Hey, everybody! I'm GhostPanda1314, and this is my own attempt at unifying MHFU, MHP3, MH3U, and MH4U. As such, I'll be writing four fics with an overarching plot. I'm very open to suggestions however, if you'd like to offer me one!
So here it is, chapter one of my longest attempted work. I really hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Welcome to Pokke Village! Try Not to Die.
Slowly, but surely, I trudged through the blizzard that ravaged the Snowy Mountains of Pokke Village. Reaching the peak, I stopped for a moment and pulled out my map, trying to determine my next location.
Why did I have to get stationed in Pokke? Why not Yukumo? Why one of the farthest villages from my hometown?
I sighed as I remembered the feeling of soaking in the Gathering Hall's hot spring. I allowed my mind to wander as I thought of the steam and the hot water cleansing away my chills.
Suddenly however, my mind was on high alert.
Something didn't feel right.
Other than the howling wind, the mountain was quiet—not something out of the ordinary.
Although I was just a rookie hunter, I still had the one thing all hunters needed to survive—instincts. And right now, my instincts were screaming at me to get off the mountain that instant.
Turning around, the blizzard thinned out just enough for me to see strange formless lumps in the snow behind me. Walking forward a bit, I reeled back suddenly as I saw that what must have been an entire herd of creatures (Popos possibly, although they were too torn apart to tell) laid dead in the snow.
I cursed silently as I put my map away and looked towards the path opposite where I came from. Map reliability or not, I was leaving now.
Until a roar pierced the mountaintop.
Turning around slowly, a Tigrex descended from what I could only guess was the true peak of the mountain with a solid sound. I've never seen a live Tigrex before, only drawings. But take my word when I say that nothing will prepare you for what you see.
The brute wyvern had a head as large as my body and had cold, reptilian eyes that seemed to drill holes into my very being, daring me to make a move. His muscles tensed and rippled beneath his amber skin, and he spread out his leathery wings before roaring again and slamming his claws into the ground, issuing an obvious challenge to me. Blue stripes covered his head and arms, and for just a minute I hoped he would take flight again.
But brute wyverns aren't made for long flights. Their claws are connected to their wings as proof of this. Using their powerful legs, they jump so high into the air that they can glide for miles if they choose to. And, if at any point they see prey they want, they simply fold in their wings and drop with all the force of a mountain, springy legs absorbing the impact as they land.
His razor sharp tail, easily half the length of his body, flicked dangerously.
He was a born-killer. A true predator.
He opened his mouth slowly, and I saw the rows of gleaming white, sharp, pointed teeth. He drooled a bit, obviously growing tired of our staring match, and he charged at me.
My body, which had been frozen in fear the moment the Tigrex landed, suddenly gained a burst of adrenaline. My hand immediately unsheathed the sword and shield on my back, a gift for passing the hunter's exam, and I braced my shield in front of me for impact.
When he actually hit, there was no way I could have prepared myself. My feet left the ground as I heard a sharp crack—either the shield or my arm, I couldn't tell—and I was pushed off the mountain. I fell and I fell, and I heard the Tigrex roar in triumph, having bested me easily. Then I hit the ground, and before darkness overtook me, I knew pain like no other pain I had felt before.
I awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling with an unfamiliar man changing the cloth on my head.
"You're awake!" he said, grinning. He was a man with a stocky build and powerful muscles, obviously gained through the same kind of work I was employed in. across his right eye was a single scar, and his eye seemed to be permanently shut. He was bald and had on a woolen coat, but had unzipped it due to the warmth of the building we were in. "And here I was, just beginning to think that you had died before you even had a job!" he laughed, slapping his knee in the process. He had a big booming laugh and an unmistakable warmth that was hard to find in people nowadays.
"Am I in Pokke?" I asked, trying to sit up until he put a hand on my chest, preventing me from rising.
"I wouldn't try moving too much if I were you," he told me with a serious look on his face. "That Tigrex got you pretty good. When Rufus found you, he rushed you here as soon as possible. Luckily, you didn't have any broken bones—the snow had recently fallen and cushioned you when you hit the ground—but the hypothermia set in right away, and you've been sick ever since. To answer your question, since you've already figured it out anyways: yes, you're in Pokke Village."
I let that sink in for a moment before asking more questions. "Hold it," he said, noticing my mouth begin to open. "I realize you probably have a lot of questions, but I need to get some stuff out of the way. First, my name is Kenneth, and I used to be the village hunter. You can call me Kenny, though! We're friends!" He held out his hand and I shook it, a bit cautiously. I still didn't know this guy well enough to let my guard down, honestly.
"Second, you've been out cold for a week now, so you should probably go introduce yourself to everyone around the village to let them know you're alive. Everyone's been real worried about you, you know?"
I nodded, understanding. I wasn't very good with people, but I'd give it my best shot.
"And third, I am the one who called for a single hunter, but my little protégé Rufus requested three more. I'm not sure why—you'll have to ask him yourself—but even though you're just a rookie out of training, he selected you on purpose. That's why you got that fancy Mafomofu armor on your way here. And if you look in your equipment chest, you'll see a beginner weapon from each class, also from Rufus."
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously (which probably looked pretty ridiculous since I was staring at the ceiling) and nodded, letting him continue before I asked my own question.
"Finally, you need to report to the Training Hall as soon as you feel up to it so that you can train with your hunting party before you go into the field."
"Party?" I echoed, confused. "How many hunters are here already?"
"You were the last one," he told me. "Oh, and you'll be sharing a room with Chris, so play nice, alright? You probably don't wanna get on his nerves." He shuddered. "I can only imagine what he'd do with a man, considering that giant slab of steel on his back. Well, I'd better get going. Get some more sleep if you need it. If not, you know what I asked. See ya around, kid!"
"Wait," I called out. "Don't you want to know my name?"
He laughed and patted my shoulder. "Why, you're the rookie hunter Wally, of course!"
Leaving me confused as to how he knew that, he left the house. I sighed, exhausted by just that talk. Maybe I did need more sleep. I turned onto my side and found myself staring into the face of a blue Felyne.
My eyes widened and my heart raced at the unexpected presence. "Hello," I said slowly, calming down a bit. "The name's Wally. Nice to meet you."
"Nya! You really are a purrfect partner for me!" he said. "My name's Edge, nya! It's nyaice to meet you too!"
"I'm a perfect partner from just saying hello?"
"Well, nyat just that. I was listening to your conversation with Kenny, and you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, nya. And from the way you survived that encounter with the Tigrex, I can tell we'll be partners for a while!" he danced around in a few happy circles as he said this, before holding out a paw. I took it lightly and shook his hand, and he started to dance again.
This Felyne was…
"Um, is there something wrong, master? You're staring, nya…" his ears twitched uncomfortably.
Really freaking adorable.
"I-it's nothing," I said, red rising to my face. Damn my love of adorable things. "I'm just lost in thought is all." I swung my legs out to the side of the bed and stretched a bit, relishing the feeling of using my muscles. Maybe I should get up for awhile. "I'm gonna explore town a bit, Edge," I told my new Felyne companion. "Would you like to come with?" I asked with a smile.
"Nyaa, of course!" he scurried about happily in a circle as I went to the chest in the corner of the room.
Even though it was warm in here, I could still see snow out my window, so I'd best grab my Mafomofu armor. Mafomofu was the village specialty here in Pokke, and as such, was warm and cozy, just like the village is said to be. It doesn't offer much for protection, but each piece is fully padded with a warm hood that fits to your head for maximum warmth and so that it won't blow off in a snowstorm.
Getting my armor on and stepping outside with Edge, I held my arm out to block the brilliantly shining sun. Snow was draped around each building in the small village, but the main paths were kept perfectly clear. The building I was in (I guess it was my house) was atop a hill that perfectly overlooked the village. Behind my own house were the houses of the other members of the village, and down the hill directly across from the house was what could only be the blacksmith, given the rhythmic clanging from inside.
In the same place as the blacksmith was a Felyne, happily waving to Edge and I. I waved back and so did Edge as he bounded down there to say hello. To the right was a path leading to somewhere I wasn't sure in the village. To the left of the blacksmith was the item shop, and further left was a fire where an old woman in a cloak sat conversing with a Felyne in a similar coat. Making a curve, to the left of the fire was another building that, judging from the guild symbol emblazoned on the building, was the Gathering Hall.
My eyes lingered a bit on the Gathering Hall, reminding me of my home of Yukumo. Although the Mafumofu armor kept me warm, I dearly missed the place.
"Nya, master! Come on and meet my cousin!" I heard Edge call suddenly, jolting me from my thoughts of home. I jogged down to meet the Felyne. "Nyaice to see you're finally awake," he said, jubilantly. "Edge and I weren't sure if you were ever gonna wake up, nya ha ha! I'm glad you are awake, though. We were worried, nya."
I smiled. These guys were too freaking adorable for me to be wary. "Well thanks for worrying. I really appreciate it," I said, holding out a hand to shake. He grabbed it with both hands and shook vigorously. "Nya, I like you! What did you say your name was?"
"Wally," I answered. "I'm the new village hunter."
"Well, I'm Soul!"
"And I'm Garreth," a rough, deep voice said. Startled, I looked around for the source of the noise before noticing a Wyverian smithy jump up onto the counter and take a seat. Like most Wyverians, he was a short man who was practically made of muscles.
"A Wyverian!" I exclaimed, excited. "The smithy back in my hometown was a Wyverian, too!"
He cracked a smile. "Oh really? Small world, huh kid? Say, if you ever need weapons or armor, just bring the materials to me. When I get new materials, I'll draw up blueprints for you and you can collect the rest."
"Thanks!"
"Oh, and kid? Here's a present. Sort of a "congrats on your recovery and welcome to the village" gift. I won't be in front much—my assistant handles the sales stuff—but if you ever wanna talk, just ask and I'll be happy to oblige!" With this, he threw a talisman to me, which I caught. "It's a strange talisman that raises your reaction time. Welcome to Pokke, kid." He jumped off the counter and began to hammer away again.
What a nice guy, I thought. I'll definitely be talking to him when I can.
I walked to the next stall where the item shop was, but there was a sign there:
On Break—Back in 10
I shrugged and walked to the old woman by the fire. Her eyes shined with a kindness and she smiled warmly as I approached. "How nice to see you awake," she said. "It's been so long—I was beginning to worry."
I bowed my head. "I'm sorry to have worried you, Elder."
"Hoh? I never said I was the elder," she said wryly, her eyes twinkling.
"With all due respect, who else would you be?"
"Hoho, why, I like you, youngster. What's your name?"
"Wally. And what would you like me to call you?"
"Just call me Granny, youngster. Everyone does."
I hesitated. "Very well… Granny."
"Hoho, you'll get used to it, youngster. Now, I'd love to chat, but I'm sure Rufus wants to talk to you. He's in the Training Hall."
"Where is the Training Hall?"
"Just take the path next to the Gathering Hall—the one that runs under the arch."
"Thank you El—er, Granny. I'll go see him now."
I went to the path she pointed out and walked up to a large, surprisingly eastern-looking building.
"Reminds me of home," I told Edge as we open the door—a noticeable difference compared to the curtains back at Yukumo. "Come on, Edge; let's go meet my hunting party."
And there you have it. Chapter two is already in the works, so I'll update soon. If you liked it, drop a review and let me know! I'd greatly appreciate it!