Tides of Fate

by Callian31

After the defeat of Yhwach all was well in the Soul Society, for a time. But one day they were attacked by a new threat, the Neo-Soul Society. Within its ranks are enemies new and old, former friends and allies, and a single man with more power than they could possibly imagine. They're led by a man so powerful even Aizen and Yhwach kneel before his power.

10. That Which Falls to Never Rise

I don't own Bleach

The 3rd General inspected Maria. He clenched his teeth and growled a bit. "American Soul Society, huh? Dammit, the other Soul Societies aren't supposed to be getting involved so early on in the game. This is going to need some rearranging," he said. The General glanced between Rukia and Maria. "You're lucky I'm going to have to report this to my superiors. Otherwise I'd kill you," he told Maria before glancing over to Rukia who is now unconscious, "I'll have to deal with you later." He turned to Ikeda. "Come on, we're leaving. Open up a Garganta back to base," he ordered. Ikeda nodded and pulled out a device with a button on it. He clicked it and a portal opened up and the two entered. After they left Maria let out a huge sigh and walked towards Rukia.

Tides of Fate Chapter 9

That Which Falls to Never Rise

Shunsui slashed across the man's chest with his Shikai and the 5th Regiment Lieutenant fell to the ground dead. He sealed his Zanpakto and turned to his friend. "Well, that man sure packed a punch. For a Lieutenant," he told Ukitake who was panting heavily.

"Yes, well these people sure do know where to find good troops that's for sure," he said straightening up and his breath becoming more stable.

"Neo-Soul Society, huh. I wonder where they came from," he said turning back towards the body, "If this guy who was clearly Captain Level merely held the rank of Lieutenant I wonder what their "Generals" are capable of."

"We've certainly got our work cut out for us," Ukitake noted.

"Indeed you do, unworthy beings," A sinister voice said. Startled the two turned around to see a newcomer. He wore a white priest's robe with a dark traditional cross on it. But this one was stylized to look more sinister. He also wore a black cape with a hood on it. The hood was down so they could see his face. He possessed blood red eyes with black sclera. His features were the color gray. His gingers were long and bony with claw-like nails. His hair was long in the back and very unkempt. "Greetings, unworthy dogs. I am Vladimir Black the General of the 4th Divine Regiment in the army of our Lord Cielo. The purger of unworthy beings such as yourselves. A pleasure."

Shunsui smirked, "Well, I do believe those are some of the politest insults I have ever received."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Vladimir, "Though with the possible side effect of "tooting my own horn" I also hold the prestigious honor of being one of the Deus Machinas. The three most powerful Fullbringers ever born. But enough about me. Let's get to killing you."

"Straight to the point then. I like it," Shunsui said drawing out his Zanpakuto. Both he and Ukitake released their Zanpaktos and charged. Vladimir dodged using Strike Walk (the name I'm giving to the Bringer Light speed stuff) and got behind them. He reached out his hand and after a flash a large amount of fire started swirling towards the two. They quickly dodged but the mass of flames kept expanding. It all suddenly condensed and took the form of an Asian Dragon minus limbs and charged at Ukitake. Jushiro kept dodging but the dragon kept following him. In an attempt to help his friend Shunsui charged at Vladimir who took his hand off of the book, which started to float, and created another dragon that charged at Shunsi. Kyoraku pulled back and began to dodge his dragon as well.

Vladimir smirked to himself over how easily he was able to handle the two strongest Captains by himse- "Meanie!" a childish voice cried behind him. He was wacked in the head by something and knocked over to the side where he skidded to a stop on the ground. Grunting he got back up and raised his hand summoning his book back to him. The dragons having dissipated Shunsui and Ukitake both landed beside their reinforcements: Yumichika, Ikkaku, and Yachiru, who was the one who hit Vladimir.

"Thanks for the help, we appreciate it," Shunsui told them. Yachiru spun towards him and shook her fist.

"You owe me a cookie! Shun shun!" Yachiru pouted.

"Maaa, but Yachiru-chan what about Jushiro-kun?" Shunsui whined.

"You're Head-Captain so you can get me better cookies!" Yachiru argued.

"Lieutenant, Head-Captain I do believe you can sort out your confectionary crisis at a later date," Yumichika said, "Right now we have an opponent to deal with."

"Yeah," Ikkaku said grabbing his Zanpakto, "and this guy doesn't look like a pushover either."

The other members of the 11th nodded and drew out their Zanpaktos.

"Tear and Frenzy, Fuki Kujaku!"

"Come on out, Sanpo Kenjun!"

"Bankai, Ryumon Hozukimaru!"

The burst of all of them releasing their Zanpaktos ended leveling a couple buildings in the immediate are but despite that Vladimir was unaffected. Looking at their Zanpaktos he just sighed and took out his book from under his arm. They could clearly see now it was an old Bible. He opened it and the pages started to turn rapidly.

"Divina Oblivionem," he said. The Bible glowed and the glowing form "blobbed" onto his right hand which was raised above it. When the light faded he had a black and gold gauntlet with spiked fingers. He moved his fingers around a bit and pointed at the Shinigami using his palm.

"Angeli Gladio," he said. A light gathered around his palm.

"Move!" Shunsui yelled. A blast of lightning came out from the orb and struck out at them. It moved too fast and Ukitake, Shunsui, and Yumichika got electrocuted. Yachiru was able to block a bunch of what was coming at her with the help of her Zanpkato Beasts. Ikkaku was far enough away he was able to dodge it with gaining only a few minor burns. Vladimir huffed and summoned another orb but this time he clutched it and the orb transformed into a slightly European knight sword but made of lightning. He charged at Yachiru first and swung the blade at her. She stopped it with the past beast and cut him with her sword and the future beast's sword. Vladimir paid no mind to these injuries and raised his blade to strike again but was cut off by Ikkaku who sliced down aiming for the arm with the blade. Vladimir dodged and appeared behind him and with a single blow from his blade destroyed the Bankai incinerating nearly all of the top blade. The remains all fell to the ground as Ikkaku's eyes grew even wider before being impaled by the blade and falling to the ground with a hole in his chest.

"Ikakku!" Yumichika was able to yell. Yachiru quickly charged at Vladimir who let the blade's full power shoot at Yachiru whose Shikai were critically damaged and she fell to the ground as well severely burned. Shunsui tried to get up but Vladimir placed one of his fingers on the ground and Shunsui's limbs were swallowed half way each by the ground before it solidified again harder this time as Shunsui was trying to break it but failing. The ground seemed harder this time for some reason. Vladimir then turned his attention to Ukitake and Strike Walked over to him where he pointed the index finger on his gauntlet hand towards Ukitake. "Aqua Hastem," he said. A concentrated stream of water shot out of the tip and struck an already critically injured and unconscious Ukitake in the heart.

"JUSHIRO!" Shunsui yelled. Vladimir then heard the sound of someone standing up. Slightly surprised he turned to see Yumichika barely standing up.

"Y-you'll pay for what you have done," he told him before coughing up some more blood.

Vladimir chuckled at the boy, "Really? And what can the likes of you do against my power?"

Yumichika smirked, "Take it away." He held out his Shikai to the side and said, "Bloom, Rui'iro Kujaku." The blades turned to vines that quickly rapped themselves around a surprised Vladimir. "Head-Captain," Yumichika said, "If you'd be so obliged please don't tell anyone of this." Shunsui just nodded and Yumichika began absorbing Vladimir's reiatsu.

Elsewhere

After Yoruichi and Yushiro returned with the others Isane Kotetsu had thankfully woken up and began assisting with the healing. Shunre assisted to being fairly knowledgeable with the process. It's not like he was a master at it like the high ranking members of Squad 4. In terms of that group he'd be like 5th Seat Level at best. But every bit counted. On a side note: It was now VERY cramped in the makeshift camp.

Eventually, Captains Hirako and Abarai awoke but Heito and Byakuya were still under. They had all been informed of what was going on last Yushiro checked. Once Yushiro had finished it had grown dark outside so Shu used a Kido to create a fire for light and warmth as the awake members discussed what happened that day and what they learned.

"So, Toshiro, Rangiku, and Zaraki are fighting the leader of the 7th Regiment, huh. That General must be something to be able to take them all on single-handedly," Shunre noted.

"The Neo-Soul Society, huh?" Shinji noted to himself, "A group dedicated to fixing the Soul Society through the destruction and recreation of the Gotei 13 in order to bring forth a "true heaven"."

Soi Fon punched the wall and growled, "Who the hell do they think they are? The Gotei 13 have dutifully protected the Soul Society to its fullest for nearly its entire existence! They have absolutely no right to that decision. WE are the Gotei! WE are the ones that work towards the betterment of the Soul Society!"

Renji just chuckled and tilted his head back till it touched the wall and asked her, "Soul Society, Captain Fon, or Seireitei?"

"What's the difference?" Soi Fon asked.

"Plenty," Shu answered, "Seireitei just refers to the homeland and headquarters of the Shinigami. It's fairly big but, it's nowhere near even half the size of the Soul Society which also includes both all of the Rukongai as well as Shinisou."

"Shinisou?"" Isane asked, "what's that?"

Shunre sighed, "It's a place not many know about. It's than land outside of all four District 80s and completely surrounds the Soul Society. It's around 100 miles in a straight line from its Rukongai side boundary to the Seishin Kabe."

"Again, what's that?" Soi Fon deadpanned.

"It's a giant uncrossable wall. It is the outermost boundary of the Soul Society and no one knows what lies beyond it," Shunre explained.

"This Shinisou, what's it like?" Renji asked.

"It's mostly a large forest with many houses and cottages dotting it. Most people there are quite contempt with their lives and despite many of them possessing the capabilities to become powerful Shinigami, Lieutenant Level if we're unlucky, but most choose not to. The last Shinigami from Shinisou is someone you all know well. A man by the name of Sosuke Aizen." Shunre said.

Everyone just stared at wide-eyed at this. Eventually, Shinji let out a sigh. "Well, let's get back to the point at hand. The Neo-Soul Society. What does everyone here make of them?" he said.

Renji was the first to speak up. "Well, while I don't necessarily want them to win I can perfectly understand where these guys are coming from," he said.

"Captain Abarai, how dare you!" Soi Fon yelled, "These are people bent out for nothing more than our complete destruction and wish to turn the Soul Society into their own twisted ideal of perfection! They cannot be allowed to win!"

"It's about more than just that," Renji said calmly, "Among their ranks they have Shinigami (or at least Shinigami-like beings), Quincys, Hollows, and Fullbringers. Now, question: what do at least 2 of those have in common?"

"What?" Soi Fon asked.

"Shinigami have hunted them," Shu replied casually. Startled Soi Fon turned to Shu.

"Exactly," Renji said, "I expect in some capacity that we are not aware of the same can be said for the Shinigami in their ranks. We've hunted down, trampled over, and killed who knows how many Quincy and Hollows over the years."

"Let's not forget the Fullbringers," Yoruichi said.

"That's ridiculous!" Soi Fon yelled, "There have never been any large battles or wars between Shinigami and Fullbringers!"

"Th-that is where you are wr-wrong Captain," a scraggly voice said.

"Captain Kuchiki you're up!" Hanatoro noted, "Here, let me-"

"No," Byakuya interrupted, "I can sit myself up." And with much effort that was clearly painstaking for him he rested his back against the wall. "As you all know the job of the Kuchiki Household is to maintain the Historical Records of the Soul Society," he explained.

"Yes," Isane said, "That was how we learned of the Bounts."

"Well, one day as I was going through the archives in my leisure I came upon a small entry that mentioned a war with beings who "manipulated the world with a green light"," Byakuya said.

"I remember seeing that too," Shunre noted.

"You," Captain Soi Fon noted, "Why were you going through the Kuchiki Archives?"

"I let him," Byakuya said, "Now, back to the matter at hand. While it didn't say much about this war I was able to learn that there were many casualties for the Shinigami in it, around 3,800 or so from what it looks like. And considering that back then there were only around 4,500 of them that's a large chunk of our forces."

"How many on their side?" Yoruichi asked.

"Fifty," Captain Kuchiki supplied, "Out of a hundred."

Everyone collectively held their breath at that.

"How did we win?" Renji asked.

"What makes you think we won?" Byakuya asked.

"Y-you m-mean we we we-" Soi Fon stuttered.

"Lost? Yes, we lost that war," Byakuya said.

"Impossible," she breathed.

"Even the Gotei isn't invincible, Captain," Shunre said, "Nothing really is." He looked up at the barely lit ceiling and closed his eyes in thought. "Nothing is, in actuality. -\

Hueco Mundo

The Head General surveyed the sandy desert of Hueco Mundo atop a broken stonewall. He had his leg propped up and his lef dangling down as he looked across the sands. Beside him were two figures one male and one female. They both wore old, ragged cloaks so that you couldn't see their features at all. "Everything, no matter what will always die."

Shunre: No matter how hard as we fight.

HG: No matter how much you cry.

Shunre: The Romans fell.

HG: As did the Egyptians.

Shunre: Everything has a time.

HG: No matter how much you try.

Shunre: You can…

HG: …never stop…

Both: the Tides of Fate.

Zoom out to see that the Head General is sitting on a broken wall of the Coliseum City Myrinon. The location of the Gotei 13's founding. Surrounded by the sands of Hueco Mundo.

Author's Notes: Done. Tell me what you think of this guys! Vladimir Black belongs to Antex- The Legendary Zoroark. That's all Callian31 signing out!

Translations:

Divina Oblivionem- Divine Oblivion

Angeli Gladios- Angel's sword

Aqua Hastam- Water Spear

Shinisou is the point where someone is just about to die

Seishin Kabe means spirit wall