Act Ø:
Missing
Seireitei
"What the hell?" Ichigo Kurosaki growled as Rangiku Matsumoto, entirely sober for once, suddenly burst into tears when Renji Abarai- who had been staying with him when the both of them were called back to the Soul Society for a meeting- asked her if 'Captain Hitsugaya' had confiscated all of her alcohol. "Rangiku-san? What happened?"
Renji hesitantly patted the distraught woman's back, frantically looking for someone else to take over but- as neither Captain Ukitake or Captain Unohana had arrived yet- no one moved to assist. "C-cap-captain's missing!"
"WHAT!?" Ichigo shouted. "I know Toshiro's small but his hair makes him easy to find- how can you lose him?"
"Neh," the eighth division captain said as the missing captains entered. "Shirō-chan can be difficult to find when he wants to be."
"Kurosaki!" Yamamoto barked. "As it is obvious you are unaware of Captain Hitsugaya's whereabouts, you are to go to Urahara and inquire if he knows of anything and assisting him in uncovering anything. Vice-Captain Matsumoto and Captain Ukitake will be accompanying you, Vice-Captain Abarai and Captain Kuchiki will take over the protection of Karakura town. You five are dismissed."
With a slight bow, the five left- although Ichigo was dragged out by Renji and Rangiku.
Elsewhere
Hyōrinmaru? Tōshirō Hitsugaya asked as he took in his surroundings, knowing that this was not where he had fallen asleep as he had dozed off while finishing Matsumoto's paperwork that had been due last Tuesday and this was definitely not his office. Do you have any idea where we are?
We have returned.
Returned? Hitsugaya frowned, glaring at the rock that stood before him- opposed to the others that surrounded him. Returned where?
Fiore. The dragon rumbled in deep satisfaction.
What is Fiore? Hitsugaya pressed, growing increasingly irritated with the half-answers he was receiving.
Not what, Hyōrinmaru corrected, where. Fiore is a country-
Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed, I never heard of it.
-filled with guilds, the dragon continued, that are compromised of mages.
Hitsugaya snorted, Mages, as in magic?
You should know not to make judgments before you have heard all the facts by now, the dragon admonished.
Hitsugaya sighed, sitting having decided that nothing would be attacking him. And what, he consciously smothered the sarcasm that came with the revelation of magic, are all the facts?
First off is the fighting style you will have to adapt to, the dragon informed. While it is possible to utilize your shinigami abilities, it will be extremely difficult due to the differentiating energies that are dominant. Here you will have to learn what is referred to as 'Dragon Slayer Magic'.
What!? Hitsugaya started, They slay dragons here!?
I am currently the only dragon present, Hyōrinmaru interrupted with mild amusement. But 'Dragon Slayers' are not actual dragon killers, they are taught and raised by dragons.
You said that we have returned, Hitsugaya said after taking a moment to calm himself. What did you mean by that?
Meaning, the dragon answered in a more solemn tone, that we both originate from here. You weren't ready when the time came for all dragons to leave, and, the dragon hesitated slightly before speaking. I, admittedly, was not ready to be separated for you either. So I took you from this world and to the Soul Society, though the repercussions of that being you forgetting me until we were able to make contact as shinigami and zanpakutō.
That seems so... He trailed, unwilling to accept but unable to disbelieve one he trusted so completely.
Have you ever wondered why you did not grow like the others? The dragon paused for the thought to be processed before continuing. We had to leave our bodies here when we left and, as we had actual bodies, we aged according to the bodies that we left. I had encased them in ice, an incasing that I altered to become a fortress when we returned to our bodies- so you would not be attacked while learning the new styles of fighting.
Hitsugaya stayed silent for a moment before asking tentatively, Is there anything about this world I should know aside for the form of...magic I will be using?
Magic users are called Mages, as I have mentioned. Hyōrinmaru answered, taking the question as acceptance. I also mentioned that there are guilds. A guild is an association of mages that will mediate jobs and other information to mages. Mages are not considered full-fledge until they work for a guild- the only way to get acceptable jobs is to be a part of a guild.
Can you give me specifics about, there was a slight pause before Hitsugaya continued. Dragon Slayer Magic? Are there various types? If so then which type would I have- am I correct in assuming it is connected to Ice? How would I utilize this magic? Are there special attributes that are connected with this type of magic- like how wielding an ice zanpakutō made me colder th-
You need to give me time to answer your questions, the dragon interrupted, sounding amused. Dragon Slayer Magic derives from the Dragon Civil War where one side wanted a truce with humans and the other did not. Some humans were taught magic to slay dragons- magic that transforms the physiology of their body into those of a dragon- and asked to join the war, swinging the tide of it. The types of dragon slayer magic varies by the different dragons- a fire dragon would mentor a dragon slayer who can utilize fire dragon slayer magic. As I am an ice dragon, you will utilize ice dragon slayer magic. Dragon slayers can consume external sources of their element to replenish their own energy, they are also naturally immune to their own element. As for how to utilize this magic, the dragon tone abruptly turned sly, causing him to become apprehensive. You have already learned it, now we must simply...refresh your memory a bit. Let's begin, shall we?
Act I:
An Ice Dragon meets a Fire Dragon
Elsewhere
"O-o-open...the door of the clock...Horologium!" A female voice cried, a flare of magic-induced light flashing.
Tōshirō... Hyōrinmaru trailed.
"Whoa!" Two male voices called, though one noticeably higher. "It's a clock!"
I know, Hitsugaya nodded, these people are mages.
Will you meet them? The dragon asked. It will make joining a guild easier if you have other mages with you.
"'I'll stay here,' she says." A different male voice said.
Very well, Hitsugaya sighed moving towards the voices. "I've never seen a talking clock before."
"Ah! A ghost!" A pink haired teen yelled in union with a blue furred cat.
"'Idiot! He is obviously a person!' She says." The clock said, the blond girl curled up inside of it glaring at the two. "'Horologium is a celestial spirit, allowing him to talk. I am unsure how the cat can talk though.' She says."
"Lucy, I'm a mage!" The blue cat cried. "Of course I can talk!"
"'Your still a cat!' She says." Horologium announced. "'My name is Lucy, nice to meet you.' She says."
"I'm Happy," the cat introduced. "And that's my partner Natsu!"
"Tōshirō Hitsugaya." He replied. "It is also a pleasure to meet you."
"Neh," the pink haired teen, Natsu, said. "What are you doing all the way over here?"
Hitsugaya shrugged, "I woke up here a while ago."
"'What?' She says." Horologium said. "'You woke up out in this cold.' She says."
You can tell them, the dragon answered the unspoken question. I can smell dragon on the pink one.
"As an Ice Dragon Slayer," Hitsugaya replied. "I have a natural resistance to the cold."
"What!? Another Dragon Slayer!?" Natsu shouted. "I'm a Fire Dragon Slayer!"
Hitsugaya cut the other off, "What is your guys' reason for being here?"
"'We came for a guild-member.' She says." Horologium answered. "'Speaking of that, what job did Macau-san come here for?' She says."
Natsu turned to stare at Lucy, "You came here without knowing that? To subdue the brutal monster 'Vulcan'."
"Vulcans are ape-like creatures that use take over magic and survive by taking over human bodies. They have basic knowledge of human speech, capable of forming simple sentences." Happy said.
"Macau-! Are you here-!?" Natsu shouted. "Were you done in by Vulcan-!?"
Take over magic allows the user to take over the power- or body- of a creature or person and use it to fight. Hyōrinmaru informed. It can increase the power, strength and speed of the caster, sometimes adding new skills such as swimming or flying.
"Incoming." Hitsugaya warned, watching as Natsu preformed a back flip away from where a black and white furred ape-ish creature, presumably a Vulcan, punched.
He tensed when the creature stepped over Natsu, charging at Horologium. "A human woman!"
"Ice drago-" Hitsugaya started, Natsu cutting him off by tackling him. "No! You might hit Lucy!"
"And now we lost her." Hitsugaya pointed out.
"Ahh!" Happy shouted. "Now how will we find Macau!"
Hitsugaya snorted softly, moving swiftly after the Vulcan. Turn left and there will be a cave, she's in there with the Vulcan.
"Where is Macau!?" Natsu shouted, shooting off ahead and slipping on the icy ground.
Lucy face palmed, "C-can't he appear...in a normal manner...?"
"Hey! Monkey!" Natsu yelled from his spot. "Where is Macau!?"
"Who?" The Vulcan asked.
Natsu stood, "You understand what I'm saying, right? I'm talking about Macau!"
"A human man." Hitsugaya added.
"A man?" The Vulcan repeated.
"That's right!" Natsu pointed at the Vulcan. "Where did you hide him!?"
Lucy's eyes went wide, "Uwah! He claimed the monkey hid him!"
The Vulcan waved it's hands, pointing into an indention that Natsu looked out of before being pushed out by
the Vulcan. "Me...no likes man. Me...likes woman." The Vulcan announced over Lucy's scream of Natsu's name.
Will you fight? Hyōrinmaru asked.
No, Hitsugaya replied, watching as Lucy's fists clenched. This is more her fight then mine. I will help if it's needed.
"Open...the door of the bull...Taurus!" Lucy cried, eliciting another magic-induced light flash, summoning a humanoid bull with a giant axe strapped to it's back. "Taurus, the most powerful spirit in my contract, will be your opponent! You perverted monkey!"
"Lucy!" The bull, Taurus, cried, ogling said blond. "You have nice boobs as always. Moo-re amazing than ever!"
Lucy face palmed. "Oh yeah...he's a pervert as well..."
"Don't take my woman!" The Vulcan snorted angrily.
Taurus glared, "My woman? That's a moo-st unforgivable remark."
"That's right Taurus! Get him!" Lucy cheered.
Taurus stalked closer to the Vulcan, "You should say 'My boobs' instead of 'My woman'."
"That's not right!" Lucy shouted.
Really, Hitsugaya rubbed his temple, this is her most powerful spirit?
Imagine them meeting Matsumoto.
Taurus pulled the axe from it's back and charged the Vulcan. "I'm moo-re than ready!"
"How dare you push me off the cliff...?" Natsu's voice sounded. "It was close..."
I hope that never happens. Hitsugaya winced at the mental images.
"What!? There are more monsters now!?" Natsu shouted, kicking Taurus' chin and sending the bull flying- knocking it unconscious when it hit the ground.
That reckless-
"Besides, how did you survive!?" Lucy shouted.
Natsu grinned, "All thanks to Happy. Right?"
"You're welcome." Happy said, flying overhead with white feathered wings.
That cat has wings. Hitsugaya thought blankly. A talking blue cat that flies on white wings.
All exceeds have that ability, Hyōrinmaru informed. You will have to find out what they are later, for now pay attention.
"Listen, all of Fairy Tail's members are nakama." Natsu said, ignoring the Vulcan charging him from behind. "From the geezer, Mira, then the annoying Gray and Elfman, to Happy and Lucy- Tōshirō also when we get back. We are all nakama. That's why..." Natsu turned suddenly, hitting the Vulcan's jaw with a flaming kick and sending it flying. "I'm taking Macau Home! Tell me where Macau is, or I'll burn you black like charcoal."
It's Captain Hitsugaya!
Not here.
The vulcan took icicles from the cealing and tossed it at Natsu, who spread his arms and laughed. "That doesn't work with fire!" The vulcan then picked up the discarded axe and charged. "That looks painful."
Now?
Now. Hitsugaya confirmed, taking a deep breath and aligning his fists over his mouth. "Ice Dragon's Roar!"
A column of ice, snow and water crashed into the Vulcan, freezing it in it's position mid-swing, Natsu grinned.
"Nice one Tōshirō! Now It's my turn! Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He called, his fist becoming engulfed in flames as he punched the Vulcan and sent it crashing into the wall.
"He's stuck!" Happy called.
Lucy sighed, "Weren't you supposed to ask this monkey where Macau-san is?"
"Ack! I forgot!" Natsu cried. "He's completely passed out."
"Take over users can take over bodies..." Hitsugaya said. "So it is possible that the Vulcan had 'taken over' this Macau."
As if on queue, the Vulcan started smoking, shrinking into a human male. "The monkey became Macau!"
"Tōshirō was right!" Happy cried.
"Ack!" Natsu shouted, diving out the hole that Macau had fallen through.
Happy gripped his leg, hovering at the hole. "I can't keep holding you two! My wings are about to disappear!"
"Shit!" Natsu growled as the white wings flickered out of existence.
Lucy dove and clutched at the tail, screaming as she tumbled out due to the weight. "Ah!"
"How bothersome." Hitsugaya muttered, grabbing onto the blonde's leg- politely ignoring how her skirt flew up- and tugging her up.
"No moo-re worry." Taurus said, grabbing onto it's owner and proceeding to pull the entire chain up.
Urahara's Shop
"So Captain Hitsugaya is missing?" Urahara mused to the room. "Well, there was a slight...fluctuation the other day."
"Fluctuation?" Rangiku asked hopefully. "What kind?"
Urahara moved his fan in front of his face. "Similar to a Senkaimon, but not exactly the same. It is odd because the same fluctuation was noted around one hundred and twenty two years ago."
"That's around the time Shirō-chan showed up," Captain Ukitake said. "I remember running into Momo-chan and her being excited over gaining a new and adorable little brother."
"Interesting..." Urahara muttered thoughtfully. "Could these fluctuations be related to both Captain Hitsugaya's appearance and disappearance."
"You'll look into it?" Rangiku asked.
Urahara nodded, "I will analyze the fluctuations."
