Hello, everyone! This is AmpersandPrincess and I am posting my first fan fiction! This isn't the first one I've written, but this will be the first one I am posting. I have other chapters prepared already and I intend to upload one chapter every day. Depending on how much I write, it could slow down the updates. I spend a lot of time on these so I hope you enjoy it!
The story will focus on the 2011 version of the anime up until the chimera ant arc. After that, the story will diverge completely, becoming original storyline. In order to be as accurate as possible, I have used some of the same speech used in the anime. Edits were made to include my OC. This will mostly be from her point of view.
Let the hunting begin!
X X X
CHAPTER I: ESCAPE X AND X BEGINNINGS
The wind crept around the abandoned building as if it were an intruder. It whistled and whispered through a creak of a shattered window. There was no trace of life as it brought a gentle breeze into the old warehouse. It was clearly empty, without a trace of life. No one had been there in years.
Except it was very much occupied. One of which was a girl with light gray eyes. The kind of eyes that saw through everything. The kind of eyes that always could find the truth, no matter how deep. And tonight, her eyes saw an escape.
One moment, the wind came in with a whisper and the next, the girl had disappeared in silence. This was her only chance. Her escape. Her beginning.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Sera, along with her tears, escaped into the night. But not without feeling guilt. For as much as that place was a trap, it was also her home. And leaving home for the first time would always bring on a sense of guilt and a sense of fear as she fled into the unknown world. Sera had no idea what was in store for her.
In time, she would eventually return home. In time, she would apologize for her sudden and unannounced departure. In time, she would indeed return. But who's to say that Sera would be the same person that left?
I'm sorry, big brother.
Sera let the night stars guide her. For as much pain she felt for leaving, she felt relief and joy. This was her beginning. Her hope. Her dream. Her destiny.
Unknowingly, her destiny would collide with many others. Particularly, fate linked her with that of two young boys that would change her world completely. Sera had truly no idea what was in store for her.
X X X
Sera had never traveled across the sea before. Too easily detectable. Too much of a trap, her older brother claimed. She was amazed. The blueness of the sea was a sight to behold and the air tasted fresh. Her eyes sparkled in delight; the child that she was clearly showed.
The other passengers on the ship also took notice and snickered. What's a cute little girl like that on a ship toward the Hunter's Exam? She's too young. Too weak. She should just return home to the comfort of her parents.
Even though she clearly heard them all, Sera was not bothered. At this point, she was used to it. Instead, she let the breeze take control of her long pastel pink hair and sighed in content at the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea.
X X X
The ship made port at Whale Island to pick up more passengers aiming to take the Hunter's Exam. Most were older men to which she paid no mind. Except for one, who was not. He was much younger than the rest. He was a boy with spiky green and black hair carrying a fishing rod. Sera wondered if they were the same age judging by his appearance.
Also unlike the rest, the boy was loud. As the ship departed from the small island, the entire crew could hear him scream his goodbyes. "I'm going to become the best Hunter in the world. Once I'm the best Hunter in the world, I'll come back!"
Sera couldn't help but giggle. What a large goal, she thought to herself with a smile. But who knows, he just might be. The rest of the sailors laughed out loud at the cheerful boy.
"The best Hunter in the world?" One repeated with a snicker.
"Kid doesn't respect us."
"Every year, there are millions of skilled applicants for the Hunter Exam. But only a handful are selected. Don't say stuff you can't back up, boy." They all laughed at his expense. Sera frowned. What a bunch of prideful jerks.
Sera found herself making her way towards the boy, almost instinctively to protect him. "Don't listen to them," she spoke out. "I like that you dream big. My name's Sera."
The boy instantly brightened up at her words. "Thanks! I'm Gon. How old are you by the way? You look like you could be my age! I recently turned twelve."
"What luck! I'm twelve also. It's nice to know someone my age during the test. Honestly, I've never had a friend my age before." Sera slightly blushed at her last comment. While she had no trouble expressing her feelings, but was it too bold a claim for her to have Gon as a friend?
"Me too! I'm glad that we met," Gon replied with a goofy smile. Sera returned the favor. Yes, she determined. I think Gon and I are going to become good friends.
X X X
Gon somehow predicted a major storm "by smell" and sure enough, his prediction came true. "That's amazing!" Sera exclaimed, clearly impressed. "How did you do that?"
"It's just something I picked up on the island I guess," Gon laughed it off. Most of his senses were strong due to his experience in the wilderness of his home, particularly his sense of smell.
By this point, the deck was flooded with water and the rough waters were causing tilted movement. Most of the passengers on the ship were completely sea sick. However, Sera and Gon acted unaffected by the conditions along with a few other oddballs. The captain of the ship took notice and summoned them to his quarters.
"First, tell me your names," he swiftly ordered.
"I'm Gon!"
The next one that spoke was a feminine blond-haired boy. "I'm Kurapika."
Followed by Kurapika was a young man in a business suit. "It's Leorio."
Finally, Sera announced her name.
Without a pause, the captain followed up with another question. "Why do you want to become Hunters?"
Leorio interrupted. "Hey! If you're not an examiner, you can't boss us around!"
Sera was inclined to agree, although she had her suspicions that the captain was more involved with the Hunter's Exam than just a transporter. She remained quiet. She didn't know how to answer the question. Truthfully and risk exposure or with a lie?
"Just answer the question!"
Gon answered first once more. "My dad is a Hunter. I left Whale Island because I want to know why my dad desired do much to be a Hunter." The look of determination in his face was sincere.
"That's really sweet Gon," Sera mentioned. "I'm sure you will discover the truth. And maybe find your father too!" Gon smiled widely at her.
"Hey kid!" Leorio interrupted again. "You're not supposed to answer his question!"
Gon innocently replied, "Why can't I tell him why I'm here?"
"Not a team player, huh? I don't wish to reveal why I'm here."
Kurapika spoke up. "I agree with Leorio. It's quite simple to avoid pesky questions by offering a plausible lie. However, it is quite shameful to rely upon deceit. That said, if I were to tell you the truth, I would be exposing my deepest secrets. That is why I cannot provide an answer." His voice was solemn but wise. Sera felt a connection to Kurapika at this moment and decided she liked him, for his voice was clear.
"You make a good point, Kurapika. Regardless, I don't agree. Captain, I'll tell you why I'm here. I want to become stronger. Not physically, although I guess that would help too. I want a stronger heart. And I want to show…" Sera paused, hesitant to continue. But she admired Gon's straightforwardness. That encouraged her. "I want to show that you don't have to be cruel or merciless to win. That a strong heart is the key. That you can defeat your enemies with kindness… instead of hatred." Everyone remained silent for a moment, each affected by her response in their own way.
"That's amazing, Sera! You were really honest just now. I could tell." Gon said, giving her a gentle smile this time. She instantly blushed, considering what she had just said to basically a bunch of strangers. Gon, you're really something.
"In other words, you," referring to Kurapika and Leorio "refuse to answer my question." He beckoned to one of the sailors. "Tell the examination board that we have two more dropouts." This shocked the whole group.
"You still haven't figured it out? The Hunter Examination has already begun. There are as many Hunter wannabes as there are stars in the sky. The examiners don't have time or resources to review them all. So they hire people like us to trim the fat. I've already notified the board that everyone else on this ship had to withdraw. If they couldn't handle a little storm, they'd stand no chance in the Hunter Examination's later stages. In other words, you only proceed to the main exam if I pass you. So think carefully before you answer my question."
"So he says..." Gon finished. Sera broke out in laughter, startling everyone including the captain.
"Man, that's just typical. Honestly, I thought the Hunter's Exam would be more creative than that." Sera broke out into a wicked grin. "The only way to begin the Hunter's Exam is simple. Face the truth and accept it. You could lie, but then you would only really be lying to yourself, which would eventually get you disqualified or dead. So you gotta face the truth head on and be willing to go the distance. No offense, Captain, but don't you think that's a little hypocritical?"
"W-what?" The Captain stuttered.
"I'll admit, I'm one too, to be fair. In this line of job, you will face situations unlike anything else. Ones where your decision can determine life and death, to either yourself… or to others. I want to show kindness can be its own weapon. But in the end, I will still have to hurt, injure, and undoubtedly kill in this profession. That makes me a hypocrite. But I've accepted that fact long ago. So I ask you, Captain, do you think any of us would be here if we weren't ready to accept the truth and possibly die for our respective causes?"
Silence. She turned to Kurapika. "I admire your resolve. I truly do. I can tell you're honest with others and yourself. But you lack the ability to trust. If you answer his question, you are putting trust into someone other than yourself. A risky business indeed. But if you can't take a simple risk as this, can you truly say you are ready to become a Hunter, where risk is in the job description?"
Silence once more. "You're right, Sera. You are wise for someone as young as yourself." Kurapika said thoughtfully. The Captain internally agreed. So not only Ging's son is here, but this strange young girl as well. This should be an interesting Exam indeed.
Sera blushed again, not used to compliments in the slightest. "Sorry if I seem harsh, but sometimes kindness shows itself in unusual ways." Kurapika agreed with that fact wholeheartedly.
Kurapika spoke at last. "I am the last survivor of the Kurta Clan." Sera almost physically stumbled at his announcement. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Why did it have to be that. Anything but that. Remain calm, Sera. She scolded herself. She could handle this. He won't find out. But if he did… There was no doubt seeing his eyes and the hatred he felt.
"Four years ago, my clan was annihilated by a band of criminals. I wish to become a Hunter and hunt down that band, the Phantom Troupe."
"So you want to become a bounty hunter? The Phantom Troupe is a Class-A bounty. Not even the most grizzled Hunters can touch them. You'd be throwing away your life."
"I do not fear death. I fear only that my rage will fade over time." His eyes flashed red. The color of passion. Of rage. Of blood that would undoubtedly be spilled.
"So, in other words, you want revenge." Leorio stated matter-of-factually. With each sentence that came out of his mouth, Sera liked him less and less. "Does that require that you become a Hunter?"
Yes, Sera determined Leorio was undoubtedly an idiot.
"That may be the stupidest question I've ever heard, Leorio. Places accessible only to Hunters… Information otherwise unobtainable… Actions otherwise impossible… There are more reasons than your brain could possibly handle."
Even that was a bit harsh… Sera thought.
In order to possibly diffuse the situation, Gon changed topics. "Why do you want to become a Hunter, Leorio?"
"Me? I'll make it short. I want money." Sera sighed, disappointed in the dense man. "Money can get you everything! A big house! A nice car! Good liquor!"
"You can't buy class with money, Leorio." Sera nodded in agreement to Kurapika's statement.
And that's how Leorio and Kurapika got into an argument which resulted with them heading out to the deck in order to "fight it out". Sera put her odds on Kurapika. Meanwhile, the waves were getting rougher and a huge wave was about to hit the ship. The Captain directed his attention to steering and began shouting orders to the crew.
"I'll help!" Gon offered enthusiastically.
"Me too!" Sera agreed. They rushed off to manage the sails of the ship against the stormy weather.
Despite their small sizes, both Gon and Sera managed to pull back their sails. One of the sailors slipped and was pulled into the water. Both Kurapika and Leorio attempted to grab him, but couldn't reach out far enough. Gon, without hesitation leaped off the ship to grab the sailor, only for Kurapika and Leorio to successfully grab Gon by his ankles. Sera wanted to laugh at the whole scene. All of them recklessly assisting the sailor who would have drowned otherwise. They were certainly an entertaining bunch (even Leorio).
It was far from funny according to Leorio and Kurapika. Both chewed out the reckless boy.
"But you did catch me," Gon said innocently, catching the older boys off guard. The sailor thanked the boys profusely for saving him. Kurapika and Leorio in particular acted shy in receiving the gratitude. Both of them noticed each other again since their argument and apologized to each other. Somehow, the four of them ended up as friends even if she disagreed with Leorio's reasons for becoming a Hunter. Nevertheless, the storm had created a bond among the unusual bunch of kids.
The Captain chuckled at the youngsters. "I like you guys! Okay! I'll take responsibility for bringing you four to the port closest to the exam site."
And thus, Sera, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio passed the test before they could take the actual exam. This was Sera's first step in a long journey ahead of her. To prove that kindness was key. And that with her friends supporting her, she could do anything she put her mind to.
X X X
And so Sera begins a long journey to become a Hunter. I hope you enjoyed and all reviews, follows, and favorites will be much appreciated, but never necessary. Prepare for a long story ahead as this will follow closely with the original story and beyond.
Each chapter will focus on one to three episodes of the anime depending on what occurs in each episode. I am currently re-watching the entire series as I write this in order to pay attention to details. As for length per chapter, I do not expect it to be longer than 3,500 words although it will depend on what happens. I try to avoid short chapters so there is more content for you to read.
Thank you for reading and see you soon!