Chapter 4 Ulquiorra's plan. Let's go to hell!
The sun has now set upon Karakura town on a day of tragedy and rage. And now the moon shines high in the night sky protecting the town from the darkness that descends upon it.
However, even though most of the residents are calling it a day on this hard forsaken day, the night is still young for our substitute soul reaper and his demon hunter companion. Who now prepare themselves to embark on yet another life threatening journey. Well when they eventually convince Kisuke Uraharra the cheerful shop owner to assist them quicker than the pace he was currently moving at.
The tension was building in the room as the three calmly drunk tea. But for one person in particular, they could not bear this serenity like atmosphere anymore.
"I can't take this anymore!" Nero said as he stood up so suddenly.
"Now now there is no need to yell my friend." Kisuke said as Tessai his intimidating co-worker cleaned up the mess that Nero accidentally caused.
"No need to yell?! Kyrie has been taken by demons and you're both acting like you're having some kind of family reunion!" Nero yelled as he disrupted the relaxed atmosphere.
"Huh he really is just like you Ichigo. Always eager to jump head first into danger. Don't worry, as I'm sure Ichigo has already told you, I've already found a way for you to get to the underworld." Kisuke said as he finished what was left of his tea.
"Wait you do?" Nero asked as he sat back down again.
"Ichigo, do you remember what Rukia told you what happens to a hollow if the person who became one committed murder before they changed?" Kisuke asked making Ichigo realise immediately where this conversation was going.
"I see now! It's just like that time when chad and I saved that soul that was stuck inside that bird!" Ichigo said now on the same page as Kisuke.
"Wait what do you mean a bird?" Nero asked clearly confused about this whole situation.
"Way back when I first became a soul reaper, there was a hollow chasing after a kid's soul that was stuck inside a bird. Normally when I defeat a hollow there soul is purified and they are transported to the soul society. But this man was a killer way before he became a hollow so his sins could not be forgiven. So a giant portal to the underworld was opened up and he was taken to hell." Ichigo said making Nero clock on.
"So we have to find someone like that and after we finish it off, we jump in the portal with it?" Nero asked now understanding Ichigo and Kisuke's plan.
"That's right. But the problem is, there are so many hollows lately and there is no sure way to tell which of these hollows would be dragged to hell after we kill it. This may take some time." Ichigo said in an annoyed tone.
"Don't worry Ichigo, like I said, I'm already a few steps ahead of you. It just so happens that Yoroichi told me about a hollow that has recently appeared who was a dangerous serial killer was before he was gunned down by his partner. All you need to do is find him and then you'll be ready to save both of those girls." Kisuke said now getting a piece of paper.
Ichigo and Nero patiently waited as Kisuke sketched what appeared to be a map and a drawing of the hollow.
"Here take a look at this. As you know Ichigo, all hollows look different and don't wear the same mask. So given the situation, I asked Yoroichi to describe its features to avoid any confusion." Kisuke said giving Ichigo the picture.
"Thanks Kisuke. Let's go Nero." Ichigo said rushing out of the door with his new ally.
Ichigo and Nero leaped from rooftops carelessly due to the fact that only those with high spirit energy would be able to see them. After they searched for 20 minutes, Ichigo's combat pass suddenly began to growl.
"What's that noise?" Nero questioned as he heard the howl of a hollow.
"It's a hollow! Let's go!" Ichigo said as he began to increase his speed.
Ichigo and Nero hurried along at a quicker pace and after following the noise, they finally found their target.
Ichigo examined both the hollow and the diagram that Kisuke previously drew for him.
"Well is this the one?" Nero asked Ichigo who kept looking from the paper to the hollow to be sure.
"Triangular spiked mask, red stripes and a tall skinny body. Yep that's the one." Ichigo said as he prepared to unsheathe Zangetsu.
"Alright then leave this to me!" Nero said as he charged in with his revolver.
"You idiot normal guns won't work on a hollow!" Ichigo said as Nero blindly opened fire on the creature.
"You damn insect prepare for your soul to be devoured!" The hollow yelled as it became evident Nero's bullets had no effect on it.
"What my blue queen didn't even scratch it?!" Nero said as he put it back in its holster.
"You have to aim for its head with your sword!" Ichigo said
"Oh is that so? Well then, it's time to let 'er rip!" Nero said as he twisted the throttle on his red queen and made it glow.
"Here it comes!" Ichigo said as the hollow grew impatient and began to charge.
"You're gone!" Nero said as he cut through the hollows neck with an inferno slash attack.
All of a sudden, a giant portal to the demon world appeared to the welcome the screams of the former convict as his limbs were bound and forcefully pulled through the opening.
"Now!" Ichigo yelled as he used his flash step to grab Nero and race through the doorway.
Nero and Ichigo fell for what seemed like forever through the amethyst never ending void.
"Orihime." Ichigo thought to himself as he fell with Nero.
"Kyrie" Nero said in his head.
"We're coming to save you!" They both thought as if their minds were one in the same.
Meanwhile in the deepest pits of the underworld in the even further underground dungeon, Orihime and Kyrie waited patiently in their cell.
"Someone's coming." Orihime said as they both sat on the bed waiting for their visitor.
In no time at all, Ulquiorra appeared from the lurking shadows with his same emotionless gaze as he opened the jail cell.
The two girls waited in silence fearing if they acted rashly it would end badly for both of them.
"Mundus and I would like you to assist us in a little project. Come with me" Ulquiorra said as he went to grab the frightened Kyrie.
"No don't come near me!" Kyrie said as he fearfully waited his strong grip.
"Please wait a second! I'll take her place! Just please don't harm Kyrie." Orihime said as he courageously stepped in between the pair.
"It's just how I expected you to act Orihime Inoue. How about this then, if I give you my word not to lay a hand on this girl, will you come with me quietly?" Ulquiorra said as he stared at Orihime's fearless stare.
"If you promise to not hurt her, then I will go with you." Orihime said making Ulquiorra turn around.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. After your friend here did so much to keep you out of harm, I think it would be best to not do anything foolish." Ulquiorra said as he re-sheathed his sword.
Kyrie cried out in shock as the dagger that Nero gave her for self-defence was shattered into tiny pieces in the blink of an eye.
"Now come with Orihime Inoue before I change my mind." Ulquiorra said as he was about to place spiritual pressure restriction cuffs on her.
"Orihime!" Kyrie said as she rushed to stop her.
Orihime stopped Kyrie acting recklessly and gave her a warm hug.
"It's alright, I'm not afraid. As long as you're safe, then I won't be scared. And besides, he's not a bad person." Orihime said as she referred to the pale phantom swordsman who now placed the cuffs on her.
"You're still as foolish as ever. Come on Mundus is waiting." Ulquiorra said as he now forcefully dragged her.
Kyrie was left in that cell the darkness now being her only companion.
Orihime and Ulquiorra travelled the vast and empty halls in silence. Until they came to a sudden stop at a huge and wide doorway.
"We're here. Remember don't try anything funny or I will kill you." Ulquiorra said in hopes to scare her.
"I won't. There is no need to act. I will wait here for Ichigo. He's coming I can feel it in my heart." Orihime said making Ulquiorra slightly irritated.
"You still rely on that soul reaper even when you know he can't possibly defeat me. Well let's see how far your heart will be able to save you this time." Ulquiorra said as he opened the door.
Orihime stared at her surroundings and saw a few king items in the room.
The first was a table which she could tell was all a part of this project that she was being assigned to.
And the second was an enormous statue sitting in a huge chair.
But Orihime could sense an ominous pressure coming from the statue as it seemed like it stared at her no matter where she went.
"Ulquiorra, is this the girl you so desperately wanted me to use my power on?" Mundus asked with a thunderous voice.
"Yes master Mundus, she has an extraordinary power that I know will help us achieve our goal."
"Greetings mortal, I am the ruler of the underworld Mundus! And I have the power to destroy your world and everyone you love. Do you fear my power?" Mundus asked as he stood tall revealing to Orihime that the statue was alive.
"I am not afraid. I believe in Ichigo Kurosaki. So I will not be afraid." Orihime said as she looked directly into his red eyes.
"Interesting, I can see why you wished to use this girl for our little project. Then let us begin!" Mundus said as he blasted Orihime with a peculiar attack rendering her body immobile.
"I can't move." Orihime said as she was lifted by Ulquiorra.
Ulquiorra carried her towards the dome encased table and fastened the straps making it impossible for her to escape.
"What are you going to do to me?" Orihime asked as she effortlessly lay there like a log.
"Very well I will tell you. I'm actually fascinated by the beings that were created in your world known as the espada. I know with an army of these soldiers, that I can exact my revenge against the son of Sparda and take over your world as well." Mundus said leaving it to Ulquiorra to explain the rest of the plan.
"And that's where you come in Orihime Inoue. With this item, you will create Master Mundus his army." Ulquiorra said as he held the sparkling object in between his fingers.
"That's the hogyoku?! But how? I thought that the Hogyoku was still in Aizen after Ichigo defeated him?" Orihime replied.
"That's true, but creating something like this is an easy task for someone of my power. And now, you will take it inside you and obey my bidding!" Mundus said as Ulquiorra placed the item on her chest.
Orihime felt a sharp pain in her chest as the Hogyoku like object began to fuse with her body.
"This Hogyoku remake was designed to personally accommodate your body. So we won't have to worry about it rejecting you." Ulquiorra said as Orihime began to lose consciousness.
"Ichigo" Orihime said as her eyelids began to get heavier.
"You will become the new mother of the espada and you will lead them to take over your world. And I will kill Ichigo Kurosaki." Ulquiorra said as the Hogyoku like item began to glow and take control of Orihime's mind and body. Infusing it with power and knowledge.
Meanwhile at the entrance of the underworld….
"I thought that drop would never end." Nero said as he dusted himself off and stood up.
"This is no time to stand around. Let's go!" Ichigo said as he equipped his blade and charged the many hollow guards who came to greet them.
"Orihime hang in there, I'm coming to save you!" Ichigo yelled as he and Nero charged into the battlefield.
Chapter 4 is over! Sorry for the wait guys! I've been very busy. Anyway so what did you think? Will Orihime be okay? And just what does Ulquiorra mean when he says that she will become the mother of the espada? Find out in the next chapter of The piercer of heaven!
