Gon stood in his closet, gawking at his Tournament uniform.

It was just so… Chimera.

It was made from some sort of sleek material, Gon suspected it was Chimera Silk. Chimera Ants capable of producing Silk could craft quite the sturdy fabric from it. Running his fingers along the sleeves, Gon confirmed his suspicions.

He stripped down to nothing, his clothes pooling on the floor around him. The suit was meant to hug his body perfectly, accentuating his muscular form while protecting the natural human weak points at the same time.

The Chimera Silk fabric was slick to the touch and sparkling white. It made Gon look like he was covered in Chimera skin, rather than his own flimsy, human casing. But the Silk wasn't all, there were real Chimera Ant armor plates fused to the Silken underlayer! As in, organic armor plating!

It gave Gon chills, knowing that he was practically wearing the skin of a dead Ant soldier. And the armor plates were a perfect fit, too. Had someone been forced to death just because they happened to share Gon's same body size?

He didn't like those implications, so he shook them from his mind.

Gon fastened the straps to his liking, the uniform hugging tight to his body. He then slipped the helmet over his head: a bulky metal thing with a crest of fur and feathers in a line down the top. He spun around to face the mirror, inspecting his new suit.

"I look like a real life Champion," Gon whispered, gawking at his reflection.

The sparkling Chimera Silk clung to his skin, covering his body in a flexible outer shell. The armor plates were in varying shades of deep greens, protecting the weak points at Gon's wrists, elbows, chest, knees, groin, and the like. It made him look like he possessed the body of an Ant.

The plume along the top of his helmet was green just like the armor, and a black leather belt clung to his hips. There were no boots to go with the suit, just plates of armor on the soles of Gon's feet. It looked like he had been splashed in white and green paint. Gon felt like he was dressed too revealingly to be in the presence of the Queen… but such was the way of things.

The raven haired male sweatdropped when he turned around to inspect his ass, almost completely visible through the thin layer of Silk.

"I suppose it can't be helped," he mumbled to himself. The uniform was a part of the job. He'd signed up for this… there was no backing out just cause he felt a little shy. He was no more than a show pony now, after all.

Gon walked down the hall, feeling more and more out of place with every step he strayed from his room. Being out and about in this uniform made him feel like his skin was crawling. It didn't feel right, being all dressed up like this.

He was dressing up as a Chimera Ant.

That was the purpose of the uniforms.

To make the audience feel like they were watching Ants rather than lowly humans. They didn't want to see those boney, weak forms scurrying about before them. No, they wanted to see attractive, armored forms in vibrant colors with muscles sparkling in the sun.

To humans, however, dressing up this way was the equivalent of wearing a face full of clown makeup.

It felt wrong. Pretending to be something he wasn't… not to mention the damn silk was seriously riding up his ass–

"Gon!" came a relieved cry once the raven reached the stairs in the grand foyer.

He glanced up, quickly retracting his hand back to his side. There at the bottom of the stairs, Jispa and Abengane were waiting for him. Their uniforms matched Gon's to a tee, save for differences in the color and texture of their armor. Jispa's was in black while Abengane's was in a handsome navy.

"Jispa! Abengane!" Gon chirped, scurrying down the stairs to meet up with them.

"It's about time you got down here!" Jispa whined, clearly stressed within an inch of his life. "It's ten till!"

"I'm really sorry!" Gon exclaimed, "You guys didn't have to wait on me!"

"It's of no consequence," Abengane reassured him, rustling Gon's helmet as they headed for the door. "We have plenty of time. Jispa's just a worry wart."

Gon chuckled, bumping Jispa with his shoulder as they crossed through the enormous front doors. It was crazy to think that just the day before yesterday Gon had been scared out of his mind walking through these doors… Now he was exiting them as a full fledged Champion with two allies at his either side.

Gon walked with Jispa and Abengane across the enormous mosaic on the drive, towards the crowd of Champions mingling on the front lawn.

"Wow, you don't realize just how many people 1,125 is until you see all of them in one place," Jispa breathed.

"Yup! There sure are a lot of us!" Gon chirped, looking around for Ikalgo.

They were supposed to meet up with their Wingmates on the lawn. All of them would be organized by Wing as they participated in the March of the Champions, a parade of this year's human celebrities throughout the streets of Stellae. A world famous hike that was taken at the start of each and every Event of the Tournament of Decision. This would be the first look Chimera Society would get on this year's line up. Bets would begin to be placed, and all of them were required to look their best.

Gon hummed in satisfaction when he saw Ikalgo's squishy little head sticking out over the tops of the group, he was sitting on Genthru's shoulders.

With a growing grin, Gon slipped off through the crowd, hurrying to reach the rest of his Wingmates.

"Hey, Gon!" Jispa whined, "Don't go so fast!"

Abengane cracked a laugh as the two of them took off after their hyper companion.

Gon skipped in and out of the crowd, looking at each and every person he passed. These would be his rivals, he was wracking their ranks to see if there was anyone of interest. But he couldn't wipe the smile on his face.

He knew that he was about to enter the first Event of the infamous Tournament of Decision, but this entire thing was just so exciting! Gon knew he should have been scared right about now, seeing all these strong fighters and dark scowls around him. But he couldn't help but buzz at the thought that this was his first step on his journey to save Whale Island!

This was it!

Today would be the first step towards his goal–

"Woah!" Gon squeaked as he tripped over someone's outstretched foot, crashing to the ground and biting the dirt.

Someone snorted from above him, and then stepped over his back as they passed him. Gon cried out in pain, but his voice was muffled when they stepped on his head, once again shoving his face into the ground.

"Look at you, down in the dirt where you belong~"

A wave of displeasure crashed over Gon's head. "Killua."

The silver haired boy waved sarcastically down at him as he strutted over to Ikalgo, leaving Gon aching and covered in dirt, moistened into mud from the early morning dew.

"Gon!" Jispa cried out, hurrying to Gon's side as the boy picked himself to his feet. The crowd had drawn back, giving a wide berth once Killua had tripped him. They'd been expecting another fight.

"Are you alright?" Abengane asked, grabbing Gon's elbow and hauling him the rest of the way up.

"Yeah," Gon grumbled, "I'm just fine." He glared at the back of Killua's helmet. Stupid Killua, acting like nothing was amiss, talking to Ikalgo like he hadn't just tripped Gon like a total jerk–

"Oh no, he got you all dirty!" Jispa said, stepping before Gon and brushing his hands across the boy's arms to attempt and clean him back up.

Gon gasped, quickly snapping his head down. Sure enough. His entire front was stained brown and muddy.

"Shit," Abengane cursed, licking a thumb and attempting to get some of it off. "These suits are designed to absorb any and all grime, it's more exciting the dirtier we get as we progress. This isn't going to come out."

Gon's stomach squirmed with nerves.

"But we're all supposed to be spotless for the March of the Champions!" Jispa exclaimed.

Gon's mood soured even more. He spat into his silk gloved hand, wiping the mud from his face. Killua had done this on purpose. He was trying to make Gon look bad. "It'll be fine," he said, voice even and shockingly calm.

"But everyone else is sparkling clean!" Jispa protested, still fussing over Gon's suit.

"Yeah, but there's nothing we can do about it," Gon pointed out. "There's no time to clean it now. By fussing over it we'll just be giving Killua what he wants."

Jispa stopped his scrambling, giving Gon a sympathetic look.

All thousand odd Champions stood firmly at attention, chins held high and arms crossed rigidly behind them. They were arranged in orderly rows, stretched out across the front lawn like a squadron of soldiers.

The crowd of humans stood in various degrees of anxiety and mortal terror, for they were about to be inspected by one of the Queen's personal right hands:

The Royal Guard Shaiapouf.

Gon had heard stories about him… about his brutality and his disregard for humans in general. He could mind control you with the scales of his wings, and divide up into a million tiny versions of himself. He was one of the three strongest Ants in all existence.

He was also assigned to escort the Champions to the Colosseum. For dramatic flair, as well as to ensure their safety. The three Guards would alternate the job with every passing Event… honestly, Gon was glad they'd gotten Shaiapouf first over Neferpitou, or worse Menthuthuyoupi.

All of the Wingmasters were lined up off to the side, Peggy standing before them. Everyone stood at attention, watching as the winged man walked gracefully up and down the rows of humans. Or rather, the Wingmasters watched. The Champions had to keep their eyes glued directly forward. They were not permitted to lay eyes directly upon such a high ranking Ant.

Gon was sandwiched between Jispa… and Killua of all people. They'd been lined up by age with Killua as the youngest, followed by Gon, Jispa, and then Abengane. Honestly, Gon had expected for Killua to be older than him, but apparently he had him beat by a couple of months. Not that it mattered. They were all Champions here, no matter how superior Killua considered himself to be.

"Today you will enter the first Event in our grand Tournament of Decision," Shaiapouf announced, regal voice echoing across the vast lawn. "It is an honor above all honors, and we thank you for your service to us."

Gon ground his teeth.

Service? He acted as if this was some dignified act of philanthropy.

No, far from it.

They were no more than participants in the most recent circus act. A circus act with entire Reservations full of human lives hanging in the balance.

"The lot of you are willing to lay down your lives in service to the Queen," Pouf continued, "And those of you who thrive will be rewarded handsomely. As such, it is expected of you to behave and present yourselves according to the utmost of standards. You are appearing before the Queen herself, after all."

Shaiapouf passed by Killua, his chin lifting in recognition. The Zoldyck's lips lifted up at one side, the ghost of a smirk.

Then, Shaiapouf passed by Gon.

The raven struggled not to flinch as those scrutinizing, honeycomb eyes wracked his dirt covered body.

His distaste was apparent.

The Royal Guard moved on, and Gon's stomach twisted with shame.

Killua snickered.

Gon's eyebrow twitched as he struggled not to glare.

And so the Champions marched through the streets of Stellae. Lined up in a grand parade, stretching hundreds of feet in length. Shaiapouf led the procession, with Peggy and the Wingmasters stationed between each section - divided up by Wing - and bringing up the rear.

Chimeras of all social classes, ages, and statures lined the streets, cheering with joyous excitement as this year's star athletes were paraded before them. Children shrieked in wonder, and girls called out to the more attractive of the Champions as they passed.

Flags were waved, bets were taken, Jenny was passed from hand to hand. Confetti danced in the sky, and flower petals were rained down upon the Champion's heads from above.

All this… just for a group of humans. In any other situation, a parade of humans through the streets of any Chimera city would mean a feast. The cheers would not be encouraging and appreciative. No, they would be catcalls, leers and threats and graphic descriptions of how they'd be eaten alive.

It made Gon sick to his stomach, the way that this was the only time and place that humans could attain a single ounce of respect from their superiors. And even now, this tournament was nothing more than a giant show.

That was right, the Tournament of Decision served as a competition for safety as a means to encourage the humans participating. The reward was nothing more than a facade for what was truly going on.

In reality, this was a sport.

Practically dog fighting.

The Champions were dressed up to look like Ants, fed and fattened up, treated all pretty and nice like the dolls that they were.

This wasn't for the honor of their Reservations. No. This was for the Chimera Ants amusement.

It was sick.

As Gon had mentioned, he was no more than a show pony.

And now, all "in the honor of the Reservations," Gon would be pitted up against his own species. He'd be forced to compete against and kill his own human brothers and sisters. In saving the measly hundred people starving on Whale Island, Gon would have to tear his way past more than a thousand brave souls.

The strongest of the human race competed in this Tournament, and the strongest of the human race were torn apart as they clawed their way to the top.

This was to put the humans in their place.

To show them that even their best were no more than a weekend show for the Ants.

It made Gon's spine crawl with displeasure… but he wasn't in the position to complain. For as humiliating as this all was, that didn't change the fact that the fate of Whale Island rested on Gon's shoulders. He could bitch and complain all he wanted, but at the end of the day he had a job to do.

No matter how dirty the job was.

So Gon marched through the streets of Stellae on his journey to the Colosseum. He held his head high and strutted about like the show pony he was. Although, his debut had been practically torn to shreds by none other than Killua.

Gon was covered in dirt. He was muddy, crusted with filth rather than sparkling in the sun. It was blatant disregard for the audience members, and Gon would feel the judgmental eyes on him. In walking out here covered in dirt, Gon may as well have carried about a sign saying "I'm weak!" "I'm not even smart enough to keep my uniform clean!" "I'll die the second I step foot into the Colosseum floor!"

The Chimeras muttered under their hands. They scoffed at him. Snickered about how there was no worth betting on him. He was useless. No more than a dark stain on this sacred tradition. They couldn't wait to see him ripped apart. Looked forward to it, actually. It was sad, really. That his Reservation had gone through the trouble of paying for the likes of him to enter the Tournament.

This March was humiliating enough. Killua had made it a thousand times worse.

And you know what? That wasn't even the worst of it!

Gon had never hated being placed in the same Wing as Killua Zoldyck any more than this moment.

Jispa was right.

All eyes really were on Killua.

The crowds practically lost it when he walked by. They danced and sang for his attention, one girl even fainted when he happened to glance her way. Money clanged as it was frantically tossed from hand to hand. Killua was showered with more petals than anyone, given more attention and praise than anyone.

He was the crown jewel of all humanity, it was clear that he was the only Champion in the entire procession that the Ants actually respected worth a damn.

And with Gon, dirty as he was, being lined up behind Killua?

It made him seem even worse off than it already did.

If anything, Gon was only getting showered with petals and rice at all because of the sheer amount of it being tossed to Killua. Gon was just riding on his coattails. Just slinking along in his shadow.

Gon hated it.

And he could tell that Killua loved it.

Gon could see it in the way he held his shoulders, the slight spring in his step.

Jerk.

The raven stared daggers in between Killua's shoulder blades. Maybe if he glared hard enough then Killua would stop being so ahead of him.

Unfortunately, it wasn't working.

Killua sensed Gon's hostility, and it only egged him on even more.

Jerk.

Being stuck behind Killua like this, Gon focused on sizing him up. Sure, they'd sparred, but Gon had been so riled with adrenaline and nerves from the crowd that he hadn't gotten a good read on the guy.

As far as Gon could tell, Killua was a beast when it came to hand-to-hand. He also seemed pretty strong based on all those muscles… which Gon could see through the skin-tight Silk layer right now…

The sparkling white of the Silk stood out against the skin of Gon's face, and even though he wasn't facing him the raven already knew that he looked like some sort of divine being decked out in all that glimmering silk.

If the suit hugged Gon, it somehow managed to hug Killua even better. It might as well have been his own skin, it left nearly nothing up to the imagination. His armor plates were set in lovely royal purple, lined with spikes on his shoulders and silky smooth across his elbows and chest.

Killua had a foot on Gon, leaving the shorter boy stuck watching between his shoulder blades. Gon watched grumpily as the muscles of his back shifted beneath the Silken layer. Tiny wisps of that silvery white hair peeked from the rim of the helmet, tickling the back of his neck.

Gon inched his eyes down Killua's back, annoyed that Killua could pull the suit off so confidently while he was over here feeling suffocated by the tightness of the fabric and–

The raven's stomach did that strange flip thing again when his eyes brushed past Killua's ass, and he ripped his traitorous eyes back to where they were supposed to be. Blood crawled to his cheeks in embarrassment.

Jerk.

The better part of an hour later, the March was completed and the Champions were lined up in rows in the lower level of the Colosseum, waiting to be released up the ramp and onto the largest stage in the world.

Gon shifted from foot to foot, he could hear the crowd of Chimeras screaming from above. Light trickled down from the entrance gate, and the entire underground space stunk of moist earth and sweaty bodies.

Torches lit the space, and the immense marble brick making up the walls made Gon feel tiny and insignificant.

But even so, his mouth lifted up at the corners.

It was finally time. He'd show these Chimeras what he was made of. He'd prove everyone who'd looked down on him during the March wrong! To hell with hanging in the back of the crowd, Gon was going to win this Event and nothing was going to stop him!

"Would you just stand still?" Killua snapped, elbowing Gon roughly in the ribs.

The raven glared at the silver haired jerk, elbowing right back. "No!"

Killua stilled, and then slowly turned to face Gon. His eyes burned with boiling sapphire rage.

Gon glared right back.

Several others around them took a decisive step in the opposite direction.

Killua bared his teeth. "Watch yourself, fuckface, the second they open those gates you're fair game."

"Depends on the Event," Gon argued. "If killing is against the rules, then you won't be able to hurt me without getting disqualified."

Killua visibly prickled. Jispa nudged Gon in the shoulder, begging him to stop trying to make enemies.

Well it was too late for that. Besides, Killua had been the one to make them enemies in the first place! Gon was just standing up for himself.

"Attennnntion!"

Gon and Killua snapped back forward, immediately straightening up.

There, at the crest of the ramp leading into the Colosseum, stood none other than Menthuthuyoupi, flanked by Shaiapouf and Neferpitou.

Every single Champion hushed immediately, straightening their backs and staring straight ahead. They gazed in the Royal Guards' general direction, but not directly at them. Fear crawled at the base of Gon's spine. They were so terrifying.

"Welcome to the Tournament of Decision and all that frilly garbage," Menthuthuyoupi boomed, "Congratulations on successfully walking a mile down the street."

Some of the Champions visibly deflated.

"Now then, it's time for the important crap!" the red skinned Ant announced with a wicked grin. "In each Event of the Tournament, you will be expected to perform at your very best! Don't hold anything back! The Queen will be watching you, not that you'll be able to see through your fear to notice," he snickered darkly.

Gon wrinkled his nose when the bite of urine suddenly stung in the air.

Seriously? It was scary but not that scary…

"Now, I could ramble on for minutes on end about how this is an honor and bullshit like that, but we all know what you're all here to do," Menthuthuyoupi's eyes wracked the crowd, daring someone to meet his gaze… to which no one did. The Ant grinned, it seemed no one would die early. "I'm not gonna lie to you, the first Event is designed to weed out any weaklings."

"He's talking to you, Freecss~" Killua murmured.

Gon glared. "Shut the hell up, Zoldyck."

"The first Event will be an obstacle course," Menthuthuyoupi announced with a wild laugh. "But don't allow the childish name to fool you~ I estimate that not half of you will make it through before the timer runs out… the timer being my setting the course on fire~"

Several Champions gasped.

Gon's chest stirred with excitement.

"You'll be required to dodge all sorts of sadistic crap!" the enormous Ant boasted, "But what fun would it be if I went and told you what you'll be up against?"

Gon heard Jispa whimper in fear beside him.

"I know it's a total buzzkill, but there are some rules to abide by this Event," Menthuthuyoupi announced. "There will be no sabotage permitted in this round of the Tournament. That means no pushing, shoving, injuring other Champions, and especially no killing."

Gon clucked his tongue, an "I told you so" directed at Killua.

The taller male growled.

"Though… I can't say the same for future Events," the Guard snickered. Several Champions stirred with nerves. "Now… are you ready to die?"

The crowd of humans shifted on their feet, shuffling impatiently as they waited for the go ahead.

Menthuthuyoupi's blood curdling laugh echoed against the walls of the chamber. "You have one minute before I set the course ablaze. Now GO!"

With that, the three Royal Guards leapt up to cling to the arched walls of the chamber. The second Menthuthuyoupi gave the order, all 1,125 Champions exploded forward in a mad dash for the gate. Gears creaked and moaned as the enormous metal gate was opened, and the crowd poured out into the floor of the Colosseum.

Gon wasted no time.

The second he was released, he was gone.

He wouldn't hold back.

Not now, not ever.

He immediately zoned in, a shadowy glaze falling over his eyes.

He'd trained for this.

He'd bled for this.

He'd left behind everything he'd ever known for this.

Gon wasn't messing around. Not in the slightest.

The raven took off up the incline, sprinting through the crowd like a fish through water. The second he exited the chamber and entered the Colosseum proper, his ear drums were rattling with the screams of tens of thousands of Chimera Ants.

The stands were packed, and the sun beat down overhead.

Right at the mouth of the southernmost chamber was the entrance to an enormous obstacle course. It was constructed of wood, ropes, and metal traps. There were ladders, poles, bars, nets, shooting arrows, pits of spikes, and oil slicked along every surface.

The structure would go up in a matter of minutes. The only hope of success - not to mention survival - was to cross at least a fourth of the course before Menthuthuyoupi lit it up.

Fine.

This was a breeze compared to the grueling training Gon's master had put him through back at home.

Gon beelined not for the bridge entrance to the course, for the beams holding the bridge suspended over the pit of spikes nested beneath the course (falling in any way or form assured certain death). Avoiding the dense crowd entirely, Gon sprinted up the arching beam.

The surface of the oiled up wood was slippery, but the rough armor on the soles of his feet gave him purchase.

Others gawked at Gon as he sprinted along the top of the bridge rather than across the bridge itself, immediately taking an early lead.

The crowd was screaming like mad. Wasn't that the boy who'd been covered in dirt?! What was he doing, already way out front?!

The thought would have brought a grin to Gon's face, but not now. Not while he was dead set on winning.

Once he reached the other side of the bridge, Gon rotated his feet sideways and slid down the beam like he was surfing off the coast of Whale Island. The next segment of the course was a nest of interlacing ropes. Before he reached the bottom and slipped down into the pool of metal spikes, Gon kicked off the arched wooden beam and flung himself through the air towards the ropes.

Wasting no time, Gon immediately started slinging himself from rope to rope. His grip was slippery due to the oil, but he'd be fine so long as he didn't slow down one tiny bit. Still holding his lead, Gon crossed the nest of ropes within the span of thirty seconds.

He flung himself out to the next part of the course: a precarious jungle of stacked wooden crates. The crates were enormous, and metal bear traps were laid out at random intervals, reflecting in the sunlight.

Gon hopped from crate to crate, trying to stay as high up as possible. Behind him, he heard the ringing of an enormous bell, and Menthuthuyoupi's wild cheer as he set a match to the course. He also heard the commotion of the others beginning to trickle into this section of the course, as well as their screams of pain as they trampled through the bear traps.

Gon estimated that if he kept up this pace he could beat the fire's no problem.

The others? That wasn't even an issue

"Out of the way, idiot!" came a vicious cry from Gon's left, before he was suddenly overtaken by Killua!

Gon gasped, snapping out of his focused daze for a moment.

He watched as Killua took off ahead of him, grinning over his shoulder as he left Gon in his dust.

Oh.

Well then.

With a snarl, Gon took off at twice the speed.

He shot across the last of the crates, and took a flying leap out across the next section of the obstacle course, which was a sea of skinny wooden posts. Gon danced from post to post, relying entirely on his instincts to tell him where to step.

He focused all his energy on catching up to Killua–

And within a matter of moments they were neck in neck.

The crowd was in a frenzy, watching as the newest Zoldyck raced the Dirt Boy through the obstacle course at neck breaking speeds. They'd left all the others in their dust, and were competing ferociously for the leading position.

They shot through the obstacle course like it was an open field rather than a maze of dangerous traps and barriers, dodging poisoned arrows and dancing around bear traps all the while never taking their eyes off the other.

Gon's legs ached as he ran, pushing himself harder and harder. He had to beat Killua!

He had to take first!

Gon took the monkey bars three at a time, flinging himself forward in a race with Killua.

This was insane. Gon had never moved this fast in his entire life. He'd trained for years leading up to this moment, he'd sat and listened to all of Ging's stupid crazy stories, he'd hauled boulders up and down the beach as Bisky screamed in his ear, he'd bled and broken bones fighting off rogue Ant soldiers, and he'd hugged Mito goodbye to travel halfway across the globe with a Chimera Ant more interested in eating him than delivering him to his destination.

Everything, every single breath Gon had taken thus far, had been leading up to this moment.

This moment, when he was supposed to be the best…

But he was unable to overtake the very jerk who had knocked him down the second he'd arrived.

Gon should have been pissed.

He should have been scrambling!

He should have been roaring with rage as he pushed his body past his limits!

But Gon was grinning.

His dark mask had faded away.

His eyes had regained their wild light.

Because above all else, even though he knew that he'd be failing if he couldn't just pull ahead even for a second, he was having fun.

Gon never could have imagined it, but racing with Killua?

Tearing through this Event without pausing to savor the cheering crowd for even a second?

It was more exhilarating than Gon could have ever known.

Killua wanted to be a jerk, huh? Fine!

Gon would just pay him back in this way. Killua wanted the glory?

Yeah, right! Not in hell!

Gon had known that Killua was strong, he'd known that him and Killua were evenly matched, but he didn't think that they'd be this perfectly matched.

Turns out? Having a rival made this Tournament thing a hell of a lot more fun.

Gon shot through the obstacle course, neck in neck with Killua Zoldyck, with a smile on his face.

Killua shot through the obstacle course, neck in neck with that nobody Gon Freecss, who was smiling like an absolute psycho.

What the hell was this?! Huh?!

Why the fuck was this SCUM matching Killua stride for stride?! How the fuck was this absolute piece of human garbage keeping up with Killua no matter how hard he pushed himself?!

Gods fucking dammit! He was pushing his body to its limits! No, he was pushing it past its limits! And fucking still! He couldn't lose this asshole!

Killua yelled in rage and exertion as he grabbed the vaulting pole from its hook, sprinting with all his might for the edge of the final platform of the course. Stupid fucking Gon was still right beside him, pole in hand and that moronic grin on his face.

Shit.

Shit!

No! Killua could still beat him! All he had to do was push off harder than Gon did!

Fuck this stupid Event and its stupid fucking rules! Killua should have been able to kill Gon's stupid ass once this all started! Than he wouldn't be in this fucking mess!

What the fuck ever.

It's not like this freak could beat Killua across the final stretch, that was impossible!

With a cry of determined rage, Killua leapt off the end of the platform, extending the pole for the dead center of the fifty foot pit of metal spikes lying between himself and his finish ribbon! That's right! His! Not fucking Gon's, cause he was gonna win like he'd fucking come here to do!

Killua clung to the pole, thrashing his legs as he sailed over the pit. Once he reached the top, he vaulted across the other side, sailing through the air as he launched himself for the finish line.

Yes! He'd done it!

See?! He'd made it to the other side! There was no way in HELL that NOBODY had gotten all the way over here faster than Killua had!

Killua hit the ground in a roll, and then tore towards the white finish ribbon. The crowd as in hysterics, applauding KILLUA as he thundered through the ribbon, breaking it–

Neck in neck with.

Gon.

Freecss.

Killua tripped over his own feet once he busted through the ribbon, his body finally giving out. He tumbled across the dirt, crashing into the far wall of the Colosseum.

You can not imagine his rage when Gon Freecss did the exact. Same. Thing.

The same trip, the same tumbling roll, and crashing into the same wall.

Killua lay against the wall, frozen in… he didn't even know, as he watched the others trickle through after them. First the red haired one, then the gray eyed one, the blonde one, Knuckle, Shoot, and so on.

It wasn't until all 983 Champions that survived made it across, that Killua finally awoke from his stupor.

Gon.

He hadn't been able to beat Gon.

Gon and him had tied for first.

That absolute son of a whore

Killua lurched to his feet, snapping his head in Gon's direction so he could ask him where he got off–

The silver haired boy gave pause.

Gon was gone. He was up, already celebrating with Jispa and Abengane on their completion of the first Event.

Killua watched him through the crowd, eyes empty and threatening.

Knuckle and Shoot arrived at his side at some point, but Killua couldn't hear what they said through his rage.

Gon.

Gon Freecss.

Gon Freecss had fucked up his plans. Fucked up his mission.

Killua had one job. And that job was to see things through and win the fucking Tournament of Decision. He was to take a flawless victory, securing first in EVERY single Event, down to the last one. Winning in the Zoldyck's name for the 51st year.

That was Killua's purpose.

That was what he was here for.

And Killua Zoldyck never failed. He never compromised, and he never accepted second best.

And what was worse than second best?

A draw.

That meant that he wasn't just a loser, but he wasn't even strong enough to leech a killing blow from his enemy.

Killua's lip curled up.

Oh, he wasn't having this.

Gon Freecss would regret this. He'd regret getting in Killua's way.

Killua was going to kill this asshole. He was going to fucking kill him.

He swore it to the fucking Gods.


AN: ah yes, Gon being gay and Killua contemplating homicide