The Otonari's Last [Draft, Discontinued]

II - the First Phase

"Very well. All 404 applicants will participate in Phase One." The man abruptly turns and begins walking.

"I'll see you guys in a bit, then," I say to the three boys. "I'm going to head up to the front." Gon waves, and I jog to the front just as the man leading us speeds up.

"I failed to introduce myself," the man says. "I am Satotz, the Phase One examiner. I shall lead you to the exam's Second Phase."

"Second Phase?" number 294 asks. "What about Phase One?"

"It has already commenced," was Satotz's simple reply. "You must follow me to Phase Two." Growing bored, I pull my headphones over my ears and start my music back up. My mind begins to wander, and I let myself think while I run.

Man, this is boring. It's probably testing our endurance and ability to handle mental strain. Welp, it'll be best if I pay no mind to the running at all.

Around four hours after we began the test, we reached stairs that stretched up as far as I could see. Satotz starts to run faster, and I follow suit, running to catch up to him. I jog to his left, not even two feet behind him. He glances back at me for a moment, then turns back to the stairs. Another half-hour or so passes, and I spot a white light.

The exit? Wow, this went by pretty quick.

Satotz takes the final step up to flat ground, and I pass by him before he can turn around. Close behind me is Gon and #99, who I assume were having a race. They start arguing, then turn to Satotz, who says something back to them. Gon then gets a confused expression, and I decide to see what's up. Shutting off my music and pulling my headphones down, I walk toward the boys.

"Hey, Gon." Gon and his new friend turn to me, and I see recognition flash over #99's face.

"You're that girl that was watching me!" he shouts, pointing at me. I chuckle and rub the back of my neck.

"Yeah, that was me. I find you interesting," I explained. "I'm Ara."

"Killua," he replies.

"Anyway, what's the problem?"

"Killua and I passed the line at the same time, so he has to buy me dinner, and I'll buy him dinner." I laugh and ruffle the boys' hair.

"How about I buy you both dinner?" I offer. Gon and Killua turn to me, their eyes sparkling with happiness.

"Would you really?" Gon asks.

"Duh! I said so, didn't I?" I laugh again, and the boys laugh with me.

"Hey, Satotz-san, is this where the Second Phase of the exam takes place?" Gon asks, turning to our examiner. I look out toward the fog covering our view, unable to make anything out.

"No, we still have quite a way to go."

"Oh..." the boy says in disappointment. We move off to one side as the rest of the participants come up the steps, waiting for Kurapika and Leorio.

"Hey, Kurapika," Gon says as they become visible at the top of the stairs.

"Is this our destination?" the blonde boy asks, waving at Gon.

"No, it isn't."

"I see. The fog is fading."

"Really?" Gon asks, standing up. I straighten myself from leaning against the wall, peering out as the fog cleared.

Trees, plants... Forestry? Are we in some kind of swamp?

"The Numere Wetlands, also known as Swindlers Swamp. We must cross these wetlands to reach Phase Two of the exam. This place is home to many bizarre animals, many of them being cunning, insatiable creatures who deceive humans and prey upon them. Be very careful. If you let them fool you...you're dead," Satotz warns, and I hear the metal gate close behind me.

"These wetland creatures will use every trick in the book to fool their prey. An ecosystem in which creatures obtain food through deceit... Hence the name 'Swindlers Swamp.' Stay very close to me so you won't be deceived."

"What a joke," I hear Leorio say. "How can they fool us when we're expecting it?"

"Don't let them fool you!" a voice shouts from my right.

"I just said that they can't," Leorio repeats before looking to the voice.

"D-Don't fall for it..." the voice says again, this time a face poking around the corner. A man with light brown hair and dirt on his face looks out at us. "He's lying to you! He's an impostor! He isn't an examiner... I'm the real examiner." People begin to voice their confusion, and I just sigh.

"Goodness, Leorio. Weren't you just saying that they can't fool us?" I mumble. He looks at me.

"You mean, he's a fake?" he asks, pointing to the man claiming to be the examiner.

"Yes, Leorio. Just watch."

"Look at this..." the man continues, dragging something out from behind the wall. "It's a Man-Faced Ape, one of the creatures that dwell in the Numere Wetlands! Man-Faced Apes love the taste of fresh human flesh. However, their limbs are long and thin, so they're quite weak. That's why they disguise themselves as humans. They trick humans into following them into these wetlands, where they team up with other animals to kill and devour them. He intends to trap every single applicant!"

"Are you serious?" I say, loud enough for the group to hear me. "If you were the real examiner, why didn't you just kill the ape instead of ranting about it? Another thing... I've seen Satotz-san in Hunter Info books, but not once have I ever seen you. If you're trying to get us to follow you, I suggest you do a better job of convincing people." As soon as the last word leaves my mouth, three cards stab into the impostor's chest and head. Another three cards fly in my direction, but I catch them between my fingers before they can land a scratch. I also notice three cards in Satotz's hands.

"I see, I see..." number 44 speaks up, arching his cards between his hands. "That settles it... You're the real one." I feel my eye twitch.

"That's what that was for?" I ask angrily. "You wanted to see if he was the real examiner or not? Why throw them at me, then?"

"I was merely trying to learn if you were in on the trick or not." I grind my teeth together, but bite my tongue, knowing my big mouth could get me into unwanted trouble. "Examiners are Hunters selected by the committee to perform this duty without pay. Any Hunter bearing the title we seek would have been able to block that attack."

I again grow angry. "And I'm not a Hunter yet! What if that had killed me, huh? You would've been disqualified, you-" I'm cut off by a hand covering my mouth, and I look over my shoulder to see Kurapika with a stern look on his face. I squint at him angrily, crossing my arms and pouting, but I relax and shut my mouth. After swatting his hand away, I tune back into the conversation.

"I shall take that as a compliment. However, should you attack me again, for any reason, I will report you for turning on an examiner, and you will be immediately disqualified. Are we clear?"

"Sure," number 44 responds. I hear the sudden caw of vultures, and turn to see the birds eating the dead impostor.

"Nature really can be brutal to watch..." Leorio says.

"So he was a Man-Faced Ape, as well," Kurapika mutters. After a brief explanation and warning from Satotz, we were on our way again. I was at the front of the group, my music on, again bored out of my mind. It was harder to run on marsh, yes, but my mind still ached for something to do.

After another two hours, Satotz stopped in front of a set of two large doors. I sat under a tree, leaning back against it, and enjoy the small amount of shade its branches provided. Killua joined me, tapping his skateboard nervously.

"Killua, they'll be fine. Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio are all strong in their own ways. I have no doubt that they'll show up." I smile at him reassuringly, and as soon as I look away from him, I catch #301 staring at me. He looks away, and I resume watching the path for the boys.

Leorio showed up first...slung over the shoulder of #44.