Author's notes:

This chapter is posted in bulk with a number of other chapters, so don't be surprised if you get notifications of a few chapters being posted at the same time as this one.

Here is the chapter! Enjoy!

*Edit 07/2019

Fix some typos...maybe edited some text a bit and change Yohra to YoRHa.

I feel so Embarassed that I didn't notice I missspelled it.

Okay! Enjoy all these slightly revised chapters.

"Nyain-es, are you alright?" Asked Whistill to a drowsy 9S, who gave a yawn, before responding.

"I'm alright Whistill, just a bit tired that's all." He replied looking at the path ahead of them.

It was early morning, with 9S, Pod 153, Whistill and a few other felynes trekking in the forest heading to the old felyne settlement at the northern area as they originally planned yesterday. They were currently walking through a path surrounded by large trees and big roots that they occasionally had to go over or under to get through.

"Not tired but sleep deprived. Meowster somehow opened the locked bookcase last night and spent hours reading it until he fell asleep on top of it. I had to wake him up Nya, so we wouldn't be late!" Told Pod 153 in a grumpy manner for her Meowster's antics and disregard for eight hours of sleep.

"I'm sorry pod, but at least I packed beforehand. And we still had a lot of time to pack some food and rations for today's task anyway. If it makes you feel any better, I promise I won't stay up again." 9S apologize to Pod, who just huffs at him.

"I would believe you if you could keep that promise. This isn't the first time you did something like staying up late." She said as their trek continues, and they begin to walk uphill. 9S chuckles weakly in embarrassment knowing Pod is right.

"What did you find Nya in the bookcase? It must be really interesting for you to stay up late and forget our trip today?" Asked Whistill who was curious.

"O-oh, uh yeah. It's really interesting, unbelievable really… I'll explain it to you guys after we're done with bringing your stuff back to the settlement and investigate what your Melynx found." 9S said, who became visible uncomfortable from Whistill's question and instead replied quickly before walking ahead and being more awake. He's hand even went to touch the gem on his choker.

Both Pod and the felyne leader saw his reaction and both found it strange with his sudden change in behavior. Normally 9S would be willing to share whatever he's found but now, it seems he is a bit reluctant to.

They stare at each for a brief moment and both silently decide to let 9S be for now. If they give him some time for himself then he'll eventually tell them what's wrong. Besides, the boy is right that they need to finish the task on hand first. They continue their trek to the forest as they slowly approach the northern area.

As they continued to travel, 9S began to think back about his previous night's event and what he learned or rather discovered from the locked bookcase. He could safely say that its not a hunter manual. Rather it is a different sort of manual entirely, which he didn't believe at first, until he came across two things that convinced him otherwise.

First, he saw the dedication, which was address solely to someone. He thought, the author Lime was giving thanks in this dedication to his hunter friend who helped him write The Legend of Redan and this manual was a companion work to the pocketbook. Since it gives a brief mention to the story, Lime may have made the book intentionally to add some elements and world building to the original story. That is until 9S read the whole dedication, which then prove his initial thoughts were wrong. The last passage read as:

'To always remember us and your home. To carry a bit of our history and teachings. To bond and bring new Kinship to the world.'

Which clued him this book wasn't one of Lime's works …that and the person who made the dedication, and maybe the manual itself entirely, had the initials of F.S.

9S felt stupid that he didn't think to check first who was the author of the manual or who owned the book. The latter he couldn't find proof or anything pointing to the name of the owner, and only the initials F.S. appeared consistently, which proved the former. Now that 9S thinks back a bit, some other items were too detailed and worded too clearly for someone to make up for a fantasy story. Which brings to the second thing he found.

When skimming through the pages, he saw the illustration showing the same image of the choker he possessed among other similar items that have blue gems on them. He paused at that page and began to process it in his mind on what this book could mean to him and his past.

He was confused and a bit disbelief at the coincidence of his choker appearing on the manual itself and what it's told to be really. But his mind was going over drive with the possibility that he has finally got a clue to the past he has forgotten. Especially when it connects to a fantastical legend of taming monsters. Which also brings to mind in what he could do with his choker.

He decided to backtrack a bit and reread some previous pages, trying to figure it out. Until he decided to go back to the pocketbook and finish the story in case it could shed some clarity to what he just discovered.

Which it did, as 9S remembers since it took about an hour or so to finish the story. He also learned what the blue gem on his choker could potentially be.

As he recalls where he stopped…

A light enveloped both the young hunter and the monster. Both felt something change within them and something else to each other. It was like their minds, their feelings and their hearts were one for a moment. The young hunter describe it as a connection of sorts that enable them to understand each other to a certain extent and a new sort of companionship was born between them. From there on, the young hunter and wyvern decided to traveled together and see where this connection between them would go.

As they traveled together, they grew closer to one another and their bond strengthened. They would play and train with one another. Fight and defend each other from threats. They watched each other's back and never abandoned one another. The stronger their bond became, the brighter the blue gem shined. Both thought it was a good omen.

But as they traveled and looked for a new home, they've noticed that everywhere they passed the darkness came and destroyed everything on its path. Seeing this, both knew that they had to stopped this darkness unless it would spread out and destroy the world. But they knew that together they can fight it and that they have the key into stopping it, the blue gem.

They followed the darkness wherever it went and fought with the monsters its driven mad, saving lives from its destruction and villages from sharing the same fate of their home. With the power of their bond, the blue gem's light shined brightly. They were able drive the darkness away, even from the minds of infected monsters. They chased it wherever it went and even to the ends of the world.

It was then, the young hunter and wyvern were face to face with the source of darkness, a black dragon shrouded with a dark haze. It was the last obstacle for the two to bring peace to the world and end its suffering at the hands of this dragon's dark influence. They fought hard against the beast, but both fell short to its overwhelming power. At the end of their rope, they both decided to attack it as one. Feeling their hearts in sync, the wyvern allows the young hunter to mount its back and ride it as they fly straight to the black dragon. As they charged together, the blue gem shined its brightest from the strength of their bond and unlocked a new power that vanquished the dragon, covering it in blinding light that destroyed it and the darkness it possessed.

With the dragon defeated and the darkness gone, the young hunter and wyvern brought peace to the world. Content from vanquishing the darkness, both decided to retire and make a new home just for the two of them and enjoy the peace they've brought. Tired from their journey they decided disappear from the face of the earth and rest. Until this day no one knows where the young hunter and the wyvern went to settle and make their new home of.

Some say they taught others to bond with monsters like them and formed a new village around that culture. Others say that he still flies around riding the wyvern, exploring the world after their long break with the shine of the blue gem signaling their presence. No one knows for sure what is true, but only the name of the young hunter who befriended the wyvern and save the world… Redan.

That night after finishing the story, 9S took note that the blue gem and Redan's name were mentioned in the manual. Also, in the story the blue gem was the key for Redan and the wyvern to bond with one another. From there he read the manual again, more thoroughly and with more focus, now that some information are much clearer for him after reading the entire story.

The blue gem was called a Kinship stone. Kinship Stones are used by people called Riders, who bond and ride Monsters through a process and practice they call Kinship. Redan of which from the legend is considered as the first Rider and the person who fathered the practice of Kinship with monsters. This means the locked bookcase that 9S found holds a Rider's Manual, which is basically a manual for beginner Riders, full of information and tips to bond and tame with a variety of monsters using their Kinship stones.

Recalling the page describing Kinship stones, 9S remembers that they can come in different shapes and accessories ranging from the traditional design of the Kinship stone, placed on a wrist mounted holder, to being placed on top of the armor they wear. They can also be disguise as jewelry, like necklaces, bracelets and with what he's seen… chokers.

Remembering the image of the choker and comparing it to his own, returns to 9S's mind. The implications from seeing the exact image of his choker inside the Rider's manual with all the other discoveries he found last night, overwhelmed him. He couldn't even process all of it to begin with. What he does know is that he has possibly found a clue to his forgotten past. Possibly.

Despite the fine print and all the instances that could convince 9S that he could have been a Rider or that he's from a hidden village full of Riders, there is still no concrete evidence if the Rider's manual is telling the truth or not and if his choker has a bona fide Kinship stone. Until he can find a solid lead that proves it is and the rest of the information involving monster taming, he wouldn't keep his hopes up and use it in figuring out his past.

He kept himself all night looking for any other signs and anything else that would give him a reason to believe that the Riders' manual isn't a sham or a fluke, and sadly found little. He then thought that one of his options would be is to try and use his choker in the same way as a Kinship stone would, but before he could continue that train of thought he fell asleep exhausted from his research.

Which then brings 9S to the present, from waking up early for the day by Pod and going with Whistill to the northern area to his old settlement. Despite wanting to continue his research, he even brought both of the books with him without Pod noticing, he decides to give it a break and finish his work with Whistill first. Finding the felynes a home is a priority now, and he has a lot of time and a pretty loose schedule to work with anyway to continue his research. His gives one last thought of how he will proceed in his research and even strokes the blue gem on his choker, before he continues their trek to the northern area.

"Nyain-es, Pod 153 Nya! It's my Melynx Nya!" Shouted Whistill pointing to a group of felynes with black fur and with white paw print markings on their stomach. The Melynx saw them as well and waves at their leader.

9S didn't realize that they were already at the northern area. He may have walked with an absent mind to their destination due to him pondering of the previous night's event. At least he's lucky he didn't trip or got attack by a monster.

Whistill then began to talk with the Melynx, with both sides speaking in meows and purrs. 9S couldn't understand but Pod 153 did, she even nodded her head in understanding from which 9S could guess from a decision Whistill made with the Melynx. Whistill then turns and faces him to tell what their next course of action is.

"Nyain-es Nya. We may have to split apart and let the other felynes go to our old settlement by themselves. While we on the other hand go with the Melynx. What they found is err… bigger than I suspected and may take much longer to explore without your help." The felyne told him, making 9S glance back to the other felynes who heard the conversation as well.

"You think the others could handle bringing the rest of the stuff from your old settlement? And you didn't exactly tell us what your Melynx have found in the first place. What did they find anyway that would need our help anyway?" Asked 9S to Whistill, a bit curious to why Whistill wanted to go with Melynx.

"Don't worry Nya! We brought most of the stuff yesterday and I know they'll bring the rest with the cart we left just for the occasion. And what the Melynx has found… nyahaha! It's going to be a surprise you'll like!" Said Whistill grinning, confident in whatever he thinks it would be to peak 9S's interest.

"Really now? What do you think Pod?" 9S asked Pod 153's opinion, as he himself is now a bit more curious and excited to what Whistill is talking about.

"I don't mind at all Meowster, I also heard their conversation and I could say that where we are going would amuse you. Besides Meowster they may need are help as well, maybe to carry something since the Melynx have a cart with them." Pod 153 said as she points to 9S the felyne cart at the corner near them.

"Well now you guys are just pushing my buttons… Well I guess were all on board for it Whistill. Let's get going so I could know what you and Pod are keeping from me." 9S told them as he heads to the cart and begins to push it with them.

"Sure thing Nyain-es! Everybody, we'll meet back here before sunset. If any of us comeback before the other just stay here and wait for us. See you all Nya!" Whistill ordered the rest of the felynes, who followed and began to head further north to their old settlement, before he went on his way with Pod 153 and the Melynx. The felynes then jump on the cart when 9S offered them a ride.

With the Melynx guiding him, they continue on their way to another part of the forest.

"Woooooaaaaaahhhh…." Is 9S' first reaction to what he sees before him. Even Pod 153 and Whistill were in awe at what was in front of them.

A large cave opening was right in front of 9S and the felynes. The cave looked like it was dug from the ground based on the grooves lining on the entrance and the dig marks present implying a monster made it. A really big monster, 9S thought as well, seeing how big the entrance is compared to himself.

"This is what the Melynx found?" 9S asked Whistill, who nodded his head confirming it.

"Yes Nya. They found it shortly after the stampede." He replied, making Pod 153 turn to him.

"Your Melynx found a monster den?" Pod asked wearily, since all the signs of a monster's presence was littered along their surroundings. Most of which are faded foot prints they can't distinguish.

"An abandoned monster den! They have scouted inside and kept watch of it the whole time. No monsters are in the vicinity Nya! Inside or out and none have returned back here, since they left to the south Nya." Whistill said assuring Pod and alleviating her worries a bit.

"Which means we can explore and gathered all the materials inside. Some plants and herbs grow more abundantly around monsters. Maybe we can even get some that could only be found in their dens." 9S told the group, getting more excited at the prospect of exploring a monster's den.

"Maybe even more Nya…" Whistill trailed with a knowing smirk.

"More?" Asked Pod 153 in confusion.

"It starts with an 'e' Nya." Hinted Whistill.

"No… there is no way a monster would abandon…" Pod 153 couldn't believe what Whistill is implying.

"Wait… you don't mean…" Even 9S begins to suspect the answer.

"Monster EGGS NYA! My Melynx smelled a particular scent inside and they suspected that a monster must have laid its egg here!" Whistill cheered revealing the answer to 9S and Pod 153.

"Are you serious! This means its up for us to grab as much as we want, if what they say is true!" Exclaimed 9S, excited as well at the prospect of finding monster eggs.

"Now hold on Meowster, we might have to reconsider this. We're not sure if the monster would abandon its eggs." Pod 153 said, getting more cautious at the thought of heading into monster territory with eggs no less. The mother might return angry that its nest is being raided.

"Don't worry Nya! If the monster would have returned it would have done so right now. But seeing that its not here, then maybe it abandon its nest because of the unknown disturbance here in the forest a few days back." Guesses Whistill, which still didn't convince Pod 153.

"C'mon Pod. How can you pass this opportunity to explore an abandoned monster den and get a few eggs? We can even give some to the guild and get a reward from it. They'll be happy with our find and can handle relocating the rest of the eggs in there as well to somewhere else safe away from the village." 9S adds to help convince Pod 153.

After few moments of thinking and looking both at the excited 9S and Whistill. Knowing that nothing will stop them and nothing she would say would convince them otherwise. She relents, while giving an exasperated sigh.

"Fine Meowster, we'll go in. BUT at the first sign of trouble we leave is that clear!" She said sternly to the two of them, with 9S and Whistill agreeing.

"Yes pod, we'll be careful. I packed some dung bombs just in case we get into trouble anyway." Replied 9S.

"Yes Nya, us too packed as well! Besides, I trust my Melynx that this den is abandoned. If their wrong, then I know what I'm going to ask the guild in my next visit to town, Nyahahahahaha!" Whistill chuckled merrily at the last part, disturbing 9S and Pod 153 from his last remark and making the Melynx beg at their knees telling them they're not wrong and the cave is abandoned.

With that said, the group begin to venture deep into the monster den. The Melynx have decided to lead the way and push the cart as well, since some of the den's area is wet and slippery. Whistill, 9S and Pod 153 follow behind as they take in the view of the cave's interior.

As they go deeper inside and 9S can't help but marvel at the sight of the intricacy of the monster den and the fact that they are actually traveling inside a hidden cave system. He heard stories before with 2B and A2 from other hunters, about hidden ecosystems under the ground or deep in the caves. Mainly, some monsters use them to get around unseen, but others make their home in places like this to avoid the watchful eyes of hunters. The earth is shaped and carved from monsters tunneling and making their dens. The paths and dwellings they've made end up being a new place for life to grow. Even some small monsters and insects move to these hidden areas to avoid predators and thrive in the new environment.

9S could see that their stories are true. As they continue further in the den, 9S noticed that there are tiny pockets of holes at the ceilings of the cave letting sunlight inside. With it, the group have spotted herbs and mushrooms growing in the cracks and softened soil within the cave. Deeper in the cave, the group reached a small river with water flowing further in, with fishes swimming along them as they followed the river. Small insects like flash bugs and insect monsters like Altaroths and Bnahabras roam the cave as well, with the ant like monsters gathering mushrooms and the mosquito like monsters flying high above them. Some things would glint from the light passing through the ceilings of the cave. When they would investigate, the group would find iron ores and a few malachite ores on the cave walls.

The group would occasionally pause in their trek, to gather the abundant materials around them. The cart they were carrying was starting to be filled with goods of all kinds. 9S himself would occasionally fish as the felynes around him gathered herbs and mushrooms. Pod 153 and the Melynx would mine the walls with the pickaxe they brought to gather the ore, while Whistill would catch the flash bugs and other insects around them.

This routine of them exploring the den and pausing to gather material went on for quite a while, until the Melynx caught a familiar scent. They called out to Whistill, who began sniffing the air as well and cheered in excitement. Even Pod stopped to sniff the air for a bit before she recognize the scent of eggs, a telltale sign that they were near the nest. With renew vigor, the group hastily made their way to the direction were the scent was coming from.

As they continue to follow the scent, light begins to shine in front of the path they took, blinding them a bit due to the sudden brightness. As their eyes slowly adjust to the brightness, 9S and the felynes began to take in the sight of the nest before they stared at awe in its entirety.

They were in an area surrounded by tall rock walls with small streams of water flowing out of the cracks. There was no ceiling above the area, letting the sun's rays fall on to the nest below like spotlight in a theater. The nest itself, which glowed from the sunlight shinning on it, looked like a small tower or mound made by rocks and dirt, with the top covered with well-placed dried leaves and twigs arrange to cover the eggs.

Surrounding the nest is a small moat of water, with herbs and mushrooms growing at the sides and some other plant life littering all around the area itself. Small bugs flutter around and 9S could see a small tree with honey dripping down its side and dried monster bones, clearly leftovers from the monster that once lived here. Overall, the entire place was abundant with materials to gather.

"Oh Nya we found it! Look at all the materials! And… I still smell the eggs here!" Whistill said in joy, happy at this bounty they've discovered.

"Yeah, look at this place…" 9S trailed off as he continues to admire the nest.

"It's good we brought a cart. I don't know how we would have gathered all of this and the eggs without it." Said Pod 153, surveying the area.

"Nya! I'm just happy those eggs haven't hatch yet or we would be dealing with a bunch of abandoned and hungry baby monsters scurrying around." Chimed Whistill as he begins to retrieve his bug catching net.

"Agreed. Now let's get to work. Meowster can you start by gathering the… Meowster? Meowster what's wrong?" Pod 153 saw 9S in a thinking position and unmoving. She went to see his face and saw it that he was in deep thought. Before she could ask him again, 9S suddenly turned his head to Whistill's direction.

"Hey Whistill?" He asked.

"Hmmm? Yes Nyain-es?" Whistill went to face 9S and saw him hesitate a bit.

"Is it okay if I can have one egg for myself?" 9S asked cautiously.

"Nya what for?"

"Yes Meowster what for?"

Both Whistill and Pod 153 questioned him out of curiosity. They also saw that his expression shifted to a conflicted one before he answered.

"Well, remember that I unlocked the bookcase last night and discovered something interesting? I-its… sort of related to that…" 9S rubs the back of his head, not sure how to proceed without revealing everything to both of the felynes.

"And you need an egg Nya?" Whistill raised an eyebrow, a bit perplex to why 9S needed an egg or what does an egg connect to the thing he discovered.

"Its to help me confirm something… and maybe even prove something as well." 9S answered, while both Pod and Whistill continue to stare at him and his unusual behavior.

"Look… I can let you watch what I'm going to do with the egg. And whatever happens, I'll explain everything to you guys of what I learned last night." 9S told them this, as both felynes look at each other having a silent conversation. With a shrug from Pod 153, Whistill gives their response.

"Well… okay Nya, if you insist. I'm not sure what you'll do with an egg Nya, but if it will get you to explain everything and your strange behavior Nya, then fine by me!" Whistill said, making 9S sigh in relief.

"But can we do the gathering first Meowster, so that it won't interfere with whatever you'll do?" Asked Pod 153, who agreed to the proposition Whistill made.

"Sure Pod, no problem. What do you guys want me to do first!" 9S said to them. Pod begins to talk with the Melynx before addressing him.

"You can start by getting some eggs from the nest and give it to the Melynx, you can even choose the one you want while you're at it. After that just help in gathering the herbs and mushrooms." Pod 153 said, as the Melynx begin to climb up the nest to reach the eggs.

"Sure thing Pod." 9S responded before he as well, heads up to the nest. Both Pod and Whistill leave them alone as they begin to gather some of the materials around the nest.

As 9S reaches the top of the nest, he looks over at the eggs covered by the dried leaves and twigs. He sees that some of the eggs have spots and others have zigzag stripes on them. He digs an egg out one at a time, removing the dried leaves and twigs before passing the egg to one of the Melynx. They continue this process until the Melynx call out to him that they only have space to carry 6 eggs. Hearing this, 9S returns some he has gotten out before he takes hold of one particular egg.

He takes notice of the weight of the egg and the green zig zagged stripped pattern on it. 9S doesn't know how, but he feels some sort of connection to it and decides that this egg is the one. As he picks it up and carries it with him, he reminds himself of what he is supposed to do with it.

When Whistill exclaimed that he was happy the eggs didn't hatch yet, his statement reminded 9S of a section from the Rider's manual. He remembers that the section was called 'Hatching your Monstie'…9S is still a bit puzzled by the name.

He doesn't know why the section was called that nor why Riders would call any of their monsters a monstie.

…A side note he remembers is a scribble on the manual that said it's because it's a combination of the word monster and bestie.

He is not sure if the person who made the word was clever or corny.

Nevertheless, the entire section was about how a Rider could hatch a monster from an egg using the power of their Kinship stone. The Rider would first get an egg from a monster nest and then perform the Rite of Kinship to hatch the egg. It was really simple when 9S read it and he also learned that this was the best way for a young Rider to bond with a monster, since the Rider would be responsible in raising it and the 'monstie' would be more manageable to bond with it as a hatchling. Its also safer than approaching an adult wild monster.

Though 9S is a bit apprehensive with the whole steal an egg from a monster mother, not sure with all of that, but the fact that they raise it and not cook the egg… partially alleviates his grey morality. What he does know for sure is that hatching an egg would be the deciding factor he needs, to know if his choker is a real Kinship stone or not.

If it is, then it means everything he learned is true and he is one step closer in finding out his past. If its not, then he just wasted his time, which he is not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. Since currently he thinks that if all the good things he learned from the manual are true, then all the bad things might be true as well.

That means the darkness existed once before… and 9S hopes that it's the only thing fictitious among his research.

Shaking his previous thoughts off, he drops the egg with the Melynx and explains that it's the egg he has chosen. They put it aside, before they all begin to gather the materials around them with Pod and Whistill. As he gathers herbs and mushrooms, 9S returns to the topic of hatching an egg. Specifically, if he hatches one, what does he do next?

He knows he is just using the egg to test if his suppose Kinship Stone is the real deal, but that doesn't mean he should abandon the monster he unceremoniously brought out to the world. Thinking about it right now, he is not sure if he should proceed with the whole hatching process. He thinks to himself that it's the only way to prove if everything is not a sham, besides walking up to a monster and communicating with it through his choker ...But does he want a monstie to raise and be his partner?

It's a lot of responsibility and he would need to follow the Rider's code of keeping all of this a secret. If not out of respect for his suppose previous life but also to protect him and his new friend from the prejudice of a world full of hunters. The manual explicitly says the code was there for that reason and 9S knows to believe that as well. He himself felt a brief time, experiencing being feared as the unknown. He is not sure if he can handle his entire life being feared and weary off.

He pauses from his gathering and ponders what 2B would think of all of this. Would she be scared if he told her the truth of Riders? Would she shun him out of disgust for his suppose true origin? What would the others think of this as well? Zinnia, A2, Pod 153, Pod 42 and the villagers, would they turn against him for being a Rider? Would they cast him away? Thinking about it made 9S feel terrible and uncomfortable. He considers if he would just forget all of this Rider stuff than risk turning his love ones against him or direct their ire into finding and harming the Riders hiding somewhere in the world.

His mind was conflicted with all of this. He removes his choker from his neck and stares at it, trying to see if the blue gem would give him some answer to his dilemma. He sees it shine, reflecting a bit of the sunlight to his eyes, before a thought strikes his mind.

…What would his parents think?

The thought unsettles his mind and he reflects on that question.

What would his parents think? The same parents he's forgotten when he wash up at YoRHa. The same parents who could be worried for their lost son and can't search for him due to the Rider's code of not leaving the village to venture to the outside world. Surely, they would send out someone to look for him or do something to find him? Unless, they wouldn't know where to start looking for him and much less risk exposing themselves to the outside world. Do they even know that he lost his memory?

What would they feel, if they knew that he has found a way to find and reunite with them? What would his parents feel if he decided to live in ignorance and not meet them ever again? Would they despair and cry for him? …He is not sure.

9S sits down and decides to think this through and closes his eyes. He weighs in the pros and cons of his next action and ponders on two new questions. Would he forget his past and continue living with his current life or would he continue to search for his past life and hopefully reunite with the people he has forgotten? Finally he opens his eyes and comes to an answer.

He couldn't forget his past, even if he doesn't remember it. Ever since he woke up on that riverbank and whenever he went back to the forest, he knew he was always searching for them. His parents, his village and his past, and he knows he would grab any opportunity just to get back the past 13 years of his life and see the loving smiles of his parents again. 9S once dreamed, he was reaching his hand to someone but couldn't reach them. He doesn't know who that person is but he knows it's someone important to him.

Right now he may have the means to find that someone and his past altogether. He knows that with the decision he makes, the road ahead would get rough, maybe even rougher for him to journey alone. But if the Manual is right, he may have a new best friend to join him along the way. Besides, the Rider's manual said there is a lot of things he can do with a monster as his best friend… or dare he say it as his Monstie. Heck, the idea to ride a monster again without doing a convoluted plan excites 9S.

With his decision made and resolved formed, 9S continues to gather the rest of the material around the cave until they're all gone. As soon as he's finished, then he can focus on hatching his monstie.

…And how to explain everything to both Pod and Whistill after.

It took a while, but 9S and the felynes were able to finish gathering the materials around the nest. The Melynx were packing up the items on to the cart, which is now full, and no space left to spare. 9S, Pod 153 and Whistill were currently standing near the nest, with the egg 9S has chosen right in front of them placed in an upright position.

When they finished earlier, 9S told Pod and Whistill he's going to do what he'll do with the egg right here in the nest area. He explained it would be safer here than doing it outside, so that nothing would interfere and ruin what he is going to do.

And to keep whatever monster he hatches here, while he explains to Pod and Whistill everything. 9S thought and kept that last bit to himself.

They were a bit suspicious of him, but then they remembered that he would explain everything to them after he does this, so they allowed him to proceed and prepare whatever it is he was going to do. With their permission, 9S got the egg and placed it in front of the nest and brought out the bookcase holding the Rider's manual.

Pod 153 was a bit miffed that he brought the book with him, suspecting that he would immediately go back to reading it once their task once done. Whistill was happy that 9S brought it, so he can witness what he has discovered. Both where surprise when 9S, unlocked it in front of them and brought out the Rider's manual. He can tell they were staring at the cover and its design. The felynes thought to ask him questions but decide not to and let 9S proceed in silence, which he appreciated.

9S then opened the manual and turned to the section of 'Hatching your Monstie'. He proceeds to go to the page with the instructions to hatch a monster egg. As he reads it, 9S can't help but feel a bit nervous in what he is going to do. Even more so than the time he jumped and mounted the Tigrex. He takes a deep breath and steels himself.

He thinks to himself that he's not backing out now and that he has made his decision. He takes a step forward and begins the first step.

First, 9S would need to introduce himself to the egg. He calls out his name to the egg.

"My name is 9S."

Next, he would need to raise his Kinship stone to the egg but since the blue gem is placed on his choker, He raises his right arm forward with a palm facing the egg instead, improvising. His left hand holds the manual and looks at the pages he's in and knows that this step is the most delicate one.

He is going to do the Rite of Kinship and he would need recite the sacred oath properly for the rite to work. He reads the oath repeatedly to know the words and not stutter when he says it out loud. He opens his mouth to speak as sacredly as he could muster his voice into and reciting the oath in a respectful manner.

"O scared Kinship Stone. Bind thyself to the spirit of 9S. The time of rebirth is nigh. Awaken now, let us hear your cry!" 9S speaks the rite, with both Pod 153, Whistill and even the Melynx listening to him as he shouts the last part.

…

Silence came after 9S recited the chant. His felyne companions continue to stare at him, wondering what the heck he was doing. 9S could feel his cheek redden, a bit embarrass at what he did and thought he did the rite wrong

Until…

A blinding light emanates from his choker making all of the felynes cover their eyes, with 9S himself using the manual to cover his face from the bright shine. For moment the light covers the room and then disappears abruptly. The felynes stop covering their eyes and stare at 9S in confusion to what he did. 9S himself lowers the book and looks at the egg if anything happened to it.

The egg stood still, seemingly not affected by the rite performed by 9S. For a moment, 9S consider that it was dud and was about to brush it off until he saw the egg move in the slightest. He pause to stare at, trying to see if what he saw was wrong. The egg moved again, wobbling on place, making 9S move closer crouching to get nearer to it. The felynes were stunned at what they were witnessing and decided to move closer as well to the shaking egg. The egg continue to move in place, the new life within struggling to get out. A cracking sound was heard, and small cracks begin to form around the egg.

9S couldn't believe it. He is hatching an egg. His choker is a real Kinship Stone. He could be a rider! Everything he has learned the previous night is slowly being proven right now as true. The many possibilities of what the manual holds and the connections of it to his past, is swarming 9S' head with excitement of what he could do and discover. The smile on his face couldn't get any wider from the joy he is feeling.

Although…

As he looks at the cracking egg slowly revealing what his new monstie would be, his smile slowly falters, and his expression goes from one of joy and excitement to one of disbelief and confusion.

As the pieces of eggshells pop and fall off the hatching monster, 9S takes note of its features. The monster had a pair of three clawed feet and a pair of stubby arms, with a large fat tail that resembles a certain vegetable. It was covered with green scales and as 9S could see, small yellow spines on the top of its back that runs along its torso all the way to its tail.

He couldn't see the head, since the top of the egg's shell is covering it but he begins to trace all of its features and tries to match it with his memory of the monsters from the monsterpedia, to figure out what kind of monster he hatched. He takes one look at it again, as the hatchling tries to get the shell of its head and 9S immediately recognizes it.

The thought sends a chill to his spine.

"Hey …pod?" 9S whispers to his felyne companion, knowing that she may be stunned as well from recognize the monster.

"Y-yes… M-meowster?" She asks nervously.

"Tell me… I didn't hatch a pickle…" 9S says as he carefully moves his hand to the eggshell on top of the monster's head.

"You didn't h-hatch a pickle... e-exactly…" Pod 153 replies as 9S removes it and they could see the hatchling in its entirely.

The hatchling shakes its head to get the leftover egg fluid off of itself. It slowly blinks its eyes trying to adjust to the sudden brightness of its surroundings and opens its jaws in a yawn, showing its mouth covered in teeth, with tiny stubs on it chin. Its slit eyes could see clearly now, as its yellow pupils stare at the blue ones looking at it.

"Its…" 9S couldn't believe on what he is seeing.

"Its…" Pod 153 couldn't it believe too.

The hatchling sniffs the air and stares at 9S again, before giving a happy croon calling out to him.

"groooooaaaaaahhh…." The hatchling makes a move to get closer to him.

"A DEVILJHO! NYAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Whistill shouts in fear before he begins to panic and run around the nest area trying to get away from it. The Melynx join him as well, as they shout and run around in panic too, like headless Jaggis.

9S watches Whistill and the Melynx run around, while the newborn Deviljho approaches him. He was still shocked from the fact he hatched a Deviljho that he didn't notice the small monster move under one of his hands, cooing to be stroked and petted.

Hesitating a bit, he slowly pets the Deviljho on its head. The little Deviljho croons happily enjoying the affection it was receiving.

Seeing his hand still intact, 9S relaxes and sits down on the ground and the hatchling moves to his lap for a more comfortable position as he continues to pet and caress it. Pod 153 could only stare at 9S dumbfounded, as he begins to formulate his plan all over again.

Things just got a bit more complicated, he thought.

Author's notes:

There were 2 versions of how the Kinship rite chant was recited from the game. One is Lilia's and the other is Chief Omna's.

"O scared Kinship Stone. Bind thyself to the spirit of _. The time of rebirth is nigh. Awaken now, let us hear your cry!"

"Kinship stone on holy ground. To the soul of _ let thyself be bound. Awaken!"

I decided to use Lilia's since it seems to fit the situation.

With that… Congratulations 9S! You hatched an egg! And it's a healthy baby Jho!

Also, the Deviljho's eyes are yellow, like they are in Monster Hunter World. They still turn red when it gets angry.

That's all! Enjoy the rest of the chapters!