Chapter 10

Kaleb POV

The morning was nice and peaceful, and I will be the first to admit that it felt nice to not have any pain. I'm actually starting to get use to sleeping on the ground, however something felt odd to me. Like something wasn't right, and needed to do something about it. That's when I noticed my father standing at the entrance catching me off guard.

He soon asked, "You seem to be enjoying your little nap, tell me you comfortable?"

I got up to stretch out a bit before answering, "Not by much, still getting use to the whole…new change, I gue…", that's when I noticed something different from my father, it was like his skin color was different. Not only that, but his hair color was also different as well.

Father took noticed and soon ask, "Is everything alright son?"

I wanted to say something, like what happened to his skin but at the same time the last thing I wanted to do is to say something insulting to him.

"Nothing, but ah…I'm still a little pressured that's all.", was my response.

"Right," said father before walking up towards me, "So have you come to a decision?"

I looked at him in confusion and answered, "About the whole your either the hunter or the hunted decision?", I paused for a moment to hear his answer but after waiting a few seconds I quickly answered, "The answer is neither, I am neither a hunter or the hunted and you can take that back to the village."

Father watches as he takes a deep breath of frustration, "First off, you don't have a choice its one or the other Hunter or Hunted. Are you human or a Rathalos? It's a very simple question?"

Hearing those words soon reminded me during training when father constantly got frustrated at me for using a bow all because I couldn't use any other weapons. After a quick trip in memory lane, smoke started to spew out of my mouth.

"Really, you're really going to try and test me!?", was my response as I walk towards him trying to intimidate him, "Like you've done every day until your sudden disappearance?"

Father didn't move and answered, " You don't get it do you of how different this world is, do you?"

I responded with a harsh tone voice, "More than enough, to understand that I've got to do what it takes to survive!. Once again I'll say this to you, I'll always be human no matter what you say or what I do, everything I do is by my own choice. Not by instinct, not by nature, and I don't want to hear about this or ever see you ever AGAIN!"

And with one deep breath I shot a large flame in his direction and as it made contact a large explosion went off that could've been heard for hundreds, maybe thousands of miles. As the smoke cleared up, I looked around to see if father was still there, and once again he was no where in site.

Until I hear a strange voice, "You better figure out fast, cause its only going to get harder and more brutal for you."

I closed my eyes and take a few deep breaths before finally calming down, and tried to think about anything else. That's when Starfang started fly right over me, and soon makes a landing a few feet away from me. And the look on her face, of the amount of damage outside was causing me worry.

"Do I want to know?", was all she asked.

I responded with a quick, "There were a few Jaggris, was trying to scare them away. I think I might have over done it a bit."

She shakes her head in disbelief and response, "What kind of Rathalos are you?"

"What can I say, I'm one of a kind.", was my answer.

Starfang chuckles a bit and I quickly asked, "Was that a chuckle I heard? And to hear I thought you didn't know how to laugh or have fun."

"Oh, and I suppose you know how to hunt young blood? On your own?", asked Starfang with a bit of sarcasm.

I wanted to say something but couldn't, but then she response for me, "Ok, you want fun I'll give you some fun. Who can ever catch the biggest prey wins. Loser sleeps outside."

"Do it, you know you want to prove to her that you'll be a good candidate.", said a voice in my head.

Feeling a bit annoyed by it, but ignored and responded, "Ok, you got yourself a deal, and we'll start when the light touches those mountains over there." I pointed using my right wing to point at which mountain I was talking about.

"Done, and by the way don't feel to bad, since I've been hunting for you for a long ass time.", said Starfang as she goes inside to rest for the afternoon.

"Honey, I've got a few tricks up my sleeves, and don't forget that I took down pickle face, and that was from me not even trying.", was my response.

Starfang just smirked and answered, "Well, I'll be impressed when I see what you got."

With that I looked up to the sky and soon headed back inside to try and save up as much energy as possible for the event.

Alicia POV

The couldn't have come any sooner. At least that what it felt like after what happened a few hours ago, when Wolverines' and his group if hunters arrived all battered up from their expedition. An unknown monster taking out trade route from the sky, along with being attacked by an out of control Great Jaggris.

From what I learned through many different hints and expedition, is that Great Jaggris are usually very placid animals unleash provoked or being territorial. I have times where I'd walked by them and they've shown no interest. My guess they only hunt those who can't fight back. Which is why their have been recorded deaths from them attacking when you least expect them. OK, maybe saying placid isn't the right word to use, but compared to all other carnivorous animals they're the bottom feeders of the food chain.

To hear that one is acting strange, but also out of control is worrisome and must be dealt with immediately. Who knows how many innocent people will end up getting harmed. That's why I asked Wolverine if I can take this quest.

Tri, Faris, soon joined up along with Riot wanting to get payback for what happened to his fellow hunter. Once we gathered our supplies, along with crafting some Mega Potions. Can never have to much of them especially when things get hairy.

We soon left the village to head where the Great Jaggris was last locates. According to Riot , it was last seen retreating into the forest with its tail barely dragging across the ground. Like it wasn't feeling any pain from how many wombs and damaged they've done to it.

"So, what exactly happened, if u don't mind refreshing us a bit?", asked Tri as he checks his dual blades to make sure they're nice and sharp.

Riot sighs a bit and answered, "It's like Wolverine had said, we're out on an expedition in finding any clues to why a lot of settlements aren't getting any trade supplies. It was like they send someone to take certain items and then never comeback. We soon found one of the ship's had crashed landed with what look to be only one survived. Then, while helping the injured captain out, that's when the Great Jaggris came out. We eventually behead it, however it wasn't over, as if it was by some cruel sorcery it reattached its head back into place like was nothing. Thankfully an Anjanath came in and distracted that thing enough for for us to escape, but also noticed that one of our own was bitten real badly."

He paused for a moment and then finished, "The only thing I can remember is it running away from the Anjanath, with it behind its tail."

Hearing what happened, was very truly something straight out of a horror story that we would tell our Kin to. But if this thing is what they said it is, then it needs to be stopped. Before that Jaggris causes anymore harm to anyone and the environment.

We continued going deep into the forest, to have finally found tracks to what looked to be like an Anjanath.

"What yourselves.", was all I said as we slowly followed its tracks.

But then I hear someone shouting, "ALICIA GET OVER HERE QUICK!."

We soon hurried to where Tri was standing and soon points jjst north of him, " I think I found the Jaggris…or what's left of it."

My mind was speechless, it was a full skeleton of a Great Jaggris.

"OK, its just a pile of bones, how scary." Mocked Feras.

I soon walked up to it only to hear a loud squishing sound. I looked down to see a bunch of some kind of liquid. I put my hand in it and take a quick smell. Only to nearly through up from the smell of it.

"Meat head, have u every seen bones this clean after they have died. Not to mention without any scavengers picking it apart?", argued Tri.

Ignoring them, I motioned Riot and asked, " What do you think?"

He takes a quick look around and soon sees its neck bone was totally shattered and answered, "This is the one. And look at its tail bone, it's also shattered.", He takes a moment and asked "Somethings not right, why would an Anjanath leave it."

I soon grabbed a small container to collect a sample of the liquid surrounding it and answered, "I don't know, but I'm sure that this Nightmarion or Yal Magala might have something to do with it. In the mean time, let's see if we can find some nulberriea. Hopefully, if he were struck by its virus it will hopefully by us sometime to find the answer.

Riot agreed, and soon shouts at both Feras and Tri, "If you two are done acting like rookies, we better get a move one before that Anjanath comes back here."

They soon stopped and the four of us soon made our way back to the Wyverian Village.

Kaleb POV

It took me a bit, but I was somehow able to hunt about I want to say four maybe five Aponoth. Not for me to all by myself of course, but a promise was a promise. I'm fully recovered, and ready to move out and find somewhere else to live and figure out how the hell do I get back to normal. At the same time, I wanted leave something for Silverwings, at least to say thanks for allowing me to stay and recover from my injuries. It's still a bit shocking that she's allowed me to do so, but now I must move on.

"So your leaving then?" said a voice and I turned around quickly and soon see…mother. And like father her skin was vastly different from her usual white skin color.

I shake my a head a bit and answered, "Yeah, I need to find another stone, or at least find someone who can help me get back to normal." Then it hits me and asked, " Why?"

Mother shrugs her shoulder and answers, " I'm just trying to understand why you that's all. I mean it's not every day you get a chance to be a Rathalo and understand its full power."

I could help but chuckle a bit, " I will admit taking that Devijho down felt every bit of satisfaction I could ever feel.", I paused for a bit before thinking about Alicia knowing of how worried she must be from his sudden disappearance a few weeks prior.

"You moss her don't you?", asked mother.

"Of course I do, it's all I ever think about each night," was my response, " all the more reason why I need to find a way to change back. "

She soon walks up to me and begins to stoke my snout, "Well, whatever your choice is, I will always be by your side."

I closed my eyes for a bit, even felt a tear come down. Remembering all the good times I had with both of my parents. At least for the first nine years of being with them. Learning the rules of nature, the risk and rewards of being a Trapper. The amount of money they would bring home, not to mention give out to help those who are either starting or either supplies or to upgrade their gear. That's why I wanted to follow their footsteps, and keep the family name alive. And the only way I can do that is to find a way to get back to normal as soon as possible.

My train of though was soon interrupted from a sudden small explosion . My heart jumped a bit, with my mind flooding with worry that Starfang maybe in trouble.

"Oh, leave her if she dies this will be your new home for now.", said a voice.

I looked around to see who was saying those words but could see anyone. Then it continued, "Yo played your part and now she's doing hers. Let her fend for herself, to see if she is worthy to be your…"

"NO!", was all I shouted before running towards the exit. I soon came to a quick stop at the edge of the cliff.

Looking down to see how far down the drop was, if I fall down. A mere site of it was enough for me to back up a bit. But then I could barely hear a Rathain roaring, like it was in trouble. It could be Starfang, it could be something else.

With my mind finally made up, I walk towards the edge, closed my eyes, and dove down from the cliff. The wind quickly brushing on my body as I dive down towards the bottom of the ground. In no time, I opened my wings and catch myself before hitting the ground. I open my eyes to see me up in the air flying.

"Wow, wooow, look at me. I'm flying," was all I shouting before turning away from the a large rock formation.

"That was close," I climb up to the sky as high as I could.

Once I was satisfied, I look around the area and right at the edge of the swamp, I could see a faint of pink, which was enough evidence for me to know that she looked to be danger.

Normal

As the four haunts gathered their things for the day. Their leader at the moment is inspecting the Pink Rathain that they have captured. For he was truly amazed at what she was capable of pulling off.

He smiles, "Don't worry dear, once we return you'll enjoy what we have planned for you."

His men laughs a bit before he spits on her face. Starfang was now to weak, not to mention her legs were damage extensively to the point to where even if she tried to, the pain would be to great. One of the men tried to get close, in which she responded with a quick fire burst. But due to her exhausted, all she could let out was a puff of smoke. It did singe his armor but not to greatky.

In response, the man hits her in the face with the blunt of his shield, and shouts, "That was for destroying my camp and three of my friends."

But before he could do it again the leader grabs his hand and says, "Hold yourself, Kroc. As soon as we get her back to base. Our leader will use what we discovered years ago."

He soon lets him go as Kroc asked, "I don't understand why we need to keep doing this let's kill this one and be done with her."

"Let us remind you that the sooner that the Yal Magala and Nightmarion destroys both of the villages, then we'll take the opportunity to take back what is rightfully ours.", said the leader before turning towards the other man and orders him to get the cart ready.

Kroc soon gets some of chains wrapped around Starfangs mouth in order to prevent her in either using her teeth or flames when they arrived. But then, he sees some light like it was being reflected by something. He soon looks up and in no time shouts, "Yorina, Silver Rathalos 12 o'clock!"

He turns to see him flying towards them, and shoots a few Flame bombs towards all three of them. They all dodge as the flames hits the ground leaving a bit of a small explosion.

"Ready your weapons men, this one must be her mate!", shouted Yorina.

Starfang felt annoyed at the statement, but soon released, due to a small scar on his left wing, it was no other than Silverwings.

Silverwings roars as loud as he could mustard, trying to scar the hunters away not wanting to hurt anyone. But Yorina had other ideas and shouts, "Cannons at the ready!"

It didn't take long for Silverwings to notice that there were more than three of them. A good size number, at least ten of them.

"Move or face my wrath!", shouted Silverwings only to remember they can't hear a darn thing he's saying.

A cannon soon fires at Silverwings, to which he responded by pulling up and then diving down to target the hunters cannons. Closing his eyes, he releases another fire ball and makes direct contact to where their cannons where at destroying all of the cannons.

Angered Yorina shouts, " Flash Bombs NOW!"Angered Yorina shouts, " Put your backs into", and soon turns to one of their handlers, "Oh, this will be a big score, bringing a Silver and Pink would be a fortune."

Silverwings soon hears it and quickly dives down and slams his feet causing a large gust of wind with the ground shaking a bit. This was enough for some of the hunters to lose their balance a bit but quickly regain their footing.

Silverwings then fires a stream of fire towards them. Some where able to take it like it was nothing, others either shielded themselves or got out of the way. In response, one of the hunters tries to get close but Starfang was able to predict it coming and decides to try something. With out any warning, Starfang does a flip and his tail smacks the Hunter in full force. Knocking him unconscious as he hits the ground.

Starfang was a bit shocked to see a Rathalos was able to do it, or maybe they do its that they're more vulnerable doing so since they don't have a poison barb. She soon then lifts her head up and soon notices that all of the hunters where focused on Starfang. And soon realized that he was giving her time to break out and escape. Taking the opportunity and the time she has, Starfang slightly uses her fire to burn her chains.

Silverwings couldn't believe how well he was doing so far, but was also getting tired very fast cause of the trick he pulled off. Knowing he need to find a way to scare them away and fast before they get the upper hand.

"Incoming Flash Bomb!", shouted one of the hunters as he throws one towards them.

However, Silverwings was very aware of these things and quickly covers his face with his wings. What he didn't see coming was that the bright light ended up reflecting of his scales and end up even brighter causing everyone to be blinded by the light. Everyone but the commander, as he makes a direct hit with his hammer into Silverwings face, causing his head to ring like crazy, and looses his balance.

But before he could do anything, Starfang glides towards him and smacks him with her tail. The commander was lucky her bard barely missed him, but wasn't given up that easy. Knowing he's out matched, he makes a run for it but not to get away bit towards the nearest ballistic with a grapple ready. Once he got her in rang, he fires and makes direct contact on her right leg causing her to scream in pain, and is pulled towards the ground with a loud thud.

The hunters soon got their sight back, at least the few who stuck around, and goes over to the Silver Rathalos, only to then see the Commander shouting, " Get over here and help me chain her back up.!"

They soon quickly grabbed and SOS flair and fired it up in the air, in hopes for back up.

Silverwing head was still in pain after being hit in the head by the hammer. But needed to get up, and fast before those hunters take Starfang away and becomes someones trophy which even as a human was very appalling and is something he will not stand by lightly.

He soon got up with smoke coming out of his mouth, and with a mighty roar gets back up in the air and flies towards them as fast as his wings can carry him.

The Commander took notice and shouts, " Incoming!"

But before they could do anything Silverwing fires a warning shot towards the Hunters position. Everyone dodges, all except the Commander who ends up getting tripped by his own equipment and falls towards the ground just missing getting hit by the flames.

Silverwings soon takes noticed and flies down to grab him. The Commander tries to grab his weapon but it was to late as the Rathalos grabs him with his talons' and throws him to the ground hard. Then pins him right in front of the hunters.

The hunters moved in but Silverwings keeps on either pressing more of his weight on their chief or shoots a warning shot towards their feet causing them to move back.

"Shit, this isn't good!" , said the Male Hunter as he gets back up.

The Commander soon shouts, " Well don't just stand there,Dao SOMETHING!"

Both of the hunters look at each other trying to come up with a plan but no matter what they come up with , it either ends with one of them , the Commander, or all of them dead.

However, Silverwings didn't plan on hurting anyone. All he wanted was to get Starfang out of trouble and make sure she was alright. If he could somehow convince them to leave…then he got an idea.

He soon grabs the Commanders' Hammer with his teeth and drops it to the ground basically telling them to drop their weapons.

They look at each other clueless, as the Commander is trying break free, only to no avail.

So Silverwings does it again only this time he throw it away from them, while also not trying to put to much wait on their Commander underneath his foot.

Then the Male Hunter spoke, "I think it wants us to get rid of our weapons."

"Are you insane, how do you know if this thing isn't going to fry us like bacon.!?", yelled the other Male.

The first Male responded, " You got a better idea, then let's hear it."

Not wanting to hear them continue bickering Silverwings puts more pressure on their Commander as he cries out in pain saying, " If that's what the damn Lizard wants then fucking do it!"

They soon got their weapons out and tossed them to the side, to which Silverwings couldn't help but grin a bit. But also was glad that they listened, and soon used the tip of his left wing to point them in the direction of the forest basically showing them where he wants them to go. The looked in the direction and soon started walking that direction, without looking back.

After a good minute or two, Silverwings lifted his foot up so the Commander could get up and head towards his hunters direction. He did what Silverwings was expecting and could help but sigh in relief.

The Commander grabbed his hammer back, and even looked backed at the Rathalos curious to why he let him and his hunters go, but at the same time was at least a little grateful that he did and soon continues to walk back home.

Kaleb POV

Thank goodness, was all I could say to myself as walk over towards Starfang. She was lying there a bit motionless but from the looks of it, she seemed a bit confused a out what happened out there. Seeing how I could've finished them off but decided not to seeing at least from where I was standing there was no point. Plus, I would've brought more unwanted attention. And if they show up again, I'll be sure they get the message they won't forget.

I soon asked, " Are you ok?"

Starfang huffed with frustration, " Do I look like I'm ok.", she paused for a moment snd then answered, "Other than the facted that those hunters ambushed me in the middle of a hunt, then being blinded by what ever they through at me, then I tried to help you only to get some metal stick lodged into my left leg. So other than I'm dandy, and you?"

At least her sarcasm is still there, was all I said to myself before grabbing the metal arrow out of her legs. Only for her to scream in pain and even lashed out at me.

"I can handle it myself thank you.", scolded Starfang.

I soon noticed the wind is started to pick up and I soon take off to the skies to get a good view of what looks like to be a thunderstorm coming toward us. I soon fly back down and said, " We need to get u back to the cave, there's a thunderstorm coming in the north and fast."

I soon tried to get up in the air and grab her with my talons only for her to keep shaking me off and responds, " My legs maybe damaged but not my wings, I can get there myself!"

I landed on the ground and asked, "And how do u plan to land with out crashing?"

She shakes her head a bit and grabs the large arrow that was deep in her leg and with one yank, pulls it out in one clean move. Then she slowly tries to get back up wincing in pain but soon takes off to the skies, with me following close by her making sure she'll be alright.

Ok, the next death will be put in the next one I k ow I said it for this chapter but I didn't want to keep u guys waiting for this long chapter. Sorry for the long wait, I've been dealing with stress from work and getting approval for my surgery on my left shoulder. I would also like to know what do u think of this remake so far and if you guys have and ideas you like to share. And if there's any thing (besides Grammer issues, it's been a bit since I've been fully committed so I'm a bit rusty) I should improve on. And u have any questions please fill free to ask as long there nothing g personal like age and where I live. With that I do thank u all for keep my hopes up and yes I do plan on editing it, when I get finished so if I missed something, I'm sorry I'll get it fixed. I've been using my phone, so I may end up missing spelling or