These youngsters are Riders,
continuing their quest to find blackened Kinship Ores
and stop the Black Blight, spreading across the world.
On his first visit home to Hakum Village in some time,
Lute reunites with Cheval.
Your selfishness,
your conceitedness...
...that's what killed my mother.
The time has come for Lute to undergo a trial...
A monster's headed this way!
Hurry--take refuge in the shrine!
Take this. And if worse comes to worst...
Once Lute has honed his skills, give it to him in my stead.
It would seem that time has come.
"Monster Hunter Stories RIDE ON"
"Episode 39: Tested at the Tower of Illusion"
Eat this. You'll feel better!
Always stay positive!
Isn't that what you're all about, for better or for worse?
I... All this time, I'd believed in the power of Kinship.
But now... What do I do now?
You must go now to find your answer:
...to the Tower of Illusion.
The Tower... of Illusion?
It is a place of legend,
where great wisdom is bestowed only upon those
who are capable of passing certain trials.
Though there will be much suffering along the way,
surely you will find that which you seek.
What I seek...
I've decided: I'm going to the Tower of Illusion.
I want to know what the real power of Kinship is.
Mmm.
Is this the Tower of Illusion? I don't see anything too tower-y.
We're almost there. We'll set up camp here tonight.
Feels like something's going to show up!
What kind of something?
Something unspeakably terrifying!
Something big... and ferocious!
N-No way...
There it is!
How rude, treating a person like a monster.
Avinia!
Aren't you the one who sent for me, Navirou?
I got a letter from Navirou.
It said he was beside himself with worry about you, Lute.
Once I found out, there was no way I could just do nothing.
Is that true?
Navirou didn't say he was beside himself!
Huh? Sure you did.
Y-You don't have to show him!
Thanks, Navirou. And Avinia.
What are you talking about? We always reach out to those in trouble.
I mean, you're the one who taught me that.
Avinia...
Thanks.
Uh-huh!
Lute.
Chief Omna...
The path to the Tower of Illusion has opened.
Huh?
Where is this path?
You'll see it soon enough.
That is the Tower of Illusion.
Please... guide Lute on his way.
I guess this is it.
I-It's pitch black!
Eek!
Wh-What a creepy place...
In the Tower of Illusion, those with hearts full of doubt
are led to the truth.
You know a lot about it, Avinia.
Yes. As it happens, I've been here before.
Really?
I lost everything when the Black Blight attacked my hometown.
I was left all alone, and despair was all I could see.
Just when I thought I'd be better off with everyone else...
I realized: I wasn't all on my own.
Frostfang was at my side.
Hope was right before my eyes.
Here, in this place, I came to learn--and remember--
what was truly important.
Aw, man--a dead end.
Let's turn ba--ah!
Avinia? Navirou?
Where'd this come from?!
Wh-What's with this place?
What's going on?
Is that... Hakum Village?
Yo, Nargacuga! Over here!
--Navirou? What are you-- --The great Navirou here is gonna give you
--a rootin'-tootin', booty-bootin',
--No, wait... Where am I? --a rootin'-tootin', booty-bootin',
--No, wait... Where am I? --smashity-smashin', hackity-slashin' hello!
--We were in the Tower of Illusion, and then... --smashity-smashin', hackity-slashin' hello!
Hey, Lute! How can you be spouting garbage at a crucial time like this?!
Now beat that Nargacuga and have some of Missus's nice hot soup!
The Black Blight!
Eh?
"Missus"? That's the day Mrs. Vlau...
Look out!
All according to plan!
Okay, now to signal Cheval and the others!
It can't be... It's not possible!
But how?
How'd I wind up in Hakum Village on that day?!
Have I gone back in time?
That just doesn't happen!
Cheval!
Bury it! Bury it! Bury it but good!
Yes! It's totally buried! Now stomp away!
Wow! Did we do it?
Awesome, guys! We totally beat the Nargacuga!
Hooray!
No doubt about it: it's the same as that day!
Which means...
Hey, gang! Get away from there right now!
Is everyone okay?
Oh, no! At this rate, Mrs. Vlau will still...
I won't let her. This time, I will save her!
Ride On!
Rathalos!
Ratha! Are you...
You feel the same way, huh?
Got it. C'mon, Ratha!
I've wanted this for so long...
If only... If only I could live that day over again...
I'd keep everyone safe.
Mrs. Vlau--and the whole village!
And this time, I will! I'll get them through this!
Ride On!
Rathalos!
Mrs. Vlau?!
There's a Nargacuga on the loose! Go back to the shrine!
There's something important at home--I have to get it!
Mrs. Vla--
If I don't stop it once and for all...
No--I'll stop it, all right!
Attaboy, Ratha--lure it away from Cheval's house!
Uh-oh! This is gonna turn out the same way!
Mrs. Vlau!
Yo, Nargacuga! Over here!
Yesss! All according to plan!
What's going on? I've gone back to that day again!
Okay, now to signal Cheval and the others!
Ride On! Rathalos!
Hey, Lute! What're you doing?!
I'm going to get the egg instead of Mrs. Vlau!
--Huh? What the heck are you talking about?
--Let's go, Ratha! --Huh? What the heck are you talking about?
Come on, Lute! We have to follow the plan!
Mrs. Vlau!
Lute!
Don't worry! I'll go get the egg!
Lute!
Mrs. Vlau? But why?
I was worried about you.
It's too dangerous here! Hurry back to the shrine!
Ratha!
You hide here, Mrs. Vlau. And hold this!
Enough's enough, Lute--run!
This time for sure...
Okay--the way we are now, I know we can do it!
Sky-High Dive!
Yes!
Stop!
Yo, Nargacuga! Over here!
Again? It's looping again?!
What am I supposed to do?
No time to hesitate.
I've got to keep everyone safe--that's all!
Okay, now to signal Cheval and the others!
Ride On! Rathalos!
Hey, Lute! What're you doing?!
Hey, gang!
Stand down and leave this to me!
What are you saying?
But what about our plan?
What's going on, Lute?
No time to explain. Just please--trust me!
Okay. I trust you, Lute.
Thanks!
I'm tired of seeing everyone get hurt.
I'll... I'll keep them all safe!
I'll see that they all get through this!
Ratha!
Ratha! Fire!
Nothing I try works.
No matter what I do, I can't save anyone.
I... I can't keep everyone safe...
Are you giving up, Lute?
Dad?
Lute, what is Kinship?
I don't know.
I just don't know anymore.
I've been watching you all this time.
Your joyful days--and your painful days, too.
That desire to share your life is what's been driving you onward.
It is what's helping you live to your fullest potential.
I believe that that emotion--that is Kinship.
You have friends who want to share your life. They're waiting.
Ratha...
I want to share my life with you!
And with everyone else!
That's why... I'm not giving up!
Third time's a charm!
Lute!
I'm sorry, everyone.
Whoa! This is sudden!
If only I were stronger, I could have defeated the Nargacuga.
I'd convinced myself that was true.
But it turns out Cheval was right:
that was just me being conceited.
But I didn't...
I should have depended on you more, Cheval.
If I'd trusted you all more and joined forces with you...
I'm begging you! I can't do anything on my strength alone!
I need you to lend me your strength, too!
Our hearts are one.
Lute... Let's join forces and face it together!
Cheval...
Yeah!
Hey, could you maybe not forget about us?
That's right!
And Navirou, too!
Thanks, gang!
If we all work together,
we should be able to run the Nargacuga out of town!
Okay, folks!
Let's lure the Nargacuga away from the village--at least a little bit!
Yeah!
Nargacuga! C'mon, c'mon--over here!
Yoo-hoo! This way!
Eek! Now it's mad!
Yikes!
It's fast, all right!
Nargacuga! I'm the one you want!
I got this!
Bring it on, Nargacuga!
We did it...
We did it!
Cheval?
That's the power of Kinship, Lute!
Cheval...
Yeah!
Great job, hatchlings!
Sorry we're late!
They're not hatchlings anymore--
they're full-fledged Riders now!
And they're in top form, too!
Nice teamwork, gang!
You guys...
Mrs. Vlau...
Mrs. Vlau... I--
Thank you, Lute.
Take care of Cheval, okay?
We were so worried, Lute!
You collapsed--and you were sleeping real hard!
Are you all right?
Hello?
I finally realized...
I thought if I'd've been stronger, I could have saved Mrs. Vlau.
But I was so wrong.
I'm weak.
That's why I have to fight alongside my friends.
I may not have what it takes,
but if I join forces with my friends,
I know we can protect what's important.
I really do believe in the power of Kinship more than anything else.
Good for you, Lute!
What the--?!
It'll be high tide soon. Let's hurry.
I've brought what you asked for, sir.
Mmm. I thank you.
Welcome back, Lute.
Mmm. I like that look on your face.
Go on, open it.
Your father gave that to me, telling me to hold it for you
until you'd honed your skills.
My father did?
Your father wore this armor when he was about your age.
Cheval... You know that Kinship we share?
I won't stop believing in it!
"Monstie Manual"
The Monstie Manual!
"Monstie Manual"
Navirou here will fill you in on some Monsties!
Get your Media Trigger smartphone app ready!
And you've got your egg with you, right?
Okay, time to form Kinship with your Monstie Egg!
And now, the moment of new life: awaken!
"Monstie:"
Our Monstie this time is Barioth!
"Barioth"
"Type: Speed"
Avinia's irreplaceable Monstie!
"Species: Flying Wyvern"
Those amber tusks sure are bright!
"Overall Length: 397.0 cm"
"Overall Height: 122.6 cm"
It can run on ice no problem,
"Leg Size: 42.3 cm"
using the spikes on its wings to keep it from sliding.
Now that's cool!
What Monstie will hatch for us next time?
"Next Episode Preview"
There's a tempered monster in the Babda Rainforest!
What do you mean, Kinship Attacks don't work?!
"Brachydios the Destroyer"
Next time: "Brachydios the Destroyer"!
Ride On!