FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Even with much of the more frightening and mysterious implications of the Great Elder Crossing spoken for, there were still many eager hunters that wanted to make their way in the New World. One such person walked his way from the Argosy, looking at the huge network of ships and machinery that created Astera. It was just as amazing, just as mind blowing as he'd heard, and he quivered in his boots with excitement.

"Okay, Newbie, get yourself to the Commander if you want to get a proper mission." And just like that, he was dubbed Newbie, as were many of the hunters that came without a fleet. Most showed up as researchers, wanting to study the many new and strange forms life took in the new world, but not him. He twirled his trusty knives, looking at them for good luck, before he headed through the busy market and to the table where the Commander stood.

The elderly man looking the Newbie up and down, then nodded. "Alright, you're set on being part of the research commission?"

"Yes sir!" Newbie said with a salute. "It's my dream to get out there and prove myself against the best of the best."

The Commander laughed, shaking his head. "Luckily, we have the Sapphire Star for most of that, but we'll see what you can do. There's a Great Jagras making a real mess of things, but he's got quite a huge following. Go cull some of the smaller Jagrases to help the main team capture the big guy."

Newbie's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Sir, I'm not a baby. I might be new, but I can take the real fights. At least let me fight the big guy!"

The Commander glared right back, his voice raising from his scarred face. "Newbie, this is a matter of life and death! You're standing there with some flimsy daggers and leather from home. You need to prove yourself before you go further or the wyverns out there will eat you alive. Literally." He then pointed in the direction of one of the many rooms built into the ships, right towards the top of Astera. "I normally wouldn't do this, but I think you need a talking to from the Sapphire Star. He understands the dangers of this world, and will be able to tell you the importance of what we do."

Newbie huffed at being admonished, but as he headed towards the constantly turning elevator footholds, he actually felt his heart fluttering with excitement. Even back in the Old World, the Argosy had brought news, materials, and tales of heroism of the Sapphire Star, slayer of elder dragons and savior of the whole commission. He'd tracked the deadliest foes, explored every inch of the New World, and solved the greatest mysteries. Of course, he hadn't done them alone, but everyone knew who the real powerhouse was.

Newbie stepped off the elevator and went through the double doors before him, their grandiosity not lost on him. The waterfall roared behind him, powering much of the machinery with its waves, and yet, once he stepped through the doors, the sound was gone, replaced by a gentle harp strumming in the corner. Two felynes were plucking at the strings, one on the ground, while the other had a high stool to reach for the higher notes. Throughout the room small creatures, pets, he had to guess, relaxed. Scalebats hung from the ceiling, while beautiful pink birds with long tails fluttered around in every corner. Near the fires, over the lake outside, up in the skies... Whoever this was definitely had a thing for these birds, and Newbie found himself fascinated by their movements.

Small wigglers danced in pots and in the dirt outside, their hypnotic motions somehow complementing the birds. As Newbie watched the birds moving, he peered past them, seeing the huge collection on the wall of weapons of all shapes and sizes. Metal based, bone based, some with fur from it crackling with electricity, others seeming to drip with poison. Glaives, axes, lances, swords, shields, daggers, and some that he didn't even recognize. Every single weapon a hunter could be expected to use, this one had, with a rainbow of kinsects crawling across the glaives and nibbling at the honey the bugs that lived inside the glaives produced.

Beneath the weapons were racks upon racks of armor. Some were stylish and light, allowing for ease of movement, others covered in crystal plating and solid metal, ensuring protection over all else. Each was a complete set, hand crafted by the finest smiths of the second fleet to ensure both protection and power. Fire sparked from some of the scales, lightning crackled other sets, and still more were haunting, the golden fur and large horns matching the shape of the powerful beast slain to make it.

As Newbie reached out a hand to one that caught his eye, a white leather set covered with fur and small pink markings, a voice called out. It was friendly, a little soft, with warmth behind it. "Excuse me, can I help you, Newbie?"

The new hunter turned, coming face to face with what could only be the Sapphire Star... and he wasn't at all what the Newbie expected. He wore a leather jacket of fine blue scales with black lightning streaks across them, white fur flowing across the collar, seams, and at the cuffs. His legs matched, leather chaps with the same scaled pattern ending in white fluff at the bottom. Beneath it all he had a set of black leather, small supple scales shining in the light showing each had been collected from the same beast as the rest of it. At his side, next to a container holding the scoutflies, was a dagger with the pommel covered in the same fur, the handle itself made of a spiraling blue horn that crackled with electricity. Even those who never went on a hunt knew of the mythical Kirin, bringer of storms. To wear an outfit entirely made from it proved this person a very powerful hunter indeed.

Green eyes looked from behind a set of black glasses, the brown hair above it nothing special. Honestly, he didn't look like some grand hero, just a slightly eccentric hunter with a penchant towards comfort and looking good. He chuckled as Newbie looked his outfit over, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently, though he looked quite used to this treatment. After a few seconds he coughed, bringing the Newbie's attention back to him. "So, any reason you stumbled into my humble abode?"

The Newbie sighed and frowned. "Well, it's an honor to meet you, Sapphire Star, but... The commander is sending me out to kill Jagrases and I just... I'm better than that! I want a real challenge! Like... Well, like one of those!" He pointed at the armors and weapons on the wall, looking impressed. "If I had something like that, I know he'd see me as able to take on all KINDS of missions. I know I can beat things like that."

The Star chuckled a little, shaking his head. "You know, I started off culling Aptinoths that were getting rowdy and threatening the camp. You begin at the bottom and work your way up." He gestured to the wall and the weapons. "I personally carved and collected every single piece of each of these. Pulled bones from bone piles, mined the ores from outcroppings, defeated the beasts and proved my worth. Sure, some of it is stronger than other parts, but each one had their own bioenergy, harnessed in the weapons and the armor, carrying on their essence with me in every hunt."

He walks over towards a box that clearly held materials and items for adventuring, picking up the glaive beside it that had curved Kirin horns at the tip and fur and bones pieced together through all of it, with the bottom glowing and buzzing with the energy of the bugs living inside. "Each battle is a test of wills. A proof that your essence is stronger than theirs. If yours is stronger, you will win, and they will join yours. If not, you'll become part of the monster you're hunting. There's no shortcut in a battle of life and death. And their gift shouldn't be taken for granted." He held out the glaive with one hand, offering it towards the Newbie. Even without touching it, he could feel the energy crackling from it, the lightning sparking just a hint of the power contained within this weapon. He didn't give it to the Newbie, placing it back where he had it resting. "So start small, Newbie. Gather their strength into yours, take their gifts and learn their lessons, and you'll be a star of your own in no time."

The Newbie looked at the Sapphire Star, seeing a lot of wisdom in those eyes, and nodded. He had a lot to think about, clearly. Though, as soon as he left the room, he let out a huff. "That guy's got his head up his own ass. He has no clue what he's talking about." He laughed shortly. "Fights as battles of will, bioenergy.... Pff, that's insane. They're just monsters, and those powerful weapons...." He then stopped, looking back at the door. A plan began to form... he just had to find the time for it. Sure, he'd start culling Jagrases, but he'd be as strong as the Star before anyone even knew what hit them.

That day's mission went well enough, a good swathe being cut through the large lizards that tried to stop the main hunter from his big fight. There was talk about how the group would just grow a new Great Jagras to feed them, but he honestly didn't care about all this "flow of bioenergy" nonsense. The circle of life was actually just a straight line, and hunters were at the top. But it seemed he was alone in that view. And, since Jagras hides weren't worth the effort it took to slay them, the armor they made wasn't even worth paying for. He asked a few other hunters for pieces, trying to find someone who'd be willing to give him something better- he'd even pay for it on his own!- but they refused. Every one of them said the same thing. "If you don't hunt it, the parts aren't yours. It's not just a rule, it's a fact." He rolled his eyes at that, looking for another way to speed this process up.

But the truth was, nobody was willing to help him fast track. If he was going to be on a hunt, he had to have the rank for it, and the only way of doing that was working up to it. Even the training arena, where hunters cut their teeth against monsters to learn the ins and outs of their behavior, required a monster be captured before you could fight it. And it was a stupid rule! Who had time to spend days out there, watching a monster's patterns and learning what it did in nature to try and catch the thing? All that mattered was how it behaved in battle. Leave the research part to the nerds.

As he sat in the cantina alone, eating from his small selection of fresh foods and ingredients since apparently he hadn't EARNED the better food yet by finding it on his own, one of the fleet members that had been there for a while sat next to him. He was an A-Lister from the 5th Fleet, seemingly quite excited and eager, which had gotten him no favors with naming. Apparently, even when Newbie tried to introduce himself with his name, he was cut off. Everyone here went by titles, it was just how things worked. The Handlers were known by their temperament, as were the hunters, while those who had worked up the ranks got titles. He was 'Newbie' until he proved himself anything else. And the man sitting next to him was Excitable, even though he'd come in on the same boat as the Sapphire Star. "How haven't you gone crazy out here?" Newbie asked, looking at him and his big plate of much more varied foods. "That felyne chef didn't even let me choose half of the ingredients, and I haven't been able to get anyone to help me hunt something impressive. I can do it! Why don't people believe me?"

Excitable chuckled, eating from his plate. "Yeah, the Meowscular Chef isn't known for being friendly, but he cooks incredibly well. Makes people earn the good stuff on missions: I don't even have the best things yet. Only the Sapphire Star has access to the tip top shelf items." He sipped from a mug, then clapped his armored hand on Newbie's back. "And believe me, you'll get used to it! And it's worth the wait. Heck, I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable in this Ratholos gear if I hadn't hunted it myself. It was scary at first learning everything, bu-"

"But that's gonna take forever! I could take down ANYTHING if I had the right gear, but they won't give it to me! How am I supposed to become anything above a Newbie if I am forced on all the lowest missions?" Newbie sipped the weak beer from his mug, glaring at the one eyed cat that had limited his choice of spirits.

Excitable just shrugged, going back to his food. "Look, if you don't hunt it, it's not yours. There's no shortcuts here. If you don't beat the battle with the monster, you become one yourself. Even the First Fleet says it, and they've been here much longer. It's the code, and if you're gonna stay, you have to follow it." He then leaned closer, looking Newbie in the eyes. "And, between you and me, I tried cutting corners once, a while back. Before the Sapphire Star even had his title, but he was still showing me up. Believe me, for your own good, don't do anything dumb. Just follow the path, it's for a reason."

Newbie sat back in his chair, kicking up his feet onto the table and grumbling to himself. "The reason's stupid...." He could see the chef glaring at him, the one eye narrowed menacingly, but he wasn't going to let himself feel threatened by a felyne. He didn't move, finishing his food, only to find the waiters not clearing his plate like everyone else. He looked at all the felyne wait staff avoiding him, then glared at the chef again, before he huffed and stomped out across the bridge to the sleeping quarters.

"Should we try to stop him, Meowster?" One of the waiters asked the chef. Stooped over, they seemed naturally submissive, but it was just an easier position for a felyne to move in.

The Meowscular Chef stood up straight, watching Newbie go, but shook his head. "He'll get what's coming to him. I can see it. Just gotta be pawtient and purrsevere."

That evening, sitting in his cramped bunk, the Newbie grimaced. It was worse than he'd been told, but he still expected it. After all, they had enough people for their fleets and the support crews, little more. But a hammock swinging in the rafters was a bit much, even for him. But, since all he'd killed were Jagrases, they were all he had to work with. Some of them had full feather beds, and looking back at the Sapphire Star's room.... This was a joke. He deserved a room like that!

With his inability to sleep, he was wide awake to hear the murmurs going out around the camp outside. People were up at all hours, as monsters prowled both day and night, but the Sapphire Star was embarking on a dangerous mission. The Newbie grinned. Who knew his chance would come so soon? He hopped out of his hammock and left quietly, even though loud snoring covered his every move. He didn't want anyone else getting any ideas, or beating him to his. He tip-toed through the decks, then started up the lift, watching people moving in every direction.

A crowd had formed in the most common departure point, and even from here, he could see the blue and black lightning jacket of the Sapphire Star as he whistled for his ride and flew off on his adventure. He could've sworn the Star looked at him for a moment, but there was no way he'd be spotted so far away. No way he'd know what the Newbie was planning.

He crept up to the double doors of the Star's room, sure he'd be spotted at this point, but he never was. Anyone up had followed the Star to watch him leave, even his room manager and instrumentalists vacating the room. Only all the pink birds were there, all of them asleep as the cool night air blew in from over the pond. It was all much too easy. With soft steps he moved across the marble floor, polished to a mirror sheen, and headed straight for that fluffy white outfit he'd seen earlier that day. It wasn't the most impressive armor, but he didn't need to jump FAR ahead. And if the Star displayed it so prominently, it had to be worth something, right?

Right there in the Star's room he stripped off his gear, stuffing it in his pack before he started putting on the armor from the rack. Despite its warm, welcoming, inviting look, there was a gust of wind that seemed to run over every piece, moving through the fur and leather and mixing with the night air. Every part, from the pants to the boots to the thick fur coat was filled with the air, flowing over his body, crackling with energy. He could feel the power of the monster in this outfit, and he loved it. It even kept him nice and cool despite all the fur!

The final part was the hood, and he attached it to the top of the outfit, then flipped it over his head. He felt like a ninja, even if it was in bright white, sneaking for his prize. Now all he needed was a matching weapon and he could disappear into the night, reappearing with a prize that would rocket him through the ranks.

Before he could step towards the wall, though, there was a shift. The wind rushing against him seemed to thrum with power, and for a moment it seemed fine. But, suddenly, it rushed away, creating a vacuum that pressed the clothes tight against his skin, the fur almost feeling like needles pressing against it. He growled, trying to rip it off, yelling out words he hoped might command the armor to stop whatever it was doing. "No, no, go back! You're mine! I'm wearing you, now be CLOTHES!" He struggled against the belts, trying to tighten them, before he felt a surge of energy rush through him from head to toe. The hood went down over his face, pulling skin tight, then it seemed to get tighter and tighter, those tufts of fur like needles stabbing into him. He thought for sure that this weird trap would be the end, wishing this was a nightmare, wanting to wake up.

Slowly, though, the pain subsided, but every part of him felt odd... different. His arms seemed to have weight under them that he wasn't used to, while his center of balance shifted. One of the buckles behind him seemed to get heavy, then counter balance, while he continued to struggle to breathe past the fur hood covering his face. His hands in the gloves scrabbled against the leather, but they must have gotten free as soon he could feel fur in his grasp, though it hardly moved when he tugged. Finally his nose seemed to poke free, letting him gasp for air, but even that sounded wrong, rushing through his ears. It must've been the blood running to his head and the adrenaline surging through his system. He grabbed the fur hood again, pulling, only to yell in pain at the sharp tug against his neck. With that, though, his head poked free, his eyes opening to see the world once more as this strange clothing attack was over.

Except... everything looked off. And a lot... smaller. He was now towering over the clothing racks, and the weapons didn't seem so high up the wall as they were. Plus, all of the birds were now staring at him, frozen in place as though trying to avoid a predator. He could hear their tiny breaths, which was odd. He didn't remember his hearing being so sharp. But it wasn't until he went to stand up that he got the surprise, bonking his head on the ceiling that had once seemed so vaulted. He groaned, the sound seeming odd, and scratched his head, only to find his hair much shorter and more furry. He opened his eyes, then gasped, seeing the weight on his arms, or were they his arms? Long, white-furred limbs with claws at the end lifted and moved with his motions, while long stretches of pink skin connected the arm to his body, small bits of ribbing through the leather letting it move. He looked at his body, covered in fur apart from his crotch, which seemed to have scales running down and behind him. A twist back showed the large, counter-balancing tail that was covered in thicker scales, almost like a club or a landing grip. This HAD to be a dream, but even so, it shook him and he screamed.

His scream didn't sound like a frightened man, though. It was a bestial roar that echoed through the building, sending all the birds flying in terror. He stumbled away from them, knowing the door was too small and running towards the pond. There, in the moonlight, he glanced down at his reflection, seeing a humongous, bat-like face with large black eyes peering back at him. He let out another cry, the sound echoing over Astera, while the fish in the pond swam in circles, removing his reflection in the turmoil.

At this time the door slammed open, two hunters and a dapper looking felyne entering the room, letting out surprised gasps. "A Paolumu? Here? How did it get into the Sapphire Star's room?"

The felyne stepped forward, brandishing a sword that appeared to be made from a Kirin's horn. "I don't care! My Meowster's room is in danger, and I won't stand for it! No purr! Charge!" He ran at the confused Newbie, who stumbled backward, one of his large feet landing in the pond and slipping, causing him to tumble and fall over the railing.

He flapped his arms as hard as he could, feeling the leather catching the air, but he had no idea how to fly and his body was heavy. There was an instinctual something in the back of his head, not really a voice more than a feeling, trying to instruct him, but he was too scared to listen, just yelling and flapping wildly, tumbling through the air with a loud roar.

At the last moment his body took over, tucking the tail under him, and it cushioned the impact. Though he landed hard, he was fine, but he was confused and dazed as his body had moved on its own. He also hadn't yet realized that he had landed in the cantina, not until the sounds of dozens of hunters running over the bridge and up the stairs came to his large, bat-like ears. He turned to look, holding up his claws and trying to signal that he wasn't a monster, but no words escaped him, only the cries and growls of the Paolumu.

With his heart pounding, he turned to see the Meowscular Chef glaring at him, a gleam in his eye and a wicked smile on his face as, from behind the counter, he pulled the huge sword he used as a knife on the larger slabs of meat. He brandished it, then jumped forward, clawing onto the Newbie's back. The surprised Newbie stumbled, his large form unable to reach where the cat was, and he felt claws digging into his fur. He flapped his wings, trying to fly, but they just didn't seem to give enough lift, while his body seemed to be trying to do something he wasn't allowing it to do. It felt like a sneeze, but with so much coming towards him, his pounding heart wouldn't let him listen or pause.

And then the Chef climbed onto his face, the cat's one eye glaring into the Paolumu's large ones. He smiled, then growled menacingly. "I think it's time you learned your lesson. And it's gonna be pawfully painful." He then brandished the knife again, getting ready to stab. However, from his hands sprinkled some spices he'd been working with, and that triggered the reflex the body had been going for. It inhaled the pepper, then reeled back before sneezing, causing air to rush through the Newbie's body in ways it never had before and making fur fluff up around his neck.

Paolumus were a New World monster, one he didn't know anything about, so he marveled as he hovered in the air, the air sack around his neck helping with his buoyancy and making his wings not need to work nearly as hard. He flapped a few times playfully, almost happily, while the hunters closed in at this new sensation of flight. However, it was cut short as he felt a stabbing pain through his left side.

It wasn't horribly painful, as the wing was mostly skin, but he could see the Chef had dug his blade into Newbie's left wing. The Newbie flapped hard, pulling back, but even as the Chef shook free, he was left with a large gash through the skin of his wing, making flying that much more difficult. He looked at it, then at the crowd, worried for a moment, before he felt another sneezing feeling coming on. After what the last one did, he listened to his body, letting it push him back and into the air, before instinct had him flapping away, pushing hard with his wings to work against the injury. He didn't know where he was going, but anywhere was better than a camp full of angry hunters and the crazed felyne chef.

As he flew through the air, soaring over the forests at night, he could feel the winds moving around him. Something about the structures of his new body could read the air, catching updrafts and managing swirling winds. He still was in shock over this whole thing, wondering how a plan could go from taking armor to running away as a monster so quickly. "Those who don't defeat the monster become it," he thought to himself, groaning. "Why didn't anyone tell me it was so literal?"

And yet, despite how insane this whole situation was it was also very thrilling. He was flying under his own power, reading the air currents and feeling the winds moving through and around his body. Air was being pulled into the air sac, acting like a balloon, and for the most part he didn't need to flap his wings, listening to his instincts when he did, though the injury didn't help. In the back of his mind was a voice, not smart, but telling him what he needed, how to do things. It was like another's energy had melted with his, the monster picking up where it had left off. "Home. Safe. Fly. Nest... Food. Safe. Heal." It seemed to be simple, but it knew what it wanted, and the Newbie was willing to let these feelings take over for a bit, as his bewilderment needed time to clear.

There had to be a way to solve this, but he wasn't going to find it on a torn wing and an empty stomach. The Sapphire Star had to know something about it. After all, it was his armor! Though... what if he ended up hunted? His heart started pounding, the voice calling out. "No hunt! Safe. Run. Free. Nest. Home." He shook his head, feeling the wind on his fur and the way the balloon bobbled against the breeze. "We'll be okay... me? We won't get hunted... there's got to be an explanation for this."

But in what seemed like eternity sailing the breeze on an injured wing, a reasonable explanation never came. His body ached and was tired, his mind was foggy, and even the voice in the back of his head seemed confused on where it was going. At least until it felt an updraft a familiar scent catching its nose. He could feel the excitement, the eagerness to return home, even though he didn't know where home was. He'd not explored this far, and so when he spiraled down through the clouds and his eyes fell over his 'Home' his jaw dropped at the sheer beauty.

He'd heard of the Coral Highlands, but hearing meant nothing compared to seeing. Great swarms of glowing jellyfish floated through the air between coral trees, rising like massive imitations of their cousins in the seas. Massive shells grew on giant clams, meshes of corals and other aquatic life grew over the rocks and formed their own tables and natural domes. Everything was flashing with its own luminescence, even the grass sparking pink when it touched, moving by a constant breeze like an ocean current. Through it hundreds of those pink birds swirled, looking for bugs or seeds, while Kelbi deer walked through the underbrush, nibbling at grasses.

Beneath two large coral trees Newbie felt his body guiding him, aiming for a pink spot on the ground that looked like a safe landing pad. He was hungry, and he could see a lot of smaller flying creatures near him, his stomach rumbling at the thought. It took a lot of energy to turn into this thing, he realized, and that seemed like the perfect way to solve it. Now, how to do so?

He'd figure out how to be a monster hunter in a minute. Right now he needed to rest, his wing aching and throbbing with all the work. He let out the air in his balloon, landing softly on the ground and looking around at the pink spot. However, while he saw a wonderful bed in which to rest his weary body, his body sparked with fear, a growling hiss coming to his mouth unbidden. He tried to ask the mind what was wrong, but only got fear from it, until he saw the pink bed move, a massive wing unfurling before him. A dragon's head lifted, then looked at him, the pink scales catching the moonlight, while yellow eyes narrowed on him, the glare of a predator looking at prey.

"A Rathian?" he thought, recognizing the shape, but not the color. "When did they come in pink? And... oh no.... Nononononono." He backed up instinctually puffing up the air sac to look larger and more intimidating, though that only got the wyvern to stand up as well, seeing him as a proper threat. Flames curled at the edges of its mouth, while he could see the tail swishing behind it, poison dripping from the stingers there. "Oh no... I'm going to die." He knew how hunting worked: it was kill or be killed. And he felt like he was the second part of that equation right now.

The Rathian lunged forward, but Newbie bounced to the side, his body turning to swing the tail and smack the monster across the face. He'd completely forgotten about his tail, but at the thud, he realized how strong it was. This, however, proved to be overconfidence, as he hopped back, then flapped his wings, trying to twirl it into a downwards blow. The pain in his wings made him wince and miss, and the Rathian took full advantage of it, grabbing his tail in her mouth and biting hard. The scales were thick, able to withstand the bite, but not the fire that scorched across them, nor the momentum of being flung around by it, the wyvern's powerful muscles moving the balloon-like bat like a toy to crash it against the coral tree. Dozens of jellyfish began to try to swim into the air to get away, while the Newbie sat dazed, trying to move, but feeling just too weak and tired. He saw the Rathian rear back, flames forming at the sides of its mouth as it breathed in....

Then heard it cry out in pain, the fireball that had formed screaming off into the rocks. Newbie had squinted his eyes shut, ready for the pain, but he shot them open when it didn't come, wanting to see what hunter had come to save him. However, it was no hunter, but another Paolumu, the creature fighting fiercely. Its tail went this way and that, bashing like a massive hammer, while it manipulated the air and its wings to narrowly dodge fireballs and swiping counter attacks. Newbie wanted to back off, but the voice in his head demanded he wait and watch, ready to aid. Its heart was pounding with excitement, something in the air tickling both their noses.

He watched with amazement as the Paolumu began to move its head quickly, puffing air in every direction and moving erratically, almost impossible to follow. The Rathian spread its wings, flying up to try and claw into the swirling bat, but the Paolumu blew it off-balance with a heavy puff of air, then turned around, spiraling towards it faster than any bullet as air rocketed from its face, its tail curling as a protective shield and battering ram. The Rathian couldn't avoid it, getting slammed in the chest and sent flying, crashing into the rocks nearby. It caught itself after that, roaring menacingly, before it took to the air and left the area.

Newbie cried out with joy, hearing the happy monster chirps of his body as the other Paolumu strutted through the air, seeming to dance and show off. The display got Newbie's heart pounding, realizing how kind of beautiful these creatures were. Sure, they were strong, but they had emotions, thoughts... they weren't just targets and monsters, but something to be amazed and wowed by. And be taken care of by, he'd soon find out, as it called to him to follow. It didn't speak, but he still understood it, trying to take to the air to flap after it, but the pain in the wing, especially after hitting the tree, was too much.

The Paolumu saw the injury and cooed, landing next to Newbie and nuzzling into the wing, licking and lapping at the injured part. It stung for a moment, but was soothing, and the caring purrs made him smile, warmth fluttering through his heart. He could also pick up a scent... not just the monster one, but something more, that tantalized his brain, making him try to find it. What could smell so good in this coral land? Slowly he sniffed around, then down under the Paolumu's tail, trying to find something, only to be face to face with a familiar sight. It might not be a human one, but a penis was easy enough to identify when he saw it. He stepped back, startled, but realized his body flushed with arousal and need, a warmth radiating down at his crotch, but not the throbbing he expected. "Oh no... I'm not a female, am I?" He looked down, and nothing was throbbing between his legs, his equipment quite internal compared to the beast that was showing an interest in him.

He shook his head. "Okay, thank you, but no. I need to go take care of myself." He started to flap his wings, but winced again, unable to take off. The beautiful Paolumu male, worried about Newbie, told him to follow, then started walking through the canyons of the Coral Highlands. Newbie was worried, knowing the dangers of the beasts, but he could actually feel its emotion, how it cared and wanted him to be safe, and he could use the friend right now. He sighed to himself, then spoke to the voice in his head. "Listen, me, he's cute, but don't you go getting any ideas. I'm changing back, not going native! So you stop making me so excited, alright? I'm not gay, no matter how sexy a tail wiggle he does." He then gasped, growling to himself. "STOP THINKING THAT WAY!" he yelled at the other voice, though he hated to admit, that one had been on him.

He followed the Paolumu through the area, hopping over small gaps, squeezing through areas, and otherwise making his way through the grounds of the highlands. It was a beautiful place, each sight bringing wonder to his eyes, and he couldn't help but take it all in. He watched the smaller animals interact, watched Kelbi be preyed upon by Jagras-like lizards colored for these lands, who would then take them to their nests to share them. These creatures had lives and feelings and were part of something greater. It touched his heart, especially when he was led to a large, springy nest of meshed coral, long tendril-like vines covering the area like curtains and shielding it from anywhere else, while holes in the sides showed how a flying creature would normally get in.

Once he was there, Newbie collapsed, the nest looking like a wonderful bed. However his stomach growled, and the other Paolumu looked at him, then seemed to smile before it flew off. He was confused, but he explored the area a bit, wanting to know where he was. The scent of the male Paolumu was everywhere, and it clung to his mind. The large monster had been so kind to him, had fought off a monster for him, and didn't even know him! He might be a Paolumu too right now, but he wasn't from the area. Were these things smart? Could they be altruistic? As if on cue, the bat came back, holding in its mouth a catch, one of those small flying creatures, which it placed down before Newbie, nudging it towards him. He looked at it, then laughed. "And I thought you were dumb animals.... Now I have to think about this." He looked at the creature, purring happily at its kindness, before he looked at the carcass before him.

He wasn't unused to seeing dead animals, but eating them without cooking them? That was another thing entirely. He hesitated, making the other Paolumu seem worried, before his body took over. Cooked or not, food was food, and instinct demanded he eat. He dug into it voraciously, ripping off pieces of it and swallowing them, feeling the energy practically flowing through him immediately. Every bite built up energy, and soon enough he actually felt that energy moving, flowing into his wing and starting to heal it. Not much, as there was still a scar, but the pain disappeared, though the hunger didn't.

"So all that bioenergy stuff wasn't a lie...." he said, looking at his repaired wing, before he nuzzled the other Paolumu in thanks. His eyes went wide as he realized what he was doing, but... it felt good to be near something warm on this cold night, so he didn't stop it. He looked his friend in the eyes, then purred out, asking if he could go hunting with the other one. It nodded, then seemed to bob in the air playfully, blowing up its balloon and seeing if Newbie was alright. Newbie gave his wing a test, then joined the other Paolumu in the air, twirling up and out into the night sky.

The two danced around each other, zipping playfully with little bursts of air and often bouncing off each other's air sacs. The other Paolumu took him through a whole course, flying high and low, clearly trying to challenge Newbie, and Newbie took to the course with ease. His heart soared at the magic of flight, loving the feeling and the warmth and friendship he was getting. This Paolumu cared for him, was trying to do much more than simple animal things, even if it was animalistic in nature. "Maybe I had you guys pegged all wrong," Newbie said to himself as they finally actually flew to the hunting grounds.

Newbie saw the flying creatures snapping at the tiny coral birds, a perfect illustration of the food chain. He smirked, then puffed out his balloon, before careening down in the spiral his protector had done against the Rathian. Right before he hit the smaller wyvern, though, he flicked out his tail, twisting and snapping his prey in his mouth and feeling the life flow away. He thought it was a lot feeling it in the knives, but this was visceral, personal.... He said a little prayer for it, even though he'd never thought to do so before, then flapped his way up to his companion, offering it. The other Paolumu refused, diving down to get his own meal, while Newbie ran the mantra in his head. "If you don't hunt it, it's not yours...." The whole world was running by those rules, and he'd tried to cheat it. Well, when he changed back, he'd know better.

The two hunters flew to a nearby outcropping, landing on top and enjoying their meals together. Newbie could practically feel the life flowing into him, the energy perking him up and helping to make the ache of the scar on his wing disappear. But, once it was done, he sat looking at the male that had helped him out, purring happily. He hopped a little closer, then nuzzled into its chest, feeling the warm fluff of the air sac around its neck. Its wing wrapped around him, then it nuzzled back, the two sharing warmth there on the cliff. A moment later the male purred, then pulled free, puffing up and beginning to dance and twirl around him. It seemed hesitant at first, like it might be moving too quickly, but soon went into a full display of wings and aerial prowess.

The movements were mesmerizing, Newbie swaying his head as he followed them, his body dancing in time on the ground with the movements in the air. The moon shining off the pure white fur was beautiful, the squeaks and purrs of the male making him feel so playful, so friendly.... Newbie's heart pounded, excitement flowing through him, and he could feel a wetness between his legs. He bit his lip, trying to admonish the back of his mind, but...

This noble beast had saved his life, played with him, showed him joy.... He hopped into the air, doing his own dance for it, not knowing the moves, but knowing the intent. Maybe it would be silly, but he wanted to share his happiness, his warmth, and the feelings he was getting, however he could. And these creatures deserved all the love they could get.

He gasped a little as he realized the thought, hovering in the air... and then the male moved next to him, its tail wrapping around his, almost like holding hands, while it looked at Newbie expectantly, a little worry in its big black eyes. He looked back at it, his heart pounding, thoughts swirling of what it would mean.... He accepted the hand hold, their tails gripping together tightly.

The next few moments were a blur, the body reacting faster than the mind as the male moved closer to Newbie, nuzzling its air sac against his. The purring and the motions sounded like music, and Newbie began to join with his own purr, the two of them singing together. The tail pulled, and Newbie could feel the warm length of the male pressing against his stomach, stuck between them. He looked at it, and it looked back, a spark passing between them. Newbie wrapped his wings around the male, clinging with his claws while the male flapped, carrying them both through the sky.

In this position, Newbie knew what he had to do. Or, rather, what both instinct and his mind wanted him to do, as he lifted himself into position. He had never, in a million years, thought he'd lose his virginity without even being a human, and as a female, at least in body, no less, but right now he ached, wanting to be filled so badly. He continued to purr the sound like a song the two were sharing, while the winds carried their bodies over the beautiful highlands. And with this, he positioned his wet pussy over the cock that throbbed in the moonlight, then slowly, purposefully, lowered himself onto it.

His mind shattered at the pure pleasure of the feeling, the raw ecstasy of that first touch burning into his mind. The warm, long, tapered tip pushing into him spread his walls wide, sliding deeper and deeper as he clutched tight against the soft fuzz of his lover. He looked up, seeing the big bat eyes looking back at him. It wasn't just animalistic lust, but actual love in the Paolumu's eyes, and he trilled, clinging tight to try and hear the heartbeat and share his own. He pulled with his tail, his body sinking lower, until their hips met, his pussy yawning open around the cock filling him to the brim.

If the energy and power he'd felt when he'd put on the armor had been anything, this was that by a thousand, like he was connected fully with the Paolumu he was clinging to, their heartbeats synced up and their breathing in one. He could feel the air flowing around and through them, their bodies riding the breeze, but the male kept his wings out, letting Newbie be in charge of the situation, a fact the virgin female was truly thankful for. He still didn't think himself female, but there was no denying the wondrous feeling of the cock sinking into him, then dragging against his inner walls as it pulled free, nudging against so many wonderful spots inside him. It was electric, like static in the air, while he nuzzled his face into his lover's chest fur, moaning in delight. His partner moaned back, the sound echoing into the winds, their love being carried to every corner of the Highlands.

Newbie worked his hips in slow circles, using his tail and his wings to move himself on that length, pulling all the way to just the tip, then slamming home with a loud cry of pleasure. He loved the feeling, but he felt a little bad being in charge, seeing as this put so much work on his lover.... "Maybe you can be in charge a little later, hmm?" The male purred happily, thrusting as best he could while flying, a squirt of warmth landing deep inside Newbie. He shuddered, speeding up his motions as the air twirled them through the skies, clouds rolling by and glowing jellyfish creating a starry field beneath them, while the stars and moon above shone down on their union. In the light, the Paolumu was glorious, radiating light and hope.... And so, in his head, the Paolumu became Artemis, and he, or now, she, Moon.

As the names locked in her mind, her heart fluttered, something feeling right about this whole situation. She clung to Artemis, nuzzling into the round ball of fluff, holding close and singing out her pleasure. Moon fully accepted this role, working herself over Artemis's length, the two crooning as their bodies connected, her pussy clenching and pulling on his rod. Moon wanted more than just this connection, though. Right now, her body thirsted for his essence, to be filled with his light, and she wasn't going to let it be. The ride became turbulent as she sped up, while he groaned and shuddered, their tails tightening together, ensuring each thrust was close and closer than the last.

Finally she slammed down, pulling herself tight, her clit grinding against the soft scales of his hips as she cried out in pleasure, joined in by his own moans of joy. In the moonlight, a thin rain of liquid arousal glistened as they fell to earth, joined by thick white pearls that shimmered in the light. Their union was announced in every corner. Their love echoed through the Highlands as he gave his essence to her, and her to him. Warmth bloomed in her deepest chamber while she clung tight, never wanting to be let go.

Slowly she felt the liquid pooling upward, giving space for every little bit that Artemis had to give her as they circled down, landing softly on the nest. Both were panting, looking into each other's eyes, and Moon couldn't help herself, pressing forward into a kiss. It was strange to do so with the muzzles, and Artemis wasn't used to the idea, but slowly he melted into it, their long tongues twining, dancing between them as they tasted each other, their shared hunt, their shared lust... and Moon wanted more. She unlatched herself from her lover, pulling away as they both emptied their air sacs, making sure nothing was in the way of each other. She could feel the warmth dripping from between her legs, and in her mind, Newbie was worried about the consequences, but he would have to worry about them later. Right now, Moon was in control, and got on all fours, lifting her tail to the side and purring for her lover. "Come, Artemis, fill me up my heroic star."

Artemis needed no encouragement, taking to his name immediately as he lunged forward, mounting onto Moon's back. His face met hers, and this time he initiated the kiss, his tongue probing forward as his cock slid into her sloppy hole, pushing free more of his pearls and finding its home once more. She moaned into his mouth, shuddering as he took control, his claws pinning down her wings and his tail moving hers to the side. She was entirely at his mercy, but she loved every second of it, groaning and pushing back as his long length filled her up completely.

Artemis was feral, rutting rapidly at her needy hole, the wet sounds of their hips slapping together and his first load leaking out only running their emotions hotter. The first go had been full of trust, of love, building up the tension to release it in a moment of bliss. But this was something much more primal, much more needy, as the two of them didn't make love, they were breeding. Their bodies pulsed in time with each other, their purrs right on each other's fur, warming them, pressing them close. He was heavy on her back, the warmth rushing through her, but she held firm in their springy nest, making sure he had the perfect angle to work her so well. Her walls clenched and milked around him, wanting every drop of his seed as deep as it would go, wanting to hold all his pearls inside her and feel that rush of warmth once more.

"Yes! Yes! Harder! More!" Moon moaned loudly, breaking the kiss to brace herself while he bit into her neck. Her fluff puffed out a little as she gasped, then moaned deeply, the vibrations moving through her whole body and sparking through Artemis as well. She felt the connection, she felt her body accepting him, pledging herself to him, and he pledging himself to her. Her mate, his love, as long as they lived. Dual hunters. Their roars echoed through the Highlands as they crashed together, the peaks of pleasure meeting as they sealed their pack, rope after rope shooting from his cock like a fire hydrant, dousing the flames of need burning deep inside her womb. Together they shuddered, panted, and fell forward, soon drifting to sleep still tied in the throes of lust.

More than once throughout the night Moon was awoken by Artemis continuing their mating, each time their bodies working to the heights of pleasure and crashing together, while soon a pool of white was dripping down through the mesh, pearls raining on the lower levels of the Highlands. It was entirely like a dream, one she never wanted to wake up from, as she and her love marked their nest together.

It was some time the next morning when she woke to something that wasn't his cock moving within her, her body feeling empty, but the scales nearly as white as her fur. She yawned, getting up and looking around, only to see Artemis a little more alert. She was about to ask why when she heard a horn, then felt the vine ropes lashing around her, quickly tying her down. She cried out in surprise, calling towards Artemis, only to see him disappearing under a flurry of felynes, then go still. For a moment she feared the worst, until she saw the felynes back up, the smoke around them suggesting tranq bombs to catch him, and his breathing showing he was alive.

Her worry didn't end, though, looking at the own attackers that had pinned her down, while one of them blew the horn again, the large spiral shell of an instrument piercing the air. She fought against the ropes, wondering why she wasn't being knocked out, until a familiar form stepped out of the curtain of vines. "Well now, Newbie, looks to me like you learned to respect these monsters. That, or all those happy cries last night were just a show." The Sapphire Star walked down into the nest in his outfit, the glaive on his back and his glasses replaced with a mask like a wolf with a wild mane. He lifted it up, showing the green eyes beneath, as he smiled. "So, you willing to work the hard way for things?"

Moon nodded, looking very sheepish as a large bat creature, no longer struggling with the vines. She was happy she had been found, though she found herself not liking the name Newbie still.... Still, Sapphire smiled, then stretched. "You're lucky. There was a hunt through the area coming, and I didn't know which armor you were going to take, but I kept the door unlocked in case you did. Paolumu is a nice choice, I really like the fur." Moon looked confused and shocked, but Sapphire just laughed. "You think this has never happened before? Nah, there's at least one every fleet. Excitable was the one in ours. Ended up turning into a Dodogama. He still can't get over wanting to eat everything in sight."

Moon continued to blush, feeling like a moron, but at the same time, happy she'd learned the lesson, honestly. She looked at him expectantly, and he nodded. "Yeah, yeah, we'll get you both on the cart and back to Astera. I was only going to grab you, but.... Well, it's a good thing you're ready to be patient. We're not gonna be able to change you back right away." She looked indignant, letting out a few angered squeaks and cries, before Star tapped her on the nose. "Hey, it's not my fault! You're the one that learned the value of a life by creating more of it." Moon stopped, feeling the wetness still dripping from her legs, and somehow her face got paler, the world starting to swirl. "But don't worry, once you push those eggs out, we'll fix you right up. And-" Star stopped as Moon's head flopped to the ground, her eyes fluttering closed as she fainted from the news.

The Sapphire Star looked at his felyne partner and sighed. "They never listen, do they? But this is going to be great research, seeing a couple interacting. And hey, we might even see the first hunter to properly tame a large creature like this! Always got to look on the bright side of things. Now, get these two on the carts back to Astera. We've all got some work to do."