Important thing to know: In season one, there's a guy whose name is Gill... something. It was something that sounded French and fancy. *goes and looks* Gill du Ronfell. Important thing is, he was also known as Hell Boy. He was a television sensation, and unlike Ai, did whatever he pleased. He was born with his powers, and claimed he had died and gone to Hell once before because his parents killed him, afraid of his powers. Gill then proceeded to send his parents, teacher,and anyone he disliked to Hell. Gill wanted to face off against Ai, but Ai didn't fight back because she had rules to follow, one which that she doesn't allow her emotions to get involved with the cases. In the end, another guy requests Ai to kill Gill. Gill said that he would come back for round two of their fight...

Don't own Hardy Boys or Hell Girl.

Enjoy!

"And now, the decision rests with you."

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Frank walked slowly down the street, in hopes to erase his worries and doubts. Sooner or later, the truth would be revealed. His father will find out all about Joe and Hell Girl. Who knows what could happen beyond that simple point of shock?

Truthfully, he wanted to run away. His father will never have to know if he was out of the picture, the only source he had connecting him to Ai. All Frank was, in truth, was the middle man.

At the same time, he knew with just enough stress to his parents would destroy the family. Tensions between the couple were at an all time high. A single domino would have set off the chain.

There really was no easy way out. And for once, Frank could not think of one of his brilliant plans to save himself. It was easier when Joe was there, rattling off ideas that could have sparked the flame to a plan. But here, he was the last leaf on a tree during the fall: the world was waiting for his to follow the others and disappear.

A noise pierced his thoughts, and instantly the brunette stuck a hand in his pocket. The caller idea displayed on the small screen of his cell identified his father, so Frank flipped the phone open. "Hey Dad, what's up?"

"I've meet a guy while walking through a café, and he says that he can help us find Hell Girl."

"Really?" Frank hid the nausea he felt in his stomach and head, but whether it was from fear or worry, he could not tell.

"This is actually interesting: He claims to have been in Hell twice."

Now he knew it was a combination of fear and worry. "What's the guy's name?"

"Gill du Ronfell"

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"Kukiko?"

"Yes Mistress?"

"You need to come with me."

"But there haven't been any requests-"

"We found him."

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"Why him? Why now? Why to me?!" Frank had practically shouted the last question aloud while walking to the house. He was grateful of the lack of people on the street, and took full advantage of it.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because you are an above average detective, exceptionally smart person, and your brother just happened to be working for Hell Girl?"

His first impulse was to turn around and confront the owner of the voice. But he didn't need to; Kukiko appeared right in front of him.

"What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk about your 'guest'."

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"Please… Mistress…"

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"So he won't sense you at all?"

"Mistress had extended some of her magic to cloak my aura. And he never met the 'crazy chic', as Joe likes to put it."

"Does… Does Joe know?"

"Not yet. We wanted to hear your response first."

Frank looked down to the gravel of the road. "I'm… I'm in."

"Not that I want to scare you… But do you know this guy's potential? He wants revenge, and he'll most likely kill you. We might be able to make sure he can't send you to Hell, but that doesn't mean he can't attempt to kill you. And if someone else were to kill you, you would be dead. They aren't supposed to be in Hell, so we can't do a thing about it."

"But if I back out, this guy will hurt you, Joe, Ai, and not to mention people who are alive." He shook his head, and met her eyes. "I can't risk all of that because I'm scared."

"Alright then." Kukiko's hand shot up to touch the brooch on the ribbon that was wrapped around her neck. For a second, the symbol of the contract flashed its image to the world. A sudden wind swirled around the girl, and within seconds she turned into a dark purple doll with a scarlet thread tied around its neck.

Frank easily caught the falling doll, his mind shattered over the thought that he would have to pull the thread.

Kukiko probably sense his predicament. "You're not going through with the contract like other people, so calm down."

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Getting those fools to help me makes my revenge all the sweeter!

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Frank sat outside of the glass door during the night, as he had been since he had arrived to the Shibata's house. The moon was still shining brightly, but had been partially engulfed in the night during the course of the weeks. The stars had refused to leave their companion, and joined it in the lighting of the sky.

He had silently made a vow to himself to try to act more social with the other members of the house, but it would prove difficult. With so much on his mind, and so many secrets…

What was the point of socializing if he was going to lie most of the time?

But he had to show up with his father to meet Gill du… whatever. Apparently, self-proclaimed Hell Boy had slipped away, and his father had no intention of telling their hosts about the encounter.

Silently, he pulled the purple doll out of his pocket, and asked "What happens if Gill tries to send other people to Hell?"

"I'm pretty sure they won't be sent, considering that the bastard should be in Hell himself."

"Okay." He was worried. No doubt Gill will try to harm others to obtain his vengeance. Frank wasn't that concerned about his own welfare. It was the others that haunted his thoughts.

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"He said YES?!"

"You're gonna wake the poor guy up, Joe."

"But he said yes!"

"We had to let him decide without anyone attempting to make him go deaf."

"But-"

"Joe, your brother wants to help us. We can't do anything else but let him."

"Be he'll get hurt!"

"And what if he doesn't go with your dad? What will happen to Fenton Hardy?"

"I… I…"

"Exactly. Listen, Frank knows what kind of world he's entering. But he already agreed to Mistress's promise to help whenever he can. And he had a choice in the matter. But he's worried about everyone else. His own fear is overshadowed by his fear for others. He's like us, only alive."

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Frank woke up to the sound of chirping from outside of the house. Slowly, he got up, and reached for his clothes. Lying on top of the pile, Kukiko sat in her straw doll form, reminding him of his past promise.

"Right…" he mumbled. "I'm going to pull the string."

"Are you still freaking out? Now I see how you and Joe are related."

"Did Joe find out?"

"Yeah, and he wasn't happy about it at all. But, I convinced him it was your decision."

Yeah… His decision, and his alone.