Monster Hunter in Equestria 2 - Royal Introductions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyqFwWoisfk

>You awaken from the hammock you'd tossed yourself in under the deck

>As you hop out, you look around for where you'd placed your belongings

>You didn't have much, just a hunter's knife, hunter's shield, and an Iron greatsword

>A true hunter masters many different weapons, because each weapon has it's own strengths and weaknesses

>The greatsword is a weapon of brutality

>It's edges aren't as sharp as other blades, but that is made up for by the weapon's added heft.

>The weight adds more cutting power to each swing

>and its shear size allows for the blocking of even the heartiest of attacks

>The trade-offs being that the weapon is slow to swing, and maneuvering evasively is near impossible.

 

>The shield and knife combo was fairly common among newer hunters, being a weapon of speed and movement

>It allowed for quick strikes should one need to take immediate advantage of an opening

>The shield could be used to bludgeon and incapacitate if necessary

>It allowed for a great deal of maneuverability, allowing quick dodges in addition to blocking

>The downsides to it being the lack of deep wounds from the knife, and the fact that a strong enough hit will still knock you flat if you block

>You finally decided that weilding the knife and shield will give a better impression

>You box the Iron Sword and head topside

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRbROTdOgj0

>On the ship's deck, you catch a glimpse of the surrounding areas below

>It's quite unlike Loc Lac City, which is built entirely in the desert as an oasis/refuge

>This is heaven by comparison

>Everything is just so lush and green

>You start making note of the landscapes

>There's a dark forest, a huge swamp bog, a volcano in the distance, a small town almost immediately below and...

>Is that a city built protruding from the face of that mountain?

>This place is fucking beautiful

>There's suddenly 3 shapes flying towards the ship from the city

>They seem to be moving pretty quickly too

 

>As they get closer, you notice the things flying at you look like... Horses?

>No, too small for horses, they're probably p0nies

>But they're flying, so... pegasus ponies? Pegasi?

>Is that even the right word?

>No matter

>They all seem to be wearing blue jumpsuits with a yellow lightning bolt design

>They cross paths with the airship and somersault around, lowering themselves and landing right infront of you

>You've already drawn your blade and taken a defensive stance as they land, and are eyeing them suspiciously

>The one with gold wings and the orange mane steps towards you cautiously

>You're not sure, but you believe it's a female because of it's build being less broad than the one with the pale blue wings and dark blue mane

>"Whoa, put that thing away! We're just here to escort you to Canterlot and Princess Celestia. We're members of the Wonderbolts, These two are Soarin' and Surprise. I'm Spitfire, Captain of the team. You ARE the hunter we've been waiting on, right?"

>You eye the three of them contemplatively, then re-sheathe your blade

"Yes, name's Anonymous. Sorry about that. Wasn't sure what to expect out here, and didn't know if you were hostile or not. I can see now you're not."

 

>As you're getting closer to the regal city on the mountain face, You notice it's wrapped in an orb of pinkish hue

>It's unusual to you, to say the very least

>To say the most, you're begining to wonder how you're supposed to get into a domed city

>"You're worried about the protective ward on the city, aren't ya!?"

>Well isn't this one a chipper little p0ny

>What was this one's name again?

>White wings, golden mane

>Surprise?

"Uh, yeah. Just a touch. How does it work?"

>"It's a very special shield spell put up by the captain of the guard. It only blocks out those who would wish ill or harm upon the inhabitants of the city."

"Would I be allowed to hold on to my weapon when meeting the princesses then?"

>Soarin' hastily responds to your question

>"Probably not. We still have several guards within the city whose sole duty is the protection of the princesses. They'd likely consider it an act of hostility if you didn't temporarily surrender your weapon."

"Ah. I see."

>You look just a little bit disappointed

>You hadn't been without a weapon of some sort in quite a long while

>Even though you were inexperienced, you knew the importance of the weapon to a hunter

>But if keeping your skin intact meant giving it up for a scant moment, you'd have to make due.

 

>Your ship crossed into the city without a hitch, and you were escorted by the Wonderbolts to the entrance of the royal palace

>The three of them speak for a moment to the guards at the door, and then Spitfire turns to you.

>"Alright Anonymous. You're cleared to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. These kind guards will escort you to the royal banquet hall, where they will be expecting you."

>They take a quick bow, and then take to the air in some unspecified direction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52lJeIiWfeU

>The guard motions you to follow him

>"This isn't normal proceedure, but Princess Celestia has deigned for you to carry your weapon into the palace. She mentioned something about a 'hunter's code' or something to that effect. Be warned though: Any funny business will result in you being carted to the dungeons, or worse. Understood?"

"No problem. This is a palace with guards, It's not my job to be fighting whatever shows up in the palace. Yet."

>You arrive shortly at the banquet hall

>You're told that the princesses will arrive shortly and to be seated

 

>You've been sitting for about 20 minutes when a yawn breaks through the silence

>"Why dost thou needest us up and about so early, Tia. We knowest well that the night is hither for several more hours."

>"Because, dear sister, the hunter we've waiting for has finally arrived in our fair lands. I believe that since we are both to be acting as his superiors, it would be best for him to be familiar with us both. Besides, if what I've heard about their kind is true, they're just as active during the night as they are the day. It would give you another friendly face to speak to. And I thought you were trying to stop speaking like that?

>"We- err, I am trying, sister. Habits as old as mine can be terribly difficult to break"

>"I know, dear sister."

>The source of the two voices enters the room, and you see they are also equines of sorts.

>One is brilliant white with a mane that flows ethereally with pleasing light shades

>The other has a dark blue coat and with an even darker flowing mane, seeming filled with stars

>They both have long pointed horns, and large feathered wings.

>The only thing close to resembling anything like them in your memory would be a Kirin, but these winged unicorns seem far less feral and bent on destruction

 

>You stand from your seated position, giving a salute and proceeding to pull out the packet that the wyverian guildmaster in Loc Lac had handed you

"Greetings! You must be the princesses. My name is Anonymous, and I've been sent here to assist in anyway possible in keeping various monsters at bay. I was also told to give this to the two of you, it's meant to explain the situation at the Loc Lac Hunter's Guild."

>"See, Tia? This hunter seems more than capable of taking care of himself. We ought just send him on his way so that I can properly rest for my nightly activities."

>"My, but you are impatient today, sister Luna. Take a second look at this hunter. Does his description match what we were told of their kind?"

>The two princesses eye you questioningly, and finally the blue one speaks again

>"Well, I suppose you may be right, sister. Excuse us, Hunter Anonymous? But what manner of armor is it that you are wearing right now?"

>The packet you came to deliver is wrapped in white light, and floats gracefully over to the white princess

"I'm sorry, Princess Luna, but this is no manner of armor, just some basic clothing items. The packet should explain this, but I am only a fledgeling hunter. All of the others thought themselves too superior to waste their efforts out here. I scolded the lot of them before volunteering my own services. I do apologize, but the so called 'experienced hunters' just wouldn't be bothered."

 

>The white one had been examining the contents of the packet during the short conversation.

>She spoke as you ended

>"It is as he says, Luna. They even completely quit taking in new registrations until someone actually accepted the assignment."

"Yes ma'am. It was shameful, how they were acting."

>"But Celestia, whatever shall we do with this one? If he's really only a fledgeling, how can he possibly help us?"

>"By hunting, dear sister. That is how all hunters learn their craft, is it not, Anonymous? By venturing into an area and assisting the villagers with odd jobs and hunting dangerous monsters?"

"Yes, Princess Celestia. That is exactly correct. Largely what we do is gather, hunt, and capture, in order of difficulty. You go out to gather, to get the materials necessary to hunt the larger monsters. You hunt to learn a monsters patterns and habits. And you capture to relocate and study. It's actually quite a lot of work."

 

>The two princesses deliberate amongst themselves for a moment, and then Princess Celestia addresses you

>"Anonymous. Though we would have prefered a more experienced hunter, you have impressed us with both you willingness to help, and your eagerness to learn. We had begun construction on a home for you in P0nyville, but it will be another few weeks before it will be complete."

>"As such, we will be sending you to live temporarily with my own pupil, Twilight Sparkle. She will also be acting as your guild liason, letting you know if you have any jobs. You will have geas from both the townsfolk and from my sister and I should something of grave enough urgency arise."

>"Are these conditions acceptable to you, Hunter Anonymous?"

>You give a deep bow to the princesses, a smile alight upon your face

"I understand and fully accept your terms, Princesses. I shall try my best to defend the lands of Equestria from harm at the claws of monsters."

>"Wonderful! Good to hear! I shall send her a letter immediately letting her know of your departure. I shall have a royal escort take you and your belongings to P0nyville immediately."

 

>You are excused from the banquet hall, and are escorted by the guards to a chariot near the outskirts of Canterlot

>Your box is already loaded into it, still holding your Iron Greatsword, and you climb into the chariot.

>It is being pulled by two white pegasi, and you quickly find yourself flying again, though much faster than on the airship

>Speaking of which, it seems to be leaving the city as well, heading back out towards Loc Lac

>Your trip is relatively short this time, only about 2 hours, but the sun has almost set when you land again.

>The chariot lands infront of what looks to be a home of some sort built into a massive tree

>You hop out of the carriage, and unload your trunk infront of the door before knocking

>You hear a female voice from within call out to you

>"Just a moment, we're just finishing tidying up in here!"

 

>After a short wait sitting on your trunk, the door is enveloped in a purple aura, and opens

>Before you stands a purple unicorn, sporting a dark blue mane with a violet and pink streak

>"Greetings and salutations! You must be Anonymous. I just got the letter from Princess Celestia, You're going to be staying with me until your home is finished."

>You stand from your trunk and give a salute to Twilight

"Greetings, Twilight Sparkle. I do hope my staying here isn't of any inconvenience to you. I could always set up a small camp outside of town if there is a problem."

>As you stand, she notices just how big you really are compared to her.

>"Wow, you're a Giant! You're almost as tall as a minotaur! Where's all your fur? What -are- you?

>What are you?

>What kind of question is that?

"I'm a human. Haven't you ever seen a human before?"

>"No, I've never even heard of a human until today. Princess Celestia didn't say what you are, just that I was in for a surprise. I have to say, You're one doozy of a surprise! Oh, where are my manners, Rarity would be appauled with me. Come in, come in!"

 

>You enter the tree-building and find that it is filled with shelves upon shelves of books

>"This is the Books and Branches Library. I both live and work here as librarian. I'm also now tasked with being your guild liaison. Essentially, I take any of the requests for your services and pass them along to you, be they simple matters around P0nyville or orders to fend off the large feral beasts you've been contracted to handle."

"Yes, yes, Twilight. I know how a liaison works."

>"Oh. Right. Well. So... what's a human?"

>Right, this again.

"You've really never seen a human before?"

>"Nope, I think I'd remember encountering a creature I had never come across before."

>Holy crap, how far away from Loc Lac are you?

>If these p0nies don't even know what a human is, you've got to be in the uncharted areas of the world.

>You wonder how the princesses would have even known about you and your kind

>You'll have to ask her at the next available opportunity.

 

>You've been being bombarded with questions by this little mare for the last.

>Five.

>Hours.

>The Horror

>THE HORROR!!

>You let out a long, drawn out yawn, signalling your need of respite

>"Oh, are you tired, Anonymous?"

"Yes, very. Would it be too much to ask to continue this later? If I don't hit the sack soon, I'm just going to pass straight out."

>"I'm sorry, Anonymous. I've got the guest bed already and-"

>She lets out a yawn of her own

>She doesn't have the amount of energy about her that she first seemed to possess

>"I guess it is pretty late. Follow me, I'll show you to the guest bed."

>You follow the Twilight up some stairs into another room, and up a few more to a small balcony with 2 regular beds, and a smaller bed, with a dragon asleep in it.

 

>Twilight points at the purple and green dragon, and speaks with a whisper

>"That's Spike, Anonymous. He's a young dragon, and my assistant."

"A dragon assistant? They're supposed to be quite intelligent, even from birth. You'd likely not find a better assistant. Provided you keep him as your friend, and not as a pet."

>"I don't tell a lot of p0nies this, but he's like a younger brother to me. I get the feeling he feels the same way about me."

"That's good to hear. Atleast he's not a wyvern. They're quite like dragons, but they're quite feral, and far more destructive. You might want to hope that none of those are in the wild areas of this land. A dragon can be vicious and cunning, but they can not compare to the might of a wyvern like Rathalos."

>You climb into the bed with opposite Twilight's and Spike's on the balcony and get into a comfortable position

>You have one final idle thought before sleep takes you

"Hey, Twilight?"

>"Yes, Anonymous?"

"Just call me Anon, alright? I prefer it to my full name anyway. Too rigid."

>"Sure thing, Anon."

>You allow sleep to overtake you