After defeating Mother Brain, a self-destruct sequence will begin, and a timer will appear on screen. You have a limited amount of time to escape Zebes before the planet explodes. The escape route is generally a straightforward path back through Tourian and into Brinstar, leading to your gunship. Do not engage in unnecessary combat; simply run and jump past enemies. Use your Screw Attack if you have it to clear paths quickly. The path is designed to be a race against the clock, so memorize the fastest route and don't hesitate. Successfully reaching your gunship before the timer runs out will complete the game.
