Another Side, Another Story
Written by Shaun Garin
Sparks crashed and metal sang upon contact of each other. And then the splintering of broken blades as Ichigo Kurosaki skidded backwards, his hand automatically enfolding upon another of the myriad blades. Just one, ONE would be the true form of Zangetsu. Across the way, Zangetsu hurled himself forward and Ichigo brought the sword up to meet the attacker.
Sparks flew.
"Come now Ichigo," said Zangetsu as sparks flew again and Ichigo leapt out of the way, ditching his sword as he did, "find my true form."
Ichigo wiped a tiny bit of sweat, or was it blood -- too runny -- from his forehead as he heaved and grasped another blade. Again the whirling dance began, and again the end came again; the massive blade shorn off from the hilt.
Feel and act reminded Ichigo to himself as he lifted another weapon. This one didn't even last a second and he ditched it immediately.
Some uncertainty tingled at the back of his mind as he grasped not one but two and launched himself at Zangetsu. One was cloven in half, the other shattered into dust. Zangetsu slammed a fist into his stomach and Ichigo was tossed across the landscape.
Ichigo, reverberated the voice in the young teenagers mind, focus! There is no doubt, no try, just reach out… and grasp me.
Memories flashed through his mind, the broken Zanpakutou, nameless before it was revealed to him. Rukia and the debt he owed her, friends, family, people counting on him.
Reaching out as he got to his knees, he grasped midair --- and his hand caught a blade. Zangetsu was upon him in a flash, intent to shatter the blade, but Ichigo brought it up, and it caught, the metal not even notching.
"Congratulations… Ichigo," rumbled Zangetsu as Ichigo felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment rise in his chest.
The Execution Stand was a huge affair, the giant weapon ready to burn Rukia's soul and sear her form. With a tap of the General-Commander's cane, the execution commenced.
The brilliant phoenix soared into the air, an ironic sign of death and rebirth. Rukia, waited for the end.
That was when it stopped short, crackling against a figure, swathed in a cape of the house. "Oi, Rukia," said Ichigo and Rukia looked up, startled. "Idiot," he chided.
"Idiot? IDIOT!" howled Rukia. "What are you doing here?!"
"Idiot," repeated Ichigo. "I'm here to save you, so don't give me any shit about it!"
The phoenix reared back, having being stopped by the immense blade behind him, ready to pierce the offender through. Instead, white, gold and black flashed and the execution block exploded, Ichigo landing easily with Rukia under his arm.
Rukia looked down at the weapon and her eyes widened. "Ichigo… your zanpakutou…"
"Oh? Yeah, it's pretty unique huh?" said Ichigo, and there were mutterings from the members of the Gotei-13 who had yet to step into the fray.
A golden hilt, splayed out with thick rectangular guards. A wide blade: black on the outside, white on the inside. A crown of burnished matching silver on the end of the blade gave the impression of an enormous key.
"Zangetsu," said Ichigo, setting Rukia on her feet. At her curious expression, he clarified. "Zangetsu… it's the name of my Zanpakutou…"
The massive key came up in his hands as Ichigo glared at the assembled men and women, his weapon gleaming. A subtle flux of power flickered on the end of it and he said, "I'm taking Rukia with me, and none of you bastards are going to stop me."
"An ancient weapon," whispered Ukitake from where he maintained the seal to prevent the execution weapon release. "Born of the heart; black, white, gold and silver. Two hearts in one: The KEYBLADE."
Ichigo hefted the weapon over his shoulder. "So… who wants first dibs?"
