Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch24: Sighting: Great Thunderbugs!

Two weeks have passed since Alex's joint quest with Ai. He had been working hard, often going on group hunts with Anna, Kotaru and Ai, and sometimes on his own. He had also spent more time at Pokke Farm. What caught his interest there was a wall of ice in a cave used for cold storage. This ice wall was tough enough to survive blasting from large barrel bombs. According to the Chief, she and her brother Treshi were looking for a way to get to a secret treasure hidden behind that wall. It was the main reason they had set up Pokke in the dangerous Furahiya Mountain Range in the first place nearly two centuries ago.

April 11th, 2098. 7:01 AM.

Today, Alex found himself sifting through his mail, looking for worthwhile quests. He stumbled upon a letter. "Oh, another fanmail." Alex picked it up, and his eyes widened at the sight of Koto's signature. "This is from Master!" Alex tore open the envelope and began to read the letter.

"Dear Alex,

How have you been? I have been hearing so much about you over the last few months. You are really popular with the Guild.

Lately, I've found myself missing you. How about you come back to Kokoto sometime soon for a visit? I would love to hear about your exploits and stories. Oh, and Kotaru told me you were trying to obtain Thunderbug Juice. Well, I have good news for you. Now that April marks the start of Summer, there will be increased insect activities, such as the Wyvern Monarch Butterfly migration. Great Thunderbugs will appear at night to prey on butterflies that failed to select good hiding places before the end of the day. You should definitely try to capitalize on this.

In any case, I look forward to seeing you again, my boy. Happy Hunting!

Koto Kasai."

"Wow! This is great. Thank you Master Koto. I guess I've been too busy to think about missing you. I'll definitely come for a visit. Maybe I should bring Anna along." Alex got up from sitting on his bed. "I have to inform the Chief, and Miss September."

Emperor came up to Alex's feet. "Oink! Oink, oink?"

Alex crouched and petted his diaper-wearing pig. "Good morning, Emperor. Um, I have to leave today again, and I won't be back for a while. Please try to get along with Apple while I'm gone, okay?"

Emperor looked sad. "Oink…"

Alex smiled. "Don't be sad. I'll be back before you know it. Oh! I know! I'll bring you some Sakura Sweet Potatoes and Kokoto Carrots! You'll love those!" Emperor seemed to perk up at that, and then he went towards the kitchen. Alex followed him, seeing that he had to tell Apple where he was going. "Hey, Apple."

"Master! Come back for more food, have we?" assumed Apple. "What will you be ordering this time?"

"Actually, I'm just letting you know that I'm heading out on an excursion. I'm going to visit Kokoto, my old home!"

"Really!? Well, I suppose I'll have to make you a meal for the trip. Be sure to come back here before you leave. I'll have it ready then."

"Alright, sounds good... Say, could you make a few box lunches? I'd like to bring some of your cooking to my Master, and Ai and Kotaru too."

"No problem, Master!" replied the Felyne Chef.

"Thanks, Apple!" With that, Alex left to prepare and make his way to the Guild Outpost. On the way, he stopped at Vance's Smithy. "Good morning, Vance!"

"Yo, yo, and hello, Alex," Vance greeted back. "Good news, I've finished restoring Grace. Have you gotten any leads on finding Great Thunderbugs?"

"Grace is done!? Sweet!" Alex threw up his hands. "My master, Chief Koto, has given me a good lead. I'm going to visit Kokoto, and I'll be hunting Great Thunderbugs in the Arcolis Forest and Hills."

"That's great! I'll finally be able to upgrade Grace into an Eagle Cleaver. Say, you would like to have her right now? All you have to do is promise not to break her again!"

"While I do miss being able to use the Spirit Sword Attack, I'll have to decline the offer. I treated her so badly, I'll have to earn her forgiveness first. I have to bring her what she needs."

Vance stared incredulously at Alex. "If… you say so. Well, if there's nothing else, don't let me keep you."

"Right. Thanks. See you when I get back." Alex turned and resumed his walk to the gathering hall.

Inside, Alex found Anna and Corra. September was also present. "Good morning, Alex!" greeted Patricia in announcement. He couldn't even sneak in if he wanted.

"Good morning, everyone." Alex walked towards September. She, Corra and Anna turned to him.

"Mornin', Nephew," said Corra.

"Hi, Alex," greeted Anna.

"What's up, Sir Alex?" asked September. Alex winced slightly. She always called him "Sir."

"I'm here to inform you that I will be returning to Kokoto for a few days. Probably no more than three."

"Really? Gotten homesick, have you," remarked September. "Not that there's a problem with that."

"I'm not really homesick. My Master Koto has sent me a letter saying he wants to see me. We miss each other, it seems. Also, I will finally be able to track down some Great Thunderbugs."

"Really!?" Corra suddenly looked bubbly. "It's been years since I last saw a Great Thunderbug. Alex, I'd like to come with you!"

"Wow. And here I was not planning to ask you." Alex turned to Anna. "Hey, Anna. Would you like to come too? I'd really appreciate it. Kokoto is a lovely village."

Anna looked sorry. "Oh, what horrible timing… I already have plans. Sorry, Alex, but I can't go. Maybe next time, okay?"

Alex's countenance fell, just a little, before he brought up a smile. "I understand. Have a good time." Alex turned to Corra. "Pack your things. Maybe two days worth of clothes. We leave in two hours."

"Okay, got it. See you then." Corra turned to Patricia. "Yeah, looks like I'll have to cancel this appointment."

"No problem." Patricia handed Corra back her quest fee, and voided Corra's registration.

"Oh… I hope I didn't ruin anything, Corra," said Alex.

"What? Nonsense! Everything's fine! Get going!"

"Okay."

Two hours and one minute later saw Alex and Corra flying west-bound high above the Furahiya. Pokke looked tiny from up there. Alex enjoyed the view while keeping his balloon on course. I say balloon, but this model Alex purchased after losing the one King Nathaniel gave him was much closer to a blimp. The top part was reinforced and non-inflatable, but still relied on hot air to lift the basket. There were fin-like control surfaces for steering. From here on, it will be referred to as a blimp to alleviate your confusion.

Three hours later, Corra said, "look south, Alex! There's Dondruma City!"

Alex did as he was told. He followed the Valley of Great Beasts, a gorge home to the titanic carapaceons Shen Gaorens and even Lao Shan Lung, until his eyes fell upon the great stone city. Dondruma was an important city that was often under siege from the aforementioned Shen Gaoren, as well as Elder Dragons such as Kushala Daora and Teostra. Because of the frequent attacks, the people of this city had developed a strong and resilient will. They even had fortifications installed to help fight back, and the Guild had set up a special force of soldiers called the Guild Knights. They fought alongside regular hunters to defend the town. "Wow… This is so cool. What a great view."

It took another three hours to get to kokoto. Alex lowered the heat, and landed in a clearing of the forest just outside of the village. He and Corra disembarked and Alex secured the lock.

"Oh, I'm giddy with excitement! Let's get going!" Alex took off on the path.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Corra shouted after him as she tried her best to keep up.

"Oops! Sorry!" Alex stopped. Once Corra got to him, he took her hand and began leading her. "Follow me." He walked at a respectable but fairly brisk pace.

"This is better." Corra could better keep up now.

The two entered the village proper through the west road. This led them directly to Kokoto's Guild Outpost gathering hall.

"Is that Alex!?" asked a man.

"Hey, it is!" said a woman.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Alex as he and Corra were quickly swarmed within a short space of time. "Hello, everybody! Thank you for such a warm welcome!"

"Wow, Alex, you sure are popular," commented Corra with a giggle.

"The entire village is my family," replied Alex. "How have you all been?"

Everyone talked at once in an incoherent mess, so that barely anything legible could be heard. Then the crowd parted as Chief Koto arrived with Kotaru and Ai in tow.

"Alex, my boy, is that really you?" Koto asked. "I hope my eyes are still working properly."

"Master!" Alex went over to him and crouched to hug him. There was that disparity between their heights. "Your eyes are fine, Master Koto. I got your letter, and here I am. I really missed you."

"I missed you too. Now, how about we go to my house so that we can talk more?"

"Sounds good to me. C'mon, Corra."

"Did you say Corra?" Koto turned to Corra. "Oh! I recognize you! You're Maxwell's sister! It's been so long. You never visit nor write! And I could have used your help when Alex was younger, you lazy bum!"

"I'm sorry!" Corra looked genuinely scared. Alex looked surprised. He was sure no one could get past her usually unflinching and unperturbed exterior. "I was… busy…"

Koto calmed himself down. "Whatever. Come along."

The group of five went into Koto's house, just south from the gathering hall, and everyone made themselves comfortable. Alex took in the old house that he had lived in for a number of years, and had only left just last year. He then unpacked the meals Apple prepared. "Here, Master. You've got to try this Popo Sirloin my Felyne Chef prepared. It'll melt in the mouth!"

"I shall!" Koto accepted and dug in right away. "Mmmm! Oh, this is so good! Thank you, my boy!"

"You're welcome." Alex took out other things and handed Kotaru and Ai something. Last was himself and Corra.

Once everyone was done, Koto said, "well now, I believe some story time is in order. Alex, tell me about what you have done, seen and faced so far."

"Hmm, this could take awhile. Okay, everyone, let's gather around in a circle!" Everyone quickly obeyed. "Where should I start…? Oh, I know." And Alex proceeded to ramble on and on. It was easily well after 11:00 PM in the night when Alex ended with his tale of two Cephadromes he and Anna faced at once, in the Sekumeaya Desert for Rekusara.

"Well, my boy, you certainly have had it interesting these past three and so months," Koto remarked.

Kotaru yawned and stretched as he stood up. "Wow, it's so late. Ai, we should go home."

"Oh, yeah." Ai looked at Alex. "Sorry. See you in the morning. I loved hearing about your adventures."

"Good night, you two," said Alex as the Shiki siblings left the house.

"We ought to prepare to go to bed ourselves," said Corra as she yawned.

"Yes. Alex, I presume you will be going to the Forest and Hills tomorrow night?"

"Yup. I'm going to explore the village during the day, first."

"I think I'll accompany you. It will be just like one of our practice hunts."

"Yeah! I'll look forward to it."

Hunter Stats

Alex Kasai (HR3)

Weapon: Blango Blizzard Bow (Rapid Shot, Ice Element)

Armor: Battle Gunner

Skills: Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Attack Up, Precision Up, Reloading Speed Up, Hunger Increase

Koto Kasai (HR9)

Weapon: Poison Battle Ax Sword and Shield (Poison Attribute)

Armor: Genprey 'S' Blade Master

Skills: HG Telepathy, Kasai Potential, Paralysis Negate, Sword Sharpener, Evade Distance Up, Stun Increase.

April 12th. Arcolis Forest and Hills, Area 1. 6:50 PM.

Master and student entered the zone, ready for action. And, they would not have to wait long at all for their target. Floating around here three glowing balls of light. However, these were actually cluster swarms of Great Thunderbugs.

"I knew some would be here," remarked Koto. "I hope you have your empty bottles."

"I do. Let's get this show on the road." Alex took off his bow, took aim at the nearest cluster, and drew an arrow. "Rapid Shot, Level Two!" Alex released and for the price of one, four arrows flew forth in a cluster. Explosions of Ice Element were released on each hit, neutralizing the cluster. This alerted the two remaining clusters, which began moving erratically. "Oh, I think I made the others mad!"

"Just try to avoid their electrical attack, or you will be paralyzed." Koto drew his sword… ax and charged at a cluster.

"Whoa!" Alex dodged as the other Great Thunderbug cluster tried to ram into him while buzzing with yellow electricity. He took out an arrow and used it as a melee weapon. A few swipes later, the attacking cluster was defeated.

"Horyaaa!" exclaimed Koto as he swung his ax. A puff of poison was released on hit, and his target moved away from him before succumbing to being poisoned. "That wasn't so bad. Quickly, let us collect what we can. Then, we'll go to the next area."

"Okay!" Alex put away his bow, and took out some small storage bottles. He got to work, using his carving knife to scrape insects into the containers. Their juice would eventually fill the containers, and the husks could be separated by straining the juice into new containters and disposed of later. Once Alex and Koto were done, they moved into the forest. Area 8 only had two more, and some Bullfangos attempted to ruin the otherwise pleasant night. They were no match for the master and student. Four Great Thunderbugs were found in Area 9, and three more in Area 7. Overall, Alex enjoyed the adventure alongside his mentor and guardian figure.