Malcolm sat back, inhaling slowly the humid air mingled with flowers of damp soil, flowers, foliage, and other seats unknown to him. The suv had randomly stopped in an area referred to as the Rathalos paddock, which was actually no paddock at all. They parked in front of a massive electrified barred fence that went up easily 4 stories. Malcolm noticed the light and air twisting strangely, almost as if it was made of water and then Malcolm recalled Hammond mentioning the area was actually protected by a great force field, again, another example of INGEN's technological innovation paired with Astreran mysticism. Malcolm admired the transparent field shimmered in the wind, a scathing mass of bending light barely visible. Malcolm, for a moment, relaxed and forgot his ego, appreciating the alien, almost dreamlike vista of the island, picturesque from his viewpoint high above the cliff. "Welcome to Neverland," he muttered under his breath, sarcastically flickering his fingers.

His self-statement caught Ellie's attention. "You mean," she responded. "Welcome to Oz: Hammond's their wizard and we're now on the not so yellow brick road. . . ."

Ian giggled."More the witch of the west. Er, warlock rather."

The hunter who sat with him grunted loudly, clearly irritated with Malcolm's continuous belligerence towards Hammond, the man responsible for the greatness that surrounded them. He wanted to viscously rebuke the hack professor, but suddenly remembered when the Admiral had savagely cold-cocked his commander and decided against it. He stroked his chin thoughtfully and struggled to purse his lips. He looked at Malcolm and Ellie and smiled. It was so fake, even Ellie giggled.

"So," Malcolm broke the silence "I'm assuming this one flies." Malcolm points towards the fast electric fence.

"Yes" Lance said flatly.

"How do you pronounce the name?" Ellie asked.

"Wra'Tha Los." The hunter then spoke the exotic name beautifully, Ellie almost wondered if the hunter was flirting with her. The Hunter noted the irritation on Malcolm's face, as well as the red light emanating from Ellie's already rosie cheeks. He thought he'd push it a little further.

"Go ahead," The hunter said lightly. "Say it."

Ellie shrugged and giggled. "Rah...halos"

"No, no," the hunter spoke softer, as if speaking with a child. He held his hand, neatly flexing his fingers as he spoke each syllable. . . "RrrraaaaH"!

"Rrrrruh"

"TTtthaaah"

"Thah!"

"Loooossss" The accentuated every consonant, dextrously flexing his tongue like the Wyverns.

"Looos" Ellie giggled again, childishly.

The hunter chuckled heartily and clapped his hands graciously. He rapidly uttered "Savvo, savvo!" and Ellie jerked her head back, bewildered.

"That means very good in Asterian tongue."

"I guess I should familiarize myself with Asteran customs."

"Quite right. I intend to teach you the ways of my people. . ..El'ihah."

"It's Ellie. . ."

"That's how we'd say it. As you said. . ."

Malcolm yawned loudly, clearly annoyed. "rrrRathalos... Huh, sounds catchy, but not too reassuring. Doesn't sound friendly."

"That's because they're not, Mel'Kam." Lance again mispronounced." To us, they are kings of the sky, not because of their strength, but their wisdom- well maybe a little - but mostly, they are the wisest of all Wyverns, referred by my people, and maintain respect to hunting grounds. They are, what you call the great hunters of the outer lands. . .?

Ian licked his pallet, "Apex predators."

"Yes. They are fast learners and adapt to all challenges."

"So, I take it, if there's weakness in this . . .fence. . . they'll eventually find it. . ."

"Come on, Ian. . ." Ellie sighed, leaning back in the seat, massaging her brow irritably.

"Yes, and there remain none. I've consulted with subcontractors when they built this fence. My people know what Rathalos can and cannot do. Besides, if they do, don't fret: I'll protect you with my gigantic sheild. You're safe."

There was an awkward silence in the van and strange warmth emanating throughout the van as Ellie intently starred at the Hunter, who unabashedly returned her gaze, though not as seriously.

Malcom slid his tongue beneath his front lips, jaded and annoyed. He turned to the hunter, desperately restraining himself from making a comeback because he figured this particular Asterian's resolve reflected his shield, that it was impenetrable; and debating against one of Hammond's fanatics was, indeed, and waste of time. He changed the subject.

" So where is the big bad Rathalos?"

"He's out there," the Hunter assured, "In the forests, or the Mountains past the dale"

Malcom looked in the direction the hunter was pointing. Now that his eyes adjusted to the view from the clifftop, the faint outlines of mountains beyond the field of the blue he assumed was ocean sky. For a moment, he wondered how large this Island truly was and the thought haunted him for some reason. It was annoying for a man who thought he had the pattern of life completely figured out to be reminded of quite the opposite. There was always another turn, a blind spot, some unknown variable catching him off guard. . . .

"You can't see him, but trust me, he can see you.

"Or she" Ellie countered.

The hunter smirked and continued. "The females are green; their skin matches the earth and forest. . ."

"Camouflage" Malcolm said patronizingly. "That's the word your looking for. . ."

"But the king is blood red. Their eyesight is great and can pass many mountains or the through the deepest forests. They know we're here. They're probably watching us now."

"I don't understand though. You said they're great hunters. Prideful like elephants. Why are they hiding from us? What are we?"

"Different," Nadia said darkly. "Your flesh and your hair are strange to its nose and your words are strange to its ears. You do not speak the Asterian tongue and it knows your not an Asteria, nor from these lands. It's. . .how do you say. . .working things out. Besides, he might want to, but it knows it can't breach the gate.

Malcolm chewed in tongue. And just how does it know it can't breach the gate? How many times has it tried before? How far did he get? He thought, repressing the urge to speak. Regardless, the Hunter practically read his mind and answered.

"He's tried countless times before. Rathalos, more than any other Wyvern always pushes it limitations. As I said, you're safe. They continued watching the blue vista in silence, Malcolm was at least thankful for the peace that fell upon them. Ellie on the other hand, normally patient, now grew bored and irritated. "If there are tours, I'm sure the tourists will want to see this creature," Ellie said politely. "Can't you... 'do' something to make it come out?"

As if on cue, a loud powered engine could be heard in the distance. Slowly, towards the left, they can see a steel platform slowly being raised on a life over the cliff. On the platform sat a cage with a goat. "Of course," Malcolm said flatly. "A sacrificial animal, a peace offering to the great Rathalos. I'm guessing this dates back to another Asterian tradition. . . .?

"Nope" the Hunter said flatly. "this is supposed to be part of the tour."

In the front car, Grant watched the platform raise a white goat into view, chained to a metal pole. The poor mammal obnoxiously bleeted as it normally would, blissfully ignorant of its purpose within the enclosure.

The realization clicked to Alex."...there gonna feed it the goat?"

"Wazza matter?" Aiden smiled."I thought you people loved lamb chops." Tim giggled at this.

Alex crossed her arms."I happen to be a vegetarian."

"Well, Ratha sure ain't! Come on, Ratha, show yourself!" he called; the young hunter even rolled down the window, whistling out to the jungle.

Julian exhaled audibly, his eyes closed."Aiden, please don't aggravate the two deadliest creatures on the planet."

"Two?" Alan repeated.

"Ratha just wouldn't be complete without a queen," Julian tilted his head to Grant."Somewhere further uphill is a Rathian, sleeping in her nest as the king patrols the jungle; don't think she can't hear you as well, Cadet..."

"Oh, I'm countin on it," replied Aiden brazenly, continuing to whistle."RAAAAATHAAAAA! We're waaaaaiiiiting! get your scaly ass outta here already! Ra-tha! Ra-tha!Ra-tha!"

"Ra-tha! Ra-tha! Ra-tha! Tim joined the cadet in his irreverent chant.

Alan scrunched his eyes as he squeezed his sinus."goddamn children..."

Still, despite the plentiful noise, as well as the inviting bait, there remained no sign of the Wyvern in question. There was nothing out there but the goat, the trees, and the dead silence. Grant was fine with it; it was like fishing or bird watching - just a matter of patience until the privilege of a glimpse, a blur of red scales pulling against the shrubbery, , a clawed foot kicking off the dirt, maybe even a wave of his great spiked tail. Too bad he was the only one in the car capable of such patience...

"OH screw this...!" Aiden grunted, defying even his commander's low expectations by unlocking the back door and shoving it open.

"Aiden!" Julien protested.

Malcolm pooted his lips like a horse watching this."Think we, uh, found your next case here, lawyer."

"He's fine," Gennaro held up his hands,"He is fine."

"Is he?" Ellie asked Nadia.

Nadia breathed before answering."...he's... made it this far..."

"He'll come out all right..." grumbled Aiden, pulling out a yellow horn, taking a deep breath, and blowing into it, producing a loud noise similar to a large Wyvern.

"K'sa..." Julian hissed as he scrambled out of the car, sprinting for Aiden, and yanked the horn out of the boy's confused hand."You brought a hunting horn with you!?"

"Course, Imma monster hunter," Aiden answered matter of factly.

"Are you drunk!?" Julian growled. "Ratha could be twenty feet into those woods, and you're taunting him!?"

"I'm just gettin' 'em to come to eat the goat." Aiden shrugged innocently." That's part of the tour, right?"

The Ace Commander shook the horn in the Cadet's face."Have you even considered that-"

The commander couldn't finish, as out of the trees flew an incoming fireball which collided squarely into the goat, the flash and shock of the explosion forcing the people to cover their faces, the forcefield rippling from the blast. Aiden and Julien slowly rose to full height, their eyes widened at the sight; as the smoke cleared, there was nothing left but a smoldering stain on the damaged platform where the goat once stood. Ian, Gennarro, Ellie, Tim, Alex, the Aces, and Grant's jaws hung at the sight of this.

All at once, their spines were chilled by a powerful, spiteful snarl unlike anything Grant had ever heard before; then the trees buckled and creaked as powerful winds were swept up. They heard the booming thud of a pair of giant wings pounding against the air, propelling an enormous crimson entity whose wingspan could have shadowed a further away into the jungle.

Like proper prey, the humans made not one sound until they were entirely certain that the Rathalos was gone.

With that settled, the nervous Aiden slowly turned around to the rest of of the Ace Hunters, with their weapons already drawn was attack; in that moment, the Cadet wasn't sure if they were meant for Ratha or himself.

Julian's lips curled as he sheathed his guild sabres, walking right into Aiden's face."...Have you even considered that Ratha didn't want to eat just because you told him to?" he breathed, then turned around to return to his seat in the car. The other Aces couldn't say much, so Lance and Nadia just carried their weapons back to their car, leaving the Cadet to soak in the gravitas of his buffoonery.

Grant carefully readjusted his hat."...just part of the tour..."