Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Monster Hunter, only how the story goes. The characters and world of Monster Hunter belongs to Capcom. The only thing that I do own are the OC's of the story. I do apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.
A/N: Another time skip, a small one, at the beginning, plus we'll be starting it from another's point of view. I got a bit of fun planned in this one. Plus, I've got something to add to the mystery element in this chapter.
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Chapter Twenty-One: Pursuit of Celestial Storms
It had been three days since the rough storm hit and the ground was still wet after it had lingered since the previous night. The wild life was abuzz that morning. A large shape was currently making its way through the Ancient Forest and the ground shook with every step. Grumper the Anjanath had passed through the Jagras territory of the forest and had a destination in mind. He hadn't seen or smelled signs of the human Jacob ever since the day of the storm. The human's scent had been in the cave and the Brute Wyvern would have gone out to find the boy, but the roughness of the storm made him decide to stay within the caves until it had passed. Coming to the drop before the cliff that would allow him to see the human's home, Grumper leapt down and landed into the tall grass with a heavy thud. The Anjanath was about to keep going for the opening he usually went through when he smelled something odd. Turning his head to the right, he found the scent to be coming from the river. Putting Jacob on hold for the moment, Grumper went to investigate.
The Anjanath had to squint for a moment from the bright sunlight. He wasn't seeing anything out of the ordinary but did see the Aptonoth herd grazing about near the river as usual. But when he turned to his left, Grumper noticed something within the tall grass and came a little closer. From what he was seeing, it looked to be some kind of corpse. It looked like one of those great beasts that he would see from time to time and it looks like it molted out of its shell.
Gazing around the area, Grumper saw that there were many tracks from the creature and others like it. He even happened to notice Jacob's foot prints amongst them. Feeling a little worried about his small friend, Grumper turned and rushed to get back to the opening. The Anjanath came to the opening he would usually come through and walked through it to the end. When he stood at the edge of the cliff, Grumper looked over to the dwelling but didn't see any signs of the human. His worries only grew and he gave a loud roar to get the human's attention. But nothing happened as Jacob didn't come out. Grumper roared again but the same thing happened when he did it a few more times. His throat feeling a little sore from repeatedly roaring made him stop. Having a feeling that something was really wrong with his friend, Grumper wanted to go over to the boat. But he knew that the path from where the boat was and his ledge wasn't big enough for him. It made the Anjanath wish that the human made his dwellings somewhere else.
Grumper noticed something up at the top part of the boat and thought it to be the human. The Anjanath knew that he was probably going to need some help to get to the boy. The Brute Wyvern turned back down the opening and could think of only one other to help him sort this out.
Grumper soon came to the fork in the road past the slope that went down to the sea. He wasn't planning to go all the way up, out of fear that he would get his purple rear kicked, but he thought he was close enough to get the Rathalos' attention. Taking a deep breath he let loose a roar that should be loud enough to get the King of the Skies' attention to come down. Even from far down the tree, Grumper could hear the flapping of wings and looked up to see a shape descending from the tree.
The Rathalos known as Papa Rath by the human flew down and Grumper turned to meet with him. When the Rathalos was hovering over the Anjanath, Grumper gave a small growl to him, telling him about Jacob. Papa Rath gave a responding growl before glancing about for the boy. But Grumper just rolled his eyes before leading the way. Papa Rath followed after the Brute Wyvern and the Brute Wyvern moved to a spot where he could see both his spot and the human's boat at the same time. The Rathalos landed behind the Anjanath and Grumper gestured with his head at the boat. Papa Rath looked to where Grumper was looking before giving a questioning growl. The Anjanath snorted before lightly pushing the Rathalos forward with his head. Getting the hint to go over there, Papa Rath gave another small growl before taking off into the air. Grumper watched him go before hurrying after to get back to his spot at the cliff.
Papa Rath had never really known where the human had dwelled until his friend/enemy had shown him. The Rathalos flew to the front of the boat and looked for any signs of Jacob. Looking to the top of the boat, he saw a shape slumped with its face down. Figuring it to be the human he had come to know, Papa Rath gave a roar to draw the human's attention. But when nothing happened it earned a worried look from the Rathalos. The boy looked to be hardly moving for some reason. Deciding to switch tactics, Papa Rath flew a little closer and gripped the sides of the boat with his talons. While flapping his wings to stay in the air, the Rathalos started shaking the boat to jostle it a bit. A startled yelp came from where the boy was and a thud soon followed after. Papa Rath released the boat and moved to where he could land beside it. The stone ground was a little narrow as the Rathalos positioned himself to where he wouldn't fall off.
His method of getting the human to move seemed to be really effective as there was movement. Jacob came walking out of the cabin and didn't look very pleased about it. Throwing up his arms he shouted, "What is the big deal, huh?!
"Roaring, shaking the boat? What is going on with you?" Jacob angrily questioned. The human took a moment to calm himself as he stared at the Rathalos. Papa Rath could hardly believe that the human had lashed out in such a way. But the teen looked away and said, "Look, I just want to be alone right now.
"So please go-" Jacob started to say and move to head below. But he was cut off when Papa Rath placed a wing in his path with a growl. Jacob looked back to the Rathalos and was startled to see a glare on the Flying Wyvern's face. Papa Rath used the wing to tilt the boy's head up a little. The King of the Skies' face softened when he noticed how red and puffy the human's eyes were. Noticing that Papa Rath could tell that he had been upset for the last three days, Jacob backed up and said, "It's nothing.
"I'm fine." He crossed his arms and looked away again. But the Rathalos seemed to think differently when he leaned his head up and nudged the boy towards the back of the boat. Confused by this, Jacob went to the back of the boat and Papa Rath took off into the air again. The Rathalos glanced at the boy while flying around. Deciding to grab a weapon he went down to the living quarters and grabbed the Dual Blades before heading up again. When he came down from the boat for the first time in three days, Jacob turned to the right to see Papa Rath hovering above Grumper before flying off. The Anjanath watched the Flying Wyvern go before turning his head back to the human. Jacob only sighed before making his way towards the cliff. Grumper gave the teen some room to climb up. A roar made them both look to see Papa Rath hovering in the air a distance away from them.
Deciding to see what the Rathalos was wanting exactly, Jacob walked through the opening with Grumper right behind him. But the moment that they approached the slope that went down to the sea, Papa Rath turned and flew towards the east. Quirking a brow, Jacob glanced to the Anjanath who just continued to follow Papa's lead. Taking a deep breath, Jacob followed after the two wyverns.
Papa Rath passed over a small passage between some rocks and Jacob and Grumper followed suit. Jacob was a greatly surprised by what he was seeing. What looked to be the remains of a gate stood before the three as Grumper and him joined a hovering Rathalos. The gate looked to be made out of bone and wood, but was looking like it had been ruined between time and perhaps something else too. Jacob looked about the scene and asked, "What is this place?"
But when he looked to the two, they were starting to move either over or through the ruined gate. Not wanting to be left behind, Jacob rushed after them. Jacob and Grumper continued to follow Papa Rath as the Rathalos flew higher towards one of the mountain peaks that stood past the gate.
When they caught up to the Rathalos, Papa Rath had come down from the air. Jacob saw that they were on a small flat-topped hill before the tall mountain peaks. Surrounding them were trees with a bare, steep slope that wrapped around the tall hill besides the path that he and Grumper had taken. Tall grass waved in the breeze in the center of the spot around them. Papa Rath turned to face them and gave a light roar at Grumper. Jacob looked up to the Anjanath and the Brute Wyvern's eye narrowed. Having a feeling that something was going on, Jacob prepared himself.
(Cue Run Around by Jason Radford)
Jason Radford: Things are starting to accelerate into something never
Stopping always trouble out but
He barely had time to dodge when the Anjanath lunged his head at him with jaws open wide. Rolling across the ground, Jacob stood up again and removed the Dual Blades from his back. With a quick twirl he held them at the ready.
Jason Radford: Now I think I'm getting dizzy too much spinning pace my
Patience line is thickening, quickening
Papa Rath and Grumper both gave a roar before the latter charged at the human. Jacob's eyes darted between the two before he ducked down from a fire ball from Papa Rath. Jacob felt like it was a sparring match with Papa Rath, but the inclusion of Grumper put him off as he hadn't really gone up against a Brute Wyvern like this. Jacob had to jump out of the way when Grumper came at him with his jaws open wide. The teen rolled across the ground and came back up swinging the Dual Blades to make the Anjanath back up.
Jason Radford: I's getting too insane, I'm trying to maintain
Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah
Grumper narrowly dodged the sharp edges of the twin weapons when he stepped to the side. The Anjanath came back with a slight vengeance when he came back at the human with a hip bump. Jacob was sent rolling on the ground and dizzily picked himself. But he was caught off guard when Papa Rath came in from the side and knocked into the human with his head. The sudden strike caused him to lose the Dual Blades.
Jason Radford: You run around, I run around
We're all gonna run, run, run around
Jacob found himself on his back and looked up to see the Anjanath coming at him with jaws open wide. Lifting his arm to a tree, Jacob fired the grappling hook and it caught between a couple of branches. The human was whisked to safety just when Grumper made it to the spot.
Jason Radford: You run around, I run around
We all do a run, run, run around
After making it to the branches, Jacob pulled the grappling hook free and looked around for his Dual Blades. He saw them on the other side of Grumper before a roar from Papa Rath made him look back. He gasped when he saw a fireball coming for the tree and jumped down before it collided with the tree. The tree was set ablaze from the fireball and Jacob cringed from the intense heat.
Jason Radford: It is getting closer
More tense ever spinning, twisting, turning roller coaster
Noticing a couple of simmering sticks on the ground, Jacob picked them up and applied them to his slinger. He fired two each at the two wyverns. But a couple of fire breath attacks from both Grumper and Papa Rath were quick to incinerate the twigs.
Jason Radford: Inch by inch the gap is
Closing pressure, building temperature, rising hotter and hotter
The tree continued to burn as Jacob tried to think of a way to retrieve his weapons. He backed away when the two wyverns growled at him. Taking a deep breath, he ran right at the two. Grumper quickly turned around and raised his tail. Jacob had to stop short of being flattened by the appendage before rushing forward again when the tail raised again. He moved when the theropod's foot stomped down and ran underneath him.
Jason Radford: It's getting too crazy I wish I could maybe
Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah
Reaching the other side, Jacob rolled out of the way when Grumper tried to catch him with his jaws. He stopped next to the Dual Blades and quickly recovered them. Rising off the ground, the human had to stay wary when Papa Rath took to the air and jumped back when the Rathalos did his somersault attack. The club scraped against the ground and threw up a bit of dirt.
Jason Radford: Run, run baby
Run, run baby
Run, run baby
Run, run baby
Run, run baby
Run, run baby
Getting an idea, Jacob quickly placed the Dual Blades on his back before firing his grappling hook again. It caught onto Papa Rath's wing and Jacob zipped up to the Rathalos while avoiding Grumper's jaws again.
Jason Radford: Like a rocket (Like a rocket)
Never stopping (Never stopping)
The Rathalos started thrashing about when Jacob dismounted and grabbed the side of his head. The human hung on tightly to Papa's horns as the latter shook his head to get the human off. Holding on with all he had, Jacob swung around to where he was sitting on the Rathalos' neck. Reaching into the pocket of the suit while keeping a firm hold on one of the horns, he pulled out a spare vial he kept with him that had a Flash Fly in it. Applying it to the slinger, Jacob aimed it before Papa Rath and looked to see that Grumper was watching from the ground.
Jason Radford: You run around, I run around
We're all gonna run, run, run around
Firing the Flash Fly, Jacob closed his eyes to avoid the blinding light. Papa Rath let out a startled yelp when the Flash Fly did the trick and sent the Rathalos falling from the air. Down below, Grumper couldn't react in time when Papa Rath ended up crashing into him. Jacob on the other hand jumped off before the impact and tumbled along the ground.
Jason Radford: You run around, I run around
We all do a run, run, run around
Getting up again, Jacob turned to the two and nearly laughed when he saw the entanglement that they had found themselves in. Grumper was now laying on top of Papa Rath with the tips of their snouts touching. The Rathalos growled up at the Anjanath who gave startled yelp before picking himself up and got off of the red Flying Wyvern.
Jason Radford: You run around, I run around
We're all gonna run, run, run around
When the two were on their feet again, they looked over to Jacob who was already on the move again. He came underneath Grumper's head and watched as they lunged forward before stepping out of their way. Grumper and Papa Rath managed to stop from hurting the other, but Jacob had removed his Dual Blades again and spun around with his arms outstretched.
Jason Radford: You run around, I run around
We all do a run, run, run around
They stopped as Jacob held a blade at both Papa Rath and Grumper who cautiously looked to the human between their heads. The three panted from the sparring match and Jacob lowered his weapons.
(End of track)
Placing the Dual Blades back onto his back, Jacob looked between the two wyverns. They were all startled when a burning tree branch crashed down on the side. They all looked over to see that the tree was still burning. And to make matters a little worse, the flames started to spread. Pointing to the fires Jacob suggested, "We should probably do something about that."
Grumper was the first to act by rushing forward and bashing into the burning tree with his side. Removing the carving knife from his person, Jacob fired his slinger at the trees that were beginning to catch fire. Landing in the middle of the trunks, he coughed a little as he began hacking to stop the flames from spreading. Papa Rath moved to help out by flying up and grabbing some of the burning branches of another tree. Grumper managed to make the trunk of the burning tree give way and with a few extra pushes of his head it fell over the side of the hill. The tree tumbled down the slope and the rest of the burning wood slid a little before coming to a stop.
Jacob and Papa Rath had cut or broken off the branches that had caught fire. The branches didn't remain on fire for long and soon were left smoldering. Stepping away from the dying fires, Jacob looked to the skies as he thought about recent events. A small growl came from the side and he looked to see Papa Rath standing next to him. Thinking back to earlier, he turned to Papa Rath and said, "Thank you for pulling me out of my mood.
"The both of you." He said while looking to Grumper who came back. Turning back to the Rathalos he looked a little guilty when he said, "I'm sorry for snapping at you the way I did.
"I was just upset about something that had happened the other day." Jacob shook his head. Papa Rath tilted his head and the teen said, "I had seen my parents after being here for so long.
"But I have a feeling that it was the last time for who knows how long." He regretfully said as he thought about his family back on Earth. The teen thought he was going to break down again as his lip started to tremble, "I just miss my family so much, you know.
"And with all these thoughts running in my head, about getting back and being them again…" He wiped his eyes and tried to keep himself from crying. Taking a deep breath he went on, "But now that I'm thinking about it, I don't now what I'm going to do when that time comes."
Grumper and Papa Rath both looked really confused. Jacob then said, "You guys, Mama and the trio, Boltia and Nana Diabla and Valiantops. I think of you all as family.
"Even after our shaky first meetings." He added with a shrug, earning a huff from the two. Jacob then said, "I just don't know if I can leave you guys."
The two wyverns only gave uncertain growls. Jacob looked about the place and said, "I didn't even know that this place was here. It's nice."
Grumper agreed with that with a grunt as he looked as well. The teen walked over to the edge of the ring of trees and looked out from the hill. Greatly curious about the two peaks, Jacob lowered his gaze and saw something odd amongst the treetops between the them and the hill. His curiosity peaked, Jacob asked himself, "What is that?"
Knowing that going down the steep drop may not be the best way to go, Jacob started looking for a way to get him there. He thought that the ground was a little more traversable at the base of the hill. He almost forgot that he was in the presence of two wyverns when he turned around to find them standing really close. Pointing behind him he said, "I'm going to go and check out what that thing is.
"And I'll be fine if you want to head back to Mama and the trio." He offered Papa Rath. The Rathalos looked a little unsure, but came to a decision when he opened his wings and took off. Jacob and Grumper watched as Papa Rath turned and flew back to the Ancient Tree.
"I guess you have places to be too, huh?" Jacob asked the Anjanath when he turned to the theropod. But Grumper gave him a different answer when he nudged Jacob forward with his head. Taking this as a hint that Grumper would be sticking around with Jacob, the two friends made their way down the hill.
…
Critters big and small scattered as Jacob and Grumper walked through the forest to where they were going. The human took to walking through the tree branches while Grumper stayed on the ground. Making sure to keep the hill as his guide point, Jacob was able to guide them through the forest. When he saw that the tree line was starting to thin ahead, he thought that they were getting really close. Jumping down from the tree limb, Jacob landed in a crouch just as the Anjanath broke through some foliage. Pointing which way to go, the two friends continued walking through the forest.
(Cue Celestial Pursuit – Bustling Heavens from Monster Hunter World)
When they came to where they were in a clearing, Jacob was amazed by what was sitting in the middle. A large sea ship, one that looked like it had seen better days, was in front of them. From the looks of it, a lot of the outside was starting to become overrun by nature as plants could be seen growing along the sides. Jacob was greatly surprised to see two large holes at the bottom. Looking to Grumper he asked, "You think it's safe?"
The Brute Wyvern answered this question by sniffing the air before moving forward. Jacob wasn't too far behind and they approached the old vessel. They came up right beside it and the climbable rungs were a bit higher than his reach. Thinking that there might be another way onboard, Jacob made for one of the holes at the bottom. He found that the openings led into the lower levels of the ship and climbed in. Grumper gave a worried growl and Jacob turned to him, "Don't worry, Grumper. I'm just going to have a look around.
"I won't be long, I promise." He said while raising his left hand while placing his right over his heart. The Anjanath still didn't look like he was so sure about the place as Jacob went further in.
The teen found that a lot had been cleared out around the middle of the ship as large rectangular holes had been cut out. A set of stairs at the far wall would take him higher with in the vessel. The next floor looked to be a storage room of sorts given that there were different sorts of provisions here and there. The only ways in or out of the floor were the stairs that he took and another flight on the other side of the room and a couple of doors on either side. Walking over to a doorway, Jacob tried to open it but found the latch to be a bit rusty. With a quick use of his shoulder, the door burst open and he stepped through. It looked like an armory given the assortments of weapons and gear strewn about. Some looked a little more rusted than others and those made of bone looked chipped. There was a window and a small roar from Grumper made him come over to it. The glass had been busted out and he looked out to see the Anjanath standing there. Jacob reassured him, "Don't worry. I'm fine."
The Anjanath only gave a small growl but turned away to perhaps keep a look out. Deciding to come back later, Jacob left the room and went over to the other door. This door wasn't as bad as the first and opened with ease. Jacob opened it and was surprised to find a more lavish looking room. He wondered if it was the captains quarters as he looked about. Hanging on a hook next to the bed was a leather bag. Opening it up, all Jacob found was another journal.
Taking it out of the bag, Jacob opened it up to the first page. Under the words Property of was the name of Lylla. Turning the page he read…
Arrival in the New World…
Well, this day was a crazy one. After our crash landing on the creature's back, my new partner and I had a run in with a couple of habitants of the New World. We had come upon the settlement of Astera and reunited with his Palico Plagg.
After turning to another page there was something a little different about this one…
Food Chain Dominator…
When things seemed to have calm down in our mission about the Elder Crossing, I had gone out into the field to do some research of my own. I hadn't known about the dangerous Deviljho at the time, but luckily for me, my partner saved me from ending up inside two monsters. He wasn't all that pleased with me putting myself in danger yet again as he had talked to me about it after word, but was thankful that I was alright. It was then that something seemed to be changing for the both of us.
Another flip of the pages…
After defeating the anomaly that would become known as Xeno'jiva, my partner and I prepared ourselves to explore more of the New World. But not before he asked me a specific question: if I would consider being his girlfriend. He explained it to me that we both have a tendency to run headfirst into trouble. But then he tells me that he can't help but notice that we're a perfect team and he thinks he wants to spend his life with me. I tell him I need some time to think about it.
Deciding to flip to the later entry, he came across the last few pages. And what he read was a little heartbreaking for him…
The Day we set out to leave…
I can hardly believe that this is happening. Just a week or so after my husband, the Admiral and a good number of the Commission's sacrifice against the third and final rise of Jiva, that self-centered jerk, the only apparent survivor of the battle, has the gall to take command and undo all the good work we did and change everything that we know and love.
The first thing he did was use those poor Mernos to lift the Celestial Pursuit from its spot on the mountain. And then he begins to come up with plans to move the commission North. I fear that even though those of us who plan to leave back to the Old World, that things here are just going to get worse.
I pray that whomever finds this journal, that times are happier for them then. This is my last entry for the New World. May the Sapphire Star light the way.
(End of track)
Jacob didn't know what to think as he closed the journal. After that last entry, he noticed that some of the pages had been ripped out of it, making him wonder why. It made his promise to return the items he had found back was going to make it harder. He also wondered if the people were still around. Deciding to take Lylla's journal with him, Jacob kept it close as he left the room.
Coming up the next flight of stairs, Jacob found himself on the deck of the Celestial Pursuit. Looking around he saw a stall on the starboard side while what looked to be an eatery of sorts takes up the base of a mast. A large set of double doors stood behind him and Jacob walked up to them. With a big push, they creaked open again after what appeared to be a long time. This room was vary different from the last couple. For one, high above him, was a large stain glass window. It looked like there were the phases of the moon perhaps, a star and what looked to be a draconic head. Jacob wondered if that had to do anything with the Sapphire Star that Lylla had been talking about.
Deciding to do more exploring later on, Jacob took one last look at the mural as he left the chamber. Coming back outside, he walked over to the port side. He looked about and saw Grumper sitting not too far from the Celestial Pursuit. A quick look around and he saw the rungs that would get him down.
After getting himself off the ship, Jacob walked up to the sitting Brute Wyvern. Grumper turned his head to the human as he came up beside him. Holding the journal close to him Jacob asked, "Ready to go?
"I'm sure you've got places to be." He added with a chuckle. Grumper only got onto his feet and the two started walking back towards the Ancient Tree.
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A/N: And with that, the arc of Storms of New and Old has come to an end. And I know that I added more locations within the Ancient Forest, but to be fair, it is a lot bigger than where we're able to go in the games. In the next couple of story arcs feature new creatures and more bonds. Don't know if it's going to take me the whole summer to get them done, but I do hope to have fun with them. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See all of you next time.