The FINALE! *dies* longest chapter I am ever going to write in my life. 25 pages! I'm so tired that I can't even focus on the screen anymore, so the thanks will go on the next chapter. *dies again. Spirit flies away*
( And oh, X-Takoyaki-X- has kindly drawn a picture of Wind and Dusky for me! If you want to see, go to her profile and check it out! ^ ^)
No-one's view
Gon sat on his bed and thought. Hard. Killua was rolling around his bed clutching his hair at something that probably had something to do with Wind.
Something was off. Something in Gon's instincts said so. Why would only Wind's condition worsened? Everyone else who had had the treatment (there were around ten) had had a fifty-fifty chance of waking up. And they still had a fifty-fifty chance after two months after their treatment. If that was the case, then why was Wind the only one that would die if the week was over?
He frowned and massaged his head. This was too complicated! Killua was usually better at thinking but...
Gon looked concernedly at Killua as he picked the petals off the umpteenth flower, muttering under his breath and went back to thinking. Killua seemed pre-occupied...
Gon flopped back onto his bed and closed his eyes, thinking hard. He knew that the answer was right in front of his eyes. But he just couldn't see it, no matter how he thought about it! But he needed to see it, or Wind might die, and she was one of his first friends, he just couldn't let her die!
He eventually levered himself up.
'Killua, I'm going to the kitchen. I'm a bit hungry, and I want to check on Kumo.' Killua sat up and looked at Gon seriously, crushing yet another petal-less flower in his fist.
'Be careful Gon. You know about the note. They might target us as well.'
'Ah, you're too paranoid, Killua. Nothing will happen to me!' He put a thumbs-up and slipped out the door. Then he walked down the corridor.
Let's get all the facts straight. Gon scrunched up his eyebrows and tried to think clearly. This was more Killua's thing, figuring out plots… He sighed, but tried anyway.
Kumo had said in his note that a few powerful people were trying to kill Wind because of something. Wind had collapsed right after the fire and taken to do the operation. Then she got isolated and only Doctor Creed could go in on a regular basis. After being stable for awhile, she got into critical condition.
Gon frowned.
Wait a minute...
If Wind was isolated and only Doctor Creed could go in anytime... and then she got into a critical condition... Gon widened his eyes.
Did that mean Doctor Creed was evil? But he was so nice though. Was he part of the evil group? Gon shook his head. That couldn't be possible. Doctor Creed had always stayed near Wind. He never even left the corridor, only going to the kitchen and the room next to it because it wa s near...
Gon stopped in front of the kitchen. Then changed his mind and went to the door next to it. His instincts screamed that something suspicious was inside there. And ever since the day he learnt how to crawl, he had never ignored his instincts before (though sometimes he got into trouble with Aunt Mito). He nudged it open, slipped through and closed the door behind him.
He blinked. It was dark, but he could see anyway. It was much lighter than Whale lsland at night... He started stepping towards one of the boxes. Then he pricked his ears.
I think there're people coming this way. I'll just hide, just in case.
Gon hid behind some boxes. The door opened and some grunts filled the room.
'This room is so dark.'
'Yeah. Let's just drop the boxes near the entrance. It's the last of it anyway.'
'Why does Doctor Creed want byntelle berries here anyway?'
'Dunno. He just wants them here.'
'Better not question the higher ups. They might get you killed anytime. Especially now Imperial Princess is now in a coma. That royal advisor has the king around his little finger.'
'Yeah. I wish she would wake up...' The two (men, Gon's ears told him) went out the door, and the room became dark again. Gon blinked but stayed behind the boxes.
He remembered, after asking Killua about them before, that byntelle berries could make a poison and that the people who had this poison needed to be injected with it over a long period (about a week), little amounts at a time, and it would make a person fall asleep, deeper and deeper until they eventually just stop breathing.
Gon did some mental calculations in his brain (well, tried to anyway) and gasped.
It fit the situation perfectly! Doctor Creed was one of the people in the group! Gon got up, ready to run to Killua at once tell him the news. He would know what to do, and he didn't know who to trust, and he didn't know where Leorio is, and Kurapika would've locked the door, and he didn't have the key.
Just as he was about to go out the door, a hand clamped onto his shoulder.
'Just where do you think you're going?' Doctor Creed whispered into his ear.
With Kurapika
Kurapika looked through the logs. If this political fight over the throne had been going on over a long time, there should be something that should have indicated on it. After all, they did daily records! But that made it all the more harder, as he read through Queen whatever's shopping list.
"Today, the Queen ate pork. It was too salty it seemed, and the cook needed to remake it..."
Argh! That's no use! Just where is the information?
He massaged his eyes and reached for the next one. The old log keeper had been delighted he wanted to know more about the history and stacked the table with all the logs about civil wars on his desk. Which was a veritable mountain.
Kurapika hit gold on the next one.
"The current King of the Earth Clan had just been executed for being the mastermind of the whole war scheme. They had been angry for a long time already, for being oppressed for such a long time. They used to be the strongest clan, but now is the second weakest. After this, more laws will be put on the Earth clan. We all hope that it won't start another rebellion..."
Kurapika looked over that contemplatively. Then went to the next pile to try and find who the main perpetrator of the civil war was.
"The Earth clan's leader was put into jail for being found out..."
And then the next one
"Apparently, an Earth clansmen had been getting revenge for the imprisonment of his father..."
There was a pattern, Kurapika soon found out. The next few were not by the Earth clan, but Kurapika had his suspicions. He reread one and read over a tiny note squashed at the bottom.
"The prisoner from the water-tribe, at the time of his death, proclaimed that he had met an Earth-clansman that made him mad, and provoke a civil war. However, no evidence was found, and they proceeded with the death sentence."
Kurapika sat back. If he was correct...
He went back to the little room where he had the key to, and locked the door after him. Only five people had the key, so he wasn't afraid of people trying to ambush him. Then he got some spare pieces of paper and started thinking.
What if...
He drew a diagram, showing the current powers, and then went to some of the books in the room he had moved there and continued drawing. Then he added people he knew were in the arc, then people he suspected. A clear drawing came out.
Wind's network of information sources was really good. They had all the information on who interacted who, what words they had spoke, etc. Their hard work made it easy for Kurapika to figure it out.
The Earth Clansman leader was the person behind trying to kill Wind to make another civil war and make him King. But what he didn't understand was why the Earth Imperial Princess before Wind had been killed.
He mulled over this paradox some more until he heard a scratch near the door. He instantly froze. Some sounds near the keyhole were made and Kurapika slowly back away from the door. Then he jumped on one of the bookshelves and waited.
What could he do? He had just found out that the King of the earth clan, no less, was the main baddy. First thing he thought was telling Chiiyo, or maybe Killua, Gon and Leorio. Only he didn't know where Leorio was (most probably hitting on some poor, poor girl), and the last time he saw Killua, he was muttering over a flower about how he didn't like Wind and how the damn flowers should stop showing that he liked her… etc.
Gon or Chiiyo was the answer then. Kurapika lowered himself over the bookshelf. But he couldn't move until the intruder at the other side of the door moved on.
There was some mild cursing, as the person struggled with the lock more and more. The door finally opened, and a guy came in. To Kurapika's relief however, it was only Tsume. He hopped off the shelf.
'Tsume! Why did you pick the lock? The lock isn't supposed to be pickable... But still, you could just have knocked, and I would have let you in!' Tsume looked at him, smiling sheepishly.
'Eh, Kurapika-san, didn't know you were in here. Any major findings?' Kurapika nodded.
'Yes. I think that the person behind the scheme is the King of the Earth Clan. Can you go run and tell Henry?'
'Of course. The Queen seemed worked up about something. She keeps muttering about something or another. Henry is really worried you know. He loves the Queen like his mother.' Kurapika smiled in reassurance.
'I bet she is ok. I need to go find Leorio, or Killua and Gon. Do you know where they are?' Tsume scratched his head.
'The womanizer was last seen at the palace courtyards, while Gon and Killua are in their rooms I think.' Kurapika chuckled at Tsume's use of words.
'Why womanizer?'
'Because he tried to steal my girlfriend.' He scowled at an imaginary Leorio. Kurapika just shook his head, smiling slightly.
'Well, I need to go now! Thank you, and please relay the message to Henry!' Tsume nodded.
'Ok. I just need to check something here…' He started browsing through the shelves. Kurapika went out, closing the door lightly so it wouldn't lock. Then he went to the palace courtyards.
And sweat-dropped.
How big are the courtyards exactly? Miles and miles of gardens, paths, flowerbeds, waterfalls stretched towards the horizon. No wonder, as most of the agricultural research was done here but still... this big?
Kurapika turned on his heel and went to Gon and Killua's bedroom.
Well, he reasoned, it's easier.
With Killua
Killua sighed. Why wasn't Gon back yet? He had given up on arguing with the flowers. Seriously, he knew that they couldn't talk anyway, so why exactly did he argue with them?
Ah, no wonder. Killua nodded.
I now understand the profound meaning of the phrase, love makes you do strange things. But of course, I do not love Wind. Ha! The very thought!
Gon's words floated up from the depths of his brain.
'Ah, but Killua, denial is one of the stages of love!' he had said with a gleeful smile on his face. Killua smiled crookedly at the memory, but then went back into a frown.
But still, where was Gon? He sighed and got up. Better look for him then. Better than mulling around in the room thinking about Wind right?
Argh, he just couldn't think straight…
Killua stepped into his boots and went down the corridor. Didn't Gon say he was going to the kitchen to get a bite to eat? He'll just join him then… Maybe they could make those really really good chocolate pancakes…
Killua knocked on the kitchen door.
'Hello?' the door opened, and puffs of steam rose out.
'Ah! Killua-san, come in! The usual chocolate?'
'Hey, where's Gon?' Killua said as he peered at the little table at the corner.
'Gon? He hasn't come yet. I guess he's coming later.' Killua frowned. Gon should've nearly finished his breakfast by now.
'Sorry then! I won't have breakfast after all. I'll come back when I've found Gon!' The guy at the door nodded.
'Yeah. Need to stick close to your friends these days. If it helps, Breezy over there said that he heard Gon's breathing patterns outside the door next to the kitchen.'
'Really? Thank you!'
'No prob, no prob.'
'Bye!'
After the door closed, Killua let his smile drop. If Gon had just done some simple exploring, wouldn't he have gone out by now? Killua stopped in front of the door and reached for the handle.
Then he paused and sniffed.
What was that smell? Killua was sure he had smelt it before. Sweet, but had a bitter under-taste… Wasn't this the smell of… byntelle berries?
According to Killua's mother, byntelle berries only had two uses. One was as a powerful sleep inducer. The other was as a poison.
Why would there be poison here though?
Something told Killua it wasn't the best idea to go into the room.
But Gon might be in there… I'll just check.
Killua opened the door a crack.
'Gon? Are you there? The kitchen peoples said you might be here…' Killua's eyes scanned the darkness. Nothing. Killua frowned. Where was Gon? But the most pressing thing is…
Footsteps clacked down the hall, and a finger tapped Killua's shoulder.
'Killua!' Killua turned around to find Kurapika.
'Hey Kurapika. Have you seen Gon? I can't find him anywhere,' he said as he smoothed his hair down in an attempt to make it look a little tidier.
'Sorry Killua. I found out something, but I can't say it here. It's to do with that. You know?' Killua seriously looked at Kurapika. His stance was too relaxed, his smile too forced. Something was up.
'Sure. Where do you want to talk?'
'My room. You know, the room that I'm always in?' Killua's eyes flashed. The room he was always in was the room with the logs about his clan. Which was secure to any types of infiltration. Something was up, or he wouldn't try and say something and mean another. Killua smiled at Kurapika naturally.
'Well, meet you there in five minutes? I need to check some places. Maybe Gon's there.'
'Ok.' Kurapika nodded, and started going down the hall. Killua started walking the opposite way. Maybe Gon was trying to get into Wind's room again… Or Kumo's room. As Killua started walking away from the door beside the kitchen, a muffled sound came to his ears.
What?
He backtracked, opened the door and scanned the room again.
'Gon? Are you there?'
It was silent.
Something's up.
Killua walked away from the stock of byntelle berries. It was best to get away from the berries as fast as possible. If one of the enemies were here, they could easily manipulate others to think that he was the one using the berries.
The log room huh? Maybe I can find Leorio and ask where Gon is…
Killua stopped on the way to Kumo's and Wind's room. All of the guards said that they hadn't seen Gon. Killua sighed and went towards the log room.
Gon must have found out something for him to suddenly disappear. Then what was it? Gon left to get a bite to eat at the kitchen and to visit Kumo and maybe Wind. But both of the guards guarding the room didn't say Gon had come to visit, and he didn't go to the kitchen.
Killua turned the corner, his every sense alert. If Gon had found out something that had suddenly made him disappear, then it must have been something big. Something flashed in the corner of his eye. Killua walked normally, forcing his muscles to relax. It wouldn't do if the enemy was tracking him and he showed that he already knew that the stalker was there.
Breezy thought he sensed Gon's breathing patterns outside the door next to the kitchen. But when I checked the room, he wasn't there. And it was dangerous to stay so I left the room without checking. In a room like that, there could've been many spots for ambush...
That flickering again. Maybe I should just deal with it and get some information out of him.
He approached the Kurapika's room then stopped.
'Show yourself. I already knew you were following me for a long time.' Killua turned around and the person who had been following him stopped. 'If you aren't coming, I'm going to you.' He started walking towards where he felt the presence. But about five meters away, the presence suddenly just... melted.
No, it was more like it slid into the wall.
Killua ran towards the alcove where he thought the spy might be. But when he reached it, it was nothing but a shallow alcove of stone. Nothing but stone. He narrowed his eyes and took in every detail.
A professional stalker. I can't find any evidence at all.
He checked one more time for other people following him and quickly went past Kurapika's room and down the stairs into the log room. He went past the hive of activity where they were writing records and stepped into the little corridor after it. He tapped on the door following the beat, and the little door swung open.
'Where were you, Killua?'
'Nothing. I just shook off someone who was following me. It would be safest for us to go into the room now.' Kurapika nodded, and let Killua in.
'I realised the lock could be picked. So I made double measures this time. I never realised, but there was a lock at the top of the door too.' Killua looked, and sure enough, there was a small lock at the top. As he watched, Kurapika locked it and slid the key into his pocket.
'I wanted to show you something. Here.' Kurapika shoved a piece of paper into Killua's hands. 'And get away from the door a little. It's best to be safe than sorry.' Killua walked into the room reading the diagram. His eyes widened at the pattern shown.
'Hey, Kurapika.' Kurapika walked towards him.
'Yeah?'
'You know how this diagram shows that the Earth Kingdom people are always behind the civil wars? Every few hundred years to be in fact. Just enough time to let the country settle down and rebuild. But what's their purpose?'
Kurapika shrugged. 'There are a lot of reasons why they might do that. For one, it might be for power.' Killua sighed.
'At least we know that the person behind it is the King of the Earth tribe.' Killua suddenly frowned as a thought came to him. 'Kurapika, can the earth tribe control stones?'
'Yeah. The more powerful ones that is. The even more powerful ones can control plants, as they understand the connection of the earth to the plants. Actually plants can be controlled be any tribe, you just need to be strong enough...' Killua cut off Kurapika there.
'The person that was following me disappeared into a stone niche. Does that mean...?'
'I suppose so. Maybe...' Kurapika suddenly stopped. 'What's that?'
'What?' Killua said, as he looked around. Kurapika did a shushing motion. And slowly, Killua heard the tolling of bells that were way too familiar.
'The alarm bells.' Killua whispered, wide-eyed. Kurapika nodded gravely, and took out the key that led to the outer corridor.
'Let's see what's happening.' They rushed out of the room.
Outside, the servants were in pandemonium.
'The Queen has disappeared! Summon the royal family's personal guards! Where's the General?' A servant was yelling in the crowd. A faint reply was heard.
'She's with Wind-sama.'
'Find her immediately!' A maid scurried out of the crowd and ran full sprint up the stairs. 'Where are the normal guards...' Killua and Kurapika stopped listening. They huddled together.
'Killua, go find Henry. He's the Queen's personal and most trusted page. And apparently, he loves her like a mother. So he should have all the first hand details. I will find Gon and Leorio. Is that alright?' Killua nodded.
'Go to Wind's room after three hours.'
'Got it.'
They nodded once to each other and took off.
Wind's view...
I sighed. I had read all of the cards already (they were surprisingly sweet) and looked at the photos that Tama had left me. I wrote on the back of the photos with the black pen on the little table, saying stuff like, "Ha! You're so cute in this photo! You'll have the girls chasing you in a few years. You better start practising how to run away!" And other various encouraging comments like that. I knew he also left a book, but the last time I tried to read it, a nurse had nearly come in on me reaching for it.
So I abandoned the idea.
But I was bored. Couldn't they put a TV in here for coma patients?
And then I asked myself why would they waste money on televisions for patients that can't see it anyway? I was so bored that I was asking myself stupid questions.
Heck, I was so bored I couldn't fall asleep!
So I closed my eyes and listened. I had realised a while ago (more like yesterday) that I could faintly feel what my body in Avril was doing. My body was doing fine, a breeze was blowing against my face. And someone was stroking my hand.
Bet it's Dusky.
Then the someone suddenly dropped it, and another breeze went over my face. Maybe Dusky was rushing out?
Something must have happened. Argh, I want to go back there already! Where's Jeb?
I had already been here for a week. I heard from a nurse from before say that it was Sunday, and she was wondering if that cute little boy was coming to visit.
From comments like that, I had realised that Tama visited every week, on Sunday afternoon. I was happy, I mean, I was going to meet the brother I never knew I had!
...No actually. I was going to meet the brother that didn't exist until I went to the Hunter world! But still, it was a pretty revelatory moment.
I wonder what everyone was doing now... The sun reached its peak and the sunlight shined through the window to hit the opposite wall, signalling the start of the afternoon.
Tama should be coming anytime now then...
With Killua
Killua ran down the hall and swerved just in time to avoid a crash.
'Sorry!' he yelled over his shoulder and kept on running. A few staircases and tonnes of hallways later, Killua suddenly met up with Dusky. He ducked behind a wall
'Dusky!' Dusky looked at him and started in surprise.
'Killua! You're not supposed to be here!' She hissed urgently. 'This place is on high surveillance right now! I don't know how you got this far, but just up there,' she jerked her head towards the door, 'is where the Queen disappeared. After two minutes, the royal guards will go in and that'll be the last people that would be allowed in there! Then the security will double, hear me?'
'Then hide me in the royal guards! I need to do something urgent!'
'How urgent?' Dusky said, as her eyes scanned the hallway nervously. The royal guards behind her were all in a huddle, obviously talking about the newest happening.
'It's something that's got to do with Wind. I need to talk to Henry as soon as possible. Dusky, the person behind all this is...' Dusky suddenly hauled him into the group of Royal Guards.
'Quiet you lot.' Dusky whispered. 'Hide Killua in the midst. Urgent business. Don't let anyone see him you hear? The royal advisor's coming. He's a powerful earth user, be careful.' Dusky then turned around and smiled at the approaching advisor. The royal guards closed around Killua in a circle, one holding his shoulder gently.
'How wonderful to see you, Royal Advisor.' He smiled back.
'Likewise. You are allowed inside now.'
'Thank you.' Dusky and the group of royal guards walked towards the Queen's door when suddenly the Royal Advisor interrupted them.
'General,' he called. Dusky immediately stopped, her neck tensing.
'Yes?'
'You seem very tense today.'
'So many things are happening. It's no wonder I'm tense.'
'Don't worry. I've lifted your load. The normal guards of the palace have been placed in my care.' Dusky whirled around, her face suddenly like a cat baring her teeth.
'What?' she hissed. Killua blinked and tried to crane around a guard that was blocking his view. The hand on his shoulder tightened and held him back. Did her eyes just flash red? The Royal Advisor smiled genially.
'It has been approved of by the King already, and no-one but the King, Queen or Imperial Princess can recall it back. Please continue your honourable work.' He nodded at Dusky and walked away.
'Bastard.' One of the royal guards muttered and Dusky nodded with a huff.
'Totally. Let's go in boys.' Guards on the left and right of the door nodded at Dusky and the guards and let the through. After they had passed, another rank of guards joined the guards guarding the room. Killua recognised the guard that guarded Wind's room.
Then who was guarding Wind's room?
Killua felt a stab of panic until he calmed himself down.
If Wind is really being poisoned, then they wouldn't kill her off so suddenly. I must calm down...
Henry was huddled in the corner, his face white. Killua broke free from the group and went over. A couple of guards went with him.
'Henry, what's wrong?' Killua said gently. He knew that acting like roughly won't do any good.
'Killua-san.' Killua nodded.
'Yes?' he prompted.
'The people took Queen-sama away. There were too many. She got overwhelmed.'
'Do you know where they took her to?' Henry shook his head, looking like he wanted to cry anytime.
'No, but they went through the passage behind the tapestry. Only the royals know of it, and a few trusted people. It's for escape see. We never thought it could be used for ambush.' Killua nodded and stepped back. There was only one tapestry in the room. The two guards stepped forward and started treating Henry.
'He might go into shock.' One of them murmured to Killua. He nodded and faced the tapestry.
'Oh, and Killua-san.' Killua looked back. Henry waved him back. He obliged.
'What?' Henry waved at him to bend down. Then he whispered into his ear.
'The Queen had been muttering about a lot of stuff for a long while now. When I relayed Kurapika's message to her, she seemed to have this... moment of enlightenment or something. But that was when the people took her.'
'What was Kurapika's message?'
'That the Earth King was the person behind it all.' Killua's mouth thinned into a straight line and he nodded.
'Thank you Henry.'
'No problem. Please get back the Queen. She's been my mother for as long as I could remember.' Mother? Killua remembered his own mother and grimaced.
'I will get the Queen back for you.'
'Thank you Killua-san.' Then he got swallowed by the royal guards, interrogation, healing, and all the things they did.
Killua faced the tapestry and looked behind it. Sure enough, there was a stone door.
Stone? What if they order the stone to trap me or something? thought Killua. But he then shrugged and stepped forward anyway. He owed it to everyone there. And he had a feeling that Kurapika wouldn't find Gon.
His instincts said that there was something important behind this door. Something very important. Killua looked around him and pressed a stone block that was slightly lighter than the rest. The door swung open, and without any second thoughts, he went in.
With Gon
Gon struggled, but Doctor Creed's grip was surprisingly strong. Gon, with no other choice, bit his hand. Doctor Creed cursed, and hooked his other arm around Gon before letting go to look at his bitten hand.
'Quite strong teeth. It's obvious you take care of them well. I must commend you for that.' Gon opened his mouth and took a deep breath to yell, but Doctor Creed was faster than that. He quickly clamped his hand over Gon's mouth.
'No need to yell, Royal guest Gon-sama. I just want to talk about your... little snooping habits.' He breathed into his ear. 'Don't you know it's not good to snoop in your host's home?' He dragged a squirming Gon back to the ends of the room. The walls were thick, but Gon could still hear the kitchen people on the other side of the wall yelling at each other. If he could open his mouth and scream...
Doctor Creed froze and pressed Gon and him into the wall behind some crates. Now Gon could hear even better now.
He heard the door opening and Killua talking, though what he said was too muffled. Then he heard footsteps coming to a stop outside the door. Then the door opened and a sliver of light lit the room.
'Gon? Are you there? The kitchen peoples said you might be here…' Gon heard Killua say. Gon started kicking out, trying to stick his foot out from the crates until Doctor Creed whispered softly into his ear.
Footsteps were clacking down the hall, and Doctor Creed used the tiny noise as cover.
'Stop struggling. You wouldn't want your friend Killua's blood spurting from ears now do you? I am a powerful water-user for a reason...' Gon immediately froze. 'Good. I'm glad you understand.'
'Killua!' Gon heard faintly, as Killua closed the door. Killua responded.
'Hey Kurapika. Have you seen Gon? I can't find him anywhere.' Gon forced himself not to struggle.
'Sorry Killua. I found out something, but I can't say it here. It's to do with that. You know?'
'Sure. Where do you want to talk?'
'My room. You know, the room that I'm always in?'
'Well, meet you there in five minutes? I need to check some places. Maybe Gon's there.'
'Ok.' They heard footsteps going down the hall, and another set of footsteps going the opposite way. Doctor Creed immediately dragged Gon to the back of the room and pressed a stone in the wall. The ground beneath them dropped and Gon screamed into Doctor Creed's hand in surprise.
The last thing Gon heard before sliding down into the darkness was the door opening again, and Killua's voice saying
'Gon? Are you there?'
Gon opened his eyes and groaned. Where was he? Bars blocked his vision and he immediately sat up. The last thing he remembered was going down that tunnel with Doctor Creed... He jumped up and clutched the bars.
He was in a rich looking room. But it was filled with cages, and Gon realised, he was in one too. A groan alerted him he wasn't the only one in his cage. He whirled around to see a very familiar face.
'You're that guy that proposed to Wind that day!' Gon pointed to him. The guy opened his eyes.
'Hey, you're Wind-sama's friend!'
'What are you doing here?' They asked in unison. They blinked at each other, then chuckled a bit.
'Man, I haven't laughed for ages. I've been here for two days. You?'
'Just came here.'
'Aah, no wonder. I didn't think I slept for that long.' Vaun Ryeim said. He yawned.
'Why aren't you trying to escape?' Gon asked curiously. Vaun snorted.
'You think I haven't tried? These cages are special. You see the metal?' Gon looked and felt it. Then he sniffed.
'This doesn't feel like normal metal...' he said as he looked at the metal interestedly. It seemed to be bluer than normal. Vaun raised an eyebrow.
'You can tell? Amazing, as expected of Wind-sama's friend. You want to know why I'm not escaping right? Well, the metal is infused with water spirits.' Gon looked confused.
'Spirits?' Vaun shook his head.
'Not spirits exactly. The awareness of water, you get what I mean? Well, all five elements have awarenesses, or, what I like to call spirits. Cos I talk to the fire to control it, see? We are good friends.'
Gon's mouth went into an "Oh, I getcha" look.
'That's so cool! I wish I was friends with fire!'
'Yeah. You seem like a fire type to me. Anyway, I'm a fire-user, and Fire doesn't like Water see? So when the Earth peoples put a water spirit in, it nullified my power. I can't use my fire, and I'm not strong enough to bend the bars. Rami over there,' he jerked his head to another cage that seemed to exude a red aura, 'is trapped like this too.'
They both fell into a silence until Vaun piped up with a question.
'How's my little sister going?' Gon looked confused until he remembered that he considered Wind as a little sister after she rejected his proposal.
'Not good. She's in a coma.' Vaun sighed.
'I knew it. Me and Rami stumbled on something and got kidnapped and locked up here.' he sighed again and they sat in silence until the door burst open and a whole group of people hauled something that was struggling wildly and shoved it into a cage that seemed – to Gon's eyes – exude multi-coloured auras. The people locked it, and then tramped out the door they came in, and locked it.
Gon and Vaun's cage could clearly see the person that just got shoved into the multi-coloured cage. They both gasped as the figure straightened out and banged at the cage. Other residents of cages looked at what caused the commotion.
The Queen.
'Why can't the queen break out? The cage should hold no effect right?' Vaun looked at Gon.
'No, it's actually possible. If the queen had equal amounts of every power, she can break out of the cage. But every five-elementalist has a weakness. The Queen's one is Air. She can't control Air very well, though she can, she just can't do it as proficiently as the real Air-nomads. Though to make up for it, their power from their home clan is very powerful.'
'So Wind has a weakness as well?'
'Yeah. I think, from the rumours, it's Earth. Though she's amazing for controlling the Air as well as a shaman at such a young age.'
Some curses filtered from the multi-coloured cage. A tired voice came from the cage on top of Gon and Vaun's.
'It's no use, your highness. You can't break out of it.'
'Let's see about that.' The Queen said haughtily and redirected her powers again.
And that was when the door creaked open once again to allow a white wild-haired boy slip through. Gon's happy shout filled the room.
'Killua!'
With Killua
Killua hurried out from the corridor and opened the door and slipped through. Almost at once, he heard Gon's happy shout.
'Killua!' Killua closed the door and turned around.
'Gon! Why are you here?'
'Doctor Creed caught me here. You?'
'I was just following the corridor that Henry pointed out to me. Is the Queen here?' A regal cough came from Killua's left. Killua's eyes widened at the sight of the Queen.
'Err... your highness. Do you know where the keys are?'
'They're in the room at the back.' A voice from the multitudes of cages hopefully answered.
'Ok, thank you.' Killua headed towards the back and opened the door. There seemed to thousands and thousands of keys. Killua's grew into swirls at the sight of it. He quietly closed the door, took a thin piece of metal from his pocket and headed back to the front again.
'I'll just pick all the locks...' He started with Gon's cage, greeted Vaun with a stare (he still remembered his marriage proposal) and went to the Queen's cage and unlocked it. Killua opened the door for the Queen awkwardly.
'Umm... here, your highness.'
'Thank you.' But the moment she stepped out of her cage, an alarm sounded. Killua immediately ushered everyone to the door.
'Quickly!' The Queen stopped him.
'It would be better if you went the third tapestry down and took the secret passage there.'
You?
'Aren't you coming with us? I promised Henry.' She smiled affectionately.
'Henry is just being himself. I need to face the person behind all this.' Her eyes darkened at the cages, and with a flick of her hand, all the cages were open. Sounds of amazement came from the residents and there was a scramble for the passageway behind the third tapestry.
'Go. This is an order.' She added to Vaun, who had hesitated. Rami took Vaun's elbow and pulled him towards the passageway. The alarm was still beeping, and Killua nodded at her and pulled Gon away as well, waiting for the last few people to stream through the door, went through it themselves and closed it.
And not a second later, footsteps filled the room behind them. Gon turned around, but Killua kept firm this time.
'We need to go Gon. We will only hinder her if we stay.' Gon looked indecisive, but followed Killua anyway.
I just hope Henry will forgive me...
With the evil peoples...
'WHAT DID YOU SAY?' The King of the Earth clan thundered. The royal advisor cringed.
'The Queen escaped from her cage and freed everyone else. She is currently fighting everyone to come up here.' Some crashes were heard downstairs.
'Useless twits! Now I need to go there myself. How's the princess's condition?'
'She's going good. If we continue administering the poison, she will die in two days.' He shook his head.
'No, it's too late. If I show myself, the plan will need to go faster. Unplug the fan that stops her from suffocating. In completely still air, she will suffocate yes?' He said at royal advisor's hesitant expression.
'Is that really ok?'
'You dare question my words?' he snarled. The cringing advisor shook his head frantically.
'No, I'm going now.'
'Good.' Then he swept out, and the royal advisor, after hesitating for a second, went to Wind's room.
With Killua
'Killua! I need to get my fishing rod from our room! I'll go get it now!' Killua nodded.
'We're meeting up in front of Wind's room. Go now!' Gon nodded and raced off. Killua slowed down to a jog in front of Wind's room. To his surprise, there were no guards. He slowed down to a walk, and watched as the door started to open. The royal advisor slipped out nervously, and scurried down the corridor. Killua narrowed his eyes and ran into the room.
Everything was fine. Wind seemed peaceful. Until she suddenly started choking. The microphones in her room picked up her choking sounds as she automatically curled up and coughed. And the more she coughed, the more violent her coughs got.
How can I forget, Wind has a coughing problem!
Killua raced to the door that separated the room Wind was in and the observing room. He tried to open the door. It was locked.
Dammit!
He ripped the door off its hinges and went through. Then he stopped. How was he supposed to stop her coughing?
Wind suddenly stopped coughing. Her breath rattled. Then it slowed. And it got slower, and slower, and slower...
A sudden beep from the machine alerted him that she wasn't breathing. The only thing left to do was...
CPR.
Killua blushed. Then chastised himself. This was a life and death situation, it wasn't as if he wanted to. Knowing every second meant Wind's life was slipping away, he checked her pulse. No pulse. He opened her airway, and leaned in, hesitating for the slightest moment. Then his lips touched hers, and he breathed out. He repeated the action another time and started pumping her chest. Thirty times, then another two breaths, then another thirty compressions.
Killua's face was burning. How many times did he have to do this? Footsteps came up the corridor and Gon came up.
'Killua, didn't you say wait outside...' Gon looked at what Killua was doing.
'Gon! Are there any people here who can help?' Gon looked out and Killua stopped for a second and checked her pulse. She had one, thank goodness.
Then he checked if she was breathing. He leaned over and put his cheek next to her nose and tried to ignore the lips. She was breathing!
'Don't worry Gon! She's stabilised!' Gon immediately rushed over.
'Doctor Creed was poisoning her! Do you know the antidote to byntelle berry poisoning Killua?' Killua thought.
'Yes. Do you have any of its leaves?' Gon thought.
'Wait, I think there is...' Gon raced out again, and came back holding some berries and leaves.
'Is there enough?'
'Yeah.' Killua picked off the leaves, got a mortar and pestle and ground it up with some water so it turned into paste. Then he forced it into Wind's mouth. It went in, and Wind automatically swallowed. Killua breathed a sigh of relief.
'Now we can only wait.' Kurapika and Leorio came.
'Is Wind ok?'
'Yeah. She's fine.'
'Good, because we need to be somewhere. I saw something that I needed to let you see for yourselves.' Leorio said unexpectedly.
'What about guarding Wind?'
'You don't need to worry about that.' Leorio and Kurapika stepped aside to let them see a whole battalion of maids, butlers, pages, and other staff outside. 'They said they wanted to guard Wind.'
'That's good then. Let's go.' Killua rushed out, eager to be out, followed by Gon. As they were running, Gon poked Killua.
'Ne Killua, why're you so red?'
'I'm not red, Gon.
'Sure...' Gon said as he sceptically studied Killua's face. Killua flushed and hoped Gon's sharp instincts didn't pick up the truth...
Wind's view...
I felt something. It was that melting feeling when I switched worlds. Maybe I was going to the hunter world again? I inwardly squealed, but sighed as well. It seemed like meeting my little bro must go later.
As the room disappeared to be replaced with an unfamiliar one with weird machines that looked curiously real, but drawn at the same time, I felt happy.
I was back! But something wasn't right. I could practically feel it in the air.
I struggled to get up, and collapsed. How long did my muscles fester in this world?
I rolled my eyes around to try and find a way I could get up until my eyes saw a wheelchair at the very edges of my vision. I scoffed at the irony. I hated wheelchairs with a passion, and yet this was the only way I could move about right now.
I asked the air around me to lift me up, into the wheelchair. It complied, and I grunted with the effort. Why, oh why, did Jeb make the dress so heavy?
Trying to summon my staff and, to my very abject surprise, it popped into my lap. I smiled. I concentrated easier with it around. I asked the wind to push me to the door. I reached (with difficulty) and opened the door to, what looked like an observing room. Then I opened the door to the hallway.
To my surprise, I saw a whole army of castle staff standing outside my door.
'Err... what are all of you doing?'
'Oh, Hime-sama!' They turned at the sound and all smiled and cheered. 'Hime-sama, the Earth kingdom king was behind a plot for a civil war, and they tried to kill you to get it, and now the Queen and the Earth king is battling it out, and no-one dares approach them in case they got killed. Go and help them, please hime-sama!' I blinked, trying to take it in. Everything seemed so loud...
'Please Hime-sama!' They all chorused. There was a little kid who was looking at me with hero worship eyes. With so many people asking me, how can I refuse? I hate pressure though.
So that's why I questioned Jeb's decision to make me the Imperial Princess. Sigh.
I nodded, and they cheered again. Then someone from the crowd came and took the handles of the wheelchair.
'This way.' Breezy said, and he flew, pushing me in front of him. I bit back a shriek. The hallways were a blur, and sometimes I thought I was going to crash into the walls.
Why me? I just woke up from a coma! I shouldn't be doing these things! Aaaah, I knew I wished for excitement, but isn't this a BIT TOO MUCH?
We whizzed around another corner, and I gripped the wheelchair tightly. Breezy saw my grip and laughed lightly, and continued flying around at obvious high speeds. My hair was like a stick sticking out of the back of my head. That was how fast we were going.
'I'm dropping you off here, Wind-sama. Good luck.' He dropped the wheelchair down and my hair suddenly made my head heavy again. I smiled a thank you, and asked the wind to push me forward. Breezy stood there for a second to make sure I was ok, then floated away.
The wheelchair continued forward, and the more I went, the more wreckage there was. I swear, my eyeballs were nearly out of their sockets. Who knew a full out battle between two powerful people would be so... so... big?
Then came the shouts.
'Why are you doing this, Jun?'
'Power, my dear lady, power.'
A boom, and another crash. The earth upheaved, and suddenly sank. My wheelchair pitched, and I muttered a small shriek before it settled down.
'You're my husband's best friend! He trusted you with his life!' I heard the Queen shout. I never heard a voice so desperate and teary. It seemed like she would burst into tears any second.
'Well, that just shows that you shouldn't trust so easily.' I peeped in and quickly shrank back as a huge gout of fire suddenly poured through the doorway.
Calm down, calm down... It didn't burn you, did it? So just take it easy and peek in...
So I went and peeked in.
And woah, the room was unrecognisable. It was too burnt, and wet, making it steamy and humid, and hot. There was chunks of concrete and earth everywhere, and there was a weak breeze.
'You can't do anything, can you Meil? You know that Earth feeds on Fire, and Water helps it stabilise. The only thing that drives back Earth is Air, and that's your weakness. And my Earth powers are stronger than yours so you can only resort to fire.' He gave a mocking laugh and dodged another bout of fire from the Queen.
'Too bad your fire helps me control the earth. Maybe you would stand a chance if your precious little princess was here. But oh, I forgot.' He snickered. 'I ordered to have her poisoned. Now you don't have a chance, do you?'
I guess this was the anime-style opening entrance that I was supposed to do. I rolled my wheelchair into the charred soaked room.
'Who's poisoned, Earth Clan's current King?' He started in surprise and looked at me.
'You!' he choked out. Then he visibly became angry. 'You're the only one blocking my plans... You're the only one holding the power that can overwhelm mine... WHY ARE YOU HERE?' He roared the last part and sent a wave of concrete at me.
I froze. You would too, if a whole wall of concrete was hurtling at you in (what it seemed to me) speeds that rivalled the speed of light.
But for some reason, the wall stopped, and crumbled mid-way. The air around me was dancing, light and (I know I sound like an idiot for saying this) airy. Yeah. Air can be airier than normal.
And then, without my asking, it suddenly rushed at the King, and he fell flat with a startled look on his face.
'How...' he looked at me. I shrugged.
'Don't ask me. I don't know either. It just kinda... rushed on its own accord.' He laughed a hollow laugh.
'I had been working on this project for more than twenty years, for it to be foiled by a little girl.' A door creaked open, and the Imperial King came out. The Queen immediately rushed to him and tried to push him back.
'Darling, you wouldn't want to see this. Don't torture yourself.' She said. He shook his head and walked calmly towards the Earth King, who was lying there looking at the sky. The ceiling had somehow disappeared.
'Why? Why Jun? We were best friends. I thought you thought so too.' He stared sadly at the man. He laughed, chuckled lightly.
'I must look a sight to you. Just shows how much you can trust a person, huh?' The king slowly shook his head.
'Is it because of your father?' Jun closed his eyes.
'No.' Guards started to slowly filter in, and they started dragging Jun upright with handcuffs that seemed white-ish.
'I trusted you...' The king murmured sadly, crouching to his level. Jun then smiled.
'Me too.' The King suddenly started and looked at Jun.
'Then why?' Jun didn't stop smiling, though it seemed like he had the world on his shoulders. Then he opened his mouth, and everything seemed to stop for a second, just for him to say one word.
'Sorry.' He shrugged. The king crumpled, but drew himself together. And in a powerful voice, he said on sentence.
'Take him away!' The guards bowed, and started dragging him off. The King stared sadly at his back, and turned back to where he had come from. The Queen rushed over to try and comfort him, but he shook her off.
The last I saw of him, his shoulders were shaking, and I could feel his tears sliding his cheeks.
It was all very anti-climatic for me. Afterwards, I got seriously coddled. I couldn't move a finger without a servant suddenly appearing at me side asking if I needed anything, and I didn't need to do it for myself, that I was recuperating. After three days, I got seriously sick of it.
'ENOUGH ALREADY!' I yelled. Then I hurled myself out of bed, ignored all the people that was hovering around me and went straight to Killua and Gon's room, staggering up the staircases and hallways with my staff.
I was winding back, and forth, and back, and forth, and kept waving off people who were trying to help away. I finally reached Gon and Killua's room and opened the door. Gon and Killua looked up from their packing.
'AAAH, WIND! YOU SHOULDN'T BE UP YET!' Gon yelled as he rushed over and got me a seat. I sank into it.
'I couldn't stand those people who were trying to stifle me with their overflowing care anymore.' I grumbled like a little kid. Gon tutted.
'They're only trying to help you, you should be resting like they want you to!' He said to me, successfully making me feel guilty. He had his back-pack on again, and his father's fishing pole sticking out. I stared at the pink bobble and sighed.
'I know...' mumbled. I looked at Killua.
'Hey Killua.' Killua turned around partly and looked at me through the corners of his eyes.
'Yeah?' I leaned forward and pouted.
'Why aren't you looking at me in the face?' Gon snickered.
'Yeah, Killua. Look at her in the face.' He said in an evil-ish voice. I looked at Gon in surprise. I never knew Gon had an evil-ish voice! Then he turned Killua's head to face me.
And the first thing he did was zoom his eyes onto my lips. I tilted my head, brushed my hair from my face and brushed my lips with my fingers, frowning.
'Is there something on my mouth, Killua?' His face immediately became red, and he immediately turned and stared at the wall.
'N-n-no.' I frowned. Killua never stuttered. I hauled myself up, and using my staff as a crutch, I tottered to where Killua was and pushed my face at his. He turned his head. He was all red.
'Hey Killua. Do you have a fever?' I turned his head, pulled his head towards mine until his head could reach mine and I pushed our foreheads together (why was he so much taller than me?). I frowned again, and shook my head.
'You don't have a fever, Killua. But why are you all red?' His face was turning a deep crimson. I sweat-dropped. I knew it was something to do with me. Gon suddenly chuckled evilly, and pushed me out the door.
'Now, now, Let us pack. We're leaving remember? Do you want to come with us Wind? I mean, you have your princess duties don't you?' Killua turned his head and looked at me fully for once.
'Of course I'm going with you! I'm only young once you know, and Queen and King are still alive. Hehe, unless you don't want me to tag along?' Killua suddenly looked really weird. I shrugged.
'Remember, we're leaving this afternoon.' Killua and Gon gasped.
'Why? I thought we were leaving tomorrow!' cried Gon. I shrugged.
'Change of plans. I chuckled and staggered out to the corridor. I heard Killua say something about 'the power's gone to her head. Look out, or she'll order us around all the time or something...' I stopped smiling as I reached the King and Queen's bedrooms.
'Err... Queen?' I knocked. Henry opened the door and smiled. A cut above his eyebrow was bandaged, reminding me of the fight that had just happened a few days ago. The King still hadn't shown himself out in public yet.
'I'll relay the message. What is it?'
'Umm... I'm leaving this afternoon.' Henry widened his eyes.
'So soon? Stay a little longer at least!' I looked at him.
'Don't tell anyone except the Queen ok? Or all the palace staff would be at the security office saying bye, and I really don't want a scene. I'll say goodbye somehow.' Henry nodded and smiled.
'Ok, have a good trip, Imperial Princess.' I scowled.
'Don't call me that.' He chuckled and closed the door. I heard his footsteps fading towards the right. I secretly wondered how the King was doing and so, I put my awareness on the other side of the door.
I looked I around and saw a door to my left, and a door to my right. I chose the door to my left since Henry walked through the one on the right.
The King was there, holding a photo frame. It was very dark, and I walked over and looked at the photo in his hands.
It was a photo of three people, laughing and fooling around. There were two boys, one I recognised as a younger version of Jun, and the King, pulling at each other's faces while the Queen, in her white Imperial Princess dress behind them, was grinning, sticking two fingers behind each of the boy's heads.
The King started shaking, and I realised he was crying. And I, suitably sombre, withdrew my awareness and walked down the hall to get my backpack that I got from Jeb.
As I went back into my room, I packed the medical pack. I smiled at the pain-killer shots, all full now, as I haven't used them in a long time. Let's hope I didn't need to use them in the future (though I highly doubt it, being Gon and Killua's companions after all).
Then a bottle drew my attention.
"These pills let your muscles regain full strength in only three minutes!" And a little note from Jeb.
"I knew you would be all weak after not moving for such a long time, so I prepared these. Use them well. ^^"
I decided to forgive Jeb for once, and ate one. Immediately, I felt like a noodle. After three minutes however, I felt like I could bounce all the way to the moon and back.
I stared at the packet. These were good.
I sweat-dropped. This was exactly what I had been trying to stop.
Crowds and crowds of people were at the departure spot, crying out good-byes, teary farewells, and good wishes. Multitudes of white handkerchiefs were waved in the air. And that was only the white handkerchiefs. I sighed and waved, putting on my best princess-y smile.
'BYE EVERYONE! I'LL COME BACK SOON!' They all yelled back good wishes. I pushed Gon and Killua in the back, trying to make them go faster without actually saying it aloud. Dusky had also opted to leave, and was already there on the plane talking to Kurapika. Lucky girl. The only people she bothered saying goodbye to were to her guards, and she had already said goodbye to them the night before.
I had asked her where her guards were before we left and, according to Dusky, 'They'd be too busy snoring off their hangovers from their "GOODBYE DEVIL GENERAL! WE LOVE YOU!" party.'
Wish the whole of Avril acted like Dusky's guards.
Gon and Killua still weren't moving any faster. 'I don't want this to drag on any longer, so please move faster!' I hissed into their ears, while still trying to smile and wave at the people around us. Believe me when I tell you that doing that is HARD. Gon and Killua complied, and soon we were on the plane. I went to the window and waved once more, and they roared so loudly I even felt the aeroplane shake.
'Everyone, please move aside. We will be departing in ten minutes. Please move aside back into the safety of the buildings.' Spluttered a speaker, barely heard over the commotion. Most of them complied, with some air-users flying up to wave a last good-bye before zooming back.
As the plane started going up the runway, leaving behind my cheering country and all of my princess duties, I grinned, suddenly going hyper and dancing dodgily up and down the aisle. I DON'T HAVE CANCER ANYMORE! Dusky noticed my retarded dance and grin and nudged me.
'Hey, stop dancing. It burns my eyes, it's that bad.' I glared at her and sat down. She suddenly turned serious. 'I have something to say to you. But later. What are you grinning about?' I Cheshire Cat grinned at her.
'Nothing! Just happy. I made so many friends!'
'Yeah. Hey, the next place is the Celestial Tower right?' I widened my eyes.
'Oh yeah! I can meet Wing-sensei and the really cute kid!' Dusky looked weirdly at me.
'The really cute kid?'
'I forgot his name...'
'Oh.'
We went back to a happy contented silence. I started grinning uncontrollably again.
Celestial tower, here I come!
Ok, I know some of it's a bit abrupt, but I tried to keep my promise. THE END OF THE AVRIL ARC!
*Dies of exhaustion* 25 PAGES! *disbelieving look at chapter*
Please review and tell me using hours and hours of typing this was appreciated. I really want to see your views on this. I had been getting less and less reviews. *sobs dramatically*
^^ And remember I love each and every one of you just for reading! Hehe, I feel like I can fly, I FINALLY FINISHED!