Gon stood before the floor length mirror, pulling on a soft button down shirt and slipping the buttons into their holes. It was a dark and faded green, the fabric was crisp and new. Gon had never worn such luxurious clothes in his life!
There was a tiny part of him that felt guilty for "stealing" them. There was absolutely no way he'd ever come across clothes like this back on Whale Island. Wearing them felt like he was in some sort of wild fever dream.
Gon tucked the shirt into his pants, black slacks made of silk. Seriously, every single item of clothing in his wardrobe was made of either silk or the finest cotton Gon had ever laid hands on! The Ants lived in a world of luxury, that much was starkly apparent. Gon had been welcomed into their world of wonders, and as much as he distrusted the Chimera Ants… seeing their way of life was starting to warp his views on their society.
The tan skinned boy grinned at himself in the mirror, and ran his hands through his wild spiky hair a couple of times. It was pitch black and stuck straight up. Gon had to make sure it didn't get too long, or else it would start fanning out in all directions.
Gon hummed, he looked nice enough.
Excited to meet his fellow Wingmates, Gon slipped on a pair of leather shoes and left his room. But rather than going to the right and towards the dining hall, Gon went to the left. Where room 25 sat at the very end of the hallway.
Gon wanted to meet whoever his neighbors were! He'd visit room 25 first, because they hadn't had a neighbor till now and probably wanted a friend! He'd knock on their door and ask if they wanted to walk to the brunch with him! Perfect plan!
A grin on his face, Gon stood before door 25. He extended his hand to knock, but before he could the door was whipped open to reveal–
The silver haired jerk from yesterday.
A pair of sapphire eyes blinked, then glared. "You."
"Uh–"
The boy scoffed. He closed his door with his foot and shoved his way past Gon, bumping him painfully in the shoulder as he passed. Gon stood a little frozen for a moment, and then turned around to watch the silver haired male descend the hallway.
He's my next door neighbor?!
Gon frowned.
Why'd it have to be him of all people?
Cheerful mood completely soured, Gon walked down the hall with a huff. He watched the boy with the silver hair. He was wearing a pair of light purple pants and a tight black turtleneck. He was half a head taller than Gon, and he looked really strong.
He was really strong. Gon's ribs were all bruised from where he'd kicked him yesterday.
So far the only people he'd met in his Wing had been Ikalgo and the mean boy. Would everyone else be just as awful as he was? Ikalgo was really fun, but he was the Wing Master. That would be like being friends with your principal, or your manager. Gon had been super excited to make a friend… but he'd just run into that jerk again.
He really hoped everyone else wasn't like that.
When Gon walked into the dining hall, he immediately felt an uncomfortable prickle up his spine.
Gon swallowed a whine.
It was the boy with silver hair, he was already glaring at him.
The dining hall had pristine floors and walls, all made of that sparkling white marble. The ceiling was covered in a geometric pattern of wood, it was a warm, dark shade. The room was lit by several sparkling crystal chandeliers. There were no windows, but the refraction of the light made the place seem like it was in broad daylight.
The table was long and rectangular, crafted of the same wood that was on the accent ceiling. It seemed like everyone was already seated, and there were only a couple of options for Gon to sit down. Ikalgo was at the head of the table, and was having an animated conversation with a man who had dirty blonde hair and funky looking eyebrows.
Gon would have sat with Ikalgo, but there were no seats available on his side of the table. It was either sit across from the silver haired jerk - which was not happening - or sit sandwiched between two really tall looking guys.
Gon sighed through his nose, and made a beeline for the seat between the two tall guys. He made a point not to look at the silver haired boy, and walking past him felt like he was walking past a tiger perched and ready to strike. It was so uncomfortable, why was he being so mean?
It was making Gon feel like he was super unwanted.
Knuckle elbowed Killua in the arm.
"Who's that?" he asked around a mouthful of bacon.
Killua scoffed, blowing his silver bangs out of his eyes. "Just some stupid backlander." He skewered a bite of omlette. "He really pisses me off."
"How come?" Shoot asked from Killua's other side.
The silver haired boy continued glaring at the kid with spiky black hair. He watched as the guy sat tentatively between Jispa and Abengane. Killua squeezed his fork so hard the metal bent in his grip. "He's just so fucking stupid," he ground out.
Everyone in Killua's general vicinity except Knuckle and Shoot stiffened in discomfort.
"He does look a little dumb," Knuckle agreed, still talking with his mouth full. "But that's not a reason to hate a guy!"
"Maybe," Killua grumbled, angrily shoving the bite of egg into his mouth.
Knuckle was right, that wasn't the only thing that pissed Killua off about this new guy. He was really fucking stupid, sure. And that was really fucking annoying. But that wasn't all… it was just something about him.
He was clearly uncomfortable under Killua's scrutinizing gaze, but he wasn't scared per say. He didn't shake in his boots when Killua glared at him, he didn't even flinch when Killua shoved him around! Why wasn't he scared? It was pissing Killua off.
Didn't he know who he was?!
It was possible that he was too fucking stupid to know something as simple as that, and normally Killua would shrug it off. But the way he didn't shrink back or bend under Killua's pressure? That's what really ticked him off.
Killua needed to put this new guy in his place.
Show him who was boss around here.
Killua was the strongest one in this Wing, in this entire building! And he needed to make sure this raven haired idiot knew that.
Gon awkwardly filled his plate with the widest assortment of food he'd ever seen. Under normal circumstances he'd be squealing in excitement to have this much food in front of him, but he couldn't properly enjoy this incredible meal when that silver haired guy was glaring at him the whole time.
It felt like Gon was being judged, and he didn't like it.
He had half a mind to glare right back, but Gon didn't want to start anything.
He peaked out the corner of his eye at the guy to his left. He had pale skin and undercut black hair that was dyed platinum blond at the top. He was really muscular, and he had a neat little bow tie around his neck.
Gon glanced at the guy to the right of him. He had dark skin with clean cut black hair. He looked really calm and reserved, and was wearing a silken navy shirt.
They looked a whole lot different than Gon had been expecting. He'd seen two really tall, really strong looking guys, and had expected them to be super scary. But in reality, they looked really nice.
"Hey," Gon said to the two of them, glancing back and forth between the two males. "My name's Gon, what's yours?"
"I'm Jispa, it's nice to meet you, Gon," the guy with platinum hair responded.
"And my name is Abengane," said the other male. "You're the new guy, right?"
"Yup!" Gon chirped, starting to feel a little better now that he'd met two civilized people who weren't jerks. "I just got here yesterday!"
"Well you arrived just in time!" Jispa commented.
"Yes," Abengane said, "we had thought no one else would be arriving."
"Yeah, our friend here showed up just in the nick of time!" Ikalgo called from the head of the table. All twenty-five heads turned in Ikalgo's direction. "And now that I have all of your attention, it's time to get down to business! This brunch isn't just some fancy meal, you know!"
A couple of the Champions laughed.
"It's time for your official introduction!" Ikalgo cheered, pinging his fork against his glass. "But before we get to all the nitty gritty stuff, let's have a toast!" Everyone raised their glasses. "A toast to all of you, for making it this far, and for your bravery in representing your Reservations. Here's to good luck! And more importantly, here's to peace."
Everyone cheered, and Gon clinked his glass with Jispa's and Abengane's.
"Now then," Ikalgo declared, rubbing his tentacle-hands together. He climbed up onto the table so he could see anyone better. He was so short and squishy! It was really cute! "As you all know, the Tournament of Decision is held every year as an olive branch to the humans. With a promise of assured safety from the Queen, eligible Champions representing each Reservation that chooses to partake migrate to Stellae to compete in a grand Tournament of skill and strength. The higher you place, the more human lives in your Reservations are guaranteed safety. The top 15 Champions spare every single life in their Reservation, and the top 10 get special perks and rewards."
Gon clenched his fists under the table.
He had to place in the top ten.
If Whale Island was to survive through the winter, then they needed those special rewards.
"There are 1,125 entered Champions this year," Ikalgo continued. "And in each Event of the Tournament people will be disqualified. There will be an Event on the last day of every week from here on out, only ending when there is one Champion left standing. As you all know, the Champion who places first attains incredible fortune and good grace from the Queen. It is the highest of honors."
An air of determination filled the room. Everyone wanted that, and in order to attain such honor and status they'd have to fight with every ounce of their being.
"The first Tournament Event takes place tomorrow," Ikalgo announced. "And from tomorrow on out, every single one of you will take up the mantle of Champion, and will become gods among men."
Among men. Humans. Not among Ants.
"The lot of you will be expected on the front lawn at 0900 on the dot," Ikalgo instructed. "You will be required to dress in your Tournament uniforms, and look clean and polished in respect to Her Majesty and your audience."
The twenty-five Champions nodded.
"Today will be our first Event day, and everyone will be just like it. So pay attention to the ins and outs and what's expected of you," Ikalgo suggested. "For today, as well as every other off day, you all are free to do as you wish. Every amenity is open to your disposal, as thanks for the service you are providing us. We only ask that you stay on the Dormitory grounds, sneaking out is not permitted."
Ikalgo eyed each and every one of them down.
"Now then!" he chirped, hopping back into his chair. "That's enough seriousness for one day! Enjoy the rest of your meal, and make sure to have extra fun today! Tomorrow will be super serious business, and rest is just as important as the Events themselves!"
The serious air flitted away, and the din of chatter refilled the dining hall.
The Tournament started tomorrow, huh? Gon really had just gotten here in the nick of time. He hadn't even fully rested up from his travels. If he'd gotten here any later… he wouldn't be able to fight at his best. And it was absolutely crucial that Gon fought at his best.
The lives of everyone on Whale Island were riding on Gon's ability to fight, and more importantly, to win.
Gon was going to prove himself to be the strongest one in this building, and nothing and no one was going to stop him.
