Author's Note: I finally had time to write a new chapter. It really has been too long. I know many of you who have been patiently awaiting the next chapter are probably upset with me for taking so long, and I really do apologize. Anyhow, we have a review!

Arcawolf: Thanks for pointing out the formatting issue. I went back, and it should be fixed now. I really should go back and read my writing, but I have extremely low self esteem, and fear that it is terrible. At some point, I'll go back and read it, but until then, I hope you'll continue to help me improve. As for the other thing you talked about, while I agree, it's easier said than done. The only writing styles I have ever been taught are essays, so this is a learning experience for me.

Anyways, now for what you have all been waiting for.

Chapter 25

With a quick spin, Takeshi mercilessly sliced through dozens of surrounding Hollows, causing gore splattering every which way. "With the extra weight Izuru gave my Bankai, I can really put a lot of power into my swings." As he said this, he slashed a deformed bear-like Hollow from shoulder to hip. Alone, the wound would not have been life threatening, but because of the sheer force behind the hatchet, the rest of the creature simply crumpled away. With a maniacal grin, he added, "We should team up more often."

Izuru was in a similar situation, but he felt somewhat differently about it. "I'm not too sure about that." He blasted a Hollow with a quick Hadō, then sidestepped another, catching it's head on the "hook" that formed on the end of his blade, decapitating it. "If I was dragged into to many battles like this with you, I think I would go insane." He back pedaled to avoid a slash attack, then shot a Hadō spell at his assailant.

Sending a small group flying with the flat of a broadsword blade, he gave his partner a shrug. "Probably. But what doesn't kill us makes us stronger." Thrusting his blade into an oversized crab Hollows head, he added, "Too bad these guys will never know." Then, he silently continued his rampage, flawlessly switching between weapons and fighting through the army of demonic creatures.

Shaking his head, Izuru turned back towards the legions of Hollows. They weren't going to stall themselves for time, now were they.

Standing amidst the thousands of Hollows was Rukia Kuchiki, doing her best to survive. Mumbling to herself, "This is ridiculous", she dodged a few tiny projectiles that had been fired by a strange shark Hollow that was floating in midair. The teeth it had shot at her quickly regenerated, much to her chagrin. "You're not the only one with ranged attacks. Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!" A blue flame erupted from her hand and blasted the Hollow and a few others behind it, leaving nothing but smoldering ash behind.

As she was distracted by the long-ranged attacker, several charged from behind. To their surprise, she showed no fear. Instead, she held out her Zanpakutō and called out," Some no mai, Tsukishiro!" She then lashed out, seemingly at nothing, and jumped away. A white ethereal circle appeared, enclosing a ten meter radius around where she had once stood.

Unfortunately for them, the would-be attackers were well within that range. After shimmering for a few seconds, a large column of ice grew up to the ceiling, putting the black obelisks to shame. Anything within that ten meter radius, be they in midair or on the ground, was frozen solid, left only to pray that the ice would melt. But fate had different plans for them, as the pillar cracked, then shattered into thousands of pieces, taking many unlucky Hollows with it to the abyss.

Rukia gracefully landed a fair distance away in another clearing in the legions of Hollows, panting heavily. Holding up her Zanpakutō, she stated, "Maybe now you will think twice before recklessly attacking."

But she would not be given the reprieve she so desperately craved. Seemingly all at once, they charged once more. Doing her best to fend off their relentless onslaught, she received her first wound, a slash across the hip. It wasn't too deep, but it was enough to impede her movements.

She once more yelled out, "Some no mai, Tsukishiro!", and leapt away, the gargantuan pillar of ice reaping many lives. As she once more landed in the hoard, she could only hope that her brother would hurry, as someone of her skill level could not last too much longer in this kind of combat.

As Byakuya flash-stepped onto the obelisk "stage" that had been created for the speech, he was assailed by the many Adjuchas that had been on guard duty. Upon sweeping the hilt of his blade in their general direction, they were overcome by a swarm of microscopic blades that, even in this bleak light, shone a brilliant pink. When the "flowers" had passed by, nothing remained.
Save one Vasto Lorde, looking dangerously angry.

Byakuya glowered at him, beckoning Senbonzakura to come together with the hilt to put his Shikai into Zanpakutō form. Solemnly, he addressed the new, worthy adversary. "So, you are the one who wishes to organize the forces of Hueco Mundo and attack the Seireitei. I thought you Vasto Lorde usually kept to yourselves. Why would you be so openly hostile?"

The Hollow regarded him for a moment before cackling. "Because, the new king of. Hueco. Mundo, Sosuke Aizen, promised to make me one of his Espada if I led a large scale attack on the Soul Society." Then he bum rushed Byakuya, going for an early kill.

Byakuya caught the creature by the beak, then curiously gazed upon the fluid pouring out of it. "Poisen. I see. However, you'll not get the chance. You are far to slow." He turned his Zanpakutō, blade facing down, then dropped it. Just before it hit the ground, he whispered, "Bankai."