Metroid
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| A Metroid as depicted in Metroid: Zero Mission. | |
| Metroid | |
| Origin | SR388 |
| Debut | Metroid |
The titular enemy of the Metroid series. The Metroids are floating jellyfish-like monsters have taken on a variety of forms, but are most recognizable as a domed creature with a large and small set of pincers.
Information
A parasitical lifeform thought to have originated from planet SR388, in recent years their true origin has been revealed. Long ago the Chozo found the planet to be plagued by the X Virus, a creature that could infect and control its host lifeform. To bring balance to the planet's ecosystem, they created the metroid which was named after the Chozo word for 'The Ultimate Warrior'. In its most basic form it resembled a floating jellyfish that fed chiefly on energy, something the X Virus was rich in. Although they fed on the X virus, they also fed on other local lifeforms. However, with only one Metroid Queen, their population was never able to drastically increase to cause adverse changes to the planet's ecosystem.
It is unknown if the Chozo themselves were aware of the highly unstable genetics of the metroids, but on SR388 the gamma rays caused what would might be considered a 'natural' metamorphosis. Deeper in the planet they could be found in their Alpha, Gamma, Zeta, and Omega forms. Its larval form can grow to incredible sizes and is the only one to actively drain energy from its hosts. Being considered a parasite is perhaps an inaccurate definition as they are more predator given that they drain all energy in a matter of minutes.
The exact purpose of the Metroid Queen is difficult to determine. On SR388 it was the chief source of metroid larva, but it has been seen that the Space Pirates and Federation have succeeded in breeding (or perhaps cloning) more Metroids. Influence of Phazon has also caused unique mutations into the species. The phazon-influenced metroids became 'Fission Metroids', a more dangerous form that resembles a metroid larva split in two but not fully separated. Another variation, the Hunter Metroid, is also likely caused by Fission. The Space Pirates also succeeded in genetically altering the Metroid Larva into a more 'useful' variant, the so called Tallon Metroid. The same metroid variation also became host to the Ing to become Dark Metroids, though not at all willingly. A weaker, more easily controlled variation was the Mochtroid. Metroid Prime, another variation, has unknown origins but is thought to be the ultimate mutation from Phazon.
The metroids were first discovered by the Galactic Federation and were captured for research. The Federation ship was captured by Space Pirates and the metroids taken for research as biological weapons. Although their metroids and base were wiped out in Metroid, some of their force escaped with metroid larvas for further examination, especially on Tallon IV. Those metroids wee too wiped out, but seen again on Planet Aether. Because of the threat they presented, Samus Aran was sent to SR388 to exterminate the last remaining metroids in Metroid II: The Return of Samus. All but one metroid larva were killed, one that hatched before Samus's eyes and followed her like she was its parent. This same metroid would be captured by the Space Pirates, but in its last moments sacrifice itself to save Samus Aran. The last of the metroids were extinct.
But not entirely so. With the DNA collected from the metroid larva's remains on Samus's armor, a portion of the Federation began experimenting within the Bottle Ship in cloning metroids for the Metroid Militarization Plan. The first metroid clone, which was kept as a control, was able to fully develop into a Queen Metroid (implying that the Metroid hatchling would have grown into a queen itself). The other metroids, which were kept within the hidden Sector Zero, were genetically modified to remove their weakness against cold in order to make them perfect bioweapons. MB, an android creating Mother Brain's brain waves, was created to control the metroids. But MB soon went mad, and both Federation officers and Samus Aran arrived at the Bottle Ship to investigate. Adam Malkovich wound up sacrificing himself by detaching Sector Zero from the Bottle Ship with himself still aboard and self-destructing it to destroy the metroids. Samus wound up battling and destroying the Queen Metroid, as well as the normal metroids that it produced.
However, this was not the last of the Federation's secret metroid cloning operations. Using more of the metroid larva's DNA, the researchers at BioLogic Space Labs were able to create successful clones. Even one clone advanced through the stages to Omega Metroid. The metroid DNA was also injected into Samus Aran to save her from a X Virus infestation. The part of the space station containing the metroid clones was ejected by Samus and fell to the planet. Samus later confronted and defeated the lone Omega Metroid during her escape from BioLogic, but she only destroyed it after absorbing SA-X, which made her a mix of human, metroid and X Parasite. Although BioLogic Station was ultimately destroyed (and SR388 with it), it does cast into doubt the overall extinction of the species considering the possibility of other Federation cloning operations.
Variations
Omega Metroid- An advanced Metroid, it is very deadly and has only one weak point, its soft underbelly. It metroid resembles a dinosaur, it is about the height of two humans. Unlike the Zeta Metroid (which looks about the same as the Omega Metroid), the Omega Metroid has large arms allowing it to have giant swipe range. It is bipedal.
Trivia
- In Kid Icarus, Metroids make a small cameo as the enemy called Komayto.
- The Metroid appears as a normal trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee and as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, latching onto the nearest player and draining their health.