//------------------------------//
// Zebes: Friendly Critters 
// Story: Another Hatchling 
// by Tatsurou 
//------------------------------//

	"So how useful was the Grapple Beam on Zebes?" Rainbow asked, taking notes.  "I get the feeling it was more useful than it was elsewhere."

Samus shrugged.  "Well, grapple points were more frequent," Samus admitted.  "That and a larger variety of wildlife could be grappled onto, and the Grapple Beam could be used to gather energy to replenish my suit by firing it into the concentrations..."

"But nine times out of ten, it was easier for her to just ride me," Spike finished jokingly, startling laughter around the table.

"So, useful but not entirely necessary?" Twilight clarified.

"Yup," Samus agreed.  "Much like the X-Ray Visor I picked up next back in Brinstar.  It let me see if any aspects of the terrain around me were vulnerable to destruction, as well as informing me what would damage them.  It also more clearly defined any passages hidden in the walls that Spike and I could pass through.  Useful, but not strictly necessary to progress."

"After that, we made our way back to Crateria," Spike continued.  "After a brief stop at the ship to recharge and scan for other Chozo tech we could collect, we headed down to Brinstar for a few extra expansions that we could get to now."

"Going up against Ridley, I wanted to be as prepared as possible," Samus explained.  "And while we were there, we encountered some rather...friendly and helpful critters..."





As Samus and Spike passed through the door, they found themselves in a narrow passage leading upward, too narrow for Spike to spread his wings full length while large enough to carry Samus, but too wide to stretch full length and climb.  Inside the passage, the pair found themselves confronted by a trio of small, green, koala-like critters.  They squeaked happily as Samus and Spike stared at them, gathering around the pair, trying to make them feel welcome.

Since there were no threats present, the pair of Hunters decided to relax for a while.  Noticing Samus glancing up the passage - the only path her map showed to get back up to the rest of Crateria - the three creatures squeaked happily, moving to the passage.  One bounced up and down at the bottom, to indicate the pair should follow the others.  The other two then began to leap up the passage, bouncing from wall to wall.

Seeing this, Samus carefully mimicked them, seeing exactly how she should position her feet and hands to properly propel herself off the walls to move upward.  Spike, meanwhile, shrunk down to a smaller size so he could fly up after them.  When Samus reached the top successfully, the small creatures bounced happily around her, plainly congratulating her, before one of them leapt across to a narrow path through the wall.  Following it, Spike was able to collect a Power Bomb expansion for Samus.





Several of those around the table cooed happily over the pictures of the creatures Samus showed some images of the creatures in question, not just ponies.  Although Fluttershy was certainly the most vocal.  "Aww, they're adorable!" she squealed happily.

"Not to mention friendly and highly intelligent, even if they don't speak Galactic Standard," Samus added.  "And not the only friendly creature we encountered in Brinstar..."





As Samus raced through Brinstar to get back on track, she found the floor dissolving beneath her as her Speed Booster carried her over it.  She saw Spike stumble into the pit, and instinctively dove in after him.  The pit sealed over behind them, and the pair descended more or less safely to the bottom of the deep pit.

At the bottom, they found a strange green ostrich-like creature which looked upon them without fear as it tended its egg.  As it saw Samus in Speed Booster, the creature chirruped happily.  Noticing Spike struggling to keep up, it chuckled before moving to Spike's side.  It then shifted its position, its wings slightly spread, head low, legs braced.

Confused but eager to learn, Spike shifted his body to mimic the creature's position, his forelegs withdrawing somewhat into his body to reduce drag as he called on the ability to reshape his body he'd gotten from Gandrayda.  When the creature began to run, Spike ran as well, matching stride for stride.

To Samus' amazement, both the creature and Spike began to leave glowing contrails, having biologically triggered the Speed Booster effect.  As the creature ducked, Spike did as well, both of them storing the energy in their bodies before releasing it in a Shinespark.





"The bear like creatures are called Etecoons," Samus explained as she showed the pictures of both creatures.  "The ostrich-like one is a Dachora.  As I've told you, they're friendly, highly intelligent, and decidedly non-violent.  They've helped us out on more than one occasion."

Fluttershy suddenly squeaked in fear.  "But...but Zebes gets blown up, you said so," she whimpered pitifully.  "Does...does that mean-"

"They got out just fine," Spike hastened to reassure her.  "On our way out we found them trying to get to a Chozo escape vessel, and we cleared the path for them."

Fluttershy looked up at him worriedly.  "Really?" she asked softly.

"Want me to bring them over?" Samus offered.  "They're in our ship just now, out in the forest.  I've actually been trying to find them somewhere new they can settle-"

Fluttershy let out a happy squeal and dashed off towards the Everfree.  This resulted in several giggles around the table, and more than a few rolled eyes.

Sighing, Samus got to her feet.  "I'd better go after her," she offered.  "The ship won't let her in without me, and I don't want to know what she'll do to try to get in."

"I'll go with you," Spike offered as he got to his own feet.  "I know my way around Fluttershy's animals."

It wasn't much of a surprise to Spike that nearly everyone else present made an excuse to come with as well.  Some things never changed.