"As you can imagine," Samus explained once everypony removed their hooves from their faces, "I was in for a rather unpleasant surprise when I returned from the Chozo Ruins."
"I can imagine," Twilight groaned, shaking her head at Spike.
"I was four!" Spike said defensively.
Samus chuckled. "At any rate..."
After having reacquired her missile launcher and Morph Ball, Samus returned to the Tallon Overworld region. While she could have continued onward through the Chozo Ruins area for more tech pickups, she wanted to check on Spike before continuing, to make sure he was doing alright.
As she returned to the ship, however, she found that the hatch had been opened. Spike had left the ship. "Spike?" she called out worriedly. Instead of a response, however, she heard heavy footsteps.
Cautiously, she ducked behind the ship, priming her arm cannon. From what she could see, a dark colored figure somewhat smaller than her was carrying a glowing canister. Her scan visor revealed that the canister was filled with Phazon, but she wasn't able to get a lock on the figure carrying it.
Pirate, she thought to herself. Don't know why it's transporting the material by hand like that, but if it gets close enough to see the ship, it's dead. I'm not taking risks with Spike's safety. The instant the figure started to step into the bowl of land the ship was in, she leapt over the ship, her cannon braced, a missile ready to fire.
"Whoa! Mom, chill! It's me!"
Samus jerked her arm up, the missile she'd already fired shooting over Spike's head to slam into a blast shield nearby, opening a path her map suggested led to a Chozo Temple. "Spike!" she demanded. "You scared me half to death there! I nearly shot you with a missile! I told you not to leave the ship! And how did you get so big?" She glanced over Spike. When she'd left, he barely came up to her knees out of her power suit. Now, he cleared her elbows in it, and was long and lanky, but looked leanly muscled. The fact that the Phazon canister he was carrying weighed more than he did suggested his frail appearance belied his true strength. "And why are you carrying a Pirate canister of Phazon?"
"Phazon?" Spike asked. "What's that?"
"The high energy mineral mutagen the Pirates were experimenting with on the frigate," Samus explained. "I told you about it on the way down."
"Oh," Spike replied. "Sorry, I...kinda zoned out." He chuckled nervously. "Does...that mean I don't get to eat this canister, too?"
Samus stared. "...too? Spike, did you eat Phazon?"
Spike stared up at her, seeing her rage. "...no?" he offered.
Sighing, Samus triggered her Scan Visor for a deep scan of Spike's physiology.
Scan Complete
Subject Spike has apparently gone through an accelerated growth. Approximate physical age is that of an early adolescent. No signs of growth strain or deterioration, as is normally present in Phazon growth spurts, according to Pirate Data. Also, no signs of Phazon veining corruption as present normally when a subject has undergone accelerated evolution as a result of Phazon exposure. Results inconclusive. Recommend consultation with Chozo Spirits.
Well, I was going to do that anyway, Samus grumbled in her thoughts as she disengaged her visor. "Well, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with you beyond a growth spurt."
"So...does that mean I get to-"
"No," Samus snapped. "You don't get to eat the other canister of Phazon until we consult with a Chozo spirit about why Phazon effects you this way."
Spike pouted. "Alright. ...when can we do that?"
She pointed up to where the blast shield had been destroyed by her missile. "There's supposed to be a Chozo Temple up there, according to scans. Unfortunately, without my Space Jump, I can't get-"
Her words were cut off as Spike rushed over to the stone wall and dug his claws in, beginning to climb right up the side. "You coming?" he called.
Samus blinked, staring at him in shock. However, she thought quickly. "Spike, how firm's your grip? Do you think I could use you as a stepping stone to clear a gap?"
Spike jerked his claws back and forth in the stone. "I think so," he said. "As long as you jump off quickly."
Nodding, Samus pointed to a space between two stone outcrops. "Climb to over there," she instructed. "I'll meet you there!"
With their plan of action made, the two made their way up. Samus' plan worked like a charm, and she was able to use Spike to clear the gap without putting undue stress on the young dragon. The pair then made their way into the Chozo Temple.
Once inside, Samus discovered from Chozo Lore inscribed on the walls and a Pirate Data hologram that the Temple was built over the site of a meteor impact, and the meteor was the source of the Phazon. The seal itself was locked with 12 keys. On approaching the center of the Temple, Samus acquired the first key...and discovered that the Artifacts that were the keys were, in fact, the physical manifestations of the 12 Elder spirits who had managed to avoid being driven mad by the Phazon infection.
On understanding this, Samus turned to Spike. "We're going to meditate here," she explained. "We'll try to communicate with the Chozo Spirit resting in the Artifact of Truth."
Nodding, Spike followed her directives to go into the lotus position, breathing deeply and calmly as Samus instructed.
The world faded away from their senses, and a spirit appeared before them.
Hatchling, the spirit spoke in their minds, I cannot remain long. Every moment spent outside the shell crafted to preserve me and seal the crater risks my corruption by the great poison. Ask quickly.
Samus nodded. "Spike, the draconic child entrusted to my care, consumed Phazon, the Great Poison. However, it seems to effect him very differently from other creatures influenced by it. I...hoped you could explain it.
Ah, the other Hatchling, the spirit replied. It turned its attention to Spike. His lifeblood pulses with an energy unfamiliar to the Chozo, but similar to our own abilities. His digestion converts all he consumes into that energy, to be absorbed and utilized by his systems. ...his body possesses the natural ability to rewrite large sections of its own DNA to adapt to its environment, if provided enough energy. This is a natural process for his species.
"I've never heard of any species that could do something like that!" Samus commented.
We here on this world have not either, the spirit replied. However, our comrades beyond seek the answers you need.
"Umm..." Spike began. "I'm not sure if I understood...but are you saying the reason Phazon doesn't effect me is because my digestive process overrides its mutagenic effect?"
No, the spirit replied. Your physiology is designed to mutate naturally, experiencing drastic changes in size, shape, and abilities as you live. The Phazon is absorbed completely, enhancing that natural process and providing a great deal more energy than any other food you can consume. For all other creatures, Phazon is a terrible poison. But for your people...it is but another food, one far more potent than any other...
"So Phazon is a super food for Equestrian dragons?" Pinkie asked in surprise.
"It was a surprise to me to hear that, too," Samus replied. "The spirit also explained that Spike's maturation process also wasn't tied to time. All it really took for him to reach maturity was to get enough energy stores to grow. Emotionally, he was still a child, but physically he would be an adult as soon as he ate enough."
"Fascinating!" Twilight said eagerly, taking notes.
"Is that why Spike was always compulsively stuffin' his face?" Applejack asked.
"Basically," Samus replied. "His body knew it was ready to grow, but he wasn't able to get enough energy from the food he ate to do so."
"Except during Greed Growth," Rainbow muttered. Twilight glanced away nervously
"That's actually part of the 'self mutation' part the Spirit told us," Samus pointed out. "His genetic code responds to physical and emotional triggers to change his physical shape and abilities based on need." She chuckled as Twilight continued to take notes. "You know, I do have all this in the data file I've kept on Spike back in my ship."
Twilight's eyes lit up. "Can I see?" she begged eagerly.
"No spoilers!" Pinkie proclaimed angrily.
Samus couldn't help but laugh. "Later. For now, let's continue the story. Obviously, though, this made Spike an ideal assistant in exploring an environment corrupted by Phazon..."
As they left the Temple, Spike was vibrating in eagerness. "You mean I get to go with you?" he asked, his voice disbelieving.
Samus nodded. "If you can metabolize Phazon like that without side effects, that'll make you ideally suited to helping out here. Phazon isn't exactly healthy for me, after all." She leapt down to the ship. "Just let me record these details." Going into the ship, she recorded the data regarding Spike, dragons, and Phazon in her log book.
When she came out of the ship, she saw that Spike now was eye level with her on two legs, and the Phazon canister was empty. When he saw her stare, Spike contrived to look guilty and rebellious. "But...but you said it was okay for me to eat it! The Chozo Spirit said so, too!"
Groaning, Samus lowered her face into her hand. "Oh, Spike..."
Twilight couldn't help but chuckle, remembering all the times she'd reacted exactly that way to something Spike had done.
Oh Pinkie! Spoilers will come later. You just need to accept it
Like the way you sped up the story by having her start finding the keys immediately. Lets the story flow very well, and move on, since there is so much more to tell.
The benefits of a robust dragon biology.
Now, I am picturing a fight between Ridley and Spike.
Damn it pinkie...I'd actually like to see where twilight takes this line of thought.
Good chapter. Waiting for the next one to here how Spike and Samus destroy the pirates (if that is the next chapter).
Dragons OP in all areas
Where are you taking him!
Needs Twilight needs!
?????!!!!!!! Woof!
Robust dragon biology !
Puppies!
He may be a baby dragon... but he's got the appetite setting of a typical teenage: never stop eating. I can't wait to see how the bosses fare against Spike, especially Ridley!
6022335 LOL, I hadn't thought of that analogy!
6022708 No, more like this: CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS DRAGON RIDERS/CATCHERS/SLAYERS/WHATEVER YAY!
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
6022526 They truly are.
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Anyone else want to see Spike 1v1 Ridley and trash him?
Spike: "GET YOUR DAMN CLAWS OFF MY MOM MOTHERFUCKER!"
I love how she suggested that he would still be "allowed" to eat the rest of the stuff, even knowing what it is.
You know it was some what interesting hearing pinkie hell "spoilers" over and over again but now I'm getting annoyed.
Great chapter though.
6023055 I'm also pretty sure that it should be "affects" not "effects". Pretty sure.
The last part was funny
Literary off-screen moments like those are the best.
6023038 Given Ridley would have Samus in said claws and Spike just called him a MF... I'd say Son of a Bitch is better. But yes, I want to see Spike rip Ridley apart!
6023038
He's going to need to get a power loader first.
33.media.tumblr.com/f97ee29c42edebcbb4a42fa4c9b570ae/tumblr_n3wdg3VF2W1s2wio8o3_500.gif
and thus the galaxy found a way to safely dispose of Phazon
6023289 No he just has to chug a can of phazon and rage out on him.
Canisters of phazon make him level up.
6023289 I see what you did there.
And so, we have the best thing since milk to growing strong bones!
Seriously, when you put in under analysis like this, Spike can be pretty freaking badass!
Now, let us go GODZILLA!
Because hey, it's awesome.
Sorry, i...kinda zoned out
1. Forgot to capitalise.
I guess Spike got his adult... Phazon right? Right? Alright, I'll leave.
So, Spike facilitates sequence breaking? Sweet.
*"I've never heard of any species that could do something like that!"*
The Xs do something similar, only they damage other beings genetic code when they do that. And in the new continuity Metroids were created to exterminate the Xs...
6024980
The X don't get revealed until Metroid Fusion, the last game in the timeline.
That statement is during Metroid Prime, the second.
Great chapters. Continue!
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6025019
And just because the Chozo knew enough about the X to create Metroids to hunt them, doesn't mean Samus knew anything about them at this point in the timeline.
6025677
Hence the Chozo are lying to her.
Remember Dark Samus? I fear what a Dark Samus plus Dark Spike would be like...
6028809
Would only happen if Spike got a Phazon Suit. But the only reason Samus got it was Phazon corruption of her Power Suit. But Spike does not become corrupted by consuming Phazon. Nothing for Metroid Prime to latch onto.
6029009
The Xs could still try to copy him.
6029048
By the time we get to the X, there will be a logical explanation for why that won't work.
6029071
I don't like how overpowered you are making Spike even from the start of the story.
6029094
He's not overpowered.
If anything, relative to everything he's going to go through/has gone through, he's underpowered as compared to Samus. The only apparent overpowering is because Equestria's gravity is so low, and what was stated about how Equestrian dragon physiology reacts to Blue Phazon. (note: I stated that any Equestrian dragon that went through what Spike did would gain the same abilities. It's nothing specific about Spike that made him so strong, just adapting to the environment he went through as he lived it.)
6029094 Yeah, that happens in all of Tatsurou's stories. It's their main downside.
Whoa.
When SAMUS facepalms, you know you dun goofed.
I gave it a shot, but I just can't get invested in this story. Among other things, Spike's character is way too different for him to feel like the same person, the ponies are all holding idiot balls swooning over this new super-macho character, and even Samus's characterization feels off to me.
6024910
To be fair, all the Displaced seem to facilitate sequence breaking.
6025019 6025677
Samus might not know, but this Chozo spirit does. Thus making him a lying Liar. Who is lying. Or grossly ill informed, I guess...
Yeah, as I type this, I suddenly wonder if the poor guy has been tethered to that key since before the X was found, prompting the creation of the Metroids. I guess I could see him being out of touch on "current events"...
the way pinkie keeps saying stuff about spoilers this and no spoilers that is starting to annoy me just let them talk
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LOL
Hahahahahahaha
Hahahahaha!
7963033
da heck?
6599011
Pinkie is pinkie with her fourth wall breaking. She doesn’t know it exactly, but she probably sensed when details doesn’t match with the timeline the story is spoken on. Like for example why samus has her metroid spikes that she gets in Fusion when the story starts in Metroid prime?
6022323
"precision dragon
engineeringbiology"