a lingering shadow

"The prophecies tell of the coming of the Worm. Born from parasites, nurtured in a poisoned womb, the Worm grows, devouring from within, until the world begins to rot. The words of the seers have come to pass, for there, in the depths of the world, the ravenous Worm lurks and feeds. From the stars it came, blighting Tallon with its Great Poison. We can but watch as the Worm grows, watch and wait."

[serpent-slayer]

He listened closely to her words, knowing that now he would play a big role in her rising. And still, he wondered if this was the best decision. After all, this seemed like just the beginning of her comeback, who knew what she would do once she was fully capable, powerful enough to crush any opposition.

…Ultimately, however, his loyalty to her could be the only thing keeping his mind safe. Perhaps she would find his true thoughts, unaltered by any kind of control, more efficient and useful, as long as he remained obedient. And despite his pride, the pirate commander knew that she was more valuable as an ally than as an enemy. But he would have to make sure not to be completely submissive as well, for that would damage both his spirit and all reputation he had gathered in his long life of calculated criminal activity.

Not speaking a word, he called an urtraghian soldier through the tiny device installed in his brain, communicating through mere thought. A mere instant later a pirate walked in through the hatch, oblivious to his fate, and immediately Ridley placed his hand over his head, keeping a tight hold of it as the soldier’s body grew limp.

A technnique which allowed him to stop his army from revealing vital information, it was essentially shutting down the other’s body through that very same device. Without any resistance, he was thrown at her feet. “I am not only referring to our enemies, but the space pirates as well. It might be safer to prevent them from knowing of your existence, otherwise they could rebel against you. Seeing you in a weaker state, a few might try to take advantage of that.”

[venomousworm-blog]

She watched silently as Ridley summoned and incapacitated the Pirate trooper, feeling triumphant to know he would so easily sacrifice his own soldiers for her. The dark mist-like form of her body enveloped the soldier, and soon its body was nothing but a dry husk. Her form was more definitive when she was finished, but she was still only partially solid, making her continue to appear as a ghost. She turned to Ridley then to hear what he had to say.

“Why should I have to fear the Pirates?” She growled and started to float closer to him. “Are you not their commander? Do they not obey you without question? Is your authority so weak that you fear they would dare to attack an ally?” She was inches away from him now. How pathetic, to think the possibility of rebellion was even a concern for him. Was it true that some of his troops came to resent her after they were freed from her? Surely they couldn’t all be like that. It was their nature to obey the strongest. Some of them were bound to willingly throw themselves at her feet and beg for her influence again. Weren’t they?

[venomousworm-blog]

Is there a... face beneath that helmet? Or is it your face? Can you make yourself appear more human-like?

There is no helmet. The suit that once served as my skeleton was destroyed on Aether. I have been able to remake myself in the same shape because it is familiar now. I have some features that make a face, like eyes, but they are hidden. I already look too human for my liking. If I could take any form, it would be that I had within Tallon IV, but there is not enough of me to exist in such a large state. This body may not be ideal, but it is powerful, and though I once hated resembling Samus, the fear her visage creates is undeniable. My current form serves me well enough.

[venomousworm-blog]

a telekinetic presence contacts dark samus, giving co-ordinates to a planet in the eastern fringe of the galaxy. the odd thing was that the presence was incredibly similar to dark samus' own. the creature had a simple message,'come to this planet'

One of her kind reaching her? It was a long shot, but it was not in Dark Samus’s nature to distrust messages like this. Whatever was at this planet was worthy of investigation, be it willing servants or opponents attempting to trap and destroy her. She would find a way there.

[serpent-slayer]

Perhaps in a different scenario he would rather keep the true nature of his body unknown, and take advantage of the surprise factor it would have in a fight. But she was a different case. Even in her poor state, she was a threat to his free will, and by extension, his plan- and words would do poorly to convince her, she most certainly had no other interest than expanding phazon. And whether he liked it or not, he would have to be obedient if he wished to remain… himself.

“I see.” He did his best to remain calm, and avoid thinking too much about what she could do to him, or what he could do to prevent that. Showing weakness or rebellious thoughts would be his downfall. There was no other option than to comply. “What do you intend on doing now? Would you rather remain hidden, until you gain sufficient power to ensure your victory?”

[venomousworm-blog]

She tried to search through his mind for something she should be wary of, a sign of treachery. Ridley’s will had been strong, almost strong enough to best her. She wasn’t sure if she could stand a chance if his mind fought against her, and she’d be even more helpless if the former beast himself fought back. But she couldn’t feel anything, too weak to reach very deep into him. 

“I am in no condition to face my foes,” she answered when she was finally ready. “I need energy to regain my strength, my form. If you cannot give me Phazon, give me life energy. Give me your soldiers.”

[venomousworm-blog]

How do you feel about other metroids? Do you feel like some sort of mother to them, or simply an independent member of the same species?

Mother? No, not at all. I was never meant to grow into a hatcher. There is kinship still, but I know I hardly count as one of them anymore. I simply want to help them evolve as I did.

[venomousworm-blog]

She wasn’t sure if he recognized her or was simply terrified to see something like her until she felt something: a reaction from his own mind. Yes, he definitely recognized her. The connection was weak, but it was there. They had encountered each other before, and he still bore the remains of her corruption. It had to be him.

She answered him with a hoarse laughter of her own. “Of course I survive, Commander Ridley, but you’re almost in a sadder state than I am. Your current form is pathetic. What happened to you?”

[serpent-slayer]

The moment she spoke his name confirmed his concern. She remembered him, and judging by the way she said ‘commander’, it seemed that she was expecting him to aid her. Intentionally or forcibly, he didn’t think she cared.

Now came something more expected by the former dragon: the typical question at his new form. He had no problem answering that. “…A snake sheds its skin in order to survive, and so do I. This time, however, the change was rather drastic. But do not be mistaken.”

He extended his right arm, holding it in place for an instant before it bursted into hundreds of metal pieces suspended in the air, revealing its mechanical nature. “As misleading as its appearance might be, this body holds many tricks.” Immediately, they formed back into place. “As for why… it is a rather long story.”

“…How long have you been conscious?” He asked, his body still tense from the situation.

[venomousworm-blog]

No one understood having to adopt a weaker form in order to survive better than Dark Samus did, but her new body had been able to serve her wear. She still had a thick armor to protect her and plenty of firepower-when she had the energy anyway. But this new body of Ridley’s seemed flawed. Covered in flesh she could tear open with her claws if she wished. Reinforced with bones that she could snap like twigs if only she had the strength currently. But his demonstration did surprise him. Maybe she underestimated him. He was still too smart to leave himself totally vulnerable. 

She stepped back and inspected the exposed mechanical parts, trying to memorize every part and how it all came together. She liked knowing how her commander’s body was structured. She needed to know if there might be any exploitable weaknesses in her soldiers. At his question, she turned her attention back to his face. “Not long now. This is why I’m still so fresh and weakened.”

[venomousworm-blog]

@humanridley

It was impossible to tell how long she had drifted through space. Her particles travelled slowly, investigating and invading any spacecraft they passed. She gathered what strength she could by draining any occupants weak enough to not give her much of a fight, and then she would disappear and return to her search. Eventually, she came upon a rather large ship that seemed quite familiar.

This was the ship of the disciples. This was the ship of their commander.

She entered through the ventilation and floated past troopers as an imperceptible blue dust. He had to be here somewhere. He had to have access to Phazon. She travelled to the heart of the ship, where she could only assume she’d find him. With only one other presence in the room, she decided to reveal herself and reform.

When she was able to see again, she was almost certain she’d made a mistake. The only thing that looked familiar about this creature was the shape of its tail. Now that she was here anyway, she figured she could still get some answers and some energy from whoever this was. As she was now, her body wasn’t entirely solid. Her limbs seemed to come apart and fade at the ends, making her appear more like a ghost.

She projected her voice to the mind before her, but she lacked the strength to speak in anything beyond a whisper. “Phazon,” she began, holding out her clenched hand. “Do you have it?”

[serpent-slayer]

As soon as the pirate took notice of a presence in the room, he deduced that this was not one of his soldiers. He had given them orders of not interrupting him without previous warning, and they knew better than to disobey him. Initially uninterested, his expression changed dramatically upon turning to the intruder.

Eyes widened, and his mouth was left slightly agape at the sight. His heart missed a beat, his breathing stopped as his golden eyes stared incredulous at the blue figure. No, that could not be right. It could not be her, the phazon went completely extinct, it was impossible.

Impossible… what a silly word. In such a mad, surreal universe, anything could happen. A nervous laughter almost escaped his lips beneath the metal mask. That voice which spoke from the shadows, that small part in the back of his brain screaming at her presence, not simply out of fear, but rather a connection left by his past corruption. Yes, those indicated that this was indeed her.

“…You should not be capable of surviving…” He spoke, muttering to himself. “…I do not have the phazon. It is… believed to be gone, yet your sole existence proves that theory wrong…” Despite his ever calculating and analytical voice, the man could not help but feel tension, as he wondered what she was planning to do with him. Whatever it was, this fascinating turn of events would certainly change everything.

[venomousworm-blog]

She wasn’t sure if he recognized her or was simply terrified to see something like her until she felt something: a reaction from his own mind. Yes, he definitely recognized her. The connection was weak, but it was there. They had encountered each other before, and he still bore the remains of her corruption. It had to be him.

She answered him with a hoarse laughter of her own. “Of course I survive, Commander Ridley, but you’re almost in a sadder state than I am. Your current form is pathetic. What happened to you?”

[venomousworm-blog]

@humanridley

It was impossible to tell how long she had drifted through space. Her particles travelled slowly, investigating and invading any spacecraft they passed. She gathered what strength she could by draining any occupants weak enough to not give her much of a fight, and then she would disappear and return to her search. Eventually, she came upon a rather large ship that seemed quite familiar.

This was the ship of the disciples. This was the ship of their commander.

She entered through the ventilation and floated past troopers as an imperceptible blue dust. He had to be here somewhere. He had to have access to Phazon. She travelled to the heart of the ship, where she could only assume she’d find him. With only one other presence in the room, she decided to reveal herself and reform.

When she was able to see again, she was almost certain she’d made a mistake. The only thing that looked familiar about this creature was the shape of its tail. Now that she was here anyway, she figured she could still get some answers and some energy from whoever this was. As she was now, her body wasn’t entirely solid. Her limbs seemed to come apart and fade at the ends, making her appear more like a ghost.

She projected her voice to the mind before her, but she lacked the strength to speak in anything beyond a whisper. “Phazon,” she began, holding out her clenched hand. “Do you have it?”

[venomousworm-blog]

Awake

It begins the same every time. A vague awareness that grows. The ability to sense surroundings. Recollection of memories-birth, death, purpose. Physicality. This time just barely.

Waking up in the cold void of space. This is where Phaaze used to be, but it is no more. There is no mourning for the world itself, only for the others that still dwelled there. There were more on other worlds, but do they still remain? Do the disciples still have them? 

There is also loss for the power that planet held. Phazon is needed to strengthen body, but the source of it is gone. Where can it be found now? All known seeds were extinguished. More must exist. Energy is necessary, and Phazon had the richest supply of it. Predation of other creatures may be needed once again if none can be located. Immediate goal is clear: must locate enough food to restore body to former power. Beyond that, the mission remains. New followers must be found to assist mission. Perhaps the disciples can be used once again. Though weak, their resources and eagerness to obey are invaluable. 

Great tasks to be done. Time cannot be wasted.