Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Phoenix
Staring out the window, standing in between Gon and Kurapika with Leorio on the blondes' other side with his back to the window, the four stood in silence as the airship moved through the air toward the Final Phase of the Hunter Exam.
'I wonder where Killua is' Phoenix thought to herself having noticed that Killua slipped away from the four once they had gotten onto the airship. She knew that Gon has realised but let him go off on his own so she did too and stayed with the three boys she didn't see during the Fourth Phase.
"Pathetic" Leorio broke the silence with his muttering, getting the other three teens attentions, "I need the two of you to do everything for me during the Fourth Phase" He was obviously talking to Kurapika and Gon so Phoenix turned back to the window but kept listening in, "I promise I'll return the favour. So… thanks"
The two boys smiled at Leorio's embarrassment. Phoenix didn't do anything, not knowing what had happened that the bespectacled teen had to be thankful for.
There was a noise that sounded like someone had tapping a microphone echoed through the halls not letting either of the boys' reply, "I have an announcement for all applicants" Beans voice spoke to everyone, "The Chairman wishes to interview the remaining candidates. When your number is called, please come to the first reception room on the second floor. Then we will start with #44, Hisoka-sama" Beans finished.
Out the corner of her eye Phoenix noticed straight away that when Hisoka was called in for his interview that Gon looked down, destressed. Turning her head that she hadn't turned away from the window since Leorio first spoke, she looked at Kurapika watching stare at Gon with concern out the corner of his eye as well.
Choosing not to question gloomy boy Phoenix sighed as she pushed away from the window she turned to her friends, "What do you think the Chairman wants to know?" She asked them quietly taking the unwanted attention off of Gon.
Leorio shrugged not having an answer, Kurapika looked thoughtful, looking for a logical answer and Gon looked at her gratefully now knowing if she was taking the attention away from him on purpose or not but Phoenix gave him a subtle wink letting him know her motives.
The blond sighed frustrated not having come up with anything himself, "I'm not sure, it could be about anything at his point" He told his close friend before crossing his arms.
Phoenix nodded in acceptance not really expected a definite answer. It wasn't until everyone else had been called in for their interview and she was sitting on the window ledge alone, leaning her back against one of the thin pieces of wall that stuck out supporting the ledge, staring out into the now setting sun that her number was called for.
Finding the room was rather simple. Remembering the manners that Kurapika had drilled into her she knocked and entered when the Chairman called her in.
The room was rather simple. It had a painting on the back wall behind where the Chairman was sitting on a pillow. Another pillow was the opposite side of the table to separate the applicants and the Chairman.
Sitting down cross legged Phoenix only had to wait a few seconds before the Chairman looked up at her, "I'll just be asking a few questions to satisfy my curiosity" Once the young girl nodded her consent he began the interview "First, why do you want to become a Hunter?"
"My main reason for wanting to become a Hunter is because I want to help Kurapika reach his goal. My personal reasons is because I want to travel around new places and hopefully discover unexplored lands" Phoenix paused, hesitating for a second but the Chairman's encouraging nodded and smile pushed her to finish, "I don't remember my past from before I was eight and I'm not really interested in looking into it very thoroughly but I would like to know some of it so I'm looking for answers as well"
The Chairman didn't comment on her reasons and continued with the interview, for that Phoenix was quite grateful, "Which of the other nine applicants are you keeping an eye on?" He asked.
Phoenix thought for a moment, "#99, #403, #404 and #405 because their friends and #44 because he's someone from my past that I would like to remember" The black haired giro told the older man.
"I understand. Now the last question, which of the other nine applicants would you least want to fight?" The Chairman asked curiously. He wondered if she would be like the four boys she is usually with and not want to fight them or anyone.
The toxic green eyed girl didn't miss a beat, "I'll fight anyone" She told the Chairman with a strong voice.
"Hmm, why's that?" He then asked wanting her reason.
"Because this is an exam, if you don't participate then you're disqualified right? And I doubt I would have a say on who I'm going to fight" Phoenix told him honestly and bluntly.
The Chairman chuckled to himself making the young girl in front of him confused and slightly nervous thinking that she said something wrong. Before Phoenix could ask the Chairman spoke first, "You're an interesting young lady. Not many would be willing to fight their friends"
"Well, I used to spar with Kurapika often before the we took the Hunter Exam and it's not like you're asking us to kill our opponent" Phoenix answered him quietly.
"How are you so sure you won't have to kill your opponent?" The Chairman asked inquisitively.
Phoenix looked at the Chairman with a raised eyebrow, "Because you asked us" She said as if it was obviously, seeing that she needed to elaborate she continued, "You asked us who we are looked out for and who we would least want to fight, you never said anything about the fight being a duel just a fight. A duel will nine times out of ten end in death but a fight usually doesn't"
The Chairman started to chuckle to himself again, "I was right, you are an interesting one. I believe that you are the only one who picked up on that" He winked making Phoenix giggled slightly, "That's all the questions for the interview. But wait I would like to asked you something else" The Chairman stopped her as she was about to get up, sitting back Phoenix looked at the older man curiously, wondering what else he would like to know if the interview was over, "That knife you took in the Third Phrase, may I see it?" He asked.
Nodded a little unsurely Phoenix brought her right leg in front of her before unclipping the dagger from her boot and placing it on the table in between them, where the Chairman picked it up as if it was made of thin glass that would shatter if he wasn't carful, "I-I wasn't aware that we couldn't take any of the weapons, Lippo-san never said anything about leaving the weapons in the room once we were finished with them" Phoenix was quick to explain thinking that she was in trouble.
The Chairman didn't say anything for a bit before handing the dagger back to the panicked young girl, much to her confusion, thinking he was taking it back. "I'm not taking your blade my dear, but I do want to know why you took it. Was there a specific reason?" He asked with honest wonder in his eyes.
Phoenix looked down at the dragon dragger in her hand, gripping the handle she slid it out of its sheath halfway and admired the blade for a second before sheathing it quickly and placing it in her lap trying not to look alarmed. "I don't know, I just felt like I should take it with me. I didn't realise it until I used it the Fourth Phase while I was fishing but the blade feels like it's alive somehow. I swear when I unsheathed it there was a voice in my head, it didn't say anything just a faint purred. I thought I imagined it so I just ignored it but when I unsheathed it just now it happened again" Phoenix explained looking up at the Chairman confused.
The Chairman didn't say anything for a moment but stared at Phoenix blankly, the young girl was starting to think that he thought she was crazy, which she might be now that she gave it a thought. "Interesting" He muttered to himself, "I believe you and there is a legend that belongs to that blade, but I won't tell you just yet. Once the Exams are over and you become a Hunter come and see me alright my dear, I'll explain it then" He said smiling kindly to the young girl.
With furrowed eyebrows Phoenix nodded her acceptance as she stood making her way out the corridor again after she bowed and said goodbye. Looking down at the dagger in her hand Phoenix sighed before clipping it back inside her boot and pushed it to the back of her mind so he could stayed focused on the Final Phase.
Back in the room Netero didn't take his eyes off of the door the young girl just left through, 'That girl will be great one day' The old man thought to himself before going back to finished the last preparations for the Final Phase.
Wandering around for a while Phoenix was about to round the corner that lead to the corridor that had the windows when she noticed two people standing together watching the sun set just like she had been doing before her interview and confusing conversation with the Chairman.
Ducking back around the corner when she realised that the two people were having a moment. Phoenix peck out to see who the two people were. She was surprised that it was Kurapika and Gon. She was about to sneak away when Kurapika spoke. "Gon…" He sounded rather a serious so Phoenix stayed to listen, "Did something happen during the Fourth Phase? When we met up, you were acting a little strange. And you've been somewhat subdued since we left Zevil Island"
"My target was Hisoka" Gon revealed, from where she was hiding Phoenix's eyes widened as Kurapika stuttered slightly turning to Gon sharply, "I waiting for the perfect chance and stole his tag, but someone was tailing me, and he got me with a poisoned dart. Soon after, Hisoka took back his tag from the person who got me, and he left it with me. He said that I owed him now" Gon explained quietly with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"Hisoka said that?" Kurapika wonder wanting Gon to continue.
"I told him I didn't need his help, and he sent me flying" Here Gon started to tear up, Phoenix felt her heart strings pull at the raw sadness and frustration in her friends voice, "I was so mad that I couldn't do anything against him…" After letting some of his emotions out in silent tears he rubbed them away before looking up at Kurapika, "After that, I was pretty miserable and lonely. I felt so helpless, I wanted company… I wanted to help someone, I guess. That's why I was looking for you two" Gon told him earnestly.
The two were quiet for a moment and Phoenix took that moment to slip away not wanting to know anymore.
Using the corridors Phoenix made her way to the opposite side of the airship before walking along the windows.
Looking in front of her she was a surprised to see Hisoka leaning against the wall looking out to the night sky.
He didn't look over as Phoenix approached but he did look down at her and she leaned against the wall next to him. When she didn't say anything he looked out the window again and the two stayed in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"What are you going to be doing once the Hunter Exams are over?" Phoenix asked as she looked up at the red haired man.
Hisoka smiled down at him before putting his hand on her head, "I'll probably be going to go to heavens arena for a while" He told her as he patted her head for a moment before taking his hand back.
Phoenix hummed in thought before sighing, "I'll be helping Kurapika with his goal" Phoenix told him with a resigned sigh that caught his attention.
"Hmm, you don't sound very excited" Hisoka told her while also ignore the person who was around the corner obviously spying on the two.
Phoenix looked up at him questions, "It's not that, I just don't want to him get hurt is all. His goal is going to be long, hard and very dangerous. I just scared I'll lose him is all" Phoenix told the clown honestly.
Hisoka chuckled, "You've always been so kind towards others" Hisoka told her in a gentle tone.
Phoenix looked down with a small smile on her face, "I'm glad to hear that" She giggled before pushing off the wall, "I'll see you around Hisoka, I'm going to go get some rest so I'm ready for tomorrow" Phoenix told him cheerfully as she started to walk down the corridor to where the rooms for the applicants were located.
Hisoka chuckled before heading to bed as well. Kurapika came around the corner once the two had turned different corners with a deep frown on his face.
The next day the ten applicants left gathered inside a training hall at the hotel that the airship had arrived at this morning. Phoenix was standing between Kurapika, who had been acting a little strange this morning, he seemed to be observing Phoenix when he thought she wasn't looked and Killua who popped up as they were making their way off the airship.
"Well, gentlemen and lady" Chairman began as he stood in front of the applicants with the other examiners and bunch of people in suits and dark shades, "Did you get plenty of rest? This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the battles have concluded" As he was talking a suited man wheeled over a board covered by a cloth to place it next to the Chairman, "For the Final Phase, we will be holding a one-on-one tournament"
As he pulled off the cloth he revealed the tournament style but didn't show them who they were fighting against. It was rather simple to work out the way it work, it was a simple tree diagram with all its branches meeting up at the top.
"So only the last person standing passes?" Leorio questioned.
"No. One win is all you need to pass" The Chairman told everyone clearly.
This caused some surprised to run through the ten applicants, "One win?" Gon and Phoenix both asked together, Gon's being the louder one.
"Then, in this tournament…" Leorio trailed off.
"The winners are removed from the competition, while the losers continue up the bracket" The Chairman both explained and finished for Leorio, "In other words, the person who finishes at the top will not pass" He said pointing to the top, "Does everyone understand now?"
"So you're saying that only one person will fail" Hanzo summarized.
"Exactly" He paused before pulling the piece of paper that blocked who was fighting whom as he continued, "And here is the bracket"
It went Phoenix, Hanzo, Gon, Pokkle, Killua, Gittarackur, Bodoro, Kurapika, Hisoka and then Leorio. Phoenix was fighting Hanzo first and whoever lost out of the two was fighting Gon. Kurapika was fighting Hisoka which made Phoenix a little nervous.
'Am I the only one who thinks this bracket is completely unbalanced and unfair?' Phoenix thought to herself incredulous.
"Impressive, right?" The Chairman asked cutting through the tension that build quickly amongst the applicants, "After all, everyone had at least two chances to win"
"But some people, like #294 and #402, get six chances" Pokkle pointed out.
"Why didn't you use a balance bracket?" Bodoro asked.
'Good, I'm not the only one who noticed' Phoenix mentally sighed in relief.
"A question that must be on everyone's mind. This bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances" The Chairman explained.
Phoenix stiffened at the explanation. She didn't even know that they were getting ranked on their performances, if she knew she would have toned it down a little.
Besides Phoenix Killua started slightly, "That doesn't sound right. Can you explain how you scored our performances?" Killua asked seriously.
There was silence as everyone, even the examiners waiting to hear what the Chairman had to say but they all jumped as he screamed out no while shaking his face with a goofy expression on his face.
If Killua was a cat Phoenix was sure that all his fur would be standing on end because it looked like his hair was right at that moment. "Why not?" Killua screamed back.
The Chairman chuckled good naturally, "Your scored are classified information. So I can't tell you everything. But I can explain our methods. First, we consider three major criteria: physical strength, mental strength and overall impression. For physical strength, we use an aggregate of agility, flexibility, endurance and perception. For mental strength, we use an aggregate of resilience, adaptability, judgement and creativity. However, this information is only used as a reference point. After all, you were strong enough to advance to the Final Phase. However, we are most concerned with your overall impression. This refers to any intangible factors not previously mentioned. You could consider this an evaluation of your potential as a Hunter. And we also incorporate the opinions of your peers. That was our process"
Watching the sapphire eyed boy next to her from the corner of her eye she wondered what was going through his head as he glared at the floor.
"The battle rules are simple," The Chairman started again bring back Phoenix's attention, "Weapons are allowed. No cheating. If your opponent admits defeat, you win. However! If you kill your opponent, you will be immediately disqualified"
'I knew it' Phoenix thought to herself.
"All remaining applicants will pass, and the exam will end. Are we clear?" The old man finished.
"Then, we shall being the exam's Final Phase" One of the suited men called out.
All the applicants and examiners went to stand off to the side but Hanzo and Phoenix moved to the middle of the room. The two stared each other down, Hanzo was cracking is wrist but Phoenix just stood there letting her eyes look over every inch they could of Hanzo's body.
'Okay, calm down. You've been up against worst" She thought back to Hades in Trick Tower, 'From the looks of it he's got quite a lot of physical strength and I remember in the Fourth Phase when Killua threw the badges away that he took off pretty quickly and got out of my radar just a quick, so he's fast and strong. So all I need to do it try to be faster and not get hit' Phoenix strategized.
"The first match is Phoenix versus Hanzo" The referee call out, "Please step forward" The two did as they were told and stood closer but never breaking eye contact.
Off to the side Leorio looked over at a worried Kurapika, "Do you think she can win?"
The blonde didn't say anything just watched as Phoenix looked her opponent over as quickly and efficiently as she could. He knew that there were a million things going through her head right now. "I don't know" Kurapika told them and all the other applicants and examiners who were secretly listening "Phoenix is a natural fighter and very strong for a girl her age. She's capable of taking down men three times her age with a few minor injuries so she should be fine" Kurapika tried to reassure everyone as well as himself.
"She'll win" Gon said confidently.
"How do you know?" Killua asked his friend even though he agree completely.
Gon just smiled at him determined, "Because Phoenix is strong and she doesn't give up!"
Killua smiled as he nodded his agreement and turned back to the two who were about to begin. Kurapika smiled at Gon before looking at Phoenix and frowning slightly as he remember what he overheard last night.
"I will serve as referee. My name is Masta. Best of luck" The referee introduced himself.
Hanzo turned to him and smiled, "Hey, good to see you again. You were tailing me during the Fourth Phase" Hanzo said cheerfully as Phoenix sweat dropped at Gon and Leorio's cluelessness.
"You noticed?" Masta asked dumbfounded.
"Naturally… I'm assuming that each applicant was assigned an examiner for the Fourth Phase. Well, I'm sure everyone else noticed" As Hanzo chatted away Phoenix turned her head to Satotz-san and winked at him making him chuckled as he remembered the young girl doing the same to him when she got her tag the first day. "You have my thanks. My rank was higher because your reports on me were accurate. Though the outcome was never in doubt" Hanzo boasted with Phoenix looking at him with a deadpanned expression.
"Y-yes" Masta stuttered hurriedly wanting to get on with the match.
"Moving on, I have a question for you" Hanzo said getting serious again. "We only win if our opponent surrenders, correct? It doesn't count if we knock them unconscious. No TKO's allowed, either" Hanzo asked or more like explained.
"Yes, that is correct" Masta confirmed as Hanzo looked down at Phoenix with a thoughtful expression.
"Now then, it's time to begin" Masta stated as he stepped away from the two. Hanzo crouched lightly as Phoenix just put her right foot back and kept her body loose. "Begin" Masta shouted throwing his arms down and leaping backwards a little.
Neither Hanzo nor Phoenix moved an inch, "You know, I don't want to fight a little girl" Hanzo said slightly mockingly.
Phoenix only smirked ruefully back at him, "Then don't" She said simply.
She could hear a few applicants chuckle as well as her friends and the Chairman.
Hanzo's eyebrow twitched slighted at her remark but carried on mocking her, wanting her to make the first move, "Just surrender, there's no way that you could beat me, I have at least six years more experience than you do, not to mention that I'm stronger then you are"
Phoenix just sighed as she watched him try to tick her off, it was doing nothing but boring her. Seeing that his taunts did nothing he gritted his teeth before running up to her so fast that he was a blur and appeared behind her. As he went to chop her on the back of her neck she spun around to face him and leaping away all in one movement.
Hanzo smirked as he looked at young girl, "You're faster than I thought" He complimented, "You have my respect"
"You're respect mustn't be hard to earn or worth much if something as simple as dodging that earms it" Phoenix taunted nonchalant.
Hanzo gained a throbbing vein in the middle of his forehead, "You little brat" He growled as he ran as the girl quicker than before aiming to punch her in the stomach.
All Phoenix did was jump to the side onto her hands before pushing off and away from Hanzo. Deciding to get the match moving along Phoenix surprised Hanzo and everyone by running straight a Hanzo.
The punch she threw at Hanzo was blocked by the ninja catching her hand but the momentum from her punch allowed her to kick off the group turning her body horizontal as she kicked at the bald ninja. Hanzo quickly brought up his free hand and caught the young girls' ankle before it could make contact with the side of his head.
Hanzo held the girl upside down and smirked down at her but his eyes widened when she used her free leg to kick his unprotected chin so hard that he flew a few feet into the air as he let her go.
The black haired girl used her hands to catch herself before spin her legs to twist her body before going upright again once her back was to Hanzo so when she stood up she was facing him.
One the side lines most of the applicants were in a stunned silence from the force and skill the girl had shown in the past twenty seconds.
Sadly Hanzo flipped in mid-air and landed lightly on his feet. He wiped his mouth of the spit and blood that came from his split lip.
The two glared at each other for a second before dashing towards the other and locking in an intense hand to hand fight. They exchanged punches and kicks neither able to get a good solid hit on the other because all the attacks were either avoided or block.
The exchanged continued for a full thirty seconds, both breathing a little heavier before Phoenix jumped back a few feet and launching herself into the air.
Flipping around she brought her heeled boot down onto Hanzo's crossed arms but she didn't stop there, spinning around in mid-air she brought down her other foot hard enough that the floor beneath the ninja cracked a little. Not stopping her assault she kept spinning and kicked down at Hanzo.
Just as Phoenix was about to break his block Hanzo's right hand shot out and grabbed the foot that was just coming down on him. Using all of his strength, Hanzo yelled out as he threw Phoenix down to the floor with enough power to smash the floor and send the young girl bouncing across the room.
Rolling across the floor Phoenix flipping over into a crouch facing Hanzo but she continued to slide tills she stopped close to the other applicants. Looking up she took note that there were was a crater on the ground made by her body when she hit the ground.
Feeling a warm trickling down the left side of her face Phoenix knew that she was bleeding heavily since it was already making a small puddle below her. Ignoring her pain and blood for the moment Phoenix stood up. Her hair falling in messy black waves.
Hanzo like Phoenix was bleeding, his cheek was bleeding and so was a few places on his arms. "You pretty good, kid" Hanzo smirk at the young girl, "I haven't been pushed this much for a while"
Phoenix grinned back at him with a breathless chuckled, "You're not so bad yourself. You're rather fun to fight with"
Hanzo grinned back at the girl who had earnt his respect. Before either could say anything there was a shout coming from the side, "Phoenix, are you okay?" Looking over the two saw that it was Gon.
Both fighters had a looked of surprise on their faces, 'We're in the middle of the Final Phase, I completely forgot' both thought as they sweat dropped.
Phoenix smiled wryly at Gon before turning back to Hanzo. Taking a deep breath she shot at the bold ninja faster than before as Hanzo prepared himself.
Missing him slightly Phoenix ended up behind him and noticed his slightly different stance and the scraping of metal that told Phoenix that he now had a knife out. Quickly reaching down Phoenix pulled out her new dagger and brought up just as Hanzo turned around and slashed at her with a kunai knife.
Both fighters tried to overpower the other but it was Hanzo who was winning. See this Phoenix flicked her wrist slightly, sending the kunai knife into the air. Before Hanzo could recover Phoenix used his chest as a spring board, pushing him to the ground when she pushed off, catching the kunai and flipping around and landing on her feet.
Hanzo was about to flip over onto his feet when his wrist were pinned down by two heeled boots. Looking up Hanzo froze as pointed her dagger right at his throat and poised his kunai over his heart.
"Surrender!" Phoenix demanded out of breath.
Hanzo only sighed as he let his head fall back to the floor, "I surrender!" He conceded.
Phoenix let out a loud sigh of relief as she took the two blades away from him before tumbling to lay beside him on the floor, trying to catch her breath.
There were cheers from the sides as they lied there for a few seconds before Hanzo stood up. He picked up is kunai and placed it in a secret pocket on his pants. Looking down at Phoenix he smile which she returned. Reaching down his hand he helped the young girl up once she had taken his hand.
But once she was standing Phoenix gasp and fell to her knees holding her chest tightly, coughing out blood had a lot of people panicking. Her friends ran over to her, shouting her name as Hanzo leaned her onto his side.
Kurapika was the first to reach the pair. Prying her hands away from her chest he put his hands gently on either side of her rib cage and as he did she gasped again and flinch away from the touch. The sharp movement made her cough up more blood.
"She either has internal bleeding or one of her ribs has punctured her lung!" Kurapika exclaimed panicking slightly.
There was a loud bang as the doors burst open and a group of doctors and nurses ran up to them with a stretcher.
Moving Phoenix onto the stretcher was a little tricky as at every movement she would either cry out or whimper.
Safely on the stretcher she was rushed out of the room and taken to get some emergence care and maybe surgery if her lung was punctured by a rib. All her friends, the other applicants, referees, examiners and Chairman Netero could do was watch the young girl get taken away worriedly.
A/N: I'll leave this right here, I hope you like.
I wonder if Phoenix is okay?
Another fight scene. Please tell me what you think about it because I'm still new the writing about fighting.
I have closed my poll and the winner was Chairman Netero.
Answer from last chapter: I prefer Killua's Nen ability because it has more uses then Gon's does.
Question of the chapter: What is your favourite Hunter x Hunter movie?
Please follow, favourite and review I would really appreciate it.
