The Fate of the Dead
Prologue: A "Brief" Summary
20 years. It has been 20 long years since the war at Karakura Town. 20 years since the defeat of Aizen and the reinsertion of the Vizard into Soul Society. 20 years since the Espada became faithful allies instead of feared enemies. 20 years since peace reigned supreme in Soul Society, things running smoothly and fewer Hollows than ever. Things had changed in those 20 years though, Captains stepping down to let the new generation in, the new Captains, some of the best Soul Society has ever seen.
Perhaps the thing that got the ball rolling for change was the Captain Commander transferring to the Zero Squad. No one believed that anyone could be as strong and reliable as Yammamoto, but they found someone. Especially the man now in the seat of Captain Commander. The peaceful man immediately granted amnesty to the fugitives known as the Vizard (used collectively to save time), Yoruichi Shihon, Kisuke Urahara, and Tessei. This move was risky because of the popular opinion that they shouldn't be allowed to reenter Soul Society, it was the right thing and he knew it. The treaty between the Espada and Soul Society was his idea too, that was even more risky than the last, but was worth it.
The Captains had had some breakthroughs of tradition, as not to keep things boring, most would guess. Shunsui and Liza were the first to break the barrier that separated the current Soul Reapers and the Vizard with their wedding almost immediately after the war was over, with his proposal on the battlefield itself. Needless to say, those two couldn't be trusted to run the 8th Division, so they were allowed to live a more peaceful life in the human world, despite being offered a position in the Zero Squad. Nanao was a little ticked, but she was happy for them, despite what she says she misses the old guy as her Captain, mostly because of the fact that her new Captain was probably worse than Shunsui as hard as that may be to believe.
Renji and Rukia were finally wed, once Byakuya gave his permission. If he didn't give permission, Renji would be dead as soon as a rumor of a wedding occurred. However, not only did he give his permission, but also gave her away at the wedding. How did Rukia accomplish this, you may ask? She threatened him with moving to the living and living with Ichigo and maybe doing some stuff that shouldn't be mentioned this early in the story. Anyway. Byakuya agreed and they are now happy together.
Since we're on the topic of weddings, obviously, we might as well talk about Kisuke and Yoruichi. They got married 2 full years after the war, much to the dismay of Soifon who still believed that "Madam" Yoruichi was too good for that scum Urahara (in her words). Well until Yoruichi said that she could live with them, much to the dismay of Urahara who still believed that that bitch Soifon was too psycho for her own good (in my words).
Needless to say, Soifon resigned as well. Now for the Espada!
The Espada had not only become allies, but some, most actually, had some connections to the other worlds, on a personal level. The very first Espada was known as Neliel Odershcvank, and was still very fond of Ichigo, as he soon found out as the weekly visits showed. The new second Espada was Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, who always went with Nel to fight with Ichigo, much to Ichigo's "joy". Also, don't ask how he survived, I don't know either, just go with it. Finally, there is Gantenbainne, who was third Espada, and had a weird thing for Chad (ew). They rebuilt Los Noches and began a government, yes a government, in Hueco Mundo. They solidified the reishi field within all of Hueco Mundo, and allowed a mere 500 hollows to enter the real world once every 24 hours. It isn't the end of the hollow threat, but that could never be the case, and if you don't know why, watch the episode where Uryuu comes in. It was still nice.
Ichigo himself had resigned from Soul Society, though not from his town. Being a Substitute Soul Reaper was hard work when you where alone, but luckily he wasn't. He had his best friends, Chad and Uryuu at his side and his ever-faithful wife, Orihime, to cheer him on. Renji and Rukia hadn't forgotten about him either, and they came to visit from time to time and even had a little vacation in the real world. They took their honeymoon there.
It was nice. It all was. The peace, the alliance, and the weddings. Unfortunately, this was all just the calm before the storm. 20 years was up and all peace, no matter how great, had to break. It would do just that, but not quite yet. To start everything off, two young men had to die, enemies had to come back, and people you thought you knew will surprise you. After all, no illusion is complete without someone to trickā¦
