Needless to say, Ichigo was slightly unnerved to be back in the training room underneath Urahara's Shop. This was where he'd first Hollowfied, after all, and he did find it ironic that this would be where he would try to get rid of it.

"It's been a while since I've been here," Shinji said, his voice echoing. "I remember when Kisuke put this in, actually. It was a quite an undertaking, if I recall correctly. He claims to have built it in a day and a night."

Hiyori groaned, "Why couldn't we use OUR underground trainin' room? Why'd we have to use ol' Hat'n'Clog's place?"

"Would you stop your complainin'?" Kensei called out, his voice edged in irritation. "That's all you've been doin' today. Let's just do what we came here to do and be done with it."

Hiyori turned to Kensei, eyes dangerous. "Ya gotta problem with me, ya silver-headed turd?" she called back. If looks could kill, Ichigo thought, the both of them would be dead.

"Both you shut up," Shinji yelled, hand on his forehead. "We have very little time as it is." That's all that was being said in the past few weeks, just how little time they all had. It kept slipping through their fingers like water. The painted blue sky loomed above them silently, echoing their voices back to them. "Now, Ichigo," Shinji said, closer to Ichigo this time, "this is gonna be a very… risky undertaking. We're gonna have to attack it at the very core." He stretched one of his arms out, his hand inches from Ichigo's face.

Confusion and slight irritation came over Ichigo, who asked, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? The core?"

"You said the Hollow has been screwing with your head," Shinji elaborated. "So, it's clear that the source of your problem goes much deeper than your soul, but your very being and identity. The problem, I'm guessing, is that you don't even fully understand who you are." A white light began to emanate from the palm of his hand, nearly blinding Ichigo. Before the orange-haired human can ask anything further, the light overcame him and broke, his vision going black…

Standing over Ichigo's now-limp unconscious body, the Visoreds seemed to hold their breath. "And now," Shinji said, his tone even, "we wait." He leaned down, closing Ichigo's eyes with his hand.

Lisa shifted, her arms crossed. Her glasses covered the uncertainty in her eyes. "I hope this goes as well as you planned," she said. "Because I'd hate to see what your back up plan is to deal with him if he fails to properly deal with his Inner Hollow."

Shinji looked to her, their eyes meeting. "It won't come to that," he said. But deep down, even he was unsure. "Hachi, I'm gonna ask that you create a barrier around the kid."

Hachi seemed surprised at the request. "Ehhhh…" he hesitated, his hands unclasping from behind his back. This seemed like an unnecessary precaution, as the training ground was well protected.

But Shinji turned, his face very serious. "Don't give me that," he said. "It ain't cute for an old man to act so dumb. We don't want a repeat of what happened to Hiyori, do we? And while you're at it, you should bind him up as well." Without any more hesitation, Hachi clasped his hands in front of him, beginning his chant:

"Walls of iron sand, a priestly pagoda, glowing ironclad fireflies. Stand upright, silent to the end…"

From between his fingers, five glowing orbs floated upwards, forming a star formation above his hands. Suddenly a light appeared above Ichigo, and from there appeared five stone pillars bound by rope.

"Bakudo number 75, Gochūtekkan."

The pillars pinned Ichigo to the ground, the thud reverberating through out.

Nothing in Ichigo's inner world made sense. The tilted sky, the empty buildings that jutted from nowhere and reached for nowhere; it was all so out of place but oddly peaceful. It was like being at home, in a sad way. Ichigo blinked, looking around this foreign place, calling out, "Zangetsu?!" As per usual, he received no response from the gloomy man he knew to be his zanpakuto. But another voice did greet him.

"Well, well! Long time, no see, Ichigo!"

Ichigo whirled around, facing the screeching, arrogant pale doppelganger that had been haunting him for countless nights. From beneath his white spiky hair, the Hollow's golden eyes etched in black sclera glinted. "I've been hopin' you'd join me here! It's been borin'!" His smile was stretched thin, his teeth bared.

"Where is Zangetsu?" Ichigo called back, drawing his sword. "What have you done with him?" Ichigo was filled with frustration, as he hadn't seen Zangetsu in weeks.

The hollow's smile faded, his eyes drooping in disappointment. "Are ya really that stupid?" he asked. "What do ya mean where's Zangetsu? Haven't ya figured it out yet?"

Ichigo now looked confused. His sword raised and eyes narrowed, he asked, "What the hell are you talking about? Figured what out?"

The hollow erupted into maniacal laughter. His face was contorted as his raspy voice filled the air, echoing off the eerie buildings. "YOU REALLY ARE DUMB!" he shouted, his hand reaching behind him, a sword materializing in his hand. Ichigo's jaw dropped as he realized it was a duplicate Zangetsu in the Hollow's hands. "Ya fool," the hollow called out, his smirk larger now. "I AM ZANGETSU!"

Ichigo flinched, the words ringing in his ears. "No…" he whispered. It couldn't be true. There was no way a Hollow could be a zanpakuto. It made no sense. "You can't be Zangetsu! I know Zangetsu! You're just a Hollow, trying to twist me in your sick little game! I'll tear you out of me with my own bare hands if I have to!"

A strange look passed over the hollow's eyes, one of hurt. But it faded as quickly as it came, replaced by his psychotic arrogance. "Ya really know nothin' bout yerself," he mused. "Listen well, I'm only gonna tell ya this once! The thing ya call Zangetsu and I were once one and the same, 'cause we are the source of yer powers, Ichigo." Ichigo's eyes focused on the hollow's hands, watching as he began to spin the zanpakuto by its black cloth. The blade screamed in the air, adding an edge to the hollow's words. "But, as ya grew, so did I. And since ya decided to ignore me for the one ya falsely call Zangetsu, it was up to me to force you to face me." Grabbing the hilt, the hollow leveled the blade of the zanpakuto at Ichigo. "And only one of us is gonna make it out of here the King."

With that, Ichigo called out, "Bring it on, then!" Blade pointing upward, he bellowed out the call, "BAN-KAI!" The blade once more took on it longer, darker and more slender form, the chain rattling at the end of the hilt. "Tensa Zangetsu!" It was then, to his horror, that the hollow's blade took on the form of Tensa Zangetsu as well. "W-what…?" he stammered mere seconds before the hollow lunged, their blades crossing. "

Ya dunce!" the hollow shrieked. "I just told ya I'm Zangetsu! So, of course, I'd also be able to take on ya Bankai!" Sparks ignited from the pressure of the blades, their teeth gnashing. Ichigo pushed back, swiftly lifting the blade only to have it blocked once more by the pale opposite. With each strike, the pressure increased, and Ichigo felt himself gradually losing his footing.

"Ya think ya have this all figured out!" the hollow shrieked, eyes narrowed. "The old man told ya so many things, and yet he told you so little. Yet here ya are, hangin' on his every word!" Pushing his blade against Ichigo's, he took advantage of his waning stance and knocked him back. "PATHETIC!" The world turned on its side, and Ichigo plummeted downward, too stunned to cry out. The hollow faded from sight, his form waving between the furiously-flinging white ribbon at the end of his sword.

Colder and darker his world became, the blue sky fading. Ichigo was unsure how long he'd been falling, or what would be below. He'd never been this far in his own inner world. But here he felt numb, dissonant. His own thoughts began to feel like they belonged to another, an entity that was beyond his reach. The hilt of Tensa Zangetsu began to slip between his fingers, fingers stiffening. He couldn't move, but his mind was screaming at him. He needed to stop falling, to get himself together. He had to get this hollow under control. But he also couldn't shake the feeling that he was ignoring something important.

"Ichigo."

Zangetsu's voice filled his mind, resonating in the darkness that now engulfed Ichigo. Ichigo's eyes darted around in the pitch black, desperate. "ZANGETSU?!" he called out, arms outstretched. "ZANGETSU, WHERE ARE YOU?!" He sounded so close, and yet so far away. He felt he couldn't breathe, his lungs collapsing from the pressure of the air around him.

Zangetsu spoke again. "Ichigo, there are many things you don't understand, so many truths that lie within you that have yet to reach the light of day." It was then that Ichigo felt something grab him by the wrist, dangling him from somewhere unseen. Pain shot up in his shoulder and he let out a grunt. The hand that gripped his was strong but cold. "And many of these truths were thought to be of more harm than help to you."

Ichigo felt his heart racing, the blood rushing to his brain. Where the hell am I? he thought to himself. "What are you saying, Zangetsu?" he called out, his breathing heavy. "What are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything, Ichigo," Zangetsu replied. His voice came from in front of Ichigo, indicating that it was he who was holding onto Ichigo. "I simply decided to let you find the truth on your own terms. But it seems this puts you in a deadly predicament, now doesn't it?"

Frustration took over Ichigo as his body dangled, feeling his eyes tear up. "Just spit it out already!" he bellowed. "What aren't you telling me, old man?!" Silence ruled for a few seconds, the darkness thick with hesitation.

"The Hollow speaks true. He is, in fact, Zangetsu."

In his 15 years, Ichigo had only felt this feeling two times: the first when his mother had died and the second when first received his powers from Rukia several months ago. It was like a concrete wall slamming him into the earth. His ribs felt like they were jamming themselves into his lungs. Reality was becoming just that much more unbearable again. "What?" he managed, his voice hoarse. "What do you mean? What the hell are you talking about?"

The cold hand on his wrist tightened, pulling him upward. "Search your memory, Ichigo," Zangetsu replied. "Remember how your zanpakuto came to you, how it was presented. I never held the blade, for I simply cannot. I am not your sword, Ichigo."

"THEN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

His voice echoed in the inky black, anger and despair in his voice. Ichigo felt the tears threatening, his eyes burning. "WHO ARE YOU AND WHY ARE YOU HERE?!"

The old man's quite voice simply replied, "I told you who I am, Ichigo, as did Zangetsu. I screamed it to you from the moment you formed thought, from the moment this world came to be. I cried out to you until you opened your ears and you needed me most." Ichigo heard what sounded like water; angry, rushing water that was rising to meet them. "I am Zangetsu." It was then he fell, the hand on his wrist letting go, air rushing in his ears.

The water met Ichigo's back like concrete, the pain immense. He wasn't injured, no bones were broken, but he felt as if every atom in his body were screaming. The water was like ice, chilling him to the bone. His mouth filled with water, choking him as he fell downwards. The truth was tearing him apart.

"Ya hear that, King?" The hollow's voice filled his ears, somehow. "Does that prove anythin' to ya now?" Ichigo could say nothing, his hands at his throat. Could he drown in his inner world? What would happen if he did? Would he just Hollowfy? "Don't think that means I'm gonna let ya off so damn easy, got it?" A hand grabbed him by the throat, roughly pulling him out of the water. The blue sky greeted him once more, searing his eyes. Water dribbled from his mouth as he felt himself choking. His hands gripped at this Zangetsu's arm, struggling. Zangetsu's yellow eyes burned brightly, mocking the boy. "Ha!" he laughed, "ya still got some fight in ya! Things were lookin' a little bleak for ya, not gonna lie. It's good to see that yer gonna be fun to tear to pieces still." With little resistance, he threw Ichigo into one of the mysterious buildings, the impact creating a loud boom.

His throat free at last, Ichigo began to sputter, rubbing his neck with his hand. His other hand remained empty, as he had lost his blade in the water. He was utterly defenseless. "Where'd ya blade go, Ichigo?" the zanpakuto called out, venom in his voice. "Did ya lose that much faith? Yer not even WORTHY of wielding me!" He appeared genuinely hurt and angry at Ichigo's apparent lack of motivation in this fight, thinking the revelation had withered his resolve. He'd destroy him for such cowardice. With spite burning in him, Zangetsu launched himself towards Ichigo, blade poised above his head. He was going to strike down the boy without mercy. A blade like himself would never be servant to someone so weak-willed…

"That's not the right blade, then."

Mere inches from where he believed Ichigo had been, Zangetsu heard Ichigo's voice from behind him. His body crashed into the building, dust rising upward. "What was that, Ichigo?" he sneered, regaining his composure. Standing opposite of Zangetsu, Ichigo's back was turned, eyes locked to the horizon. He remained still, his Shinigami robes tattered and torn, dripping with water. His hands remained at his sides, beads of water at the tips of his fingers. Zangetsu was unsure of what was going through Ichigo's mind. His blade remained raised.

Ichigo's head turned now, his brown eyes calm and serious. The sudden change in his demeanor threw off Zangetsu. "That's not the right blade," Ichigo repeated, his voice low. "If what you and the old man is telling me is correct, that isn't the right blade. Tell me I'm wrong."

Zangetsu's grin faltered again. "So," he replied, "Ya wanna see our true form then, eh?" The blade in his hand shone brightly, reflecting the solemn clouds that silently travelled around them. "Yer not worthy of that just yet."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Zangetsu's eyes remained passive, gauging the boy. "For the record," Zangetsu explained, "ya can't beat me now, in a form that ya thought ya understood. I doubt you'd be able to withstand against the old man. The two of us revealin' yer true zanpakuto isn't happenin' till ya can show us that yer worthy, brat. And, without a sword, that seems like yer in for a hellva ride."

"I see." Ichigo raised his hand, palm facing upwards and elbow slightly bent. "Hit me with all you've got, then."

It was taking all Love had to hold back Ichigo, his strength increasing as the Hollowfication continued. The boys' face was completely covered by his Hollow mask now, and his body was continuously forming Hollow armor. A tail had even formed on Ichigo. Gritting his teeth, Love pushed back against Ichigo, who zanpakuto had started to crack. This was getting worse by the second.

"How's it going in there, Love?"

Shinji stood at the edge of the barrier, his hands in his pockets. He was up next once Love's True Limit came to its end, and honestly he was dreading it. It would be his second go-round with Ichigo, and things seemed to be bleak.

Love turned his head, his face drawn in a scowl. "Not great," he called back quickly. "It looks like I'm gonna have to Hollowfy again."

A Hollowfied Ichigo hissed, his breathing raspy and shallow. He saw this as an opportunity to attack Love, pouncing. "ORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" His screams filled the air as his blade crossed with Love's. The Vizored gasped, seeing how close he'd been to death.

"Dammit," Love hissed, pulling his Hollow mask out now. It was time to get serious again. Two small horns poked from the forehead of his mask, his eyes peering out from heavy eye sockets. "Hopefully I won't have to use Bankai again..."

"He's a fool to think if he thinks that," Rose commented, pulling his headphones out. "The kid's spiritual pressure is increasing at such a high rate, I wouldn't be surprised if the ceiling starts caving in."

Lisa nodded, her eyes grim. "How long do you think he'll last, then?"

Rose shook his head, watching the two fight in the barrier. "It's hard to say," he replied. "But I believe this could go on for several more hours. Perhaps... days."

"Days?!" Lisa exclaimed. "Wouldn't Ichigo die from that much exposure to his Hollowfied state?"

Hachi interjected, placing a hand on Lisa's shoulder. "If it goes on for a few more days, Ichigo will definitely be lost," he explained. "But, I believe for now, he's still in there, fighting as hard as he can."

Ichigo's body was almost completely Hollowfied, his screams echoing throughout the training room. The Visoreds watched on, agitation and fear gripping them.

Hopefully, this wouldn't go on for much longer...

"ARE YA MOCKIN' ME, ICHIGO?!" the zanpakuto called out, his eyes bright with rage. Had the boy lost his mind? Without a blade, Ichigo would perish, and all that he loved and cherished would be stripped away. In short, his spirit would Hollowfy and he would kill everyone. It wasn't that Zangetsu was concerned about the safety of Ichigo's loved ones, but he questioned the very sanity of the one he considered his King. How was he planning on winning? Ichigo's eyes were expressionless, his hand still stretched outwards, an invitation. With a tsk, Zangetsu leaped forward, this time determined not to miss his mark. If Ichigo went down, then all hope was lost…

Like a sharp breath, the blade passed through Ichigo's torso, ripping all the way out his back. Blood cascaded down the blade, and Ichigo felt blood gushing up his throat. He sputtered, coughing up the dark liquid. Zangetsu's face was in front of his, solemn and grim. "Ya damn idiot," he growled. "What were ya trying to accomplish? Did ya have a death wish all this time?"

Blood still trickling from his lips, Ichigo grinned, confusing the zanpakuto. "You said I needed a blade, didn't you?" Ichigo asked, his voice raspy. His hand wrapped around the thin white blade of Tensa Zangetsu, the blade quickly turning black in his palm. Realization suddenly overcame Zangetsu's face. "Well, seems I've found one." With a brutal kick to the torso, Ichigo knocked Zangetsu away from him, sending him several feet away. He pulled the zanpakuto from his gut, the black blade still slick with blood.

Zangetsu couldn't believe that the boy standing before him was the same Ichigo he had been fighting from the start. The boy he'd toyed with for the past few months had been scared, hiding behind the old man like a child. The Ichigo that stood before him was more like a man, strong and determined. They hadn't crushed his spirit like Zangetsu had thought, but rather fueled him. His brown eyes were fierce. "Now it looks like you're the one without the blade, Zangetsu," Ichigo taunted, his lips taut in a confident side smirk.

"Did ya forget?" Zangetsu scoffed. "I am a blade!" In his hand a new blade appeared, the same form of Tensa Zangetsu appearing.

"Well then, prepare yourself," Ichigo called out, raising Tensa Zangetsu. "This time, I'll hold nothing back!"

Zangetsu laughed, "BOUT FUCKIN' TIME!"

The two leaped into the air, their forms zipping in the gap between. A terrible clang resounded as the blades clashed. Their movements matched, and their speed did as well. The clink of the chains at the end of their hilts were the undertone of their swordplay. Ichigo felt the hilt in his hand become lighter, easier to swing as his opponent brought wave after wave of attacks. Despite the confidence on the zanpakuto's face, Ichigo felt that each swipe, jab and parry held a little reluctance, which he found strange and confusing. No longer did he find that he had to push against a force of terror and destruction, but against something that seemed like it wanted to be defeated.

"What's the matter?" Ichigo asked through crossed blades, the screech of blades ringing. "Are you losing your drive now, or are you finally getting tired?"

"What the hell do ya mean?!" Zangetsu spat. "Are ya tryin' to insult me, boy?" He pushed back against Ichigo, swinging his blade back in the momentary space between them. Flashing away, he attempted to come from behind Ichigo, blade swinging horizontally, aimed to Ichigo at the waist. Ichigo matched the move, blade vertical.

"Not really," Ichigo countered. "But for someone who's adamant about trying to defeat me, you don't seem as motivated as I thought you'd be."

Zangetsu's eyes flashed, a grin on his face. "Ah, so ya want me to be brutal with ya, is that it?" he screeched. "WHY DIDN'T YA JUST SAY SO?!" Swinging the blade upward, the zanpakuto began to glow brightly, black energy pulsing bright red. The Getsuga Tensho ripped through the air, causing the building beneath their feet to crumble and crack.

Ichigo braced for the impact, screaming out, "Getsuga Tensho!" The energies met in the middle, a terrible shudder ripping through the air as they dissipated into nothingness.

"Just as I thought!" Zangetsu mocked, "Yer skill's are lackin'! I ain't gonna serve a king with such little ability!"

"Why do you call me that?" Ichigo called out. "Why do you call me a king?"

"Ichigo, tell me," Zangetsu began, "what is the difference between a king and his horse?" Before Ichigo could voice his confusion, their blades collided once more, knocking Ichigo back a bit. His confidence was waning slightly. Gritting his teeth, he pushed against Zangetsu, whose face was mere inches from his. "Ya not sure, I'm guessing?" he hissed. "Let me show you, then!"

In mere seconds, it was Byakuya Kuchiki that Ichigo was staring down, his expressionless face peering through their crossed blades. "BYAKUYA?!" Ichigo shouted, startled. The air was filled with a thousand glowing swords, lined perfectly like a million headstones. This was just like their fight in the Soul Society. "Byakuya, what are you doing here?" The Captain's face showed no indication of a reaction, their blades swinging as if they had been fighting this whole time. Fear began to cloud Ichigo's vision once more.

"Where is your fighting spirit, Ichigo Kurosaki?" Byakuya asked, his voice even.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo said through gritted teeth. "How are you even here?"

Byakuya ignored the question. "How do you expect to defeat me with no fighting spirit?" Swiftly, Byakuya's blade slipped through, slashing through Ichigo's chest.

"Yeah, Ichigo," came the voice of Kenpachi Zaraki. Behind Ichigo, his tall figure loomed over the boy, who was reeling from the illusion of being slashed, "Did ya forget just what it was that gave ya the ability to win?" Zaraki's long, jagged blade hurled towards him now, cutting through him. Even though neither of the slashes had actually caused him damage, Ichigo felt a sharp impact on him, depriving him of oxygen. These were battles he'd already won, why was he unable to defeat them now? What was this?

"It seems that, despite all yer victories, ya don't even know the fundamentals behind your abilities." Zangetsu's voice was tinged with disappointment. And here he thought Ichigo had learned something moments ago.

Ichigo scoffed, his eyes searching for the zanpakuto. "What do you mean?" he yelled. "How could I not know?"

Appearing from above, Zangetsu's blade met with Ichigo's again. "Boy, ya don't even fully comprehend what ya are," he shrieked, "Let alone understand yer own abilities!" The pressure of the blades against one another, causing Ichigo's arms to shake. "Let me tell ya," Zangetsu continued. "The difference between a King and his horse boils down to one simple thing…" Ichigo twisted his body, reliving the pressure by letting the swords push down towards the ground. "

Oh?" he hissed. "And what is that?"

"INSTINCT!"

In one final and brutal swing, Zangetsu brought his blade upward, aiming for Ichigo's middle again. But this time it was only met with empty air. Zangetsu whirled around, realizing that Ichigo was behind him now, blade now plunging into his torso. Ichigo watched as Zangetsu's face tensed in pain, the white robes he wore slowly turning black. "You're right, Zangetsu," he said, calmly. "I've been constantly losing faith in my own instincts and forgetting my will to fight. You're not the only one who's mentioned this." He thought of Rukia, who had screamed at him during his reluctant fight with the hollows weeks after his defeat with the Espada. "And, honestly, I understand why you wouldn't want to serve someone so weak-hearted and pliable like that. But now, I have a lot to fight for, and I can't let you win. At least, not now. Too much is at stake."

Robes completely black now, a small smile appeared on Zangetsu's face. It was a different sort of smile, not kind, but satisfied. "Well," he said, his voice low now. "You may have defeated me, but rest assured, if you let your guard down for one second, I will not hesitate to try and regain control. A king cannot be weaker than his servants…" It was with these last words that Zangetsu faded into dust, his form disappearing.

"Ichigo." The voice of the older man rang through the air this time. Ichigo turned his head, eyes filled with distrust.

"What do you want, old man?" Ichigo called back. He turned fully towards this Zangetsu, arms hanging loosely at his side. Tensa Zangetsu remained in his hand, the long blade barely grazing the ground. "Are you finally going to tell me everything? Are you going to show me the blade's true form? Or are you going to still hide it from me?"

Zangetsu's eyes closed, the orange-tinted glasses glinting a little. "I understand your distrust of me, Ichigo," he replied. "But, for now, I cannot show you your blade."

Ichigo's face became angry. "And why not?" he demanded. "Why are you hiding it from me?"

Zangetsu simply responded, "You are not ready for it yet. Your time will come, but for now, you must master what you have now. An unstable foundation will make for a weak structure. For now, return to your friends. Train. And when the time comes, you will know."

Before Ichigo could protest, he felt himself being drawn away, his consciousness fading out from the clouds and the black-clad man who hovered there…

Two days had passed since the Vizoreds had entered Urahara's training ground, the constant procession and changing of members who were fighting against the Hollowfying Shinigami. They were exhausted, with Mashiro and Love nearly passed out on the far side. Shinji's face was visibly contorted in irritation and frustration. "How much longer can we keep this up?" he asked Hachi.

The pink haired man's face was tired, with deep dark circles under his kind eyes. "I can't keep this barrier up for long," he replied. "And the restraints are basically eradicated."

Shinji sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that," he said. "If this keeps up, I guess we're gonna have to… to kill him."

Hiyori was in the barrier for now, avoiding Ichigo's attacks. His body was covered in white Hollow armor, a large hole widening in his chest. She grunted in anger. "DAMMIT, KUROSAKI!" she screamed at him. "WILL YA HURRY IT UP?!"

Ichigo's Hollowfied mouth opened in response, but the only thing that emerged was the start of a Cero, building up energy, rotating. Hiyori's eyes widened. At this range, a Cero would tear her apart. She needed to brace for impact or fatally wound him to prevent him from firing it. Before she could make her decision, however, the Cero imploded, his armor shattering around him.

From there, the only thing of his Hollowfied state that remained was the complete Hollow mask that covered his face. The Visoreds watched in shock, watching him collapse to the ground, his mask falling from his face.

"D-did he win?" Love called from his resting spot. "Are we done here?"

Shinji, still shocked, nodded. "It sure seems like it, and just in the nick of time."

Kensei scoffed. "It's about damn time!"

Silently, they all agreed with that sentiment, nearly all of them ready to collapse in exhaustion…