This chapter sets up a major side-plot in Third Gen Tales. This crossovers Zelda: Spirit Tracks and Hunter x Hunter!
Ace Hunter; that night (not that space has a time of day)
"Hoo, feels good to be back in my nice, comfy spaceship!" Augustus beamed, refreshed in his evening pajamas. "Pea, you're cleaning the bridge tomorrow for pressuring me like that!"
"Oh, boo, don't tell me you didn't enjoy it." Pea pouted.
"I just can't wait 'til we get to Hyrule!" Carrot cheered, wearing a reddish-pink nightgown with a carrot design and Ninjin written below it. "I can already taste that giant, juicy carrot!!"
"You really live up to your species." Augustus remarked.
"Did you know rabbits don't actually like carrots that much?" Senku asked. "On the contrary, carrots can make rabbits sick. The whole thing was a myth created by Bugs Bunny."
"Well, I've eaten carrots my whole life and I've never been sick! I also kind of love chocolate."
"Chocolate kills rabbits."
"Knock it off, Senku!" Tressa slapped the scientist. "Moving on, here's a funny question: since Pea is 28 years old, should she sleep in the kids' room or our room?"
"I'd like the grown-up room please." Pea curtsied, bobbing on her heels. "I can't wait to talk about the hottest boys and try on new bikinis!"
"Do you think that's all we do?!" Kohaku shouted.
"Nel is 195 millions years old." The little cavegirl said. "She much more ripe and sex-appealing than other females."
"And THAT'S why she sleeps outside." Stewie sighed.
"Alright, I officially appoint Pea in charge of the teen girls' room." August stated. "Tama stays in charge of the kids' room."
"HAI, AUGUST'N!" Tama approved delightedly.
"Now, get some rest, swabbies. We sail for Hyrule at dawn! …Or whenever it feels like dawn."
Hyrule; a certain estate
The darkness of his best friend's home did little to wane his unease. He could feel the father's disappointment weighing down on him. "I see now why Killua's been so disheartened." The father said. "Submitting to such an ultimatum… Perhaps you are undeserving of your Haki."
"But, I… It's not like I was afraid, sir. All she wants is-"
"SILENCE!" The father punched the floor and rumbled the entire estate. "I don't need to hear it again. All that matters is you agreed to this without consulting with Killua. And do you expect me to quell his anger?"
"I-I was just wondering if… you would talk to him, or something…"
"There is little I could do… Gon, the only one who can make Killua happy is you. You, the one he loves most… the one he feels has betrayed him."
"Khhhh…" The boy bit his lip.
"However, Killua and Kalluto are under extensive training from CP0. I don't know where they are or when they'll be back. Perhaps you can take this time to find the right words."
"Okay… Thanks."
The upset, spiked-haired teen left the estate slowly, joined by his two teammates: Canary, a dark-skinned girl with hair tied into several thick braids and a butler's uniform, and Zushi, a short boy with brown hair and a karate robe with a red belt. "OSH!" Zushi exclaimed. "How did it go, Senpai?!"
"Uh…not great."
"Ah, I am… sorry to hear that."
"But… you know those reports we've been getting from GKND, right?" Canary asked. "About… CP0. I wonder if Killua's…"
"Hmm…" Gon feared if Killua was in some sort of trouble. What if he was upset for more reasons besides… "I feel like that Nagisa boy's been a better friend than me lately. Killua loves hanging out with him."
"Killua's always liked you best." Canary smiled in comfort. "He told me himself."
"OSH! When Killua-senpai comes home, you need to tell him how you really feel!" Zushi fist-pumped.
"Yeah… and maybe I should get him something cool." His expression lit up with a smile. "Something to really welcome him home with!"
"Like what? A new yo-yo?"
"Nothing like that! I need to give him something only a Hunter could provide!"
The trio ventured past a misty forest of crushed Guardian robots made of Sheikah Tech; a standard whenever Gon visited his best friend. They left the Zoldyck grounds with ease.
Little did they know a camera was installed in the father's room, their conversation watched by a pair of milky, dark eyes. "That wretched boy… how dare he betray my brother's faith." His voice was soft and his face pale with smooth, shiny black hair. He wore a green jester-like uniform with yellow pins in the chest.
"If you ask me, Gon scored a way better date than Killua." replied an obese boy of 19, with a pink button shirt, black hair, and eyes squinted into a thin crescent shape.
"Now he plans to bring Killua a gift?" He overheard Gon near one of the outside cameras. "Just how does he hope to please him?"
"What's it matter to you, Illumi?"
"Well, Milluki… I think we must judge for ourselves whether he's worthy of Killua's affection. Let us follow him, quietly."
"Bro, we're supposed to babysit Alluka today! Not stalk Gon!"
"Luki, Luki!" The 11-year girl in question reached from behind and tugged Milluki's pudgy cheeks. "I wanna see Gon! Take me, take me!"
"Patience, sweetheart." Illumi said. "We'll be visiting Gon in time…"
Northwest of Phantom Sea
Leaving the breathless darkness of space, the Marzipans made sail on the crisp, sunny sea of Hyrule. "We're closing in on the Spirit Tracks!" Pea announced. "A country famous for its trains. But during my 'exploits' on Hyrule, I learned of a legendary Colossal Carrot hidden somewhere in this region. This place is actually home to a wide assortment of-"
"Is that a rabbit?" Tressa pointed. The crew looked over the port side, seeing something small and light-blue hopping around the ocean's surface.
"It is!" Carrot beamed. Today, she wore a green frilly dress with an orange bow on the waist. "How is it hopping on the water?"
"The Spirit Tracks are divided into five quadrants." Pea explained. "The grassland, volcano, snowfield, ocean, and desert. (The latter two are in the same quadrant.) And they each have their own form of rabbits, such as these Sea Rabbits."
"Garchu! If they can do it, I can, too!" Carrot kicked off her shoes and leapt into the sea, flailing her feet in the hopes of running on it, but the expected result was nothing short of a splash. "Bleh!" She tried to push herself above the water and kick, but could barely get her waist up.
"You should've at least wore your swimsuit, Carrot!" Tressa said.
"Carrot, do you need some help?" Hinahoho asked.
"Yeah! I need something to hold me up so I can try this again!"
"Well, okay." The Imuchakk dove in, allowing Carrot onto his broad back. The friends would share in smiles in Carrot's determined, but fruitless efforts to run on water.
"Come on, Carrot, the Hedgehogs can do better than that!" Augustus teased.
"Hey, Captain, how about a challenge of our own?" Kohaku asked, already equipped in her swim gear. "Fancy a race to shore?"
"I don't think I can win that one."
"That's what makes it fun! Woohoo!" Kohaku back-flipped in the sea.
"Ay, here goes nothin'." Augustus changed to his trunks and dove in. Though they started from a simultaneous time and position, Kohaku was leagues ahead of the muscular captain in seconds.
Pea and Tama stared at them with envy and sorrow. "Sure would be nice if we could swim, huh?"
"O-Tama agrees…"
Choooooooooo! The crew could see a train crossing the edge of the cliff, its destination set on the Ocean Realm to the east.
"Ah! Is that another roller coaster?!" the ninja asked with glee.
"That's a train, Tama!" Tressa answered. "We briefly saw it in Station Square, too. They're huge vehicles that roll across set tracks."
"This country industrialized trains and became a major trade and tourism avenue for all of Hyrule." Pea explained. "It would be great if we could hop a train ourselves when we get to land. It'll take a while to travel this land on foot."
"I think I've got you all covered." Stewie smiled in assurance.
Kohaku waited victoriously atop the cliff, swaying her legs in a teasing manner as her captain took his time to join her. "Huff…huff…I guess we'll have to start calling you Manatee." Augustus's remark earned him a swift stomp, sending him to the bottom of the cliff.
Once all the crewmen were safe on land, Stewie withdrew what seemed like three hot dogs, with wheels and seats like a toy train, and placed them on the tracks. A quick zap of his Size Ray blew the train up to fit on the rails. "WHOA!" Carrot gawked. "But it's… not as big as other trains." There were only three cars that were a quarter as high as normal cars. Two had seats while the third, front car had cannons.
"And why are they designed like hotdogs?" Senku asked skeptically.
"Because I was too lazy to make Subways." Stewie said as he climbed in the driver's seat. "All aboard the Weiner Train!"
Like a class of students on a trip, the Marzipans relaxed on the train and watched the field roll by. They beamed at the green Grass Rabbits frolicking the field, the Bullbos racing each other. The first distinct landmark was a great tower beyond the capital city. "That's the Lokomo Tower." Pea pointed. "The Lokomo were the race who first built the Spirit Tracks. They're designed to protect this region from dangerous demons. Of course, the lesser demons are still able to frequent here."
"So, these tracks contain spirit chi." Augustus acknowledged. "Interesting."
"Sure is! And the tower links all the Spirit Tracks together. But most of the time, the Lokomo rest in sanctuaries around the region and pray to the respective gods. See that giant tree over there?" The northwest part of the grassland was mostly forest, in which one tree stood above all the others. "That's the Forest Temple where people pray to Celebi."
"What we need to find is a Food Temple where people pray to Gourmerry."
"Haha, I don't think they have that, Captain. Buuuuut, if we're looking for a giant carrot…" Pea swung her feet and tapped her chin as she looked about thoughtfully, "I think we ought to head to the Rabbitland Rescue. According to the map," she unraveled a map of the region, "it's northeast past the forest."
"HALT! Unidentified hotdog train… thing!" A trio of wooden tanks began to chase them. Soldiers in green uniforms poked from the top of them. "We are the Track Patrol! Do you have a license to operate that? 'Cause I would remember registering the license for such a… peculiar vehicle."
"Uh-oh." Suika said. "Captain, are these bad guys?"
"Bad is a matter of perspective." August threw his barren lolli stick on the grass. "Don't police have a database? Go on and search it, I'm sure you'll find us!"
"So be it!" The soldier raised a Sheikah Slate and snapped the crew's picture. …Immediately, several wanted posters came up. "WHAT?!"
"What is it, Sir?" a soldier asked.
"He's Augustus the Gobstopper, a wanted pirate! And some of those people are wanted, too!"
"Oh, is that what they're calling me now?" August cocked a brow. "Cool! I wasn't really feeling 'Stone Fist' anymore."
"Nel want a new name…" the cavechild moped.
"Men, open fire on the-!"
Stewie aimed the cannons back and blasted the tanks. Hinahoho hurdled his harpoon at one—he only grazed the side of the tank and primarily missed it. August charged at one and pummeled it with hardened fists, while Pea put on her Zathurian Mask to trap another tank in a sub-dimension. Carrot swiftly dodged the third tank's blasts before leaping on top and inside it. It would come to a halt as the driver was KO'ed. Carrot then ran to retrieve Hina's harpoon and return it to the Imuchakk. "For you, Hinabro!"
"Thanks, Carrot…" Hina blushed at his embarrassing misfire.
"Now, Stewie," the captain began upon hopping back on track, "set a course for the Rabbitland Rescue!"
Watching the outlaws speed off, the patrol captain clambered out of his dented tank, grabbing a walkie-talkie. "Hey, we've got an emergency!"
Tri-Ship, above the region
Some standard Hyrule KND ships were triangular with a gold Triforce symbol marked on top. Beneath these triangles were the operatives' control stations. This was the case for Sector XX as well. "Now, the question is… what should I get for Killua?" Gon wondered aloud. "Even if I dug into the Hunter Database, there's so many good options to pick from."
"Well, what kind of food does Killua like?" Canary asked. "Besides candy, anyway."
"Perhaps candy is the answer?" Zushi inferred. "Master Gon, are we allowed to go to Sweetopia now that the war is over?"
"Maybe we could, but…"
"Hold on, I'm picking up a call." Canary put a transponder to her ear.
"-we've got an emergency! My squad was attacked by pirates driving a hotdog train! They're the Marzipan Pirates! My tank was destroyed by Augustus himself! I think we should call one of the Boogey Commanders, or maybe…"
"Marzipan Pirates, Augustus…" Canary brought up her own database. "Aha! Wait… I remember this guy from the Cooking Festival."
"I do, too." Gon looked inquiringly. "But he attacked soldiers? Canary, take us to where this call came from. If they're dangerous, we can't just let them run around."
"Understood. Descending now."
Rabbitland Rescue
Navigating the forest proved to be a bit of a challenge as the tracks interlinked like a maze. How other trains got through without crashing into each other was beyond them, and the giant spiders did nothing to ease their comfort. Senku and Stewie's combined genius determined the correct path, and once the light of day was theirs once more, a rabbit archway was there to surprise them on the right.
"Oh my fur and whiskers!" Augustus questioned if he was talking to a guy in a rabbit suit, or some kind of weird hybrid. His bunny mask was black, along with his shirt and shorts, he wore a white bunny necklace, and his potbelly hanging out. "It's splendid to welcome new visitors to my lovely farm! Here at Rabbitland Rescue, we provide a safe and wonderful home for all the little furries to frolic! Come, would you like to join them?" He crouched down and began to, "Hop, hop, hop, hop!"
"… … …" Augustus had to wipe his sunglasses to ensure his vision wasn't failing. "Ah, yep, this is really happening."
The Rabbitland was like a small replica of the Spirit Tracks country itself, divided into a grassy, watery, snowy, rocky, and desert section. Suika rolled around the grass zone as a melon, allowing the green rabbits to push her around. O-Tama crouched before one and tried to use Transform Jutsu to change into it… but nothing came of it. Nel was digging in the sand with one of the Desert Rabbits. "No hopping for us today, good sir!" Tressa replied perkily. "But we were hoping you'd be able to help us with a little venture of ours. We're searching for a legendary Colossal Carrot."
"C-C-Colossal Carrot?! No, no, no such thing exists here!"
"You sure about that, Furry?" Augustus tapped a lollipop to his round pink nose… which he questioned was real or part of the costume. "'Cause I'm a wanted pirate, worth a billion Rupees. And I ain't nice to people who lie to me."
"E-Even if the carrot did exist, I would never tell a band of lowly thugs! Only true Rabbiteers like myself deserve such knowledge."
"Hahahaha! Carrot, they're so cute!" They looked up at the snowy section. Konayuki was happily chasing the black bunnies around the patch, while Carrot gently held one in her arms. "Can we keep some, can we?"
"I hope Captain will let us!"
"OOOUUUUUHH!" The rabbit-man, Bunnio, dashed right up into Carrot's face, rubbing her arms and ears. "This fur! It's so posh! And your nose is so… wet! And you!" He rushed to Konayuki, hugging the half-yeti's fur. "So warm! And these claws…" He poked her sharp toes, "so sharp! I've never seen bunnies like you two! Only true frolicking fans could own such rare beauties!"
"Gar…chu?" Carrot cocked a brow.
"I guess you do have an eye for quality." Augustus smirked, while Tressa remained mildly baffled. "As a matter of fact, we're the Rabbit Pirates. We search the universe over for rare rabbits… and rare vegetables. And our little bunnies are hungry for a Colossal Carrot. Care to show us the way?"
"O-o-o-o-oh…alright. I will tell you the secret… in exchange for one of these darling rabbits."
"Huh?"
"From one Rabbiteer to another, a fair trade will establish our Bunnyhood. I'll be remiss if one of these cuties isn't frolicking on my farm! Especially," he stroked Carrot's hair, "this one…"
"AH-HE-HEM!" Augustus coughed. "Actually, I would like to offer you a different rabbit. An adorable, baby… Banana Bunny! F-From Planet Kateenia! They make the best yellow stuff!"
"A baby Banana Bunny?!" This excited him so much that he angled his arms like a begging bunny. "Let me see! Please!"
…
"Mw-mw." Maggie was displeased. Her spiky hair had been done up in bunny pigtails, and false whiskers stuck to her face.
Bunnio tenderly rushed her hair. "…She's perfect! Ooooohh! She's exactly what my farm needed!"
"Splendid!" Augustus smiled. "Now, about that carrot…"
"Hehe, yes, well, the truth is… I have no idea where such a thing could be hidden." Augustus's fist turned black and hard as a cannonball—"BUT, I MAY KNOW HOW TO FIND IT! The secret… lies in the Snow Realm! Past the northernmost snowfield, you'll find a huge mound of snow and two, giant ears sticking out of it. Search for it, and… well, I'm sure you can figure out the rest, hehe."
"Pleasure doing business with you." With that, the Marzipans returned to the Weiner Train. "Enjoy your new home, Maggiiiieee!"
"…mw-mw." The baby stuck up an unpleasant finger.
The pirates used a Compowder to change into their winter gear. Hinahoho found the Snow Realm quite welcoming after enduring the desert. They saw local Anouki wandering the field, a race of antler-headed people in blue coats and penguin-like fins and feet. The snowfields were also home to Sir Frosties, monstrous snowmen that would hurdle their own heads at the explorers. Laughing playfully, Konayuki caught the heads and threw them back, with a bit too much force for the snowmen to remain stable afterwards. "Brother Hina, can I go live at the rabbit farm, too?"
"Er, no… Kona."
There was a huge crystalline structure to the northeast; the Snow Realm where the Anouki worshipped Snow God Polaris. "The tracks around the temple are extremely prone to blizzards." Pea mentioned. "Good thing we're here on a nice day."
"You know a lot about this place." Carrot replied. "Are you from here?"
"Not really; just that my race comes from Hyrule. So, I did my share of exploration and research on it."
They made their way to the northernmost track leading away from the temple, parking at the Slippery Station. A small blizzard began to pick up as fog obscured their vision. Augustus, Hina, Kohaku, Carrot, and Konayuki trudged their way through the snow, with Tama as backup… because she was literally on August's back. "Yo, Hawkeyes, can you see anything?"
"So, I'm Hawk now?!" Kohaku huffed, eyes squinted as she skimmed the fog. "At least that's better than…ah, there! Follow me!"
The shadow of a large mound of snow grew bigger, and from it, a pair of giant, standing black bunny ears. Knowing exactly what was to come from this, Augustus handed Tama to Kona and approached the mound cautiously. He slowly reached to touch the stubby bump sticking from the front—a pair of big, beady eyes shot open. (Play "Unique Monster Theme" from Xenoblade 3!)
Sub-boss: Ravenous Rodrigo
Rodrigo pounced and crushed Augustus flat, bouncing multiple times to keep him down. Kohaku socked it in the nose, the bunny rolling off, and Carrot then leapt on its head, grabbing its ears to try and control it. Rodrigo frantically shook her off, afterwards hurriedly hopping around the snowfield. Kohaku and Carrot were the only ones fast enough to chase it, but Hina tried to throw his harpoon to scare it into stopping. …Unfortunately, Rodrigo made a far veer to the right, causing Hina to be way off the mark. However, Augustus used a Rock Candy to roll after them as well, amassing a snowball around his shield and ramming Rodrigo with enhanced force. Kohaku caught up and grabbed the rabbit's hind paws, while Carrot jabbed its belly with her electro claw. Even so, the rabbit spun to kick both girls and Augustus's ball away.
"Hahaha!" Konayuki gleefully dashed the rabbit's direction. "Tama, let's go play with the-"
"Kona!" Hina grabbed her. "Your job is protecting Tama. You shouldn't get close to that thing."
"But I wants to play with the bunny…"
"O-Tama wants to help August'n…"
"Just let them take care of this."
…
"Hey, I'm sensing some heavy forces down below." Gon said, honing into his Haki.
"Down in the Snow Realm?" Canary asked. "Want me to bring us down?"
"Yeah. Zushi, might wanna change into something warm."
"Nonsense! The cold will make good endurance training!"
"At least put some shoes on."
"I don't need them!"
"Haha, if you say so!"
Augustus jumped into Kohaku's open, enlarged hands to be flung up like a catapult, covering the distance to Rodrigo. Before the rabbit could run away again, Augustus hurdled his Gob-Spinner to ambush it from the side. The rabbit cried as the candy twisted into its hip. Augustus landed safely in the snow and ran to snatch Rodrigo's neck with his Licorope, pulling himself onto the bunny. "Settle down, you big rodent! I'm hungry for some carrot and you're gonna-" His collar was caught by a fishing hook. "What?!"
"Leave that poor thing alone!" Gon gave a great tug and yanked Augustus right off! Rodrigo shook his head and quickly pounced away.
"DANG IT!" Augustus forcefully ripped the line off. "The hell is your problem, kid?!"
Canary and Zushi rushed out from behind him, the former twirling a dark staff with a green orb head. "We're Sector XX!" Canary answered. "And you're the pirates who just attacked the Track Patrol."
"Augustus, the hero of the Cooking Festival…" Gon narrowed his gaze. "What are you doing here?"
"We're hunting for a giant carrot, kid." August bounced the Gobstopper in hand. "Go play somewhere else!" He hurdled the hardened candy at Gon, but the Gobstopper stopped perfectly against Gon's palm.
"And you want that giant bunny to help you, right? Well, have you thought about asking nicely?!" Gon threw the candy right back: Augustus reached his hand to catch it, but wasn't expecting the boy's throw to pack so much force, his arm bending in.
"Ow! Like you speak bunny. Even Carrot doesn't speak bunny!"
"Well, you humans are apes, but you don't understand less intelligent monkeys, right?" Carrot remarked.
"I understand Kohaku."
"WOW, YOU FREAKIN' WALKED HIM INTO THAT ONE, THANKS, CARROT!" Kohaku furiously bashed the captain's head.
"I'M SORRY, KOHAKU!"
"Just go catch that bunny, he's getting away!"
"Ugh!" Kohaku began to dash after Rodrigo, but Canary was swift to intercept and trip the warrior with her staff.
"This rabbit is a precious part of this ecosystem. We won't allow you to hurt it."
"Oh, you kids wanna mess with us, you got another thing coming." August threw his unfinished lollipop into Gon's hair. "We're seasoned pirates and Gourmet Hunters."
"Hmph." Gon picked the candy off and finished it himself. "Then you'll make a neat challenge." The 14-year-old sprung into the air, his Haki fist dropping like a meteor. The impact with August's fist generated a shockwave that blew the surrounding snow away. August went for a kick, sending Gon several meters, but the young man rolled upright and touched his fist to his palm. "First comes rock. Rock…Paper…" He ran forth as August readied to meet his fist again, "PAPER!" but Gon made a sudden duck right and shot a ball of chi at August's hip, and as the captain reeled, Gon regained footing and ran for a punch, with August promptly caught with his palm. "Heh. I like to repay my debts where they're due." Gon smirked.
"Heh." Gon had punched him in the same hip August kicked him, the latter noticed. "Then you should know I don't come cheap."
"Oooooiii!" Konayuki was Tama's steed to her captain's side. "Leaveth August'n be!"
"Ho!" Zushi gasped. "What is that beast? A yeti from Snowpeak? I shall not let it interfere!" Fighting the cold, the karate-robed kid was fast on his feet, leaping for a swift kick to Kona's knee. "Hoooo!!" Only to learn of a yeti's girth the hard way.
"It's not nice to kick people." Kona said, rubbing the light sore on her knee.
"This boy is our foe as well." Tama flipped upfront, her staff drawn. "O-Tama shalt face him!"
"Ah! I got him!" Kona turned and saw Carrot trying to tame Rodrigo.
"Let me help, Carrot!" Hina tried to wrestle with the beast, but it would swiftly shake them off and hop away.
"I…I wanna help, too!" The yeti dashed after the black-furred giant.
Trying to punch Gon's short frame was challenging for Gus, but when the youth thought he saw an opening, he went for the leg, but the captain saw it just in time. He pulled the leg back, spun, and kicked Gon's head. He threw the Gobstopper at the fallen boy's hip, Gon grunting in pain, but afterwards, the boy leapt like a frog, intending to drop onto Gus. The captain ran backward, but Gon swung his fishing hook midjump, caught Gus's belt, and caused him to trip. Gon landed and leapt on his stomach, but Gus grabbed his boots and slammed him in the snow. Gon shook free and rolled upright, beginning another, "Rock…Paper…" Gon spun and slashed a sword of chi, "SCISSORS!"
"KNIFE!" August clashed his hardened arm with it, only to end up in a stalemate with Gon. He would show Gus no mercy as he swung a hardened kick at the legs, bringing the captain down. Gon began to pummel him with punches, hurting Gus despite the latter's hardened defense.
Kohaku nimbly bent up her legs and flipped to evade Canary's staff. She swung kicks at the 13-year girl in the process, but Canary seized a chance to hit Kohaku's one standing ankle and trip her. Canary Shaved to her side and bashed Kohaku's head, so the warrior grabbed her katana and swung it, prompting Canary to retreat. "Well, you're much stronger than Wolf." Kohaku commented. Canary Shaved rapidly around Kohaku, who readied her shield, only for Canary to kick it directly upward. Kohaku kicked Canary during this moment of exposure, but Canary was quick to get up and swing her staff into Kohaku's hip. Kohaku jabbed her katana, but Canary ducked left, quickly reached, tore it from her hand, and threw the sword away. Kohaku flipped back several times, Canary pursuing, but the warrior surprised her with daggers, rapidly swinging them and cutting Canary's clothes. Canary shaved behind Kohaku's left, but a lucky thrust of Kohaku's foot knocked the dark-skinned down, and she followed by kicking Canary's staff away.
"That's a pretty neat Haki form." August praised. "Makes me wanna make a game of my own. How about Fork, Knife, HAMMER!" His Haki shaped into a hammer that swung at Gon, who blocked.
"Then let's see who's stronger!" So, simultaneously, they chanted, "Rock/Fork…Paper/Knife…ROCK/KNIFE!" Gus swung his arm like a blade, but Gon's hardened fist punched it away, and Gus's gut was then smashed in. They tried again, and this time Gus's Fork pierced Gon's Paper like a dough roll, and the four-pronged thrust kept going into Gon's face. "And why does your 'Paper' shoot a ball?"
"It's like a paper ball!"
"If you say so." Both restarted the chant as Gus's Fork intercepted Gon's Knife, the sword lodged between his fingers and holding him back. However, Gus threw his Gobstopper and willed it to Spin, catching Gon off guard as it drilled into his chest and sent him flying and spinning, even stirring a whirlwind of snow at his back.
Tama surrounded Zushi with three Shadow Clones, all moving to bash Zushi with their bamboo staffs. The karate kid dodge-rolled, jumped, and back-dodged before throwing quick thrusts to poof the clones. The real Tama took a bump to the forehead, grumbling childishly as she tried to strike him with karate of her own. Zushi intercepted each hit with greater force and later flipped Tama on her back. "I do not wish to hit a younger girl."
"Thou shalt regret thine chivalry!" Tama threw a handful of snow up at Zushi, who winced, allowing Tama to jab him in the gut. Zushi uncovered his vision and leapt to thrust chi-blocks, but merely punched a mound of snow thanks to Substitution. Tama pounced him from behind, wrapping around him, biting his ear, and punching his head.
"Hoooosh! You've asked for it!" Zushi grabbed her arm and bit it.
"OUCH!!" Tama kicked off and rubbed the bite marks.
"Why does your arm taste like dango?"
"Thou shouldst not lick a maiden's skin!" Tama created Shadow Clones as all tried to whack Zushi from several directions.
Gon replaced the hook of his fishing rod with a ball, imbuing it with Haki as he whipped August with enough force to sting him. Gus grabbed the string and tried to pry the rod away, but Gon wrestled him like a fish. Gus threw his Gobstopper, but Gon promptly punched it away, then leapt closer, surprising Gus with a Paper ball. "I wonder, were you raised by frogs? You leap like one and you're dressed in green."
"No, but I did meet the Frog Choir once! Even conducted for them!" Gon began to leap repeatedly and throw chi balls, later landing beside Gus and slashing a chi sword. Gus used Fork to block and push it down, followed by a punch to Gon's forehead, the youth withstanding it with focused hardening.
"But if you're a KND op, how come I've never seen you during the war? With Haki like that, you definitely could've knocked Queen Mandy a few times."
"…" Gon's smile died, a tense glimmer in his eyes.
"Or maybe you ain't as good as you seem."
Gon grit his teeth. "Well, I'll show you!" Gon balled his hardened fists. "Rock!" The Haki spread to his body as it turned red. "Paper!" It formed "XX" on his chest. "SCISSORS!" His spiked hair brimmed like fire, and an intense aura radiated from him.
"Haki Fury?!" August only knew two people who could do this, but this kid couldn't be as strong. Gon punched a barrage of chi spheres, Gus hastening to deflect them all, and when the youth charged him directly, Gus used the Bare Hands art to push him back. Unfortunately, Gon's hands would prove stronger as they squeezed Gus's. The captain kicked him in the gut, but Gon would grab it and slam him around the snow repeatedly.
Kohaku clutched Canary in her enlarged hands, having to tighten her grip against the girl's struggling. Canary was able to bite one of the hands, inducing pain, allowing the servant to escape. She Shaved around Kohaku and dealt quick punches, and Kohaku could only wait for those moments to hit her back. This became her undoing as Canary grabbed her ankle, then leapt above Kohaku's front, pulling the foot up to kick its owner in the face. Zushi tackled Tama to the ground, only for her to poof into a Tama snowwoman. Zushi skimmed the field behind him, wondering which small mound of snow she could be hiding in. Closing his eyes, Zushi honed his inner senses. He was still an amateur at Haki, but his training was more than a match for this opponent. Zushi walked forward, past a certain mound… and when Tama jumped out, the boy swiftly grabbed, bumped her head, and pinned her down.
Augustus firmly clenched his Gobstopper and poured so much Haki that it practically leaked from his arm like a fresh bowl of hot stew. The captain dashed, Gon agreeing to the challenge, and met Gus's Gobstopper Fist with a good, firm "Rock." As he struggled to maintain the stalemate, August willed his own Haki to "Spin," and Gon felt the twisting sensation trying to overtake his arm. Still, the Fury-powered youth was determined, his strong will preventing his muscles from contorting too much. Gon shot a forceful pulse of Haki and shattered Gus's, the captain tumbling several yards away before settling on his back. Still in Fury, Gon chased, jumped like a frog, and squashed the captain's gut beneath his boots. That was all Gus could remember before his vision faded… (End song.)
…
…
…
"…ey…ey!…Hey!"
"Hu-!" Gus started awake. The innocent, hazel-brown eyes of Gon hung over him.
"Haha…I didn't mean to hurt you that hard." Gon blushed. "Your friend just checked your organs and all you have is—OW!" August socked him in the nose. "HEY, the battle's over, you jerk!"
"Don't act like that hurt, kid, Kona can stomp harder than you. Augh…you just hit a little soft part." He held his aching hip and sat up. "Where are we?"
"Just under the roof of the Slippery Station." Gon answered as Stewie brought over a cup of orange substance.
"Drink this medicine, it should help the pain."
"Ugh…" Still frustrated over his loss, August drank the—"AAAAHH!" his tongue caught fire. "WHAT IS THIS?!"
"Hot sauce mixed with Ibuprofen. Used to work all the time on my dog."
"ARE YOU STUPID OR JUST BEING A PRICK?!"
"I'm a scientist, genius, not a medical doctor. Maybe we should look for that instead of picking up any cute girl we come across."
"August'n…" Tama approached, kneeling down with a distraught gaze. "O-Tama hast failed. She was helpless before the enemy. Is she still worthy to thee?"
"Heck of a lot more worthy than Stew-for-brains there."
"Hey, give her some comfort." Kohaku scolded. "And me. Wolf's never gonna let me live this down if she finds out!"
"Looks like age and height doesn't equal experience." Canary smirked.
"Anyway, you were out for 10 minutes." Gon said. "That's much shorter than most. You really are a Gourmet Hunter!"
"What do you know about that?"
"Because I'm one, too, of course! At least, in the middle of my KND duties."
"Now it just hurts even more. …Wait, whatever happened to the rabbit?"
"Oh, Kona's already got that covered!" Carrot clapped.
"Hahahaha!" Several dozen yards away, Rodrigo was playfully bouncing on Kona's smaller frame. The young yeti grabbed his belly and rolled him on his back. Once on top, Kona began to bounce on him just the same.
"We were too set on trying to hurt it." Hinahoho smiled. "But Kona's desire to play eased the creature's worries."
"He just wanted a little bunny to play with!" Gon said. "One that didn't have shock gloves…" Carrot smiled sheepishly.
"Tehehehehe!" Kona was on her back, pinned and nuzzled by Rodrigo's chilly nose. Grumbllllle… The rabbit's ears perked up from the sound in Kona's tummy. "Heehee! It's okay, Mr. Rabbit, Kona's just hungry. Big Bro, do we got any fish? AAAH!"
Rodrigo bumped the mini giant up onto its back, Kona holding onto its fur as it made quaking hops across the valley. "KONAYUKI!" Hina screamed.
"It's kidnapping Kona!" Carrot pointed. "Is it adopting her?!"
"Hina, what's going on?!" August asked after the Imuchakk hurried back to the train.
"It just made off with her after Kona's belly started growling!"
"Then it must be leading her to the carrot!" Gon deduced.
"Then what're we waiting for?!" August yelled. "Everybody aboard the Weiner Train!"
"I think we'll just head back to our ship." Canary said.
"Nonsense, Canary!" Zushi said. "A nice train ride should be refreshing! I say we give the Wiener a chance!"
"Ugh…"
The crew rode down to the giant tree that defined the Forest Temple. "Yahoooooooo!" Konayuki's cries of joy echoed in the sky as the giant rabbit pounced up the elevated footholds up to the temple's roof. The pirates could only vaguely see as it jumped into the leaves of the tree.
"The carrot is inside the temple?" Pea asked.
"Whoa…no way…" Gon was nearly lost for words. "I think the big tree in the temple… is the carrot! When I look closely, those leaves look like fronds!"
"AAAAAAHHH!" Carrot's mouth was already a waterfall. "I knew I felt hungry when we drove by the first time! I just wanna eat the whooooole templllllle!"
"Looks like we'll have to get jumping." Gon said. "Or we could just go through the temple."
"Yeah, we don't have time for a Zelda dungeon." Gus replied. "Stewie, give a lift!"
Kohaku, Carrot, Gon, and Stewie leapt and climbed up the temple's platforms with their natural abilities; or unnatural in the Hulk's case. A gaping hole made up the roof, from which the enormous carrot's fronds could grow. Glowing lines of green, red, blue, yellow, and white coursed through the towering vegetable's trunk. "It's… incredible…" Carrot gasped.
Gon reached for one of the fronds and swallowed it. A collection of flavors flowed through his tastebuds, like trains along tracks in ever-changing fields. "Now I see… There are five types of rabbits in the Spirit Tracks, so each type eats different flavored vegetables. This carrot mixes the flavors from each region. And it may be because of the Spirit Tracks. The same way the tracks connect the spiritual chis of the temples to the Tower of Spirits, maybe the rabbits bury vegetables under the tracks, to transmit their essence to this…this Carrot of Five Flavors!"
"That seems like kind of a stretch." August shrugged. "Then again, even Nel doesn't get this spiritual mumbo jumbo, and she's one."
On the train, the cavegirl in question was lazily picking her nose. …She found a good booger and ate it. "Nel love that Gigai come with free snack~"
Carrot landed on the carrot's top and bit into it. The taste was exactly what she hoped it would be and more. Her mouth was a field, a field of grass, snow, sea, sand, and rock, the Taste Train rolling at full throttle. When her crewmates climbed down to munch their own chunks of the carrot, her euphoria was understood.
"Boy, that's good!" Gus cheered. "Hope the rabbits don't mind us taking more!"
"As long as we don't dig deep into the center, the carrot should hold up to produce more." Gon assured. "But you know, this would go really great with some fish! If you can wait to eat, I know a place."
"Lead the way—AAH!" Gus was crushed beneath a fallen Kona.
"Oops! Sorry, Captain. I ate the branch I was hanging onto, haha!"
"Agh…how did that rabbit manage to carry you…"
Papuchia Village
Built near the entrance of the coastal Ocean Realm, Papuchia was a small archipelago with blue-roofed huts. The pirates purchased some Toona from one of the stores. Pea was given the ingredients, transforming into the Cooking Genie before retreating inside her cauldron. All they could do then was goof off and wait.
"Senku, look at those birds!" Suika called attention to the black birds that fluttered about, swings hanging from their necks. "Suika's never seen birds like that!"
"Those are Hanging Birds." Canary explained. "They have strong necks and fly low to the ground. The villagers started hanging swings from them for kids to play with."
"Suika wants to ride the Hanging Bird!"
"O-Tama, too!!"
In seconds, the two children jumped to a swing of their picking, swaying to and fro along a tour through the village. The birds levitated enough to keep them out of the islanders' way, though said villagers questioned the odd attire of the tourists.
Carrot put on her swimwear: an orange bra and bottom with a carrot mark. "Hina, I'm ready to try again!"
"Right!" Hina's back was Carrot's platform in the water. A nearby Ocean Rabbit was frolicking about the surface. Carrot squat to mimic its posture, but her first attempt to prance ended in a splash. Carrot tried to go a bit faster, able to cover more distance before splashing.
"Carrot-chan!" Tama's bird carried her past them. "Walking on water is basic training for ninja! Channel chi to thine feet to lighten thine steps and cross with ease!"
"Easier said than done…" Still, Carrot learned such basic training to improve her own speed. She stood on Hina's back relaxedly, easing the tension in her soles until she felt them lighten. Carrot knelt, studying the rabbit she'd been trying to mirror. The frolicking rodent needed to pay no mind to its art. Hopping on water was simply its nature, its mind undoubtedly at peace. Carrot imagined herself in its place, running free across the great sea, the sound of waves dancing in her ears. With relaxed thoughts and softened soles, Carrot pranced… and she felt her feet cleanly kick off the surface three times before she splashed.
"Carrot, you did it!" Hina cheered. "Congrats!"
"HUH? You say something, Hinabro?" Carrot resurfaced and bonked water out of her ears.
"Haha, nothing! …Oh, look who's here!"
Something stirred forceful waves at Carrot's back, the rabbit twisting to find- "AAAAAAHH!" a giant reptilian monster! Without even thinking, she dashed the surface back to Hina, using him for cover. "Hina, what is it?!"
"It's… just K. Lumsy."
"Oh…"
"What's wong, Cawwot?" The giant Kremling straightened up. "Is dere a sha'k in da watew?! I don't wanna be sha'k meat!"
"WHAT IS THAT THING?!" a female villager cried as Lumsy began climbing onto an island.
"MOMMY, IT'S A MONSTER!"
"EVERYBODY, RUN!" the village elder screamed, the people already hastening up the train tracks. "Hurry to the pirate base!"
"Well… at least we have this place to ourselves now." August said.
"Isn't that a Kremling?!" Gon asked.
"Yeah, but he's a Friendling!"
"Oh, geez…" Kohaku sighed, but not bothering to get up from her sunbathing.
"Honestly, we should arrest you all." Canary stated. "You are wanted pirates. But I think Gon only wanted to meet you because you were hunters."
"Well, you don't think we're bad pirates, do you?"
"It's debatable."
"Hm hm! You remind me of this other girl; she even fights with a staff, too. Where're you from, Canary?"
"That's… complicated." An ordinary girl from Earth, Canary was kidnapped and sold as a child slave on the black market. She came to live on Hyrule after the Zoldyck Family "bought" her. However, they treated her nicely, gave her good clothes, food, and a place to sleep. They told her she was allowed to leave any time, but Canary chose to stay as their hired servant, and was even taught some basic Rokushiki. She made good friends with Killua, and through him joined this sector.
"Hehe, I guess the same for me. I should bring Wolf here if she decides to join us."
"Hey, something's wrong with my bird." Konayuki sat her swing flat to the ground, the Hanging Bird grunting and struggling to fly. "It won't swing…"
"You're too heavy, Kona…"
"BEHOLD!" Pea bellowed in her manly genie voice. "The dishes are prepared! Come and eat!"
The carrot chunks were cut into pointed strips, fried fish pieces attached to the ends, with small bowls of Papuchia tartar sauce and fronds to wrap them in. The taste of this train-happy corner of Hyrule livened their mouths. "Mmmmm! I don't know whether to put this as my Salad or Fish dish!" Carrot beamed.
"Then put it as your Main!" Tressa said.
"I can't decide…I can't…"
"Don't think and just enjoy~" Gon swooned.
"I still can't believe you actually knocked the captain out." Tressa said in a teasing manner. "Looks like he's fallen out of shape."
"Since you're a Gourmet Hunter, you ought to join us." Stewie offered.
"HEY, I'm supposed to ask that!" August socked his head. "Are you hoping he'll beat me up more?"
"Absolutely."
"Thanks, but I'll have to say 'no' right now." Gon said. "Things have been… complicated for us. Not just in the KND, but I'm going through something personal."
"Yes… and you shouldn't be flitting around with pirates."
With the soft, creeping voice came a sea of clouds to cover the sun. A man in jester clothes, pale skin, and milky dark eyes loomed at the train station. Canary gasped. "Master Illumi!"
"Illumi…?" Gon was in both fear and confusion.
"What's his last name? Nati?" August joked.
Gon stood, curving his brow as he approached. "What do you want?"
"I was only taking my siblings…" Illumi slowly walked past Gon's left, "on a pleasureful ride around the Spirit Tracks… when I saw my brother's beloved friend with a questionable group. Might you be… Augustus the Gobstopper?"
"Aye-aye." The captain stood; like Gon, he wore only a tank-top and shorts in this humid coast. "Ever get to see a star half-naked?"
"Focus on girls, Captain." Tressa sighed.
"You can't act unless somebody calls a hit out on him." Gon stated.
"Silly boy." Illumi cutely flicked his forehead. "A bounty is merely a free-for-all assassination job."
"Assassin?" Gus winced at the word.
"He's one of my masters." Canary said. "Of the Zoldyck Family… Hyrule's greatest Sheikah assassins."
"Oh, man…" The captain was already stressed at the idea. "Why am I only fighting Rokushiki users? Change it up some, come on."
"That's all you care about?"
"You were a Big Mom Pirate, too, weren't you, Augustus?" Illumi stepped closer. "Last year, one of those pirates killed our butler. Hisoka… I believe his name was."
"Hey, I didn't like Hisoka either. Dude was a creep. You'll be happy to know he's in prison."
"Is he now… that's too bad." Illumi softly tapped his chin, soulless expression unchanging. "I kind of liked him."
"You're both the same amount of creepy." Gon stated.
"Look, you don't need a shabby excuse to fight me, a'ight?" Gus spun his arms to warm up the muscles, approaching the man who sized him up by one inch. "Let's just get this over with. Gon, you wanna help out?"
"I…I can't, actually."
"His best friend is Illumi's brother." Zushi explained. "And he made a vow to their father… that he would never hurt the family."
"Yes… and Gon has broken that promise." Illumi faced the youth with malice, a single finger aimed at him. "By betraying Killua's heart… to the princess."
"?!" Gon fell short of breath. "…Is that the real reason you came here?"
"My brother… My precious Killua reserved his heart just for you." Illumi began to flex his arms at eerie angles. "The light that illuminated his darkness… and you betray him… Gave in to feeble threats…"
"Cindy was threatening to evict the Zoldycks. To ban them from the world, even if through force and sacrificing thousands of lives. I couldn't let that happen to my friend or anyone! And all because she…" Gon began to quiver, "she wanted me to…"
"You're a supremely rare Haki Master… and that makes your genes perfect. So, the princess demanded that one day you-"
A strong force rammed the back of his skull, forcing his head down at an angle. The Gobstopper bounced back to its master's hand, the crewmen and ops agape at Gus's reckless action. "Can't you see the kid's upset? Maybe you shouldn't be blabbing about his personal business."
Illumi's head cracked upright, the man twitching and bending his limbs in facing around. "Hisoka must have been quite thrilled… to have you as a brother…" His dark hair began to recede. A tall tuft of blue hair stretched from the top, and an array of yellow needles popped out of his head.
"Ewwwww!" Konayuki cowered behind Hina in disgust. "W-W-What is he?"
"He ate the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Pinhead." Canary explained. "Captain… please don't fight him."
Unafraid, Augustus looked Illumi in the eye. His dark shades matched Illumi's milky irises. The flapping of the lolli stick in his mouth was the only motion between their tense standoff. In fact, seeing this creep riddled in needles made the captain more proud of his lollipop habit. He wouldn't even give Illumi the honor of an additional touchup by spitting the lollipop in his face. "…But I don't feel like it today." His voice became a distorted one due to the change. "We also wanted a break from babysitting the kid. So, Canary… look after her for us."
"Hi, Killua's Frieeeeend!" Alluka happily ran up and pinched Gon's cheeks. "Where's Big Brother? Where's Brother?"
"Hehe! Hi, Alluka. I don't know at the moment…"
"Wow, what's that?" Alluka approached Suika. "Are you a big bug?"
"Suika is Suika! Look what she can do!" She shrank into her melon and began to roll around Alluka.
"Hahaha! Alluka wants one! Gimme!" She began to chase little Suika around the islands.
"So… that's it?" Gus questioned.
"Indeed. Enjoy your evening." Illumi calmly returned to the Sheikah Tech train… but stopped. "But you know, Augustus… now that two Emperors have been destroyed, there are others aiming for their former positions."
"What of it?"
"…I'll tell you something interesting about Spiders." Illumi flicked a paper at him before resuming his path. Milluki, waiting patiently in the train's cockpit, began to drive once he was onboard.
Augustus caught the paper. It seemed to be a wanted poster depicting a 12-legged spider and skull on the abdomen. WANTED: Phantom Troupe. This mysterious group of criminals is responsible for mass murder and the theft of valuable artifacts. No members are known, but this symbol is always found at the scene of their crimes. Bounty: 10,000,000,000.
"Captain?" He glanced down at Gon.
"Uh…just his phone number." Gus stashed it under his top; he didn't feel like being concerned with it now. "Hey, Pea, you got any spare food for that kid?"
"Right here!" Pea was delighted as Alluka relished in her food.
Gus and Gon rejoined the circle to finish the last of their meals. The clouds were parting as the first signs of twilight lit the sea. "Whatever's going on, Gon… I hope you get through it soon." Gus said. "And if you do, I'd like to go on an adventure with you."
"Thanks, Cap." Gon smiled. "I'll remember that."
"O-Tama, it was an honor to battle you." Zushi bowed. "Get stronger so we may battle again."
"Hai." Tama bowed. "Wouldst Zushi liketh O-Tama's dango?" She popped a piece from her cheek.
"HO!!"
"Man, your crew's full of weirdness!" Canary jumped.
"Heehee! …Now that Tama thinks of it, we could hath tamed yonder rabbit with this."
"Eh, I say Konayuki earned this one." Gus smiled.
"Hey, uh, the Boogey Pirates are coming." Canary drew alert to the small band of ships sailing from the north. "The townspeople must've just made it to their island."
"Well, we have a reputation to keep up." Gon stood, hardening his fists. "Put up your dukes, you evil pirates!"
"Go lick a popsicle, you snot-nosed kids!" Gus spat his lolli stick at Gon again. "ALL ABOARD THE LUMSY!" The pirates scrambled aboard K. Lumsy's back as the giant swam away. (Stewie had already shrunk the Wiener Train and stored it.)
"COME BACK, YOU COWAAAARDS!" Gon focused and fired balls of chi, Augustus batting them away.
"Ha ha ha! Know what, Stewie, I kinda like that kid! Doesn't measure up to mine though~"
"Glad to hear you say it, Cap. …Are we forgetting something?"
"What?"
…
A disgruntled Maggie slowly traveled the tracks on a small bunny wagon. Bunnio lay unconscious on the track from an Antikill bullet.