Sorry for the wait, everybody! I've been having trouble writing anything at all lately even though I want to.

Runningstar bloodrage: I'm glad you like them!

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The Commander's eyes shifted cautiously between his top Hunter and the now human Elder Dragon.

Both of them stood awkwardly, with Eclipsen dressed mostly in his armor, but missing his gauntlets while Nergigante was covered by a simple black shirt and brown pants. Her expression radiated both hatred and nervousness, seemingly uncomfortable in the Commander's presence.

"So, why are you here?"

The Commander asked, his arms crossed tightly. Eclipsen stepped forward, circling around the table and leaning into the Commander's ear. The older man leaned to the side, listening intently to hear what the Hunter said.

-Transition-

Nergigante waited patiently as the Hunter exchanged words with the older man, who the Hunter had informed her was his superior, in a way. It baffled her that such a strong Hunter would even answer to a human so old and decrepit, until the Commander's eyes met her own.

Nergigante stiffened when the Commander's gaze was centered back onto her. His eyes were like flaming coals that had been covered in Teostra power, and they bore their way straight into her soul. She had to resist the urge to squirm under his stare, making an effort to keep her spines from rattling as a warning.

Then the Commander shifted his look once more, just as abruptly as he had directed it at her. Nergigante could feel her muscles relax in relief when the Commander turned his attention towards the Hunter, whom she had new respect for enduring the old human's glare.

-Transition-

"So, you want to take her on your next assignment?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's risky at best, but it would also allow us to gauge her loyalty to you, and in turn the Commission. Hmm."

The Commander said, placing a hand on his chin in thought. He glanced over at the Elder Dragon, who instantly stiffened upon making eye contact. Eclipsen smirked at the mannerisms the woman displayed, finding them somewhere between cute and endearing.

"Sir, I know it's risky, but from what I've seen so far she's lost quite a bit of the aggressiveness we saw before the change. There could be more things that the Arrow robbed her of."

The Commander looked back at Eclipsen as he leaned against the gathering table, the rising moon shining it's light down upon Astera as he did so. Nergigante looked up into the sky and her reptilian pupils widened into dinner plates, seemingly entranced with the moonlight.

The Commander looked over at the Elder Dragon with interest, trying to see what the Hunter saw in the woman. Indeed, he thought she was somewhat attractive, but the horns, tail and wings simply put him off and tricked his mind into thinking that she was a full blown monster. But seeing her act so calmly was reassurance that Eclipsen had a point.

"I'll contact the Third Fleet. Maybe we can figure out what exactly was taken from her when she transformed."

The Commander said as he watched the Field Team leader slip a chair behind Nergigante and promptly sit her down so she didn't tip over while standing.

Eclipsen gave a look of betrayal, as he had been promised that there would be no invasive testing until Nergigante could consent to them. The Commander responded with a gentle smile.

"Don't worry, no invasive testing yet. Anyway, why don't you go show her around Astera? After that, I'll gladly consider your idea."

-Transition-

Eclipsen sighed as he made his way up the stairs of the canteen, with Nergigante following closely behind.

He knew that the Commander wouldn't go back on his word, but the researchers of the Third Fleet were fairly known for bypassing certain rules in the name of science or research. Of course the Third Fleet Master had her own quirks, so she would most likely find her own way to investigate Nergigante.

It only took a minute and a half to reach the canteen, with Hether sitting in her usual spot. She quickly noticed the Hunter approach, and waved him over.

"Hey, over here! I got us some food!"

Nergigante shifted on her feet, which didn't go unoticed by Eclipsen. He gently tapped her arm, making the Elder Dragon jump slightly. He gestured to the table with his hand, singnalling for her to sit down. Hether brightened a little when she noticed that Nergigante was with them, and sent a little wave in her direction.

Nergigante sat down next to Hether, still visibly nervous. The Handler set a gentle hand on her shoulder and smiled brightly.

"Don't worry, we'll protect you!"

Upon hearing the words leave Hether's mouth, Eclipsen snorted in amusement. She sent a glare towards the Hunter, who disguised his laugh as clearing his throat and leaning on the table nonchalantly. Nergigante's nervous expression was replaced with confusion at the situation, her reptilian eyes glancing between the two partners.

After tearing her glare away from her partner, Hether slid the large plate of food in front of her over to the side. Nergigante was instantly aware of the meat, eyeing like a Felyne would watch a toy move back and forth. Hether giggled a bit at the Elder Dragon's reaction, which drew her attention.

Strangely, Hether noticed that Nergigante had some understanding of manners. Even going so far as to ask for permission to eat in her own way. Hether drew the plate towards the Elder Dragon, adding an encouraging smile and nod of the head.

Once Hether had answered Nergigante's silent question, she turned in her seat to face Eclipsen, who was still leaning against the table and watching the other woman eat with morbid interest. Hether rolled her eyes before reaching forward and tapping the surface of the table, drawing Eclipsen out of his stupor.

The Hunter shook his head before pushing off the table.

"I'm going to head to the Smithy. I need a few things upgraded. Can you keep an eye on her?"

He asked, gesturing towards Nergigante with his thumb. Hether nodded confidently, a wide smile still present on her face.

"Yep! You can count on me!"

Eclipsen nodded, taking a step towards the stairs before stopping and backtracking slightly.

"Also, keep Brad from pissing her off. I have a sneaking suspicion that she won't like him."

He said before walking off in the direction of the Workshop. Hether raised an eyebrow at the statement before remembering the siege on Zorah Magdaros in the canyon as well as when Nergigante had sent Brad flying into a wall.

Hether shook her head. That excitable A-Lister was always either getting himself into trouble, or causing it.

-Transition-

Eclipsen briskly walked into the Workshop, ignoring the heat of the forge on his arms. He felt nearly naked without his gauntlets, but he was forced to leave them behind due to his cracked forearm.

The Head Blacksmith looked up from the conveyor belt, wiping some sweat from his brow as he did so. He smiled widely at the sight of the Hunter and offered a small wave to greet him. Eclipsen smiled warmly in response, stepping up to the conveyor belt.

"Oi, Fiver! How do ya be on this day?"

"It has been interesting. Got any new requests?"

"A few, but none are too special. Anyway, what do ya want today?"

"I need a new pair of gauntlets. Rathalos, in particular."

"Alpha or Beta?"

"Alpha."

The Head Smith nodded with a confident smile before whistling, drawing the attention of the two younger blacksmiths behind him. The Head Blacksmith turned to address the two, who had taken a pause to listen to their master.

"Rathalos Vambraces! On the double!"

The two blacksmiths nodded with determined eyes before the entire workshop wirred to life. The large claw on the ceiling quickly dropped the required materials into the forge before the two hammer wielding youths began to pound away at the molten materials.

The Head Blacksmith gave a confident grin as he watched the two men work away at their new goal, knowing that one day they would surpass him. Eclipsen watched with a shine in his eye, a sign that he was excited to behold the new product of the hunts he had undertaken.

The Head Blacksmith turned around giving an extra friendly smile to the Hunter.

"They should be done by next mornin'. Why don'tcha go have a bit of fun? Save me a drink while yer at it."

Eclipsen smiled and gave a nod before turning to leave. As he exited the workshop, one of the Fifth Fleet Hunters ran up to him.

"Eclipsen! Have you heard?!"

She asked, her Anjanath armor leaving little to the imagination during her excited movements. Eclipsen opted to stay silent, only raising an eyebrow at the young Huntress's question.

"An Azure Rathalos was spotted out in the Ancient Forest! A bunch of us are getting ready to go take it down!"

That piqued his interest. It had been a little over two weeks since the Pink Rathian had been discovered and slain in the Wildspire Waste. Rathalos was already a formidable opponent, as Eclipsen's dislike for heights made him ill-suited for the Insect Glaive.

Eclipsen have a nod to the Fifth Fleet Hunter, who showed a confident smile.

"If you want to help out, we're gathering at the entrance to Astera."

"Thank you for the offer, but I won't be joining you. I am already under orders to stay and rest. In the meantime, I do plan on getting as drunk as physically possible."

The hunter was taken aback by the statement as well as the innocent smile on Eclipsen's face. She sat silently for a moment before falling into uncontrollable laughter. Eclipsen maintained his smile, placing a hand on his waist and waiting for the Huntress's giggling to subside.

When it finally did, she gave a friendly pat on the shoulder before taking her leave.

Eclipsen looked over the rope railing on the deck of the workshop, watching as a group of nearly fifteen hunters gathered in preparation to hunt the Azure Rathalos.

Eclipsen could only hope for the best, as an Azure Rathalos was easily two times more aggresive than the normal King of the Skies.