Heroes to Hunters
Chapter 29
Now for some new stories and…. well there'll be a tale woven in that I'm borrowing from Oceaniz. Also sorry to older fans of Monster Hunter for botching up a few of the aspects to this world. But I'm pretty new to the story myself. Anyway, on with the show.
(No POV)
After accepting the possibility of what being a father, Izuku and the girls decided to ease off on their nightly romps. To the gratitude of their neighbors. "Didn't expect that. But I guess you guys have been going at it pretty hard." Iguchi said with a bemused look on his face.
Toga had a slightly dreamy look in her eyes while congratulating Setsuna and Izuku again. "You sure you don't want a little of what she's experiencing Ochaco~?" the blood liking (with everything that's happened it seemed right that some of her obsessions were dampened) girl said with a slight hip bump to Ochaco.
"No! At least not… right now." Ochaco blurted out while steadily growing redder and redder. Setsuna hugged the girl while jokingly saying, "you can have the next one." Steam seemed to burst from Ochaco's head before she pinched Setsuna's butt.
Melissa blushed herself while watching the interactions before hugging both once again. "So what's next for you three?" she asked with an uneasy gaze toward the trio. Setsuna sighed before admitting she'd see what happens. "I uh… I might take a break from hunting if we do confirm things. But I can live with that. After all, it's probably not just me alone anymore."
The green haired girl slightly rubbed her stomach with a smile. Izuku rubbed the back of his neck before admitting he'd try to take on some less dangerous quests for the time being. "I didn't really see my father much because he's always away for work. A lot can happen out on the hunt, and I…. I don't want to leave you alone. Either of you."
"That's sweet, but we wouldn't be. And we wouldn't forget you." Ochaco said with a hand on Izuku's. Setsuna agreed but noted, "hey let's not go killing him off. He's tougher than we think. And definitely craftier." Izuku blushed at this before someone else let out a groan.
It was Yui who was getting a little tired of the melodrama. "I don't know about anyone else, but I'm going for a hunt in the Flooded Forest. Need to wash away all the excess sweetness." A few snorted at her bluntness, but they did agree. And the little gathering broke up and hunters went about their day.
Izuku chuckled before saying she was right. "I'm going after a few more High Rank monsters. And I'll be okay. What about you Ochaco?" The brunette stretched out before admitting she was looking to hunt an Almudron. "I like the Dual Blades and Long Sword it's parts make."
Setsuna smiled before admitting she did want at least one other Light Bowgun. And Melissa offered to go with her. "I know I used the bow before, but I'm actually kind of interested in the transforming weapons. I can take point with a Charge Blade." Setsuna nodded and thanked the American.
While Ochaco headed for the Shrine Ruins, Izuku returned to the Lava Caverns. This time to hunt a Mizutsune himself. "If we're gonna be dealing with more fire or explosive monsters, then some more water weapons are just what we need," he says to Akatsuki and Miki.
"Well we'll have your back meowster! Now lets find that Leviathan!" the felyne says with some jubilation. And Akatsuki howls with some excitement as well. Izuku laughs and hops on the canyne's back to track their quarry.
Back at the Shrine Ruins, Ochaco was groaning after taking a blow to the face from Almudron's massive mud ball. "Okay! That hurt a lot! That sneaky – OH SHIT!" she said before noticing that the ball was coming down on top of her from the mud Leviathan leaping up and planning to slam down on her.
She used a quick wirebug escape to get out of the way. "It's going to be one of those days isn't it?" she thought aloud while shaking her head. Luckily she got some healing thanks to Sam quickly using his healing horn.
Playing in the dirt. After a hard day's work. A grumpy old beast rises from the murk. Begone! BEGONE! A booming voice resounds. None shall ever enter, this creature's holy grounds. Hermit of the Swamp: Almudron.
She shook her head before adjusting the grip on her Blizzarioth blades. "Okay then. Lets see how you like this!" Ochaco says before switching to Demon Mode and rushing her quarry with the fastest cuts she could. Before using something Utsushi had taught her recently.
After a tossing of a flash bomb, Ochaco lined herself up with Almudron's head. And launched a pair of wirebugs upwards. Slingshotting herself at the face of the monster while spinning like a drill.
The creature winced and fell back a bit which left it open to her next attack. Spinning her whole body while ripping up and down the monster's back. With one last cut to the neck to make it fall again.
Noticing it's wince and the slight limp it now had, Ochaco rushed up to make sure it couldn't get away and planted a shock trap. And once it was wincing and twitching, she tossed down her tranq bombs. Knocking the monster out and readying it for capture.
She stepped to the side before wincing at a popping of her back. "Ahhh! Oh man. Ah that hurts. Hey Sam? Got anything for the pain?" she asked while waiting for the capture crew. Her little felyne friend hummed before saying, "hang on! This might work."
He set down a vitality vase and it started letting out a soothing aroma that seemed to ease her aches. And once back at the village, she was happy to turn the monster that hurt her into a new pair of buzz saw like blades to fight other monsters.
For Setsuna and Melissa, they were currently investigating the Sandy Plains. Taking note of the Basarios and some of the ruins scattered around the area. "So, this place used to be…. A settlement?" the blonde asked while looking above the second camp.
"That's one story. Some think a different area could have been like an arena or maybe a market place. Hard to say." Setsuna said while cocking her Lotus Bowgun. And taking aim at a few of the Remobra flying around the main waterway.
After shooting a few down, she eased down to start cleaning the carcasses and taking some of the parts. A few Raknoids tried to attack her, but Melissa stepped up with her Kamura Charge Blade and cut into the small monsters.
Setsuna gave the girl a thumbs up before saying, "that takes care of the parts for a Shotgun (Viper). Now, let's take on those Renoplos. Mama needs a few parts for a Marino Burst!" Melissa snorted before saying that was more accurate than she realized. Causing the green girl to blush.
Once they defeated the semi ceratopsian monsters, Setsuna suggested that they head back. "With some of the talks lately, I'm worried about what is to come," she says with a look out over the high crags. And out onto a massive ocean of sand, with some storms seeming to just appear out of nowhere.
For the next week or two, this sets up a new pattern for the Kamura hunters. With a return by the twin guardians. To some of Kaina and Ryuko's happiness. And while they were happy to see their partners, their attitudes illustrated a grim set of thoughts.
"What's wrong?" the former dragon hero asked while resting in bed with Amalee in the evening. The hunter sighed before talking about some of the threats they'd come across in Elgado. "A few of the monsters aren't that bad. But the Lords….. well something's off with them. Especially Malzeno."
She sat up while rubbing her face. "It'd be one thing if it was just a case of the Elder Dragon having competition or something like that. Han has noticed it too. There's something in the air that's just off. Like some other things stirring up the monsters."
"If you're worried, why not let some of us help?" Ryuko asked while coming behind her partner and resting her head in the crook of Amalee's neck. And the brunette sighs while taking the blonde's hand. "As much as I'd like that, I don't think you're ready for this. After all, Dondorma sent a missive claiming the area as Master Rank. There's not a lot of us with that level."
Ryuko was a bit wide eyed but she understood what Amalee was talking about. 'We don't have the experience or skill that could help them,' she thought sadly. This was mirrored by Kaina as well after asking Han about the matter.
"Can't anyone else here help you? It doesn't even have to be the former heroes or anything." Kaina asked while laying atop Han. He leaned back a bit before admitting, "Sorek could be closer. But it's better he stays here. Tzaid is capable, but she's not quite to the same caliber."
Kvuna was the only one he admitted would be able to handle the Master Rank creatures they were coming up against. "But even then, I don't think that would be enough. So we'll have to make due." Kaina held Han a bit tighter as the night went on. Silently praying nothing would go wrong.
Back with the students, Melissa found herself working with Hamon and Mei to test out new gear and weapons. "I really hope we can get back! I have so many new ideas!" Mei said excitedly after working in the forge all day.
Melissa laughed and did agree with her. "But more than anything, I feel like these weapons and gear…. They could be used to make great heroes back home. One's that don't need quirks," she said with a slightly broadening smile.
"I think that's something we need more than most would expect in our world," she heard behind her. She turned and saw Izuku with Momo, Shoto, and Rin. The young man was wearing the Tigrex S armor and had a Tyrant Rod on his back. And to her, he looked like a hero ready to face down any villain.
She blushed a bit but covered it up by saying she was just warm from the forges. "Anyway, I was hoping to talk to one of you about something. I uh… I'd like someone to come with me to investigate an area of the Sandy Plains." Melissa said while wiping off some sweat.
The action drew Izuku's eyes a bit as she pulled down her top a bit, but he refocused and asked where it was. Melissa asked Momo first but the heiress declined. "Sorry, but Kyoka and I were planning something for tomorrow."
Rin and Shoto admit they couldn't help either. The former was planning on a long expedition in the Frost Islands. And the latter needed some rest. "Or at least that's what Momo and Kyoka keep telling me. I guess they aren't wrong, but I still don't appreciate how they phrased it."
"What? I meant it when I said you were acting just like Endeavor. He doesn't really rest back home, and you were doing the same." Momo says with her hands on her hips and a light pout. But that pout gained a blush when Shoto mentioned she looked cute while doing it.
Izuku let out a chuckle before saying, "well I guess you found the somebody to go with you." Melissa was still blushing a bit but muttered out a thank you to him and advised that he didn't go with his Insect Glaive. "I'd suggest something smaller. Maybe dual blades or sword and shield."
"Got it. I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Izuku said with a nod. The American nodded and thanked him for helping her. Though she looked on in subtle jealousy as Ochaco and Setsuna met with him. Shaking her head to push that out of her mind.
The next day, the two girls saw her and Izuku off. "Be careful out there. Both of you." Ochaco said with a hug. Izuku assured her they'd be fine, but Setsuna noted he was making it worse. "I really hope you didn't just set up a serious red flag Izuku. But seriously, come back safe."
He gave her a small smile before kissing her cheek. Assuring her they'd be fine and would make it back. As put his Rathalos helmet on and adjusting his Morning Dawn blades on his back. Melissa meanwhile was dressed in Barroth armor and had a Guard Breaker Sword and Shield. She nodded to Izuku and the pair headed out to investigate a matter.
"So what exactly is it that you were looking for?" Izuku asked as they made their way through the plains. Finally stopping around the northernmost ruin area and the sand flats. "There was something in a record Kvuna showed me. How there was something about a crimson glow falling upon them. I wondered if that was what led to the end for these people. And what that glow was."
Izuku nodded and looked around some of the ruins. Taking note of the scaring and what seemed to be energy marks from attacks. The two continued to investigate until the sun went down. "We should head to camp. In a second. There's something…. Here."
Melissa found the remains of what looked like claws or something similar. Ones that were a gunmetal grey and a red undertone. "Hey I think I found something! This red could be some of what we're….. wait why is getting redder?"
Unfortunately, it wasn't. Izuku vaguely noticed a crimson light shooting across part of the sky. But it was disrupted by part of that light breaking off and launching toward them. "Get down!" he shouted while pulling Melissa down and away from the impacts. He then warned that they needed to get out of the area.
They made it to the main dunes area to go for the camp. But there was a bigger problem; the source of the crimson light had landed. Gaze up at the sky in fear. The crimson comet draws near. The light of the stars burns the earth to ash. Rends heaven in twain with a final flash. Star of Despair: Crimson Glow Valstrax.
It roared at the two of them so loud that it sent them spiraling backwards. "Well that's just great! And I didn't grab a Farcaster!" Izuku said before drawing his blades. Melissa follow suit, but it is hardly a fight. Valstrax's attacks were ferocious and constant. Knocking the two around consistently with it's wing fingers and then blasting them with dragon energy.
Izuku was left wide open after he missed with a silkbind. And was about to be impaled by Valstrax. But Melissa used her wirebugs to get her in front of the boy and block with her shield. She could feel some of the bones in her arm cracking, but she wasn't backing down. Even as the two were sent toward the edge of the dunes.
"Melissa." Izuku groaned out while checking on the girl. He was certain that the strange Elder Dragon would finish them. Only to be surprised when it roared once more and seemed to be pulling large amounts of air into it's chest. And the suddenly took off into the sky.
Izuku sat up before trying to get Melissa up as well. Only to be terrified by the sight of the Valstrax barreling towards the dunes at it's full speed. There was no where to run, but Izuku saw a tiny glimmer of hope. He picked Melissa up and leapt off the side of cliff. Hoping to be out of the blast radius.
They were…. For the most part. He was using his wirebug to hold himself in the air, but the shockwave from the explosion of dragon energy was far bigger than he expected. And the two were blown into the sandy sea of Great Mohran Desert. Carried further by a sandstorm kicked up by a passing Elder Dragon of the same name.
When they both woke up, they were far from anything that either could identify and had no way to contact Kamura. "This… is really bad." Izuku said while looking around the massive dunes of the desert before them.
"No kidding. What the heck was that?" Melissa said while sipping from her canteen and potions. Izuku hummed and remembered a passing mention of the monster from Han and the others. "I think that was a Valstrax. But a variant they told me about. Crimson Glow or something."
Melissa hummed before bringing up the other question. "What do we…. Do now?" Izuku sighed a bit before looking around and thinking for a bit. Finally pulling out a map to try and get some kind of bearings.
"So….. this is where the Sandy Plains are. And this is….. I think the Mohran Desert. So….. if we head south, we might be able to get close to our trade lines or something." Izuku surmises. Melissa scratches her head and asks if he was sure. But all he could say was, "not really."
She sighs before admitting they didn't have a lot of other options. The pair try to keep in the shade of the dunes as they walk. As well as rationing their water and food in case the worst could come. When night began to fall though, both felt the chill of the shift set in quickly.
Melissa was more susceptible given her armor, so Izuku held her close to help. "What?!" she asked the first time while blushing bright. "You're shivering more than I am. This is the best I can do though." Izuku said with his own light blush.
The two would keep walking for two more days. Eventually coming upon something odd. "Looks like…. Ruins again. Wonder what did this?" Melissa said while looking over the toppled structures and what seemed to be dug up channels.
"Huh. Based on this impact line and these claw marks probably a Diablos. And these are more recent. I know there is another called Monoblos, but there's been a rumor going around that it's extinct. Besides, the size of this impact looks bigger than the other wyvern's horn. Not to mention it's got a mutter mumble."
Izuku started on a tangent about the creatures and what they'd be capable of. But a gasp from Melissa drew his attention. She was looking at the back of what was likely the beast that did the damage. It was fairly large in size and it had it's back to the pair. With the frill of the beast nearly triple Izuku's height.
"Don't move…. We need to back away slowly. We are not in a position to fight a Diablos." Izuku said quietly. Melissa at first agreed as they both started backing up from their likely foe. Only for the girl to notice something odd. "Uh Izuku? Don't Diablos have two horns?"
The young man looked at her in confusion before confirming that to be true. "Then this isn't a Diablos. I think we can somewhat disprove the rumor. Because that's a Monoblos." Melissa said with a gulp.
Izuku looked closer and saw what she meant. Instead of two massive horns from the forehead, this monster had a single spiraling horn coming from the nose of the creature. He was surprised but reminded her that the problem was still the same. At least until he noted the next part.
"Uh….. I don't think it's moving," he said with some relief. Melissa adjusted her glasses and agreed with his assessment. "Maybe…. It died of old age?" she surmised before suggesting they check it out. Izuku nodded and couldn't hide some of his curiosity.
"I've hunted Diablos plenty of times, but I've never seen a Monoblos! Let's get a look at this big guy or girl," he said with some excitement. But it tapered a bit upon looking it over. 'This…..doesn't make sense. I know they are different species, but this looks like an average adult one. How-'
His musings were cut off by Melissa screaming. Izuku quickly climbed over the beast and saw what terrified the girl. The head of the Monoblos was barely attached to it's body, as a massive hole had be punctured into it's chest and neck. Izuku gulped while looking at the size of the wound in question.
"This…. It's double my size! I didn't know anything could cause a wound like this!" he said with fervor and shock. "How are you so calm?!" she exclaimed while picking herself up. But Izuku assured her he wasn't. "I'm just….. dumbfounded. I've never seen a blow like this. At least that wasn't the result of a weapon like a Dragonator."
Melissa felt as though her heart was pounding out of her chest after seeing the wound. But what she finally took stock of terrified her even more. "Izuku….. that's not dry blood," she said in near stunned silence while looking down at the injury in question.
The green boy's eyes were wide and he confirmed that she was correct. His heart pounding upon realizing how fresh this kill actually was. 'Wait. That's… not entirely accurate. I know I can feel my heart pound. But this…'
Before he could finish his thought, Melissa pounced on him and pushed his body closer to the Monoblos. Her eyes filled with panic and fear because of something she'd seen in a rising mass of sand. A shadow of a huge monster.
"Melissa! What are youggph!" Izuku started before Melissa kissed him in a panic to shut him up. Or maybe in fear that they would die and she wouldn't address what had been eating at her for a while. 'I don't know and I don't care at this point! I'll say something more if we survive,' she thought while asking with her eyes for him to stay quiet.
Izuku's mind was running in overdrive, but his thoughts eased when he saw the look Melissa was giving him. He gulped before gently peeking out over the Monoblos carcass they were pressed up against. And could see the imminent danger that loomed.
A massive, truly massive Diablos seemed to be walking within the sandstorm. It's steps reverberating through the sands as it stalked toward them. It's skin not the tan or even the black tones of a Diablos in heat. No. This Diablos was blood red. As if stained by all of the victims it had faced over it's lifetime.
The two hunters tried to hide deeper into the deceased monster that could have been protecting them. Praying to any kind of deity that the beast wouldn't find them. Feeling that those prayers were on deaf ears, as a shadow loomed over them.
The blood red Diablos was right above them, it's beaming red eyes seemed to gleam like a corona within it's crimson frame. The two shivered as it seemed to glare down at them. Melissa gripping onto Izuku's arm with tears streaming.
Izuku wasn't much better. But his tears were for Setsuna and Ochaco, as he was certain he wouldn't see them again. Let alone discussing whatever it was that made Melissa kiss him in that terrified moment.
Just as sure he was about to hear the roar of the terrifying monster, he felt the warmth of the sun again. He opened his eyes gingerly, noting that the massive Diablos was no longer above them. Izuku gently shook Melissa's arm before covering her mouth.
The pair gulped before looking over the side of the dead Monoblos. And saw a tail of blood red, the size of a four story house fade into the sandstorm. The pair let out strained breaths before Melissa starts crying in earnest.
"I thought…. I thought we were going to die. That this would be the end. I'd never get the chance to show I could be a hero. That I'd never see papa again. Or….. admit what I've felt for a while."
She says this last piece while gently putting her hand on Izuku's cheek. He gulps a bit before taking her hand in his. Removing his helmet and then hers. Gingerly he reaches out to caress her cheek. Before the two come together in a furious mashing of their lips.
They continue like this for dozens of minutes. Finally catching their breath after rolling away from the body of their protector. They were both still blushing and somewhat wanting to continue. But other matters needed their attention.
"What do you think it was here for?" Izuku asked while looking at the Monoblos. Melissa gulped and said, "maybe it was gloating? Or it could have been paying respects to the person it killed?" Izuku shrugged and gave a noncommittal "maybe".
Before they would walk off though, Melissa decided to do something in respects to the creature that protected them in its death. She planted her blade before holding her hands in prayer. Izuku looked to her and the beast before following suit. Leaving a cactus, he'd collected before the creature as an offering.
The two would walk on away from the ruin and fallen Blos until they were found by a different group. A group of hunters from the town of Loc Lac. One of the sand ships slowed down and asked who they were. "We're with Kamura. At least right now." Izuku said with hopeful look to the riders.
"Whoa! You guys are a long way from home. Hop on. It's the Mohran festival, so we won't say no to the extra hands. And we'll help you get back home," the head hunter on the ships said while extending a hand.
The two hunters happily took it and joined on the large vessel. But before either of them could take stock of the ship, both of their legs gave out. "Guess you two have been out there a while. Get some rest. We won't find a Mohran right away."
Izuku nods and thanks the head hunter. Helping Melissa up as they make their way to the galley of the ship. "Here you go. You can get some sleep and privacy here," a female hunter said while directing the pair to a room.
The bed was small, but right now neither of them cared. For more than one reason. Izuku stripped out of his armor and Melissa did the same. The two laid together for a bit before crashing together once more. In more than one way.
Melissa doing her best to muffle her screams and moans while moving in time with he movement of the ship. Both finally sleeping after half an hour of lovemaking, but feeling more relieved than before. For addressing what had been there, though neither wanted to acknowledge.
At least until Izuku woke up and realized he'd have to talk to Setsuna and Ochaco about this. "I'm fucked in more than one way. But… I'm not sad about it." He thought aloud as Melissa curled up into his body. And he wrapped her in a hug as the sand ship made it's way to hunt a Jhen Mohran.
I think we all kind of expected that end. But I hope the path there was at least engaging and entertaining to read. I didn't want to do an absolute copy of Oceaniz's story, but I felt this was one Hell of a way to slightly scare them into the moment. And a good couple of way's to add in some of the lore. Please review!