Memories to Come

Chapter 3: Midnight Game

Delicious! Flowers were literally flying out of her head as she bit into the egg again. All participators that pasted, saying 42, are back on the ship.

"Originally, I'd planned to make my appearance during the exam's final phase, but as I'm already here..." The Chairman paused and looked around the room. "I'm loving the tension in the air!"

Phantom was occupied with her egg.

"So I think I'll stick around for the rest for the trip." Netero chortled.

Then a green bean like person came over and introduces himself as Mr. Bean .

Woah, he really looks like his name. Phantom peered at him.

Mr. Bean took over. "We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning, at eight AM. You'll find dinner waiting in the dining hall. You are also welcome to get some rest. In other words, you're free to do as you please until you are contacted."

Phantom hummed a bit, I wonder if they have a keyboard or something on here… Phantom popped the rest in her mouth as she pull out her phone, slowly skimming through the list of song. I should really delete some of these. Seriously. She sighed. Then she noticed someone trying to grab her attention and she looked up and nearly had her heart jump through her chest!

"Ne, Phantom-san! Let's go explore the airship!" The energetic raven suddenly pops up in front her like some kind of jack in the box. Phantom nodded without thinking, "Alright! Let's go!" Pulling her along before she can say anything. And so the three, Gon, Killua and Phantom (against her will), went to explore the airship.

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"Hey, how many applicants do you expect to make it?" The turquoise haired examiner asked the other two examiners.

"Yep. This year, we have an impressive group, though I did fail all of them…"

"But doesn't it depend on what the upcoming phases consist of?" Buhara asked.

"That's true... But didn't you notice it? Some of them had this whole aura thing going on." She took a bite of her food. "What do you think, Satotz?"

"Oh, yes. I like the rookie this year." He stopped eating to talk.

"Ha! So you agree?" Menchi was happy. "I think #294 has a good shot."

"I'm partial to #99"

"He looks like a selfish, spoiled brat." She turned to Buhara. "What do you think, Buhara?"

"Well… He isn't a rookie, but #44 is the one I favor. I'm sure you noticed but when one of the applicants was on a fit it was #44 who was really on the verge of killing someone."

"I did notice that, of course. He could barely restrain himself from tearing off our heads. But he was that way since he laid eyes on us."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that's the real reason I was so edgy. He kept challenging me." She frowned.

"I sense the same thing." The lanky man took a sip of his drink, "We better watch out for him. I hate to admit it but he's on the same level as us. The only difference is that he likes to grow in darkness..." Both Menchi and Buhara frown at the matter. "You can't deny that hunters have something in them that pushes them to find a worthy opponent. And the best place to find that is…The Hunter Exam."

"…."

"…."

"You know," Menchi broke the silence, "I have a feeling we're forgetting something…"

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The trio was just thrown out of the kitchen by an angry chief. Apparently, Killua wanted to go through the kitchen, and apparently that failed.

"Wow, awesome!" Killua ran to the window and pressed his face against the glass. "Look, Gon!"

"Wait what?!" Gon ran over. "Woah! It's like the ground is covered in jewels!" The two boys' faces were plastered against the glass, while Phantom took a photo, nodding in satisfaction.

"Nee, Killua. Where are your mom and dad?" Gon asked

"Hmm... They're alive." Killua said before adding, "Probably…"

"Eh? What do you mean?" Gon asked tilting his head.

"They're assassins."

"Huh? Both of them?" Gon was surprised.

Phantom held up her phone in which she typed, "Cool. Are you one as well?"

Killua took one good one good look at them before bursting out laughing, "That's your first reaction? You two are a riot!" Gon and Phantom both looked at him questionably, "You two are the first people who have ever responded seriously."

"Why not? It true isn't it?"

"There's no reason to not believe, right?"

Killua blinked, "What makes you say that?"

"Nothing really…"

Phantom just tap away on her phone.

Killua turned back to the window. Phantom scroll through her list of music, listening to Killua's story, picking up bits here and there. Though she couldn't resist to inwardly laughed at how funny Killua's face looks when he talked about his mother.

"How about you, Phantom-san?" Phantom blinked and looked at the two, "Do you have parents?"

Phantom frowned, how could she say this…it's not that she have parents, but it's not that she doesn't either…

"Oh sorry," Gon's face held a look of guilt, "I forgot you couldn't talk."

The cerulean haired girl raise a brow, "Who says I couldn't talk?" Her soft voice said in amusement.

"Uwa! So you can talk!" Killua and Gon was surprised, both pair of eyes widen to what Phantom called saucers.

She pulled back her hood and chuckled, "I never mention I couldn't."

Killua blinked and turn to Gon, "Phantom's a girl?"

Gon nodded and grinned sheepishly, "I forgot to tell you…Haha."

Phantom hummed, "Well… I have parents but I don't live with them."

"Why not?" The raven glazed out the window.

"Hn." She kicks her feet back and forth, "I used to live with my Mother, Step-father and with Onii-san, but now I live with my master. Almost like Killua I ran away from home as well; when I was younger." She sighed.

Killua raise a brow, "How come?"

"Stuff." She closes her eyes, "Well anyways, I didn't really choose to be here. But Master says…

"Go find your father." Her master stated pushing her out of the house, "Take the Hunter Exam and from there you should find them" He took a pause before adding, "Hopefully…" Phantom sweatdropped, "Anyway, go! Leave the house to me. Hahahahahaha!"

"That's what he said, but I can't help but worry about the state of the house right now." She bangs her head against the window, letting out a gloomy aura. Both Gon and Killua sweatdropped at the sight.

"What happen to your real dad?" A curious Gon asked.

"Hmm…Him?" She blinked, "I don't know. For as long as I lived I've been told that he left me in the hands of my mother. She wasn't too happy about that…" Wait why is she telling them this? "But enough of that gloomy stuff, why do you guys want to be a Hunter?" She turned to them, "For me I guess it's that to find my father."

Killua shrugged, "I thought it would be fun. Just to kill time. But the Exam is easier than everybody says it is."

"I'm going to find out why my dad wanted to become a hunter!" Gon said eagerly, "What was so important to my dad that he left me." He grinned at Phantom, "I guess we're kind of in the same boat aren't we?" He laughed.

Phantom just stared at the boy. Pulling up her hood she nodded, "Yeah…"

"Ah!"

Gon pulled down her hood causing her to look at him in surprise, "W-w-what are you doing?!"

He smiled, "Don't pull up your hood Phantom, you're much more cuter with your hood down."

"Wow, you can never tell if you're joking or not…" Killua grinned, "But I guess that's what gives you your charm!"

"Ah, really?"

Phantom blinked feeling the heat creep up her cheeks. She made a fist then punched Gon on the head.

"Ouch!"

"Don't say embarrassing things without warning!"

"Mou… That really hurt Phantom…" He rubbed his head as he looked at her with tearful eyes.

She was about to say something but a murderous aura made her grab the hilt of her sword; the trio turned towards the source. No one was there. Sensing someone behind her, she swerved around looking at the Chairman, Netero-san if she recalls. His clanking shoes cause Killua and Gon to turn around.

He walked towards them with a smile, "Is something wrong?"

The Chairman stopped a few feet in front of them. Gon blinked, looking both surprised and confused, while Killua just stared at him intently. Phantom calmed herself and relaxed and slightly bows at the elder while he nodded back in return.

"Ah, Netero-san," Gon began, pointing to the direction we were previously staring at, "Did you see anyone coming from that side?"

"No," Netero replied with a shake of his head.

"You're pretty fast for an old man," Killua praised.

"That little trick? I barely moved," Netero said, smirking.

A staring match started between Killua and Netero. "What do you want?" Killua questioned rudely. "You don't have anything until the last phase, right?"

"No need to be so unkind. I got bored and was looking for some companions," Chairman Netero answered. "By the way, I meant to ask the three of you... any thoughts on your first attempt at the Hunter Examination?"

"Uh-huh! It's fun!" Gon chirped. "And there haven't been any of the written exams I was dreading."

'It's alright.' She typed.

"I'm disappointed... I expected the exam to be far more difficult. I assume the next phase will be more entertaining?" Killua answered with a bored expression.

"Well, now... I wouldn't know about that," Netero said.

"Let's go, Gon, Phantom." He started to walk away.

But Netero stopped him, "Now wait just a moment. Would you care to play a game with me?"

Killua stopped and turned slowly, sending the elder a look that said he was interested.

"A game?" Gon repeated.

"If you're able to defeat me, I'll let you be Hunters!" he proposed.

"Really? I'll play!" Gon immediately agreed. Phantom just simply hummed.

Netero nodded and then looked back at Killua, who had turned more to face him, with a smile playing on his lips. "How about it, eh?"

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"Now, I'll go over the rules of the game." He balanced the ball on his finger. "If you can take this ball from me, before the airship reaches its destination, you win. Well, that gives you nine hours." The ball spun on his fingertip. "You're free to attack me however you'd like. I won't touch you."

"Eh, but that's no fair. You can't call that a game." Gon protested.

"Why don't you give it a try first?" Netero taunted.

"We just have to take the ball?"

"Yeah."

"Then I'll go first." Killua started walking around the room slowly. While he was walking duplicates of himself were created.

"I see lots of Killuas!" Gon exclaimed.

Phantom raises an eyebrow, That skill… Her eyebrows knit together as she tried to remember the name.

Killua started to attack and his copies vanished. Netero easily evaded all his attempts to get the ball. Killua got angry and decided to do a spinning dropkick. He launched himself towards Netero, low to the ground and planted the kick right to his shin. Netero didn't flinch. But Killua, however…

"Ow!" He hopped up and down in pain.

"Killua! Tag! Tag!" Gon shouted cheerfully.

Phantom lean forward, with her hood on, and observed Netero's actions. She knew full well not to underestimate opponents, for Netero is stronger than he looks, maybe more. When Gon had accelerated at Netero, the elder let down his guard, but then the latter disappeared. Netero looked around for the boy then he noticed Gon above him smiling confidently.

Until he hit the ceiling.

Gon rolled around clutching his head in pain.

Phantom facepalmed, That fool!

"Idiot! We all know you can jump really high!" Killua crossed his arms and sighed, "Control your strength! For a moment, the old man relaxed his guard." He pointed out.

No kidding… Phantom thought, unaware Netero had the same thought in mind.

Gon got up and smiled sheepishly while rubbing his injured head, "I mess up there."

After a few more minutes of watching Gon failing, Phantom put down her sword and took off her hood, revealing a gray sleeveless t-shirt.

"Gon." Gon turn to see Phantom walking towards them. Getting the message he went back to sit with Killua.

"Oh~?"

Phantom bolted towards him with an impassive expression. Netero prepare himself to move the ball away, but her target wasn't the ball. She pulled back a fist and punched his mid-section, but it had no effect; not that she cared. Jumping back she dropped her throbbing hand to her side.

It's hard like a rock…his reaction is fast. But now that I think about it, Her eye slightly twitched, He hardly used his right hand and left leg…

She turned and walked away from Netero, "Giving up already?"

Phantom said nothing as she grabbed her sword and went back to the Chairman, Netero eyes slightly widen, That stance! Phantom bolt towards him again but he easily evaded her slash. But Phantom immediately pushed herself backwards with her foot and retched out her hand, catching him off-guard. But she just barely grazed the ball when Netero jumped away; she caught herself before she fell. She ran towards him, but Netero isn't one to be fooled twice. He dodged her attack but a second came but that seems to fail as he avoided her unsheathed sword, though just by inches.

Phantom slightly frowned, One more time! She jumped towards him, her arm outstretched for the ball; then she tumbled into the boys.

"Gah!"

"Oof!"

"Ah, sorry."

The chairman has sidestepped her attempt, now he looked amused with the ball balancing on his fingertip.

Killua stood up and brushed himself off, "My turn."

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"You children aren't getting anywhere. Why not attack simultaneously?" The Chairman offered after a few continuous turns.

"Why you…" Killua growled angrily

"Okay... I'll get you this time!" Gon jumped into the fight but got his head pushed into the ground almost immediately by Netero and at the same time dodged Killua's attempt to grab the ball. Phantom sweatdropped.

Both the boys lunge at Netero but as always he easily evaded it. Phantom calmed herself and forced herself to find a solution, Eh, I got nothing. She comically slumped but then straightens to look at the two boys.

Gon aim a kick to his chin but missed, Killua tried to attack from behind but that was avoided too. Phantom aimed a roundhouse kick at Netero but the man jumped back the last second. Gon went to kick Netero in the chin but missed, again. But that's when his boot slipped off to get more distance and knocked him right in the chin. While Netero fell backwards Killua kicked him in the back and he fell forwards. The ball was now in midair above Netero's back. Killua went to jump for the ball but Netero moved his leg to kick the ball out of the way. He recovered and went to grab the ball still in the air.

He had succeeded moving the ball away from the boys but what he hasn't anticipated was that girl. The girl had somehow escaped his senses and now was the one closest to the ball, Just like a phantom… He was amused.

Her eyes held a gleam of determination as she hit the ball with her palm making the ball accelerate pass Netero towards the two boys, "Gon! Killua!"

Both of them leaped toward the ball declaring, "It's mine!" But Netero was having none of that. Phantom's eyes widen the moment Netero left a huge dent on the floor, which now is still steaming. Netero stood in front of them with the ball bouncing on his fingertip and a smirk on his face. The smirk irks her so that a semi huge irritation mark pulse on her head. Why you…

"I commend you on your efforts," Netero said.

"You're amazing Netero-san! Really amazing!" Gon exclaimed.

"Forget it..." Killua muttered. "I give up. I lose!" he announced. He walked over to where his shirt lay and picked it up as Gon let out a sound of confusion. Killua flipped the shirt onto his shoulder and made a move to walk away.

"Why? We still have time," Gon pointed out. "And just now we came really close."

Killua paused to stare incredulously at Gon. "Jeez. You really have no clue, do you?"

Gon let out another confused sound.

Phantom just stared incredulously at Gon as well, I thought he knew… Phantom scratched her cheek and stretch out her limbs in satisfaction.

Killua sighed at the raven's cluelessness, "The old man has barely used his right hand and his left leg. We're powerless against him. We could chase him around for a year and never take the ball from him." Killua said as he opened the door.

"Oh, you figured it out? And here I thought I was doing a good job at fooling you," Netero said.

"So that's what he was doing," Gon realized with a hint of shock. Phantom inwardly chuckled.

Killua gave a dry laugh. "You really know how to piss me off, old man," he said in irritation. He turned and began walking out. "Come on Gon, Phantom!" he called.

"Oh, I'm going to play a little longer," Gon told him.

"I'm staying for a bit." She typed.

Killua halted and backtracked, peeking into the room. "Huh?!" he exclaimed. Killua made his way to them and began barking at the poor raven and phantom. "Didn't you hear what I just said? It's useless! You won't be able to take the ball away from him!"

"Yeah! I don't care about the ball," Gon stated calmly with a smile. Killua was taken aback, but Gon continued, "We've only used up half of the time limit. I'm going to make Netero-san use his right hand before the time runs out."

"Plus we got nothing better to do at the time being."

Truly, the look of stupidity appeared on Killua's face. "I see... Yeah, I got it. Good luck," the albino said, turning away. "I'm getting some sleep," he gave a small wave and walked away.

"Ne, Netero-san?" Gon grabbed the Chairman's attention, "What trick did Killua do to multiply himself while walking slowly a moment ago? How did he do it?"

"Oh that's a trick that only black market dealers can use…" Netero turn to face the boy, "There's no need for you to use it."

Gon looked slightly disappointed, "But that's a super neat trick."

"You need a lot of training to do that."

"Killua's amazing isn't he…?"

Phantom eye twitched, What about the ball?

To answer her question Gon tried to snatch the ball out of the Chairman's already moving hand, she sweatdropped.

"Naïve." Then Netero ran with Gon right behind him.

"So it was no use then?"

"Acting as if the ball didn't interest you anymore," He glanced doubtfully behind him, "You're not as innocent as you may seem."

"Come on, Phantom!" The raven encouraged.

Phantom blinked then smiled, "Un!"

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"That wasn't the goal…" Netero muttered.

Phantom poked the sleeping boy, who is content at what he achieved; getting Netero to use his remaining limbs.

She put Gon on her back and grabbed their things and was just about to leave but Netero stopped her, "What is your name, child?"

"…." She halfway turn, "…It's…" A horn blared loudly in the distance blocking out her words on any uninvited ears. Only Netero heard. And with that she exited out the door, the sound echoed throughout the room. "This feels like deja vu." He chuckled.

"What is your name, boy?"

"…." A cerulean haired boy turned part way with his sleeping raven-haired friend lending against him. "…It's..." A car horn blared in the background. "And this luggage," He pointed to the raven; the look of annoyance was clearly etched on the cerulean haired boy's face, "is called, Ging Freecss."

Omake:

Phantom set Gon down a bench, since all the rooms were taken. She sighed and then for the second time, she was knocked over, again!

"Ompf!"

"Oh sorry, Phantom." Came a familiar voice. Phantom open her eyes to see a half-naked albino, her warning siren instantaneouslywent off:

Warning, warning! Personal space invaded! Solutions:

Beat the crap out of them.

Scream.

Both.

Stay petrified.

"..Mo.."

Killua cock his head to one side, "Huh?"

"MOLESTER!" The albino just barely resister the blurred fist before he flew into a wall, knocking him out while Phantom sat like a frozen statue. A fountain of blood was freely sprouting from of Killua's head.