Chapter Text
Forty seconds before Netero unleashed Zero Hand, Pouf and Youpi descended upon the battlefield, reflexively cloaked in Zetsu. What greeted them was a bewildering spectacle of colours and flashes moving with such velocity that even their exceptional senses struggled to keep up.
Their eyes darted frantically along the blurs. Frankly, they couldn’t even tell the progression of the fight.
Who had the leverage?
Which one was the enemy?
Which one was the King?
Then, abruptly, the frenetic blurs of dance ceased, leaving only the sight of an arm hurtling through the air.
"Ah, there he is!" Pouf moved to dart forward, but Youpi restrained him.
"Wait," Youpi appealed as Pouf glared at him. "The King has the advantage. The old man's lost two limbs. If we interfere now, we’ll only be insulting the King.”
Pouf frowned. He turned to look at the scene, biting his lip in concern. His wings blazed in multiple shades of colours as he decided to release his scales.
And then, in a blaze of brilliance, the entirety of the old man's aura transformed into a light as blinding as a star. Pouf and Youpi shielded their eyes. The next they heard was an immense explosion. They could almost feel the heat from here. As the echoes of the blast subsided, they cautiously surveyed the aftermath, only to be met with settling dust and debris.
"No!" Pouf's cry echoed through the air, but Youpi restrained him a second time, his strength holding Pouf in check.
Pouf growled as he recoiled in Youpi's arms, desperately trying to reach the King. "Youpi, release me!" he snarled, but Youpi remained resolute.
It’s not that Youpi didn’t want to help the King. The matter was that Youpi's newfound clarity, the alarming evolution he'd undergone during his short fights helped him assess situations dispassionately. He could now maintain a cool head, and he could segregate myriads of dangers accordingly.
“Look,” he pointed once the dust settled. “The King is alive, and the old man is withering away. Let’s allow His Majesty to finish him off, then we can return to the palace and help Pitou.”
Surprisingly, Pouf nodded. “I’ll create a clone to go back. I want to notify Pitou that we’ll be coming soon.”
Their eyes were keen on the distant figures of the King and his opponent. As the conversation progressed, Pouf's brow furrowed. Then, he squinted.
“Do you see anything?” Youpi asked.
“… There’s an abundance of white, purple, and black in erratic ratios. The old man exudes worry and fear, yet his confidence remains steadfast. In fact, I'd dare say his confidence is only growing.”
“But he’s about to die, isn’t he? That last attack seems to have drained him.” Youpi wondered what the King was saying to him.
“No…” Pouf’s brows creased, “something feels wrong.” It was now Netero’s turn to talk. “I was right. His confidence, no, his cockiness is growing,” his voice trembled. “Alarmingly so.”
Youpi’s eyes widened. “Why?”
“… Something’s wrong,” Pouf raised his voice with a quiver. Then, he let out a wheezing breath as Spiritual Message's emotional patterns became clearer.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Youpi, get out of here! I’m getting the King!”
“What? Wait, Pouf, what’s going on?”
Without further hesitation, Pouf raced towards the King. “Don't ask questions! Just go!”
“I can’t leave you two here! I’ll come with you!”
“No time to argue! Do as you please!” Pouf's voice grew distant.
“Meruem, King of Ants, you understand nothing… of humanity’s infinite—”
Netero abruptly stopped when he saw a flash before him. This hesitation, this nearly imperceptible delay was his doom.
“Pouf!” Meruem's shout was loud and wrathful amidst the sudden chaos. “Unhand me! Unhand me at once or I—”
“He bears a bomb, Your Majesty! We must flee!” Pouf's voice rang out.
“What are you—”
Despite his moribund state, Meruem could discern the shock etched upon Netero’s face. Without hesitation, he plunged two fingers into his chest, piercing his heart.
“… What…” Meruem mumbled.
Under normal circumstances, the bomb would detonate in 0.3 microseconds. Yet, nestled within Netero’s failing heart, its activation awaited the cessation of all vital functions. With two and a half seconds to spare, Pouf and Youpi seized the opportunity, propelling themselves away in a blur of motion.
Barely enough to avoid the detonation site.
When Pouf reached Youpi with the King under his arm, Youpi clasped Pouf's hand, unleashing a burst of speed that shattered the sound barrier. Through the transformative power of his metamorphosis, Youpi reshaped his form, sacrificing muscle mass to enhance his agility. This allowed him to propel himself 1.5 times his usual velocity, distancing them from the impending detonation.
As the bomb erupted, their extremities felt like they'd tripled in weight. The air around them felt scorching, and the shockwave hurtled them through the air, propelling them towards a wasteland filled with mountains. They rammed onto one, but the strength of the shockwave had been so violent the crash wasn’t enough to decrease their momentum. Youpi brought his wings forward and wrapped them around Pouf and the King to protect them, bearing most of the impact.
The momentum decreased after one kilometre. They fell onto the ground and rolled, until they finally came to a violent stop, battered and dazed.
For a moment, they were motionless. Then, they coughed.
Pouf and Youpi sat on their knees, struggling to regain their bearings. Their hearts raced as they gasped for air, feeling smoke in their throats. Meruem rose stoically, seemingly unmarred by the ordeal.
It was then that Pouf's brows creased. “Y… Your Majesty!” he cried raspily at the sight of the cuts permeating the King's body.
“Your Majesty!” called Youpi. “Are you alright? Are you in any pain? I can take us to Pitou in eight minutes!”
Meruem dusted himself off. Then, Youpi grunted slightly. His balance momentarily faltered before regaining his footing on one knee.
"Are you alright?" Pouf inquired. It did not go unnoticed by him in midst of the chaos how Youpi had borne the majority of the impact.
Youpi responded with a subtle nod, indicating that he would manage. Their attention returned to the King, awaiting his reaction.
“… A bomb,” Meruem muttered, his gaze drifting skyward. So many stars, he briefly recognised. “How undignified.”
No, he thought to himself. The old soldier was merely fulfilling his duty. He stuck to his resolve to the end without allowing his heart to be swayed. And yet, for such a lethal thing to exist…
He looked down again. “Did you fight off the intruders?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
To their immense surprise, the King's gaze softened slightly. “Meruem,” he announced with pride. “My name is Meruem. I know that now. So, from now on, call me Meruem.”
“… Meruem-sama,” they said collectively with a nod.
“No. Meruem.”
“But, sire—”
“Don’t make me repeat—” A realisation dawned as he spoke, and for a brief second, he was shocked something so obvious didn't come to him until now. “You left Pitou all alone.”
“Yes, sire, we wanted to—”
“Did you neutralise the intruders? Or did you leave her and Komugi in the palace alone with them?”
“The man I fought is completely defenceless. I removed his Nen ability,” Pouf reassured.
Youpi swallowed heavily with a drop of sweat bead on his cheek.
Noticing, Pouf's brows creased warily. “Youpi, what is it?”
Youpi lowered his head, seemingly unable to meet their gaze.
“Did you not kill them?” asked Meruem.
“I… I didn’t.”
“What!?” Pouf screamed. “They did not best you in combat, so why are they still alive?”
Pouf blabbered incessantly, with indignation, but Meruem told him to quiet down. Imperially, he firmly told Youpi to explain himself. To not lie to him.
And so, Youpi did. He recounted his encounter with Knuckle and the others, detailing the events surrounding Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and the ensuing bargain.
Despite his shame, Youpi met Meruem's gaze with unwavering honesty. “I felt that breaking a promise would make me a loser, even if it were a promise made to an enemy. I understand that I have betrayed you, and for that I’m unworthy of asking for forgiveness. But please, Your Majesty, allow me the chance to ensure your safety and eliminate any remaining threats. After that, I will accept all punishments.”
Meruem’s eyes were shadowed, and so they couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
Pouf erupted in a tirade of indignation. “How could you do that!? You allowed your feelings to cloud your judgment! You prioritised yourself over the King! As we speak, these intruders may kill Pitou! And once we’re there, they’ll fight to take the King’s life! I can't believe you'd be so selfish as to—”
Silencing Pouf and addressing Youpi directly, Meruem was calm. "Firstly, I commanded you to call me Meruem. I tire of repeating myself. Secondly, I only asked that you don't lie to me. I see no reason to punish those who speak the truth. Let's return to the palace now."
Their mouths hung wide. Pouf's mouth moved, but no words came out.
It was then Meruem's gaze drifted into the distance. “… I trust Pitou,” he said with implicit sincerity.
They were dazed. It had been not long ago that the smallest of inconveniences resulted in Meruem whipping their faces with his tail. All they could do was comply. Meruem held onto Youpi’s leg with his tail, and Pouf followed behind. During their return, Youpi provided a detailed account of the enemy's abilities. Pouf could only shake his head with a scowl, veiling his anger.
Three and a half minutes before their arrival, Knuckle and the others advanced towards Gon's location. Pitou had already succeeded in healing Komugi, with fifteen minutes remaining. Outside, Ikalgo briefly stood guard to assess their surroundings, joining the group shortly after.
She’s already fully healed… thought Pitou. I just need to think of something fast. I can’t take her with me to Peijing, but Pouf and Youpi aren’t here. And even if Pouf were here, he hates Komugi. I fear what he might do in a misguided attempt to protect the King. I know he'd be able to convince Youpi, too.
Knuckle, Killua, Palm, Ikalgo, and Meleoron arrived. Pitou grew increasingly nervous as they spoke to Gon, and all Gon did was assent. It seemed his own allies were as wary of him as Pitou was.
Then, Pouf arrived.
Gracefully flying through the window, Pouf warily observed the enemies. Knuckle contemplated using his ability against Pouf, but he knew the distance afforded Pouf ample time to evade. Similarly, Meleoron found himself unable to act, but because he was trapped in a paralysis from being uncloaked before two royal guards.
“… Pouf,” Pitou’s eyes widened. In any other situation, she would be thrilled to see him. But knowing that they differed in how they saw Komugi, she was wary. Was he here on a mission of his own... or, her throat tightened, was he here with news of the King?
Pouf barely restrained himself from smirking smugly. “The King has defeated his enemy. He will arrive shortly along with Youpi and my real body,” the Hunters froze. “Is the woman healed?”
Pitou’s eyes glistened with relief. “Yes, she’s okay! Please tell His Majesty that Komugi is okay!”
The Hunters found themselves unable to breathe.
It wasn’t just Pitou now, but Pouf, Youpi, and the King. This was bad. No, not bad. This was the worst possible scenario. This woman was their bargaining chip, but if the King was coming, if he could get a hold of her, the Hunters would lose their only leverage. For Gon, the knot in his throat was different. The current situation meant that Pitou had no reason to keep her end of the bargain.
“You mustn’t be afraid,” reassured Pouf with a condescending smile. “If you obey, the King will surely spare your lives. His heart is boundless, that way.”
“Yeah, and then what!? He’ll just turn humanity into a bunch of mindless soldiers!?” Knuckle yelled boldly.
Pouf closed his eyes as his smile widened. “That depends entirely on His Majesty.”
With no reason left to lie, Pitou withdrew the surgical tools from Komugi's body. The wound closed seamlessly, leaving no scars, and the oxygen mask vanished.
"She will wake soon," Pitou informed Pouf, who nodded in acknowledgment.
The aura around Dr. Blythe turned thinner, which suggested Pitou would deactivate the ability. Before she did so, Pouf spoke. “Heal your arm.”
“… Oh, right.” She extended her arm as she rose to her feet. The box opened and scissors emerged to cut down her sleeve.
The darkness and rage in Gon’s expression gradually vanished as the realisation kicked in. The realisation Pitou had neither the reason nor intention to fulfil her promise.
In just fifteen seconds, her arm was healed. She clenched her fist until it scrunch, and swung it around. She was satisfied.
“We’re here,” Pouf announced.
The allied ants' expressions twisted with fear, their lips downturned in a whimper of terror.
In an instant, Pouf's sharp eyes caught Meleoron's subtle gesture. As Meleoron's chest rose with a deep, silent breath, he felt a sudden pressure on his neck and something sharp against his temple. His surrounding allies had only felt a breeze.
Meleoron let out a whimper of pain, and when they searched for him, they found Pouf as if he'd never moved from his position, now holding Meleoron in place. His claws were pressed against Meleoron's temple, with his leg firmly planted over Meleoron's to force him still. He drew blood.
“M-Meleoron!” cried Knuckle.
"I won't allow you to escape or make anyone invisible," Pouf stated coldly. "That's your ability, isn't it? You plan to use such petty tactics against the King. You might try holding your breath to flee, but I can pierce your brain faster than you can activate your power. The choice is yours."
Meleoron trembled.
“Be grateful I did not kill you on the spot.”
Immediately, Pitou positioned the unconscious Komugi behind her and drove herself into a corner. Even if they tried, they wouldn’t be able to harm Komugi. Pitou was, quite literally, shielding the girl with her own body. She'd noticed Gon’s aura grow darker. Witnessing Pouf's threat towards the chameleon traitor only fuelled Gon's instability further, Pitou noted.
That boy was dangerous. There was something highly unstable about him.
He needed to die.
As relieved as the other Hunters were that Meleoron wasn't dead, they couldn't shake the nagging question of why Pouf spared him—and them, for that matter. Even as a clone and without his full strength, Pouf could easily dispatch Meleoron and Ikalgo with a single blow, without them even seeing it coming.
Or, just like Pitou when she had a broken arm, he could behead Gon, arguably their biggest threat, if only he made a distraction.
But he didn’t.
Why? Killua wondered.
Was it to protect that woman? Even if they all attacked Pouf together, he could hold them off, especially with his mobility. They still didn't know if his hypnotising scales could affect them. If they managed to destroy his clone and went after Pitou, she wouldn't be vulnerable anymore. She could use Nen.
Right now, Pitou had Komugi in a perfect spot where she’d be untouchable.
And if Pitou decided to fight should Pouf's clone be destroyed, there was simply no way any of them would leave this room alive. Catching Killua in Godspeed might be challenging, but she would adapt quickly. Were Pouf and Pitou worried that Komugi would receive the slightest bit of damage?
Were they considering that the Hunters knew they were doomed, but would still cause as much damage as possible before dying? In that case, inflicting a lethal blow to Komugi would be the easiest way to distress the Guards.
But then, Pitou could use Dr. Blythe to heal her again.
So… why weren’t they killing them?
Why let them live?
Killua’s brows creased, and he bit his lip.
It might be possible that the King ordered them to, he thought. Perhaps the King wanted to kill his enemies himself, as he likely did to the Chairman. The Chairman, Killua swallowed heavily. If the old man couldn't stand a chance, what chance did they have? He should just grab Gon and make a run for it. He still had some charge left, he could definitely use Speed of Lightning right now.
His thought process shattered as his body tightened completely.
The air grew heavy with an unseen weight. Their bodies were as crushed as their spirit.
Then, from the hallway shadows emerged three figures.
“Your Majesty!” Pitou wailed with such emotion she leaned forward with both hands on the floor.
It was then Gon scowled, baring his teeth, lips trembling as he wondered how that soulless beast could ever look so happy.
Meruem stopped, eyeing the intruders. They stared at him, still like statues. Only scratches adorned his body, while the Chairman had lost his life. They could only feel horrified by the contrast.
“You needn’t worry,” he told them to ease their fright. “The battle is over.”
He walked past them with imposing grace, as if they'd never been here to take his life. “Pouf?” he called calmly as he stopped before his clone. “What’s the meaning of this?” The trembling Meleoron looked like he was close to fainting.
“This is the traitor, sire. He was going to team up with that other man to launch a sneak attack on you, the same they inflicted upon Youpi. I’ve immobilised him for that reason.”
“I see. Let him go.”
The Hunters and allied ants were as shocked as Pitou and Pouf.
“… But… sire…”
“Let him go. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Though hesitant, Pouf obeyed. He released Meleoron, who immediately sank to his knees, gasping for breath. Pouf’s clone then dissipated into the air.
Meruem reached Pitou, and she bowed deeply. “Your Majesty—”
“Meruem,” he interjected as Pitou's surprised gaze moved up to him. “That is my name. From now on, call me Meruem.”
She nodded with admiration. "Komugi is safe, sire. She's fully healed," Pitou said, cradling the girl gently in her arms. "I administered a heavy dose of anaesthetics in my haste, so it'll take her a while to wake up. But she's healthy, sire," she added, her eyes glistening.
A wave of emotion swept through Knuckle as he realised it.
What he had hoped for in Knov's room was true.
The King had a heart.
And like Youpi, he likely wasn't a bad guy. How could Knuckle think of him as a target to destroy when not only had he reassured and spared them all, but his only wish all along had been for a frail girl to be healed? A girl that needed to be healed because they, the supposed heroes, nearly killed her?
Pouf and Youpi's mouths opened with wide eyes as they were dazzled by what unfolded before them. Slowly, Meruem got on one knee. It initially seemed like a gesture to see Komugi better, or perhaps to get on eye-level with Pitou, but the words that accompanied his action suggested something else altogether.
“Pitou,” he called in an imperial tone that wavered into gentleness. He paused. “… Thank you. You did as I asked. You've done something very important for me. I’m grateful.”
Tears welled up in Pitou's wide eyes, rolling down her cheeks. She bowed her head. "I am unworthy."
"That is not necessary," he gently took Komugi from her arms, helping a surprised Pitou up with him. "The four of us are one now," he said, looking at the baffled Pouf and Youpi. "Such formalities are no longer necessary."
Pitou, Pouf, and Youpi broke down in joyful tears, leaving the Hunters unable to comprehend the scene before them. They knew why, but understanding how was beyond them. The strong display of emotion, the compassion, the familial connection—it all felt wrong.
They were supposed to be devils! Colt himself said so! And yet again and again, they'd only defied what they thought going into the mission.
As Meruem looked at the girl in his arms, he realised his purpose in life.
What he told Netero wasn’t a lie.
He did want to use his power to create an equal world, but the bomb made him realise something important. The words the old soldier did not get to finish… he could fill the gaps himself.
Humanity had unlimited potential for malice.
For such a weapon to exist… Meruem was certain it wasn't created for him. This must've been something that had existed for decades. And, considering the information he knew of Diego, he understood that humans engaged in pointless wars. And so, this was a cruel race, but also a beautiful one.
He wanted to protect the weak who deserved to live, but above all, he wanted to be with the girl in his arms. Now and always, for as long as he lived.
“As for you,” he directed himself to his enemies, and his enemies were baffled.
Long gone was the irrevocable fear they'd felt by his presence alone, replaced with only the frustrating confusion of having their beliefs trampled.
There was hostility, no anger. Nothing. Even though they’d come for his life, even though they’d nearly killed the girl they presumed he was in love with, he was neither angry nor resentful.
“You mustn’t worry. I meant it. I do not intend to hurt or fight with anyone. I tried using words with that admirable, old soldier, but he ultimately did not back down from his resolve. The battle ended with him,” he said with intelligent eyes. “You’re free to go and do as you please.”
Knuckle's mouth moved, but nothing came out.
“All I long for is a peaceful existence with Komugi. That’s all. However, should you come after us, I will be forced to protect us.”
Killua could only frown. In disbelief. What were they supposed to do? To just let them go? What about the thousands of civilians that were under Pouf’s spell and would possibly die? And yet, what else were they supposed to do? If they didn’t let them go and tried fighting, they’d all die. Even if they all worked together, they still wouldn’t be a match for a singular guard, let alone the King.
“… I won’t go after you,” is what Knuckle said softly, surprising the invaders.
The others were speechless, but Meruem didn’t intend to wait forever. “Pitou, Pouf, Youpi,” he called. “Let us go.”
“Yes, sire!”
Then, they stopped.
“Pitou,” called a cold, belligerent voice. They turned to find Gon, his aura swirling in dark waves. “You promised to heal Kite,” he growled, brows creasing with anger, “so you’re coming with me to Peijing.”
“Oh,” Pitou's brow raised in remembrance. “That’s true.”
“Peijing?” Meruem inquired.
“In exchange for allowing me to heal Komugi, he said I would accompany him to that place to restore his friend.”
“What for?” Pouf interjected. “You—”
Gon's aura erupted without warning.
The King and his guards remained unfazed, but his companions felt a shiver crawl down their spines. Gon's fury was palpable, threatening to consume everything in its path. All they could think about was that he might get all of them killed. If he took advantage of the King's mercy, they might lose Gon forever. Their mouths opened to speak, but nothing came out.
Killua was the only one to muster words. “Wait just a moment—”
“What the hell do you mean, what for!? That thing turned Kite into a monster!” Gon roared, his rage boiling over. “Bring him back!”
“Who’s Kite?” Pouf asked Pitou, indifferent to Gon’s wrath.
Pitou did not respond. She had no idea who Kite was or whom she was supposed to restore, but she didn't want to make the boy angry. So, silence was her choice.
This only made Gon’s rage increase, whilst Killua blinked repeatedly. She… doesn’t know? Killua thought as he worriedly eyed Gon. Pitou doesn’t even remember Kite, or us for that matter. That’s how insignificant we are in her eyes.
“That monster turned my friend into a puppet!” Gon screamed. “You promised!”
“Pitou has no need to concern herself with such trivial matters,” Pouf declared.
“How… dare you!” Gon lunged at Pouf, his blind rage propelling him forward.
Pouf effortlessly dodged the attack, albeit with some astonishment. The boy’s aura had grown heavier and more potent since their last encounter, an unexpected development that piqued Pouf's curiosity.
“Gon, calm down!” Killua shouted, attempting to restrain him. “Stop!”
Their allies let out a whimper, growing increasingly anxious over the scene unfolding before them. The trembling Meleoron eyed the King. He killed Peggy, is what he thought. He killed him. He killed him, he ate him. A foreign sensation stung his eyes.
Gon struggled against Killua's hold, and he only seemed to grow stronger by the second. Was it anger? Resolve? The mysteries of Nen still eluded them. Killua grunted when Gon elbowed him in the belly. The punches grew wilder, but Killua took each one. “Gon!” he cried loudly with concern when Gon escaped him, clearly trying to make his way to Pitou. It was then Killua made his choice.
Gon cried in agony as electricity surged through his body, causing him to convulse. As the shock subsided, he sank to his knees, body shaking and his breath ragged as he regained control of his faculties.
“Let’s go now, Pitou,” Pouf urged, already moving forward with Meruem and Youpi.
But they halted as they noticed Pitou remained rooted in place. It was evident that she was unsure of her next course of action.
Gon glared up at them with seething rage, his hand pressed against his stomach. His expression twisted, saliva dripping from his mouth as his body trembled. He failed to rise to his feet. The frowning Killua leaned forward, hands held out to Gon, but not quite daring to touch him.
Meruem was the one to break the silence. “Pitou, what do you want to do?”
She met his gaze, overwhelmed by the understanding in it.
Unbeknownst to the others, Pouf had dispersed microscopic scales the very first moment Gon had erupted his aura. Not for the purpose of hypnosis, but for analysis. He had detected something in the dense aura surrounding the boy, hence his attempt to dissuade Pitou from fulfilling her promise.
“I swore a promise,” Pitou replied confidently, “I intend to honour it.”
The invaders, even the furious Gon, were taken aback by this.
Meruem respected her honour. Just like Youpi, she kept her promises. Even if they were for an enemy. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Absolutely not, Killua's eyes widened. Could this get any worse?
“No, Your Majesty. I can—”
“Meruem,” he interjected firmly.
As Pitou corrected herself and Meruem asserted they would wait for her return, Pouf activated Beelzebub. He dispatched three clones smaller than the size of an ant into Meruem’s, Youpi’s and Pitou’s ears.
Don’t be startled, he spoke, and the three widened their eyes in slight astonishment. Naturally so. They couldn’t use telepathy, after all. Listen to me, Pitou. That boy’s aura is erratic. There’s something off about it. Amongst our adversaries, he possesses the strongest resolve. Even with a broken arm, you far surpassed him, but I worry he may have some hidden advantage.
Pitou blinked at him, silently urging him to elaborate.
To maintain the illusion of casualty, Youpi spoke up. “Your friend… who is he? Pitou never left the palace to engage in combat.”
Pouf's clones detailed how he'd discovered with Spiritual Message that Netero had a bomb, and he detailed his suspicions about Gon's potential hidden abilities. His last resort, he called it. Though unsure of the specifics, he cautioned Pitou against accompanying him.
Pitou bit her lower lip as she strongly considered Pouf's words. And then, her eyes widened when Killua responded to Youpi's question.
“Ah, he must be the white-haired man you restored," Pouf remarked, eyeing Pitou and then Gon. "With all the more reason, I wonder what debt Pitou owes you, little boy," he dripped with condescension. "All she did was defend our nest from an intruder. She owes you nothing for merely choosing to not murder our innocent woman.”
Meruem's eyes widened at his last words, something that did not go unnoticed by the startled Hunters.
Gon rose to his feet, although he was still recovering from the electrical shock. He was preparing himself to strike Pouf again, and it wasn't just Killua who intervened, but the rest of his allies. He was deeply pushing it now, they thought.
Pitou felt unease creeping in. That man was beyond saving; she could only halt his decomposition. How could she honour her promise now? She had no idea who that man was when Gon mentioned him, but now that she did, she knew she couldn’t save him. Should she confess or just leave?
“As I said,” Pouf insisted. “Pitou has no need to waste time on such worthless matters,” his eyes narrowed with a derisive smile.
Gon cried out, recoiling in Killua's grasp. He fell. “We get it, scumbag!” Killua screamed. “Do everyone a favour and shut your mouth!” he scowled at Pouf, fully aware that Pouf had only been trying to rile them up. Why? He wondered. To make them act out? The King would have a reason to wish for their deaths, then.
What am I supposed to say? Pitou frowned.
The Hunters were startled when a black and red aura began emanating from Gon’s body as he slowly stood up.
Meruem-sama, Pouf’s clones told them. I’m worried this boy may have a power similar to that old man. We should not let Pitou go with him. We should make haste and move along now.
Indifferent to Gon's hostile aura, Meruem addressed him calmly. "What's your name?" He asked, even though he'd already heard it about a dozen times.
With cold, belligerent eyes, Gon replied, "Gon. Gon Freecs."
Meruem nodded thoughtfully. "Gon, thank you for granting Pitou the time to heal Komugi. I am grateful. If Pitou wishes to fulfill her promise, she may do so. I will, however, accompany her."
“Meruem-sama!” Pouf exclaimed with creased brows. “You cannot!”
"Silence!" Meruem commanded. "I was neither addressing you nor asking for your input, Pouf."
Pouf bit his lip as he frowned in panic.
"No," Gon responded icily. "Only Pitou and I will go. And I want Knuckle to use his ability on her to prevent an escape," he pointed at the astonished Knuckle, who definitely did not want any part in this, but would never refuse, either.
Meruem-sama, we cannot allow this! Pouf's clones insisted. That boy clearly intends to corner Pitou. We cannot guarantee he won't attempt to harm her once she has completed her task, and if you go with her, you will be at risk!
Meruem seemed steadfast on his resolve to not abandon Pitou, and Pouf's mind raced. It was then he veiled his disgust, his fury, and he uttered those despised words only because he knew it was the best way. Think of Komugi, sire. She needs you.
When he saw Meruem's eyes widen, when his pupils quivered for a brief moment, Pouf was relieved to know the words had the intended effect.
Meruem's mouth opened, but the words did not leave him until seconds later. “I see. Pitou, it’s your choice.” His eyes were on her, but there seemed to be a hidden meaning in them. He briefly glanced at Pouf, and it was then that Pitou recognised the King was asking her to consider Pouf's warning.
Pitou decided she'd been quiet for too long, and that if she'd been forthright as soon as she learned who the man was, this entire exchange, and the tension that came with it, would have been avoided.
“I can’t,” she said.
Gon’s eyes blew wide.
“What?” Killua blurted out.
“When you told me of your friend, I didn’t know who he was. But now that I have an image in my head, I know I can’t heal him. He died during our fight. I created my ability to restore him, but all I could do was stop his body from decomposing.”
Gon's hostility evaporated instantly. The light in his eyes dimmed, only replaced by despair and hopelessness. At once, he slumped to his knees. The world around him seemed to blur, and his ears rang. He could take in Killua saying something, but he sounded muffled. Everyone did, as if he were underwater. “… W… what?” he mumbled weakly.
“… To be honest, I didn’t even remember any of you… until now,” she reluctantly admitted. “I’m sorry,” she said sincerely.
Pouf's brows creased with distaste. He did not bother to veil his disgust. Why was Pitou apologising to these vile, hateful creatures? She had done nothing wrong, so why was she acting as though she had?
“Kite... is dead?” Gon trembled.
Killua frowned with despair. His gaze was on Gon, and his hands reached out to touch him. He called his name, spoke to him, and their allies could only frown with the same sadness.
Through Spiritual Message, Pouf observed the fluctuating colours surrounding Gon's aura in chaotic patterns. The boy was experiencing a myriad of emotions unlike anything Pouf had ever witnessed.
“Promised... but you promised...” Gon's voice cracked as tears streamed down his cheeks. He mumbled incoherent words. “So, I killed Kite…?” he trailed off. Killua kneeled next to him, comforting him, and it seemed his eyes shone with unshed tears.
“Sire, now that this matter is resolved, should we depart?” Pouf inquired.
Without words, Meruem disappeared into the darkness of the hallway with Komugi in his arms.
Youpi followed suit, pausing briefly beside Knuckle. "Live long. I hope the man in glasses recovers.”
“Y-Youpi...” Knuckle stammered, and his allies seemed as taken aback as he was.
With a nod, Youpi vanished from sight. Pouf began to follow, but halted when he noticed Pitou lingering behind. “Pitou? We’re leaving.”
She hesitated, her gaze fixed on the distraught Gon. “... I'm sorry,” she apologised once more, this time addressing everyone present. Slowly, she turned and walked away, and Pouf waited patiently for her to lead the way before following suit.
Pouf took two steps forward, then glanced back at the humans who had gathered around the broken boy. A primal urge surged within him, urging him to eliminate them. They were threats, after all, threats that should be eradicated. To Pouf, they were insignificant beings, devoid of worth. Emotion had little to do with it.
... One and a half seconds.
That's all it would take for Pouf to dispatch Meleoron, Ikalgo, and the broken Gon. Three fewer threats to contend with. The others, particularly the silver-haired boy and the one with the peculiar haircut, would put up a fight, but Pouf was confident in his ability to best them in short time.
It wasn't a complicated matter. The little energy required to kill them only served the purpose to eliminate future threats to the King, no more than that. Yet, the consequences of such actions weighed heavily on his mind. Killing them could exacerbate an already delicate situation. If they had indeed chosen not to pursue them, and Pouf were to slay them regardless, it could escalate tensions and prompt their allies to seek retribution against the King. Allowing them to live just as Meruem had ordered, however, offered a different path. They could potentially persuade their allies to abandon any pursuit, avoiding further conflict.
Allowing them to live was the best choice.
For now.
Pouf disappeared into the dark hallway.
The moment they stepped outside the palace, Meruem drew in a deep breath, feeling a shift in the air. Though it was the same air he had breathed countless times, it now bore a different significance. It filled his lungs coolly, and it made him feel whole. He felt a liberation he'd never felt before. All because of the girl cradled in his arms. She was healthy, truly. Alive.
There was something new, indeed; freedom and possibility.
“So…” Youpi's voice cut through the silence, breaking the spell of the moment, “what do you want to do, Meruem-sama?”
Meruem suppressed a flicker of irritation at the honorific. He wished to whip some sense into his guards for refusing to follow his order, but he restrained himself. He understood that it was a difficult habit to shed. Instead, he considered the question, his gaze drifting up to the starry sky above. “Hm… what indeed,” he mused.
“Mm…” Pitou tapped a thoughtful finger against her chin. “There are establishments called hotels. We could stay in one until we decide what to do next.”
“Don’t these cost money?” Youpi asked.
“Nyah… right,” she admitted with a sheepish grin. “Ah! Pouf, couldn’t you use your scales to force people to give us things for free?”
“I could,” he nodded.
“Nya-huhu!” she cheered. “What do you think, Meruem-sama?”
“Let’s do it,” Meruem agreed.
His guards exchanged awed, impressed glances, marvelling at Meruem. He'd won his fight, learned his identity; a question that had plagued him, and he was stronger than ever. Truly, they considered themselves fortunate to serve such a magnificent being.
Only five minutes had passed since they arrived at the palace. They left as swiftly as they'd entered.
They located a modest motel in Peijing, where Komugi regained consciousness. Meruem gently explained what the hard kick in her stomach was, and what had happened since then, only leaving in details that wouldn't worry her. Grateful for her life, Komugi expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Pitou, unaware of the inner conflict amongst the guards regarding her presence.
During this time, the Hunters couldn’t snap Gon out of his trance. Killua had to slump him on his shoulder, and they left to their base while they figured out what to do next.
Tell the Hunter Association the King is dead?
Tell them he’s alive, but not a threat?
Everything was a mess.
While everyone tended to Gon, whom they couldn’t bring back to reality, Killua went back to the castle hideout where Kite was being kept, and brought his body back for a proper burial.
When the next day dawned, Komugi, Meruem, and his guards left the motel.
Ready to make their new lives.