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: And here is the second chapter. We're going to see a rebellion between a pack of monsters.
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Chapter Twenty-Four: Jagras Go on Strike
Jacob continued to follow the Jagras that he had helped through the forest. He honestly didn't know where exactly the Fanged Wyvern was going, but he did know that it was leading him somewhere, evident when it kept stopping and looking back to see if he was right behind it. They came through what appeared to be part of the shaded forest. Jacob knew that he must be quite close to the boat by now and back in the more familiar parts of the Ancient Forest. They stopped behind a tree when they heard something big close by. Sneaking a glance around the trunk, Jacob saw that it was an Anjanath getting into a conflict with a Rathalos. He thought it to be Grumper and Papa Rath, but upon closer inspection, the Rathalos was missing one of its poisoned talons on its right foot while the Anjanath looked to be missing a lot of the pelt on its back. While Jacob was glad that it wasn't either of the friends he had come to know and love, he really didn't want to watch a turf war between the two.
The Brute Wyvern leapt at the Flying Wyvern, but the King of the Skies maneuvered backwards to avoid the other's talons. The Rathalos fired a fireball at the Anjanath and the theropod squealed in pain. As the two continued to go at it, the Jagras started to make its way around the two brawling beasts. Doing his best to stay low, Jacob followed right after it.
The two were able to get past the small battle and into the area that was more familiar to Jacob. The sounds of the fight could still be heard from behind, but they ignored it as they pressed on. The Jagras led Jacob through the opening of the shaded forest and they once again found themselves within the sunshine. They approached the fork in the road and Jacob wondered what it would do. It was there that he happened to notice a lot of footprints on the ground. From the looks of some of them, they looked to be Jagras while others were even bigger. Jacob gulped when he saw the really large footprints and figured that he would hate being in that thing's way. Really loud sounds from the right made the Jagras dash down the path. Not wanting to be left behind, Jacob ran after his new friend.
They came across wall of vines that led higher up into the tree and the slope that went down into the lizard's turf. As they came to an opening the Jagras stopped and so did Jacob. The two moved to where they wouldn't be seen. They looked around the corner to see what was going on. Sitting in the middle of the clearing was the really big Great Jagras surrounded by the three other Greats. The rest of the pack were gathered around them and seemed to be screeching about something. But the larger ones didn't seem to be minding the smaller members of the pack.
Jacob was wondering about what to do when the Jagras he came with jumped up and used its fore feet to push him into a bush. The human fell to the ground with a startled yelp when he landed on his back. The teen looked up to the Jagras with a questioning look, but the large lizard was already moving into the clearing. Sticking his head out of the bush and watching the Jagras go, Jacob thought about how this was going to go.
The smaller Jagras of the pack continued to shriek at the bigger ones. The really big one finally got fed up with it and roared at them to get them to shut up. But everyone was surprised by a grunting sound coming from behind. All the Jagras, both great and small, looked to see their comrade having returned to them. While the Greats and really big one were greatly confused, the rest of the pack seemed relieved for their packmate as they rushed for them. The Jagras swarmed around their friend and started sniffing, nuzzling against 'em. They backed off to give their friend some air while others had a questioning look as they squinted their eyes.
The three Greats moved out of the way of the really large one when it came up to the group. The Jagras that it had swatted into the ditch looked up as it growled down at it. From his spot, Jacob thought it was an inappropriate time, but still pulled out the stone. He held it up to the really large one and when it turned blue, the human thought that Big Boy could stand to lose some wait and a little of that attitude he had witnessed back at the end of the turf war. He lowered it to each of the Greats and found at least one female among them. Jacob figured he would at least see if he could get some of the regular Jagras starting with his new buddy. The apparent leader of the Jagras Revolution was male while a few of those closest to him were female. There were probably a few other males, but Jacob put the stone away to keep up with what was going on.
The large Great Jagras gave a roar at the smaller one who responded with an angry shriek in return. The rest of the regulars stood by their comrade and Jacob could tell that they were tired of the abuse and mistreatment that they received from him. The big one moved his head as if telling the pack to move away from the survivor, but a light growl from Jacob's friend made them stay right by his side.
Having a feeling that this could get really ugly, Jacob looked into his pack to see what he had. He pulled out a few of the smoke bombs that he had made. Picking off a large leaf next to him, he gently placed one of the smoke bombs in the middle as a makeshift sling. The human lightly chuckled at the thought of being almost like David from the story, but focused when he looked down to the pack.
The really big Great Jagras raised its claws as if to strike at those he considered to be traitors. But before he could even strike at them, Jacob moved out of the bushes and flung the smoke bomb at the large one. It impacted against the giant Great Jagras' face and created a cloud that disoriented his vision. The action caused the three Greats and the regular Jagras to look about the area. The only that didn't really seem surprised was the Jagras he had helped. Jacob loaded another smoke bomb into the leaf and flung it at one of the Greats. A white cloud exploded around the female and distracted her. Jacob shouted to the group of regulars, "Come on! This way!"
The lead Jagras quickly ran back to the human and the rest followed after him. The two Great Jagras who wasn't distracted by a white cloud tried chasing after the Jagras, but Jacob waited a moment for the right shot. When they were side by side with each other, Jacob fired a third smoke bomb and caught the two completely off guard. The regular Jagras rushed past the human and Jacob turned to follow after them. They ran from the Jagras' part of the forest and came to an opening near the base of the tree. The way was blocked by a few roots and the sound of growling from behind didn't make the situation any better. Removing the Dual Blades from his back, Jacob started slashing through them to make a path for them. Even the Jagras were helping out by clawing at the roots or at the dirt. When the root gave way and the opening was big enough for them, Jacob ushered them in first, "Go, go, go!"
The Jagras didn't hesitate to rush into the opening. Jacob looked back as they filed in one by one. The really large Jagras was coming down the path with a mad look in his eye. The other three Greats were behind the really big one and they looked equally upset. Jacob turned his attention back to the hole to see the last Jagras make it through. Quickly going in himself, Jacob was a little slow getting through the roots. He screamed in pain when he felt something sharp grab his leg and looked back to see the appendage caught in the really large Great Jagras' teeth. He fought to keep a good grip on whatever he could grab but felt himself getting pulled back through.
Jacob thought he would have to do something were he pulled out when he felt something grab him by his slinger arm. Looking ahead he saw his Jagras friend having come back to help him. With his free leg, Jacob started kicking at the really large Jagras to make it let go of him. Just when he thought that the two of them weren't going to be enough, others of the pack came back and reached through and started clawing at the large Great Jagras' chin. The talons scratched his leg up a little while raking across the bigger lizard's flesh. The really big Great Jagras finally let go and Jacob pulled himself further into the tunnel. The roars of the large Great Jagras and the three Greats echoed behind them as Jacob got up and limped after his friend and the pack.
…
After a short walk, Jacob and the Jagras came to a spot in the middle of the tunnels. Large clumps of bright moss lined the walls around them and lit up the cave. While the Jagras that lead the revolt against the really large Great Jagras was once again swarmed by his comrades, Jacob leaned against a wall. While he somewhat had a feeling and hope that they wouldn't attack him, he remained on guard as he applied some of the healing potion to his leg. The human lightly hissed as he felt it working and his wounds started closing up.
Some light growls made him look to the entire Jagras pack to see them staring at him. While some looked to be a little hostile with narrowed eyes and others in curiosity by tilting their heads, the lead Jagras moved between them and the human. A short series of grunts and growls from him seemed to make a number of them calm down. Seeing that they were chill at the moment, Jacob glanced down the tunnel that they had come through. He wondered if the large Great Jagras and his three followers were still at that entrance. Thinking that they would need another way out, Jacob looked about the adjoining tunnels. He figured that they may lead back to the outside without having to run into the large lizards again.
He heard the sounds of creatures, other creatures besides the lizards in front of him, and running water in the caves. Wondering which tunnel to take, Jacob thought to be a little creative when he removed one of the Dual Blades from his back and ran one right through some of the bright moss. The glowing substance caused the weapon give him some light to take with him.
Carefully making his way to one of the tunnels to not freak the Jagras out, Jacob moved the glowing Dual Blade ahead of him to see where the tunnel led. He slowly made his way through the tunnel with the blade. The human hadn't gone but seven steps when he heard shuffling and many a footstep behind him. Glancing back he saw the Jagras filing into the tunnel one by one after him. Remembering that they were in this together he said, "Oh, right."
Turning his attention back to the tunnel before him, Jacob continued through the tunnel with the pack behind him. They came upon a familiar sight, a large elevated platform sat in the middle of the cave and on top of it were a few piles of bones. Realizing where they were, Jacob glanced back to the pack and reassured them, "Not too far now."
Trying to remember his second day in the New World, he looked for the spot where he once saw Grumper sleeping soundly while he tried to navigate through the tunnels. But a small hiss from one of the Jagras made him look back to see the one he had helped raise its head and it appeared to be sniffing the air. The Fanged Wyvern moved around the human as the rest of the pack started to file out of the tunnel. The leader of the Jagras moved to an opening before turning his head back to them and gave a grunt before moving on. The rest of the pack quickly followed after their packmate and Jacob followed suit.
They all emerged from out of the cave system and into the forest again on the north side of the Ancient Tree. There didn't seem to be any enemy beasts in sight and felt like they were in the all clear for the moment. The pack started to make their way from the entrance and seemed to leave the human by himself. Jacob thought to try and take a different route to get back to the boat or had a feeling that he might even run into someone that he knew. But before he could even consider it, he felt a tug on his slinger arm and looked to see his Jagras friend trying to pull him in the direction of the pack with its mouth.
Jacob wondered what he should do, but apparently he didn't seem to have much of a choice when a few more Jagras came up and either pushed him from behind with their heads or gently grabbed his pack with their teeth and pulled. Deciding to trust in the pack, Jacob started walking where they were pulling. The Jagras stopped pushing or pulling and surrounded whom they considered to be a new comrade. They led him to where the old Pukei-Pukei nest was and turned to go down through the shaded forest area. Coming up to the fork in the forest, Jacob wondered how far the Jagras were going to go. It was then that he noticed them staring up at him.
Jacob wondered how he could help the Jagras but ended up going down the path to the right. He pushed leaves from the brush out of the way while looking for a spot for the pack to lay low. He looked up and saw the hole where Boltia had jumped that one time when they ran from that mysterious being. He still didn't understand that day, but shook that thought out of his head. When he lowered his gaze, the teen noticed a small opening on the ground level and it seemed to be big enough for the Jagras to fit through it. Ducking down he crawled through the opening. He found himself in that spot underneath the Ancient Tree when he had met Papa Rath.
Examining the spot, Jacob found that it was spacious enough for the pack and they would have fresh water. And the opening couldn't be used by anyone other than him or the Jagras pack. He looked back to see the Jagras filing into the space and they looked around. Some moved away from the others and started sniffing the walls while a few went over to the running water to take a drink. The only one to not really move was the Jagras that had been sticking close to Jacob. The Fanged Wyvern looked up to the teen with a small growl and he looked to him. Nodding to the space he said, "You guys should be quite safe in here.
"But I have no idea what you'll do for food." He realized, figuring that any Aptonoth would be to the west and they didn't really come to this side of the forest. He thought if they could get to some Kestodon, but that's going to be tough on them too. His words made all the Jagras look back to them and some of them scurried out of the hole.
The lead Jagras grabbed Jacob's back with his teeth and pulled him to the wall as well. Deciding to see what was up, Jacob followed him out. The human and the Jagas all came to the shaded part of the forest, the majority of the group crouched down while Jacob and the lead Jagras stayed back to watch. There apparent target was a Mernos that had perched itself on the root of a tree. The Mernos seemed to sense the approaching danger and looked back to see the approaching Jagras. With a shriek the flying beast opened its wings and began to take off. Acting quickly, Jacob removed one of the Dual Blades from his back before flinging it at the Mernos. The blade spun through the air before it landed in the beast's shoulder. The Mernos cried out in pain and fell to the ground. This gave the members of the Jagras pack to go in. One of the Fanged Wyverns quickly put the injured flyer out of its misery with a quick slash to its throat. It gave a weak groan before falling to the ground lifeless.
Jacob came over, removed his Dual Blade from the Mernos' shoulder and pulled it out of the dead creature. After placing it back where it goes, he grabbed one of the wings while some of the Jagras grabbed a foot or its tail. The others kept a look out for any other predators as they made their way back to the hiding place. They dragged it back to the opening and seemed to run into a bit of a problem; they wouldn't be able to pull it in quite easily. The head seemed a bit too long with the Mernos' beak like it is. Getting an idea, Jacob moved over to the head of the flying beast and turned the head to where the beak was facing long ways. He pulled the body into the space with the pack following after him.
The rest of the pack looked over to the returning group as Jacob let go of the catch. He took a step back when the pack swarmed around their meal. Each Jagras ripped a chunk of flesh from the body and swallowed before grabbing another bite. Jacob moved to a spot and sat next to the small stream. Doing his best to cancel out the ripping and snapping coming from behind him, Jacob thought about what he would do next. He was brought out of his thoughts when he sensed a presence next to him. Looking to his right he saw his Jagras friend sitting next to him with a piece of Mernos flesh in his mouth. The Fanged Wyvern placed the piece on the ground before gently pushing it to Jacob with his head. It looked to him before glancing down at the piece of meat and then back to him. Jacob felt that this was a sign of good will between them and picked up the piece. He slightly grimaced at the feeling of blood and saliva on his fingers, and thought about what he was going to do with it. The thought of them not having food brought back to them by the Greats or that large one came to mind and he figured that they would need all the food that they could get. Placing the meat back on the ground, he gently slid it back to the Jagras. The lizard tilted his head in confusion and Jacob gestured for him to take it.
The Jagras seemed a little hesitant to do so when it glanced between the human and the food, but lowered its head to take the meat. Jacob started to wonder if he could call the Jagras something and noticing something about the Jagras. On the Fanged Wyvern's left shoulder, it almost looked like a circle of white scales and giving him a distinct spot. For some reason, it kind of reminded him of a certain planet back home. Mostly to himself, he said aloud, "Jupiter."
The word made the Jagras lift his head up and he stared at the human with the piece of meat hanging in his mouth. Jacob looked to him again just as the Jagras snapped his head back to swallow the meat. The Fanged Wyvern gave a small bark-like sound, kind of like that of a Velociraptor from Jurassic Park. Quirking a brow Jacob asked, "What? Jupiter?"
The Fanged Wyvern gave another bark and it drew the attention from the rest of the pack. They moved away from their finished meal and moved around the two. Having the feeling that the lead Jagras really liked that, Jacob said, "Okay, I'll be sure to call you Jupiter."
It earned a happy bark from Jupiter and one of the other packmates came closer. Jacob used the stone to help him and it turned pink. Thinking of a name for the female he thought, "Juno?"
But she made a disgruntled face that kind of reminded him of how Rahtria was the other day. He happened to notice a little Mernos blood around her neck and thought that maybe he could work with that somehow. Another name came to mind he said, "Jenna?"
She seemed much more content with that one when she gave a happy bark. Another Jagras quickly moved in front of her and he used the stone again. Another female stood before him and Jacob started to rack his brain. But she turned her head to look between him and Jenna and he thought aloud, "What, you wanna be the one called Juno?"
She gave a happy bark and he could see it in her eyes as she came closer and began to be a little more affectionate with him by rubbing her body against his. He glanced to the rest of the pack who just rolled their eyes to this. Gently pushing her back, Jacob got to work when another Jagras moved to come before him. The blue color of the stone told him that this male Jagras was in need of a name. From the looks of his scales, he looked a little younger than the rest given that he was a little smaller as well. With a slight shrug Jacob said, "You seem like a Juni to me, if I'm being honest."
He seemed content with it by giving a small bark. The next five Jagras were named a little quickly as they seemed to like the names. A male Jagras with a bit of muscle was dubbed Julius, another male seemed to really like Jumpa and emphasized the point by leaping back and forth. The last two females of the small group took a liking to Joss and Jess, Joss having a scar on the left side of her muzzle and being a bit protective of Jess whose scales were quite pretty. The final male of the group liked to bring a bunch of things together in a pile, like twigs, rocks and snail shells. While trying to not be mean, Jacob could only find a creative name in Junker. Jacob was greatly surprised when the entire Jagras pack started swarming around him and brushed against him. Now really feeling like he was one of their own, Jacob laughed as Joss and Jess pressed their heads against his.
Feeling like he should be getting back to the boat now, Jacob got up and turned to make his way to the opening. But before he could even take a single step, Julius moved in front of him and gave a low growl.
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Author's Note: What's this? One of Jacob's Jagras friends seems to be ticked off for some reason? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's going on with Julius. I kind of like the names that I gave to each Jagras. And the arc isn't quite done just yet, maybe a chapter or two more before we move on to the next one. 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.