This one's been on my mind for quite a while now and I just knew I had to get it up and running while the getting was good. I'll have an update schedule for the stories I'll be working on each month at the end of the chapter so you know what I'll be doing in regards to my updates. Now, I know the whole "Ichigo Betrayal" theme isn't exactly new, but I hope that what I have for you guys and gals here is good enough. Without further ado, here we go.
*I still don't own Bleach, or Star Wars: The Clone Wars!*
Dialogue Key
"May the Force be with you, always." = Normal Speaking
'We would be honored if you would join us.' = Thoughts
"All things burn to ash… Ryujin Jakka!" = Zanpakuto Spirit Talking
"It's over, Anakin! I have the high ground!" = Someone Yelling
"Your soul is mine!" = Hollow/Vizard Talking
"Now, fulfill your destiny!" = Force Ghost Talking
Prologue - A Betrayed Protector
Lying there dying on the ground was none other than Kurosaki Ichigo, the Substitute Shinigami who had won the Winter War for them all… only to have those he cared about stab him in the back. Both figuratively, and very literally. Although he knows who dealt the finishing blow to him, he also knows that there are those who didn't betray him, nor did they wish to betray him. He could count those who didn't want him dead and tried to stop the traitors only to nearly die in the process as they were forced to retreat and go into hiding.
Shihouin Yoruichi, Soi-Fon, Inoue Orihime, Chad, Momo, Isane, Unohana, and Rukia.
Even though it's clear the rest of the Soul Reapers have no intention of performing the Konso on him, he will always remember the ones who truly stuck by his side to the bitter end.
'I'm sorry, guys… but it looks like I won't be able to see any of you again. Even Zangetsu and my Inner Hollow have abandoned me.' Ichigo thought to himself as he watched his Soul Chain rapidly eat away at itself. 'I guess this is goodbye… forever…'
And so, Ichigo simply sat down next to his mangled body as he accepted his fate. Awaiting the Hollowfication that would turn him into a soul devouring monstrosity that had no human mindset, running solely on primal instincts. He would end up as nothing more than a single voice within a screaming well of souls that comprise the body of a Gillian. Then again, if he's lucky, maybe he'll be reborn as an Adjuchas. At least then he'll retain his original mind.
And hey, with how powerful he's become since he first became a Shinigami, maybe he'll end up being reborn as a Vasto Lordes. He remembers that one such member of the Espada used to be one of those before Aizen turned her into an Arrancar using the Hogyoku. What was her name again? Oh yeah, Tier Harribel.
But as the Soul Chain was further devoured by his disappearing heart, Ichigo found himself confronted by a strange looking creature that set him on edge. It wasn't a Hollow, but it also wasn't a Shinigami. This being… Ichigo can sense it… it possesses far more power than even the Soul King!
The entity appears to be a dragon that is divided down the middle with both halves resembling different dragons. The left side of the body had many features from the iconic Long; the snake-like dragons of Japan. It has the iconic horn of a a japanese dragon along with the jaw and muzzle, a single whisker like a mustache, and a long body like that of a snake. But the other half resembled a more demonic Mountain Dragon of the Western Continents. The tail of this dragon ended in a pointed arrowhead, but the head looked more skeletal and had a single pointed ram horn sticking out of the side of the head rather than the top.
Both sides of this dragon were composed of ethereal energy of different colors. The Japanese Dragon half was comprised of gold energy while the Mountain Dragon was a deep purple color.
"Why do you sit there and await this cruel fate, Kurosaki Ichigo? Why do you not fight back?" the entity asked.
Not caring enough to ask just how this creature knew his name, Ichigo sighed and brought his knees up to his chest as his eyes darkened from depression.
"What reason have I to fight any longer? Everyone I once cared about betrayed me, my Zanpakuto Spirit and my Inner Hollow have both abandoned me, and now I'm already dead. Why should I keep fighting?" he asked.
The great dragon coiled around Ichigo as if attempting to comfort the boy as it covered them both with its mighty wings.
"Not all of your loved ones have forsaken you, young one. They attempted to defend you and tried their hardest to prevent your death even in their weakened state. But they have been forced to retreat and go into hiding because of the corruption of the Soul Society."
The dragon raised its head and looked to the sky where the now deceased Sosuke Aizen had once been levitating as he had attempted to overthrow those in power and bring about an age of equality. Although his methods were cruel and twisted.
"He had the right idea, you know." commented the entity whilst drawing a confused look from Ichigo. "Your enemy, Sosuke Aizen, sought to rid the spirit world of the corruption that has been plaguing it for many generations now. The Central 46 were a council that was originally created by the Soul King in order to maintain peace and stability in the Soul Society. But with the addition of noble clans to the Central 46 came the corruption within the government you see now. And with that came chaos. The noble clans began to change how things ran in the Soul Society, placing anyone not of noble birth into a form of slum with little resources or means to make a living. Aizen saw this and decided to nip the problem in the proverbial bud, although his methods were less than desirable. He sought to control others and remove free will, corrupted by the hardships he experienced in his childhood. But you, Kurosaki Ichigo. You have the means of righting the wrongs that have been committed here today."
Ichigo looked up at the mighty dragon as he held onto every word that the beast spoke to him. It then lifted a claw and tapped him at the heart where his soul chain was located, the Hollowfication slowed considerably as it spoke.
"You yourself have a greater destiny than being a simple substitute Shinigami. There exists a greater galaxy out there where a great war between two rival factions of light and darkness, the Jedi and the Sith, are doing battle to decide the fate of the universe. You must help the Chosen One; a young man who was born of a great energy known simply as 'The Force' restore balance to the light and darkness. But to do so, you must become a Hollow and embrace your own connection to the Force. Can you do that for me?"
Knowing what was at stake and really having nothing to lose at this point, Ichigo nodded in affirmative without the slightest hesitation. And so, the mighty dragon entity gave him a warm smile and a few parting words as it faded and the soul chain in Ichigo's chest began to dissolve even faster than before.
"Then go forth, my son. And remember, the Force will be with you always." the dragon said in a woman's voice.
One that sounded very familiar to Ichigo as his eyes widened for the breifest moments. He uttered but a single word as Reiatsu exploded out from his body and soul, his physical body dissolving and becoming a part of him again.
"...Mom…?"
But little did he know that deep out there in the galaxy, a certain Sith General felt a very powerful disturbance in the Force. One which could help to turn the tide of the war in his master's favor.
*To Be Continued…*
Okay, first off, I'd like to give you guys my decided update and story focus schedule for the next four months and the stories that will be updated in those times.
03/2/2019 - 03/31/2019: Espada of the Force
04/01/2019 - 04/30/2019: Transformers Prime - Resurrection Dinobot
05/01/2019 - 05/31/2019: Calvin and Hobbes in Star Wars The Clone Wars
06/01/2019 - 06/30/2019: Draconic Shinigami
Now, before I go, I would like it very much if you guys would answer a few questions for me that will be essential for the progression of this story.
1.) What should I model Ichigo's Hollow Form after? A Lion, or a Hammerhead Shark?
2.) Should any Hollows such as former members of the Espada join Ichigo later on in the story?
3.) Should one of the Shinigami become a Senator to the Republic for the planet Earth?
4.) And finally, what is one unique power that you would like Ichigo to have as a Hollow?
Thank you guys so much for reading. Please don't forget to answer my questions to help the story along. And as I'll say…
May the Force be with you, and have a great day.