[A/N]: To all my fellow readers, after getting through the semester in university, I finally managed to find time to continue this project. I apologize for this long update for university life is quite busy and demanding. Without further ado, time to bring this story to a close.
Chapter 9: A Dance of Black, White and Blue
Several miles from the temple, the tour group is gathering at the park center; the trip cut short due to bad weather. Panicking, Tatsuki was looking around for Rachel. She found her staring out at the view of the whole ocean, blackened as the storm for afar approached the coast of Greece.
"Rachel what are you doing? We're about to leave soon."
"Can you feel that?" Rachel just asked without looking at her
"Feel wha…" Tatsuki was about to ask when she felt that chilling feeling. Her eyes widened in fear.
"There is something ominous about that storm."
"I hope this will be over soon." prayed Rachel.
"Yeah, me too," Tatsuki replied quietly.
At the coast of Greece, Byakuya dropped his Zanpakutō into the sea. It disappeared midair and two rows of a thousand swords rise up from midair before disintegrating turning into countless of flying petal like blade.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi." chanted Byakuya
The blades form columns of swords surrounding Typhon. Typhon tries to swat a column away, but the blades withstood the strength of the Father of All Monsters. On contrary, the attack however dealt heavy damage to his hand. Ichor trickled down from its knuckle as Byakuya eyed the monster cruelly. He raised his hand, dispersing the column of blades into a cloud gathering behind him. He then thrust his hands forward. Obediently, the cloud surged towards Typhon. The cloud hit Typhon square in the chest, pushing it back by tens of meters. It was there, Toshiro was waiting for it, already in his Bankai form. His right arm covered in ice, which formed into a head of a dragon and a dragon wing made out of ice that covers his back. Also on his back were three flowers of ice floating behind him, each consisting of four purple petals shaped like diamonds
"Daiguren Hyōrinmaru" chanted Toshiro. He then pointed his Zanpakutō towards the sky "Sennen Hyōrō".
Many pillars of ice rose up from the sea surrounding Typhon. The monster, still disoriented by Byakuya's attack, failed to anticipate the impending attack coming towards it. Toshiro then pointed his Zanpakutō towards Typhon and turned it 90 degrees counter-clockwise, before rushing towards Typhon trapping it in a pillar of ice. From behind Toshiro, came Ichigo charging towards the pillar of ice. He pulled his Zanpakutō back, gathering black energy at the blade. Just before he reached his target, the pillar began to crack, prompting him to stop a few meters away from the pillar. Ichigo lifts his Zanpakutō up just as the ice pillar crumbled, revealing a raging Typhon.
"Getsuga Tenshō!" shouted Ichigo as he swung his Zanpakutō down. A much bigger wave of energy was sent towards the monster slamming it in the chest, pushing it back by another ten of meters. Typhon was staggering to keep its balance and roared in anger as soon as it got back on its feet. The two captains appeared next to Ichigo.
Toshiro got into an attack stance. "We really need a plan for this." muttered Toshiro. Resolutely, Ichigo and Byakuya readied themselves as the three prepares to resume their fight between them and the Father of All Monsters.
Back at the cliffs, the Annabeth watched the chain attacks of the two captains and Ichigo. "By my mother's name, Zeus's thunderbolt only sent Typhon back by a few feet; a single blow from them flung it back by meters. Just how strong are they exactly?" wondered Annabeth to herself. She was mesmerized by the display of strength; she failed to see another giant about to crush her. By the time Annabeth realized the dark shadow looming over her, it was too late. She screwed her eyes shut, expecting the worse then suddenly
"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!" An avalanche of cold air enveloped the giant and froze it in place. Rukia appeared beside Annabeth. "Annabeth, are you hurt?" Rukia asked, concerned.
Annabeth shook her head. "Not yet, give me a moment". She then approached the block of ice and stabbed it with her dagger. The ice shattered from the force, disintegrating into little shards of ice crystals.
"Now, I'm feeling better."
Rukia looked at her with a relieved and slightly amused expression. "Come on, it's not over yet." she beckoned.
"Yeah, let's get back to work." With that, the two charged right back into battle.
In another part of the battlefield, Clarisse pulled out her spear from the giant lobster's head and jumped off, landing beside Will, firing arrows with precision that nailed every single target.
"Man, this day keeps getting better and better." commented Will as he fired two more arrows into the lobster's eyes, simultaneously blinding and enraging it. Clarisse took this chance to close her distance between it and her. She dodged all its mad attacks and thrust her spear through its head, rendering the rest of its body go limp and dissolved into dust. A smug Clarisse turned around to her comrade only to find another giant lobster behind Will, getting ready to attack. Clarisse dropped her spear and shield and sprinted towards Will.
"WILL, BEHIND YOU!"
Will turned behind only to see two pincers lunging towards him menacingly. Clarisse dashed past Will and prayed to her father. As the last word left her lips, she was covered in red filament like her father, not unlike the one he was shrouded in when he fought Ichigo. She pushed Will away and caught both pincers her bare hands. Will looked on in intimidated astonishment as Clarisse roared as she pulled the pincers apart with her both hands. Clarisse pulled her fist back and punched forward to the lobster head. Her fist punched a huge dent in the lobster outer shell, but the shock wave burst out from the other side of its head. The titanic torso came crashing down as Clarisse, exhausted from the attack, she pulled, collapse forward but Will caught her in time. Will pulled out an ambrosia from his back pocket and put it into Clarisse's mouth. Slowly, the strength was running through her veins again. Soon, she was good to get back up to her feet. Will picked up her weapons and returned it to her.
"That was wicked and thanks."
"No problem… Come on, it's not over yet." Clarisse dismissed casually as she nudged towards a new wave of monsters that just finished scaling the cliffs.
"Right behind you" said Will as he nock an arrow and picked his target, sending another arrow with deadly precision.
Orihime was providing support for Chad and Uryu from behind when a giant suddenly appeared from behind her, his hammer poised to slam down. Orihime tried to cast her shield, but was too slow. Before the hammer could reach her, a silhouette shot out and pushed her away, taking on the full force. She fell to the ground, but quickly got up, relatively unscathed. Her eyes widened when she saw Jake flying through the air and landed not too far from her. The giant shifted its attention back to Orihime. Before another blow could come down on her, an arrow hit the giant square at the head, instantly disintegrating to dust. Orihime looked back and saw Uryu aiming where the giant once stood.
"Hurry up and heal him." shouted Uryu before taking off to confront the monsters.
Orihime got her senses back as she rushed towards Jake. The demigod was bleeding profusely from his head and his body looked just as bad. Orihime called out her powers.
"Sōten Kisshun, I reject"
Two lights come out from her hairpin and formed an oval barrier around Jake. She rested Jake's head on her lap. A few moments later, Jake's eyes opened.
"Wow, looks like it worked but how am I alive?" Jake groaned weakly.
"You don't have to go that far to save me." said Orihime with tears of guilt in her eyes
"Come on, you are our friend and we watch each other's back."
"Thank you, just rest now and let me heal you." Orihime smiled as she patted his forehead gently.
"No problem." said Jake as he began to lose conscious. Orihime barely caught the words before he was pulled into the dream realm. "Heh…heh…suck it…Will"
Chad and Uryu raced towards Orihime. "That guy really has the guts to take on an attack like that. We'll cover you while you try to heal him." said Chad, looking at a smug Jake.
"I hope Percy finish this soon." said Uryu as he released another volley of arrow towards the Hollows emerging from the portal.
"We must put our faith in him like how we put our faith in Ichigo." replied Chad as he released a wave of energy from his hand, destroying a row of monsters.
"Yes, let's put our hopes in Percy." said Orihime as she looked to the temple ground worriedly.
Percy sent another torrent of water towards Oceanus, however to no avail. Oceanus retaliated by sending back a bigger torrent of water, which Percy evaded. Both of them charged of each other. Percy unleashed a combo of attack towards Oceanus by swinging his sword with one hand and making multiple thrust attacks with his father's trident with the other. Oceanus parried each attack with much difficulty. Percy willed the trident as it swings up sending an arc of water to Oceanus at point blank.
"Too simple," Oceanus sneered as he brushed it aside with his bare hands.
So absorbed in himself, he was, he failed to notice Percy kick from below. Percy covered his leg with high pressure water and released it the moment his legs reached Oceanus lower abdomen. Oceanus was sent flying from the force of the water to the other side of the temple.
"Wow, looks like Rukia and Ichigo are right." mused Percy, reminiscing Ichigo and Rukia's advice.
Flashback
While on the way to Cape Sounio, Ichigo and Rukia gave a little tip to Percy about using his power.
"Percy, instead of using your power with full brunt force and hope for the best, why not use your powers like an extension of your body." suggested Rukia.
"Yeah, all I ever see you do is use your power just attack like a barbarian." snorted Ichigo.
Percy realized that they were right. All he ever does is used simple but predictable attacks with his power which cause him to weaken easily.
"Damn, I just realized that, but how do you come up with such methods of fighting?" asked Percy
"Don't just try to out-strength him but also outsmart him by using attacks that he would not see coming. This is more crucial than ever since your enemy is a Titan" advised Rukia.
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind." Percy conceded but sat back, still confused.
Oceanus coughed out a huge amount of ichor as he tried to get up. The lower part of his armor fell off, revealing a bad bruise
"Looks like I really underestimated you, but not for long." growled Oceanus.
Oceanus stabbed his trident to the ground and raised both of his hands up. The water surrounding him rose up and become hundreds of small spherical balls. Oceanus thrust both of his hands forwards. The balls shot towards Percy at high speed. The demigod's eyes widened and he slammed his father's trident to the ground as a wall of water show up and instantly froze into a wall of ice. The attack slammed the wall but it barely manages to hold through. Suddenly, the ice wall cracked and Oceanus launched a thrust with his trident to Percy. Using his father's trident, Percy blocked all the strikes. Oceanus locked his trident on Percy as he used his free hand to send a fist to him. Percy tried to parry the strikes but unfortunately he was no match for the ferocious speed of the attacks, and a rogue punch reached his torso. Percy was sent back a few feet. He coughed out a wad of blood. Staggering to his feet, he used the trident and his sword for support
"You really are tough, not even a demigod was supposed to survive after an attack from me like that." complimented Oceanus as he circled Percy.
"Well, cause I'm not just a normal demigod. I'm the son of Poseidon and my father entrusted me with his weapon. With it, you are going down." said Percy as he pointed the trident to Oceanus.
"Bold words for the side about to lose; your friends are going to be overwhelmed by my army and Typhon will destroy the gods. Not even those additional Soul Reapers can stop it."
"My friends said that they can do this and I believe in them, and they believe in me that I can stop you myself. That is what I intend to do." Percy said in a grim tone as he got into a ready stance. "Let's finish this once and for all."
Ichigo tried to launch an attack towards Typhon head but the hundreds of serpents spat out venom, converging into a hail of venom flying towards Ichigo. Ichigo managed to flash step out of the way as Byakuya willed his blades to attack the head. The storm blades enveloped the head, which Typhon brushed aside with a flick of its arm. It targeted Byakuya next, shooting out an arm. Byakuya managed to flash step out of the way. He held one of his palms forward and chanted
"Ye lord Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south. Hadō 31 Shakkahō!"
A red orb formed in front of his palm as he aimed at Typhon's outstretched arm. He fired the Kidō spell. It hit its arm, but showing very little effect on damage. Toshiro flew forward getting ready to attack; he aimed for Typhon left shoulder.
"Ryūsenka!"
He stabbed Typhon's shoulder and a huge burst of ice burst from Typhon's right shoulder. Instantly, the serpents diverted their attention to Toshiro and released a rain of acid venom towards him. Toshiro used his wings to shield him, but the acid melts through the wings. Ichigo flash stepped in time to pull Toshiro out of the way, just before another volley of venom hits him.
"Thanks Kurosaki." said Toshiro as his wings started to grow back
Byakuya flash stepped next to the duo. "None of our attack is dealing enough damage." said Byakuya
"Damn, that thing is too solid. We need to defeat it quickly before it reaches the shore." cursed Ichigo.
"Not only that; my time is running out." added Toshiro as two of the three flowers behind him have already disintegrated. Toshiro sighed, "I have a plan, but I need your help to make it work."
Ichigo and Byakuya looked at each other and nodded
"What do you have in mind?" asked Ichigo.
At the cliffs, things are not good as the rest of the group was getting cornered closer and closer to the temple. The whole group had gathered and was fighting together with every ounce of their strength.
"Damn it, there's no end to them." panted Clarisse.
"We have to hold on." yelled back Rukia as she froze a group of monsters.
"Well, I hope Percy can end this real soon." prayed Will as he ran out of arrows, quickly unsheathing his sword
Uryu weighed his options, but he knew that they don't have a choice at this point. More monsters are scaling the cliffs and their backs were already near the temple. This was the last resort; he knew if he used it there wouldn't be another second time. He looked back to the group
"I'm going to end this." said Uryu as he drew out one of his Seele Schneider and stab in into the ground.
"What are you doing?" asked Jake since he is fully recovered thanks to Orihime healing.
"Ending this invasion." said Uryu as he vanished with a blink of an eye.
"Where'd he go?" asked Annabeth, frantically looking around for the bowman.
Instinctively, Rukia knew what he was going to do, an understanding formed after many battles together. "Just hold this ground and trust him."
Annabeth decided to trust her comrade's word as she got ready. As suddenly as he disappeared, Uryu reappeared again and turned to the group.
"Everyone get ready to shield your eyes." He called out in warning as he pulled out a small tube from his pocket. He emptied the tube; blue glowing liquid hit the Seele Schneider on the ground. A blade hilt burst out ignited as an energy line spread out. The demigods could see a line is being formed. Suddenly all the monsters stuck in place and a huge light pillar of light within the line engulfed the whole army of monsters. Everyone shields their eyes from the blinding light and once it dimmed down the demigods were shocked. Nothing was left; not even a scrap of monsters or Hollows in sight. Even the portal that was pouring Hollows out to be gone. They looked at Uryu
"What in Hades was that?" asked Clarisse with disbelief of what just happened.
"That was a Quincy technique called Sprenger. I used my Seele Schneider to create a pentagram shape on the ground. I then used my Spiritual Power to activate the pentagram which destroys anything inside it. However, I can only use it once because it takes five Seele Schneider to create one and now I have none left"
Uryu looked out to the ocean and the whole group held their breath for Ichigo's group to finish. "I hope Kurosaki and the others can stop that thing."
Off the shore, Ichigo flew towards Typhon, careful to evade Typhon's outstretched right hand out trying to grab Ichigo. Raising his Zanpakutō, he called out. "Getsuga Tenshō!" sending a black wave of energy to successfully dealing damage to Typhon's arm
The attack was followed up by Byakuya; he commanded his storm of blades to envelope the right arm. Thousands of blades attacking his arm caused Typhon to pull his arm away from the storm of blades. From their vantage point, Ichigo and Byakuya can see that the right arm is now looks to be severely wounded. While Typhon was distracted by Ichigo and Byakuya's combined attack, Toshiro closed in at its left arm. He stabs the middle knuckle of Typhon's left arm.
"HYŌRYŪ SENBI!"
Toshiro flew along Typhon arm, his Zanpakutō blade still embedded inside Typhon arm. As the blade travelled along the arm, ice erupted from the cut created by the blade. When Toshiro reached the shoulder, he pulled his Zanpakutō through the shoulder and executed the second part of his attack.
"Zekku!"
He swung his blade as sends the ice chain created from his initial attack to Typhon head. A wave of ice hits Typhon in the head, causing it to lose its footing. Byakuya was in front of Typhon while Ichigo was at back. Byakuya cast another Kidō spell. "Bakudō 62 Hyapporankan" A blue/white rod appears in Byakuya's hand as he threw it aimed at Typhon's leg. While flying to its leg, it multiplies into a hundred rods, pinning Typhon in place.
Ichigo gathered Spiritual Energy into his Zanpakutō blade and released it in the ocean beneath Typhon's legs. This created a water spout which encased Typhon. Quickly, Toshiro froze the water spout, turning it into hundreds and thousands of icicles.
"Guncho Tsurara!" Toshiro swings his Zanpakutō blade in an arc launching the icicles towards Typhon at breakneck speed. The icicle hit every part of Typhon's body.
Ichigo and Byakuya increased their distance from Typhon for Toshiro final and ultimate attack.
"Hyōten Hyakkasō!"
A huge hole in the cloud opened on top of Typhon. A large amount of snow poured down from the hole and on to Typhon. Suddenly, ice flowers erupt all over Typhon body encasing him in a huge pillar of ice. Once the snow stopped falling, Toshiro shouted "Captain Kuchiki, Kurosaki, end this now!"
In front of Typhon, Byakuya willed his storm of blades. The cloud of blade turns white and condensed into one single sword. White wings and a halo like circle are formed on his back. At the same time, Ichigo materialized his Hollow mask. He gathered all his Spiritual Energy he could muster and condensed it into his Zanpakutō.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi Shūkei: Hakuteiken." Byakuya charged forwards towards Typhon
"Getsuga Tenshō!" Ichigo swung down his Zanpakutō as it released a huge and condensed wave of Spiritual Energy.
Both attacks hit Typhon at the same time, creating a black wave of energy coming one side and white from the other. The ice pillar crumbles down along with Typhon as it disintegrated along with the blast of energy.
From the coast, the Ichigo's friends felt an immense relief that the greatest threat is over. However, the demigods however, were not exactly sharing their relief.
"By the gods, three Soul Reapers defeated what the Olympians could not do." breathed Annabeth with disbelief.
"I don't freaking believe it. Not only did they stop Typhon, but they actually defeated it." gaped Clarisse
"You know I'm starting to feel extremely frightened of them." said Will
"I'm just glad that they are on our side" added Jake as the two captains along with Ichigo rejoin the group.
"Brother, Captain Hitsugaya, thank you for your help." thanked Rukia as she bowed in gratitude.
Annabeth felt that it was proper to thank them properly as well. She also bowed to them followed by the rest of the demigods
"We thank you for your assistance in this matter." thanked Annabeth
Byakuya and Toshiro nodded their head graciously in return. "It was nothing. We are pleased to hear that we managed to help out in your ordeal, although it was forbidden that we are to meet." said Toshiro wryly, observing a bright light shining and a strange paper like door appeared.
"It seems that we overstayed our welcome" said Byakuya as he and Toshiro moved to enter the door.
"We will see you back in Japan." called Byakuya as the door closed behind them.
The sky is beginning to clear up as light began to break through the clouds.
"Guys we need to get to Percy now!" said Will, remembering their absent leader.
"Alright let's go." rallied Rukia as the whole group made their way to the temple.
Beneath the calm ocean surface, Oceanus felt the missing presence of Typhon and his army of monsters.
"Impossible, my army and Typhon are gone." Oceanus said with disbelief.
Percy grinned at that "Looks like they did it and now it's my turn."
Percy slammed the trident to the ground; a few water spouted from the ground which he sent flying towards Oceanus. Disoriented by the reality of his lost army, Oceanus could not dodge the incoming assaults. Percy then used the power of the trident to will the water surrounding Oceanus and encased him in a ball of water. He then condensed the water inside the sphere, increasing the pressure within. He could see Oceanus is trying to break out from the water sphere. Determined to not let him escape, Percy channeled more power from the trident. The more the titan struggled, the higher the pressure in the sphere, until Oceanus lost his strength, making him limp inside the sphere. Percy relinquished the grip on the sphere and Oceanus collapsed on the ground.
Oceanus tried to get his feet up into a ready stance and braced for Percy's attack. Percy charged toward him, swinging the trident down while creating an arc of water. Oceanus brushed that aside with his hand and thrust his trident intuitively where Percy would be but to no avail. Having discarded his father's trident after making the water arc, Percy jumped back and covered his sword with high pressure water. Oceanus looked in horror as Percy brought down his sword sending an arc of water towards Oceanus. Seizing the opportunity, Percy picked up his father's trident and impaled Oceanus in the chest.
Oceanus looked at his chest in shocked as he muttered "Impossible." as his spirit descended to Tartarus.
The sky began to clear and apertures of light began to shine in the temple grounds. Percy chuckled in relief as he collapsed forward, only to be caught by someone. His vision has already blurred but he could tell who it was. The mysterious being gently took the trident from Percy's hand and said into his ear, "Well done, my son" as he laid Percy down.
Fading into unconsciousness, Percy could barely make out the calls of his name. The last thing he saw before his eyes closed was his friends running towards him.
[A/N]: To be concluded at the epilogue
