Monster Breeder

“Who wants to start?” I put to the assembly of my companions and their retainers. “What do you bring to the table?”

“Right here,” Suka the Lesser Lupine Flamestalker begins before anyone else can speak up. “Besides what we already went over that I can do, I know where the battle will start tomorrow. Believe it or not, the Wolf Lord isn’t that aggressive. He could’ve wiped out the Ogre Fen at any time up until Bruke evolved this week, but he never did for some reason." She frowned, shook her head to clear it, and continued, "That’s why the battle will be in Kennel Hills—Bruke will go there to stake his claim on the region, and the Wolf Lord won’t be able to hold back anymore.

“I want you all to know I intend to challenge the Wolf Lord myself before Bruke can get to him. With Alex’s Power Bond and Gabby’s Spellcraft, my magic will be fully in the Third Tier, so I won’t lose! When I take control of the pack, the rest of the battle will be a mop-up. To that end, give me a shout if you see any other enemy Third Tiers; Dura and I are both aiming to evolve tomorrow. The more wins we rack up, the faster that’ll happen!" She proudly folds her arms under her chest to make her slender breasts look marginally bigger as she tosses her flaming hair.

“Thank you for the intel, Suka,” I say in response, noting her bravado but choosing to accept it at face-value for now. We'll be there to support her.

“Not that I doubt you,” Megan gives Suka an assessing look between peers, “But this Wolf Lord guy is supposed to be really tough, right?”

Gabby breaks in, adjusting her spectacles as she explains, “Correct. Leadership-type monsters are considered among the peak of strength within their Tier. However, Spindle confirmed today that they draw their power from their subordinates. The more wolves we neutralize, the better Miss Suka’s chances will be. Her fight is winnable in the correct circumstances.”

The Webling Weaver pauses from reading to add, “It isn’t enough to defeat the Wolf Lord’s subordinates. The thread of sympathetic magic connecting them must be either severed by death or manipulated to stem the flow. Spindle’s technique is too time-consuming to use in the midst of combat on so many wolves, let alone the Goblinoid tribe. However, there is something there…”

“You have an idea?” the Witch asks. “Perhaps we could discuss magical theory after you finally give me a demonstration of that interesting spell-form.” It’s rare for anyone to attract the prideful Gobliness’s interest, speaking further to the impressiveness of Spindle’s accomplishments.

“Spindle may take you up on that offer, Miss Goblin.”

I grin. “Good points, all. Our strategy is already taking shape. Just a few more key details to work out.”

Gabby decides to represent Dura's interests during this conference. “As a reminder, Alex, Dura needs to ‘Hunt’ as many humans as possible tonight… actually, where did that sister of mine go?”

“Time for snu-snu! Dura smash pussy!!!”

“Sounds like she’s already found my classmates,” I say, though it’s no secret to anyone with how loud the Ogress grunts her pleasure. With that, all Dura’s special evolution requirements are met. It’s all up to her battle experience and win record at this point. I wonder if she’ll be able to repeat her earlier feat of evolving mid-battle?

Suka continues, “As for my Mates, Moka can work with me to create dust explosions. That should help clear a path.” The gold-wrapped chocolate truffle bunny girl gives us a lovely curtsy. “And Isabella tells me she has something special prepared for tomorrow.”

“Yes, Mistress Alex, I’ve been working closely with the Pitchers on this technique all day.” The Desert Rose Dryad seems immensely proud of herself, though her aid—Mulu, the Pitcher that fell in love with Jonny—giggles at the untruth of that statement. We all know the Dryads-in-training have been manning the Parlour of Perversion pavilion.

“How formal of you, Bel,” I tease her.

She blushes dark green, and a sprinkling of pink flowers blossoms on her hair and clothes amidst the already colorful cacophony. “W-well, L-L-Lexi, d-do you want to see it or not?” The poor girl still can’t say a pet name without stuttering! Also, judging by her reaction, she doesn’t seem to hate that I’m using her nickname outside of having sex. Suka gives a soft chuckle of warm affection from nearby as I motion Isabella to continue. The Dryad takes Mulu the Pitcher woman’s hand in hers and hesitates. “It’s a little… e-embarrassing.”

“This is for the war effort. What’s a bit of embarrassment if it will save lives?” I ask.

Isabella raises her chin and primly responds, “Hmph! I don’t have a problem with the demonstration. We just didn’t want to offend anyone’s sensibilities. Well, here we g-go.” The Dryad starts out confident, but stumbles at the end as the reality of what she’s about to do (whatever it is) in front of an audience registers again.

Mulu hikes up her Dryad Mistress’s flowery dress to access the large, flaccid green shaft beneath without a hint of faltering. After a sharp intake of breath and another pause as that turgid member stiffens, Isabella reciprocates—reaching for the ruffled petals of the Pitcher woman’s feminine flower with delicate fingers. The two of them lean into each other while gently stimulating one another’s pistil and stamen in a rising crescendo of steamy moans and adorable grunts of contentment.

“Um, is this supposed to be a show, or…?” Megan quips.

And then a plant begins to grow between them where their dripping sexual fluids mingle. It’s a pitcher, or so it seems at first, but cactus spikes grow across its form during maturation. The two of them cease their mutual masturbation after having proven the point despite not quite reaching completion. Isabella explains, “I can channel the magic of those plant monsters loyal to me with whom I’ve bonded… sexually. Ahem, this drains them of their stamina for several hours but allows us to combine our strength.”

“Ah, the budding beauty of a Leadership bond~” Spindle sighs between page turns of the Ritual tome.

“Looks like you’re creating a Minion-type plant monster construct,” Gabby analyzes. “An expendable pawn is always welcome.”

I jump in. “Ahem, she means to say, ‘Great work!’ Bel. Ride your giant plant monster amalgamation into combat for glory!” If she does well in the battle, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her Evolve into something that solidifies that Leadership bond. “Cottontail?”

“Oh! Yes, right. The New Warren… Alex, I think my people should stay behind. Besides Megan, Chris, Moka, and I, that is! They haven’t trained for this, and guarding our home is important too. Mom should be here to help protect the humans and children.”

“Agreed,” I start, “If we wanted to pre-dig pit traps on the battlefield, we’d have to start now. That strategy is best for defending against an invading force, anyway. Let’s not forget the New Warren is providing two of our heaviest hitters and leave their contributions at that.”

I hear a few mumbles of approval and see a few nods at this motion. Megan holds her peace this time while listening carefully to what the others are saying. Chris grumbles that she’ll be their third heavy hitter after she evolves; overall, the mood is positive regarding the New Warren’s situation. It certainly helps that the rodent-kin are helping with our ‘stress relief’ tonight and distributing the Fruit Nymph’s dinner rations with lavish gusto.

Next, I point at Jonny and Brenda, who embrace each other with Bonny the big-eared mouse held between them to join in the group hug. Tink rides on Jonny’s shoulder while clinging possessively to his ear while Lucinia returns from herding Fuzzies to snuggle in under the young man’s free arm. “Jonny, you’re up.”

My boyfriend clears his throat and says, “I’d like to participate in the battle tomorrow. Before you object, Alex, let me say that I’m safer while merged with Brenda than anywhere else.” Ah, he’s appealing to my protective urges.

“Also, we make a good team,” Brenda adds. “He’s more than an additional Multitasking Focus in our merger. His confidence, directness, knowledge, attitude, and heart all boost my performance and make us a more potent threat on the battlefield.”

“And I go where the Hero goes!” Tink shouts in her little pipsqueak voice. “So, if you want my help, you’ve got to let him fight!"

“Honestly, I wasn’t going to object,” I tell them. “Those are all good points, and Jonny’s team won our friendly competition for the day by and large because of his decision to press forward.” Not to mention how he won Tink’s loyalty and thereby Jing’s. I could chalk that up to his human pheromones or luck, but I know both of those are real, tangible assets as well.

Their group relaxes as they realize I’m not about to pull the proverbial rug out from under them. As I was taught at the Association, humans are the ‘glue’ that holds groups of monsters together.

“I’ve been able to learn more about my new evolution during our downtime,” Brenda says, taking the meeting’s helm for the moment. “As you know, my ability to merge with others has expanded, now. The catch is that I have a ‘maximum capacity’ that seems to be measured by Tier, as far as we can tell. I can’t do multiple Third Tier monsters or more than three Second Tier monsters. Humans are apparently ‘Zero Tier’ and don’t count toward my total, but I can’t merge with more than one human at a time.”

Nodding, Jonny continues for her, “That’s why we’ve been looking for more monsters to temporarily join our team. Lucinia makes sense, but Tink is more valuable in a support role.” The Fairy nods emphatically. All eyes fall on the big-eared mouse girl. “Bonny…”

She decides to speak for herself, “I’m not going to be selfish and demand a place in the merger. I’d be taking up a valuable Second Tier slot, all for the possibility of gaining enough battle experience to evolve rather than contributing anything in particular.”

I certainly admire her selflessness, but I’m stuck coming up with ideas for people who fit the bill…

“I volunteer as tribute!” Chris runs forward so fast that she skids to a halt in front of Jonny’s team when she slams the brakes.

Megan is even faster, dashing over and jumping to grab the Snow Bunny’s neck in a headlock, “You’re just trying to find the safest place to chill out and gather achievements with minimal effort!”

“It’s fine,” Jonny raises a hand to forestall Megan’s accusation. “She helped out a lot during the dungeon dive. We’d be happy to have her on the team.”

Reluctantly, Megan releases Chris from the headlock, but swats the fluffy bunny girl on a plump ass cheek. “Don’t forget, you’re Cottontail’s slut!”

Chris pretends offense, “Of course, I’d never forget who’s giving me my first little Fuzzy baby.” Then, with Megan’s back turned, the Snow Bunny pumps her fist and silently mouths ‘Safe!’

Cottontail giggles to herself at their antics, apparently pleased with this outcome. Jonny and Brenda don’t seem to mind the proof of Megan’s suspicions either, as actions are louder than words. Chris’s frigid spells will be valuable assets to whatever merger results from their union. Even Lois nods in approval from nearby. If the Snow Bunny ends up benefiting from the situation, then it’s the New Warren that wins regardless.

Perhaps I could join them… but, no. Either Brenda’s one-human rule will apply to me, or I’ll be considered a high-Tier monster because of my Echidna powers. While merging with Brenda solo would give me a significant boost, I’d prefer to have another strong ally on the battlefield. Besides, I’ll also benefit if Chris’s combat experience causes her to evolve into a high-Ranked Third-Tier monster.

“Pewhaps youwr gwoup could use my suppowrt,” Sue the Froglin says as she steps forward, then bows her head bashfully. “I’m not usually much help, but maybe my abilities can aid your effowrts.”

“Nonsense!” Suka objects, fire leaping from her flaming mane, “I’d have been done for twice over in the fight against Tygge without you, Sue.” She claps Jonny on the shoulder and tightens her grip, “Treat her right, or else.”

“Miss Suka!”

“Make sure to take care of my retainer, human.”

“Mistwess Megan!”

The Denki Nezumi’s fur crackles as she gently pats Brenda’s stony thigh.

“You have my solemn word,” Jonny reassures them both while his Symbiont partner nods, and Tink drinks it all in with bemusement.