Ultrabross's Vision
CHP36: Pieces to a Puzzle
Ichigo dodged to the side as the hollows poured through the open vortex. He quickly lost count of how many came through, holding a firm grip over his blade deliberating how he'd go about taking on both Morrigan and the hollows. The situation wasn't exactly in his favor but at the same time didn't want to reveal anything if he could avoid doing so. The succubus had an eye on him for quite some time and with the reveal she and Feyaglia were partnered up worried him. The way both presented themselves from his perspective suggested there was someone else at work behind the scenes.
An enemy from the past was a strong possibility but leaned toward it being someone making their way on scene for the first time. There were many similarities between the new brands of hollow he battled for the past couple weeks stacked against the originals. Still that peculiar sensation traveling through his body following the defeat of one was bothersome. On hindsight it didn't appear to be a problem but that might not be true either. He had no answers to anything that was happening around him but intended to change that even if it meant being rougher. Clueless and in the dark wasn't exactly something he was very fond of.
The mission had been to find and destroy the mysterious hollows sent to a realm far from his own. It sounded simple enough when put that way but through the process began to realize that wasn't enough. There was too much unknown and it wouldn't be the first time the Gotei Thirteen held back information. It was possible and even more likely they knew just about as much as he did but nothing was certain. Possibly after they were all disposed of whoever was behind it would expose his or herself. There was also another option…beating what he wanted out of the succubus but had the vibe she wouldn't be the type to talk.
A single hollow brought him out of his train of thought repeatedly swinging its nine inch claws at the Death God, Ichigo maneuvering from side to side fixated on how to go about putting the situation to rest, "Everything ok Shinigami…if I didn't know any better I'd say that's fear I see in your eyes. With the addition of these beasts you can't really think you can take me and them all at once? Do the smart thing, stand aside and release Moka into my care."
"Shut up!" Ichigo snapped slicing through and disposing of a hollow in front of him.
Morrigan couldn't help but snicker fully expecting a reply such as that. She observed as more and more hollows surrounded the death god. It was clear he held the advantage and could have jumped in but for that moment she chose to watch.
"Morrigan, can you hear me?"
A familiar voice spoke but she couldn't figure where it originated looking in all directions.
"Do not panic, I am merely communicating telepathically with you. Feyaglia reported she left the responsibility of capturing Moka in your hands. As I'm sure you're already aware I've dispensed another round of hollows to your location and in ways there has been a change in plans. Do whatever you can to lead Ichigo and the vampire back to the world of my fortress."
"Lead," Morrigan paused for an instant, "I don't follow, please do elaborate."
"Preparations on this end for their arrival are not yet complete. Bringing them back to base at this time isn't essential however having them close when the time comes is a positive. Do whatever necessary to get them to follow you through the vortex. I shall open one but not until after Kurosaki finishes with the hollows at your position."
"Yes I've been meaning to ask about that; these beasts of yours that is. What is the point of sending them if you expect this death god to cut down each one of them. You work in mysterious ways, that fact is no secret but what is the point to this all. If studying his fighting combat style is your goal than why send such inferior beasts to attack him?"
For a couple moments there was no reply.
"That is for me to worry about. Everything that's been done up to this point has had a reason just as this latest decision. In time it'll make sense but for now just try and enjoy the ride. His efforts will fail no matter how he goes about it, it is a no win situation for Ichigo Kurosaki. Involve yourself in the battle if you so choose, but your most important role comes at the conclusion of this battle. Do not disappoint me."
That was the last words she heard from Ultrabross, her vision falling upon Ichigo. Moka and Kurumu were separated from Ichi/Kon as a hollow of great size touched down in front of them, the two girls taking off in one direction and Ichi/Kon the other. The space within the alley was somewhat narrow but the hollow chose to chase after Ichi/Kon. The mod soul peeked over his shoulder while at the same time on the run. He couldn't understand why the hollow in question targeted him over them. Ichigo almost immediately realized what transpired taking off downward after the hollow in pursuit of Kon.
In a flash he was beside the hollow smashing it into the side of a building before stabbing his blade through its head. Kon slowed up no longer in any immediate danger, "What happened to staying hidden, the last thing I need is worrying about my body during battle. Find someplace to hide and do it fast!" Ichigo demanded.
"Think it's a bit late for that and don't blame me for this, I was hidden quite well. You and I both know there is no hiding from hollows and if you want to point the finger at someone than point it at the two ladies. If they hadn't been going on and on trying to get information about you th…"
"What did you tell them?!" Ichigo snapped.
"Nothing…they know nothing." Ichi/Kon replied.
The conversation was put on hold seeing as hollows approached from overhead, Ichigo wasting not even a second colliding with them head on. Ichi/Kon kept a safe close distance watching the death god go to work and take control of the situation as he normally did. Kurumu and Moka found someplace to hide down the block between two buildings hoping it would be enough to shield them for a while at least. There was a considerable amount of citizens in the area; none of which seemed aware of the hollows and for their sake was probably a good thing.
"If we make it through this one day we can look back on this whole thing, smile and laugh." Kurumu whispered feeling sick to her stomach.
For one moment things looked good, everyone that voyaged through the vortex was back together again. Kurumu felt they were just one battle away from returning back to Youkai academy, and to be that close just to have it blow up in their faces the next second was heart wrenching. Of all the people she could be separated from there was no other worse than Tsukune. The only good thing about it was Gin was with him, so he wouldn't be entirely alone. Moka on the other hand hated running from a fight but there were far too many of them and was uncertain of their durability and how much it would take to bring them down.
"Where do you think that woman took Tsukune?" Kurumu asked.
"Hell if I know, let's hope Ichigo does. Whoever these people and things are seem to be after him. We should probably keep quiet for now or those things will proba…"
Kurumu pulled Moka away from the brick wall just as a hollow appeared out of nowhere attempting to burry its fangs into her shoulder. Wings instantly sprung from Kurumu's back, her finger nails extending into blades. She and Moka both exited out of the alleyway giving themselves more room to work with. For that moment it was two VS one and hoped it would stay that way long enough for them to finish the lone hollow.
"Look at what we have here two beauties, boy am I lucky. Now which of you pretties wants to go first, don't volunteer all at once ahahaha."
Kurumu took off at the hollow slashing away at its side, realizing the surface of its body was made of a shell like substance. Her attacks resulted in little damage, Moka jumping in with one of her signature kicks to the side of its face. The force of her kick sent the hollow soaring through the air into the side of a building. Shaking itself off it looked to the two, "Nice hit little lady, hope you won't be a tough one through the digestion process."
"This thing is really creepy isn't it Moka, especially the way it talks eeewww."
"Focus Kurumu-chan, we can't let our guard down even for a second." Moka said.
"Gotcha."
Together they rushed the hollow at once hoping to throw it off balance. Morrigan observed both battles from a distance choosing not to get involved. Doing so gave her the option to recollect and get ready for what she'd do next. All she had to do was get Ichigo to follow her through the portal when the time came for it to open. She had one thing in mind and would most certainly triumph any other idea, he would follow after her for sure. A grin took shape on the side of her face just thinking about it.
Ichigo dashed forward targeting the closes of the five hollows within the vicinity swinging his zanpakuto at them. His blade connected with the side of its snow white mask only to watch it immediately regenerate from the blow, "How annoying." Ichigo implied hovering away from the hollow. Three hollows went after Ichigo attacking at full speed. Ichi/Kon wondered if he should get further away, having a bad feeling the hollows might pick up on his energy signature.
Ichigo evade evaded swipes from both hollows using the blade of his zanpakuto to block others of them. He simultaneously slashed at both their throats only to have them regenerate straightaway, "Any of you interested in sharing the story behind your upbringing? You could start with your creator." Ichigo leaped over the top of them, cutting into the back of their necks kicking one to the ground. As his previous attempts the hollows restored themselves.
Both charged Ichigo at the same time bumping heads, "Idiot you're in the way!"
"And you aren't?!"
From above Ichigo came down over the two stabbing the blade of his zanpakuto into the face of a hollow. The particular hollow disappeared in a flash of light. The remainder in the area blitzed the shinigami. Ichigo took advantage of their aggressive approach cutting down each and every one of them. Another off to his right opened its mouth unleashing a large ice blast which he sliced in half. Jumping back Ichigo put some space between them, "You incarnation of hollows have it all don't yah." He wanted to know for some time but Ichigo grew more eager to come face to face with the one responsible for the hollows by the minute.
For the next several minutes Ichigo eliminated all the hollows that came his way. It almost felt like a video game, destroying one and another took its place right away. Ichigo even took care of the hollow battling back and forth with Kurumu and Moka, touching down in front of them, "Lucky I came when I did, are you both ok?"
Before either could reply another dimension hole took shape in the sky, Ichigo applying a tight grip over the handle of his blade. For several seconds they waited for more hollows to exit through but never happened. The silence was quickly followed up by screams from Ichi/Kon! He was carried into the air against his own free will.
"Morrigaaaaannn put him down!" Ichigo shouted taking off into the air.
"If you want him so badly come and get him sweetheart." The succubus winked en route toward the vortex.
Understanding what might happen if they stayed put Kurumu grabbed hold of Moka taking off after Ichigo and Morrigan.
"Get back here bitch!" Ichigo demanded.
Morrigan teased sticking her tongue out at him, aggravating the death god further. He was just inches of her as she passed through the vortex following her through, Kurumu and Moka entering just before it closed.
XXX
She sat over the steps in front of his shop, both hands situated in her lap hoping for the best. The wait was only a little over twenty minutes, Uryu and Kisuke arriving no more than two minutes from each other. From what she could tell it didn't appear either sustained much damage. She stood walking toward them both, "So how'd it go did you get rid of them all, I don't sense the presence of anymore?"
"For now perhaps, but there will be more of them. Even as we speak I can't say for certain this town is rid of them. This breed of hollow in particular poses abilities superior to any typical hollow you or I is accustomed to battling against." Kisuke notified.
"What do you mean by that?" Orihime asked.
"More of em could be hiding out nearby as we speak. I have no proof they have the ability to conceal their physical presence from us, but not a whole lot is known about them at this time. Follow me inside and I'll tell you what I've discovered thus far about them."
"You said these things are the reason for Kurosaki's absence, what did you mean by that?" Uryu questioned.
Kisuke proceeded for the main entrance signaling for Uryu and Orihime to follow, "Join me inside and I will get right into everything."
Uryu and Orihime glanced at one another before following him into the shop. On their way through they passed by Kisuke's most commonly known accomplices, that being Tessai, Jinta and Ururu. Orihime and Uryu followed him into a back room where some of his extra equipment was including a computer. He took a seat in front of it starting up all systems.
"Let's start from the beginning shall we. As you both know I'm no member to the Gotei Thirteen anymore these days but that doesn't mean I don't hear things. From what I was able to collect the captains of squad two and seven, their units included were the first to encounter these hollows. It was also mentioned a mysterious individual watched the battle from afar."
"So I take it this mysterious individual is the prime suspect linked to the hollows. Any idea who he or she is?"
Kisuke shook his head, looking to the computer screen.
"Far as who's pulling the strings I've got nothing. For now the most important thing to do is focus in on how to go about ridding ourselves of them completely. I managed to get a small fragment of one from the Gotei's research and development lab and have been examining it closely. Its physical makeup is almost identical to any everyday hollow but what's inside is where it gets really interesting."
Kisuke navigated through various folders searching for a specific file. When it finally came into sight he double clicked, "Here are the general results developed through my diagnostics. I don't know what is behind the different abilities they have from one another but do share common attributes. Much of it I still don't have answers to, but won't remain for long the more time I put into analyzing it all. It is this part here that really got me thinking after further inspection."
Kisuke pointed to a precise location on screen, Uryu and Orihime moving in closer for a clearer view.
"A peculiar energy circulated through the small piece I examined, an energy that my research led me to the conclusion is connected to something; a small portion to something much larger. If my hypothesis proves true there's one question that needs answering. That energy type doesn't just disappear; I must discover what becomes of it once they've been slain…" Kisuke placed a finger over his chin.
"I don't get it…I'm lost." Orhime's head dropped, "Can you at least tell me what involved Kurosaki-kun in all this? And more importantly can you tell us if he's ok or where he's at?"
Orihime put her hands together and were positioned just above her knees.
"Ichigo was fine the last time I checked, but that was nearly two days ago. According to my source he was first dispatched to some place called the Youkai realm. I've only kept an eye on things from a distance so forgive me if my knowledge or lack of is very little. I wouldn't worry about Ichigo however, he's a tough one and a mission such as this I'm certain he will thrive through. If you're still interested in his current whereabouts I can tap into and track his badge, but that might take time depending his current position." Kisuke informed.
"Thank you, I'd love that." Orihime nodded.
Uryu crossed his arms trying to make sense of the bit concerning the irregular energy that circulated through the single hollow and contemplated if it was the same with them all. Seeing as they were all linked and likely originated from the same place it was almost a no brainer. Still what could it mean if the energy between them all was somehow connected to something else, the situation was difficult to wrap his brain around.
"So if they return our objective is to destroy them correct?" Uryu directed toward Kisuke.
"For now that's our only option. Until I discover something more about them there's just not much we can do. Allowing them to lurk around isn't a choice, like any hollow they devour loose souls that have not yet journeyed to soul society."
"You said Kurosaki was in some Youkai realm, where is this place located if you don't mind me asking?" Uryu said.
"Like I said before I haven't exactly been working this one close to the chest. Just as it's spelled out the setting is in an entirely different world, dimension if you will. Once I pin point the substitute badge we should be able to communicate with Ichigo. Feel free to stay and wait but it might take time." Kisuke enlightened.
To Be Continued