaneously arrived at the planet [[Elysia]], however the point of impact was on the planet's surface, which was uninhabitable by most life forms. However, it managed to destroy most of the Chozo-created aerial facility known as [[SkyTown]]. The mechanoid inhabitants, [[Elysian]]s, were soon corrupted. Samus managed to gain access to the Leviathan by dropping a [[Theronian Bomb]] onto the seed's shield. [[Helios]], the corrupted Elysian guarding the seed's core, was defeated and the core was cleansed.

===Space Pirate Homeworld===
When [[Dark Samus]] was revived and took control of Phaaze, she immediately sent a Leviathan hurtling toward the [[Pirate Homeworld|Space Pirate Homeworld]], as to gain supreme control of the entire species and its technology, military and transportation. Samus requests for the Galactic Federation to launch a full-scale attack on the planet in order for her to reach the seed's core. With the help of [[Demolition Trooper]]s, she was able to breach the Pirate defenses and destroy the seed and its inhabitant, [[Omega Ridley]].

==Hypermode Corruption==
[[Hypermode]] is a state of being in which an organism can amplify itself and its weaponry with Phazon intentionally with a Phazon Enhancement Device (PED). This form can be manually activated and deactivated at will by the user. However, if one remains in Hypermode for an extended period of time without venting Phazon levels, the user will become Corrupted and will have a limited amount of time to deplete all Phazon via rapid weapon discharge or excretory means. If the Phazon is not fully rid from the victim's bodily system, the organism will become permanently Corrupted, and therefore become extremely aggressive along with the other symptoms of Phazon Corruption. If one's Hypermode system is unable to be shut down but has not become permanently corrupted, then an auto-vent will ensue at twenty-five seconds of use. The auto-vent does not inflict any harm on one with the PED suit except the venting of energy tanks, which is normal in the use of the Hypermode function.

==Symptoms==
The known symptoms of excessive exposure to Phazon to Samus, the other [[Bounty Hunter|Hunters]], and general bioforms are as follows:
*Stage 1: 10% Phazon Corruption (no negative effect)
**Self-generation of Phazon from bodily systems
*Stage 2: 25% Phazon Corruption
**Loss of awareness
**Uncontrollable Hypermode use (common while in Leviathan Seeds)
**Minor distortion of facial features
*Stage 3: 50% Phazon Corruption
**Increased aggressiveness
**Extreme nausea and vomiting
**Phazon Addiction
**Moderate distortion of facial features
***Changes in eye color
***Vine-like Phazon growths begin to grow on victim's face
*Stage 4: 75% Phazon Corruption
**Extreme uncooperation
***Lack of reliance on usual trusted allies
***Increased likelihood of friendly fire
**Increased hunger for Phazon
**Excessive use of Hypermode
**Closer resemblance to Dark Samus
***Intense distortion of the pupil
***Increased Phazon growths on face
***Change of facial expression
*Stage 5: Above 75% Phazon Corruption (Corruption on [[Phaaze]])
**Permanent Hypermode activity
**Difficulty venting energy tanks
**Imminent death
**Loss of recognition by scanning reticules (such as Samus's ship)
**Terminal Corruption, thus turning the victim into a [[Dark Echo]]

==Result==
[[File:Metroid Prime mp1 Screenshot 04.png|250px|left|thumb|The [[Metroid Prime (specimen)|result]] of a fully-Corrupted [[Metroid (species)|Metroid]].]]
The main symptoms of Phazon Corruption are insanity and a lust for power. On some occasions, notably with [[Samus Aran]], becoming Corrupted will transform the victim into another organism altogether, Samus becoming a twin image of [[Dark Samus]]. If one is to be in control of Corruption and have an ample supply of Phazon with him or her, he or she can use Phazon Corruption to manipulate other organisms and put them under their own control.<ref name="Stowaway">{{cite|Our attempts to intercept the Federation ship departing Aether were unsuccessful. With them went a collection of Phazon, the first to fall into Federation hands. They foolishly left most of the Phazon behind, allowing us to quickly collect what we could. But in our haste we took more than mere Phazon. Our scanners have detected the remains of Dark Samus, who has revived herself within our Phazon storage.<br/>Surely, we are cursed.<br/>The fiendish shrew consumed all of the Phazon, then wiped out a third of the crew in a matter of minutes. Now she moves at will through the halls of Colossus, using her witchery to beguile the minds of the crew. We are unable to call for aid, and only a few of us remain to stand against her. All is lost.|[[Space Pirate Data]] "[[Space Pirate Data#Stowaway|Stowaway]]"|[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]}}</ref> This form of warfare is extremely devastating, and can wipe out entire armies and put them under one's control, as shown with Dark Samus's takeover of the [[Space Pirate|Space Pirates]].<ref name="Stowaway"/> This attack is similar to the same organization's idea of using [[Metroid (species)|Metroids]] as weapons, needing a small amount to defeat large forces.<ref name="Metroids">{{cite|Studies of Metroid biology continue, though with limited progress. It seems likely that we will be much more successful using the Metroids for our means rather than trying to reproduce their powers. If they could be adequately tamed, we would have no need of a proper understanding of their metabolism. A small force of disciplined Metroids could wipe out entire armies, and once we find a way to shield them from cold-containment weapons, they will be invincible. Furthermore, if we could then harvest the energy they'd consumed, we would have a near-limitless source of power at our disposal.|[[Pirate Data]] "[[Pirate Data#Metroid Forces|Metroid Forces]]"|[[Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]}}</ref> The species is also vulnerable to Corruption, and poses as one of the most rare and deadly species of Corrupted organisms. A Corrupted Metroid is known to not only show increased aggressiveness, but the creature also develops an uncontrollable need for consumption of Phazon. The Metroid will overload excessive amounts of the substance, which is extremely hazardous to its health, and can ultimately self-terminate doing so. In rare cases, the Metroid will survive the epidemic and  transform into what is known as a [[Metroid Prime (specimen)|Metroid Prime]]. Corruption is known to spread across galaxies from its originating planet, [[Phaaze]], discovered by [[Aurora Unit 217]] Strangely, Metroids that thrive in the Phazon-filled depths of the planet retain their original forms.
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==Cures==
The only known cure for Phazon Corruption was invented by [[Galactic Federation]] scientists when a Corrupting virus similar to a Phazon sickness spread to the organization's [[Aurora Unit]]s in several regions of the galaxy. The cure was in the form of a digital vaccine, similar to that of an anti-virus software, that can be uploaded into one of the units' networks and completely purge the virus.<ref name="242 dialogue">{{cite|Fortunately, our scientists were quickly able to devise a vaccine.|[[Aurora Unit 242]]|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}</ref><ref name="Dane">{{cite|We were able to completely purge the virus.|[[Admiral Dane]]|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}</ref> Unfortunately, this cure was only available to the Aurora Units, and not to the general bioforms that had been infected with Phazon, due to the vaccine being digitally implantable and nothing more. However, Samus has been corrupted twice by Phazon and has recovered both times. The first recovery was due to the [[Metroid Prime (specimen)|Metroid Prime]] pulling at the Phazon within her in order to save itself. The second time Samus was corrupted, she destroyed [[Phaaze]], which apparently destroyed all Phazon in the universe. This is assumed to have cured all others corrupted by Phazon as well.

==Relations with the X Parasite==
The [[X Parasite|X parasites]] share certain characteristics with Phazon Corruption, but is however significantly different. X parasites can take control of a docile organism and amplify its aggressiveness, similar to corruption. However, the X are separate organisms of their own, and can replicate any other organism that has already been infected. The reaction to the X Parasite's effects is nearly identical to that of Corruption.<ref name="Old Bird">{{cite manga|The creature took on the host's memories, appearance, abilities, everything. It sucks everything dry. Utterly terrifying. Can you not see that if a mimic such as this were to infiltrate a population, it could replicate almost indefinitely! With evil taking the form of an ally, the galaxy could be overthrown. It is truly the worst kind of evil... it has no name, but... we call it X.|[[Old Bird]]|1|4|13}}</ref>

==Known Victims==
Bioforms and organisms that have been infected by the Phazon virus are listed below:
*[[Chozo]]
*[[Metroid (species)|Metroids]]
*[[Space Pirate|Space Pirates]]
*[[Hopper]]
*[[Nightbarb]]
*[[Pillbug]]
*[[Puffer]]
*[[Shriekbat]]
*[[Aurora Unit 217]]
*[[Aurora Unit 313]]
*[[Phaaze]]
*Samus Aran (by Dark Samus)
*[[Rundas]] (by Dark Samus)
*[[Ghor]] (by Dark Samus)
*[[Gandrayda]] (by Dark Samus)

===Known Planets===
Planets impacted by Leviathans and/or became infected by Phazon are as follows:
*[[Tallon IV]]
*[[Aether|Planet Aether]]
*[[Bryyo]]
*[[Elysia]]
*[[Pirate Homeworld]]
*[[Phaaze]]

==See Also==
*[[Hypermode]]

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:Corrupted2.jpg|A [[Space Pirate]] becomes Corrupted by Phazon and is utilizing a Hypermode-like system to use in battle.
File:AU 217.png|[[Aurora Unit 217]] implanted with the digital Phazon-Corrupting virus in Elysia.
</gallery></center>
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[[Category:Alternate Forms]]
[[Category:Phazon]]