Samus landed at the mountain she had landed on during her first visit to the Gem Ruins. However, the cave wasn't empty this time.

"Bravo, Samus!" said a cold voice from the shadows. Startled, Samus fired her arm cannon multiple times, but there seemed to be nothing to hit. Suspicious, she used her heat-visor. Nothing. Puzzled, she inched closer, power beam ready.

"Samus...I'm not there...I'm here!" the voice spoke from behind her. She turned to see only a shadowy figure. The figure was humanoid, but no other features of it could be seen.

"Who are you?" she asked, suspicious. Her heat visor still wasn't picking anything up, despite being aimed at the figure.

"Your visor won't work on me!" the figure said, with a chuckle that sent shivers up her spine. Samus squinted, hoping for at least some form of distinguishable feature of the figure.

"Samus...the #1 bounty hunter in the universe...I've heard so much about you..."

"Join the fan club, but don't pester me!" she said in annoyance.

Ignoring the remark, it continued, "I wonder something none of your fans could ever hope to answer...how do you master your emotions? How could any one human..." Samus blinked.

"...conceal all trace of anger...of fear. No mere creature can do this. You have perhaps one of the greatest wills of all hunters. Still...you wield a weapon so powerful that it could conquer the universe, yet you avoid using it. Any normal person would succumb to the temptation to 'go nuts' and blast everything. Do you ever feel that?" The figure's voice was thoughtful, yet the words pierced Samus like an Imperialist.

"What do you mean?" Samus blurted. The figure chuckled.

"Do you ever wish to prove yourself? To show others that flukes do not exist, that you are the best hunter? Having the Omega Cannon isn't enough? You must still prove you deserve it! You must realize no one takes you seriously until you've used the cannon. Fear is a weapon everyone must use." the figure paused.

Samus froze. It made sense. The other hunters didn't take her seriously unless she had the Omega Cannon. Trace had not even flinched when she fought him, aside from the abrupt self-destruct notice. Trace didn't respect her, and the other hunters didn't either. No one did. To gain the respect she, the accomplished hunter who had defeated Space Pirates and Metroids, deserved, she would have to show them why she was the best. Blast, blast, blast. Wait! To blast people indiscriminately was what she shouldn't do. Only using the cannon for power was why it had to be destroyed.

But that power, the ability to be greater then anyone...she struggled to fight the thoughts, but it was as difficult as walking in water without the Gravity Suit. Using the Omega Cannon to instill fear was a Space Pirate method...but they didn't respect her either, although she defeated their operations. No one feared Samus Aran. She was just 'that hunter' who had done cool stuff. With the cannon, she could threaten mass destruction to all her foes! Yes, then everyone would know 'That's Samus, the strongest hunter. Let's hide.'

All the other hunters were feared. Noxus pursued evildoers relentlessly. Weavel could send Space Pirates on people, and his appearance and skill was frightening. Sylux was a known terroristic hunter, Trace was an accomplished sniper who could get the Kriken Empire to attack planets. She, Samus, was nothing next to them. People knew Sylux's deeds more than Samus. People feared Krikens more than Samus. People dreaded Weavel's race, but the Pirate's only bane was nothing. That could change. The Omega Cannon could make the change.

"That's right Samus...the power of the Omega Cannon is greater than any other. Instill fear and conquer. You could give up the quest for True Power now. No one else can get it, since you have 2 keys. You're already a target...but soon the Universe will run out of people to send after you. Samus, the master of the universe..." the figure watched Samus' reaction. She had loaded the Omega Cannon.

"Now...kill everyone in your way. Let their last thought be 'Damn...I shouldn't have done this' before the Omega radiation blasts their soul to hell!" the figure laughed. Samus gazed at him.

"Feed the anger Samus..." the figure said. Abruptly, the cave seemed to dissolve, and the area around them seemed to be space. All surroundings had vanished and Samus and the figure stood across from each other. Samus glanced in confusion.

"It's nothing serious. To help you see...we must battle our minds! You need to let go of your feelings...to ignore your heart. They misguide you from the truth. Power is the answer, love is the curse!" A black ray of energy flew at Samus, who instinctively focused on repelling it. From her own body fired a ray of blue energy,which collided with the black. The mind battle had begun.

"Don't worry...the black is the love of power...so black must overcome the blue!" the figure's voic echoed.

Samus shook her head. "Remember why I hunted..."

"For revenge against the Pirates. They are detestable!" The black ray pushed the blue back a few inches.

"To avenge my family..." Samus whispered. The blue pushed the black.

"Love is the weakling's path. Hatred is the path towards the strong hunter!" the voice echoed. The black pushed the blue several more inches. Samus was in danger of losing the battle.

"That's the path of criminals...the ones who deserve..." she whispered.

"...death. And your cannon can bring it to them!" the voice echoed. The black was now an inch from Samus. It would be so easy to just let the black win...to agree with the truth...NO! A stronger voice in her head screamed.

"I've never given up, never succumbed! I will do things the way I want. The way they have to be done!" Samus yelled. The figure looked taken aback. Although the black was still extremely close...the mind battle faded. Samus immediately collapsed.

"You're too righteous...you will never be turned from your path, will you Samus?" the figure said half-mockingly. Samus glared back. The figure smiled, the first feature visible. He stepped into the light. He wore black armor, similiar to Sylux's.

"We'll meet again, I'm sure. The True Power will never be yours!" the Dark Hunter laughed and vanished into the shadows. Samus felt drained. Who was he? What did he want? He had wanted her corrupted...but why? Why had she come so close to losing. What did he mean by "You will never be turned from your path, will you?". Did he know how close she had been to surrendering? He had known her other thoughts. Had he simply given up the battle? If so...why? Samus shakily stood. In combo of Trace's battle and the mind game, she wondered whether she'd even survive this mission. After all...all the hunters were hunting her!