Metroid (species): Difference between revisions

===Phazon Mutations===

:<small>''Main articles: [[Metroid Prime (series)|Metroid Prime Series]], [[Tallon Metroid]]</small>

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.

In an unexpected twist, the [[Leviathan|meteor]] that originally infected Tallon IV with Phazon brought a Metroid with it from its [[Phaaze|homeworld]] as a guardian, though how or when Metroids were introduced to that planet remains a mystery. This drastically mutated Metroid, known as [[Metroid Prime (specimen)|Metroid Prime]], is engaged in battle by Samus after she overthrows the Space Pirate operations on the planet. Though she is victorious, Metroid Prime manages to survive and using some of her DNA is reborn as [[Dark Samus]].

During the events of ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', Samus finally engages in a final conflict with [[Dark Samus]] as well as several other Phazon-mutated variants of Metroids she encounters along the way. She destroys the living planet known as [[Phaaze]], and all Phazon in the galaxy is apparently eliminated, effectively exterminating all Phazon-mutated strains of Metroids.

===Extermination on SR388===

===Return to Zebes===

{{Main|Super Metroid}}

Research began immediately, and Federation scientists discovered that the energy-producing properties of Metroids could benefit humankind, suggesting that Metroids may have originally beenc reated for peaceful purposes.<ref>{{cite manual|The Science Academy scientists found out that the energy-producing properties of the Metroid could benefit humankind. Their report suggested that the Metroids may have originally been created for peaceful purposes. Just when it seemed peace and order had been restored, Samus received an emergency directive from the Galactic Federation.|Super Metroid|5}}</ref> But shortly after Samus left the colony, it fell victim to a Space Pirate raid. Samus received their distress call and returned to the station, where she witnessed [[Ridley]] escaping with the Hatchling.<ref>{{cite manual|Emergency! Emergency! Return immediately to the Space Science Academy! When Samus made her way to the research facility, she found the building in ruins and the Metroid larva was nowhere to be found. Out from the darkness came a group of Zebesian space pirates and their leader, Ridley, who had the Metroid larva in tow. The pirates fled to a rebuilt planet Zebes and Samus followed them, resolving to finish them off and save the hatchling!|Super Metroid|5}}</ref> She pursued them to Zebes, where she entered the rebuilt Space Pirate labyrinth controlled by Mother Brain. Inside, Samus encountered early attempts by Space Pirates to create clones of Metroids, called [[Mochtroid]]s, but these were ultimately far weaker than the originals.

After making her way into the new [[Tourian]], she destroyed the successfully cloned Metroids gathered there and eventually encountered the Hatchling, this time far larger. It drained Samus's energy, leaving it at critical levels, before recognizing her and leaving. Just as [[Mother Brain]] was about to kill Samus, however, the Hatchling returned and used its energy-producing abilities to transfer energy to Samus, recharging her. In that instant, the Hatchling was destroyed by Mother Brain, sacrificing itself to save Samus in this final act, perhaps demonstrating the beneficial abilities the scientists had discovered. With the Hatchling destroyed, it seemed the Metroid species was extinct. But unbeknownst to Samus, the Galactic Federation was clandestinely performing experiments on Metroids in captivity.

===Federation Experimentation===

===Extinction of Metroids===

{{Main|Metroid Fusion}}

Around this time the Federation hired [[Biologic Space Labs]] to study the restructuring ecosystem of SR388 and hired Samus to render field assistance in the harsh environment.<ref>{{cite manual|SR388. A vile planet, former home of the Metroids. After so many years, the remaining creatures on this planet still seemed to be trying to recreate a natural hierarchy, one without Metroids at the top.<br/>Biologic Space Labs was hired by the Federation to observe this restructuring of the ecosystem. And because of my experience on SR388, the Federation governor for this sector hired me to provide field assistance on the planet. So, once again I found myself drawn to that forsaken rock.|Metroid Fusion|8}}</ref> While Samus was on SR388, she was attacked by an X parasite, a lifeform previously unknown to the Federation and now rampant without the Metroid presence, that infected her. The Federation saved her life with a vaccine made from Metroid DNA that had been acquired from the Hatchling. It allowed her to absorb any free-floating X but also made her inherit the Metroids' vulnerability to extreme cold, turning her into a sort of a hybrid.<ref>{{cite manual|Someone proposed a desperate treatment: create a vaccine from Metroid cells. Apparently the Federation had preserved a cell culture from the last Metroid. The scientists quickly prepared and administered the vaccine. The symptoms of the infection disappeared instantly, and all of the X parasites within me died in moments.|Metroid Fusion|10}}</ref>

Once the station impacted SR388, the remaining Metroids aboard the station were destroyed. With the Metroid population supposedly extinct, Samus, with Metroid DNA integrated into her genetic code, is the last Metroid - the last "ultimate warrior."

== Life Cycle ==