Ikoja

Said to be a cross between the Lightning and Death itself, the Ikoja (Pronounced EYE-Co-ya) has enough power to rival small Elder Dragons. With a piercing dive bomb whistle, thanks to small holes on their lower mandibles, and pitch-black scales, as well as the ability to shoot Acetylene and Oxygen blasts from it's mouth, the Ikoja is one of the strongest 6 star monsters in the New World.

Physiology
A mix of a black panther and a wyvern, Ikojas walk on 4 short, muscle packed legs that allows them to push off and run extremely fast. Their wings a similar to those of a bat, but are dark in color keeping up with the creature's stealthy motif. Ikoja's have a short, stubby neck in order to provide a streamlined figure while in flight. Male Ikojas are jet black in color, while the Females are a sooty-grey.

Their body vaguely similar to that of a Night Fury's body, and have winglets at the base of their tail, the appendages used for minute flight alterations. The Monsters possess third eyelids and small horns can be found on their jawline. They possess dark brown irises and, like many wyverns, have reptilian pupils that expand depending on the creature's mood. As they are predators, their eyes face forward. Ikojas also possess a flat ring of keratin that can be perked up to act as an air-brake.

Across their back are 2 rows of fins, which can be angled in different directions and allow the creature to make REALLY tight turns in flight, a trait it finds useful when it has taken an egg from a Rathalos

Behavior
Ikojas have a serious and blood-thirsty demeanor. A single even remotely pissed-off glance at a creature will send the receiving monster running faster than the Flash, as the Ikoja is known for attacking anything it finds a nuisance and/or a threat, a reason for hunters to try and cull their numbers to prevent the new world being full to the brim of angry wyverns.

They are borderline numb to the feeling of fear, and despite being smaller will steal Rathian eggs with absolutely no care at all. Their speed is what allows them to stay out of reach of the Rathian's flame attack and eventually tire out the beast enough for the Ikoja to eat the egg, suggesting either thrill-seeking or just being too stupidly brave to know any better.

Placement in the Food Chain
Ikojas place in as Apex predators wherever they go, as their deadly abilities, unique hunting techniques, AND the fact that they hunt at night makes it extremely difficult for them to be caught. They are still hunted and killed, but it's rare for it to be from another monster.

Behavior towards Other Monsters
Do I really need to put this in? Ikojas are notorious for attacking things like Jagras with very little provocation, as they follow a philosophy: If it seems like it could be a threat, kill it, It's not worth the trouble.

Trivia

 * If you couldn't guess, the Monster was based off the Night Fury, but adopts the mannerisms of that really scary dude from Big Nate. They also prefer land animals as opposed to the Night Fury's Fish-based diet. Also, that high-pitched whine from the Night Fury associated with it's plasma package is mostly air rushing out of the holes mentioned before.
 * The Animals involved with the Ikoja's creation are: The Night Fury, The Monstrous Nightmare, a black panther, and a Peregrine Falcon. The Night Fury was used in it's basic shape, with the Monstrous Nightmare being used for it's alternate flame type and monster temper. It's habit of stalking and ability to stealth comes from the Black Panther, and it's dive was borrowed from the Peregrine Falcon.
 * There is an event for the Ikoja called Mating Season. In this event, Female Ikojas become very aggressive and start attacking not only hunters but CAMPS as well! The Rewards from these quests, mostly involving defending camps, can be used to craft "Cast Ikoja Equipment", which provides less damage from the plasma shots of the creature, but also raises the melee damage given by said monster.
 * It's rage state is a reference to HTTYD 2. The Ikoja beginning to glow across it's back is a subtle reference to Toothless during the movie's final battle.
 * Ikojas have a really bad fighting ability if they are too high in the air. Their Plasma shot's oxygen will simply be replaced by carbon dioxide and explode as soon as it exits the monster's mouth, which sends the Ikoja down.
 * Ikojas are roughly the same size of a Nergigante, if not larger.
 * Their hide is tough enough to take blasts from an Electragis!