Please note: Divergence from original Bleach canon is assured as are the outcome of certain battles. Some canon characters will not die as in canon and the mythos of this story are that the Zanpaku-to were created by the Elementals thousands of years before. They make 'contracts' or 'covenants' with the Shinigami before the Shinigami are even born; to serve them as weapons. These Zanpaku-to then change form from their original manner of katana to whichever form suits the Shinigami during shikai-bankai release.
-Also, this chapter is merely for reference and ISN'T required reading-
-ShiKai Characters and Glossary terms-
Chimahou: more commonly referred to as Blood magic operates under the principal, if the body forgets, the memory is within the blood. Its uses include viewing memories held by an opponent's blood- an ability only a Master of it like the Fire Elemental, can do with ease.
Tokimahou: Referred as Time magic. Orihime Inoue's Soten Kishun is a lesser manifestation of this ancient magic. However, unlike a true spatial reversal; the Soten Kishun is fatally flawed as to its use on an Elemental's body.
Terra Incognita: Latin for Unknown Land.
Terra Justitia: A phrase meant to mock the Living world. Latin for Just Land.
Soulless blades: Unlike Zanpaku-to whom have a material entity attached to them, the swords created by Kagami are without, so they can be wielded by anyone.
A list of them follows:
Hokuto Shichisei: North Seven stars. A sword of healing, transmuting ambient reishii through the Quincy cross embedded in its guard to the tang emitted a soft blue glow when recharged. Is most effective for healing almost all wounds.
Hakuya: White Night. This sword's tang is made of crushed down Seki-sekki ore and an infusion of Chimahou within its core. Originally forged for Aizen Sosuke. Properties: unknown..
Gekkouha: Moonlight. This sword is currently imperfect, lacking its final piece.
Tenma Mukurode: Given as Demon Corpse-hand. This fearsome sword corrupts living flesh by releasing a Neuro-toxin upon contact with an enemy. It is the only one of the soulless blades to have a consciousness linked to that of its wielder.
Shinteichou: Ancient name for the Generals of the Black Army: the translation is simply given as God-Captain.
Sursum Corda: Latin for Lift up your hearts/ Take courage.
Provehito in Altum: Motto of the First Division. Latin for Reach for the Heights.
Multi sunt vocati, pauci vero Electi: Latin for Many are called, but few are chosen
(*~*)OC character theme songs~ More to be added at a later date
Kei: Disturbia-by Rihanna/and/ I'm so sick-by Flyleaf
Kagami: I shall believe-by Matt Brouwer/and/This is your life-by Switchfoot
Kazeatari: Karinui-by Mamiko Noto
Hana Retsu: Boulevard of Broken Dreams-by Green day
Kyou Retsu: Break your knees-by Flyleaf (on the deluxe edition CD)
Kanzaki: Sea of faces-by Kutless
Takara Shimizu: Shine-by Anna Nalick
Akashi Osore: Breakdown-by Breaking Benjamin
Touda (reflecting on Kei): Fully alive: by Flyleaf (the video version)
Reflecting on the Juppongatana as a whole (present day) Meant to Live-Switchfoot
Ren Mimasaka: I'm only happy when it rains: by Garbage
Kei to Ichigo: Again-by Flyleaf/or/ The world around you-by Papa Roach
Zangetsu and his Kouseitan'i *Kei*: Bitter Sweet- by Flyleaf and/or All I need- Within Temptation
Juppongatana main theme: Never too late- Three days Grace/and/ Attack-Thirty seconds to Mars/or/New Divide-Linkin Park
ShiKai Prequel : Stand In The Rain themes
Facing the betrayal of the First Shinigami and the subsequent others whom followed: No more sorrow-Linkin Park
Reflecting on the exiled Shinigami who later become the Juppongatana: Stand in the rain-by Superchick
During the early chapters: World so Cold-12 Stones
Toya Amakusa: Home-12 Stones
Kei: Nobody's Home-Avril Lavigne
Character facts:
-Kei-
Birthday- October 31st (Halloween)
Zodiacal sign: Scorpio
-Hana-
Birthday: August 6th
Zodiacal sign: Leo
-Kyou-
Birthday: August 7th (Kyou was born at midnight just seconds after Hana at 11:56 PM)
Zodiacal sign: Leo
-Kanzaki-
Birthday:
Zodiacal sign: Capricorn
(*~*)
Juppongatana Soul reapers
First Division: positions available, Defenders of the realm concerned mainly with defense.
Captain position, Raven Kanzaki
Lieutenant position: Hisrio Shihoin
Third seat: Akashi Osore
Fourth seat gender either
Vizard Fifth seat: Ren Mimasaka
Sixth seat: Mai Matsukaze
Seventh seat gender either
Second Division: known as the Scientific and observation district, positions available.
Captain position, Kagami Nanatsu
Lieutenant position, Kimiko Shimizu (no relation to Takara of third)
Third seat, Dani Snow
Fourth seat: Jinteki Eremiyasho
Fifth seat: Samuel Cain
Sixth seat gender either
Seventh seat gender either
Third Division: offense and defense warriors welcome, positions available.
Captain position: Toya Amakusa
Lieutenant position: Takara Shimizu
Third seat: gender either
Fourth seat: Keith Rolston
Fifth seat gender either
Sixth seat gender either
Seventh seat gender either
Fourth Division: Only offense warriors need apply, similar to Eleventh Division of S.S but Kido attacks may apply also.
Captain position: Keiko Yamamoto
Lieutenant position: Zoë Elbe
Arrancar Third seat: Aki Shikouten
Fourth seat: Atrix Crusellas
Fifth seat gender either
Sixth seat gender either
Seventh seat: Kazura Ichinomiya
Fifth Division: offense and defense warriors needed, similar to Third Division, positions available.
Captain position: Kazeatari Namaiki
Lieutenant position: Rizu Sakurai
Third seat: Seijin Maru
Fourth seat: Hana Retsu
Fifth seat: Kyou Retsu
Sixth seat gender either
Seventh seat gender either
~~~Facts about the filled positions and the four Captains of first, second, fourth and fifth:
First: Raven Kanzaki, former Quincy General. In Soul society was rising in the ranks of the Repentance Guards whose duty is to watch over the Senzaikyu. Saved Gin Ichimaru by shooting a Quincy arrow when Shoukyaku failed…then his secret was out. Personality: an amateur scientist, Kagami takes his strength into account, and then he is made leader of the rogue Shinigami group: Juppongatana.
Lieutenant of First: Hisrio Shihoin. A former Noble, his family was a distant relation to one of the four clans and as such enjoyed a distinction not afforded to others. Hisrio was taken into his cousin's service early on but never witnessed much combat do to his status not because of a lack of ability. Knew Kagami by name never face. Was involved in a certain incident of ill-repute and was cast aside as a disgrace. By proxy he fled during the same time as Kanzaki though wasn't a part of his group. In the decimated City of Apollonia near the Southern region, he was saved-by the very man whom he had blamed his fall from power-who was none other than Raven Kanzaki. Hisrio had been the very same Shinigami put in charge of the execution Squad dispatched to eliminate the Quincy from the Guard ranks. Hisrio's failure at the cost of a severe wound from an arrow nearly killed him outright. However it was his survival that insured his demotion and subsequent exile. The decision wasn't his cousin's to make...
Was eventually driven to accept Kanzaki's offer of a truce and joined him, though in the forming of the Juppongatana, was forced to accept a lesser position in terms of strength to the one who was once his subordinate.
Zanpaku-to: Houou-Hime. Personality: Arrogant, though highly intelligent, believes that everyone should drop what they're doing when he speaks and demands attentiveness at all meetings. Is very strict with his Division.
Third Seat of First: Akashi Osore-info pending.
Fifth Seat of First: Ren Mimasaka, became a Vizard during a training exercise with new recruits. It is thought she was a fifth-year student at the Academy, a time spent which she won't speak about. One of Aizen's early Hollows came across her and the students, Ren stayed behind to engage it while they ran to safety, it was then that she was overpowered by the sudden appearance of another and woke up changed.
She fled the living world in shame, knowing to return would be to face persecution. Leading some to believe she had fallen in battle.
In Assiah, she lived in one of the many caves dotting the eastern shoreline.
It was during one of the many torturous nights when the inner-Hollow would rise up that they found her.
Zanpaku-to: Kansatsu Tobi-Kunai. Personality: aloof but it's only habit. When in S.S Ren was often alone, considered an outcast and that stayed with her. She has somewhat of an inferiority complex, feeling inside that she doesn't belong, that's why consistently she pushes the group away when they try to include her, this eventually leads to near disastrous consequences one night outside of the sealed Castle of Tsukikage...
Captain of Second: Kagami Nanatsu, Commander of the water element in all its facets. Zanpaku-to: Sazanami. Personality: the easiest of the three to get along with. Former position as bodyguard to Yoruichi Shihoin.
Fifth Seat of Second: Samuel Winston Cain. The Last great American cowboy -or so he thinks. Likes twangy guitars and strumming beneath the light of the moon. A bit of an oddball; he came across-literally a bathing Dani to which she yelled pervert and no one came to her aid. A fact that still rankles her in regard to everyone else. Sam, carries two dueling pistols at his hips inlaid with mother-of-pearl and is truly the only seated officer whose Zanpaku-to isn't a Zanpaku-to at all! The appearance of these besides his dream of eventually going out west to be an famous gunslinger made childhood in the Northern city of Philadelphia very trying on his parents. It is unclear just how he received training in some levels of Way of Binding spells, Five-pillar piercing iron is the highest and discarding incantation once shows his degree of skill-despite his outward appearance of goofiness.
Zanpaku-to weapon: Gunslinger. Personality: A goofball who claims to have a heart of gold and gentlemanly civility towards the Ladies. Speaks in a mish-mash of Southwestern slang and Japanese honorifics to a few of his superiors. Kagami is 'Capt' sir while Kanzaki has -san added to his address.
Former Captain of Third: Hasumi-last name unknown. Status: Deceased. Zanpaku-to: Aohien Ageha
Lieutenant of Third: Takara Shimizu. One of the many orphaned waifs wandering in the Rukongai, Takara was discovered by Gin Ichimaru, on route to traveling to the academy. Gin saved her-a fact that she hasn't forgotten-and took her along with him when he became a student. Time passed and Takara made remarkable progress, Gin graduated before her and was seated but not a Fukutaichou yet by the time she left the academy. His original plan was to make her an officer in his Company, eventually supplanting the Taichou of Third...however something happened to make him reconsider this course and instead place her far from Aizen.
Upon Kagami's flight to Assiah, Gin beseeched his former friend to take her along and do everything in his power-which was a lot- to keep her safe until such a time came when Gin was in a suitable position to protect her himself. It isn't clear what Kagami's response was, however four Shinigami left by the Senkai mon. Meaning Takara was one of them.
Kagami later concedes he believed Gin to be heartless however admits his feelings for Takara are genuine.
Third Seat of Third Division: Toya Amakusa-info pending.
Fourth Seat of Third: Keith Rolston. An American by birth, Keith was discovered as a young child wandering alone in the Human world, it is unknown whether or not his parents were killed. The Shinigami who found him, however, took him back to Soul Society in the hopes that because of his unusual spirit pressure at such a young age might prove to be a great boon to the Court Guard Squads. He was enrolled in the Soul academy and graduated from the six-year course in four. High marks got him a position in Third company under Taichou-. He was well-liked despite once in a while getting a tad bit smart with his superiors. But overall his demotion was a shock to all. It was recommended by then Fukutaichou of Fifth, Sosuke Aizen.
It is assumed later, that he had learned of Aizen's early illegal experiments with the Hollows. Thereby becoming a threat to the devious man.
How he came to be in Assiah, is unknown as well.
Keith refuses to speak about it, a fact that doesn't seem to surprise anyone much. Save for that the man who was closest to him, had something to do with it.
Zanpaku-to: Nikoli. Overall best attribute: His intelligence and common sense (aka he's a bit of a smart **). He will do anything for his friends and the ones he loves. Is kind and very trustworthy, but you don't want to make him angry.
Asked to be made Fourth Seat of Third in some deference to his former seated rank in S.S as well as the assumption carried by some that he may have a crush on his Lieutenant.
Captain of Fourth: Keiko Kurai Yamamoto, only living relative of the Soutaichou of S.S. Wielder of the fire element in all its facets. Wields the Hell sword (Maouen) Zanpaku-to: Getsu-ten. Personality: Unknown. Her cool-headedness and talent for eliminating any pre-conceived hindrances to her plans have placed her at the forefront. Her intelligence is based on manipulation and the fulfillment of a design that was long ago set in motion. It is unclear her true feelings toward Shinigami sub Ichigo Kurosaki, however she has previously claimed that she could love him in her own way while yet in another sense denying that she has any sentiments toward him at all!
Former position as graduating Student in the Shinigami academy was the first to believe in Kagami's innocence when he was charged with murder.
Lieutenant of Fourth: Zoë Elbe, French Canadian background, parents were ex-slaves. Was made second in command of the small survey team dispatched to Assiah to keep watch over the growing Hollow population. Met Kanzaki and turned against S.S along with young current third seat of Second Division, Dani Snow. Zanpaku-to: Shirahime. Personality: calm, peace loving though merciless much like Kei in battle.
Third Seat of Fourth: Aki Shikouten, former Vasto Lordes. During a battle, he fought against Keiko and became an Arrancar due to the backfiring of one of her finishing moves. Afterwards, he was defeated and laid his life in her hands. There is no shame in defeat, he learned and grew to embrace their way of thinking. Zanpaku-to resurrección: Eisen-Iowe (Iron Lion-like.)
Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division: Atrix Crusellas, a modified soul who escaped the initial destruction of his fellow mods. Sometime later when Kagami and co. come across him in Assiah's FireThorn region, he inhabits the body of a Shinigami male. He attacks Kazeatari with the type of ability given to him, instead of with the Zanpaku-to strapped to his back. Kagami remarks on it and makes a deal with him to forge him a true sword as the spirit of the Zanpaku-to refuses to release for an imposter. After this has been accomplished, Atrix decides to join up with Kanzaki's group, then no longer feeling as though he didn't belong. Specially made Zanpaku-to: Tenma Mukurode. It is the only one of the soulless blades forged by Kagami, to have a consciousness linked to that of its wielder. It cannot be used by any other, making it a true Zanpaku-to.
Captain of Fifth: Kazeatari Namaiki and the most difficult of Captains to get along with. Controller of the Wind element in all its facets. Zanpaku-to: Kazekiri. Personality: self-centered except where Kagami is concerned, cares for her Lieutenant Rizu but doesn't show it, is cool and aloof much like her element. Former position as Graduating Student in the Shinigami academy; believes in Kagami and loves him yet despises Soul Society.
Lieutenant of Fifth: Rizu Sakurai, former seated officer under Eighth Company's Shunsui Kyoraku. Was known to be a friend of Kanzaki and helped him escape the Seireitei when his former comrades under the command of Hisrio Shihoin came to arrest him. In aiding him however, Rizu was left with no choice but to flee with him to the world of Assiah along with a few others.
They survived five months, losing only one Shinigami to the Hollows until the day came when they were surrounded in a field by hoards of the creatures. It was then that Kanzaki-foolishly decided to sacrifice himself by buying them some time to escape, this however was rendered null by the appearance of Kagami, Kei, Kazeatari and Takara.
While two of the Elementals made short work of the Hollows, Rizu engaged Kazeatari, recognizing the woman as being marked with absolute power. A fight ensued, eventually Kei did the same with Kanzaki, challenging him to a duel which she subsequently lost-even this is uncertain.
Whether she truly lost or feigned defeat is up for debate.
After that, Kagami was next in line-
Kazeatari following, however her defeat at Rizu's hands placed much doubt in her ability to handle another round if Kanzaki beat Kagami.
This was proved an unreasonable notion as Kazeatari did in fact rise after falling prey to Nekomata's psychological attack.
It is thought that if she had been truly serious during her short match with Kanzaki, she'd have won.
As it was, she dispersed the energy of his Bankai then sent him flying, claiming after a moment a scratch on her cheek as defeat. Kagami thought it might've come from her own attack but said nothing thereby advancing his plan.
( ^_^) Unknown Entities
Touda dancing snake: Black Phoenix whose tears bring instantaneous death to those they fall on.
Suzaku: Guardian of the South. One of the Four Gods, a single tear from this red Phoenix can heal the most grievous injury.
Soryu: Guardian of the East. Dragon God of the sea. Controls all water type and all that fall under that dominion.
Byakko: Guardian of the West.
Genbu: Guardian of the North. Once a mighty protector of man, this spirit was swayed by the concordat to serve the whims of the Earth Elemental and became twisted do to the nature of his want.
13th General of the Black army: Mara, ancient Vasto Lordes. Zanpaku-to release: Nanpa-sen. It is unlike the resurrección state of other Hollows. Her whereabouts are currently unknown though it is assumed by all that for the past 111 years, the keeper of the key to the castle of Tsukikage has resided in Cayo Hueso. However that has never been substantiated as fact.
6th General of the Black Army: Angelo, ancient Vasto Lordes. His appearance and even abilities aren't extensively known, save for Keiko Yamamoto's reference to him during Stand in the Rain. We do know however that one form of his Zanpaku-to release is to control rose thorns with vines capable of slicing through the hardest surfaces known to exist. A fitting power for one whose release is named: Aka Bara.
4th General of the Black army: Kotoko, ancient Vasto Lordes. The Fire elemental poured all her power and ability into his creation. Rather than combining the soul-giving power of Earth and her own fusion of the lifespark; Keiki made Kotoko on her own. His appearance is that of a Kannushi and indeed he and Keiki were very close, a time spent that Keiko reminisces with great joy. Zanpaku-to release: Mozu no Hayanie. Among Kotoko's abilities is the gift to read the minds of those whom he chooses. No one, thus far as proven immune to this most startling ability.
Called 'Lord' or 'Dono' by the Elemental of water once: Ukiyo, a mysterious being whose power is considered to be even with that of the King of Soul Society. His existence isn't acknowledged outside of the confines of Tsukikage and it is clear that he once had something to do with the binding of the elementals to corporeal flesh. It is thought he slumbers in Cayo Hueso. However, that as well, hasn't been confirmed as truth.
Earth Elemental-? The existence of the missing fourth element hasn't been officially acknowledged by Kagami. Nevertheless it is unspoken as of yet, but his powers match or even rival that of the Fire Elemental's.
Ether: The unstable fifth element. A fragment of this metal is contained within every Quincy cross. It is one of the few substances in existence known to cause severe damage to an Elemental; even unto causing death.
The Elements previous and current identities
Fire: Keiki-now Keiko Yamamoto
Water: Mizuna-now Kagami Nanatsu
Wind: Kazahaya: Kazeatari Namaiki
Earth-?
~~~The fourth world: Assiah~~~
Assiah is where in the olden days of Soul society, Reio used to rule from the Phantom city. Later on it was abandoned and only disgraced Shinigami were exiled there. Smaller than earth but more beautiful in its countries, Assiah however was overrun by Hollows whom went unchecked while devouring the humans who lived there.
Realm of the Soul reapers: Kinryou-ku Genei—Phantom Sanctuary also known as the Phantom City and within is the Castle of Tsukikage, base of Division one.
~~~The fabled Third World of Cayo Hueso, home of the God of the Hollows~~~
Unknown
~~~The Second world: Hueco Mundo~~~
Unknown
~~~The first world: Earth ~~~
Smaller world of the Shinigami: Soul society
A/N: and that concludes the first casting call for the Oc Juppongatana Soul reapers. Note: Names needed, powers and Zanpaku-to release commands, personality and profiles required. Captain position and Lieutenant positions must have Bankai, for seated members not a requirement, and exceptions for Fourth Division. Some may have been former members of Soul society, use your creativity people! So make sure to include everything important, your submitted characters may take a while to show up. Ciao and I look forward to your submissions.-)
Note: Juppongatana means ten swords in Japanese; this refers to the five Captains and their Lieutenants.