Log Book Entry: Creatures: Thardus
"Thardus, an animated, sentient creature of stone charged with Phazon radiation. The Phazon radiation given off by Thardus negates auto-targeting systems, preventing lock-on. It may be possible to acquire alternate targets with a different Visor. The chaotic nature of Phazon irradiation leads to instability in its structural integrity. Thardus can encase targets in ice, and its colossal size and strength make it a formidable opponent."
Samus's Notes:
Throughout my time on Tallon IV, I've seen many terrible creatures and mutants, created by this 'Phazon' the Space Pirates are using, but this makes me wonder if a radioactive substance is all it is. Maybe I should try to collect some, so it can be studied. Still, the fact that this Phazon even exists disturbs me. It destroyed the Chozo, my only remaining family, it turned harmless creatures and plants into bloodthirsty monsters, and now, even inanimate rocks are under its influence.
Thardus was, I suppose, formerly ordinary rocks that were attached to and fused with raw Phazon ore, growing bigger and more powerful until it started adding more rocks to its mass. I don't know how the Pirates managed to quarantine it. My only guess was they destroyed most of it, took it to the cave, and let it grow again.
When I found it, Thardus appeared to be sleeping, or possibly pretending to be ordinary rocks to lure creatures in. Whichever it was, it rose up when I got close enough. The rock's seem to be held together by some kind of telekinesis, which it also used to throw rocks at me as well, and it could forcefully solidify the ground to send waves of freezing ice.
Despite its size and clear strength, it never tried to simply hit me, except by imitating my Morph Ball and rolling in my direction. I suppose fighting the Pirates showed it there is no point in close range fighting.
It was held together by the Phazon that controlled the rocks it was made from, which was disguised as ordinary rocks. Still, the radiation it gave off allowed my Thermal Visor to find it's weak spots. How only one portion was vulnerable at a time, I'm not sure, but perhaps the Phazon could move somehow, or the other portions didn't 'activate' until the one producing the most radiation was destroyed, like a backup.
Even more baffling is that I got the Spider Ball function after destroying it. Perhaps it was some kind of Space Pirate device to aid it with magnetic properties, help hold it together.
As I destroyed more of the Phazon ore holding it together, it reacted with clear rage, smashing the ground with its hands, producing lightning, possibly from the Spider Ball, and whipping up a snowstorm. It did not seem capable of controlling either of these, but it did seem aware it could blind me regardless. It was essentially throwing a tantrum, and I suppose in a way it was rather child-like. In the end, an enemy is an enemy, but for a pile of rocks, it was actually rather clever.