Monster Hunter Earthborn Book One: The New World

by Flurry of Freezing Flames

Nick Negron thought his senior year in high school would be free of issues. At least, the ones he could control. That never prepared him or his friends as they're transported to a new world, a world full of monsters and Hunters. As the high schoolers settle in to their new lives with no way back home, a prophecy begins to unfold around them..

4. Our First Rampage

A/N: Alright, now the story finally starts to move. Having played through all of Rise and up to the Terga region in MHS2 (yay Cheval!), I have decided to start the Monstie side of this story (that was happening anyway) a little earlier than anticipated (both storylines weave into the Blighted Rampage Story as separate yet cohesive elements). And also, some prophecy alterations that will come to light in the coming chapters as our now full-fledged Hunters begin their escapades around this newer, probably much larger New World.

I also want to thank all the people who at least looked at this story, as I was really hesitant on even posting this one at all but it has become my most popular story of this year (and the last several since I was really on the ball writing my Star Wars fic). And for that support, even without favorites or alerts, I thank you. I hope whoever finds some form of enjoyment in the story finds more in the chapters to come, because the Cotton/Aylia (Or RageGamingVideos) pair will always be around for some form of comedy relief in the form of the YouTube channel's own escapades as I have never seen or heard anything funnier than those two marveling at a Monster that could one-shot cart them lmao. Anyway, onto the story..

Chapter Three

Our First Rampage

At the northern point of Astera stood a large structure, built much more recently than most of the rest of the city. This was the Stronghold, the biggest defense against the horde of monsters attacking during the Blighted Rampage. At the top of an overlooking rock face stood Nick and Saryna, along with most if not all of the other trainee Hunters from Earth. "So what are we supposed to be doing here?" Kenji asked, just as curious as the others.

"Glad you asked, Kenji! Unfortunately, I don't actually know too much about the Rampage, let alone this new Blighted Rampage. What I do know is simple enough. Our job is to go down into that Stronghold, ready ourselves, and fight waves of monsters like we were playing a tower defense game. Eventually, a bigger, meaner monster will appear, sometimes known as Apex variants. That's it."

"That's it? So we go down and just kill or be killed?" Nick nodded. "That's dark."

"This is literally a fantasy world crawling with deadly giants of all types. There's nothing really light about it. Now, I told Saryna this before we left the festival hall but we need to all watch each other's backs. No matter the rivalry or otherwise sour attitudes, we are all here and if fighting this event is the only way we can eventually go home, then by God I'm gonna go out fighting like a hero. Any other questions?" No one spoke up as a horn was sounded, a distant cloud of dust rising above the landscape coming closer and closer to Astera. "Nevermind. Watch the veteran Hunters and emulate what you can. No overly flashy heroics."

"Same to you, babe. You have that habit." Saryna smiled, surprising most of the assembled students, who hadn't seen the new couple dance or hadn't even attended the festival that day.

"I'll be fine. We technically still just got here. It can't be that hard, if we somehow have a scale of difficulty to this world like the games tend to. Alright, let's go." Jumping down to the path below the ledge they all stood by, Nick led the others down the winding canyon path.

Nick was surprised when he felt someone tapping his shoulder, looking to find Kenji there. Saryna watched the two, ready to step in like she had her first day in Astera. "Hey, mind if I talk to you for a minute?" Kenji asked Nick, the latter taken aback by the other teen's unorthodox behavior.

"Uh, yeah, sure. Hang back with me." Nick said as he and Kenji both slowed their pace until they were behind the rest of the group, Saryna trailing the others just in front of the two boys. "What's on your mind, Kenji?"

"Did you know? About Saryna?"

"Not with confirmation. As far as I know, I'm the only one she's shown that birthmark. I had heard the stories of the heir of Sapphire while we were here our first day, and it clicked that Saryna was the princess. Why? Hating yourself over fucking that up?"

Kenji sneered, but it wasn't malicious as it usually would be. "A bit, actually. I don't understand how I tried giving her everything but she still always wound up going back to you instead, even if you weren't dating."

"Connections, man. I've been the closest guy to Saryna since we were all about six or seven. We met you the beginning of high school, so even though you did manage to worm into her heart, I always held a fair share of that particular organ."

Kenji scrunched his face in dislike. "Don't say it like that. You make it sound like you have a Fatality over her."

"So you do game! Well, either way, maybe now you don't have to be at my throat over her?"

"All you, Nick. This place, this world? This is all your element. Seems Saryna was just a part of that in a way."

"Hmm. Maybe. But, you're not so bad for a guy who didn't even know about the games back home."

Kenji shook his head. "Nah, you have all us beat. Even if it was weaker, even our teachers said it should have been impossible for you to beat that thing last week so easily. What was it called again? Oh, right the Jyuratodus."

"I hunted a lot of Jyuratodus in the games. Had to, part of the grind of those games is having to go and hunt multiples of each monster to upgrade or forge armor and weapons. That training fight was scaled down much more than even I figured, with our limited experience outside of this world."

Kenji hummed, nodding. "I see. So, you think we can go home?"

"I don't know, Kenji. Honestly, I'd rather not leave. Back home all I have is my dad, and he's barely home as it is. I'll stay wherever Saryna decides, if we do manage to figure a way home."

Kenji shook his head then with a chuckle. "Somehow, I knew you'd say that either way. Take care of her, Nick. Saryna has always seemed tough but I'm pretty sure you know just how much of that behavior is just a mask."

"Yeah, I know. Don't worry, she'll be out of that shell before you know it. So, you sure you'll be alright down there with that massive hammer on your back?" Nick then asked, looking at the Bone hammer Kenji had.

"I'm as sure as you are with that Zangetsu of yours." Kenji motioned to the Bone great sword on Nick's own back.

"I wish this thing was like Zangetsu. Although, then this wouldn't be the Monster Hunter world. Either way, I've always played the Monster Hunter games with great swords. I like dual blades too, but they can be trickier to really get used to. That's why I was surprised at how easily Saryna took to them. Like she was made to use dual blades."

By this time, the students had all reached the town-side entrance to the Stronghold, and Nick took notice of the cannons and ballistae that were positioned all around. "Good, we'll have major damage support. If any of us get the chance, we use those cannons. They can make a fight much easier with almost any Monster lower than an Elder Dragon." Everyone nodded as they all split up to take position, Nick, Kenji and Saryna being left by themselves.

"You two alright?" Saryna asked, the dual worry for the two boys still showing.

"Yeah, we're alright. Hey, Kenji? You mind sticking around here with us? Saryna and I could use a nice blunt weapon to help us carve down these creatures."

Nick's proclaimed rival smirked. "Sure, I've been meaning to try and practice my Silkbinds."

"Man, I forgot about that. Just something else new I have to figure out efficiently. Remember, though. These monsters may or may not be tougher than the ones we would otherwise be going out to hunt."

"You got it. Now let's go kick some monster ass." With nods, the three walked into the Stronghold.

Nick looked around once they were inside the would-be battlegrounds, taking note especially of the locations of the Dragonator traps, which would practically impale anything that came in contact with the massive drilling spears. He saw their Hunter teacher, Gravin waving them towards him. "There are my three star pupils. Still surprised you wound up being the lost princess, Saryna."

"Master Gravin." The three greeted back, saluting the elder Hunter before Nick followed up. "What are we looking at?"

The Hunter trainer scratched his chin. "Two hordes. Big boss of the group is Arzuros."

"Bloodlust incarnate.. Ugh even being a beginner level Monster, it couldn't have been something a bit more exotic? Like a Bishaten? Or even a Rathalos?"

Master Gravin looked at him like he was crazy as Saryna rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's one-track focus. "A Rathalos? Nick, even as adept as you are in combat, you would have no chance at beating the Lord of the Skies. Yet. Focus on practicing against the hordes, especially once the counter signal is activated."

"Counter signal?" Kenji asked, Nick shrugging.

"It's a period where every Hunter defending the Stronghold is imbued with immense strength and defensive capabilities. During a counter signal, you could potentially down a tough Monster in seconds. In an outside Hunt, if you could access a counter signal, most lower rank Monsters wouldn't stand a chance even against newbies like you all."

"Are the Dragonators going to be active?" Nick asked.

"This is a serious situation, of course we have Dragonators positioned all over the Stronghold. Don't worry, we've been repelling this event for over a century. This first Rampage won't be your last. Now, go get in position. The first horde will arrive any minute now."

There were three loud booms made from a large drum situated at the top of a lookout tower. "The Horde is upon us! Izuchi, Baggi, Jagras and Aknosom approaching!"

Nick looked at the other two teens, all three nodding as they went into the stronghold to take up defensive positions.

An Hour Later..

Nick panted breathlessly as the Aknosom retreated back where it and the rest of the horde it was with came from. Saryna was next to him in an instant, her wirebug gauntlet still glowing as she tossed a ration to him. "Let's get you back up. We still have another horde to go."

"I know. Jeez, that bird was some kind of karate whiz. I never thought I'd see a crane Monster, and not one that can spit fireballs."

"It was kinda fun seeing you get knocked around a bit. We got this, babe."

"Of course we do. Where's Kenji?"

"Off on one of the ballista with Jasmine and a few others. Seems my father's been watching you fight." Saryna nodded towards the upper tier of the Stronghold, where the Sapphire Star stood, indeed looking at Nick and herself.

"Probably sees how close we are and wants to really feel me out. Better play from a parent than what you're used to, huh?"

Saryna blushed. "Don't bring them up. You know how annoyed I get."

"I know, but I love making you blush." Nick said as he dug out a seed from his item pouch. "Here, eat this and this." He took another seed out. "Together they let you do more damage and take less respectively and until that counter signal is sounded, we need the extra defense."

"Coming from the resident gymnast of our school?" Saryna playfully teased, referencing how Nick had been abusing his ability to dodge the horde as he had decided to go fight them head on instead of from afar on a turret.

"Dodging is very important with these beasts. While they all have speed,only some of them can still hit you in a dodge roll. And even if we're hit or sent flying from a shockwave, we can fire off a wirebug to dodge even easier. Hence why I'm so winded."

There was a sudden, deafening horn blown from the lookout towers. "Arzuros approaching! Flanked by Aknosom and Zamtrios."

Saryna looked back at Nick. "You sure you're okay?"

"I love the concern but I'm just fine. I won't let tier one monsters knock me down. At least, not enough to cart." With a simple nod, not needing further explanation pwr se, Saryna went back to where she had been defending the Stronghold.

It seemed like an eternity later (in fact only about twenty minutes) that saw Nick and Kenji landing blow after blow on the large colorful bear monster. The Arzuros roared with a shockwave that was cut short by a blinding flash. Looking from the direction the flash bomb had come, Nick saw Saryna grinning with her arm outstretched. Taking the hint, he nodded to Kenji who focused, his hammer beginning to glow as Nick's great sword did the same. Saryna facepalmed from her position as she heard the two quoting battle cries from some TV show or another as the Arzuros roared in death as it's body thudded hard on the ground, Nick and Kenji stumbling from the shockwaves at such a close range. Master Gravin wired over to them, grinning.

"That's what I like to see! Nice work, guys! And from the mouth of the king himself, you and every other teenager displaced here are now officially Hunters of the New World."

Nick and Kenji whooped in unison, high-fiving each other before realizing what they had just done. Shrugging it off, the group went to find and regroup with the other teens from their world.

Re-entering Astera proper, Nick was stopped by a messenger of the Wyverian Academy. "Are you Hunter Nick Negron?" She asked, the armor she wore designed to make her look somewhat more masculine than Nick was comfortable with.

"Yeah, that's me." Nick replied.

"The Guild Master would like to speak with you. It seems you have a visitor, asking specifically for you by name."

Nick's confused face twisted into a half-frown as he motioned for the messenger to lead the way, Saryna following behind Nick. The messenger took them into the heart of the Academy, where the Hunter's Guild office was located. Upon entering, Nick almost unsheathed his weapons as he spotted what looked like a small but equally dangerous Rathian, stopping himself when he saw it indeed was only a juvenile, being ridden by a woman in the feminine version of a Rathian-derived armor who was holding a stick of meat (or maybe dango, Nick couldn't be totally sure) dangling in front of the young green poisonous dragon's mouth. "Guild Master Kyra? You summoned me?"

The woman nodded with a warm smile. "Ah, Nick. Congrats to you and your friends for your first victorious Rampage. Unfortunately, as I am sure you're aware, the tasks at hand shall only become tougher."

"I understand, Master Kyra. But, why have you summoned me? I was told about a visitor..?"

"Yes, yes. It seems the incident that brought you and your friends to our world is no longer an isolated one. Fortunately for this group, they were not separated as you all were and were found by Cotton and Cha-Cha during the Rampage, who were responsible for patrolling the outskirts of Astera in caution of the Horde breaking away from the main group."

"Another group? Why would.." He was interrupted by a new voice sounding out in excitement. "Nick!"

Nic's eyes widened in shock and fear. It can't be.. He thought as he turned and saw the girl he had never expected to see again, his kind-of ex-girlfriend Lizzie Hollister. "L-Liz? What the hell happened?"

"Your trip group has been missing for weeks, Nick! The school sent a group of us along with Mr. Fisher to go and try to find you. We were on the highway in the desert and then these weird monoliths appeared all over the place and started glowing blue. Next thing we know, Jackson is getting torched and eaten by some weird Tyrannosaur with tiny ass wings and-"

"I get it. Damnit, that isn't good. The prophecy only foretold of one group getting transported here." He held his temple, feeling a headache coming on.

"What prophecy? What else is going on here? Where the hell even are we?" Lizzie asked as Saryna's voice entered the conversation.

"The prophecy about me. I was getting worried. You alright, babe?" She asked as she went to Nick's side.

"I'm fine, but now there are even more of us Earthings here." He explained as Lizzie looked between the two of them.

"Oh, of course you're here," She said with a frown. "Anywhere Nick is, you tend to be. And did you say babe? I thought you and Kenji were still fucking under the bleachers."

Saryna had fire in her eyes as she unsheathed her dual blades. "That was never true! Wanna try that again? I know how to use these and I will carve you up like I did those damn Izuchi during the Rampage."

"Now, now, my love." Came another new voice as the Queen entered the room. "Even with Hunter training, a princess must know when to show restraint."

"Mother!" Saryna sheathed her blades again swiftly. "What brings you down here?"

"Your father told me of these unsettling new.. Developments. Seeing as your prince seems to be the leader of you all, I thought it right to come and hear of it myself."

Lizzie looked even more lost than before, her mind grabbing at anything important that was said. "Wait, princess? Saryna? What the fuck makes you so special?!"

Feeling empowered by her mothers' presence, Saryna just lifted the side of her armor, where the now dimly-glowing birthmark showed. "This is my proof, for I am the displaced heir to this land. Now fuck off, Lizzie. Nick and I have a festival to go back to."

"Hold on, mama. Was there anything else, Master Kyra?"

The Guild Master shook her head in the negative. "No, but Gravin should be thoroughly entertained by another new batch of recruits so quickly."

"Probably. Alright, I guess I'll be seeing you around, Liz. Stay safe. This world is dangerous for you guys who just showed up." He said as he linked his arm with Saryna's. "My lady." He said with a smile as Saryna giggled, rolling her eyes as they left the room, the Queen following behind the young couple.

Kyra looked at the girl they had left behind, a look of deep thought present on the girl's face. "What are you thinking, young one? Must be hard seeing those you love with someone else."

Lizzie looked at the somewhat older Wyverian. "What are you.. Oh, what's the use of pretending? Yes, I still have feelings for that idiot, but I messed that up. I told him we were only meant to be a fling, and only after that did I figure it was much deeper than that. Looks like my chance is out the window, though."

"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that. From what one of the princess' friends- Jasmine, I believe her name was- have told me, it seems your world has long abandoned the traditional one-on-one relationship."

Lizzie scoffed. "Yeah, I guess that much is true. But, Nick is and only ever has truly loved that girl, even when she outright abandoned their own friendship. And she wouldn't share him for her life, it seems. She saw right through me as soon as she walked in."

"True as that may be, she also wouldn't stop looking at you, and it wasn't simple hate or annoyance. Just take things a day at a time, like Nick has been saying since they came into this world weeks ago. Now, you have a party to go to as well, do you not? The Festival is not just for the Hunters of Astera, but for everybody, after all."

Lizzie was left there, thinking. She had been so engrossed in the fact Nick had gone missing that she had forgotten just how many teens had disappeared back home. It made her realize that Nick being with Saryna wasn't as far from reality as she thought, especially with being transported to another world. Huffing, she began making her way towards the living quarters, a small map leading her to the destination.

Festival Grounds..

Nick sighed as he sipped on some kind of sweet fruit-based drink. He didn't know what the fruit itself was, but it tasted great and if it could be drunk, then it couldn't be that dangerous, could it? "You sure you're alright, Nicky?" Came Saryna's voice from his side.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Just kind of.. I don't know. Doesn't it seem odd, though? More teens from our world wind up here, and I have to deal with the ex."

Saryna nodded along. "Of course it's odd, but then this wouldn't be such a perfect place for you to blend in." Probably best not to tell him what mother told me earlier. If he knew multiple wives were well within the cards and on the table, he might..

Suddenly, Tristan appeared as he usually did next to the couple. "Ole Lizzie's here too, now, huh? Jeez, Nick, you have either the worst or best luck."

"What are you on about now, Tristan? And for the record, it's looking more bad than good."

"Bullshit. No offense to Saryna, but Lizzie has always been one of the sexiest girls at school, and you dated her. I heard from another of the newcomers that she was beside herself trying to figure out where you were. If Lizzie didn't care, that doesn't sound like a reaction I would expect."

"True. Oh, go away Tristan. We just got through a Rampage. Can we focus on celebrating before we go out and actually hunt those monsters outside the walls?"

Tristan laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't do anything stupid then. And remember, no secrets." He said cryptically before leaving.

"What the.. you think Tristan's on something?" Saryna asked, knowing Tristan better than to take what he was saying to Nick too seriously.

"You mean like drugs?" Nick shrugged. "I don't know, maybe. This world could have so many things to be drugged out on. But with him? Tris is probably just messing with us. It is one of his pastimes, you know."

Saryna rolled her eyes. "This is true.."

Meanwhile..

Across the New World from Astera sat a small settlement called Kohoni Village. The townspeople there were known for their prowess at not just hunting Monsters, but Riding them as well. Little did they know, however, their somewhat peaceful lives were about to be uprooted.

One such Rider, a young woman named Erika patted the head of her Monster, a Pink Rathian as the poisonous dragon shook stressfully, the Rider not knowing why her Monster was suddenly acting up. Erika's first thought was that the scattered earthquakes that had been occurring lately had something to do with it, but she had no way of knowing for sure.

Suddenly, as if her thoughts were affecting nature itself, the ground shook violently as a large crack appeared in the ground at her feet. Erika gasped. "What the.. the village!" She shouted as the earth tore out from under her on a massive scale, entire buildings being swallowed up by the ground as an enormous pit opened, claiming the town within its depths. Erika lost her footing as the pit continued to expand, her rare Rathian taking off from the ground as she flew under Erika, catching her before being lost to the darkness within the pit. As the Matriarch of the Skies landed on what seemed like solid ground, there was another massive quake as a red light as wide as the pit began lighting the area, bathing the immediate surroundings in an eerie, hostile crimson hue. Then, a roar sounded from deep beneath the ground, a sound Erika could not identify as any Monster she knew of.

The Rathian took off again, distressed from hearing the roar as she began flying away from the pit, even as Erika saw hundreds of not thousands of Rathalos of all different variations flying towards the newly-made hole. As the girl flew off, another roar sounded as she looked back at where her village had been not ten minutes earlier, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Mom.. dad.." She said as her Rathian flew further and further away, it's sights set on the one place she knew her Rider would think to go in an emergency as dire as this: Astera.

Next Time: Nick learns the Riders he knew in the old world are present and strives to join them, even as the Rider he meets seems much more interested in him and Saryna than he figured. Also, the couple's first true Hunt. See you there!