Monster Hunter: The Telepathic Hunter; Ch47: An Elusive Queen

1:27 PM, March 27th, 2099.

It was the afternoon of the next day when Alex's blimp touched down on a landing pad in Jio Wandoreo city. Why, you ask? Besides delivering the feathers taken from Nemura the Hypnocatrice (which could have been easily taken care of by the Guild's delivery system, mind you), the supposed "Selfish Princess" of this city wanted to meet Alex in person. Alex, being the gentleman that he was, decided to comply even though he had no real need to.

"At least they gave me free fuel for my ship," whispered Alex to himself as he just finished getting processed. He was given a map, as Wandoreo was a fairly huge city, with walls lining the perimeter that kept out Ioprey and Genprey living near the area. He was heading towards the center, in which stood sentinel the fanciest and tallest building in the city, a six-story keep of iron and gold. You could not miss it unless you were in a house with no windows. "Whoa… I'd better prepare myself for a ton of formality."

When Alex got to the fancy front gate of Wandoreo Royal House, he met two Guardian Hunters. They had Lance weapons held out to each other in an 'X' formation to block entry. "Are you Sir Alex Kasai?" asked the guard on the left.

"I am," replied Alex, suppressing the urge to dissuade the man from using 'Sir.'

"Princess Wanda has requested your audience. You may enter." The guards removed their weapons from the way.

"Thank you."

"A word of advice…" started the guard on the right. Alex turned to him. He whispered, "Whatever rumors you may have heard about our Princess… They don't even come close to describing her. I promise you this: I don't envy the servants in the Royal House. I would not wish their job on my worst enemy, heck, I would prefer to fight a Khezu instead." The man shivered briefly. "This might be impossible, but try not to get on her bad side."

Alex swallowed. "Um, okay… So, uh, is it too late for me to turn the other way and leave? You could say you never saw me…"

"Unfortunately, you would have to fight your way through customs at the landing pads," said the guy on the left. "I'm not even joking. This entire city obeys the orders of the Royal Family as law. The current male head of the family is an outstanding HR9 level hunter with high level positions in the Guild. He is practically in charge of this city."

"Ack! Ah, Popo dung! Yeesh, what have I gotten myself into? Fine, I'll go in. I don't seem to have a choice at this point." Alex proceeded forward.

"Man, poor guy. I already feel sorry for him," went the thoughts of a guard. Alex wrote it off as nothing, though he could not say he did not feel a slight chill.

The golden double front doors were open, so Alex went inside. He came to a rather modest receiving hall. The wooden inner walls were decorated from top to bottom in paintings depicting what could be thought of as the history of Wandoreo, as well as several of different hunters. Alex noted two hunter paintings in particular, one depicting one of the guards outside, and the other of a proud man who must have been the head of the house.

In the center of the hall were seven people. Four servants, one maid, a late forties woman in royal garbs, and a similarly dressed woman no more than in her early twenties, just like Alex. Alex could almost immediately tell that these were the Queen and Princess, so he approached with an air of seriousness and caution. "Welcome, Sir Alex Kasai, and thank you for coming," greeted the older woman. "I am Queen Maria Wanda the sixteenth. You may call me Madam Maria." She gestured to the younger woman. "This is my daughter, Kimara Wanda the Seventeenth."

"Hi there, Alex!" greeted Kimara rather casually.

Hmm, she doesn't seem all that bad. However, looks can be deceiving. "Thank you for having me, Madam. And hello, Princess Wanda. I brought you the Hypnocatrice feathers you requested." Alex reached into his pocket dimension, I mean, Hunter Pack and took out a small bag.

"Oh, thank you so much. Ismarelda, take care of it if you please!"

"M'lady!" The maid came forward and took the bag from Alex. "Thank you." She and one of the four servants then left the hall.

"Someone as handsome as you is worthy to just call me Kimara," said the Princess with a short giggle.

"Why, thank you…" replied Alex, bashfully rubbing behind his hair. "Um, forgive me for asking, but will this be all? I would like to return to Pokke soon…"

"Won't you be willing to stay for dinner?" asked the Queen.

"I would like to talk to you more," added Kimara.

"Hmm… I can't say no to dinner, as I have not had breakfast or lunch due to the flight to get here." At the moment, Alex's stomach gave an audible grumble. He blushed and looked down at the floor in embarrassment.

"Great! Come with us to the dining hall. The banquet is already prepared."

Whoa! These people don't play! Leaving at the gate instead of seeing them might have been taken as an insult to their hospitality. I think I dodged a Plesioth Jet Shot there! Alex thought. "Let's get to it, then."

A few minutes later saw Alex enjoying quite a feast. He spoke with Kimara about nothing in particular, getting to know more about her and her family. So far, he saw and heard nothing to suggest that Kimara was some horrible, unreasonable tyrant or other that the guards and a few of the citydwellers he overheard made it seem. Besides the rather plenteous, whimsical orders to the servants and Ismarelda the Head Maid, Kimara seemed if nothing else a carefree, simple girl.

However, the truth was about to reveal itself. Alex was patting his stomach when the dinner was done. "Alex, I have a proposal to make of you," said Kimara suddenly after a bit of quiet.

For no rhyme or reason as Alex turned to her, his chill from before returned. "Are you going to hire me for another quest? I suppose I can make the time for one today. I was hoping to take a break today."

"No, it's not that," Kimara replied. Alex suddenly realized that everyone else in the room was gone. Their covert exfiltration had escaped his notice somehow, showing that even HG Telepathy could be useless if he was really distracted. "You seem like such a nice guy, and I was hoping… that you would become my boyfriend." This was said with a straight face.

"Huh?" Alex was taken off guard. If he was expecting anything, this was not on the list. "Um, I beg your pardon?" Kimara repeated herself. Alex then began to sweat. This development was the last thing he needed. "Um, well… that's really… thoughtful of you to ask… But, the thing is… that line is a little crowded, and I already have a great woman." For your clarification, the line mentioned included Ai, Viridia, and even Patricia to an extent. She had a crush on him, but respected his current relationship.

Kimara did not look upset. She did not pout. Her face remained straight, and then a small, mischievous smile appeared. "That's no problem. You can dump her and swap her out for me. After all, she can't be greater than me. I don't mind."

Now Alex was dumbfounded. He did not rightly know how to answer that, but he did know his answer would decide his very fate. HG Telepathy was warning him of danger, despite the fact that Kimara was not thinking anything for him to pick up. Thus, he was not sure if she was really being serious or just messing with him. Alex decided he needed to test the waters. "Um, you can't really mean that, right? Surely, there are hundreds of people that are better than me, my age, that you could have instead. Would you really want to get in the way of an already blooming relationship?"

If possible, Kimara's odd smile only grew. "That's the neat part; I would. The things that one should not or even can't have are the ones really worth having." Alex gasped. "And maybe you're right, maybe there are better men… But you're the one I want. You're the Hero of Fort Ash Path, Dundorma, Jumbo, Rekusara and Pokke. How many young hunters have a name as widespread as yours? So, what's your answer?"

Alex heard all he needed to. This is not even about love. This is about owning things that she believes have value to HER. She… really is self-centered. There's no way I could trade my darling Anna for a person like this. Alex inhaled and exhaled. "I hate to do this, but I think I'll have to decline."

"I was afraid you would say that. Well, before anything else, would you be willing to reconsider?"

Is she for real!? I turn her down and she asks again like it did not happen? I may have to take drastic measures. Alex stood up. "Sorry, but I don't feel like it. Can I leave now?"

Kimara stood up, and this time her smile was gone. Her face was straight again. "Not until you give me a satisfactory answer. I mean, surely you see what you would be missing out on. Not only am I pretty, I can provide you with the resources to really further your hunting career, resources that your current girl can only dream of. Plus, you get to live here in mild weathered Wandoreo instead of cold little Pokke. It's a fair trade, no?"

For the first time in a long time, Alex was angry with another person. Kimara had crossed a line. You do not EVER belittle a man's home and potential significant other in HIS presence. "Our talk just prior to this, you were so different. Were you just putting on a show, to lower me into a false sense of security? To hide the true you? I heard the rumors, but I decided to discard them and treat you with respect. But right now, to hell with that. Screw the consequences! Let me make this crystal clear: there isn't a Blango's chance in the Volcanic Belt that I would abandon Anna and Pokke for someone as misguided as you!"

Kimara's straight face remained. "Funny, the others would have been kissing up to me since the start of dinner. You remained steadfast, and even spoke your mind freely. Granted, it was a bad move, but you at least proved that you are a cut above lots of men. I will have fun getting you to see things my way. But alas, for now you are free to go." Alex stood there in shock as Kimara turned, bowed, and left the hall. His jaw dropped to the floor. When he had said what he did, he was expecting the worst. But not this unexpected outcome.

"Ack!" Alex held his sides as his stomach suddenly began to erupt with sharp pain. "What is happening to me!?" He dropped to his knees. The pain was unbearable. The food! Something must have… been placed in my share…! Some nasty laxative or poison…!" Alex finally collapsed to the side. The pain steadily increased until he finally passed out. "Ugh…"

Hunter Stats

1. Alex Kasai (HR7)

Weapon: Hydra Bite Sword and Shield (Poison Attribute)

Armor: None

Skills: HG Telepathy, Kasai Potential

2. Ismarelda (Guest Hunter)

Weapon: Crystal Nova Hammer

Armor: Battle 'S' Blade Master

Skills: Strength Up, Speed Sharpener, Detect, Hunger Increase.

March 28th, 2099. Terosu Jungle Basecamp. 6:02 AM.

"Uuuuhhhh… Maaaaan." Alex stretched as he stirred awake. "Where?" Alex opened his eyes but shut them again due to being burned by the light of the rising sun. "Ow, that's bright!" He rubbed his eyes as he got into a sitting position. Beneath him was sand, and he could hear the soft lapping of waves. "Am I…?" Alex opened his eyes once more. "The basecamp… of the Terosu Jungle!? What am I doing here? How did I get here?" Alex stood up. "Ugh, my stomach… Wait, I remember now." Everything that happened the day before up until his passing out came back to him. "Darn it… I was NOT expecting to be kidnapped and deposited hundreds of miles away from my airship in hostile territory, with my gear stripped from me…"

"Please forgive Princess Kimara. She gets a bit crazy whenever she finds difficulty in getting her way," said a familiar voice.

"WHAT THE!?" Alex jumped before turning to the voice. "Whoa, you scared me… Hey, wait a second! I remember you! You're that maid, Isma… Ishma… What was your name again?"

The Head Maid sighed. "Ismarelda. You'd best remember it. I've been assigned as your partner for a little exercise you will have to undergo if you hope to get out of here alive."

"Huh?" Alex then took notice that she was armored and armed with a Hammer-type weapon. "Wait, what? That's crazy! This isn't right. Your employer would throw you into harm's way and you would just go along with it!?"

"As you can clearly see, I am more than just "that maid," I'm a hunter, too."

"In any case, I'm not taking part in this so-called "exercise." You're going to tell me…"

"Look, we don't have time for this.," she cut him off. "This basecamp won't be safe for long. There's a Mega Vespoid Hive set up in the caves, headed by a G-Rank Vespoid Queen. We need to work together to get her attention by slaying her brood. The various areas here will be chock full of Vespoids." Alex gasped in shock. "There's a boat just off shore. They will come for us once it is safe for them to dock, but not a moment before. Whether you like it or not, we have to kill the Queen. Or, you can be stubborn and die for all I care. If you won't work with me, then it's out of my hands. So, hotshot, what's it going to be?"

Alex crouched and punched the sand. "Curses… So be it… Let's get this over with."

Ismarelda smiled as Alex stood back up. "Your Hunter Pack, armor and longsword have been scattered across the hunting grounds. Be sure to look out for them."

Alex suppressed his rage at his "Hunter's Best Friend" being taken away from him. Kimara, I promise you this crime shall not go unpunished.

Alex and his unassuming companion set out once he gave his given weapon a few practice moves. Area 1 proved Ismarelda's claim of the Vespoid situation to not only be wrong, but actually a full understatement of the year. There were as many as twenty of the giant mosquito-like bugs buzzing around. Alex could only assume the other areas had more. The two went on the attack, with Alex having to heavily rely on his danger sense and fight cautiously as without armor he would take massive damage from any stay hit. And getting paralyzed by their neurotoxin could spell game over. Thankfully, Alex's impromptu weapon had the Poison Attribute, making the battle a lot easier. Ismarelda was no slouch with her Crystal Nova, and her movements were graceful and meticulous. At the end of the skirmish, Alex found his Kut-ku 'S' arm parts.

Alex's boots were found at the Felyne drop point in Area 2. The chest part was in Area 10, where there were a whopping forty Vespoids to get through first. The Hunter Pack was found in Area 4, being fought over between a couple of Mosswine.

Area 7 cave.

"Finally!" cheered Alex as he picked up his Guardian Long Sword. "I missed you."

"It's too early to be celebrating. We still have two more parts of your armor to find and the Queen Vespoid to defeat."

"Don't remind me…"

Area 5.

Here, Alex was able to befriend some Congas in the collective fight against the swarm of Vespoids. Alex also found his Kut-ku 'S' leg parts here.

Area 6 cave.

Right off the bat upon entry, Alex picked up his helmet. Within the cave, there were thirty Vespoid. However, Alex was picking up a Chikara signature on the strength of a wyvern. He could not spot the source of it, but he knew it was waiting and lurking nearby.

But with his armor now complete, Alex began to feel empowered by the Skills Vitality Up and Strength up. "Alright, let's finish this." Alex got into his longsword stance as the swarm noticed the duo.

Ismarelda had her Crystal Nova out. "Here they come!" Let us not mince words; the swarm was swiftly dealt with, especially with Alex using Khezu Cloak. When the last Vespoid was eviscerated to pieces, an ominous quiet sank in. Even the air currents of the cave stopped. "Something is happening," said Ismarelda.

"Huh?" Alex looked up at the hole in the ceiling. A loud buzzing sound started up. "Look!"

The two beheld as a ridiculously huge Vespoid with a large abdomen and half meter long stinger descended from the hole. The majestic Queen Vespoid swayed from side to side as she angrily stared down those responsible for the massacre of her army. "You humans dare attack my children!? You will pay with your lives!" declared a squeaky, feminine voice. "Prepare to sleep with the Plesioths!"

Alex's arms began trembling. "You know what? I'm suddenly in a bad mood. I am ready to go on a rampage!" The scarlet Super Khezu Cloak flared on as Alex charged forward.

"Wait, stop, you idiot! You'll…!" Ismarelda called out.

The Queen flew up and thrusted her abdomen forward. A mustard colored fluid issued out of her stinger that splattered onto the incoming Alex.

Author Note; Author's Literary Corner

Puns

1. Hard-tonoph = Hard-A$$, or stubborn. Aptonoph have been seen in Monster Hunter being used as beasts of burden, so I compared them to donkeys.

2. Melynx got your tongue? = Cat got your tongue? Felynes are the lovable cat-like Lynian creatures in Monster Hunter franchise. Melynx are black Felynes with a bad case of kleptomania, wanting to steal anything they can from humans/wyverians.

3. "Yawn capable of swallowing a Plesioth whole = "whale eating yawn." Granted, Plesioth are 'fish' wyvern, and whales are mammals not fish, but it sort of works... I think. I hope.

4. "...dodged a Plesioth Jet Shot..." = Dodged a bullet. Self explainatory

5. "Blango's chance in the Volcanic Belt" = "Snowball or icecube's chance in a furnace", or "chance in hell". Blango are adapted to living in cold places, so the hot, tropical Volcanic Belt area would be terrible for them.

6. "Sleep with the Plesioths" = Sleeping with the fishes. See #3.