"Wake up, Gon."
The voice woke Gon from his dreamless sleep. As he forced open his eyes, he could feel a lingering pain that could only come from a blow to the head. Standing over him was a young woman, with bright pink hair and clear blue eyes. It took him a moment to realize who she was. Gon's eyes grew wide. He spared no other thought before he lurched up to escape, only to stumble head first at the woman's feet. He looked behind him and saw what looked to be vibrant blue threads binding his hands and feet.
"What do you want...where am I...where's Killua?" Gon asked frantically, as he tried to pull himself up from the ground. The last he remembered he and Killua had successfully escaped that swordsman. What happened? Did they get ambushed?
"My name is Machi," said the woman, in a calm and cool voice. "And your friend is safe."
It took Gon a few moments to realize what "safe" really meant. "Safe? What do you mean? Where is he?!"
From her pocket the woman produced a black smartphone, After giving it a few taps, she brought the screen to Gon's eyes. It was Killua. Lying against a wall battered and broken, with a streak of dry dark blood marking the left side of his face. The faint rhythm of Killua's chest, was the only thing that stopped Gon from letting out a thundering scream. He was alive. At least. Tears swelled up in the boy's eyes.
"What...what did you do to him?!" Gon wailed.
"Phinks roughed him up a bit. But he'll be fine," said Machi, as she slipped the phone back into her pocket. She looked down at him, "That is, as long as you do as we say."
"Me?"
"Yes Gon," She bent down and closed in on his face, "Killua's wellbeing depends on you." She poked his chest.
"I'll do anything! Just you...just you let him go!" Gon pleaded immediately. There was nothing else to think about. He had to free Killua in any way he could.
Machi smiled and patted his head, "Good. That's what we want to hear."
"So... what do you want me from me?"
Machi held his chin and looked deep into his eyes. "We want you to join us Gon, join the Phantom Troupe."
"Join the Troupe?" Gon struggled believe what he was hearing. She wanted him to join the people who had murdered Kurapika's family, who had just hurt Killua? She wanted him to become a thief and murderer? "You want me to become one of you?"
"Yes," said Machi, giving him another smile as she stood back up. "You did say you would do anything to help your friend. Right?"
"Will you let Killua go if I say yes?"
"In time, yes. But I need your answer now."
Gon looked down in thought. He wanted more time to think, more time to process what was happening. But in the end, it wouldn't make a difference. He had no other choice. At the very least, he could buy some time to think about way to escape. It's what Killua would do. He had to be strong for him.
Gon took a deep breath and glared straight at Machi. "I'll do it," he declared with absolute resolution, "I'll become a member of the Phantom Troupe."