//------------------------------// // 13.5 Hostile Takeover // Story: Metroid Equis // by Flammenwerfer //------------------------------// Metroid Equis Chapter 13.5 Hostile Takeover Samus inhaled sharply and opened her eyes in a startled manner, trying to focus her vision on something... anything... but alas, nothing was to be seen. She was trapped in what appeared to be a void of nothingness... merely floating in the air weightless as if she was suspended in her ship's anti-gravity well. She had free movement over her limbs and full body, but again, she had no concept of any physics, so she had no idea of what was up, down, et cetera. This changed when her feet came into contact with something solid and on a flat plane. Immediately her head went into a sense of vertigo as her body righted itself orientation-wise. So Samus was standing... that was one problem solved. Another problem was finding out where she was. She had vivid memories of what had just transpired when she was fully aware of her surroundings: something was attacking her mind, and any mental defenses that the Chozo had taught her were completely ineffective. Samus deduced she was in some representation of her mind, much like how her former caretakers were still able to contact her in one way. The next question was... why was she here, and the question after that was definitely 'how to get out.' Samus sensed a presence behind her and turned on her heels, finding a figure that revealed itself from the shadows of the void. The Hunter's eyes widened when it looked like she was looking at a reflection of herself, save for the obvious features of her Zero Suit color, her eyes... and that unnerving smile. "Greetings, Samus..." the figure finally spoke in her voice, although it sounded oddly layered. Samus wasn't entirely sure how to wrap her head around this. She had seen some weird things in her life and this was definitely passing many of those entries on that list. "Ummm... who are you?" Samus couldn't really think of a more appropriate question. The opposing entity seemed to find this amusing. "I? I'm you... all the manifestations of your deepest, darkest thoughts, emotions, and feelings fermented through magic. The monument to your dark side, if you will. And before you ask, we're in your mind... or what was formerly your mind," the mental representation of Nightmare Hunter explained, gently stepping towards Samus and talking animatedly with her hands. "Cut the poetics. What the hell is going on?" Samus asked, already irritated and still unsure of so much. "Straight to the point, I like it. In essence, your mind and body are no longer under your control. Like I manifested myself in the deepest recesses of your mind, that is where you shall remain while I remain in control. Think of this as your cell in a prison..." "Yeah... I don't think so. I'm not entirely sure how you festered there but I assure you you're getting the fuck ou..." Samus advanced on her doppelgänger, ready to fight for her mind (however that battle would manifest) but only found her 'form' to lock up and be held into the air by Nightmare's magical will. The latter chuckled in an amused fashion. "It is already done, Samus... and as if your insignificant magic prowess could hope to overcome my own." Nightmare Hunter smiled darkly as Samus was held suspended in her aura, struggling with all she was worth to no avail. "But, we may continue this at a later time. I shall require you to remain in this section of your mind while I deal with Princess Luna and the Elements of Harmony." Nightmare Hunter forced Samus to the ground on her knees before grabbing her chin and forcing it to look in her cat-like eyes. "No matter what... I'll win in the end..." The void lit up brightly as Nightmare Hunter ascended to take the mantle of Samus's mind and body.