Chapter Text
“I hope Cumin and Pearl are ok. They’re still not here and it has definitely been more than an hour.” Madaline walking up and down nervously speaking frantically with worry.
“I’m sure they'll be fine as long as they have each other.” Samus said aloud to calm Madaline. Though on the inside Samus was just as worried only being able to contain it because of her belief in the animals ability to survive.
Unbeknownst to Samus and Madaline, Cumin and Pearl emerge from a hole near the waterfall. With Samus and Madaline not noticing them the Etecoon look at each other and look at the waterfall down below and get on the same wavelength on what they have to do.
Splash… Cumin and Pearl jumped into the waterfall hitting a triple backflip dive into the water.
“What was that?” Samus readied her arm cannon pointing it directly at the water more than ready to fire. Suddenly a hand sticks out which looks familiar to Madaline.
“Samus, wait, don't shoot.” Madaline said, lowering Samus’s arm cannon. Right after the arm cannon is lowered Cumin and Pearl jump as if they were caught fish.
“Sorry I hope we’re not late.” Pearl said, somewhat refreshed.
“I was getting worried about you. After what Samus told me I was worried that thing got to you.” Madaline sighed in relief.
“We did run into a few things and we found something interesting.” Cumin said in excitement.
“Wait, Samus your visor what happened? It’s cracked.” Pearl said as looked at the visor in disbelief that something could do that to Samus.
“I also discovered something that might be of interest.” Madaline added. “I found a group of those zombies guys looking for something in groups. I also saw some mining equipment while escaping. Maybe they were trying to look for something or mine for something.” Madaline said.
“Good to note. It might be worth it to check out later.” Samus was interested in what it could be they were looking for.
“What about you Samus, what happened to you.” Pearl said, still looking at Samus visor with a small but noticeable look of concern.
“Well I was walking around nothing seemed to be around. That was until this just showed up fast as lightning and knocked me for a loop so much so that it caused a crack in my visor. I tried to fire a missile at it but was able to stop it for the most part. I was really only to fend it off, not defeat it.” Samus said in disbelief retelling what happened.
“Wait, how did it stop a missile from you? Those missiles can tear through opponents like crazy.” Pearl said, shocked.
“Well it used a sonic wave or boom attack. It was quite powerful though not strong enough to avoid getting hit in the blast radius.” Samus said, smirking behind her helmet.
“We ran into something similar, right Pearl?” Cumin asked for confirmation since he remembered something similar.
“Yes, we saw something do the same thing.” Pearl said, balling up one hand and hitting the palm of the other as to say I remember.
“When I fell down that hole we found this giant lizard down there. It was sleeping so when we started to look around to find an exit, it wasn’t since it was dark. As we were searching the whole room started to rumble with the sound of footsteps. It caused that lizard to wake up. I would’ve been flatten by it if not for Cumin saving me last second and sucking behind a rock. That’s when the lizard came crashing through the wall as well as what I think was the monster you were talking about Samus. I couldn’t make out what it looked like though sorry. What I did gather was it used a sound attack to knock out the lizard and then took it away from some new passage it created.” Pearl said. Samus was glad about the information the two discovered but it also made her worried and created questions.
“We need to look into this more. Looking into this more might help us learn more about what’s going on. I saw the thing myself and I don’t think it was looking for a snack since it had the same pupiless eyes.” Samus said, rubbing her finger under her helmet. She thought to herself that with everything she just heard including the stuff she already knew she got a feeling this was all leading to something troubling. “Do you remember where this place was?” Samus said with a serious tone of voice.
“I do. Come on, I'll show you where this happened.” Pearl and Cumin started to lead them to where they were.
…
The Mesmic digs and destroys the mountain creating a passage until it stops when it digs into a large room. In the room the X-Parasite is patiently awaiting. The Mesmic drops the lizard which at this point is alive just on its last legs. The X-Parasite looks at one of the guards giving it orders without saying a single word. The guard starts to go to the corner of the room and picks up a red stone with a faint glow and dirt specs around the stone like it had been ripped from the earth and has yet to truly shine. The guard walks over to a long wooden table filled with pencils and blueprints. The guard looks at it for a bit and then picks up a nearby knife and hammer. The guard hacks off a piece and uses the knife to shape it into something the size of a bullet with sharp tips. The guards bent under the tables and picked up a small gun the size of a pistol. Placing the bullet in the chamber and walking over to the X-Parasite. The second guard walks over to the lizard and puts some medicine in its mouth. The Mesmic then makes its way to the other side of the room behind the X-Parasite in front of the only other exit.
As the lizard began to wake up she got into a frenzy completely ruled by fear. Seeing anything she registered as a threat. As soon as she spots the Mesmic she charges straight at it ruled by fear and a want to survive. The guard takes aim and fires at the lizard and defeats the massive reptile in only one shot. The X-Parasite starts to envelop the lizard in mist but to no avail. It seems the lizard has died in one shot. After this all unfolds the Mesmic takes the dead lizard and covers its tracks branching off into a new path.
…
“Here we are, this is where it all went down.” Pearl said. As soon as they entered the room a rotten smell once again enveloped their noses.
“Why didn’t you say something about that awful smell. I can’t even cover my beak well, oh lord.” Madaline said, through tears of suffering. Samus had no problem with sight or smell. Her suit aiding her both those things. She takes a Quick Look and spots the hole Pearl and Cumin mentioned.
“Follow me.” Said Samus taking their hands and leading them down the passage. Leading them further down she worried that she might have to face the Mesmic again and if she did would she be able to fight it and keep the animals safe. Her thought was broken by a question.
“Does anyone else smell that?” Cumin asked concerned.
“Now that you mention it, yeah, it smells like a carcass.” Pearl said in agreement.
“You can distinguish the smell of a carcass that easily?” Samus seemed concerned and impressed at the same time.
“You don’t get to survive in Zebes without seeing your fair share of things and a fair share of smells to boot.” Said Cumin breaking out into a quiet chuckle. Cumin starts to speed up a little to get to the source of the smell.
“Don’t move so fast we have no idea what’s down there.” Said Samus gripping her arm cannon continuously scanning around to make sure of no threats. “In my experience if there’s a corpse then there is also something that made it one.” Samus said, stopping for a second to look directly at Cumin with narrowed eyes.
“This could be the clue we need. It could also lead us to that Mesmic thing and so we can finally take it down.” Cumin said, energetic and full of misplaced confidence.
“Don’t sound so sure. That thing is quite dangerous and can put up one hell of a fight.” Samus put a finger over the crack in her visor and for a fleeting moment let worry into her but shut it down almost instantly. Knowing that worrying won’t help them survive this. “You are right, Cumin. I’ve been worried more than I usually am because I’m worried for the safety of you three. I’ve lost a lot of people in my life, some have died right before my eyes and I was helpless to do anything to stop it because I wasn’t able to win on my own. As thankful as I am for what they did to me, it still hurts to know that they’re gone, especially since they gave up their life for the sake of saving mine as well as taking out a great threat. I don’t make many close connections because of experiences but you guys are great and I couldn’t help myself if you died on my watch. No matter how much I try to think about all you have accomplished, the thought of you getting hurt or dying still haunts me in the back of my mind.” Samus said, she then lowered her cannon and looked down feeling both happy and sad. The thought of her admitting her own thoughts lifting a weight off her chest. While sad, knowing what she just said might not be the best thing to tell them for her own weakness. Madaline walked over and put her head on Samus and wrapped her wings around Samus to comfort her.
“I understand. I’m glad you told us what you were thinking. I don’t know much about your past or who the people you’ve lost. What I do know is that you’re Samus Aran, the best bounty hunter in the galaxy and one of the kindest people I’ve met.” Madaline started to cry a few happy tears. Pearl and Cumin start to quietly join in the hug.
“Thank you, this has made me feel a whole lot more confident.” Samus said, returning their embrace. After a long heartfelt hug the group keep advancing with a new found resolve and desire to protect each other.