CHAPTER THREE
The Menos Forest was quiet, too quiet for a place filled with wailing Hollows. What few Menos class Hollows were left were attempting to flee the danger that stalked them. It would only take a few more, and the now towering Gillian-class Menos would acquire a smaller Adjucas form. What was once a well-known Shinigami was now a mindless Hollow-eater, feeling such an emptiness within itself that only the reiatsu of other Hollows could hope to fill it. Its huge mask was already shaped slightly different from that of a typical Menos Grande, pointing out the fact that one single Hollow within the towering mass was in control of the entire body...and one might only guess which particular Hollow that might be.
A vast expanse of contorted skyscrapers came into view of the battle-ravaged former Shinigami. He lay on his back in a crevice where a window in the building was built, and slowly opened his eyes to the twisted sky above. It seemed different than before though; the sky was black with very few spats of clouds and the buildings were cracked and contorted, as if barely surviving an earthquake.
"...I'm...so tired..."
"So you're finally up, former-king?" Came a voice, familiar and unwelcome, "I'm about to get a new horse. Wanna watch?"
"What...what's going.."
Visions flashed before his eyes, terrified Menos Grande and numerous smaller Hollow were fleeing as quickly as they could move. He saw himself lunging at them, through eyes connected to God only knew what.
"What are you doi..ng..?"
"What befits a King obviously. Turning this weak body into something worth working with. I've gotten pretty far in a short amount of time, but I guess I can thank your pathetic Shinigami power for that much. It's such a shame you never let me take over for more than a few seconds before. I couldn't resist this time. You fell pretty hard, you stupid horse."
He could hear feet landing on the hard surface with a light tap, and subsequent steps heading in his direction. He tried to move around but it felt as if a hundred hands were holding down every part of his body. His eyes were difficult to keep open and his breath was hard to catch.
"Don't bother trying to get up; this is Hell as far as you know it. A place you have no power over and never will again. It's my time now, I'm the King."
A white blur came to his vision, but it was hard to focus. The image swirled about, as if separate from the space it stood in. Surrounding it were several floating shapes, grey and black pieces of something he couldn't make out.
"I told you this would happen so try not to act too surprised. I'm having too much fun out there, I wouldn't want to have to stop just to put you in your place again...Ichigo."
Everything faded to black again and the white figure disappeared.
Chad and Ishida were lucky enough to return to the living world on a weekend, so it wasn't necessary for them to go to their school and explain why they had been gone for the entire first half of the new semester. Without hesitation, they started heading for the Urahara Shop, and as if on cue, the blond man in the white and green stripped had stepped outside and saw them coming.
"Back already?" He asked, the usual smile on his face.
"Something's gone wrong." Ishida mentioned, "Kurosaki lost."
"He was a bit hasty, for sure, but he was fairly persistent to go in." Kisuke said, fanning himself as if the news didn't matter to him, "What was I going to tell him?"
"We don't care." Ishida continued, "There's something more important to go over."
"Ohh!" Sandal-hat laughed, turning to look at them directly, "And what might that be? Finally catch a glimpse of Kurosaki's new power?"
"So you did know about it."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Exactly why we came to you."
"Come inside then. My legs will get sore if I have to explain it out here." Urahara turned about-face and went straight back into the shop. As soon as the three were seated, Urahara placed his elbows on the small table and leered at them with great interest, "So, what have you to ask?"
"How long has he had the power to use a Hollow's mask?" Ishida was direct, he wanted to waste no time.
"At least as long as he's been a Shinigami." The blond answered, "But it's possible he's always had the power within him!"
"Hollows are born through restless spirits that can't pass on, how could a normal human have a Hollow inside them if they're not dead?"
"Your view of life and death is so narrow, Ishida Uryuu." He leaned back and fanned himself some more, "So many anomalies exist, it's difficult to keep track of them all. Even when I was still Division 12's Captain, maintaining records of new discoveries was tasking and often irritating. It was only when something like the Vizards came along that anything got interesting."
"Vizards...are they related?" Chad asked.
"Oh, quite probably!" Urahara laughed, "They've a group of misfit former Shinigami who've allegedly obtained Hollow powers through mostly unknown and highly illegal means. It's considered taboo in Soul Society to acquire a Hollow powers so these few are considered criminals."
"Do you know who they are?" Ishida asks, "Is it possible they'ce come into contact with Kurosaki?"
"The chances of them not noticing Ichigo's powers are as slim as a Hollow not detecting a high reiatsu."
"Ichigo was able to use his Hollow mask at will in Hueco Mundo." Chad added, "We saw him doing so just before he was cut down."
Urahara snickered to himself, then leaned forward as if to whisper something secretive to the pair, "Just between us, I've heard a little bird tell me that young Kurosaki's fight with Byakuya was interrupted by Ichigo's Hollow. Wouldn't THAT be interesting if it were true!"
"Supposing it was, wouldn't that imply Kurosaki wasn't in control back then? How could he have learned to control it?" Ishida wondered, pushing his glasses up again as he usually did.
"The Vizard are the only ones who could know that. I haven't taught Ichigo anything regarding his Hollow mask."
"Do you know where they are?"
"That's not a valid question in regards to them. The Vizard surpass many Shinigami abilities and can blind even a Captain's senses with their strong reiatsu. If you were to contact a Vizard, they would have to make the first move. Chances though are low since you're not in possession of a Hollow's power." Urahara explained.
Chad and Ishida went silent for a moment, but then Chad lifted his arms, revealing both unique shells.
"We may not have masks, but my strength must come from Ichigo's Hollow, like Inoue's came from his Shinigami powers. If this isn't relevant..."
"Ah! I forgot!" Kisuke smirked, folding the fan and pointing it at the tall Latino man, "That's surely enough bait to bring one of them in."
The two stood up, followed shortly by the exiled former Captain. As they reached the doorway, Ishida turned back around with a rather serious look on his face, "One more question."
"Yes, Ishida Uryuu?"
"If you were exiled from Soul Society because you created the Hougyoku, why are you helping them now?"
"I was exiled for many reasons. However, at least right now, it's more important to make sure former-Captain Aizen doesn't attain power over the King's Key. Nothing good could really come from a twisted simpleton like him attaining the power of God."
"Will your allegiance last through the Winter War?"
"You sound as though you think I'm secretly siding with Aizen."
"I'm cautious of all possible betrayals. Forgive my implication, but there's reason enough in your case to assume you might have a grudge against Soul Society. If you do something that verifies my even slight suspicion, at least I won't be amongst the fools who said they didn't see it coming."
"Your sense of observation and caution are well-founded, Quincy. I can't prove one way or the other until the whole situation is dealt with, but consider this...even though I may have been given the boot from my former position, I have enough respect for my freedom and livelihood to team up with a group of folk who feel the same way. As the old phrase goes.."
"Old phrase indeed." Ishida said, "Thank you for your assistance."