Disclaimer: Monster Rancher, Monster Rancher Advance and related copyrights are properties of Tecmo and I do not work for them. In other words I do not own Monster Rancher or any related concept, this work of fiction is done purely for fun and not money. Don't sue me I'm poor!
Episode 3: Getting Started
Metin and the Kokkung were fighting loudly, rolling around the shrine. Holly was getting really tired of this, they were acting like children!
"Allright! THAT'S ENOUGH! Break it off you two!"She called, getting betweem the two after they had split apart for a few seconds.
"That stupid rubber duck said I wasn't a good breeder!" complained the boy.
"And that rookie said I wasn't a good monster!" Replied the Kokkung.
"That's enough! You're both acting like babies!" Said Holly, visibly exasperated "Metin, your new here and you'll have to accept the fact that nobody will believe your a good breeder until you proove yourself in a tournament! And you Kokkung are in the same position as Metin because your a new monster!"
"It doesn't give him any right to insult me!" Both pointed out at the same time.
Holly shook her head "You two calm down or I order Mei to slap you into obediance!"
Mei giggled as she cracked her knuckles "It would be fun."
The two male tought for a moment, realising that receiving a slap attack might not be a good thing, they already had taken some damage, Metin more than the Kokkung actually. Even his fist were sore from hitting the hard body of his monster.
"Hmm...oh geez... I guess your right Holly, I shouldn't argue with him, after all he's MY monster." Tought Metin.
The Kokkung scowled "YOUR monster? All I need from you is some food, I'm not YOUR monster, nor anybody else's for that matter! You didn't even gave me a name!"
"He's right, you didn't gave him a name yet." Pointed out Mr. Bolzoi.
"Hmm... let me think here... how about Dux? Kokkunator? KrazyDuck?No?" Proposed the boy, his monster shaking his head at every name. "Okay... hmm... I got it! Kanar!"
"Hmm...Kanar... sounds like a nice name." Agreed Holly.
"Yeah it's good! Kanar!" Cheered Mei.
The Kokkung, now Kanar scratched his little head with his wing. "I guess if you like it I like it too."
Holly smiled, seeing the two had calmed down... but she knew they wouldn't stay at peace for long, they certainly didn't feel like they could get together that easily.
She clapped her hand together. "Com'on everybody, we've bothered Mr. Bolzoi for too long. I'll show you guys our ranch!"
"Our ranch? Allright! I got a ranch!" cheered the boy, jumping up again.
The small group quickly bid farewell to Mr. Bolzoi and left the shrine. Kanar had his first look at the world outside the shrine and looked with the same kind of amazement as Metin. The city was surrounded by small green hills. Holly lead the two newcommers to the left, the street was stretching all the way out of town and up a hill, where it was turning into a dusty trail.
"That street is a direct route to go to our ranch. The marketplace is on the other side, there you can also find the monster shop for all kind of monster related Item. We'll pass by the hospital on the way out of town and the studio is on the second floor of the AGIMA building." Explained Holly.
Metin didn't know what was the purpose of the Hospital, but he nodded as if he understood it anyway. The boy also noticed that the street had man-hole cover and sewer grates. The city had a sewer system, and probably running water. This city was a strange combination of technology and lack of technology, it wasn't directly based on any Earth historic period he knew. He would like to visit every part of this town when he would get the chance.
" I hope you got some good food at yet ranch, I'm starving!" Complained Kanar by his side.
"I almost forgot about you." Commented Metin. "You know, I'm feeling hungry too."
"Don't worry, I'll cook you a nice meal." Replied Holly.
"Allright!" Both boy and monster cheered.
It took about fifteen minutes for the little procession to reach the top of the hill. Metin looked around in amazement. In front of him was a large verdant valley, with a few ranches of various size sprawled around a round sparkling clear lake. There was a few big houses, some medium, barns of all shape and all kinds of small construction laying around large field. In the distance he could see snowy top mountains as well as lush forest on the other side. Looking back to the two Metin could see it was nestled betweem a series of similar hills and a bay. The ocean could be seen, it was large and clear. It was an incredible sight to behold.
"WOW!" Was all the boy could say.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Asked Holly, getting a vigorous nod as answer "Com'on, I'll show you our ranch!"
Kanar and Metin followed Holly downhill while Mei flew above them. Soon they were at the foot of the hill in the tranquill valley and Holly stoped in front of two tall wooden post holding a panel where was painted "Hopestar Ranch" in a bright yellow color. It was the entrace gate of the ranch, to the posts was link a fence that reached all the way to the nearby lake and to the bottom of the hill. The ranch territory was about a small suburb city block large!It even had it's own little beach on the lake. Metin lost some of his enthusiasm when he saw the buildings... there was a small house with a grey field stone walls near the lake, but not too close in case of a flood, it had a door and a window on each side of it and a wooden roof, in front of it where two rock bench, perfect to enjoy the sun. What looked like the barn was barely any bigger than the house and was entirely made out of wood. There was a storm cellar next to it and all around the grass field were littered large rocks and markings used for exerciced. There was also a toolshed that probably contained training equipement.
"Do you like the name? I tought of it!" Said Mei, landing beside Metin.
"Yeah it's nice! The buildings look small but it's allright, your both small monsters." Replied the boy.
"Who you callin' small?" Asked Kanar, only to find his question unanswered as his 'breeder' was lead into the house by Holly.
The house only had two room. It had a main room with a dining table in the middle with four chair, a bookcase with only a few books in it, a large chimney on one side with all the cooking equipement a small ranch would need, next to it was an armoir probably with food in it and on the other side of the room a bunkbed. The room was lit by a few candles and there was an oil lamp hanging from the ceiling above the dining table. There was a small room that took the furthest left corner wich was closed by a curtain.
"What's over there?" Inquired Metin, pointing to the curtain.
"Oh... it's the bathroom." Anwered Holly.
Metin went to check it out and was surprised at how modern it look... it had a primitive looking toilet with a wooden seat but still had a flush, a small sink and a round wood bath. But what made it more modern was the prescence of running water! When Metin exit he noticed there was a tap betweem the stove and the wall of the bathroom, underneath was a simple bucket.
"Allright! I call the top bed!" He declared. "I officially declare the Hopestar Ranch in buisness!" He then added.
"Allright! Let's hope we'll reach the highest levels!" Cheered Holly.
"YEAH!!!"Shouted Mei, leaping up in the air before landing back softly.
Kanar wasn't really sharing the excitement, he didn't felt like being trained to fight "Hey...where am I gonna sleep?"
"In the barn." dryly answered Metin.
"I'm not sleeping in some run down shack on hay!" Complained the monster.
"Com'on, it'll be fun! You'll be bunking with ME!" Pleaded Mei.
Kanar looked at the Lip Pink up and down and smile. "Allright then! Count me in...for tonight."
"Good, things are finally taking shape! This might turned out pefect." Tought Holly as she watched Metin unloading his bag of belongings on the bookcase.
The adventure is only starting and the Hopestar Ranch got a long way to go before Master Class... a LONG way to go.
To be continued...
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