.

Chapter Twenty Three

I have been taken in by madness, invited to its door. I knock - for what else is left to live for? besides carnivals of glory and scintillating breaths of adrenaline.

This blistering consciousness lives inside me, a pain to accompany the glee, stripped of all the comforts and mistruths those lesser than I would have. They so easily believe - they so easily want to believe - and I watch from above, a benevolent God who would fulfill their illusions, their hopes, their dreams - yet this role was cruelly taken from me, which held my own sense of comfort and private illusion.

I am left now instead with only cold truths, no warmth to spare in my heart, no illusion of my own remaining. I know of our purposelessness, the hopeless scrambling of a hundred termites, yet I persist in my own role haplessly. I know of this never-ending cycle we play, switching stories and backgrounds like some silly game, even while our own natures will forever remain stagnant - and so it is that I also know there exists no cure, no answer, no truth, no salvation, despite what the priests may say.

Still, I play this game. Still, I tease the strings around me with the mortal knowledge I have, revel in the thrum of power, of reaching for eternity. Since I was born with power, I have never been able to help but follow that tug in my heart, the thrill I feel when I have put yet another one under my puppet strings.

The madness takes me in, and it then tells me: I must not let this end.

Those who have always been in the light will never understand the shadows of the dark, never see it when it comes to reside inside them. Equally, it is the ones who have lived in the dark who best see the contours of light and its value - these are the ones to be careful of, the quickest to betray themselves for what they see to be a greater cause.

So how shall this game proceed forward? My legacy, steeped in darkness, must one day prevail. My private hope, must one day be borne.

So - madness - I knock! Thou who hast invited me, answer! Bring to me your secrets, your cold wicked certainty! And I will suffer to conquer all, under the command of your wicked glee.

All For One set down the pen, and found himself echoing a hollow, bitter laugh.

Killua was sitting in the lounge area of the UA dorms, freshly moved in and idly marvelling again at his good fortune - Gon arrived, welcomed into UA with open arms, and his normal life returned - when Aizawa walked through the doors.

"Oi," Aizawa said, coming up to their table. Gon and Bakugo had been talking lowly next to him, but at this interruption, the conversation halted, both of them looking towards the professor curiously. "Your support item arrived, Zoldyck."

His eyes met Killua's, a barely-hidden suspicious glint in them, but the look was forgotten when the man set a plastic-encased package onto the table with a clink.

Killua's face immediately flushed upon seeing it.

Oh no.

He hadn't known. How could he have known? This was going to be mortifying - he had to make sure no one found out -

"If I catch you doing anything reckless with it…" Aizawa droned, a warning look in his dark eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Killua mumbled, waving the man off, his eyes fixed to the case. "I won't do anything stupid."

"Hmm," the man said skeptically. Then, more lowly, his voice serious, "Zoldyck. Meet me in my office, in two hours. We need to talk about what you did."

"Sure, sure, I'll meet you there," Killua said distractedly.

The man gave him one last skeptical look, before saying, "Good. Be there." He turned away, striding out of the dorms as quickly as he had come.

Killua breathed a sigh of relief. He could still salvage this situation. Preventing himself from shooting either Gon or Bakugo a wary glance, who were no doubt looking on curiousity, he calmly grabbed the suitcase. While he quietly and quickly tried to tuck the case away, underneath his chair, however, Bakugo's foot stomped down onto the suitcase above the table, a lurid grin on his face.

"Oh?" Bakugo sneered in delight, watching Killua's abruptly panicked expression. "What's this?"

"N-nothing." Killua coughed, then said more strongly, forcing his face back to a more pale complexion, "Nothing."

Bakugo's leer grew wider, and he now grabbed the back of the case with his hands, trying to yank it his way. Killua, adroitly, refused, not letting him shift it an inch.

"Eh, Killua?" Gon's voice came from the side, all curiosity. "What's in it?"

Killua grit his teeth, some of the red returning despite his best efforts.

"A support item," he said. "It's… it's nothing."

He'd have to change his idea. Swap it out, as soon as possible. He hadn't known, couldn't have known, when he'd sent in that order almost three weeks ago, just before the summer had begun.

But first. He had to dispose of the case, before either Gon or Bakugo saw. Excusing himself, he quickly slipped from the seat, tugging the case roughly from Bakugo's hands, saying he had to just go do something quickly, to prepare for the meeting with Aizawa -

A tug, hands slipping, Killua's eyes widened -

In front of him, Gon held the case in his hands, peering at it curiously.

"What's in it?" Gon asked Killua, shaking the box. "Can I open it?"

Bakugo came up behind Gon, like a looming shadow. He had on a trademark viscous grin. Once he had discovered Gon was more malleable than Killua, he had used that to his own gain over the past week, much to Killua's lament.

"Yes, squirt," the older boy said. "Open it. Let's find out what this brat is trying to hide."

Gon's eyes flashed with uncertainty for a moment, before gaining a steadfast set of determination. He nodded, set the case down, and -

Killua lunged forward, grabbing at the corner of the case just before Gon flicked the latch open. He held it to his chest protectively, flushed, looked between the two of them, and ran.

No way was Gon faster than him. He had only gotten the case because Killua had let his guard down, that was all. He would be able to escape now easy peasy, no problem.

Unfortunately, what Gon lacked in speed, he made up for in determination.

"Killua!" he cried, running after him, though Killua could see the bright smile on his face. "Wait up!"

To Killua's dismay, he wasn't too far behind. It reminded him of the first trial of the Hunter's Exam, where they had raced up the stairs together, and it had been a tie -

No. Killua put on another burst of speed. He would not lose, not to Gon.

They ran through the halls of the dorms, leaving the other Class 1-A students blinking and confused by the gusts of wind that had blown them back. Ever so often, one of the students did catch sight of them - reflexes more attuned than the others - but they too, mostly looked confused rather than alarmed. Killua had been a familiar enough sight in these halls for them to not question it too much.

A few turns later, he looked back, and fortunately, had lost sight of Gon.

Quickly making a decision, he found the nearest window and leapt outside. He would make the most of the opportunity. Immediately, upon landing, he began jogging towards the dumpsters, just in the back of the dorms, closed off from view by a fence. This would be his target.

When he entered the area, however, he immediately narrowed his eyes in suspicion. It appeared empty, but someone was already there, presence loud and blaring.

"Come out," Killua called suspiciously. "I know you're there."

"Brat." Bakugo sidled out from between the two dumpsters, eyes narrowed, latched on the suitcase. "I knew you'd come here. Now, give it up."

Killua frowned, then let his eyes wander over the dumpster area.

"Gon," he said flatly. "You too."

A moment passed, and for a moment he wondered if he was wrong, but then his other friend also came out from behind the dumpsters, grinning sheepishly, aura flaring back to life.

"So you knew, huh, Killua?"

Killua gave him an are-you-stupid look and mentally lauded his correct guess, letting his posture become smug and cocky. "Of course. There's no way Bakugo could catch me on his own. And besides, this is exactly your kind of plan."

The older boy, predictably, sneered at the insult, and Killua smirked, confident now. But Gon only looked at the suitcase and stared at him with a soul-pleading expression.

"Come on, Killuaa. I just want to know what's inside! Can't you tell me?"

His friend was dying of curiosity. Killua hesitated for a moment, then drew the case closer to himself.

"No," he said, then stuck his tongue out with an ugly expression. "You'll have to catch me first."

And he ran again. It was fun, just like old times, back in their own world, and he found himself letting loose a laugh. When he looked back, he found a matching grin on Gon's face and a matching laughter filling the air. Bakugo was left to the dust, but the speck of the figure Killua could still see some ways back told him the older boy was not pleased.

He didn't care. He was having the most fun he'd had in a long time. After going out to save Bakugo, hearing how Gon had gotten here, suffering through all the questions the police had for him, he thought he deserved a little fun.

Especially now that his best friend was back.

He stopped, swirled, and shot Gon a cocky grin. "You'll never catch me!" he said, holding up the suitcase in the air like it was a trophy. Then, he tore off the handle and threw it at Gon.

Gon oofed as the handle impacted his stomach, his momentum stopped. "Ouch!" he said. He then turned red eyes towards Killua, scowling. "That was mean, Killua!"

Killua laughed, knowing his friend could take it, then danced away, running forward heedlessly. Sure enough, Gon was following soon enough after, on his feet, fast and determined as ever.

He had been caught, cornered between Bakugo and Gon back inside the kitchens.

It had been a mistake to go back inside again, but Killua had been cocky and now he had paid the price.

When the suitcase plopped open with a click, Killua covered his eyes in dismay, not wanting anybody to see his face, wanting to pretend that this wasn't happening.

"Huh?" Bakugo's voice was one of confusion. "A fishing rod?"

"It looks just like my dad's!" Gon's voice exclaimed in surprise, and Killua heard the tell-tale rustle of clothes that told him his friend had immediately reached out for it.

His heart sank, and he shifted his fingers to peek between them, only to find his friend staring at him, collapsed fishing rod in hand. His embarrassment grew, and he immediately covered his face again, feeling the heat on his face.

"Why didn't you…" Suddenly, the answer occurred to Gon. "Ah! This is your support weapon!" He was silent for a long moment, then said, almost confused, "And you asked for it to look like my fishing rod?"

Killua knew Bakugo got the point when he suddenly started snickering.

"Shut up," he said, feeling his face heat up. "I didn't… I didn't know you were coming here. And - I needed a long-range weapon - and you had showed me how to use it, in Trick Tower, so I..." His voice trailed off, throat feeling dry.

He had been right. This was absolutely mortifying. He should have never commissioned this. Maybe a set of throwing knives instead - he knew how to use those - but those would have been too lethal for this world -

"That's a great idea, Killua!" Gon said enthusiastically, and Killua now had to uncover his eyes to see his friend's brightness. "Now that I'm here, we can practice together!"

Gon's expression then abruptly fell, a flash of anger crossing it.

"But I don't have my fishing rod anymore…" Gon said, quiet in a way that made Killua perk up in alarm and forget his embarrassment. His friend's fist tightened. "Mabda took it…"

Killua's mouth dropped open, before he closed it in a tight frown. His eyebrows furrowed.

"But, Gon…" He thought for a moment. "Mabda, wasn't he one of the people who took you here?"

Gon looked at him levelly for a long moment, then nodded shortly. Gon then sighed, then sat on the nearby desk, swinging his legs. Killua and Bakugo both, almost subconsciously, rounded about him, looking attentively, seriously, towards the boy.

"I guess I have to tell you now, Killua," he said, looking regretful, clutching the fishing rod in his hands tighter. "About what happened…"

Two weeks ago, in a world far, far away…

It had taken Gon longer than expected to get a meeting with Chairman Netero. His two weeks were almost up by the time he was invited into the chairman's oval, marble-floored office. Once there, however, he was met only by the ball-headed secretary, Beans, who looked irritated and immediately led him back out the office and down the stairs to a dojo.

There, Netero was having a bout with someone. It was obvious Netero was the superior opponent, his eyes sleazy, motions fluid but never wasted, a rapt, intense attention given to the battle. His opponent was more wary, prodding testing Netero's defensives, moving with an almost-stiff caution that belied his premature belief in his own loss. Still, they both moved so fast that Gon could barely keep up with only his eyes.

"Wow," he breathed, feeling an excitement rise within him at the sight. This was beyond what Netero had shown him in their duel on the airship, when Gon had tried to get that ball from him. It sent a keen thrill through him, seeing the gap between him and them. It made him want to try to win and push forward even now.

Soon enough, the bout was over, and the loser bowed his hands respectfully to Netero and thanked him for the duel. Netero gave him a respectful nod, before he reclined back and walked off the stage.

There, his attention turned to Gon, and with an interested look in his eye, the chairman began walking towards him.

"Oho, and what do we have here?" Netero asked, coming closer, thick bushy eyebrows raised. He leaned over as he reached Gon, robes flopping forward as he looked down at the boy. Gon matched his humored gaze intently. "Young Gon, is it?"

"Chairman," the secretary buzzed irritatedly. "This Hunter had arranged a meeting with you. Why weren't you in your office?"

Netero straightened his back, stroked his beard, and nodded thoughtfully, leaving his head somewhat askew. "I see, I see. So Gon organized a meeting, did he?" His pupils drifted to the corner of his eyes, giving Gon a sideways look. "Well, well, I like your determination. Why don't we have a small bout here, then, hmm?"

"Chairman Netero!" the secretary protested. "I am sure he is here on serious business!"

Gon nodded, affirming the statement. "Sorry, Netero-san. I'm actually here to deliver a message."

Now Netero's eyebrows raised again, and he turned to face Gon more fully. He peered at him intently, eyes flicking up and down searchingly, a quizzical look on his face.

"A message?" the old man asked. He hummed, straightened, and folded his hands behind his robes. "Well, let's hear it then."

Gon nodded, then recounted quickly, "'The symbol of evil is back.'" He paused. "That's it."

The change that came over the chairman was subtle, but noticeable. His eyes become sharp, hard, like steel, losing much of their amusement. His back straightened beyond that of before, so that now his bearing was authoritative and self-possessed. His bushy eyebrows raised sky-high, exacerbating the lines of his face.

"Chairman…" Beans said worriedly, his face also turned aghast.

"The Symbol of Evil, is it?" Chairman Netero said, stroking his beard once again. His beady eyes swept around the dojo, the many lingering people chatting or sparring. He then stomped his foot heavily against the floor, loudly, so that all eyes turned to Netero suddenly, matches stopping mid-swing. The chairman then barked loudly, "Everyone, out!" A strong wave of authority exuded outwards with the command, passing through the room.

"The dojo is now closed," Netero said, sweeping his eyes over the still room, and the simple statement was well audible in the sudden quiet of the dojo. The dojo denizens quickly scattered, streaming out the door like a river of ants.

The old man's gaze abruptly lit, becoming amused again, the moment the room had cleared.

"Chairman…" Beans repeated anxiously, looking up at Netero. "Doesn't this mean –"

Netero raised a stolid hand towards the little man, putting a stop to his expressed concern. He then fixed his gaze on Gon, and Gon swallowed.

"So that old fool is back in the game," Chairman Netero chuckled. "Tell me, Gon, where did you meet him?"

Gon scratched the back of his neck. The scarred man had told him specifically not to give any details of the meeting, or its location, even to Netero – or else the deal was off.

"Umm," Gon said. "Meet who?"

"The Symbol of Evil," Beans squeaked immediately from below.

"Ah, that was only the message…" Gon said, smiling in relief, cocking his head to the side. "I don't know what that is."

Again, the chairman's eyebrows lifted sky-high. His eyes bored into Gon with a skeptical intensity, long moments passing where Gon grew increasingly nervous.

Then he cracked a smile, the serious demeanor floating off him like vapor.

"Come," the man said, striding to the dojo floor without another warning, taking off his robes as he moved. "Let's have a match."

"Ehh?" Gon's eyes widened, flicking between the exasperated, worried expression of the secretary and the serious one of the chairman, before he trotted over to the other side of the dojo floor. "Are you sure?" he asked, looking across the floor at his opponent. "I don't want to fight…"

But he did. As soon as he walked in and seen the chairman dueling, his movements so fast and precise, a yearning, an excitement had risen in him. Even now, he couldn't help it, the way his body leaned forward in anticipation, wrists itching as his heart rate raised, his lips stretching into a grin.

"Ohohoho," the chairman laughed. "But I see that you do. A special condition, how about this – if you beat me, I will give you a hint about your father Gin, hmm?"

Gon's eyes widened, before they drew back in disappointment, remembering his soon-to-be departure, and he shook his head.

"No," he said, "it's alright."

But he lifted his arms into a fighting position, channeling nen and keeping his eyes firmly fixed on Netero.

The chairman stared at him quizzically for a moment, before smiling, and launching into an attack.

Gon barely knew what hit him. It was only the whisper of instinct – the sound of the breeze whistling towards his ears – that saved him, letting him leap away and towards the ceiling in a large bound. It was still only barely enough; as he floated midair he felt pain begin to bloom in his foot, where Netero's own had struck.

"Not bad, not bad," the man commented when Gon had landed, directing fierce eyes towards him. "You have improved. But still much to learn, hmm?"

This time, Gon charged towards him, and just like he had in the airship, the man only neatly dodged, untouchable.

Then Netero used the opportunity to come in sharply with his elbow into Gon's spine, crashing him into the floor, jarring his brains with a shock that Gon felt to the tips of his toes as he was slammed into the dojo floor. Efficient. The chairman backed away immediately, content to watch Gon struggle on the floor.

It was a too-quick victory, and it burned Gon to feel the gap between him and the chairman so tangibly realized.

"Alright, I've decided," the old man announced, watching him struggle to pick himself off the ground, idly twirling something in one hand. He waved the fingers of his other hand at him casually, indicating the fight was done with, and Gon winced. "I thought so before, but you have the true traits of a Hunter. Remember this – the determination to pursue your target, no matter the costs."

The man's lips then twisted downward, gaze becoming sombered and severe.

"However, as you are, you don't stand a chance. Tell me why you are here."

The words were said flatly, matter-of-factly, and Gon scowled. With a surge of energy, he was able to push himself up, taking to one knee until he could stand again, wobblingly. The chairman's move had made him feel nauseous, but he could still fight.

"Killua went missing," he said. "I was looking for him." He widened his feet and raised his arms again, into a fighting stance.

The old man raised an eyebrow, crossing his muscled arms, instantly deflating any expectations Gon had at a rematch. "And?"

"I almost found him," Gon said, frustrated, "but I had to deliver this message first in exchange."

"I see." He paused. He looked at Gon expressionlessly. "You were tricked, young Hunter."

Hot indignation flashed through Gon. "I wasn't!" he said, clenching his hands in a fist. "He really knows where Killua is!" There was too much that didn't make sense if he didn't.

"Even if that's the case," Netero said, voice measured, "I doubt he had good intentions, especially towards a Hunter." The man abruptly sat, cross-legged, then patted the floor in front of him. "Come. Sit. I will tell you more about this enemy you now face."

Gon's eyebrows furrowed, but he trodded forward hesitantly, then sat himself down in the same pose as the chairman. The secretary, a pause later, came closer to them to listen to them.

Netero's eyes scanned over them both, before nodding. His eyes again were sombre, more severe, penetrating, than Gon had ever seen them. He swallowed.

"The man who calls himself the Symbol of Evil is not to be trusted. He does not use fists to fight, but words and trickery." He lifted a toned hand, towards the secretary, who looked surprised. "Beans. Tell him of his origin."

"Ah, yes, of course -" the small man coughed, turning to Gon.

"He first appeared, 234 years ago, when the Hunter's Association was still only a ragtag group of adventurers. In those days, I would describe the group as more of a… large club, I suppose, rather than the worldwide power it is today," Beans explained in a lecturing tone. "But when the Symbol appeared, it forced them to organize. Strange people with special abilities had begun attacks globally by the droves - abilities that became known as nen. When it became clear to world organizations that many of the Hunters in fact possessed similar abilities, the Hunter's Association was then contracted by the government to fight them."

The secretary paused, raising a finger.

"This is what ultimately led to the 'second secret Hunter Exam', and the global establishment of the Hunters. After capturing and killing many of these attackers, it was decided that Hunters needed to be prepared for any such similar global threats. However, at the end of the battles... the Symbol of Evil, who had claimed to be behind the attacks, vanished."

Gon frowned intently, cocking his head to the side. "But, 234 years ago…"

"There have been reports of his name appearing, in different circles, over the past years," Beans said, eyes sliding towards the chairman. "And the Chairman himself has met him. We still do not know where he came from, nor his method of hiding himself, but we believe that he is still very much alive."

Netero, whose eyes had been keen and sharp during the discussion, nodded.

"Though the man himself is a fool," he said, "he is still a dangerous threat. Too little is known about him." His eyes rested sharply on Gon, and the chairman smiled humorlessly. "So, Gon. As Chairman of the Hunter Board, I will give you a mission. In exchange, if you succeed, I will tell you about your father. Do you accept?"

Gon's frown didn't let up.

"I can't," he said finally. Regardless of the 'mission', he already knew his answer. "The man said that if I left, I can't come back…"

Netero's eyebrows lifted yet again.

"Then come back," Netero said matter-of-factly, leaning forward, a gleam in his eyes now. "Train harder, overcome your obstacles." He paused, seeing Gon's eyes spark at the words. "Bring back Killua with you, and any information regarding the Symbol of Evil. That is your mission. Simple, isn't it?"

Gon stared at the man for a long moment, then slowly nodded. "I guess so…" he said, feeling more confused than when he had first stepped into the chairman's office.

The old man rocked back on his heels, lifting his finger. "Ah! But one condition." He smiled again, the gleam in his eyes stronger than ever. "If you want that hint about Gin, you will have to return within two months."

Gon's frown deepened, but he nodded again. This was like a free deal, wasn't it? He wanted to get back anyway, and when the deal came from the Chairman like this, it didn't feel like cheating in his search for his father.

"I'll do it," he said, at last, albeit a little bit hesitantly.

Netero smiled, clapped his hands together, and stood up in the same motion. "Excellent." His eyes now positively sparkled with mirth. "I look forward to our next bout, Gon. Next time, I will expect you to be stronger."

Gon nodded, and with that, the chairman strode out of the room, Beans scrambling after him, leaving Gon sitting alone on the dojo floor.

.

This was different from when Gon had gone after Killua to Kukuroo mountain. When he had gone then, he had had Leorio and Kurapika to help him. He had been enraged at Killua's brother forcing him to go back, and knew that he was in the right, and that he had to save Killua.

This time, Gon felt uncomfortably alone, and uncertain.

234 years ago…

Did it matter, what happened so long ago? Gon couldn't really understand why it did. It seemed like his latest search for Killua was a haze of confusion, events happening in a sequence that he didn't understand. It was frustrating; he would rather fight than be locked inside what he felt was an increasingly snaring web. Like a hunter's trap, yet he couldn't see where the trap was laid, how the ropes were constructed, or identify who the trapper was either. It sent an increasingly uneasy feeling buzzing through him.

This made the airship ride back to Yorknew City feel both agonizingly long, and too short. It was the first time Gon ever felt like time was escaping from him.

From the blimp station, he walked to the familiar motel room he had stayed in the past few weeks. Before he left, he would say his final goodbyes. He had already sent a letter in the post to Aunt Mito. He hoped she would understand.

He knocked on the door. Only moments later, it opened, Leorio's rugged face visibly showing relief upon seeing him.

"Gon!" he said. "Where were you? I thought you had disappeared, like Killua…" He then frowned, shaking his head ruefully. "Next time, tell me before you leave! A note isn't enough! I was worried, ya'know!"

Gon smiled, then scratched the back of his neck.

"Ah, about that, Leorio…" he said, hesitating, then swallowed. "I actually came to say goodbye."

Leorio's expression changed a dozen times in the course of the next two seconds. Finally, it settled on an angry confusion.

"Huh? What are you talking about? We still need to find Killua together, right? And what about the auction?" He paused, tone growing more concerned, alarmed, at each question as Gon remained unfazed. "Finding your dad?"

Gon shook his head.

"I think I can get to Killua now," Gon said truthfully. "But I won't be able to come back. I want to say, it's been fun, Leorio!" He bowed. "Thank you for everything!"

When Leorio didn't speak, Gon then gave the man a quick hug, then turned around. He was running out of time already - the two weeks were up. He began jogging on the patio, away from Leorio, towards his destination, unwanting to bear the solemness of a goodbye.

He waved cheerily, putting on a smile as he looked backwards to the open doorway.

"Goodbye, Leorio!"

And the other man stood, shell-shocked, in the doorway, face going more slack until he finally disappeared from Gon's sight.

.

At the mansion, Senator Mabda was waiting for him, and the sight of him soured Gon's mood immediately. However, the man did not speak to him - fine with him - instead only giving him a cold glance, before he left Gon alone in the mansion main hall, wondering what to do. It wasn't long after that, however, that he spotted the scarred man calmly walking down the velvet-covered stairs, towards Gon. Though his presence was distinct, it was not the overbearing thing it had been when Gon had first met him.

"I see that you have returned, little one," the man said, sightlessly peering down at Gon. "You have given the message to Netero?"

Gon nodded, then blurted, "Are you really the Symbol of Evil?"

The man cocked his head to the side, consideringly, then chuckled. "I suppose I am. But you may call me All For One - this is the name I am better known as, where I am from."

This left Gon feeling uneasy again, but he didn't comment now, lips drawn into a frown.

Was he really doing the right thing? His doubts returned. He was giving up everything, just to find Killua. His dream, his friends, his home. He still wasn't sure if he could trust this man.

"Trust me, little one," the man said softly, and Gon's gaze snapped to him, surprised. "I will take you to your friend. I ask for nothing in return, other than the favor you have already done for me." He let the words sink in, before gently asking, "Are you ready to travel? When we have arrived, I will explain more."

Gon stared at the man for a long moment. The way he spoke now, it abruptly reminded him of Mito-san. Throat clenching, heart leaping nervously, he nodded.

This was it. There was no turning back now. He couldn't back down now, after having gone so far.

He set his resolve to himself, once again. I need to find Killua. He would let nothing stop him.

"I'm ready," he said, finally, firmly.

The scarred man - All For One - nodded. Then, he waved his hand, and from beside him, a large blue spinning disk was ushered into existence. Through it, Gon could make out the dim features of a room. His eyes widened.

"Step through," the man said, and cautiously, Gon did.

Immediately, the world transformed. Scents and colors shifted, the aroma of the room shifting from large and too-pristine to more musty, cloistered - before the acrid scent of disinfectants hit his nose. The room was dark, and it took some moments for his eyes to adjust from the brightness of the mansion. The onslaught of different sensations made him dizzy, and it took him a moment to realize that the scarred man had stepped in after him, the ambient blue light disappearing.

"We are now in another universe," the man said from behind him. "A different world, or a different dimension - however you would like to call it. I will explain everything shortly."

"A different world?" Gon echoed. He didn't understand.

"Indeed." The man stepped forward, then pulled a chair from the wall in the dim room, placing it in front of Gon. "Please sit, while I explain." The man took the other chair, which had been behind the desk, and placed it in front of the other chair. He sat down, and set his hands on the curved armrests, looking for all the world like a luxuriating king.

Gon hesitantly took the other seat. His eyes dimly traced the area where the blue disk had been, feeling an inexplicable sense of a connection lost. The tremor of not being able to turn back. He had made some irreversible decision, just now, by stepping through that portal.

"So Killua is in this 'world'," he said quietly, making the connection abruptly. "But where are we? Why can't I go back?"

The man gestured to the empty space where Gon had just been staring. "A portal such as that one is the only way to return. Otherwise, the two worlds are disconnected."

"And you won't take me back," Gon said tightly. The man looked at him levelly, scarred face fixed on him, his mouth pressed into an even line.

"No," he said. "It was part of the deal. In fact, I must ask you to not search for methods to return to your own world, or the consequences will be severe, for both of us."

Gon thought for a long moment.

"Alright," he said, finally, voice still tight. "Where's Killua?"

The man let out a sigh. "I do not know precisely, but I have a suggestion to help you find him - my role in this agreement was to take you to this world, when none other would be able to." He paused, before continuing, more severely, his voice taking on a more concerned tone. "And in the spirit of the agreement, there are a few things you must know about this world, little one."

Gon frowned again, but asked hesitantly, "What are they?"

"Well, first of all," the scarred man, All For One, said, "You must know that this world is comprised of heroes, who control how law is dispensed..."

And so All For One told him of the world, the many regulations in place regarding the use of special powers, the hotel room he had prepared for him for the next weeks, and his suggestion for finding Killua.

.

Hours later, Gon was at the news station, blinking at the bright white lights that shined into his eyes from over the stage. Much had been explained to him, and he had regained a confidence in his actions that had been steadily waning ever since stepping into Netero's office.

"Are you really from another universe, Gon?" the reporter asked, and Gon nodded brightly.

"Mmm!" he agreed. "I'm looking for my friend, Killua!" And the reporter, and the crowd, ahh'd in understanding. When the reporter said that Killua had in fact been to their news station as well, a month ago, his hope brightened and he knew that All For One's suggestion had been good.

He tried to ask them more questions about Killua, but they turned the topic away before he could blink, instead asking about his world - and, when Gon began speaking, his adventures in it. He found himself explaining the Hunter's Exam, his journey so far, the fact that Aunt Mito had only given him permission to take the Exam after catching the monstrous fish from their lake, and then finally, his search for his father. Somehow they asked all the right questions to take the story out of him, and since he had no reason to hide anything, he cheerily responded to each of them.

Some minutes later, the reporter asked curiously, "And how did you come here from your universe, Gon?"

Gon put on a sheepish expression, scratching at his face.

"I don't think I'm supposed to tell, sorry."

After that, the interview dragged on, and on, the interviewer asking for more personal details, and Gon soon began to feel uncomfortable at the questions. Soon enough, he was able to tell the reporter so, and the interviewer then finally, thankfully, ended the interview. Gon had then immediately hopped from his cushy chair, never feeling more relieved to be back on his feet, stretching to relieve the cramped joints.

He was just about to leave the building, moving through the news camera lobby to the elevators, when someone stopped him, saying that they had just received a call, and that it was for him. Gon, surprised, had taken the phone, to find a squeaky voice on the other side of the line, introducing himself as Nezu, the principal of a hero school called UA, and claiming that he knew where Killua was. The voice then asked to meet him in person, and Gon readily agreed.

At this point, he could hardly believe his luck. Once the vastness of this world had been explained to him, he had thought that it would take weeks again to find Killua, but here he had already almost found Killua in the first day. All For One's suggestion had worked!

But it was still some hours before two teachers from "UA", a rugged-looking man wearing a strange bandage-like white scarf and an exuberant-looking man with blond hair and rocker-style look, retrieved him from the news station. They then went to the school, taking a taxi, and Gon had then met the principal, who turned out to be a cheery rat.

They had then talked about Gon's circumstances in arriving to this world and Killua's involvement in the school. It had been good news, for Gon, to hear that his friend was doing so well. Nezu, the rat principal, then soon gave him Killua's address, warning him that a hero investigation was in progress, and that it was likely better to wait before the investigation was resolved before contacting him.

Gon had taken the address, thanked him, and then been escorted out of UA's premises after explaining that he did have a place to stay, at least for a little bit. As he exited, an exuberance filled him, clutching the written address tightly in his hand.

After nearly over a month of searching, he had finally done it!

In the present...

"And so I came the next morning and knocked on your door, using the address Nezu gave me," Gon finished.

Killua frowned when Gon completed his story.

"Stuuuuupid," he said, flicking his friend in the forehead. Gon's hands immediately went to cover his reddening forehead, tears beaded at the corner of his eyes. "How could you have known that 'All For One' would really bring you here?"

Gon scowled at him. "That hurt, Killua!"

Killua gave him a flat look, and his friend pouted.

"Well, he did bring me here," Gon said, crossing his arms. "So I was right! And Killua…" A flash of uncertainty crossed his eyes, uncharacteristic. Then he shook his head. "Nevermind."

Killua frowned suspiciously, before another question occurred to him, and he scowled, pointing an accusing finger at Gon.

"Hey, what about you not needing a mask? And eating normal food? You promised me you'd tell me - but there was nothing about that in your explanation!"

Gon raised his hands, abruptly looking sheepish, a stupid grin on his maskless face. "Sorry, Killua… It's still um, a secret!"

Killua narrowed his eyes, unimpressed. Then he began poking his friend, one sharp poke to his forehead, then to his stomach, face again. "Come on, spill," he ordered.

"Erk! Ouch - Killua - I can't - " He batted away Killua's hands. "How come you get to say that but I can't?" he asked plaintively.

"Stupid. Because I'm stronger than you," Killua said, grinning smugly. "Duh."

Gon stuck his tongue out at him.

"Meaner, anyway," he said, and Killua had to fight off a smile or else Gon would've accused him of enjoying the argument.

"Enough," Bakugo's voice cut in abruptly, and Killua shot the older boy a surprised look. Bakugo looked strangely contemplative, and looked at them almost sternly. "This is serious. Somethin' ain't right here. There's something else that's fishy about this story, too."

Killua hesitated, but found that he had to agree.

"Yeah, it's true," he admitted, casting Gon an apologetic glance. "Why would… All For One want to send you here anyway? I'm not buying that 'buying goodwill' nonsense. It just doesn't match up."

But Bakugo was casting an accusing glance Gon's way, eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What aren't you telling us, Gon?"

His voice was devoid of any of the reluctant affection he had shown for the boy in the past week. It was the usage of Gon's name more than anything else, however, that had Killua's hackles rising.

While Gon's eyes had widened and he had begun to stammer innocently at the accusation, Killua placed himself in front of his friend, a warding hand placed in front of him to block Bakugo's view.

"Gon's innocent," he said sharply. "If there's something he's not telling us, then he has a good reason. I trust him." He paused. "I'm only worried that someone might have tricked him."

Gon's stammering fell silent from behind Killua, and Bakugo's red eyes bored into his.

Then Bakugo tch'd and looked away.

"Fine, brat," he said, grumbling. Then he looked over Killua's shoulder, raising his eyebrows, drawing his face out all long and nasty, though there was still a serious glint in his eyes. "But don't think I won't be watching you, all right?"

Killua relaxed, sighing. That was as good as he'd get, from Bakugo.

"But I don't really get it," Killua said. "Even if someone did trick you," he turned to Gon, "I don't see why. You're here now, and…" he had to fight off a smile again, "and there can't be anything bad about that, can there?"

Gon smiled back at him, a vibrant beam.

"Well, other than your tendency for reckless destruction," Killua corrected, returning the grin, and Gon immediately raised a protest, saying that that was Killua's trait, not his, of all things. Killua immediately, in response, began listing things in a droll tone, lifting a finger every time as a count, "The Heavens Arena floor… the Trick Tower wall…"

Bakugo scoffed from behind him, disgusted.

"Get a fucking room, brats." Then, lower, almost out of perceptible range, he muttered to himself, "All For One… who the hell…"

Both Gon and Killua had heard it. They exchanged looks, the quiet words abruptly sombering them both. The joking came to a halt, and Killua let his hand again fall to waist-level, quietly contemplative.

… All For One, huh?

He wondered just who exactly had sent Gon to this world, and why.