"What are you talking about?" asked Toshiro." Why are we in Hueco Muendo? What is going on here?" But then Kiganjo came up from behind Toshiro and covered up the little Captain's mouth.
"Quiet." He whispered down in his ear." We don't know who may be watching." Toshiro looked around and scanned his surrounding environment with his eyes.
"Get down!" hissed Mayuri as he dropped down into the sand. Kiganjo grabbed Toshiro and flung him into the ground with much more force than necessary as he nearly buried him.
Kiganjo then crawled over next to Mayuri. The two peeked their heads over the sand dunes and looked around. Toshiro meanwhile picked himself up out of the sand, coughing and spitting some up as he did. Then he turned his head around and saw the duo looking around.
Toshiro pulled himself out of the sand and then crawled over next to Mayuri." What is it?" he asked as he came up next to him.
"SHH!" both Mayuri and Kiganjo hissed at him. Toshiro was getting angry now, he didn't know why he was here or what was going and now he wanted answers.
"Look." He proclaimed to Mayuri putting a finger in his face." I've accompanied you here without knowing why, and now I want some answers." But despite his hostility Mayuri didn't seemed fazed.
Instead he just raised his hand and pointed his long, boney, white finger in the direction of the palace. Toshiro turned his head and looked at the fortress." The Palace of Hueco Muendo." Told Mayuri." Once the stronghold of Aizen and his Espadas has now become the home of a much more fierce enemy."
"Who?" asked Toshiro. Mayuri extended his arm across Toshiro's face and pointed. The little Captain followed his arm and where it pointed, which was out towards a small group of soldiers making their way towards the fortress.
"Can you see them?" asked Mayuri.
"I can see them." Replied Toshiro squinting his eyes." But I can't really make out who they are."
"Their Quincies." Spoke up Kiganjo.
"Quincies?" asked Toshiro looking over at him. The big man just nodded." That's not possible. The Quincies have been nearly extent for a thousand years, the Head-Captain himself fought them in the last war."
"Perhaps he is not as well as he claims." Said Kiganjo. Toshiro was about to reply when Mayuri spoke again.
"We came across the Quincies in our travels." He told." We too were unaware of their numbers but upon further investigation here we found that they have truly survived and massed in great numbers."
"What is their purpose?"
"Simple. To destroy the Soul Society and everyone in it." Toshiro was shocked. Everyone he knew, who he left behind ran through his mind. Soifon, Kenpachi, Shunsui, Unohana, Yamamoto, Sajin and Rangiku." You wanted to know the evil we are up against." Mayuri pointed over at the fortress." There it is." But Mayuri did withhold some information.
"We should warn the Soul Society!" declared Toshiro ready to get up and take the fight to them now. But Kiganjo reached his hand over and hit him back onto the ground." We've got to do something." he pleaded.
"All in due time." Said Mayuri." But we must wait for the right moment." He turned his head and looked far out into the distance at the palace, where the Quincies made their home.
The Fortress had certainly gone under renovations since it's new master's arrival. It was built up to hold the entire Quincy army which had now grown great in number.
For the last thousand years the Quincies grew slowly in number, always making sure never to bring on the wraith of the Gotei 13. While they were certainly aware of their old enemies presence the Captains never considered them a threat due to their few numbers. But due to their endurance and need for revenge the Quincies survived and all thanks to one man, their Leader, Yhwach. For deep in his heart Yhwach held the greatest hatred of all for Soul Reapers.
At that moment the Emperor's second in command Quilge Opie was making his way to his leader. He made his way through the halls, the lesser beings being quick to move out of his way. He turned into the throne room making his way to the throne itself.
He stopped short as he came to the end of the stairs then knelt down to one knee." Oh Master." He said to Yhwach up on the throne, next to him was a large mallet like weapon." Forgive me for disturbing you but I bring news of our progress."
"How does it fair?" was all he responded with.
"W-Well my lord. We've encountered a small problem."
"How small?" he asked, his eyes now looked on his subordinate.
"T-The scientist claim that they cannot open a portal. T-They, T-They say that-" But he stopped short of his sentence when Yhwach stood up from his chair." Oh please sire." He pleaded throwing his whole body to the ground." Allow me to deal with this, there's no need to trouble yourself. I'll get them to work. I'll-" He sat back up when he looked back up at the Throne saw nobody was there. Then he turned his head around and saw his leader's silhouette disappearing in the doorway." Y-Your majesty, wait!" he called getting up and following after him.
Ywhach made his way down the halls and towards the scientist's lab, a room that used to be an espada's old room. And if people were sure not to be in Opie's way they made sure not to be in Ywhach. His intimidating stature and glare was enough to turn a man to stone.
The leader of the Quincies made his way down the halls with his second in command close behind. The two came into the room to see the scientist diligently at work. Watching them work were some of the Stern Ritter, Ywhach elite soldiers.
Ywhach entered the room and everyone quickly became aware of his presence all cowering down in a bow at his feet.
Ywhach scanned the crowd before raising an arm and pronouncing "You!" The Scientist in question picked up his head and saw the Emperor waving his hand for him to come forward. The little Scientist walked over and shuttered as in stood before the Emperor.
"Tell me Scientist." Ywhach addressed him." What trouble halts your process?"
"W-Well sire." Cowered the Scientist much as Opie did before." We are unable to find a direct route to invade the Soul Society. Everything's locked down."
"So you say invasion is not possible?"
"N-No sire, we can invade. The problem is we know nothing of the Soul Society's structure, nor of the Captains and other officers we'd have to go up against. We'd be walking in blind."
"I'll tell you which Captains we'll need to worry about." Said Ywhach as he put a hand on the Scientist's shoulder. Then with his other hand he jabbed it down and into the man's chest, stabbing a hole in him." None of them." The man's body twitched a moment but then when Ywhach took his hand out the body fell over limply." You." He called to the nearest Scientist." How long before you can prepare the machine for transport?"
"Sire." Said the man in question." If I said three days, would I be allowed to live?" Ywhach just smiled his answer." Three days it is then sire. We'll have it done in three days."
"Excellent." Said Ywhach. Then he turned and prepared to leave with Opie following him. The Vandenereich in the room watch him go with a sense of awe.
"A great leader he is." Said Bambietta." Firm and ruthless, I like that."
"The Emperor has waited over a thousand years for his revenge." Said As Nodt." He'll let nothing stand in his way."
"But what of the Soul Society." Said Haschwalth." It's true we don't know very much of them or their current officers. What'll we-"
"We will invade." Said Ywhach as he appeared behind the ground.
"Emperor." They addressed him dropping to one knee.
"We will invade them." He continued." We will fight and much blood will be shed, but in the end WE the Quincies, the superior race will win. They will never know what hit them."
"Yea." Agreed As Nodt and Bambietta.
"But my lord." Said Haschwalth." What of the Head-Captain. From what we've heard he is the strongest of them all, more powerful than all the Stern Ritter. How could we take on such a foe." Ywhach stepped forward and pressed his hand against his soldier's head.
"The Head-Captain." He said in a foul voice that sound as if he swallowed poison." Is mine and mine alone, nobody else will touch him but me."
"Y-Yes my lord." Haschwalth acknowledged. Ywhach turned and began to walk away.
"In the meantime you know your orders." He said.
"What are those, sir?" asked Opie. Ywhach turned back to his soldiers and noticed the confused looks on their faces.
Ywhach: I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride
It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
Bambietta: And where to we feature?
Ywhach: Just listen to teacher
I know it sounds sordid
But you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!
"Yea, Be Prepared." Said Opie." We'll be prepared. For what?"
"For the destruction of the Soul Society. "replied Ywhach." Where I will have my revenge."
"Alright!" cheered the Stern Ritters.
"Stick with me." Said Ywhach." And I will bring you into a new world order." His speech got the attention and praised of all those around as they cheered his name.
Quincies: It's great that we'll soon be connected.
With a king who'll be all-time adored
Ywhach: Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
You won't get a sniff without me!
So prepare for the coup of the century
Quincies: OHH!"
Ywhach: Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Quincies: Oooh... La! La! La!
Ywhach: Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
All: Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
Meanwhile Toshiro, Mayuri and Kiganjo were still outside.
"So what'll we do?" asked Toshiro turning over to the duo. The two turned their heads to each other, silently having a conversation as they looked the other over.
"We'll need to proceed cautiously." Said Mayuri." We don't know what sort of trickery is going on in there." Toshiro looked over at the fortress, a dark cloud hovering over it.
"So we're going inside." He stated it rather than asked it, for he knew the real truth.
"Hey you don't miss a trick do you?" said Kiganjo slyly.
"Come on." Said Mayuri he jumped over the hill and led the way, Kiganjo followed after and then Toshiro hurried to catch up.
"So how are we going to get in?" asked Toshiro as he came up behind the two. Mayuri stopped suddenly which caused Kiganjo to stop suddenly and caused Toshiro to bump into him and fall over onto the ground.
Kiganjo turned over and picked him up, standing him back on his feet.
"That's our way in." Mayuri pointed up. Both Kiganjo and Toshiro both looked up to a small ledge above them, it was most likely a balcony.
"But how will we get up there?" asked Toshiro. The words hadn't left his mouth for a moment before he was lifted up and hoisted up into the air.
Kiganjo grabbed Toshiro by his back and legs." Hope you can fly Halfling." He said.
"No, wait, WAIT!" But it was no use because Kiganjo swung him up into the air. Toshiro flew up, the wind roaring and slapping against his face. He flew up, up into the air but then came crashing down. He was able to land on the ledge, only problem was the floor was very hard so he didn't have a soft landing.
"Little Captain." Hissed Mayuri's voice up at him." Little Captain." Toshiro slowly pried his face from the floor and sat up." You alright?" Toshiro just let out a loud groan before resting his head back on the floor." He's fine." Said Mayuri turning to Kignajo. The bigger man knelt down to one knee and put both his hands up. Mayuri then stepped up and into his hands. Then with all his might Kiganjo flung Mayuri up into the air, he himself jumped up a moment after him.
The two flew up into the air and landed much more gracefully down onto the balcony.
"Well that takes care of that." Said Mayuri. Kiganjo cocked his head to the side and saw Toshiro laying on the ground. He quickly reached down and picked him up.
"Come on Halfling, we've got work to do." He said holding Toshiro up by the back of his shirt.
"Come on." Said Mayuri, leading the way, Kiganjo following with Toshiro literally in his hands. Mayuri walked over to the wall and quickly snuck up against it, hugging his figure against it. Kiganjo followed in suite, however he didn't blend in as easily as Mayuri because he held Toshiro in his hands. But more importantly his large gut was jolting out.
The two slunk against the wall and creped their way to the corner. Once there Mayuri poked his head around the corner and glanced around, there were two armed guards at the end of the hall. Mayuri watched as the guards passed each other going opposite directions, one of them walking towards Mayuri.
He ducked his head back behind the corner and looked to Kiganjo. He nodded his head to the guard coming towards them. Kiganjo nodded and dropped Toshiro, then he and Mayuri traded places.
Toshiro was free of Kiganjo's grip and went to voice his opinion." What in the hell is-" But he stopped when Mayuri covered his mouth with his hand.
"SHH!" he hissed." Quiet." Kiganjo stood against the wall and rolled up his sleeves, prepared for what he had to do.
The Guard walked around the corner, slouching as he was not expecting to find anyone on his rounds. So he walked on yawning as he went but the he was suddenly grabbed by two large hands and jerked against the wall.
The Quincy went to scream but his mouth was covered by a large hand. When he looked up he saw three figures hovering over him. The largest man was holding him down while a clown faced man looked him over and the third a boy hovered in the background.
"Can you hear me?" asked Mayuri to their captive. The man nodded his head under Kiganjo's grip, frightened for his life.
"What are you doing?" asked Toshiro to Mayuri.
"Getting information." He responded. Then he turned to their captive." I'm going to ask you a few simple questions, if you answer them my friend here will not hurt you. Understand?" The man nodded quickly." Now what weapon do you have down in the laboratories?" Kiganjo lifted his hand off the man's mouth for a second.
But when he did he let out a quick yell of 'HELP!' But he only was able to grunt out 'HE-' before Kiganjo clapped his hand back over him. Both Mayuri and Toshiro jolted from his scream.
"Bad choice." Said Mayuri turning back and pointing to him. Then he swung his leg up and kicked the Quincy in the stomach. The man jolted from the kick and Kiganjo rolled him over and sat on him. Then Mayrui hovered his long nail over the man's eye." Now we do it the hard way."
Toshiro had watched as they man-handled the man and prepared to torture him. As an officer of the Gotei 13, a keeper of the peace he had to intervene.
"Wait." Said Toshiro coming up behind him." What are you doing?"
"Getting information." Mayuri replied to him.
"But what for? I don't understand what we're doing here. I don't understand what I'M doing here."
"Now's really not the best time for this." Said Mayuri.
"Well I'll tell you what time it is." Said Toshiro." I'm done, I'm going home." He had had enough of this running around, he would just go home and tell the Head-Captain of what he had learned. Then they would do something.
"Halfling." Said Kiganjo." Wait!" he yelled out his hand to him. But Toshiro kept walking, preparing to go around the corner. But once he did he was quickly struck in the face.
Toshiro stumbled back and fell back onto the ground. He looked up to see another Quincy guard standing over him.
"Soul Reapers!" he barked at Toshiro, recognizing him first and foremost because of his sword. Then the Quincy formed a spear of energy in his hands. Then he swung down at Toshiro.
But the little Captain was quick and drew his sword from his back, dodging the spear. Then Toshiro pushed up forcing the Quincy to stumble back as he rolled to his feet.
The Quincy prepared himself again and swung his spear at Toshiro. But Mayuri quickly intervened drawing his own sword and blocking the spear. It didn't take Toshiro a second to capitalize on this weakness, he jumped over Mayuri and jabbed his sword forward stabbing the Quincy in the chest with his blade.
The Quincy gasped as he was stabbed, his eyes rolling in the back of his head. Toshiro stood back on the ground and watched him go lifeless on the end of his blade, and then falling over.
Mayuri then walked over to Toshiro's side." This is what we're here for." He said." The Quincys look to exterminate the Soul Society. And somewhere in this fortress they have the weapon to do so. This is war Toshiro." He put a hand on the little Captain's shoulder." And we're the only ones who can stop it before it happens."
Mayuri then turned and went back to their prisoner. Toshiro listened to his words and accepted them. Mayuri was right he was there right now and if he could do something to save everyone he cared about he would. He then turned around and followed Mayuri.
"Now." Said Mayuri hovering his blade over their captive's head." Back to my original question, what are you building in the laboratory?" Kiganjo went to remove his hand.
"And no shouting this time." Added Toshiro." Or else my friend here will make you regret it." He pointed to Kiganjo. The captive looked up at the big man and a wave of fear came over him when he saw Kiganjo's grin. Then he removed his hand from the Quincy's mouth.
"We have a weapon." He told.
"A weapon?" inquired Mayuri." What kind of weapon?"
"A weapon, wielded by the Emperor. It will bring the Soul Society to its knees." Then the Quincy gave a sly smile. But he was quickly silence as Kiganjo slammed his fist down on the man's head.
"It's just as I feared." Said Mayuri.
"What was he talking about?" asked Toshiro, but Mayuri did not answer and continued to look out concerned.
Meanwhile the Emperor Ywhach sat in his throne. One hand stretched over the arm of his chair, his fingers lightly touching the mallet like weapon next to him. But his other hand was around his neck, to the cross medallion he wore. It was his most prized possession, a gift given to him by his mother. He believed it belonged to his father, the previous leader of the Quincies.
Everything was different a thousand years ago. Both Quincys and Soul Reapers exterminated hollows together but then the two groups began to butt heads, and then war broke out with Ywhach's father leading the Quincys. Ywhach was just a boy but he could remember seeing his father cut down by the most vile of all the Soul Reapers, Genrryusai Yamamoto.
But he was suddenly taken away from his thoughts of Revenge as Opie entered the room." What is it?" Ywhach snapped at him.
"Sire." Began Opie." We've encountered a small problem."
"What kind of problem?" Opie had just been making his rounds, checking on all the patrols had been going out of the fortress. All of them had reported back except one, and they were due back over and hour ago.
"One of our patrols hasn't returned. I've sent others to search for them. Ywhach closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Opie interpreted this as a sign of his master's disapproval." Oh sire." He pleaded falling to one knee." Do not trouble yourself, I'm sure this is nothing at all. They probably just forgot to report in, they'll be back-" But when Ywhach stood up Opie quickly silence himself, in fear of his master's next move.
"No." Ywhach said in a deep voice." They will not be coming back. Something is here?" He couldn't explain it but the Emperor of the Quincy's could feel it in the air, something strange something foreign.
"Sire?" asked Opie confused.
"We have been invaded." He said turning to Opie." Call the guard, find them!" Ywhach gripped his hammer and then marched past his second in command.
"But sire, where are you going?"
"Gathering the Army!" he roared turning back to him." If we are being invaded, it means the Soul Society is aware of us and is now moving against us." Opie stood up to both his feet." I will gather the army and invade the Soul Society NOW!"
"But sire the scientist he, he said-"
"Are you questioning me?!"
"No, No sire." Opie dropped down on both knees and bowed." Forgive me please I meant nothing by it, I-"
"SILENCE!" he bellowed." Gather the guard and find these intruders, once you have met me at the Machine."
"Yes, sire." And then Opie disappeared to gather his guards while Ywhach went to gather the Stern Ritter and the army.
