Thunders Howl

[POV: Tony]

It was terrible, seeing the dead being pulled from the insides of the Jaggi. It was disturbing just how many… pieces were whole.

When the last of the Jaggi was killed I helped search for survivors and injured. Many were… reasonably scared but this form at least helped them ease up around me.

Ponyville was a town of little over two thousand, but… now it's little over seven hundred. Half of which is in urgent care.

“This can’t be happening…” I muttered. “All this...it just happened out of nowhere…” I clenched my fists, hating whoever the hell just dumped all these Great Jaggi’s into town.

The royal guard is doing a pretty good job of helping clean up and gather the dead to identify. In a morbid way, it's a lot like home when a great tragedy happens.

The hardest part were the… orphans. Among the survivors, there were fifty children with no family to go to, and seven of those fifty are also in the hospital. Needless to say, given what sis turned into, she's been… yeah…

"Are you trying to nurse them or cuddle them?" I asked Tina as she sat with the forty three kids not injured, outside the hospital where the injured seven were being kept.

“Yes.” Tina said honestly. “Cause they need someone, my motherly instincts are kicking in...and they need someone…”

Most were about six to ten, others were two or five, and the youngest… were the twins Pinkie saved… Those two were nursing… and quite happily at that.

“Too much happened in too short a time…” She shook her head. “Looks like this won’t be all fun and games...and if this is what’s happening…” She trailed off, clearly scared that if this town has more than half its population slaughtered out of the blue...what might happen to our future kids...or if we could even protect them.

"It will be okay sis." I told her, taking a seat down next to her. Most of the kids here we're… glum, obviously, but some just tried to sleep against her fur. It looks like it's working. Some were sleeping. "We'll figure this all out. We always do, right?"

“Back home was different…” Tina sighed out bitterly. “But...hopefully we can make a difference right?”

"I'm sure we will. You already proved we can when you killed that Great Jaggi."

"It's not that hard considering we're high tier monsters and hey're literally the first things hunters fight." Tina shrugged.

"True, still though, they were… different from the games. I don't think in game Jaggi ever did this much damage to anything…"

"Or get into towns. Monsters shouldn't have been rushing this far in…" Tina said worriedly.

"Guess this town… and lots of others are gonna need walls or barriers then… if they can break into towns now then without something as a front line of defense it will be a repeat."

"And we most certainly don't want that." Tina nodded in agreement. "Also...we're gonna need to be careful about eating raw food...while delicious...I'd rather it not get out of hand…"

"Raw food?" I asked.

“When I bit off one of the Great Jaggi’s heads...it’s blood tasted like fine wine and it tasted like lamb weirdly enough.” Tina said honestly.

"That's… definitely weird. Then again we don't have the same taste buds as we did before so, who knows. Still getting used to this nose. I swear I smelled a flower and could almost see every bee and animal that also went by it. Was… weird…"

“Yeah...all these new senses are just strange considering we’re...well, a combination of wolf and dragon.” Tina agreed.

"I think Celestia said something about Dragons being a thing here… or maybe Twilight? Think there's any large wolf races here?"

“No idea, and to be honest, a world of Pegasi and Unicorns, Dragon’s should be a normal thing.” Tina nodded. “And maybe there’s a canine race here...but right now, we got a town to take care of.”

"True… sheesh, this is not what I was expecting when we ended up here." I said, giving a huge sigh. "And to think it started off so we'll too…"

“Well...we can make it better than this.” Tina suggested. “We’re high tier monsters, we can protect these people, and we’re both smart enough to make things better right?”

"Well, you are a genius, and I'm… well shit, I don't think computers are a thing here… well, I can make whatever you design look nice at least." I laughed.

“Says the guy that could probably advance technology to a massive degree.”

"Yes you were the one building the tech. I just programmed it."

“We’ll figure something out.” Tina said. “Heck, we can even make magical golems cause why not, Golems are cool.”

"Do you know if that's even a thing here?"

“We’re in a world of unicorns, pegasi, and we’re Zinogres...do you really want me to answer?” Tina asked.

"Eh. We can ask Twilight and them later. Some on, guess we got work to do and see how bad the damage was from the princesses." I said, standing up. As we walked I stopped, turning and saw her giving the foals piggy back rides. "Really?"

"They need someone, and a giant fluffy dog is better than nothing." Tina said a little defensively.

I rolled my eyes. She’s always had a bit of a motherly side, but this new body of hers cranked that up to an eleven… this is gonna take some getting used to.

When we made it back to the castle, Twilight was… well, she was sitting next to Starlight on the couch. She was crying into a pillow. “What happened?” I asked.

“One of her friends… Rarity… didn’t survive the attack, and another, Rainbow Dash, is in the hospital. Brave as she was to fight them… it cost her.” Luna said.

“Jesus christ…” I muttered. “We...we’re sorry…” I sighed out.

“Rainbow Dash will live, a pegasus without legs can still fly at least…” Celestia sighed. “As for Rarity… Oh, I see she’s here already.” I turned, looking at who Celestia was looking at. A white unicorn filly in a white and pink dress with a two tone lavender mane all in curls. The little filly looked just as terrible as Twilight, but her tears had dried, leaving irritated red eyes. “With her sister gone and… parents still unaccounted for, when will need a place to stay.”

“There...has to be a way to fix this...in any way shape or form…” Tina said bitterly, hating the fact that everything just happened so fast and out of the blue they couldn’t have done anything.

“... I’ll be back.” I said, having a thought as I headed out and made my way to the nearby woods. A few… wolves, I think, saw me and ran off but once I was alone I took a breath. “So you said you’re watching?”

“Always.” The air seemed to shift and distort, and soon Voodoo walked himself out of that distortion that left once he was in front of me. “I expected this out of your sister, didn’t think you cared that much.”

“You attacked my territory.” I growled. “And my sister is tending to the children that lost their family’s.”

“Hey, hey, down boy. I didn’t do that, that’s Pain’s job to cause trouble. And to be honestly, this town lucked out better than other places she sent monsters too. It’s her job to cause the problems, but you are lucky it’s Demon, Genie and I’s jobs to offer assistance… for a price of course.” Voodoo stated, flipping a card out of his coat and to me. On it was a white unicorn mare, rather lovely with a beautiful curled purple mane. “That’s Rarity.”

“How do I get her back?” I asked. “I doubt I can bring the entire town back but...anyone I can save is better than nothing.”

“Correct there young lad. Now, we won’t bring everyone back, no point in the drama if all your problems get fixed like that. You get to bring her and only her back. With me, you have a few options on just how. Keep in mind, once you pick one you have to use the rest before I’ll let you pick them again. No picking the same option twice in a row now.”

“Sounds...simple enough.” I started.

“Now then, for now, you get four choices. Conditions, A Chance Game, Exchange, and Entertainment.” He stated.

“So...what are the rules of each of them?” I asked carefully.

“Conditions is simple, I bring them back but under a condition. Undead, mutated, different gender, partly insane, i’ll leave it up to a roll of the dice to decide what exactly.” He stated.

“Cause of course…” I grumbled. “Chance games? Like blackjack or something?”

“Blackjack, Poker, any of the gambeling games, can even be chess, checkers, or whatever. Fair bit of warning though, you lose, you can’t ever get them back.”

“I hate gambling…” I grumbled, knowing Tina was a lot better at it then me. “Exchange is exactly what it sounds like?”

“A soul for a soul. Bring me a criminal, a mother, father or child, a soul is a soul, they die so she can live. Simple as that.”

“Sounds fair.” I nodded. “And...entertainment?”

“A lot like game of chance but… more physically demanding. Could drop you into a mall filled with a million zombies, make you race across the world in seven days, perform a musical just for shits and giggles, and the rules about losing are the same as with Chance Games, lose and they are lost to you forever.”

“You’re not gonna make this easy on me are you?” I asked bitterly.

“If I did, then where’s the fun in that?” He asked… I swear I could feel him grin. “Take your pick.”

“I’ll...try Entertainment first.” I said carefully.

“Very well, now… what shall I put you through… “

“Can I suggest a thing or is it up to you?” I asked.

“... Hmm, go on?”

“Well, it might be simple but how about I hunt a monster?” I asked. “Either something you know about or a monster from Monster Hunter.”

“Hmm… Fair enough. I have an idea…”

“What’s the idea?” I asked curiously.

“This.” He snapped his… finger bones? Blinking I was now within a different… larger forest. Heh, wow, now I feel small compared to these trees.

I noticed I was back in my feral form, getting used to walking on all fours again real fast. “There are three Barroths here.” I turned around, seeing Voodoo atop a rock, making him at eye level with me. “Kill them all and Rarity’s location will be told to you, and you can go be the hero. Just be warned, those Barroths aren’t the only monsters here… and far, far from the most dangerous ones here.”

“Yes yes, I know that either a Devlijho or a Bazelgeuse can show up.” I rolled my eyes. “Or are you talking about other things?”

"Things your small Alpha butt better learn to hunt, less they hunt you." He laughed, vanishing into thin air.

Oh boy this is gonna-

"Craw!" I looked up, seeing a bird flying just below the tree tops… huh, that's a weird looking- oh it's coming right at me.

“And what the hell is that?” I frowned, preparing to attack it if it was hostile.

As it flew down… is it getting… bigger- Oh shit! I bolted, rushing to the side as it landed and tried to snap at me. It's body was like an eagle, but it's head was like a dragon- snake, it's long neck whipping around and nearly bit my legs. Fuck that thing is twice my size!

“Excuse me, I need to kill Baroth’s, not whatever the hell that was!” I panicked.

I rushed around, managing to claw at it's eye and making it rear back enough for me to run under it. The body here is part bird, but it's also part dragon snake… I hope it doesn't have scales.

I jumped up, shoving my muzzle passed the feathers and finding soft skin… and biting into it. Duck and the strong taste of honey whiskey flooded my mouth. The beast roared, trying to bite at me but I tore it's torso more and bit inside once more, crunching bone and getting drenched in blood. It gave a final roar before collapsing itself into me, and I slipped inside the hole I made, now inside the fresh corpse.

“Okay so...I now know why Tina mentioned being wary of raw food…” I muttered nervously.

I tried to claw my way out, finding it a bit hard to navigate- okay that's the heart… there's the stomach… aww crap… I swallowed, finding a flesh wall and biting into it… damn that…. I swallowed it.

New Prey Identified

What the?! I jumped, seeing words in my vision.

“Okay what the fuck was that?” I asked nervously.

Species: Avian
Race: Hawk Dragon

An evolutionary middle point between the reptilian dragons and the modern avian birds, they nest in high mountain peaks and dense primal forests.

Meat proteins absorbed. Muscle mass increased by .2%

… You… you gotta be kidding me… we get stronger… by EATING?! Raw meat!!

“That seems...kind of busted depending…” I started. “Also I feel like this is a reference to something...but I don’t know…”

With a sigh I ate… and ate… and ate- hey where did the body go? I found myself with just a few bones and no meat anywhere… did I seriously eat that massive thing?!

Proteins Absorbed. Muscle Mass increased by 5%

Bone Calcium Absorbed. Bone Density increased by 3%

Skill Evolution Available? Evolve current skill?

“Excuse me what?” I blinked, looking at what current skill I could evolve.

Skill: Hunter → Skill: Predator

“Uh...sure, why not.” I said honestly. “Hopefully this doesn’t make me into a bad person…”

Skill Evolution Successful.

New Skill: Predator - Gain Skills and Powers of your prey by devouring their whole body.

“Okay, now I know exactly where that comes from.” I said, not expecting to gain this ability from anime’s favorite slime.

With that mess done I headed on off. Have to find those Barroths.

I took a sniff of the air… What would a Barroths even smell like?

“Well...one thing they smell like is mud...and it would be special cause it’s caked onto the thing…” I muttered while sniffing the air, tryinPack! find any mudhole around.

I smell… Water, fish, another Hawk Dragon… Sheep? And… What, is that?

I followed the smell. It was… Faint, but familiar...

“Alright...what’s going on over there?” I wondered as I followed the weird familiar scent.

As I broke through the foliage, I spotted them… Zinogre… Hundreds of them… It's a Pack!

“How and why are there hundreds of them?” I asked in pure shock.

As I stared in awe at this… Amazing sight and noticed as one began walking up to me. Their fur was blue and white with pinkish highlights along their spine and tail. They were… female, I think? They walked right up to me, sniffing me. "You just ate?" She asked. Youza that voice...

“Uh...y-yeah...a hawk dragon tried to make me it’s lunch...so I made it my lunch.” I said sheepishly.

"Hm. You're not from this pack… and you're an Alpha at that." She said, circling me. "A True Alpha. One of your kind hasn't been born in over a thousand seasons."

“And uh...how long since a Den Mother has been born?” I asked carefully, somehow managing to get that out despite my pure shock at hearing how special I am.

"We have them now." She stated. "It's why our pack is so large. So, what pack are you from?"

“Uh...I’m not from any…” I said nervously. “All I have is my sister who...happens to be a Den Mother from what I was told...and how am I an Alpha?” I asked

"Your size for one, and your scent for another. It's rich in testosterone."

… Oddly that makes complete sense...

“Yeah...and what about those five over there? They're even bigger than I am.” I brought up, motioning to the other large ones.

"Those are newly pregnant Den Mother's. We always grow to great sizes while pregnant."

“Uh...huh…” I started. “I totally knew that...so uh, have any of you seen any Barroth’s around here?”

"Most stick to their territory, but a few wandered into the forest recently. Our scouts would know more about where they are." She said, turning back to the pack. "Come. So, what are you called?"

“My names Tony…” I said carefully as I followed after her.

"Tony. Strange name. I am called Magnolia." She said… stop staring under her tail, stop staring under her tail…

As we walked along I noticed I got a lot of looks at me. Eventually we came across a group of Zinogre, each one carrying several Great Jaggi dead across their backs.

“Rat bastards…” I growled towards the Great Jaggi corpses.

"Excuse me." Magnolia said. "This Alpha seeks the Barroths. Do you know where the invaders went?"

Some of them growled. "One rushed off to the beach, the other two ran off to the mountains." The front most one answered.

“God damn it…” I grumbled. “And in which directions would those be in?”

"I can lead the way." Magnolia stated. "The beaches are a popular hunting grounds for fish and crabs, and the like. The mountains will be a longer journey though."

“Sounds fine to me.” I nodded. “It’s gonna take a while just to deal with the Barroth’s though…”

"The beaches are the closest, we can arrive there within a day's travel."

“Cool.” I nodded. “Haven’t had a good run in a while.”

"Follow me then, Tony the Alpha." Magnolia said as she ran ahead. I followed the best I could. Walking and running on all fours are two very different things. I managed to follow close enough behind… never realized how fast Zinogre can run. We ran until the sun began to set and Magnolia had us take shelter in a hollow tree trunk. "We will leave at sunrise and make it to the beaches by mid day."

“Sounds reasonable enough.” I nodded. “But...I have to wonder if these Barroth’s will be different based on their new locations…”

"No idea. Hard to tell, seems the land has begun to change in strange ways." Magnolia said with a sigh.

“How so?” I asked curiously, wondering what could cause the land to change.

"The beasts of darkness appear ever more lately, and the other packs are growing restless."

“Creatures of darkness?” I asked curiously.

"Yes. Unlike beasts like us or our preys, they vary greatly in shape and form, they have unique abilities and powers, and while their bodies can be torn and broken, they have no flesh to devour, and their blood is not red, but silver in looks and turns to steam seconds after spilling. Their scent is that of dread and fear."

“That sounds...scary.” I said nervously.

"Rightfully so." Magnolia stated. "So, tell me, do you have Den Mother's you've mated?"

“No, the only Den Mother I know about is my Sister, and that’s one line neither of us are crossing.” I said honestly, having made that deal with Tina years ago.

"How come?" She asked… rather bluntly...

“Because she’s my sister?” I asked carefully. “Like...literally from the same mother and father sister, mating with someone that close biologically would lead to bad things.”

"Not for Den Mother's. Our biology is built special like that, be us with father's, brothers and our own sons, our offspring will be born healthy. Same goes for True Alpha's like yourself. In fact if you two did mate those pups would definitely be born Den Mother's and True Alpha's and can easily populate and make a large pack in a generation or two."

… wat?

“I’m sorry...I think I have some Hawk Dragon stuck in my ear…” I said carefully, brushing my paw over my two ears. “Your saying...it’s perfectly fine to plow my sister?”

"Yes, my own father is also my uncle. Because my mother is a Den Mother I came out fine and not like the inbred. It's how our pack has kept our numbers up for countless generations."

I legit stumbled as I heard that. “Uh...okay...yeah sure that makes total sense…”

"Did you not know this? It is common knowledge told to every Den Mother and True Alpha when they become of breeding age."

“And...how old is breeding age again? Since uh...I’m from a different region I suppose?” I said nervously, which wasn’t a complete lie.

"Typically after we reach maturity in ten summers."

Zinogre are adults at just ten years old?!

“Uh...huh…” I started. “Right...where we are is a whole lot different then here that’s for sure.”

"Strange. So, have you mated then? You do not smell of a virgin." She can smell that?

“I...didn’t know virgins had a smell.” I started. “And...I have mated...a lot actually…just uh...not with other’s of our kind…”

"Oh, so you are producing half breeds then?"

“From when me and my sister started, weirdly no.” I said. “Until...recently…” I said nervously.

"Not too many Half breeds about. Most tend to breed with their own kind, but Den Mother's and True Alpha's are special like that. Immune to inbreeding, compatible with any race, it's a very unique existence."

“Yeah...it’s a...it’s probably a good thing that those Hunter’s made me pull out…” I said sheepishly. “And...other monsters…”

"What about them?" She asked.

“Let’s just say me and my sister are…’energetic’ when it comes to mating…” I said sheepishly. “And uh...we do it with anyone that’s willing.”

"Oh, is that so?"

Last night, I fucked a Zinogre. It was… great. What I didn't know is that, upon waking up she was now easily twice my size and sporting the boobs my sis has in her anthro form. She was also already rather… large, in the tummy.

“And uh...does this happen every time a Zinogre get’s pregnant?” I asked nervously.

"Just we Den Mother's. Our time pregnant is accelerated compared to the normal females and we carry and birth twice as many pups as them. Normally a Den mother has a litter of ten or so, but given you are a True Alpha it might be more."

“Oh no…” I muttered to myself.

"Here, nurse." She said, pulling me by my scruff and against her… wow that's so soft… "You will need the energy."

“Uh...okay…” I said, softly nursing from her really soft breasts and...this felt both weird and nice, weird because we were both feral Zinogre’s and I was breastfeeding from her, but nice because...well it just felt nice.

I noticed her milk tasted a lot like vanilla ice cream and… caramel. After drinking my fill she nursed off her own teat… hot… no, no, bad Tony.

New Skill Received: Tribal Diet - Nursing from any Zinogre Den Mother's Milk will restore you to full health even at the brink of death and also fully restore MP. This will not however boost physical body attributes as Consuming meat and bones would.

”Fair.” I thought to myself. “Alright, so uh...can you still run and fight or...should I just start running towards the beach now?”

"Our tribe forbids mothers with children from fighting, but I can supply you with air through my milk and with Thunder Bugs." She stated.

“That’s fair, I wouldn’t want you getting hurt anyways.” I said honestly. “And thank you, I’m gonna need it when fighting a Barroth.”

"You can most likely use the beach to your advantage." She told me.

“That is true, if the thing is covered in water half the time I can shock it harder...but that’s if it didn’t magically mutate out of nowhere…”

"Plus the water will wash off the grime and mud it uses as extra armor, exposing the scales."

“We’ve got a plan to take this thing down.” I nodded.

As we headed off having a twice my size Den Mother made travel… interesting. Her size let her push aside larger obstacles with ease… and more often than not she actually carried me by the scruff as we walked.

“I’m supposed to be an Alpha damn it…” I grumbled, currently being carried by the scruff as I practically dangled from her mouth helplessly.

It didn't hurt and honestly I almost fell asleep a few times. Finally though I could smell the salty air and we arrived at the beaches- What in the name of god are those?!

Magnolia put me down. "Hm, guess the Floor Noodles are out hunting."

I mentally hit the breaks at hearing that… Floof… Noodles?

I looked back at the strange creature. They were half giant snake, half… wolf, anthro wolf's at that and actually seemed to wear some form of clothing. Tools even, nets and fishing poles and spears… Floof… Noodles...

“But...why are they called Floof Noodles?” I asked in confusion. “I mean...sure, their half wolf half snakes but...why?”

"Their fur, while soft is also the best natural armor among the intelligent Monsters. Much like us they also can have Den Mothers and True Alphas. And, because they are a naga race can swallow one another whole with their multiple stomaches."

“While that’s great…” I started. “Why the hell are they called Floof Noodles?”

“Because the father of Floof Noodles, a Den Mother Dire Wolf, called us that as a cute little name...and the world said ‘yeah, that’s a great name’.” One of the Floof Noodles said as they passed by.

“Wait, a Den Mother was the father? Excuse me?” I asked in confusion.

“It’s a long story.” The Floof Noodle stopped. “So, what brings you two here? Thought Zinogre packs didn’t come this far to the beach.”

"This True Alpha here wishes to hunt the invading Barroths." Magnolia said.

“It’s over there.” They pointed out towards the eastern side of the beach. “It’s just hanging out, not doing much besides scaring some of the wildlife.”

"Thank you." Magnolia said, giving them a nod as we headed off. "Of the monster races Floof Noodles are some of the more reliant on tools and can craft most anything. Mostly when our pack trades with their tribe it's the hides of our prey for medicine."

“That sounds about right.” I nodded. “So, right now we just have to find the muddy bastard and kick his ass.”

“You have an odd saying for hunting prey.” Magnolia stated.

"It's...hunter lingo I guess…" I said sheepishly, still not sure how to explain I'm originally human.

As we headed down over to the beach we found the Barroth eating a… I wanna say that’s a Megoladon? “There’s the beast.” Magnolia stated.

“Thought they mostly ate bugs…” I couldn’t help but point out. “But...at least it’s distracted…” I muttered as I carefully moved towards it as it was distracted by eating.

“I shall wait here and give aid as you need it.” Magnolia said, sitting down and I watched in awe as Thunder Bugs began flowing from her coat.

“Beautiful…” I muttered in awe at how pretty it looked, even with the midday sun.

With a deep breath I turned back to the Barroth and ran towards it. I need an edge… Hmm… Wonder what Predator can do with an already dead corpse… I ran under the thing, rushing at the Megalodon body and ripped a chunk out and ate it- Wow they taste like shrimp!

New Ability Registered: Aqua Affinity Rank 1 - Able to breath underwater for five minutes and swim more easily within the water.

”Oh yeah, that’ll certainly help.” I thought to myself. “Alright ugly, time for a fight.” I started as I stomped down and let out a challenging roar.

The beast looked under, spotting me as it roared back and tried to stomp me. I dodged and tried to bite at it, getting a mouth full of mud and clay. Gross gross gross!

I ran to the edge of the beach, paws deep in the sea water as it turned and charged at me. With a rush it jumped in, splashing water and wet sand high into the air. I took the opportunity to get further into the water, some of the Thunder Bugs I felt… woah… that’s… unpleasant.

Natural Ability Unlocked: Thunder Bark - Using stored up Thunder Bugs, howl out powerful bolts of Lightning accompanied by powerful sonic waves dealing stun damage to weaker, smaller prey.

”Fantastic.” I thought to myself. ”Might as well try this now that it’s covered in water…” I thought as I spun around, skidding to a halt as I felt the Thunderbugs start charging up. “Let’s hope this works…” I muttered as I tried using Thunder Bark at the Barroth.

The howl made a small crater around me and the bolt of lighting shot out at the Barroth, scorching part of it’s clay covered hide and breaking it off, revealing a small patch of it’s softer scales. It began it’s usual charge attack, trying to ram into me at high speeds. I moved out of the way just in time to have it charge into the deeper end of the water where it’s mud and clay armor began shedding faster, exposing it’s legs and part of it’s under belly.

“Gotcha.” I growled as I leaped forward and clawed at one of it’s legs.

The scales held some resistance, but managed to break easily enough as I got it bleeding before it shook me off. Before I could get another Thunder Bark off it managed to whack me, sending me back onto the sand. Fuck… That broke something. Come on, I can still move… I felt more thunder bugs flow over and into me… god that feels so creepy….

Warning! Thunder Bug reserves overcharging!! Disburse excess energy to avoid instability!

Oh I know what I’m putting all this extra energy to.

“Good to know.” I growled as I stomped my foot into the ground and roared, discharging as I entered my first enraged form, feeling my fur stand on and scaly spikes spring up all across my back, blue energy radiating off of me as I bolted into the Barroth.

The impact on the Barroth sent it skidding into the deeper water some more, the water adding to the damage and also electrifying any poor fish and fish monsters in the water around it. When it was done, the Barroth’s body stood still as it smoked for a time before collapsing into the water, a large splash sending many dead fish and semi warm water onto the sand. I breathed out a long sigh, feeling the toll of that attack as I had no more Thunder Bugs after that, and winced as whatever I broke began letting itself know… feels like… ribs… three of them… yup… ouch…

I leaned onto the beach, resting a bit and looking up as I saw Magnolia walk over to me. “A lesser male would have never taken a Barroth alone. You truly are a True Alpha, I see I chose well in my mate.” She said, positioning herself so I can nurse off her.

“Yeah...I was told that Barroth’s are some really tough monsters, only the toughest Desert Predators like a Tigrex fight it.” I said honestly, even though Zinogre’s were stronger than Tigrex’s, Barroth’s are still one hell of a monster. “But...three ribs broken is better than a broken leg that’s for sure.” I said, kneeling down and softly nursing from Magnolia’s tit.

As I nursed I felt… my ribs ease and calm down pain wise until it was gone and turned into a numb ache. As I felt better Magnolia began cuddling me as we ate a few of the washed up fishes. “Hm, cooked meat. Not bad, flavor is different though.” She said.

“Cooked food is actually really good when prepared properly.” I said honestly. “Palico’s have proven that time and again.”

"Yes, those odd felines are the only ones who surpass the Floof Noodles in crafting. They trade often."

“They're also adorable.” I pointed out. “And now...let’s not waste the Barroth’s corpse.” I said, standing up and walking over to the Barroth’s electrified corpse. “I’ll make sure not to waste a single bit…” I muttered as I started to devour the Barroth.

As I began eating I saw Magnolia also begin to eat, which makes sense, she is… pregnant… with my pups… just like Twilight, Starlight, Luna and Celestia back on Equis…

New Ability Gained: Charge Rank 1: Charging headfirst at high speeds towards an enemy will knock them down, or incapacitate them if they are weaker than you.

Gathered Armor Tank 1: When rolling around in wet Clay or mud what sticks to your coat will harden into an extra layer of protection from impacts. The larger the layer the more durable and sturdy the protection.

Consumed Proteins digested. Muscle mass gained is 7%.

Consumed Calcium digested. Bone density increased by 4%.

Natural Ability Unlocked: Thunder Bug Generation Rank 1: Thunder Bugs now naturally generate from within you. You generate ten thunder bugs every hour and once you generate a hundred you stop generating them to avoid Overloading.

”Sweet lord that’s amazing.” I thought to myself. “Uh...question, have you ever eaten something and started getting...new abilities?” I asked carefully.

"You mean like now with Charge and Gathered Armor?" She asked as I simply nodded. "For Den Mother's and True Alphas, the ability to eat of any prey's body and gain their strength is only possible after their first matting. At least for Den Mother's. True Alphas need only hunt and eat. This is my first time gaining these powers and experiencing it, though they are varied between us."

“Interesting.” I said honestly. “And now after this...a really long run to the mountains…”

"It will be a long while my Alpha." Magnolia said.

“And...how long before you give birth?” I asked curiously, trying to remember how long she said it would be after all...this.

"Typically with a normal male a Den Mother will birth in four months, but given I mated with you, A true Alpha… I honestly do not know."

“Shit…” I trailed off worriedly.

"And the time to travel to the mountains is still quite a journey in itself." She stated.

“And if you give birth before then...it’s gonna probably take even longer if we don’t just send them back to the pack…” I sighed out.

"Well, there is an… alternative option, but we'd require the assistance of a Floof Noodle, and given the… situation." She sighed. "A Den Mother one best."

“Why’s that?” I inquired, not really knowing much about Floof Noodles at all.

"Well, Floof Noodles are a very unique race. They are part Dire Wolf and part Snake, the Hunters Race refer to them as Naga's. When one of their race has children they are born like our own pups, but being so small they do not produce enough heat to keep themselves warm and their mothers also lack the needed fur to keep them warm like I could. So, they keep them warm by swallowing them."

“Uh...huh…” I started. “So...they have special stomach’s or something?”

She nodded. "Typically, a Floof Noodle has three stomaches. One that is for digestion, and two that are for their infants or injured. One simply acts as a sack that holds young and even objects and spare hunted prey, the third one though is unique. Much like how my milk can heal you as you drink, simply resting in the oils this third stomach produces can heal the near dead in months and it's supposedly extremely sturdy and relaxing. Now, for the Floof Noodle Den Mother, there is more to this."

“Cause Den Mothers are just all sorts of magical.” I said honestly.

"A Floof Noodle Den Mother has a fourth, special stomach they use to birth internally, and feed their young inside until they are old enough to be pulled out by the tongue into the outside world. They can also swallow far more than the normal of their kind can, and can grow to great sizes."

“That’s honestly really cool.” I said honestly.

"So, if we find a Den Mother Floor Noodle who we can integrate into our pack, she can carry both my and your pups safely for this journey."

Yeah that- wait a minute… my harem anime protagonist senses are tingling...

“Yep...I’m gonna add another one to my...quickly growing harem possibly…” I started, even though I felt happy about it...my god do I still feel massively underprepared for fatherhood.

"Come, the Floof Noodle Tribe rests within the Elder Tree by the cove nearby." She said, getting up and leading the way.

“Alright.” I nodded, following after. “So...how long have Floof Noodles been around?” I asked, not having a single bearing as to where I was specifically I thought that Floof Noodles were more so visitors from another land than natives.

"About… the last eight or so Shifts I believe?"

“And...what’s a shift?” I inquired.

"When the stars change location within the sky."

“And...how long does that take?” I asked worriedly.

"I think the pack elders told me it was… every million winters I think?"

A… million… years… so Floof Noodles have been along for Eight million years then...

“Jesus fuck…” I muttered pure shock.

"Are you surprised?"

“That’s eight million years...that’s a really long time.” I said honestly.

"They are a fairly new race."

“Fairly...new…” I took a deep breath. “Do you have any idea how incorrect that statement was?”

"Welp we Zinogres have been around for the last sixty three Shifts."

… what and how in the…

“You...just…” I took a deep breath. “Yeah okay, I won’t question it…”

“Is something the matter?” She asked me.

“Just...the amount of time…” I shook my head.

“What about it?”

“It’s nothing…” I sighed out. “Are there any settlements or other monster pack’s towards the mountains we need to worry about?” I asked. ”And maybe add to my harem if things keep progressing how I think it is.” I mentally added to myself.

“Going to the mountains… just one, the Hunters Village. While there are many, this village bares the painted image of a broken Elder Tree. They care not that we also share intelligence on par with them, we are monsters, so we must be slain as far as that village cares. It’s why no monster race with intelligence lives there anymore.”

“That doesn’t sound like a hunter village, that sounds like a poaching village.” I growled. “From where I come from, Hunters follow the Hunter’s Guild rules and regulations about dealing with monsters, those just sound like bastards who’d sooner murder us for fun and parts than anything else.”

“That they do, but thankfully they don’t travel this far out of their territory, plenty of the mindless monsters for them to slaughter.” With that we began making our way to the Floof Noodle Village. We met back up with the group fishing and hunting on the beach and traveled with them.

The village was… nice. It reminded me a lot of Ponyville with houses made from wood or brick and stone, the village surrounded a massive tree that shit high into the sky, higher than I was able to see and some houses were built along and hung from the massive branches above. They even had pull elevators and slides they slithered up and down along to get back and forth. I smelled meat both cooked and raw and saw what was basically civilization, something very different from the Zinogre pack.

“This place...looks nice…” I said softly. “Pretty busy to.”

“Much like us, the Floof Noodles birth in litters, anywhere from ten to thirty.”

I stopped…

“Hol up...ten to thirty?” I asked in shock.

“It’s rare but happens, most often it’s ten to thirteen, but can be more, and it’s a guaranteed thirty for Den Mother Floof Noodles.” Magnolia informed. “Though their Den Mothers are far more rare than Zinogre and much like us, they haven’t had a True Alpha born to them in the last four generations.”

“That’s worrying.” I said honestly. “But hey...I might fix that because I’m too horny for my own good.”

“Perhaps…” She said thoughtfully. It was here that… come to think of it I don’t know much about her aside from her name and she’s a Den Mother… nor the others… crap and I fathered their kids… okay, stop thinking like a one night stand set up, you’re gonna be a father, so know more than just your baby mama’s name. Yeesh, okay… Dating simulator games don’t fail me now.

“So...got any hobbies besides hunting?” I inquired.

“Gardening.” She said. “I know a little about medicine and often kept small plants that help with pain or indigestion, or parasites.”

“That’s really cool.” I said honestly.

“Aside from that, I know navigation and, of course, mothering. As a Den Mother we are taught how from the time we are about to reach our fifth season.”

“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “What kind of monsters have you fought?”

“Mostly just Great Jaggi’s and various crabs and fish back at the beach. The sea air always felt and smelled nice, so I went often.”

“That’s nice.” I nodded.

"So, of I may ask a question of my own, you mentioned a sister. Where is she exactly?"

"She's back at our...current residence as it were." I said honestly. "A simple apple farming town near its mountain capital."

"Which one?"

It took a lot of effort not to trip over myself there… crap I was hoping it would end there.

"Uh...which one?" I asked carefully. "What apple farm towns do you know?"

"Belvadrada, Approgaliga, Urit, Session Valley," Her list went on… crap.

"Uh...Ponyville?" I asked nervously. "It's far away...like, I had to be teleported here kind of far…"

"Hmm. So you live amongst Equines then?"

“For the time being I suppose.” I said honestly. “That or I might be living there with my sister cause I...uh...knocked up three princesses?”

"I don't get Monarchies."

“Well the people ruling it are four different princesses cause...well apparently kings and queens don’t exist.” I rolled my eyes.

"Elected elder leaders are far simpler." She stated. "It's what most predator races with intelligence use."

“So a democracy at that point?” I inquired.

"Sorta. It acts like a democracy but only the elected elders can choose their replacements and only those who are an elder qualify."

“That sounds fine.” I shrugged.

As we walked I began to wonder where exactly we were going. So far we're passing… a lot of restaurants.

“There’s a whole lot of restaurants.” I commented.

"Their race is based all around consuming, so their culture reflects that. While they can hunt and eat their food raw, for them it's honorable to their prey and gathered food to have it prepared before consumption."

“That’s fair.” I nodded. “And I understand fully.”

"Yes, it's why so many of the friendly Hunter races like having them along. A mobile healer, storage and cook all in one. Most commonly they work with friendly Hunter Tribes as labor for hire, especially when traversing the frozen territories."

"That's really interesting." I said honestly.

"Aside from the Tree Demons we all get along fine. We refer to the Hunter group that hunts even the intelligent as the Tree Demons."

“And those guys are assholes.” I said honestly.

We eventually made it to the massive tree in the… town, is this a town or a city? Either way we made it here and before us sat three really old, greyed yet still lively Floof Noodles dressed in white pancho's and nothing else. "Elders." Magnolia bowed. I copied.

"Rise, young Den Mother." The center one spoke. Her eyes were different compared to the others. While she was still as old if not older than the two at her sides, her eyes were a dark amber color compared to the largely blue, grey and even red eyes I've seen around town.

“Uh...hello elders…” I said nervously, this being the first time I’ve been in front of an authority I didn’t know anything about.

"Hmm, a True Alpha, and a Den Mother…" She took a sniff, her nose aimed at Magnolia. "Your pups. Ten males, thirteen females. All either a Den Mother or True Alpha. Wonderful." She said softly. She could tell that from a sniff?! "What brings you here?"

"We seek an addition to our pack." Magnolia stated. "I am unsure when my pups will be born, and we are journeying far into the mountains near Tree Demon territory. A Den Mother Floof Noddle will be both a welcomed addition to our pack and invaluable in protecting our young."

"Hmm… I see, and what brings you to such a dangerous place while with children?"

“That...would be because of me and a...spectator making a deal.”I said to the elder’s carefully. “And he told me I needed to hunt and kill 3 Barroth’s to bring back one soul for his…’entertainment’.” I said, the last word filled with venom as I still can’t believe to help others I needed to entertain that bastard.

"Ah." The elder said, laughing a little. "So the All Makers are back to their old habits I see?"

Magnolia turned to me. "You made a deal with an All Maker?" She asked in shock.

“Voodoo was the first one to help, he said Genie can’t bring back the dead, Demon wasn’t fast enough, and Pain can go fuck herself.” I stated. “I don’t know who or what these ‘All Makers’ are...but me and my sister already made one deal…” I sighed out.

"Hm." She looked at me, laughing some more before slithering down to me. "Follow me going Alpha." She said, leading the way into a tunnel under this giant tree's roots. "You are no Zinogre, are you?" She asked once we were deep enough into the underground tunnels.

“Me and my sister were originally Human before Demon showed up…” I sighed out. “This also sounds like this isn’t your first time dealing with something like this?”

"The All Makers are… mischievous, trouble makers, but they always ensure a happy ending to their victims when their story ends." She said simply.

“Pain beg’s to differ.” I said honestly. “I mean seriously, who the fuck throws at least twenty great jaggi’s and a bunch of jaggi’s in a normal town and murder’s a majority of the population after a day of us being here?”

"Yes, well not all the All Makers are pleasant, but that is their chosen role. The All Makers vary greatly in shape, powers and ideals, but they created this world and so many like it among the stars. Of course, there is the good, the bad, and most common, the neutral. The Good primarily make and create the worlds as they see fit. The neutral typically observe and add smaller touches here and there. The bad, of course, cause catastrophe and disaster upon the worlds, for a world without danger is a fools wish." The elder said as we arrived in a fair sized chamber lit by lanterns. "All in all, it's a happy ending for their targets for entertainment."

“I suppose when your bored enough…” I sighed out.

"Now then, tell me what it is you seek, and speak truth Alpha, these tunnels are a sacred place for my people. To lie within them is to commit a blasphemous sin."

“Gonna have to be a bit more specific there.” I said honestly, cause the ‘what is it I seek’ is a bit too vague in this context.

"You come from a land far away from here, made a deal with a divine being, and now face fatherhood where worry and doubt fills your heart. And now you and your mate come here, seeking one of my kind to travel and mate with for your pack. I ask you, what do you seek does not seem to be what you want."

I looked at them for a moment...only to sigh out. “Too many things are going on…” I shook my head. “I honestly don’t know where to start…” I shook my head.

“We have time.” The elder said simply.

“I’m only 23 years old...I don’t know what I’m doing…” I sighed out. “Neither does my sister, we just wanted to have fun back home in a convention, get a silly statue from Demon cause why not...I didn’t expect to be a Zinogre...I didn’t expect to have a town I thought was simple and nice to be decimated in no time at all...I didn’t expect to be a father…” I sighed out. “I don’t know if I’ll be a good father, I don’t know if I’ll amount to anything at this point cause right now everything’s going too goddamn fast...I don’t know what to do…” I shook my head. “Everything’s going wrong...and I’m just trying to do something good due to us being here...and that’s not even getting into how many other places have been slaughtered!”

The elder nodded, giving me a thoughtful look before speaking. "I see. You feel overwhelmed by so much happening so fast, and you feel the guilt of failure weigh heavy on your heart. Tell me, what is the name of this town that was harmed? Is it even on this world?"

“The town’s name is Ponyville, and I have no idea if it’s even on this world cause Voodoo sent me here for his entertainment.” I sighed out. “And...I just hope I can be a good father to my...soon to be dozen’s of kids possibly.”

"Hm. There is no town here with that name, but many like you have spoken of it before. Though, I doubt it's even the same town." The elder said with a chuckle. "The All Makers like to remake their favorite worlds with different spins on them often. I believe that one is called Equis if I recall."

“It has, at least as far as I know, Alicorns, Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth Ponies.” I said. “If that helps give any context as to if you know anything about it.”

"Yes. While none of it's resident races have been sent here, the All Makers entertainment has. Like you they agree to a game or a deal, and are sent someplace to complete the task they agreed to, but in my experience that's only part of the reason why. They have more planned for you they didn't tell."

“Cause why not…” I groaned. “Can’t have things be simple..”

"Ah, but you see, it's simpler than you are thinking. You are not a human anymore, you are a Zinogre. A proud, powerful race of Monsters. In the past, most arrived here and learned great deals about not just their powers, but their new forms as well. Hence why you have her up above, a teacher well fitted to guide you into how to be a proper Zinogre. You will take this information, and make it your own, and use it to learn just how to protect those who you care for dearly. This land is your school young Alpha, you must just have the willingness to learn."

“At the moment I’m scared shitless about being a dad.” I started. “Fighting giant monsters, that’s great...but being a dad…”

"Hmm tell me, why does Fatherhood frighten you so? Many in your position would feel pride, helping bring life into the world and expanding their families, there is no greater honor."

“Because what if I’m not good enough?” I asked sadly. “Me and my sister have always been careful not to...cause that with the many, and I do mean many, people we’ve slept with before we became Zinogre’s...it’s not that neither me nor Tina can take responsibility...it’s just…” I trailed off, trying to find the proper words here to show my unease and worry with this besides ‘I might not be good enough’.

"What of your own parents?" She asked me.

I was… surprised to hear that… mom and dad… they were… not terrible, but not the best either thinking back. Last I knew dad's still drinking and mom was still putting her work first.

“They...weren’t bad…” I said honestly. “Mom was busy working and...well dad’s been trying not to drink too much…”

"Hm. They cared but they didn't give you much attention then?" She asked, hitting the nail pretty much on the head. "And this sister of yours, you two share a powerful bond."

"We're twins, we've done basically everything together, and shared most of our...partners." I said sheepishly. "We're about as close as you can get without banging each other."

The elder chuckled. "Hm. You both rely heavily on one another, but for now, you are alone. That in itself frightens you to no end doesn't it?"

"We've been separated before…" I started. "But…" I sighed out. "Yeah, I'm worried...she's always got my back, is always nice to be around...and I'm worried she'll get hurt while I'm gone because Pain tried to be a whore again." I frowned.

"You needn't worry about that." The elder said. "Many like you have come and gone between this world and theirs. From what I have heard, time seems to just not pass, even if they remain here for years, they go back, and show back up here and no time has passed for them, or us rather."

“Well...that’s at least a good thing.” I let out a sigh of relief. “At least they won’t get hurt now.”

"To a Den Mother, being a mother is natural to them, but True Alpha's, it's up to them if they wish to teach their young or let them figure it out."

“I want to be a good father though...I just don’t know if I can…” I sighed out.

"Hmm. I see…" She took another sniff at me, getting this confused look before laughing a little. "When you first said partners, I didn't know you enjoyed the company of other males also." She said with a sigh. "The way I see it, you, and your sister, could benefit from role models." She stated simply. "A male you can love and look up to as a fatherly figure for when you need help with your own pups."

“Sounds good to me...only problem is...who?” I asked worriedly.

"That, you will have to find. Maybe here, maybe on Equis. Wherever they are, you will find them. I do, have one final question." She said, looking me right in the eyes. "Do you love the mothers of your children?"

… I… honestly, did not know how to answer. A lifetime of one night stands and occasional booty calling made that a… daydream honestly. I wasn't sure how I felt about her. I respected her, I knew that much, but I still didn't know her like I should.

“Because of my...past experiences that you can magically smell...which is probably in the range of a few hundred men and women…” I sighed out. “I...I don’t know...I don’t know Magnolia, or the other’s I’ve currently bed and...two I accidentally knocked up because I didn’t know about Total Alpha crap...or the two I intentionally knocked up because they both really wanted kids after a thousand years...but I can...no, I will love them, I’ll get to know them better and...try to be someone they can love back...not just some one night stand.”

She smiled, something between sad and hopeful as she placed a hand under me and over where my heart should be. "Your mind says this, determined and willing… but will your heart open up, that is the question I can not answer." She said, taking her hand back as she got up. "Come now, I believe I have just the right Den Mother of my people for you."

To be continued...