Chapter 3
The Chozos landed just outside the outer parameter of K-2L at dusk. The sun had just slipped under the horizon flooding the sky with brilliant shades of red and orange, which slowly dissipated into black. The smoke from burning buildings created shadows above the colony as it rose toward the heavens. The fire licking at the buildings danced around like some ritualistic ceremony. Ash and dust blew up with the wind toward some unknown destination. The smell of burning bodies and wood attacked the Chozos sensitive beaks with a rancid smell that made many retreat back into the ships. The rest who could stand the stench began their trek to look for survivors.
"We're too late", Old Bird said slowly looking around the colony.
"I don't believe we will find any survivors in this tragic scene Old Bird", one of the members of the party said.
"Still we must not lose hope yet. Check the bodies for a pulse." Old Bird replied pointing toward bodies. "Look at what those evil pirates have done", he said to himself hanging his head down in disgust. He too then began the task of checking bodies for some sign of life.
Halfway into their grisly task, they decided, had it been them they would want their remains put to rest. They began collecting the bodies and piling them up, tossing wood into the mix. It was a custom for the Chozo to cremate their dead in times of high death rates. They then would take belongings of the dead and bury them below a memorial erected on the site of the burning. After all the bodies had been checked and collected, Old Bird began to speak.
"My fellow Chozo, it is with a heavy heart that I light this. The human population on K-2L is now extinct. They were an interesting and curious group of creatures, always willing to help." Old Bird continued his little speech for another five minutes before he lit a torch and threw it in the midst of bodies and wood. The wood came to life, the fire consuming the human remains. Eventually the bodies would burn to ash and blow away in the wind. Except for Old Bird and a few Chozo, the rest left back for planet Zebes to rebuild and mourn there own. Old Bird sat on a small box filled with jewelry or some other object that each of the humans was carrying. It was his job to bury the box under the Chozo statue they would place on the site of the burning.
After eight and a half hour of waiting, the fire finally burnt out, the last of the ashes blowing away in the wind. Old Bird got up and began shoveling the hard dirt. Once the hole was deep enough, he dropped it in and covered it. With the help of the other three Chozo, the statue was moved over the buried box and secured to the ground by driving four foot spikes into the corners of the statue.
"Let us go now", Old Bird said turning toward the last remaining ship.
"Yes Old Bird", the Chozos replied following their leader.
Just before the last Chozo entered the ship, a faint sound caught his attention, "Old Bird! Come quick!" He yelled. Old Bird came out and stood beside the young Chozo.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Old Bird, I hear.....I hear a voice!" The Chozo cried out, "that is not possible is it Old Bird?"
"Young foolish one, anything is possible where there is faith and willingness. Call the others and let's go."
Old Bird followed the Chozo back to the colony. The closer they came, the louder the crying was. Finally they arrived at a pile of rubble that was once a house. The crying was coming from beneath the debris. The Chozos began removing the debris. It was a slow and tiring process, Old Bird all the while reassuring the being below the debris that they were still there. The longer they worked though the less they heard crying from below the debris.
The sun had just started to peek on the eastern horizon when they removed the last of the debris. The Chozo found the body of Lana Aran, belly down over a tub. The house had fallen in and crushed her.
"Looks like she's dead", Old Bird said, mad at himself for not being able to save the human in time, "take her and bury her by the memorial."
The Chozo picked up Lana's body. Upon lifting her they discovered the body of a little girl. Old Bird hung his head. He took the child in his arms, "We'll bury them together, and it is only fit." Old Bird began to follow the other Chozos when the body he was carrying began to move. Old Bird almost dropped the child from surprise. Old Bird brought the child in front of him. The child's eyes fluttered open, when she got a good look at her carrier she began screaming in fear. The Chozos in front of Old Bird set Lana down and headed back to Old Bird.
"She's alive!" Old Bird said excitedly, "she must have passed out from exhaustion overnight."
"This is amazing, truly a sign. What are we going to do with her Old Bird?" One Chozo asked.
"It is just as the prophecy said", another Chozo chimed in.
The other two Chozo's looked at him in confusion. Old Bird noticing there look said, "A long time ago, the legendary prophet Enode said "Among the fires of aliens, in one we will find a warrior." We always thought that a betrayer would join us but this child, I too feel this is the warrior of the Chozo."
"How can you be sure?"
"Well if you listen to it carefully, among the fires of aliens, meaning the tragedy set before us, in one we will find a warrior, hence this child."
"But it is only a child
"True, I have yet to figure that part out yet."
The child reluctantly held the old Chozo, partly in fear. She had no idea who these strange creatures were.
"Do not be afraid child, we will not hurt you. My name is Old Bird." Old Bird gestured to himself then pointed at the child. "What is your name?"
The child reluctantly looked at the bird, then softening her expression replied, "Samus....Samus Aran"
"That's a pretty name Samus, and how old are you?"
Samus raised a hand indicating she was three with her fingers. "You're getting to be a big girl aren't you?" Old Bird asked giving the child a smile. Samus shyly smiled back.
"We're going to take you for a ride, Okay?" Old Bird asked.
Samus' face turned back to fear, "Where my parents?" She asked.
Old Bird sat down on the side of the memorial, the child had yet to see her mother lying motionless just on the other side of the statue. Old Bird had many instances when he had to explain to young Chozo what death was. He often explained in analogies until they were old enough to completely comprehend the meaning of death. Old Bird set the child down in front of him.
"Well Samus, some bad people came and they took your parents", Samus' eyes started quivering, "they will never come back but you must trust me when I say that they will always love you. Not only that but your parents will always be with you…in your heart," Old Bird pointed to Samus' chest. The child began weeping, hugging the Chozo. "Yes child, you must let all these feelings go now." Samus continued her mourning until she fell asleep. The Chozo picked up Samus and boarded the ship, waiting for the other Chozos to finish Lana's burial.
Soon the last Chozo boarded the ship, "We are ready Old Bird"
"Very well, let us be on our way", the Chozo behind the controls brought the ship to life and slowly lifted into the darkness of space, heading back for the planet Zebes. The colony of K-2L lay in the light of the early morning, it's rubble throwing shadows over the fields, the wind blowing dust about the rubble.