"She's dangerous. You know that don't you?"
"Are we not all Grey voice? We all have our little dark sides do we not?"
"This is different. Her dark side is far too great. Her dark side actually puts us all at risk."
"She is a child. A little girl with nowhere to go. No one else will take her in. She needs us."
"Yes, she needs us. Needs our flesh!"
"Stop! Don't say that!"
"Why? Should we pretend there's no danger! That she doesn't put us at risk?"
"There's no risk-"
"Face it! She's a monster! She must be sent away before- "
"I said stop!"
"Old bird?"
The elderly Chozo turned to the little human girl. Her grey eyes stared in confusion.
Years later, that same human girl (now a woman) stared at portraits of Chozo on another planet. Another ruin. She stared at the sword Ilena/Irene had given her. Her only means of defense now.
"A monster huh?"
...
"Easy. There you go. Just watch your feet. Woah, careful!"
"It's weird. I can sense you and everyone else here. But not the stones or the planet I walk upon."
Clare smiled a little at that.
"You know I redefine weird on a regular basis. That's the thing about traveling with Samus. It's never dull."
"I imagine not. I admit I'm curious how you met up with a half monster. It seems-"
"Don't call her that."
Galatea pulled back a bit from Clare's anger.
"I'm… I'm sorry. It's just… That's what the yoma on the ship… That's what they called them."
"They're wrong. They're the monsters. Samus isn't anything like that. She saved you damn it! Show some respect!"
"I'm sorry. Truly. I didn't mean anything by-"
"My my. Looks like momma's girl has some bite after all."
The third girl (Ophelia was it?) was sitting against one of the walls. She smirked but her eyes conveyed annoyance.
"Momma's girl is a compliment thank you. My momma is the best person in the galaxy. Among the stars, she's the one light that burns brighter than all others. Her battles extend beyond her life, and etch themselves into history."
The girls looked at Clare in silence. Ophelia smirked and chuckled.
"Nice. How long did it take you to come up with that? You write poetry?"
"Now. I just came up with that now. That's how great she is. She inspires that in everyone she meets."
Galatea raised her eyebrow. It made it hard to look at her with her scar.
"I'm sure she's amazing, but she never inspired poetry in me."
"Not poetry! The truth! The truth is she's a hero!"
"Of course she is. She saved our lives. I never-"
"Did she? Did she save us? Seems to me like that silver eyed witch saved us in the end."
"Samus would have totally gotten us out of there. She just needed more time."
"Oh yes, totally. Much more time than that ugly bastard would have given us. Face it girlie. We'd be parasite food without the claymore."
"But-"
"Enough. Please Ophelia be a little considerate of her feelings. She's clearly sensitive."
"Sensitive? Sensitive? I am not sensitive! I'm just smarter! Smart enough to know who we should be grateful to!"
"Yeah. You're totally not sensitive. Not at all. Such a strong strong girl! Just like Momma!"
"Stop it! Don't you dare talk shit about her you bitch!"
"Or what? What are you going to do?"
"What's going on? Is everything all right children? Can I- Woah!"
The Self-proclaimed number one showed up out of nowhere rushing to the children's aid. However, it was the children who had to rush to her aid after she tripped and fell on her face.
"Can I help you?"
"Ow. That hurt a bit."
"Hold on. I'll go get- Momma!"
"Uh. Hi. Did I miss something here?"
"Oh totally. Your little girl showed how sensitive she is and number one here went splat on the ground!"
"Oh. Wow that sounds bad. Are you ok Clare?"
"I'm perfectly all right Samus. But thanks for asking."
"Well let me know if that changes. We're not exactly in a five-star hotel. She rubbed her girl's head causing her to giggle in delight then turned to her fellow warrior. "And you?"
"I'm perfectly all right as well! Thank you!" Priscilla got to her feet and quickly straightened herself out.
"You sure? Because it sounded like you said that hurt."
"I'm fine! Thank you!" She sighed and looked at the children.
"What are you doing walking about by yourselves? We're in hiding. We need to be cautious."
"I just wanted to show Galatea some stories. The Chozo keep their relics of the past inscribed on the walls of their homes."
"And I wanted a chance to walk. Get used to moving without eyes."
"And I just wanted to see how strong little Clare is."
"Shut up!"
"Ok. Ok. Calm down. You've got my emergency pistol Clare?"
"Right here!" She held it up proudly.
"Then I don't see any problem. Clare is more than qualified to-"
"You gave a gun to a child? Are you insane?"
"What? Don't they give swords to you as children?"
"That's not the same! We're trained! Instilled with purpose. Forged in the-"
"Wait. Wait. Wait. They give you swords as kids?" Ophelia's eyes lit up. "Could they give me one? I am half yoma myself!"
"Now hold on. You don't need to do that little girl. I am fully able to protect you."
"While I question that last bit, I do agree you shouldn't be holding a sword."
"What? You give your crybaby a gun!"
Samus leaned her face in close. Ophelia instinctively backed away.
"Crybaby? You got a problem with my Clare?"
"Uh… No. Not at all!"
"Good. Let's keep it that way. After all we are stuck together with who knows how many monsters hunting us."
"And on that note outcast, I feel we should talk."
"Outcast?"
"Follow me please."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Samus and Clare looked at each other. This woman was odd enough with her clumsiness and her number one rank. But she really had it out for Samus for reasons she was still trying to wrap her head around.
"Ahem. Do you have a problem with me?"
"Sure she does. She's not used to following orders from people with such poor balance." Ophelia smirked.
"Poor balance? I- Uh…"
Samus just stared. This woman could probably kick her ass. But not verbally.
"Enough! The hunter will come with me! Children you- Stick together."
"Sure thing. Come on Clare! Let's go shoot some yoma with that thing!"
"Shoot yoma? No! You mustn't! Please don't! Please I'm begging you!"
"I think she's shitting you."
"Shitting me? What do you mean outcast? Clearly she is not shitting me! Do you see my head coming out of her- Her- Uh... I don't really feel comfortable saying this."
Everyone just stared. Ophelia shook her head.
"Boy I feel safer already. See you around."
"Clare will you and uh… Galatea, was it? Will you keep an eye on her?"
"Must I Samus? She's so… mean!"
"Come on. After all we've been through together, I think you can handle an angry little bitch. If she gets mouthy just hit her with stun."
"Samus!"
"What? That's how I would shut her up." Samus stood up and reluctantly followed the embarrassed Claymore.
"You're quite right. She does burn bright."
"Of course! But how would you know? You can't see!"
"Not her. Her aura. It's very bright. Brighter than she would admit."
...
"So are we having a sparring match or a battle to the death?"
"Every day is a battle to the death. We must greet each as such and be prepared to give it our all."
"While I don't exactly disagree with you, it does concern me about what happens next."
"You should always be concerned. That is the fate of our kind. It's how we survive. With concern. With fear. With hate."
Samus thought that last bit sounded out of touch with the rest but didn't have a chance to respond before her companion tossed her sword to her.
"Leaving your sword. A rookie mistake even by rookie standards!"
"I just wanted to find Clare."
"And left your means of defense behind? What if she were under attack by yoma? How would you have saved her?"
"Why I have my-" She paused. Her face flushed red. Her hand usually covered by her arm cannon clenched. It felt naked without her shell.
"You have what? Looks to me like you have nothing."
"Right. Not at the moment." She felt down to her core. Her yoki aura. She called upon it. Called upon her second skin. Still nothing.
"Damn. I guess I'm so used to my armor that I just... Forgot."
"Forgetfulness." Priscilla shook her head. "How you've lasted this long is truly a mystery."
"I survived this long by being tougher than everything I fought. Same as you."
"Perhaps. But that was with your suit which appears very much unavailable to you now."
"Something happened up there. The electricity. It messed up my aura. My very chemistry. I can't call upon my armor."
"And that as of right now makes you weaker than our number 47. Without your armor, you can't hope to last long on this planet."
"I've gone without my armor before. I can still fight. I did serve in the Galactic Federation for-"
"The Galactic Federation? You worked for the Galactic Federation?"
"Yes. For quite some time in fact. Why? You don't like them?"
"Don't like them? That's putting it mildly."
"You want to elaborate on that?"
"No. You left them yourselves didn't you? Surely you already know."
"Not the way you seem to. You sure you don't-"
"They're not us. That's why. Now. Back to the problem at hand. Without your armor you're dependent on your sword. And I don't have much hope in that regard."
"I've been practicing. A bit."
"A bit? Show me."
She breathed in deep and focused on the yoki energy in her arm. She then began to move her arm at an increasingly rapid rate.
That's it she thought looking at her arm. It doesn't even look like it's moving.
And just like that, her sword went flying out of her hand and across the room.
She slowly turned to her empty hand with wide eyes before turning back to the barren faced claymore.
"Ilena's quicksword. I take it you've been trying to master it. I've tried myself. I haven't been able to do it either. Not yet anyway."
"Really? You the number one? Also, don't you mean Irene?"
She swore she saw a flash of irritation on Priscilla's face, but only for a second. Their kind really hid their emotions well, but this one seemed to struggle in that department.
"Ilena said the quicksword is something that requires intense concentration and calm." She stared hard at Samus. "She said she feared you would be unsuited for something like that. While you have the outward expression of us, she felt you had a lot of unchecked anger. Passion. Ilena mastered it due to her strong spirit and calmness of heart. Things you do not appear to have."
Samus felt a flash of annoyance at the bit about strong spirit. She was tempted to shout out her spirit was plenty strong! But that would have proved Priscilla's point really.
"What about you? You said you couldn't master it either."
Priscilla looked at her own sword. Uncertain of how to respond it seemed.
"It appears..." She paused. She looked nervous. "It appears I'm too angry."
"Angry?" Not that it really surprised her. Priscilla showed her anger well.
She nodded. "She said I'm not calm enough. She came to terms with her anger long ago. I though... Have not. Not that you're any better."
"So we're too what? Too angry to use it?"
"Yes. It seems that way. So we're going to stick to the basics. Pick your sword back up."
Samus did as commanded. More out of desire to keep some semblance to order than actual fear. That would change.
"Now let's begin. Ready yourself outsider."
...
"Look at this. The story of how they arrived."
"I can't look at anything."
"Oh. Right. Sorry. Anyway it discusses their foundation. Samus told me. They left technology behind. Choosing a life of simplicity."
"A life of simplicity? Sounds kind of like a claymore."
"Uh huh. They could do a lot without it though. They could get glimpses of the future even!"
"Glimpses of the future? That sounds like quite a stretch."
"Oh not at all. Samus told me-"
"Oh Samus told you? So that must make it true."
"Hey! Don't mock her!"
"I apologize. I just find that hard to believe. True, there are some unusual things out there in the galaxy. But reading the future seems unlikely."
"The Chozo could do amazing things. Saw that armor Samus had on?"
"No."
"Right. Sorry. Anyway, the Chozo built that too. Fused it into her very blood. Like a second skin. It's amazing. A work of art! Shame about the electricity though."
"You seem quite taken with these bird men. I suppose Samus instilled that in you."
"Well forgive me if she's just that amazing!"
"And if we escape this, do you still plan to stay with her?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"
"Your transformation?"
"My transformation is not changing that! Nothing will! You'll see."
Galatea looked at the girl saddened.
"I wish I had someone like that."
"You could come with us. She'd take care of you."
"I don't know. One girl to raise seems challenging enough."
"What do you mean? She loves it!"
"I'm sure she does. It's just well... She feels tired."
"Tired? Of me?"
"I never said that. Only tired. She hides it but the fatigue is there."
Clare remained silent. It bothered her that this blind girl could read her mother figure better than she could.
...
"You seem tired. Should I stop?"
Samus could see the hints of a smile on the Claymore's face.
"Not at all. I'm just getting warmed up. Come at me again."
"I think not. Take a moment. You can barely swing anymore."
Samus felt her knees wobble and reluctantly agreed. She fell to the ground panting.
"You actually have more skill than I thought. Your anger is great. If you had been raised in the organization, you could have probably been pretty high."
"You can keep your organization. I'll take the Chozo any day. They saw me as family. Not a weapon."
"Did they? What makes you think the organization saw me as only a weapon?"
"... Just rumors."
"Rumors? So you don't know for sure?"
"I know this much. Most initiates die before they even get an emblem."
"And I'll never forget them. But it's necessary."
"Necessary to put little girls to death?"
"Necessary to show them the reality of the galaxy! To ensure they aren't blind to what's out there! At least I had teachers to show me the way! Who did you have?"
"The Chozo."
Priscilla breathed in deep. She seemed to contemplate her next words very carefully.
"The Chozo. The birdmen. I hardly think-"
"Don't call them that. They were not just birdmen."
"No of course not. But they were hardly warrior material."
"They were great warriors. The best. But they were more than that. That's the point. They built this. All this. They crafted my armor. They saw the future. They-"
"A lot of good it did them."
Samus stopped. Priscilla stopped herself. That was too far and both knew it. She opened her mouth eventually to say something else but Samus beat her to it.
"Let's go. Again."
"You're still sweating."
"I don't care. Let's go again."
Priscilla reluctantly picked her own sword up. She showed guilt for the first time, and that for Samus was enough.
...
"Samus come back!"
"Samus? Grey Voice? What's the meaning of this?"
"He wants to send me away!"
Old bird stared at Grey Voice. Despite his building anger, he spoke calmly.
"Is this true? What is she talking about?"
Grey Voice also tried to keep his voice steady. But to less effectiveness.
"It's for her own good... And the good of the colony."
"Good? How is this good for anyone?"
"There's a man in black. A man with glasses. He told him to... To have me!"
"Have you? A man in black? Grey Voice. Tell me you didn't..."
"Didn't what? Call for help? Someone who knows their kind. Who helps their kind. Who-"
"Tell me you did not sell her out to those bastards!"
"Really now. It's for her own benefit! You know how her species end up! They at least have ways to prepare for that! We don't have a clue how to raise such a child! They do!"
"I have seen how they raise children thank you. They raise them as slaves! Weapons to be used and discarded! How could you even think of condemning her to such a fate?"
"I thought what was best for the colony. At the very least she would learn how to control her nature. Her... urges. They could-"
"Get rid of him. You hear me? Get out and get rid of him!"
Grey Voice looked like he had more to say but one look at Old Bird's expression caused him to turn away. They heard him talking in the hall.
"Some kind of problem?"
"Apologies Mr. Rubel. Perhaps we could discuss this upstairs?"
"Old bird? Do you think... Do you think he's right? Should I go with that man?"
"No." The elderly Chozo grabbed Samus' shoulders and looked her in the eyes.
"I'm not sending you away. I will not leave you. You are one of us. I told you that."
Samus stared at him hard. A time ago, she would have probably believed that.
...
"Clare, is there water nearby?"
"Yes. I wouldn't go swimming in it though. It looks dirty."
"It feels dirty. There's a strange aura rising from it."
"Aura? From water? What are you talking about?"
"I said it did I not? I can sense auras. From you. From the others."
"And now from the water?"
"I don't know what it means. But it's all around. Everywhere. This energy."
"So wha- I- Wait."
Clare doubled over and released the contents of her stomach on the floor.
"I can't see but it sounds like you're suffering some nasty side effects. Here. Sit down on... This feels like a rock. Is it a rock? Well sit on it anyway."
With wobbly legs, she sat down and vomited again. Some of it got on Galatea's legs who cringed.
"Well excuse me! Guess that's what I get for charity!"
"Sorry. I- Bleurgh!"
She let loose again. Galatea patted her back.
"Same thing happened to me after they made me. Your body isn't used to the changes yet."
She continued rubbing her hand on Clare's back. The child shuddered from the gurgling in her stomach and the aching in her muscles.
"There. There. At least you deal with it here. I had to do it in a cell. Hardly the place for a little girl I tell you!"
Clare finally got to her feet, still dizzy. She looked at the toxic water, following the flow up underneath some cracks.
"You say you can follow the flow? Then let's follow it!"
"Oh, a sense of adventure? Ophelia rubbing off on you?"
Clare looked at her annoyed. Nobody spoke.
"Are you giving me the stare? Not much use to me you know."
"Oh. Right. Sorry."
...
"All right. That's enough for now. Sit down."
Samus did as commanded and lay with her back against the wall. Her sword embedded in the ground. Priscilla smiled a little.
"You look more like one of us. Doesn't mean you are."
"Thank you too."
"What? Are you expecting a pat on the head? This is standard training. Only the strong survive. Only the strong are given the honor to defend the weak."
"Wow. That's a rather morbid outlook."
"I don't take joy in it! I miss all my sisters who fell! But it's necessary! It needs to happen! We can't have weaklings like you running about!"
"Weakling? Am I?"
"Without your armor? Yes, you most certainly are."
"Uh. Excuse me?"
The pair turned to Ophelia leaning out from behind the corner.
"Any chance I could learn how to swing that sword?"
"No. Stay with the others."
"Here." Priscilla handed Samus' sword to the little girl who upon holding it dropped it to the ground.
"Damn! That's heavy! How do you swing it so easily?"
"Oh no! Are you all right little girl? Here, let me-"
"I'm fine! Holy mother Teresa! Stop being so-"
She stopped when she saw Priscilla's eyes flash yellow for a moment. A whip of energy stirred the air around them, causing a section of the wall to break off.
Without thought, Samus rushed forward and enveloped Ophelia in her arms, shielding her from the shockwave.
Fortunately for them, the energy quickly dissipated. They looked up and stared at a visibly frightened Priscilla.
"I.. I.. What have I done? I... I'm so sorry."
"What have you done? You nearly killed us! What the hell?"
"That was awesome! How do you do that?"
"Oh god! I'm sorry. So sorry."
"You'd better be! What the hell happened? You really are a nut!"
"It's not... Oh god no. We need to get out of here! Out of these ruins!"
"What? No wait! Do that again! That was so awesome!"
"You don't understand! I held my yoki under control! Kept it hidden. The rest of you... Your yoki is too small to attract much attention! But mine! Oh gods no!"
"What are you saying? Someone will have felt that?"
"Undoubtedly. If there's anyone nearby. Oh god!"
"Clare. If you put Clare in danger... Ophelia, where is she?"
"Your girl? I don't know. I didn't- Ow!"
"I told you to stay with her! You. Number one. You did this. Help me find Clare."
For once, Priscilla didn't smart mouth or anything. She just nodded and followed along behind the hunter.
"I don't get it. Why did she lose it? What did I say?"
"I think it was... Teresa."
"Teresa? One of the twin goddesses? Why would that make her mad?"
"I don't think she was thinking of that Teresa."
...
"What... What was that?"
"I... I don't know. It felt big though. Really big."
"Yes. Much too big. It looks like it came from the way we just came."
"Way we came? Should we go back? Warn Samus?"
"She's with the number one. She should be fine. We should go the other way."
"Should we? I mean, you did sense some kind of aura from the water."
"Much less significant I do say."
So they kept walking. Hoping to put some distance between themselves and whatever had just gone off like a nuclear bomb.
"I feel... Anger. Someone is angry."
"Angry? Is it whoever just released all that energy?"
"No. I don't think so. I think it's someone else. I don't know but they feel weaker. The strong one feels... I don't know. A lot of different emotions."
"Ok. Good to know. I think.
As they pressed on, vegetation began showing itself throughout the walls and the ceiling.
"Something is up ahead. Significantly smaller than the one back there but still large."
Before anything else could be said, a massive tentacle crashed through a nearby wall and wrapped itself around the two girls.
"Company? How lovely. I haven't had company in years!" Galatea stared at nothing, simply taking in the massive yoki aura. Clare prayed.
"Oh Samus, where are you?"
...
"Oh Clare, where are you?"
"Can't you tell? Can't you like sense her aura or something?"
Samus looked away embarrassed.
"Right... I actually relied on the yoki visor. It sort of did the job for me."
"Well crap. What good are you then?"
"More than you."
The little girl looked angrily at the hunter.
"Give me time."
"She's up ahead, hunter. We'll find her soon enough."
"Oh so it's hunter now? Not outcast?"
Priscilla didn't respond. She must have been feeling guilt over her loss of control back there. She really wasn't great at hiding her emotions.
"I'm going to be like her. More control for sure. But I'm going to be strong too."
"You want to be one of them? It doesn't look like fun."
"I'm already one of them. Seen the eyes?"
"Yes I noticed. Still not sure it's an ideal life though."
"What else is there? You aren't with the organization but you still hunt yoma don't you?"
"Well, yes. But not as one of their stooges."
"And it shows! You can't swing a sword for shit! You can't defend shit without your armor! They can teach me how to!"
"Probably but think of-"
"Think of what? What else can I do? You know about our bodies?"
Samus nodded sadly. One disadvantage to her solo act: No one to help stitch her up.
"Yeah! Of course you do! Who's going to hire a girl like that? No one! That's who? No one except someone like her! That's the life for me! It's my destiny!"
Samus looked to Priscilla for help, but the number one had stopped. She looked back the way they had come.
"Do you sense that? They're coming."
"They? Awakened beings? Yoma?"
"Most likely both. They came sooner than I thought."
"Shit. Ophelia get behind."
"No. Take her and go. Find the others."
"What? And let you have all the fun? Bite me lady!" Ophelia glared hard.
"Bite you? Why would I do that? That would hurt!"
"Never mind. Come on Ophelia. Let's go find the other kids."
"Hmph. Kids. Me? A kid?"
"That's right! Come on kid!"
"Don't push it."
Samus wished she had time to examine the ruins and their messages. But her parental instinct kicked in. Not something she would have thought she had before she met Clare.
"Clare, please be ok."
...
Clare was not ok. Though she didn't appear to be in any immediate danger. The massive plant-like creature didn't seem to want to butcher them right away. Though its grin didn't make their survivability odds any more likely.
"What adorable little claymores! And one of you is blind? Terrible! Such a precious little flower! Your kind are always my favorite. So easy to break yet so beautiful."
Galatea shivered. Clare meanwhile saw an opportunity. The longer this feminine sounding creature talked, the longer they lived.
"You're... Quite beautiful yourself."
The creature stared her way. As did Galatea, apparently not having caught on.
"Why aren't you just the kindest little rose? And you have the prettiest hair! My name is Flaahgra. Such a delight to meet you my little darlings!"
"Likewise miss Flaahgra. My name is-"
"I don't particularly care for your name sweetie. Not now anyway."
"You're the source. The source of the toxic water."
Clare looked at Galatea with a look saying are you kidding me? But the plant monster didn't seem to mind.
"Yes a by product of my beautiful transformation I fear. I can't help it you see. Everything has some kind of drawback."
"Transformation? You're an... Awakened being?"
The creature sighed. "If you want to get all technical, then yes. I'm an awakened being." She rolled her eyes at the nomenclature. "Number, oh what was it at the time? 11. Yes that's it. 11."
"Only 11? For someone like you?"
"Yes! Can you believe it? Me 11?" She shook her head in disgust.
"Such disrespect! Such a lack of appreciation for all my hard work! No one appreciated me! Nobody! Until I came here, and met the birdmen."
"Birdmen? You mean the Chozo?"
"Yes. The Chozo. Such a strange but amazing people. They treated me with the respect I never had. They didn't see my body or my eyes. They just saw me as... Well maybe not one of them. But pretty damn close."
"They must have been remarkable people."
"Oh they were. Yes they were. And then..." She paused.
"Ah well. Not that it matters anymore. They're dead and I'm hungry."
"Wait! No! Go on! What happened?"
Flaahgra paused. Unsure how to respond.
"I knew one of them. We were close. Then the organization sent a few of their own down to reclaim me. Reclaim me! Like I was their property!" She paused and shook her head.
"Anyway, this friend of mine... She took a sword in the heart for me and I just... Lost it. Next thing I know... I'm like this. And suddenly all those birdmen look really tasty. You know what I mean?"
"You... you ate them?"
"Not all of them. But a lot. Girl's gotta eat. You know?"
She smiled. A horrible thing to see on her face. "And you know the best part? I didn't feel anything. No remorse. No nothing. It was just... natural. The right thing. The natural order. The big eat the little."
"Not this time bitch!"
A bolt hit the creature in the back, causing her to release the children. Ophelia ran over to them.
"Boss lady says I've gotta help get you out of here. Don't think I'm doing this out of affection or nothing."
"So polite."
Samus had actually managed to train a bit with the sword even before Priscilla. She'd trained using a combination of sword and gun. Now was the moment to put it to the test.
And honestly she could use a little more training.
"Looks like your girl's getting her ass kicked. Guess I'd better go save her butt."
"Perhaps but not that way. I'm sensing a.. a weakness."
"What? Blind girl, what are you saying?"
"Let her talk. She knows what she's saying."
"At the base. I sense a weak point. The yoki there is... It feels off."
"Good enough for me. Ophelia? Want to get dirty?"
"Oh now we're talking momma's girl."
Momma was already panting heavily. Her sword might have been enough to fend off the creature's tentacles. But she couldn't hurt the beast.
"Seems I took your for granted arm cannon. Sorry about that."
"Hang on. Your scent. It's that off a fellow warrior. But also of... could it be? Chozo?"
"Yeah. That's right. The great Chozo. Who took you in and who you repaid with death!"
"Now that's not really fair. I just did what I must to survive. And your friends were the closest thing to good eating!"
Samus felt another rush of energy flow through her. Anger. She leapt back into action. The plant monster didn't seem too worried however.
"You intrigue me woman. A hybrid of human, yoma, and Chozo. Quite a sight!"
Samus remained silent, trying to find a weak point in the creature's skin.
"I wonder. What kind of a life must that have been? I can't imagine you fit in with anyone. Tell me. Who raised you? Humans? Chozo themselves? Did they sell you to the organization? Maybe as a lab rat?"
Ignore her. Stay focused. Remember your training. Chozo training. Not organization.
"No response? I suppose you could say I got to the root of the problem!"
Samus didn't have time to comment on her ridiculous pun before a wave of vines caught her foot and sent her face down into the thorny thicket.
"Well, no matter seeing as you're about to become plant food! Please give them my regards! Hey! What are you doing kiddos?"
A tentacle carried Galatea and Ophelia, holding them in the air.
"Trying to kill you, giant bitch! What do you think?"
"Maybe don't tell her that," Galatea groaned.
"No no! I like the honesty! And the bluntness! It's so much better than the birdmen! They kept talking in riddles! Too hard to understand! I really appreciate the straightforwardness! Truly!"
Samus used that time to hack aside the thorns and pull herself free. Not really thinking at that moment, she threw her sword at the tentacle holding the children, sending them into the water surrounding the monster.
"Well that's a fine how do you do! Clearly the birdmen didn't teach you any manners!"
Samus quickly bolted after her sword but another tendril knocked it out of her reach. She ducked to avoid another hit. She whipped her stun pistol out to hit the creature in the eyes. The beast did not like that and hit her with one of her talons.
"You must have a death wish." Flaahgra held Samus up to her eyes. Her talon poking through her chest.
"You're just digging a deeper grave for yourself."
"Ugh. Enough with the plant metaphors."
"Now, as I said. Please give your people my thanks." The creature opened her mouth and pulled the hunter towards it.
At that moment, Clare made her move. She jabbed the sword into the root at Flaahgra' s base, causing her to scream.
Samus took that moment to pull herself down and place her hand on her stomach, feeling the blood pooling out.
"Come on lady! That's the weak spot! So stab it!" Ophelia grabbed Samus' shoulders and shook trying to get the hunter up.
Samus looked at her hand covered in the blood of her stomach.
"I think I'm gonna need a little more help than your words of encouragement kid."
...
"Bitch! Stay down!"
Priscilla did not stand down. She continued her assault. No matter how many came her way, she didn't stop. The walls were absolutely stained with purple blood. Not a sight of the Chozo's words lingered.
"Wow. You're really something girl! A real monster!"
"Monster? I am a warrior! A slayer of yoma! You're the monster! You and your kind are abominations!"
"Come now girl. Don't be like that! We're what you really are. Under that cute face!"
"Don't compare me to you! Don't ever compare me to you!"
"Don't get angry darling! Come here! Come to daddy!"
That really set her off. Her eyes once again flashed yellow and the energy she generated sent her enemies flying back.
"How dare you talk about my daddy! I'll kill you you hear me? I'll kill you!"
A shriek rippled through the corridors at the outpouring of energy. The claymore and her enemies looked at each other.
"More of you? Send all you want! It won't save you!"
"Uh, trust me girlie. That ain't ours."
...
"Well it's been fun." Flaahgra stared at the hunter and the three children lying on the ground injured before her. "But I think it's time to accept your fate. As plant food!"
"I told you. Please stop with the plant puns."
The creature stopped with much more than puns. She stopped everything when she heard a shriek from the entrance to her grotto.
"What in the world is that? Wait. No. Is that-"
From the corridor came a flood of ghosts. Ghosts resembling Chozo. Samus' people.
"What? Wait. How? How is this... How is this possible?"
The Chozo (or whatever remained of them) ceased their shrieking and began floating around the awakened being who stared around in terror.
"My... My friends. You're... you're alive! I can't... I'm so thrilled!"
The ghosts did not appear to share her same expression. They got closer. Their expressions blank.
"I know I made a mistake. I didn't mean to do it. I just... I was so hungry! Don't you know how that feels? Hunger! I can't help it!"
One Chozo floated close to the creature. Flaahgra' s eyes widened.
"Lizzie? Is that you? How... I thought... I'm so sorry I let them kill you. I tried..."
The plant didn't get to finish her sentence. The ghosts at that moment swarmed the creature from head to toe. Her screams deafened the ears of the half yoma who watched with shock.
"Samus?" Clare got close to her and grabbed her arm in concern.
"Stay near me." Samus got in front as the ghosts left the corpse alone and circled them.
"Another. Yoma." The ghost Lizzie hissed but upon coming closer took on a more curious tone.
"One of us? Why?"
Samus paused for a moment, thinking how to proceed. Her words could save or damn them all.
"I am one of you. I may carry the blood of yoma and the body of human. But my heart is Chozo."
She held up her hand in the symbol Old Bird had taught her. The symbol of friendship. The ghosts stared hard.
"I am one of you. Raised by our brothers and sisters on the planet Zebes. I know where my allegiance lies. And my goal is peace."
It seemed to work. The ghosts nodded. Until they turned to the children.
"Not them. Yoma. All three. Killers."
"No. They are pure. They believe in peace. They believe in you."
"She's right. Peace." Clare followed her adoptive mother's posture and held up the symbol of friendship. The ghosts seemed more at ease. Lizzie turned back to Samus.
"Do us proud. Avenge us. Kill the monsters. Kill them all."
Samus nodded. Not really sure if she could live up to it.
"I'm sorry for your pain. I'm sorry for what you've suffered. I'll make them pay. You can rest in peace."
The bird woman stared her in the face. Her expression did turn more peaceful.
"You. We saw you. Your face. We saw the future. The hero. Great destiny awaits you. Great pain as well."
"What about us?" Galatea stepped forward feeling brave. "Did you see us in the future?"
Lizzie stared at Galatea and the other children.
"Monsters. I see monsters."
The children paled. Lizzie turned back to Samus.
"Make us proud little sister." She then began to fade, leaving Samus alone with the three.
No one said anything for a time until Clare touched Samus' hand.
"Samus? You ok?"
"Yeah. I guess so. I just... Not the reunion I was hoping for you know."
"I'm here! Fear not! I'm here!"
They turned to Priscilla standing there wild eyed and looking about. Her gaze eventually settling on Flaahgra' s corpse.
"Did I miss something?"
...
"You're leaving?"
"It's for the best old bird. No one here wants me."
"I want you here."
"And only you. I've seen the looks. The whispers. Everyone keeps their distance. No one else wants anything to do with me. And how can they? How can they want anything to do with a monster?"
"We've been over this. You are not a monster."
"Aren't I? Tell Grey Voice."
"He's just scared. He loves you in his own way. He lent you his own DNA for god's sake! In a way he's your own father!"
"No. You're my father. The only one who accepted me for what I am. I'll never forget that."
"Samus. Please. This is your home."
"I know that old bird. But I'm not welcome in my own home. And I can't take it anymore."
Old bird opened his mouth to try and persuade her again, but kept it shut. He saw the determination in her eyes. This was happening. She was leaving.
"Where will you go? Surely not to the organization."
She shook her head rapidly.
"No. I won't be their weapon. I'll just... I guess I haven't figured it out yet. I'll go somewhere where I can fit in I suppose. If that's even possible."
"It's your choice my dear. But you know deep down there's nowhere that will accept you like I have."
"I know. But they've already made their minds up here. And I've had enough."
Without another word,, Old Bird pulled her in close. The closest he would ever have to a daughter and the closest she would ever have to a father.
"Whatever happens out there Samus, remember this. You are no monster."
"Thank you papa."
...
Now years later, that once 14-year-old girl stared once again at the same portrait she had stared at hours before. Probably the last chance she would ever get.
"Samus? Priscilla says she's found a way out. Through some caverns."
"Underground tunnels probably full of monsters? My kind of thing."
Clare followed her guardian's stare.
"They would be proud of you. You know that right?"
"Would they? I sure don't feel proud of myself. I swore I wouldn't be the organization's weapon. And now here I am again. Their weapon."
"You're doing it to save friends. There's nothing wrong with that. They'd be proud of you for that alone."
"Strange. I don't feel proud of myself."
"Well I'm proud of you." Clare once again wrapped her arms around her adoptive mother's waist and buried her head into her chest.
Samus couldn't help the smile that came over her face.