"So, your name is Jon, not John?"

"Yeah. Sounds the same, spelled differently." Jon explained. "You'll be forgiven if you get that wrong the first few times."

There's a joke about that somewhere, just give me a day to figure it out.

"If it makes you feel any better Sir Jon, my fellow friends have names just as 'unique'." Mero assured, moving her tail up, almost hitting me with it too.

"Sir Jon? That's a new one." Jon chuckled in amusement.

It wasn't long before the pathway lead of us out of the Ancient Forest, and towards where we should have originally made landfall. The Research Commission Base.

Where six almost bone like structures speared out, curving to form an arc above us, beyond it laid a thriving port of trading, fishing, and blacksmiths. All a hunter needs, is all here… hopefully.

"Wow, look at those perches." Papi gasped, eyeing the gate towering over us.

"I don't think those are perches Papi." I pointed out, beginning to struggle to hold up Mero.

Hey, she's not heavy! It just carrying a mermaid for most of the morning strains on your arms after a while, especially when you've been running too.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Jon admitted. "It's like nature intended on us to build Astera right here."

"Astera? I like it." Anna agreed, brimming with energy.

Well, it's no Loc Lac City or Port Tanzia, that's for sure… Okay maybe it is…

Just above the main trading area, a large ship rested above the entire base. A large hole visible even from down here, although the chain lift moving up and down from it, seemed to show that it is very much in use, how it ended up there…. I'm probably going to have to ask at some point.

That wouldn't be so much of a problem asking someone around here, every trading stand you walk by, dozens of people walked by. Some casually writing up notes in their journals, others just getting off the few ships that docked-

SHIT! The others!

"Hold on, you haven't seen any odd faces just arrive have you?" I asked John.

"Well I did help out some interesting people a few minutes ago." John joked, bringing up the irony in my question. "No worries, the rest of the Fifth Fleet are already here. You guys are the last to arrive."

"MASTER! Wait!" A proud and dignified voice called.

Just as we made our way down to the docking sight, Hubby came into view. War Basher firmly in his grasp. Behind him, Centorea, Miia and Rachnee rushed out, even Tafu stumbled out to halt Hubby. All of them concerned for Hubby's almost fire forged determination, mainly because of how much that determination can get you killed while hunting.

"John-Dono stated he'd go searching for them." Centorea brought up. "He does have more experience here then we have."

"And what if he gets lost?" Hubby suggested, concern drowning his own words. "What if he runs into a monster? I can't leave the others stuck in the middle of nowhere."

"Thank you, Hubby. I'm so touched by your concern." I joked, faking a woman's voice… or at least trying.

"Husband!" Papi yelled in joy, flying into Hubby until he was lying flat on the floor, engulfed in blue feathers.

"Oww…." Husband moaned, trying to get back up.

"Hey, gorgeous…" I whispered gently, as Tafu rubbed her head against me. Her gentle bellow sounding almost like an adorable Palico.

Amidst all this, the other girls seemed to relax. As if a great weight had been taken off their shoulder, well… expect for Rachnee, who just gave a barely noticeable smile.

"Oh, thank goodness." Miia breathed, although some of voice sounded more annoyed. "Darling was ready to go out searching for you guys."

"We did overhear Dear Sir's declaration Miia-san." Mero admitted.

"Is there any reason you're cradling Mero in your arms, Taiden-san?" Rachnee brought up.

"Her wheelchair got smashed during the attack." I explained, noting the weight from carrying Mero becoming more apparent. "Is there a wheelchair somewhere for her?"

"Here, I'll go help find her one." Hubby offered, lifting Mero out of my hold and into his arms.

Ohhhhh….. My arms…..

"Wait a minute, where's Suu?" Miia brought up, noticing the absence of a certain Slime Girl.

Right then, the sudden rush of coolness signalled Suu popping her small innocent head out from behind me. Within seconds of seeing Hubby, Suu's eyes beamed with joy.

"Why she is like that?" Hubby wondered… until it suddenly clicked in his mind the reason for it…. "Oh…"

"Needing something, Suu?" Rachnee hinted, holding out a yellow raincoat with matching boots.

Instantly, Suu launched from my back and at the raincoat. Within seconds, Suu stood as an excited and innocent Slime Girl. Much to John and Anna's bewilderment.

"You get used to it." Centorea assured them.

"Um, Rachnee. Where did you get that raincoat from?" Seriously, where did she?

"Suu packed a few raincoats with her for the journey." Rachnee explained, looking back on everyone's luggage being taken off the ship… or what hasn't been burnt and scorched. "Had to explain to them not to trade it away though."

"Well this here is the Tadeyard, guess the name says it all." John admitted, leading us through the many trading sights.

"Look at all the people, and the stuff!" Anna admitted, joining Papi and Suu in their excited exploration.

"It's taken my breath away." Hubby admitted, moving out a passing Palicoes way just in time.

"We've got it all here." John proudly stated. "Hunters to do all the exploring, Scholars to do the research, Technicians to keep them going."

"In other words, this is the beating heart of the Commission." I summed up, Astera may look different, but it's vertically the same as the Loc Lac and Port Tanzia.

"Wait here a sec." John stopped us, before going on ahead of us. "Commander, I found em!"

However, now Tafu was beginning to let loose a low growl. What's gotten into her? She only does that when there are monsters close by, there isn't any-

RAWWWWR!

Oh.

Up ahead, an old time worn man turned his attention away from Meeting Table towards us. Tanned skin (no doubt from the New World weather). White hair and beard almost devoid of colour. Even eyes that brought both a sense of calmness and respect.

But that wasn't what got everyone's attention.

Beside him, a large lumbering monster reared its towering neck up. An almost sea monster styled head turned to face us, revealing two brown horns that stand out among it's sea blue scales. Two red eyes seemingly eyeing our every move.

"Um… John….."

"Yeah, I forgot to say this before but…." John tried to explain, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "The Commander has a Lagiacrus."

Again, the Lagiacrus unleashed another ear piercing roar, answered only by Tafu rearing up and pounding the ground to let loose her own bellow.

"Safaia, that's enough." The Commander eased, rubbing his hand down the Lagiacruses claw. "They've already been enough just getting here."

Within a second, Safaia lost her predatory stare, lowering her hooded neck down to bask in the sun. And with Safaia seemingly taking no interest in us as food, Tafu quickly calmed down as well.

"Welcome to Astera, I'm glad you made it back safely." The Commander greeted, having settled his Leviathan down. "Don't worry about Safaia, she's as gentle as a Sunfish when you get to know her."

"Can't be any worse than putting up with Tafu." I assured, earning a hard push from Tafu.

"Um, Commander?" Mero asked, almost slapping Hubby by accident with my tail. "If I may be bold to ask-"

"With all due respect. As much I want to answer any questions, I'm being pulled in eight different directions at once." The Commander admitted. "We'll be cover important matters at council, which I expect all of you to be at. If you have anything to say, then keep them for council"

"My, my. Are we that popular already?" Rachnee smirked, enough make me smirk too.

"The Guild has spoken highly of your species and cultures." The Commander explained. "Each of you carry knowledge and experience that can aid many of us here. Vital in the New World."

Knowledge? Defiantly, Experience? I'd rather not share with anyone…

"Now go settle down in your living quarters, you'll hear a horn for when it's time for council." The Commander ordered. "You should all rest for a bit after having such an eventful arrival."

"You have no idea, Commander." I admitted.

X An hour later…

Luckily for us, our living quarter just so happened to be one of the biggest and most stunning living quarter in Astera.

Enchanting decorations, sunlight beaming down through the window. Even an open walk way into a breath taking garden, a large pond big enough for a person to swim in, all overlooking into the Ancient Forest.

Personally I prefer my caravan because I'm just used to it. However, fitting everyone into my caravan…. Not worth bringing up. And besides, everyone else is taking a liking to this.

While Miia, Centorea and Rachnee had all gone off into their rooms (nearly all the girls were sad we had separate rooms for obvious reasons), Papi and Suu were both enjoying the pond, even managing to get Tafu to go in. Hubby was concerned at first about Suu melting in the pond, but then it turned out they had supplied us with swimming suits made from Plesioth scales (the only thing that is worth hunting a Plesioth for) which Suu look to in seconds.

Mero had finally be provided with a wheelchair to make up for burnt and ruined one, and was now relaxing by the edge of the pond with Hubby keeping her company. Which just left me to sort out my stuff in my room. Luckily for me, my whole caravan had made out of the monster attack, along with my armour and weapons. Thank goodness for that, didn't want to start from scratch all over again.

"There, that should be it." I breathed, closing my armour cupboard.

But as I rested by hands in my pocket, the feeling of a hard ore coursed through my hand. Pulling it out, I was quickly reminded of the strange blue ore found on the monster. Should have asked the Commander about this, actually. Oh well, I could ask them at council.

Actually, might be worth going for quick dip in the pond with the others.

Making my way out of my room, I eventually joined the others beside the pond. Soaking up the warm sunlight of the morning sun. Yep, worth jumping off a mountain sized monster for sure.

"Feeling any better?" Hubby asked as I sat at the edge of pond, dipping my legs in.

"Ahhh…. Now I am." I breathed, embracing the cool water on my skin. "I swear, I will never moan about having cold feet, after being on that monster."

"Well, at least you are still able to walk." Mero pointed out. "Which is more than I can say."

What?

"What do you mean, Mero?" Hubby asked, seemingly just as confused as I was.

"Well, with all due respect. I truly grateful to be here." Mero explained, holding her hands together while looking down. "But due to my… limitations. I… feel more like a burden then any help."

Limitation? Oh…

"You mean, over the fact you're a mermaid?" Hubby caught on.

His only answer was a timid nod from the mermaid in question, proving his point. And to be honest, Mero does have a good point.

Most of the other girls, even though they all different due to their species and the way their bodies work. They can all still move freely on land, or in Papi's and Rachnee's case, through the air, or high up tall surfaces.

Mero though, isn't. Everything about her biology, is designed to be unrivalled in water. At the cost of her mobility on land. Just thinking back to our arrival here was enough to prove that.

"Are you certain you can't move at all on land without your wheelchair?" I asked.

"Well, in fairness. I am able to stand." Mero admitted, back away from the pools edge.

And sure enough, forcing her hands behind her back, Mero forced herself onto her flipper, only just keeping still. A standing mermaid? That… Isn't something you normally see every day.

"But I can't… move like this." Mero pointed out, falling back onto her… butt?

"We'll figure something out for you Mero." Hubby assured, giving off a warm smile. "I'm sure the people here can help sort out your mobility."

BOOOOOOOM!

"What the-"

BOOOOOOOM!

The second one was enough for Papi and Suu to cease splashing Tafu in the pond, all of them eventually pulling themselves out.

"Did you guys here that?" Miia called, making her way into the hallway, with Centorea and Rachnee following close by.

"Hey guys!"

Turning the doorway, Anna burst though, excitement almost sparkling in her eyes.

"They're calling for a council, we should get going."

X Few minutes later…

Well… now it feels like I'm back in the Wycademy. While most of us 'newcomers' stood facing the Commander over the council map. From the right, stood those in charge of Food Supplies (better keep Miia away from then), and Smith works. One very large and muscular Felyne (kind of scared of pissing him off) and a rust worn man.

On the left, stood those in charge of research. One young black human, a mining clothed old wyverian, and a younger more researched clothed male wyverian. With just left John and Commander at the head of the research map, along with a Rathian armored hunter watching from far back stroking Safaia as she rested.

"Now that you are all here, let us begin council." The Commander started. "After tracking a migrating Elder Dragon across the seas, the Fifth Fleet have finally arrived in Astera. Give them a warm welcome."

"I must say, I was not expecting extra species to arrive off the Fifth Fleet." The research woman admitted, giving off a warm smile.

Yeah, you're not getting any smiles or compliments off me, Miss.

"They're a fine group." The Commander complimented, making some of the girls blush red. "Worthy comrades who will help see the Research Commission's long efforts finally rewarded. Would you like to say a few words?"

"Thank you Commander." Anna thanked, adjusting her googles slightly. "We're ready to roll up our sleeves, and get our hands dirty!"

What… What was that weak sauce?

"Seriously?" I pointed out, earning a confused look from Anna. "That was the best you could come up with?"

"Then do you have anything to say, Taiden?" The Commander questioned.

Oh great, now everyone has their eyes on me. Well done, Taiden. Good job putting yourself in the spotlight.

"Well… as a graduate of the Wycademy… I am confident that any task thrown of us, will go down better then skinning a Khezu!"

That alone triggered an uproar of chuckles and disgusted looks (from imagining actually skinning a Khezu). Even the Commander let loose a small snicker as he turned his head down.

"And you call that your best?" Rachnee teased, elbowing my arm.

"What's a Khezee?" Papi asked, seemingly confused.

"Khezu. And you don't want to know." Anna warned.

"Now, let's get down to business." The Commander began, bringing everyone back to attention. "The latest monster to make the Elder Crossing, is Zorah Magdaros. A huge monster with a mountain of fire upon it's back."

Zorah Magdaros? Rather fitting name come to think of it.

"The Research Commissions job is discover why the Elder Dragons are migrating to the New World." The Commander continued.

"Elder Dragons have been with us, sense the dawn of time." The Chief Ecologist pointed out. "Altering the ecosystem, reshaping the land, and leaving disasters in their wake."

"So whatever is causing them to migrate, must be something important." Hubby summed up, remembering what I had told him before coming here.

"With the Fifth's help, we will find the answer!" The Commander made clear.

"Here hear!"

"Now we're talkin!"

"Hunters." The Commander ordered, looking directly at us. "For the time being, I need you here to help-"

"Actually, we found something while we were on our way here." Anna interrupted, remembering the monster attacking the molten rock. "While we were getting here, we ended up seeing a monster acting strangely around a molten rock."

"What kind of monster?" The Commander asked, eyes locked on us.

"Medium sized bird wyvern?" I added, trying to find the words to explain it. "Green scales, feathered neck, Chameleon face and tongue."

"A Pukei-Pukei." John realized, bringing a name to the monster in question. "Their fairly common in the Ancient Forest, they're not very dangerous monsters either, rather low in the ecosystem."

"No, but this one was acting almost… scared." Papi added, managing to remember it as well, shockingly. "It kept spitting at the red rock for ages."

"Hmm, it sounds like you found something that'll lead us to Zorah Magdaros its own slag." The Commander realized. "I'd send some researchers out to get it by now, but not with a pissed-off Pukei-Pukei nearby."

"What if we hunted it down?" Hubby suggested.

"You've only just got here, and you want to take on the big game?" Anna brought up.

"With all due respect, if John-dono words are true, then hunting this monster may not be too dangerous." Centorea pointed out, clenching the hint of her sword.

"Any monster behaving oddly can be dangerous." The Commander made clear. "But I am willing to let half of you hunt it down."

"Half of us?" Miia repeated, for very good reason.

"I'm putting half you in charge of protecting our scholars while they investigate." The Commander explained. "Our current led on Zorah Magdaros has lead us to the Wildspire Waste, help aimed them as best you can while out there."

"Alright Commander." I agreed, shifting slightly to Mero.

Just then, a bright blue glow began to illuminate close to Mero from my pocket. Great, as if my introduction didn't draw attention, now this glow has everyone looking at me. Even Tafu and Safaia who had both been obvious to every before, seemed drawn to the bright glow.

"Taiden? Is there is something you currently carry on you?" The Commander asked.

Actually, there is. The strange blue ore.

"Yeah, I did want to ask you about this." I explained, pulling it out of my pocket. "I found on Zorah Magdaroses back while getting here, but… I honestly don't know what it is."

"Hold on, let me see that." The Second Fleet Master asked.

Handing it over, the Second Fleet Master watched as the bright blue glow died down as it left Mero.

"Um, did I do something?" Mero asked, unsure how to feel.

"Your guess is as good as mine." I admitted.

"Hmm, ocean blue colouring. Star like shine. Ah! Faint symbol of wyvern." The Second Fleet Master spotted. "What you have here, is a Kinship Ore. Give me a day. And I'll have it set for your Misses."

"Misses? Sir, I'm a guy." I pointed out.

"Obviously." The Second Fleet Master muttered. "But the Kinship Ore hasn't chosen you. It's chosen her." Looking directly at Mero.

"Hol- Hold on! What do you mean 'chosen'?" Hubby asked, as confused about this as I was.

"The Kinship Ore will only react this way, when close to one worthy of riding a monster." The Second Fleet Master went on. "In other words, your mermaid girlfriend is destiny to be a Monster Rider."

"Monster Rider?!"

"SHE IS NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!"

Almost everyone looked at the girls who had all shouted that out in unison. And now, nearly all of them meekly looked down in embarrassment.

Monster Rider? Ohhhh, those people! Now I remember!

In some parts of the world, there are hunter who don't hunt monsters alone. They hunt monster with their own rideable monsters, what they call Monsties. They use the Kinship Ore to help strengthen the bond with their Monstie, and also allows them to reach out to wild monsters.

"Does, this mean I cannot help?" Mero worryingly asked.

"It means, once we've found you the right monstie, you'll be able to provide great aid to our work." The Commander assured. "For the time being, I want you to read the archives on Monster Riders Miss Mero."

"I guess, you'll have to go on hunting without me for the time being." Mero realized solemnly, before her eyes lighted up with joy. "Oh! Forced away from my Dear Sir, divided by the call of the wild! Truly, this is tragic!"

…

"Anyway, we should get going." I insisted, hoping to leave Mero to her tragedy fetish.

"Come on, Darling!" Miia pulled away, her coil almost squeezing Hubby's arms. "We've got a monster to hunt!"

"Miia, hold on!" I yelled, stopping her in her tracks, and causing her to release Hubby for her hold. "Don't you think you'll better off helping me in the Wildspire Waste?"

"Don't Lamias live in hot places too?" Hubby brought up.

Clearly over matched, Miia moved away before hugging Hubby one more time.

"Tried to come back in one piece, Darling!" Miia wished before letting him go.

"You should be okay hunting that monster?" I asked, as Hubby caught his breath.

"Yeah, I mean. It shouldn't be too bad, right?" Hubby admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not like I'm hunting that Deviljho again."

"Don't worry, Honey." Rachnee assured, joining his side. "With me keeping an eye from the shadows, and Suu tagging along. You won't end as monster food."

"Good luck, guys." I wished, watching them head off. "You might need it…."

"You ready to get going, Partner?" Anna asked, almost making me jump.

"You're coming with us?"

"Damn right I am!" Anna answered with confidences. "Any new place to explore is worth tagging along."

"Guess we should get our stuff together then." Centorea pointed out.

"This might be a long day..."

Author Note

So, where do I begin? Well I guess the points I want to get out of the way are Safaia and Mero becoming a Monster Rider.

Safaia: Yeah, this was one I wanted to include in the this story before MHW was announced anyway. But I feel because of how Lagiacrus didn't make it into the final game, that Safaia deserves to serve as a friendly nod to what could have been.

Mero Monster Rider: This actually goes back into what inspired me to write this crossover. When i started playing MHST, I ended up imagining Kimihito performing Kinship Attacks with each of the girls (mainly Centorea doing an attack similar to the Zinogre, and Papi doing an attack similar to the Rathalos or Seregios). And because Mero compared to the other girls, isn't as able on land. I feel it's only fair she gets some special help.

So, which monster do you want to see become Mero's Monstie? I do have one in mined but leave your thoughts and ideas. :)