Metroid (species): Difference between revisions

The Metroids were first created through a collaboration between the [[Chozo]] and [[Mother Brain]] to combat a dangerous parasitic lifeform discovered on [[SR388]], called the [[X Parasite]]s, which the Chozo feared might one day infiltrate the [[Galactic Federation]].<ref>{{cite manga|Old Bird has confered extensively with Mother Brain, and they have devised a method to exterminate Parasite X from SR388, and we finally have a sample of that method. Metroid!!|Grey Voice|1|4|15}}</ref> They were so named because the word "Metroid" means ultimate warrior in Chozo.<ref name=history>{{Cite manual|While is has come to light in recent years that the Metroids were created by the ancient Chozo civilization, it is no common knowledge that they were created for the purpose of driving out the X parasites. At some point in the past, the X parasites, which posses a terrible propagation power, threatened to overwhelm the ecosystem of their home world SR388 with their vast numbers. Something was needed to check this impending disaster. That "something" came in the form of the Metroids. When the Metroids, the X parasites' only known predators, were made extinct by Samus's hand, the X parasites once again began to multiply with ferocious speed. Ironically, the X parasites were subsequently responsible for nearly killing Samus when they infested her Power Suit. In a further twist, Samus's life was saved by an injection of an experimental vaccine containing Metroid DNA. As the inheritor of the Metroids' powers, Samus becomes the only being capable of opposing the X parasite horde. In a piece of ancient Chozo literature, and interesting reference to Metroids was found. It seems that the word Metroid in the Chozo language can be roughly translated as "ultimate warrior." With the introduction of Metroid DNA to her system, the reborn Samus Aran is perhaps the most appropriate successor to this title of ultimate warrior.|Metroid Fusion|40}}</ref> They were so successful at hunting the X, they drove them close to extinction. At some point, the Metroids apparently grew feral, eventually topping the food chain on SR388 and devastating the local ecosystem.<ref>{{cite manga|"SR-388... This is a remote planet, not found on many Galactic charts. This is where the trouble began. Three months ago, the planet reclamation division reported an uncharted planet and a group was sent to survery the area... But the first thing they recorded was death... They estimated that 80% of the native animals were dead! Unfortunately, they were forced to report that they had been sent to a 'dead planet'... Among the reclamation group were special inspectors. And of course, they looked for the cause... but a terrible thing happened later. The culprit of the planet's destruction killed our inspection team as well!!" "Metroid!"|[[Chief Hardy]] and [[Samus Aran]]|2|14|6, 7}}</ref> They established their own life cycle, and may have even caused the Chozo to leave the planet.

Later, the [[Galactic Federation]] discovered the Metroid on SR388, and several specimens were acquired for research. On the way back to headquarters, however, the Federation ship was ambushed by [[Space Pirate]]s. Recognizing the military potential, the Pirates took the Metroids to [[Zebes]].<ref>{{cite manual|In the year 20X5 of the Cosmic Calendar, a terrible incident occurred. The Space Pirates attacked a deep-space research vessel and seized capsules containing samples of an unknown species that had been discovered on planet SR388. The Space Pirates' objective was to acquire this life-form: known simply as Metroids, these floating organisms were incredibly dangerous, as they could latch onto any other organism and drain its life-energy. Furthermore, it was possible to replicate Metroids in vast numbers by exposing them to beta rays. The hypotheses that the Metroids were responsible for one of the greatest mysteries in the entire galaxy- the extinction of planet SR388- was generally accepted as fact.|Metroid: Zero Mission|6}}</ref> The Federation, in turn, ordered [[Samus Aran]] to eradicate all Metroids on Zebes, a mission that she completed during the events of ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' and ''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]''.<ref>{{cite manual|As a last resort, the Federation Police decided on a risky strategy: to send a lone space hunter to penetrate the pirate base and destroy the mechanical life-form that controlled the fortress and its defenses- the Mother Brain. The space hunter chosen for this mission was Samus Aran.|Metroid: Zero Mission|7}}</ref> Though Samus was successful in destroying the Metroid population and dismantling the Space Pirate operations on the planet, a number of Space Pirates escaped, taking a number of Metroids with them.

After the fall of Zebes, two contingents of Space Pirates set out on separate missions: one to rebuild Zebes and resuscitate [[Mother Brain]], [[Ridley]], and [[Kraid]], and the other to find a suitable power source, which manifested itself in the [[Phazon]] emanating from [[Tallon IV]].<ref>{{cite manual|But the Space Pirates were far from finished. They immediately split their survivors into two camps. One remained on Zebes to begin rebuilding their ravaged facility and resuscitating Mother Brain, Ridley, and Kraid. The second set out in search of a planet with powerful energy resources. They didn't search long before they discovered Tallon IV, which was still emanating huge pulses of energy from the Phazon contained beneath the Chozo temple.|Metroid Prime|9}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Zebes has fallen. All ground personnel are presumed dead, either killed by the Hunter clad in metal or in the subsequent destruction of the underground facilities. Our research frigates Orpheon, Siriacus and Vol Paragom were in orbit at zero hour and managed to retreat. Frigate Orpheon is now docked at Vortex Outpost. Orpheon's cargo appears to have a 100% survival rate; Metroids are healthy but on restricted feeding schedules due to uncertain supply status. We are ready to begin research on the Metroids and other promising life-forms. Security status remains at Code Blue; no signs of pursuit from the Hunter.|[[Pirate Data]] "Fall of Zebes"|Metroid Prime}}</ref> Using Phazon's mutagenic properties, the Space Pirates began experimenting on local lifeforms and the Metroids they had brought with them, resulting in [[Tallon Metroid]]s. These Metroids differed somewhat from the originals created by the Chozo, and other mutated forms, including [[Hunter Metroid]]s and [[Fission Metroid]]s, were created.

== Life Cycle ==

{{Main|Alpha Metroid}}

{{Main|Gamma Metroid}}

{{Main|Zeta Metroid}}

{{Main|Omega Metroid}}

{{Main|Queen Metroid}}