Title: Subconscious Requiem
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its relating material. All rights go to Tite Kubo and other official holders.
Hellish solitude
The cries of god impact me
As I close my eyes
Ichigo Kurosaki, substitute soul reaper of Karakura Town was taking a knee. Bangs covering his forehead, it was his only source of protection from the beaming sun. He was surrounded by endless waves of sand, accompanied by giant red pillars and a deep blue sky.
"How am I here? Last I remembered I was fighting against Aizen before he was sealed. This doesn't make any sense."
Troubled by his predicament, Ichigo fully stood up and examined himself. He was wearing his usual shinigami robes, intact without a single abrasion. His zanpakuto, Zangetsu, was in its shikai state and wrapped around on his back. But what worried the human more than anything was the fact he felt far weaker than usual. Like the Final Getsuga training he did with Zangetsu never happened.
"Okay, this is weird. The Hell is going on here? Am I asleep or something, because it looks like I am back in Hueco Mundo?"
"Finally awake? Took you long enough Kurosaki."
Looking up at the tallest pillar, Ichigo saw a silhouette viewing down on him.
"It can't be? You are-"
"-I have been waiting eons for this emancipation."
Jumping down, the individual created a dust geyser to mask his presence. Blocking the shockwave with his arms, Ichigo adjusted his eyes to examine the body of his greatest rival.
"Grimmjow. Still alive eh?"
"What do you think Kurosaki? I hope you didn't think that I would die underneath this sun after you protected me from that clown Gilga."
Ichigo blinked, soaking in all of the information.
"How am I here Grimmjow? Did you somehow transported me here?"
"Does it really matter? What matters is that we can finish what we started."
"I defeated Aizen, so there no point in us fighting anymore."
"Do you think I give a damn. You promised me that we could fight whenever I wanted, and it about time that you pay your debt."
"Grimmjow, I don't want to. Something not right about this."
"The only thing not right is the fact your still breathing."
Grimmjow withdrew Pantera, alarming Ichigo that diplomacy wasn't working. Reaching for his back, Ichigo pulled on Zangetsu's hilt, allowing the fabric to unwrap itself. Whipping it in front of him, the blade gleamed underneath the sunlight.
"Does it feel good to still have your powers Ichigo? The Final Getsuga Tensho didn't drain you dry, so you can still use your hollow powers. Show me the form you used to defeat Ulquiorra."
Ichigo's eyes widened, remembering his final attack against Aizen. Was Zangetsu lying to him about that technique's ramifications?
"How do you know about that Grimmjow? You weren't there. Answer me?"
Grimmjow was smiling hard before placing his zanpakuto in a familiar stance.
"Grind. Pantera."
Scratching the blade, a supreme blue light engulfed him before a tornado materialized. Quickly he emerged, now displaying traits a panther has.
Seeing no other option, Ichigo pointed his blade at Grimmjow while gripping both hands at the hilt.
"Bankai."
A dome of blackish-red reiatsu encircled Ichigo before dissipating. Now wearing a different shihakusho, his zanpakuto was now a normal sized black blade.
"Tensa Zangetsu."
Ichigo looked at his right arm, bewildered why his zanpakuto was no longer chained to him. Perhaps Zangetsu really was lying all along.
"Kurosaki, show me that insidious mask too. I want to see you at your best." Grimmjow extended out his arm, envisioning Ichigo within his palm before closing it.
"Fine, but don't tell me that you will regret this."
"Heh, in your dreams."
In a slow manner, Ichigo placed one hand to his face and concentrated. Face covered in energy, a hollow mask materialized and boasted his powers even further. He felt just as strong when he challenged Gin Ichimaru. A level far greater when he last fought Grimmjow.
"So your mask has changed since we last fought. You really did grown since our last duel."
"Grimmjow, lay down your arms if you know whats good for you. You don't compare to me now."
"Hehahaha. Idiot, I already know about all of this and yet I am still facing you. I know that you cannot beat me."
"We'll just see about that."
Ichigo, grown tired of these games, rushed in after Grimmjow. Gathering the power for a getsuga tensho, he surrounded it around his blade for a augmented slash.
Not losing his smile, Grimmjow dodged by jumping up. Hitting nothing but air, Ichigo received a brutal kick to the face. Soaring backwards, Ichigo impacted against a pillar, collapsing on top of him.
"Garra de la Pantera."
Firing a single green dart, the missile detonated above Ichigo, submerging the area below in fire.
Grimmjow licked his lips in great anticipation, sensing that Ichigo's power took a noticeable dip.
Boom!
Bursting out from the rubble, Ichigo somersaulted back on fresh sand. Breathing roughly, Ichigo was perplexed how already half of his clothing were gone. He should be much stronger than this.
"How do you like that Ichigo? Do you like my improvements?"
"Darn it. How did you get so strong?"
"Pah', that a question you shouldn't be asking me. Nobody told you to sit on your laurels for weeks on end and becoming stagnant."
"What? That doesn't make any sense! I was fighting against Aizen until suddenly I found myself here. What do you know?"
Grimmjow folded his arms to spite Ichigo.
"ANSWER ME! GETSUGA TENSHO!"
Gathering his reiatsu, Ichigo fired a insanely powerful blast strong enough to kill most. But to Ichigo's shock, another Getsuga impacted his own, creating a dazzling explosion and leaving all of Las Noches quaking from the pressure.
"How in the world?"
"I see, so you've finally arrived." Said Grimmjow, grinning like he ran the world before him.
"Who? Where is he?"
"I cannot believe how weak you've gotten. Wasn't our three months of training worth anything to you."
Turning around, Ichigo was shocked to see no other than Tensa Zangetsu himself. And the zanpakuto spirit looked anything but amused.
"Zangetsu. What on Earth is going on?"
Removing his hood, the inside of Las Noches started to rain. Ichigo subconsciously removed his mask, needing to see the spirit with his own eyes unabated.
"You failed Ichigo. You failed to realize what state of predicament you're in."
"What was that?"
"Do not make me repeat myself."
"The hell does that mean? The heck are you talking about Zangetsu? That doesn't make any sense."
Zangetsu snapped his fingers, causing the sky to literally fall on top of them. Ichigo gasped when the entirety of the desert became submerged in water, yet was shocked that the crash caused him no damage, let alone he could still breathe.
"This must be what it like to swim in tears." Joked Grimmjow, enjoying the soothing cold touch on his skin.
"Zangetsu, is this my inner world the entire time?"
Tensa Zangetsu remained quiet, looking disappointed at the current state of his master.
"Zangetsu!"
"You should learn to be quiet Ichigo. Haven't you realize that you no longer have any powers?" Said Zangetsu, now learning against a submerged red pillar.
Puzzled, Ichigo looked at his body and grimly realized that he was wearing everyday street clothing. Even his zanpakuto magically disappeared.
"What have you done to me?"
"We should be the ones asking that."
Turning around and looking past Grimmjow, Ichigo saw four silhouettes emerging from the murky shadows. Ichigo lost his breathe upon closer examination.
"Byakuya Kuchiki. Jin Kariya. Toshiro Hitsugaya. Kenpachi Zaraki. And...Sosuke Aizen?"
"Do you not recognize these apparitions Ichigo? Do you not remember your darkest moment during training?" Asked Zangetsu, now standing right next to his master.
Before Ichigo could react, Zangetsu teleported in front of him and impaled his head with a finger strike. But instead of dying instantly, the hollow mask materialized and shot out of Ichigo's face.
Satisfied, Zangetsu and the others witnessed the mask disassembling and morphing into a humanoid shape. Grimmjow was glued to the spectacle, seeing the source of Ichigo's hollow powers taking form.
"What did you do to me Zangetsu?" Wheezed Ichigo.
"Revealing your insecurities once again."
Now complete, Hollow Ichigo stood up fully. He appeared exactly how Ichigo last remembered him, cloud in white clothing with a horned mask covering his face.
"Feels good to see you again king."
"Damn you."
"Now that no way to talk to the source of your hollow powers. Unless of course you want me to eat you?"
"Tch', in your dreams. I'll find a way to win this."
"With what exactly Kurosaki?" Asked Aizen, walking before his fellow four apparitions.
"Aizen, I defeated you. You've been beaten. Your not real."
"What your heart is saying obviously does not match what your eyes see. After all, do not forget I have the means to make your hearts greatest desires come true."
Slightly removing his shirt, the hogyoku was embedded in his chest. It glowed a eerie purplish-blue, making Ichigo's eyes widen.
"Aizen...was your plan all along just to get inside of me?"
Aizen simply smiled, letting go of his shirt.
"Answer me damnit."
Ichigo rushed after Aizen, only to be rewarded with Grimmjow kicking him in the face. Flying in the air, Ichigo slowly stopped and simply laid prone in the watery atmosphere. Both Byakuya and Toshiro silently used bakudo four, hainawa, to reel Ichigo back in.
"To think this is the same boy who did me in. I am disappointed with his current strength." Mocked Kariya, wishing to just devour his soul and move on.
"Tch', not even worth to kill, let alone fight." Said Kenpachi, sitting down and resting his zanpakuto in his lap.
Back on ground level, Ichigo had both of his arms tied by the bakudo spell, each one anchoring to a separate red pillar. He hated how blood was leaking from his face, captured by the water and drowning out his vision.
"Your lucky Kurosaki that I didn't kill you with that attack. We still have business to settle."
"Curse you Grimmjow. Zangetsu, give me back my powers."
"Ichigo, have you yet realize that all of us are merely symbols of your power. Born from the subconscious mind your own heart manifested. I represent your shinigami side. Your inner hollow represents your deplorable hollow strength. Kenpachi represents battle instinct. And the others represent something you like to shy away from. But you lost your powers and is now on the verge of death. You must win this fight if you wish to come out alive."
"So my life is nothing more than a game to you?"
"It is Ichigo if you realized your own fallacies." Said Grimmjow, taking the lead of the inner manifestations.
"What fallacies?"
"Do you want me to spell it out? It the fear of growing weak. Until you accept it, you will never leave this Hell."
"No, that not true. I have already accepted it. I threw it all away to defeat Aizen."
"That not correct Kurosaki. Why do I breathe life if your statement was valid?"
"Shut up Aizen. I swear I will defeat you again, including Grimmjow, Kariya, and my inner hollow. And make Byakuya, Toshiro, Kenpachi, and Zangetsu see the error of their ways. I've done it before so I can do it again."
"And how do you plan to achieve this Ichigo? You have no powers to even dream about injuring us."
"I promise you Zangetsu that I will find a way. I won't stop until I succeed."
"Hehe, perhaps it time we did that." Chuckled Hollow Ichigo.
"I am down for it." Said Aizen, staring Ichigo down.
"Pff, long as I am in control." Stated Grimmjow.
"Since you want it, you shall be then." Said Zangetsu.
"The Hell are you planning to do?"
"Watch Ichigo as all of your powers condense into one." Said Kariya in a ominous manner.
Surrounding Grimmjow, all of the apparitions slowly melded into his being. Returning back into his base form, Grimmjow's hollow hole became filled and materialized the hogyoku in the center. His blue hair became incredibly long and black, reaching to his lower back with his scalp inheriting Byakuya's kenseiken. His jacket turned into a unique mixture of the captains haori and his own, with two icy blue dragon wings springing from the back. Three flower petals floated behind him like a dharma wheel.
His eyes became dual colored. A mixture of Hollow Ichigo and Kenpachi's golden coloration. A blade identical to Ichigo's bankai rested in his right palm. And to finish it off, a tattoo identical to Kariya's slithered across his chest, a symbol of pride and greed.
Ichiga remained in awe at the monster before him. If he knew any better, it was just as strong as he was when performing Mugetsu. He doesn't stand a chance in Hell.
"How do you like the new me Ichigo? I am the totality of your powers as one being."
"No this cannot be. This is just a dream. A reflection of all my worries just like my hollow training. Manifestations born from fear. I won't give in."
"And how do you plan to stop me in your current condition?"
"I'll figure it out."
"Touche. So to respect your conviction, allow me to kill you where you stand. I told you that I was going to finish our final duel, and I plan to honor that oath."
With that "Ascended" Grimmjow ran forward, coating his zanpakuto in a getsuga tensho.
Ichigo's life flashed before his eyes. Memories about his mother, sisters, father, friends, fights, and school life came wave after wave. Then the scenes of meeting Rukia, defeating hollows, besting Soul Society, and battling Aizen's forces flooded his mind. He has came so far despite the sorrows that plagues him. This marks the second time he has lost his powers, but he will be damned if it holds him back from achieving victory.
"Never again."
Slash!
Grimmjow smiled, zanpakuto piercing through Ichigo's heart.
Yet like magic, a heartbeat could still be heard in Ichigo. Bewildered, Grimmjow's hogyoku beamed with light, coating Ichigo in its glory. Suddenly Grimmjow lost everything, wearing a simple white kimono as his basic features returned. All of his power converted into pure reishi before being absorbed by the hogyoku and shooting inside of Ichigo. It was the container of all of his remaining power and found solace in Ichigo's conviction.
Ichigo was contempt with his place in the world now. So what if he forever remains powerless. Long as he has the strength to shatter faith, he will be fine with the ability to never again see ghosts. His destiny is to protect his loved ones, and will be damned if he falters even for a second.
Standing up fully while being bathed in blackness, all of Las Noches covered in water disappeared. The world converted into a endless void filled with nothingness. Ichigo looked at his being, realizing that he was in his Final Getsuga state. The pinnacle of his power.
"Thank you Zangetsu and everybody else. I promise to continue walking forward even if it costs me my life. Nobody is going to stop me."
"Tch', about time you found that spirit of yours. Hearing you moaning in your sleep for nearly a month grew old real quick. When you wake up, find the real me so that we can finish our business correctly."
"I promise."
Red eyes staring into deep blue ones, Ichigo created a thin blade within his hand. It was time to escape the solitude that has consumed him precious time with his loved ones.
"Mugetsu."
Swinging the blade, the entire dimension became engulfed in darkness. Smiling, Grimmjow accepted his fate and forever disappeared in the shadows. Seeing mirages of Orihime, Chad, Uryu, Rukia, and Renji in his vision, Ichigo allowed the darkness to also consume him.
It was time to wake up.
The veil of obstruction was finally lifted. He could smell. Taste his mouth. Hear his breathing. And feel a warmth covering his body. He knew he was alive.
Slowly Ichigo opened his eyes, ready to behold the world before him. Pairs of teary and relieved eyes met his own, thanking the heavens for his revival. Seeing all of these smiles, Ichigo couldn't help but smile himself.
At last, he was free to live again.
Author Notes: Well this is a bonus chapter I decided to make for this former one-shot. This idea felt like a perfect addition to this story, and I hope you enjoyed it. But it is likely I will not add anything else to this. But rest assure, future Bleach material will be created at some point as different stories. Stay glued to my profile in the future.
