Editing Dark Samus

'''Dark Samus''' ({{ja|ダークサムス|Dāku Samusu}}, ''Dark Samus'') is a character from the {{uv|Metroid}} series. Born from the monstrous [[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (specimen)|Metroid Prime]] and data stolen from [[Samus Aran]]'s {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon Suit}}, Dark Samus is an embodiment of the toxic mutagen {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon}}, serving as the primary antagonist of the [[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime: Trilogy|''Metroid Prime'' trilogy]]. She is one of Samus's greatest foes, alongside [[Ridley]] and [[Mother Brain]].

After making cameos as a [[trophy]] and [[sticker]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and as a trophy and [[Assist Trophy]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', Dark Samus became a playable Fighter in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

In ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime}}'', the titular creature and final boss, [[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (specimen)|Metroid Prime]], was defeated by [[Samus Aran]] within the {{s|metroidwiki|Impact Crater}}. It lashed out at Samus and stole her {{s|metroidwiki|Phazon Suit}} upgrade before dissolving into a pool of Phazon. While Samus evacuated the collapsing crater, Metroid Prime had, unbeknownst to her, exited the battle in a new form. In a post-credits stinger scene, an armored hand emerged from the same Phazon pool, signaling the rebirth of Metroid Prime as a Phazon-based cyborg: Dark Samus. This hybrid acquired all of Samus' abilities, as well as a human-like sapience. However, she was also obsessed with consuming Phazon, a trait retained from her time as Metroid Prime.

Dark Samus, as she would come to be known by the Space Pirates, is mentioned by the Pirate Logs in ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}''. They initially assume she is Samus wearing a new suit, but are disturbed as she only cares about absorbing the Phazon mined on {{s|metroidwiki|Aether}}. Her meddling results in the Pirates' operation being discovered by the Galactic Federation, leading to Samus' arrival. Dark Samus attacks Samus on sight, and the two fight multiple times across Aether. Once Samus defeats the {{s|metroidwiki|Ing}} and triggers the dimensional collapse of Dark Aether, Dark Samus interrupts her escape. Overloaded by Phazon, she holds her own against Samus despite the latter's powerful {{s|metroidwiki|Light Suit}}, but is ultimately bested again. She then disintegrates after failing to steal Samus' Light Suit, and appears to perish in Dark Aether.

Following her defeat, ''{{iw|metroidwiki|Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}'' opens with Dark Samus' remains being unknowingly collected by the Space Pirates, allowing her to reconstitute in one of their Phazon transports. She absorbs all Phazon aboard the ship, which further develops her sapience alongside streamlining her physical body. Thanks to this sapience, Dark Samus brainwashes the Pirates with Phazon and initiates a new goal: galactic conquest via the spread of Phazon. Leading the brainwashed Pirates, including a revived [[Ridley|Meta Ridley]], Dark Samus begins by capturing {{s|metroidwiki|Aurora Unit 313}}, a Federation supercomputer, and implants it into {{s|metroidwiki|Phaaze}}, the sentient planet that is the source of all Phazon. Through this conduit, Dark Samus controls the spread of Phazon by launching Phaaze's {{s|metroidwiki|Leviathan}}s, living Phazon asteroids that corrupt the planets they strike into Phazon wastelands. She targets key Federation planets to cripple their galactic defenses.

Although Samus stops one of the Leviathans before it strikes {{s|metroidwiki|Norion}}, Dark Samus corrupts her and three other bounty hunters ({{s|metroidwiki|Rundas}}, {{s|metroidwiki|Ghor}} and {{s|metroidwiki|Gandrayda}}) with Phazon. The other hunters ultimately fall victim to Phazon corruption, forcing Samus to fight and kill each of them on her journey across multiple planets to destroy three key Leviathans. In the finale, Dark Samus confronts Samus for the final time on Phaaze, first in direct combat and then after merging with Aurora Unit 313. Samus destroys 313 and, because of its symbiotic connection to both Dark Samus and Phaaze, seemingly destroys Dark Samus and renders all Phazon inert.