Just when the group thinks the Chimera Ants couldn't reach a new low, a curious cat decides to take up that challenge.
The group found themselves surrounded by another trap. This time by flying ants. It was a pain considering they'd weave through the trees, trying to swat them before vanishing over to the other side.
Kite didn't want them to get cornered, or waste more potential time. So he ushered them to continue going forward, no matter what happens next.
They were using nature to their advantage, with not even Killua's electricity being able to hit the enemy.
"The bastards are using the trees to avoid our attacks."
Raphael gave a wicked grin, "I guess I'm up."
Kite raised an eyebrow, "Mirage?"
"No, my other ability. When I launch Blashbang, you close your eyes. Killua, you deal with the right, Gon the left."
The two gave a nod.
"Kite, you let us know when to come to a halt."
The man understood the plan. This would make it easy to surround them. And given the ability's name, there's only one possible outcome. Since Mirage has the property of shadows, the other would be of light.
Kite glanced over his shoulder to the others, "There's a chance there will be others behind us."
"I'll deal with them."
"Good. If they're trying to lead us into a trap ahead, I'll deal with it." With a nod, Kite looked forward, "On three…"
Raphael funnelled aura into his palm, avoiding every ant that tried to attack him.
"Go!"
The others came to a halt, Raphael launching his ability in two directions. A flash of bright light eclipsed the area, blinding the annoying buzzing flies.
At that moment, three flew past them. Killua disappeared quicker than Gon, the sounds of enemies crashing into trees being the only indication that the other had moved.
Raphael grabbed onto the first creature, ripping off its wings before jumping to the other to do the same.
Grabbing their head, he crushed it against the tree, turning back to finish off the first.
"I'm done. You guys?"
Killua flicked his wrist, his sharpened nails being withdrawn, "Easy peasy. Gon?"
The boy offered a smile, "That ability is so useful. They couldn't react in time to my fist."
Hearing this, Killua frowned, "Well, we still had to finish them off."
"Aww, is someone still pouty from being unable to hit them with his electricity."
"I'm not…"
As the two bickered, Kite's eyes drifted to the sky. There was still someone left, most likely the one coordinating this attack.
"There's definitely enemies awaiting us ahead." The man took a step forward, "Be ready for anything."
They finally escaped the treeline, only to enter high grasslands. Everyone's eyes peeled over the land for anything hiding.
Kite's eyes stopped, noticing two creatures. One looks more human than the other. Although, his eyes remained fixated on the other, a reddish-pink chimera ant standing out amongst the green. His eyes narrowed, staring long and hard into their eyes.
When they stood up, Gon reacted "Ah-" The Chimera Ant looked like he popped out of nowhere.
Both the Ant and Kite continued to lock eyes, neither one moving for what felt like an eternity. Just when the boys thought they'd have another fight on their hands, the Chimera Ant turned around and walked away.
Another joined the initial ant, this one also hiding alongside them, followed by the one that was up in the sky.
"He was able to understand he was outclassed, and he calmly backed down at once."
"So… Do we take them out?"
"No." A smile crept across the man's face "He's likely a Squadron Leader."
The three peered back to look at the ants, the creatures vanishing once more into the distance.
"We're following them. We shouldn't be that far from their nest…"
"~"
Every couple of minutes Raphael felt a surge of aura coming from Kite, as though he were periodically searching for something.
Then the man relaxed. He was constantly keeping tabs on the Chimera Ants they were still following, "They're continuing to go straight. Seems like the nest isn't too far ahead now."
"That's amazing…" Killua was casual with his remark about the man's skill, almost coming off as disinterested. But he wasn't. He was more than impressed that the man was able to keep tabs on people they couldn't even catch a glimpse of.
"I wish I had his raw talent. That would be so beneficial alongside my skills." Well, there were other reasons he wanted to be skilled at En. That was just one of the many reasons…
His main reason would always be because it's beneficial alongside his fighting style. Knowing when and where an enemy is would make it possible to blast enemies with his ability from their blind spots.
That, and he could theoretically be a skilled tactician if he becomes skilled with En.
Killua could think of a few possible thoughts rummaging through the boy's mind, but what Kite is pulling off… that's something a Nen Master could be doing, not someone who's currently struggling to maintain a decent distance, "Lobbing balls of aura over a distance of forty meters sounds like a hassle."
"Pfft, Razor did that like it was child's play for him."
Killua smirked. Yes, for Razor… "Not for the guy who's still learning Nen."
The boy pouted in response, only to see that Cheshire grin widen in response.
Killua was not done teasing him "His ability was something else. Besides, Kite is on a whole nother level. He hasn't lost them for a second, and we've made plenty of twists and turns. They probably think they lost us miles away back there."
Gon could agree with his friends. Kite was something else when it came to talent, "Kite did mention he could use En within a radius of forty-five meters."
"Yeah, well, I vaguely remember Bisky saying that Nen masters could handle around fifty meters…" Killua turned to his friend, "And he's not that far off. Actually…"
The boy found himself looking at the man's back. It would be wrong of him to assume Kite wasn't a Nen Master at this point, "Since he managed to track those ants throughout the night, it's probably safe to assume that he is a Nen Master…"
Gon blinked in surprise. He knew Kite was strong, but he didn't stop to consider how strong he was compared to a Professional Nen Master.
"Or at least stronger than one…" Killua muttered quietly under his breath. The man was probably listening to them discussing his potential, and probably didn't want them assuming anything.
Not because of the possibility of being the complete opposite, but rather given the stories he told them about Ging, Kite clearly doesn't believe he should be held to such a high standard.
"Such praise, coming from the guy who can't handle compliments, being rapidly fired from Gon's lips…"
"Shut it, that's different!"
"Eh?"
"Don't eh me, Gon. You know you say whatever the hell you want before thinking about how you are saying it."
"But it's-"
Killua quickly covered the boy's mouth, "Don't you dare say anything. Just know that Kite is the real deal, and he's probably the first real Pro Hunter we've met."
"Besides Bisky." Raphael added, "She was punting us like it was nothing, and she was a professional teacher too."
"Alright…" Killua found himself smiling, "I'll give you that. But never say that to her face. She'll definitely grow a big head… probably. Also, she was our Nen mentor first, so we don't know her full potential. For all we know, Kite could punt her like she does with us."
"Oh, there was also Wing." Gon added, "He crushed the wall like it was made of paper."
"Yeah, but he has the same problem. He taught us about the fundamentals of Nen, our first Nen Master and saviour, might I add. Without him, we would've never reached the two-hundredth floor."
He found himself laughing, a small idea crossing his mind. Gon was always talking about Ging having this massive plan for them… but all along, they just happened to be in the right place, at the right time, "Looking back, we were always at the right place at the right time, right when we needed them the most."
"When we needed them the most, huh…"
Killua was quick to smile at Gon, "Yeah. All those people have made us stronger."
"Me too…?" Raphael pointed at himself.
"Eh, you're a hit or miss at times."
"Rude…"
Killua found himself laughing at how easily offended his friend was, "I'm kidding. You were useful too."
"Thank you…" Raphael then found himself slowly turning to his friend, opting to glare, "Useful? I was a treasure trove of information back on Greed Island."
"Yes, but could you punt me like Bisky could?"
"Well, no…" The teen crossed his arms, turning away to pout, "Not that I would punt you like she did. I consider you both important friends. And I'd risk my life… to protect you."
The boy gave a dismissive wave, even though his cheeks went red from the admission. Killua knows Raphael meant you, as in the both of them. But the way he was fixated on him when he said it, made him feel like it was being directed at only him.
Once he had recovered mentally, he quickly shot down his friend's declaration, "That's never going to happen. We're just as skilled as you."
Gon on the other hand was willing to disagree with his best friend, and completely agree with Raphael, "No, he's right. I'd do the same for you, Killua, if I were in his position."
The boy's jaw dropped, embarrassment shading his face a deep red. Could they, like, not double-team him on a dime? Neither of them had shame, "You're crazy…" He shifted his attention away, avoiding both of their gazes. He can't handle being propped up to be a damsel-in-distress.
Killua would never be in that kind of position, and it should be them being worried about being found in such a compromising circumstance, "Absolute idiots…"
"Eh, that's not fair, Killua." He whined, now closing the distance, so the other had nowhere else to go, "You're an important friend to me. And I'd never let go."
Killua shoved his friend away, "You're supposed to be on high alert, not hugging me like I'm some kind of kitty."
Gon pressed a thumb to his chin, deep in thought, "But you kinda are."
"Heh?" Killua was caught off-guard, wholly unprepared for whatever argument Gon was about to make.
"A kitty? Besides your claws, you will snatch chocolates if given to you, and you hate people getting too close to you. Except me, because we're the bestest of friends."
Mortified, Killua aborted the topic, "Are we there Kite?"
"As much as it is entertaining to listen to you three joking around and having fun, you should be keeping an eye on what is happening around your surroundings."
"Were we-"
"We're not, thankfully." The man turned to give them a stern look. They should be on the lookout for any stray ants looking for humans to kill or taunt. Neither of the boys should be treating it as a stroll in the nature reserve, "We should-"
The man stopped suddenly, frozen in place. He felt malicious intent from something afar, something that was barely licking the edges of his En.
They've been spotted by something sinister, something aiming for him, "Run!"
Kite moved forward in an attempt to draw whatever it was attracted to them, but he was far too late. Something landed beside him, his arm severed with such precision, had he not heard his limb hit the floor, he wouldn't have noticed.
Neither of the boys were prepared, an arm sailing past them, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
It was just a split second, an enemy not even giving them a curtsy of an introduction. All they saw were yellow cat eyes, meeting theirs.
And a powerful bloodlust that rooted them all to the spot. Each had their own reaction.
Killua felt fear for the first time, a creature that oozed nothing but danger.
Gon saw nothing but red; rage and anger after seeing the monstrous ant hurt Kite.
And Raphael, he panicked for the first time. Flight and fight kicked in at the same time, creating this mesh of ill-timed bad decisions. But all he could focus on, what he knew without a doubt…
They needed to run… to get the hell out of there.
Aura funnelled into his palm, his wrist launching whatever power he could muster up in a split second.
There was a sudden flash, Raphael twisting his body to face the others the moment he heard the screech
They probably have a minute to move after temporarily blinding the monster. He turned to warn the others to run, to get away as soon as possible, but what he thought would be a minute, was actually a second at best.
He felt it behind him, shoving the two back with whatever aura he could muster up.
Something dug into his skin, claws raking across his back from the shoulder down to his waist.
He bit his lip in an attempt to muffle the sound that was soon to escape his mouth. But the cry of anguish couldn't be stopped.
Fingers dug into the dirt, whimpers and budding sobs threatening to spill. He looked to the others, pleading with them for the first time.
"Run, you idiots!" The teen let out, his body lying limp on the ground. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the figure standing to his side, their eyes trained on the others.
They were daring them to make sudden moves like he had.
Killua latched onto Gon, giving him a weak tug, "We need-" The boy froze. Gon for the first time wasn't just angry… He was infuriated. His eyes just refused to leave the creature's because all he saw was two people he deeply cared about were harmed in a matter of seconds.
First they severed Kite's arm, the man he looked up to as a father figure. Then they attempted to rob him of an important friendship.
He's not losing anyone else.
Gon…
Just…
Snapped…
For the first time, he screamed with anguish and rage. Aura whipped into a frenzy.
The cat's ears perked up with delight.
This was new, a raw emotion that buzzed like tiny razors. Except to them, it felt more like leaves rustling in the wind. A non-existent threat, throwing a screaming tantrum.
The cat pounced.
Kite reacted on instinct, ignoring whatever the clown just said. He needed to save the kids.
Whatever he had gotten, he caught the Chimera Ant off-guard, the weapon slamming into the side of the creature's rib.
They got knocked back, barely a wrinkle on their clothes, "Wow! You can do stuff like that…?" Their tail swished with excitement, uncaring about being attacked. All they were interested in was whatever that man now held in his palm.
Killua reacted on instinct, slamming the back of his palm to Gon's neck. He didn't hold back. He probably should've, but his body was moving on its own out of fear from losing someone important to him.
The boy saw what happened during Raphael's decision to attack the monster. He refuses to lose Gon over a dumb choice, too.
"Good decision, Killua. Now, run…"
Killua hyperventilated in response, fear of accidentally killing his friend from not holding back.
He grabbed Gon, slinging him over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. His wrist snapped to grab Raphael, slinging him over his other shoulder, ignoring his protests.
He ran, ran just like the man told him to. Killua was leaving nothing to chance. Gon already drew the ant's attention with his aura, and had Kite not intervened, he'd have two heavily wounded friends, or worse…
Gon could've been killed…
Raphael grabbed Killua, his grip too weak to stop the other. They shouldn't be leaving the man. Even though the man stated it's a wise decision, he should've been left behind to assist Kite.
"Wait, we can still help Kite!"
"Are you fucken crazy?!" Killua yelled as he weaved through the trees, ignoring all the branches that smacked him in the face, "That ant would finish you off in a second. You're practically useless to him in your state."
"But…" Blood dripped down his back, along his arm. He saw the sporadic drops hit the ground to leave a trail back to them. Killua, nor Gon needed any ants to have a trail back to them.
"But what? Your blood, yes? I can smell it. But Gon would kill me if I left you behind to die…"
"And he won't for Kite?"
"He has a better chance of survival. You don't…"
"Kil-" The teen's voice died down, vision dulling.
"What?" He heard silence, "Fucking dammit!" He slapped the teen's ass in hopes of waking up. Killua after all, wasn't to whack him on the back where the bloody wound was. That would be stupid, but Raphael still remained limp and silent, "Don't you dare die on me, damn it!"
He's not losing his friend, if not for himself, he's saving him for Gon's sake.
We were overconfident…
We were no match for an ant, who Kite still managed to take on even with a missing limb. That thing knew we were weak, and it was just toying with us.
Maybe, if Kite were alone, none of this would've happened. The moment he sensed the enemy, he would've prepared his ability. He may have gotten the scythe, or something better than that mace to kill the enemy. Or better yet, he'd arrive before that ant was born to kill the Queen.
Killua quickened his pace. We were idiots to think we'd have a chance!
"~"
Killua stumbled when his foot met a root growing out the floor, managing to drop the two. He checked Gon first since he didn't have time to make sure he hadn't accidentally killed him when he, only, wanted to knock him out.
A pulse…
Killua checked Raphael next. There was a pulse, but it was weak. He ran his fingers over the shredded shirt. It was a deep cut, but clean. He'll need to close up the wound and patch him up if he's going to survive.
Killua tore off one sleeve, using it as a makeshift bandage. He made it as tight as he could plausibly do. Ripping off his other sleeve, he wrapped it over as a double binding. Good, this should help reduce the bleeding.
Picking the two up once more, he continued to run.
"~"
When he arrived at the tree, they were whipped up into a frenzy, some of the men going straight to Raphael to tend to his wounds, "Where's our fucken shit?!"
When no one answered he grabbed the nearest person, pulling him down to his level. He wasn't playing games "Our shit, now!"
"Th-There!" Killua shoved the man aside. He was too preoccupied about things he needed to do, like alerting the others about how dangerous the ants had gotten, and to also pick them up. They can't stay here. Grabbing Gon's phone first, his eyes spotted a first aid kit on the wall.
The boy wasted no time, tearing the box off the wall.
He made his way back to the others, shoving one of the men away looking after Raphael, "MOVE!" Dumping the contents onto the bench, he grabbed the needle and thread, using his fingers to force the wound close before easing the pin through the teen's flesh. He hadn't woken up, which is good. It means he won't be squirming out of agony.
While he was closing the wound, he dialled Spinner's number, making sure to hold the phone in the crook of his neck as he continued to work.
The moment he heard a voice, he immediately spoke, "Spin, we need to evacuate. Gon is out cold, Raphael is heavily wounded. The ants were too strong for us. Bring everyone you can. We need an army."
"And Kite?"
"We…" Killua bit his lip. They left him behind to save their own skin. Once Gon wakes up, he might never forgive him. But saving them was the correct thing to do. He would've never recovered had he witnessed Gon death "He stayed behind to protect us."
"You left Kite behind?! Why on earth would you not- Hey!"
The next voice Killua heard was Monta's, the man's voice soothing against his stressful anxiety, "How are you holding up?"
"We–We had to! We had no-"
"I understand. We're on our way. And we have reinforcements."
"Hurry!"
A/N: Leave a review, it helps inspire me.