Standing upon the rooftop parapet, Gon took in the cool nightly breeze. It carried the smell of the abandoned zone where the Spiders had made their lair. Dust and concrete. Not a bad smell. In the surrounding darkness, Gon could make out the other buildings that seemed just as barren as the one below him. Fixing his gaze forwards, he saw the hazy yellow lights of true York New City, accompanied by the faint sounds of traffic and sirens. Gon considered what would happen if he jumped into the darkness and escaped into the night. Maybe he could contact Kurapika and Leorio, and they could come up with a plan to free Killua. Or report to the Hunter Association. But then his mind flashed back to Chrollo's dark eyes. No. His new boss wouldn't show mercy. He would end Killua's life as soon as he learned of his escape. In the end, Chrollo wouldn't lose anything. It would just be his loss. His friend. Gon closed his eyes and took another deep breath. I just have to trust him.
His reminiscing was cut short by the sudden appearance of two presences behind him. Though he hadn't heard them coming, Gon wasn't fazed. He had seen this trick before. Like Killua, the Spiders were able to move with complete silence. He turned to face them. Standing in the soft blue moonlight, the two men looked even more malevolent.
"Shalnark told me you'd be here," Gon said quietly.
"You were waiting for us?" The taller one, Phinks, strode closer and examined the boy with wide eyes. "So it wasn't a prank. You really did join us."
On his way here, Gon had thought about all the things he would say to the man that had beat Killua. But now looking at him again, in the moonlight, he seemed like a completely different beast. The muted flow of his aura seemed like it could burst out at any moment. His carefree posture ready to respond to any threat without delay. He was, unmistakably, the strongest Spider he had met so far. Gon almost reconsidered his approach. Almost.
"I'll make you pay for what you did to Killua," He said in his most defiant voice. The parapet's extra height allowed him to keep his eyes level with, and locked on Phinks'. Gon was grateful for that.
Phinks looked confused. "Killua? You mean the other kid?" He frowned. "The asshole managed to kick me in the face. So I lost control, and I guess punched him a little too hard."
"It wasn't just a punch," Feitan added. The short man had a high and piercing voice. He was suddenly standing right beside Gon on the parapet. He narrowed his eyes, and the boy felt a chill run through his body. "You should learn to watch that little mouth of yours. Even if you're a Spider, that won't be -"
Phinks gestured to his friend. "It's fine Fei. He just joined." He extended his hand. "I'll apologize for your friend. Just this once."
Gon scowled. "If you want to apologize, then apologize to Killua." He turned back to the lights of the city. "But I bet he doesn't want your apology either."
Phinks grit his teeth. "I can't take this. You handle him, Fei." His now audible footsteps began, then halted. "Gon. If you want to heal your friend, ask Machi. She usually handles that sort of thing."
Gon turned, but Phinks had already disappeared. Feitan, however, was still peering at him closely, the cool breeze ruffling his long black hair. "Your garb is downstairs." He looked down the building. "Let's go."
"We're going to jump?"
"Why not?" He teased him with a mocking smile. Without another word, he disappeared into the darkness.
Cursing him under his breath, Gon followed.
"You have two choices. Mine and Phinks." Feitan gestured to the two very distinct sets of attire spread upon the wooden table. One was a large white cotton tunic, that would extend down to Gon's feet. It had an island of green stretching from the chest to the neck, that was marked with one red ornate ruby in its center.
"Phinks is an arrogant prick," snickered Feitan. "He got you an almost carbon copy of that thing he likes to wear. Even this." He reached under the table and pulled out a strange golden helmet. Gon didn't know its name, but he had seen similar designs before.
"My clothes aren't allowed but that's okay?" He shook his head. "Just give me yours. I don't want to wear his anyway."
"Excellent choice," beamed Feitan, throwing the peculiar helmet across the floor.
After cleaning off all the sweat, grime, and blood of the last few days, Gon was on the edge of revulsion as he studied himself in the mirror. He was wearing a greenish-black hooded tank top, with black shorts (that were not unlike his own), and standing in dark black sneakers. There were also black gloves that he had refused to wear. Feitan had said he had chosen "a mix of their styles", but Gon almost started to prefer Phinks' strange white tunic. At least it's comfortable. He shook his head and turned away from the mirror, hoping Killua wouldn't hate his new outfit, too much.