The Medium is the Metaphor

Ext. Ranger base, the night is clear.

NASHIRA rages over the lake. TUREIS stands by the edge of the flight deck, her back turned to the lake. She is reading the old map, but distractedly.

OGDEN and GAUL stand in uneasy silence in the headquarters. KORA sits in the yard several meters away next to …ugh, GRAVY. Her notebook sits in her lap, but she is deep in thought, her eyes closed. The other monsters perch on the stable roof and watch their riders closely, sensing the tension.

OGDEN:

Should one of us talk to her…?

GAUL:

And say ‘I told you so?’ How would that help?

OGDEN:

We wouldn’t say that, for starters.

GAUL, bitterly:

It’s all she’d hear.

They glance out to the flight deck; a heavy silence descends. GAUL at last sighs, resigned.

GAUL:

We warned her. It’s a hard lesson, delivered the worst way. We’re all gonna have to deal with the loss. Again.

OGDEN:

I love that girl like my own daughter, but she is…reckless.

GAUL scoffs. On the stable roof, LEGIA bristles, tossing his head.

OGDEN, guarded:

Go on.

KORA snaps her notebook closed and stands.

GAUL:

If you really loved her like your child, she wouldn’t even know your face.

OGDEN:

Good timing, Gaul, let’s make this all about you.

KORA:

Enough, both of you!

KORA places herself between them.

GAUL immediately recants.

GAUL:

I’m sorry, Kora. It was unfair. To you.

He glares pointedly at OGDEN, but under KORA’s stern eye they disengage.

By the flight deck, TUREIS grips the map. She pointedly ignores the rangers in headquarters.

ELEANOR approaches her cautiously.

ELEANOR:

Tureis…

TUREIS, demanding:

Did you know?

ELEANOR:

No, I swear-!

TUREIS:

How could you not know?!

ELEANOR, pained:

My sister kept so much from me – I swear I would’ve told you!

TUREIS:

Why would I ever believe you? You probably are a spy!

ELEANOR, explosively:

I’m only here because you blew up our peace talks!

ELEANOR immediately regains composure.

ELEANOR:

I’m sorry. I’m …sorry.

She struggles over her thoughts for a moment before resuming, calmly.

ELEANOR:

Look, I can help make things right, we can still find a way towards peace. I know you and I want the same thing.

TUREIS, quietly but bitterly:

I saw what your people did to Rigel. We have nothing in common.

KING ARKEN approaches from the castle façade.

ARKEN, to ELEANOR:

Could I have my daughter for a moment?

ELEANOR nods. TUREIS follows ARKEN into the throne room. At the long side table, ARKEN uncaps a bottle and pours two cups. Don’t worry, gang, it’s grape juice. He begins with a deep sigh.

ARKEN:

You can’t blame yourself for what happened out there. None of us could have anticipated…enhanced monsters.

TUREIS is unresponsive.

ARKEN:

For what it’s worth, you were right. I hoped to keep you out of this war, but I don’t know what might have happened if your rangers hadn’t stepped in at the border. We need your strength. We need Nashira’s strength.

TUREIS, softly:

I couldn’t control her.

ARKEN glances back towards her.

ARKEN:

Rei?

TUREIS, with a quiet, broken sob:

She wouldn’t listen, dad, I couldn’t make her obey, and Simon-!

ARKEN sets his glass down and strides towards her, taking her head in his hands.

ARKEN:

My bright star-

He pulls her into an embrace and she grips him tightly.

ARKEN:

She never would have hurt you intentionally. Think of the pain she must’ve felt seeing her brother.

TUREIS shakes her head and pulls back.

TUREIS:

We can’t fight, what if they bring him out again?

ARKEN:

No, Rei, I need you to take the rangers north. I need you to find the Sacrosanctum.

TUREIS:

What? Dad, no. You can restart the peace talks; you can take in refugees like you said-

ARKEN gives her a soft, sad smile, shaking his head.

ARKEN:

We couldn’t last a year on our current supplies, not with the strictest rationing. We need sanctuary in the north. Find the wyverians and plead our case. Beg forgiveness if you must.

TUREIS:

I can’t, dad. I ruined the peace talks; I can’t even keep the rangers together.

ARKEN considers for a moment.

ARKEN:

My court never understood your mother. They couldn’t see her strength. I know you’ve felt their scrutiny. I see so much of her in you. I know you can do this. As she once did.

Wordlessly, TUREIS produces Amara’s necklace from her pouch.

ARKEN:

Where did you get this?

TUREIS:

Simon…

ARKEN doesn’t respond.

ARKEN:

The rangers will support you. Take Eleanor as well.

TUREIS:

Eleanor?! Dad, she stole Rigel! Chained him-!

ARKEN:

We don’t know that she played a part.

TUREIS begins to protest again, but ARKEN quiets her with a stern look.

ARKEN:

Fiero was right that our kingdoms will only survive this as one. The two of you must do this united. Show us all the way.

TUREIS is silent a long moment before gathering herself. Standing tall, she nods.

The rangers and ELEANOR stand together outside of headquarters. KING ARKEN has just briefed them on his orders and all are quiet. TUREIS stands back a ways from her father, watching NASHIRA swoop low over the lake.

ARKEN:

No one can know that you’re breaking the covenant until you’ve negotiated terms. I’ll cover your departure with the court.

He glances back to his daughter before sharing a long look with KORA.

ARKEN:

Watch over her.

KORA places her fist over her chest and bows her head.

TUREIS approaches the edge of the landing platform and hesitates before whistling, long and loud.

For a brief moment it seems like NASHIRA will ignore the summons, but she banks and ascends. She alights on the edge of the platform and shakes out her wings with an echoing call.

She and TUREIS regard each other for a few seconds before she lowers her head and TUREIS approaches her. She strokes NASHIRA’s muzzle, and NASHIRA closes her eyes with a soft whistle.

TUREIS, softly:

I’m sorry. None of it was your fault. If I’d known he would be there…

NASHIRA chirps softly before lifting her head. She is responding to ELEANOR’s approach.

ELEANOR is silent, waiting.

TUREIS:

Is everyone ready?

ELEANOR nods.

TUREIS places her hand once more on NASHIRA’s jaw, steadying herself, before drawing herself up and striding to ELEANOR’s side.

TUREIS:

Settled Lands

Tundra “These endless plains are beautiful when full of spring flowers. Winters are long, but the monsters that live here are resilient to cold and hunger. -F”

Aptonoth (search) – tundra Great Baggi (jump, climb) – tundra Lagombi (climb, dash) – tundra Banbaro (roar, dash) – dunes Tetsucabra (jump, mega break) – dunes Rathian (search, fly) – lowlands Rathalos (search, fly) – lowlands Seregios (roar, fly) – cloud forest Alatreon (fly, lava dive) – high rank tundra

Frigid Peaks “The frozen winds are hard to breathe, but the view from the summits is without compare. Monsters are particularly dangerous; survival here no doubt requires ferocity. -F”

Barioth (mega break, fly) – cloud forest Lunagaron (jump, climb) – cloud forest Tigrex (roar, climb, dash) – coral cliffs Brachydios (roar, jump) – coral cliffs Goss Harag (roar, mega break) – volcanic spur Gammoth (roar, mega break) – volcanic spur

Frozen Coast “On clear days the shoreline seems to extend forever. This icy region is homey, but survival would be a struggle without cooperation between man and monster. -F”

Popo (search) - tundra Bulldrome (dash) - tundra Zamtrios (swim) - tundra Beatodus (swim) - dunes Jade Barroth (dash) – dunes Aurora Somnacanth (swim) – ancient shoal Zinogre (jump, climb) – coral cliffs

Thermal Springs “The underground heat is a welcome respite from the ice and snow. As conditions gentle, monsters seem too as well. Beware, though, some of these springs are boiling and sulfurous. -F”

Arzuros (search, mega break) - tundra Yian Kut-Ku (fly, mega break) - lowlands Blue Yian Kut-Ku (fly, mega break) - lowlands Khezu (roar, fly) - dunes Red Khezu (roar, fly) - dunes Nerscylla (jump, climb) - dunes Gypceros (fly, flash) – lowlands Viper Tobi-Kadachi (jump, climb) – cloud forest

Dune Sea “The Dune Sea is endless and unforgiving, and monsters that navigate it are expert opportunists. Stick to the cliffs and oases for easier traveling. -F”

Apceros (search) – dunes Quematrice (dash) - dunes Doshaguma (climb, mega break) - lowlands Diablos (roar, ground dive, mega break) – ancient shoal Monoblos (roar, ground dive, mega break) – ancient shoal Rakna-Kadaki (jump, climb) – volcanic spur Lunastra (fly, lava dive) – high rank dunes

Sandstone Bluffs “Sharp cliffs overlooking the sea. Their summits allow a clear survey of the surrounding desert, but take care not to disturb any nesting monsters. -F”

Great Jaggi (jump, climb) - dunes Kulu Ya-Ku (jump, climb) – dunes Volvidon (dash) - dunes Nightshade Paolumu (fly) - lowlands Pink Rathian (search, fly) – coral cliffs Rey Dau (fly) – volcanic spur

Delta Wetlands “An unlikely mix of barren desert sand and fertile river mud. Aquatic monsters take full advantage of this unique biome. -F”

Tetranadon (swim) - dunes Royal Ludroth (swim) - dunes Barroth (dash, ground dive) - dunes Jyuratodus (swim, ground dive) -dunes Plesioth (swim) - lowlands Green Plesioth (swim) - lowlands Somnacanth (swim) – ancient shoal Almudron (swim, ground dive) – ancient shoal

Fertile Lowlands “Beauty is everywhere you look in this dense rainforest, but never underestimate the rain and flood, or the monsters adapted to them. -F”

Great Maccao (jump, climb) - lowlands Congalala (jump, climb) - lowlands Emerald Congalala (jump, climb) - lowlands Great Jagras (dash, climb) – lowlands Anjanath (roar, jump) – cloud forest Mizutsune (dash, swim) – volcanic spur Uth Duna (swim) – volcanic spur

Jungle Escarpment “The terrain rapidly becomes steeper approaching the highlands; it’s no wonder the Lowland riders prefer to navigate it on the wing. -F”

Kecha Wacha (jump, climb) - lowlands Ash Kecha Wacha (jump, climb) - lowlands Pukei-Pukei (roar, fly) – lowlands Yian Garuga (roar, fly) – cloud forest Malfestio (fly) – cloud forest Chameleos (fly, stealth) – high rank lowlands

Highlands

Cloud Forest “The thick mists make for a mysteriously quiet atmosphere. The monsters here are an intriguing mix of niche brawlers and regal powerhouses. -F”

Great Izuchi (jump, climb) – cloud forest Great Wroggi (jump, climb) – cloud forest Aknosom (fly) – cloud forest Bishaten (jump, climb, flash) – cloud forest Tobi-Kadachi (jump, climb) – cloud forest Garangolm (roar, jump) – cloud forest Espinas (roar, fly) – ancient shoal Glavenus (roar, lava dive) – volcanic spur Magnamalo (roar, jump, climb) – volcanic spur Malzeno (roar, fly) – high rank cloud forest

Coral Cliffs “These fantastic cliffs must be seen to be believed. Like the highlands, monsters here are as beautiful as they are dangerous. -F” Tzitzi Ya Ku (jump, climb, flash) – coral cliffs Qurupeco (search, fly) – coral cliffs Crimson Qurupeco (search, fly) – coral cliffs Paolumu (fly) – coral cliffs Coral Pukei-Pukei (roar, fly) – coral cliffs Fulgur Anjanath (roar, jump) – coral cliffs Nargacuga (jump, climb, stealth) – coral cliffs Legiana (fly) – ancient shoal Astalos (fly) – volcanic spur Namielle (swim, fly) – high rank coral cliffs

Farlands

Ancient Shoal “Prehistory dwells just below these black sands. Monsters here are uniquely adapted to this bizarre and mysterious biome. -F” Great Girros (climb) – ancient shoal Radobaan (dash, mega break) – ancient shoal Rompopolo (roar) – ancient shoal Gobul (swim, flash) – ancient shoal Odogaron (dash, jump, climb) – volcanic spur Lagiacrus (swim, roar) – volcanic spur Ivory Lagiacrus (swim, roar) – volcanic spur Vaal Hazak (fly) – high rank ancient shoal

Crystal Gardens “A geological marvel formed deep in the volcano’s heart. Monsters here have found a balance with the strange elements shaping this place. -F”

Dodogama (mega break, lava dive) – volcanic spur Uragaan (dash, mega break) – volcanic spur Azure Rathalos (search, fly) – volcanic spur Brute Tigrex (roar, dash, climb) – volcanic spur Stygian Zinogre (jump, climb) – volcanic spur

Volcanic Spur “A black column piercing the sky, this merciless mountain is populated by truly ferocious monsters. Maybe the history here merits extreme measures from its inhabitants. Beauty persists despite it all. -F”