Disclaimer: I do not own HxH.

The Origin of Spiders

Chapter One: Franklin

For as long as Franklin could remembered, his memory of childhood was something he wished he could forget. All he recalled were the nasty name calling, sneers and insults. He was ugly, unwanted. They said his mother probably abandoned him because he looked like a monster. And for a very long time, he believed them - because everyone said so. If everyone said so, there must be some truth in it. That was what he believed then.

And he had avoided mirrors like plague. He didn't want to look at the hideous boy who stared right back at him. Somehow the other kids in his neighbourhood caught wind of it. One of them came up with what they thought was an ingenious prank. They had gathered and placed as much mirrors or reflective objects they could find in front of his hideout, so that the first thing he saw when he stepped out from his place would be mirrors. Lots of them.

That was the first time the usually timid boy finally lost it and poured out all his rage that he never knew existed before. He suddenly transformed into a green enraged giant, roaring and smashing everything that stood in his way. The kids who were laughing at first ended up screaming and fleeing from him like they were seeing ghost. In the end, with bruises and cuts that covered his body, that was the only consolation he had.

But he had never thought there would be another surprise awaiting him. A girl with a mop of blue messy hair approached him boldly. She hadn't fear him like the others did, even after witnessing the damages he had caused. She merely stared at him with her large, piercing violet eyes. Her stare alone unnerved him although he would rather die than to admit that a petite girl like her could actually intimidate a big guy like him.

"What're ya staring at? Go away."

That strange girl didn't bulge. Instead she stepped forward until she was standing too close to his comfort. Then she took something out from her pocket. He jerked, half expecting that she might pull out a gun or a knife to end his misery life. He shut his eyes and counted to ten yet nothing happened. All she took out was a needle and a long thread.

But what she did next shocked him to his core.

"Show me your back. You'll need some stitches there but I won't guaranteed if it'll leave any scars."

Her face remained unreadable. She said it like it was a matter of fact, her voice cold and commanding, leaving no room for discussion. She didn't even wait until he recovered from his shock to begin her work. Being caught totally dumbfounded, all Franklin could do was to follow her instructions.

Franklin had to admit that she was quite gifted. It merely took her seconds to finish stitching his wounds. Just when he thought Lady Luck had finally smiled upon him, she cut his illusion short.

"You owe me ten thousand zellion for that." she said flatly.

He thought he heard her wrongly until she repeated it again without hesitant.

"What?!"

The blue haired girl didn't seem very surprised by his reaction at all. She almost seemed as though she was used to it.

"You have three days. I'll come and collect the money from you. Don't think that you can run away fro me. I'll hunt you down and kill you."

And he could feel with every fiber of his being that she was serious with her words.

He gulped and watched her left.

This is bat shit crazy. Where can I get all that money from? I'm gonna die in three days...I'm gonna die ...I'm gonna die ...

---

Of course, Franklin didn't die when the three days limit was up. He was saved by a raven haired boy whom she referred to as Danzhou. And he had accepted the offer to join their group as a repayment of his debts, gladly.

The rest they say, is history.

A/N: I wish to dedicate a chapter for each member of the Phantom Troupe. Not sure if I can really pull it off, but reviews and encouragements definitely motivates me. (smile sheepishly)