The noise of giggles interrupted the noise of the roaming monsters. Two kids played on a small pond in the small area. The eldest was a boy, he had deep red hair and blue eyes. His tanned skin got spots of mud. He was taller than most kids his age but his features gave away his years. Playing with him was a girl. She had long loose turquoise hair, with orange eyes. Like her partner her skin was tanned only not as much as the boy's. Her clothes were different than the boy's. His covered quite well having thick fur and grease to cover from snow and cold. The girl brought less protection with her mid section showing, her sleeves were long as were her pants but the material was thin perfect for warm climate.

Another person was with the kids, an older hunter about the ages of 18 to 20. Unlike the children he wore a full set of armor. The yellow and blue armor had spikes that gave it a threatening look much contrasting the peaceful scenery. The man looked over for mushrooms that grew under a giant tree that appeared in the middle of the area. Nouga was his name, and he had brought the kids on a special event just for them.

The boy –Ralos- took some water in his tiny hands and threw it to the girl. Shira –the girl- in term did the same, this made the water make contact with one another and end up soaking them both. Both of them stood petrified to what just happened, then after minutes they started to laugh. Ralos took some more water and launched it to Shira. The water fell on her face making her tumble and fall into the water. Nouga watched as Ralos helped his friend stand back on her feet then she pushed him and laughed after he fell on the water making a splash. Nouga laughed.

Nouga turned back to the task at hand and picked several more mushrooms before standing. Slowly he counted the pieces he had and reviewed the material he needed. He was still short on mushrooms. He took off his helmet and looked up. Nouga swiped away the layer of sweat that had started to form on his forehead.

"Okay guys, let's move to the next site, we are almost done," said Nouga to the children as he placed his helmet back on.

Ralos and Shira got out of the pond and ran to Nouga's side. Although they were both prepared for some small monsters that might appear in the area, being as small and unprotected as they were they could never be too careful. Nouga started out of the area and into the next one at a calm pace. His mission was too look for resources for his next hunt, the children on the other hand had been brought here since both of them desired to turn into hunter in the future. Nouga thought it a fun idea since they were both nearing the age to get into training school to learn more, and what better way to get experience than in the actual field.

Nouga was also fond of them both. He'd known the children since they were born and had grown quite attach to him even if none was his. He didn't mind. Having such full hearted fans warmed his heart and lifted his mood after a day of horrible hunting. It only seemed fair for him to want to help their hunting careers and become their biggest fan also.

Walking to the new area Nouga looked around. They were quite high given the stair like formation at the right and the old camp site at his left. The camp site however was covered in thick vines and blood from carnivore hunts. It was at the jump from his current position but since he had the children tagging along it was only natural that he would take the stair formation for them. On the other hand they were defenseless and he needed to scout the area first before taking the children into the wild.

Nouga signaled them to hold position and he sneaked into the edge of the fall that led to the camp site. He jumped slowly landing close to the original tent place and walked forward. He was silent as he did so, allowing any noise to reach his ears before he could be surprised. His eyes scanned the area looking for any sort of threat for him or the children, noticing none he let out a breath in relief and turned to the children. They seemed fine. He waved them and they waved back.

"I'll be there in a minute," he said as he signaled them to get to the stair like formation on the other side of them.

The children nodded and slowly went there. Nouga smiled. They took the hunter life way to seriously for children.

Nouga ran to the side and helped them get down, after that he signaled for the next area for them to go.

"This area is filled with mushrooms and other herbs I could use for my next hunt. I wonder what I could need to make a potion?" he asked in an amused voice.

The children turned to each other, "You know what you need, an herb and a blue mushroom."

Nouga smacked his helmet, "How could I have been so clumsy?"

The children giggled making him smile again. They really wanted this so much. Nouga had never really thought of becoming a hunter but it had just suddenly happened. His parents owned a shop that supplied hunters with their necessities so it just seemed normal that he knew a lot about it and that he would take over. Then in less than a day his entire life changed turning him into the hunter he was today. He wasn't the best out there, but he was clearly there when his village needed him; that thought made Nouga happy of the changes in his life. If that wasn't enough compensation, he now had two little fans that looked up to the person that took the Tigrex that invaded the snowy mountains near Pokke Village.

Nouga got the children through the long side to admire the scenery. Surprisingly enough they were no monsters on the way to the next area, or the next one, or the next one. Nouga frowned at the stillness of everything. This wasn't right. Usually they were at least a pack of herbivores around, but not today. Nouga took close inspection of the place taking everything in his mind. He didn't see anything odd thus he made his way to the next area.

Nouga walked through the thickest part of the Forest and Hills. There was a medium pond at his left surrounded by piles of mushrooms. He ignored them and kept walking. Around him Ralos and Shira giggled and talked unaware of what surrounded them. Nouga turned to a small path that had a creek that formed the pond. He didn't dare stop until he was on the other side.

Ralos and Shira gasped at the sight. It was a tiny place with a falling waterfall, a fishing spot, and a place to mine. No monster here either, which wasn't a surprise to Nouga. Monsters didn't come here often and when they did it was just a harmless Mosswine, a pig like monster with green moss on his back. Nouga leaded Ralos and Shira up a tree vine and into the mining point.

"I have a surprise for you guys," he said making them turn to face him.

Nouga took off his helmet again letting his short black hair show. His warm red eyes sparkled with excitement which made the children even more excited. He grinned at them and took out four pickaxes and four bug nets. The children held their breaths, not wanting to judge anything before hand. Nouga handed them two each and stood proud.

"Show me what a hunter can do," he said as the children cheered him.

Nouga pointed them in the direction of the next area that held a small area where they could pick up some bugs then turned and left them as he put his helmet on. Ralos and Shira saw as he left them with smiles on their faces. Just as Nouga stepped outside of the area they rushed to the points to become true hunters.

Nouga inspected the area around him. Bigger monsters roamed the pond area from time to time. This place was dangerous for the children thus he left them safe in the area behind him. He couldn't move from here though, he needed those mushrooms and he would get them. Walking around the pond he tried to make no noises, his eyes always surrounding the area for inspection. He reached the trees and got the necessary mushrooms. Turning back up, he heard a noise. Nouga turned and looked around, nothing. He frowned. He was sure he heard something.

He started back to the area where he left the children when a glimpse of something caught his attention. Turning around he saw the ground lift a little in a small area. The pounding left a white beat that travelled all around the monster. Nouga's eyes widen in realization, he had to get out of there now. He turned only to be attacked by green fog. Nouga cleared the fog just as he heard a horn noise. Looking back to where the children stayed, he knew he couldn't reach them in time unless he got those supplies. He faced the monster again and drew his sword.

Ralos and Shira played with the fishes in the small crevice. They had gathered many material and they were proud of it. Ralos was soaking wet from falling inside the crevice to pick up a fish. Shira had laughed at him but had helped him out again.

Ralos thought what he would be without Shira in his life. They were best friends and always looked after each other. They both liked Nouga a lot, he was their hero. Nouga was everything Ralos wanted to be, a strong, dependable, unstoppable hunter. He and Shira shared the same dream and they would probably achieve it together. Ralos couldn't just picture his life without any of them.

Shira thought the same way as Ralos. She wanted to become a strong hunter like Nouga and have a big sword and help the villages. She also wanted to be kind hearted and held other kids that wanted to become hunters like her, just like Nouga did with them. She hoped she could reach her dream beyond anything else in the world.

"Shira?" asked Ralos pocking a fish and making them all disappear. "I got you something."

Shira blinked, "You did?"

Ralos nodded frantically, "I did. You're my friend and it's your birthday after all."

Shira shoved him playfully, "Eww boy presents have cooties."

Ralos frowned, "I don't have cooties. I thought you'd wanted it. I worked really hard on it." He said taking a present from his small hunter bag.

Shira watched as he took out a hair decoration. She followed it as he watched it then shoved it in her direction.

Shira watched the hair piece with awe. It was a Dosbiscus flower, a rare find in the farm, with pink petals that fell for a little. The thread was made entirely of long strand of golden fur. Shira looked at it amazed and turned back to Ralos, then back to her present, then back at Ralos, and back to her present, then finally back at Ralos.

"It's pink," she said.

Ralos scratched his head, "Mom said you would like pink better."

"But I like green or red more," whined Shira.

Ralos turned to her and stretched his hand towards the present, "Then give it back."

"No," said Shira running away. "It's mine."

"But you don't like it so give me," said Ralos.

"No, it's mine. I'll just paint it red when I get home," said Shira pinning the decoration at the back of her hair and letting it flow under.

Ralos stuck his tongue out and Shira did the same. After several minutes of silence Ralos spoke again.

"Nouga is taking a long time to come back."

Shira nodded, "But he will be back for us soon."

Ralos looked up to the sky and noticed the position of the sun, "Is getting late. Momma must be worried."

Shira turned to Ralos, "Don't say that, Nouga will come back you'll see."

Several minutes passed over. The noise of the creak and waterfall were the only noises to be heard. Ralos took Shira's hand and started to the creak again. They sat on the tree root they had climbed to get to the mining point and continued to wait for Nouga to come to pick them up.

Nouga looked around, focused; his eyes desperately searching for the monster that had been there just minutes ago. The silence was thick, yet Nouga didn't want to give into the idea of the monster disappearing into thin air. No, the Chameleos just didn't disappear. But with no paintball to track its movement it was quite hard to pinpoint its position.

Silence drove on for several seconds more. Nouga not once let his guard down. His eyes scanned every inch of the area, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. Letting out a breath he hid his great sword. Now that the perimeter was safe he had to get the kids out. He still was sure the Chameleos was out there somewhere which meant he had to act quickly before he came back.

Nouga turned and sprinted out of that area and into the safe zone.

Ralos and Shira sprung upwards at the sight of Nouga. They quickly got out of the branch and sprinted to him. Nouga instantly moved to work.

"Hold on we gotta go," he said to the children.

They instantly froze at his alarmed voice, "Didn't you hear me we have to go."

"What's wrong?" asked Ralos.

"I'll explain later," said Nouga gesturing the kids to run into the other area.

Without further explanation they did as they were told and ran, Nouga behind them.

Ralos and Shira held hands as they ran into the pond area. Nouga followed behind leading them into the safe area in the next zone. It was safe because no big monster ever entered there, and the camp was only one area away after that. Nouga just hoped he could get them to safety fast enough.

As Ralos and Shira ran they bumped into a wall. They both fell back and landed on their butts. The children looked up confused at what had they bumped into, yet saw nothing. Nouga froze as he saw the next action to be taken by the creature.

"Run," he yelled to the kids.

Ralos stood confused and helped Shira up. Both of them grabbed hands and ran in Nouga's direction. Nouga took out his great sword and ran to protect the kids from the Chameleos next attack with a block. Ralos and Shira stood behind Nouga waiting for their next instructions unsure of the next step to take. The Chameleos then showed its face, its purple and white hide and weird looking eyes that saw in every direction. The end of his head appeared to be broken. His tail was also cut out leaving to show that Nouga had already done quite the damage. It stuck out his long tongue and let it loose in their direction startling the children and making them scream.

Nouga held his sword to the monster. The Chameleos had an eye focused on him while another landed on the defenseless children. Nouga kept the children behind him as he slowly walked towards the next area. Ralos and Shira followed slowly Nouga's actions not wanting to attract the monsters attention. This seemed to interest the Chameleos more and he moved his head abruptly their way. Nouga froze and shoved the kids aside.

Ralos fell on the ground while Shira just stumbled a little. Nouga moved on the other way and slashed the monster with his sword. Ralos stood and looked desperately for Shira. He abruptly turned to the Chameleos direction and saw her trapped.

"Shira," yelled Ralos.

"Ralos I can't move," she said trying to pull herself away from the Chameleos' right foot.

Ralos ran her way and started pulling at her. Shira pulled supported by Ralos. The Chameleos then moved trapping both of them on his side. Ralos shook his back feeling the sticky sensation spreading.

"Shira is sap plant," he told her.

Shira turned to Ralos, "Sap plant?"

Ralos nodded, "Don't worry this dragon is almost dead anyway."

Shira nodded as she heard the slash of Nouga's sword against the beast. She wanted to cry. Her eyes filled with tears watching Ralos just smile at her with security and confidence. Shira couldn't help but smile too, a little.

Nouga slashed again hoping to kill the monster. He hadn't seen the children for a while now, so he'd believe they were in the safe zone. Nouga charged and struck again. He was lucky that this monster hadn't moved much until now. In the distance a horn blew. Nouga sighed in relief. He'd won somehow with no preparations once o ever; this was a new achievement for him.

He hid his weapon and waited until the monster vanished to look for the kids. A sudden yell threw his train of thought away. Nouga's eyes grew wide noticing it came from the other side of the Chameleos and he started that way. As he did so the Chamelos stretched his wings. Nouga hurried and turn to see Shira and Ralos attached to the monster's side. He sprinted to them.

"What happened?" he asked desperate.

"Sap plant," they answered in unison.

Nouga's spirit disappeared. Sap plant was used in the creation of paintballs given its adhesive components. It took ten minutes for its effects to disappear.

He couldn't take them off. They would vanish with the Chamelos and spawn who knew where surrounded by who knew what. Nouga couldn't let that happen. Finding knew strength he pulled Ralos. The boy pushed himself away from the now slowly floating monster. Shira did the same but her hand was stuck. Nouga started to grow scared to what was to happen to them. He noticed instantly that only Ralos' mafumofu suit was stuck and he quickly pulled Ralos to safety. Then it was Shira's turn, but the monster was already half way out and Shira's hand and mid section were stuck into it.

"Shira," yelled Ralos over the sound of flapping wings.

"Ralos," Shira yelled back. "Nouga." Her eyes letting out strings of tears fall down her eyes.

Ralos pulled on her free hand, "I'll never let go."

Nouga fell with Ralos. Nouga shouted as Ralos did the same. Everything went in slow motion for them from there. Ralos slowly seeing Shira's eyes lose hope as his did the same. His eyes watered instantly and he too started crying. Nouga felt his heart break. He'd promise to keep them safe. He'd promised. His mind repeated. Shira scared as she was let out even more tears, feeling for the unknown future that awaited her beyond Pokke and into the Monster World.