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sepublic · 10 months ago

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Anthony Higgs, Mauk, and Kreatz

Fun fact! In the Zero Mission manga, Samus has two Federation comrades named Mauk and Kreatz, a Simian and Elfin respectively! They’re ride or die teammates, going along when Samus jeopardizes what is supposed to be a purely reconnaissance mission to instead save the inhabitants of Jigrad from Space Pirates. Later, when Samus defies orders to go to Zebes and rescue her home from the Space Pirates (she fails), Mauk and Kreatz also defy orders to accompany Samus, and later escape with her.

What’s interesting is that according a captured Space Pirate from Jigrad, Kreatz’s Elfin species is looked down upon by the Federation, as they’re blamed for the ‘Species War’ (whatever that is). Likewise, the Simians are seen as so primitive that they weren’t even considered for Federation membership until the Chozo pushed for them to be recognized.

That last bit intrigues me because it definitely gives new meaning to Mauk’s dynamic with Samus, who is half-Chozo; Did he ever find admiration for Samus’ heritage, ask about the Chozo? Express appreciation, and mourn when they were driven from the galaxy by Mother Brain’s betrayal? Did he empathize with Samus’ own grief to some level, being supportive that way?

I dig these characters, and they’re surprisingly slept upon! They’re Anthony Higgs before Anthony Higgs, and given how much the fandom (rightfully) loves him, I’d like to see more of Samus’ other friends from the Federation.

Speaking of Higgs: From what I can tell, I think “Remember me?” is partly so memed upon because it’s that same gag of Remember that Guy, where we’re introduced to a character for the first time as someone who the MC or someone else has apparently always known and they’ve always been there. And it made me think of how the line could’ve been so much more impactful had it been Mauk or Kreatz who said it, returning years after the manga was published.

And it made me think; For a Metroid show, why not consolidate the elements of Mauk and Kreatz, as well as Anthony, as friends from Samus’ time in the Federation? Specifically, by making Anthony part of that same squad; We know him and Samus fought together in the same unit, so instead of Samus having two separate teams, let’s just do the one. Seeing Anthony in S1, before finally returning nine seasons later, would be great.

Likewise, I want to explore the concept of Samus’ old squad because in the source material, it’s comprised of non-humans who fight in a distinctly non-Federation way, save Samus; But even her power suit is non-conventional. We have Kreatz’s energy whips, as well as Mauk’s brute force blows and punches. There’s definitely this implication of them as a special unit of non-humans.

Additionally, I want to radical redesigns; I love how the manga gave us Federation aliens that could be good or bad! I just wish a character like Kreatz was more alien, because as his own species name shows, he’s basically just an elf; A human with pointy ears. Similarly, I do want to give Mauk a radical redesign for the same reasons, though he’s more forgivable. I also want to incorporate this idea I’ve had for Metroid worldbuilding about species who don’t fit within the same frame as others, and struggle for it.

So Kreatz is now this plant alien; Resembling Plant 43 from Resident Evil 2, the original version, with a three-petal mouth, vines for arms and leaves at the ends as fingers, and gnarled trunks for legs. He can lurch back to then hurl forward a glob of acid. In homage to how his pointy ears were the only distinguishing aspect of him, Kreatz has two leaves on his head, one on either side, acting like ears that can go up or down to emote.

The Elfin are a race of sapient plants; They can spew acid and have flexible vine arms. This has rendered them to a special fighting style centered around energy whips they can flail around their bodies with perfect control, with their whirling whips acting as both offense and defense for them, slashing apart enemy and enemy fire. Should an enemy get close enough, they get acid in their face.

Being plant-based organisms, the Elfin don’t speak with sound; They rely on pheromones. With most species relying on sound, this creates a huge communication barrier, with the Elfin being expected to put in the work to bridge it. Hence, many Elfin have devices attached that can translate the pheromones they emit into words; Similarly, these devices can interpret words and translate them into corresponding pheromones. It’s not perfect but it works.

The reason Kreatz’s name is so human is because his true name cannot be translated into letters, due to being pheromones; So it’s like how some PoC have an ‘English’ name to get by. For Kreatz, he’s in the Federation military, as part of the army; The army is comprised mostly of humans, so he uses a human name to appeal. The same applies for Mauk.

Mauk is also of an ‘unconventional’ species, deemed ‘abstract’ by the majority. She (gender change because we need more women) is a clam-like creature; She comprises of an armored shell on top that is impervious to damage. Beneath that shell are folds of muscles that can crush any prey beneath her, to then devour and digest. It can be a bit sobering to see Mauk drag a Space Pirate beneath her shell as they scream in agony, their legs obliterated, before she finishes them off by crunching their lower half; This method avoids exposing Mauk’s vulnerable underside to any weaponry, wielded by the arms.

To move, Mauk has four soft yet muscular limbs, short and stumpy, arranged around her body; They fold underneath her shell. She can use these arms to prop herself up, or drag prey beneath her. Mauk uses these limbs to handle technology, and each is equipped with a device that translates her thoughts into words; She can hear sound just fine. Otherwise, Mauk’s species communicates by tapping rhythmically.

The Federation has always employed esoteric species; So it makes sense for them to have special units for the purpose of utilizing the unique talents, methods, and capabilities of other races. Especially the stronger ones, some of whom could qualify as bosses in the games in another context… Samus is a part of this unit, as she is a hybrid, half-Chozo, half-human, and uses a unique Chozo power suit. Samus finds a lot of camaraderie with Mauk and Kreatz for not fitting within the typical military mold.

So how does Anthony Higgs factor into this? I don’t want him to be their human commanding officer, because I feel that does take away a bit of the camaraderie that would otherwise come from them all being in the same trenches together, so to speak. I did consider Anthony being the same rank and lacking authority, only there to remind the others of standard Federation protocol. I didn’t want to make Anthony an alien because it felt like whitewashing to me; Not the same exactly, but the same in effect of erasing characters of color.

But I’ve considered another idea; He IS essentially human, like Samus, while also being an esoteric species; But not in the way Samus is. Anthony isn’t a hybrid. Instead, he’s a host, to his wife. His wife is of a sapient parasite species, one that bonds with a host when they become old enough; To them, it’s marriage, and the host has to be consenting. Ordinarily thìs species evolved with another sapient one, or maybe they relied entirely on animals before making contact with other planets.

Regardless, in the present day they all need a host upon adulthood; Or are expected to. Some don’t fit that mold, amongst a species that already doesn’t fit the mold of the Federation or Space Pirates or other groups. But in the case of Mrs. Higgs, she was happy to meet Anthony and bond with him for life. She lives inside of his body, enhancing it and maybe emerging to attack and defend. Only Anthony can hear and understand her; The two mutually agreed to serve the Federation. People address Anthony, and sometimes allude to his wife, who like most of her kind prefers to remain private. It’s a truly mutual relationship where they both make decisions together in the heat of the moment.

So technically, Mrs. Higgs is the ‘esoteric’ one within this unit, and Anthony is just along for the ride, or IS the ride. Regardless, he’s another unusual case, which adds to the sisterhood he experiences with Samus, Mauk, and Kreatz; A clam, a parasite, a plant, and an android. Samus isn’t an android, but many mistake her for one due to her constantly being clad in armor; It’s a callback to the NES manual speculating her as such, and how the name Metroid was originally assigned to Samus (combining Metro and Android), which makes the jokes of “Why can’t Metroid crawl” even more understandable.

With the exception of Anthony, the others didn’t really go through Federation boot camp, not the typical kind at least; Given how the Federation has already employed and worked with other species before, they were essentially loaned/recommended soldiers from their own worlds. The Federation accepted, and after a proper training period where they were taught Federation protocol and familiarized to its environments, Samus and the others were assigned to one another. This special forces unit answers to Chief Hardy, and are assigned to do recon on Jigrad.

We’re first introduced to the squad via Mauk and Kreatz; A Space Pirate patrol stops so one can relieve themselves upon on a small tree, singling it out by reasoning that “Plants actually appreciate what I have to offer, unlike some regular rock.” Speaking of rocks, another notices a strange one and realizes it’s not a rock at all; It’s Mauk, who goes still, withdrawn in her shell to avoid attention, trying to blend in. Due to not being intimately familiar with Jigrad’s ecosystem and possessing biases, the Space Pirates assume this faceless creature as just one of the local fauna. One tries to shoot Mauk for fun but is disappointed when she’s unharmed; The Space Pirate is mocked and they all leave with the other one’s business finished.

That’s when tree in this scene moves out of their posture, facing Mauk; This a sapient individual named Kreatz, also unrecognized by the ignorant Space Pirates. He apologizes to Mauk for having to go through that; He speaks by grabbing a stone to use the rhythmic taps of Mauk’s species, a language the Elfin can learn to accommodate without relying on technology. Mauk reassures Kreatz that it’s all right, and anyhow he’s the one she feels sorry for. Kreatz admits it’s actually quite all right; That Space Pirate was correct, that WAS refreshing for him, and the most those pricks have ever contributed for the Elfin!

The two return to where Samus and Anthony are hiding; Samus has also mastered the rhythmic language, but Anthony struggles and laments this. Kreatz uses his device to speak, reassuring Anthony that it’s all right; He still struggles sometimes himself. The group alludes to “Mrs. Higgs,” whom Anthony reassures them on, while reiterating she prefers to be private to assuage any concerns.

The story goes about as you expect, just with Anthony (and technically Mrs. Higgs) present as well. Anthony appears to be a regular Federation soldier and that’s how the Space Pirates underestimate him, just thrown in so the others can be reminded of the Federation’s authority, until Anthony shows off what him and Mrs. Higgs can do together. Samus is the only one not underestimated, something that precedes the intimidating reputation she earns amongst her enemies.

Anthony, Mauk, and Kreatz are all ride or die friends who remain in the Federation when Samus leaves. When the Metroid crisis begins, we get a scene showing what they’ve been up to, and how they attempt to survive this new threat. It’s sobering when an indestructible shield such as Mauk, who often props herself up to protect others, is told to retreat because it doesn’t matter how impervious she is; If a Metroid latches on, she’ll be drained and killed like any other victim. It’s a testament to how Metroid is unlike anything anyone has ever faced, and a true threat.

Like in the manga, we get a scene of the trio fighting back against the Space Pirates on Mauk’s homeworld of Jamoru; After Samus completes her Zero Mission, there’s an aftermath episode acting as the season finale where we check up on her old comrades, who help turn the tides against the Space Pirates. They hear the rumors of a bounty hunter named Samus Aran single-handedly defeating Mother Brain, and express admiration, having always believed in her.

Cue all three disappearing for basically the whole show, until nine seasons later, when one of them returns on the BOTTLE ship, working as part of a new special forces unit… More on that later. Anthony asks Samus, “Remember me?” And this time the viewer actually does, with the same elation and disbelief as Samus.

#Metroid #Anthony Higgs #Mauk #Kreatz #Elfin #Simian #Fanon

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dyslexicmammon · 2 years ago

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Unwanted

Chapter two

Characters: Lucifer (Obey me!), Solomon (Obey me!) [not together]

CW// SFW, Angst, Yelling, Implied Lucifer x Mc, Implied Solomon x Mc, Nightbringer MC/attendant MC, Unhealthy coping mechanisms (drinking), You/Your & they/them pronouns used, Mammon & reader

Word count: 2,030

A/N: Hello again! Finally wrote chapter 2!~ I've had this sitting in my docs for ages i just couldn't bring myself to post it. I'm not confident in my writing but I'm getting there! I have an idea for chapter 3 but I don't know how long it will take me. I write all of my idea in one siting and painfully re-read it and edit to a point where i think its okay to post aha. I wanted to thank everyone for the notes & hits the first chapter got, it has been a big boost in my writing confidence. Thank you all!! Take care reader

Chapter 1 / Ao3 / Divider credits

“What the FUCK did you do Lucifer!” Mammon stopped the chase as soon as the shield went up. Spinning around and walking back into the foyer of the HOL. He slammed the door behind him before yelling again, so full of anger his wings twitched. “WHAT. THE FUCK. DID YOU DO?!”. Not taking into account how his own actions that day could have done the similar damage.

His anger only grew as the Avatar of Pride responded with the same tone. “SILENCE MAMMON.” Tears prick slowly in the prideful demon's eyes as he quickly makes his way back to his study. Ignoring the screams of his younger brother calling his name.

As he walked down the hallway, the smell of a meal not yet enjoyed slowly started up on him. For the first time since the fall, Lucifer, the Pride of Celestial Realm, became overwhelmed with an emotion he deemed pitiful.

Sadness…

At first his cries were silent. Only the sounds of his breaths hitching as tears welled up in his eyes escaped him. He walked into his study and slammed the door hard behind him. Causing the walls of the House to shake. Locking it swiftly after. Not just with the physical lock but with a spell that not even Lord Diavolo could break.

Mammon yelled after his brother. Demanding he get an answer for why their attendant had just stormed out in tears. He stomped his way up the stairs and made his way to Lucifer's study, ready to give him an earful till his lungs gave out. Mammon followed behind Lucifer as the door slammed followed by a bright light flashed, blinding him temporarily. A faint outline of gold began to surround the door. The surface of the door now shines and shifts like mica powder in oil. A loud, heavenly bell began to ring. The long, drawn out hum rang in Mammons ears.

Quickly screwing his eyes shut and spinning around, Mammon rubbed his eyes hard. Trying to recover from the flash-bang.

After regaining his vision Mammon covered his ears with the palm of his hands and made a run for Levi's room. Stealing a pair of the avatars human standard noise cancelling headphones. They barely cut through the yells of the spell, but stopped it enough where he could drown it out with some music.

Mammon then sat outside Lucifer's room, leaning back and hitting his against the wall softly. He let out an exhausted, angry tinted sigh. His red face slowly dissipates as he calms himself down. Then the waiting game began. He sat outside his older brother's study till the old man had calmed down enough to ask him what the hell happened.

Once the spell fell from Lucifer's lips, he cursed himself out and began to sob. Clasping his gloved hand to his mouth, trying to calm down and keep his composure. He rubbed his upper arm and shoulders in a self soothing way. Fighting back his emotions.

Surely the attendant didn't have that much control over him? Not even his brothers could make him cry. No matter how hard the bastards try. He was stronger than this…

Then why did it hurt so much? The panic in your eyes as you met his gaze in the foyer. The strain in your voice as you yelled the lie that no one cared about you. What did he do wrong that you doubted it… doubted him? Knowing you were being comforted by someone of the likes of Solomon because of his own choices didn’t help the stinging feeling in his chest.

He threw off his gloves and coat. Painfully making his way to his desk, his chest heaving, the smell of the food you made became overwhelming to his senses again.

He looked down at the meal you made.. The tray was decorated with a little note and stickers of the two of you. By looking at the drawings he realised you had made them yourself.. All to try and cheer him up.

You had cooked his favourite stew and poured a glass of demonus for.. both of you? The more he studied the platter you brought the more he realised how bad he fucked up. Two bowls, two wine glasses full of demonus (he can tell you poured it as the glasses were almost full like a champagne flute), two sets of cutlery… Even two tiny bowls of dark chocolate ice cream that were now slowly melting from the heat of the stews surrounding them.

One of the ice creams was absolutely covered in sprinkles. It was so painfully obvious it was your serving. Plain, boring, dark chocolate was his favourite flavour of ice cream at the moment. You didn’t seem to sing the same praises but always ate it anyways. Always trying to find a way to sweeten it up and make it more palatable for your taste buds…

You always ate it with him anyway… Even when your little experiments fell through and didn’t make it sweet enough for you. Lucifer always said that you were sweet enough for him which is why he ate the dark chocolate dessert.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at the dishes any longer. Hanging his head in shame. He pushed the platter away from himself as he sat down. Just enough that he could rest his head on the table. Feeling his stomach start to churn and a lump form in his throat, he began to sob again quietly. Squeezing his hands together and pushing his nails into his skin, causing it to bruise. Trying to divert the aching pain of his heart.

Had he really been so caught up in his work he didn’t notice or care that you made dinner specifically for the both of you so he didn’t have to leave his office? Had he really not noticed the two bowls before opening his fucking mouth? Did he even look up?.. Did he really snap at you like that?..

His thoughts swallowed him whole.

He didn’t touch the food. He had lost his appetite long ago when he had returned to his study. Lucifer couldn’t bring himself to indulge in the meal you had meticulously prepared without you being here, enjoying it with him.

He did however help himself to the demonus. He drank the glass you had poured for him. Then your own glass. Then he opened a new bottle he had stashed away in his room. He poured multiple glasses, losing himself to the pain. He had gotten halfway through the bottle when his D.D.D pinged. He launched himself at his phone that laid screen down on the desk. Picking it up desperately and fumbling it in his hands. Desperately hoping it was you. Only to be disappointed when he realised it was Solomon.

The text read “They are at home and are staying with me tonight. They do not wish to talk to you at the moment and I trust that you can respect that boundary for now. I will ask them to make contact with you in the morning. Whether they do that or not is their choice.” His phone buzzed again. A follow up text coming soon after. “Goodnight Lucifer.” The words repeated and echoed in his mind till the screen went black. Reflecting the absolute mess Lucifer was back at him.

His teary eyes met his reflection. Quickly darting from place to place on his face. His cheeks were darker than the rest of his face. His hair was all out of place and disheveled. Eyelids already puffy and sore… He looked just as pathetic as he felt.

As he stared at his reflection his eyes began to lose focus and his heart became heavy. Were you scared of him? Did you not want to talk to him ever again? Had he fucked up so bad he had scared off the first person to show his ‘new self’ love?

He grabbed the neck of the half empty bottle of demonus and smashed it against his lips. The sudden feeling of cold glass on his lips made him jolt up slightly. Tipping his head back, he let the now lukewarm liquid rush down his throat. Chugging the rest of the bottle. Why was he drinking? This isn’t healthy. Surely he, the Avatar of pride, wasn't drinking his feelings away.

He wallowed in his own pity for a couple more hours. Each brother coming passed to ask him how to do something. To ask him if he's okay or to ask Mammon for his headphones back.

Beel brought up some leftovers for his brothers. He couldn't rest knowing his older brothers were in such a state. As he walked down the hall, Beel heard a loud snoring sound. His gaze met Mammon's sleeping body. He placed the plate down next to his older brother and snuck away quietly. The disgustingly loud ringing sound of the spell he cast on the door pushed them all away before they started to linger. Making sure no one could hear Lucifer's pathetic sobs of your name.

Lucifer placed his head on his desk once more with some force. Knowing he’s going to have to take the day off tomorrow.. Maybe even the next. Already feeling the headache roll in. How was he going to mend this mistake? He couldn’t just show up to Cocytus Hall and beg for your forgiveness. He didn’t deserve it.. Feeling exhausted from hours of crying and drinking. His puffy eyes fluttered shut as he passed out at his desk.

As soon as he lost consciousness, the spell on the door fell. Mammon had managed to unpick the physical lock hours ago. Now sleeping lightly outside his brother's office with a plate of food, some water and the headphones still on.

When the half silent ringing in Mammon's ears stopped. He shot up, yawning and stumbling over the weird pile of things he had managed to accumulate while sleeping. Where did this food come from? That didn’t matter. It was time he got answers out of the eldest brother.

He opened the door as quietly as he could and looked to see where Lucifer was. His eyes darted around the room frantically. The faint snoring led his gaze to the large desk where the Avatar of Pride was hunched over, out like a light & snoring softly.

Mammon just shook his head and walked over to his sleeping brother. All his previous anger dissipated as he studied the absolute disarray Lucifer's desk was in.

Gently and subconsciously he began petting his brothers back softly with one hand as he messaged Beel with his other. Asking the strong Avatar to come help him move Lucifer to his bed. While waiting for Beel, Mammon tidied Lucifer's desk. Sorting his documents out and shaving Lucifer's to-do pile down as much as he could. Prepared to take what documents he could complete himself.

He wiped the demonus Lucifer had dribbled and spilled off the large wooden desk. Once Mammon had finished, almost comically, the Avatar of gluttony walked in as silently as he could into the room. Meeting Mammon’s gaze and nodding softly. Standing on the other side of Lucifer's exhausted body. Beel picked up his eldest brother with ease, placing him on his back like a back pack. They began to walk out. Mammon walked in front of Beel, holding onto the documents and throwing the paper towel away that he had used.

After about 10 minutes they had finally made it to Lucifer's bedroom. Placing him in his bed and tucking him in. Before leaving they gently put one of his records on and placed some water and a large bucket next to the head of the bed. Just in case Lucifer couldn’t make it elsewhere once he woke up.

They both left his room as quiet as possible.

They high fived the second the door to Lucifer's bedroom closed. After saying their goodnights and goodbyes they parted ways to go to their separate rooms.

Mammon made his way to his room and stayed up for the rest of the night, doing the rest of Lucifer's office work.

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