Games - Phazon

	Games - Phazon

In the Metroid Prime video game series, Phazon is a mutagenic mineral that emits ionizing radiation and possesses life-like qualities, though the exact specifics of these life-like qualities are never explicitly stated in the games. Some speculate that one of the qualities is an ability to actually self-replicate, producing more Phazon over time. Phazon is extremely lethal in large doses, and incredibly harmful to both biological and inorganic objects, causing a slow, painful death to any creatures unfortunate enough to get close. The ionizing radiation emitted is so strong that it will liquify and disslove metal within seconds. Any unshielded or unprotected organism that approaches a concentration of the substance will expire almost instantly. However, slow, limited exposure to the material generates tolerance to it as well as many arguably beneficial effects.

Metroids are a horrible example of this: Once exposed to Phazon, a Metroid's life cycle becomes different, causing it to become a much more efficient and dangerous predator, such as a Hunter Metroid. (See right image.) Phazon also caused a subspecies of Metroid larvae to be produced: these Metroids are similar to regular larvae in appearance and abilities aside from a few changes. These new Metroids are the result of Phazon mutations, much like the Hunter Metroids. These Metroids have both advantages and disadvantages over the regular larva genome: Phazon-mutated Metroids can feed off Phazon directly for energy in large doses and are not negatively affected, but, however, are weaker than regular Metroids and can be defeated with conventional weaponry rather than requiring an Ice Beam and Missile Launcher to destroy one.

It is also possible that mutated creatures develop a dependency on Phazon once they are infected by it, though this has not been proven. This is, however, supported by a Pirate Log in the Phazon Mines that mentions the abilities of the Omega Pirate, and that the only weakness they believe the Omega Pirate has is potential overdependence on Phazon, though this could be a tactical weakness due to the Omega Pirate's Phazon-healing ability rather than a dependency. Dark Samus also shows a dependency for Phazon: her only main task seems to be to collect more Phazon which is speculated, and heavily hinted, to be the only way to keep her alive, though this is, if it is true, presumably due to the fact that she is a Phazon-based being herself and, due to this, her "dependency" is somewhat of a grey area. Dark Samus would not seem to have a physical addiction in the normal sense of the word, as a creature based on something (in this case, Phazon) and requires the material it's based on (Again, Phazon) to live would probably not be classified as having a physical or mental addiction.

Phazon was first discovered on Tallon IV where much of it was presumably produced by Metroid Prime, and later found on Dark Aether. It is unknown if Emperor Ing was the creator of any Phazon on Dark Aether, but large quantaties of Phazon were found in the Sky Temple with Emperor Ing, leading us to beleve that perhaps Emperor Ing has the ability to create Phazon as well.

Consistencies and Types

Phazon has been known to resemble a lava-like liquid. There are two types: the "regular," less-potent Blue Phazon, and the highly radioactive and deadly orange/red Phazon. The orange/red Phazon has an 86% increase in its mutagenic capabilities, and any unshielded organism exposed to it without protection will suffer death within seconds. Phazon also has two consistencies: the first is a sticky, gel-like substance (possibly even a solid) that tends to emit electric charges that arc along its surface, or from its surface to an object in the substance. This type also tends to be brighter than the second. The second consistency of Phazon is known to be a less sticky substance that acts more like a complete liquid, with no visible electric charges. (Blue Phazon in this state almost appears to be water.) It is unclear as to what the difference is between the two consistencies, or exactly why there are two consistencies in the first place, though there has been some speculation. (Especially on mass or quantity of Phazon having an affect on the consistency: the first consistency is usually encountered in large amounts of Phazon, while the second is normally found in small amounts. Also, it is believed that the second consistency of blue Phazon is the more concentrated form, while the first may be the ore form.) There is no known difference in radiation output or mutagenic qualities between the two consistencies, though one may exist.

Phazon Madness

It also should be noted that Phazon occasionally causes mental illness to intelligent beings (A Space Pirate log in Metroid Prime states that pets can be at risk of suffering from Phazon Madness so it may affect lower lifeforms too). Space Pirates call it "Phazon Madness", and one report even tells of a Space Pirate holding other personnel at gunpoint and telling them that the Phazon was his. Another was of young Pirates infused with Phazon during the embryonic stage exhibiting "psychotic behavior", "attacking everything in their zone of perception". According to a Pirate Log, the most common symptoms of Phazon Madness are "loss of equilibrium", "erratic behaviour", and several other severe effects. The effects of Phazon has also driven Chozo in their spirit forms insane. (See The Chozo and Tallon IV) This side effect of Phazon may also explain Dark Samus' maniacal laugh.

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