Coco: Hey, guys, I'm back like I said I would be, and I hope you're having a wonderful holiday wherever you are. I did get a little behind on some of my work. So, everything but Bright Like a Diamond was finished and I am so sorry about that. I unfortunately got sick and it slowed me down. But I am better, and I promise you that I am still working on that story to all of whom are you reading it.
So, the other two rewrites will be posted tonight. I have them all typed up and ready to go along with the chapters I promised and I hope you're ready for them. Now without further ado, let's get started, shall we?
Britzany looked around in interest at everything with Gon right at her side. Everything was so colorful and there were so many people around. So much to take in.
"A navigator's main job is to identify worthy applicants for the Hunter Exam," Son Kiriko said as he led the group of five through the marketplace. "We're also responsible for guiding them to the exam site. You see, that's because it's almost impossible to find the location without a navigator."
Britzany was only half listening to his words as she stopped at a booth with Gon. The man was trying to sell some kind of frog as food, which had Britzany scrunching up her nose. She liked to eat and try different things, but frog didn't sound good at all. She then moved onto the next booth with the woman running it trying to sell her and Gon a broach in the shape of a beetle.
"Ya know, Zaban City is one shady place," Leorio commented.
Sephie had to agree. Though the atmosphere did seem entertaining, and if they had more time, she wouldn't mind checking out the booths.
"A city that's as prosperous as this one is bound to attract its share of unsavory characters," Kurapika agreed.
"And its share of wide-eyed, gullible tourists," Sephie added as she paused to look back at Britzany and Gon who were going from stall to stall.
The others stopped as well with Leorio frowning at the pair who seemed to be enjoying themselves. Britzany even bought something off one of the stall owners.
"What are you two doing?" Leorio questioned them. "Let's go!"
"Okay~" Gon and Britzany called back in return.
They then jogged over with Britzany stashing away whatever she had just bought. Sephie shook her head at the taller girl who seemed very pleased with her purchase. Their navigator led them a bit farther into a more open part of the city that had nicer buildings and seemed classier.
"Here we are," he said as he stopped in front of a building and looked at his paper. "I'm pretty sure that's the building."
He pointed at the restaurant in front of them, but the boys mistakenly looked to the tall building next to the restaurant.
"Woow, it's so tall," Gon commented. "What a nice place."
He, Leorio, and Kurapika walked over to the tall building as Sephie and Britzany remained with the guide. The two girls exchanged a glance as the boys continued to check out the building.
"So, that's the exam site, huh?" Leorio said. "And this is the crowd that it draws."
"Hunter applicants from all over the world congregate here," Kurapika added.
"My first shot at the Hunter Exam," Gon said. "I wonder if this is how Dad felt."
"Hey," Sephie called out to the three. "You're standing in front of the wrong building."
The boys blinked in confusion before turning to look at the short girl who stood with Britzany and their navigator. Britzany then pointed in front of her, and the boys looked to see the old restaurant that was next to the tall building.
"This is it," Their navigator said with a smile.
"Come on, you're messing with us, right?" Leorio asked. "It just looks like a regular restaurant. You're telling me hunter applicants from all over the globe come to this old drive and take the exam?"
"That's exactly right." The Kiriko said.
The boys looked at him in disbelief as they looked between him and the restaurant in front of them.
"The Hunter Exam attracts millions of applicants every year," The Kiriko explained. "And no one would expect the exam to be held here, right?"
"Good point." Leorio reluctantly agreed.
The group was then led inside where the owner of the place, who was currently cooking, welcomed them and asked them to take a seat. However, they remained standing as their navigator looked to the older gentleman.
"Is the backroom available?" The Kiriko asked.
"What are you having?" The owner replied with his own question.
"The steak combo, please," The Kiriko said. "The one that will let us see the light. Make it five."
Sephie's brow quirked guessing this was all some kind of code to get them to where the exam would be taking place. Her theory felt more solidified when she noticed how the owner's demeanor changed.
"Combo for five, eh?" The owner asked. "How do you want them cooked?"
"Grilled slowly over a low flame until done, please," The Kiriko requested.
At the sound of what Sephie guessed were the magic words, the owner smiled and went back to whatever he was cooking.
"Got it," he said. "See yourselves to the backroom."
The Kiriko nodded before showing the group of five through the restaurant and into the back room. Britzany looked around at the small space, which had a table in the middle and five chairs seated around it.
"Okay, wait here," the Kiriko instructed.
"For what?" Leorio asked. "Where are all the other applicants?"
Though before the Kiriko could reply to Leorio's question, Gon pipped up in excitement.
"I can't wait for that steak combo." He said with a smile.
His innocent statement had Leorio and Britzany going 'eh' in confusion. Sephie, who took a seat at the table, chuckled as Kurapika looked at the youngest member of their group.
"Gon, that was just the password to get us inside," Kurapika told him. "There's no steak combo."
"Oh, okay," he said. "So, we don't get to eat?"
"Unfortunately," Britzany said. "But after we've all become Hunters, we'll all go out and get some food, okay?"
Gon perked up at that as he nodded his head. That sounded like a good way to celebrate to him.
"Only 1 in 10,000," The Kiriko said. "You're very lucky. That's how many every make it this far. Nice job. You did great for first timers. Well, good luck to you."
Gon smiled at the Kiriko while holding out his hand to the magical beast who seemed surprised by the gesture.
"Thanks for your help," Gon said kindly.
"Yeah, we appreciate it," Britzany added with a large smile.
Sephie silently nodded in agreement as the Kiriko felt himself smile at their kindness. He reached out to shake Gon's offered hand.
"I hope that…next year I can help you again," he said.
He then disappeared out the door, which left the group of five to wait as he instructed. The room then gave a slight shake before it felt like it was moving downward.
"It seems this room is actually an elevator." Kurapika said.
Britzany grinned while feeling a bit excited as the number at the top kept climbing higher. They'd be at the exam site in just a few sort moments.
"That explains it," Leorio said as he took a seat next to Sephie. "That bastard thinks he'll see us again next year because he expects us to fail."
"Given the statistics of the passing and failing rates, we can't really fault him for thinking like that," Sephie said as she pulled out her sketchbook.
Leorio frowned though guessed the short girl had a point. Still, he didn't like how their navigator just automatically assumed they'd fail.
"She's right," Kurapika agreed with her. "Based on previous exams, a rookie only seems to pass once every three years."
"It's that unusual?" Gon questioned.
"It is," Kurapika said. "Some can't handle it. It's too mentally and physically taxing. It's also not too uncommon for veterans to break the rookies so badly, they never retake the test."
Sephie and Britzany remember their master telling them of those rookie crushers. How they were relentless on trying to break the rookies. And how some applicants weren't even there for the actual exam. Their sole purpose was to get as many rookies to dropout and not come back as possible.
"Well, I not too worried," Britzany said as she took a seat and leaned back in it. "We're passing. Those rookie crushers best just stay out of our way."
Sephie smiled in silent agreement as she was sketching their group in the room they were in down in her sketchbook.
"You're really not worried?" Gon asked Britzany.
"Nope," Britzany said as she put her hands behind her head in a laxed manner. "Listen, Gon, if you want to be a Hunter, you can't let yourself be easily swayed. If you want to follow that kind of path, you have to be willing to risk it all just like the Hunters do."
Gon looked at Britzany with admiration shining in his eyes as she sat there unworried about what was to come.
"That's right, Gon!" Leorio said as he stood up and slammed his hand on the table. "She hit the nail on the head! Being a Hunter means making more money than anyone in the world!"
Gon tilted his head wondering if that was true. Kurapika didn't think so as he stood up looking annoyed.
"Wrong!" Kurapika said. "People become Hunters to join the world's most noble profession!"
Sephie snorted at that as she thought about just what kind of Hunter Zann was. He wasn't exactly in it only for money, but she wouldn't really call what he does noble either.
"Shut up, Goody-goody." Leorio snapped.
"Selfish money grubber!" Kurapika retorted.
As the two started bickering—which was becoming a very common occurrence—Gon looked between them nervously. Britzany just seemed amused while Sephie tuned them out and continued drawing.
"Hey, Gon, listen up," Leorio said to the boy. "There's a list of the 100 richest people every year, and every single year there are over fifty Hunters who make the list! That's more than half!"
He then grunted in surprise when Kurapika spun the drink tray he was leaning against around, which caused him to shift over unwillingly.
"There are some Hunters, sadly to say, who seek treasure and wild game," Kurapika said. "But they're second rate. True Hunters work tirelessly to maintain order in society as well as in nature."
"Oh, screw that!" Leorio snapped. "Once you're a Hunter, it's free to enter most countries and facilities no charge! Now, how's that for benefits, huh?!"
Kurapika, who disagreed with his argument, spun the tray again, which silenced Leorio a second time.
"Hunters have many difficult and important responsibilities." Kurapika argued. "Preserving artifacts and species, catching crooks, and even apprehending rogue hunters!"
"It's the fame and fortune!" Leorio said as he slammed his hands on the table again. "That's why people want to become Hunters!"
"No," Kurapika disagreed. "It's conviction, profound knowledge, and a sound mind and body! Traits that are a true Hunter's pride!"
He and Leorio then practically growled at each other as their three companions watched them with mixed expressions. Gon looked nervous, Britzany looked amused, and Sephie looked done with both of them.
"You do know that you're both right and wrong, yes?" Sephie cut in.
The two turned to look at her with confused frowns as she finished her sketch. Or at least the outline of it. She placed her sketchpad away with her pencil as she looked to the two boys.
"The occupation of a Hunter varies greatly depending on people's personal interests." Sephie told them. "Some are in it for money and fame. Some are in it to make the world a better place. And some are in it just to pursue their own passions with as little restriction as possible. In other words, they're looking for adventure or something similar to that. So, trying to put being a Hunter into one category is basically impossible. Everyone has their own reasons and not one person is right and not one person is wrong. They're just following what they think is best for them. Such a job that offers such flexibility is appealing, you see. Which is why I believe the Exam gets so many applicants and why so many people dream of becoming Hunters."
Kurapika and Leorio blinked not sure how to respond, but Gon smiled because he liked how Sephie put things. A job that allowed people to follow what truly made them happy in life. That sounded like something worth risking everything for. The group then looked up curiously when the elevator finally stopped at basement level 100.
"I think we've arrived," Kurapika said.
True to his words the doors opened up behind Gon as the group got up from their seats. They stepped into a long, dark tunnel where many eyes turned to face them. None of the gazes were too friendly, but despite that Sephie felt a chill of excitement wash over her as her lips turned up.
"Is it just me, or is the mood here pretty grim?" Leorio asked.
"We saw plenty of other applicants in the city, but these guys are different," Kurapika commented. "Each one of them is a master in their own right."
He then glanced down at Sephie who looked almost excited as she stared back at the examinees in front of them. Britzany looked down at the girl as well while seeing her aura shift and leak out slightly. Sephie might be the more rational and mature of the two of them, but one thing the girl loved was the chance of a challenge. It usually showed in her aura, which would practically buzz with anticipation. Britzany placed her hand on Sephie's shoulder, and the girl quickly reigned herself in. It was best not to grab any unwanted attention.
"Excuse me," Gon called out though paused when everyone just turned away. "…Looks like everyone is really on edge down here."
"Hello," A cheerful voice called out.
The group looked down seeing a…green man standing in front of them and holding out a badge with the number 403 on it to Leorio.
"Please, take your number badge," he requested. "Thank you."
After Leorio took the badge, the man passed ones to the others as well. Sephie was the last to receive hers, which left her with number 407.
"Be sure to wear those on your chests at all times, please," he instructed them. "And be careful not to lose them, okay?"
He then walked away without another word. Sephie watch him go curiously before she placed the badge where he had told her to wear it. The others did the same.
"I don't believe I've seen you five before," A voice called from above.
The group looked up and saw a short, portly man sitting on top one of the pipes along the tunnel. Britzany's brow quirked as she got a nasty feeling from this guy's presence. Sephie seemed to feel the same as she narrowed her eyes at the man.
"Yo," He called out cheerfully to them.
"You can tell it's our first time here?" Gon asked the man.
"More or less," the man replied.
He then jumped down to the ground level where the five of them stood together.
"It's getting easier," he said as he smiled. "It's my 35th attempt, so it comes with the territory."
Gon, Britzany, and Leorio gasped in surprise. Kurapika and Sephie were a bit taken back by this as well but showed it in a less flashy manner.
"You tried 35 times?" The boys asked in unison.
Sephie nudged Britzany and the taller girl looked down at her childhood companion. Sephie silently quirked her brow in question. Britzany nodded in return with both of them agreeing without words; this guy was most likely trouble. In other words, he wasn't to be trusted.
"I guess you could say I'm a Hunter Exam veteran." The man said with the smile still in place.
Britzany gave the man a deadpanned expression before looking to her fellow teenagers. Leorio wore an expression similar to her own.
"Not really something to brag about," Leorio whispered.
"Indeed," Kurapika agreed.
"It's sad." Sephie added as she shook her head.
Gon didn't seem to agree with his older peers as he smiled widely at the man in front of them.
"Anyway, if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to help," The man told them.
"Thanks a lot," Gon said.
The man's smile grew as he held out his hand to Gon who didn't hesitate to take it.
"By the way, the name's Tonpa," The man introduced himself as they shook hands.
"Hi, I'm Gon!" The greenette returned the greeting.
He then turned slightly towards his companions, so to introduce them as well.
"This Kurapika and this is Leorio," He introduced the boys first before gesturing to the girls. "And these two are Britzany and Sephie."
The four nodded to the older examinee who nodded to the four of them as well.
"You sure have taken the exam a lot," Gon told Tonpa. "Are you the only one here who's tried a bunch of times, or are there others?"
"I might hold the record, but yeah, there are others," Tonpa answered.
His answer just solidified Sephie's suspicions of the man. He's taken the exam the most out of everyone here and has yet to pass or give up. Either he's incredibly stubborn or passing the test didn't mean anything to him.
"For instance, that guy over there," Tonpa began as he pointed towards a large man, who was eating, with an undercut hairstyle. "Number 255. Tōdō the Wrestler. Probably the strongest one here and he's smarter than he looks."
He then turned towards an older man who was sitting crisscross on the ground with his eyes closed. As if he were meditating.
"Over there is 103." Tonpa said. "Bourbon the Snake Charmer. He can really hold a grudge, so try not to get on his bad side."
Britzany just shuddered as she saw a snake silver around the man's neck. She didn't like snakes. Not one bit.
"Let's see," Tonpa continued. "Number 191. Bodoro the Kung Fu Master. He's getting old, but he's still one of the best martial artists around."
The one Tonpa spoke of was an elderly man wearing a pale-colored, traditional cheongsam. Tonpa then gestured to the boys who stood in a group.
"Then there are the brothers," Tonpa said. "Amori, Imori, and Umori. They work great as a team, so they almost always do really well. And 384; Geretta the Huntsman. He specializes in killing all kinds of creatures with his blow dart and club."
The other examinees sounded interesting at least. Though none of them really caught Britzany's attention. None of them really stood out. Sephie seemed to think the same as she gave a yawn.
"There are more, but they've taken the most times," Tonpa told the group of five.
"Oh, wow," Gon said.
Sephie just frowned as she wondered if there would be anyone worth fighting here. Though there might not be any fighting amongst applicants at all. Either way, she didn't see much competition. She didn't want to get too cocky though. She was sure whatever exams the committee came up with would be troublesome enough on their own. Still, she was a bit disappointed.
"I don't think any of them can use it." Britzany whispered to her.
"It doesn't seem like it." Sephie sighed.
Though the two girls then stiffened when they felt a spike of bloodlust followed by the sound of someone screaming. Everyone turned seeing one of the examinees screaming in pain and falling to his knees as his arms were being converted in pretty red flowers. As most of the examinees were focused on the screaming man, Sephie and Britzany's eyes shot up to the one behind the attack. He was a tall man with his skin pale and his red hair slicked back. His outfit and face paint looked whimsical and gave him the appearance of a jester of some kind. But the dark aura around him gave off an entirely different vibe.
"My, how unusual," He spoke in a deep tone. "It seems as if this poor man's arms have turned into flower petals. Now you see them, now you don't. You should be more careful and do apologize when you bump into someone."
Many gave the man a look of uneasy. Some even seemed angry at the sight of him. It looked as if this wasn't his first time at the exam. However, Sephie found it hard to believe someone with an aura like him didn't manage to pass on his first try.
"Just perfect," Tonpa gripped. "The psychopath is back again."
"You know that guy?" Gon asked.
"So, does that mean, he tried last year?" Kurapika questioned.
Britzany would guess so considering how on edge the other examinees seemed around the man. Many even parted ways to let him by. It was like they didn't want to be anywhere near him.
"Number 44." Tonpa said. "Hisoka the Magician. He was the number one pick to pass last year's exam until he almost killed an examiner he didn't approve of."
So, he was kicked out due to unruly conduct? That made sense to Sephie. He didn't seem to be the type that failed at many things if at any.
"Then what the hell is he doing here?" Leorio demanded to know. "They're letting him retake the exam after something like that?"
"Of course, they are," Tonpa replied. "They change the content and the examiners every year. And the examiners choose the new material. The devil himself could pass the Hunter Exam if the examiners say it's okay. It's how the whole thing works. Anyway, nobody likes the guy. I'd keep my distance if I were you."
"So, you say we should keep our distance?" Sephie asked. "Pity. He seems like the most interesting one here."
Tonpa looked at the girl in surprise as he noted how her eyes followed Hisoka. It was like a predator tracking its prey. She was even smirking like a cat who just caught the canary. The air around her had Tonpa shift uneasily.
'What's with this kid?' Tonpa wondered. 'She isn't unnerved at all by what just happened. She almost seems happy…no, not happy but thrilled.'
Tonpa then looked to Britzany as the darker-skinned girl gave a sigh and placed her hands on her hips.
"Please, don't go picking fights with the psycho." Britzany said. "I know you're eager to test the results of your training, but you sometimes get way ahead of yourself."
Kurapika and Leorio blinked in surprise at this role reversal as it was usually Sephie being the level-headed one and Britzany being the excitable one that Sephie had to reign back in.
"Don't worry," Sephie said. "I'll be smart about it. Though we didn't come here to play safe, remember?"
"Heh, you do have a point," Britzany said with a grin. "I'm getting pretty pumped too. I hope these exams hurry up and start already. I'm itching to pass and move onto the next phase."
Tonpa narrowed his eyes at the two girls. They were a bit different. Yeah, a lot of rookies come in hopeful and eager. It's because they don't realize the true horror behind the exams. How hard it is both mentally and physically. It was like hell on earth. But they didn't seem nervous in the slightest and the air around them oozed with confidence. As if they knew without any doubt that they'd pass on their first try. Either they were way more talented than they appeared and knew it, or they were too stubborn to even consider failing.
"You girls should really be careful," Tonpa cautioned. "Hisoka is no joke. I mean, you saw what he just did, right?"
"Yeah, he looks pretty dangerous, Britzany, Sephie." Leorio added. "You guys should probably take Tonpa's advice."
"Agreed," Kurapika seconded.
Sephie felt touched that they cared, but as she said, she didn't come here to play things safe. Hunters' jobs were dangerous. If she backed down from a challenge here and shrunk away just because someone or something was dangerous, she shouldn't bother trying to become a Hunter.
"Noted," Sephie said as her eyes continued to follow Hisoka.
Britzany watched the man as well though while Sephie only seemed interested in getting a fight out of the guy, Britzany felt more than that. He was interesting and Britzany wasn't one who could simply ignore things that caught her attention. Her curiosity has definitely gotten her into trouble more than once, and sadly, she hasn't really learned her lesson. Let's just hope things don't go as the old saying goes...curiosity did kill the cat, after all.