(A/N: Hey, how ya doing? So I finally decided to write this out. It took me a lot longer than I would've liked. I can't wait until I can get into the actual warfront. *sigh* Enjoy.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Tales of Symphonia

3rd Person pov

With the proper modifications made to the Dual Senkaimon, Ichigo and company were sent through to the world of Aselia. Urahara sent them to the Renegade base along with some high tech gizmos for Yuan to allow direct flow of personnel between Yuan's portal and Urahara's Senkaimon without delay.

Yuan was pleased to see and hear that his old friend was putting his foot down and fighting for the planet he once called home.

"Yuan, while we've got your attention, there's a matter we'd like to discuss," Pronyma said in the middle of the conversation. "Where's Nel?"

"Nel left on an important assignment to gather information in Hueco Mundo for Urahara, or so Yoruichi told me. She'll be back when she's done. Why?"

"Wait wasn't Nel given this assignment yesterday then?" Ichigo asked.

"Are you suggesting something might be holding her up?" Yuan asked. "Reconnaissance takes a while, not that I'd expect a tactless individual like yourself to understand that."

"Hey, I can be plenty tactful when I want to," Ichigo argued.

Sheena put her arm out in front of Ichigo as a silent signal that this was not a battle worth fighting.

"To get back on the original point," Mithos said, "Due to complicated matters, we were wondering if you and Nel might be willing to take Derris-Kharlan into space."

"Why the wish for change?" Yuan asked.

"Her," Pronyma gestured to Kiku.

"I'm afraid I don't follow," Yuan was understandably confused.

Pronyma gave him the short version.

"Right…I see. I shall talk to Nel about this when she gets back. Now then, I suppose I should be using this technology you've brought me to enhance the portal. You should all do what you came here to do." Yuan stated.

"Un." Ichigo nodded in agreement.

The group was about to leave when a communication came over the intercom. "Lord Yuan there are two humans requesting entry asking to use a portal of some sort."

"Let them in," Yuan ordered with a sigh.

"Yes sir," The generic subordinate responded.

"I really should stop disclosing the existence of the portal outside a need to know basis," Yuan sighed.

The two visitors turned out to be Marta and Emil. "Well looks like we're in luck," Marta said upon seeing Ichigo and Sheena in the room. "Just the people we wanted to see."

"This signature…" Mithos looked at Emil peculiarly.

"U-um…" Emil took half a step back.

"Your mana is unmistakably close to a Summon Spirit, but I've never known of a summon spirit that took a form in that of a teenage human," Mithos said. "How odd."

"He's the Summon Spirit I told you about in one of our conversations," Yuan said to Mithos.

"I see," Mithos now understood the situation, "So this is the vessel of Ratatosk. But then why is his signature not exactly like that of a summon spirit?"

"Emil and Ratatosk are one in the same being, but through the use of the power of the Summon Spirit Verius they split themselves into two beings. Emil is Ratatosk, but at the same time he only holds a fraction of Ratatosk's power within him, while Ratatosk himself guards the Ginnungagap in his true form," Marta explained.

"And that's part of the reason why we came here," Emil said and looked at Sheena and Ichigo. "We need you two to come with us to help form a pact with Ratatosk."

"Not a problem." Ichigo said. "You can count on us."

"By the way," Marta said looking at Mithos and Pronyma. "Who are you two? You still haven't introduced yourselves."

"Marta, Emil," Ichigo said, "This is Mithos Yggdrasil, the leader of Cruxis."

"The hero Mithos?" Emil was wide eyed with awe.

"And this is the former leader of the Desians and Mithos' closest companion, Pronyma." Ichigo introduced.

"Desian?" Marta still working on getting over her phobia of half-elves. For Ichigo to suddenly refer to Pronyma as a former Desian was a little jarring to the Brunette.

"Marta…is something wrong?" Kiku asked her.

In the entire time they had known each other Kiku had never spoken directly to Marta. She had always spoken in generalities or to give insight, but she had never said anything directly to Marta. Marta was a little shocked by this.

"Marta," Sheena spoke up, "I suppose this will come as quite a shock to you. It was a little bit of a shock to me too. Kiku is a half-elf and Pronyma is her adoptive mother."

Again, Marta was floored. "I…I don't know…what to say." Her response wasn't one of fright or anything negative, but of pure, untainted, surprise. Despite her phobia, Marta wasn't one to judge a book by its cover so just because Kiku was a half-elf it didn't mean that anything would come between the two. Now knowing that Kiku had a long lost mother, who was originally the leader of the Desians, it was so much information for Marta to take it that her emotions were having trouble deciding which one should be the most dominant in her mind.

"Look we can sort this out later," Ichigo said, impatient. "Let's get to Ratatosk and form the pact. I'd like to possibly not spend the rest of the time we have left here so that Kon doesn't screw up my college life too badly."

"I…can I have a moment to process all of this?" Marta asked.

"All right, but don't take too long," Ichigo told her.

Soul Society

Captain's Meeting

All the Captains of the Gotei 13 were assembled for discussion.

"Thank you all for arriving. Let us discuss the upcoming battle due to take place in less than a month. I have discussed the matter with Central Forty Six. Due to a little incident three years ago I know that several of you might be emotionally compromised in taking down former companions. Therefore, besides sending out Captains Stowa, Kurotsuchi and Atrumier to the front lines I am willing to take voluntary assistance from any captain who believes they can carry out these orders without remorse," Yamamoto stated.

Kenpachi spat. "Remorse and emotional ties are for chumps. I've got no problem with going out there and fighting. Some of those guys were strong and you can be sure I'll be more than happy to take them on."

"Very well, do I have any other volunteers?" Yamamoto asked.

"If it is the will of the Gotei that this must be carried out then I shall see it done," Soifon announced.

"Are you sure about that Captain Soifon?" Yamamoto asked her.

"I am," She answered. I will not be conflicted by emotions. I will follow orders. Aselia does not concern me. I will simply avoid seeking Sheena and Kiku on the battlefield.

"Very well, I am certain the five of you can handle the key personnel that would defend Aselia with their lives. Remember that this is for the good of the Gotei Thirteen and the Soul Society. Despite whatever connections any of you may have had to that world, its inhabitants are a threat to the Soul Society. With that said, you are all dismissed."

As the members of the Gotei shuffled out, May sidled up along Yosei. "Why isn't the Head Captain sending you out?" she asked. "You're not exactly tied to that world."

"News must travel slow," the black haired swordsman replied. "My division is on reserves so sending me out without my men would not be wise."

"I see," May said. "You lucked out then."

"Judging from your response I take it you also have a problem with this mission?" Yosei asked.

"There is something very wrong here about all of this. I don't know exactly what, but I aim to find out one way or another," May stated and walked away from the 3rd Division captain. Momo saw her leaving the barracks and paced herself right alongside her superior.

The Ginnungagap

Ichigo, Sheena, Emil and Marta stood in front of the door to Ratatosk's domain, where the squirrely spirit had met them before. "Ratatosk locked the room holding the Ginnungagap." Emil explained to Ichigo and Sheena. "So he sent his astral form to speak with Marta and me last time."

"Ratatosk, are you here?" Marta called out.

Orange spirit particles began to gather and Ratatosk emerged in his bestial form. "I am, and I see you've done as I requested. Are you ready to have me test your abilities?"

"Bring it on," Ichigo goaded.

"Very well then. Prepare yourselves," Ratatosk's form solidified. Before anyone had drawn their weapons he curled up into a ball and launched himself at his former companions at top speed. The four pact makers barely dodged his attack.

Although they were disoriented from Ratatosk's sudden assault, the group counterattacked quickly.

"Pyre Seal!" Sheena attacked Ratatosk with her seal charm.

Ratatosk slashed her charm card into shreds with his claws.

Ichigo came up from behind with his Shikai. Ratatosk repelled Ichigo's swing with energy by hardening the fur on his tail through the power of Solumn.

"Demon Fang!" Emil swung at Ratatosk from a distance. Ratatosk leapt into the air and over Emil's head. Ichigo had to use Shunpo to prevent Emil's attack from hitting him instead.

Upon landing, Ratatosk found himself in Marta's range.

"Petal Dance!" She shouted. Marta hadn't spent an entire year without Ratatosk's core not honing her skills. With fierce speed she spun like a top at Ratatosk's flank, attempting to make slash after slash along the Summon Spirit's body.

Ratatosk turned and blocked her attack with his claws. Ichigo came up from behind again to attack. Ratatosk dodged. Marta continued to spin until she got dizzy. Ratatosk took advantage of his opponent's disorientation and pounced.

"Havoc Strike!" Emil took advantage of Ratatosk's focus and managed to land a clean jump kick straight along the summon spirit's shoulder. Emil followed up his assault with another arte. "Heavenly Tempest!" He went spiraling through the air, blade in hand towards his other half. Ratatosk swung to knock Emil out of the air with his claws, but Sheena stopped him.

She used a special anti-spirit rope to bind Ratatosk's paw allowing Emil to slash right through his right shoulder. Ratatosk used his advantage in strength to pull Sheena towards him. As she went sailing through the air she flipped in the air and found herself directly above the Summon Spirit. She tossed several kunais at the citrus furred beast, but Ratatosk dodged her surprise attack by appearing to sink beneath the floor and then came out through a portal that seemed to open in midair and attacked Sheena with a claw swipe, knocking her to the ground.

However, Ratatosk left his back completely exposed, creating the perfect opening for a certain orange haired Soul Reaper. "GETSUGA TENSHO!"

Ichigo unleashed a fully charged moon fang and sent Ratatosk careening into the wall. He went over to Sheena and helped her to her feet. He stayed on his guard though, he knew that blow couldn't have finished Ratatosk.

He was right. Ratatosk was still kicking and was now on all fours. His tail stuck straight up and rattled. "I think it's time I turned things up a notch." His eyes gleamed and the fluffy spirit began to morph. A horn grew out from his nose and his eyes turned a wild yellow. His fangs grew sharper and all of his fur seemed to shine as if it was no longer fur, but a different consistency entirely. Ratatosk's body morphed as his the bone structure in his legs alterted themselves to make him a quadruped creature. Ratatosk's horns grew out to the sides and then stuck out straight forward, forming a right angle at the midsection. Their color morphed into the pale yellow color as his claws and nose horn and not gray like they were before. Two, large, dark brown, bat-like wings shot out of Ratatosk's back. Ratatosk reared back and let out a powerful roar, the pitch and tone was much greater and more terrifying than anything Athenos would ever have been able to muster. Sharp blades stuck out along the ankles of Ratatosk's feet. Ratatosk's body itself was as large and slender as the guardian of the Triet Ruins, back when it was used as a rite of passage for the chosen, Ktugatch.

"What the…" Sheena was taken aback.

"This is a special form I take when I am in battle. The seraphim of Cruxis had the power to defeat this form. Do you?" Ratatosk asked.

"Watch me!" Ichigo shouted and thrust out his arm front of him and grabbed his elbow. "Bankai!" Ichigo emerged in his Tensa Zangetsu form.

"Excellent, I expected no less from the one who taught me how to fight as a human. Master…no Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki. Show me your true power," Ratatosk demanded and roared.

"Gladly." Ichigo summoned his Visored mask. "Let's go Ratatosk!" Ichigo said and rushed at Ratatosk. The summon spirit met Ichigo's charge head on.

Ratatosk used his wing to block and fling Ichigo off him. He opened his mouth and fired a bright, orange-gold beam from it. Ichigo counted with his Getsuga Tensho.

While Ratatosk and Ichigo did battle, Sheena, Marta and Emil, clustered together, feeling sort of left out.

"Why does Ichigo always wind up taking battle into his own hands?" Marta complained.

"Well at least this means we don't have to do any fighting." Emil said optimistically.

Sheena answered Marta's question. "Ichigo's always seemed to have had a habit of making friends, enemies and rivals. He likes to challenge himself and enjoys taking on tough opponents with everything he's got with his pride on the line."

"Wow, I never realized it was like that. That's so chivalrous," Marta swooned.

The battle had now accelerated into midair.

As Ichigo charged forward, Ratatosk cast and unleashed the spell Eruption to stop his advancement only to get behind the young Soul Reaper and attack him with his claws. Ichigo turned on a dime and launched a Getsuga Tensho with a wrist snapping motion. His attack propelled Ratatosk through the air. The summon spirit flapped his wings to maintain balance before divebombing down towards Ichigo, encasing himself in Tonitrus' electrifying energy, creating a Sonic Boom as he broke through the speed of sound. Ichigo manged to stop the charge, but the following shockwave sent him slamming into the ground. Ratatosk charged another mouth beam and fired it at the ground.

Ichigo got up just in time to block the attack with his sword and deflected it away. He launched up from his position straight at Ratatosk, charging Getsuga as he did so. Ratatosk beat his wings, unleashing a very forceful gale at the young swordsman, attempting to impede Ichigo's progress.

He tore through it and got right within point blank range of Ratatosk before firing off his Getsuga.

Ratatosk took a heavy blow, but circled around Ichigo and smacked Ichigo with his reinforced tail, the fur of which was now quills. Ichigo took a lot of little puncture wounds from being swatted like that.

Both he and Ratatosk were in bad shape, but neither was going down without more of a fight. Ichigo took the initiative to attack again, Ratatosk blocked with his wing, but using the power of Verius' ring, which had been precariously placed on Ichigo's finger this whole time Ichigo used his willpower and determination to push himself harder, there upon slicing right through Ratatosk's wing. Ratatosk withdrew in pain from the assault on his appendage and tensed up his tail, firing his quills like a rain of arrows. Using the masterful speed granted to him by his Zanpakuto, Ichigo slashed through every last quill. Ratatosk, angered, charged forward at Ichigo at top speed.

I know this isn't his full power. Ichigo said to himself. This is just the power he can afford to use while taking this form while at the same time rewriting the laws of mana. Still, he's very strong. Thanks Ratatosk, for giving me a challenge. I haven't been able to go all out in a while. So thanks to you Ratatosk, Ichigo grabbed his blade with both hands and charged Getsuga into it, I'll be able to defend Aselia at full power. Over the loud roar of the bestial summon spirit Ichigo held Tensa Zangetsu high above his head and swung it down with as much force as he could while shouting. "GETSUGA TENSHO!" The attack ripped through Ratatosk and ended the battle.

Ichigo touched down on the ground and reverted to Shikai before putting Zangetsu along his back.

Ratatosk reformed himself in his original form to complete the pact. "I have been defeated and as such, my power is yours. Pact maker Sheena, on what vow shall our pact be made."

"For the sake of protecting Aselia from all who would choose to invade or destroy the life upon it, grant me your power," Sheena recited.

"Then upon that vow I shall offer you my power. Take care with it," Ratatosk told her and disappeared back into his domain, but not before Sheena received both his seal charm and his pact ring, which she gave to Emil as had been discussed on the way over.

"I think that's everything we can do in preparation for the war effort," Ichigo said. "Now it's just up to everyone to make sure all of Aselia comes together to defend this world."

"Ichigo, are you sure you want to take a side? These are your friends that you'll be fighting." Marta stated.

"I've gone against Soul Society on more than one occasion for the sake of what I believe in. I'd do a lot more than that if it were necessary. This is wrong. The world of Aselia has done nothing and the Soul Society wants to wipe it out. I'm not going to sit by and watch innocent people die. If that means I have to step on a few toes to get my point across then that's what I'm going to do." Ichigo defended his decision.

"Well, we're glad to have you on our side," Emil nodded.

"Thanks," Ichigo replied, "Now, let's go and see how things are coming along real quick so I can get back to campus to keep Kon's deconstruction of my reputation to a minimum," Ichigo stated.

In the days that followed the forming of the pact with Ratatosk, word spread about the war with the Soul Society. Most regarded it as a myth, but propaganda and speeches from iconic figures like the Chosen, President Regal Bryant, the King of Tethe'alla, and Lloyd Irving got people to realize the threat was indeed real.

The idea of half-elves and the elves themselves fighting the brunt of the war didn't sit right with many Tethe'allans, especially the nobles. Many half-elves were displeased with fighting a war to protect human life, besides their own, but with some clever words and proper advertising the rather vocal displeasure was turned into understanding, but disapproving murmurs.

When word about the hero Mithos descending from the heavens to fight this war and that he would be fighting alongside the hero of World Regeneration, Lloyd Irving, there was much rejoicing and morale skyrocketed. Mithos himself was quite pleased.

Armor and weapons were made at a steady rate and every able bodied half-elf was outfitted with armor and weapons. Even some of the elderly and some women and children volunteered to throw themselves at the Soul Reaper menace. The half-elves that were either unfit, or unqualified to fight, were asked to be lookouts and guides to safeguard civilians.

Many of the nobles, to their utmost displeasure, were levied with numerous taxes and fees to help supply the money needed for the war effort. To those who protested Zelos often made the query: "Would you rather be poor and alive or rich and dead?"

On one particular evening Zelos came home to see Seles out in the garden with a sword she had taken from his family's stockroom. She was practicing sword swings.

"Seles what are you doing?" Zelos asked.

Seles put the sword down and leaned on it. She looked at Zelos. "I decided I'm not going to be useless. I want to help you Zelos."

"Don't be stupid Seles, you can help me just by being here where you're safe," Zelos told her. "Besides you're human you can't…"

"Ice tornado!" Seles sent out a chilling wind at Zelos. He dodged to the side.

"Whoa! Seles…where did you learn to do that?"

"When I was under house arrest in that abby, The Pope had a Desian named Rodyle give me Aionis," Seles responded. "Rodyle said something about wanting to make me the chosen in place of you. Tokunaga helped me develop my abilities. And I've been practicing in secret ever since I moved back in with you."

"Man, we've killed Rodyle twice now and that freaky desian is still causing problems," Zelos exasperated. "Nevertheless, my answer remains the same. Seles, this is real war not some fairytale you read as a kid. There are no princes and damsels. All that exists in war is just blood, blood, and more blood."

"Need I remind you whose sword you've been borrowing for the longest time now?" Seles humphed.

Zelos dropped his hands at his sides. When Ichigo destroyed his sword he went and asked Seles for hers. It was their father's keepsake: the Last Fencer. He had no idea, at least up until now, that Seles had been actually using it. Zelos had let her have the sword when possessions were being dealt out because he felt it rightfully belonged to Seles, but when he went to fetch it he really needed a well-crafted sword.

"I'm joining this battle at your side and you can't tell me otherwise," Seles said.

"Were you always this stubborn?" Zelos asked. Seles frowned. "Fine, fine, you can fight, but don't overdo it. Stay where I can keep an eye on you."

"I shall," Seles asked.

"Good, now if you'll excuse me I need to get something to drink. Talking down nobles into paying their war effort taxes is thirsty business."

Weeks passed and finally the day of the battle was at hand. Mayuri had prepared a massive Senkaimon to deploy all of the Gotei's troops at once and had developed it to stay open in order to send reinforcements through. To make sure nothing would go wrong, Nemu would be staying on the Soul Society side of the Senkaimon while Mayuri was on the Aselia side.

Strangely enough to the Soul Reapers, Captain Talbumosuke Atrumier was missing in action. Shuhei spent all morning looking for him only to come up empty handed.

Head Captain Yamamoto, to rectify this development, was forced to send out Kira Izuru and a chunk of Squad Three as replacements as well as Komamura Sajin and much of Squad seven. Yosei made it clear he would only go out there himself if the battle proved to be truly an ordeal.

From this development Byakuya, and the other Soul Reapers who were against the war, were curious as to what Talbumosuke could possibly be up to.

Seeing as his squad wasn't going to be asked to deploy, Byakuya decided to pay a visit to the Atrumier family grounds to see if Talbumosuke was home. His father, Rehten, glad to see the head of the Kuchiki family for once, since it seemed to the lower noble that the head honcho was doing his job, answered honestly that Talbumosuke had left earlier that morning, Senna at his side.

"What possible purpose could your daughter have on a battlefield?" Byakuya asked. He wasn't even going to mention that Talbumosuke was missing. Rehten was being cooperative and Byakuya wasn't about to lose that edge.

"I could care less about that brat. She's not even our blood," Rehten scoffed. Byakuya restrained himself from choking the elderly assembly member.

Unable to squeeze any more information out of the head of the Atrumier family, Byakuya returned to his division.

Meanwhile, on what would soon be Aselia's battlefield, Mithos was giving a rousing speech to all of the soldiers that would be fighting under his command. Lloyd, Ichigo, and even Kratos and Yuan agreed that it should be Mithos who had top authority of the army.

"Despite what you may think, Mithos has leadership qualities that even I am envious of," Kratos had said. "I would not have followed him for so long if he could not lead."

To keep Mithos' anger in check Kratos was to serve as an advisor, having learned the valuable lesson from his son of the importance of admitting one's mistakes. Yuan was set up as the lead strategist.

Nel had yet to return from her reconnaissance mission, which worried Yuan, but he couldn't afford to spare any time or men to look for her.

"She's a tough one, she can take care of herself." The blue haired half-elf had answered when questioned.

As Mithos surveyed the battlefield of the army Lloyd and those he had formerly opposed three years ago helped to gather he stood at the center and rose into the air to give his speech so that all could hear him. "My fellow kinsmen," He spoke to the half-elves of the army. "For so long you have been told you were nothing. You have been frowned upon by society and many of our kind has died over the course of many centuries, but today that injustice will be rectified. I stand before you as a commander. You stand before me as volunteers. These spirits wish to take from us our home, our families and our lives. They have declared us all to be dangerous, seeking their destruction, but it is they who are dangerous. I will not stand for such a thing and neither should you. A month ago many of you were either wasting away in some laboratory, servants to some noble, or barely scrapping by in the slums of a well-developed city, but today you cast aside everything to fight for what you believe is right. Today your history means nothing. Today you are not civilians, you are soldiers. If you die, your memory shall be honored by the people of this world. If you survive you shall be remembered as a hero!"

A loud approving uproar sounded through the crowd.

"He's very well spoken." Regal commented.

"Didn't you expect anything less?" Kratos asked, showing an uncharacteristically enormous amount of pride.

"Quiet!" Genis whined. "I'm trying to listen."

"Four thousand years ago I saved this world from itself. Three years ago I was awakened and put back on the path of light. One month ago I learned of this injustice and now I stand here prepared to see this through to the end. Until the last soldier falls! Until the last house lies in ruins! Until our enemy gives up or lies dead at our feet. We! Will! Not! Give! Up!"

More cheering ensued. Mithos reveled in it. He was elated to be looked upon as a hero again, to have people revere his words. This was not like the Kharlan War or the four thousand years he led Cruxis with an iron first. He knew what he was doing this time. He knew his cause was just.

"Is it just me or is he enjoying this a bit too much?" Ichigo asked.

"It's been a long time since he was looked upon with such reverence," Yuan stated.

"This is his chance to redeem himself for his actions. He has our support and I think that means much more to him than he lets on," Raine commented. "If he gets a little carried away in the process, what harm is there in that?"

"Yeah seriouslym" Zelos spoke up. "He's rallying the troops and that's what matters. Our morale is high enough, but these half-elves probably haven't seen a weapon unless it was used to beat them."

Sheena whacked him over the head. "Don't say such insensitive things! I outta smack you!"

"You always warn me after you do it," Zelos whined.

"Focus," Rachel nagged.

"You are ordinary men, women and volunteers standing to defend what you hold close to your hearts. For that you would gladly throw your lives away and for those that will survive and for those who will give birth to generations to come. Those are the people who will look back on this day and remember your bravery. The humans have looked down upon us. But now see who are the ones protecting the world."

"Uhhh…maybe we should stop him before he says something he might regret," Serina said.

"Mithos knows what he's doing," Pronyma chimed.

"We shall redeem the names of the half-elves! The memory of the Desians shall be downcast with the memories of all of you who rallied together to defend yourselves and those who oppress you. We are fighting for those who are unable to fight in our place. We are not the scapegoats. We are not sacrifices. We are the defenders of Aselia!"

"Told you," Pronyma smiled. Serina sighed in contentment and folded her arms.

"We will not lose. We are not alone. We have the support of those who have saved the world twice now in the last three years. The same ones who put me back on the proper path. The Chosen fight with us. My old companions fight with us. The Hero of Regeneration, Lloyd Irving, fights with us. Even one of the enemy, Ichigo Kurosaki, fights with us, knowing that our extinction is wrong. Together we stand united! And together we shall win!"

Colette saw Lloyd's puzzled look. "What's wrong Lloyd?"

"I was just wondering about something," He looked at Raine.

"What about?" Emil asked him.

"Well the professor taught Genis, Colette and me about giving speeches. Mithos seems really…practiced," Lloyd stated.

"He didn't write it," Orihime said.

"How can you tell?" Uryu asked her.

Orihime clasped her hands over the center of her bosom. "Mithos' words come from within his heart. His passion and his love for this world are what give him the power to speak. His speech is his emotions given form."

"That's really poetic," Marta beamed.

"Yes," Presea agreed.

"Any moment now the enemy will come charging through to attack. We will push them back. We will show them that we will not give up our homes so easily. We will not lie like dogs and let ourselves be butchered like cattle. We will fight for our survival. We will fight for as long as it takes until the enemy gives up. United we stand under one banner. No matter our hometown and no matter our caste we fight together as one. We will win. We will prove that half-elves are not a blight upon this world. We will prove that all life on this planet deserves to exist. But most importantly, we will save Aselia!"

Mithos descended from the sky towards Lloyd and the others and there was cheering and chanting.

"That was awesome Mithos!" Genis praised.

"You certainly got the crowd going," Lavirna commented.

"Morale must be at its maximum. We're facing afterlife spirits with endurance surpassing that of normal limitations," Mithos answered.

Ichigo began looking around.

"What's wrong Ichigo?" Lloyd asked.

"I asked a group of people to lend us our aide, but I guess they must've forgot or something. Argh! You know what? That's the last time I asked that masked bastard for help! Can't be trusted to keep his own appointments!"

"And just who is this masked bastard you can't trust?" A familiar, accented voice stated.

Within a few short seconds, Shinji and the other Vizards appeared, but they weren't alone.

"Sorry I'm late, needed to hire a baby-sitter and Kisuke needed to fire up the Dual Senkaimon with a little more juice," Isshin stated.

Ichigo just grinned. "You guys are late. You missed Mithos' speech."

"No we didn't," Shinji smirked. "Guy was so loud you could probably hear from the nearby mountain range."

"Where's Yoruichi?" Lisa asked. "Wasn't she right behind us?"

As if on cue, said dark skinned former captain appeared. "You called?"

"Where'd you run off to?" Isshin asked.

"Kisuke said he needed me to wire up a few things at the Renegade base. We might need to send a small force into Hueco Mundo if necessary," Yoruichi explained.

"How come?" Ichigo asked.

"Urahara got a call from the Head Captain that Talbumosuke's abandoned his post. We haven't seen him so it's possible the guy's gone to Hueco Mundo. The giant Senkaimon the Gotei will be arriving in is going to be held open. It can activate as a two way gate. We all know, or should know, that this war is just a distraction for Talbumosuke to reach his ultimate goal. At some point we need to go to the Soul Society, get some help, and go after him." Yoruichi stated.

"Then it would be best if you and Ichigo went after the mastermind behind all of this." Kratos stated.

"I agree," Shinji responded. "Aselia will be fine with us guarding it. Even if the Soul Reapers overpower your rag tag militia here they'll be hard pressed to deal with the seven of us."

"I'm coming too!" Both Sheena and Raine said simultaneously.

"Sheena I can understand, but I'm a little confused about you Raine," Ichigo said.

Raine sighed. "I'm the reason all of this snowballed out of control."

"Professor you better not be…" Lloyd started to get riled up.

"I have no intention of sacrificing myself Lloyd, calm down," Raine told him. "I do not blame myself for what has happened, but my involvement with Byakuya started this entire charade which has gone completely out of control. I want to be there to help in any way I can. Beyond that, if any of you get hurt on any account I can heal your wounds instantaneously."

"Wouldn't that be more useful here though? There's going to be a lot of soldiers getting limbs hacked off." Shinji joked.

"You have Orihime for that." Raine stated. "She can help minimize casualties on our side. And I'm also sure there are plenty of half-elves and elves who can use healing magic besides me."

"The professor's got a point. We've got enough healers on this side to choke a dragon. Ichigo, Sheena and Yoruichi might as well have the best if they're heading out into enemy territory," Zelos pointed out.

"I'll have my men standby with a Garganta ready to open on a moment's notice." Yuan stated.

"Try to see if you can get a connection between here and Derris Kharlan. I'll try to see if I can't get some of the angels to come through for backup," Mithos stated.

"Will do," Yuan nodded.

"Everyone, as long as we are not under attack yet, I have something to say," Lloyd spoke up.

"What is it Lloyd?" Genis asked.

"It's just...I know that this is going to be harder than anything we've ever faced. I don't know if we'll all get through this in one piece. I hope we all do. I want all of us to, but I…you know."

"We get it, we get it," Zelos told him. "Go on."

"Right," Lloyd said. "And so I just want to say, for those of us who might not make it back, I want to thank all of you. I couldn't have asked for better friends." Everyone returned Lloyd's thanks with smiles, whether they were slight, wide, external or internal.

Shortly after Lloyd's brief speech a bright green light shot into the sky and widened into a circle with a diameter equal to the length of the Grand Tethe'alla Bridge.

"And so it begins," Mithos said and went to give the order for the war to begin.

"Raine, Sheena, let's go," Ichigo said. Sheena climbed onto his back and Raine climbed onto Yorucihi's and the four took off together to sneak around in a wide arc to get to the Soul Society.

"This is it," Lloyd said, drawing out his swords. "From this point onward we fight for Aselia's survival."

To be continued…

(A/N: Next time the war of the worlds kicks off. If you want any particular matchups, fluff ANYTHING that would not affect the main plot to happen let me know. I will do my best to make it happen and will let you know if I can do it or not. Till next time folks)