8 The Uninvited Guests

__________ POV Ashton__________

The new Royal Guards were not exactly thrilled to live with me. They didn't have much choice. I didn't study the two of them as intently as I did Pitou. Mainly because I now need to split my time between the 3 of them.

Pitou herself is usually occupied with trying new things and developing abilities. Really, it's nice being a specialist. Just look at her, being able to master every technique just as easily.

Well, she's only seen basic techniques. A truly powerful Hatsu always has a lot of restrictions, it is much harder to replicate. Sometimes impossible even.

The next few days were quite fun. I got to train(torture) the misbehaving ants.

Pitou couldn't do anything about it. She was still learning about Hatsu's and how to replicate them effectively.

Since she is more than talented enough to replicate any ability she may come across.

The only limitation she has is her somewhat lacking imagination.

Some of the ideas she had were quite decent. But most of them were simple, she needs to broaden her view of the world to grow stronger.

Another two days passed. During which I did my best to teach Pitou as much as possible.

The other two were more of an afterthought. After learning more about their biological makeup I gave up on them. I also realised that time was running out.

A team of powerful hunters was sure to come. It was only a matter of time.

Now that the other Guards got somewhat accustomed to my antics, I could walk around without a glare directed at my back.

The King is going to hatch tomorrow. I cannot wait to test his strength. I've been studying his egg for a few days now. The Queen accepted as long as I kept bringing her more of my blood.

But Pitou isn't all that pleased with my presence near the King's egg...

"Can you stop touching it with that weird look on your face!" She said, acting all aggrieved and weirded out.

Well, what can I say? When I get too into studying I get quite passionate. I tend to lose control of my facial expressions.

Oh well. It's time to train the ants again.

-----BOOOOM-----

As soon as I thought about it... The ground started quaking underneath me. The walls were shaking violently.

Well, it was inevitable. The hunters are coming.

I looked at the queen. She didn't say much, only started caressing the King's egg.

I looked at them for a bit. As the Royal Guards gathered in the room.

"It seems we have company..." Said little Pouf. I only call him that because he finds it annoying.

Pitou just stared at the King's egg. As if waiting for an order or something.

I may not care about these ants all that much. But I've already invested quite a bit of time in this little side project of mine. I am quite unwilling to part with it before it shows any results...

"I'll go and greet our guests..." I simply left the room after saying that.

I think the message got across, as Pouf visibly relaxed. Pitou didn't react much(she takes after little old me).

Youpi just snorted a bit. " I could have dealt with them myself..."

"Sure thing buddy." My response from across the room seemed to enrage him quite a bit.

It's not that I don't think he's strong or something like that. But I seem to recognise these auras quite well. And if I'm not wrong, Youpi would be defeated relatively quick.

I can sense two auras currently, one was the smoke brained dude with a crooked nose while the other is the dude with the Dimension Hatsu.

I can't be bothered to remember their names, but I've met both of them in the past on several occasions.

When I appeared in front of them they were quite surprised. Probably recognising from our previous encounters. Few in number, yet very memorable. For them at least.

I'll call them Smokey and Glasses.

"Ashton, why are you here?!" Shouted Smokey, it's quite annoying when someone knows your name but you don't even remember the first letter in theirs.

I didn't respond quickly, letting them look at each other for a bit. I am curious about what they would do.

When I first felt their aura I didn't think much of it. But I also felt a trace of someone else's aura on Dimension Prick.

They might not be weak, but they wouldn't be able to quickly defeat the Royal Guards.

The reason for me greeting them is the old guy hidden in the Dimension of Glasses.

Their plan to take out this hive is quite interesting. Drag the ants into the Pocket Dimension where Netero is waiting to kill them all. Oh well, guess I need to do something here.

__________ POV Narration__________

"So... Would you guys be willing to leave?" Ashton asked with a fake smile on his face. There was no happiness in his voice.

"Are you helping the ants?! Why would you even think of that?" Asked Knov, the nicely dressed hunter wearing black-rimmed glasses.

"Now now, I don't like interrogations..." Ashton spread around his En after saying that. It seemed to terrify the two hunters. Morel, the man carrying a big tobacco pipe, was a lot more composed.

Although he was also sweating heavily.

The pressure on the two of them was monumental. Any lesser hunter would've been crushed under it the very second it appeared.

Just as Morel was about to open his mouth in protest a portal opened in the ground and Netero stepped out.

The old man was wearing something that looked like yoga pants and a t-shirt with the kanji for 'Heart' printed on the chest. It made Ashton scoff a bit.

He looked around a bit, feeling the En surrounding him startled him quite a bit. He did calm down after seeing its origin. Although his confusion was quite high.

"Hmmm, what appears to be the issue, Ashton?" Asked the confused chairman of the Association.

"I have taken an interest in these ants. I wish to study them in detail." The scientist didn't bother hiding his intentions from the old man.

"I see... But the Chimera Ants are a threat to humanity, they must be exterminated. Please, don't stand in our way." Netero looked extremely serious while saying that.

"You know just how little I care about humanity Netero. My interest and curiosity are a lot more important, to me that is." The eyes of the Scientist said it all. Humanity was a mere afterthought in the face of his personal interests.

But at the same time. His goals were closely tied to humanity, and the unadulterated hatred he feels towards the entire race.

The reason for this hatred... It's all related to his 'homeland'. The Dark Continent.

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Hope you liked today's chapter!

Next episode some more backstory will be given on the MC, as in what happened to him in the Dark Continent. And other stuff like that.

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