4

The group all gathered outside with a man with purple hair and glasses.

"Good afternoon, applicants. Congratulations on passing phase three of trick tour. Phase four will begin over there." The man said pointing to an island.

He glanced at the 25 contestants. It was going to be interesting to see them compete on the island.

"That is Zevil Island. I will need each of you to draw lots." The man said with a smirk.

"What will that decide?" Polki asked in confusion.

The man adjusted his glasses. "Who you will be hunting and who will hunt you. In this box are 25 numbered cards. Each of you will draw a card in the order you exited the tower. Which of you was first?" the director said.

Hisoka walked up and stuck his hand in pulling a card.

Grittarackur drew next.

After he walked off, Amira walked up.

"What? She came third?" one contestant said.

"She looks too delicate to survive." Another said.

Amira ignored them and pulled a card walking back to her friend.

"You were third?" Leorio asked in shock.

Amira nodded her head. "Grittarackur was my partner in trick tower. Doesn't talk much but he has a killer left hook."

The girl watched as Grittarackur and Hisoka shared a look. She didn't know why but it made her nervous.

Gon frowned before looking at Killua. "Killua, do you think we are going to be fighting one another?"

Killua sighed, "Probably."

The boy walked forward whistling to get his card.

Gon slowly followed.

Soon everyone had their tags.

"Has everyone drawn? Please remove the sticker." The director said.

Amira pulled her tag off and frowned. 'Number 80'

The girl tilted her head and discreetly glanced at her target. The female who carried the gun.

'Hopefully this will be easy.' Amira thought as she removed her badge.

"The card you have is who you are targeting. This box recorded your number drawn. The objective is to steal your target's ID badge." The director said in amusement.

"So we don't have to kill each other then." The youngest brother said in relief.

The director glanced at him. "The chose is up to you how you collect the badge. Your badge is worth three points, your target's badge is worth three points and any other badge is worth one point. You must have six points to pass to the final exam. Go to the boat to get to Zevil Island. You will be there for 7 days."

Amira sighed and walked down to the boat. Soon it was moving. The girl rubbed her head as the host on the ship started talking.

Closing her eyes, the girl tuned the woman out. She was annoying.

Feeling movement beside her, Amira opened her eyes to see Gon and Killua sitting there.

"Hey Amira." Gon and Killua said.

"hey boys." Amira said with a smile.

The three sat there quietly before Killua asked.

"So who did you get?" he asked

"Who did you draw?" Gon asked.

"It's a secret." Killua said.

Amira raised an eyebrow at the serious tone of the two kids. Suddenly they both laughed.

"Don't worry. Neither of you are my target." Killua said.

"Not mine either." Gon said.

The two boys turned to look at Amira.

"You are both safe from me." She said with a smile.

Killua looked away before turning back. "Want to show our numbers at the same time?"

Gon nodded his head with Amira smiling.

The three pulled their cards out.

"One." Killua said.

"Two" Amira giggled.

"Three" Gon said.

The three put their cards out there showing Amira holding the 80 card, Killua holding 199 and Gon holding 44.

"Number 44 is…" Killua said in shock. "You have serious bad luck."

"Whose number 199 anyway?" Gon asked

"I don't know I though you would know." Killua said.

Amira leaned over. "It's one of the three brothers."

"Really?" Killua said with a tilt of his head before looking at them. "I can take them."

Amira laughed and shook her head. "I have no doubt. I'm going to fill my water bottles up. I will be back soon."

"Bye Amira." The boys said smiling at them.

Amira walked around to the back and down the stairs. The host was sitting there smiling at something on a tablet.

"Hello, can I help you?" she said.

"Hello, I was needing to fill my water bottles up." Amira said.

The woman nodded to some containers. "That has fresh water in it."

Amira walked over and tested the water. Once she was sure it was clear, she filled up her water bottles. Glancing out the window she was they were there.

The host stood up with a smile. "Time to get this started."

The two walked up and the host took a stand by the plank leading off the ship.

"Everyone will be let off in the order you left the trick towers. There will be two-minute intervals between contestants. You will be here one week. You only have seven days to collect your badge. First applicant disembarks now." The host said.

"Next person?" The host said.

Grittarackur hopped off and two minutes later it was Amira's turn.

"Bye guys. See you on the other side." Amira said with a smile.

She jumped off and started moving into the trees. Moving from a distance away, she took a place in the trees further down watching for her target.

A few minutes later number 80 got off the ship and ran into the forest.

Amira sighed. Her target ran in the opposite direction from her. That was a hassle. The girl rose and started moving carefully through the trees while avoiding other people. Days went by and she had still not found her target. She did get another badge from a male who thought she was a weakling. Number 278 was easily defeated by not taking her seriously. Too bad she was his target.

A few minutes later she spotted Hisoka and Grittarackur standing there speaking. Amira sighed. 'Well, the worst that could happen is they try to still her badge.'

She jumped into a branch far above the two.

They glanced up at her in amusement.

"Hello Hisoka and Grittarackur. Have you been able to find your targets yet?" Amira said with a smile.

"If it isn't the little pixie. No. I have not." Hisoka said with a smile.

"I have. I also have another badge from a fool who tried to snipe me." Grittarackur said.

Amira's eyes widened in shock. "You have number 80's badge? That's my target."

"Is it really? How interesting." Grittarackur said with a smile. "I gave it to Hisoka."

Amira bit her lip before dropping down to them. She removed 278 badge. "Hisoka, will you trade me for that badge?"

"Now what's stopping me from just taking yours and killing you?" Hisoka said with a smile.

"I'm not strong enough to play with and you want only strong fighters. Giving me the badge lets me get a step closer to being able to grow strong enough to fight you one day." Amira said with a straight face. "I also know every person who was left when we were let out of trick tower and can tell you who your target is."

Hisoka laughed before tossing the girl the badge. "Very well, little pixie. It's a deal."

Amira tossed number 278 badge to the man.

He crocked his finger toward her. "Come here, pixie."

Amira stood and walked over. He reached forward and yanked her into his lap with a mischievous grin.

The magician leaned forward whispering in her ear while rubbing his thumb over her knee cap slowly.

Amira's face went pink at being forced into his lap but her eyes lit up at who Hisoka's target was.

"I know who that is. It's…" Amira leaned closer and whispered in his ear.

The man's smile grew big. "how interesting. Thank you."

"Now what will you do?" Grittarackur asked.

"Hide until it's time for the hunter exam to end. Why would I waste my time fighting those who were too weak to hold onto their badges. Thank you for giving me the badge and not killing me. See you for the final phase." Amira said before trying to stand up.

She frowned as she was not able to get up. Her eyes turned to Hisoka. "HISOKA….Let me up."

"Get up if you want to get up." He said with a smirk holding up his hands.

Amira frowned and force Gyo into her eyes looking down seeing a pink aura stuck to her. She turned to look at him sticking her lip out. "That's not fair."

Hisoka laughed and released the girl. "go on little pixi. Go hide and become stronger so we can play one day."

Amira quickly stood with a smirk. "Thank you. See you boys later."

She turned and jumped up into the tree. She moved quickly to get away from the two before they changed their minds. It was time to hunker down for the remaining two days.

Two Days later

"Phase Four of the hunter exam is now officially over. All remaining applicants, please return to the starting point. You have one hour to make your way here or you will fail the exam. Exchanging badges are prohibited at the starting point. Any attempt will result in immediate disqualification." The host said.

Amira dropped down and appeared by Hisoka.

"Hello, Hisoka. Did you get your target?" Amira asked with a smile.

"I did but I lost my badge so I had to find three additional badges." Hisoka said.

Amira stared in shock and chose not to speak. 'I hope Gon survived.'

She looked at those who were waiting. Killua was here but not the others.

A plank was put down and the host appeared.

"We will check the badges." She said. "Number 44, Mr. Hisoka."

Hisoka held up badges 384, 278, 281 and 118.

"number 53, Mr. Pokkie" Badges 53 and 105.

"Number 99, Mr. Killua" Badges 99 and 199

"Number 301, Mr. Gittarackur" Badges 301 & 371

"Number 191, Mr. Bodoro" Badges 191 & 34

"Number 294, Mr. Hanzo." Badges 294, 198, 362, 89

"Number 406, Ms. Amira." Badges 406 & 80

"Number 404, Mr. Kurapika" Badges 404 & 16

"Number 403, Mr. Leorio" Badges 403 & 246.

"Number 405, Mr. Gon" Badges 405 & 44.

The woman glanced up with a smile. "You 10 applicants have passed the fourth phase of the exam and will continue to the final exam"

The ten made it up into the air ship to go to the final exam. Amira went to where she knew the bathrooms were to clean up.

Hoping out of the shower, Amira wrung the excess water from her hair. The intercom above her came alive and Mr. Bean started to speak.

"Attention, all applicants. The chairman wishes to interview you. When you hear your number, come to the reception room on the second floor. We'll start with number 44, Mr. Hisoka. Thank you for your cooperation."

Amira walked down the hall to a window. She had made it almost to the end when her number was called.

"Number 406."

Amira walked down the hall to the office. Knocking on the door, she entered when granted permission.

"Hello, Chairman Netero." Amira said in a singsong voice and with a smile.

"Hello, 406. Please have a seat." Chairman Netero said with a smile.

The girl walked over and took a seat across from him.

"Tell me, why do you want to become a hunter?" Chairman Netero asked.

Amira smiled, "I want to help people. A hunter's license will help with that."

"Interesting." The man said, "moving on who do you have your eye on?"

"I have my eye on number 99 and 405 for good reasons. They are such amazing kids. I have my eye on number 103 and 44 for more dangerous reasons. They are on another level than the rest of us. I think they could kill all of us without losing a wink of sleep. They are like dangerous snakes waiting to strike. You can't trust them." Amira said with an uneasy look on her face.

The man glanced at her before nodding his head. "Which applicant would you least like to fight?"

Amira bit her lip. "The last phase is fighting isn't it?"

Chairman Netero's head tilted with a smile. "Please answer the question."

Amira sighed. "I think the easier question is who I would like to go against. I am friends with number 99, 404, 403, & 405. I wouldn't want to fight them. I also wouldn't want to fight against 44 or 301 for the earlier reasons. I believe I would stand a chance against 53, 191 and 294."

"Interesting." The man said. "Thank you for coming in. You may go."

The group eventually made it to the final phase where they were all shocked at the fight. Amira stared in horror. She would only get two tries to win a match to become a hunter. Gon, Hanzo, Kurapika and Hisoka would get 6 tries. Leorio and Killua would get three. Gittarackur also only got two chances.

Netero smiled at their faces. "Under this every competitor has at least two chances to win a round."

"Yea but some have six chances." Polkie said in annoyance.

"Couldn't you have used a more balanced bracket?" Bororo asked.

"That's a fair assessment but this bracket was based on each of your individual performances throughout the hunter exam." Netero said "Those whose performances were rated highly will have more chances to win."

Amira felt hurt. This meant she was near the bottom of the rating.

Killua saw the hurt look on Amira's face. He turned to look at the chairman. "I'm not convinced. Can you explain exactly how you scored our performances?"

The man looked at him before screaming "Noooooo."

Everyone jumped.

"Why not?" Amira asked.

"Your scores are classified. I can explain the criteria we used. We start with the basics." Netero said with a tilt of his head.

Holding up three fingers, he said, "There are three categories. Physical strength, Mental Acuity and Overall impression."

He glanced at Amira before speaking, "Physical strength we rely on an aggregate of agility, flexibility, endurance and perception."

Amira frowned. 'So I did terrible on the physical strength part. I can't help that I'm short.'

The man than turned his eyes to Leorio, "For mental actuate the aggregate consists of resilience, adaptability, judgement, and creativity. These are just reference points as every one of you were strong enough in mind and body to reach the final phase."

Netero turned his eyes to Killua, "The last is overall impression and it is what we are most concerned about. This is intangible factors that defy basic categorization. Think of it as our way of assessing your potential as a hunter. We round it out the assessment by the opinions of your peers."

Amira tensed in anger. "So Gittarackur and I are looked at as the ones who would have less potential as hunters?"

Netero looked at the only female to have made it this far. "As I said, I can't reveal your scores but you two are ones that have left less of an impression compared to your other competitors."

Killua looked angry at the hurt look on Amira's face at Netero's comment.

"Weapons are allowed, and cheating is prohibited. If your opponent admits defeat, you win. However if you kill your opponent, you are disqualified. If that happens the exam ends and everyone else passes." Netero said with a smile on his face.

A man in black stepped forward. "Let the final phase of the exam begin. First match Gon vs Hanzo.

-Time skip to right before Killua and Gitarrackur match -

"Killua vs Gitarrackur. Step forward." The referee called.

"You got this Killua. Beat that guy." Amira said with a huge smile and hugged the boy as he passed.

Killua smirked at her before pulling away. "You know it."

He turned to walk over and took a place across from the purple man.

"Begin" The referee said waving his arms.

"It's been a while, Kil." Gittarrackur said with a smile.

Amira frowned as the others looked confused. No one knew what was going on.

The man's body shuddered as he pulled pin after pin out of his face till they were all gone. The man's face started to move and shudder.

"That is so gross." Amira said in shocked horror.

Killua's eyes shot open wide as he stuttered. "Big brother?"

Everyone was staring in shock. Amira noticed out of the corner of her eye Hisoka and the judges who were not surprised.

"you knew, didn't you? Hisoka, you knew who he was?" Amira said looking at the man.

Hisoka just smiled and shrugged. "Who am I to ruin Illumi's fun?"

Amira glared at the man. "You could have given a warning."

Hisoka just turned away back to the fight.

Amira turned back as Leorio fell to the ground in shock.

"She was so happy her son had finally grown up, but she was concerned about you being out on your own." Illumi said. "She sent me to check up on you. I had no idea you wanted to be a hunter. I need a license for a job."

Killua scoffed, "I don't. I just wanted to take the test."

"I see. You are not cut out to be a hunter." Illumi said with a blank look. "You were born to be an assassin. There is nothing you can desire or wish for. You have one skill and that is to kill. Dad and I raised you to want it. What would you do as a hunter? You don't know do you?"

Killua took a step back with a fearful look on his face.

"It's true. I don't want to be a hunter, but everyone wants something." Killua said looking down.

"No. You don't." Illumi said in amusement.

"WRONG." KIllua yelled in anger. "There is something that I really want."

"And that would be?" Illumi asked.

"I want to be friends with Gon. I'm sick of killing people." Killua said with a thoughtful look before his eyes met Amira's. "I want to listen to Amira sing and act all Mother Hen on Gon and I when she thinks we are doing something stupid or force feed us because she worries that we aren't eating."

The three friends smiled as they listened to the boy.

Killua turned to his brother. "I want to be friends with Gon and have fun."

"Impossible." Illumi said, "Your incapable of friendship. The only thing you can do is decide whether you will kill them now or later. Eventually you will kill both of them. It's what you were raised to do."

"THAT'S A LIE. DON'T LISTEN TO HIM, KILLUA." Amira screamed at the boy, but it was like Killua couldn't hear her.

"You don't desire his friendship. You just don't know how to look at him because of his personality. You are confused about all of them. Once you do figure it out, you will kill them all." Illumi said while staring in the boy's eyes.

"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM, KILLUA. HE IS WORTHLESS. JUST BEAT HIM AND WIN." Leorio yelled.

"COME ON KILLUA. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU CAN DO IT." Amira screamed at him.

"GON ALRADY CONSIDERS YOU A FRIEND. HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT?" Leorio screamed at him.

Killua blinked in shock. "Gon…thinks I'm his friend."

"Gon, thinks you are so you are." Leorio said with annoyance.

"Is that true?" Illumi asked.

"Yes it's true." Leorio said.

Amira's face went pale. Before anyone could blink, she had moved so quickly to stand between the door where Gon was and the others with her swords out that everyone was shocked at how fast it was.

The others looked confused at what she was doing.

"What are you doing, 406?" Menchi asked baffled.

Amira ignored her keeping her eyes on Illumi who turned to stare at her.

"I will gut you like a pig for slaughter." Amira said snarling at the man. Everyone else looked confused between the two.

"That's not good. Gon thinks Killua is a friend?" Illumi's eyes moved to the door. "Guess I will need to kill him." Illumi said.

Everyone else gasped in shock.

Illumi pulled out several of his needles and looked at Amira. "Assassins do not need friends so I will kill him. Move girl or I will kill you too."

"Touch him and I will kill you." Amira said letting the nen fill her body for the nen users to feel. "I will hold nothing back. Damn the consequences with the hunter's association."

"Chairman?" Menchi said tensing at the feelings in the air.

Netero stood watching.

Hanzo, Kurapika and Leorio joined her glaring at the man.

"How annoying. If I kill them I fail but I need it now for a job. What to do? What to do?" Illumi said with a blank face. "if I kill Gon, Killua will pass. That won't do."

He suddenly turned to face Netero. "I know. I will pass and then I will kill Gon. If I pass here, I can kill everyone and keep my license, correct?"

Netero sighed. "Yes. According to the rules."

Illumi turned to Killua, "Did you hear that? If you want to save Gon, you're going to have to beat me? However, if you somehow miraculously beat me, I will be against either 403, 406 or 191. Do you think any one of them will be able to beat me?"

The man started walking toward Killua, "Will you fight me to save your friend? You can't because you know you can't beat me in a fight. Your weak compared to me. I taught you to not fight anyone stronger than you."

Killua went to back up but Illumi spoke first. "Don't move or I will think the fight has begun. If I touch you than the fight will also begin. There is only one way to stop me but if you don't fight me Gon will die."

Illumi reached out to touch Killua and Amira couldn't help but watch with her heart breaking. The look on his face. The fear. It wasn't right.

Killua suddenly dropped his head. "You win, Illumi."

Everyone stared in shock.

Illumi laughed. "We aren't going to fight. Good. That was a test and you failed. I knew you did not have the ability to make friends. You just don't qualify for it."

The older man leaned forward and whispered something in Killua's ear that no one else could hear.

Illumi walked away leaving Killua standing there.

Amira moved before the others could and was by the boy.

"Killua?" She said reaching out to the boy but he flinched away from her.

He walked over to the wall and leaned against it without looking at anyone.

Amira's eyes filled with tears watching the boy as her heart broke for him. Her eyes turned to Illumi with anger in them.

"Everyone, please move to the side." The referee said.

Amira walked over to the others and stood staring at Illumi with hatred as Killua ignored Leorio and Kurapika who tried to talk to him.

Leorio sighed and went to stand beside her with a glare on Illumi.

"Leorio," she said.

The boy looked at her as she took his hand in hers. "Please win your match. I don't want to go against you or Killua. I'm sure I can beat Bodoro."

Leorio nodded his head. "I'm going to win. I promise."

He took a step forward only to stop and glance at her, "If I don't and we have to face each other, whoever loses at becoming a hunter will help train the other for the next exam, right?"

Amira nodded her head. "Right."

Killua watched the two with a dazed look on his face.

Leorio and Bodoro faced each other in the ring. Both looked determined to win.

"Ready. Begin." The referee said.

Before anything could happen, Killua appeared behind the man and drove his hand through Bororo's chest killing him.

Everyone stared in shock. Killua glanced at them and turned to walk out.

"The hunter exam is over. 403 and 406, you pass the exam. We will take a thirty-minute break. 406, 301 and 44 please follow me for some follow up questions for you regarding some of your actions during the exam." Chairman Netero said with a motion.

The group stared in confusion before the three followed him through a door into a hallway with closed doors around them.

Amira bit her lip as she looked at the door Killua walked out of. This was not right.

Mr. Bean stepped forward. "The rest of you may follow me to the conference room to wait."

The door shut behind her as Netero and the other judges turned to face them.

"You will each prove you know nen. You will not need to give away your special abilities but must prove you can do all four of the categories to pass the official hidden test of the hunter's exam." Netero said with a hard look. "Satozo will take 301, Menchi and Buhara will take 406, and I will take 44."

"Come on, 406." Menchi said with a frown at Illumi.

Amira sighed and nodded her head following the gourmet hunters into a room. This was wrong. So wrong.