Thanks to Shuichi Akai, NorthernShinigami and Antex- The Legendary Zoroark for reviewing. A special thanks to Shuichi Akai for those omake.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter 28: Truth of the Sword
When Yumichika awoke, the first thing he noticed was the fact that he wasn't lying in a futon, but in someone's arms. The second thing he noticed was that everyone was there: Soul Reapers, Vizards, and now, Arrancars.
"Are you feeling okay?" Ikkaku asked.
"Yeah," Yumichika said. "I… I remember everything that happened. Everything."
"Yumichika," Rose sighed. "We're sorry we didn't tell you. We just wanted to protect you."
"That was a bit of an epic fail, don't you think?" Nnoitra scoffed.
Yumichika looked over towards the tall ex-Espada, and then towards Luppi.
"So," Yumichika said, "Yuki and Ren?"
The two of them looked towards him, and nodded their heads.
"Yeah," Luppi said. "Just remember, we never forgot you. Not even as ordinary Hollows."
"How does that even work?" Renji asked.
"When circumstances are met that would normally create a Void," Leva sighed, "and the soul becomes a Hollow, then that soul, even if it is devoured and forms part of another Hollow, will remain dominant. It's part of the whole 'never forgive, never forget' way of life."
Yumichika then looked over towards the red-haired Diablos, a certain memory surfacing.
"We've met before," he said. "Right before I went to the Soul Society and lost my memory. Zaya was the one that sent me there. Why didn't you say anything?"
"Would you have believed me?" Leva countered. "So, any questions?"
"Yes," Yumichika said. He took out his sword. "In the Soul Society, this blade became my Zanpakuto. But before that, Zaya gave it to me. Why?"
Leva smiled softly. A sad smile.
"You guys better get comfortable," she said. "Because this is a long story."
…
Ulquiorra sighed. Now, there were scarabs in Las Noches, instead of the cockroaches. It's one thing for Nagina to cause a plague, but that was normal for her. It was something completely different for her to change one plague into another. This meant that she was serious.
To anyone that didn't know them, they would seem completely random. They would seem as though they didn't know how to be serious. But Ulquiorra knew them. Everything they did, there was a reason behind it. A twisted, messed up reason, but a reason nonetheless. And that's what made them more dangerous than anything else in the universe.
He had seen what happened when the Diablos were angry. Truly angry. It was back in the days where Demons still ruled the world, but their control was slipping. There was a city they ruled, a large empire. And the Demons made the mistake of angering the six Diablos at that time.
No trace of that city could be found after a month. The Diablos had destroyed it from the inside out.
There were two types of approach the Diablos liked to take. The direct approach, and the indirect approach. Ulquiorra wasn't quite sure which approach they were taking now. Just that there was hell to pay. For either approach was deadly.
Indirectly, they had sparked revolutions, wars, and complete and utter destruction by invasion. And these were always between humans. Directly, they have caused famine, droughts, plagues. Or simply destroyed everything in their path. It wasn't too hard.
And, seeing the type of mess Lord Aizen has caused, he didn't want to be in the line of fire, blood trade or not. He was beginning to think that he might want to follow Nnoitra's and Szayelapporro's example.
After all, knowing full well what the Diablos are capable of didn't provide a sense of security. It only brought fear.
That was why they have no problem with letting their enemies know what they were capable of.
…
They all made themselves comfortable. Each of them had a cup of tea in front of them. And Urahara realised that his living room was getting too small for all the guests that constantly came to his shop.
"Alright," Yumichika said. "Tell me, what makes my sword so special?"
Leva sighed.
"I'll start with the beginning," she said. "I've mentioned the Armageddon before, right?"
A few of the Soul Reapers nodded their heads.
"Okay. The Armageddon happens every five thousand years. Naturally, at least. The next natural apocalypse will be in two thousand years. But that doesn't mean that there won't be other attempts during the next two thousand years. That's the main duty of the Diablos. We ensure that nothing happens to the natural order. Since humans are short-lived, and since the first time they will become a threat will be once they die, we created Hell in order to stop the humans who would attempt to do something like that. When they become too ambitious after death, however, we used to take care of them ourselves. Until the Soul Reapers came along."
"So," Shinji interrupted, "what you're saying is that you guys were responsible for the 13 Squads?"
"We didn't instigate it. We simply allowed it to happen. At first, we were a little ticked because they were doing more harm than good. We attempted to stop them. We actually caused a lot of damage. It took a lot of compromising for us to allow the Soul Reapers to proceed. And with Squad 2 becoming a squad of Vizards, we knew that they were on their way. Then they decided to put Central 46 in charge, and they completely messed up. The captain, lieutenant and third seat fled to Heuco Mundo, where they joined with several Arrancars. Normally, Arrancars and Vizards would join them, but with Aizen messing with everything…"
"They didn't want to accept anyone," Kensei sighed, the battle of the previous day still fresh in everyone's minds.
"That's right. Since then, we've been on the lookout. We've also started to forge swords. We used to do it a lot before the time of Armageddon, but in the last few decades, we had to resume our work. The swords are stronger than any others. But they're tricky. They have a tendency to kill whoever touches them that they don't find worthy. Yumichika is the first in two and half thousand years to not be killed by one of these swords."
"I see," Yumichika said.
"Fate chose you," Leva said, shrugging. "I mean, who else could have their Chain of Fate intact twenty years after dying?"
Urahara jumped and rounded on Yumichika.
"That's impossible," he said. "Either the chain would have dissolved, or he should have been bound somewhere. He couldn't still be completely fine after twenty years."
"Agreed," Leva said. "That was the first hint that something was different about him. The fact that he's still using that sword eighty years later is also cause for celebration. And the fact that it allowed Yumichika to transform it into a Zanpakuto…"
"Is there something special about those swords?" Szayelapporro interrupted. "Such as unique abilities, similar to Zanpakuto?"
"Well…" Leva said. "There's the fact that, should you ever accidentally end up in Hell, this sword shall provide you a Skull Clad, which will let the Kushanada know that you're on their side. It's the only defence you will have in Hell. These swords also have an ability that only the Diablos possess. And that is to kill an immortal."
There was silence as everyone absorbed this.
"What do you mean, kill an immortal?" Shuuhei asked.
"Exactly that," Leva said. "Before the last Armageddon, Heuco Mundo and Soul Society didn't exist. And the world was ruled by Demons. These creatures were strong, and impossible to kill. That was why we would allow humans to use the swords, if they were worthy. Our swords also possess that ability."
"And the Demons are now extinct," Hiyori said. "Right?"
"I never said that," Leva said. "Hell is the strongest prison in the universe. But only the five upper levels are for mortal souls. Anything below that is reserved for Demons. Many live there, simply because it appeals to them. Land of flesh, waters of blood. But there are those that still cause problems. Those that are too much of a threat to allow for freedom. So we keep them in a fortress named Tartarus. But, after the breakout, Tartarus is cracking. We Diablos are attempting to rectify the situation, and prepare for the escaped Sinners to also be locked there. This would take time. And we need their spiritual pressure to be restored."
"And you need Yumichika for that," Ichigo said.
"Yes," Leva said. "The fact that he's part Void, and the fact that he has a Forged Sword is also a good thing. Because if the Demons escape from Hell…"
"Are they strong?" Urahara interrupted.
Leva let out a nervous laugh.
"Are you kidding?" she asked. "Why do you think we needed three Resurreccions? In modern times, we're considered overkill. In ancient times, we were strong enough to keep ourselves alive."
"But," Szayelapporro interjected, "don't you get stronger with time?"
"They do as well," Leva said. "And then there's the fact that they've been locked up for a few thousand years, which makes them even more dangerous than originally. And they won't be going for the humans. They'll target Soul Reapers and Hollows. They'll go for the ones that might be able to fight back. But the thing is, no soul born in the last three thousand years has the strength or the knowledge to fight them. And there are a lot of them. So we need to keep them in Tartarus. But just in case…"
Leva sighed.
"I'm going to need to train a few of you," she said. "Yumichika is the one with the most potential regarding the ability to face a Demon. Then I would need to teach all of the Vizards and Arrancars how to use a Cero Domina. Then I'll have to help you all reach bankai. And then I'm going to need to teach you techniques that no one, whether Soul Reaper or Hollow, have heard of. Kido techniques that are higher than one hundred."
"What?!" Ikkaku huffed. "Kido? Are you serious?"
"That's right," Leva said, a smirk appearing on her face. "If you can't perform the kido techniques, then you're in trouble. Some species of Demon are completely immune to direct force. You'll need kido if you want to survive."
"The way you go on," Love said, "it's as though you expect the Demons to escape."
Leva sighed.
"There's a seventy five percent chance of that happening," she said. "And the way things are going now, there's a good chance that what we fear will come to pass. So I suggest you guys get a good night's sleep. We'll start in the morning."
…
Aizen was in his room. Brooding. Several of the lower Arrancars have already been eaten by the bugs. Their hierros just weren't strong enough. The Espada are safe. For now. But all the bugs needed was a single opening. Aizen had discovered that the bugs preferred to eat their prey from the inside out.
He had to find out more about these 'Diablos'. But he had gone through everything in the Central 46 Archives. Never had he seen anything about the Diablos. And that would mean that he had to search for someone who knew something.
He had already checked with Adesto and his friends. None of them knew anything about the supposed 'rulers of Hell'. He had to find someone who might know something.
There was a knock on the door. He frowned.
"What is it?" Aizen demanded.
"Sorry to interrupt, Lord Aizen." It was Rudbornn. Head of the Exequias. "But, we've managed to catch an intruder."
Aizen frowned. An intruder? Could it possibly be another of the Diablos? Or, perhaps, one that knows of them.
"Take them to my throne room," Aizen said. "And tell Adesto and his friends to go there as well."
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
He will find out about them, one way or another.
…
He had thought that it was fool proof. Sneak in, and attempt to destroy the army. Destroy them from the inside. And after the strange spiritual pressure he felt a few nights ago, it might be a good idea to put a stop to the Soul Reaper known as Aizen.
But then he got caught.
Raw force would not get him out of this situation. He needed to use his mind to get out of it. And, lucky for him, he could not die. He was, after all, one of the few that knew the full extent of the power of the Diablos. And they were not about to allow one with such knowledge to die. They wanted people to know about them. Not out of arrogance, but out of a refusal to prove themselves from the beginning. They needed those that already knew about them to spread the fear.
…
There was a knock on the door. Adesto growled. He was already sour about letting Yumichika slip through his fingers. And now, interruption.
"What?" he growled.
"Lord Aizen requested your presence in the throne room," the Arrancar on the other side said. "I believe it has something to do with a prisoner."
The Sinners exchanged a glance. Messing with a prisoner might be fun.
"We're on our way," Delgato said, smirking.
…
Aizen arrived in the throne room, Gin and Tosen at his side. If one was to look at him, you would never believe that there was a storm brewing underneath the calm façade. No one would know that Aizen was furious.
Two of his Espada decided to betray him, along with the reserve Espada. And then two Fraccion betrayed him as well. But he couldn't help but wonder what their reason would be.
And when he saw the prisoner, being held down by the Exequias, his calm smile was turned into a vicious smirk.
He had done research about this prisoner. A self-made Arrancar.
Arturo Plateado.
And Aizen noticed, with a sense of satisfaction, that Adesto and his friends arrived right behind him.
"Well then," Aizen said. "Arturo Plateado, was it?"
The golden-eyed Arrancar glared up at him, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"So," the Arrancar said, "you're Sosuke Aizen. I don't know why, but I was expecting someone… more. You're a poor excuse, even for a Soul Reaper."
Aizen's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"And yet," he said, "you're the prisoner. Now, there is only one thing I want from you. Information. And you're going to share it with me."
"And what makes you think that I'll tell you anything?" Arturo asked.
"Adesto," Aizen said, "do you mind?"
Adesto smirked as he came closer. Arturo's eyes widened as he saw the other Arrancar.
"Sinner," he whispered.
Adesto frowned before he placed his fingertips against Arturo's forehead. The natural Arrancar screamed in agony.
"Now," Aizen said as Adesto pulled away, "will you share?"
Arturo glared up at the former Soul Reaper, panting in pain, but he didn't say a word.
"All I want," Aizen said, "is information on a group of Arrancars known as the Diablos."
At this, Arturo stilled, eyes widening. And then, he did something completely unexpected.
He laughed.
"You angered the Diablos?" Arturo laughed. "Which one? Oh, wait. Judging from your bug problem, I'd say it was Nagina. Am I right?"
Aizen glared, but then he noticed something. Even though there were scarabs around him, none of them approached the Arrancar. It was out of some sort of respect.
"What do you know of them?" Aizen demanded. "Why can't I get any information about them?"
"Because," Arturo said, "they're not some arrogant children who need to announce their power to the whole universe in order to inflate their already inflated egos, like you."
Aizen's eyes narrowed.
"What do you know about them?" he demanded coldly.
Arturo glared up at him, and there was not a trace of fear.
"You're in way over your head," Arturo said. "The fact that they revealed themselves to you means that you messed up big time. There are few that know the full extent of the Diablos' power. And no matter what you do, none of them will ever fear you half as much as we fear them. You can only kill us once. They can kill you however many times they want."
Aizen arched a brow.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"They have the ability to revive the dead. So basically, they kill you, bring you to life, just so they can have the satisfaction of killing you again."
"So you won't tell me because you're afraid of them?"
"I once witnessed the weakest of them kill a thousand menos, which included two hundred Vasto Lorde. In ten minutes. Without releasing her sword. Without the use of a cero. Without the use of Sonido. Even someone that was foolish would be terrified of them. But, if I have to, I'll tell you. They have no weakness to exploit, so don't even bother. And they don't mind people finding out about them. The more their enemies know, the less they have to hold back."
"Fine then," Aizen said. "Tell me about Nagina and Leva, first."
Arturo's eyes widened, and he let out a nervous chuckle.
"The green-eyed duo," he said. "I'd avoid direct eye contact, if I were you. Both of them give meaning to the phrase 'if looks could kill'. Nagina's is instantly, and Leva's is a slow death. Nagina is called the Queen Basilisk, while Leva is the Beast of the Sea. Nagina is a master of causing plagues, as you probably noticed. She is also the queen of poisons, and she has the power to let any plants do her bidding. Leva, on the other hand, has the ability to control all waters. Including the ones running through your veins."
"I see," Aizen said. "And what of the others?"
Arturo smirked.
"You really want to know about the most dangerous beings in the universe? Then I suggest you remember all I'm about to say. Because, no matter how you look at it, you've got Hell's fury on your heels. And no matter what you do, you won't be able to outrun them. Now, shall we start?"
