Showdown x On The x Airship
Fearsome monsters… Exotic creatures…
Vast riches… Hidden treasures…
Evil enclaves… Unexplored lands…
The word
"unknown" holds magic.
And some incredible people are drawn to that magic.
They are known…
…as Hunters!
After clearing the exam's Second Phase, Gon, Gigi, and their friends fly through the starry sky toward the site for the Third Phase.
The remaining Hunter applicants stand inside the airship's central area in front of Chairman Netero and Beans. "Allow me to introduce myself to the forty-two remaining applicants. I am Netero, Chairman of this year's Hunter Exam Selection Committee," Netero introduces himself.
"I am his secretary, Beans," He introduces himself.
"Originally, I'd planned to make my appearance during the exam's final phase, but as I'm already here…." The Chairman looks around the room at the applicants. "I'm loving this tension in the air! So I think I'll stick around for the rest of the trip," He chuckles.
"We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning, at 8 am. You'll find dinner waiting in the dining hall. You are also welcome to get some rest. In other words, you're free to do as you please until you are contacted," Beans explains.
"Okay, Gon, Gigi! Let's explore the airship!" Killua tells them, and Gon taps his sister, gaining her attention.
"Yeah!" Gon agrees, and the boys run off, with Gigi running after them.
"How can they have so much energy?" Leorio groans, watching the three 12-year-olds. "I'm hitting the sack…."
"You can say that again. However, I do have one concern…." Kurapika replies.
"Hmm? What's up?" He asks his friend as they walk off to find somewhere to sleep.
"How many more phases are there?" The blond wonders aloud.
"Oh… They've never mentioned that, have they?" Leorio agrees.
"On average, there are five or six phases," Tonpa informs them, walking over.
"Which means we still have three or four to go…." He sighs.
"All the more reason to rest now," Kurapika sighs, the last few days catching up with him, and they go to step outside.
"But you should be careful," Tonpa warns them, making the two teens stop. "The secretary only told us when we'll arrive at our destination. It's possible that the third exam could take place on this airship itself. And it doesn't necessarily mean we'll be contacted at 8 am."
"Huh? Are you serious?" Leorio looks at him in shock.
"Hmm, that does make sense…." Kurapika muses.
"You might wake up to discover that the exam has already ended. If you plan to make it to the next phase, don't let yourself relax on this airship," Tonpa tells them.
"What the hell… Well, that was some good advice. Thanks," Leorio replies, walking away.
"We shall bear that in mind," Kurapika adds, walking away.
"Let's all do our best," Tonpa replies and walks away in the opposite direction with a smug smirk. "Yeah, right… Here's hoping that you're both nervous wrecks, come the morning."
In one of the rooms aboard the airship, Kurapika and Leorio find somewhere to sit and rest. "There's no chance that the next phase will be held on the airship. Were that their intention, they wouldn't have said that we were free to do as we pleased. They would have told us to stand by," Kurapika is deep in thought but broken out by Leorio's snoring; he smiles, seeing he has the right idea.
The three previous examiners have something to eat in one of the other rooms as they discuss the remaining candidates. "Hey, how many applicants do you expect to make it?" Menchi asks the other two examiners.
"You mean pass the exam?" Buhara asks her.
"Yep. This year, we have an impressive group. Though I did fail them all but one at one point…." She replies, thinking of the little girl, Gigi.
"But doesn't it depend on what the upcoming phases consist of?" He asks his partner.
"That's true… But didn't you notice it? One of them had this whole aura thing going on. What do you think, Satotz?" Menchi asks, looking at the First Phase examiner.
"Oh, yes. I like the rookies this year," Satotz replies, stopping eating.
"Ha! So you agree? I think #294 has a good shot," She comments.
"I'm partial to #99," He replies.
"He looks like a selfish, spoiled brat. What do you think, Buhara?" Menchi asks, looking at him.
"Well… He isn't a rookie, but #44 is the one I favour. I'm sure you noticed, but when #255 was throwing a fit, it was #44 who was really on the verge of killing someone," Buhara explains.
"I did notice that, of course. He could barely restrain himself from tearing off our heads. But didn't you realise? He was already that way from the first moment we appeared," She tells him.
"Really?" He asks her.
"Yeah, that's the real reason I was so edgy. He kept challenging me," Menchi confesses.
"I had a similar experience. He should be carefully monitored. Though it pains me to admit this, we are birds of a feather with him. However, his affinity for darkness is far stronger. As Hunters, we are continually seeking out rivals. Ultimately, the Hunter Exam is but a place to find opponents worthy of respect. And every once in a while, we encounter someone who hits the floor running, when we try to slow things down. An oddball of sorts," Satotz explains and looks at the others.
"There's one more I think will make it," Menchi announces, and the two men look at her. "#289. She was the only one to pass our first test."
"I agree. She has quite a lot of potential," He agrees, and Buhara nods.
"She's deaf, isn't she?" Buhara questions, and Satotz nods. "It's impressive she's come this far, but that shows she has what it takes. She'll make it through till the end. #289 will make an exceptional Hunter."
Gigi stands outside the kitchen door, leaning against the wall as she waits for Gon and Killua, who are inside, to get them something to eat. "Hey, there! Kids! Stay out of the kitchen! Go eat in the dining hall!" The chef snaps at them, kicking the two boys out of the kitchen, landing by Gigi's feet as she looks down at them with a smile.
"I told you," Gigi tells them and walks off, heading for the dining room, wanting something to eat. The boys follow behind Gigi, Killua jogs to walk next to her, poking her side, making her squeal, and she looks at him with a mean glare.
The three tweens make their way from the dining hall with some food, stuffing their faces, and Killua spots something out the window. "Wow, awesome! Look, Gon!" He races to the window, and Gon joins him; Gigi looks at them and steps over to look out the window.
"Hmm? What is it?" Gon asks as he joins his new friend. "Whoa!" Out the window, there are thousands of tiny lights below them as they fly over a city at night. "It's like the ground is covered in jewels!"
"Yeah!" Killua agrees.
"Hey, I was wondering…." He says, and the silver-haired boy looks at him. "Where are your mum and dad?"
"Hmm… They're alive. Probably," The boy answers; Gigi looks at them, unable to see their lips moving, and she pouts and bangs on the glass, making the boys jump away from the window.
"Gigi! What was that for?" Gon asks his sister.
"I can't tell what you're saying. It's rude," Gigi pouts, and the boys repeat what they said. Okay. Up to speed. What do they do?"
"They're assassins," Killua answers.
"Huh? Both of them?" Gon asks, and Killua looks at the twins before laughing.
"That's your first reaction? You really are a riot!" He laughs.
"Huh?" The twins question, and they sit on the bench in front of the window.
"You're the first people who ever responded seriously," He chuckles at the twins.
"Well, you're telling the truth, right?" Gigi asks him.
"What makes you think that?" Killua asks her.
"It's just a hunch," She answers as she looks at him.
"That's weird…." He signs, deflating onto the window ledge. "People only like me because they can't ever tell whether I'm serious. I'm from a family of assassins. So they're all assassins. And my family has really high hopes for me… But I can't stand it. Who wants to have their life planned out for them? When I told them I wanted to decide my own future, they all snapped! My mother had tears streaming down her face as she told me I have the potential to be a top assassin," Killua explains, and the twins laugh at him, seeing his predicament. "Horrible parents, right? It's natural their kid would go bad. We ended up fighting. So I stabbed my mother in the face, my brother in the side and ran away from home. I'm sure they're out for blood now. But if they find me, I'll send them packing," Gigi shakes her head as her brother chuckles nervously. "When I become a Hunter, I'll start by capturing my family. I'm sure they're worth some hefty bounties…." Gigi feels something and places her hand on the bench, feeling the vibrations of someone walking towards them; as she goes to turn around, she feels something deadly appear in the same direction, and so do Gon and Killua; the three tweens turn to look but find nothing.
"Something wrong?" Netero asks the kids as he walks from the opposite direction he originally came from, both Killua and Gigi having felt the same thing.
"Ah, Mr Netero… Did you see anyone coming from that side?" Gon asks the adult, pointing to where they had felt the danger.
"No," He lies.
"When did he…." Killua wonders. "You're pretty fast for an old man."
"That little trick?" The Chairman asks the boy. "I barely moved," That answer isn't what Killua wanted to hear, and they stare at each other, making the twins glance at them.
"What do you want? You don't have to do anything until the last phase, right?" He asks the man.
"No need to be so unkind. I got bored, and was looking for some companions. By the way, I meant to ask the three of you… Any thoughts on your first attempt at the Hunter Examination?" Netero asks the children.
"Uh-huh! It's fun!" Gon answers. "And there haven't been any of the written exams I was dreading."
"I think it's fun! I can't wait for the next phase," Gigi answers.
"I'm disappointed… I expected the exam to be far more difficult. I assume the next phase will be more entertaining?" Killua inquires as he glares at the Chairman.
"Well, now… I wouldn't know about that," Netero answers.
"Let's go, Gigi, Gon!" He snaps and walks away.
"Now wait just a moment," The Chairman calls out to the silver-haired boy. "Would you care to play a game with me?"
"A game?" Gon questions, which intrigues the tweens.
"If you're able to defeat me, I shall let you be Hunters!" He tells them.
"Really? I'll play!" He agrees excitedly.
"Sounds fun," Gigi agrees.
"How about it, eh?" Netero asks Killua.
The boy agrees, and Netero leads the children into an empty room with a single yellow and black ball; he takes off his shirt and shoes, stands in the middle of the room, bounces the ball on the floor, and catches it on the tip of his index finger. "Now, I'll go over the rules of the game. If you can take this ball from me before the airship reaches its destination, you win," Netero explains, and the tweens look at the clock on the wall seeing the time. "I believe that we're scheduled for an 8 am arrival? Well, that still gives you nine hours. You're free to attack me however you'd like. I won't touch you."
"Huh? That's too easy," Gon argues. "You can't call that a game."
"Why not give it a try first?" He tells them.
"We just have to take the ball?" Killua asks the man.
"Yeah," The Chairman answers.
"Then I'll go first," He states.
"Go ahead," Netero tells him, and Killua begins to circle around the old man.
"He's looking down on me," Killua glares at him, and as he walks, there appears an afterimage of the young boy; Gon and Gigi look in awe as they watch as their new friend circles the Chairman and more images begin to appear, even Netero seems impressed by the silver-haired boy.
"Is it just me or are you seeing lots of Killua?" Gigi asks her brother.
"Yeah, I see it too!" Gon agrees.
"This is an assassination technique. Rhythm Echo… Practitioners use a certain rhythm to create afterimages, confusing the enemy. I am astonished that such a young child has already mastered that technique," Netero muses as he watches Killua, who stops and jumps towards the old man, trying to grab the ball; Netero dodges out of the wall; Killua catches his foot on the ground before rushing to the Chairman, who jumps back as the little assassin kicks and punches at him. Still, the old man keeps dodging, and it keeps going for several minutes as they weave and attack.
"Damn, he keeps darting around," Killua groans as they stop for a second. "Is he really an old man?"
"What? That's it?" Netero asks him, bouncing the ball onto his head, fooling around.
"In that case," He sneers and jumps, skidding around the floor, "I'll stop his movements!" He slams his leg into Netero's with a hard crash.
"Ouch… Right on his pivot leg!" Gon cringes.
"I feel bad for Killua," Gigi replies, wincing a little. Killua grins up at Netero, who looks down at him, and the silver-haired boy's face changes into that of pain, and he jumps to his foot, clutching his leg as he hops around, crying in pain.
"He didn't hold back with that kick," Netero thinks, looking down at his leg. "If I were an ordinary person, that would have shattered my leg."
"Damn…" Killua curses in pain. "His legs are hard as iron…."
"Killua!" Gon calls him. "Tag! Tag! It's my turn!" Killua jogs over to him; they high-five as they pass and Netero watches as the younger twin stretches as he gets ready.
"What will this kid try? He appears to be a very honest boy," Netero muses.
"Okay!" He exclaims as he slaps his hands together before leaping with great speed towards the Chairman.
"Oh… He has a quick first step. But he'd need another ten years before attacking me head-on. I guess he is just a child," The old man muses as he watches Gon get closer and then leap into the air. "Huh? From above?" Gon misjudges the room's height and hits the ceiling, surprising everyone as he falls to the floor, clutching and wailing in pain.
"Idiot! We know that you can jump really high! Control your strength!" Killua shouts at him. "For a moment, the old man relaxed his guard!"
"No kidding…" Netero agrees.
"Leave Gon alone, he doesn't use his head," Gigi tells him and Killua giggles.
"Don't be mean Iggy," Gon sulks as he gets to his feet and begins walking around the edge of the room.
"He may appear simple-minded, but he clearly uses his head," The Chairman jokes.
"I messed up there," He sighs.
"They should keep me entertained until the morning," The old man thinks.
With the other applicants fast asleep, resting for the next test, Tonpa wakes and decides to check on Kurapika and Leorio. "Those two were pretty shaken. I bet they're too nervous," Tonpa grins, walks to the other dark room with some of the other candidates, and looks around the room. "To get a wink of sleep…." He spots them fast asleep. "They're sound asleep?"
The three tweens continue to play their little game with the Chairman. Gon and Killua have taken off their tops as they work up a sweat as the boys take turns; Gigi has yet to take her turn, and she wants to watch for now. Finally, it's Killua's turn as he kicks and tries reaching for the ball, but Netero throws the ball away, and the boy hits the back of his head and falls to the floor as the old man takes the ball back. "You boys aren't getting anywhere. Why not attack simultaneously?" Netero asks them.
"Why, you…" Killua growls as he goes to attack.
"Okay… I'll get you this time!" Gon agrees and runs towards him, but the old man slams his head into the floor.
"Here they come," The Chairman teases them as they try to attack the old man simultaneously, but he just dodges easily.
"Mr Netero hasn't even broken a sweat," Gon muses as he looks at the old man and rushes towards him Killua comes from behind, and they both try to come from different sides, but he jumps out of the way, and they crash into each other. Netero just chuckles at the boys. "So we can't beat him without subterfuge." Gon decides and turns, leaping towards the old man.
"Your attacks are getting boring," Netero tells him, and the green-haired boy goes to kick him and slips off his shoe, giving himself more range, kicking the man under his chin, surprising him a little. "He kicked off his shoe to increase his range?" Killua comes up behind him, jumps into the air and kicks the back of his head, sending the old man flying, and the ball is free.
"Chance!" Killua shouts as he grabs the ball, and Netero kicks the ball away from the boy and goes to catch it back, but Gon uses his shoe, throwing it at the ball, sending it further away.
"You and your little tricks!" The Chairman shouts as the boys pass him to pursue the ball.
"It's mine!" The boys shout as they go to reach the ball, and Netero uses all his strength to push himself off the ground and races past the boys, making them out of the way and skids to a stop as they crash to the floor. Gon looks at the old man in awe as Netero stands with the ball, and Killua glares at the old man.
"I commend you on your efforts," Netero tells them, and Gon looks overly happy, though Gigi can't help but look at the smelting floor pieces the old man left behind.
"You're amazing, Mr Netero! Really amazing!" Gon exclaims, and Killua gets to his feet.
"Forget it… I give up," Killua announces. "I lose."
"Huh?" He looks at his friend as he walks away.
"Oh? He's quitting?" Netero questions.
"Why? We still have time," Gon argues, pointing at the clock. "And just now, we came really close."
"Jeez. You really have no clue, do you? The old man has barely used his right hand and his left leg." Killua reveals to Gon's shock. "But we're still powerless against him. We could chase him around for a year, and never take the ball from him."
"Oh, you figured it out?" Netero inquires. "And here, I thought I'd fooled you."
"So that's what he was doing," Gon mumbles.
"You really know how to piss me off, old man," Killua exclaims and walks out the door. "Let's go, Gon, Gigi!"
"Oh, I'm gonna play a little longer," He replies, and the silver-haired boy comes back into the room.
"Huh! Didn't you hear what I said?! It's useless! You won't be able to take the ball from him!" The boy shouts.
"Yeah! I don't care about the ball," Gon replies. "We've only used up half of the time limit. I'm gonna make Mr Netero use his right hand before the time runs out."
"I see…" Killua looks at his friend in shock. "Yeah, I got it. Good luck. I'm getting some sleep. Are you coming, Gigi?" He looks at her.
"I want one go, then I'll come and find you," Gigi replies and gets to her feet, having taken her shoes off. "Can I try first, little brother?"
"Sure!" Gon replies and steps to the side, and Netero looks at the young girl standing in front of her. "She has her shoes off; she must have a plan," He hears the boy say.
"She seems serious," Netero looks at the girl as she steps to the left, he follows her with his eyes, but Gigi suddenly darts to the right, leaping onto the wall, leaving a small dent as she springs towards him. Netero looks at Gigi in shock as she tries to grab the ball, but he dodges, stepping backwards as she lands on the ground. "Interesting approach." He comments as he looks at her as she steps towards him and takes a few steps back before doing a little run-up and flipping on her hands and feet against the floor three times as she grows closer to the old man and jumps into the air, spinning, as she turns she tries to grab the ball.
"Go, Gigi!" Gon shouts, but Netero quickly ducks, moving the ball just out of reach, and she grabs air and lands behind the old man.
"No fair," She pouts and begins kicking and punching the old man, sending him towards the wall behind him, he leaps to the left as she goes to kick him, and she kicks the wall; Gon cringes as he hears the hard slam as her foot goes through the wall. Netero looks at the young girl as she pulls her leg out and sits on the ground.
"She certainly has a different approach to the boys, having watched them for some time. And she did almost get the ball." Netero muses as he watches her as Gon walks over to her. "Giving up too?" He asks her and sees the boy use sign language, translating for the girl, who nods.
"It was fun, but I give up. I'm gonna go find Killua," She replies and walks over to her bag and shoes. "Have fun, little brother." She picks her things up and walks out of the door.
"She's an interesting one," He muses aloud.
"Yeah! That's Gigi for ya!" Gon laughs and grows serious as he turns to the old man. Gigi steps back into the room and throws one of her darts at the old man; he barely manages to dodge out of the way, feeling the dart's tip graze his cheek. Netero looks at the girl as she waves with a cheeky grin and closes the door. He touches his cheek, feeling a little blood drip down and wipes it away.
"She got me," Netero marvels. "She made me think she'd given up and used that to her advantage. She certainly is something."
"Say, Mr Netero…" The boy says.
"Hmm?" The old man asks.
"How did Killua do that thing where he walked slowly, and it looked like there were a bunch of Killuas?" He asks.
"That technique is for those engaged in underground work. You have no need to learn it. In fact, you should not learn it," Netero answers him with a warning.
"But it's an amazing technique, right?" The boy questions.
"It requires an intensive amount of training," The Chairman tells him, bouncing the ball in his hand.
"Killua's really something!" Gon exclaims, and he looks at the old man, deciding to grab the ball, he tries to swipe at it, but Netero sees through him and raises his arm up.
"You fool," Netero teases him, making the boy grin sheepishly.
Killua walks off down one of the hallways of the airship, still annoyed, when two applicants walk towards him. "Damn it! Now I'm in a bad mood," He grumbles as one of the men bumps into him. "Well, I guess there's nothing for it."
"Hey! Wait up, kid," The man in green shouts out to the boy.
"You bump into us, and then ignore us?" The man in blue shouts, but Killua ignores them.
"Bastard!" They growl and race after the boy, grabbing him, but before they can do anything to them, he kills them with one single slash of his sharp nails. Gigi walks around the corner and sees what happened, and she stops in shock as she looks at the dead bodies of the men and looks back at Killua as he walks away.
"If I hadn't stopped then, I'd have ended up killing that old man to get the ball," Killua grumbles, and Gigi hops over the dead bodies and clears her throat, alerting Killua to her presence; he spins around about to attack her, but stops as he sees her. "What are you doing?! I could have killed you!"
"But you didn't. And I grew bored, so I thought I'd come and find you." She replies, holding out her hand; he looks at it for a second and takes it as she pulls him down the hall to find somewhere quiet to sleep.
Gon tries to get the ball from Chairman Netero; he keeps moving, but the old man is faster as he moves his left hand to avoid the boy and takes a step back, but Gon becomes faster as he moves towards the Chairman. "Oh, he's moving faster," Netero muses as he watches the boy as he hops around before jumping towards him. "Here it comes. He'll feint for the ball but attack my stomach!" He guesses as Gon leaps towards him and headbutts him in the stomach.
"O-Ouch!" Gon cries but doesn't give up. "One more!" He jumps up and goes to ram into Netero's stomach with his head.
"If he headbutts me in the stomach again, he'll shatter his skull. But if I relax my stomach, I'll be the one suffering." The Chairman quickly tries to come up with an idea and hops over the boy, sending him to the wall. "I'll run away." Gon crashes head-first into the wall and falls to the floor; Netero looks at the boy in worry. "Ah, is he dead?" But Gon shakily gets up, smiling, which takes the old man by surprise.
"You just used your right hand!" Gon exclaims with glee, and Netero looks at his right hand in shock as the boy cheers. "I did it! Hooray…" He falls back on the floor, the day has caught up to him, and he falls fast asleep. Netero looks at the boy, then at the clock and comes up with an idea.
"Hell, helmsman? It's me. Is the flight going well?" The Chairman asks as he calls on his phone. "I see. I'm sorry to ruin it for you, but could you fly a little slower?"
In one of the empty rooms, Gigi lies on her back with her book, reading with Killua lying next to her asleep her eyes grow heavy, and she drops her book on her face; Gigi gives up and decides to go to sleep, leaving her book over her face as rest takes over.
During a game, Netero proposed to kill time, he's seen something in Gon.
The airship and its 42 applicants approach the site of the exam's Third Phase.
Decision x By x Majority?
Dawn breaks as the airship carrying Gon, Gigi and their friends approaches its destination.
The Third Phase of the Hunter Exam is about to begin.
Gon is still fast asleep on the floor of the room where he was playing with Chairman Netero when the tannoy rings, waking him up. "I apologise for the long wait. The airship will soon arrive at its destination," Beans announces, and Gon gets to his feet, runs to one of the windows, hopping up to take a look outside.
"Wow!" Gon exclaims as he looks at the tower outside the window in the middle of a forest on top of a rock column. "Is that where the next test will be held?"
The airship lands, letting everyone off onto the top of the tower, though they don't know what is to come next. "What is this place?"
"There's nothing here," The applicants grumble.
"Ahem…" Beans gains their attention. "Everyone, the exam's Third Phase will begin here, at the top of Trick Tower."
"Trick Tower?" One of the applicants' questions.
"To pass this phase, you must reach the tower's base alive. The time limit is seventy-two hours. With that, we will now begin the Third Phase. I will pray for your success," The secretary explains.
"No way," Leorio grumbles, and Killua shrugs as he looks at the twins.
Inside Trick Tower, the third examiner watches from his cameras at the Hunter applicants with glee. "So it's finally my turn?" He chuckles as he looks around at the candidates, with others looking at the crowd.
"Best of luck to everyone!" Beans says as the airship flies away, and Gon looks over the side of the tower at sheer height.
"Are we supposed to climb down?" Leorio questions as he hugs his briefcase to his chest.
"That would be suicide…." Kurapika disagrees.
"Maybe for a normal person," Candidate 86 argues, gaining their attention, and begins climbing down the tower's side. "But a top-class rock climber can handle this, no problem."
"Wow…" Killua says as they watch him make it a good way down.
"He's going down pretty fast," Gon comments, and the man makes it a reasonable distance down.
"Looks like I'll be the first one to pass the Third Phase…." He grins to himself but hears the swish of wings growing closer and stops, looking around; the others, apart from Gigi, look around for the source of the sound when a group of giant flying creatures come about towards the rock-climber. "Stop! Stay away! Stop! Stop it!" He shouts but can't do anything as one of the creatures grabs the rock climber in their mouth and flies away. "Help!"
"G-Guess we can't climb down the side…." Leorio comments, still in shock.
"Yeah," Kurapika agrees, and they start to walk around the top of Trick Tower.
"What is it?" The older teen asks the blond, who comes to a stop.
"There are fewer people around," He announces as he looks around.
"What?" Leorio yelps as he looks, seeing fewer people.
"I count twenty-three, which suggests almost half of the applicants have already found an exit," Kurapika explains.
"No way. When did they do that?" He wonders.
"That means there must be some hidden doors that lead below," The blond guesses and Gigi walks around with Gon and Killua, trying to find some way down into the tower. Gigi takes a step as they walk, and Gon and Killua continue to walk when they hear a yelp from behind them; they look back, expecting to see Gigi, but she's gone. The tweens race over and try to open the door, but it won't budge, Gon knocks on the stone door, and he tries to find another door and soon finds four others.
"Kurapika! Leorio!" Gon calls them over, and they meet the two tweens.
"What is it, Gon? Where is Gigi?" Kurapika asks.
"Look, we found a hidden door," He explains, pressing down on the trick door.
"I see now," He marvels as Leorio gasps in shock. "So we can descend by flipping the stones."
"Okay!" Leorio exclaims. "Great job, Gon! Let's head on down!"
"But I'm confused," Gon replies.
"About what?" He asks the kid.
"There are also hidden doors here, there, over there, and over there, as well," The boy explains, pointing over in different directions.
"That many?" Leorio questions.
"Five hidden doors, located in the same area. It sounds suspicious to me. Some could be traps," Kurapika guesses.
"And it looks as though each door can only be used once…." Killua tells them.
"Seriously?" Leorio asks.
"We tried opening a door that Gigi accidentally used, but it wouldn't budge," He explains.
"Judging by the door's size, only one can fit at a time," Kurapika states.
"In other words, only one person can use each door. We'll have to split up," Killua explains. "Gon and I decided that we're each going to choose a door, and try to find Gigi."
"No hard feelings if one of us springs a trap! What are you guys gonna do?" Gon asks the two teens.
"I can live with that. Luck is part of the game…." Leorio replies.
"I have no objection. And we will all try to find Gigi. Then that settles it," Kurapika agrees, and they all stand in front of their chosen doors.
"Let's go, on the count of three," He tells them.
"I guess this is goodbye for now. Please find Gigi," Gon tells them.
"We'll meet up again, at the tower's base," Kurapika assures him.
"Let's go… One!" Killua says.
"Two!" Gon counts.
"Three!" They all shout and step through the doors, falling into the tower.
Gon, Killua and Kurapika land on the floor on their feet while Leorio lands on his face; he looks up to see the others inside the room. "Huh? What?" Leorio gapes at seeing the others, and the two boys look at each other with big bashful grins.
"That was quite a brief farewell," Kurapika comments.
"Oh, so all the doors led to the same room…." He comments and stops, watching as Gon walks towards a metal podium with wristband devices and a sign above.
"The five of you must follow the will of the majority to reach the goal." Gon reads.
"Five of us?" Leorio questions.
"Look… There are five stopwatches," The boys exclaim, looking at the five devices in front of him, and each takes one.
"There's an O and an X button," Killua announces.
"Could it be that we won't be able to leave this room until another person drops in?" Kurapika inquires.
"That is correct!" A voice shouts from the speaker on the side wall.
"What's that!" Leorio shouts.
"My name is Lippo," He introduces himself for the hundredth time it felt like that day. "I am the prison warden here, as well as the Third Phase examiner."
"Prison warden?" Kurapika questions.
"Multiple routes through this tower have been prepared. You have chosen the path of majority rule. Cooperation will be key if you wish to clear this phase of the exam. One person's selfish behaviour can derail an entire group. And you can't start until you have five members. Best of luck, gentlemen!" Lippo explains.
"Wait! What about my sister! Gigi!" Gon shouts but doesn't get an answer as the tannoy goes dead.
"We can't move on until someone else arrives? What do we do?" Leorio asks.
"We have to wait, I guess…." Kurapika replies, and they all look up at the ceiling, waiting.
Earlier, Gigi lands in a strange room, and she looks around to see a metal podium with a single wrist device and a sign with writing. She walks over, looking at the stopwatch that counts down the remaining time left, and she puts it on and looks at the sign. "You must follow the path of chance to reach the goal." Gigi looks around the room, trying to find an exit as Lippo begins to speak through the tannoy but sees that the girl isn't listening.
"Hey!" Lippo shouts, but still, she doesn't act as if she can hear him, and he remembers that the Chairman had warned him of one of the applicants being deaf. "I see. So that must be the girl he was talking about. Very well." He begins pressing buttons, and a screen appears behind the sign; Gigi looks around the room again and spots the screen with Lippo on. "My name is Lippo," He introduces himself. "I am the prison warden here, as well as the Third Phase examiner. Multiple routes through this tower have been prepared. You have chosen the path of chance. You will have to take a chance with every decision you make. Choosing one path could be an easy ride to the bottom of the tower, or another could be filled with harsh trials. Best of luck to you." The screen goes black, and Gigi feels a little rumble as two doors appear; Gigi looks down at her feet and sits on the floor; Lippo watches the girl curiously as she takes off her shoes and stands in the centre of the room. Gigi slaps her foot on the ground as she closes her eyes; inside her mind, she can see for a reasonable distance, even seeing a room next to hers with four people inside. She opens her eyes, knowing what path to take, and she goes to the right, having seen for a good few miles that it was the easiest of the two, having seen on the other path that it was filled with traps. "Wise choice."
Lippo spins around in his chair and whistles; the door to his control opens, and people in robes and handcuffs walk inside. "Did you need something, warden?" A prisoner asks.
"The test begins now. Take your assigned positions," Lippo orders the prisoners.
"Okay," They agree begrudgingly and shuffle out of the room.
The group of friends continue to wait for their fifth person, the boys having switched toys; Gon rides around in a small circle on Killua's skateboard while Killua plays around with Gon's fishing pole. "Oh, come on!" Leorio yells, startling everyone. "It's been two hours… What if the others all took different routes? Only a fool would still be at the top of the tower!"
"Calm down, Leorio," Kurapika tells him. "Complaining won't help."
"But… What if no one shows up before we reach our time limit? Hey!" He keeps complaining, and Gon hears something tapping around above their heads. "I can't just sit here and…."
"Quiet!" The blond shushes him.
"Huh?" The older teen shouts.
"That sound…" Kurapika answers, pointing up at the ceiling; Leorio looks up too, hearing it, and it grows closer. Finally, all the boys look up at the ceiling as one of the remaining doors pushes down, and they wait for a few seconds till something crashes through.
"Good grief…" Tonpa groans as he gets to his feet.
"Mr Tonpa," Gon greets him.
"Oh," Killua grumbles in disappointment.
"It's the old man," Leorio groans, and Tonpa puts on the last wristwatch.
"Okay!" A part of the wall behind them slides up, revealing a door with another sign and the same symbols as on their watches.
"I see. So the door appears once five people arrive and put on the stopwatches," Kurapika announces.
"At this door, select O to open, X to not open," Gon reads.
"Forcing us to use majority rule already?" Leorio questions. "The answer should be obvious…." They all press the buttons on their wristwatches, and the screen reveals how many pressed which button, 'O: 4, X: 1'. "What?" The door slides open. "Who pushed the X button?" He looks at Tonpa.
"Sorry, that was me," Tonpa confesses, playing off that it was an accident. "I pressed the wrong button by mistake."
"Stop screwing around, old man!" The older teen shouts, grabbing the man by his shirt as he leans into his face. "Are you blind?"
"Like I said, it was an accident," He replies.
"How can you accidentally press the wrong button?!" Leorio yells in his face, growing angry with the old man.
"It doesn't matter. The door opened," Gon assures his friend.
"No, it does matter! This guy deliberately pressed the wrong button…." He growls.
"We don't have time to bicker," Kurapika warns them.
"That's right…." Killua agrees. "Even if he keeps pressing the wrong one, the rest of us just need to press the right one." The rest walk through the open door, leaving a smug Tonpa and irritated Leorio, who lets the man go.
"Fine," Leorio grumbles, letting the old man go for now, but he was going to watch him closely.
"Okay, let's go!" Tonpa exclaims as he walks, following behind the others.
"Damn…" He growls and follows after the others.
Leorio follows the others into another room with another sign, two ways to go, with bars on either side. "Seriously…" Leorio sighs as he looks with the others at the writing. "Another question so soon?"
"Which way do you want to go? O, for right. X for left." Gon reads again, and they all look to the right hall, which seems empty.
"Right…" He mutters, and they look to their left at the other hallway that looks the same. "Or left…" Each of them presses a button on their stopwatch, and the results pop up under the sign. O: 3, X: 2. "Huh?! Wh-Why would you choose to go, right? Normally, you should go left…." He interrogates the others.
"That is true. Studies indicated that people who are lost or stuck at forks unconsciously tend to go left." Kurapika explains.
"I've heard that before, too," Killua announces.
"Wait! The numbers don't add up!" Leorio argues. "Which button did you press?" He points at them.
"Right," Kurapika and Killua answer as they walk to the right hallway.
"Y-You guys…" He chuckles.
"That's why they chose to go right… To outfox the examiner. If the examiner knows that people tend to go left, the left path will be more difficult," Tonpa taunts the older teen.
"So we're just simple-minded!" Leorio groans as he tries to hold back his anger and stomps away, leaving Gon.
"We?" Gon asks as he follows behind him.
The group of friends and Tonpa walk for a while down the hallway and come out onto a platform. "Wh-What is this place?" Leorio asks as he looks at the strange room with a square stone platform in the centre and another on the other side that seems to be the way out.
"Look over there," Killua tells the others, spotting the prisoners waiting for them.
"The applicants have arrived. Remove the shackles," The front prisoner announces, and the shackles around their wrists drop to the floor. "Jeez…" He grubs his sore wrists, and he takes off his robe. "I'm finally free," He walks into the light showing himself to the others, the prisoner has several deep scars on his bald head, and he is rather tall and muscular.
Gigi walks down yet another hallway and enters a dark room filled with secret traps under the floor that will spring if stepped on, and the exit is beyond those traps. Gigi looks around the room for a way out, but she can't see anything due to how dark the room is. She jumps on the spot, and using her seismic sense, she sees a series of traps under the floor that are moving every few seconds in different directions, seemingly at random. Gigi still can't see an exit at the end of the room, but there seems to be a tunnel though it's up high at the edge of the space in the right-hand corner. Gigi frowns as she thinks of an idea and steps into the room; feeling one of the traps moving towards it, she jumps to her left, misjudging the next trap that almost gets set off. She quickly jumps to the left again and remembers a small rocky platform on the left side of the room, away from the entrance and possible exit.
Gigi jumps, using all her strength, and lands on the rocky uneven, nearly tripping over the other side, having misjudged it a little and almost falls off the side. "Few…" Gigi sighs as she catches herself and looks around the room, seeing a pole in the middle. After that, a series of rocks leads to the right side of the space under the tunnel that seems to be the exit. "I can do this," She sikes herself up and jumps off the edge of the rocky platform towards the pole, catching it before swinging around and jumping towards the row of rocks, skipping along them towards the far wall. Gigi looks up and jumps, catching herself on a jagged rock and climbs up the side of the rocky wall to the tunnel entrance, crawling through and seeing a small light at the end.
Back with the others, the group of friends and Tonpa look at the man; Leorio gulps, feeling intimidated by the strong-looking man. "Allow me to explain, gentlemen," Lippo announces over a speaker. "Before you are some of Trick Tower's prisoners."
"Prisoners?" Kurpaika mutters in surprise, forgetting that it is a prison.
"The Hunter Exam Committee has also officially hired them as examiners. You will be fighting against the five of them. The fights will be one-on-one. Each person may only fight once. You are free to use any method you like. There will be no draws. A win is declared when the opponent admits defeat," He explains.
"You may pick your order," The first prisoner announces. "It's majority rule. So secure three wins, and you may pass. The rules are simple."
Tsk… Majority rule again?" Leorio groans.
"Well, I prefer straightforward rules," Killua remarks.
"However, the actual fights will not be quite so simple. The prisoners' sentences will be reduced by one year, for every hour they delay the applicants here. In other words, their goal is also to buy time," Lippo explains further.
"I understand… And we must reach the goal within seventy-two hours," Kurapika comments as he looks at his wristwatch that continues to count down the remaining time. "So time will be critical during these fights."
"Okay, I'm up first," The first prisoner announces. This prisoner is named Bendot, serving a 199-year sentence for robbery and murder. "Choose your combatant!"
"What should we do?" Killua asks. "He said that we can fight with any method. So that means anything goes."
"We don't know what they'll try to pull…." Leorio mutters.
"There's too much at stake without knowing what they have up their sleeves. Given that, I shall…." Kurapika reasons.
"No, I'll go!" Tonpa volunteers, stepping forward.
"Mr Tonpa?" Gon questions, looking at the Hunters Exam veteran.
"I'll act as a guinea pig. So we can discover what they're up to. Consider this an apology for before," He replies.
"Hey, are you serious?" Leorio asks.
"Sure. Pulse, you guys don't actually trust me, right?" The older man asks them. "Do you really want me to be the tiebreaker, when the score is 2-2?"
"You have a point…." The older teen agrees.
"Then it's settled," Tonpa agrees.
"Tonpa, you're…." Leorio gasps at him in surprise, though Bendot smirks, feeling sure of himself as a path emerges from under their feet, connecting both sides to the middle arena. Tonpa removes his bag before both opponents step onto the metal walkway towards the middle. "Th-That was a surprise… I didn't expect Tonpa to volunteer."
"He called himself a guinea pig," Kurapika replies.
"Will Mr Tonpa be okay?" Gon queries and they watch.
"Now, let us determine the method of combat. I propose a death match," Bendot announces, surprising the Hunter applicants.
"A death match?" The boy gasps.
"They fight until one dies?" Leorio answers.
"No…" Kurapika mutters. "Don't let him provoke you!"
"Well?" Bendot asks Tonpa.
"Very well…" Tonpa answers. "I accept!" He raises his fists as if ready for a fight, surprising the others watching.
"Seriously?" Leorio mutters.
"I commend you for your courage!" Bendot replies and crouches, getting ready to fight the pudgy old man. Everyone watches, wondering what will happen as Tonpa seems to be some type of fighting move.
"T-Tonpa…" The older teen mutters.
"Let the fight begin!" The prisoner announces and leaps towards the man in blue, ready to strike; Tonpa looks prepared to defend himself but raises his hands in the air in surrender.
"I… I give!" Tonpa shouts; everyone looks shocked at the man as he falls to the floor in surrender.
"Huh?" Kurapika questions.
"What?" Leorio questions as the boys all tilt their heads to the side in confusion, and even Bendot is surprised as he stands in front of the man.
"Did he just give up?" Gon asks.
"M-Maybe he meant "Give me a sec"?" Leorio questions, hoping that's what he meant, as it would mean they've already lost a point.
"What did you just say?" Bendot asks him to make sure.
"You win if I admit defeat, right?" Tonpa asks the prisoner, looking up before looking back down in submission. "I lose!" He chuckles, irritating Leorio.
"Wha… Wha… Wha…" Leorio stutters in shock and anger. Bendot can't help but laugh at the old man.
"All right… I win this round," Bendot announces, and a point appears above their platform. "If we win two more rounds, you lose. You won't be able to advance or turn back. You'll be stuck here until the seventy-two hours are up. Should that come to pass, our sentences will be reduced by seventy-two years." He chuckles as he walks back to his side of the bottomless room, and Tonpa returns to the others, not receiving a warm welcome.
"Man, that was a disgrace," Tonpa comments as he walks over to the group of friends. "He looked a lot stronger up close…."
"Bastard…" Leorio growls as he grabs the man's shirt, pulling him forward. "You just confirmed all my suspicions! You're a worthless piece of trash, who's only good for sabotaging other applicants!"
"Exactly," He answers. "That's what I do every year. And I plan to continue the tradition."
"Wh-What?" The taller teen growls.
"I'm not looking to pass the Hunter Exam. I'm only in it for the thrills," Tonpa explains.
"The thrills?" Leorio repeats in disgust.
"Yes. The Hunter Exam is a trial meant to crush confident young people's dreams. The moment of despair, when ambition and hope give way, gives me a sense of exquisite pleasure. Especially when I'm actively shattering these rookies' dreams. I don't plan on becoming a Hunter. I've already had enough fun this year. It's time for me to bow out," Tonpa explains.
"You bastard…" The older teen sneers, raising his fist to punch the man.
"No, Leorio!" Kurapika shouts to stop him.
"But…" Leorio argues, and the blond shakes his head.
"They want us to waste our time, fighting amongst ourselves," He warns his friend, looking over to the prisoners, who wait patiently for their little squabble to finish.
"However, if their goal is to buy time, then the old man made the correct choice," Killua argues.
"Huh?" The others question, not understanding his line of thinking.
"That bald guy is probably a former soldier or mercenary. Had you fought him, he would have started by crushing your throat, so you couldn't have given up. Then he would have tortured you, without killing you, for the rest of the remaining time…." The little assassin explains, making Tonpa go blue in the face with fear.
"Th-That was one of the possibilities I took into consideration…." Tonpa lies as he shakily turns back to the angry older teens.
"You look sick," Leorio comments.
"My plan was disrupted," Bendot announces, confirming Killua's suspicions. "I was going to take my time punishing him…."
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," The next prisoner replies as he steps into the light from their tunnel and their shackles from their wrists and ankles fall to the floor, and they take off their cloak. This prisoner is named Sedokan, serving 149 years in prison for serial bombings. "If we defeat two of the remaining four, then we win."
"Regardless, we need to win three rounds and advance," Kurapika tells the others.
"Who's going next?" Killua asks.
"Me!" Gon offers with enthusiasm, raising his hand in the air. "I'll go!"
"Are you sure?" Leorio asks him.
"Uh-huh," He answers.
"The next opponent doesn't look too strong," Killua comments as they watch the scrawny prisoner walk along the metal walkway to the middle.
"But you can't let your guard down. He's still a criminal," Leorio warns the boy.
"Uh-huh, I know," Gon agrees, taking off his bag and walking to the middle. "Gigi would never forgive me if I got hurt."
Gigi finally makes it through the tunnel to a little drop onto the floor below and climbs out, landing steadily on her bare feet; she looks at her feet and sighs. "I forgot my shoes back in the other room! But I can't go back! Gon's going to scold me! And it's supposed to be the other way around!" She stomps her foot on the ground with a huff in anger and snaps up, having sensed someone hiding behind one of the columns. Gigi removes one of her darts from her skirt pocket, throwing it at one of the far left columns, startling the prisoner hiding behind it; they jump out into the room.
"Well, that was impressive," He comments as he looks at the girl, straightening himself out, fixing his blond and black hair, and showing his tattooed arms that go up to his neck. "I'm Haven."
"I am Gigi," She introduces herself but receives a blank stare.
"Her name is Gigi," Lippo interrupts, startling Haven, who physically jumps, looking up and around the room for the source of the voice. But instead, a screen appears on the side of the wall, both looking at the warden of this prison. "You both will fight each other; every hour he holds you from moving forward will mean a year off his sentence.
"Not like it will make a difference," Haven mutters, having to serve 168 years.
"You may choose amongst yourself what type of fight," He continues, and Gigi looks at the tall, lean prisoner, wondering what got him locked up.
"Can we fight till one calls quits?" Gigi asks, and Lippo repeats for Haven, who looks at the little girl in surprise.
Tonpa's actions have placed Gon and his friends at a disadvantage.
What is their next opponent, Sedokan, planning to do in this match?
Will Gigi ever make it past her opponent, Haven?
What will happen next to the twins?
At the start of the Hunter Exam's Third Phase, there were 40 applicants.
With 1 eliminated, only 39 remain.