I'll Be The One

Chapter 40:

=Normal POV=
[Monday, 3/25/2019-5:30 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Odin's Dragons Hideout]

The friends gathered to get some work done; they were targeting the final groups that were hard to fine and take down. Unfortunately, not much progress had been made in that goal because of how hard it was to find them. Even with Hunter's help; they struggled. Everyone was currently at the hideout going through files, pictures, sightings, and general discussion on their next move. Hunter was supposed to meet them at 4:30 pm after getting home from class, which ended at 4 pm, and then change clothes. However, it seemed he was running behind and already alerted Tallon that he'd be late because something came up at school that he needed to stay for, but also assured he was perfectly safe and wasn't in any danger because staying had to do with class.

"What's the plan, Tal?" Elijah asked.

"Our last major bust was the Hunters…We haven't made any progress since," Drew mentioned.

"I'm well aware, guys, but what would you like me to do? The Dreki Trappers, Hells Dragons, and Drake Killers are top gangs and definitely under the radar," Tallon stated.

"Can't be that under the radar if they are still making active strikes," Seth stated, sitting back in his chair.

"That's the point," Avery rolled her eyes. "We can't nail these guys," she sighed. "We need a plan, Tallon. Your dad will take us off the operation if no progress is being made," she added softly.

"I fully aware of that as well, Avery," Tallon mumbled as he rubbed his temples to rid himself of the developing headache.

"You alright, babe?" came Hunter's voice as Tallon looked over, seeing Hunter coming through the park entrance tunnel and flip his hood down. Hunter smiled and kissed his lips gently before standing next to him. "You look stressed," he pointed out.

"I'm alright, and yes; a bit stressed," Tallon admitted. "What took you so long?"

"School stuff for my music class. More discussion on that whole singing contest for the end of year performance put on by the students for this particular course. It's sort of a final project next to our Final Exam," Hunter shrugged a bit. "How goes the work?"

"Ugh, awful. We're getting nowhere," Trevor mumbled.

"No one said this line of work was easy," Drew remarked.

"Perhaps you're looking in the wrong place," Hunter offered now as they looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Avery asked.

"Well, it could be a situation like you guys. Big organization working from a location that no one expects. A bunch of gangs always look for you in warehouses, abandoned buildings, etc. Of course, who would expect you're underground using the mainland's tunnels, which have been marked as unsafe and inaccessible. What if these bigger groups are doing the same general idea? Conducting business from the shadows?" Hunter suggested, sitting down in the chair next to Tallon's.

"He…May have a point," Elijah mentioned.

"It might not be the case, but definitely worth looking into as a theory to prove and if not then we're right back where we are," Seth stated.

"Another theory is that you may be looking too hard for them. Often times, we find things we looked everywhere for in the most obvious place that we didn't check because it might have been too easy," Hunter added.

"I have to agree with Hiccup on that one," Seth nodded. "He's right,"

"We'll have to look into that. Thanks for the input, babe," Tallon smiled.

"You're welcome," Hunter replied; then kissed his cheek.

"Does that wrap up business here tonight?" Avery wondered now.

"Yeah. It's getting close to dinner, and we can pick up on Hunter's idea to search…Outside of the box tomorrow," Tallon stated. The group packed up, shut things down and headed out to get to their vehicles.

"Are we ordering out for dinner at someone's place?" Roxanne questioned.

"Probably easiest," Flynn shrugged. Just as everyone was about to start discussing who would be hosting with their apartment, Hunter's cell phone rang.

"Hey, Uncle Greg. What's up?" Hunter answered. "Oh, that sucks…" he stated after a moment. "Okay, so why call me?" he questioned. Hunter rolled his eyes. "Of course he did…Why wouldn't he suggest it?" he sighed. "Fine…But you both owe me. I'll be there in ten…Get the stuff set up," he said before hanging up.

"Something happen?" Tallon inquired.

"Yeah…Greg is entertaining a bunch of his military friends and their families, but the entertainment canceled last minutes, so good old Dad suggest he call and ask me if I'd fill in…" Hunter mumbled. "He's lucky I don't work tonight or have class tomorrow or I'd have told him no," he added.

"Guess you're heading there then?" Drew asked.

"I am. Can't leave Greg hanging like that, and I don't mind performing for soldiers," Hunter shrugged. "You guys wanna come with? Pretty sure there's food involved," he smiled.

"Will your dad mind?" Harper blinked.

"Not really," Hunter chuckled. "Besides…They owe me," he stated.

"Well, sure then. We all wanted to hang out anyway; this works as a way to do that," Madison beamed. "Where are we headed?"

Hunter pointed to Meade Hall. "There,"

"Well, easy enough. Should we just walk to it?" Elijah looked at them.

"Might as well," Tallon stated. "Come on," the group moved from the transportation center parking lot back over to Meade Hall, heading up the steps.

. . .

[Meade Hall]

Getting up the stairs, Hunter and the others were allowed in no problem. Reaching the main room where the event was, Hunter was instantly hugged by his Godfather and then his father.

"Thank you, son," Salvatore smiled.

"Yeah, yeah…You get it all set?" Hunter asked.

"Yep, right over there, laddie," Gregory pointed to the spot. "Brought guests?"

"We were already all together, so yes…I did. And you both owe me for this anyway…" Hunter mumbled. "I'm supposed to be preparing for my own singing event on Friday…"

"The singing contest at the university?" Salvatore wondered.

"That's the one. We're down to the final two, me and some other girl. It's biased if the class votes, so they are holding the sing-off between us on Friday at 5 pm. And only that late because I have class until 4 pm. Me and the girl perform one song each to test skill in highest and lowest pitch, but also length. The song will be the same for both of us, to see who does it better, and the teacher is using some note measurer to see who gets the closest to the original artist. Song hasn't been chosen yet; they are looking for something that is fair to both of us as I'm male, and my opponent is female," Hunter shrugged.

"Seems like a pain," TJ said.

"It is. There aren't many artists who can hit ridiculously high notes that also double in length. Most are females, and would be impossible to copy for a male to do. My highest note, I think, is in the song I sang for Jay. The I Will Not Say Goodbye one," Hunter admitted.

"You've hit female high notes before, son…" Salvatore reminded.

"Yeah…Before puberty, Dad. I can't hit them anymore," Hunter remarked. "Anyway…Let's get this going. I'm assuming basic music as background noise, all military songs on live performance and no limits this time?"

"You got it," Gregory nodded. "One song now to kick off, then we'll have dinner before more performances over the next couple of hours,"

"No problem then," Hunter headed for the spot where he'd set his computer up. Someone approached with a small case and handed it to Hunter. "Thanks," he smiled as he opened it up to find his wireless microphone. Hunter got it all ready before placing it on his left ear and flipping it on. Hunter saw that Salvatore seated his friends and boyfriend with himself and Greg. Salvatore gave him a curious look as Hunter replied with only a thumbs up to show he was ready. Hunter stepped forward, taking a deep breath. "Good evening to all! I apologize for the long wait, but if you're ready for a good time; then I say we jump right into it in true military fashion!"

The room cheered as Hunter got the starter song ready. "This is called The Warrior Song. Inspired by the stories I've heard from my uncle about how you all kick butt against enemies who threaten our home," Hunter informed as he started the song, which began as just drums. "I've got the reach and teeth of a killing machine with a need to bleed you when the light goes green. You best believe I've in the zone to be from my yin, to my yang, to my yang-t-z. Put a grin on my chin when you come to me, cause I'll win. I'm one of a kind and I'll bring death to the place you're about to be; another river of blood running under my feet."

"Song is badass…" Seth chuckled.

"You haven't even heard the rest yet," Gregory chuckled.

"Forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me; you'll never stand alone. I'm last to leave, but the first to go. Lord, make me dead before you make me old. I feed on the fear of the devil inside of the enemy faces in my sight. Aim with the hand. Shoot with the mind. Kill with a heart like artic ice," Hunter looked at Gregory now, smiling. "I am a soldier and I'm marching on!"

"I am a soldier and I'm marching on!" Gregory yelled with some others in the room who seemed to recognize the song.

"I am a warrior and this is my song!" Hunter called.

"I am a warrior and this is my song!" the room replied, catching the hint.

The music kicked up again. "I'll bask in the glow of the rising war. Lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore. Wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if another one stands; I'll kill some more. Bullet in breech and a fire in me, like a cigarette thrown to gasoline. If death don't bring you fear; I swear you'll fear these marching feet," Hunter took a breath. "Come to the nightmare, come to me. Deep down in the dark where the devil be. In the maw and with the jaws with the razor teeth. Where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps. Call to the Gods if I cross your path, and my silhouette hangs like a body bag. Hope is a moment now long past. The shadow of death is the one I cast!" Hunter sang.

"I am a soldier and I'm marching on. I am a warrior and this is my song," Hunter called out; the rest singing with him. "My eyes are steel and my gaze is long!" he continued with a few others singing at the same time. "I cannot hear you!" he shouted. "I am a warrior and this is my song!" they all sang louder. The music took over as Hunter there were quite a few standing in front of him now, all excited and happy. Tallon and the friends could see that this was a song Gregory talked about Hunter writing when he was younger based on stories he'd been told. Hunter captured perfectly what the military would do if their home needed defending.

"Now I live mean and I mean to inflict the grief. And the least of me is still out of your reach. The killing machine is gonna do the deed until the river runs dry and my last breath leaves. Chin in the air with my head held high; I'll stand in the path of the enemy line. Feel no fear. Know my pride. For God and country; I'll end your life," Hunter sang as the soldiers cheered more. "Let's go, soldiers! One more time!" Hunter called to them.

"I am a soldier and I'm marching on! I am a warrior and this is my song! My eyes are steel and my gaze is long! I am a warrior and this is my song!" came the final chorus, all of the soldiers and Hunter singing together as the music continued a bit, then cut when it ended. The room was in an uproar of cheering, shouting, hollering, and clapping. Hunter smiled, taking a few breaths as he gave a light bow to the guests in attendance. Hunter shut off the microphone, but kept it attached to his person while moving towards the table.

"That was incredible, Hunter," Tallon complimented.

"Thanks," Hunter smiled, kissing his cheek.

"Always a riot among the boys, lad," Gregory one-armed hug him.

"I figured as much; that's why I led with it," Hunter stated.

"Now, I think it's time we eat and then perhaps another performance after dinner," Salvatore smiled.

. . .

[6:45 pm]

Dinner was great, and Hunter did one other performance while everyone was digesting their meal. Hunter did a cover version of Archian Soldier, which everyone loved. (By the way, the original is obviously American Soldier by Toby Keith.) After that, regular music just played as background noise. Hunter stayed mostly with his friends or speaking with a couple of Gregory's close friends. Hunter didn't need to meet them because he had in the past. Everything was still going; and everyone was having a blast. While Hunter was talking with his friends and boyfriend; he was approached by Greg.

"Ready for another live one?" Gregory inquired.

"I'm out of military songs…" Hunter admitted. "Well…That's half of a lie. I have plenty, but the rest are all wicked depressing. You remember them," he added.

"Aye. I do. Just go with something you've written then," Gregory offered.

Hunter rolled his eyes as a small group of girls approached him; they had to be between the ages of eleven and seventeen. "Can I help you ladies?"

"Are you gonna sing again?" one asked.

"I plan to when I decide what to perform," Hunter nodded.

"Do you…Take requests?" another of the older girls questioned.

"I do, but only go through with them if I can do it. I do have a range I have to stay between," Hunter confessed.

"Can you do If Only from Descendants? Or rather, I think the artist is Dove Cameron," one wondered.

"Bit out of my range…" Hunter said as the girls frowned a little. "But I think I can manage it for you," the girls gasped and giggled with excitement before rushing off.

"I've heard that artist sing before…Are you sure about this Hunter?" Harper asked.

"Well, I was gonna work on my pitch and length tonight anyway…To practice for Friday. I might as well see just how far I can go. I'll be fine, don't worry," Hunter smiled as he located the song's karaoke version and flipped on the microphone. Here we go… Hunter thought as he took a breath.

"A million thoughts in my head. Should I let my heart keep listening? Cause up till now, I've walked the line; nothing lost but something missing," Hunter started. "I can't decide what's wrong, what's right. Which way should I go?" his voice carried a bit.

"If only I knew what my heart was telling me; don't know what I'm feeling. Is this just a dream? Ah-oh, yeah. If only I could read the signs right in front of me; I could find the way to who I'm meant to be! Ah-oh, yeah. If only. If only…If only…" Hunter's voice trailed as he got ready to continue.

"He's doing pretty good," Roxanne stated softly.

"Yeah, but is it coming naturally or is he forcing it?" Harper informed. "You can mess up your voice by forcing it to do notes you haven't practiced or just can't do because it's too low or high. Like he told his dad earlier about straining his vocal chords if he tried to hit notes that he used to be able to do before puberty hit,"

"Seems like it's coming pretty easy," Seth mentioned.

"For now; I've heard the original of this song before and it gets pretty up there," Avery remarked.

"Every step, every word. With every hour; I'm falling in. To something new. To something brave. To someone I, I have never been. I can't decide what's wrong, what's right. Which way should I go?" Hunter sang.

"If only I knew what my heart was telling me; don't know what I'm feeling. Is this just a dream? Ah-oh, yeah. If only I could read the signs right in front of me; I could find the way to who I'm meant to be! Ah-oh, if only. Yeah!" Hunter took a breath. "Am I crazy? Maybe we could happen! Yeah. Will you still be with me when the magic's all run out?..." he closed his eyes now.

"If only I knew what my heart was telling me; don't know what I'm feeling," Hunter began again softly as the music picked up and he opened his eyes. "Is this just a dream?! Ah-oh. If only I could read the signs right in front of me; I could find the way to who I'm meant to be! Ah-oh. If only, yeah! If only, yeah. If only, yeah. If only…If only…If only…" the song finished.

There was clapping and cheering once more as Hunter flipped the microphone off. Salvatore came over and slapped him hard on the back. "Ow!" Hunter yelped.

"Well done, son. And you said you couldn't do it anymore," Salvatore laughed.

"Pfft…You know how hard that was to do? Yeah, I didn't strain it…But fuck, it wasn't easy either…" Hunter muttered.

"But you did do it, Hunter," Gregory laughed. "I don't think that opponent of yours stands a chance on Friday," Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, well I need a break after that. Hitting those notes is probably my absolute max…" Hunter said as Tallon got him a cup of ice water. "Thanks, babe," he smiled taking a drink from the cup.

"You did good," Tallon kissed his cheek.

"Made those girls happy," TJ chuckled a bit.

"Most of the time, I aim to please," Hunter stated as he sat down and relaxed with his water. "Come here, babe," he said, patting his lap. Tallon blushed a little, but walked over as Hunter gently pulled him down to sit on his lap.

"What's all this about?" Tallon asked.

"I just feel like holding you is all," Hunter smiled.

"Well, hold away then," Tallon said. Hunter kissed him lightly and wrapped his arms around Tallon's waist.

. . .

[8:00 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

The event shut down at 7:30 pm as Hunter packed up his stuff and everyone left back to the complex. After hugs and goodbyes; it only left Tallon and Hunter in the hallway together once everyone went to their own apartment.

"I guess this is goodnight for us?" Tallon inquired.

"It's only 8 pm; it doesn't have to be goodnight yet. I don't have school tomorrow and no work until…I think 3 pm. In April, we start summer hours again; I'll be back to working until midnight, probably more like 12:30 am by the time we get out," Hunter informed.

"Well, what would you like to do?" Tallon asked. "We can…Head down to my apartment, maybe watch a movie or something?"

"Sounds great. I've got some snacks in my room; I'll go grab them and come to your place. See you in about five mins?" Hunter asked.

"Sure," Tallon beamed. Hunter entered his apartment to change into something comfortable, grab the snack, and tell Flynn not to wait up for him because he'd be over at Tallon's for a movie and spending time together. Hunter headed down the hall and knocked; Tallon let him in and they went right to the living room to sit on the couch and put on a movie. It was overall, a fantastic day and night. Hunter was happy, and honestly; he hadn't felt this way in a long time, so he desperately hoped he got to keep this amazing feeling.