Hey how's it going Hunters? And Welcome back to Monster (Girl?) Hunter World!

Now it's been some time since I updated this story and with some new found inspiration I got two more chapters complete and have uploaded one of them right here and now! Last time we left off, Eric had brought a recently changed Anjanath to Astera and is now wondering what to do about her. So let's see how this chapter goes eh?

But enough outta me, enjoy!

Unusual adjustment

After the discussion with Anjanella I let her rest and made my way up towards the commander, he saw me approaching and gave me his full attention.

"Eric how'd it go?" He asked me.

"Well, all things considered she seems fond of me and isn't as mad as I thought she'd be after beating her in the fight". I stated making him and the Huntsman look at each other before looking back at me, letting me continue. "Additionally she said I earned her respect and is probably only going to listen to me, well maybe you to an extent since you call the shots but I don't know the mind of a Brute Wyvern like her". I explained.

"Hmm. She's awake right now?" He asked me and I nodded. "Would it be too much for me to talk with her?"

"Well I mean you are my superior so I'd imagine she'd at least willing to if I were there as well". I answered as he gestured me to follow him back into the room where the Anjanath was and when we walked in she began glaring at the commander. "AJ, this is the commander I've told you about. He deserves as much respect as you give me, and he's my boss". I said to her and she seemed to glare less at her but is still vigilant.

"Good to see you're fully awake". The commander said as he sat down on one of the beds as I sat down next to her. "Now I'm sure this has been quite the shock to you, trust me this has been to all of us".

"Certainly looks like it". She said simply.

"You've given the commission quite the problems haven't you?" He chuckled making the Wyvern growl but he wasn't affected since she's still too weak to fight him. "But regardless something of this magnitude has never happened before, we merely wish to examine your changes if you'd let us I have a feeling that something is definatly off". AJ merely looked at me for further explanation.

"He means we want to see what traits have carried over, and might help us tend to your injuries". I explained.

"You want to heal my wounds? After all the trouble I've caused you?" She asked with a raised brow.

"We don't kill unless we absolutely have to, we're here for research purposes, not a mass culling. Plus if you get injured out there we won't be sure if we can get you back to health without a thorough inspection". I stated to her. AJ looked down in thought before looking at me then back at the commander.

"Very well, but on one condition". She stated as we then stayed quiet as to hear what she has to say. "Eric has showed his strength against me, I merely wish to be by his side". She said with her arms crossed.

"She would be a great help in the field". I suggested.

"But how do we know you won't turn on us the first chance you get?" The commander asked her still a bit sceptical of her intentions.

"It's like Eric said, I know that I can't fight every single hunter in this little commission". She replied.

"Well I wouldn't call it little but…" trailed off but fell on deaf ears. "Commander she's an apex predator of the forest…well, was. But the point is she won't just stand around doing nothing. If she's with me on my investigations she'll have the ability to track down monsters and she'll still be able to hunt". I explained to him. "Predators have the desire to hunt their prey but the fact is AJ said she'll follow me, as a reward of sorts for me beating her in the fight we had". Still he was unsure. "Doesn't she at least get a chance to prove herself?" I asked him, the commander gave it some thought before looking me.

"Alright, she gets her chance. However at the moment I need to hear the report from Mark and his group about the Jagras assignment I gave them". He answered.

"Jagras don't tend to leave their territory unless ordered to do so".

We both looked at AJ at confusion before she elaborated.

"Jagras are ordered by a much bigger one, an alpha to be exact. Jagras tend to eat anything I haven't yet, granted they tend to have more of an appetite than I do, however they swallow their prey before heading back to their den to sleep". She explained.

"Is that so?" The commander asked as AJ merely nodded in response. "I'll take your word for it". He said standing up and looking at me. "Eric help her over to the Ecological research facility to get her examined…" He said as he glanced at AJ before looking back at me. "Under you're care of course". He finished trying to assure the Anjanath present wouldn't be offended in any way.

"I'll need to head over to the smithy first and see what can be made from her old body, I merely did a makeshift job when it comes to clothing and she'll need some armour if she's going to help me fight any monsters we come across". I pointed out.

"See to it if that's what you suggest. But for now I have other matters to attend to". He stated before walking out. I stood up and offered AJ a hand.

"C'mon, let's get you all sorted". I said to her as she took my hand and I pulled her up on her feet. I pulled a potion out of my bag and offered it to her. "Here this will help with your wounds". She then sculled it all down before offering the jar back to me. I then noticed some of the cuts on her body were healing up almost instantly.

"I must admit, you hunters know how to heal wounds". She said to me with an impressed smirk. "However why call me AJ, apart from the name you have given me?" she asked.

"Well your name was a bit long for me to say so I shortened it to make it easier for everyone". I explained to her as she seemed to nod in understanding with my answer. I then walked out of the room with AJ behind me as we walked up the stairs to the second floor where the smithy was and walked inside feeling the heat from the forge as I walked deeper into the room.

"Ah, good to see ya lad, how'd the Anjanath hunt go?" The Second fleet master asked me which left me rubbing the back of my head.

"Well, funny thing about that". I said as AJ stood next to me shocking him. "As for how this happened that something the commander and I are still trying to figure out". The Second fleet master then turned to her.

"So you're the centre of attention I've been hearing about". He said to her.

"So it would seem". She replied, the fleet master then look back at me.

"So what can I do for ya fiver?" He asked me.

"Well I gathered materials from her old body and was wondering if you could make anything from them". I asked as I showed him one of the shards I managed to get from AJ's old body as he inspected it as it was handed to him.

"Lad, with materials like these I can make a full set that'll be durable for your Anjanath friend here!" He chuckled with a prideful smirk on his face.

"Well that's good to hear, however I think a helmet might not be the best idea due to her nose bone she has". I added on.

"Fair enough, anything else while you're here?" He asked which made me think, AJ's going to need a weapon of her own but what type is the real question. "Is there enough materials for a weapon?"

"There is, what were you looking for exactly?" He asked.

"Nothing yet, think you can hold onto the materials until we're certain?" I asked and he nodded in response before speaking.

"We'll take care of them fiver, just let us know what you need and we'll build it. Oi lads! Anjanath armour with no helmet, get yer asses in gear!" The Fleet master called to them.

"Hurrah!" They cheered as they got to work into making it with the pride they always seemed to carry. The Second fleet master turned back to us.

"It may take a little longer than usual with the materials given but rest assured your Anjanath friend here will get the armour she requires" He said to us in assurance. "Which reminds me, you got a name lass?"

"AJ, it's the name he gave me". AJ answered, she then looked at me. "Is the armour necessary?" She asked.

"Considering you're not as big as your old self and more susceptible to damage like the rest of us hunters. Yes, but trust me since its being made of your old body it'll have the protective properties". I answered her. "Regardless, we need to head to the Ecological Research Centre. We might take a bit longer than I think". I said to the fleet master.

"No worries lad, I'll have a Palico to send for ya when it's ready".

"Thanks for this, really I appreciate it. C'mon AJ". I said to her as she then followed me out of the Smithy.

With the smithy working on AJ's armour I lead her to the Ecological research area which I was going to guess it was the mountain of books…unless you're a scholar, you'll never be able to read through all of those pages. I know I wouldn't. The attention was brought to us as we walked up to a group of scholars who came up to us.

"Hunter, the commander did say you had a guest for us to examine". One of the scholars said to me as I merely responded by taking a step to the side and showing them AJ, and they were shocked and maybe a little too excited to see her.

"That I do, now AJ here was to examined, and see what has passed on from her previous form". I said to them.

"Well, let's not waste any more time, come, come this way". One of them said to us as they guided us to a table with a large horn from what could possibly be a Diablos where the chief biologist was, AJ sat herself on the table as the scholars began inspecting the part that were her monster traits. "I must say Hunter if this happened more often it could be a huge boon for our research". The Liveliest of the scholars said to me as he was jotting down notes as he was having a look at AJ's teeth.

"Well I mean she put up one hell of a fight I can assure you". I replied.

"I could've won". She said making the ecologist and Scholars jump a little in surprise.

"Yea she can speak for herself". I added before looking at AJ. "But who was the one who was still standing in the forest?" I shrugged with a not so innocent smile on my face making her growl in annoyance.

"Well, having a monster being able to speak is definatly something we'd never encounter before, is there anything you would like to share, AJ was it?" The Chief Biologist asked her and she nodded.

"Aside from the fact that I was ruler of the forest, nothing stood in my way. Well what is there that you don't know about my species? You seem to know everything I do to an extent". She stated as she leaned back on the table as she then began coughing up embers making her nose bone flare out.

"Hey you alright?" I asked her as she nodded and began breathing steadily. I then noticed a scar on her neck. I lifted her head up gently by the chin to get a better look. "Your flame sac might be damaged, must've happened during our fight". I stated as the Chief biologist looked at her neck and nodded as he began taking notes.

"Yes, the damage seems to be from your Greatsword Hunter. Not that I blame you any other hunter would try to damage that part of an Anjanath first to negate the fire". He said as AJ was now glaring Daggers at the chief ecologist.

"Need I remind you, that she's still an Anjanath and is more than capable of using her jaws to crush your neck now that she's smaller?" I stated casually as he reeled back. "No mean to scare any of you but I'm her to make sure she doesn't lash out and you guys get a little too invested in the inspection". I said not taking a side in this particular matter. I then heard footsteps behind me as I then turned to see both Sarah, Nathan and his Palico walk up and were shocked to see AJ.

"Hey guys". I greeted.

"Uh, Eric who's this? And why does she look like an Anjanath?" Sarah asked me.

"That's because I am an Anjanath?" AJ answered as if it were a stupid question. She then looked at me. "Are these your friends Eric?"

"Yea, they're part of the 5th Fleet, like I was. This is Nathan and his Palico, partner Morgan who are A-list Hunters like myself and this is Sarah his handler". I introduced them to her. "Guys this is AJ, the Anjanath I hunted and…brought…back here". I said slowly as I scratched the back of my head as to how strange that sounded. Nathan looked at me with a look that said, 'nice introduction'. "Dude don't give me that look". I deadpanned.

"Anyway, how'd the Jagras investigation go?" I asked them.

"Well we had taken care of them, but the thing is we're currently preparing to bring down a Great Jagras when we finished up culling some Kestodon". Sarah explained.

"Man those gluttonous monsters are thick as the ground they stand on". AJ sighed with the shake of her head.

"You guys want a hand? I mean compared to AJ, A Great Jagras doesn't seem to be much of a threat as she was". I stated jerking a thumb at the resident Anjanath who merely looked at me with a raised brow.

"The more the marrier I say". Sarah stated as Nathan and his partner Palico agreed.

"Alright Hunter we're done with your friend here, and I think we have all the data we need. But be sure to let us know of any new developments such as these". Said the Jovial scholar as AJ then hopped off the table and walked over to us.

"If you're going on a hunt I can't pass up this opportunity". She said with a fanged smile.

"This'll be a chance to prove yourself as well so it's a win-win the way I see it". I added to her statement as I then looked down to see a Palico telling us that her Armour was ready to be picked up. "And your armour is ready as well, but you'll need a weapon to use other than your claws and damaged fire". I pointed out as I turned to Nathan and Sarah. "Go on ahead we'll catch up but be sure to save the fun for us ok?" I smiled as they then nodded in agreement and began to walk towards the main Gates of Astera.

"C'mon let's get you a weapon that suits you shall we?" I said as I gestured her to follow me back to the smithy.

With AJ's new armour now fitted onto her, the second fleet master said that the materials were unique and were rarer than a normal Anjanath materials. Meaning they can take more punishment than the normal armour but it's by no means invincible. Added with AJ's natural resistance to fire blight she won't be easy to bring down.

Now were currently about to pick a weapon out for her, which several options were available to choose in the armoury, ranging from the Simple Sword and Shield to the expertise Gun-lance.

"So what do you think?" I asked her which she was quite impressed by the arsenal variety that was available to us hunters in the guild.

"The sheer number of weapons you have. How do you manage them all?" She with genuine curiosity.

"The thing is you can master them all but I use a select few. I have four main weapons and two others I'm still working on". I stated to her.

"And they are?"

"Well, as you know the Great Sword on my back is my number one weapon. The Dual Blades are fast and can dish out a lot of damage in seconds but don't have a lot of force". I explained as I pointed to the weapons then pointed to the Gun Lance. "The Gun Lance I use against fast moving targets that hit hard". Then I pointed to the Switch Axe. "The Switch Axe I use to deal a lot of damage and have two weapons at my disposal". I explained to her as she then looked at the Switch Axe in thought before picking it up and inspecting it.

"Careful, That lever there activates it if pulled back". I said pointing to the part of the weapon. I Stood back and then let her activate the weapon putting it into Axe mode and feeling the weight of the weapon.

"I think I'm understanding now. You said it had a second weapon function. How do I do that?" She asked me.

"Pull the Lever back fully and it will go into sword mode". I answered and she did so letting the weapon fully unsheathe itself. "Just don't go swinging it around here ok?" I smiled as I walked over to her. "The thing is this weapon needs to charge itself up in Axe mode before the sword mode can be activated. Just hit the target to charge the weapon and you'll be good". I said as AJ shifted the weapon back to Axe mode.

"Anything else I should know?" She asked me as I pointed to the vial on the weapon.

"The vial there determines the elemental damage you can do, and it's a no brainer you'd want fire due to your flame sac being damaged". I said as she just nodded in response. "However the Vial will need to be changed manually if you plan on shifting it to sword mode without charging it best to bring a couple of extras just in case". I stated as she seemed satisfied and shifted the weapon into its carrying mode and placed it on her back.

"Looks like you made your choice. Let's grab some supplies before we leave, then we'll catch up to the others". I said as she stopped me from walking out.
"Are you sure they're ok with me just taking it?" She asked me with a raised brow.

"The first weapon is free for all starting hunters which gives them the incentive to upgrade and modify it to their hearts content. So that Switch Axe is yours now". I answered. "C'mon, let's not have the other take all the fun shall we?" I smiled a she smirked with satisfaction as her fangs were showing.

Let's see how this goes shall we?

Next Chapter...Two's a crowd

If I'm being completely honest, it feels good update this story.

Now let me explain AJ's loadout real quick.

Her Armour is the Anja Mail+, the reason why is I thought about the Guardian armour you can get with the Iceborne expansion and this was the Monster version of that armour, it'll give the wearer good protection to get them started through the Low/High rank quests. But when Master Rank comes round it'll need a bunch of armour spheres to get it in good shape.

Now her Weapon is a Switch Axe because of the amount of damage it can do in both forms and the elemental damage it can do, which will make up for her damaged flame sac. As to what Kind of Switch Axe it's just the standard iron Switch Axe but she will Upgrade to the Defender Tree soon.

Anyway I do hope you guys enjoyed the chapter here and be sure to let me know in the review section on your thoughts about the story. So until then, I'll see ya Next time!

Cronus Prime Out!