Orihime and Ichigo were trying to avoid being crushed by the falling rocks that Ikikaera set to collapse on them.

"Head for the exit." Ichigo said. They used the flash step and were able to get out before the entire cave came crashing down on them. "Is everyone okay?"

"I think so." Orihime said.

"Ichigo, Orihime." They all looked to the side and saw Rangiku and Haineko.

"Rangiku, you were able to make it out!" Orihime said with joy.

"Where's everyone else?" Hogohana said.

"We all got separated when that cavern started to break apart." Haineko said.

"Everyone is still alive. They're just finishing things up on their end with their zanpakuto." Rangiku said. "What happened just now?"

"Ikikaera fooled all of us. He is on his way to the World of the Living and straight to Karakura Town right now." Zangetsu said.

"The World of the Living?" Haineko said.

"Why would he be heading there?" Rangiku said.

"To gain power the likes of which could be devastating if he gets his hands on it." Zangetsu said.

"I'll send a hell butterfly to Lieutenant Kuchiki and Abari to intercept him in Karakura Town." Rangiku said.

….

Karakura Town

A senkaimon opened up above Karakura Town. Ikikaera, Raika, and Kyoka Suigetsu emerged from it and stand over the city.

"So this is Karakura Town?" Ikikaera said.

"This is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes." Kyoka Suigetsu said.

"Enough with the sightseeing. We came here for one reason." Raika said. "So where do we head from here?"

"Just follow me." Ikikaera said. He led the way through the skies and went to the outskirts of the city. They were a few miles out of the city's limits and landed down on the ground. "This is it. I can feel the remains of the Final Getsuga Tensho still in the area. Once I absorb all of it, there isn't anyone that can stop me."

"Watch out!" Raika said as he blocked an arrow heading for them. All three of them turned around and was faced against Uryu.

"I take it you three are the special guests." Uryu said.

"Who is this? He doesn't look like a soul reaper." Ikikaera said.

"That's because he's not." Kyoka Suigetsu said. "I know who you are. Your name is Uryu Ishida. You're a quincy."

"A quincy? What the heck are those?" Raika said.

"Basically, the mortal enemies of soul reapers that's practically extinct. However, this one is different since he's been caught in situations and have taken the soul reapers side." Kyoka Suigetsu said.

"How do you know about me? Who are you?" Uryu said.

"I know you through my master." Kyoka Suigetsu said.

"Master? Are you three the zanpakuto I've heard about?" Uryu said.

"Correct. I am Kyoka Suigetsu, the zanpakuto of Sosuke Aizen."

"Aizen?! Not him again." Uryu said.

"My name is Raika."

"And I am the mastermind, Ikikaera. This is the first time I've met a quincy. Why have you come all the way out here?"

"I heard that someone from the Soul Society came here and I came to investigate." Uryu said. "Now, why are you here?"

"I don't really have to explain myself to the likes of you. Be a good boy and stay out of my way." Ikikaera said.

"Sorry, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen." Uryu said as he pulled back another arrow. Raika actually seemed interested in this one.

"I'll handle this one. I never fought a quincy before when Shusuke was alive. I want to see what they're all about." Raika said.

"Very well. Make sure that he doesn't interfere." Ikikaera said as he and Kyoka Suigetsu moved away from them.

"Hold it." Uryu said as he fired his arrows at them.

"Sever!" Raika said. He jumped in front of the arrows and swung his sword and used his flames to deflect all the arrows. "You're gonna have to get through me first."

"That can be arranged." Uryu said.

…

The Soul Society

Rukia, Renji, and Chad were in Squad Four's barracks as Karin have made a full recovery and was back on her feet again.

"How are you feeling?" Rukia said.

"Much better. Especially since I have my zanpakuto back." Karin said.

"And we're glad to be back." Yasashi said.

"Speak for yourself." Ikari said.

"Hey, look." Monkey said as they saw one of the black butterflies that soul reapers use. It landed on Rukia's finger and she received the message from Rangiku.

"Oh no." Rukia said.

"What is it?" Sode no Shirayuki said.

"Is something wrong?" Renji said.

"We've got to get to Karakura Town. Ikikaera is there and from what this message says, we're in a dire situation. Ichigo and Orihime will meet us there." Rukia said. All of them understood the situation and headed out.

…

Uryu

While Ikikaera was trying to gain access to the remaining reishi of the Final Getsuga Tensho, Uryu had to fight his way through Raika. Both of them raced against each other as Uryu fired arrows, but Raika used his weapon to block each of his arrows.

'I have to end this quickly. I don't know what that other zanpakuto is up to, but I need to end this fight now.' Uryu thought. He fired a barrage of arrows in three different directions.

"I'm over here. You need to work on your aiming." Raika said.

"You think so?" Uryu said and had all the arrows bend and strike at him.

"Bankai!" Raika said as he twirled his weapon around and it transformed as fire gathered around it. "Raika Goen Kaku." His weapon completely changed and blocked all the arrows. "Let's turn up the heat." He turned his weapon over and had it an intense flamethrower, but Uryu avoided it. "Going somewhere?" He used the flash step to appear above Uryu and swung his weapon down. Uryu used his bow as a shield to try and block him as he was plummet to the ground.

"Uryu!" Uryu looked to see Rukia and the others arrive.

"It's about time." Uryu said as he got up. "Listen, I'll take care of this one. You need to go after the other two and stop them from whatever it is they're up to."

"Got it." Rukia said and they went after Ikikaera.

"There ain't no way in hell you can defeat us so easily." Raika said.

"We'll see about that." Uryu said. As for Ikikaera, he found the perfect place for him to absorb all that power. He held out his arms and took in deep breath and could feel the spiritual energy around the area.

"Yes, this is perfect." Ikikaera said.

"Ikikaera!" He turned his head and saw Rukia and all the others coming his way and he groaned out of annoyance with them being here.

"Like the roaches they are they just keep coming back. Kyoka Suigetsu, get rid of them." Ikikaera said.

"With pleasure." Kyoka Suigetsu said. Rukia and the others raced to him, but Kyoka Suigetsu stood in their way. "Going somewhere?"

"You must be Aizen's zanpakuto." Chad said.

"We can't afford to waste any time on him. As soon as you see an opening to get pass him, take it. Ikikaera is our real target." Renji said.

"As if I allow that to happen." Kyoka Suigetsu said and all of them moved into attack. Chad and Yasei Senshi were the first ones to attack him. Both of them swung their maces, but Kyoka Suigetsu jumped back from them.

"Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren!" Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki attacked together as they unleashed an avalanche of snow, but Kyoka Suigetsu levitated over it.

"Roar!" Renji and Zabimaru both attacked as their zanpakutos stretched out, but he blocked them both.

"Karin, go!" Renji said and Karin with her zanpakuto moved past them. "Move in!" All of them were about to go in, but Kyoka Suigetsu reappeared in front of all of them.

"Attack!" Rukia said.

"Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren!"

"Roar!"

"Dairekuto!" All of them attacked together and it looked like they all hit Kyoka Suigetsu, but then something strange happen. All of them felt slashes against them and all of them were down.

"Pathetic. Have you forgotten who I am?" Kyoka Suigetsu said as he was unharmed. He noticed that Karin were just about at Ikikaera, but he wasn't going to allow that to happen.

"Watch out!" Ikari said as he held up his sword to block Kyoka Suigetsu, but the impact alone was enough to send him and Yasashi flying.

"Out of the way." Karin said as she tried, but he blocked her.

"It's hard to believe you're related to Ichigo Kurosaki. You don't even have half of his power." Kyoka Suigetsu said. All it took was one swing from his sword and to make contact with Karin's weapons to send her flying. Ikikaera focused all his power and spirit energy began to be visible as the black color of some were starting to come out of the ground.

"Oh no." Uryu said as he saw what was happening and was about to stop it.

"Don't even try it." Raika said as he attacked him again, but Uryu ducked from his attack.

"Come to me the black of the moonless night." Ikikaera chanted. "Lend me your strength and spread darkness into the way of the sun." All the black spirit energy gathered into his body and all the power was becoming his.

To Be Continued…